Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's over!
Yesterday was CA-RAZY! We had a super class in the morning about teaching Yoga to kids, which was very helpful and insightful. Then I went to the mall with a few girls for lunch and had my first experience with Beard Papa's creme puffs.... Thank GOD I discovered these at the end of my trip, because they are almost worth staying in San Francisco and becoming very fat for. SO DELICIOUS!!! In the afternoon we had a little gathering to say whatever we wanted to say to the group, which turned into a big tear fest. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, there was much hugging and laughing and tears. What a wonderful group of people :) And then? Ahhhh, our certificates! So beautiful!
Then we all put out our mats for Friday Happy Hour... a horrifying 90 poses in 90 minutes Yoga class. Yikes. Needless to say, I faked my way through about 30 of those poses (haha) because really... no.... just no.
After that we went to hang out on the patio of an apartment of one of the trainees. We ate and froze and then decided to go back to the studio to finish our party. Mark Twain wasn't kidding when he said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." IT'S COLD HERE! Upon returning to the studio there was much wine and good music and a few of us started dancing. I even managed to have a few Salsa tracks thrown in there. The director of the studio arrived, bringing with him some marijuana... yikes... so I stayed in the dancing area rather than the blue-aired lobby... ugh, that stuff smells so vile! I said to some people "I never expected THAT!" and they said "really? I did." I guess that's San Francisco for you. Sometimes it's like living on a different planet.
I've gotten to know some really wonderful people and have learned so much! I'm glad I did it and I have to admit that I'm really proud of myself. YAY ME!!! Heehee.
Tomorrow is Disneyland, which I am over the MOON about! SO so so so SO excited! I won't be able to post for a few days, but when I get back, absolutely.
I love you and miss you all!
Gillian
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The Retrospective Post
Wow, I can't believe I'm actually done! Technically I still have tomorrow, but I'm done all of the assignments, all of the exams, and tomorrow is just one last lesson (teaching Yoga to Kids) and then our "ceremony" and one last practice. WOW!!!
The final exam today went REALLY well. I was so nervous beforehand, we were madly quizzing each other, and we got paired up (lucky me, I really like the girl who I got paired with!) She went first and I had a GREAT practice, and then I went and she was like "wow. Promise me you'll teach. You're such a good teacher!" YAY!!!! Lots of positive feedback, and I couldn't believe how quickly it went! We all went out for dinner and drinks afterwards, which was fun :) I'm really going to miss my fellow trainees! What an interesting assortment of people they are, and all so smart and funny and supportive *sniffle* I'm glad to be done the course because it was really intense and emotional, but I will miss the people a lot.
I guess it's time to answer the questions then, isn't it?
1. Are you buff?
Uh, no. I'm stronger, but I still look the same. If you were to TOUCH me, you'd feel a difference, but I don't think I look at all different. If you just poke my belly (which I know you will, Nathan) you'll feel it's solid, but I'm not going to rush out and wear a bikini.
2. Can you do a headstand?
Uh... also no. In fact, I've been told that I just don't have the shoulder strength to do that yet, but in another three months, yes. So ask me again in three months.
3. Have you met the love of your life/Can we stop worrying about your old-maid status?
Again, no. I'm sorry. But I'm optimistic about the guys in Nova Scotia.
4. Will you, in fact, teach Yoga?
Maybe. I'm going to teach mum and dad (and anyone else who is interested! Free Private Yoga Instruction!!!!) and go from there. I think I have to see what will fly in small town Nova Scotia and go from there!
5. Are you Zen/Non-Attached?
Haha, well... I'm tired! Does that count?
6. You just finished Yoga School! What are you going to do now?!
I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!
Love you and miss you and see most of you in a week!!!
Gillian
P.S. One of the instructors showed us this Monty Python video on "Learning to Fly"... oddly similar to how WE learn to fly "Arms out, fingers together, knees bent, head well forward!" Hahaha. Love it!
The final exam today went REALLY well. I was so nervous beforehand, we were madly quizzing each other, and we got paired up (lucky me, I really like the girl who I got paired with!) She went first and I had a GREAT practice, and then I went and she was like "wow. Promise me you'll teach. You're such a good teacher!" YAY!!!! Lots of positive feedback, and I couldn't believe how quickly it went! We all went out for dinner and drinks afterwards, which was fun :) I'm really going to miss my fellow trainees! What an interesting assortment of people they are, and all so smart and funny and supportive *sniffle* I'm glad to be done the course because it was really intense and emotional, but I will miss the people a lot.
I guess it's time to answer the questions then, isn't it?
1. Are you buff?
Uh, no. I'm stronger, but I still look the same. If you were to TOUCH me, you'd feel a difference, but I don't think I look at all different. If you just poke my belly (which I know you will, Nathan) you'll feel it's solid, but I'm not going to rush out and wear a bikini.
2. Can you do a headstand?
Uh... also no. In fact, I've been told that I just don't have the shoulder strength to do that yet, but in another three months, yes. So ask me again in three months.
3. Have you met the love of your life/Can we stop worrying about your old-maid status?
Again, no. I'm sorry. But I'm optimistic about the guys in Nova Scotia.
4. Will you, in fact, teach Yoga?
Maybe. I'm going to teach mum and dad (and anyone else who is interested! Free Private Yoga Instruction!!!!) and go from there. I think I have to see what will fly in small town Nova Scotia and go from there!
5. Are you Zen/Non-Attached?
Haha, well... I'm tired! Does that count?
6. You just finished Yoga School! What are you going to do now?!
I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!
Love you and miss you and see most of you in a week!!!
Gillian
P.S. One of the instructors showed us this Monty Python video on "Learning to Fly"... oddly similar to how WE learn to fly "Arms out, fingers together, knees bent, head well forward!" Hahaha. Love it!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Final Stretch
Wow, this week has been busy and the Internet has been sketchy! I wrote a big long post yesterday and then got disconnected before I could save it! D'oh! I'm sure it's all irrelevant by now anyway.
It's been a good week. The director said my independent practice was beautiful, which was exciting. He also brought in a massage therapist who gave us all back massages, which was very nice also. My neck/shoulders required much work and I was nearly crying by the end it hurt so much! Ah well. We had guest speaker in to talk about Ayurveda, which was really interesting! It's been a good week! Lots of tests and assignments due, and now I'm done all except for the Final Practical Exam tomorrow. I AM nervous about this one, since we have to teach an hour-long class to a classmate. It would help if I knew who I was being paired with, because I know some people would really help you out if you were going on the wrong track into a pose (give you physical hints, etc), and other people wouldn't. When I'm doing the practice on my own I remember the sequence, but when I'm teaching it to someone else my mind blanks sometimes and I forget what comes next or what a pose is called. I've been trying to study but I feel completely burnt out. At this point I just want to be finished!!! All I have left in me tonight is to repeat the seated series to myself in the shower and hope for the best.
Two Days Left!
Love,
Gillian
It's been a good week. The director said my independent practice was beautiful, which was exciting. He also brought in a massage therapist who gave us all back massages, which was very nice also. My neck/shoulders required much work and I was nearly crying by the end it hurt so much! Ah well. We had guest speaker in to talk about Ayurveda, which was really interesting! It's been a good week! Lots of tests and assignments due, and now I'm done all except for the Final Practical Exam tomorrow. I AM nervous about this one, since we have to teach an hour-long class to a classmate. It would help if I knew who I was being paired with, because I know some people would really help you out if you were going on the wrong track into a pose (give you physical hints, etc), and other people wouldn't. When I'm doing the practice on my own I remember the sequence, but when I'm teaching it to someone else my mind blanks sometimes and I forget what comes next or what a pose is called. I've been trying to study but I feel completely burnt out. At this point I just want to be finished!!! All I have left in me tonight is to repeat the seated series to myself in the shower and hope for the best.
Two Days Left!
Love,
Gillian
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Get Your Pride On!
Today was the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco. A few of us girls ran over to Market to check out the festivities on our lunch break. It was SO MUCH FUN! I wish we could have stayed, and darnit, I really regret not buying that rainbow feather boa!
So these pictures are dedicated to Kim, who asked if there were any cute guys in San Francisco... The answer is Yes, but most of them are Gay and on the Altoids float, throwing bubbles at each other.... Yum.... Altoids :)
This was SO much cooler than the our parades back home :P
Love,
Gillian
So these pictures are dedicated to Kim, who asked if there were any cute guys in San Francisco... The answer is Yes, but most of them are Gay and on the Altoids float, throwing bubbles at each other.... Yum.... Altoids :)
This was SO much cooler than the our parades back home :P
Love,
Gillian
Saturday, June 23, 2007
I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!
YAY! Yes, it's true! It's my last week of school and then?! I'm going to Disneyland with Josh, Susan and Caspian!!! (but don't tell Caspian... we might just surprise him!) I'm so excited. My parents and I have both been hinting to them that I'd really like to go, and I'm here for five days after school finishes, and tonight Susan said "well, do you want to go?" YES YES YES! Heehee.
We went to Susan's ballet recital today, and she was A-MA-ZING! She did such a great job, I'm totally impressed! Yay Susan!
Tonight I'm very tired and sick and not very excited for the week ahead. I have three tests in the next six days, one of which is my actual exam where I have to teach an hour long class (luckily, just to another teacher-trainee, but still.) I don't feel at all prepared, especially considering that I don't even have the sequence memorised, but my brain is going "la la la! I'm not listening!!!"
I still don't feel like I'm all that buff either. I FEEL stronger, I FEEL thinner, but I don't think I look that much different when I look in the mirror, except that my hair is a bit longer and I have a bit less body fat... Anyway, all I'm saying is don't expect significant changes when I step off the plane :P
That's all my rambling for tonight!
Love,
Gillian
We went to Susan's ballet recital today, and she was A-MA-ZING! She did such a great job, I'm totally impressed! Yay Susan!
Tonight I'm very tired and sick and not very excited for the week ahead. I have three tests in the next six days, one of which is my actual exam where I have to teach an hour long class (luckily, just to another teacher-trainee, but still.) I don't feel at all prepared, especially considering that I don't even have the sequence memorised, but my brain is going "la la la! I'm not listening!!!"
I still don't feel like I'm all that buff either. I FEEL stronger, I FEEL thinner, but I don't think I look that much different when I look in the mirror, except that my hair is a bit longer and I have a bit less body fat... Anyway, all I'm saying is don't expect significant changes when I step off the plane :P
That's all my rambling for tonight!
Love,
Gillian
Friday, June 22, 2007
Dream Box
Hmmm... Where to begin? The past two days have gone pretty well, my shoulder is much better and I've gotten loads of positive feedback at school, which is encouraging. I woke up this morning with some hideous head-cold, which made Yoga no fun. I got about 2/3 of the way through practice and then felt faint and decided to stop. Good times. I bought a new Yoga Mat... The Alfa Romeo of Yoga Mats, but I tried it out and promptly said goodbye to my old one. I used to slip and slide everywhere, and I'm not really a sweaty person, but it just had no grip! But my Harmony mat is substantial, grippy, and a really lovely indigo colour. It's so nice that I may actually give it a name!
This afternoon at school we had a very special project. We had a guest speaker come in to talk to us about Manifesting our Dreams. The "It's Yoga" school of thought is that if you write down what you want, the universe will provide. A few years ago I would have thought that was hooey, but when I wrote down the "gee, wouldn't it be nice to go to school to become a Yoga teacher?" on my blog, and then it happened? I became a believer. Anyway, I'm totally digressing here. So this woman came in to talk to us about Manifesting our Dreams by making a Dream Box. The idea is that you meditate (or visualize) and ask your Inner Teacher "What Do I Want?" Whatever you come up with, you write down and put in your dream box. Then the Universe gives you the tools to make it happen.
The speaker took us through a Visualization process, leading us through questions about what we saw, what we want, how we can achieve this. Then, based on what we saw, we got to decoupage a box for ourselves! YAY! It was so much fun, so inspiring and it really cheered everyone up. Most of my "meditation" wasn't really surprising, because I came up with the stuff that I ALWAYS come up with: I want to be a writer, I want to be a mother, I want to live by the ocean, I want feel instead of being numb, I want to be stable. That stuff is all old news. But what I DID notice was that the Gillian I saw in the visualization was calm and confident. I wrote in a sunshine-yellow room, and I was confident in what I wrote. There was no feeling of "geez, I suck at this too!" For once I wasn't severely disappointed in myself. There weren't any feelings that I wasn't a good enough wife/mother/writer/person. There wasn't any anxiety at all!!! Interesting. This, of course, gave me many deep things to ponder.
I got to work on my dream box and found lots of good things to put on it. Pretty paper, magazine pictures: Books in a yellow room, a rocky ocean beach, a hand holding a naked baby bottom with the word "touch." I also put on the word "simplified", and "romance." Then, I found the perfect quote for the top: "You must believe in yourself and in all the possibilities." Yes, I really must!
Well, there's a big insight into my life for you! Wow! More about me than you ever needed to know :P I really encourage everyone to make a dream box, if only to have fun and help you gain a little "drishti" (focus) on your dreams. And well? That's about it... except for one thing...
Thank GOODNESS it's Friday... Only one week of Yoga school left!!!!!!
Gillian
This afternoon at school we had a very special project. We had a guest speaker come in to talk to us about Manifesting our Dreams. The "It's Yoga" school of thought is that if you write down what you want, the universe will provide. A few years ago I would have thought that was hooey, but when I wrote down the "gee, wouldn't it be nice to go to school to become a Yoga teacher?" on my blog, and then it happened? I became a believer. Anyway, I'm totally digressing here. So this woman came in to talk to us about Manifesting our Dreams by making a Dream Box. The idea is that you meditate (or visualize) and ask your Inner Teacher "What Do I Want?" Whatever you come up with, you write down and put in your dream box. Then the Universe gives you the tools to make it happen.
The speaker took us through a Visualization process, leading us through questions about what we saw, what we want, how we can achieve this. Then, based on what we saw, we got to decoupage a box for ourselves! YAY! It was so much fun, so inspiring and it really cheered everyone up. Most of my "meditation" wasn't really surprising, because I came up with the stuff that I ALWAYS come up with: I want to be a writer, I want to be a mother, I want to live by the ocean, I want feel instead of being numb, I want to be stable. That stuff is all old news. But what I DID notice was that the Gillian I saw in the visualization was calm and confident. I wrote in a sunshine-yellow room, and I was confident in what I wrote. There was no feeling of "geez, I suck at this too!" For once I wasn't severely disappointed in myself. There weren't any feelings that I wasn't a good enough wife/mother/writer/person. There wasn't any anxiety at all!!! Interesting. This, of course, gave me many deep things to ponder.
I got to work on my dream box and found lots of good things to put on it. Pretty paper, magazine pictures: Books in a yellow room, a rocky ocean beach, a hand holding a naked baby bottom with the word "touch." I also put on the word "simplified", and "romance." Then, I found the perfect quote for the top: "You must believe in yourself and in all the possibilities." Yes, I really must!
Well, there's a big insight into my life for you! Wow! More about me than you ever needed to know :P I really encourage everyone to make a dream box, if only to have fun and help you gain a little "drishti" (focus) on your dreams. And well? That's about it... except for one thing...
Thank GOODNESS it's Friday... Only one week of Yoga school left!!!!!!
Gillian
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Those Are Some Powerful Drugs!
Yesterday when I was attempting to fly I bailed pretty hard into Cute Med. Student's knees. He was very understanding, and I was embarrassed enough that I didn't realise that I'd hurt myself. Last night the pain started to kick in, so I took some muscle relaxants and watched some X-Files. And this morning? MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PAIN! Mr. Chiropractor has since concluded that I sprained my Rotator Cuff Tendon. Isn't that nice? I thought so too. At any rate, I blame the drugs on my super-weird day.
My alarm went off at 5:30am, and I actually dragged my sorry self out of bed at 6. I tried to get ready for school, but by 6:30 I was cold and I hurt, so I went back to bed for an hour... fully clothed, because getting dressed the first time was really hard. I slept, got up and left for school while I was still mostly asleep. I was just sitting down to seriously study when a friend asked me to go to Whole Foods with her, and I thought oatmeal sounded nice, so I agreed. When we got back we seriously studied for a good ten minutes and then started to talk about important things... like boys and dancing. Then I think I had class for a while, and then I assisted my first class, which was as enjoyable as manhandling a lot of sweaty people can be. Then a three hour lecture with Mr. Chiropractor, who promised we'd all die next week if we drink pop, take pain killers, use computers and wear high heels. I think his life must not be very exciting. I hope he goes to the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday and has a little fun. Maybe he could even *gasp* have a COLA!!!! WOW! THAT WOULD BE LIVING ON THE EDGE!!!
Then I went shopping and somehow got talked into applying for a Victoria's Secret credit card while... YES, WHILE... they were doing a bra fitting on me! That's how they get you, whipping out the measuring tape in a swarming "Semi-Annual Sale" crowd and asking you what your phone number is! YIKES!!! I didn't even realise they'd done it until they told me I'd been approved. It was sheer madness, I'm telling you, SHEER MADNESS!
... I'd like to say that the day ended there, but alas, it didn't.
I got home to a note on my bed that said "Join us for dinner at Kennedy's for Indian food at Columbus and Taylor."
"Okay," I said, putting down my shamefully large bag of Victoria's Secret merchandise.
I started walking down Columbus, past Filbert, past Union... hmmmm. Then I turned around and started walking in the right direction (so embarrassing!) Then some tourists asked me where they could find a good Italian place, so I suggested North Beach Restaurant. Then I got to Columbus and Taylor and didn't see any restaurants at all. Then another tourist asked me if a mailbox was, indeed, a mailbox (for international mail) and I said Yes. Then I saw a sign that said "Kennedy's Irish Pub." ... Irish? Indian? What? But indeed, there was Caspian's bicycle parked outside, and indeed, inside was half-Irish Pub, half-Indian Restaurant... Weird. The food was spectacular, mmmmm. And then, at last, we had Gelato (I got half-watermelon, half-nectarine... Yummmmm.)
And that's that! Isn't that exciting? My Rotator Cuff Tendon WILL be okay by tomorrow, because I have to do two classes to make up for the one I missed today. Weeeee! Isn't this fun? 8 more classes to go!
Love to all,
Gillian
My alarm went off at 5:30am, and I actually dragged my sorry self out of bed at 6. I tried to get ready for school, but by 6:30 I was cold and I hurt, so I went back to bed for an hour... fully clothed, because getting dressed the first time was really hard. I slept, got up and left for school while I was still mostly asleep. I was just sitting down to seriously study when a friend asked me to go to Whole Foods with her, and I thought oatmeal sounded nice, so I agreed. When we got back we seriously studied for a good ten minutes and then started to talk about important things... like boys and dancing. Then I think I had class for a while, and then I assisted my first class, which was as enjoyable as manhandling a lot of sweaty people can be. Then a three hour lecture with Mr. Chiropractor, who promised we'd all die next week if we drink pop, take pain killers, use computers and wear high heels. I think his life must not be very exciting. I hope he goes to the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday and has a little fun. Maybe he could even *gasp* have a COLA!!!! WOW! THAT WOULD BE LIVING ON THE EDGE!!!
Then I went shopping and somehow got talked into applying for a Victoria's Secret credit card while... YES, WHILE... they were doing a bra fitting on me! That's how they get you, whipping out the measuring tape in a swarming "Semi-Annual Sale" crowd and asking you what your phone number is! YIKES!!! I didn't even realise they'd done it until they told me I'd been approved. It was sheer madness, I'm telling you, SHEER MADNESS!
... I'd like to say that the day ended there, but alas, it didn't.
I got home to a note on my bed that said "Join us for dinner at Kennedy's for Indian food at Columbus and Taylor."
"Okay," I said, putting down my shamefully large bag of Victoria's Secret merchandise.
I started walking down Columbus, past Filbert, past Union... hmmmm. Then I turned around and started walking in the right direction (so embarrassing!) Then some tourists asked me where they could find a good Italian place, so I suggested North Beach Restaurant. Then I got to Columbus and Taylor and didn't see any restaurants at all. Then another tourist asked me if a mailbox was, indeed, a mailbox (for international mail) and I said Yes. Then I saw a sign that said "Kennedy's Irish Pub." ... Irish? Indian? What? But indeed, there was Caspian's bicycle parked outside, and indeed, inside was half-Irish Pub, half-Indian Restaurant... Weird. The food was spectacular, mmmmm. And then, at last, we had Gelato (I got half-watermelon, half-nectarine... Yummmmm.)
And that's that! Isn't that exciting? My Rotator Cuff Tendon WILL be okay by tomorrow, because I have to do two classes to make up for the one I missed today. Weeeee! Isn't this fun? 8 more classes to go!
Love to all,
Gillian
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