Stepping Up
Sorry for the lapse in blogging. Seems I have spent so much time on the phone lately with the US that blogging really didn’t seem necessary. However, I also recognize that not everybody that reads this blog (and I know there are only a few) is on the receiving end of my phone calls.
All seems to be going well with Decy, Chely, Thasya in the USA. They’ve been embroiled in the normal traditions of shopping, eating, talking, eating, playing games, eating, and … did I say eating? Well, that is Christmas in America. Bottomline is that they seem to be doing ok and having a fun time. Today (the 27th) Decy and the girls go visit a friend from Angola that lives only about 30 miles away from the Spring Hill. They will spend a few days there – with Chely and Thasya disappearing on the 31st … to go with Paul and Courtney to Kissimmee for a couple of days at Disneyworld, the studios, etc. P&C arrive on the evening of the 30th.
While that means that Decy won’t get to spend time with the family for a few days … it will certainly give my mom a break. She is probably a bit worn out by all the activity. On the 2nd, everybody comes back to Spring Hill and no doubt that weekend will be quite busy. Then on the 5th Paul and Courtney head back to Tennessee … and on the 6th Decy, Thasya, and my mom fly here to Indonesia. Chely returns to Tennessee to begin her spring semester on the 10th (she will spend a few days with our friends in Florida).
As for my mom, she’s been out of the country a little bit … border-town Mexico and Canada over the years … and a few stopovers during a cruise. However, this is for all intents-and-purposes her first true international trip. She will spend a month with us in Indonesia and then Decy and her fly to Singapore for a few days. They will fly back together … so that my mom doesn’t travel alone – they will separate in Chicago. Decy will swing by Dallas to visit another friend before coming back to Indonesia in late February. All-in-all Decy will be “on the go” for almost 2 months. Hope she still wants to come home after having all that fun.
As for me, really not much to write about. I have been trying to decompress in preparation for what will be a very intense January and February with the startup of our SAP system. While there is much to do – I am struggling to get motivated when everybody else is off enjoying long holidays with their families. Just doesn’t seem right. Thus, I am focusing on my work – and NOT focusing on doing the work they should / would be doing if they were here.
On Christmas Day I went over to Terry and Samantha’s and enjoyed a very nice Christmas afternoon and evening. I really enjoy their company and friendship.
Unfortunately on Christmas Eve and Christmas night our alarm system was malfunctioning and we couldn’t shut it off. That was a problem on Christmas Eve (which I handled) but it absolutely sent me over the top Christmas night. I came home late from T&S’s house … talked to Decy and then went to bed at 1130pm …. with the expectation of getting up at 315am. The alarm system went off at 1215am (the exact same time as the night before; coincidence?). We couldn’t get it turned off and we pulled the power at 130am. By then I was absolutely fried … and that pretty much killed my Friday.
On a more interesting (perhaps) note … I tried another “Tempo Run” to try to raise my LT factor (Lactose Tolerance). This is incredibly hard for me as I am pushing into areas / speeds that I have never experience before. I go as long as I can … cool down … then try again. I was able to up my speed this time (my second attempt at a Tempo Run). It went something like this: warm up; 5 minutes @ 12.5 kms/hr; slow down; 4 minutes @ 13 kms/hr; slow down; 3 minutess @ 13.5 kms/hr. While those minutes don’t seem like much … just consider that this is a very fast run (for me) – especially considering my age.
After a bit of “cool down” … but not too much … I continued running (albiet at a slower pace) and took the inclination up to 4% grade. I continued on grade until I was at about 95 minutes …. (gradually bringing down down the grade starting at 75 minutes). At the end of my 100 minute run I had completed 15.2 kms … and burned 865 calories – not bad consider the intense Tempo Run the first 30 minutes. Afterwards, I did a 20 minute coool down … and clocked another 2 kms at a moderate walk. I was “empty” after that.
As for this afternoon – I just took it easy. And, I will stay home tonight and just rest (like last night).
Well, friends / family … guess I better close. Take care. Enjoy your holiday. God bless you.
ciao ciao
