Since this new year started, I’ve acquired a smartphone, started sporting a much shorter haircut, and replaced my ratty, tape-covered bike seat and handlebars with brand new parts. Minute, materialistic upgrades like these, though insignificant in the long run, can give you the feeling of self-improvement, or even rejuvenation. Small changes can have seemingly profound effects.
But this post isn’t about small changes. It’s about some bigger ones. With real effects.
Firstly, I began learning how to play the ukulele. Prompted by both my desire to acquire something uniquely Hawaiian before I leave and my failure at picking up surfing, I turned to the tiny, stringed symbol of the Hawaiian islands. When I first borrowed my cousin Ellis’ tenor uke, it was slightly out of tune, but I started browsing how-to YouTube videos anyway. With misguided confidence, I attempted to tune the thing by ear. That was a mistake. So it sat in the corner of my room for a week or two before I got my hands on Juvana’s chromatic tuner, and back to YouTube it was. I managed to almost master three chords, but no songs.
It wasn’t until Shauna came along and started teaching me that I picked up the uke daily, both literally and figuratively. Her fast-paced teaching style seemed like information overload at first, but I realize I would not have come as far as I have without it. Under Shauna’s instruction, I’ve learned many more chords and (parts) of several songs. I hope that by the time I start roadtrippin’, I’ll be adequate enough to try busking for lunch money on the streets.
Look how happy the uke makes this dude!
The second big, self-improving change is my membership in the Hawaii Fit Body Bootcamp led by former MMA fighter Egan Inoue. It started with a great deal I found on Groupon.com: one month (a value of over $200) for just $35. (Big sister Melanie would be upset if I didn’t mention it was she who introduced me to Groupon!) When I saw this deal, I knew I had to buy it because of: 1) my lack of self-motivation for working out, 2) the workout dry spell I went through during November and December, prompted by reason 1, and 3) the fact I have nothing else to do in the mornings.
The one-hour classes are a mix of workouts that change everyday and include cardio, slow burn, kickboxing, and everything in between. I go to the studio in Manoa Valley every morning there’s a class, which is everyday save Wednesdays and Sundays. Saturdays are beach workouts open to the public. You can watch a local news station interview with Egan during one of the beach workouts (that I didn’t attend) here.
I decided to use this picture I found on the internet before even realizing I was (partially) in it. Though my head is cut off, my tattooed arm is visible.
I’ve definitely noticed a change. My “winter insulation” is slowly disappearing, giving way to a bit of definition in the abs and arms. My legs have always been strong, but never this solid. Push ups are a lot easier, as is riding my bike in the highest gear. And despite my attempts to save money, I paid for three more months after my Groupon deal ended; not only was I seeing a positive physical change, but also I like the people in the class too much not to keep going. Now that I’m stronger–and paying more for the classes–I attend two classes a day. If you want to join me, I have some $100 gift cards.
New haircuts are nice, but I take a lot more pride in my calloused fingertips (ukulele) and bruised knuckles (punching bags).
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And now it’s time for the gratuitous (yet relevant) model picture:
Not the regular Roxy model, but no complaints.
Young Man Went East 