tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22538428937301003782024-03-08T05:12:41.047-08:00100 thingsA list of things to do within my lifetimeMarellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-50879628906721359682022-02-12T14:42:00.007-08:002023-02-01T08:48:10.452-08:00Skydiving!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rXobtGKbdB8" width="320" youtube-src-id="rXobtGKbdB8"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Finally did it! Been wanting to do this since I was a teenager, and now I have. After two previous attempts, getting as far as booking and being either rained out or bailing due to a migraine, I finally got to actually jump out of an airplane. And this one was in Hawaii... on my 40th birthday. Can't beat that.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfN37btgaDorR1-NpgtQ6Ab23hM0m3NFoArIBcWRl810p4FcfI5KDtQaPep9fx7XAawx6blSJ8oVXyGVm2YXwIv7bZrDj8ekejtKaCQJsvNxspc0dkuo5NeXP71we8HpYPNik7ibnCHmFXJ3cSX-C1YiefEbfCC8b2A7eWX_lyraTHv8tWVaE9OZuT=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfN37btgaDorR1-NpgtQ6Ab23hM0m3NFoArIBcWRl810p4FcfI5KDtQaPep9fx7XAawx6blSJ8oVXyGVm2YXwIv7bZrDj8ekejtKaCQJsvNxspc0dkuo5NeXP71we8HpYPNik7ibnCHmFXJ3cSX-C1YiefEbfCC8b2A7eWX_lyraTHv8tWVaE9OZuT=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsPDN8--hnVKQDBet1bcKlFh5ne1sIkI_nPxhL5Dgw06uiEyjjBthwX5b320IY8f0CQwf6cbOVcaFSpD1wAC6qg_iOUDmIsiurGpouF7hJte2fIGbYmyDBlLMyMpNMu-ghDMMBlm-Wl-AcybmAK1f9Q6UmoMQki7911xrSKDWrOv-I7HnVvBwsecUp=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAfdoMe2IDWxr03p9RsEQiUUqm8FfQQKCIo7eEoPICxg_MBMw34AWgIaot7UtxMmjOHUeCo0Ixt9WY0JLw2u0X9LH7OulugBhNSsU5HbR6ZisOvkj81eKrzcCffkfqng2cJtIsAFr05Dz_hdNhYHwo7Bm7-cx6XJnQkSMVp_3PpljAe8bUvTfXj9wG=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAfdoMe2IDWxr03p9RsEQiUUqm8FfQQKCIo7eEoPICxg_MBMw34AWgIaot7UtxMmjOHUeCo0Ixt9WY0JLw2u0X9LH7OulugBhNSsU5HbR6ZisOvkj81eKrzcCffkfqng2cJtIsAFr05Dz_hdNhYHwo7Bm7-cx6XJnQkSMVp_3PpljAe8bUvTfXj9wG=w481-h640" width="481" /></a></div><p></p>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0Kailua-Kona, HI, USA19.639994 -155.9969261-8.670239836178844 168.8468239 47.950227836178847 -120.8406761tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-10983866653693180972021-07-12T18:06:00.004-07:002023-01-21T16:58:32.833-08:00#37 - WEST COAST TRAIL<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9EVD9LSL-4/YOzlZM9PPDI/AAAAAAAACqk/i44cf-FdCnQ0KQp_-QoLwBcCfTc1M9qMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0855%2B2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="2048" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9EVD9LSL-4/YOzlZM9PPDI/AAAAAAAACqk/i44cf-FdCnQ0KQp_-QoLwBcCfTc1M9qMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h322/IMG_0855%2B2.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><p>We did it. Hiked all 75km of the WCT in seven glorious days. I now understand why the West Coast Trail is considered one of the top treks in the world. So much variety of flora and fauna. So many bald eagles, seals, ravens, sea anemones, and even a bear. Also, the largest and most abundant ferns I've ever seen. Don't even get me started on the varieties of moss and fungus. It was wonderful to see such a thriving rainforest. It was such a treat to be able to spend a week immersed in it with good friends. </p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0l9qI1o7l4/YOzmqpTR4FI/AAAAAAAACq0/U__TCjMmmoQvxG60WaUY4ye0B6FjNCjzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0959%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0l9qI1o7l4/YOzmqpTR4FI/AAAAAAAACq0/U__TCjMmmoQvxG60WaUY4ye0B6FjNCjzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/IMG_0959%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vU9zJGFWqUk/YYG_PEpR6EI/AAAAAAAACyE/gdDhqItVVr4oMz3Ayji1QUPQNXnRffdNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8203%2B2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vU9zJGFWqUk/YYG_PEpR6EI/AAAAAAAACyE/gdDhqItVVr4oMz3Ayji1QUPQNXnRffdNQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_8203%2B2.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2MhEO11rOQ/YYHEe1yLWVI/AAAAAAAACzU/cdMcjuBAJ6McRAWqgOuz1RvZZOS3-RgbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2324%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2MhEO11rOQ/YYHEe1yLWVI/AAAAAAAACzU/cdMcjuBAJ6McRAWqgOuz1RvZZOS3-RgbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2324%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-4916413521307203142021-05-14T15:31:00.006-07:002021-05-23T13:23:41.210-07:00West Cost Trail or BUST!<p><span style="font-size: large;">It's been three years since I updated this bucket blog, and I'd say it's time to get back to it! I've just finished Nursing School and in the last three years haven't had a chance to work towards much else in the way of life goals. But now I'm all in again, and the next thing to cross off the list will be the <a href="https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/SCO-WCT" target="_blank">West Coast Trail</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">By some kind of miracle I managed to reserve a spot for four of us to hit the trail July 2 and I am STOKED.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Last year a friend and I hiked the Juan de Fuca trail, which is similar, only shorter and further south of the WCT on Vancouver Island. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olfqppweO1M/YJ738nJaEPI/AAAAAAAACnU/ABiOKplszMYgIkLhgM3Ksa4xPo7iJQU5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/118652293_10164493967385790_4004374227132963123_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olfqppweO1M/YJ738nJaEPI/AAAAAAAACnU/ABiOKplszMYgIkLhgM3Ksa4xPo7iJQU5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/118652293_10164493967385790_4004374227132963123_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">But that one doesn't require pre-booking, and it's also not considered one of the top 10 hikes in the world. More importantly, it's not on my bucket list. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was a great warm-up, though, and gave me a good idea of how to best prepare for a multi-day hike. I think the most important thing is to have good footwear, which last year I did not. In fact, the sole of one of the boots I borrowed fell off on the second day, which left me without any grip whatsoever. Once I'd entirely lost the boot, I was hiking in running shoes. Not ideal, or recommended, on a multi-day hike that includes all kinds of terrain and conditions. So, today I went to MEC and bought a rad new pair of boots:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOEmNGYaGRI/YJ75y7cLo3I/AAAAAAAACnk/TS17ppcZkqIzGIyBpBN-Ekg3QjjjPfqeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOEmNGYaGRI/YJ75y7cLo3I/AAAAAAAACnk/TS17ppcZkqIzGIyBpBN-Ekg3QjjjPfqeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is much more to prepare, but the most important steps are done, which is to reserve a spot and get good footwear. I am beyond excited about this adventure!!</span></h3>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-10039956801370030182018-06-25T14:23:00.003-07:002023-02-01T09:33:02.187-08:00#50 - Tattoo<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I wasn't planning on it, but I got myself a tiny tattoo on Saturday while on a weekend trip to Portland. My friend Stephen and I decided to be brave and partake in all the fun that is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Naked_Bike_Ride" target="_blank">World Naked Bike Ride</a>, and to commemorate the occasion, we popped </span><span style="font-size: large;">into Atlas Tattoos and asked for matching road bikes on our right ankles. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'd always thought I wanted to get a tat but could never find something that was meaningful or special enough, or so I thought. The bicycle will always remind me of this weekend of fun, adventure, youthfulness, spontaneity, and getting outside my comfort zone, so I think it's fitting that it wasn't planned or over-thought. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And that's another one (unexpectedly) off the bucket list! </span><br />
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<br />Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-5771373242740944402018-05-16T19:21:00.000-07:002018-05-16T19:21:37.364-07:00Day 30: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzkeEWzk6JDem2pC5lQfdB7_vhOknow5YccoqhVG41G0wj_MKiPP37xDsc81PDNMwf7HMxgwSlo7C5EL_idaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I forgot to post this on Sunday, but I did keep up with my daily regimen, and made it to 15 consecutive pushups. I feel pretty good about this since I started with three just a month before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nowhere near 50 yet, but I'll keep working on it...</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-27134079487436982882018-05-02T18:01:00.000-07:002018-05-02T18:01:42.501-07:00Days 17-19: 30-Day Pushups Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxs9aq0X_dh4tz1Lt4pA9g4CSXs6hzZZ-uUmCF6XkGnXSFsADvuR1v_vdhFm5z_FmMhWWx2cZN4D1TAfDN2fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Day 19 = 16!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 18 = 10</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 17 = 15</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-51812089566519000992018-04-29T20:37:00.000-07:002018-04-29T20:41:29.849-07:00Days 13-16: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Been slacking off on posting the videos, but I haven't been slacking off on the actual pushups. Check it out:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 16 = 15</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 15 = 14</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 14 =10 </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 13 = 8 (just focusing on form)</span><br />
<br />Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-6323154310563401822018-04-25T21:44:00.000-07:002018-04-25T21:44:51.899-07:00Day 12: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyFqPnSSgZY0CSUOSVHcx2GHlOAMtRJGsmbD3hJSWB5lVBOouvFBG_SEyeM72aweGER9CQoSoofiA3HB3qu0g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Twelve!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-24411943221276009092018-04-24T19:53:00.000-07:002018-04-24T19:53:25.221-07:00Day 11: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxj6-V0Ly-vB_cFZlE8Kb7XSc65CDZqviWGvXKn6eFnRsrbLnmhVY1uKG0EGQO8BE6uQbT6RNkVMDnc_g_SHA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Eleven!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-36880646493501964842018-04-23T21:24:00.000-07:002018-04-23T21:24:48.488-07:00Day 10: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4DF3c3mOTPixteLdNUjwWELmgrqS_qWcH52vUhiBT4h-onJki5REDDvjPpbDfEJqFgext-kVvEBxLoYiqkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ten!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-64912568006646949802018-04-22T19:32:00.000-07:002018-04-22T19:32:29.026-07:00Day 9: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxEKyEN0m9UD9vRbLIuWFZeDWksD1uLN41qAPw9C6YhnnNWSjIgt5duo8ZN4BZVxyXNkzvoyaMutejP4FHLiA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nine!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-90518582180423493802018-04-21T19:16:00.000-07:002018-04-21T19:16:32.968-07:00Day 8: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxuWZHIRAApASxnBUlluRWtUur76GwmR8ghx1bLnQIqfepIRY4skcem2Ti50p20j7BpgXJTaAsYWmVOL35M1w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Back up to seven!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-63770055256415737902018-04-20T18:03:00.000-07:002018-04-20T18:03:33.975-07:00Day 7: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dang... back to six. Seems to be my sticking point...</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-40221667804520546562018-04-19T20:29:00.000-07:002018-04-19T20:29:52.623-07:00Day 6: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seven! I took someone's advice and tried to do eight, so I almost made it. Another tip was to clench my butt to stabilize my core and support my lower back. I think it helps. </span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-14810681942352517372018-04-18T21:42:00.000-07:002018-04-18T21:42:10.714-07:00Day 5: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIb6VFLDhCUx1OxJD_-sjFzee4jEyHC8fRjcNSp8AxWnJP8i7O5Y82njf-hAWHRGW5qseLjUcnoDlwVB5i' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Five... not sure why I couldn't get six like yesterday... </span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-47723535582331648232018-04-17T21:44:00.000-07:002018-04-17T21:47:06.724-07:00Day 4: 30-Day Pushup Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Six!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-18568980563809280122018-04-16T19:23:00.000-07:002018-04-16T19:25:48.266-07:00Day 3: 30-Day pushup challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Five! After an intense 30 min. jump rope workout... </span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-63528283608909378772018-04-15T17:30:00.001-07:002018-04-15T17:30:31.011-07:00Day 2: 30-Day pushup challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three!</span>Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-35636185371983415982018-04-14T23:25:00.001-07:002018-04-14T23:34:24.959-07:00Day 1: 30-Day Pushup Challenge <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">For those of you who were jocks in high school, motivation to workout is unnecessary. For the rest of us, motivation to get active in adulthood is elusive. Frankly, I would rather do absolutely nothing than move my body to the point of getting sweaty and out of breath. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">However! I am aware that daily movement and sweat = looking good. Also, health = feeling good. But let's be real, it's about looking good. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">So, in the pursuit of vanity, I have decided to adopt the (almost entirely arbitrary) goal of doing 50 consecutive pushups.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRzK0kf0VNA/WtLxayD3AzI/AAAAAAAACDA/JpytnayLGAUnh205THvMbhVTxu-aT3YjQCLcBGAs/s1600/GIJane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRzK0kf0VNA/WtLxayD3AzI/AAAAAAAACDA/JpytnayLGAUnh205THvMbhVTxu-aT3YjQCLcBGAs/s320/GIJane.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those biceps!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Step one is a 30-Day challenge to do as many pushups per day as possible. Pretty sure this will tone my arms nicely. I've always wanted to have better upper-body strength and look more like a soldier than a muppet. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRg7bB7qSFI/WtLrolJtagI/AAAAAAAACCg/3o0qQj_6V0sMkFJq6PrWkHWSGV-6JiQEACEwYBhgL/s1600/grover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="478" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRg7bB7qSFI/WtLrolJtagI/AAAAAAAACCg/3o0qQj_6V0sMkFJq6PrWkHWSGV-6JiQEACEwYBhgL/s320/grover.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No biceps to speak of.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Today, I can do approximately 1.5 regular pushups, or 10 on my knees. It's going to take a while, I guess, but if I do as many as I can every day, then I should probably be able to reach my goal sometime before Christmas. </span></div>
Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-7469618065816064582018-03-10T20:56:00.001-08:002018-04-11T11:22:42.538-07:00#61 - Dog Sledding & #93 - Northern Lights<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes if you wait till the perfect time you never get around to doing things. I realized this in December and, although I'm in school, and working 30 hours a week, and volunteering, and really don't have time for adventures, decided, on a bit of a whim in December, to book a flight to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehorse,_Yukon" target="_blank">Whitehorse</a> using Air Miles and asked my friend Kate if I could stay with her for a few days in March. I decided this winter I would finally cross off dog sledding from my bucket list. Kate has experience as a dog sled guide, so she knew which local outfit to recommend. And she wasn't wrong. <a href="https://www.skyhighwilderness.com/html/index.php" target="_blank">Sky High Ranch</a> was great. I did a day trip (about five hours including a lunch break), and they supplied me with a parka, snow pants, boots, and mitts, fed us a great lunch, and I got to drive my own team. What a day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3DSElupOTM/WqS6QEZIekI/AAAAAAAACA8/ElwrNdSIvcMcxUaxIuNXOZMgmN1EWavAACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3DSElupOTM/WqS6QEZIekI/AAAAAAAACA8/ElwrNdSIvcMcxUaxIuNXOZMgmN1EWavAACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The weather was perfect, the snow was powdery, and the dogs were super affectionate. I didn't have to say "gee" or "haw" since that was the leader's job, but I did have to say either "let's go" or "whoa" and use the foot brake, especially going downhill. Holy smokes, those dogs are strong. I tipped my sled and fell off, but the team still managed to pull me, holding on for dear life, for about 10 feet before slowing down.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLEtESUk7Ek/WqS7SvfGYaI/AAAAAAAACBQ/eODLm6x8XD8F_aSk9RWNC775cuzOaZbTwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLEtESUk7Ek/WqS7SvfGYaI/AAAAAAAACBQ/eODLm6x8XD8F_aSk9RWNC775cuzOaZbTwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6956.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but the best way I can sum it up is to say that dog sledding is kind of like cross-country skiing, but with dogs and adrenaline. You definitely need to be in half-way decent shape. My arms and quads will be sore tomorrow from all the work, and I was out of breath on the steep up-hills from having to help the dogs out by pushing with one foot (think skateboarding to get momentum going). But if you want a True North experience, definitely give dog sledding a go. It was an experience unlike I've had before and will likely have again. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGvXV3sQPik/WqS6yHXMocI/AAAAAAAACBE/ZtEJdD3JprofbAkRYqkxE1eymjWLCYt2ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGvXV3sQPik/WqS6yHXMocI/AAAAAAAACBE/ZtEJdD3JprofbAkRYqkxE1eymjWLCYt2ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and...! Last night Kate and I were walking home from the movies around 9:30 and noticed this great big, iridescent green streak in the sky. The <a href="https://www.travelyukon.com/en/things-to-do/article/northern-lights" target="_blank">Northern Lights</a>! I saw it in all its glory! We drove up Grey Mountain and turned off the headlights and just stared for ages at the great shimmering green waving its way across the stars. It looked almost like smoke, but glowing. So incredible to see with my own eyes, even though I've seen very impressive photos of it, of course. I would've taken a photo, but only had my iPhone, which wouldn't nearly do it justice, if it managed to capture any light at all. So you'll just have to take my word for it that in Whitehorse on March 9, 2018, the Aurora Borealis was really pretty good. (Kate's lived here off and on for a few years and she gave it a 9 out of 10, so I'm pretty happy.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two things crossed off my bucket list in one weekend. Woot!</span></div>
<br />Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0Whitehorse, YT, Canada60.7211871 -135.0568448000000260.2238421 -136.34773830000003 61.218532100000004 -133.7659513tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-74586898580313947382017-12-04T20:44:00.003-08:002017-12-04T21:14:21.959-08:00Do you want to be an entrepreneur, or do you want to make money?<span style="font-size: large;">Most people have little dreams that burst forth every now and then into their consciousness of quitting their jobs after becoming gloriously successful in the wonderful world of business. The word "entrepreneur," for some, is like a beacon of hope, illuminating fantasies of quitting desk jobs to launch the next Starbucks, or Lululemon, or Apple. But for the rest of us, the prospect of becoming self-employed, forging ahead entirely on our own, to be entirely responsible for our entire income, is daunting, to say the least. Perhaps even downright frightening. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you really want the full responsibility of operating your own business? This is not a rhetorical question. Some people genuinely thrive in this kind of scenario. I know I did not. In 2012 I had the enlightening experience of taking a six-week self-employment/solo startup program at a local community college, with a bunch of other recently unemployed people who also thought this was going to be an easy and freeing route to take, but the reasons for which I am glad I took the course are quite the opposite to those I had at the time expected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For one, I learned that a business idea is only as good as the market demand for the product or service you plan to provide, no matter how much "passion" you have for providing it. I started a communications company (really a videography company) that I was very excited about because I loved making YouTube videos. What I learned about five months after launching my business was that I really didn't enjoy making videos for OTHER PEOPLE (ie. the market). I just liked making them for myself. Purely for fun. Yes, I had/have a passion for making YouTube videos, but my passion for it was just about eradicated after making less than a handful of marketing videos for other small businesses and organizations because it ended up once again feeling like work rather than the purely creative, spirited, playful joy I had tapped into when I was creating just to be creative. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think where I failed in that initial attempt at starting my own grown up version of a lemonade stand was that I thought I had to think small but act big. Lemme e'splain:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Think small, but act big</b> = starting with an idea for a small business and vague reason for starting it (eg. a video company because it would be cool to get paid to make videos) and then taking big bold steps to launch a company with a registered name (Rogue Wave Communications), website, business cards, and lots of expensive equipment... after spending weeks doing surveys and market research to construct a 25 page business plan to show investors... all before soliciting one client or making a single dollar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If the point is to start and grow a company, then fine. I salute you, Mr. Jobs. Go forth with your awesome vision and change the world. But if the point is simply to build your bank account, to grow your savings and get out of debt, then f**k the business plan! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Think BIG, but act small = have a grand goal of making a whole bunch of money, but then go about getting your first dollar in the simplest, fastest, most direct way possible.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">You should feel pretty jazzed about the fact that you don't need a business card or a website or investors or anything at all, actually, to make your first dollar. Or hundred dollars. Look around your apartment, garage, shed, barn, office, and find the stuff you're not using that you can sell and post it on Craigslist or EBay. If, for some reason, you're not sure what those websites are about, or you feel intimidated about using the Internet other than to read blogs like this, then host a classic garage sale to sell your stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make your first fistful of cash and then open a savings account to deposit that cash. This is your startup capital. The money you'll need to invest in your side hustle down the road. For now, it's enough. Actually, it's more than enough, because it's shown you that you need nothing other than a bit of time and gumption to get paid outside your regular job. You'll see it doesn't require an MBA to start hustling, and you don't need to worry about calling yourself an entrepreneur. You'll wake up one day and realize you're exactly that (most likely the day you quit your day job because your hustle has turned into a six-figure income) and you won't have to fake it till you make it. You'll just be making it (money, that is) from day one. Like, today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, that is the first step to getting all the wealth you'll need for whatever it is you need. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Just sell something (or a lot of things) that you already own. Do it! Take a picture with your phone, post it on Craigslist, and before you go to bed you will be $2, or $10, or $50 closer to all your wildest, richest dreams. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Think BIG. Act </span>small<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And just so you don't think I'm all talk, I can assure you I've taken this first step and have sold the following on Craigslist since the summer:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">- soccer cleats, shin guards, and socks ($40)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- two small animal cages with accessories ($100 total)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- headphones ($15)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still have to post several other items I have at my parents' house, including my bicycle, some other sports equipment, and some clothes, but I feel I've made a decent start. There's just something different about the feeling of earning money directly rather than through an employer. Something awesomely different. </span><br />
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Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-64614053660686449032017-11-21T21:27:00.001-08:002017-11-30T21:14:45.420-08:0010 Years of Bucket Listing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3PtsdhsbFM/WhUKuni6zXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/rB_S98wg3Y84lZEgcoY4J1vhhM5Hb1UKACLcBGAs/s1600/100-before-you-die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1221" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3PtsdhsbFM/WhUKuni6zXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/rB_S98wg3Y84lZEgcoY4J1vhhM5Hb1UKACLcBGAs/s640/100-before-you-die.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Almost 10 years ago (February 2008) I posted <a href="http://marelle100things.blogspot.ca/2008/02/" target="_blank">the first note</a> on this blog, explaining why I was embarking on a life-long journey to try some stuff and learn some things and become someone. In the last 10 years I've crossed off 21 of my 100 goals, and at least one of those goals has truly altered the course of my life. (Driving across the country in 2013 took me to Newfoundland, where I unexpectedly ended up living for almost two years and made a lot of friends and had an incredible time). I've also run a marathon, shaved my head, read the entire bible, and gone back to school (with the end goal of getting into grad school), among other things that were interesting, challenging, or just plain fun (like the police ride-along). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back on this decade-long run of dreaming and planning and attempting to get through it, I've realized that while many other goals and dreams have come up that I could add to this list, I'm still feeling jazzed about all these things that I wanted to accomplish, or try, or be at that time, and I still want to do and be and try. In fact, more than ever. I'm down another decade of life and I've gotten only one fifth of the way through my life list... I'd better get on the fast track! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I'm only becoming more and more obsessed by the whole notion of life lists/bucket lists and what it means to set personal goals and challenges to aim for in the time we have on this planet, whether in the short-term or begin a journey of a thousand miles (travelling the world), or 10,000 hours (becoming a proficient writer), or a new life path that will take you through the rest of your days (like becoming a parent). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Why create a bucket list?</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think a list of life goals gives you an excuse to pursue things that will bring the greatest memories when you're on your deathbed, and which one might not otherwise get around to doing. Or maybe I'm just a list freak who feels it's absolutely necessary to complete any task I put down in writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But whatever the reason, I'm not alone. A lot of people have bucket lists, some of which you can find online, often in the form of a blog like this. It's fun to check out what other people's life goals are. Most common include various international travel goals, earning a certain amount of money and/or starting a business, and an inordinate number of people dream about writing a book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the best bucket lists I've found around the web are:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Joel Runyon's <a href="https://impossiblehq.com/impossible-list/" target="_blank">Impossible List</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Thomas Frank's <a href="https://collegeinfogeek.com/about/meet-the-author/my-impossible-list/" target="_blank">Impossible List</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Steve Kamb's <a href="https://www.nerdfitness.com/epic-quest/" target="_blank">Epic Quest of Awesome</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Tal Gur's <a href="https://fullylived.com/100-life-goals-list/" target="_blank">100 Life Goals List</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How?</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">We all have goals and dreams of all kinds, and I think coming up with a list isn't the hard part for most of us. I like the idea that we're all living in a world in which sharing ideas for what kinds of things we want to accomplish in our lives, and sharing ideas on how to go about pursuing these things is becoming easier every day. Not the goals themselves, of course - the doing is always going to be just that - but the ability to aim high and turn ideas into action is now more possible than ever, mostly due to the Internet. Having the ability to communicate and connect with others anywhere on the planet who are pursuing the same things you are is mind-blowing when you really think about it. Anything you're into, there's a place (and an app) for that online. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think that's pretty flipping awesome. Anything you want to do, or learn, or acquire, or fix, or share, you can find a way via the world wide web. So there's no stopping you from going after whatever it is you want. Frankly, I think there are only two real obstacles to achieving whatever you happen to have on your life list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The 2 Things You Need to Accomplish ANYTHING</span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ready for it? I honestly think the only two things standing in my way, and in yours, are: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Money</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seriously, think about it. What's stopping you from getting crazy fit like you've always wanted to be? Time. And what's stopping you from jetting off to see the world like you've always dreamed of doing? Money.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you won the lottery you'd have the funds and the freedom from having to work for the funds to pursue whatever goals you might have. (An obvious third requirement for most </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">endeavours</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is health and vitality, which is why I believe health is imperative and something we should safeguard and promote if we're going to have the energy needed to get things done, but that's a topic for another post.) I truly feel like time and money are the two biggest obstacles to pursuing our bucket lists with a vengeance. I mean, most people have to work to earn the money needed to pursue cool adventures and projects, and most means of income mean trading hours for dollars. So what's the answer?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Smart investing. Crowd funding. Entrepreneurship. Side hustling!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chris Guillebeau has a great podcast called <a href="https://sidehustleschool.com/podcasts/" target="_blank">Side Hustle School</a>, and he recently published his latest best-seller, aptly called Side Hustle. I've been following his awesome quests (such as visiting every country in the world) for years, and have found inspiration in hearing about other regular people on his podcast breaking free of the barriers of time and money by earning multiple streams of income, and even passive income. It's how the above noted successful bucket listers have managed to accomplish all the goals on their lists. They found ways to earn money online, and thereby have both the freedom and the funds to go after the projects and pursuits that really lit their fire. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So. Here I am, coming up on a decade of this bucket list, and planning to get into high gear to blast through a bunch more items in the next 10 years. It's exciting to dream of the adventures, but even more exciting to make them real. I just need to start a side hustle... more on this very soon!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's your next bucket list goal, and how are you planning to fund it?</b></span></div>
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Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-77233472468089502702016-11-19T22:00:00.005-08:002016-11-19T22:45:48.426-08:00#15 - Adopt an Animal from a Shelter<span style="font-size: large;">Rats! I got two of them today. Meet Nasdaq (the albino) and Dow Jones (the hooded). Here is my friend Lindsay holding them. She'd never held rats before, and despite being a real animal lover, had her reservations at first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit, I don't blame her because, hell... they're rats. I think most people probably have an innate aversion at least to some degree because we probably carry in our genes the warning that, "hey, that thing harbours the plague!" and even if today they don't carry horrific deadly diseases, anything that calls an industrial garbage bin its natural habitat is unlikely to be thought well of by the human race... but these are fancy rats, which means they've been selectively bred for over a century and are many, many, many generations removed from wild rats (or, as I like to think of them, "thug rats,") and are thus much more sophisticated, high brow, and cultured. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My two guys are brothers (no need to guess about a rat's gender - the females are significantly smaller and lack the absolutely massive scrotums the boys' have at the base of their tails. Unfortunate, but true.) I decided on male rats because they're known to be more docile/affectionate and less "busy" than the females, who tend to want to spend more time running around and playing with each other as opposed to curling up on their human's lap. I also decided to get two instead of just one (despite the very real awareness that this makes me, by definition, a "crazy rat lady," because rats are incredibly social animals that normally live in packs, or colonies, and since I spend a lot of time out of the house most days, I think it would be cruel to leave one of them alone for long stretches of time. However, they still require human attention/affection, much like dogs and cats do, which means when I'm home in the evenings I'll be taking them out of their cage to play with them and let them snuggle into my hoodie while I'm studying. I'm also looking forward to the possibility of training them to come on command (rats learn their names and can learn many of the same tricks that dogs can). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've always wanted to adopt an animal from a shelter </span><span style="font-size: large;">(or "rescue" as some like to say to make themselves feel extra heroic) </span><span style="font-size: large;">because there are so many animals of all kinds (cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, cockateels, and the list goes on) that are in need of homes because people gets pets and then treat them like any other "thing" you can buy at Walmart and then toss when they get tired of them or find they actually require some work and attention. The <a href="http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/adopting-pets.aspx" target="_blank">Vancouver Animal Shelter</a> has quite a few animals for adoption right now, and, of course, so do other shelters, rescue organizations, and the SPCA. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the wall at the Vancouver Animal Shelter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But do you know how easy it is to get a couple of pet rats compared to say, a dog? </span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I decided, like, yesterday that I thought it would be cool to have a pet rat. All you have do is walk into the shelter, find the rodent room, pick out the cutest ones (but let's be honest, rats are all clones of each other, so any two will do), sign a couple of papers, hand over $5 for each of them, and leave. You can be the proud owner of a couple of fancy rats less than an hour after coming up with the idea. Want a dog? Expect paperwork comparable to that of adopting a child. And fees that are also a lot higher than for a pocket-sized furry friend. A purebred dog from a breeder will cost about the same as a used Toyota. My rats, with tax, cost me less than a six pack of beer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why don't more people get rats as pets? They're as intelligent, trainable, and affectionate as dogs, but are totally quiet, litter trainable, and don't require exercising. And unlike hamsters, gerbils, and even guinea pigs, rats are least likely of all rodents to bite. They actually enjoy being handled, which means they're great first pets for kids. I know hamsters are infinitely cuter (my mother says my rats' tails give her "the willies"), but as the shelter worker said when she was showing me an absolutely adorable little dwarf hamster this afternoon, these little bastards can and will draw blood. He's actually bitten everyone who's tried to touch him. Who wants that? Hamsters are like rattle snakes packaged in bite-sized bundles of adorable, while rats are like labrador retriever puppies packaged in hateful bodies with eyes that say, "come closer and let me suck out your soul." At least the albino ones are. Poor little guys. They just want to be loved, but damn, Nasdaq's freaky eyes are going to take some getting used to. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, another item off the bucket list. This one rather suddenly, and without too much forethought, but sometimes life is like that. One day you're just living your rodent-free life, and the next you're sleeping with a couple of rats not three feet from your bed. (I'm going to be single forever, aren't I?)</span><br />
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<br />Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-7010938931871850552016-08-14T20:07:00.003-07:002016-11-19T22:21:27.865-08:00#58 - Nude Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical summer day at Wreck Beach, Vancouver, BC <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo: WBPS)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I unexpectedly got to cross off another item from my bucket list. This one... be nude at a nude beach. I spent several hours in the sun, swimming, suntanning, and walking around in my birthday suit among hundreds of strangers, many of whom were also not wearing a lick of clothing. It was surreal. And pretty awesome. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rules of Wreck (photo: <a href="http://niftynotcool.com/">niftynotcool.com</a>)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adriana and I had planned to go up to the Sunshine Coast to visit friends but forgot to make ferry reservations, so we couldn't get on and realized we both have to work Monday, so our plans fell through. Well, no matter – fish 'n chips and a skinny dip in the sea made for a lovely summer afternoon. When A suggested Wreck Beach (being shocked to learn I had never been!), I was like, let's do it! I had always imagined crossing off this bucket list item in Europe, where I imagine all the beaches are nude beaches and all the people look like Christiano Ronaldo, and yet I thought, why wait to go abroad to get naked in public? I can do that right here in my hometown! And besides, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wreckbeach.org/" target="_blank">Wreck Beach</a> is the <a href="http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2015/08/04/vancouvers-wreck-beach-tops-list-of-best-nude-beaches-in-canada.html" target="_blank">No. 1 nude beach in Canada</a> (</span><span style="font-size: large;">according to a 2015 article in Metro News). Coming in second place is Hanlan's Point Beach on Toronto Island, followed by Oka Park near Montreal, Crystal Crescent Beach in Nova Scotia, and Beechgrove in Scarborough, Ontario. I was </span><span style="font-size: large;">introduced me to the nuanced rules and regulations of this super popular spot and am pretty jazzed about the proximity of a world-class nude beach not far from where I live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what's it like to be naked in public?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know those nightmares people talk about, where they realize they're in the middle of Times Square, and they're not wearing pants? And they freak out? Well, a nude beach is nothing like that. It's the strangest thing, but when half the people around you are also wearing nothing but sunglasses, it becomes normalized, and quite freeing. If you enjoy skinny dipping, then hanging out at a nude beach is taking it to a whole other level. The feeling of taking off my shorts and t-shirt, then underwear and bra, without trying to be modest and actually with the intention of lying fully exposed for anyone to see, was surprisingly okay. Or, maybe I'm just a nudist at heart, and never realized it until now... I was even quite comfortable walking all the way over to the pit toilets, buck naked, by myself, past hundreds of strangers, many of whom were clothed. It's obviously a very body-positive place, and not everyone (though there were definitely some) looks like they've just come from the gym. Maybe it's because I'm in my 30s, or maybe it's because I was just another nude woman on the beach, but I honestly think I was self-conscious only about how incredibly pale I am. (In fact, fishbelly white, is how I might describe my lack of colour.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, because we all know it's "photos or it didn't happen," here is a shot of my bare butt on the sand. (We had to take it fast and couldn't include any of the crowd because photography is frowned upon... for obvious reasons.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you turn right, there are mostly clothed folks, but if you turn left (as we did), you'll find the majority (or maybe more like 2/3) of people are without coverage. We walked past the vendors selling food, sarongs (for those more inclined towards modesty, I guess), and various other items (including various illegal substances, but the unspoken rules of Wreck Beach include the cops turning a blind eye as long as no one gets stupid). We set up our towels, stripped, and </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">went for a swim. Walking the 20 feet or so to the water, I realized I was not being gawked at, and I was also not compelled to gawk. Other than the first reaction I had of thinking to myself, "Oh, wow, those guys are totally naked," when seeing a very tanned couple of dudes walking towards me with their stuff all out there, I very quickly got used to the number of breasts, penises, and pubic hair (or lack thereof) that was visible... and yet not inappropriate.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Context is everything. Once A and I came back in from a wonderfully refreshing swim (avoiding getting hit by an errant frisbee tossed by another group of nude dudes), we made our way back to our towels to suntan, and we didn't even have to worry about tan lines. Bonus!</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">How to get the most out of Wreck Beach</b></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot people come to Vancouver for a "nakation" (naked vacation) every summer – according to what I've learned from Google – and I can see why. Wreck is a huge, gorgeous beach with so many people who have collectively decided that being friendly and having a clothing-optional good time is where it's at. Even the cops are chill. Here are my suggestions for getting the most out of your first time at this beach:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Get naked.</b> And not just, li</span><span style="font-size: large;">ke, topless, or whatever. I mean fully nude. Don't overthink it, and remember, nobody is going to stare because, hey, you're just another body on the beach. <a href="https://niftynotcool.com/2013/07/25/wreck-beach-and-the-true-meaning-of-clothing-optional/" target="_blank">Some people</a> even sugge</span><span style="font-size: large;">st not stripping down to your birthday suit goes against the spirit of the place, and I kind of agree. While it's obviously not required that everyone goes bare, I think if you're going to show up you might as well show off. Go fully monty and fit in. Otherwise, why not just go to English Bay? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Don't stare, and don't take photos.</b> I think the fact that everyone is very respectful of each other is what makes this place great. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bring supplies.</b> There are pit toilets at the bottom of the long stairway, so no need to worry about tp or where to pee, and there are vendors selling food and drinks (of all sorts) until just before sunset, but you'll want to make sure to bring cash if you're not going to bring your own food. Definitely bring water and sunscreen. You don't want to get dehydrated, or burn delicate parts. Also, bring a friend or two, unless you're willing to be a solo weirdo or brave enough to approach a group of strangers and invite yourself to their no-pants party.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be prepared for the stairs.</b> The way down is easy, but the 430-odd stairs (I counted) back up the hill to the road is a bitch. Make sure you're mentally and physically prepared to end your day with a bit of a workout.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stay for the drum circle.</b> When we were leaving, just after the sun had set, we walked past a throng of people writhing to a steady drum beat, one guy gyrating atop a log, his dark skin glistening in the dusk light. It was sort of like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwbwEZtpEZU" target="_blank">that scene from the Matrix III</a>, where everyone's in that underground rave cave, sweating in a veritable orgy of heathen ecstasy. I thought of staying, but realized this was my first time at Wreck, and there will be future drum circles to work my way into. No fomo, as the kids say. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Park at the Museum of Anthropology. </b>If you can't get a free spot along the east side of S.W. Marine Drive, this is probably you're best bet. There were loads of space available when we arrived in the covered lot, and it cost $8 for the day. Machine only takes credit, though, so have that on hand (but also cash for a boozy Freezee when you get to the beach). The walk from the parking lot to the sand took about 10 minutes. </span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long hike down to the beach <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo: <a href="http://westcoastdiscovered.com/">WestCoastDiscovered.com</a>)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere at Wreck and I will definitely be back again soon. The summer days in Vancouver are spectacular, and yesterday was no exception. This is a great place to enjoy it. </span></div>
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Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253842893730100378.post-69736738889792154182016-06-30T13:59:00.000-07:002016-06-30T15:11:27.126-07:00Why do math problems always involve pizza?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel for this woman. And yet... it's pretty damn funny, innit? </div>
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This video should be played on the first day of every Grade 8 math class in schools,<br />
just to show kids it's worth it to pay attention.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've not been posting for a while because, well, I've been busy doing math (and a lot of other schoolwork). A few weeks ago I wrote the test for rate & ratio and got 95%, and on Thursday, I wrote the geometry test and got 90%. This is pretty amazing to me, considering I was the kid who froze at just the sight of numbers and failed both Math 11 and 12. Granted, the math I'm doing now covers Grades 8-10, but still, I'm doing a lot better at it then I ever did before. So what's the deal?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How does a math-phobic person go from not getting that a whole pizza is always a whole pizza no matter how many ways you slice it, to getting an A in geometry?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have two hypotheses: </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">You need to have a purpose. I care to try now because I have a purpose behind understanding and getting a good grade in the subject. (If you want to do a psychology degree you have to take stats and research classes, both of which require a C- or better in Math 11), and... </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">You need to be an adult. I'm far less distracted outside a high school classroom, working at my own pace, on my own time, with the confidence that comes with being a grownup who figures, if a 13-year old can do this, why can't I? I've wanted to overcome what I feel must be dyscalculia since I failed math in Grade 12, and I don't want to go through the rest of my life thinking of myself as unable to deal with numbers. </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's the secret to word problems?</b></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's an example of a type of math problem that used to freak me out immediately: </span><br />
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Dan works at a pizza shop. For every three cheese pizzas that Dan makes, he makes one mushroom pizza. If he made 12 mushrooms pizzas, how many cheese pizzas did he make?</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first step is to figure out what the question looks like without all those confusing words – what's the equation that we're being asked to solve? Well, in this case, it's these fractions:</span></div>
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What is x if 3/1 = x/12? Well, x = (3x12)/1</blockquote>
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So, if for every three cheese pizzas, Dan can make one mushroom pizza, then this should be expressed as a ratio of 3:1 (or a fraction of 3/1), and if the ratio we're looking to solve is x:12 (or x/12), then we need to cross multiply (the numerator of the first ratio and the denominator of the second ratio) to get a new numerator, and the denominator is the leftover denominator of the first fraction. Therefore, 3x12 (divided by 1) = 36. So the ratio we're looking for is 3:1 or 36:12, therefore...</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dan can make 36 cheese pizzas for every 12 mushroom pizzas that he makes. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And somehow this makes sense to me now. Miracle of miracles. I can even convert fractions to percents, and percent to decimals. Here are a quick few rules of thumb:</span><br />
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<li>A percent (x%) expressed as a fraction is that number over 100 (x/100)</li>
<li>A decimal (0.00) expressed as a percent (0%) requires the decimal move two to the right (so, 0.08 = 008. = 8%)</li>
<li>A percent (x%) expressed as a decimal (0.00) requires the decimal move two to the left (so, 50% = 0.50)</li>
<li>A fraction (x/1) expressed as a percent (x%) requires changing the fraction to a decimal, and then from a decimal to a percent, as above. </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that's how you slice a pizza. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Next up, algebra. Two units of that and I'll be ready for Math 11 in September. Hopefully it will be the last math course I ever take, but I have to say I'm actually kind of enjoying the work, and I'm determined to do well so I can cross this one off my list. </span></div>
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<br />Marellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159682488689318933noreply@blogger.com0