Some real writing, plus a meme (courtesy of ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mbjlegalgirl)
Jun. 13th, 2006 07:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jocelynceeI actually might get ahead of this thing.
When I got back from Germany in August, I was a svelte size 10 (okay, just barely, but still) and more fit than I'd ever been in my life. Walking everywhere did for me what dieting and half-spirited attempts to work out at a gym never had.
Then grad school hit.
Even though I took the bus to school for a good portion of the previous two semesters, the meagre exercise I was getting to the bus stop and back was no match for trekking it to the train station, then getting off and trekking it to the university from there. My primary transportation in Stuttgart was a good pair of shoes (leather personnel carriers, as the mil folks said) and, despite my best efforts NOT to use my car, I still wasn't getting around enough here under my own power to combat the bulge.
I'm convinced American food has more crap in it than good stuff. But I digress.
So ten months and 3 sizes later, I'm starting a new program, a synthesis of my experiences on both sides of the pond. I'm cutting back on sweets (which are MUCH sweeter here, let me tell you) and taking a couple of exercise classes through the LPRD. I don't commit to going to the gym by myself, but for some reason I can commit to a class.
I also spent yesterday on walking errands. I live two blocks from downtown, so lunch, shoe shopping and the post office run were all done on foot. I even walked up to campus (although I took the bus back due to the two bags of books I brought back with me).
I need more days like that. I don't just need to work out; I need a more active life.
And so it begins. I'll be posting my progress here, for the world to see, and for me to remember.
So far, I'm feeling pretty good.
-------------
Okay, now that that's out of the way...
Meme: Lots more than 20 questions!
1.) Where were you when the ball dropped for 2006?
Hanging out with Joel at his place, I think.
2.) How did you get the idea for your myspace name?
Do I have a myspace name?
3) What are you listening to right now?
My loud typing.
4.) Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry?
I cried when I found out Donald O'Connor died.
5.) What color underwear are you wearing?
Um... swimsuit?
6.) Do you live in a zoo?
Just one cat. Hardly qualifies as a zoo.
7.) What did you do this morning?
Got up too early for today, drank some chai and went to water aerobics.
8.) What does your mom do for a living?
Teaches English.
9.) Where do you work?
Nowhere just now.
10) What ended your last relationship?
Me re-achieving sanity.
11) What are the last two digits of your phone number?
35
12.) What was the last concert you attended?
Ben Folds (!!)
13.) Who was with you?
My sister, Jim and a friend of Jim's (Alex?).
14.) What was the last movie you watched?
Groundhog Day.
15.) What do you dislike at the moment?
My skin breaking out a little.
16.) What food do you crave right now?
Grapes.
17.) Did you dream last night?
Yes, but I didn't remember it.
18.) What was the last TV show you watched?
Fox News (unfortunately) -- Friday night at Longhorn Steakhouse.
19.) What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Precious: my engagement and wedding rings.
Not so: a garnet and silver necklace that Kit is fixing for me. :)
20.) Name someone on your Myspace Top 8 who is just like you?
Myspace? Top 8? Of what do you speak?
21.) What is the last thing you ate?
Fried green tomatoes last night at Milton's.
23.) Who last IMed you?
Dory.
24.) Are you on any medication?
Nope.
25.) What side of the bed do you sleep on?
Usually the right (my right).
26.) What color shirt are you wearing?
Raspberry.
27) What color is your razor?
Lavender and white.
28.) What is your favorite frozen treat?
Tie between 3: Breyer's ice cream, frozen grapes, and Z's Tupelo Honey (espresso, cream and honey, blended with ice).
29.) How many tattoos/piercing do you have?
Ears pierced. Once, in the regular spot. Almost never wear earrings.
30.) What are your favorite stores?
Lerner/New York & Co, any bookstore, The Merc, IKEA, H&M
31.) Are you thirsty right now?
A bit, now that you mention it...
32.) Can you imagine yourself ever getting married?
I hope so. Wedding's in six weeks.
33.) Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss?
Cory.
34.) What did you do last night?
Met with the wedding photographer (who's actually a journalist -- no posing!)
35.) Do you care what people think about you?
More often than I care to admit.
36.) Have you ever done something to instigate trouble?
Yesh. >:-)
37) Do you like your nose?
Yeah, it's not a cool ethnic nose, but it fits my face. :)
38.) What color is your bedroom?
Sage green.
39.) When was the last time you worked out?
This morning, water aerobics.
40.) Plead the 5th?
Sometimes, but it doesn't do me any good.
41.) Do you like pedicures?
Massage for my feet. Yesh.
42.) Where do you live?
East Lawrence (yeah!)
43.) Are you an aggressive driver?
Um... lead foot much?
44.) Who is your cell phone carrier?
Cingular
45.) Do you like the person who posted this last?
Yes, although I don't know her personally.
46.) Do you know their Birthday?
Nope.
47.) What is the thing you'd want to change most about yourself?
Physical stuff: I'd make myself more fit (working on that!)
Other stuff: I'd make myself be less judgmental.
48.) What color is your car?
That champagney silver-gold.
49.) What do you smell like right now?
Swimming Pool
50.) What is your favorite color?
Cobalt blue.
51.) Do you like mustard?
Yes. Most varieties.
52.) What do you tell yourself when times get hard?
That it's a temporary situation and that I should be extra nice to myself.
53.) Would you ever go Sky Diving?
I'd have to lose that fear of heights first.
54.) What do you sleep on?
A bed, the futon, the couch, the floor. Whatever's most comfortable. Mostly the bed.
55.) What character from a movie/TV most reminds you of yourself?
No one, really.
56.) Have you ever bid for something on eBay?
Not really. Bought stuff, yeah, but either went for the Buy It Now stuff or bought from an Ebay store.
57.) What did you think of Angelina Jolie being pregnant?
Didn't think much about it, except that she went a long way for a C-section.
58.) Do you enjoy giving hugs?
Very much, to people who can accept them. Not the fakey ones though. Real hugs.
59.) Would you consider yourself to be fashionable?
It's my own style. If it works for me, that's all I usually care.
60.) Do you own a digital camera?
Yesh.
61.) What celebrities have you been compared to?
Looks: Claire Danes, Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer (WTF??) and probably others.
But I act like Joan Cusack (rule!)
62.) Who is your favorite Star Wars character?
Han. I love a good smartass.
63.) Does it annoy you when someone says they'll call but never do?
Eh. Not so much. I'm not good at keeping that promise that myself.
64.) What books, if any, have made you cry?
I can't remember just now, but I think HP5. (Not HP6, surprisingly enough.)
65.) What would you do if a large black man punched you in the face and tried to steal your soda?
Soda? What soda? Now, he tries to steal my chocolate, the cops'd be looking for trace elements of him...
66.) Are you a jealous person?
Not too much. I try to turn it around and be happy for whoever got what I wanted.
67.) Do you ever feel guilty after eating meat?
Only if I couldn't finish it.
68.) If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name be?
Either Christopher Matthew or Christopher Michael, I can't remember which.
----
When I got back from Germany in August, I was a svelte size 10 (okay, just barely, but still) and more fit than I'd ever been in my life. Walking everywhere did for me what dieting and half-spirited attempts to work out at a gym never had.
Then grad school hit.
Even though I took the bus to school for a good portion of the previous two semesters, the meagre exercise I was getting to the bus stop and back was no match for trekking it to the train station, then getting off and trekking it to the university from there. My primary transportation in Stuttgart was a good pair of shoes (leather personnel carriers, as the mil folks said) and, despite my best efforts NOT to use my car, I still wasn't getting around enough here under my own power to combat the bulge.
I'm convinced American food has more crap in it than good stuff. But I digress.
So ten months and 3 sizes later, I'm starting a new program, a synthesis of my experiences on both sides of the pond. I'm cutting back on sweets (which are MUCH sweeter here, let me tell you) and taking a couple of exercise classes through the LPRD. I don't commit to going to the gym by myself, but for some reason I can commit to a class.
I also spent yesterday on walking errands. I live two blocks from downtown, so lunch, shoe shopping and the post office run were all done on foot. I even walked up to campus (although I took the bus back due to the two bags of books I brought back with me).
I need more days like that. I don't just need to work out; I need a more active life.
And so it begins. I'll be posting my progress here, for the world to see, and for me to remember.
So far, I'm feeling pretty good.
-------------
Okay, now that that's out of the way...
Meme: Lots more than 20 questions!
1.) Where were you when the ball dropped for 2006?
Hanging out with Joel at his place, I think.
2.) How did you get the idea for your myspace name?
Do I have a myspace name?
3) What are you listening to right now?
My loud typing.
4.) Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry?
I cried when I found out Donald O'Connor died.
5.) What color underwear are you wearing?
Um... swimsuit?
6.) Do you live in a zoo?
Just one cat. Hardly qualifies as a zoo.
7.) What did you do this morning?
Got up too early for today, drank some chai and went to water aerobics.
8.) What does your mom do for a living?
Teaches English.
9.) Where do you work?
Nowhere just now.
10) What ended your last relationship?
Me re-achieving sanity.
11) What are the last two digits of your phone number?
35
12.) What was the last concert you attended?
Ben Folds (!!)
13.) Who was with you?
My sister, Jim and a friend of Jim's (Alex?).
14.) What was the last movie you watched?
Groundhog Day.
15.) What do you dislike at the moment?
My skin breaking out a little.
16.) What food do you crave right now?
Grapes.
17.) Did you dream last night?
Yes, but I didn't remember it.
18.) What was the last TV show you watched?
Fox News (unfortunately) -- Friday night at Longhorn Steakhouse.
19.) What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Precious: my engagement and wedding rings.
Not so: a garnet and silver necklace that Kit is fixing for me. :)
20.) Name someone on your Myspace Top 8 who is just like you?
Myspace? Top 8? Of what do you speak?
21.) What is the last thing you ate?
Fried green tomatoes last night at Milton's.
23.) Who last IMed you?
Dory.
24.) Are you on any medication?
Nope.
25.) What side of the bed do you sleep on?
Usually the right (my right).
26.) What color shirt are you wearing?
Raspberry.
27) What color is your razor?
Lavender and white.
28.) What is your favorite frozen treat?
Tie between 3: Breyer's ice cream, frozen grapes, and Z's Tupelo Honey (espresso, cream and honey, blended with ice).
29.) How many tattoos/piercing do you have?
Ears pierced. Once, in the regular spot. Almost never wear earrings.
30.) What are your favorite stores?
Lerner/New York & Co, any bookstore, The Merc, IKEA, H&M
31.) Are you thirsty right now?
A bit, now that you mention it...
32.) Can you imagine yourself ever getting married?
I hope so. Wedding's in six weeks.
33.) Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss?
Cory.
34.) What did you do last night?
Met with the wedding photographer (who's actually a journalist -- no posing!)
35.) Do you care what people think about you?
More often than I care to admit.
36.) Have you ever done something to instigate trouble?
Yesh. >:-)
37) Do you like your nose?
Yeah, it's not a cool ethnic nose, but it fits my face. :)
38.) What color is your bedroom?
Sage green.
39.) When was the last time you worked out?
This morning, water aerobics.
40.) Plead the 5th?
Sometimes, but it doesn't do me any good.
41.) Do you like pedicures?
Massage for my feet. Yesh.
42.) Where do you live?
East Lawrence (yeah!)
43.) Are you an aggressive driver?
Um... lead foot much?
44.) Who is your cell phone carrier?
Cingular
45.) Do you like the person who posted this last?
Yes, although I don't know her personally.
46.) Do you know their Birthday?
Nope.
47.) What is the thing you'd want to change most about yourself?
Physical stuff: I'd make myself more fit (working on that!)
Other stuff: I'd make myself be less judgmental.
48.) What color is your car?
That champagney silver-gold.
49.) What do you smell like right now?
Swimming Pool
50.) What is your favorite color?
Cobalt blue.
51.) Do you like mustard?
Yes. Most varieties.
52.) What do you tell yourself when times get hard?
That it's a temporary situation and that I should be extra nice to myself.
53.) Would you ever go Sky Diving?
I'd have to lose that fear of heights first.
54.) What do you sleep on?
A bed, the futon, the couch, the floor. Whatever's most comfortable. Mostly the bed.
55.) What character from a movie/TV most reminds you of yourself?
No one, really.
56.) Have you ever bid for something on eBay?
Not really. Bought stuff, yeah, but either went for the Buy It Now stuff or bought from an Ebay store.
57.) What did you think of Angelina Jolie being pregnant?
Didn't think much about it, except that she went a long way for a C-section.
58.) Do you enjoy giving hugs?
Very much, to people who can accept them. Not the fakey ones though. Real hugs.
59.) Would you consider yourself to be fashionable?
It's my own style. If it works for me, that's all I usually care.
60.) Do you own a digital camera?
Yesh.
61.) What celebrities have you been compared to?
Looks: Claire Danes, Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer (WTF??) and probably others.
But I act like Joan Cusack (rule!)
62.) Who is your favorite Star Wars character?
Han. I love a good smartass.
63.) Does it annoy you when someone says they'll call but never do?
Eh. Not so much. I'm not good at keeping that promise that myself.
64.) What books, if any, have made you cry?
I can't remember just now, but I think HP5. (Not HP6, surprisingly enough.)
65.) What would you do if a large black man punched you in the face and tried to steal your soda?
Soda? What soda? Now, he tries to steal my chocolate, the cops'd be looking for trace elements of him...
66.) Are you a jealous person?
Not too much. I try to turn it around and be happy for whoever got what I wanted.
67.) Do you ever feel guilty after eating meat?
Only if I couldn't finish it.
68.) If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name be?
Either Christopher Matthew or Christopher Michael, I can't remember which.
----
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-06-13 02:13 pm (UTC)I'm convinced American food has more crap in it than good stuff.
You are absolutely correct. Also, ever notice how the WORSE a food is for you, the cheaper? You can live for like $10 a week if you eat nothing but ramen, Spam, and Little Debbie cakes, but go and try to buy fresh produce and you're gonna get hosed. I myself count it worthwhile for good peaches and blueberries and some nice Roma tomatoes.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-13 02:30 pm (UTC)But to the rest of the comment: Amen. The fresher, the better.
I've heard (and it's become my theory, yet to be proven) that sugar is cheaper than many other ingredients, making it a so-called good way to lower the price of a product. (I'm thinking mainly of breakfast cereal and applesauce here.) The more sugar, the less other stuff, specifically the stuff that's good for you (like the naturally occurring elements). No wonder everything's billed as "fortified" with all these vitamins and minerals -- they have to add the stuff back in artificially, because the processing took it out!
I'm also learning to steer clear of stuff with a bunch of preservatives, bio-engineering, hormones, antibiotics, etc. In Germany the stuff at the whole foods stores is only slighly more expensive than at regular groceries (say, 85 Euro cents for a liter of milk, as opposed to 75 cents) and the organic stuff tastes better and lasts longer! Not only that, I felt healthier eating that stuff too.
I can tell the difference now, sometimes even in the produce, if I've gotten something full of crap or not. Now, the organic/hormone-free/etc. stuff is much more expensive here (especially meats and dairy, when available at all), but I cook vegetarian a few nights a week to make having beef or chicken once or twice a week affordable. I get the feeling that it's better for me anyway.
Wow, that was a rant... //rant off
no subject
Date: 2006-06-13 02:36 pm (UTC)I've actually done a bit of researach on your "sugar theory" before, and you are in fact correct. It isn't sugar specifically (cane sugar is not very cheap), but corn syrup. Corn syrup is not only cheap as dirt but it's sweeter than sugar (so you use less of it), readily available in the US (where we grow hella amounts of corn), it artificially props up the corn market in the US by using corn in things we wouldn't usually, it makes food prettier by baking up to a nice golden color, and it is much, much more calorie dense than cane sugar. Many scientists believe it is directly responsible for the vast number of diabetic people in the US.
I wish with all my heart there was SOME kind of organic grocery store in Jonesboro. Wild Oats, Whole Foods, SOMETHING. There's a Whole Foods in Dallas that I just ADORE when we visit Bryan's parents, and the closest Wild Oats I know of is on Poplar in Memphis. I've been a vegetarian for several months now, since pregnancy caused me to lose any taste for meat, and I'm considering just sticking with it after Ganon is born. An organic food store would sure make me a happy little herbivore.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-13 03:00 pm (UTC)That wouldn't surprise me in the least. Another factor could also be the discrepancy between the modern Western lifestyle and the modern Western diet. I am always surprised at people who work in an office and think they have to eat a farmer's breakfast. I bet farmers don't have to eat as much as they used to either.
I was also reading the other day that consumption of supersweet foods (all this stuff with high fructose corn syrup) affects the body's ability to judge caloric intake. We take in more calories because our bodies don't monitor it. (I can certainly relate. Get me started on candy and I eat it like it's food.)
Incidentally, diabetes is also on the rise in Europe. Part of me wants to blame this on the introduction of American fast food restaurants and other products...