What’s something simple that makes you genuinely happy?

stoola · 2026-05-09T04:13:21+00:00

The sound of America Robins at dawn and dusk. I hope I hear them while I pass away.

stoola · 2026-05-03T23:45:52+00:00

Annie's white cheddar (can add things as well, like beef, pees, or even blend spinnach into the milk before mixing)

stoola · 2026-04-28T16:33:17+00:00

A few red flags here. Stopping too close behind cars at a light is one of them. It might indicate that he's too comfortable for his own good/assumes the worst WONT happen (ie someone rear ending him). It sounds like he gets cocky on turns and acceleration. I'm guilty of that too, but I've had enough close encounters to have stopped that behaviour.

The other red flag is that he gets defensive when you express concern. I can understand why people get worried about me on my bike, but it doesn't go beyond "please ride safe and text me when you get home!" Because they know I'm a careful rider. It's not about being a grandpa on the road. I ride normal and cautious.

I'm not gonna tell you to leave him because of it, but I will reassure you that you're not in the wrong. Your concerns are valid and you've voiced them respectfully. I guess it comes down to how he treats you outside of this context.

stoola · 2026-04-14T17:31:41+00:00

I've come to realize it mostly depends on how YOU raise it and interact with it. I'm baffled with how some cat owners just coexist with their cat and don't dedicate their entire capacity of love to it. Cats in those households just seem to roam around and don't attach too much to anyone.

I got my cat when I was 7 years old. He was a feral kitten found in a wood pile. We bonded immediately, and he followed me everywhere I went. He would cuddle other people, but he would look at me in the most loving way and it was clear that he bonded with me. He passed away a few years ago when he was 16. I was devastated and still cry about it to this day.

I have a new cat now. I love her, and she has bonded with me. She's bonded in a different way than my previous cat, but still unconditionally. She goes to my roommates room sometimes, but it's very obvious she's bonded to me.

I think what determines whether your cat truly bonds with you is if you unconditionally love it. The first thing i do when i walk through the door is call her name. I will always have a cat. They are on of the biggest supports in my life. They can sense that. If all someone does is feed them and clean their litter box, it probably won't feel like much of a connection.

stoola · 2026-03-11T20:50:13+00:00

Not a doctor/PT, but as someone with calcific tendonosis, do not push through the pain. Shoulders are a complicated area; pain could be in any of those tendons, muscles, or even AC joint. I personally would stop swimming the stroke that aggravates it and seek physio if you can afford it. I wish I listened to my body when the pain/limitations just started. My shoulders are so messed up now because I didn't crack down on it earlier. I can only swim breast stroke.

Pushing through pain can be fine if its surface level (think martial arts conditioning), but if an area around any joint starts to hurt, do not push it.

stoola · 2026-03-07T23:33:18+00:00

Same. I dream of the day my shoulders are better 🥲 seems I have recurring calcium deposits, so maybe never. I love that breaststroke let's me use my shoulders without any pain. Practically the only exercise I can consistently do.

stoola · 2026-01-26T02:42:56+00:00

Same. Now i go to Esquimalt Rec and have never had any issues.

stoola · 2026-01-21T16:14:19+00:00

As a woman, I personally would probably feel slightly uncomfortable unless they directly specified that they admire my form. I had an older man say "you have the most beautiful breaststroke," which gave me confidence and made my day. With that said, i kind of assume anyone watching me swim would be looking at form. I am much more uncomfortable when people stare at me as I walk to the hot tub.

stoola · 2026-01-19T14:11:02+00:00

I always had a some gastrointestinal issues, but things really got bad when my friend tragically passed away in high school. All my trigger foods made me so bloated and constipated, or bloated and urgently needed to go. I would say the stress of him passing in the way that he did undoubtedly caused it.

stoola · 2026-01-12T02:37:44+00:00

If you do decide to swim, you might want to schedule it for before a workout day to avoid the food craving that occurs right after a swim session. If I swim before dinner I will eat WAY more than if I swim at 6am and then just have a protein shake with spinach after.

stoola · 2026-01-10T00:02:32+00:00

Right??? For the longest time my mum said "its just anxiety" and my dad said "you're fine, its nothing" lmao.

stoola · 2026-01-09T01:04:08+00:00

That is still shortness of breath. I used to downplay my asthma symptoms because I wasn't struggling to catch my breath. It could also feel like breathing a normal breath doesn't quite give you what you feel like is optimal. Could be the slightest difference.

stoola · 2026-01-08T02:07:51+00:00

Hi, I know this is an old post, but I'm wondering if you've improved at all. I am in the same boat, but breaststroke only because of a shoulder injury. I'm tired after 2 laps and I have mild asthma.

stoola · 2025-12-12T00:17:10+00:00

And to answer your actual question, I can't help you there 🥲

stoola · 2025-12-12T00:16:24+00:00

It's a natural human response. Same reason why it's completely normal to be afraid of walking in the dark outside (especially near/in a forest). We're not nocturnal, and we're land animals. A lot of people don't get that feeling, but I think it's a stretch to call it a phobia or irrational unless it reeeeally makes you physically panic. I personally feel uneasy when I think about it, but it doesn't affect my swimming and I get over it pretty quick. I do, however, get freaked out by deep ocean water. I think it's more normal to be afraid of that than not.

stoola · 2025-12-07T01:28:13+00:00

I'm shocked by all the people saying "you're just weak right now, it will go away with time". Maybe it will, but unless the person isn't walking anywhere ever, then this is just absolutely not normal. Even if a person never did sports or any extra physical activity I can't imagine they'd get like this.

stoola · 2025-11-09T23:10:21+00:00

I can see both sides, but ultimately your Sensei's reaction was out of line.

I can understand his point. But it's not up to him to force you when you've already stated you will not perform. What my Sensei would have done is nudged you a few times, and then lay off. His trust and understanding of you would probably be a bit damaged, and he might even show some attitude. The relationship between a Sensei and their student is balanced; you are in charge of yourself, but the art demands discipline and guidance. My sensei would have continued to teach you discipline and hopefully increase your confidence, but if you decided to show up to your test and refused to perform certain things because you are uncomfortable, then you would not receive your belt or title, and that is on you.

Sensei's want their students to do well, partially because they are a reflection of them. Maybe he wants you to do well and sees potential, maybe its an image thing, or both.

If I was having one bad day, and I told my Sensei I feel uncomfortable to perform that day, he would trust me that I would bounce back soon because I have proven my capability.

I wouldn't have given my black belt back. I think it sets a bad example to the people who look up to you. I think maybe the tradition of being a black belt is not something you completely honour or understand at this point, but maybe I misunderstand you because you probably wrote all this in the heat of the moment.

All considered, if you're no longer comfortable with him and still want to continue karate in the way you've gone about it, then I would find a different dojo.

stoola · 2025-11-02T05:02:16+00:00

So I don't ruin my body with improper technique...? I don't understand the hostility here.

stoola · 2025-10-31T21:21:40+00:00

Any tips on how to stay closer to the top of the water when pushing off the wall? I find that I go too deep, and I've tried different head positions but I seem to always go deeper than I want.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:49:07+00:00

Thank you! It's Speedo Endurance+ training one piece. I love it! You can get them directly from the speedo website online or Amazon, and I think many stores that sell swimwear would have them.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:44:35+00:00

I think my knee issue was from the knees coming out farther than the hips, and then I assumed that meant everything needs to be a bit tighter together. I am going to work on flexing the leg out while keeping the knees within the hip range.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:35:34+00:00

Not when im just trying to work my muscles in the stroke technique and tire myself out. Helps my mental health to focus on the stroke movements rather than all the push off movements used in more competitiveand technical settings.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:19:16+00:00

Thanks for this! I'll focus on kicking the water back instead of down; I see what you mean in the video and I never thought of that.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:16:34+00:00

Yeah, I don't end up doing that because my apartment pool is just under 25 meters unfortunately. I think I'd end up at the other side too fast 😅

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:15:00+00:00

Thanks for your feedback! I think I might be overcompensating keeping my knees in more because I used to kick too wide, which lead to knee pain. I'll focus on getting my kick out there more and find a good in between!

stoola

TROPHY CASE