Today's Letter (inspired by...)

Every day, I send Dave a little love via email in the form of a photo or quote or story.  It's my way of letting him know that I am thinking about him as he starts his day.

While that is OUR thing, I'm pretty excited about the inspiration I find over at Today's Letters.  

I mean...seriously.  Have you ever seen anything so awesome?!?!  

And all because it's true.  

A few words can change a person's day.   

I know a few words have changed mine.

So, here is my go at a letter...

Dear Dave...thanks for thinking so much about our future together.  It means everything to me that you think through each step thoroughly and strive for success with every thought, word and deed.  

Dear Mother Nature...thanks for bringing out the heat and sun yesterday afternoon to provide sunshine for a little impromptu barbecue.  Your rays are the best.  

Dear Port-o-John...thanks for being by the baseball diamond at just the right time on my run yesterday.  Home run.  

Dear patience...thanks for all the lessons you are teaching me these days.  I know we aren't always the best of friends, but you are there when tough decisions are being made and for that, I am grateful.  

Dear Mr. S...we cleaned a lot yesterday and I know it isn't the most fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but look at all we got accomplished!  Clean house for the win!

How do send your love to those you love?

Go check out Today's Letters...just click on the link below!

A Friday Virtual Vacation

Friends of mine are currently in Europe.

They enjoyed Paris and Normandy and now they are soaking in the lovely German atmosphere.

M+P...have a little brötchen for me!

In honour of their trip (and because I am always ready for a little travel myself),
I am sharing a little Friday Virtual Vacation.

For your viewing pleasure...a little Paris.

The Quiet City: Winter in Paris from Andrew Julian on Vimeo.

This weekend will be full of gardening, running, yoga, biking and dreaming of baguettes.

Happy Weekend!

Saskatchewan is Beautiful

Saskatchewan is beautiful.

It's true.

Happy Monday, friends.

Backtrack to Bali

I've been away from Bali for a little over a month now.

It has been hard for me to describe the experiences I had, the people I met, the emotions I worked through and all the lessons I learned while I was there.

Bali is beautiful, inspiring and overwhelming.  I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to be there!

I was blogging for my yoga studio back in Moose Jaw while I was there.  If you want to check those out...they are listed here:

Post One:  Yoga Adventures in Ubud, Bali!  Departing SOON!

Post Two:  Yoga Adventures in Ubud!

Post Three:  Departure and Arrival

Post Four:  Bali Teacher Training:  Week One and Nyepi

Post Five: Bali Teacher Training:  Week Two and Food

Post Six:  Bali Teacher Training:  Week Three and Transformation

Post Seven:  "The Art of Offering:"  Graduation and Coming Home

That being said...I feel very far away from Bali.  Far from the peace and stability I felt in the last week of my training.  Now, granted...when you are doing an immersive training and yoga is the only thing you are living, eating and breathing it is easy to focus on yourself and what your body, mind and soul need every minute.  In the "real world," that becomes a little more difficult.

So, I'm working through this right now as I continue my transition into this new life and new way of being.  I just think it's going to take a little time...

I'm a Teacher

Starting tomorrow, I'll be teaching yoga at our lovely yoga studio here in town.

I can't believe what a journey it's been.

I know I haven't been posting lately, but so much has happened.

I need to catch my breath, and then catch up here.

In the meantime, here are some photos my amazing friend M took of me when I was in Arizona a couple of weeks ago.  She has mad talent and I am so lucky I got to spend time with her and her beau.

And just like that...

And, just like that...

poof!

My five weeks in Bali are up, over and done with.

It was amazing.

It was exhausting.

It was exhilarating.

It was beyond my dreams.

For those who don't know, I took a leap of faith last year and quit my job to become a yoga teacher.  I was just in Bali completing a month-long 200-hour yoga teacher training program at The Yoga Barn in Ubud with the fine folks of the School of Sacred Arts.  

Every day consisted of yoga, meditation, pranayama, lectures and really, really excellent vegan food (most of it raw as well).  I met amazing people and did some major deep-diving into my spiritual, emotional and physical self.

I am coming out of the experience a different person.  Someone who is much more content in the moment and much more comfortable with not knowing what the next step will be.

I also feel braver...more willing to take risks and go out look for a new adventure, or make another attempt at a handstand.

To finish up my Bali experience, Dave came over across the pond and we spent a week together exploring different parts of Bali and a little bit of Hong Kong.  

Seeing him after being apart for yet another long stretch just served to reconfirm my love for him.  He remains so supportive of me and was an instrumental part of my travels to Bali to complete this course.  As I always say, I'm a lucky gal.

To all those who gave me love and support in this process...you know who you are...thank you!

I'll be sharing more soon.  For now, I'm just trying to stay awake and get through jet-lag!

Happy...erm, WinSpring?

Ah, Spring is here.  The skies are blue and the...

Yeah...um.  Nope!

Today we were greeted with wind chills in the -20s and temps in the single digits.  I have to say...I admire winter...she sure is persistent!

Thus, I am crowning this beautiful season of transition as WinSpring.  That magical time between winter and spring where you can veer from sweaters-only to five layers on within the span of twelve hours.  Welcome, WinSpring!

In other news...

In less than a week I am off to Bali for my yoga teacher training program.

I will be on the ground halfway around the world for a little over five weeks.

The first four will be spent in the training and the last week will be spent with my love - relaxing after the intense study and dedication of the program.

I am excited.

I am nervous.

I am ready to start this next chapter of my life.

Lucky for me, I've had a lot of great support.  Not least of which has been from The Yoga Loft here in Moose Jaw.  They are even featuring me on their blog as I write about my experience in the teacher training.  If you are interested in reading more, you can check it out here.  

Other support has come from family and friends and I can't thank the people in my life enough for all the love and listening and guidance they have provided over the last year as I worked through some tough decisions and made some leaps into the unknown.  

This whole idea of doing what you love and are passionate about is somewhat radical for me.  It doesn't mean having a steady pay check or 9 to 5 schedule.  It doesn't mean I'll be guaranteed work or benefits.  What it does guarantee is that I will be happier, that I can be with Dave and that I can share my passion with a community of people and in spaces that are inspiring and fulfilling.  It means I have more control over what my days look like and how I schedule my time.  It means possibility.  It means taking a chance.  It means trusting myself enough to know that this step is worth it.

I am planning on enjoying this ride!

Watch this for a taste of Ubud, Bali.