Maid of Honor in a Wedding :)

While I have been a bridesmaid 11 times, yes 11...
I have never been a maid of honor.
This weekend I am flying back to Los Angeles to be the maid of honor in one of my best friends weddings.  It is such a privilege for me. 
I love this woman like crazy and would do anything for her.
Ms. France, soon to be Mrs. Rhonda Fox - here is to your wedding and a weekend filled with fun.
I'm getting excited about the Friday night girls party.  The Saturday wedding. 
And, I'm even coming up with ideas for decorating the car and other things that are not appropriate for me to write about in a blog... let's see how sneaking can I be! :-)
It's been over 3 months since I've seen my dear friends Rhonda and Lisa.  They are my soul sisters. Now I get to fly in and be apart of one of their weddings. 
Can't wait, Can't wait, Can't wait. 

Pinkberry & Rajko

Rajko is the name of my imaginary friend sitting next to me in this photo...  NO - I'm just kidding - if you could only see the look of sarcasm on my face as I said that you'd be laughing with me.  As I sit in Europe, there is no Pinkberry to be found.  This was a weekly outing where I would meet either my best friend Christine or Rajko.  Usually after teaching a couple of spin and yoga classes at CSUF, we would meet.  Wednesday night = Pinkberry night. 
For those of you that do not know what you're missing out on, Pinkberry is only the best (and most expensive I might add) frozen yougrt in all of L.A.  During our weekly fest we would sit and laugh - laugh so hard we cried, while eating our yummy yogurt and catching up on life.  Some of my "I'm laughing so hard my ribs hurt" experiences have been at Pinkberry.  And the staff loved us.  They looked forward to our Wednesday night giggle fests.  When I went in this summer (where the photos were taken) the staff asked for Rajko... so we sat at our usual spot outside and took this photo pretending he was there.  :-) 
I am getting ready to fly back to Los Angeles. 
Rajko and Pinkberry await!!!
Happy Birthday Raj :-)

Positive Women

There is strength in community.  

I have found that no matter where I travel, I am blessed to find genuine fellowship with talented people.  I do not know how it happens, but I am grateful.  The more I open myself up to being a friend and letting my walls down - the more I am surrounded by people who are like-minded. 

There is a saying that states we are in community every time we find a place we belong.  I find those words ringing true to my time with a special group of women in Vienna.  We are a gathering of strong women who meet on a regular basis.  Positive Women consisting of writers, cooks, artists, poets, lawyers, judges, United Nations representatives, musicians, entertainers, yoga instructors, and the list continues... We are friends, mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, wives, sisters... We come together to support one another and work for a common goal to make an impact in the world greater than what we could on our own. 
I find this quote fitting for the occasion:

"I do not go to a meeting merely to give my own ideas. If that were all, I might write my fellow members a letter. But neither do I go simply to learn other people's ideas. If that were all, I might ask each to write me a letter. I go to a meeting in order that all together we may create a group idea, an idea which will be better than all of our ideas added together. For this group idea will not be produced by any process of addition, but by the interpenetration of us all." - Mary Parker Follett 

Yes, I do believe there is strength in community.  

Tuscany Top 10

In traveling through Italy the Tuscan region is one of my favorite areas.  Tuscany is located in central Italy with Florence as the capital city.  Toscana - as the Italians say it - is known for it's great landscapes, from mountains to the western sea coast.  It's famous for vineyards and rich in producing olives, honey, pepper, truffles, balsamic vinegar, and the list continues.
My neighbor from Laguna Beach, Annie, came to visit me in Europe.  We traveled to Italy and found ourselves driving through Tuscany.  It was breathtaking.  Stopping at towns along the way to walk the streets, look at art, and eat some amazing food.  The people are warm and friendly.  The views are amazing!  My favorite area was Cortona.  The city we stayed in was Montepulciano.  I will write more about them later...
Here is my Tuscany Top 10:
10 - A region in central Italy with 10 provinces with the most famous being Pisa, Siena, Florence.
9 - Siena is beautiful.  Go there. 
8 - Visit Cortona - it's where Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed... beautiful city sitting on top of a hill giving amazing views of the region.
7 - Drive to the coast.
6 - Famous wines made in the area are Chianti and Salcheto - both are very very good.  Drink up!
5 - Hop in a car and explore... it's the fun roads and vineyards out in the country that take your breath away.
4 - Visit Florence.  A tourist friendly city that is easy on the eyes.
3 - When in Florence see the Statue of David... my favorite piece of art...period!  I was speechless.
2 - Eat the food.  Eat the food.  Eat the food.  Don't worry about calories just eat the food!
1 - Visit Montepulciano - it's where the Twilight movie was filmed and a beautiful old city.

As my friend Annie would say, "Tuscany is both peaceful and yet modern at the same time."

 If ever in Italy - Tuscany is the place to visit.  Truly beautiful.  

Humor in the Subway

As I walked to the subway one morning on my way to teach yoga, I heard a blend of music I had not experienced.  On the subway in the capital city, people here do not smile.  They rarely make eye contact.  And it can be strangely quite.  So, I usually have my I-Pod selection of mixes in and depending on the mood, weather, and day my tunes vary.  Today was yoga - I play my upbeat yoga groove mix.  As I board my subway stop - Om Shanti by Madonna was playing... it always puts me in the mood to teach yoga.  However, little did I know that a group comprised of Brits and Americans were already inside.  When the doors shut, they started singing "In the Jungle the Mighty Jungle the Lion sleeps tonight....."  It blended with my Madonna and the fusion of the two made me laugh.  They were smiling, I was laughing.  People were staring at us.  It made me laugh even more.  Who cares - I'm so over the somberness of the city!

After yoga class, the sun was out.  Felt like a spring day, so I decided to take a long walk back to my flat... and I saw the funniest things.  There was a man dressed up like Michael Jackson (looked just like him).  And now if you will, picture Pebbles from the Flintstones... well, her older brother passed me on the street.  And then I really smiled when I saw an old man pushing a stroller.  He stopped - looked in - and started talking to a dog.  Yes, the little dog was in a blanket in the stroller.  No child in sight.

My friend once told me that my natural reaction is to smile.  I never thought of that, but it's true.
Joy can be found even in gray places.
I'm learning to not let my environment change me.
Even if people stare - I laugh.  I smile.  :-)

Flying to Rome...

My good friend and Laguna Beach neighbor, Annie, is coming to visit me in Europe.  I have had a countdown and finally the day has arrived.  I am meeting her at the airport and we are heading directly to Rome...  We have been invited to a Vineyard in Tuscany.  This is the wine harvest season in Italy and we have been asked to attend the Harvest Party for one of the vineyards!  I do not know how I end up in these situations but all I can say is Thank You Dear God!!!  So, we arrive in Rome - are picked up by locals who will drive us to Tuscany where we will stay at the Vineyard.  

Check out the place... it looks amazing http://www.salcheto.it/

To a good time in Italy.  Returning to a country I love.  :-)

Stay tuned as I will post some proper photos of the Salcheto Vineyard Harvest Party...  

Now - off to packing... what to wear, what to wear?!?  :):)

Canals and Prosecco

Venice, Italy - my favorite spot on the entire globe!  

I have been to this city 4 times and every time I fall in love all over again. This visit was one of the best! Lonnie and Cindy (Laguna Beach-ers) came and I met them. We had so much fun. The Seide's are amazing!  Not kidding, they have a way of creating community that I love. When I arrived they had already gotten the hook-ups for private parties and gondola rides.  

Our trip was based on great food, great prosecco, great pictures, and laughter.

We ate gelato and cannolis for lunch.  Drank Prosecco like water.  And took over 500 photos of canals!!! Seriously not sure what our obsession was with canals but we have the pictures to prove it.

Went to a party hosted by a local Venetian restaurant owner - listened to live jazz and danced the night away.  It was such a fun weekend.  I miss my CA friends and having 2 come and visit was priceless.

Sometimes I feel like I am living a dream.  Yeah, I have days where all I want to do is cry or days where life is tough but I try my hardest to look at the good.  The more gratitude I give - the more blessings that come my way.  I am incredibly grateful for this season in my life.

To Venice Italy.  To Canals and Prosecco.  :-)

Creating the Space

I tend to teach a more advanced yoga known as Vinyasa Flow.  Let's just say it's not your grandma's yoga, nor your mom's for that matter.  I also love and have trained in Power Yoga, and I enjoy the basics of Hatha Yoga.  Depending on the class, my style changes.  This morning as I went to teach, I was surprised... peacefully perplexed... because you never know who is going to show up.  Today I had an older woman who is new to yoga, the studio owner who is highly advanced, your mid-range students, and then a man who studies yoga in India 5 months every year!  Are you kidding me!!!  Talk about skills and your variety of levels... and I had to teach to all of them in the same class.  Throw beginners, intermediate, and advanced right out the window.  Soooo, my format and my game plan quickly changed.  The whole class I was thinking "Dear God..."  90 minutes and several downward dogs later, I led them into final relaxation.  When the class was finished I received such great comments.  They all loved the class; said it was great.  When I asked for any suggestions for improvement or ways to make it better, they said it was perfect.  And, all kept thinking was, "Katie, you know your teaching ability and today you sucked!  But smile to your students and say thank you."  

It's funny how we are so hard on ourselves.  I am a recovering perfectionist.  :-)  

It's also funny how we think we have to perform.  Often all we need to do is create space for people.  Hold the space.  And allow the rest to flow and unfold... 

Laguna Beach hits Venice - ITALY that is...

Two of my clients from Laguna Beach are coming to Europe.  Saturday I hop on a flight to Venice, Italy to meet Lonnie and Cindy... I can not wait.  The Seide's are wonderful people who I met when I was their spin instructor.  Now, they are friends.  Italy - here we come!!!

Venice is one of my favorite cities... and as Cindy pointed out, it's where Prosecco was made... my favorite drink of choice.  It's this Italian wine - a dry sparking wine that tastes like Champagne.  And, it's made right outside of Venice.  Who knew??? 

So, here is to a good time with friends - in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  The Seide's are bringing me a new pair of spin shoes, but something tells me I won't be putting them on this weekend.  :-)

Yoga Praxis = Yoga Practice

I have been very fortunate to meet some great yogi's and teach at some amazing studios in Vienna.  I am in awe sometimes of how it happens.  One of the studios I work at is called Yoga Praxis; translated into English as Yoga Practice.  It's a great center with lovely people.  The focus is different than most studios making it very successful.  They give special attention to total well-being focusing on Ayurveda from doctors, to massage therapists, yoga classes, even to an on-site Ayurveda cook... this place offers so much.  And not only is this lady a cook, she wrote the book on Ayurveda cooking!  I am not kidding, just today after my class I found that she was indeed the author.  She makes wonderful, healthy food with so much flavor.  I ate with her on Monday after yoga class and it was incredible.  This morning when I arrived at the studio to teach, I opened the door and could already smell the goodness she was preparing for the day.
So, what is Ayurveda?  Translated from Sanskrit as "Knowledge of Life" it's alternative medicine that emphasizes re-establishing balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and detoxing.  It looks at the total person focusing on the health of the mind, body, and spirit.
I like working with some of Vienna's finest... I'm learning a lot.  

Getting on Track

The Daily OM is a book I like to read.  Full of lovely, powerful, peaceful insights.  This morning when I got up, coffee cup in hand - I sat down, opened the book and this is what I found:
"Trains Are Like People - The rails that crisscross the countryside and cut through cities have long captured people's imaginations.  Just the idea of taking a ride on a luxury train, on an express commuter line, or in a cargo car can evoke a sense of freedom, adventure, romance.
Trains are like people in that they must inevitably arrive at their destinations.  They make scheduled and unscheduled stops along the way and move at different speeds.  Some can travel for hours and are mindful of only a single destination; others meander from busy station to busy station.  The route and purpose of any train may change as the years go by.  Our lives stretch out in front of us and behind us like railroad tracks; and we are the train, its passengers, and the engineer.
The way you choose to live your life and the goals you are working toward are the route and destinations you have chosen.  Like a rider on a train, you have the choice to get on and off, find new routes, pick unknown places to visit, or just stop and enjoy the view for a while. Perhaps you like to move quickly through life as if you were an express train.  Or maybe you are like a commuter passenger, taking the same routes over and over.  You might even want to stop just riding along and choose a different direction for your life to take.
If you have examined the tracks of your life and are feeling unsatisfied, you may want to explore the changes you can make to find a more fulfilling path to follow.  Perhaps you would like to slow down a little and take a windier path rather than just traveling down the straight and narrow.  Or maybe you would prefer to experience your life as more of an adventure as opposed to just a ride that gets you where you need to go.  Changing your route can sometimes give you a chance to "get on the right track."  You may even discover that the something new you have been waiting for is just around the bend."
My train is rolling through the tracks of Europe at this season in my life.  I am stopping to enjoy the view for a while... to enjoy the adventure...

Night of Museums

There have been many moments when I've wanted to pull my hair out moving to a new country; but, this weekend was not one of them.  This weekend was filled with friends, laughter, fun outtings, amazing art, and great food.  

For the first time since I've moved to Europe - I have been over-booked.  So much going on.  So many invitations.  It felt like my life in Laguna Beach, yet European style. 
Here is a little taste of my fun-filled weekend:
 - First, I worked alllll week.
 - Yoga class on Friday evening
 - Met my friend Karin (who is an Austrian actress) to see a movie.  I love movies and this is the first time I've been in a theater in over 2 months.  Loved it.
 - Went shopping on Saturday.
 - Met friends Saturday night (Stephanie from Paris and Sarah the poet and author).  We went to the night of museums.  Vienna holds this amazing event twice a year.  64 museums in total.  Open all night.  You can get into to all the places on just the cost of one ticket.  The pictures you see uploaded are from the museum night.  It was amazing!  Picasso's work was my favorite.
- Sunday = church at VCC where I've met some really cool people.  They had an African celebration in honor of Nigeria's Independece Day and it was breath-taking.  I felt like I was in Africa again, yet I was in downtown Vienna.  An unforgettable occasion. 
 - Went to an artists house for lunch...  She is a cook and poet.  Ate her food - smiled.  Read her poetry - cried.
 - Met with friends Roland and Connie for an afternoon at the park,
 - Cooked dinner for my friends Fipps, Katha, Phillip, and Sebastian.

 A full weekend.  A fun weekend.  I am grateful.