New Blog Location: New Blog Name!

Hello Readers

I have moved my blog.

You can now find me at

www.auggie-talk.blogspot.com

I will no longer be making full updates on "Hello Auggie Teacher!" however, all previous posts I have made have been imported to the new address. Really, it's the same blog, just a new name.

A couple of things are going to change, and I'm still in the process of importing the website information and links from this blog to the new one.

Anyway, I hope that you all will continue to follow me at my new (not really but kind of) location!

Thank you thank you!

See you at Auggie Talk!

~A.

GMAT and the Plank: A painful combination!

Hello Readers,

It's Sunday morning here in SK and the sun is shining brightly!

Plans today include studying, laundry, studying, exercise, and then more studying.

Also I will be making regularly scheduled visits to ART ESPRESSO and CAFE BENE. I considered Rotiboy, but I doubt I'd have enough willpower today to stay away from the "Cream Cheese Boy" bun. At 218 calories it doesn't seem too bad, but man, they load that thing down with sugar!

SK Bread

Sugar. That's the issue I have with a lot of Korean baked goods. Even the breads (not the pastry items, the BREAD) is sweetened and it drives me absolutely up a wall.

I pass a bread shop and see GARLIC BREAD sitting temptingly in the window. Before I go in I have to remind myself what my first Garlic Bread experience was like here in Korea. I was so excited to see it! I went in, bought it, came out and walked home with a happy skip in my step. When I settled in to snack up on a piece, I took one bite and....

BLAH!!!!!!!!!

I didn't even chew more than once. It was all in the garbage in a heartbeat. It tasted like a garlic SUGAR COOKIE.

GMAT JOURNEY

Yesterday's blog post included some info on how my GMAT prep is going, but I somehow managed to erase it and publish without double checking so it got lost.

Anyway, in short, I sat myself down at ART ESPRESSO yesterday and took the 3 hour GMAT evaluation test.

My results?

Abysmal.

Seriously. It was bad. I didn't even finish the Math section. In 75 minutes I finished 28 out of the 37 questions. Yikes.

The unfortunate thing about my studying for the GMAT is that I have to LEARN math. Yeah, sure, I took classes in Highschool. I even took a college Algebra class. But I didn't learn anything, because my attention was never present in the classes with me.

The majority of my teen years were spent day dreaming. I'm surprised I even remember my highschool days considering that I was always a little non-present during school hours. Honestly though, a humming bird hyped up on 6 shots of espresso probably would have had more of an attention span than I did in Highschool. Especially in Algebra class.

Funny how your parents eventually end up being right about almost every single thing.

Dad and Mom: "You should really study. You need math for all kinds of things!"

Me: "I don't need math for what I want to do. Subtraction, addition, simple multiplication and division. That's all I need."

Dad and Mom: "Hm..."

5 years later

Reality: *SLAP!*

Me: "OW!!!!!!! HEY!!!!!!"

Dad and Mom: "Told you so."

Good thing I started studying early. The majority of what I've read about GMAT test prep is that you shouldn't start studying months in advance because you wear yourself out. Well 'oops' is all I can say. I'm going to be attempting to cram 2 years of lost High school algebra into my memory bank, I need whatever time I can get.

KINDNESS

I tell you what, kindness is a HUGE pick me up. Even a small kindness really makes my day. Yesterday while I was taking the practice test the owner of the coffee shop came back and presented me with a free cup of tea. She offered it to me while saying something along the lines of "You're working hard", "It looks hard" (not 100% sure there). Her facial expression gave away her sympathy towards my predicament. The tea was appreciated, and even much more appreciated was her support.

I was blessed by her. ~ ♥

Well, just for a bit of fun.

Exercise Video of the Day

Nothing fancy. It's just the "Plank".

All you fitness Gurus out there are cracking a smile, but everyone else, yeah... it looks easy, doesn't it?

My only response is:

"OMG OW!"

Enjoy.

Beauty Video of the Day

For those of you who have actually talked to me, you know that I'm nuts over make-up, beauty products, and fashion. So it's no wonder that I am in love with the following woman.

Enjoy her Holiday Make-up video and check her out on youtube here.

Introducing: Michelle Phan

Time to study!

Until next post,

~A.

Updates and Reality Check

Hello Readers,

A special and awesome happening going down in about 11 days. I can't tell you what it is yet, but as soon as I get the opportunity I'll let you know!

This next week is looking busy busy! The school is holding a speech contest for the students on Friday and rehearsal for the contest will be happening on Monday and Wednesday. The almost all-day rehearsals are topped with Kindergarten graduation photos that will be taken on Wednesday morning/afternoon for an estimated total of 4 hours. Upside to the photos, we get off work early on Tuesday to go home and 'rest' so that we'll look fresh and rested for the Kindy graduation photos the next morning.

Whew!

The speech contest is a huge deal at the school. A few of the best student speakers will be hand picked by the director to go to Seoul for the school's nation wide speech contest. It's hilarious... the majority of the speech scripts were practically written by the teachers for the students because the student's English writing capabilities are so horrible. This entire ordeal strengthens my opinion that English Academies in Korea don't focus enough on grammar and developing writing techniques and styles. The majority of what I've experienced the focus is on speaking and conversation, which is all well and good until you have to write an English paper. Then you're up grammar creek without a paddle and no skills in spelling or punctuation whatsoever.

Anyway, enough about school.

FITNESS JOURNEY

T-Tapp is going well. Still practice whenever I get the opportunity and I'm feeling it! I threw in a few more exercises to concentrate on my core muscles especially and I'm so sore! It feels great! I can already feel everything tightening up, and the results (not to mention how good I feel) keep pushing me onward.

However, I know that I'll have a difficult time doing this by myself. I don't know the first thing about training myself. I get loads of advice from my brothers (who are both gym junkies, and in amazing shape) and other guy friends who are teetering on 5% body fat, but everyone has something different to say and I'm getting just plain confused.

So I've decided to look for a personal trainer. I figure that it's the best move for me as far as my fitness goals are concerned. Since I'm looking for a real change and not a casual 'keep the lbs at bay' exercise plan I figure it would be best to go to someone who knows how to teach and encourage. So, yeah, I'm looking now. If you know anyone... haha

****NOTE****

I had a lot more written about the GMAT, but somehow in editing it was all erased and I pressed "Publish" without double checking so it's all lost! Ugh! I'll make a new post later to update you on what's going on with me and my horrible math skills.

The end of the last Saturday of November 2010 is fast approaching, and Sunday is on its way. Then busy busy week! WOW! 28 days until Christmas ya'll!!!! Woo!

Until next post,

~A.

Thanksgiving

Hello Readers,

Yes. I'm a day ahead of most of you, but here in SK, it's Thanksgiving day.

Today is a slow day at work, and these past few weeks especially I've been giving a lot of thought to my life and what I myself am all about.

And I find that I am thankful.

I am thankful for my tendency to run headlong into things, with passion, and with determination. Though a few times this habit of mine has lead me down the wrong road, I learn... I grow... and become less reckless, yet more passionate, about the decisions that I make.

My journey in life has molded and shaped me into a better woman and a better person, and I find that I regret nothing. I am thankful for the strength God has granted me to bounce back, to keep going, to be undeterred by failures or mistakes. I am thankful for the same God granted willpower to keep moving forward, to keep my passion, to keep at least some of my reckless abandon intact.

Maybe I can't claim ownership to the most practical thought processes known to man, but no one will ever be able to say "She hasn't ever done anything, really."

I am thankful for the strength I had, and am maintaining, to CHANGE MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER, by taking control of my health. I'm thankful for the success and the support I've experienced from my journey to a healthier body and mind.

I am thankful for my FAMILY who, despite disagreeing with me at times, ALWAYS supports me, ENCOURAGES me, and LOVES me. I know that I am NEVER alone. I have been and continue to be SO BLESSED by the family God gave me. I don't think any other family in this world could have handled me. :)

I am thankful for the FRIENDS who have stuck by me through the years. Despite any flaws they may have discovered in me or my personality, they have loved, they have endured, and they have enriched my life more than they will ever know or understand. Continually, every day, I find new blessings in their friendship and their love.

I am thankful for every opportunity I've been given, and I am thankful for the opportunities that still present themselves to me.

I am thankful for a God who has never, not even once, given up on me. Even when I was ready to give up on myself.

Thank you GOD for never turning your back on me in my troubles, for always guiding me through the storm, for never leaving me lonely or wanting, for always keeping me up on my feet, ready to go, ready to conquer, ready to continue dreaming, growing, and loving.

I know that I haven't been the most bragworthy daughter, Lord. I know that there are many times when I wander off, when I don't listen, when I do things my way instead of yours. I know that I have come to you a million times over asking forgiveness for the SAME THINGS. Any person would refuse to forgive, but you, father, no... you accept me back every time. You heal me every time. Then, despite what most would consider better judgement, you give me yet another chance.

I can always find you, God. And no matter how far away I've wandered, and even run at times, I'm always surprised to find you standing right next to me when I reach out in fear and confusion.

I AM THANKFUL! More than I could ever express.

Today is Thanksgiving. And today, though there is no turkey at my table...uh, and though I have no table really to call my own anyway... and though I am thousands of miles away from the family and friends that love and care for me, I feel extreme, deep, indescribable thankfulness. And even when I don't express it, I feel it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every moment of my life the thankfulness is there, welling up inside of me, glowing brightly even in the darkness.

I celebrate this day with joy.

THANK YOU GOD! THANK YOU for blessing me with all of those reasons I have to remain thankful every day.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Until next post,

~A.

The Korea Predicament and T-Tapp Challenge Update

Hello Readers,

I need to make a post to let everyone know that I'm okay! We're all okay here.

Yesterday North Korea attacked a South Korean island, killing two marines, destroying houses, and causing mass panic.

Read about it here.

I know that a lot of my family and friends have heard about it on the news, and I just want you all to know that I'm fine. There's no pandemonium here, but everyone is a little on edge. Me too.

Keep South Korea in your prayers ya'll. And not just South Korea, North Korea too. You know those people are in a really bad situation now, and a lot of them don't have any options. It's a scary atmosphere there, and they need prayer just as much as anyone.

Now, moving on to lighter hearted things...

T-TAPP challenge update.

I'm still learning the basics. Going by the book is a lot more difficult than I originally thought. Apparently, I'm a visual learner. It's easier for me to learn how to do something by seeing it done. So, I end up having to read directions over and over again until I can get it right. It's not too bad, it just takes longer.

I'm looking forward to buying the 'Basic Workout' DVD in a few weeks.

I'm feeing fantastic!

I can feel the strength in my stomach muscles, and my posture has really improved. I pay more attention now to how I'm sitting and standing, and it's really improved a lot of things.

Also, I've been doing Hoedowns after meals for the past few days. haha Hoe downs are an exercise that have been known to lower your glucose spikes by 60-80% after eating. It looks like a really simple exercise and can be done almost anywhere, but man... it's not as easy as it looks by the second set.

It gets my energy flowing big time! I feel more awake and energized after doing a set of hoedowns than I do after a cup of coffee. And what's better? No caffeine crash!

My back muscles are staying sore, which is a good sign to me. It means that I'm finally working those muscles that were always so neglected before.

The added energy and strength that I'm already feeling in my stomach and back is really keeping me on board with T-Tapp.

Want to see something amazing? Watch this video:

Until next post,

~A.

Little Update

Hello Readers,

I'm trying to get through a rough spot. :) Everything's okay, but things are a little stressful at the moment. I suspect that I'll be ready to get back to my regularly (kind of) scheduled blogging activities in a week or so.

Just a random update for now: Dunkin' Donuts coffee is the worst. THE WORST.

Also, I plan to introduce fruit back into my diet starting this evening. Wish me luck. :P

Will be starting the GM/MM eating plan a lot sooner than expected, but I'm looking forward to it.

Expect a T-Tapp update soon.

Well, that's pretty much all for today.

Until next blog (which will hopefully be of more substance than this one),

~A.

Bump in the Road

Hello readers!

I haven't blogged in a few days. I have an explanation... and a confession.

I officially fell off the wagon. Yesterday and the day before I stepped a bit off the deep end emotionally and ate food that I wasn't supposed to eat for another 2 months. I'm not going to go into detail. All you guys need to know is that I blew it because stress won out over my willpower.

These past few days have been extremely stressful for reasons that I'll explain on a later date.

I've found that in the states, I never had trouble with binge eating. I would eat food that wasn't very good for me, but I wouldn't gorge myself to that filling point. In Korea? I've done it on more than one occasion (not recently, at least not until yesterday). It must be homesickness. I have to learn how to battle that kind of thing if I want to succeed with the goals I've given myself.

Thankfully I'm on an exercise plan now which helped balance out my little indiscretion. But, it still knocked me back some days.

Today, I woke up feeling 100% dedicated to getting back on track.

I guess I needed that little dip in the road to get me fired up for continuing on to meet my goals.

I want to say, to those of you who are struggling with your exercise or diet plan, don't get overly discouraged if you mess up. You didn't ruin everything! Don't think that way! A mess up doesn't mean failure, it means temporary lapse! You can get right back on the horse, and maybe even be a little stronger for it.

Though I'm still feeling stressed, I feel more ready to handle the stress that's facing me. I have a plan, I have a goal, and I have a dream to follow with the support of those whose love is the most important to me.

I'm very happy to announce that I'm back on track! With health, with fitness, with my life in general!

I'll publish a proper blog later with updates on my T-TAPP challenge.

Everyone have a great rest of the week! Round it out strong!

Until next post,

~A.