I love feeling strong (and being strong). It’s rewarding when I can surprise people with how strong I am and what I’m capable of. Growing up, I was pretty good at picking up athletic skills. I sprinted well, climbed most things, and learned to swim with little effort. I remember back in 8th or 9th grade when I could do the flexed arm hang for ages. One of my favorite parts of track practice was when we did weights. Cardio has never been my thing. As a voracious reader, I learned to carry 30+ books to the car on a weekly basis. As a good Chinese kid, I always helped my mom carry most of the groceries in the house. My personal challenge was to do it all in one trip, which usually meant a good 5 bags per hand. When I went back to China for a year in 3rd grade, I was able to outrun even the 6th graders. In more recent years I just like the confidence I get when I can do something that people doubt my body is capable of, like carrying my 6-foot something friend pictured here. I’d rather be able to do that than run a marathon, personally. I think it also gives me more confidence to travel alone, since people never think I can hit/punch/kick as hard as I can, so I can surprise them if I needed to defend myself. One thing I love about yoga is that it builds my strength. My favorite pose? Plank! And overall I think your body just feels better when you’re strong, which is a great way to live.
365great Day 321: strength
UK Vacation Day 10 recap
Alright, finally wrapping up the UK vacation from this fall. Our last day there was just to pack and get ready to go. I managed to wake up before the alarm, shower, and get breakfast. We finished packing and then went off to Pizza Express so I could get a pizza to bring home. I was too freakin’ yummy to pass up. We showed up a little before they opened and I got to watch them bring up some dough they were going to make the pizzas with. On our walk back to the hotel, I decided I had to try the Malteser McFlurry and the Sweet Chilli Wrap, which are unique to the region. I didn’t know they had onion rings too! Why don’t they offer those in the US? Then it was off to the airport via the tube. We got a chance to hang out at the Star Alliance lounge for a bit before boarding our plane and heading back stateside.
[See all the rest: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8 and Day 9 recaps.]
From staying at hotels, I’ve learned that I definitely want a king-sized bed.
US outlets should have switches too.
Love these kinds of sinks on the counter.
I need one of these showerheads at home!
Wow, they may not have much space but they sure have giant towels.
Cool flushing buttons for the toilet.
Of course, those eye-catching phone booths.
Deeelicious.
Bringing up the dough!
Yes, I brought it on the plane. No it did not smell up the place (was cold by then).
Lovely brickwork.
Ooo, malty goodness.
Such a pretty fruit stand!
Pigging out even as I prepare to leave the country.
McOnion Rings!
Returning our Oyster cards for a refund on the balance.
When the escalators become stairs, he becomes super strong.
Oops, went to the wrong floor.
It’s so fancy I got distracted/confused and did it wrong. :-/
Wow, who needs TSA when you can just use these cool machines to check IDs and boarding passes?
The waiting game.
Wandering around looking for where to request a VAT refund.
Mailing off our VAT refund form! Never got it repaid, oh well.
One of the few times we get to use the lounge, might as well take advantage!
British candy.
Entering the more casual part of the lounge.
Loading up on hot food.
Had some chilled options too.
Ooo, soup!
I’m sure if we drank alcohol we’d be happy.
A really nice seating area where we snagged a table.
Hmm… not sure if I like bitter lemon.
Stocking up on snacks for the road.
Many farewell messages along the long walk to the gate.
Here we go!
Propping our feet up for the ride.
So bright and beautiful up here.
Meal time!
Panda of course gets beef.
A snack to tide us over.
Hey, we’re almost over my old town of Brewster, not far from Danbury!
The sun shining furiously.
Staring out, I noticed the reflection of the front of the plane in the engine.
Hello, Dulles.
Not quite time to disembark.
On our taxi ride home.
