L.Y. Levand's Blog, page 22
June 26, 2013
The Weekly Quote: Salt Water
"The cure for everything is salt water – tears, sweat, or the sea." ~ Isak Dinesen
I think this quote speaks for itself very well.
If you're sad, you can cry, and feel better afterward. If there's something that needs fixing, you can work at it until you sweat, and that will help fix it. If you're unhappy, need to get away, or just need to be in a peaceful, beautiful place, the beach is the place to go.
I think this quote speaks for itself very well.
If you're sad, you can cry, and feel better afterward. If there's something that needs fixing, you can work at it until you sweat, and that will help fix it. If you're unhappy, need to get away, or just need to be in a peaceful, beautiful place, the beach is the place to go.
June 24, 2013
The Weekly Health Challenge: Stretching and Weights
The Weekly Health Challenge: Level One
Stretch your legs three times this week
You can sit down on the floor and just reach for your toes, if you want. It's not important that you reach very far. Just keep your back straight and reach. Even if you can only go to your knees, the point is to feel the stretch, not go until it hurts or until you think you've gone far enough. Hold it for a count of ten, then relax.
The Weekly Health Challenge: Level Two
Learn to lift weights
Pick one muscle group you want to work, and then learn how to lift weights to work it. If you want to work your arms, for instance, look up arm weight exercises. If you don't have weights, improvise. I've seen people use cans of food, bags full of books, or even just a single really big book. If you can afford it, though, buying five to ten pound weights would be helpful for you.
Extra Challenge: Do those weight exercises three nonconsecutive days of the week. Three sets of eight to ten reps.
Stretch your legs three times this week
You can sit down on the floor and just reach for your toes, if you want. It's not important that you reach very far. Just keep your back straight and reach. Even if you can only go to your knees, the point is to feel the stretch, not go until it hurts or until you think you've gone far enough. Hold it for a count of ten, then relax.
The Weekly Health Challenge: Level Two
Learn to lift weights
Pick one muscle group you want to work, and then learn how to lift weights to work it. If you want to work your arms, for instance, look up arm weight exercises. If you don't have weights, improvise. I've seen people use cans of food, bags full of books, or even just a single really big book. If you can afford it, though, buying five to ten pound weights would be helpful for you.
Extra Challenge: Do those weight exercises three nonconsecutive days of the week. Three sets of eight to ten reps.
June 22, 2013
"Good Morning!" (Free Fantasy Short Story)
Beenie finished selecting the fruit she wanted, and then returned to the main room.
She settled on her cot and balanced her plate on her knees while she started eating. Troy, who was still sleepy, had pulled his blanket up over his head, and curled into an even tighter ball.
"Troy," she said, swallowing a bite of apple.
"Mmf," he replied, and pulled the blanket even tighter around himself.
"Troy, wake up," she said.
"No," he mumbled.
"Troy," Beenie said, impatient now. "Wake up."
"It's still dark," Troy said.
"That's because we're underground!" Beenie said. "Don't you remember?"
"Underground?" His voice went up several octaves. "You mean that wasn't a dream?"
"No," Beenie said. "It was real. And it's morning now, even if it's dark."
Troy groaned. "I'm going back to sleep."
"Troy," Beenie complained. All the other younglings, now that they were fully awake, had gathered together with their friends and were talking in little groups. They all seemed to know each other, and she knew no one but Troy.
"What?" Troy whined.
"Please wake up. Aren't you hungry?"
Finally, the tip of his nose poked out from the blanket. "Is there food?"
"Yes," Beenie said. "But I'm not bringing you any. If you want it you have to get up."
"Blech," Troy said, excavating himself from his mound of blankets. "Where is it?"
"Through there," Beenie said, pointing.
Troy squirmed out of bed, took a moment to smooth the fur of his tail, and then scurried off toward the kitchen. A moment later, he was back with a plate piled high with fruit. He settled on his cot, his mouth full of food.
"Good morning," Beenie said.
Troy's response didn't make much sense, but she was fairly sure it was some version of 'good morning.'
At that moment, there was a commotion at the door, and they both looked up.
Some of the adults had come back, and were being greeted enthusiastically by their children. Beenie and Troy peered around, looking for Troy's parents.
She settled on her cot and balanced her plate on her knees while she started eating. Troy, who was still sleepy, had pulled his blanket up over his head, and curled into an even tighter ball.
"Troy," she said, swallowing a bite of apple.
"Mmf," he replied, and pulled the blanket even tighter around himself.
"Troy, wake up," she said.
"No," he mumbled.
"Troy," Beenie said, impatient now. "Wake up."
"It's still dark," Troy said.
"That's because we're underground!" Beenie said. "Don't you remember?"
"Underground?" His voice went up several octaves. "You mean that wasn't a dream?"
"No," Beenie said. "It was real. And it's morning now, even if it's dark."
Troy groaned. "I'm going back to sleep."
"Troy," Beenie complained. All the other younglings, now that they were fully awake, had gathered together with their friends and were talking in little groups. They all seemed to know each other, and she knew no one but Troy.
"What?" Troy whined.
"Please wake up. Aren't you hungry?"
Finally, the tip of his nose poked out from the blanket. "Is there food?"
"Yes," Beenie said. "But I'm not bringing you any. If you want it you have to get up."
"Blech," Troy said, excavating himself from his mound of blankets. "Where is it?"
"Through there," Beenie said, pointing.
Troy squirmed out of bed, took a moment to smooth the fur of his tail, and then scurried off toward the kitchen. A moment later, he was back with a plate piled high with fruit. He settled on his cot, his mouth full of food.
"Good morning," Beenie said.
Troy's response didn't make much sense, but she was fairly sure it was some version of 'good morning.'
At that moment, there was a commotion at the door, and they both looked up.
Some of the adults had come back, and were being greeted enthusiastically by their children. Beenie and Troy peered around, looking for Troy's parents.
June 21, 2013
The Hobbit: Romance?
For anyone who's seen the first trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, you may have seen two elves. I hope you saw two elves, because they were pretty obvious, and one threatens Thorin's life.
For those who don't know who they are, the blonde guy is Legolas, and he's from The Lord of the Rings. The redhead is Tauriel, and Peter Jackson made her up, apparently because there aren't enough women in the book.
Anyway, there's been a lot of debate about the both of them, because neither appears by name in the book. Some people are thrilled to pieces to have Legolas back (fangirls, anyone?), and some are throwing their hands in the air and screaming 'What are they doing?'
I have to admit, I had a serious problem with Tauriel at first. Mostly because the article I read stated that the elves saved the dwarves in Mirkwood, and BILBO does that. That made me angry. But it looks as though it was just a misconception, because in the trailer, Legolas is quite clearly pointing an arrow in Thorin's face. That doesn't appear to be saving to me.
However, Legolas is the son of King Thranduil, who rules the elves of Mirkwood (and does appear in the book). And since the elves don't die except from wounds in battle or sickness, it does make sense that Legolas would be there. Because, let's face it, if they only included elves mentioned by name, there would be very few.
And obviously there must be elf women in there somewhere, so Tauriel isn't completely farfetched. Like I said, if they only put in elves mentioned by name, there would be very few.
Having recovered from my upset dealing with the two of them being in the movie, I discovered an article in which Evangeline Lily talks about her character, Tauriel. I'm now okay with her being in the movie, but this got me going all over again.
I didn't much like how they added a ton of romance to Lord of the Rings; Aragorn and Arwen weren't a huge focus (but they left out most of the Eowyn/Faramir one, which aggravated me, because it was actually in the books). But at least that romance was in the appendices of Return of the King.
Since Tauriel wasn't in the books, I think it's safe to assume they're adding again. There was no romance in The Hobbit at all, and I was fine with it that way.
But it appears that they're not only adding a romance, but are adding a dwarf/elf side plot romance. Oh, that made me mad. Not all movies have to have romance, people. Yes, perhaps it would be natural for a dwarf to be intrigued by an elf woman, since dwarf women look so much like the men. But that doesn't translate into a rom
What do you think?
For those who don't know who they are, the blonde guy is Legolas, and he's from The Lord of the Rings. The redhead is Tauriel, and Peter Jackson made her up, apparently because there aren't enough women in the book.
Anyway, there's been a lot of debate about the both of them, because neither appears by name in the book. Some people are thrilled to pieces to have Legolas back (fangirls, anyone?), and some are throwing their hands in the air and screaming 'What are they doing?'
I have to admit, I had a serious problem with Tauriel at first. Mostly because the article I read stated that the elves saved the dwarves in Mirkwood, and BILBO does that. That made me angry. But it looks as though it was just a misconception, because in the trailer, Legolas is quite clearly pointing an arrow in Thorin's face. That doesn't appear to be saving to me.
However, Legolas is the son of King Thranduil, who rules the elves of Mirkwood (and does appear in the book). And since the elves don't die except from wounds in battle or sickness, it does make sense that Legolas would be there. Because, let's face it, if they only included elves mentioned by name, there would be very few.
And obviously there must be elf women in there somewhere, so Tauriel isn't completely farfetched. Like I said, if they only put in elves mentioned by name, there would be very few.
Having recovered from my upset dealing with the two of them being in the movie, I discovered an article in which Evangeline Lily talks about her character, Tauriel. I'm now okay with her being in the movie, but this got me going all over again.
I didn't much like how they added a ton of romance to Lord of the Rings; Aragorn and Arwen weren't a huge focus (but they left out most of the Eowyn/Faramir one, which aggravated me, because it was actually in the books). But at least that romance was in the appendices of Return of the King.
Since Tauriel wasn't in the books, I think it's safe to assume they're adding again. There was no romance in The Hobbit at all, and I was fine with it that way.
But it appears that they're not only adding a romance, but are adding a dwarf/elf side plot romance. Oh, that made me mad. Not all movies have to have romance, people. Yes, perhaps it would be natural for a dwarf to be intrigued by an elf woman, since dwarf women look so much like the men. But that doesn't translate into a rom
What do you think?
June 19, 2013
The Weekly Quote: The Value of a Word
"Words today are like the shells and rope of seaweed which a child brings home glistening from the beach and which in an hour have lost their luster." ~ Cyril Connolly
A lot of our words are being used in ways that lessen their impact. And this is because the meaning behind them has been lessened and their value is being lost.
I've experienced this myself. Words that some people say seem great, wonderful, and they make perfect sense until we get away from them. But once we get away from them, the real meaning behind them comes clear, or the lack thereof.
One word so abused is love. People say 'I love this,' or 'I love that' about the silliest things. And it's been used that way to such an extent that some people mistake love for other things of less importance.
Like the shells and seaweed we bring home, they have lost their luster after such a short time that some of us wonder if it was worth bringing home. Or, in this case, listening to.
A lot of our words are being used in ways that lessen their impact. And this is because the meaning behind them has been lessened and their value is being lost.
I've experienced this myself. Words that some people say seem great, wonderful, and they make perfect sense until we get away from them. But once we get away from them, the real meaning behind them comes clear, or the lack thereof.
One word so abused is love. People say 'I love this,' or 'I love that' about the silliest things. And it's been used that way to such an extent that some people mistake love for other things of less importance.
Like the shells and seaweed we bring home, they have lost their luster after such a short time that some of us wonder if it was worth bringing home. Or, in this case, listening to.
June 17, 2013
The Weekly Health Challenge: Strategy and Learning Planks
The Weekly Challenge: Level One
Rethink your strategy:
If your goal is to lose weight or get healthier, think your methods through. If you're just going to go on a diet, perhaps you should add some exercise. If you're just going to exercise, maybe you should check out your diet. If you're going to do both, research the best way to implement them so that you don't get frustrated and quit a few days or weeks in.
The Weekly Challenge: Level Two
Learn how to do planks:
Planks are more effective than crunches. I didn't believe it at first, but after doing three sets of them, my stomach muscles ached the next day more than they would have if I'd done crunches the same amount of time. And remember, correct form is important! Pay attention to what your directions, the video, the diagrams - whatever you're using - has to say about correct form.
Extra Challenge: Do three sets of planks on three nonconsecutive days of the week - and let me know how you feel afterward! What do you think of planks versus crunches?
Rethink your strategy:
If your goal is to lose weight or get healthier, think your methods through. If you're just going to go on a diet, perhaps you should add some exercise. If you're just going to exercise, maybe you should check out your diet. If you're going to do both, research the best way to implement them so that you don't get frustrated and quit a few days or weeks in.
The Weekly Challenge: Level Two
Learn how to do planks:
Planks are more effective than crunches. I didn't believe it at first, but after doing three sets of them, my stomach muscles ached the next day more than they would have if I'd done crunches the same amount of time. And remember, correct form is important! Pay attention to what your directions, the video, the diagrams - whatever you're using - has to say about correct form.
Extra Challenge: Do three sets of planks on three nonconsecutive days of the week - and let me know how you feel afterward! What do you think of planks versus crunches?
June 15, 2013
Waiting for Answers (Free Fantasy Short Story)
Try as she might, the adults on the other side of the room were so quiet that Beenie couldn't make out any words.
She was warm and comfortable, and not sure she wanted to move around. But she wanted to hear what they were saying, too. She debated about whether it was worth it to move or not, but her mind was slow with sleep. By the time she was close to deciding, the whispering had stopped.
She looked over, and saw the knot of adults dispersing. But they didn't leave. The ones who had children there went among the beds, looking for them. Troy's parents, Kara and Horace, found Troy quickly.
Kara brushed a paw across Troy's forehead, and then tucked his blanket more securely around his chin.
When she had finished, the gray mother squirrel turned and saw Beenie watching her. Kara put a finger to her lips and came over.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" Kara asked ion a whisper.
"I woke up," Beenie replied, still groggy. "What's going on?"
"Nothing you need to worry about right now," Kara said, gently pushing her back into her pillows and pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. "You had a busy night, and it's nearly dawn. Get what sleep you can, Beenie."
"Did you save the forest? Is there going to be a war?" Beenie asked.
"Oh, Beenie," Kara sighed. "Would you be satisfied if I told you I'd tell you what we can in the morning?"
Beenie hesitated. "Umm..."
"Go back to sleep, all right? We'll be here in the morning."
"But..."
"Don't worry about anything right now," Horace said, joining Kara. "Everything is fine for the moment. You'll find out everything you need to know in the morning."
"Close your eyes," Kara said.
Beenie, too sleepy to protest any longer, did as she was told. She could hear the faint whispering that was the adults talking together over their children for what seemed a very long time before she finally drifted back to sleep.
When she awakened, it was to find the others wandering about the room with wooden plates in their hands, talking to their parents and eating.
Beenie launched out of bed, fully awake, and remembering the conversation from the night before like a dream. But she remembered, quite clearly, what Kara had promised. She saw that Troy was still snoring in his cot, and she wondered if she should wake him.
She decided against when she saw that his parents weren't there. She sat back on her bed in disappointment.
Ella, who had been busy serving some of the families, saw that she was awake, and hopped over.
"There's breakfast this way," she said. "Come."
Beenie sighed, and did as she was bid. She followed the white rabbit, who led her through a door and into a room that could only be called a kitchen. Beenie grabbed a wooden plate like she'd seen the others had, and followed the rabbit down the line to where she saw a bowl of fruit that was only half full.
"Help yourself," Ella said. "But leave some for the sleepyheads. They have to eat too."
"I think you should worry more about Troy eating more than his share," Beenie said, stifling a yawn.
"If that one doesn't wake up soon, I'm going to have the others all jump on him," Ella said. Beenie giggled.
"Where are his parents?" she asked.
"They had to do something. They should be back soon," Ella said.
Beenie sighed, and started picking out the fruit that she wanted. She would have to wait even longer to find out what had happened after they left the Fairy Ring.
She was warm and comfortable, and not sure she wanted to move around. But she wanted to hear what they were saying, too. She debated about whether it was worth it to move or not, but her mind was slow with sleep. By the time she was close to deciding, the whispering had stopped.
She looked over, and saw the knot of adults dispersing. But they didn't leave. The ones who had children there went among the beds, looking for them. Troy's parents, Kara and Horace, found Troy quickly.
Kara brushed a paw across Troy's forehead, and then tucked his blanket more securely around his chin.
When she had finished, the gray mother squirrel turned and saw Beenie watching her. Kara put a finger to her lips and came over.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" Kara asked ion a whisper.
"I woke up," Beenie replied, still groggy. "What's going on?"
"Nothing you need to worry about right now," Kara said, gently pushing her back into her pillows and pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. "You had a busy night, and it's nearly dawn. Get what sleep you can, Beenie."
"Did you save the forest? Is there going to be a war?" Beenie asked.
"Oh, Beenie," Kara sighed. "Would you be satisfied if I told you I'd tell you what we can in the morning?"
Beenie hesitated. "Umm..."
"Go back to sleep, all right? We'll be here in the morning."
"But..."
"Don't worry about anything right now," Horace said, joining Kara. "Everything is fine for the moment. You'll find out everything you need to know in the morning."
"Close your eyes," Kara said.
Beenie, too sleepy to protest any longer, did as she was told. She could hear the faint whispering that was the adults talking together over their children for what seemed a very long time before she finally drifted back to sleep.
When she awakened, it was to find the others wandering about the room with wooden plates in their hands, talking to their parents and eating.
Beenie launched out of bed, fully awake, and remembering the conversation from the night before like a dream. But she remembered, quite clearly, what Kara had promised. She saw that Troy was still snoring in his cot, and she wondered if she should wake him.
She decided against when she saw that his parents weren't there. She sat back on her bed in disappointment.
Ella, who had been busy serving some of the families, saw that she was awake, and hopped over.
"There's breakfast this way," she said. "Come."
Beenie sighed, and did as she was bid. She followed the white rabbit, who led her through a door and into a room that could only be called a kitchen. Beenie grabbed a wooden plate like she'd seen the others had, and followed the rabbit down the line to where she saw a bowl of fruit that was only half full.
"Help yourself," Ella said. "But leave some for the sleepyheads. They have to eat too."
"I think you should worry more about Troy eating more than his share," Beenie said, stifling a yawn.
"If that one doesn't wake up soon, I'm going to have the others all jump on him," Ella said. Beenie giggled.
"Where are his parents?" she asked.
"They had to do something. They should be back soon," Ella said.
Beenie sighed, and started picking out the fruit that she wanted. She would have to wait even longer to find out what had happened after they left the Fairy Ring.
June 12, 2013
The Weekly Quote: Things Money Can't Buy
"I still love things that you don't even need to pay for. Going to the beach and being around five of your friends and having a good time means so much more than going out and spending hundreds of dollars." ~ Maria Sharapova
The things that really mean so much to us are the things that money can't buy. Money is nice to have, and it's unfortunately necessary for us to live. But it's not one of the things that makes living worthwhile.
Going to the beach with your friends and having a great time can be done without spending a bunch of money, and I think that's why those things are worth so much. Because it doesn't matter if you're rich or not; you have to be a specific sort of person to get them. And money can't get it for you.
I think a lot of the time, people with money think it can buy anything they want. When in reality, some of them lack what it is they really want and they're just using money to try and fill a hole they don't realize they have.
The things that really mean so much to us are the things that money can't buy. Money is nice to have, and it's unfortunately necessary for us to live. But it's not one of the things that makes living worthwhile.
Going to the beach with your friends and having a great time can be done without spending a bunch of money, and I think that's why those things are worth so much. Because it doesn't matter if you're rich or not; you have to be a specific sort of person to get them. And money can't get it for you.
I think a lot of the time, people with money think it can buy anything they want. When in reality, some of them lack what it is they really want and they're just using money to try and fill a hole they don't realize they have.
June 10, 2013
The Weekly Health Challenge: Dessert (Yes, Dessert) and Learning the Push Up
The Weekly Challenge: Level One
Find a healthier dessert alternative
Everybody likes dessert - but there are healthier ways to do it than buying something from the store. One of my favorite recipes is for banana ice cream. Blend the bananas, add some peanut or almond butter, and freeze. It's delicious and healthy.
The Weekly Challenge: Level Two
Learn proper form pushups
Find out how to do those pushups with correct form. It's more important for you to do them right than to do a whole bunch of them - keep that in mind. You can do your own research, or check this out.
Extra Challenge: If those are too easy, switch out your desserts for the whole week, or do three sets of pushups on three nonconsecutive days of the week.
Find a healthier dessert alternative
Everybody likes dessert - but there are healthier ways to do it than buying something from the store. One of my favorite recipes is for banana ice cream. Blend the bananas, add some peanut or almond butter, and freeze. It's delicious and healthy.
The Weekly Challenge: Level Two
Learn proper form pushups
Find out how to do those pushups with correct form. It's more important for you to do them right than to do a whole bunch of them - keep that in mind. You can do your own research, or check this out.
Extra Challenge: If those are too easy, switch out your desserts for the whole week, or do three sets of pushups on three nonconsecutive days of the week.
June 8, 2013
Trouble Sleeping (Free Fantasy Short Story)
Beenie waited, hoping that Ella would have more to say, but the white rabbit said nothing, and seemed preoccupied with her thoughts.
"That story doesn't have a good ending," Beenie said.
Ella looked up, and her nose twitched. "Real-life stories don't have fairy-tale endings. In fact, real-life stories don't ever really end. Go to sleep."
"I'm not tired," Beenie said stubbornly.
"Beenie, can we sleep? Please?" Troy asked. "I followed you all over the place, did what you wanted, and I'm tired."
Beenie felt her cheeks warm.
"Troy is right," Ella said. "You've had quite a busy day, stirring up trouble. You should rest, and try to think of ways to not cause so much trouble tomorrow."
Beenie could think of nothing to say, and her cheeks were flaming, so she huddled down in her cot, and put the pillow over her face. She felt a slow creep of tiredness steal over her, but when she closed her eyes her entire body seemed fully awake.
She sighed and sat up again.
"I'm not tired," she said.
"How can you not be tired, Beenie?" Troy asked, sounding exhausted.
"I don't know," she said. "Well...I'm tired, but I don't think I can sleep."
"It's all the excitement," Ella said firmly. "Just try to relax."
Beenie sighed, and did as she was told. She pulled the thin covers over herself, and rested her head on the pillow. Then she closed her eyes, and tried to relax. As she did this, Ella started to hum. It was s oft, musical sound, and it was eerily like the hum from the unicorn's horn back in the fairy ring.
Beenie's body seemed to grow heavy, and sink slightly into the mattress. Her breathing evened out, and then she knew nothing more.
~*~
When Beenie opened her eyes, she was confused. It was dark, it was musty, and there was lots of whispering going on. At least, she thought it was whispering. It sounded like wind, but how could there be wind underground?
She rolled slowly over onto her side, and saw that most of the torches had been put out. Troy was sleeping deeply in the cot beside her, a faint red light shining on his quivering whiskers.
The whispers grew louder, and she saw a huddle of the adults gathered around the entrance, which was open. They were talking together, and this was what Beenie had heard.
What were they saying? She strained her ears, trying to hear.
"That story doesn't have a good ending," Beenie said.
Ella looked up, and her nose twitched. "Real-life stories don't have fairy-tale endings. In fact, real-life stories don't ever really end. Go to sleep."
"I'm not tired," Beenie said stubbornly.
"Beenie, can we sleep? Please?" Troy asked. "I followed you all over the place, did what you wanted, and I'm tired."
Beenie felt her cheeks warm.
"Troy is right," Ella said. "You've had quite a busy day, stirring up trouble. You should rest, and try to think of ways to not cause so much trouble tomorrow."
Beenie could think of nothing to say, and her cheeks were flaming, so she huddled down in her cot, and put the pillow over her face. She felt a slow creep of tiredness steal over her, but when she closed her eyes her entire body seemed fully awake.
She sighed and sat up again.
"I'm not tired," she said.
"How can you not be tired, Beenie?" Troy asked, sounding exhausted.
"I don't know," she said. "Well...I'm tired, but I don't think I can sleep."
"It's all the excitement," Ella said firmly. "Just try to relax."
Beenie sighed, and did as she was told. She pulled the thin covers over herself, and rested her head on the pillow. Then she closed her eyes, and tried to relax. As she did this, Ella started to hum. It was s oft, musical sound, and it was eerily like the hum from the unicorn's horn back in the fairy ring.
Beenie's body seemed to grow heavy, and sink slightly into the mattress. Her breathing evened out, and then she knew nothing more.
~*~
When Beenie opened her eyes, she was confused. It was dark, it was musty, and there was lots of whispering going on. At least, she thought it was whispering. It sounded like wind, but how could there be wind underground?
She rolled slowly over onto her side, and saw that most of the torches had been put out. Troy was sleeping deeply in the cot beside her, a faint red light shining on his quivering whiskers.
The whispers grew louder, and she saw a huddle of the adults gathered around the entrance, which was open. They were talking together, and this was what Beenie had heard.
What were they saying? She strained her ears, trying to hear.
