Probiotics

Lately I've been learning about probiotics. What are they, you ask? Well, they are the supplemental healthy bacteria and yeast that aid in food digestion and prevent many uncomfortable infections and/or digestive health problems. I first started hearing about and taking probiotics in Korea last year. Koreans are crazy for them. I used to get what I referred to as "yogurt drinks" from the 7/11 on my street, and they were often served to the whole school at lunchtime. Ihave come to realize what they were: probiotics.

Here is what I have been taking in the States: Yakult. It tastes very much like what I drank in Korea.



I really like the taste of these little bottles of healthful bacteria. I was drinking about one a day until Martin picked up a pack of these pills while my stomach was sick one night and he went out to get me some pain killers to help:



I am not sure how many probiotics are suggested, so I stopped drinking Yakult while I try these pills.

I am not sure if I will continue taking these supplements full-time, but for now, I like what they are doing. If you are a person with stomach problems, I recommend trying something like this. I know there is still a lot of research being done to determine the effects of probiotics, but so far, I am a fan.

Has anyone taken these before? What did you think? Did you notice a difference?

Don't work for peanuts if you're not an elephant.

This is the motto I have been working (or not working) under since arriving in SoCal. It hasn't exactly produced results. Job hunting really stinks. (And so do my shoes, I am realizing as I sit here in a coffee shop...I'll keep them on.) I have begun to realize what a blessing it is to have a full-time job with benefits. I miss the stability of it.

I could find a part-time minimum wage job (McDonalds, Wal-Mart, etc.) here, but it would not be enough to pay my expenses. Sheesh! I don't know.

I am facing a couple of big decisions lately. Do I stay out here, strain my financial resources even more than I have in the past three months, or do I head back to MN with my tail between my legs and look for something there while staying with friends and family? I know I would have a slightly easier time finding something in Minnesota, simply because my degree and teaching license means something there, whereas here it doesn't help me one bit. I am pretty sure I could even find a full-time position somewhere for the fall, but then, what about Martin?

As the countdown begins for me to move out of Edna's house (two weeks), I am finding myself in a bit of a pinch.

I think this pinch has been the source of recent stomach problems that reduced me to eating chicken broth and oatmeal for a few days. Not fun.

I am determined to stay positive about it all, but feel like I have the hint of a dark cloud over my head at the moment. My mood is cheerful and chipper...and I am surprisingly relaxed about most of it. Especially that I have this marathon coming up--that helps a lot.

I feel bad that my problems have started to cause Martin to stress. I think he feels a responsibility to do really really well to help me out. I wish it weren't that way. I know that I am far from the only one with these problems...sorry to burden y'all.

On another note, I have applied for a couple of jobs in Ecuador! My dream of fluency in Spanish just might come true. The job with the most potential is in Quito and has a 3-month minimum contract. The pay isn't awesome, but at least I wouldn't be losing money like I am here in California. Then it's off to Buenos Aires in July for my much anticipated trip with Kara. Traveling costs just about the same as what I pay to live here, so I might as well, right?

Christmas 2008

I am embarrassed to say that I brought my camera home for Christmas to snap some pictures of my family over the holidays, but after looking over the roll, I realized I only had about 5 total. I took a few more with my mom's camera, but didn't download them on my computer.


Here is a picture of one of the many snowy days in Minnesota.


My two brothers, Cory (left) and Tony (right) and Martin found the legos. They spent the better part of an afternoon building spaceships and aircraft carriers. They made fun of my "girly" house with flowers in the front.


Martin and Dahlton (my nephew) bonding. Unfortunately, I don't have any current pictures of my niece...I will have to ask my mom to send some.

Marathon countdown: 12 days!

One more long run to go and a few more short ones before the big day! I posted pics of my favorite running spot at the ocean:



I run past all these cool houses...they get better as I run down the coast. I will try 20-22 miles tomorrow, then I am going to coast through the next week!

Woo-hoo!

Chicago 2008

Here are a few pictures from our trip just before Christmas. I love Chicago! It was a little cold the day we went, but was a lot warmer than if we had chosen another day. My sister, Jenny, needed her Spain visa, so we all traveled together. I think I mentioned that in my last post. Anyway, here you go:


Lake Michigan.


Martin's transportation home...just kidding! :)


From the right: me, Kayla, Jenny, Stacey and Martin...and some kids we just met.


Navy Pier in the winter just doesn't have the same feeling.


And, finally, the bean sculpture. We saw this on the Lonely Planet pages and, lucky for us, it was on the way to the Spanish embassy.

Back in Cali

Vacation is over and I'm back in California. I went from -22 degree weather and this:


To a nice long run on the beach yesterday, with 80 degree weather and this:


I can't say that I mind it. I love it, actually! :)

Vacation was so good, but I am sorry to say we didn't leave the house much! We got to Minneapolis once before leaving (I planned at least 3 visits), and never made it to Brainerd...not once. However, I should mention our trip to Chicago (I will post some pictures in a future blog). My sister, Jenny, is spending this semester in Spain and needed to make a quick trip to the embassy on Michigan Avenue. My three youngest sisters, Martin and I drove down, spent a day, and drove back.

Being in the land of ice and snow made me miss Minnesota. It is such a nice place to live and work. The winters are colder than I prefer, but aside from that, it is great. And now I am reading a novel that is set in northern Minnesota and Canada--it makes me look forward to summer!

The search continues for work and, now, a place to live. I have only three more weeks to live with Edna, after that I am homeless. The timing is good, though--I am really optimistic about this year. I have applied for a couple of jobs that I am really excited about and I have some traveling to look forward to.

My marathon is in two and a half weeks and I am feeling good about it. I am nervous, but I think it is good to be. I ran 18~19 miles yesterday and felt stronger than ever. 26 miles is more than I have ever run before, but I am so excited for the big day! :)

Lazy

I have forgotten to blog recently! I'm sorry! :) I have had quite a bit on my plate lately (both literally and figuratively). I'm in MN right now--Martin and I drove back on what was possibly the WORST weekend--winter storms, icy Colorado mountains and holiday traffic. We had a nice family Christmas--quiet, but cozy.

Today, the fam is heading over to help my brother (the goat farmer) with some chores. I guess he has some ply-wood to hang, wood to chop and barns to insulate. Lots of fun! :) The only problem is that I spent an hour and a half shoveling off the patio yesterday for our bratwurst BBQ last night, and my muscles are sore. It was good exercise, but I don't think I will be chopping or throwing wood today!

I will get back to blogging. I will. I just like to take a little vacation (OK, like, the whole month).

Merry Christmas everyone!

Coolest Neclace

I found this necklace today online (click Etsy). I didn't buy it, but I LOVE it! If anyone ever sees little matroyshka charms/beads let me know!

NOTE: I apologize for my last blog entry...I know it grossed out a few people, but I did warn you! :)

Musings from a coffee shop.

I am sitting in a coffee shop working on some lesson plans for work. My internet connection has been really inconsistent at Edna's (I am not paying for the service, so I guess I can't complain). Since I have been here, there have been two people having a very loud, opinionated conversation next to me. People of the world: the f-word is NOT THE BEST ADJECTIVE YOU CAN THINK OF!! Tap into your higher-level vocabulary and dazzle us with something else. Please.

I have thought about starting a collection of short stories about my time with Edna. I am not much of a creative writer, but I have lots of stories to tell! It seems like there is something new everyday! To give you a short preview (if you are easily grossed out, do not continue--really):

One night, I came home late from work, grabbed my toothbrush and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Edna's teeth were soaking in a small, plastic, pink box next to the sink. The lid was open, which kind of grosses me out, but I was even more horrified when I saw what was inside the box crawling around on the teeth! I shooed the giant, nasty cockroack out of the box, but didn't know what to do next! I mean, what could I do? I was freaking out! I went to bed and set my alarm early so I could get up and tell her to clean them extra well before putting them in. I woke up too late. The teeth were in her mouth. What would you do? I didn't think it would be appropriate to say something about it, and to this day, I close the box every night after she goes to bed. It isn't like I can ever mention this instance to her or hint that she should close the box. The lesson I have learned from this is: when I have to soak my teeth some day, I will ALWAYS close the lid.

*Since this instance, we had a guy come and spray a strong repellent around the house which has GREATLY reduced the number of roaches and other insects inside the house. They still get in, but only one or two a night instead of a dozen or more. I sleep much better now.

Thankful.

Thanksgiving came and went in one of those "boy, that was fast" ways, didn't it?

It was such a good day, even though we couldn't make it to MN for the holiday. Martin's boss invited us to join her and her family in going to ANOTHER family's Thanksgiving. I guess this family traditionally takes in strangers (me, Martin, and two other international students from Martin's college) for the big meal. They were so welcoming and hospitable to invite us to share their house and holiday for the evening.

Wanting to contribute to the meal, Martin and I dipped a HUGE container of Thanksgiving strawberries in melted, 65% dark chocolate, and carefully balanced each berry on its hat to ensure perfect, smooth, fingerprint-free coating. After only 30 minutes, the chocolate was hard and the dessert was ready to go. It was a lot easier than it sounded before starting, and is a fail-proof way to make people like you! :) They were a tasty edition to the evening.

We didn't leave our host's house until midnight! We had so much fun sitting around the house, sipping wine and cider, eating pies and strawberries, and getting to know one another. The highlight for me was that there were a few girls around my age with whom I had things in common. I also really liked spunky uncle George, who is retired and watches DVDs everyday while he crochets.

To the family who invited us in, fed us really well, and welcomed us back next time, thanks!