macaROONs, pas macaRONs

on a high fat diet...

also macaRONs, pas macaROONs

i'm not used to posting pictures of food because i'm not good at it and just because i don't like to and it's not my style... i don't consider myself a foodie nor do i even care for that term, but there are certain foods i love that are bad for me. in addition, i'm semi-lactose intolerant but i will eat cheese and ice cream/gelato regardless. i'm also going through a weird coconut phase right now, hence the macaroons. also also, people, please know the difference between macaROONS and macaRONS. i'm anal like that. the macaroons, by the way, is from proof bakery, one of my favorites in atwater village.

ice cream not pictured (because i ate it all).

create space

i think i deleted a post about getting back into yoga. i'm a month back into it and i started feeling the difference after a week. the body's muscle memory is incredible to me. yoga is harder to spring back from compared to running as far as my body and mind are concerned. you go through the first few days of soreness, but i don't think i get it as bad with running as i do with yoga. with running, i attain a healthy shape. it keeps the bad weight off, puts on muscle, and tests my endurance. it is the ultimate exercise for my body and mind type and none other works better for me on an overall level. yoga, on the other hand, doesn't keep the bad weight off as good as running does. however, it does tone my muscles, and is something i need to calm myself from the constant "pounding" of running. it helps that "gentle" part of you to be explored and exposed. it's all about balance, you know? and this kind of balance is what works for me. in yoga, when those muscles start to get loose and flexible again, it feels really great. like really, really great. my favorite yoga poses are hip-openers, inversions, and arm balances. i get really excited when the teacher mentions any of those poses during class, or even through a video at home. i am not as flexible as other yoga enthusiasts (due to injuries), but i'm strong, or can be, so anything that concerns challenges in strength is where i'm at. just remember to breathe. inhale to create space, exhale to go deeper.

what about you? what do you do to let go? what do you get excited about when it comes to physical challenges? what gets you motivated?

longings

my belly aches and my heart breaks from missing san francisco so much. i've been thinking a lot about decisions i've made, and whether or not they were the "right" decisions. my thoughts are spinning round and round... but, it's not like everything was easy up there either. after having lived in berkeley, i had this vision of living in a studio cottage with gardens surrounding it. it was completely possible, but circumstances hindered those possibilities. i feel like i also didn't give it enough of a chance, and this is where i can't seem to let go. i left too soon. the 'what-ifs' have been creeping in faster than fire spreading on dry brush. regardless, a lot happened in the one year i lived up there. even the "struggles" were worth it. i don't regret any of the things that happened, and in fact, no matter how hard things got, looking back, it was one of the experiences i felt alive. i didn't and don't disclose much about the things that happened, but it was probably where the real growth started. in any case, i would rather have gone through the struggles and cried and pried my way through than not having gone through them at all.

so now i'm back in la. basically, i came back because i missed it, but mostly because i had to choose between struggling, or having it the easy way. the easy way truly doesn't buy happiness, but at the same time, there's a relief in knowing you're taken care of and in good hands, except now, it feels too comfortable, and i'm uncomfortable with that. what is the term for someone who thrives on challenges and struggles vs. safety and comfort?

like i said, round and round...