Objects in motion remain in motion

This warm winter Drewbs and I have been challenging ourselves with a little Saturday Morning Fitness Test at the track. It's old school, bringing back the high school fitness test: mile run, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, shuttle run. Our boys dig in the long jump sandpit and on each lap Titus cheers, "Mom! Run faster! Dad is way faster than you! Just do your best ok!" 

We think that strength and speed goals make for a positive and motivating approach to health.

Zhang Li stayed with us for three days on his way home for Chinese New Year. He joined our test and rocked it -- beat us in every part except Drew was unsurprisingly speedier in the runs. In addition to exercising together, we had a good time with Zhang Li talking, hiking and sharing meals. He is a great friend to our whole family!

Sport + Friendship, that's what I like best. Exercise videos and even running alone is, to me, merely tolerable as both lack a social-relational component. I've been dismayed over the non-existence of women's team sports in Changsha. 

Along came yoga. It's not volleyball or boot-camp class, but I love it now after practicing for the past four months in a small studio near our home. Strength, stability, flexibility, balance, stress-relief, it's all good. And, I have made friends. A few weeks ago two of my yoga-mates and their kids came to our house for curry and chicken masala. It seemed fitting to cook Indian, right?

Speaking of motion, the boys went swimming yesterday! We discovered an indoor pool (giant warm tub) for kids 6 & under at the mall within walking distance. Says Mike, "Mom! It was fun swimming we should go there more often." Titus to Dad, "It was TOO fun." Jonathon pipes up, "And, and I go swimming!"

I bought a season pass.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

Jonathon's entertaining and wordy stories

good communication with Auntie Wang and though it was uncomfortable she responded positively

walks in clean air, to alleviate cabin fever

delightful post-swimming lunch out with the boys, they devoured green beans, corn, ribs and pumpkin

seeing Liao Sha on skype

reviewing old Chinese textbooks and wondering at how something that used to seem impossible now is so easy

Luke's account, my favorite of the four