Reflection

This week, I returned back to the gym. It felt weird transitioning back into the gym atmosphere, mostly because different environments are always different. After a while of home exercising and running, I got accustomed to the outside environment. I find that I focus better outside than on a treadmill, even though I cannot control my speed as quantitatively. However, instead I actually run faster with the fresh air and the scenery around me. Despite that, I do indeed miss the routine of the gym. For weight and strength training, it is much easier and simpler to use the gym's equipment. With newly found research on Melissa Bender's fitness website. I can look for high cardio intensity workouts that also build strength and tone. For the weekend, my new gym body was put to use as I went to the beach! I found myself much more comfortable with my body than before. Although physical results might not be as obvious, I can still tell myself.

Reflection

The past couple of weeks, I've been having trouble focusing and allotting time to my twenty percent time. With AP exams and lots of other work, both in and out of school, I haven't been able to go to the gym that often. However, my sister has been visiting recently from school since she is on her co-op now, and together, we do different exercises and health beneficial things together. We exchange ideas on health and wellness and talk about techniques for different workouts. For example, we do yoga and running together and discuss the different techniques for squats. Even, she and her boyfriend have given my advice onto how  how to approach different people at the squat rack. Despite this, I am looking to find other goals in this twenty percent time. Not only is this a challenge to work out  but it's also a challenge to the endurance I have to keeping my routine. Even in the difficulties and obstacles expereinced throughout the week, I still must focus myself. For the next week, I am looking to find different motivation to keep my motivated and focus on this twenty percent time. It's a true testament to myself and my dedication, which I will need to improve.

Reflection

This week, during twenty percent time, I used my time researching different exercises, as usual. Completing different exercises is extremely important so your muscles don't get accustomed to the same movements and strengths all the time. That way, this gives more time for different angles of the muscles to grow and become stronger. Aside from this research, I talked with Alexis during twenty percent time about his own fitness goals outside of twenty percent. He introduced to me a blog that published all the video for the famous P90x insanity workout, which I may start now or in the summer. It is very intense but is the rigorous, intense exercise I need to really challenge myself. In addition, my sister came home to visit. From this experience, I realized the importance of a fitness partner who challenges you and forces you to be better. In the past, I'd go to the gym by myself and consistently just go through the routine. But with a partner, she forces me to do better. Yesterday we went running through the park and pushed me harder than normally.

Reflection

This week over spring break I got to go to the gym more often. I did some sort of physical activity every day such as going to the gym or running. Since the weather has been really good, I started running outside in the park. I've noticed that when I'm not paying attention to the speed and time I am running at, I travel a lot faster. I ran 4 miles in the loop around Nomahegan park around my house when my phone died and I stopped looking at the time and paying attention to music. Also, I started using different equipment in the gym. For example, I started using the kettle bell for squats and arm workouts. It has been really helpful in increasing my weight without having to wait for the squat rack!!

Reflection

This week, I started going back to the gym- not as consistently as before, but still something! I definitely feel the physical change. I feel more energetic, stronger, and more enthusiastic for my work all around. In addition, I had to seriously contemplate my exercise habits for next year. Especially when I go to college, I will have to make external effort to stay fit. There will be no teachers or courses giving me the obligation to exercise. Luckily for me, I have internal motivation to work out. For Ms. Mirabella's class, I had to do a weekly exercise regimen for college. I've contemplated my habits both now and in the future, and I came up with a very clean, illustrated, detailed schedule of my plan. During the next week, I will have more time to work out, preparing myself for spring break, where I will be very free to go to the gym!

Reflection

This week, I was so busy so I didn't get that much time to work out. I think the only day was Sunday. I consumed myself in studying for competitions every spare second- friends were over my house until late every night, so I couldn't really hit the gym. Of course, I got a good workout in during Fitness, but this week did not go to waste for twenty percent time. I did indeed look up more workouts, trying to find a good program and sets of exercises to do once the past week has ended. Not only that though, I also recognized the importance of working out in my life. This week was entirely stressful with no output for the stress and no way to relax. I missed working out so much because it helped me go to sleep better, feel productive, and be healthy. My dreams mirrored this stress, and this withdrawal only emphasized the importance of following my gym routine. Also, aside from this, during fitness, we took a post-fitness assessment. Due to the combination of fitness class and gym, I've achieved some goals: running a mile in 8:22, doing 83 sit ups in two minutes, and doing 25 push ups in two minutes. Although not super impressive, I'm proud of the work I've put in to reach those goals!

Reflection

This week, I did not have much time to actively go to the gym, but luckily, this double A week has me having Mirabella Fitness three times a week! We did a lot of different exercises, especially using the agility ladder, which were surprisingly hard. I'm very uncoordinated. However, when I did go to the gym, I increased my initial speed to 5.2 for the interval; therefore, I'd be running for 21 minutes straight at a speed of 5.2 mph or higher. The problem with me is that I have very low endurance and doing this cardio exercise is very much helping me increase my endurance. Also, I did ab exercises and leg exercises. March is a month filled with competitions that have been stressing me out, but I cannot wait until I get back until the routine of going to the gym 5-6 times a week. It is incredibly stress relieving and entirely fulfilling. In addition, as a small, little girl going to the gym, I am consistently intimidated by the weight room with bulky, muscular people. However, I've reached a mile stone because I overcome the initial intimidations, went into the weight room, and lifted one of the barbells. Yay! In the future, I will use this room more often.

Reflection 1

I started February with a lot of momentum in working out and going to the gym. I would make time 5-6 days a week, which was good! However, this week, I didn't have time to go as often as the beginning of the month. With tests and the snow today, I went to the gym 4 days this week, which isn't too bad either. I've come into a routine of going there at 8 to 9 p.m. I've learned that I enjoy it a lot more not during its busiest hours, which would be around 5 to 8. This discovery helps me so much find the times I'm most productive. 

Also, I've been looking for a good treadmill routine. I have a history of stopping running as soon as I get tired and just start walking. Howeve, from fitness class, Ms. Mirabella introduced to us a cardio interval challenge. At first, it looked easy, but once I did it, my heart rate skyrocketed since it was challenging, but I felt so accomplished after I finished it! I will definitely do this routine more often to help my mile time. 

In the future, I will try to run 2.5 miles whenever I'm at the gym, and spend 30 to 45 minutes doing strength training. So far, my attendance at the gym has been strong, and I've been sweating!!! I will definitely push myself harder whenever I feel like giving up and resting. I will try to minimize rest time between exercises!

Twenty Percent Project Proposal

Second semester, my twenty percent project will be to develop an exercising routine for the week and working out in those allotted times. I've always been interested in fitness, and I used to belong to a gym, but due to the intense school work from previous years, I've had no time to go to the gym. However, now, with my license, a job, and a second semester senior status, I can pay for my own membership and go to the gym. Yay! For me, the goal is to develop a healthy heart and create a routine and desire that will be sustained throughout my entire life. There is so much research describing the benefits of exercise, and I hope to acquire those benefits! But working out is much more research than you think. At first glance, it seems like all you have to do is go to gym and you work out. But when I used to do this (when I was younger), I had no idea what I was doing. What workouts do I do? What machines do I use? How fast do I run on the treadmill? How long? So many questions, so little answers. In this 20 percent time project, I will keep a record of all the workouts I plan to do for the following week, and write little comments my improvement. That way, I can modify workouts very often, steal workouts from past weeks, etc. I will need to perfect technique for different exercises, and try to balance all the aspects of fitness! Finding motivation for this project won't be hard because I've already gotten a membership at the gym, and I find it really enjoyable. I've already started keeping a record too!
Although it seems like I should be setting physical, numerical goals for myself, that's not really the goal of this project, to me. For me, it's more about learning about the many, different exercises and applying them to my life. Maybe I can even influence my household to be healthier too!

Reflection 14

Last week, I got to play violin with my friend who was back in college. He gave some pointers as to what to do and was very encouraging with his statements. Although his advice was mostly to "keep practicing," I very much valued the opinion that was outside the Internet and was much more personal. Also, I practiced my hand gestures to soften my very harsh stroking of the violin. To make the strokes more gentle, I've had to move my hand in a very flowy manner with just the bow itself, and transfer that gentleness to the violin slowly. As I continue to narrow down my search for performance pieces, I want to take another trip to Sam Ash for more music.

Reflection 13

During winter break, I found solace in listening to many, many violin quartets doing covers of famous songs. As I wrote my college applications, the Youtubers StringSpace were always in the background, as well as the Vitamin D quartet. This helped me get accustomed to the sound of the violin more, and really solidify my goals as to what I'm aiming for. In addition, I've become a little more decisive as to what to play for the class, and I've narrowed my options down. I'm still scared that I will mess up, especially since someone cannot perfectly learn violin in such a short span of time!! My arm movements are still shaky, but my friend did give me a shoulder rest!! Finally, my left arm won't hurt as much anymore from holding up the violin. The violin rest itself is a weird feeling to have on your shoulders and it is something I need to get used to.

Reflection 12

Ahh! The end of the second marking period is coming up and I've yet to decide on a song to perform officially. I practice a lot of songs just little bits and pieces of them, but not all at once. Would it be too late for Christmas songs? I've been practicing Disney songs a lot and they're easily recognizable so that's a possibility. This coming break I will start delving into really practicing for the performance since I have a lot more time. That way I have no classes to worry about nor AHA day, which is coming up tomorrow. 

I'm still improving on tone and position, but those things improve gradually. Also, I believe my California friend is coming back for winter break, so maybe he can help me improve more. If not, then I'll ask my other friend who plays viola to really improve my playing. 

In addition, my sister is back too, so maybe we could be doing some piano/violin duets? How cute would that be, right?

Reflection 11

I've been feeling a little unmotivated lately probably due to stress, deadlines, and responsibility. This week, I haven't been able to practice the violin that much, which makes me sad, because I was making such great progress! Hopefully within the next week, I'll get back to the normal routine. I still remember the notes, but I still have to work on tone. I'll focus on bringing out the beauty of each note. My sister is coming back from college, and we usually like to play duets together, so she'll probably be added motivation to keep practicing. Still thinking about which song to play for the performance. Possibly a Christmas song?

Reflection 9

This week I did a lot of practice on the violin, especially when my sister came home to visit for Thanksgiving weekend. We attempted to do a duet for "Baby, It's Cold Outside"! Since we were both sight reading, it was very difficult, but for some parts it sounded good. Learning the violin is all about practice so I've just been practicing. I'm still brushing up my technique for switching strings. However, this time I've been working on switching to strings that are not directly adjacent to each other. It is very difficult! I will probably have to look at more videos about that. I'm also researching what song I want to play in front of the class for the midterm, since that is coming up soon. I must start practicing. I'm still a little iffy about performing because of my mistakes and the violin sound doesn't sound as sweet as it does in the videos. But still, practice!

Reflection 7

In the past two weeks, mostly, I've just been practicing. I have not started anything new, but I've just been continually practicing my sight reading through different melodies of different songs. Having already played an instrument helps my sight reading! As of right now, my fingers are not moving fast enough to find the note, even if I already know where the note is. I don't think my left hand is accustomed to stretching so much! I wonder what warm-ups I'll have to do to fix this. In addition, I read an article stating that "all good jocks watch their favorite athletes" in preparation for their games. I've been doing the same thing. I've been watching a lot of violin youtube videos, just listening to the tone and observing their technique. Hopefully I'll catch on to them so I can be just as good as they are!

Reflection 5

This week I ended up practicing a lot of new songs! I tested out my sight reading skills, which are rapidly improving. I already know where the notes are and where to put my fingers! I've played multiple songs so far, of which include "A Whole New World," "Memory," and "Reflection." Most of the songs were from Broadway sheet music books, as well as a Disney princess themed one. I've been watching videos on the anatomy of the arm and its importance with violin playing. The elbow is especially important when playing different notes on a string, but the ball and hinge of the upper arm is used to change strings smoothly. I'm definitely improving and am enjoying the music I've been playing. I should start focusing and perfecting one song, in addition to playing many different ones. Hopefully, soon, I will be able to control the volume of the violin.

Reflection 4

I have a tendency to break things. Stored in my mind are very vivid memories of little kid me dropping bowls + ripping socks, teenage me cracking phone screens + breaking shoes, and this tendency was bound to catch up with my if I was to be handling a fragile violin. It was simply inevitable.

It's true, I broke my violin. 

But just one string. 

As I said last week, while I attempted to play Disney princess songs, the notes sounded not in tune. After an impulse decision to tune the D string myself (without any experience in tuning instruments), the string snapped from the overwhelming tension that I applied. At first very, very, very anxious as to what I'd do for the rest of the semester/tell my friend who gave me the violin/tell my parents who'd scold me for breaking something else, I began searching up replacement strings. To my relief, they only costed an inexpensive $4! I was saved! No one would have to find out what I did! 

So on Friday afternoon, my cousin and I took a short detour to the Sam Ash Music Store on Route 22.Entering the store, I was immediately overwhelmed with an atmosphere that I've only seen in the movies: cool, laidback, talented, diverse? Those are all the words that come to mind. The decor of the place was much more intricate than I previously believed to be: a warehouse floor, lined with rugs, covered head-to-toe in music. On the left, a long expansion of electric guitars on the walls, amps elevated on a stage, piano keyboards cascading down the aisles. On the right, orange and yellow trumpets free for the taking, infinite amounts of sheet music, a recording studio, trumpet mutes, violin rosin, obscure instruments I've never heard before.

I was greeted with incredibly helpful employees and a notice that all the strings on the violin were extremely worn out. Luckily for me, the employee at the counter changed and tuned all my strings for free, with the only payment that I pay for the new set of strings. While I waited with my cousin, another employee strolled through the aisles playing the flute to whatever in the world played over the loudspeaker- which was not, in the slightest, mainstream music (a banjo version of "Superstition"?). I'm always one to go to new environments and experience different atmospheres, which is why I'm thankful I broke one of my strings. I got to visit an extremely chill place. I even showed off a littke bit of piano in the center of the store! I'm definitely going back there for my musical needs.

In addition, I've started recognizing the notes easier and playing them. If I feel comfortable enough during twenty percent time this week, I will bring my Disney princess book and practice some songs! I'll talk more about that next week. See yaaaa!

Reflection 3

I've been reading articles on bow control, which is a very integral part about playing the violin. Before practicing, it was a suggestion to just hold your bow for several minutes, without even doing anything, that was I would be more in control as I play. Also, I found a really good website with violin music, reintroducing me to many lullabies of my childhood. In addition, I've had a Disney princess piano book for several years now and I tried playing some of the melodies on the violin. It didn't sound too right, but I just have to keep practicing! I'm starting to recognize notes easier as I look at them too! Progress!! It's all practicing and repetition.

Reflection 2

I'll tell you this: self-teaching myself the violin is not easy. This is possibly due to my lack of shoulder stand (thus taking away my comfort when holding the violin itself), or my strong doubts that I'm really not holding the bow how the lady told me to in the video, or because, to keep good posture, I have to stand up every single time I practice. Like with everything, I kind of just want this learning process to all be flawless, simple, and, again, very easy. But it's not. Most of the time, I get frustrated with hearing the ever-so-familiar squeak of the bow against the A-string, or the cramp I get from keeping my left arm up for long periods of time. Just as I started to resent choosing this topic to spend 20% of my work time on, an incident this week made me lose all my regrets and resentfulness. 

After school this past Friday, to relieve myself from the stress of SATs of that-coming Saturday, I went to visit my cousins. However, my phone died, and I stuck to spontaneously driving to their house without any notice. As lucky as I usually am (I'm terribly unlucky), it was to my surprise that every single one of my cousins was out on a play date, and I was welcomed into their home to use their laptop until at least one of them returned from their social adventures. Approximately 50 minutes later, after a short nap, the loveliest little toddler, Venice (two years old), waddled in with her little pink Crocs with a huge smile on her face. While I spent the next couple of minutes getting nauseous due to Ring around the Rosie, a sudden realization sparked in my brain: "I left my violin in the car." I rushed outside grabbing the case, displaying to my now multiple-aunts-and-uncles a violin along with a brief explanation of the Twenty Percent Time Project. I started off by playing the introductory song that I have spoken about already so many times, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Although I felt terribly unimpressive, it was very much so impressive to the little Venice, who recognized her favorite song being played by her older cousin. Squeaks and pauses dominated the song, but she did not seem to care because her little vocal chords screamed, "How I wonder what you are!" just as I played the notes G, G, F, F, E, E. Her amazement continued afterwards as she begged me to play it again. Her performance was positive motivation to keep with my studies of the violin, and it definitely was the cutest thing I saw all week. 

Reflection 1

Since the inception of this project, I have accomplished several things. My first task was watching many YouTube videos on how to hold the bow and the violin itself. (I was holding it completely wrong beforehand.) Then the videos moved onto topics about how to play certain songs, as well as finger positioning. After realizing that finger positioning is much harder than it looks, I went to my piano school to get my violin taped, indicating exactly which note is here. Thus, it was much easier to figure out how to play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." In class, I played a little in the MMC; however, I did not realize that I have very little control over the volume of the violin, since I am not skilled enough to make some pieces pianissimo or forte. Violin squeaks were also a very often occurrence in my short performance in the class. In addition to playing in the MMC, I played in the office conference room, where some staff members were able to recognize the song! They had many, many encouraging words. Towards the end of class, I started to decode the notes to "Amazing Grace," so I will start on that, and brush up on the previously-mentioned children's lullaby to practice bow control.