Taekwondo Sparring & Commercial Shoot

Friday was my first attempt at sparring in Taekwondo. And I must admit, I was not even remotely good. Though I did have the impediment of my chin guard not staying in place compounded with the asthma issues as a partial excuse for my poor performance. After the class I figured out how to adjust the chin guard though. I had a tight chest pain even after I arrived home from my asthma because of sparring. Odd thing about how my asthma reacts when I spar and grapple (wrestle) - I don't feel out of breath until I stop doing the activity instead of during.

Saturday they conducted a commercial shoot at Taekwondo - I participated only in the Gumdo portion. I didn't really want to do the commercial at all 'cause I am not photogenic - but I did it to ensure females were represented. I didn't do the Taekwondo portion 'cause I thought the female aspect had been taken care of. But the day of the shoot the girl who said she was coming didn't show up. Oh well. As the moment grew closer for me to participate, I got nervous. And then when I realized that knowing the terminology factored heavily into participating (only just started Gumdo), I was even more nervous. But I hung out in the back row and just did my best to follow along. It's not that I didn't know what the moves were - I just didn't know what they were called. I was supposed to get a terminology sheet but never did. Will have to remind him when school commences.

The commercial will air on a number of Bronx stations - I wonder if I'll be visible in the commercial? Probably not - but we'll see.
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"F Minus" Comic

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Jazzmin's Recitals

Here is the YouTube posting of Jazzmin's mambo recital. Kind of hard to see which one is her but she is the fourth one from the right in the front row. She's the one who it looks like her shoulders are scrunched up.



I noticed Brenda posted the recital from last year, when Jazzmin was taking hip-hop. Jazzmin is the in the group on the left - second one in on front row.

Summer is Here!!

So Jazzmin had her dance recital on Sunday (Brenda will post video soon on youtube), Brenda and Dawn were also in attendance. Upon finding our seats for the show I found out the seating chart they showed me when choosing the seats was utterly wrong. I ended up in practically the same seats I had last year, seats I was trying to avoid. Why, you may ask? Because they are right in front of the speakers. Apparently the people producing the show don't feel the music is loud enough until the audience is bleeding out the ears. Fortunately I had forewarned Dawn of the potential noise and she brought ear plugs.

2 hours after the show started and just after intermission ended, Jazzmin's class finally came to the stage to perform. Jazzmin did very well - esp. considering they had made changes at the end of the routine a week before the show - and she was absent from that class. So she had to learn the new ending the day of the recital. Fortunately we were able to leave right after her performance and not be subjected to another 2+ hours of deafening music.

After the show it was a mad dash back to my apartment to pick up Jazzmin's suit case and my cat Nova. Nova is staying with Dawn for the summer (at the very least) and was taking the trip with them to NH. I sprayed a little Feliway spray on a paper towel and put it in the carrier, as I did when bringing Nova to the vet, and put him in. I felt confident that he'd be as calm and sedated as he was when I had to transport him to the vet while traveling to NH. But, sadly, that was not the case. Apparently his pupils got tiny and he left his mouth open in between meows. Brenda said she's never seen such a terrified cat. I felt so bad for Nova - poor thing.

When I called Dawn the next day I found out that Nova had taken refuge in his litter box and wasn't coming out. At least Jazzmin is there so he doesn't think he was completely abandoned. I'll call in a few days to see if he's doing any better.

My apt. feels so empty without Nova. He would always sit in the doorway of the bathroom when I was getting ready for work, etc., he'd always come up on the couch to get affection or lay on the back of the couch to hang out with me and every night (without fail) he'd come up on to the bed just as I layed own and gave me love paws. It was like a nice kitty cat massage for me.

Well, I hope it's all worth it and my asthma goes away with Nova gone. I already vaccumed the couch and my bed. This weekend I am going to wash all the floors and clean the air purifier filter so there are no residual cat hairs stored up there.

Next week the tae kwon do school is closed - but after that starts my intense workout schedule. I'll be at the school 5 days a week and taking about 7 classes. I am on a mission to lose weight. It's going to be hard motivating myself to do it but I am going to try my best. I just have to keep telling myself that it's only for 2 months.
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"Strange Brew" Comic

"Pearls Before Swine" Comic

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"F Minus" Comic

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Volunteering Today

I volunteered today, through my job, to help fix up Pelham Bay Park (near where I live). It's claim to fame is it's the largest park in NYC, yes, larger then central park. I think the sign said it was approx 2,700 acres.

We were split up into about 5 groups with duties ranging from: cleaning up beach, planting, weed pulling and a few other things. The park and beach were already in great condition. I was on the group that was pulling weeds - they called it something else to make it sound more 'glamorous' then it was. We were basically pulling out plants that would kill the trees in one way or another.

I focused on pulling out the garlic mustard plant (see photo) because it was hard to remember all the different things they pointed out were bad. So I stuck to one plant type. Most of the time, at least it felt like, was spent walking to/from the site we were to work. Along the way the 2 men who work for the park were pointing out all the bad plants and what they do to the trees. It was great to see 2 guys who truly loved there job and were very into what they were doing. They were very knowledgeable and had a passion for the environment. It's good to love what you do for a living, right?

I ended up getting slightly sun burned, despite the sun screen I put on. The back of my neck got the worst of it. Oh well.

I am so tired now, can't wait to go home!
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Went to New Pulmonary Doctor Today

I went to the new pulmonary doctor today and she gave me this "Peak Flow Meter". It's apparently something commonly used by asthma patients which I have never heard of from the 3-4 doctors I've been to about my asthma. What you do is blow into it with this quick burst and this gauge shoots forward, then you read the result. I am supposed to do this everyday at about the same time each day to see what results I get. And do it a second time after I exercise. Apparently my peak flow number is important to know because they ask for it if you ever get admitted to the emergency room for an asthma attack.

She also let me know that the allergist who gave me symbicort (daily inhaler) told me the wrong dosage. It's supposed to be 2 inhalations in the morning and 2 in the evening instead of once each time. She also said that I'm supposed to rinse my mouth after using symbicort because it can irritate my throat. Another thing my previous doctor didn't tell me.

So now I am going to start taking the symbicort at the proper dosage and measure my peak flow for a month and then see her again. After that she will take the next steps. I am praying that the higher dosage of my daily inhaler will help noticeably. I am tired of getting out of breath every day.

So far - so good with this doctor. She seems competent and nice.
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Jazzmin & Her Sister Deja

Here are pictures of Jazzmin with her half-sister Deja. Deja is 8 months younger then Jazzmin and lives with her grandparents in Indiana. Deja's mother died in a car accident about 8 years ago, so that's why she lives with grandparents.

"Pearls Before Swine" Comic

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Jazzmin's Other Half Sister

Jazzmin met her other half sister, Deja, this weekend. Jazzmin didn't know about her, I didn't figure there was much reason to tell her since the little girl lives in Indiana. Deja is 8 months younger then Jazzmin.

Deja is here visiting and staying with Jazzmin's Grandma Simon so I thought it was finally time to tell her about her other half sister. At least now Jazzmin is older - I thought this was a better time to let her know of her other sibling. Jazzmin spent the weekend with Deja and is staying with her Grandma until Tuesday. She said she wants to spend as much time as possible with her sister. The only reason she wants to come back Tues. is to spend time with me prior to leaving for the summer. Otherwise I'm sure she'd prefer to stay the entire week with her newly found sister.

I think it's cute that Jazzmin seems attached to her sister already - I guess it helps that they are the same age. I don't know what Deja looks like but she's also half white like Jazzmin, so perhaps they look very similar. I'll report back if there are any special stories of their time together that Jazzmin relays.
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Father's Day Poem by Tami Blackwell

Give 'em a hug, a great big kiss.

Because one day, he will be greatly missed.

My daddy has gone far away from this land,
I miss the precious touch of his loving hands.

I never knew last year was the last day,
I could look at my daddy, hug him, and say:
"I love you, Daddy! Happy Father's Day!"

Don't let one day go by without telling him
how dear he is!
Remember you may not have another year to tell him this!

All I have now is great memories,
a heartfull of love and eyes full of tears, and
to remember his love throughout the years.

Now I will have to look up at the stars and
say, "I love you, Daddy! Happy Father's Day!"
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Echo Cardiogram Results

I went to get my echo cardiogram stress test this morning to see if my leaky heart valve leaks more when I exercise. They hooked me up and it was a little embarrassing to have to be topless, but at least it was a female doing it. They did an echo cardiogram at rest and then put me on the treadmill. It didn't take long before I started getting out of breath but I lasted until after the 3rd stage (each stage 3 min. and goes faster with each stage). Then the RUSH me back to lay down to take an echo cardiogram right after being on the treadmill.

The doctor told me that the very slight leak in my heart valve is normal and what everybody has. He said that I am not somebody with a leaky heart valve problem. He also said that my lung capacity before and after workout was normal.

So now that my doctor has ruled out pulmonary hypertension and leaky heart valve as contributing to my breathing problems - it seems sure that asthma is the culprit. I have to find a different pulmonary doctor to do the follow up because the one I initially went to see is no longer "in-network" for my insurance. It would end up costing me more money if I went to see her. So I am going to make an appt. and then call for documentation of my results so I can show the other doctor. Hopefully he/she can get me some meds that will finally, effectively, control my asthma symptoms.

********UPDATE********

I just made an appt. with a pulmonary doctor for next Wednesday. This doctor is a Columbia U. grad and is board certified. So she should be good. I research where the doctors I see went to school - it's just so hard to find a good doctor. I figure if they went to a good school there's a good chance they'll be the most helpful.
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Gumdo is Low Key

I took my first Gumdo class last night - I was hoping to have my cool uniform but it hadn't come in yet. :( It turns out that Gumdo is pretty low key and not necessarily a workout to suppliment Tae Kwon Do. Gumdo is more skill based then athletic.

I'm still going to do it for the summer, esp. since I'm contractually obligated to. It'll be good to do just for the experience even if it doesn't contribute to my weight loss.

I've decided to take the kick boxing class at the school this summer - that's an additional 2 classes. And I know, for sure, they do a good workout. I'm going to take this, not only because Gumdo isn't a workout, but because it turns out that they're not going to have Saturday classes this summer. Apparently the kids' classes are very empty during the summer and the 2 adult classes on Saturday are not insentive enough to stay open. Taking Saturdays away is taking a workout from me - so kick boxing will help make up for that.

I am determined to go all out this summer to lose weight - am going to do everything I can while I have the opportunity. I am also going to go on a diet. I already make an effort to not go crazy with the junk food and watch what I eat, but I am going to followed a structured diet this summer. It's by this doctor who helped run "Celebrity fit club" - wanted to try and see if it works!

Today I have my echo cardiogram - so hopefully after this I can get treatment and start recovering from my asthma issues. Then it will be easier to take the classes this summer and I'll be more inclined to go during the school year. Can't wait to get this asthma thing resolved!!!!!!!!!!

"The Argyle Sweater" Comic

"Close to Home" Comic

The Peril of Tae Kwon Do

I took my first night class of tae kwon do on Friday since the onset of my really bad asthma symptoms. Night classes tend to be more intense then the Saturday ones - intense because of the way the class is conducted (boot camp). I was able to participate in the Saturday ones reasonably well so I thought I would be able to handle the night classes.

Friday's class was hard - everything was a struggle. It didn't help that it was 100 or 50 of any given exercise. 100 jumping jacks, 100 sit ups, 50 push ups, 50 mountain climbers, 100 up and down leg lifts, etc. etc. etc. The other students had to do 20 laps of running and then 10 laps of duck walks, but due to my asthma issues not being resolved (still get asthma attack even with emergency pump when I run), the teacher gave me alternative exercises. All the exercises involved working out my abs. Close to the end of class my tummy started not to feel well and I had to run to the bathroom to throw up. It was more like the dry-heaves then anything. But like a trooper, I went back to participating in class after throwing up. I think it was all the labored breathing that caused this.


I still went to class the next morning, on Saturday, and it wasn't so bad. But I had to do more ab work due to the fact I am unable to run. I guess my teacher has noticed my need to work on that area. lol But the combined ab workouts of Friday and Saturday has caused me to have very sore ab muscles for the past couple of days. My abs have never hurt so much! Hopefully by the end of the summer all this work will pay off.

I'm not going to let what happened to me Friday night to deter me from going to night classes again, as I get stronger it will be come easier (or at least more tolerable). My workout routine is going to be intense this summer. I am going to be doing 4 tae kwon do classes and 3 Kumdo (Gumdo) classes additionally. It comes out to 8 hours of working out each week. I also am going to go on a diet to further my weight loss. We'll see what happens!

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Meow!

John Hoon Sings Do-Wop

It's great to hear him sing in english but it's a little strange to hear parts where his strong accent comes through. I've also come to the conclusion that he's an amazing vocalist but perhaps not such a talented stage performer - he just seems a little awkward on stage.

Anyway, here he is singing "In the Still of the Night" - check it out:

Dissection, Good - Old Fashion Fun!

Vallerie is signing up Jazzmin and Ilsa to help/watch the dissection of a squid and a cow's eye. Sounds super gross to me but Jazzmin said she's interested in participating. She said, "There is nothing gross about the human body.... I mean, animal body." Wanna bet! lol

I skipped class every time they had a dissection in school. I blame the crayfish dissection for my dislike of seafood. Grrrross with a capital "G". But I guess after doing this - dissecting in school will be a breeze because she'll have already had experience doing it.

Val is also giving Jazz and Ilsa jobs at her sister-in-laws hair salon. She is responsible for sweeping the hair, I wonder if she's going to get paid? Either way Jazz seems excited to do it.
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"Strange Brew" Comic

Jazzmin's 10th Birthday Party

Jazzmin had her 10th birthday party this past Sunday. Though it was about 6 weeks after her actual birthday. As you can tell from the look on her face - she had a good time. I had invited a few more kids then was my limit thinking some wouldn't be able to attend. Especially after last year when only 5 out of 10 showed up. But this year they all showed up (even the extras) not to mention one boy who wasn't even invited. Somebody had told him he should go (wasn't Jazzmin) so he came. Jazzmin had this confused look on her face when he showed up. So I ended up spending a lot more money then I had expected due to everyone showing up. Oh well. This is Jazzmin's last kiddy party so I won't be forking over the big bucks anymore. From now on it's just going to be a night out with a few of her friends for her birthday celebration. Jazzmin is OK with it.
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Jazzmin's Recital Costume

While it's not a great quality photo (took it with camera on cell), here is a photo of Jazzmin trying on her dance costume for her recital.

"The Argyle Sweater" Comic