Carmel Magazine

Winter 2017

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I 'm back on the yoga mat— stretching, posing, groaning and meditating—and it wasn't part of the plan. Nope. I'm supposed to be writing, commuting, complaining, and workshopping in my final semester of graduate school in Creative Writing at San Jose State University. But as is reaf- firmed in my life, things often don't go as planned. You gotta have a back-up plan, a "Plan B." October 26, 2016 was the date of a firm deadline for a pin- nacle task: I was to turn in my thesis proposal to be approved by a committee for my graduation in May, 2017. My write-up had been done for months, and three profes- sors were signed on to the project. But, for some reason—my lack of Internet skills, maybe air-headedness or forgetfulness—I missed the dead- line…the inflexible deadline. The committee was unwilling to take my proposal late, reiterating that no one in our program gets spe- cial treatment. I cried, then decided to plead with the commit- tee chair for a one-time hall-pass. Again, I was told no. As I watched my May 2017 graduation date slide another six months to December, I pouted, shed some more tears, and cursed my irresponsibility. Then, I sought the silver lining. I've lived long enough to know there'd be a blessing, a hidden gift, tucked into all this disappointment. Consideration of a back-up plan isn't an open invitation for disaster to pay you a visit. It's a mindful first-aid package: there if you need it but not causing any harm to anyone or anything if you don't. So with great care, after missing my writing dead- line, I mapped out the things I'd dreamt of doing, but had put off because of school. Something specific had nagged at me for three years; I des- perately wanted to become certified in yoga teaching. I had taken a 200-hour training back in 2013, only to drop out due to some personal hard times. I finished, piecemeal, but never took the official test. Completed, but not certified, I thought now may be the right time. Checking with my old yoga studio, I squealed with joy upon learning that their latest training had just begun, and there was room for another student—me. I signed up immediately. Next, I dreamed about where I could go back to work and find gainful employment. I then enrolled in an art class at Monterey Peninsula College. I offered to work a shift at a local dog rescue, and said yes to family func- tions in Los Angeles that I'd previously not been able to attend. And, as all good, nagging mothers do, I preached to my daughter, her friends, and my stepdaughters about the impor- tance of having a back-up plan in life. (I don't think it resonated, but I tried.) Attending grad school is actually a Plan B for me. If you had asked me five years ago what I'd be doing at the age of 51, I would have said that I'd be finally relaxing after getting the kids grown and out of the house, accompanying my then-husband all over tarnation for his work assignments, and playing a lot of golf. I never imagined I'd be divorced and remarried, with six dogs and a regular commute to San Jose to learn about the craft of writing with people half my age. Oh, and wanting to return to work, in a field unknown. The new year had me asking myself: What is my contingency plan for other aspects of life in 2017? If my joint inflammation syndrome becomes more severe, what will I do to keep my mobility? What will I do if my thesis proposal is not approved? If money became an issue, where could I work? I don't expect to have to use these plans, but just in case, why not get cre- ative, open minded, and push parameters a bit? The night I enrolled in yoga teacher training as my back-up plan, I bumped into an old friend at the grocery store. "Aren't you into yoga?" she asked. "Well, I was three years ago," I answered with trepidation. "That's a shame," she said. "I was going to ask if you'd come share some of your knowledge with a group of teen girls, many low income, who need some help." I couldn't believe the timing. "Yes! Count me in. You won't believe what I just signed up for today!" Dina Eastwood is a former news anchor at KSBW TV, past host of "Candid Camera" and has starred on a reality show on the E! Network. She is a writer, editor and yogini. She resides on the Monterey Peninsula with her daughter, Morgan. BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT D I N A E A S T W O O D I meditating—and it wasn't part of the plan. Nope. I'm supposed to be writing, commuting, complaining, and workshopping in my final semester of graduate school in Creative Writing at San Jose State University. But as is reaf- Consideration of a back-up plan isn't an open invitation for disaster to pay you a visit. I 'm back on the yoga mat— I squealed with joy upon learning that their latest training had I Having a Plan B 46 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

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