moving....

Just blog sites :)

new site is http://leslieschipper.wordpress.com/

Please follow there! Thanks.

Great Aloha RUN

Great Aloha Run was a success!! I beat my goal of running under 1:30:00 and rewarded myself with a fulfilling breakfast buffet at Duke's right afterwards. Such a thrill running a race with 25,000 other people... definitely gave me the motivation to keep going when my thoughts started flying and I started getting bored and tired! 

Marathon in December? ehhhh....  

Maybe I will work my way up with a half marathon next. 

Happy running! 

Happy Valentines Day

"Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love." - Leo Tolstoy

I made a quick stop at the grocery store last night on the eve of Valentines Day.  I couldn't help notcing the giant cookie, candy, flower and balloon stations set up at the entrance as easy targets for the confused men hovering around it. 

On the one hand, I applaud their efforts, because they are actually making one.  On the other hand, why is this holiday reduced to the monotonus card, box of chocolates, and bouquet of flowers?

I hope this doesn't make me sound ungrateful (it is the thought that counts) but the best part about a gift (besides giving it) is the thought process that goes with the selection of it.  Searching for that perfect gift for that special person- not under pressure and time ticking circumstances that makes you go out and buy whatever is left. 

This holiday reminds me of Thanksgiving- we need a day to remind us to stop and give thanks for our blessings just like we need a day to remind us to show our love to those in our lives.  Like many holidays, it has turned into a buying game great for chocolate and greeting card companies, jewlery stores and florists. 

Guys- save your money.  I can't speak for every female but I have no problem not celebrating Valentines Day. 

Leave me a love note randomly to find, pick me a single flower, use your words not your wallet.

But if you still want to give me chocolate I won't deny you that pleasure.

Celebrate and spread love everyday!

aloha



1/29/11

"Im sitting in Waikiki enjoying a beautiful sunset  There are a few boats sitting idly a few hundred yards out.. surfers sitting on their boards catching one footers in for a fun clean ride, and countless people to my left and right all lost in their own thoughts or conversations.  Families, singles, couples, tourists, locals, homeless, kids, all stopping and taking fifteen minutes our their day to witness the suns last shining moments. 

As I watch, I remember that this is my everyday- how fortunate I am to catch a sunset like this- it's here for my viewing every night.  

The sun is shining on the still water, reflecting yellow, gold, orange glitter on the surface.  It has become the biggest and brightest globe of hot light, sinking into the ocean, calling it a day and letting the moon take over for the night shift.

A few moments later, the spectacle is over.  There are no more photos to be taken, the moment has passed and people begin to get up and move on.  

But the most beautiful part of the whole marvel is not even the sunset.  It's that for an extended amount of time, nature captured people's eyes and hearts- made them stand still for a moment and bask in the beauty of a Hawaiian sunset."

crystal energy

Crystals have peeked my interest lately.  How can a crystal have healing powers? Realign and rebalance energy? Bring peace and relaxation? Safeguard and protect you from harm? 

Into my hands falls the book , "The Illustrated Guide to Crystals" thanks to my hippy sister Tess.

I learn quickly that crystals transmit and receive energies.  They transmute and transform, attract or repel. 

For example- the crystal quartz amplifies energy.  Quartz receives energy, contains it, transmutes it, and then radiates the energy back out. 

This focused energy means that they can be used for specific tasks like healing physical conditions, creating positive relationships, grounding, aiding with meditation, enhancing with creativity and so on. 

As I continued reading, I got really jazzed at the thought of crystal shopping. 

Where did I need some extra energy in my life? Where could I test this crystal theory? 

Last night I went to a shop called "Sedona" - that sells everything from crystals to aromatherapy oils and candles and even physic readings if you so desire to gaze into your future.

It is said that the best crystal chooses you.  So I tried to let go and let the crystals do their job.  Thirty or so minutes later I had a quartz cluster in my left hand and a honey amber calcite in my right.  Im not sure if these crystals "called" to me in any sort of way, maybe it was just personal preference with color and shape? At any rate they felt right and I left with them both. 

Quartz cluster: one of the most powerful healing stones.  An energy amplifier that doubles auric field- storing, releasing, and regulating every on physical and mental dimensions. Stimulates the immune system and enhances psychic awareness.

Calcite: Connects intellect and emotions. Alleviates emotional stress and brings peace and serenity.  Memory aid, brings insight.  Cleanses organs and bones, strengthens skeleton and joints. Brings in spiritual light and knowledge. 

Now that these crystals are in my possession, they need to be purified and cleansed and then I'll need to dedicate it's energies to the higehst of all good.

The power of a crystal could be true. It could be the power of the mind, or it could be in the heart- but I'm open to seeing what happens with my new beauties.

"constantly go to the breathe and find sacredness in it. 

don't just land in it, but forever melt and go deeper...

because it's a mystery that has no end."

"The Power of Now"

I've picked up this book multiple times, read the first couple of pages, and put it down.  The language is a turn off, every sentence seems to say the same thing, the author is too enlightened and just babbling off about it.... I had so many excuses as to why I couldn't get through the first few chapters of this book. At the time, I just wasn't ready to hear it.  We listen and hear things at the moment we are ready, and finally I am ready for the book.  

I picked it up again after a trying January- and was amazed that instead of automatically reading a few pages and trading in for another book on my shelf- I couldn't put it down.  All the jargon I had thought was so confusing and unclear before, suddenly made perfect sense.  I began highlighting all of the points that resonated and pretty seem my pages were covered in neon yellow. 

What this book has really taught me is to not get wrapped up in the future.  I have a problem of always being in my head- thoughts constantly zipping in and out, and I sit there and spend much of my time analyzing every thought that enters. 

It's exhausting.

I constantly am planning for future events, thinking about what to do next, looking into my planner to see what things on my "to-do" list I haven't checked off, it feels endless.

"The Power of Now" teaches you to realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. 

There is never a time when you're life is not "this moment" 

So now, when I find myself traveling beyond the "now" and jumping into "what could be/what might be" in the future, I just take a few slow deep breathes and remind myself that all I ever need is right now in this moment. 

"I had a great Buddhist teacher many years ago in Thailand who taught emotional survival with a simple illustration.  "Be like the bamboo," he'd say.  "It is strong on the outside, soft and open on the inside.  Its roots are firmly planted in the ground and freely intertwined with others for mutual strength and support.  The stalk blows freely in the wind, bending rather than resisting.  That which bends is far more difficult to break."

kauai

Garden Isle... welcome me with your open rich green valleys and cascading waterfalls.

I landed to be greeted by my two favorite people, mom and dad, waiting for me outside the tiny airport surrounded by palms in Lihue. 

Mom is wanting Starbucks so we make a coffee run to recharge on caffeine, talk story, and outline our next four days together.  My mom has already found a destination she thought we'de enjoy... 

The Lawai International Center.  A recognized healing sanctuary that was built in 1904 by the first Japanese immigrants to replicate an ancient pilgrimage of 88 temples in Shikoku, Japan. 

After driving around in circles to find the road, we finally spot the tiny one way dirt path... only to find that the temple is closed for the day!  Luckily, a sweet volunteer was there and actually stopped his work of cleaning the shrines to take us on a private tour and give us the historical background to the sacred grounds.  

The rest of the day was spent leisurely- walking through the old town of Koloa that my mom kept endearingly referring to as "Koala" ;), visiting Spouting Horn in Poipu, and getting settled into the condo before logging in some pool and sun time.  

The following day was our trip to the North Shore. With a stop in Kapa'a to grab a fresh coconut, we were on our way to Princeville. We stopped to take the walk down to Queen's Bath and stare in amazement at the sets of waves that seemed to have no end.  Set after set coming in and crashing against the rocks with force.  (I chose NOT to tell them that many people had been swept out and died at the site)

Still heading north- we stop at Hanalei and grind at "Hanalei Gourmet"- a suggestion from a friend and it was ridiculously delicous Unfortunately the weather took a turn on us and before we had finished our lunch Hanalei turned into a stormy mess.  With regret we turned around and headed back to Poipu hoping to be greeted by the sun when we arrived. 

Well that didn't exactly happen so made some rainy day mai tais to brighten things up ;) 

Thankfully, the next day brought sun in a pure blue sky. perfection. 

We started the Mahaulapu trail early in the morning that started at Shipwreck beach and ended at a secluded beach.  The trail had us walking along the cliffs with ocean in sight almost the entire 4 miles.  

Hiking brought on an appetite so we met up with my aunt and uncle at the Shrimp Station in Waimea (Shrimp tacos- WHOA) before driving up to Waimea Canyon aka "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific"

Poor Aunt Karen... a wet and muddy trail going down "The Sleeping Giant" produced a fall that led to a fracture in her wrist. :-/ Hope you're healing fast Aunty! 

Waimea Canyon was easily one of my favorite parts of the trip. To see such vast and untouched land is truly amazing. The formations, distant waterfalls that seem so small from where you stand, the colors of red, green and brown blending in and out of the valley and canyons- can't say enough about it. It's a must see if you're ever in Kauai. 

Capped the day off with a trip to Waimea Brewery- a spot frequented by my aunt and uncle during the trip (what else do you do with a fractured wrist? Aunt Karen made the best of it!) to sip on a lilikoi ale that capped off the afternoon.  

We woke up on my last day in Kauai ready for an adventure.  We had already secured our kayaks and we were going up the Wailua River and hiking to the falls. I had no idea how exhausting kayaking is by yourself.  My parents were in a double floating up the river with ease while I was struggling to keep up in my single - trying to tell myself to stop feeling so frustrated and enjoy my peaceful backdrop. 

We were the only ones on the river and the only sound that could be heard were birds flying overhead and our paddles dipping into the river. 

We made it to the trailhead, tied up the kayaks and started our hike... that seemed to go on and on and on. 

This could be because we had to keep crossing the rivers, or because we were ankle high deep in mud- after what seemed like too long, we finally made it to the falls..... And it was absolutely worth the mud. 

damn my parents are troopers! 

A rushed lunch at Java Kai and a speedy drop off at the airport and I was back to reality and back on Oahu.

A hui hou kauai. 

Saltwater Buddha

Saltwater Buddha.

I received this from my surf sister/yoga partner Kristin as a Christmas present.  I had seen it many times in the bookstore, picked it up, re-read the back, but never ended up buying it.  

I was stoked she bought it for me but was in between about 3 books and wanted to save it for when I could dedicate all my attention to it.  

A few days back- the island had a PERFECT Sunday.  I couldn't believe my luck with being off on the day that coincided with beautiful weather- (you would think it happens more often here but it doesn't when work is on your schedule 6 days a week)

So I beached it- twice.  I left the first time around lunch because I had forgotten sunscreen and my white skin was reminding me that after months of not laying at the beach, it doesn't like so much exposure.  I thought I was done with the beach for the day, having work later that night I wanted to get some things done around my house.  But I had this magnetic pull to the ocean- this opportunity could not be wasted. 

So I headed back to the beach with sunscreen and the "Saltwater Buddha" book in hand.  For the first time in a long time, I pretty much read the book from first page to last page without stopping ( I did take a wonderful swim in the calm ocean and allowed myself to float for a little bit) but the book was riveting and hilarious.  Jaimal Yogi (the author) blends his personal experiences (he drops out of highschool his junior year to find waves in Maui- to become a real surfer and to find zen- he studies in a monastery thinking he will become a monk, goes to Columbia for journalism when he feels he needs to get a "real job"-..... his experiences are endless and he expresses them with great wit) while adding a TON of with spiritual insight.  

 He made his journey of becoming "zen" through the art of surfing a true adventure and really enjoyable to read.  

 I recommend this book to anyone who has ever caught a wave, no matter how small, even if it is white wash! Because anyone who has knows the incredible feeling of floating on water and the feelings of rush, achievement, calm, stoke, passion, excitement, and determination to catch another one all over again.  

To be honest- this book is so good and insightful,  I believe non-surfers will enjoy it too. I guess I recommend it to anyone :) 

Happy readings! 

“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.” – L.P. Jacks

First trip of the New Year = KAUAI

Hello Garden Isle!

Let ze countdown begin.

Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple

tucked in the back of Palolo valley lies a hidden treasure-  

Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple. The temple is one of the most beautiful and colorful I have ever seen set against the lush green hills of the valley. 

And although the structures were LOUD with color- the grounds were completely quiet, making you want to drop and meditate in it's silence. And definitely not raise you voice in more than a whisper to whoever was around. (Although we were the only two at the temple at the time- besides the monk who I am pretty sure only spoke Korean.) His smile was bursting with a calm and happy energy that was urging us to look around and take it all in. So we did. 

These flowers were breathtakingly gorgeous. They looked fake! I kept finding my way back to them to take more pictures. 

the grounds

hmmm... what was he pondering? 

lots'a'little buddhas

2011

I feel like I took a nap, woke up, and it was 2011. 

A new year, filled with new resolutions and a new outlook.  It has always urked me when people complain about the year before- , "I can't WAIT for 2010 to be over", "man 2010 was not my year", "I really hope 2011 is better." Whether or not these statements are true- the bottom line is- if you're alive at the end of the year.. it couldn't have been THAT bad. 

The end of the year is a time for reflection.  You look back on the past year, and what you see is dependent on your outlook and how you CHOOSE to view it.  Focus on the positive, and the year that just passed will be highlighted by the great things you accomplished.  Focus on the negative, then ya, your year probably seems a little tarnished plagued with problems. 

 I randomly came across an article this morning where I learned that January is named after the Roman God Janus. Janus is depicted as having two heads that face in opposite directions. 

One looking back into the past- reflecting on the year departed and one looking forward in anticipation of the new year and what it will bring.  

The God Saturn then bestowed upon Janus the ability to see into the past and the future. 

I bet the face looking forward has the better view. 

So all of a sudden it is January 2nd...  Time really does not stop for anyone. I used to right down at least 5 "resolutions" for my new year.  Things I promised myself I would do, and conversely, things I promised myself I wouldn't do, aka "give up sweets" psshh ya that worked. 

This year, I realized that resolutions are not just for the new year.  Why do you have to wait for the 1st day of the new year to resolve to do something! It's a mental attachment that we have to this date and time that we think we can "start over" on this date- everything in the past year is erased and we really will do what we say THIS year. Well- there is no use in waiting. Do. It. Now. If anything, I choose (I guess you can say "resolve")  to live with intention and integrity everyday. 

That being said- here are a few goals I DO have for 2011. 

1. Ride more party waves with my sisters in Mother Ocean. 

2. Detach from my iphone.. yes it's amazing in all of it's capabilities.. but nature is more beautiful than any picture I could set on my background. 

3. Nurture existing relationships while cultivating new ones. Take time out of the schedule to reconnect with my amazing circle. 

4. Minimalize material possessions. We all have too much Stuff.  My yoga instructors teacher got down to 100 items! That includes kitchen utensils, toothbrush, articles of clothing, yoga mat, etc. That's intense. 

5. Be SUPER smart and efficient with my budget so I can work and play equally. 

6. And as always... grow in my meditation and yoga practice to keep me grounded, humble, and thankful. 

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou & Happy 2011 my friends!