out to sea

On of the luxuries of living on an island is there's no shortage of beaches and ocean. Just add sunshine and you have the stuff dreams are made of!

Saturday we made the decision to move the boat back down to saltwater and out of the Brisbane river. It was actually really hard living at Kangaroo Point. The water was dirty, the neighbors were weird, the place was loud... and so on. It also took us 3 hours to sail to the ocean and we could only do it when the tide was high. We were at KP so I could study yoga at The Gabba and we could explore the city. Well the city has been conquered and only one month to go at the gabba(gulp)! So back down to Moreton Bay and the Turquoise salt water.
The weather was perfect for the sail out of the river. We anchored at a new site of an Island that once was a prison:) It was peaceful so we decided to spend the night, then woke up to crazy wind and waves. No worries, just pull up the anchor and move to a better bay! We found one (after accidentally getting ourselves into less than 5 meters of water) and spent a calm windless afternoon. I put up the hammock and Lucas went fishing. It was a lovely lazy day.
Soon it was time to head back to the marina. We joined a flotilla of sail boats heading in after a day of racing. I felt like we were in a parade.

Everybody together

Everybody together are the first two words on my teacher training dialogue script. The script is 22 pages double sided. I have to memorize the whole thing,word for word, to do a class and graduate.... I have until November 18th. Gulp!

exhausted

We actually do a lot of work here for 2 people who aren't working. We woke up early (that would be the royal we) and studied, then went to the Aussie market and back to work on the boat. I just got home from walking to and from Bikrams and doing a class. I'm beat!

The Movies

I'm trying to set time off as a priority right now. It's true I'm not employed, but I'm trying to treat Bikrams like a job, since it will be someday. In training we will be doing double classes 6 days a week I bumped my schedule up to 2 a days, 4 days a week in preperation. It was intense!
Yesterday and today I'm taking a Yoga break and trying to see Brisbane. We ended up at Pirates of the Caribbean yesterday and a nice sushi lunch. I have to admit my body is grateful for a rest:)

if you dream it, it will come

Today I got notice that I have been accepted to Bikrams Yoga Teacher Training Fall 2011!!!! Class of 2011 yeah!
So let me review my list of lifetime dreams:

I have a partner who is good to me
I live on a boat
I live in Australia
I do yoga everyday!

Life is good!

Macdonalds

I have started to change my diet to train for yoga. Yesterday I had just an apple for breakfast then went off to class. While walking home for my 45 minuets all I could think of was "in the US a 45 minuets walk would have at least on Macdonalds so I could stop and get some chicken nuggets" Sheesh....

Practice makes perfect and perfect practice makes more perfect

I have bumped my practice up to 2 a day! This means I spend 3 hours a day in a room heated to 105 and 40% humidity. I have also adapted an new "Bengal tiger strength and bulldog determination" philosophy... It's time. On the 3 month countdown to Bikrams Teacher Training:)

Back to class

Back at the 9:30 class today after taking a 3 day break. The break started with a case of sore joints and ended up a good head clearing. I was lucky to spend 2 of the three days hearing the Dalai Lama Speak, chatting with friends from home, walking around and exploring my new city, reading an awesome book so all-in-all, time well spent.
So heres what I've learned. Have some compassion for yourself! I don't always have to be in motion. If my body is telling me to take a break do it! I also know I am on the right track with Yoga, it keeps me healthy and mentally clear. Right now it's truly the one thing I see clearly as mine.

The Dali Lama was asked the Question "what is the one Buddhist principal  every student should start with?"
His answer was " They should start with a clear understanding of Buddhism, they should study, and make sure they understand what it is. If they claim to be a Buddhist before they do this then it will not last. It will only be Fashion"

I take this to heart knowing I want to be a Yogi, but for now, I am studying this discipline at a deeper level. Kind of like I'm studying myself, and making sure it's truly me and not just my new fashion.

City Ferry

On my favorite new transpotation mode. The city Ferry on the Brisbane river!

Good book

I am currently lost in a good book... love it! It's called "the Comfort of Figs" and is all based around my new city Brisbane and my new crush The Story Bridge. I found it at the used book fair for 6 bucks Australian ($6.10 US) which in my world makes it even better:)

Day 7

It's day 7 of Lucas being gone on his business trip. Ho-hummm I'm kind of boaring...haha
No seriously, I have a hard time getting myself motivated. That being said, I have actually kept myself very buisy. Walking around, (and floating on the city Ferry)  Brisbane exploring all the backstreets, sushi bars, shopping, library, and movies. The weather has been sunny and beautiful, a bit cold for me at around 70 ( i know i'm a wimp now)
The truth is solitude is healthy for awhile, but not sustainable for me. I like Luke:) as my partner and miss my companion. I can't wait for him to get home!

head down moving forward

yoga, yoga and more yoga! Doing Bikrams at least once a day. Trying to absorb something new every class. Two and a half months to go until LA. I'm both excited and terrified all at once:)

Rain, rain go away!

Remember this... sometimes it rains in paradise

alone again...

Lucas is on a trip for 4 days to Perth to "commission" a boat. (take it on a test drive) So I am here in Brisbane doin' my yoga and in charge of Sunday. So far I had to change a fuse on my own but thats about it.  am so lucky and deeply grateful to have a partner that can handle mechanical issues and keep this whole "fantasy" living situation on a boat afloat. I'll never forget the night I felt the hatch dripping on me in the middle of the night and was ready to give up, panicked that I had to figure it out.... but no, Lucas knew just what to do and we were fine. Now Hatch fixed, no more leaks! Love it! Anyway I will miss Luke and his superpowers while he's away working, and explore being on my own. I'm hoping for a crises free few days but I'm sure I can handel anything that comes up:)'

Day two at the Gabba

So interesting starting at new studio. Meeting new teachers, students, a new room.

catching up

OMG... I feel like iI am always chasing my tail! For someone with no responsibility I am so busy everyday. Then I look back on the last 3 months of being here(I left the US March 8th). We have toured south east Australia driving over 5 and a half  thousand KM or about 4,000 miles, shopped for and found a great boat, fixed it up to live on, and put a month of Bikrams work/study under my belt. Pretty amazing!

off to yoga

I'm sitting here on the boat having toast with Luke. The boat sways and rolls from the Ferry waves...we happily chat and work on our personal electronics. I am soon to pack my yoga bag and take the 1/2 hour walk to do 9:30 class taught by my friend Mary. Just another day in Brisbane

new diggs

we made the big move on the 1st. Left Manley around 9am and headed to peel island. We had to motor out not to much wind. We anchored around noon and had a beautiful day. I layed on the deck and read most of the day. We made a lovely curry and went to bed early. Started over to Brisbane early and sailed most of the way. Beautiful weather! The river was boaring and reminded me of the Tacoma port. We had a great dinner thanks to Luke. Early to bed to watch some TV. Really, really bouncy here! Up early with the first ferry around 6:30.....

Moving day

Today we move the boat from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Manly, to Kangaroo Point downtown Brisbane. We are heading out for the day on an overnighter to Peel Island. If this is my last post you know where to find me:) hahahaha

moving

Today we get organized to move the boat. We have been at the Yacht club for 3 weeks and have got an amazing amount of things done to Sunday. Now we move closer to Downtown and the Yoga Studio. Less luxury more yoga. We both are under lots of pressure.
Here we go!

just another day

Another day of working on the boat, in the sunshine then a Bikrams class... :)

"American?"

So I was called out in Yoga class as "The American" yesterday. It offended me and I'm wondering why....
It's true I was born in the US and Lived there 45 and 1/2 years. I'm sure I have an accent and look American (whatever that means) maybe even act a little american. But, my point in leaving that behind was to broaden my understanding of the world, and in that pursuit be embraced by whatever culture or country I am in at the time. Is that possible? I guess I would prefer to be called  just a visitor or just not called out at all.

this is a rant...

I never really thought about all the paperwork involved with living in a new country. It's difficult enough to A. pay for a move and B. choose a place to live. Those two things are massive! Then you have to get (and pay for and have the knowledge of how to get)permission from your host country to stay. Keep in mind I am not allowed to work while I'm here.
So after saying this we spent the whole day yesterday trying to register the boat in Queensland, but we needed a Queensland drivers license, which required a permanent address and so on and so on.... ahhhh!
We finally got it but frustration!!!!
Anyway I only say all this to remind myself and others, it's not as easy as a plane ticket and a dream, but it is achievable:)

good morning

I'm up and going this morning, thanks to the sunshine. I'm so lucky to sleep in a V birth on a sailboat(big smile) where the morning sun tickles me awake every day. As I walked up the dock past all the sailboats proudly rocking and bowing in the wind, I thought how lovely my life is right now. I feel very organic and in touch with nature and therefore more in tune with myself.

a week on the water

Up and at em early this morning. We have a big day!!! We get a refrigerator today:)
We've now been on the boat for more than a week. Living in a space smaller than a dorm room.Sleeping in the V birth. We LOVE it! Lucas is busy installing a septic, getting AC power, putting in gadgets for sailing, and I continue my yoga journey. Life is good.

Sticking with what works

I've been doing so much Bikrams since we landed in Brisbane. It's so nice to have something fimilar and consistent to count on. As always the physical activity helps me think better and make better decisions to boot!
I am looking forward to finding out if I am approved for teacher training this week. If so I start in LA September 18th

next update

While the Mac was in the shop a few new events have taken place. I'll try to fill in the blanks a little at a time.
Lucas and I have been boat shopping since we arrived in Brisbane, about 3 weeks. Talk about stress. People are way to greedy when it comes to there toys. Anyhow, after almost giving up we found SUNDAY! She's beautiful. A 34 foot Citation with a canoe style bow. We plan to live onboard and sail to wherever our adventures take us in the future. It's nice to just have limited space to accumulate stuff and to have a movable home. I'm so happy with our choice, and it's so wonderful to have a partner who loves the same things.

time out

I had a little technical difficulty with the computer. It was an education though. First of all I had to figure out how to get a Mac fixed in another country. Thank the Universe for the Genius bar, I say! So booked an appointment and headed off to the local mall. OMG! The mall was HUGE! I've never seen anything like it. They also think they're smart by trying to confuse you with no maps or directions, so needless to say we were late for the appointment. Crazy busy at the Apple store(note to self, buy more stock in Apple). So bad news they have to send my baby in for repairs.... good news it's free. So about a week later I'm back better than ever. Love the Ipad, but it cant take the place of my macbook:)

we have arrived

I sit on my balcony in Brisbane overlooking my new city. Beautiful! Ready to do my first Bikrams here in about an hour. Amazing.... I am ready!

Sun,beaches and cool people..... oh my!

We have chosen Brisbane together.... I love it! Brisbane, do not let me down:)

birthdays

The older I get the weirder birthdays are for me. Today was shared with a 100 year old new AU friend, and the death of my favorite uncle 2 years ago...
I think I want a do-over...

tough decisions

Despite all the good that has come to me lately, I am still dealing with my share of bad. My little Lucy dog is not doing well back in US. It is so hard not to jump on a plane home and try to make everything ok. I am trying to use my new found life skills to work through this difficult time.

Girl talk

It's such a relief to talk to other women about what I've been through in the last few years and find out we have tons in common. We women need to talk honestly with one another, it's nice to know I'm not alone.

sick

Time to slow down and try to heal my body. It's almost been a month since I left the US and we've been non-stop. I also know there have been so many changes so fast. When you simply take a vacation somewhere you indulge in everything new, the food, the landscape, the people, then you go home and relax. Not this time for me! So I will respect this cold as my body telling me to slow down, rest, your gonna be here awhile:)

snacky's

Coming to the end of a beautiful day. Lucas has laid us out a cheese plate. Pure Bliss...

I have come to realize the humor in this country. No one takes things to serious... how could you with towns like Jalong, Waga Waga, and Narwa.
Kangaroos, koalas and Wombats are your mascots....
Breky, walky's, and swimy's  are what you do:)
I am happy, how could I not be?

Phone home

Yesterday I contacted home (The kids). It was great to hear they are doing fine. Now I can get past the guilt of being so happy.... I know confusing huh?
Slight complication is my little dog Lucy is not doing so well. It's so hard for me to handle. If you all could send her best wishes I know it would help.

Just your regular morning

In Australia, breakfast is referred to as Brekkies..... always.
I think it's stupid but who am I?

No yoga

I am getting used to not having a home base, regular schedule, familiar scenery. Change is good sometimes. The one thing that is making me crazy is not doing regular yoga! I miss my Bikrams!
(OK I also admit I miss my kids and doggies)
We are going to try to get to a studio today for a class... I am so excited. I clearly know now that my yoga moves firmly forward with me to chapter two.

Melbourne

Long road trip today with a yummy Indian food restaurant  as the highlight. We stopped on a whim and were treated like family to a nice lunch. It always feels good when you traveling.
Lots of good talk in the car. Lots of laughs trying to find a freakin' Kangaroo. Good fun with my best friend.

road trip

In the car with another person for 8 hours... and I still like him! Hahaha
We had a great drive down to a spot called Lakes Entrance, on our way from Berry. Berry is 2 hours out of Sydney, heading south, and Melbourne is still 4 hours south from here. I had no Idea Australia was this big!
I had a great time looking at all the changes in scenery out the windows. Lots of eucalyptus trees and ferns. Some areas lush and tropical some sandy, and others recently burned by forrest fires. We passed lots of pastures with cows, sheep and horses. Then just over a hill we would see another beautiful beach. I think the most striking thing we saw was recently flooded rivers with trees downed and grass caught in barbed wire fences. We must have missed the flooding by just days. This country is Amazing!
Some towns we passed through include Ulladulla, Moruya, Bodalla, and Narooma. I will never be able to say town names without giggling here! Are they kidding???

Sunshine after the rain

We are enjoying a relaxing time here in Berry.
Two days ago we were trapped in town, roads blocked, flooded in. It was a bit scary with the thunder and lightening. Yesterday toured around the countryside and visited Tutor House, Lucas childhood boarding school.
Today was warm and beautiful and we a walk in the tropical forrest.  

Lazy daisy

Today is the first day since I arrived that we've just relaxed. No family. no yoga, no work. So nice to slow down. I'm trying to settle in and feel a bit less like I'm on vacation.
The Townshedns home is so lovely. Like staying in an art gallery.

Garden yoga

Amazing moments spent in the garden today. I know I was waking up muscles that haven't been used in awhile. My feet and hands were bare, it rained and wasn't cold. I am on the gardner exchange program, practicing Janna Yoga in Berry, Au:)

Celebrating

Tonight I celebrate 7 consecutive days of hot yoga! I'm so happy that Lucas has made it with me:) We both feel great.
I am enjoying all my new surroundings and all the new people i've met. I am grateful for the opportunity to be starting a new chapter in life.

settle down

Day 7 in Sydney. Things are starting to look familiar. I no longer strain to get a good look at every breathtaking beach. I'm not straining to understand the accent, remember names, and figure out the exchange rate. I'm settling in.
Some amazing Sydney sights have included.... Major Latte art on every cup, beautiful explosive orange sunsets, the dog breeds look foreign but the Australian people look familiar. Sandy beaches of white powder sand, warm oceans surrounded by shark nets:) Amazing food at every meal, yogurt that tastes like ice cream! Bikrams classes taught with an Aussie flair, room temperatures to 120f and 45 humidity!!!! The thin toned bodies of the Sydney population wearing fashion that looks more like modern art. Big bats, huge spiders and white Parrots flying from tree to tree:)
I'm in love!

Big day

Today was my first day of feeling healthy since arriving.( I brought a cold with me from the US.) We hit the ground running this morning with a trip to the family import business to have a look at new merchandise from India. Beautiful stuff! Luke picked me out a pair of Koi Fish earrings:) Then out to lunch with the crew and over to the Botanical Gardens. All while meeting and greeting all the people the family knew around town.
We almost decided to skip yoga, then rallied and made it! Yeah for us! 4 days straight of Bikrams and talking about doing a 30 day challenge..... team Darling-Townshend rocks!

Partner Yoga

As I begin my 3rd day of yoga in Sydney, I can't help but think of my partner. For years yoga has been my solo journey. I suffered alone, felt the joys alone, victories and defeats were mine to sort through. It was a bit like a pilgrimage!
Thanks to Lucas I now have a yoga partner to share all that comes up through the practice. "Did you enjoy the teacher? Was the class hotter than normal? Do your hamstrings hurt after Toe Stand? We should be drinking more water!"
This is a new wonderful experience and I'm enjoying every second!

PS... I do have to give gratitude to all that joind me in time along the way. Kim, Christina, Tanya, Holly, Katie, Katie, Karina,  Parker and especially my future yoga champ Madison! I will never forget our mat time together:)

Live from Sydney

Well followers (hahaha) I've done it. I was a gutsy move but I packed up my suitcases and caught the plane to a new life. Not that it was easy...
In my now VAST experience with change I have found that there are always built in roadblocks. Maybe the universe tests you along the way to make sure you are alert. Big change and new beginnings should be heart felt yet logically thought out. Then at the end of the day it's just a dice roll, like the rest of life.

Darlinghurst

2nd day in Sydney and were already off to Bikrams. I am travel weary and Lucas and I are both in different stages of a cold, but were determined!

First step... find the studio. Since Lucas grew up in the neighborhood he had a vague idea of the spot. To our surprise it turned out to be in a building his family once owned! Our crazy universe.

What a beautiful studio, with two yoga rooms! Great class taught by the studio owner.

Change is good

Life is an organic force.. with that I mean it should continue to change, be flourishing, be unhealthy at times, thrive and sometimes be stagnant. Today I was reminded of how my life and others lives around me should not always be the same. Good times go bad, bad changes to good and so on. Life goes on

Breathe

It's the first thing we all do as human being when we enter this world. Why is it so easy to forget to do?

Caution rough road ahead

So I saw this sign this morning on my walk. To bad life doesn't have such helpful messages!
Who would have guessed I was heading down a rough road here in Sayulita last night ? I let loneliness and lack of sleep get the better of me and "crash". Down I went!

This morning I am picking up the pieces as best I can and moving ahead, with caution.

Balance

I know this much is true... for me! Life is a balance. Yin and Yang
For the Last few months have been amazingly stressful. Tons of decisions, lots of hard work! The only bright spot was Lucas and the Occasional Bikrams class.
This week has has been bliss. Warm temperatures and sunshine, no work no decsions! But no Bikrams
(except in my head) and no Lucas (except in my dreams).
Eventually the perfect balance will be found. Little stress, some hard work, Bikrams for enjoyment and my Partner, Lucas to share it all with me daily:)

Heaven vs. Hell

Every day we are confronted with decisions. What to wear, where to go, who to spend time with? Some decisions come easy and others take time. Some are meaningless others are a crossroads. What to do?
I have often wished all my decisions could come with the outcome videos attached. Imagine choosing outcome A or B, could C be best? I have all the info to the end result....
Well until I can make that fantasy come true I remain here in my own reality. Wishing for heaven, worrying. Oh hell....

Can She Do It?

Maybe thats a question I ask myself more than anyone... can you do this Wendy? The answer is most always YES!
Today I was reminded of this again, but in a more fun way:)
Challenges, new faces, new ways of doing and seeing things! I could go into details but suffice to say I made it. Safe and sound and in a beautiful casita... a place I've always looked at and thought "I wonder what cool person lives there?"
Me!
Yes I can.

On the Road Again

Wow, what a day. I'm exhausted! Highlights?
 Bikrams at 8.
 Packing and repacking 4 times to get the right stuff. Realizing that I still have a LONG way to go to consolidate to "two bags"!
Realizing, again that Lucas was right and that I don't always have to know what's best.
Counting on and getting friendship.
I feel so blessed to be on this road. Where it will lead is not the most important thing.... it's that I'm on a good path.

smile

The yoga wisdom I am claiming for myself today comes from yesterdays class with Larissa. After standing Bow Pose she commented, "If you fall out of Bow, get right back in and smile. Go easy on yourself. Sometimes when you fall you just have to laugh." Good advise when I'm feeling the pressure to do everything so perfectly

Personal responsability

Today I was thinking about how I had injured myself badly a year or so ago during a Hot yoga class. I had always blamed my instructor for pushing me to hard, not being compassionate, not handling the situation...blah,blah,blah
The truth was, I was not prepared at the time to take responsibility for myself and my body.
Soooo.... guess who my Bikrams teacher was today? Larisa! The instructor from that fateful class! I hadn't seen her for a long time as she travels to many studios to teach. We finally had a chance to talk about that day and tell each other our feelings about it. She was awesome and we actually had tons in common. It was beautiful. Thank you universe for giving me a chance to take the blame for the mistakes I made that day....

Standing Head to Knee

For 10 years standing head to knee posture has been my biggest yoga challenge.
I hate it!!! I hate thinking about it, because it's hard for me!
Most of the time (OK almost all the time) I know its coming next in the sequence so I decide to take a break and lay down. Pretty much playing possum. Why? Maybe because it's human nature to avoid things that are difficult.
Yesterdays yoga instructor Fred said "The things that are difficult are supposed to be hard to obtain! It makes you love it more when you own it" Hmmmmm....
Today I chose to Kick out in my least favorite posture. I didn't nail it, and it wasn't beautiful but I was proud. Proud of me trying.

heat it up

when I'm not feeling good... I'm usually cold.
when I'm cold I fold inside myself.
I hate being cold!
what to do???
Hot Yoga or a bath.... warm
Rain/cold... unhappy
Sun/warm... happy
Why am I in Seattle????

how far will you go

Today I drove 2 hours, there and back, to do a 90 minuet Bikrams class. Why??? Because my daughter wanted me to.....

Past VS. Future

As I pack up, sell off and walk away from my past I wonder what to bring with me to the future. I look closely at each item trying to remember the pleasure it gave me, if it did, or other feelings associated with it.
As I do this I think of how lucky I am to have the chance to change everything inside and out. Along with being very selective with Items I bring to chapter two, I pledge to be as selective with the people I surround myself with in my new life.

Practice

every day is a new gift of your own practice. You wake with an intention and you follow up with the rest of the day. Like it or not at the end your intention was carried out. For better or worse...
My intension is chapter two of my life.....i will get there, wish me luck on the outcome.

The best of times and the worst of times....

Missing my baby.... loving someone and being apart is hard on my heart

Dragging myself to to Bikrams classes and loving how it makes me feel... broken heart and all  

Saying good bye

Today I said good bye, again to someone I love....
A few years ago this type of change would have been devastating. I guess I'm getting used to this or maybe even good at it?
Sometimes change and loss, can be mean the beginning of something better. This is an amazing new lesson I've learned through these years of growth.
Although I will miss Lucas dearly every moment of our time apart, I know it's for the greater good.
Saying good bye can be the start of saying hello to a new and better future.
Australia...36 days

"bikrams" Hot Yoga

Yeah!!!

Lucas Just did his first class with Maddiie and I!!!! 

He did so good:) Lots of love... and future classes together.

New Beginings

Like everyday today is a new begining..... an unwritten story, a fresh start. Today I start a blog. A chance to share my adventures in the second chapter of my life.
Today I am grateful