Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Spring Into Shape

My self-imposed monthly challenges have reminded me of the things I'm able to accomplish when I only set my mind to do so.

April's was to write a haiku every day which coincided with National Poetry Month. I dubbed May's as Spring Into Shape (or SIS) with the intention of getting physically and financially fit. Here are the goals I set up for myself:



  • Lose 5 pounds (x)

  • Exercise 3X a week for 30 minutes (*)

  • Keep a food journal (x)

  • Get a free credit report (*)

  • Limit blended caffeinated beverages to once a week (x)

  • No fast food except McDonald's and Taco Bell (*)

  • Limit eating out 2X a week (x)

  • No Spending Days 3X a week (*)

  • No more work burritos (*)
(*) Goal met
(x) Goal not met

It was early on in the SIS challenge that I decided I didn't want to continue keeping a food journal. I'm too much of a foodie to keep track of every single thing I eat. Consequently, the limiting of blended coffee drinks and eating out fell to the wayside.

I would say though that my No Spending Days were effective in not making me eat as much. Plus I really did become more aware of my eating portions.

As for exercising, this is definitely something I'll be carrying over. The physical aspect of SIS wasn't necessarily to lose weight but to incorporate healthy life choices.

To meet my financial goals, I've got to say I'm grateful for gift cards. No Spending Days have been fun but I'll probably cut it down to only once or twice a week, emphasizing more on how much I spend on any given day.

It's weird I didn't think to continue a writing challenge but that'll be soon remedied. I look forward to future challenges!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

30 Days of Haiku

April was National Poetry Month. As a little challenge to myself, I figured I'd try to capture each day's events or emotions or thoughts into a haiku. You would think it'll be easy but those s-words were tricky. I wouldn't be surprised if I have some missing or extra syllables here and there. I'd like to point out though that real haikus are more than just meeting the 5/7/5 syllable pattern. I would recommend that people find out more online but these are mine.


The trouble with fools/ is they repeat their mistakes/ It's time for a change
Cherry blossoms bloom/ all along the waterfront/ Spring's here, finally
Spiraling upwards,/ Reaching new heights, aspiring/ to be what I dream
Pitter, patter, rain/ Off to work, day one of five/ Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
What awaits yonder?/ Nothing but sadness or... OR.../ Something wonderful?
It's now or never-/ to do something worthwhile or/ fade into nothing
Twenty-four seven/ there's nothing new to report/ but bad news, it seems
The whole world's aglow/ Does the light come from the sun/ Or somewhere within?
Just a lazy day/ sleeping in and vegging out/ nothing wrong with that
The trains go by, bye/ To places I've never been/ perhaps someday I'll
It's hard being nice/ when all they want is your blood-/ at least there's cookies
The sun shines above/ and the brook babbles below/ there is peace within
Open your hearts, minds-/ you shall get more than you give./ Kindness is the key.
Whoosh, whoosh, life goes by/ Sometimes you need to slow down/ Breathe in, out, repeat
Elevate my soul/ I am not here, not myself/ Your words are magic
Kindness surprises / but is appreciated- / very much, indeed.
Sunshiny spring day/ my soul opens up, receives/ this much welcomed light
Sigh. What was today/ but a fleeting memory,/ a moment now passed?
The present is now./ The future... well, who can say?/ The past: history.
To those who greeted,/ thank you for the well-wishes./ Happiness inside.
Into the dark night,/ we go in search of ourselves/ to bring into light.
The moments we had/ now just snapshots of what were-/ fleeting, everlast
Basking in the sun/ with nature all around me/ quiet perfection
In a state of flux/ constantly in between/ neither here nor there
Hearts break and they mend./ Resilient, yes, but the tears/ they leak through the cracks.
Sadness surprises/ like sudden downpour of rain/ on a sunny day
Intoxicated/ The night is young, the stars bright/ Pitcher is half full
The world is spinning/ all the horses at full speed/ merrily go round
Your words are nonsense/ outrageous and laughable/ balderdashery
My words fill the world/ be it written or spoken/ and all I can give