Underwater

Since the pandemic, walking has been my main exercise and while I really enjoy it and enjoy listening to podcasts as I walk, I just feel a bit landlocked.

Even thought I felt fatigued and as if I didn't have enough time, I did get an opportunity to go swimming today. Couldn't find my good goggles and one of my flip flops is missing but I have back-up goggles and back-up flip flops. Not ideal but as the 'Fugee likes to say now -- good enough.

Unbelievably, It's been two years... Tried to do freestyle on my first trip down the lane and couldn't do it so I did the backstroke for awhile and then told myself to calm down and breathe and I was able to feel comfortable with my head underwater. Swimming was definitely relaxing...

During my morning walk the other day, saw four goldfinches emerge from this area by the sidewalk with coneflowers and some other puffy, purple flowers.

Further along I saw a hummingbird, several cardinals, a robin and who knows what else. A few delightful moments during this wild ass time in the world and in my life. 

It's hard to believe that it's 2022 with all this fascism and misogyny. 

The Meditator

A new bed frame was in order since a wheel casing broke making it necessary to prop up a corner of my bed. Thought about replacing the one component but the 'Fugee suggested that, since the frame was ancient, I should go ahead and replace the whole thing. After picking up a new frame, we headed to Marshalls and JC Penney since I wanted to get a backpack with wheels for my yoga books and paraphernalia.

The 'Fugee came over on Saturday and we moved my dilapidated bookshelf, first, then we dealt with the box spring and the mattress and the gigantic dust bunnies that had been living under my bed. As I told the 'Fugee, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I did sneeze like crazy -- even with a mask on; plus, I ended up with a wicked case of congestion.

It took us about four hours to put the frame together, move the new bookshelf into my room and sort through the, roughly, 20 pairs of shoes that were scattered underneath my bed. The 'Fugee picked up my ladder bookshelf from Aldi after I had expressed interest in having one. We put that together about two weeks ago and it remained in the living room until the frame was delivered...

The 'Fugee attending to fine details. 

The 'Fugee's idea to display my stationery boxes.

While in Marshalls, I spotted the same yoga block that I had gotten in Target for half the price. I was so annoyed but had to tell myself that you can't make the right decision 100% of the time. Had I gone looking for the block at Marshalls, it probably would not have been there...

To fulfill one of my yoga teacher training requirements, I went to a mediation class at another yoga studio last night. Before we started, Josh asked us what had brought us to class and I confessed that I was going through yoga teacher training (I would need paperwork signed) and I was tired of asanas and wanted to fulfill my observation by taking his class.

After class we got into a circle and talked a bit about the experience. I totally enjoyed the class. Josh did a guided meditation through the five senses and I liked how he said Meditation can be something that you look forward to. Next week, he'll use a different technique and I'm looking forward to attending. The meditation class is 60 minutes but it only felt like about 20. I was able to go to that space between sleep and full alertness.

As we gathered our items, a fellow meditator wished me well with yoga teacher training. I wasn't expecting that and thought she was sweet to wish me well.

Super Funny

When I went to deal with a down payment for yoga teacher training, saw one of my fellow yoga peeps, Deena, who likes to "give me the business" when she doesn't see me for a while.

Deena told me how she sets a goal of 20 yoga classes per month; otherwise, she slacks. As she told me that I wondered why she hadn't signed up for training but I, who'd only been to two classes in the last two months, was preparing to undertake an almost year-long training.

Life is "funny" that way, I guess.

Another time when I dealt with a payment, I handed an envelope to the studio owner and the lead trainer, Stacy, said What is that? Your resignation letter? For some reason, I found that super funny. Another comment about seeing me later because I probably had some wall to climb was equally funny...

Recently finished Trevor Noah's book, Born a Crime and really "enjoyed" it. Enjoy gets quotes because it was an intense book. From now on, the books that I will read will have the work yoga somewhere on the cover and a lot of them will be intense too. I will say, though, after taking four yoga classes in one week, I felt much calmer.

It was nice to have my weekend back. Went to Zumba, shopped, cleaned the living room, washed loads of clothes then had pool time with the 'Fugee and that was just on Saturday...

At work today, the staff celebration committee hosted and Eid celebration. To my surprise, my coworker to my right started to put henna on someone. I didn't know she had skills that. I asked her to put a design on me. She kept apologizing because the tube was not cooperating but I had no complaints because I don't apply henna at all and I can't draw.

I can see why henna is used ritually at wedding parties etc.; it's a bonding experience. I had such a nice time talking with coworkers that I don't see regularly. I asked one intern who is super calm and happy if she meditates and she said “No, but I pray.”

Someone made baklava happen. I didn't have any though...

The Sweetest Message

I am not the type of person who comes up with a five-year plan. I do, however, have shorter and softer plans and goals.

Still, yoga teacher training was not in my vision for this year but that's what I was doing this weekend. And, wow, it's been a good but very long weekend. Training started on Friday at 5:30 and went until 9. Saturday and Sunday was another 15 hours or so. I finished grocery shopping around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and I finished cooking around 8:45 p.m. today.

During lunch today, I headed to this juice place because three people were sick and I picked up something along the way or maybe before then and I wanted to try to nip it in the bud.

Walked into the juice place and this young woman was at the bar. How are you, friend? she asked. Next, she wanted to know my birthday and said that I had the same birthday as her father. She then went on to tell me that she had a hangover (You don't even know..., she said) and I asked her what she was drinking to combat it. Hugs, she answered. So, I gave her one.

Also wanted to pick up cilantro at the international store. It was the one item that they didn't have at the regular store. When I saw how Rooster had covered its egg, I walked myself over and took a picture.

I got the sweetest message from the 'Fugee. Good morning my favorite student. It helped me relax as I was extraordinarily nervous about the practice teaching that we had on the agenda. Wasn't expecting practice teaching on the first weekend.

I Want...

Riverfront Trail

Picked up an ice coffee before I went to the 'Fugee's last night because, without the coffee, I doubt that I would have made it through Ice Mother.

During one scene in the movie, I was thinking it as the 'Fugee said it, You hardly see older people having sex in movies. Later on, the 'Fugee wondered what was going to happen with the story because it's a foreign film. Her speculation was correct because we were left at the end of the movie wanting more plot...

We also watched the Turkey episode of Bare Feet. I want to go to Turkey and stay in the Cappadocia Cave Suites.

Made plans to bicycle with Alison whose been itching to try out her new bike. Not sure what they make these "workhorse" bikes out of but my bike was no match. I had a hard time keeping up with Alison. Before, we used to ride side-by-side. However, Alison said she felt like she was struggling on her 20-year-old bike. Not sure how the biking will work out in the future. The difference in bikes is why I seldom bike with Patti and her crew.

At any rate, we took a break around mile eight and this woman commented that we were sitting in the sun. There is really no good place to sit until the organization that maintains the trails finishes with this one shelter/picnic area.

The woman, Erma, had on all the accoutrements of a veteran bicyclist: jersey, cycling shoes, a helmet with a mirror etc. I asked Erma about her average mileage and she said 15 is her low side and 40 is on the high end. Age has slowed me down. I told her that there was no comment from me as the most I've ever done is 20 something miles...

We finished our ride and since I was already dirty, I clipped a few pressing weeds then cleaned up.

Spent the rest of my time hanging up clothes, hand washing a few items and looking for my best pair of glasses that had been missing since Tuesday. Finally, I looked in my swim bag again and the glasses where there.

Went grocery shopping and when I came back, heard an owl. A couple of neighbors heard it too. Hearing the owl was a nice way to end the day.

Too Much Rallying

Got an invitation to go to an Iyengar yoga class on Friday. I'd had my eye on the studio and wanted to go since I would have someone to go with me but I was feeling tapped out.

I know that yoga would have probably made me feel better but... The class started at 6 and I would have had to get to the studio 20 minutes early. It was just too much rallying for my state of mind so I went home, paused then siphoned water out of the fish tank because I was over a week behind on doing that task. Headed to the to the 'Fugee's after composing myself a bit. Unbelievably, I was sleepy but managed to make it through a short movie then I took a short nap.

As the 'Fugee and I exited, her neighbor came out and was startled. I chuckled and then it was my turn to be startled when her small dog ran toward me. I guess we are all jumpy, she said...

Alison and I went on our first bike outing of the year. It was h than the projected forecast and a little windy but we made it. Alison has such a keen eye. As we bicycled, she spotted two turkeys -- one fanning his tail. Later on, she spotted these tiny, roadrunner-like birds.

Tiny, Fast Bird

House

We stopped around mile eight to have a snack. I brought an orange and Alison brought a mango and we exchange a half. Both were amazing.

Yum

Slightly Obsessed with Bike Sharing Fleet

It's Okay

Chiquita, my cousin, inquired about my day and, at some point, I gave her a rundown of my exercise schedule.

"But when do you do yoga?," she asked.

Good question as I've been barely doing yoga and it's showing up in my body.

Soooo, what have I been doing?

Friday before last, went to see I, Tonya. Had not planned to go and see that movie but the 'Fugee and I were running out of movies to see at the $5 dollar movie theater. I, Tonya is a very good movie and I have to say that I really didn't pay much attention to the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story but the movie was a lesson in looking beyond the surface.

This past Friday, I went to an international-themed trivia night even though I'm not a trivia aficionado and the first trivia night that I went to left me feeling like I'd been "left behind."

At any rate, I went to the trivia event because I work with contractors who I don't get to see often and one of them suggested that trivia night could be a way for us to get together.

I was nervous about looking "left behind" but I felt the fear and did it anyway. We had one "star" at our table but he had me cracking up when he said that geography was his round and that signaled the end of his participation but, of course, he couldn't stay on the sidelines.

When I saw the international cats round, all I could think was That's evil until the woman next to me was like "I love cats" and proceeded to name seven of of the ten cats in an impressive amount of time.

Overall, it felt like the people who hadn't been born in the states were the smartest but that's not true. The superstar of our table is American born. All of that to say that it seems like other countries have a more serious education system.

Surprisingly, I ended up knowing several answers that involved Japan. I knew one of the answers because I'd been invited to Gloria's house for a Japanese-themed dinner.

On a food note, the most popular items that someone brought were bread and cheese, LOL.

The round that had me cracking up the most was the eighth and final one.

Didn't go swimming tonight since the school that I swim at is on spring break. Went to Zumba again and was reminded of why I seldom try to make the 5:30 p.m. class. Combine rush hour with construction and it made for a hair-raising experience. By the end of class, I had forgotten the traffic nightmare until one of my fellow Zumba folks said she'd had the same issue and that she hates being late to class. Me too I said then told her that I kept telling myself You're going to be late; it's okay.

Cover Up

Tried to see if there was something different that the 'Fugee and I could do on Fridays and saw that Wyclef Jean was slated to play with the St. Louis Symphony but the 'Fugee nixed that idea. I was also curious to see how Jean's mishandling of his charity had worked out. Of course, Jean wasn't the only one who mishandled funds. I'm still miffed at the Red Cross.

As I looked at events, the Missouri Botanical Garden's Orchid Show popped up. I had seen social media posts about the show then it slipped off my radar. The garden also wouldn't work for Friday because it closes at 5:00 p.m. so the 'Fugee and I ended up going to see The Post. It's amazing the freedoms that you take for granted; the movie made me remember how hard it was for women to get many rights.

Fast forward to Saturday. I saw a red circle on Instagram and read the direct message from one of the yoga teachers that I know who had left me a voicemail but I'm really bad about turning on my phone. She wanted to know if I was interested in going to the Orchid Show since she has a family and friends membership. Hadn't put the show in my time budget but it felt meant to be.

The three of us who ended up going all enjoy taking pictures so it made the outing even cooler. One of the women took the picture below of me. Sometimes I think about dyeing my hair to hide the gray but I think that one of the reasons that it looks odd is because so many people do choose to cover it up but I don't think that I even have time to indulge in this type of activity.

She Likes Flowers

The other event that I wanted to see this past weekend was Art in Bloom at the St. Louis Art Museum. I missed it last year. So, I cooked and ran errands and, at the last minute, thought that the 'Fugee might like to go. She likes flowers and she likes art, ta-dah! To my surprise, the 'Fugee agreed to go. We got to the art museum about 90 minutes before the show ended. We enjoyed ourselves.

When I told my aunt about my earlier Sunday activities, she said that she'd heard two women at Soulard Market talking about Art in Bloom; when they'd tried to go, it was too crowded. There was still a nice amount of people when we went but it wasn't bad and we were able to find decent parking.

Here are some of my favorites:

Red Ribbon Winner

Sheryl Timmermann's Representation of Standing Ardhanarisvara

Timmermann was around her floral art and talked about how she made the lotus flower out of anthurium flowers. She said a lot more but I don't remember much. She also had mala beads in her design too.

I'll have to read more about the story of the Ardhanarisvara and go to the art museum more often too.

The 'Fugee took this picture of me while I was checking out one of the floral installations. I like the installation as well as the picture.

As you can see, I don't fuss over my clothes. My top should be all the way down but whatever...

Greater Than

Went to Zumba on Saturday then spent the bulk of my day with the 'Fugee since it was her birthday. It was a joint celebration because the 'Fugee and her niece's birthday are days apart.

I enjoyed everyone's company and it seemed like the birthday people enjoyed themselves. I know that we all enjoyed the toddler's company. It's amazing how the little ones are fascinated and ready to engage with technology. At some point, our youngest party participant, went and got her sunglasses so that she could take a selfie. She was also very fascinated with her aunt's "real" camera.

At some point, I started talking with the toddler's mom about how life is home...work...home...work -- for the most part. I also mentioned that I'd bought several tickets for this most recent 450 million lottery. She said that winning the lottery would be nice but she has a feeling that everything she earns will be with her own ten fingers. Yeah, I know the feeling...

Something small-ish had been weighing on my mind. I bought a used lawnmower last year and the guy told me to make sure that I drained the gasoline. Grass-cutting season was much longer in 2017 so I didn't get around to it but  I did yesterday and was so relieved that I finally got the chance to check something off my list.

Back to the party. The 'Fugee's niece has such delightful dishes. It made the eating experience so much more joyful -- that and the sweets and the half and half in the coffee.

On another note, I'm feeling a bit weary. Feeling like a 9-to-5 soldier -- marching in step -- trying to get things done but barely making a dent in the tasks that I need to do but I guess that I'll keep marching on...

Out of all the signs that I saw about the Women's March, this one brought tears to my eyes and I'm not quite sure why.

Crowds returned to the streets yesterday a year after millions of people demonstrated in cities around the globe in an extraordinary rebuke of Donald Trump. Organisers hope the anniversary rallies and marches will help galvanise the movement ahead of the 2018 midterms. #womensmarch

A post shared by The Guardian (@guardian) on Jan 21, 2018 at 1:01am PST

I Settle

View From the Farm

Went to another goat yoga event and, as usual, I didn't do much yoga since I was too distracted by the goats and pig. It was very windy so that was also a distraction but the event still made for a nice animal therapy session and it's looks mountainous in the farm area so it's beautiful.

Gertrude

Want to Frame This One of the Runner Ducks

Alison volunteered to drive. She said that her car is like her purse and she would probably forget something so I got a chance to look around and take pictures during the drive.

Rain Clouds

We also ended up going to the Crystal Festival which got rained on a lot. I joked that there were enough energy workers and crystals so we should have been able to make it stop raining. Alas, that didn't happen but several of the crystal folks said that they saw a hint of the sun. Is that a case of looking at the sky as half full?

From Alison's I went to pick up essential oils that were on sale. Later on I told Alison how I really wanted these expensive fragrances, like rose and jasmine, and she suggested that I could use my gift certificate for an herb shop toward the purchase of one. I had already used part of of my gift certificate for a "lesser" essential oil and hand cream. As I told Alison, I have a history of not getting exactly what I want. When I feel like I'm being decadent, I settle but, in this case, I had a gift certificate and enough money from my birthday to splurge.

Not going full throttle is something that I'm going to have to work on so that I can become the proper queen that the 'Fugee thinks I am.

Doggedness, In Action

My suitcase is almost unpacked and I've washed two loads of clothes, cooked my first meal since returning home and I've been to three yoga classes but I've also reflected on how it was, in some ways, nice not to have a yoga studio on every corner while on vacation and, thus, taking away the temptation to be at a studio for a set hour and, instead, practice a different kind of non-asana yoga.

I have handed out most of the souvenirs that I accumulated. Had breakfast with my aunt Debbie, my cousin Chiquita and Alison too...

Can't bear to put the ABC container in the recycling bin that held lokum cookies made by A, the 'Fugee's friend. When I remembered that I had the cookies in my carry-on luggage, delight.

In my last post, I forgot to say that I missed dates and not the dry ones that we got at the grocery store in Hvar but the imported ones from Iran. Those dates were such a filling snack as we traveled around...

I've downloaded the almost 800 pictures that I took and uploaded about 125 to a photo-sharing website. When I look at all the images, I think My God, we covered a lot of ground.

I still think about the Balkan people who had air conditioner in their cars but didn't want to use it. They also didn't want to roll down the windows because of the dreaded European draft. There was a woman at this restaurant, Biban, who didn't want to sit at a particular table, closer to the spectacular view, because she thought she'd be more susceptible to a draft.

I'm still baffled by A who is cautious regarding drafts but opened up the doors in the morning to let all of the Croatian mosquitoes in. Drafts are dangerous but mosquitoes are not? Also, isn't there a draft when you open all the doors?

The 'Fugee did an excellent job of organizing our adventure. She is well informed as a lot of her fellow Balkan people are and it makes me think of my first yoga retreat in Jamaica when one of my fellow travelers said that she was embarrassed by how much Jamaicans knew about American politics but she knew nothing about Jamaican politics. I felt similarly when asked about American stuff while abroad.

But I digressed... The 'Fugee did a great job. In her role as organizer, it also made me realize, again, what a great interpreter she is.

At one point the 'Fugee said that she wished that A and I could communicate so that I could see how funny A is... Obviously, our communication was much more meaningful when the 'Fugee interpreted but A and I found little ways to communicate. Necessity is the mother of...

Speaking of communication, there are times when I've perceived the 'Fugee's pursuit of what she wants as dogged but it was very enlightening to see her Balkan peeps, with equal or greater doggedness, in action. Alas, I  had taken the 'Fugee out of her cultural context... It's weird because I know other people from the Balkans but...I will chalk up my observations and understanding to being more alert and present nowadays.

On another note, the 'Fugee also deserves recognition for her budding photography skills. This woman has always been fond of taking pictures but is now fully participating in the process by being on the other side of the camera and it's been fun to see her pictures.

Photo Credit: The 'Fugee

A keeping her eyes on Buddy... Photo Credit: The 'Fugee

Thank you, 'Fugee, for showing me around and sharing your friends with me. Puša, two times...

Somewhere Again

Split Airport

I miss ordering cherry juice during beverage service on Croatia airlines -- even though I'm not a big juice drinker.

I miss drinking Orangina while in the Balkans; it doesn't taste the same in Missouri and, again, I don't usually indulge.

I miss the way the 'Fugee's friend, A, slowly drawls out "Ma da..." even though I'm not totally sure what she's saying.

I miss the waiter's (at our favorite Croatian restaurant) singsong way of saying Moze...  

I miss breakfast rituals with the 'Fugee and I even miss our dormitory-style sleeping arrangements.

Needless to say, I miss the sea and the seagulls.

I miss the way Europeans take an extra swimming suit to the beach then change into the dry one behind a towel. 

I miss the way it's okay to touch people if you need to get by them or get their attention.

I miss people's trusting nature. 

#10 Leading the way to the Mirabella Fortress

The 'Fugee and Emina (who drove us up some really hilly terrain in a manual, wow).

I miss the foragers.

Mulberry Bushes, Sarajevo

I miss the courtyard swing set in Omis and mixing up my various currencies. I miss the struggle of converting kilograms to pounds...

I'm ready to go somewhere again.

The Journey Back

5 a.m.Goodbye View of the Sea

As my time in Croatia came to a close, I tried to concentrate on all of fun that I'd had but, inevitably, I got sad and wondered if I should have stayed longer.

Kept thinking that it was time to return to my regular life but that's not an accurate adjective because the trip was part of my regular life but, of course, vacation life is not the usual day-to-day grind.

I should be all kinds of grateful that I have a job that will let me take more than three weeks off, that I had enough stamina for such an awesome adventure and that my travel guide, the 'Fugee, planned such an adventure.

The 'Fugee's childhood friend, A, was super sweet when she asked what time "we" had to get up. We had to get up at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday in order to make it to the airport. A set her alarm clock way before I set mine. Also, the landlord was covering airport duty and said that if she wasn't up, which was highly unlikely, to wake her up. I was covered on all fronts...

The airport in Munich was super-confusing and I had such a urge to go with the crowd when we got off the shuttle bus but knew that I was supposed to be at a different terminal. The set-up was a confusing and I finally asked one of the passport control folks. It was like a maze when I got to the other terminal. This guy, traveling with his young child, was also trying to find his gate when I said to him that the airport was perplexing, he said that most airports in Europe are confusing.

I expected something different out of a German airport but oh well...

The plane, unlike the one coming from America, was huge. Three sections with four seats in the middle and two seats on each side of the middle section. I was in the middle and didn't move nearly as much as I should have.

I was knocked out from Split to Munich and kept losing control of my head on the Munich flight too. Woke up at one point and everybody had ice cream, LOL.

When we finally landed my feet felt numb and the numbness, together with my mild plantar fasciitis, made for an interesting task as far as getting my feet going. I can also see how people get in trouble with deep vein thrombosis. Someone else also mentioned that their feet felt numb...

This woman in front of me told two airport workers that her flight was scheduled to leave in about 20 minutes. Thought she might have been on my flight because I had the same issue. The workers shrugged and said That's just the way it is...

The walking time to my terminal was 15 minutes so I caught a shuttle but when I got to my gate no one else was there. This woman across the way spotted me and scanned my boarding pass. I was so grateful because I did not want to delay my marathon journey...

Got up this morning and 6:00 a.m. and the tears started rolling not too long after that. It wasn't an ugly cry but...

Went to yoga despite feeling like I needed a nap because my body is tight as hell. Thought about how the tourist agent in Omis said that there used to be one person who did yoga but people were looking for more of a workout and she started doing Pilates.

In The States, it's a yoga studio on almost every corner but it worked for me to do a little chair yoga while on vacation.

During this morning's class, Annie talked about staying in the present moment which was definitely a hard thing to do as my mind kept wandering back to Europe...

Best Thing About Munich...