Saturday, July 31, 2010

Vancouver Lovin'

The more I think about the trip I have in front of me, the more I appreciate living in Vancouver. Lately I have endeavored to experience again all that has become familiar with a tourist’s eye, and it has made me even more grateful to live in this city.

To start, let’s just marvel at the view from Spanish Banks; it is truly unbelievable- I love how no matter where you go in Vancouver you can see where you came from. The fireworks display is a perfect example of this. Last week Troy and I watched from the Granville Street Bridge, and the week before I was lucky enough to catch the show from the roof top of a building in the West End. The view from both were completely different and both absolutely incredible! Imagine standing on a bridge with a beer and a bunch of strangers watching firey explosions in the distance. It was awesome!








I also recently, after 3 years of walking to work the exact same way, decided to take a different route, and during February had a view of the glowing Olympic Rings in Coal harbour every morning. In these early summer days I get to enjoy the light bouncing off the water and sometimes even watch a float plane take off or land.
Walking home from work or the gym has also become a lot more enjoyable since taking the time to look at my surroundings rather than put on my Ipod and zone out. I am amazed by the craziness of Granville Street during the day… The musical talent playing along there is genius and lately I taken advantage of the hot, dry nights to stop and admire the street performances. I have also made a point to veer from my standard Starbucks to try some of the independent coffee shops around the city- and have been pleasantly surprised. Both Mario’s Coffee on Howe and Dunsmuir and Cuckoo Coffee on Davie and Richards make a mean Americano that I can honestly say is better than my beloved Bucks (sorry!).
When you get used to something you really do forget how amazing it is. I cannot count the number of times I have done the Grouse Grind, and half the time coming down the gondola I am so relieved to be done that I really don’t take a moment to look out and enjoy the view, but it is extraordinary. It’s so easy to get complacent and forget about how lucky we are to live here- and it’s a good lesson and analogy for everyday life. When you get lazy in your relationships or friendships or job or whatever, try and go back to that first time you met your partner, or the time you missed your family because you were away, or remember the excitement you felt when you interviewed for the job you have now. So easy to forget about what we have and so important to stop and smell the roses (realllllly!!) to bring us back to a place of gratitude

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

100 Hours of Yoga

Bre, Becks and Candice

Advanced posture...

Vancouver from Railtown Rooftop

Yesterday we finished our last night of yoga training in Vancouver.
We practiced an intense twisting series on the rooftop of a building in Railtown, and while I am usually game for anything, just wasn't into it. Normally I feel fired up and energized after class, but for whatever reason this series made me feel anxious and kind of annoyed. My reaction could be due to whatever emotional or physical baggage I brought to my mat that day, or the more "yogi" explanation, that while twists are generally invigorating, they are also detoxifying, both physically and emotionally. As you twist through your spine, constrict certain internal organs and cut off blood flow, the action literally 'squeezes' or 'wrings out' feelings that may be trapped in your body, or simply stimulate your digestive and lymphatic system.
So my negative response to the practice was normal I suppose- it just wasn't my day.
That said, today I feel great, which may be why twisting postures also signify a balanced outlook on life and the ability to see both sides of the situation... I guess I am on right on track.
The second wave of our Yoga adventure begins September 19th in Maui, Hawaii. We are, of course, all STOKEDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will keep you posted.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

this weekend i will:




leave the television off/sleep in on sunday/make dinner/ spend time with cal/ teach inspiring classes/ paint my nails pink/ eat what i want/ finish homework/ go to yoga/buy myself flowers
what are you doing this weekend?

Monday, July 19, 2010

Off Dry Land.

Last week I organized a boat cruise for my staff, and we serioulsy could not have had a more incredible night! Our ship, the Carousel, boarded at Granville Island and spent 3 hours sailing out past Horseshoe Bay and back. With food and drinks flowing it was wonderful to spend "non-bank" hours with these people I see 40 hours a week. It's amazing what new and interesting things you learn about people when you take some time away from the everyday grind and just "be" with one another.

"Hello Kitty" pose....


BEAUTIFUL! We are so lucky to live here.

Friends :)


RIGHT NOW:

There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.

Someone you haven't met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.

Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.

Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God's children.

A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, "nourish them."

Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you -- for free.

Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.

The next great song is being rehearsed.

Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.

Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.

Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never before. They just can't see it from where they're at.

Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want -- and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it's reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all "So worth the wait."

Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.

Someone is fighting the fight so that you don't have to.

Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.

Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.

You. Me. Some. One. Now.

From Whitehottruth.com

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Summer Reading


Summer is always the perfect time to read those books you have been eyeing over the winter, but never got a chance to get into.
Here are 5 of my faves... if you haven't read: you must.


1) Shantaram- Gregory Roberts
2) Bright Shiny Morning- James Frey
3) The Book Thief- Marcus Zusak
4) Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie- Alan Bradley
5) The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls

Enjoy!




Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Perfect Ending


Normally I don't mind getting up early in the morning, but yesterday dragging myself out of bed at 5:30am to teach Bootcamp and train Kris, I basically wanted to die. My body hit the wall and the previous day's assault (aka bike ride) rushed in... If it was possible to sleep standing up, I would have done it.

So how nice was it to finish work, clean out my storage room (ugh) and have dinner made for me while snoozing on the couch and watching The Bachelorette?
Sooooooo nice. Thanks T :)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

What 120km Feels Like





When Rebecca asked me to bike from Burnaby to Harrison with her Dad's Rotary Club I didn't really know what to expect... But after 5 hours and 120km of back-country highway, bumpy gravel road, rolling hills, and shorts without a padded bum, you can imagine that it might be EXACTLY what you might expect: A bloody long bike ride.
Equipped with snacks, gatorade and a killer playlist, we made it in one piece and I actually enjoyed every moment of it.
Save for one minor slip where I just about flew over the handle bars it was all good... The scenery was amazing, and coming through the farms of Mission and the campgrounds into Harrison, there was something in the air that reminded me of childhood. Memories that somehow related to the smell of cow manure and wood burning on a campfire bubbled to the surface of my mind, and the time passed with ease.
5 hours turned out to not seem so long with three strong ladies by my side, and the feeling of accomplishment we got with every passing kilometer.
Thanks for the wicked day girls!!!!