(no subject)
In an attempt to combat my feelings of anxiety and inadequacy surrounding the Berlin fiasco, I've been trying to keep busy by doing activities close to home. One way to satiate wanderlust is to explore your own surroundings that maybe you haven't experienced before. This has been making me so happy. So, what have I been up to?
Self-imposed long weekend
I booked a Monday off work to enjoy a long weekend and go on an adventure. I planned to spend the day at Grand Beach, which I hadn't been to in about 15 years. I was a bit nervous about going because that would be the longest highway driving I've done by myself ever and something about going to the beach alone seemed a bit weird. The day before, I started thinking about horseback riding and how I hadn't done that since I was probably around 10 years old. I looked up a location close-ish to Grand Beach (Miracle Ranch), called, and booked a reservation. My day of adventure would include solo beach trip and horseback riding. Wee!
I didn't head out until a bit later than planned as my body decided it needed some extra sleep and I was willing to honour that. The drive out to Grand Beach wasn't as stressful as I anticipated it to be and in some ways it was relaxing as I jammed out to tunes and enjoyed the open highway.
The water was a bit rough and choppy, just as it had been the last time I was there. I ventured out into the water and hopped whitecaps, dove, and attempted to body float on the waves. I felt like a mermaid. I had a nice lunch on the beach and all around enjoyed the fresh air. It was a beautiful, hot day albeit windy.
Then I had to speed to get to my horseback riding session. I was given a horse named Jetta. She was sweet, but also a bit stubborn and selfish which I really liked about her. She shooed a horse away from the water container to have it all to herself so I patted her and told her she was a good girl. Hahaha! The ride was peaceful; Jetta was spooked a couple of times by 2 other rambunctious horses, but she calmed down quickly. I did not anticipate the amount of crotch pain I would have for the next couple of days after riding, but it was still worth it.
I'll be having more self-imposed long weekends with or without a day of adventure.
Beach time
I've gone to Birds Hill a couple of times with friends, but most times I go by myself. When I'm by myself, I don't stay too long (just over an hour or so) and that's fine by me. I like being on my own schedule and not feeling like I have to stay there for a certain amount of time. It's not that far of a drive where I feel it's necessary to stay a few hours. I usually go right after work or in the evening. The water may not be it's warmest at that time, but the sun is still out and there are a bit fewer people. I sunbathe, swim, colour in my adult colouring book, read poetry, and walk the trails. I have a feeling of zen when I'm there by myself, even if the noise of children grates me.
New bike!
I loved my Giant Bowery mashup bike, but I found that the hunched over courier style bike was no longer appropriate for my body. I would be too sore afterwards that I wouldn't want to go near Megatron (the bike) again. So, I sold it. I was really excited when I listed it on Kijiji and it was gone within the hour. I had a lot of fun with that bike, but he needed to go to a new home.
So now, I have Galvatron. It has a light-ish frame and skinny tires like Megatron did, but it's got that vintage cruiser style which allows me to sit up straighter. I can go for bike rides with it for hours and not be sore the next day.
I've done quite a bit of exploring with Galvatron, taking it on a 15 kms ride the first evening I got it out waaaay south past the floodway. I had no idea there's basically another world out there. I've wandered to Kings Park and ventured around the various paths there as I had only been to that park once and didn't realize there's quite the system of paths there. Galvatron is great fun and if I could fit it in the car, I would take it out to Birds Hill or Grand Beach.
Yoga
I haven't been going to the gym as much lately because I've been cycling and swimming. Doing outdoor activities like that is more fun than being in a smelly gym with a bunch of boys, one of which seems to have taken a shine to me. I've been feeling pulled towards yoga again so I've gone to the occasional class, including an outdoor karma yoga class. Lately, I've been wanting to get back into hot yoga so I went to my first moksha class yesterday. I loved it! The instructor told me that they had a Groupon for 2 months at a mega cheap rate so I bought that. If I could get in the habit of going 3 times a week (dare I try for 5?), that would be impressive to me. I like that this studio offers more classes and a set amount of people per class. The studio I used to go to years ago had a free for all so they would keep cramming bodies into the room. I had more than 1 person fall on me during their practice which was disgusting to say the least due to all the sweat.
I signed up for a petite yoga retreat which starts Friday and goes through to Sunday. It's at a studio down the street so it's not a far journey and I can stay home as opposed to finding accommodations. I'm considering setting up the tent in the yard for the weekend as part of it, but we'll see.
Next month is the Prairie Love Yoga Festival which is for a weekend. I'm thinking about signing up for that, too.
Adult camp!
I stumbled upon a Facebook event for adult camp being hosted for one evening at Fort Whyte Alive. They'll have archery, canoeing, sailing, arts and crafts, music, etc. I was sold as soon as I saw it! It's only $15 and just for one evening (no need to actually camp) so I'm really excited about that.
This is the most active I've been in quite some time and I'm loving it. I don't feel stressed out by it and I don't feel this urge to escape. It's quite lovely.
Self-imposed long weekend
I booked a Monday off work to enjoy a long weekend and go on an adventure. I planned to spend the day at Grand Beach, which I hadn't been to in about 15 years. I was a bit nervous about going because that would be the longest highway driving I've done by myself ever and something about going to the beach alone seemed a bit weird. The day before, I started thinking about horseback riding and how I hadn't done that since I was probably around 10 years old. I looked up a location close-ish to Grand Beach (Miracle Ranch), called, and booked a reservation. My day of adventure would include solo beach trip and horseback riding. Wee!
I didn't head out until a bit later than planned as my body decided it needed some extra sleep and I was willing to honour that. The drive out to Grand Beach wasn't as stressful as I anticipated it to be and in some ways it was relaxing as I jammed out to tunes and enjoyed the open highway.
The water was a bit rough and choppy, just as it had been the last time I was there. I ventured out into the water and hopped whitecaps, dove, and attempted to body float on the waves. I felt like a mermaid. I had a nice lunch on the beach and all around enjoyed the fresh air. It was a beautiful, hot day albeit windy.
Then I had to speed to get to my horseback riding session. I was given a horse named Jetta. She was sweet, but also a bit stubborn and selfish which I really liked about her. She shooed a horse away from the water container to have it all to herself so I patted her and told her she was a good girl. Hahaha! The ride was peaceful; Jetta was spooked a couple of times by 2 other rambunctious horses, but she calmed down quickly. I did not anticipate the amount of crotch pain I would have for the next couple of days after riding, but it was still worth it.
I'll be having more self-imposed long weekends with or without a day of adventure.
Beach time
I've gone to Birds Hill a couple of times with friends, but most times I go by myself. When I'm by myself, I don't stay too long (just over an hour or so) and that's fine by me. I like being on my own schedule and not feeling like I have to stay there for a certain amount of time. It's not that far of a drive where I feel it's necessary to stay a few hours. I usually go right after work or in the evening. The water may not be it's warmest at that time, but the sun is still out and there are a bit fewer people. I sunbathe, swim, colour in my adult colouring book, read poetry, and walk the trails. I have a feeling of zen when I'm there by myself, even if the noise of children grates me.
New bike!
I loved my Giant Bowery mashup bike, but I found that the hunched over courier style bike was no longer appropriate for my body. I would be too sore afterwards that I wouldn't want to go near Megatron (the bike) again. So, I sold it. I was really excited when I listed it on Kijiji and it was gone within the hour. I had a lot of fun with that bike, but he needed to go to a new home.
So now, I have Galvatron. It has a light-ish frame and skinny tires like Megatron did, but it's got that vintage cruiser style which allows me to sit up straighter. I can go for bike rides with it for hours and not be sore the next day.
I've done quite a bit of exploring with Galvatron, taking it on a 15 kms ride the first evening I got it out waaaay south past the floodway. I had no idea there's basically another world out there. I've wandered to Kings Park and ventured around the various paths there as I had only been to that park once and didn't realize there's quite the system of paths there. Galvatron is great fun and if I could fit it in the car, I would take it out to Birds Hill or Grand Beach.
Yoga
I haven't been going to the gym as much lately because I've been cycling and swimming. Doing outdoor activities like that is more fun than being in a smelly gym with a bunch of boys, one of which seems to have taken a shine to me. I've been feeling pulled towards yoga again so I've gone to the occasional class, including an outdoor karma yoga class. Lately, I've been wanting to get back into hot yoga so I went to my first moksha class yesterday. I loved it! The instructor told me that they had a Groupon for 2 months at a mega cheap rate so I bought that. If I could get in the habit of going 3 times a week (dare I try for 5?), that would be impressive to me. I like that this studio offers more classes and a set amount of people per class. The studio I used to go to years ago had a free for all so they would keep cramming bodies into the room. I had more than 1 person fall on me during their practice which was disgusting to say the least due to all the sweat.
I signed up for a petite yoga retreat which starts Friday and goes through to Sunday. It's at a studio down the street so it's not a far journey and I can stay home as opposed to finding accommodations. I'm considering setting up the tent in the yard for the weekend as part of it, but we'll see.
Next month is the Prairie Love Yoga Festival which is for a weekend. I'm thinking about signing up for that, too.
Adult camp!
I stumbled upon a Facebook event for adult camp being hosted for one evening at Fort Whyte Alive. They'll have archery, canoeing, sailing, arts and crafts, music, etc. I was sold as soon as I saw it! It's only $15 and just for one evening (no need to actually camp) so I'm really excited about that.
This is the most active I've been in quite some time and I'm loving it. I don't feel stressed out by it and I don't feel this urge to escape. It's quite lovely.