preparing for one of UCU's infamous parties on campus (fall 2003)
She moved to Brussels 2 years ago, which means that I don't see her as often as I'd like, but I'm glad that I'm able to catch a train and see her in 3 hours when the timing is right (as opposed to this other friend who lives all the way in northern California - seeing her requires a lot more planning). Before she moved, we didn't live in the same city either, but it was easier to meet up. And before that, we shared a unit on campus - rooms across from each other. We lived in Voltaire, the building where all the Humanities classes were given. We were Humanities majors (and proud of it!) and thought we were so cool for living there. Just the possibility of going to class in our pajamas appealed to us (though both of us were way too vain to ever did anything like that).
relaxing in the sun at the park near Anna's apartment in Brussels (spring 2009)
So, when I do visit Anna in Brussels, I always have so much fun! Her apartment is like this beautiful place that houses a treasure of cute little artsy things. There are always piles of magazines on the living room floor, clippings on the walls and leftover snacks in the bookcases. I actually love the organized chaos, though I'm pretty sure she'd never believe me. So when in Brussels, we hardly ever do touristy stuff (in fact, the first time I finally saw some of Brussels' famous sites was when Danielle came over from the US and was kind enough to play tourist with me). Instead, it's like I live there too and we spend the weekend doing things like getting our ears pierced and taking bikram yoga classes.
Anna and I got a tattoo together almost 7 years ago in Melrose, Los Angeles. It was at the end of our studies abroad and we wanted to do it together. We'd been thinking about getting a tattoo for quite some time and after Danielle did her research into the best tattoo shops in LA and we somehow managed to get to Melrose on LA's insane bus system, we got one. I was beyond nervous and would have gladly taken a vodka shot, had it not been for the particular dangerous blood-thinning quality of alcohol. So I went first, and did okay. Anna went second, and went through quite some pain. So when we got our ears pierced, I told her she could go first. She was taken to a little room up some winding stairs where she proceeded to scream her lungs out. Just to scare me. It was mean - my hands were already shaking with fear. But it went alright and we are now both tattoo and piercing buddies. God, we're so bad-ass.
the new piercing
On Sunday morning we got up early to take a bikram yoga class. If you know anything about me and Anna, this would surprise you. Anna is notoriously known for being grumpy in the morning (and if she hasn't had her coffee yet: beware!) and the thought of doing 26 yoga poses in 105-degree heat for 90 minutes always sounded like hell to me. But Anna was very persuasive and I'm always in for trying new things at least once. Turns out bikram yoga is kind of awesome. Since I don't have to work at all in July, I plan to get a 1-month membership so I can go every day. Funny how things go.
If you need any more inspiration to try bikram yoga at least once (if my sudden conversion isn't enough) then watch this video and read this article. I love how Jeanne Heaton describes the practice:
"The postures are accessible to anyone, in any shape, but challenging for everyone, in any shape. The front mirrors force you to face the truth and the reality of your life."
So many of my friends think that yoga is a competitive sport, while one of the first things I learned about yoga is that it is all about your own personal growth and that it is the effort that you put into the pose, and not the actual pose itself, that counts. Everyone can do yoga. Like Jeanne Heaton says: "Just get in the room."
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