Divisible by 2,3,4,6,9,12,18

It was a lovely birthday weekend, and I'm ready to have a year of things that will teach me something.  Every year we usually learn many new things. I'm thinking that there will be no exception to the rule this year.  Last year at this time, my outlook might not have been so positive.  But everything changes.  And I'm so thankful that they do.  This year I hope to invite a lot more into my life.  I hope to accept everything that is given to me (good and bad) with compassion and hope.

This weekend was fantastic.  I went to work and some of my students even  made me a card.  There was even a little cake for me.  I got home a little early from work and took Lhotse for a lovely little walk.  Then Jarle came home and said," Get ready for dinner".  He surprised me by inviting my parents and my best friend to my favorite Thai place.  We all chatted and had a great time.  Talked about the good ol' days in Bonn, and really just enjoying each other's company.

Saturday-- was the day of rest.  I managed to sleep in a little.  My husband made me some French Toast, and a mimosa!  Then it was off to paint.  I managed to paint for a few hours.  It felt nice to just not think about time, or putting it all away.  Jarle watched his football game, and we ate a lovely dinner.  Complete with some wine and a cupcake.

Sunday was almost the same, except I had a nice yoga class midday.  Painted some more and settled in for the rest of the Sunday.  We also managed to have some good Italian to end the brisk fall weekend.

I can't complain.  I got a few gifts, practiced yoga, painted, hung out with my best friend and family.  It was the perfect birthday.

I also feel that birthdays are a good time to be a little introspective, a time to reflect.  I guess I've been doing that a lot these days.  With yoga, you do spend quite a lot of time focusing on yourself.  Thinking, meditating, moving through breath.  It really does have an effect on the mind, body, and spirit.  I used to be so closed off to that way of thinking.  I used to focus on how I "appeared to be".  Not about how I looked, but how I appeared to be thinking, feeling, and being.  That is not the way to live.  

I guess that's why I'm so attached to yoga these days.  I feel like it's a time when I should reflect, I should work past the hard stuff, and commit to doing my best at that moment.  I feel like there is no one there judging me because I can or can't do something.  I'm only doing it for myself, to find things out about myself.  My limits, the challenges, my successes.

I know this has gotta sound all very "new age", right??  I'm not going to go join a commune, or start carrying crystals, or talk about the vortex... No... But I'm committed to being aware of myself.  My positives and my negatives.  And I hope that I can somehow create a balance of those things.

Now- does this mean I'm not going to yell at the person who cuts me off when I'm trying to make a  turn at a light while driving?  

Ummm, I'll try not to.