So, a few weeks ago I cashed in my yoga groupon – 5 lessons for $15! But my first lesson was terrifying. The instructor adjusted me constantly, chanted hysterically, and worked us all into painful, perspiration-filled high-level moves without any questioning about level of experience, skill, or medical concerns. It was not a relaxing experience, so I avoided going back until today, which was my expiration date. I figured 2 classes for $15 would still be a bargain, but if I copped out entirely, I’d be ashamed of myself.

Turns out it was the best yoga class I’ve ever taken – challenging but relaxing, it made me feel that great ‘relieved’ sore feeling. This instructor was friendly, silly, and asked about any medical issues. Even my classmates seemed light-hearted and fun. Well, except for the ones who love to show off their headstands and their ability to balance their knees on top of their elbows. (That wasn’t a typo. Well, I should cut them some slack. That was part of the class. It’s not their fault I can’t do it :-p)

Anyway, the best part was that the instructor told me I could finish off my next 3 sessions without worrying about the expiration date! This was a great learning moment for me.. I forced myself to attend despite my fears of being overworked and embarrassed, and it turned out so much better than I could have imagined. Looks like I’ll have a class to attend for the next 3 weeks!

Joe recently joined the site Bleacher Report as a correspondent. Since he joined a few days ago, he’s written two articles that have gotten a total (as of now) of 2,241 reads! His articles thus far covered Eric Mangini’s firing as coach of the Browns, as well as trading decisions for the Cavaliers. He will continue to post on relevant Cleveland sports issues – if you’re interested, please follow his articles at http://bleacherreport.com/users/444404-joe-fell .

I’m so proud of Joe for pursuing his talents and passions! It’s easy to let work, relationships, and business get in the way of one’s interests; Joe always reminds me that it makes us whole and happy to go after what we love. Kudos to him!

I had an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Spine Center this morning to check on the progression of my mild scoliosis. Luckily, the curve of my spine seems to be the same since I was diagnosed 10 years ago, but the muscle mass imbalance in my back is growing. The doctor also pointed out my flat feet and uneven leg lengths that might have caused and contributed to my scoliosis. Doctor’s orders:

• Stop carrying huge, 7-pound purses on my strong shoulder (translation: blow my Christmas gift card on a fancy new wristlet)
• Do yoga and other back-strengthening exercises 3x/week (translation: make time for myself that I already wanted anyway)
• Keep up the massages (translation: Ahhhhhh…)
• Wear orthotics for my flat feet and imbalanced legs (translation: comfy shoes and an excuse to avoid uncomfy heels!)

If none of this works to stop the pain, she recommended physical therapy. All in all, this visit reinforced some of my New Year’s Resolutions and gave me permission to do what’s right for my body! Sometimes I’m a bit fearful of change and overmedication, so I forget that medical help is a true blessing and can help pain instead of increasing it (the dentist, on the other hand…).  Thank you to all my friends in the medical fields – your actions help so many!

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the 101 Things site has gone AWOL. I’ll bet some people are pretty put out that their bucket lists are lost forever. Luckily, my sister noticed early enough for us to be able to ‘cache’ the site and c&p it so as to preserve it forever! I’ve now changed the 101 Things tab on this site to the actual list and will be updating it here. So far, I’m at 38.61%. I started the project on 2/14/2010, and it will be finished in November of 2012. I’m not sure what exact date, since I lost that, too! Either way, my progress has been steady, but I have a lot more adventures ahead!

Reflecting back on the past year, there is no doubt that God carried us through and blessed us tremendously. If there was a theme for this past year, it might be faith… Faith that I would get through the bar exam and pass, faith that we would have a successful transition to a new lovenest, faith that moving would help me overcome my driving fears, faith that we would find jobs and that Joe would be able to handle his hectic schedule, faith that we would find and adjust to a new dog…

We truly had no reason to fear, because we’ve been carried through all these things and more. It’s been the most eventful year of our married life, and we come out of it realizing that everything we have is a gift. Here are a few highlights and lowlights…

Memorable Moments

+ Joe’s on-the-spot hiring for his job at the ACLU

- Studying for the bar exam – every miserable moment

+ An amazing graduation party including a surprise visit from Jess

- Getting sick to my stomach on the first morning of the bar – my biggest fear is always my recurring physical manifestations of emotional stress!

+ The moment we found out we would be renting our beautiful home

- The legal job market – and its incompatibility with my loan payments

+ Dozens of friends helping us move

- Adjusting to our new schedules and responsibilities

+ Butters the dog!

- Joe’s dad leaving for a year of service with the Navy in Kuwait

+ Trips to the Bahamas, Cancun, Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls, and Atlantic City; Passing the Bar Exam; Swearing in as a lawyer; a murder mystery birthday party; great part-time jobs; Joe’s positions on a law journal and the newspaper; an ever-growing friendship with Steph; lots of fun times with my family; my brother’s engagement and my sister’s boyfriend; good grades for Joe; painting a mural in the Scranton nursery; driving for the first time in years; Kennywood; visits from family and friends; graduating; weddings; births; the list goes on and on!

To be honest, it took some effort to think of the negatives, and I can think of plenty more positives. If there will be a theme for the upcoming year, it should be gratitude and faithfulness on our part. God has given us so much, but life can turn at any moment, which is why we need to show commitment and thankfulness through both sunny days and storms. It’s easy for me to forget God when life is blessed, but it’s those seasons of challenge and growth that give life more meaning and that inspire us to give our gifts and efforts to help others.

That being said, a few resolutions:

1. Spend more time with God
2. Take more effort to help and serve Joe with his busy schedule
3. Take better care of my health, my body, and my mood by going to the doctor & dentist and exercising
4. Spend less time online in unproductive activities (less facebook and silly sites and more substantive reading and personally reflective blogging)
5. Fill more of my spare time with uplifting activities – volunteering, work, exercising, and helping around the house

Please feel free to hold me to these goals! We’re looking forward to the year ahead, including Joe’s graduation and bar exam, new jobs, several weddings, Joe’s dad’s return from Kuwait, and more!