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And the Winner Is…
1 week ago
Friday, September 12, 2008
I just discovered - rather - confirmed a 10 lb gain via my scale. I am reincorporating the daily discipline of the Beck Diet Solution steps and am looking for prayer/accountability partners (the book uses the term diet coach). Beck Diet Solution is a cognitive therapy based program that teaches you how to think like a healthy/slender person (I've heard skinny, but would rather not go there....) and to prepare your mind and environment to support you in your efforts. I already have my Response Cards - including a list of all the reasons I want to lose weight. Some of these are combined, but I thought 10 reasons would be a good place to start.
Day 1: Why I Want To Lose
1. I'll be caring for the body God gave me - and honoring Him in the process.
2. Relieve health problems that I already have, and minimize the chance I get those I run the risk of inheriting
3. Cut down on medical costs
4. Improve self-esteem and confidence
5. Better singing and acting (and dancing!!)
6. Happier looking in the mirror
7. Career improvements
8. No negative comments from people around me
9. Fit into better clothes
10. Feel more comfortable going swimming
Interesting how these have been reworded and reorganized (#1 was always #1, but the rest have changed, and I realized the reason I don't swim as much as I'd like to is because of how I feel in a bathing suit.
Day 2 Pick Two Reasonable Diets
The step for today is to pick two (reasonable) diet plans. I like the simplicity of Eat to Live: fruit in the am, salads and cooked veggies are unlimited, starches should be 1 c, handful of nuts/seeds. It's a vegan diet, but I'm electing to throw in eggs and fish a few times a week (with room for Mom's turkey soup and things like the *occasional* Sierra Turkey sandwich from Panera). This is at least for now - until I understand my protein needs and (probably more importantly) - I get the cash going from the new job. I've been eating a more Americanized diet than feels right for me lately, and it's showing - not only in the weight gain.
I can do this. I can be healthier. I can be stronger. I can be responsible for my own health future.
Day 1: Why I Want To Lose
1. I'll be caring for the body God gave me - and honoring Him in the process.
2. Relieve health problems that I already have, and minimize the chance I get those I run the risk of inheriting
3. Cut down on medical costs
4. Improve self-esteem and confidence
5. Better singing and acting (and dancing!!)
6. Happier looking in the mirror
7. Career improvements
8. No negative comments from people around me
9. Fit into better clothes
10. Feel more comfortable going swimming
Interesting how these have been reworded and reorganized (#1 was always #1, but the rest have changed, and I realized the reason I don't swim as much as I'd like to is because of how I feel in a bathing suit.
Day 2 Pick Two Reasonable Diets
The step for today is to pick two (reasonable) diet plans. I like the simplicity of Eat to Live: fruit in the am, salads and cooked veggies are unlimited, starches should be 1 c, handful of nuts/seeds. It's a vegan diet, but I'm electing to throw in eggs and fish a few times a week (with room for Mom's turkey soup and things like the *occasional* Sierra Turkey sandwich from Panera). This is at least for now - until I understand my protein needs and (probably more importantly) - I get the cash going from the new job. I've been eating a more Americanized diet than feels right for me lately, and it's showing - not only in the weight gain.
I can do this. I can be healthier. I can be stronger. I can be responsible for my own health future.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Am cleaning up my computer files, and found the following quote:
"An opera begins long before the curtain goes up, and ends long after it has
come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my
life long after I've left the opera house." Maria
Callas
True about any type of performing - it lives in your blood and takes a lot more work than it appears to the general public.
"An opera begins long before the curtain goes up, and ends long after it has
come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my
life long after I've left the opera house." Maria
Callas
True about any type of performing - it lives in your blood and takes a lot more work than it appears to the general public.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
7 Keys To Doing The Right Thing | My Super-Charged Life
Ok - this piece is really about ethics in the workplace, but what struck me this morning was how much this can also apply to my work with the Beck Diet Solution.
For those of you who don't know, The Beck Diet Solution is based in cognitive behavioral therapy. Given my push to be responsible for my own well-being, it makes complete sense. Little changes have been easier for me, although I will admit my most difficult adaptation is not eating while standing up. I love to cook, and sampling has always been part and parcel of how I go about it - a dash of this, a dash of that, let's try a little more garlic - or does it need more of something else? I've never been one for being totally accurate, but I will for the sake of becoming aware about what goes in my mouth.
Ok - this piece is really about ethics in the workplace, but what struck me this morning was how much this can also apply to my work with the Beck Diet Solution.
For those of you who don't know, The Beck Diet Solution is based in cognitive behavioral therapy. Given my push to be responsible for my own well-being, it makes complete sense. Little changes have been easier for me, although I will admit my most difficult adaptation is not eating while standing up. I love to cook, and sampling has always been part and parcel of how I go about it - a dash of this, a dash of that, let's try a little more garlic - or does it need more of something else? I've never been one for being totally accurate, but I will for the sake of becoming aware about what goes in my mouth.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Interesting news for the day: Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" is being turned into an opera, by La Scala of all places. It'll be interesting to see what they do with it, but we'll have to wait until 2011. In the meantime, here's a humorous response in the Science section of the New York Times:
The Aria of Prince Algorino
The satire doesn't reflect my feelings about the project - I haven't seen it yet. I just enjoy the creativity that went into this piece of humor.
The Aria of Prince Algorino
The satire doesn't reflect my feelings about the project - I haven't seen it yet. I just enjoy the creativity that went into this piece of humor.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
30 million stimulus payments already sent; where's yours? - MarketWatch
Well, that answers my question. Sigh. Note to self: always do direct deposit...
30 million stimulus payments already sent; where's yours? - MarketWatch
30 million stimulus payments already sent; where's yours? - MarketWatch
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Welcome to OrganicEarthDay.org!
Very cool. This site doesn't cover all organic stores, but you can plug in your zip code and come up with a place that sells organic produce (etc). It mentions Earth Day specifically, but it looks like this page will be up permanently. One can hope!
Welcome to OrganicEarthDay.org!
Welcome to OrganicEarthDay.org!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
My Last Lecture | PARADE Magazine
I just finished reading this article in our Sunday paper. My childhood dreams:
1. To be a writer like Jo March or Laura Ingalls Wilder
2. To help others - an influence of my grandparents. For a while, I wanted to be a physical therapist.
3. I loved singing and dancing to the old LP cast albums my parents had collected: ok - that's a work in progress.
More to follow.
In the meantime, if anyone reads this: what are your childhood dreams?
I just finished reading this article in our Sunday paper. My childhood dreams:
1. To be a writer like Jo March or Laura Ingalls Wilder
2. To help others - an influence of my grandparents. For a while, I wanted to be a physical therapist.
3. I loved singing and dancing to the old LP cast albums my parents had collected: ok - that's a work in progress.
More to follow.
In the meantime, if anyone reads this: what are your childhood dreams?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
iLearn
I'm always on the lookout for free learning sites, and while wrapping up a challenge on iVillage, I discovered this portion of the site:
iLearn
There are courses on Small Business, Finances, and Better Living.
On a totally unrelated note, as I was perusing audition notices, I gradually became aware of a rather large turkey standing on the back deck railing and peering at me through the window. Managed to snag a picture of it and hold the puppies up to see a real live turkey up (very) close. Belle, despite being about 20x smaller than said turkey, lived up to her alpha dog status by attempting to lunge at this monster through the window to defend her kingdom. (It flew off - You go, puppy girl!)
iLearn
There are courses on Small Business, Finances, and Better Living.
On a totally unrelated note, as I was perusing audition notices, I gradually became aware of a rather large turkey standing on the back deck railing and peering at me through the window. Managed to snag a picture of it and hold the puppies up to see a real live turkey up (very) close. Belle, despite being about 20x smaller than said turkey, lived up to her alpha dog status by attempting to lunge at this monster through the window to defend her kingdom. (It flew off - You go, puppy girl!)
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Next Elvis Costello Album Will Use Vinyl Download Format | Listening Post from Wired.com
More on the vinyl front. I'm sitting here imagining a future with nice big librettos in opera LPs - somthing I miss. The booklets in CDs are ok, don't get me wrong, but if you haven't seen the beautiful booklet with Rossini's Siege of Corinthe LP (with Beverly Sills), it just doesn't compare.
Next Elvis Costello Album Will Use Vinyl Download Format | Listening Post from Wired.com
Next Elvis Costello Album Will Use Vinyl Download Format | Listening Post from Wired.com
The Lonely Note: Vinyl vs. CD: An Analog Revival in a Digital World (Part 1 of 3)
I read this interesting note on loneynote.blogspot.com about a resurgence in vinyl recordings. I had to do a double-take, simply because my family thinks I'm crazy to have saved about 100 LPs from the dumpster at the local classical radio station's sale when they switched over to digital. Caveat: itt's in multiple parts, so don't miss any of it.
The Lonely Note: Vinyl vs. CD: An Analog Revival in a Digital World (Part 1 of 3)
The Lonely Note: Vinyl vs. CD: An Analog Revival in a Digital World (Part 1 of 3)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Make a Wish List of Financial Goals ∞ Get Rich Slowly
Make a Wish List of Financial Goals ∞ Get Rich Slowly
Here's an article from another good personal finance blog: Get Rich Slowly. It's all on setting personal goals. My overall goal: to become a better steward of all the riches God chose to give me.
Short term goals:
Move to NYC.
Pay off all debts by the end of the year.
Invest in an iPod and microphone for lessons.
There will be more to add, but for now, back to work. I'm getting ready for the NETCs in March (the application's gone in, but I haven't heard back yet.) It'll be good to spend some time with Kate and Jana - and hopefully fit in a trip to Trader Joe's. I hope TJ's gets to Syracuse! (Same with Whole Foods - all these great businesses ignore the fact that there are *lots* of people north of the GWB in this state.
Here's an article from another good personal finance blog: Get Rich Slowly. It's all on setting personal goals. My overall goal: to become a better steward of all the riches God chose to give me.
Short term goals:
Move to NYC.
Pay off all debts by the end of the year.
Invest in an iPod and microphone for lessons.
There will be more to add, but for now, back to work. I'm getting ready for the NETCs in March (the application's gone in, but I haven't heard back yet.) It'll be good to spend some time with Kate and Jana - and hopefully fit in a trip to Trader Joe's. I hope TJ's gets to Syracuse! (Same with Whole Foods - all these great businesses ignore the fact that there are *lots* of people north of the GWB in this state.
What Do You Do If A Credit Card Employee Calls You? � Blogging Away Debt
What Do You Do If A Credit Card Employee Calls You? Blogging Away Debt
I've been taking some time to learn all I can about personal finance and have discovered more than a few blogs that make for interesting reading. This article caught my eye - in this day and age, one can never be too safe. Take some time to read through Blogging Away Debt - there's some great information.
I've been taking some time to learn all I can about personal finance and have discovered more than a few blogs that make for interesting reading. This article caught my eye - in this day and age, one can never be too safe. Take some time to read through Blogging Away Debt - there's some great information.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
UniLang Community :: Main Page
UniLang Community :: Main Page
I've only done a brief perusal of this site, but it looks too handy to ignore. I'm always on the lookout for language sites, and found this one through one of the personal finance blogs I've taken to reading.
I've only done a brief perusal of this site, but it looks too handy to ignore. I'm always on the lookout for language sites, and found this one through one of the personal finance blogs I've taken to reading.
Check-in:
AW: Reworking Ch 2 due to some things I've recently uncovered.
SCF: Ch 23. Am finding lots more to absorb this time around.
Beck: Have finally started Day 15 (actually doing the program I picked to go with it.)
Morning Pages: 3/7.
Artist's Date: haven't done one recently. I must be better to myself!
Walking: Too cold to walk here, unless it's inside. Am focusing on what I can do at home unless I can get to the gym.
Synchronicity: Emailing Karin about a new opera outreach program and ending up with a few more days worth of work.
Nice Thing for Me Each Day: soak in the whirlpool
Issues: Technique. Work to get inside the music and characters.Work on NETC audition.
Goals: Get ready for NETCs - update audition binder and find a couple of good monologues, refine audition package for opera. Learn No Word From Tom.
Gigs: Syracuse Opera outreach: Ready! Set! Opera!, Telephone, Heroes and Villians, Three Pigs, (and Mule down the road); Full Cast Audio. There also may actually be a need for me to do Don Pasquale, so am adding that into the mix tomorrow.
Day Job: call temp agencies and investigate freelance writing opportunities.
Listening/Opera Videos: Diana Damrau, iTunes aria picks, Don Pasquale
Diction/Dialect/Accent Tape: speech therapy exercises, voice over work
Pedagogy Work: a good solid foundation of breath and relaxation
Creativity Book: The Creativity Book
Performing Business: update resume and calendar
Sight Singing: focus on basic technique - use simple art songs
Acting: monologue memorization; basic warmup
Piano: scales; play through vocal rep
Cello: scales and other technical exercises
Guitar: scales and finger busters
Flute: technical drills
Physical Program: E2L and food combining principles; yoga/other stretching, Pilates, PT exercises, strength training 3x/week, cardio
Family: crochet project work
Spiritual: DQT - Continuing the Psalms devotional book and the one on taming the tongue.
FlyLady: keep decluttering
Car: clean out; oil change
AW: Reworking Ch 2 due to some things I've recently uncovered.
SCF: Ch 23. Am finding lots more to absorb this time around.
Beck: Have finally started Day 15 (actually doing the program I picked to go with it.)
Morning Pages: 3/7.
Artist's Date: haven't done one recently. I must be better to myself!
Walking: Too cold to walk here, unless it's inside. Am focusing on what I can do at home unless I can get to the gym.
Synchronicity: Emailing Karin about a new opera outreach program and ending up with a few more days worth of work.
Nice Thing for Me Each Day: soak in the whirlpool
Issues: Technique. Work to get inside the music and characters.Work on NETC audition.
Goals: Get ready for NETCs - update audition binder and find a couple of good monologues, refine audition package for opera. Learn No Word From Tom.
Gigs: Syracuse Opera outreach: Ready! Set! Opera!, Telephone, Heroes and Villians, Three Pigs, (and Mule down the road); Full Cast Audio. There also may actually be a need for me to do Don Pasquale, so am adding that into the mix tomorrow.
Day Job: call temp agencies and investigate freelance writing opportunities.
Listening/Opera Videos: Diana Damrau, iTunes aria picks, Don Pasquale
Diction/Dialect/Accent Tape: speech therapy exercises, voice over work
Pedagogy Work: a good solid foundation of breath and relaxation
Creativity Book: The Creativity Book
Performing Business: update resume and calendar
Sight Singing: focus on basic technique - use simple art songs
Acting: monologue memorization; basic warmup
Piano: scales; play through vocal rep
Cello: scales and other technical exercises
Guitar: scales and finger busters
Flute: technical drills
Physical Program: E2L and food combining principles; yoga/other stretching, Pilates, PT exercises, strength training 3x/week, cardio
Family: crochet project work
Spiritual: DQT - Continuing the Psalms devotional book and the one on taming the tongue.
FlyLady: keep decluttering
Car: clean out; oil change
Friday, February 08, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Here's a widget link to my SparkRecipes page. I'm experimenting with vegan recipes (I have easy access to other food types far too often - sometimes to the exemption of the healthy stuff!) The juice recipe is my creation, the oatmeal bars are from a friend (thanks David!), and the Tomato-Basil Pizza is from the site itself (I think....)
| see more recipes |
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Check-in:
AW: Chapter 2
Beck: keep practicing the tasks up through Day 14. Issues here: reading the Advantages/Response cards.
SCF/TLT: Day 22.
TOOLS: Day 2
Morning Pages: 3/7.
Artist's Date: used the elliptical by the big windows at the gym so I could enjoy the outdoors. It's far too cold right now to really do that!
Walking: Am taking time to walk around the mall after a gym session. Nothing terribly serious. Again - too cold!
Synchronicity: Running in to Father Ahern at the opera office.
Nice Thing for Me Each Day: soaking in the whirlpool
Issues: Vocal technique. Breathwork (love Weil's Breathing CD). Total body fitness. (include PT)
Goals:
Gigs: Syracuse Opera outreach: Pigs; Telephone, FUUS (Tornami, Prayer, Make Believe)
Day Job: call temp agencies
Listening/Opera Videos: Telephone, Tornami, Prayer
Diction/Dialect/Accent Tape: speech therapy exercises, vocalises. Add in Vaccai given time
Pedagogy Work: a good solid foundation of breath and relaxation
Creativity Book: The Creativity Book and Fearless Creating (Maisel)
Performing Business: send out promo packets for the auditions, update calendars
Sight Singing: focus on basic technique - use simple art songs
Acting: monologue memorization; basic warmup
Piano: scales; play through vocal rep
Cello: scales and other technical exercises
Guitar: scales and finger busters
Flute: technical drills
Physical Program: E2L and food combining principles; yoga/other stretching, Pilates, PT exercises, strength training 3x/week - use Bally's equipment.
Family: ?
Spiritual: DQT - focus on the Gospels; read 1 chapter of Proverbs (corresponding to the day) Started a book of daily devotionals based on the Psalms and a study on taming the tongue.
FlyLady: keep decluttering
Car: clean out; wash
Formal checking:
DO OR DIE:
1. loose weight (SP)
2. declutter
3. practice
4. translations - Don Pasquale; arias.
5. faith - DQT
6. mail
7. TLT
8. TOOLS
9. Beck
Important Tasks:
1. HTML
2. laundry
3. piano
4. languages
5. outreach brushups
6. vocal technique rehab
Wish List
1. creative writing
2. scrapbooking
3. genealogy
4. crochet
5. flute
6. cello
7. guitar
8. massage therapy license
AW: Chapter 2
Beck: keep practicing the tasks up through Day 14. Issues here: reading the Advantages/Response cards.
SCF/TLT: Day 22.
TOOLS: Day 2
Morning Pages: 3/7.
Artist's Date: used the elliptical by the big windows at the gym so I could enjoy the outdoors. It's far too cold right now to really do that!
Walking: Am taking time to walk around the mall after a gym session. Nothing terribly serious. Again - too cold!
Synchronicity: Running in to Father Ahern at the opera office.
Nice Thing for Me Each Day: soaking in the whirlpool
Issues: Vocal technique. Breathwork (love Weil's Breathing CD). Total body fitness. (include PT)
Goals:
Gigs: Syracuse Opera outreach: Pigs; Telephone, FUUS (Tornami, Prayer, Make Believe)
Day Job: call temp agencies
Listening/Opera Videos: Telephone, Tornami, Prayer
Diction/Dialect/Accent Tape: speech therapy exercises, vocalises. Add in Vaccai given time
Pedagogy Work: a good solid foundation of breath and relaxation
Creativity Book: The Creativity Book and Fearless Creating (Maisel)
Performing Business: send out promo packets for the auditions, update calendars
Sight Singing: focus on basic technique - use simple art songs
Acting: monologue memorization; basic warmup
Piano: scales; play through vocal rep
Cello: scales and other technical exercises
Guitar: scales and finger busters
Flute: technical drills
Physical Program: E2L and food combining principles; yoga/other stretching, Pilates, PT exercises, strength training 3x/week - use Bally's equipment.
Family: ?
Spiritual: DQT - focus on the Gospels; read 1 chapter of Proverbs (corresponding to the day) Started a book of daily devotionals based on the Psalms and a study on taming the tongue.
FlyLady: keep decluttering
Car: clean out; wash
Formal checking:
DO OR DIE:
1. loose weight (SP)
2. declutter
3. practice
4. translations - Don Pasquale; arias.
5. faith - DQT
6. mail
7. TLT
8. TOOLS
9. Beck
Important Tasks:
1. HTML
2. laundry
3. piano
4. languages
5. outreach brushups
6. vocal technique rehab
Wish List
1. creative writing
2. scrapbooking
3. genealogy
4. crochet
5. flute
6. cello
7. guitar
8. massage therapy license
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