New Journal for Me, Hello Everyone!

[musculArgirl2]

Good luck on the job interview!

[Boss Man]

I have heard if the inverted hierarchy before Aura, but I was not completely understanding of it, but it makes sense, because some jobs will involve putting people first, who are not the leaders or the decision makers, but the people that represent the lifeblood and heartbeat of your business or organisation.

As you point out, the people you work with, make your business function and without them, there would just be people like you and seniors having nothing to work with. Basically a machine without any lubrication or power, that no longer works, because without lubrication or power, (in your case clients), the machine cannot function at all.

I myself tend not to ally myself to any religion, (I'm atheist), or alternative political causes, because I don't want to put store in things, that dictate how I think and structure existance, through mind influencing literature or spoken word. I prefer to be liberal and choose what things in life structure and create defined boundaries, because I don't want freedom of expression or thinking to be limited; I want to be able to explore and express existance, as freely, legally and legitimately as is reasonable, without self imposed restrictions and / or barriers.

However this is not me condeming your choice, to believe in the political individual you refer to, as your choice is obviously not influencing you, to think, preach and enact severely negative things, designed to attack and harm society.

I hope the interview works out for you. You have proven you are a very warm, and human person and I hope the future will bring good things for you.

It's good to see you being dedicated to yourself as well. The past few days have shown me a lot about the care and attention to yourself you give. Your body is a lucky organism, that your mind holds it in such high regard .

[AuraSpeciosa]

Thanks, MusculArgirl for your well wishes! And Bossman, thank you also for your very sweet words.

I got the job, and I am really, really excited about it! It's different from what most of assignments have been, and different from anything I've ever done before. I will be doing a combination of direct client work (which I really love) and administrative stuff (which I don't really love, but which does need to be done by somebody). I met 3 of the clients already, as they were there while I was there for the interview, and I liked them. A little halting and hesitant but polite and interesting. One of the guys had a very unusual name, it sounded Sanskrit, and I asked him about the origins of his name. He said he had studied in an ashram and had practiced kundalini yoga! I asked him if he knew how to stop his heart and his vital signs and he said no, he never made it that far, but he definitely liked the practice and still did a little to this very day, though not like when he lived at the ashram.

I'll be there for an uncertain amount of time. They are working on hiring a social worker and the program director is going to be gone for two weeks so I am picking up the slack of the extra things that need to be done in the field and in the office. I think it's a great opportunity to stretch and grow some new skills and learn how to navigate some tricky situations. I am, as boyfriend would say, stoked. This is definitely wood in fireplace, ha!

[Boss Man]

WELL DONE. I really hope the new job works out for you .

[AuraSpeciosa]

Thank you, Bossman! I am sure that it will!

The scale today said 160 pounds. Very nice to see a lower number on the scale, I must say!

Somewhere, on another fitness board, someone mentioned NSVs or non-scale victories. I know that for myself, the scale can hold so much sway in how I feel about myself/the day, how much progress I am making in fitness. If the scale says a lower number, I am happy; if it's a higher number, I can feel upset. I think many people feel this way. Also, as we all know, muscle weighs more than fat, and weight just fluctuates sometimes anyway based on water retention, where we are in our cycle (for women), and other factors too probably that I don't know about. So, I really try not to put TOO much stock into what the scale says, although yes, of course, a lower number on the scale is always a nice boost. BUT NSVs are so great because they are other measures of success besides the number on a scale.

I had two NSVs recently: In the shower today, as I was washing body, I was soaping up arms when I felt a definite muscle in arm where I had not felt it before (bicep). That was AWESOME! The Turkish get-ups and the body-weight yoga stuff I've been doing has been paying off. I was very excited to feel that bicep unexpectedly in the shower. Very cool!

NSV #2: This was actually yesterday; I had to take measurements when I was buying the shirts fro American Apparel because I wanted to make sure I got the right size. waist was 32.5 inches. That is down 1/2 inch from a few weeks ago. (And also, chest was 40 inches which is actually UP an inch from a few weeks ago, ha!) So I am definitely happy to be more busty and slimmer in the waist! (Crazy, I don't know how I got more busty, maybe building up muscle behind the mammary tissue? Maybe related to cycle? Who knows, but I'll take it!!!)

Today I stayed on track again even with all the Halloween candy around, yay! I walked for about 6 miles, did about 10 minutes of yoga and did 18 Turkish get-ups.

Also, as a celebration for getting the job, I went and got myself a new phone, a Galaxy S II. I love it and have been playing with it almost non-stop since I got it. SO FUN! And I can play Words With Friends with boyfriend, which I am really excited about! I also deposited a check into account for the first time with a banking app! Technology is amazing and such a treat!

This makes a whole week now (7 days) that I have carried out plan! Wow, I seriously hadn't realized so much time had gone by already. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. So, in first week, I lost 2 pounds. I guess that sounds about right!

[AuraSpeciosa]

I re-calculated BMI and now it's 28.3. Still definitely overweight, but I am making progress!

[AuraSpeciosa]

I had another good day, stuck to plan! This morning's weigh-in was 160.0 again. I walked about 6 miles again today, did more Turkish get-ups (up to 20 now), and did 22 minutes of yoga.

I baked a pumpkin pie today, first time ever making a pie! I actually screwed up the recipe the first time, as I used evaporated millk instead of condensed milk, which resulted in a pie that was soupy and would not bake to a more solid state. Doh! But I went back to the store, bought the correct kind of milk, and second pie came out beautifully! I can't wait to share it with everyone! I seriously spent most of the day baking, and it was really fun! I can't wait to try more recipes. boyfriend's favorite dish is lamb, so I'd like to try to make a lamb entree to knock his socks off!

I tried on a shirt today that I could not wear previously because the way it stretches across midsection--showing some unsightly rolls! But this evening after nightly shower, I thought I might just try it on, as has been looking more toned. I have been doing core toning poses and flows with yoga, and the Turkish get-ups probably work the core too, so it's nice to see some visual results. It seems like a little is going a long way with me, which is nice. Toning exercises don't take that long to do and they really get results, and in a really short amount of time. I mean, I've only been at this diligently for a week. It's very motivating to keep up with it, not skip anything.

friend Liz e-mailed me a good place to start up a kundalini practice. There's a place called Golden Bridge by house. I can take a community class for $8 or a more private class for $18. I plan to go on Sunday and see what they're all about.

[AuraSpeciosa]

This morning's weigh-in was 160 even again. Holding steady! I've been on track so far today, had a great morning meditation and had some cucumber with a little ranch dressing for breakfast. I did also get into the Halloween candy, but kept it under control (so far!)

Exercise-wise, I have almost completed 30 minutes. I just have to do something for 5 minutes more. I did walking and the Turkish get-ups (up to 22 now!). I love how it feels when heart starts pumping a lot. It's a nice, clean feeling, like I am scouring out arteries and veins.

I am excited to share pumpkin pie with neighbors when they get home, and I also promised the dudes doing construction on street yesterday that I would share it with them too. I also made confetti cupcakes, so they can have a choice of what they want (or they can pick both!)

I arose naturally at about 6:15am today and took a pre-dawn walk outside, while it was still pretty dark. It felt great to gather up that lovely sattva in the air!

[AuraSpeciosa]

Another great day! This morning's weigh-in was 158.8. It was great to see a number in the 150s instead of the 160s! We'll see if that keeps up, as it could just be a little water weight fluctuation.

I met exercise goals, got in about 37 minutes with walking, Turkish get-ups (up to 24 now) and yoga.

Also stayed within calorie range. Could have been healthier, but did stay within range.

Bought a new dress on Melrose, a floor-length halter style dress that is pretty sexy, as it is low cut. It looks pretty good, although back is more fleshy/fatty than I would like, but there's no visible fat rolls, so that's good. From the front it looks much, much better, as attention is drawn toward , shall we say, upper body assets, so I will just try to stand face-to-face with people as much as possible, ha!

Tonight I am going to a belated Halloween party that friend is throwing in downtown L.A. I am wearing a red wig with devil's horns and another floor length tank-top evening gown type of dress with a silver dragon down the front. I feel pretty confident in it, although of course as I get more toned, I'll feel better and better in it. I am sure the party will be fun, and I am excited to see what friend put together; she rented a space, hired musicians and artists to show their work. She said the theme is dark/Halloween/Day of the Dead.

[AuraSpeciosa]

I skipped two days; sorry to any of followers (if I currently have any!)

Anyway, the party was great, very fun. friend actually performed; she sang! She has a beautiful voice. I danced a LOT! Probably altogether about 2.5 hours of dancing, and boy I've been feeling sore, but a good sore, for the past 2 days. I have been doing yoga to help with it, but I might book a professional massage this week as a treat and treatment. Although friend said to wear a wild costume (which I did), I was the only one dressed up! Everyone else just had on basic jeans and hoodie-type outfits, but that was OK. It felt good to go and support friend and it is fun to dress up.

The next day I went to an art show in the hills in a ritzy area and it was really cool. The crowd was older--mostly senior citizens, retirees who were just super into art, and I really liked it. I generally really enjoy older people because they are just totally done with trying to be cool or trying to impress anyone; they are comfortable in their skin, they can laugh at life, and I really like being in their company.

Yesterday was a nice chill day as well, stayed around neighborhood, took a few nice walks, did some sunbathing, talked with some neighbors, had a friend come over briefly in the evening.

All through that time, I stayed on track and did what I was supposed to do calorie and exercise-wise, so I am very proud of myself indeed.

I definitely feel like I have a lot of energy; I woke up today at 6:09am feeling well-rested and immediately ready for a little morning workout. That was after, eh, probably about 6.5 hours of sleep. I am also in the ovulation part of cycle, so that is probably playing into the amount of energy that I have as well.

Body-wise, interestingly enough I weighed 158.8 this morning, which I would usually consider a high weight that I am not really happy with. When I measured waist, it was 31.5 inches (so that's about an inch more lost since last week). Visually, body is looking firmer, especially in the trouble areas of , butt and thighs. I'm definitely not like a hard-body or anything, but I can notice a difference for sure. And yesterday, when it was very warm (90s), I wore a short tank top and some board shorts and was able to feel pretty confident in them. Also, the dresses that I wore over the weekend were form-fitting evening-gown type dresses and I felt pretty confident in them as well. So, guess is that I have been losing flab and gaining muscle, so total mass has not changed much, although what is making up the mass has. Really at this rate, I don't care if I don't lose any weight, as long as I keep looking more and more toned and firm.

[musculArgirl2]

Sounds like a nice weekend. 90's I'm rather envious of that. the high here is about in the 40's right now. and it's only going to get colder!

Keep it up you are doing wonderful.

[Boss Man]

No need to apologise at all for anything, in fact I must politely decline, as I would feel rude,
accepting what I see as unnecessary apologies from a lady .

The main thing is everything is going in the right direction. You're getting the progress you want and deserve in lieu of the effort you keep putting in.

You should be proud of yourself Aura; I'm proud of you and I think you're doing a superb job of managing your life and your goals.

WELL DONE and keep up the hard work .

You've been a real burst of light and colour since you've been here and it is really appreciated. Thank you .

[AuraSpeciosa]

Thank you for your encouragement and kind words, MusculArgirl and Bossman. Yes! The warm weather has been great; I'm really enjoying it. I like a nice, warm autumn. I think it's supposed to cool down this week, maybe even rain, not positive though.

I stayed on track again today with program, AND I started new assignment. I met 4 clients today and they were all very nice, ranging from sweet and endearing to polite and nice. So, that's pretty great! coworkers seem pretty cool as well although boss seems sort of frazzled and stressed all the time. Poor thing! I hate that feeling. I try to really disspell that feeling when I feel it starting, although it's not always easy. Sometimes I just have to slow down, breathe, do things calmly and more slowly and that helps stress level to lower. Also, just taking 5 minutes a day to just sit down and meditate helps too. To just totally stop and give mind a quiet rest is beneficial. I have made sure I do that every day, especially in the evening, it helps me to wind down and release the experiences of the day.

I started another resistance exercise today, gave myself a break from the Turkish get-ups. friend showed me 2 moves, the superman banana and the superman swimmer. They are just poses that you hold, one strengths the front of your core and other one strengthens the back. I liked them! I did some push-ups today too (the girl kind, mostly!) I could only do ONE actual real non-girl push-up. I will work on that.

I also booked a massage for Saturday, a nice professional hour-long massage. friend, the one who sang this past weekend, is also a massage therapist, so I called her to get a massage and pedicure! I am seeing boyfriend on Saturday night--we are staying the night in a hotel and going to Disneyland the next day, so it willl be nice to feel massaged out and relaxed with some nicely painted toes. He likes when I paint toes black, so I'll probably do that for him.

Well, I am going to eat dinner and see if the results about the propositions are in yet. parents are very upset about Obama winning the election--they were so upset they would not talk to me on the phone. I understand feeling upset when the candidate you support loses, but come on, don't not talk to your kids because of it! What good does that do? When people are upset, they do some zany things sometimes. Hopefully they will feel well enough to talk to me tomorrow.

[Boss Man]

Supermans are a type of yoga pose, but in terms of strengthening, how much benefit you'll get is debateable, as it's mainly for stretching and flexibility of the lower back moreso than strength.

Not least because it is one of the more static poses in yoga, compared to some of the others.

[musculArgirl2]

they have supermans in p90x too.

mom is rather upset about the election loss too so i know how you feel. She said she's never voting again and thinks this country is going down the tubes. I voted for obama so i try not to mention the election to her at all otherwise we would argue.