Ensi - Sweet Summer Alien (Challenge #5)

[Ensi]

Alright, everyone! Grab your flamethrowers and get ready for Alien Combat! D8<

 

 

But first: Hi! I'm Ensi, a 24-year-old not-a-girl-not-yet-a-woman from Finland. I'm starting my fifth challenge as an Adventurer

 

 

Goals

 

 

#1: Chocolate Alien Combat

 

 

So, I'm a bit of a chocolate addict. If I get access to unlimited amounts of chocolate, I will eat it. All of it.

 

 

Living without chocolate seems too dull for me, so I made it a game: recently, I spent 25 days without chocolate (check my battle log for more details) just by pretending that eating chocolate means that I'm also getting attacked by aliens. It's a lot more motivating to stay away from Nutella by thinking about a face-eating alien than the phrase "it's not good for you".

 

 

During those 25 days I lost 2 kg and felt a lot better. Now, Easter was a chocolate-fest, but I'm ready to get back to fighting aliens! I'm having a partner this time around: deftona is fighting the aliens, as well! Two flamethrowers lay more waste than one! And like deftona, I’m going to allow plain dark chocolate for PMS medicine (three allowed, marked with numbers). Anything else with chocolate is off-limits.

 

 

Target: Avoid alien attacks for six weeks

 

 

Week 1:   X X X X X X X

Week 2:   1 X X X X X X

Week 3:   X X X 2 X X X

Week 4:   X X X X X X 3

Week 5:   X X X X X X X

Week 6:   X X X X X X X

 

 

#2: Keep Moving

 

 

This winter has been rough, health-wise. I’ve suffered from a lot of illnesses (from a mild stomach ache to pneumonia) and haven’t been able to keep up a regular exercise routine. Boo! My studies have also been a bit stressful, and the lack of exercise has made it even harder to handle.

 

 

I have just recovered from my latest flu, and I hit the gym this morning  It felt brilliant to be back, and this goal is meant to get me back in business. I have to work out three times a week: it doesn’t matter, what I do, as long as my heart rate goes up and I’m sweatting.

 

 

Target: exercise 3 times a week

 

 

Week 1: X X X

Week 2: X X X

Week 3: X X X

Week 4: X X X

Week 5: X X O

Week 6: X O O

 

 

#3: Get Blogging

 

 

I recently put up a blog for my artwork. This goal is all about this goal: to get the blog running and getting content there.

 

 

Target: update blog once a week

 

 

Week 1: X

Week 2: X

Week 3: X

Week 4: --

Week 5: --

Week 6: X

 

 

**

 

 

Alright, we’re all set! Not sure how to distribute the attribute points, but I’ll get back to that later  Let’s have ourselves a good challenge, everyone!

[crar4321]

Yeah! Avoiding alien abduction is the perfect motivation.

[deftona]

YAS! 

 

I've got your back on this one Ens

 

[Ensi]

Yeah! Avoiding alien abduction is the perfect motivation.

 

It is! And much more fun, in the sense that it's not about denying yourself, but playing a game

 

 

YAS! 

 

I've got your back on this one Ens

 

 

And I yours!!

 

*sees the Alien*

 

*screams*

[Alarion]

Just look at those challenges, especially chocolate one! Ooooof.

[GingaNinja]

Chocolate Attack! Claims arms in it's direction

Good luck Ensi!

[Ensi]

Just look at those challenges, especially chocolate one! Ooooof.

 

Wohoooooo! You're welcome to join in the Alien Combat, Al!

 

 

Chocolate Attack! Claims arms in it's direction

Good luck Ensi!

 

Leeeeroooooy! *tackle-hugs* Thanks... But it's not us that needs luck, it's the aliens, amiright??

[Alarion]

Buuuut.. if I join your Alien Combat, Ensi, I won't have my comfort foods in the greatest times of need! After all I'm stressed to the maximum level, almost. Though I do have to admit that no sweets = better solutions and stress management (and no obvious weight gain). I wonder... I did include chocolate-control as one of the areas of improvement in my battle log, but did not set any specific goals. Would I even survive 6 weeks without chocolate and ice cream? lol

[Ensi]

Buuuut.. if I join your Alien Combat, Ensi, I won't have my comfort foods in the greatest times of need! After all I'm stressed to the maximum level, almost. Though I do have to admit that no sweets = better solutions and stress management (and no obvious weight gain). I wonder... I did include chocolate-control as one of the areas of improvement in my battle log, but did not set any specific goals. Would I even survive 6 weeks without chocolate and ice cream? lol

 

I was extremely stressed during my first Alien Combat... but living without chocolate was very nice, because I didn't gain any stress weight You start to find new ways to manage stress! Listening to music and just venting out King's Speech style was my way to go.

 

 

I also started adding olive oil to my meals and cut out bread. That made the hunger stay away longer, and I didn't even feel like eating chocolate - sometimes it's your bloodsugar levels going "woohohoooo!!" that causes you to crave chocolate. That's the case for me, at least! I eat breakfast, lunch, small snack in the afternoon and finally dinner at 6-7 PM. That's all. And a lot of water and tea!

 

I still eat way too much cheese, though... I might have to put tabs on that, too Nevertheless, if you feel like you need your comfort foods now, challenge the aliens later. Do what's smart

[Ensi]

First day of the challenge is over, and we earn a red X!  I'm updating the situation in the starting post, as well I had an exam today... Didn't go too well, but I don't mind. If I don't pass, I'll try again after summer...! Shark week is kinda bad, but I'm taking it easy. Tomorrow I'll go sign my employment contract, hurah!

 

GHOSTBUSTERS IS ON TV!! But also... Fitnesspäiväkirjat (Fitness diaries)! It's a Finnish tv program that starts today, and it's about fitness training women. I'll have a look

[Alarion]

Hmm. I think I might just see how long I can avoid those delicious thingies...

 

Looks like you've begun well, and no aliens have access to you. What sort of exam was it?

[Ensi]

Hmm. I think I might just see how long I can avoid those delicious thingies...

 

Looks like you've begun well, and no aliens have access to you. What sort of exam was it?

 

You can always call for us for help, if the aliens are too much to handle. My flamethrower is ready. At all times. I'm scared.

 

It was a basic course about Databases... I should put up a database of my own and practise SQL, but I'm a bit too rookie to know how to do that. I'm going to figure it out this summer, and practise

[deftona]

Fitnesspäiväkirjat (Fitness diaries)!

 

I WAS JUST THINKING I HADN'T HAD A FINNISH LESSON IN A WHILE!

 

Awesome work on the first day, partner! 

[Ensi]

I WAS JUST THINKING I HADN'T HAD A FINNISH LESSON IN A WHILE!

 

Awesome work on the first day, partner! 

 

I'll keep teaching you!!

 

Started the day with some bacon and tomatoes. Bacon = pekoni, tomato = tomaatti. I also had some kale I prepared the other day with a slice of goat cheese. Right now I'm having some coffee with almond milk

 

I'm starting to feel the stress from my studies really kicking in...! I feel like doing nothing, I'm tired and a bit cranky. Woke up at 4 AM and couldn't sleep, so I made myself a cup of tea and listened to night radio (they were playing old James Bond theme songs!) for half an hour. It's scary, being so close to finishing my bachelor thesis... And there's still a couple of exams I need to pass. I just have to do stuff, plain and simple.

 

I'm going to be using a tons of positive attitude from now on. Stress is just preparing me to do stuff, so I'm going to look at it as a positive thing, something that gives me energy. If I see it as a negative thing, it's gonna be bad. The situation I'm in isn't even all that bad, but it's just the idea of doing stuff that tires me

 

Let's go, day 2!

[SconeMaker]

Hey, excellent goal-age and also your blog is awesome! The paintings on there are really lovely. I will have to check back in for the art...

[Ensi]

Hey, excellent goal-age and also your blog is awesome! The paintings on there are really lovely. I will have to check back in for the art...

 

Aww that's so sweet of you Thanks! There will be an update pretty soon, I have some new material coming up

 

Employment contract is now signed <3 I even got a raise! My salary is now 10 cents better per hour than last summer! WHOOOOOOO!!! In order to celebrate the raise, I bought myself a new running jacket. The store had a special offer, and I got running pants along with the jacket. Yay! They're running tights, actually. I wanted to buy regular running pants, but decided to go with thights because my legs looked so good in tights and I couldn't resist, I might put up a pic lol

 

Also, turned in one assignment that's been bothering me for ages. Now I can focus on my bachelor thesis and a couple of other exams that are coming up.

 

Oh, and most importantly: bought the tickets for The Avengers: Age of ULTRON AND MY FRIENDS AND I ARE GOING TO SEE IT NEXT WEEK!!! *incoherrent screaming*

[deftona]

Aww that's so sweet of you Thanks! There will be an update pretty soon, I have some new material coming up

 

Employment contract is now signed <3 I even got a raise! My salary is now 10 cents better per hour than last summer! WHOOOOOOO!!! In order to celebrate the raise, I bought myself a new running jacket. The store had a special offer, and I got running pants along with the jacket. Yay! They're running tights, actually. I wanted to buy regular running pants, but decided to go with thights because my legs looked so good in tights and I couldn't resist, I might put up a pic lol

 

Also, turned in one assignment that's been bothering me for ages. Now I can focus on my bachelor thesis and a couple of other exams that are coming up.

 

Oh, and most importantly: bought the tickets for The Avengers: Age of ULTRON AND MY FRIENDS AND I ARE GOING TO SEE IT NEXT WEEK!!! *incoherrent screaming*

 

That post right there is an unadulterated WINFEST! Definitely post a leg picture! What is all this hard work for if not for a few bragging rights?!

[Ensi]

That post right there is an unadulterated WINFEST! Definitely post a leg picture! What is all this hard work for if not for a few bragging rights?!

 

You're right, today has been very kind And OK LEGS. And the jacket:

 

 

Also, conveniently enough: a before pic for the challenge! I'll do the same in six weeks...

 

Haven't seen any aliens today. Bought an apple and some almonds for snack... Usually I don't need to take a snack, but I ate lunch at 11 AM and couldn't wait until 5 PM to eat again. Feeling a lot better about all the assignments It's a busy time, but when things get tough, the tough get going!

 

... or if you're a Finn, you just swear your troubles away. Vittu.

[MariahSnow]

I'm totally about to update my challenge with your Os and red Xs, what a good idea!

 

I'm loving your goals. Especially chocolate, but still allowing yourself some chocolate during shark week. That's pretty awesome.

[deftona]

You're right, today has been very kind And OK LEGS. And the jacket:

 

 

Looking good! (I think I have those exact trainers but in red!) Also, thank you for vittu. That's my new go-to swear I have just spent the last few minutes looking at other Finnish profanity and luckily, there are plenty to keep me going. Well played, Finland  

 

I particularly like vittu tätä paskaa...

[Ensi]

I'm totally about to update my challenge with your Os and red Xs, what a good idea!

 

I'm loving your goals. Especially chocolate, but still allowing yourself some chocolate during shark week. That's pretty awesome.

 

The Os and Xs make it a lot funnier to keep track of things!

 

Yep... I mostly have to stay clean from chocolate, but I can't keep avoiding it forever - so I'm rather going to learn how to live with it And thank you for reminding me of my goals, it seems like I should do some exercise today!

 

 

Looking good! (I think I have those exact trainers but in red!) Also, thank you for vittu. That's my new go-to swear I have just spent the last few minutes looking at other Finnish profanity and luckily, there are plenty to keep me going. Well played, Finland

 

I particularly like vittu tätä paskaa...

 

Thanks def! And great trainers, right?

 

"Thank you for vittu"

 

*howls from laughter because "vittu" basically means "lady parts"*

 

I also love "vittu tätä paskaa", and I have to give you this one:

 

 

Jumalauta: goddamn

ei helvetti = "no way in hell", direct translation: "no hell"

 

But yeah, vittu is basically the f-word of Finnish. You can also use it as a verb, "vituttaa". That means that you're very upset and annoyed. "Mua vituttaa" means "I'm upset".

 

Maybe I should become a teacher, after all...

[Ensi]

Another X for aliens, and another X for going out for a walk and completing a light bodyweight workout My throat feels kinda funny, hopefully I haven't caught yet another something z__z

[crar4321]

Leeegggsss!

 

I was about to ask where you get the Os for your challenge progress. Then I realised that they are just the letter O. I am not smart sometimes.

[Alarion]

Ensi, you definitely look very sporty there!

 

And good going with those aliens and exercise, and job. By the way, do pancakes with jam count as aliens? Haha

[Ensi]

Leeegggsss!

 

I was about to ask where you get the Os for your challenge progress. Then I realised that they are just the letter O. I am not smart sometimes.

 

Leeeeegs!!

 

The same thing happened to me once, but with X...! I was wondering how I could type "5 x 5", and... well, eventually I found out It's curious, how something very ordinary can fool your eyes, if it's used in an unusual way O__o

 

 

Ensi, you definitely look very sporty there!

 

And good going with those aliens and exercise, and job. By the way, do pancakes with jam count as aliens? Haha

 

Thanks, Al! That's very kind of you <3

 

Those would be Pancake Aliens tagging along with Jam Aliens... But hey, no point in fighting every alien species at once. If you want pancakes with jam, I'm sure you're a responsible adult and a smart NF member, who can consume them in moderation! For now, I'm focusing on Chocolate Aliens, but I let some Salmiakki Aliens in every couple of days, if I feel like it. They don't trash the house on the same level as Chocolate Aliens...