I have been quite the negligent blogger, I apologize. My life is headed in several new and exciting directions, but sadly it doesn’t allow for much downtime. I can’t remember the last time I spent an evening on my couch, zoning out in front of the TV. (Oh how I love to zone…) Between work, yoga, the studio and social engagements, I allow myself very little time to pause and reflect. But isn’t that how life goes? It’s a constant struggle to balance activity and rest, physical and mental health, sanity and insanity…when you’re busy you wish you didn’t have to do anything, when you don’t have anything to do, you wish you were busy. It’s a catch-22…
Well, I guess I’ll start with work. We hired a new student clerk this month who is turning out to be a most excellent choice. She learns quickly and asks great questions and is just pleasant to be around in general. We had some difficulty in the past with that student position, so I’m glad this is someone who seems to weave nicely into the fabric of our office. As far as the peds’ team goes, our studies are clicking along. Last year we were flooded with new evals and new patients. This year it’s just a slight trickle. I’m sure it’s just the ebb and flow of research, but hopefully now that the weather is improving, things will pick up a bit. The boss man is always happier when we keep enrolling new subjects, that’s for sure.
On the yoga front, I’m lined up to start teaching again in April. I’ll be teaching a four-week course at the Field House. I think it’s pretty much open to anyone who wants to drop in, so if you’re available from 5:30 to 6:30 on Wednesday evenings, feel free to join me! I’m still working on figuring out a permanent teaching position at a club or gym. My friend Maura told me it can be pretty brutal. If you don’t start class on time or don’t do students’ favorite poses, they can really get on your case. But…I guess I’ll just have to toughen my skin and be ready for criticism. That’s just a part of leading anything--whether it’s a yoga class or the free world (I would assume…I guess I really don’t have first-hand experience being the leader of the free world…yet.)
Interestingly enough, one of the guys in my yoga class is working with a grant for group health and wellness. So at last night’s class, he took photos of us doing certain poses. These photos are apparently going to be displayed somewhere on the first floor of the hospital to promote health and wellness during the first week of April. I have no idea where on first floor, so if you happen to see it…let me know! Or maybe don’t let me know, if the pictures are bad…Last night also included the introduction of a new form of torture—the turbo dog push up. If you’re curious as to what a turbo dog push up entails, let me know that as well.
The studio is rockin’…literally. I’ve been listening to a lot of Radiohead while I paint. I have been mixing that in with the soundtrack from the movie Once (which I’m slightly obsessed with) to create a very powerful and emotional environment in the studio. There’s a lot of wailing coming out of my stereo, that’s for sure. This weekend I hope to go to Lowes and get some cinder blocks and planks to build a table for my x-ray light. It is currently lying on the cold cement floor of the studio, so when I use it, I have to sit cross-legged, hunched over the light…my back hurts just writing about it. I’m still plugging away at Maura’s chair painting and Maggie’s flower girl painting. Oil takes so long to dry. Hopefully those will be done within the next few weeks. Dr. Gantz’s secretary asked me to design a tattoo for her daughter, too, so I’ll also be working on that as well over the next few days. Still to come is a portrait of my friend and his son, a big ol’ painting for Ginny and Matt, and something just for me. I do happen to have a nice little canvas that Ginny got me for Christmas to do whatever I want with. I secretly want to start building a body of work so I can maybe think about entering an art fair or two. It’s too late to get in on Iowa City’s art fair this summer, but maybe by next year I will have enough pieces completed to get a booth started. But that’s a huge commitment I’m not sure I’m ready for yet.
Well, I guess I’ll start with work. We hired a new student clerk this month who is turning out to be a most excellent choice. She learns quickly and asks great questions and is just pleasant to be around in general. We had some difficulty in the past with that student position, so I’m glad this is someone who seems to weave nicely into the fabric of our office. As far as the peds’ team goes, our studies are clicking along. Last year we were flooded with new evals and new patients. This year it’s just a slight trickle. I’m sure it’s just the ebb and flow of research, but hopefully now that the weather is improving, things will pick up a bit. The boss man is always happier when we keep enrolling new subjects, that’s for sure.
On the yoga front, I’m lined up to start teaching again in April. I’ll be teaching a four-week course at the Field House. I think it’s pretty much open to anyone who wants to drop in, so if you’re available from 5:30 to 6:30 on Wednesday evenings, feel free to join me! I’m still working on figuring out a permanent teaching position at a club or gym. My friend Maura told me it can be pretty brutal. If you don’t start class on time or don’t do students’ favorite poses, they can really get on your case. But…I guess I’ll just have to toughen my skin and be ready for criticism. That’s just a part of leading anything--whether it’s a yoga class or the free world (I would assume…I guess I really don’t have first-hand experience being the leader of the free world…yet.)
Interestingly enough, one of the guys in my yoga class is working with a grant for group health and wellness. So at last night’s class, he took photos of us doing certain poses. These photos are apparently going to be displayed somewhere on the first floor of the hospital to promote health and wellness during the first week of April. I have no idea where on first floor, so if you happen to see it…let me know! Or maybe don’t let me know, if the pictures are bad…Last night also included the introduction of a new form of torture—the turbo dog push up. If you’re curious as to what a turbo dog push up entails, let me know that as well.
The studio is rockin’…literally. I’ve been listening to a lot of Radiohead while I paint. I have been mixing that in with the soundtrack from the movie Once (which I’m slightly obsessed with) to create a very powerful and emotional environment in the studio. There’s a lot of wailing coming out of my stereo, that’s for sure. This weekend I hope to go to Lowes and get some cinder blocks and planks to build a table for my x-ray light. It is currently lying on the cold cement floor of the studio, so when I use it, I have to sit cross-legged, hunched over the light…my back hurts just writing about it. I’m still plugging away at Maura’s chair painting and Maggie’s flower girl painting. Oil takes so long to dry. Hopefully those will be done within the next few weeks. Dr. Gantz’s secretary asked me to design a tattoo for her daughter, too, so I’ll also be working on that as well over the next few days. Still to come is a portrait of my friend and his son, a big ol’ painting for Ginny and Matt, and something just for me. I do happen to have a nice little canvas that Ginny got me for Christmas to do whatever I want with. I secretly want to start building a body of work so I can maybe think about entering an art fair or two. It’s too late to get in on Iowa City’s art fair this summer, but maybe by next year I will have enough pieces completed to get a booth started. But that’s a huge commitment I’m not sure I’m ready for yet.
Probably the busiest aspect of my life right now is my social life. Tuesday night, Melissa and I went to see the American Ballet Theater's performance of Giselle at Hancher. That was a gorgeous production. I’ve never seen Giselle before, but it was exactly as I imagined it to be. The ballerinas were all cookie-cutter body types. The men (I’ll call them ballerinos) were so muscular and powerful. Clearly this troupe has been trained in the traditional Russian style. Act II was by far my favorite part—the set was minimal but still created the environment of the afterlife. The lighting was eerie yet beautiful and the girl dancing the lead role looked light as air. It was all so ethereal. The lead ballerino (hee hee!) had the highest leaps I’ve ever seen.
Last weekend I went to the Oto party and had a lovely time. I did not imbibe too much, get hit on by residents, or lose my phone this year. I’m a lady now. A classy lady, thank you very much. Thankfully I don’t have any plans this weekend that will take me out of town (I so couldn’t afford the gas.) I’m still driving the rental car and waiting for the Silver Fox to come back from the shop. I can’t believe that accident was two weeks ago. I can’t believe it’s taking this long to get everything taken care of. Hopefully this will all be resolved soon, although I must say I like the Nissan. My next vehicle might just be one of those bad boys.
Last weekend I went to the Oto party and had a lovely time. I did not imbibe too much, get hit on by residents, or lose my phone this year. I’m a lady now. A classy lady, thank you very much. Thankfully I don’t have any plans this weekend that will take me out of town (I so couldn’t afford the gas.) I’m still driving the rental car and waiting for the Silver Fox to come back from the shop. I can’t believe that accident was two weeks ago. I can’t believe it’s taking this long to get everything taken care of. Hopefully this will all be resolved soon, although I must say I like the Nissan. My next vehicle might just be one of those bad boys.
My Netflix pics for this week are: 3:10 to Yuma, Dan in Real Life and Better Off Dead.
Well that’s all for now. Sorry this has been somewhat of a laundry list of life events. I swear I’ll get a fun, quirky entry up one of these days…
Peace and Love
Well that’s all for now. Sorry this has been somewhat of a laundry list of life events. I swear I’ll get a fun, quirky entry up one of these days…
Peace and Love
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