The Green Girl wants to wish everyone a happy, healthy, safe, and Chinese Lunar New Year.
According to Chinese astrology, our universe consists of five basic elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. It is said that everything in the universe, including humans, has a relationship with these five elements.
The Chinese believe every element is equally important and powerful. Metal will create Water, Water will create Wood, Wood will create Fire, Fire will create Earth, and Earth will then create Metal. Conversely, there is also a cycle of incompatibility and destruction: Metal will destroy Wood, Wood will destroy the Earth, Earth will destroy Water, Water will destroy Fire, and Fire will then destroy the Metal.
2014 is the Year of the Wooden Horse. Wood is related to tree or green. Therefore, 2014 is also known as the Year of the Green Horse.
The Year of the Green Horse is a time to live modestly and be fiscally conservative. 2015 will be the more adventurous and glamorous Year of the Sheep.
In the Year of the Green Horse, it's important to focus on mental and physical strength. If you are out of shape, this is the year to get back in shape.
By tradition, the Year of the Horse is an optimistic time when people are generally more apt to work together in a spirit of community while still enabling independent ideas to help solve problems.
The Year of the Green Horse will be the perfect opportunity for me to focus on learning new technical skills and improving my running and cycling technique.
1.31.2014
1.26.2014
The Green Girl's Updated Motivational Collage
The Green Girl decided it was time to update her Motivational Collage.
The focus of my last collage was the amelioration of my mind, body, and soul.
A significant portion of last year's healing process involved a chronic case of Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) in my right heel.
The rehabilitation of my heel was two-fold: Active Release Techniques (ART) and strength training to reduce muscle imbalances.
In addition to being a Certified ART Provider, Dr. Sebastian Gonzales from The Performance Place also performs gait and stride analysis for runners. I went through the process with him a few years ago and Dr. Gonzales identified some muscle imbalances.
Plagued year after year with overuse injuries, I finally opted to enlist the help of a personal trainer. I started training with Chris Nelson from Beach Cities Mobile Fitness twice a week.
One of the benefits of working with a professional is the fact that they are able to quickly identify muscle imbalances or tightness based on the exercise posture of my body. Slight adjustments during workouts make a significant difference.
I credit the treatment, support, and guidance I received from Dr. Gonzales and Chris for the completion of my first ultramarathon last year at the Run Woodstock Freak 50k. While my Achilles bursitis is not completely cured, I am able to run. I support my heel with kinesiology tape on long runs or at the first sign of sensitivity.
My updated collage revolves around:
I am going to get back into a weekly yoga routine and set aside dedicated time for stretching at home.
I want to continue educating myself about emergency preparedness. I don't want a zombie apocalypse to take me by surprise.
Finally, instead of hopping on a plane, I want to focus on exploring locally through trail runs, hikes, and road trips. I identified a number of places I'd like to visit in my 100 Things in 2014 list.
The focus of my last collage was the amelioration of my mind, body, and soul.
A significant portion of last year's healing process involved a chronic case of Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) in my right heel.
The rehabilitation of my heel was two-fold: Active Release Techniques (ART) and strength training to reduce muscle imbalances.
In addition to being a Certified ART Provider, Dr. Sebastian Gonzales from The Performance Place also performs gait and stride analysis for runners. I went through the process with him a few years ago and Dr. Gonzales identified some muscle imbalances.
Plagued year after year with overuse injuries, I finally opted to enlist the help of a personal trainer. I started training with Chris Nelson from Beach Cities Mobile Fitness twice a week.
One of the benefits of working with a professional is the fact that they are able to quickly identify muscle imbalances or tightness based on the exercise posture of my body. Slight adjustments during workouts make a significant difference.
I credit the treatment, support, and guidance I received from Dr. Gonzales and Chris for the completion of my first ultramarathon last year at the Run Woodstock Freak 50k. While my Achilles bursitis is not completely cured, I am able to run. I support my heel with kinesiology tape on long runs or at the first sign of sensitivity.
My updated collage revolves around:
- Regular stretching and yoga
- Disaster/emergency preparedness
- Local exploration
I am going to get back into a weekly yoga routine and set aside dedicated time for stretching at home.
I want to continue educating myself about emergency preparedness. I don't want a zombie apocalypse to take me by surprise.
Finally, instead of hopping on a plane, I want to focus on exploring locally through trail runs, hikes, and road trips. I identified a number of places I'd like to visit in my 100 Things in 2014 list.
1.02.2014
The Green Girl's 100 Things in 2014
The Green Girl was inspired by the Day Zero Project's '101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge' to start her own challenge of attempting to complete 100 things in 2013.
Ultimately, I fell short of 50% completion success by accomplishing 48 out of 100. For 2013, I'm rolling over some outstanding items and removing others from the list.
My focus for 2014 is personal growth, introspection, and local exploration.
The Green Girl's 100 Things for 2014 - [019/100]
Ultimately, I fell short of 50% completion success by accomplishing 48 out of 100. For 2013, I'm rolling over some outstanding items and removing others from the list.
My focus for 2014 is personal growth, introspection, and local exploration.
The Green Girl's 100 Things for 2014 - [019/100]
- Answer the '50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind'
- Cultivate a new, positive habit
- Do something outside of my comfort zone
Learn 10 new, useful keyboard shortcuts[10/10]- + Left/Right/Up/Down Arrow To move window
- Type 'wo' in Start Menu To Launch Word
- CTRL + Backspace Delete previous word
- ALT + . In Outlook To field to open address book
- ALT + K In Outlook To field to Check Name
- ALT + L In Outlook To field to Reply All
- CTRL + 1, CTRL + 2, CTRL + 3 In Outlook to switch between Mail, Calendar, and Contacts
- CTRL + D In Excel to duplicate the cell above
- CTRL + L In Notepad++ to delete line
- CTRL + L or F6 In Firefox go to Address Bar
- Take a course on UNIX basics
- Take a course on Jenkins
- Update The Running Green Girl's 'About'
- Update The Running Green Girl's 'About Angelman Syndrome'
- Get technical certification
- Get trained in mountain search and rescue
- Attend a self-defense class
- Attend a gun/firearms training class
- Learn to tie 10 useful knots [00/10]
- Learn how to sharpen a knife without tools
Start a fire with a flint09.23.2013- Start a fire with common household items
- Make a camping stove and boil water on it
- Open a can without a can opener
- Learn 10 new survival skills [00/10]
- How to boil water using hot rocks 09.20.2014
- Make a travel carry-on friendly survival kit
- Transmit via ham radio
Add 10 items to bug-out bag[10/10]- Sawyer MINI Water Filter 01.17.2014
- Corona Razor Tooth Folding Saw 02.24.2014
- EZ Towels 03.20.2014
- Aquamira Water Treatment Drops 03.26.2014
- Krave Jerky 03.27.2014
- Snow Peak Titanium Green Spork 03.29.2014
- Primus Gas Canister 03.29.2014
- Patriot Pantry 72 Hour Kit 04.01.2014
- Ultralight Backpacking Canister Camp Stove 04.02.2014
- Emergency Zone Emergency Sleeping Bag 04.02.2013
- Get a Dremel tool
Get a Camelbak M.U.L.E. NV01.10.2014- Get a new carry-on luggage
- Get a 'going out' outfit
- Try a new cuisine
- Roast a whole chicken
- Grind flaxseed
- Get a garlic press
- Go fruit picking
- Eat at 5 places featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives [0/5]
Go to the beach with Jade05.20.2014Go trick-or-treating with Jade10.31.2014- Spin a penny with Jade
- Make an obstacle course for Jade
- Make homemade paint for Jade
- Make a necklace using colored straws with Jade
- Make a balloon rocket for Jade
Make cloud dough for Jade05.12.2014Make goop for Jade05.15.2014- Ride BART with Jade
Find natural odor 'removal' solution for Jade's car seatGet mole check03.27.2014- Get wisdom teeth removed
- Get a facial
- Spend a day at a spa
- Make a scrapbook
- Volunteer at an assisted-living or retirement home
- Replace conventional candles with natural alternatives
Replace air fresheners with natural alternatives01.04.2014Try out 10 uses for vinegar[10/10]- Boil and combine with baking soda for clogged drains
- Add to laundry to remove bad odors
- Combine with baking soda to remove stubborn carpet stains
- Use in place of alcohol for cleaning
- Remove grease stains on stove
- Clean the refrigerator
- Disinfect cutting boards
- Remove hard water/minerals stains from ice cube trays
- Use with raw rice grains and shake to clean the inside of a bottle
- Clean toothbrush holder
- Organize bathroom cabinet
- Organize the kitchen pantry
- Organize bedside table drawer
- Clean out garage
- Salvage or repurpose an item instead of throwing it away
Dispose of eWaste01.05.2014- Organize or digitize photographs
- Consolidate contact information
- Put pictures in frames
- Learn how to use manual features/settings on camera
- Document a day in the life of a Green Girl in pictures
- Mark all the places I've visited in my 1000 Places To See Before You Die book
- Go an on overnight ride with Lexa
- Drive along Historic Route 66
- Visit the Skinny House
- Visit The Time Travel Mart
- Visit The Great Wall of Los Angeles
Visit the Lake Shrine Temple01.05.2014- Visit Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum
- Visit Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
Visit the abandoned Griffith Park Zoo07.04.2014- Visit the Watts Towers
- Visit the Leo Carrillo State Park tide pools
- Ride Angel's Flight
- Visit San Pedro's Sunken City
- Visit the Venice Canal Historic District
- Visit Joshua Tree
- Visit the Salton Sea
- Visit Salvation Mountain
- Visit East Jesus
Visit Potato Chip Rock01.11.2014- Visit the abandoned Nazi Camp
- Go trail running at Santa Anita Canyon
- Go trail running at Claremont Hills Wilderness Trail
- Go trail running at Echo Mountain
- Go trail running at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
- Go trail running at Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon
Go trail running at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area03.29.2013- Go trail running to Paradise Falls
- Go trail running to Escondido Falls
- Go trail running to Etiwanda Falls
- Go trail running to the Bridge to Nowhere
- See a movie at the Electric Dusk Drive-in
- Go whale watching
Learn to pitch my tent09.05.2014Go camping09.05.2014- Go paintballing
- Go stand up paddle boarding
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100 things in 2014
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