My trip to Sao Miguel

My anniversary was definitely worth all the money, time, and planning.  It definitely felt like another honeymoon.  Well, as promised, here are some pictures!
The collage to the right is of the hotsprings we found on a random drive.  Since we don't know all the signs, we found that following the brown signs led to something amazing.  You can swim in one of the built pools, but the natural springs are not allowed.
The changing stations are pretty nice, except for some nasty presents left behind by the not-so-hygienic females...All in all, it was still very beautiful and we managed to run into a couple of Germans and possible South Africans (according to the accents).

Here in this picture collage, there is a research facility atop the mountain.  There's also another angle of the changing booths.  To the left is the end of the trail due to a huge cliff side and fallen stones.  All in all, this trip on the wilderness side left me to believe the possibility of dinosaurs still alive.  I'm on to you Michael Crichton.

So here's my favorite picture I took while on the trip!  I really like the detail for a non-dslr camera. I am no crackshot with a camera, so this is my favorite. I mean seriously, look at the awesome dewiness on the moss growing on the stone wall.  This spot was absolutely amazing to begin with.  We just had a very flirtatious couple next to us making it quite well known they were completely randy for each other.  In other words, VERY UNCOMFORTABLE and AWKWARD moment. 


All in all it was a great and wonderful trip full of natural life, getting lost trying to find our way to our hotel, learning the difference between an American automatic vehicle and a European version, eating delicious breakfast and dinner, finally eating McDonald's after almost 2 years from being overseas at a remote tour, and getting to enjoy the reason why I married my husband. 

Sexy Beast

Sao Miguel, 5 Years and Counting

For those who do not know or are unaware, my husband is US Air Force Active Duty.  We are currently stationed overseas at Lajes AB, Azores.  It's an alright and beautiful place, but there's a reason this place is considered a short tour.  There's a lot more to be offered when stationed at high traffic/volume bases overseas. Here it is remote. VERY remote. Don't get me wrong, I love the culture of farmlands and families, the amazing nature, and the wonderful history of this place. It's just all seen, said and done the first few months here.  At least there is a bit of solace to be found on other, somewhat more commercialized and scenic, islands.

So, this evening, I will be leaving on a tiny buslike plane to the next island in the Azores.  My husband and I are going to be celebrating our 5 year anniversary!!  Thank goodness I pre-packed yesterday because I have only twenty minutes to get ready when I get off work....

Needless to say, I don't think I am a wonderful stick-shift driver, but I will do my best when we pick up the car rental. Slightly scary but I think it's worth having prepaid, mobile transportation. I just have to worry about gas...

This will be a good learning experience for later on, should we decide to island hop again one last time before leaving to our next base!  Hopefully we get to know where we are headed next this coming week!!!

~~~Look forward to kewl pix and this will be a wonderful break from workouts at the gym and home!~~~

Hey Yogi, do I get a pic-nic basket, or are you going to leave me upside down here too?

I have a few goals in fitness. One, is to be flexible.

In yoga, I have noticed a lot of people being able to do headstands, with splits and going into what is called Scorpion pose or the Crow pose. I want to be able to do these things, so of course I shall blog about it.



Here is a video tutorial on how to begin strengthening your upper body to withstand the full headstand.



This video is the most helpful in my opinion. I love the detailed and safer way of completing a full headstand.



I hope you find these video tutorials as helpful as I have!

GYM BOSS

Hey folk, guess what--I got a Gym Boss. I know what you are really thinking...WHAT IS THIS GYM BOSS?! A Gangsta running a gym? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....

2" with a clip in the back and only three buttons

Pretty much this will help me out whenever I am doing my circuit workouts.  I always lose time and this has a murderously annoying beep that will keep you right on track.

Aside from that, I haven't fully worked out yesterday or today due to Mother Nature being in cohoots with Satan Man.  I swear, I should have two sets of abs for what pain I go through in five days.  Can I get an "Amen!" ladies? No? Really? Okay.

I am going to start some at home free weight gym equipment. At our next base, we have to have a garage for this.  There are a lot of homemade "weights" you can make too if you have the time. Coffee cans filled with sand and if you have a soldering iron, you can seal the cans--there's a vid for it somewhere.  Essentially, it is using metal tins as dumbbells.  You can also use plastic jugs filled with sand or water, but that water you'll need in your body.

Just bought a pull up bar and barbell as a new edition to my small at home gym.  Since we do not have a woodcrafting place in the Arts and Crafts center, I will wait till our next base to build a nice workout bench and weights tree.  Never thought I'd get this excited over buying workout equipment as I'd be about buying shoes....