My kind of 'humpday'

It's Wednesday @ 11am.  Woke up early and went to yoga in playa El Zonte.  Ace of Base was playing as the local bus swirled through the mountains- the left side of the old blue birds' windows were filled with views that looked like Microsoft Windows beach wallpaper.

After almost 2 hours of  most needed yoga to the soundtrack and view of waves crashing on the shore, I walked through dirt roads and flowers to the magical property where they are currently building the bathroom and setting up the wood for the door frame. Planted 2 avocado seeds towards the edge of the (will be) garden and am waiting on the boys to bring new green bamboo. Then back to the house for avocados and tomatoes with fire roasted black beans and cilantro.

So far Wednesday has been perfect. Without a doubt beats a camel walking through a sterile office yelling 'what day is it.'

"Knock on wood"

My new magical mermaid of a friend told me the story the other day over some cheap Chilean wine of 'knocking on wood.'

It is the magic of the elves (who live in the trees) to grant your wish.  And as you are saying something you wish NOT to become true, you are supposed to knock on the tree as to muffle the wish you are speaking and therefore steer clear of the elves granting what you had just said. 

I always knock on wood, believe in magic, watch for shooting stars, make wishes, and believe in true love.  I thank the stars for my experiences, am grateful for unbelievable people in my life, look at the beauty in all things, and remember to give more than I receive. 

Just thought I'd share the true meaning, which makes a heck of a lot of sense.:)

Note: its not knocking before or after, but during. 
Note #2: "If you don't believe in magic or mystery you might as well be dead."- Albert Einstein

light & energy

Last night was a total lunar eclipse- or blood moon.  I could feel my energy today. Despite the sinus infection I had woken up with the morning before and the ridiculously hot nights (combined with a very bad fan) I woke up feeling happy and light. Literally I felt like my body weight was not strained in any way and my existence brought about joy in itself. Can not remember my dreams though I valiantly try every morning lately it seems. My days this week have been spent resting- allowing my body to do as it pleases and relax and I have been running daily, further and further each day with more and more ease.

Went to la playa @2pm and began reading James Redfield's, 'The Thenth Insight.' As I was walking there every gaze I met with another was nothing but light and happy- just like the way I felt when I woke up. Almost bubbles of joy in an overflowing cup. The energy was moving around the streets and things that I never really notice, even people, just came into focus on that walk.

Countless people stopped by where I was on the beach and had conversations. One older man stood with me watching the tide. Anther group of overly-partied boys stumbling on the Neverland rocks ended sitting and conversing with me over Paulo Coelho. A guy in his 40s just started helping me move rocks to make a place to lay down, we did this in absolute silence (except for me continually saying gracias and smiling) for about 8 minutes until I had a plot of land nicer than what I deserved for a simple beach nap. A radio station manager asked me for an interview and we ended up laughing about subjects completely off hand.  In each of the people I met at the beach  I could see something in them that seemed to glow. Despite the situation, the inner self seemed to almost share energy with me, or maybe it was mine that could now feel the presence of theirs. Either way I feel richer and filled with love.

Dipped in the sea and pretended to be a mermaid...almost floated back to my room..and my skin has yet to cease smiling.

Back for some writing, veg soup, an hour of Spanish class, a good run, and a magical night. 

Happy Easter

planting good seeds

An excerpt from 'How Yoga Works,' by Geshe Roach & Christie McNally.


"You see, in the old days- even before paper- people who wanted to learn to keep these different forms of self-control on a very fine level would go out say to the bank of a river and collect a good-sized handful of smooth pebbles. Half the pebbles would be white, and help would be black. Just little pebbles, you see-about the size of a pea.

They'd keep these pebbles say in a little bag, and they'd keep that and another, smaller pouch with them all day. And then if they caught themselves telling even a small lie or something like that they'd right away reach in and take a black pebble out of the bigger bag and put it in the little pouch.

If on the other hand, they did something to protect life, say-maybe showed someone how to do a yoga pose- or anything else that was good, well then they'd stop and put a white pebble in with the black one. And then at the end of the day they'd empty out the little pouch, count the white and black pebbles, and see if they'd taken a step ahead or a step back in trying to fill their minds with good seeds."

Holding Your Breath

You know the feeling of holding your breath...everything slows down, and your heartbeat becomes louder, nerves rush over you and all in that brief moment. we hold our breath when we are scared, about to jump into a body of water, or I guess trying to get rid of hiccups...but nevertheless, that feeling is intense and distinct.

Deciding to move back was easy. It was as if you were allowed the release of a huge breath and it felt natural.

I guess sometimes its good to build up nerves and/or energy; we all somewhat crave the rush and it can help to motivate us for the next step. Come what may. But nevertheless, we need to remember to breathe. Yoga teaches to take deep, fulfilling breaths, in and out through out nose- as to slowly fill up our chest and stomach...and expelling out slowly, with power- making sure to rid yourself of any stale breath that may be left behind.

Life is like that too. We sometimes do things too quickly- as in take short breaths, which may satisfy the instant, but only that. In the long run- with short breaths we find ourselves winded. Thoughtful, strong and steady, filling breaths (decisions) are complimented with satisfied and abundant results.

Just a thought, and a breath.

"Life happens when you're busy making plans." -John Lennon

"Life happens when you're busy making plans..."

story of my life

Let's begin in October of 2014. It was my 30th birthday month, 3 decades strong and 3 decades into this crazy life journey.  I spent the month in El Salvador.  Everything was - for me- magical. The coastline here looks exactly like the pictures you see of Never Never Land. The people are so humble its refreshing- and sexy. The food is GMO free, ladies night is 3 days a week, you can easily eat for a dollar night... and the stars are ridiculous and glittery. I met a magical man and have some amazing friends here.  I feel as comfortable on the corner here in playa El Tunco as I do in my mother's kitchen.  To put it simply- my soul fell in love with this place...here, my skin is smiling.

Ok, so thus began my plan to move to Neverland permanently.  I went back after October to Colorado to continue working....plan being to work my ass off, crash with friends, and be back here in a few months.  Colorado was beyond beautiful- I literally lived in a snow globe. Crashing on a couch on the side of a mountain....with a bridge crossing the frozen creek, and the nicest neighbors ever. But the temp-work scene wasn't working out as easily as I imagined. What I learned from Colorado: Pay it forward. The people are so grateful for the earth they are standing and living on, so kind to others and to those less fortunate...of all the states I have traveled through- this was by far the most beautiful and the people- the most kind.  I decided in the beginning of December, after speaking with a good friend- to come back to Orlando and try out temp work there- besides it's been my home forever and my parents are there.

Onward to Orlando Florida, again. The dust bowl that has sucked me in more than once (the only positives being my parents, my animal rights friends, & Thornton Park:)). My best friend Brandon graciously allowed Boston and I to crash @ his place. It was nice to see family, friends, and the scene again but the temp job I had helping start up a restaurant with a friend wasn't quite panning out. So again I felt as if this part of the plan wasn't working out. On came a conversation with an amazing friend/sister/old house mate who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. And then the offering of her couch and a shoe-in for a serving job. (Note: Serving food at restaurants is something I have done for almost 13 years...I am good at it, really good at it. But there is an internal issue for me with the fact of serving animals who had to die for people's taste buds that has led me to leave the service industry. So please know, in reading this, that this was extremely difficult for me to do- but I did find the tiny silver lining and was there for anyone who had questions, did bring in amazing vegan food for others to try, and had many conversations not only with co-workers but with even guests about the positive effects veganism has had in my life- not only for my diet & health, but my happy spirit.)

So the gypsy and her little dog moved to South Florida. The beach scene was not as snobby as I imagined being right near Miami.  The people were mostly leathered, weathered, beach-bum like people who not only had no care in the world (meaning drinking started at 9am:)), but wouldn't even dream of judging you.  My kind of people. So here we lived, slept on a nugget size couch, and actually was able to put away some money. That was the goal= yay plan is back on track.

Next stop on the plan to move to Never Never Land was another visit- a short trip back to El Tunco to get everything set as to where we will live, etc..  So I booked a ticket for the first 2 weeks in March. Boston stayed in Ft. Lauderdale and I went on the El Salvador . From the moment I was picked up at the airport I didn't stop smiling, even when I slept. Got to see brilliant friends who were visiting from Canada and  made arrangements for Boston and I to stay when we were to return (after only a week back in the states).

Saw shooting stars, spent the days a swimming like a mermaid and the nights like a fairy.
Saw the single most beautiful sunset I have to this day seen on a cliff side with some medicinal magic.
Saw myself being happy for the rest of my days here.

I came back to Ft. Lauderdale to work for a few days, grab Boston and my bags, and to say 'goodbye.' We arrived back in Never Never Land 3 days ago. :)

Back to the John Lennon quote. "Life happens when you're busy making plans." I live by that, at least I must have before but on this new 'move' I seemed to eat my own (quoted) words. It's a quote I tell others all the time. So, the plan changed a lot, but worked out. The plan to move into a place here seemed to be set and I was stoked- having done my due diligence and planned ahead. Once we arrived everything hit the fan. The place was not available- long story, and its the beginning of Semana Santa. The holy holiday week- where both the government and schools are all off (once a year this takes place). So every place is up-priced, almost 3 fold. Spent the first 24 hours worrying about securing a place for at least a month.  At this point in my life my main priority is to unpack my dam bag for once and sit still.

-Breathe. Thankfully I have been coming here for a few years and a friend came through with a beautiful room we rented for the month. In the meantime, we are building a magical house on property overlooking the ocean a few beaches down in El Zonte...with a garden as big as the house and flowers everywhere.

Life is crazy, it is like waves crashing on the shore, or like a river- that is always flowing and constantly changing.  My life is finally happy. I live in Never Never Land. Where the mermaids bask in the glittery waves in the sea, the fairies guide your path at night...the stars are countless, the people are always happy, where nature and living are one.  Right now the magical man is siting at my side, Boston is happily chasing the baby chickens, cilantro rice is on the stove, mangos are covering the ground, and everyone is smiling. I could not in a million years ask for any more, and plan for this. Life does happen when you're busy making plans. That one is for sure.

Things learned..

So I spent my 30th Birthday month (October 2014) in El Salvador... here are a few things learned:

-do breathing exercises
-read
-read more
-no one can take away from you the tango you dance
-don't curse the darkness light the candle
-a 'motel' in central America is not the same as in the US
-pupusas never get old
-earthquakes never get old
-sunsets are never the same
-never forget to look up- and be grateful for shooting stars
-always start your day with cafe
-days here are in 3x as long and amazing
-ac is a joke, all you need is a fan and a cat sleeping at the foot of your bed
-dragonflies are good luck
-take naps when you find yourself yawning, wrap up in a hammock and always go to sleep smiling

-let yourself and your heart smile

-never stop smiling

 -shoes are overrated

-water is not

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Books I have read here:
Dan Millman- Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior
Dave Eggers- How we are Hungry
Paulo Coelho- The Pilgrimage

-Dan Millman Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior quotes to remember:

"Every human capacity, is amplified by energy. the mind becomes brighter, healing accelerates, strength magnifies, imagination intensifies, emotional power and charisma expand. So energy can be a blessing"

"It is ALL RIGHT to hurt, to love, to be happy, in spite of the difficulties of this world"

"Among friends, there are no goodbyes"

"We can not always do great things in life, but we can do small things with great love"

"Live until you die"

"There is no way to peace; peace is the way. There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way. There is no way to love; love is the way."

"Gifts are great; meditations and religious exercises  pacify the mind; comprehension of the great truth leads to nirvana; but greater than all is loving kindness" Buddha