In English class on Friday, everyone presented their dissertations. I was put into a group with four of my friends with a topic of the PDI (police of investigation). A couple nights before, they gave me some information that I would talk about. I took their english translation and tried to make sense of it. I made note cards and was all ready to go on Friday. It was finally my group's turn.
I have some pathetic news for you all.
I got a C- (5) in english class on an assignment in which all I had to do was speak--in english! I don't even understand how...
But in all of the other classes, it's great to be an exchange student. Like in biology class on Thursday we had a test. The previous week the teacher had told me that I needed to take all of the tests in her class. But as she passed out the test, I put on my best 'I'm an exchange student and I am so confused with this material' face. It totally worked! She looked at me and asked if I understood anything and I said that I didn't have a clue. Then she gave me a pity full look and said that I didn't have to take it. Hahaha. Works for me!
Let's see...
Oh. I forgot to say that on Wednesday, it was Felipe's birthday. That night my grandma, aunt, and cousin came over and we had a little party for him. I (sort of) sang happy birthday for the first time in Spanish and that was fun!
On Saturday morning I went on a run and then my parents and I went to a market. They had every fruit and vegetable imaginable, along with fish. And it was all fresh and straight from the farms near Curicó.
With all of the basketball playing and running I've been doing, I have some really bad shin splints or some kind of terrible pain in my legs when I run or walk too much... Ugh.
But anyways. On Sunday, instead of a run, I went on a nice relaxing walk. It was a perfect day! It's turning into summer here! (You better be jealous, all of you that are in the northern hemisphere!)
All of the houses have gates like this. Which is different than what I've ever seen in the U.S.
A note to any Chilean friends who read this: please don't think I'm strange... The following is something that I had never seen before coming here!
Outdoor gyms! They are these little parks that are everywhere. How fantastic is that!? Out in the beautiful city and free. They have regular gym equipment but all of it is made out of playground material. Such a great idea.
Annnd yeah! That's it for the weekend! A nice relaxing weekend with not too much to do.
Let's see...
Oh. I forgot to say that on Wednesday, it was Felipe's birthday. That night my grandma, aunt, and cousin came over and we had a little party for him. I (sort of) sang happy birthday for the first time in Spanish and that was fun!
On Saturday morning I went on a run and then my parents and I went to a market. They had every fruit and vegetable imaginable, along with fish. And it was all fresh and straight from the farms near Curicó.
But anyways. On Sunday, instead of a run, I went on a nice relaxing walk. It was a perfect day! It's turning into summer here! (You better be jealous, all of you that are in the northern hemisphere!)
Outdoor gyms! They are these little parks that are everywhere. How fantastic is that!? Out in the beautiful city and free. They have regular gym equipment but all of it is made out of playground material. Such a great idea.
Me enjoying the sun!
Annnd yeah! That's it for the weekend! A nice relaxing weekend with not too much to do.
What you're losing in grades, you're making up for in popularity ;) Sorry about your C-. But good news, now you can commiserate with everyone else in Ironwood (except maybe Katie Piispanen??) about getting a C- on something once. And those outdoor gyms are so cool! Love you!
ReplyDelete:D It's true! I'm so much more popular here! Hahahaha. It's okay. I've just accepted the fact that I'm not going to get great grades... I got a B the other day and I was quite proud! Oh and on a different english assignment I got a 7 (equivalent to a 100 percent!)! Oh how I miss understanding things... :)
DeleteThat's cool about the outdoor gyms...reminds me of the exercise loop at Bessemer Bluff Park...if they still have it.
ReplyDeleteTake care of your legs!
Shin splints are very common. Runners might get them after ramping up their workout intensity, or changing the surface they run on -- like shifting from a dirt path to asphalt. Shin splints are also common in dancers.
7 Treatment Tips for Shin Splints
Shin splints often heal on their own. If you see a doctor, expect to get a thorough physical exam. Your doctor may want to see you run to look for problems. You may also need X-rays or bone scans to look for fractures.
Rest your body. It needs time to heal.
Ice your shin to ease pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, will help with pain and swelling. These drugs can have side effects, though, like a greater chance of bleeding and ulcers. They should be used only occasionally unless your doctor says otherwise.
Arch supports for your shoes. These orthotics -- which can be custom-made or bought off the shelf -- may help with flat feet.
Range-of-motion exercises, if your doctor recommends them.
Neoprene sleeve to support and warm your leg.
Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your shins.
Rare cases need surgery, such as if you have a severe stress fracture that caused your shin splints.
4 Signs Your Shin Splints Have Healed
Your shin splints are fully healed when:
Your injured leg is as flexible as your other leg.
Your injured leg feels as strong as your other leg.
Your can jog, sprint, and jump without pain.
Your X-rays are normal or show any stress fractures have healed.
There's no way to say exactly when your shin splints will go away. It depends on what's causing them. People also heal at different rates; 3 to 6 months is not unusual.
The most important thing is not to rush back into your sport. If you start exercising before your shin splints have healed, you may hurt yourself permanently.
While you heal, you could take up a new no-impact activity that won't aggravate your shin splints. For instance, if you run, try swimming.
How to Prevent Shin Splints
To prevent shin splints, you should:
Always wear shoes with good support and padding.
Warm up before working out, making sure to stretch the muscles in your legs.
Stop working out as soon as you feel pain in your shins.
Don't run or play on hard surfaces like concrete.
I have no idea what 'exercise loop' you speak of. Hahaha.
DeleteAnd thanks for all the tips! I'm not sure what to do because I'm on two different basketball teams and I like going to them and I feel like I'm letting them down if I don't go!
Yep. 'don't run or play on hard surfaces like concrete'
There's my problem... All the courts are concrete.
I got shin splints one year at the beginning of track season. No fun. I had to get new running shoes because mine didn't have enough arch support. Make sure you're always running/ playing bball in your good shoes and if they don't go away try getting some of those gel inserts. Just don't overdo it. :) And don't worry. I got Cs on all my english tests in Japan, too. I just stopped taking them after a while. It's not my fault I couldn't read the stinkin' directions!
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm going to buy some new shoes soon. My mom thinks that the pain will go away instantly when I get new shoes that are meant for basketball. No one understands what shin splints are...
DeleteI've just accepted getting bad grades. Haha. I still try! But I usually just laugh when I get my grades back.
This is Julie!
ReplyDeleteCHRISTY!! I miss you!!! How are you? Sorry I haven't been here yet, I've been forgetting about it and I've been distracted by mission stuff. I haven't gotten an answer yet, but hopefully I will soon so I can tell Jake when he gets home!
Sorry this was so short, but I have to get going! Have to finish the kitchen before dad gets home!
Love you!
Love, Julie!
HEY! :D I am great! I miss you too! How've you been!? How are mission things going? (if you're still debating... DO IT!) You will most definitely not regret it. I love you lots! Send me a facebook message and we can have a longer conversation! ;)
DeleteI've been a lot better than before, except I'm still kinda stressing about my road test to get my license!(Yep! I have my permit! And dad says I'm a very good driver, I just need to work on some things!)
DeleteMission things are looking good so far, not sure how it's gonna go, though. Gotta see what Heavenly Father wants me to do! Oh, I bet!
I wish I could message you on FB! I'm trying to stay off of it as long as possible! I'll be back on when 2014 starts, :( sad I know, but if I go on a mission, I might have to stay off of it for 18 months, so I'm practicing! Until then, I can talk on here!
Alright I gotta go now, gotta finish cleaning the rest of the house, before tomorrow! Love you a ton!