#GO HIKE GO SWIM GO DANCE GO DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU TAKE FOR GRANTED

[swirlingyouintomypoems]

today in therapy I was talking about my chronic illness and how for months this summer (the best summer of my life so far) I was completely symptom free and doing amazing and then in fall I caught covid and for months my symptoms have been so bad that I've had to take a gap year off school. Anyways I've just recently begun to process this trauma - because it truly was the most traumatic experience I've ever had in my life - and I was talking about how terrifying it is to work to get better because now I know how terrible it is to have it all taken from me again. And obviously this isn't a direct quote but basically my therapist asked me if I would have avoided doing everything I did this summer if I had known I might end up where I am right now. My answer was absolutely not. And she said that even if I fall in a hole and have to claw myself out of that hole only to walk a hundred feet and fall in another hole, those hundred feet may be amazing and beautiful and for those hundred feet I'm going to appreciate the good in life so much more than anyone who has never been in my position. And to some people that may not be very helpful but for me it completely changed my perspective because I was so focused on the hole I'm currently in and worried about the possible hole that I may fall in to next I've been completely ignoring the possibility that however many feet that are in between me and that next hole may be absolutely beautiful, and that has to be worth getting better for

[ginnyweatherby]

Hello, Heinz

Accompanying fic to this drawing, because College!Dooflene is doing something to my heart. It's a cheesy, total cliche and not really my usual style since I normally write more established family dynamics, rather than new romances, but I hope you like it anyway 🤷‍♀️

She looked so lovely sitting on the brick wall, long hair swept up in a ponytail, with what appeared to be a dirty romance novel in her hands.

Heinz sighed, as he watched her turn the page, her mouth curling into a small grin as she soaked in each word.  The cool breeze gently brushed her bangs away from her face, and the sun caught her glasses just right to cause a slight glare in his direction, drawing him to her.

She was everything Heinz knew he could never have.  She was beautiful, smart (although her intelligence was clearly being wasted on her choice of reading material), and was one of the few people who didn't laugh as he wandered down the halls muttering to himself, the blueprints for a new invention dancing in front of his mind's eye.

He desperately wanted to talk to her, but he didn't know what to say. He had always been so hopeless with dating, and he had a sickly feeling that her rejection would sting the most.

Still.  He couldn't seem to look away, as she shifted her position, one of her red legwarmers bunching up as she tucked her foot beneath her.

He took a deep breath and hiked his jacket further up his shoulders, before finally working up the courage to walk up to her.

He didn't speak at first, and she was so involved with her book that she didn't seem to notice he had hopped onto the wall beside her - granted, there were plenty of others seated nearby, and he didn't want to sit too close to seem creepy, but he had almost hoped she would be the first to say hello.

Heinz rubbed his sweaty hands over his ripped jeans, mentally trying to psyche himself up to say something… anything.

"Uh… hi, Charlene,"  He said, uncertainly.  It was innocent enough, maybe a little lackluster, but it was sufficient.

She looked up from her book and smiled.  "Oh hello, Heinz.  I didn't see you there."

"I'm easy enough to overlook,"  Heinz said with a shrug.

"It was hard to overlook you while you were doing that,"  She glanced pointedly at the cast on his arm, protecting his broken wrist from further injury.

It was true, not many people had missed that particular incident, when he was certain he had finally finished an amazing new machine, only to accidentally hit the "Self Destruct" button and be blown across the room. He was lucky to walk away with only a broken bone.

"Oh well, I guess I am pretty good at making a scene,"  Heinz said, rubbing the back of his neck.  "Sometimes."

Charlene chuckled, as she closed the book and set it beside her.  "Nice day, isn't it?"

It was.  The sky was a gorgeous blue, with fluffy white clouds decorating it.  The early April air was one of the first hints of spring, and it seemed that everyone was taking advantage of the warmth and spending the afternoon outside.

"Yeah,"  Heinz mentally kicked himself. Was that all he had to offer in conversation?  She would never go out with him now.

Charlene didn't respond.  She pulled her knees up to her chest and looked up toward the sky.  "It's the first day without rain in what feels like forever."

Heinz nodded.  "I was starting to wonder if I would need swimming lessons just to get to class."

Charlene laughed again, and scooted just a little closer toward Heinz.  "You graduate soon, don't you?"

"Oh um, yeah,"  Heinz said, surprised she knew that much about him.

"You must be pretty smart to be graduating so soon,"  She said.  "I still have a year and a half to go."

"I'm just good at science,"  Heinz said.  "I wing everything else. Fake it 'til you make it, and all that jazz."

Charlene looked at him, a small smile tugging on her lips.  "It'll be pretty weird around here, not having your explosions and German curse words filling the halls."

Heinz felt himself begin to turn pink. "You don't happen to speak German, do you?"

"Unfortunately not,"  Charlene said.  "Maybe you could teach me sometime."

"Sure,"  Heinz said, now blushing for a different reason.  "We'll start with the swear words, of course."

"Of course."

"Hey babe, what are you doing here all alone?"  A voice startled the pair, as a sturdy guy wearing a Letterman jacket with the word LANG emblazoned on it leaned against the wall, taking Charlene's hand.

"I'm not alone,"  Charlene said, pulling her hand back, wrapping her arms around her knees.  "I'm talking with Heinz here."

Lang looked Heinz up and down and snorted.  "Yeah, alright. Say, I'm starving.  Let's go get something to eat."

Charlene frowned, swinging her legs off the wall and shrugged apologetically at Heinz.

"You go ahead, honey, I'll catch up."

Heinz's stomach dropped as he watched Lang position himself between her legs, his hands gripping the wall on either side of her, and lean up to kiss her.

He pulled away with a satisfied smile, before strutting away, a cocky bounce to his step.

"I've got to go,"  Charlene said softly, picking up her book and hopping off the wall.  "I'll see you later."

Heinz nodded sadly, certain he could never compete with someone like Lang.

"Hey,"  Charlene reached into her pocket and pulled out a purple permanent marker.  "Mind if I sign that cast of yours?"

Heinz blinked.  He hadn't thought to have anyone sign it, nor did he think anyone would have wanted to - but who was he to deny her?

"Sure, why not?"

Charlene smiled, and quickly wrote across his arm, before waving goodbye and jogging away to catch up with her boyfriend.

Heinz sighed as he watched her ponytail swing back and forth, suddenly feeling very small.

Well, at least he'd worked up the courage to say hello, he thought as he glanced down at his newly-autographed arm.

His stomach did a flip when he noticed that beneath her looping cursive signature, she had doodled a tiny violet heart… and her phone number.

[swastikholidays]

15 Ways to Spend Less and Enjoy More

Life's more than just existing. One day it will vanish. Make sure it's worth living. Don't just exist. Live, enjoy, explore, thrive, Cherish your solitude. Do anything but let it produce joy, a sense of fulfillment.

Believe in miracles, experience wonders, do whatever it takes you to be happy and fulfilled. There is a saying, "Money doesn't buy happiness". Let me disagree and agree with it at the same time. When you are planning to relish the magical experience at Disneyland, nothing except money will let you live that moment.

But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it at all without currencies. It takes a creative mind to think beyond exceptions and make life worth living. So, whenever next time you are out of budget but still want to seek that sense of fulfillment and happiness, scroll through fifteen unique options you can try your hands on.

1.  Play a Musical Instrument

What's more soothing than music? Music calms you in ways that are not easy to explain. Go for musical instrument sessions or take out your guitar or piano from the store and you are good to go. It won't cost a penny.

Image Source: shutterstock.com

Even if you are a newcomer, it's worth taking live sessions from YouTube and starting learning an instrument, so that whenever you are at a family dinner next time, you can showcase your skills to everyone, and more than that it will amaze you in unbelievable ways.

2. Walk by the Beach

Most of us are lucky to live by water which has amazing quality to soothe our senses. Try that early morning walk by the beach on the powdery sand or an evening walk by the water when moonlight is fully showing its effect inside the waves.

Image Source: Stocksy United

You can even spend a full day around it, experiencing sunbathing by laying your body on the sandy coastline. This soothing experience will pleasure you in ample ways and give you a sense of fulfillment.

3. Go Hiking

Though going for hiking tours will extract major currency out of your pocket, a nearby or city outskirts hilly landscape will not cost much. You can pack your bag, put all the necessary equipment in it from a water bottle to a small camping kit.

Image Source: Wallpapper Cave

It will grant you fitness as well as an amazing experience. Hike the top of the valley, place your camp there at night, and experience that beautiful morning from the hilltop.

4. Devour Chocolate Delicacy

Chocolate makes everything water. Its properties make it an addictive delicacy. Who doesn't love chocolate anyway? Whenever having a bad day or left with less money, do nothing but go to a store and buy chocolate to experience amazingness.

Image Source: The Chocolate Delicacy

A chocolate cake, truffle can do wonders because all you need is peace, love, and understanding, and a chocolate bar bigger than your head.

5. Family Picnic

A trip may sound like a costly affair but a picnic is a perfect example of enjoying more and spending less. Choose a nearby park or a peaceful location and go out on a family picnic.

Image Source: SheKnows

Pack all the food items, mouth-watering dishes to water or juice bottles, and make sure to pack a mat. Take a racket or a football or a cricket kit to enjoy more. Live, love and laugh, and be the best version of yourself.

6. Ride a Bike

There are days when we feel like being alone and going somewhere far where nothing chases us and no one except our company can be our companion. For those days, your bike can come to your rescue.

Image Source: Le Tour De India

Experience a bike tour to nearby areas while a soft breeze kisses your face and gives you a soothing feel. Sometimes we don't need a trip to enjoy ourselves more, a biking tour can be very touching. Just maintain safety and you will be on unexplored endeavors of life.

7. Explore Nearby Places

For how many years you have been living in a particular location and haven't explored the nearby locations. You may never know that there could be some hidden gems existing nearby your residence. It's way more adventurous than exploring a new destination, especially if you’re living in historic cities such as New Delhi or Hyderabad.

Image Source: Stocksy United

You can take your bestie with you and enjoy it to the fullest. You can begin from the backyard or a location on the outskirts of the city. Learn about historical monuments nearby or know about the total geography. It's up to your inner explorer to see whatever they want to gain.

8. Enjoy Happy Hours

It is a term used for the time when a particular restaurant or bar offers discounts on drinks. You can gain the maximum out of it if you plan accordingly. Just know when you need to enter a particular foodie joint and devour free appetizers and discounted menu items.

Image Source: Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Likewise, you can save money and enjoy the limited currency you have in your pocket. No matter how stressed you are throughout the day, the magic of happy hour will extract that from you and let you enjoy it amazingly.

9. Volunteer

The ultimate sense of fulfillment comes when you render exceptional services for your countrymen. Join an NGO or volunteer for social service to contribute even your bit to society. You never know a little contribution from your side can be a lifesaver for another person.

Image Source: The Town of Edson

Enjoying not only means fulfilling yourself or doing things which can benefit only you, sometimes the real sense of enjoyment can be felt when you see someone else smile because of you and let them attain what they deserve.

10. Adopt a Hobby

Routine tasks are good, there's nothing wrong with doing productive work but adopting a hobby and practicing it on a daily or weekly basis will not cost you anything. It will make you feel peaceful and accomplished.

Image Source: Mantelligence

It can be anything from listening to music, dancing to your favorite tune, or cooking new dishes. When you know that you have things to do even on free days, you will never feel bored or feel like planning something extraordinary and a hobby doesn't cost much but your skills and time.

11. Exercise Outdoors

Hitting the gym could be part of your routine but working on your fitness outdoors can be a day challenge or an activity for the days when you are planning to enjoy in a real sense. Get up early in the morning and choose a nearby park or backyard lawn to practice fitness.

Image Source: NBC News

Soothing breeze, early morning rays of sun touching your face will do wonders for your health in and out. Going to the gym for fitness may cost much but doing the same exercises outdoors won't cost anything plus will also give you a real sense of accomplishment.

12. Karaoke Sessions

Clean your backyard first thing in the morning and decorate it well for evening karaoke sessions with delicious barbecue plans. This is a luxurious and in-budget experience at the same time. It could be whole family fun or just you and your small fam jam.

Image Source: CTV News Vencouver

Dress well, take pictures, record videos & live music sessions. A perfect evening time with family can turn out to be worth relishing. Relive the moments and enjoy to the fullest while your expenses can be controlled.

13. Visit Your Village

Your busy routine might not have allowed you to meet your grandparents and go to your village. Give yourself a change of scene and experience beautiful natural surroundings while you can devour mouth-watering cuisines prepared by your grandma.

Image Source: Kerala Tourism

Take a jungle safari with grandpa or learn from his hunting skills to enjoy as much as you can. Learn the art of cooking healthy dishes from them and spend some fun-filled time. Nothing can make you feel happier than your village tour and meeting your grandparents.

14. Find a Nearby Library

What's more soothing to a book lover than visiting the library and surrounding yourself with multiple books and that exotic smell of books can do wonders to your mind. You can enjoy the maximum and your whole day can be fun-filled with multiple books.

Image Source: Bluesyemre

Explore several pieces of work in a nearby library of the town and you never know which historical piece you may lay your hands on which can turn out to be a huge add-on for your knowledge bank. Don't forget to make a library card so that whenever you feel the urge to get surrounded by books, you don't have to think much.

15. Surf the Waves

Surfing doesn't mean only buying or renting expensive boards. Just surf through your body while taking precautions to not go deep. Equip yourself with a pair of swim fins to aid propulsion. This adventurous experience can be an add-on for your skillset as well as soothing for your senses.

Image Source: Offshore Surf School

Whenever next time you want to feel rich and have the urge to earn more for happiness, just count the things that money can't buy and experience to your fullest.

If you have any question regarding this wonderland – do email us and I will be happy to answer any of your queries or any travel package.

Email id: info@swastikholiday.com

Contact Numbers: +91-8510901222, +91-9990346013, +91-9812567225, +91-9213313000

Swastik Holiday - Best Tour & Trravel Agency In India!

[lettersfromjuliet-blog1]

Easter Week

March 31, 2018

What a week. On Sunday when mom reached the hostel, she came prancing in with the little sombrero, which was hysterical, made even more so by the stares from the people around. That’s my mom, I love her. We sat and had a coffee then took the sky-train to the Chatuchak market to look around before I had to take off. I was meeting the rest of the group at the bus station to head down to Hua Hin. Mom and Marijo were going to spend a few more days in Bangkok.

On Monday, we went to a market and rode the carousel, then visited the Artist’s Village-- a beautiful environment-- and painted paper bags. We also went to see some elephants, which was sad. They were chained up and couldn’t walk very far, and one kept rocking back and forth, shaking his ears. Much different than how the elephants at Elephants World were treated. I wanted to cry.

In the afternoon, we went to Hua Hin beach, where I sunbathed, read, and took a beach stroll with Hannah. It was a well needed, relaxing afternoon, and I touch the Gulf of Thailand for the first time! That night, we went to another market.

On Tuesday we swept the outside of a temple for thirty minutes. I know. So much hard work. Insert sarcasm here. For the afternoon we went to Pine BEach, which was quite cool. The shore was lined with pine trees and it wasn’t overly crowded. Again, I read, took a beach stroll (trying to avoid stepping on the thousands of baby crabs in the sand), and this time, I pet the most adorable husky. Speaking of cute dogs, there’s Bruno, who lives at the accommodation, and I have the goofiest picture of him. He’s such a playful doggo.

Wednesday, I renewed my Visa, which was an entirely different ball game than it was in Sri Lanka. One would think it would take more time. But rather than an entire day, I was in and out of the office in about forty-five minutes. After, we went to the mangrove plantation, about an hour away, and spent another thirty whole intensely straining minutes cleaning the beach. Sarcasm. Again. After, we went to Skull Hill beach-- supposedly the most beautiful beach in Hua Hin. I wasn’t feeling the best and the wind was killer, sand was blowing in my face. I had already finished my book so I convinced Hannah to go on a hike with me and we were rewarded with a spectacular view that overlooked the jungle-covered hill that was met by white sand at the base and connected with the most saturated-blue ocean I have ever seen. In the distance, you could see Hua Hin stretching down the coast.

That night, I met up with mom and Marijo again and we went back to the hotel. This five star hotel. In Thailand. I’m truly living the dream at the moment. This place was giant, and the bed was so wonderful. You really do take for granted your own bed until you start traveling and sleeping on less than ideal ‘mattresses’.

Thursday was my favorite day of the week, and one of the most memorable from the trip so far. We went to Pa-La-U Waterfall in the morning. Apparently when you reach the very top, you also reach the Thailand and Myanmar border. The water wasn’t as blue as the one in Kanchanaburi, but i think the nature was better, maybe it’s because there were less people. While hiking, I kept feeling as if I was in a movie. The jungle was so beautiful, it’s hard to describe, completely unreal. After we had lunch at a restaurant on top of a hill with a gorgeous view. Then on to Monkey Mountain. These monkeys were more afraid of people than the ones from the first week, but it was still fun. We returned to the hotel and went for a swim, Marijo showed me her water aerobic dance, we dipped in the ocean and quickly fled a jellyfish in the waves-- which mom spotted without her glasses, and had Pina Coladas. To make the day even better, I had bruschetta,  and pasta and tiramisu for dinner. Oh so wonderful. My cravings were more than satisfied. Then we watched some street dancers (very talented) and went for a night beach walk where we saw pretty shells and some dead jellyfish during low tide. A quick trip to the sky bar and the wonderful day came to a close in a bed of clouds.

We attempted waking up for sunrise but it was overcast, so back to sleep we went. Friday consisted of a floating market, the Artist’s Village, a nap, appetizers, saying goodbye to Hannah and Daisy, and the Cicada market. This was one of my , if not the, favorite markets in Thailand. Very artsy with live music and plenty of food.

Saturday I went to breakfast with mom, where I complained about the funk I was in-- but I think it was helpful to get it off my chest. The we faced the Gulf of Thailand and sunbathed and spent some time in the sea and went for one last trip down the water slide. Of course, even going back to the room at 10:45, I managed to get sunburnt. But it’s not awful, and now my tummy will match my legs. It’s funny, the tan is a result of the sun killing my skin, but I think it looks so much better than paper white. Plus, it’s the first time I’ve had color in a long time. We were on our was to the bus station, but mom had to make one more story. She left her phone at the hotel so we went back for it and then we were off. I was able to be on the same bus as them, which whet to the airport. Mom and I cried a lot, not nearly as much as I expected we as we hailed a cab to take me to Mo Chit. And just like that, she was off. A week in Thailand and now she’s on a plane back to Chicago. And I barely made it onto the last bus to Singburi after getting caught in multiple traffic jams. But I got there. Not without anxious thoughts of finding my way back to Singburi in the middle of the night. I packed a bit when I got back, but couldn’t be bothered to completely organize everything. Slept alone in the room, a strange feeling after sharing one for four weeks. Was woken up by the absolute loudest thunderstorm I’ve ever experienced. Which was annoying and scary-- especially with it being Easter. God’s way of saying the tomb is open. Now here I am, 3:47 pm, Easter Sunday, in a van on the way back to Hua Hin for my last week in Thailand. God is good.

~a letter from juliet

Official Thai Tea Count: 14

Winner: Daisy

[permanentguitar-blog]

friends forever pt. ix

more best friend! shawn shenanigans. a collaboration by @achinglyshawn and myself. catch up on parts 1-8 here.

a red dress.

a fucking red dress.

she's gorgeous in it, can't help but be anything but, but it just so happens that “gorgeous in a red dress” is the last thing shawn needs his best friend to be right now. he needs her to be open, he needs her to be honest and he needs her to tell him how she's really feeling when he asks because his brain doesn't know what to do with the fact that she blew him, then ghosted him, and left him alone in a hotel room. feeling more confused than he's ever felt about anything before…

yeah, he thinks he’s better off without “gorgeous” tonight... because her brand of gorgeous? well it’s about enough to make him lose his goddamn mind.

“i'll just stick with your drink, thanks,” shawn finally answers, swiping his best friend’s glass and raising it to his lips to take a sip. he tries to savor the taste of the alcohol instead of the curve of her hip when she crosses her arms over her chest and juts it out in his direction with a faux pout.

“fine then,” she grumbles impatiently. “i'll just order a replacement.”

“nope.” shawn says quickly, placing her drink back down on the bar to halt her, the movement so quick that he almost spills the whole damn thing. he mumbles an apologetic “oops” under his breath before placing a hand on her waist in a tentative touch, calming some when after a few beats she doesn't move out of his reach or push his hand away. instead she lets her eyes float from his hand up to his eyes with interested curiosity.

“i feel like you want something from me, mendes...”

“i wanna dance with you,” shawn relents, nodding his head in the direction of the dance floor. “drinks will only get in the way.”

he's so glad when she obliges that he thinks he could literally jump for joy, having to put way more effort than usual into calming himself down once he's out on the floor, surrounded by the other reception guests, with her hands in his. they begin to move and he does more observing than dancing, holding her hands up in the air and watching her with wonder as she begins to lose herself in a song he never loved much until now. he shuffles into a simple two step, keeping time to the beat as his best friend twirls, drawing more than a couple eyes in the room.

the sway of her hips is hypnotic as she moves her body to the bass line, the bright red of her dress and the way that it molds to her every curve so sensual that shawn feels short of breath. he can feel himself becoming worked up over it, can feel the acceleration of his heart rate and the whole host of butterflies at war where his stomach should be. a light sweat breaks out over the back of his neck and dammit if he doesn't feel a tightness in his slacks, too. 

it’s not exactly the most appropriate state to be in considering he's very much in public - but what choice does he have? with the way she's moving, its like her body is commanding this reaction from him and he feels powerless to it as he starts to wonder if this is what it's going to be like to be around her from now on. 

if this is his new normal.

“you're beautiful, do you know that?” he confesses when she rolls her body close enough, the words flowing out of him like a breath that he'd been holding. “have i told you that yet today?”

he's gone and at this point, he doesn't even care.

she grins instead of answering, licking her tongue along the swell of her bottom lip and transporting him back to his hotel room the night before, leaving him to deal with all of the emotions and sensations that come along with that step back, both good and bad. an uncertainty weighs heavy on his back and it’s as if he can feel a hot, wet mouth sucking him inside his pants. he gulps and shuts his eyes hard against the phantom sensations, pulling her to him, both of them gasping together when the realization dawns that what looks like a part of the dance to an outside eye is really the best tacic he can think of to shield a rapidly hardening cock on such short notice.

“shawn, do you need to-”

“shh shh, darling, i just-” he interrupts her words but he doesn't have a clue what to say, scrambling for a moment as he searches her eyes before deciding to go with truth instead.

“i just want to taste you,” he admits, punctuating the words with a hard press of his lips to her cheek and feeling her body stiffen in his arms at the admission. “i've wanted to taste you since you came to my room last night. i've never wanted anything so bad.”

“shawn we’re on a dance floor,” she reminds him, serving as the voice of reason even as he sees her interest showing in the gleam of her eyes and the rapid rise of her chest, breast straining against the fabric of her dress in a way that makes his growing hardness pulse.

“well if we weren't on a dance floor, would you let me?” he asks carefully, the look he gives her desperate, begging her to find it in herself to give him what he needs from her, his relief showing up as a full body flush when she bites her lip against a grin the way that she does when she's willing to go through with one of his schemes.

he takes her hand and leads her quickly off the dance floor and down the beach, tented slacks be damned, not stopping until they reach a small pavilion -- a secluded little spot with a few lounge chairs in it that he’s thankful he happened upon earlier in the trip on a morning run. he anticipates the fact that she’ll ask him what they're doing there before she can even part her lips to ask it, pulling her flush to him to pause her, the feeling of her body against his - equal parts soft and firm - heating him from the inside out. he dips his head and brings his mouth to hers, connecting in a passionate kiss, the two of them searching for all of the unspoken words that have hung in the air between them these past couple of days in a mesh of lip and tongue.

when they finally pull away from the kiss, both breathless and starry eyed, he hopes to god that he'll find her receptive when he says what he needs to say. 

“i know we have a lot to talk about,” he begins. “i know a lot has changed...” his palms ride the curve of her spine, tracing a path down to her waist and over the supple curve of her ass. “but is it okay if we…” he stops, words tangling in his throat as he sighs in frustration, trying to reconcile what he wants to say and how he should say it. 

after all, is there a right way to tell a woman that all you want out of life is her pussy in your mouth?

luckily, that’s not a question he has to ponder for long. 

his best friend wiggles a bit in his arms, hiking the hem of her dress up over her hips and revealing a pair of black lacy panties so sexy that his vision starts to swim. his cock was stiff before but now he feels like it’s something else entirely, hard enough to cut diamond as he watches her hook her thumbs beneath the lacy waist band and pull down. 

gravity does the rest of the work and her panties pool at her heels, revealing what shawn knew was there all along… the perfect cunt - slick and glistening and reflecting the moonlight just like the waves do in the distance. the entire vision is so beautiful that he can’t stifle the whine that comes from his own throat as his cock pulses in time with his own heartbeat.

“tell me what to do,” she whispers, staring at him with those beautiful eyes, naked from the waist down and eagerly awaiting instruction, the salty night breeze blowing through her hair. 

to put it simply, she is a vision and if he’s honest with himself, he’s got to admit that it’s all a little too much to bear.

if it weren't for his arousal, he might not have had the nerve to follow through at all but he's so fucking horny - wants his mouth on her so fucking badly - that his need takes control and speaks for him, his tone turning gravelly as he instructs. “turn away from me and kneel on this,” he says, pulling a lounge chair out to  make himself clear. “face down, bum up.”

she moves quickly, assuming the position he asked for so that he can eat her from behind and making his mouth water with her ever move. the pose has her completely bared to him. wide open in each and every way. he lowers himself onto the chair behind her, reaching out to ghost his hands down the backs of her thighs as he appreciates everything that she has on display... her plump ass cheeks, her wet pussy lips and the hardened little nub at their apex... everything that he’s dreamed of for so many years finally awaiting his mouth and his lips as she practically pants from his petting. 

he brings his hands up the back of her thighs and over the swell of her ass one last time, spanking her to accent it and watching a red mark bloom across her skin. her back arches hard to the tune of her moan and he brings his free hand to her center to ghost a thumb over her folds.

“shawn, please,” she moans, and he can tell from her tone that she doesn't have the fortitude to be made to wait. on another night, if he’s lucky, he vows to tease her, to draw it out and keep her on edge for as long as possible before granting her a release, but right now all he wants is to return the favor. they are on one accord in that, both of them wanting more than anything for her to cum, and it’s obvious that tonight it won’t take long.

he leans down to nip his teeth gently over the faint bruising from his spanking before soothing the spot with a lick and then swiftly dragging his tongue through her waiting folds. the taste of her explodes in his mouth instantly, making him groan. she's so sweet that his head spins and his hands pull her closer to him by a strong grip at her waist, nuzzling his face deeper into her heat in a search for more.

“oh! ohhhhh,” she whimpers, grabbing the sides of the lounge chair as if to steady herself as he gently pulls back to rain suckling little kisses over first one pussy lip then the other before flattening his tongue for another dive between the two -- a firm, thorough lick from hole to clit.

he keeps going that way, massaging her with a mixture of lips and tongue, for as long as they both can take it, avoiding the channel that leads to her depths and skirting the pebbled mound of her clit in favor of a sloppy, spit-slicked focus on the valley between the two until he feels her begin to shake. then, without any warning, he plunges first one then two fingers deep into her, pulling a string of swears from her mouth as her clit pulses against his chin.

scissoring his fingers in and out of her steadily, he finally brings his tongue to her clit for relief, steadying her hips in his hold when her whole body startles from the contact and she groans out his name. he keeps the pattern that he licks over her bud varied, building up a rhythm to the music that he can hear floating from the party not far away - a mix of kitten licks and hard, hard flicks - working her over until he feels her pussy begins to grip his digits. then he draws her slick bundle of nerves into his mouth with a long, hard suck and holds her there, swirling his tongue over her inside his mouth until she falls apart.

“fuck, shawn! don’tstopdon’tstopdon’tstop!” she chants, her body finally succumbing to sucking and pumping and being on full display, her hips bucking wildly as he drinks down every drop of her and her climax paints his face. 

she's left shaky and breathless when it's over and he soothes her through it, helping to situate her in a seated position across his lap when she’s ready and whispering “thank you” for her willingness to oblige him as she kisses the taste of herself from his lips. they spend more than a few minutes that way, shawn holding her as she comes down from her high, the sound of waves all around them as they ground themselves in the moment through stillness and shared breaths and fingers sifting through hair.

“i, um... you were... yeah, so i’m fucking speechless.” she flounders when she’s finally ready to speak, scratching the back of her neck with a silly grin. “do you uh... do you wanna tell me what do we do now?”

he dips his head and chuckles and she follows suit, the both of them open enough to be vulnerable with each other in the ridiculousness of the moment.

“well, what do you wanna do?” he asks playfully, thinking of how much he loves this. loves the feeling of being close to her and loves that she finally, finally let him do something for her that he'd been thinking of for so long.

“i asked first,” she tosses back. “gimme some options.”

and just like that they've fallen back into their comfortable way and he knows that they can banter back and forth like this for hours. that shift back to the familiar stirs something deep down in him - something more pleasurable than any sexual experience or orgasm could ever be. there's something delicious about the thought that maybe they could be more than friends without losing their brand of friendship. something incredible about the fact that they can revert to the old them, even as he holds the taste of her on his tongue.

it's that dichotomy that emboldens him to take another step. he figures what the hell, they'd already changed the face of their relationship as they knew it forever. what was one more risk? so he takes a deep breath and grins.

“think you might have several options, short stop,” he begins, shrugging. “we could sneak you back into the reception so you can have another drink, another dance...” he offers. “or you can ditch the party all together and let me take you back to your room…”

@achinglyshawn alright, wifey. it’s on you. ;)

[shannrussell-blog1]

It’s been twelve months now. Max and I downsized from big city living to a caravan in a 12-acre paddock to a

From our first days on the road, we’ve made a few changes since then.

Be prepared for the good and the bad

Bad stuff happens. Always know that it’s likely and be prepared for it to hit you at the worst time. Sometimes the bad stuff just keeps on happening and it feels relentless. We rolled our boat trailer after a very smooth three months on the road and then everything just started unravelling. Little things became big things and it hit us very hard.

There’s no such thing as a dream run, but you just start to forget the bad stuff when the good stuff piles up. It’s amazing how quickly you move on, we have had too many good experiences to dwell on the bad.

You’re going to have good days, and bad ones on the road.

Always keep backups and spares

One day you will run out of gas halfway through cooking a meal and wish you had a little back up one. So invest in a backup or just get your bottle filled sooner rather than later. We have figured out how long our bottle lasts now and we just fill it every three weeks, no questions asked, no guessing how much is really left.

Stock up on windscreen patches. Road trains throw some mean rocks. We currently have four patches holding our screen together, that’s a lot better than having four windscreen changes.

Sikaflex, a heap of ratchet straps, some cable ties and a bit of duct tape will get you out of some very sticky situations. These and a thick branch have helped us limp our boat trailer to the nearest town multiple times now.

Stock up on all of the supplies you need including gas. 

Get to know your vehicle and your new home

Get to know your car and whatever you are towing. I really wish I had some more mechanical knowledge. Luckily, Max doesn’t mind pulling stuff apart and trying to put it back together again. Max could build his own boat trailer (can you tell our trailer is our biggest problem?), he has pulled it apart that many times.

Getting bogged can bring out the best and the worst in people. Swear words, innovation, frustration, hard work and a few more swear words come hand in hand. What a wonderful way to test a relationship, digging your car out in forty-degree heat with flies in your mouth.

Use a walkie-talkie to communicate with your spotter when the tracks get sketchy. And learn your left and rights, I still haven’t done that yet.

Tyre pressures are key. Don’t be afraid to spend some time inflating or deflating, depending on conditions, it makes for a much smoother ride. Yes even in a 2WD you can adjust your tyre pressures for a safer and nicer drive down those corrugated roads.

Don’t draw the line at a cordless drill, take some tools and know how and where to use them. It is amazing to have met some people who aren’t travelling with any tools at all, none. After a few long days on dirt tracks, the car is vibrating apart and every bolt needs tightening.

Cape York tracks are worth taking the time to drop tyre pressures. 

You don’t have to have the perfect set up

I’m sorry, but you don’t have to have the perfect setup, but just go anyway. So many people are too busy planning they forget their goal. Make do with what you have and just build as you go.

The cheap stuff won’t last out here. Invest a bit more money to avoid buying gear twice.

Our vehicle set up at Cape Le Grand, WA.

How to use social media to plan your trip

Social media provides a vast library of places you may want to save to your itinerary. Just remember that photos can be edited and some places may not live up to your expectations or the hype they get.

Don’t get overwhelmed by stories you hear on social media and all the stuff they tell you that you NEED. Figure it out as you go. Keep in mind that social media is now a major advertising platform. For the Cape York section of our trip, we found it very hard to sift through the information to get the appropriate advice.

Try to find people who have done it before, have a similar 4WD experience as you and talk to them in person. It’s the best way to get valuable information.

Social media can be deceptive when planning your trip, so do your research. 

Little luxuries

A hot shower is so underrated. When you finally have instant hot water running over your body after a few weeks of bucket baths, you will understand that you took it for granted.

The feeling of clean sheets is almost unexplainable. It is a lovely thing to switch out the sheets that have become a beach of sand and feel smooth cotton under your body.

You have packed way too much, trust me. Take a step back and look at your car, is it sitting a bit heavy the back? I already know the answer. We were the same. We have a monthly clean out now because you unknowingly gather new things. Get rid of what you don’t need.

You’ll wonder why clothes are even made in white. If you are not dirty, you are not living. It is impossible to keep anything clean.

A hot shower will soon become a luxury.

Camp diet

Sriracha is a game-changer, making all food taste great since, well, whenever it was made! Some days you won’t have access to fresh food and it comes time to work through your non-perishable back-up foods. Cover it in Sriracha and nothing is bad. Mee Goreng is the only two-minute noodles you need, the rest are just child’s play.

When you run out of fresh food, condiments are a must. 

Australia and the weather

Do you know how big Australia is? Because it is big, very quickly you will probably realise you need more time to travel this big continent.

It gets cold in the Top End in the dry season, and it gets really cold down south in the winter, and a whole other level of coldness in the desert on a winter’s night. I had to get a snow jacket in Alice Springs and ended up wearing it for three months straight, well into a South Australian summer. Crazy!

Rain is better than wind. At least when it rains you have almost no other choice than to stay inside. But wind just ruins a good day and makes you feel guilty about not wanting to go adventuring even though it is sunny.

Australia has it all, the landscapes, the weather, the extremes of seasonal change, the wildlife, the activities…I could go on. There is something for everyone and every desire. I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t have a dream to travel Australia.

Corrugations become the soundtrack to your life. I wish I knew the onomatopoeia for the bumps of a red dust track.

Australia has so many incredible landscapes.

Funding the dream

There is always work available if you are willing to do it. A couple of months of work can lead to several more on the road.

Sometimes gravel pits are pretty lovely places to set up camp, and very free which can help you save some money. We were a bit opposed to camping in gravel pits when we first started. But one night in far north Queensland we had no other choice, and let me tell you, there is nothing quite like the 5-million-star view you get from a quiet patch of dirt in the middle of nowhere.

On route to doing what he loves.

Make the most of the opportunity

There’s no time like the present, do it now whilst you are at your most youthful. I always think about some of the things I may not have been able to do as age sets in. Get out there whilst you’re nimble and energetic.

It pays to be a morning person, to beat the crowds to the tourist hot-spots and have them to yourself if only for a while. But fear not you will naturally start to live by the sun and the stars in due time.

This is your chance to do what it is you truly love, all the time. Fishing, hiking, meditating, driving, cooking, swimming, photography, writing, painting, dancing, being. Do that thing you love and do it on a weekday.

  Are you planning on packing up and hitting the road permanently?

The post What I Wish I’d Known Before Starting Life on the Road appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[wanderingaunt]

Living with Curiosity & Wonder

On a recent trip to Colorado, I found myself outside every single day. With my pal, Fred the Wonder Dog, by my side, I’d go on long hikes and get lost in the woods. It was in these moments that I would be present to the world around me and open to discovery.

I love going off the beaten path and exploring the world around me.

I never know what I’m going to find or what messages I’m going to receive from nature. I feel a sense of freedom and ease. I’m free to be me, explore, take notice of what’s around me, and listen intently. I like to imagine how old the trees are, how certain plants got there, and what animal killed the animal whose bones I find spread across the ground…It opens me up to curiosity and wonder.

Curiosity & Wonder is one of the core values I live by, and one I invite my clients to try on when they commit to living authentically. It’s one of the qualities that I loved about my Grandma. She lived every day with a sense of childlike wonder. She would notice each of the birds in her yard and appreciate how plants and produce are intricately created. She would try new recipes that she was curious about and always find joy in each creation. After she died, I knew I wanted to carry her essence with me, so I got the word “Wonder” tattooed on my forearm. It serves as a reminder to tune into her spirit and keep my values at the forefront.

CURIOSITY & WONDER

I seek to embody a sense of playfulness in a light-hearted, free-spirited manner to bring forth that which is hiding or being hidden within through eyes of curiosity and wonder. I look to new discoveries with a willingness to try on new ways of being inspired by my own creative self-expression.

Even when COVID hit and I found myself grounded in Dallas, I found myself outside exploring my sister’s neighborhood. I would go on long walks, turn down streets that connect to other neighborhoods, and climb the fence to reach the creek. This morning I took my nieces on a walk and witnessed them experience the neighborhood with that same sense of curiosity and wonder.

“A blue jay!”

“Woh! Look how big that tree is!”

“The clouds are so fluffy today!”

What we as adults may take for granted, children notice and find joy. It caused me to think about my childhood and what I enjoyed doing—playing outside, getting lost in the woods, baking, creating dream worlds with my brother, riding my bike, playing teacher…just to name a few.

It’s no wonder that I’m an explorer at heart, living a nomad life and traveling the world.

This got me curious about others and wondering if they have the same experience of living out their childhood activities. I posed the question on my Facebook page:

What was your favorite activity as a child?

I got back more than 80 comments! The responses have been really fun to read, and I can feel the excitement. I can sense that for some it brought back fond, happy memories.

Riding my bike - Reading - Playing outside with friends - Exploring in the woods - Making up stories - Playing Teacher - Camping - Drawing - Roller Skating - Swimming - Riding Horses - Playing Games - Dancing - Making up games - Street Hockey - Football - Building Forts

Many people noted that they still find themselves enjoying the same activities as when they were a child. While others have lost sight of the activity, their responses sparked curiosity of what it would be like to relive again. Riding a horse and playing street hockey would certainly be fun as an adult!

It also peeked my curiosity in wondering how kids today would respond. With all of the technology we have, would reading still be a favorite activity?

My littles definitely enjoy using their imaginations to build forts, play make-believe, draw and create art. I look forward to seeing who each of my littles grow up to be and discover how their favorite activities shape what they do in the future.

When I’m living inside of Curiosity and Wonder, I am more self-expressed, open, and light-hearted about things.

Things that occur as problems have less weight when I’m viewing life from this filter. There’s more ease and room for discovery. When I’m stuck in the filter of “Everything is Wrong”, I can simply remind myself to be curious about what life is teaching me. So whether I’m out exploring deep in the woods or sitting at my desk creating, I can live with a sense of curiosity and wonder.

How about you? What was your favorite activity as a child? Do you find yourself living that activity as an adult? What lessons have you learned about yourself living your own version of curiosity and wonder?

Have you lost your sense of wonder? Are you curious about transformation and not sure where to start? Schedule an Intuitive Session to get a deeper understanding of how to re-align with your childlike wonder.

If you are inspired by my writing and my 30-day blog challenge, I’d love your support! Share, Donate, Comment, and Subscribe!

[louisonurmark]

Top of mind getaway destinations in Switzerland are Bern, Geneva, Interlaken, Luzern, or Zermatt.

While all of these places are beautiful and special in their own right, it does illustrate a simple fact: People miss out on Eastern Switzerland, and especially on the small half cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

A bit of background on Appenzell When people ask me where my family is from and I say Appenzell, I usually get the response: “Like the cheese?” Yes, that’s the Appenzell of my childhood. It is where my family has farmed since they immigrated there from South Tyrol in the late 1500’s.

Having a sense of pride in my heritage and knowing that the fifteenth canton to join the Swiss confederation does not get enough attention, I set out to rediscover Appenzell. More specifically, Appenzell (the town) and the half canton it governs, Appenzell Innerrhoden.

In 1597, the once unified canton of Appenzell split into two because of religious preferences. Today, Catholic Innerrhoden is the more touristic of the half cantons, having more of the Alpstein mountains in it.

Thanks to the Äscher mountain restaurant making it to the cover of a National Geographic book and being mentioned my Ashton Kutcher on social media, the restaurant has become a place of pilgrimage in the Swiss Alps. If you plan on going, please remember to bring proper footwear – at least trail shoes if not hiking boots.

A hiker’s paradise – anytime of the year During summer, the Alpstein is a hiker’s paradise. (But please keep your clothes on as naked hiking is now illegal in the canton.) Two popular destinations are Ebenalp and Hoher Kasten. They are challenging and beautiful, so these hikes will not bore experienced hikers. They are also tame enough to serve as starter hikes for those just getting into Switzerland’s (true) national sport. And for those not keen to hike up a mountain just yet, there are cable cars that will bring you to the summit and down again without breaking a sweat.

Winters in Appenzell are special when compared to what one typically expects from the Swiss Alps. Unlike the Bernese Oberland or the mountains of the Valais or Graubünden, there is not much downhill skiing here in Appenzell (except at Ebenalp). This means that you are free of skiing crowds.

Appenzell offers everyone time and space to relax and rejuvenate. There are nearly 55 km of winter hiking paths of varying lengths and difficulties, or 75 km of marked snowshoeing trails. All of them surrounded by evergreen forests and with views of the Alpstein and its most famous peak, the Säntis.

Lodging in style at Hof Weissbad For a perfect getaway to Eastern Switzerland, stay at the four-star Hof Weissbad, just minutes from the town of Appenzell. Footsteps away from the hotel, there is a romantic lantern lit trail through the nearby forest.

The hotel staff will welcome you with a glass of sparkling wine as you check in and show you to your beautifully furnished room. In the halls, there are refreshment points with mineral water, tea, coffee and fruits. The hotel has its own mineral water source and a gorgeous indoor/outdoor swimming pool.

The spa area features steam baths and Finnish saunas. After a day out in the mountains doing some physical activity, there is nothing nicer than hitting the spa to sooth those tight muscles. Everything here is kept to the highest standards and the hotel itself continually wins prizes for being one of Switzerland’s best employers. This fact becomes obvious when you consider the friendliness and hospitality of the staff.

Enjoying some local Appenzell music I would recommend staying at the hotel on a Wednesday and enjoying their Appenzeller evening featuring typical local cuisine and live music in the bar. You will also see people dancing to the traditional stringed music featuring the violin, upright bass, dulcimer and often piano and/or accordion.

Seeing this event may get you interested enough to visit the Roothuus Gonten Center for Appenzeller and Toggenburger Music. More of an archive than a traditional museum, this establishment has thousands of copies of sheet music and is busy digitizing their archive so that this musical heritage (which is quite different from the rest of Swiss-folk music) is preserved.

In Appenzell, there is also a good chance you will hear the dulcimer because it is an integral part of Appenzeller music. That said, you will most likely hear one of Johannes Fuch’s dulcimers. A second generation dulcimer builder, he is one of only six remaining craftsmen in Switzerland. The special wood he uses has been dried and aged for 70 years. This does wonders for the sound.

Biberli, Pantli, & Co. If sport is not really your thing, then you might be interested in checking out more of Appenzell’s culinary heritage. From bakeries to cheese dairies and butchers, there is plenty of food to be had and enjoyed. A visit to the cheese dairy in Stein will show you how the famous Appenzeller cheese with its secret recipe is made. You will also get a chance to taste the different versions of the cheese from low fat to aged full fat.

At the butcher, try the local Mostbröckli (cured beef) and other sausages. At the bakeries, look for Appenzeller Biberli (soft gingerbread filled with an almond paste). And in Appenzell, ask for the famous Landsgmendchrempfli – a special baked good that used to be only for election Sundays.

If you are traveling with the train or willing to take a taxi, a visit to the Brauerei Locher, Appenzell’s fastest growing company is also something worth undertaking, especially for those interested in beer and whisky. Their Säntis Malt whisky has been named the best whisky in Europe outside of Scotland.

What to see in Appenzell A visit to the town of Appenzell should be on your list, too. It is very beautiful and attracts the most tourists in the region, in particular for it house facades. Like with so many things, the tradition of painting your house here happened thanks to a degree of admiration and jealousy. The first house, Kreuz, spurred the owner of the house Raben to make his colorful and on it went. To best see the town, go to the tourism office and take a guided tour of the town.

Granted, the town is quite small. And if you do not take a tour, you will be missing a great deal of what makes Appenzell so special. One of my favorite places to visit was Hampi Fässler’s Atelier where he makes leather goods with metal decor. You can buy one of the legendary belts here or if you are lucky see how he delicately works pieces of metal into the shape of cows, dogs and farmers.

Of course, there are also places where you can buy traditional Appenzeller Naïve Art from artists like Martin Fuchs. If you are not on the market to buy any art, but simply interested in seeing more of it, you will definitely want to visit the Art Museum in Appenzell.

Why you should drop everything and visit Appenzell Top of mind getaway destinations in Switzerland are Bern, Geneva, Interlaken, Luzern, or Zermatt. While all of these places are beautiful and special in their own right, it does illustrate a simple fact: People miss out on Eastern Switzerland, and especially on the small half cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

[marketerarena-blog]

Gain More

The Number On The Scale Is The Last Thing That Concerns Me…

Weight loss is so awesome, but the number on the scale isn’t absolutely everything. I care about what you gain when you lose. Let me explain!

As a trainer, I’ve worked with thousands of people trying to lose weight, and I know it’s so easy to focus on how much weight you’re losing, rather than the far more valuable benefits that you gain along the way.

You are SO much more than a number on a scale. But sometimes your weight can stop you from doing what you love, like dancing all night, rock climbing, hiking, swimming, taking on new opportunities and challenges. The list goes on and on.

I know how you feel. I used to be 30 pounds overweight and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of having your body not reflect your true self. Feeling like people look at you and put you in the overweight category can make you feel dismissed and unappreciated.

I know what it’s like to say no to something because I’ve felt too uncomfortable about myself. Pretty soon I was shutting out everything that I loved because all I could focus on was the negative feelings I had towards my body.

The way you feel about yourself can be just as much of a negative impact on your confidence and sense of self-worth as extra weight is to your physical health.

No one should ever have to feel that way about themselves, and I am here to change that.

I know it’s easier said than done. But like I’ve said before, I’ve worked with thousands of people who have all made lasting changes to improve their health.

I’ve learned that one of the biggest things that come with weight loss is a change of mindset.

The power of focusing on the positive things that you will gain and that will accompany you on your journey can actually be the best motivation to keep changing and living healthier.

Here’s what I mean by that.

Join My Free Health & Weight Loss Challenge

Let’s jumpstart your weight loss together. I’ll be with you every step of the way and show you how to lose the weight for good.

Join My Free Challenge Today!

It’s Not About What You Lose, But What You Gain

Positivity

Struggling with weight loss can make you feel like your life is out of control. And honestly, it can make it hard to feel hopeful about the future.

However, making small changes in your life to live healthier can make you feel more optimistic and positive because you’re taking a step in the right direction. You’re doing what it takes to take your life back!

More than that, others around you will notice your change in perspective. Even though we change for more than just physical appearances, all that new positivity in your life can change you drastically. In an external way, it gives you more smiles and more reasons to be happy.

People will think you’re glowing because happy people give off a look that can affect other people. Happiness can be the best external transformation of all. Live in the possibilities, and live in positivity.

If you think about it this way, everything you put out in the world comes full circle. If you surround yourself with negativity, then it’s going to be hard to see results because you’re going to see what you’re lacking but not what you’re gaining

Confidence

As a trainer, my clients all have varying levels of self-confidence and I myself used to have very little confidence.

The thing is self-confidence and positivity go hand and hand. It’s hard to be confident if you’re not positive, and vice versa. Let me tell you, with weight loss comes increased confidence. It is such a rewarding experience being able to see that confidence restored in my clients as they journey towards their ideal shape, and being able to talk with so many wonderful people through my social media who have found their confidence again.

It’s essential to think good thoughts about yourself because it’s so much harder to lose weight with negativity.

Self-love comes today, it doesn’t come with a number. It comes when you realize that whatever happens, you are good enough.

If you want to change your body, it’s absolutely possible! Just please don’t hate the journey. Every step, every decision brings you closer to where you want to be.

It may seem like some far off thing that will never happen, but having a plan and keeping small goals will add up to the real goal. But what is the real goal? Being a better you and living your best life.

Freedom

If you’re unhappy with your lack of control with food, with the way that you look, with saying no to activities you don’t think you are physically able to do, then help yourself change.

Get on a plan that will help you achieve your goals and then stick with it. Again, the biggest change you can make is your attitude and constantly thinking of the positive things you gain from living a healthier lifestyle.

Having the freedom to live an active, happy life is a gift that can be taken for granted.  Taking care of your body and health means more freedom. You’ll be able to take advantage of all that life has to offer.

Opportunities

To do that, you should also take advantage of the many opportunities to live your life to the very fullest. You are changing for more than just fitness.

You are changing to play with your kids more, to be able to go out and not having your personality shackled by your insecurities. To really go after whatever goals you have for yourself.

You are changing in order to be able to truly love someone because you love yourself, and for letting yourself have more fun and leaving your worries behind.

To go walking, hiking, swimming and not be afraid of needing to stop. To be able to say yes when someone asks you to go out or hang out and not feel like you don’t want to because of the way you look.

Start allowing yourself to take advantage of the many opportunities that come your way so that you can live a life free of regrets.

Our Mission is For You to See What You Can Gain

“… The multitude of things I have gained is even more important than the weight I have lost. I have gained so much confidence, energy, and happiness in my life.” – Cassia U. IdealShapers

Your weight loss journey is about more than just the number on the scale. There are so many ways that your life can be improved through living healthier. We want you to focus on those good things you will gain as you take care of your health.

Through seeing the many ways that weight loss can make a difference, you’ll be more motivated, you’ll feel happier, and you’ll see more success in various aspects of your life.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join the IdealShape family and be a part of our private IdealShape Facebook community. There you’ll find support like NO other, additional weight loss tips, delicious recipes, and much more.

I can’t wait to get to know your story and start helping you achieve your goals!

The post Gain More appeared first on IdealShape.

https://askfitness.today/gain-more/

[livefromelsewhere]

One of my biggest concerns with visiting the Galapagos was my ability to handle the inter-island boats rides across the rough seas here. I took a lot of precautions to book bigger boats when possible, load up on sea sickness meds and even wore balance bracelets to help, and yet, the boats were still a problem, but not in the way you'd expect. After two great days on Santa Cruz, it was time to head to Isabella, the largest and least developed of the populated islands, which is located on the Western edge of the archipelago. I booked a round trip ticket (with an open return date, since I wasn't sure of my exact plans there) with the agency who handled my snorkeling trip and reported to the pier at 6:45 am on Monday for my boat. However, when I went to check in, my name wasn't on the list for the boat I was supposed to be on. After talking to the guy in charge, I finally convinced him to call my agent and they were finally able to work everything out, as there were a handful of extra spots left on the boat, one of which I took. It was a nerve wracking start to an experience I was already nervous about. This mixup was just a harbinger of what was to happen on the return trip, but I'll save that for later. The boat ride itself was like riding the dipsie do part of a roller coaster (the quick section with a bunch of small ups and downs) for two and half hours, sideways, and with no seat belts. Let's just say you know it's gonna be rough when the first thing they do when you get on the boat is hand out barf bags. By some miracle, I was actually able to handle the ride alright, but a few others on my boat weren't so lucky. It was an arduous and somewhat exhausting ride. After finally arriving on Isabella, I headed to my hostel and checked in. I planned to use the day for a few different activities, but mother nature wasn't so kind. It started pouring rain the second I checked in and didn't let up all morning. I took advantage of the downtime to nap, read, and talk to a few American students who were in my hostel, but headed out for a quick bite and a hike as soon as it stopped that afternoon. Unfortunately for me, the rain left a heavy veil of humidity over the island, which meant that it felt like I was walking through the ocean with every step. Let's just say I was nearly delirious by the time I returned to my hostel after the 8 mile hike through the heat. My destination was the Muro de Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), a wall to nowhere built by political prisoners when the island was originally a penal colony. The wall itself is nothing special, it's kept up as a historical marker, but the path there is littered with different wild animals, including Galapagos turtles, flamingos, marine iguanas, and lava lizards. After the hike, I took in the town where I was staying, Puerto Villamil, which is literally the only town on the island, picked up some food from the market and passed out extra early. On Tuesday, I scheduled my tour of Los Tuneles, the main reason most people visit Isabella. Los Tuneles is not only a neat geological site with lava tunnels/bridges (see above) located along the coast, but it's also a safe haven for a number of animals, both in water and on land. The first part of the tour involved walking along the top of the lava looking at sea turtles swimming out to sea after spending the night in the lagoons, spying a fur seal lounging in the sun, and watching the mating dance of the blue footed booby. We next jumped back in our boat, which literally had to surf on the waves to get through the rough seas, to the next location where we were actually allowed to snorkel through the tunnels. Unfortunately, the pictures from the guide didn't turn out well, due to low visibility, but we were able to see several 4-5 ft white tipped reef sharks, a sea horse, a marble ray, a number of gigantic sea turtles (these things were way bigger than I am and much bigger than those I had seen previously at Pinzon), and some more fish. It was a very neat tour and helped me check off a few more of the animals I was looking to see in the islands. That afternoon, I checked out a turtle reserve a mile from town and spent the rest of the daylight hanging on the beautiful beach located a few minutes walk from my hostel. I grabbed some deliciously fresh seafood empanadas for dinner and spent the rest of the night hanging at the hostel. I had planned on leaving Wednesday morning on a 6 am boat back to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, which I had arranged with my tour agent via text. She sent me a confirmation text with the boat name and time, but again when I showed up, my name wasn't on the list for the boat. This time, however, since my ticket was open and didn't explicitly list the boat I was supposed to take, the captain refused to take me even when I showed him my ticket and the text. There were a few other folks in a similar situation on a different boat, but they at least had tickets with the proper boat name on it, so they were eventually guaranteed passage on that boat later in the day. I, however, was kind of up shits creek without a paddle, since I had nothing but a text message to claim a seat. I went and talked to the police officer in charge of the port, but he was reluctant to help. Eventually after talking to a bunch of different people (other boat captains, other passengers, the taxi lady) on the pier and repeatedly making my case, there was enough pressure put on the marinero (marine officer) to help me out. Mind you, at this point, my original boat had left because it had taken so long to convince the officer to help. He grabbed me and we jumped in a taxi boat (you have to take taxi boats to everything here, they're the only boats allowed to actually go to the pier, which is a racket, but I digress) and we chased down the last remaining boat to Puerto Ayora. We did laps around the boat in the taxi so that it wouldn't leave and the marinero negotiated on my behalf with the boat captain, who was reluctant to take me, since he was already full. Eventually after enough back and forth and some demands made by the officer, he agreed to take me as long as I paid him a full fare, which I was happy to do, as my tour agent had already promised me a full refund, since I had gotten her on the phone to try and get this worked out. I crammed myself into the last half spot on the boat and we were off on the rollercoaster ride back to Puerto Ayora. I guess the lesson here is sometimes you just have to make your own luck and never book an open return ticket. After that mess, the rough boat ride went along seemingly swimmingly, though I did end up with a bruise on my shoulder from repeatedly bashing into the wall next to me. Upon returning to Puerto Ayora after that morning I was just greatful that things had worked out and I would be able to enjoy my final day in the islands. I returned to my original hostel again and met Nina, a German girl, who was looking to visit the same places in the highlands of the island. We shared a cab up from town, with our first stop being Los Gemelos, two craters that were created when caverns created by lava flows collapsed leading to giant depressions in the forest. After walking around them and taking in all of the birds that lubed in the surrounding forests, we were whisked away to El Chato, a tortoise reserve, where we saw close to 20 tortoises in their native habitat. Our final stop was a long lava tunnel (about a half mile) that we walked, clambored, and crawled through before returning to town. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging on a beach near the Darwin Research Center before grabbing a delicious seafood dinner on a street packed with restaurants serving food in the literal street on plastic tables and chairs they threw out there. I ran into two Americans (Shira and Grant) who had also been screwed over earlier that morning in the boat fiasco on Isabella. They had been part of the group that had actual tickets and were rescheduled for the afternoon boat, but we're equally as dismayed at the whole process as I was. We spent the rest of the evening chatting before heading our separate ways home. That brings me up to today, which is almost entirely a travel day. I was able to swing by the Darwin Center this morning for a little less than an hour to catch an exhibit I had missed before, but I had to hustle back to my hostel to catch a cab to the airport at 10:30am. Well actually it was a cab to a ferry to a bus to the airport (man, they don't make it simple here). My first flight took me from the Galapagos Islands to Quito, where I then took a second flight on to Lima, Peru. It's been an awesome first two weeks of traveling here in Ecuador. I can't recommend the country enough to people to come and visit. The crazy thing is I could have spent another 2 weeks here and still had things to do. I'm definitely circling Ecuador as a place I'd like to come back to. I'll throw up an Ecuador wrap up post later, but that's all for now.

[meditationadvise]

How 9 Yogis Detox After Serious Holiday Indulgence

Many people are still really feeling a bit sluggish after Thanksgiving.

As much enjoyable as it is to eat turkey, padding, as well as pumpkin pie for four days directly while investing hrs on the couch bonding with good friends and household, it certainly doesn't do our energy levels or digestive tract health and wellness any type of supports.

If you're desire a detoxification and also don't intend to take place a juice cleanse, we've obtained you covered. Here's how 9 of our preferred yogis detoxification after a week of hefty eating.

1. Krissy Jones

' I always start my day with warm lemon water, but particularly around the holidays when I'm feeling slow-moving,' SKY TING founder Krissy Jones tells mbg. 'It's so basic, and extremely efficient in obtaining the digestion system going. I likewise bump up my yoga regular post Thanksgiving, and also include more heat-building stances, inversions, and spins to remove the system. I go to the spa anytime I'm feeling slow. I love going from the warm steam bath to the chilly swimming pool to the sauna and after that doing it over and also over till I've sweat a lot!'

2. Kathryn Budig

' Begin straightforward (and kindly): See to it you consume something environment-friendly (eco-friendly juice, salad, veggies) everyday, as well as if you're still feeling evaluated down, choose lengthy strolls,' yogi and mbg course teacher Kathryn Budig tells mbg. 'Relieve your back into your normal exercise routine. It is necessary to be type to on your own during the holiday as well as keep in mind that it's OK to accept the celebration.'

3. Ava Pendl

' My household is massive on flavor and whole lots of rich meals-- especially this year, as I had 2 different Thanksgiving suppers-- so I want to spend the week after a huge holiday like Thanksgiving or Xmas easing back into yoga as well as consuming healthy,' yoga teacher and also author Ava Pendl tells mbg. 'I drink a triggered charcoal lemonade every various other day 2 hrs after lunch and also do back-to-back yoga exercise classes every other day. This generally appears like a hatha or hot-style course followed by yin or restorative to awaken my muscular tissues and also fascia so I do not wound myself after taking a week off. I locate this to be the most gentle method to get back right into a routine without going also severe.'

4. Caley Alyssa

' Consume lots of water. Make certain to do some motion, everyday, even simply for 30 minutes,' L.A.-based yoga exercise instructor as well as mbg class teacher Caley Alyssa states. 'Take a warm bath with epsom salts. I also integrate loads of environment-friendlies right into my diet regimen and see to it to obtain a great night's remainder. In general, whatever in moderation. Don't be hard on yourself. Take everything as an experiment, if you feel excellent as well as healthy and balanced, do it. If you do not feel great, do not do it!'

5. Heather Lilleston

' I consume alcohol lemon water with apple cider vinegar very first thing in the morning,' Yoga for Bad People founder Heather Lilleston informs mbg. 'I likewise suggest probiotics-- especially, proviotics from Juice press. Attempt sweating while relaxing: Go to a health club or take a truly warm bathroom with a whole carton of Epsom salt, as well as remain there for 10 mins. Take a cool shower to adhere to. Drink heaps of water.'

' Have three days throughout the workweek of soup, juice, and one salad a day to maintain some chewing moving,' she includes. 'Chewing activates the gastrointestinal enzymes in the body, as well as consuming primarily liquids for a few days could help your digestion system catch up. It is very important to include soup so you aren't just eating cold foods like juice, salad, or smoothie mixes throughout cold months.'

' Furthermore, do something physical daily-- I advise a great equilibrium between yoga and The Class. Cardio is so vital in the winter, however it should be adhered to by something yin as well as recovering. As well as skin brush before early morning shower to assist the skin detoxification. It really feels specifically amazing throughout winter when we don't obtain sunshine on the skin. It is extremely invigorating.'

6. Sara Quiriconi

' There are times when I fall off my normal regimen of healthy and balanced, organized consuming and yoga exercise and workout, especially throughout the holidays or due to the fact that I travel frequently for job. I come back on the right track by going back to normal breakfasts and also starting sluggish as well as small with my exercise regimens,' Miami-based yoga instructor Sara Quiriconi informs mbg. 'I also make certain to have a good start to my day with food as fuel kick-starts a health state of mind for the remainder of the day ahead-- have you ever wanted doughnuts for lunch after having lots of fruits, yogurt, and granola for breakfast? I don't assume so. As well as for workout, just start! It does not have to be a full 60-minute yoga exercise method or half-hour of cardio and also weights. Just begin, and also gradually construct. And also have a lot of persistence as well as self-love for YOU, because that's the fastest means to obtain back on the right track.'

7. Shauna Harrison

' Having gotten on both ends of the cleanse/YOLO range, I have directly concentrated less on remarkable detoxifications in a continual initiative to adopt a continuous state of balance as high as humanly feasible,' yogi as well as mbg course trainer Shauna Harrison tells claims. 'That being stated, as we are all human, occasionally I eat something that throws off my sensitive system, therefore in these instances I have a few things I do to reboot.'

' I relocate my body, whether that suggests yoga exercise, walks or hikes, dance, or leaping around to get my blood moving,' she discusses. 'If I really feel tight or worried, I will hold some restorative positions, like kid's position with a rolled up covering in the belly, or straightforward twists on my back. I visit my alternative healers year-round for acupuncture and used kinesiology, which constantly assist me target exactly what I have to carry out in order to bring my body as well as mind back right into equilibrium. If my digestion or nerves really feels off, I restrict whatever I feel could be a wrongdoer, whether it is gluten, dairy, sugar, caffeine, technology, late going to beds, or get-togethers and affairs.'

8. Lauren Imparato

"Given my book, Retox, I do not think in detoxing,' yogi and also mbg class trainer Lauren Imparato states. 'Yet I do count on recalibrating the system, or Retoxing, which is about adding things IN to your life to be healthy and balanced opposed to taking them out. Post-Thanksgiving I double my water consumption-- room temperature level and also flat-- and also double the greens, particularly lettuce, zucchini, as well as spinach.'

9. Chloe Kernaghan

' I detox with a good scrub. Scrub! Whether its from traveling, resting on a sofa all weekend, consuming lavish dishes, or all of the above, I find it incredibly recovery to scrub stagnation off from the surface area,' SKIES TING founder Chloe Kernaghan informs mbg. 'Recently I have actually been making use of Beldi soap from Kahina Granting Charm as well as a bath mitt. I likewise arrange time for something physical: I have actually included in my schedule when I'm mosting likely to do yoga exercise and also take a dance class today. For me, it helps to outline my strategy for the week of when I'll utilize my body, to stay determined as well as have something to look towards.'

' I likewise eat tidy, or at the very least attempt! Today I'm aiming to consume a very clean, vegetarian diet regimen, and I'm making a lot of my meals at residence,' she includes. 'I'm never one to decline a mid-day reward, yet I'll try and replace polished sugars with fruits if I'm crashing, and also chef warming foods that are grounding for the period.'