jappy halloween

the best 26 years of my life...

i read a quote the other day. thought it kinda funny

"statistics say those who have more birthdays live the longest"

this picture does not depict how i feel after my first year of grad school

dare i say i believe i deserve my three months vacation starting in 2 weeks?.... 

Halloween painting..on my street with my two housemates in their first ever Halloween costumes. we have Frida Kahlo on the left and a goblin on the right..

actually just watched Frida for the first time . beautifully filmed movie, i feel inspired.

Frida.

birthday dinner with Uni girls from my masters program...at a bar down the street from my house

I went to the Mind Body Spirit Festival Today in Sydney with some friends and it was very fun and relaxing day to take for a De-stress day from class work.  The other day I was actually discussing with my housemate about the Paradox of our Age written by the Dalia Lama,and  at the festival today my housemate bought me the script. so sweet. its one of my favorites. I don't think I have ever read a statement that was so clear. and so. spot on.

A couple times a month some girls from my program like to meet for trivia at this Irish Pub down the street from my place. Taking place on a Thursday night since we don't have classes on Friday, its a perfect way to unwind and have some fun. The other night we rocked out and for the first time since we started playing we got second place and won 20 bucks!! Though some say second place is first losers, we felt like champions and all went across the street and spent our hard earned money on some delicious gelato! ahhh YUM. 

 life is good. :-D

rockin rocks

Though winter time is not nearly the struggle as it is in the States for finding fun activities to do when it is so cold, my friends and I have found my new favorite hobby!!  Indoor Rock Climbing!!! So cheap for students, its hard to resist!

 Always wanting to give rock climbing a green for go, I'm glad Ive finally given it a chance, even if it is indoors! Baby steps for sure,when it warms up I think Ill definitely have to give it a shot outside when I have my summer break. ;-)

Living Social...the real deal ;-)

Thanks to one amazing living social deal, I have been hitting the yoga mats at least 4 days a week at this studio about an hour walk from my house..

The deal is three months unlimited yoga for $49.... Can it get any better then that?!

PURE BLISS

Though I sometimes take the bus early mornings and when I'm running late, I prefer to stroll from my house with or without my music to clear my head and enjoy the beautiful area. Serenity at its finest, it has been this walk before and after yoga that has helped me find balance and peace of mind :-)

 

Since I don't know how to crack a coconut  without a machete, this is seriously second best! What I've been drinking after each class or at least once a day.. Obsessed. Talk about  refreshing and replenishing! :-)

   Just some pictures of my daily stroll...since I currently cannot afford to live by the beach,  I am constantly trying to find less stressful ways to unwind and keep it real..

             

Given that I find it hard to pass a shop without peeking in or "browsing" through the merchandise, Ive found just taking a camera to snap some shots helps to ease the urge of buying things I  do not need, and therefor do not want. :-) Bad habits die hard, but I WILL most certainly break it. Mark my word.! Especially since I donated practically everything I owned before moving here, I definitely don't need to start the cycle of collecting anymore "STUFF"

                   

nice breeds nice?.. planting seeds for positive change

Lately I have really been pondering the saying ‘nice breeds nice’. If one puts positive vibes out into the universe, has good intentions, and seeks kindness to others, then love and compassion from others is what you will receive in return?

 In a dream world maybe, but unfortunately this statement is far from the truth for many.  The more I explore and look for people who embody such selfless traits, the more I realize how there are very few who exhibit the authentic behavior on a regular basis.  We can all put on a smile and happy face but I wonder frequently the depth of people’s sincerity….

The more I meet and mingle with people from all different social circles, cliques, cultures, ethnicities, the more I realize how if you want respect, then you must be pretty dominant and demand it.

Sadly, this is not what I want. I want respect, but I most certainly do not want to demand anything….Though we are all just trying to find our ways in this cruel world, is it possible for us to put aside the ego and truly embrace the genuine good in humanity?

Love everyone, Trust no one.

Getting ready to embark on backpacking adventure through South East Asia, I’m starting to mentally and physically prepare myself for the exploration that is to come. Meeting and discussing with others about lifestyle that awaits, I am constantly reminded to be on my toes at all times. Half of the problems with traveling among people from all over the world are not just the locals in the town whom prey on tourists, but the tourists themselves who ravage each other. Peers against peers, many put on a front of wanting to better themselves, however wreak havoc wherever they go stealing everything the second a back is turned. What just boggles my mind is the more I think about it, the more common this seems to be in all areas if life. Though it seems to be less obvious, we are all doing this to eachother every single day whether we see it or just choose to ignore it. People seem so entitled to act superior in whatever they do and wheverver they go. Its as if everyones intentions are all on the surface to uphold this image, but in reality nobody actually gives a sh*t about anyone except themselves.

To avoid being a doormat, we all have to learn how to protect ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally so not to get walked on and to ensure that we are free from the possibility of getting hurt. A battlefield for sure, I sometimes cringe in the idea that every man is an island that needs to fend for his self.

Having been vulnerable in the past, I was taken advantage of from trying to see the good in others. During a particular phase when living abroad in Central America I was spending everyday with two Americans from Miami whom I most certainly thought were my friends. Always the discussion of locals being a concern I completely underestimated the potential harm U.S. “friends” could do.  Ironically enough I was stripped of close to $1000 from my own country men when they slipped my credit cards into their wallets while I was showering, and they spent my hard earned $3 dollars an hour salary around town care free with what seemed to be no regret. I opened my home, kitchen, bed, friendship, and heart to these people and then together they stripped me not only my money, but of hope I had at the time in the goodness of others.

Not even a month after this incident, I actually did end up getting robbed from the locals of the community I was living in after all. Breaking into my house while I was sleeping, these four convicts stole all my worldly possessions that I had at the time (computer, iPod, iPod player, camera, jewelry, cash...) Hmmm….Bad breeds Bad???

Karma or not, who knows… but after these 2 events occurred it became easier to adapt to the mentality of screw others, trust no one. I created this “excuse” that it was ok to be selfish because if you are not then people will take advantage of you. No one wants to be a pushover or a doormat.   Maybe I was way too trustful and naïve in wanting to see good in others, but after that happened no one was worth my time or energy because I honestly thought no one really cared about anyone but themselves.

So I myself soon adapted a more superficial approach to life and living. It became easier to ignore others’ feelings.  Having the focus on me, the consequences of my actions were irrelevant and I did only what I wanted, not caring for the response or reactions from others. I did this for my benefit, and for no other reason. Like a drug, I was addicted to being selfish and associating myself with very materialistic items and a way of life that felt good. But like any over indulgence, too much of a good thing can make you sick, and similar to an addiction to a drug, the high was temporary. I have found in my own experiences, that it is so easy to get caught up in our own self satisfaction, that we can easily forget what humility and humbleness feels like. Not liking the person I was becoming even when I was getting everything I wanted, I knew that it was time to take a step or ten back. Getting what we think we want, is not always necessarily what will really make us happy. There is no way in hell that happiness can come from greed and materialistic items. Temporary happiness: Sure. But what happens when those items are robbed, broken or destroyed  right under our noses?

Just catching the bus home the other night, I was approached by an older woman who obviously had some mental disability, asking me for a dollar to spare. Lying through my teeth, with a pocket full of one dollar coins, I said I had nothing. I initially thought to myself if I gave everyone who asked me for a dollar in this city, I would have no dollars for myself!!!   But after I denied this old woman my money, I thought of an old friend whom I spent a lot of time with who taught me some pretty amazing lessons in life solely through his behavior and how he associated with others.  A hard worker, who made pennies compared to the average Joe, he would go out of his way and help those who were less fortunate then himself everyday. Sharing leftover food, spare change from his pocket, verbal comfort and support, he would always just smile and shrug after helping people from all walks of life. Never discussing the reason for his actions, it was obvious the love he shared was of genuine humble interest to spread goodness and it radiated from his soul during his good deeds.

All the situations we are faced with on a regular basis, if all of us are ignoring these saddest of circumstance right in front of our noses, are any of us doing anything to change and reach out in other ways??  If we can’t even confront what is directly in front of us, what about on a larger scale? Though we consciously seem to be aware for a second, and pretend to "really care"  but are any of us really doing anything to contribute to better ourselves and ultiamtely better our society? 

Considering we all experience the hardships of life, it is sooo easy to get caught up in our own sob stories and self interest that we forget about reaching out and caring with a unassuming nature to others. This ego has become such a large part of our identities that we tend to cling and define ourselves through this image of self worth and superficial things. We make these excuses to ourselves and to others for reasons why we behave and treat others the way we do.
Just reflecting on my time in Central America on how upset and angry I got when everything was taken from me shows how greed can overpower us without even realizing.  It literally took two extreme cases such as this to really open my eyes of how much power it had over my own life.

Like a swaying pendulum, from one extreme to another I am yearning once again to seek and find goodness in myself and others.  I am also seeking to find value in less superficial things that we seem as a society to put so much value into.

 My intention is to truly make an effort to simplify my life and to lose the judgment that I carry of myself and of others. I want open my heart and mind, and embrace love and energy to keep this intention close to manifest positive change in life.

There really is so much beauty in this world, and if we can all make small changes every day to add value and purpose to our actions instead of greed I think that we can open our hearts more to trust and see the good in others as well as ourselves. 

As some of the greats (Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, Princess Diana, Martin Luther King Jr. etc.) have demonstrated, this IS possible. Though it is not something that is achieved overnight, we all have the humanity.

 Similar to a lit candle in a dark room, we all have the ability to emit light to the darkness of bad situations. All it really takes is a tweak in our consciousness and awareness to extend out to make the right decisions.  I want to believe again that nice does breed nice, that positive and genuine actions do make change for a better world. That well, all  of us deep down  do really care about others  even if our actions say otherwise. If we can learn to lose the ego, and just let go, I can only imagine the possibilities...

Saturdays with "Bruce Wayne"

Since arriving in Sydney I have had the intention of finding a job given that I am supporting my entire education from the “infamous student loans”..Considering the first semester was a pretty transitional time, with getting used to being back in school and all! I figured I’d hold off and make sure I was well adjusted before going on the hunt. I guess I didn’t even factor into the equation the possibility of a job finding me.

I actually really lucked out with my job working with "Bruce Wayne". Having befriended some second year masters students after I arrived, I was contacted one day by a girl with an opportunity to work her old job that she was no longer able to. She informed me that it was a pretty easy set up as I would be a companion or “executive personal assistant” (as he likes to call it) to a 40 year old dying man with Motor Neuron Disease aka Lou Gehrig's disease..  A disease I mostly knew about through the obvious famous Steven Hawking, but also from having to read Tuesdays with Morrie exactly three different times from high school to college for a variety of classes.

Motor Neuron Disease is when messages from nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are disrupted, the result being gradual muscle weakening, and wasting away which eventually destroys the cells that control muscle activity for speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing. Though the prognosis is different for everyone, in "Mr. Wayne’s" case he is in his third and expected final year of the disease. Though I did some reading to understand exactly what was going on, most of my knowledge about the effects of the disease I have to admit came from the New York Times bestseller…

Sometimes I have no choice but to just laugh about different situations I have found my self in over the years.  This job for instance almost forces an “executive assistant” to experience a roller coaster worth of emotions and possible psychological counseling for the not so thick skinned. Though I have learned that I’m capable of handling some pretty crazy stuff, it ceases to amaze me the curve balls we are thrown in life.  What originally started as a job to assist him in lighting cigarettes (yes, really.) has turned into a position where I am doing way more then I ever imagined doing for anyone… From watching Pixar movies, helping with finances, to even writing letters from beyond the grave, I am learning a book full of life lessons: more then I could have ever learned from good old Morrie. 

One of his sketches  

Just another chapter in the book of life, my eyes have once again been opened to the beauty of living to the fullest when you can. Spending 30+ hours a week with a 40 year old dying man will make you appreciate what you have and realize that no matter your problems, they could most certainly always be worse. "Mr. Wayne", a previous creative arts director for numerous magazines and TV shows in Sydney, could quite possibly one of the most eccentric and artistic people I have ever met.  We discuss lots of different matters during my 9 hour, and sometimes 24 hour shifts, but some of the most momentous are when we discuss theories and experiences in life.  For instance he has explained to me a couple times one of the biggest issues he has with his illness is the regret he feels about delaying his dreams of finishing a comic book he started when he was younger.  After having shared with me the book in progress I can understand the disappointment of not finishing and fulfilling a passion you thought was destiny. Constantly reminding me to fulfill dreams, and do what I want now, he can be pretty inspirational considering the circumstances  

 

 

Though obviously the job can be pretty morbid at times, 4 months into it I have realized I have no choice but to be in it for the long haul. As sarcastic and quirky as most of  the character personalities in his sketches, "Bruce Wayne" has become a good friend whose advice and opinion I have sought out more than once. Oddly enough, I am thankful to have such an interesting unconventional boss. Maybe I can be a little overly optimistic at times. But all in all, sometimes I just have to smile when I think about how I found a really good friend in Sydney in one of the most unlikely of places. LIFE most certainly works in mysterious ways…   

 That is all. Have a wonderful day!!!

Some of my favorites :-D

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” – Dr. Seuss

 "A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads  to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly  but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows and bubbles all around"

  

   

 The mind is everything. What you think, you  become - Buddha

"And remember, no matter where you go, there you are- Confucius

“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.” - Lao Tzu

       



" No one can ruin your day without your   permission"

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.......

"A candle throws its light into the darkness. In a nasty world, so shines the good deed. Make sure the fortune that you seek is the fortune that you need"- Ben Harper

Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food

Trying to eat "healthy" is a battle most people encounter on a regular basis.  There are always those nacho and ice cream cravings that you sometimes can’t get through the day without. Not to mention the late night pizza or Australian equivalent: KEBABS. And of course the reason for eating late night to begin with....alcohol. The deal sealer.  The X's on your eyes. The reason you want to resort back to those not so healthy options even after the fact...

Ahh..It’s a never ending cycle of Crave. Consume. Regret. (at least in my life) Though I agree 120% there needs to be indulgences in life. I’m discovering more and more each day how much we all just need to find the balance to food and our consumption. How can we find a healthy routine that incorporates the elements that will allow us to feel in harmony with our bodies and our surroundings? Yes it will be different for everyone.  However I wanted to share my latest and greatest development of food in my life.  A process in which I am intentionally having to make very mindful decisions about the process of selecting food and to make this latest phase of my life not about a diet craze, but about a lifestyle change.  I’m writing this not only to share with whomever cares about selecting healthier food for overall well being, but also as encouragement for myself to remember the roots of why I want to really jump in head first to this lifestyle.  I’m hoping that in sharing this new and exciting journey it will also help me to stay focused on my goal, and that goal is simply, to  feel organically happy and healthy, because  YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. J

  "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

I have to thank both of my fabulous parents for ingraining the power of healthy food into my life at a young age.  My mother, though she died at the tender age of 46, was the beacon of health, teaching me the value of creating, mixing and trying new and different foods to create a palate of delicious goodness not only for the taste buds but for the bod.  The turning point however for discovering the POWER of food came when my mother fell ill of melanoma skin cancer with a brain tumor. Through her treatment of the traditional medical procedures consisting of chemo, radiation, and surgeries, my father took it upon himself through the education of library books and many out of the box practitioners to incorporate my newest friends...the SUPER FOODS into her and our lives.

At the age of 15, when my father started bringing home all organic fruits, vegetables, pureed wheat germ, wheatgrass, spirulina and berry mixes such as Acai among other vitamins and supplements I didn’t think much of it, however rolled with the punches and helped in the process of getting my mother to consume it.   Pumping all these foods into her and our systems opened my eyes to how beneficial food can be to a person and their overall wellness.  Though obviously my mother didn’t make it, it is amazing how healthy and vibrant she was through her illness and I like to believe to this day, it had all to do with my father’s innate response to take it back to the basics with nature's way.  I don’t think my father to this day understands the seeds he planted in my life for discovering new ways to take care of our bodies, for they clearly are vessels that need to be treated with care and respect so they can thrive,enhance, and protect us in every situation we encounter and  face on an everyday basis.

Monteverde Friends preparing food together

After college, having battled finding a healthy balance with the regular consumption of alcohol and all varieties of healthy and unhealthy food, I took a teaching position in a small mountain community in the cloud forest of Costa Rica.  Among many beautiful life changing experiences I encountered during my year and half life living in Monteverde, one of the most influential was discovering a class of people whom really explored new food ideas with delicious healthy ingredients.  The majority of the people whom I worked with and lived among through the community had adapted a vegan or vegetarian diet of some sort. Many of them also adapted a sustainable living environment where they raised their own chickens and produced their own dairy. Through weekly potlucks and group dinners my world in this area of living expanded above and beyond. They broadened my awareness and taught me new ideas and techniques of how to create beautiful tasty dishes using natural ingredients.  This “healthy” way of living I soon discovered was not just something that occurs occasionally for these people, or once a week for the communal dinners...



Friends chowin down at a dinner

    This was a LIFESTYLE. My friends not only worked together, but shared together outside of school. Helping each other in the community was a focal part of everyday life.  This even included  participating in activities such as yoga, hikes through the cloud forest, environmental education, salsa dancing and many other simple natural influences. From my perspective, the focus was organic.  The intention was to keep life as simple enough to enjoy and thrive off of what the community has to offer. At the time, since I was still new to this way of living, I embraced the lifestyle but was hesitant at times knowing it would take time to be so full on. Overall this experience was the catalyst for positive change in my life.  I am eternally grateful that I lived among such a vibrant community in a Eco-friendly culture with some of the most amazing, influential,and inspiring people I have ever met.

Me with fellow teachers at a  Potluck dinner

Having lived at home with my father for the past year after Costa Rica and before my most recent move to Australia, I was once again emerged into a health zone.  It is refreshing to see the person my father has developed into over the past 11 years since he first discovered the power of food. Every morning I had a fresh smoothie waiting in the fridge when I woke up pumped with vitamins and  healthy goodness. Among the delicious breakfasts we had everyday, we ate regular meals that consisted of fresh vegetables and local fish and crabs that my father and other members of the community caught. It was during this time when I lived at home, or honestly looking back on it, the year I lived in a retreat, I was again taught the value of taking care of our bodies through food and how to do it through moderation and portion control.  One of the greatest lessons my father has taught me since my mother’s illness and his own cancer experiences, (given that he has been diagnosed twice with two different types) “Your body talks to you, you have to have the intuition and the sense to listen to it.” Though my father told me this when I was 15, I think I am finally learning the true meaning of it 10 years later. What exactly are our bodies telling us? How do we feel after we eat a cheeseburger versus a salad packed with nutrition? Delicious Satisfaction for a split 60 seconds, but an hour later? How do our body respond physically? How do we feel mentally? How full are we?

Me and my Dad

I'm certainly not the expert on portion control and eating healthy food by any stretch of the imagination, Ive definitely eaten my fair share of cheeseburgers.  What I'm getting at though, is when comparing the two options and then reflecting on our bodies response to them, what is the difference? Is it worth it, and are there short and  long term effects to either option?

home grown wheatgrass at my Dad's

 The entire reason for choosing to write this blog today is that I have been on one of the greatest health kicks of my life for the past month and have never felt so alive, energized or empowered.  It has simply just opened my eyes once again to the power of food. I think we sometimes under estimate the value of nature and what is so voluptuously provided for us on this luscious earth.
 The beauty of nature surrounds us and if we take a step back and look at all of the health benefits that eating natural raw food does for our bodies I think we will be amazed the power that can come from within. Evidence based research has shown the healing components that food can have for us not only physically but mentally as well. For example just having two hand fulls of cashews has been proven to have the therapeutic equivalence of a prescription of Prozac which is used to treat depression.

 One of my favorite documentaries which has inspired me to embrace a more organic approach to this way of living is the film FOOD MATTERS which shows more in depth ideas of what all these super foods can do for us. Just my latest and greatest of new hobbies, I hope whoever reads this understands why I or anyone would want to embrace the simplicity of it all. Obviously I am no expert on the topic, but I just wanted to share, discuss, and embark in discovery  with  anyone who is curious of the benefits of  nature and and how beautiful it can be to our lives both inside and out. J