I figured my best bet to get back into shape and build endurance is to start running. Some unintended side-effects will be I’ll lose weight and my heart won’t be in jeopardy. Yeah, yeah, whatever. I just want to play better golf and if that means running 30 minutes 3 times a week, so be it. And since Staci’s doing it, too, I have no choice to do it so I don’t let her down. *grumble* Stupid buddy system *grumble*

To get us going, we’re doing the Couch-to-5K running plan found on the Cool Running website. Staci’s done it previously with good results, and since I’m just a lazy tub of goo with bad knees and a doctor’s advice to “never run again”, it’s probably best if I start slow so I don’t hurt myself. Besides, I hate running, but it’s the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to get into shape, and it’s only ~30 minutes every other day, so there’s not much I can do to not do it, especially since I’m not giving up beer.

I plan on posting once a week or so with results and thoughts on how much I hate running to (hopefully) keep me going through this ordeal. I don’t intend to use this as a springboard to longer runs. (Remember, I hate running.) 5K is enough for me. It may be a starting point to working out and getting into better overall shape, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, it’s all about golf.

Week 1
Distance: ~4.4km
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3030228
Weight: 104kg (230lbs)

Anyways, we’ve (I’ve) moved out of the apartment in Amstelveen and am temporarily located in Belgium at Jon & CJ’s. I’ve got a room to myself, and only have to baby-sit Marcus for a couple days next week or the wk after. (I forget which.) It shouldn’t be too big of a deal, except I’ve never had to change diapers or feed the kid. Other than that, smooth sailing is expected. (Just kidding. I’m sure the pooping of diapers will send me into a panic. Good thing they’ve already hired their babysitter to cover during the day while I ‘work’, Jon is at work and CJ is in Singapore for work. Good thing they understand that ‘working from home’ isn’t (usually) a euphenism for ‘watching TV while co-worker’s 4500 miles away are productive.’

I move into the new place in the heart of Amsterdam August 3rd. Those of you that want the address (and that I haven’t emailed it to yet) can email us for it at your leisure. (This means that I may have forgotten people and emailing me reminds me that 1. people read this blog, and 2. I’m getting old and forgetting people.)

That should do it for now. If you’re thinking of us, we thank you, because we’re thinking of you. Hell, even if you’re not thinking of us, we’re still thinking about (and missing) all our friends back home, and are grateful for the love and support are friends and family have sent our way.

Ok, time for another late-night beer. I’ll get all the sleep I need when Staci comes back I get old the Rebels defeat the Empire CJ makes me take care of Marcus.

I haven’t been addicted for long, but I fear it’s going to take over soon. It started innocently enough. I saw the bottle in the local Asian grocery store when I was looking for a big bottle of soy sauce. I recognized the bottle and brand from the U.S., but had never tried it before. Curious, and since I was cooking a lot more than I had in a while, I figured I’d give it a try. I was hooked. It was love at first taste. It was hot and spicy that left my mouth tingling and my forehead and scalp all sweaty. (I used way too much that first time. It closely resembles ketchup and I think subconsciously I figured it wouldn’t be too spicy since I was in The Netherlands, home of the bland)

And the best part: no heartburn. I like spicy foods, but they don’t always like me. For some reason, Sriracha hot sauce loved me. No matter what I put it in or how much, no heartburn. Hell, I haven’t even had a any butthole-burning. (I know, TMI.)

Unfortunately, this addiction is just a gateway to something else: Asian food. I’ve always liked Asian food. I have an unhealthy appetite for chicken lo mein. But here in Amstelveen, my desire for Asian food has become almost an obsession. I’ve gone long streches where I had some kind of Asian food every day. Usually it’s stir fry with chicken, veggies, rice, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and of course, Sriracha hot sauce. Sometimes it’s ramen noodles. I even learned how to make my own teriyaki sauce (which is awesome, btw.)

Occasionally I’ll eat the stir-fry noodles from a place called Wok to Walk near Liedseplein in Amsterdam, which is okay, but always needs help. It’s typical of what I’ve found with Dutch food: bland. Not horrible, but it’s like they’re afraid of too much flavor. Fortunately Wok to Walk is easy to fix: just bring it home, heat up a wok, add some sesame oil, then toss in the food with some soy sauce and Sriracha hot sauce, cook for ~1-2min to get everything heated up and the flavors mixed in, and enjoy.

Love You,
Me