Fayrn Recharges under the Sakura Trees

[Fayrn]

Main Quest:

Get some balance in my Life 
 

 

After spending one month with the Adventurers, I'm back with the Assassins. However,  I've lost control of a lot of things. My house, my schedule, myself. Last month I didn't take care of myself at all and stressed out so much I'm surprised I'm not in a straight jacket. With things picking up faster with my business than I anticipated and an anticipated two month break from future travels, I'm taking this 4-WC to calm down, focus energy on myself, hone my skills, and literally take time to smell the flowers.

 

Finding Balance and Energy

 

 

In April or May I'll most likely start the open water training portion of my freediver training. To get prepared I'll be doing the 30 day yoga challenge. I'm sure this will help me learn to control my breath and focus on my self, tune into body, and relax; all important things in freediving. This will go past this 4-WC but, only by 4 days, so it will be fine.

 

Maintaining Flow and Power

 

 

I HAVEN'T SWAM ONCE IN ALL OF FEBRUARY, WTF!!!

I love swimming and I love training, so I'm pretty sure this decreased contact with water has been a big factor in feeling like I'm out of control. I'm hoping extending my goal and getting in 500m of swimming a week will make me a very happy mermaid.

 

Paying Tribute to my Temple

 

 

After the disaster that my diet was last month (eating two pints of ice cream in one sitting....weekly), I will be on a strict diet. 
I've had many ideas on how to go about this, but I think if I just focus on eating paleo dinners 4x a week, that will be a good start.

 

Playing Music for my Soul

 

 

I love music. I love my piano. I have barely touched my piano since we moved to Japan. By bringing more music into my life I think I can find more peace and get more creative thoughts flowing. I plan to devote 4 hours a week to practicing one music piece.

 

Creating a Living Space

 

 

I've been neglecting my home. Like really badly. I want this month to focus on getting into good habits and keeping my home clean and organized. I feel this will not only help control my stress levels, but help me get prepared to devote more energy into my business. The goal is to take at least 30 min everyday to do SOMETHING in the house. 

 

Side Quests

 

 

With any good quest, there's always side quests to complete. These little add-ons will not give me any attribute stats, but will instead contribute to my XP. These are things I need to work on often throughout the year. Quests are as follows:

Linguistic Mastery III

Learn 280 words and review at least once a week

Gold Keeping III

Save $42 this month

Knowledge Expansion III

Read 2 books this month

[Fayrn]

Finding Balance and Energy: +2 STR, +2 DEX, +20 XP

A - 30 days B - 22-29 days  C - 15-21 days D - 7-14 days F - 6 days or less

Maintaining Flow and Power: +2 STR, +2 DEX, +3 STA, +20 XP
A - 2000m B - 1500m  C - 1000m D - 500m F - 450m or less
 

Paying Tribute to my Temple: +1 CON, +20 XP

A - 16 dinners B - 12-15 dinners C - 8-11 dinners D - 4-7 dinners F - 3 dinners or less

 

Playing Music for my Soul: +2 WIS, +20 XP

A - 16 hours B - 12-15 hours C - 8-11 hours D - 4-7 hours F - 3 hours or less

 

Creating a Living Space: +1 WIS, +20 XP

A - 26 days B - 19-25 days  C - 13-18 days D - 6-12 days F - 5 days or less

Linguistic Mastery: +28 EXP
A - Pass F - Fail

Gold Keeping: +4 EXP
A - Pass F - Fail

Knowledge Expansion: +2 EXP
A - Pass F - Fail

[Fayrn]

Finding Balance and Energy

 

60%

palevioletred; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">60%

 

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

Day 30

[Fayrn]

Maintaining Flow and Power

60%

hotpink; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">60%

1200/2000 meters

Paying Tribute to my Temple

43.75%

lightcoral; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">43.75%

7/16 dinners

 

Playing Music for my Soul

15.6%

lightpink; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">15.6%

2.5/16 hours

 

Creating a Living Space

61.5%

deeppink; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">61.5%

16/26 days

 

Side Quests

Linguistic Mastery III

35.4%

35.4%

99/280 words

 

66.7%

66.7%

8/12 reviews

[Fayrn]

Day 1

 

 

Good start to the challenge. Did some Japanese vocab review and did my first yoga video for the 30 day challenge. I don't typically like updating daily, but I'll most likely be updating more than just once a week. 

 

I've also went ahead and chosen my music piece that I will be practicing this month; a watered down version of Fur Elise found in my Level 1 piano book. I used to love playing this by muscle memory whenever I was bored or wanted a break from practicing a different piece. In other words, I'm excited to relearn. 

 

In other news I actually ended up finishing A Little Princess and am still undecided what to read next. I think there's a novelization of Frozen that I have scattered somewhere in our spare room. It's so weird not having more to report.

[Starstuff]

Excellent goals. Following along.

[Fayrn]

Day 2

 

Pretty great day today. Another day of for the Yoga challenge, did some vocab review, cleaned up the living room, and had a nice simple chicken and potato dinner and even bought a new book! 

 

I also did 1-hour of piano practice and am pretty happy with the result. By the end of this challenge I should be able to play perfectly.

 

[Yraen]

Great goals Faryn.

I also did 1-hour of piano practice and am pretty happy with the result. By the end of this challenge I should be able to play perfectly.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yJrrUTzT34

This wasn't perfect? It sounded great to me.

[Fayrn]

Great goals Faryn.

This wasn't perfect? It sounded great to me.

It's ok. Im not controlling my speed and volume, and I've added or missed notes in a couple places. With this I was more concerned with remembering notes and getting muscle memory down than anything else. Once I'm confident that I'll know the notes no matter what, I work on improving my pedal work and even using different "tones" on my piano (I really like the harpsichord function, it's a lot of fun).

[Fayrn]

Day 3

 

 Personally today was terrible. I don't know WHAT got into me but I was a mess. I got my work schedule confused, took all the wrong trains, was sooo late to work and just. A mess.

 

Fortunately my favorite limited edition ice cream is back in season and I'm determined to not pig out, but instead buy it all out and hoard it in my house where I can savor them (in correct sensible portions) everyday. Also my husband is getting very excited lately and tells me all about it and it brings a smile to my face. 

 

I did my third day of Yoga, threw some laundry to wash, picked up a bit, and took out the trash. I also read a whole book (Fairest) today while on the trains. Now I'm just ready to rest and have a better day tomorrow. 

 

[Starstuff]

I'm sorry you had such a rough day. You did a great job getting some work in on your goals despite the rest of your day, though, which is awesome. Here's hoping today is better!

[Schaengel]

Following along again

[Fayrn]

Day 4

Today was so weird. I ended up working last minute, but it was still a pretty good day. Learned new vocab and reviewed some more. I had a nice lunch. Walked my pup. Did my 30 min clean. And I did my daily yoga.

I think I'm getting more from it than I thought. After yoga my morning and early afternoon I had a pretty calm mind (when usually I'm freaking out about something). Also it just feels nice. I really look forward to my yoga videos and I always feel like I have to do them, not because of the challenge, but because it will make me happier. I'm really glad I decided to yoga for my challenge this month

[Fayrn]

Day 5

 

 

Long story short I had a shit day. But yoga and some cleaning has prepared me for some great sleep. So night ya'll. 

[Hazard]

Omg..... I'm so glad I stopped in here.   I've neglected to play my keyboard in like two months!  Wahghgglglarg!   Thank you for being my reminder.

 

Also, you're quests look good. 

[Fayrn]

UPDATE

Week one went well enough. But now midway though week two and I find myself not just lagging behind on my goals, but also feeling once again, out of control.

I though it was me and my tendency to stress out. I've come to find it's my job and constant, last minute schedule changes. I'm now having trouble sleeping and having anxiety dreams. I don't have a routine in place for anything and it's throwing me way way way off. I'm not sure what i can do to remedy this at this point in time. I'm hoping the following will work:

• slowly incorporate a morning/evening routine that can be done everyday
• Do not take on any more teaching jobs outside of March
• Make commuting time productive internet/learning time

We'll see what happens. On the brightside I got to meet fellow NF Rebel Schaengel and yoga has been really great for me this challenge, and is something I may just incorporate in all my challenges.

[SnowOwl]

Yay! Hope you two had a fun visit!

[Fayrn]

Week 2

 

Still feeling a bit out of control but now I'm starting to feel ok. Maybe it's because starting next week I'll get my Tuesdays back. Maybe it's because the yoga is giving me a thread of sanity. While I've lagged behind on my other quests, I'm strangely ok about it. 

 

Tomorrow I plan on pushing really hard on my swimming. Tomorrow I'll plan paleo dinners for the WHOLE week. Tomorrow I won't set a limit to my piano practice and see how long I can go. Tomorrow I tackle the apocalyptic nuclear waste land that is our spare room (the room I play my piano in).

 

Why tomorrow? Because I'll be riding the high that I'm on tonight. I went and bought a silicone tail. Then I panicked and paced the house for what felt like hours. Today I had to get all my anxiety and chaotic energy out with lots of thinking, walking, and freaking out.

 

Now I feel extremely happy and excited. I was feeling a bit down because of some hardships at my job and this spring weather has been absolute shit. But this has breathed new life into me and I want to work my ass off.

 

Monday will kick off Week 3 to a great start and I'm going to ride that momentum all the way to the end of this challenge.

 

[Schaengel]

I'm sure you can use that drive you have now to start an awesome week and get back on track again

[Fayrn]

Day 15

My super Monday was actually very super! The weather was absolute GARBAGE. But I got SOOOOO much cleaning done. The spare room is looking so much better. I can walk in it and honestly my next day off should be able to finish it. I'm very excited!
I also did an exhausting but invigorating 700m on my swim today. Had a nice beef bowl dinner. And I have dinner ideas for the week.
I didn't get to touch my piano today, but it's ok because it was worth the amount of progress I made in the house.

I'm talking switching our summer/winter clothes, setting up the lights in the living room, getting rid of our move in boxes from LAST YEAR.

Tomorrow is my last day at one of my schools. While I'll be a little sad, I like my students and ill miss them, along with my coworkers who've always been kind and great. I am happy to not make such a long commute and get my Tuesday's back.

Hopefully the weather is a bit better tomorrow.

 

UPDATE: The weather is nice and sunny today

[Fayrn]

Day 17

I CLEANED THE SPARE ROOM.

It's totally finished, swept, and organized. Now one can play music, read, or study in nice clean comfort.

Now cleaning the rest of the house will be a breeze. Next job will be the living room and hallway. Ahhhhh it's a great feeling

I think tonight I'll do some piano practice because I'm behind and I'd like to catch up. I don't know if I'll reach my goal, but I think I bit off more than I can chew. I'll fix that for next challenge.

As for yoga. It's been great. I've been falling asleep much easier, I feel like my mermaiding has improved drastically, and I just feel great. I'm balancing better now and have learned so so so much.

My Japanese learning had been going well. Vocab is going slower than I'd like, but my reviews are on point. And I'm not finding much enjoyment from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. But I'm determined to finish it.

So far this week has been really great. I hope to finish strong!

[Waldgeist]

Hey, have you seen that there is a yoga part of the current Mini challenge called Relic hunting? Our (your) team desperately needs some points till tomorrow and you haven't logged any in, which I think would be very easy for you. If you have done the poses mentioned there this week you could count them as points immediately. Or maybe get inspired to do some you haven't done yet?

[Fayrn]

Hey, have you seen that there is a yoga part of the current Mini challenge called Relic hunting? Our (your) team desperately needs some points till tomorrow and you haven't logged any in, which I think would be very easy for you. If you have done the poses mentioned there this week you could count them as points immediately. Or maybe get inspired to do some you haven't done yet?

I just saw this post today. I'm so sorry. I've been having a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything.

Also I've been having a lot of trouble with the forum update affecting my challenge.

[Schaengel]

Hey, hope your doing well and managed to have a great month how did your challenges go in  the end?