Glamour Days - Spring 2012

YaY! All the girls out there in Hungary are burning in Glamour fever this weekend. Me also! I decided to freshen up my wardrobe with some nice spring items with great discounts of 20% and more. Of course, I could not come home without some skincare products either. There was a huge discount of 40% for a product purchased in Yves Rocher and I was running out both of day and night cream and of my fave eye makeup remover also. So I happily refilled. I shopped from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. went home and took a nap. Basically I can say I shopped until I dropped. Crowded places can be so tiring sometimes. So here is what I bought on Day One from Orsay and Yves Rocher:

 I especially like this light, flowery blouse from Orsay. It will be really nice for both spring and summertime.

And now a close up with the cosmetics section of the shopping tour:

The next day I just went out to the mall that is five minutes from my home to check out a DM (drugstore) because I really wanted the discounted BB cream. I also wanted to check in to Charles Vögelle because they have such good quality clothes. For the summer I was needing some basic color tops black, white, of a good material and I thought this was the place to get them. So I plunged into the second day of shopping without really wanting to shop too much, and this was the result:

I found the tanktops I needed and in addition to that a beautiful dress with butterflies and a nice belt. I might wear the dress on one of my friend's wedding. Just need to spice it up with some nice shoes and a blazer I guess. The shoes...well yes... I was wanting to buy them for a longer time already but they were too expensive. Now I waited for them to be discounted and they got a discount of 40% so I went ahead and bought them. I think they will be great for summer with both pants and skirts in the office. Because of the air conditioning my feet would freeze in sandals or other summery shoes, but with these it will be optimal.

And finally I got the discounted BB cream also, because yesterday the drugstore I went to ran out and there was no more to restock. Today in this other mall I bought one of the last two that there were still in light. Medium is too dark for my skin-tone. I am pretty curious about trying it out. Will let you know how it works in a future post. So now I am all stocked up with nice things and waiting for the good spring and summer times. Feel free to share in a comment what things you got on the Glamour Days or any other spring discounts.

Spring Aikido Training Camp

Each season we have a training camp. In March we just had the Spring training camp and it was great. We trained a lot, five hours a day for the whole weekend, but we also had a lot of fun. We started off with variations of techniques from katadori menuchi and yokomenuchi. We practiced shihonage, kokyunage, kote gaeshi, ude garami, tenichinage and many other techniques. We freshened up some of the jo katas also, which I have the tendency of always messing up because I don't focus enough. There was a kyu exam at the end of the training camp, as always. I did not take any exam this time as I was not ready, yet. I know I should train harder, but I will eventually get to the next kyu level. Probably not in summer, but maybe after the fall training camp. Who knows... During the exam I was uke for the 6th kyu exam participants and the 4th kyu also. They all did very well. After having piled the tatamis up and then back down to the storage, we celebrated by going out to have a pizza. Pizza can taste so good after a weekend of aikido training! ^.^y 

Nails, Nails, Nails! Looking for the Good Times!

I have been discussing with a friend today about the advantages and disadvantages of having gel nails. I have had gel nails for a couple of times, but it is not necessarily the optimal way to decorate your nails. It lasts long, that is for sure, it does last even aikido training (see my review on gel nails endurance here). However it is quite difficult to remove them, you can see my tutorial for removal. In addition your nails cannot really breathe if a coat of gel nail polish is covering them for a week or even longer. You also need a lot of tools to make it work and special products like nail primers, brushes, UV lamp and so on. Here is a picture of some of the things you need to get in order to prepare some home made gel nails.

Nowadays however I prefer normal nail polished and I am also trying hard to actually maintain my nails. You can paint them and decorate them, but if you don't give your nails the proper attention and don't take care of them as you should, you will always have chopped and frail nails. I am also trying to take care of my nails by using hand and nail creams, taking vitamins (I started my spring multivitamin magnesium complex treatment this week), pushing back cuticles and so on.  I have also seen a reasonably good nail care collection on this website. I like to give attention to maintaining my nails because I believe in the widespread motto that beauty and health are strongly connected. So you cannot have beautiful nails unless they are healthy and properly cared for.

I am also looking forward to try out the new nail polish I got from the swap with Sakura. The video of my opening the swap package is coming soon! Can't wait to post it. And the pictures and reviews of the products Saku has sent me also! Hope to see the stuff I send her reviewed on her blog pretty soon!

Rolex Watches Worn by Steven Segal

- sponsored post

Aikido is like a Rolex watch. Many people want it in their lives, but few people will actually pay the price. Some people will want to be seen wearing a Rolex so will buy a counterfeit one. Rolex buyers need to keep in mind the high stake that comes with attempting to purchase a Rolex watch from anyone but the company itself.

Martial artists like Segal also wear Rolexes. You can see him wearing these fine watches both in his movies and in his private life.

Hard To Kill (1990) - Where action star and excellent aikidoist Steven Segal plays an L.A. detective, he is wearing a Rolex GMT II. This is a cult movie, really, so there is not much need for me to write a synopsis about it. Segal is playing  an honest and honorable cop who videotaped a mobster being contracted by someone to kill someone. From then on, things get complicated. Lots of action and aikido techniques.

Source: www.swiss-wrist.com



Marked For Death (1991) - in which Steven Segal plays a Chicago DEA agent he is wearing a Rolex Day-Date.

 

Furthermore, if you're looking for bamford rolex watches, they are currently in high demand as well.  They are designed perfectly and will match perfectly with any outfit of your choosing. For example, try the Rolex Mens Stainless Steel Daytona Black Dial. This black rolex watch is a favorite and is rated very high on consumers lists of favorite watches. Whether you are decked out in a suit or are in a casual polo tee on a Friday, this black rolex watch will constantly increase your style meter and will make you appear both professional and show your great tastes. The amount that you spend on obtaining this watch will be greatfully paid off with a steady flow of compliments from co-workers, friends and family alike. It has absolutely stunning features such as having what authorities are calling "one of the top ten best movements ever", the Calibre 4130. The Calibre 4130 uses less components than other models and is extremely durable. You could drop it as much as you like (although please don't do that), and the watch will still be in fantastic condition. Rolex watches are a wonderful and beautifully-crafted collectors item and are truly treasured by those who earn them. The value of these watches steadily increases over time, so even if you aren't looking at a Rolex watch as an investment, it is going to be a smart one anyway.

Interview with Kristina Varjan

1.     You encountered aikido at the age of 27. In what way is it different from starting it as a kid. Does one still have the chance to do performance at aikido even if he/she starts it in his/her 20 or 30?

When I was 27 I found aikido and aikido found me. I believe that everything happens for a reason. At 27 I was ready, very ready, to bring aikido into my life. If I had started sooner it would have been very different.

I believe starting as a child has its benefits depending on the child. But unless you have the hunger and commitment it really doesn't matter when you bring aikido into your life.

2.     What does it take to become a good aikidoist?

It takes finding your teacher, commitment and the desire to change. You have to allow yourself to see inside whether you like what you see or not. You also have to open your heart, to give of yourself and train, train, and train some more.

4.     Tell us about the instructors under whom you studied, and how they gave you inspiration.

I have been very lucky to have such wonderful teachers and to have found them at a time when they were in their prime and willing to give to their students. My 1st teacher was Yamada sensei at New York Aikikai. He was able to give all his students the joy of aikido. His teaching was clear precise and always caring for the safety of students. After leaving New York I began studying with Chiba sensei. At this time I realized I wanted to become a teacher of aikido. In 1989 I moved to San Diego with my family to begin the kenshusei program with Chiba sensei. This program lasted for 4 years, training every day. There were weapons classes, meditation, sword classes, body arts as well as nutrition classes.

There have been many aikido Masters that have inspired me throughout my career. Yet, my 2 teachers, Yamada sensei and Chiba sensei have been the people that helped me follow the path, and find my path with aikido.

5.     You are the third aikidoka I am interviewing who practiced dancing before aikido (the other two are AnneMarie Crisanto Ruschel and Karen de Paola). What is it that attracts dancers to starting aikido? Do you see any analogy?

I began dancing at the age of 8, and professionally at the age of 14. I started with ballet, and then went to modern dance. Dancing took me to many different countries, meeting many different people. Yet somehow performing to an audience began to feel superficial.

I'm not sure whether dancers are drawn to doing aikido in particular. Dancers are drawn to movement, to creativity and are very curious creatures. For me, I am drawn to movement, to creativity and am very curious in my aikido as well. I am now more curious about my students, how their learning and what is important to them.

6.     I was much more up in the stratosphere than down on the earth.— is a quote from an interview with you where you say you were eager to take any kind of ukemi. Is this a prerogative to doing good ukemi? How hard is to go beyond the well-established reflexes and just let yourself be thrown?

When I began aikido I was a professional dancer. So for me falling, and rolling and following seemed natural. I was much more willing to fly through the air than being grounded. This was a hard lesson for me to understand. But with much practice and understanding partners we can all experience the beautiful connectedness with another human being. Ukemi has many forms, and being open and sensitive is what is most important. Not how high you can roll, how many break falls you take, but how you experience the connection.

7.     Have you ever visited the Hombu dojo in Japan? Do you think it is a necessary step in the development of an aikidoka to practice in Japan or have Japanese instructors?

Yes I have been to Hombu dojo a few times. The 1st time was in 1982 when Yamada sensei took some students to Japan. The 2nd time was in 2006 with Chiba sensei, when he took his newly promoted shihan to receive their certificates from the Doshu. Both trips were amazing! Training with other Japanese masters, teachers and students could not have been better. As serious aikido students finding teachers that have studied with O’Sensei I believe to be very important. There are not many of these people still around. Yet many of their students here in this country, have transmitted the teachings of their teachers.

8.     I shared on tumblr. the following quote by you: It’s a human connection, a dialogue, the voice of which is movement. Aikido practice and teaching stimulates my curiosity about myself, others and life. Do you feel you were able to create deeper human connections and get to know yourself better with the help of aikido?

With any in-depth study, you become to know yourself better. If you are open and willing to put in the time there will be benefits along the way. This has been true for me with aikido,  Feldenkrais work and dance. Learning to trust yourself, your teacher and your partners all contribute to a deep self-knowledge and growth. Aikido has a way of allowing you to look deep inside, to expose yourself. It is a very intimate martial art, peeling away layer by layer and finding your true self.

9.     Do you think it is important in the development of an aikidoka to study the spiritual side of aikido also?

I believe it is important to study the spiritual side of aikido. During my time in San Diego with Chiba sensei Zazen was very important. We would do 3-day meditation retreats a few times a year. I have continued to keep meditation as part of my life. It is a very personal decision whether to study aikido with or without meditation practice. For me it has added a deeper dimension to who I am.

10.  O'Sensei's teachings tell us about the fire and water, male and female balance . How do you see this applied to gender in aikido?

Whether we are creating a balance of fire and water, hard and soft, male and female what is important is the ability to be flexible. Not only having a flexible body, but a flexible mind as well: being available to change, to learn and to connect to ourselves, to others and to the world.

Winners of the GIVEAWAY!!

Hi Everybody!

I just woke up this morning, went to my blog, picked and announced the winners through Rafflecopter. It was awesome to have you on this contest and thanks for all of you who joined. The lucky winners of the two packages are:

Yto, Heather

I have already mailed both of you. Hope to get an answer with your mailing addresses soon!

Estee Lauder Foundation Review

In this video I am reviewing the Estée Lauder nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup Foundation, SPF 10.