April 7- 20

Last week, my mother had surgery. This caused my tight schedule even tighter since I had to care for her before and after the surgery. I had to give up one exam (luckily, the class drops the lowest score) and sometimes I had to take days off from work. The fact that my mother needs to eat more vegetable and fruits to get better quickly, the house refrigerator was full of greens and other bright colored fruits. Therefore, it had been easier to get ‘healthy’ foods at home than before (although it was much MUCH easier to get fast foods from outside).

By writing this group post, I noticed that my mindful practices that I committed had forgotten. Like one of our group member’s post, I am also ‘starting again’ constantly with consciousness.

April 7 - 20

The group mindful practice, having dinner together was really fun and meaningful for me. The foods were GREAT just as our group members are. It was my first time trying vegetarian chili. (Hey Amy, could you let me know how you made it?! could you post your recipe? I really LOVED your vege chili!) I learned many delicious vegetarian dishes-!Moreover, learning how to make candles was interesting!

After having about 2hours of dinner, I once more realized that my group members are supportive for each other.

And..yeah!! let’s have dinner once more-!!! :D

 

 

Lovely days

So this past couple of days have been so beautiful outside! Like I alway mention I love to be outside, walk around, enjoy the sun, sights, and sounds. I went over to my friend house this past Thursday and he lives kind of in the woods and there is open grass around his house... We pretty much were just hanging out outside the whole time two of my friends and I. He also has a basketball hoop so I attempted to shoot baskets, I made one shot out of a lot, then we all threw a football around. Then my other friend brought out his glove , bat and a softball. I use to play softball and haven't thrown a softball around in a while, so it was really fun for us to. We had to have been outside for at least 3 hours, then I went to the gym . But any way we all agreed to do this more often... So once I got home I put my yoga mats, softball, glove and my TRX in the trunk I my car. Because eventually were all going to workout, hopefully do some yoga with them then play ball !

Dinner

The dinner at Amy's was so much fun! I enjoyed myself, got to know everyone even more, and ate so much food! I thought it was really awesome everyone brought a vegetarian dish or brought a dish with separated ingredients. I really do feel we need to probably get together again maybe before the semester is over or right after! Or even if we don't do a dinner we should all have a cook out or go somewhere...spend the day outside mostly, maybe a bonfire !? But I still need to hula hoop with Amy , and make my hula hoop, and Ty dye shirts !! All in all it was such a good time and food was good.

Moving out

The past week I have gotten really behind on all of my practices.  A freak water heater accident flooded our basement and my room Monday night, and my landlady did not deal with the situation properly.  By Friday, when she finally decided the situation was bad enough to bring in professionals, they informed us it was too late and that there is already mildew in our drywall.  We now have to evacuate the home before April 30th.  My home smells, I am about to be homeless, I am stressing hard about work, my cat and school and being so busy made it easier for me to make excuses for skipping reflection time.  I am constantly 'starting again' and I have found that my practices really do help me stay calm and focused during this hectic time.

Group Dinner

Last Sunday, we got together for a mindful meal, finally! And it was delicious.

I don't think we were the most mindful in planning the meal... since we were all stuffed by the end and had lots of leftovers.  Next time - and there will be a next time - we will be planning more accordingly.

When I was preparing my food, I was trying to remember Thich Nhat Hanh's example of treating everyday like a picnic.  So, much like a picnic, for mindful potluck meal I really tried to enjoy every part of the preparation just as equally to the actual meal eating and socializing time. 

It was a really fun time and a really nice time to get to know people on a deeper level. I am really looking forward to our next meal.


Post-dinner group pic :)

Group Dinner

Our group dinner was so awesome on Sunday! I am glad we decided to do that and boy was I full! I was glad we all made it and everyone brought a dish that was vegetarian! =) and everything tasted SO good! haha weve got to eat together more! haha I ended up having a catastrophe at my house this week and the fact that my week started with that really grounded me and helped me to stay calm and focused this week.  Our hot water tank exploded and flooded the basement (including my room).  Our landlady has been SUCH a hassle and it was not until today (4 days later) that we even got a mold inspector here and took out the padding under the carpets and base boards.  My cat and I cannot stay in my room and this has been a HUGE source of stress in my life.  Luckily I have been sticking to my practices and it is helping me get through this!

Mar 24 - Apr 6

Due to increased interest on Well-being, I am taking Heal110: Personal Health. In the past weeks, the course focused on personal fitness, managing stress and nutrition. All three topics were crucial for everyone who are longing for a wellness. Also, all three categories have recommendations and suggestions for individuals to stay healthy. Working out at least 150 minutes in a week, reappraisal and reframing- viewing what happened in the past from different view and add positive thoughts-, and eating healthy with a balance were the example of each topic. Although I do not fully match up to recommendations from all three (fitness, managing stress and nutrition) topics for wellness, I found that I am in serious need of consuming enough water each day.

It is well known that we can live without food for almost two months, but we cannot survive without water over seven days because human body is about 65 percent water and dependent on water every day. If one is dehydrated, his or her organs will not be able to handle its function. And most importantly, the brain –which consists of 75 percent water and controls water in the body- would not be able to function properly.

I learned that individuals need to drink at least 64 ounces of water since we lose 64-80 ounces of water a day through from organ movements, urination, and even from normal exhalation. The regular water bottle is about 16.9 ounces, so consuming at least about four water bottles is recommended. I barely drink one bottle a day, which means that I am not even close to the minimum request of my body. And this is the reason why I feel staying hydrated is in greatest need of attention in my life.

In the past years, I have been limping after a simple exercise such as yoga, moving meditation and Pilates. Sometimes, I thought I was okay, but the instructors used to ask me if I am alright. In addition to this, I often felt dizzy when I stand up from sitting in one positing or after picking up something in a quick motion. Moreover, I had unknown twitch around the core of my body. After listening to the lecture and skimming articles about the importance of water, I think I can eliminate all these physical problems simply by drinking enough water consciously.

 

 

 

Mar 24 - Apr 6

I usually wake up in the middle of night around 3~4AM. I don’t know the exact reason, but I think it is about body clock. As many of you know, exercising is my one of the mindful practices for this semester. I use running machine and elliptical machine usually, but do Pilates two times a week for about an hour. One thing I noticed about my sleep pattern is that I take deeper sleep than in the past. The only thing I have changed was exercising, so I searched if there is a connection between Pilates and Sleep. And there was! I found that Pilates could be helpful for those who have trouble sleeping. Joseph Pilates suggested spinal rolling exercises- wall roll down, roll back, spine stretch, etc- for better and deeper sleep. The exercise massages the spine, relax the nerves and restore natural flexibility. For those who want to try Pilates, there’s the link! Spine stretch--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDVLJKjk-s4 .

well-being check

So I have been struggling with my some of my classes and I really broke down. I told myself after one of my required classes that I didn’t want to become a teacher. I feel because I am just having that anxiety of being close to graduation that I still haven’t got my exams for Praxis and licensure in yet and I mentally freaked myself out. But really after this one required class I can take my Praxis.  I have struggled with a learning disability my entire school career, since elementary school, and I feel like my “wall” has gotten taller and harder to overcome.  I feel like I am struggling with some of my other well-being practices because I get inside my head.  I just had my advising appointment and realized that it would be very stupid of me to give up now, because I am so close to graduation and am eligible for accelerated master’s program.  I feel I just have to really work even hard and not give up on myself or my future, and seriously work on mediation and keeping a clear focused mind, even though it is going to be hard.

My New Pets!!

So Sunday the 24 of March my sisters and I decided to go to our local farming store for some supplies. But not just any type of supplies. We got living, breathing, walking supplies! Actually pets… baby chickens to be exact.  We were actually going to get two but ended up with six, 6 little fuzzy birds. The lady at the farming store actually said we have to leave with six…it’s the policy, then we can get six FREE! But what are we going to do with six chickens, really?! We actually don’t have enough room for 12 chickens.  Any way these new additions to our house hold actually caused a stir with my dog, he got a bit jealous. But taking care of them and nurturing them and keeping them clean has brought awareness to how much time and patience it takes to care for a baby animal, let alone and other living thing. So as an addition to my well-being practice I am adding caring for my chickens, all which have a name, and having them become use to human hands. Once they are grown big enough we are sending them to our friends farm where they can live healthily in open space and air. Then we can get a rooster to join their coop.     

Stepping it up with my affirmations

So I have been doing my affirmations every morning and I really think this practice has been beneficial to me!  I am not exactly a morning person and holding myself responsible for making time to sit with myself and reaffirm my purpose in life.  It is also a great reminder for me to stay grounded in my values by emphasizing the qualities of myself that I want to let shine.
When we met in our small groups last class and talked about how our practices have been going Andrew you inspired me to write down my affirmations and post them somewhere I can see it daily.  I don't have one solid affirmation but I decided to post sticky notes with my affirmations all around the house! My refrigerator now says: I am strong willed and also able to adapt.  My bathroom mirror states: I am a friend to myself and others. and above my desk reads: I am a human being, it is a new day, and I will find and appreciate the beauty in this world.
I think that reading these notes throughout the day will make my affirmations even more effective for me and really remind me to be mindful at all times of the day, not only the time I set aside for it.

EVERYONE READ THIS!!! >>about Sunday Dinner

Hey guys!!
I am hoping you will all read this because I cant find everyones phone numbers! hahaha so if you have mine please text it so I can have yours too! =)
My address is 5825 Jacksons oak ct Burke VA 22015 there is guest parking on the right when you turn on Jackson oak but if they are all taken you can park on the street of Oak Green and walk right over! =)
I am going to make delicious vegetarian chili! =) and I have drinks and stuff already!
I am excited to see you all! Let me know if there is anything else I can do (or if you have any issues getting here!)
Amy

Busy week/weekend

Well I was going to write about how much I failed this past week/weekend with keeping up with the practices, but today I woke up early, did some meditating, homework and hooping and I feel less pessimistic! Haha

I have been hooping as a practice all semester, but last night I saw a video of a hula hooper and was so inspired.  I only have made maybe 2 videos of my hooping but its been a long time! I think it would be really inspiring for me to make hula hoop videos so that I can better acknowledge my successes and faults and also reflect on my progress as a hooper! I wanted to start today but have to go to work so maybe tomorrow I will start making videos during my hooping practices every week.  I think I will probably post them here so I can share that with you all as well! =)

I am excited to start this and I am hoping that you guys will watch them!  maybe itll even inspire you to start hooping with me as a practice! ;) hahaha

I hope you all had a great Easter! and I am exicted for our upcoming dinner!