Juicy Peaches

I really enjoyed my conversation tonight with one of my best girlfriends.  I've known her for 16 years.  We lived together in college, we would dance together at frat parties and laugh until the weeeee hours of the morning.  Are you asleep we would ask each other laying in our bunk beds.....  Nope.

She just moved to Cincinnati for her husband's promotion.  They have a 1 year old and everything is different and unfamiliar to her in this new town of two months.  Tonight she described how her toddler threw his fork at her because he couldn't puncture his juicy peach sliding around on his plate, and how every home in her new town has history.  She has an 80 year old neighbor that teaches emotional support dance classes where you pour your emotions into modern dance as therapy.  This lady actually has a dance floor in her living room.  I mean, WHAT!  Why are you not there right now!  That may be one of the most amazing things I've ever heard.

We also chatted about my new life in NYC.  My job, my travels, and my dating life which is nothing short of entertaining.  I should write a book she said....  I've heard that before.  But what is the purpose of pouring out your most sensitive, hilarious, frightening, crazy, and emotional experiences onto paper?  It would be a great story they have said....  Is that what they write movies about?

Tonight was a special moment for me.  I was finally able to look at myself and see myself in solidarity.  A reflection from my friend.  One who I love and trust.  A welcoming perspective, clear and beautiful.  Her life beautiful.  My life beautiful.  A moment of seeing time, this intangible in a moment.  Tonight not only did I feel it, I saw it.  A picture of 16 years, vividly clear in one place.  Our growth, collectively and individually.  Of life, how it works, how it happens, and how it unfolds.

Collect moments, not things, they say....

Tonight was special.  Little Jose and his juicy peach.  ;)

Hip Hop Lyrics Give Me A Boost

There's just something about certain hip hop artists and lyrics that just exude power, passion, strength and confidence.  Those traits are pretty amazing, and when you not only recognize but FEEL all of those at the same time, it's a pretty moving experience, literally.

I know not everyone likes hip hop or cares for it, but that's not my problem!  I love it!  There are times when I need that boost, I just turn my playlist on shuffle and start dancing around my house!  That's what happened this morning and I thought it would be nice of me to share some of the songs that had me moving...

I never brag

I'm real I keep it

Cuz it's the best secret

I rock a vest

Prestigious

Cuban link flood Jesus

In a Lex watching Kathy Lee and Regis

My actions are one with the seasons 

-Nas, Take It In Blood

I don't stunt, I regulate

-Nas, Take It In Blood 

If a hater snatch ya chain I bet it still wont' free you

Ha

Cuz I be right back grindin till I cop another

I sit and think bout all the shit I coulda got my mother

My partna said that's just the game my nigga

Swear I heard my jeweler say here go ya chain my nigga

-J. Cole, Chaining Day

You know the sayin

Fake it till you make it

Me I did the opposite

Made it then I faked it

And acting like I gave a fuck

Money I was saving up

To buy a crib that's gated to that hundred racks

I gave it up

For what

-J. Cole, Chaining Day

Bali

I'm sure everyone has heard of Bali, right? Oh it's the most luxurious, peaceful, beautiful, most zen place on the planet, right? Well, depends on who you ask....

My three weeks in Bali were cool. We rented a house, or "villa" as some like to say, in the Seminyak area of southwestern Bali. We had a private pool, a maid every other day, and a kitchen where we could cook our own food whenever we felt like it. Not too shabby!

We could walk to the grocery store and convenience store, and could run or walk a mile into town for shopping, restaurants, etc. But that mile walk, frequently, and once it turned dark, was just not going to work all the time. So taking cabs everywhere was the norm, and they were on our speed dial. Here's the view of our walk into town.

So, what did we do?! Some days we relaxed by our private pool. Oh the perks oh having a private pool. Correcting my tan lines was first on the priority list! :)

We actually had a few friends come and visit us often at the pool!!! Aren't they so cute!!!!

Other days we went out shopping in local Seminyak. It was such a cute little town with plenty of bars and restaurants to explore! There were actually a couple of large impressive venues, Potato Head and Ku De Ta. They reminded me of Vegas! They were modern, huge, busy and expensive! LOL. It was a great place to mingle and chill, and that is exactly what we did!

Other days we checked out different beaches. Honestly I don't remember which all ones we went to. I know one was Dreamland Beach. LOL.

The beaches were great, don't get me wrong. But I think my expectations were VERY high for Bali. Your whole life you hear about Bali, almost imagining it looking something like heaven. And to me, it looked like a normal exotic beach. We had a great time though! The one main difference I noticed in Bali were the waves. Never have I seen such large, strong and violent crashing waves!  Here are pictures from some other beaches we visited.

I did get to see my first black sand beach!

Being a yogi of course I HAD to get some yoga pictures on the beach! 

A couple of days we went to check out the town of Ubud. This town is known for its energy, cool shops, restaurants, etc.

We actually set up appointments to meet with a couple of energy healers there. Check out one of my interesting encounters here. It's so cool to meet other like minded folks who recognize the depth and energy of the nature that's all around us. Those experiences I will never forget.

Of course a night or two out on the town was a must!!!

One blissful moment I will NEVER forget dancing in the rain at a nigthclub.  Read about it here.

I actually ended up leaving Bali a week early, yes, for real. I am in no way "bashing" Bali, because it is a special place. Three weeks was just enough for me. :) I think staying at a resort on the beach will give you a different experience than I had. Don't get me wrong, I did not have a bad time, just was nothing like I had pictured it in my head. I was able to relax, lay out, beach it, shop, eat at cool restaurants, etc. It was fine! I'm glad that I can check Bali off my list. But I'm also glad that I realized I don't have to travel halfway across the world to find "paradise." It can be a lot closer than you think. ;)

A Blissful Moment That Will Last Forever

Last night in Bali was our first "full on" club experience since arriving here a week ago. The first week here has been relaxing. We've laid out, a lot, at our private pool and at the beach. We've managed to go shopping, way too much in way too many places, yet we've actually enjoyed buying our own groceries and cooking at home some, too.

Last night however, was ON. We had a nice dinner out accompanied by cocktails. Well for me it was double Jack and Coke's. :) Soon enough we were off to the club, Skygarden. We'd heard it was a multi level club that offered different music on every level. As much as it excited us, we were also apprehensive thinking of being knocked around by hundreds of drunken 21 year-olds. Nonetheless, we persevered. I think doubling up on the Jack washed away all of my worries. ;) So we arrived to the floor of our choice, the open rooftop blasting out the latest hits.

DANCING IT IS! It was ON. If you know me, I don't need anyone to dance with. I enjoy the beat of my own drum, making my own bodily art and expression as I feel the music and vibes soak through my soul.

This night though I happened to find a cool dance partner. It's so nice to find another dancer with "good happy fun energy." Not a sleazy guy who is trying to push the moves on you, or a guy who is too drunk that steps all over you. This guy had moves, and they were awesome.

Now let me get to the BEST part. Suddenly, it started POURING raining. It was the strangest thing. It had not rained one time this whole week in Bali. But around midnight it started pouring. Of course your natural reaction is to duck for cover. However this time, I did not care. I kept dancing. We kept dancing. Rain and all. My hair was soaked. I could feel it stick to my back as I nonchalantly whipped it around with my oh so innocent dance moves. ;)

That moment of dancing in the rain (and continuing to dance being completely drenched) I will NEVER forget. Inhibitions - gone. Soul - glowing. Heart - happy. Feet - moving. Body - wet. It was the best thing ever. I was being blessed from the heavens and from the roots of my feet and soul at the same time.

What an amazing night!!!!  

Chinese Dance

I recently had the opportunity to check out a dance performance by Shen Yun - a traditional Chinese dance company based out of NYC.  It had been over a year since I've seen a dance performance.  I was excited and eager of what was about to happen before my eyes.  The energy of live dance is indescribable.  The flexibility and precision professional dancers have is mind blowing.  To me, dancing = freedom.  There are endless moves, infinite ways to express the body.  

I am infatuated with Asia.  There are so many countries and islands that encompass many different histories, traditions and beliefs that are a lot of times far fetched for us Americans.  The poise that most Asian cultures carry about themselves is admirable.  To have two of my most favorite and admired things combine before my eyes really made my soul happy.

What have you done to make your soul happy lately?

Another interesting perspective here - did you know that in China Shen Yun is not allowed to practice dance?  The Chinese government is actively preventing, the show that is offering a look into the 5,000-year-old culture, to be staged in China, because since 1949, since communism arrived in china, expression of traditional Chinese culture have been actively suppressed. 

http://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/spirituality/challenges-we-face