Working on those goals :)

I may have mentioned before that my most recent life/career goals include taking a yoga instructor course and obtaining certification as a holistic nurse.

Last week I contacted a yoga studio near my house. I had search tons of programs near my home and even up to an hour away. The problem was scheduling, every program meets Friday-Sunday. Unfortunately, I have to work 2 Fridays every month so that wasn't going to work for me. When I thought all was lost, I came across Tulaa Yoga Studio. This studio is 30 minutes from my house and meets every Thursday and every 3rd weekend. It will take 8 months to complete. I spoke with the studio owner who was kind enough to offer support and advice while I prepare for class next year :) I also learned that Tulaa's training program will include some theories and teachings from the Himalayan Institue

Finally, I discovered The Birchtree Center . I even spoke to the owner/operator. This center center provides training for nursing seeking holistic education/certification and more. The next training session isn't until spring and fall 2013. I also spoke to an instructor at my old nursing school, she is a graduate of the Birchtree Center and highly recommends the program. I love how everything is falling into place. I really hope and pray that things will continue to work itself out:) I don't know yet what I will do with this new education/certification, but it's on my heart so I must pursue it. Who knows where it may lead me!

Can you say EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

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Yoga and Instagram

Earlier today, a yogi blogger at yogabycandace.com referencing the "competitive nature" that is becoming of some yogi instagramers. In a nut shell, Candace blogged about the concern for yoga becoming competitive and losing its true meaning. I read her blog early this morning, and here at 1030pm its still on my mind! Im not sure if its because I feel guilty or if its my true love for yoga awakening.

I decided I would like to take a Yoga Teacher Training class. Not so much to teach, although I would like to one day. But I want to take the course to learn so much more about yoga than I ever could through youtube, twitter, and instagram. Yoga has done so much for me these past few months and I just want to learn as much about it as possible.

Gosh darn, off the topic lol. Anyways, since reading Candace's post, I have decided to shy away from these yoga challenges. My intentions aren't good, to be honest I am participating "because I can" i love the ego trip you get when you upload a cool pose and receive a ton of likes. Im embarrassed to say this, but its the truth. THis is not what yoga is about however, like Candace says. Instead I am going to continue my practice and upload at my leisure. I really want to be develop a "strict" yoga practice. I really want to know the basics. Instagram has been hindering me from getting where I need to be with yoga in a way. Tis all for now :)


For some seriously annoying reason,I can't get links to work! Please google search "yogabycandace" Sorrrrrryyyyy..........

Holistic Health

Since practicing yoga and searching for a healthier lifestyle, I have almost become obsessed with learning how to deepen my practice and knowledge. I dream one day of being a yoga instructor and holistic health coach. Since I am a nurse, I naturally started my search on becoming a holistic practitioner with the http://www.ahna.org/. I got a little discouraged there, because in order to obtain certification you must already be a practitioner. I know there isn't many jobs out yet sooooo.... Im not sure I will be able to go that route. But, I am a big believer in nursing entrepreneurs and alternative nursing careers so I won't give up yet. I also found this site http://inursecoach.com/ This course cost about $4500 and requires four weekends thursday- sunday of training, I believe its based in NYC. The course I am most interested in is here http://www.wholehealtheducation.com/ this one is online, and provides enough hours to sit for certification. Its designed specifically for nurses. Cost is $5000.

With my new career goals, I just don't want to abandon being a nurse. After all, nursing was exactly what I wanted to do! But since making all of these lifestyle changes, I realize it only make since to incorporate them into a career if I can.

Another goal is taking a yoga teacher training course. Not just because I would like to be an instructor one day, but because I really want to know what I am doing lol. The cost is roughly $2500-3000 depending on where you go.

Decisions, decisions, I know anything is possible. I just have to decided what I want to do and how I would like to do it. Naturally, these ideas won't go into full affect until maybe 5-10 years from now :( But i do want to take either the nursing certification or yoga certification in the next couple years.

I have also been looking for yoga and holistic nursing/health conferences. I would love to attend one, this way I can meet people, and get information.

We will see what happens :)

Yoga,yoga, yoga!!!

I have become obsesssed!

 

Seated forward bend

 

Crow pose

 

 

 

I'm considering taking an instructor course. I really want to learn how to properly get into poses and the benefits.

Oh and if you didn't notice.... We moved!!! We were blessed to move into our dream home just last month :)

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My weekend in pictures

Nothing to special, just basically enjoying everyday life :)

A little backwards.... But Sunday jarred and I went to an open house for new constructions homes. I pray that things go our way. Jarred is in love with this house and we have been looking for it for awhile now. He works so hard and really doesn't ever want anything but his dream house.... I have a feeling his hard work will pay off. He surely deserves it :)

 

Random retwist before the open house

While Ava spent the weekend with my mom and jarred worked, Jk and I hung out

 

 

I played in my hair a lot this weekend lol

 

Finally Sunday evening the princess returned home :)

 

"baby I'm gone be ya motivation"

The weather has been beautiful!!!!! I have seriously spent hours outside almost everyday that I am off. Between gardening, neighborhood walks, and allow my kids backyard time we have been in heaven. I found my "metal" from doing the mud run last year and it is part of my motivation to get back to running. I really want to do a Disney 5k next year and a few other races in between. Most of all, I just want to enjoy be mobile outside without a vehicle. Lol there is so much peace an relaxation just going for a walk. It is a huge stress reliever for me.
I am not doing the couch25k program this time around. I really just want to go at my own pace.

I discovered the app "mapmyrun" and this has also served as inspiration. I love tracking my progress. Last year I mainly ran at the track near my house but so far this year, I'm doing neighborhood streets. I feel like a hamster at the track lol. The neighborhood is better for me because I'm big on scenery! I have been enjoying looking at people's gardens and landscaping on my adventures. I've also discovered 2 little parks near me.

Anyways my only goal so far is to walk at least 30 minutes/ day for the next couple weeks. After I've done that I will probably move on to jogging.

Diastasis recti

Early during my pregnancy with my son, I was told I have a small hernia. I was told that it was most likely from my pregnancy with my daughter when my muscles were just stretched to far. I was also told that there was exercise to reduce/repair it, but I couldn't do them until after I delivered.Fast forward to almost 3 years later, I never followed up. I dont really have pain, I mainly have a lot of GI discomfort like nausea, heartburn, and tons of gas. I can sometimes see my stomach take an odd shape and I assume it's gas. I don't feel a bulge ever and I never had any pain. There was one evening a few months ago, where I woke up with gas pains so bad that I couldn't lay down, sit still or even think. I could hardly breathe, I was close to going to the ER, but I took some gas-x and the pain eventually got better and by the next day it was gone. A weeks after that episode, I started having mild chest pain and pain when swallowing. I was convinced I had a hiatal hernia. I had an endoscopy in September 2011 but I can't remember if I had the symptoms before or after. Either way, my endo was normal. Ok now here we are, I have this ugly pouch that is my stomach. I have lost all of my pregnancy weight. I'm literally about 102lbs. But I at times look 3 months pregnant because of this " hernia". I also can get very bloated which makes my stomach so distended that I seriously look 5 months pregnant. I can't lie, it makes me a little insecure at times. I started yoga the other night, concentrating on back and abds, I noticed some of the poses made my little pouch come to life seriously. It's so ugly. My stomach got all wrinkled and literally a pouch forms when i pose..I want a normal stomach, not only for aesthetics, but I am tired of all the annoying gas, nausea,etc. at the same time, I don't want surgery. I figure as along as I don't have actual pain or dysfunction of my bowels/bladder, I dont think it warrants surgery. It's been 3 years just about that I have had this and I haven't had any real problems. I want explore exercises that may help me.

 

I did a search last week and determined that i most likely have diastisi recti. It's when your stomach muscles separate and cause a small hernia. For some, it warrants surgery. I would probably qualify for surgery, but I really don't want to expose myself to the risk of surgery without first trying exercise. I also learned that traditional abdominal exercises can worsen this hernia. I think I will be fine doing any type of exercise because again, I have had is for 3 years and haven't had any problems. I literally have no stomach muscle. It's just mush and it feels vulnerable and disgusting.

 

Anyways, I'm not 100% sure of what I will do to "fix" this, but I we Ted to share a youtuber I found who had the same problem And actually had surgery

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/profile?user=ItsMeMesh

 

 

And finally some pics of my stomach

 

I know, it probably doesn't look that bad to you all. But trust me in person it's evident. Especially if I am distended. I really hope exercises will help me.

 

Goals revisted

Magnet chat
        -remember my recent goals chat??http://embracingmycurly.blogspot.com/2011/11/goals.html
I said I wanted to become more of a professional. I work in a large teaching hospital, one of the top ten hospitals in the nation, we are a magnet hospital and are currently going through the recertification process. It would make for a very long post if I got into the details lol. Anyways, back to my goal.  I needed to join and actively participate in the various committees at work. I come in one day and was scheduled to attend one of my meetings. I go and sit quietly didn't say a word. I left feeling like the other members probably felt i was "less than' Later in the week, I get an email that the magnet appraisers will be meeting with my committee. I volunteer to meet with them! I am excited and nervous all at once. I know I can speak to the things we have done on my unit, but I have a hard time with public speaking. My manager and coworkers seem to think I can handle it, so if they see potential...why cant I? Well the meeting is 2/7 so we will see how that goes. Back to the point of this post...how cool is it that this opportunity was basically handed to me? Next on  my list, is to work on speaking at my committee meetings. I remember when I was in school I said I would always work on professional development. I wanted to attend conferences, continue reading and learning. Well, I have been out of school for 3 years and I haven't done anything *extra. I am basically a mediocre  nurse at a top ten magnet hospital! WHat is wrong with me? I really need to get it together lol. I plan on applying for advancement and getting my CPAN certification within one year. I have also been looking at completing my masters degree. I need to be more than just average, even though there really isn't anything wrong with me professionally. I however, want to stand out because after all... I am fabulous lol

random

i am just thinking of all i got accomplised today. i am usally a huge slacker, but I did pretty good today lol heres all i did
-cut shapes for avas project
-took kids outside
-planted peas, zucchini, and yellow squash
-completed editing/uploading youtube garden video
-cooked dinner
-cleaned a closet
-completed 4.5 ceus! i now have a total of 19 only need 11 more to renew my RN licensce by 4/30
-practiced keyboard....it was less than a half hour though lol

this is purely for my record keeping but felt i should share. Tommorows to-do list include just about everything above in addition to laundry and re- potting a couple plants! I must say, I am extremely grateful that I found and love my new "twist-out twist" pinned hairstyle. My hair was styled on thursday and I havent taken it down. Its a nice easy, protective, style and since I dont really have to fuss with my hair I can get so much more done :)

well, kids, hubby,and cat are all sleeping. I should be up partying, but I am exhausted from doing and hour of CEUS lol

life, work, hair, nursing

this will probably end up being a very long post. i have to make my semi annual goal/to do list and since my phone is outta commision:( i will use this. well lets start with hair

Hair goals
its been 2.5 months since i pressed my hair, my short time goal was to make it to september which i dont think will be a problem. i will probably get my hair pressed and trimmed around November/December
-color, for years i have been contemplating so hair color. however, i have always beena plain jane and dont do much with my hair. for years its been the standard press n curl, but since trying alll these natural styles i have a new found confidence and "braveness" lol. i love my hair more than ever and its time for some color! i dont know what the color will be, i will most likely do highlights because i cant do something to dramatic :)
-visit a natural hair salon. i have a few on my radar list. http://www.facebook.com/ShidaNatural shes #1 on my list. i love her wash n go! shes only about 1.5hrs away from me n NJ but i think it will be worth the drive. she also has a spa and she holds zumba classes. if i go, i will try to make a day out of it. i first need to get over my fear of driving over bridges and going thru toll booths smh

WORK
- HAs been awful laetly, my manager is public enemy #1. i love my job and my coworkers and really dont want to work anywhere else, but my manager has no respect for us as nurses. he speaks to us like we are slaves/losers. so much has changed since he has been our manager, hardly any for the better. i could go on and on about him, but i will just say that i have to update my resume and at least explore other options if things dont get better. i have no idea what i would want to do though :(
-certification, i will bee taking my CPAN in novemember! this is a certification for perioperative nurses! i have been a nurse there for almost 3 years... crazy. when i was in school i alwasy said in my professional life i will always seek out education oppurtunites, aattend conferences, blah, blah, blah, but i havent so i plan on fixiing that :)

Life
- i would like for jarred and i to go on dates lol. we have to start setting aside time to just spend with each other. we are going to hawaii in april 2011 sans kiddos. but until then i think we should at least have a date night once/month or every 2 months
-exercise jarred bought me a wii fit last decemeber because i said i wanted to do yoga and stuff. iplayed with it for maybe the first month but havent touched it since january or something smh, i have to get back into that
-friends/family i need to spend more time with them. i would like all my siblings to get togwether every month either at my house, moms, sisters and have a sunday dinner. growing up my mom always made snday dinner and now that all of us are grown and most living on our own i miss that and im sure my mom does.... so we have to do it at least every month. as for my friend, i would like to see them at least once a month too. maybe for shopping, lunch... anything!
nutrition- i have serious GI issues, which i think is mainly related to my diet, ineed to eat much better and cook more often
house- GET ORGANIZED~~~~~ i need to get rid of so much things we dont use anymore. i also want to redo our bedroom and the dinning room. the dinning room jsut needs furniture. i would love to "update" the bathrooms as well. for the living room/rec room they need serious organization and style too
sheesh! i have a lot of work ahead of me lol. i love making list though, because its very rewarding when you look back and see how much you have accomplished