With Mother's Day tomorrow, I can't help but think of my mom and what a gift she has been to my life. She has loved me unconditionally, through all my bratty tantrums and know-it-all phases. Through the countless softball games and mock trial tournaments, she's been there. Even when I did and said horrible things to my family and didn't love myself, she loved me. She supported my every decision, as long as it was MY decision: Wearing krimped bangs with permed hair; making a move across the country to a big, busy city (far away from her); deciding to leave my secure corporate job to pursue my passion and become a yoga teacher. She was 100 percent behind me. Heck, she even supported Mike and I when we told her we were adopting a 160-pound Newfoundland dog that drools and sheds like nobody's business. "I can't wait to come take care of her," she said. (We had a change of plans about adopting the Newfie, but I know my mom would have been here nonetheless.)
I am in awe when I think about how much my mother has given - and still gives - to my brothers and me. She always puts our needs in front of hers. Dinner, laundry, appointments, car pool, homily notes, new clothes, bringing us to the aiport at early morning hours, and gifts always come before her relaxing or her own new clothes. Even when she didn't have a dollar to give, she'd offer to pay for flights to Minnesota to see the family, vacation time together, and my wedding. I believe my mom would give us anything she could if only that would make us happy and safe.
While my mom is an amazing lady, I know this story is not unique to her only. All mothers have a special way of loving their children unconditionally and giving without ever needing anything in return. Imagine what the world would be like if we all treated each other like mothers treat their children. If we approach every person we meet in the grocery store or on the street with an open heart and a helping hand. If we forgive, truly forgive, the people who hurt us without needing a reason why. If we give fully to others, without ever thinking of what we will get in return. If we love everyone for who they are, no matter their religion, sexual orientation, profession, or ethnicity. Can you imagine?
This Mother's Day I encourage you to pause for many long, still moments and think of the wonderful gracious things your mom or any other mother figures in your life do. Feel your gratitude and truly, from the heart - just as your mother would - tell your mom how much she means to you. But don't wait for special holidays to express this gratitude to your mom, or any of the other angels in your life. Do it now! Tell everyone in your life what a gift they are to you. And, even if its only for one hour each day, practice treating all the people you encounter in your life with the same unconditional love that a mother has for her child. Imagine what a difference we can make.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Memories Of India - Restaurant Review
As soon as I boarded my flight to London Heathrow, my Indian food cravings kicked in. London’s Indian food is the next best thing to India, I’ve been told, so I was excited to find out.
By the time I landed, cleared UK border control, checked in to my hotel, gained an understanding of my location in the city center, freshened up, and bought theatre tickets for the next night, it was almost 4:00 p.m. London time. Because of the time difference, I was ready for breakfast, but the rest of London was digesting a big, late Sunday brunch, eating an ice cream cone in one of the lush, spring blossomed-filled parks, or having a late afternoon pint on a small table outside a public house. Luckily after a short stroll through Hyde Park, I stumbled upon Memories of India.
There were no patrons at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon, but the menu looked good and prices seemed reasonable. Plus it was happy hour from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. which meant 25% off meals and two for one drinks. I ordered myself a pint of Kingfisher (a typical Indian beer) and vegetable samosa appetizer while perusing the menu.
Samosas are one of my most favorite foods, so it’s an appetizer I order almost every time I go to an Indian restaurant. The samosas at Memories of India were different than any I had ever eaten in New York, Minneapolis, Boston, or Florida. Two delicate triangles, much smaller than other samosas, placed next to a bed of greens arrived. The waiter, who had encouraged me into the restaurant while examining the menu outside earlier, brought out four large bowls of accompaniments for the appetizer: raita, a yogurt, cucumber, mint sauce commonly found with Indian food (which he recommended for the samosas); chutneyed hot peppers; diced onions with mint; and a mango jelly-like plum sauce (that I finally tried at the end of the meal which made a great little dessert!).
The samosas were light and airy, the outer shell more like the shell of baklava than a heavily deep fried shell as most of the samosas I had tasted back in the States. And there were no potatoes inside, but instead carrots, peas, sautéed onions, corn and Indian spices blended together. So far so good.
When I finished my appetizer I was brought a warm towel heavily scented of fresh lemon to clean my hands. As I waited for the main course I noticed the quiet Indian music in the background, mellow but seductive. White tablecloths covered the light wicker furniture. Accolades for Memories of India dating back to 1991 covered the front window of the restaurant. A burner lit by a single candle was placed on my table. Shortly after, my main course arrived: a side dish-sized order of sag punir and regular nan.
It was definitely the best sag punir I had ever had. The spinach was oozing in a delicious savory butter, curry, and spice sauce. The “cottage cheese” as most Indian restaurants describe the cheese in this dish was softer than I’ve ever experienced, but was lightly sautéed on the outside before being mixed in with the spinach, giving it a slightly crispy outer layer. The nan was charred to perfection: just a little bit of black. I had no problem finishing the entire meal, but wished I had ordered some basmati rice to soak up the rich buttery sauce of the sag punir. Because it was mixed with curry, there was still yellow traces of it underneath my finger nails that I noticed as I began to type this restaurant review. :)
I was presented with a large (for an Indian restaurant) menu of dessert selections, from chocolate hazelnut sundaes to mango lassis. Unfortunately, I had no room in my belly, but lots of walking yet to do, so I passed. (I did, however, stop for a ginger and dark chocolate chunk cookie at Ben’s Cookies near the South Kensington tube line – yum!)
My overall take on Memories of India: The waiter was a bit pushy on trying to upsell menu items and be sure I was aware that the restaurant has been around for 20+ years. But the food was tasty and I thought the portions were a nice fit to the price. I wouldn’t go back since I don’t spend much time in London and there are many other Indian restaurants to tackle. But if you come across Memories of India and need your Indian spice fix, I recommend stopping in.
By the time I landed, cleared UK border control, checked in to my hotel, gained an understanding of my location in the city center, freshened up, and bought theatre tickets for the next night, it was almost 4:00 p.m. London time. Because of the time difference, I was ready for breakfast, but the rest of London was digesting a big, late Sunday brunch, eating an ice cream cone in one of the lush, spring blossomed-filled parks, or having a late afternoon pint on a small table outside a public house. Luckily after a short stroll through Hyde Park, I stumbled upon Memories of India.
There were no patrons at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon, but the menu looked good and prices seemed reasonable. Plus it was happy hour from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. which meant 25% off meals and two for one drinks. I ordered myself a pint of Kingfisher (a typical Indian beer) and vegetable samosa appetizer while perusing the menu.
Samosas are one of my most favorite foods, so it’s an appetizer I order almost every time I go to an Indian restaurant. The samosas at Memories of India were different than any I had ever eaten in New York, Minneapolis, Boston, or Florida. Two delicate triangles, much smaller than other samosas, placed next to a bed of greens arrived. The waiter, who had encouraged me into the restaurant while examining the menu outside earlier, brought out four large bowls of accompaniments for the appetizer: raita, a yogurt, cucumber, mint sauce commonly found with Indian food (which he recommended for the samosas); chutneyed hot peppers; diced onions with mint; and a mango jelly-like plum sauce (that I finally tried at the end of the meal which made a great little dessert!).
The samosas were light and airy, the outer shell more like the shell of baklava than a heavily deep fried shell as most of the samosas I had tasted back in the States. And there were no potatoes inside, but instead carrots, peas, sautéed onions, corn and Indian spices blended together. So far so good.
When I finished my appetizer I was brought a warm towel heavily scented of fresh lemon to clean my hands. As I waited for the main course I noticed the quiet Indian music in the background, mellow but seductive. White tablecloths covered the light wicker furniture. Accolades for Memories of India dating back to 1991 covered the front window of the restaurant. A burner lit by a single candle was placed on my table. Shortly after, my main course arrived: a side dish-sized order of sag punir and regular nan.
It was definitely the best sag punir I had ever had. The spinach was oozing in a delicious savory butter, curry, and spice sauce. The “cottage cheese” as most Indian restaurants describe the cheese in this dish was softer than I’ve ever experienced, but was lightly sautéed on the outside before being mixed in with the spinach, giving it a slightly crispy outer layer. The nan was charred to perfection: just a little bit of black. I had no problem finishing the entire meal, but wished I had ordered some basmati rice to soak up the rich buttery sauce of the sag punir. Because it was mixed with curry, there was still yellow traces of it underneath my finger nails that I noticed as I began to type this restaurant review. :)
I was presented with a large (for an Indian restaurant) menu of dessert selections, from chocolate hazelnut sundaes to mango lassis. Unfortunately, I had no room in my belly, but lots of walking yet to do, so I passed. (I did, however, stop for a ginger and dark chocolate chunk cookie at Ben’s Cookies near the South Kensington tube line – yum!)
My overall take on Memories of India: The waiter was a bit pushy on trying to upsell menu items and be sure I was aware that the restaurant has been around for 20+ years. But the food was tasty and I thought the portions were a nice fit to the price. I wouldn’t go back since I don’t spend much time in London and there are many other Indian restaurants to tackle. But if you come across Memories of India and need your Indian spice fix, I recommend stopping in.
Find Freedom By Letting Go Of Your Limiting Expectations
I always believed that I live my life to the fullest. I have fun, step out of the box, and live a life that doesn’t look like anyone else’s. But after attending Foundations in Action with Baron Baptiste in Boston last month, I realized that I’ve been setting expectations for myself that are limiting me. I see this come up in my yoga practice, my teaching, and also my life.
Take dancer pose for example. I love dancer pose and the feeling of openness and grace that comes with it. I go to my edge in the pose, opening my heart and body as much as possible… but only for nine breaths, or however long the teacher says we will be holding the pose. I find my biggest expression of the pose just in time to hit the nine breaths, and then I fall out. If the teacher keeps us in the pose any longer than the expected breaths, I crumble. I find my fullest expression of dancer pose, but only to the limiting expectations that I set up for myself in my head.
I put limiting expectations on my life as well. Like, I can’t do headstand so I could never be a yoga teacher. Or, I’ve been a business executive for ten years; the only way I can be “successful” is to become a better business executive. Or, I’m thirty years old and most of my friends are having babies; it’s time I settle down and do the same.
We only know what we know. The same actions, beliefs, and routines we own have led us to where we are today. What would happen if we stopped listening to the limiting beliefs in our heads? What if we opened ourselves up to the world to allow for real possibility – possibility bigger than we can even imagine for ourselves?
At Foundations in Action, Baron suggested we approach our life and our practice with a sense of “it seems like” rather than “it is.” It seems like my hamstrings are tight. It seems like my new co-worker is a drag. It seems like, not it is this way. If it seems like my hamstrings are tight (rather than my hamstrings are tight) and I approach them with a sense of inquisitiveness, I may notice that after I flow through a few sun salutations, my hamstrings don’t seem so tight anymore. Or if I approach my co-worker with a sense of curiosity, rather than labeling him as a drag, I may find there is an interesting, loving person underneath the rough exterior. What it seems like really isn’t the truth at all.
If I approach my dancer pose with it seems like this is my fullest expression of the pose, I allow space to be inquisitive. I allow space for true possibility; not a limiting belief of what is possible that I place on myself. I have no idea what my dancer pose (or my life!) could look like. With curiosity and space, I am able to open up to the beautiful possibilities of life and let all the magical gifts from the universe spill forth.
The Foundations in Action weekend also made me realize that I bring limiting beliefs to my yoga teaching. In my head I create a picture of what a good teacher teaches like and strive to become that perfect package. To me it seems like my students want me to teach a certain way or to teach like the other awesome yoga teachers at Bala Vinyasa Yoga. But as I question my expectations, I realize the only way I can give my students an awesome experience is to show up authentically and teach a class as only I can. By eliminating the limiting expectations I impose on myself, I can allow things to get a little messy and open up to all that’s possible in my teaching.
Have you ever heard that saying, “beyond my wildest dreams?” What if I drop the rigid ideas of what I can and can’t do in yoga and in my life? What will I be left with? Freedom and power. Yes, FREEDOM and POWER! That’s the answer! Without imposing limiting beliefs on myself, I have the freedom to let my authentic light shine and find what truly makes me powerful in this world. It means the possibilities are endless and I will live a life beyond my wildest dreams. To me, nothing sounds more freeing than that.
Take dancer pose for example. I love dancer pose and the feeling of openness and grace that comes with it. I go to my edge in the pose, opening my heart and body as much as possible… but only for nine breaths, or however long the teacher says we will be holding the pose. I find my biggest expression of the pose just in time to hit the nine breaths, and then I fall out. If the teacher keeps us in the pose any longer than the expected breaths, I crumble. I find my fullest expression of dancer pose, but only to the limiting expectations that I set up for myself in my head.
I put limiting expectations on my life as well. Like, I can’t do headstand so I could never be a yoga teacher. Or, I’ve been a business executive for ten years; the only way I can be “successful” is to become a better business executive. Or, I’m thirty years old and most of my friends are having babies; it’s time I settle down and do the same.
We only know what we know. The same actions, beliefs, and routines we own have led us to where we are today. What would happen if we stopped listening to the limiting beliefs in our heads? What if we opened ourselves up to the world to allow for real possibility – possibility bigger than we can even imagine for ourselves?
At Foundations in Action, Baron suggested we approach our life and our practice with a sense of “it seems like” rather than “it is.” It seems like my hamstrings are tight. It seems like my new co-worker is a drag. It seems like, not it is this way. If it seems like my hamstrings are tight (rather than my hamstrings are tight) and I approach them with a sense of inquisitiveness, I may notice that after I flow through a few sun salutations, my hamstrings don’t seem so tight anymore. Or if I approach my co-worker with a sense of curiosity, rather than labeling him as a drag, I may find there is an interesting, loving person underneath the rough exterior. What it seems like really isn’t the truth at all.
If I approach my dancer pose with it seems like this is my fullest expression of the pose, I allow space to be inquisitive. I allow space for true possibility; not a limiting belief of what is possible that I place on myself. I have no idea what my dancer pose (or my life!) could look like. With curiosity and space, I am able to open up to the beautiful possibilities of life and let all the magical gifts from the universe spill forth.
The Foundations in Action weekend also made me realize that I bring limiting beliefs to my yoga teaching. In my head I create a picture of what a good teacher teaches like and strive to become that perfect package. To me it seems like my students want me to teach a certain way or to teach like the other awesome yoga teachers at Bala Vinyasa Yoga. But as I question my expectations, I realize the only way I can give my students an awesome experience is to show up authentically and teach a class as only I can. By eliminating the limiting expectations I impose on myself, I can allow things to get a little messy and open up to all that’s possible in my teaching.
Have you ever heard that saying, “beyond my wildest dreams?” What if I drop the rigid ideas of what I can and can’t do in yoga and in my life? What will I be left with? Freedom and power. Yes, FREEDOM and POWER! That’s the answer! Without imposing limiting beliefs on myself, I have the freedom to let my authentic light shine and find what truly makes me powerful in this world. It means the possibilities are endless and I will live a life beyond my wildest dreams. To me, nothing sounds more freeing than that.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
It Starts With Gratitude
Last week I felt like my life was spinning out of control. I had almost two weeks off during the holidays and had hardly touched my personal "To Do" list. Then five amazing friends came into town to share a long weekend with me and celebrate one of my best friend's 30th birthdays. The weekend was so much fun, but oh, the time and energy needed to prepare... and clean up afterwards. Then I was off to New York to give a 30 minute presentation on "The Art Of Listening" to 50 of my colleagues - which I hadn't even put together yet. Not to mention many other deadlines at work, teaching yoga on the side, a good friend's 40th birthday party, and a lovely cold that seemed to arrive at the most inopportune time.
You should have heard the thoughts that came into my head - and were expressed out loud to my husband: "There is no way I can get this all done. Something's got to give. Why is life so crazy? Perhaps if I cut sleep out, I can make this work. I don't like this one bit."
But somehow I maintained my meditation practice (though it was a bit abbreviated compared to "normal"), worked out a few days, and got it all done - while having an AWESOME time. As I was landing back in Ft. Myers and mentally preparing myself to teach my Saturday afternoon yoga class, I thought: "What an amazing few weeks these have been. I am so blessed and so thankful for all that is in my life." Yes, I was thankful for the things I was cursing just a week earlier.
That's where gratitude came into play for me. Yes, life is busy, and yes, things happen that can stress us out. But the reality is that there is always going to be SOMETHING going on that can stress you out. Instead of looking at the busyness of my life as a curse, I changed my perspective to look at it with gratitude for all that I have: fabulous friends who want to spend time with me, a fulfilling job where I am respected and challenged, the ability to travel to fun cities every once in awhile, being able to teach yoga and share my passion at a studio that I love, and being given the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and public speak to my peers. What a full life I have!!
I often get caught up in where I need to be, what I should be doing in my life. I want a crystal ball and a plan for the future, and sometimes believe I won't be happy until I get to that ideal image of me in the future. But I love what John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans." I was busy alright, and often am, but that is life. As long as I have gratitude for and allow myself to experience the present moment wherever I am at in my busy "To Do" list of life, then I can be happy. And it starts, as I said, with gratitude.
You should have heard the thoughts that came into my head - and were expressed out loud to my husband: "There is no way I can get this all done. Something's got to give. Why is life so crazy? Perhaps if I cut sleep out, I can make this work. I don't like this one bit."
But somehow I maintained my meditation practice (though it was a bit abbreviated compared to "normal"), worked out a few days, and got it all done - while having an AWESOME time. As I was landing back in Ft. Myers and mentally preparing myself to teach my Saturday afternoon yoga class, I thought: "What an amazing few weeks these have been. I am so blessed and so thankful for all that is in my life." Yes, I was thankful for the things I was cursing just a week earlier.
That's where gratitude came into play for me. Yes, life is busy, and yes, things happen that can stress us out. But the reality is that there is always going to be SOMETHING going on that can stress you out. Instead of looking at the busyness of my life as a curse, I changed my perspective to look at it with gratitude for all that I have: fabulous friends who want to spend time with me, a fulfilling job where I am respected and challenged, the ability to travel to fun cities every once in awhile, being able to teach yoga and share my passion at a studio that I love, and being given the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and public speak to my peers. What a full life I have!!
I often get caught up in where I need to be, what I should be doing in my life. I want a crystal ball and a plan for the future, and sometimes believe I won't be happy until I get to that ideal image of me in the future. But I love what John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans." I was busy alright, and often am, but that is life. As long as I have gratitude for and allow myself to experience the present moment wherever I am at in my busy "To Do" list of life, then I can be happy. And it starts, as I said, with gratitude.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
What Kind Of Energy Are You Sharing?
Oprah inspires me! I have found myself drawn to O: The Oprah Magazine a lot lately. It's tag line is "Live your best life," which is right in line with my view of yoga being a powerful tool for me to live my best life and be my authentic self. It seems a natural publication for a yogi to read.
Oprah decided to start her own cable television network (OWN) that will debut in the new year, where she wants to share inspiration and teachings with a television audience. In the January 2011 issue, Oprah discusses wanting to take responsibility for the energy that she is bringing into the rooms of every person watching her network. (Check out the article titled "Own It" for more insight!) That got me to thinking, what kind of energy am I bringing to the people I encounter everyday, from my husband and co-workers to people in line next to me in the grocery store, and even my dog?
Some people are more intuitive than others and can sense other people's energy more clearly, but the fact is that it's happening. People are sensing your energy all the time. They can tell if you are uncomfortable, jealous, irritated, tired, bored, or if you'd rather be somewhere else. They can tell if you are full of joy, gratitude, compassion, love, happiness, or humility. And the awesome - yet scary - thing is, that energy builds on itself. Positive energy can light up a room; while negative energy can bring it down.
Think about what energy you are bringing to the spaces around you. In the end it doesn't matter what you say or what you do; it matters how you are being. That is how people will remember you. And think about how a little shift in perspective can fill you with joy, and allow that joy energy to be shared and to grow with every person you encounter throughout your day. That's how we make this world a better place!
Oprah decided to start her own cable television network (OWN) that will debut in the new year, where she wants to share inspiration and teachings with a television audience. In the January 2011 issue, Oprah discusses wanting to take responsibility for the energy that she is bringing into the rooms of every person watching her network. (Check out the article titled "Own It" for more insight!) That got me to thinking, what kind of energy am I bringing to the people I encounter everyday, from my husband and co-workers to people in line next to me in the grocery store, and even my dog?
Some people are more intuitive than others and can sense other people's energy more clearly, but the fact is that it's happening. People are sensing your energy all the time. They can tell if you are uncomfortable, jealous, irritated, tired, bored, or if you'd rather be somewhere else. They can tell if you are full of joy, gratitude, compassion, love, happiness, or humility. And the awesome - yet scary - thing is, that energy builds on itself. Positive energy can light up a room; while negative energy can bring it down.
Think about what energy you are bringing to the spaces around you. In the end it doesn't matter what you say or what you do; it matters how you are being. That is how people will remember you. And think about how a little shift in perspective can fill you with joy, and allow that joy energy to be shared and to grow with every person you encounter throughout your day. That's how we make this world a better place!
Friday, December 17, 2010
It's OK To Feel
It's OK to feel sad, my stepmother told me this past week. Underneath my cheery disposition was a lot of pain; and not unlike many times in my past when I was hurting, I hid beneath a fake smile and false positiveness. I told everyone that I was OK. I almost even thought that I was...
But this time her words sank into me, and I remembered them. When I felt sad, I cried. When I felt angry, I observed it. When I felt nothing - almost numbness, I sat with it. I can't say it really felt "good," but different, like I was letting it out.
So often in my life when I felt lonely or stressed, I'd reach for food and seek comfort; not really feeling the feeling, just feeling full. When I was sad, I busied my life with projects and appointments, so I couldn't feel that sadness. When I was angry, I'd create stories, and make the anger build. I had never learned to sit with my emotions and feel them.
Now, I am not talking about dwelling on my feelings, letting them define me. But giving my emotions room to be. Letting myself feel them and know they are not right or wrong, good or bad, but that this is how I am in the present moment. It helped me to put things in perspective. It also helped me to open my heart. Without covering my feelings up with something else, I was able to be honest about them, and share them with my friends. (This is something I don't often do. I try to be the pretty package perfect life girl... my goodness, that's a whole blog in itself - stay tuned!)
So often we drown our feelings in tequila, sappy movies, Ben & Jerry's, exercise, whatever it may be. But when the ice cream is gone or you sober up, the feelings are still there. It's not until we give them space to be, that they can move on, move through us, and continue guiding us on our journey.
It's OK to feel. In fact, its the only way you can be.
But this time her words sank into me, and I remembered them. When I felt sad, I cried. When I felt angry, I observed it. When I felt nothing - almost numbness, I sat with it. I can't say it really felt "good," but different, like I was letting it out.
So often in my life when I felt lonely or stressed, I'd reach for food and seek comfort; not really feeling the feeling, just feeling full. When I was sad, I busied my life with projects and appointments, so I couldn't feel that sadness. When I was angry, I'd create stories, and make the anger build. I had never learned to sit with my emotions and feel them.
Now, I am not talking about dwelling on my feelings, letting them define me. But giving my emotions room to be. Letting myself feel them and know they are not right or wrong, good or bad, but that this is how I am in the present moment. It helped me to put things in perspective. It also helped me to open my heart. Without covering my feelings up with something else, I was able to be honest about them, and share them with my friends. (This is something I don't often do. I try to be the pretty package perfect life girl... my goodness, that's a whole blog in itself - stay tuned!)
So often we drown our feelings in tequila, sappy movies, Ben & Jerry's, exercise, whatever it may be. But when the ice cream is gone or you sober up, the feelings are still there. It's not until we give them space to be, that they can move on, move through us, and continue guiding us on our journey.
It's OK to feel. In fact, its the only way you can be.
Holiday Card Letter 2010
Dear Friends and Family,
We hope this letter finds you filled with holiday cheer and cozied up with your family staying warm! 2010 has been a wonderful year filled with many blessings. While 2009 was all about our wedding, new house, and new puppy; 2010 has been a year of travel and breaking in our new home.
In April, Mike accompanied his good friend Cameron, a photographer, to a UFC fight in California and was asked by Universal Magazine out of Sydney, Australia, to write about the event. (This is the same publication Cameron shoots for.) Mike is as passionate about MMA as he is about food, football, and fishing, so when they asked him to cover another fight in August and write a piece on Anderson Silva, Mike was stoked. The next event he is covering with Cameron is this February in Vegas.
In May, Sara turned the big 3-0. We hosted seven of our crazy fun college and high school friends at our house to ensure Sara kicked off her 30s the right way! We had a blast, though Cuda couldn’t figure out why there were always – day and night – people playing in his favorite toy (the pool). Sara’s dad and step-mom came to visit the next weekend to round out a perfect entrance to a new decade.
As part of Sara’s 30th birthday celebration and as an official honeymoon (Yes, we got married in Mexico, but never had a real honeymoon with just the two of us!), we spent almost two weeks in Vietnam the end of June/early July. We backpacked the trip and saw Hanoi (Vietnam’s capital city and a foody’s Mecca), Halong Bay (2000+ limestone creations in a turquoise bay which we sailed through on an overnight cruise), Sapa, (a Hmong tribal village amidst the Tonkinese Alps – boasting the highest mountain in Southeast Asia), Nha Trang (a beautiful beach town on the South Sea of China), and Ho Chi Minh City (the cosmopolitan center of Vietnam loaded with war history). It was an amazing experience, but very HOT there during the summer. Mike ate his way through the country, of course, in search of the best pho – he sampled over 17 different bowls during the trip!
In July, Cuda turned one, so we had a big birthday BBQ bash for him. He loved playing with the other doggies and kids. Smushes and Callie have warmed up to Cuda a bit over the year, and they all keep Sara good company while working from home.
In August, Sara completed her 200-hour certified yoga teacher training at Bala Vinyasa Yoga. The certification program consisted of one intensive weekend of training a month for six months, and was one of the most challenging – and rewarding – things Sara has ever done. She now shares her passion for yoga by teaching at the studio a few times a week on evenings and weekends.
In October we traveled to Italy to celebrate Mike’s parent’s 25th wedding anniversary with them. We conquered Rome (hitting a dance club in a 2000 year old cave ‘til the wee hours of the morning our first night there), Venice (a magical city with lots of great meals), Florence (to have our breath taken away by Michelangelo’s David), and Camiore (a charming little town in the hills of Tuscany where we celebrated our good friends’ honeymoon with them) – and took in lots of fresh truffles, porcini mushrooms, pasta, pizza, and of course, vino! Back in FL, Sara’s mom graciously took care of our “children.”
Amidst all this, we squeezed in work and play trips to Key West, Miami, CA, NY, OH, and MN (experiencing the awesome new Twins stadium, and a Vikings game… womp… womp…), and created great new memories with you! For those of you we haven’t seen in awhile, we miss you and hope our paths cross soon!
Wishing you unending joy, love, and blessings in 2011,
Mike, Sara, Smush, Callie, and Cuda Mueller
We hope this letter finds you filled with holiday cheer and cozied up with your family staying warm! 2010 has been a wonderful year filled with many blessings. While 2009 was all about our wedding, new house, and new puppy; 2010 has been a year of travel and breaking in our new home.
In April, Mike accompanied his good friend Cameron, a photographer, to a UFC fight in California and was asked by Universal Magazine out of Sydney, Australia, to write about the event. (This is the same publication Cameron shoots for.) Mike is as passionate about MMA as he is about food, football, and fishing, so when they asked him to cover another fight in August and write a piece on Anderson Silva, Mike was stoked. The next event he is covering with Cameron is this February in Vegas.
In May, Sara turned the big 3-0. We hosted seven of our crazy fun college and high school friends at our house to ensure Sara kicked off her 30s the right way! We had a blast, though Cuda couldn’t figure out why there were always – day and night – people playing in his favorite toy (the pool). Sara’s dad and step-mom came to visit the next weekend to round out a perfect entrance to a new decade.
As part of Sara’s 30th birthday celebration and as an official honeymoon (Yes, we got married in Mexico, but never had a real honeymoon with just the two of us!), we spent almost two weeks in Vietnam the end of June/early July. We backpacked the trip and saw Hanoi (Vietnam’s capital city and a foody’s Mecca), Halong Bay (2000+ limestone creations in a turquoise bay which we sailed through on an overnight cruise), Sapa, (a Hmong tribal village amidst the Tonkinese Alps – boasting the highest mountain in Southeast Asia), Nha Trang (a beautiful beach town on the South Sea of China), and Ho Chi Minh City (the cosmopolitan center of Vietnam loaded with war history). It was an amazing experience, but very HOT there during the summer. Mike ate his way through the country, of course, in search of the best pho – he sampled over 17 different bowls during the trip!
In July, Cuda turned one, so we had a big birthday BBQ bash for him. He loved playing with the other doggies and kids. Smushes and Callie have warmed up to Cuda a bit over the year, and they all keep Sara good company while working from home.
In August, Sara completed her 200-hour certified yoga teacher training at Bala Vinyasa Yoga. The certification program consisted of one intensive weekend of training a month for six months, and was one of the most challenging – and rewarding – things Sara has ever done. She now shares her passion for yoga by teaching at the studio a few times a week on evenings and weekends.
In October we traveled to Italy to celebrate Mike’s parent’s 25th wedding anniversary with them. We conquered Rome (hitting a dance club in a 2000 year old cave ‘til the wee hours of the morning our first night there), Venice (a magical city with lots of great meals), Florence (to have our breath taken away by Michelangelo’s David), and Camiore (a charming little town in the hills of Tuscany where we celebrated our good friends’ honeymoon with them) – and took in lots of fresh truffles, porcini mushrooms, pasta, pizza, and of course, vino! Back in FL, Sara’s mom graciously took care of our “children.”
Amidst all this, we squeezed in work and play trips to Key West, Miami, CA, NY, OH, and MN (experiencing the awesome new Twins stadium, and a Vikings game… womp… womp…), and created great new memories with you! For those of you we haven’t seen in awhile, we miss you and hope our paths cross soon!
Wishing you unending joy, love, and blessings in 2011,
Mike, Sara, Smush, Callie, and Cuda Mueller
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