The Start of Something Wonderful

I can honestly say if I died tomorrow it would be after a life of abundance, prosperity and happiness.  I have always felt very blessed but now I am acutely aware I live an enviable life.    My time abroad has been better than I could have imagined.   I have absolutely no regrets nor would I change a thing. 

To all my friends and family, thank you for your support and kind words over the past year.  I look forward to reconnecting and hearing all about the changes in your lives.  And although this is the end of a great adventure, I am about to embark on a glorious future.  I am stronger, more confident, and proud to be me.   Even if my life goes against the grain I will continue to live my life the way I choose.  

I am looking forward to the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  This is the start of something wonderful.  

Carrie

I am grateful for:

·         My family

·         My friends

·         My health

·         My home

·         My job

·         My knowledge and experience

·         My mind

·         My personality

·         My country, province, city and neighborhood

·         My wealth

·         My beauty

·         My past, present and future

·         My challenges

·         My successes

    What are you grateful for?

Time for a Change

My time at the Ann Wigmore Institute has been profound.  I have learned and experienced lessons that are life changing.  I have never felt such vitality, so alive, and so balanced.  Staying at AWI has reminded me my health takes priority and I plan to make changes in my life to support this.

It can be difficult for me to clearly communicate my lifestyle choices without feeling like an outcast- and I know I have done some weird things in the past (amethyst in water, sauna in my living room, inversion sling...).  Through all my kookiness my family and friends have always support me.  

My return home means I will be reintegrating my life with all of you.  Although I don`t feel like a different person, I have probably changed on many levels.  I want to share the dietary changes I am committing to upon my return so no one is surprised and I can feel supported...

•   I do not drink alcohol
•   I do not eat animal products of any kind including dairy
•   I do not eat processed foods (basically anything that comes in a package)
•   I avoid eating cooked foods including cooked grains, breads, and cooked vegetables
•   Whenever possible I consume a diet of organic, raw, living, and fermented foods
•  For my personal situation it is best to obstain from most fruits (temporary) 

To summarize, I plan to eat an alkalizing diet that is enzymatically alive and which balances the flora in my body.   The approach is not as restrictive or as boring as it sounds, and the results are worth it.  Since arriving at AWI I have personally met people who have cured themselves of cancer, reversed heart disease, reversed diabetes and eliminated the need for pharmaceuticals-with food alone.  It is mind blowing.

What does all this mean for you?  Nothing really.  I do not want anyone to go out of their way for me.  I can still go out for dinner and to the bar.  It just means I will be ordering a salad and drinking Perrier with lime.  I do not judge anyone who lives a different lifestyle than me.  We are all on our individual paths and I respect that.   

I will continue to enjoy my final days in paradise but am eagerly awaiting my flight on April 19th.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

Here is a link to a good video I watched the other day:

Forks over Knives

http://www.sprword.com/videos/forksoverknives/

Recommended reading:
pH Balance- Dr Young
Regain your Terrain- Dr Young

Energy Soup (top right)

The Ann Wigmore Institute

Getting from Egypt to Puerto Rico was an experience.  I managed to trade my Egyptian mobile to the cabbie in exchange for a ride to the airport.  From Cairo I landed in Madrid and slept (on the floor) in the quietest airport I have ever been to.  I accidently tried to get on a flight to San Jose instead of San Juan, and finished the journey via an 8-seater prop plane.  With a big sigh of relief, I finally arrive at the Ann Wigmore Institute.

 

But the sigh of relief turned to panic the next morning when reality set in.  At 6:00am I was awaken by the dreaded bell which summons us for classes and meals.  At 9:00am I was faced with my first meal- Energy Soup.  Energy Soup is best described as green slop-some say you haven’t lived until you’ve tried it (sarcasm gets us through the day here).  But in all seriousness, the AWI is turning out to be the best thing I have ever done for myself.

At the AWI we have a set schedule including yoga, drinking wheatgrass juice, lectures, food preparation classes, planting and growing classes, and nightly enemas (no joke).  The meals are all made of live (sprouted) and raw foods.  And although the Energy Soup is always accompanied by expletives, I know it is the healthiest meal I have ever eaten.  

The institute is steps away from the ocean, the air is fresh, the weather is a perfect mix of sunny and stormy, and there are people here who are weirder than me.  Ahhhh, this is paradise.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

Wheatgrass!

Wheatgrass juice facial 

Goodbye Egypt

As I write this I am aware reality has not hit me yet- I am leaving Egypt for good.  I have mixed emotions but overall I am happy.  I am happy because I am on my way home- eventually.

Living and working in Egypt has been interesting to say the least.  My flat was gorgeous but came with 99 problems.  Our slimy landlord was infuriating.  My roommates brought out the worst in each other.   And what were beautiful, tree-lined, quiet streets during the day became dark, secluded and dangerous territory at night.  I started to dread my shifts at Gold’s- it is disappointing an American company would adopt the poor working standards of Egypt.  But as frustrating as Egypt can be it will always have a spot in my heart. 

Since I have been slaving away the past month you can’t blame me for wanting a proper vacation before returning home, hehe.   I will be spending the next month in Puerto Rico.  Don’t hate.  On Sunday I will have my feet ``safely`` planted on American soil.  I will be headed to the Ann Wigmore Institute for some detoxification, rejuvenation and re-Westernization.  I will also be learning about sprouting, indoor gardening, indoor composting and more.  I have wanted to visit the AWI for the past 10 years, so I am very excited to end my travels there.   Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

Revolution Graffiti

My gigantic Egyptian apartment

 

Working in Egypt

As previously mentioned, I have taken a job as a Personal Trainer at Gold’s Gym in Cairo.  My certification through Can-Fit Pro had expired so I am simultaneously taking the Certified Fitness Trainer program through the International Sports Sciences Association.  The program is very thorough and I enjoy it even though finding time to work on it is difficult.  I work 6 days a week for 8 hrs a day- normal for Egyptians but taxing for this foreigner who hasn’t had a job in nearly a year!  My time at work is spent training clients, providing orientations to new members or just chatting to people.  I am the source of much entertainment for both clients and co-workers who find my lifestyle slightly strange, my Arabic comical, and my nationality exotic (and alluring...).  As in any gym, there is plenty of entertaining gossip and eye candy- artificially induced eye candy that is.  Apparently taking steroids is normal for many of the gym rats.  They are not illegal and supposedly really cheap.  About 75% of the personal trainers are using them and also sell them to their clients, it is crazy.   But even though half the people can’t turn their heads or relax their arms, they are a bunch of teddy bears- gigantic teddy bears...

Working in Egypt certainly gives you an appreciation for the working conditions in Canada.  As an employee in Egypt you have absolutely no power.  If I make a mistake I get one warning, the second time I lose a ½ day of pay!  There was basically no training or employee orientation, so I learn the rules as I go. We have a fingerprint machine to ensure we start and end our shift as scheduled.  If I start work early, it does not mean I get paid extra or can go home early, I am working for free.  My monthly salary is $250 plus my commission, can you imagine?!  Having a job (especially one like mine) is a blessing and therefore no one complains when they are used and abused by the management.  Perhaps we can have a revolution at Gold’s Gym... 

At the end of the day I enjoy the work, my co-workers are incredible, the clients are great, and I feel like a part of the community.  I am experiencing what it is like to live and work in a foreign country- illegally.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie  

Sivananda Ashram Experience

Prior to this trip and during my adventures abroad I have found myself seriously wondering: why do I get to live this amazing life?  Why was my destiny to be born to my family, my country, my body and mind?  I could have been born into poverty, an abusive family, and an environment where each day is a struggle.  The truth is my life has always been full of opportunity and abundance.  With all this potential, what is my purpose in life?  Why am I here?

I found myself signing up for a month at a Sivananda yoga ashram in India.  This would be my second time at a Sivananda ashram.  Feeling as though I had just tested the waters the first time, I was more prepared for the mental and spiritual challenges ahead.  A rigorous schedule of meditation, chanting, breath work, yoga poses, karma yoga and philosophy set the stage for the experience.  We practiced simple living and high thinking.  A full moon lunar eclipse, a Durga puja, a mantra initiation, and a spiritual name (Kamala) were bonuses during the month.  But most rewarding were the glimpses of true inner peace.

The Vedanta Yoga teachings we learned are ancient, comprehensive, and effective.  But one teaching in particular stood out to me.  Love thy neighbour as thyself.  I believe this practice of treating others as you would like to be treated is essential for any kind of positive change in mankind.  Do not confuse this with being happy and nice all the time.  A mother must chastise her child who runs out into the street, but it is done out of love.  Learning to see ourselves in others will ensure our actions come from a place of good intention. 

As Ghandi said “be the change you want to see in the world”.  Change is possible and starts with each one of us.  Thinking of home but happily abroad, 

Carrie