Fall Cleaning

Over the past year, I forgot the joy that can come with waking up with the sun. Since moving to Israel, we have shifted our habits towards getting up a little later, staying up a little later, mostly because that seems to be more of the norm here.

Yet the past few weeks have been busy (when we've been in Tel Aviv, that is) and alarms before 6 am have started to be set again. And while it’s not like I pop out of bed energized and ready to go, when I actually am out of bed, I’m glad that I am.

I kind of like shuffling around in the haze of the morning, needing some lamp light as I take a few minutes in the morning to write. My coffee seems to be more of a warm friend than just a morning staple, and even the dogs don't want to be up yet.

Anyways. Onto the topic at hand. This past weekend Andrew and I took some time to do some fall cleaning/planning. And it was great - and since it's that time of year when we could all potentially use a little motivation pre-holidays, I thought I would share some thoughts.

Now, I've always found planning/organizing to be riveting, I love that shit. But if you personally feel on point with setting goals, staying organized, etc. - or you feel like this post might put you to sleep - then go ahead and click away now. No hurt feelings.

I love goals, always have always will. Yet to be super upfront, I'm not very good at actually following through on those goals.

Why is that, Kait?  

Well recently I realized that you can't just set goals. You can't just write them up on a board, and be like OK I WILL NOW MAGICALLY LEARN HEBREW this month. Doesn't happen that easily - at least not for me. 

(I've been saying since we moved here that I will actively teach myself Hebrew via apps, podcasts, etc. Not like conversational Hebrew, but words and phrases - which I have organically been learning some over the past year. However, three times now I have set the goal to 'practice Hebrew' and three times, I hardly practiced Hebrew.)

Enter: Systems. Systems - or methods - are the plan that you put in place to actually stay on track.

As a disclaimer, none of what I'm writing are my original ideas - and if you want to read more about where I first read about it, here you go.

I see systems as the game plan that you go back to; where you check things off.

More on that in a minute.

I am lucky enough to work for someone who is HUGE on self-development, reading new ways of doing things, you name it. He's constantly throwing articles at me, book suggestions, etc. As an English major, I'm a sad excuse for a book reader. However last month knowing that we had two back to back trips coming up, Andrew and I ordered a few of the books that he recommended to have for our plane time.

I won't sit here and list out the books and give full-on reviews. But what I will do is tell you a few things we did the past week or so - systems we have set up - that we feel have really put us on track.

1. We 'fall cleaned'. This was mostly just my idea, the apartment needed a deep cleaning, and in the process we threw out a bunch of stuff we didn't need. It's rejuvenating, and something that I now believe should be done with every season - because honestly it's just good for your soul.

2. Make a system.  I have a variety of goals and improvements I want to make in my life the last few months of this year (and into 2018). Here is what I have in place for October:

super high-tech, I know

And it's working. Why? Because the empty boxes are there, screaming my name. It's the reason I currently have the numbers 5 6 and 7 written on my hand in Hebrew, so that I learn how to say them today.

3. (This is so mature I can't believe I'm about to type this) Do a check of your finances. Where do you stand, do you have goals in place - and do you have SYSTEMS to make sure you're following up on those goals?

That sounds super boring I know, I was REALLY resistant with Andrew about it for a long time. But we both read one book in particular (if you want the name, message me) that made us realize there are a lot of easy things we can be doing to save more efficiently. And it's not like 'stop ordering your lattes' and 'don't buy organic oranges' - it's way bigger picture than that. So on top of fall cleaning this past weekend, we also set up a few automatic systems to be a little bit more financial savvy. 

Again, I can't believe I'm writing about money, but I wouldn't write about it if I didn't think it was important - and easy for anyone to do.

That's it. Three fairly simple things, that honestly put us both in good moods, and made us feel well-equipped moving forward. I would also show you an example of Andrews "system" that he has written on our white board, but honestly I can't even understand what it says.

If you were looking for some motivation, hopefully this gave you a little bit. If you have officially moved me into the category of 'boring people in your life' - I apologize - but hey, I'm four months out from 30 years old so I guess you should have seen it coming  ;)

Cheers - 

Kait

Mornings

Fun fact: Out of the 14.3 million Jewish people in the world, 43% reside in Israel. 

Mornings in Tel Aviv are super quiet; it's actually my favorite part of most days here.  6:30 AM walks are usually with only a select few dogs, traffic is light and the temperatures are beginning to stay cooler and cooler while the sun is still rising. 

Weather this time of year is absurdly consistent; it's basically the same. exact. thing. every single day.  A few clouds in the morning, then clear skies the rest of the day, highs in the mid-eighties.  We've been told a few different things in regards to what fall and winter are like here (opinions vary depending on what people are 'used to' for winters) but from what I can gather it will stay fairly mild, and we won't see snow unless we venture towards the mountains - sometimes even up in Jerusalem.

Another reason I have grown to prefer mornings here is kind of a selfish one - no one randomly approaches me on the street and starts speaking to me in Hebrew.  Now let me preface that with, I'm extremely grateful that Tel Aviv is such a friendly city, and that every fifth person on the street wants to know 1. what kind of dog Kai is 2. how old she is or 3. directions to somewhere.  (Top three reasons I'm usually approached).

As a sidenote, even having headphones in does not detour people from approaching me... I try it daily.

But recently  I've shifted from feeling confused when someone approaches me in Hebrew, to now kind of annoyed.  Not with them - but with me - because I know VERY little Hebrew, and even if I did I can't help with directions yet. My response always makes me feel like a brutish ape - usually I kind of grimace and half yell "WHAT" and they either quickly switch gears to English, or they keep speaking Hebrew and I have to put on an I'M AN IGNORANT AMERICAN AND HARDLY EVEN KNOW ONE LANGUAGE face and ask if they speak English, in English.

Roughly 80% (of who I've encountered) do.  The amount of languages most people here can *fluently* speak actually simultaneously blows my mind, and leaves me feeling super incompetent.  It's not a secret that most of the world seems to know at least enough English to get by, yet (majority) of American's notoriously never pick up another language - not very well at least.  And I guess I had never really formulated any feelings around that until I actually immersed myself in a culture where it mattered.

Example: I heard a girl at the beach the other day quickly switch from Hebrew, to English, to Portuguese. 

Sigh.

It's unrealistic to declare that I'm going to be fluent in Hebrew by the time we are done here - Hebrew is a super tricky language, and even learning the alphabet system would be a feat for me. However, I am now much more dedicated to learning basic words and phrases to get by.  So far I know... roughly five words (can we count Mazel Tov?).  Current state learning is simply using a pretty cool app on my phone, but I think we both may eventually move to a tutor once or twice a week for awhile, as that's a resource that's available to us.

Anyways, those are some of my thoughts on the week.  If anyone reading knows some Hebrew and wants to give me some pointers, I would appreciate it.

Have a fabulous day, cheers - 

Kait

Sugar Reports

Well, it's lovely morning over here in Baltimore. It may be the first morning in a week that I haven't woken up to overcast/rainy weather. It's amazing what blue skies can do for you mood.

Last night I tried out 'Restoration Yoga' at Charm City Yoga after physical therapy. It involved a lot of laying, and opening up joints. I wouldn't really call it a workout, but more of a natural spa session for my body. I think I'll keep going - I have a one month LivingSocial deal there.

Anyways, yoga put me to bed early, and I woke up at 5:30 AM ready to kick some ass. I cranked out a quick circuit workout that I once again stole from Brooke in my newly organized home gym. OK OK, it doesn't quite warrant the label gym yet, but I'm working on it....

Next to purchase: a box for step ups/box jumps, and a kettle bell...

 I hopped in the shower and meandered down the street to a recently-discovered, charming Panera. It has the super cozy feeling, and felt like the perfect place to do a little writing, reflect, and gather my jumble of thoughts.

I feel good today. It could be last night's yoga, maybe a decent night of sleep. I think the 'tired/moody' side-effects that come with the first couple of days of this sugar detox are starting to subside. I will admit I stared longingly at the cinnamon crunch bagels this morning when walking into Panera, but then remembered the pumpkin pancakes (made with coconut flour) waiting for me in my car for my breakfast at the office.

There isn't too much to report on the detox yet (I'm on Day 5) aside from these two facts that I know for certain:

1. I definitely had a mental breakdown and slightly cheated on Wednesday (Day #3). This was fully supported by my coworkers who knew I was in a bad place, and needed a little sugar in my life.

Yessssss I'm an emotional eater. Sigh.

                                                 I've been good since then, I promise.

2. My abs are currently more defined than they ever have been. Ever. I'm not really one to post selfies of my stomach, or stand in the mirror flexing, but hey I'm a girl and I check myself out on occasion.

You know that saying, abs are made in the kitchen not in the gym? I'm starting to believe it....

Alright, time to pack up and head to work. I like this morning thing, don't you? Embracing mornings was another one of my midyear goals, and I'm so glad we did this.

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Tell me, what's your go-to cozy/homey coffee place when you need some alone time? I'm pretty sure this Panera just overtook the Starbucks by my work...

Have an awesome Friday, and do me a favor? Smile.

Cheers!

Back on the Trails

There are a few things I want to talk about today, but I don’t think it’s time. It’s not quite marinated yet, ya dig?

I woke up this morning with scratchy, tired eyes. I felt like crap and would have paid money to stay in bed for another couple of hours. Unlucky for me, I’m poor and had no money to offer the sandman.

I hit snooze once but 8 minutes later Luke Bryan started singing to me again and I rolled out of bed. This is always where things get fuzzy because honestly, sometimes I find myself on the elliptical at 6 AM and wonder how I even got there.

But I was there, looking quite homeless I’m sure. I threw in my headphones and watched the recent episode of Nashville from last night. I daydreamed about running away and becoming a cowboy and living in torn up jeans and cowboy boots and dancing away my summer to the soundtrack of something like Eric Church.

pinterest

I snapped out of it around 7 AM and dragged myself to work, seriously lacking motivation. I set the background of my computer to the most recent picture of Jane that my mom sent me:

That made me happy. As I announced on Facebook, I discovered that Carlie Rae Jepsen sings more songs than just ‘Call Me Maybe’, so I plugged through my morning by listening to her cookie cutter happy album four times through. Sorry I'm not sorry.

The weather is absolutely beautiful here. Leaves have brightened to an electric green, and I can feel the sun soaking into my skin when I walked outside. Lunch called for a lap around the parking lots with a few of my coworkers, and the fresh air reminded me that summer is closer than I can really even hope. The conversation reminded me that I have people here who really care.

The afternoon brought about the discovery how amazing the new Macklemore and Ryan Lewis album truly is. Do I live in a hole? Maybe. But if you haven’t listened to the kid, you probably should. Macklemore gets life. And aside from the drug reference, the song Cowboy Boots is disturbingly accurate to my twenty-something what the F is going on kind of feeling that I’m currently fighting and wrestling with.

I may have recklessly bought the entire album, and wondered straight from work to a nearby state park. I may have pulled on my running shoes, for the third day in a row, and cranked out a couple miles on hilly Maryland trails while Macklemore whispered sweet nothings in my ear.

I don't normally bring my phones on runs, but today was to pretty not to document.

It’s been a weird week. I don’t really have a reason as to why. I’m not sad, or mad, or upset. Maybe a little flat? Maybe a quarter life crisis?

Or maybe it’s just life.

That’s ok.

Cheers to music, connecting melodies with memories, and the soundtracks to our lives.