New York, New York?

I'm following a tip from my sister, and writing about my upcoming trip to New York City. I've never been to NYC before, and I'm leaving Friday with my best friend and my sister. It's also my birthday weekend, and this trip is my present to myself. Lisa also bought tickets to see The Lion King on Broadway, which I am so excited about.

Shelley, my sister, suggested that I write about my preconceptions of New York. We are conditioned to believe that a place truly is what it's like on TV or in books or magazines. I am a huge fan of Sex and the City, and so I believe that NYC will look and feel like it does on my favorite show- fashionable, sexy, glamourous and effortless.

I have a feeling I'm in for a rude awakening.

Monday night I started looking for restaurants to make reservations at for this weekend so that we would at least have a place for dinner. Just doing this stressed me out. Which restaurant? What neighborhood? Is this a good place? Is it too expensive? Will we look out of place? Am I too Virginia for New York? I'm not cool enough, am I? Suddenly all these thoughts were swirling around in my head and I began to doubt if I was ready for New York. I definitely was not in an Empire state of mind, Jay-Z.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have put NYC up on a pedestal- this idea of urban perfection, and that I've set myself up for a fall. Because I'm so excited about this trip, because I have this picture in my mind of what New York is going to look and feel like (look, there goes Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones, off to their lunch date!), I'm afraid that I won't be able to see New York for what it really is- just another city. Yes, it's quintessentially American, and fashionable, and nearly every movie or book is set there or has a character who longs to return to the Big Apple, but we have to remember that it's also a place of business, and that it is someone's home.

I'm trying to be pragmatic and realistic so that I'm not intensely disappointed by the city that never sleeps.

However, I'm also a big tourist and I can't wait to squeal like a little girl at the sight of the Statue of Liberty and Bergdorf Goodman. And Fifth Avenue. And Broadway. And Manolo Blahnik. And Wall Street. And... sigh. Oh New York. I can't wait to meet you.

Urbanly yours,

Nay

The Friendly Games

Normally I don't watch sports. They don't interest me, and I'm not a fan of competition and what it does to people.

However, I am LOVING the Vancouver Olympics this year. I'm watching it constantly and checking stats and live feed on NBCOlympics.com all the time. I'm all about Team USA, and if there are no American athletes in an event, I'm cheering for Canada.

I think what got me hooked was how welcoming and beautiful the Opening Ceremony was on Friday. I was mesmerized all evening. I loved how the Canadian aboriginal people were part of the ceremony as the Four Host Nations, with tribal dress and dancing, it was tasteful and exciting. I loved the music, and the Parade of Nations, and the gorgeous choreography. I was moved, and also felt patriotic, but not just for America, but for the world.

This year, it feels like the world is one team, cheering each other on and supporting each other. Sure, it's fierce competition, but its not unfriendly.

I don't know much about winter sports. But I know good sportsmanship, and that's what I've seen so far. So, GO TEAM USA, and GO WORLD!

Olympically yours,
Nay

Happy is as happy does

So I've started reading this new book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and it's very insightful. The author is a mother of two living in New York and decides that though she is happy with her marriage and her life, there is more she could be doing to be happier. So she embarks on this quest to change her life, one resolution at a time. She gives herself one year and does one resolution (with about 4 to 5 changes per resolution) a month, and documents her progress.

The writing is very enjoyable, with just the right amount of facts and statistics. She is also funny and her exploits make you chuckle sometimes because you empathize, even if your life situation is different. Ultimately, everyone can benefit from these resolutions that she proposes.

Things like "Boost Energy", "Lighten Up", "Make Time for Friends" are just some of her twelve resolutions, things that we could, and should, all try to do to improve our outlook on life. Her book is punctuated with these "Ah-ha" moments she calls "First (or second, etc) Splendid Truths" that are revelations for her and her quest to be a happier more content person. She practices restraint, being slow to anger and quick to love, and gentleness- things all of us could work on.

This makes me wonder- what makes YOU happy?

Happily yours,

Nay

Bike Training- Day One

Training Day One

I didn't get on the bike this morning but I did get in some cardio on the treadmill before yoga class. The cardio was the easy part. Yoga, on the other hand, killed me.

Some people think yoga is a bit, well, sissy. You stretch, you breathe, you pose.

YOU SWEAT. Trust me.

The thing I like about yoga is that you go slow. You start out slow, you move through the poses slowly, you end slow, you rest. But don't let the low impact fool you. You sweat, you stretch and your breathing becomes labored, your heart beats a little faster simply because you're moving your body around.

I've always enjoyed yoga because its kind. You're not jarring your muscles or slamming your joints, pounding the treadmill pavement. You're just moving and flowing. And if you need a break, you take a break in Child's Pose, knees tucked under you, forehead to the mat, arms by your side. You breathe, you relax, you take a minute, then you get back up and into Warrior II.

You feel like a warrior when you're finished.

Your body thanks you afterward, with blood flowing, muscles loose and ready, if not a little shaky- it's hard work to hold a pose!

The best part? When done right, yoga doesn't hurt during or after. You just feel loosened up.

So, on my off days of training for this bike ride through Virginia wine country, I'm going to do yoga to keep my body limber and to stretch my sore, cardio ass kicked muscles. You should too.

Namaste,
Nay