madameblogalot

I guess I am a slow learner when it comes to taking care of my own blogs! For example, I have had this blog on its own domain for two years. I never could get photos to post on it. So I kept loading them on to Flickr and then putting them in the blog from there. Well, today, I accidentally was able to insert an image into a post without loading it on to Flickr first! (Which is really good since I am nearly out of room on my Flickr account) So, as a note to myself:

I copied the image.
Then I clicked the “img” button.
Insert URL info and title.
Then the photo should be inserted.

Hopefully I can pull it off again next time I am ready!

I have been thinking of getting a new bike, of upgrading to one with curved handle bars as well as getting clip in pedals. While talking to a local bike store owner I asked when he would be putting something on sale. He showed me one that he could make a deal on. It was purple. I was not thrilled with the way it looked, but thought more about the deal.

When I went back in later this week, he told me if I trade my bike in he could get the new bike close to half the price. So then the purple didn’t look so bad. He let me take the purple bike out for a test ride. Then he set me up on the bike. This means he fit it to my body. He took measurements and did some kind of geometry measurement to align everything properly. Then he said I ought to go ahead and look at getting the shoes and pedals now. Of course, he made me a great deal.

So after trading in my bike, I got a new, better bike, pedals, shoes and cleats all for less than I paid for my previous bike.

It was a pretty good deal. I can live with purple.
*picture posted here*

One week til our Olympic distance triathlon! We had a really good training day today, the last long workout before tapering down in prep for race day.

We drove down to Galveston to try to swim in the bay at Moody Gardens. They really did not want us swimming there. So we swam just outside the fenced off area near the Colonel paddle wheel boat. It is the bay and pretty much open to the public. So with four of us swimming we thought it would be all right. My husband took off and swam the entire half mile across the bay, by himself! Our friend who has been in the Navy took off pretty much on his own too. My female friend and I tried to stay together. It was a pretty good swim and I am really glad we got to practice at the site where the race will take place. I was glad to get to try out my new wetsuit too.

After our swim we met up with the tri4Him group (a Christian triathlon group) for a cycle down the seawall. Since we are all competing in different distances next weekend, we rode out ten miles and then back ten miles. It was a pretty good ride. Great going out, with the wind. Harder against the wind coming back in. About 2 or less miles from our starting/finishing point, I got a flat tire! The group stopped and one of the guys talked me through changing my tire (it’s been a while since I’ve done it and I am glad it happened today so I could go back through it. Hopefully it won’t happen next week.)

To top it all off, we stopped for some hamburgers! On our way home, we dropped our bikes off at the bike shop for overall servicing to get them race-ready!

It’s almost tri time!

I was tagged on this blog meme, so thought I’d work it in about my recent trip:

I like getting to go visit my sister.
I like the chance to visit another country.
I like being able to “live” in another culture.
I like having “communal” meals.
I like that I was open to trying more dishes than ever before.
I like that I did not have jet lag as bad as previous trips.
I like that friends lent us their bikes.
I like that we got to stay at the church building.
I like that our hosts allowed me to wear my indoor shoes indoors.
I like celebrating Chinese New Year.
I like watching the kids learn new phrases.
I like shopping for souvenirs.

I love being all together.

Today was fun remembering parts of our trip.

I hate being away from my husband.
I hate worrying about my son.
I hate not having internet connection (no access to communication with husband.)
I hate when kids are cranky.
I hate whining.
I hate it when I don’t feel good at someone else’s house.
I hate it when I find out I have food poisoning-and so do my mom and daughter!

I (secretly) like that I lost four pounds while gone, without even trying (of course, this could have something to do with the food poisoning!)

I love coming home.

We experienced lots of tradition during Chinese New Year. CNY is a fifteen day event which encompasses lots of family time and tradition. Families must shop early as nearly all stores and restaurants, including the coffee shops, close for about three days. Of course, Reunion Dinner is planned with leftovers in mind to get you through those three days. There are numerous tidbits to enjoy and snack on throughout the holiday as well.

Reunion Dinner takes place on New Year’s Eve. The whole family is reunited from all the places they have spread out to over the year. It is a joyous and festive occasion. We shared Reunion Dinner in the home of some friends. Another family came as well and brought along their Scottish guests, fresh from the airplane! We had the traditional fish and some shrimp and rice. Our other American friends also brought along a turkey!

Oranges are a sign of good luck as the word for orange sounds like the word for luck. When homes are visited, it is expected to bring along oranges to bless your host with.

The kids are keen to visit older family members as they receive blessings in the form of spoken words and ang pow (hong bao) packets with an even amount of money inside!

This is probably this kids favorite part, though ours didn’t mind partaking of all the tidbits and sweet drinks offered to them!

We had a great time learning about and participating in the local Chinese New Year traditions! My two nephews bought bicycles (for their future trips there) with their hong bao money and my daughter bought a bilingual bible complete with hanupinyin pronunciation and a pair of shoes.

Singapore is truly “a city built into the jungle.” As you drive around the island, the roads are lined with palm trees and other jungle foliage. As you walk down the sidewalk, you can see signs reminding you not to feed the monkeys. And yet the hustle and bustle of the city are going on all the while. One of the sights that I feel epitomizes the sentiment of “a city in the jungle” is the scene of SingTel’s satellites rising out of the jungle.

February was a busy month, but not for reading or movie watching. I did manage to get one movie in on the plane while traveling. I had thought about seeing the move Amelia and since it was available on the plane I thought “why not?” I guess my excitement of seeing it and the expectations I had of the film led it to be somewhat of a disappointment for me, though I don’t know really what I was expecting. The movie was fine and I liked the actress’ portrayal of Amelia. I guess though the movie was more of a MISS with me than a hit.

Are you a poet and you want the world to know it? The Poetry Coach has a great looking website that will allow the aspiring poet to gain the added insight to getting his/her work(s) published. The Poetry Coach has lots of experience in writing, reading, and teaching. This looks like the perfect place to get that extra punch! And just maybe you too will find yourself a published poet!

Narnia exhibit: I was able to visit the traveling Chronicles of Narnia Exhibit with my daughter and nephews. I enjoyed entering the attic, hearing the rain and thunder outside the window. But when the wardrobe doors opened and I saw the snow falling between the fur coats, I teared up! Most of the exhibit was about the Narnia movies, but it was still pretty good and had some interactive features good for the kids. I don’t think I would have paid the normal $25 entrance fee, but getting in with a group rate of $5 was really worth it. Overall, I would say this exhibit was a HIT.

The Crystal Cave: This book by Mary Stewart is the first in an Authurian saga. It is written from Merlin’s perspective and begins with young Merlin telling his story. It is a good escape novel. This book was a HIT for me.

Christmas Story: Although I was leery about seeing this stage version, since we did not like the film version enough to even finish watching it, my daughter’s friend was in it so we attended. It was fun seeing kids we knew and the story overall was silly enough that it kept me laughing. And I like how the “cursing” was treated. No cursing was actually said in this version. Rather funny stand-ins like you hear on old cartoons. Overall, this version of the story was a HIT with me.

Scarlet Pimpernel: I rented the film starring Jane Seymour. I really like her. As I was watching, I began thinking I had seen this one before. Overall, I enjoy the story of this 18th century “Batman”. Sir Percy grates on my nerves at times, but that is the general idea. Even though I fell asleep at the end, I still say this one is a HIT with me.

Grounghog Day: Although this movie has been around a while, this was my first time to see it. I would say this movie is rather stupid and I did not really enjoy it per se, but I did like the discussions it brought about with our kids. So even though the movie was neither a HIT or MISS for me, I would say the experience was a hit!

Among the Hidden: Even though I am in the middle of reading The Hollow Hills (the second part of the Arthur saga) my daughter wanted me to read this book she got for Christmas. It is a young adult story about families allowed to have only two children. It is the story of a third child and how he survives and hopes to find other third children. It too is part of a series. The reading level is easy to read though the premise can prove to be thought provoking. My daughter describes it as sad. Even so, I would say it is a HIT. (I particularly like that there is no bad language in this young adult book!)

Cyborg Chimera: This little book, written by someone becoming more and more famous in more and more places, is an interesting read. It is a book filled with science fiction poems, many which I had read before. I really enjoy reading Avatar, Under Foot, Real Life, and several others. Some, like Unhand Me, make me think immediately of Star Wars. Others, I really enjoy, but am sure that I don’t really “get” the whole meaning (Sphinx-speak, Herr Leibniz. ) There are many poems to enjoy, even if you don’t get them all. And as my daughter says, this intelligent author uses “big words” and she does so very well, many with implications and double meanings. Even if I don’t “get” it all or am unable to fully appreciate the meaning of every poem, this short, easy to read book is a HIT with me (and the inscription is a HIT with my kids!)

We spent this past Monday at a special high school day put on by Texas Christian University. It was a good day and the program was incredible. They have done this for a while and are doing it well and it shows. The kids (my son and his friend) left with a great feeling about TCU and thought it might be an option for them.

The morning started with a free breakfast and trivia game. Then we broke into our groups for campus tours. After that we went to sessions that talk about different aspects of college/TCU life. Then we were fed lunch. Afterward, we toured two dorms. Then the kids chose their prospective majors and toured that department. Last, we were given refreshements before heading out.

The guys wanted to catch the end of basketball practice before heading out. Then we stopped at the bookstore for fan gear, got gas, a hamburger and headed home.

The Monday at TCU is a great program, even if your kid doesn’t know where s/he wants to go to school. It’s a great way to springboard some thought into what area to move in the college search. It is all free, except for any travel expenses you incur. (And any fan gear you buy.) We were given lots of little freebies and even got umbrellas since we spent the day walking in the rain!

There are four more Mondays at TCU if you are interested:

2009 Dates December 7
2010 Dates January 25 ■ March 1 ■ April 26