yawn yawn yawn yawn

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO tired.... I don't want to think about how many hours I have been in the office this week. I have two days left and have a desire to clear my desk, but the problem is that things keep landing on it! I fear I will be working into the wee small hours tomorrow night. I will certainly deserve my break!

My trip is finally taking shape - I booked another hotel yesterday, one that costs more in the £20 per night mark, so it seems that it will be of good standard (comparatively speaking!) - hopefully it will have wi-fi, but I won't get my hopes up about that too much! The booking procedure seemed a bit dodgy - the man on the phone asked me when I was arriving, if I wanted a/c and what my name was. I am however more confident that the airport pickup will happen as the man in the 'travel centre' seemed more reliable so at least I know I will get to the hotel. I will definitely be calling on Tuesday to confirm my reservation!

I have also put together a rough plan of where I am going to be when, which is as follows:-

Dec 6 - 15th Delhi
Dec 15 - Jan 6 Palolem
Jan 7 - Jan 10 Mumbai
Jan 10 - Jan 13 Bangkok
Jan 13- Jan 20 Yoga Thailand
Jan 20- Jan 21 Bangkok
Jan 21 - Jan 26 Jakarta
Jan 27 - Feb 7 Jungle yoga
Feb- 7 - 27 Thailand/Cambodia? etc
Feb 27 - Mar 1 Delhi
Mar 1 Fly home


The two retreats I haven't booked, so are subject to availability... but that works out at about 6 weeks of retreating in a 12 week break, which isn't bad going. I am still undecided about Mysore, its still a possibility for February - and it's something I am really torn over, I do want to go, but there are so other places I want to go to as well.... decisions decisions.

I have also pretty much organised to meet a friend for the week at Yoga Thailand, which will be great :-D

I did go to practice last night, I struggled through the standing poses, then gave up due to my typhoid arm hurting too much. I helped adjust for the rest of the class; so the evening was not a total waste!

And now, work.....

Ouchhhh

I had my typhoid shot last night and now my arm really hurts... feel like I was punched very hard. I normally sleep on my left hand side, so ended up waking up numerous times during the night as I rolled over and it hurt.... hopefully it will loosen up later and I will manage to do some yoga.

Last night I spent 4 1/2 hours setting up my travel laptop with everything I need. A clean re-install followed by downloading about 100 updates - oh, how I love Microsoft.... NOT. It is an old laptop, but half the size of the one I have at home, and conveniently fits into the detachable daysack for my rucksack. Today all I need to do is update the Wi-fi drivers and hopefully I will be ready to go. (oh, and copy some music onto it...). It better not get stolen after all this effort!

Still shed loads of work to do and my nice early start was ruined by the District line, which was not running at all. BOO HISS - refund form, here we come.

All good things come to an end

I have one week till I go. I spent the first two hours of my morning at the Indian embassy getting my visa - most dull, but at least it is out of the way.

I am now trying to sort out my accommodation in Delhi, not proving fun, but I think I have found somewhere which will be OK if they have vacancies... must phone them at lunch time. The first place I found is only £4.50 per night, perhaps a little less than I had hoped to pay, they keep e mailing me, which, if they are desperate for customers, isn't a good thing!!!

Things still a bit mad at work - doesn't really feel like I will be leaving my desk for 3 months.... have to get my laptop sorted with everything I need to be able to work whilst I am away - yawn... a chore for tonight.

Said farewell to Mr. Date this morning; I wonder if fate will have our paths cross again in the future?

And as for yoga - I didn't do any yesterday - 12 hour shift in the office, and I probably won't do any today as I have too many things to do... well, maybe I'll fit in a little this evening....

Making progress

I am finally making some progress towards my departure - still not entirely sure of my schedule for Delhi - I think it will have to change it around so that I do my touristy stuff at the beginning and my work before I leave; but no bother. Must book a hotel tonight or I will end up staying somewhere dodgy...

Today I started on my to-do list... I have bought pretty much all the stuff I need - got a rucksack yesterday, today I spent £115 in Boots buying antimalarials and all the toiletries, cosmetics, medicines etc that I will need for the trip. I have taken my phone to be unlocked, then on Tuesday I have my booster jabs and get my visa!

I am not sure that I will find anywhere to do yoga in the first 10 days, so its just up to me and my mat... shouldn't be a problem though, I hope!

This weekend I did a good class yesterday, but have come out of it with sore triceps - not sure why!! Today I did a friends British Wheel assessment class - not exactly thrilling stuff, lifting arms up and down, breathing, building up to .... trikonasana, then cooling down.... she taught it will though :-)

Can't believe that in just over a week I will be on my way!!!!

Going to see James Bond tonight - I hope it's as good as Vanessa suggests ;-)

Another Friday comes and goes

I got up this morning and did my usual Friday practice at 6. I am quite getting used to doing it now. We usually precede it with Curry on Thursday night, which is nice! I even strayed from my usual sag paneer last night and had dahl... plenty more of that to come soon!

I still notice that my morning practice is stiffer than practicing later in the day, but what I do like about it is how meditative it is. I can get up at 5.50 do yoga then watch the world wake up as I have my breakfast. If I were to get up at 5.50 and just get going for my day, I would feel horrible and tired, but doing the yoga doesn't have that effect - my body seems to perceive it as rest time still!

One more week at work, and making some progress towards my departure! I am also hoping not to leave too late tonight so that I can get a round of Karaoke in at the local pub with my colleague before I go home :-D

Ouchhhhhh

Had a nice practice last night - just straight primary series, but I was quite in my flow. Three of us did the class - it could have been a bit faster really, but one of the ladies is pretty much just a beginner and is kind of slow. I took things at my own pace and just stopped now and again for them to catch up. Note to self - if you do Mysore practice this will not happen.... all the more reason to 'go Mysore' after my TT course is finished.

With assistance I pretty much managed Supta K. I can grab my fingers, but the pull back from my legs on my shoulders is pretty strong, so I can't hold it for so long. If I could actually get my legs properly over my shoulders, I guess it would be easier, but my left hamstring is still playing up a bit, so it isn't comfortable.

I got an absolutely MASSIVE cramp in my left calf doing Setu Bandhasana; OMG I thought my leg was trying to rip itself apart. When I rolled out of it, I think my teacher thought I had hurt my neck - she was quite concerned. But OUCH.... I could hardly walk out of class, it felt like I had done 200 calf raises with 50Kg weight! Today it doesn't hurt so much, but is just really, really stiff - lactic acid overload! Hopefully it will be OK in step class :-S

Health warning

This is nothing like Ashtanga.... I think this is what Rodney Yee's DVD should have on it! I am not normally one for yoga DVDs, but last night I practiced with the neighbour and she had bought Rodney Yee's DVD. The practice claimed to be advanced - which it was to the extent that it had some interesting transitions from headstand into arm balances, but other than that, it was pretty lame. During the 50 minute 'total body' practice I never even broke into a sweat! I also found that the sequence flowed really, really quickly - almost too fast, never holding any posture for more than a couple of breaths. He and his editors also didn't do a great job, and on two occasions a posture given on the right was not repeated on the left.... ahh well, I needn't do it again. Whinge over!

Proper Ashtanga tonight, that will keep me happy. And between me and that practice stand 10 hours at work!

I was pleased to find out yesterday that girl I know from my step class will be in Delhi at the same time as me. We are going to exchange contact details at class tomorrow!

I sold my soul...

.... for a date. What was I thinking, missing practice too - oops, where did my self discipline go? Oh well, I only have two more weeks in London before I leave for India, what could I do?

Nice early start in the office for me - 7am... I have to leave early as I have an appointment to get jabs etc for India - shame I left my record card at home and have to go back and get it before the appointment - Damn...

I have a clear evening, so will definitely fit in practice later on.

Now, WORK!

Christmas

Is it just me, or is Christmas being promoted even more this year than ever before? I seem to have received e mails, mail shots, inserts with bills, all about Christmas!! Its such a waste of paper for a start and I am not buying anything this year. I am sure I don't remember being this bombarded before, or maybe its just because I won't be here for Christmas??

Yoga has been fine - nothing interesting to report - practiced on Friday morning, and then went to a led primary class in Dublin this morning. The teacher was fine, a stand-in apparently. I had a few mat etiquette issues, someone who came late plonked themselves right next to me and didn't stagger, despite having 2 metres of room in front of her - D'oh, why not just move forward instead of having to avoid my arms all of the time.... perhaps I was in her spot??? Who knows!

2 weeks 2 days to go, and still done nothing on the to do list....

Am I mad?

I have two weeks left in the office and loads of work to finish off. My colleague comes into my office with one of my cases and says, "something has come in on this, as you are going away soon, I'll deal with it, OK?".

So, what is the first thought that goes through my head "It's my case, you can't take it away from me".... whoa, hold on brain, re-think.... right answer is "thank you so much, feel free and enjoy!"

I think I am a bit weird sometimes; it's only work after all!

Todays post

Its funny how being mentally exhausted seems to make you physically exhausted - I worked another really long day, and my practice was so lacking. I went in with an open mind, and didn't feel physically tired, but I just really couldn't summon up the enthusiasm to do much. My colleague tells me that this is how normal people feel all the time when faced with the prospect of exercise - and that I am just a yoga junkie!

As I have trouble getting the backs of my arms to the floor in Kapotasana, my teacher decided to use me to demonstrate kapotasana around a chair - I thought I might die - I don't think my problems are related to muscle stiffness, but compression in the shoulders; bone meets bone, it doesn't go any further - see the photo in this entry. I really couldn't breath, she insisted it was a panic reaction... I wasn't convinced!

As i finished my practice and assessed how half hearted it had been, I started to look forward to all the yoga I have ahead of me - a time to really concentrate on doing it properly, really trying.

Yesterdays post

I am really busy; OK, it's probably my own fault. Yesterday I had a pretty awful hangover and was not at all productive, so today I had LOADS to do. My boss joked with me that maybe I wouldn'thave time to go away - hopefully he isn't right; the stuff I am busy with is the stuff that would need to be done anyway and doesn't include all of the extra stuff I am going to start doing VERY SOON, in order to make my departure from London stress free....

Got to work at 8, and worked till 7, came home with more work to do whilst waiting for a builder to come over and discuss the finer points of a new partition wall.... what fun - NOT.

I had no time for yoga today; was at the point where I just couldn't have less sleep in order to fit in my practice and be constructive at work. I did practice yesterday, with the hangover and I will practice tomorrow.

I was thinking how much easier life would be if I didn't have to go to work, and then realised that in 2 and a half weeks I won't have to, for THREE WHOLE MONTHS! Hooray. Any lack of practice this week will be more than made up for when I get to India.

Not managed to do anything on the to-do list yet.... ought to print it out or something, as a reminder.

Yesterdays blogging effort

I wrote yesterday, but for some reason it didn't upload. I saved a copy of my post, restarted my laptop then forgot about posting it..... so it will come tonight - if I remember.

Full Full Full

Ugh - I am so full of curry - I have eaten out TOO MUCH of late. Yesterday I ate all of my meals out, today 2 of 3... I feel fat and bloated!

Didn't manage to practice on Friday - ended up going out Thursday night so a morning practice was out of the question, then went out again with colleagues in the evening.

Practice today was fine - nothing particular to report, didn't brunch with the yogis as I met up with my mum - the last time before I go away ...

I booked my first connecting flight today - Delhi to Goa 15th Dec. I am looking forward to going now, and my plans are taking shape. I have been getting quite stressed about how much there is to do and how little time I have to get it all done in, and how many people I want to see. I have also been really enjoying things in London recently too, and a little part of me doesn't want to leave at all.... but I deserve this break, and London will still be here when I get back.

Current to do list:
get Indian visa
unlock mobile phone
pay car tax
pick up 3 months worth of contact lenses
tell bank that I am going away
tell freeholder of my block and make sure service charge bill is e mailed to me
Get booster jabs
decide which yoga courses I am going to do and book them
finish off shed loads or work!!

Well, that's not such a bad list - I wonder how many of these were on my last to do list???

I also want to fit in seeing the Chola: Sacred Bronzes of Southern India exhibition at the Royal Academy and the Rodin Exhibition, also at the RA.

Should be able to fit in yoga tomorrow, thankfully, need to sweat out 10 tons of curry before my date in the evening...!!!

Madness

I went over to H&M at 9 this morning to try and pick up a Viktor and Rolf trench coat for my friend in Ireland - It was mad, absolutely packed out. I didn't get the mac; I saw a few people holding them, but everything was off the racks in seconds!

Practice yesterday was really good, only two of us there - our teacher was messing around with us a bit, trying to get us to do some stuff from the end of second series - all rather lost on me really; she probably shouldn't have bothered! Before class I felt really lacking in energy so bought myself an energy drink - not Red Bull, but a cheap imitation, not sure if that helped my practice any, but the sugar and caffeine rush certainly worked and woke me up. As I lay in Savasana my mind was far from still, contemplating some weird stuff.

On top of all that, I had finally laid Mr Date to rest in my mind - detachment actaully working, finished class got on the tube, turned on my phone and had a text message from him; and like all things, the cycle starts all over again - what have I done to deserve it ;-)

Booked

I booked my flight to India last night. I fly to Delhi on Tuesday 5th December and return to London from Delhi on Thursday 1st March. So I leave in 27 days; I have a list as long as my arm of things that I need to do.

I am a little nervous about it, but also excited :-D

Early early early

When my alarm went off this morning the first thought that ran through my head was, oh god, I am so tired.... then I remembered that it was 5.55 and I had yoga to do.

It wasn't really a very good practice - felt slow and slovenly, but better than not moving at all.

Yesterday I did a couple of good drop backs unassisted - good to get away from THE FEAR. Cannot for the life of me get back up yet. As I was hanging out in Urdva Dhanurasana I remembered how easy it was as a child to kick my legs up and come out of it as a backwards walkover. In my old age that would just be IMPOSSIBLE.

Had an e mail from my colleague today, he is organising meetings for me whilst I am away - joy.... three months out of the office do not equate to three months off work, it would seem!

Working on another exercise in detachment... men...... bah.

Monday

One would be forgiven for believing that my personal new years resolution was to give up blogging ... it wasn't, but what with 'the date', 'the birthday' and 'the birthday party' followed by a TT weekend, I haven't had much time to contemplate all things yoga.

The aforementioned events rather hampered my yoga practice, on Friday I was so hung over - thanks friends who bought me birthday drinks - that I couldn't even get out of bed !!!

When I arrived at the office this morning I had a present waiting on my desk - Gregor Maehle'sAshtanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy, from my colleague - what a star! I will have to try and resist spending the day reading it!

There is not an awful lot to speak about on the yoga front. On Saturday in TT we practiced giving purely verbal instructions for postures - our teacher was pretending to be a complete beginner and wasn't making it at all easy for us. I had to get her into Parivritta Parsvakonasana, hmm, more practice required. On Sunday we we studying Ayurveda, something that I know a bit about from India last year.

4 weeks today till I depart - ARGHHH; things are going to get really busy from now on!

A new year....

For me anyway - today was my 32nd Birthday. Its been a year with many new experiences, some of which I hadn't expected to encounter.

Anyway, I have decided to start with a clean slate tomorrow and see what this next year of my life throws at me.

Date last night went well - he came from his yoga class - always good news. Who knows what will happen next, but I am looking at that as a good thing.

Practice today was great - I felt really tired, but my body was responsive, and my teacher was being especially nice as it was my birthday.

All in all, a good day. And now to bed.....