Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles

My dad got me a ticket to go see Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles as a gift. I heard good things about the show but it wasn't on the top of my list for shows to see. My parents had gone to see it and they both loved it. I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it might be similar to Jersey Boys or Million Dollar Quartet where it has a concert feel but at the same time has a story incorporated.

The show ended up being like a concert. It was very entertaining. The actors were extremely talented and sounded just like the Beatles. I enjoyed the second act a lot better than the first. I especially loved Let it Be and Hey Jude. The audience was wonderful. They were very into it and it was obvious that the actors were getting energy from us. It's always fun when everyone is having a good time.

What have you done this week? Anything fun?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Tropical Smoothie

Since I am trying to consume more fruit, I decided to have a smoothie as one of my meals during the day. Recently, I haven't been very hungry for at least one meal. I think it's due to the warmer weather. 

I normally drink a mixed berry smoothie made with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cherries with almond milk and chia seeds. I wanted to try something different. I decided on a tropical smoothie. I got a frozen tropical fruit mix with pineapple, mango, strawberries, and papaya. I made the smoothie with about a cup of fruit and about 3/4 to 1 cup of almond milk. 

So delicious!  I wasn't sure if I'd like it but it came out great!

Have you tried anything new this week?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Zumba

This past Saturday, my circuit training class was cancelled because the trainer was out of town. So I went with a woman from the group to a Zumba class.

I've only taken one formal Zumba class and played my Zumba game on my Kinect. So I was excited to take another Zumba class. This one had a twist because the instructor added weights. She said to bring 1-3 lb weights. I only own 3 lbs weights, so I brought them. I didn't think it would be too difficult. Boy was I wrong! I was only able to use the weights once. It was a bit much for me. I didn't use them again the rest of the class because I didn't want to hurt myself. Since I'm so out of shape, I'm treating my body as a beginner. I take my time and listen to my body. When it says to slow down or stop, I do. I loved the class. I was soaked by the time it ended. 

Last time I took a class, I was more out of shape than I am now. I was barely able to get through a class. I'd get out of breath so bad that I had to stop in order to breathe. I guess I've improved since then because I was able to get through this class. I only had to stop once to stretch out my knee (I've had knee problems since I was fifteen). If my circuit training is ever cancelled again or I want to do something different, I think I'll go back to this class.  Definitely a good time.

What workouts have you done this week?

"Keep Moving Forward"

What You Think Matters

This is very true.  As I started out on my journey to become vegan and be the healthiest version of myself, I worried about what others thought. The more I focused on what makes me happy and healthy, other people's opinions became less and less important. What I thought mattered more.  The less complicated life became. Now if someone has a different opinion than mine, I'll listen. But if I disagree, I'll either voice my opinion or shrug it off. What I think of myself and my personal beliefs is more important than what others think of me.

What do you think of yourself?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Gratefulness

This week I am grateful for...

May 19 - I am grateful for a wonderful day at work, for getting a "warm fuzzy" from one of the teachers, and for amazing friends.

May 22 - I am grateful for knowing what I need versus eating my feelings. I came home from work irritated.  I was tempted to go to the store and get junk food. Instead, I played a dance game on my Kinect, ate what I had at home, and did some art while watching a movie. I went to bed happy.

May 23 - I am grateful for going to Zumba today. Yesterday, I agreed to go with a woman I met at my circuit training class. I was tempted not to go because I was tired. But since I agreed, I went anyway. It was such a great workout. Since I went, I made better choices during the day. I went grocery shopping and picked healthier options. Then enjoyed the rest of my day with movies, organizing and relaxing. What a great day.

What are you grateful for?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Circuit Training

Last Saturday, I went to a group circuit training class.  I signed up for it through a meetup.com group. I'm hoping to meet new people and make friends. 

The class was a good price.  There were only five of us including the trainer. I liked the small group atmosphere.  It was a great set-up as well.  I loved the variety of the workout.

I had never used weights as part of my workout before.  It was wonderful.  I was so sore the next day, but it was well worth it. I have been in a workout rut. I'd workout here and there but I haven't been extremely driven.  I needed a push in the right direction. I knew that joining a meetup where I can socialize and get a good workout in would benefit me.

Since last Saturday, I have eaten healthier, made better choices and exercised more. I think I've felt more accountable. I'm meeting with a group and am motivated to be in the best shape I can be. 

I had a goal to workout three times this week.  I accomplished this goal. I did circuit training, did my elliptical for twenty minutes, and played a dance game on my Kinect.  It's a start. I'm the type of person who gets addicted to exercise once I get the ball rolling.  I feel like the ball has been put into motion. I look forward to the next circuit training class.

Have you tried a new workout lately?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Circuit Workout

This past Saturday I went to a circuit training group.  I've never done circuit training before (let alone used weights as part of my workout).  I loved it.  I ended up finding a lot of circuit workouts on Pinterest. This was one of my favorites.

What new workouts have you tried?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Mamma Chia

The other day I went shopping at Whole Foods.  What I love about that store is the occasional product tasting.  You can try various brands of products for free!

Mamma Chia was set up at the store giving out samples.  I could have tried all the flavors, but I decided to try two.  I love chia seeds, but I've been scared to try this product and recipes like last week's chia pudding because of how it looks.  I decided to try the Blackberry Hibiscus first.  It was tasty.  The texture is a little weird.  It's kinda like lumpy jello before it hardens.  I also tried the Strawberry Lemonade.  OH MY GOODNESS IS THAT DELICIOUS!  Now if you try this product, you might prefer a different flavor but I'm prone to the tart flavors.

Strawberry Lemonade is definitely my favorite.  I ended up buying two.

What are you scared to try?

Go on an adventure and try something new!

"Keep Moving Forward"

Care and Support

This is definitely true.  Especially for someone like me, who sometimes needs to vent but doesn't necessarily need to hear a response.  I just need someone to lend an ear and show they care about me.

What can you do to show your love, care and support for someone in your life?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Gratefulness

This week I am grateful for...

May 10 - I am grateful for grocery shopping and rest.  I'm also grateful for advice from my family about a situation I've been nervous about.

May 11 - I am grateful for having a job I love.

May 16 - I am grateful for a great workout and meeting new people.

What are you grateful for?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Dad's Visit

This month my dad came for a visit!  It was so great to spend time with him one on one.  Last time I saw him was Christmas.  Being so far away from my family is difficult.

His visit came at a time when I really needed family time.

He was only here for a weekend, but we managed to do a lot.

The second night he was here, we went to see MacSith, which was a very entertaining play.  It was a mix between Shakespeare's Macbeth and Star Wars.  They meant for the play to be serious, but I found it hilarious.  I just couldn't take it seriously.  It was more of a comedy to me.  I enjoyed it.  They even had fights with lightsabors!  It was pretty cool.

The first night my dad was here, we went to see one of his favorite bands play, Leo and Anto.  This is me with Anto (I believe that's right).  My dad has gone to a lot of their shows and knows them pretty well by now.  They even invite him on stage sometimes.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see that.

That's me and Leo.  

It was a good show.  I enjoyed it.  I never heard their music before.  I do have their CDs and my dad got a couple of them signed.  I never got around to listening.  The music is pretty good.

I'm not a music aficionado like my dad. But I enjoy sharing music with him because of how passionate he is about bands/musicians that he likes.  We even like some of the same ones.

Before seeing MacSith, we spent the day out in the beautiful sunshine.  We went to the zoo.

I thought this was so strange looking.  It's like a root of a tree but it's growing out the side of the trunk instead of in the ground.

I loved this section of all the plants.  I love flowers.  There was so much color.

There was a section of different types of moss.  They definitely have a sense of humor.  Check out all the dinosaurs!

My head is so puny next to those giant leaves.

This was one of my dad's favorites.

This is called a sausage tree.  It really does look like giant sausages hanging down.  I also found it funny that they hung a bat in the tree.  Look how large those "sausages" are compared to the bat!

My dad!

A baby rhino!  So cute!

We don't have a picture, but we also saw a baby gorilla.  We both had never seen one in real life before.  It was very cool.  There was a huge crowd and a lot of the gorilla section was closed off so mom and baby had space to bond.  We ended up standing at the perfect spot and saw the mom climbing and then playing with the baby.  A baby gorilla is so darn cute!  It was such a miraculous thing to witness.

This vulture just stood there.  And I swear he knew I was taking a picture!

He looks like he is staring at me!

A couple seconds after I took this picture, he laid down.  Perfect timing!

Oh!  Look how pretty!

Besides the two shows and the zoo, we walked by the lake and around the city.  We also watched a couple movies.  It was a very relaxing weekend.  We both got to spend time with each other and enjoy the sunshine.  I had such a great time.  I think that this needs to be an annual tradition.  

Perhaps next time it could be during the summer so my dad can enjoy some music festivals.

What have you done this week that makes you happy?

"Keep Moving Forward"