Writing and Exercise are Alike!

Image by TWAM - Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums via Flickr

Have you ever thought about how exercise and writing are alike? I'm sure I've been thinking about this because I just started exercising again after a 6-week+ break. Alongside with this new exercise regime (which, by the way, my husband totally made up into a fancy little chart. He rocks!) I've started to write again.

Here's my discovery:


Stage 1 = Excitement:
Exercise: You see your workout schedule and think, "Yeah, Baby, in a few weeks I'm gonna look like a top model."
Writing: You've got stories and ideas just flowing out of your head ready to be typed up. You've got your main character  sketched out and he's ready to conquer the world. You think, "Yeah, Baby, I'm the next JK Rowling!"

Stage 2 = Day Two Blues:
Exercise: In all that excitement you ran an extra lap or two. Now you can barely move and you're muttering to yourself, "What in the world was I thinking? There's no way I'm going to be able to do this."
Writing: You write blog posts, articles, and short stories. You pass a few manuscripts to a friend to critique. It comes back dripping red. Your now thinking, "Why did I ever think I could write?"

Stage 3 = Determination:
Exercise: You decide to stick with the exercise plan for the next few weeks. If you don't see any improvements, then at least you tried, right?
Writing: You take a deep breath and look closely at the red markings. Your critique partner is not stupid, right? (which, by the way, I totally think mine rock!) You try the changes.

Stage 4 = Steady Results:
Exercise: The exercise plan is becoming easier and you are seeing results on the scale. You smile and pat yourself on the back for not stopping, but you know you must still work hard to continue to get to the goal you've set.
Writing: Your manuscript is coming along and you really like the changes that your cp suggested. Your reading more about the craft of writing and seeing improvements in your draft work. You know that you still have a ways to go before that goal is reached, but you feel confident.

Stage 5 = Happy Dance:
Exercise: You have reached your goal. You not only pat yourself on the back, but you give yourself a toast for a job well done. You don't want to think about it right now, but you know you have to keep it up to maintain that top model body and excellent health. *wink*
Writing: You've landed an agent and a publisher! Your dancing around the living room in your pajamas! In the back of your head, though, you know that you a lot of work cut out and that the next goal is to start on book #2.
*This stage could probably be broken down into two different stages as I know you rarely land an agent and a publisher all in one day, but needed to wind this post up.

Where am I? Hmm, probably at #3 with both the exercise and the writing. ;)
How about you? What stage are you at? 
Do you have any thoughts about exercise and writing? 

Normally, I only review one book per post. And usually, that book is from my Fill in the Gaps reading list. Today, though, I have one from that list and one that isn't on that list. I added the second one because, I just thought the book was great..and fairly new.

1. The BFG by Roald Dahl

I thought this was a great book to read out loud to children. Loved the language that was used. If you want to read more about this book, you will need to click here.










2. Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen

Book Description: Kevin has learned the art of lying. He calls it "common sense." He only lies to make people feel good or to keep himself out of trouble. Sounds good, until his lies become out of control in the attempt to convince a girl that he is "the best potential boyfriend for her."  Can he unravel the mess he's gotten himself into?

My Take: I previewed this book for the library and found it to be really funny! Kevin is a likable character that is well developed by Mr. Paulsen. Kevin is a true middle school boy with all the thoughts and feelings that go with it. The ending wasn't an easy one for Kevin, which made the whole story believable. This is a very quick read...like in a few hours, if that. If you need a good chuckle, read it!

Homeschool Wrap Up....at the hospital again!

Homeschooling? Yes
Started? No
Why? We are in the hospital with pneumonia.


Deja vu? Sort of. 1.5 years ago we took Jie Jie to the ER and was admitted into the same hospital with pneumonia. 


You can read about that ER experience here. And here you can read what we did during our hospital stay.
What was different?
1. ER experience. We didn't have to spend the night. We were transferred to our room before mid-night. Trauma was there for another family though. We watched and prayed for almost two hours for this little girl's life as the medics worked on her frail body. Machines were screaming, doctors were running in and out, nurses were flying around with medicines and needles, and the parents...they were standing like statues. The mother, face wet with tears, had her hands wrapped around herself. The father, shoulders slumped, stood near his wife. He looked like he had just been beaten, though no marks were on his body. His contender was Fear. My husband and I prayed for his young family. In the end, the medical team won the fight. She was stable enough to be transferred, but the battle wasn't over. Another troop of doctors would be rounded up to stand and fight for this little life. My heavy heart lightened a little.
I don't know where they went or even if that little girl is still alive, but I will be forever changed by that scene in the ER room.


2. Our room: We are facing the mountains, but we do not have the bed by the window. We have the middle bed, but we do get some natural lighting which helps. There are no screaming machines here...just a few screaming babies, but I'll take that over machines any day. Screaming babies=alive and fighting.


3. No Feeding Tube: This has been good and bad. Don't get me wrong, I love that she does not have one, but it was convenient during those times she didn't want to eat or drink. I could just squirt a large syringe or two of water into her stomach. She has an IV now that handles the hydration part.


4. New Technology: We have been graciously given an iPad, so she has been able to watch her favorite TV shows (no American Idol this time) while I use my computer for writing.




5. Length of Stay: Last time we were here for 5 days. This time? 2 days. We are getting released sometime today. Love this difference, of course.  She'll still be on antibiotics, but the oral kind. 


So, maybe homeschooling will start up on Monday...but, only if she is feeling 100% back to normal. I DO NOT want to come back here for some time. 

She is having a good time. If she hadn't had blood tests and
a x-ray to prove she had pneumonia, I wouldn't believe she was sick.

Working the iTouch apps. Her favorite? The
Doodle Pad. Why? She likes the eyeball stamp.

Life-WiP: Encouraging My Husband

My site had the warning for malware on it a few days ago. I had it checked out and there is no malware on my computer. Google said it might take a few days for the message to stop popping up, so that is why this post is delayed.


My life is a work-in-progress, hence Life-WiP. Every few weeks I'll share what I've been learning. I want to hear from you, too, so there will always be a question at the end for you to comment on life lessons that you've learned. This way, you can learn a bit about me and I about you.

As most of you know, my husband left his job as an overseas Christian school principal to start Taiwan Sunshine, a nonprofit organization for parents with special needs children. We've moved apartments, we've juggled the new budget, we've gotten two of the kids in school, and I'm working on starting to homeschool Jie Jie. 


Maybe many of you know this already, but starting an organization is S.L.O.W. Daily progress is just not visible. The whole experience can be a bit overwhelming and frustrating at times. We are both being stretched and challenged in ways we never imagined, but stretching and growing isn't a bad thing, just sometimes a bit painful in the process, right?


A few weeks ago I was convicted of my attitude. It wasn't Christ-like and loving. I was holding grudges and frustrated towards my husband. I apologized to him, of course.  Later that morning as I was having coffee with a good friend, I shared with her my conviction. She was great. She didn't mock me, she didn't scold me, and she didn't water down my conviction. Instead she challenged me. Challenged me to encourage him. I agreed that I could do that. I like to encourage people.


One day later, I was invited on Facebook by another friend who lives in the US to join her in the 30-Day Encourage Your Husband Challenge. She honestly had no idea of my conviction. I laughed with God and told him that I had gotten the clue. I joined and then invited my coffee drinking friend to participate with me. 


What I've learned so far:
1. I'm HORRIBLE at encouraging my husband! Seriously, horrible! Why is it that? 
2. That there is hope for me. I have improved from when I first started. Whew!
3. That encouragement can be so creative. I don't always have to say something, I can just be quiet. Sometimes a quiet mouth is better. Other ideas have been to make him his favorite iced coffee drink, take the girls away so he can have some quiet time, and watch a TV show with him. 




How about you? If you are married, what are someways you have encouraged your spouse recently? If you are not married, tell me your ideas anyway...I know you have ideas about encouraging others. 


*photo by Nationaal Archief from flicker

WiP and the BBQ

This past weekend was Labor Day in the US. We didn't really celebrate here, but I did celebrate at KarenG's Labor Day BBQ Blog Party. I had a lot of fun meeting other writing bloggers. Thanks Karen for hosting!

WiP: I have decided to officially shelve the ms that I wrote last year. It needs editing, but my mc is just not calling to me right now. I'm okay with that. Instead, I'm researching for a new wip - a nonfiction piece that I'm very excited about.

Other News: I've had article ideas pop into my head for magazine submissions. Just today I emailed a proposal to an editor for a local magazine. I'm very excited about having ideas because it seems like my brain has had no room for writing of any kind for months. Too much going on in the everyday life.

And one other piece of news that maybe even you might be interested in. I just found out over at Donna's Book Pub, about Chicken for the Soul's call out for stories. I'm thinking I might have a few short pieces that I could write up for that as well.

So, now to just sit down and get it started, right?

So, how did you spend your Labor Day weekend? What has kept you busy this week in the writing world? 

Book Review: Planting the Trees of Kenya

Planting the Trees of Kenya by Claire A. Nivola

This is a great little picture book about Wangari Maathai, first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.  This was on my FitG list, and I need to make a confession...I'm not sure why I put it on the list. With that said, though, I enjoyed it and learned something new. So, it was NOT a waste of time. 

You can find my full review here at Fill in the Gaps Project.

Taiwan Life and Fun: Wulai River

Wulai has become one of our favorite spots to go as a family. There is so much to do in this area, but we just go straight to the river. Maybe it is because we have a young family, but we don't even make it to the waterfall. This little spot works just fine for us, at least for this season of our life.

Photo by Erin Bowden

The great thing about this place is that you don't even need a car to get there. Public transportation takes about an hour. Here's how: Take the blue bus #849 from Roosevelt Road. Or you can take the MRT to the last station in Xindian and catch the bus there. It is the last bus stop, so you can't miss it. Once off the bus, walk up towards the village and take a left after the bridge. (We always stop at the 7-11 on the corner to pack up some drinks and snacks). Walk up the hill about five minutes or so. When the road begins to "Y" go into the building on the left side. It costs around 100nt/person to enter, but you are given some water, clean bathrooms and showers. There are a few free spots before this place where you can walk down stairs to the river, but no bathrooms. With kids, I prefer the bathrooms. ;)

The water here is clean and cool. There are small pools of water where the girls could splash around safely and there were areas where Marcus could jump off rocks into deep waters (or for my husband to do cannonballs from). Really, just a great place for a family to chill and relax during a hot and humid summer day.

Jie Jie enjoys mud bathing. 

GeGe contemplating a jump. 

Mei Mei with her fish...tiny little things that she
wanted to bring home as pets. =)