Bejing - that last couple of days recap

Looks like I left off around lunch time on Wednesday.

Wednesday night I had dinner out with Melissa - we were going to try and get Indian food but it wasn't open yet - so we walked around a bit and ended up at a Thai place. We had red curry chicken, almond crusted shrimp and pork ribs with pineapple fried rice. It was delicious.

Thursday - I had basically the same thing for breakfast that I had most mornings. Bowl of cereal (but this time I put diced peaches in it), a croissant and an egg with bacon and a couple potato wedges. Lunch - Melissa and I went to the Peking Duck place not far from the office. So more duck pancakes and a tastey green veggie with weird (but good) nuts. Dinner was with Weiling - I had donkey burgers :) He ordered it first cubed and in a soy-based sauce with seasonings. He also ordered tofu, green veggie. Then we got the donkey chopped fine and served in a bread roll-like thing that was crispy on the outside and they put some peppers inside. It was really very good.

Friday - this time I had them make me an omelet. (If only I would have had them do this every day!) A bowl of cereal with fruit. Lunch - I got out late from my class so I went by myself to the place Melissa and I had gone to on Tuesday - I got the lamb pancakes again and tried the "Chinese burger." I ordered a spicey one (not on purpose) but it was very good also. Dinner was down in the market area - Melissa and I walked around a bit first and shopped. I picked up a couple last minute things and then we had Indian food. Chicken Tikka Masala,Lamb Quorma, garlic naan,  and veggie pakora and I had Mango juice for a drink :) The service was pretty bad but the food was really good.

As we were walking after dinner - we decided to splurge on a 'crepe.' Many places had these flat, circular griddle type things - they would take a batter, spread it around with this bamboo tool and then flip it - what they put inside it depended on the place you were at. At the Crepe place we saw - it was a dessert type place. Melissa got one with bananas, whipped cream and nutella. I got one with peaches, whipped cream and they put chocolate sauce inside. (yum!) After the crepe - I had a massage appointment (same place as the week before.) Again you can't beat a 1 hour - full body massage for $27. By the time I got back to the hotel it was after 10pm.

Saturday morning - I got them to make a waffle (this had not been turned on the entire time I was there and they had to heat it up when I asked.) They got this "mixture" that was very thick... it almost looked like super frozen ice cream they had to scrape out and put it in the waffle iron. (He didn't put in enough and it was like a mini waffle) It was very dry but had a good flavor. Then I tried (finally) the crepe thing they had been serving the whole time I was there (but too scared to ask for it hehe) - they made the crepe, then broke and egg over it and scraped it around (like they did to spread the crepe), then they put mu-shu sauce on it, some chopped green onions, then some fried wontons - then folded it up like a burrito. This was pretty good also.

I had to repack to get everything to fit. I was SO happy to not be in 4 layers of clothes. I wore thin sweat pants, a t-shirt and my black Nike sweatshirt (with tennis shoes) to the airport. My checked bag weighed barely over 18 kilos (just under the 20 limit). It took an hour to get to the airport (bleh) and then I immediately headed for food :) Burger King. best freaking burger ever. (At least it seemed like it :) ) Then it took an hour to get through immigration and then security. (ok so I think it was more like 35 minutes but felt like an hour.) I walked around a bit and bought a couple more little things. And then it was off to the plane.

I did actually manage to sleep for about 3 hours total. I slept for an hour and woke up for about an hour then managed to sleep for about 2. The food was "bleh" on the plane (of course.) I watched Three Musketeers, most of In Time - on their screen. On my dvd player - I watched Clash of the Titans.

In San Francisco - it took an hour+ to get through customs, get my bags and re-check them with United and get through security again. I ate a BLT(no T, with Avocado) at Gordon Birsch. Then on my delayed flight home I was in and out of sleep.

I took a nap when I got home (after I gave the boys their T-Shirts and jade figurines.) Then we went to eat at California Pizza Kitchen. I had my favorite - Tortilla Pizza (black beans, salsa, lettuce, spiced ranch and lime chicken). When we got home I cleaned out all the nasty rotted food from the refrigerator. Erik and I went to Smith's to get groceries. I still need to go to Sam's today when the boys get back with the car. By the time I got into bed it was 11p and the puppies slept with me :)

I only woke up a couple of times but managed to go right back to sleep. I hope this is a good sign for me to bounce back to the right time.

Things I won't miss about China (from my FB post)
Guys "hawking a loogey" and spitting it EVERYWHERE
Smoking in Restaurants
Clear Broth Soups
Noodles
Smog
4 layers of clothes
the bitter cold
not being able to order at a restaurants
smooshing into the subways with hundreds of others
smooshing into elevators

extras -
Bikes (and the people on them) who will run you over if you don't pay attention
The run down, littered, beat up area I had to walk to work every day in/through

Things I will miss:
I did get try many different and good foods
Most of the people I worked with there (super nice)
Not getting to see/do more touristy type things.

and that is it. The end of that adventure. I am looking forward to getting back on track with my eating and back to my home routine.

Bejing Week 3 day??

I have pretty much thrown healthy eating to the wind. I know I could likely make better choices but again I have only seen one place that seems to do "salad" and it is on the complete other side of town. (Near the Yashow [Yaixu] Market.) So I take what I can.

Monday - I had breakfast - a bowl of cereal, a pear and a little bit of potatoes and eggs but the egg was cold and wasn't very appetizing. For lunch Melissa (co-worker - Chinese Aussie) and I had pizza at Pappa Johns. It was this little pan pizza with ham and pineapple. It came as a 'set' which came with tiny side salad and a soup. The salad was a bit of mixed greens and thousand island dressing. (No choices on dressing) The soup said it was pumpkin soup... it had some kind of fish in it that I did not like. Dinner - the other co-worker (Weiling) took me to a different "hot pot" place.  This one had the heating element in the table and they served it in a large stew pot. The broth had duck in it. (a whole duck mind you) First we tried the broth, then we tried the duck, then we pulled turnips up and ate those. Then they added more broth and then we cook other meats and veggies in the broth. Then at the end they did "hand pulled" noodles table side and tossed those in. It was all very good.

Tuesday - cereal and eggs and potatoes. I had a croissant also. Lunch - Melissa and I went to the building next door and had "Chinese" - we ordered lamb with pancakes (this was very much like the Peking duck - small pieces of meat, mixed with mu-shu sauce that you wrapped in thin rice wrappers with cucumber and a spicey root thing.) I really like this type of food. We also had a "noodle bowl" - it reminded me of flatter spaghetti with bolgnese sauce - it had meat and seasoning and spices - but not a lot of sauce. We also ordered a green leafy veggie with garlic. It was VERY good - I wish I would have known about this place sooner! In the afternoon as I was preparing for my class today - I ran out of tape - so I found one of the managers who was in my class the first week (who gave me the tape in the first place) so she could help me get more tape. She asked how I was doing and invited me to dinner. We ate at a "fusion" place called Post Script. We had sweet and sour pork and (I think it was) lamb again pancakes :) We also ordered an unusual squash that they had put ham, bread crumbs and parm cheese on the top. The squash had very large seeds and was only "ok." Then I couldn't resist - they had the largest selection of desserts I have ever seen - so I had their bread pudding that was pretty good.

Today - I had eggs and potatoes and decided to put ketchup on them :) Then I had a couple crackers with cheese and smoked meat and a pear. Lunch Weiling took me to a noodle place - rice noodles, chicken, mushrooms, some kind of pickled root, lettuce and peanuts in a clear broth. It was pretty good.

3 more days til I come home! WEEEE! Then back to eating right!

Additional things I have noticed in Beijing:
Yes getting on a bus or the subway removes your right to personal space.
On the side of town I am on - there are not many "foriegners" - so I still get stares like "what are you doing here?"
Many (and I mean MANY) men carry their woman's bag.
Many other men have "murses"
I have seen on several occasions the Chinese twin of my son Josh. Skinny jeans, shoes that match the clothes, hair done (only much... bigger), earphones in...
Chinese eat the same type of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They don't appear to have "breakfast" foods. (Like our eggs/hashbrowns, oatmeal/cold cereal)

Beijing Week 3

This morning I had bad news. Darren called - he is in UT with the family. His mother had a terrible car accident. Apparently she lost control of the car and was hit by a semi or she hit a semi. It was very hard to hear him on the phone. She has many broken bones and is having surgery for her broken hip. I feel completely helpless here and wish more than anything I could teleport there. Darren said she is stable now and that I needn't try to come home early. So as it stands - 5 more days.

This weekend:
I met a co-worker at "Yashow" (Yaixu) Market. There is a fancy mall next door with all the high end brands. and numerous places to eat, in the mall and in the surrounding area. We opted for a Mediterrean place behind the market.I had mousakka, hummus and pitas. All very good. We walked around for hours. I shopped and haggled for gifts at the Yashow Market. (Actually  Melissa did most of the haggling - we pissed off at least 2 vendors - especially the t-shirt girl - got 3 t-shirts for 75 RMB so abut $11 - she originally wanted about $15 each). Melissa was meeting friends that evening - she gave me directions to a Massage place - I had a wonderful massage for about $25. I walked back to the market place and wandered around a little bit then had dinner at a Spanish Tapas place. Had Sangria, and three different tapas. All very tastey. By the time I returned to the hotel it was 11pm. Sunday - I decided to venture out again for a few more trinkets - I went back to the market area - I put on my serious/mad face and walked quickly through the isles. When I finally decided I would go ahead and get a purse - I found a place off the main walkway but I really didn't see one I liked. There were two stores next to each other and the second one the lady was a bit more persistent. I prefer purses that are small to medium in size and the large bags seem to be what is in style. She handed me a "Prada" bag in brown leather - which actually does look nice but I maintained that it was too big and too many pockets. She really wanted me to have the bag - she originally told me 480 rmb - I told her forget it that is $80 US and that I don't even really like it that much. She of course asked my price - so I told her 120 RMB :) She tried to go up on the price twice and I told her no, set it down, said I don't even like it that much. She of course said ok ok 120 maybe you will find another bag you like more and this one you can use some times. It was quite comical.

I ate lunch down there again, this time at La Pizza - which had excellent pizza. I went back to the hotel, watched a movie then had dinner at KFC - which I think upset my stomach as I woke up in the middle of the night not feeling so good. I watched another movie before bed.

I did get a few souviners and am pretty happy with the price I paid. It was also really nice down there to see people from many different countries. I didn't feel as "isolated" as I did the first two weeks. I am still definitely looking forward to going home.

Beijing Week 2 Day 5

Yesterday was not a good day... I felt completely hungry a short time after I had lunch. I ate at the place across the street - Mr Noodle or something like that. I normally have their Kung Pao Chicken (like) dish - but thought hot soup sounded good so I got their noodles in broth with pork and veggies. It was very good. However about 230 I felt like I could eat another complete meal. I went over to 711 and got what looked like a peanut butter sandwich - I think it was nutella. (I haven't had it before so I am not sure.) I also got their version of chips. They were like super crispy potato crackers.

The co-worker who took me on the adventure to "hot pot" took me to Peking Duck. We had quite a long subway ride but the place was actually quite nice. (Except that people smoked at the tables.) Peking Duck is yummy. The "duck insides" he had me try - were... ok. They were spicey so I used that as the excuse not to have any more of them. The "bone" soup - was not good at all.

I got back to the hotel about 830pm. I watched the last of NCIS. I can now say I have watched 200 episodes of the show. So I am not out of TV shows and will have to move onto the movies I brought. I may do a Harry Potter Marathon on Sunday.

I am VERY excited - Melissa - the Australian girl is meeting me for lunch tomorrow and go shopping. There is definitely something about being able to communicate at a normal pace.

7.5 days left - 5 working days - 2 weekend days! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

The PA Manager took me to lunch today - he (and 3 of his team) took me to the Japanese place down the street that I have gone to a couple of times. They went a little crazy ordering things. There was WAY too much food. I had a "nut and fruit" salad which had thousand island dressing on it. A few pieces of sashmi, a few pieces of the roll I like, a few pieces of a new roll - which was shredded raw salmon inside and pieces of salmon on top and a mayo type sauce. They also had ordered some steak that was cooked teppanyaki style with garlic - it was very good.

I should be able to log in from the hotel this weekend. I can't begin to state the relief I feel for having only one week left.

I found many silly errors in my grammar - I think being here is affecting they way I speak. ACK!

OH by the way - next week's meal adventure may very well be "donkey"... oh boy.

Beijing Week 2 Day 3 or is it 4

I am very disappointed in that I can not for the life of me make good choices here for food. But it isn't like they sell "salad" and, well, many things are beyond where my adventure-ness ends.

Yesterday - i had the one egg and smoked turkey figuring it was better than bacon. And limited myself to a couple slices of potato. For lunch they invited me down to the employee lunch room. Where I pointed at things that looked remotely normal. I had veggies and I think pork and slightly different veggies and I think chicken. The pork one also had squid in it - which I picked out. This came with a soup and rice. I ate maybe 4 bites of the rice and the soup was pretty cold so I did not have much of it.

Then dinner time... I didn't feel like walking much of anywhere and with knowing I am going out tonight - I decided to eat at the hotel. They have a buffet. I tried a small amount of their spaghetti bolognaese (it was actually pretty good), a chicken leg, thai fried chicken (1 piece - it was pretty fatty) and then some mushu-duck rolls - which I had to cut off half of the roll as there was a lot of wrapper and not much duck inside. I did have a little mixed greens with "french" dressing. (It is yellow and kind of tastes like honey mustard) But nothing else looked appetizing at all - from things sitting in oil to dried out looking sashimi - I broke down and had a small piece of what ended up being cheese cake (actually good), tried their tiramasu (yuck) and their "egg tart" which I usually love those things - but they were not good there. So then had a cream puff which was marginal. This with 2 glasses of orange juice.

There are days when I can't help but think that I am destined to be fat. I also know I am the only who can control it - have to make the right decisions.

I also know I should be ecstatic about being here. It is a one in a life time opportunity. Darren keeps asking me what I have seen and done and thinks I should be out all the time. I just haven't really felt motivated to wander around on my own. Which is weird since I went every where I could when I was in England. *sigh* maybe this weekend since I am feeling better.

Well 9 days left til I go home.

Beijing Week 2 day 3

I am half way there! WEEE. It is like the hump day of all hump days. It is weird the elation I feel in knowing that I am that much closer to going home!

Yesterday was an "on my own" kind of day. I ate a mix of cereal - raisin bran/corn flakes/rice krispies - still not more than a cup. I don't drink the milk - it is full fat milk. A glass of OJ and cup of tea. I ate a pear when I got in to the office and then for lunch had a 6" subway sandwich with cheese, roast beef and turkey. Sadly I did have a cup of soda and chips. Then a Nestle equivalent to a kit kat bar in the break room caught my eye. When I left work I headed straight over to the Japanese Sushi place - it was quite busy - I forgot it was Valentine's Day. I got my normal 4 pieces of roll (mango, crab, apple) but also got a "pork and cheese" thing that was breaded and fried - I know bad choice. When I went back to the hotel I changed into my pj's, watched NCIS and ate Ritz Crackers (again another bad choice.) So today - I had 1 egg, 2 small little slices of smoked turkey, three slices of potato and 2 clementines. Not sure the plan for lunch yet - but I do plan on less rice and less fried foods.

Here are some observations from China:
The men spit... all the time. And it is always that "hocking a loogey" sound right before it. (Yes it is gross)
It is dirty here... I am not sure if it is because it is winter and no one wants to be outside cleaning. But there is trash everywhere, broken things all over. Even just in the small walk from the hotel to the office is pretty bad.
The women walk in twos and are usually holding arms or hands.
95% of the women are just what you imagine - the exotic beauties - gorgeous skin, perfect hair
The men... not so much
I have come to enjoy plain hot water - maybe because it is so cold
They have many different kinds of teas - one that I have been frequently having is from flowers - yes dried flowers in hot water - persimmon I believe it is called.
Frequently there is the smell of "sewer" sometimes in buildings sometimes outside - you never know when it will hit you.
Frequently in public restrooms you have to get your toilet paper from a dispenser outside the stall.
MANY of them DO NOT wash their hands after.

That is all for now. Hope I am not boring you out there.

Beijing Week 2 - 2.2

I think we underestimate or take for granted having people around us that speak our language. It truly is like being on an island and you only have Wilson to speak to. Being in a foreign country not being able to speak their language very much feels like that. Hunting for food, speaking to people who often times don't speak back. (Even the ones who somewhat understand your language.) I have learned that I am far too social a person to ever to survive being stranded on a deserted island. If I didn't find a way to float off that island I may be found in a cave rocking back and forth speaking to my imaginary friends. Thank GOD for the internet, Skype, Mobile Phones and apps that somewhat help the language barrier. But still to be able to walk over to my co-workers cubes and talk about random topics will never be taken for granted again.

To be able to call up my best friend and complain about kids and jobs and the need for a massage

To hear my sons argue, ask me for the millionth time - "what's for dinner"

Although I can never fully "understand" being "deaf" or "mute" as I can still marginally communicate - it feels (what I would think is) somewhat similar.

This trip has been an adventure for sure. Thursday night sounds like I will get to try Peking Duck with the same co-worker that took me to the last adventure of Chinese Hot Pot. oh boy...

Beijing Week 2 - 2

I definitely had an adventure last night. The co-worker who took me downtown for "Chinese hot pot" although incredibly nice and although not "perfect" English, could be understood. The place is on "Gui St" - pronounced Gwee not gooey. Which apparently is a pretty well known restaurant row. However, we did not go to one of the fancy lit up places - oh no! We went to a dirty little hole in the wall. (I do not know the name of it.) I think it had 7 tables. We sat at a wobbly one in the back. The staff wiped most things onto the floor from the tables. The main guy who cut the meat (2 feet from our table) also smoked and not once did I see him wash his hands. Hot Pot - is basically like broth fondue. They use a copper pot that has a flute like contraption in the middle where they load in the coals/hard wood. This boils the water that surrounds the flute. (mind you there is no "dishwasher" or official place to wash the thing.) They heated the coals outside in a open bar b que type thing. The plate, bowl, spoon and glass came in a shrink wrapped package and packaged chop sticks. (So presumably clean.) In the boiling water was mushroom and a bit of onion. Then we added the meats my coworker ordered. Two types of beef, skinny little mushroom shoots, some veggie that tasted like heart of palm but was something else, tofu and a mystery meat. I did try the mystery meat... it tasted like bad fish. He let me know that it was "pig throat." I decided not to try it again :) I then tried the "sesame bun" it was not very good. Oh and unlike fondue where you skewer it and let it boil for a while - you grab it with your chopsticks and hold it in the boiling water until your desired doneness. Yes you eat from the same chopsticks you picked up the raw meat with. Fun times...

It was dirty enough that even locals were re-wiping the tables when they were seated. However the place constantly had people waiting to be seated.

This morning I stuck to my cereal with two clementines and a cup of tea. I ate a pear - supposedly they are good for your throat.

Bejing Week 2

Well after last week feeling so very miserable with the cold - I think I have had a turning point today. I have to say my eating habits last week were pretty much as bad as I felt. I turned to easy foods and didn't pay much attention to good or bad.

Today I decided to eat better as I am feeling a bit better than I have. Not to mention that my "aunt" is ending her visit which helps as it seems I am always hungry when that visit is here each month.

I started today with the Raisin Bran equivalent. (The flakes are quite the same but still bran cereal.) And a couple of clementines.

At lunch I was on my own so I went across the street and had a their equivalent of "Kung Pao Chicken." Their veggies are interesting as the cucumber inside it - is pickled. They give you SO much rice that I didn't make a very big dent in it. I ate all the chicken, a decent amount of the veggies but didn't finish. I did have a small lapse in that I ordered the "bbq pork buns" but only ate the insides as there was a lot bun and not much pork. I bought apples from the 7-11 and had one of those as a snack. Then a "peanut flavored' cookie in the breakroom caught my eye.

I have also had a tablespoon of the Chinese cough syrup. It is thick, full of herbs and honey.

For dinner one of my students today offered to take me to Chinese "hot pot" which is also fondue. 

I got to talk to the boys on Skype today. *sigh* how I miss their faces. Yesterday was the hardest as I had nothing planned and basically didn't speak to anyone.

I walked over to the "mall" that is a few blocks from my hotel. It is like any mall in America. I was bad and had a cheeseburger from Nathan's Famous. It was not very good. I went back to the hotel watched more NCIS and then went to 7-11 for some snacks. (Fruit, crackers, chips and a soup. Peanuts that are supposed to be honey coated but just have an odd shell on them) Then went back to the hotel and watched movies and ate my soup. Was going to eat the rest of my Subway sandwich from Friday but it didn't tast very good so I threw it out. I washed clothes :) I used the hotel shampoo and washed my under things and hung them in the upstairs bathroom to dry. I sent the shirts and pants out to hotel laundry this morning. (Just seems weird to let strangers wash my underwear.)

The tour to the Summer Palace was very nice (would have been much nicer in Summer) and the Great Wall - well was amazing. I never would have thought I would get to see it in person. I bought some jade for the boys and some tea for me. I hope to get to go shopping at a market this weekend.

Well...
That is all I have for now.

Beijing Day 4

Its official - I have a bad cold. My chest hurts, my head hurts, my nose is running but also have congestion and coughing. One of the co-workers gave me mucinex, some "Chinese" cold pills, and sudafed.

Again another uneventful evening.

B - I had two eggs and some bacon. 2 or 3 clementines.
L - They ordered Yoshinoya - so some rice, some kind of thinly sliced beef, teriyaki duck and veggies.
D - I went back to the Sushi place. I was determined to eat better - had fruit bowl, the same roll with the mango and sweet sauce but I found out it wasn't called the "fairy tale" that was a different one. Also had some "dumplings" these were more liked folded rice paper flattened burrito like things with meat inside then the dumplings we have in the states.

I felt pretty crappy by the time I got back to the hotel. I wrapped up in all my jackets and the robe - then watched a couple of episodes of NCIS.

Remember how I said I HATE lotion - it is dryer here because of the cold then it is at home in the dessert. I have actually had to put lotion on because I feel like I am getting rug burn any time something drags across my skin - like sheets or my jacket.

Did I mention I am ready to come home?

Beijing Day 3

Not much to report today just nothing exciting happening here. It is so very cold here. The wind rips right through your clothes and I think I am getting sick. Luckily I had left the Advil Cold & Sinus in my purse - but I only have a couple of those. I asked a local who also speaks English if she might be able to help me find something.

Yesterday
B - eggs, potatoes bacon and a croissant. Clemintines, meat, cheese and grapes.
L - 2 slices of Papa John's pizza
D - So good and bad news here - Good news - Sushi! I ordered all by myself - they had pictures in their menu. I ordered a tuna roll (tuna/rice/seaweed wrapper), "fairy tale" it was crab, avocado, cucumber inside wrapped in seaweed and rice then topped with mango and a sweet purple sauce, tempura sweet potatoes and edamame. the Bad - since having lapband I have had to learn to chew my food to a small pulp. I guess I was so excited that I ordered by myself I forgot. I had to ask for a to-go box after having two pieces of tuna and one of the fairy tale and some edamame (which is what I think is what got "stuck") made it outside to a dark corner and threw up. (They didn't have a bathroom or didn't understand my request for a toilet) I took the food to the room, watched the NCIS I downloaded, ate the "Fairy Tale" roll, a couple pieces of the tempura and the edamame. The other Good - all of that only cost me $12 US!

Today I feel like I am growing a cold. I have been coughing and my nose is running. 

To be honest... I can't wait to go home.

Week 3 - Bejing part 2

I think I have my sleep schedule down. It wasn't easy to change over to a 16 hour time difference. I can't say that I have been doing all that well on sticking to my diet either. It has been a little rougher than I expected to find food here.

Yesterday -
B - at the hotel, raisin bran, fruit, croissant and smoked meats and some cheese
L - they ordered in. It was some kind of fish, tofu, a chicken patty/nugget type thing, two types of cabbage and some onions and a thing of rice. The fish and the tofu were gross. I tried to eat them - just yuck. So I ate the patty, one of the types of cabbage and some rice. I tried a muffin thing they had in the breakroom - also gross. (so was the mango-ish oreo I tried this morning YUCK)
D - luckily a co-worker who although is Asian, is from Melbourne Australia took pity on me and took me to dinner. I can not for the life of me remember what she called it. I am not sure if it was Cantonese or something else. But the food was delicious. We had "abalone" (sp) mushrooms (they were thick mushrooms flash fried with a sweeter sauce on them,) some greens that look like maybe those long broccoli like things mixed with spices, and bamboo salad. We also had veal with a tastey sauce on it too that was served with baked apples. She got me to try a fermented rice drink - it smelled awful at first but tasted like a slightly carbonated lemonade.

It is still bitter cold here. Today I am wearing socks, knee-highs, long underwear, pants, undies (of course), shirt and to get to the office, a sweat shirt, winter coat, scarf (that has to cover the nose and mouth), gloves and hat.

I have watched through the 7th season of NCIS. It is just too cold to go out at night.

Well I am off to train my class. Talk to you soon.

Week 3 - Bejing

Well how is everyone doing out there? I am in Bejing until the 25th. There is a scale in the hotel - it said 245 - I know, it is different at different altitudes and all that.

However, I started off well on my travel day. Had oatmeal from Starbucks. Did you know if you add the sugar, dried fruit and nuts to the oatmeal you are adding another 250-300 calories! That is crazy - so I halfed the fruit/nuts and used a splenda. Then I got to San Francisco... I ate at a Japanese place and had noodles and tempura veggies and shrimp. AND then... a croissant and a chocolate cake thing from another place where I was watching NCIS waiting for the plane.

On the plane they served a teriyaki chicken and rice dish, a snack of a banana, cookies and a pretzel then a turkey and swiss hot sandwich with chips. I drank a cup or two of OJ and the rest was water.

After being totally messed up with the jet lag - I went to bed about 7pm (well napped on the coach because I am in a  "loft" room where the bedroom is upstairs and with the heater on it was a zillion degrees upstairs.) At 10p I moved upstairs (since I had turned off the air) and slept until Darren called at midnight. I went back downstairs and watched a couple more hours of NCIS and at an apple, pear and a banana and drank 3 cups of tea, then back upstairs about 3am-ish and slept until 6am. Took a shower, ate breakfast downstairs. I went traditional English with 2 fried eggs, bacon and potatoes. (could have had baked beans but opted out) Had fruit, a croissant and a cup of tea. (FYI I should have brought my splenda with me!)

Lunch I ate at Dairy Queen - an awful chili cheese dog and a mocha blizzard.
Dinner - I ate downstairs in the hotel. 2 pieces of sushi, two egg tarts (love those things - they are like custard in a pie shell), they got me to try this rice ball soup thing (yuck) the rice balls were filled with sesame seeds and when you cut into them it oozed out black nastiness. It had an overall weird flavor. I had the duck in rice shells with the miso sauce and veggies that was tastey. I also had fruit.

I am hoping for better meal choices today. This morning I had a bowl of raisin bran, smoked meats and cheeses and a small croissant, juice and tea. They have clementines (I am thinking clementines are the basis for mandarin oranges... just saying) so I have had at least one of those with every meal and an apple or pear.

Well I am off to prepare for my class. Talk to you all soon.

Week 2 - Day 11

243.8 unchanged from yesterday

Yesterday was a long day at work - only because I knew I had today off and need to pack for China tomorrow. I cleaned the office and packed up my laptop bag.

Yesterday's food
B - WW english muffin, 1/4 cup Egg Beaters, 1 tbls cheese, 1/2 grapefruit (In case you are wondering - today I found out that I can do 3 tbls of Egg Beaters for 25 cal - one less tbls than a 1/4 cup -  the muffin (100), EBs (25), cheese (25) AND I can add one slice of pre-cooked bacon (17) - this comes in at about 170 calories!)
I didn't have a snack as I had to teach a class
L - we ate at Sweet Tomatoes - I had salad bar and totally avoided cheese. I had their fat free poppy seed dressing 45 cal for 2 tbls. Then I looked up small baked potatoes 60 cals for just the insides which I had two and one low fat corn bread muffin. All with no butter, sour cream!
S - approx 1/4 cup pineapple in juice
D - chicken patty w/feta (pre-made - 150 cal) on two slices of Nature's Own WW toast - 100, brown mustard and homemade bread and butter pickles. I topped it off with a 100 cal ice cream bar.

Today I am getting my taxes done, packing for China and having an early Valentine's dinner with Darren. I have to be at the airport at 5AM. 7a flight to San Fran then a 3 hour layover, then 12 hours to Beijing. I arrive there on Sunday at 4:25 PM. Which about 1225AM. I wonder if I can find a place at 730 AM Monday to watch the Super Bowl hehe.

A co-worker told me they have plenty of fruits and veggies along with their meals so jus to stay away from the fried will be my mission!

I got an email back from the tour company - I have selected a "coach" tour instead of a private car - saves me about $150.  Batteries are charged for the camera, battery charged on the Kindle. My dvd player only lasts about a movie and a half. According to the chart on United's website I should have a power adaptor at my seat. Fingers crossed - now to decide what movies to bring. I tried to go online and see what movies they will be showing but that part of their site wasn't working. Oh well.

I will post as soon as I can again. There is free internet at the hotel - so hopefully when I land. I get texting on my work phone and emails at both my work email and my gmail account on that phone. Feel free to contacting me either way as I will not have my personal phone turned on for that three weeks. Talk to you all soon!

Week 2 - Day 11

243.2! (remembering Bridget - no alcohol, no cigarettes and for me... no gambling.)

I had a very rough day yesterday, emotionally. I got a "has bad behavior" email from one of my sons' teachers. Which on top of some bad grades from the three of them lead to a "family meeting" which did not end well. I won't air all the dirty laundry here but between silly "teenage" words and a disappointed Dad expressing the disappointment poorly - things were not pretty. By the time I got to my hair appointment at 7:05p I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Today is a new day.

Meals - yesterday
B - WW english muffin toasted (100) w/ 1/4 cup egg beaters (35), 1 tbls shredded cheese (35), 1/2 grapefruit (45)
S - apple (appr 65)
L - white bean and chicken soup (170), WW slice of toast (apr 120) , 2 clementines (70)
S - 100 cal popcorn, FF, SF, Coffee from Starbucks (25)
D - 240 cal lean cusine - Glazed Chicken - this one was REALLY good.
If you whipped out your calculator that was 1005 calories yesterday. I said it was a bad day.

I have started to collect things for the trip to Beijing. And have reached out to a tour company that some co-workers used so that I can hopefully see the Great Wall next weekend. I think I will need two suitcases. One for shoes, sundries, big winter coat and the another for everything else. With highs in the mid 30s and the lows in the single to low 10s - the coat, gloves, scarf and hat are going to be a necessity.

I can't believe I am going to CHINA! When I was a kid I did a report on Korea which caused me to have desire to go to Korea, China or Japan ever since. Sadly, when a customer of Acres came to the States from Korea, they weren't too keen on women leaders or strong willed women. One asked me for where their co-workers were and due to the complexity I was trying to show him... he would NOT let me walk in front of him. I had to be two steps behind and he kept looking over his shoulder to see where I was trying to get him to go. I am thinking Korea isn't for me.

Random Thoughts

• Teens - no matter the generation at some point will a) hate you, b) make stupid mistakes c) think they know EVERYTHING d) break your heart e) make you proud when you least expect it f) love you even when you think they don't
• Getting your hair done is like that "princess" moment. For a few hours you feel like you should be allowed to wear a tiara.
• Me - My family, when I was about 5 or 6,  took a trip in a motorhome from LV to Alaska. It was an amazing trip. Of all the things that I have forgotten in my lifetime - this is one that I won't. I remember sitting in the back playing UNO, and taking the ferry to Sitka. And seeing a moose with my mom on the Canada/AK border.

I plan on bringing my webcam - anyone out there use Skype? Let me know. 730AM PST is 1130PM CST (China Standard Time) - so apparently 16 hour time difference at the moment. But would love to chat with you all.

Week 2 - Day 10

245.8 - same as yesterday. I know I probably shouldn't weigh myself everyday. Although it helps keep me on track. I would hate for days to go by and not notice the weight going back on.

Food yesterday -
B - I was running late so I brought my WW English muffin with me and had the EDR cook up an egg. I did a regular egg because the cook doesn't seem to realize that "1" egg beater is only a 1/4 cup. So I didn't have my tbls of shredded cheese today. So WW English Muffin with an egg, 1/2 grapefruit with splenda
S - FF yogurt
L - Salisbury Steak w/mac cheese Lean Cuisine - 260, 2 clementines
S - 1/2 cup raspberries and 1/2 cup Skim Milk
D - I had the chicken tikka (which I couldn't eat all of) 1/4 cup(ish) white rice, a full Naan ( :( ), and one samosa (the veggie in pastry thing) - so not perfect but not bad either.
ww = whole wheat / ff = fat free

I had a massage last night. It was awful. I know the guy meant well by trying to work out all the knots in my shoulders - but I really just wanted to relax. Which I did tell him but that didn't seem to stop him. I had to tell him a couple of times to use less pressure and today I am just freaking sore.

I love training. I don't know why but I get so excited to stand up there and do my thing. I miss it... A LOT. I taught a short class yesterday (for those who don't know - my current job as the Sales and Service Readiness Training Supervisor at IGT doesn't afford me much training time. My team does all the training now. We train all the internal IGT Employees on how to use our products from Hardware [slot machines] to Software [casino management applications.] I used to be part of the teams that travelled and taught to casinos.) The short class I taught yesterday was on some of marketing applications. I jammed through it.

In talking to Leslee yesterday about why this weight loss attempt and not Weight Watchers or something else... I explained that I am trying this option because it is something "I" have done the leg work to figure out. Weight Watchers has you calculate points and you choose your foods based on the points you have allotted for the day. Nutri-System which I have done in the past sends you the foods (I think like Jenny Craig) which to me doesn't tell  you WHY you are choosing those foods. Like are they non-fat, high fiber or because they are X calories. I am sure you could read the labels and find out... As for calculating points - it is very similar to just counting the calories. As I explained to Les, the thing I have learned so far is the veggie/fruit intake. With WW you now can eat all the fruits and veggies you want at no points. I think they did this because they realized that if I had the choice to spend 5 points on a banana or 5 points on a cookie - I would eat the cookie. So this way people eat the fruits and veggies to keep them feeling full longer and spending their points differently. Counting calories is similar - are the gazillion points for the french fries really worth it or should I have the whole wheat, low fat sandwich, apples and salad with ff dressing instead (and likely for LESS calories)? I have to get this through my head - daily.

Random Thoughts

• Women over 10 years of age should NOT wear bows or frilly things in their hair
• Just because the spandex spreads over your fat tush doesn't mean you look good in it
• I miss my Dad. He is funny (and of course still treats me at times like a kid) but when you have a small family you miss the few you have. He lives in Yuma in the winter.
• Me - I hate lotion. Ok maybe not hate - but have a strong dislike for it. I don't like that feeling of having it on my hands or my any of my skin really. Yes my skin usually looks kind of ashy - I do live in a desert. If I am having a day of really itchy dry skin I will put it on but usually take a towel and wipe most of it off.

Marci and Jen! Thank you for commenting. It means SO much to me to have you guys here! We can do this. Have faith.