May 25th and yoga session

My day started with a blackout. I woke up very early, around 5AM, to attend a yoga session. There are various types of Yoga classes and today's was Fire. First time taking a proper yoga class. The room was set to 90 degree Fahrenheit and the session was 60 minutes. It was an intense session. As soon as I entered the room, I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was very hot. I tried to calm myself that it is just my imagination that I can't breathe properly. Since this was my first time and I'm not necessarily fit, I had a blackout episode midway through the class. My vision started blurring and my head started spinning. I tried to take deep breathes and calm myself. I stood in the middle of the room with my eyes closed. I was afraid of fainting and going to the emergency. I slowly recovered. I tried to do some more asanaas but I took it easy for rest of the session. At the end of the class, I felt refreshed in a way.

A friend of mine had a message about Dr.Jacome. She passed away about 2 years ago on May 25th. I was reading up on her from other students and everyone has something great to say about her. It is really unfortunate that she demised at a very young age. She died of lung cancer. She sounds like someone I would have loved to meet. Some how whenever I hear someone dying of cancer, I get really sad. I feel like I can connect with them and their family and know what they've gone through. It brings back some sad memories. Why in life we always hear of someone great dying? Is it because we only recognize those few? Some times I wish I'm one of them. 

How I became a Frog?

I often get questions, why Frog? I never have a proper answer. My gtalk profile picture is a Frog. That's how it started. I never wanted to put a picture of myself, sounded less interesting. So I looked for pictures in the gtalk gallery and there were few I liked. I liked Monkey but it was used up by many. It was too popular. The Rabbit was cute but again some how boring to me. So I just picked Frog, since not many used it. And that is how I got branded with it.

Few friends associate me with frog now. Sadly, frog has nothing to do with me but it doesn't bother me. Except when I think about it too hard, then I get grossed out about "frogs.":) The one on gtalk is a fun picture. It looks like it is leaping out at you. Now my blog spot is named after frog. Gives me some character, just not sure if it is a pleasing one or not.

By,
Froggie

People are kind

Just this morning I went to our Health Center for Ergonomics Appointment. I've been in pain for about few weeks now and I've been neglecting it. I should have gotten a massage by now, focused on exercises and worked out the Ergonomics long before. I'm lazy, so I slacked off. Finally I did go today. The lady was sweet. She asked few questions and gave me a number to call for an appointment. I called as she said and got myself an appointment for next week. Meanwhile she calls me back and says she found out I could get complimentary massage from the Health Center. I'm not sure if others get these little surprises in life sometimes, but I do feel like it happens to me now and then. It cheers me up but then I think about reality and get back to my solemn feeling right away.

My little happiness...

I just came out of the Apple piercing store in downtown, where I got my nose pierced four weeks ago. I developed an infection which made me go back to the store for consultation. Looks like I don't have to remove the nose stud (yet!) Now I'm waiting for my ride back home. The person who is picking me up is someone I just met, about an hour ago. I had dinner with her along with two other good friends. She dropped me off by the store as it is difficult to find parking in downtown. Now I'm waiting for her to pick me up. She said it'll be a minute before she makes another round to get back on the same street. This is about 10PM on a Wednesday night. There is still some activity considereing it is a weekday. Few street vendors walking around, people like me passing by, traffic on the street, and some jobless bums.

My cell phone slips out of my hand and falls on side of the road. It rolls under the car parked by the street. I quickly bent down to reach it. I can see it but it rolled too far into the car. I tried to reach it but it is not possible. My head quickly started working. What are my options? I looked around. I'm already feeling awkward to be squatting by side of the road and looking underneath someone's car. I need something long, to pull it out. All I've is my purse. I looked around for help and I spot a man walking with roses and bouquets. He is a street vendor. African American, middle-aged, and carrying roses that are long. So, I started talking to him or he just approached me and started listening to what I had to say. As I was talking, several thoughts gushed through my head. Is this person trustworthy, is he sane enough to follow what I'm asking for, and is he going to help me? Before I even finished he squatted down and looked for the phone. He understood what I'm asking him to do. He gave me his bouquets to hold on to. I don't think he was worried I might run away with his flowers. He took one of his roses and used it to get the phone out....exactly what I wanted to happen. I got a great idea, buy the rose from him. He had a sweet smile. I don't know if he expected me to buy his flower but it all happened quickly. I had exactly 3 dollars which is what he said it costs and it worked out well. By now my ride was there to pick me up. I was just happy for the trail of events that happened that evening. Stranger helping me and in return, I bought his rose. I gave the flower to the friend who just picked me up. I liked how she didn't refuse to take it. Giving a flower to someone is always a good feeling, sometimes more than receiving one.

Two Presidents, Two Deaths

I just read some news on the internet after a long absence of television and regular news in my life. I found out two things so far: Sadaam Hussain’s sentence to death and Gerald Ford’s demise. Sadaam Hussain’s sentence came as a shock to me, not that I believe it is unfair or unforeseen. I just didn’t expect something like this very soon, especially the news says that the execution could happen any moment from now till the next 30 days. Without having prior knowledge or how the rest of the world is reacting to this decision, I’m feeling a bit apprehensive for US and Iraq. I can understand the atrocities and damage Sadaam has caused and the decision for his execution is fair enough, but still killing a world leader could mean anything. There are many patriotic followers of Sadaam and they will all retaliate against such a decision. I believe something more lenient like life in prison is safer. We are in a time where there is a lot of hatred toward one another, especially towards Americans and anyone who supports the Iraq war and we need to work on unity more than vengeance or justice. Even if not for Americans’ sake, for Iraqi’s. They have suffered enough both during the time of Sadaam and after Sadaam’s regime. They don’t want more news, either good or bad.
The demise of Gerald Ford is unexpected but not shocking. I found out some things about him. He was a former President of US after Nixon. He was never elected but took over the office when Nixon was impeached for the Watergate Scandal. He served in the office for two years before he lost to Jimmy Carter. He is the only President of US who served the office without election and the longest living President who lived for 93 years. He was on Michigan's football team and decided to continue with his studies at Yale instead of going into Professional football. I’m still unclear how exactly he died and when he died.