Okay, so I found out about the 60 day freshetarian challenge a few weeks back and I thought, "That'd probably be profound, but I don't think I could hang for 60 days". I kinda put it in the back of my mind and wasn't hearing much about it at the yoga studio...until last Thur. when I found out about some seminars they were having over the weekend. So yesterday I decided I wanted to at least find out about the food part in case I wanted to go in that direction. But I told the guy that I didn't decide to do it yet. It seemed more manageable since they added a 30 day option.

I went this morning and sampled some raw foods, heard a few lectures and people shared their personal stories on why they decided to go raw. And now I'm thinking that I'll commit to the 30 day Bikram yoga challenge part...and do my best on the food part. I haven't figured that part out yet. There's a place that is working with the studio to deliver meals for $20/day...that might be the way to go for me since I don't know if I'll prepare my own food.

Things seem to be still working themselves out. I think the chiropractor at the studio wants all the participants to get measured so we can see the before and after results. There will be a filmmaker recording peoples' stories - kinda like the opposite of Supersize Me. It's supposed to start on Mon. so I guess I have a day to figure out my gameplan. My biggest concern is the food.

Maybe I'll stop by the Raw Foods near my house or research online on what I can prepare at home. I think it'll be good to buy some prepared foods and then make some myself so I learn about it. Even though doing 30 days of yoga will make a difference, one of the speakers said that nutrition is key in how our bodies function. I'm curious to see if my flexibility will improve quicker as I change my diet. My hamstrings and low back aren't very flexible and there are several poses that I have trouble with.

The morning started a little after 9am and I got home around 5pm. There was a lot of new information for me. Some of the stuff I was familiar with, but lots of nutrition - enzymes, digestive process. And some other scientific stuff like pH, energy, DNA, Hz, etc. There's so much to learn, but it was neat to meet knowledgeable people in the area. There was an iridologist (sp?) who looks at people's eyes and can give a history on that person - kinda like reading the rings on a tree trunk. He mentioned being able to get rid of some people's gray hair through minerals. I think my grays are mostly due to lack of nutrition. I remember being in Okinawa and thinking that my hair was changing because of the change in diet.

So it'll be interesting. I've known for a long time that I need to make changes in my diet, so this may be the opportune time to get that push. At the end of the talks, David had a hat to give away, but didn't know what to do so he decided to throw it (like the bridal bouquet toss!). And I got it!! So now I feel a little obligated to commit! =)

I didn't know Vegas had an area like this other than Lake Las Vegas. There's another area called The Lakes off of Durango and Desert Inn. So the Go Raw Cafe is here and we were able to have the seminars on the patio next to the water. I'd like to have any of these homes!

Ended up going to the Grammy Museum yesterday. First I went to go pick up a lamp and then made my way over to downtown. I got to one parking lot but it looked like you had to have a pass to get in so I asked the guy and he said the lot just opened and the signs weren't put up yet. But I could park there and the museum was just across the street. So I parked and walked. I haven't been to the Staples Center since it became the Staples Center! I think the last time I was there was for a Laker game back in 1980-something!! Lakers vs. Jazz.


In the middle was an electronic Christmas tree. And it looked like it was being set up for some kind of performance. Stage, speakers, mics, etc.

And on the sidewalk, there were a bunch of these types of plaques.

I think I was in the museum for a couple of hours, but I could have easily spent more time in there. They had a lot of filmed interviews and narrations of the history of music, the recording process, song writer's perspectives/inspirations. I went into this sound booth where you could hear song samples played with different equipment. Chris Brown played on an old phonograph or cassette tape! It wasn't crowded at all. And no classrooms in there =). I would go again.

Yesterday I ended up meeting Wendy for lunch at Sanuki no Sato just down the street. Debbie told us that they have the best nabeyaki. I heard it's always crowded...and it was! But we got seated right away and I think it was the best nabeyaki I'd ever had! The dashi was so flavorful, there was lots of seaweed inside and they had kamaboko, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, egg, shrimp tempura...everything was so ono =).

I was going to find an antique store or go buy the lamp, but I decided to take a drive towards the coast and I ended up in Manhattan Beach...

I sat on a bench on the little pier listening to music on my phone and I had a book, but I didn't read much. I just took in the ocean air and sun, enjoying the sights. All those poles on the beach are for volleyball nets. There were a few groups playing while I was there. This guy was on some kind of board paddling away...

This is the little pier I was on before. I thought it was a good idea that the benches along the pier all faced outward...makes much more sense.

I'm planning to go to the Grammy Museum today, but I'm killing time now since the traffic is backed up because they closed part of the Hollywood fwy because of a shooting early this morning. Since being back in LA, that awareness of surroundings is coming back to me. I never really feel scared in Vegas, but I do in LA. As I've been driving around, I sense more of a boldness in people. They will look directly at you as if to puff out their chest at you. I see men checking out women with more obvious stares. And I just feel that people are more likely to be provoked here if they get a wrong look from you.

And the freeway driving here takes a little more concentration for me. So many more freeways to choose from! But I am a California girl and this feels like home to me.

Still sitting in Starbuck's and I'm listening to the CD I got from Wendy's parents. It's the music from one of the Korean dramas - Summer Scent. I don't think I've watched that drama. My brother and sister-in-law have been watching them at night. But if it doesn't catch their attention during the first episode, they give it back and ask for another recommendation. They seem to like the ones that have more complicated story lines.

This was a bad week to try to stick with writing 3 pages in the morning. It's hard to be disciplined while on vacation!

I needed to be outside today. I would have liked to be sitting in a cool coffee place in SF, or walking in a museum, or in an old antique store, or on the beach...but I settled for the Starbuck's patio up on Horizon Ridge. It's got a fair view and it's spacious. When I sat down, it was 75 degrees and after a few hours, it went down to about 68. Still warm even though it's the end of Nov. No complaints from me =). I was able to read and finish "The Artist's Way"...finally! I'm gonna go through it again and do the exercises.

I think I need to work through it and see where it leads. There's a pattern in my life where I become dissatisfied and restless. Not all the time, but sporadically. Today I kinda felt like that. I get the feeling that I'm not doing what I'm meant to be doing. There's something more I need to be doing...maybe not something more, but something closer to my heart.

It's like I have trouble accessing what's in my heart so I have trouble moving towards my heart's desire. It's probably more accurate to say that I know what's in my heart, but I'm not allowing myself to admit it and go there. "The Artist's Way" addresses these blocks we have - and that's why I want to really work through this book. I want to get through barriers and myths and fears.

I admire people who are clear on their likes and dislikes; who are passionate and enthusiastic and can express it freely. I think I picked up the idea somewhere that I'm not supposed to show my feelings. Even though I've been changing, I have a ways to go. I think writing has been my saving grace.

Quotes from "The Artist's Way"...

"Creativity is oxygen for our souls. Cutting off our creativity makes us savage. We react like we are being choked."

"We are not accustomed to thinking that God's will for us and our own inner dreams can coincide. Instead, we have bought the message of our culture: this world is a vale of tears and we are meant to be dutiful and then die. The truth is that we are meant to be bountiful and live...Our truest dream for ourselves is always God's will for us."

"While we are ambivalent, the universe will seem to us also to be ambivalent and erratic...Once we trigger an internal yes by affirming our truest goals and desires, the universe mirrors that yes and expands it."

"Mystery is at the heart of creativity. That, and surprise. All too often, when we say we want to be creative, we mean that we want to be able to be productive"

"God is glorified in the fruitage of our lives." Joel S. Goldsmith

The weekend seemed a little busy. I went to yoga Fri. morning and met a friend for lunch at Vintner's. It was hard to find, but I eventually made it and the food was really good. A bit pricey, but worth it. I had the caesar's salad and bouillabaisse. Didn't do anything in the evening since my back was aching.

I made an appt. to get a massage the next morning. It was just what I needed - I asked her to work only my back, forearms and shoulders if there was time. After that, I went to look at flooring, bathroom stuff and ended up walking around the whole store. I came home to meet with a guy who I'll probably ask to put the flooring in for the extra room. I want to learn too so I asked if he'd show me what to do so I can help. I got ideas from him about the extra room and bathroom so after we were done, I went to another place to look at flooring.

I was thinking all this time that I wanted laminate. I was drawn to the Brazilian cherry (can't remember what colors these were)

But then I saw some tile samples and I started to wonder if I liked the tile better...

I liked this one with it's rustic look...you can't tell from the picture, but each tile has a slightly different shade or blend of colors so it's not so uniform.

So now I'm thinking of going with tile in that extra room. Today I picked up some color sample cards for paint. And I also looked around a home consignment store just to get ideas. Most of the small tables, lamps, chests that I liked were $200 and above. I won't be able to get everything at once.

It's hard to imagine how everything will look together. I like certain things, but I don't know how they'll go with eachother. For the bathroom, I want to get a vessel sink - I saw a cobalt blue one I liked. But instead of it sitting right on top, I want it sunken in maybe halfway. I have an idea of what kind of faucet, but again, not sure if they'll go together. I guess that's where professionals come in handy - they can tie things together or modify to fit your taste.

I remember getting the backyard done, I showed the landscaper pictures of things I liked and he came up with a plan that I liked. I had mapped out in my head where things could go, but he filled in the details.

Well, I'm getting hungry now so I'll stop so I can make something to eat...I feel like having nabe tonight.

I dug up a couple of Rolfing books because Suki told me she was reading one from the library and was planning to buy a copy for herself so she could mark it up. I thought that I might have them from years ago, but wasn't sure. Since I've gotten rid of so many things, I had to look. Sure enough, one was in my closet and one was in the garage! I gave her one and the other one I'm feverishly reading before I see her next! I probably won't finish it, but I want to get through as much as I can.

I got those books right after finishing school because I was most interested in Structural Integration. But I never got to reading them, so I figure it's best to go to someone who will use it now. It's an interesting read.

I'm intrigued by the physical/psychological/emotional/spiritual connection. I've been drawn to things that have to do with healing, but have never quite been able to find that place that seems like home. I've been interested in psychology, but never wanted to be a psychologist. I thought at one point that I'd like going into physical therapy or chiropractics. I've thought that I might be gifted in intercessory prayer. I was told that I may have the gift of healing. I've experienced times of prayer where my hands would shake uncontrollably.

Now I wonder if being a therapist will weave everything together for me. I want to learn more about healing through bodywork. Not just on a physical level, but on a deeper, more lasting level. I wonder if belief systems can be reached from a physical avenue. I'm praying that God will guide me to that "home". I want to be able to use any gifts I may have for His glory and to bless and free those I come into contact with. Not that I need to see all the results, but I want to be a part of peoples' healing and journey to health.


From "Rolfing and Physical Reality" by Ida Rolf

"This is the gospel of Rolfing: When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself."