As most of you know by now, yesterday just before 2 p.m., DC (and much of the east coast) was rocked by a freak, nearly 6.0 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia. The good news is that there has been very little damage reported. Everyone's been sharing their stories of doom and gloom from their buildings shaking and fears of an apocalypse and all that. So what's mine?
I'll tell you.
Nothing.
That's right. N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
I didn't feel a damn thing when the big disaster quake of '11 went down because I had chosen that moment to hop in my car and drive to the gym for my daily laps in the pool. I guess when you're driving 40-50 mph, some mild ground rumbling just doesn't even register in your frame of reference. When I got to the gym, everyone was freaking out and watching CNN where the story had just begun unfolding. I asked what happened and a girl in the locker room who had been lifting weights said that a few minutes earlier, the whole building and all the gym equipment was shaking and felt like it went on for a full minute.
I was concerned initially that bad things had happened (after all, that's a pretty significant natural disaster), but as the reports that no casualties had occurred and few buildings had reported any damage, my disappointment at having missed the whole shebang set in.
I swam a half-mile (which did not feel nearly as satisfying as usual) and returned to my car to 13 (yes, 13) missed calls from my husband who had been pretty freaked out that I'd been unavailable in the hour following the event. My sister had also sent a panicked text message.
But, of course, everything was fine. Life resumed normalcy. It was like the whole thing never happened.
Except for me, I don't even get the memory of the thing.
Is this what they mean when they say that sometimes history just passes us right on by?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Exciting News!
My husband got a job today!
I have more to say, but I'm just very happy for him right now and wanted to share.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
I have more to say, but I'm just very happy for him right now and wanted to share.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
It's been a rough week.
I had a really great day on Monday, and then I got sick--feverish, headachey, generally blah. I've been dragging since then, taking Tylenol as needed to ward off the fever and the headache. Meanwhile, Min Gi's got his follow-up procedure scheduled for Monday (finally), but that means I've had to be more supportive and whatnot with the doctors' appointments and procedure prep. On top of that, I've been in paperwork filing mode with all the insurance and address changes that come with the move, anticipation of family change, and the new job. Stress is no fun.
Relief is in sight for next week, though, so I remain hopeful that I can get back into my healthy routine. I've also discovered Amy's Kitchen organic frozen meals. They are pricier than regular frozen meals (still less than eating out), but they taste so much better and are all vegetarian (many are even vegan), so I don't have to read ingredient lists if I don't want to (but the organic focus means that I actually understand all of the ingredients on the lists--surprise, surprise...). All the ones I've tried so far have been really, really good. For weeks like this where it's all I can do to get out of bed, I think this may be a reasonable compromise.
I'm hoping all goes well tomorrow and that next week is a better week where I get to sleep for at least 12 hours straight--you only think I'm kidding.
Relief is in sight for next week, though, so I remain hopeful that I can get back into my healthy routine. I've also discovered Amy's Kitchen organic frozen meals. They are pricier than regular frozen meals (still less than eating out), but they taste so much better and are all vegetarian (many are even vegan), so I don't have to read ingredient lists if I don't want to (but the organic focus means that I actually understand all of the ingredients on the lists--surprise, surprise...). All the ones I've tried so far have been really, really good. For weeks like this where it's all I can do to get out of bed, I think this may be a reasonable compromise.
I'm hoping all goes well tomorrow and that next week is a better week where I get to sleep for at least 12 hours straight--you only think I'm kidding.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Project 30, Derailed. Health Goals.
Well, naturally, the day after I turned 30, I found out I was pregnant. Which is great. But losing 30lbs and dropping $30,000 debt? Not going to happen this year. Try gaining 30lbs and adding debt from a recent, significant purchase (to-be-blogged-next, along with a re-assessment of my financial goals).
My health goals have changed temporarily to focus on improving health for optimal health of the child and in preparation of delivery. I tried to do this before I went on vacation last month, but I should have known that was a doomed-to-fail endeavor since I was in transitional mode. However, I moved last week to a new place and am pretty settled into a routine with my new job/location. Sure, that will all be uprooted in four months when I have an infant, but for now I'm in a good place to work on some goal-setting.
So, then, health goals for August:
1. Exercise: 4-5 days/week, building up to about 60 minutes per session by the end of the month.
Last week, I joined a local gym with a pool and set a goal of swimming 4 times/week. I met that goal and am continuing it, while building up the number of laps I swim each session. I started out swimming 20 laps in 20 minutes (do NOT mock the slowness... I am coming back from months and months of lack of regular exercise). I'm up to about 40 minutes and 40ish laps each time. I would like to achieve swimming 50ish laps in 45 minutes each session by the end of the month and add in 2-3 days/week of also using the elliptical (either before the pool or on another day) for about 15 minutes at a time. I am working up to this slowly and building my strength/endurance right now.
The results? It's amazing! I'm having almost no pregnancy-related pains now (some aches from muscle building, but nothing like the back/leg cramping I was having the last couple weeks before the move that kind of killed the walking routine I was trying to turn into a habit). It's also helped the heartburn that was beginning (there is less of it) and has kept my weight gain a bit more reasonable. I really like this pool and my hours make it easy to go at a time when there are very few people there who don't work there (between 10am and noon). I have a ways to go as I build my time up this month, but I'm definitely on my way!
Also, I am tracking my daily exercise in a spreadsheet so can see the progress. It's nice.
2. Nutrition: Stop eating out and cook at home, already!
Now that I've moved in, I need to get back into meal planning and bringing dinner with me to work instead of relying on fast food. It's hard to do this because I'm adjusting to a whole new rhythm of life at home that contends with a lot more than just my and my husband's needs. I've decided as a baby step, I'm going to allow myself to rely on frozen meals for work dinners. I'll even let myself splurge on Amy's brand (the all-organic, unfortunately expensive one) because it's still better than stopping for Burger King or McDs on the way home or ordering pizza/Chinese at the hotline because I get a sudden craving.
The second part of my plan to cut back on fast food and dining out is to bring fruit with me every day to work. Sometimes I don't want a whole meal, but I do need to bring healthy snacks. Maybe yogurt, too. That's probably a good idea.
So... the goal for this month then? No more food from outside the home for just me. Dates with the husband or pizza with my dad after sailing or lunch/coffee with a friend are ok, but those are not frequent events, really. The daily drive thru habit I developed in conjunction with working? That needs to go. Like yesterday.
I did better with this today (since I decided on it today), but I need to make it a top health priority now, and I can only do this through good planning to break a bad habit.
I was going to put a third goal in there, but realized that two is probably good for a focused start. I'll post more about how they are coming along during the month and review at the end of August as well as setting two new goals for myself. Yay goals!
My health goals have changed temporarily to focus on improving health for optimal health of the child and in preparation of delivery. I tried to do this before I went on vacation last month, but I should have known that was a doomed-to-fail endeavor since I was in transitional mode. However, I moved last week to a new place and am pretty settled into a routine with my new job/location. Sure, that will all be uprooted in four months when I have an infant, but for now I'm in a good place to work on some goal-setting.
So, then, health goals for August:
1. Exercise: 4-5 days/week, building up to about 60 minutes per session by the end of the month.
Last week, I joined a local gym with a pool and set a goal of swimming 4 times/week. I met that goal and am continuing it, while building up the number of laps I swim each session. I started out swimming 20 laps in 20 minutes (do NOT mock the slowness... I am coming back from months and months of lack of regular exercise). I'm up to about 40 minutes and 40ish laps each time. I would like to achieve swimming 50ish laps in 45 minutes each session by the end of the month and add in 2-3 days/week of also using the elliptical (either before the pool or on another day) for about 15 minutes at a time. I am working up to this slowly and building my strength/endurance right now.
The results? It's amazing! I'm having almost no pregnancy-related pains now (some aches from muscle building, but nothing like the back/leg cramping I was having the last couple weeks before the move that kind of killed the walking routine I was trying to turn into a habit). It's also helped the heartburn that was beginning (there is less of it) and has kept my weight gain a bit more reasonable. I really like this pool and my hours make it easy to go at a time when there are very few people there who don't work there (between 10am and noon). I have a ways to go as I build my time up this month, but I'm definitely on my way!
Also, I am tracking my daily exercise in a spreadsheet so can see the progress. It's nice.
2. Nutrition: Stop eating out and cook at home, already!
Now that I've moved in, I need to get back into meal planning and bringing dinner with me to work instead of relying on fast food. It's hard to do this because I'm adjusting to a whole new rhythm of life at home that contends with a lot more than just my and my husband's needs. I've decided as a baby step, I'm going to allow myself to rely on frozen meals for work dinners. I'll even let myself splurge on Amy's brand (the all-organic, unfortunately expensive one) because it's still better than stopping for Burger King or McDs on the way home or ordering pizza/Chinese at the hotline because I get a sudden craving.
The second part of my plan to cut back on fast food and dining out is to bring fruit with me every day to work. Sometimes I don't want a whole meal, but I do need to bring healthy snacks. Maybe yogurt, too. That's probably a good idea.
So... the goal for this month then? No more food from outside the home for just me. Dates with the husband or pizza with my dad after sailing or lunch/coffee with a friend are ok, but those are not frequent events, really. The daily drive thru habit I developed in conjunction with working? That needs to go. Like yesterday.
I did better with this today (since I decided on it today), but I need to make it a top health priority now, and I can only do this through good planning to break a bad habit.
I was going to put a third goal in there, but realized that two is probably good for a focused start. I'll post more about how they are coming along during the month and review at the end of August as well as setting two new goals for myself. Yay goals!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Korean Life Memories
My Korean Aboji and the feast my Korean Ohmoni prepared to say goodbye
Part of the reason for my last post about missing Korea is that I've been going through all the photos I never got around to uploading in the last year (wow... have I really been neglecting my blog that badly?). I found some photos from cooking adventures and goodbye trips in the last few weeks of my final summer in Korea.
An old Korean War helipad at Waryong-san in Daegu.
Some of these were taken by Min Gi on his camera phone.
With my good friend Jina at Donghwasa on a rainy afternoon.
You can check out the full album at Picasa, as usual linked below:
 |
| Life in Korea. |
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Missing...
... I realized today that when I say I miss Korea, I don't only mean the country itself or even the cultural peculiarities of the land of kimchi, mountains, and fan death. I don't mean that I miss my job at TFLHS, which I missed sharply this year. Of course, I also miss the people I associate with my life in Korea, even though many of them no longer actually live there (or live in another city), but that's not even entirely what I mean.
I think sometimes that when I say I miss Korea, I really miss who I was while I was living in Korea.
I'm not saying I'm a dramatically different person in America--I'm largely the same. However, I behave differently and respond to my environment differently. I even think differently sometimes. In Korea, I felt like I was more adventurous, more interesting, and more inspired. I felt shiny. Powerful.
Living in another country has a certain freedom to it. There is the freedom of not belonging, and it being just fine and dandy to not fully belong. Here, when I feel like I don't belong, it's more painful and lonely. There is the freedom from conventions. Adhering to neither Korean culture nor American culture fully was expected of me, and therefore I could pick and choose quite comfortably.
Also, I was challenged most days in a way that excited and inspired me. I always had something I wanted to write about. I saw lots of things I wanted to photograph. I experimented with foods and local travel more than I'm inclined to do in the area I grew up. I tried new classes and sports and hobbies for the heck of it.
I know, I know. I could do those things here, too. After all, these qualities are not in Korea, but in me. I just feel like I'd have to work harder to be inspired in that way. I have to look for the exotic and interesting in the mundane and everyday grind.
The depression I was in for much of this last year has colored my impression of my ability to explore and be inspired in America. Now that I'm out of it, past the culture shock, and happy with my life again, I'm starting to feel like I want to do the work I know is necessary to live this way. Living in my home country just feels a bit encumbered sometimes is all.
I think sometimes that when I say I miss Korea, I really miss who I was while I was living in Korea.
I'm not saying I'm a dramatically different person in America--I'm largely the same. However, I behave differently and respond to my environment differently. I even think differently sometimes. In Korea, I felt like I was more adventurous, more interesting, and more inspired. I felt shiny. Powerful.
Living in another country has a certain freedom to it. There is the freedom of not belonging, and it being just fine and dandy to not fully belong. Here, when I feel like I don't belong, it's more painful and lonely. There is the freedom from conventions. Adhering to neither Korean culture nor American culture fully was expected of me, and therefore I could pick and choose quite comfortably.
Also, I was challenged most days in a way that excited and inspired me. I always had something I wanted to write about. I saw lots of things I wanted to photograph. I experimented with foods and local travel more than I'm inclined to do in the area I grew up. I tried new classes and sports and hobbies for the heck of it.
I know, I know. I could do those things here, too. After all, these qualities are not in Korea, but in me. I just feel like I'd have to work harder to be inspired in that way. I have to look for the exotic and interesting in the mundane and everyday grind.
The depression I was in for much of this last year has colored my impression of my ability to explore and be inspired in America. Now that I'm out of it, past the culture shock, and happy with my life again, I'm starting to feel like I want to do the work I know is necessary to live this way. Living in my home country just feels a bit encumbered sometimes is all.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Pregnancy Dreams
People were NOT kidding about how vivid and strange the dreams are when you're expecting. I've had some so real that I woke up furious with Min Gi for offenses he had no idea ever even could have happened. For example, one night I dreamed he won a small lottery of $1,900. He was happy and wanted to use some of the money to celebrate at a bar with his friends. I said that's fine.
Well, the man ran up a $2,500 bar tab! He had bought everyone rounds and purchased some very pricey hard liquor and when all was said and done, we were in the hole $600. I was just so mad at him when I woke up.
I've had dreams of being a secret agent, a man, about childhood friends I no longer speak to, about living in countries all over the world... It's been exhausting.
Well, the man ran up a $2,500 bar tab! He had bought everyone rounds and purchased some very pricey hard liquor and when all was said and done, we were in the hole $600. I was just so mad at him when I woke up.
I've had dreams of being a secret agent, a man, about childhood friends I no longer speak to, about living in countries all over the world... It's been exhausting.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
It's a...
...boy!
This sonogram was by far the coolest thing I've experienced so far with my health care during pregnancy. Not only did we find out the gender, but the technician walked us through how the anatomy was developing and we got lots and lots of pictures (including some 3-D) of the little fella in utero. He looks like a tiny old man--all crinkly and bald with his eyes all squinty.
But it was all good news. Everything looks healthy and normal. He's an active guy, squirming around a bunch and licking his arm and crossing and uncrossing his legs and whatnot. But they could see the developing heart and bones and kidneys and brain and everything. He weighs about 14 oz right now and they adjusted my due date to November 30 based on the measurements from today. They also checked my cervix length (longer is better and mine's well above average).
Min Gi was super excited about the whole thing. He loved watching the baby move around and seeing the different angles. When I get to a scanner, I'll share some with you guys, but for now, I'm just spreading the news. Welcome to our baby boy.
This sonogram was by far the coolest thing I've experienced so far with my health care during pregnancy. Not only did we find out the gender, but the technician walked us through how the anatomy was developing and we got lots and lots of pictures (including some 3-D) of the little fella in utero. He looks like a tiny old man--all crinkly and bald with his eyes all squinty.
But it was all good news. Everything looks healthy and normal. He's an active guy, squirming around a bunch and licking his arm and crossing and uncrossing his legs and whatnot. But they could see the developing heart and bones and kidneys and brain and everything. He weighs about 14 oz right now and they adjusted my due date to November 30 based on the measurements from today. They also checked my cervix length (longer is better and mine's well above average).
Min Gi was super excited about the whole thing. He loved watching the baby move around and seeing the different angles. When I get to a scanner, I'll share some with you guys, but for now, I'm just spreading the news. Welcome to our baby boy.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Overwhelmed? Just start...
Ok, so I really am ready to begin again with this blogging thing, but I'm having some troubles because I'm overwhelmed with where to begin, how on earth to play catch-up to my satisfaction, and the urgent desire to make whatever I'm posting extremely worthy of reading to those of you who have been waiting for my return (you know... all five of you, including Mom and Dad).
And I guess instead of worrying about all of the blogging "tasks" I want to do, I should just start by posting an honest admission that I am overwhelmed. And then... to just begin.
So here I am. Hello. Welcome back, Diana.
I watched the final Harry Potter film today and wept like a little baby from about the point of Snape's remembrances to the end. 'Cause I'm an emotional slob like that.
I will not promise mind-blowing posting of epic proportions because I'm just going to try a little experiment for now. I'm going to write something here. Everyday. Even if I think it is stupid. Hopefully I will eventually have some stuff up and going again that is NOT stupid.
I'll share today that last night, I felt the first really good kick from Peanut. I'm about halfway through the pregnancy and that flipping, weirdo feeling in my abdomen just made the whole thing Real. Which is very exciting. Scary, as I've said before, but I'm now much more positive and excited about the whole thing. Especially since all the job stuff is worked out (for me... Min Gi is a whole other story), and I'm pretty settled into my new position. I'm also moving in a week. I will explain more on that, I promise, but that's in that category of Overwhelming that I'm currently avoiding.
So for now, I will go back to my homemade pizza dough that is rising (yes, I make my own pizza dough now... see? A lot has happened since I've been a non-presence in my blog own world), and to the episodes of SYTYCD in my Hulu queue (yes, I still am madly in love with that show), and think about the fact that I MIGHT know Peanut's gender by this time tomorrow.
How are all of you?
And I guess instead of worrying about all of the blogging "tasks" I want to do, I should just start by posting an honest admission that I am overwhelmed. And then... to just begin.
So here I am. Hello. Welcome back, Diana.
I watched the final Harry Potter film today and wept like a little baby from about the point of Snape's remembrances to the end. 'Cause I'm an emotional slob like that.
I will not promise mind-blowing posting of epic proportions because I'm just going to try a little experiment for now. I'm going to write something here. Everyday. Even if I think it is stupid. Hopefully I will eventually have some stuff up and going again that is NOT stupid.
I'll share today that last night, I felt the first really good kick from Peanut. I'm about halfway through the pregnancy and that flipping, weirdo feeling in my abdomen just made the whole thing Real. Which is very exciting. Scary, as I've said before, but I'm now much more positive and excited about the whole thing. Especially since all the job stuff is worked out (for me... Min Gi is a whole other story), and I'm pretty settled into my new position. I'm also moving in a week. I will explain more on that, I promise, but that's in that category of Overwhelming that I'm currently avoiding.
So for now, I will go back to my homemade pizza dough that is rising (yes, I make my own pizza dough now... see? A lot has happened since I've been a non-presence in my blog own world), and to the episodes of SYTYCD in my Hulu queue (yes, I still am madly in love with that show), and think about the fact that I MIGHT know Peanut's gender by this time tomorrow.
How are all of you?
Friday, July 1, 2011
Project 30: Vacation Health Goals
Tomorrow I leave for Martha's Vineyard (again) for a much anticipated vacation that was planned before I found out I was pregnant or decided to quit my job as a teacher. Although vacations tend to not advance monetary goals, Min Gi and I have taken some steps to limit the wild spending spree that can accompany travel by planning ahead for cooking in the house we're renting and scoping out cheap/free activities to do on the island. My sister, her boyfriend, and some of the friends that are accompanying us are also trying to economize, so we'll at least have good company.
That said, I'm not going to let financial concerns stop me from having a good time. This may well be our last long trip as a twosome for a bit, and I plan to enjoy it thoroughly. I can let money worries overwhelm me at times, but the reality is that we've come up with a new way to once again cut our housing expenses in half to survive on my reduced income (more about that when we come back from the trip), and because I opted for the summer-pay option when I was teaching, I'm essentially bringing in double pay right now. So even though I'm worried about the future and baby expenses, we're not in all that terrible of a position. I need to chill about it.
Every week, I'm going to set some health goals in an attempt to improve my general health and make my labor/birth easier. I'll try to reflect on how they went when I set new ones. Since I'll be on vacation this week, my goals will be simple:
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. (Pregnancy makes me thirsty; it's hot out and I'm getting some dehydration easily). I will bring a refillable bottle to take around with me to assist in this process.
2) Do 2 sets of "pregnancy" exercises each day: squats, Kegels, cat stretch, and wall stretch. (I should be getting plenty of activity this week, but I need to start doing these recommended things for the next few months to improve strength and flexibility where I need it).
I'm going to start recording water consumption and activity this week in a journal (hopefully food journaling will be a goal for next week). I'll let you know how I did with these two goals next Friday.
That said, I'm not going to let financial concerns stop me from having a good time. This may well be our last long trip as a twosome for a bit, and I plan to enjoy it thoroughly. I can let money worries overwhelm me at times, but the reality is that we've come up with a new way to once again cut our housing expenses in half to survive on my reduced income (more about that when we come back from the trip), and because I opted for the summer-pay option when I was teaching, I'm essentially bringing in double pay right now. So even though I'm worried about the future and baby expenses, we're not in all that terrible of a position. I need to chill about it.
Every week, I'm going to set some health goals in an attempt to improve my general health and make my labor/birth easier. I'll try to reflect on how they went when I set new ones. Since I'll be on vacation this week, my goals will be simple:
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. (Pregnancy makes me thirsty; it's hot out and I'm getting some dehydration easily). I will bring a refillable bottle to take around with me to assist in this process.
2) Do 2 sets of "pregnancy" exercises each day: squats, Kegels, cat stretch, and wall stretch. (I should be getting plenty of activity this week, but I need to start doing these recommended things for the next few months to improve strength and flexibility where I need it).
I'm going to start recording water consumption and activity this week in a journal (hopefully food journaling will be a goal for next week). I'll let you know how I did with these two goals next Friday.
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