Thanksgiving
I'm thankful for: having a job and getting the day off (PLUS FRIDAY)! I am thankful for getting to spend the holiday with Andrew and Mom. It was nice not having to travel anywhere. I did not have to do any of the food preparation this year so there was absolutely no stress there.
I started my Thanksgiving holiday with a 10:00 practice led by Jan. It was fantastic. I cried during pigeon pose. Right before that I had an interesting experience. We were transitioning from vinyasa flow to yin postures when I almost blacked out. We were sitting on our knees and doing backbends to open our hearts. When I leaned back I found I couldn't see or hear. I sank into child's pose and found that I had lost my ujjayi breath and was breathing out of my mouth. I came back into the pose when I found I could hear again but felt very winded and unsteady. I am not sure where that came from and was meaning to ask Jan after class but when it came down to saying thank you/goodbye after class I didn't remember. It is only upon reflection that I remember how at odds with myself I was. Jan was talking about overcoming one's edge and I wasn't sure that was what I was up against. I think I was facing low blood pressure or something like that...
Beautiful clear sky, sunlight.
We ate a spiral cut ham with blackberries, pineapple, kiwi, green beans, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and french rolls. For dessert we had apple cake, which is essentially baked apple slices with graham cracker crumble layers topped with (soy) whipped cream.
Andrew taught me how to play Farkle. It was fun to play once I understood what was going on. I even won two rounds, he one once.
For seasonal entertainment we watched one of my favorite "classic" movies, Holiday Inn. My Mom enjoyed seeing it again and Andrew did not seem to mind it too much. I think the reason I like the movie so much is that it kind of serves like a time capsule and I am intrigued each time I see/hear it.
After the movie we sat around the table for a few hours and shared conversation. When it was about 10:00 p.m. I sat in the living room and let our dog Sophie sit / sleep on my lap, which was nice. I listened to Andrew tell his story to my Mom. I can never seem to hear his story enough (not that I beg to hear it, but it helps me understand why he is the way he is and appreciate his choices and the person he has become). It was after midnight when we left. We went back to Andrew's place to make sure his cat had been fed and then we went to sleep.
Yesterday/Friday: A day off of work. Was wonderful to sleep in (but because I did so I missed morning classes at Lifetime). It was my intention to go to an evening class but when the time came I felt resistance. I was torn between going to practice or spending time with a friend in need. I felt selfish because I did not initially want to give up my alone time but decided I should since she had asked me so directly to spend time with her. I did find joy in spending time with her because it was something she needed. We shared a meal together and then I watched her do some crafting. I read a little from Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease then Andrew came home. I went to sleep pretty soon thereafter and he stayed awake playing a video game.
Today:
Slept in until just after 9 a.m. Had breakfast with Andrew, talked with his sister a little bit. It was my plan to go to the Hot Vinyasa class at 9:30 but I didn't make it out the door in time; I wasn't interested in the morning Yin practice so I stayed with them for a while. We watched two episodes of South Park. Andrew had an opening shift today so left early. I took a shower. I was about to head back to my place but then Laura asked if I wanted to hang out more, so I stayed. We went on a walk. Now we're enjoying some tea together, listening to choral music.
Just had two bowls of soup that Laura made: sweet potato, onion with ginger and garlic. We each had half of a bagel with some avocado and siracha, topped with lox and half of a hard-boiled egg. Very colorful meal and tasty. Was happy to take my time to eat with her. She asked me about my yoga journey and wanted to know more about my faith/if I was interested in going to church with her sometime. I haven't been an active church-goer Christian for many years but I said I would consider going with her on Sundays once my yoga teacher training is complete.
I have yet to meditate today or do a physical practice, but I have learned that Laura is interested in having me teach her yoga at some point, so I have another willing student. Happy I can spend tonight catching up on journaling and then do some more reading from the reversing heart disease book. I will get myself to do 5 As and 5 Bs and meditation before I settle down for bed.
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