Update #4, better late than never!

I’ve been having mini panik attacks thinking about how much (or how little) time I have left. August 29th marks day 40… what am I even worried about!?

Per normal, if you want to do something with me – drop me a line!

BUCKET LIST ITEM #1 – “DO YOGA 3X PER WEEK FOR 1 MONTH”

My Yoga challenge comes to a close this Thursday. I’ve been to 11 classes and feel great.

Jason MacLean interviewed me about my progress last week. The article was in KV Style last Friday.

Here is a list of things that still puzzle me about yoga:

1. Why can’t I bind my arms behind my back?
2. How can I get my left or right foot from a downward dog position to be in-between my hands in one step? OR
3. How can I get my left or right foot from a forward fold position to be in a long lunge position in one step?
4. Does this mean that I’m doing Downward Dog wrong?

BUCKET LIST ITEM #3, 4 & 5 – “VOLUNTEER: _________”

My Volunteering quota is filled! Girl Guides this fall, Sappyfest merch table at the beginning of August and now, I am officially a Dragon Boat pro. OK maybe not a pro, but I have just competed in my first Dragon Boat Festival in Renforth as a member of the CBC Airwaves.

I basically fulfilled my lifelong dream of being friends with Hance Colburne.

The CBC Airwaves placed 25th out of 55 or so teams. Not bad, but not good enough to make the semis. Don’t talk to Chuck Teed about this, those wounds will take a while to heal.

BUCKET LIST ITEM #6 – Read 3 Books.

I’ve picked my books and am halfway through Bossypants. Tina Fey is hilarious.

Adam suggested that I continue to read essay-style books to compliment my short attention span. Do you have any recommendations?

BUCKET LIST ITEM #11: Build a Piece of Furniture.

I have no idea why I added this to my list. Do you think IKEA furniture will count as building something?

BUCKET LIST ITEM #14: Learn to use Fondant

Gillian and I have purchased Fondant and plan to use it very soon. The original plan was to use the fondant for Stella’s first birthday cake… but we weren’t sure that fondant would fit over a cupcake shaped cake with ease.

BUCKET LIST ITEM #17: Ride on a motorcycle

I’ve removed this from my bucket list.

I’ve replaced it with: Purge my home. Again.

There’s nothing worse than a house full of stuff you don’t use. I hate when friends come over and I have more than 10 minutes worth of cleaning and tidying to do.

Purge, purge, purge!

BUCKET LIST ITEM #18: Pick berries and then make a pie.

I totally dropped the ball on this one. Blueberries were 2 weeks early (and therefore, basically done) and I missed raspberry season altogether.

Maybe I should change this to “pick a pumpkin and make a pie”.

BUCKET LIST ITEM #19: Buy shares in RIM, Facebook and FORD.

My dreams have been recently crushed. I met with David Love from Investors Group. Turns out that since I’m not a millionaire, it costs me about $10,000 to open an investment account.

I’m taking referrals to rich aunts you might have that already have investment accounts.

BUCKET LIST ITEM #21: Drink 8 glasses of water every day for a week

I’m getting the hang of this water thing. I think that practicing yoga and sweating like a crazy person has really made drinking water a necessity.

Do you have any tips for maximum water drinking?

BUCKET LIST ITEM #24: Visit TreeGo with some girlfriends

WooHoo! Heading to TreeGo in September with 3 of my favourite ladies!

I have to admit, I’m a little worried about how my core is going to react to a day of holding on for dear life!

BUCKET LIST ITEM #26/27 – “SEND 50 HANDWRITTEN NOTES TO PEOPLE I TALK TO ALL THE TIME/NEVER TALK TO”

The design is DONE! Gillian Goldie is such a professional. I sketched out an idea that was going through my mind and she created the perfect image for my postcards!

Advocate Printing is whipping them up this week and my pen hits paper this weekend.

Stay tuned, one may be coming to a mailbox near you!

BUCKET LIST ITEM #29: Do a self portrait

Sean McGrath and I have been shooting emails back and forth brainstorming my portrait idea. I am really excited to create it. I may need to borrow a backdrop, a stool and an insane circus getup. The circus getup was a lie.

I’m finding that the more I read blogs, surf Twitter accounts and even interact with co-workers… I really want to know what people look like. I can imagine that half of the people that read my blog wouldn’t recognize me if they tripped over me.

I’m about to change that!

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Here’s the updated list. Please let me know if you’re up for doing anything awesome!

I was in the Town of Rothesay yesterday for a meeting and picked up a copy of KV Style. Surprise! Jay MacLean from Yoga Haus featured my mini bucket list in his latest column.

{ cross posted from yogahaus.ca }

Written by Jason MacLean for KV Style

If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “I should really try yoga,” I’d be rich.  There is a difference between good intentions and actions.  It starts with a positive attitude and a plan.

In my view, there are a few reasons that intentions do not translate into actions. Most of us believe that there is not enough time in the day to add things to our list. Truth is, yoga creates more time because you become more relaxed and refreshed by the practice, which in turn makes you more present in your life. One hour out of twenty-four in a day is a small investment for your mind and body, especially for such great benefits. People may also be reluctant to try yoga because they think it will be too hard or they are afraid that they will stand out because they’re not familiar with the practice.  Once someone finally works up the determination to come to class they soon realize that this is not the case.  When you are trying something new it is only natural that you may feel nervous or tense from time to time.  Know that these feelings are normal and this is exactly why yoga will be such a powerful tool for you-it will teach you to control your breath and harness your energy so that you can mindfully approach challenges with confidence.

This week, I had two interactions with students that helped me better understand this concept.  The first one was with a nice lady who explained she was very nervous to try yoga.  She took the first and most important step by simply walking through the door.  By not letting her fear or hesitation get in the way she allowed herself the experience and later told us that she was so happy that she had.  This is a perfect example on how benefits can be attained by challenging yourself in unfamiliar territory.

The second interaction was with Barb Crawford, a well-known local blogger (barbbarbbarb.com) who has personally challenged her own bucket list by enlisting herself to do yoga three times a week for one month.  This is a woman with a plan who is not afraid to be accountable.  It is so interesting how personal challenges like this can help a person focus while inspiring others to make the time for themselves.  Next article I will check in with Barb and discuss her yoga progress.

Here’s to putting your intentions into actions!

Thanks for the feature, Jay! I look forward to giving a yoga update soon!

(For the record, I am a weird mix of exhausted and completely refreshed. I held side planks for 3 breaths Monday night. Small victories.)

Thanks for reading!

XO
B

24 days into my self imposed “Bucket List Challenge” and I’m feeling good, albeit a little tired.

Bucket List Item #1 – “Do Yoga 3x per week for 1 Month”

I’m 1.5 weeks into my Yoga challenge and it’s going great. I’ve been to 4 different classes; Yin, Hatha, Heated and Non-heated Vinyasa.

My first class back to Yoga in a long time was the non-heated Vinyasa… and it was HARD. I think that my mind was a little over-zealous and I was trying to get back to where I knew I was before. Big mistake. About halfway through the class I felt like (I can only assume) runners feel after exerting themselves too hard for too long. I backed off a bit and the class became much more enjoyable.

Listening to your body is an art and I’m getting a little better.

The heated vinyasa class I attended last Thursday was so great. I hope that you’ll join me this Tuesday or Thursday evening!

For the Yoga Haus schedule, click here.

Bucket List Item #3, 4 & 5 – “Volunteer: _________”

2 down!

As I discussed in “#30in90 Update 2“, my name is in the hat to volunteer with Girl Guides this fall. I’m ecstatic.

{ Sappyfest merch…. selling out at the speed of light }

I spent last weekend in Sackville volunteering at the Sappyfest merchandise table. What a BLAST! I love helping with anything OVER planned. Every detail was thought of from the selling sheets being already prepared, to the t-shirts and tank tops being pre-taped and labelled. What a TREAT.

My last volunteer space is TBA. I’ve sent out a few feelers, we’ll see where that takes me.

Bucket List Item #6 – “Read 3 Books”

I have started and finished zero books.

Bucket List Item #13 – “Do a Police Ride-Along”

I’ve sent the appopriate e-mails and have gotten a great response.

“Years ago you just signed a waiver and away you went. Over the years the process has changed for liability reasons, it is very strict now, I am not sure exactly what the rules are, but I will find out and let you know.”

That’s not a “no”, right?

Bucket List Item #15 – “Visit the Ice-Cream Factory in Hampton”

This was actually quite disappointing.

“Thank you for contacting us. Sorry, we do not have a Manufacturing faciltiy in Hamption; just cold storage!”

BUT! After telling Twitter about the disappointing news, I received this e-mail:

“I was following your blog and reading about the 30 in 90 bucketlist. Twitter and I don’t work so well, so I’m not sure if you got my message I tried to send. You were asking about the popsicle factory – my dad just retired after 40 years there and he said they can’t do tours anymore but they might let you come in and make popsicles, depending on what you want to do…”

BEST. NEWS. EVER.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bucket List Item #18 – “Pick Berries and Make a Pie”

I hope my girlfriends are ready a little early. CBC informed me this week that blueberry season is 2 weeks early this year… which means I need to get my knee pads out and get PICKING! MarthaSewart.com says I need 8 cups of blueberries. Oh boy.

Bucket List Item #19 – “Take Deck Cat to the Vet and Neuter Him”

This has been a really tough decision for me to make, but I’m taking this off my #30in90 list and replacing it with something else.

Adam and I take our awesome cats to the Fundy Animal Hospital, just off Rothesay Avenue. They are amazing people and have treated our family extremely well over the course of the last 6 or 7 years. Because “Baron” is a stray… it’s possible that he might have some, ahem, diseases. If this is found to be the case on the OR table… then he may need to be put down. I’m not willing to cut his life short because of some little dream I have. “Baron” isn’t my cat.

Instead of neutering him, I’ll donate and equivalent amount of money to spay or neuter a cat to Ca-R-Ma.

Bucket List Item #20 – “Watch all of the James Bond movies”

I’m 2 films in to the 22 film series. I’ve watched “From Russia with Love” and “Dr. No” so far.

Be prepared for a text meesage along the lines of “come over and watch ________ with me”.

Friends, it’s coming.

Bucket List Item #23 – “Throw a Hilarious Blogger Party”

As an active blog follower… I can’t help but be a little jealous every time I see a party post. I would die to be invited to a party complete with paper straws, bunting, paper invitations and a candy buffet.

I’m making my dream a reality. I picked up these paper straws on the cheap Friday in Moncton.

My party “to do” list is one item shorter.

If you’re into drooling over “well thrown” parties, check out Camille Styles, You are my Fave and A Beautiful Mess

Bucket List Item #26/27 – “Send 50 handwritten notes to people I talk to all the time/never talk to”

Step 1 of 4: I’ve sent the annoying Facebook message asking for addresses. 35/50 are back!

Step 2 of 4: I’m meeting with Gillian Goldie today for a “business lunch” to see the ideas she’s come up with for my card design. (I am beyond excited!)

Step 3 of 4: Purchase some stamps. I wonder if it’s too late to do this: Custom Stamps.

Step 4 of 4: Lock myself in a room and start writing!

Bucket List Item #28 – “Train for 5K with Judith”

We’re off!

Every morning last week (Well, starting on Tuesday and with the exception of Friday due to work commitments) I’ve been meeting Judith, Macey and Scout at Rockwood park for a 45 minute walk & talk. Over the next few weeks we’ll be “upping the ante” to a walk/jog and the eventual “run”.

Getting up early is turning out to be a good thing!
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Thanks for following along!

As always, if you’re up for joining me on any of my #30in90 items, comment on this post! It might give me the kick I need to get going!

Yes! I am!

Can you believe we’re in the 2nd week of August already? It seems like the next few weeks are jam packed with events… almost like a “last chance” at summer fun.

When I look at the calendar and see all that I need to accomplish in the next few weeks… it’s a little daunting.

That’s what “to do” lists are for!

I’ve tackled the rest of the week:

How is your week looking?

I hope to see you out and about! As long as nothing else pops up, I hope to be Gallery Hopping Friday night, practicing Yoga Saturday morning, seeing an incredible dance performance Saturday night and then dancing my heart out to the 80s band featuring a few of my friends from Fredericton.

Click any of the photos below to be linked to more info.

XO!
B

I stopped into the new Yoga studio, Yoga Haus, Sunday during the open house. I love what they’ve done with the old Past Perfections space!

The new yoga studio on the corner of Marr Road and Hampton Road is going to be an asset to Rothesay. When I was looking through the schedule on Monday I gasped and exclaimed when I saw that they will be holding Sunday morning classes!

Take a peek at the photos I snapped on Sunday. I can’t wait to practice yoga in the new space.

{ Light House by Normann Copenhagen }

{ Lighting by Normann Copenhagen }

If you’re a twitter user, be sure to follow them!

Follow @Yoga_Haus

xo!