Bast learns the new NF format while taking lessons from Dr. Frankenstein

[Bast]

Lessons from Dr. Frankenstein

 

 

Welcome to Class...

 

This will be a multiple parter...which has actually already started.  The lessons will be over the course of about 9 to 10 months and broken down into thirds, and further into 40 to 50 weekly increments (or "lessons").  These lessons have actually already started during the last NF 6WC.  And with the new NF Challege format being 4 weeks, I'll have to make a few modifications.  No biggie!!  I'll play a little "catch-up" on the previous Lessons, 1-7 here in the "intro" to the new Challenge, then fill in for Lessons 8-11 for the Challenge.

 

 

Lessons 1 through 6:

Recap...

 

 

Lesson 1:  Class starts when?!?...

 

OK, so in keeping with the Monday through Sunday schedule...We'll just say that Lesson 1 began November 17th, 2015 (although it "technically began the 18th, a Tuesday), which was smack in the middle of the final NF 6WC of 2015.  So for this week's Lesson, I pretty much worked on that, not realizing that the Lessons had started!

 

 

Lesson 2:  Class can't be starting yet...

 

This Lesson was during the Thanksgiving Holiday, and I was still oblivious to the fact that the Lessons had already started.  This was Week 4 of the final NF 6WC of 2015, and that's what I focused on.

 

 

Lesson 3:  Lab and Practical...

 

The Lessons "officially" started this week, with the first Lab and Practical...  It was the results of both the Lab and Practical which made these Lessons possible.  Otherwise, we'd be waiting to start class in another month or so.

 

 

Lesson 4:  Waiting for Class...

 

This was the final week of the last NF 6WC of 2015 (and later, I would discover, the last 6WC ever!).  I passed, barely, but was very tired and busy with Holiday parties and activities around base.  So much so, I never quite got around to posting my final scores and updates...but that's ok...no one was following my thread anyway.

 

 

Lesson 5:  Late for Class...

 

Now here's where I discovered that I was actually "late" for class.  This Lesson included another Lab, and the results laid the ground work for a week of research, setting up appointments and visiting the local Medical Center.  It was here that I met a few of my fellow "students", and received some basic instruction, and the future Lessons got plotted.  I also got an inside scoop regarding formal diagnosis, blood and urine tests, and got a flu shot (which are evil!!)...which resulted in me getting the flu for the second time this year!!  I also started feeling more and more tired and hungry.

 

 

Lesson 6:  Catch up from Tardiness...

 

Despite the Holidays, this week's Lesson included some more formal instruction, a trip to the ER and extra housework...which was technically unrelated to the Lessons...Hubby sliced his finger & it took over 2 hours to stop bleeding...then we was exempt from chores until it healed.  No surprise that I was feeling tired more, but my appetite continued and my chest started to feel sore and heavy.  I also noticed that I would feel nauseous before mealtimes...so basically when I needed to eat, I felt nauseous, and when I ate, it went away!

 

 

Lesson 7:  Formal Instruction...

 

OK, so there will be a few public "classes" for me to attend from time to time...This week had the first.  It was very informative, but boring.  My classmates were pretty blase and not interactive, and thus the class was pretty much death by PowerPoint...although they did hand out a useful packet of information (pretty much everything that was presented, including the PowerPoint slides).  I also tried to restart my c25k, but I did it too early in the morning (I think)...I ended up having severe pain in my Right Knee and the outside of my Left Foot...I think I may have misstepped in the low light of the early morn and   This week also resulted in me getting extremely bent out of shape (which normally doesn't happen) due to being lied to and over 4 hours of my time wasted!!  It actually caused me to loose my appetite!!  And I didn't feel nauseous when I skipped meals...  But luckily, I found a way around the conundrum, but I remained agitated about the whole ordeal for a few more days...

 

 

NF 4 Week Challenge:

Lessons 8 - 11

 

 

 

OK, so for the next 4 weeks, I'll be working on the Lessons 8 through 11 with Dr. Frankenstein.  I'm currently breaking it down much like I have done for previous Challenges.  I am still trying to figure out the new format (some info hasn't been posted as of yet), so there may be a bit of adjusting later on as the need arises.  I have my grading scale in place, but I may be tweaking the rewards as necessary...I think the new format is getting away from the assigning of points and leveling up (as well as trying to do more of a letter grade scale, whereas I prefer the numerical point system with percentages!).  I suppose we're all in the same boat, having to relearn what we thought we knew and revamp everything!

 

 

Epic Quest:  (4 points possible) 

Defeat My Mortal Enemy - Fibromyalgia in Remission

 

 

As always, my Epic Quest is to beat Fibromyalgia into remission.  This is my ongoing quest.  I will put up a weekly inspiration to help keep me motivated and to remind (and hopefully inspire) others that they are not alone!  Since this is a once a week thing, I need to post one now for Week 1...

 

Grading:

     1 point = posting an inspiration each week (1x/wk => 4 points total)

 

Reward:  +1 WIS, +1 CHA

 

 

Main Quest:  (4 points possible)

Grow as a Person

 

 

In the past 6WCs, I've focused on inch loss vs. weight loss.  However, in order to create life, I must grow as a person in all ways...spiritually, mentally, emotionally and definitely physically!  However, the key is to control the level and rate of physical growth.  Some of it will come in the form of gaining more...more tissue, muscles, bone, blood and other fluids.  So here, my goal is to monitor how much weight I'm gaining to make sure it's at the proper pace and I don't overdo it!  Between Lessons 1 and 12, I can't gain more than 5 pounds, maximum (less is OK, but more is bad!)!  Broken down, that's less than 1/2# per week (average estimate).  At Lesson 1, I weighed 125 #.  By Lesson 5, I weighted 126#.  Now, at the beginning of Lesson 8, I'm still at 126#.  According to the charts, I'm still currently on track in the "normal" range, even though I haven't gained much, and that's OK (I don't need to try to "catch up").  If I break it down, then I should not gain more than 1.5# every 2 weeks (maximum)...  But as long as I don't gain more than 3.5 pounds by the end of this Challenge, I'll be good!

 

Grading:

     1 point = less than 1# gained each week (1x/wk => 4 points total)

 

Reward:  +1 CON

 

 

Quest 1:  (20+ points possible) 

 Reboot Active Lifestyle

 

 

I definitely need to be active!  It takes a lot of strength, flexibility and energy to create life!  Since I don't have the cool, spinny, rolly chair skills of Dr. Franken Stein, I'll need to get a bit more creative!  Needless to say, some of my original intended activities are now off the board...rats!  So I'm taking a slightly different approach.  I'm going to continue with my c25k, but with a twist...I'm restarting it and only doing it twice a week rather than it's recommendation of 3 times a week.  Since it's an 8 week program, I won't finish it this Challenge...but it may take me longer than 2 Challenges to complete (if I ever do).  My goal here is to work on endurance without over exerting (which was my problem last round).  I'll repeat weeks for as long as it takes until I'm not totally wiped out after each run, and if I never complete a 5k, that's OK with me, as long as I'm keep my endurance up.  The thing is, I like the way the app does it's intervals.  Due to the Fibro, I can't keep up a sprint or hard run...I do my c25k intervals as a walk and jog (and slowly increasing the speed of my jog).  All the other intervals apps I've seen have the jogs and sprints as the longest, with only very brief walks.  For me, the walks give me a break (so I don't over exert myself), while not being so long as to let my heart rate slow too much (jog gets it up).  So unless I come across (or someone suggests) a good walk/jog intervals app (no sprint), then I'll stick with what's working so far!  I'm also doing something I had gotten into before (a few years ago), but kinda got away from when I moved.  So for twice a week, I'm doing a 30-minute Barre workout (10 minutes each, arms, legs and core).  I'm going to do something "extra" once a week.  I got the kibosh on doing Body Pump and Body Combat...and pretty much anything that is impact or balance related (bye-bye Parkour)...  So I may go swimming (if I have another leg issue, this may replace c25k), do Yoga, bodyweights or perhaps start learning how to strength train with free weights.  The thing is, I need to be active 5 times a week for 30 minutes to maintain good heath and lessen the chances of problems arising while creating life.  I'm also going to keep my "bonus point" option with my pedometer.  My goal here is to incorporate more movement throughout my day.  So for every week that I clock 15 miles on my pedometer (not counting c25k), I'll get an extra point!

 

Grading:

     1 point each = c25k (2x/wk => 8 points total)

     1 point each = Barre (2x/wk => 8 points total)

     1 point each = "extra" (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     Bonus point = 15 miles per week (non-c25k)

 

Reward:  +1 STR, +3 DEX, +1 STA

 

 

Quest 2:  (48+ points possible)

 Proper Nourishment

 

 

Ok, so I've got a lot of people lecturing me on what is healthy/not healthy for me to eat...and it's driving me NUTS!!!  The one that really got to me was in Lesson 7 when I was "informed" that the Federal Government passed a law in 2015 that milk fat is unnecessary and unhealthy for adults and children over the age of 3 and is not to be consumed.  WTF?!?!?  Let me get this straight, a political agency, not a health organization, is going to determine what we are allowed to eat?!?  And considering health professionals and dietitians note that the natural fat in dairy contains vitamins and minerals and is the kind of fat our bodies need verses the unnatural fats found in processed and "junk" foods.  Besides that, I grew up on milk straight from the cow...and so did everyone I know, and none of them are obese!  

 

OK, sorry about that...I'm still steamed over that whole episode!  Anyhoo...I'm going to maintain my healthy diet, and try to incorporate the "extra" recommended foods I normally don't eat (like peanut butter and fortified cereals) as well as increase those I already do (fruits & veggies, beans, eggs and whole milk).  I'm also revisiting a previous trend...I still need to clear out more from the food stores (pantry and freezer inventory).  On a side note, Hubby is doing the Leptin Diet again this round in preparation for his Command Fitness Leader training at the end of the month.  Although I've done this with him in the past (in order to be supportive and not "tease" him by eating what he can't have), I cannot do so this time.  I'll have to make smaller meals so I don't get burned out on eating so many leftovers and hope I don't tease him too much with what I'm having that he can't!  I also need to be better about taking my daily supplements, so that's on here too...

 

Grading:

     1 point = each healthy meal incorporating inventory (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point = taking all daily supplements (7x/wk => 28 points total)

 

Reward:  +1 CON, +1 WIS

 

 

Quest 3:  (68+ points possible)

 Routines and Sleep

 

 

So this will be another reboot...with the Holidays and all the vacation time, I've kinda gotten out of the habit of going to bed early (since I could sleep in).  But now, I'm also have more sleep issues...I'm finding it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep and get up in the morning...not to mention all the extra fatigue...Dr. Frankenstein never told me creating life could be so exhausting!  Oh well, I guess I need to mention that that should be added to the course description...  Anyhoo, I'm going to focus on healthy routines.  I need to take better care of my skin and teeth right now...I have a tendency to not do these things on a daily basis...basically I forget (oops!).  So far, it's not been a problem, but during the course of these lessons, it could start to pose some issues.  Therefore, washing my face and brushing my teeth at least once a day (each) will be essential, as well as going to bed 8 hours before I need to be up (no penalty if I don't sleep well, just as long as I'm in bed on time) for 5 days a week.  I'm also going to try to moisturize my skin (entire body) at least twice a week (especially after a soak!)...It's winter, so the air is dry and so is my skin!  All that dryness isn't good for my skin and can actually make me a walking Tesla Ball!!  Pampering bonus points will also be doable...before bed soaks are always nice! 

 

Grading:

     1 point each = wash face (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = brush teeth (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = 8 hours bedtime (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = moisturize body (2x/wek => 8 points total)

     Bonus point = something pampering

 

Reward:  +1 CON, +1 CHA

 

 

Life Quest 1:  (88+ points possible)

 Ready the Laboratory

 

 

My life quests will be mostly a repeat of past ones...First, I need to ready the Laboratory.  In order to do that, I need to stay on top of my Dailies, Zones and Missions as well as doing the Weekly Home Blessing.  I also need to work on getting rid of the stuff we don't need/use.  With the closure of our base thrift store, donating stuff will be more difficult, so I'll need to post to sell items on the local FB sale pages.  I'll post 10 items weekly, and update daily.  Whatever doesn't sell by the end of the challenge (or has been posted for more than a month) will get either tossed or dropped off at the other bases' thrift stores (when I'm making a trip to said base).  I also need to focus on reclaiming the Project Room.  I'm not really sure how I'm gonna do this one just yet...for now, I'll probably just say do "something" in that room once a week.  Until I actually get the chance to get in there, this is a good first step.  I'm also gonna grant a bonus point for every box cleared and for ever 10 items sold.

 

Grading:

     1 point each = WHB (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     1 point each = Dailies (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = Zones (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = Missions (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = post/update 10 sale items (5x/wek => 20 points total)

     1 point each = something in Project Room (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     Bonus Point = clear out 1 box or sell 10 items

 

Reward:  +1 STA

 

 

Life Quest 2:  (52+ points possible)

Havoc Maintenance

 

 

This is going to be mostly about desk time.  I need to stay on top of my schedule weekly and emails daily, post my FB inspiration (mostly for sis and friends) and NF updates weekly, do some Assassin Ambassadoring daily as well as post my Assassin Mini updates...but perhaps that one should be left as part of doing the Mini's themselves... That looks simple enough, right?  

 

Grading:

     1 point each = Schedule (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     1 point each = Emails (5x/wk => 20 points total)

     1 point each = FB Inspiration (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     1 point each = NF update (1x/wek => 4 points total)

     1 point each = Assassin Ambassadoring (5x/wk => 20 points total)

 

Reward:  +1 CHA

 

 

Life Quest 3:  (24+ points possible)

Franken Studies

 

 

Yes, I'm very tardy...even though Lessons 1 through 7 have come and gone, I am still behind in my studies.  I was bad and didn't keep up on it all over the last few weeks...OOPS!  So now I need to get caught up to get back on track.  So if I can do at least 2 Lessons per week (shoot for 3), I should be caught up by the end of the Challenge.  The goal here is not so much a per week, but a total of 11 Lessons complete.  I also need to work on my Herbology and Finance Studies.  I will do at least something for each once a week.  I will shoot for completing a Chapter in Herbology (that included projects and homework), and some sort of reading or Continuing Education in Finance.  I will continue to look at finding a job...but since that hasn't panned out in the last 2 years, I will also include investigating blogging as a business.  So for this Challenge, I'll focus on a weekly research for each.  If I'm able to do extra lessons (like in Franken Studies or Herbolgy), those can be "bonus" points.  If I get an actual job interview, that will be a bonus point.

 

Grading:

     1 point each = Franken Lessons (2+/wk => 11 points total)

     1 point each = Herbology Lessons (1+/wk => 4 points total)

     1 point each = Finance CE (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     1 point each = Job Search (1x/wek => 4 points total)

     1 point each = Blogging for Business Research (1x/wk => 4 points total)

     Bonus Point = Job Application, Job Interview, "extra" Herbology Lessons

 

Reward:  +1 WIS

 

 

Support the Assassin's Guild:  

Mini's and Ambassadoring

 

 

But that doesn't matter...I'm here to support my guild!!  With all the new-fangled changes to Nerd Fitness this year, a lot of people have gotten in an uproar and even more are confused...including me...(confused, not uproar).  They have re-defined what each guild represents, and with that, I don't fit into any particular guild anymore!!  My fitness style is that of someone with ADOS (Attention Deficit...Ooooh! Shiny!!) on crack!!  Since I grew up in the country on a farm, I have a hard time getting into "fitness" in the modern (traditional?) sense...I don't do gyms (don't know how to use the equipment and when I've asked, I've been made to feel stupid), I don't get into a lot of classes (and the ones here aren't very interesting, and the ones that are now are on my no-no list), I am into a lot of sports/sporting activities that just aren't available around here.  So thus the conundrum...I bounce around at trying different things to see if something clicks with me...sadly nothing really does (I get bored with the current mindset of "exercise" and "fitness activities"), so I change it up every Challenge (bored now...).  With that being the case, based on the new definitions, I would belong in ALL the guilds, except Warriors (but if I end up playing with free weights, that won't apply any more), and sadly my no-no list now kicks me out of the Assassins (bye-bye Parkour <pout, sniffle, pout>)!

 

However, the Assassins are where I started, where I've thrived and where I feel my heart belongs!  So despite the re-definitions and personal restrictions, I will continue to support the Assassins Guild!

 

Mini Challenges

 

I haven't checked on these yet...still trying to get my challenge up with all the changes and my own scheduling hiccups...   Per usual, they will be posted weekly and with their own reward system.  These are always a do or don't, which includes posting and updates as necessary.  We'll have to see how the changes to the NF Challenges will affect the minis...I hope they don't get discontinued...  

 

Ambassadoring

 

Of course, it's always an honor to help budding Recruits find their way to a Home Guild...  However, this round will be especially hard with all the changes to NF, to our Ambassadoring procedures and Mr. Wilies (who spear headed the Ambassadoring changes) going over to the Rangers...  My goal is to do a little something in this area 5 times a week.

 

 

Next Week's Focus...

 

Ok, so I'm getting this thing up a little bit late...ok, a lotta bit late!  And I'm already behind in my Lessons.  So I'm going to have to work hard this week to get on track...  In addition to what's listed for my Challenge, I also have a few extra appointments to juggle as well as put together my Challenge Spreadsheet...that thing keeps me on track so I don't forget (overlook) anything!!

 

 

Time to tighten all the loose screws so Lesson 8 goes like clockwork...

[Bast]

OK, so in creating my spreadsheet, I noticed a few boo-boos in my layout...

 

It's been hereby edited to correct errors and discrepancies

...

[tundralily]

Bast! I'm so happy to see that you are doing well. I love your challenge, and am going to be following you along with your epic adventures. How is your fibro going? 

 

[Bast]

Hey there, Beautiful!!

 

I'm hanging in there.  My Fibro's OK....but a surprising turn in my life (encrypted in my Challenge) will necessitate a totally new learning curve for me, my Hubby and my Dr.!  But I'm hopeful all will be successful and I plan on NOT beating myself up when the "new challenges" throw wrenches or have it's own plans...

 

How's your Fibro doing?  I hope the cold isn't bothering you too much...

[Bast]

Lessons from Dr. Frankenstein

 

 

NF 4WC - Week 1:

Lesson 7

 

OK, so this week didn't go as I had originally planned.  I got totally sidetracked with an epic ant battle!!  Turns out, since the Base doesn't do proper pest control maintenance, these tiny little annoying ants have found their way into my kitchen and dining room!!  Basically, since it's been mostly a mild winter, they didn't hibernate, and now that the temps have quickly plummeted, they are trying to move in!  Luckily, I do keep my kitchen fairly clean, and there isn't any exposed food, they are going for any dirty dishes in the sink...Ironically, they go after the butter on the butter knife, but not the honey in the jar...odd...  And last night, I found them in the cat food dishes!  We went through spraying two separate entry points that we found before NAVFAC finally came to spray on Thursday (I put in the call on Monday when I discovered them!).  Then over the weekend, we found two more spots where they are burrowing in from under the house (or between the walls)...it's primarily at the edge of the floor/wall/baseboard...and there is debris where they are digging (chewing?) their way in.  So this has put a bit of a hamper on a lot of my cleaning activiites...especially since I've had to pull stuff away from the walls to find and spray the spots...not to mention, having to wash everything after NAVFAC was here (and the cat dishes before feeding them).  And so the battle rages on...

 

On a side note, I met with the Good Doctor, and discovered that my understanding of the schedule was actually a little bit off...It turns out that this week was NOT Lesson 8, but rather Lesson 7.  Ok, so in my excitement of learning to Create Life, I got a little ahead of myself...sue me!  LOL!!

 

 

Epic Quest:  1 point (out of 1) 

Defeat My Mortal Enemy - Fibromyalgia in Remission

 

 

So fatigue really got to me this week...partially due to sleep issues, partially due to all the running around I had to do...but also due to how exhausting Creating Life can be.  I was also very cold!!  Ironically, the weather finally turned cold and for some reason, I just couldn't get and stay warm!!  I also got bogged down with all the "extra" work during this week's Battle of the Ants.  But no worries...I did what I could and tried my best.  I wasn't perfect, but then perfection is overrated!  LOL!

 

Week 2 Plan:

     work on staying positive and not belittle or chide myself for any falters or imperfections

 

 

Main Quest:  1 point (out of 1)

Grow as a Person

 

From Monday to Friday, I maintained 126#.  No worries that I haven't gained...this week's Dr's visit indicates that I'm still on track.

 

Week 2 Plan:

     try to be active and eat healthy meals and snacks

 

Beginning Stats:  Weight - 126 #     Week 1:  Weight - 126#     Week 2:  Weight - #     Week 3:  Weight - #     Week 4:  Weight - #

 

 

Quest 1:  2 points (out of 5) 

 Reboot Active Lifestyle

 

OK, so I totally belly flopped this one!  Between the fatigue and Ant Battles, I only got 1 Barre (out of 2) and 1 c25k (out of 2) done.  I didn't get in an "extra" activity nor did I make my 15 mile bonus.  My pedometer total for the week was 12.25 miles, and minus the 1.83 c25k mileage, it came to 10.42 for the week...just under 5 miles short.  My Dr.'s visit also rendered some disappointing news...he said "no" to my suggestions of Body Pump and Body Combat classes, and "absolutely not" for continuing Parkour and Armor/Impact Training!  Basically anything that can affect (or requires) balance and/or contact is hereby nixed!!  So I'm going to look into free weights.  I did do some scouting at the gym to see if someone could give me some in-person instruction on the equipment, usage, and etiquette...I'm still waiting for an answer.  

 

On a side note for Week 2...I have a Dr's appointment for my Right Hand (pain, "lumps" and locking grip) on Friday, so I'll need to be sure that all activities that require me to hold, grip, or support something (like weights or a bar or myself) with my hand is done (completed) prior to Friday.  I suppose that will be everything except c25k...

 

Week 2 Plan:

     shift the days I'm doing Barre and c25k and "extra" to accommodate hand recovery

 

 

Quest 2:  12 points (out of 12)

 Proper Nourishment

 

I did well here, although I did forget my dinnertime supplements on Sunday...oops...  I did have to kinda revamp the definition of "eating inventory", though.  With Hubby on the Leptin Diet in preparation for his CFL training at the end of the month, I'm not exactly cooking as much.  Actually, I only cooked once this week!!  I had to work on clearing out all the leftovers from the fridge from the previous week so that they didn't spoil and end up being wasted!  So I counted leftovers as inventory...but I also utilized inventory in the form of snacks and breakfast.  I'm only counting inventory utilization once per day...so even if I consume inventory for breakfast, a snack and dinner, I'm only logging 1 point (instead of 3).  I also got REALLY burned out on leftovers...so I'm going to work on fixing smaller meals so as not to have as many leftovers.  I've also been really nauseous, as well as unusually finicky (definitely sick of leftovers!!), so I need to have some healthy snacks on hand as well as quick potential meal replacement options lined up.  I also need to work on not missing meals...I've kinda "forgotten" to have breakfast a few times, so I have an earlier lunch...or I've had to have a late lunch (like today) because I got busy or distracted.  I need to work harder on not missing meals...

 

Week 2 Plan:

     plan and cook small meals/dinners to limit leftovers

     organize healthy snacks and meal alternative options

 

 

Quest 3:  16 points (out of 17)

 Routines and Sleep

 

I did really good with my 8 hours, but still need to work on my face washing and teeth brushing.  However, I did have two dental appointments this week...one for a cleaning and one to replace a broken filling.  I didn't count the cleaning as a "brushing", and after the filling replacement, my mouth was too sore to brush.  I also only moisturized once this week, but I did soak twice...once was to get warm!  I did my c25k in the  morning, but although I wasn't cold during my run, I couldn't seem to get warm once I was home...I felt chilled to the bone for several hours, so finally I soaked in a warm bath, which definitely helped!!  Moisturizing is kind of a two-way activity...I can get most of my body, but I do need my Hubby to do my back (I'm SOOOOO not that flexible!!).  So that's kinda contingent on his willingness to help...he said he'd only do it twice a week at most (which is why it's only listed for 2x/week).  Next week resumes the weekly JATA meetings on Tuesday evenings.  These nights it's hard to get to bed at the reasonable hour I would like.  The meetings go until 9pm, so we aren't going to bed until after 10...but Wednesday's alarm goes off at 0500, thus being short on that 8 hour goal.  Sadly, there's no real way around this, so luckily, I tend to get 8 hours on the weekends (when the girls let me sleep in...).

 

Week 2 Plan:

     wash face as part of AM or PM routine 

     brush teeth as part of AM oil pulling (2x) and as part of PM routine (3x)

     8 hour bedtime Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

     moisturize twice, preferably before bed after a soak

 

 

Life Quest 1:  10 points (out of 22)

 Ready the Laboratory

 

Ants and fatigue and schedules thwarted me here...This week we were in Zone 2 - the Kitchen, which was where the ants were "attacking"...so yeah, didn't get much done there since that was the Battlefield!  I had 7 appointments in 4 days...and got kicked out of the house for 2 hours when NAVFAC came to spray...so yeah, hard to do any cleaning when you're not there to do it...  And with all the appointments and Battles, on top of the strain of the Lessons, it's no wonder I was so fatigued!  In Week 2, I'll have to focus on not only catching up (which will be contingent on the Battlefront), but work a little ahead so that everything is done before Friday, when I go to the Dr for my hand (which may put me out of commission for a few days or so).  I also want to work on re-incorporating the Swish & Swipe (Swish out toilet bowl, Swipe mirror, sink and toilet) in the bathroom everyday.  I've been feeling more and more nauseous, so in case I do start being sick, the bathroom is clean for me to be sick without causing me to wretch any more than necessary!  I need to update and stay on top of the sale items, as well as do two things in the Project Room to catch up.

 

On a side note, now that it's after 12th Night, I need to take down, inventory and pack up all the Yule decor and take out the tree.  Once that is done, it'll be easier to do the Weekly Home Blessing and put the Living Room back together.  Depending on time available this week, as well as the status of my hand and of course with Hubby's help (not to mention fatigue and the queasies), all this may or may not get completed by (or during) the weekend.  I'll just have to take it one baby step at a time and play it by ear...

 

Week 2 Plan:

     stay on top of dailies (laundry, dishes, picking up and swish & swipe)

     do a Mission in Zone 2 and Zone 3 and an extra in either Monday through Thursday

     complete Details in Zone 2 and Zone 3 by Thursday

     update sale items

     do two things in Project Room

     take down, inventory & pack up Yule decor

     WHB during the weekend

 

 

Life Quest 2:  9 points (out of 13)

Havoc Maintenance

 

Ok, so I didn't do as well here, either.  I got some extra points on scheduling, since I had a few changes and snafus during the course of the week requiring that I adjust and update my schedule, not to mention keeping up with 7 appointments in 4 days!!  I didn't get to ANY of my emails this week nor my Facebook inspiration...bad me.  I did post my NF Challenge thread, and tried to keep up with what/how the changes to the NF Challenges and Forums, etc...but there were delays in their proposed deadlines, then I got busy with my own schedule.  I'll have to follow up on that one more this week.  I also didn't get as much done with Ambassadoring as I would have liked.  This new convoluted system has all the Newbies lumped in with seasoned Rebels meaning exponentially more threads to have to filter through...gotta go through ALL the thread to figure out who is a veteran and who is a newbie...THEN figure out if the newbie is Assassin material...CONVOLUTED!!!  Anyhoo...I'm going to work on Monday being my primary desk day, working on postings and updates and then spending a little bit of desk time every day to do the daily follow ups.

 

Week 2 Plan:

     confirm weekly schedule & update calendars on Monday and update as necessary during the week

     spend Monday as primary desk day to update NF &  post FB inspiration

     spend time each day (2 hours?) at desk for emails and Ambassadoring

 

 

Life Quest 3:  1 point (out of 6)

Franken Studies

 

Once again, I'm short of my mark here...  I did do a little Herbology practical application on Monday, but other than that, nada...However, I am keeping up daily with an "app" version of my Franken Studies, which consists of short articles, checklists and a weekly video, but not the more formal reading.  I'm still debating as to if/how to incorporate that into the chart/checklist.  After Monday, Herbology was hindered due to having to gut my apothecary to find where the Ants were trying to infiltrate our defenses.  Next week, I hope that the Ants will be defeated, so I can put my apothecary back together!  Since I'm incorporating a couple of hours daily desk time, I hope that will grant enough time to do the job and blog research.  Some disturbing news from home means I may be assisting my sister and her wife with some budgeting plans & financial counseling, so that will definitely apply towards continuing education.  

 

Week 2 Plan:

     do 1 Franken  Lesson each day (M-F)

     reassemble apothecary (at least)

     assist sister & her wife with budgeting for Financial CE

     research jobs and blogging for business during daily desk time

 

 

Support the Assassin's Guild:  

Mini's and Ambassadoring

 

So this week's mini was Experiment #1: Push...we had to do AMRAPS of 8 different types of push ups in 6 days!!!  HOLY CRAP!!!  This was insane...I also noticed that, other than a reference to bonuses given to the best performers, no rewards were posted.  I wonder how that's gonna work...  I'm not really enjoying this style of mini...  There's no game or friendly competition, plus no rewards to work towards/look forward to...it kinda makes me feel "why bother/what's the point".  I'm gonna stick it out for now and see where it goes...but it's definitely not fun, which was what I loved about Assassin Minis.  

 

Research Division Experiment Tracker

    

Week 1 Mini:  Experiment #1:  Push - Reward:  

Week 2 Mini:  Experiment #2:   - Reward:  

Week 3 Mini:  Experiment #3:   - Reward:  

Week 4 Mini:  Experiment #4:   - Reward:  

 

 

Ambassadoring

 

As I noted earlier, I am seriously not liking how the new format is making things really (and unnecessarily) difficult for Ambassadors...  With that being said, I did some, but not as much as I would like.  There are still more threads to go through as well as selecting my Mentees...I was supposed to do that over the weekend, but life got away from me.  I don't know how many I will have...it'll be contingent on how many Initiates there are total...

 

Week 2 Plan:

     as always, it's a do or don't scenario

     attempt whatever the next mini is

     continue to filter through threads as an Ambassador

     select and contact some Mentees

 

 

Next Week's Focus...

 

Well, there was a lot that thwarted my plans this week, and even more that could rear ugly heads next week...  Between all the catch ups I need to do, not to mention the potentially increased deadline to Thursday, I've got my work cut out for me over the course of the next 4 days!!  To be specific, I do have an Orthopedic Dr's appointment (in Yokosuka, 2 hours away) for my Right Hand on Friday morning (thus the Thursday deadline).  This has been a recurring issue since 2013, with flareups ranging from 4 to 6 months.  I made this appointment almost 2 months ago (this was the earliest available), and while several of my symptoms have eased in their severity, it hasn't completely gone away.  I don't know what the doc will decide to do (as I'm seeing someone new since my previous two Docs have rotated out)...he may leave it (I hope not...it's really painful) or he may give me another round of steroid injections (which will take a few days to a week for my hand to be fully useful again) or he may opt for minor out-patient surgery (which I'll have to go do at another time).  Needless to say, I'm preparing myself to ensure that I get as much as possible done before my appointment so that I can rest and recover as necessary.  Next week also has the return of weekly JATA meetings (after a Holiday break), a formal Franken Lesson in the form of a public class, as well as a regular craft class and English/Japanese lesson I teach on the schedule this week.  And then there's all the Assassiny stuff (mini's & Ambassadoring) and figuring out this new convoluted system that NF has gone to, not to mention implementing/applying it as necessary...  

 

 

Lots to do for Lesson 8 so let's get moving...

[Fayrn]

How's everything going? I'm hoping this cold weather doesn't have you down! Keep going strong!