More Changes

A few months ago I wrote this post about all the growth, change, and transformation that has been taking place in my life.  And it hasn't stopped since then.  This is the year that challenges all my old thinking.  This is the year that makes me face my fears.  This is the year that I'm finally learning to use my voice.

I had huge plans for this summer.  And of course, you know that making plans is a good thing, because how can you totally throw the plan out the window if there wasn't a plan to begin with?  I had planned to do lots of reading and writing.  I had planned to save money and eat healthier.  I've done a little of all of those things.  But mostly I've launched another big, long term project.  I've had a blog about voice lessons and a Facebook group for quite awhile.  This summer it kicked into high gear with about 30 posts in one month.  It was great and wonderful and really helped me focus and prepare for the school year.  Now I just want to see if I can keep up with it and get more people to talk teaching.

I'm also exploring the possibilities of going into business with a friend. Right now it is probably at least a year off since there is a lot of planning and organizing and fund raising to do.  I'm not going to share more details yet, but if it happens, it's going to be a really good thing.  It will give me a chance to do more of what I love without giving up the things I'm doing now (hopefully).

Another change happened a few weeks ago when a friend committed suicide.  We actually haven't seen each other in a few years and mostly kept in contact by Facebook, but still it hurt.  And there was a lot to process beyond just losing her.  It brought up a lot of old stuff.

At my last doctor appointment, I told my doctor about some annoying but not serious symptoms. He has asked me to try an elimination diet to see if gluten may be part of the problem. So far it is going well.  There are a couple of things I still need to work out, but I'm getting the hang of it. Because I know that chocolate also causes problems for me, I decided to get rid of that too.  I think that I also have a few other food sensitivities, so this whole process might take awhile.

I also just started working with a personal trainer.  So far, I'm loving it, but I'm not sure that I'll be able to keep it up once school starts.  I'll just have to wait and see what my time, money, and energy situation looks like.

Next week is Freshman Orientation.  School starts the following week.  I'll be doing just after school lessons that week, and then I start my regular schedule the second week of September.  And then it's another wild ride through the school year.

I've changed some policies and will be requiring students to use my website more.  I do expect that that will be a little tricky.  I've also added a few more events this year for students.  My calendar is very full and very colorful since I've added colors for different kinds of events.  I'm also finally moving my primary calendar online.  I will still need paper reminders, but I think I've finally decided that online might be easier for keeping track of all that I'm doing.

Also in September I'll be a teaching assistant for 6 tai chi and qigong classes, plus prepping for the October Tai Chi for Energy workshop that I'll be taking from Dr. Lam.

This year of the Snake won't be over until Jan. 31.  What other growth, change, and transformation is waiting just around the corner?

Today's Adventure

Sometimes the universe has other plans.  Today I had what could have been a very bad experience.  But as you will see from my lists below, overall, the scales tip towards good.

Bad news:

• I had a flat tire today. 
• Although I'm quite capable of changing a tire, I just really didn't feel like doing it in a dress.  Plus I was just lazy.  
• It took over 7 minutes for anyone at Roadside Assistance to even answer the phone.  
• After that I had to wait at least 90 minutes before someone came.  
• My phone battery was lower than 50%, and because I didn't want to run it down, I didn't even check FB, or blog, or surf the internet while I waited.  

Good News:

• The flat tire wasn't quite as much my fault as I thought it was.  (Long story.)
• I had my cell phone with me, so it was easy to call Roadside Assistance.  
• Because it is part of my insurance, I didn't have to pay anything extra for the help.  
• Because I knew I needed to get to my spare tire, I cleaned out the trunk of the car.  
• I found my good gloves and hat that I hadn't been able to find all last winter.  
• I found my box of special pens (multiple colors and kinds) that I bought a few years ago for NaNoWriMo, but haven't seen in a couple of years.  It was like Christmas!
• I had plenty of change to walk across the parking lot and buy a water from the vending machine after I finished the water I had with me.  
• Plus, I found a 1946 nickel in my change.  I always keep coins that are older than I am.  It might not be worth anything, but it is fun to have.  This coin was in circulation before my parents were born.  
• I have been sunshine deprived lately, and it was a beautiful day to be outside.  The temperature was moderate.  The sun was shining, and there was a light breeze.  Plus, there were a bazillion birds around to watch.  
• When I was cleaning out the trunk, I found the Armor All wipes, so I cleaned the dash, the instrument panel, and I got all the disgusting stuff out of the cup holder.  My car looks so much better.  
• I also cleaned out the glove box and found two flashlights with dead batteries.  I guess it's a good thing I always have my phone with me to use as a light.  Must find new batteries tomorrow.  
• Since I had those awesome pens and a notepad, I did a little writing while I waited.  
• I planted some tai chi seeds.  I mentioned that I taught tai chi and the Auto Rescue guy said he was interested in learning more about it.  I told him a little, and then wrote down some places where he could find information about classes.  

Day 1 Gluten-Free

When I saw my doctor last week, we I told him that my digestive system had been even more temperamental than usual, so he suggested that I do a gluten elimination diet to see if gluten may be part of the problem.  I've done a lot of reading about Fibromyalgia and food sensitivities, and gluten is at the top of the list for things that people with Fibromyalgia might have issues with.  Some of the reading I've done suggests going off all the possible culprits at once and then adding them back in one at a time to see exactly what the issues are.  I suspect that I may also have intolerances for dairy, chocolate, corn, legumes, and nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers).  But eliminating all of that would mean totally re-working my diet and I don't have the time, resources, and patience to do that all at once.  So, I'm starting with the gluten and I'll see if that makes any difference.

The good news is that I used last week as a trial run and actually lost a couple of pounds.  I didn't go completely off gluten, but I did buy gluten free products for my lunches at work and I didn't do pastas or breads very much for dinners at home.  I found that I like the Amy's Rice Mac and Cheese even more than the regular version.  I also love their enchiladas, but they didn't like me back.  That could have been the corn, the beans, or the tomatoes.  Or it might just have been that my stomach didn't like anything that day.  I seriously have days that water causes digestive pain.

Anyway, today is Day 1 gluten-free.  I'll be keeping my food diary here, so posts will be pretty boring for awhile.  But blogging about the food is much easier than remembering where I put the notebook that I was writing things down in.

Breakfast this morning:  Pepper Jack Cheese and grapes