Tag: Living

May Exercise Resolution

My favorite thing about the fact that it’s finally MAY is that now I can finally say we are going to Europe “NEXT MONTH!” Which is exciting, because it’s so soon but also a little sad because the trip will be here and gone before we know it. Additionally, I’m weighing the pros/cons of not blogging during the trip, or just doing photo dumps every few days, or what. Feel free to weigh in on that as well.

Fair warning: this post is about weight, and weight loss. If that scares/offends/triggers unhealthy reactions for you, please come back tomorrow or the day after for a more home-decor related post.

May also means that time is marching onward and I have not met my vacation weight loss goal (numbers: undisclosed) but in fact I gained two pounds since December. Two whole pounds, you say! Oh the humanity! I’ll just say that my weight is frustratingly consistent. I am extremely grateful that I do not gain, but frustrated that despite my best efforts I do not lose, either.

This morning as I bolted out the door with my “breakfast,” a cup of coffee (with milk, always) and a mini wheel of cheese, I thought of one of my favorite quotes from The Devil Wears Prada (love the movie, detest the novel).

It’s for Paris, I’m on this new diet. Well, I don’t eat anything and when I feel like I’m about
to faint I eat a cube of cheese. I’m just one stomach flu away from my goal weight. 

Well, I am going to Paris, but despite the evidence of my meager breakfast I am not on this particular diet. Let me state the obvious: it’s not healthy! 

I have made a last-minute May resolution: work out 5 days a week. Yikes. As one who rates exercise right down there with mopping the floor (our entire house is tile or wood, too), I don’t want to do it but it must be done. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up liking it. Yesterday I stairmastered my way through half an issue of Real Simple. Perhaps I can justify my magazine addiction by equating it with exercise motivation? Maybe?

As for my “diet,” I’ll let you in on a little secret. Lots of vegetables, some meat, and I could probably make real progress just by cutting out some bread and pasta, but who wants to do that?

Any tips for one who wants to diminish her “spare tire” in six weeks? 

Perfect Weekend

I had a very stressful Friday at work but ended up having the most delightful weekend.

Was still walking on air from over 500 blog views (on Wednesday and Thursday combined).

Discovered the best pizza within 30 miles.

Jumped on the Downton Abbey train about a hundred years late.

Ate delicious carne asada tacos at Antojitos Mexicanos El Barbas with some great friends.

Bought 2 bags of California oranges at Smith’s Market (buy one get one free!).

 

Had friends over and learned to play Settlers of Catan and Rook. I am now well-equipped for future game nights.

Sunday morning was busy busy busy but Sunday afternoon I took a several-hour nap with my pup.

Thanks, Instagram for letting me relive my wonderful two days off during a case of the Monday afternoon “blahs.”

Meet Gina

How many countries have you visited? How many countries do you think you will have the opportunity to visit in your lifetime? I know several readers of this blog are fairly well-traveled, but not many people can say they’ve visited 11 countries. (Even some who visit a number of different countries during a Europe trip can’t claim 11).

Well, my friend Gina got accepted into the World Race, which sounds a lot like the Amazing Race but I’m not sure if it’s even a race at all. She will be touring 11 countries in 11 months and will be doing missionary service projects in all of them. She is not allowed to be in a relationship prior to or during the race, and the whole point of the experience is to live a radically different, fairly nomadic lifestyle. Some of the countries haven’t even been selected yet–the team will be led to choose them while on the trip.

Gina in India (a couple of years ago)

No “home base,” no apartment, and no job other than helping those around her. Those who have completed the World Race, after almost a year of living this way, will never be the same again.

In order to support herself for 11 months, she needs to raise 14,000 dollars between now and September, the month of her departure. There is a link on her blog if you would like to support her endeavor.

Her blog can be found here, and has been added to my links on the side.