A Practice Rooted in Love

I'm not sure why it took me so long to get here-- not the feeling itself but the physical act of sharing the feeling.
A month ago I met one of the most amazing people in my life: Karen Stephan, my master teacher. My body holds the memories of the poses, smoothed out by external input. My mind holds onto the honesty and openness of her beautiful heart. My soul is light and feels just a little more free with gained wisdom.
During my previous YTT Saturday session, Karen shared how her life has woven into her teachings and how it will for us new teachers as well. I thought about how I didn't have anything that could be usefully applied to a yoga lesson/session. Yes, I know how to clean a house and can help people find information but how does that factor in?
On Sunday she gave me the answer. Not directly but it's as if she knew exactly what parts of her life to share with the class. I connected most when she talked about her recovery from insomnia and her walk in the woods with her father. Karen had explained to us that this was a dark time in her life.
During her walk in the woods, she asked her father what he would think if she walked in front of a car. He told her "Then your mother and I would no longer have anything to live for."
And something inside me opened, warmth flowed up into my head, welled up into my eyes. My parents have never had unique jobs and haven't been involved in any organizations. What could possible weave into my yoga practice that would resonate with anyone?
Love.
My life has never lacked in love. Back to the oldest memory I can reach, when I was sitting in the child seat of a bicycle behind my father, I felt it. I felt the wind whip around him, the balance of the motion sweet to my pleasantly simple mind. I was safe and I was loved.
From this moment of being on the bicycle, to every night of bedtime stories, to now when I see my parents maybe once every few months, I have love in my heart. It is this love-- this unconditional love-- that I see woven into my practice. The people I surround myself with are ingrained in this tradition of love in my life. My mind can plummet to dark places but then I reach for bits and pieces of light, of this glowing love, and I am lifted.
For a moment I thought I may not have anything special to give my future students. Then Karen shed her light upon my life, illuminating moments and memories.
It isn't just the way my inner knee moves to my outer knee in Virabhadrasana I & II (Warrior I & II); it isn't just the spaciousness that can be made under my arms; it isn't even the moment I felt my energy move so freely from toe to crown. The moment of warmth and connection to the love in my life-- just being in that moment-- is one that transcends time.

As One Into Eternity

"Together for all eternity" by RazielMB dA

When the earth begins to shake beneath our feet
and the stars refuse to shine,
When the weight of the sky tumbles to our shoulders
and there is  no star left in the sky,
Through the darkness,
Through fire and rubble,
We seek.

When the connection is made
between your eyes and mine,
When mountains and infernos
threaten all we've built,
Through the darkness,
Through fire and rubble,
We meet.

The moment of peace,
The moment of silence,
The moment of truth,
I am you
and you are me.

Take my hand and breathe in what is us.
The stillness of now,
the truth of time.
Through the darkness,
Through fire and rubble,
Let the world crumble;
it does not shake our peace.

Ishvara-Pranidhana : Let the universe guide you

by gimgams, dA

This journey can be challenging sometimes. Not just with getting onto the mat (TAPAS!) but also deciphering new feelings and thoughts that come with diving deeper into myself. Discovering what I truly want is frightening because often I'm not sure how to make the proper motions.
So far I've found I don't want a full time job, but I need to make enough to pay bills. I've always known I want to help people but now I see that I want to give them the opportunity to break free from our society's norms and discover true health and wellness (i.e. gardening, yoga, food).

I have also found that I truly enjoy simple foods, not just because they're easier to make but also because I can taste each aspect of the meal: the nuttiness of quinoa, the umami of different mushrooms, the sweetness of a banana, the crunchiness of fresh cooked green beans, the crispness granted with fresh lemon juice in water.
My joy of simplicity extends out into other aspects of my life as well: the sound of natural running water, the warmth of Penny's belly, Alex's full-hearted laugh, the colors of blue in nature all around me, the feeling of being in a house made of logs (Lotus Pond, my Uncle's home on Bear Mountain NY), the feeling I get when looking at the colors granted to the sky as the sun rises and falls.

Maybe the proper motions are just doing what I enjoy doing and putting my all into it. This weekend Larissa, my pranayama teacher, touched on Ishvara-Pranidhana, the idea of letting the universe guide you. She shared how she's gotten where she is today by taking what opportunities are given to her and building from there. She doesn't seek out jobs, they come to her.
It is a rather difficult concept to get my western mind wrapped around it but I think the idea really stems from the power of initial inquiry: you touch the surface of the water with a stick one time and it ripples, the water is unsettled and shifts-- options move towards you.
So the lesson is, do what you love, the rest will come.


Another article that talks about going with the flow of the universe: The Real Meaning of Go With the Flow by Sara Tomassini.

Peace, Life & Reflection

This past week has been chaotic as so often it can be. 

Last Friday morning I had a beautiful personal practice. Forty minutes of just me, my mat, and some music. The day was off to a pleasant start. Alex and I went out to get some dairy free yogurt at Whole Foods. Then my car expressed real distress and earned the label of unreliable. There was a part that needed to be replaced and because of the design of my car, Alex was uncomfortable doing the labor himself. (No yogurt was spoiled, thankfully)

Then, Sunday, Alex's car decides to just not start while we are out grocery shopping. (We had tofu with us).

My reaction when both happened? 

Okay.

Just a sincere sense of calm. 

Perhaps it was the start to the weekend that made the calm possible-- my release of any stress and concerns allowed for fresh ones to be addressed properly. Perhaps it was because Alex and I were together. So often we have gotten out of wack when chaos finds its way into our day. I've found we so often do better together.

It has been some of the most inopportune times for these events to occur-- both because of cold foods and finances. Practicing yoga physically and mentally, I've found a healthy way to work through conflict: with serenity and compassion.

In light of this day, September 11th, these troubles are very petty-- and that is why stress does not serve me or anyone in situations like that. I am here today and I am as free as I allow myself to be. My heart goes out to those of you who have feel the pain from hatred and fear years ago on this day. May love help you help your heart, your body and your mind. 

So much was hijacked that day; it wasn't just planes or lives. A whole culture was hijacked and tarnished in front of the world. Extremists are the cause, just as they always have been. 

I leave you today with peaceful, loving wishes. May your heart find balance and compassion so that the spirit within you is fed with more light than darkness. 

Om shanti.

Penny for a Selfie

In order for there to be joy in the sunshine, we have to take in some rain.

Live Your Dream

Happy New Year everyone! It's the year of the sheep!

Some of you may already know that I am a sheep (because quite a few of you are sheep yourselves). Apparently this is going to be our year to push forward and take a big step towards our aspirations. I'm very considerate of the sources on Elephant Journal in this regard but I can honestly feel that all the positive forecasts and such are for real. I've been feeling so many good vibes and I know I probably sound crazy to some of you but the energy around sheep(at least for me) this year is just ripe for change and making but strides towards goals. 

For my western new year resolution I sent out a lot of positive energy and wishes of happiness for all. I did not foresee all the magic of my hopes and wishes for others to come back to me so quickly, becoming my own fuel for courage and love. 

Here I am again, during the eastern new year this time, sending out all the love I can muster to friends and strangers alike (from all signs of the zodiac). We are here to love and I want you to know that I honor this purpose. 

If you are ever in need, I am here. 

Go out and experience what the world has to offer. Drink up the wonder that is all around you. May nothing scare you from sincere aspirations. It may not happen now but know that was does happen now is a lesson or experience leading up to your hopes. You are in control of your destiny. 

Go live your dreams. 

Put On Your Sunday Clothes, There's Lots of World Out There

Last night I started watching Outlander. I was expecting to be disinterested and bored but, to my surprise, the show is quite captivating. The sequence of time is, of course, already mixed up but in addition to this is a unique style of story telling-- a kind attempt at considering the viewer's questions (such as, how does it feel to time travel?). Claire, the main character's, personality is charming and spunky. As a nurse, everyone has a reason to like her-- even those in the time displacement. When she thinks of her husband, I find myself looking to Alex as he sleeps. It must be a terrible thing to be ripped apart from such happiness. Claire has already recognized mortality as she has lived through WWI but to be displaced in time? That is a true separation for nothing short of magic can get you there and back again.
In light of the Sunday before the fall semester begins, I reflect on what is most important to me. There was a time with school was of the highest priority but now I see that it is merely a necessary burden put upon people of our time to make their way through life comfortably. We devoute a quarter of our precious time to school and much more than that to work-- all for small yet very precious amounts of time with those we love, marveling at the beauty of the universe.

My Favorite

According to Alex, you're just dying to know what my favorite event of this week was. Well, I'm finally sharing it and, hands down, it was the Florida Aquarium. While this place boasts a focus of having a kid water park and aquatic animal petting stations, it really hones in on education with the ecosystem and the animals. Upon entering you are drowned in the scent of small children: baby wipes, vomit, and mothers with not enough perfume to cover it up but just enough to spice up the rather putrid scent. You are then hounded to take a photo so they can charge you $30 for it before you leave.
After pushing through this and the numerous initial strollers in the lobby, you make your way up the escalator and, after reviewing the map, turn to the right into an amazingly simulated Florida ecosystem.

Cute duckies everywhere!

Free-flying birds

Swimming Otter

The atrium ceiling for this lovely aquarium

It was such a beautiful experience. I tried my best to get pictures of everything but, of course, I didn't get a picture of my absolute favorite: the sea horses/dragons. They were so sweet and majestic. Did you know that the majority of them are monogamous and every morning the female will come visit the male and they will do a special dance (sounds like Happy Feet but better!)? I was so enthralled with them we probably spent a good fifteen minutes just in that section. 

Painting by Patrice 

Words cannot fully describe how lovely this visit to the aquarium was. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely go back. Next time I'll get pictures of the beautiful little sea horses and dragons (no flash though, it'll frightening them).

Memory Preservation

Really wanted to share some beautiful moments from my brother's wedding.  Click the link below to see.

http://vimeo.com/102047940

I Want To Participate

This one got me off my lazy bum today. I may not have anything exciting to do (until my spin class at 6) but getting out the house is good. Publix here I come!

To explain the title of this post quickly, Alex and I went on a walk with Penny a couple months ago and we were discussing how artists paint such beautiful, emotional events. I pointed out that, while they recorded and brought to life these moments in time, immortalized-- in a sense-- those moments and people, they themselves were not taking part. I concluded that there are two types of people, and yes people can be a little of both but, the first is a Participant: one who lives the adventure and feels the emotions and life in that moment. The second, (and this one was hard to name) the God's Eye: you have the ability to look all around you and present life and wonder within an image or a book but you must give up your own joy and wonder of those moments to create them. Art is beautiful and there is nothing wrong with being the God's Eye or the Participant... I just know if I get to my last day and look back and all I see is the lives I've observed without me in it, my heart would weep.
I want to see others in their sadness and happiness but I also want to see me next to them. I know there are many ways of describing and observing the artist themselves but this was what came to mind that day-- and what came to mind again when I saw this Hunchback quote. I love to paint, but I want to participate more.
Namaste.

We Have Lift Off

Why is there no rum cake?

On Tuesday, July 1st we took port in Nassau, Bahamas. It was nice to spend time with the family but rather disappointing to finally be somewhere other than the United States and not really feel like I'm somewhere else. Yes the buildings were different and the streets were cluttered and dirty (but that just makes me think of New York). I think it's because I'm a Florida girl and anywhere that is warm and beachy is going to feel similar to home-- and anywhere that allows for walking to most places makes me think of NY.
While my mother and new family looked at knock off purses I discovered that I'm not a Michael Kohrs fan. It's too flashy for me. I like my subtle, brown bags (though there was this super cute boho/Moroccan style bag that a lady had on the cruise that I really liked).
Somehow there was some time to stop in some shops and I found a shop with locally made hot sauce and spices (SCORE!). I purchased two different hot sauces for Alex because we never have any for him during taco night. I also got two different spices. One was a blackened seasoning which we used with some fish last night. There was so much flavor and punch, I did not regret getting it. The other spice was a Caribbean blend spice. It smelt good but we haven't had anything to use it with yet. I totally should have bought some rum cake because after that I didn't have another opportunity to buy some and try it. The one thing that is specifically bahamian and I didn't get to try it. Poo.
We had lunch at the Hark Rock Hotel there and I had a decent veggie burger. I was really hungry so it's difficult to accurately judge. I enjoyed the Hark Rock but it's moreso a meat-eating place.
Afterwards we went back to the ship and I took a nap while watching food network. Food network is da-bom. Always relaxing. I woke up to get ready for formal night which was nice. I got to wear my 50's wiggle dress from Bettie Page (now called Tatyana). I also got to see a really cute retro dance/music performance that night in the ship's theater.
Also got to watch a fun couples game show that made me miss Alex even more. There was this old couple who'd been together for fifty something years and were still happy-- they still kissed like teenagers. They were so sweet together and I know that one day Alex and I will say we've been together for fifty something years. Just like this:

The Force Between Us

This morning I gave Alex a kiss before taking Penny for a walk because he'll often be already gone for work by the time I come back. I was coming around the corner when I saw him waiting to get into his car-- waiting for me. I waved and quickly dumped Penny's poop bag into the garbage so I could sprint across the street (safely) with Penny. I needed one more kiss to get me through the day. I tapped on his window with a smile and he happily opened it to give me the life force that makes each day matter.

It's funny how important and how special a simple thing like a kiss can be. People make kisses so complicated but in reality, when you're with your other half, a kiss is like being a magnet. You just get close and your lips meet. Like the force of nature it is. 

People search their whole lives for a perfect person but the problem is that they have the perfect person in their mind already. You can look for certain qualities and features in people all you want but when you des ruminate based on these restrictions you could be passing up your other half. The perfect person isn't going to be everything you expected and everything you looked for at first. Once you give them a chance, you find out that you were looking all wrong and your heart weeps with joy that you gave them a chance.

Once you're with them you most likely won't get everything you had thought you wanted in the past. This is a good thing because this person helps you find out more about yourself and the aspects and personality they carry with their being become more meaningful to you than the very air you breathe. And thus a kiss between two energies becomes a self-sustaining life force. Together, drawn by force (and chance), kept by compassionate love. 

Hurricane In-Season

I'm here at a Hurricane Grill in PSL and it looks like I have six blog posts to make up for. Of course you all understand why and are wonderfully forgiving of my absence. I know you are all also eager to hear more about my brother's wedding and the cruise. So here I am working on catching all of you up.
This post is to make up for Sunday's post. You may have seen a post on Sunday but that one was making up for Saturday since I was busy with wedding stuff that day.
I woke up to go get hair and makeup done by the stylists selected by Jenny. They were both very nice and talented. They opened up my eyes and made my hair gorgeous.
(Quick note: I don't have any pictures really of this special day because I was a bridesmaid and there are no pockets on a bridesmaid dress. I was indeed mushed around the hotel with the other girls and Jenny to take pictures in the Florida sun so there will be pictures eventually. The families also got photos so I just have to snatch 'em.)
While we're on the topic of beauty stuff, I want to share that I have gotten compliments about me looking like a model. A very generous compliment if you ask me. Jenny was the most lovely I've ever seen her. Thinking of it now, she's the prettiest bride I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot on TV). Her fun and loving personality made her beautiful appearance that much more radiant. A true bridal beauty.
Her and my brother did the "first look" thing before the ceremony and it was lovely. It was so special that I'm happy I got to see. I know my mom wishes she could've been there too but so much was going on I was just following instructions. Luckily my amazing partner Alex stayed with her while everyone else was doing photos and running around.
There were a lot of tears on this special day-- as is appropriate. All happy tears. Mine were a mix of happy and worried. I'm getting to why. I'm not worried for Jenny and my brother-- they are wonderful together and I'm so happy to have Jenny and her family now a part of my own. I was all smiles and happy praises throughout pictures and the ceremony. It was at the reception that I cried. The tears came fast when my parents danced to their own wedding song as their wedding anniversary was the next day. Seeing them together like that was so beautiful, so special-- a good omen for my brother and Jenny's own marriage. After almost 30 years, my parents are still somehow together. The tears came because I hadn't seen my parents look at each other like that in a long time. After the initial beauty of the moment I became worried-- how long will it be until I got married? (That seemed to be the statement of the night: "You're next." As in, I'm the next to get married). Will my parents make it to my wedding with all the health issues they've been having? I don't want to have one of those days of sad mixed with happy. I want my wedding day to be one of the happiest of my life, not one without a parent. I want them to take better care of themselves but they've denied any of my help and suggestions. It's up to them whether or not they make it.
That was the only time I cried.
I wanted to cry a few times while on the cruise but I'll get to that in coming posts.

The Just A Formal Gown Effect (JAF-GE): Ten Reasons For Pockets

There are many reasons why pockets need to be added to fancy gowns. Some are cosmetic while others are just for capturing memories.

Reason number one:
When taking very important photographs, you don't want to be having to worry about forgetting your phone on a ledge somewhere in a garden but you also don't want to be that person that has their phone so attached to their hip that the bride remembers ten years down the road when viewing her precious memories.

Reason number two:
You don't want to be the one to ask the bride's mother to leave her daughter's wedding just to go back to her room to get your phone and/or camera (which you left there because the photographers promised you would have time to go back).

Reason number three:
There will be pictures-- ALL night-- and it's better to have floss than some broccoli or spinach in your teeth for the rest of that captured moment's life.

Reason number four:
You're going to regret not taking photos of your brother's wedding yourself. If you don't have your camera/(smart)phone, you will end up waiting who knows how long until you can see photos. Not to mention they will be the professional ones-- not the ones that captured all the moments that were close to you.

Reason number five:
Your parents will dance and be the most lovely display of long-term marriage romantic-ness and you will cry and want pictures because it is indeed beautiful. Getting repetitive but this is a personal blog so I can do that.

Reason number six:
Your hair will fall out or move out of place due to joining the party on the dance floor.

Reason number seven:
You may need some drugs (i.e. ibuprofen, lact-aid, tums, etc.).

Reason number eight:
It is possible you will want to write down new phone numbers of family members you rarely ever get to see.

Reason number nine:
If you're mushy or you think you will be, it's the perfect spot for tissues.

Reason number ten:
Extra underwear and a panty liner. You never can tell what's going to happen. Whether you're close to that time of the month or you found yourself sweating off not only your makeup but your current pair of undies, extra undies will help you stay fresh down there.

Snatched these pictures from one of Jenny's college friends. I'm telling you, HAVE A CAMERA!

We weren't even sorority sisters but now we are bound by her and my brother's union of love. It's so nice to have more family. Love you Jenny, my new big sis! <3

Toasty Fairy Tuesday

Alex gets Bro Fridays and I get Girl Tuesdays. Today was a successful girls day and I am so fortunate to have such an awesome boyfriend. He has to work early in the morning but didn't flinch when I asked him at 1:30 am to come with me to take Kaitlin home (whom I fell asleep on while watching Epic despite the fact we got Sonic summer shakes). Sugar used to be much more effective. I definitely think having it so often now has effected my energy levels. 

But, yes, my partner is the best. He's totally cool with girl days and when he kind of gets pulled into it he participates but doesn't intrude in any sense. Like with shopping today. He's always been a good shopping sport from the get go. 

And when I come home from watching Maleficent with Kaitlin-- saying it was the best thing ever and I need to cosplay Maleficent (both fairy and dark version) but that sort of craftsmanship is far beyond my current skill set-- he doesn't flinch, smiles, and continues to be my wonderful other half. 

K.I.S.S.

BOO! I was doing so good! BOO!
Oh well, here's for Sunday.

I was originally going to write a post just about KISS and what it means to Alex and I but more stuff for my brother's wedding has come up and it's making me more and more excited! Jenny had sent me a text after work telling me that her and my brother would like to pay for my hair and makeup for the wedding as a gift. My mom had received the same offer but, for some reason, decided to tell Jenny that I'll be doing my own hair and makeup. Yes mom that was the original plan to save us a little money but if it's being offered as a gift, I'm not going to say no! So I told Jenny yes and hopefully I didn't complicate things with my makeup and hair ideas (or the fact I'd like them to use my extensions).
I do feel a little bad because Kaitlin was helping me with my makeup for the big day but only a little because we had so much fun messing with makeup and I can still use her makeup tips and the makeup we bought for other occasions (like the wedding's rehearsal brunch!).

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And... that above is what Rinpoche wanted to share with all of you while I was brushing my teeth. He has shared the secret to happiness: step on keyboards while your mom is in the bathroom and giggle yourself to sleep when she discovers what you've done.

So you're all probably wondering "Is she going to tell us about KISS?!" And the answer is yes, of course. KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. It's a motto Alex and I use when cooking or deciding on clothes, makeup, any sort of design for around the house or whatever. You are more likely to make a mess or just mess up something if you take in too many factors. If you are selective and arrange things simply, then you are more likely to be happy with the result (unless you enjoy messy and/or complicated).

Simple: Fairy in a tree with an apple. It's beautiful, no?

Relationship Advice From A Committed, Logical Woman

People talk about married couples' first fights and to be honest, I feel like the couple got married quick (not in a bad way) if they haven't yet had their first fight. When I say fight I mean a big argument that isn't solved or discussed right away. Alex and I only recently got into a fight and we've been together for two and a half years. I think it's important to have arguments and fights before you get married so you can learn to truly mend and set the relationship's course straight again without the 'safety net' that marriage can be. You shouldn't want to heal the rip just because you're married-- you should want it because you want your relationship to continue to grow (even after marriage) and to understand what happened so you can move on and live together harmoniously.

I know that there are statistics that say a high percentage of couples who move in together before marriage end up breaking up but shouldn't you move in and learn about your partner's at-home habits before deciding to spend the rest of your life with them? Yes you're going to find out all their quirks and some things you rather dislike about their cleanliness or just habits in general, but finding them out sooner allows you to decide whether you can deal and work with all of that. Do you love that person enough to accept everything that makes them who they are?
Alex and I will have lived together for a year in August and we've hit our bumps and found out quirks but we help and accept each other.

So, my advice to someone who's just at their first big fight (married or not) is to breathe, think about what's going on and make sure you're partner knows how you're feeling. Openness and honesty are crucial if you want to effectively move on past the argument. You may not want to tell your partner that you feel they are listening to you like a mother half listens to their child after school but if you want to solve the problem you need to be honest and open.
Avoid extending the fight, unhappiness and hurt beyond those moments and solve it right away. There's no such thing as a perfect relationship-- relationships are messy but can be made to be in sync if the two halves of a whole work together and allow for balance. Remember you are in a relationship, one of affection and compassion--- this is the person you want to be with for life. It is a partnership but it must extend beyond agreeing on dinner and whether or not you should get new shoes; it must be a spiritual harmony.
I'll say it again: Relationships aren't perfect but they can be pretty close. Solve the problem when it happens and don't expect sparkles every day. Some days are just chill and you feel like you're with a best friend and there is nothing wrong with that-- who doesn't want their life partner to also be their best friend?

Above all else, love openly. Don't keep anything in and don't let society's expectations influence how and where your relationship goes. Follow your heart.

I Am a Kitty, a Very Active Kitty

So I'm still awful at tennis. Alex and I went to play on campus and it went okay. We had fun and it's nice to be outside with him-- it's also nice to have an option other than the bicycle (give my knees a break). When we were bicycling back home from the tennis courts I realized that we still haven't made it to the pool since the start of  "summer". I think it's because we want to get out and stretch our legs. Since neither of us are swimmers, the pool is a source of relaxation not activity. 

I'm excited to say that I've been doing awesome with my workouts and activities. I told you about Soulful Yoga but I don't believe I talked about Muscle Madness. I kicked my own butt and did moves I didn't know I could do. Yesterday Alex and I went for our usual route bike ride (7 miles). Today was elliptical in the morning before work and then tennis when I got home. 

I must express how happy I am at the level of activity both Alex and I have been exhibiting this past week. I know I said before that the cosplay craftiness was helping our relationship but I definitely think that working out and doing physical activities together really makes a difference. I feel like this is why he and I work so well together; be both like to be active and do research but we have differences that make us interesting to each other. I can't imagine being partnered with anyone else for my life.

Lifting Up Da Bum, Tighten Up Da Pooch

So my workouts have been going good. I went to the gym in the morning before work on both Friday and Saturday. I didn't go Sunday because I was out dancing (no drinking either) late Saturday night so I figured that could count and I'd allow myself sleep to be mostly functional at work. A big cup of tea saved my life for sure.
I also went to the gym for a workout class this morning and I'm going again tomorrow for some yoga. Right now I'm pushing myself to just be doing some sort of workout every day. I want to reincorporate weights back in since they do help burn more fat (plus help lift the bum more).
I really feel like legitimately planning out cosplay is really helping motivate both Alex and myself. It's nice to feel so enthralled in something with him-- something so active with multi-parts. There is so much to learn with sewing, design, and just general cosplay but I think we're off to a great start.
Alex and I purchased our tickets for Tampa Bay Comic Con in August so we can go and check out the scene, ask some questions and hopefully get helpful answers. This will be my first real convention so it'll be good to just be able to enjoy all the excitement and fun silliness instead of having our debut be my first convention. I have gone to what was considered to be a convention in PSL but it was very small it was more like a little community event. I'm excited to see the cosplay/geek community on a larger scale.
Our debut will be Mega Con April 2015 and just thinking about it makes me more and more excited.
We've been doing a ton of research and just finished inspecting our sewing machine. No lie, Alex and I really lucked out with it. Upon opening it up we discovered that it had been repaired, all belts lubricated and replaced at least within the past year. It's  nice to know that the only thing wrong was the missing spool pins and spool pin felts (which are ordered and on their way here!).
Words can't express how much I see this project is positively changing not only Alex and my habits but our relationship as well.

Get Carried Away Into Cosplay!

Almost forgot. Almost... but I didn't. Yay. So I mentioned in my previous blog post that Alex and I are going to do cosplay. Well this rocket ship is taking off fast! We went thrift shopping (imma pop some tags) to look for a sewing machine and lo and behold the first place we went we found an old Singer 457 for $17! It's missing both spool pins and has a little rust on the slide plate but it runs, stuff spins, and the pedal is in good condition. Alex and I have also been finding a lot of patterns and tutorials for miscellaneous costumes and accessories (both relevant and not so relevant). I'm nervous about working with lycra/spandex but we have time to get our basic sewing skills mastered then build on top of that. First project? Penny's pillow. I hand-sewed it and now it's in need of a wash-- perfect opportunity to use the sewing machine. It will also help me see about the efficiency left on the needle and learn by trial an error how to use the machine in general.
Alex is really getting into everything. He's signed up on Cosplay.com to ask questions and comment in the forums and he's watching Youtube videos as I type on making masks and such. It makes me smile. He was also extremely excited when we got the sewing machine for just $17 (compared to the $90 we were seeing as a beginning base point in Joann's). We knew there was no way we were going to get better than that for that type of machine.
My point of excitement was the $30 investment in some hot boots that we found at Anarchist Closet (support local shops!). There they were originally priced at $59.99 but this weekend only they had 50% off everything. When the lady rung them up she said that they're actually new and the woman who had them didn't want to sell them so cheap considering she bought them for $200. I have no idea how you spend two hundred bucks on a pair of boots and never wear them. They're pretty high and tough to walk in-- I'll need to wear thick socks and make some adjustments but they really are kick @$$. They go a little higher than mid-thigh and are shiny black (totally originally from a sex shop but they're going to be PERFECT).
Oh lookie, I found an image of them on Amazon.

I'm not going to do Bleez but her costume is inspiring my own
(at least as far as the hot boots go!).

Perhaps something closer in similarity to Antipathy's outfit.
I won't be ready for quality masks or wing structures for a while.