The Beauty of the Weekend

This is why this first-weekend-since-school-started is so precious to me:

-For months, I have been able to have lazy mornings. And this week, it hit me with a "bam!" - 6:20 am wake ups. I have three 8 am classes this semester. I know for many this is part of their everyday grind, but it's been an adjustment for me.

-Margot's care. I can't just jump in the car and head to work. I need to make arrangements for the lil' munchkin (LM). This week she had three sets of babysitters: Parham grandparents who kindly came over for a few days to help out and who kept LM  entertained, well-fed, and well-rested; Tante Mado, taking over the 6 1/2-hour Thursday shift, who devotes so much energy and care to LM; and finally Khouri-Lalonde grandparents where I dropped off  LM very early in the morning and will do so for a few months.S. and I are so grateful for all the help we have. Honestly, I don't know how others do it!

-My yoga practice has hit a low. (see last post) I don't think it's possible for me to do an hour everyday like I used to.  I know that "no time" is a lame excuse and we blah blah blah... But I want to use my time for other things, such as reading, knitting, going for strolls with my little gang, cooking, watching a dvd once in awhile, and just chillin'.  So, I think it's realistic to practice yoga for 25-30 minutes a day. I'll keep you updated on my journey... By the way, I abruptly ended my 40-day meditation challenge. I did 22 days. That's all right.

-I couldn't wait to do nothing today and tomorrow. We never just do "nothing". But it's nice to have low-key, relaxing events on my calendar: hanging out with friends and babies later this afternoon, and knitting club tomorrow morning. Ah... simple weekend pleasures...

Chéticamp Island Beach. A simple moment.

Iles-de-la-Madeleine. A "me" moment.

Journey of the Yogini - Part 3

I'm unmotivated.
I have no desire to do yoga.
My last practice was on Sunday August 21st. and it was fantastic!
I don't really know what is going on this week... Perhaps it's because I started teaching and my mind is elsewhere.
I shouldn't be too harsh on myself. It isn't my style.

Morning Dew

My summer holiday has come to an end.
How was it? Well, better than expected. The first few weeks were long and tiring, but I eventually got into a rhythm.  Margot is a lot of work. I didn't nap much. Gone are those glory days of afternoon siestas. I read less than I would have liked. My Bilberry Tweed Shawl didn't "advance" very much. Yoga practice sneaked in when Margot napped. I grocery shopped quite a bit, especially in the morning between wake-up and a.m. nap.

12-15 months is a good age. So much is happening! Margot is quite entertaining and a joy to be around. Generally, she is a happy little girl. Vibrant. Lively. Expressive. That's Margot!

Favourite morning activity

Dangerous spot to be sitting.

Messy eater!

Events on a Calendar

I like planning and marking events/outings on my calendar and Moleskin agenda.

This summer, our "outings" included:
-At least one hike a month in Gatineau Park.
-A weekly date night.
-A monthly Ottawa market stroll.
As I write this, I notice that it isn't much, but it's realistic. And I'm proud to say that we stuck to those "outings" and sometimes even did more!

This weekend, we visited the National Gallery of Canada and saw the Caravaggio exhibit. Having a membership at such a beautiful gallery is invaluable. We have been members for four years and love the convenience of just "dropping in".

Sometimes, the outings are not jotted down on the calendar. They are spontaneous "let's enjoy this beautiful weather!" outings. What better way to spend our time in a nearby park an hour before Margot's bedtime?  Simon can practice his French, I can lay on the grass and look at the sky, and Margot can run anywhere she pleases.

I can't remember why I had my hands on my eyes...

A break from studying

Margot found the cocottes!

 

A Yogini's Journey - Part 2

I began my 40-Day Meditation Challenge on August 1st.  Ten minutes a day (it's usually in the evening) of "taking my seat". I choose a (music) track that is approximately 10 minutes. Light my beeswax candle. Wrap my mala beads around my wrist. Sit on my meditation pillow. Bring my hands on my knees to ground my practice. Close my eyes. And breathe. Sometimes I change hand positions. And yes, my mind does wander. But I'm improving at gently bringing it back to my breath. Sometimes 10 minutes goes by quickly. It's do-able and so far I'm enjoying it. It's good to have a moment of centering. Of being motionless. Of not "going" anywhere. Of just being.

I have maintained a steady yoga practice for a few years now.  I really do enjoy it. I have to admit that some days it's more difficult to be motivated. But five minutes into my practice, and I forget all about it. The biggest obstacle in yoga is stepping on your mat. 

My first yoga class was in CEGEP in 1994. In my second year of University, I started practicing it (thanks Rachel!). Then, it slowly became an "activity" that I did on a weekly basis or so. And then, with time and interest, it blossomed into a "practice". I have not only reaped the physical and mental benefits of yoga: flexibility, balance, strength, endurance (try keeping Warrior 2 for 10 breaths!), awareness, clarity, calmness, etc, ; but also improved as Jen.

In my case, it took years before I started to notice the difference. Only now can I say that I have greater patience and awareness, am more open to change, and accept things as they are. I also catch myself bringing presence when I do everyday meaningless tasks, such as unlocking the door, walking up the stairs, chopping veggies.

Margot at 3 weeks doing Supta Baddha Konasasa (reclined bound angle)

 

Fun in the Sun!

Last weekend, we went to Newmarket to visit the Parhams.

Here are a few pics of our visit (mostly of Margot):

A sparkling smile for aunt Nathalie

Sharing a lemon with Grandma Vicky

Riding the orange car with uncle Jonathan

Just chillin'

Rediscovering a Songwriter

Listen to this song:

There are a few versions of Tom's Diner, but I chose the original Acapella one.

Ah! Suzanne Vega! What a fascinating singer, songwriter, and storyteller. Her sound is simple. Her lyrics filled with interesting stories. She appears to be very grounded and friendly.

I am unfamiliar with her new recordings. In fact, I only own one of her albums, Nine Objects of Desire (1996) , and her book "The Passionate Eye: The Collected Writings Of Suzanne Vega" (1999) ; a volume of poems, lyrics, essays and journalistic pieces.

Tom's Diner is the perfect strolling-in-the-rain song.
It reminds me of a Edward Hopper painting:

An interesting fact (which I just read about): The diner Suzanne is singing about is Tom's Restaurant, located at 112th Street and Broadway in NYC. The same diner was used for exterior shots on Seinfeld.