Touchdown in Tinseltown

Sorry I've been missing for a few days. We just arrived back in the U.S. yesterday after an epic journey. We had a great time for the last few days in Australia and really cherished the moments with family and friends. Many hugs and a few tears later, Izzy and I boarded our already 3 hour delayed flight to Los Angeles. I knew it was going to be a crazy journey when I accidentally freaked out in the terminal when I read that it was the final call for our flight and yet they hadn't called us to the loading area yet. It took a very kind young Aussie to reassure me that Qantas had not in fact begun boarding for our flight, and that the departure monitor was wrong. Sheesh... talk about a false start. That was the bright spot of the journey!

About 2 hours into the trip the captain came over the PA asking for any certified medical practitioner to please step forward to help with a medical emergency on board. Never an auspicious start! About 5 hours into the flight we watched our little plane graphic that shows your progress on the trip slowly begin to curve around... We had actually crossed the international dateline and then went back again! I think that means I lost a day and gained one in a matter of minutes!

The captain then informed us that we needed to make a medical emergency landing in Fiji so the plane turned around to go back. Needless to say, it made for a not so ordinary trip. The poor teen girl on board who was ill (have no idea at all of details) was wheeled off of the back of the plane after an hour on the ground in Fiji at 1:30 in the morning. Not exactly state of the art evacuation planning. It took a further 2 hours to locate her bags and remove them from the plane due to security regulations. We stayed on the plane and were finally on our way in about another hour. Now remember, this is a 14 hour flight under perfect conditions... we finally landed in LAX after 19 hours of travel time total!

Needless to say, we are VERY happy to be on the ground and with more family in Southern California. It's now 2:30am and Izzy and I are both awake and jetlagged out of our minds. I'll post more soon but I did want to share this part of the trip. Things are NEVER boring on this blog! ;-)

Hope this finds you well and more rested than us!

Jan

So much to catch up on

I had a wonderful week with Yolanda Pettinato who generously spent so much of her time with me. We worked on my teaching skills and also she was very devoted to deepening my meditation practice. My head is spinning with all of the new ideas and concepts I have been exposed to. Now comes the exciting part of the journey where I begin to meld my own ideas to the ones I've learned in order to build something authentic and powerful for myself and by extension my students.

Thank you to friends and students who have been emailing me that I am missed. I am so grateful for the relationships and friendships I have all around the world. I never feel lonely because I am surrounded by so much love and warmth.

Okay, I must run because the family has arrived for a last dinner together, but I will post more soon.

Namaste,

Jan

p.s. See attached photo of Neenish Tarts from Church Street in Brighton. A yummy treat from my doting mother-in-law.

From Oliver and Jamie .... my nephews in Oz

Jamie: "I had a good Aussie Rules Football match. And my team won by 2 points and the match before that I won by 15 points. Usually I play down back and I always stay on my man when I'm on back. Once I got moved up to forward and I was getting tackled from behind and I managed to get the kick away and got it to my teammate who kicked a goal."


Oliver: "Hello"


As you can see we are finishing our sleepover with cousins and having a great time. I'm off to a private yoga class with Yolanda this morning in a few minutes so more later.

Jamie: "Bye"
Oliver: "Bye"
Jan: "Bye"

p.s. Izzy is still sleeping.

Catching up with old friends

Izzy and I had lunch and a nice long visit with one of my oldest friends and her husband. Izzy enjoyed walking their dog Chico and playing on the beach while we enjoyed lunch at a cafe right on the water. It was sunny and fairly mild today so the weather was an ally for a change.

Tried a new yoga posture today that was quite a complicated balancing act. I enjoyed trying it but I'm not really sure it's a real bonafide asana or just something new I've cooked up. It was fun to try though. I've also been "kicking at the moon" which is a movement that I've learned here from Lev that encourages loosening of all muscles and relaxing more fully into the ground. Imagine donkey lying on his back in Shreck and then begin flailing about your legs and arms and you get the general idea. Then add in breathwork to make the whole thing work. Even if you don't achieve great enlightenment you'll definitely have a giggle. (or at least your kids will if they get to witness it!)

Had a great chicken schnitzel dinner last night with David's brother's family at their local pub The Swan. Pubs are the best value for money restaurants in Australia. Check out the menu site for prices and selection and then check out this site for another restaurant down the street where we've eaten frequently to get an idea. Poci's Restaurant

Well, that's it for me today. I start kid duty tomorrow with the neighbor's daughter and then a sleepover with cousins coming on Tuesday. If you don't hear from me for a few days it's probably because they've tied me to the Hills Hoist out back!

Hugs and happy days,

Jan

Missing my other half...

Happy 4th of July from Oz,

David took off on the epic voyage home today and as always, it feels a little melancholy without him here. He becomes effervescent the moment he arrives in Melbourne, so it's a big hole to fill when he leaves. We laugh like crazy when we first arrive here, because the first thing he does is to kiss the ground outside Melbourne Airport because he's so happy to be home. I'm sure he'll swallow someone else's gum one of these days off the sidewalk! He'll be happy to get back to Portland too, but it's trite but true, "there's no place like home".

Anyway, we just took it easy today and I went for a shortish walk and did some easy yoga this morning. Nothing too taxing as I think we all needed the break. Tomorrow the rounds begin again with family and friends. Played around with Google Earth tonight and if you haven't done this I can't recommend it highly enough. Such fun to go whizzing around the world peeking into other people's back gardens. Not seriously, as the graphics thankfully have some limits, but it is still great fun to check out landmarks and places missed. Check it out here at: Google Earth if you haven't already.

Namaste and I hope this finds you well and happy,

Jan

Headstands and homecooked meals...

So once again while practicing in the upstairs bedroom, I fell out of headstand to the alarm of David's parents. The whole house shakes when I tumble down. I think I'll have to forgo being upside down for a while so everyone can settle their nerves. It is a bit much to be benignly enjoying your morning cereal only to be startled with the crash overhead. Maybe I should work on a softer landing? I'm sure if my tummy muscles would only strengthen magically, then I wouldn't have such loud landings. It is great fun to get upside down though. I love watching the palm trees waving wrong side up while I breathe slowly in and out. Very meditative when I forget about the mechanics and just enjoy the sensation.

The brisket and chicken soup with matzah balls came out very well and we enjoyed another family dinner before David leaves to go back to America without us. We girls stay on for another 11 days while he gets back to work to help pay off this vacation. I feel slightly guilty but it's surprising how slightly! ;-)

Must get to bed now but I hope this finds you in good health and good spirits,

Jan