Well, first day back from the winter break. I thought that after a week of laying around and doing almost nothing, I would have at least a week (or maybe two) before I started feeling stressed out. Well, I lasted for about 2 hours, before the chest aches and headaches returned. Basically the same old nonsense, so I am not going to waste time writing about here.

This morning I was up about 5:30. I was in bed about 11pm last night (internet). Tonight, I am going to try again for a 10:30 bedtime.

Anyway, I tried out my 16oz Styrofoam cups I bought at the 99 cent store. They were great. The plastic lids fit nice and tight. I made cream of wheat (strawberry flavored) and green tea in the cups, put the lids on, and then put the cups in a plastic baggie closed with a twist tie; I then put sealed breakfast in a plastic shopping bag (and tied a knot in that). I ate the cream of wheat on the train, but the tea was too hot. I was amazed how hot the tea stayed. I did not drink the tea until I was in my classroom (and it was still very warm).

I left the school building about 5:30 exhausted. At Marble Hill (before catching my train to Yonkers), I ate dinner at Subways. I ordered the 6 inch chicken teriyaki sandwich. Much to my surprised, I only ate half of the sandwich. I didn’t eat the chips (baked not fried) that came with the meal. By 6:50, I was home. And by 7:10, I was on my rowing machine. I rowed about 45 minutes. I was very tired, and really did not feel like rowing, but I knew that if I did not get on, I would probably not get on again…at least not until the next vacation break (April). Oh, if there are any people out there that think teachers have too many holidays, just stop, look and listen to the kids (and the parents) you see and hear in the street and on the trains. Now, imagine a room full of them.

Finally, I showered after rowing. I ironed my clothes for tomorrow. Oh, I changed back to using a backpack. I'm tired of dragging that shopping cart to and from school.

Wt. – 191.4 lbs. / BMI – 27.3%

This has to be very brief and very quick. Today is the last day of my vacation. I managed to finish my lesson plans for the whole week. Now, my goal is to start Tuesday or Wednesday on the next week’s lessons. I want to be finished by Friday. Next Sunday, I signed up for a walking club. Those of you who have been reading this blog know that I’ve written so many times that I am a walker, but I have not been doing any walking. It is time I got my life to together. Hopefully, I can start today.

Today I managed to finish my lesson plans and the homework sheet for the entire week. Around two, I decided to make a quick run to Target in the Bronx. One of the office workers had a housewarming party and gave each teacher a list of things that he wanted. No, I did not need to buy anything, but I thought it would be nice. I bought a $25 gift certificate. I then took the express Metro-North back to Yonkers. In Yonkers, I went to the big supermarket to get a gallon of Fat Free milk (used to be called skim milk) and frozen vegetables. I then went to the 5 & 10 imitation store to buy a pair of boots. There is a snow storm suppose to be on the way. If you read my previous blog entries, you know I bought a pair of casual dress shoes. I would not be a happy camper to wear my new shoes in a snow storm. After the shoes, I walked back home.

At home, I divided up the meat that I’d bought days ago into smaller bags. It is cheaper to buy family packs and divide them and freeze them. I then put in some chicken in the oven. I just printed my homework sheet. My plan is to now log online to post this blog entry (I write offline then connect to the internet). I will try to do 30 minutes on my rowing machine. I did not row last night. I was too stressed trying to finish up my lesson plans. Hopefully, I can do the 30 minutes tonight. I really have to force myself. I already missed one day and school has not started yet. If I am really going to get rid of this spare tire, I will have to find the time to row. After rowing, I would like to soak in the tub, but showering is probably better. I will eat dinner. While I am watching TV, I will iron my shirts and slacks for the whole week. I will need to pack my things for tomorrow, then it is bedtime. I want to try to be in bed by 10 (no later than 10:30), I will probably need to take the 6:23am train tomorrow.

Results tomorrow.


----------------------------

I tried to post the above blog is evening, but my computer crashed again. I know I need a new computer, I just hope this one last until I do. Before I try posting this again, I can add more.

After the first posting attempt, I got on my rowing machine for 45 minutes. I showered and ate dinner. I had bake chicken, ready to eat rice (just microwave and eat), and broccoli. After eating, I tried to watch TV and iron, but once the TV was on, I became a zombie, so I had to turn off the TV. I was not able to iron my clothes for the whole week, but I did do tomorrow’s clothes. See attached photo. My clothes are laid out, and my shopping cart is packed. Hopefully, if things go well, I will no longer need to use a shopping cart to drag books and things back and forth.

Finally, my weigh in. After showering (and before eating) I weighed myself.

Wt. – 190.2 lbs. / BMI – 27.5%

A few minutes ago, I weighed myself again (about 2 hours after eating dinner). The scale showed 194.6 for the weight. I don’t know the BMI. My scale can be programmed for up to two users. When I push the select button for the preprogrammed feature, it remembers the last weigh in. I did not want to mess up my 190 weight. Yes, I know weighing myself after exercising (but before eating) is not the best time to weigh myself, but I feel good about seeing the pounds low. Once I get into a regular routine, I will weigh myself at a better time. Right now, I need all the help I can get.
Now, I better go. It is almost 10pm. I want to be in bed by 10:30pm.

This entry won't take long. I slept for most of the day. I did not go outside. I tried to do some lesson planning for next week.

Two days left in my vacation. What did I do today to get organized so that next week does not start out stressing me...not much. Now, I am basically in waiting for the (vacation) time to run out. I did my laundry. I finally dumped the trash that has been sitting in the kitchen for about a month. I also finally hung the curtains in the bedroom. See attached photos.

Wt. = 194.0 / BMI = 29.3%

Wasting another vacation away procrastinating. Today (like all of the other days), I did not do much but sleep, shop, and watch TV.

I told myself that I would stay inside to clean my apartment. Trash has not been dumped in weeks. I have piles in almost every corner. However, I felt the need to go shopping...again. According to the news report, there was suppose to have been some snow fall, so I told myself I had better go food shopping now rather than later. I was planning to just buy some orange juice, and cold cereal, but I ended up buying a bit more. I bought about 5 boxes of cereals, meat, cleaning items etc...In total, I spent about $95. I walked back home.

Once I got back, told myself that I would start cleaning my room, but first I told myself that I would quickly go online to check my e-mail. About 3 hours later, I finally got off the computer. I was planning to cook some spaghetti. I had even defrosted the ground beef. However, I did not have pasta. I also forgot the frozen vegetables. My backup meal was "Sloppy Joe". After dinner I watched some TV and read the newspaper.

I got on my rowing machine about 9pm. New measurements:
weight = 193.4 / BMI (Body Mass Index) = 28.2%

More shopping. I should have been cleaning my room, or grading/organizing papers, but instead, I just wasted the day away. I started off the day watching some daytime TV. Then, I decided to go to the locksmith in the South Bronx to see if I could get the lock from the teacher's desk in my classroom fixed. Unfortunately, students (and a couple of teachers) are a little too comfortable with going in (or on) my desk. One teacher who does small group instruction with me, feels very comfortable with going in my desk (as if it was his own desk) whenever he needs something. Am I being overly anal? Is it wrong to expect a simple request before opening my desk draw (even if it is just for a pencil).

I took the Metro-North to the South Bronx, and then transfered to the NYC Mass transit bus. First I went to the locksmith with the old lock, hoping they would be able to replace the key cylinder, but they told me I would have to buy a new lock (which was okay with me). The lock cost about $8.00.

After the locksmith, I decided to visit my old place (the shoebox). Once again, I forgot my cellphone, so I had to depend on the old fashion method of contact...ring the bell. As I approached the house (I was about two houses away), I could hear the music blasting. I couldn't help but smile. I was so happy to be out of there. I rang the bell. Mr. 40+ answered the door. I asked Mr. 40+ how were things. He motioned to Screamer's door, and the back, saying nothing's changed. He said the hallway was still flooding, and Screamer was still doing her thing.

After the visit, I went to the Pioneer grocery store to buy some boxes of favored Cream of Wheat. For some strange reason, that store is the only one that sells the favored Cream of Wheat. I bought 9 boxes. I rode the bus back to Metro-North. I stopped in Target to buy foot powder. I then rode the Metro-North express back to Yonkers. From Yonkers station, I walked the rest of the way home.

Home, I heated up leftovers, and watched a little bit of TV. I got on my rowing machine for about 40 minutes, and then showered. I am also going to try something new. After I shower, I will do a weigh in to see how I'm doing in the weight loss dept. Without clothes, today I weighed 194.2 pounds, and my BMI (Body Mass Index)was 29.5%. Without clothes, I lost about a pound and I lost about a half of a percentage of BMI. I probably would have lost more if I did not eat half a pack of Oreo doubled stuffed mint cookies.

I bought a scale. Today, I went to Target. My plan was to go to a locksmith to see if they could change the tumbler in the lock from the desk in my classroom. However, I forgot the lock. I left my apartment and took the Metro-North to the Bronx. In the Bronx, I ate lunch at subways (chicken teriyaki sandwich). I then went to Target store. In the book section, I really could not decide which book I would choose next as my commuter read. I almost chose Inkspot or Inspell trilogy (soon to be a movie), but I settled on Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (another trilogy). I then visited the DVD section. I bought the following DVDs:

I, Robot
Dungeons & Dragons
Wallace & Gromit (The Curse of the Were-Rabbit)
Madea's Family Reunion

I next bought a scale. I bought the kind that measures body fat index (whatever that means). I weigh 197pounds with a body fat index of 30%. Now that I have a scale, maybe weightlose will be easier. I just searched the internet for some information about ideal weight for someone of my height (5'8"). I checked several web sites and the number that seems reasonable to me (for someone with my frame) is 172 pounds.

After shopping, I took the express train to Yonkers station. And walked home from there. It took me 23 minutes to walk home. At home, while I put up the kitchen blinds, I baked some porkchops. For dinner I had Mac & Cheese, okra, and porkchops. I also got on my rowing machine this evening. I showered, and now I am writing this blog entry.

My computer just shut off while I was checking my e-mail. This second handed computer’s days are definitely numbered. I better do a quick blog entry before it over heats.

Yesterday (Monday), I started the day with a relaxing soak in the bathtub. Then on an impulse, I decided to go to the nearby mall here in Yonkers. I should have been cleaning my apartment, but procrastinator in me just will not die. Usually, I like to go to the Jersey City Mall. I am a creature of habit. Although it takes a couple of hours and about 3 or 4 trains, since I learned how to go to Jersey City Mall, I usually go there. Anyway, I decided that since there is a mall about a 10 minute distance (by car), I should just go visit.

To go, I started out at 12:50 from my apartment at the bottom of a steep hill. The bus (at the top of the hill) arrived at 1:03. Up here in Westchester transfers are not automatic. I had to pay $0.25 for the transfer. Another thing, the bus stops don’t line up. I had a choice of where to get the connecting bus, one block down hill to the Metro North station, or about 2 blocks up hill to the bus stop at the Getty Square shopping area. This area is the area I’ve mentioned in previous entries when I wrote about walking 30 minutes to the nearby shopping area. I choose the Getty Square. Actually, it was a little old Spanish lady who helped me make the choice. When I got on the bus I asked the bus drive for the location of the transfer…he was no help. He just mumbled something about over there. It was the Spanish lady who actually spoke up and explained about the bus stop locations. Since she was going to a vegetable stand nearby, she offered to take me to the bus stop in Getty Square.

At the bus stop, I had about a 20 minute wait. Buses were on a Saturday schedule due to President’s Day. Just when the bus arrived a bunch of loud young people came. They all got on the bus, cursing, threatening, and laughing like they were the only ones on the bus. Apparently, one of the boys was having a conversation about defending his girlfriend’s honor because someone called his girlfriend a Ho. Another girl was discussing the condom she liked. The other girl wanted to know why she was using a condom with her boyfriend. The girl’s response was that she did not want to get pregnant. Then the girls conversation turned to on girl explaining about how someone was “bitching” to her mother, and her mother was bitching to her, so she started bitching back to her mother. I had a 20 minutes bus ride of this nonsense.

Once we arrived (everyone apparently was going to the mall), I got off quickly hoping to get away from the noise (they were giving me a headache), Unfortunately, the direction I had chosen (at random) was the same path they had chosen. I ducked into a bookstore. I was sure they would not be going there. I was correct. I kind of let myself get lost in the books. I browsed for a while. It is almost time for me to choose a new book. I am currently reading the “adult” edition of the Chronicles of Narnia. That basically means they took all of the childrens’ edition (7 in total), and put them into a single book with the picture of a scene from the movie. The book must weigh about 3 or 4 pounds. I am about 2/3 of the way through. The book is a bit soft and sappy, but I am enjoying it.

I really don’t know what my next book will be. I really enjoyed the “Eragon” series. I haven’t seen the movie, but the movie looks stupid. And the reviews were not great. I seemed to keep edging towards “Wicked” and “The Son of the Witch” each time I go to the book store. Both books are sequels (or prequels) to the Wizard of Oz. Wicked is also a Broadway show. I was never a big fan of the Wizard of Oz, and the books sound fairly stupid. And yet, I keep eyeing those two books. Anyway, I passed on buying a book yesterday. All of my recent books have been bought at Target store (they are cheaper there), I’m planning to go to Target today, so I’ll see what they have there.

After the book store, I went to Burger King. I had medium meal with orange juice, and no cheese on the hamburget (my lame attempt at eating healthy). Yes, yes, I know, if I was eating healthy, then I would not have been in Burger King.

After BK, I went to Macys to look around, and then from there I went to SEARS. I bought a pair of dress casual shoes for work.
From SEARS, I realized there was not much to see at this “open mall”, and besides, the last bus, yes, last bus was at 5:30. I did not want to pay for a taxi. I was there one time before, I know there is a movie theater somewhere around, but with the snow, and cold, I was not in the mood to explore.

The bus ride back was much nicer without loud youths onboard. Am I sounding like an old man? I nodded off on the bus, and before I knew it, I was back at Getty Square. I did a little bit of shopping in the area. I bought window blinds for the kitchen ($3.88), and a couple of white thermo long undershirts. I wear the white thermos under my white shirt, so that I don’t need to wear a jacket or a sweater over my white shirt. I then went shopping in the 99 cents. I guess you can figure out the kind of “shopping” area from the places (discount furniture, imitation 5 & 10, and 99 cent store). At the 99 cent store, I bought 4 rolls of Bounty paper towels, dish detergent, plastic spoons, and a pack of big restaurant Styrofoam cups with plastic lids. Those cups are good for both hot and cold things. In the past, I’ve missed breakfast because I was running late. A couple of times I put my oatmeal into a bowl to eat on the train, or hot green tea in a mug to drink on the train. However, I would then have to carry the used dishes around until I got home. With the Styrofoam cups (with lids), I can put the hot oatmeal in one cup and the hot green tea in the other. The Metro-North ride is about 12 minutes, so that is my breakfast time without rushing.
After the shopping in Getty Square, I walked home. Now the walking time is about 20 or 25. The more I do it the faster I can do it. Once home, I watched King of Queens. Then I forced myself onto my rowing machine. I told myself that I would start exercising again. After rowing for about 40 minutes, I showered. I was so tired that I told myself that I would lay down for a couple of minutes, but I ended up falling asleep with nothing on but a towel, and very little heat in the apartment. Strange, when heat was not needed, they had me sweating up a storm, but now, the heat is barely on at times. The rowing was okay, but next time I need to push myself a little more. My heart rate rarely went above 100 during my workout. I bought one of those heart rate monitors that wears like a wrist watch.

Vacation / Recuperation has begun. However, it is off to a slow start. For the last couple of weeks I have been so stressed out that I did not even think that I would make it to the vacation. However, I did make it. Yesterday (Saturday), was a very nice day in terms of the weather. Since I needed to go to the post office, I was looking forward to the walk and just getting out. The walk again (see previous blog entry), was about an hour starting at the bottom of a very steep, and very big hill. Yesterday I thought I would try to go another way hoping that I would be able to find a less steep hill along the way. To get to the post office, it is basically a direct northerly walk. Think of a warped rectangle. I could either start with a 15 minute walk up a steep side of a mountain (or big hill), and then just walk along the main road north for about another 40 minutes. Yesterday, I did not mind the walk, but I did not want to start out hiking up the side of a mountain. Remember, I mentioned that the inclination is about 45 degrees. That kind of hike needs a few minutes to get mentally psyched. I did not have it when I walked out my building door and saw the slush and ice. Nice weather, but melting slush and ice. And me, in my new sneakers. My plan was to start the walk along my street northerly then find a less steep hill (side of a mountain) after I had time to get mentally psyched. It also gave me the chance to reexplore my neighbored. Remember, I mentioned that I used to live here before I moved to Japan.

Anyway, I started my walk, and after a couple of residential blocks, my street was a dead end. Luckily, there was a park at the end with a gradual angular/diagonal northeastern direction. After I got out of the park, I could see only the side of a mountain. However, I was not too nervous, I was almost sure there were at least a couple of cross streets that take me up to North Broadway -- the main street that would take me directly to the entrance to the office complex (the location of the post office). After exiting the park, I was on the next main street up the side of the mountain. North Broadway was the next main street. After walking about 15 or 20 minutes, I finally came to a cross street. Very steep, but I had no choice. After walking up the steep street, the street took a sharp turn right (south) – the opposite direction I wanted to go. Having just walked up the side of a mountain – yes, mountain. Westchester is mountainous, not hills. So, no more big hills.

At the top of the street, the residential houses end, the street becomes a road that continues in a southern direction on my right. On the left, is another park with a path. I told myself since I see houses and buildings, there must be a cross street. See, I am very bad with directions, I could get lost in an empty room with one door. When I walk I will do one of two things. I’ll stick to a main road a walk along it, or I allow myself to wander in a specific directions hoping eventually, to come to a train station or bus stop. Those methods have served me for many years living in Manhattan. However, Westchester is an animal of a different stripe.

As I walk along the park path (even though I am traveling in the correct direction), I can’t help but feeling as if I am lost. I see more houses below me on my left, and woods on my right. I do see the North Broadway road on the next tier up, but no way to get there. The park path I am on now is starting to slope down towards the left (northwest [off and away from my rectangle]). The last thing, I wanted was to get lost. The post office closes at 1pm. I am a walking contradiction. I hate being late, but I am so often (nearly late). My problem is that I am good at know time distance traveled to get where I need to (often to the minute), the problem is that once a time is locked in my head, it is hard for me to change my mental schedule. I don’t mind arriving early, but I too quickly get comfortable with being on time. I like getting to a place on time (not early, [definitely] not late, just on time). Problem, my mental schedule often does not factor in train delays, getting lost, or slow daydreaming walkers (who seem to have no place to go). Last week, on my way to work, this lady, stops on the stairs – the only stairs leading to the trains. She stops to search for her wallet, Metro card, or money. And the train is pulling into the station. A couple of weeks ago, a guy “Joe Cool” (too cool to run for the train) strolls up the stairs – why is there only one set of stairs leading to the trains? The guy takes his sweet time, doing his thug walk up the stairs. Only after he reaches the top (and the turnstile) and the train is still in the station, does he make a run for it. He makes it, I don’t. I wasn’t late, but I was extremely annoyed. Sorry, I got sidetracked.

Where was I?

Oh, I am in the wooded area. I finally came to a residential apartment building with an open gate. Even though the gate sign said “no trespassers”, I ignored it. I exited the wooded area going though the parking area of the apartment complex. I am now in a ritzy area (I can tell by the cars and the people). I am also walking down a wide road going east. I don’t recognize anything. When I exited the apartment area, I was expecting to see the giant water (?!?!?) tower with the words “Yonkers” written on it. The office complex is at (or near) the base.

When I finally reached North Broadway, I asked a guy walking his dog where the office complex was. It turned out I had over shot my destination, by a quarter of a mile.

Well, I arrived at the post office thinking it was closed. I got my package, and I only had to wait 20 minutes. Why do postal workers move so slowly? There were two clerks when I arrived, but one went to look for something, and never returned, except strolling past a couple of times to say, “just a minute, I am still looking”. And of course, when I finally reach a window, another clerk arrives (also dragging her feet). So, while I am waiting at the counter, the clerk (very grandmotherly), complains to the newly arrived clerk about the old guy who was gone “searching” for something.

On my way out of the office complex, my first plan was to go my regular direction back home, but I decided to take the cross street near the office complex. Yes, a very steep…oh, you get the mental picture. There was a hospital on the left, and smaller office building on the right side with woods behind it. It turned out to be that street with the sharp turn going south. If I had not been lazy about walking up the side of the mountain in the opposite direction, I would have been at my destination. The steep walk was only 5 minutes from the point I made the mistake of turning left (into the wooded area) and continuing up the winding road. It turns out that I went about 15 or 20 minutes out of the way.

When I arrived about a block away from my home, I decided to have Chinese takeout for dinner and a pint of ice cream. Unfortunately, I’ve been eating about a couple of pints of ice cream (one each Saturday and Sunday) for the last couple of weekends. And no exercising. Yes, my jelly belly has returned. I think I mentioned in a previous blog entry that I’ve had to put away my 34 waist pants. Hopefully, that is only temporary.

Since the weather was so nice, I decided to walk south to the large supermarket (about a 30 minute walk from my home). I don’t like to pint ice cream at the cheap local bodegas nearby. Anyway, I arrived at the big supermarket. The place was packed!!! To make it worth my while, I also bought a couple of boxes of cereal (strawberry mini wheat, and cold cereal I can’t remember at this moment). Oh, and precooked rice in mini cups. Just microwave and eat. Those are very convenient during the work week. When I arrived home after a stressful day, I don’t feel like cooking. My usual choices are leftovers (which I don’t usually have), and fast food. With instant rice, and frozen meat and vegetables), I almost have a healthy home cooked meal. Usually, I fix a plate; change my clothes (while my food is heating in the microwave), and then I eat.

After the store, I walked to the Chinese place for a takeout order of fried chicken and fried rice. In the restaurant (while I was waiting for my food), I sat down. I was on my feet walking and standing for about 4 hours (without sitting). I felt like the old me.
At home, DVD, regular TV, then back to DVD. I finally got to watch the Fantastic Four DVD I had bought months ago (see previous blog entry). The movie was not great, or very exciting, but it was okay. After Fantastic Four, I watched a couple of PBS comedies (Are You Being Served) on regular TV. I don’t have cable. I feel asleep on the couch (folded futon actually).