Yesterday I stopped at my favorite store in the whole world- Daiso, the 100 yen shop- to pick up some supplies for Christmas decorations. While I was there, looking for nice paper to make snowflakes out of I had a great idea: FELT SNOWFLAKES!!! AH! I'm so excited. I got a big roll and I'm considering getting another (in white? in a different color? why not BOTH?! it's only 100yen!). I also got some green felt and pearly beads so I can make a mistletoe ball.
I think I'm going to go for a red and white theme. I bought a pack of red paper flowers (they're strips of tissue paper that you fluff up to make look like pompoms) to use as center pieces or something. I was also thinking of making a peppermint wall. I don't know. I have a few ideas floating around.
I also picked up some beautiful green ribbon rolls- one is a deep emerald green and the other is like a deep turquoise. I don't have any idea what to do with them yet but they were just too gorgeous not to buy.
I think I have a problem.
I'm still trying to think of something to put in my snow globe. At this point, I'm considering just filling a jar with distilled water and glycerin and glitter. It would literally be a snow globe.
I've decided to make (or start to make) all these things on Friday when I'll have the apartment all to myself for most of the evening. I know you're all going to hold your breath until then!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Weigh-In Wednesday:57.8kg
This week I started a new workout routine. I've tried out quite a lot in the past year but I think this one could really stick.
Actually, now that I'm sitting here writing about it, maybe I haven't tried that much. I've tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Jillian Michaels Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism, Insanity, and 10 Minute Trainer. I also do yoga but I don't really count that as a workout. And I was running in the spring but it petered out in late summer when I fell into a rut and the temps got too high for me. But somehow I also don't count the running as working out.
Hm. I guess I consider things I don't really like a "workout." Hahaha. Let's sugar coat it and say that I think a workout is something I have to do in order to get better at things I want to do/look better. Yeah, let's say that.
So let me run through the workouts I've tried before I introduce you to the new thing I'm trying.
First- 30 Day Shred.
I LOVE this DVD. It's short, it kicks your butt and it's easy to follow. I am seriously sweating balls during this workout. I like Jillian because she seems tough and I like tough girls. I only saw minor results but I felt great. To tell you the truth, I could never do this every day for 30 days straight so maybe I'm not doing it right. Also, I loved this DVD so much that I actually got tired of it.
This led me to trying out the other Jillian Michaels DVDs. I tried the Yoga Meltdown for like five minutes and then I had to turn it off because I just didn't like it. I'm very picky about Yoga DVDs. Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism is like the 30 Day Shred on drugs. Also, it's mostly cardio moves. I liked it but the workout was too long for everyday use. Also, I didn't like some of the interval sets so I skipped some altogether.
I tried Insanity just a few times but I didn't like the exercises he used and I just couldn't get into it.
10 Minute Trainer used too much equipment for me. Actually, it didn't use that much but I don't have a strong door to attach a resistance band to and I also didn't have a resistance band. Also I like short workouts but 10 minutes is TOO SHORT. I know that I could just do 2 or 3 in a row but that takes too much work on my part. Haha. I did end up buying some resistance bands but I never used them with the videos. Now they're just sitting in my closet. (Fortunately they were only about a dollar each since I found them at the 100yen shop!)
As for yoga, I basically used just one DVD every time I wanted to follow a routine- American Power Yoga. I really like this routine because it focuses on a lot of strength moves and isn't too spiritual. I like my yoga to be very physical. Unfortunately, the DVD got scratched really badly (a clean straight cut...seems fishy) so I had to find something else. I've turned to Ashtanga Yoga in the meantime. And I really love it. I don't even think I'll buy another copy of American Power Yoga. (I might though.) I like that Ashtanga has a set form. It allows me to easily practice on my own without having to make up a flow on my own. Also, doing the same poses in the same order allows me to see where I'm improving and where I need improving. I ordered a copy of the Short Forms with David Swenson and I'm currently using his First Series DVD as a guide.
As for running, at the moment Sapporo is in deep freeze and will not thaw out until April the earliest. I plan to begin running again as soon as the streets defrost. I've already found a half marathon in October that I want to join. I was supposed to run a half marathon last October but like I mentioned I fell into a rut and just kind of stopped running for awhile. For no good reason. I am resolved to do it in 2012!
And now what is the new routine that I'm trying out? I'm doing the Basic Program from the book You Are Your Own Gym. I skimmed the book a bit- the author is some elite Special Ops dude and super athlete. He doesn't train celebrities- he trains SOLDIERS. I like this line in the first paragraph: "For decades of I've bodyweight exercises to create the leanest, strongest, most confident people of our civilization." (Not just because it's the only paragraph I read in the book!)
Anyway, that's exactly what I want! I want to be lean and strong and confident. And I don't want to go to the gym or use fancy equipment (though a homebuilt dip station would be nice). I've always thought that all you need is your body and gravity to get a good workout. Also, I prefer exercises that are functional.
So far I'm in my first week of the program and it's great. The workouts are short and challenging and I really feel the burn the next day.
I'll write more as I continue with the program and finish reading the book. (The book is great- I really like his humor.) For now it's way past my bedtime and this post is already late so I'll just promise you all a proper review later. Goodnight!
Actually, now that I'm sitting here writing about it, maybe I haven't tried that much. I've tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Jillian Michaels Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism, Insanity, and 10 Minute Trainer. I also do yoga but I don't really count that as a workout. And I was running in the spring but it petered out in late summer when I fell into a rut and the temps got too high for me. But somehow I also don't count the running as working out.
Hm. I guess I consider things I don't really like a "workout." Hahaha. Let's sugar coat it and say that I think a workout is something I have to do in order to get better at things I want to do/look better. Yeah, let's say that.
So let me run through the workouts I've tried before I introduce you to the new thing I'm trying.
First- 30 Day Shred.
I LOVE this DVD. It's short, it kicks your butt and it's easy to follow. I am seriously sweating balls during this workout. I like Jillian because she seems tough and I like tough girls. I only saw minor results but I felt great. To tell you the truth, I could never do this every day for 30 days straight so maybe I'm not doing it right. Also, I loved this DVD so much that I actually got tired of it.
This led me to trying out the other Jillian Michaels DVDs. I tried the Yoga Meltdown for like five minutes and then I had to turn it off because I just didn't like it. I'm very picky about Yoga DVDs. Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism is like the 30 Day Shred on drugs. Also, it's mostly cardio moves. I liked it but the workout was too long for everyday use. Also, I didn't like some of the interval sets so I skipped some altogether.
I tried Insanity just a few times but I didn't like the exercises he used and I just couldn't get into it.
10 Minute Trainer used too much equipment for me. Actually, it didn't use that much but I don't have a strong door to attach a resistance band to and I also didn't have a resistance band. Also I like short workouts but 10 minutes is TOO SHORT. I know that I could just do 2 or 3 in a row but that takes too much work on my part. Haha. I did end up buying some resistance bands but I never used them with the videos. Now they're just sitting in my closet. (Fortunately they were only about a dollar each since I found them at the 100yen shop!)
As for yoga, I basically used just one DVD every time I wanted to follow a routine- American Power Yoga. I really like this routine because it focuses on a lot of strength moves and isn't too spiritual. I like my yoga to be very physical. Unfortunately, the DVD got scratched really badly (a clean straight cut...seems fishy) so I had to find something else. I've turned to Ashtanga Yoga in the meantime. And I really love it. I don't even think I'll buy another copy of American Power Yoga. (I might though.) I like that Ashtanga has a set form. It allows me to easily practice on my own without having to make up a flow on my own. Also, doing the same poses in the same order allows me to see where I'm improving and where I need improving. I ordered a copy of the Short Forms with David Swenson and I'm currently using his First Series DVD as a guide.
As for running, at the moment Sapporo is in deep freeze and will not thaw out until April the earliest. I plan to begin running again as soon as the streets defrost. I've already found a half marathon in October that I want to join. I was supposed to run a half marathon last October but like I mentioned I fell into a rut and just kind of stopped running for awhile. For no good reason. I am resolved to do it in 2012!
And now what is the new routine that I'm trying out? I'm doing the Basic Program from the book You Are Your Own Gym. I skimmed the book a bit- the author is some elite Special Ops dude and super athlete. He doesn't train celebrities- he trains SOLDIERS. I like this line in the first paragraph: "For decades of I've bodyweight exercises to create the leanest, strongest, most confident people of our civilization." (Not just because it's the only paragraph I read in the book!)
Anyway, that's exactly what I want! I want to be lean and strong and confident. And I don't want to go to the gym or use fancy equipment (though a homebuilt dip station would be nice). I've always thought that all you need is your body and gravity to get a good workout. Also, I prefer exercises that are functional.
So far I'm in my first week of the program and it's great. The workouts are short and challenging and I really feel the burn the next day.
I'll write more as I continue with the program and finish reading the book. (The book is great- I really like his humor.) For now it's way past my bedtime and this post is already late so I'll just promise you all a proper review later. Goodnight!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Christmas Spirit
It's December 4th already! Only 21 days until Christmas! I feel strange. In the recent past, I can't really remember being so excited about Christmas. I mean, I think I had an appropriate amount of excitement. But this year feels different. Maybe the difference is that I want things to be different.
I just feel like now that I'm on my own, far away from my family, it's time for me to MAKE Christmas. It's time for me to find my own ways to celebrate. I feel like I really took things for granted. I'm not just far away from family. I'm far from the things that are familiar for this season (News Flash: Christmas isn't really celebrated in Japan.). I mean, I didn't have to work to feel excited because even if I didn't get excited, Christmas would be celebrated and it would feel like Christmas.
I guess what I'm saying is that even though I may be jaded, there's quite a lot of cheer and whimsy in my heart. (Somewhere...) I feel like as an "adult" I don't celebrate things as much as I used to and I'm just not cool with that. I mean, if you don't have all the preparation and pomp and corny things that go with the holiday, what's the point? It easy to brush special days off as just days because you're busy or you're too old or you're tired. But I have this theory that things matter. They matter because you make them matter. So I'm going to conduct an experiment in living deliberately.
To get into the spirit of Christmas, I've made a list of 25 Christmas-y things to do. Actually I would have liked to make a Christmas calendar sort of thing but since it's already December 4th, I just have to settle for a list.
1. Decorate the tree.
2. Bake cookies. Preferably with people. Maybe even with children.
3. Make Xmas and New Year cards.
4. Take pictures of Xmas lights.
5. Drink hot wine at German Xmas town.
6. Wrap presents. Make your own wrapping paper this year?
7. Decorate windows with spray snow.
8. Make a snow globe.
9. Give back, volunteer, do something in the community.
10. Finish Ryan's scarf.
11. Drink hot cocoa with chocolate marshmallows.
12. Make a gingerbread house.
13. Watch Elf.
14. Make Xmas decorations.
15. Roast some chestnuts.
16. Kiss under mistletoe.
17. Dance around a Xmas tree.
18. Make s'mores.
19. Take a trip to Sapporo Factory (Mall) to see the big Xmas tree.
20. Camp out in a blanket fort in the living room. Preferably wearing a onesie suit from Donkei Hotei.
21. Go sledding or make a snowman. Drink hot cocoa by the heater.
22. Make something peppermint-y.
23.Write a letter to Santa.
24. Throw a great Xmas party.
25. Play an epic game of something.
I actually started this post on December 1st and I'm pretty sure I've only done two of these things. I'm quickly running out of time so I better get off the internet and get on it!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Make-Something Monday and Weigh-In Wednesday REMIX
This week just got away with me and I can't believe it's already Wednesday night!
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first: I didn't make anything at all last Monday AND today's weigh-in sucked. So I don't really care so much about not making anything. But I'm definitely at an all time low about my weight which is higher than I would like. I just feel like I can't stop eating. I. Just. Can't. (And you know I'm serious because I HATE when people do that period after every word thing.)
There's really nothing I can do I guess. I mean I just have to keep reminding myself and forcing myself to make the right decisions. I won't lie- I'm just about ready to give up and just be fat. But I really really want to be that weight-loss transformation person.
Enough of that stuff. Blech. Let's talk about some totally awesome things!
The BIG news is...I won my match at the BJJ tournament! Woohoo! I am so pumped about it. I want to make a recap post about it later (uhoh, "later"....story of my life) so I'll just leave it at that.
Next, last week we had Wednesday off for Japan's national holiday celebrating people who work hard (Labor Thanksgiving Day) so I kinda made it into a makeshift Thanksgiving day. Nothing special. I just baked a cherry pie (using the one can of cherry filling I brought back from Hawaii) for lunch and for dinner I made a kind of green bean casserole. Mmm...fried onion topping. Here's some pictures:
Lastly, my Make-Something Monday project is a scarf for Ryan! He doesn't have one and I don't think I've ever seen him wearing one (unless you count neckwarmers). But I think he'd look quite dapper with a nice scarf around his neck while wearing his suit and trenchcoat. The men of Japan are all very fashionable and we wouldn't want Ryan to be the odd man out, would we? Here's what I have so far:
I actually haven't picked up knitting or crochet needles in years and now I've got 2 pairs of each. Thank goodness for 100 Yen shops (the American equivalent would be dollar stores...though 100 Yen shops are like 100 times better). After a day of trials, I finally decided that I would be crocheting the scarf. Knitting was proving to be too much of a challenge for me right now. I do want to knit something in the future but for now, I'll warm up with a simple crocheted scarf.
To be honest, I never actually made anything more elaborate than a simple beanie or lacey doily so I would really like to try to make something more challenging next. Maybe a cute amigurumi or something.
Anyway, that's it. Til next time! (Which will be soon!)
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first: I didn't make anything at all last Monday AND today's weigh-in sucked. So I don't really care so much about not making anything. But I'm definitely at an all time low about my weight which is higher than I would like. I just feel like I can't stop eating. I. Just. Can't. (And you know I'm serious because I HATE when people do that period after every word thing.)
There's really nothing I can do I guess. I mean I just have to keep reminding myself and forcing myself to make the right decisions. I won't lie- I'm just about ready to give up and just be fat. But I really really want to be that weight-loss transformation person.
Enough of that stuff. Blech. Let's talk about some totally awesome things!
The BIG news is...I won my match at the BJJ tournament! Woohoo! I am so pumped about it. I want to make a recap post about it later (uhoh, "later"....story of my life) so I'll just leave it at that.
I set this photo to EXTRA LARGE because it's that awesome. That's me with the big butt by the way.
Next, last week we had Wednesday off for Japan's national holiday celebrating people who work hard (Labor Thanksgiving Day) so I kinda made it into a makeshift Thanksgiving day. Nothing special. I just baked a cherry pie (using the one can of cherry filling I brought back from Hawaii) for lunch and for dinner I made a kind of green bean casserole. Mmm...fried onion topping. Here's some pictures:
Half the pie crust goes in the bottom....
A precious can of cherry filling
The other half of the pie crust dough is crumbled on top.
Ryan is unimpressed as usual.
Glorious Cherry Pie!!!
Potato, green bean, mushroom, and onion casserole...
(And I wonder why I'm not losing weight!)
Lastly, my Make-Something Monday project is a scarf for Ryan! He doesn't have one and I don't think I've ever seen him wearing one (unless you count neckwarmers). But I think he'd look quite dapper with a nice scarf around his neck while wearing his suit and trenchcoat. The men of Japan are all very fashionable and we wouldn't want Ryan to be the odd man out, would we? Here's what I have so far:
It doubles as a lap blanket!
Ryan doesn't want anything flashy so I went with black, grey and a little blue (to bring out his eyes!)
I actually haven't picked up knitting or crochet needles in years and now I've got 2 pairs of each. Thank goodness for 100 Yen shops (the American equivalent would be dollar stores...though 100 Yen shops are like 100 times better). After a day of trials, I finally decided that I would be crocheting the scarf. Knitting was proving to be too much of a challenge for me right now. I do want to knit something in the future but for now, I'll warm up with a simple crocheted scarf.
To be honest, I never actually made anything more elaborate than a simple beanie or lacey doily so I would really like to try to make something more challenging next. Maybe a cute amigurumi or something.
Anyway, that's it. Til next time! (Which will be soon!)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Weigh-In Wednesday: 57.4kg
Gosh. the scale just isn't moving lately. Also, I'm not moving so much. Boo. I've been tired and lazy. I feel like I really need a day off...or just a bunch of days off to recharge and reset. Unfortunately, that's just not going to happen so I'm just going to have to dig myself out of this rut.
What's the plan? Get back to tracking on Weight Watchers. Go to BJJ at least twice a week and naginata twice a week. Do yoga every morning and evening. Take my vitamins.
That's it! Oh yeah, and sleep at least 6 hours a night! (Optimally I need like 7 or 8 but that's just not happening.) So...Goodnight!
What's the plan? Get back to tracking on Weight Watchers. Go to BJJ at least twice a week and naginata twice a week. Do yoga every morning and evening. Take my vitamins.
That's it! Oh yeah, and sleep at least 6 hours a night! (Optimally I need like 7 or 8 but that's just not happening.) So...Goodnight!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I AM THE CHAMPION!!!!
My little coach and me after my big win
So today I had my very first official BJJ tournament. And I won! That makes me Hokkaido's #1 female BJJ white belt!!! Yay!
Am I an ultimate fighter now? AM I?!
Ohkay, I'm a long, looooooong way from that. But I'm getting there. For instance, today, before my match, I didn't cry once! I'm really growing up.
But seriously, I was experiencing some serious panic. I felt like my heart was pounding so hard people could see my gi moving. I felt like my rashguard was choking me. I felt like I couldn't breathe.
Fortunately, I didn't faint or throw up. I was nervous up until the bell rang to signal the beginning of the match and then I guess I just went on auto-pilot. Luckily, my auto-pilot knows some BJJ. Haha.
Am I an ultimate fighter now? AM I?!
Ohkay, I'm a long, looooooong way from that. But I'm getting there. For instance, today, before my match, I didn't cry once! I'm really growing up.
But seriously, I was experiencing some serious panic. I felt like my heart was pounding so hard people could see my gi moving. I felt like my rashguard was choking me. I felt like I couldn't breathe.
Fortunately, I didn't faint or throw up. I was nervous up until the bell rang to signal the beginning of the match and then I guess I just went on auto-pilot. Luckily, my auto-pilot knows some BJJ. Haha.
Video coming soon.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
janetracy shared an Instagram photo with you
janetracy shared an Instagram photo with you
janetracy shared an Instagram photo with you
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Weigh-In Wednesday: 57.4kg
Argh...a second week with a weight gain...is this a trend now? No, no, I won't get all crazy about it now. I'm tracking again and trying to make better choices. Plus, I've been fighting a cold since Friday. It SUCKS. I have very little energy and my nose hurts from having to blow it all the time.
It couldn't have started at a worse time- this weekend I have my second BJJ tournament and Ryan has to work so my biggest fan won't even be there to shout at me and tell me what to do. I am definitely feeling the pressure especially this time since my opponent will be another white belt. The other female blue belt in my club isn't entering so it's just me and a white belt from another club who I don't know. Yeah, there's only three girls in the area playing BJJ.
Anyway, I thought I'd dedicate this post to some inspirational women.
It couldn't have started at a worse time- this weekend I have my second BJJ tournament and Ryan has to work so my biggest fan won't even be there to shout at me and tell me what to do. I am definitely feeling the pressure especially this time since my opponent will be another white belt. The other female blue belt in my club isn't entering so it's just me and a white belt from another club who I don't know. Yeah, there's only three girls in the area playing BJJ.
Anyway, I thought I'd dedicate this post to some inspirational women.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Make Something Monday: Easy Soup Curry a la Jane
Hey! This is the first installment of a new weekly topic! Make Something Monday! (Ohkay, that's probably my quota for exclamation points for this post.)
I probably swiped it from some other blog but I can't remember what blog. Sorry. Anyway, the topic is exactly what it sounds like: every Monday I'm going to make something and then post about it! Of course, I can't promise that I'll have time to make something every Monday...but I'll try and if I can't make something ON Monday, I'll plan to make something FOR Monday.
When I first thought about incorporating this, I thought I'd be making something like a craft but it turns out for the inaugural run I decided to post a recipe!
The temperature is finally on a decline (and not just hanging out in some weird limbo) so today I wanted something to warm me up for dinner. At first, I thought about whipping up some easy minestrone (most of my cooking is "easy") but I didn't have any beans (which also meant that I couldn't just make some reliable veggie chili) or small pasta. I just couldn't have minestrone without beans or pasta.
The next logical step would be soup curry, of course! (Not really.)
Soup curry is exactly what its name implies: a curry flavored soup with heaps of veggies and meat (if you want). It's a specialty of Hokkaido- the area's cold climate is the best place to enjoy a bowl of hot, spicy soup curry. Also, many restaurants boast the use of homegrown vegetables (much of Hokkaido is farmland).
From our favorite soup curry place, Voyage
A true soup curry would/should take hours to make. You have to do things like make a roux, and simmer things for 2 or more hours and strain liquids out of vegetables and put a lot of extra love into it. I, however, do not have the time nor the desire to spend making a "true soup curry" though I do try to put in as much love as I can spare. Here's a link to a recipe http://www.powderlife.com/magazine/issue/16/japanese-cooking-recipies/hokkaido-soup-curry that sounds not too hard but still not my cup of tea- at least not for a regular weekday meal.
And here's what I did:
First I made Ryan cut the vegetables. Then I threw the vegetables (carrots, peppers, kabocha) onto a baking pan and started baking them at 220C.
I then started on the soup. First I sauteed the onion and garlic in olive oil in a large pot. Then I added the water and the onion soup powder. I brought this to a boil. Then I realized that I should saute the spices with the onion and garlic and the can of tomatoes (OK, kinda like a roux) THEN add the water...
So I poured the onion soup water into another container. With the garlic and onion still in the large pot, I added a little more olive oil, put the pot over a medium flame then just added the spices to my liking. Here's the list of spices I decided to use:
Don't worry, I listed them in the ingredients area at the end of this entry.
This smelled soooooo good! After I decided the spices were all warm and mixed, I poured the canned tomatoes in the pot. Just as I thought, it seemed that the tomatoes took over the flavor of the spices so I added more spices. When it started to smell great again, I poured the onion soup water back into the pot, lowered the heat, and worked on the next step.
At this point I realized I forgot to tell Ryan to cut the potatoes and the eggplant. So I did these myself, and set them aside to roast after the first batch of vegetables were done. This took about 20-30 minutes. I put the roasted vegetables in a container and started roasting the potatoes and eggplant.
The potatoes and eggplant took about 40 minutes I guess. I also threw in the avocado about 25 minutes in (so they cooked for about 15 minutes.)
The soup had been simmering for awhile at this point and filling the kitchen with the loveliest fragrances.
Now that all the veggies were roasted and the soup was hot, it was time for assembling!!
I just ladled some soup into a bowls, and then put as many vegetables as I could fit.
We enjoyed this soup with some toasted baguette.
The little tub of butter was a present from a neighbor. She said it's a kind of handcrafted butter. It's SUPER tasty. (I love butter.)
Here's Ryan enjoying his soup curry.
That's his excited face. Really!
In Summary:
1. Cut all the vegetables that you want in your soup curry.
2. Place them (except garlic and onions) on a baking pan with sides, sprinkle some oil on top, and bake or roast. (Whatever setting you use to do that kind of thing.)
3. Saute garlic and onions in a large-ish pot. Add spices. Stir around until it dries up a bit and starts smelling awesome.
4. Add the canned tomatoes. Mix well. Add more spices to your liking.
5. In another pot, bring water to a boil and add the onion soup powder. Then add this water to the large pot of spicy tomato roux. Simmer until the veggies are ready.
6. When the veggies are ready, place as much as you like in your bowl and then gently ladle the soup curry into the bowl. (I originally did this the other way around but I think this way is better.)
7. Enjoy with rice or bread or even just by itself!
Pro-tips:
#1. Some cheese sprinkled in the soup is delicious. Alternatively, you could put cheese over your rice. Even better, sprinkle some fried garlic chips on top of your rice.
#2. You can add chili peppers or crushed chilis to the soup to make it as hot as you like.
Ingredients:
4 cups water
Onion soup powder
1 can tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Olive Oil
4 Potatoes
4 Peppers
1 Carrot
3 slices of Kabocha
2 Eggplants
Spices: Cumin. Turmeric, Coriander (died leaf and powder), Black pepper, Garam Masala, Spicy Curry Powder
I probably swiped it from some other blog but I can't remember what blog. Sorry. Anyway, the topic is exactly what it sounds like: every Monday I'm going to make something and then post about it! Of course, I can't promise that I'll have time to make something every Monday...but I'll try and if I can't make something ON Monday, I'll plan to make something FOR Monday.
When I first thought about incorporating this, I thought I'd be making something like a craft but it turns out for the inaugural run I decided to post a recipe!
The temperature is finally on a decline (and not just hanging out in some weird limbo) so today I wanted something to warm me up for dinner. At first, I thought about whipping up some easy minestrone (most of my cooking is "easy") but I didn't have any beans (which also meant that I couldn't just make some reliable veggie chili) or small pasta. I just couldn't have minestrone without beans or pasta.
The next logical step would be soup curry, of course! (Not really.)
Soup curry is exactly what its name implies: a curry flavored soup with heaps of veggies and meat (if you want). It's a specialty of Hokkaido- the area's cold climate is the best place to enjoy a bowl of hot, spicy soup curry. Also, many restaurants boast the use of homegrown vegetables (much of Hokkaido is farmland).
From our favorite soup curry place, VoyageAnd here's what I did:
First I made Ryan cut the vegetables. Then I threw the vegetables (carrots, peppers, kabocha) onto a baking pan and started baking them at 220C.
I then started on the soup. First I sauteed the onion and garlic in olive oil in a large pot. Then I added the water and the onion soup powder. I brought this to a boil. Then I realized that I should saute the spices with the onion and garlic and the can of tomatoes (OK, kinda like a roux) THEN add the water...
So I poured the onion soup water into another container. With the garlic and onion still in the large pot, I added a little more olive oil, put the pot over a medium flame then just added the spices to my liking. Here's the list of spices I decided to use:
Don't worry, I listed them in the ingredients area at the end of this entry.This smelled soooooo good! After I decided the spices were all warm and mixed, I poured the canned tomatoes in the pot. Just as I thought, it seemed that the tomatoes took over the flavor of the spices so I added more spices. When it started to smell great again, I poured the onion soup water back into the pot, lowered the heat, and worked on the next step.
At this point I realized I forgot to tell Ryan to cut the potatoes and the eggplant. So I did these myself, and set them aside to roast after the first batch of vegetables were done. This took about 20-30 minutes. I put the roasted vegetables in a container and started roasting the potatoes and eggplant.
The potatoes and eggplant took about 40 minutes I guess. I also threw in the avocado about 25 minutes in (so they cooked for about 15 minutes.)
The soup had been simmering for awhile at this point and filling the kitchen with the loveliest fragrances.
Now that all the veggies were roasted and the soup was hot, it was time for assembling!!
I just ladled some soup into a bowls, and then put as many vegetables as I could fit.
We enjoyed this soup with some toasted baguette.
Here's Ryan enjoying his soup curry.
That's his excited face. Really!In Summary:
1. Cut all the vegetables that you want in your soup curry.
2. Place them (except garlic and onions) on a baking pan with sides, sprinkle some oil on top, and bake or roast. (Whatever setting you use to do that kind of thing.)
3. Saute garlic and onions in a large-ish pot. Add spices. Stir around until it dries up a bit and starts smelling awesome.
4. Add the canned tomatoes. Mix well. Add more spices to your liking.
5. In another pot, bring water to a boil and add the onion soup powder. Then add this water to the large pot of spicy tomato roux. Simmer until the veggies are ready.
6. When the veggies are ready, place as much as you like in your bowl and then gently ladle the soup curry into the bowl. (I originally did this the other way around but I think this way is better.)
7. Enjoy with rice or bread or even just by itself!
Pro-tips:
#1. Some cheese sprinkled in the soup is delicious. Alternatively, you could put cheese over your rice. Even better, sprinkle some fried garlic chips on top of your rice.
#2. You can add chili peppers or crushed chilis to the soup to make it as hot as you like.
Ingredients:
4 cups water
Onion soup powder
1 can tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Olive Oil
4 Potatoes
4 Peppers
1 Carrot
3 slices of Kabocha
2 Eggplants
Spices: Cumin. Turmeric, Coriander (died leaf and powder), Black pepper, Garam Masala, Spicy Curry Powder
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
Belated Weigh-In Wednesday: 57.1kg
Boo!!! A weight gain AND a late post. I'm 0-for-2 with no good excuses.
Actually I've been going between 57.1 and 56ish for awhile. Like a month, at least. I'm calling it a plateau. Luckily, this isn't a plateau that's physical in nature. Unfortunately, it would be easier if it was that. I would know that I was on the right track and I'd just have to keep on trucking a little longer before things got moving again. Or just add a little more oomph to my workouts or something.
It would have been much easier than having to admit that it's just me being lax on myself and not following the plan like I had been the month before. Instead of diligently tracking everything, measuring everything, planning things out, and choosing the better option, I was letting myself go.
Worse, even though I recognize this problem, I can't seem to stop myself from continuing! Sometimes, I honestly think I have some kind of eating disorder. I can literally eat nonstop all day. NONSTOP. That's not normal, right? I mean, even when I'm seriously crazy full, I can still think of food I want to eat. I should just try it one day and tweet it. It would be kinda like Supersize Me.
Right now, at this moment, I'm thinking about eating. And it's not just a nebulous idea about a future meal or craving. I've got the food and method all planned out. If this were a suicide risk assessment, I would be considered high risk since I not only have the ideas but a thought out plan! I would get up, peel one of the smoked and flavored boiled eggs I got from a vending machine (OMG so awesome, will post about that later!) and just down it while standing over the rice cooker scooping rice into my mouth with every bite of the egg. (Disgusting, right?!) Not even the shame of having to admit it on the internet is stopping me! (Possibly years of living on a constant guilt trip- I was raised in a Catholic household with Asian parents- has caused me to become immune or at least take shame as just an inevitable part of my life?)
So now that you know all my dirty secrets (which I guess is going to be a recurring theme in weigh-in Wednesdays)...now what?
Well, I'd like to move forward. My goal this month was to reach 54kg and with 2.5 weeks left, I think it's a little unrealistic. I'd like to adjust my goal to 55ish. Last weekend I hit 56.1 (sure I was a little dehydrated) so I think in 2.5 weeks I could definitely get to a number like 55.9.
Starting tomorrow, I will recommit to diligent point counting. I had tried the "simply filling method" for a week but basically failed at it...I guess having even fewer things to record just makes me more lazy. Anyway, back to the basics.
Later tonight, I'll be trying out some new Ashtanga yoga videos. (Sad sidenote: My favorite power yoga DVD was recently retired because the disc was destroyed.) I really want to join a yoga studio but it is prohibitively expensive. Like, insanely prohibitive.
For now, I think I'll have that smoked egg and some rice with a nice salad made from the leftover vegetables I used in the falafels I made for lunch. Can't start a a revolution on a (sort of) empty stomach.
Actually I've been going between 57.1 and 56ish for awhile. Like a month, at least. I'm calling it a plateau. Luckily, this isn't a plateau that's physical in nature. Unfortunately, it would be easier if it was that. I would know that I was on the right track and I'd just have to keep on trucking a little longer before things got moving again. Or just add a little more oomph to my workouts or something.
It would have been much easier than having to admit that it's just me being lax on myself and not following the plan like I had been the month before. Instead of diligently tracking everything, measuring everything, planning things out, and choosing the better option, I was letting myself go.
Worse, even though I recognize this problem, I can't seem to stop myself from continuing! Sometimes, I honestly think I have some kind of eating disorder. I can literally eat nonstop all day. NONSTOP. That's not normal, right? I mean, even when I'm seriously crazy full, I can still think of food I want to eat. I should just try it one day and tweet it. It would be kinda like Supersize Me.
Right now, at this moment, I'm thinking about eating. And it's not just a nebulous idea about a future meal or craving. I've got the food and method all planned out. If this were a suicide risk assessment, I would be considered high risk since I not only have the ideas but a thought out plan! I would get up, peel one of the smoked and flavored boiled eggs I got from a vending machine (OMG so awesome, will post about that later!) and just down it while standing over the rice cooker scooping rice into my mouth with every bite of the egg. (Disgusting, right?!) Not even the shame of having to admit it on the internet is stopping me! (Possibly years of living on a constant guilt trip- I was raised in a Catholic household with Asian parents- has caused me to become immune or at least take shame as just an inevitable part of my life?)
So now that you know all my dirty secrets (which I guess is going to be a recurring theme in weigh-in Wednesdays)...now what?
Well, I'd like to move forward. My goal this month was to reach 54kg and with 2.5 weeks left, I think it's a little unrealistic. I'd like to adjust my goal to 55ish. Last weekend I hit 56.1 (sure I was a little dehydrated) so I think in 2.5 weeks I could definitely get to a number like 55.9.
Starting tomorrow, I will recommit to diligent point counting. I had tried the "simply filling method" for a week but basically failed at it...I guess having even fewer things to record just makes me more lazy. Anyway, back to the basics.
Later tonight, I'll be trying out some new Ashtanga yoga videos. (Sad sidenote: My favorite power yoga DVD was recently retired because the disc was destroyed.) I really want to join a yoga studio but it is prohibitively expensive. Like, insanely prohibitive.
For now, I think I'll have that smoked egg and some rice with a nice salad made from the leftover vegetables I used in the falafels I made for lunch. Can't start a a revolution on a (sort of) empty stomach.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Weigh-In Wednesday: 56.75kg
Welcome to my first installment of "Weigh-In Wednesdays!" Like I mentioned in the last entry I'm kinda on a "weight-loss journey" so...why not make a weight-loss journal?
I don't even know where to start so let's just start with today's actual weigh-in...drum roll please... 56.76kg!!
Oh my god, I can't believe I've put that out there on the internet for all to see. I don't care, I won't be at this weight for long. And anyway, it's a completely respectable weight and it's probably my lowest weight ever (I have a bad memory).
While I'm on a roll admitting things I usually keep a secret, I'll throw in another one: I joined Weight Watchers 10 weeks ago.
I know it's nothing to be ashamed of. But I guess my image of a person who joins Weight Watchers didn't mesh with the image that I had of myself. I know that's a terrible thing to say but I mean I didn't think anything bad about "people who join WW."
I guess what happened was I realized I've been doing the same thing and expecting different results. You know, that classic definition of insanity. So I tried something so different...something that I had just recently told my best friend she didn't need (or was that just something i was thinking and never said?). The reason that I didn't think I (and my friend) needed it was because I considered myself someone who was active and who ate well. I felt like it should come naturally. I guess I just wanted to be different from everyone else who's joined Weight Watchers. I wanted to do it on my own. But I'm over it now.
Even though I've been this weight before I know that I was there only because it was water weight. This time, I know that my body has changed and I wasn't starving myself or I hadn't just come off a 12 hour flight. I know there's been a change in my portion sizes and I'm willing to admit that I'm eating even better than before. Goddamn you, WW!!! Why'd you do this to me?
Now here I am 10 weeks and at a plateau. I'm optimistic though. This month's goal is to reach 54.5kg!! I'm almost frightened by that number!
So that's it for Weigh-In Wednesday. See ya next week.
I don't even know where to start so let's just start with today's actual weigh-in...drum roll please... 56.76kg!!
Oh my god, I can't believe I've put that out there on the internet for all to see. I don't care, I won't be at this weight for long. And anyway, it's a completely respectable weight and it's probably my lowest weight ever (I have a bad memory).
While I'm on a roll admitting things I usually keep a secret, I'll throw in another one: I joined Weight Watchers 10 weeks ago.
I know it's nothing to be ashamed of. But I guess my image of a person who joins Weight Watchers didn't mesh with the image that I had of myself. I know that's a terrible thing to say but I mean I didn't think anything bad about "people who join WW."
I guess what happened was I realized I've been doing the same thing and expecting different results. You know, that classic definition of insanity. So I tried something so different...something that I had just recently told my best friend she didn't need (or was that just something i was thinking and never said?). The reason that I didn't think I (and my friend) needed it was because I considered myself someone who was active and who ate well. I felt like it should come naturally. I guess I just wanted to be different from everyone else who's joined Weight Watchers. I wanted to do it on my own. But I'm over it now.
Even though I've been this weight before I know that I was there only because it was water weight. This time, I know that my body has changed and I wasn't starving myself or I hadn't just come off a 12 hour flight. I know there's been a change in my portion sizes and I'm willing to admit that I'm eating even better than before. Goddamn you, WW!!! Why'd you do this to me?
Now here I am 10 weeks and at a plateau. I'm optimistic though. This month's goal is to reach 54.5kg!! I'm almost frightened by that number!
So that's it for Weigh-In Wednesday. See ya next week.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November Spawned A Monster (again)
I'm pretty sure I've used this title before but it was at least a year ago so I think it's fair game now. November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and I've decided to join it. Just like I did last year.
Last year, I hit about 10,000 or so words before I sputtered out and called it quits...or rather got busy and decided it wasn't that high in my list of priorities.
This year, I've decided to be smarter about it. I prepped a little. Researched a bit (actually, I haven't the book). Printed out some of the NaNoWriMo workbook (the one for the Young Writer's program...because you know, I'm still a high schooler at hear). I even made a binder for it AND I've even filled out a few of the worksheets!
However, this weekend I realized that I can't keep making myself bite off more than I can chew. Yes, I would like to challenge myself to write a novel. But, I do have other challenges that are important to me (for instance, actually blogging and yeah, having a life to blog about).
So in the spirit of wanting to "have it all," I've decided that I would still do NaNoWrimo but I would split the 50,000 word goal between a novel, this blog and the other blog. Thus making me a NaNoWriMo rebel.
On top of that, my other goals include: learn 30 new kanji, finish my Japanese study book, lose 2kg, make something crafty/arty every week and organize my pictures and finally use that Groupon for 300 prints. Plus you know other stuff.
I wasn't able to fulfill my October goals. I think I did as much as I could and completed things that weren't on my list. I don't want to get all hung up my perceived failure so here is what I did accomplish:
1. I made a Halloween costume from scratch. It was a departure for me: something beautiful for once. I was princess Jasmin for two of my school's Halloween parties.
2. We threw a pretty nice Halloween party. Lots of people came (in costume!) and everyone seemed to have a good time. I made lots of the decorations (using my new favorite purchase: hot glue gun), made a delicious cheeseball shaped like a pumpkin that amazed some guests and frightened people in my Dia De Los Muertos costume. Totally channeling my inner Martha Stewart.
3. I made one of my naginata club members so happy when I spoke to her all in Japanese for 15 minutes. She's our oldest member (like 80 years old!!) and she was beaming at me for trying my best at Japanese. It was hard. But she's right, I just have to speak Japanese and not worry about getting it all wrong.
4. I maintained my weight loss. I should be happy that the 2kg I've worked to lose is actual weight loss and not some fluke but I have to admit that I'm at a plateau and it's kind of depressing. I'll get out of it though! Slowly and surely. I know that I've changed not just my body (a little bit) but my habits and my attitude towards food so I'm happy.
5. I was supposed to visit at least one yoga studio but I've since decided that I really can't afford yoga right now. It's just too expensive here. I'll just continue working on it on my own. I've also given up on adult ballet classes (due to scheduling and lack of options) but I think I'm going to try bouldering. I just have to find the courage to go by myself.
6. I think I made a goal of getting 50 points at this month's naginata tournament and I got 58!
7. I sent a package off to a dear friend in time for her wedding with a homemade stamp of a symbol I saw on their wedding website and a set of my favorite teas.
October went by faster than I hoped and I have a feeling that November will go even faster. Why can't time slow down just a little bit? Well, see you tomorrow!
Last year, I hit about 10,000 or so words before I sputtered out and called it quits...or rather got busy and decided it wasn't that high in my list of priorities.
This year, I've decided to be smarter about it. I prepped a little. Researched a bit (actually, I haven't the book). Printed out some of the NaNoWriMo workbook (the one for the Young Writer's program...because you know, I'm still a high schooler at hear). I even made a binder for it AND I've even filled out a few of the worksheets!
However, this weekend I realized that I can't keep making myself bite off more than I can chew. Yes, I would like to challenge myself to write a novel. But, I do have other challenges that are important to me (for instance, actually blogging and yeah, having a life to blog about).
So in the spirit of wanting to "have it all," I've decided that I would still do NaNoWrimo but I would split the 50,000 word goal between a novel, this blog and the other blog. Thus making me a NaNoWriMo rebel.
On top of that, my other goals include: learn 30 new kanji, finish my Japanese study book, lose 2kg, make something crafty/arty every week and organize my pictures and finally use that Groupon for 300 prints. Plus you know other stuff.
I wasn't able to fulfill my October goals. I think I did as much as I could and completed things that weren't on my list. I don't want to get all hung up my perceived failure so here is what I did accomplish:
1. I made a Halloween costume from scratch. It was a departure for me: something beautiful for once. I was princess Jasmin for two of my school's Halloween parties.
2. We threw a pretty nice Halloween party. Lots of people came (in costume!) and everyone seemed to have a good time. I made lots of the decorations (using my new favorite purchase: hot glue gun), made a delicious cheeseball shaped like a pumpkin that amazed some guests and frightened people in my Dia De Los Muertos costume. Totally channeling my inner Martha Stewart.
3. I made one of my naginata club members so happy when I spoke to her all in Japanese for 15 minutes. She's our oldest member (like 80 years old!!) and she was beaming at me for trying my best at Japanese. It was hard. But she's right, I just have to speak Japanese and not worry about getting it all wrong.
4. I maintained my weight loss. I should be happy that the 2kg I've worked to lose is actual weight loss and not some fluke but I have to admit that I'm at a plateau and it's kind of depressing. I'll get out of it though! Slowly and surely. I know that I've changed not just my body (a little bit) but my habits and my attitude towards food so I'm happy.
5. I was supposed to visit at least one yoga studio but I've since decided that I really can't afford yoga right now. It's just too expensive here. I'll just continue working on it on my own. I've also given up on adult ballet classes (due to scheduling and lack of options) but I think I'm going to try bouldering. I just have to find the courage to go by myself.
6. I think I made a goal of getting 50 points at this month's naginata tournament and I got 58!
7. I sent a package off to a dear friend in time for her wedding with a homemade stamp of a symbol I saw on their wedding website and a set of my favorite teas.
October went by faster than I hoped and I have a feeling that November will go even faster. Why can't time slow down just a little bit? Well, see you tomorrow!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
It's that time again...
That magical time when I decide to recommit myself to blogging and a whole slew of other activities. But this time I think I can actually keep it up.
A few months ago I bought a 3 pack of Moleskine sketchbooks and used about 3 or 4 pages before I stopped carrying it around with my pencils and brand new watercolor pens (which I love by the way). So I've taken it out, glued in some calendar pages and put it back in my bag.
Months ago I had drawn a daruma on one of the first pages. But I never filled in the one eye that you're supposed to fill in when you start a goal. (You fill in the second eye when you've completed the goal.) I guess I was afraid. I was afraid that I didn't have a good enough goal or that I wouldn't complete it. But I think it's time to start doing things that scare me. So I'll be filling in the eye today. And I'll have a simple goal: to fill all the pages of the book.
Easy enough, right?
Well, I'll update with pictures later. Now it's time to get some things done!
A few months ago I bought a 3 pack of Moleskine sketchbooks and used about 3 or 4 pages before I stopped carrying it around with my pencils and brand new watercolor pens (which I love by the way). So I've taken it out, glued in some calendar pages and put it back in my bag.
Months ago I had drawn a daruma on one of the first pages. But I never filled in the one eye that you're supposed to fill in when you start a goal. (You fill in the second eye when you've completed the goal.) I guess I was afraid. I was afraid that I didn't have a good enough goal or that I wouldn't complete it. But I think it's time to start doing things that scare me. So I'll be filling in the eye today. And I'll have a simple goal: to fill all the pages of the book.
Easy enough, right?
Well, I'll update with pictures later. Now it's time to get some things done!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A New Way to Run
Ohisashiburidesu, Dear Reader(s)...
Sorry this is just going to be a quick one but I'm on Day 2 of "Quit wasting time on things that get you nowhere!" Not that I put this blog in the "things that get me nowhere" category...well...anyway...
I'm trying to pick up pace and increase my running distance (oh yeah, did you remember that the actual topic of this entry is about running?) so I tried something different the other day. Usually I run with my iPhone because I have this awesome app called RunKeeper which tracks my distance and gives me audio cues about my time, pace and distance. I like knowing how far I've run and how fast I'm going. I thought that it helped me. But yesterday, I decided to use just my mp3 player (1 of 3 Zunes in all of Japan! And an awesome gift from an awesome person named Ryan)...and it was pretty awesome! I ran 7km (more or less considering the variability of the GPS) and I was not plagued with thoughts of "oh god, I've gotta run faster" or "I've only gone that far?!" I guess there were other factors in play such as the beautiful day I had for running and the fact that I felt really good in my new running shoes. But it was a good change and I'm going to continue with it.
Also, I have lots of different kinds of music on my mp3. I guess I was kind of getting sick of the "running" and "get pumped" mixes I made on my iPhone. I still carry my iPhone but just so that I can use RunKeeper to log my runs.
Anyway, part of my "Quit wasting time" routine is getting to bed on time so that I can attempt to get the minimum 7 hours of sleep that I realized my body needs. When did that happen?! I used to be able to feel normal at 5 hours or less! I guess I'm just getting old.
Don't worry, my new routine will enable me to post more often because I do find this blog meaningful to me!
P.S. While I'm trying to cut down on my Facebook time and have decided to stop using Twitter...I've picked up a new "microblogging" time suck called Pinterest. Check out my boards!
Sorry this is just going to be a quick one but I'm on Day 2 of "Quit wasting time on things that get you nowhere!" Not that I put this blog in the "things that get me nowhere" category...well...anyway...
I'm trying to pick up pace and increase my running distance (oh yeah, did you remember that the actual topic of this entry is about running?) so I tried something different the other day. Usually I run with my iPhone because I have this awesome app called RunKeeper which tracks my distance and gives me audio cues about my time, pace and distance. I like knowing how far I've run and how fast I'm going. I thought that it helped me. But yesterday, I decided to use just my mp3 player (1 of 3 Zunes in all of Japan! And an awesome gift from an awesome person named Ryan)...and it was pretty awesome! I ran 7km (more or less considering the variability of the GPS) and I was not plagued with thoughts of "oh god, I've gotta run faster" or "I've only gone that far?!" I guess there were other factors in play such as the beautiful day I had for running and the fact that I felt really good in my new running shoes. But it was a good change and I'm going to continue with it.
Also, I have lots of different kinds of music on my mp3. I guess I was kind of getting sick of the "running" and "get pumped" mixes I made on my iPhone. I still carry my iPhone but just so that I can use RunKeeper to log my runs.
Anyway, part of my "Quit wasting time" routine is getting to bed on time so that I can attempt to get the minimum 7 hours of sleep that I realized my body needs. When did that happen?! I used to be able to feel normal at 5 hours or less! I guess I'm just getting old.
Don't worry, my new routine will enable me to post more often because I do find this blog meaningful to me!
P.S. While I'm trying to cut down on my Facebook time and have decided to stop using Twitter...I've picked up a new "microblogging" time suck called Pinterest. Check out my boards!
Monday, May 16, 2011
My New Running Shoes: Vibram Bikila
(SUPER FEET!!!!)After the 10K, I decided that I wanted to take my commitment to running up a notch. I would make myself a runner! So I thought, what's the most important thing a runner wears? Sunscreen, duh! What's the next important thing? Shoes! (Though I guess barefoot runners would disagree.)
As a treat, I decided to go ahead and spend the money to get my hands on the Vibram Bikilas. They were finally available in my city- previously, the official website only listed a few stores in Tokyo but now there are 2 stores in my entire prefecture that are official carriers of Vibram and they're both in my city.
Why did I choose these shoes? I just think they were the simplest choice. I didn't want to browse and try on several different pairs of shoes just to find the one that made my feet feel right. The Bikilas basically take my feet and make them super feet! Seriously, I don't feel like I'm wearing shoes. I feel like I've just upgraded my feet. I guess that's strange but as stated in Parks and Recreation: "The human foot is the ultimate technology." And yeah, the character who said it was wearing Vibrams.
Some other points: (+ = positive; - = negative; I don't think you're stupid...I just thought I should put in a note.)
+ They're light and compact- I can carry them anywhere.
+ I don't have to wear socks which means I don't have to worry about packing socks too if I travel with them.
+ They are machine washable!
+ They are attractive (at least I like them!)
+ They'll make my legs stronger in the long run (pun intended!).
- They draw attention to me. They are bright, strange looking and are much more noisy than my other pair of shoes. Guess I can't ninja around in these...
- I wonder if my feet will get cold when I'm running in the fall.
- I wonder if it will be uncomfortable when it rains. (But I am optimistic that it won't be any more uncomfortable than running in regular shoes and I think it'll be less uncomfortable.)
Don't have anything else to add so...'til next time, happy running!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
My First 10K Marathon: Just don't shit your pants!
This is how I felt during most of the run.I did it! I did it! I ran a 10K race (in Japan, they call any running race a marathon, I guess) and I did it in under an hour! Unbelievable...(I heard from a coworker that there is some talk going around that the race's distance was fishy, many people were surprised by their finish time and someone's gps came up half a km short! This news is certainly a blow to my confidence in my race time...but it just means I'll have to enter another race to prove myself!)
Like I said in the previous post, I went on a short hanami trip right before the race. Actually one of the reasons it was short was because I wanted a day to rest before the race. My goal was to run at least 8K once during the trip but because of the weather and very early wake up times, I had to cut my goal short. I DID take a short run but it wasn't in Hirosaki. It was in Tazawako and I'm glad I decided to run there. First off, the weather was great- cool and a bit overcast. Second, it was a cute town (as opposed to a small city like Hirosaki) surrounded by mountains and small rivers. Everyone that I saw smiled and greeted me. It made me wish that we were placed in a town like that (but only just a little- I know how lucky we are to be in Sapporo!) Anyway, that day I only ran about 4K but it gave me hope.
Let's fast forward to race day. I had to wake up early and get to the stadium to pick up my race card and Runner's chip (tracking device). I was there 3 hours before my start time!! Still, I barely made it to the pick-up station before they started to close up shop! Imagine if I hadn't made it in time?! I wore my new running tights under windbreakers and my sports bra with my new long sleeved running shirt. I packed my cap and my running shorts in my bag along with my lunch and my running pouch with my earbuds and iPhone.
This is the 2K point...I don't look too worried...yet...
This is the 2K point...I don't look too worried...yet...This is only my second marathon but I have to say that I really love the energy of the crowd. Everyone there, whether they were runners or supporters, was so enthusiastic and happy. The seniors manning the pick-up station were so happy to take my notice card and hand me my race packet (two number bibs with safety pins, Runner's chip, a marathon program, and a towel) and told me to do my best (Ganbatte kudasai!!). I really think that phrase is much more supportive than "good luck" though I know the sentiment is supposed to be the same.
Anyway, I was able to meet up with a coworker and his friend who were both running the 5K which started at 10:40. So I was able to cheer them on and high five them as they ran past me. I have to admit that although I love when people are cheering on the sidelines, I'm a little shy when it comes to me being the cheer-er. I tried my best to encourage the runners with clapping and occasional shouts "ganbatte!" but I think I should try harder next time. (Haha...try harder to cheer!!!)
By 11:00 I started to get nervous. I knew that getting to the stadium so early was going to mess with my head. I ate half a Power Bar, small OJ juice box, a banana, raisin bread and some water. I wasn't hungry but I knew that I needed the fuel (as much for my body as for my mind; I knew that if I didn't eat, it would be hard for me to convince myself that I had everything I needed to finish...in other words, I would start thinking "oh god, i didn't eat a good enough lunch...i can't finish. i won't finish..." Such is the power of my defeatist attitude.).
After lunch, I changed into my shorts and put my race bib on and attached the Runner's Chip to my shoe, I checked my bag and went into the stadium. I messaged Ryan one last time to say I was nervous and he gave me the only advice that could possibly have made me feel better at that point: "Just don't shit your pants!"
This is the halfway point. Trying to put on a brave face for the camera.
This is your halfway point as well...sorry this post is so long and rambly.
This is the halfway point. Trying to put on a brave face for the camera.This is your halfway point as well...sorry this post is so long and rambly.
I followed the crowd of people wearing neon yellow bibs to the start line and had 10 minutes before race start. It was then that my nerves really started up. I didn't feel this way the last time I ran. I guess because I literally arrived at the start line when the race started.
I readied my iPhone by starting up the RunKeeper app but kept only one earbud in so I could hear the signal bell. I was seriously thinking about just dropping out at this point. I felt nervous and maybe something a little like loneliness. But the signal bell sounded and the announcer stated enthusiastically that the 10K has started and the crowd started moving. I was swept up with the crowd and before I knew it I ran past my coworker and his friend who high-fived me and cheered me on.
Nerves gave way to concentrating on my breath and pace and this is how the first 2K went. But I started getting distracted. I started thinking I can't do this. I can't finish this. Just then, I saw my coworker and his friend one more time. I guess they were on their way home and had to stop to let the runners through before they could get out of my park. Honestly, it was a nice surprise to see them cheering again and one that gave me the courage and the will to keep going.
I focused on my music (a strange mix of Prince, Talib Kweli, Queen, etc.) and tried to remember the course map and where I might be and how far I had to go. At one point the course exits the park for a little bit and runs along the Toyohira River. It's at this point that it folds in on itself and it was at this point that I really wanted to just stop. We were nearing the water station and just beyond that was the halfway point and on the right side I could see runners on their way back to the stadium. This sight disheartened me. I wondered how many people were behind me if so many were in front of me and already on their way back. I saw a runner inside the medic tent with skinned knees. For half a second, I wished we could trade places so I could sit down.
I knew that line of thinking was crazy so I focused on the water station. Just get yourself to the water station and it'll be alright. You're almost there. It was also at this point that I realized how hot I was. The sun was high in the sky (the race started at noon) and I could feel my cheeks and lips burning a bit. I felt stupid for not reapplying lip balm before I lined up. I wished that my cap protected my face a bit more.
I was so happy to reach the water station. I slowed to grab a cup and splashed the water on my face and then grabbed another to drink. This was awesome! I had always wanted to do that! Hahaha.
After the water station, I remembered that I only had a few more meters to go before the halfway point. I was energized by this but also a bit dismayed because I couldn't see the halfway point and it didn't look that far away on the map! Trickery!!
The halfway point was marked by 6 foot tall orange cone and I high-fived the cone as I rounded it. The centaur rock song that Ryan suggested came on just as I was coming up on the cone. It was triumphant and I remember picking up my pace a bit. This might have been detrimental. I passed the water station, which was serving cups of sports drink on this side. Luckily I decided to drink before drenching myself and saved myself from getting sticky. But I think I hit rock bottom right after that. I noticed that it didn't look like there were many runners behind me. There were barely any spectator's cheering at this point and I was really running low on spirit. I felt my energy drop and my weight seemed to increase. My iPhone was telling me I had only run 6K but the signs were telling me that I only had 3K more to go. Or maybe my Japanese wasn't so good and it was telling me something else?
The going was rough...but once I saw the stadium, I tried my best to muster up some spirit to run. And then I entered the stadium, scanned the small crowd for Ryan, relaxed my face into what I hoped was a smile and not a grimace, and sprinted for the finish line. Triumph! The clock read 12:58:26 when I entered and I worried that Ryan hadn't made it since I told him to come at 1...since I thought I would be finishing after 1. But he was there and got two shots of me before I crossed the finish line.
I made it!!! Now get out of my way!!!
I made it!!! Now get out of my way!!!My quads were cramping something awful by the time we exited the stadium. I stretched a bit and then used the walk to the train station as a cool down. My official time is 58:28!! Yay! But I placed in the 800s out of about 1000. Boo!!
Trying to get there before the girl dressed in pink!Anyway, thanks for reading/skimming/looking at the pictures/skipping to the end!!!
That's me- #7200- and I am two seconds away from crossing the finish line!!Sunday, April 17, 2011
18 days until the 10K
Workout: 4km/30 min; around the neighborhood; gusty winds, grey skies, light snow (WHAT?!)
Yeah, that's right- towards the end of my run the winds picked up and some snow fell. The weather was terrible. It was cold and the wind was suffocating. But I just HAD to go for a run today. For the past two days I've been feeling terrible...just sluggish and weird. Ryan says I cycle through this mood every few weeks. I don't believe it happens as often as he says. Anyway, I just had to run today to set the pace for the rest of week. I need to stay on track and get myself ready for the 10K. I know that I won't reach my time goal (1 hour) but I just want to make sure that I am mentally ready to FINISH. Judging by today's performance, I think I'll be OK for the race. Despite the weather and my dismal attitude, I felt fine during my run and could have gone on longer (if I didn't have to get breakfast back to the apartment). This week I hope to get at least 3 runs in if not more.
The days leading up to the race I'll be on a mini hanami vacation but I hope to get one long run (8+km) in during that vacation. I'm picturing myself running around Hirosaki castle while cherry blossoms are falling.
Yeah, that's right- towards the end of my run the winds picked up and some snow fell. The weather was terrible. It was cold and the wind was suffocating. But I just HAD to go for a run today. For the past two days I've been feeling terrible...just sluggish and weird. Ryan says I cycle through this mood every few weeks. I don't believe it happens as often as he says. Anyway, I just had to run today to set the pace for the rest of week. I need to stay on track and get myself ready for the 10K. I know that I won't reach my time goal (1 hour) but I just want to make sure that I am mentally ready to FINISH. Judging by today's performance, I think I'll be OK for the race. Despite the weather and my dismal attitude, I felt fine during my run and could have gone on longer (if I didn't have to get breakfast back to the apartment). This week I hope to get at least 3 runs in if not more.
The days leading up to the race I'll be on a mini hanami vacation but I hope to get one long run (8+km) in during that vacation. I'm picturing myself running around Hirosaki castle while cherry blossoms are falling.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
B210K
So yesterday I finally took the plunge and got a gym membership so that I could start training for the 10K in May! I don't want to set any time goals...I just want to finish it and I want to finish it strong! To be honest, I don't like running on treadmills but it's my only option right now. I know that once I start running outside I'll get a better idea of my pacing. The only downside of the gym is that there's a 30 minute time limit on the machines! Oh well. I'll just have to stop every 30 minutes and see if anyone's on line for the machines or not.
This is actually just a place mark...so you'll have to wait for a proper post...which will come soon!
This is actually just a place mark...so you'll have to wait for a proper post...which will come soon!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Weight
I'm not the girl who likes to go to the gym. Or the girl who likes to watch what she eats. In fact when I started writing and thinking about this post 9 days ago, I kind of threw myself into a funk. I don't want to call it what I thought it was because I know I have a knack for melodrama. In any case, I couldn't write this and am partially forcing myself to now...if only so that I could start writing about more exciting stuff! Thing is I guess I could have just glossed over it and gone on to the happy and nice things I want to talk about but I'm going to have to acknowledge it at some point.
Anyway, sorry but this lead up is going to be anti-climactic...
What really threw me for a loop is an old realization that I finally had to really, truly accept: Unless I drastically change my eating habits, I will never have the body I want. Whew. It's out there. I've said it before- I have never been and will never be skinny simply because I love to eat. I can work out all I want but it won't be enough. That right there...that really put me down.
Honestly, I don't think my diet is that bad. It really isn't. I am pretty much vegetarian. I cook most of my meals. I don't drink soda. In fact I drink at least 2 liters of water every day. I watch how much rice I eat.
But maybe I am guilty of eating too much. Or indulging in various guilty pleasures a bit more often than I should. For instance, I love bread. I can put away a damn half a loaf of white bread in one sitting. With butter. God, I love butter.
I just hate the idea of having to watch what I eat. It totally bums me out. I kind of wish that it would bum me out so much that I'd want to stop eating. Hahaha. That's a terrible wish and I hope it doesn't come true.
Anyway, I am more active now and have lost a little bit of weight so I know it's within reach: the body that I want. And I'm glad that I finally accepted that I'm going to have to do a lot more than just move my body around to get to where I want to be. Still, I'm not happy about it. I guess nobody can be though.
So I've added a Twitter gadget to the blog. It's my exercise Twitter. I've been pretty good about exercising every day. I'm pretty proud of myself and I know that I'm getting and looking stronger so maybe I shouldn't be so down on myself.
Now the second and more important part has to begin: an overhaul of what I eat. I haven't decided on a solution yet. It's difficult because like I said before, I don't see any glaring problems in my diet. But obviously I'm doing something wrong. Well, that's all I have to say for now...
Anyway, sorry but this lead up is going to be anti-climactic...
What really threw me for a loop is an old realization that I finally had to really, truly accept: Unless I drastically change my eating habits, I will never have the body I want. Whew. It's out there. I've said it before- I have never been and will never be skinny simply because I love to eat. I can work out all I want but it won't be enough. That right there...that really put me down.
Honestly, I don't think my diet is that bad. It really isn't. I am pretty much vegetarian. I cook most of my meals. I don't drink soda. In fact I drink at least 2 liters of water every day. I watch how much rice I eat.
But maybe I am guilty of eating too much. Or indulging in various guilty pleasures a bit more often than I should. For instance, I love bread. I can put away a damn half a loaf of white bread in one sitting. With butter. God, I love butter.
I just hate the idea of having to watch what I eat. It totally bums me out. I kind of wish that it would bum me out so much that I'd want to stop eating. Hahaha. That's a terrible wish and I hope it doesn't come true.
Anyway, I am more active now and have lost a little bit of weight so I know it's within reach: the body that I want. And I'm glad that I finally accepted that I'm going to have to do a lot more than just move my body around to get to where I want to be. Still, I'm not happy about it. I guess nobody can be though.
So I've added a Twitter gadget to the blog. It's my exercise Twitter. I've been pretty good about exercising every day. I'm pretty proud of myself and I know that I'm getting and looking stronger so maybe I shouldn't be so down on myself.
Now the second and more important part has to begin: an overhaul of what I eat. I haven't decided on a solution yet. It's difficult because like I said before, I don't see any glaring problems in my diet. But obviously I'm doing something wrong. Well, that's all I have to say for now...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
RECAP: 50 Things to Do in 115
So how did that list go? Well here are the results:
Complete: 28
Incomplete: 18
In Progress: 4
Pretty good, I think.
I'm spent from going through all 50...new post later.
RECAP of 50 Things to do in 115 Days
In about 115 (give or take a day or two or three- at the rate I'm going with updating), I will be 27 years old. Yikes! So I've made this list- of things I want to do before then. Here it is in no particular order: (And I'm going to refrain from explaining every single one. I hope to dedicate an entry to each one or at least an honorable mention in an entry.)
1. Lose 8 pounds. 6 pounds!
Status: In Progress...still...
Lately I've been thinking about this goal...probably not more than I usually do, which is still more than I wish I had to. Confusing, right? Well, I think I've figured out a goal that I CAN achieve while staying sane.
2. Pass JLPT N5. TAKEN 12/05/10- results TBA but I have a good feeling about this.
Status: Complete
Still waiting for the results but I'm not worried about it. Planning to take the next level this summer!
3. Run in a 5K race.- DONE! 10/03/10
Status: Complete
Moving on to a 10K in May and the Half-marathon in October!
4. Run 8K.
Status: Incomplete
I will be doing this soon enough! Just didn't have time.
5. Write a novel for NaNoWriMo. FAIL but it's ohkay!
Status: Incomplete
Last year (2010) I wrote around 10,000 out of 50,000 words and then things got too busy around here for me to finish. This year, I want to make a real effort to get this goal done!
6. Complete a video game. (Co-op games don't count) DONE! 10/30/10
Status: Complete
Not much to say...the game was Advance Wars: Dual Strike.
7. Teach the pre-kids a dance. -DONE! 10/01/10
Status: Complete
Been meaning to ask one of the moms if they had video of the dance...but haven't. Oh well.
8. Read >5 books.
Status: Complete
Mostly guilty pleasure zombie/horror theme books:
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, The Rising, City of the Dead, I Am Legend, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, World War Z, Wicked...
I feel like I read more but I can't think of any more.
9. See one of the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan.
Status: Incomplete
We went to Takino Suzuran Park to see it but didn't end up finding it before we ran out of time and had to get back to Sapporo. We'll try again when the weather warms up!
10. Have an onsen day.
Status: Incomplete
Going to plan one soon.
11. Finish a sewing project.
Status: Still In Progress
Today I started measuring and cutting the material for two different projects!
12. Send Tristan his package.
Status: Still In Progress
13. Start a recipe file.
Status: Incomplete
Well, I started an AllRecipes.com profile. Does that count?? Well, I'll get to it one day....
14. Draw or paint a picture.
Status: In Process
Working on some birthday cards now so getting the creative juices flowing!
15. Start an indoor herb garden. (Rosemary is a MUST!)
Status: Incomplete
Yikes! I bought a Rosemary plant from the big hardware store here...and once the temperature started dropping, it just dried up. I didn't realize that it would...Well, in the spring, my plan is to have a big thriving garden!
16. Clean out our basement space. DONE!
Status: Complete
The basement space now houses our two bikes, 4 old tires and some extra parts for our heater. The bags of garbage that Ryan's predecessor left have finally been thrown out! At least they sorted the garbage. Still it takes a few days to dispose of everything because different things get thrown out every day.
17. Find a yoga place or just get yourself to do it regularly and with purpose on your own.
Status: Complete
I regularly stretch and do my salutations every morning after my 18 minute cardio interval.
18. Buy yourself a piece of naginata bogu.
Status: Complete
I now own a new pair of shin protectors! I'll add a piece to my armor every few months now. It's quite an expensive undertaking though.
19. Have your annual medical checkup done and ask all the damn questions you've been bugging yourself about. DONE! 10/19
Status: Complete
Nothing to write home about. No big surprises. I'm in good health. And at least the doctor agreed that my left rib does stick out more than my right rib so I'm not crazy.
20. Get your eyes checked and hopefully get a cool new pair of glasses. (or two?)
Status: Incomplete
I'm starting to run low on contacts so it's about time I get this done. Maybe next month...
21. Increase your income.
Status: In Progress.
My hours are increasing at the school but I still haven't picked up more private lessons. I'll get on it soon.
22. Travel outside of Hokkaido.
Status: Complete
I went to Hawaii in January before my birthday! Yay!
23. Hike the Maruyama trail. FAIL (for now! let's try again when Maruyama isn't frozen!)
Status: Incomplete
I doubt we'll be able to find the trail now after the snow fall we've been having especially since we couldn't find the trail in the summer! We'll try again soon.
24. Ask Tony about bouldering and hopefully go with him (or without him).
Status: Complete
I drunkenly asked Tony about it at our school's Christmas party and told him I'd like to try bouldering with him but haven't gone yet!
25. Buy yourself a pair of knee high boots finally. DONE and arrived on 10/19!
Status: Complete
Never in my life have I owned a pair of knee-high boots before this. It feels great! I had to buy specially made wide calf boots...but I've come to terms with my calves and will not feel bad about them (very often)! Now I want Over-the-knee boots!
26. Go to the temple for New Year's. Or find a suitable alternative.
Status: Complete
I went with my friend Miki on January 3rd. Packed! For New Year's we were sleeping in our hotel after a good day of skiing. On January 2nd we visited a teacher's house where I ate whale for the first time and dressed and got made-up as a geisha. It was a spectacular New Year!
27. See a live music show.
Status: Incomplete
Still looking for a place/band.
28. Do something for Halloween.
Status: Complete
I made a Hello Kitty costume, impressed all the kids and moms at my school, wore it around my neighborhood and got a lot of funny looks and got a free beer at the local burger place for wearing a costume.
29. Grow your hair until January. (THEN you can do whatever you want with it.) OOPS! Cut hair on 10/10!
Status: Complete
I haven't cut my hair since October and it's getting a little long. I'll probably grow it until it gets hot here (that'll be July or August!) and then I'm thinking about chopping it all off. Before that I might get a perm...just to try out a different look. I suspect I'll cut it sooner than mid-summer because I'll get sick of it.
30. Buy new underwear. DONE and arrived...don't remember.
Status: Complete
Every girl/woman should wear pretty underwear! I believe that your underwear has the power to set the mood for the day.
31. Appreciate the leaves changing.
Status: Complete
Walked around Hokudai and took some shots with my iPhone. Also collected leaves with my students. Would like to appreciate the leaves changing in Kyoto at some point.
32. Get your skis "chuned-up!"
Status: Complete
Of course I got this done!
33. Start sending out birthday cards monthly.
Status: In Process
Today I updated my address book and have gotten almost everyone's address. I have 8 cards to make and send (belated cards for January and on time cards for February) and I want to send them before the 11th.
34. Speak French with a Japanese person.
Status: Complete
Went to a holiday party at our friend's place and their friend is a Japanese woman who volunteered in Senegal. She spoke wonderful French and I pretended I could speak. I hope to make a better acquaintance with her and her husband (who is French!).
35. Speak Tagalog to your grandma.
Status: Incomplete
I have not even cracked open my Tagalog book. =( Or even called my grandma. =(
36. Restock the apartment dinnerware.
Status: Didn't really need to.
Ryan sometimes visits special schools and they always send him home with pottery and such. So we got a bunch of cute dishes (shaped like flowers, etc.)
37. Plan a warm weather vacation.
Status: Complete
Plan one?! I WENT on one. Hawaii!!!
38. Take mogul skiing lessons.
Status: Incomplete
And probably won't for at least another year. I took a regular ski lesson and find my technique improving all the time. Soon, moguls, soon!
39. Find a new awesome ski jacket.
Status: Incomplete
Have not found one to my liking! Can you believe it?! How can I be so picky??
40. Compete in a naginata tournament and win one of your shiai.
Status: Complete
In November, we competed in a non-stop round robin kind of tournament where you got points for entering a match, for each point you get in a match and for winning the match. It was sort of brutal and totally fun. I placed 20th our of 32...not bad. It was a whirlwind. But I still remember this one match where I got a point right at the beginning...just that rush of it.
41. Go sledding.
Status: Incomplete
I'm tempted to count the times we've taken the school kids out sledding but I won't. It's not ME sledding. Oh well, winter's not over yet1
42. Make a Halloween costume. 10/29/10
Status: Complete
Made a Hello Kitty costume. Now we have a large HK head pillow.
43. Organize the stamps that you've collected.
Status: Incomplete
Haven't really even looked at them yet. Booooo.
44. Make satsumaimo cakes. 10/?/10
Status: Complete
Yummy as usual...what else to say about it...
45. Buy a sleeping bag.
Status: Incomplete
Have not gotten to it. Probably don't need it yet.
46. Organize your pictures.
Status: In Process
I have been deleting and organizing my pictures on my HD and my external drive. It's great!
47. Clear your laptop's HD.
Status: In Process
I used to be dangerously low on memory on my computer but now I have space! And trying to add to it everyday!
48. Learn how to use yeast to make bread.
Status: Incomplete
Darn! Really want to make homemade bread. Soon, I'll learn.
49. Find something to decorate the dining room wall.
Status: Complete
An awesome artist and friend, made me a cool poster of me as a zombie. She is a girl after my own heart. Haven't printed it yet but I will soon. We also now have a whiteboard, a portrait of me by one of my students, a portrait of Ryan by one of his students and a note from one of my students to me.
50. Do C8B300 in 20 minutes.
Status: Incomplete
Have not even done one set! I've been doing lots of different high intensity interval training sets and want to graduate to this soon. Maybe by next week.. i want to get a little stronger.
Extra-curriculars:
51. Go to that bar that has the girls wearing sexy bunny costumes.
52. Go dancing.
53. Find a real life running partner.
Complete: 28
Incomplete: 18
In Progress: 4
Pretty good, I think.
I'm spent from going through all 50...new post later.
RECAP of 50 Things to do in 115 Days
In about 115 (give or take a day or two or three- at the rate I'm going with updating), I will be 27 years old. Yikes! So I've made this list- of things I want to do before then. Here it is in no particular order: (And I'm going to refrain from explaining every single one. I hope to dedicate an entry to each one or at least an honorable mention in an entry.)
1. Lose 8 pounds. 6 pounds!
Status: In Progress...still...
Lately I've been thinking about this goal...probably not more than I usually do, which is still more than I wish I had to. Confusing, right? Well, I think I've figured out a goal that I CAN achieve while staying sane.
2. Pass JLPT N5. TAKEN 12/05/10- results TBA but I have a good feeling about this.
Status: Complete
Still waiting for the results but I'm not worried about it. Planning to take the next level this summer!
3. Run in a 5K race.- DONE! 10/03/10
Status: Complete
Moving on to a 10K in May and the Half-marathon in October!
4. Run 8K.
Status: Incomplete
I will be doing this soon enough! Just didn't have time.
5. Write a novel for NaNoWriMo. FAIL but it's ohkay!
Status: Incomplete
Last year (2010) I wrote around 10,000 out of 50,000 words and then things got too busy around here for me to finish. This year, I want to make a real effort to get this goal done!
6. Complete a video game. (Co-op games don't count) DONE! 10/30/10
Status: Complete
Not much to say...the game was Advance Wars: Dual Strike.
7. Teach the pre-kids a dance. -DONE! 10/01/10
Status: Complete
Been meaning to ask one of the moms if they had video of the dance...but haven't. Oh well.
8. Read >5 books.
Status: Complete
Mostly guilty pleasure zombie/horror theme books:
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, The Rising, City of the Dead, I Am Legend, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, World War Z, Wicked...
I feel like I read more but I can't think of any more.
9. See one of the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan.
Status: Incomplete
We went to Takino Suzuran Park to see it but didn't end up finding it before we ran out of time and had to get back to Sapporo. We'll try again when the weather warms up!
10. Have an onsen day.
Status: Incomplete
Going to plan one soon.
11. Finish a sewing project.
Status: Still In Progress
Today I started measuring and cutting the material for two different projects!
12. Send Tristan his package.
Status: Still In Progress
13. Start a recipe file.
Status: Incomplete
Well, I started an AllRecipes.com profile. Does that count?? Well, I'll get to it one day....
14. Draw or paint a picture.
Status: In Process
Working on some birthday cards now so getting the creative juices flowing!
15. Start an indoor herb garden. (Rosemary is a MUST!)
Status: Incomplete
Yikes! I bought a Rosemary plant from the big hardware store here...and once the temperature started dropping, it just dried up. I didn't realize that it would...Well, in the spring, my plan is to have a big thriving garden!
16. Clean out our basement space. DONE!
Status: Complete
The basement space now houses our two bikes, 4 old tires and some extra parts for our heater. The bags of garbage that Ryan's predecessor left have finally been thrown out! At least they sorted the garbage. Still it takes a few days to dispose of everything because different things get thrown out every day.
17. Find a yoga place or just get yourself to do it regularly and with purpose on your own.
Status: Complete
I regularly stretch and do my salutations every morning after my 18 minute cardio interval.
18. Buy yourself a piece of naginata bogu.
Status: Complete
I now own a new pair of shin protectors! I'll add a piece to my armor every few months now. It's quite an expensive undertaking though.
19. Have your annual medical checkup done and ask all the damn questions you've been bugging yourself about. DONE! 10/19
Status: Complete
Nothing to write home about. No big surprises. I'm in good health. And at least the doctor agreed that my left rib does stick out more than my right rib so I'm not crazy.
20. Get your eyes checked and hopefully get a cool new pair of glasses. (or two?)
Status: Incomplete
I'm starting to run low on contacts so it's about time I get this done. Maybe next month...
21. Increase your income.
Status: In Progress.
My hours are increasing at the school but I still haven't picked up more private lessons. I'll get on it soon.
22. Travel outside of Hokkaido.
Status: Complete
I went to Hawaii in January before my birthday! Yay!
23. Hike the Maruyama trail. FAIL (for now! let's try again when Maruyama isn't frozen!)
Status: Incomplete
I doubt we'll be able to find the trail now after the snow fall we've been having especially since we couldn't find the trail in the summer! We'll try again soon.
24. Ask Tony about bouldering and hopefully go with him (or without him).
Status: Complete
I drunkenly asked Tony about it at our school's Christmas party and told him I'd like to try bouldering with him but haven't gone yet!
25. Buy yourself a pair of knee high boots finally. DONE and arrived on 10/19!
Status: Complete
Never in my life have I owned a pair of knee-high boots before this. It feels great! I had to buy specially made wide calf boots...but I've come to terms with my calves and will not feel bad about them (very often)! Now I want Over-the-knee boots!
26. Go to the temple for New Year's. Or find a suitable alternative.
Status: Complete
I went with my friend Miki on January 3rd. Packed! For New Year's we were sleeping in our hotel after a good day of skiing. On January 2nd we visited a teacher's house where I ate whale for the first time and dressed and got made-up as a geisha. It was a spectacular New Year!
27. See a live music show.
Status: Incomplete
Still looking for a place/band.
28. Do something for Halloween.
Status: Complete
I made a Hello Kitty costume, impressed all the kids and moms at my school, wore it around my neighborhood and got a lot of funny looks and got a free beer at the local burger place for wearing a costume.
29. Grow your hair until January. (THEN you can do whatever you want with it.) OOPS! Cut hair on 10/10!
Status: Complete
I haven't cut my hair since October and it's getting a little long. I'll probably grow it until it gets hot here (that'll be July or August!) and then I'm thinking about chopping it all off. Before that I might get a perm...just to try out a different look. I suspect I'll cut it sooner than mid-summer because I'll get sick of it.
30. Buy new underwear. DONE and arrived...don't remember.
Status: Complete
Every girl/woman should wear pretty underwear! I believe that your underwear has the power to set the mood for the day.
31. Appreciate the leaves changing.
Status: Complete
Walked around Hokudai and took some shots with my iPhone. Also collected leaves with my students. Would like to appreciate the leaves changing in Kyoto at some point.
32. Get your skis "chuned-up!"
Status: Complete
Of course I got this done!
33. Start sending out birthday cards monthly.
Status: In Process
Today I updated my address book and have gotten almost everyone's address. I have 8 cards to make and send (belated cards for January and on time cards for February) and I want to send them before the 11th.
34. Speak French with a Japanese person.
Status: Complete
Went to a holiday party at our friend's place and their friend is a Japanese woman who volunteered in Senegal. She spoke wonderful French and I pretended I could speak. I hope to make a better acquaintance with her and her husband (who is French!).
35. Speak Tagalog to your grandma.
Status: Incomplete
I have not even cracked open my Tagalog book. =( Or even called my grandma. =(
36. Restock the apartment dinnerware.
Status: Didn't really need to.
Ryan sometimes visits special schools and they always send him home with pottery and such. So we got a bunch of cute dishes (shaped like flowers, etc.)
37. Plan a warm weather vacation.
Status: Complete
Plan one?! I WENT on one. Hawaii!!!
38. Take mogul skiing lessons.
Status: Incomplete
And probably won't for at least another year. I took a regular ski lesson and find my technique improving all the time. Soon, moguls, soon!
39. Find a new awesome ski jacket.
Status: Incomplete
Have not found one to my liking! Can you believe it?! How can I be so picky??
40. Compete in a naginata tournament and win one of your shiai.
Status: Complete
In November, we competed in a non-stop round robin kind of tournament where you got points for entering a match, for each point you get in a match and for winning the match. It was sort of brutal and totally fun. I placed 20th our of 32...not bad. It was a whirlwind. But I still remember this one match where I got a point right at the beginning...just that rush of it.
41. Go sledding.
Status: Incomplete
I'm tempted to count the times we've taken the school kids out sledding but I won't. It's not ME sledding. Oh well, winter's not over yet1
42. Make a Halloween costume. 10/29/10
Status: Complete
Made a Hello Kitty costume. Now we have a large HK head pillow.
43. Organize the stamps that you've collected.
Status: Incomplete
Haven't really even looked at them yet. Booooo.
44. Make satsumaimo cakes. 10/?/10
Status: Complete
Yummy as usual...what else to say about it...
45. Buy a sleeping bag.
Status: Incomplete
Have not gotten to it. Probably don't need it yet.
46. Organize your pictures.
Status: In Process
I have been deleting and organizing my pictures on my HD and my external drive. It's great!
47. Clear your laptop's HD.
Status: In Process
I used to be dangerously low on memory on my computer but now I have space! And trying to add to it everyday!
48. Learn how to use yeast to make bread.
Status: Incomplete
Darn! Really want to make homemade bread. Soon, I'll learn.
49. Find something to decorate the dining room wall.
Status: Complete
An awesome artist and friend, made me a cool poster of me as a zombie. She is a girl after my own heart. Haven't printed it yet but I will soon. We also now have a whiteboard, a portrait of me by one of my students, a portrait of Ryan by one of his students and a note from one of my students to me.
50. Do C8B300 in 20 minutes.
Status: Incomplete
Have not even done one set! I've been doing lots of different high intensity interval training sets and want to graduate to this soon. Maybe by next week.. i want to get a little stronger.
Extra-curriculars:
51. Go to that bar that has the girls wearing sexy bunny costumes.
52. Go dancing.
53. Find a real life running partner.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Feeling pretty productive
Ever since coming back from Hawaii, I've been getting up pretty regularly at around 6AM without my alarm! Perhaps it was jet lag or because my body got into a rhythm of getting up early and rushing out to do something awesome (after only 5 days?) but whatever the reason is I'm doing my best to use it to my advantage and keep it going.
I had a good jumpstart at studying this weekend. I have way more material to learn than I initially thought but I can do it! Right now I'm reviewing but I hope to be done with review in early February.
I've also decluttered my computer quite a bit though i think I'm only about 10% done going through all my digital media.
I've also finally cleaned up my inbox. I've unsubscribed myself from all those worthless newsletters and notices and I've made filters, etc to organize the mail I do allow. Now I get about 5 or 6 emails a day maybe.
I've also started emailing friends and family. I've decided that I am tired of depending on "social networks" to try and keep in contact with people. I've lately been in a "facebook crisis" wondering what's the point and pondering how to use that resource for "good." But I can't resolve anything and just have to accept that facebook is just a vanity.
I'm being proactive and emailing someone every day. This may become overwhelming but I don't think it will.
I miss my friends and family- I mean I miss knowing what they're up and how their day was. I am of course informed of all the big things but it's not the same. I don't feel homesick or anything like that. I just disconnected. It's not as disturbing as it sounds. I just know that I don't have to live with it so I should do something about it.
This week my creative project will be making birthday cards. I have already filled in people's birthdays on a special calendar and for January I have around 5 people to make cards for! That and I have things to send to people that should have been sent already! So this week is dedicated to sending things abroad.
Hm. Might conflict with my other goal of figuring out the best way to burn the video of the preschool kids that I made and if I want to include a slideshow or something else on the cd.
Well lots to do!
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I wrote that after lunch today and now it's 11:44PM and I wasted an 1.5 hours on the internet. Damn it!
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