Loneliness is Contagious

I believe that...

That's why I say

"Surround yourself with people who will lift you higher"

Farewell Pilates Nation

Woke up to terrible news this morning

News that will change my life here in Antwerp forever

My favorite place in the world announced that it would be closing

FOREVER!!!

(Nooooo, tell me it aint so.)

After 3 years and over 2500 classes taught,

the owners/instructors Layal and Richard have decided to say farewell

to Pilates Nation as they move on the a new business venture.

I am shocked and in disbelief

as Pilates Nation to me wasn't just a fitness studio

it was a way of life for me

I adored their unique concept, classes, and the energy in the studio.

Both Layal and Richard's devotion and motivation to help each and every one of us

 reach all of our fitness goals was priceless.

It was really a fantastic place of fitness,

unlike any other gym or studio.

Pilates Nation was unique and full of life

and I am sad it is over.

I had the best 2 months of my life working out there,

and I will miss it deeply

This loss will definitely have an effect on my weight

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Bicycle vs Automobiles

SO TRUE!

and yet HILARIOUS!

Quirky 'DAM

Quirky, creative, free spirited, and open minded

are the perfect words to describe this next city we visited.

AMSTERDAM.

Located in the Netherlands/Holland

Amsterdam was a little less than 2 hours drive from us.

(Since Belgium and Holland are neighboring countries)

Amsterdam is widely known for it's tolerance,

from the coffee shops that sells weed, 

to infamous (but yet famous) red light district

But that is not all Amsterdam has to offer.

It was my second time visiting this relaxed city.

And it never fails to amaze me.

This city is way too gorgeous to be stereotyped

Its canals is captivating,

there is history everywhere you look,

the museums are filled with Golden Age art

and the Vondelpark kinda magical.

The only thing I'd take away from this town,

is some of its bicycles.

(GAWDLYYY, I never seen so many)

Way too many cyclist wander the city in their bikes

Making it hard to maneuver without being cautious.

But besides that, Amsterdam was and always is a delight to visit.

It was my parents and my boyfriends first time in the freewheeling city

and they were beyond impressed by it.

In the summer time Amsterdam is home to endless parades and festivals

and in the winter time, all you got is my favorite..... the CHRISTMAS MARKET

lol.

A day in Bruges

Our next trip was to the romantic and charming city of Brugge (aka Bruges)

Located the the northwest of the country, 

Brugge is still in the Flemish region of Belgium

Driving to Brugge via E17, rather than E34 

Took us a little over 1 hour

Brugge is one of the most popular attractions here,

Everyone who comes through Belgium, usually stops by Brugge.

Brugge, like Ghent, Amsterdam and North Venice

is known for its wandering canals, ornate houses.

It fascinates everyone who steps foot in the city

Unfortunately it was pouring (rain) this day,

but I must admit, the little rain did not take away from the trip,

It's something about the rain and the medieval streets, 

that made quite of an enchanting experience for us.

Whether you visit Brugge in the summer, or wintertime, it is always beautiful.

If you can get through the cold...... winter does has its perks,

The Christmas Market is as good as it looked!

Day trip to Ghent

Having my parents in town

motivates me into getting to know and visit the surrounding cities

And being that Belgium is such a small country

it was something that could be easily done

by a quick car ride.

The first road trip we did was to Ghent, also spelled Gent.

It is about 1 hour away from Antwerp, still in the Flemish part of the country

(Meaning their primary language is Dutch, not French)

and WOW! I was highly impressed by the city of Ghent.

I definitely overlooked this town before, 

being that is known as a city full of university students. (Ghent University).

 I was surprised and amazed that the resemblance to the popular city in Belgium called Brugge.

The city has remarkably preserved their medieval architecture.

It houses amazing churches, has a great shopping area,

and best of all, the canals wandering through the city

makes everything extra spectacular to look at.

And since it is Christmas time, my family and I had a chance to enjoy

a little bit of their Christmas market.

Ghent has definitely caught me off guard with its beauty,

and became a destination spot to take all my visitors in the future.

Merry Christmas

It is the night after Christmas

& I hope everyone had an amazing "jolly" Christmas Day

My heart is filled with joy and love,

This is by far my favorite holiday!

Although I did not make it "home" for Christmas

I made "home" out of where I currently live.

My parents flew into town to bring in the Christmas Day with us.

They brought happiness, and laughter with them.

along with a few presents, of course.

What else can I ask for this Holiday Season?

I am blessed to be in good health.

To have amazing, supportive parents

and I am dating my best friend/lover

There was nothing I really wanted for Christmas

But to celebrate everything I already have.

It is Jesus birthday,
and we must celebrate,

and we shall honor him by spreading love

and giving thanks.

That's what the Christmas Spirit is all about

Better, NOT Bitter

amen

2morrow

Tomorrow is not only Friday,

but it is the day my mother comes to town.

& I can't wait to see her.

Even though it has only been 3 and a half months that I've not seen her

it feels a lot longer,

I guess the further you are, the longer it feels.

She will be arriving tomorrow at 8am at the Brussels International Airport

I will be the one waking up early to go get here,

(Brussels is about 30 minutes South of Antwerp but morning traffic will quickly turn that 30 minutes into 1 hour)

But I can't think of anything/anyone better to wake up so early in the morning for,

than my mommy.

This time next week, will be my father's turn.

It was originally planned for them to fly in together

but because of work and commitments my dad had to delay his trip 7 days

It's def starting to feel like Christmas around here.

One of the my favorite time of the year

<3

Men Code vs Woman

A wife comes home from a night out and tells the husband I spent the night with a friend... the husband later calls all her top 10 lady friends they all say she never stopped by... a few days later the husband comes home saying I stayed at a friends house.. the wife calls his top 10 friends and comes back fuming... 8 said he just left 2 said he was still there.

Ain't that a b!tch??...

Trench Coats

I sorta, kinda, have this obsession with tan trench coats.

I love everything about them.

I think they are one of the sexiest, and most elegant piece of clothing

a woman can wear.

I understand that there are times, and seasons for them,

but to me the time is now.

So I have been shopping around for a pair of my own,

it hasn't been easy

You see...I am a short girl, only 5'3 

(with the right heels maybe 5'5)

so I need it to be petite, but yet not so snug under my arms

to the point I can rip right through it like Incredible Hulk.

I need it to fit comfortably, in the body length and as well as the arm length,

and that's not all... besides the perfect size, I am also searching for the perfect model, color,

and hopefully price.

(A little discount would nice Mr.Burberry)

Burberry is known to have the trendiest and most elegant,

gorgeous trench coats in the fashion world.

And this Christmas, 

All I want is you, perfect trench coat.

Wish me luck...

Just Don't Give Up.

Pilates Reformer.

Despite the somewhat confusing looks of it,

the Pilates Reformer

is an amazing machine.

For the last two months, or so.

I have joined a Pilates Studio,

and I have been getting some of the best results of my life.

Between the high intensity

interval workouts on the treadmill

and the amazing core strengthening 

workouts on the Pilates reformer

(Best known as Treadlates)

I have not only gained a great running speed

but I have also developed good alignment, toned muscle,

and flexibility due to it.

The thing that is most interesting to me

is the reformer, and the endless different workouts options it offers.

If you have never taken a Pilates on a Reformer class before

You have no idea what you are missing!

I highly recommend it.

For people all ages

I've always enjoyed Pilates

whether it is on the mat, or a reformer,

the benefits are very similar 

The only difference is 

in "Mat Pilates" you use your own body weight to create the resistance

as opposed to the reformer,

that has pulleys and springs creating much greater resistance.

Mat Pilates is a great option for beginners, or people who want to workout at home

or in a gym where reformers are not available,

When using a pilates reformer, you definitely need a instructor present all times.

The possibilities, and workouts on it are endless

and guarantees results

.....................

xoxo,

A Pilates Devotee