although they call it exercise . . .
Friday, August 31, 2007
Open Letter to Houston Drivers
August 31, 2007
To my dear fellow Houston Drivers:
Where do I begin? We share a bond that shall tie us together for generations to come . . . Or at least until one of us moves out of the greater Houston area . . . but never mind that. I love you dearly, for loving the city I love and for giving your time and money to help H-town become a greater place. However, the full moon has passed. Why all the lunacy this morning?
Dude on the Honda bike, wearing the over-sized royal blue shirt with khaki shorts and long white socks peaking out of the Caterpillar boots (we shall discuss your obvious fashion ineptness later), what's with the no helmet thing? I understand you need to prove yourself as a man, but darting in front of cars trying to merge lanes on I-10 without the proper headgear is sheer stupidity. And it makes me nervous as I drive behind you. And I'm typically not a nervous driver. But I couldn't help but seeing you're life pass before my eyes. So please, for my sake, wear a helmet.
My Beltway 8 Grand Prix comrades, forgive me if it takes a minute for my little car to adjust from inching along I-10 to racing for his life down the Belt. Earl does the best he can. And since when has driving 75, almost 80, mph become a speed slow enough to merit you having to pass us? I didn't get the memo that the speeding limit changed, so my apologies.
And whoever was in that SUV that cut across three lanes of traffic to quickly get into the Westpark Tollway left exit lane, the car in front of me was gracious. Surely I would have laid on my horn. Next time, maybe think ahead, start moving over one lane at a time. That way, your fellow commuters, both young and old, won't have heart attacks on the way to work. Personally I think twenty-seven is too young for me to start having heart attacks, but you may disagree. Just a friendly suggestion.
So, my dear comrades, thank you for letting me voice my concerns. Enjoy your long weekend, drive safely, and I shall commute with you again on Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Debbie & Earl(the little gray car)
To my dear fellow Houston Drivers:
Where do I begin? We share a bond that shall tie us together for generations to come . . . Or at least until one of us moves out of the greater Houston area . . . but never mind that. I love you dearly, for loving the city I love and for giving your time and money to help H-town become a greater place. However, the full moon has passed. Why all the lunacy this morning?
Dude on the Honda bike, wearing the over-sized royal blue shirt with khaki shorts and long white socks peaking out of the Caterpillar boots (we shall discuss your obvious fashion ineptness later), what's with the no helmet thing? I understand you need to prove yourself as a man, but darting in front of cars trying to merge lanes on I-10 without the proper headgear is sheer stupidity. And it makes me nervous as I drive behind you. And I'm typically not a nervous driver. But I couldn't help but seeing you're life pass before my eyes. So please, for my sake, wear a helmet.
My Beltway 8 Grand Prix comrades, forgive me if it takes a minute for my little car to adjust from inching along I-10 to racing for his life down the Belt. Earl does the best he can. And since when has driving 75, almost 80, mph become a speed slow enough to merit you having to pass us? I didn't get the memo that the speeding limit changed, so my apologies.
And whoever was in that SUV that cut across three lanes of traffic to quickly get into the Westpark Tollway left exit lane, the car in front of me was gracious. Surely I would have laid on my horn. Next time, maybe think ahead, start moving over one lane at a time. That way, your fellow commuters, both young and old, won't have heart attacks on the way to work. Personally I think twenty-seven is too young for me to start having heart attacks, but you may disagree. Just a friendly suggestion.
So, my dear comrades, thank you for letting me voice my concerns. Enjoy your long weekend, drive safely, and I shall commute with you again on Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Debbie & Earl(the little gray car)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
School Days
I'm still alive. Tired, but alive.
Man, adjusting back to a work schedule is tough! I miss the days of sleeping in and lazying around the pool. *sigh*
But my new students are a hoot. And quick as a whip. They are definitely more advanced than the group I had last year. I still see last year's bunch in the hallways. I miss those babies. Many of them run out of their lines to hug me, and I never know how their teachers will respond to that. Esp the new teachers who don't know me. But I still stop to give a hug.
I saw one little boy the second day of school, Jason Trejo. He's so grown. But he's really little. Cause he was a bit sickly. He waved at me from his line. Casting glances at his teacher from halfway down the line, he gestured for me to call him. He made a telephone with his hand, put it to his ear and mouthed, "Call me!" Then he said, "Come to my house." And he emphatically nodded and gestured while telling me to first take a right, then another right, then a left. It was hilarious! This is the same boy that gave a note to one of my Brianna's last year. It said, "Jason likes Brianna S." Then it had two little stick people holding hands, one smaller than the other. An arrow pointing to the larger stick figure was labeled "Brianna," and an arrow pointing to the smaller stick figure was labeled "Jason Trejo." (Did I mention he's really little? But so smart! He can read anything you put in front of him - English AND Spanish!) But he didn't stop there. He wrote his number on the paper. In fact, he wrote TWO numbers on the paper. And they were real phone numbers! And they were really HIS phone numbers! My friends and I were laughing about that little note for days.
So I'm looking forward to this school year. It's already majorly stressful, but the good thing is that will help the days pass quickly. Oh, and we had a first potty accident today. The boy sat and poohed on himself and didn't even say anything until the smell started filling the classroom. It was disgusting. I was not happy. But the kids walking down the hallway with wrinkled noses or hands tightly shut over their noses, helped keep me chuckling.
Here's hoping there there's no pooh tomorrow -- both literal and figural!
*******
UDATE:
Just thought you'd might like to know we had more pooh Friday. Loads of pooh. Both literally and figuratively! Praise Jesus for a 3-day weekend!!!
Man, adjusting back to a work schedule is tough! I miss the days of sleeping in and lazying around the pool. *sigh*
But my new students are a hoot. And quick as a whip. They are definitely more advanced than the group I had last year. I still see last year's bunch in the hallways. I miss those babies. Many of them run out of their lines to hug me, and I never know how their teachers will respond to that. Esp the new teachers who don't know me. But I still stop to give a hug.
I saw one little boy the second day of school, Jason Trejo. He's so grown. But he's really little. Cause he was a bit sickly. He waved at me from his line. Casting glances at his teacher from halfway down the line, he gestured for me to call him. He made a telephone with his hand, put it to his ear and mouthed, "Call me!" Then he said, "Come to my house." And he emphatically nodded and gestured while telling me to first take a right, then another right, then a left. It was hilarious! This is the same boy that gave a note to one of my Brianna's last year. It said, "Jason likes Brianna S." Then it had two little stick people holding hands, one smaller than the other. An arrow pointing to the larger stick figure was labeled "Brianna," and an arrow pointing to the smaller stick figure was labeled "Jason Trejo." (Did I mention he's really little? But so smart! He can read anything you put in front of him - English AND Spanish!) But he didn't stop there. He wrote his number on the paper. In fact, he wrote TWO numbers on the paper. And they were real phone numbers! And they were really HIS phone numbers! My friends and I were laughing about that little note for days.
So I'm looking forward to this school year. It's already majorly stressful, but the good thing is that will help the days pass quickly. Oh, and we had a first potty accident today. The boy sat and poohed on himself and didn't even say anything until the smell started filling the classroom. It was disgusting. I was not happy. But the kids walking down the hallway with wrinkled noses or hands tightly shut over their noses, helped keep me chuckling.
Here's hoping there there's no pooh tomorrow -- both literal and figural!
*******
UDATE:
Just thought you'd might like to know we had more pooh Friday. Loads of pooh. Both literally and figuratively! Praise Jesus for a 3-day weekend!!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I've had AT LEAST 4 migraines in the past 10 days
However, when I was picnicking here:
And saying hello to these guys:
And riding through these streets:
And walking across this river:
And getting lost and caught in the rain here:
And reading in the cafe:
And skipping down narrow streets:
And wearing a sweater and scarf in the middle of August:
And drinking wine out of mugs in the park surrounded by patriotic British people, with live classical music playing in the background:
And reading on the train:
I never ONCE had a regular headache, yet alone a migraine. What gives???
And saying hello to these guys:
And riding through these streets:
And walking across this river:
And getting lost and caught in the rain here:
And reading in the cafe:
And skipping down narrow streets:
And wearing a sweater and scarf in the middle of August:
And drinking wine out of mugs in the park surrounded by patriotic British people, with live classical music playing in the background:
And reading on the train:
I never ONCE had a regular headache, yet alone a migraine. What gives???
Monday, August 20, 2007
At First I Was Afraid
Thanks for the prayers! They definitely helped make today smooth and relatively stress free. It helped that only 13 of my 22 students showed up! And they were rather quiet. I know it won't last. It's all strategy. They're feeling me out, seeing how much they can get away with. Plus, I'm sure the noise level will spike once the other 9 kids show up. I'm just praying tomorrow will be just as smooth. And fast. Today flew by! I seriously don't know what happened to the time! I didn't even have enough time to show the kids the complete routine. But that's what this first week is for -- to work out our class rosters and lay the ground work (i.e., rules, consequences, routines). So let's keep praying that the whole year is as smooth as this first day! And I'll post pics of my AWESOME classroom once I revive my dead camera with new batteries.
I NEED PRAYER!!!!
My alarm is going off in three hours.
I'm leaving for work in four and a half hours.
I'll arrive at work in five and a half hours.
New children will begin arriving in my classroom in six hours.
I barely have anything planned.
Some of them may be crying.
Some of them may try to tear up my room.
Some of them may not even speak English.
Most of the parents probably don't speak English.
I'm not fluent in Spanish.
I've been in England for three weeks.
That makes my Spanish even rustier.
Or is it "more rusty?"
Whatev.
My point?
Pray.
Long.
And hard.
Please.
Please.
Please.
I may not survive without it.
Seriously.
I'm leaving for work in four and a half hours.
I'll arrive at work in five and a half hours.
New children will begin arriving in my classroom in six hours.
I barely have anything planned.
Some of them may be crying.
Some of them may try to tear up my room.
Some of them may not even speak English.
Most of the parents probably don't speak English.
I'm not fluent in Spanish.
I've been in England for three weeks.
That makes my Spanish even rustier.
Or is it "more rusty?"
Whatev.
My point?
Pray.
Long.
And hard.
Please.
Please.
Please.
I may not survive without it.
Seriously.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
There & Back Again
So I've been back from England for a week and I literally had to "hit the ground running." My original flight was set for Thurs (Aug 9) but when I got to the airport the electronic check-in kiosk said there was a prob with my reservation and I needed to go to the check-in help counter (British Airways is now very high tech -- you check yourself in either online or at a kiosk, then you wait in the world's longest line so they can check your baggage; if you have probs, then you're allowed to see an employee behind a counter who will check in you and your luggage). So after waiting in line for about 40 minutes I get to the counter and the lady tells me there's a problem -- my flight has been canceled! The plane got stuck in Barbados, of all places! So I HAD to stay in England for two extra days. Boo hoo.
After I finally got everything sorted (had to wait another hour in customer service line and then decide if i wanted to travel the next day and bother w/ changing flights and airlines and moving luggage OR wait two days and catch the same non-stop flight I originally had -- that was a no brainer!) we dropped my luggage off at Jez's brother's house and explored Croyden - a community just south of London. Actually, Jez and Justyna mostly shopped and I decided to sit outside and finish reading The Goose Girl -- such an amazing book, btw!!! It was nice to relax and be on my own for a bit.
We ate lunch in a Spanish restaurant and I tried tapas for the first time. They were yummy! And their Sangria was very nice -- there were bits of fresh fruit in the glass, as you can see.
I spent my last day just hanging around Bedford; mostly in Jez and Justyna's house. I had already bid farewell to people and had my mind set to be alone on a plane for 10 hours, so I wasn't that bothered to go out or anything. I'm just sad I didn't get to see my friend Sarah again. She didn't get my messages until Saturday, when we were already heading back to London. But she called me Monday morning, as I was at work waiting for a meeting to start. It was nice talking to her, even though it made me wish I was back in England and not at work; something that's not hard to do, anyway. Being back at work -- that's a whole other post. *sigh*
So I'm going to forget that school starts tomorrow and that it's Sunday morning and I still need to go up the school and finish my classroom and leave you with a few cool photos of our time in Brighton. I definitely need to go back there. Although I could do without the rocky beach. Yes, ROCKY beach.
After I finally got everything sorted (had to wait another hour in customer service line and then decide if i wanted to travel the next day and bother w/ changing flights and airlines and moving luggage OR wait two days and catch the same non-stop flight I originally had -- that was a no brainer!) we dropped my luggage off at Jez's brother's house and explored Croyden - a community just south of London. Actually, Jez and Justyna mostly shopped and I decided to sit outside and finish reading The Goose Girl -- such an amazing book, btw!!! It was nice to relax and be on my own for a bit.
We ate lunch in a Spanish restaurant and I tried tapas for the first time. They were yummy! And their Sangria was very nice -- there were bits of fresh fruit in the glass, as you can see.
I spent my last day just hanging around Bedford; mostly in Jez and Justyna's house. I had already bid farewell to people and had my mind set to be alone on a plane for 10 hours, so I wasn't that bothered to go out or anything. I'm just sad I didn't get to see my friend Sarah again. She didn't get my messages until Saturday, when we were already heading back to London. But she called me Monday morning, as I was at work waiting for a meeting to start. It was nice talking to her, even though it made me wish I was back in England and not at work; something that's not hard to do, anyway. Being back at work -- that's a whole other post. *sigh*
So I'm going to forget that school starts tomorrow and that it's Sunday morning and I still need to go up the school and finish my classroom and leave you with a few cool photos of our time in Brighton. I definitely need to go back there. Although I could do without the rocky beach. Yes, ROCKY beach.
Monday, August 06, 2007
UGH!
Can't believe I'll already be heading home in less than 3 days. How is it possible for two weeks to pass so quickly, yet it still feels like I've been here forever? I guess cause this place fits so well and feels so much like home, minus my family; therefore, I feel like I never left.
I've taken lots of great pics and I'll post some tomorrow because I can't be bothered to go upstairs and get my camera cord. Besides, I'm going down to Brighton tomorrow (a city on the southern coast) and I'm sure I'll have more pics to upload. So I might as well do it all in one go.
Well, just wanted to check in and let u all know that all is well with me. Minus the fact that I go back to work in less than a week. Ugh! I need some serious prayer: 1.) That I'll start the new school year off with the right attitude and 2.) That I'll actually get on the airplane Thurs afternoon. They're still offering me a job here at The Nightshelter . . . too bad it's voluntary and I'll only get a small stipend that won't even pay half my monthly student loan payments. Ugh! This being a responsible grown-up thing is sooooo overrated!
I've taken lots of great pics and I'll post some tomorrow because I can't be bothered to go upstairs and get my camera cord. Besides, I'm going down to Brighton tomorrow (a city on the southern coast) and I'm sure I'll have more pics to upload. So I might as well do it all in one go.
Well, just wanted to check in and let u all know that all is well with me. Minus the fact that I go back to work in less than a week. Ugh! I need some serious prayer: 1.) That I'll start the new school year off with the right attitude and 2.) That I'll actually get on the airplane Thurs afternoon. They're still offering me a job here at The Nightshelter . . . too bad it's voluntary and I'll only get a small stipend that won't even pay half my monthly student loan payments. Ugh! This being a responsible grown-up thing is sooooo overrated!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Still in England
I know I haven't checked in recently, but I'm still here. I left Bedford Saturday and travelled up to Sheffield, where I've connected with some old friends and my former college pastors. It's been great! I really like the city but I don't think I could ever drive here -- there are too many steep roads and sharp turns.
There was actually an American youth group on a mission trip here. They're from Calvary Community Church in Houston, of all places! The church is close to my house and some of the team members live literally down the street from me. Small world, huh? So I promised them I will check out their church when I get back into town. I've actually visited once and rather enjoyed it.
This afternoon my friend Kelley took me out to the Peaks District. It was beautiful! I had actually wanted to go to Chatsworth, the place where the most recent Pride and Prejudice movie was filmed, but The Peaks are closer and cheaper. I'll post pics once I get back to Bedford.
Well, just wanted to let you all know that I am alive and well. I head back to Bedford tomorrow and I'll visit London Thursday. Ciao for now!
There was actually an American youth group on a mission trip here. They're from Calvary Community Church in Houston, of all places! The church is close to my house and some of the team members live literally down the street from me. Small world, huh? So I promised them I will check out their church when I get back into town. I've actually visited once and rather enjoyed it.
This afternoon my friend Kelley took me out to the Peaks District. It was beautiful! I had actually wanted to go to Chatsworth, the place where the most recent Pride and Prejudice movie was filmed, but The Peaks are closer and cheaper. I'll post pics once I get back to Bedford.
Well, just wanted to let you all know that I am alive and well. I head back to Bedford tomorrow and I'll visit London Thursday. Ciao for now!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Self Portrait
So this morning I woke up at 8:45, despite having gone to bed around 3. Yay me! I started making breakfast and was nearly done when Jez and Justyna came home from work at 9:20. My salsa was ok - I've made better - but they seemed to really like it. I forgot to take pics, though. Maybe next time.
At 1:15 I walked into town to visit my friend Sarah at work. She works in the awesome cafe called The Cheese Kitchen. She took her lunch break and we got to sit and chat for abt 45 min. It was so great seeing her! She's an American who married a Brit and has lived here for about 3 years, and she's starving for American companionship, so I was happy to be there for her.
Walking home from lunch with Sarah, it started raining. I popped into a shop to try to wait it out, but $20 later it was still raining! So I walked home. In the rain. And got wet. Hence the picture below.
At 1:15 I walked into town to visit my friend Sarah at work. She works in the awesome cafe called The Cheese Kitchen. She took her lunch break and we got to sit and chat for abt 45 min. It was so great seeing her! She's an American who married a Brit and has lived here for about 3 years, and she's starving for American companionship, so I was happy to be there for her.
Walking home from lunch with Sarah, it started raining. I popped into a shop to try to wait it out, but $20 later it was still raining! So I walked home. In the rain. And got wet. Hence the picture below.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Day 2
Well, it's the end of my first full day in Bedford, my second day in England. I stayed up 'til 3:30 am reading and ended up sleeping 'til 1:30! But it's ok, cause Jez and Justyna are working night shifts at the Nightshelter; so I don't have to feel bad about sleeping while they're awake and waiting for me. Hopefully I'll go to bed a bit earlier tonight, but I dunno cause 
I just bought the new Harry Potter book at Sainsbury's. My friend Greta ordered it for me from Amazon but it didn't arrive before I left. I saw so many people reading it on the airplane and realized I just couldn't wait two more weeks to read it! Besides, I would be starting back at work and staying up all hours of the night to read the book wouldn't help me get back on a normal sleep schedule. Anywho, I'm excited to read to British version of the book anyway.
When Justyna finally woke up, around 4:30, we made our way down the street to the fish and chips shop. Yum yum!
After we got home and I opened the package, I was a bit disgusted with all the grease (granted they did put vinegar, which doesn't help the appearace of grease, but makes it worse):
But I still ate some (but not all of it, you'd be happy to know):
Tomorrow morning I'm making juevos rancheros. Justyna thinks it's so strange to have salsa on eggs. So I need to educate the poor Polish woman. I'll let ya'll know what she thinks. So goodbye for now!
I just bought the new Harry Potter book at Sainsbury's. My friend Greta ordered it for me from Amazon but it didn't arrive before I left. I saw so many people reading it on the airplane and realized I just couldn't wait two more weeks to read it! Besides, I would be starting back at work and staying up all hours of the night to read the book wouldn't help me get back on a normal sleep schedule. Anywho, I'm excited to read to British version of the book anyway.
When Justyna finally woke up, around 4:30, we made our way down the street to the fish and chips shop. Yum yum!
After we got home and I opened the package, I was a bit disgusted with all the grease (granted they did put vinegar, which doesn't help the appearace of grease, but makes it worse):
But I still ate some (but not all of it, you'd be happy to know):
Tomorrow morning I'm making juevos rancheros. Justyna thinks it's so strange to have salsa on eggs. So I need to educate the poor Polish woman. I'll let ya'll know what she thinks. So goodbye for now!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Safe & Sound
Well, I've arrived in Bedford safe and sound with no major problems. It was so much fun to see my friends waiting for me, holding a large banner that read Miss Deborah Heifer. I was laughing so hard!
It's around 3 and I just finished a lovely bacon on bagel sandwich. I was bursting w/ energy when I first arrived, but about an hour into the train ride I started fading. Now I'm ready for a nap but I'm afraid I'll end up sleeping all day and not be able to sleep tonight (I didn't get any sleep on the plane, so I'm extra sleepy).
Alright, just wanted to check in and let you all know I am alive and well in Bedford. Ciao!
***UDATE***
Here's a lovely pic of me and Justyna holding the lovely sign she made for me. We were waiting for the train to arrive and had way too much time on our hands!
Now I'm in Bedford, in Justyna's garden, eating something I shouldn't be: chocolate!
I don't think I look half bad for having been on an airplane for 9 hours and the train for 2 and not sleeping in over 24 hours!
It's around 3 and I just finished a lovely bacon on bagel sandwich. I was bursting w/ energy when I first arrived, but about an hour into the train ride I started fading. Now I'm ready for a nap but I'm afraid I'll end up sleeping all day and not be able to sleep tonight (I didn't get any sleep on the plane, so I'm extra sleepy).
Alright, just wanted to check in and let you all know I am alive and well in Bedford. Ciao!
***UDATE***
Here's a lovely pic of me and Justyna holding the lovely sign she made for me. We were waiting for the train to arrive and had way too much time on our hands!
Now I'm in Bedford, in Justyna's garden, eating something I shouldn't be: chocolate!
I don't think I look half bad for having been on an airplane for 9 hours and the train for 2 and not sleeping in over 24 hours!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Peace Out!
Since it's already 11 minutes past my planned departure time, I figured I might as well write a quick post letting everyone know I'm leaving for England today! My flight's at 7:30. Thankfully it's direct and should last around 9 hours. And I'm excited because my friend Justyna is meeting me in London and we'll take the train together up to Bedford.
Even though I'm out of the country, I won't be out of the blogosphere. I plan to make a post or two while I'm over there. So I'll blog with you soon!
Even though I'm out of the country, I won't be out of the blogosphere. I plan to make a post or two while I'm over there. So I'll blog with you soon!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Doodling . . .
. . . is what kept me awake during my training this morning.
I shamelessly colored in my swirls and dots while sitting at the same table with two of the three presenters. Yeah, I so didn't care. I even passed notes to my friends.
It was a training geared more towards Special Ed Teachers/Administrators/Directors, so much of the jargon was over my head. But I did my best . . . when I wasn't doodling in an effort to fight off the sleep.
The training tomorrow should be much better. It's about helping children comprehend text, something I majorly need more help with.
But now, it's bedtime. Yay!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Prodigal Returns
But no slaughtering of a fatted calf, or whatever, for me. No sir e. More like 15 minutes on the spin bike (which inflicts pain upon areas that God never intended to receive pain apart from childbirth). 2 miles walking at 4.0 and 3.5 on an incline. I had to reduce the incline cause i was nearly falling off the treadmill! Plus 250 knee lifts. Then outside for 4 laps around the parking lot (which equals a mile). Then this weird kicking thing where u get a partner and, beginning w/ the right leg, alternate kicking at each other's waist at the same time. 2 sets of 40 and 2 sets of 50 kicks. Then another 2 laps around the parking lot. Then suicides -- where u run to the first line, touch it, run back to the starting line, touch it, run to the 2nd line, touch it, run back-- I think u get the idea. When I got home I made a beeline to the spa. Unfortunately it took 20 min to heat up, so I occupied my time w/ eating a nice South Beach dinner of halibut, brown rice, and roasted brussel sprouts. Mmmm . . .
Anyway, that's what happens when you don't see your trainer for nearly a week. He tries to kill you.
So I'm still amazed that summer is SPEEDING BY. It's crazy! I've had trainings this week and last. They've been very informative. But the best part (besides that they were free cause my school actually paid for them) is all the free stuff I've received. Literally hundreds of dollars worth of materials. It's awesome! Today's seminar I had to pay - a whole $20 - but I won a door prize AND got 3 reference books. I love this teacher training stuff! Esp since I get to see at least 3 or 4 friends at each session!
So that's how I've been spending my time. What about you?
Oh, and did I mention I'm going to England next week? Very excited! I'll be there for 17 days! Mostly in Bedford but I'll go up to Sheffield to visit some friends and down to London to visit another friend and I hope to see more of the country; something that didn't happen on my previous visits cause I was working or visiting w/ people. So far my friend Justyna and I have trips planned for Brighton (which I always read about in Jane Austen books) and Cambridge (which I know will make me want to go to grad school -- at Cambridge. Keep dreaming, Deb). I'd love to visit Ireland or Scotland, but Justyna's Polish passport has expired and she may get deported if she gets caught. Something I don't think her hubby would appreciate . . .
Anyway, that's what happens when you don't see your trainer for nearly a week. He tries to kill you.
So I'm still amazed that summer is SPEEDING BY. It's crazy! I've had trainings this week and last. They've been very informative. But the best part (besides that they were free cause my school actually paid for them) is all the free stuff I've received. Literally hundreds of dollars worth of materials. It's awesome! Today's seminar I had to pay - a whole $20 - but I won a door prize AND got 3 reference books. I love this teacher training stuff! Esp since I get to see at least 3 or 4 friends at each session!
So that's how I've been spending my time. What about you?
Oh, and did I mention I'm going to England next week? Very excited! I'll be there for 17 days! Mostly in Bedford but I'll go up to Sheffield to visit some friends and down to London to visit another friend and I hope to see more of the country; something that didn't happen on my previous visits cause I was working or visiting w/ people. So far my friend Justyna and I have trips planned for Brighton (which I always read about in Jane Austen books) and Cambridge (which I know will make me want to go to grad school -- at Cambridge. Keep dreaming, Deb). I'd love to visit Ireland or Scotland, but Justyna's Polish passport has expired and she may get deported if she gets caught. Something I don't think her hubby would appreciate . . .
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Back in the Saddle Again
No, I'm not dating, I'm back at the gym. And I'm a bit sore today.
I fully intended to type up this post last night but I had a migraine that would NOT go away. It finally did around 2 am, thankfully.
Anywho, yesterday I was a big girl and made my way across town to meet my trainer. He was very gracious and didn't work me as hard as I feared he would. Nevertheless, I was DYING at the end of it.
Normally I would go and he'd work me for well over an hour; closer to an hour and a half. I'd be exhausted at the end of it all but feel well. Yesterday, I was about ready to throw up and I couldn't believe I was having such a hard time. I didn't realize how much my strength and endurance had drop after many months of inactivity. So sad.
Here's what he had me do:
-Warm up on the bike; 12 min on level 5
-250 leg lifts (I did 300 cause I was waiting for him to come back from talking to someone else)
-200 jumping jacks (who knew that fun childhood exercise could be a form of torture 20 yrs later?)
-15 stairs (going up and down 15 times; this is the one that surprised me -- thought he would give me more, then happy he didn't cause that's around the time I was ready to puke)
-1 mile on the treadmill (this also surprised me; used to do 2 or 3. but again, I was ready to lose the contents of my stomach)
For John the Trainer, this is an easy workout. As I was finishing my mile he was calling people outside for a torture camp. I was so paranoid he would call me out there I kept my head down and kept walking/jogging. When I finished my mile (which took a good 14 minutes, sadly) I went over to him and said I was about to throw up. He said those three beautiful words, "You're finished, sweetie." He didn't have to tell me twice; I got the heck up outta there!
I'm supposed to go back in a couple hours. I'll let you know if I make it out of there alive again.
I fully intended to type up this post last night but I had a migraine that would NOT go away. It finally did around 2 am, thankfully.
Anywho, yesterday I was a big girl and made my way across town to meet my trainer. He was very gracious and didn't work me as hard as I feared he would. Nevertheless, I was DYING at the end of it.
Normally I would go and he'd work me for well over an hour; closer to an hour and a half. I'd be exhausted at the end of it all but feel well. Yesterday, I was about ready to throw up and I couldn't believe I was having such a hard time. I didn't realize how much my strength and endurance had drop after many months of inactivity. So sad.
Here's what he had me do:
-Warm up on the bike; 12 min on level 5
-250 leg lifts (I did 300 cause I was waiting for him to come back from talking to someone else)
-200 jumping jacks (who knew that fun childhood exercise could be a form of torture 20 yrs later?)
-15 stairs (going up and down 15 times; this is the one that surprised me -- thought he would give me more, then happy he didn't cause that's around the time I was ready to puke)
-1 mile on the treadmill (this also surprised me; used to do 2 or 3. but again, I was ready to lose the contents of my stomach)
For John the Trainer, this is an easy workout. As I was finishing my mile he was calling people outside for a torture camp. I was so paranoid he would call me out there I kept my head down and kept walking/jogging. When I finished my mile (which took a good 14 minutes, sadly) I went over to him and said I was about to throw up. He said those three beautiful words, "You're finished, sweetie." He didn't have to tell me twice; I got the heck up outta there!
I'm supposed to go back in a couple hours. I'll let you know if I make it out of there alive again.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Why am I still awake???
Your true color is Green!
You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!
What's Your True Color?
Brought to you by Tickle
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Happy 4th of July!
It didn't feel much like a holiday today. I guess all the rain we've been having dampened the spirit for me. Besides, I've been on holiday from work for four weeks now, so it's not like I'm getting a break from anything. But I got more into it as the day went on and I kept seeing and hearing about the different celebrations going on around town. Hearing mention of honoring the troops and veterans made me a bit sad cause it reminded me that my grandpa's not with us anymore.
My Uncle Mark (Blo, for you Thinklings peeps) called in the afternoon and invited me over to his house. I took my niece and we had fun popping fireworks and seeing all the neighbors' fireworks. It was hilarious watching my Uncle Larry light a fuse and then run across the street as soon as it burst into flames. It was also funny how Mark kept laughing and jumping after each firework we set off; as if it was the first one and we hadn't done a dozen right before that. My niece was a bit freaked out at first by all the loud noise and bursts of light. I think that's cause she was running around with our cousins when we first went outside and they kept saying, "Oh no, they're gonna get us! They're gonna get us!" That stuck in her head cause for the first 15 minutes of fireworks she'd say, "Oh no!" everytime she heard a pop; which was quite often, I might add. But by the end of the night she was sitting back and taking it all in . . . or she could have just been paralized w/ fear . . . :o) Just kidding, Brandi! She enjoyed it. She was braver than Caleb in that she wanted to do the extra long sparklers all by herself. So, there was fun to be had by all!
I hope you guys enjoyed your holiday. I'm rather tired, myself. Time for bed!
My Uncle Mark (Blo, for you Thinklings peeps) called in the afternoon and invited me over to his house. I took my niece and we had fun popping fireworks and seeing all the neighbors' fireworks. It was hilarious watching my Uncle Larry light a fuse and then run across the street as soon as it burst into flames. It was also funny how Mark kept laughing and jumping after each firework we set off; as if it was the first one and we hadn't done a dozen right before that. My niece was a bit freaked out at first by all the loud noise and bursts of light. I think that's cause she was running around with our cousins when we first went outside and they kept saying, "Oh no, they're gonna get us! They're gonna get us!" That stuck in her head cause for the first 15 minutes of fireworks she'd say, "Oh no!" everytime she heard a pop; which was quite often, I might add. But by the end of the night she was sitting back and taking it all in . . . or she could have just been paralized w/ fear . . . :o) Just kidding, Brandi! She enjoyed it. She was braver than Caleb in that she wanted to do the extra long sparklers all by herself. So, there was fun to be had by all!
I hope you guys enjoyed your holiday. I'm rather tired, myself. Time for bed!
Monday, July 02, 2007
TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!
I shamelessly posted this so that you all have a lovely place to bestow 27th birthday greetings and well-wishes upon me! So, comment away, people! It doesn't matter whether you know me or not; just leave me some comments! You don't even have to buy me a pressie (although, I do have an amazon wish list . . . hint . . . hint . . .)
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