I support...

In keeping with another fellow blogger who has decided to promote his charity on his blog, I thought it important that I take this time to do the same as I have long supported several causes that mean a great deal to me and so I thought that I would share them with you.

Here's a little taste of who I am and what I believe in:



ASPCA - Because it is our responsibility to take care of the wee creatures who cannot fend for themselves. I put my money where my mouth is and donate to them every year.



Doctors Without Borders - Because these fine men and women fight the good fight all over the world and are often the first on scene to provide medical care for those in need and do an utterly brilliant job at that. I feel great pride in giving what I can to these fine and noble medical professionals. I'd love to volunteer to work with them if I could find a way to do so. Just brilliant.



American Red Cross - Because during every American disaster I can think of they have been there making the difference for many between life and death. Their help is utterly immeasurable.



U.S. Campaign for Burma - Because I support the monks and people of Burma and when the men in saffron risk their lives to defend democracy- I pay attention. They are new to me, and I have some reading to do, but so far I am impressed.



There a few others that I am planning on getting involved with and some involve the country of Guatemala, which has become a place that I hold close to my heart. Once I have committed myself, I will post about them as well.

If you find that you support these noble causes as well please donate! And if you have others that are just as meaningful to you as mine are to me then donate to them instead. We can all make a difference...

Be peace,

Kathy

Transformation

We've all heard about those people who wake up one morning and realize that the lives that they have been living no longer feel authentic or organic to them. So, they start taking radical steps to create the lives they have always wanted. We've all heard that old lovely tale, right?

Well, I am one of those people. My name is Kathy.

My story goes something like this.

After a series of losses, including a divorce, the loss of my father and then the loss of my wonderful 18 1/2 year old kitty, I couldn't stop ignoring that voice inside me that kept telling me it was time to step into the flow and stop fighting against it. Or, in simpler terms: it was time to shake shit up.

So, I took the first step in creating this change and found a yoga teacher training that felt right to me and committed to it. I'd always loved yoga and that little voice inside me kept telling me that I was meant to be a teacher. This meant taking several months out of work and opening myself up to an entirely different way of life. I also chose a studio where I didn't know anyone and just, well, jumped. Hell, who am I kidding: I DOVE. And yes, it was scary. And yes, I never felt more alive in my life as I stood there day after day shaking.

Now, a year and a half later, I can tell you shaking shit up? Do it. Be brave. Why you ask? Because as scary as it is (and it's freaking scary and like the greatest high ever all at once) when you start peeling away the layers and going deep you might just find the you that you've always pined for. Yes, that person! I am slowly but surely becoming the me that I kind of really love. I kind of really like her too. She's more courageous than I ever was and her growing fearlessness is pretty awe inspiring. She's the me I yearn to be. No wait: she's the me I am actually becoming...

There are painful repercussions to this transformative process as well. For one, you might find that the friends who you thought you could count on and who would support your quest for a more authentic existence are, well, too stuck in their own ruts to be able to embrace your excitement for this path you're on. Your bliss might just piss them off.

I recently called a friend to tell her about my latest trip to Guatemala, my plan to do retreats and my latest yoga challenge and all she could do was ask me when I was working next. It was then I realized I was doing the very thing that utterly terrified her. I was living outside of the proverbial box and it rattled her to her core. Hell, it even produced some anger. There must be order, right? Things have to make perfect sense, no? NO, they don't! This from the chick who has always needed things to make perfect sense!

Have you ever been traveling and on your quest to find something gotten utterly lost and stumbled upon a place you completely fell in love with and had the most wonderful time in the process? Funny how that works. I now get lost as often as possible. I am finding in getting lost I stumble across the most magical things. I hope I learn to get lost more in love on this path of mine as well. I am looking forward to just letting go and seeing where the journey takes me. I've got some work to do (no more chicken shits on ego trips for a start), but I'm open to the process.

My father spent his entire adult life committed to one path and he loved it. He was one of those rare birds that got paid to do the very thing he loved the most and it really turned him on. He was a scientist until the end. An utterly brilliant one at that. And you know what? He'd be the first person cheering me on right about now. He'd be excited that I am discovering things that light me up from within and make me all shiny and bright. He always did tell me that I was the sparkly type. Do what you love, he'd say.

I love to travel, I love to write and I love to teach. I am trying to find a way to bring them all together.

I'm on my way, pops...

The man from Holland, Manchego and the light

This is my second trip to Antigua and second stay at Casa Cristina. Last trip I met my now dear friend Paula who was also staying in my hotel. This trip I've already made a new friend Aziz, a camera man from Holland, who is staying next to me and studying Spanish here. He's handsome and fun and we have a lot in common. We went out last night and had a late tea and a snack. We walked the nearly empty streets laughing wildly and telling each other stories about our travels. He's a lot of fun. Tonight we're off to dinner and drinks and some quality silly time. I love meeting fellow travelers on my journey's. Good people out there if you allow yourself to let them in.



A special thanks to my girl Leslie for making me this fabulous pic!

I walked the streets for hours yesterday, my first day here, took a nap and then treated myself to my favorite little Tapas place here, Sangre. Fried Manchego cheese with that delish hibiscous dipping sauce and coconut crusted shrimp with a divinely sweet chutney sauce were savored. My waiter treated me to a second glass of wine, a fabulous Tempranillo, and though I only drank a wee bit of it I can tell you it was nothing less than fabulous. Of course he then asked me out, but I have my staple response in these situations now: I'm meeting someone later. Works like a charm! Men can be just too sweet sometimes. Truly...

I still can't speak Spanish and I know I need to get a tutor and get to it already. I'm damn good at improvisation though and often wing my way through by miming what I want. I also make people laugh which is just fine by me. I often lapse into Italian when trying to order food and the occasional French as well. Now if only Spanish would find its way to me!

I haven't been able to upload photos yet but will do later. I'll throw some up when I get a chance. Some of the places offering Wi-Fi have REALLY slow connections.

The light is spectacular here. Last night I watched the clouds move in and the full moon was so clear and vibrant I thought it was a mirage. The light at dusk is so warm and embracing I can't help but smile when I walk the streets. There is magic here. There really is...

Off to another latte and some yogurt, granola and fruit.

Life is so damn good at times, you know?

A welcome back

After a four hour flight out of Los Angeles I arrived at about 6.30 am in Guatemala City. I then shared a cab with a woman from Australia who was on her way out to the lake to do a yoga retreat. She informed me after we got into the cab that she was sick and that she thinks she might have MALARIA as she was just in Mozambique and was bitten by mosquitos and has been sick ever since. Lucky me! What can you do, you know? You just roll with it...

I got into Antigua by 8.00 and as my room was not ready I dropped my luggage and hauled booty to Rainbow Cafe where I just had a big fat traditional Guatemalan breakfast and am digging on the free wi-fi. There's a cold spell here so I basked in the sun every time I hit an area bathed in sunlight as I made my way down the so very familiar streets of Antigua. I'm like a big cat luxuriating in the heat wherever I can find it. One learns to savor the simple pleasures...

When we drove into town I felt like I was arriving home. I was greeted by Rosario, the owner of my hotel Casa Cristina, with a warm hug and a giant smile. Welcome back, she said. I feel welcomed back indeed.

Next I'm off to the bank to get my Quetzales and then back to the hotel to crash for a while. I have places to go and people to see...

Back to Guatemala she goes!

Yes, this little tutu is on a plane come Sunday night making her way back to the land of the Mayans for some time by the lake and more time in that special little city where the volcanoes rise up above you and root you so beautifully to the earth - Antigua.

I told my students a couple of Sundays ago that I realized I was feeling rather off center and a tad cranky and I knew when I got that way there was really only one remedy: TRAVEL

OK, travel and yoga. Both feed my soul...

So, I got online and booked myself a ticket back to the land of Jade and for eight glorious days I will be free, open and filled with a sense of adventure and desire. Happy little me.

This is both a pleasure and business trip as I am going to check out yoga retreat spaces on Lake Atitlan as my hope is to create retreats with friends and fellow teachers in the future. I'm a chick with a vision, don't you know?

I am the mistress of my own destiny.

I'll be blogging it out on the road as my new MacBook is coming with me so stay tuned and fasten your seat belts:

There will be tales to tell...

Critic's Choice

I worked the Critic's Choice Awards on Monday and it was so very clear there is a strike going on. Very few name actors attended and I'd have to say most simply sent their reps. The president of Screen Actor's Guild ( and I'm a member) had asked SAG members not to attend the show in support of the Writer's even though Critic's Choice was not a picketed show. I believe his request was in large part honored. Sure I saw Angie and Brad who cruised in last minute and the same goes for George Clooney (presented an award to his comrade Don Cheadle) looking finer and leaner than I have ever seen him and God knows I've seen him plenty over the years of doing these events. Oh, and I had a few words with Javier Bardem *swoon* who was in desperate need of a loo. He is one fine specimen of man. Seriously.




I ran the cocktail reception for the caterer (and he always does an amazing job) as well as the post show after party. This was the first year we had an after party and it was a swank affair. It was tented, a study in white and there were fabulous Flamenco/Salsa dancers and hot little bite sized snack bartenders everywhere. I'm always happy when I see it all come together. I've got this award show thing down.

And I got a kick out of saying hi to my man Snoop Dogg who was a true gentleman and may I add was pimped out true Dogg style. Fer Shizzle.


After a long day on my feet and screaming into a walkie talkie I needed some down time so I spent a good part of yesterday in bed. I've been sick for over two weeks now so I knew a time out was in order. I took advantage of the day off and dropped my car off to get some long overdue and much needed work done. Almost a grand later and my Volvo runs like a dream. It's all about multi-tasking, no?

Now to book my ticket out of the Country later this month.

I feel some traveling coming on...

Time with a friend

Because we honor our teachers and not only is she the woman who inspired me to teach Restorative yoga, which I now do, she has also become a friend and confidant.

When we allow ourselves to let the light in the light can often bring us wonderful and inspiring people.

And if we're lucky they're wonderfully wicked and fun as well.

Catch Sharon's Restorative Yoga class at City Yoga in West Hollywood on Wednesday night at 7.30. You might just find me there on occasion hanging out to learn something new. Well, and to have some damn good fun too...

The film I am utterly in love with

I saw Broken English on DVD a couple of months ago and I loved it so much I actually watched it twice. I cannot explain why this film moved me so much except to say that I could relate to Parker Posey's character on some deep primal level. Besides, I've always known I'd want her to play me in the film I've yet to write about my life, hands down.

I highly recommend checking it out. I know my female friends will love it or at least see a little of themselves in her character. I love that the film is so gritty and raw and that it takes place in NYC and Paris.

And I wouldn't mind a handsome, passionate, intelligent and so wonderfully present French man to rock my world. Oh yes...

To a new year of peace, light and adventure

Ah, the year is coming to a close and the birth of a new one is just round the corner. Can't you just taste the juiciness of all that this new year can offer you? When you close your eyes can't you see the light coming through, the adventures laid out before you, feel your heart wanting to break wide open?

I can....



Namaste,
Kathy

And may I just suggest that you all donate to the organizations and charities that you believe in and support. I have donated to Doctor's Without borders (for my soul), ASPCA (for my heart) and KCRW here in Los Angeles (for my mind).

Pay it forward...

A little present for ME

I've been home sick for the past week so I spent Christmas alone save for dinner out with my dear friend Jorge. Some people love you no matter how crappy you look or how much goo runs out of your head. Those are the ones you keep around. They're the ones you call when the world goes wonky and you're rattling a little too loud.

So today I hauled my butt out to the Apple store in the Grove and treated myself to a brand spankin' new MacBook. My Toshiba's burial is just around the corner and after almost six years with her, it's time. RIP...

I will be traveling a lot in the next year and doing a lot of writing. I have books in my head and it's high time they come out on the page. My goal is to write and teach yoga (well, and continue to be a fabulous lover, damn good person and great friend). Solo girl on the road livin' la dolce vita. Why the hell not?

And no matter what anyone says size most definitely matters. And on occasion smaller is actually better. Just ask the chick on the road with her new wee white MacBook.
She'll tell you...