2018 Physical Activity – Dance/Tennis/Acro/Fitness

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , ,

2017 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown

2016 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown

2015 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown

How do you work out?

Pole Dancing Highlights for 2018
2. I took 92 classes total
3. I spent $1465.74 total
4. I spent 144.5 hours in class
5. I worked with 12 different instructors

Lifetime money spent (just for pole classes): $6348.55
2014 – $90
2015 – $422.21
2016 – $1777
2017 – $2594
2018 – $1465.74

Lifetime total pole classes: 365
2014 – 6
2015 – 19
2016 – 109
2017 – 139
2018 – 92

Total time spent poling: 592
2014 – 10.5 hours
2015 – 37.5 hours
2016 – 173.5 hours
2017 – 226 hours
2018 – 144.5 hours

Class Breakdown at different studios for 2018
Divine – 21/92 = 23%
Spinderella – 53/92 = 58%
P3 – 18/92 = 19%

Class Type breakdowns for 2018
Intermediate Inversions = 13
Intermediate/Advanced Spins = 6
Level 3-1 = 35
Level 2-2 = 1
“Intermediate” classes = 8
Open level drop ins = 11
Other = (pole power hour, Open choreography session) = 1
Level 3-2 = 12
Ayesha workshops = 4
Boudoir Classes = 1

In other fitness accomplishments (53.75 hours):
1. I did 3 acro yoga classes and one at home yoga class (8 hours total)
2. I went to 2 Thriller refresher classes before the Flashmob dance at Thrill the World (2 hours)
3. I went to only 4 volleyball drop ins (8 hours)
4. I took a golf lesson with my SO (45 minutes)
5. I went to 6 different 24-hour fitness classes with my SO (5 hours)
6. I spent 7 hours in the pool doing aqua classes and laps with my SO (7 hours)
7. I started playing tennis and went to the park to play 18 times with my SO (18 hours)
8. I played basketball – shooting hoops – once with my SO (2 hours)
9. I went on two scenic hikes with my SO (3 hours)

 

My favorite fitness photos:

 

Book Review: Ms. Behave (Fandom Hearts #4.5) by Cathy Yardley

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Ms. Behave (Fandom Hearts #4.5) by Cathy Yardley

A Romantic Comedy published by Amazon Digital Services LLC (09/30/18)

Summary:

After years of being away, Simon is back in his hometown of Snoqualmie while working on the hit TV show Mystics. 12 years is a long time, but some things don’t change. Simon’s best friend, Mallory, never left Snoqualmie. They were friends in school and are friends still, but is there something more growing between them?

Keywords:

Actor, Snoqualmie, Issaquah, Bookstore, Fans, Romance, Family, Loyalty, Sex, TV Actor

My Review:

This was a fun quick read. As always, Yardley’s writing style and story pull you in and you can easily finish this short book in a day.

I loved both Simon and Mallory. Simon is quiet and keeps to himself, even though he is an actor on television. Mallory was never understood growing up and even now is sometimes thought of as an outsider. She is accepted for who she is among her small group of geeky bookstore friends, but not everyone can accept that she’s bisexual. Simon always thought she didn’t like him growing up because she was only into women, but after finding out the truth, he won’t know what to do. I wanted to sock him over the head for being so dense when he found out Mallory was bisexual, since he can only think of himself in the moment, but eventually his winning nature shines through.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on 09/30/18 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Cathy Yardley’s Website

Rachel’s Favorite Recipes throughout 2018

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2016 Favorite Recipes

2017 Favorite Recipes

My health and my work influenced the new recipes I tried this past year. I went from working two part time jobs to working both a full time job and a part time job to finally working a full time job from home. I also had a lot of gut healing going on in 2018 and for half the year was on a strict LEAP diet. According to Emily Fonnesbeck, RD Nutrition Therapist, “The Lifestyle Eating and Performance (LEAP) program is a diet for those suffering from delayed food and food chemical sensitivities. These sensitivities can result in an immune system reaction with the release of mediators which cause pain and inflammation in the body.” I was not eating the following foods strictly for 3 months and then reducing my intake of the yellows and continuing to avoid the reds: Coffee, Salmon,  Sweet Potato, Onion, Cherry, Cocoa (Reds). Chicken, Turkey, Pinto Bean, Soybean, MSG, Cottage Cheese, Cow’s Milk, Whey, Maple, Sesame, Clam, Tuna, Wheat, Amaranth, Honeydew Melon, Banana (Yellows).

These are the recipes I have liked and used more than once:

  1. Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
  2. Gluten Free Bread
  3. Pistachio Macarons
  4. Black Bean Brownies
  5. Banana Muffins
  6. Meringue Cookies

Continue reading →

Book Review: Electric Grids (Electric World Book 2) by M. Black

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Electric Grids (Electric World Book 2) by M. Black

A Sicence Fiction/Cyberpunk Novel published (04/25/18)

Summary:

After finally escaping the Electric Gardens, Lexi and her friends find a post-apocalyptic world on the outside of the Tins’ compound. They don’t have time to stop and admire the wasteland because they are being pursued by the Tins. With a Tin of their own, they have a destination in mind, to find the other enlightened Tins and band together.

Keywords:

Science Fiction, Robotics, Apocalypse, Technology, Dystopian, Teenagers, Strict, Escape, Rules, Secrets, Control, Power, Powerless, Desperation, Friendship

My Review:

Electric Grids jumps in right where Electric Gardens left off and pulls the reader immediately back into the sci-fi universe Black has created.

The idea behind the story was solid and intriguing. The concept of robots taking over the world is not new, but the details in Electric Grids come from fresh sci-fi eyes.

A lot of details are left out or glossed over and the writing style does a lot of telling versus showing. For instance, the birth of baby Seth happens nearly instantaneously and without sensory details one would expect with the birth of a baby in the middle of nowhere with limited medical supplies and no doctor.

This novel was published on 04/25/2018.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Amazon

Book Review: Tar by Taylor Hohulin

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Tar by Taylor Hohulin

A Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (11/27/18)

Summary:

For as long as Brendan has been alive, there has been tar in the world. Tar infiltrated the world as an infection that took over the bodies of people who got too close to it. Tar attacks the body by hollowing out the insides and replacing blood with blight. There is no cure. Brendan has managed to survive as a salvager, trading his finds for a fitful night of rest in one of the converted hotels that offer safe shelter. The only protection from tar is to stay away from it and those infected, but as easy hauls dwindle in Brendan’s town of Newhaven he must venture to new places and take more risks. Brendan has never known a world without tar and he has become very good at avoiding it, until one day when another gang of salvagers bumps into him. That same day, Brendan runs into another stranger who believes that Brendan is the key to ridding the world of every last speck of tar. If Brendan believes this stranger and goes with him on this quest, would he be better off without a world of tar?

Keywords:

Cyberpunk, Evil, Tar, Post-Apocalyptic, Survival, Mistrust, City, Infection, Distance, Monsters, Avoidance, Salvage, Shelter, Ruin, Power

My Review:

Every book I’ve read by Taylor Hohulin is better than the last. The writing style sucks you into the first page. Being thrust into the middle of an action sequence keeps you reading past the first page. The world Hohulin has built keeps you reading through to the end of the first chapter. By then you are hooked and you haven’t even gotten to the good part yet.

The three main characters were fully developed and had such distinct personalities and backstories. They all felt so alive and real. Brendan does everything he can to stay alive down to the careful skepticism of every stranger, acquaintance and even friend. He doesn’t let down his guard. Almost all his actions are propelled by his strong will to survive. He is one of the most selfish people you will read about. Hohulin cleverly builds Brendan’s character throughout the book, showing us just how far he will go to survive and then puts Brendan into a position where he will have to make a difficult choice. Is there an alternative? Can Brendan make this kind of decision? As a reader, I was so hopelessly obsessed with Brendan and the way he approached the apocalyptic world he lives in, that I finished this book in less than two days.

I loved Krystal! She was the empathetic do-gooder who was easily taken advantage of, always looking for the good in people. And yet, years and years after the apocalypse, she still survives. She is the opposite of Brendan in so many ways and yet they are friends. She is smart and tech-savvy but also the voice of reason and humanity for Brendan. Will she be able to influence him enough that he can set aside his own will to survive and help others or will he finally prove to her that the world is a terrible place?

What is tar? It is more than a simple alien substance. It creates the worst monsters out of people. It is a substance that zombifies its host, but also sticks to inanimate objects, waiting for any victim to walk too close.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on 11/27/18 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Taylor Hohulin’s Website

Twitter

Goodreads

Book Review: Winds of the Forest (Forestborn Book 1) by Dele Daniel

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Winds of the Forest (Forestborn Book 1) by Dele Daniel

A Dystopian Novel published through Amazon Digital Services LLC (12/26/17)

Summary:

Genesis Romunda is from the Arnazuri tribe in the post-apocalyptic West-African kingdom of Navia. She is an elite hunter like others in her community, but her tribe is considered the lowest of the four tribes in Navia. Historically, Arnazuri have always been subservient to the other tribes, providing meat for the others and only getting scraps in return. Some in Genesis’s tribe believe that this is an inequality that should not exist and start a rebellion. Genesis believes that a rebellion will only lead to trouble and death. To Genesis, young at 17, if the Arnazuri have always been a lower caste of society, then that is the way of things. But the rebellion brings about many changes, not just a negative response from the tribes in power but also a progressive response. Genesis is chosen as one of the first females and the only Arnazuri in history to go to an elite school for gifted children. Genesis has mixed feelings about being chosen to go to this elite school and leave her tribe in turmoil behind, but in her new home and new school she will discover that not everything she believed is true.

Keywords:

Surviving, Forest, Tribe, Power Imbalance, Politics, Power, Hunting, Death, Murder, Rebellion, University, Chosen, Gender Inequality, Racial Inequality, Romance, Escape, Prophecy, History, West African Kingdom, Status Quo, Role, Government, Roommates, Rules, Curfew

My Review:

Like many post-apocalyptic novels, the remaining humanity is forced to live in a small portion of what’s habitable of earth. One of the first reasons I took to this novel was due to its setting. It’s not North America, nor is it a common setting for most books I read. This book was set in a modern day West Africa. Already off to a good start, the book showed me a more diverse post-apocalyptic culture than most dystopian fiction.

I was conflicted about Genesis. At times I liked her, and at other times I didn’t. In the beginning of the novel she is very attached to her sense of the world, her opinions, and her beliefs which I absolutely love. She is a protagonist who can influence her immediate environment, even in a tribe that is considered less valuable and less smart than the other tribes. There doesn’t seem to be any gender inequality in her tribe. She can hunt like her male friend Remington and she can fight him on equal footing. When Genesis’s world is put into chaos and she is told that she is going to Promenade, the elite school outside of her own community, I was elated. Now we get to see her among the peers even she considers better than herself. Perhaps we will be shown that her beliefs are wrong, that the world’s beliefs are wrong, and everything will change. But this is not so. Genesis, as an Arnazuri, lives in a third world setting compared to the other tribes and has no realistic hope of being their equals in knowledge and experience. She also doesn’t show a great capacity to learn (is never shown excelling in classes) and is even duped by those around her. She is like a passenger in her own story. Not only that, but there is also an element of gender inequality and discrimination outside of Arnazuri that I didn’t think was necessary and made me frustrated.

This book’s plot was inconsistent and some of the plot points felt incongruous with the rest of the writing. For example, Genesis gets caught out after curfew and this creates a conflict that pulls the plot along. This part never felt genuine and also showed Genesis to be air headed and sloppy. Because the book felt like it lacked an outline and the writing style itself was a bit clunky, it took me weeks to finish. I did want to finish and find out what happened as the author had created enough intrigue with his clever use of Jason’s inner knowledge (I won’t say of what because it would be a spoiler).

This novel was published through Amazon Digital Services LLC on 12/26/2017 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

Links for more information:

Twitter

Goodreads

Book Review: A Sudden Gust of Gravity by Laurie Boris

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A Sudden Gust of Gravity by Laurie Boris

A Romantic Suspense Novel published by Amazon Digital Services LLC (11/07/15)

Summary:

Christina grew up practicing magic tricks with her father the magician, but now she is a mid-twenties waitress. She is a bit anxious to get on stage after what happened to her father. It is also nearly impossible to pick up a gig as a female magician. After an impromptu visit to a magic shop, the opportunity to work as the assistant to Reynaldo the Magnificent drops into her lap. Should she take the job? Will being a pretty prop to a some other magician even lead to her own career in magic?

Keywords:

Magic, Magician, Magic Shop, Assistant, Juggling, Act, Performance, Street Magician, Practice, Public Park, New Relationship, Struggles, Art, Male-Dominated Career, Sleight of Hand, Anxiety, Doctor, Talent, Ego, Showman

My Review:

This book packed a punch! I love a book that I emotionally react to, even if that emotion is frustration. I was frustrated with Christina for giving up on a dream. I was frustrated with Christina for then pursuing that dream, but getting sidetracked. I was frustrated with the magician. I was frustrated that Christina was not accepted as a female magician. I was frustrated that Christina had to be a pretty prop in order to be a magician’s assistant. I was frustrated with Reynaldo. I was so frustrated that I kept reading with a mad intensity, completely engaged in the very real characters and the developing story.

The characters were mesmerizing. Christina was so strong and such a great lead; however, her flaws pushed her into questionable decisions. Why would she stay with Reynaldo? Boris shows us the progression of a relationship from attraction to dissolution so realistically and so well. Reynaldo was such a unique character as well. We had glimpses into his mind now and then that were so fascinating. Why would he do the things he did to Christina? Devon, the Korean-American medical student was the crack in Reynaldo and Christina’s relationship, that kept pushing and pushing. Devon’s relationship to his nephew was such a relief to read after Reynaldo and Christina, like a breath of fresh air.

Though this book presents a love triangle, it is done so cleverly that you feel like you are reading some fresh new type of romance.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on 11/07/15 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Laurie Boris’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Continental Divide by Linda Jordan

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Continental Divide by Linda Jordan

A Women’s Fiction Novel published through Metamorphosis Press (9/14/18)

Summary:

Haley and her daughter Trixie move back to Montana with all their belongings fitting into one little car. Haley has moved her daughter too many times to count and her career and her daughter have suffered for it. Now, moving back in with Haley’s mom, hopefully stability will come back into their lives. With the Blackfoot River rising to flood levels, Haley’s ex following them, and a whole new life at the Montana B and B, life still isn’t stable for the single parent and silent daughter. Maybe this new adventure won’t be as unbalancing as it seems.

Keywords:

Single Parent, Horses, Farm, Single Mother, 12-Year Old, Daughter, New Beginnings, Grandmother, Flooding, Bank Robber, Home Cooking, Websites, Technology, Bed and Breakfast, Trauma

My Review:

Jordan’s writing style flows with an ease that is a pleasure to read.

I was conflicted on my thoughts of the genre and plot. This book was too simplistic to be women’s fiction. It had the simplicity of a chick lit beach read, but the romance element was not the focal point. The book was more about family and moving on and the great community of a small town than a romance. I rather enjoyed the small town feel and the relationship between Haley and her mother and Haley and her daughter. Perhaps this book would have made more sense as young adult and told through the daughter’s viewpoint. Shifting between Haley and Mabel’s viewpoint confused me even further in regards to the genre and the plot as Mabel’s story didn’t tie into the main story enough. Mabel’s story was more of a subplot and it felt like there were two distinct stories. I was quite fascinated by Mabel and her story as well as with Haley and her story. I think that I would have liked to have Mabel’s story separated from this book and given its own novel.

I absolutely loved all the descriptions of food and Winnie’s diner sounds like a place I would like to go. I also really enjoyed the fact that Haley is in technology and is a great website developer. I like seeing women thrive in typical male-dominated jobs.

Mabel’s story was not tied up enough in the end and Haley’s story concluded rather sharply and without the big aha moment that had been building up throughout the novel. I liked Sam’s ending, and of course how much Trixie opened up as the story went along.

This novel was published through Metamorphosis Press on 9/14/2018 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information:

Linda Jordan’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Sunlight 24 by Merritt Graves

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Sunlight 24 by Merritt Graves

A New Adult Science Fiction Novel to be published (10/03/18)

Summary:

“You need power to be heroic, but there’s no way to get it if you’re shackled. So, you have to start as the villain, grab the power, and then put the shackles on.”

Dorian Waters, along with the majority of humanity, cannot afford the nano-implants and genetic augmentations that are now available. Without Revision, Dorian, will never be as smart, as fast, or as good at anything as those who can afford to Revise. He, along with many others, is fast being left behind. Not only can he not compete in the same sports leagues, but he is fast losing any prospects for a job, a career, or a worthwhile life. And that’s no way to live. But Dorian has one trick up his sleeve. All he needs to do is get enough money to Revise and then the smarts that come with that upgrade will help him buy more Revisions. All he needs is that first push, that first bit of cash, to get him started. After that first Revision, there’s no going back and it’s like Dorian has pushed himself down a steep slope and with every passing moment, every little Revision, the momentum pushes him further and faster toward the bottom. And there’s no stopping, only an imminent impact.

Keywords:

Upgrade, Genetic Manipulation, Genetic Augmentation, Implants, Speed, Robberies, Thefts, Criminals, Mastermind, Choice, Self-Enhancement, Anxiety, Worry, Regret, Unravel, Police

My Review:

Ethan is the partner in crime – willing to take everything to its farthest – which makes him the greatest partner, but also the worst in the end. Ethan will pull Dorian in, but he will also pull him in so far that neither of them will be able to crawl back out.

Dorian is smarter than he gives himself credit for and he gives himself enough quite a bit of credit. It’s just not enough to compete with the Revised… Being your best and trying your hardest isn’t enough because the rich kids can purchase better genes and are suddenly twice as good without even trying.

I fell in love with more than just the characters. Their situations and how they felt about their own lives was so tangible, so real that I empathized with them and their actions. Dorian IS a good guy. He spent five years trying to help a guy who had crippling anxiety. He spent years helping his brother pretend to be empathetic and cope with who he is.

I didn’t know what was coming, but I knew something was coming. Something big that was going to blow everything up for Dorian. The ending was everything I wanted it to be and more.

I was so intrigued with everything Jaden… Jaden is this black hole that is drifting closer to planet Dorian, ready to swallow him up.

I loved all the little details of this book and can’t wait to read more by Merritt Graves.

This novel will be published on 10/03/2018

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Goodreads

NetGalley

Book Review: Alfheim Seoul (Magic Parcel Service Book 1) by Chris Coleman

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Alfheim Seoul (Magic Parcel Service Book 1) by Chris Coleman

A Coming of Age YA Novel published by Amazon Digital Services LLC (06/12/18)

Summary:

Alecia is 15 and doesn’t want to get a job. Thankfully, she can always help out at her grandpa Dan’s Asian imports store to make some extra cash.

Out with friends one day, Alecia smells a faerie ring. Then she chances upon an otherworldly creature who is in danger. Magic is suddenly a part of her world and Grandpa Dan hasn’t been up front with her about what he knows about magic…

Keywords:

Magic, Fae, Portal, Asian, Travel, Chase, Evil Magic, Police, Escape, Student, Friendship, Soul, Coming of Age, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

My Review:

Alecia is a likeable character. She’s up front about what she’s thinking and what she’s doing. Her faults, like jumping into things without thinking, make her a more interesting character.

The plot and the writing style were easy and simple. This book was a fun and short adventure with a diverse cast that included non-humans. I liked that the main character and those that surrounded her were Korean and there were subtle hints at her diversity and uniqueness that blended into the story and the character.

I love that this story is set in Seattle! I loved the use of the portal between Alfheim and Seattle and thought every interaction with Iveragh brilliant in relaying backstory and showing us who Alecia was and what Alecia was like.

Alecia is 15 and the story is marketed for young adults, but I thought the writing style and simpler plot were written for a younger, more middle grade audience.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on 06/12/2018 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Chris Coleman’s Website