A Decision about My Future Plans

After a year of travel and reflection, I've made a decision about my future - at least for the summer. I've decided to take a care taking opportunity in Maryland; we've agreed on a trial period May 1st to August 31st. If, based on this trial period, the owners and I agree it is working out, I have the option of making it a permanent move.

Never thought I'd move back east but I've actually been considering opportunities around the world. As I told myself several times; geography is less important than the situation. I'll be helping a retired couple look after their dog as well as help with their household duties; in exchange I'll live rent free in one of their two houses (they back up to one another). As readers know, I'm not keen on winter temperatures so MD might seem an odd choice but the good news is that the owners will be going to Florida for Jan, Feb, and Mar each winter and have offered to take me with them so I'll be able to avoid much of the cold winter weather.

I'll leave Tucson April 1st and head to Colorado to take care of a lot of details, including seeing my Doctor and packing for the move. There are two lap pools near my new home as well as a Buddhist Meditation Center and grocery stores so my basic needs are within walking/biking distance:)  I'll put my Airstream into storage for the 4-month trial period and if I decide to make the move permanent I'll probably sell the Airstream and truck.

Swimming Update and Terminology

Since January 1st, I've been swimming about 5 days/week, either swimming for conditioning or focusing on drills for improving my freestyle stroke. Seems obvious now but my current instructor recently demonstrated what a swimming newbie I am. I've always called the stroke I'm trying to learn - "freestyle"; however, the stroke is actually called the Front Crawl or Australian Crawl. Freestyle is just that - one is free to swim any stroke they wish; it just so happens the Australian Crawl is the fastest of the 4 strokes (breast, back, butterfly, and freestyle), so most people swim it in freestyle races and most people (like me) think the freestyle and Australian Crawl are synonymous when they are not.

I need to look backwards to see how much I've improved. Six months ago I was gasping for air at the end of a 25-yard (1 pool length) swim; my stroke was ugly and inefficient. Today, I'm tired after swimming 2 pool lengths (50 yards) but my stroke has improved and I know more about what I'm doing right and wrong. I think the fatigue is primarily a factor of my inefficient kick and my inability to get a full breath of air each time rather than being out of shape.

Today I swam 25x50s, my current lesson plan; focusing on catch-up drills and my "catch". As usual, my legs felt heavy today and were low in the water as I swam. Geoff says there are 4 things to keep one's legs high:

1. Push chest down
2. Arch back
3. Kick efficiently
4. Eyes looking straight down

Based on Internet research, it appears a fifth item might be added to the list - pushing the hand down (rather than back) as one begins the catch. I keep my eyes down and am getting better about pushing my chest down and arching my back but my kick has always felt very inefficient and uncoordinated with the rest of my body. Based on my last lesson, I now know that I push down with my hands so my catch needs significant work.

For some reason, rather than being frustrated with my slow progress, I'm actually encouraged. I've got a long way to go but I can swim a mile (using a combination of freestyle and breast stroke) and my freestyle stroke is improving.

Future Plans Update

This week I’m flying back east to visit a couple seeking help with their dog and house. Except for the cold:), I’m looking forward to the trip. I’m considering several offers received in response to my recent ad in caretaker.org. Readers of this blog are aware that I’ve been pondering where to go when it turns warm in Tucson (April 1st) as well as long-term. Ideally, I (like thousands of other people:), would love an opportunity to live without home ownership, in a comfortable climate in a positive environment. For example, living in a warm, southern state (or country) in the winter and a northern state (or country) in the summer. There are lots of opportunities (see caretaker.org or caretakerjobs.com) around the world to house sit, care take, pet sit, or otherwise provide some service in exchange for accommodations and/or salary; the challenge is finding opportunity(s) which provides a win-win situation for both parties. I hope to make a decision by the end of this month.

Ragged Top Hike

Hike Ragged Top with a couple of friends I met through the fitness center. Very interesting rock formations and lots of cholla cactus. Easy, short (3 miles) hike up some interesting rock formations with a little bit of scrambling near the summit. Great views from the summit.

Cool rock formations!

Poppies?

A bit like chicory but not quite.

on the way out we walked through a "forest" of cholla cactus

Swim Update

Had my second lesson with my latest coach (Geoff). Based on his recommendation, I'm switching from 3 to 2 strokes per breath to 2. Sounds simple but it is complicated (at least for me) getting used to a new rhythm of breathing. As of my second lesson (yesterday), I have 6 drills that I'm doing 3x week to make this major change. These drills are a lot of work but I already feel like this change is for the better and will help address my breathing issues. In general, Geoff pointed out that I'm dropping my arms too fast in the glide (so I'm not gliding enough); the remedy is doing a lot of catch up drills. Today I did about 1000 yards of drills (40 lengths) in about 40 minutes.

Return to Zayna’s Mediterranean Cafe

Had lunch with friends at Zayna’s today. Thought the Mujadara plate (pilaf of lentils and rice with caramelized onions, and toasted nuts) was ok; the vegetarian plate I had last time was much more exciting for my palate. Maybe I’ve just been eating too many lentil dishes at home lately:). 

Lettuce, tomato, cucumber came with the meal but the main lentil dish was big enough that I didn’t eat everything on my plate; I’m guessing I consumed around 500 calories with a good dose of protein and fiber from the lentils. The dressing on the salad tasted a bit strong on sodium so I didn’t eat much of it.

Lunch out made me wish that restaurants would advertise nutritional data for their meals. I realize this might be burdensome for restaurants, especially non-chains; they already run on such slim margins; however, it sure would be nice for those of us tracking our nutritional intake. Thought I read somewhere that some restaurant chains are starting to do this in some cities/states but am not sure whether it is a requirement or voluntary.

Menu cover

Mujadara Plate

Opportunities

The response to my caretaker/housesitting ad has been great! I have a couple of opportunities for where to live this summer (and beyond); its a big decision because several opportunities involve moving and leaving my Airstream behind which means I’d need to get the AS ready for storage (not a simple task), tow it somewhere to be stored (covered or not?), and pay for storage. I’m thinking I would tow the AS to Denver, have it serviced at the dealer where I purchased it (Windish RV in Lakewood, CO), and store somewhere in the Denver area (near my storage units and Sister’s house in Lone Tree, CO); covered storage can run around $400/month for a trailer my size. In addition to being somewhat centrally located in the US, storing in Denver will facilitate getting stuff out of my storage units to bring with me to my new residence. If I take an opportunity in the US, I plan to load up my truck and drive; if I take an international opportunity, Denver is a good hub to fly in and out of. 

I would also use the time in Denver to hopefully consolidate my 2 storage units. It would be great to reduce my monthly storage fees and eventually to eliminate storage fees all together! I also need to visit my bone specialist while in Denver and do some tests so instead of doing this in March (current appointment), I’d reschedule for April when I’m in Denver. Towing to Denver,; moving out of the AS; preparing to and storing the AS; Doctor stuff and logistics; and moving to the new location should take about a month; my rent in Tucson is paid through April 1st so presumably, I’d be in my new location around May 1st. Unfortunately, April is one of Colorado’s snowiest months so Mother Nature has the final word on schedule:) 

But what happens at the end of the opportunity? Some opportunities are temporary (e.g., summer) whereas others are potentially permanent (but what if they don’t work out). Moving back to Denver (or the US), back into the AS, and back into 2 storage units would be an ordeal in reverse that I’d like to avoid if possible. Thinking through these opportunities is important because it clarifies the importance of this decision. I’m excited about the opportunities, especially moving into stable, long-term accomodations. 

Weight Loss

Since beginning (less than 2 weeks ago) to closely track nutritional data for my daily food intake,  I’ve unintentionally lost another 5 pounds; down to 145. Based on my tracking data, I’m guessing the loss is due to a reduction in the amount of fat intake. It amazes me how much fat different foods have in them and since tracking, I’ve tried to keep my total fat consumption to 20-30% of my daily calorie intake (divided by 9 calories per gram). On most days, my total calorie intake is less than 2000. So in this case, the total fat intake would be:

• 2000 x 20% divided by 9 = 44.4g
• 2000 x 30% divided by 9 = 66.7g

with rounding, the total daily fat recommendation for a 2000 calorie daily diet would therefore be:

44-67g.

Over the past 2 weeks, my daily total fat intake has ranged from 25 to 76g with an average of about 50 so I’m in the recommended range of this example; however, the problem is that my total calorie intake is less than 2000 and according to what I’ve read for active men my age, mine should be around 2400. Could this be my excuse to eat more B&J ice cream:)

New Swim Instructor

Had my first lesson with a new swim instructor this week; primary goal is to improve my freestyle stroke such that I take in air instead of water when breathing - good goal don’t you think:). Confirmed that my problem is that I don’t keep my lead glide hand/arm stretched out long enough between strokes. I also sometimes don’t turn my head to breath at the beginning of a new stroke. The result is that my head is often too low in the water when I turn to take a breath. The instructor (Greg) gave me several drills to work on this week to basically correct my timing/technique - I’ve heard these referred to as “catch up” drills because one is allowing one arm to catch up with the other prior to taking the next stroke. Basically, it is swimming in superman position  with both arms fully extended in front of you and at the top of the water. When one arm goes into the stroke, the 2nd arm stays out in front and doesn’t leave this position until the first arm returns (i.e., catches up) to the front position; at least this is how I interpret it.

Caretaker or House Sitter?

Lately I've focused on finding a caretaker position or house sitting opportunity for the summer or beyond. This week, I subscribed to the Caretaker Gazette because it has more ads in it that the Caretakerjobs.com subscription I also subscribe to.

In addition, the Gazette allowed me to submit a 100-word ad promoting myself which they then sent to members in an email blast. I've received 8 responses so far to my ad and am sorting through the best opportunities. The Gazette  has care taking and housesitting ads from around the world and although I've been focused on America, I'm open to any geography. As I mentioned in my ad - the right situation is more important to me than geography.

Stay tuned:)

Favorite Breakfast

In tracking my nutritional intake, I’ve developed two satisfying breakfast meals (one cold, one hot); each provides well-balanced nutrition. 

Depending on what is available, I substitute raspberries or blackberries for blueberries.

The cold breakfast includes 1cup (59g) of Post shredded wheat covered with 1c (148g) blueberries, 1 banana, and 1cup Trader Joe’s reduced fat milk. Breakfast #2 is served hot and is the same as #1 except it substitutes 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Muesli (cooked 10 minutes) for shredded wheat. Nutrition data for the two meals:

Breakfast	Calories/From Fat	Total Fat (g)	Protein (g)	AddedSugar (g)	Sodium (mg)	Dietary Fiber (g)	Total Carbs (g)	Calcium (% of daily recommended 1000mg)
#1 1c (59g) Shredded wheat, 1c (148g) blueberries, banana, 1c reduced fat milk	534 59	6.3	16	0	121	14	104	33
#2 1c (32g) Bob’s Red Mill Muesli 1c (148g) blueberries, 1 banana, 1c reduced fat milk	433 74	8.3	14	5	121	9	77	33

Book Review - Buddha in Blue Jeans: An Extremely Short Zen Guide to Being Buddha by Tai Sheridan

Very short book comprised of concise, practical verses on meditation; almost like poetry. It was free on Amazon.com.

Book Review - Meditation: How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Meditation by Pema Chödrön

This is an easy read and good instructional book for folks learning to meditate; it contains several useful exercises. Much of the information is covered in other books but I find the repetition useful. What I like best about this book is the discussion (and exercises) on using thoughts, emotions, and senses as objects of meditation; this was new to me.

Since my last blog

I haven't blogged in a few days, mostly because local WiFi access is limited. It rained for several days here in Tucson; rains about every 10 days - much more than I thought although people keep saying the frequent rains are unusual. It has since dried out and warmed up - 70s and low 80s this week!

Swimming, working out, reading, and meditating occupy most of my time; have also been diligently tracking my daily food/nutrition intake. It is amazing how easy it is to eat too much, consume too much fat, or not get enough fiber, protein, and calcium. Surprisingly, I haven't found a decent App for tracking nutrition; maybe because everyone's diet is so varied and there are so many food options.

Still thinking about how long to remain in Tucson and where to summer. I'm looking for a caretaker or house sitting gig that will answer these questions; hoping to have this resolved by the end of February.

As I sit in the courtyard this afternoon writing this blog, it is 72 degrees and sunny in Tucson:)