Been round the world and back again!!!

I have returned from the BIG whirlwind trip to Greece, France (Paris) and the UK (London), with my sisters Nina and Joanna, and my daughter Sarah.  We were gone for 2 weeks and had a fabulous time!  (more about that later!).

Prior to departure - I have to admit - I did falter a bit, but in my usual fashion - can justify everything!  I started spending some of my "monthly" allowance around spring break time and then started the big push to prepare for the trip.  Since I've started my "fitness challenge" at the OMNI gym and have trimmed 15 lbs. off the bod and firmed out some areas that have previously not seen the sun in years.....I sprung for some new swim suits!  I think that purchase was justified.....what do you think?

Then, I purchased some appropriate walking/touring shoes, since my otherwise non- fashionista sister Joanna sent me an email link to an article about not wearing tennis/gym shoes in Europe (a major fashion NO), and I needed to follow that rule.  My purchase of a new suitcase for Sarah was nixed by Mike.  I wanted to replace the worn out duffle she took to China and found (what I thought) was a good deal at the AAA office.  That purchase would have come in handy when the bag started to fall apart in Greece.  We decided to drag it around and will have a major party burning it later this summer!!!

And of course, my exemption of "shopping while out the country" - well, I utilized that all over Europe!  I did buy the obligatory souvenirs - trying not to take up precious cargo space.  I bought a lovely leather bag in Greece and a pair of leather sandals (from the same leather maker).  Beautiful.  And in London, I wanted to buy a "funky" European outfit (more about that later!) - something that I'd actually wear in the States!  Believe me, the old Stacey would have gone nutso.....but the new, improved Stacey didn't!

So, I'm back.  On track.  No shopping.  Looking into my closet, I don't need to.  Even if I get to lose the extra 15 lbs. with my weight loss challenge....I'll wait.  Nothing I need right now....as far as clothing....shoes....purses.  So stores....see ya.....much later!!!

Whatcha been doing??

Hi - I'm back.  I've been working out like a fiend for the past eight weeks - some weeks not taking that coveted "day of rest/off" and doing a seven day workout week!  But tonight, it's my last night before the final weigh in the (yucky) bod pod - which measures your body fat/muscle ratio and is very persnickety from time to time.  Instead of cramming in that last workout - I'm at home on the computer because my body is rebelling against me and I've given in - to a stupid eye infection.  So, working out with my glasses is not my idea of fun and I feel icky since I didn't sleep last night - I kept scratching my eyes until I couldn't take anymore.  So, I will toast to myself tomorrow and continue the work that I've started in the gym.  Besides buying new workout stuff - I'm buying a gym membership for me and my husband!

My blog is going to be about that stupid "Battle Hymn of the Tiger mom".  As I mentioned a few blogs ago - I wouldn't make comment about the book until I actually read it.  Well, I received it from the library last week and ave been reading every night before I go to bed.  I really should have switched my reading routine, because after I would read, I wouldn't be relaxed.....but pissed off.

Amy Chau, the author, drives me insane.  Not only does she generalize the "Chinese way" in everything, she sounds like an uppity bitch, who doesn't have a warm,. compassionate bone in her body.

Now, I know plenty of Chinese parents and kids -I'm related to a lot of them!  My parents, for instance, had definite standards for what we did. And, we knew what was expected of us - and we either did it or didn't.  They mixed the Chinese way with the "western" way - because we live in the western world - not the Chinese world.

OK - enough of that.  Read the book - if you want to be angered.  I read it (most of it) but didn't finish it because it did anger me.  I figured she had her 15 minutes and I wasn't going to waste anymore of my time on her.

More later on!