Earlier this week, I participated in a virtual protest regarding the censorship of breastfeeding pictures on Facebook. I didn't expect it to get national media attention. Does Facebook Know Breast?
The CBS Morning show also did a story today on the New Trends in '09 According to their guest, "Twittering is out, Slow Blogging is in." Google the term "slow blogging'' for a number of links elaborating on the subject. A few that caught my attention: Microtrends and Slow Blogging? I haven't been blogging much lately... then again, I haven't been running or training much either. I didn't realize that I was thereby considered a slow blogger. "Slow bloggers take their time, often leaving weeks between posts."
According to Hedengren, "We don’t need a slow blogging movement, we need good content and quality comments." Many of my posts are rather dull to those who don't know me personally. I am actually surprised I have a readership at all. Other slow bloggers have given up on their blogs. As Ahmed explains, "Tired of waiting for new entries, people stopped reading it." I hope I don't lose my readers when my level of blog productivity drops.
To be honest though, I started my blog(s) for me. As a means of documenting my training for my first marathon. As a portfolio of our homeschooling endeavors. I appreciate all my readers (particularly those that leave comments and help to encourage me in my efforts). I am humbled to know that others occasionally find inspiration from my posts. To those of you whom I have met (in person or online) and developed friendships with along the way (you know who you are)... from the bottom of my heart, I thank you! It make my efforts worthwhile.
OSN 12/29: 400m warmup, 8 x 25m breast drill, 350m x 2, 250m x 2, 150m x 2 = 2200m
The snowfall has begun. I can't say that I am particularly happy to see it. When we first moved here, I really enjoyed the snow and looked forward to the change of pace that winter would bring. I'm over it now.
I want to run. Between the PF issues with my right heel and the snowfall - it isn't happening often. My base mileage has dropped significantly. Using Coach's conversion (1 swimming mile = 4 running miles)... my 6 miles running + 2 miles swimming = ~14 miles per week. Enough is enough! I'm calling my podiatrist. I need to get back up into the mid 30s to begin training.
I went for a run on Wednesday afternoon (17th) and with the exception of the thermometer, it was very similar to my run along the beach in Maui. The temperature was hovering around 3-4 degrees F and it was windy. The snowfall from the days before was so dry that you could make out the individual snowflakes as they sparkled. It was just like running on sand.
In some areas the snow had been shoveled, in other areas it had not. Even in areas that had, the wind had pushed the berms around and left an uneven surface. I sink/slide/slip so much that my quads began to remind me they are not used to this. I opt to run in the road wherever I can - where the snow has been packed down hard. Fortunately there isn't a lot of traffic.
In the end, I cover 4 miles in just under 40 minutes. 9:57 average pace. I'm getting slower. Or is it the conditions?
Yesterday, I swam with Masters... first time in a week as I had to cancel Monday. There were only a few brave enough to go out in the impending snowstorm. It was such a strange feeling to be swimming while it was snowing so heavily.
600m warm-up 350m with fins 3 rounds of 6x 25m sprint freestyle (3rd round w/fins - fun!) 700m freestyle _________ 2100 meters total
The kiddos and I had left early in the morning as Buddy had an eye appointment. By the time we returned home in the afternoon, there was over a foot of snow accumulated in our driveway. It took well over an hour to shovel it - it was so wet and heavy. Had I run yesterday, I would have been soaked through.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (5th grade - 12th)
4. Visited Hawaii (5 times: Oahu & Kauai / Maui / Big Island / Kauai / Maui)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world (both)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo(I can't hold a tune!)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (in Ecuador)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (with my mom when I was about 12)
27. Run a Marathon (I've done 3!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (I've seen a partial)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - on a Wii
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (hopefully, soon)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (sign language & working on Mandarin)
37. Have enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (as a kid at the beach - not with equipment)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (with a group of friends in college)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (charcoal & pencil)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (snorkeling, hope to scuba in future)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud (many times as a child and still do with my own)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (but it was closed down - no movie was playing)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (though my peeps have)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (in Maui just a few weeks ago)
63. Got flowers for no reason (from my son)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter (in Kauai)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (my wrist just 2 years ago)
78. Been on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (does Blurb count?)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (multiple times when I was teaching as a grant recipient)
85.Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (I've seen it, but never went in it)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating(technically, my dad did the killing but I helped in the preparation)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Barbara Bush and Alex met her, too)
92. Joined a book club (started one & 3 yrs later resigned / started a 2nd / joined 2 online clubs)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (twice)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone (desperately want an iPhone)
99. Been stung by a bee
ORN: 5.5 miles easy (w/ 1/2 mile cool-down) average 10 min mile pace
I have a confession... we've actually been in Maui the past couple of weeks. Our trip had been planned since July but we wanted it to be a surprise for our friends. They originally asked us to join them in January when they booked their flights. At the time, airfare was too high for a family of 4 ... so we didn't expect to be able to go. We continued to watch prices all the while saying we wouldn't be able to go. In the early summer, prices were reasonable and we decided to bar-ticipate. Since we had been telling everyone all along that we wouldn't be able to go - we figured it would be a fun surprise. After all, "The best part of the vacation is planning the vacation!"
We even had their mom in on the planning and she continually bugged her boys for their flight itinerary - something they don't normally give her. As we were arriving in Maui several days before them, I took additional measures to throw them off. Blog posts were scheduled to publish in my absence.
Here are 13 highlights (in chronological order and identified in orange) from our tropical paradise vacation!
Thursday 20th ~ Whaler's Village & Lahaina After a few hours at U'lua Beach, we spent a little time browsing the shops at Whaler's Village in Ka'anapali.DH and Sweetie purchased rash guards - Buddy and I couldn't find one we liked. DH and I then body surfed near Black Rock (Pu'u Keka'a) as the kids played in the sand. The waves were big and it was a blast!
As we walked back to our car, we observed a few geckos sunning themselves on the wall. Surprisingly, Buddy was fast enough to catch one! With Sweetie's sharp eyes and Buddy's quick reflexes - they make a dynamic critter hunting team.
We stopped in Lahaina for burgers at the Cool Cat Cafe (best burgers in Maui) and enjoyed watching the sunset from our table. I picked up a couple of Tshirts at Crazy Shirts, DH bought his first pair of Crocs and we returned to our condo in Kihei. Friday 21st ~ HanaRoad Trip Surprisingly very little traffic - we felt as though we had the entire drive to ourselves.Beautiful drive, as always, but as I was trying to read aloud from Maui Revealed to share all the secrets, I started to get a little woozy. No more reading for me. "Sweetie, can you pull over so I can get out and breathe a little."
Black Sands Beach - We have the beach entirely to ourselves. We discover the remnants of a lobster shell, a jellyfish, and a spider guarding the entrance to a sea cave.
Hamoa Beach - We contemplate boogie boarding but too rough, enjoy our packed lunch and proceed onward.
Haleakala National Park - Sweetie becomes a Junior Park Ranger.
Saturday 22nd ~ Surprise! Our only day of drizzle so I went for a run along the beach. My Garmin must have somehow got turned on en route, however, because my battery was dead! I thereby don't know how far I ran but I'd guess about 4 miles based on time/perceived effort.
Upon my return, I was standing outside our lanai as I cooled down when I heard someone call my name. At first, I thought it was DH but when I looked in our suite, he wasn't present. I hear someone call out again and this time I look up to see, B! "Hey! You're not supposed to know we are here, yet!"
Later that evening, we met Bef, Bar & Kong at the airport - Buddy even held up a sign with Bef's name. They were so confused and surprised. The perfect surprise! :D Sunday 23rd We spend the morning on Palauea Beach. Everyone joins us for a short time - - snorkeling, body surfing, sand castles, tide pooling, & fut. Shortly after they leave, a sea turtle (honu) swims to shore and enjoys a meal in just 2-3 feet of water. Sweetie gets to snorkel along side him and get a close up view. Buddy prefers to observe from above.
Tuesday 25th ~ Santa Comes Early I've always loved the designs of Mikel, a Hawaiian jewelry designer. When I saw this pendant advertised in a magazine, I fell for it immediately. It doesn't conjure up the typical beach or tropical image though Hawaii is famous for the brilliant shooting stars that illuminate the tropical nights. This particular design really spoke to me for several reasons - namely, when we started homeschooling a year ago, Sweetie named our school Twinkling Stars. To me, the 3 stars represent past, present and future as well as the 3 loves of my life.
Wednesday 26th~
We spent the entire day at Po'olenalena Beach with everyone... returned to Condos in afternoon for naps. Enjoyed a delightful dinner at Sansei Sushi. Here's a peak at what I ordered:
Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll
Sansei's Mango Crab Salad Hand Roll
I enjoyed the meal so much that I ordered D.K. Kodama's (Chef/Owner) cookbook, Chronicles from Hawaii: Recipes from Sansei Seafood Restaurant.
Friday 28th Most everyone went on a morning snorkel cruise - the kids and I opted to drive to the I'ao Valley where we explored the Heritage Park and Hawaii Nature Center. Both are enjoyable - but haven't been well maintained.
That evening, everyone enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Mama's Fish House near Pa'ia. What we didn't expect... another surprise. Bef & Bar treated everyone! "Merry Christmas, Loved Ones!" Curious about what I ordered and sampled...
Appetizers:
Kona Kampachi & Ahi in a Coconut Lobster Guacamole Kula Pumpkin & Lobster Soup
Main Courses:
Ahi, Onaga & MahiMahi sauteed in Panang Curry and Coconut Milk
Bouillabaisse
Sunday 30th ~ Whale Watch After Nov 29th, the Pacific Whale Foundation guarantees whale sightings. We thereby took advantage of our long stay, to postpone this until after the 29th. We we confidant that we would see whales, though, as they had been sighted as early as Nov 3rd and were seen en route to Molokini during the snorkel cruise. We were not disappointed! In addition to multiple humback whales (kohola), a pod of bottlenose dophins (nai'a) escorted us back to the harbor. The trip was spectacular!
Monday 1st ~ Volunteer on Vacation Since my Earthwatch expedition in 2001, I've always looked for other opportunities to get involved. The Pacific Whale Foundation's Volunteer on Vacation program was just what I was looking for - a chance to give back and learn something new about the ecology of the islands. There are many events to choose from - we chose to partner with the South Maui Volunteers on a weed pull, Hoaloha 'aina. We helped maintain a new oceanside trail, pick up litter and remove invasive species.
This beautiful coastal area is great for birdwatching and we were blessed with a chance to see a Wedge-tail Shearwater(ua’u kani)fledging that hadn't yet departed (he still had his downy juvenile feathers on much of his body) as an adult volunteer came across his burrow in a shrub we were removing. We immediately shut down that area and roped it off. This was a surprise as it was assumed all the birds had fledged.
Tuesday 2nd ~ Our Departure On the day of our departure, we went to U'lua Beach for a remembrance snorkel/swim, but the surf was too strong so we opted for a little pool time instead. We then checked out, spent some time shopping in Wailea and Pa'ia. We enjoyed a fabulous pizza (half Kahlua Pork & half Veggie Pesto) at Flatbread Company in Pa'ia before we boarded.
To be honest though, I started my blog(s) for me. As a means of documenting my training for my first marathon. As a portfolio of our homeschooling endeavors. I appreciate all my readers (particularly those that leave comments and help to encourage me in my efforts). I am humbled to know that others occasionally find inspiration from my posts. To those of you whom I have met (in person or online) and developed friendships with along the way (you know who you are)... from the bottom of my heart, I thank you! It make my efforts worthwhile.
