Opposite Life Reboot!

Well, I'm back!

[Picking bits of barnacle shell off of my back.  You'll have that from a keel hauling. Captain Wordswench and crew are none to gentle...]

But where to restart?  Rebooting a blog is kind of like rebooting one's fitness routine, so I guess I just need to dive back in and start writing something.  The "big catchup" seems daunting, just like the idea of getting back into running.  So I guess I'll do a brief re-cap, and hopefully flesh some of those out in the coming weeks.

[I really wanted to post something yesterday, October 2, for so many reasons.  But my first draft was interrupted here by Thing 1, who was having trouble sleeping, and Mr. Handsome-and-Handy, who is desperately sleep-deprived and just wanted to go to bed already...

...It's now October 3.  I will take 5 minutes and post SOMEthing.  Because something is better than nothing, right? ;-D]

• FitBloggin' 13:  I am probably the last of the people who are going to attempt a recap that are actually going to do it. It was, overall, awesome!  I met some wonderful new blogger friends, broke out of my introvert self in many ways, enjoyed my PDX - finding new favorites, when old favorites have gone.  (I also discovered some tasty new things at the conference, and I will be doing a product review and my FIRST giveaway, so look for that in the next week!) FitBloggin' ends with a 1 mile/5k/10k event.  I was going to do the 5k in the morning - walking, I hadn't run in a long time - but I ended up doing the mile walk with friends I met, and it was SO fun!  Like a kid at Christmas, though, I let myself get overtired during the conference days and so some things that didn't quite gel for me made me feel a little more fragile than I would normally let them.  I can't say "I can't wait to tell you all about it," because obviously I have waited.  But I look forward to MAKING some time to do it justice.
• See Jane Run Volunteer!:  I was also going to at least walk the 5k for the Run for Chocolate and Champagne, but I ended up hurting my ankle.  They ended up short on volunteers, so I went and helped out at registration and taking down the registration area...and probably burned more calories than actually participating!  So yes, I ate the chocolate.  I also got to see Susan Ito and her Weight Watchers "Island Girls" tribe!
• The Grandparent Trifecta!  Our summer vacation saw us visiting all 3 sets of grandparents!  We traveled to Tucson in June, Lompoc for 4th of July (and the kids saw real fireworks for the first time!), and Michigan in July/August for a big ol' family reunion.
• 5k101.com program:  I also decided to try and regain my running.  I wasn't excited about it, but I decided to commit to getting through the 5k101.com "couch to 5k" program.  I'm happy to say that I just finished day 2 of week 7!  I have to say, it felt like a drudge until week 6, and now I'm actually looking forward to my running days.  I plan to do one more day, then then supplemental 7-2, then week 8 the week before the Pumpkin Run - week 8 should be a good taper of sorts after the longer week 7 and 7-2 workouts.  This year will be my 5th Pumpkin Run!  I missed it last year, so it will be good to be back.  I don't plan to take my distance longer than 4 miles anymore.  My goal is to become the best 5k runner I can.
• Back to school:  Yes, it's ON!  The kids have been back awhile, so everything is once more in full swing.
• A new Facebook page!  Unfortunately, "Opposite Life" was taken, so I set up a writer page, "Pubsgal."  I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet, but it might be handy for blog update alerts.  Maybe it will become where I blog, because Blogger doesn't work so well on mobile devices, and I've been big-screen challenged lately.  (Which is why I don't comment on blogs as much anymore, either.) 

Um, did I say "brief"?  Oh well!  Hope all you crickets have a great day!

Avast! It be Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ahoy, yeh scurvy dogs!  'Tis Captain Wordswench here, and I be wonderin'...what happened ter that lubber, Pubsgal?  As me trusty crew mounts a search party, I'll be comandeerin' her blog and postin' a wee verse fer yer readin' pleasure....

A Wee Sea Chanty fer Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Rum lasses and lads!
Train yer tongues on t' past,
An' shiver yer timbers,
An' holler "Avast!"

The sun, it be shinin'!
The winds, they be fair!
'Tis time ter sheath our booties
In skull & crossbones underwear!

Yer looks, they be quite puzzled.
"Why this funny talk?" ye say?
Go on t' account, me buckos,
It be "Talk Like a Pirate Day!"

But first, hie thee ter work
Ter avoid a keelhaul.
But later, we can pillage
Our trusty stash of grog.

Arrr!

May Already? You have got to be kidding me.

Happy May!  I can't believe that we're already well into the 5th month of the year.

Where has the time gone?!?!?!

Hope the new year is treating everyone well.  Opposite Family and I have been keeping very busy, with school & work (oh my gosh, the work!) & volunteering & all the life stuff we have to do in addition to the above.

Highlights

• I received amazing news from one of my blogging heroines, the amazing Ms. Shauna Reid:  I won the ticket to FitBloggin' 13 in her Super Sell-out blogging anniversary event!!!  This year, the event is being held on the West Coast, in my very favorite city: Portland, Oregon!  Many thanks to Shauna for hosting the giveaway and to Roni of SkinnyMinnyMedia for sponsoring the prize!  My birthday mojo must have still been in effect, because this happened a mere two days after my big day!  Of course, being neither as fit as I would like nor a terribly active blogger during the past couple of years, I'm probably not the most deserving recipient.  But maybe this trip will re-spark both.  It will be great timing, just after my 5th "healthiversary".  I have to admit that I'm a little anxious about it, too, because I probably won't know very many people and am actually kind of a shy person in large groups.  Any advice on FitBloggin'?
  
• Following that was the holiday weekend, and Lori of Finding Radiance's 3rd Annual Bloggers' Healthy Heart Weekend! My daughter had been sick that weekend, and my plans to do something amazing changed into OMG-I've-gotta-do-SOMETHING!!! So I turned to my faithful exercise bike and cranked out 6.5 miles. It wasn't the greatest-feeling workout, but I got it done and sent in my photo. (I made up for it the next day with an exhilarating outing to the Pillar Point bluffs for an excellent walk/jog.) So imagine my surprise when I won the shower gel/body butter prize! We are all enjoying it. Thanks, Lori, for hosting another great virtual event!
  
• This past weekend, my hula sisters and I danced for the residents at Sunrise Assisted Living in San Mateo, then attended the Foster City Polynesian Festival.  I really enjoyed dancing for the residents, especially the last number: our instructor taught and we all led a sitting hula (noho style) to "Song of Old Hawaii."  It has pretty arm motions, and it was fun to include everyone.  I was impressed by the facility: the staff were very nice, and the ground floor common areas were so pleasant.  They even have a resident dog, cat, and bird. 
   
• Finally, I was excited and happy to see that a group of some of myfavorite bloggers came together to start AIM: Adventures in Maintenance!  They post on the first Monday of every month on a weight maintenance-related topic, and I'm enjoying reading their posts in AIM as well as their regular postings.  Here are links to each of their web sites; click today (5/6/13) to see their latest AIM post:
  Lynn @ Lynn's Weigh
  
  Lori @ Finding Radiance
  Debbie @ debbyweighs in
  Shelley @ My Journey to Fit
  Cammy @ The TippyToe Diet

Lots more goings-on, but that will have to do for now!  I'll be back sooner than I was last time:  I will have my See Jane Run (or, in this Jane's case, "ralk"), plus FitBloggin' adventures to share!

Happy "Renew" Year 2013

Well, it's 2013.  I greeted last year with giddy anticipation, and the year prior feeling "meh".  This year's kickoff was full of significant portents:  "Hey, it's Tuesday, and I'm on vacation! I get to be in my pajamas all day!  And drink lots of my peaberry Kona Christmas gift coffee!  Cool!"

And, being a child of Southern California, I watched the Rose Parade, and for many reasons was tickled that the theme was Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

Where I've Been

Not around here, obviously.  I only posted 8 entries in 2012.  Partly for a good reason:  work has been crazy busy!  I felt like I was stretched, and grew at work: socially, professionally, and intellectually.  The downside of feeling stretched is that sometimes I felt stretched a bit too thin.  Especially when the holidays came around, and we piled all of the school & community events (particularly hula) on top of the usual tasks.  But somehow, we held it together and made it to this vacation oasis.

Being stretched too thin, as many a person juggling career and family knows, means that often something has to give.  That "something" this year were the physical and emotional areas, which I had spent the past few years getting in order.  My "oxygen mask" mask of blogging and healthy eating and fitness habits?  Seems to have gotten sucked out the window and is lying, battered, in a cornfield somewhere.

Although I didn't post it here, I did pick a word for 2012.  That word was "realize," because I liked the duality of it:  awareness and accomplishment.  I think I realized a few things this past year:

• I accomplished and grew a lot in 2012, in a myriad of ways.
• Even if I'm not in the greatest physical condition of my life, I have so many reasons to be happy and grateful.
• However, I can't really consider myself "successful" if I'm neglecting basic self-care.  Part of those above-mentioned "reasons" are my family, and they need me to be healthy.
• I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I need to "un-slump" myself.  This prospect, of course, makes me want to go take a nap.

Where Do I Want to Go?

Taking a nap wasn't really the logical thing to do today.  I already had a good night's sleep and a stomach full of "spackle".  So I thought, "What other healthy thing do I want to do now?"  It was a gorgeous day, so the choice was easy-peasy:  I went for a hike.  I went to a place I like to go when I'm feeling thoughtful and want to get a sense of the grandeur of where I live, the bluffs north of the harbor. 

 Glad to have nice weather during my vacation!  

(Also glad that Picasa 3 added some cool photo editing effects...it's the little things.)

Beautiful Pillar Point...
...complete with "ice cream cone"

During my walk, I enjoyed the sunshine and fresh ocean air.  The "place" I really want to be, I thought to myself, is "well".  I remember, from my time in a club I was in during high school, that we filled out a sort of self-assessment that had areas like "physical," "emotional," "spiritual," etc.  It turns out that what we had learned about was the "Six Dimensions of Wellness" model by Dr. Bill Hettler.  I think that my next post will be my map for each of those areas for 2013.  I'm not much of a "new year's resolutions" type of girl, but I think having a sense of direction will be helpful, per a good quote I found today:

"Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation." - William H. Sheldon

I have 4 more days to reflect and make my 2013 "Trip Tik"...which come to think of it, is a pretty good metaphor for what I need.  Anyone remember those, or travel using one?  I had one for my road trip to North Carolina back in 1989, and it was great!   It was a bound booklet, and each narrow strip of a page was a segment of the route.  It was handy to have a detailed picture of the next "chunk" of the trip, with clear direction about where to go.

I also saw the following one, but I'm still formulating what my "something to be enthusiastic about" will be, with respect to physical health.  In years past, it was triathlon, and recently it has been hula.  All I know is I want to bring back my quarterly events, even if I'm not the most serious of athletes, because they make me feel enthusiastic and alive.

"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." - Charles Kingsley

More Hula Happenings

Just a quick post on some of the hula happenings...

Our class' title in our city's parks & recreation guide is "Hula for Fun & Fitness," but last weekend we were able to add "...and Service!"  A group from our hula class had the opportunity to perform at the VA hospital picnic in Palo Alto!  I felt honored to be able to do this and to say "mahalo" (thank you) to some of our servicemen and servicewomen and their families, all who made tremendous sacrifices for our country.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but it sure wasn't being loaded up with thank you notes, hugs, bouquets, and pineapples!  My goodness!  I was just happy with the good feeling of sharing our aloha and enjoyment of hula. I would love to be able to do something like this again.  (If you're local and will be at the Relay for Life, our group was invited to perform there this coming weekend!  Sadly, I won't be able to make that one.)

This weekend was the Bay Area Aloha Festival over in San Mateo.  If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I bought way too many hair accessories, cookies, and t-shirts.  But I also got to see some wonderful dancing, because one of my hula sisters was performing there, and she danced beautifully.  It was so fun to see the various groups; there's a wide variety of ages, ethnicity, and styles of dance.  I loved having the opportunity to go to the festival, to people-watch and listen to music and eat a little kalua pork, and even the weather (warm and slightly humid) cooperated to make it almost feel like being somewhere in Hawaii.

The Big Summer Catch-up

It's been way too long since I popped a post over here, so I figured I ought to check in.  (Yes, I'm still reading everyone regularly and silently cheering you on.)  We made it to the end of the school year (yeay!) and Little League season (double-yeay!) and the kids' "Lion King" dance recital (so fun!).

"Hey, kids!  Stop behaving like a pack of wild hyenas!

...wait a minute...

You ARE a pack of wild hyenas!"

So it's now the middle of summertime...work continues to be crazy-loco busy, but it's nice for us all to not have to juggle that and the pressures of school.  We've had lots of fun:  4th of July parade and picnic, visiting family with lots of cousin-time for the kids, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  That place is near & dear to my heart, and the kids hadn't been since Thing 2 was 2.  I loved seeing their faces alight with awe and wonder.  If you've never been and get the opportunity, jump on it. 

 Elsie the Wondercat turns 20! 

Summer adventure time: Monterey Bay Aquarium!

I also realize that I missed recapping the Q2 events! 


Q2 Events:  Hula Show!

Oh my goodness, was this fun!  Our performance for family and friends, with all the extra practices and setup, transformed our group from two parks & recreation classes to a true sisterhood of dancers.  (Sorry, I know the static pictures don't really do it justice.)  We enjoyed perfect weather for it, a rarity in our area, and the performance was capped off by a wonderful buffet and potluck desserts.  Later, during the cleanup, we had the music playing and everyone kept dashing up to dance together yet again.

Q2 Event: Cinc O' Day Mayo Run/Tri for Christie O'

My other event was the virtual one in honor of blogger Christie O' Sullivan.  I did a jog/hike on the bluffs above Maverick's, which isn't the beach you see there but about a half-mile off of the point.  It's one of my favorite places around here, and I spent a lot of time thinking about Christie and how bravely she faces the challenges life brings her.  SO glad "the Cansuh" (as she calls it) is gone, and also happy & grateful that blogger Biz's brother's treatment is done and was successful.  Hoping the same outcome for blogger Brooke's cousin - he and his family could use your good thoughts or prayers (or both!).

All of that puts my supposed "struggles" in perspective.  I'm struggling with reining in control over food and fitness, after WAY too long of letting myself be distracted.  Happily, enough good habits have stuck to not affect my diabetes management goals (last a1c=5.7%!  Woot!), but I've regained some weight and lots some of my strength and cardio fitness. Even in summer, it can be really hard to squeeze in a full-time outside-the-home job with ever-increasing demands, family time, and self-care.  So I'm trying to keep my focus more on the moment and with trying to make better choices every day.  I'm still here, and still in it with you all.

Happy Lei Day & Race Report: Pre-Season Burn Series #3

Just popping in for a quick news update...I'm fine, but feeling a bit zonked right now.  If I thought we were busy before, oh my gosh, between dance, baseball, school, and new & exciting work projects, it's been a whirlwind!

Happy Lei Day!

"May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii," you know!  But I seem to recall there being a custom of "May baskets" on the mainland; I remember making little paper baskets, putting garden flowers in them, and taking them to neighbors.  Does anyone still do that sort of thing?

This is on my mind because, well, I always seem to have Hawaii on the brain.  But especially so this month, because our hula class will be having its "hoike," or recital.  We're doing lots of practicing, and I think it will be lots of fun!  Not to mention some tasty food afterward!  

Pre-Season Burn Series #3

Race #3 was also at College of San Mateo.  I was *this* close to not going, because of the rain that was forecast - but I went anyway and the weather was great! I didn't see the woman from my first two races, but I met a scout leader who was doing his first triathlon. 

Race Standings (200 yard swim, 10K stationary spin, 1.5 mile run)

Division Place: 21/24 (2 places lower than February)

Gender Place: 12/15 (1 place lower than February)

Age Place: 4/12 (well, that was better!)

 

Swim 00:07:08 (6:56 in January, 5:22 in February)

Wattbike + Transitions 00:19:33 (21:52 in January, 00:20:45 in February)

Run  20:12 (19:06 in January, 18:50 in February)

 

Total time: 00:46:53.207 (47:54 in January, 00:44:57.176 in February; 43:47 in 2011 at the same event)

Even though my preparations in March were downright pitiful and the race itself wasn't pretty, I got it done and did my 3 mini-tri's in 3 months!  Although I would like to have improved my times, the series did serve its main purpose:  keeping me on track for minimal fitness during the winter months.