Showing posts with label minimalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minimalism. Show all posts

Saturday, November 1, 2014

NaBloPoMo: Day 30 A Late Last, and First

I can't think of a more ironically perfect way to start off this year's month of NaBloPoMo than by posting the super unsatisfying draft of my final, 30th day from LAST YEAR - the draft that has been sitting in my draft's box for 12 months.

Not that I have the wherewithal or stamina to write anything more than this tonight: a very full Saturday has left me feeling somewhat physically broken, and just flat wiped. With just a tiny squeeze of determination left, to fling this post into the ether and announce the impending deluge of posts that will follow! You've been warned.

Here's to a month of blogginess, squats, splits, and self-discovery! Cheers, friends. <3 
A




"I didn't quite finish out the month with the BANG I'd planned on - somehow festivities and obligations and fatigue and whatnot robbed me of timely, tidy caps to my challenges.

I don't feel that bad about it though, I have a whole new month of challenges to take on, now! "

- December 3rd, 2013

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 29 "Turkey-lips"

Today was our big day: a thanksgiving FEAST with two other lovely couples here in Gwangju.

I'm lying in bed now, a stuffed turkey myself, crammed with too much food, soaked in spiced mulled wine... I can barely keep my eyes open, but wanted to throw this next-to-last post up before passing out.

Here's to food and friendship and fellowship!


Carpe November, and happy thanksgiving again!

P.s. I did nothing today for my challenges. :/ I'll definitely be pushing at least 2 days into Dec with these! I did however, mull wine, bake sweet potato orange cups, make fruit salad and spend SEVEN hours of quality time with some dear ones. I'm lucky to have good friends to hang out with on holidays here, to ease the wistful pangs for being at home, with a lot of Bellurys around me. <3

Thursday, November 28, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 28 "Thankful"

Happy Thanksgiving, USA!

I'm thankful for the magical way the world looked this morning after the first legit snowfall.



I'm thankful for my new job, and the stress-free environment it brought with it.



I'm thankful for this month of challenges, which has definitely been worth it.



I'm thankful for every single Thanksgiving memory I have, because I can't think of one single bad memory from turkey days with my family. We ate, played games, laughed, sang, cooked, talked, watched and enjoyed each other.

I'm thankful for Thanksgiving. Someone recently pointed out that it's a unique holiday these days, because it isn't fueled and driven by base consumerism. It's a holiday that - for a lot of people, anyways - is actually about family and friends and relating and sharing, and taking stock of one's blessings. That's a seriously good reason to celebrate, if you ask me. Plus, delicious food. Lots of it. (Another thing of which I'm a fan)

May your gravy boats overflow in appropriate places, and your turkey meat be the opposite of dry.

Carpe November, folks.

p.s. Abs, nope. Today was a rest day, but I was supposed to catch up from YESTERDAY, so I'm still a day behind! I've decided I'll press on into the first couple days of December so that I can actually complete the challenges. Tonight, there were sweet potatoes, apples, oranges and grapefruits that were more important than abs.
Squats, CHECK and CHECK. I was supposed to have a rest day today.... but I forgot and did all my squats for Friday already. I think tomorrow, I'll do all my squats for Saturday and just be done with the squat challenge a day early! Woohoo!
Minimalism, nopes. Again, the fruits and potatoes took precedence! I have a Thanksgiving dinner with friends tomorrow, and I needed to be prepared. Thanks to Hunky Husband for helping!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 27 "Snowstormed"

It's not really a snowstorm, but I feel it might as well be one. Do you know how utterly unseemly it is to have a snowy thanksgiving, in this Georgia girl's mind? Very, very rudely unseemly. 

I'm not ready for snow, yet!

This was made painfully obvious this evening when I discovered my warm boots have broken soles. A short walk from the bus to Meagan's door rendered both of my socks soaking wet.

Which made me cranky. It was just as bad - but worse! - than when you're walking around the house in socks and you step in a puddle of water. At least at home you can just go change your socks and clean up the water! If I could have cleaned up all this unseemly snow, believe me, I would have.

Grumble grumble.

Ok, done complaining! Now on to the good stuff: IT'S SNOWING YOU GUYZ!! ZOMG.

Meagan and I mcgyver'ed some dry toes for me going home.



Adam's getting his first Mac computer in a couple days (his Lenovo sadly gave up the ghost this past week)!

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving AND a rest day from my challenges!

Broken boots means it's time to get some new boots!

Life is good, Carpe November!

P.s. Squats, CHECK.
Abs, incomplete. :( Guess tomorrow's not a rest day after all. Sigh.
Minimalism, incomplete. I regret nothing. Quality time with friends is important too! But seriously today's challenge is something I've already mastered: find a home for every item and make sure it goes back to its home when you're done with it. 

True story: tonight Adam was racking up points for the Best Husband Ever award and putting away the laundry. 
However I had to remind him about homes. "My socks don't live with your socks. My ankle socks have a separate house from my long socks, which have a separate drawer from my tights...." I'm  the reigning queen for having a home for everything! In fact the only things that don't have homes (that I can think of) are our purse/satchels. But we usually hang them on a chair or set them on the futon until the next day when we haul them with us again.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 26 "1SE"

I mentioned in an earlier post that I've been using an app called  "1 Second Everyday" (1SE) to record one second of each day. (Since September, anyways.) The first two months I just created random compilations of daily clips. It was fun, but I've since decided to be a little more creative and choose a theme for each month that I use 1SE.

For November, I'm doing "1 Word Everday- 1 Second Everyday," which just means I say a word (occasionally 2...) to the camera and have my face in the image. The results are much more interesting (I think) than just random imagery, so I definitely plan on sticking to the theme idea.

When my friend Frank was here for a visit, he helped me come up with the theme for December! It's going to be a 31-word long poem, with 1 word filmed each day. I've already started brainstorming ideas for the poem, and I think it'll be a fun month. :D

You can help! If you post a word in the comments section below, I'll use it in my poem. Seriously. (Inappropriate language excepted) Go on, throw me your favorite linguistic locution. I dare you, and accept your subsequent dare responses.

What's that? You're dying to see the 1SE videos I've made so far? Well, alright, I'll post them for you.

Here's my video for September (Sorry the quality is so terrible, these vids get better with time....Sorta):



For October, a few of the nagging issues from September were partially resolved - Sound issues didn't come up, and the black borders almost completely vanished - but the videos become more pixelated as a result. Since I'm filming all these clips on my phone (and love the simplicity of doing it on my phone as opposed to uploading to computers and downloading, etc), my options for filming quality are currently limited. If you have any tips on how to solve the resolution quality issue, let me know!



November is almost over - only 4 more days! - and I plan on posting my Nov 1SE video on day 30, just for you folks.

And that's it for today: Carpe November!

p.s. Abs, incomplete. Ok, so I DID all my crunches today! YAYY! I also finished planks and leg lifts, but wimped out on the final 100 of my situps. I'll catch up on them tomorrow. Really.
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism, incomplete. But I did the challenge from yesterday that I missed (I organized the hall cabinet and threw out many unnecessary things! Go me!), so I'm not couting it a complete miss. I'm just running a day behind on this one. :) Today I was supposed to organize my electronics, and this DOES need to happen. We have 3 drawers in Adam's desk dedicated to wires and cords and sundry electronic appliances, and they could definitely use an organizing touch.








Monday, November 25, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 25 "Small Miracles"

*Ack! I'm almost laaate! Granted, it's already Day 26 in Korea, but I hold that since most of you are in the USA, I have until midnight, EST to post each day*

I GOT A LETTER. Not exactly an earth-shaking miracle, but let me tell you: it made my month.

I have lovely, wonderful friends who occasionally brighten my life with honest-to-god hand-written letters. Martha has apparently written me three letters since March of 2012, and I receieved none of these little gems. This is not par for the course for Korea, as I've gotten every other piece of mail sent me (that I know of...?), and in a pretty expeditious manner.

But last week I got this letter:


With this post-mark:



And while I could be frustrated that it took so dang long for them to find me, today I can't muster any frustration - only satisfaction that I actually got my hands on this one. *hugs envelope*

Thanks for the letter,  Mar! There's a reply headed your way, ASAP. :D

Carpe November, folks!

P.s. It's to the point where I'm tempted to just lie.... Heh. But I won't, I promise.
Squats, CHECK.
Abs, incomplete. I got thru all the situps and the leg raises and the planking... and then looked at the obscene number of crunches left.... and just quit. Sigh. Crunches are the worst. And now I'm super behind.
Minimalism, incomplete. Clean out an unusual space (the hall cabinet). I just forgot to do this and went to bed, ulp! I'll have time tonight to clean that cabinet while avoiding my next set of crunches. ;)

Sunday, November 24, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 24 "Festive Sweaters"

Today, Adam and I had our already healthy egos generously stroked by our photog friend, Relja as he shot us for a "Couples' Holiday Portrait" photo session.

The most epic part of the session was when we momentarily ran out of pose ideas, and Relja handed Adam a pencil and notebook paper and said "draw anything you have in mind, and we'll make it happen!"

After a few minutes, this was what Adam had drawn:



Relja literally did not miss a beat: "A humanoid pteradactyl shooting a gun? I can make that happen."

2 minutes later? This masterpiece:

Yes, I'm wearing a kite on my back as wings. Yes, my ammo belt says "limbo." Yes, that is the scariest face I've got. 

My attempt to elongate my face as much as possible to imitate Adam's drawing. Success? ....Yyyeeeeessss?

I can't share my favorite photo with you for Top Secret reasons, but here's the best of the "Happy Couple Says Happy Holidays" set:


Posed? yes. Cheesy? yes. SOLID GOLD? yes.

That took up a large chunk of our afternoon and evening, so there's not much else to tell about the day.
So, the end.

Carpe November!

P.s. Squats, CHECK. (Rest day!)
Abs, CHECK. (caught up on crunches from yesterday, and enjoyed the rest day)
Minimalism, CHECK. Take time for yourself? This photo shoot was a super fun and indulgent (and cheap) activity that we'd kinda wanted to do for a while. Well, a photo shoot of us as a couple, anyways. What can we say? We're both lens-lovers at heart.







Saturday, November 23, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 23 "Food Comas"

Today was the day of ALL THE FOODS.

Our long-time friend Frank came to visit and today we pretty much spent all day eating delicious food. Starting with a decadent brunch of bacon, fluffy French toast and fruit smoothies. I fully intended to take a photo of brunch..... But then we ate it all.

Then Adam headed out to write, and Frank taught me how to make home-made caramel sauce! 

After the sauce was done, we realized we needed to test it on apples and in ice cream and on cookies. Then we tried all 4 things together. FTW.


Then Captain Totoro told us to go exercise.


So we walked through a lovely campus...


...admiring the foliage...


...and bought bubble teas AND hot teas after. Moar foods and drinks!!


Then we went to a buffet restaurant that served these magical glazed cheese sweet potato things. Yes, drool-worthy.


Lovely woodsy autumnal restaurant.





Then Frank spammed us with photos of ourselves.

Adam!


Anna!



The end.

 I have eaten so much food I can literally feel my intestines having little digestive explosions. Oof. And I still have Abs & Squats to do before finishing this post & sleeping... ì–´ë–»ê²Œ.....ã… ã… 

Carpe November!

P.s. Abs, CHECK (except 1/2 crunches, which I'll do in the am).
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism, CHECK. We took our time today, and it really was a great, relaxing, delicious day.







Friday, November 22, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 22 "FRIIIIDAAAAY"

Happy Friday folks!

My day in photos:


Workin on logic puzzles for MONEY.


Squats... Slow start today.


Squats... Done. 


Date night with Hubbsy.


Look who came to visit us! (Welcome Frank!... And Frank's cooking rum.)


Card games mixed with a lotta wine. And "Naked Gun", one of the most ridiculous movies on earth, yet containing the power to reduce my husband to a puddle of "little girly giggles."

It's been a day, folks. Now I'm calling it a night.

Carpe November!

P.s. I would just like to point out that I finished my abs AND squats challenges today, plus catching up from yesterday, despite being a bit sloshed. And giggly and goofy. And the other 4 dwarves, too...
Abs, CHECK. Also, caught up!
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism, CHECK. We're supposed to clear the floors, which we did this morning to prepare for Frank's visit. Still need to catch up on the kitchen challenge tomorrow, tho.


Thursday, November 21, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 21 "Dimetapp"

Taking care of one's self sometimes means taking medicine, in my book. Just like the rest of the world, I say "oh I try to not take drugs if I can help it" but the truth is I LOVE when medicine works. 

And even better? If it tastes delicious at the same time. When I was a kid, I loved Dimetapp, the purple cough medicine. That sweet grapey syrup could even make me wish I WAS sick, that's how delicious it was. (by the way, I think I'm really behind on my semi-illegal substances, because when I googled "purple syrup medicine" I got a whole lotta hits for Urban Dictionary and "purple drank".... O.o)

Well, guess what folks: Korea's got Dimetapp beat. I got some cough syrup from a local pharmacy two days ago, since I'd been kept up all night coughing the day before. And despite my fears that it would taste like an unwashed root, the stuff is MAGICAL. 

It tastes almost exactly like the "Toasted Marshmallow" jelly bellies you can find in an assorted bag of jelly beans - though finding them meant an occasional accidental swallow of the "Buttered Popcorn" jelly belly. 

I may have to stock up on this stuff before my eventual departure from the country. (Toasted Marshmallow Jelly Bellies?!!?!! Why is this not a thing in the US yet?)



Also.... I haven't checked online, but I just realized that I drank wine with dinner (baked salmon and homemade mashed potatoes), and then chugged some cough syrup. It's possible that's a lethal combination, but I'm hoping not, cuz Franks coming over tomorrow, and it would suck if I poisoned myself before then... 

Nahhhh, I'll be FIIIIINE! G'night folks! ^_^

Carpe November!

P.s. Squats, CHECK.
Abs, everything but 65 of the crunches which I'll do in the a.m. Swear. I did the 90 sit-ups, 52 leg lifts, 80-second plank and 65 of the 130 crunches, so I'm not sweating postponing a couple.
Minimalism, also postponed. I'm meant to go thru the kitchen and chuck the stuff I don't need or use. This shouldn't take long, considering the size of our kitchen, and the few items we have there. When Frank & I have our caramel-making adventure, I'll go thru everything then, I've decided. Zzzzzzzzz.........

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 20 "Day 3"

It's Day 3 of my "avoiding technology" challenge, and it has really brought to my attention how I've trained myself to check my phone more frequently than necessary. 

I have enjoyed this exercise in restraint and awareness, and it reminds me of this in-your-face video I recently watched about how cell phones are poised to usurp actual quality time with other human beings. In fact, I think this video was the first jolting warning I noticed about being careful to not let my iPhone run my life.


As I said, the video doesn't even attempt subtlety, but it's point stands.

So what am I taking away from these three days?

1. Check my urges. Why am I reaching for my phone? Because I want something to do or because I need to get in touch with someone? Because it's easier than pulling out my book or because I want to practice French? If there isn't a solid, helpful reason behind the urge, then perhaps just leave the phone in the purse.

2. I'm going to have to untrain myself, to an extent. I reached for the phone or computer so many times when I didn't need to, without even realizing what I was doing. Because I've made it into habit. So to cut down - which I'd like to do - I'm going to have to make some new, overwriting habits.

3. My entire JOB is interacting with technology (via online teaching), so when I come home, disconnecting is even more important. Not for the whole evening, perhaps (a girl's gotta blog, rite?), but for an intentional amount of time. I like what Mary at !blog did: she turned off the tv, and read until she fell asleep instead. (Her minimalism update here: http://thundernoodle.net/notblog/2013/09/22/minimalism-week-3-breaking-habits/)

4. If I find myself at work clicking on my email or social media sites, even when there's nothing new, I'm going to just close the tabs. Simple as that! I can open them later when I have something productive to do there, but having them constantly open in my browser window is just inviting brainless procrastination & glazed eyes.

And that's it for today. I liked this disconnect challenge enough to try and work aspects of it into my daily life. I'll keep you posted on how that goes!

Goodnight lovely friends, and hello cough syrup.

Carpe November!

P.s. Squats, CHECK. Rest day! Yippee!
Abs, CHECK. Groan. I did the workout I skipped yesterday: 120 crunches, 85 sit-ups, 75 seconds of planking & 50 leg lifts. I'm ready to see some results, body!
Minimalism, CHECK.


Monday, November 18, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 19 "Silence"

Let's talk about this most recent minimalism challenge, shall we?

I decided to extend the challenge from just "avoiding my phone unless absolutely necessary" to "avoiding all additional interactions with technology unless absolutely necessary."

So now, during my one-hundred and sixty squats at the office, there is no music pumping in my ears to encourage me to keep going.

I know there are updates to the online comic Nimona, but that can technically wait for 2 more days before I read them.

I want to tweet about my blogpost from yesterday because I am shamelessly tickled at myself for the boxers video. But that, too, can wait.

In fact, it turns out that a LOT of my day's tech interactions can wait.

  • Listening to audio books on the bus? That can wait.
  • Watching the newest episode of Agents of SHIELD? That can wait. (although, Adam said he has to write a review of it for a magazine or something, so I may be forced into watching it... totally unwillingly...)
  • Watching something while I fold clothes? Unnecessary.
  • Catching up on youtube videos published by the folks I follow? (daily grace, eat your kimchi, the ellen show) It can wait.
  • Looking at my instagram feed in the morning right when I wake up? A bad habit that I love. And all those instapics are still going to be there in 2 days. WAIT.
  • Updating and friend-stalking on facebook? Definitely can wait.
  • Sharing that crazy article on the animals that don't look like they exist but actually do? That can wait...... Buuuuut, I'm just going to sneakily link to it right now. I mean, I'm not the one clicking on it and reading it...


And so I have to say, the immediate thing I noticed since starting this yesterday is the abundance of silence in my life now. It doesn't bother me, silence. I like it and welcome it. I miss music, too, though. And I love movies/drama/stories, so I hate that it'll be another 2+ days before I can watch the next episode of Downton Abbey and find out what happens next (Anna's my favorite character, and she's in trouble :( but no spoilers b/c I'm behind at least 4 episdoes!).

And I think I'll leave my musings at that, since my body's taken a dramatic swerve in the direction of "IM SICK" and thus I'm skipping my evening plans to go straight to bed.

Carpe November! *cough, snuffle*

P.S. Squats, CHECK.
Abs..........
..............
 No. :( I'm not even trying tonight. But I've sworn to myself I'll make up for it by doing abs on my upcoming "rest" day. Promise. 
Minimalism, CHECK. My computer is getting closer and closer to being emptied of unnecessary photos AND I'm doing a decent job of avoiding unnecessary interactions with technology. Winning!!!


NaBloPoMo: Day 18 "Confessions"

So, today the world is definitely making up for the disappointments of yesterday. I have 3 days of canceled morning classes (huzzah!), I've decided that I can work around not being able to upload directly from my phone, AND my external hard drive will arrive tonight so I can clean out my laptop and hopefully get it running faster!

This post however, I'd like to make a couple of confessions:

1. I like lists. Or maybe love them. My enjoyment of them, and of the high I get when I check everything off, is pretty serious.

2. At work, I was trying to convince everyone that we need to organize all our online lesson materials into separate folders, instead of having everything all in the same file. One coworker looked at me and said, "you really like organizing things, don't you?" I may have blushed, but wholeheartedly agreed, because usually it's a good thing in a work environment. Then a second coworker laughingly said, "I bet you're the kind who organizes all her M&Ms by color." ...And my mouth dropped open. Because, at that very instant, there were 6 tidy arrangements of M&Ms on my desk.

*DISLAIMER: this is not the original photo, the M&Ms in this portrayal are merely actors*

*DISLAIMER: this is not the original photo, the M&Ms in this portrayal are merely actors*
And this is how I usually eat them:




Actually, it only just occurred to me that perhaps that coworker said that because he'd peeked into my office and noticed the rainbow-arrayed candies. Regardless, my reaction was ridiculous. I was so surprised at his joke being so true that I blurted "I also fold my husband's boxers!"

*Sigh.

So. Not only do I color-code my M&Ms before eating them...

3. ...I also love to fold my husband's boxers. BUT IN A REALLY COOL WAY, AMIRITE?


(Little-known production note: I recorded the audio "steps" to that video about 7 times, and by the 7th, when I forget what step I was on, I was tired of recording and just kept it!)

4. I apparently have trouble counting these days. I just had to re-number confession #3, because I had it written as #4. *slow head shake*

5. The logo for my makeup routine is "inexpertly applied." Because I only 1/2 care. But that doesn't stop me from following (and really enjoying) fashion blogger Keiko Lynn. I haven't missed a post of hers... well, since I found her, I guess! I'm no fashionista, or syle guru (again, because I only 1/2 care, which isn't enough to propel me past where I am), but I certainly enjoy her style and photos.

Ok, that's enough confessions for today. I only have 3 subscribers, and to go further would be to endanger those three and their commitment (love you guys!). ;)


Carpe November!

P.S. Abs, CHEEECK. It's getting harder and harder each day, though. Ugh.
Squats, CHECK!
Minimalism, CHECK. Adam and I are adjusting this challenge to fit our needs. There's no way we can completely disconnect from electronics for the next 3 days (Yes. Yes, that really is the challenge.). I work ONLINE, and Adam runs the ONLINE version of a newspaper that he is required to update, not to mention the tech he uses in his classes, not to mention the fact that he's doing NaNoWriMo, and I'm doing NaBloPoMo. So, instead, we're challenging each other to disconnect from our iPhones unless absolutely necessary. Answering a phone call? Ok. Pulling up IMDB to check what other movies that actor was in? Not necessary. Checking Twitter/email/facebook/etc is likewise, unnecessary. It's going to be hard to remember at first, I think. So we'll see how we're doing by day 3!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 17 "Rage"

I am so frustrated.
I am beyond frustrated, really.
I'm tearing out my hair and banging my forehead on the table, positively breathing fire & brimstone.

Gooooooooooooooggggllllllleeeeeeeeeeee.

Today I really hate Google. Most days I feel very positively towards Google. I'd even say I really like Google, on most days, despite their occasional bad press. Tonight I am full of rage and hate.

I do NOT want a Google+ account. I've had to delete THREE accounts, because Google keeps sneakily making them for me, without me actually wanting it to happen.

I do NOT want a second Youtube channel in my real name. I created my original Youtube channel in a different name for a reason, and I'd bleeping well like to keep it that way.

RRRAAAAWWWWRRangstrageGAH.

I'm fuming in particular because today I created a couple of videos on my phone (iMovie, thanks), and wanted to post them here on the blog. Previously, it's been a snap to upload videos from my iMovie app straight to my youtube account. Today, however, because of the previously mentioned unwanted Google+ and Youtube accounts, everything is broken in my account.

So, sorry folks. Tonight all you get is my rage. Here it is:




Carpe November...!

P.S. Abs, CHECK.
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism, CHECK. We were supposed to go through our shoes and donate 1 pair. BUT, we get a "bonus" for donating/throwing out 3 or more pairs. Go, us!




Saturday, November 16, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 16 "Goals: Addendum"

Ok, I don't have a lot of time, because Adam is sitting in the next room with wine and Agents of Shield cued up, just WAITING for me to come join him. And holding the wine hostage. >:(

I realized today that I left out a major section of my goals in my previous posts: Korean goals in Korea.

1. Create and design a middle school curriculum. There's a large project I'm working on with several other ESL teachers here in Gwangju to create a curriculum for middle school ESL teachers in our particular program, EPIK. A lot of new teachers (myself and Adam included) get thrown into middle schools with Korea co-teachers who hand us the middle school textbooks and say "You can use these if you want. Or not. Do you like them? I don't like them. You can just do whatever you think is helpful for the students..."  And after looking at the first couple pages of the available textbooks, I have to agree that they are the opposite of compelling for a middle school student. So, I (and most other middle school ESL teachers) attempt to do... whatever I feel is useful. This leads, inevitably, to unequal lesson quality throughout the middle schools of the city (and country). And this is what our determined little group wants to change.

We've been working diligently (usually) on the project for about a year, now, and we are a couple days away from finishing grade 1 of the curriculum (or, 7th grade). Exciting and daunting and time consuming, I'm personally committed to seeing this project through to completion before leaving. I have confidence it CAN be done, but after next month, we'll have (or won't have) assurance from the Gwangju Office of Education that they'll fund the remainder of the project, which will be (HOPEFULLY, CROSS EVERY FINGER AND TOE) a huge relief and motivating factor.

2. Lead a local theatre company. In the past 1.5 years, I've participated in two theater shows put on by the Gwangju Performance Project, which was started and run by other ESL teachers for the past 4-ish years. Next year, however, the entire leadership group is leaving Korea. They've decided they'd like yours truly to be the next GPP coordinator/leader/director, and so I'll be initiating and running the show (ha, literally) starting next March. This is much scarier than the textbook project, but also waaaayyy more exciting, in many ways. I've already got a play in mind for next spring, but I'll keep you posted.

3. Be proud of Adam. This isn't a goal, but I just want to brag a little on my husband. There's a local magazine here in Gwangju that has a pretty significant readership throughout the whole country. He started out volunteering to write articles here and there, and then was quickly promoted to the Online Editor. And now... there are rumors of bigger and better things in the works.

He's awesome. You can check out the online version of the magazine here!

AAHH! Adam's starting the show without meeeeeeeeee....

Carpe November!

P.S. Abs & squats, CHECK -- rest day!
Minimalism, CHECK. Another non-challenge day, another day of uploading pics and pics and pics to my online cloud.

Friday, November 15, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 15 "Halfway"

Halfway through the month, and I find myself feeling concern. I like blogging, and I always have. But when this month ends, how am I going to keep myself on a regular blogging diet? How strict will I be with myself when there's no tidy finish line, and no distinct goal? Or maybe in the near future, will I find a specific goal to reach for with my blog?

In a way, I've already decided on a goal for the bloggy future, but it may or may not be on this particular site. As you now know, if you've been following my posts, I have big plans to get into the hostel business. I have TWO years at least, before I'll have a hostel of my own, though, and in those two years, I plan to do several things to prepare myself for the upcoming life changes:

1. Take some online business management courses. Coursera.com has several appropriate (and free!) courses I plan on taking to prop up my admittedly weak understanding of business and finance.

2. Create a separate blog/tumblr about hostels. Part design ideas, part "what makes a good hostel," part hostel review, part travel blog - I haven't narrowed down the focus yet, but it'll be informative and fun (if you're into hostels, that is). And pretty. Lots of photos. I like blogs with lots of big photos (says the girl who has no photo to insert into this post today... /hypocrite).
Are you into hostels? What kinds of things would you like to see and/or read about regarding them?

3. Buy a website for my company, and sit on it. I already think I know the name of my company, so why not go ahead and purchase the web domain rights and park on it?

4. Keep dreaming. I have a couple of very big ideas lurking around in my brain for my hostels. A new way of doing things. A great way of doing things. Now I just have to decide which dreams I really want, and which I'm going to doggedly pursue until I can make them reality. Call me crazy, or just a product of my very lucky circumstances, but I believe I can make things happen, if I really want them to happen. And if I really, really work for them. Heck, that's why I'm here in Korea teaching, when I'd rather be somewhere else.

And that's all for tonight folks.

Carpe November!

P.S. Abs, CHECK. (I hate planks. HATE. Hate.)
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism, CHEEEECCCKKK!!! This was so timing appropriate! As you might recall from an earlier post, I'm organizing all my photos from my mini laptop and uploading them to an online cloud. However, I realized I didn't want to only have them in one place, so I suggested to Adam that we purchase an external hard drive to store backups of photos. Today's minimalism challenge was to really weigh the pros and cons before actually buying something you wanted. Adam and I chatted back and forth during our work days today, and decided that the pros (faster computer, backup, doesn't take much space, affordable) outweighed the cons (one more item accumulated, potentially bad financial timing). Before buying online, though, we inquired with a local group of expats here in Gwangju who specialize in tech stuff and repairs. We try to go to them first with tech issues, because they have annual fund-raising events where they repair donated electronics and then auction them off on Facebook, giving all the proceeds to certain orphanages or other good causes in the city. They had a drive available, we bought it, and we'll receive it in 2 days. BOOM.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 14 "Blank/Throwback"

Sigh. I'm one day away from the halfway mark, but today I couldn't summon the energy to start this post earlier, and now it is far too late and I am far too tired.

I'm writing now out of sheer stubbornness. ("Must. Win. NaBloPoMooooo.....") But unfortunately for you, sweet reader, I have no words tonight.

I think that while this blogging challenge is a healthy one, it definitely brings to light the importance of pre-planning (and multiple drafts) in the writing process. 

You know what, though...? *inspiration hits!!* Today's Thursday, and while I've never participated before, I think today I'd like to join the ranks of all the other Throwback Thursday posters in the world.

Voila:

that time I was in a skit, freshman year of college?

The Lion in Winter, AKA, all the Brandons at Shorter College

Aww, I was such a wee baby!
Well, that brought up a plethora of good memories and nostalgia and feelz. I had a pretty dang good college experience. Not perfect, but overwhelmingly full of fond memories. I miss all my Shorter friends and family, and I'll always be in mourning for the college I went to, that I no longer believe exists. THAT however, is a story for another night. Goodnight folks!

Carpe November!


P.S. Abs, CHECK. (Ouch.)
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism.... CHECK. We were supposed to take some time to turn out bedroom into a place of relaxation. But considering that our bed pretty much takes up the ENTIRE room, we thought for a while and decided it's hard to get more relaxing than that. We considered hanging up pics of relaxing nature scenes or something, but then remembered that this is the MINIMALISM challenge, not the decorating challenge. So, I straightened the room up instead:

that's the only visible floorspace in the room - the walk space

There are candles on the windowsill... that's relaxing, right?




Wednesday, November 13, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 13 "Goals: Part 4"

Whew. Well, these brushes with illness are almost disappointing in their brevity. I feel like I was all worked up to being sick, and then suddenly... everything's ok, actually. :)

Sooo.... Yay! Here's to health, and doing all those things you're supposed to do (drink fluids, sleep lots, etc) and actually having them pay off?

Time to get back into the swing of things now, so I'm continuing my series on goals today. We'll call this the 5-year-goal. You know how people ask, "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Well, I've had a pretty clear vision of that since coming to Korea 21 months ago. 

The plan:

Step1 - work in Korea for 3-4 years, saving oodles of cash as we go along, and having plenty of adventures.(*we recently added a very exciting adventure prospect to our agenda, more on that later)

Step2 - tote the cash back to the USA, and having done our research by then, plant ourselves in the most hostel-hungry city in the States. 

Step3 - make bank.

Step4 - use money from hostel #1 to open 2-3 more hostels in our favorite countries all over the world.

Step5 - spend our working lives doing what we do best, and love : traveling, hosteling, writing, being together.

And la voila, the rest of my life! Ok, so there were more than 5 years in that plan... :) 

I remember reading that it can be bad to share ideas before you're in a place to act on them because then your brain thinks that it's already done. I think that's doing a disservice to my brain, to assume it's that stupid. (Not really, but it's too late for me to when it comes to telling others my dreams. I've had this dream since a fateful shower in Korea back in 2010. But more on that next time.) 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Carpe November!

P.S. Abs, CHECK. With Adam's help.
Squats, CHECK.
Minimalism, CHECK. (Opt out of store email offers. Done!)


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 12 "Eleven"

Yesterday was 11/11, and I would like to dedicate this post to the number 11.

I fell in love with 11 the day after learning the 9s multiplication tables (10s I already knew), when I learned the 11s times tables and found out that multiplication was actually a FUN GAME when you got to 11. Not work, not memorization, GAMES. 

11 x 14? 1 _ 4 then add the numbers in the middle space to get 154.

11 x 26? 2_6, add them, = 286

11 x 59? 5_9, add them, = 649

I'm also a fan of balance and symmetry (usually), and I find 11 to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing numbers out there.

At what time of day/night do you get to stop and make a wish (if you catch it accidentally on the clock)? 11:11.

On what day do we honor war vets in the USA? 11/11.

On what birthday did Bilbo Baggins vanish, and set the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy into motion? 111. (Eleventy-first)

At what time was I born?? 11pm.

Need I say more?

Well, even if you haven't suddenly decided that 11 is also YOUR new favorite number, that's all I have to say today. Sore throat's better, but still sore, and I'm crashing into bed at 9pm for the second day in a row. Here's hoping all this sleeping and tea-drinking is making a difference...

And to round off this eleventh + 1 post, here's a photo of an excellent specimen of one of my favorite trees, the ginkgo:


Taken this morning, FYI.

Carpe November!

P.S. Abs & squats, CHECK! Today was a very timely "rest day." ^^
Minimalism, CHECK. Adam & I were supposed to donate things that we're holding onto "just in case." Turns out we have 2 types of items in our apt: things we use regularly, and things we use seasonally (Christmas decor, suitcases, guest towels, etc). There really aren't a lot of items we keep on hand "in case." But I did decide to chuck my bag o' bags that I've been hoarding. Any time I get a new paper bag with good handles, I fold it into a bigger bag, JUST IN CASE I need one someday. Thing is, I accumulate these bags a whole lot more quickly than I use them, and now I just have an overflowing paper bag full of paper bags that I needed all of twice... GONE.

Monday, November 11, 2013

NaBloPoMo: Day 11 "Sick Leave"

9AM: It's day 11! I'm officially more than a third of the way done with all these challenges.

...time passes...

7PM: I was planning on continuing my "goals" theme today, but it is amazing what a difference a mere 10 hours can make. This morning I felt sluggish, but fine. Now, however, I'm curled up in bed with the heat blasting, trying to stretch out the time between swallows as much as possible due to the RAGING sore throat I've suddenly contracted. Out of the blue!! And it hurts like hell, too. Makes last week's brush with sickness look like a sham, actually.

So, I'm not writing more, tonight. Instead, here are some videos/websites I've found recently that made an impression. Enjoy:

Carpe November!

P.s. Abs, CHECK.
Squats, CHECK. I managed to do them all at work before the pain made me too miserable.
Minimalism, I'm gonna say CHECK. But it's cheating, because today's another non-challenge. We're supposed to get rid of all our childhood toys, aaaaand... We have none. At least, not here. I'm sure our respective parents have some objects we could get around to tossing (Mom? Anything if mine you've been hoping to get rid if? ^_^), but that's not something we can accomplish here in Korea. Sometimes, kids, cheating's ok. G'night!