First Day Back, Sore and Shaky!

I went back to work today! 

I covered a Lithuanian celebration of the Our Lady of Siluva apparitions and took some great photos for the paper and even interviewed the Lithuanian ambassador to the U.S. and consul general. It was pretty cool, a beautiful day in Brooklyn, and many there were in traditional dress. This is one of my favorite photos of the day. 

I was a little nervous about heading back to work after 8 weeks off of photographing and interviewing, but after all was said and done, it was pretty much like riding a bike. I still have the article to write this evening but I am used to my inspiration coming in the 11th hour. 

I have spent most of my weekend sore and shaky from my first kickboxing class I went to Friday night. I went to Tony Loupaki, who owns Loupakis' karate and gymnastics studio about 6 blocks from our house, where Gabe also takes gymnastics classes. Tony is an Olympic gold medalist for Greece and world-renowned champion, and now has his own studio. It's totally family friendly and we l-o-v-e it there. 

I really wanted to try kickboxing and when I told Manny about he did too. Tony loves Gabe, and let him jump on the trampoline while we took the class; Anna slept away in her stroller. It was a blast! (And so fun to do together.)

We are both totally sore (no pain, no gain!) and what I love about it is that I am exercising without really realizing I am exercising... Besides yoga I was never much of a fan, but I've gotta be honest, I want my abs back!! 

After the class, a pretty svelte guy came in and Tony introduced us to him. He lost 150 pounds at Tony's studio, and it all started with kickboxing 3 times a week. With the way my muscles feel even 2 days later, I can see why. 

Opa!!