Saturday, November 11, 2006

Remembrance Day

This is totally unrelated to my blog-topic, but as I am half a world away and cannot take part in a moment of silence with my country-men, I thought I would express my appreciation here.

Whether you are a pacifist or not, in agreement with Afghanistan or not, etc, I am sure we can all take a moment to remember, reflect and apprectiate the sacrifices of our Canadian soldiers, living and dead, who defend/have defended our country and its people as well as attempt to extend peace to our struggling world.

Please click here to read "In Flanders Fields".

Friday, November 10, 2006

Biking with the kids

Exercise 5/6: Biking
Time: 2, 30min rides

Colin is at a "work event" tonight, so the kids and I managed to squeeze in a ride to the video store before dark....then we ate supper at McDonald's. :-o (hey, I had a salad...and some fries....and a chestnut-custard pie.) Well, good thing we had to ride home again to! ;-)

Now we are waiting on a student of mine to arrive. She comes every week to hang out and watch English movies! :-) (Yea, the same girl we visited her family with this past summer). Tonight she is bringing her sister and we are watching Cheaper by the Dozen 2. I was remembering that we went to the first movie with my parents in Calgary. I wanted to see it with my Dad because he read the book to us as children because it was one of his favorite books growing up! So, here's to you, Dad! I will think of you half-way round the world as we watch Steve Martin mutilate the original story. ;-)

Oh, and check this out! I was blown away by reading my sister-in-law's new blog and finding MY blog mentioned! Who knew l'le ol' me could inspire someone else with my daily battle. Cool! That inspires ME! Thanks, L-A!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Blessings Anyone?

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006
Exercise 3/6: Lower Body Work Out
Time: 25 min

Opened the last of my new Billy Blank's DVD's today. Wooowee. That hurt. (But it is a good hurt, if you know what I mean. ;-)
I have noticed that the BB work outs have been helping my overall endurance and strength in Karate. (yeah)

Speaking of which:
Thursday, Nov 9th, 2006

Exercise 4/6: Karate
Time: 1:15

One of the rules of the Dojo in "no socks/shoes", so we enter with bare feet all the time. Tonight was the first night that the gym floor started to feel cool to the touch. By the end of December, it will be painful. Colin's parents will be visiting about that time. They should get a good kick out of seeing us dance around trying to keep our feet off the floor as much as possible! (If they can stand the cold sitting through a work-out! ;-)

As for the title...
We are right in between Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving. Also, the Japanese holiday of "Labor and Thanksgiving Day" in on the 23rd as well. (We are crashing a full-on Turkey Dinner with some American ALT's that day!! My mouth is watering already) Anyway, the other night I was laying in bed thinking about all the things I am thankful for. So here are some of the things I came up with:

I am thankful for

Hot cups of tea to wrap my hands around
Hot coffee in the morning
Hot baths to soak in (see a pattern here?)
Covers to bury under
Children to snuggle with
A Hubby to keep me warm (he may differ with me on that...since he is the warm one ;-)

Friends to share joys and sorrows with
Family near and far that I love and love me
Canadian Soldiers willing to fight/die for me (us) (btw, wear a poppy!)
A God who knows me (us)

What about you?
What are YOU thankful for?
Please share your comments.

Monday, November 06, 2006

During a Thunderstorm

Exercise 2/6: Abs workout-Taebo
Time: 27 min

Got to work-out during a thunderstorm. Had visions of being zapped thru the tv! ;-)
It was overcast all day and I was actually chilled at work in my short sleeve t-shirt!

I think it is funny that Japanese people think that because I am wearing short sleeves in the fall, I should be cold. It doesn't matter that I have fleece jogging pants on and they are wearing a miniskirt BUT long sleeves. (lol)

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Karate

Exercise: Karate
Time: 1:30

Hurt my hand again in about the same place, doing the same block, except this time it was against Sensei! He is solid!
...still didn't break it. (not that I am trying too!...even tho it is starting to look like it...;-) )

I can't think of any pithy titles right now...

Sunday, Nov 5th, 2006

Exercise 6/6: Tae Bo/Misson 2
Time: 40 min

My shoulders are tired...but I met the deadline.

I once again submit that this blog has been the best thing in accountability for me! I just can't make excuses! :-)

Family Bike Ride

Saturday, Nov 4th, 2006

Exercise 5/6: Biking
Time: 1:30

Beautiful day for a family ride. We returned our videos via the bike path route.
It is Nov. 4th and the forcasted highs have not dipped below 20˚C yet. Even the Japanese are saying it is too hot for this time of year! I guess that makes up for last winter when they had the most snow in 50 years.