Estella Ramirez

My goal is to practice yoga regularly, but I have not been practicing at all for quite some time. I managed to attend one Yoga class on the beach in May and one in June. Realizing that this was not a regular class, last Saturday I went to my first Yoga Works class. There was a discount for a 2-week pass of unlimited Yoga classes, and I took it.

I’d love to go oodles of times a week, but I know that if I set an outlandish goal, I will most likely fail to meet it and feel demoralized. Setting a realistic goal to attend once a week is still healthy and allows me to feel successful. This way, if I do more than that, I can feel extra proud, and if I don’t, no harm has been done. Here, “regularly” means no less than once a week.

We put a bid on a beautiful little house on a corner lot. It is two blocks away from our favorite Farmers’ Market, and a short walk to our Pet Supplies store, a library, and a fire station. We love the neighborhood and the potential of this older house. It was built in 1952 and is shaded by enormous trees.

Our bid was accepted, and the process of buying the house is ongoing. It was disappointing to see our termite report recommended the most toxic possibilities for fumigation. Luckily, we were able to request healthier alternatives.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, we will have bought a house by the end of July!

This past Saturday was a glorious morning to have yoga at the beach with an amazing teacher. I only wish I’d taken a picture of the splendor of a view I had.

http://www.meetup.com/Heart-Opening-Yoga-All-levels/

I’m here in Santa Monica, looking for a job, and we are looking for an apartment while hubby Carlos starts his new assignment here.

Yesterday, I spent the whole day walking around Main Street. It’s where Carlos works, and there are lots of shops and coffee shops to see. It seemed, to me, that every other person carried a yoga mat! In the early evening, I saw a steady stream of people coming out of their Hot Yoga class at Yoga Works (yogaworks.com). There’s a new student’s special at the Main Street location of two weeks unlimited classes for $30 that expires Sept. 30. Carlos and I want to sign up when we move in!

Also, I ran into a store called Natural High, which sells organic/biodegradable clothing, shoes, and home products like sheets and rugs.

They had a yoga mat that I just would love to have. Will add photos later

I got a planter of chives at the farmer’s market a few weeks ago, so when I make baked potatoes, I just snip some up with scissors (yumm!!!).

I also planted zucchini vines that are now growing really fast in planters. I’ve recently learned they will be huge, and probably take over my porch! They are already big and amazing looking. I hope they’ll grow zucchinis and we can add them to our pasta (yummy!)

I don’t have a yard yet; I live in an apartment, but I’ve begun growing thyme and chamomile in planters on my porch. Lovely—yes? I love it.

I sent my thesis off to both Gerald Stern and my poetry guru, Kathleen Peirce. I have scheduled my comprehensive exams for the weekend of March 20th, and my thesis defense will occur on April 2nd. My MFA seems very reachable now.

My last semester of my MFA degree has begun and things are going just fine. My new students seem great, I’ve been reading A LOT, and the first draft of my thesis is done. Cyrus and Nick have given me great advice, opening my thesis to some great possibilities. I’ll be working on these (mostly about structuring the book of poems) for the next few weeks, and then I’ll be sending the manuscript to Gerald Stern, my adjunct reader, for further comments.