Fitness is an important part of my life. Since I was very young I have been uncomfortable in my body. For the past three years I have been focused on making myself happy in my own skin by changing my diet, by becoming vegan, and incorporating exercise into my weekly routine. With including these components into my lifestyle I have become happier and life a healthier life.
As a student, there are ways that a schedule will fluctuate and fitness factors that are usually part of a set schedule may be hard to keep constant. While deciding on a school, having fitness facilities on campus will be an important factor affecting my decision. I think a fitness center on campus is important because of a students fluctuating schedule, on a day when the student has a lot of work it is convenient for them to walk to another building on campus and have access to a fitness center at anytime they have, and for a small or no cost, which everyone knows is important to students. Meal plans also help with a student's health. The students have the choice to pick healthy foods, without having to prepare them or purchase them outside of their tuition or school costs. Having the ability to take care of oneself by exercising and eating right leads to good mental and emotional health. When I cannot exercise and when I do not eat right, I become very stressed and anxious. When I am away at college, if I do not have appropriate conditions(workout centers, healthy food, a clean living area) which are key factors in my life, I will not be in a healthy emotional or mental state. All of these factors play roles related to each other, and by making the right decisions while at school and home, by exercising, eating well and being in a stress-free environment lead to having good physical, mental and emotional health.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Beach Day!
Today, I started guarding again, come to find I am somewhat cheated out of working hours*.
When I arrived home, I was presented with the information that a Beach Day was planned. I quickly packed my "beach bag" with necessary contents (coloring books, crayons, magazines, a book, tea and sunscreen). and was ready.
I haven't been to this beach for many years, it is lakeside, not oceanside, therefore the water not as cold, less people and of course the sand, just as annoying. The trip was nice, I read the entire time, though not reading as much as I would like to, being distracted by the party I arrived with. I only went into the water once, having swam this morning to prepare for the upcoming swim season; of which I am not sure that I will be participating in.
Altogether, I had a fine time at the beach, though not a fan of the sun, it felt wonderful to sit outside in the bright, summer weather.
*Of course when I decide to save all of my money; I am stuck making less.
When I arrived home, I was presented with the information that a Beach Day was planned. I quickly packed my "beach bag" with necessary contents (coloring books, crayons, magazines, a book, tea and sunscreen). and was ready.
I haven't been to this beach for many years, it is lakeside, not oceanside, therefore the water not as cold, less people and of course the sand, just as annoying. The trip was nice, I read the entire time, though not reading as much as I would like to, being distracted by the party I arrived with. I only went into the water once, having swam this morning to prepare for the upcoming swim season; of which I am not sure that I will be participating in.
Altogether, I had a fine time at the beach, though not a fan of the sun, it felt wonderful to sit outside in the bright, summer weather.
*Of course when I decide to save all of my money; I am stuck making less.
Friday, July 1, 2011
NYC: June 29th
This trip to the city happened to be spur-of-the-moment, though, plans that just seem to grow out of nowhere usually become the most enjoyable trips. The original set departure time was 7 a.m., however, because of late-night nostalgic cartoons, our it was pushed back about 5 hours. On the way stopping for coffee* at Buffalo Zack's Cafe (which we have adorned Roscoe Diner),
the drive down seemed to be shorter than normal, taking a different route right into the Upper East Side may have been the cause.
Since it was already 4 o'clock, we went directly to the Candle Cafe for an early dinner. I loved the atmosphere of the cafe, bustling and energetically filling take out orders, deliveries and placing plates stacked with delicately arranged food in front of the anticipating customers directly at hand. The manager was overseeing the mechanical chaos of the restaurant, and not a touch of stiffness was apparent between the employees and his presence, more like a friendly acknowledgement and flow. The food was delicious, of course. I also always enjoy a completely vegan restaurant, it's nice to not have to pick and chose over a menu, trying to avoid certain foods and worry how the item ordered is going to be prepared. Even with the delicious food, the hospitality was a tad on the cold side. Switching servers halfway through, our original waitress seemed to be more concerned with meeting her friends during her break, rather than how she was treating her customers. The stiff interactions between the patrons was common of New Yorkers, quickly averting eyes in the same second as they were met, and the broken relationship between server and diner reminded me of why I much prefer the West Coast* to the East.
After our dinner, and espresso (which was divine) we left for the theatre district. It was almost 7, and our goal was to pick up the tickets for Phantom of the Opera before 7:15. We parked the car in a lot directly on Broadway, which was of course incredibly convenient. We were able to pick up the tickets before our desired time, and upon my mother's suggestion, went to a "diner" which in actuality was a bar, and was awful. The coffee tasted like water, and there was no toilet paper in the restroom, which put me in a sour mood. After that terrible experience we walked into Times Square to exhaust the extra 20 minutes we had. Wandering into Sephora to browse the vegan makeup they had available, and because of my girlish instincts, spent a little more time than planned in the store. We walked less than a block to the theatre and waited in a line that was longer than the walk. The wait was short thankfully, and we were able to get in our front mezzanine seats* with time to spare. Not enough time, however, to use the bathroom. Which of course had a line as long as the transcontinental railroad. Phantom was excellent, though with this play I often lose interest at several points in its duration, because, I think, I know it so well. I often forget how well our chorus was trained in school, the actress portraying Christine hit her vowels with an "i" sound* every time, which caused a sharp pain for my well-tuned ears each time it came about. The visual aspects of this show were amazing, the Phantom's lair, ugh, brilliant. The Phantom himself was wonderful, really making the show as spectacular as it is labeled to be.
After the show, we traveled back into Sephora, unable to resist. Testing perfumes I wouldn't be able to afford in a million years, and getting ideas for before-school purchases. I bookmarked Philosophy's new "Field of Flowers" lotion, and of course a cache of Urban Decay products. I did end up purchasing a lipstick from Urban Decay in "Revolution". Seriously, I couldn't stop myself.
The drive back was reminiscent of a red-eye flight, we were so tired we ended up getting a hotel room an hour away from home. Though, the wonderful part about the stop was that the hotel was located next door to a Starbucks. When I woke at 11, I sauntered on over and bought a cappuccino before continuing the drive home.
I think this summer requires another trip to the city, though the nest time, I think, I will extend the stay in a hotel located near SoHo, and not have so many required stops. I don't spend enough time in the southern half of the city and I think that it may be time that I start.
*This coffee is normally fantastic, though this time seemed to be rather watered down. That may have been because I added sweetener (which I hate), before I noticed soymilk was available.
*California is one of the most friendly places I have ever been. Each person smiles at each other when walking down the street. The first few hours walking around we were stiff New Yorkers, but after being in the friendly, warm atmosphere our hard shells melted. The interactions between servers and customers is almost like a friendship, making me feel a bit guilty. The patrons are seated right next to each other, like one large group in the restaurant, and do interact with each other as such.
*Easily the best seats in the house, I love sitting in the mezzanine because one has the ability to absorb the entirety of the gorgeous structure of the theatre and the fine precision of a Broadway show.
* "Music" should have a deep "u" sound in the first syllable after a warm "m" and lighten on the second syllable with a quick, un-clipping final consonant of "c", instead it was pronounced "meiwwzick", which I can't eloquently explain my distaste for.
the drive down seemed to be shorter than normal, taking a different route right into the Upper East Side may have been the cause.
Since it was already 4 o'clock, we went directly to the Candle Cafe for an early dinner. I loved the atmosphere of the cafe, bustling and energetically filling take out orders, deliveries and placing plates stacked with delicately arranged food in front of the anticipating customers directly at hand. The manager was overseeing the mechanical chaos of the restaurant, and not a touch of stiffness was apparent between the employees and his presence, more like a friendly acknowledgement and flow. The food was delicious, of course. I also always enjoy a completely vegan restaurant, it's nice to not have to pick and chose over a menu, trying to avoid certain foods and worry how the item ordered is going to be prepared. Even with the delicious food, the hospitality was a tad on the cold side. Switching servers halfway through, our original waitress seemed to be more concerned with meeting her friends during her break, rather than how she was treating her customers. The stiff interactions between the patrons was common of New Yorkers, quickly averting eyes in the same second as they were met, and the broken relationship between server and diner reminded me of why I much prefer the West Coast* to the East.
After our dinner, and espresso (which was divine) we left for the theatre district. It was almost 7, and our goal was to pick up the tickets for Phantom of the Opera before 7:15. We parked the car in a lot directly on Broadway, which was of course incredibly convenient. We were able to pick up the tickets before our desired time, and upon my mother's suggestion, went to a "diner" which in actuality was a bar, and was awful. The coffee tasted like water, and there was no toilet paper in the restroom, which put me in a sour mood. After that terrible experience we walked into Times Square to exhaust the extra 20 minutes we had. Wandering into Sephora to browse the vegan makeup they had available, and because of my girlish instincts, spent a little more time than planned in the store. We walked less than a block to the theatre and waited in a line that was longer than the walk. The wait was short thankfully, and we were able to get in our front mezzanine seats* with time to spare. Not enough time, however, to use the bathroom. Which of course had a line as long as the transcontinental railroad. Phantom was excellent, though with this play I often lose interest at several points in its duration, because, I think, I know it so well. I often forget how well our chorus was trained in school, the actress portraying Christine hit her vowels with an "i" sound* every time, which caused a sharp pain for my well-tuned ears each time it came about. The visual aspects of this show were amazing, the Phantom's lair, ugh, brilliant. The Phantom himself was wonderful, really making the show as spectacular as it is labeled to be.
After the show, we traveled back into Sephora, unable to resist. Testing perfumes I wouldn't be able to afford in a million years, and getting ideas for before-school purchases. I bookmarked Philosophy's new "Field of Flowers" lotion, and of course a cache of Urban Decay products. I did end up purchasing a lipstick from Urban Decay in "Revolution". Seriously, I couldn't stop myself.
The drive back was reminiscent of a red-eye flight, we were so tired we ended up getting a hotel room an hour away from home. Though, the wonderful part about the stop was that the hotel was located next door to a Starbucks. When I woke at 11, I sauntered on over and bought a cappuccino before continuing the drive home.
I think this summer requires another trip to the city, though the nest time, I think, I will extend the stay in a hotel located near SoHo, and not have so many required stops. I don't spend enough time in the southern half of the city and I think that it may be time that I start.
*This coffee is normally fantastic, though this time seemed to be rather watered down. That may have been because I added sweetener (which I hate), before I noticed soymilk was available.
*California is one of the most friendly places I have ever been. Each person smiles at each other when walking down the street. The first few hours walking around we were stiff New Yorkers, but after being in the friendly, warm atmosphere our hard shells melted. The interactions between servers and customers is almost like a friendship, making me feel a bit guilty. The patrons are seated right next to each other, like one large group in the restaurant, and do interact with each other as such.
*Easily the best seats in the house, I love sitting in the mezzanine because one has the ability to absorb the entirety of the gorgeous structure of the theatre and the fine precision of a Broadway show.
* "Music" should have a deep "u" sound in the first syllable after a warm "m" and lighten on the second syllable with a quick, un-clipping final consonant of "c", instead it was pronounced "meiwwzick", which I can't eloquently explain my distaste for.
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