-I loved Caitlin’s post on challenging your own personal narrative – surrounding yourself with positivity is one of the most important pieces of advice out there, and it’s been essential for me this year. Plus, looking on the bright side of things and associating yourself with positive people might be a sign of emotional intelligence!
-I’ve started marking overnight oatmeal to take with me to work and it’s such a nice morning treat. I’d forgotten how much I love it.
-I haven’t finished it yet, but I’d definitely recommend this book! It’s the story of girl [around my age] who hikes the Pacific Coast Trail alone in an attempt to find herself.
-Speaking of mental and physical challenges, I’m finally doing yoga. I haven’t loved any class I’ve taken in the past, but now that I have access to awesome classes, I’m trying to go consistently. I think my bootcamps and strength training classes have helped prepare me physically, but I need to work on the mental side! I’m usually so concerned about my [lack of] flexibility, getting poses right, and keeping up with the class, that my mind is overwhelmed with thoughts.
-I don’t distinctly remember leaves falling off trees here in the fall, but they must have because there is fresh green everywhere! Dare I say Dallas looks lush?
Happy weekend eve!
Mary
April 11, 2014 at 1:09 pmOh my gosh, Laura, that is a fantastic book. Superbly written, I could hardly put it down! I remember sobbing reading the opening.
One thing that my yoga instructor said that resonated with me was “let go of your ego” it can be hard for me not to compare myself to others in the class (doing crazy crow poses or the like) but that mantra of letting go of my ego has helped!
Laura
April 14, 2014 at 5:47 pmI’ll try to remember that during my next class!
kl
April 11, 2014 at 7:18 pmI cannot believe you posted that book, I am reading WILD now, but not thrilled with it at all……
read Becoming Odessa by Jennifer Pharr Davis, she hiked the AT (Appalachian trail ) 3x and the last time she did the 2200 miles in 47 days…….going from her book to Wild is well boring . JPD does it alone and did it all in her 20’s. She is 30 now…maybe a tad older, I just met her at a book signing 2 months ago and was in awe of her http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/trail-blazer-on-and-off-the-beaten-path-with-record-setting-hiker-jennifer-pharr-davis
love your blog btw, I read your sisters and your moms too 😉
Mom
April 13, 2014 at 3:56 pmOh fun! A reader! I will def. get the book. Laura’s dad plans to do the trail soon.
Laura
April 14, 2014 at 5:47 pmThanks:) I’ll check it out!
KL
April 14, 2014 at 6:08 pmYou’re kidding, the whole AT trail? In one shot?
L's Dad
April 16, 2014 at 9:46 amYup the entire AT, but unlike JPD’s 47 days I’ll take 150 – 180 (5 to 6 months), the usual thru hiker’s pace.
KL
April 16, 2014 at 10:25 amWow, well kudos to you! Will you be blogging or keeping a journal ? I would love to hear about your experiences. 5-6 mths sounds realistic, 47 is just sick LOL I mean she is amazing. Have you taken the class at Appalachian Trail Institute with Warren Doyle ?
L's Dad
April 16, 2014 at 12:47 pmJPD’s race — I don’t think you can call it a hike — is somewhat controversial in the backpacking community. She, of course, is not the first to do this but competing to set records for shortest AT traversal is more an example of an extreme sport. Many don’t like that this is happening on the trail, that it distracts from the true wilderness experience, but it’s an extreme minority of people that are racing too.
Yes I will blog/journal but I haven’t given any thought yet to it. KL, you’ll probably see some info on my hike on the Younger women’s blogs. And no, I haven’t taken the Doyle class — I’ve never heard of it actually — but I’m a fairly experienced backpacker already and have read several prep books.
Caitlin
April 12, 2014 at 2:38 pmI saw this book on your blog and had to go out and get it at the library this morning. Really enjoying it so far, thanks!
Laura@SneakersandSpatulas
April 15, 2014 at 12:34 pmI read that book last year and really enjoyed it! I wouldn’t be brave enough to hike that trail alone, too many creepy people in this world. Did you get a new F/T job or is the job mention a part time gig you have?
Also, I went on a tour with Eco Tours while in Puerto Vallarta per your recommendation from when you went and we had a great time! Here’s a link of my recap of the adventure if you’re interested 🙂
http://www.sneakersandspatulas.com/2014/04/14/our-mexican-triathlon/
Laura
April 21, 2014 at 8:41 amit’s a part time job I mentioned a few weeks back…just something to keep me busy for now.
so glad you did Eco Tours and liked it! I just read your recap and yours looked waaay harder than ours!
Kat
April 16, 2014 at 7:39 pmI’ll have to add WILD to my reading list – always looking to add things to the queue. Based on the comments above, I’ll have to go for Becoming Odessa after that.
KL
April 17, 2014 at 5:06 amGood Luck L’s Dad. Have a safe and wonderful journey.