It's always too long between posts, isn't it? Time keeps moving on and on and on, and I'm doing my best to stay present. To live in the moment. To enjoy the here and now before it's gone. And I think that's ok. As always, you can follow along with my day-to-day on Instagram. I have lots of fun yoga + lifestyle content that I would love to share with you, and tend to post there daily.

In the mean time, why don't catch up with a CURRENTLY post?

LISTENING:

I don't even know who I am anymore with my musical choices. Lately I've been all over the place. A stereotypical Drake-loving Torontonian, strutting down the street to Bey's, Lemonade, and dancing all day to JT's new jam.

Then Brand New released their new single, and suddenly it all makes sense again. Everything is different. Everything is still the same. It's like I'm a 15 year old emo kid with my hair in my eyes, just screaming my little heart out with Jesse Lacey.

But whatever, I'm posting the video for Can't Stop the Feeling, because it's Friday afternoon, and it's got me dancing.

WATCHING:

Game of Thrones! Obviously. I can't wait for Dany T to stir up some shit with those dragons. PLUS, can we talk about all the badass babes of GOT?! They are killing it.

PHOTOGRAPHING

These days, I've been photographing and creating content for LovePop, a Boston-based pop-up greeting card company. I have been having a blast concocting new ways to display the sculpture-esque paper art.

I'm also going to have the opportunity to design a Snapchat geo-filter (at Faneuil Hall) for the company and I'm even going to take a shot at running their Instagram account.

I couldn't be more excited about my work, which feels AMAZING. YOU GUYS, you can do ANYTHING that you want in life. Even if you have to make up the job yourself!

TRAVELING

Pedro and I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It was AMAZING! We drove from LA to Vegas through the Mojave Desert, and it was truly one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken. I had never seen the desert landscape, and it took my breath away.

Las Vegas is a very strange and surreal place. Haha, it was not really my scene, but I had a wonderful time anyways. We were there to celebrate the marriage of our dear friends from Toronto, Craig and Victoria, which was SO SO SO special. I'm so happy we were able to be there.

It was back to LA to hang with Kayte + Drew from Mass Musings, who so graciously hosted us in their Hollywood abode. We explored + drank coffee + ate tacos + had wine + margaritas. We also checked out some neighborhoods to get a feel of the city before we move at the end of the summer.

ALSO, I got to meet up with my friend Dana from my hometown who just moved to California. It was so great to catch up with her. We hung out in Highland Park and drank Moscow Mules at a bar/bowling alley that played Vampire Weekend.

I'm traveling a lot in the next few months. Mostly back and forth to Canada (I have 3 trips to YYZ in the works so far), but also another trip to LA to look at apartments. A visit from a friend in June which will likely include a trip to the Cape and some hiking in Vermont or NH, and then finally our big move at the end of the summer. Here's hoping we can squeeze in a weekend in NYC too :)

PRACTICING

While I think that we could all use a little more yoga in our lives, I have kept up with my consistent practice. Some weeks are better than others, but I always make time for even just a little bit of yoga and meditation. My days wouldn't feel complete otherwise.

Certain aspects of my practice have grown by leaps and bounds (well, not really, more like inches). I'm finding more strength, balance and flexibility, and poses that once seemed impossible (here's looking at you compass pose), are now a part of my daily asana practice. I'm also working on improving my arm balances (it's slow progress), dropbacks (no more wall!) + forearm wheel (I can do it now, hooray)!

I've been practicing a lot at home, and going to classes at the studio when I start to get bored and uninspired. Mostly, I'm just doing what feels good.

I'm not teaching right now, but am hoping to organize some classes and continue learning more. Planning on taking a Children/Teen teacher training, which I am super excited about.

I hope that you have a great weekend.

Now get out there, and ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. I'm going to ride my bike (OH YEAH I GOT A BIKE)!

Peace + love.

Good morning!

Today is a special Monday, because guess what - it's my birthday! Yes, friends, today, Monday March 7, 2016, I turn 27 years old.

I'm feeling pretty good today. We took an impromptu trip to YYZ (even though I am sick), and I got to spend the weekend with my family and friends, which has been really special. We have plans to move to California this summer, so this is probably the last birthday I will get to spend at home for awhile. It just feels really nice to be here, in this moment, surrounded by so much love.

Each year (for the past few years) around my birthday, I make a list of things I would like to accomplish / do in the coming months. It's a fun way to achieve short term goals, and make sure that I continue to work towards manifesting my vision.

Do you do something similar? I would love to hear about it!

I'm happy to report that upon reviewing my list from last year, I have accomplished, and sometimes even exceeded the majority of my goals. This makes me ecstatic. While I fell short in some areas (I still can't do a handstand), I surpassed my wildest expectations in others (I completed my Yoga Teacher Training rather than just saving up for it). Life is a little funny that way I guess.

Looking back on 26, I can't even believe all that happened. I underwent the grueling process of immigration, and survived, and came out the other side. I covered up a tattoo that stopped making me happy. I got another beautiful tattoo that makes me smile every time I see it. I officially became a resident of the United States of America. I became a yoga teacher. I made friends. I wrote a lot. I took 365 photographs. I was the subject of several photo shoots. I had my work featured by some of my favorite brands. I traveled all over - from remote beaches in Brazil, to Venice Beach in California. I put my toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. I even flew first class (by accident)! I learned so much more about who I am, what I want to do, and the world that we live in. I created space. I was able to connect and talk and meet with so many wonderful people.

I know 27 will be full of so much love + hope + fun.

Without further adieu, here is my 27 Before 28 list:

1) Move to Los Angeles, California.

2) Create + organize my own studio space (again).

3) Buy a bicycle and ride it! Note - said bike will be adorable, and teal and have a basket.

4) Practice yoga, every damn day.

5) Eat mindfully. More organic and/or local veggies, fruits and whole grains. Less meat and dairy.

6) Start a skincare regimen.

7) Buy a car.

8) Continue learning to speak Portuguese.

9) Find my voice as a yoga teacher, and run my own classes, on my own terms.

10) Run a mala making workshop.

11) Visit Austin, TX.

12) Continue to find work that challenges and inspires me.

13) Stop drinking soda pop.

14) Make time every day for health, wellness and self-care.

15) Go on a yoga retreat.

16) Sell my prints + shirts + designs online.

17) Build strength and work on building my arm balance practice.

18) Hang more photos in our home.

19) Take another yoga teacher training (kids yoga, yoga for teens, SUP yoga, 300 hour... I'm not sure yet).

20) Turn our bedroom into a relaxing oasis. Make sure everything has it's own space.

21) Write, write, write, write.

22) Fill our home with plants, and somehow manage to keep them alive.

23) Go to Joshua Tree National Park.

24) Buy a SUP board, and take it out on the water (often).

25) See more live music (as in, go to as many shows as I did when I was 19).

26) Do more of what makes me happy, and let go of what does not.

27) Continue to choose love over fear, each and every day.

Peace, love + birthday cake,

Alex