I fell in love with Vietnam tonight!!

I've been here 7 months and I finally fell in love with Vietnam.  Yes there have been moments of lust and deep caring but tonight I fell in love.  I took my bike out for its first voyage solo through the city and it was amazing.  I finally saw Vietnam the way you are meant to see it.  I have been on the back of motorbikes but this is different.  Tonight I finally felt like I live here, it was pretty cool.  It is crazy though, because bicycles just ride with the motorbikes and cars on the streets.  I am just peddling down the middle of the road and intersections, pretty crazy but I feel really comfortable.  I think I am fine because I have been riding a bike my whole life and can manage it very well, now a motorbike is quite different. 

I ran some errands with my bike and rode around for an hour before watching The Amazing Race with the girls and having dinner.  Then I went out for another hour bike ride because it was just so much fun.  On the second ride I put my heart rate monitor on.  I just rode around downtown and back for an hour, burned 500 calories, crazy.  I mean I was trucking at times on my 3 speed cruiser :-) but didn't expect to burn that many calories, whohoo! 

Now I just need to have a talk with Gym and tell him that I'm going to be seeing Bike more, I hope he takes it alright.  I can't believe I have been here 7 months and today was the first day I really felt independent, it was liberating.  FREEDOM!!!!  I can say that $92 was some of the best money I have ever spent! 

So I have new found independence that is amazingly fun and burns tons of calories, AWESOME!!

Side Note:  To all you worriers & motherly types, I am wearing my helmet!!!

My New Ride

Today I bought a bike, before you all start freaking out, I bought a bicycle not a motorbike.   I am definitely not ready to ride a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City yet.  I went shopping with a few other teachers and finally decided on a used bike from Japan that is a 3 speed cruiser, it is gold and has a basket, bell, and headlight (for night riding).   It is a Shimano retro style and has a super comfy seat.  It was only $92 bucks, pretty awesome price I'd say.  I also bought a bike helmet because my parents brain washed me as a child.  I'm serious, if I even think about going for a bike ride without a helmet I feel guilty.  But here in HCMC it was a no brainer really, they are crazy drivers.  Plus you have to have a helmet on motorbikes so everyone is wearing them anyways basically.  After making my purchase I rode around town with Vicky, we went and got dinner and stopped to get some new dvds, I'm excited to start watching, How I Met your Mother!  It was really liberating riding around on my bike.  It defnitely makes you feel more independent.  The funny thing is you ride on the road with the motorbikes right next to the cars and really they treat you just like them.  I can't wait to explore more on my bike, it was a lot of fun today. 

I heart my new bike!!!!

Just Keep Swimming

So teaching swimming and PE is well underway and I'm getting the hang of my new schedule and being in a swimsuit 2+ days a week.  I definitely feel like crap in a swimsuit right now but I am trying to just keep on working out.  My weight watchers hasn't been going that well sadly.  I really really want to make changes but I have these eating habits that are just ingrained in me and so so hard to change.  I really miss the days where I could just work out longer and harder and lose weight.  I love working out and wish it were like that again.  Grocery shopping here is nothing like back home and it is super cheap to order out or go out and then I really don't know what I'm getting.  So I'm frustrated to say the least with my eating/diet.  Hit a road block you could say!

HELP!!!

Forming a Habit

I am happy to say that I think my workout regime is back in full force.  I actually look forward to my gym time and think, "time to hit the gym" instead of "ugh I need to work out."  I started Weight Watchers two weeks ago and the first week saw great strides but last week was holiday/vacation and it is all back.  Just shows I can't just work out like the old days and lose weight.  I really really need to stick to my diet plan of eating better, not just because I want to lose weight but because I honestly feel better when I do it. 

I don't think I actually gained the weight back, I think I toned up because my clothes aren't tighter and I did start doing some weight lifting twice a week now.  I am not a weights person but I know I need it.  I do look forward to my eliptical runs where I watch the Amazing Race, I mix it up because just a long sustained run, hills or a heart rate/cardio burn run.  It doesn't seem to matter if the Amazing Race is on.  I have decided that I was meant to do that reality show.  Now who would be a good partner for me?  I seriously want to apply for it and think I would kick some major booty! 

So I am back to charting what I eat and only having drinks on the weekends.  I have taken up drinking a coke here or there because sometimes I just need some caffeine and I hate coffee and there is no Dew here.  I take suggestions for other alternatives.   My life is going pretty well here.  As many of you know I had a rough spot a few weeks ago and I am happy to say things are going well.  I think eating better and working out regularly has something to do with it.  But also I'm just happy now (also because of those two things).  I am learning to not sweat the small things and just go with the flow.  Also learning to really enjoy spending time by myself and being ok with it.  So life is good right now.  Also the Packers winning the freaking Super Bowl helps.  To be honest I haven't been able to sleep the last 3 nights because I was so excited for the game and then excited that we won.  I am on cloud nine for my Packers! 

The Cheese stands alone!!!