[Shatyr] Ashes in Ashenvale

[Shatyr]

Shatyr continued her journey, heading for Ashenvale. Darkshore lay behind her, broken but still free. Those who remained would continue the rebuilding, trusting in her and other heroes to keep the forces of the Horde from reaching the forests. She would not let them down. Her first stop would be Maestra's Post, where Moon Priestess Maestra was waiting for reinforcements.

 

~~~/|\~~~

 

It's been a while since I posted on the forums, so I'll go ahead and do a brief introduction. I am 32 and I work tech support for a bank. This is not exactly a high activity job and it is really hard to pace in a cubicle. I went paleo about 2 years ago, lost 20 pounds (9kg for those who use the far more reasonable metric system), and promptly gained it all back again when I returned to the eating habits of my peers (curse you, grains!).

 

After some incredibly helpful therapy, I've gotten to a place where I know who I don't want to be and how I don't want to live (hint: it's who and how I've been for the past 10 years or so). So now I'm tackling all those bad habits I've spent a lifetime developing while struggling with social anxiety. I have a very, very bad habit of disappearing, because escaping uncomfortable situations was my go-to reaction for decades. But the community here is so amazing and supportive, I don't want to disappear from it.

 

I am an avid WoW player (Feral Druid since Vanilla, and it wasn't even viable back then!) and decided to design my 2016 challenges based on the Alliance zone path on Kalimdor (why yes, I am a Nerd. Thank you for being one too!). So, onto the good stuff!

 

~~~/|\~~~

 

Primary Goals:

 

1. Grow stronger

 

Workout three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

Starting numbers:

Knee Push Up     - 3x3
Assisted Pull Up  - 3x3
Wall Squat           - 3x3
Static Lunge        - 3x3
Knee Plank          - 5 sec

 

2. Discipline the mind

 

Evening meditation, 24 nights

Spend 3 minutes meditating before bed every night

 

3. Empty the packs

 

Donate 1 box a week, 4 boxes total, of unneeded items to charity

 

Secondary Professions:

These things are parts of my life that I want to cultivate. I want to eat better and more varied dishes. I want to really emphasize cello in my life. I have begun to design my own cross stitch patterns and I want to see where this takes me.

 

Cooking: 2 new recipes

Honey Glazed Salmon

Pulled Pork

Bonus: Scalloped potatoes

 

Enchanting (cello): Practice 30 minutes, three days a week (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)

12 sessions total

Bonus: The Irish Cello book

 

Tailoring: Finish WIPs and start Birth Announcement #1 (Four people in my department are having kids. Don't drink the water!)

Organize large storage box

Organize patterns/kits

Bonus: The Last Tapestry design phase one

 

~~~/|\~~~

 

That should be it for now. I'll have pictures and measurements ready to go on Sunday. In the meantime, I'm going to prep for work tomorrow. The alarm comes early (before sunrise, which just doesn't seem right).

[LydiaJaybird]

I'm a member of the Horde, but in fitness Horde and Alliance can unite! ^-^ (Also in cross stitch)

[Starstuff]

Ishnu-alah. Love the theme.

[shaar]

Ooohhh many years of playing feral Druid, here... <3  WoW was my major MMO from Vanilla through Cata, where I kinda fell off, came back a bit for MoP, and then played through WoD.... and now I'm sucked into FFXIV. XD  I did lots of raiding as feral in WotLK but overall I just LOVE PVP <3

 

TOTALLY on board for this!  Your goals are great! ( I've always attempted cross-stitch but either given up halfway through or just failed by not estimating my pattern size right. x.x; )

[Shatyr]

I'm a member of the Horde, but in fitness Horde and Alliance can unite! ^-^ (Also in cross stitch)

 

I firmly believe I'm fighting Garrosh's Horde, not Vol'jin's. So, I can totally get together with Horde for fitness goals! (And cross stitch. Always cross stitch)

 

Ishnu-alah. Love the theme.

 

Ishnu-dal-dieb. Glad you enjoy it!

 

Ooohhh many years of playing feral Druid, here... <3  WoW was my major MMO from Vanilla through Cata, where I kinda fell off, came back a bit for MoP, and then played through WoD.... and now I'm sucked into FFXIV. XD  I did lots of raiding as feral in WotLK but overall I just LOVE PVP <3

 

TOTALLY on board for this!  Your goals are great! ( I've always attempted cross-stitch but either given up halfway through or just failed by not estimating my pattern size right. x.x; )

 

I've tried some of the other MMOs out there, but WoW keeps pulling me back. My long-term guild is taking a break from raiding and most people moved on, so it's possible I'll eventually drift away (but not likely). I never managed to get in to PVP, despite being told it was great fun as Bear.

 

I've been cross stitching for over 20 years now. I've got a number of saved tools, including one that calculates fabric size for me. I'll have to dig that up when I get home. You should stitch along with me! I'll post pictures of my WIPs and maybe inspire others to pick up an amazing hobby!

[Mad Hatter]

I'm glad you decided to come back! This place really is amazing. 

 

That food sounds delicious!

[shaar]

 

I've tried some of the other MMOs out there, but WoW keeps pulling me back. My long-term guild is taking a break from raiding and most people moved on, so it's possible I'll eventually drift away (but not likely). I never managed to get in to PVP, despite being told it was great fun as Bear.

 

I've been cross stitching for over 20 years now. I've got a number of saved tools, including one that calculates fabric size for me. I'll have to dig that up when I get home. You should stitch along with me! I'll post pictures of my WIPs and maybe inspire others to pick up an amazing hobby!

 

Haha yes WoW ALWAYS pulls me back... XD  I'm not sure about the new upcoming XPac though, it just seems like Burning Crusade 2.0 to me. ;_______;  Man.  I've played lots of MMO's.  Ahahaha~

 

PvP is always my #1 M.O in any game I play, haha!  I love being a healer in PvP!!  I'm usually Resto Druid but I have a Resto Shaman as well... I used to Feral PvP back in BC and WotLK when it was a viable spec more and it was SO FUN!  

 

!!!!! Yes yes cross stitch photos please!!  I'd love to pick it up again and actually complete something this time!~

[Shatyr]

I'm glad you decided to come back! This place really is amazing. 

 

That food sounds delicious!

 I'm hoping so! Right now I do a lot of garlic grilled chicken/fish and barbecue chicken... which are tasty, but get kind of boring after a while. I want to branch out, try new things, tempt my tastebuds (and grow as an adult).

 

I'm really excited for the honey glazed salmon. I'm thinking of pairing it with roast asparagus. Mmm, asparagus...

[LydiaJaybird]

I firmly believe I'm fighting Garrosh's Horde, not Vol'jin's. So, I can totally get together with Horde for fitness goals! (And cross stitch. Always cross stitch)

 

Aww yeah, Vol'jin all the way! =D

[Starstuff]

I firmly believe I'm fighting Garrosh's Horde, not Vol'jin's. So, I can totally get together with Horde for fitness goals! (And cross stitch. Always cross stitch)

 

Good choice. My main is Horde, but I found myself playing my Alliance alts a lot more during Garrosh's time as Warchief.

[raptron]

Ah, very beautiful challenge in terms of solid goals and a solid plan! My first main was alliance -- dwarf hunter through BC -- but I made the switch to Horde in LK for various reasons and haven't really turned back. Back when world PVP was actually a thing, I did love my nelf feral alt as a baby toon hunting machine in the wilds of Ashenvale. >_>

[shaar]

Day 1! Day 1!  Woo hoo!! ^____^

[Shatyr]

Did my meditation last night. I really got into it, because I jumped when the timer went off. I'm going to keep with the 3 minute mark, because it took a while for my mind to settle and that's what I want to focus on.

Workout tonight when I get home!

[Starstuff]

Nice! It's been a long time since I've been able to get that deep into meditation.

[Shatyr]

(Hey, look! Screenshots!)

 

 

Shatyr arrived at Maestra's Post to find it on fire. The Sentinels were under attack!

 

 

Under attack, by the Horde! The Orcs were laying siege to the place. Well, Shatyr knew what to do about that. She quickly headed over to the Sentinels and offered her assistance.

 

 

The Horde would regret attacking this outpost!

 

~~~

 

All fun aside, this was not the best week for me. Getting back into a regular schedule at work has not been easy. I like my job but I had way too many days of Nope! this week. It's to be expected after 3 short weeks in a row, I suppose.

 

Workout: Nada

Meditation: Yes, yes, and more yes

Packs: Yes

 

Cooking: Found recipes

Enchanting: 2/3

Tailoring: Patterns purchased

 

Seriously, nothing on the workout side. I didn't exercise once. I would come home with every intention, get home (after hour-long commutes) and just want to curl up in something warm and soft. I'm not angry about it, but rather disappointed. Hopefully I'll knock the ball out of the park next week.

 

Meditation, however, I did every night. I want to say it's helping my sleep, but it's too soon to say. I'm struggling with getting into the meditation mindset, but once I'm there, it's smooth sailing.

 

I've got a box full of books I've read once, maybe parts of them twice, that just gather dust. I'm betting other people will enjoy them more than I have, so off they go. I'll probably have 2 or 3 more boxes of just books before I'm done with this project.

 

I've found my recipes and bought my cross stitch patterns. I only practiced cello twice this week, but that's still more often than I exercised. Plus my teacher said I would be getting a new scale and arpeggio next week, so I must be doing something right.

 

I need to figure out a schedule for updating this thread. Every night is a little overwhelming and I'll disappear if I over-commit, but once a week isn't often enough. I'm thinking of trying for every other night and seeing how that goes.

[raptron]

Definitely try every other night. Helps to remind you of the things you are working on as well.

[Shatyr]

Meditated AND worked out yesterday! I skipped my Monday meditation, I just could not get my mind to quiet enough. I read a book instead.

I've decided to skip the Assassin mini-quests for this challenge. I've got enough on my plate with my current goals.

[shaar]

It's a hard time of year to stay disciplined. ><;  Darkness and chilly weather doesn't help at all!!

 

I've been a little over-committed to lots in life lately too, so today I'm sitting down to make a schedule that I can visually refer to to see what's on deck for that day.  I've never had to do this so I'm hoping it helps!

 

Aahhh your screenshots are lovely and nostalgic!! ^_____________^  I remember getting to Ashenvale on my NElf hunter back in Vanilla and being like... WHOA!!!! This place is awesome!!

[LydiaJaybird]

Feel ya on the exercising... I did good last week, but terrible on my diet, and now this week I'm doing good on my diet & I'm not keeping up with my workouts!!! >.<

 

& I probs need to post more as well...

[Shatyr]

It's a hard time of year to stay disciplined. ><;  Darkness and chilly weather doesn't help at all!!

 

I've been a little over-committed to lots in life lately too, so today I'm sitting down to make a schedule that I can visually refer to to see what's on deck for that day.  I've never had to do this so I'm hoping it helps!

 

Aahhh your screenshots are lovely and nostalgic!! ^_____________^  I remember getting to Ashenvale on my NElf hunter back in Vanilla and being like... WHOA!!!! This place is awesome!!

 

Ashenvale, and really any of the Night Elf themed zones, holds a special place in my gaming heart. I love the lush forest feel and get very snarly when I see the Horde doing their clear cutting.

 

Feel ya on the exercising... I did good last week, but terrible on my diet, and now this week I'm doing good on my diet & I'm not keeping up with my workouts!!! >.<

 

& I probs need to post more as well...

 

It definitely feels like six of one, half a dozen of the other. There's a balance, somewhere, I'm just not finding it. We'll get there!

[Shatyr]

Shatyr barely had time to catch her breath. Immediately after chasing off the Horde from Maestra's Post, a messenger arrived from Astranaar. The Sentinels there needed backup, quickly!

 

 

Stopping barely long enough to admire the architecture, Shatyr immediately set to work. While the town appeared to be intact, there was a sense of unease among its residents.

 

 

Raene Wolfrunner, the leader of Astranaar, was at the inn, directing her forces to where they were needed. She was only too quick to accept Shatyr's offer of assistance and sent the Feral Assassin out to deal with a very large problem.

 

 

Lord Magmathar, a servant of Ragnaros, was threatening to engulf the entire forest in flame! Somehow, Shatyr had to find a way to end the threat without burning off too much of her own fur in the process!

 

~~~

 

I'm getting closer. Who knows, by the end of this challenge, I might have completed a full week's worth of goals!

Workout: 1/3
Meditation: 3/3
Packs: Yes

Cooking: Paleo breakfast muffins
Enchanting: 2/3
Tailoring: WIP worked on

I started feeling ill on Thursday, went home early on Friday, and was still recovering Saturday. That's 2 days of workouts and one day of cello that just did not happen.

I still did my meditation every night. In fact, the past 2 nights I've meditated to the alarm, turned it off, and gone back to meditating. I might kick it up to 4 minutes this week, just to test it out.

I sent a box of Things I've Been Meaning to Return home with my youngest brother Friday night. The water at his place was out, so he came over to use my shower. I'm going to count it as one of my boxes, because the space where that stuff was is still happily clear.

I'm still waiting on my patterns to arrive, but I also haven't checked the mail since Thursday (thank you, strange illness that couldn't have happened during the short holiday weeks...). While I wait, I'm working on a sea shell cross stitch that looks really pretty, but makes me want to hurt something. Seriously, it's a small thread count and I don't have enough free small needles.

I still need to work on updating the thread, but I think I know when to work it in. I'm also testing out the new Character system, just to see how it works out with my goals.

[raptron]

Aww, I hope you are feeling better! Plenty of folks are getting sick around now and it really throws a wrench in your plans.

[LydiaJaybird]

Ashenvale, and really any of the Night Elf themed zones, holds a special place in my gaming heart. I love the lush forest feel and get very snarly when I see the Horde doing their clear cutting.

 

 

It definitely feels like six of one, half a dozen of the other. There's a balance, somewhere, I'm just not finding it. We'll get there!

 

Ugh, I AM Horde & I feel the same way!! Who decided that the Horde doesn't give a shit about the environment? My Belf and I have strong feelings otherwise! But oh well.

 

Yeah... I'm thinking that next challenge I just need to focus on either diet or exercise instead of trying to get both balanced again at the same time...

[shaar]

Almost week 4, eeeeek!! How fares Astranaar??

Sent from deep within the wilds of Gridania...

[Shatyr]

Though the smell of smoke hung heavy in the air, Astranaar still stood. Shatyr, with her fur slightly singed, gave Raene the good news of Magmathar's defeat. The fire elemental would trouble the good people of Ashenvale no longer.

Yet Shatyr's journey was not yet complete. There were others who had sent to Raene, asking for assistance. The Feral Assassin went forth, to aid those who gathered at Forest Song.



The denizens of Forest Song, tucked away in the deep woods, were troubled by their twisted relatives, the Satyr. A group of the demons had taken up residence in nearby ruins and their leader was in possession of an ancient Night Elf artifact. This power, Shatyr was assurred, could not be allowed to remain in demonic hands.



Once all was well in Forest Song, Shatyr turned to the final corner of Ashenvale, where a primordial evil stirred deep underground. The sunken ruins of Blackfathom Deeps, once temple to the moon-goddess Elune, contained a being that could threaten all life on the Zoram Strand. There was only one option: she would have to enter Blackfathom Deeps and do whatever was necessary to save all who lived near the Zoram Strand.



~~~

Workout: 2/3
Meditation: 2/3
Packs: Yes

Cooking: Materials Get
Enchanting: 2/3
Tailoring: Yes

Two steps forward, one step back. I think I'm almost to that sweet spot where I can accomplish everything I want to in a week without procrastinating. There are just a few things I need to tweak. But that's what this is about, learning what does and does not work.

My new patterns arrived in the mail. I've started on the first one, and ended up staying up WAY too late that night. I skipped the meditation and then skipped the next day's workout, because I was simply too tired to be bothered. Of course, when I woke up, the fact that I missed the workout bothered me. So there's that.

I spent the better part of Thursday morning waiting for the maintenance crew to show up (they were scheduled for Tuesday), but never heard from them. I eventually decided not to live my life around their schedule and tore apart my living room. I had tucked away all my "In Progress" pack stuff because I didn't want my work to interfere with the maintenance crew and I figured they'd be in and out on Tuesday and I wouldn't lose too much time (joke's on me!). I ended up throwing out a full bag of "One Day..." things. I'm sure you know the type of stuff, that you'll use for Something, One Day. I figure, if One Day hasn't arrived by now, it probably won't. And if it does, I'm sure I can find something else that will suit my purposes.

I've purchased everything I need for the oven roasted chicken and honey baked salmon. I just have to cook them. That's going to be a job for this Thursday, because I still need to clean the oven before I make anything big. I went to town on the rest of the kitchen today, but the thought of cleaning the oven AND cleaning the rest of the kitchen AND doing the laundry AND cleaning the bathroom AND practicing cello AND cross stitching... well, it just overwhelmed me. So the oven still needs cleaning, but everything else makes me happy to look at. Plus all my clothes are clean, dry and put away!.

I've got my images and story ready for the rest of the challenge. I'm going to try and post one image and a bit of story every day. I think it'll help me get past this "once every week" nonsense.