How far along am I?

One bit at a time...

My friend Jessica told me about Kiva roughly 6 months ago. I kept the link in my gmail inbox, and every once in a while I would look at it, think that I should do something, and then close the window. That stopped today when I donated $25 to help a Mexican man grow his business at his grocery store so he could support himself, his wife, and their three children. You think, well it's only $25, how can that help someone. It's amazing, that if everyone would donate the $25 that they have to spare to different individuals at Kiva, small business owners, or families around the globe would be able to solidify their place in this world and would be successful. You get your money back in the end, but nothing is greater than the sense of gratitude that these people will give for your small contribution towards their long term success. Everyone should donate to Kiva.

Hawaii!

Take a look through our trip to The Big Island.

Hawaii June 2007

The Best of...

I've been compiling mental notes of the best of food locations that I have come across. Here are some of them for you to enjoy...

Philly Cheesesteak - Steve's Prince of Steaks, Philadelphia, PA (Northeast)
Burger - Nifty Fifty's, Philadelphia, PA (Northeast)
Milkshake - Nifty Fifty's, Philadelphia, PA (Northeast)
Molten chocolate cake - Peohe's, San Diego, CA
Filet mignon - Brasserie Perrier, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday brunch - Sabrina's Cafe, Philadelphia, PA
Vegan restaurant - Horizons, Philadelphia, PA
French fries - Pommes Frites, New York, NY (East Village)
Avocado salad - Hikaru, Philadelphia, PA
Cocktail - Champagne-o-rama, Continental Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA
Salmon - Fork, Philadelphia, PA
Gnocchi - James, Philadelphia, PA
Vegetarian restaurant - Blue Sage, Southampton, PA
Sushi - Pod, Philadelphia, PA
Cookie - Vegan oatmeal sandwich cookie, Whole Foods, South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Mexican food - Pura Vida, Philadelphia, PA
Authentic Italian restaurant - La Locanda del Ghittone, Philadelphia, PA
Restaurant - Buddakan, Philadelphia, PA
Creme brulée - Buddakan, Philadelphia, PA
Ice cream - Halo Pub, Princeton, NJ
Water ice - Yardley Ice House, Yardley, PA
Pizza - T. Anthony's, Boston, MA
Custom made frozen yogurt - Angora Coffee Shop, Boston, MA
Cannoli - Isgro Pastries, Philadelphia, PA
Burger - Swan Inn, Lambertville, NJ
Bread - Balthazar, New York, NY
Steak Frites - Balthazar, New York, NY
Trendy restaurant - Buddakan, New York, NY
Hot dog - Hebrew National
Gelato outside of Italy - Capogiro, Philadelphia, PA
Frozen drink - Blood orange margarita, El Vez, Philadelphia, PA
Cheesecake - White chocolate cheesecake, Bar Chocolat, Clifton Village, Bristol, UK
Italian Restaurant - Osteria, Philadelphia, PA

Panda Sneezes

Sneezing panda, priceless!

In the New Year

A new year brings out all kinds of feelings in people. Firstly, there's the joy of it being a new year, and a new beginning. Second comes the fear that time is going by so incredibly fast, and as I have come to understand, it gets faster as each new year passes. Then comes the guilt from all of the resolutions in years past that we have not stuck to, and the passion to fulfill this year's resolutions. And then we slack off and begin all over again the next year.

I think that the best way to actually stick to what we all thought of at midnight on Sunday is to keep a log of what we hope to achieve, how, and each day write how we have stuck to it, what tempted us to not keep it, and how we were able to overcome it. Something like...

Date:
Daily Log:
Temptation:
Result:

I don't know. I'm thinking of this while eating a brownie!

New Year's Day training

New Year's day is tomorrow, and for me and my fitness friends, we can't take the day off. Here's what I have in store for us all...

- Jumping-jack warm up, with 20 squats and push-ups, and spiderman lunges (2 rounds)
- Bottom to Bottom Tabada (sp?) squats
- 25 minute circuit
At the top, 20 jumping squats
Run down the ramp
20 push-ups
20 dips
20 walking lunges for each leg
Run up the first set of stairs
20 Burpees
Run up to the top and go again
Go as many rounds as you can in 25 minutes
- 1 minute plank twice

Happy 2007!