Savasana

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Savasana, I welcome you.

We’ve worked hard for this rest.

Shut down the thoughts and tensions from the daily grind.

Slow your pulse, relax your tongue.

Your hands are done with their daily duties,

Palms skyward, heart open.

Relax, rejuvenate, recharge.

I went back to Ashtanga yesterday after a four month hiatus from the practice after falling on ice and badly spraining my wrist.  After an intense primary series practice, one of my fellow Ashtangies fell asleep in Savasana and was gently snoring on their mat.  I felt a ping of jealousy as I struggle to calm my mind event after the most intense practice and decided to use it positively.  I thought of this mantra (?) while resting and it seemed to help center my mind within me.

S’mores, Bikes, and Brews.

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Over some s’mores (pictured below) and a couple of beers, my friend and soon to be resident graphic designer brainstormed some store names.  Some of the “keepers” were: Hand Me Down Adventures, Recycled Adventures, Thrifty Trails, Second Hand Adventures, The Never Ending Trail, and Economical Explorers.

We were exiled from our home today because our landlord had an open house.  He’s trying to sell our place which makes us really sad but has also forced us to find a new place just down the street.  Instead, Jon and I went on a long bike and brew to the Enki brewery in Victoria.  On the route I bounced some ideas off some people in our group but nothing really stuck.

On a productive and green thumb note, the garden rewards for this week: too much rhubarb to handle!  I can predict some pie on our future.

How Does Your [Urban] Garden Grow?

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The student led, staff supported, grant funded garden on my floor is flourishing.

We have a variety of plants ranging from lemon basil, cilantro, Thai chili peppers, and micro greens which we sell to local businesses.  The almost closed system also has larger plants like kohlrabi and peppers and local chefs come in and teach the students how to cook with these ingredients.  Then there are the tilapia which are mostly our mascots.  Gooooooo TILAPIA!

Going With Your Gut

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Have you ever had an experience that shook you to your core?

I had one of those today, an epiphany that starting this business is what I want to do.  Today I was observed by my principal in my busiest class.  It’s United States history and we’re exploring why Marcus Garvey was so controversial.  After the lesson was over, the principal came up to me, gave me a hug, and said something along the lines of, “we’re so happy to have you, we only hear good things, etc…” Great right?

A normal person would be ecstatic with that kind of review but in my gut I was thinking, “I can’t wait to be out, what am I doing here?” I didn’t realize how unhappy I was until I started to explore what I really want to do.  Which is, foster community, recycle clothes, and promote environmentalism.

Now, I just have to start and like any good graduate student, I’m starting by doing a literature review.  I’m reading “The Four Hour Work Week” to start but am more than open to any suggestions you might have for budding entrepreneurs.

Neighborhood Adventures

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Today was a grade/teacher plan day at my school, because I didn’t have students I biked a different route.  I stumbled upon, had to stop, and snap this giant morel mushroom sculpture.  It’s legit around 10 feet tall.  I figured I should knock on it for good luck too!

Happy trails!

Big Trees, Big Hearts 

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9:18 pm

I awoke this morning to the neighborhood garage sale.  It brought in a large number of people to our otherwise sleepy Bryn Mawr neighborhood.  It was an invasion overnight and in retrospect, I guess I should start reading the neighborhood circulator.

After Jonathan and I had to walk our bikes down the street only to find our local breakfast/coffee joint overflowing with people, we decided to get out of Hennepin for the day.

As we drove north, the deciduous trees began to look less ready to burst but the coniferous trees grew tall like idols reaching their peaks to the sky with thicker trunks than anything in the cities.  We ended up at Banning State Park for some much needed H&C (hike and climb.)

We were surrounded by forrest as we made our way through the “self led trails” and there’s something about a big tree that opens my heart.  I think it stems from one of my favorite childhood books, “The Giving Tree” or the Grandmother Willow character in Disney’s, “Pocahontas.” Regardless, an old tree holds secrets for generations that humans only wish to hear.

              

Five hours later we returned to our car and reality.  But by the time we got back to the homestead, our neighborhood had cleared out and we are now sitting on our porch enjoying the full moon over the park.

Growing Roots, Taking Flight

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7:12 pm

I moved to Minneapolis on August 7th, 2014 around noon.  I took a position in a north Minneapolis school working with urban, disenfranchised youth.  People make the unfortunate joke of refering to my school and students as, “last chance high” or “dream writers” or “dangerous minds.” But there’s no Hollywood glitz and glam where I work.  It’s incredibly challenging and sometimes rewarding work.  With an emphasis on work.

This year, I’ve pledged to read more.  I compiled my reading list from Bustle and set off on a journey.  I read things I wouldn’t pick out for myself, and things my students would like.  My list includes Jay-Z’s book, “Decoded,” “Ghosts of Heaven,” Mindy Kahling’s book, “I Think All My Friends are Hanging Out without Me.” “Unbroken,” and most recently, “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin.  My most recent read has inspired me to plant roots, enjoy my day more, and find a little sunshine in everything.  Most importantly it has put me on a new path, to do what I love and love what I do.

The more I reflect on my teaching practice, the more I realize that I treat it as a job and not something I love to do.  I find myself dreading Monday mornings and looking forward to Friday afternoons.  I realize that I was looking forward to the weekends to be outside, hike, bike, workout, travel, and get my hands dirty.

As I was prepping for my trip to Scandinavia in June, I was looking for some high end gear (Arc’teryx specifically) but it didn’t necessarily have to be new.  To my surprise, there are no outdoors wear/gear consignment stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  So now I have a vision, of a neighborhood store, with community building opportunities and classes, and a portion of profits donated to environmental education and scholarships.

I have no idea where to start, so I’m starting here.  I’m putting down roots and getting ready to take myself out of my comfort zone.  I’m committed to exploring this option so I’m writing it down, taking an online seminar on start ups and talking to local business owners.  Does this mean I’m done teaching?  Not for now, I’m just exploring and I’ve signed up to teach summer school so I’ll probably teach one more year in my current position.