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PSA: for those who are wondering where my challenges went to, for a while life/work was challenging enough for me...and also I enjoyed being free from challenges for awhile. I think I might have enjoyed it a bit too much. I'm back with a month long challenge that is more out of necessity and sheer desperation not to look like the BFG in a graduation photoshoot my friends are doing in one month's time. Spurred by this superficial desire (because photos last a lifetime and what else would be a better motivator to begin this change in lifestyle than the threat of permanent memorialisation as a sack of potatoes?) So I'm challenging myself to eat clean for a month. Think salads instead of lor mee, cereal instead of macs breakfast, trail mix instead of prawn crackers...it's 11:30pm and all I want to do is sleep now because the very thought of prawn crackers is making me drool. I'm probably not going to keep a log everyday, but I think I will feel the urge to come here to whine as I summarise every week. And yes, I'm going to exercise as well. (What you mean typing on the computer isn't exercise? But you're moving your FINGERS.) #kidding #willReallyBeMovingThisAss

#challenge 6 is it?#30 days to not look like the BFG #the ANTI BFG challenge

BACK WITH A CHALLENGE

So a couple of friends from church decided to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run again this year. And participation has ballooned to 35 at the last count (my church has less than 200 people so 35 is a pretty large group of us). So I have decided to make my next challenge last longer than 1 week. Which, omg, what am I doing to myself.

Taken from: http://yellowribbonprisonrun.sg

It’s actually a pretty simple 5KM run. But the last time I ran was...actually not too long ago...but the last time I ran anything near 5KM was probably the last Yellow Ribbon Prison Run. So I probably need to step up my game otherwise I’m going to end up finishing the run at 5pm.

So for the next 3 weeks I will be preparing to gear up for the race because I”m not going to pay $25 to walk. I will be setting a target to finish the race by a certain timing: For now it’s 40 minutes but I kinda need to check if it’s doable because that’s an average of 7.5KM/Hour which for an out of shape potato like me, may take more than 3 weeks to produce.

#The Me Challenge #CHALLENGE 7 #The Yellow Ribbon Prison Run Challenge

End of the No Meat Challenge (a long long time ago...)

So this ended about 2 weeks ago, but I lost steam in doing my daily updates because...daily...updates...yeah. That’s not to say I didn’t complete the challenge. I did. Especially since my mother was roped in on this one and she was more than happy to feed me greens.

My overall thoughts: Actually I pretty doable challenge. I could go without meat for awhile. I had no issues with poultry at all: I can really do without poultry. Unfortunately seafood also came under meat so...that was the biggest part of the challenge. The only unfortunate side effect was the intake of a whole ton of CARBS. and SUGAR. Which on hindsight makes a lot of sense: if you’re going to remove one food group from your food intake, you end up compensating with food from the other food groups (instead of doing the better thing which is to...cut down on food). And obviously between the fruit/veg group and the carb/sugars group, it’s quite obvious which one wins.

So I’m not entirely sure that going meat-less makes for a healthier lifestyle especially since the alternatives were less than desirable. Of course ecologically there was a small impact (I’m not killing chicks!) but ultimately, food is food and meant for sustenance. Which is something I should probably keep in mind the next time I pop in a chocolate bar.

#The no meat challenge #was that what i called it?#challenge 6?

Day 2 of the meatless challenge Thank God for eggs. I don't think I can do a vegan diet because eggs are my one bright spot now. And thankfully white carrot cake does not contain meat so that was a satisfactory dinner. I think there's a lesson somewhere in here about not trying to cheat in the challenge but to fully embrace it instead but, I think I will learn that lesson another time.

#THE ME CHALLENGE #NO MEAT CHALLENGE #challenge 6

Day One: The Meatless Challenge

Note to self: Onions give you gas. Do not eat 2 onion pratas even if they have eggs in them.

On another note, my mother is very pleased with my challenge. It makes her cooking easier (and more fun I suppose. Limitation breeds creativity you know).

I really wish I could write a longer expose on my first day without eating meat. But I’ve got so much gas that even my brain is full of air now.

Eat other vegetables.

Onions=very bad idea.

#THE ME CHALLENGE #the meatless challenge #challenge 6

Challenge 5: The No Sugared Drinks challenge MISSION COMPLETE

I realised that a challenge that requires me to not do something basically means I have no pictures to post of me doing the challenge because I can’t exactly post a picture of me not doing something...

CHALLENGE STATUS: COMPLETED.

To be honest I could have made this challenge a lot worse for myself by banning sweets and chocolates as well. It’s a good thing I didn’t because that packet of M&Ms and that bar of Twix really helped to ease the sugar pangs.

Then again, I think it is safe to say that I consumed way less sugar this week...but in turn I did take in a lot more water. I actually feel like this could be a good starting point for me to cut down sweet drinks because I am beginning to realise that the sweet drink crave is a temporal one. Once I’ve held out for awhile, the crave goes away.

Case in point: brunch/breakfast today was unbearably salty and oily today and I had this intense urge to down a glass of cold sweet something. But I took water instead, and while it didn’t exactly quench the crave, 10 minutes into doing work the craving was gone. So this is definitely something I will be looking into incorporating into my daily life. Although, I know what I’m going to drink first thing tomorrow morning:)

This is the end of the 5th challenge, i’m hesitantly inching towards the 6th especially since I’m thinking of doing a (gasp) vegetarian challenge. HOW WILL I SURVIVE.

#THE ME CHALLENGE #Challenge 5 #the no sugared drinks challenge #Challenge complete!

Challenge 5: the No Sugared Drinks Challenge Day 4

I thought I lost a whole stack of worksheets today. I turned my office table upside down and flipped all my bags inside out and they still didn't show up. I was beginning to suspect paranormal activity to be honest. Especially since it wasn't exactly the first time such a thing has happened. Then I had dinner. And I went home. And while taking out my laptop, I found the stack of worksheets in my bag. No sugar, no caffeine, no brain.

#THE ME CHALLENGE #the no sugared drinks challenge #challenge 5

Challenge 5: The No Sugared Drinks Challenge Day 3

I'm not sure if it's me or I'm more tired than usual this week...do sugared drinks actually have a (gasp) benefit in keeping me alive and awake?? I may possibly be hallucinating. And all I want to do is sleep without sugar flowing through my veins... Someone get me a sugar IV drip. (Dramatic interlude)

#THE ME CHALLENGE #the no sugared drinks challenge #challenge 5

Challenge 5: the No Sugared Drinks Challenge day 2

I almost made a beeline for the drinks store during lunch break. I almost accepted a piece of candy from a colleague. I almost bought a nice cold drink after dance. I didn't. I'm partially proud of myself, and partially worried that this is only day 2 and I'm already losing steam. The two partial portions are not equal. I'm probably like 10% proud and 90% worried. I wonder what life was like before this dependence on sweet drinks. Apart from being 3 dress sizes smaller.

#the no sugared drinks challenge #Challenge 5 #THE ME CHALLENGE

Challenge 5: The No Sugared Drinks Challenge Day One

I'm thirsty. Why does water not fill me up as well as sweet drinks do. Is this what's commonly known as an addiction? It was torture today to end dance without a bottle of 100+ so I drowned my misery in my dasani water bottle (which happens to be the worst tasting water ever. You would think that all bottled water tastes the same since I mean like two hydrogen and one oxygen right. But no.)

#THE ME CHALLENGE #Challenge 5 #the no sugared drinks challenge

Challenge 5: the NO SWEET DRINKS challenge

(Excuse the missing formatting, I'm typing this on my phone while lying on my bed because it's time to sleep and I forgot to type this up and I will be redoing this tomorrow but in case I forget I decided to put this here first. Sorta like a placeholder. End of breathless disclaimer) This week, I'm going to be challenging myself to stay away from sweet drinks. I will be staying away from the cold, thirst quenching Pokka green tea bottles that I seem to buy in bulk. Okay, I do buy the packet-form in bulk. I drink them by the jug I think. And I haven't a clue how I'm going to live without them. If you're interested, please do join me and share in my misery as I put a temporary stop to the voluntary ingestion of sugar.

#Challenge 5 #I can't believe I'm already at the fifth week #THE NO SUGARED DRINKS CHALLENGE #THEME CHALLENGE

The Gratefulness Challenge: Last day!

Honestly, this isn't a difficult challenge. At the most it stretches my ability to smoke my way through. But I thought I needed a breather from difficult things in life, and at the same time a reminder to think about the things that have gone well during the day. The final 3 things I am grateful for: (1) Being able to leave work early and take a break. (2) God and his church. Even if His church can be annoying at times, I remember that we're all the same: sinners, Of which I am the greatest, saved by grace. (3) Family Given and not chosen, as I was discussing meritocracy with my kids today, it reminded me once again that I am blessed to be born into this family. Now that the smoke breathing challenge is over, I'm gonna hit myself where it hurts the most next week.

The Gratefulness Challenge Day 4: (1) Opportunities for exercise Since I felt that 12mins was too long a time to wait for the bus, I decided to take a walk to the mrt instead. When life gives you lemons, right? (2) Opportunities to catch up with old friends The friends who watched you grow up and yet still want to be your friend. That's a whole other level of friendship isn't it. (3) CLEAN SHOWERS The person who said that you only know you love her when you let her go, you only know a good thing when it's gone or its other variations is absolutely right. I am never taking my toilet for granted anymore. I have never felt so happy to take a shower before.

#The Gratefulness Challenge #THE ME CHALLENGE #week4

Gratefulness Challenge Day 3

(1) Being able to board the bus today 913 is a pain in the neck that comes in intervals which are apparently "flexible". But I managed to board the bus today without having to walk. That makes it a good day in my books. (2) the can-do attitude of my ESL kids They're really weak, to the point where they may not even be at primary school standard for English. But they're always willing to try and they want to do better. That always gives me hope. (3) being able to take a break today After 2 back to back days of doing work and dancing till late without much of a break, I finally got to reach home at 5:30PM. And the pressing need to work is not there. Small mercies.

#the gratefulness challenge #THE ME CHALLENGE #challenge 4

Today I am thankful for: (1) recovering from my sickness And mentors who care to provide me with the teacher's go-to medication. I used to hate peipagoa when I was a kid but now I think I can't live without it. (2) The person who realised that by dropping green tea leaves into hot water you'd get wonderful green tea. For real. And sugar. It's the thing that cools me down after a hot day (figuratively and literally) it's reliable that way. (3) the opportunity to see the hope for growth I can't write dance again, but I'm ending today on an optimistic note that as long as I keep moving I will keep growing.

#the gratefulness challenge #THE ME CHALLENGE #challenge 4

Challenge 4: Gratefulness Log 1.1

(1) Dance It has been an interest since I was younger, although temporarily buried under in order to pursue other interests (like music) and non interests (like paper). Every Monday, I always feel grateful for the opportunity to pick up my dancing shoes again at such a (relatively) old age: something I never dreamt would be possible. And even though I'm definitely past the age to excel in this field, I am learning that the passions we have in life are meant to be lived passionately. It's not a dream just because you succeed in it: the process of reaching the dream is very much part of the dream as well. (2) Guidance I have been blessed with a number of excellent mentors, and today's post-observation session helped me look at "observations" in a new light. Of course, the practicum induced fear (just the word "observation" can make me sigh and fret) still lingers. But I'm beginning to see that these observations are developmental and give me the opportunity to see my growth as a teacher. (3) Friends who eat dinner with me My dance bae said OKAY to dinner even though I asked her like today. And dinner is serious stuff. I have no problems eating alone but, the company of a friend is something I am thankful for. The first 3 will probably be the easiest (and I don't expect to write such long essays in the future). I feel happy as I write this. As I look back on the things that I'm thankful for today, I think I will be falling asleep with a warmed heart.

#The gratefulness Challenge #THE ME CHALLENGE #Challenge 4

Challenge 4: Being Grateful

I Challenge Myself To:

Be grateful for 3 different things every day.

Challenge Week:

18 July to 22 July

Inspired by: I had the most awful day on Saturday. It was one of those days when everything that could go wrong did. To top it off, I was just telling my friend the previous night about how the students seem to be complaining perpetually. Which probably sounded like a complaint in itself, ironically. I think I could do with a little more gratefulness in my life, and therefore, a little bit more joy.

Day Minus One:

Normally, I would say this challenge will be easy. But this week will be an especially challenging week full of discomfort as my house is still under renovations and I’ve moved back home to live in the renovation. It also means that my living area is now confined to my bed, and there’s not much space for me to move around. Being grateful in these circumstances...I think it may be challenging enough.

#The gratefulness challenge #THE ME CHALLENGE #Challenge 4

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