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Hello World

Wow, didn't realise I was away for a while. I sorta retreated into my shell a little bit. When I got back from Singapore, I didn't want to have lunch with my colleagues, or go to some of my regular social engagements, I just wanted time to myself, my own space, and I didn't want to talk to anyone about what happened so I stayed away. That way, I could minimise the opportunities for people to ask me. I'm doing good now though, I've stopped being anti-social at work, I'm meeting people again and I'm getting stronger, where I don't break down and cry when on the rare occasion, someone asks me about my grandfather.

My family is doing great too. My sister started her new job not too long ago and finds that she can actually have a life outside of work. My dad has been really busy, but I think he's probably enjoying that, if at least just to keep him occupied. He has lots of travelling to do, so I hope he keeps safe throughout them all. My grandma seems to be in excellent spirits. She will have a check-up with the doctor next week to see what her progress is since the chemo and radiotherapy sessions and then they will make the decision about the surgery from there.

There were also a couple of celebrations this month -- it was my dad's birthday on the 5th (but he was in Mexico for work) and it was my grandma's birthday on the 14th. Nothing spectacular, but the family went out for dinner on my grandma's birthday, which is always nice, in my opinion. It's hard being away from my family, but I'm glad all's going well. As to what I've been up to, it's a bit here and there, so here's what I have been doing!

#1: I've taken up Japanese lessons again! The last time I learnt Japanese was back in 1999 and it's something that I always wanted to do again. My friend has had a plan to learn a language this year for a while, so when she mentioned it to me, I figured this could be a good time to do Japanese together. She was keen, so off we went! We started a couple of weeks ago, and so far, she's really enjoying it. It's okay for me, only because we're just still at the basics, which I still remember, but I knew that I wasn't good enough to just jump straight into the next level. That's what I expected, so it's cool, but I hope to learn some new stuff as the course progresses, we still have 6 weeks to go.

#2: If you're a book lover like me, then I have a GREAT website for you to visit! This UK online store is called The Book Depository and it's fabulous! Their retail prices can sometimes be a whole $10 or more less than what I can get in bookstores here or even from local online places. The even more fantastic thing about it, shipping is absolutely FREE! All the way from the UK! While this free shipping offer doesn't apply to every country, they still cover many places. Great huh? How the heck they do it, I don't know, but to be honest, I don't really care! All I know is I'm getting an incredible deal. These brand new books are delivered directly to me at work and arrive in pristine condition. I purchased the Japanese texts for me and my friend, which we could buy here from between $38-45, depending where we get them from, but it only cost us $27 each from The Book Depository. I've since made more purchases from them, and I'm sure there will be more. I could not be more thrilled to find this website!

#3: Terrence and I haven't made any wedding plans at all, partly because of what had happened, but I think also because we're trying to avoid it. Don't get me wrong, we both are ready for marriage, but it's the wedding that's going to be an absolute pain in the bum! We haven't even figured out which country to hold the wedding in! It's probably going to be a toss-up between Singapore and Melbourne, and there are pros and cons for both places. I've taken a first step and asked my sister for her guest list, so at least I can see how many people there could potentially be from my side of my family so I have a better idea of what numbers we're dealing with. That may help us to decide the location. I'm sure we will get there eventually, but we both agree, it's going to be a big headache! LOL.

#4: Well, even though no wedding plans have been made, there is ONE thing that I am very sure of: I do not want to be a fat bride! *grin* So yep, that's a plan that has been implemented already! We cancelled our gym membership at the old place and signed up at another gym, which is about 5 minutes' away from where we live. I have also signed up for a personal trainer, because I have no willpower whatsoever and I need someone to help me get through the session. I started this thing at the gym this week that will go for 12 weeks, it's called 'Weekend Warriors'. There are two one-on-one personal training sessions each week, as well as two group PT sessions, 45 minutes long each time. Then every Saturday, there is some sort of activity, like rock-climbing, mountain biking etc.

It's only the first week and this thing is already KILLING me! I had to miss Monday's personal PT session because we were donating blood that evening, but I rocked up for the group session the next morning at 6am, which is ridiculously early IMO, but I didn't have a choice as Japanese lessons are on Tuesday evenings so I wouldn't be able to make it for the evening session at the gym. But anyways, back to the group PT session, the trainer started us on a cardio session and it was soooooo hard! I'm super unfit and I think I was still a bit weak from the blood donation the night before, and he had set the treadmill at like the highest incline possible and a running speed at about 9km/h. Maybe that's slow, but to me, that was bloody fast and my heart felt like it was going to explode and I was feeling faint and seeing stars. We were swapping machines during the cardio session, but after the 3rd machine, I couldn't take it, I had to go to the bathroom and puke (pardon the gross details). I had nothing in me but water, but even that I couldn't keep down. I came back out after a while and went back to the group fitness thing doing some step-up step-down thingy and my legs were screwed. Thursday evening I had my personal PT session, did leg weights, more cardio, and my legs were EVEN more screwed. Had another group session yesterday evening and of course, just more tired again, but at least I didn't puke that time! Though I did have sneezing fits.

However, nothing beats today's activity, which started at 7.30 am. It's something called '1000 steps' and if you want more information about it, here's a website that you can visit. At first I thought it was just running up and down normal office building steps, but after asking a couple of people, I found out what it really was. I thought of chickening out but after speaking to a colleague yesterday, she said it "wasn't that bad" so I believed her and went along (and dragged Terrence with me) for the activity this morning. Well, those people lied because it was a killer! There's this trail leading to the steps, and I was already puffing and panting before I reached the steps! The incline was killing my legs and they were already feeling so weak after all the gym work; it was really really tough. It also didn't help that I didn't have anything to eat anything in the morning as I didn't want to puke! The group just got further and further away, and soon enough, I was on my own. I was really tempted a few times to just give up and turn back around, but somehow, I managed to hang on in there. I came in dead last, which was really embarrassing, but at least I finished it and Terrence was really sweet and said that he thought it was really good I completed the walk, as he found it pretty tough as well. It's still kinda demoralising though, coming in last -- a couple of kids and a granny beat me! -- but I guess I'm quite pleased that I did manage to finish the thing, even though my fitness level is so crap. I have to thank one of the trainers; I don't know what his name is, but on the home stretch, I saw some of the group coming back down and when he saw me, he stayed with me and helped me get up to the top and then went down with me as well and kept encouraging me. I will have to thank him properly the next time I see him at the gym! I don't know if I'm going to survive 12 weeks, I just hope I can!

#5: I've been keeping up with my reading but I haven't touched any stitching at all in a long time. I did place an order at Down Sunshine Lane though, so I'm looking forward to that arriving! I also locked in a stitchy/catch-up date with a couple of friends whom I stitched with the last time, so that's gonna be good. I will be going over to their place this time, and I think an activity where I can be sitting on a couch is fantastic! If nothing crops up, this will be going ahead on June 2, just in a couple of weeks' time, it's going to be a lot of fun!

Okay, I think I've rambled on long enough! I guess I've more than made up for my period of silence, hee hee. Sorry if I bored ya, and thanks for visiting! じゃ、まったね (Ja, matta ne)!

Glad your are back :) You've been busy! That exercise sounds painful!! It'll be worth it though (says she who just cancelled her gym membership LOL!!)

Yay, you're back! I'm so happy to hear/read from you! Don't work out too hard though. All this work for one day? I think you must be mad. Good for you for taking up Japanese again. That sounds exciting!

Congrats on being back, learning Japanese and exercising...although that sounds like a painful experience and to actually vomit...wow...good girl you!

Glad you're back Eileen! It's good to hear that you're keeping fit. It's really good for you, but I am not too sure that it should be so intense initially. Ease in into it.

I am into excercise myself and have been struggling to lose some kilos to my target weight. But it's been hard. I now workout 4 days a week. Slow and steady :)

WRT to the wedding my suggestion is perhaps you could have a small reception in Melbourne AND in Singapore. MHO of course :)

Hi Leeny! So glad you are back. Just read every word!

I'm going to a gym too and since February I've lost 25 lbs. Woo hoo ... decided to join the gym because I needed to tighten up everything. So keep it up! It will be worth it.

And I so understand about the wedding. So many decisions ... do what feels right when it feels right. No need to rush. Enjoy!

love you
debbi

Way to go gal!!! *ENDURE*

Think positive and be happy ok :)

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About me

  • I'm Leeny
  • From Melbourne, Australia
  • This is where I dazzle you with my wit and fascinate you with my interesting self....but no, it ain't happening. I'm just a normal person, who can be a little nutty at times, but otherwise lead a regular life. Oh, and I LOVE cross-sitching, but I'm not 80 years old :p
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What I'm Stitching

  • Little House Needleworks - Spot of Coffee
  • Monsterbubbles - Home (freebie)

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