Luciana Valerosa Culming - Vita brevis, ars longa.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Life is short, but art endures.

 

I'm spending two weeks in Italy and plan to use these days for some recreation and to get back into art. For now I'm only planning my holiday. I'm staying in Italy from 15. to 27. September. That makes 13 days.

 

Goal 1: Food (13 good food days)

Drink enough and eat some vegetables and fruit daily. No tab water.

 

I'll have to remember to get enough bottles from the supermarket. I won't continue with the no snack goal this time. When I'm on holiday I want to try out new things. Of course I'll try to be reasonable, but I don't want to stress myself about it.

 

Goal 2: Exercise (at least 11 walk, 6 yoga, 6 tibetans, 200 minutes meditation)

I want to continue doing my tibetans and some sun salutations a few times a week. The countryside is good for walking, so I'll do that daily. And I'm getting back into meditation.

- go walking almost every day

- do yoga and tibetans six times until the end of the holidays

- meditate 200 minutes until the end of the holidays

 

Goal 3: Study (30 hours)

I'm learning Italien with duolingo and do some art daily. I've been practising Italien since June, but now I'll make it a goal. ^^

 

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Holiday Chart (15th to 27th September)

 

unicode: ✔✘☐

= yoga or tibetans this day

= art day

 

Food          ✔ ✔  ✔ ✔  ✔  ✔ ✔ ✔  ✔  ✔    ✔  ✔  ✔

Exercise    ✔ ✔ ✔   ✔  ✘  ✔

Study         ✔✘  ✘ (50/30 h)

 

Bonus: Meditation

240/200 minutes ~ 120%

 

Walk: 12/11 ~ 109%

Yoga: 7/6 ~ 117%

Tibetans: 7/6 ~ 117%

 

Score:

Goal 1: ~100%  ~A

Goal 2: ~116%  ~A

Goal 3: ~ 167%  ~AA

            ~128% = A

 

A= 100% - 76%

B= 75% - 51%

C= 50% - 26%

D= 25% - 0%

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Day 1 & 2

On my first day I only went for a walk and looked around a lot. So there was no yoga or art. But I did my duolingo exercises and got some fresh fruit and vegetables from the marketplace. On Friday the farmers sell their products here. It's really nice.

The second day started with an excessive 60 minute meditation session. I couldn't get out of bed, when I woke up in the morning, because I have the upper bunk of a double bed and I didn't want to wake up the girl sleeping under me. So I just laid there and did some guided body scans until I had to go to the toilet. ^^ I only moved a little every ten minutes, so I wouldn't feel stiff. The bed really isn't comfortable. So at eight I got up, had some fresh fruit for breakfast and a nice salad with some pasta for lunch. It was really nice. In the evening I tried some pana cotta, which may not be as healthy, but it was really tasty. Oh, and I did my tibetans and some sun salutations in the morning and in the evening again. I'm only doing three reps in one go at the moment, so it was not that long. I also drew something with coal today. I'll show you some pictures, when I get back.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Day 3

Today I meditated three times: 15 minutes, 5 minutes, 5 minutes. I also did a few more reps in my tibetans and yoga routine, that I did in the afternoon and at night. I got up a little later then usual. Drawing went really well. I have seven more coal drawings. It was a real cool day, although I didn't sleep well tonight. For food I had some fruit and a salad again. For lunch fried mushrooms.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Day 4

 

Food: Had fresh fruit, a salad, a fried egg and only one slice of toast for breakfast. The salad was drying out, so I had to eat it fast.

 

Exercise: Did meditation for 20 minutes, some Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises, and seven sun salutations in the morning. I increased the reps from day to day to find out with how many reps I'm a little exhausted, but still not sore.

 

Study: Already did my Italian exercise, but I still need to draw again. I'm planning to do some more stuff with coal but on bigger paper. And I want took take some pictures in the street as long as the sun is up. It's supposed to rain in the evening.

 

edit: Drew 2 big coal images and went hunting for photos.

[Kishi]

Nice! So you're basically traveling and playing around with your limitations. That sounds like a fun change of pace. Very cool.

 

Whereabouts in Italy are you staying?

[Kyellan]

Looks like Italy is treating you well. This pleases me  

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Day 5

 

Food: Had fruit and vegetables in the morning. Later I had some apple cake and selfmade pizza. It was really good. I guess in the evening I won't eat much.

 

Exercise: In the morning I meditated for about 50 minutes and did my tibetans and the sunalutations again. I'm at 9 reps now. In the afternoon we went for a small hike. That was a little exhausting, too, because of the mountains.

 

Study: I haven't been drawing much, but the photos I took turned out really well.

[Kishi]

Nice! How are the reps coming along? Are you still able to do them well and with control?

[Toshimi]

Sounds like a great trip so far!

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I'm was at 13 reps today. One day I missed my yoga. We had a day trip to Bomerzo and Orvieto. It was really nice.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I'm not sure, if I can get to the 21 reps. Today 15 was already exhausting. I did the last reps slower. I'm drawing more detailed stuff now. One image takes a day. 

[Kishi]

Then don't get there. You said that your purpose was to find how many reps you could do to be a little exhausted, but not sore.

 

On 9/18/2017 at 5:25 AM, Luciana Valerosa Culming said:

Exercise: Did meditation for 20 minutes, some Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises, and seven sun salutations in the morning. I increased the reps from day to day to find out with how many reps I'm a little exhausted, but still not sore.

 

The goal was not to hit an arbitrary number, so there's no reason to feel bad about it. And you're doing more than you were before, yeah?

 

So, this is the amount that you do. Cool! So, take this number and squeeze the most good that you can from it. Practice the movements and dig into every little detail, and do them until they do not make you tired anymore. Maybe even take a couple off and do less, but do them well.

 

There's no shame in doing something well.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

I didn't get in much yoga the last few days. I wanted to get some paintings done for the exhibition and didn't get enough sleep. But we went for a few walks. It was really nice. Just some stress concerning the people I shared an appartement with.

 

Three of the four girls were really nice, but the last one seemed to have an alcohol problem. She often seemed to have trouble thinking and had a lot of mood swings. That was all in all really stressful. you never knew, what was going to happen next. It's a little sad.

 

But I had two really good weeks and my drawing improved a lot. I'll upload some pictures, when I get back home. Now I have to get through the 12+ hours bus drive. It's horrible. I hate offensive drivers. He doesn't seem to know, what a save distance to the next car is.

 

Maybe I just need some sleep. I'm really exhausted. Afterwards everything will be better.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

On 18. September 2017 at 3:10 PM, Kishi said:

Nice! So you're basically traveling and playing around with your limitations. That sounds like a fun change of pace. Very cool.

 

Whereabouts in Italy are you staying?

 

Civitella d'Agliano near Orvieto. It's a nice medieevil town on top of a hill. There are also a lot of street cats and the people there were nice. I liked the few from one of the towers into the valley.

We were able to use ateliers for painting all the time. It was really cool to have a spot, where you could leave your stuff behind and come back later. When we didn't draw or paint, we walked around or cooked together. The group of students was all in all very nice this year. I'm really glad, I went there again.

 

 

On 19. September 2017 at 3:19 PM, Kyellan said:

Looks like Italy is treating you well. This pleases me  

 

Although I didn't get enough sleep, I'm feeling refreshed. My mind was able to relax again. And I'll hopefully be able to hand in my art portfolio in January now.

 

On 19. September 2017 at 6:07 PM, Kishi said:

Nice! How are the reps coming along? Are you still able to do them well and with control?

 

I think all in all exercise wise this challenge went really well. I want to continue doing my tibetans and yoga in the morning. I got a nice light mat for 5€. It's not the best quality, but it's light and I can use it outside. My other one is much thicker and more expensive, so I wouldn't want to use it outside regularly. Doing yoga in the morning helped me a lot with my back. The beds were really uncomfortable bunks and the bus drive wasn't helping, too. So I'll try to continue this new found routine, when I get back. Three times a week sounds manageable.

 

On 22. September 2017 at 4:23 PM, Toshimi said:

Sounds like a great trip so far!

 

Thanks. It was really great! I tasted a lot of fresh and sweet fruits. Jummy. I just will have a hard time to get off coffee again. Italien coffee is too tastey to resist.

 

On 23. September 2017 at 11:35 PM, Kishi said:

Then don't get there. You said that your purpose was to find how many reps you could do to be a little exhausted, but not sore.

 

 

The goal was not to hit an arbitrary number, so there's no reason to feel bad about it. And you're doing more than you were before, yeah?

 

So, this is the amount that you do. Cool! So, take this number and squeeze the most good that you can from it. Practice the movements and dig into every little detail, and do them until they do not make you tired anymore. Maybe even take a couple off and do less, but do them well.

 

There's no shame in doing something well.

Of course you're right. And when I got stressed out because of the exhibition, I didn't do my yoga. So maybe next time, when I get stressed out, I should do less reps instead of nothing.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Progress Chart for second half

 

unicode: ✔✘☐

 

Goal 1A: Drink enough water, 3 portions of freggies, on six days a week

Week 2 ✔ ✔ ✔    (Fr - So)                                    100% A

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔                                    100% A

Week 4 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔                              100% A

~100%  ~A

 

Goal1B: no snacks tracker; only one snack a week

Week 2 ✔ ✘ ✘    (Fr - So)                                    33% C

Week 3 ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔                                    50% C

Week 4 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔                                    117% A

~67%  ~B

 

Goal 2A Exercise Aiming for 6/7 cardio exercise days

Week 2 ✔✔ ✔    (Fr - So)                                   100% A

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘                                    100% A

Week 4 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔                                    100% A

~100%  ~A

 

Goal 2B Exercise Aiming for 3/7 days with morning routine

Week 2 ✔ ✔ ✘    (Fr - So)                                    100% A

Week 3 ✔ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘                                    133% A

Week 4 ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ ✔                                    100% A

~111%  ~A

 

Goal 3 Study & Draw Aiming for 15 hours a week        (3,5/36hours)

Week 2 ✔ ✘ ✔    (Fr - So)                                58%  (3,5/6 hours;) B

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔                                140%  (21/15 hours;) A

Week 4 ✔ ✘ ✔  ✔ ✘ ✔ ✔                                46%  (7/15 hours;) C

~ 81%  ~A

 

Goal 4 To-Do                                                    (without rating)

Week 2 ✔ ✔ ✔    (Fr - So)

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔                                  

Week 4 ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘                            

 

Bonus: Meditation

22/100 minutes

 

Score:

Goal 1: ~83%  ~A

Goal 2: ~105%  ~A

Goal 3: ~ 81%  ~A

            ~90% = A

 

A= 100% - 76%

B= 75% - 51%

C= 50% - 26%

D= 25% - 0%

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Week 2, Day 5

Goal 1: Food

Drinking enough was a little challenge. It's less hot here and somehow I was less thirsty. Plant nanny reminded me of drinking enough and of watering my plants in real life. Fruit and vegetable was easy tough. The next few days I'll try to eat less carbs - especially pasta, bread and rice. So I substituted these things with vegetables and I had some fruit instead of a unhealthy dessert.

 

Goal 2: Exercise

Did my Tibetans in the morning with 11 reps and some yoga (4 sun salutations) after breakfast. I was a bit in a hurry, so I decided to do less reps. And I'm also still feeling less energetic after the long bus drive and the last few days with less sleep. The last two nights I got my regular 8-9 hours at least and I'm feeling much better. And I walked around 8km.

 

Goal 3: Study & Drawing

I didn't manage to get to the library in time. Unfortunately I saw an Email concerning a presentation too late. Now I have to wait until Monday, before I can get the books. But I checked some study related stuff for about an hour. No drawing happened though.

 

Goal 4: To-do

I unpacked my bags and cleaned up a little, before I went out to do some errands. It was not a super busy day, but I got some stuff done.

 

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

Week 2, Day 6

Food: a lot of salad, but I also had some cookies.

Exercise: Tibetans with 15 reps and I walked to the farmers market to get some more vegetables

Study or draw: Didn't happen. We were visited by some friends spontaniously.

To-Do: Tidied up some more. Sunday I should take care of the laundry.

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

On 28. September 2017 at 10:12 AM, Luciana Valerosa Culming said:

Progress Chart for second half

 

unicode: ✔✘☐

 

Goal 1A: Drink enough water, 3 portions of freggies, on six days a week

Week 2 ✔ ✔ ✔    (Fr - So)                                    100% A

 

Goal1B: no snacks tracker; only one snack a week

Week 2 ✔ ✘ ✘    (Fr - So)                                    33% C

 

Goal 2A Exercise Aiming for 6/7 cardio exercise days

Week 2 ✔✔ ✔    (Fr - So)                                   100% A

 

Goal 2B Exercise Aiming for 3/7 days with morning routine

Week 2 ✔ ✔ ✘    (Fr - So)                                    100% A

 

Goal 3 Study & Draw Aiming for 15 hours a week        (3,5/36hours)

Week 2 ✔ ✘ ✔    (Fr - So)                                58%  (3,5/6 hours;) B

 

Goal 4 To-Do                                                    (without rating)

Week 2 ✔ ✔ ✔    (Fr - So)

 

Bonus: Meditation

2/100 minutes

 

I tracked only half the week with my regular goals, so the numbers are a bit different. We had a few spontanious visits from friends, so I had a hard time to get in my studying and drawing. But at least I did a small sketch for inktober and started doing my italian exercises in duolingo again. It's fun. Exercise went well, but food wise I have to watch my snacking.

 

Next week there are going to be three social events. So I should be carefull and bring some snacks myself. Maybe some vegetable sticks or fresh fruit. Neko would like that, too. I find it harder to resist, when others around me have something. And I have to pack a lunch for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

[Kyellan]

Welcome home! Hope your time in Italia was restful & fun.  

[Kishi]

Yes, that's right, it's Inktober time. I saw the prompts for this month. It looks like it'll be a time.

[Kishi]

So! How's it going over here?

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

On 28. September 2017 at 10:12 AM, Luciana Valerosa Culming said:

Goal 1A: Drink enough water, 3 portions of freggies, on six days a week

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔                                    100% A

Goal1B: no snacks tracker; only one snack a week

Week 3 ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔                                    66% B

Goal 2A Exercise Aiming for 6/7 cardio exercise days

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘                                    100% A

Goal 2B Exercise Aiming for 3/7 days with morning routine

Week 3 ✔ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘                                    133% A

 

Goal 3 Study & Draw Aiming for 15 hours a week        (3,5/36hours)

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔                                140%  (21/15 hours;) A

 

Goal 4 To-Do                                                    (without rating)

Week 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔

Bonus: Meditation

2/100 minutes

 

I think it went well. This week I'll try not to snack. Can't study much. I'm visiting my parents. I hope the weather will be less rainy than yesterday, so I can at least go for some walks.

[Kishi]

Well, that's not so bad - you study a lot, so a break in that really isn't a big deal. I hope you manage to enjoy your time with the parents!

[Luciana Valerosa Culming]

It's ok. When my father tried to drive to the wood although it's only 800m I decided to go alone. It was a very nice walk, so I guess it was the right decision. Afterwards we talked a little and I drew something.