Pirtniece Līga Reitere in Jurītis' pirts (sauna)!

I've changed one of the items on my "50 things before 50" list from "Draw a picture" to "have a pirts experience." I had to change it, because I had an experience during 3x3 2011 Katskiļi that I just have to share.

Pirts means "sauna." For Latvians, it's not just getting in a hot room and lying there until you can't stand it anymore. At its highest expression, there is a culture, there is ritual, there is spiritual transformation.

The regular weekly pirts that the Viksnins farm relatives have is also quite transformative, cleansing like you would not believe, and during one of those experiences I realized that I looked just like these ladies from Nītaure. (I always wondered who I had inherited my hair genes from, because it didn't look like either of my parents'. There I was in the sauna with my father's cousins who had the same kind of hair that I did!) Afterwards, I walked back to the main house and looked up at more stars than I had ever seen before, as I hoped the big rooster wouldn't try to jump on me.

I had had one of these highest expressions of pirts before in Madona, while also at a 3x3 camp. A few of us were offered a chance to partake. We were super-heated, massaged, covered with honey and cream, and after the pēršana (slapping and energy re-arrangement) with birch branches and grasses, brought to a lake where we immersed ourselves. Yes, it all happened completely nude, including the walking from the pirts to the lake, passing by some fishermen dudes who must see that every day! Afterwards, I was more relaxed than I had ever been.

So! Līga Reitere is a master at pirtsniecība (running the sauna experience), selecting the best herbs, tree branches and grasses to make the pirts slotas ("brooms" for slapping the client, moving the steam heat around the sauna, transferring the energy around the client). I have now experienced a taste of the ultimate pirts experience with one of the best! Thanks to Juris Bļodnieks for letting her use his pirts with some of the 3x3 campers.

First, she had us lie down in the hot pirts to get used to the heat and to start opening our pores. She said: "Stay in there while you really like it." rather than "Stay in there until you can't stand it anymore." Little did she know that I am a hard-core heat seeker, used to the 160 degree rooms at SpaWorld! This was more like 130. Then, we sat on a bench outside until we were ready to go back in.

This time she started working with the slotas (branches/grasses), moving the steam down onto our bodies, compressing our feet, knees, hips, and shoulders in turn. Each of us has our own rhythms, she said, that she would intuit while working with us. Mine was several short movements, followed by a longer one. She worked over our fronts and our backs.

Afterwards, we went outside again for a few minutes, then returned inside the pirts house where we laid down on a couch and were covered with leaves and some of the pirts slotas, and our towels. Then she worked the movements over us again, concluding with a song that seemed to be channeled specifically for us. Mine was about going through the woods, coming upon different symbolic things, having to perform an action before going further. Hard to explain, but it was very meaningful. I really felt a gathering and release of energy. This was at the end of a very full week, running the camp, and I didn't realize how much energy I was holding!

Afterwards, I felt relaxed, but extremely focused. Others said that their time was like an altered state, and couldn't remember the song she had sung for them. Līga was masterful at telling us what she was doing at every point of the experience, and leading us through it. If I'm ever in Ventspils, I am definitely going to try to schedule a follow-up pirts! I think at home she would include scrubs and creams, and more targeted herbs; the sessions can last up to 3 hours.

If you're looking for a place to have a similar experience, check out this link about pirts in Latvia.

Fifty to Fifty

Yes, I turn 50 this year! Instead of having a big celebratorial bash, like I did for my fortieth (following the summer of chemo), I've decided to do fifty small things on the way to 50. My main reasons for it are that

• I don't want to spend the time, energy and money to create one event where I don't have the chance to talk to my friends and family, because I'm making sure that there is enough food, drink, and music for the event.
• I've already celebrated the concept of being alive at a major turning road in my life, after the cancer experience ten years ago.
• I want to have the chance to savor transitioning to the second half of my life.

So, unless someone is going to put on a surprise birthday party (which last happened when I turned 19) and don't expect since I'm the family party planner, (and how would they know who to invite anyhow) I will be celebrating in the following ways. If you want to join me on my trip to 50, let me know! Scheduling now! My sisters helped me start this process last week at the beach, so some things are already checked off.

1. Have lunch with my sisters and cousin Karl. ✔
2. Have a massage outside the regular scheduled one. (this might repeat) ✔ Thanks, Brigit!
3. Go to SpaWorld.
4. Do a birthday Sophie's Parlor radio show.
5. Buy a new grill.
6. Spend an afternoon reading a novel. ✔Read Sarah's Key in one afternoon.
7. Go to an art gallery opening.
8. Go to an Esperanza Spalding concert. ✔ Looking forward to it, Susan!
9. Have an amazing Academy 2011 Boston.
10. Draw a picture. Have a pirts experience with an official pirtniece! ✔
11. Have a family dinner.
12. Enjoy my gal pals.
13. Go to a Bowie Baysox game. (Don't even know if this is the right season.)
    
14. Play pool. Host a house concert for Franklin Taggart.
15. Get a pedicure.
16. Get a manicure.
17. Get a facial.
    
18. Get a new haircut.
19. Go to a tea. ✔ Check out Tea on the Tiber. Thanks to Anita N. for the invitation, Anita V-P and Daina B. for joining us! It was a LOVELY afternoon.
20. Have a meal with my siblings.✔ (We went to Komi. VERY yummy wine-paired dinner!)
21. Make up a new song.
22. Plant some perennial flowers. (These are my 50th celebratory flowers! I'll say forever.)
    
23. Enjoy 3x3 Katskili. ✔
24. Go fishing with two of my favorite boys.
25. Go kayaking.
26. Write some postcards.
27. Go to the Conowingo dam.
28. Visit the National Museum of the American Indian.
29. Buy some art.
30. See a movie. ✔ (Saw the Help.)
31. Go to a concert at the KenCen's Millennium Stage.
32. Participate in a drum circle.
33. Dance!
34. Read some poetry aloud.
35. Have a barbecue.
36. Learn something about history.
37. Eat sushi.
38. Bake a cake. (I've never done this.)
39. Go on a Haunted House tour. (Karen is joining me!)
40. Sing karaoke.
41. Take a hike.
42. Eat at Ben's Chili Bowl. (Karen has signed up!)
43. Go on a day-long road trip somewhere. (Karen is on the list.)
44. Drink champagne at the Lincoln Memorial at night.
45. Eat at Black Salt. (RSVPs: Karen)
46. Take a walk on the Appalachian Trail.
47. Call someone I haven't spoken to in a long time.
48. Commune with my ancestors.
49. Pray for my next fifty years.



Siblings at Komi




50. Laugh!

If you would like to join me on my adventures, just let me know! Here's to life!!!

I'm on Youtube!

Connect with Me Video

I just got back this week from the ASAE meeting in Toronto and this video was launched. I just love it, so I'm popping it up here. I had the opportunity to audition for this video, but didn't do it! It was just too busy of a summer. I'm not sad, though, because I love the video!

My trek across the country

Next year I want to take two weeks to traverse the United States. One-way. I want to travel from Washington DC to Portland, Oregon, using the northern trail. The ultimate goal is to see that part of our great land up close and personal, but not to take too much time in the boring parts. I'm hoping to take along some buddies, five and seven years old, so the last thing I would want to hear is "This is annoying and boring!"

Firstly, I need to look at a map so I know which states I need/want to cross! So I know that there are these states in the upper part of America: Idaho, Iowa, Wyoming, North and South Dakota. Which do I cross? What order are they in? Am I missing any? (I know that Wisconsin is next to Illinois, so that one's covered.)

Secondly, how shall I travel? Planes, trains and automobiles! Since I know the road from here to Chicago, having taken that route several times in my lifetime, I am happy to fly to Chi-town. This year I discovered the beauty of Ohio, so that's been relatively well covered, as well! Really! It's so cool in Ohio!!! Check out Chillicothe and the Mound builders.

So... looking at a map. Ummm, that one doesn't help me at all, there are no names on it!!! I think I'm missing a state or two. Sheesh. I really don't know US geography at all. Ah, that's better!

Yeeks. I was missing two states that start with an M: Minnesota and Montana! I can't believe I forgot Montana! Its capitol is my namesake! Helena! So. I want/need to cross Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho (I thought it was further East...) to get to Oregon!

How shall I travel? I will fly to Chicago, slashing off at least a day of driving. That's all I know so far. Now I need to start researching the states to see where I want to stop, what I should see and do I know anyone out there?

I welcome comments! Help me help myself!

Where I work

I am an association executive. As a child, did I think to myself -- gosh! I'm going to be an association executive when I grow up! Actually, no, but I could have.

Even as a young child, I used to play a game at parties given by my father for his college students; I would go through the party and try to learn the names of all of our guests. I would tell them that when I grew up, I would be a writer and a psychologist. (My godmother is a psychologist.) Later on, when I was myself of college-age, I would go through Latvian events and introduce myself to everyone there. Unknowingly, I was gaining a skill that I would need to be an association executive -- namely, the ability to learn a lot of people's names and be out there pressing the flesh. This skill helps the association members know a contact person, someone they can reach out to if they have a question or a need.

When I was studying for my Master's degree in Human Resource Development at George Washington, I believed that what I was studying would help me in my job at the Peace Corps at that time. I followed the sage advice of my supervisor at the time, Azzedine Downes, who let me know that any future steps up in my career would be enhanced by the Master's Degree. He was right, of course, but little did I suspect then that it was a road towards being an association executive.

Actually, the job I had at Peace Corps was also a perfect stepping stone to becoming an association executive. As Country Desk Officer, I was responsible for both representing the Volunteers and staff of each country to headquarters, and headquarters to the Volunteers and staff. As an association executive, I represent the office to our members, but also represent the members to the office and Board!

I cover mostly program aspects of the association world in what I do: education (professional development), membership and communications. I got the experience to take care of the professional development aspect of my job from my education at GW, and my job at Peace Corps being involved in the training of future volunteers. I got experience at supporting members from both Peace Corps, a job at the Poison Control Center, and by being an out-there people person. I stayed true to my childhood goals of writing and now have the chance to write all day long as I communicate my association's vision in messages to our membership!

You will love this!

I'm a Fellow!

Last weekend I became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. No, I'm not an optometrist, but rather an administrator for an association that provides optometric post-graduate education. Amazing education. Best in the world level education. Par excellence!

I'll upload photos of the incredible event as soon as I get them from Shelley.

It was a moment in my life that will follow me for a long time, as Joe Shovlin said to me before the ceremony. I was last in the line. The staff responsible for the lining up of the 150 fellows asked me if it was okay to put me last, since I might get some extra recognition from the audience. It was totally fine with me, as I was the one running the Powerpoint as the diplomates were recognized. Which was followed by the procession of 150 new Fellows. Me, at the end.

Each person that went up had a chance to say their name, what school they graduated from, and where they currently practice. As I got up to the microphone, Lois tells me that Past President Joe Yager started running across the front of the stage pumping his arms with a sign in his hands that read something like "Helen rocks!" or "Helen!Helen!Helen!". I just noticed that many people in the front two rows of this black-tie event erupted to their feet with more foam-core mounted signs in their hands that had the Academy's logo and a few different sayings like "We [heart] Helen." I couldn't be heard over the ruckus, so I affected the superstar pose and shouted into the microphone "I am Helen Viksnins of the American Academy of Optometry!" (I'm sure the sound guys loved that.)

I crossed the stage to President Rick Weisbarth who said "First the handshake for the camera and then the hug!" Then off the stage to collect my certificate folder, receive not only a sash that read "Madam AAO" but also a pink crown! And hug the staff and Board and Committee members that stood in a long receiving line. It was marvelous. The best reward for all of the good hard work I have done for the Academy.

Dragonfly

Visiting the Cannons in Birmingham

24 years ago I studied theater at SIUC and got a great friend called Cheryl Hall! I just had a lovely visit with her and her family in Birmingham. The pic is of their really cool house.

It used to be a frat house and is really quite lovely! I slept in Schuyler's room which was decorated with underwater themes with lots of girly things all throughout the room. The cats were jealous that I locked the door and I saw creepy little paws under the door!

Rainbows in the Water - I can't believe it!