30 days personal challenge!

Period: 30 days
Starting date: 25/5/09
Completing date: 24/06/09
Challenge: To do as much as swim, bike, run and ab crunch
Goal to achieve: To make sports fun again, waist size to be slightly shrink, to fit old jeans, to shrink the core part of my body (belly that is!), to make me feel good about my body again, to have a better backside (is that count?) and the list goes on......
Target waist lost: 2 inches
Current waist size: 36 "
Target weight lost: 2 kilos
Current weight: 63kg

Rules: If the targets above did not met within 30 days, the next 30 days challenge will start with the challenge target increased by 25%! By this time, I am sweating myself just to think of how, when, where and why I am doing this!!!!!!!

RESULT will be published every 7 days to calculate total weekly workouts.

Run Baldwin, Run!

Woooohooooo.......I am buzzing! And I can't tell you yet at the moment why as I am preparing my personal challenge on another blog at the moment but I can't help wanting to write here that I did my run today - despite keep looking at the window seeing passers by that brave themselves running in this chilly condition this morning. Managed to do 5.1km without feeling tired but it seems like my lung (I'm born asthmatic) couldn't cope with it (should have brought the puffer with me!) Still, I am pleased. I didn't run at the beach today as I want to try how far I can run on the pavement today after been running on a soft base at the beach for 2 weeks. I am amazed my strides are better and I actually find my tip toe running are now looking rather more athletic! Ha..ha.. I am sooooo pleased.

Here are some of the songs that I listen to when I ran just now.

1. Stronger (Kanye West)
2. Breathe (Sean Paul ft. Blue Cantrell)
3. Round, Round (Sungarbabes)
4. Simple The Best (Tina Turner) - such motivation song!!!!
5. Look At Me (Geri Halliwell) - don't ask! Vain maybe?
6. Outside (George Michael)

Then the TRI begin......

For the continuation of my past achievements blog, I want to share my 2nd event that I did which happen to be a 393 Contact TRI Series in Takapuna. After completing my first bike event I only got 21 days to train for my first triathlon ever! It was a nerve wracking one as I have no idea what I put myself into (I am not fit and has very little training or idea what Triathlon is all about) With the help of my kind neighbour Karen that has done Half Ironman nearly a decade ago I think, it has given me lots of moral support and boost (she's a mum with 2 girls under 3 years old - mad!!!!) She is very humble with giving advice and training with me despite her involvement with lots of triathlon events in the past and bike events but the genuine wanting to see me made it to the event is just a very humbling experience with her. To swim at the sea with her (about 1.4km), bike about 20km and run about 3km for our first trial together at one weekend was just amazing to know that we got what it takes to do it even the transition is very slow and we took out time to finished it all (very leisurely) around 2 hours! She hasn't done any form of exercise since good 3 years ago with the babies and all but this woman got it takes and naturally fit (which is what I hate! Jealous in a nice way that is...)

So here is my previous entry of my blog on Facebook about my first ever Triathlon event that I did and hope to do more this summer onwards......

I should have written this right after my first try Triathlon finished but I was rushing to get everything bought and packed for a long weekend camping on Friday taken my time to get this blog prepared. Nevertheless, I am at the right mind now to describe what a feeling it was to do my first ever triathlon. Like the slogan of Tri 393 (as for 300m swim, 9km bike ride and 3km runs) You'll Never Know Until You Try, I really didn't know what I put myself into and what did it feel when I finished the event. I have been seriously training toward my last bike ride at the end of January since November and it paid off when I finished it in a comfortably good time for first timer (on top of my bike chain came off, blah dee blah) After the bike event I started to put more effort in running as I never like running, never be any good at it since school but to do this Tri I have to put some effort to it. So since the whole month of Feb, I did 4 runs a week of 3.5km just a little bit over than what my Tri 3rd discipline required. I know I should have done more but I didn't want to push myself too much in case I injure myself on top of my bike training and swimming. What I think I should have done more is swimming at open sea as I can do up to 100 laps of 25m swimming pool length without loosing any breath, but I have no confident at all swimming in the open water. Such a contrast. On the race day, I felt I am ready eventhough 2 days beforehand during taper week, I was really nervous. Poor my next door neighbour who also took part in the event (she done Half Ironman before and she's 40!) has probably gone deaf listening to me singing my heart out just to get rid of my nerve leading up to the event day. Karen has been so supportive and did train alongside of me few occasions and also did a Tri trial at our local beach just to get some idea what the Tri going to be on the day. Getting used and practising the transition was new to me as I haven't got a clue what Triathlon sport is all about since few months ago. We travelled to Takapuna with our partners and babies. Got our goodie bag at the local Boating Club. Placed our bike at the transition area. I laid everything that I have practised nicely in 2 parts under my bike in a bright blue towel. Front portion consist of my bike shoe, sock, helmet, sunglasses, my event number with belt and a bottle of water to wash my feet after the swimming. Second portion of the towel consist my running shoe, new pair of socks (as I know the water from the beach will soaked the socks from bike ride) a bottle of water and a cap. I bought a very nice 2 pieces of Tri suit as I don't want to get change at all since this Tri is such a short distance to be faffing around. I did a bit of stretching but funny enough, I didn't feel so nervous on the day. Maybe Karen and Renate (Karen's friend that also took part) are there chatting to me about others things and it seems to keep my nerve off my mind. After race briefing, I said goodbye to Vince and Yasmin and had great wishes from Helen, Stuart and their boys (Ryan and Josh) who came all the way from Howick to cheer on me. Some friends they are. We were asked to walk toward the right end of Buoy to swim straight across for 300m and run out of the water for 150m towards T1. When the siren goes off, I started swimming like everyone else but admit didn't know where I was heading as I was being kicked and flapped about from left to right. At one point I got someone in front of me kicked my face and I wasn't sure if they were doing a breast stroke! At the end when things are a bit calmer, I am still ploughing along and realised I was one of the few last at the back. At this point I decided to keep swimming and lifted my head up after 6 strokes and keep doing it until I reached the other Buoy. I swear I thought I was the last 2 that came out of the water and I didn't feel bad about it. I was proud. Even I was the last to come out of the water, I did finish my swim. One at a time Nora, one at a time.... Sods law, to run out of the water towards T1, it was quite a steep hill. My legs were like jellies at that point and I thought I have to keep going and push myself a bit here. I saw my bright blue towel, sat down, washed my feet and quickly put the sock and shoes on. I suddenly realised that I must secure my helmet before I get on the bike so I clipped it on quickly and put my sunny on. I lifted the bike and pushed to the starting line. From then on, I didn't see or look back if anyone left at T1 but according to my result, I was 59th of 72nd at T1 and I think my transition practise paid off. I really thought I was the 72nd for my swim but what counts was who left at T1 first and that's when they start to time you. I was flying all the time I'm on the bike. I felt the buzz and I was like being drugged. I kept shouting every time I saw Karen to cheer on her and Renate. I also keep shouting at Stuart and Vince whenever I passed them like some sort of non serious event. I was serious and at the same time I was pumped up. I swear that I took over sooo many girls and kept saying 'Passing' to them and I thought I would be able to finish with a very decent time or possible faster than my target time (under 1 hour) On my T2 result I came 33rd out of 72nd which means I did overtake lots of people from my 59th place at T1! I was really pleased with my bike ride. When I did my 6th loop of the course to complete 9km, I am using the masking tape method that I put on my bike with 1 to 6 numbered on it. Every time I went pass a loop I took a number off the tape. I do have a very decent wireless Cat Eye on my bike but I thought as a safety precaution in case my Cat Eye falls off, stolen at transition area (you never know!) or broken that I got a back up plan. One of the Olympian athletes that took part late evening that day - Contact Cup Elite Triathlon (which was televised on Channel One) did an extra lap on the bike and took herself off the race - see what I mean about precaution? Even a pro did it wrong! After I ditched the bike once finished the 9km ride, I felt my bike shoe and socks are soaked with sea water. It’s a good thing I did bring with me a spare socks! With the help of my transition practise (again) I managed to get the socks changed, slipped on the running shoes and I used the bungee cord shoe lace to quick tie my laces (a real life saver this one!) and slip a cap on very quickly. I started to run downhill the beach and alongside of the running course quite slowly. Again my legs are not coping very well but I knew if I keep the same consistent pace, I won't stop. I don't want to stop as it might get harder to start again. I only need to do 1 1/2 loop for the run as its only 3km but the first turning is a really steep hill. Bastard I thought! Why they have to choose this route right after you sprint like mad on your bike? I guess that's what you call a challenge hey? I did run all the way of the course and by then noticed Stuart, Vince, Helen and the kids are at the Belgium Bar where the finishing line is, waiting for me to get pass my first loop. Helen was strolling on the other side of the route telling me to keep going and I really feel pumped up at the time. I was proud and I was very pleased that she came to cheer on me. I think she knew how much this event meant to me. I don't think I can cope with the heat if the run is more than 3km as it was scorching hot that day and when I passed the first loop, I thought no way I am going to do another loop again. I was very thirsty and I kept saying to myself, whatever you do, don't stop. Walk if you need to. But I didn't. I keep running even it’s not fast. Near the 100m mark before the end line (I have practise this with Karen when we walked the route 2 days before the event) I sprinted as fast as my leg can take it and I didn't know until later Karen was waiting around less than 100m mark before finishing line holding on to baby Zoë shouting at me to sprint for the finishing line. I did sprint to the finishing line and ended my race at 1:01:33 which I thought for my first attempt is not bad at all. Funny enough, I noticed few people over took me during my run but I didn't realised I was overtook quite a bit! Damn! I came 59th for my run after came 33rd from my bike ride. It was quite disappointing with all the effort I put on the bike but now I know my weakness (I told you I'm not a good runner) and I will work on putting more training on it. Below is my result in details.

Swim: 59th: 10:38
Bike: 33rd: 26:16
Run: 59th: 24:38
Overall: 46th: 1:01:33

I did wait for the result to be finalised as few people didn't run the whole 1 1/2 loops that was supposed to be done and ended up being DQ. The provisional result showing at least 7 people managed to run under 11 minutes are under the assumption that they didn't do the 2nd loop especially when the came off the swim and bike from 60th place and over onwards! Cheating! I am very pleased with my first try to Triathlon. I have since signed up to Orewa Half HALF Marathon (quarter Marathon) on 5th April to motivate my run training and hope to get better at it and also signed up to another triathlon at Mission Bay on 26th April for Sprint Triathlon distance (500m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run) I have started my couple of weeks training since my last event and hope with my extensive 8 weeks training plan I will be able to complete my first ever running event and 2nd triathlon this year. I think its fair to say it is still in moderation as after these events, I am sparing my winter doing moderate and consistent training ready for next year events that I am thinking of taking parts. Next year I am aiming to do Sarah Ulmer Sub & Stride in North Shore for 70km bike ride and if I am consistent with my training maybe - just maybe I want to do a short distance Half Ironman Auckland event which is 1km swim, 30km bike ride and 7km run. I have the whole 8 months to prepare at least and I think it’s achievable. I noticed one thing while doing all the training and giving my all for these events that it is right, until you try you never know what you can do and what limits can you push yourself. I once very unfit, still overweight and have quite a bad asthma. I always used these excuses not to be able to do anything outside of my comfort zone. Who would have thought that maybe one day I can call myself a tri athlete? Make you wonders hey? P/S: Thanks Vince for supporting me all this time and bought me a road bike! I promise to do better next time and will make you proud.

My past achievements

I am really new to this blog site and since I just started this month, I haven't have much input to this page yet. Saying that, I have blogged a lot on Facebook. I decided to have this blog page purely just for my Triathlon and multi sport passion which then maybe linking to other topics that related to these sports. This page isn't about wanting to inspire others but just purely for me to inspire myself and having myself to tell that I can do it, I can fail, I can pick myself up from any hurdles, I can motivate myself, I can be scared to do something outside my comfort zone (that will be friggin' clip on shoes! Dam stuff, scare the shit out of me every time I put them on!), I can reach my goals and all the things that I think I can't. The main thing is I want to see myself grow from this journey of mine getting to know this crazy sport.

I only started to know about Triathlon last year when I started to swim weekly from early 2008 as part of my pregnancy weight lost journey. I will go swimming every Thursday night and do at least 50 length of the pool or more. I also walks with my daughter (she's under 2 at the time) 3 times a week totalling about 20km walks per week at least. I noticed I lost heaps of weight and my body changes is just amazing. I even took lots of photos between myself and my hubby (he lost nearly 40kg in 1 year!) to see the progress ourselves and since last year, we have been motivating each other very well. I was from size 14 down to size 10 within 6 months of eating well and doing these small exercises. I also started to bike about 20km per week since September last year when my daughter is at daycare twice a week and had enjoyed it really well. I think the key here is consistency and it doesn't has to be any 'hardcore' exercise to lose weight that much within that set of time.

I really enjoys my weekly ride on my Mountain Bike and one day when I saw SUB North Shore event for women only, I thought why not take part. I can do this. Instead of signing up for a longer bike ride, I decided to try just 20km bike ride (short one) for this year. I don't want to start hard and didn't enjoy my first sport event.

Below is the previous blog that I wrote about my first ever sport event experience and how I first get to know who is Sarah Ulmer......
I just can't help myself but wanting to share this special moment in few words (more like a War and Peace hey?) and pictographic evident of my first ever bike ride event that I took part yesterday and what an awesome feeling it was when I was at the finishing line telling myself that I have did it and I made myself very proud. I was very nervous the night before and went to bed very early in hope that I will have all the energy the night before (damn, there was no sex that night!) I got up at 6.30am and by 8am we already at the Stadium. I saw lots of girls with their super duper bling bling bike and gears and can't help of feeling a little challenged already even before the event started. I still feel very nervous and with Yasmin's happy running around this massive stadium made me forgotten about my nerve a little bit. She has been nothing but very good to daddy waiting for her mummy to finish. What a lucky parents we are. The briefing for each event are quite close to each other where the long bike 70km gone out first at 8.45am, mid cycle, 35km at 8am and short cycle, 20km (my event) at 8.15am. So by now I have memorised the briefing already by heart. That's how nervous I was! When the race about to begin, I was at the front row and really pumped up to cycle and can't wait to start. When the hoot blown, I went for it and was the leader until the first couple of hills. I am so amazed the amount of people that haven't got a clue where to route is and just depend solely on the Marshall in the van! I was also amazed with the amount of people that went pass me after the first few hills and started flying passed! It was a bit frustrating as I think I put as much effort as they are!!!! My mountain bike didn't take long proving its downside on the first few hills when the chain came off as Sarah Ulmer was cheering some girls that went pass her for some moral support on this steep hill and when it was my turn passing her, the chain gone kaput! Arghhhh, sods law! I kept changing the gear in hope it will pick it back up again but failed. She ditch her bike on the side of the road, came to me and asked me to get off my bike. She then changed the gear, lifted up my back tyre to get the pedal going and chain back to the ring and it got sorted. Sarah asked me to get on my bike as quick as I can and give me a push to get my momentum going and I just couldn't believe what just had happened to me. A gold medalist in New Zealand just touched my backside and helped me! What an awesome feeling that was. Sarah kept on shouting at me as I started cycling that I am doing fine and to keep going, it really boost me up as I was feeling the strain of it already when the chain came off. At couple of the very steep hills (as it was classified on the local bike route map - very steep and not just steep!) I was overtaken by few girls and I can't help of thinking this is the time that I should use all the knowledge of the route as I have done the trial on it 2 weeks earlier and to use the technique on my gears well as Karen told me what I need to practise on the week before was using the right gears at the right time and hills which may help me being a bit fast then my trial time. So I gather all my energy and thoughts and started to cycle the hills effectively. At the end of the hills I managed to overtook all the girls that overtook me earlier and I know the route well so I started to attack and pedal harder as its going to be all downhill and very fast not far from now. I think knowing the route and doing it before the event has helped me a bit with my time as people might not know what's coming and they might storing their energy by cycling at their comfortable pace thinking that there are more hills to come. At the last road (SH17) where its all downhill I was doing up to 56km per hour and the feeling was awesome. It was scary but I know if I duck down a bit I might be a bit faster and just be very cautious with the traffic next to me. All the girls that was overtaking me earlier is no where to be found behind me and I am not sure if they didn't realised this is all downhill from now on or just not sure with the fast speed but anyhow, I am taking all the advantage that I can from this on. I cycled really hard on the last few turn back to the stadium and I am pleased when I reached the end line, I shouted so hard in disbelief that I have done it and I broke down and cry. This event meant so much to me personally as I am trying to prove to myself that I am a strong person and if I set my mind to do something I can do it no matter what the obstacles are. Although I feel slightly disappointed with my result as I completed the ride in 1:03:55 where my target is to complete it just under 1 hour, I am very pleased that I have done it, I completed the race and I am without a doubt very proud of myself. I think its in my blood to be competitive but I am not hugely disappointed, I just don't want to be comfortable with the result and later I won't push myself a bit more for future training and event. I do think without the help of my friends that never stop encouraging me with their kind words and some who take it upon themselves in personal interest by doing the ride with me (that's my neighbour Karen!) I have nothing but huge appreciation and very grateful to have friends like you. To some this 20km bike ride event might be minute compare to what other's has done but to me this is huge. I managed to completed one of my 10 new year resolution already and we just came to the 2nd month of 2009. Not bad I think. To make matter worst, I got another 21 days to do another event with my neighbour Karen in Takapuna which is a triathlon series consist of 300m swim, 9km bike ride and 3km run. I hope this will push me a bit more to do better next time. 21 days is not long and not enough also to train if I have too much rest. So I am getting back to training starting from tomorrow when Yasmin is at daycare. I want to focus more on running as I can't run for my life!

Bring it on!!!!

I'm feeling really good after battling yet again with my demon for not wanting to run today (I can understand after I had a 25k bike ride this morning after not biking for a week) but I'm pleased I did it. It was tough going as I came back from bike ride at 10am, decided to clean all the window in my house upstairs and sing on the top of my lung (because cleaning is boring and singing is enjoying - remember my past theory 'try to incorporate what you like into what you hate?) and by 12.30pm I managed to hang a load of washing and fold couple of basket of washing, had my lunch, coffee break and catch up with the news on tele. By 1pm I am eyeing the clock all the time while telling myself 'I gotta go for a run soon and my cut off time is 1.30pm or else I will never run! That's how bad my mind is playing up and how the demon conquering my weakness!

I am glad, after changing my running tops few times (didn't like the colour coordination of my top and my socks) I drove the car to the beach and park as far as I can from the beach so I can add more mileage to my run. I am also excited with the facts that before I ran the same distance (and I had a bike ride this morning) with just under 10 songs! I normally did 12 songs on my iPod.

Here are the list of the songs that 'accompany' me with my run just now....

1. Kelly Clarkson (My Life Would Sucks Without You)
2. Taylor Swift (Love Story)
3. TLC (Creep)
4. All Saints (I Know Where Its At)
5. Girls Aloud (Jump) - this really keep me going!!!
6. Rihanna (Don't Stop The Music)
7. Christina Aguilera (Ain't Another Man)
8. Lady Gaga (Poker Face)
9. Pussycat Dolls (Jai Ho) - ha..ha..ha..
10. Pink (So What)

If you guys got running/biking or any work out songs that you like and you want to share on my notes/blogs please add it on your comment.

Lastly - Bring it on TOUGH GUYS AND GALS and AUCKLAND MARATHON!!!!!

It was chilly this morning....

Got my bike back from the service and that was nice but a week without biking, I find even clipping on one clip on shoes scare the shit out of me. I don't know why my confident is so lacking compare to when I was young, I remember free wheeling down hill with no helmet, wearing sandals and then gone horribly wrong when I fall and scrape the chunk of my leg after that (I did have a bit of tears after) but I will soon be back on the road the next day!

The ride was very flat and just want to get my leg back into the cycling mode. It was easy ride BUT it was freezing (11C) Gosh, I think Vince was right. He has seen skier wear less clothes than me riding this morning!

I am keen to go and run at the beach after this. I want to at least run 8km. I so hope it will not rain. So far the temperature hasn't increased at all since this morning. Brrr......more excuses!

Not that happy with the service as the clicking noise still there, I was wondering what do they actually do (the shop) when they kept my bike for a week? Hmmm, need some sorting out here I think.

Vince bought me a wind trainer from Torpedo7.com which I find is a good all rounder shop to buy stuff for bike gears and accessories as when they on sale or on clearance, the price are really good. Since its winter and I am just a lazy bum, I think its a good idea to invest on this item to keep my biking exercise going. Let's see once I received it how this new investment of mine will motivate me to do my training. No more excuses now!

Tough guy and gal challenge

An event that I am taking part on 5th July. I don't know what am I thinking!!!!

http://www.toughguyandgal.co.nz/

A turtle I am....

After running on Tuesday I suffered post running terribly especially going up and down the stairs. Yasmin get very little cuddles as lifting her are just not comfortable. I really thought come Thursday I will not be able to run at all (here we go again - more excuses!) but it seems quite easy once you started running. I don't enjoy running at all (never has been) and it seems really hard trying to do something that you are not passionate about (only doing it as its part of triathlon) and I must keep doing this as my running isn't up to scratch. Or else I might as well forget about my future triathlon events completely.

One thing I like about running at the beach is the 'not so hard' and 'not so soft' surface that I'm running on which I find suitable for my post running ache and pain. I also like the beauty of the beach next to me while I'm running and I don't get any distraction crossing the road if I run on the pavement (which I hate) I also don't look on to the end of the beach where my end point will be as it can be very tiring just to see the distance while you huffing and puffing doing the run. What I also have programmed on my brain (since I hate running so much and I am pushing myself to do it) is to allow myself to look up to see how far left I got when the song finished on my iPod before it goes to the next one. It'll be only 10 seconds look and my head will be back down on the sand concentrating on my run. This method works for me as I'm on the beach and won't be worrying about cars or others that might bump into me , its much wider space to run and so less danger (oh yes, I will use absolute any excuse I can NOT TO RUN!), I don't have to keep stopping to cross the road and I also like the fact that running for 10 - 12 songs distance can be fun (as I love listening to music) So I am creating something that works for me based on what I love to do for the thing that I hate so much. I think all and all it works well.

So 8km yesterday although very challenging for my standard, I am pleased. Today I am not as aching as Tuesday and I am amazed. So maybe I should push myself more (in term of mileage) and let's worry about the speed and hills works later hey? One at a time, one at a time.

I consider myself a turtle runner and I rather be known that way than a failure rabbit. I am excited about prospect of tomorrow and Sunday where I will be running. Hope the weather stay dry for me as I can easily use that as another excuse!

Lazy + denial = agony

Although I am in agony today (all over my body) I'm pleased I did a 6k run yesterday at Orewa Beach. It was windy, I am fighting with my own demon but I did it! Today I suffer it badly, can't even go up the stairs. Still, I am going to do another run tomorrow if weather permitted.

I think this is just another hurdle of my commitment where I never venture running before in my life and training outdoor in this cold winter weather isn't something I am familiar with. Its bad enough I don't know how to run, I only just got a proper running shoes last couple of months and did my first running event (Orewa Quarter Marathon) , now I not only read to Running World magazines but I also thinking of buying some running gadgets (Nike iPod Nano running sensor - I didn't know anything about that until last week!) If I can better my run (with or without gadget that is) I think I can better my triathlon performance.

Tomorrow I am hoping to do 8km if I can hack it. The thought of being out there in the cold give me the chill already! Brrrrrr.......

Let's see what tomorrow bring.....

Run now or you will run away from you goal slowly....

Sent my bike for it first service since I got it in March. The gears has been making some funny noise at places and its really annoying during bike ride. I don't feel any lost today as the weather yet again has been pants and I am really trying to find some inspiration to run in this cold miserable weather. How did those people do it wearing sleeveless and shorts running their heart out? Make me want to pee just watching em!

I must get my marathon inspiration somehow and hibernating at home doesn't do me any good. If I want to at least complete half of my 2009 resolution, I got to give myself few slaps on the faces to wake up as I have been really lacking! Grrr....I am not loosing this battle!

I am pleased with the blog website so far although this is a completely new thing for me, I know exactly how I want it and what will make me wants to go here again and again sharing my passion to my heart content here (oh shall I say trying to find the passion again wherever it has been?!) I am hoping if I can put some countdown to the future events that I want to enter, it will be make me want to move my lazy bum to get out there and do something! Arghhhhh! I am soooo ashamed of myself at the moment as I just hasn't got the motivation at all! Its seems like everything is against me (or I am just making excuses) with the weather, no time to do the training, winter bug (gee - how pathetic does this sounds hey?)

I have now put the Nike training log on this blog so I must start putting some numbers or else it will look so bad with those zeros! Suddenly I fancy a drive down Orewa Beach and run the whole beach for few laps. Must do this today....no, no. I NEED to do this today!

I guess I better get change and drive myself to the beach.....

Precious Moment

Like any other Monday we are rushing with swimming lesson first thing in the morning for Yasmin which she loves and soooo looking forward every week. This week Yasmin was introduced to swim all by herself without being hold most of the time using the arm bands. Poor Yas, she's not only diddy and not as tall compare to some of the Kiwi kids. Even at the baby pool, she can't seems to stand on it still. It seems swimming today are more enjoyable for her as she loves not being hold permanently by me and free to move around although the swim instructor told me that they need to understand being cautious in the water is very important. Yas has shown how she loves water, wanted to swim all by herself and moves around the water freely. I think for the first time today she really feel the freedom of doing it all by herself although still tip toeing in the water trying to walk on the pool floor (bless her!) All and all today Yas has shown she listen to the instruction well, don't do things without hearing the cues from me and very good with getting her head under the water and get back up again to go for the wall of the pool for safety. I am very impressed.

Its always tiring after swimming lesson but I dragged the poor girl to do some small groceries which then ended up to be quite a lot. Make me wonder how much will my monthly groceries cost if I am doing a monthly groceries (just bits and pieces cost me about $147! Gee, I do wonders how people with average household income live and made me realised how fortunate I am for be able to have what I want (most of the time) and not worried about when the next pay going to be....

I just put Yasmin to bed after we had our lunch at home and did some scrap book and paper cutting which she loves. I am trying to make her a book so we can go through the alphabets and numbers together using typical group of things to incorporate with her early learning skills such as shapes, colour, animal, food, actions, etc. I believe in self educating my child to some extend and helping them develop the skills at home and at school. I must admit, I haven't got a clue what sort of system NZ have for pre-school education and that's something that I need to find out more as I believe children do at least need to know the very basic before they start school at age 5. I must put some hours per week for Yasmin to do some basic counting and spelling before she goes to school so at least she isn't too blind sighted by it all (or will this be putting too much pressure for children over 3?)

Now I am writing this, I don't envy to be out there although its sunny but gosh, its freezing indoor! I am gagging to go for a run as the weather has been pants with raining and winds. I am just not tough enough to face the temperature out there and the weather too. I gotta put my road bike for a service too as the creaking noise on the gears is driving me mad and the chain keep coming off which doesn't help with my clip on confident (another story for that) There are just too much hurdles if I can call them for me to go out there and do these sports. I have been reading these running magazines and hasn't come across with any topic about training in the winter. Its just so demotivating at the moment and I am feeling fat all over again!

Maybe, just maybe I will do a 1.25km swim tonight when Vince's home? Hmmm, that is a wonder hey?