Gym Progress 49

Thursday? Didn't even break a sweat. But that was probably my fault :P

Saturday? didnt break THAT much sweat. So strange. What is it about classes these days?

Sunday? Oh so cool. Suzette's class started out with a cardio full choreography... and even a bit complicated too. I liked the whole choreography... and we even managed 4 blocks! (well, ok, maybe three-and-a-half blocks) but it was nice!... and I got back into bodypump again. Ow... my whole body hurts right now.

The regular class for the afternoon was Intermediate Hi Lo, but this week due to certain events, the same class was changed to HiLo (that's Intermediate-Advanced, for you who don't know.) And would you look at that, I could follow (after much stumbling at the beginning anyway). I rock!

Thu (ISM): Steve
Fri (IHL): Bibi
Sat (ISM): Steve
Sun (SM, BP, HL): Suzette, Phyllis, Bibi

I Should be Sleeping

I should be. I have been dying the past few days, loaded with work. Mental pressure. Office pressure. Social responsibility (yeah, right.)

I should be sleeping.

I need to get up to get that early friday aerobics class. I need to save up my energy so that I can get by the whole day tomorrow... err.. today. I have the office support mobile, for goodness sakes! The darn phone could ring any minute and I would be forced to stay up the whole night "firefighting" (stupid word, in my personal opinion) a system. Or TWO. or THREE.

Good gods. Someone save me.

My back is killing me. So is my shoulders. It actually pops every 15 minutes. And I'm not even trying to pop it. Its THAT bad. I need a massage. I need a break. But work is pilling up, like, mile high. My shoulders hurt so bad that I feel like sprouting wings on them any minute now.

Purple would be a nice color for wings I suppose.

I could think nice thoughts. My pseudo-boyfriend from the gym. The one that barely talks to me. I can always dream. Or my real boyfriend who's actually sleeping at this very moment. (No, not beside me, that's not possible) . Or my mom. *shudder* (sorry mom, just joking, but we both know we're not the affectionate type - at least towards each other - we're COOL.)

You know... I could do all this thinking while lying down on my bed. Hmm.

Gym Progress 48

Not much to say,... its quite irritating to find out that if I don't have a good view of Steve during his SM classes, I'm never going to be able to follow, which is the case for Monday.

Wednesday.... oh this is pretty cool . I was actually able to so a cool looking stance by the end of the class. specifically, this one. Its called Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow Pose, Backbend, or Wheel). Pretty cool. Never thought I'd be able to do something like that, but I did.

Did Andrei again, after like... I dont know how many months. See how things have changed since he first taught classes in california. Not bad, actually... the choreography's still simple, but I guess he's more cardio than complicated moves.

Well, anyways, I've also met this crazy guy (well, it seeems as crazy as me) who attended both Andrei's and Calvin's class, which is 1 hour apart and probably at the end of Hong Kong (well, sort of. One class was in Central, the other one in Hunghom)I think he's japanese , but I'm not quite sure. Ah, well, I'm sure I'll see more of him in the future, since he also attends Suzette's class on Sundays :P

One thing though... I think I managed to singlehandedly screw up a step class' choreography. Which is an amazing feat by itself, haha. Calvin was teaching some moves... I was following them... and then somewhere along the way, it seemed that I was too preoccupied to look at what he was doing (not that he was doing anything... He was watching us to see if we were doing the moves right) and everybody else except a couple of us was falling behind... and uhm... somehow.. the ones that are not falling behind (just my suspicion) adopted the variation of steps and rhythmn that I was doing, and we all ended up just repeating one side of the choreography. (e.g. normally choreographies are done so that after you finish the whole block, you end up on the opposite side and begin again with the reverse equivalent of the original choreography...) but we were just doing one side... I dont't think anyone noticed this, until I realized at the end, but it seemed like it was too late to change it.

Hahaha, singlehandedly changing the choreography. The instructor must've been having a fit inside. I felt bad afterwards though.. didn't mean to purposely ruin his master plan. Oh well, I suppose these things happen.

Well, not much to say on Sunday. Except that the Hi Lo class was a total mess! ^_^ At least I managed to partially follow... except that I was practically screwed up with the direction of the choreography, but, nevermind that. :P

Mon (SM): Steve
Wed (Yoga): Yogi Ram
Thu (ISM): Steve
Fri (IHL): Bibi
Sat (ISM, ISM): Andrei, Calvin
Sun (SM, IHL): Suzette, Bibi

Gym Progress 47

Busy week. Full of gym classes all about.

And to think that I haven't really reached my "ideal" schedule. Normally I'll have Saturdays with Steve, but that class' branch's flooring was being reinstalled. Plus recently I've gone through the list of regular gym schedules... and found out a couple of classes that I'd like to attend on a regular basis. They're mostly for Saturdays, which are Yoga and SM, for Yogi Ram and Andrei respectively, but I skipped them this week due to the fact that I've already booked tickets to see Superman Returns last week.

Yoga after at least 6 months? My back and shoulders feel like a wreck. Second try on IHL? No problem... was almost able to follow. That's at least good, for a second try, anyway.

Sunday? Nora(h) actually thought that I wasn't attending the Sunday class. Fat chance. Been with Suzette since I started with California ... don't think I'll miss her class if I can help it. Today was quite fun too... first time I saw ... uhm.. I think her name is Irene (she looks Taiwanese but I believe she's from Canada... sorry.. I mean, I'm not eavesdropping or anything, but I was changing clothes beside her when she was talking with someone else a few weeks ago about differences between Canada and HK..) Today's choreography's not bad, despite the fact that Suzette repeated the second block... again (that the third week in a row already! but yes, I have to admit, it's quite difficult) she added new choreography to the others...not the easy ones, but challenging enough to be enjoyed ^_^.

Unfortunately, later on for Sunday I realized that I miscalculated one of the classes' time and didn't get in time with the Mongkok class at 14:20 by Lok. Well, I did stand and look from the outside, but that was it. Just tried to figured what Andrew meant by "different"... well I just stayed around outside to watch the warm up. Comments? well, it seemed... like the beat was fast, but nothing else that I could gather. Ah well, maybe some other time then.

And then there was the intermediate HiLo this Sunday. That was quite fun ^_^ I was slightly confused at the start, but I think I did rather well for my third time :) At least I knew that I wasn't just standing around... I was actually having fun and laughing (because everyone was complaining that it was "guo fen" - already extreme - relating to the steps this Sunday.) But it was fun ! ^_^ I hope I can do this again next week!

Wed (Yoga): Ray
Thu (ISM): Steve
Fri (IHL): Bibi
Sat (ISM): Calvin
Sun (SM, IHL): Suzette, Bibi

* I was talking with Andrew and found out that Steve actually had his regular step moves class last Saturday... Agaah! he sucks! (he told the Thursday class that Saturday class was cancelled... SUX.)
** I also found out the name of the (tall) girl - her name's Heather and she's actually into IT until about 6 months ago.... even Andrew is in IT .... strange.. never figured out that they're IT people (or IT people actually going to aerobics class...?)

Crreeepo.

Crreeeepo. Stop stalking me.

Some guy who kept asking if I wanted his number. Even to the point of following me home. CREEP.

Overdose with Crystal Jade Restaurant

Let see,... Last Saturday with a friend at Times Square, Sunday lunch with a cousin that came from the Philippines at the IFC branch, another friend at the TST branch.. and I was already in danger tonight of having a 4th time with the Causeway Bay branch with another friend that recently travelled the States.

This place should pay me for spending so much time at their resto chain.

• Saturday with friend and her sister: preserved veggie noddles, spare rib noodles, meatball veggies.
• Sunday with cousin: tam tam noodles - with peanut butter, beef shin noodles, xiao long pao, dumpling, fried rice
• Wednesday with college friend: xiao long pao and preserved veggie noodles and hot and sour based noodles.
• Saturday:.... ALMOST, but not quite ^_^

They must be making a lot of money from me!

Got the Right Size

Got it. Got the new shirt. With the correct size. Yipee.

I needed to go back to the same shop at least 2x though. One to return and one to get the new stock.

See if it is worth it:





Lesson still learned: DEFINITELY dont trust tags.

(Discovery) Bus to Hunghom

New discovery... (hahaha if only my discovery was much like Columbus to the Americas,... but then again, that wasn't really a discovery..) bus to Hunghom via 8P over at the Star Ferry. Takes 10 minutes. Pretty fast. Only 3.5HKD :) I can stop thinking of the ferry as the only form of transporatation to Hunghom Whampoa civilization now (already starting to think it was a separate island all by itself, separate from Hong Kong and Kowloon)

*Sorry, this is not a post about a bus from Discovery Bay to Hunghom Bay. Though it did seem like it was, wasn't it?
** For those who are COMPLETELY at loss with what I'm talking about, head off to YPmap to check out the Hong Kong geography.

Ordered Bonus Point Coupons

Pretty fast processing. Got the bonus point redemption coupons already.

Reebok Purple Top

Returning a recently bought purple top... size is WAAAY to big to be medium. And to think I tried on the medium size that was on display.. and ended up with a short stick when asking to get a "new" stock for it. The size was waaay off, despite it being medium.

Lesson learned: Not all clothes may be created equal, despite the tag that says it is. Never ever trust tags.

Gym Progress 46

Due to unrelenting stress, I resolved to go to the gym this weekend - despite the fact that I was holding the work support mobile. ( that means anyone in the office can call me in case they need db assistance URGENTLY - but "urgent" is always a relative thing.)

So I was going around with two phones to the gym, positioning it in such a way that if it rings, I'll immediate see it even if I as doing a three-point-turn-two-point-mambo-switch-turn-double-hammer-spin. ^_^

I was slightly disappointed though, because both Calvin and Steve's class is very... slow. It was pretty funny about Steve's class because everytime I look around Wilson can tell I was bored... I dont know why.... I mean, really... I mean, I was just trying to variate each and every little step that Steve was teaching, and would sometimes leave myself standing around trying to absorb the new steps ... I mean, no harm in standing and looking right? I WAS sweaty and I WAS tired.

But still gave me quite a laugh though.

Anyway, Suzette made a repeat of last week's horrible block two (it was the same block where I totally went kaput over the partner step) and it was ok this time around - probably because we were all facing the same direction *wink wink* It was good fun.

There were some post workout workout right after.... relating to running from Central California Fitness branch to IFC in 5 minutes. Maybe some other time I'll tell you about it.

Anyways, I was planning to attend Lok's class at 14:30 today, but didn't make it because by that time I was still eating lunch. I did manage to ferry over to TST and got 2 new gym shirts for sale from 250 to 179 to 170. That was quite good. Reebok. I've always liked Reebok cardio wear... they stable and snug, quite unlike my Puma branded shirts. Wanted to try Adidas, but maybe for next time la. All I know is that Nike cardio is definitely "stable" and I'd probably say possibly comfortable to use. But that's quite pending until I get my own Nike cardio wear. I didn't see anything interesting from Nike though, so no go.

At least I attended the class at 16:50 for Bibi's Intermediate Hi Lo (No way and I going to get caught in advanced class after seeing Bibi teach intro step moves (subbing for Steve before) Need to get her style first. And then see what is up with the Advanced Step Moves class that Wilson was talking about. Anyway, the results weren't really what I'd call fruitful, as I've probably remembered only partial of the moves... but at least I got a lot of things out of it today:

1. Aerobics isn't as easy as I thought it'd be... the moves can be a bit complicated since you don't have a step in front of you to act as a reference point.
2. "Guy with his own little world" - finally - I can stop referring to him as that. His name is Andrew.
3. Oh have another person.. girl.... not the buffed up one.. the one who somewhat reminds me of.... hmm. You know what, I can't remember. There's three of them: Patsy, buffed up one (she's got muscled arms! beat that), and the other one that I previously stepped on during one of Michelle's classes and always wearing an almost as if basketball getup. I wouldn't be surprised if she played - she's pretty tall. Well, my point is, the last girl I was just referring to, she was about. She was doing pretty well for aerobics ^_^
4. Bibi's nice. Got to talk to her after class just to confirm that the class IS intermediate :)
5. There are a whole set of other people who are pretty good with aerobics but don't show up for step. These guys look like an interesting bunch .. most of them look like real genuine hong kongers (not that there is such a thing as genuine hongkongers. But these people don't looked buffed up for some strange reason. More look like dancers than anything else actually. It was pretty cool. Its like a preview for my up coming classes for this coming Friday.
6. I can still make an ass and a nuisance of myself :)

Maybe I will try Lok next Sunday. CB branch will be closed for renovations this coming Friday - darn, and to think I was planning of attending the Yoga class next week. Oh well, can't have them all, I suppose...

Thu (ISM): Steve
Sat (ISM, ISM): Calvin, Steve
Sun (SM, IHL): Suzette, Bibi

Bonus Points Redemption Galore

• 2 snowy mooncakes, 1 for 4000pts and 95HKD each.
• 4 double egg yolk white lotus paste mooncake, 1 for 4000pts and additional 108HKD each.

Oh but wait, I got it on a Sunday and they had a promotion of 6400pts for 2 mooncakes of the same type if you order on a Sunday. PLUS, you get free snowy 2 piece mooncake for every 2 that you redeem! So that means I get 3 2-pack snowy mooncakes, free! I think that's a good deal.

Now, before you go off wondering if I am supposed to finish all these mooncakes... well, the answer is no. Well, no anyway... but at least I want tohave one bag of the snowy mooncakes. I like them lots, the last time I tried them.

Some others to note:

• Caifornia Pizza Kitchen coupon for 500 pts: 50HKD off for a purchase of at least 250HKD.
• Mic Yue Ka coupon for 500 pts: 5 20HKD coupons that you can use each for a minimum purchase of 100HKD. This place is awesome. Have great noodles and food for a "easy" non dangerous price.
• Outback Steak and Grill for 500pts: Less 100HKD for a minimum purchase of 300HKD. Still not bad when you spend it with friends and hang out and about with some good big servings of ribs and fries and onion rings.
• Girl pillow for 2000pts: its ooooh kay. Like those pillows filled with micro-miniscule styro balls.
• moo pillow for 3000pts: oh, this one is pretty good. I'd probably get 10 of these, but they don't offer them over the bonus redemption catalog anymore. Darn it, if only I knew!
• Shaver for X pts. Not really mine... my brother just asked me to get it for him.

Yes, I was carry all that all over Causeway Bay for at least half a day. PHew.

MIX Liquid Lunch Wow

Liquid Lunch Wow - tomatoes , carrot, basil, parsley , celery, apple, how strange what a combination, but pretty good ... tastes like tomato juice.

WITH

multigrain pretzel - definitely not good. Woud've gotten away with a bread stick instead. Or that nice, fragrant and gorgeous thyme herb bread I was talking about on this post.

I'm probably doing to end up getting a picture of the Liquid Lunch Wow one of these days...

Gym Progress 45

Wonder week!

Well, some of you might know the reason why. Particularly Sunday.

But duh. Fat chance. Not really. Don't think so. Someone tell me why Sunday was supposed to be special. :
In fact, it was quite horrible... back to the days when I was playing ISM for the first time with Steve - I was just "hanging" around and standing trying to figure out what everyone was doing.

Its not that it was particularly difficult, but I had the special chance of facing opposite to Suzette while learning the steps... and you know how difficult it is, to write your name in a piece of paper and place the paper in front of the mirror, then try to read it? Would've probably made sense if you wrote the contents of the paper yourself. But if someone else read it - or in this case, choreographed it - you'll have to first try to figure out how to read mirror images, and then finally realize what the heck is written.

I probably stood in the class... oh well... maybe 20-30 minutes?

How horrible, and embarrassing.

Well, at least I know that I wasn't alone - Guy with his own world probably did as much as me - meaning none - because we were facing at the opposite site. By the end of the class.. I dont notice anyone doing partner step anymore... I think it quite very much became a double step instead. NO ONE except me and Mr Guy with his own world was facing the opposite direction. Hence, our unproductivity, and quite possibly, embarrassment.

I think it would've been better if Suzette started out teaching the partner step class when we were all facing the same direction first - much like how Louis does it. Ah well, it was her first time to teach "double/partner" step, so she might've probably realized it after la... but as for me, so much for a special day. At least I chowed it down with some Korean food at dinner - and I got myself a Columbia 650 ml water bottle as a gift.


Sat (ISM, ISM): Calvin, Steve
Sun (SM): Suzette

How to Celebrate a Birthday (Not Really)

How to spend your Birthday:

• Food at Habibi Cafe (good... can't go wrong with me and Mediterranean/Egyptian food)
• opa/ceu shopping (nice red bag looks good on me. Will think about it some more)
• dimsum (Try something you normally don't like ... or at least spend it with someone you enjoy being with)
• gym (This one will never be replaced I think.)
• ferry(and with a nice view, good weather, hey what more can I ask for?)
• wc computer center (There's bound to be electronics somewhere, right? particularly for IT people like me)
• gym (Yes, not this one... never EVER will be replaced, until I get tired of it. But we all know there's like 0.0000001% chance of that happening, right?)
• waiting about for bf (Well at least, my would be BF from the gym... hahahah It would be nice to have a buffed up bf, dont you think? We all would like to dream during our birthdays, especially if we don't really get to have what we want.)
• cold steamed milk with adzuki beans (nuff said. This place is awesome dessert place)
• nice bread I discovered (Thyme herb bread actually, being sold in a nearby bakeshop near my place... you can just find it by following the fresh scent while walking about downstairs near my place. Can't miss it. I can't believe I've missed it for 5 YEARS!)
• hoi wong (nothing like a good congee to start the day...)

All in all... a nice day. I mean, what is a birthday except that its just a normal date to everyone else, right?