Neurotic Neologisms Nicole Lee’s random sputterings

Run Nicole Run 2008 (Pt. 4)

iPhone week was hellacious on my exercise schedule, so I didn’t get a lot of opportunity to sneak off to the gym last week. Only managed to get two runs in this week, but at least they’re over 2.5 miles. For what it’s worth, I’m attempting to make up for it by walking a lot more (taking a longer route from the train stop to the office, going for a “walking” lunch, taking the stairs if possible, etc.), so it’s not that bad. Here are the results from the two runs:

July 15, 2008: 37 minutes 42 seconds at a pace of 15′01″/mile

July 17, 2008: 40 minutes 40 seconds at a pace of 14′19″/mile

First run was very consistent, but the second run was plagued with a bit of tummy trouble while I was running, thus the constant stopping.

Thus, a few tips I picked up this past week: Don’t eat less than two hours before running, and if you do, eat something with high energy. Also: Planning out a running playlist to put on your iPod beforehand is SO WORTH IT.

Now that I’ve been in this for more than a month, I’m going to start incorporating more strength training into the routine. I actually enjoy it a LOT more than this whole running thing, but since cardio is harder to commit to (for me anyway), I wanted to see if I could do this first. I’m still not convinced I can (after all, I did skip a week or two) but it’s worth a shot, if only to try something different.

Happy birthday America!

The muppets rock.

Run Nicole Run 2008 (Pt. 3)

My exercise routine has been wildly inconsistent in the past couple weeks. Blame it on my recent acquisition of the Wii Fit (which is actually pretty good, surprisingly) or my late work hours last week, but yeah, my running has suffered quite a bit as a result. But I’m nothing if not honest, so here are my past three suck-tastic runs:

June 25, 2008: 33 minutes 02 seconds at a pace of 18′44″/mile

June 30, 2008: 33 minutes 19 seconds at a pace of 18′06″/mile

July 02, 2008: 37 minutes 27 seconds at a pace of 17′37″/mile

As you can see, I was stuck in the fewer-than-2-mile run for those first two runs. I was just really fatigued and didn’t feel like pushing myself, so I ended up walking more than usual. I finally pushed past the 2 mile mark on the third run, but not without quite a bit of fluctuation.

Depending on the weather this weekend, I might try out my first real run not at the gym. Perhaps at McLaren Park, if I feel safe enough.

Daily distortion fields

I dip in and out of distortion fields on a daily basis. Some days I feel as if I’m the happiest and luckiest person in the whole world. Other days I somehow trip and find myself falling into a pit where only my darkest thoughts go. I weave in and out of these zones, pushing up to see the light of day, and pulling in to feel the warmth of despair. Occasionally, I find myself wandering the valleys of nostalgia, laced with melancholy, and I see my past selves stumble their way through tribulations and triumphs. I try to call out to them, and tell them everything will be okay. But I’m never sure if anything’s okay.

Also, I live too much in my head.

Wanting to be American

I’ve been in this country for over ten years. First as a student, then as an employee, and eventually a bonafide permanent resident. In that time, I’ve grown to adopt this country as my own. I will always have a fondness in my heart for Malaysia, no doubt. Nothing will ever replace my fondness for the cuisine, and for my friends and family back home. But I find myself feeling a true sense of belonging here, a feeling that I did not have back home. Maybe it’s my new friends, who love me and accept me for who I am. Maybe it’s the openness in which I find myself able to express myself. Maybe it’s simply the deafening call of opportunity that I hear at every corner. Or maybe it’s Brandon, the love of my life.

But to simply remain a permanent resident is not enough. Many of you know that I’ve become increasingly interested in local and national politics. My political interest was first seeded in college, in Political Science 101, where I learned the ins and outs of the U.S. government. Then it grew when I became a student reporter for the campus newspaper, and learned to cover local politicians and their policies. It dawned on me then that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, that your everyday working person has the power to coalesce communities of great strength. That politics is not merely an intellectual luxury reserved for the rich and powerful, but that it is every citizen’s privilege in which to engage and participate.

It also dawned on me that whatever policies were being decided on, the results were going to impact me, whether or not I was a citizen. And that’s when I began to seriously wish to have my say, for the right to vote. I’ve watched in admiration as my citizen friends threw themselves in the arena, attending rallies, volunteering for campaigns, and most importantly, entering the voting booth. I watched the 2000 and 2004 elections unfold with my hands tied behind my back, with the inability to do anything, anything at all. Even with this upcoming 2008 election, arguably the most important election in modern U.S. history, I will not be able to have my say.

But it is time. Starting July 2008, I will be eligible to apply for naturalization, which is a fancy way to say that I will be able to apply to become a U.S. citizen. And yes, I want it bad. However, there is a rather steep cost. The total application fee for naturalization is $675. This may not seem like a large amount, but I’m currently working on clearing out debt, and it’s just one more big chunk of cash out of my wallet. But, I love this country. So I will suck it up, and I will pay that fee. It’ll mean a couple extra months of tightening up, but I’ll do it.

That said, I wouldn’t mind some help. So for the first time in my ten-plus year blogging career, I am holding out a donation tip jar. As you know, I don’t run ads. I don’t like ads. It’s not my thing. I want to avoid them. So I’m offering this donation alternative instead. Know that every single cent you’re offering me is either going directly back into the site, or funding my bid to be a U.S. citizen.

The Donate button is to the upper right of the main index page. I will also include a link in this blog post. I’m not asking much. Donate however much you like. All you will get from me is my undying appreciation, and perhaps a vote that will change your life.

Thank you.

[Donations are now closed]

Update: Wow, over $200 raised in less than five hours! You guys are amazing! I swear I’ll throw a huge party once I get citizenship, and you’re all invited!

Update 07/01/08: Hey everyone, it’s July 1st, and I’ve reached my goal of $675!!! Thank you so much for your help. I hope to send each donor a special gift in return. Thanks again!!!