The journey through MBTI, and later cognitive functions, had stemmed from a budding desire to understand the vast spectrum of variables that form a person's psyche. Learning from the concept of objectivity enabled a more comprehensive assessment of one's own strengths and weaknesses, rather than groundless gloating promoted by the 16Personalities profiles.
While the questionnaire does provide some insight on areas for improvement, the descriptions merely begin to scratch the surface of grander issues.
Foreshadowing the tidal wave was one of my favourite lessons, for anticipating these crashes would allow one to make the appropriate preparations, to check in when symptoms are present, and to remediate before the situation grows dire. We have family doctors for physical illness, yet may not be as capable of depicting invisible warning signs to the same degree of detail.
Beyond deducing the preferred methods of information presentation and work tactics, making meticulous observations has assisted me greatly in the workplace, identifying areas of concern and predicting next steps of action needed. In a personal setting, toning down the saviour function has meant gradual steps to relieving satanic chaos. It hasn't been easy, but it's proving easier with each effort made. The first step was identification, followed by acceptance and rehabilitation - no "rectification", as the aim is cumulative benefit rather than instant rebate.
Foreshadowing the tidal wave was one of my favourite lessons, for anticipating these crashes would allow one to make the appropriate preparations, to check in when symptoms are present, and to remediate before the situation grows dire. We have family doctors for physical illness, yet may not be as capable of depicting invisible warning signs to the same degree of detail.
Beyond deducing the preferred methods of information presentation and work tactics, making meticulous observations has assisted me greatly in the workplace, identifying areas of concern and predicting next steps of action needed. In a personal setting, toning down the saviour function has meant gradual steps to relieving satanic chaos. It hasn't been easy, but it's proving easier with each effort made. The first step was identification, followed by acceptance and rehabilitation - no "rectification", as the aim is cumulative benefit rather than instant rebate.
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Creations of the week included:
1) Chestnut Tart
With a penchant for purposing the holiday ingredient into a seasonal dessert of sorts, I took to the late-night construction of a Chestnut Tart. A faux Mont Blanc, so to speak, was formed from a no-oven, graham cracker crust instead of sponge base, then coconut rum-infused chestnut cream in place of airy whipped cream and threads of sweet chestnut paste piled sky-high.
Authentic it was not, but delectable it was, in light of its relatively straightforward procedure.
1) Chestnut Tart
With a penchant for purposing the holiday ingredient into a seasonal dessert of sorts, I took to the late-night construction of a Chestnut Tart. A faux Mont Blanc, so to speak, was formed from a no-oven, graham cracker crust instead of sponge base, then coconut rum-infused chestnut cream in place of airy whipped cream and threads of sweet chestnut paste piled sky-high.
Authentic it was not, but delectable it was, in light of its relatively straightforward procedure.
2) Spaghettini w/ Shrimp in Tomato Sauce
Sautéed with softened vine tomatoes and freezer-bagged cherry tomatoes was a plentiful portion of finely chopped onion and several cloves of minced garlic. This, along with white wine, ketchup, and rice wine vinegar, assumed the foundation for a tangy, sweet pasta sauce. Lightly scorched shrimp were tossed in for a dose of protein. A dusting of dried parsely finished off a midweek lunch.
Sautéed with softened vine tomatoes and freezer-bagged cherry tomatoes was a plentiful portion of finely chopped onion and several cloves of minced garlic. This, along with white wine, ketchup, and rice wine vinegar, assumed the foundation for a tangy, sweet pasta sauce. Lightly scorched shrimp were tossed in for a dose of protein. A dusting of dried parsely finished off a midweek lunch.
The week prior had encouraged a concentrated brew of Thai tea for sudden cravings, while reminders of a friend's business trip to the UK spurred thoughts of shortbread.
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3) Shortbread (Revisited)
In order to obtain the friable, buttery texture of the British tea cookie occupying my mind, half of the cake flour was swapped for rice flour. I had hoped for its gluten-free properties to yield a more delicate crumb, which it did, but not without an arid mouthful of dry cookie.
The triangular sections broke apart with minimal effort, though a boost of richness was deemed necessary for the next iteration.
The triangular sections broke apart with minimal effort, though a boost of richness was deemed necessary for the next iteration.
The first snowfall of the season landed on Sunday. After a fitful night week of poor sleep, I pried my eyes open to witness the white caps of pine tree and half-covered rooftops. Winter was here!
Despite the dreaded snow removal process of the subsequent showers, the first snow tends to bring about enchantment - a change of scenery fit for the season.
Despite the dreaded snow removal process of the subsequent showers, the first snow tends to bring about enchantment - a change of scenery fit for the season.
Dusting off my lofty vehicle from all sides, I began the 44 km journey to Studio Bon. Roads were largely clear, albeit a tad damp as snowflakes disintegrated upon contact with earth matter. Travel time was minimally impacted, and proved peaceful overall. Mild wind speeds enabled a graceful flutter as opposed to darting missiles.
I inched towards the entrance, and a fellow student followed. Before entering the establishment, we paused - as if on cue - and stomped heavily on the floor mats, syncing our footsteps as well as sharing a knowing gaze. "The things we do for pilates." She remarked with a smile.
Later conversation would inform me of her dedication to the studio, which comprised of a drive twice as lengthy as my own.
With our entry came delivery of splendid news: the much-delayed moving date was confirmed! My old instructor also informed of Christmas closures and a distinct drop in class attendance in the face of subzero precipitation.
I inched towards the entrance, and a fellow student followed. Before entering the establishment, we paused - as if on cue - and stomped heavily on the floor mats, syncing our footsteps as well as sharing a knowing gaze. "The things we do for pilates." She remarked with a smile.
Later conversation would inform me of her dedication to the studio, which comprised of a drive twice as lengthy as my own.
With our entry came delivery of splendid news: the much-delayed moving date was confirmed! My old instructor also informed of Christmas closures and a distinct drop in class attendance in the face of subzero precipitation.
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As the two early arrivers (Oh, the irony!), our chatter continued until class commencement. Our class instructor piped up, "Ok guys, sorry to interrupt" before we quickly assumed positioning by the Reformer and refuted any need for apologies. The Bosu warmup series took place once more: Marching (20x on each leg) and Running (20x on each leg), with the addition of a thigh-targeting variation. Rotated perpendicular to the Bosu ball with feet turned outwards to first position, several wide squats with leg lifts were executed. The variation involved balancing one foot on the Bosu while kicking out the standing leg - a madly effective move that I was eager to attempt replication at home, sans-Bosu though. We then flipped over the Bosu for blogilates-style 5-level squats. Over the course of five seconds, we were to slowly lower in notches of 5, then proceed back to standing within an identical time frame. It was a fitting end to the warmup portion and an exercise that commanded utimate control of the core and lower body.
The class did not use the Reformer Box, nor did it involve the gear bar/stopper check. With none of the previous class' students showing, it was likely that the settings hadn't been altered.
Core exercises were foundational, yet formidable (otherwise read as "killer"). With hands threaded through the tension straps and legs in tabletop position, the palms were brought down to beside one's hip. My neighbour was reminded to refrain from hyperextension of her wrists, which acted as a gentle reminder to myself as well. Tabletop crunches followed, with extension of legs at the end of the sequence. We then transitioned to 45-degree hundreds, where one would inhale for 3 counts then exhale for 3 counts. A total of ten were performed, introducing tremors. Keeping the legs stationary was challenging, but holding the imprint position throughout was the most difficult aspect of all.
The class did not use the Reformer Box, nor did it involve the gear bar/stopper check. With none of the previous class' students showing, it was likely that the settings hadn't been altered.
Core exercises were foundational, yet formidable (otherwise read as "killer"). With hands threaded through the tension straps and legs in tabletop position, the palms were brought down to beside one's hip. My neighbour was reminded to refrain from hyperextension of her wrists, which acted as a gentle reminder to myself as well. Tabletop crunches followed, with extension of legs at the end of the sequence. We then transitioned to 45-degree hundreds, where one would inhale for 3 counts then exhale for 3 counts. A total of ten were performed, introducing tremors. Keeping the legs stationary was challenging, but holding the imprint position throughout was the most difficult aspect of all.
As always, this instructor exudes exceptional creativity for lower body isolations. We started in a seated position facing perpendicular to the Reformer and were instructed to massage the hip flexor with the assistance of the corresponding elbow. I was unable to find a tight spot benefitting from the "massage", which entailed comments of flexibility in the hips. Our head was then rested on a foam block placed between the shoulder rests, body laid sideways, and the hand strap was fitted over the knee of the upper leg. Alignment of the class participants was amended such that flexed ankles were aligned with the knees (fire hydrant position), rather than the hips (clamshell). With a neutral spine, the side of the torso was lifted ever so slightly. Three exercises were performed in this position:
- With bent knees, upper leg lifted to hip height and back to meet the resting leg, keeping the Carriage as still as possible
- Knee circles in both directions; I was reminded to make circles wider both times
- With bent knees, upper leg lifted to hip height and extend out, keeping the Carriage as still as possible
We then flipped over to assume a kneeling position facing the shoulder rest. Our gaze was commanded at an upward diagonal and core engaged in an imprint. Hands were threaded through the tension straps for straight arm pressbacks; elevating the move were quad sit-ups: one would touch the Carriage lightly with the bottom and resume the kneeling position while "maintaining power" (tension) in the straps. Keeping the lower body unchanged, we then hinged forward (10 degrees!) and bent elbows in towards the ribs for tricep extensions. Each rep was held at the back before releasing, producing a visual representation of weakness in the trembling rope of the pulley system.
The class concluded with a similar cooldown sequence: mermaid ("turnout") position) for reaching one arm over the body and rotating for a lower back stretch. Lunges were also performed with no springs attached to the Carriage.
The class concluded with a similar cooldown sequence: mermaid ("turnout") position) for reaching one arm over the body and rotating for a lower back stretch. Lunges were also performed with no springs attached to the Carriage.
An overall improvement was felt from the previous few classes, with the exception of the 45-degree hundreds. Legs were bent twice before completion of the set. Nonetheless, it was a positive turn from the stagnant progress felt in past weeks.
I departed a few minutes late due to further inquiry of the studio move and potential increase in fee schedule, leading to unintentional intrusion of the semi-private lesson that followed. The girls were observed performing the same Marching warmup sequence that we had commenced with, yet their chosen apparatus was the Reformer Box as opposed to the Bosu. "Well, that's a lot easier!" I thought to myself.
Turning for the door, I realized, "So ours is already (a more) advanced class." The objective of lessons is to spur growth and, with that process, introduce new hurdles.
I departed a few minutes late due to further inquiry of the studio move and potential increase in fee schedule, leading to unintentional intrusion of the semi-private lesson that followed. The girls were observed performing the same Marching warmup sequence that we had commenced with, yet their chosen apparatus was the Reformer Box as opposed to the Bosu. "Well, that's a lot easier!" I thought to myself.
Turning for the door, I realized, "So ours is already (a more) advanced class." The objective of lessons is to spur growth and, with that process, introduce new hurdles.
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