Learning Chinese

So i've started learning Mandarin Chinese... and I LOVE it. About two months ago I discovered a podcast called "ChineseLearnOnline" or CLO. Chinese has got to be the hardest language on earth. Its a tonal language meaning that you can say one word, four different ways, and it means four different, unrelated things. Highly frustrating especially if you've been speaking english your whole life. In my opinion, language podcasts are the best way to learn besides actually being in the culture or having a private teacher. The staff on this site are all young (which helps in keeping up with the current culture) and each podcast progressively goes from all english to all chinese and completely in order, so by lesson 60, you will hopefully be fluent in chinese. You can download all 60 episodes onto your iphone or ipod via itunes, which makes it extremely convenient and most episodes are about 10 mins, so usually when im driving, I can play it during my commute.

The best thing about CLO is the actual website. Every episode can be listened to on its specific page and the interactive things you can do with them are key to your progression. There is a sentence builder that scrambles up words and makes you put them in their proper order. You're also able to see each character that is found in the episode and the stroke order that they go in, (most important thing about the site) and the pinyin version of each word for proper spelling. The podcast is free, but all of these website features are apart of the premium subscription and the first four lessons are free. Since im on the forth lesson now, im definitely going to have to sign up soon.

Other sites that are good for language learning are:

1.forzo.com for pronunciation 2.livemocha.com for classes 3.lang-8.com for writing and a very cool government site (that ive tricked myself into thinkin its how "Jason Bourne" learned his languages lol) 4.fsi-language-courses.org

Violin lessons

After years and years of wanting to play the violin, ive finally started taking lessons. Im two months in at this point and I absolutely love it. Its definitely one of the best decisions ive ever made in my life and I regret not doing it sooner. Im taking private lessons with a woman by the name of Lani Bortfeld, who is teaching me via the Suzuki Method. Its a very simple and fun way to learn and I highly recommend it. I have to say its extremely difficult though, so i wouldnt suggest taking lessons unless you're 100% committed. Ive just learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star lol, hopefully some Beethoven is right around the corner :)

Here are some pics of my beautiful new "toy", I havent named her yet...

ps i loveeeeeee the Tiger stripes on the back.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

MY CURRENT WORKOUT

I promised myself i wouldnt touch this until the 1st of the year lol.

My current workout plan is from the mens health big book of fitness, combined with some bodyweight exercises from the prison workout.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

3 days a week, alternate between workout A and B resting atleast a day after each session.

Workout A

Pick a workout from each category, 3 sets 15 reps rest a min. Do 1. in straight sets, then alternate sets 2A and 2B and 3A and 3B

1. Core (Swiss ball plank, swiss ball jacknife)

2A. Glutes and Hamstrings (Deadlift)

2B. Upper back (Barbell rows, dumbell rows)

3A. Quadriceps (Squats)

3B. Chest (Bench press, Pushups, dumbell press)

4. Cardio (Burpees, Muay thai on the heavy bag, running, stairs)

Workout B

Pick a workout from each category, 3 sets 12 reps rest a min. Do 1. in straight sets, then alternate sets 2A and 2B and 3A and 3B

1. Core (Swiss ball plank, swiss ball jacknife)

2A. Quadriceps (Squats)

2B. Lats (Pullups)

3A. Glutes and Hamstrings (Deadlift)

3B. Shoulders (Dumbell Shoulder Press, Shrugs)

4. Cardio (Burpees, Muay thai on the heavy bag, running, stairs)

After my workout, throughout the day i do "quick hits" every hour.

Theyre quick and easy and can be done almost anywhere.

Pushups, Dips, Pullups, Curls, Calf raises, Planks, Bodyweight squats, Kettlebell swing.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (optional)

Muay Thai on the heavy bag, Kicking drills, Cardio.

Besides this, there are other circuits that I do such as:

The Prison Workout

The Spartacus Workout

The Medicine Ball Workout

Enter the Kettlebell Workout

The Barbarians Circuit

The Sandbag Workout

The Superband Workout

The Gymnastic Workout

and hopefully one day:

THE SPARTAN 300 :)

All of these Circuits are interchangeable and allow you to mix up your routine to avoid boredom.