Exercise

Yvonne joined a gym yesterday. It is located in Dream Mall. She received vouchers to let her friends try it out for a week. So today I went along with her. We left the house at 3:20. Yvonne was worried it would rain so we drove her car. (I was happy I didn’t have to drive my scooter.) Just above her parking spot at the school, there is a dragon-eyes fruit tree. It is a fruit she really likes and she had told me previously that she wanted to cut down the fruit. Well today someone was there doing that! She was excited and we stopped and ate some. (Although I was still full from our lunch.)

Then we headed out. The gym was pretty nice. Yvonne told me not to look at the shopping while we waited for the elevators. That is one concern she has – the gym is in a mall so it may be costly to her wallet each time she visits. The gym was pretty nice. I used the short bike, treadmill, and elliptical while Yvonne worked with a personal trainer. I had just started on the taller bike when she came over and said our Latino dance class started without us. We watched for a little bit, then snuck into the back filled with apprehension. It did not look like a beginner class!

I told my Mom we would attend this class and said we should video it. Yvonne said the same thing as we struggled to copy the moves of the instructor and other students. We had missed the first chunk of the dance. And we didn’t catch on that well. It was even more embarrassing because the back of the room is right where people look into the room. Ah well. Maybe some of them chuckled. We ended up sneaking back out. We liked the music though. I starting moving to a song during a break and Yvonne said “freestyle!” Ha ha, no.

The next class we attended was body balance. Again I was apprehensive. I know my balance isn’t that great. I fall over even when standing on level ground. (Still not sure how I do that.) That class was actually awesome! I am considering joining just so I can attend that class regularly. It was a mix of yoga, pilates, and a Taiwanese exercise called Tai-je (the spelling is probably way off). We had mellow music and did a bunch of stretches. I watched the instructor carefully since I couldn’t understand the noises issuing from his mouth (side note: I can’t even tell the words apart! I just hear weird sounds, with tones). And at the end we had some time for relaxation and meditation. I felt so good after that!! (Of course I lost my balance once or twice. . . what did you expect?)

We left the gym after 4 hours of working out. Where could we go next? Costco, of course. It is just around the corner and Yvonne really likes their chicken. We were both very hungry so we bought slices of pizza (that were HUGE) and soft drinks. I finished the pizza, but barely. I didn’t have time to finish the soda. I wanted to take it shopping, but that isn’t allowed. Laughter moment: while we were sitting and eating our pizza, a little Taiwanese girl in a stroller totally stared at me as she was pushed past. I busted up laughing and said, “Even the babies stare at me!” Yvonne laughed too. Golly. I never liked being the center of attention. (Upon reflection I realize she may have been staring at the huge chunk of pizza in my hand. Hm…)

This trip to Costco was very abnormal (although it was only my 2nd time) because we did not purchase any food. They were out of the chicken, and everything else is just too much for us. And we could have shared it! It was sad. I did see some things that made me happy – Nesquik, Cheese & Crackers, and cheese. And we didn’t come out with empty hands. I purchased a nice soft shell jacket for the cold weather and some exercise pants (my b-ball shorts just weren’t working today) and together we bought a pack of 4 water bottles. Here’s a scene that happened often: either of us saying I want one of these only to discover they are sold in packs of 2, 4, or 10. So much for that idea! On the water bottles, I said she could have 2 and I would take 2. So now I have an orange and a blue water bottle. They’re pretty really. And they came with little clips so I can hook them to things (I really like that feature).

Well, that’s pretty much it for this day. We arrived home at 10 p.m. (a long outing!) and were both saying how tired we were. One more exciting thing happened as we walked past the guard’s desk – mail! Yvonne received a package and I received two. Thank you, Mom and family! The thing that cracked me up this time: a box of Mac ‘n’ Cheese. You’re a goof, Mom! And I love it. So I really need to get to sleep now.

(Penghu trip is on since the typhoon won’t be hitting us. I’ll have more good adventures to share next week!)
One of the signs for the gym.
What a beautiful sight.
Another beautiful sight. Just around the corner from Costco.