...must come to an end. It was the last full day of my course today, and I'm SO not ready for it all to end. I won't detail much about what happened, but let's just say it was way more emotional than I ever anticipated. I've made a ton of friends down here, and am really enjoying the Parelli bubble.
Tomorrow will be el-finale, we'll perform our savvy spotlights (yes, we're doing those) for Pat (EEK!) and then that'll be it for the course. I'll have lots of pictures when I get home, especially of that. I'm really really excited to do it, but also terrified, go figure. I honestly don't remember how I calmed myself down before savvy team, and this is a different scenario, because I'll be the only one in there--YIKES! Anyway, just trying to get my wits about me there. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!
In other news, I went to dance classes tonight for the first time. Pat's sister Joy teaches them every Thursday night here, and they're a total blast, I come to find out. I avoided them like the plague the first 3 weeks, and tonight I went into the lodge only to get a cup of tea, and got roped into dancing, and had a BLAST. We learned Cotton Eye Joe and the Cha-Cha, and I got to dance with some really phenomenal professional dancers (Dancin' Pete!) and we just had a great time. It was a big step out of my comfort zone, and I didn't feel awkward for the most part, so YAY me!
Anyway time to tuck in for the night. Gotta think about my spotlight, and try not to dwell on the fact that I'm leaving :(
Savvy on,
F and P
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Words to Consider
"In times of change, the learners will inherit the earth, while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."
~Eric Hoffer
I'll come back and expand upon this later if my thoughts grow at all. But for now, take this quote and mull it over. Thank goodness for rainy days and the never-ended library of faculty video material.
F
~Eric Hoffer
I'll come back and expand upon this later if my thoughts grow at all. But for now, take this quote and mull it over. Thank goodness for rainy days and the never-ended library of faculty video material.
F
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wild Thang...
Hi ya'll,
Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been kept far too busy to sit down at a computer AT ALL this week. It's been one hell of a trip, mentally, emotionally, and physically, it took a toll on my body, and stretched my devotion, pushed me as a learner, torqued around my emotions, and gave me the ability to see a way to change and be proactive. But that's a story that should be told one-on-one. If you'd like to hear about it, call me, or if you don't have my cell number, email me and I'll give it to you. The important thing is that I'm really inspired, excited, and a much fuller and more solid person. I have a plan!
Now, onto the important thing, my FABULOUS SESSION with my hossy. As my title suggests, Prinny was WIIILLD! I haven't had her out to the end of the 45' line in quite some time, simply because of time and space and focus on other things, so I was quite astounded today when I yoyo'd her back to the end of the 45' and sent her out, and was met with a willing-to-canter, happy, mild LBE. She was totally into maintaining her responsibilities (I think she's been eavesdropping on Kristi's demos with Maxi, personally) and gave me something like 8 flying changes of direction when asked for them. Totally cool, I wish i had had either a video camera or Pat Parelli, "Here you go, sir, my L3 audition if you want it!"...yeah,TOTALLY feeling confident and happy.
So next week begins my fourth and final course here at the center *tear*. It's focus will be liberty, and the course is entitled "The Truth". I'm really excited about it, it's going to be a great time. I'm particularly looking forward to the day that will be devoted to developing savvy spotlight presentations and routines. My weakness is in choreographing--if I could just go out and play, I'd be fine, but it is something that should be planned. Really looking forward to it, though.
Other than that, kind of looking forward to coming home, but on the other hand, I don't wanna leave...but hell, I'm broke!
I'll try to keep you posted better this week!
Love you all, apologies again for the neglect.
Love,
F&P
Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been kept far too busy to sit down at a computer AT ALL this week. It's been one hell of a trip, mentally, emotionally, and physically, it took a toll on my body, and stretched my devotion, pushed me as a learner, torqued around my emotions, and gave me the ability to see a way to change and be proactive. But that's a story that should be told one-on-one. If you'd like to hear about it, call me, or if you don't have my cell number, email me and I'll give it to you. The important thing is that I'm really inspired, excited, and a much fuller and more solid person. I have a plan!
Now, onto the important thing, my FABULOUS SESSION with my hossy. As my title suggests, Prinny was WIIILLD! I haven't had her out to the end of the 45' line in quite some time, simply because of time and space and focus on other things, so I was quite astounded today when I yoyo'd her back to the end of the 45' and sent her out, and was met with a willing-to-canter, happy, mild LBE. She was totally into maintaining her responsibilities (I think she's been eavesdropping on Kristi's demos with Maxi, personally) and gave me something like 8 flying changes of direction when asked for them. Totally cool, I wish i had had either a video camera or Pat Parelli, "Here you go, sir, my L3 audition if you want it!"...yeah,TOTALLY feeling confident and happy.
So next week begins my fourth and final course here at the center *tear*. It's focus will be liberty, and the course is entitled "The Truth". I'm really excited about it, it's going to be a great time. I'm particularly looking forward to the day that will be devoted to developing savvy spotlight presentations and routines. My weakness is in choreographing--if I could just go out and play, I'd be fine, but it is something that should be planned. Really looking forward to it, though.
Other than that, kind of looking forward to coming home, but on the other hand, I don't wanna leave...but hell, I'm broke!
I'll try to keep you posted better this week!
Love you all, apologies again for the neglect.
Love,
F&P
Monday, January 26, 2009
Left-Brain Monday
Ahhhh...That is the sound of my relaxing and getting truly comfortable in my environment for the first time in two weeks.
It's interesting, I've gone through this morning's classes, and NOT ONCE have I felt even the slightest bit unconfident about myself or my horsemanship. I'm not 100% sure on my reasoning, but I think it's probably the energy and teaching style. The previous group of instructors (we've switched) was a group of very RB people. Not to say anything negative at all about RB people or horses, but they brought that side, a part of me I'm really not familiar with in an extroverted situation, hence the discomfort. It's been an interesting thing to examine, I'm really fascinated with what I've learned about myself just in this little compare/contrast, and also in what I've learned in how to set my own learning up for success...I don't anticipate a PERFECT week, of course. I anticipate that if I have problems, they'll be dominance related, probably.
So this morning was much more relaxed and LB for me. I was able to take in and read little details like I used to (or should I say, what I did before I repressed that side of myself subconsciously) and also had NO problem piping up in class and asking questions to my heart's content :)
So all's well. I'm off for lunch now, and then back out to play UDT this afternoon, it's about 80 degrees, so Neither Prin or I will be up for romping around like crazies. Though the pond is looking more inviting!
Anyway, savvy on, love you all!
F and P
It's interesting, I've gone through this morning's classes, and NOT ONCE have I felt even the slightest bit unconfident about myself or my horsemanship. I'm not 100% sure on my reasoning, but I think it's probably the energy and teaching style. The previous group of instructors (we've switched) was a group of very RB people. Not to say anything negative at all about RB people or horses, but they brought that side, a part of me I'm really not familiar with in an extroverted situation, hence the discomfort. It's been an interesting thing to examine, I'm really fascinated with what I've learned about myself just in this little compare/contrast, and also in what I've learned in how to set my own learning up for success...I don't anticipate a PERFECT week, of course. I anticipate that if I have problems, they'll be dominance related, probably.
So this morning was much more relaxed and LB for me. I was able to take in and read little details like I used to (or should I say, what I did before I repressed that side of myself subconsciously) and also had NO problem piping up in class and asking questions to my heart's content :)
So all's well. I'm off for lunch now, and then back out to play UDT this afternoon, it's about 80 degrees, so Neither Prin or I will be up for romping around like crazies. Though the pond is looking more inviting!
Anyway, savvy on, love you all!
F and P
Thursday, January 22, 2009
No One Said This Was EASY!
Bleck...okay, thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I'm WIPED OUT. But, I did learn something VERY important about myself today that I'd like to share before I go and sleep for the evening.
I am a VERY introverted learner, and I blow through MY OWN thresholds! How weird, right? I figured this out after volunteering to ride in a demo today. It was on the subject of leads and lead changes, and I was REALLY excited to go play with it. I volunteered with gusto, saddled my horse up, paid special attention to warming her up correctly for her horsenality, got to the arena, and played with everything that would help us set up for a good learning experience. Went great...then Prin started to get blocked in Zone 1. Then more blocked. Then more blocked...then...*zoom back head toss, fling fling fling fling!* and then Avery shouts "GET OFF!" But by then she had calmed down. Yet another round of pissed off Prin feedback. And this time, I didn't have my hands on the reins. I'm not going to detail that right now. I'm just too tired and it's still sinking in.
But what I can tell you is that the advice I received in front of 14 people sent me into a round of catatonia I've NEVER been sent to before. So I opted to sit the rest out (best for my horse, anyway) and I realized that the reason was because I am TOTALLY uncomfortable doing hands-on learning in a group situation. It explains everything; my dislike for conga-horse simulations, how little I get out of group lessons and clinic scenarios, and how much I prefer private one-on-one discussions and lessons, and why I can focus in the classroom (I can immerse myself in my head and notes).
Now believe it or not, this is SO going to help me to set my learning up for success. Because see, knowing this, firstly, I can set myself up into situations where I am comfortable, and it'll also help me put a guide-line on for stretching my comfort zone. It really helps to know where that line is, instead of feeling blindly until I ram over my own threshold. So, with that in mind...off I go to be an introvert.
Btw, I have pictures from today. Just need to find a computer that has enough brain power to handle them ;)
Savvy on,
F and P
I am a VERY introverted learner, and I blow through MY OWN thresholds! How weird, right? I figured this out after volunteering to ride in a demo today. It was on the subject of leads and lead changes, and I was REALLY excited to go play with it. I volunteered with gusto, saddled my horse up, paid special attention to warming her up correctly for her horsenality, got to the arena, and played with everything that would help us set up for a good learning experience. Went great...then Prin started to get blocked in Zone 1. Then more blocked. Then more blocked...then...*zoom back head toss, fling fling fling fling!* and then Avery shouts "GET OFF!" But by then she had calmed down. Yet another round of pissed off Prin feedback. And this time, I didn't have my hands on the reins. I'm not going to detail that right now. I'm just too tired and it's still sinking in.
But what I can tell you is that the advice I received in front of 14 people sent me into a round of catatonia I've NEVER been sent to before. So I opted to sit the rest out (best for my horse, anyway) and I realized that the reason was because I am TOTALLY uncomfortable doing hands-on learning in a group situation. It explains everything; my dislike for conga-horse simulations, how little I get out of group lessons and clinic scenarios, and how much I prefer private one-on-one discussions and lessons, and why I can focus in the classroom (I can immerse myself in my head and notes).
Now believe it or not, this is SO going to help me to set my learning up for success. Because see, knowing this, firstly, I can set myself up into situations where I am comfortable, and it'll also help me put a guide-line on for stretching my comfort zone. It really helps to know where that line is, instead of feeling blindly until I ram over my own threshold. So, with that in mind...off I go to be an introvert.
Btw, I have pictures from today. Just need to find a computer that has enough brain power to handle them ;)
Savvy on,
F and P
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Body Awareness?
I have that?! Seriously?! Well...now i do! In the past 3 days, I've really come to the realization as a person that I am really freaking inflexible. So the range of motion that I have (or actually, HAD now)was what was preventing my horse from having the ability to perform L3/4ish lateral maneuvers.
I have really thrown myself into figuring this out in this course, though. I've been aware of a lack of awareness, but I had no idea where to begin, and I"m really finding a new respect for the ladder the Parelli system has built up to help people figure out what their bodies are doing. I'm really and truly thinking about finding out where I can find one of those damn seat builders, I've learned so much on them. Also I'll be investing in a big exercise ball for ME (not my horse to attack...for once!)
So: what has come of this? RIBS! I HAVE RIBS! At the beginning of this course, I had NO IDEA how to flex my ribs correctly, let alone change the bend gracefully, and also cause my horse to move correctly based upon it. That almost 2 years of "C'mon, c'mon, it's just a half-pass right!" is really starting to make sense--you should see MY half-pass right! *Cringe* I'm so over feeling bad about it, though. I'm a student, and as a student, unless I do the same thing after receiving new information, I cannot make a mistake. That has really relieved some tension, for sure.
Other than that, I really am just going to start focusing on isolations, again. Prin and I both have some body awareness to keep building and playing with. I've opted to take the afternoon off to just play with little things (My LBI is going to love this, it's slow and varied)and see if I can build with the knowledge I already have, rather than totally overloading myself like I did last night. That was too far out of my comfort zone!
So anyway, savvy on, and seriously, one day I will have pictures for you...
Savvy on,
F and P
I have really thrown myself into figuring this out in this course, though. I've been aware of a lack of awareness, but I had no idea where to begin, and I"m really finding a new respect for the ladder the Parelli system has built up to help people figure out what their bodies are doing. I'm really and truly thinking about finding out where I can find one of those damn seat builders, I've learned so much on them. Also I'll be investing in a big exercise ball for ME (not my horse to attack...for once!)
So: what has come of this? RIBS! I HAVE RIBS! At the beginning of this course, I had NO IDEA how to flex my ribs correctly, let alone change the bend gracefully, and also cause my horse to move correctly based upon it. That almost 2 years of "C'mon, c'mon, it's just a half-pass right!" is really starting to make sense--you should see MY half-pass right! *Cringe* I'm so over feeling bad about it, though. I'm a student, and as a student, unless I do the same thing after receiving new information, I cannot make a mistake. That has really relieved some tension, for sure.
Other than that, I really am just going to start focusing on isolations, again. Prin and I both have some body awareness to keep building and playing with. I've opted to take the afternoon off to just play with little things (My LBI is going to love this, it's slow and varied)and see if I can build with the knowledge I already have, rather than totally overloading myself like I did last night. That was too far out of my comfort zone!
So anyway, savvy on, and seriously, one day I will have pictures for you...
Savvy on,
F and P
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me?
I truly am LIVING THE LYRICS to that song.
I just had the most FANTASTIC session with my horse ever. She's been getting more and more extroverted this week, and today she was WILD. Prin (YES, MY PRIN!) was jumping and bucking and squealing online, doing flying changes on the circle. I hopped on and played bridless for a while, too. I've never HAD her so responsive. She was a little distracted at first (The faculty's horses were fascinating) but we played a bit with some patterns, and she picked up and gave me the most fantastic bridless ride all over the enchanted forest. By the end of it, I had let my hair down, and was cantering around singing "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" under my breath. Seriously this is the best thing that's ever happened to me, I don't ever want to LEAVE! (Bet you all saw that one coming, eh?)
So anyway, today has been fantastic. Now I'm off to grab an apple and mosey to the mercantile and see if I can find anything fantastic. I'll be back out to play later.
Toodles!
<3,
F & P
I just had the most FANTASTIC session with my horse ever. She's been getting more and more extroverted this week, and today she was WILD. Prin (YES, MY PRIN!) was jumping and bucking and squealing online, doing flying changes on the circle. I hopped on and played bridless for a while, too. I've never HAD her so responsive. She was a little distracted at first (The faculty's horses were fascinating) but we played a bit with some patterns, and she picked up and gave me the most fantastic bridless ride all over the enchanted forest. By the end of it, I had let my hair down, and was cantering around singing "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" under my breath. Seriously this is the best thing that's ever happened to me, I don't ever want to LEAVE! (Bet you all saw that one coming, eh?)
So anyway, today has been fantastic. Now I'm off to grab an apple and mosey to the mercantile and see if I can find anything fantastic. I'll be back out to play later.
Toodles!
<3,
F & P
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