One thing I first noticed here in the Philippines is that Christmas carols and decorations start coming out in September which the locals call the "-BER" months. I am not so sure why this is so - a marketing ploy? something to cheer people up? something to look forward to? Whatever the reasons, I don't mind it. The idea of Christmas always bring me cheer and gives me the feeling of peace.
This year, I received an early gift from my niece - a WII FIT PLUS set. Thank you very much!!!! I've always wanted this, and I do have a WII console for it. I've hesitated to buy one for myself because I thought it would just end up gathering dust and then give me guilt trips afterwards. If you don't know what a WII Fit is all about, you can watch this info video.
target="_blank" title="Wii Fit Plus Info Video">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orYtX-jTSAI
When I first started, I was NOT amazed to see how un-balanced I was and weak, considering I have basically stopped exercising since I started getting busy with Linmarr Towers. I started off with my COB (center of balance) favoring the right (right heavy) and a WII FIT AGE of 74. The good news is that my weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) is normal for my height and age. Now, after a few half to one hour sessions at nights, my center of balance is dead center - but my WII FIT AGE remains over 70. This just means I have to get my brains to be more alert and fast, plus connect it to my body even more. One more thing - I've been having back sores the last few months and coincidentally? when I hit dead center on balance, my back sores eased. This has made my day-to-day demeanor much more pleasant. I highly recommend this software to those who do not want to hit the gym or don't have much time for it. You can do this in the comfort of your room and at your own pace. Ok, it is not all just exercise for the body, it is also a good exercise for your brains and coordination PLUS a lot of fun and laughs. Watch this example video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW94AVR5X4I (Tip: click on this link while holding the CTRL button down at the same time)
On to my other gifts - this time, these are gifts to myself. I used to be interested in photography and I have several equipment left in Vancouver to attest to this. The bagpack full of equipment went with me through mountains, wilderness and ocean, in search for the perfect picture of nature. This was the time when digital pictures were not in vogue, so I did spend a few dollars having pictures developed. When we took off sailing, I decided to leave all of that behind. Fast forward to present, I am on a mission to produce 360 degree pictures for a virtual tour of Linmarr Towers and Linmarr Apartelle. To be able to do this, I need a fisheye or very wide angle lens, a panoramic head and tripod leveler. I could borrow the wide angle lens to try out, but I definitely need the pano head and leveler which nobody I know has. I ordered for these items and they should arrive sometime before Christmas.
These gadgets are to be attached to my Manfrotto tripod and my camera will be attached to the panoramic head so that I can take perfect 360 degree pictures with ease. I am quite excited to try taking the pictures with these new gadgets, but I must admit it will be a learning curve. To my readers who are photographer freaks - I do need advise and tips if you are familiar with taking pano pictures. My brother will be the one to do the virtual tour stitching and I am sure he can do it, but any advise and tips are sure appreciated as well.
The final gift to myself is a trip back to Norway to join Kjartan and his family for New Year. I think I need this break. I am not sure if I can easily get back to being cold though.