MLK Day- A Day On, Not A Day Off

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist, among many other things, that made change happen where ever he went. What more could a person ask for than to have a day dedicated to them? But more importantly, a day of service.

In Bloomington, the buzz about "A day on, not a day off" was impressive. The rooftop garden received a $700 grant for the occasion towards improving the garden and holding a volunteer event for the community.



We had a great turn out and started constructing a low tunnel that will allow for season extension by providing the ideal environment for plant growth earlier in the Spring and later into Winter. Volunteers enjoyed painting old tires with vibrant colors that will be used as planters and will bring an artistic element to an already beautiful garden. This is an example of keeping items out of the landfill while giving them a new purpose. Additionally, seeds were planted in small containers that will go under a lamp until they are ready to be transplanted in the Spring.



To some, MLK Dayis an extended weekend but to others, it's a day of giving back. Thank you to all of the volunteers and rock star interns for making this event possible.

 

A Buddhist Adventure

 Mandala inside of an outdoor room

Sitting on slightly over 100 acres of densely wooded area is the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. Bloomington is known for its Buddhist culture and frequent visits by the Dalai Lama himself, but it wasn't until recently that I took the time to see what it was all about. I had just finished my second book on Buddhism and I found myself being so intrigued by the ideology and positive messages behind the principles. I'm not one to rush into a new religion but I was eager to learn more about such a peaceful culture. More about how this man (Buddha) who attained full enlightenment. Life is challenging me more than ever and it surely wouldn't hurt to feel a positive light. 

Mantras, or prayers, on rotating wheels

My first visit to the temple was a more intimate one. A good friend of mine joined me as we explored the place together. To pass time before the lesson I flipped through a picture book of events and turned to a page with a photo of the Dalai Lama on a recent visit but was immediately drawn to an out of focus but familiar face in the background. I flipped to the next page it was surely him, my good friend Max (minus his current afro), guitar in hand and sporting the biggest grin you could imagine. How awesome it was that he could be apart of the experience all the way from Israel. The lesson that day was focused on the path to enlightenment and in a conference (Buddha style) room a group of people gathered around a monk to say a few prayers and take turns reading from a book. I almost passed up my turn to prevent myself from sounding like a dummy but figured if I was going to do this I wasn't going to hold back. Fortunately, I didn't have to read any words like bodhisattva  or satipaṭṭhāna. Phew.

This week I returned to the temple with my friend where the teaching was held in the shrine with rows of pillows along the floor. I must have missed the memo with the proper fast motion bows to the large Buddha statue at the front when entering the room. With an overwhelming color pallet of yellows, oranges, and blues my ADD quickly kicked in. The monk only spoke Tibetan but his messages were translated. It was easy to daze off to the sound of a beautiful foreign language mixed with the most interesting art everywhere you looked. You could hear rain beat down on the sky lights as it lightly stormed setting the perfect ambiance. What a beautiful place of love and generosity. We stayed around for a traditional Tibetan lunch and once again I left with peace of mind.

I can only imagine what my life would be like right now without the positive forces I have all around me. I get asked a lot how I deal with all the pressures of my responsibilities, long work days and my mom's recent hospitalization but my answer is simple. It's a mixture of spirituality, passion and a handful of solid friends.

12 Day Yoga Challenge; Day 9-12

Yoga: Preparing your mind and body for meditation. My mind is constantly wandering so meditation will be a challenge. This whole experience taught me more than just how to stretch. I learned the art of mindful breathing and I accomplished a level of concentration I didn't think was possible. In other words, this experience was life changing and I would recommend it to anyone!

Day 9: Warm Vinyasa
As the temperature rises my motivation lessens. This is the point in my challenge where I'm starting to ask myself how I will continue on with my practice after the challenge. I enjoy getting a nice big stretch in every single day but I'm missing the long runs with my dog. I've also wanted to try out other things such as salsa dancing, rock climbing, and getting back into martial arts. The consistency of practice has built my confidence and will allow me to do poses on my own.

Day 10: Hot Hatha
I was happy to try out this class considering it isn't offered as much as the others. I was out on a golf course all day so as you could imagine, I just wanted to nap. The poses seemed very challenging but it was probably because they were new to me. Each instructor has a different style so it's always interesting to try out a new class.

Day 11: Warm Vinyasa
My goal was to just really work on my focus and work towards perfecting my poses. I will still be corrected at times but I starting to understand that yoga is always evolving. It takes many years and a lot of dedication to master yoga. I began to notice my neck was getting sore from the power yoga classes which tells me that although it's a great workout, it's probably in my best interest to stick to the slow pose classes.

Day 12: Hot Yoga
Twelve days straight of hot intense yoga. I don't do anything for 12 days straight so this in itself was an accomplishment. I find it interesting also that I took a 12 day road trip and started 12 days of yoga the day after I returned. 12 must be a lucky number! Despite the 100 degree heat, I went to hot yoga knowing it was the last time I would be at the studio for a few weeks. With news of my friend, Violet, passing away I decided to dedicate my practice to her. When the poses got difficult (which they did of course) I thought of her to take my mind from the pain of holding big stretches. After class Charlie and I met up with Sujal in the park to relax and do more yoga. I've really enjoyed this experience and I've grown to appreciate the art.

Not only did I see my body transform over the twelve days, my mind is so much clearer and I feel a sense of calm as I start to plan for my next step in life. I can't remember the last time that I took time off for me, putting everything else second to my own needs.

Cruis'n USA- Utah & Colorado

What can I say? I like the mountains and desert a lot. The older I get the more appreciation I have for nature and this big beautiful world. I came for inspiration and an adventure and I got just that and more.  I can never get enough of the ever changing landscape of the West. This road trip was easily one of the best experiences of my life.

Utah
Watching the sun set behind the mountains as we drove through Salt Lake City was just incredible. We had a long day of driving through Idaho and would be driving through the desert after dark to our hotel. By this point it wasn't uncommon to see "No Service for 100 Miles" signs. The only casualty from the trip came when a white rodent/alien baby ran out in front of me on a back road. The stars that night were magical so I quickly forgot about it. We were exhausted so I settled for driving slowly with my head out the window instead of stopping (safe, I know). After a good slumber we headed to Arches National Park where you can find the craziest rock formations caused by wind, rain, and erosion. The vibrant colors of the rocks and sand were intriguing enough but the massive arches are out of this world. I need another two weeks in Utah to get to see all the other parks around. Maybe next road trip.

Sunset in Salt Lake City

Arches National Park

Landscape Arch- Arches National Park

Colorado
Where do I begin? Instant love the second we crossed the state line. The trees, the mountains, the altitude, the culture. We drove through the mountains as a storm rolled in. Denver was incredible and it was nice to see an old college roommate and catch up. The place was a perfect mixture of city and wilderness. We stopped in Boulder, which reminded me of Bloomington, for some shopping and a drink before heading up to the Rocky Mountains. The park was beautiful and we got to obsess over a grazing elk (you know there is an animal around when everyone crowds around with their cameras). We didn't see any of the big wild fires but we did notice a lot of dead trees. I later found out that the trees were being infested and killed by the pine beetle. This tends to happen when there is no major freeze that winter. Our last stop of the trip before heading home was the Denver Sustainability Park. Here you could find neat projects like affordable eco homes and edible gardens. I am already planning a trip back to explore more. It is likely that I will find myself living in Colorado within the next two years. Lovely place!

Downtown Denver design

Boulder, CO

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Denver Sustainability Park

Such an amazing experience! I am thrilled that I kept a journal with details from the trip to remember forever. This will not be the last road trip I ever take. Thank you to everyone who made it so special, especially Michael Agler. 

12 Day Yoga Challenge, Day 5-8

Yoga: the Union between your mind and body. It truly feels like I've enrolled myself in an intensive yoga boot camp for the last week. As I get more flexible and conditioned, I am always challenged by something, whether it's forgetting my water, the wrong attire, or lack of concentration. I am noticing a change in every aspect of my life because of my practice. I would recommend yoga to anyone who is searching for a better relationship with themselves and their spirituality.

Day 5: Hot Yoga
Today it finally clicked. I felt the concentration yogi's always talk about. It was weak but at times it had me pushing my limits to the max. The crazy part, I enjoyed every bit of it. The heat (i mistakenly set up next to a heater), the sweat, the rapid heart pace, the breathing. It was my first class with the owner, Jean. Her instructing was just as amazing as I've heard it was.  It was an exhausting but exhilarating experience. I giggle at myself for thinking in the past that people were wet from showering after her class (it was sweat, duh). After class my sister and I shared information about our own yoga experiences. She just finished a yoga class through IU and had the best textbook you could ask for. I want to continue yoga and practice regularly and I'll be sad when the challenge is over.

Day 6: Hot Yoga
I had to change up my routine and go to a morning class. I noticed quickly that my energy wasn't as powerful as it usually is (I'm not really a morning person). On top of that, I forgot my water. I couldn't let that stop my progress. I now am more focused on holding poses correctly instead of pushing myself because I think it's what I'm supposed to do. An hour and a half of hot yoga is very challenging but also very rewarding. It's easy to find your balance when you aren't concerned with others and how they're doing. It's all about you. As my work schedule starts to become hectic again, I stay committed to my 12 day challenge.

Day 7: Shanti
I was really feeling the effects from the late night I had last night. I had a great time grooving with family and friends at the concert and really enjoyed the flexibility yoga gives me. In just a week my body has transformed in a lot of ways. All of that dancing (and a few drinks) really took away my motivation for any hot yoga activities. My lower back was hurting from pushing myself too hard at the previous class but Sujal assured me I could participate in every activity. He was right because my back pain vanished after class.

Day 8: Shanti
Tonight was especially challenging, not because of the heat or the challenging poses but because the second I started to stretch I noticed something distracting. As I was mentally preparing myself, stretching and looking in the mirror, there they were... my undies. How did I not know that my boxer-like shorts would be too revealing? I quietly walk out to ask Sujal for some extra shorts. Of course he doesn't have any so I had to make a choice. I would have to ask someone (in meditation) to trade me places or work through the embarrassment. I chose to stay at the front of the class. Of course my mind would wonder from time to time about the view of the people behind me but I challenged myself to stay focused.

I am not 2/3 of the way through my challenge. For the last four days of my experience, I expect to see the most progress I've seen so far.

12 Day Yoga Challenge, Day 1-4

Yoga. Something I very much enjoy but also something I don't do nearly enough of. Whether it's out  of laziness or lack of time it has just become a rarity. After an adventurous two weeks on the road with a lot of city and nature, I felt a ton of great energy that I didn't want to forget about. It just so happens that my neighbor/good friend is an instructor at Know Yoga Know Peace in Bloomington. It's a very calming and relaxing studio downtown with wonderful energy. This is how my first four days went.

Day 1: Shanti-Hot
It is nice to see a familiar face leading the yoga class. I had taken Sujal's Shanti class once before and practiced these poses in the park with him a few times. That still hardly prepares you for the heat of this studio. Lauren and I forgot our towels at home and immediately regretted it. Everyone around you is dripping sweat, most are shaking from holding the poses so long. It felt wonderful, during and after. Because of a book I read on Buddhism during my trip, I have learned to have more focus and to be mindful of my breathing. I can see the concentration really made a difference.

Day 2: Warm Vinyasa
"Warm" as in the humidifiers weren't on but you could still feel the heat from the previous class. Vinyasa is a flow of poses that run together. This was a beginners class so it wasn't as difficult, however, still enjoyable. I was surprised when the instructor corrected my downward dog. Really? That is an elementary yoga pose and I'm not doing it correctly? Patience.. Andrea, patience. Getting a cold towel soaked in lavender water put over my eyes was a nice way to end the class. Breathe, breathe, breaaathe.

Day 3: Hot Yoga
The day of the Summer Solstice. Bikram yoga was a perfect fit with it's powerful poses and breathing exercises! I didn't know one could sweat so much. After hearing of my elder buddy, Violet, having a massive stroke today, I needed to sweat it out. I had a headache from crying but during the session it went away. I am starting to notice that I do really well with tougher poses but I sometimes find myself struggling with poses that seem simple. Maybe it's the crazy arch in my feet. I have started to appreciate when the instructor corrects my poses instead of feeling frustrated. This 12 day challenge is helping me find balance and inner peace. Constant work and responsibility over the last few years has really taken its toll on me. Before I move forward with my life and my career, I am going to be selfish and put this challenge first. I'm really glad that I am.

Day 4: Warm Vinyasa
Intention for the night: peace of mind. My favorite thing about the flow of vinyasa is that you always come back to a series of the same poses. You easily get a sense of how flexible you become just in a one hour class. I'm starting to become familiar with the practice which builds my confidence. Tonight it got cloudy which made the studio darker than usual. For the first time since I've been going, there was a small class which gave me more mirror space. I had the chance to improve the poses I've been doing for years. Overall I feel calmer and much more at peace. This is really going to change my life!

8 more days of yoga to look forward to!

Cruis'n USA- Oregon & Washington

If you think California is pretty, you should see Oregon. Wow! It was so beautiful and sometimes enchanting. A few of Michael's family members opened up their homes to us in a wonderful town between Eugene and Portland. I had my one and only dinner with meat and I only caved in because we could have walked to the farm it's from. I'm down with local meat here and there. It was all a part of the wonderful experience. Our stay in Washington was short but sweet. With so much driving and being on the go, a scenic view is all you can ask for.

Oregon
So much to see and do around the state. Don't get caught pumping your own gas here though (tisk tisk). The landscape almost anywhere was breathtaking. We got to do a lot of fun things like sit at the highest point in the Coastal Mountain Range with a great view of Mt Hood, touch a giant pier on the coast that came form the Japan tsunami debris that floated across the entire Pacific, had a few strolls around Portland, and drove East through the Gorge along the Columbia River. We even met up with a Copenhagen friend for some pizza at a haunted pizza place over Portland's Shanghai Tunnels. This state may be a new favorite of mine.

Marys Peak- Highest point in the OR Coastal Range

The beautiful Oregon Coast

Portland from the tram

The very tall Multnomah Falls

Columbia River Gorge

Washington
Time was going to be limited in Washington so we made a dash up to Seattle for the day. Never in a million years did I think I would love this city so much. The architecture, the mountains in the distance, the rain.. well maybe not the rain. It only made sense to see Seattle from the Space Needle when it was its typical rainy self. Once the weather cleared up we visited the fish market and met up with another Copenhagen friend. He took us to see the fascinating architecture of the Seattle Public Library and we made a visit to the infamous gum wall. We ended our WA stay with a 3D movie at a Cinetopia. A theater with reclining chairs and a server.. why didn't I think of that?

A rainy Seattle morning

Clouds clearing and showing the mountains

The incredible Seattle Public Library

The infamous gum wall

At this point, two thirds of our trip was over. After driving two thousand miles with a few thousand more to go you really get a sense for how much land there is in this giant country. Not everything from the trip was glorious, but I got to share a wonderful experience with a good friend while learning a thing or two about myself. I went out West searching for inspiration and peace of mind and I came back with that and so much more. Next stop, Utah and Colorado!

Cruis'n USA - California

For 2 weeks, my buddy and I hit the road looking for adventure and a new perspective on life. The California experience included everything from seeing an old Copenhagen friend in San Francisco, climbing to the top of one of the world's highest waterfalls in Yosemite, hugging the mighty Redwood trees and witnessing the aftermath of a careless motorcyclist who wrecked off a ravine.



San Francisco was just wonderful. My friend Matt who I met on my Copenhagen trip was kind enough to let us stay in his classic Victorian home that was built in 1903. Nothing beats being shown around by locals. We did everything from The Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39 to visiting the Farmers' Markets and the Golden Gate Park. We drove down Lombard St as if we were kids again, all giddy and such as everyone took our picture. I even saw a naked man sitting outside of a restaurant downtown. As if the steep hills weren't enough, this city is a blast.

Victorian Houses in front of the city skyscrapers.

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Yosemite was nothing short of amazing. The rock formations, gushing waterfalls, and steep cliffs could occupy your interest for days. We had one day to make the most of it so we chose to hike the 4.2 Upper Falls trail that reached over 6,000 feet above sea level. The hike up the mountain was the most strenuous hike I've been on and I can feel every bit of it in my leg muscles.There were several people who didn't make it to the top and there were a few people twice my age who made me look like an amateur. The satisfactory of looking out over Yosemite was priceless.  Dipping my feet in the ice cold water before the water made its way down to the bottom was refreshing and much needed after a 4 mile hike upward. I can't wait to go back and conquer the other trails!

I conquered the Upper Falls Trail!

The Redwoods were as magnificent as you could imagine. You really get a sense of how small you are when standing up next to one of these massive trees. Even after a tree dies, so much life is growing and thriving on it. About 10 minutes away from Oregon on an extremely curvy road, two motorcyclists pass us going 85+ mph. I looked at Michael and said I bet we would see one of them on the ground up ahead. About 10 minutes later, that would have been the case if the biker hadn't been thrown from the ravine. We were one of the first people to arrive to the scene but left after the police were called and traffic was blocked. I will probably never know if he lived or not but the odds are not in his favor. 

Hugging the mighty Redwood Tree

Inside of a carved out tree

The trip has been great so far. It's nice to get away from work and your responsibilities in order to do a little soul searching. I never realized how beautiful the United States really is. Going on this road trip was a great way to mark a wonderful 25 years of life. I wonder what I'll do for 30. :)

Off to Oregon and Seattle!

Gardening for Earth Day!

Beginning phase of our garden

Happy Earth Day! What better way to connect with the Earth than to grow a garden full of flowers and edibles!

It starts as a seed that cultivates into a sprout and soon enough, it's food worthy. Learning different gardening techniques (raised beds vs. containers, herb spirals, etc.) and experimenting with all kinds of produce will allow for a harvest well into the fall. Growing your own food is a great skill to have! Don't just take my word for it.

Our Herb Spiral

                                                            Herb Spirals are another great way to create an appealing and functional growing space. The spiral, when done correctly, acts as a micro-climate for the herbs. The rock warms and dehumidifies the soil providing a wide diversity of growing conditions and productivity. Honestly, we just think it looks cool. Check out more information on herb spirals here.

Composting is something we've been doing at our house for awhile now. By burying our food scraps, we allow for the nutrients to be put back into the ground. Once the food decomposes, we are left with a nutrient rich soil that we can put in our garden. I must add that the worms in our compost pile absolutely love us! Learn more about composting here.

Snow Peas have sprouted!

   


    Here is what you'll find in our garden:
    - Chives
    - Basil
    - Oregano
    - Curry Leaf
    - Catnip
    - Broccoli
    - Peas
    - Tomatoes
    - Peppers
    - Onions
    - Carrots
    - Radishes
    - Squash

We love our garden and can't wait to share the food with family and friends! Check back for more updates and creative ideas!

An Hour or More for the Earth

What is Earth Hour? To me it's global awareness, a reminder to shut off your electronics and an excuse to choose candlelight over your incandescents. Every major landmark across the world from the Empire State Building, the Great Wall of China and the Eiffel Tower to the Acropolis of Athens, the Sydney Opera House and London's Big Ben turned their lights off for an entire hour. Although an hour darkness will not directly effect the energy crisis, It's a great example of the world coming together for the greater good of our environment.

Speaking of an hour or more for the Earth, the Middle Way House roof garden had our first big work day of the year. I was thrilled that the interior design student group came out to loan us their hands and creative ideas. We were able to plant several herbs and edibles, harvest our first batch of nutrient soil from our worm bin, and come up with artsy design ideas for the reuse of discontinued samples (that would have gone straight to the landfill otherwise) to make art and bird feeders out of.

Planting seeds on the roof

Sorting the worm bin for nutrient soil

Brainstorming ideas for the reuse of old design materials

To anyone and everyone who wants to make a difference but doesn't quite know how to: Find something you're passionate about and run with it. Give to the world and the world will give back to you!