It’s official with 81 days left–I’m starting a box of things to bring to Africa. (AKA I’m starting to nest in anticipation like a pregnant woman awaiting a birth.) So far I have a list of things I think of to add to later (like my VISA and shot record that are hiding for safety in my fireproof safe) and other items, like my convertible plug and jar of cinnamon for our porridge oatmeal gruel mash are sitting there so I can rest my mind with the never ending list. 

Did I mention I am not a oatmeal person? I always imagine paper mache paste from school–cold and sticky with so many hands in it… ewww. I will try though, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised! I figure I can just swallow it without chewing and eat some of the delicious hyena sausage they might serve at breakfast instead. (I saw sausage on the You Tube videos and started to play guess the animal.) Wildboar? Ostrich? Gnu? Llama? Actually, I am looking forward to trying new foods. My sister says Ethiopia is supposed to have great bread. I told her our layover in the airport might not have the most fantastic choices of restaurants… I’ll just be happy when I do not see a McDonalds! (Unless they serve Gnu burgers and then I cannot make any promises.) LOL.

I have only tried beef and Bison... but if Gnu are anything
like elk burgers then I am one happy girl!

"You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." This quote swirled through my head today as Caryn and I stared down two hiking paths at Island Lake State Recreation area.  There was the yellow verses the blue loop.  "Let's do the blue, I'm up for the challenge," I said and we headed off for what we thought was a 6 mile loop.  


9 1/3 miles and a little over four hours later through hills and snow we resurfaced.  Woo-hoo--we did it!  My phone running Map My tracks died 3 hours in, but it still recorded the majority of the information.  Our average speed was 2.4 mph (pole', pole') and we had a +104 elevation gain/loss.  We even had our own "mimi summit" towards the beginning when we climbed a huge hill (pretending it was Kili of course) and a 360 degree view around Island Lake State Recreation area.  (Although my app says that this point was only 912 feet above sea level--quite a difference from where we'll really be.) It was fairly hilly (up/down up/down) thank you to the glaciers that carved out our hiking route a few thousand or so ago.

I feel great--I came home and ate very healthy--baked chicken, hummus, roasted acorn squash, couscous, and cranberry apple relish.  The hike worked up my appetite and it was difficult to make it home to eat without stopping for food.  (Midway through the hike I got in the mood for IKEA meatballs--but alas, with my phone dead I was unable to mapquest directions, so I headed home.)  I kept thinking, just one double cheeseburger on my way--but I resisted all temptations and was rewarded with way healthier food once I got home.  

Looking forward to another hike soon--with Stoney Creek 4.8 mi hike with Julie and Island Lake 9.3 mi hike with Caryn at this rate I better not wear out my boots before our trip!  

Great App. called Map My Tracks can record loads of information,
but it drains your battery as it tried to keep the signal :(

<Singing> "These boots were made for walking... and that's just what they'll do!  And one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over Kili!"  Okay, okay, I've never been that good at song lyrics, but I like these lyrics way better today!

I wore my hiking boots and layered up for our field trip today to Comerica Park.  It was 32 degrees and windy--not Kili, but after spending four hours outside (I even ate lunch with my kids in the bleachers) the layers have officially passed the test!  I'm guessing we walked a few miles easily--possibly more if you trace my paths to check and double check bathrooms, corral kids, and lead and caboose the train of people.

After yesterday's video training conference online on "altitude sickness and all things evil that can happen" I made a pact with myself to accept my personal summit (whatever it may be) and not push if my body says enough.  However, I will make sure I train to give myself every advantage I can prior to the climb.  Yesterday I completed the 30 minute circuit at Planet Fitness and was able to increase the weights +10 lbs. (the next bar) on a few machines while finishing off with some yoga ball legs exercises.  (I usually just rock the cardio hard for 60 minutes and now I'm switching it up once a week.)  Pretty proud of how I'm slowly becoming more fit!  I'm going to do that circuit once a week to increase my muscle strength and then add on some additional exercises to meet the 60 minute goal.  My sticker chart on my fridge (can you tell I'm an elementary teacher?) is looking good as I get a sticker every workout.

Well, after a full day outside sleep is calling me earlier than usual.  Have a great night!

See those boots?  Don't worry, I stayed off the field,
but they'll soon travel to way cooler places!

Why hello United Kingdom, Germany, and United States Blogger viewers--I was very excited to see someone (other than me) is actually clicking on this page!  Only 131 days until my African adventure officially begins!

Well today I did an outdoor hike with James (and his family's golden retriever Luna) from Grand Blanc, MI around Stoney Creek Metropark.  I parked and was loading up my gear and here he comes in his car down the road--I was a dead giveaway.  I had on a huge smile, my hiking backpack stuffed with 4 liters of water for weight and my hiking poles were out/ready when James rolled by!  (You can say I kinda looked like the poster child for a mountain trek climb--you couldn't miss me.)  As he pulled up and changed into his hiking boots I thought to myself, "Who would have thought a few months ago I'd get up early on a Sunday to go hiking outside in February?"  After that thought and a quick glance at a map we were on our way!

We had a relatively easy trek--some hills and inclines, but nothing major.  (I have a more challenging and hilly path researched for another day.)  A sleet storm a few days ago left some slick icy areas under the snow, so I actually used my hiking poles to catch my balance twice.  (I imagined those to be mini glaciers--we'll see real glaciers at the top of Kilimanjaro.)  Once we hit the top of a hill I said, "hey look, we've reached the summit!"  Well, not exactly.  At about 700 feet above sea level we have a bit to go (about 18,600 more feet to go give or take a few to be exact).  The one thing I did not plan on was over layering.  Easily 20 minutes into our 2 hour trek I was unzipping my outside winter jacket to vent out some heat!  I picked out a different jacket than my last hike, but I think the backpack with the weight made we work a bit hard and therefore become sweatier faster.  (Hey, better to learn this now rather than later!)

After a few turns near the end and a short hike back to our cars once we exited a quarter mile off the path we started on I'd say it was a successful trek out.  Things I realized I will need close at hand on Kilimanjaro is my chapstick and tissues--I forgot at how much your nose runs when it is cold.  Also, extra socks.  My feet were toasty and warm--no way that pair of socks will last more than four hours.  I think a lunch sock change on the mountain will be in my future.  One to wear and one to air that is!

On a different note, it was also really nice to chat with James on my excitement/fears and things I've learned online so far!  You can share thoughts with your friends and family, but there is nothing like feedback from someone else who is 100% in your shoes as well!  looking forward to the next hike out, who knows, maybe I just won't wait until our next required one...    

A real glacier on the top of Kilimanjaro--hikers say the can feel the cold rolling off them before they see them.  (We'll come across these first in part of out midnight trek up to the summit--see them again on our decent from the peak.)

First day back to the gym since being sick (bronchitis, double ear infection, and sinus infection) and I opted to have a one-on-one with the personal trainer Ben.  I said, "I have to build my endurance and for climbing Kili."  He smiled and suggested we work on legs...

How you ask?  Squats.  Front squats, reverse squats, jumping squats, split squats, squats with a yoga ball--incline on the treadmill for a minute then into a hybrid side jump squats for a minute. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

How much did I enjoy it?  I almost couldn't lunge myself out of my car when I got home.  Now I'm hitting up the water and stretching.  I have to admit I was really happy to get back to the gym now that I have my energy back after being a personal host to the plague 2013.  I started up at Planet Fitness in November and since joining I have seen a solid 10-12 lbs. of "squish" come off.  My jeans might need a belt soon and I am so O.K. with that!  (I have eyeballed my skinny jeans on the top shelf of my closet, but have a bit to go before I can wear those again without a muffin top.)

As far as my diet goes I eat pretty well to begin with.  I did notice on my "cheat" day yesterday feeling full and not enjoying the bloated stomach ache I got from the baked mac & cheese.  Theresa and the rest of my training crew suggest we eat as close to the food chain as possible.  I have a love affair with cheese, so this will be difficult for me.  But I have to say that it's going to be a while before I order restaurant mac & cheese again--too "rich" to enjoy anymore.  Sorry Union of Clarkston, Kid Rock, and Guy Fieri--I know it was featured on the Food Network, but it isn't worth the discomfort.  Now, if a few more of my favorite "cheat" foods can do that I'll be all set!  (Well, maybe not ALL my "cheat" foods... a girl has to have her BBQ and Bad Brads is the place for me!)

I was more excited about the carrot and green onion that came with the mac & cheese--what is happening to me?

First outdoor hike = done!  It was a brisk 20 degrees as I hiked through Dodge Park and slid over the icy patches on early Sunday morning.  I brought my iPad with me to document via video some key parts and use the footage to make a short video for YouTube and practice with iMovie.  Fell through some ice a few inches looking up at my surroundings and not down at the path... you know, good times!  I learned that when your fingers are cold the screen can't recognize your touch.  After breathing on my fingers to heat them (because I had to take off my gloves to manipulate the buttons) it worked!  Good to know for the mountain later.
Funny thing though, no one was out and then a nice lady with hiking poles came my way.  I quizzed her where she bought them from in our passing and went on my way.  On her way back she caught me videotaping by the river and we paused to chat more.  Long story short, her grandkids go to our school and I see her daughter weekly helping out!  Small world!
So I am very excited about the tip she gave me that L.L. Bean online has the hiking poles.  I went to REI and Gander Mountain and had a moment of sticker shock.  Since I'm super tall I'm going to need to get the men's hiking poles to fit myself correctly.  I also checked out backpacks as I am certain my external metal frame of the one I own won't be welcomed warmly on the airline.  I'm going to do some serious shopping here soon so I can practice with all the gear I'll be bringing with me soon.

Above is a quick picture of me by the Clinton River which had mini ice burgs in it. You won't catch me joining the polar bear club anytime soon!

Today I discovered a fantastic app. called Google Earth and I immediately searched Tanzania.  An hour later (to my surprise) I glanced up from my iPad and realized I had my newsletter for my classroom and this blog to complete before bed.  I have to tell you how amazing it was though, I trekked up the Kilimanjaro trails virtually (made it to the top in record time-LOL) and then found pictures/descriptions of more to explore.  I have a feeling I'm not done with it tonight--I'll fly around a bit more and explore before I can call it day!

My hiking adventure officially launches with a small group of us this weekend--I plan on taking some pictures of our first hike out.  It is supposed to be in the 20's degrees Fahrenheit with sun.  Weekend weather in Tanzania you say?  90 degrees Fahrenheit at the base of Kilimanjaro with a chance of thunderstorms with the temperature quickly dropping down to below zero at the top.  I am going to recreate the conditions I'll be experiencing with a 30 lb. backpack on the whole time--lugging around three liters of water.  It will motivate me, I'm sure, to go out and purchase a better hiking backpack as I think my shoulders will do most of the weight carrying verses my lower back.  (I have an older external frame hiking backpack from camping, but can't imagine it begin allowed through baggage with United Airlines, so a new/used one it will be!) 

I keep racking my brain to come up with ideas for the children's orphanage we will be visiting--I know for sure I want to bring some new toothbrushes for them.  I have also Googled some ideas such as buy a desk or uniform for students.  Also another need is solar powered flashlight since access to batteries and electricity is not an option for many.  What about an additional mattress for the kids to sleep on?  Then there are always school supplies--pencils, pens, markers, crayons... the limiting factor being the luggage on the plane.  Hmmm... I wonder what is most important?