Marin

Well, I'm back in Marin now. Have been for 2 weeks now. I didn't want to be at first, now it's beginning to settle in a bit. I know that I am having lots of fun and smiling a lot, but sometimes I feel numb. Does that make sense? Maybe not, but that's the best way I can describe it. I don't want to "settle" and I feel like when I am in a place for too long, that I get "stuck", like I can't see past my own nose. In a lot of ways America makes me sad - I feel like a lot of people here are in such a hole, just barely living - going through the motions. But then I think... who the hell am I to judge? All I can do is lead by example and pray that I attract people in my life that want the same things - to LIVE. One of my favorite quotes, "We all die, but not all of us live", not sure who it's by. I want to aspire to inspire before I expire - I made that one up :)
It's true though. I want to make my mark on this world and even if it's just changing a few peoples lives.... but how do we know if we are? I got an email from a student in Perth about 4 days after I arrived in California. It basically stated that I had changed his yoga practice and therefore changed his life, by just teaching in Perth for 6 months. Do you know how rewarding it was to hear that? What a kind gesture to take the time to email me a 3 paragraph email explaining this. I feel like those sorts of gestures are rare nowadays and it makes me sad. Do you know how much the world would change if we all just said an extra "thank you" or smiled at a stranger. Well, I think it would make a tremendous difference.
I'm just kind of blabbing about what I'm thinking about - no real order or sense necessarily, but maybe 1 person will understand.
I'm having trouble writing songs and it really bothers me. I stand at the piano and I start with a chord - one idea, which might even move to 2 chords and then I throw away the idea, because I have already decided it's crap, when it's not even a complete idea. Sad really, that I am so judgmental. Maybe I should go back to music school. I just want to learn how to write songs though - and voice lessons, not necessarily get credits and this and that. Just play. I want to play again. Maybe that will happen for me in Austin Texas - I hear it's a popular music scene. I could definitely get something going on there. That's what I said about Perth though.... am I lazy? Or do I really not want to sing/play music?
I'm tired, but I really need to read this chapter in my book "The Hunger Games" - it's getting intense now. So goodnight blog world, not sure when we will meet again. I guess when inspiration hits... like it did tonight. Thanks for letting me purge my thoughts all over your white canvas.
Night

RIP Louise - Hello new legs!

And then my car wouldn't start. Yup. RIP Louise. So sad, but at the same time, and listen carefully because I will only say this once, it's kind of nice being forced to take public transport, biking, and walking. I'm actually getting to SEE this amazing city. I didn't realize how much I wasn't seeing as I was driving by... 

I feel like the last couple days commuting on foot has been more educational than the last 5 months in the car. Yes, it takes more time and it's less convenient, but "There is more to life than increasing it's speed" ~ Mahatma Ghandi. 

My Mami would be happy to here that I have been riding a bike. Del (the studio owner, Jen's mom, and the lady who I lived with, with Heidi for several months, let me borrow hers). I confess, that I haven't been on a bike, in what must be 8 years?! Man. But it's so true, that you don't unlearn riding a bike. I got the hang of it within a couple streets. My legs on the other hand... whew... are turning green and bursting out of my pants! I thought my legs were muscular before? Well, surprise surprise - they can become thicker. 

Although I'm somewhat excited for this new experience, I am also not really thrilled about the storm that's coming this weekend. I might go hire a car. My Mami says I'm too sweet and I might just melt in the rain ;)

Tomorrow in a month I leave Perth Australia. I am trying not to let the last month be ruined by tears and uncontrolled emotions, but it's hard not to think about what might happen when I leave... if I'm coming back or not. I have strong feelings for a man. That makes things I bit more sticky. Do I think I could have a future with this man? I really don't know. I'm not sure I'm ready for a relationship right now, but is there a reason I met this guy right now? What is the lesson Universe? I want to know now - I'm done being patient. I guess I don't really have a choice... Oh life. You play a tough game. 

Goodnight world! Looking forward to a new adventure and a new day tomorrow :)

The next big thing...

It has been a long time since I have written, and a lot has happened. It is only a month and a week until I leave Perth Australia. What an adventure it has been and that is what I asked for, so, once again Universe, thank you for listening. And I'm sure there is a new adventure ahead, closer than I think. The fact that I don't know where my next paycheck is coming from has been weighing on my mind a lot lately. I've always had my life planned - I like to be in control. But I guess in reality we are never really in control, because we never really know what's going to happen next.
I am so grateful for my experiences here; for whom I met, for how I've grown. This is life experience that cannot be bought or sold.
Trying to stay in the moment is difficult. I have been emotional when I think about leaving. I have grown pretty close to someone here, who will be hard to leave. I have also fallen in love with this city. I love Perth. I see myself coming back here eventually, in the future. I don't want to keep waiting for the next big thing in my life. I want to learn how to enjoy now, so that I can stop this waiting game that so many people play. This is where I think a Vapassana retreat might come into play. I have options. I have choices. Don't forget that Nora.

This is how it goes

It’s not about pride. It’s not about status. It’s not about sex. It’s not about the story. I’m not sure what it is, but I know that it’s not fun anymore. I’m not supposed to feel this way – no – I will not LET myself feel this way. I dropped my guard a little and I got hurt – I didn’t realize I had to play the game ALL the time. It’s exhausting to play the game. I don’t want to play the game. I just want to play, have fun, smile, laugh, with sugar on top. And isn’t that all up to me, you ask? You’re so right – it is  J I guess I just needed a reminder. I deserve more and I need to realize/understand that. Not everything needs to have a label – a name. I am realizing more and more, that I honestly don’t KNOW how to date. I need to learn and this is the perfect place, since I am only here temporarily. It will help me not get attached… or so, something like that. I will not let an outside source make me feel so low again – I refuse. I have so much more to offer and one day I will find someone that appreciates EVERY part of me. I won’t have to hide. I won’t have to pretend. I won’t feel like I need to be someone else. Someone to love me for me and nothing else. And maybe I have already found that - I'm just not ready to accept it yet. 

And there it is

Life happens. When you least expect it  - they say. I've been busy as ever - living. Enjoying the moments, in between. Sometimes I need to listen to what I am saying to my yoga classes and possibly learn from myself: The benefit is not in reaching the goal, the benefit is in the journey towards the goal. The benefit is in the struggle. What a gift it is to have transformed into a teacher. It has made me such a better student. I used to plan everything, I still want to plan everything and yet I have found that the unplanned moments in life are the best ones. So I breathe and take a step back to really see what's right in front of me. This has been the best practice of all. Thank you Jack Kornfield for your words of wisdom, for your soothing voice - you have helped me find this moment.
I'm flying solo now. No more Heidi around me. What a wonderful person to welcome me to Perth and help me feel at home, like I had a sister. I hope your tragus is healed. I will see you soon Jude.
Weekend is here. Sunday is yoga free day. It will be strange. It feels like teaching 2 yoga classes and practicing 1 is something that has incorporated itself into my daily life. Not a bad thing - not at all. But oh my, what a good lesson I am being taught. Hopefully it will reveal itself one day :)

Mullaloo Beach

My friend took me to the beach. We almost didn't go because it was rainy and cloudy. I would have missed this shot. I would have missed that moment. 

Need to go eat some Marzipan and think of my Mami.

Pondering

We are taught from an early age that we need to find our one and only, marry, and pass on our blood. Love. Is that all there is to life? Is that the highlight of living? I know there is no feeling like being in love, I believe I have experienced it, but I wonder if there is anything more. I understand and realize that it is a big deal to create and care for a family, but what if I'm not ready for that yet? Am I just sitting here waiting to be ready? I want to leave behind more than offspring. I used to think that I NEVER wanted to have kids. Lately, I have been thinking differently. Especially since my family is so small. I think I wouldn't be apposed to having kids/a family when the time is right, but it's not right now. So, am I just going through life, experiencing things, meeting people, for the outcome to be to find the one to start that family with? And if that were the case, is there something wrong with that? So many questions have been coming up for me and I don't even necessarily ask them to find an answer right away. I know they will be answered in time. I guess that I am looking for my purpose on this world. My karma yoga. I smell a retreat coming soon. Don't get me wrong, I do want to share my life with someone at some point, but I want to know what I am "supposed" to be doing, while I look for that person or until I am ready. Maybe I have already found that person? How do I know? To whomever is reading this, like I said before, I'm not looking for answers, just sharing the thoughts in my head. Writing them down helps to get them out of my head.

Music, Roiboos, and such

Aussie's love their holidays and this weekend, easter consists of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday! Ha. So funny.

Yeah, I've been good. Spent last Sunday enjoying live music, eating, drinking, mingling, shopping, and most of all dancing! Heidi and I went to the Blues N Roots festival. It was awesome just to spend the day mindlessly enjoying the entertainment. 

Went to the beach today with Kira (another teacher here) and although it was a bit grey it was still warm and beautiful! Water was still and the sand felt so nice between my toes. I thought about how difficult it would be to live far away from the water. Not sure how I did it for a year and a half in Tucson...

Chocolate covered goji berries are my new craving. Doritos are still up there though.

I have been meeting with more people about Life Force and giving presentations. It feels good to be sharing again and excited to see who is going to join me. I ordered a book online that I am very excited to read. Alex (a leader of Life Force) suggested it for me, titled "The Art of Non-conformity". I think it will help a lot with me moving forward with my business. I truly believe that Life Force International is my way to be free. Free from having to teach full time, free to travel more, free to see my family more, free to do what I want when I want! 

Heidi is gone this week. She is up in Broome for 7 days with some friends and I have to say I have grown accustomed to her company. She leaves for good 10 days after she gets back from Broome. I'll be pretty sad, but I have to say, it will be nice to have the car to myself, so I can meet with even more people for LFI and just be more free to move about.

I found a Roiboos tea! I make it with vanilla soy milk and a little honey. Helps me feel closer to my Mami - Lieb dich Mamichen!

Outside of my Yoga Bubble

Yay! New friends! Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE my yoga world, but I think it's important to have something to distract me from it :) I met up with a girl named Josie, who is someone I met through Marta (a friend of my parents). We had to laugh because, neither of us have actually met Marta! So, we laughed, talked, and had a drink at the pub with her roommates and then they invited me over for salad and quesadillas. What a sweet group of girls! So glad to have met them and look forward to seeing how our friendship unfolds.
You know, I've been here for 7 weeks now and I still can't get over the prices sometimes... I mean, our friend bought a banana for $4 dollars! 1 banana!
I have been playing the piano a lot. Trying to write some new stuff, but getting frustrated, so I have been learning covers. New affirmation: I have the ability and talent to write a fabulous, new, hit!
Tomorrow is a big day! Tomorrow is the first time in a LONG time where I am going to see some Live music. And the first time I have ever went to an ALL DAY music festival. I can't wait! It's called Blues N Roots. Bob Dylan, Michael Franti, Elvis Costello, just to name a few artists performing. I think it will just be super good to mindlessly walk around, meet new people, eat good food, and listen to really good music.
I can always tell when "my time" is near, when I start crying at tv shows.... here comes a week of chocolate, tears, and pain. Thank you mother nature!

Don't Forget Your Jacket!

It's dropped about 10 degrees in one day. It's definitely fall here! The colors are beautiful and the leaves dance around the cars as we zoom by. I brought warm clothes for cold weather, so I feel prepared, but Heidi on the other hand has NOTHING. Not even shoes! She has been living in flippies the whole time. So, we got a tip of a department store having one of it's biggest sales of the year right now and we are headed their way this week :) AND we just got paid! This could be dangerous. Actually, I have been really good with saving money. I'm proud of myself.
I was driving the car (Louise) and I thought, "Huh. I'm so used to driving on this side of the street now, I can't even imagine driving on the other side of the street!"
Tomorrow is the last day that Heidi and I are housesitting and kittie sitting for Jen and Adam. Back to Del's! I'll be hanging out here soon again though, when Jen and Adam leave for London. Love little Gigi (the kittie)! Although, she likes to use her teeth....
Tried some Iyengar yoga (free class) at the Lululemon store. And I walked out of there without purchasing anything! So hard. Sad part is, I'm actually a bit sore in the shoulders from doing chataranga (high plank, low plank into upward dog). Ps - I hate plank, but I know it's good for me because I am so resistant to it. hahaha
Got to talk to my Cobit this week on Skype. That was the best!!! I haven't talked with him since I left the states! So not cool, but it was so nice to catch up and fill him in on all the gossip - it was not without tears. I feel like such a sob bucket since I've been here. Just one little thing sets me off - sometimes... shhhhh, it could be a tv show. Don't tell.
Alright, off to go try some pizza at a local pizza place called "Little Caesar's" hahaha nothing like the "Little Caesar's" in the states (hopefully).

Cheese and Smiles

Lots of stuff this week!

Played lawn bowling. It's a pretty popular sport here. It's kind of like bowling just on a lawn and you don't knock over other balls. You take a black weighted ball and try to get it as close to the small white ball as possible without hitting it - so fun! Used to be for elderly, now it's popular with the youngsters, because they sell cheap beer at the clubs. It was a blast! 

Heidi and I are house sitting and kitty sitting for Jen and Adam (the studio owners of North and South Perth Studios). I told her I feel like we are a married couple - and Gidget, the kittie, is like our baby. haha

She is darling and lots of fun to play with. I need that kind of innocent, animal energy around me right now. Makes me smile. 

I am looking forward to my day off on Saturday. I feel like Heidi and I have both been teaching ALL of the classes between the 2 studios! We set up a little spa day at the local spa that is run by college students and therefore cheaper. $30 full body massage here we come!

Had REAL mexican food for the first time, here in Perth. I say REAL, because a lot of mexican restaurants here are pretty bad... taste, quality, everything. This is what the "cheese" part of the title, of the blog, is referencing. Yummy melted cheese. mmmmm

Went rock climbing and took Heidi for her first time! It was AWESOME!!! The owner of the gym made us a deal, that if we talked to the Bikram studio owners and we could work something out to advertise at each others places of business, that he would let us have 50% off of day passes when we come in the climb! I'm on it!

Update on my mood:

Still lonely, just trying not to let it take over my life. 

Heidi and I Lawn Bowling!

Look at those eyes!

Feisty Gidget

Less Testosterone Please

Yup, there it is. I'm lonely. There have been very few times in my life where I didn't have a companion, someone to share every moment with. I have asked to be alone for a while, I have detached myself from the people I love to be alone. I know there is pain in growth and growth in pain, I understand that and I acknowledge it. I'm just plain lonely. I guess I asked for it. 

But at the same time, it's hard to be sad in such an amazing location. And I am surrounded by loving beautiful people. I think it's just hard for me not to have a main man in my life. This might sound selfish, but I think I am used to having a lot of male attention and now that I'm not getting that on a regular basis, I feel deprived. Ha, well that's refreshing to admit. I think this time away from males will be really good for me. Learn to have a relationship with myself. Take me out on a date. Buy me some flowers :) Well, here goes an adventure.... wish me luck.

Everything happens for a reason....

Sunday night in Perth seems quiet this week. Cool air breezes through the cracked window on my way home from the studio. Beautiful night. Glad I can start appreciating the beauty around me again and not be so self involved. I'm still not myself, but I am on the path to healing, so I think. I feel better, at least.
Being here is good for me. Whether there was unfinished business in the States or not - I'm supposed to be here. And what if I'm NOT supposed to be here? Would it matter anyway? I AM here - why not make the absolute most of it? Right?!
We had a full day seminar with Craig Villani! He is Bikram's right hand man - the person that managed my training for 9 weeks. It brought back memories of training. Sore thighs and sleeping bum made sure of that.
Tomorrow I teach 3 classes AND spend 3 hours with Craig going over detailed teacher questions. Now that's a full yoga day! I feel so blessed to be teaching yoga for pay :) Thank you Mira (one of my first teachers at San Rafael) for telling me to go to training. Not sure where you are, but you made a big impact in my life with just a few words. Thank you.
Funny how just a couple words can make such a big difference in someone's life. I wonder if life would have led me to teacher training even if I hadn't had big influences like Mira, or Jefferson, or Arjay. Or if I would have found Bikram if Evy didn't drag me to my first class. Guess I'll never know. But I do know that I'm glad. Everything happens for a reason...
Goodnight world. Dream of smiles :)

Craig Villani and I

Just Pics

Random dog and Yallingup beach enjoying the sun

Most South West point of Australia!

My attempt at taking a picture of the super moon

Good friend and smiles (From left: Heidi, Nora, Shawn)

BAM

So, sometimes you're just walking along enjoying the view and all of a sudden BAM! Life happens. It just kind of slaps you in the face. That's been my experience the last week that I've been here. I also have to admit, the monthly present mother nature gives me had a little (a lot?) to do with it. It's funny, because I was thinking back at Bikram yoga teacher training, and it was about the 4th week when shit got heavy, which is the same amount of time I've been here. I think I am starting to get lonely and searching in my head for what I remember "comfortable" feels like. Like my friendships. Some that are possibly lost. Tears, hugs and lots of thinking and writing has filled my last few days.
Now, I'm not saying it sucks here AT ALL. It's amazing here, I think it's just a natural rhythm of things coming up because I moved across the world. I've been making friends with the students and doing some other yoga styles. It feels good to be involved, although sometime I feel I just want to crawl in bed and shut out the world. Trying to stay positive amongst all the sadness in my head, feels like a never-ending battle. Like Mami says, sometimes it's good to just cry and be sad and understand that it's ok. Yes, Mami, I listen :)
I also know that everything that has surfaced for me recently, although painful, will help me grow in the end. There is a quote by someone (who I forget) that says something like this, "I love it when I am so far out of my comfort zone that I feel awkward and weird, because I know that at that exact moment, I am growing." This is what I keep telling myself. And I will not give up on my daily affirmations :)

HEAR ME NOW UNIVERSE!

Lately I've been all about asking for what I want. Because if you don't know where you're going, if no one knows (i.e. the Universe!) then you will never get there. Sometimes we just need to trust the process and know that everything we go through is absolutely necessary to transform and change. Man, I sound like an infomercial for "The Secret" hahahaha. LOVE that movie. If you have never seen it - see it. It could change your life. Affirmations work. You don't have to believe it, just say it over and over and over. Right now mine is, "I have healthy, beautiful, CLEAR skin" hahaha - apparently my skin is not liking the new climate... we'll see! Another one (you can have as many as you want ;) is, "It is September 30th 2011 and I have residual income check of $2000 coming in EVERY month! And I am worth it!" - see one of the tricks is that you need to be specific with what and when.
It's funny, but lately I have been missing that desert place that I left. I was kind of happy to leave (not that I don't miss all of you!), so I wasn't expecting to miss it this much. At the same time, I LIKE missing things - helps me appreciate it/people even more. BUT I love being next to the ocean at the same time - enjoying the beaches SO much.
Ate at an amazing organic, vegetarian, gluten-free restaurant the other day! SOOOOOO GOOD! Yum! It better be tasty for a $18 sandwich!!!
I feel pretty strong. I was in triangle pose today and as I was looking forward I actually found myself checking myself out! hahaha I thought "nice tricepts!" I have been practicing a lot. Tomorrow I practice advanced for the first time here! So excited.
Alright then, that's it for now. Off to bed for me! Goodnight my friends :)

Permanent Smile

Today was a good day. So was yesterday. So was the day before. It seems like a permanent smile has been pasted on my face. I feel exhilarated, happy, blessed, I feel ALIVE. My new favorite places in Perth? Cottesloe beach, Hillary's Cove and Del's kitchen. I met with Mavis today, she is a fellow Life Force promoter! She took me to lunch with her husband at Kings park - absolutely beautiful! Then I taught the 4pm class. I am starting to spread the word about Life Force here and I'm doing some presentations this week! So excited! I feel so blessed to be able to travel with yoga AND Life Force! What a beautiful life I have - I remind myself everyday, I GET reminded everyday :)

Still can't get over the prices here. I went to go get eggs the other day and they cost me $7! F!!!

And I wanted to save money.... ha....

Chloe and my room

Perth City

Kira (another Bikram teacher) took me to check out the city after an afternoon at the beach. Such a sweetheart to think of me on my day off and show me around.

Me at Cottesloe Beach

Standing bow on lighthouse

It was so windy as I was doing this! I could only balance for a second and then I fell.... 

Hillary's Cove

Discovering Hillary's cove with my new found friend James, who I met through Marta.  Ate an awesome veggie burger WITH gluten free bun! So impressed with this place and it's diet/allergy awareness...

Hillary's Cove

Del's Kitchen (Heidi) and the best dinner ever!

Yoga-ing!

I only have a sec, because I need to go teach again! But it's been a while since I posted last. It feels like I have been sleeping, yoga-ing, teaching, sleeping, yoga-ing, teaching - not even enough time to eat!
I had my first day off yesterday! Went to go explore the beaches Perth has to offer! One of the other teachers, Kira, was so sweet to think of me and offered to take me around yesterday. NO, I did not see any sharks, but there was a helicopter flying overhead and Kira said that they are looking for sharks - oh lord.
I have some pictures but will post them later, since the time issue.
Shawn is here today! He is the one that has made my transition from US to WA (Western Australia) very smooth, and from what I hear he is a very popular guy at the studio! It will be funny to meet him at my class today, since I feel like I already know him. Then afterwards we are Fajita-ing it up! and then going out for some live music. This is what fun is! I think I forget sometimes....

Some pics

As promised some pics... 

This week I am all about feeling worth it. Sometimes, as I'm sure we all do, I feel inadequate. Whenever I feel that way, I realize that I have lost my ability to have fun. When I concentrate on that, then it seems like everything falls into place. So, I encourage all who read this to try and have a little bit more fun! Do what makes you FEEL good! Be around people that make you feel good! Forget all else, because it's not worth it peops- life is too short! Love

 Heidi and Me

 Luis

The North Studio Perth

Tight Bums

I'm surprised at how quickly I got the hang of driving on the other side. I mean, I have made a few wrong turns, but learning the streets and towns will come with time, I'm sure. I'm realizing more and more how beautiful it is here. Simple things like how the sun hits the dash on the way home are catching my eye and making me smile. I don't want to loose that. You know that? When you are in a place for a long time and you forget, or become oblivious, to the beauty of what surrounds you? I think that happens to all of us, but if only we could spend a little bit more time to "smell the flowers" I think we could all be happier and appreciate the world that surrounds us. 

Classes are going good. Have I mentioned it's effin hot here?! I don't sweat easily, and I am dripping sweat before we even start pranayama breathing! Not just in the room. I'm sweating while I'm driving too. It's humid as hell right now. But I like it - I'm definitely not complaining. I almost died in class the other day (yes, I still die in class every once in a while), but I felt SO amazing afterwards! 

The people I am meeting are so awesome too! Kelly (the manager of the studio's), the other teachers, Jen's mum and dad, and not to mention Jen and Adam themselves! I have never met more welcoming people. Even the people at the bank and Vodaphone store are awesome! I feel blessed to be having this experience. 

I haven't been taking pictures recently, but I will try to amp it up :)

Hug the right stay on left

2/27/11

I taught this morning! Yay. It was good. I enjoy meeting the students and learning the little intricacies at the different studios. I also took my first class here in Perth. Humid! Although everyone tells me it's normally very dry. Then I drove! Some of you may be asking yourself why I am emphasizing driving so much... because it's on the opposite side of the road then I have been driving for 10 years! Scary.... I was taught to hug the right side of the road, but obviously stay on the left - turning is the most confusing part...

I am having so much fun with my new friends here. Heidi is another visiting teacher, who I am currently living with, and Del and George are the extremely kind, loving parents of Jen (the studio owner) who welcomed me and Heidi into there home. Here is a picture of Del (on the left) and Heidi. Lots of laughter and smiles fill the house. We went to the market today and got fresh fruits and veggies. It's true - everything is SO expensive here. I spent over $100 and I got a lot of food, but in the states it may have only cost me $60. Anyway, I am on the schedule for 9 classes this week! I'm excited to teach, make money, make friends and learn to live and thrive here in Australia! What a gorgeous place. 

I've arrived!

2/26/11 ~ I think

I guess if my fingers are only bones then I can’t consider myself a vegetarian anymore. I have arrived in Perth! Wow. It feels good. I was picked up by this gorgeous lady Jen (studio owner), who helped me cram my keyboard, 2 suitcases, and me, into her compact car. She asked me about my flight as I gazed lovingly outside the window at the beauty of this Continent. She needed someone to teach the 8am class tomorrow, so I jumped on the opportunity! I might be crazy, but its fun J. I also came home (my new home in Perth – Jen’s mom’s home) to, not 1, but 2 checks from Life Force International!!! I love my business. Ok this is a short one, because I really have to shower! I am an oily mess!

~ a couple hours later….

2/24/11 

I can’t stop eating the bag of Trader Joes cheese popcorn. I’m beginning to notice a pattern here. I like Trader Joes. Will I be able to survive in a place where it doesn’t exist? I don’t want to think about that right now. It doesn’t just taste like cheese; it tastes like home. Can it be I miss it already? This elevator music is adding a perfect dramatic effect to my travels. “Un-break my Heart” has never sounded so comforting. My ass is squashed flat on the cold floor, just so I can be close to a plug to energize my electronics. I could use some of that energy. Where is my plug? I like watching the people’s faces as they walk by. Sometimes I wonder if they are questioning how old I am. I might act younger than my age sometimes, but I don’t care – I’m having fun. I think a lot of people have forgotten how to have fun. Sometimes I want to just run up to a random person and start tango-ing with them. But then I run the risk of being put in an insane asylum. Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad. Sometimes bouncing around a heavily padded room is exactly what I need. I keep running around in my head, making sure I packed everything I need. Then my Mami’s words pop into my mind “Die Heimat ist in unseren Herzen” (“Home is where the heart is”). Danke fuer dein Brief Mamichen. Ich hab dich so Lieb.

I feel good. This is right. I don’t want to expect anything from this experience, but I have a feeling that I’m going to get a lot more from it then I bargained for. I think I feel…ya…I think I feel peace. 

It begins...

2/24/11

Here I am. Sitting. Waiting. What am I waiting for you ask? Apparently I am waiting for a pair of wings to take me away. Far, far away to a place where I will start a new. I’m scared – not of what lays ahead, but of how what lies ahead will disrupt what lay behind me. My stomach is bothering me. Nerves? Maybe it’s just the pounds of fries I scarfed down before I sat down to write this… oh lord. I’m pissed off at the reception here at LAX! I have only 2 bars. I guess I would find anything to be pissed off about right now… Leaving my Mami was hard. I won’t lie. Ariana also came to send me off; sweet thing. I couldn’t stop the tears as I walked into the bathroom. Man I had to pee. I’m so impressed by the generosity of all my friends and family! I had an amazing last week in the states. Got everything done I could to prepare – I think. Saw most of the people I wanted to. Spent all the $$$ I didn’t want to ;)

I’m already envisioning arriving in Perth and seeing my name on a sign “Nora Pirsch” – I’ve always wanted to see my name on one of those signs. And maybe there is no sign, but it’s good for me to think about what could happen to help keep my mind from going too crazy. I want peppermint ice cream. That Candy Cane Joe’s ice cream was SO good. Wish I could have taken it with me – they haven’t really found a good way to transport ice cream to keep it cold enough. Maybe I should spend some time inventing something like that. Then I would be so smart and someone would want to dissect my brain, like they did with Einstein’s brain. I heard that on a podcast that my Mami and I were listening too last night. The topic was, “Is there a difference between a smart brain, like Einstein’s, and an average brain?” I think the conclusion was no, but I have an average brain, so maybe if I had a super smarts brain I would have gotten more out of that talk. Woah, ok, back to reality…maybe….actually, let’s stay here a moment…..