I know...I know...

I know...it has been a really long time since I've blogged...I haven't felt like doing it much and work has just taken to using up a lot of my time...some things in a nutshell..
-got my forth star towards my second degree...I am now eligible to test for my second degree...My Sensei and I have set a target date of the September/October test. I am also going to do the grapplinhg...my opponents are going to be carefully selected and told about my issues...it is keeping me busy.

-I am going to be secretary of my Kiwanis Club.

-My professional association is keeping me busy...we are busier than we've ever been with lots of stuff going on.

-My apartment building has gotten the approval to go condo...we should be closing within the next 2 months...it is exciting because we've been waiting for so long. I had a ceiling fan put in yesterday for my bedroom.

-One of my grandmother's passed away. She had been suffering, so it was a blessing. My brother and I were beneficiaries of a life insurance policy, so that will help me to re-decorate my living room when the time is right.

-I bought a macbook and am using it to write this post.

I hope to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend...it is the start of summer here in Long BEach!

Old Friends

This past weekend provided an interesting opportunity to go to New Jersey and see old friends at the Circle K District Convention because Ron was retiring after 12 years as administrator. It was interesting to see who looked the same and who had changed and where life had taken some people. I was able to reconnect to some folks with whom I was close to during my college years and my time in New Jersey. I gave a couple my business card with my email and will now be interested to see who gets in touch. I would love to reconnect with some of the old crew...it may mean a few more trips into New Jersey but that isn't such a bad thing.

Black Belt Test

Today was the black bet test where I was going for my 3rd star out of the 4 that I need to be eligible to test for my second degree. When I got my number the other night at our school, my limitations had been taken off. My Sensei told me not to worry since I am usually in his ring and I emailed him Friday morning to give him the limitations again so that he could take care of the issue. Of course, get to the test this morning and Sensei is not in my ring. There are 3 other instructors, one of whom is a former instructor of mine. Sensei talks with them regarding my physical limitations and I get told that I am going to have to box another star candidate in order to get my star. I was nervous but folks from my school told me it would be okay because my skills are there. I did 2 rounds with a break between the rounds. The Senseis told me that I did a nice job. I went up to my Sensei after the test and thanked him for making me box. He told me he did it to prove to me that I could do it. I told him I need to work on my stamina in free fighting and work with a variety of partners. He also informed me that one of his goals for the year is to get me to start grappling...that should be interesting. I will try it because I trust him and the other instructors in my school that they aren't going to let me get really hurt. We'll have to see how that goes...

My first priority is to let my ankle heal a little since it is really messed up right now and has been for the past few months. I'm going to reduce my training over the next 3 weeks and come back strong in February.

Some Bad News

The ELA is going okay...we are starting day 3 of 5 today. I have been doing my biking in the mornings for 15 to 20 minutes.

Found out Monday that my friend Dave's mother was killed Monday morning when s he was hit by a car. I'm sending good vibes to my friend down in NJ because I know how rough it is to a lose a parent.

Got the preliminary results of my MRI...I have severe tendonitis on the lateral side of my ankle...I am wearing a brace at all times now on my ankle which is helping. I am probably going to need some good PT and we'll see...it really hurt the other night when training.

My grandmother has decided she wants to come home from Florida. She has been passing out and is scared (understandably) and wants to be where her family is. Mom will be returning to Florida on Monday (she just got home on Monday night) and bringing grandma home on Friday.

Tonight I have my LISHA (Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association) budget meeting. It should be an interesting evening.

Never a dull moment in my world...

Proud

I am proud of myself...I had gotten out of control with my eating and had stopped getting up in the morning to ride my exercise bike as I read my newspaper. I knew I needed to get myself back under control. I have been biking every weekday morning for the past week as I read my newspaper, so the time may vary, but at least I'm doing it. I am also making an effort to eat healthier. I have also gone back to eating lots of little things throughout the day since I know that is how to boost my metabolism. It helps to have a friend who is trying to get herself back in control as well. she and I can talk and we understand each other and what we are going through.

Friday night's pre-test lasted 4 hours - a new record for our school. Next week is the test.

I get my MRI results today from the doctor. I've got all the films to give him but he should have received a report from the MRI place by today.

I can't believe how warm it is going to be this week...it feels as if it is more like spring or summer rather than winter...should be fun as we administer the ELA at work.

Ankle Issues

So sometime in late November - early December my left ankle started to really hurt...I went to the doctor and for about 3 weeks, I used an aircast which can be a real pain in the butt...I stopped wearing the aircast right after Christmas, but the ankle still is not right...it hurts if I turn certain ways on it and if I wan walking lots...it hurt during the really cold temperatures of the past 2 days as well...so, I will be going for an MRI after work today to see if there is a tear or something else going on...should be interesting...

I also have the black belt pre-test tonight which should be interesting...I'm hoping he's determined a way to speed it up a little because last time it went until nearly midnight...needless to say, I will be sleeping in tomorrow morning...

Brrr...

wow...the temperature suddenly got really cold. My apartment which is normally on the warm side was cold when I got home last night. I put an extra blanket on my bed, put on my flannel pj's and had to use the space heater all night...I looked at the thermometer that I keep in the apartment and it was closer to 60 degrees rather than the usual 80+ degrees. It doesn't feel as bad this morning thankfully (granted the space heater is still going in the bedroom) and I was still able to peddle 20 minutes while I read the paper in the office without complaining much (of course, that is usually the first room that I open the window in...now time to shower and then brave the elements...I think some hot chocolate will be coming to work with me today....

Been a While

Wow...where does the time go...I can hardly believe that it has been so long since my last update/post. I have been busy at times and just not in the mood during others. Happy New Year to all I guess is the first order of business. I have made a resolution to continue on my healthy lifestyle - eating right and working out. I also want to continue to take time for me. Over the past week, I finished a needlepoint I had been working on for a while. I now have one to do for my friend's in Florida who had their second child in November.

I have been frustrated by the lack of dates I've been going on and not being able to meet lots of new people. I am going to try and change that.

I got to spend a bunch of time with my nephew during the past month. He is just adorable and I want to eat him up. He is generally a good boy.

I will try to post more often even if it is just to discuss my feelings or whatever floats through my mind.

Travel Buddy

I thought this was pretty cool and I would share it with all.

Unable to Sleep

Here I am having to go to work in the morning and I am unable to sleep. I was sleeping soundly until 3am when my body decided it was time to get up. I waited around for about 30 minutes before getting out of bed and coming to the computer...figured I could do a little productive stuff. Maybe getting some of the emails that are on my mind out will help me go back to sleep. My alarm doesn't go off until 5:30am...I hope I am able to fall back to sleep because otherwise I am going to be very cranky by the end of the day.