Day 1 Wk 2 New Habit

It's Sunday, 19 July 2020! We are starting again! Week 2 of instilling new habit. I have 5 habits to practice on the course of this week. I know it's not going to be easy self-care journey judging from the extensive work hours of my 2 jobs and also house work.  But, I think my goals are doable and with determination we can do this.
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Today, was not an ideal day. I woke up at 3 AM because I went to bed very early because my headache. I was already asleep by 8 PM. So at 3 AM, I work up and drink a big glass of water and decided to do some work. I checked on my online classes for reports on the quizzes and online tests I set up. Then write some feedback for the assignments. Then read through one of my students proposal. I need to have a consultation meeting with her on Monday.

Then at 5 AM, I went down and made some bubur (Conge or rice porridge) because last night Simon mentioned that he wanted bubur for breakfast. Bubur always goes hand-in hand with boiled egg. So I boiled a couple of eggs, THEN, I remembered the shredded chicken I made yesterday which will make an excellent bubur topping. So because I already boiled some eggs. I wanted to turn them to ramen eggs. However, not just any ramen eggs, I am going to make Mayak Eggs which is a Korean Soysauce egg. So I did just that. Except that I did not put any chillies because husband stomach is sensitive and no use of making this only for me anyway. Now, the eggs are happily soaking in soysauce bath in my fridge.

At 6 AM, it's time for my morning devotion. The scripture reading and the reflection really uplift my spirit. It is an affirmation that what I am doing now is a great step. 2 messages for today are : (1) It is not to late to repent and to do and be better than you are yesterday. (2) direct your thoughts to god, to spiritual and heavenly things. Focus yourself to God. and start doing it today.

At 7 AM, I went out for my morning walk. Simon was not coming because he did not have a good night sleep last night. Anyway, I was also feel unmotivated and sleepy because I woke up every early, but I know I have made a promise to myself so I walk.
I walk less than yesterday because I think I also don't want to push myself too much with lack of sleep. I walk a different route this morning. and according to Google Map. It was 1.4 km. And arriving back home I hit 4,301 Steps. So Alright!

I had my breakfast, Bubur and shredded chicken.

And I made some juice for me too.. 1 cup Honeydew melon, 1 tbsp of Fiber Creme and 1/2 cup water.

Now, off to bath and get on with some house work. Updates later:

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WEEK 1 NEW HABIT ROUND UP

Soooooo.... One week have passed since I started my endeavor of building new habit. I am proud to say that I have done the 3 habits diligently for a week (7 days). Let's do a bit of a round up before I tell you about my new additional habit in week 1:

1. Drink Water
I woke up everyday and drink at least 1 big glass of water. It is a bit difficult for the first 2 days. I feel like I wanted to vomit. but starting day 3 I am beginning to feel that it's no big deal. I even added the second glass. So now, drinking water is part of my waking up habit.

2. Morning devotion
I was doing morning devotion even before last week. But there are many days that I just didn't do it or got lazy and make up too many excuses... I am not proud of this. But I love that last week have pushed me to go out of my silly excuses. I am more focused and more honest with myself.

3. Daily Walk (min 8,000 steps)
So based on reading the WHO advice on minimum healthy steps in a day, I settled for 8,000 steps per day minimum for my goal. Before the pandemic I average at 4,000 steps per day. For the past 4 months of pandemic working from home. I averaged at 2,000 steps a day. So, 8,000 steps a day seems like a big deal but perhaps a manageable goals.
I surprised myself that I managed to hit and even surpass the goal. There are days that I can't due to many things but all in all it was one hell of a week. Day 1 I do not have a pedometer yet, but judging from the distance I covered I think that was about 4500 steps. Day 2 onwards I have pedometer so it is both motivating and clear visual image for me.

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OK so Let's talk week 2.

So for the 2nd week, I am adding 2 more habits to my set. One, is adding more fruits because I do not think I eat enough fruit. I am going to try having the fruit either being chopped up or juiced. I am substituting milk with Fiber creme (NO SPONSORSHIP). The product explanation said that

FiberCreme contains high fiber, low sugar as well as no cholesterol, trans fat gluten and lactose. The high fiber content can help reduce appetite, so it’s a perfect for your diet. The low sugar content and low glycemic index makes FiberCreme a better option for people with diabetes.

I have started using Fibercreme for the past 1 year to replace coconut milk. But I think, using it in my juice/smoothies will help me to get by.

New habit number two, is suggested by Tania but I have also decided to put it on my list. It is to read more. I know I read for work or to teach but for a long time now I haven't got the time to do reading for pleasure. Mostly now I am on my phone when I rest. So to make it more achievable, I must make it more measurable. So I put a number to my goal. For this week I pledge to read at least 1 hour a day. Perhaps, I will read 1 hour before I go to sleep or sporadically through out the day.
This will help us to wean off the gadgets.

OK, So here's for the second week. Let's do this!

Day 7 Pandemic New Habit Week 1

YAAAAY!!! This conclude the week of starting a new habit. I am so proud of myself for keeping up the habit and kicking myself on the bottom to get up and move... hehehe... What a journey it is. Some of you may think just an easy 3 habits. But If you walk in my shoe and do all the things I must juggle in a day coupled with unmotivated lazy bottom me... then you'll know why I am so proud of myself for keeping up my promise. There were so many ups and downs there are days that I cannot reach my goals. But what's important is to keep going.

I am enjoy my morning devotion time. It is a precious time I dedicated to be with God. It's not merely a routine, but a necessity. I wanted to do it because I want it, I need it not because I have to do it. And this has made me so happy.

The Morning walking is also my favorite. The pedometer is awesome. I love the idea of smashing my daily goal. This satisfaction pushed me forward.

Anyway, since Tania is in Waai, this morning Simon went for a walk with me. We went out a bit late (at 7 AM). I woke up later than I used to (6 AM). There was a light rain when we left so we brought our umbrella along.

We went on my usual route to Ambon City Center but our target is to reach my mom's house which is located behind the ACC complex. That is about 2.6 Km and my step counter read 4,856 steps. 

We went there to spend some time with our niece and nephew which we adored and also to spend time with mommy. We bought bananas to make breakfast. I boiled 10 of them and fried the rest. Simon wanted the fried banana. It was a bit too ripe so I cut in cubes and mixed some flour and fried. It was a hit. 

My breakfast boiled banana and left over fried fish from yesterday

This is the fun part - WIth Mikha and Frans

We planned to go weekly groceries shopping with my brother, his wife and the kids but we were asked to turned back on the road. The new traffic policy for Social Distancing is to apply the Even and Odd number Licensed Plate. Today was the Even Number Licensed Plate, Ours was Odd number. so we had to turn around. We decided to cancel. SO my brother too us back home with his car.

This is Frans clinging to Simon and wanted them to come down and come to our house

When they left, Simon and I get started for Lunch and Dinner. He is on dish washing duty and I cook. I made a simple Spinach and Corn soup (Bening bayam jagung) and fried some fish. Simple but really delicious.

 Then Off to work we go... Hehehe...
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Update (the next morning).
I guess day 7 went down with a plop. After lunch yesterday, I worked for about 4 hours on the computer and started to develop a headache. So I went for a nap. I can't sleep because my head gets worse and worse. So by dinner time it was a full blown headache. Simon and I was actually planning to go on another walk in the evening but I got headache and It was raining really hard. So I went to bed very early 8 PM. So yesterday I only get 6,071 steps... Hiks...
That's alright! Life happens.
So here's to another week!

Day 6 Pandemic New Habit Week 1

Oh Wow! It's Day 6!!! I am so excited.
For 6 days I have been doing the 3 new pandemic habit I created for myself. I am super proud of myself for being able to keep up. In the past when I tried to start a new regime, I usually stop half-way. I think this is because the 3 habits I am currently do are simple enough to do. Therefore, it gave me satisfaction and motivation to keep going when I am able to hit the mark. In the past I was too ambitious and too rush in setting up goals. Everything becomes a chores and routine. I am a person who need to change up once in a while.

Anyway, this morning I woke up at 5 AM. I gulped down a big glass of water without a problem. Then sat down for morning devotion. I did the morning devotion on the first floor near the kitchen because I wanted to boil some eggs and I hate to leave the stove as I did my devotion on the 2nd floor. So It worked out really well.

After the devotion, I had 1 boiled egg and sat down to do some work. I need to design activities and quizzes for my online classes and scheduled them for the next 2 days. As you can see from the picture, I have many work to do... Yikes!!!

I started my morning walk quite late today. I started walking at 7 AM. The sun is our this morning. It was great to see the ray of light after days of intense rain. 

I did my usual route just because I like that route. Less people. I went from our place to Ambon City Center Mall (ACC) and back home again. This route has become familiar and I can safely say that I don't feel any pressure for the distance anymore. In a breeze, I hit 6,895 steps as I get back home. That is 1.9 km times 2 in 50 minutes. I need to be doing a bit more of walking in the evening perhaps to hit my goals. 

I had a big breeakfast today. That is to say, I feel my appetite is enormous today. Perhaps I am going to have my period. That is usually my case. So I actually been in a binge eating. I had 4 caramel candies and snacking on random things in the house. O Dear.... 

I had a good breakfast thought with corned beef sandwich. 

Anyway, I need to get going with my teaching. Update later!

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Tania went for a weekend holiday in Waai. 

Amma miss my little girl. But It's only going to be for 2 days. 

Anyway, been doing lots of work to prep for online class today.

So I got really tired by 9 PM. I was about to go to sleep when I remembered that I am still in 7,000 steps or more... I am battling whether I should go out for a walk and whether I want to go out and walk. I was already lying in bed. 

In the end, I decided to be a good girl and compromised for walking around our 1st floor. Front door, kitchen and Room 1 Classroom. For about almost 30 minutes, I hit my goals and That's it for today. 

Day 5 Pandemic New Habit Week 1

It's Day 5, Thursday, 16 July 2020. 

I woke up at 5 today. I had a BIG glass of water which I downed easily now. 

Then, I was on my computer to catch up on some work for my online classes such as planning for materials and checking on the online quiz and activity I made. I snacked on some crackers. Then at 6 AM, I did my morning devotion: Bible reading and Praying. I have some new prayer lists that I need to pray about. 

One of the scripture i read today is from Psalm 34: 8 "Taste and See that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him". When the stressed of the world is too much to take, there's a place I can run to. I am reminded of my very blessed and bury life. I have so many hats to juggle and at times I feel overwhelmed by them all. I am glad this scripture comes this morning ahead of a busy busy schedulle I am about to embark. I know I can entrust all my worry to HIM and I know I must prioritized God. Give God my most important time, My morning. Those who do not know, I am usually up at dawn and work. This is my prime working time. The time I considered most focused and most creative. I was so drunk in the ideas of doing most of my work in the morning that I most of the time didn't do morning devotion. But I am changing that. I am giving "MY" best time of the day for GOD not my work. To diligently put time with GOD first is my goal now. 

Then at 6.45 AM, I went for my morning walk. I took my usual route today from our house to Ambon City Center Mall and then back. My pedometer hit 6,404 steps. So I will need to walk more through the day to make sure I hit my 8,000 steps/day goal. 

I brought my trusty umbrella with me. But it didn't rain today. Only a light drizzle which I can easily just pull my jacket hood up. After 4 days of walking this route and distance, It feels like a breeze now. I don't have the feeling of wanting to give up mid way and go home to sleep and eat cheese bread like last week hehehehe...

Arriving home, I tackled on a mountain of dirty dishes from yesterday. Yesterday, both Simon and I was lazy to do the dishes so we have it piled up. This is perfectly normal! You are allowed for these days to happen.

Anyway, I did the dishes while waiting for my water to boil. Then cook rice for lunch and dinner. Then I went up to the second floor to wake Tania up. It's her 2nd day of orientation so she needs to wake up early for that. I had a nice breakfast with Simon and Tania. I had 1 boiled egg, 1 corned beef sandwich and a pear.

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Update: 11:40 AM, just finished with 1st Online Class session of the day. Tania already finished her online school orientation an hour ago. Then I went down to fix our lunch. I made a quick soup with chicken bits, carrots and potatoes. We also had Tempe Bacem and Chicken Nugget (the frozen ones). Throw is a pack of Krupuks for sides. we need to replenish our groceries tomorrow. The Uncle Vegetable (Mas Sayur) didn't come by these past few days. So... WE NEED HIM TOMORROW... hehehe...

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Update: 7.30 PM. Just finished my 3rd online session of the day. Huppfffff.... The last session is my advanced KIDS class. I was already so tired from facilitating Online Practicum for my Interpreting Class in Satelite campus is Aru Islands but the KIDS were awesome and they got me really hyped to finished the one and a half our session. 

The I remembered that I told Simon that I will go to buy bread for breakfast because I need to go for a walk. My step counter is still below my daily goal and I have been sitting a lot today. So I put on my jacket and my 'trusty' umbrella and headed to the dark of the night! Dedication huh!

But as I was walking for a out 100 steps, I met Simon. Hehehehe... My husband was afraid that I didn't make it before the shop closed and he went and but it. We are still on Social Distancing Scheme so stores have to closed by 8 PM. Anyway, so I decided to walk back with him. Arriving home, I really want to hit my goal step. So I decided to just walk around house. Tania got excited thinking that it is a game so she tailed me. We throw in some silly dances in the steps too.

AND after 20 minutes of silly walk and dances going around the 1st floor, go up to second floor and circle the work/study room and go up to the 3rd floor and back to 2nd floor again... WE DID IT!!!! I smashed my goal. I hit 10,000 steps today!!!

So, I am off to bed now. I am so tired but still very pumped. last counter bfore I sleep tonight is 10,383 steps. and THAT'S a record!

Day 4 Pandemic New Habit Week 1

It's day 4 now! Wednesday, 15 July 2020. 

I woke up at about 4 AM but decided to go back to sleep again. I was really up at 5.30 AM. Last night all of us slept every early. We were all in bed by 9.30 PM and about 10 PM past we were already asleep. I had a wonderful rest last night, I wonder if the walk have anything to do with it. 

Anyway, I drank a full glass of water this morning. Previously, I find it difficult. Then I had my morning devotion. Today's devotion was especially special. It is an affirmation that God is watching what I am doing and care about all the effort I do for my spiritual life and my physical body. Thank you, God. 

This morning new route LEAP - Advent church - Alphamidi store - LEAP 

Anyway, I took a new route today. Usually I walk in the direction of Ambon City Center (ACC) Mall or towards Passo. However, this morning I walk to the left to the direction of Halong. As this is my first time doing this route, I roughly estimated similar distance to ACC. So I walked until Nessta Construction supply store and walked a bit further to the Advent church before turning back. Walking back, I walked past Citraland entrance to Alphamidi to check whether they are open because I need to buy bread for breakfast, but they were closed. So, I walk back home. My step counter hit 7078 Steps. AWESOME!!!... Plus walking around the house, I am certain today I will hit my goal of 8,000 steps/day too. 

You may have wondered why I just walk and not do running or Zumba or aerobics or gym etc. Well, I have thought of all that. I have even tried doing some of that but they didn't last due to work  time restriction. Then I started reading a lot about making it a habit that will turn into lifestyle. They key to that is to start small and do it consistently. I then read about the benefit of walking for health. Walking is a low impact exercise and it's a great entry point to do physical workout if you have never done workout before. Well, I fall into that category. It has been a LOOOOONG time since I last workout. My work and lifestyle that I build led me to be attached to my desk and chair. Juggling motherhood, family life, work stuff and so on left me with less time for exercising. 

So, when your body is not used to exercising, why being mean and drive it to intense workout and exercise which will ended up making you feel helpless. I am trying to be kind to my body and introduce it to exercise again. Beside, don't belittle walking. Many research have shown the enormous benefit of walking such as 

- Boosting your energy level

- Improve your mood

- Complete your physical activity for the day

- It may help you to lose weight 

- Prevent or manage health conditions

- Strengthen muscles

- improve mental clarity

- sleep better at night

At least these are some of the list google gave me. I myself aimed to make this a habit that will led to lifestyle. It is something good to do. So why not do it? I plan to evaluate at the end of week one. This week, I have already said I will be doing 3 things. Perhaps I will add one more every week. 

Alright! today is going to be busy as usual. But today is also Tania's 1st day back to school. It will be done online. I have 2 Online classes to manage and 2 consultation session with my students. Gonna be a looong day.
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Update: 11:10 AM now. Tania is done with her Day 1 Online school orientation. I am done with my 1st Online class of the day. Now I need to go and cook lunch and dinner.
Btw, Tania is a bit sad today because they cut down yet another tree. I tried to console her by letting her know that the soil is not strong anymore due to constant rain. SO they must take precaution to cut it down before it fell down and hit people passing under it.

Heartbroken Tania watching the men cut down the trees. She said it pained her to hear the sound of the chainsaw and saw the tree being sawed. She wanted to go down there get a piece of the tree to keep. 

Lunch today: Stirfry Kangkung with garlic sprinkles, Fried Tofu and Egg and Tofu Omlette

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Evening Update:
Somehow I forgot to turn on the step counter so the counter stopped at 7,789 steps. Although in reality I have hit more than that. I took a long nap and take a long rest in the evening. I am feeling a bit moody today. I think I am PMS-ing. Anyway, Today we also introducing more fruits in our diet. Tania tried the fruit smooties. I am not sure she liked the consistency though. But I am proud that she got excited and tried it.

Day 3 Pandemic New Habit Week 1

The view from our bedroom window/door at 6 AM today

It's day 3, people!!!!!!, Tuesday July 14th 2020.

I woke up at 5.10 ahead of my 5.30 alarm clock. I drank a glass of water. and sat down for my devotion. I have just finished with the devotion and praying now. It is now 6 AM. It is raining cats and dogs outside. this will perhaps put a damp on my motivation hehehe.... (let's hope not).

Timbeeeeeeerrrrr...... The rain was so hard that the tree across the street from our house fell down..
'Poor tree... We love that tree...

Now, I think I will use 1 hour to tidy up. I hope the rain will get better by then. If not, I need to do some kind of activity to keep moving. I have been living quite a sedentary life these past few months. Only sitting down, eating too much and not enough move. I get tempted to do many exercise challenges but I now believe that moving from a desk-chair potato to get moving again need to be done in a purposeful manner. I now believe it is better to create a habit and make it a lifestyle. I have back pain these past few months. I think it is because of too much sitting too. Now that I have tried to move more on day 3, my back pain is still there. But it's just day 3. I believe there will be changes that happen to me at the end of week 1. I am curious of what it is. Let's see together.

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Update: It is now 7.10 AM usually I am off walking by now. but still it's raining really hard outside. Anyway, I actually didn't tidy up because I suddenly feel hungry. I went down and saw the banana on the kitchen counter that is about to go bad. It is a local banana variety called pisang 40 hari (40 days banana). So I just mashed it, and mix with egg and a bit of flour and baking power plus fiber creme and flipped it like a pancake. I also boiled some eggs for breakfast. I had one banana pancake with tea. 

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Update: 7.30 AM rain is stopping. Will try to go on a walk now. I have been walking around the room, going up and down 1st floor and 2nd floor and did some silly dances to move the muscles. My step counter is currently 1,977 steps. I am aiming to get the 8,000 steps by the end of today. 

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Update: It's 12.30 now. 

This is an amazing feat I went on my walk in the big rain!!!! This can be a mark of dedication or stupidity. I had an umbrella with me because although the rain stopped when I started walking, I had this inkling that it may rain again. Well... It really POURS!!! I have some picture to prove below

Me and the umbrella that saved me

YEP! It POURS!!!

Anyway, I walk quite far about more than 4 km back and forth (Google Maps said it's 1.9 Km something). That's an achievement for me who usually sit all day. And walking in the rain is actually nice. I find it comforting. Yeah! Wierd... Anyway, today I try to put a destination because just walking for the sake of walking got me bored. So I decided I need to use the ATM so I walked from Lateri (Citraland) to ACC Mall and back. 

Let me just say that it is my personal best in day 3. I hit 7,768 steps just this morning and I am elated. 

On the way back, Simon called just as I was thinking that I should call him (Awwww...) so I asked him to boil some water for bath and tea. Therefore, as I came back I can take a bath and have hot tea. Anyway, After bath I made our lunch and Now I am going to go have lunch. More updates tonight. 

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Update: It's 9 PM now. 

I have a looong day. And perhaps because I am elated I do not feel too tired. I taught 2 online class session today. Then write a draft for up coming report. Then I get back to prepare for my classess etc. Then I decided that I am in the mood to sort through mountains of students assignments and unidentified piles of paper. Some I brought back from campus after I have to work from home. Lo and behold! This made me sooooo happy because I 'harvest' so much used papers. These stacks of used paper will be useful for us if we need to print out something. Be kind to the environment and save the trees!! It's a little something you can do!

At the moment half of our our work/study room is clean and tidy. This will give us a good start of the day tomorrow since Tania will be starting her 5th grade tomorrow. But it will be done online. 

All in all today is a great feeling day. Hopefuly, tomorrow will be too. I am going to work for a bit more and then off to sleep by 10 AM. 

Result of the tidying up. 1/2 the Work/Study room is tidy. 

By the way, last count on my pedometer is 8,569 steps. I did it!!