A Very Happy Meal

We have friends who were on a work trip in Bangkok. We couldn't go up to meet them, so they flew down to meet us! It wasn't just an extension of the trip that took up more of their time. It was a big detour in that sense. We were so thankful that they did this. We hadn't seen each other for years. We've missed them. It was a good three days hanging out. Before they flew home, we had one final dinner together. Instead of heading out, we stayed in. 

I wasn't going to cook! LOL. A takeout from Cicheti would do nicely. Ordered from the restaurant via Oddle and the Kandahar Street outlet delivered the food punctually. We had no gravy things that could spill, and the boxes were pristine and food was kept warm. We took the food out to plate them and also to separate the pasta into individual portions.  

There were two pizzas — a Romana and a Diavola, pasta of a portion of tonnarelli nero and two portions of cacio e pepe (one was totally for ME; not sharing), loads of sides of calamari, lamb and beef meatballs, grilled prawns, and roasted pumpkin with miso nuts and herbs. We ordered well — the volume of food was sufficient — everyone was full and there were no leftovers. 

From our socials, it's clear that all of us don't travel as often because of our dogs. They hadn't done a trip together for two years. Hurhurhurhur. We totally get it. They wanted to bring something for Choya, but they know about her sensitive gut and my preference not to spend money on toys. They came with nothing but well wishes. I really really appreciated that. Choya was on her best charming behavior. They wanted to take her home. Ahahahah. She would enjoy the lovely woods and temperatures in the PNW. 

We met as thirty-somethings, kept in touch, had so much fun meeting up in different cities. Now in our early fifties, we're still aligned on fundamental values. Conversation was fabulous. We're glad that everyone's okay, healthwise. Honestly, we're fairly fit. We spent time together at the gym too. Had to! It was great! This time together would go down as such a precious memory. 

The Cardio-Tramp Rebounder

Stepped into the Reformer studio for a group class and blinked. Alamak, today's Masterclass is all about the Cardio-Tramp Rebounder! I haven't done the Cardio-Tramp for months because I actively avoid it. LOLOLOL Adjusted the settings on the Reformer and settled in. As people streamed in, I realized that it was a full class. 

It isn't the most fun aspect of Pilates. To be very honest, if it's this type of Reformer Athletic or Cardio-Tramp class (or it could be called the 'Jump Board'. The names and program are given by the gym, as with any studio), I might as well have attended any other group classes with a high aspect of sprints, intervals and whatever — those would be more helpful to up the heart rate. This Reformer class will, but only in the lightest manner.

Jumping on the Reformer isn't full plyometrics per se. It's scaled down, which works if the point is to get more people actively moving. The real intensity of such a method would be loads higher on the Lagree Megaformer. That's something I don't fully appreciate because I do Pilates for a reason, and a Megaformer doesn't meet what I want. Haizzzzz. I'm not a fan of cardio at all. At least I'm jumping lying on a carriage and not freely on my own. I'll take this over tuck jumps, box jumps or burpees.

I already said that a Reformer group class isn't Pilates. It's just an aspect of it. And group Reformer classes are very low on the Pilates element. The practice itself isn't only about a Reformer. The best aspects of Pilates come from the movements on the mat. That uses pure body weight and strength to leverage, and if your core isn't strong enough, Mat Pilates is possible the toughest of them all. And whenever I think my core is strong enough, Mat Pilates utterly humbles me.  

Pasta and More Pasta

The restaurant said that they had lobster that week. It complemented a night when we were rustling up some friends for dinner. They were like, 'we should get pizzas together soon!' Alriiiiight. We all could make it on this random week day night for a casual one. It has been a while since we saw one another. These friends aren't on social media much, and a face-to-face conversation with them is always much better. 

So we toddled over to D.O.P for some decent pizzas and pasta. The haze is lingering, but the PM2.5 ain't too bad for these few days. Sitting outdoors at D.O.P wasn't too big a problem tonight with the friends. 

Everyone wanted pasta. Lobster linguine it was. I could never say no to lobster pasta here. The kitchen split it into two portions for us. We also had a seafood linguine with bottarga. There were sides of grilled cold vegetables. Added a main of grilled seabass for everyone to share too. Protein! That's always welcome. Nobody wanted pizza at dinner, but we ordered three pizzas to go. Heh.  

Oddly, nobody wanted red wine tonight. White wines then. Two easy bottles. Conversation flowed easily, and we came away from the night very inspired. The friends have taken an early retirement (if it's defined it by our newly raised retirement age) from the corporate office hours, and we wanted to know what they've been up to, and how they now define what's fulfilling to them.