Ten 2010 Resolutions/Goals

Eighteen days into the new year, I realized I really haven't voiced my resolutions or goals. It has long been stated that those who write down their goals or share them with others are more likely to achieve them due to being held accountable. Thus let's hop right into it since we only have 347 days and counting left in 2010, don't blink, the 2011 countdown is right around the corner. The lag period is the catalyst to my first resolution...

Numero uno: Write down or share my ideas, goals and objectives

Numero deuce: Take pressure off of life-changing decisions. Many of us may become stressed from periods in which no direction or yellow-brick road is laid out. However, some of my best decisions have come from periods of down time or low stress.

Numbero 3: Climb and summit five 14,000 foot peaks.

Cuatro: Return to South America, either short-term or indefinitely, to help my friend BJ pioneer his bike tour business => www.bikingbuenosaires.com

Numbero 5: Maintain physical well-being by continuing yoga practice, bike and/or run combined 10 miles per week and other cross training activities once per week (soccer, basketball, wrestling, muay thai)

Numero Six: Discover Spanish literature/poetry. Just another way to stay engaged in my favorite language and one that has always interested me

Numero 7: See 2 countries I haven't seen yet

Ocho: Create a new blog that captures 100 more readers by March 2011.

Numero 9: Rediscover my passion for photography. Photography was a hidden passion while in South America and I neglected it for the most part of 2009, time to capture more moments.

10: To live each moment of every day with a habit of happiness knowing that the year 2010 is just one of many and the most important part of this year or this lifetime is today, here and now.

I wish you all the best in 2010 may you have personal success, health and happiness!

HappYness in a Snowflake

Peeking out the front window after waking to the 5:30am alarm, snowflake upon snowflake accumulate in the dark morning air. The taste of the yerba mate is a bit more sweet this morning indeed. The first gasp of morning air coats the respiratory system and quickly turns on the brain. Upon arrival to the local ski area, Monarch Mountain, the energy of friends and employees is abnormally positive. "Powder day!" echoes through the lodge as many share an understanding that today is going to be epic.

The frosty precipitation passes time more peacefully, people carry smiles and hot cocoas knowing the 'fluff' is collecting and awaiting new tracks. Welcome to winter in ski-bum country Colorado. Time slows with the cold and some days few thoughts occupy the mind because of its numbed effort to retain body heat.

Whether it can be found in a snowflake, a grain of sand or a mind-muting sunrise, happiness fulfills its subjective meaning in the simplest of things that are often taken for granted. Being open to the even the simplest of gratifications can bring one more smile a day, which is worth it isn't it?

Today, what is your snowflake?

Trials of Constant Transition

I hear all the questions, inquiries and speculation.

"When will you find a career? What is next for you? When will you finally settle? What about graduate school? What about real estate?"

The list of questions one hears is endless. Upon my arrival in Colorado on a cool, sunny November day, the questions continued to surface from the 'settlers' here. However, the pressure felt from the questions has thinned along with the Rocky Mountain air. Knowing one's direction, goals or plans carries much importance in the Western world which is dictated by results, bottom lines and clocks. Personally, I've been rather goal-oriented my whole life and have had direction. It's as if I have come to an opening in the jungle of direction and plans where neither currently exist. The issue isn't lack of goals, direction or plans rather too many of all of the above.

Since the moment I stepped foot in South America, a whole new world of opportunities and contacts has emerged. The crossroads where I now stand shows about 20 different arrows of opportunities to pursue. Is this a problem? I heard something on the news about 4 months ago about how many college graduates are now seeing the fruits of their labor/tuition cost under their parents' roof. The explanation was what else... the economy. It appears times have changed and the young 20 somethings have opportunities, just not the conventional career opportunities. No doubt the job market is the worst we've seen in 20 years yet small businesses and entrepreneurs seem to be primed to flourish. Personally, I know more than five people who are venturing their own business in one industry or another, half of them are making a nice portion of their income online (blogs, affiliate marketing, etc.). Yes, times are changing and college graduates have different visions than those of ten years past of doing more than just joining Corporate America to become a salary slave and eventually carry enough stress and health issues to continue funding the booming pharmaceutical industry. It's just not for me, at least right now.

To Each their own:

The definition of success is highly subjective. Ironically enough, as I write this blog post, I took a lunch break at a local bistro and was given a fortune cookie after paying the bill. I brought the cookie home opened it and ate it here at the computer. My fortune read, "You will be very successful in your career." The career gods have crept their way into fortune cookies. I also believe the definition of career is becoming more subjective as well. My definition of a career is doing what you love while earning some income in doing so. Others may view it as being in a company long term and strictly trading time for money. With the emergence of web 2.0, it seems now more than ever more possible to earn income from different streams. People can become famous for uploading their videos on youtube, quirky twitter posts, blogging and much more. The job market is struggling yet I know several people my age or younger making a legitimate income and support system from this world wide web.

Since this is my blog, I'll use my own personal example of success to test whether 'settling' for a career is better than continuously transitioning. Since I graduated college I have not lived in one place for more than 6 months. Even if I was in the same city, I moved several times continually learning new pockets of each respective place. The most 'settled' I have been was when I worked an outside sales position for a communications company, which also happened to last six months. It was the most income I have ever earned and was a decent salary + commission paycheck every couple weeks. Financially speaking, I was doing pretty well for a 24 year old. However, I was miserable every day that I worked there. My health and lifestyle were being highly compromised so I left for something different which has somewhat spurred my current 'transitioning' lifestyle. Then I look at a time when living in Argentina when financially speaking, I was poor. I was literally living day to day earning pesos teaching English any opportunity I could. Yet, this was one of the most exhilarating times of my life. Every day was a new challenge and I appreciated every little peso in my pocket. Less truly is more in my case, that's just me. Of course I'd love to live in a mansion on a beach and own a private jet or yacht, however I will never achieve that lifestyle through being a corporate sheep climbing the proverbial ladder. My health and lifestyle are too important to me.

Trials of constant transition is about continuous circulation, learning and never settling. I will settle someday but what living abroad and meeting travelers from all corners of the globe have taught me, there is too much on this planet to explore, learn from and give back to than to just 'settle' at such a young age. I feel at peace when I don't know where I'll be in a few months, that is my chill pill; constant transition, circulation and appreciation for what is in our life at that moment. Nothing lasts forever, especially all of us. Any of these days could be a last for any of us, why settle?

Painting a New Picture

The canvass is empty and awaiting new brushstrokes. Nearly a year since my return from Argentina, I look to hit the road again. Something about Colorado has been calling me for quite some time. Many have inquired what is inspiring this move, even myself at times. Is it family, outdoors, friends, seasons? It better be something worthy because I have lived in 'America's finest city' for nearly 6 years minus the year in South America.

Is it possible that this place is just too perfect? As a matter of fact, the one complaint I would have against San Diego is that I live one airplane second away from the airport, almost even have the flight pattern memorized by now. Really? That's it? It is true, San Diego really is America's finest city, behind San Francisco in my opinion. What this city has to offer is a year-round perfect climate, friendly people, great cuisine, beaches, deserts, Hollywood and Mexico all within a 2 hour radius. Not to mention I have met some of the most inspiring people here and have amazing friends to write home about. All of this has comprised a wonderful chapter in my book. Its picture is beautiful and complete for right now. Why not view our life as a book or a painting? My understanding is that I am 25 year old chico who likes to explore, learn and find new challenges. Perhaps, with all the beauty in this current chapter labeled San Diego, I am simply ready to turn a page or see the blank canvas once more.

Since I came to San Diego, all that I have learned is that this world has much to offer and I have to take advantage of all that I can and give back while doing so. A sincere and genuine sense of gratitude has been coming over me recently. It has been wonderful and I wouldn't be surprised if I were end up living in America's finest city again someday, until then many more places are out there to explore and learn from. For now, a new journey awaits and shall be approached with goals, open heart and a smile.

High Altitude Attitude

Mt. Shavano (middle) silhouette in Colorado summer sunset

Gasping for the thin rocky mountain air with an oncoming lightheaded feeling, I look at my brother and good friend Reed as they too struggle for inhalation. "Why did we choose this route again?" I ask them between gasps. It was our first major hiking break of the day as we were attempting to summit Mt. Princeton (14,197ft.). There are two major trails one can take to find themselves atop this beautiful mountain. The first trail, which many prefer, is up the east side of the mountain and may take longer but is more enjoyable by means of difficulty level. The other prominent trail, which very few actually take, is up the southwest side of the mountain and is literally a straight ascent from the trail head to the summit. We chose the latter. It was an arduous climb and was really testing my level of conditioning since just 48 hours prior I was at my accustomed sea level state. There we sat eating oranges, power bars and sipping H2O concluding that one must either have to be really hardcore or stupid to take this arduous trail to the top. Although we would have liked to consider ourselves hardcore, we all humorously knew that we were just plain stupid. How did we get to this point anyways?A little glimpse of the rugged ascent

Several weeks prior when I knew I would be going to Colorado to celebrate my brother's 30th birthday, I realized that I never really took full advantage of the outdoor lifestyle Colorado had to offer. Oddly, it took me to travel to the south of Chile and trek Torres del Paine to help me realize how much I love hiking and trekking. Eighteen years of my life passed with a hiker's paradise in my backyard, yet sometimes you must leave the comfort of home to realize all that was taken for granted. Colorado's fifty six 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet) have become a genuine interest of mine in the last year or so. Therefore, I knew when going to help my brother not feel so old at his 30th, a 14er must be put on the agenda.

I flew into Colorado on Wednesday evening from San Diego (sea level) and managed to sleep very little after staying with an old high school friend. Then Thursday was spent catching up with family and proceeding to catch up with more old friends that night at the local bar until the wee hours of the morning. Then came Friday morning, the day we had planned to ascend Mt. Princeton. With little rest and a tummy full of mixed beverages from the night before, the three of us decided to give it a go. We didn't even arrive at the trail head until noon, typically 'hardcore' climbers begin their ascent at the crack of dawn. Instead, we 'stupid' people prefer to begin the much tougher trail at the crack of noon. All three of us will go down in history as the most prepared climbers, our planning was flawless.... right?Last sign of tree life above treeline 12,000 feet

Standing atop the peak above 13,000 feet, overlooking Arkansas River Valley

There we were half way up the mountain, now my lightheaded feeling was in full effect and I suddenly realized altitude wasn't only challenging for breath but also the blood pressure. The amount of exercise I do on a weekly basis had prepared my lungs enough for the climb, however there was not much preparation I could have done to accustom the blood pressure at 10-14,000 feet higher. I actually surprised myself and stayed somewhat close behind my 'elder' brother who was scaling the ascent like a mountain goat in its natural environment. Step by step, with my quadriceps and calves screaming, I found myself above the 13,000 foot mark overlooking the Arkansas River valley and surrounding 14ers. Unfortunately, the sun was on its way down to the west as the time read 3:15pm when we were still a good hour away from the summit. We decided we had enough on this day. The trek back down to the car took just a little over 1 hour 30 minutes. We proceeded to drive down to the Mt. Princeton hot springs to soak our amateur climbing bodies. The rest of the day was a bit hazy to me as my body was basically in shut-down mode since it wasn't too happy about the combination of staying up late, exercising vigorously up a mountain just 48 hours after loathing in sunny San Diego.

Mt. Princeton from Reed's balcony over dinner and vino, a sweet feeling!

Though it is very unfortunate we didn't summit the 14er, it was a great learning experience of being young and dumb. I mean, after all we were there in the first place celebrating our youth since my brother says 30 is the new 20. Additionally, our flawless planning apparently does need some improvement for the next time we intend on ascending a 14er. As for myself, I have a whole lot more respect for not only 14ers, but altitude in general. In short, it kicked my butt. If anything, it has just increased my respect for the activity and preparation that is necessary to become an avid climber. However, I am even more motivated to get back and summit one of those 56 peaks!

Bikram Yoga Experience

Have you ever tried the controversial yoga practice of Bikram Yoga? It's hot! As in 105 degrees Farenheit, 40% humidity hot. Imagine a huge Sauna room packed full of fellow yogis exerting energy through stretch, pose and breath. The best way I can sum up the experience is that it feels like the skin is surrounded by fire from the inside out. Naturally, the body perspires profusely through pores you never thought you had from the first breath until 90 minutes and 26 yoga poses are completed. For most, especially first timers, a 'timeout' from the flow of poses is necessary to gain control of the heart rate.

Developed by Bikram Choudhury who emigrated here from Calcutta, India and now resides in Los Angeles. He holds a copyright on his yoga and has developed a very successful business with over 500 locations throughout the United States. This has created much controversy as many feel the practice of yoga should not be used for personal profit. Regardless, the philosophy behind this yoga practice intrigues me....... and many, many others who have literally become addicted to it.

According to maestro Choudhury, the heat aids in speeding up the heart rate thus increasing the blood flow throughout the whole body. The blood circulation is affected in two different ways, extension and compression. Each pose (asana) extends one part of the body and compresses another forcing the heart to pump more fresh oxygenated blood to the area that was just being compressed.

When practicing, the challenge quickly becomes as much mental as it is physical. Personally, I had to focus like a samurai to control my breathing in order to slow my heart rate. The constant circulation of blood warms the inside of the body which could explain the fiery sensation in and outside of the largest organ, the skin. Supposedly, this practice becomes less difficult and more enjoyable with each class, soon leading to the healthiest addiction one could ask for. I will continue to go and study the effects it has on mind and body. From my first experience in the Bikram Yoga world, I felt physically drained and mentally still. Sitting outside of the class for 20 minutes afterwards catching my breath and drinking water, a rare zen-like state consumed me. I had no energy to stress or think much, my attention focused on my heart rate and blood flow. Physical euphoria and mental utopia consumed the rest of my evening. Therefore, I don't recommend beginning your Bikram yoga experience as a morning ritual, you may be walking on too many clouds in slow motion throughout the rest of the day, unless that's what you're looking for in daily activity.

It is recommended to take the first few classes slowly and bring adequate amount of water.... And a towel!!! I literally had to ring out my shorts after the class as if I had just jumped into the Pacific, quite intriguing eh? You can literally wring out the stress from your clothes afterwards ;)

Al fin, Bikram yoga, love it or hate it.. Don't knock it til you try it. Just remember to bring an open mind, a towel, water and your smile. Enjoy!

Tapping Back into Blogosphere

Hola World! Yeah hi, Robin here tapping back into the blogosphere. Sipping on yerba mate and looking out of my studio window at the sun-christened buildings of downtown San Diego. All this combined with some of my favorite music (Manu Chao) calls for time of reflection and an update on la pura vida.

The last four months have been encapsulated by the whirlwinds of constant change. It never ceases to interest me how change is one of the toughest concepts for humans beings to accept. Do you ever find yourself contemplating where you are relative to 365 days ago? Upon my personal reflection, I see myself one year ago being fully accustomed to an Argentine lifestyle well consumed by futbol, La Bomba and good vino in the depths of winter residing in San Telmo. Today I see myself enjoying every moment of this day-off from the weekly hustle. A time where I also see myself consumed by the American dream ($) often working 60-70 hours a week. My sanity escape has become the beautiful sport of Muay Thai, hiking, running and most other exercise. Until now, writing has obviously escaped my priority list. My new home is in the heart of San Diego in a studio surrounded by downtown, the San Diego Bay and Balboa Park.

I find myself observing the metaphysical flow of energy and rhythm of each day. Perhaps learning a Martial Art has brought about this new perspective. Whether I'm working (outside sales) or relaxing, observing the rhythms and energy flow of people is fascinating. It's madness witnessing the up and down emotional rollercoaster that can be caused by a career in sales, a true test of personal craft in its own respect. Equally interesting to witness is how we humans sometime create closer bonds when physically far (thank the world wide web), yet can also create distance the closer we physically become. I see you sitting there wondering what the hell I'm writing about. It was never guaranteed that my new-found revelations and perspective will make any sense, but I share anyways.

The constant change in life has taught me gratitude for what is in my life now. One week, we may be able to visit one of our best family friends, the next week they're no longer with us due to illness, RIP Jerry. No matter how happy or sad our emotions leave us at this moment, the belief that it will soon be the contrary due to new change helps aid in acceptance of whatever we are currently feeling.

Maybe the beauty of today is that we never know what will really occur tomorrow. Life is an incredible classroom and is deserving of our full gratitude.