Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Gang,
The Army Reserve did go ahead and kick me out in December, as I reached the very advanced age of 60, at which point the military very politely says "Hit the road, OLD MAN!" But last year I had such an amazing experience with my last immersion in France, in Montpellier, that I decided I would go again with the Army folks this year to Tours, France, even though I had to pay....so, a quick recap. The first 3 days, it rained non stop. Then the weather changed...along with the rain was wind and cold. And that didn't stop for 2 weeks....at least the 3rd week the rain stopped and that yellow thing in the sky reappeared.
Even with the rain, it was a 45 minute walk each way to school, and on the days we did chateau visits, we walked over 10 miles (EVERYONE under the age of 50 now has one of those things on their arms that tells how far they walked. Since I was with them, I know how far I walked as well). Add to that the much healthier food (at least with the wonderful French family. During lunch I would eat one of the always AMAZING deserts that seem to be at every restaurant or bakery). So I lost 8 pounds. The key of course will be to NOT revert to my American eating habits and keep the weight off. Last year I think I lost 7, then gained 15, which, even though I am far from a math major, doesn't seem like a net loss.
Oh yeah, instead of two beautiful roommates, one Swiss and one German, I had two dudes, one Japanese and one French (the family's son who was a 5th year med student). Just not the same somehow. I was lamenting how I could be working out every day here in the states and not losing a pound. Several of you told me that I needed to change my eating habits. While in France I did the "one plate only" thing, no seconds. And no snacks, which is easy when you are living with a French family who are obsessed with healthy eating.
Since the last week was salvaged, I may decide to go again next year. However, it is definitely NOT as much fun when the taxpayer isn't paying. Sigh.
Thinner but still 20 pounds overweight Bill
P.S. My French grammar is still apparently horrendous, but geez, plusque parfait, passe compose, imparfait, passe simple...they have WAY TOO MANY TENSES in French!
The Army Reserve did go ahead and kick me out in December, as I reached the very advanced age of 60, at which point the military very politely says "Hit the road, OLD MAN!" But last year I had such an amazing experience with my last immersion in France, in Montpellier, that I decided I would go again with the Army folks this year to Tours, France, even though I had to pay....so, a quick recap. The first 3 days, it rained non stop. Then the weather changed...along with the rain was wind and cold. And that didn't stop for 2 weeks....at least the 3rd week the rain stopped and that yellow thing in the sky reappeared.
Even with the rain, it was a 45 minute walk each way to school, and on the days we did chateau visits, we walked over 10 miles (EVERYONE under the age of 50 now has one of those things on their arms that tells how far they walked. Since I was with them, I know how far I walked as well). Add to that the much healthier food (at least with the wonderful French family. During lunch I would eat one of the always AMAZING deserts that seem to be at every restaurant or bakery). So I lost 8 pounds. The key of course will be to NOT revert to my American eating habits and keep the weight off. Last year I think I lost 7, then gained 15, which, even though I am far from a math major, doesn't seem like a net loss.
Oh yeah, instead of two beautiful roommates, one Swiss and one German, I had two dudes, one Japanese and one French (the family's son who was a 5th year med student). Just not the same somehow. I was lamenting how I could be working out every day here in the states and not losing a pound. Several of you told me that I needed to change my eating habits. While in France I did the "one plate only" thing, no seconds. And no snacks, which is easy when you are living with a French family who are obsessed with healthy eating.
Since the last week was salvaged, I may decide to go again next year. However, it is definitely NOT as much fun when the taxpayer isn't paying. Sigh.
Thinner but still 20 pounds overweight Bill
P.S. My French grammar is still apparently horrendous, but geez, plusque parfait, passe compose, imparfait, passe simple...they have WAY TOO MANY TENSES in French!
Ummm, those things on their arms that tells how far they walked are really cool, maybe you should get one so you can see how much you normally walk
I know what you mean about way too many tenses English has all of those too! Luckily Swiss German basically only has two: present and past . Not that we dont talk about the future but you add when you want to do something to the present, like: tomorrow I go shopping.
Im glad you had a good time and sorry the weather wasnt as perfect as it could be maybe next year!!
Carpe diem,
atp
I did mention to the family that the best city in the world to get an ablation is Bordeaux, which ticks me off cuz as Americans, we are SUPPOSED to have the best of everything, but it is hard to feel that we still do when one eats French food. I did urge him to pick cardiology and to come up with a once and final cure for afib.
Now that I see the pics from Paris, I am starting to think I was lucky that it only rained for 13 out of the first 14 days...geez, what did the French do to tick off Mother Nature? Maybe one too many greves?
One of the jokes we learned in class:
American: What is it with you French? Why are you ALWAYS on strike?
Frenchman: NOT TRUE! For two months of the year we are on vacation!
Bill