YOGA

Yesterday I taught Yoga in Spanish, IN SPANISH. The whole thing, THE WHOLE HOUR.

I can't believe it. This was one of my goals moving to Guatemala - to be able to do it in Spanish. It was so hard, but I got through it. And, I loved it. I want to teach all the time in Spanish.

Man, what a relief. I was stressing all week about this class. YES, EXITO.

G to the oals. Goals!!

I am FINALLY writing this blog about my goals to (hopefully) remind myself and stay accountable on some level. 2011 was a great year and 2012 is going to be super - I have a good feeling about this. I decided that I would create a few goals this year since I haven't had any in over a year - which is usually not like me.

Goal 1: Spanish - LEARN to a point where I can write 'proficient' in Spanish on my resume. I know a lot, but not quite there yet. In order for me to reach this goal, I have decided to study in Xela (Guatemala) for a month during the slow season at work. I need to get away from Antigua to learn this fun, crazy language. Everyone in Antigua speaks English - it is super frustrating at times! :)
The plan is to find a school and a family to live with during March or April - stay and study 24/7! This will (could) limit my time here in Guatemala because I will be taking money from work and my savings to do this - but in the end, SO. WORTH. IT.

Goal 2: Vegetarian. (writing this while holding my breath) For several years now, I have limited my intake of meat greatly, and I have been on the edge of saying that I am vegetarian out loud for quite a while now. I decided on new years that I would commit to it. I don't really enjoy the taste of meat, except for Bacon (clearly, bc who doesn't?) and sandwich meat (how much I heart Subway). I can't even tell you the last time I had chicken or beef ...
I have slowly given up meat over the years for various reasons, and I want to officially say on here (because this of course makes it official) that I no longer eat meat. It is a personal choice of mine, and don't worry - I am not the type to judge those that do!

Goal 3: Fix my hip
This goal coincides with goal # 2 a little. For whatever reason (I have exhausted all options in my head) I have been suffering with sciatic nerve pain in my lower back, down my leg and into my foot for over a year now. It has been an up and down roller coaster of pain (sorry, not love) and I am quite sick of it! I have tried various things to make my pain go away and so far nothing has really worked. A while ago, I thought I would change my diet up and see if that made any sort of difference. It hasn't in my pain, but I feel so much better inside and I have decided to make a conscience effort to keep my changes permanent. I have always been a pretty "good" eater, always watching what I was eating - but I love to eat out. Since I have made my changes, I have noticed so many differences. For example (sorry if this is too much information) I no longer eat meat - which takes me days to digest. 2. I limit my intake of dairy, but mainly eggs. For some reason I can't digest eggs or matter-of- factly dairy at all ... It was making my stomach feel full all of the time and bloated. Now, that I don't eat meat or many eggs, I am never bloated and able to stay regular.
I am diving into being Vegan, but here is a difficult place for me to find good protein beside beans, so instead I am more conscience of what I am eating and why.

Goal 4: Travel in Guatemala
Plain and simple
This goal will be accomplished when my dad and uncle come visit in a couple of weeks!


4 goals. I can do this, I can do this ....
Happy 2012!

New Years

Here is to 2012!! Dos mil doce!

I am very excited to begin the new year in Guatemala. I have a very good feeling about this year - a lot of changes that I am looking forward to.

I am the type of person that likes changes, needs changes and thrives off changes. So for me to stay constant, in one place is mentally, physically and emotionally/spiritually challenging for me. Things that are constant for me right now:
1. "home" - living in Antigua - almost a year 1/2 since I have moved
2. Job
3. Friends
All of these items I feel GREAT about!

Here are some things I am looking forward to this year:
1. New friendships
2. Moving on from past relationships
3. New goals

I had a hard couple of months, dealing with the breakup, trying to find a place to live, maintaining friendships, and even realizing that some of my old friends aren't there anymore.
I have a new spirit and heart this year (that is what I keep telling myself - anyway) - and ready to take new action.

Cheers to 2012 and all of the great things it will bring!!