The Anecdote Corner

This post is inspired by my friend who is starting up her own blog based on the craziness that happens to her on a daily basis and, as she herself states, warrants a sitcom on her life.

There are times when I believe that my life is a huge experiment on love and social awkwardness and as such I am the unwitting participant thrown into these situations on such a regular basis that they aren't even that embarrassing to me anymore (although unsparingly embarrassing to innocent bystanders).

Like a little while ago I managed to spill my change all over the floor at a grocery store when I was at the cash register, and of course, being the baller that I am (sarcasm!), I didn't even have any big change to proudly pick up, it was all dimes and pennies (they add up, okay?). I scurried around on all fours trying to pick everything up while the frail, old lady standing behind me in line clucked her tongue in impatience. I should have bent over and shown off my booty instead of crawling around like an infant on caffeine, at least it would've given the male patrons something to look at (yes, I pride myself on having a nice bum).

Another time even earlier in the past, it was winter time, I was walking into my school building and for whatever reason, the doors to my school feel like they're made of dead bodies coz they're so freaking heavy. Anyway, I went to pull one open and the floor was wet from the snow that had been forced to abandon its cold, icy abode outdoors, and as Newton rightly stated, every action has a reaction, and my foot slipped out from under me as I pulled the door open. My knee made a satisfying thud as it hit the floor, and the young man who was walking ahead of me turned around to see what had transpired. So now I'm staring at this guy on one knee. If I was holding a rose in my mouth and a ring in one hand, I'm sure he would have said yes. We stared at each other, him wondering why security doesn't keep the weirdos out and me wondering if he'll magically find me hilarious and entertaining. After enough awkward silence to owe ten people pennies, he asked if I was alright, and I mumbled a yes to my extended foot. And then my life went on.

Even now as I write this in my school cafeteria, some fellow intellectuals just entered from outside and sent all my napkins flying off the table with the wind they carried in with them. If only my hair was down, it could've have been one of those geeky-but-sexy shampoo commercials.

Anyway, such is my life. I love it, not going to lie, I think it makes me super laid back and easygoing, to the point of laughing at situations which are more deserving of eyebrows knitted together in worry. Laugh, friends. Life is a barrel of monkeys!

What a Tease

It's a lovely spring day here in good ol' Ontario, and it makes me so hopeful and optimistic. Or perhaps it's the three hours of sleep I am running on...

Speaking of school (I really wasn't, but now I am, sucka!), it's that time of the year when your motivation to do any school work plummets down south to the Antarctic. I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but I just can't seem to get past doing the bare minimum. I'm sure this is a common symptom of Dear-Babylon-this-school-year-never-ends syndrome for many of us in academia, but about 2% of my brain releases the guilt chemicals for not being more on top of my responsibilities. But to put things in perspective, the other 98% just wants to roll around in bed under the covers forever.

I'm not sure why I've been feeling so apathetic about life lately. Well, I guess the feeling (or should I say lack thereof) comes and goes in waves, punctuated by a dramatic rise in stress levels as I realize I don't even know what I'm going to do with my time this summer, let alone after I finally get my degree (which isn't happening for a while, so put the pom poms away... I do appreciate them, though, thank you <3). Yeah, I'm at the pinnacle of my youth, the world is my pearl, etc. I guess I'm just unsure about what lies ahead. Trying to get a summer job has so far been a harrowing and futile experience, but I still keep plugging along in an effort to avoid homework (see how that works?).

My mom says that the twenties are not exactly a smooth ride because you're still trying to figure out who you are, what you want to achieve, and how to get out and stand on your own two feet. And she reminisces back to her thirties with a smile (note to Mom: I don't think you're old... you legit look like you're still enjoying your thirties).  My dad also says that things will work out for me, it's just a matter of time and sticking to your values.

So with the wise words of my parents, who, to my disdain at times, are always right (man, that gets annoying), I am more at ease about what the future holds.

Also, I am blessed with amazing friends who are not only supportive, but inspirational in how they deal with the cards life deals them. Par exemple, my one friend is so willing to volunteer his time to, as he puts it, "serve the community," since he won't be working many hours during the summer. Seriously, all he's missing is his armour and white horse. Chivalry isn't dead, people, hurrah!

In conclusion, for anyone out there who feels lost, regardless of your age or where you are in life, just know that perhaps the unknown isn't something to fear, but to embrace and look forward to. Uncertainty builds character. And those are my wise words (quote it, biatch)!

Peace, my gorgeous homies.

Not a Quitter!

I know, I know. I once again went MIA. I did the full first week of Insanity and immediately proceeded to severely pull my back, become deathly ill and start that time of the month (pertaining to the ladies).

However! These are not meant to be excuses! My back took ages to get better, so I reverted to doing TurboFire and have so far been on track. I've done two weeks so far without missing a day, I'm really enjoying it (the music and Chalene Johnson have converted me) and I can feel myself getting stronger.

I've also stuck my guns to not eating food from work and so far so good.

I'm actually being yelled at by the maternal unit for not being at her side, so I gotta run. I'll be back!

Insanity Day 3: Power Resistance and Something

I forget the title because it's late and I'm about to hit the hay. I woke up too late this morning to do my workout during the day (life gets in the way, silly thing) so I did it at 9:30 pm and I was afraid I'd be so tired but I persevered! :D Although I spent a lot of time just watching the screen wondering how Shaun T's group was doing the exercises. At one point, I even said out loud, "Are you kidding me?" (for the moving push ups). I could've done more, DARN THE MENTAL BLOCK! Oh well, I forgive myself... this once...!!
I also ate like a fiend today, and I happen to work at Tim Hortons, which means there is basically nothing healthy to eat, and I unfortunately gorged on some of their "Always Fresh" products to kill my hunger and I regret that decision. So, I've made a rule for myself: no more snacks from work! I gotta just bring a piece of fruit or a yogurt cup with me, 'cause these processed carbs are NOT going to help me make it through to the top.
I'm exhausted, so I'll write more tomorrow. Peace!

Insanity Day 2: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

I'm sitting here after completing my second ever Insanity workout and I'm not sure if I have the will to get up ever again. I'M SO SORE.


I was sore this morning from previous day's routine, and I'm not gonna lie, it's the good kind of sore, but to a degree I've never felt before :|. I had to work eight hours and I was hobbling around like a grandma. A proud grandma who holds her chin high for starting on an epic journey of fitness!

Anyway, onto today's workout. It was my first ever "routine" since the first day was more of just counting how many of each exercise you can do in a minute. Today was madness. I need to work on my mental block because a lot of times I wouldn't move just because I knew it would hurt when I started and I also assumed I was too tuckered out to do a lot of it, so I just lay in child's pose trying to coax myself into doing more. Also, in the last minute or so, sweat was pouring into my eyes, and apparently my sweat is acidic coz it was burning my corneas out. I had to do the whole last part squinting to look at the screen and then shutting my eyes completely until I could mop my face with a square of Bounty paper towel :P.

I am a little disappointed because I'm sure I could have pushed harder, but at the same time it's only my second day and I realize this is new to my body; I've pretty much strapped on jet packs to my muscles and asked them to go along with it to Mars, haha.

Hopefully I will have more perseverance next time, i.e. tomorrow. I can't believe I have to go through it all over again tomorrow. Thankfully, a different routine so hopefully the variety will keep me motivated.

I really like how I'm feeling, though. In more technical issues, my floor is really slippery to exercise on (it's laminate) so with the sweat and my cross-trainers on, I can't seem to get a good grip when I'm doing stretches, which is a little annoying. But hopefully it isn't a detriment to the effectiveness of the moves.

Alright, I'll keep updating as I go along. Oh Lord, have mercy on me for Day 3...

Insanity Day 1: Fit Test of Doom

I couldn't wait to start the Insanity workout (technically the schedule starts on Monday), but I got excited, so I did!

In good news, Day 1 of Insanity has been completed :D. In bad news, I feel horribly unfit :P.

It's the shortest workout of the series and it actually didn't feel that long, but half the time I was on the ground in pain so maybe that's why... I even paused the DVD three quarters of the way through and lied on my back on the floor for a good five minutes coz I thought my appendix was gonna explode (yeah, don't know what that's about...).

Now that it's over, I'm feeling the endorphin rush (i.e. runner's high) and I'm pretty pumped to go through the madness again tomorrow. It's going to be brutal but you gotta play the game to win!

I most definitely need to stretch, eat, and nap. I'mma do that... right now :).

I See You, Baby!

Oh man, Groove Armada (Fatboy Slim Remix!) is stuck in my head like no other. Yes, I am a fob, and I heard the song for the first time today as the score to a Nike ad. As much as I am neutral on Nike (although I've heard some terrible things about sweatshops...), I was in support of the message, which was, "Life is a sport. Make it count."

On Monday, I'm going to start the infamous Insanity workout by Shaun T and the BeachBody team. I decided I would state this out into cyberspace so that I can be held accountable by someone out there and so that I actually start it and stick with it! Not gonna lie, I'm terrified. Half the reason I'm doing this is to teach myself willpower, not just for physical exertion, but for other areas of life, too. It's so easy to just lie on the ground when life knocks you down, and hopefully this will force me to get back up and face any future rut I get stuck in.

I heard Insanity is some scary business. I watched one DVD just to get accustomed to the moves and it definitely looks intense. I can do this!! (Yay for self-motivation!)

So I'll post my fit test results on here and write about my progress; I'm determined to stay on track! I bought three tubs of hummus to cover my post-workout meal requirements! Haha!

Onward bound.