My time on the UES is coming to an end in the next month. It’s been a crazy two years and I am ready to run… fast and head on, because I’m simply ready to push onwards and change. I’ve been kept safe and sound surrounded by families, old people and young couples starting their lives together. It’s been lovely. 

There are plenty of people like me too, who are starting out in life or getting settled into something awesome. It’s been a journey for sure. I am not happy up here though. I am ready for something different and even though I am grateful for the time I had, I’m looking for a neighborhood that’s laid back and a place to establish myself. I decided that if I were to buy an apartment right now, I would invest in Williamsburg. I love that you can see the sky (I forget there's a moon sometimes because I am living like an ant in a forest), I love there's lots of sunlight because there aren't tall buildings blocking it, it's more laid back, friendly, so many good restaurants and a place I feel comfortable being. 

I'm unsure where my next move will be, as my search is on-going for the exact apartment situation. I am looking for a grand location, an amazing clean space and I want to move in with someone who is like minded and not crazy.

I could live on my own, but I would have to stay on the UES and I have established long ago that this isn't the area for me right now. Even though I said I’d never move to Brooklyn (because I am such a Manhattan girl??), I decided I am actually not stuck with any label and I'm leaning towards Williamsburg, because I love it there. Why not give it a try. If I hate it, I move back to Manhattan. Stepping outside my comfort zone will give me the chance to branch out and meet more people. Ideally, I’d love to have a studio there, but it's not really in my price point considering all my non-negotiables.

Ahhhh!!!

I want it all, but as someone once told me, “You can have it all, maybe just not at the same time.” I am going to rough it another year and live with someone (but have my own bedroom) and save some money and be ready next Summer to do the lease on my own, where I can design and create a Kendra home (white, accent colors, wood, clean, sheik, and comfortable). That’s the goal anyway. Things can change in an instant.

I am sad to say goodbye to another amazing friend soon. It’s not goodbye by any means. I am so happy for her and want her to be happy, but similar to when Lori left, there’s a little sting somewhere in my body (I think it’s the heart?).

It’s hard to establish those life-changing relationships and then part ways, because there’s created space and even though it remains beautiful, intact and influential, it’s simply different and not as good as running to grab dinner, going out and dancing your face off, watching a movie in bed (even if it’s awful) and giving bear hugs just because.

I am excited for her and I am excited for Lori and them living and creating the lives they want wherever they want. We each have a happy place, and while Lori’s may be Florida and Danielle’s may be California, NYC happens to be mine. And it is what it is.

I bought my first pieces of real furniture. I don’t have an apartment to move into, but I have a couple nice things going with me somewhere!! It seems silly and maybe even superficial to care about something like furniture, but I’ve been working really hard to have grownup things. It’s the little big things right?

I am so in love with so many things in my life. I told Danielle that when you live here, you go so fast and you're playing so hard and fighting so hard to stay afloat that a lot of emotions and things that happen don't get processed. I can go a whole day and not consider why I'm so tired (because I woke up at 5 a.m, to teach a class, worked all day, worked out, and walk in the door after 9 p.m.).  I don't have the time to think about it, I just do it, and live it and love it. It sounds so crazy, I know, but it's that energy and drive to get where I want to be that keeps me going. Somehow it's working and even though I am exhausted, I can't imagine myself doing it any other way. Sometimes it takes blogging for me to sit and really digest what's going on and how I feel. (Free Therapy!) haha. I am happy, excited, grateful, in awe, in love, and totally scared out of my mind.

I’m not sure where I’ll be in a couple months, I could be in Williamsburg or maybe downtown Manhattan somewhere. Nervous and anxious, but trusting everything will work out, because something always does. It might not be the vision I had dreamed, but it will be something spectacular and unique in it’s own way.

Much love from the city xo.

I have completely lost my voice for the first time in my life. I am down to a whisper and I have found that I am somewhat useless in any social setting. I had to resort to typing my thoughts in notes and showing them to my friends last night. It was amusing for a little bit, but then I just felt awkward not being able to say anything on the fly. It’s half the reason I’m blogging. I’d like to go out, but if someone tried talking to me, it would be weird with me whispering.

Writing and listening to music sounds more relaxing anyway, not the most exciting Saturday night I’ve ever had, but not the worst. Sitting here by myself, I thought about this facebook photo I saw. Someone had posted a photo with a quote and she titled it, “why I don’t have friends.” The quote said, “I’d love to go out, but I have to go home and sit in my apartment by myself.” It’s so funny because I think it’s true for a lot of us here. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been turned down and flaked on for someone to probably sit at home and watch a movie and vice versa. In no way do I blame or judge because there are plenty of times I’d rather just lay in bed and watch a movie instead of getting dressed and talking. I get it.

We all have to deal with the lonely plague here. I think I discussed it in my last post about loneliness and shortly after I read a blog where this guy said, “It's important to know the difference between being alone and being lonely, and they're often confused. For me, being alone is something I choose, loneliness is the result of being alone, or feeling alone when I haven't chosen it, but they aren't the same, and they don't necessarily lead to one another.”

I really loved this because there is a difference. When I turn down going out it’s because I’d rather be alone and that's okay! When I am bored and feeling like I have no friends it’s because I didn’t make the choice to be alone, it’s just so happens no one can hang out and I am stuck dealing with me. Haha. Oh self-discovery. Anyway, I feel lonely right now and it’s because I didn’t choose to be alone tonight. A series of unfortunate events happened (got a sniffle, sore throat, then a cough and then lost my voice). lol. I think I’ve been confused and in moments like this it’s nice to separate the differences. For me, feeling empty comes from loneliness and it's not a great feeling, but as I tell Lori, we all feel it. It's the stage on our life, the city, the craziness of relationships and connections and loss of and it's all overwhelming some days. In the end, I know it's okay and it's okay to feel the way I feel. Plus alone time gives me time to reflect, focus and center myself on the up and coming and of course, blog!

I have lots of changes going on in my life (like always). Friday, I had my last day as a pb manager. I took on a new role in a new field to continue my growth and exploration in business and management and learn new things in a field I am curious to know more about. I am in this city for the long haul and I realized that I needed to start making some money and save some money in order for me to reach my three and five year goals. I will still be teaching pb classes and I am excited to continue motivating people to find their inner health goddess. I want everyone to feel good, be confident, live a healthy and active lifestyle and that is a balance that is difficult for all of us to find. It’s all a work in progress. I will spend the next week balancing my time and new schedule and although I am nervous, I am so excited as this is the path I am meant to be on.

I have been saving money by trying to cook more and created my new favorite thing. I wanted to post so you all could try. You can make it vegan with rice pasta and modify accordingly. It’s so yummy, flavorful and easy.

Ingredients:

• Pasta of your choice (I use 1 box of linguini, can use rice pasta, gluten free, etc).
• 4-6 cloves of minced garlic (I never measure, just do what feels right)
• 1 head of broccoli (organic if possible)
• Button Mushrooms (organic if possible)
• EVOO (have at least ¼ of a bottle handy)
• Crushed red pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Boil water for pasta and cook as directed
2. While water is boiling, dice up the broccoli and mushrooms and set aside
3. Mince the fresh garlic
4. Once you add pasta to the boiling water…
5. Put 1/4 C of EVOO in a saucepan and heat.
6. Add garlic and crushed red pepper (if you like spice ¼ tsp, less if not) let simmer for a few minutes.
7. Add the mushrooms and broccoli and sauté.
8. Add ¼ C of the pasta water to keep from burning the garlic and vegetables. Cover and let them steam up for 5 minutes or so.
9. Once the pasta is done, set aside ½ c of pasta water and strain.
10. Add the garlic, EVOO mixture on top of pasta and toss. Can add more evoo or pasta water if it seems dry.
11. Add salt and Pepper to taste
12. Options: Add Parmesan cheese/ Romano/ Etc.

I hope you enjoy and if you try it and do your own twist I’d love to hear about it. I’m sure most of you have some version of this that you may do already, as it’s not especially creative. It is however, a reliable good, healthy, flavorful pasta, which is actually not easy to find. Enjoy.

I’ll write more when I have a good story or two about myself or something exciting going on in life. Until then... Much love from the city… xoxo

           

I was talking to a client at PB and discovered she had a blog. We started talking about blogging, why we blogged what we blogged about and we exchanged blogs and I told her that mine was "just a personal blog". I always warn people because I feel if you don't know me, it could be very boring, not funny and well... weird.

I blog because I love to write, want to keep my KY people connected and because it forces me to confront myself, the people around me and really embrace life head on!

I originally thought my blog would be a foodie blog because when I started it I was cooking a lot, but it really turned into a personal diary entry (with sensors!) about my life in the city.  I told her I tend to blog when I'm sad, because when I'm happy I am busy living it and embracing all the sweet things in life. She thought this was a funny thing, and I started thinking about it and thought I should start blogging when I'm happy too. I'm not certain I can commit because I do tend to write more when I have a lot on my mind on a more emotional/ dramatic level. I'm not sure what all that means. I feel like I'm pretty even keeled about things, but sometimes I have a lot of things on my mind that needs releasing. So anyway, nothing too crazy going on in my life, as I'm simply just trying to figure it all out one day at a time. Here's the latest. 

Josh and I took a trip to Colorado to ski the mountains of Aspen. It was a pretty perfect amazing trip that I couldn't have thought up better in my secret imagination. It was easy going with lots of laughter, no drama, great weather, good food, great skiing, AMAZING accommodations at Hotel Jerome and even consisted of a pit stop at a casino. Well, we actually stopped on the way to Aspen outside of Denver and one stop on the way back to redeem the first time! I learned a little more about black jack, the strategy, the rules, the highs and the lows of it (aka wins and losses) and learned that non-smoking casinos do exist and still generate lots of money! Kentucky- get with it! I had so much fun and really enjoyed spending time with him. Traveling is usually when I can stress out the most, and it was effortless and I was well taken care of. 

I had two good days skiing at Aspen Snowmass and the third day really got myself into a challenge at Aspen Highlands. It was way to hard for my confidence level and it took me almost 45 minutes to get down the mountain on the first run. I fell, cried, thought I was going to die a lot, hated life for a few seconds, had an anxiety attack, got really angry, then really sad, really scared and cussed myself out... and then I made it to the bottom! There weren't signs on which runs were green and so I ended up going down blues that felt like suicide (drama queen, yes!) and just felt out of control the whole way down. I am not a fast skier. I am cautious, like to be in control and take my time down. I usually ski solo because everyone is really good and I'm okay with being by myself with no pressure and time to just cruise the bottom part of the mountain! This mountain was just not for me! I was in the lift line trying to stall going back up and Josh came through the line. He offered to go down with me and find me a a little route that I could keep going down. He's a really good border and I felt bad because I didn't want to take time away from him. I told him to leave me, but he insisted and we found a route that was manageable. I went down one time after that with Josh and a sales rep and she offered that we set up a lesson for me. She was very generous and got a lesson set up with the ski school manager, who I was told was a bit older but an incredible skier who would teach me something. Weems was his name and he really did save my day! He is an amazing skier who gave me lots of pointers and helped me get down the mountain without feeling like it was the end of the world. He even gave me a lot of advice, a big hug at the end (we literally just did one run together, but it felt like we had known each other for a whole day), a signed copy of his book and the encouragement I needed for the next day! So glad that happened! The next day Josh did Aspen and I attempted Buttermilk, but couldn't find parking because of the X-Games, so I went back to Snowmass, did a couple runs and then returned my equipment. Skiing is really fun, but it's a lot of work and I think it's a lot like giving birth in that you don't remember the hard work and pain, but the bliss and accomplishment after the fact. That's why it keeps happening. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger right? Or as Lori just amended, "what tries to kill us, makes us smarter."

Heading to Florida next weekend for a girls trip I had planned last September. I had extra money then from nannying and thought it would be nice to get all my besties together for some fun in the sun. I don't have the extra money now, but I am excited to go and see Rachael, Sarah, Jaime and Lori in South Florida. It's a quick trip, but I will get the vitamin D, warmth and laughter needed to get me through the months I won't see their beautiful faces! I keep telling myself "YOLO," which means you only live once! So with that, I'm just going to keep living in the moment, being and doing what makes me really happy!

Much love from the city. xo

All About Girls....

This will be my last post for the year. It’s incredibly hard to believe that almost 365 days have passed as I feel like I just wrote about 2012’s New Year.  Fall flew by and I hope Winter does too, not because I’m wishing my life away, but because I’m cold.

I’ve been setting goals for myself and I am getting closer to accomplishing some of them every day. I am going to go to Costa Rica, save a chunk of cash, move to an amazing apartment where I will create my first “home” in this city, get Oka here and buy a couch. It seemed like a lot in my head, but writing it down for the first time just made me realize it won’t be a problem. I can do it!!! right?

I just watched the first season of Girls (series on HBO) and it changed my life, like all good shows tend to do. Girls, is a comedy about the experiences of a group of girls in their early 20's in New York. It’s brilliant, funny, raw, relatable, witty, smart, and again made me realize how alone I feel in this huge place. I don’t mean to put a negative connotation with “alone,” as it is what makes me feel the most independent, makes life feel scary real, makes me feel dramatic, emotional… and yet, at the same time, makes me feel the most alive.

I know that sounds crazy, but if you live here and moved from some place else, you have to know what I’m talking about.  I have friends and family and I am connected in some way with someone most of the day, but I feel so alone. Do all people feel this way? Does it mean I missing something in my life, or that I am simply finding myself out everyday? I know for sure it doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong, negative or positive, I think it just means I’m living...

Anyway when I obsess over something, like a good show, I research it to death and I have been googling “Girls” for about three days now and filling my brain with useless knowledge about the show, the writers, producers and actors. The main actress is also the writer for the show, Lena Dunham, and her three girl friends in the show make for an experience every episode where I laugh out loud, want to cry and scream inside because I just don’t ever want the show to end. There are boys in the show as well, and every ones relationships are real and interesting to watch evolve. The dynamic of the show is fun and entertaining. The characters live in Brooklyn (more upcoming), the issues that are addressed, the conversations, the sets, the clothes… makes it very enjoyable to watch. The characters cannot be stereotyped as much, but there’s a little piece of every girl in each of them.

Lori left for Florida for the month, but I kind of fear it could be indefinitely.  She’s on her own path and I support her decisions, but I miss her! I know she will be back but it feels strange for her to go to Florida for so long. I just want her to be happy!  

Mandy and her husband (Lori’s sister and brother in-law) have been visiting for the week and are staying with me. Their sublet fell through in a weird circumstance and Lori is gone, so they are keeping me company and have taken really good care of me with an amazing Hillstone dinner and café d’alace brunch. They are the best! I cleaned and organized my room today. I color coordinated all my clothes in my closet and got rid of some shoes too! That’s always really hard for me, but I have a new rule. If I haven’t worn in 6 months, I wont ever, so it goes in the trash.

I’m excited for the New Year. I’m looking forward to the challenges, the opportunities, the risks and the rewards of 2013!

Much Love from the city. Xoxoxoxo.

It's been a while. I came back from Hawaii and transitioned into managing Pure Barre. I’ve been doing some soul searching trying to find myself stable and trying to find a good cry somewhere within. It seems easy, but I found myself sleeping all day on Sundays, shopping obsessively and eating way to much or not eating at all. I call this imbalance and I'm only myself when I am balanced and even though I knew I was off, I needed a couple weeks to get grounded again. Change, although exciting and desired, always takes a minute to get used to something new. Anyway, I'm here... alive... inspired... and embracing it "all." 

Every day I learn something new about myself and NYC has made me realize how straight forward of a person I am. I don't think I knew this, or maybe I have become this. The people I have worked with in NYC pointed this out to me. I don't sugar coat anything and just say it... for what it is and that's that. Part of it is me just being open minded and part of it is just how I am. It doesn't make me a mean person, but it does make me an honest person. If I'm lying I can't keep a straight face and my pitch will, without a doubt, go up. Or I'll bust out laughing. Not that I lie. haha. 

My job requires me to be a certain someone. In a lot of ways I use Beyonce's method of creating a character (her's being Sasha Feirce) when I teach my classes. I want to exude confidence, strength, peace and passion to my clients and I want to motivate them.  In pure barre I am "to the point" and want to push my clients mentally and physically, I want them to go outside their head for 55 minutes and just be present. There is nothing more beautiful than that. I probably come off as drill sergeant. The co-owner referred to my classes as "no non-sense." Even my lulu managers used to say "Uh oh... Here comes Keni with her whips!!!" haha. Again, I promise I'm not mean. But it goes to show you that I don't take shit and I don't want anyone in my life to take shit either! lol I just want everything to be... (but I don't want Romney to be President!!). I went out the other night and was asking this door guy where something was, and the guy called me the devil because I didn't crack a smile or try to flirt. A fellow co-worker stepped in and got the information we needed, but it makes me laugh out loud when I think about my approach to things. Revamp? Ha.

I got a tweet one day from a PB client sending her two favorite instructors in the city  a great article and I wanted to cry (well, the highest level of emotion I can reach right before crying). NYC has some of the most amazing instructors in the world and for me to impact someone, is literally a dream come true. It is exactly the reason I do what I do and want to do more. She read my blog and liked how she could relate to it (being a 20-something year-old female in the city too), she said a lot of other sweet things too and I just wanted to share how it's insane how one person can change your whole perspective. After reading her email, I felt something ignite again. I refer to this a lot, but it's an adrenaline rush and it's the exact feeling that has gotten me where I am today. Without the fire, I wouldn't be me. 

A couple weeks ago, I went to Florida for Lori’s sisters wedding. Mandy came to visit a couple weeks before and we hung out in the city. She and Lori are the same person, but Mandy is the sweeter version. I had so much fun laughing with her and going out in the city. Lori had left me for three weeks to go to Florida, so Mandy and I really got some quality time in. She is a trooper. She dealt with me for a week of my non-sense (my cynicism in love and marriage, life and men) and we really bonded. Her wedding in Jacksonville, Fl was so fun and beautiful and I am so happy for her and her husband!

The city is currently preparing for “hurricane” Sandy. The grocery stores were riots filled with crazy moms and cautious adults preparing for the “worst.” That would have been me, two years ago. Instead, I bought some triscuits, tortellini and made taco soup today. I don’t like to get carried away with preparation any more. In reality, nothing can prepare you for what life throws sometimes, so it’s better I stay adaptable and easy going.

Halloween is this Wednesday and so the weekend was filled with lots of fun events. Lori and I dressed as the white and black swan (her being the white because her skin is paler?? And me being the black swan because my skin is darker (and I’m just darker of a person than her??)) lol. It was just how it was going to be, and I didn’t question the whys. I like black better any way.  Needless to say my last three nights were insane!

I pulled a 19-year old move and got 3-hours of sleep on Thursday making my Friday a bit delirious. I taught the early PB class and worked all day. Lori came to the west side and we had lunch at Rosa Mexicano and bought tutu’s for our costumes. I celebrated my friend’s birthday Friday night and Lori hosted us a table with her new job. We left the club after spending 20 minutes in the bathroom trying to escape a stalker and Lori and I found ourselves seated in the patio area of a closed restaurant and when the conversation started getting dark and depressed, with the need to make needy phone calls, I said, “Let’s go home!”

Lori had made me take the subway home (it only took us an hour and half), but my feet were in so much pain, and I was walking so slow, Lori said it was a good thing she was with me because everyone kept looking at me like I was a prey! LoL (Had I been alone I would have taken a cab!)

Lori made me switch her shoes so I could move at a tortoise pace rather than a mangled snail. It was really sweet of her and she’s my best friend because she sacrificed for me! She was trying to be thrifty and refused to split the cab, and I had already paid for the cab downtown, so I just went along. We finally made it home and her friend was waiting for us at the apartment. They stayed up and I went to bed. I slept a lot of my Saturday away. Not because I partied too hard, but because I didn’t really have anything else to do and I was healing from my subway walk of death!

My third nap was the final straw and when I woke up at 6 p.m. I decided it was time I get my costume together. Hahaha. I did go to the store Saturday, clean a little, walked around some, thought about working out several times, so it wasn’t a total waste.

Lori got home from work and we got ready with her friend who was visiting. We had a lot of fun dancing and laughing Saturday in costume and character. The white and black swan was a hit and we developed a bit of a fan club. We went home after I was denied access into a bar because of my “sassy” behavior. LoL. It was my bedtime!!!

When we got uptown, I washed my face and went straight to bed. Lori’s friend, who was staying with us wanted food and because all I had was triscuits and uncooked pasta, I told them to call our Pizza place.

Lori and I have this pizza place a couple blocks away that we end up at a lot when we have a late night. We have made friends with Hassan, one of the guys, who loves us because we come in and cause a ruckus in this tiny pizza shop at random hours (day light ones included- in fact, we ate there before we went out!!!) Hassan had me believing he was a twin once and I talked smack about Hassan thinking it was Sam, his “twin,” but found out later there’s no twin and what really happened was I talked smack about Hassan to Hassan! Haha. He still loves us and they happened to be open when we got home. Lori made the call and said something like “Hassan, you’re going to deliver us the pizza and throw in some garlic knots for free!” hahaha. He delivered the pizza  (with garlic knots) himself and hung out with us for a while. I was half way asleep and they stayed up talking about Morocco and career decisions. I passed out after he asked us to name the first university in the world (random 4 a.m. convo). This sounds so shady and irresponsible, and I promise it’s just how it sounds. He’s a really nice sweet guy, hard worker at this pizza place, whose married with five-kids, who is maybe pushing 30. That doesn’t help does it?

Anyway, eventful weekend as it was, I’m taking today and chilling out. I made taco soup this morning and cleaned the apartment. Lori went to work and I’ve been enjoying the quiet. Subways are closing, schools are cancelling, work may or may not be cancelled, but there’s only one way to get to work (cabs), so I don’t know. Everything, as usual, is up in the air. :)

Much love from the city. Xoxoxo.

Made it to Kauai. A 25 minute flight from Honolulu. Haha. We rented a jeep, stripped it (soft cover) and drove around the island. We are both getting annoyed and frustrated, but trying to make the best of it. It's like brother and sister banter! Hindsight it will be funny. Hopefully. We got an aux cord for the jeep so we could listen to our iPhone music, that seems to be helping the mood of things. I'll keep posting throughout the day.

So we drove around the island with the intention to go off roading to the gates of Jurassic Park (just so you know I'm obsessed with dinosaurs). We make it half way around the island, then have to turn around because it ends with the beach (later to find we can drive on it). We turn around and head back to the road where we would find some off roading trails! We find it and begin the adventure. We cross a few little creeks, I drive for a bit, and we are getting along bouncing around in this Jeep like its a rental (no cares). We drive a while and come to a fallen tree where we can't continue any more. I said, "It's fine we don't get to see the actual posts where the gates were, I've gotton to see a lot and let's just head back." I wanted to get to the hotel and chill.

So we head back and He being his crazy self starts off roading! I keep reminding him I'm not ready to die, worried about flipping. Getting stuck didnt cross my mind because He had been off roading so much before- I thought he knew... Hahaha!

We come to a puddle of muddy water and he says, "oh this looks deep..." heads straight for it and then BAM we are stuck! Reverse, drive, 4-wheel drive- you name it and we couldn't move! The right side is deeper than the left, the hood is inches from totally being submerged, he opens his door to jump out and is in water, the engine is smoking and I'm internally freaking out having flashes of me having to get muddy (of course worst case scenario), and then I remembered we were in the middle of nowhere and it could take hours for someone to drive by! My stomach really hurt at this point because I was nervous. Then mosquitos started infesting the jeep and then I was worried about disease! LoL... I was all drama in my head, but remained cool. I didn't even name call or mumble anything under my breath (unusual).

He jumps out immediately and starts trying to solve the problem and meanwhile I stay calm (in the passenger seat of course). I knew me freaking out wouldn't help, so I held my tounge and started brainstorming. I have roadside assistant with my phone and I called hoping it hadn't been cancelled (being that I haven't owned a car in over a year, I knew it was a long shot). Luckiy, It was still active (whoops), however, they only covered me if I was on an actual road! That's the catch! LoL

Meanwhile, He is in thigh deep muddy water covered in it trying to collect rocks and sticks to put under the tires to physically trying to erase what had happened. The roadside guy on the phone was willing to call and try and locate a tow truck to rescue us, but I couldn't give him an address. I said, " tell them we are off 580 headed towards jurassic park gates, in the middle of no where, we crossed two rivers, lots of trees and we are stuck!" haha.

That's when a white truck comes around the bend! He rolls down his window and looks at us like we are idiots (hey, I wasn't driving) and agrees to help us out. He was actually a firefighter and made sure we knew that fun muddy puddles around that part, were HOLES!

......... Deep breaths......

Needless to say we got out. The jeep was still running, there was no verbal drama scene and shouting match, and we made it to the hotel. We even joked about it. I suggested we take the jeep back to the rental place and complain about it not driving right. Haha. Kauai Adventure.... Check! Going to spend my afternoon by the pool/ beach and chill!

Aloha. :)

It's Monday. Time is flying by. I am having so much fun and it's been action packed. I do miss the city though.

I woke up early again and just played around on facebook and tried killing time. I read some, thought a lot and got pumped for this heated yoga sculpt class with weights we are about to take. I will probably die, as I'm not a fan of heated yoga, but it will be good to sweat and get some strength conditioning in. I'm still in shock and recovering from yesterday's hike. My quads feel it. I wouldn't have made it without Pure Barre training my thighs! lol.

I'll post photos throughout the day. We are hanging with Kolter's best friends tonight, not sure what we are doing, but it should be festive.

In the afternoon, we did the yoga class and it was amazing. I wish I could have taken measurements on how much sweat in inches that happened, but you'll have to trust that a hot room plus cardio and yoga equals insane! Still miss my pure barre, soul and trx. NYC really is blessed with crazy amounts of fitness everywhere. The big things on the island are Crossfit and yoga, so somebody could make a fortune opening up some NYC fitness ideas here!

I was told all day we were going surfing during the sunset with glow sticks. I was kind of in panic about surfing because I had never done it and imagined myself dying with huge waves (not that it's even big wave season)... anyway you know how imaginations work. Kolt finally told me a couple hours before we left that we were going on a sunset cruise with his friends Aaron and Yoko. That explained why he told me to take Dramamine (taking before surfing didn't make sense). The booze cruise was so much fun. His friends are so nice. Yoko and Aaron are married and Yoko is the sweetest most precious girl in the world!!!!! I've literally never met someone with a bigger heart. She is patient and sweet! Poor girl was a little sea sick, but I still enjoyed having her calm aura around.

I had a lot of fun taking pictures and zoning out watching the water and the sun get lower in the sky. After that we went and grabbed some local Hawaiian food and it was so good but made me feel like I had inhaled a deep fryer. I would say Hawaiians are not very healthy people based on the fact there are more McDonalds and KFC Taco Bell combos around than.... well... let's just say there are more than there should be! Kolter has been such an amazing host ensuring I see the best spots, the best food, and really take in what Hawaii has to offer.

I have to get up at 3:30 a.m. for the flight to Kauai! BUSY bee! I'm excited to off-road and can't wait to post photos. Until then...

Aloha!

Last nights house dinner was a very much success. The food was amazing! I wish I had a good kitchen in the city. I haven't cooked since last winter. Yikes. I really miss it. The people here are so great. Everyone got nice and toasty, everyone was happy with lots of smiles, laughs, and love. It was good to see Kolt surrounded with such an amazing family like environment.

I somehow managed to fall asleep around 10:30 and miss out on the continued fun of the night. I vaguely remember everyone coming in and pileing on top of me trying to get me to wake up and go out, but I was done! I couldnt even freak out or get claustrophobic. Apparently (lori called me a toddler yesterday).... I can't handle the time difference or I can't keep up with Hawaiians! I'd like to think its bc I'm on vacation and resting is part of it. :)

Yesterday we signed up for a free week at a yoga studio and took class. My back is sore and I love it. Would like to go everyday while I'm here and get a nice stretch in! I think today's fitness activity is hiking?????? Yikes. It rained all night, so not sure. I think Kolter wants to see me suffer on the hike and or test if I can do it. He keeps saying, "oh this person did it when they were here, this person did it, and you're scared and your a fitness teacher." Sounds like a challange!!!! Uphill for two hours is intimidating though. After I burn off all the party from last night, I think we are having a beach day with everyone from last night. Kenzie is trying to get paint ball in the picture as well, but I don't think I am into it. It hurts right?

It's 5:30 a.m. That's 11:30 NYC. I am trying not to get on Hawaii schedule so much. In the morning and afternoon my body is on late afternoon and evening eastern time. It's confusing. Body schedule is all out of wack. Like right now, I am starving. And then by 2 p.m. I won't really think about food again. I haven't been a foodie much on the trip, the food has been great but I'm not anticipating my next meal like usual. I keep seeing amazing bodies everywhere and it's motivation to keep myself in check! Anyway, I'm wide awake now. On route for Advil and water. I'll post photos throughout the day! Lots of love from Hawaii!

Aloha xoxo!

Good morning. It's 5 a.m here. I fell asleep at 4 p.m yesterday after we got back from an eventful first day and I didn't wake up till now! We had plans to go to an art event downtown last night, but I was done. Clearly.

We had been talking about a mini trip to the island Kauai. But I wasn't sure if I could spend the money and when we got back yesterday Kolter was looking up flights, if they were under $200 I was going to agree. When I came back from the shower, he was like "we're going to Kauai. Flights booked. You're in charge of hotel."

Squeals!!

Kauai is where the gates of Jurassic park are and some was filmed and where the locals say is the best island! I am so excited! We leave at 5 a.m on Tuesday and return late Wednesday, but I am so excited to rent a Jeep and off-road the island! Oh man!

Anyway, it's raining now and early. Today I'd like to take a yoga or spin class. Go to the beach if the sun shines and then there's a house dinner tonight thanksgiving style! I have to come up with something fabulous to cook! Post photos throughout the day!

Aloha! Xoxo

The surprise was running to the most eastern part of Oahu. I had a feeling it had something to do with hiking to a sunrise given we had to be up at 6 a.m. And I needed running shorts and shoes. I didn't think I'd really have to run, but oh I had to run. Straight up hill!!!!! I couldn't make it more than one minute sprints at a time! We were running late too so Kolter literally piggy backed me and ran with me on his back when I stopped to find my lungs! Needed the early workout and what better way to start a day then watching an Hawaii sunrise. Aloha xoxo.