Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Fitness Challenge Done

Today is my last day on this fitness challenge.  I didn't lose exactly 10 pounds.  I lost 9.  I was close.  But I'll keep on trying to lose that last pound.  This will keep me motivated.

I finished the Wharf to Wharf 10K on Sunday for the 11th time (I think).  CJ finally ran it, the little turkey.  But he suffered because he didn't train for it.  I trained by running 3 miles every other day for a month and a half, but my feet started to cramp right after the first mile.  I kept going though!

This challenge has been going on since the beginning of June.  I am going to stick to juicing, but cheat every once in awhile.  I lost belly fat, which is awesome.  So this challenge helped me identify what I need to do to keep my weight down and energy up as I enter into menopause territory.  I am in control.

The key is to keep juicing and running.  You'll see me out there running every other day, because in my opinion, it is the best form of exercise.  I just need to get better running shoes.

So fitness challenge is done.  What's next?  I'd better re-focus on bowling.  I didn't bowl all Summer, and one of my teammates, Mark, sent me a text to check if I was still alive.  That was pretty funny.

Ahhhh, I have to admit - life is good!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Humanity Quivers

Sometimes I lose a little faith in humanity. When I witness a slight quivering, I usually see or hear about something that restores my faith.  I haven't yet since last week.

I was at Wal-Mart in Mountain View purchasing a couple of buckets for our beer bash.  As I was leaving, there was a cute little girl with curly blonde hair who walked out ahead of me.  She looked distressed, crying out for her mommy.  "What in the world?" I thought.  I slowed down and was about to stop to help her go back into the store and find her mom, but there were others who stepped in and asked her if she  was lost.  That was a relief.  The little girl was about 5.  Please parents, keep your little ones close to you!

Moments later, as I headed to my car in the parking lot, a lady in a mini-van cut me and my cart off to grab a parking spot.  She came so close to hitting my cart.  "What in the world?" I thought.  Why that spot?  There were so many other parking spots open.  Why was she in such a hurry or eager to grab it and risk hitting my cart?  Please people,exercise patience and wait for me to move past the open parking spot before you park, or go grab another one!

That was last Friday.  On Saturday, I went to the Apple Store in Palo Alto.  I usually park in the back of the CVS store, walk through CVS, and go to the Apple Store next door on University Avenue.  After purchasing my Apple stuff for work, I walked through the CVS store but stopped to buy a couple of birthday cards.  At the cashier, I was behind this lady who had her newborn with her.  The newborn was in a carrier on the conveyor belt and was crying with its eyes closed.  The lady was looking through her wallet and exclaimed, "Where the fuck is my ID?"

"What in the world?" I thought. You could tell she was stressed, probably from her baby's crying.  "Shut up!" she told her newborn.  "Holy cow, what in the world?" I thought.  The baby stopped crying for about 10 seconds, and then started again.  As the cashier processed her payment, she turned to her crying baby again and said, "Really? Really? Really?"

She then attempted to carry her baby and her bag of purchased items but couldn't.  I heard clanking in the bag.  She asked the cashier to double up on the paper bagging.  She didn't want to "drop the alcohol."  "What in the world?" I thought.  Another CVS employee offered to help her out.  Off they went. Good grief!  Please parents, don't yell at your newborn babies who are defenseless and have no clue.  They are precious and don't deserve your bad behavior. And remember, YOU brought them into this world.

Last week is a long time ago.  I'm still recovering from witnessing the alcohol lady with the newborn. Her behavior literally broke my heart for the baby. I hope that something restores my faith in humanity today or tomorrow.  I will be on the lookout.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Mom Well Intentioned

My relationship with my mom isn't as close as it could be, no matter how hard I try.  But maybe it's because I don't try hard enough.  I can go on months at a time without speaking with her.  When she calls, sometimes I ignore the phone because I don't want to chat.  When I'm with her in person, I tend to become annoyed with her.

Don't get me wrong.  I love my mom.  She is the bedrock of our family.  None of us ever forget her on Mother's Day or on her birthday.  Today is her birthday.

So why does my attitude toward my mom exist the way it does?  I would be so sad if my son CJ treated me the same way.  There is a psychological explanation I'm sure that is deeply rooted in our upbringing.  It's something I've been aware of, and I purposely raised my son differently so that my relationship with him would not be as indifferent.  I admit that among us eight siblings, I have the most distant connection with my mom.  Why don't I just overcome it, not blame my upbringing, and have a closer relationship with Mom?  I don't know.  I really don't know.

I think I try to make an effort by helping my mom financially at times.  It's not a burden to do that, and I feel it's my responsibility as a good daughter to do so.  We were raised that way.  Our parents brought us here to the United States for the opportunity.  They had pictured having their eight children take care of them in their retirement and old age.  Things didn't really go as planned because they were raising Americans after all, and here in America, you're supposed to have a retirement fund so as not to burden your children.

There's also social security, which is definitely not sufficient.  That's what my mom lives on.  It's fixed and strict.  It's not what she and my dad had envisioned when they emigrated from the Philippines long ago.

My own vision is far from that.  I don't expect my son to take care of me in my old age and retirement.  I don't want to be a financial burden to him in any way.  I imagine that I will work until I'm dead, and I will travel until I am unable to do so.

The way we were raised and the way I raised my son are different, and this is where I can pinpoint the root cause of my distant relationship with my mom.  It was in the discipline.  We were raised in a strict environment, and we were disciplined harshly.  There was yelling and screaming and a belt and slapping and pinching and accusing.  Such treatment is unnecessary, as I learned during my education when child advocacy became more prominent and prevalent.  In our family, there were no hugs and apologies and expressions of affection.  And I know this is why my relationship with my mom is what it is.  Why can't I overcome it?  Even more so, I implore - how can I overcome it?  Maybe I should see a psychologist.

Raising CJ was purposely done without the harshness.  There was no yelling and screaming and hitting.  Instead, there were time-outs and privileges revoked.

Ah, but I am digressing.  This post was meant for my mom, in celebration of her.  Today is her birthday.  I overcome my attitude by remembering that my mom is a good person and a good mom.  Her life story and struggles are more profound than the average person's because she was born in one country, had eight children, came to America, and thrived.  And all her children are thriving.  We are delighted at times when she regales us with stories of her life in the Philippines.

I tell myself that all my mom's actions past and present were and are well intentioned.  That's what matters, right?  I love you Mom!  Happy Birthday!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

One More Pound to Shed

I've lost 9 pounds.  Just one more to go.

I have not cheated this week.  I plan to cheat on Saturday though.  It's hard not to cheat on a Saturday.  I cheated last Saturday eating Mexican food at Palo Alto Sol with my new friend Bill.

The middle of July is one of my favorite times of the year because of the Obon Festival.  We usually go to the one held at the Buddhist Temple in Mountain View.  This has to be a cheat day for me because there is no way I will pass up shave ice, beef teriyaki and chicken teriyaki on skewers, sushi, donburi, spam musubi, corn on the cob, tempura, sake.  I know I can get this stuff at any Japanese restaurant or Hawaiian restaurant, but these foods seem to taste so much better at the Obon.  This is probably due to the atmosphere, the ambience.  It's a festival; there are games and prizes.  The kids love to play hoop-la, bingo, nickel and dime pitch, grab bag, tic-tac-toe, and fish bowl.

My family will be there.  CJ and his girlfriend will be there.  I might run into old friends, old classmates.  We grew up in Mountain View and have been going since we were kids attending Bubb Elementary School, Graham Junior High, and Mountain View High School.  I love the Obon.  There was only one year when I missed it, when I was living in New York City.

So one more pound to go.  It is the toughest one to shed, but I'm sure I'll do it even after stuffing my face at the Obon.  The Wharf to Wharf race is just around the corner, and I'll be ready - a whole 10 pounds lighter.  One more pound...

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Juicing and Cheating

The fourth week of my fitness challenge is coming to a close.  I changed my diet to comprise primarily of juicing.  I then add some cheat days and discovered that I can totally control my weight.  Control freak! I've lost about 8 pounds now.  My goal is 10.  I am also preparing for the Wharf to Wharf race on July 28.

I am doing this through the end of July.  I also gave up coffee, although I miss that very much.  I might pick up that habit again when I am done in July, but I will probably continue the juicing and what I consider cheating.   If I juice 6 days and cheat 1 day, I lose weight.  If I juice 4 days and cheat 3 days, my weight seems to stay the same.  So that could be the key.  Cheating to me means eating mainstream fare, such as Italian food for dinner or Sushi for lunch or Chinese food at a party.

I will have to figure this out, but I know for sure that juicing is a good thing and that I will do this for the rest of my life.  I use the Jack Lalanne juicer, which is a fairly good one at the price I purchased it for.  It is also very easy to clean and maintain.

I will also continue running because it's free and not as impactful on my body.  My knees have been doing well.  That could be due to the fact that I skipped summer bowling and cross fit training.  When I was into these two activities earlier this year, my knee was complaining.  I had to wear a knee brace in order to bowl.

I'm still on the fence about bowling winter season.  I will post a blog about this another time, but there are just forces that sometimes discourage me from this sport, even though I get better and better at it every year.

For now, I will focus on me and my health and working through this fitness challenge.  I need to make sure that I keep running and juicing and cheating, past July and for life!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Open Letter to Rude People

My awareness of recent rudeness began last Thursday on the Fourth of July.  I could be exaggerating, but at times I am appalled at what can be explained as plain and simple human nature.  But do people really behave in such a manner on a daily basis?  I encountered rudeness a few times last week, and so I am writing to these people.

Thursday, July 4, 2013 at Central Park in Santa Clara, California

Dear Rude Lady in the Large Floppy Hat:

My family and I and thousands of other people had been waiting for the fireworks display for just about 6 hours as the sun beat us down.  You were oblivious to us as I'm sure we were oblivious to you.  I don't know what time you arrived.  I don't know if you were there with your family, enjoying each other's company just as my family and I were enjoying ourselves.  The buildup of excitement and anticipation finally came to the climax when the glorious show of pyrotechnics began.  Ahhhhh.  But then you Ms. Floppy, coitus interruptus, came along about 10 minutes later and blocked my family's view.  Didn't you notice that you were the only one standing?  Didn't you hear our boos and hisses?  You were obviously mesmerized by the fireworks display but at our expense.  When my nephew finally stood up, tapped you on the shoulder, and politely asked you to move, you did so but not without making sarcastic remarks.  I didn't hear exactly what you said, but I understand that it was something about your being more than happy to move so as not to ruin our day. When you finally disappeared out of our view into the backdrop of the thousands of other onlookers that night, I imagined that you probably stopped and stood and blocked others' views.  Then I snapped back to the show and the music.  Another 10 minutes passed, and suddenly, the fireworks display stopped.  However, the music continued through to what was supposed to be the occurrence of an accompanying grand finale of simultaneous, multi-colored, fast and furious visual bursts and aurally loud bangs and booms.  The Santa Clara Fireworks Extravaganza came to a disappointing end, and I blame you Ms. Floppy.  You are either a witch (not in disguise) who killed the evening for us and cursed the show, or you are a lonely, old jaded woman who probably just needs a good romp in the hay.

Saturday, July 6, 2013 at TechCU Drive-Thru ATM in Milpitas, California

Dear Rude Lady with the French Manicure Driving a Luxury Foreign Car:

I saw you at the drive-thru ATM when I was the at the stoplight waiting to turn left.  When I drove up behind you, I didn't think you would spend at least an additional 5 minutes to complete your transactions or money laundering or whatever you were doing.  What were you doing?  I saw you insert an ATM card 3 times, and each time you inserted cash into the machine and withdrew cash from the machine.  What was that about?   I'm sure you didn't know that I was in a hurry, which contributed to my impatience.  But I had been there dozens of times before, and had not had such an issue, with past drivers before me always aware of me behind them or with me always aware of others behind me.  The transactions at a drive-thru ATM should be quick.  Doesn't "drive-thru" connote "fast and convenient"? Well that day, Ms. French, you were "slow and inconvenient." I think you were executing all those button-pressing transactions so you could admire your well-manicured nails. You are either a witch (in disguise) who almost made me late for my appointment or you are an insecure woman who probably just got paid for a good romp in the hay.

Sunday, July 7, 2013 on 680 in Fremont, California

Dear Rude Lady Driving the Horrendous Domestic Green Minivan:

I was merrily driving on 680 in the fast lane on my way to a wedding reception, when I spotted you Ms. Minivan.  You are just like the countless others I have encountered in the fast lane on many different highways in the many years I've been driving.  At least you weren't putting make-up on.  I've seen that before.  But you were driving the speed limit in the fast lane, with 6 cars behind you.  What possesses you to do that?  Aren't you aware of the rules of the road?  First of all, minivans should not be allowed in the fast lane because more than likely, they have children on board.  And they probably are not able to go faster than the speed limit.  Secondly, when you are in the fast lane, and someone approaches you from behind at a higher rate of speed, you should move out of the way by switching lanes.  Any highway patrolman will advise this.  Never mind that you are driving the speed limit and they are driving in violation of the speed limit.  The fast lane means that there will always be someone who will want to drive faster than others, no matter what speed limit the others are driving at, so get out of the way.  You should have moved out of the way Ms. Minivan, but you are tame in comparison to the other Rude Ladies.  You are probably not a witch, and because you drive a minivan, you probably have a van load of children.  I'm sure you've had your romps in the hay.

I hope you all have a nice day.

Sincerely,

Yolanda