5gts: my soul sister is a rockstar edition.

Posted on February 10, 2012 by sorellaaglio

1. My friend KC got some VERY exciting news today but I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about it on the airwaves as my blog is very famous and the information might get into the hands of someone we don’t want it to. It involves her career and is so exciting I had to call her and giggle on the phone for five minutes. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU K.

2. It’s Friday, which means tomorrow is Saturday, full of soccer and two birthday parties and a Valentine’s cooking class on Sunday. I cannot wait.

3. This photo of Corelyn and I from our shoot on the beach. Mary and I talked about this last night and how someone Googled a recipe and this came up and they recognized the photograph as Mary’s and it just made me happy that it all comes around and that we’re starting to influence each other’s professional careers!

4. Listening to “The Head and the Heart” Pandora, downloading new albums by Jonah Smith and Newton Faulkner, and the head-bopping beats of Needtobreathe.

5. Everlasting sunshine, 71 degree weather, and California.

Happy Friday, chickadees!!!

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9.7

Posted on February 2, 2012 by sorellaaglio

The results are coming later today on who won the challenge for Skinny Beeyach. But I got weighed this morning, and lost 9.7 pounds since January 1.

To be honest, when I stepped on the scale I was hoping for any change. I was hoping for one or two pounds. Not nearly as staggering as 9.7. And the best part? I haven’t changed anything drastically…I’ve eaten better, eaten less, drank more water, and exercised when I could. I’ve made sure I’ve gotten sleep, and planned outdoor activities on the weekends to get us moving.

I am proud of the changes I made, because I think they can be sustained throughout the year, integrated into my life. I can’t wait to see what these changes bring in the year ahead, but for now, I’m looking forward to yoga tonight, skiing this weekend, and having more energy to do what I love in the coming months.

 

Posted in Bouncing about. | 1 Comment

give a little, get a little, lose a little, gain a little.

Posted on February 1, 2012 by sorellaaglio

So it’s February 1. It’s a month after the beginning of this lovely year 2012.

Everyone has a bunch of goals every January 1, and for me, it was no different. My goals this year though, I have to admit, were meant to be different. It is simple: do less, better. This would lead to less stress, more energy. Paired with this in January was a challenge at work, called the Skinny Beeyach Challenge. It’s simple: four weeks, whoever loses the most weight (percentage wise) wins.

Now, I am not a dieter. In fact, I don’t believe in diets because I think they tend to be unhealthy, and ultimately unsustainable because who can only eat lettuce and carrots for the rest of their lives? Not me, that’s for sure.

So I have been eating less this month, fitting into the “do less, better” category by cooking the things I love and appreciating smaller quantities. I’ve gone back and forth with calorie counting, fitting it into my schedule when it makes sense, but not doing it when it’s too much. I am constantly aware of what I’m putting into my body, however, and as I don’t drink soda, eat high fructose corn syrup, or frozen food, I’ve been able to monitor my levels of sugar and salt well.

I’ve been trying to exercise, but January has been a sick month for me, so I’m not pushing myself. In the past, working out has been a chore, and I find that I can’t add anymore chores to my plate – stresses pop up enough in my life without adding another daily. Instead, I find exercises that make me happy, feel better, and that I look forward to. Like yoga, walking, biking, and hiking.

And, although I’ve committed to running 100 miles this year, that doesn’t mean I have to run a marathon. It means I need to figure out a way to work running into my life in a way I enjoy, because I truly think I will enjoy it. I’ve only run a scant mile this year, so I have 99 to go, and 11 months. Which is plenty of time to work up to that mileage — I think my sister runs 100 miles a MONTH.

So what does this mean for the Skinny Beeyach Challenge? It means I’ve had several people tell me I look slimmer. It means I feel better every day, and I sleep better at night. It means I’m aware of what I’m eating. It means I’m aware of how I’m feeling.

How are you doing with your resolutions?

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bowling and Dustin Hoffman

Posted on January 26, 2012 by sorellaaglio

Last night I went bowling with Becca and some co-workers. Becca and I walked from my house, and went the more populated route, through Hollywood and Highland, where most tourists head in Los Angeles. (Along the way I said to Becca, “I smell daffodils!” to which she said, “Well it’s almost spring.” Yes, yes it is, in LA.)

On the way, there were tons of people out and some kind of premiere happening at the Chinese Theater. Turns out it was actually for Luck, with Dustin Hoffman, who happened to be standing across the street. I resisted my urge to pull out my phone and snap a shot, as dozens of other people were doing, because I so wanted to disguise myself as someone from LA who doesn’t care about that type of thing. But boy, do I love Dustin Hoffman.

Then we headed to the alley, where I became forever known as “Bossy.” Are we surprised? After all, it is my boss’s nickname for me.

 After bowling, we walked home (as I joked about the fact that I had earlier said I needed to stop home for a coat, only to get out of the car and realize it was 70 degrees…) Becca and I stopped at the shoe store to see if they had anything cute. (In the shoe store, we stopped to look at some neon shoes, to which Becca said, “Well it’s almost summer!” Yes, that’s true in LA, too.)

Only in LA, I guess, do you see Dustin Hoffman, go bowling, and go shoe shopping in one night…

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So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama.

Posted on January 25, 2012 by sorellaaglio

Last night, President Obama addressed the nation during the State of the Union address. I listened on my way home from work, watched the rest at home, and listened to the Republican response on my way home.

Regardless of what you think about our President, our politics, or people’s positions, this speech was meant to be heard by all citizens. I loved especially the President’s take on illegal immigration, and his dedication to getting things done. And he’s right, we’re all a little cynical. But I have hope, and I believe this year we’ll get things done.

Here’s our President’s speech, and the full transcript. I hope you’ll take the time to watch it, and get an update on the state of our wonderful union.

 

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I’ll ride with the tide and go with the flow

Posted on January 11, 2012 by sorellaaglio

We’ve headed to 2012 with gusto. This year is is full of hope, and I’m attempting to ride the hope train as far as it’ll take me.

Last night, I ran for the first time of the year, working myself back into jogging. I rewarded myself with a fresh smoothie and a big salad dinner, with delicious cheese and salmon. This morning, I got up for yoga, and my yoga said, “Don’t visualize what you don’t want, or what’s wrong with your life. Visualize what you do want.”

Though I’ve said Kundalini yoga isn’t my jam, I must say it’s nice that I’m in a class where my eyes are closed, and my poses are no one’s but my own. It’s also nice sometimes to roll around on the floor and laugh a little. And yes, we definitely rolled around on the floor.

This morning’s yoga was based on the immune system, which is great because I fear I’m getting Jeff’s cold. It was a class in a smaller room, so there was lots of giggling as we all ran into one another and dealt with the tight spaces as best we could.

Tonight I’m headed out for a night on the town with two girls who I went to my study abroad program with. I can’t wait to laugh our heads off, as we always do. Tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be headed to more yoga to keep this year movin’ along.

And, hopefully this weekend I’ll be working on my newly decided goal of the year: run 100 miles in 2012. Last year I ran 54 miles, and I know I have more than that in me. I’m sure my sister runs like 100 miles a month, but for me, this is a goal that is obtainable but still challenging. Wish me luck, friends!

 

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shake it out, shake it out.

Posted on January 8, 2012 by sorellaaglio

Happy 2012! This year’s first week has gone swimmingly, I’m happy to report. First of, we returned from the east on January 1, just in time to celebrate Jeff and my 5 year anniversary. I had Monday off, and so we spent the day relaxing and I started strong with a New Year’s resolution to be healthier. Step one was to relax more, step two was to exercise, and step three is to spend some more time working out.

And so, Monday I headed to yoga at the nearby yoga studio. It was my first experience with Kundalini Yoga, which I must confess I don’t think it quite my yoga. It’s a bit more meditation than I am used to, which does the opposite of relax me and rather stresses me out.

Nonetheless, I have a Groupon, and the Hatha Yoga classes aren’t at the most convenient times. And so, I have continued to go. Anyways, so I go to yoga on Monday during the day, and again on Tuesday morning. I babysat on Tuesday night, so I skipped Wednesday yoga, and opted for a 3 mile walk with Jeff around West Hollywood, the area we want to move, instead.

Thursday morning I was back at the yoga, and this morning I liked the most of all my yoga days at this new studio. Even though what I am about to say is pretty weird, it was actually fun, freeing, and made me giggle.

For the first ten minutes or so of class, our teacher asked us to wave our hands, torsos, and heads, while sitting cross legged on the floor, to music, as fast and as “crazy” as we could. And all I could think the entire time was of the Florence + the Machine song “Shake it Out.”

2011 was a rough year for a lot of reasons, and I think 2012 is going to be the year of shaking it out. As our yoga teacher yelled, “SHAKE IT OUT! SHAKE OUT YOUR ANGER. WHEN YOU GET TO THE POINT WHEN YOU NEED TO STOP, THAT’S WHEN YOU MUST KEEP GOING.” He sounded one part Wonka, one part Billy Blanks, and strangely, one part my mother. You must keep going. You must finish. You must do this.

And so, this year is about standing the test of time. Of getting healthy. Of shaking it out. Of standing up, and breathing. One day at a time. And, my new motto for the year is to do less, better. I heard it from somewhere (I think Real Simple) and it’s stuck. We get ourselves so busy, so tired, and so run down, we miss out on our actual LIVES. And so, this year, I shall do less. better.

After Thursday morning’s session, I rounded the week off with another long walk on Friday, and a day at the beach on Saturday. Today, Jeff and I biked about 16 miles along the LA River. I still haven’t unpacked, and I’m ok with that. There is sand on the floor from the beach, there are some dishes to be done, and Jeff and I are sitting here plotting an eventual trip to Europe. Life, my friends, is grand.

What are your new year’s resolutions? Or is your resolution not to have one? I’d love to hear from you!

Posted in Bouncing about., Climbing, riding, and/or nature | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

baby open up your eyes

Posted on December 27, 2011 by sorellaaglio

I must say that being “home” has definitely given me a boost that I needed at this time of the year. Although I hadn’t been to my parents house in Illinois yet, I am happy to announce that it definitely already feels just like what Camp Waterloo was.

I’ve been instagraming a lot o my days since it’s easy for me to post photos on the road then upload them, sort through them, edit them, and upload them when I am busy nearly all day every day.

And by busy, I mean watching movies, hanging with the family, and heading to the museum. And eating. Lots and lots of eating.

Here are a few choice instagrams for those of you who don’t follow me, or don’t have facebook, or maybe have just been as busy as me!

My parents’ Christmas tree, which is losing needles but is still beautiful.

Fried shrimp from Christmas eve dinner.

The wrapping paper my mom used for my presents, because she said it reminded her of me (I wonder why? Because I had a bright red coat circa 2005? Sometimes I wonder why SS, K, and the rest of my Boston gang were even FRIENDS with me.)

My family’s new neighborhood! We’ve been taking daily walks around the neighborhood, which has just been a splendid addition to my life.

A photo from the Dr. Seuss exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry! We spent five hours there today, touching all the exhibits, making tornadoes, seeing trains, eating ice cream, and learning about the human body. I think I could spend three days in that museum and still have things to see!

What have you all been doing over your holiday break? I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas and is enjoying some time off with family and friends!

 

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wherever you find love it feels like Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2011 by sorellaaglio

Last night my family and I watched Muppet Christmas Carol after taking a walk in my parents new neighborhood and getting a drink at the local pub. Which was after we went to the Italian supermarket and got our second-to-last fish purchase to round out our feast of the seven fishes (for us: smelt, cod, shrimp, lobster, clams, crab, and mussels.)

My first twenty-four hours home have been splendid, and have included Christmas Jax (sorry Grandma Grace, we couldn’t wait to open them!) and steak ‘ems, and seeing my puppies, learning my parents new house, skinning a fish, mincing four heads of garlic, and preparing for the feast.

Today, we head to Costco to grab our final fish, then will spend the day preparing for the most wonderful meal of the year. Hopefully before that feast I will get some yoga in, or at least a walk with Bailey, so I can get to know this new neighborhood that has a Dunkin within reach.

Have a lovely Christmas eve, all, and I’ll see you on Christmas!

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yankee swap success

Posted on December 23, 2011 by sorellaaglio

For the past four years, we’ve been hosting a Yankee swap for friends in Los Angeles. A few weeks ago, we had our fourth annual swap. It caused me to look back on years past and remember our four Christmases on Mansfield.

Our first Christmas tree in Los Angeles.

We’re all sitting on the floor because we didn’t have chairs or furniture yet. Those two in black got engaged that night.

In 2009, the hot gift was the slanky (aka the fake snuggie) of which there were two to win!

The 2009 tree, in all its glory and all its Yankee Swap gifts.

2010 brought presents that people were VERY excited about…such as coloring supplies.

And mustaches for all.

2010 also brought another lovely tree.

2011 brought some new faces.

And some exciting gifts.

And a baby tree to replace the big ones that always seem to leave a trail…

2011 marked our fourth yankee swap, and I’d say it was an overall success. Here’s to a fifth anniversary next holiday season, but for now, a Happy Holidays to everyone off in their own corners of the country – I miss you, LA family!

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