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Real Decisions

You may have noticed, as I have, that the majority of activities that I have tried involve fitness in some way or another. It has become clear to me that I am my happiest when I am physically active and challenging my body and mind. With a lot of motivation from my family, I have made a real decision to register for my fitness instructor course! The reason why I say a real decision is because I didn't just decide that I would like to do this, I made a true decision by taking action to sign up and do it. (I recently read about real decisions in a book by Tony Robbins). This is something that will alter my life whether it's what I eventually end up doing as a career, or simply adding another notch of experience under my belt (and I'm okay with both!).
I start in May and of course I am both nervous and excited. I am anticipating great things to come! And most importantly, I anticipate continued self-growth which I know is essential to my happiness.

Self Discipline

     Okay, I know it's almost February but I am starting my new year's resolution as of now! The whole point of this blog is to stick with it and hold myself to continuing, and finishing what I've started. Seeing as I've been M.I.A. for about 6 weeks shows that my resolution for Self Discipline is very fitting. Lack of self discipline has been an apparent pattern in my life. Putting off blogging over the holidays is a clear example! Self discipline will be applied to all aspects of my life including relationships, eating, exercising and overall personal growth. You will be happy to hear that I've been doing a couple of things! First off, Zumba! I love exercise and I love to dance so putting the two together an only be better right?! Wrong. I see how it is a fun way to get a little exercise in, however the key word here is a little. The instructor was an amazing dancer but I realize now that personally, I much more enjoy aerobic classes that are more structured with steps and routine. Zumba was very easy going with little structure. It included a great deal of pelvic thrusting and booty pops. Yes my heart rate was up but I wasn't working up a sweat. It may be fun with friends, but generally not my cuppa' tea!
Now on to the highlight of my new year so far! Drop in volleyball at the rec centre! I was IN LOVE with volleyball in highschool and I've rekindled the romance! I have always been a bit envious of my husband's love for playing hockey. He gets so much enjoyment out of it and its something he can be proud of. I spoke with a friend that I haven't been in touch with for awhile who invited me to come play on Thursdays. If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that I really wanted to go but was intimidated and afraid of looking foolish. After all, its been about 7 years since I've played. I made myself go, convincing myself that I would try and have fun no matter what and knowing that it's something I could blog about. I picked it up again pretty quickly and had such a great time. I didn't realize how much I loved it until I was on my way home, blasting Chris Brown's "Forever" and dancing in my seat. I was in an incredible mood and it was because I have found a new hobby. This is something I KNOW I will continue doing. I am so excited to keep playing and improving. It is also helping my friend and I stay in touch which is true to my self discipline resolution by keeping and improving relationships in my life.
SERRR-VICE!

My First Passion Test

"Close your eyes and picture your ideal life. What are you doing, who are you with? Where are you? How do you feel? Now make your list and know that this is just your first list." (The Passion Test, Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood).

The hard part is separating goals from passions. Goals are things that can be achieved and passions are how you live your life. According to the book I am supposed to write down at least 10 things that would make my life ideal. When my life is ideal, I am _________________. I am not supposed to worry about the dreaded "hows," just that "what."
It's a little unnerving sharing this with all of you but this is what my blog is all about, so here goes!

When my life is ideal, I am...

1. Enjoying positive attention
2. Living in abundance
3. Inspiring others
4. Having lots of free time with Hubby
5. Going on adventures
6. Living in a house with an open concept and a fabulous kitchen with brick walls
7. Staying fit
8. Making a positive difference
9. Not working 8hrs a day, 5 days a week.
10. Having unique and fun experiences

I figured I would come up with at least 15 things that would make my life ideal. But making this list wasn't as easy as I thought it should be. It took about 40 minutes. When I read over my completed list, I was surprised to discover that I have already started creating my ideal life. Number 1,3 and 10 are the direct outcomes of this Path to Passion blog! Woah! I can't even explain the feeling that came over me. I was overwhelmed with feelings of enlightenment and joy. This is so cool!

The next step will be narrowing down my list and going deeper.

FYI - Here's my kitchen!

Aerial Silk!

   On the second floor of a marketplace in New West, it felt very "granola." There were craft and florist shops and a store dedicated to tea. I was early as usual. (I'm always early). I had to sign myself in and fill out a waver basically agreeing that the school is not responsible if I was to plummet to the floor causing a slow and painful death. Needless to say, that never happened. I decided to get a tea while I was waiting for the class to start, thinking, "I'm fitting in already!" When the class finally started, there were about 6 of us there except myself and one other girl were the only beginners. The other four showed off their skills on the silk and it looked fantastic! Two of them were even doing a choreographed routine together. The silk was woven around their extremities like art as they decended from ceiling to floor. I was too shy to ask them how long they had been taking the classes. They were all in excellent shape. Us beginners were pulled aside to do beginner moves like stand on the knot and bounce. Then, our hunky, gay instructor taught us a few more moves, including one where we went upside down. This move was a big hit. We couldn't stop giggling. (I  accidentally just wrote jiggling, which isn't totally false!) I was bringing out my inner child and thoroughly enjoying myself. It wasn't easy though! I was using muscles I didn't know I had! I found this out the next day of course. Trying to sit on the toilet the morning after was a chore to say the least.

This is the jiggle-giggle move I was talking about...

You can't really tell but I am off the ground. We stayed low and pretty safe for the first class. Hopefully next week we'll get a little risky! The class was 1 hour long and literally only felt like 20 minutes. I had a great time. I'm back next Thursday, and the Thursday after that. I'm already thinking about signing up for more!

New Experience: Check!
Laughs: Check!
Tubular Rad Awesomeness: Check!
Aerial Silk: Check!

The Passion Test

"The Passion Test," is a book that my sister gave me almost a year ago. It is by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood. I'm not going to lie, I read a quarter of it and then got sidetracked. It's not that I wasn't enjoying it, it was just one of those times where I wasn't getting into it. Once I leave a book for more than a week I find it difficult to dive into it again. Today I started reading it again for my Path to Passion project. The book itself is a tool to discovering your passion.

I wanted to share a few lines from the second chapter that I think is a good depiction of the book:
Passion is a very personal experience. When you begin to do what you love, what you are truly passionate about, your life will be irresistibly pulled in directions you can't even begin to imagine...
...Often we get bogged down in the "hows: How will I find the money? How will I find the time? How will I learn this or that skill? But as you'll see, it's not the "how" that is important for you to know; it's the "what." And helping you get clear on the "what"-what your passions truly are-is what this book is all about.

All those "hows" I've asked myself a thousand times, even though I know not to do that! (If you've ever read the book "The Secret" then you know that you are supposed to expect that what you want in life will become reality and so it will.) However, it's very difficult to try and keep the whole money and time factor out of  the picture! I also feel like I should have my whole life together or at least steadily on it's way by now. People keep reminding me that I am only 24 but I am eager to know exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in life. If I took my own advice, I would know that THIS is what I'm supposed to be doing! Everything happens for a reason (so cliche, I know), and I am supposed to be doing this blog! It's amazing, some of the revelations I have in the time it takes to write a blog post!
Until next time friends!

PS: Only 3 more days until I try the Aerial Silk class! I am so excited!

I Hate the Word Bobbin...

"How to load a bobbin" is what I typed into Youtube. At least 50 videos turned up. As I'm watching the video, I catch myself wandering off. I hate that word, bobbin...bobbin, bobbin, bobbin. It doesn't sound right after you say it a few times. Blah! 

I've never been the most creative person around. I always wish I were but its just something that doesn't come too natural to me. I am however, great at stealing ideas from the internet! Thank god for my new best friend Youtube! There are also many great blogs that I've read where people showcase their creativity and teach followers to do crafty things. As I mentioned in my last post, I've decided to learn how to use a sewing machine. My friend Michelle let me borrow her's and gave me quick instructions on how to load the thread and...ugh, the bobbin. She made it look super easy. Of course, the minute I brought it home and started going at it the thread got tangled and I thought I broke it! "Oh no, Michelle's gonna kill me!" is all I was thinking. I don't know what I would have done without Youtube. A simple tutorial walked me through how to fix my problem. It got easier after a couple of times. Here's what I made...

Baby Headbands!

They were super simple and great for a beginner like myself. They are made using pantyhose and a hot glue gun! The flower is just a clip-on. My unborn baby niece will be the most stylish baby around! It's difficult to know how small to make the bands...you don't want them to tight but they need to stay on! The pantyhose are so soft and I think they will be really comfy. I basically only needed to do one line of stitching for these headbands, but it was an excuse to learn to use a sewing machine anyway. I can confidently say that sewing is not my passion. But I think I knew that before. Though it is something that I am curious about and willing to practice. I think sewing is something worth knowing how to do, especially when I have children (which we aren't planning quite yet!). I do enjoy doing crafty things and like how I feel with the end result. I am planning on doing some DIY Christmas gifts this year so I will make sure to blog about it when the time comes! All in all I would say my experience was pleasant but frustrating at times...'pleasantly frustrating'. :oP

If you have any creative ideas for me to steal, ahem, I mean try, let me know in the comments! Is there anything you'd like to see me try in the way of new activities or experiences? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Circus Freak!

Every time I've ever seen a Cirque Du Soleil show I dream about being one of the performers. I am completely taken aback with how talented these people are and how the whole show comes together the way it does. If you haven't seen one, I definitely recommend it! They are truly amazing.
On that note...I signed up for something that I've wanted to try for months. I'm joining the circus! Okay...that's a lie. But I am going to try "Aerial Silk" classes. I didn't even think these classes were available for the average Joe ...but they are, and I'm gonna do it! If you haven't heard of this, it's kind of like aerial acrobatics while hanging from a long piece of silk. I found these classes at vancouvercircusschool.com and they are less than $20 per session!

Look Familiar?

I'm sure I'll have this move down on the first day...

You don't think I'll have to wear the head piece do you?

I don't start until Dec.1 but I felt compelled to blog and share my excitement with you! I am really looking forward to trying this out and filling you in on how it goes!
Until then, I will be putting on my creative hat. I will learn how to use a sewing machine. It's been awhile since Sewing 8. I think the only thing I made the entire semester was a tacky apron that I gave to my grandma. I have a new niece on the way in less than a month and I plan on making (or trying to make) her a couple of cute things. I can't give it away yet since my sister-in-law will be reading this. It's a surprise! Hi Vanessa!
I've been obsessed with the website www.pinterest.com lately. If you haven't discovered it yet, DON'T! Go do something productive! Or I promise you, you will be stuck in front of the computer for at least an hour! There are so many creative ideas posted by people that make me want to get crafty. I will be borrowing a friend's sewing machine and hopefully she can give me some tips. Other than that, it's all up to Youtube and Google!

I just wanted to say a quick thanks for everyone's positive feedback regarding the blog! Knowing that people look forward to reading is very encouraging!

Aquasize - Not just for old ladies anymore!

The other day I decided to try "Aqua Bootcamp" for the first time. It's something I've been meaning to try for awhile now but haven't gotten around to it and  think I was secretly intimidated to try it by myself. For this "passion project" of mine, I've decided it is very important to experience these new things on my own. If I go with friends I may not know if I am truly enjoying myself because I like what I am doing, or if it's because I am sharing it with people I enjoy.
For some reason I have a fear of being alone, not knowing my surroundings and looking like an idiot. For example, hubby and I are in the foodcourt and we want meals from different vendors. He will want to split up and meet at the table. Instead of separating from each other, can't I just wait with him while he orders and then vice versa?! I have some strange fear of not being able to find him afterwards! Weird! Does anyone else feel this way?
What I'm trying to get at is that I was nervous going in to the rec center. I didn't know where the class was being held and I felt like I was lost in the foodcourt! But its funny how things work out. I ended up seeing a girl I knew who works as a lifeguard at the pool. She was able to direct me and ease my nerves.
I'm not going to lie. When I think of Aquasize, the thought of old ladies wearing swim caps and floral bathing suits comes to mind!

FYI - its SO not like that! This was a "bootcamp" in deep water. No kicking and splashing around in the shallow end! However, I was the only one who came in a bikini! I may have said a little prayer that my bottoms wouldn't fall off after I noticed that everyone was in a one-piece! After saying "amen," I jumped in.
So, the verdict is...I loved it! It was a great workout! The best thing about this kind of workout is that you never get too hot. It was fun and my body really felt it the next day. I would definitely recommend it and I plan on doing it regularly along with my usual gym routine.

Ps. My bikini bottoms stayed securely glued to my butt.
I, Kim, vow to never be caught in a one-piece swimsuit until I am 35...make that 45.

Kid Stuff

Recently I read that a clue to discovering your passion is to look back to when you were a child. What activities were you involved in? What were you talented at?
When I was a child I was a ball of energy. If I wasn't eating or sleeping, I would be doing kartwheels, practicing back flips on the trampoline or begging my dad to count how many laps I could swim in my grandmother's pool. I was involved in gymnastics for a couple of years but my somewhat shy nature as a child is what stopped me from continuing. I was getting good, and they wanted me to compete. I was terrified and stopped gymnastics all together. WTF! Why did I quit?! No one was even forcing me to compete! To this day, I regret quitting and wonder what would have happened if I had continued. When I entered high school, I was involved in sports (FYI: 'involved' doesn't mean good at!). But my love was for the dance team. It made me outgoing and excited! In grade 11, I was asked to be captain. I accepted, but then realized that putting together choreography was not my thing. I was afraid of people judging me. I was afraid of failure. By grade 12, I quit dance. I'm beginning to see a pattern here!
1. I have a fear of failure
2. I seem to have enjoyed physical activity since childhood
Although I've always loved to dance, at this point in my life after so many years of not doing it (excluding sporadic Friday nights with girlfriends or alone in the house), I feel like it's too late to pursue the idea of taking it further. But maybe it's this kind of thinking that has stopped me from finding my passion.
I think we're making progress here!

Stay tuned...I tried something new yesterday! It will be up on the blog soon!