Feasting & Exercising

Wow... what a week it has been. Plenty of food.... all kinds of food... and in abundance too! Never mind that it's Lent! And quite a bit's happened too in between.

Have I blogged about the cold crab we had for my family's early Reunion dinner yet? I can't remember and I suppose I should check my blog first but I can't be bothered. Anyway, it's worth repeating even if I'd already blogged it.

Iggy's had to work over Chinese New Year, so we had our reunion dinner early, on 11th Feb at Singapura Restaurant. We usually cook and have it in, but no-one could be bothered to do that this year. I'd heard about the cold crab at this restaurant and honestly, it's about the only thing I can remember of the feast we had. Now, I'm fairly ok with crab but you don't normally catch me eating them outside my own home. But cold crab is another matter altogether. I'm not going into all the details but suffice to say I can't resist it. Anyway, it was good... really really good... *slurp*

Then there was the reunion dinner with the in-laws - the usual steamboat, nothing to shout about. Followed by CNY itself and all the requisite eating. I felt totally lousy on the first day. I had a stuffy nose, a splitting headache and the hot weather was simply awful. I pushed on but totally crashed by 11pm. The second day, I felt a lot better and even went to the gym and did 90 minutes work out. I went to the Club this time and it was lot more pleasant than the CC gym. Too bad I can't bring my trainer there as it's only for members so I guess I'll have to stick with the CC until I can get a routine going. Anyway, the workout was rejuvenating and I went on to win $7 that evening playing blackjack with the nieces and nephews. Gambling's a requisite of CNY. The 3rd day, Iggy was back so he came over to visit and have lunch. It was kinda last-minute but I managed to mop the floor and cook a full 5-course meal in just a little over an hour. Thank goodness they were late... hehehe... and after that, we all went over the aunts' place for a bit. Nice.

The few days of work after the hols was pure torture. I just did what I had to do - nothing more. I simply could not get myself into working mode.

Caroline and Iggy moved house on Friday. They had said they didn't need any help but at the last minute, Iggy sms'd for help as the movers had taken much longer than expected to pack and move. I had to cancel my gym session and buy dinner for them after work. But the new place is really nice. I like it. It's even got a beautiful garden and a swimming pool. If I didn't have 3 dogs and could stand being cooped up in an apartment, I'd buy a unit there too :-)

Yesterday was the Rite of Election. It was nice and all our catechemens made it despite having so many doubts and problems in the days preceding this Rite. It shows that the evil one is really working overtime on this - not wanting people to be saved etc. Later that night, mom, the bros and I went to Uncle Thomas' wake. He was 75. He was papa's sister's husband. A bit of a tyrant and control freak despite having had a stroke and a weak heart ever since I can remember. I was always scared of him and I think we were just pests to him. I don't recall him ever having spoken a single word to me all my life. Heck, I didn't even know his name was Thomas until yesterday. Oh well, may he rest in peace.

And oh, I made it to the gym again today. Worked out for 2 hours. Managed to do 80 ab crunches which is the best so far. My target is 100. I'm glad I went as it was a really hot day and I really didn't feel like going out at all. Only thing is that the dogs need a bath and I've been out all day at the gym. I'll bathe them on Tuesday.

Tomorrow's the funeral but I can't go as I've got a training session to attend. Then we're celebrating Mom's birthday tomorrow night. Was hoping for more cold crab, but it seems the restaurant doesn't serve it during CNY season. Mommy just called to say she didn't want to celebrate her birthday cos it felt weird to be going to the funeral followed by a celebration. But I told her to let the dead bury the dead. Oops, I forgot to invite the aunts. Shall ask Mommy to do it tomorrow. I can't as will be at the training.

So that much has happened in the last week or so. Aaaarrggh... just the thought of going back to work makes me sick. I hate work!!

V-day update

Bet you thought from the title of this post that I was going to tell you how I spent Valentine's Day, which is today. But it's not. I don't do Valentine's Day and the reason for the title is cos I'm updating my blog on V-day. That's it :-)

Happy Valentine's Day? Why do people pick 1 day out of whole year's worth of days to get all romantic? Pay 3 times more for flowers, eat an overpriced dinner and make all the single, lonely people out there feel even more lonely and crappy about themselves. Like Christmas, Valentine's Day has been exploited by retailers, restaurants, florists and even spas. That which at its core is a religious holiday has been besmirched by the mark of capitalism. Or maybe I'm just jealous cos the husband doesn't believe in Valentine's Day... hehe...

Let me talk about my haps and mishaps at the gym. Yes, I've finally started going. Twice a week for 2 weeks now. Has it only been 2 weeks? It feels much longer....

After the first session, I thought I was going to die. Honest. Started with the cross trainer and after 5 minutes on the darn thing, I was sure my heart was going to burst. Then I thought my leg was going to fall off. After 10 mins I wished my heart would just burst and get it over with... take me out of my misery. But it didn't. Talk about my cheatin' heart... But I managed to stay on the darn thing 25 mins without embarrasing myself then Sunny made me do a series of toning exercises for the arms and legs.

I ached for the next 3 days after that and was due for the next session before the aches had subsided, so I pleaded to use the exercise bike instead of cross trainer for the 2nd session. Bad mistake. Legs hurt just as much, heart threatened just as much to burst PLUS butt now hurt too.

But the 4th session, I was almost breezing through the cross trainer already. ALMOST but not quite. The other machines were ok. I think I'm quite strong on the biceps as I've no problem there. BIG, HUGE problem is the crunches. I totally suck at ab crunches. I've been doing it flat so far and I can't do more than 5 at a stretch without taking a long break in between. Then Sunny wanted me to use this bench where I had to hook my legs around something and hang practically upside down. No way José! I'm not a bat and I might just roll off the darn thing and have my head on the ground and my butt in the air with my legs hooked around the contraption.

Oops, it's almost 2am already. I better get to bed. I need to go to the market early tomorrow morning to get stuff for the reunion dinner. Goodnite friends and fans!