Entiendo!

I wanted to share my joy. Went to a German movie this evening with Spanish subtitles and understood the film!!! Yeah!! Experiences like this keep me motivated, which are neccesary when progress is difficult to see. 

dinner guest

I had one of those days yesterday like I have had many times before...the kind of day that is so busy I forget to eat regularly and find myself dizzy, uncoordinated, irritated and starving by the end of the day. Despite the fact that my tank was running on empty I still had several social appointments scheduled, beginning in the afternoon and running into the night. And those of you who know me know that it is difficult for me to turn down a good meal. Just take me to the buffet, keeps your hands away from my mouth and you won't lose a finger. Anyway,

here is how the night proceeded in a semi-medium nutshell covered in chocolate...mmmmm..

Date #1: I met with Hector y Sarah around 430 to have a spot o tea and catch up after being gone for the spring holidays. As always, they made me laugh and offended me at the same time, which is why I love them so. We went to a Korean restaurant in the Zona Rosa, which was excellent!! My intention was to eat a few little dishes and save room for dinner but I had reached the point of weakness and ended up ordering a full meal. While I was consuming my rice and egg bowl my brain was calculating how many hours I had until the next engagement so that my meal could digest and make a little more room. After dinner we went to a french cafe for dessert. Sarah surprisingly knew one of the employees so each of us received an extra large slice of cake...which we completely devoured. Yah at this point I am already stuffed.

  

Date #2: I waddled home to meet Marlies (chef extraordinare of the Pasta Box) for my next engagement. Before knowing that I was eating Korean food with Hector and Sarah, I had placed an order for 2 boxes of pasta and a salad, which Marz had carried home from work. Marlies and I hung out in the house and I had a little nibble, which slowly evolved into a meal because it is so difficult to resist her cooking. Curtis stopped by and it became a dance party, as only Curtis can inspire. As I shook my booty to the rythmn of the drums I was relived to think that my full bellied dance moves might actually digest my last two meals and make room for number three. I think that cramping after eating only happens with swimming so I did not bother to wait the 30 doctor recommended minutes.

Date #3: Salvador arrived around 945-10pm which was perfect because it gave me more time to settle my meals. We walked to an amazing restaurant and I remember sitting down to eat and feeling absolutely stuffed. The menu looked fantastic and I really wanted to share a meal with Salvador and chat about life, etc. So I ordered the sashimi and a salad thinking this would not overextend my belly, sending me over the edge. As I had assumed the meal was fantastic, bursting with flavor. Then came dessert...ugh. I knew I was in trouble after the first bite. The creamy texture of the fig pie melted in my mouth. It was one of the best desserts I had eaten in a while...well since the last time I met up with Salvador. I guess we have good Karma when it comes to sweet endings.  So, I proceeded to eat and eat until I felt like the guy from the movie 'stand by me' in the barf-o rama scene. The next thing I knew my eyes became heavy and my posture collapsed which allowed my body to slowly slide down the booth style seat...I was entering a food induced coma. To be honest at this point it felt nice...as I had moved past the pain phase into the drooling face phase where nothing mattered and I could no longer feel my limbs or my face. Peace at last! 

My day began skipping meals but I think I made up for it by the end of the evening when I rolled myself home.   

For the ladies

After reading Succulent Wild Woman by SARK this morning I felt inspired to post what she has to say about power. If you have yet to experience her writing...I highly recommend making a visit to your local library.

You are a Powerful Woman!!

How does this feel? Do you embrace it or push it aside? The subject of power isn't explored very much or taught in schools, or even by parents. Luckily this is beginning to change.

People see me as a power-full woman, yet I don't see it myself, why? 

We are endowed with power by our very birth and then shrouded from the knowledge and acceptance of it. My mother is a power-full woman. When I comment on it, she laughs and says, "oh no, I'm not." 

What do we think power is?

I think we must study power and what it means to us as women.

Power means to me:

Standing strongly in your own center and living from your heart.

Truth-telling, wisdom and strength. How often do we think of Power?

Think of your women friends...identify the ones you consider power-full and why?

What qualities do they share?

How can we increase healthy power as women?

Consider: spiritual power, physical power, financial power, emotional power, psychic power, healing power, love power. 

In what ways are you power-full? In what ways do you feel less power-full? Do you think of power consciously. 

We need new definitions of power. It is not "power over" I'm interested in. I think that as women, we think that it isn't nice to talk about power, or we think of power as domination. Power needs to be re.vision.ed for women.

It's time for us to create power, be visible power-fully and accept power. I envision a world full of power-full women, who know it and act from it. Imagine the miracles we can create!

-SARK 

When I think of the many women that are a daily part of my life or whom have shared themselves with me in the past...the image of powerless women does not come to mind. The women in my life all present power to me in one aspect or another.

When am I without power:

•  At times I lose my power in my speech...coming from a culture that loves to apologize I have noticed that most often I am apologizing for myself. For just being me.
  
• I lose my power when I turn away from the things I truly want in my life...and make excuses for why it isn't so.
  
• I lose my power when I fail to recognize the common bond and love that we as women have with one another...something that happens naturally if I allow it to be.
  
•  I lose my power when I fail to find the humor in everyday situations or when I am unable to laugh at myself :0
  

When am I most power-full:

• When I speak my opinions without fear of offending or having others disagree
  
• When I  listen 
  
•  When I take care of myself 
  
• When I forgive (myself and others)
  
• When I give hugs;)
  
• When I embrace the sway of my hips and experience the joy of being a woman.
  
• When I love

I also feel powerful because I can keep posting regardless of whether anyone visits....if I write they will come!!

When are you powerful?

Where are my red shoes??

So I am feeling a little like Dorthy in OZ today. A woman in a strange land. The process of adaptation intrigues me, our bodies and minds are constantly changing regardless of what we do. Certain situations will speed up the process and I only hope to keep moving towards those experiences. It took me a couple of days to adapt to Utah. I remember the day I settled in and now I need to reverse the process, or better yet allow myself to blaze a new trail here in Mexico. I am not sure if it is the lack of sleep, working in another language or missing my family (possibly a combination of all) but I am out of sorts today. Something happened while I was away and my perspective has changed (I will share more about this insight later) but I think today is a good day to read and focus on my work while I ease into  my old/new environment.  

Mile high club

So I had the strangest flight home tonight. I so wanted to pull out my computer and start typing the details during the flight but the man next to me would not stop staring...here is how it began. 

I was originally supposed to return to Mexico Tuesday...but my loving parents wanted me around for one more day which I was able to swing. Rather than being on a direct flight to Mexico I had a 10 hour flight with a layover in Houston, no problem. 

When I arrived in Houston I took the little tram to terminal D. Has anyone been transported in that contraption?...I felt like a gerbil in a cage on the crazy mouse ride at lagoon with a hint of mental hospital added to the scenery, interesting experience. After the tram ride I waited at the gate to check in and change airlines. I used my free time to read for my classes...I was in my own world with headphones and paper, when I had the strange feeling someone was watching me. I turned around and there was a man standing two lines away and sure enough he was waiting for my glance so that he could send me a smile. Of course trying to be nice I returned the gesture...and also it is very difficult for me to frown at anyone passing a smile my way.

Next, I was sitting having a little dinner and playing on facebook (which has become a bit of a problem for me!) when the same man approached me and asked if he could join me. At this point of the evening I was pretty happy being alone so I declined nicely and told him that maybe we could talk later near the gate...I have the hardest time saying no. 

Later, I was waiting by the gate and he approached me again and began a conversation that seemed harmless enough. We discussed books, work, free time, etc....no big deal.

Then I boarded the plane, once I was seated he asked the person next to me if they would trade him seats so he could sit next to me. I am not bugged at this point because I love meeting new people and airplanes are the perfect place to have interesting conversations (most of the time). I am questioning whether this guy is stalking me though. Thankfully it turned out to be a cool experience. Anyway, the conversation continued and after one hour had passed reiki entered into the conversation and he asked if he could try it. I was a little taken back by the request...I have never just given reiki to a complete stranger on a plane...I am pretty particular about who I share it with. I followed my intuition and explained the procedure and the exchange agreement. His curiosity grew. I said a little prayer in my heart as to whether I should share reiki with this strange man and my feeling was that this man may need a little energetic boost. Reiki was administered. No, I was not freaky about it, I never stood up in the aisle chanting symbolic prayer. I simply held my hand over his (never touching him) and let the energy flow. Well after about 10 min. I stopped and we discussed how he was feeling. He talked about feeling great amounts of heat...which is a common response and also that he felt very relaxed. 

So, I felt good about the outcome and for my payment I asked him to donate the money to a local charity. I will let karma take care of his choice to follow through or not. Later, after going through customs and such the man found me in the airport and told me that he wanted to change his connecting flight so that he could receive more reiki tomorrow...but I kindly declined again because I think reiki on the plane was enough and now I totally think I am being stalked...I am a little slow to figure these things out sometimes. He appeared to be ok with my response. 

So now I think I am an official member of the mile high reiki club!! Yee Haa

After the mini reiki treatment while still sitting on the plane I felt very relaxed and rested. We continued to talk and he was very frank with me and I with him. It was such an interesting conversation, an opportunity to have someone "thin slice" me and tell me immediately what they saw. One thing he did say really struck home and I am still sitting here with it. He said that I appear very approachable and something about me draws people in but that I make it very, very difficult for someone to really get to know me. Yes you may be thinking that this statement could apply to most people or that it is a really good pick up line, but this idea had already been on my mind lately. He said that I showed up as a contradiction, openly cautious. I myself believe a little caution is always useful but I think I have a way of keeping people at a distance...well let's say keeping men at a distance.  Anyway, I have been thinking about what he said...and imagining myself throwing a little (just a wee bit-0-) caution to the wind as my arms open. 

What a flight!  

Here kitty, kitty...

So my night started out with 1)feeling warm, 2)listening to good live music with my friend Dane-un, and 3)meeting up with my roommate. It was very surreal to see Julie in Utah on such an unlikely street. As the picture shows I was all smiles, smiles that I think could even compete with Tara's ear widening grins. Following the reunion I had a little run in with my adrenaline at the local Albertsons
http://elvisenthusiastsunite.blogspot.com/2008/03/eggsactly.html
Sooo, after the egg toss at Albertsons I was happily on my way back to my parents home for a little R&R. I noticed the fullness and power of the moonlight as it penetrated the clouds. I remember commenting to myself about how much I will miss these moments and the stillness felt inside when the moon makes itself known above the mountain peaks.
I pulled into the driveway and proceeded to exit the car as though I was immortal. I headed to the door and realized I had the wrong key set and was without the front door key. Oh well, I said to myself I will just have to grab the garage button and enter near the back of the house...no problem. I opened the passenger door and reached inside for the device when I was hit with the sound of terror!! I can best describe it as a scream...a high pitch that became louder and deeper before fading away into the night, not unlike the fusion of instruments at the show. Even now my heart is beating a little faster as I try to recall the exact texture of the sound. At first I thought it was a person screaming in terror but the sound was more animalistic and it was obvious to me it was from a big animal. Did I mention that it sounded as though it was coming from the bushes only 10 feet away. Yikes! Well I wasted little time evaluating the situation. While cursing the failure of the automatic movement sensor lights (amsl) to come on, I jumped back into my car. I sat in the passenger seat of my car looking desperately for the house key. To top it off my car was shaking from the movement of the wind. As I sat in my car liked a caged monkey I did what only a modern woman would and could do...I went for my cellphone. After waking everyone up (sorry guys!) I was greeted by a fully lit porch and a wide open front door. Man was I happy to be inside. Just so you do not think I was hallucinating...a family friend, who just happens to be an expert in hunting large predators, stopped by today. How convenient! His diagnosis of the situation was just as I predicted. A large mountain lion (probably male) had been in the bushes by my car and I suppose they are known for their hair raising screams. So I am glad I did not try to be brave and make a run for the garage. But I still like to imagine that I could have given theat cat a run for his money!