tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74667372525923786512024-03-19T05:23:09.694-04:00The Adventures of LstanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7466737252592378651.post-15251796923098177372017-06-26T17:18:00.002-04:002017-06-26T17:20:15.578-04:00Why the Bloor Bike Lane should stay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Transportation%20Services/Cycling/Images/towards%20w%20parking%2020160920%20v4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Transportation%20Services/Cycling/Images/towards%20w%20parking%2020160920%20v4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As a recently repatriated Torontonian, I have lots to learn about this ever changing city.<br />
<br />
One thing that I love to do is explore places on two wheels. Faster than walking, cheaper than driving, more exercise than TTC. I bike as much as I can during the summer months.<br />
<br />
One thing I know about cycling in Toronto is that it's not a matter of <i>if </i>you get hit by a car but <i>when </i>you get hit by a car.<br />
<br />
So I was understandably a little nervous about hitting the roads of Toronto on by bike; what with danger lurking around every corner, in every streetcar track, and beside every parked car.<br />
<br />
Luckily, I take bike lanes for the majority of my ride to and from work. I take the Bloor bike lane and the Shaw bike route.<br />
<br />
Here is a comprehensive (but not exhaustive) list of why the Bloor bike lane is awesome:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Direct line to work on a convenient artery of the city</li>
<li>Exercise (work off the winter weight)</li>
<li>Window shop local businesses (love a great deal)</li>
<li>Learn about the neighbourhoods (and the people that live there)</li>
<li>See what's happening in Christy Pitts (so far: baseball, protests, newscasts, festivals)</li>
<li>Decide where I will order takeout from based on which restaurant smells best</li>
<li>Be part of a biker gang (that knowing nod you give other cyclists when you make eye contact)</li>
<li>Start seeing familiar faces on bike route (Toronto love)</li>
<li>Appreciate good weather</li>
<li>Get to wear expensive rain pants and rain jacket on rainy days</li>
<li>Inspire drivers to ride their bikes (optimistic, I know)</li>
<li>Easy to go out shopping along Bloor (quick errands are more feasible)</li>
<li>Feel safer biking in this city </li>
<li>Inspired to see more of this city</li>
<li>Interested in advocating for more bike lanes in this city</li>
</ol>
<div>
I read today that 'millennials' like myself are more likely to support the Bloor bike lane, but 'boomers' are more likely to dislike the bike lane (<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-bike-lane-poll-1.4175646" target="_blank">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-bike-lane-poll</a> ) which I find unsuprising, because they are probably the ones in cars that speed by me during my commute. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope that this ever-changing city continues to keep its sights on the future and opts to keep the bike lane. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Signed, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bike Lane User Canadianlstan</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iwanttobeapinup.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/tumblr_mlsmwskbhl1r4ys2wo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://iwanttobeapinup.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/tumblr_mlsmwskbhl1r4ys2wo1_400.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="http://aazk.org/wp-content/uploads/lewaroundblack_withwebsite-2-300x295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://aazk.org/wp-content/uploads/lewaroundblack_withwebsite-2-300x295.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The first place we stayed was at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The fact that I was traveling with someone who used to work here was quite fortunate; I got the benefit of enjoying it as a tourist, as well as having someone who knew the place inside and out! He could rattle off statistics about Lewa for me, and ensured that I was well informed before I arrived. I'll do my best to provide a synopsis about Lewa (with some help from my friend Wikipedia!).<br />
<br />
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is located in northern Kenya. Formed from a former Cattle ranch in 1995, it covers over 62,000 acres (250 km<sup>2</sup>).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://africacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Courtesy-2009-Lewa-Wildlife-Conservancy-1-235x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://africacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Courtesy-2009-Lewa-Wildlife-Conservancy-1-235x300.jpg" /></a>The Conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered black rhino,Grevy's zebra, and marshbuck<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitatunga" title="Sitatunga"></a>. It also includes the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and African buffalo). Lewa holds over 12% of Kenya’s black rhino population and the largest single population of Grevy’s zebras in the world (approximately 350 individuals).<br />
<br />
The Conservancy is also home to the Northern Rangelands Trust, an
innovative partnership with a number of communities to the north who
have given their land for the preservation of wildlife. Lewa has its own
education program that helps develop schools and students.<br />
<br />
The forces behind this organization have been instrumental in
developing highly effective conservation efforts throughout Kenya. If you're interested in learning more about Lewa Wildlife Conservancy or Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), please visit any of the links below.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lewa.org/">http://www.lewa.org/</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewa_Wildlife_Conservancy">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewa_Wildlife_Conservancy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nrt-kenya.org/%20" target="_blank">http://www.nrt-kenya.org/ </a><br />
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<br />
Safe, clean, nearby, and inexpensive, this hotel/motel was recommended as a place to stay for the very short term. Wilson Airport generally serves domestic flights throughout Kenya, so staying there can ensure that you mingle with pilots, local travellers, and light airplane enthusiasts<span class="st">. Ryan was arriving the next morning and we were immediately going up north, so I didn't need anything too fancy for the night.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">The room costs me around CAD$70 for the night, and the food in the bar was simple and affordable.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aeroclubea.com/"><span class="st">http://www.aeroclubea.com/</span></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNh0_rvZ4gUkXyC2grCHb_36jN8UUL13mmNFv2KiY65Jyv1pE1MKlFdA9HnTzvKOmdGwFuCLfFObd7rEML9tB0F8nIZ8nK_e0jfsdhIrmZ6fiKoRhCV_MJtKNluwrKK1oGqJf8zjk_1Im/s1600/DSCN0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNh0_rvZ4gUkXyC2grCHb_36jN8UUL13mmNFv2KiY65Jyv1pE1MKlFdA9HnTzvKOmdGwFuCLfFObd7rEML9tB0F8nIZ8nK_e0jfsdhIrmZ6fiKoRhCV_MJtKNluwrKK1oGqJf8zjk_1Im/s320/DSCN0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar/Restaurant area</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8gmfIpWfYkqgmERPJ_1R9zCdmusbb_I05UM35xQwf-s3aqFMG90J5Foa0uc0HyanArRm5OzwwEuMYyXToCOVqH_4UMvaM3aGwkPhLlMKvNH5k4iS7P12rP1_ievdjd8T4gwvi7SGTbSJ/s1600/DSCN0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8gmfIpWfYkqgmERPJ_1R9zCdmusbb_I05UM35xQwf-s3aqFMG90J5Foa0uc0HyanArRm5OzwwEuMYyXToCOVqH_4UMvaM3aGwkPhLlMKvNH5k4iS7P12rP1_ievdjd8T4gwvi7SGTbSJ/s320/DSCN0033.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single room for the night</td></tr>
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<br />
Here is a very professionally drawn tentative map of where we plan to go.<br />
<br />
Let the adventure begin!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsu8Qb4fcmZVyCEFScV0_-3Z3bcplY3cMj4mkQMDaOT1L5wJcg76EnhiLWvCL3FSDeqFBqjpiPkRDCXbFuNnRfwrYup8w8L-HAMZaPVsHRko60NWBp1QINRrm_q1k_M1CNz2aJlf_OdzI/s1600/Kenya.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsu8Qb4fcmZVyCEFScV0_-3Z3bcplY3cMj4mkQMDaOT1L5wJcg76EnhiLWvCL3FSDeqFBqjpiPkRDCXbFuNnRfwrYup8w8L-HAMZaPVsHRko60NWBp1QINRrm_q1k_M1CNz2aJlf_OdzI/s320/Kenya.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Itinerary through Kenya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://keprabon.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/img_2707.jpg?w=477&h=464" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://keprabon.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/img_2707.jpg?w=477&h=464" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What we woke up to each morning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we made our way into central Ubud, we began to inquire with hostels along the main drag to figure out where we could stay. The sun was starting to set, and we kept being turned away from hostels and guest houses, it seemed that <i>every guest house was all booked up. </i>I was starting to grasp the very real possibility that we might not have a place to stay overnight in this place.<br />
<br />
Finally, when I was starting to get panicky, we stumbled upon a little family-run guest house down an alleyway. In the dark, we made our way into the property and inquired with the family. Success! They had 4 rooms to rent, 3 of which were already occupied. We got the last one in the nick of time! It was nighttime, so we couldn't appreciate the beauty of this off-the-beaten-trail guest house. We woke up the next morning to a rooster cock-a-doodle-dooing on the roof across from our room. The owner of the hostel made us a simple breakfast of bread, fresh fruit, and coffee. The bathroom was recently renovated (though no hot water) and the beds were large and clean. As we sat on our balcony soaking in the morning sun, we overlooked a fountain and lush gardens in the small plot of property below. It was a little piece of paradise.<br />
Bottom Line: Simply Amazing!<br />
<br />
Rating (out of 5)<br />
Location: <span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Price :<span class="st">★</span><span class="st"></span> (we paid 350IDR per night = CAD$6.50) <br />
Staff Friendliness:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Security:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Fun Meter:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://keprabon.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Keprabon Guest House</a><br />
http://keprabon.wordpress.com/<br />
Jl. Kajeng, Gg. Sunari No. 14A, Ubud 80571 Bali- Indonesia<br />
Mobile: +62 81 337 08 8000<br />
Phone: +62 361 970 566<br />
E-mail: keprabon.guesthouse@gmail.com<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/28/33/54/new-siam-guest-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/28/33/54/new-siam-guest-house.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bottom Line: The hostel you go to when you want to spend a little extra to feel fancy <br />
<br />
Rating (out of 5)<br />
Location: <span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Price :<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Staff Friendliness:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Security:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Fun Meter:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newsiam.net/ns/newsiam2.php" target="_blank">New Siam Guest House 2</a><br />
50 Trok Rong Phai, Phra A-Thit Road, Chanasongkram,<br />
Bangkok 10200, Thailand<br />
Website: http://www.newsiam.net/ns/newsiam2.php <br />
Tel: (66)0-2282-2795, 0-2629-0101<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.soidb.com/bangkok/zm/041101237_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://image.soidb.com/bangkok/zm/041101237_01.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Star Dome Inn</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For those of you who thrive in the bustle and hustle of booze, parties, street vendors, ladyboys, and hordes of of other tourists looking to have just as much fun as you, head down to Khao San Road.<br />
<br />
Star Dome Inn (website <a href="http://www.stardomegroup.com/">http://www.stardomegroup.com/</a>) is located in the heart of Khao San Road backpackers district. It's a very basic hotel that has front desk staff 24/7, an internet cafe in the open air entrance, and an affordable menu for breakfast. It offers safe, basic, affordable rooms in the middle of the party. Downsides include noise and the not-so-clean feeling when you hang out in your room for too long.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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Bottom Line: A place to keep your stuff. Who needs sleep anyways?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stardomegroup.com/images/map-star-dome-inn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://www.stardomegroup.com/images/map-star-dome-inn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Dome Inn, Khao San Road, Bangkok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rating (out of 5)<br />
Location: <span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Price :<span class="st">★(cheap!)</span><br />
Staff Friendliness:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Security:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Fun Meter:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
<br />
Star Dome Inn<br />
104/1 Soi Rambuttri, Jakaphong Rd.<br />
Pranakorn, BKK 10200 Thailand<br />
Email: info@stardomegroup.com<br />
Tel: 02-6291136<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Zidisha_Inc._Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Zidisha_Inc._Logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>With all the excitement surrounding microfinance lately, I figured it was my turn to try it out. The big guys out there are Kiva or MyC4 that you might have heard about already. <a href="http://www.zidisha.org/">Zidisha Inc.</a> is a fairly new organization, but has been described as 'the evolution of microfinance'. As I read more about the organizations out there, I came to support Zidisha even more for the work it's doing.<br />
<br />
For starters: How does nonprofit Peer-to-Peer microfinance with Zidisha work?<br />
<ul><li>Make an account on the website, and choose the amount you want to loan (via bank transfer or paypal)</li>
<li>Read through the list of borrowers that have applied for a loan</li>
<li>Choose who you want to loan to, and set the amount and interest rate for the loan (no higher than 6%). Click finish to send the money to them directly.</li>
<li>Sit back and relax! The borrower will repay you over time back into your Zidisha account, which you can choose to reinvest in other business owners, or take out as a lump sum payment.</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.seattlemicrofinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Zidisha-Profile-Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.seattlemicrofinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Zidisha-Profile-Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Zidisha Borrower showing off her business</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Help out a small business owner and their family, AND get paid back in the end? I like this.<br />
<br />
Why I like Zidisha better:<br />
<ul><li>NO ONE who runs Zidisha gets paid. Even the founder is a volunteer. Low costs=more money to the people who need them</li>
<li>There is no institution acting as middleman (who usually will take a cut of the loans they distribute)</li>
<li>You can interact with the borrowers online: ask questions, leave comments, and give feedback about your borrowers. Borrowers will often post updates, send pictures, and let everyone know how they are doing. Very cool.</li>
</ul>I'll try to blog about my experiences after I get repaid and reflect on my experiences as a lender once again. In the meantime, you should probably check out their website!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zidisha.org/">www.zidisha.org</a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/zidishainc">www.twitter.com/zidishainc</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zidishainc">www.facebook.com/zidishainc</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOkXRigqYlyu3lW4LSgjTOrcS5oZND7HAvNoHoAUfGTa81fi506gVjhMupEKisACnAkRkgEnRPfNVzFykP1n4XNXPxPOmAwjIoN7nOGEWyoZHv0FUXKxLJAHKzyXmY_pr3dXTMbfvCH2d/s1600/DSC01338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOkXRigqYlyu3lW4LSgjTOrcS5oZND7HAvNoHoAUfGTa81fi506gVjhMupEKisACnAkRkgEnRPfNVzFykP1n4XNXPxPOmAwjIoN7nOGEWyoZHv0FUXKxLJAHKzyXmY_pr3dXTMbfvCH2d/s200/DSC01338.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owners Nid and Bee toured with us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After spending almost two weeks intermittently in Bangkok I was able to come out with two solid recommendations on where to stay. They all depend on what kind of Bangkok traveler you want to be:<br />
<br />
Clean, Safe, Calm?<br />
<u><b><a href="http://www.smilesocietyhostel.com/">Smile Society Boutique Hostel @Silom Road </a></b></u><br />
This brand new hostel has all the comforts of home: free computers, free breakfast, Foosball, books, in home movie theater, and hostel owners that treat you like family. To get to your room you have to pass through 3 levels of card scanning security. The dorms are made of spacious bunk beds, clean sheets, and large lockers to put your bags in. The shared single-sex bathrooms are clean and bright. This is a hostel that makes backpacking seem easy. Some might argue that the location is not prime. Smile Society is a 20 minute subway ride away from the famed hedonistic backpacking mecca Khao San Road. If being drunk every night isn't your thing, Smile Society is for you!<br />
<br />
Bottom Line: The hostel your Mom wants you to stay at.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hostelspoint.com/photos/021771-1303151215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.hostelspoint.com/photos/021771-1303151215.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Dreams!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rating (out of 5)<br />
Location: <span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Price :<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Staff Friendliness:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Security:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
Fun Meter:<span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><span class="st">★</span><br />
<a class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" id="publishButton" target=""></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.smilesocietyhostel.com/"><u>Smile Society Boutique Hostel</u></a><br />
Vaewsawon Hanbuntrong (Ms. Bee)<br />
Smilethailand@gmail.com<br />
130/3-4 Silom Soi 6, Silom Road<br />
Bangkok 10500, Thailand<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.smilesocietyhostel.com/">www.smilesocietyhostel.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Not in the mood to stay sensible in Bangkok? Try staying <a href="http://www.stardomegroup.com/" target="_blank">here</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.easternslopes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Tough-Mudder-Berlin-Walls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.easternslopes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Tough-Mudder-Berlin-Walls.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>18. <u>Berlin Walls #2</u>: Similar to the walls at the beginning of the race, but about 5ft higher. This is the first time in the race that we experience a wait to get through the obstacle. I used the time to eat more bananas (as we passed another hydration station). In order to get over the walls, you needed to be hoisted basically above someones head and then pull yourself over. I saw one guy get dropped and land right on his tailbone. Looked painful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-1916.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>19. <u>Shake n' Bake</u>: After another long run between stations we arrived at shake n' bake. This should fall under the category of cruel and unusual punishment. You have to walk thigh deep through water, then crawl under barbed wire through a sand pit. This ensures that all those little white pieces of sand get everywhere on your body, especially your legs and feet. On the plus side, it was a sunny day and the sand was sparkly, so I glittered for the rest of the race!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2517.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-1854.jpg" width="200" /></a>20.<u> Mystery Obstacle</u>: If I told you what this was I would ruin the mystery, right?! Just kidding. This obstacle played on fear of heights. We climbed up to the top of what looked to be the backside of a half pipe. Then you had to crawl in to a smoke filled space completely dark. The only exit was down the dark tube below you. Literally a 6ft drop before you curved down. Like a slide on steroids. It was much scarier than I thought it would be. To add insult to injury there was no cover once you emerged out the other end, so everyone who finished the obstacle hung back to watch the faces of those who had just taken the plunge. Pure fear. and sore tailbones.<br />
<br />
21. <u>Kinky Tunnels</u>: Not difficult unless you had a fear of the dark or closed spaces. Crawl along the rocky ground along the twists and turns of a dark tunnel. More bleeding knees in the process. Another instance where my gloves came in handy.<br />
<a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-1818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-1818.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
22. <u>Turd's Nest</u>: Crawl across a big cargo net while a guy laughs and sprays you with a high pressure hose. Simple enough. I would say, the best strategy to get across this one is not to crawl but actually roll across. Less chance of having a limb slip through the net. And stay away from the guy with the hose. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CpH8MgOaWzJprL4tcaWguCeOEgRqTUpvbAcxSPEyZJz8mSEmLa3L0UUYpPbWnG7g-b_GUCCE58qxkug9FlD6YI-tfUgJSIT0QDwOrhzrecbs-SQBuj9K7tyXge6GwyUX_HIi9N1U0Mzs/s1600/Tough+mudder+Virginia+Everest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CpH8MgOaWzJprL4tcaWguCeOEgRqTUpvbAcxSPEyZJz8mSEmLa3L0UUYpPbWnG7g-b_GUCCE58qxkug9FlD6YI-tfUgJSIT0QDwOrhzrecbs-SQBuj9K7tyXge6GwyUX_HIi9N1U0Mzs/s200/Tough+mudder+Virginia+Everest.jpg" width="200" /></a>23. <u>Everest</u>: By this point in the race we were totally hyped up. We knew we were nearing the end of the race and only had a few challenges left. Everest meant running up the side of a half pipe. A really tall half pipe. I saw a few people managed to pull themselves up on their own, but for the most part, you had to run at the ramp as fast as you could, then have someone grab you to help pull you up. If you fell, well, you hurt yourself. This obstacle had the largest crowd and longest wait. Probably because it was such a slow process to pull people up, and many people had to try a few times before they made it. Luckily it was sponsored by suchandsuch a company, who took a picture automatically as we ran up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://widellsdeals.mobi/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Wisconsin-Events-Tough-Mudder-Fire-walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://widellsdeals.mobi/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Wisconsin-Events-Tough-Mudder-Fire-walk.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>24.<u> Fire Walker</u>: This seemed like it would be a cool thing to do at the time, but was much less cool and pleasant than I thought it would be. you had to run maybe 30ft uphill through a maze of burning hay. You're already tired and panting, so we weren't moving too fast. Once you inhaled, the smoke grabbed you by the throat and choked you. It got in your eyes, and burned your nose and throat. If the path had been much longer I might have dropped from holding my breath too long. The fresh air on the other side was just in the nick of time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-2454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-2454.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>25. <u>Electroshock Therapy</u>: Finally. The big obstacle right before the finish line that has everyone talking. Run through a jungle of live wires that snap you with 10,000volts of electricity. If you're lucky, you make it through with only a couple of shocks and keep running. If you're unlucky, you get zapped in the face, or the leg, or so hard that you drop immediately and lose control of your muscle. I got zapped three times in a row. The feeling is hard to describe. It is surprising, numbing, and painful. Your body does weird things. I found that after the third shock I stopped running and was glued to the spot (then got yelled at by the girl behind me who was getting cooked as well). Once guy got zapped right near the end, jumped, and belly flopped out of the end. But you finished and felt like you were king of the world. You finished the Tough Mudder!!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT00BDPs27FAb6R3IxQRx7yJOXx1MZZUae-VPyy-PbgMNEs9zvsmyI4ZtnN0k-4oVQoGlQy0rSTQkffMkpXHUN4iaQW28VDTf4oq6381ZFkO17IZqnxKv5kunjPdV_Gq05brhRk3I2k3of/s1600/DSC01949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT00BDPs27FAb6R3IxQRx7yJOXx1MZZUae-VPyy-PbgMNEs9zvsmyI4ZtnN0k-4oVQoGlQy0rSTQkffMkpXHUN4iaQW28VDTf4oq6381ZFkO17IZqnxKv5kunjPdV_Gq05brhRk3I2k3of/s320/DSC01949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Crossing the finish line was an amazing feeling. Our whole team finished together. We were given the orange headbands, Tough Mudder Tshirts, and a cold pint of beer. We were so pumped up we barely felt the swelling in our knees from hills, the scratches on our elbows from crawling through mud pits, the aching muscles from climbing, the scratch in our throats from the smoke inhalation, or the seeping cold of autumn in Virginia. Nope, those feelings came later.. then the next day when we woke up, and even worse the day after that.<br />
<br />
It was time to celebrate!!<br />
<br />
Visit their website at <a href="http://toughmudder.com/">http://toughmudder.com/</a><br />
<br />
Tips:<br />
<ul><li><b>Train for this event</b>- They are not kidding when they say it's tough. The biggest surprise was the actual distance run. The hills were steep and we saw many people drop out because their calves seized up on the uphill.</li>
<li><b>Wear gloves/goggles</b>: I bought some $3 work gloves from Home Depot. Fabric material with the fronts dipped in rubber. Useful for gripping and not cutting up your hands. I didn't have goggles but saw many people did. </li>
<li><b>Think outside the box</b>: Monkey bars? Use your hands and feet. Steep up hill? Run backwards to save your calves. Steep down? Slide on your bum. Use your teammates and help others out. If an obstacle is too tough, think of another way to do it.</li>
<li><b>Don't wear bulky clothes: </b>Things get wet very quickly in the race and it will only drag you down. The less weight, the better. No water bottles, fanny packs, backpacks, etc. Unless you are wearing a costume. In which case I commend you.</li>
<li><b>Bring warm clothes for after the race: </b>that was our fault. It's autumn, and we left most of our warm clothes back in the car. You need to bundle up after the race and those little foil blankets only do so much!</li>
</ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwXvua0aIPa0jrHDyGA_kF0Rh3Ba_-RHTGuVoByuXkVM3Cii7DCVk2KZM_mxY1HWWzRB1ieSwYXihotvefGMsVYgLcaDf0KfyDTYmqv0bDp8cCkVzbeLUZvpUwlSjwOPNzeRpHQVWh9c/s1600/DSCN2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwXvua0aIPa0jrHDyGA_kF0Rh3Ba_-RHTGuVoByuXkVM3Cii7DCVk2KZM_mxY1HWWzRB1ieSwYXihotvefGMsVYgLcaDf0KfyDTYmqv0bDp8cCkVzbeLUZvpUwlSjwOPNzeRpHQVWh9c/s200/DSCN2298.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
10. <u>Greased Lightening</u>: Slide down the hill on a tarp into a pool of muddy water. This was fun in theory. Unfortunately under the tarp were rocks, sticks, and bumps that you couldn't see until you hit them. Ryan went down head first and crunched his wrist pretty badly on a rock. I would recommend next time to take it slow and slide down on your bum. Unfortunately, even that hurt on the way down.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V-rXWTvIIbsB1XfK3v6opCnB4yCTGf3zOXZ5wYRbTDLQtK42OkZMgFKGRGifJRxRfgGhIQPrv0_2B-2ker2HxnehPVhhQJPCfjuhaEAi-qx82le9zDPQAuvBmfgTW7-5EFjdOlL_0QYw/s320/269934_10150322487737790_121520047789_9385648_5594856_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V-rXWTvIIbsB1XfK3v6opCnB4yCTGf3zOXZ5wYRbTDLQtK42OkZMgFKGRGifJRxRfgGhIQPrv0_2B-2ker2HxnehPVhhQJPCfjuhaEAi-qx82le9zDPQAuvBmfgTW7-5EFjdOlL_0QYw/s200/269934_10150322487737790_121520047789_9385648_5594856_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>11.<u> Boa Constrictor</u>: These were small tubes you had to crawl through that submerged at the bottom. then you had to crawl out through cold, muddy water and back up into another tube. This obstacle reminded me why I bought gloves for the event. There were rocks at the bottom of the tubes! It worked on so many levels- pain, claustrophobia, fear of drowning, and my dislike for cold water. On to the next challenge!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2377.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
12. Berlin Walls: This was a wall made of hay. In order to get over the walls, you needed run at it as fast as you could, to be hoisted up and then pull yourself over. There was a little bit of a wait for this challenge, but people generally helped each other and had good spirit. That is until we made it through the next challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-1994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-1994.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>13. <u>Death march</u>. Ugh. this distance was looooooooong. They called it death march for a reason. This is the first part of the race where I felt the distance and started to really feel the burn. We ran up a hill, stopped at a water stand for a quick break and bananas. Then we continued to run more up hill until we got to the ridge of the mountain. It was in this stretch (probably the 5-6 mile mark) where we started to see people dropping out with muscle cramps or throwing up at the side of the trail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1195.snc4/154700_10150092116137790_121520047789_7188223_3018131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1195.snc4/154700_10150092116137790_121520047789_7188223_3018131_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>14. <u>Cliff Hanger</u>: This was a relatively simple challenge. We had to continue up the hill to get to the ridge, but on the way up was a slippery muddy hill. Either you ran fast enough up the slope, or someone grabbed your hand to help you up. Once you made it, you kept running until the top of the mountain. This continued the long stretch of running through a golf course. Hey, at least it was flat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2197.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>15. <u>Kiss of Mud:</u> This crawling challenge was also not difficult. Throughout the day, people had worn several trenches through the mud under the barbed wire, so as long as you crawled as close as you could to the ground under the wire, you were okay. This challenge guaranteed bloody knees and muddy clothes. Also, getting caught on the barbed wire meant little holes in your clothes!<br />
<a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Sunday-Gudkov-2305.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
16.<u> Log Jammin</u>: Navigated ourselves over and under a series of logs, as dictated by more barbed wire fences. They made sure to fill the bottom with some sort of manure mud, so it was extra stinky as you crawled through the muck. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://canadianlstan.blogspot.com/2011/10/tough-mudder-virginia-2011-obstacles-17.html"><b><u>HERE</u></b></a> for a rundown of obstacles 17-24, and advice for people who are running Tough Mudder!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/20110724-ToughMudderWI-Gudkov-0202-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/20110724-ToughMudderWI-Gudkov-0202-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://infiniteendurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/46993_481524172789_121520047789_6820665_971544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://infiniteendurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/46993_481524172789_121520047789_6820665_971544_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>2. <u>Devil's Beard</u>: This challenge was not difficult in itself. What was a challenge was the route to get there. Once we got to the top of the ski hill we ran fully down to the bottom of another. At the bottom we ran through mud, and had to run along raised hay bales while being sprayed by water, before going back up another ski hill. It was on the upward slope of this hill that we arrived, panting, at a net slung loosely on the ground that you had to crawl under. Luckily I had gloves on so I just dragged myself through. After that we had to finish going up the hill.. oh, then back down the hill towards the next challenge.<br />
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3. <u>The Gauntlet:</u> A water challenge. Because we were the last heat of the day, the ground was absolutely soaked as we ran through getting hosed off. I had mentally decided early on that I was going to try to keep my shoes dry as long as I could; this challenge certainly ruined that! But hey, that's what Tough Mudder is all about!<br />
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<a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/allentown2010_img008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/allentown2010_img008.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
4. <u>Hold your Wood:</u> Just like the name says, there was a large log pile that had to be transported. Some were huge and had to be carried by 2 or 3 people. I chose a small log that I could carry on my shoulder. You had to walk up a ski hill with it, then loop back around and walk down the ski hill with it and drop it off back at the wood pile. Not too difficult, but awkward to carry the logs for such a long distance.<br />
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<a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5401698914_6c48b77f90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5401698914_6c48b77f90.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
5. <u>Twinkle Toes</u>: You needed to be light on your feet to get across this one! Boards about 20ft long and 4inches wide were placed on their sides across a pool of murky brown water. The whole thing was put together with plywood stages and rocked quite heavily if anyone on an adjacent board fell. Luckily I held my balance and made it across. Not everyone on my team was so lucky!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b8/ToughMudderFunkyMonkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b8/ToughMudderFunkyMonkey.jpg" width="200" /></a>6. <u>Funky Monkey</u>: Monkey bars over a dirty pool of water that are on a slope. Oh, and the bars rotate in their holds. If you fall you get a cold shock. Up until this point I actually hadn't been submerged in water yet, like some of my team mates had. Ryan went first- made it. Meg went second- she fell in halfway through. Dave went third- he fell 3 bars from the end. It was my turn. I knew my spindly little biceps wouldn't be able to hold me, so I took a different approach. I held on with my arms AND legs, and crawled across the bars upside down. Success!! (Hint- Do that)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pjustin.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/log-bog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://pjustin.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/log-bog.jpg" width="200" /></a>7. <u>Log Bog Jog</u>: This was described as being through a swamp, but it really led uphill through a wooded area. We had to cross over fallen trees (or crawl under them) This wasn't a tough challenge, just another uphill run to get to the next location.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-Tough-Mudder-VA-Saturday-Gudkov-0496.jpg" width="200" /></a>8. <u>Chernobyl Jacuzzi:</u> This was, hands down, the WORST challenge of the race. Others disagreed, but this was a shock to my body I wasn't ready for. Picture this: Dumpsters, filled with wacky colored water, then filled with 2 feet of icecubes floating on the surface. Then they put a board covered with barbed wire in the middle of it. You have to jump in to the chest deep ice water, THEN willingly dunk your head under the board to get to the other side to get out. As soon as I jumped in, my muscles contracted, my lungs refused to breathe, and I basically could not move. Panicked, I tried to get under the board, but because there was so much ice I found it hard to submerge myself, or stay under water.Then I didn't have enough muscle control to pull myself out so my teammates had to. My skin was numb for about a minute after. It felt like I was being punched by a million tiny ice fists. BRRRRR!!! <br />
<br />
So that's the first third of the race. Click<u><b> <a href="http://canadianlstan.blogspot.com/2011/10/tough-mudder-virginia-2011-obstacles-9.html">HERE</a></b></u> to read about obstacles 9-16!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/themes/mym-shell/images/logo_tough-mudder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/themes/mym-shell/images/logo_tough-mudder.png" width="320" /></a><br />
Tough Mudder!!!<br />
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According to them:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">"Tough Mudder is not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit-crushing ‘endurance’ road race. Our 10 mile obstacle courses are designed by <b>British Special Forces</b> to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and <b>camaraderie</b>. Forget finish times. Simply completing a Tough Mudder is a badge of honor. "</blockquote>So at 6:30am Saturday morning we all climbed into the car to drive 3 hours from Washington, DC to Wintergreen, Virginia; a steep, mountainous ski resort for the site of the race.<br />
<br />
We weren't in the best of shape, but we were jacked up on caffeine and excitement. When we arrived at the parking lot to take the bus up the hill to the start line, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. Painted faces, spandex costumes, and spontaneous hyped up yells of excitement filled the crew jammed in to each school bus that delivered us to the sign in desk.<br />
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We signed a death waiver, registered our names, and received our bib and race band. We were the last group to go at 12:20, so we milled around the start line while we waited for each group ahead of us to go at 20 minute intervals. Around us, the morning finishers were drinking beer, participating in the keg toss, warming up around the fire, and congratulating each other with their tell-tale orange headbands they got at the finish line.<br />
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Soon it was our turn to start. On your marks, Get set, GO!<br />
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Click <a href="http://canadianlstan.blogspot.com/2011/10/tough-mudder-virginia-2011-obstacles-1.html">HERE</a> to read about obstacles 1-8<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our team ready to rock!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<br />
I've slept in 18 different cities. Endured a lot of rain.<br />
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I've met monkeys, tigers, elephants, and snakes.<br />
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I've made 4 border crossings overland; fought a Thai man at one.<br />
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I've eaten stinky durian, salty crickets, and sweet sugar cane.. plus many things that are probably better left unknown.<br />
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I've spoken with survivors of genocide, former child soldiers, and small business owners working to support their families.<br />
<br />
I got certified to SCUBA dive down to 100ft, joined a trapeze school in Thailand, and drove a moto to the top of a mountain.<br />
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I've made friends from all over the world.<br />
<br />
Done things I never thought I would do.<br />
<br />
But the adventure doesn't end there!<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NLpjq6NHjou7kdMZL6BQ7kcJ633NuFW6ow4tm8Qe38lPosN-sMsO6D1nxxIa4HJ3XCjYgfN8ca9AUlGrs0_rY_lGy64CmpUHnYM5FV88aOoFwRU2BJcbxfAn5D0mVbcW2BjZN9gVbK_I/s1600/southeast_asia_ref_2002+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NLpjq6NHjou7kdMZL6BQ7kcJ633NuFW6ow4tm8Qe38lPosN-sMsO6D1nxxIa4HJ3XCjYgfN8ca9AUlGrs0_rY_lGy64CmpUHnYM5FV88aOoFwRU2BJcbxfAn5D0mVbcW2BjZN9gVbK_I/s320/southeast_asia_ref_2002+copy.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Gwangju_SK.png/250px-Gwangju_SK.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Gwangju_SK.png/250px-Gwangju_SK.png" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwangju is the pink bit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For my last weekend in Seoul, I was fortunate to have timed it right for a final ultimate tournament in the South West of Korea. Gwangju took almost 4 hours to get to by bus, through the rice paddies and mountains along the coast. Gwangju is most famous for the 1980 Gwangju massacre, in which hundreds of Korean students were killed by army forces suppressing a pro-democracy demonstration. It remains the forefront of the democracy movement in Korea, and has a thriving youth population. We played at the beautiful Chonnam University fields.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a hat tournament, which means that each individual signed up and then was randomly assigned to form teams. New players had the chance to learn more about the sport, and experienced players got to mix up the roster for a bit. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The groups were well matched and the games were fun. The weather also managed to hold off on raining for most of the weekend! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was great fun spent with great people. I'm going to miss playing ultimate frisbee in Korea!! </div><br />
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<br />
It was bittersweet. While I was definitely ready for the job to be finished, it was also quite sad. Many of the students and I had become close over the year. Heck, I probably see them more than I see my friends! Some of the classes I had told it would be my last day, some I hadn't. I went with the approach "next week you get to meet a new teacher from Canada!". I put a new sign on the door welcoming the teacher, and told them that he is "Laura Teacher friend".. they loved it!<br />
<br />
It was the end of the month class party, so I used the day to buy pizza, candy, and fruit for the kids. Some made cards for me, which was really sweet. The day was stressful, busy, happy, sad, calm, and exciting- all jumbled up!<br />
<br />
As my going away gift, I gave each student a class picture with the caption "Learn English and Have Fun! Laura Teacher, July 2011" hehehe<br />
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Bye, Talking Club! It's been a great year.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I was encouraged by friends who had been to this clinic already that it was fast, easy, painless, and moderately priced...Plus the end results were stunning!<br />
<br />
So I booked my appointment for a morning before work. They told me to take a couple of painkillers before in case I had some dental sensitivity.<br />
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When I sat down in the chair, the first thing they did was a quick cleaning. Then, they painted a seal at the edges of your teeth and gums to protect gums from the whitening goo. From there they painted the liquid on to your teeth. I knew how strong the stuff they were using was because she got some on my gums and immediately it started burning. This is where things started to go downhill.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sftravel.com/images/teeth/san-francisco-tooth-whitening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.sftravel.com/images/teeth/san-francisco-tooth-whitening.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my torture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then they put a little blue light in front of my teeth and told me to relax for 30 minutes. The first 5 minutes were okay; my gums were still burning a bit from when she got the acid on them but she had cleaned it off. Suddenly, I felt a shocking sharp shooting pain in the root of a tooth on the bottom that I know is sensitive. It stopped as quickly as it started so I tried to move my head back to the light and continue. A few minutes later the shooting pain came back worse than before, so bad that I started to have tears in my eyes and my heart was beating really hard from the shock. I tried to alert the nurse and tell her, but obviously my mouth was open and it was hard to talk. Then the shooting pain came back again, and in another tooth. It was turning into a torture session.<br />
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In the end I was a crying mess, slapping the blue light away and telling the nurse to take the acid off my teeth. The tried using a "weaker whitening agent" on my teeth only to have writhing in pain and begging her to take it off. In the end I left traumatized, in pain, and W200,000 poorer. My teeth were whiter, though. Was it worth it? NO WAY<br />
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My advice: If you have any problems at all with sensitive teeth, NEVER get your teeth whitened... It was top 2 most painful experiences of my life.<br />
<br />
Never again!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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<br />
We arrived to torrential downpour at about 11am, but the party had already started. Concerts, games, mud wrestling, body (mud) painting and muddy carnival games were packed. We set up our things on the beach, then bought W5,000 wristbands to gain access to the muddy playground.<br />
<br />
By the afternoon the sun was shining and the mud pits were packed. It was great fun but unfortunately the lines grew waaaaay to long to stand my patience. I did one mud slip n' slide (after waiting for 20 minutes) and then spent the rest of the time having fun. Overall a great experience!<br />
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Word to the wise: WEAR SUNSCREEN! mud does NOT stop you from getting burned. Learned that the hard way :(<br />
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Click here for the official website: <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697135">Boryeong Mud Festival</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5r-CCxf1Gg4874UQkbJbyr2xIUfoDaH4Hq05KL0jlnCW21JZaNyBS0JgOk4wV0bTWJI-qPkeL-IwOrJhmx4RvryfbD7xf05ummcua3PK2kr-yLSrchhalubYnL65ty-1SMs6jr_yQKuK/s1600/DSC00937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5r-CCxf1Gg4874UQkbJbyr2xIUfoDaH4Hq05KL0jlnCW21JZaNyBS0JgOk4wV0bTWJI-qPkeL-IwOrJhmx4RvryfbD7xf05ummcua3PK2kr-yLSrchhalubYnL65ty-1SMs6jr_yQKuK/s320/DSC00937.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post rain-storm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running into friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpEm9ynvPvhXRXsIrAv8FFVh0v1DgfeOruAmgFYddixDzld7dF6H1z__MztjWRqsRW-8AnCXzvCR5hVDRTJjPjiG4pGM2Zg4nr8SUWMDaSDd0soc-bvmgYaRwkjRF3AbGMu6_EaFxOORq/s1600/DSC00938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpEm9ynvPvhXRXsIrAv8FFVh0v1DgfeOruAmgFYddixDzld7dF6H1z__MztjWRqsRW-8AnCXzvCR5hVDRTJjPjiG4pGM2Zg4nr8SUWMDaSDd0soc-bvmgYaRwkjRF3AbGMu6_EaFxOORq/s320/DSC00938.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESnA1bnw7vJmFCZaT_dp1r5DmPL-xGCrP5mnJ8HShaPlLn6JhkpKA1xBno1qkja_DV0eGJNBcWqlcEwvxdGbykRw6_W6OvtoqZZ89ZBJfor2Wnj_6GAlIyQtT9N0e-ltTtFSf7xeFltAx/s1600/DSC00944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESnA1bnw7vJmFCZaT_dp1r5DmPL-xGCrP5mnJ8HShaPlLn6JhkpKA1xBno1qkja_DV0eGJNBcWqlcEwvxdGbykRw6_W6OvtoqZZ89ZBJfor2Wnj_6GAlIyQtT9N0e-ltTtFSf7xeFltAx/s320/DSC00944.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real Muddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR6o9EkifhrKyYXmLaAkDCXnq7UrJSPYIyDIevW7kGccyUVtL-yxq1HKeZ4I0wVpM7xya_UjZfR_3oDKTCvPJ89h7t9czh9ZdgoBUT99w60JSAXWrDREubvjNOh3bS1emG3rpdFLjolol/s1600/DSC00941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR6o9EkifhrKyYXmLaAkDCXnq7UrJSPYIyDIevW7kGccyUVtL-yxq1HKeZ4I0wVpM7xya_UjZfR_3oDKTCvPJ89h7t9czh9ZdgoBUT99w60JSAXWrDREubvjNOh3bS1emG3rpdFLjolol/s320/DSC00941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepared to get splashed with mud</td></tr>
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<br />
Over this past year I have done my best to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Korea. From the relatively tame (neighborhoods, restaurants, museums, tea shops, temples, cooking classes, musicals, and hikes) to the more obscure (naked saunas, laser hair removal, cat cafes, body building competitions, international ultimate frisbee tournaments, and visits to North Korea)<br />
<br />
I keep wracking my brain and going over all of the tourist brochures and foreign magazines for things that will give me insight.<br />
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The question is: What do I still need to do in this city? After almost a year I feel so comfortable here and yet there is always so many new things to do.<br />
<br />
Three weeks left to take in as much of Seoul as I can. Suggestions Welcome.<br />
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The countdown begins!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwStH4pGmTh_pcQK610AkugKhT-5mgrAZjNHkYADVm7SrTYrqg6cjnp3tFFSHyx7i1RnS3WMQDRKVOEMqR7NH7qdSaKKikUyrFCb08NUj_EA19yp_WgAJhaGrvTlP_ByrdQ3AlCAu5qxD/s1600/DSC00106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwStH4pGmTh_pcQK610AkugKhT-5mgrAZjNHkYADVm7SrTYrqg6cjnp3tFFSHyx7i1RnS3WMQDRKVOEMqR7NH7qdSaKKikUyrFCb08NUj_EA19yp_WgAJhaGrvTlP_ByrdQ3AlCAu5qxD/s320/DSC00106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Sejong</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<br />
My Team (Cho Jang) were the champions!!! Unfortunately our team was slowly losing players as the season progressed.. by the time we got to the finals we only had four guys and one girl (me). Luckily some other players were willing to sub in and help us out.<br />
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Because of all the rain in Seoul the fields were completely soaked. Cleats would have ripped everything up so most of us ended up playing barefoot. People were slipping all over the field and completely muddy; just made it more hilarious!<br />
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It was a great game and I had a ton of fun.. after we wrapped up, the slip n' slide was brought out for another spin!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ROcoXEv4RSHIKxqfPzZVwsRIyRTvIA7W3K6fKSfuRpa0myTwbQa925L1BeeZWYgkuErYR52j2kui5KW0rt_nWZx95klpXUW_BXI8osyqa_ARgljC4urTcJRpjXk3cvH1sBx9W43oO1Q/s1600/DSC00916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ROcoXEv4RSHIKxqfPzZVwsRIyRTvIA7W3K6fKSfuRpa0myTwbQa925L1BeeZWYgkuErYR52j2kui5KW0rt_nWZx95klpXUW_BXI8osyqa_ARgljC4urTcJRpjXk3cvH1sBx9W43oO1Q/s320/DSC00916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Champions!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTuhu-K6ZY9AtEBNlBlwYYxOBsSW-UMmuKeAXNyob0YfHfjeYFWa2LlcXq_oyjgxjOFTghkIso6do2k_9QCtilMc1De_2nH0nsFpdIoIaoO3qNoQVZik5polIAYuhfgFN8lf00v11cxm3/s1600/DSC00917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTuhu-K6ZY9AtEBNlBlwYYxOBsSW-UMmuKeAXNyob0YfHfjeYFWa2LlcXq_oyjgxjOFTghkIso6do2k_9QCtilMc1De_2nH0nsFpdIoIaoO3qNoQVZik5polIAYuhfgFN8lf00v11cxm3/s320/DSC00917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Group shot of everyone</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
The premise was simple. Kickball (baseball but you kick a ball instead), only you must chug a drink to move from second base to third base, and to move from third base to home plate you dive onto a soaped-up slip n' slide!<br />
<br />
The rain actually let up for a few hours to let the sun through for the perfect afternoon. Because of the weather a few teams didn't show up for the tournament, which left more bounty for us!<br />
<br />
By the end of the game we were having so much fun we lost track of scores. Best part- $20 bought us two tacos and unlimited drinks!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHn9rYM4xRop7-Frm2GZFHPN5aCvT3L6jFdtc-paRuS90COewJfKMFNBVSEahPoZZt82ZZ9Bv-850ozdBL7Tv4g3-53dbfcuj6_2i4r-5OjxXsNOPF2UuHHR56YkWKEN2pxc_iNt1UM87/s1600/DSC00891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHn9rYM4xRop7-Frm2GZFHPN5aCvT3L6jFdtc-paRuS90COewJfKMFNBVSEahPoZZt82ZZ9Bv-850ozdBL7Tv4g3-53dbfcuj6_2i4r-5OjxXsNOPF2UuHHR56YkWKEN2pxc_iNt1UM87/s320/DSC00891.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Team Blackout</span></span></span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKwenyWmb64NtTvrd_pjO5VRt5J6RPLcgshEsjqjhzS0axLSvKQquQqjg5KN6JxASg-7KmVKrEH4ye-yK2Go_zChmcsArCX1Uh4-_xTtb7PCPGfMZauPQwAkTsIid0cwrCOwOlvqLI7RB/s1600/DSC00853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKwenyWmb64NtTvrd_pjO5VRt5J6RPLcgshEsjqjhzS0axLSvKQquQqjg5KN6JxASg-7KmVKrEH4ye-yK2Go_zChmcsArCX1Uh4-_xTtb7PCPGfMZauPQwAkTsIid0cwrCOwOlvqLI7RB/s320/DSC00853.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Blackout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg497nSEnmhbpPomNg0H_YOaKmtAwt_9rfj4SrPI2w2z0z1KU9anTgReCp_7hHkuMzwc4z6ymx6840kbAHPpB4QCovr6mwz58j0ZQKSWZBYAl5i9gatOFR67GrB8K4z4I5zlWNKiZ7tP_/s1600/DSC00857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg497nSEnmhbpPomNg0H_YOaKmtAwt_9rfj4SrPI2w2z0z1KU9anTgReCp_7hHkuMzwc4z6ymx6840kbAHPpB4QCovr6mwz58j0ZQKSWZBYAl5i9gatOFR67GrB8K4z4I5zlWNKiZ7tP_/s320/DSC00857.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">knibbs kicking a homerun</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_3a9BfXLQPcgfVinsysTLdwCiwYUNTlQ6u_5G2geJVvQyrB2EbMlpKMN2gw_EyIEPb62PIKMNM0zUDhhQT4mXb1kZI1DiGGnnlwwA8oHNZ_ilQPOwPPbeHie72gj4aQcP7JyeBRobR61/s1600/DSC00858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_3a9BfXLQPcgfVinsysTLdwCiwYUNTlQ6u_5G2geJVvQyrB2EbMlpKMN2gw_EyIEPb62PIKMNM0zUDhhQT4mXb1kZI1DiGGnnlwwA8oHNZ_ilQPOwPPbeHie72gj4aQcP7JyeBRobR61/s320/DSC00858.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up to bat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQXbsjB19KUCe-7uS50-zjsMpK3N9IWquqcsEEmFgjLmotvUfMqPOrue6HH0qKozNMmqxRoTjtnpWxNQC2F3zCt1MEfntqwOBmFqcmj-bcbslPTx7Nm0GaCXwz5mnUOj4PKh6PlwQLgBv/s1600/DSC00869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQXbsjB19KUCe-7uS50-zjsMpK3N9IWquqcsEEmFgjLmotvUfMqPOrue6HH0qKozNMmqxRoTjtnpWxNQC2F3zCt1MEfntqwOBmFqcmj-bcbslPTx7Nm0GaCXwz5mnUOj4PKh6PlwQLgBv/s320/DSC00869.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm tacos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKRqaM2I1AViSVkbvOpzGPa889ySArlbYA8XfwTuRJWs62wsZNe-eF0DZfs2k7xEkrAWwAwML0jZjkNYHvLTr-OKcqFj317RxHI3zzea-WggCWkatvzFxk3Hg4dWJilrvEgdOOqkBFfkW/s1600/DSC00906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKRqaM2I1AViSVkbvOpzGPa889ySArlbYA8XfwTuRJWs62wsZNe-eF0DZfs2k7xEkrAWwAwML0jZjkNYHvLTr-OKcqFj317RxHI3zzea-WggCWkatvzFxk3Hg4dWJilrvEgdOOqkBFfkW/s320/DSC00906.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning the coveted golden pig</td></tr>
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<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Tough Mudder</b> is a series of obstacle course competitions that bill themselves as “probably the toughest one day event on the planet.” According to the New York Times, the event is designed to be “more convivial than marathons and triathlons, but more grueling than shorter runs or novelty events.” Tough Mudder courses are between seven and twelve miles. It is estimated that about 20% of participants do not finish the course.</span></blockquote>Thank goodness I have been training so much with <a href="http://canadianlstan.blogspot.com/2011/03/getting-fitmaking-new-friends-in-seoul.html">Studio-x-fitness</a> , or I would be in rough shape for this event. Next thing I need to work on is my cardio. This is gonna be AWESOME!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8jjvVEovZVY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Konglish" is a mix of "Korean" and "English", generally referring to the hilarious and poorly translated messaged you sometimes see around Korea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Groove magazine is a great foreigner magazine that is published every month. Check it out here (<a href="http://groovekorea.com/groove-korea">http://groovekorea.com/</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_hyphenhyphendXbN2tnurQ4_gyFQNp9T-c__WhnNfupYLrvdlV6CGXPaUU2y3C1eAn0y-zjZRc4OhL_pp_XAPK9VQnEQcfiLqZoutrujt7mvPATlvf2pz3q8HLVnQultJFmyy3El-c2hVMdCmzaA4/s1600/DSC00849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_hyphenhyphendXbN2tnurQ4_gyFQNp9T-c__WhnNfupYLrvdlV6CGXPaUU2y3C1eAn0y-zjZRc4OhL_pp_XAPK9VQnEQcfiLqZoutrujt7mvPATlvf2pz3q8HLVnQultJFmyy3El-c2hVMdCmzaA4/s320/DSC00849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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