First Trip Back

Friday night I made my first trip back to Camden Yards to watch an Orioles game in person and to catch up with many of my old coworkers that I miss dearly. It was definitely strange to be back and to be on the “fan” side of things. Instead of running around like a crazy woman on game night, I was able to enjoy a few beers and really just take in the atmosphere.

It was so nice to be back in an American baseball stadium with announcers I could understand, names on the back of uniforms that I could actually read and a National Anthem that I could hum along to. Not to mention the familiar faces all around really made the night perfect.

The only thing that I would say is better in a Korean baseball stadium – beer is $2.00 instead of $10.00! 🙂

Workout

I spent much of yesterday sleeping or laying on the couch basically in a sleep like trance so waking up this morning and getting a run in first thing felt amazing.

It wasn’t much (the humidity here is still kicking my butt) but 3 miles are under my belt and I’m ready to start the day now!

Breakfast

During my couch time yesterday, I did my fair share of catching up on blogs that I have been missing lately and came across Julie’s recipe for Banana Vanilla Protein Pancakes. I made a mental note to try them soon and this morning seemed like soon enough for me.

I didn’t have cottage cheese on hand so I subbed fat-free plain Green yogurt for that and used a food processor in place of the immersion blender that I don’t own.

Aside from the two slight changes, the pancake batter was still smooth and creamy and the final product was delicious.

Next time I’ll add my peanut butter protein syrup on top instead of regular maple syrup though! 🙂

I’m off to get some things done around the house before heading to church and a Memorial Day barbecue with family. It will be so good to see some of the extended family that I haven’t seen since before I left for Korea.

Question:

What are your Memorial Day plans?

Pancakes & Pomegranates

Workout

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get a run in this morning or call today my off day (as it was scheduled to be) but ultimately, the early morning was calling my name and I hit the streets for an easy, short run.

2.07 miles in just over 16 minutes. Seriously loving that 8-minute miles are once again considered “easy” for me. It took a long time to get back that this place after last fall’s race calendar and a little fall out with my love of running but now that I’m back, I don’t plan on letting that change!

Breakfast

When I got back to the apartment, I had my sights set on making chocolate protein pancakes with pomegranates. However, that was an epic meal fail…on multiple levels…so I resorted to pancakes that I had previously made and had frozen to save the morning.

I topped them with peanut butter protein syrup and frozen pomegranates and my morning was instantly back on track. Way better than the chocolate protein pancakes would have been anyhow! 😉

I have plans to get in a long walk this afternoon to enjoy the sunshine since the past two days have mostly been spent indoors but otherwise, I need to crack down and study, study, study…

…and I keep saying how much I miss college and learning, studying, taking exams and writing papers. Hah! I’m quickly remembering why I was so anxious to finish all those years ago!

Question:

What is considered an “easy” paced run for you?

Do you like studying and learning new material?

Back to Cheongju

Brian left with the team earlier this morning to head to Cheongju and I’m waiting on my 11:00 a.m. taxi to pick me up to take me back to the hotel. After I get there and put my stuff down, I get to catch another taxi to the Eagles game. This is going to be my first time actually getting a taxi and giving my destination to the driver on my own. Good thing I had Phil, our interpreter, write it down in Korean so I can just show the driver my phone. Always thinking 😉

I’m excited to get to the game because Brian is scheduled to throw 80 pitches today! It will be my first time seeing him pitch since last August and I can’t wait to watch him! Here’s hoping for another good outing like his past couple have been.

Workout

I went for another run outside this morning but held it to twenty minutes so that I could get back before Brian was catching his cab to the field. I changed my route up a little and actually ran past the stadium here in Daejeon and found a track behind it that seems to be public in the mornings.

Different people were walking and running on it so I plan to use that for some speedwork when we are back home here after the hotel stay for the next six days.

After my run it was Body Revolution, phase 2, workout 6. I’m really started to see and feel a difference in my body and the workouts really are becoming more complex with more combination moves, heavier weights and supersets. I can’t wait to see what else is coming at me.

Breakfast

If you saw the baking supplies that we bought yesterday at Home Plus, you may have guessed what was coming for breakfast this morning.

Yep, dense, cake-like pancakes!!

I made them as usual with bananas but made a full batch instead of just a single serving since I was using real eggs and not egg beaters. I didn’t want to beat the egg and waste it by using only a portion of it so I made three servings of pancakes and froze the other two for quick breakfasts on other mornings.

The Korean syrup was definitely different tasting but I liked it, something I can for sure get used to.

I also got a chance to skype with my parents and Telli this morning.

It was nice to get to chat with them for a bit and to try to get some of Telli’s attention away from sleeping and playing with his toys.

Mom and Dad did their best to get him in front of the camera for me but he’s getting a little big to be a lap dog!

I miss that face!

Already, taxi time!!  Off to Cheonju and my first Korean baseball game!!

Question:

Do you like the slight differences between some American food and other countries’ food options?  Or do you find them more prevalent than I have?  I have definitely tasted a difference in some foods for instance the syrup, bananas (weird, I know), yogurt and even cereal, but they aren’t anything I can adjust to or don’t like.  Just subtle hints of different flavors or textures.

Resting the Legs

Another new week is upon us. Hello Monday morning! My last Monday in Baltimore for three months…ekkk!!

Workout

My original plan was for this morning’s workout to be just like my other recent ones – a treadmill workout followed by my Body Revolution workout for the day. However, after I woke up and was laying in bed trying to get a quiet start to my morning, I knew a run wasn’t going to happen. Just laying there my legs were begging for a break.

With the day+ of traveling coming up, I know that I want to get good workouts in tomorrow and Wednesday morning so giving my legs a break today is probably best anyhow so today’s workout was the last go round with phase 1, workout 4.

I usually put Telli in a separate room when I workout at home or else he thinks I’m trying to play with him while I’m doing lunges or buttkicks and attacks my head during abs but this morning he was actually being well-behaved so I let him stick around.

He even went to get his own “dumbbell” to join in on the workout.

He was so proud of himself too!

Seriously love this little guy!

Breakfast

I’m trying to dwindle down the fresh fruit that I bought last week so this morning I made banana blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

My usual banana pancake recipe for a fluffy stack of three cakes.

With blueberries added in.

And syrup on top.

Yum!

I’m off to try to fit my life into three suitcases! This should be fun!

Question:

What is your favorite pancake? I love banana chocolate chip but haven’t added the chocolate chips in for forever! I need to soon!