Today morning, I consulted with a Korean acupuncturist who came highly recommended by my mother. I elaborated on my chronic knee pain and current state of health. Soon after, treatment commenced.
Upon the insertion of each needle, I experienced a slightly painful sensation. That was about it. I didn’t slip into a sudden state of calm or gain mental clarity or anything of the sort. I felt nothing, in fact. The only thing I recall feeling while the needles were inserted was a curious sensation in my stomach or lower abdomen. Anyhow, some hot item was placed on my stomach and the acupuncturist left to attend to others. I made the mistake of flexing my right leg while the needles were in. The pain that ensued was indescribable; it wasn’t pain per se but rather, an unusual feeling of discomfort. It felt like my muscle had been shortened and had lost its ability to stretch and retract. It felt quite horrible. Needless to say, I stopped moving my leg altogether after that incident. I had needles inserted in my hand as well and following the removal of all the needles, the area where the needles were inserted had become rather sensitive to touch. It was bruised and swollen and remains as such 12 hours after treatment. This first session was a letdown, I didn’t feel anything, nothing noteworthy. All I have to show for it is multiple red bumps and a painful right hand. My knees still hurt, my legs hurt and the headache I had before and during the acupuncture has shown no signs of abating. I was told to return on Friday which I will be doing and I do hope that this session will yield some results.
bec012's Life List
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1. Be unrelenting and indefatigable in the pursuit of my goals
5 entries . 12 cheers1 person -
2. Read 20 books in 2009
7 entries . 3 cheers67 people -
3. become first aid certified
1 entry . 3 cheers63 people -
4. Become a long distance runner
1 entry5 people -
5. Volunteer at a hospital
3 entries . 8 cheers151 people -
6. study medicine
1 entry . 18 cheers68 people -
7. volunteer at a nursing home
2 entries . 18 cheers29 people -
8. take a psychology course
1 entry . 15 cheers19 people -
9. get my learner's permit
320 people -
10. get into harvard
1 entry . 9 cheers121 people -
11. Introduce new dietary habits and and successfully put these into practice
2 entries . 5 cheers1 person -
12. Watch the top 250 movies on the Internet Movie Database
6 entries . 4 cheers451 people -
13. Read the Bible
5 entries . 7 cheers3,233 people -
14. Get down to a 23 inch waist
2 entries . 3 cheers16 people -
15. carry a pack of post it notes in my purse, so i can leave random comments everywhere i go
10 cheers45 people -
16. find a church that I love
8 cheers11 people -
17. Watch 1000 movies
557 entries . 7 cheers79 people -
18. Apply Olive Oil topically indefinitely
20 entries . 3 cheers1 person -
19. whiten my teeth
2 entries . 4 cheers2,066 people -
20. talk on the phone with a friend while we both watch the same film on our respective tv sets
6 cheers2 people -
21. exercise regularly
1 entry . 13 cheers10,558 people -
22. Spend less time fooling around on the net and more time actually working
6 cheers5,510 people -
23. stop negative self-talk
1 entry . 36 cheers332 people -
24. be an organ donor
1 entry . 15 cheers84 people -
25. identify 100 of my Favorite songs.
51 entries . 7 cheers42 people -
26. learn how to play chopin's ballade no. 1 opus 23 in g minor
1 entry . 6 cheers3 people -
27. Have my first kiss
1 entry . 10 cheers1,243 people -
28. Walk along the beaches of Muuido Island, South Korea whilst listening to Ave Maria by Rebecca Luker
2 entries . 2 cheers1 person -
29. expand my vocal range
2 cheers21 people -
30. Beat my depression
34 cheers1,686 people -
31. attend a Joe Hisaishi concert
1 entry . 1 cheer4 people -
32. cry in the rain
1 entry . 5 cheers30 people -
33. slap someone
3 entries . 3 cheers33 people -
34. record my dreams
10 entries . 5 cheers332 people -
35. learn the names of flowers
11 entries . 7 cheers12 people -
36. knit mittens
1 entry . 2 cheers33 people -
37. be closer to my mum
2 entries . 3 cheers11 people -
38. Get an external hard drive
1 entry . 3 cheers22 people -
39. Feed the homeless
1 entry . 3 cheers50 people -
40. practice Franklin's 13 virtues
1 entry . 5 cheers18 people
How I did it: Purchased my dress (as seen on pic) and shoes online months ahead in June when the exchange rate was considerably better. Had my hair done professionally by a popular hair stylist. Makeup and nails were done by yours truly. I was surprised with how well it all turned out. Don't feel as if you have to bring a date, I didn't. I still had a ton of fun with my friends. Read how I did it…
I’ve officially registered to be placed on both the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry and the worldwide registry. I submitted the application form and the process is under way. I donated blood a third time and two tubes of blood were also collected to be sent off to the ABMDR. Who knows what will happen.
Catharsis, health benefits, weight loss, toned legs, increased endurance. They all sound good to me. I’ve always been a sprinter and the constant heavy resistance with low reps is building up my calves and I’ve pulled far too many muscles. I need to get a better pair of runners too. The transition from sprinting to long-distance running will be a big one. I’ve a lot of fast-twitch muscle fibres as opposed to slow-twitch fibres. On account of my inactive lifestyle of late (which is because I’m underweight at the moment), it appears my muscles have atrophied so perhaps that will work in my favour. Increased susceptibility to shin splints, ITBS, knee, hip and ankle injuries concerns me but I suppose all forms of exercise entail some degree of risk.
I’d like to reach the stage where I will be able to run 9 minute kilometres for 7km, once a week. I need to remember to stretch before and after exercising.
Originally, my goal was to run 10 kilometres twice a week but that would place far too much pressure on my joints. Moreover, the notion of attaining such a goal doesn’t seem feasible with my semi-developed inclination toward sprinting, inexperience with middle distance and long distance running and time constraints. I’m far too slim at the moment, anyhow.

