Listening to: Trigger Hippie by Morcheeba
My Yoga Teacher Training Course is in full swing! I have just completed my sixth week of training and to be perfectly honest, had no idea that I was signing up for this level of intensity. It’s awkward and amazing at the same time.
We meet for practice every Saturday at a Karate Dojo for nine hours, there is no air conditioning, and only one fan. Late August until now continues to be stifling with hot and humid weather here in Okinawa. I can’t complain because I miss my Bikram yoga practice from back home, the heat paired with six hours of actual practice feels strikingly similar to Bikram style yoga. There are eleven students that have come from all over to take this course. Some are natives, some are from mainland Japan, one women is from Ireland and the rest of us are from the states. Everyone brings a different yet positive energy to the class.
During the first class I felt such a range of emotions, at first I was so excited to be part of something so fun and couldn’t wait to absorb all the “enlightenment” that would pour over me. I knew the teacher already from all the yoga classes taken during my lunch hour at the fitness center. She’s got a really unique personality, I get this vibe that she is always being her true self. You how sometimes you smile to be polite even when you feel internal rage? It doesn’t seem like this ever happens to her. For example if someone ripped the mat out from under her and ran away with it, I feel like she would say something like “I didn’t care for that, perhaps she was having a terrible day.” And that would literally be the end of it. It’s inspiring to watch someone have that much control and it looks painless.
We each received an illustrated book of anatomy, highlighting all the muscles that are contracting and stretching throughout the body in the different poses. Along with this book we received a notebook, a journal, and an instruction manual that lists the meaning and the focus of each pose with the coaching tips we will give to our students when teaching the poses. This leads me to the next feeling, which was extremely awkward. After we learned the first three poses in the manual we were then told to get into groups and teach each other. Teaching a stranger something while demonstrating the pose proved to be very overwhelming for me for the first three classes. I was red in the face, sweating up a storm, and had marbles in my mouth. I couldn’t stand myself and dreaded this part of the course. I felt waves of relief when the instructor told us it was time to break for lunch or that we would have a guest speaker for an hour. This anxiety has somewhat dissipated over the last three weeks and I finally feel like it’s becoming more natural.
There are 121 pages in the manual and almost all of them have poses to learn, this past Saturday we finally wrapped up the last of the poses. Every Sunday I wake up with sore triceps, hamstrings, back, shoulders, and hips. After the first class even my ribs were sore. I thought I would never make it.
Alas I am still alive and really digging the course.
Our latest homework assignment (among many others) is to start teaching yoga for 60 minutes to at least one person per week. Clarence volunteered his time and attention to be my student.
Allow me to set the stage for you:
First we rearranged the living room, moving all the furniture to the side, we lit candles, dimmed the lights and flipped on the “Spa” station via Serius Radio. It was great.
Clarence disappeared into the bedroom to put on his yoga ensemble. He showed up wearing a speedo. I tried really hard to be professional and not burst into a laughing fit. I proceeded to ask my student if this was his first yoga class and he didn’t raise his hand, then I asked if it was his first class with me and he raised his hand eagerly.
We moved through the practice pretty gracefully. It was really great to have the spa music in the back drop. I was making everything up as I went along and feeling quite confident about it. It made me think that if I actually mapped out a few different routines that I might have a decent yoga class going upon graduation. I could have used more warrior poses mid class, and I forgot about the standing balancing poses, however Clarence is currently nursing a pulled hamstring and elbow so doing without them was to his benefit, as he is still in phase one of recovery mode.
Clarence gave excellent feedback about my class, listing my strengths and things that needed improvement. He has requested that I conduct class in our living room three times a week. I can’t wait!
Lastly, I was astounded by Clarences headstand and ability to hold the posture for several yoga breaths!
*Namaste*
RIP CHI Flat Iron
Listening to: Spacewalk by Starkey
Just a small happening and safety advisory … when flat ironing your hair and multi-tasking be sure to put the lid of the toilet seat down.
Last week I stepped on the cord while reaching for my make-up bag and sent the iron right into the toilet. At first I was scared of getting electrocuted so I called for Clarence to assist me as I watched the searing hot flat iron expel a black liquid into the toilet.
He walked in and unplugged it without hesitation. (ugg.)
The next day I felt so lucky that the local base exchange had my exact item in stock and I wouldn’t have to wait an entire light-year to receive a new one. (shipments to this island have been delayed as of late due to imaginary typhoons).
Upon purchasing this item I hear husband say “One hundred dollars!?” and then I remind him that he just purchased another motorcycle (#4) for several thousand dollars without one gripe from the likes of me.
Sometimes I have to send him gentle reminders that he is over reacting by way of folded arms and a face that depicts “are you F’ing serious?”
We’re still friends.
Listening to: Ritual Union by Little Dragon
O-Tanjoubi Omedetou! Clarence turns 37!
Clarence (who remains irresistibly young at heart) turned 37 on September 9 at 11:59 PM. I took the day off of work with intensions to bake him (EV’s) famous orange blueberry citrus cake and embarrass him at work. However, my plans were foiled by his schedule so I got the whole day to myself to reenergize and get my positivity on for the birthday weekend. Husband was fortunate to get off work early, when he arrived home at 1 PM we gave each other bedroom eyes …!!
After all the excitement husband went to the gym and went for my weekly acupuncture. We were off to a really great start. At 6:30 we headed to our weekly Japanese language lesson where Izumi-san deemed it necessary to give us a long round of applause while shouting YAY Suggoi Suggoi Suggoi (awesome, awesome, awesome) when she discovered through skills involved in our lesson that Clarence is 37, I am 34, we met in high school and are now married. The size of her eye balls grew very large and you could tell that she was genuinely surprised and elated. It made us laugh very hard. She also shook her head and told us we look like we are in our 20’s. We LOVE Izumi-san.
From there we went onto to our last super. JAM’s Steak House. It was spectacular. We sat near a bunch of pretty young Asian women who giggled and took snap shots of themselves and their food all night while giggling into their hands. They were very pleased when husband offered to take a photograph of all of them together while they displayed the peace sign with their fingers.
Clarence and I were all hyped up to practice our Japanese at the restaurant, as we just left a lesson that centered around ordering food while dining out but it was our luck that the waitress spoke perfect english and wasn’t into humoring us. No worries mate, we will have plenty of other opportunities.
We ordered Ishigaki Beef, Grilled Salmon, Curry Soup, Smoked cheese, and our meal came with toasty whole wheat buns, garlic rice, and grilled vegetables. All hail stir fried bok choy! Oishikatta (<—- is was delicious). We ate the beef rare … as per husband’s suggestion. I solute him for it too. It was not of this earth. Clarence was forced to have a pink rum cocktail because the blue one was sold out. I think this also contributed to the neighbors laughing. THEN we discovered that if it is your birthday you get a free bottle of champagne and a man with a halloween mask brings it out to you with sparklers in the bucket. They play some crazy music and everyone in the restaurant claps for you!! It was hilarious. After all this we were stuffed and had no room for tea or dessert.
We also got our picture taken under a shark hanging from the ceiling.
Finally, I labeled this event the “Last Super” because last week Clarence came home from work, looked at me with a most serious expression and said this “Honey, we are inflamed.”
So for the next 30 days, starting this morning we are going to eat low GI (glycemic) foods. Nothing can come from a wrapper. Basically, home made hummus, vegetables, certain fruits, cheese, limited seeds, and meat.
This morning we both ate orange slices, a goat cheese-spinach-mushroom omelet, and a cup of coffee. I already feel 5% less inflamed.
Listening to: No Ones Gonna Love You by Band Of Horses
Adventures of Clarence and Luvmotel continue …
A couple of Sundays ago Clarence and I were going on our second dive for the weekend. This time Clarence wanted to check out a new spot. He showed me a map on Google, noting how awesome the water would be (based on the satellite picture) and that it was right next to the dirt bike track that he frequents. If we took two cars he could stay and ride with his friends after our dive. Oh how convenient?
I wasn’t trying to be a buzz kill but I wasn’t feeling spry when I woke up so I asked if we could just go to the regular dive spot instead, one that we knew and loved. Going somewhere new is exciting, however, there will usually be some type of shenanigans attached to a new venture. I just didn’t have the energy to pursue a wild adventure that day.
Clarence agreed to go to the regular spot without even a hint of disappointment in his voice. I put on my swimsuit, a tee shirt, flip-flops, and Capri shorts. As we were leaving the house Clarence casually asked me this question … “I think we should check out the new spot … the water looked really cool, come on, what do you say?”
I begrudgingly agreed because I did not feel like arguing and was trying to appear to be a good sport. Deep sigh.
After 30 minutes of driving we pull into what looked like someone’s front yard; I noticed goats eating grass through the fence, and remember thinking; “What the heck is going on, where is the water?”
Clarence stops in front of me and tells me to pull my car over on the side of this grass driveway. Then I hop into his ride, and we continue driving until we get to the middle of a field. Clarence cuts the engine. Three seconds later a dozen mosquitos had a soiree in his car and I was the guest of honor. More deep sighs.
I look around, completely baffled by the amount of trees and fields surrounding us and the fact that there is no water in sight. I ask Clarence what we are doing in a field? He looks at me like I’m clueless and says: “Um, I thought we were diving?” If “snotified” was a word, I would use it to describe his demeanor when he answered me.
Unsatisfied with his inability to read my mind, I press on: “Where is the water?” And he tells me that its just through there (pointing to the trees).
I ask if he ever came to this spot before, possibly with any of his friends? The answer is no. I continue to ask more questions, that annoy him, such as: Well how do you know the water is through those trees? What is the inlet like? Do I have to scale the side of a rock like spider-man? Do I need a pulley to hoist myself up and down a 15 foot cliff? (Clarence shoots me a disgruntled glance.)
Clarence decides to start walking towards the trees; just in front of those trees lives a small patch of super tall grass. Only god knows what is living in the super tall grass. I tell Clarence that I am not walking through that grass in my flip-flops and capris. If I could read minds, husband was likely thinking — “ugh you are such a baby.”
Call it self preservation or whatever you like … I was not trying to visit the good for absolutely nothing Naval Hospital with a Habu snake bite. I double checked my things-to-do list and I didn’t find *Take a dirt nap* … anywhere on the list.
Like a gentleman, Clarence offers to give me a piggy back ride. He does this by saying: “get on baby.” I’m pretty sure his use of the word baby was not a term of endearment. We go through the first patch of grass to find more fields, trees, and tall bushes.
Right then and there I made the executive decision to not go any further. If he wasn’t boiling with anger at that moment, he soon would be because on the way back to the car, while he was carrying me on his back, a small ditch grabbed him by the ankle. He hopped out of the tall grass while cursing his head off for several seconds. Then he gently let me off of his back, continued cursing and removed his hat from his head to throw it to the ground in his fit of rage.
I don’t blame him, I would have been sore too. I wanted to say: “thanks for not dropping me” … but it seemed inappropriate at the time.
What I did say to him was that I loved him, I was sorry he sprained his ankle, and I warned him not to go on this mission alone. It just didn’t seem safe.
On my way home I felt like such a loser. I wished that I had braved the rainforest-jungle-tumble weed-survival dive. I sulked for a while and then decided to get over it.
Many hours later, after ignoring my advice, Clarence returned. He apologized for being angry and mentioned that it was a good thing I turned this expedition down. He went on to tell me that he faced several huge banana spiders and their massive webs. When he finally got through all the trees he found a cave. In full gear he climbed through the cave and alas the pacific was there to greet him. On a scale of one to not really worth it … he gave it a “not really worth it.”
I’m glad that Clarence came home in one piece.
*In case you are unfamiliar with the Banana Spider, 77% of the time they are harmless. 33% of the time their bites contain venom and can be life threatening.
Listening to: Cissy Strut by The Meters
Kerama Island
With the exception of the kitty emporium, all photo credits go to Clarence. He really got some fantastic shots. Our trip to Kerama Island was a huge success. Boat diving is where its at, for real!! No one has to step foot upon an uneven terrain while an evil ankle trap waits in the shadows to nab you, sending you to your eventual demise. It was easy living!
We arrived an hour early … (Clarence!!) at the port and would bide our time by stalking kitties on the sea wall. Kitties that wanted nothing to do with the pair of us. Clarence even tried to throw a crab carcass their way, no deal. These cats were busy sunning on deck while waiting for the occasional peace of rogue bait to land near them as the Japanese men went on to make their daily catch.
Alas, it was time to board the boat. It only took about 40 minutes to get to the dive spot. The water was super clear; from the surface you could see what appeared to be assorted gems that peppered the ocean floor. In fact, these spots were teaming with tropical fish, an octopus or two sheltered by a house made of coral, and lots of miniature gardens filled to the brim with soft colorful vegetation. It was a jaw dropper.
Our only complaint was that the dive master would ring a bell under the water to get our attention so that we would keep moving along and stay with the group. We realize she was just doing her job, however every five minutes these jarring jingle bells came out of thin air and stabbed us repeatedly in the eardrum whilst we were trying to enjoy the scenery and collect photos. Other than jingle bell jane, it was something to write home about indeed.
We also got to see four billy goats hopping around a little island, they just live there … eating shrubs and hanging out. In my ridiculous head it made me wonder how they got there? And what if they get stuck on a rock and can’t get down, who will know about it? Mother nature …. huh, she makes you go hmmm?
I would like to conclude this post by sharing a few deep thoughts from my dear husband.
If you have read some of my prior blogs you would probably see this coming. On Monday morning following our trip I arrive at work and see an email from Clarence with this link posted in it www.allinflatableboats.net
Clarence would like to charter his own boat so that we will not be subjected to the local’s dive schedule, their structured course, or jingles bell jane.
He’s so awesome. However, I think my arms will cease and desist if we are paddling to a place that takes 40 minutes to get to via motorized boat.
Listening to: Never Forget You by Noisettes
Visit the Seaside Cafe In Okinawa. Featuring a heaping plate of French Toast, Island’s best Big Velly Burger, Green Apple Lemonade with hint O’bubble, and last but not least, Yuzu.
Scrumptious!
Listening to: Blow’in In The Wind by Bob Dylan
Creatures.
Here is a list of the latest encounters:
26-Jul 6:05 PM An Ant on my writing desk. Note to all Ant’s in or around my house: I will continue to buy traps for your stupid little asses but beware, now I have a new pistol and this weekend, it’s curtains for you and your whole damn colony. You’ve been warned.
26-Jul 5 PM A centipede in the bathroom. Crushed to smithereens via toilet paper wad. RIP
25-Jul 7 PM An Ant on the couch, on my leg, in the bathroom, in the bedroom. What the crap? We do not even store food in these locations?
22-Jul 8 PM A lizard running through the house and Clarence chasing close behind with a plastic cup raised over his head. This was a memorable sight because he looked like he was doing a weird tribal crab dance.
21-Jul 7 PM Sidebar: I dropped a wicked awesome piece of grilled salmon on our deck (prepared with a light coat of olive oil brushed gently over the top, sprinkled with sea salt and a dash of dill, perfectly timed for 8 minutes) AND STILL NO SIGN OF BLACK KITTY.
And the best for last …
15-Jul 1PM In my car.
I asked the woman I work with to lunch (you can’t say that I’m not trying). We drove to my favorite mexican joint. I indulged in a delightfully oversized taco salad. On the way back to the office a ginormous brown water bug had made it’s way out from under the floor mat and sat right on the knee of her jeans. When she noticed what was sitting on her leg she took a piece of plastic and started to shoo it away while shouting “eww, oh my god, eww, eww!” Take note that we are in a moving car on the highway so I can’t just pull over.
Every time she shoo’d this monster it would just make a 360 degree turn and land in the same spot on her jeans. No lie this happened three times in a row.
Karma was that you old friend? I’ve been wondering where you skipped off to … hee hee hee.
Finally we got to a red light and thank the good heaven above because just then she flicked it off onto the floor where it climbed over to my side. I had to think fast so I put the car in park, looked in my side mirror as not to close-line any up coming bikers and then flung my door open to bolt onto the highway. He was staring me down from the inside handle of my car door. I removed my shoe and charged him like a fearless warrior. He was fast, I’d say faster than Usain Bolt (worlds fastest runner). Alas he scurried away on the hot pavement; I can only assume that he was ambushed by on coming traffic.
We both looked underneath our seats and floor mats before getting back into the car.
Listening to: Without You by Eddie Vedder
On Sunday, just after the Henoko Dragonboat Race, we stopped in at Cafe Kubama. Looking at Cafe Kubama from the highway you could never begin to assume all the wonderment you feel once you step inside. Clarence has some sick radar. He’s constantly sussing out the hippest places. Places that always end up high on luvmotel’s list. This place in particular serves three different varieties of curry … that in itself is solid gold. You can sit at a long bar that overlooks the ocean as you consume pizza, curry, or a cheese sandwich with a mouse stamped on it … contemplating the universe.
Bugs
Listening to: Tragedy by the Bee Gees
Tropical Islands and the beasts that inhabit them.
Husband and I were just traumatized by a huge water bug that came out of our kitchen cabinet and got away.
We are now forced to embark on a cat video excursion, courtesy of youtube, in the hopes that we will soon forget the beast that lives among us.
One more clip. This is the second DJ of the evening.
Sounds from the party last night.
I wish my iphone could have picked up more of the atmosphere. It was very bohemian.
One guy had an awesome beard and it was streaked with blonde hair. The women wore long linen dresses or tunics with loose linen shorts. Many women also topped off their party attire with a fun woven straw hat. Men were wearing cognac color leather sandals and lots of earthy colored ensembles. And Clarence looked handsome as ever.
We had a great time. Its fun to be the only Americans at a full on Japanese jam.
Listening to: Until The Morning by Thievery Corporation
Typhoon Season
We sustained 110 mph winds for several hours. Lost power three times. One gigantic tree was uprooted and toppled over into our yard and 2 baby palm trees had their tiny little trunks snapped like a wishbone. At one point I thought the plastic top sheltering our back deck was going to detach and go flying through the window of a love motel nearby like a speeding chinese star being whipped at the enemy. Clarence’s 70 pound kettle bell blew over!
I’m counting our lucky stars right now. Number one, nothing happened to Clarence when he went outside to retrieve a masonry mixing bucket that flew into our house multiple times, or when he went outside to tie the grill to the deck, or when he went outside to take this video. $200 worth of food remained unspoiled in our refrigerator while the power was out. Clarence and I had lots of sexy time. No one in Okinawa was hurt or went missing. And finally, we had three of the most amazing and brilliantly sunny days following the typhoon. Which we took full advantage of by riding bikes, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
Mother Nature 0
Luvmotel 1
