Yoga .. Flex

"Let me see you do that Yoga"

Yoga in the park last night, was one of the most relaxing things I've ever done. At Midtown Park at North Hills, Fitness Connection creates Wellness Wednesdays. Different exercise classes in the grass from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. 

The weather was absolutely perfect. I was nervous going by myself, but once I started exercising, it was empowering. It must have been the mix of being nature while doing such an individual exercise, that made me love it so much. When I laid back on my mat and looked up all I saw was blue skies. It was beautiful. I never thought I would do something like this, and it's something I want to do again. Something I enjoy about fitness, is the challenges with oneself. Everyday I'm trying to get better. Whether it's at how fast or far I  run. Or how much I can lift; meanwhile keeping in mind that my health is important, and that the more I take care of myself I could be adding years onto my life. 

At the end of the yoga session, we did relaxation poses. I really got into deep thought. Currently I'm looking for another teaching job, and am praying for the right position. The days are trickling down to the first day of school, and I am being as patient as I can be. One thing I was proud of myself last night, was that I finally let go of my worry. While on vacation at Myrtle Beach I realized living in the NOW is so much more enjoyable, than worrying about the future. Last night while doing yoga, I really took the time to be good to myself. It's not everyday we do something for ourselves. I left, telling myself that I will continue to be determined in my job hunt. I will be positive about what is happening in life right now, because to be honest, life's been pretty good to me! 

--Happy side note: I am getting my first washer and dryer delivered to our apartment on Friday:) This is a huge deal, and like a luxury living in an apartment! No more taking 4 loads of laundry up and down three flights of stairs...carrying all the way to the laundry room. I am so grateful!! 

Upper left, upper right, lower right photos taken by Ashley Durrance
Lower left photo taken by: Midtown Park at North Hills Facebook

 https://www.facebook.com/NHMidtownPark/photos

Myrtle Beach 2016

Myrtle Beach, SC

First stop on the map this summer is, Myrtle Beach, SC. Family vacation..meets couple get away. It was so much fun, and I was looking forward to it after a hard year teaching! We spent Wednesday through Saturday at the Palace hotel, ocean front, and steps away from the beach. 

We got in late, so we stayed in. We were lucky to be facing the pier where we saw fireworks go off. It was beautiful. Our room, on the 19th floor, was super nice. I don't know what it is about vacation but I always wake up super early. I woke up around 6 AM and took a picture out the window of the gorgeous sunrise. We had complementary breakfast and went running 1.5 miles down the road to the hotel Travis's family was staying at. I ran it in 15 minutes! I was excited, and it was a plus that at the end of the run there was a Starbucks! My reward, haha:) We got ready and went to Broadway. Broadway is a place where there is shopping and restaurants. We went walking, which it was pretty hot. Hot enough that the ground we were walking on was burning through my sandals and burnt my feet. We stopped at Wet Willies and got slushy drinks. I got a Pina Colada, OMG it was so good!! Along with a garden chicken salad, it was perfect. Travis got a drink called, Call a cab! I can't wait to find another Wet Willies one day, just to try something else! We spent the rest of the day with family. Did I mention there was Pokemon in the hotel? Haha, I caught like six in the room! 

The next day we went to Broadway Grand Prix. We went go-kart riding, on bumper cars, and finished up with put-put golf. Super fun, super hot, but well worth it. We went to the beach later in the day, got in the ocean, and took pictures. I had to show off my "beachbody" haha. The water was warm but because we went later in the day the sun wasn't too hot on our bodies. I think my leg got hit by a jelly fish! 

I wish we could have stayed longer! Vacation is such a great escape! I sometimes wish life could be a everlasting vacation, with fun new things, new places to see, yummy food, and relaxation. I may have to find a way to achieve this. I was thinking if I were to teach every year and have summers, I can have a total blast my whole life on summer vacations! 

I'm looking forward to next weekend--> California -->Washington!!

Celebrating 24 Years of Age

Ashley 24 Years 

I was born July 25, 1992. Last Monday, Travis and I celebrated together, here in Raleigh. We went to a restaurant called, CowFish. I was treated to dinner, a Strawberry Gravitron Cocktail, and a brownie moose piece of cake :) 

There is a lot that has happened in 24 years of my life. So many ups and downs that have made me who I am. I tried a lot to keep focus on the future and not look back to the past. I thinks it's a good way to keep positive. Never though, have I neglected the lessons I learned from things that have happened in the past. 

I have put some life changes into motion, since my last birthday; one being living a healthier lifestyle. I started working out everyday and changing my eating habits. If I can control one thing in life, it's what I put into it. I found that the healthy changes fueled my positive behaviors. I was blessed to lose 15 pounds in a year. Slow and steady weight loss, but it's been really amazing to look back at pictures and see the physical changes. 

Another accomplishment this year was getting my first teaching job. Teaching 7th grade taught me SO much. Everyday I found myself trying to improve something, whether it was my lesson plans, how I taught, how I managed classroom behavior, communication with parents, it was a learning experience every day. I was met with challenges moving to NC with a teaching licence in WA. I recently got my certificate here, and am on the lookout for a new teaching job here in Raleigh. 

New goals for my 24th year on Earth are :

Keep the healthy life style--another 15 pounds to lose

Get a teaching job -- high school

Travel -- christmas vacay??

Stay Positive -- glass half full

Do something I've never done before -- ??

For love of all things, Breakfast

https://www.etsy.com/listing/165594178/bacon-and-eggs-mug-1-mug?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

Breakfast for Champions

Granola, blueberry quinoa, yogurt, coconut covered bananas
Yum!

Yes, it is true I love food, but I love breakfast food the most. The aroma of coffee, cinnamon, and bacon in the air makes my stomach happy. There are a couple of places in Raleigh that I highly recommend; Another Broken Egg, The First Watch, and Duck Donuts.

 Another Broken Egg, recommendations;
-Cinnamon Roll
-Bacon
-Granola-quinoa bowl (pictured above)
-French Toast

-What I really want to try is their benniets, and their nutella latte.

Duck Donuts, recommendation:
-Glaze
-Maple bacon
-Chocolate glaze
-Bare

The First Watch, recommendations:
-Belgian Waffles
-EGGS -they are the best here

Asheboro Zoo

Asheboro Zoo

Over the weekend Travis, his nieces, and I went to the North Carolina Zoo, in Asheboro. We have been wanting to go, and it was great to take his nieces on the adventure. We entered at the Africa entrance, and decided to see as much as we possibly could. Inside they had a ropes course (which would be cool to do on a cooler day), and at different times of the day the people at the zoo would exhibit the animals. 

We trekked for hours! The animals are so very pretty. I loved seeing the polar bear, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other animals like; owls, ocelots, seals, bears, elk, bison, and chimpanzees. The polar bear was the biggest hit between me and the girls. It got up off the rocks and dove into the water. We stood right at the edge of the water and could look over. The bear would swim up out of the water with its face, facing us, and then he would push off the rocks and go back under. It was cute. 

I have only been to one other zoo, in Portland, OR...and my family went on a rainy day. I remember having to wear my Northface jacket, it was so cold. Well it wasn't cold this weekend!! It was 88 degrees but my phone said that it really felt like 95. After about ten minutes of walking, the girls were asking for water. We tried to stay hydrated. We made a pit stop at a burger shop, and ate hamburgers and hot dogs, french fries, and dip and dots ice cream. :) At the end of the day we had seen just about everything at the zoo! It was a great experience! The heat zapped us, and the girls fell asleep on the way home. 

**It was a light way to end the week, as it was a sad week in America, and I found myself getting angry watching the news, and reading people's posts on social media. This is all to much a bigger issue than people know. So in the midst of my deep thought about what America is coming to and what the future generations will attest to, I was happy to be around loved ones. It filled my heart with joy to see the look on Travis's nieces faces, as we saw some of the animals.** 

Fourth of July Weekend

**Hello July**

Month of Fun

Independence Day, Myrtle Beach, SC, Birthday 

Saturday we woke and I made breakfast:: toast, grits, omelets, bacon. We went running at Shelly Lake. This is a trail that is a 2.2 miles long that we like to run or walk on. This was the first time I wanted to try and run the 2 miles all the way through. I successfully ran the whole thing without stopping, and it took me 21 minutes. It was a small success. I have been trying to work my running stamina up, because we want to run 1.5 miles while we are at Myrtle Beach. I think I can handle it now. After our run, we went strait home to clean our tennis shoes. While on the trail there was some flooding that caused a lot of mud. I was so mad while running, because I had worn my new Nike shoes. The toes of my shoes were covered in mud, but thankfully a little 409 helped the mud come off. 

Shelly Lake - Tree Tops

Travis treated me to some shopping at Target just across the street from our apartments. Then he took me to Cameron Village. I LOVE this part of Raleigh. It has restaurants and shopping, and is really close to downtown. We ate at my favorite restaurant, Cameron Bar and Grill. I always get the Black Bean burger and sweet potato waffle fries, it is so good. It's a place I would definitely take my parents, if they ever come visit. We sat outside, for the first time... and of course we had to switch tables because there was a storm coming in. Thankfully we finished before the rain started.

Travis took this picture of me while at Cameron Bar and Grill

 

Sunday, a very relaxing day. Starting with my amazing eggs, toast, and grits breakfast:) We did a heavy duty leg workout and then hit up Buffalo Wild Wings. Yes, yes, we eat out on the weekends. I cook everyday during the week and by Friday and Saturday I love to eat out. As long as I'm choosing the healthier options I don't see the harm...(portions are everything). Travis and I have been wanting to go the movies for a while now, but nothing too interesting was out; however we decided to go see, Independence Day Resurgence, and I really enjoyed it. I hadn't seen the first one, and that didn't matter, the story line was pretty good. "It didn't play up the alien portion of it," as Travis said, and I agree. The plot was great, and I really enjoy the movies now because the recliner seats!

The Fourth

I spent the 4th of July with Travis and his family. (Can't forget the pit-stop at Waffle House) It was so fun. With great conversation, food, and fireworks! Hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, pasta salad, deviled eggs! Fireworks in the front yard, and they were beautiful! I can't wait for family vacation at Myrtle Beach! We are all going to have a blast. 

North Hills

North Hills

Dancing. Restaurants. Music. 

A spontaneous trip to North Hills was just what I needed last night.

North Hills is an innovative part of town where the working district meets urban living, shopping, and dining. Across the street from large banking buildings sits North Hills. There is an underground Target and a parking deck for a Harris Teeter. Apartments sit above chic shopping stores and high class restaurants. Travis and I have gone there to eat at Yard House and Cow Fish (which I highly recommend), but we had heard there was live music on Thursdays, and thought we should see what it is all about. 

Surrounding the cinemas and Starbucks, was a gated off portion- courtyard- for the community to sit or stand. A live band and lots of people dancing. It was fun to get out and see life; young and old. 

"Fox and Hound," a pretty great sports bar, is where we stopped in at. The atmosphere was everything and more. 

I can't wait to go back, I hardly wanted to leave.  

If you're interested in knowing more about this area check out North Hills blog. 
http://visitnorthhills.com/live/