* The Top 10 *

Hey all !  Well as most of you may know - my internship finally came to an end this week. . . . sadly .  I just would like to thank EVERYONE who made this experience for me eventful , special ,  & of course MEMORABLE !  I have learned many new tools for my toolbox , and I look forward to sharing them with everyone once I am back in Plattsburgh !  I returned to Long Island Wednesday afternoon & let me tell you I DO NOT MISS THIS HORRIBLE HUMIDITY one bit !  But as promised from my last post , here are my TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY INTERNSHIP =]

1.  Power outage in all of Ojai, Guests flip out as they were watching the season finale of The Bachelor & the power shuts down .
2.  Hiking to the HOLLYWOOD sign & going to LA INK =]
3.  The smell of ALL of the citrus fruits growing in the town .
4.  THE AMAZINGLY HEALTHY MEALS served at The Oaks !
5.  The Oaks guests & EMPLOYEES .
6.  Six Flags , Universal Studios , MUSCLE BEACH , Ventura County Fair , etc
7.  Having my photos taken for a NEW & UP COMING SHOW on the Oxygen Network called , Love Scouts .
8.  Learning new routines for classes
9. Ben comes to visit! Exploring the Matilija Canyons to the Hot and Cold Springs & almost getting ran over by an old man on the bike path . . . HEADS UP ! ! ! !
10.  LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, the true beauty that the state of California carries !  From the
mountains , to the chic boutique stores ,  & the smiling faces of every person you pass while walking through town !

[ This list can totally continue past 10 & it was even hard to just list 10 ]

Well there you have it . . . . now to continue with yet another adventure . . . . SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE !   Stay posted as I will continue to share information about fitness & wellness , and share the life of a wild and crazy runner as she tackles all obstacles she faces ( school , work , personal training , teaching , competing in her last year of XC & track , etc . . . )  <3

"Closing Time, Open All Doors & Let You Out Into The World"

Stay tuned for my TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from working here at The Oaks this summer . . . .  As I begin to pack my things, say my "see you later's", & gather my last minute photos as I head back to the east coast with a bang!


. . . . every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end .

The New Galls Have Arrived, Claire & Courtney!

Hey all , I cannot believe I am about to say this but I SADLY have 3 more working days here at The Oaks ! ! !   Leading 3 more hikes , teaching 3 more fitness classes & working with the front desk for remainder of my time here - I will soon be turning the tables over to the lovely Courtney & Claire  . . . .  The newest interns for the next 3 months =]

Who would have thought that 71 days would just fly by so quickly . . . .  I sure didn't think it would !  Well since I do have a few days left I will begin to say my "see you laters" to the employees who work here as this may not be the last time they see me !  Who knows where I will be within the next year or so , or even living . . .  or WORKING !  I may just end up in SUNNY CALIFORNIA . . .  Only time will tell as I progress throughout the remainder of my studies at Plattsburgh State.

On a quick side note , my brother Ben spent the last 3 days with me in Ojai !  We had a great time with one another and had our selves a VERY busy schedule , so I may add .   DAY ONE we biked for 40 miles around Ojai and down  to Ventura Beach ( and back ) , DAY TWO we went on a private hike w / a GREAT GROUP OF GUESTS from The Oaks to the Matilija  Canyon : Hot & Cold Springs , & DAY THREE we tackled Santa Barbara by the horns during the night time ! YeeeHaaaa

Well there you have it a quick post before I hit the sheets , good night " blog watchers " & THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK =]

( The picture posted above is a highlight from this week . . . . NINJA STYLE )

A Long Way From Long Island

Take a look at the article that was written about me here at The Oaks !  This article was written by Christine Denney, the head chef here at the spa =]

Click on the photo above to make it larger to read .

My Face Will Soon Be Sold In The Nest!

For one portion of this internship, I am required to have completed a project with the head internship coordinator.   My project is actually very interesting & pretty fun .   Currently  at The Oaks they have a boutique store called The Nest where they sell novelty items , products , clothing , CD/DVD ' s , work out equpitment , etc .  This is where I come into the mix . . . .  One of the items for sale are resistance bands with a book of various exercises & stretches provided to the buyer .   This book was last updated in the 80 's and now I am the new and improved figure in which I demonstrate easy - to - do exercises & stretches for the busy traveler looking to get a quick fix right in the convenience of their hotel rooms or getaway escape!   Posted above are a few photos from this book just to give you a sense for what I am describing  =] There are series of shots that where taken to provide the user with step by step moves to safely & effectively perform these exercises . 

Remember POSTURE is the utmost important aspect for practicing effective SAFE training .
- Stand tall/sit upright while drawing the core in towards the spine .
- Keep shoulders level , back ,  & retracted.
- Chest is held high & head is in neutral position.

Day 50: If only I wasn't an intern I would be The Oaks' best customer!

Today sure does mark 50 days that I have been here at The Oaks !   WOW for me to even believe I have been here that long is amazing in it's self ,  haha .   Well , today was yet another day off of mine and I for sure kept busy .  Started my morning with some oatmeal , muffins , fruit , & milk ( the morning routine ) , checked out the Ojai Valley Athletic Club which has amazing outdoor pools , many many MANY tennis courts , and a pretty decent indoor facility - all in which has a BEAUTIFUL view of the mountains ! ! !  While I was there I participated in a morning ZUMBA class . . . . . . . .  Let me just nicely . . . . that the woman who taught this class should have NOT been advertising her class as a ZUMBA class !  From what I found out she isn't even a licensed ZUMBA instructor & was not providing her class with ANY of the ZUMBA Fitness Program .  This class really left me upset & frustrated all day : /  Ughhh

On a brighter note, later this afternoon I road down to Ventura Beach on the bike path again .  If you can recall from one of my first posts on this blog I mentioned that this bike ride is roughly 34 miles round trip !  Woo Wee - I ' m going to feel like a million bucks tomorrow going with how I am feeling now , haha  The bike ride of course wasn't complete until I made a pit stop at a Ben & Jerry's shop and went to heaven with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream = ]

But I have better news to share . . . . in 2 weeks I will be having someone come and visit me ! ! ! !  This of course is my brother Ben who I normally only see once a year because he lives in Colorado .  I AM SUPER EXCITED to see him because I haven't had a family member visit me yet , & he's going to love this place ! 

Well there's a little information I though I ' d share since it ' s been a while since I posted .  Again I do apologize & I ' ll share some more fun stuff within the next day or so .  Check out the left side of this blog to see all of the physical activity I 've been getting myself into , on top of the actual work here for this internship .  Then you 'll understand the slight delay <3

PS : I saw a bob cat on the bike path today as well, haha

Day 42: With One More Month To Go!

Sorry for not posting anything in a few days !  I have been crazy busy with tons of projects , teaching classes , and trying to catch up on some rest !  I have met some more amazing people here at The Oaks as well as enjoying the company of other fellow fitness enthusiasts .  I look forward to my day off tomorrow as I will unwind & relax .  I am also in the process of scheduling a rock climbing session here in Ojai & preparing a video to submit for a ZUMBA Fitness contest ! !  All sorts of busy . . . . .

Stay posted for new updates & enjoy some more photos in the meantime .  They are just a few of many meals that are served here at The Oaks ! DELISH  =]

I would also like to make a side note & thank everyone for making this blog a great success ! !  I have over 1200 page views & I look forward to continuing this blog after my internship .