You Lazy Ass!

Working out.  Most people I know DREAD working out, myself included.  But ever since Yuta's arrival, I've noticed the few pounds I had lost before, starting to creep their way back into my life.  I just want to post a big sign that says GO AWAY FAT!  LEAVE ME ALONE!  UNWELCOME! Or, something along those lines.  I guess all those restaurants and eating out in general are starting to catch up with us.  And when you are a woman with the curves I have, I really should be watching what I'm eating...or at least go to the gym and try and burn it off.

So as many of you know I recently joined the gym across the street from my work.  And while my motivation has been lacking of late, I'm really inspired by my friend Michelle.  She never fails to miss a day at the gym!  Even on the weekends! Now that's dedication!  So I decided to buck up, get off my lazy ass and get to the gym......After my 8 hour shift at work of course!  Go hard or go home right?

I didn't do anything too strenuous because I was already really tired and didn't want to hurt myself, but I attempted.  I did a total of about 25 minutes on the treadmill, going back and forth between running and walking (mostly walking, thanks ankle....), I went over to the sit down bench press and did 3 sets of 10 at 45lbs, and then over to the ab area, as that is where I think I need the MOST work.  I literally have a food baby.  I did the sitting crunch machine, 3 sets of 10 at 50lbs, and man did I feel that area it worked out after the first set!  I then went and did sit ups, 3 sets of 10 again, on the vertical bench.  By this point, I was feeling tired and in all honesty, just wanted to go home.  So I did.  But I still felt a sense of accomplishment.  And now I'm hoping to add going to the gym into my daily, or almost daily, routine.  No more excuses.  Winter is here, soccer is over, and I need to stay active and healthy.  The time is now!

Lauren And Yuta Go On An Adventure!

So yesterday, Yuta and I went on a date.  That's right, a full getting-dressed-up date!  Where we stayed in seperate rooms to get ready and did a big reveal!  Mind you, we stayed a bit casual cause we were doing lunch, shopping, and a movie.  Nothing fancy!  But it was still nice to be under the stigma of the "date" mentality!

We started our date off at Starbucks in the Chapters at Devonshire Mall.  I think every date should start there!  Yuta ordered a Caramal Machiatto, while I ordered a Caramel Apple Spice, since I hate coffee.  He didn't want to go into the book store, so we went into the mall and began our search for a few key items each of us wanted.  We hit up American Eagle, but nothing there suited either of us (I find I love a lot of their items, but it's so damn expensive), so we wandered into a few shoe stores, but still was just window shopping.  Sears was another shop that didn't appeal to us.  We were getting discouraged, but as we passed by Ben Moss, I hit my first success.

The chain on the Inukshuk necklace that I wear daily had broken.  So I put the chain and pendant in my wallet and was on a mission to get a new one.  We stopped in at Ben Moss and found what was essentially the exact same chain, but with a lobster claw type clasp instead of the old one which the sales lady said would be a more durable clasp.  $20?  Done and Done!

La Senza was another disappointment for me.  I went in for some new undergarments during their 7 for $28 sale, but unfortunately found only 1 cute pair in my size.  I wear the biggest size in the store, which is of course the size that sells out first.  Such a disappointment.

We ended up leaving the mall almost empty handed (my chain and Yuta bought The Vow and a CD) and headed over to Wal-Mart.  A much better success rate awaited us at Wal-Mart, but I still didn't find what I expected to.  I ended up buying some new make-up (Almay foundation and a new Lip Butter from Revlon) and some snacks for later, while Yuta got the PJ bottoms he was searching for.  And a big Thank You to miss Jessie N for posting that photo of the new pokemon game, which I will be buying on Wednesday after work.

So after shopping, we ate lunch at the McDonald's in the Wal-Mart and then headed over to the movie theatre to hit up Pitch Perfect.  Holy Hell that movie was funny!  I was expecting it to be a lot like Glee, and while yes it did have the Racheal-Type-A-personality character running the Acapella group, and yes it was still a bit cheesy, I found myself REALLY enjoying it.  Fat Amy (excuse me Fat Patricia) to be so entertaining!  She was blessed to be a character with a lot of sarcasm and witty quips, pulled out at every turn!

We ended off our date at Tim Hortons, where we both just sat and relaxed.  What a perfect day!

The Pros And Cons

Well that time of year is here again.  The leaves start changing and the temperature starts dropping.  The shorts and swimsuits are stashed away, not to be seen until next year or next vacation.  We pull out our comfiest sweaters and cuddle up with a steaming cup of whatever you drink.  That's right everyone, fall, and soon, winter, is here.  A time of bitter winds and wonderful activities. A time for walks under the changing leaves and wearing those cute new fall/winter accessories.   A time of digging out your car from the latest snowstorm, and a time of impromptu snowball fights. 

Me?  Winter is kind of bitter-sweet for me.  I personally hate being cold.  I would rather be in 150º heat than be in any type of cold!  So here's my list of pros and cons for winter.

Cons:
The Length~ Winter seems to last forever doesn't it?
The Weather~ Unpredictability at its finest.  Not to mention those fierce winds!
The Warm up~ Having to go outside to start your car and let it warm up....And for those of you with car starters, consider yourself LUCKY.
The Shovelling~ I HATE shovelling snow!
The Roads~ They can put a man on the moon, but can't keep snow off the roads

Pros:
The Sports~ Snowboarding, tobogganing, snowball fights
The Magic~ That first snowfall has a way of making everything feel like a fairytale
The Snow~ You know the one, where it falls in giant chunks, with no wind.  Beautiful
The Warmth~ Curling up with a book and a hot chocolate on a day off! 
The Shopping~ Ok, Winter accessories are cute!

So, I guess Winter isn't all bad.  But I still prefer summer to winter.  Who knows, maybe this one will be different now that I have somebody to keep warm with.

The Lost Art

Today I want to talk about something that I am very sad to see disappearing from our world and culture.  The lost art of letter writing.  Everything, by today's standard, is done quickly, to coincide with our busy lifestyles.  But to me it all just feels so impersonal.  Cold.  Uncaring.  Don't get me wrong, I love Facebook.  It's one of the easiest ways for me to keep in touch with my friends from all over the world and Canada.  But there is nothing like opening the mailbox to find something other than a bill!  I love how personal writing a letter is.  I really feel like I can tell the person I am writing to, anything that's going on in my life.  I feel like letter writing, has a certain "care factor" that emails just don't.

I really came into letter writing when I was living in Japan.  A lot of the students that visited wrote letters to me while I was still there, explaining what a good time they had.  I often wrote back to them, and still keep in contact with a lot of them.

This is a letter from my friend Helen, who is currently living in New Zealand.  Also, I've got a package to send to my friend in Cork, Ireland, another letter for a friend in Japan, and a package for my friend in England.  Me and all of my letter writing friends have been sending back and forth for 1-2 years now.

Since I have amassed a FABULOUS collection of adorable letter sets, I have a need to go through them all so I can buy more!  And I urge you to take time out of your busy schedule to sit down and write to somebody.  It could even be me!

In For A World Of Hurt...

Last Monday, I decided I was going to join a gym and hopefully stick to it.  I was really excited about this decision, because it is right across the street from where I work, and a lot of people from my work, go there as well.  So, my friend convinced me to join and go to a cardio dance class with her, her sister and mother, and another one of our friends from work.

I went in to the gym, and went through all the bells and whistles with a wonderful girl named Carly.  She was excellent.  Because I was a new member, I got to spin the wheel of fortune that they have, and the friend that I referred got to spin as well.  I ended up spinning an extra free month....I hope someone else can use that for when I leave! My friend spun a personal training session.....that sounds much better!

Another girl, a friend I've known since JK, showed me and Yuta (he was on a 1 day free pass) around the gym and explained different areas and busy times and so forth.  I'd forgotten how much I loved being in a gym atmosphere.  Seeing other people push themselves, makes me want to do the same!

Our class started at 6:30 pm, and I'd heard nothing but good things about it!  Yuta didn't join, but went off into the main area and did his own thing.  I was surprised to learn that it was a male teacher.  I think his name was Roger?  I dunno, but he was cute!  The nerves and excitement were starting to kick in as he started some music, and I thought how awesome this was gonna be!  Our first move was a jumping jack and crossing our legs when our hands were at our sides.  Awesome so far.  The next move we tried was high knees.  My left leg went up and down, followed by my right, but I landed on the side of my foot, rather than the flat, and BOOM! down I went.  I heard a snap so loud I thought I had broken my ankle.  Everyone thought I had just fallen at first, until I didn't get up.  I stayed down and held my ankle, and then everyone was like, oh crap she's really hurt!

Roger, our instructor, came over and checked out my ankle.  Oh yea, I sprained it.  Almost as bad as I did in grade 10, where I would have been better off to break it.  He ran to get me some ice for it and I laid  on the floor, with my foot on a giant exercise ball.  And didn't move for the rest of the class.  Damn the ice was cold and my ankle hurt like a mother!

I stayed there for the rest of class, just resting it, and attempted to hobble out when it ended.  Thank God I had Yuta there that night, cause I dunno if I would have been able to make to my car even!  He played such a supporting role that night and the following day.  I'm really lucky to have him.

So, it has been over a week and a half and I am starting to feel better and stronger everyday, while trying not to push it, or over exert myself.  But, I think it's OK to start going back to the gym for some soft core exercises!  Here's to strength and leaving the world of hurt behind!