August 30, 2008 the unexpected happened. I got locked out of my apartment and went up to the roof, to see if I could go down the fire escape to get in. I remember looking over the edge and thinking, “No way- what am I? Spiderman? I turned to go and I don’t know if I slipped or what.But I fell six floors from the roof of my New York apartment building. How I survived is a miracle...
The holidays are a great time for local artists to display their crafts, share their individuality, and promote their one of a kind flair. Granted, they do this year round, but it seems that once the holidays hit, it's a slam dunk for their work. Last Saturday, the studio where I take yoga in Nola, Balance yoga, had a huge Christmas open house. Many of the instructors who have some other talents in the arts and crafts department ,were going be displaying and selling some of their works. Naturally, I had to check it out, and I am soooo glad I did. See for yourself!
Free Thai massages...boy was that nice
I love promoting local artists!
I wonder what new adventures I'll stumble into this week...we shall see :)
Christmas, New Years? These two holidays are fast approaching. While we wait for these events, and because we're in the month of December, radio stations, movies, and television are all getting us in the Christmas spirit. To piggy back on this idea, I'd like to share some songs, movies, and what not 's with you. Just a few little favorites of mine. Before I do, one idea I believe in this month, December, the only month which holds Dec 25th, Christmas, is this...'tis the season of giving. I'm not talking so much about presents, I'm talking about the idea of giving. Giving support, giving kindness, giving something because it helps bright someone's day. When I think about this month and Christmas, I think of the movie "Scrooged" with Bill Murray because there's this great quote he says at the end: "It's the only time of the year where we act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people we always hoped we could be." Well said. So, today, I am giving you a little happy holiday favs. Enjoy!
This entry is dedicated to all who have a little glamor/ fancy bug inside them. I'm talking about, dressing up. The inner girl inside me enjoys getting dolled up, glitz-ed up, and feeling like Cinderella every now and then.
Some girls/women enjoy getting in nice dresses, face fixed, and feeling fancy. Some men enjoy dressing in tuxes, looking sharp and debonaire. It doesn't happen everyday, but if the time and right occasion presents itself, or even if you just want to get fancy just because, it's tons of fun.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Endymion Ball in New Orleans with my best friend during Mardi gras. It's basically an upscale Mari Gras indoors. Everyone is in tuxes and formal gowns. Needless to say, it was fantastic in every way. Dressing up for a ball as a big kid is pretty cool. The pictures below prove it.
Again, there is an inner diva/dress up whore that lives inside of me. In other words, I'll get dolled up at the drop of a hat. Plus, you can find some of the best clothes for formal events at a goodwill or thrift store. However, wanting to expand a little bit, I visited the Red Carpet in New Orleans.
I feel when entering any business, to feel accepted and waited on right off the bat, and without any prejudice, is a sure fire win that that business is one I respect and want to spend my money in. It's nice to feel important regardless of appearance or my bank account. Obviously I'm looking for a formal gown, and the two ladies working, Dawn and Kayla, were so eager and kind to help, even knowing up front, that I may not be walking away with a gown. The fact that they knew this, and that just putting a gown on me would make me feel pretty, was enough for them and for me.
So what began as a search for the perfect ball gown ended with a self esteem booster and fantastic day. Behold, the pictures don't lie:
December 1st is here! Where did the time go? I always get aggravated after Halloween because the radio stations start pumping out Christmas music the entire month of November. They completely bypass Thanksgiving and go straight for Frosty the Snow Man. However, all is well now, because it's December 1st/2nd. Which means, now when I here Christmas music, it will just feel normal, and I'll be jingling all the way.
Yoga... Some believe in it's amazing healing powers and just all over well being for their lives. Some believe it's for granola loving hippie vegans and that the whole practice is silly and incredibly difficult. Which category do you fall into? Before my accident, when I was shaping myself to be a dancer, yoga was something incorporated in all my dance classes. My professors usually infused yoga and dance together for every warm up we had at the beginning of class. My first attempt at this warm up was awful. I was struggling to keep up, sweating through every single pore. My body was so tight (tight hamstrings, muscles, etc.) every move felt ridiculous because I could do only half of it , mainly because of my lack of flexibility. Well, I was determined to get better at this warm up. So day after day, class after class I kept at it. Then one day, almost as if everything fell into place, I seemed to have a flow with it. I wasn't struggling, the warm up made sense and I could feel just how in tuned to my body I had become. Fast ward years later- I had an accident. I fell off a building. My once very loose, very powerful body was now back at the very beginning. My body was tight, wound up, stiff, and not showing many signs of flexibility. Sure, there were exercises I did in physical therapy, but non to the extent that yoga played...until one therapist of mine recommend I get back into it about five years ago.
My return back was at a YOGA studio in MS. The instructor was Debi Lewis. A little unsure how I could handle it, I gave it a a shot. Debi was an amazing instructor and patient. Her verbal ques and the way she treated me (like I was just like everyone else), was really important. Information kept flooding back into my brain remembering certain moves, relaxing into certain positions and so on. But the best part, was that I started feeling and seeing results.
I kept at it for about a year. Life started to get busy for me, and I neglected my yoga practice for about two years. Until I started going back and forth to New Orleans so much. About a year and a half of traveling, I decided to pick up some classes at a yoga studio in Nola.
Once again, it felt like starting from scratch. Eventually, by the sixth class, I could once again, see and feel results. My body really embraced this practice. I had only bought enough for 20 classes, so once my time was up, it was time for a renewal. Wanting to expand my horizon, I discovered a yoga Studio not far from where I stay when I'm in New Orleans...Balance yoga.
I've been going to Balance for the last couple of months. Not consistently, due to a crazy schedule, but I try to go as frequently as I can. My first attempt back was the same as it's always been. I was starting from scratch. However, I've been very lucky, for all the different studios Ive been to, I've always had really amazing instructors. This was no exception. You know when you meet someone and you just click right away? That was my feeling after my first class. The instructor and owner, Jessica, had this very nurturing, kind, and patient Ora about her that made it easy to trust her automatically. I noticed that whenever she came over to help me or anyone else, she really and truly gives you her full undivided attention. As does the rest of the instructors
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Here is why I have a very special place in my heart for this studio and their instructors. I have been going to these early morning classes, getting tweaked what needs to, and making sure my forms are all accurate, and I decided to branch out and take another morning class one day, you know, to test the waters. My first class, a low impact class with Erin, another instructor, was just as satisfying, exhilarating, and rewarding. "Ok," I'm thinking, "maybe tomorrow I'll try another one." Tracy. Tracy was my instructor. Again, her class was low impact but had a great flow. So class is winding down, we've engaged our proper muscles, our bodies are warm and she invites people to participate/try to do and work on their own hand stands. Side note- I learned how to do a handstand before my accident. I got really good at it, then after my accident never really attempted it since. I thought, why not? You never know unless you try right? So, Tracey is so kind, and watches my first attempt- which, with the aid of a fellow classmate, I did a handstand!!!! After a huge moment like that, I had to document it- only this time, Tracy was my aid, and here are the results:
Yep, no stunt double. Just me, Tracy, and a HANDSTAND!!! By the way, I didn't totally come crashing down. The feeling of ''possibilities'' at what this body can potentially do was such an incredible feeling. Possibilities are out there for you, you just have to make the first step towards them. Right now Balance Yoga and I have a great relationship. I plan to keep it that way. Nicole
This past May I watched the LEGO Movie. I was aware of the movie but really had never thought about watching it. When my beau convinced me to watch it, and I did, I was blown away! Want the plot summary? Check it outhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lego_Movie
I am a believer of being an individual. I also believe that when we work together creatively and collaboratively we can open many different doors. One day, and we'll never know when that day is, our time to shine will come, and when it does, it really will be like none other. This movie exudes that message. Indeed, it is a kids/family-friendly movie, but adults can enjoy just as well, this gal did.
If you haven't seen this movie, here is one critics take on the over all message:
"At its core “The LEGO Movie” epitomizes the internal struggle every LEGO
lover has when they open a new set of the plastic bricks: Should I
follow the instructions or go my own way? And it is inescapable which
side the film comes down on. It stands its ground as an endorsement of
creative, collaborative, and free play — for both kids and adults. The
heroes in the film are rebels who figure out that you don’t have to
follow the instructions and that, if you work together, you can save the
world"
That last line is unbelievable: "You don’t have to
follow the instructions and that, if you work together, you can save the
world"
So, being an individual makes us who we are. Working TOGETHER opens a world of possibilities, which brings me to the movie's poetically perfect theme song, EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! EVERYTHING IS COOL WHEN WE'RE PART OF A TEAM!!
Everything the main character expresses in this quick excerpt, I agree with....with the exception of the overpriced coffee. Many of us have fallen victim to this before.
You are special, and you posse many qualities that if used correctly, maybe in a group setting, could be absolutely awesome.
SESAME STREET Yes, I said it. Sesame Street. This fantastic show has been a friend, educator, instructor, provider, and so many more wonderful things. I used to watch this show growing up, and the friends I used to watch it with now have kids of their own who they now watch it with.
Today is a very special day for Sesame Street. Today, is Sesame Streets 45th anniversary!!! I was born is '83. Sesame Street helped me, my imagination, and the world around me. As a kid, Sesame Street was on a level I completely understood. It was a huge staple in my life, and I'm glad it is still moving forward as one fantastic children's program. So to honor today's 45 years and the late great Jim Henson's brain child, here are some blast from the past and a few new Sesame Street skits.
Plus, the fact that celebrities have always jumped on the Sesame Street band wagon is pretty cool.
So I hope you enjoy, and remember what it was like to be a kid again
When I met my fella, which was over two years ago, I didn't really get a good first impression. To me he seemed to have this air of arrogance about him. It wasn't until we actually spoke to one another that I realized, he was a very nice guy and that he was just very confident and not arrogant. So on this Wednesday, I leave you with something to ponder: "don't judge a book by its cover". Nicole
Frustration is such an ironically, aggravating emotion. It always pushes our buttons, and wants us to eventually reach our breaking points. Frustration will effect us both mentally and physically and is not afraid to prey on either one. It builds us up to a point where we snap and open its doors. Of course, frustration loves this. The problem is, we don't. If you stop and think about it, no one really actually enjoys being frustrated. It isn't something we get out of bed in the morning and will to ourselves. It isn't a hobby or past time thing we want to do. Not to mention the health risks that come with frustration, high blood pressure for one. In my opinion, frustration is for the birds, because if we really boil it down, we'd know that we are the presidents of our own frustration. We are the ones that can control it, use it, lose it, we have the power! And being in power of yourself, and your own emotions, feels pretty nice. There's an episode of Family Matters I'll never forget. The main character, Karl, is fed up with his pestky neighbor, Steve Urkle. In this episode, Steve has pushed Karl to his breaking point. Karl wants so badly to lash out at Steve, but instead recites out loud a rhyme he read on an anger management pamphlet. "Three two one, one two three. What the heck it bothering me?" He takes a breath, and subdues some of his anger. As the episode escalates, Steve keeps pushing Karl's buttons unintentionally, until Karl eventually does snap. He completely loses his cool, explodes into an erruption of rants until he is forced to stop because of the heart attack he has caused for himself. The fear on Karl's face (actor Reginald VelJohnson played Karl), knowing that he brought his heart attack on himself due to his frustration, was amazing. Mainly because it was performed so well, but also extremely scary just to realize that we as humans can be that self destructive. You're going to get frustrated throughout life. That's just a fact. But wether you choose to give that frustration life or not is your choice. Make a wise one, you deserve it. Nicole
There is a catalog of Halloween songs out there that definitely help to get you in the spirit of the holiday, along with a tall list of movies to help also set the tone. There are even a number of t.v shows and specials specifically catering to the essence of Halloween. So, if you are in need, here are some of my faves. They're not so much on the scary side, as they are the wacky,spooky, and funny, but they still hold up the essence. The ones that started it all
Back in the day, these two t.v.shows brought home the charm, funny, and spooky. If you can, look up some of these old episodes. It will Totally be worth your wild.
The Spin Offs
Movie wise, the Adams Family wins.
The Weird and Strange
Moving along, another great t.v series for the season, and for those that can handle the weird and strange are these two gems:
Then we get into the movie versions.
There are two X-File movies. I watched both a few weeks ago, and personally, I'm partial to the first one.
Movie vs. Show
Now, we're coming to the next wave of spooky, according to me and my opinion on these things. This next one is movie vs show. Love the movie, and dug the show.
By year, I may have some of these out of order, but you follow where I'm going with this. I'm merely setting the tone to help. What's next..OH YEAH!
For Mature Audiences
What's next, is where we get a little more shows for the maturer crowds, and for those with strong stomachs.
Of course, these are all up for debate, and like I said, this all just my opinion. If you are in need, try these out. You may hate them, you may love them. I just hope these can at least entertain.
The Finale
Recently, as in last week, I finally watched one Halloween movie I had forgotten was extremely funny and entertaining. So, to bring this blog to an end, this movie is something to check out and I really do hope you find it, watch it, and enjoy. Pleasant dreams...
"Bring home the bacon, put it in a pan, I can do anything a man can"
What a blast of pure adrenaline. It's been a day. Yes, there are some things that are just impossible to do. There are other things that we don't do because we think we can't, or because we think they'll take to long, or we'll probably get completely bored. Well, I am here to tell you-I've done all of the above, but I've also done the complete opposite. Today, was one of those days. I have limited mobility of my hands, so everyday, ordinary tasks are much harder for me. I have to think of and invent new ways of using what I have in order to get things done. Sometimes I get extremely frustrated when I'm unable to do the smallest of tasks, and even then, I'm still determined to do them. Being a little stubborn helps. It may take me longer then most to do things. For example, buttoning a shirt, which can sometimes take me 15min, but the satisfaction of knowing I did it, makes it worth it. Today was probably my biggest challenge so far. Wanna know what it was? No lie, with my little gimpy hands, I replaced an entire door knob! It may not seem that big of a deal, but trust me, it is. Especially because of the state my hands are in. So, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE if you want it enough. This doorknob took me almost two hours to install. For anyone else with proper hand function, it would/should take only about 30 minutes. It took me two hours, but ya know what? Who cares? I did it! Now it's up and in working order because I wanted to do it, and I did. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
When I was a kid, my mother introduced me to this cartoon called Jem and the Holograms.
The cartoon was about, according to Wikipedia and myself,"a music company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, her band the Holograms, and their adventures." Of course, there is much more to it then you think, and you can read about on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jem_%28TV_series%29 You know, as kids, what we saw, smelled, tasted, and learned molded us into the people we are and will still become. I remember watching this show as a kid and was just in awe. One specific part of this show that I loved, as did many other viewers, was that Jem and the Holograms would always sing a different song each episode. Now, as a kid, I loved the songs because they had a fun beat, you could rock out to them, and they were easy to sing along with. It wasn't until I got a little older, that I learned that many of the lyrics to each song had some kind of a positive message to them. Like this one. Here's a quick excert:
Friend or stranger
Everyone needs a helpin' hand, now and then
Friend or stranger
They need someone who'll understand
To listen at them
Help them choose a way to go
Point them to the light
Someone who will brighten up their darkest night
And say it's all right
There were of course songs that were specifically geared towards girls and being girly, but there was also a handful of songs that had extremely positive and uplifting messages behind them.
Only the Beginning
Going back and remembering how much this simple girl group cartoon influenced me and just really inspired was a yrI read an article that the music was in the cartoon mainly to just add to the storyline. Little did those creators know how influential there music and lyrics would become. Ok, that was my geek out for Monday. Nicole
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another instructor, was just as satisfying, exhilarating, and rewarding. "Ok," I'm thinking, "maybe tomorrow I'll try another one."
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