Did someone say yoga?

Warning: Yoga addiction may cause blog neglect, family neglect, and an extreme sense of euphoria (especially when discussing yoga with others).

Yesterday, I took three yoga class, one at lunch and two last night. My body is surprisingly unsore, maybe a little noodle-like, but who couldn't use a bit of noodle in their body?

My company is doing a 12-week program where you tally up your miles of exercise, weigh yourself, get your blood pressure, and measure your body fat mass, hence the extreme yoga-takingness. At the kickoff meeting, I announced to the group that unlimited passes to the studio I go to are only $95. The looks I got! It amazes me that people will spend that much on junk food every week and not bat on eye, but God-forbid they actually bring exercise, peace, and well-being to their lives. Glad I'm learning compassion at the same time!

Eesh, I sound like a yoga snob, but really, is that a bad thing?

Not good, but not horrible

My latest MRI wasn't as bad as the one I had done 6 months ago, but it wasn't a completely clean MRI. I do have an active lesion on my left frontal cortex (I think I'm getting that terminology correct), which probably accounts for the mild numbness in my calf and the burning that is still lingering in my toes. Because of my track record of lesions and physical symptoms I had in the last year, my doctor and I decided it was probably a good idea to go ahead and try another medication. The daily injection kind. Good news is that I'd eventually be switching to this medication sometime in the next year or so because it's the one I'll be on when we start trying for kiddos, so I won't have to worry about that transition when the time comes. That's a silver lining.

Here's the stick

When you get blood drawn, get an IV, get a shot, or, heaven forbid, a MRI with contrast, do you like it when the nurse says, "Here's the stick"? I usually push my mind away from the inevitable—not knowing and just accepting without thinking feels better. More calm. No use worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, especially when it might be easier and less painful than predicted. That's how I operate in life, and yet, here I am mentally prepping myself for the results of my most recent MRI. Imagining nothing but bad. It's like a little nurse in my ear saying, "Here's the stick. Here's the stick. Here's the stick." At least I have yoga to take me out of my mind. I've already taken seven classes this week. I wonder if I can ask my doctor if she minds if I sink into half pigeon while she delivers the news.

My scary face

I couldn't resist showing one of my MRIs. How scary is this? If I was a radiologist I would have nightmares.

Shopping spree

I've been needing to go shopping for some new clothes for some time now, but usually I find things I like only to talk myself out of them because of the price. Buying usually requires shopping with someone can talk me into it. But today, a backup wasn't needed.

The Limited at Town Center is closing. Something about the lease is up, but the way the sales clerk said it made me think something else is up. I didn't mind though. I told her stores can close more often—Almost everything was 60% off. So I got seven tops for less than $100. My kind of shopping!

So very special

This afternoon I got a call from a very special person. It was so unexpected, and just what I needed to cheer me up. She had a request: to Skype and see her beautiful little boy. Boy did I just want to reach through the screen and snuggle that little bundle. Mom, of course, looked fabulous. Like she had merely exchanged her basketball for a real baby. I'm pretty sure CostCo can do that for you, by the way, or I'm sure certain people (hem, hem, you know who you are) would have me convinced. Baby was sporting some spikey hair. Much potential does that hair have. Thanks Amanda! It was so very thoughtful. I can't wait to Skype again. Skype friends with cute babies are the best!

New Year's Resolutions?

Here we are at the start of another year. Usually I'm excited and motivated to find myself with a clean plate. Well, my holiday blahs are lasting into the new year, but I'm determined to put a positive, bright, and motived foot forward. With further adieu, here's my 2009 resolutions. Here's to keeping them!

1. Exercise daily. I've almost got this one down with going to yoga, but now I want to start getting up early and running on the treadmill.
2. Get rid of junk and organize the apartment. It would be nice if my extra/guest bedroom was more of a respite, but it's cluttered, there's videogame wires all over the place, magazines, and crafting stuff all over the place. Goal: trash the magazines, find a way to make the gaming system more hidden (I really hate the sight of wires, don't you?).
3. Send out birthday cards on time.
4. Find healthy recipes that are quick and easy to make. I've relied on pasta too long, and you can so tell.
5. Craft more. I envy so many of my blog friends who make the most amazing things, and I think, I should do that. Projects for the new year: knit soon-to-arrive niece a baby blanket and Valentine's Day cards.
6. Socialize more. This one is a BIG one for me, because I get lazy and comfortable either being at home watching DVDs or Hulu or doing yoga. I need to get out more, before all my social skills deteriorate. Blog readers, I give you a task and New Year's resolution: Get Jess out of the house!
7. Bake bread. I received a breadmaker for Christmas last year. It's about time I make some fabulous bread!
8. Make homemade croissants and ice cream. For some reason, both of these foods scare the crap out of me.
9. Bake and decorate a cake using the cake-decorating tools I received last year.
10. Travel. Maybe the east coast or europe. Don't care just as long as it happens.
11. Blog better. More often, more pictures, and possibly more bling.