Priced out of weight loss camp

I know about weight loss camps from American children’s movies. Some American’s I’ve spoken say the really do refer to them as ‘fat camps’. This article explains that these camps are expensive- up to $1000 per week. Health insurance doesn’t cover them, but argues that they should.

A girl named Tiffany wrote an essay which won her a ‘campership’ to be able to participate in a weight loss camp. It does concern me that she is nearly 300 pounds. It’s touching because she said she has been depressed since she was 7 because her dad died. Also, she said she wants to be able to wear a bikini when she’s 14 and wear a nice prom dress. It concerns me that she has to think about this stuff when she’s so young! It’s interesting the comment that due to these essays they have to reveal some personal stuff which can then be used to market the camp.

City 2 Surf

The City to Surf is a 14km run held every year in Sydney. It has 70,000 participants. I ran it 5 years ago with a time of 118 minutes. I’ve become much fitter during the past year from riding my bike, participating in aerobics and netball in Laos. It’s a fun race to do with great views, pretty easy and lots of people with some in costume. This year they could more accurately time you than in previous years. That’s because this year you have a timing chip attached to your shoe which records the time you cross the start line is recorded, and a more accurate time of when you cross the finish line. Previously I was stuck behind the start line for at least 5 minutes after the starting gun which is when the timing used to start. Previously your finish time was an estimate also. I agree with my boyfriend who said it was harder to get to the race by train than running the race itself!

Km 1-2 I jogged quite slowly. I was still a touch cold from lining up with just t-shirt and shorts on a Sydney at the end of km 2.

Km- 3-4 is where I actually started to sweat, but only slightly

Km 5-6 I ran steadily, chatting to my boyfriend and enjoying the band and views

Km 7-8 I think this is where Heartbreak Hill was- an elevation of only 90m. I jogged up that slowly and after that I started picking up the pace a bit because it was generally downhill.

Km 9-12 I was just running at this steady faster pace. I felt slightly sleepy and didn’t want to talk anymore. I think this is where getting more than 4.5 hours sleep would have helped.

Km 13 Was running a bit faster

Km 14 I ran pretty hard and finished strong. Unfortunately they put up the pictures as I came over the finish line on the website showing I was trying pretty hard!

I was pleased with my time of 97:30 which means next year I can start in a faster group. I should be able to easily knock off another 10 minutes because I stopped for a toilet break and I could have run kilometres 7-12 faster because they were downhill.

Lao Olympians

I was so pleased when I saw Laos walk out into the opening ceremony with four athletes! A couple of my friends coached them. One trained the athletes, and the other trained the swimmers. Some of the challenges they overcame include:

• Raising some cash to buy them some sporting gear
• Informing them of the importance of keeping hydrated
• Washing before you get in the pool to keep it clean
• Organising an expat vs Lao national swim team meet where the swimmers would get real racing experience
• Supporting the government in completing the administrative procedures to get the athletes to the Olympics

I'm glad Laos could participate!

Missing Laos

I think about khao piak, Lao soft noodles in a broth thickened with tapoica and topped with fried pork, everyday. It would really help me with this winter weather. I have found ramen to be a reasonable substitute. I have managed cook sticky rice quite perfectly now though- so that's pretty good!

My house mates from Laos and some other friends that went to Laos with came to visit Sydney for a debrief session. I hardly got to see them at all and I was temporarily depressed by how busy Sydney is and hard to get around! Oh well. I am getting more back into the Sydney life again- I've started catching up with old friends and appreciating some of Sydney's charms again. I do have moments where I think I'm back into the life but then for some reason get sad about missing my friends or the Sydney life being so rushed. I am a bit bummed that I haven't had the chance to ride by bike much, or not being able to exercise after work because it's so cold and dark!

Good news though, a couple of people from my Lao office are visiting Australia on a study tour. They are learning about disability here. They might find that there are heaps of challenges here too! I really look forward to seeing them.

Yoshii

I wanted to go to Yoshii while I was working temporarily on that side of the city. The food was perfect. With this food there were no huge surprises, just super fresh food presented fantastically. It was just so good to look at. The sushi and sashimi were particularly good with some creative touches such as wrapping fish in fine strips of cucumber. We went for a lunch special where a set meal is priced around $40. The service is could be stepped up a little and I wasn't impressed with the $6.50 they charged me for a bottle of water when I asked for plain water. Maybe things have changed since I left Sydney over a year ago. The atmosphere is quite relaxed and casual.

Wagyu Steak Set $38

Kobachi (Steamed egg)

Sashimi

Tempura

Wagyu Steak

Sushi Roll

Rice & Miso Soup

Dessert

I would definitely come back here. The serve size is above average. Great value.

115 Harrington street
Sydney NSW 2000
www.yoshii.com.au

Lao stray cats vs Aussie stray cats

A stray cat invited itself to my friend's dinner party. It simply followed some people into his inner western Sydney terrace house. This was one of the largest, fattest cats I've ever seen. It must have several people feeding it. It came in and played with some of the baby toys. It was sent out to the back garden. Apparently it used to be able to get out over the back fence, but now it is so fat it cannot jump over.

Now a stray cat in Laos would probably be starving and diseased. It would probably have a broken tail and be mildly aggresive

While Aussie cats risks obesity and diabetes, Lao cats are doing it much harder and could easily starve to death!