Oh deary me!

You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.

– Dr. Seuss

Goodness, this week has been busy! Between going to the doctors, giving blood, cleaning around the house, and walking/jogging there hasn't been much time to be around.

My doctor put me on Zyban on Wednesday to help me quit smoking. He says it won't fully kick in for about a week, so I have made my quit date this upcoming Wednesday. On Thursday I gave blood at the blood bank, and was surprised when the Nurse had no issue sticking me... apparently I will always need to have an experienced nurse, and use my left arm for donations.

Friday I did my run, and found out that mum and I had to drive to pick up Saskia... Which is fine, just last minute. So I spent four hours in a car... Thrilling stuff, I know. Saturday, mostly I spent time with family, and cleaning.

I am getting to sleep at an earlier time, waking up at an earlier time... all around things are going well.

Tonight we are going to get Yoga Mats... we didn't get to start Tai Chi last week, but I personally do plan to start all the things that mum and I are supposed to do, with or without her.

Here are the things I am looking at:

Monday

6:30 - 7:30 PM Tai Chi

Tuesdays

5:30 - 6:30 pm Thai Lessons (to learn the language)

Wed 1st and 3rd of each month

9:00 - 4:30 pm Tramping Group

Mon 8pm / Wed 630pm / Friday 9:15 am

Body Balance - stretch and strength class

Thursday

10:00 am - Art Lessons

6:15 - 730 pm Yoga

7:30 pm Zumba $8 per class

I am really looking forward to the Yoga... The Tramping group frightens me a bit... but I think it might be good? Scary though.


I hope you've all had a good week.

--A.E.

I like it in the city when two worlds collide.

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.

– John Lennon

I woke up late, by four hours, and while I could whinge about the wasted time I think it was much needed for my still recuperating body. I have stopped coughing almost all together, which is a good sign, and I think within the next few days I will have completely recovered from my chest issues.

Though I woke up late overall I have to say today was fairly productive. I have cleaned much of the upstairs of the house, jogged and did calisthenics, put groceries away, got the clothes out... While it wasn't as active as I planned physically there was something about it that was soothing. I enjoy feeling productive, and in the past few months I feel like I have generally been unable to obtain that feeling... With a lack of a job or schooling while waiting for our residency to go through on average there aren't many things most would call productive.

Mum, Aaron and I talked about a way to earn some extra cash since I enjoy to have money sitting in my wallet. I think this will be good for me, as it will keep me busy and give me a way to save for a rainy day.

Kaity, Keely, and myself spent a decent amount of time doing art at the same time in the same room. It was nice to be in a room with other artistic minds, especially my sisters... I am so blessed to have been raised in an environment that encourages and provokes my artistic sensibilities, as well as my intellectual acuity. I am blessed to have lived in a home that encouraged me to have my own opinion, as well as to help develop my own individuality.

To my parents, thank you.

--A.E.

New Beginnings Start Every Day.

Supposing you have tried and failed again and again. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.

~Mary Pickford

In the past few weeks I have completely neglected updating this blog. We are coming up on a month of not updating tomorrow and honestly I can say I have no excuse as to why.

I have either neglected to work out as much, or completely neglected working out on the whole. To top the matter off for the past week I have been sick and unable to leave my room let alone work out... I fear that part of that is me not wanting to. I often wonder if I am self sabotaging myself in almost every aspect of my life.

I know that when I wake up early and do things I feel better... Not only do I feel healthier but I feel better about myself. I need to stop making excuses and start making the time to improve myself as I have previously said I would.

Going to the doctor I found out I lost over 9cm (around 4inches)from my waist since I last saw him. My starting weight was 135 kg (297 lbs), and I am now down to 123 kg (270.6 lbs). That is a total loss of 12 kg (26 lbs). I plan to stick to my plans and scheduals for the next few months, with Saturday and Sundays as my designated 'rest' days. It should be easier considering I have mapped out my day with ideas of what I should be doing with over 8 hours of 'free time' and 9 hours of sleep planned.

Now that I no longer have a URI I feel even more like I need to do these things. I can conquer anything I put my mind to. I am simply happy I didn't go backwards in my progress, despite my falling behind.

--A.E.

These City lights...

Fear less, hope more. Eat less, chew more. Whine Less, breathe more. Talk less, say more. Hate less, love more, and good things will be yours."

-Swedish Proverb.

Today was jam-packed with amazing things!

While I was still sleeping, the treadmill we hired arrived. Just to clarify, we hired a treadmill for less than it would cost mum, myself, and my sister Kaitlin to purchase gym memberships... We decided that this was the best course of action for the next three months or so, as we can gage how often we will use it before we put money into actually purchasing one.

The three of us have made ourselves a weight loss competition, the first to lose 10kg doesn't have to do the dishes. I personally think this should be modified for my sister, Kaitlin, who has the least to lose and will have the hardest time of the three of us to lose it. Weigh ins and measurements will come on Monday, three days after I actually start using the treadmill. The one thing I have been trying like mad to find is a hulahoop, it's difficult to even find a normal hoop with no exercise stuff built into it. I am craving the childhood bliss of trying to keep the hoop spinning for hours. At some point within the next few weeks I should have one... I plan to purchase a jump rope with sparkly handles, and sidewalk chalk while I am at it. I'm 23 and I have no shame in being a child at heart. I was healthier back then, so apparently I was doing something right!

I think if more people took the time to regress into their childhood, or at least their childhood mental state of being, there would be happier people in the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a day of reading, swimming, hop skotch, bubbles, poprocks and lunchables!

My mother, sister and I went out today, we went to the American Food store, and found the usual things we get... Sunflower seeds, junk food they don't have here in New Zealand, Salad dressing, and a new pair of pajama bottoms for me. They went regular food shopping after that, as I floated in and out of the shoppes. I love bookstores, and art stores, so I often find that Paperplus is a decent blend of two of my favourite places. I found stretched canvas on sale for 66% of price, and I couldn't help but snatch them up... Several very large blank canvases now lay in our painting area. I also found the first and the third book in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy. I only purchased the first one, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was actually suprised at how expensive it was even though it was paper back and 25% off.. I need to remind myself to look at prices of books from now on.

Last, but certainly not least, Sara (Sar-uh) came by to dye mum, Keely, and my hair. Finally my hair is back to being dark, and one colour. She is a major ego lift to everyone around her, she compliments you, and makes your hair look fabulous.

So with my spirits high, I think I am going to call this an early night, and get an early start in the morning-- I have a treadmill to use!

-A.E.