Back in the 30 Day Shred saddle

Sorry I have been absent for so long. Had some news to deal with and then a fab visit from my brother. All of which took me away from writing here.

Today I woke up too late to make it to my yoga class, but decided it was time again to let Jillian whip my butt for a while. So I got dressed and did Level 1 30 Day Shred workout this morning. It felt great as I did not feel like I was going to die like the first time I embarked on this workout. All the walking/running on the treadmill (I did make it to week 3 of couch to 5k) and yoga have definitely made me stronger. I am excited to make this 30 day pledge again.

For me I will pledge to either do a Jillian workout or take a 90 minute yoga class every day for the next 29 days. The end of the school year is always a stressful time with exams to write and grade and grades to finish and last teaching to complete and family day and a million other end of year obligations plus apartment hunting (new Mexico City digs) and moving. This is my pledge to take care of myself despite all this and to keep my stress level a bit more under control.

Here I go!!!!

In memory of my mom: Gloria Rochelle Geller

Today was Mother's Day in the US and Mother's Day is May 10th in Mexico. We even get a half day at school so people can celebrate with their families. I find this day a tough combination of joy for friends and cousins who have kids and are moms and sadness for the fact that I do not have my mom. It is a bit easier being in another place since every other commercial on tv is not about Mother's Day, but those email ads still come.

I decided to follow a few people on Facebook that posted a photo of their mom from last week through May 10th. I decided that it was a great idea to honor the woman who I still love dearly though she is no longer here. I am a product of who she was and who her mom was as well.  I lost them both too young, but am lucky to have a number of surrogate moms who are there for me when I need. So, I scanned one of the last photos that I have of her which is a picture from my friend's wedding.

This is a classic photo of my mom. She looked great here and it holds a place of pride on my photo shelf. It has gotten many comment from family and friends. My uncle (mom's brother) thought I was looking more like her till he realized it was her. Each one has made me smile and also made me teary. 

Today, I decided to spend the day on me. I took a yoga class for the 1st time in a few weeks (due to spring break and all) and then met up with my knitting/crocheting (critting) group - also feeling like I was honoring my grandma and mom since they were my teachers, for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful day outside and I felt good about my memories.  This evening, I read a beautiful post by Kami that she titled "My Women" that I just need to share with everyone. It inspired me to write this. Thanks Kami!