Michelle's Menagerie

Happy Labor Day From Southern California!

"Live with intention.  Walk to the edge.  Listen hard.  Practice wellness.  Play with abandon.  Laugh.  Choose with no regret. Continue to learn.  Appreciate your friends.  Do what you love.  Live as if this is all there is." Mary Anne Radmacher

Just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Labor Day from Southern California.  I am visiting my friend Stefanie, whom I have known since 5th grade, in San Diego for a week before flying to the island Kauai.  I will be meeting my friend Jordana whom I met on the Big Island almost two years ago during my first Yoga teacher training.  While here in Southern California, Stefanie and I made a road trip up to Laguna Beach for a wedding.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful and was for a daughter of another friend of mine that I've known since 7th grade.   

Above are photos of my BFF and I.  Lastly here is the back of my dress.  I had forgotten how much work goes into wearing one of these dresses and how uncomfortable they are :)

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Labor Day weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Michelle

Dream Come True...I made It To Phuket, Thailand!

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
John Burroughs

Me on James Bond Island:

Practicing Yoga on Phi Phi island with a beautiful 15 year old girl I met from Singapore - what a good sport to work with someone old enough to be her mother ;) This is where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed "The Beach" in 1995:

Me swimming/snorkeling in the "easter egg dye blue" water that felt like bath water:

Me with Doreen at Kohpanyee village:

Kohpanyee fishing village has a population of 1,685 and is growing!

Here is their children's school:
Their floating football field: The kids love school...maybe it's their view?

I will leave you with me trying to be a Bond girl - hehe

I will try to post more on Thailand and Phuket in particular sooner rather than later.  Take care my friends and enjoy the rest of your summer!

There's No Place Like Home!

It's great to be home.  I so missed Jasmine and all my pets.  However, I was able to cross off one of the items on my bucket list and accomplished the goal of getting my advanced Yoga certification.

Bella left today for four days to stay with her new family and I miss her!  She will be coming back to us for 2 weeks on Monday when her new family goes on vacation.  I'm so looking forward to having her back and we've told them that any time they want to go out of town we will be happy to watch her.  I get attached to all of our foster pets, but Bella has been such a joy.  She is recovering really nicely from her surgery and runs all over and rolls around just like most poodles :)

I am just now recovering from my jet lag and starting back into teaching my Yoga classes. I feel awful that I am so overdue in catching up on my favorite blogs.  Thanks so much for not giving up on me.  Take care my friends!!! 

Michelle

Poolenalena Park Beach, Maui Hawaii AKA Secret Beach

I finally got to do a little sight seeing with some beauties from Buenos Aries who I'm so happy and fortunate are in my Yoga training program:

They are truly beautiful on the inside and out!  Now that I have your attention here are some more photos of this amazing park known as "Secret Beach" here on the island:

I have about 2 weeks left of 12 hour days and then my adjustment to a 6 hour difference time change to look forward to when I return home.  In spite of all that, I'm completely in my element and having a wonderful time.  Strange to think that I just finished a 2 hour Ashtanga HOT Yoga class at 2 AM my time.  Hmmm...do you think I'll have some jet lag when I return to florida ;)?

Thanks for stopping by!  I truly appreciate all my loyal and occasional readers!

Michelle

Aloha From Maui!

WOW!  All I can say is that I love it here!

I am very busy working toward my advanced certification as a Yoga instructor.   I still have a ways to go and I haven't been able to sight see yet, but the view above is right in my back yard.  Everyone is so nice here and my Ashtanga Hot Yoga training is very challenging, but so enjoyable at the same time.  Here are a few more photos.  I will try to post more soon.

Even the city looks beautiful to me:

I was really enjoying watching several dogs play in the ocean at the beach:

It sure did make me miss these guys:

Thank goodness my husband is holding down the fort and sending me photos daily.  I truly have been visiting your blogs, but haven't been commenting because I am so focused on this extremely intense training.  I will make it up to you all.  Have a wonderful week my friends :)