Yoga on the hill

On wednesday I carted myself, my mat and spf down to Parliament Hill to do an hour of yoga.  Truly wonderful to experience something I find so rejuvenating and strengthening in a place so beautiful and historic. This event was sponsored by lulu lemon (a woman's athletic clothing store that originated in Canada), and our guide for the practice happened to be the same woman that runs the Moksha Yoga studio I'm going to currently.  There were 508 gathered together that afternoon and they are hoping that by the end of the summer they can get 1,000 people there!  Unfortunately I won't be able to be there for the finally practice, but for the next 4 weeks I will be getting my yoga on at Parliament Hill.

The nice thing about this event is that it's really close to Jon's work, so I'm hoping I can drag him down there with me during one of his lunch breaks- just for the experience.

Namaste friends and family xoxo

A day (or two) in the life of an explorer!

So apparently the place I’m using the internet for the time being is incredibly slow, PAINFULLY slow!  So the picture updates may just be sporadic while we are still here…. Just know that everything we are seeing and doing is just beautiful! 

It really hasn’t taken long for me to fall in love with Ottawa.  It’s a big city with a small town feel.  We have a fairly easy time making our way around, the city is very clean, and the people are pleasant.  Jon and I are both a little sad that we will be going back to MSU for the remainder of school, when he could have also come here for the next two years for a different dual degree program, the dual JD program.  But it’s not about the location of the school, it’s about what he will be getting out the education… right?

Since my last update I have found a place to do yoga at while we are here- for only $40!  I’m so very excited, I’ve gone to three sessions already, and it’s been wonderful.  Its hot yoga, so its pretty much like doing yoga in a sauna. 

Last Wednesday, I did some exploring by myself; I did a tour of the center block of the Parliament buildings!  The building is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.  I want to do the tour again, because it’s just that beautiful. I also walked through the Museum of Currency, and several parks in a 2km radius. I was sad Jon wasn't there with me, but I'm weeding through it all so that I can take him back to the highlights of Ottawa!

On Thursday last week Jon and I went to the IMAX theater that is a part of the Museum of Civilization to see a film on Polar Bears and the melting ice cap they call home.  The other woman renting a room in the town house we are at works for the museum and gave us free tickets as well as passes into the museum anytime we want!  After the movie we had a great date night at a little place called the Black Tomato.  We sat on the back patio and enjoyed our delicious meal and made plans for the remainder of our trip. 

Saturday we headed into the city to make our first trip through the museum of Civilization.  We were there from about 10am-5pm!  It was a long day, and by the end I could not possibly absorb any more information!  We walked through the children’s section (so fun! Jon taught me to play chess, and even let me win!), they had an exhibit on God, and world religions, Canadian History, Famous Canadians, and a Mayan exhibit.  It was wonderful!  Then we went back to the Byward Market for a beaver tail- essentially the same delicious goodness as an elephant ear!  We tried the original fried dough with cinnamon and sugar, but they have a nutella one, I’m gonna have to go back and try. 

Sunday we had church, and then had dinner with the woman we are renting from (she is staying with her daughter literally one block away).  She is a very sweet Japanese woman, and an amazing cook!  She made homemade sushi rolls for us (again!) along with rice noodles and some kind of tofu veggie stir-fry (that puts mine to shame)!  She also made a strawberry rhubarb cobbler that reminded me of my grandmas.  We ate till our hearts content because she had enough food to feed 10 people!

Monday I went to the Central Experimental Farm.  It’s literally a farm in the middle of Ottawa.  They harvest a vast array of crops as well take care of a variety of farm animals.  There is also an ornamental garden (which is what I walked through) and an observatory next to the river.  It would be a great place to run.  I ended they day with a session of hot yoga, and Jon and I had pancakes for dinner. 

Now after spending about 2 hours trying to download like 20 pictures I should probably do something productive today! 

Thanks for all your love friends and family near and far!  We love and miss you all dearly.  Happy Tuesday!

Ottawa Pictures (pt. 2)

At the tulip festival

hand rolled sushi by the woman we are renting from

Dow's Lake for Tulip Festival

Fireworks for Tulip Festival

Jon infront of Parliament- I don't think I'll ever get sick
of looking at those buildings!

Walking around DT

The Hill and center block 

The back side of the Parliament buildings from across the river-
the building in center is the Library of Parliament 

Library of Parliament

House of Commons (from my tour of center block)

The Senate Room

The view from the Peace Tower (the bell tower in front)

Center Block (after my tour)

Ottawa in Pictures (pt. 1)

I was impressed with myself for cutting down-
although now that we are here, I feel like I need
to buy things to make up for what I cut down on...
oops ;)

Jon's pile...  

about to cross the bridge to CANADA!

navigating 

Oh, Canada!  We made it!

Me as the passenger.

Our first walk around down town Ottawa

I love him

Parliament buildings in the background.

Our second day

Reading in the park near University of Ottawa

Oh, Canada!

Finally!  After packing everything we own from our first little apartment we moved to our newer and slightly upgraded apartment (both apartments happened to be on the third floor, so in the span of two days I walked at least 5 miles up and down those stairs).  Thank you to our friends Justin and Jordan for all your help in moving boxes and unpacking!  After moving everything into the new place I did as much unpacking I could possibly do in one day, and then I had to begin packing for our excursion to Canada.  By about 11:30pm on Wednesday night we had just about everything packed. And at 7 am on Thursday we were off! 

Phew, I’m so glad that part of the trip is over…  It was a little stressful and emotional for all parties involved (mostly me though).  It was sort of sad to leave our first place together…  I felt like it was marking the end of a chapter in our life and beginning a new.  I know this new chapter will be so wonderful, but I’m always a little saddened by change in the beginning. 

After our 10 hours in the car, we finally made it to our little bungalow just outside of Ottawa in the darling little town of Orleans.  Jon and I were both practically leaping at the chance to get unpacked and to bed as soon as we got here- we were both needing to catch up from sleep from the last month of craziness.

It seemed like the craziness didn’t end there though… Friday morning we were up early and off to get a few things before Jon started his orientation that night.  We found a place to use the internet, ran to the grocery store, ran to the mall, the bank and then went to Ottawa to walk around a bit before orientation.  While Jon was in orientation I sat in a park and read. It was lovely.

Saturday was another early day- we figured out how to use the public transit that Jon will take every day to and from Ottawa.  Ridding the bus is always an interesting experience, but it’s a really good way to get a feel for what it’s like to actually in an area.  While Jon was in orientation I walked around an area called the Byward Market- one of the most popular areas in DT Ottawa.  It is filled with all sorts of vendors and little shops as well as TONS of restaurants.  We could eat at two a day for the rest of our trip and still not get them all!  During Jon’s lunch break we walked down to the Rideau Canal and ate the lunch I packed.  The second half of the day I walked around a little bit more before finding a park near campus to sit in and read.  It was a gorgeous afternoon- and I’ve got an awesome farmers tan to prove it!

Sunday was another PERFECT DAY!  Again, we woke up early, this time I went to church and Jon headed back into Ottawa for another day of orientation.  He was done at about 3 so by that time I met him DT and we drove to Dow’s Lake (still down town area, just a 10 minute drive from school).  This is where majority of Tulip Festival is.  Unfortunately because the weather had been unseasonably warm for Ottawa most of the tulips had already turned, but it was still a gorgeous day and a beautiful park.  There were tons of families out and about on the lawn enjoying the sun.  Jon and I sat under a tree and enjoyed the homemade sushi from the lady we are renting the condo.  We also took a stroll down Preston Street which is also known as Little Italy.  That was one of Jon’s favorite places in NYC, so it will be fun to go back and enjoy some the eats here with him!  And after our stroll we admired the firework show over the lake!  It was actually an impressive show, and I took pictures of it like I’d never seen fireworks before!

Monday was Victoria Day, a national holiday- similar to our Memorial day.  So pretty much all the malls and government stuff was closed.  Monday was also Jon’s last day or orientation (phew!  I think he’s all oriented now)!  The second half of the day I got to join Jon and his class to do a walking tour of some of the buildings the students will be working in as well as a ride on the double decker tour bus around Ottawa.  The bus gave a basic run through of the museums to see, places to shop, and of course the Parliament buildings....  They are extraordinary buildings I’m excited to do the walking tour inside one of these days.  I was a little wind blown and my scalp a little burnt but the tour was well worth it.  It was also nice to meet some of the people Jon will be working with for the next 6 weeks!

After going non-stop for what seems like the past month (with all the preparation for moving and the trip) I took today off!  Poor Jon was up at 5 am to get DT early to start his work at the Library of Parliament.  I read pretty much all day, made a quick trip to the post office, baked cookies, napped, read some more, cooked dinner- that was timed perfectly for when he got home from his first day.  Today, he was most excited about the fact that he gets his very own office to work in :)  And now here I sit in the coffee shop, rested and ready to go again tomorrow!

Sorry this is the longest post ever and no pictures yet... I will post very soon- I have some great ones of us already!  

Lots of love to our friends and family near and far!

Summer Plans

So, part of the reason I have been M.I.A. is because we have been crazy people trying to figure out what in the world we are going to be doing this summer and next year....
Well, let me just start by saying my husband is absolutely brilliant, and wonderful, and so so so talented...  I know I'm a little bit biased, but I didn't marry him for his lady skills.
We just might be a little crazy, but we are packing up and headed east (technically north east), to Ottawa Canada for half of May and all of June.  This next adventure is going to be just what we need to top off one of the best years of our lives.  For six weeks Jon has an externship with the Library of Parliament- the legal research department of the Parliament of Canada.  So on May 17 we are saying adios to the United States and jumping the border.  Since I returned home from Costa Rica I have been itching to travel and this is the perfect opportunity.  The culture may be similar, but it's a new city with new sites, smells, and experiences.  I am so beyond excited for this adventure we get to share.
After that, starting in the fall, Jon will be attending the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.  Jon was admitted into the dual JD/MBA program at MSU.  Of course this does mean another year of school, but also so many more opened doors for opportunity for our future.  I am so proud of him!!  It was a big decision for us, as Jon also got into the dual JD/JD Canada/US program he had been interested in.
And just two minor events to add to our itinerary even before we head to Ottawa, Jon still has to finish 2 finals and we have to move apartments!  EEK!  On monday, May 14 we are moving to a new apartment, with a little more space & a washer and dyer (kind of essential now that I'm having to keep up on laundry for 2).  It's going to be a busy few weeks here, but I promise once we get to Ottawa and I have some downtime I'll update about all the craziness!

Pray for my sanity please!

it will be a 10 hour drive 

The Library of Parliament aka Hogwarts
sorry the picture wouldn't load all the way

Yay! Go Green!

9 months

My how time has flown!  Just 9 months ago Jon became my husband and I stepped into the role of wife.   What a fun adventure we've been having here in our tiny apartment with our 2 kitties.   It feels like we have been doing this whole playing house thing for a very long time, when really 9 months is just a millisecond compared to how long we will have together.  I'm so glad we have forever, because I have so much I want to do with him!


I went through all our wedding pictures last night and fell in love all over again...


xoxo