GOMO

Happy Monday!!

Or in the land of Serindipity...Happy Oxymoron Day!

I'm fresh off the plane from New Orleans and I already want to go back!  I'll post a recap tomorrow.

Today we're focusing on GOMO!  What is GOMO?

In the Netflix and Chill world we live in, GOMO (Go Out More Often) is, sadly, a novel concept!   Eventbrite, an event planning and management software company asked me to list some GOMO ideas!  Eventbrite is awesome because it lets you plan events, send out digital invites, track RSVPs, sell your tickets online and track ticket sales in real time.  This sounds like an awesome way to keep track of all of your holiday parties!

I know that with winter coming, most people prefer to stay inside and hibernate, but I LOVE this time of year!  There are so many exciting things to do outdoors this time of year.  I may be am totally 100% biased because of my December birthday, but I just have to celebrate the season by going to ALL.THE.HOLIDAY.AND.WINTER.THINGS!  I've created a list of holiday/winter things that are must do's in the Philadelphia/Souther NJ area.

1.)  Turkey Trots!

I LOVE this Thanksgiving tradition.  Most are 5ks and can be found in multiple towns around the area.  I usually run the Moorestown Turkey Trot.  I always feel less guilty pigging out once I've completed the pre-dinner race.  A little fresh air also cuts the family togetherness tension :)  Here are a list of local Turkey Trots near me!

Last Year's Moorestown Turkey Trot

2.) Dickens' Village

Macy's in Philadelphia, located in the old Wanamaker Building, puts on a recreation of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, every year.  Visitors walk through an impeccably decorated story walk.  Visitors wind through the 3rd floor or Macy's and view animatronic dolls that depict the major scenes from the book.  We've been going forever and it's something I look forward to every year.  It starts the day of Thanksgiving!  Macy's also does a light show set to Christmas music and features many classic Christmas stories including The Nutcracker, Frosty, and Rudolph.  My family used to go every year, but now my girlfriends and I have turned it into a fun prelude for festive cocktails and dessert at The Melting Pot or Max Brenner's.

3.) Santa Runs/Holiday Runs

After Turkey Trots, these have to be my favorite holiday races.  Racers dress up in holiday garb and run around different neighborhoods.  One cool thing about these races is that they tend to mix up the distance.  Most Turkey Trots are 5ks, where Santa Runs vary from one mile runs to marathons.  You can join a Running of the Santas, or an ugly sweater run, a hot cocoa run, and a reindeer run.  All of these are an awesome way to GOMO and get some exercise in!

4.) Christmas Village

Philadelphia holds an annual Christmas Village complete with a German Christmas Market featuring local vendors.  Every day there is something new for visitors to experience.  Buy some hot cocoa and walk around with a Bavarian pretzel and take in all of the holiday goodies.  Most events are free and family oriented.  Plus, it's Center City locale makes it a great way to start or end your Dickens' Village trip.

5.) Peddler's Village Gingerbread House Contest

On December 3rd and 4th, Peddler's Village hosts a Christmas Weekend complete with shopping, Santa parades, and a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest.  Peddler's Village is cute the other 363 days a year, but this weekend they go above and beyond.  You can purchase cookies and hot cocoa and walk around.  PLUS parking and admission is free!

6.) Living Nativities

As kids there was nothing I loved more than hearing the story of Jesus' birth. We would visit multiple local churches and see their recreation of the story of Jesus' birth.  Each church put their own spin on it, including importing livestock, music, stunts, and special effects.  Such a great way to remember the Reason for the Season.

8.) Craft Shows

Most local high schools and churches feature Christmas Craft Shows.  These are great places to go to pick up gifts for co-workers, neighbors, and hostesses.  Most feature locally made products (think homemade jams/honeys/baking mixes) at reasonable prices.  Plus, I always feel better buying from local artisans.  Most of these also feature a Cookie Walk...not that I ever visit those :)

9.) Ice skating at the RiverRink

Philly has a really awesome outdoor RiverRink where skaters can go to enjoy some exercise, treats, and family time.  I'm a horrible ice skater so you probably would only get a visual of me falling to the ground multiple times.  The rink opens November 25th!

10.) Xfinity Live!

We're really luck in Philly because right next to our sports' arenas is a really cool multi-bar hangout called Xfinity Live.  It features Philly favorites (Geno's and Chickie and Pete's) and other fun bars.  My friends and I like to go and watch basketball, hockey, and football games.  It's a great (and cheap) way to view the games!

11.) Hockey games

My friends and I love Philly sports!  We try to see a Flyers game live every season.  This year, we're going to see Carrie Underwood's husband, Mike Fisher's Nashville Predators take on the Flyers!

12.) Light Displays both local and independent

Many towns feature The Best of Light Displays and list homes that really go over the top with their decorations.  My friends and I like to do a Christmas Dinner Party.  We wear our jammies, bring a course, and eat a nice Christmas meal before we head out on a self-directed lights' tour.  We bring hot cocoa and homemade cookies and turn the Christmas jams up loud!

Last year's lights and dinner tour

If you want a more formal Christmas Lights' Display event you can usually find them at  local farms.  Johnson's Farm does a great one in South Jersey.

13.) Sixers Games

Just like hockey games, we try and visit a Sixers game every year.  Tickets are super cheap and can be found on Groupon!  I'm Cait, her brother, Dylan, and I may all join up and go see a game.

14.) The Nutcracker

My.Favorite. Tradition.  Deb and I usually go see The Nutcracker  every year because I love the ballet!  We usually see the Pennsylvania Ballet's performance, but tickets can be expensive.  Groupon currently has the NJ Ballet's performance for $12!  Local ballet companies also perform this show.

Deb and I before the ballet last year

15.) House Tours

Many older towns feature House Tours.  Moorestown, Haddonfield, and Riverton all host Christmas House Tours.  Visitors can pay a one time fee (usually $25) and get to tour houses decorated for Christmas.  The towns' historical societies usually put on these events.  They're super fun to explore and see all of the old, beautiful mansions' decorations.  We usually turn it into a family affair and bring my aunts, cousin, Cait, and her mom.  We do dinner before and turn it into a fun Girls' Night Out!

16.) Longwood Gardens 

If you are from this area, you know Longwood Gardens is a holiday couple's day out fave.  Everyone and I mean everyone takes their significant other to visit the Gardens and take a Christmas picture in front of the giant Christmas tree.  If you're rolling solo this holiday season (like me!) you and your friends can visit it and then grab a good dinner on the way home.

I hope you all enjoyed this list of holiday fun activities!  Remember, use Eventbrite to help you plan your holiday events!  It gives you total control over your event and keeps you in charge of your event with painless event guides and services!   


Can't wait to tell y'all about my trip to visit Zach!

XOXO,

E

Health Nuts

Happy FriYAY!!

I'm baaaaack and so excited to be with you all again :)  The end of the school year really took total control of my life, but after a week off I'm ready to play again.

So what have you all been up to?  I've been super busy with all of the upcoming vacations/weddings/tutoring/training/subbing Total Body Blast as of late...but that's for another post!

THIS ONE is about being a health nut!  I came across Nuts.com and was challenged to give some tips to go along with the 5 tips for leading a healthier life campaign.  As you all know, I'm a HUGE peanut butter lover, so I jumped on this chance.

A healthy lifestyle is something that I continually strive for.  Healthy is different for everyone and therefore a healthy lifestyle is not the same for everyone.  I try to live by 5 rules:

1.)  MOVE!  Every day I try to hit my 12,000 Fitbit steps.  I'll cop to wandering the house or putting on Zumba Youtube videos on before bed if I'm short some steps.  Our bodies were made to MOVE!  I know I always feel better after a day full of activity.  Running, dancing, biking, walking, spinning, Pilates-ing (is that a word?  Did we just invent this a la Shakespeare?) and lifting weights all keep me sane and healthy.  I always like to invite my friends to join me on workout adventures because it adds to the fun and keeps me accountable.  Would I miss this chance to Zumba with my girls every Monday night?  HECK NO!  

My friend and I a year apart...matching!
This happens once a year for some unknown reason...and only once a year

2.)  Sleep!  Ahhh, my biggest health fail.  I try and fight the good fight and every week I tell myself tonight I will sleep 8 hours, tonight I will sleep 8 hours, but then I end up getting about 6...maybe 7 if I'm lucky.  I always feel rejuvenated after a solid 8 hours of sleep.  

3.)  Hydrate!  I just bought a 48 oz Nalgene water bottle (in pink of course) and I LOVE it!  I try to fill it up twice a day.  I also start my day with 32 oz of hot hot hot water.  I find that it helps to keep me full and then even if I start slacking on my hydration throughout the day I know that I have atlas had 32 oz of water.

4.)  Me time!  Everyone always says to be present.  I think we need to be recluses every day.  I am a healthier person when I take 5-15 minutes to do nothing but hide out in my room with a book or a blog post.  We need to hide out and get some alone time to recoup and be the best person we can be.  I think being selfish is A-OK in this situation.  

5.)  Fuel!  We all need to eat good, healthy, nutritious food to keep our bodies moving to their best abilities.  Last night I had a cheat day and enjoyed The Melting Pot's 4 course meal...did I love it?  YES!  Did I feel it today when I was working out?  ABSOLUTELY!  Healthy foods fuel our lives and let us perform to our best abilities.  As a runner it is super important for me to pay attention to what I put into my body.  One of my favorite things?  Nuts!  I start the day with a dollop of peanut butter in my oatmeal.  (And I mean the REAL thang...the only ingredients in your peanut butter should be drum roll please...PEANUTS!)  I also love adding nuts like almonds or pecans to my salads.  Pine nuts add an amazing crunch to my favorite salad (pear+greens+goat cheese if you're wondering).  And I love adding walnuts to chocolate chip cookies.  I also love melting some dark chocolate (70% Cacao) and mixing it with pistachios.  Next, I fridge them for a few hours and voila!  My sweet tooth craving has been met along with getting some healthy fats, antioxidants, and protein.  

Sometimes I find it hard to find a healthy snack to meet my nutritional needs and that's when I always turn to nuts.  I can't remember a road trip in which I did not have a baggie of almonds or a self-made trail mix.  They are filling, healthy, and so versatile!  They give me that crunch that I love, plus whatever else I'm craving that day.  

If you're looking for some yummy treats head over to this site for some ideas!  The RD at Nuts.com has some great ideas for you!  https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks and https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks/high-protein

Looking forward to seeing you all soon with a little recap of what I've been up to lately!

xoxo,

e

What I Ate Wednesday/Yoga Revelations/Wine

Happy Hump Day!

Welcome to my first What I Ate Wednesday!  I'm such a fan of sharing and reading what others are eating for a few reasons:  A) I'm nosy lol B) I like to get new ideas for healthy meals C) I like to share what I'm eating to give new ideas to others.

Yesterday was a weird day.  As you can tell from my blog's name Serindipity I'm a huge believer in everything happens for a reason.  (FYI For Good and Unanswered Prayers have been playing on repeat)  I woke up feeling kinda wonky (a boy missing a sensitivity chip but what are you going to do?)  and I was just kinda sad.  I went on a 5 mile run to try to ease the wonk/funk I've been in.  Kinda worked.  I ate my favorite breakfast (totally worked) then I went to tutor one of my favorite kids.  I don't know what it is, but whenever I teach, life just gets better.  I forget everything.

Also I found these at Target (Target heals all)…I think Amanda and I need them :)

Cait and I went to celebrate my birthday at Auburn Road Vineyards.  (Full disclosure my birthday is in December, but who wants to go wine tasting in the winter?)  This was my first official wine tasting and I think I'm hooked!  What a cool place!  We had the whole place to ourselves and we enjoyed tasting some Jersey wines and eating copious amounts of bread and cheese.

On our way we saw some bales of hay…Jersey is the Garden State!  We're not all Snooki...

Beautiful display and tasting set up

We got a souvenir glass!

The menu

Auburn Road Vineyards is an amazing place!  Some of the wine is named after the winemaker's love of music and it was cool to try and decipher the musical references.

Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day :)

Beautiful vines

Some outdoor shots

This place hosts a happy hour on Thursdays and an ordered in brick-oven pizza dinner on Fridays with a live band.  I think that we will be returning :)  The vibe of the place is down-home sophistication.  They have an outdoor seating area where we enjoyed a glass of wine and caught up on life.

The gorgeous trellis  

Cheers!

We sampled reds, whites, roses, and fruity wines.  We each left with 2 bottles of wine, Give Peach a Chance (a Jersey peach based wine) and Blessington (a sweet fruity red).   The price point is about $12-$20 a bottle.

Before...

After...

In the barrel room…yes I wore a wine colored dress because I love a theme!  #dorkstatus

Anyway, after the tasting we headed home and got ready for Pilates.  Our usual Pilates teacher was absent and we had a sub.  Our sub is a yoga teacher and started our class with an intention--figure out what kind of person you are in relationships and make yourself better.  Another intention was not to be passive aggressive.  It was like the yoga spirits knew my exact thoughts and tailored this practice to me.  I love when that happens to me.  Has that ever happened to you?  You get smacked in the face with the answer to your problem…or at least a resolution?


The class was exactly what I needed.  I left the class with a more centered approach to life.  Yoga does that to me.  I don't practice as much as I should considering how amazing I feel afterwards.  Yoga juju>funk

Therapy 

Anyway…WHAT I ATE WEDNESDAY!


Pre-run breakfast cookie:

Breakfast was the usual:

1/2 C Oats

1 C almond milk

sprinkle of cinnamon

spoonful of Farmer's Market PB

blueberries

splash of vanilla

Lunch is a salmon salad with a side of broccoli.



Late snack:  plumcot (new fave summer fruit) and Mexican corn on the cob:

source

source

Dinner:  Season's 52 Barbecue Chicken Salad with my gym friends:

source

Plus a life's supply of water.  Probably 12 glasses of water.

Today I'm linking up with Jenn at Peas and Crayons for a little WIAW inspiration.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!  Say some ohms and take a deep breath and enjoy your day!

XOXO,

E

Friday Faves

Hey Bloggies!

How is your week going?  It's Friday, Friday, Friday, gonna get down on Friday ovah here!

Today is Deb and my work party--we're hosting it at our casa and I'm pretty excited.  I love parties especially ones by the pool :)

Life as of late has been pretty crazy.  School is over next week (for the kiddos anyway, I'm working until the 23rd) and between report cards, training for my half, and sleeping (what's that?) life's been insane!

Today I'm going to leave you with a little quickie Friday Faves post!

1.) This jumpsuit!  I'm obsessed with it.  Is anyone else having a 70's Charlie's Angels moment and loving the jumpsuit?  I just picked it up and can't wait to wear it.  I'm already planning a summer fancy schmancy dinner in AC just so I can wear it.  Does anyone else do that?  Buy an outfit and then plan something so you can wear it?  Nope?  Just me?  Ok moving on then…

source

2.) THIS Jackie book!  If you've been a longtime reader (gracias) then you know I'm all about my Jackie!  I wrote my history thesis on her and I've been obsessed for a while.  Love her style, grace, intellect, and approach to life.  As a Jackie connoisseur I can pick out a fan piece a mile away.  This book would make Jackie proud.  It focuses on her true self.  It's not fangirl-ish or fake.  It's full of interesting insight and focuses on her as a person, not just Jack's wife.  I started reading this book and have become addicted.  I'm bringing it babysitting tomorrow.

source

3.) 5 am runs!  I've never been a morning person until this spring.  Yes, as in 2 months ago.  I love waking up at 5 to run 2-3 days a week.  I find that once my run is done, the day has really begun.  Didn't mean to go all Dr. Seuss on y'all, but hey I'm gonna roll with it.  I love getting up early and running 5 miles.  I do not love getting sprayed by secret sprinklers!  Come on people, set your sprinklers for 3 am!  #suburbsprobz

4.) THIS goat gouda!  IT'S everything I COULD POSSIBLY WANT TO HAVE IN A GOAT CHEESE!  Yodeling Goat Gouda has my heart!  Thanks for helping out the lactose intolerant peeps!

5.) THIS Cole Swindell song!  Just listen to it!  It's amazing--well, actually I'm a huge fan of all of his songs and jam out unabashedly to his Pandora station at work.  This song just sounds like summer to me :)  Who doesn't want to be at an outdoor concert, swayin' with Mr. Swindell?  My friends and I are obsessed with his CD!  Get it people!  He reminds me of a young Lukeybear  Luke Bryan.

Anyway,  that's what I'm loving this Friday.  What are you all loving?  Any good races, fitness events, concerts, weekend plans?  I'm having a chill weekend full of babysitting, 9 miles on Sunday, food shopping, and I heard there's a possible Whole Foods Hot Bar date in my future…

Have a great weekend loves!

-E

The Inevitable…Strep Throat Edition

Hello People,

How was your Tuesday?  Mine was ehhh…I have strep throat and it sucks!  I decided that since I'm cooped up inside (my Type-A self is been driven slowly insane considering I need to be moving or I go slowly insane) I would make a list of all the Inevitable Things that happen when you have strep throat.

1.) Inevitably, you will miss some of your favorite workout classes (Zumba, Pilates, Barre, weights, HIIT, tear tear tear)

2.) Inevitably, while sitting at the doctor's office you will inevitably run into a super cute guy.  P.S. your face will be swollen, you will be wearing sweats, and you will be pale and sweaty.  In case you were wondering, these are all Vuuurrry attractive to the male species.  How come guys can pull of sick better than women?  Not. Fair.

3.) Inevitably, all the good jams will play when you physically cannot open your mouth due to pain.

4.) Inevitably, your father will bring you home a Reese's Heart which you will not be able to eat because you, again, can't open your mouth.  Coincidentally, holiday themed Reese's can't be beat because they have the perfect chocolate to peanut butter ratio.  Peanut butter chocolate perfection!

5.) Your Netflix will inevitably not load

6.) You inevitably have the good bread from Wegman's and can't eat it because you can't open your mouth and/or chew

7.) You inevitably have a bag of M&Ms (the Valentine's Day kind aka the best kind) and you can't eat them either because the chewing hurts!

8.) You inevitably can't do lesson plans for next week because your absence leaves some holes in the week

9.) You will inevitably realize that you are too contagious to visit Wegman's for your midweek grocery run.  I lurve Wegman's…

10.) Since you couldn't visit Wegman's you can't make a green juice…How will I recover without my vitamin C??

11.) You will inevitably begin to think about races that you want to run…Hello Disney Wine and Dine…has anyone run this?  I love night running, wine, and Disney so this can only be fabulous!

12.)  Inevitably, you will go online shopping…

13.)  Inevitably, you will miss St. Blaise's Mass because you can't leave the house because you're contagious.  The irony?  St. Blaise Mass is a blessing of the throats mass…irony, eh?

14.)  You inevitably, will have a rockin' good hair day and no one will be able to see it….

15.) You will inevitably find new running shoes.  I heart these new running shoes!

source

AmmIright?!  Hot Pink?  Check!  Gold?  Check!  Light Pink?  Check!  Aasics are my fave running shoes!!  I'm planning on running a few races this year and these lovelies will be my BFFs!


Are you good on sick days or are you a bad sick day kid like me?


Tomorrow I will be ready to rock and back at school!  I can't wait to see my little nuggets tomorrow!

xoxo,

Erin

Things That Make Me Happy October 2014 Edition

Happy Sunday Funday!

Thanks for wishing me well at Columbia!  I loved it!  It was everything I thought it would be and more.  Columbia University's Teacher's College is a cornerstone in creating American educational strides.  The conference was free (wowza) and run by Lucy Calkins.  For you non-educators, she is the Queen of Writing.  The conference was great and I left feeling invigorated and rejuvenated and ready to rock on Monday.  As any professional, and especially newbie, it is essential to go to conferences like this and develop/learn/see/feel/hear emerging ideas.  Also, it was very girl power and I'm all about that.  I love being surrounded by accomplished women.  I always say, I'd rather be the dumbest person in the room at the best school, because then I have the opportunity to learn so much more.  My friend and I attended the conference and honestly we can't wait unitl March for the 88th Teacher's Conference.

Anyway, back to the topic.  Today's topic is one of my all time favorites because I believe in counting your blessings everyday.  Today, I'm off to visit a friend in Maryland and I figured this ties in perfectly. I'll post our purchases/events/shenanigans tomorrow :)  We've been friends for 15 years so there's always some gems!

Things that make me happy:

1. Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass.  This girl positive body image anthem speaks to me.  Usually it says, "Go ahead, Erin, eat that cookie.  Momma told you don't worry about your size"

2. Really great Zumba/Pilates/Barre classes.  There is nothing I love more than getting my sweat on and I love when the playlist is popping, the intsrutcor is feeling it, and I've had a great day at work.  With that combo I am grooving, planking, and pile-ing my way to a fitter, healthier me.

3. Visiting friends.  I can't tell you how much I love my girlfriends.  They keep me sane, healthy, and laughing until I accidentally pee my pants.  They're the bestests.

4. Dancing in the living room.  I still choreograph in my living room.  I danced for 20 years and taught for 5...it's in my blood.

5. My job/students.  I love my job and I know I'm biased, but I believe my students are the best people in the world.  When they become in charge, we'll be in fantastic hands.

6. Lakeshore Teacher's Store.  Hello, Heaven!

7. Sale/Clearance Racks.  Total Win!

8.  Almond butter.  Yumm-o

9. Foam rollers.  Just bought a "mean" one aka one that has ridges.  Going to break that bad mama out tonight!

10. Solo car rides with awesome music.  Music makes the road trip, y'all.

11. This fall weather we're having.  Loving wearing leggins, boots, and sweater dresses.

12. Lilly Pulitzer Planner.  Organization+Bright Summery Colors=Instant Happy!

13. Anytime spent with my family.  I don't know why they're last on my list....


That is all for today, folks.  Enjoy your Sunday!

After visiting Amanda, I'll probably come home and get my yoga on.

Namaste,

E

Why I Shouldn't Be Allowed To Go To Yoga

Hi.  Happy Tuesday.  



I'd like to give a big shout out to my Phils!  #1 in the NL East Baby!  Can we just end the season now as champs?

Wearing your Phils jersey over dress pants= business casual, right?  RIGHT!
This was a staged pic for a school project...I'm not photographing any kids here

8 Days 'til Spring Break!!  

Spring Break (n) a time when most people have off but I will be subbing because I like to shop and buy things more than I like sleeping 'til noon.


I'm lucky to have Spring Break here in the old N-J.  Winter came and ruined our lives for three months causing most of my friends and family to lose their Spring Breaks.  However, this girl, still has hers.  

Anyway, last week my usual Pilates instructor had to go somewhere (I guess it's okay for her to have a life outside of us...lol Love You Lisa!) and we had a sub.  Let me tell you, I live/breathe/die/only shave my legs for Pilates class!  Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays I sit and watch the ticking clock (Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time video style) until I can run out of school and go to Pilates.  I love it!  I love it for many reasons, but mostly because it is my home.  I just feel so great after Pilates.  It's hands down my favorite workout.  

So last Thursday, we had a sub.  We did not have Pilates...we had yoga.  I was disappointed because we all thought it was going to be Pilates, not yoga. For all y'all that don't know, Pilates is NOT the same as yoga.  Pilates people and yoga people are not the same people.  

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates to rehab injured ballerinas.  

No one knows where the zen creatures aka yoginis came from.  I'm sure someone knows but I don't.  I think they came from their own planet full of sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns.  They are so freakin' zen!  All.  The.  Time.  They're like Corinthians 13:4-8

Yogis are patient.
Yogis are kind.
Yogis do not envy, do not boast, are not proud.
They do not dishonor others,
they are not self-seeking.
They are not easily angered,
do not keep records of wrongs.
Yogis do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth.
Yogis always protect, always trust, always hope, always perseveres.  

I am rarely any of the above.  Not centered, not zen, not calm, no namaste here.  That's why I lerve Pilates.  Pilates is like yoga for people who can't be calm.  All our muscles have to be moving constantly or we might actually die and wilt into the ground that we are not one with.  

It's not that I dislike yoga.  I think it's fine.  I just prefer Pilates.  One of the ladies in my class described it perfectly, "It's like when you order coke and they bring you root beer.  It's not that you don't like root beer, you just wanted coke."  The instructor was a great yoga instructor, just not my cup of decaffeinated all organic, green tea.  

What happened in yoga...a running internal monologue

-Ok, this is not so bad.  Maybe it'll be a serindipity and you'll end up loving yoga.

-You used to do yoga.

-You liked it.

-Yogis are vegans...you are not a vegan.

-Yogis probably use natural deodorant and laundry detergent.

-Certain things need chemicals...like deodorant and laundry detergent.

-Ra likes yoga.

-Remember that time you did yoga at Ra's house?

-This is kinda like it.

-No it's not.

-WARRIOR!  YOU SHALL NOT PASS.  WARRIOR 2! 

-Now you're laughing.

-There is no laughing in yoga.  More reason why I can't be a yogini...I need to laugh.  We laugh 100 times a Pilates class.  

-Laughing in yoga is like laughing in church...once you start you just can't stop.

-Yoginis throw shade if you're laughing.
-So much shade from such a zen woman.
-Ohmmmmmm

-Don't sit next to your friend in yoga.  Once the laughing starts it just won't stop.

-You will look like you are giving birth more than once.

-You will also have gyno flashbacks.  These will cause you to laugh and repeat all your laughin related problems.  

-The music is strange.  It's even more out there than Pilates jams.
-Pilates jams are zen but the yoga singers sound like they are in pain.

-You will wonder if you are high on yoga.

-You will decide you have a yoga high.

-Yup yup, burned 1 calorie.

-That's not gonna stop me from eating all those pretzels later tonight!

-You and me Pretzel Goldfish...til death do us part.
-Jenna Marbles is funny.

-Crane pose rocks.

-What does Namaste mean?

-You will open one eye really wide during the opening breath series just to make sure that your yoga high has not transported you magically to an hour past the end of class and you're just sitting there in your zen state...alone...in the dark. 

-You won't be that high on yoga.

-Don't open one eye because everyone will laugh because everyone else is peeking, too.

-Your yogini instructor will cause your brain to drift to the episode of Friends where Ross and Rachel are coming up with names for their baby and Rachel suggests Rain.  Ross says, "Hi, I'm Rain.  I have my own kiln and my dress is made of wheat."  You will wonder if your yogi has her own kiln and a dress made of wheat.

-You decide she does.

-You decide you need a kiln.

-Just because kiln is a fun word.

-Kiln.

-You miss Lisa
-Unagi...ahhh salmon skin roll
-Ah, Friends, such a good show

-No one is being sassy.  Why no sass?

-Because you don't sass a yogini.

-They are sensative beings who are connected to the world.
-Sass a yogini and God help us all!  Nature might getcha

-Was that an intentional innuendo?  Not sure.  Don't laugh though, in case it's not.

-That'd be super duper awkward.

-Eye contact with a fellow Pilates Famsquader confirms that she felt this was an innuendo, toooooo!

-That's why I do Pilates...the jokes

-This feels weird.

-It's a good thing I did ballet all those years, I'd be in paaaayyyaaaain if I hadn't.

-I want Chinese food.

-I want to marry Chris Evans.

-Captain America is super hot.

-La la la Captain America.

-That's coming out soon! 

-I'm gonna go with Daddy.

-That'll be fun.

-But I can't eat chocolate at the movie theater...sad panda.

-I am not "one with the Earth"

-Oh, it's over?  

-I'll never be this zen ever again.

-Like, ever.

So that's the story of me and yoga.  We're not going to be regular friends.  Maybe acquaintances...if Pilates and I can't meet up on the reg.

Anyway, if you are a yogi, I salute you namaste you and your zenness.  

xoxo,

E

Smiles, Sunshine, and Snow!

Happy Saturday y'all!

 A side note on y'all--I'm glad this Southern favorite saying is moving it's little way up to the North!  I love this phrase and throw it in when I go to the South.  Speaking of the South, Happy Mardi Gras week!  Sending my love and aspirin to my friends in NOLA!  Pat O's, congrats on making 80% of your yearly income this week!!

Ok, so about the title of the post...

I have some exciting news!

I have three interviews for actual grown up jobs!  TCNJ runs an educational interview day at The College aka Speed Dating for Job Interviews.  They invite school districts from around the region to interview potential teachers.  The majority of the schools are located in North Jersey.  When I sent my resume in a month ago, I really didn't even think that I would get an interview.  Not in an I suck way, but in a there's a 1000000 of mes and only thousands of school districts.  It's almost easier to become an Oscar winning actress than acquire a teaching job in NJ.

Since I found this news out I have been uncontrollably smiling and just feeling good!  I know that there is a slim chance that I will get one of these jobs but it's a nice way to start your weekend!  I feel like this is the beginning of the ball rolling on the course to employment!  Even getting an interview is an incredible feeling because it means that these districts saw something in me that they want to see again! They believe I can do it, they are validating my years of hard work, and I can't wait!  My interviews are in three weeks and I will be researching the districts like crazy until then!  There's always the fear when you start applying for jobs that no one will call you back.  At.  All.  It's a scary time right now with the economy and the always tumultuous teacher bashing that is happening now.  Even if I don't get one of these jobs I will get practice at interviewing and the realization that becoming a big girl teacher is coming to fruition.  After a grueling five year road to my Masters I'm ready to be done and teach!

Also, after basking in the glow of interview bliss, I began a great weekend!  My Pilates class is expanding to Saturdays!  YAY!  I love Pilates!  It's amazing to see how your body changes and gets stronger after classes.  It's an amazing total body workout and I always leave feeling totally zen and ready to take on the day.  It's a dorky thing to say but it's true!  My Pilates instructor is amazing!  Her class calms all of my Type-A craziness and centers me.  After class she knows that I indulge in some chocolate loving and this week she found me on the elliptical after class and handed me a Heath bar.  Does your Pilates instructor do that?  Didn't think so!

I also heard Let It Go on the radio!  Be still my beating heart!  Nothing perks up a Saturday quite like a little bit of Disney jams on mainstream radio!

I also made spaghetti squash today.  It was really good!  I was surprised at how filling it was!  I added a homemade sauce to it.  It was EVOO based with Italian seasonings, spinach, rosemary, garlic, tomatoes, and a little bit of mozzarella.  It was soooooo yummy!

food porn?!

Also, we're facing a Snow Day on Monday and you know what that means?!  Nutella waffles!

Sorry, this is food porn!

Since Lent starts Wednesday, I will be giving up sugar!  Sugar is my life source!  I am getting excited for this 40 day sugar detox!  But that means I'm going to employ Joey's mantra:  

source

I made a banana bread with chocolate chips, Deb made a vanilla pound cake which I promptly frosted with Nutella, and I've been drinking soda because I know I only have 3 days left!  I'm going to be an angry girl without my beloved sugar but I'm hoping this pulls me back on track so I'm not so addicted to the sweet stuff.  We'll see...

Anyway, happy weekend!

xoxo,

E