The Skimm

I cannot say that I do extremely well on keeping up with current events.  And it's not a lack of interest.  I would say the best time in my life for being "up to date" was when I took PoliSci as a senior in college.  I have never felt as aware and conscious of current events, and I almost wish the same pressure applied in class applied to me now (minus the grade, of course).

I like watching the news.  I like reading a newspaper.  But more often than not, when I'm online, I tend to read a lot of trash and celebrity gossip than actual news.  Thus, when I heard about "theSkimm," although I was ashamed, I was also curious.  Basically, theSkimm is an e-newsletter designed and written by women for busy, news-hungry women.  The name implies the purpose- to skim.

To begin, you sign up to receive the news via email on their website. Starting the next day, you will receive an email with tidbits of information about world news topics.  In the tidbits, there are links to fuller articles and discussion.  Altogether, the e-newsletter is written in a way to keep me entertained and give me the very basic information.  Then, if I'm super interested and find the time, I can click on the links to read more.

I'm not sure if anyone else has my problem.  And this (hopefully) is not a permanent solution to my issue(s) because what I really want to do is sign up for Time Magazine because I like reading those (despite the bias); however, the possibility of Time magazines all over the house is somewhat a turn-off when I do not want the electronic subscription at all.  *sigh* But hopefully some of you will find this at least a temporary, if not helpful solution to being just a little bit out of the loop currently.

Weekend Collection

Many of our weekdays and weekends have consisted of running around.  And I was really looking forward to this last run around before Christmas.  We were supposed to fly to Arizona to see two friends.  We were to take a hike, do some shopping, eat BBQ ribs, and experience a wine and design class.  But thanks to Dallas and ice storms, our flight was cancelled, our long weekend plans were ruined, and we drove home from the airport in silence, minus my hiccuping sobs.

So, instead of a weekend filled with sunshine and friendship, our weekend was instead filled with buckets of rain and cuddling.  Karl had four days off, and we put those to good use despite the monsoon.  I figured that a trip to Nashville might make the disappointment a little less apparent, but the rain prohibited any grand adventure.  Nevertheless, Christmas decorating, shopping, movies, hot chocolate, and general laziness in pajamas were all on the table.  And that is okay.  We will try again in the months to come.  I guess Karl just needed a few days off from work...and I need[ed] a lesson in patience.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

This Covergirl find...

...because it doubles as an eyeliner and eyeshadow.

This gelato...

...because I am almost finished with eating the entire pint by myself.

These bulbs...

...because the mantle is slowly being Christmas-tized.

This Anthropologie bag...

...because Black Friday was such a success.

These Peppermint Bark squares...

...because while I complain about all the pumpkin "stuff" for Fall, I have no qualms about peppermint chocolate "stuff" for Christmas-time.

Rainy Days

Alabama is not quite cold enough for all the snow that seems to be covering much of Western Pennsylvania.  Instead, we are under layers of rain.  For some reason, Alabamans cannot seem to drive in any sort of weather other than "sunny."  It has proved to be more than a little frustrating to non-Alabama drivers.

With the onslaught of rain, my laziness and tiredness have made a fierce comeback.  This past week or so, I have been subbing full-time for a teacher whose pregnancy is causing some complications.  When I came home yesterday, I was too lazy to even pull on some sweatpants right away.  Tea-making saps all the energy from me.  I think I need a long nap.

However, through the snow and rain come some visitors for Thanksgiving.  A mother who has yet to see the apartment and a sister who is prepared to sleep on the couch.  A nap will have to wait, because a few rainy days cannot slow me down until after Black Friday.

Weekend Collection

Another visitor, but she was long awaited.  And not just because I wanted Mexican food, and Karl will never take me.

The weekend was spent like any other...Waffle House, shopping, and Netflix.  But in between making dinner and the roadtrip to and from Nashville Airport, the conversations and silliness resumed, and we naturally picked up where we left off.

November has been full of visitors,  but our rooms and bellies were full, and we called that happiness.

Side note: All I have seen on Pinterest are memes about Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in "Scandal."  We started Season 1 this week, and I am on Season 2.  Season 3 is currently airing.  I highly recommend it, and surprisingly, Karl likes it too.  When I have done something particularly successful or have conned Karl into doing something through negotiations, I ask him to call me "Olivia Pope." I'm that enthralled.

Hot Yoga

I don't like to sweat. In fact, I rarely do. Not in track, basketball, Costa Rica, or the Dominican. But at Bikram Hot Yoga, it's an entirely different story.

I've never done yoga before.  Okay, once I tried with my housemates in the summer, but someone couldn't be quiet enough to do it seriously.  I don't know what made me think that hot yoga was a good idea, especially for a beginner.  Basically, they heat the room until it's 105 degrees in order to get the effects of a sauna, plus it helps with flexibility during the yoga poses.  Luckily for me, all poses are for beginners but they are strength-building, balance, and flexibility centered, not the relaxing/fluid-type yoga.

The first time that I went, my goal was to "stay in the room."  I didn't feel that was too promising when the instructor told me it was my only goal.  But boy did I feel like a beast afterwards for staying in the room.  The instructors encourage you to come early and stay late.  As I lay on my mat, quietly, I began to think, "Hmm.  This isn't so bad."  As soon as we started the first breathing exercise, the sweat began to pour in buckets.  I was dripping sweat everywhere.  I began to realize why the studio website said to bring a towel to place over the mat, which at first I didn't want to because my mat was so pretty.

The rest of that first class was sheer mind strength.  Obviously, some of the more experienced yogis were amazing.  I have no flexibility, little strength in my arms, and Karl tends to make fun of my lack of balance and grace. So really, I have many more goals than just staying in the room.

After that first time, I knew what to expect and have since learned how early I can go in and how late I can stay.  I know when my body is telling me to sit down and breathe during class.  I know that I need to hydrate much more during the day.  I cannot eat a bagel for breakfast and go to yoga that same morning.  I can feel the strain in my muscles and know when I'm going too far.  However, I can finally make it through the arm exercises without taking a break, even though I am praying for the floor exercises the entire time.

A couple people said they tried another hot yoga place in the area and it was not nearly as hot nor nearly as challenging.  They said it was much more relaxing.  Perhaps I should have started there, but perhaps this way was the best way for me.  As of now, I'm sticking with it because I've already paid for ten classes with a groupon.  I hope I will be brave enough to continue going once my ten classes are up.  At the very least, it is good for me to learn to be still and silent.  I fidget much too much, and this really has taught me to ignore little ticks.  And I like knowing that my body is naturally getting rid of toxins through sweat.  Makes me feel much better about feeling gross and disgusting and sticky during class.  Overall, I would recommend hot yoga, but perhaps it's better to go in blind and already paid for at an introductory price.

Weekend Collection

This weekend brought a visit from family.  We have been fairly busy with weekend visitors, and we still have more to come.

Of course, the weekend always includes some light shopping at Bridgestreet.  Shopping at a fancy outdoor center always makes me feel like I have more money to spend than I actually do.  And what would a weekend in the South be without BBQ?  Luckily, the weather was absolutely perfect, and we had a good chance to show off our warmer, sunnier climate.

Overall, you can't beat a few days with family, food, and sunshine.  Otherwise, what kind of visit would that be?