Pause

The school year ended and was followed by a crazy but wonderful whirlwind 2-week trip to the United States with Boyaco, the beau (more to come on this soon...once pictures are ready), and now I have a bit of time to relax and revisit the stuff that matters to me and set some goals for the new year.  Being a teacher generally means I have two "New Years" -  the beginning of the school and January 1.  During the summer vacation I don't write resolutions but I get my life in order.  I pause and reflect on where how far I've come and map out where I want to go next.

In recent months I've come across many great books, website, blogs, etc. and I've had inspiring conversations with other people who are doing the same and are learning and are energized by this new information - and this energy is contagious.  Specifically, I've noticed a recurring them of returning to a simpler lifestyle - whole foods; active days of exercising (and enjoying it!), crafting, cooking and more; making time for the things and the people that matter; and more calm, more love, more peace.  This might sound sappy but just thinking about these things puts me in a better place.  Therefore, I thought I'd share some of my favorite sources of inspiration, in no particular order:

1.  Finances

Mr. Money Mustache

He is my new motivation to spend less, save more and retire by 45! 

He is all about saving so that you can retire and spend your time doing exactly the way you want to.  He talks about riding your bike, cooking at home, staying active and finding crafty ways to solve problems in your life that require more manual labor on your end but much less spending.  It is awesome.

2.  Nutrition

It began with a conversation with a good friend about why she eats a mostly vegetarian diet, then I came across a book, Food Over Medicine, and from there I have not been able to stop researching diet and nutrition.  I have basically decided that I am going to try to maintain a mostly vegan diet - yes, that's correct no animal products.  I have not found one study showing that animal foods will make me healthier and there are plenty to show the contrary.  Additionally, in terms of the environment and world hunger - it just makes more sense.  Here are some great resources I've come across on the topic:

• Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine
• Forks Over Knives
• Naked Core
• The China Study
• Vegan Health

I'm just beginning this journey, so if any of you have advice - I'd love to hear it!

3.  Fitness

I was on a yoga kick for a while, meditating every morning and then doing yoga for 20 minutes or so...but I was doing nothing else.  After a conversation with Boyaco about the importance of cardio, I did some research and found that yoga was definitely not enough.  (The growing waste line also should have been a clue)  I pulled out the Jillian Michaels videos and started working out with those 5 days a week but then was forgetting about the meditation and the yoga.  I bought new sneakers, some new videos, have plans to attend a few classes during my summer break and find a combination of activities that will ensure I'm getting the exercise I need while staying balanced.  I also have plans to purchase a bike!  Very excited about that.  I'm also thinking I need to give up TV in order to find time for all that I want to be able to do.  Anyhow, no resources to share here...I'm still on the hunt!

4.  Work

This coming school year I have a new job and I am very excited about it.  The school created the position for me and it couldn't be more perfect.  My title will be something like Director of Professional Development but the work is sort of up to me.  The job has never existed and the school wants to know what professional development should be at the school.  I'm kind of starting from nothing - it's just one giant experiment, taking all that I've studied and researched and imagined and creating something that I hope will be amazing.  I've been reading a LOT and talking with different people.  I also started reading The Sacred Profession, a blog which is a great source of inspiration for educators in general.  I'm sure there will be some posts on this new undertaking throughout the year - all resources on professional development, great conferences for teacher trainers/leaders, etc. are welcome!

5.  Homesteading

For awhile I've been interested in crafts, cooking, sewing, baking my own bread, having plants and herbs in my apartment, composting, etc.  But I've done less of this in Bogotá because 1) I don't know where to find the items I need to get started; 2) I no longer have a backyard; and 3) Life gets going and other things have take priority.  But no more excuses.  I'm not sure I'll ever really reach homesteader status but this year I want to: 

• Compost in my apartment  (I began this, but definitely need to purchase worms if this is really going to work!)
• Grow herbs
• Bake all my own bread (I've found some new types of flour at the health food store down the street and have begun experimenting with the best mix for flavor and nutrition)
• Create art (painting, drawing, crafts, etc.)
• Fix stuff on my own (toilets, cabinets, whatever)
• Learn to knit (I'm thinking of starting a knitting circle)
• Find a way to get involved in the community

Here are some inspiring websites for ideas:

• Mother Earth News
• Brooklyn Homesteader
• The Prairie Homestead
• Apartment Therapy

Hope something in this list provides some inspiration to someone.  I haven't been blogging a whole lot because I'm not really convinced that my life is all that interesting.  During my 2-week visit with friends and family, however, several people mentioned that they enjoyed my blog and reading about what I'm up to...so I'm going to make an effort to keep y'all informed on wherever this crazy life takes me....

The Heart of the North

This past weekend the beau invited me to go with him and his family to visit the town where he grew up:  Boavita, Boyacá.  It was two days after my 30th birthday, so the school found it in their hearts to give me the Friday off - giving us a 4-day weekend to enjoy ourselves.  I didn't take nearly enough pictures because I got so caught up in the moment and the beauty of it all but thankfully I have a few to share, some taken by me, others taken by another couple that visited Boavita with us.  This was such a magical place - I had tears in my eyes when it was time to leave...

Boavita, Boyacá - Central Plaza

View from El Tabor

Evening hike - View of El Tabor from the road below

Evening sky

International Network

These past few days I've been struggling with some sort of stomach bug.  But despite the discomfort, I ignored doctor's orders and left my apartment, loaded-up on antibiotics and probiotics (that's confusing) to meet up with a dear friend from grad school, Caterina.

I sometimes forget how international my network of friends is.  Caterina was visiting from Chile for the book fair in Colombia.  She purchases all the textbooks for Chile's ministry of education (fancy, right?) and we were able to squeeze a quick bite to eat to catch up.  We swapped stories on our own lives and then shared what we knew about all our friends from grad school, marveling at just how worldly and successful the group is and how fun it is to have friends located all over.  The visit was short but it was so great to see her.  Next visit is from Mateo as he heads to the Galapagos for the summer...what an interesting bunch!  Every visit and every conversation gives me a new boost of inspiration.

Thanks for a great (no matter how short) visit Cate!  Looking forward to more meet-ups in the future.

Sorry, no pics, but had to take a moment to recognize these little treats in life.

Namaste

Time is flying.  It seems like New Year’s Eve was yesterday and here we are nearly in April.  Is this a sign that I’m getting older?   These past few months have been packed with work, friends, time with the new beau (who I suppose is not all that new anymore), and time for me.  I committed this year to focusing more on my inner peace and I can now say that I’m making some headway.

Those of you that know me well know that generally I don’t land in one place for too long.  If I have five free minutes to spare, I find a way to use that time.  Friends joke about it, I think my mom would say something about this demonstrating leadership and organization or “meaning and direction”, something mom-esque, but towards the end of the year I was feeling this way of being was just stressful.

Living in Colombia has introduced me to a culture that is certainly not as fast-paced and time-obsessed as the U.S. culture.  At first it was frustrating, especially at work, but then I thought maybe there’s something to be said for taking a full hour for lunch or sitting in the sun and enjoying a coffee for 20 minutes in the afternoon during the school day and catching up with co-workers.  As I started thinking about how to slow down a bit and make time to soak in each day and appreciate the things around me – it seemed like the world heard be and was responding with lots of advice:  I stumbled across numerous articles about meditation, a friend recommended a book to me that was exactly what I needed to read, a great offer for my favorite yoga magazine popped up on my computer screen (a bit creepy, but appreciated all the same) and I discovered Pinterest and great ideas for how to make my apartment more “Zen”.  

This post is dedicated to sharing with those interested the things I’ve been doing these past few months to slow down, shut off (or at least soften) the running commentary and solving of the world’s problems that goes on in my mind,  appreciate the little miracles in the day-to-day and overall just be a bit happier.  If this sounds extremely new agey, I apologize, but maybe there’s something to be said for being new agey.  

1.  Meditation:  I came across an online article when I was perusing the Yoga Journal online.  It was about the benefits of meditation and also provided a 28-day guided introductionto meditation.  I signed up immediately and began day 1 when I returned to Bogotá after the Christmas break.  For all of January I got up a little bit early every day to dedicate 5 – 15 minutes of my morning to sitting on some pillows in my living room and just listening to my breathing.  For me this is muuuch more difficult than it sounds.  The goal is to not think at all, to give your mind a rest and just be in the present.  I was terrible and still am, although I’m definitely improving.  I can get through 10 minutes without creating to do lists, writing lesson plans or solving my other little problems-of-the-day -  HUGE SUCCESS.  And the effects of just 10 minutes a day of meditation?  I’m calmer, I’m more productive at work (for 3 months straight I haven’t brought work home!), I’m more patient with my students, I feel more alert in the mornings and I am happy heading into work.  Now obviously, there are still bad days but overall the effects have been noticeable.  I’m also sleeping better.  According to other articles that I’ve come across since I started this practice, meditation will also help to live longer, show signs of aging at a slower rate, and will help me to lose weight.  I mean why wouldn’t I keep meditating, apparently it is a cure-all! J

2.  Yoga:  The next step has been to incorporate yoga more regularly into my life.  For awhile I was going to a yoga studio, but the hours don’t work very well with my schedule and the classes are ridiculously expensive for something that I know how to do and can do for free in my apartment.  I bought a subscription to Yoga Journal Yes, they deliver to Colombia!  And yes, the first month already arrived and not late at all!  Woo hoo!  The journal provides me with the motivation and the inspiration I need.  The march article was all about how to develop your own routines and the important parts of a yoga practice.  I’ve been trying.  Some days I only have the energy and/or patience to give it 15 – 20 minutes of my time.  Other days I’ll workout for an hour without even thinking about it.  I’m getting stronger and feeling less like an almost-30-year-old than before.

3.  The Four Agreements:  My boyfriend is generally a very happy guy.  He’s very driven and successful professionally, but unlike me he doesn’t seem to be consumed by constantly planning and organizing and doing.  He takes life as it comes and always seems pleased with what comes his way.  Early into the new year, we were talking about what drives us, motivates us and what we think about life – the kinds of conversations I LOVE!  Anyhow, he mentioned a book called The Four Agreements and said that the book really spoke to him and he tries to follow the advice of the book because he thinks it is dead on.  With my handy dandy Kindle I immediately purchased the book and dove in.  It was exactly what I needed, at the exact right moment.  I have referred back to the book several times these past months to maintain my focus and my calm.  I definitely recommend it! 

4.  Fuel.  Another part of taking better care of me, is eating better.   For starters, I’m bring my breakfast to school every day.  The school offers teachers a morning snack but it’s unpredictable  - some days it’s something nutritious:  yogurt and fruit or crackers and cheese and an apple but other days it’s a chocolate croissant or a donut.  These things are delicious and I have been losing weight living in Colombia, so I wasn’t really worrying about it.  But this year I’ve been really tired and have had numerous migraines – upon reading quite a bit I decided that perhaps it had something to do with my diet.   I am now trying to only buy whole foods, I’m avoiding white rice and other starches from the school lunch, and my breakfast is always very nutritious:  yogurt, fruit and bran flakes.  This is a bit of modification of a breakfast that another friend posted on her blog.  This is just a bit easier for me and plenty filling.   I also have one small coffee in the morning and no more caffeine the rest of the day (just can't seem to quit the caffeine completely) .  I drink LOTS of water – this part is a bit inconvenient because the bathroom at school is not very close to my classrooms or the teachers’ office but my energy levels are MUCH higher and I haven’t had a migraine in months.

5.  DIY.  Lastly, I’ve been working on making my apartment more peaceful and more green. 

I started by creating a place for my meditation with pillows to make me comfortable – I keep a wool hat and a pair of wool socks there too because it is pretty chilly in my apartment in the mornings (before the sun comes up).  I also bought some candles to create better lighting for me in the morning when I’m meditating or in the evening when I’m reading.  I then decided that I wanted some wall art.  Here’s what I created:

I feel so accomplished!
... but now I need another project...

This was a small idea that turned into quite a major undertaking.  Rolling nearly a thousand pieces of magazine to make the rolls to 

With a glimpse of my potted flowers too!

paste on the letters, pasting the rolls, creating the letters, hanging the letters….oof.  But when it was all done, it felt great.  Maybe the word Namaste is a bit cliché  But when I was deciding what word to hang on my wall, I was just getting back into yoga and starting meditation and the meaning of Namaste was mentioned in several articles.  For many, it’s simple the word you say at the end of a yoga session, kind of like a thank you to the instructor.  It has many translations but the one I like best is “the light within me honors the light within you”.  The idea being that we can see God in everyone.  No, none of us our perfect but we all have our beauty and goodness within us amongst our imperfections.  The idea of Namaste recognizes that we all are the same and that when we live from the heart we can recognize this union.  Again, very new agey, I know, but I also think it’s beautiful.  I’m hoping that having this word on my wall will be a constant reminder to me of all the good within me and also a reminder to focus on the good within others. 

Finally, this week is my vacation so I finally got around to two other things:

• PLANTS in the apartment!
• Creating an indoor compost bin. 

The plants part is awesome.  I love having flowers, so I bought some potted ones that will last longer and actually for three plants and the pots, I spent less than I do I an arrangement of flowers for my apartment.  I also bought a large plant that is on the floor.  Today I read about the best plants for cleaning the air in the apartment and I read about creating an indoor herb garden.  Coming soon…

As for the compost bin, the verdict is still out.  I read about the process for creating the compost bin online and followed the instructions.  Some sites say I need worms, others don’t mention them at all.  Worms seem gross, but I think it makes sense., they do the work and help break things down quicker.  Don’t know where to purchase worms in Bogotá, however, so will have to see how the worm-less composting works until I can track some down…

Drilled holes into the bin...

Keeping it under my sink, next to garbage
with extra dirt and paper scraps available when I need them.

So that’s how I’ve been working on me for these past few months.  I know I’ve been rather silent on this blog but I’m still here, very content in Bogotá.  Would love any advice folks have on meditation, indoor composting, house plants/indoor herb gardens, and/or great books on personal growth and reflection.