Christina’s Update

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Crook’s Hollow Adventure…

WATCH CROOKS HOLLOW HIGHLIGHT

**For more Pictures check out my Facebook Group**

This weekend was a bit busy for me, I worked the majority of it which pretty much sucked. BUT highlights of the weekend were Friday night and Saturday morning! Friday night, I really needed a break, I felt kind of burnt out with a lot and just had an irritating day to begin with. I should have went to train but I don’t think I would have been able to just check my emotions at the door so I figured I wouldn’t waste my teams time and I would just be absent from Friday night’s training session.

Stef randomly messaged me and asked me what I was doing… she told me how she never has a Friday night off and didn’t know what to do with herself. I thought it was funny becuase when I have days off I feel the same way! So she was talking about how she wanted to get a camera and I suggested we go together, I wanted to look for a movie “shutter” and I couldn’t seem to find it at other places. So I picked her up and away we went on our best buy adventure!

We looked around for a nice durable camera for her. She’s got large hands for a girl and is really clumbsy sometimes so she knew she needed something that would be built tough. And sure enough we find the perfect one, not only is it built tough it came with its own little floating case incase she drops it in the water and its a bright colour so she can spot it if she loses it and back tracks for it.

We were both pretty hungry, and when we get hungry we get fussy and cranky, anyone who knows me especially can tell you that. SO we headed over to the grocery store and  picked up some yummy tortilini pasta, with some nice three cheese alfredo sauce and some veggies and meat to make a great pasta dish… and of course we had to have dessert so we got Stef’s favorite ice cream and I suggested to add some reeces cups (seeing how I’ve been on a reeces kick lately)!

IT WAS SOOOO GOOD! Watched a movie, chatted it was a good low key night!

THEN got up relatively early Saturday and picked up Stef to bring her over to my place so that way Teresa can just get the both of us in one spot. I left the house with my make up smudged from the night before, my hair semi up, had my PJ bottoms on and a sweater. I figured I would go and get her then go back to bed till 8 30am (Teresa was coming around 9am anyways)!

Our hiking adventure on Saturday was Crooks Hollow, there is a lot of awesome history there. We came across the old paper factory that I think turned into some kind of mill (or it was a mill then a paper factory)… regardless there was a huge explosion there and all that’s left is the ruins, which has been reinforced in some spots with some wood to keep it from collapsing. The whole thing is private property but they make it so easy for people to get in there kinda, so that’s what we did. I went one time at night with some buddies we wanted to capture some spirits on camera, seemed like a really good place.

I remember when I went at night feeling weird, but I chalked that up to just nerves because I was outside in a forest like area in the dark (not my most favorite thing). BUT as we kinda started to explore it a little bit I ended up catching a face in the bushes in one of my photos, and then an orange orb which i read is like a “negative” or “angry” energy. When we were looking at the floors of it from the fence, I remember all of a sudden feeling really sick, I thought I was going to lose my dinner right there and it lasted until we were completely away from the ruins. Dave and I even heard some really weird noises when we were there…

Stef and I decided to investigate around the ruins trying to find and get into any nook and cranny that we could fit in, now I think it was about 15 or 16 degrees on this particular day, the sun was out it was nice and comfortable warmish weather. I mean Stef was in somewhat of a beater during our hike? we were wearing sweaters nothing really too heavy! SO when we got into the ruins and went inside to explore it was unbelievably cold, It felt like it was -2 at least in there, I probably souls dee my breath in some spots. And some spots were a lot colder then others it was weird. You stick your hand out the window and it was warm you bring it back in and it was really cold.

Stef and I found this hole under some of the ruins and naturally she went into it, and wanted to take some pics as she was in there her camera completely died on her. Wouldn’t even work, I went in after her and it was weird, I felt like Ishouldn’t be in there but took pics anyways! It was a crazy experience and a really beautiful piece of history just there. Its sad that its covered with debris of garbage and graffiti on the walls. It’s pretty sad, because my city is full of little gems inside and around it where its really peaceful and full of history and beauty and stuff like that kills it.

We searched around the ruins and realized we hiked right to Christie Lake, I remember doing cross country there in elementary school. It was really beautiful they has a cool looking dam there too it was lovely I got some really awesome photos there!!!

Another highlight on the hike would be me being scared to cross one of these bridges, it was one of those see through ones where you can see what’s below you. I’m deathly afraid of heights (I mean I’m 4‘10.5 I AM meant to be on the GROUND)!

SCARY BRIDGE!

Stef grabbed my hand and her and Teresa were like “look in front of you, don’t look down” I mean the thing was safe but I could feel the water rushing under my feet and really I was scared shitless, and I wasn’t about to pretend it didn’t bother me. I’m women enough to say when I’m scared of things (usually anyways)!

 

So once we crossed that we found a lot of awesomeness in the forrest, Teresa noticed a tree that fell that seriously looked like a elephant (to me anyways). So naturally I took a picture of it.

on the way back however I almost sank in some really thick mud. We were walking in an area that at anytime water levels could change, (hence the dam)…

And so at this point it wasn’t very deep in some areas it was just thick mud and I wanted to get the audio of our feet squishing in the really icky mud and I didn’t realize how far I was out and I took a step and off came my shoe (YES THE WHOLE THING) and as I went to fall forward Teresa caught me and held me up. I was shoeless and i could feel my other foot really sinking in the mud.

Stef tried to reach my shoe without losing hers and realized she’s lanky and long but couldn’t reach it regardless so she grabbed some rocks to hop to get to it, BUT it wasn’t before taking a picture of the lone shoe just sinking in the mud. She rescued my shoe and it was loaded down with thick heavy mud, I put my foot back into it with mud between my toes and tied it up. The girls couldn’t help but laugh and take pictures (and I’m sure I would too)! But they were brave enough to help me out and I really appreciated the efforts, and the pictures for the memories!!!

I’m really starting to like these Hiking adventures with the girls, they are pretty exciting and both are awesome company.

More stories to come

Christina

The Hike!

**Video Sponsored By: Physical Development & Nutrition Shoppe**

 

We have been getting some amazing weather these days, I mean it was cold there for a bit started to feel the chill of the winter to come but then all of a sudden we got a last little bit of nice comfortable weather.

So of course I wanted to take advantage of it and headed for a Hike with none other then Teresa, and we added Dave (my brother) and Stef (a good friend of mine) to the crew.

Teresa lead us up to the Old Ancaster Mill, which was very posh yet old looking, and we walked a bit down the street and headed towards Sherman Falls. For those of you not from Hamilton, we are the waterfall city. Our City has so many hidden gems in terms of hiking trails, and water falls, and just amazing areas that people usually travel to go see out east or west or somewhere warm.

I love where I live, I love the four seasons that we get regardless of how cold and mucky it can get out there. Fall is by far my most favorite season, I love the smell of the air, the bright beautiful colours, I love how the trees look with the leaves falling off, and I love the weather.

I think if I ever got married I would want to in the fall, the pictures could be sooooo amazing if you get it on the right day… My cousin Melissa had an October wedding back in 05, and honestly I loved the colours of the flowers and justeverything, it was perfect she picked a great season to get married… a little chilly at times but beautiful.

ANYWAYS back to the hike, Teresa is probably one of the most down to earth fun loving people I know. She’s just so kind and genuine you know? She motivated me a lot when I first met her at Steel City Crossfit, I walked in at 6am (when Christine and I started our morning work outs) and there she was all bright eyed and cheery.

She was such a powerhouse in her own way, she hit the heavy bag like she had hands that were as strong as cinder blocks… And everyday we trained and she was there it made me want to push harder (Not sure if she knows that)!

So it was an honour to get to know her and become friends and I really look forward to our hikes and walks and what not, she takes really good pictures and there is never a dull moment she’s the type of person that I don’t mind being lost with on a hike haha and believe me its happened to us before.

Sherman falls was just a spectacular spot, the water was so clear and clean and flowed so beautifully through the fallen leaves that were in its water stream the sun was shinning just perfectly sometimes and just made for great pictures.

My younger brother Dave came along for the walk, he’s been coming along for a lot of things taking pictures and video for me so I can use some of it in my video blogs. He’s taking a Media and photography course next semester and seeing how I took those and graduated from a media program I thought I would help the kid a long and give him a heads up on what he’s going to need to do to get some good shots and what things to look for and what not. The creativity is there, and it does take awhile to get use to I’m even still sometimes finding myself redoing some shots because they should have been better it happens.. you learn and progress with mistakes.

Stef came along, she’s the most colourful person I’ve met so far in my life. She’s full of energy and life and just has a “lets do it” attitude so it was great having her on the hike, her and I were doing some pretty stupid stuff.. my favorite being the pull ups on the one tree that I couldn’t reach so she gave me a boost up like someone would a 2 year old hahaha!!!

We had amazing weather, the sun was so warm on our faces and there was a gentle breeze in the air. It smelled so fresh, I live in the city and not that this place was in the boonies somewhere but there was less traffic and less city and you could smell the trees in the air you know?

It was one of those days where you could just hike out any kind of negative emotions you had. Just clear your mind and focus on whats going on at that second, take in all the scenery and its awesome walking by people on the trails and just chatting them up saying good morning or whatever!!! There were a lot of great laughs and good times.

Christina

Puking in training = not attractive!

WATCH TRAINING HIGHLIGHT HERE

Training was a bit harsh today, and it was because i made the mistake of eating before I left. I usually almost never eat before I train unless its something light and doesn’t mess with my stomach so WHY in the world I had the bright idea of eating this particular time is beyond me. I felt somewhat fine driving up there, but as soon as I got in there I felt the “fullness” of my meal.

Then of course the ONE night something like this happens Edge says “we are going to do a work out first.” I already knew that this was going to get messy before it even happened.

First we started off with some sprints, which weren’t too bad, but I started to feel it when we grabbed the tire tubes and put them on line a harness and your partner was trying to hold you back as you drove forward trying to sprint to the other end of the mat. I felt like I was going nowhere I couldn’t even move and the more I tried the more I could feel my food creeping up on me.

I got through that puke free, and we started doing wheel barrel walks with push ups at the end of the mat and then you go again, again I felt like total crap and I remember begging Edge to let go of my feet so i could rest and he wouldn’t just kept pushing me forward.  Next were tire flips… which again weren’t too bad but I could feel my meal just ready to come up at any second.

I think the last part of the work out I went outside.. I had to at this point I was ready to yak at any given moment. SO here I am in like 4 degree weather outside hunched over just praying either I puke to feel better or the feeling I had in my stomach went away. Honestly I’ve never felt like that in my life… I could hear my body trying to keep it all down.. I think I was out there for 10 minutes or so.

I came back i just as they started techniques, we worked on the clinch and throwing stuff from there how to control our opponents and what not. It was a good little technique session something I’ll have to do more often to get use to them. I felt weird throwing the knees more then likely because its not my forte!

Started grappling after that again my stomach started the guys were cracking jokes and I had the crap beat out of me literally every round. But in the same sense they weren’t harsh on my stomach, Edge was when I wasn’t being aggressive enough just to get me to move but for the most part the guys weren’t that cruel. They probably didn’t want me to puke on them. Needless to say I managed to survive just a little bit but felt like complete crap the entire time.

When I got home it took a bit for everything to settle.. seriously… I wanted to just go to bed and never look at food again! But here I am… writing this… and I’m.. well sort of hungry! (ironic)

Christina

Need to be aggressive out there!

Alright… thought since I’ve been doing a lot of video related blogs I would do some writing this week. Just a bit of catch up to start off this wonderful blog, last week I had the opportunity to see how good my training ability is. There is this guy I work with Travis, and he’s really concerned about his weight and what not, and from what I can tell he does attempt to try and change things but doesn’t have much of a will power or backbone to push that much further. So when He asked me to maybe come out to the gym with him and work out wit him I thought “man.. I’m not sure…”

Just because, I look up to some amazing people and I know the type of credentials they have to do that, but then again I had nothing to do that afternoon and thought how bad could it be.

FEW things, Primer Fitness on Centennial Parkway in Hamilton has some really GOOD looking personal trainers. I was just in awe for the first time because no matter where I turned there was a good looking dude. NORMALLY I don’t notice those things at the gym but seriously a lot of them could be calendar models (laughing)!

I got change and headed up to the “gym area”, honestly if I had to train at a regular gym I would have stayed at Goodlife. Their facility seems to be a lot better in my opnion. I was shocked that there was only machines in this place? NO medicine balls….really around to use, nothing.. it was crazy… no rowers… like? So I thought to myself what kind of work out can I do in here….

I decided I was going to put Travie through the following:

5 Pull ups (which then turned into push ups)

10 sit ups (with a 25lb weight)

15 squats

For 15 minutes

Travis did really well and I could tell he was a bit embarrassed because I did make the pull ups look a bit easy… But I mean for someone who never did a work out like that before he did a really good job… just needed to push himself more. If he wanted to stop he had to bust out so many reps first, and then he only had 10 seconds to take in that water and get his ass in gear.

I then showed him some squats, didn’t so much weight just showed him how to hod the bar, where it should be places, how his legs should be etc.. again I’m not certified or anything… but I mean …  it felt good helping him out a bit…. I would prefer Alchemy any day made me miss it a lot that day!!!

NOW onto my training at Cutting Edge, I’ve gotten into a great groove making it out at least 2 times a week. And have been getting my ass worked over by so many of the guys there. The one day we did MMA and for the life of me I couldn’t hold my ass down on the wall and kept getting tossed. Eventually it got better but Chandler totally took it to me (kudos) I’m sure next time around it will be a bit easier. My little brother came out the last few times to watch me train and video taped for me too. He’s taking a Media class next semester in school so I’m helping him out with some pointers.

Monday night was good… HOWEVER Edge noticed that instead of staying on top i go to my back to often so anytime I went to my back he gave me 10 push ups… but you know what it helped me focus on staying on top and use what I have! Always a pleasure training with those guys.

Jay and I started standing a few times, hard to take him down, but its all in my head… as soon as i get in there nice and tight i feel the weight and something in me freezes and it can be a split second and then he’s already going into a sprawl or something. I just have to be a lot more aggressive I suppose. Just a work in progress, I know the guys are going to compete at the Joslins tourney this weekend… I’m probably going to go in the day to take pics and some video to throw something together for the guys!!!

 

I leave in T-Minus 27 days for Australia… It’s totally creeping up fast and I can’t wait. After work today I went over to the mall and bought a few things for my trip. I found this awesome Canada backpack for when I’m hiking and stuff and to carry on the plane, I also got some cute luggage tags my outlet converter and a few odds and ends. Still have to find me a swim suit (seeing how my current one is too big now), and some water shoes…. few other things too!

If you missed it….Halloween went good, I got mistaken for little bo peep though when I was little miss muffet, but it went alright I ended up finding shoes and what not. I got more “aweee your just soooo cute” instead of “hot” haha which is fine… i mean I’m 4‘10.5 wearing a pink bonnet… haha

Other then that just have been working and what not.. nothing huge!!!

Christina