2013 - A new start

2013 - A new start

I haven't written in a couple of months.  I set out a goal or one could call them 39 resolutions and I accomplished them in one year.  I am not sure how I did it because by November 1st I was pretty wiped out trying to get everything done and my bank account was not looking so good either.

So that brings me to talk about resolutions.  They are really goals.  Goals are the best way to accomplish anything I want to do.  They must be reasonable, achievable and there must be a timeline.  In addition, announcing your goals to family and friends and tracking your progress makes you me accountable.  Lastly, at times, it is necessary to make adjustments to goals, whether that be timelines or changes in the goal itself.

My resolutions

Get out of debt by Dec 2013

You can't do 39 things and not have the funds to do so.  This was not very good insight on my part.  So here is my plan:

• All credit cards are locked in the safe (step 1 done) and not to be used
• When making purchases go through wants vs needs assessment
• Every month I have a set amount of money that is paid to the credit card
• I have taken on a new role at work which pays me an additional amount 2x a month - this money will be a direct payment to the credit card
• I have taken on a second class which provides additional money 2x a month - this money will be a direct payment to the credit card

I do believe I will have this paid off before Dec 2013.

Blog biweekly

I really enjoyed my blogging last year.  I actually have missed writing.  It had that accountability factor for me which I believe was part of how I accomplished 39 things before my 40th birthday.  Being realistic with the time I believe I can write twice a month.  If I write more than that, I'd be thrilled. Taking into consideration, I don't want to write about meaningless topics to make a goal.  

Enhance my creative side

From my 39 experiences I loved being outdoors and taking art classes. I have worked to develop good self-care in the physical aspect of my life but have not done so with my creative side. I need to tap into that part of me.

My plan is to:

• Take more hand blown glass classes
• Take a painting class (need to sign up)
• Take a class that works on my physical/creative side - possibly belly dancing (spring or summer)

Continue learning Japanese 

This was one of my 39 experiences.  I took a class this fall and greatly improved in my skills.  I even know 4 Kanji characters.  However it's like I'm still in first grade.  This is an important piece to me both culturally and personally.  I hope to travel to Japan again to see my family and be able to participate in conversations, rather than have my mom or cousin translate for me.

My plan is to:

• Take Japanese II (I'm signed up)
• Continue talking with my mom in Japanese weekly - that will even happen today as we celebrate oshogatsu
• Complete assigned homework 
• Practice daily writing and repeating phrases

I hope that 2013 brings much promise to you all.  What are your resolutions and how will you accomplish them?  Have you told anyone about them?

40th Birthday

I'm 40

I'm officially 40. I have completed all 39 experiences and had getting deported added as an unscheduled 40th experience. How many of you can say you have had that? I don't feel older. Ok maybe I do because I haven't felt great most of this trip and am still feeling effects of heartburn from dinner last night probably doesn't help.

Highlights

Top three highlights and not in any particular order were 

1. Seeing the Orcas
2. Overnight in the Aquarium
3. Oregon Caves

With Crater Lake and Tunnel Falls a close tie with the Oregon Caves.

All nature related.

Most Rewarding

1. Raising over $1000 for breast cancer
2. Feeding the homeless
3. Running sub 2 half and marathon

At the Bottom of the List

Being in a commercial.  Too much standing, waiting, freezing.  I am on tv but I wouldn't do it again.  Even getting deported was better than my commercial experience. It was not horrific because I encountered acts of kindness from the Alaska flight crew, US Customs agents and fellow passengers. 

Stats

Top 3 Post Views

1. Bye Bye Bryan - it's tabloid like right?
2. Crabs 1 - Sonya 0 
3. Timelines - (my first blog a little over year ago)

Looking Back and Looking Forward

I've had an amazing year...a busy but amazing year.  I would like to continue having more outdoor adventures, enhance my creative side, helping others, buy flowers from the farmers market, take time for myself and continue blogging.  I may need another venue for blogging as I have had complaints from readers that Blogger will not allow comments.

In the next year I have travel opportunities(South America, Asia), another marathon and growing my own veggie garden. I'm sure other things will pop up along the way. But for now I'm just going to enjoy the day.

Faith Cafe

Faith Cafe

My idea of going snowmobiling did not work out.  Part way through the season the snowfall was not great enough and my connections with snowmobiles said it was a bad year.  

Huh - well it was time to replace this experience.   A friend of mine was helping out through her church to feed the homeless.  She has done this quite a few times with her mom.  I really thought it was fantastic to help out others in need.  Especially those who are hungry.  A person can acquire food from a food bank, but do they have the means or facilities to cook or create a meal.  Let alone a hot meal? 

We arrived early, there are multiple churches that rotate in serving at Faith Cafe.  We arrived around 4:30 checked in, they went over the details, held hand then said a prayer and sang a song.  Then the doors opened.  The tables have tablecloth and flowers on them.  There were families, elderly, people in wheelchairs, teenagers and young adults.  Hunger does not see an age, your ethnicity or abilities. 

We stood by the table and as people sat down I offered them a drink (milk, juice, soda, coffee, tea or water) and brought them silverware.  I then lined up in the kitchen for the plated meal which was beef stroganoff over a biscuit, green beans and salad/fruit salad.  There was a dessert table and individuals could have seconds once everyone had been served.  In the back of the church was a table with food items for people to take.  It varied from bread, peanut butter, fresh fruit and chips. There were other items but I didn't get a close look as I was busy.  We cleared plates and cleaned up after everyone left. 

One of the volunteers said to me this is an experience, isn't it?  It is and it was.  

I often ask myself after any experience, would I do this experience again? For the most part I have answered yes - (with one exception).   This officially is my last of my 39 experiences.  My perspective has shifted and I have grown in so many ways.  I appreciate and see things very differently.

What's Next?

I've been asked will I have 40 experiences when I'm 40?  The answer is no.  It takes a lot of planning and time to do so many things in a year.  It also means funding these experiences and as I once said to a former boss "work is getting in the way of my activities, however work is paying for those activities".

I am turning 40 in less than a week and as I reflect back on my best moments it helps shape the direction I would like to go toward in my future.  As I move forward I would like to focus on enhancing my creative side, enjoying the outdoors and making positive impacts.

A Day at the Spa

A Day at the Spa

I have always wanted to treat myself to a full day at the spa.  I have had massages and facials and pedicures but not all at once.  The difference is having it all happen on one day.

Choosing a Spa

I looked around online.  I called a few places.  Some were really expensive and a few recommendations came in to go to Bonneville Hot Springs.  But I really didn't want to stay overnight and after a whole day at the spa I would be mush.  Driving back might be hazardous.  I have had pedicures at Coldwater Creek.  It is probably the best pedicure I have ever had and - bonus - close to my house.  No accidents on the way home.

The Treatments

After filling out the usual paperwork, I went to the changing room to put on a robe and slippers.  I headed into the waiting/relaxation room where I was brought tea, a heated neck wrap and started with a foot soak.  Sherry came out to greet me and took me back for my first set of treatments a back facial.  I have never had one and it wasn't included in the Renewal Spa Day Package, but if you are going to go all out, then why not???  It's like a facial but on your back - they cleanse, do a mask, steam your pores and extract and end with a very light massage.  Next was a sugar scrub and last was my essential facial...again cleansing, mask, steam and extractions with hand/arm massage.  I was lead back to the relaxation room where I was brought lunch.  After lunch I went back with Robin for hot stone massage.  This was my first hot stone massage.  They actually use both hot and some cold stones.  I am used to therapeutic massage so this was really different and what I might call "fluffy". After my massage I went back to the relaxation room and had more water and another heated neck wrap. Then Lindsey took me back to do my manicure and ultimate pedicure.  I'm not sure what happens during the pedicure because they place a heated neck wrap on you,  lay the chair back tuck you in and offer a eye pillow and I essentially end up taking a nap.  They wake you up with some energizing scents and back in the relaxation room with a heated neck wrap and water/tea.  

Final Thoughts

I spent basically a whole day at the spa.  I was very relaxed afterwards and had enjoyed my time.   The staff were fantastic. If I were to do this again, I would swap out the hot stone massage for swedish.

I may even have to set up a day at the spa on my trip to Mexico.

Dressed for Success

Dressed for Success

One of my 39 experiences was to knit a blanket and give it to a shelter.  Little did I know how difficult it is to knit....let alone to have the patience.  I attempted to create a scarf which looks more like a misshapen pot holder.  I think someday I might finish it.  But in this process I decided to still donate a blanket.  I also decided to clean out my closet and donate clothes, shoes, etc. in lieu of the blanket.  Since I have become a runner, my body shape has changed....I'm thinner and my clothes do not hang correctly and because of my running my feet have gone up 1/2 a size.  I had a closet full of clothes/shoes that were not being worn.  It makes sense as I'm cleaning out other areas of my life that I clean out things that are no longer being used.

Prior to bagging everything up

I decided to research different domestic violence or intimate partner violence shelters to donate my unused clothing/blanket/bags and shoes.  Most shelters do not have the space to hold donated items and refer to different thrift stores.  I decided to donate my clothes to Dressed for Success - which is connected to Bradley Angle House http://bradleyangle.org/  Women can go in and find appropriate clothes for work, including suits.  They also take shoes and casual clothes as well.

October is also domestic violence awareness month so I bagged up the items and took them down to  donate.  It felt good to give to other women who are looking to escape an abusive situation.  Many encounter financial hardships in trying to escape their situation.  The clothing that I no longer can wear or fit me can go to these women as they begin a new life.

All the items I donated

I think it is important that in my life that I make a difference where it counts.  This is one of those times.  Honestly do I need "stuff"?  Our society has become such a consumer wasteland...selling the notion that you "need" this.  When many of us are spending outside of our means, going into debt, collecting items in excess and are one step away from becoming a hoarder.

How can you make a difference in someone else's life?  How much stuff do you really need?

Plus 1000 & a Sub 2

Girlfriends Half Marathon

Feeling good & on target

The Girlfriends Half Marathon was my set date for meeting two challenges.  The first to raise $1000 for breast cancer and the second to run a sub 2.

Raising a $1000

I started the fund raising by kicking in $100.  I sent emails to friends, family and people who donated in the past.  I also solicited on facebook.  I suggested skipping one's latte/mocha and donating the $4 or $5 one spend on the coffee.  One response I received was I'm taking lunch all week next week and donating $50.  I was overwhelmed by the tremendous amount of support and officially raised $1, 050. 

Breast cancer kills 11 women a week in Oregon and SW Washington.  If you think about you may know someone who has breast cancer or has passed away.  I was so overwhelmed and grateful for the response from everyone.   This was not possible without the following supporters:

• Aunt Barbara 
• Karen F
• Helen Y
• Carole W
• Jennifer L
• The Andres Family
• Dorothy H
• Andrea O
• Joseph B
• Melinda W
• Karen C
• Sharon O
• Kari M
• Fritzi F
• Marie R
• Laura F
• Kelli C
• Emily W
• Sean S
• Nani T
• Erin S
• Mary H
• Kathryn W
• Jenny G
• Jennifer B

Sub 2 Training

I have come in several races at 2:05:xx. I knew I needed some structure to meet my goal.  After running the Ragnar Relay, I took 2 weeks off and then signed up with the Runner Chick Training Club.  http://www.runnerchicktrainingclub.com/index.html  I have met many of my goals and made life long friendships with runner friends because of Kelly who started the group.  If you are looking to get connected with other women who want to run, get on a training plan to meet your goal I suggest you join. I also highly recommend doing one of her run adventures.

Kelly had me set up on a 12 week plan to break 2 hours.  She hooked me up with some other runners who were planning to do the same.  My consistent run buddy over the 12 weeks was Christina.  First of Christina had already run Hippie Chick at 1:55.  Our first speed workout was mile repeats at 8:54 pace. I was dying.  My legs felt fine but my lungs were screaming.  The other thing is that Christina can talk during the tempo runs.  Lucky for me Jamie could talk with her and I basically told the girls I could talk to them on the warm up and cool down.  Every week I was able to run the required mileage (and then some) but was struggling to keep up on the tempo runs and mile repeats.  I was so anxious about making the "time" we would end up running about 5 - 10 seconds faster.  I even went home one night and had a melt down, questioning whether I could run a sub 2.  Kelly kept saying it will all come together.  

I was running a tempo run and feeling completely stressed about having 2 more miles to go and Jamie exhaled.  Then it clicked for me.  I wasn't breathing.  I was so focused on my time I was creating my own world of anxiety.  That was the turning point for me.  I relaxed and let myself breathe.  On the cool down mile, I told Jamie what I noticed about her breathing and how I found it helpful.  After that, things became easier.  I knew I could run a sub 2. Christina gave me feedback each week that she noticed my breathing was getting better.  

On our last tempo run the week of the race, Christina and I running 8:54 (subtract 5 seconds off we were really doing 8:50) and half way through our run realized we were talking to each other!  

My Fund Raising Efforts 

With the Pink Brigade Guys

Because I raised over $500 I was supposed to get a 10 minute start and I was waffling on starting early or running with Christina for part of the race.  Then I found out there were only 2 of us (really only 2 of us that raised over $500???) so the organizer asked if we could be recognized with the Pink Brigade Guys and have our entrance fees waived for next year.  The Pink Brigade guys raised a $1000 and had to wear pink to run.  22 men participated.  I thought pretty awesome!

Pre-Race Photo with the ladies

Ready to run!

Christina and I ran a little over a mile together.  I stayed just under 9 minutes and she was running faster.  At one point she looked back at me and I said "go".  We all have to meet our goals and she had it in her to run faster.

I felt good until mile 10.  I got a side stitch. So I pushed up the hills and my Garmin click 9:16.  Really?  I think I may have said the f-word out loud.  Then somewhere along Officer's Row, I saw my mom and dad.  Well I can't suck now.  I picked up my pace and waved at them.  It was a good motivator to have them at the end.  After that I came into downtown and knew I had 2 right turns and I would be done.  I pushed and ran as hard and as fast as I could.  

Then we went by the finish line and cheered on the other runners.  It was a great day!  There were 2242 women listed for the run.  Here are my official results:

OVERALL 190 
DIVPL 48/480
TIME 1:55:17
PACE 8:48

Lunch at Beaches

Turning Japanese

Turning Japanese

Do you remember that song...I do.   In case you need a reminder here it is on youtube by The Vapors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4 Wait a minute I'm not turning Japanese.  I am Japanese.  I'm actually mixed - Japanese and White.  It took me some time to figure out my identity.  I felt for a long time forced to choose one or another and then be told and discredited regarding my ethnicity because I look (please fill in the blank here) and there's no way I could be Japanese.  I know pass for white and possibly Persian and even Latina or so I have been told.  

I feel very connected to my Japanese roots with the one exception, the language piece.  I know words and phrases...but still feel incapable of communicating effectively.  At one point I bought Rosetta Stone and worked on it before and during my trip to Japan in 2010.  After being there almost a month, my skills greatly increased.  But only to a point and then I stopped practicing.

So I signed up for a non-credit Japanese course.  I had some concerns.  For example would the class be academically rigorous and meet my expectations?  Would the other students be focused on learning?  What is the instructor's background in teaching?  Well most of it has been dispelled for me.  The instructor not only teaches the class for the college but also has taught at the Japanese immersion school.  I like her structure of the class.   She really makes an effort to encompass all learning styles and is effective in the way she reviews the material.  She also encourages students to come early to class and she engages in conversation.

So far my advantage is that I know much of the vocabulary and can recognize much of the hiragana.  I also have noticed I'm the only person turning in homework.   I do think there is genuine interest in the students wanting to learn when in class.  The disadvantage is that I can only attempt to greet the dog when I come home.  He knows German and English....this whole new language thing just has him wagging his tail.  I have also spent some time talking with my mom on the phone and when I see her.

The importance of learning Japanese is that I continue to embrace this important piece of my life that makes up who I am.