So I am now in a tiny bit of a drop, a bit of down time as my TMA06 (which was my EMA proposal) has now been in and I have 6 weeks to complete my EMA. For a split second I thought great I can relax, have a few long lay ins, bake cakes and watch rubbish DVD's........I then glanced down at my to do list and realised that I don't have such a thing as down time.
Firstly as I cross one thing off the list, the list fairy comes along and adds another thing for me to do. These appear to be jobs that can't be fitted in when I am at work, being in a school means that I can't really take time off when I want which means things that need doing pile up and wait for the school breaks.
Also, I am starting in a new school so the pressure is on, more as there are things I need to prepare for more so this August compared to last August. My new school start has to be right and failure is not an option with that or my studies!
Don't get me wrong, I like being busy but I also would like to be able to get up one day without the alarm and think, hmm what shall I do today, shall I bake some cakes/bread/biscuits or watch DVD or spend the WHOLE day at the gym. Sometimes I just feel that there is never enough hours in the day, or maybe I should try to clone myself so I can do everything!
So I will have a five minute celebration after submitting my TMA and I will check my reading list for my next course EA300 and have a cup of tea and get cracking again on my to-do list.
I do enjoy studying with the OU, I have said it many a time. The problem is the excitement goes very quickly once a new course starts and there are times when I feel so overwhelmed with the TMA's and the course materials. I don't think I am clever enough to get a degree but on the other hand I am willing to prove myself wrong. Getting a degree would be one of the greatest achievements of my life, it would be up there with my first job in the investment industry (many years ago), starting work in a school and meeting a lovely man! I want to be the first person on my side of the family to have worked independently and got a degree, my mum and step dad as clever as they are never needed a degree so didn't work towards one. My brother, (there's a story that I wont bore you with) if you could get a degree in how to smell like a fish then he would have got one, but he was never academic and would never even think about continuing education and so he didn't. To have my family see me graduate would mean the world, I just need to get to that point! I need to pull my socks up for the EMA and again for EA300. Once I have my BA (Hons) (fingers crossed) I would then to look at some smaller modules with the OU that would be of great interest and at some point may even work towards a second degree, life is all about improvement, you don't stop learning once you leave school.
I had cancelled gym for Tuesday, I am gutted to cancel to be honest as I feel that I need it but thanks to my to do list I felt that I needed to get myself straight, as I have work meetings towards the end of the week. However fingers crossed I am back in for Wednesday, after I have dropped a car off at a garage. I am hoping the garage wont mess me about leaving me with no option but to cancel another class!
I am not a sentimental fool, I go through stages of hording things for the sake of it but then I have a massive clear out. This week is clear out week, as I have mentioned there will be things going onto ebay but I have decided to also clear stuff for the charity shop, find a new purpose for things or chuck out completely.
A case in point was a lovely mug I was given as I left my old job saying 'special teacher' although I loved the mug I didn't really like drinking out of it as I am a fussy old so and so and have a zillion mugs already but I wanted to keep it as a reminder. Suddenly after searching around for a Sharpie in one of my pencil cases I decided that the mug will be my 'sharpie mug' and I will have a lovely selection up on the shelf above the PC in the mug. I will gaze upon this mug when I am having a study crisis and I will hope it will remind me of why I am studying whilst completing a vital role by holding my lovely Sharpies. The Sharpies came from Costco where they have a mega pack of 24 Sharpies plus 1 free in a range of lovely colours for £7.00 (Amazon have them for £11.93 link to amazon Sharpies). As I love these pens that was an offer I could not resist and now I have new colours to put into my Sherpa ready for my new job as well as writing at home.
Anyway must go.....my to do list is calling!
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Clear out time, everything must go!
I have more fitness gadgets than Dixons or my local gym, however I am now having a clear out as I have been very happy with the Garmin and fitbit.
So over the next few days I will be setting up some eBay sales and hoping that my Polar items will be going to a good home as they have served me well.
Up for sale will be a Polar FA20; Polar FT80; Polar CS100 and a speedo watch that measures laps in the pool.
I will also be going through and clearing out my Filofax collection, certain inserts and binders will also be added as the weeks go on as I am happy with the Holborn zipped daily and slimline weekend right now as well as the Apex for the gym, Domino for study and Domino a5 for work.
Its time to clear out what is not needed and start the new school year with a clear desk!
I have made some changes to this blog, it is thanks to Steve Morton who writes on Philofaxy a great blog about organisation that is worth a read http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/ who pointed out there was a problem with viewing. I decided that a new page style was in order and have tweaked. I hope it has ironed out any problems.
Thank you for reading.
So over the next few days I will be setting up some eBay sales and hoping that my Polar items will be going to a good home as they have served me well.
Up for sale will be a Polar FA20; Polar FT80; Polar CS100 and a speedo watch that measures laps in the pool.
I will also be going through and clearing out my Filofax collection, certain inserts and binders will also be added as the weeks go on as I am happy with the Holborn zipped daily and slimline weekend right now as well as the Apex for the gym, Domino for study and Domino a5 for work.
Its time to clear out what is not needed and start the new school year with a clear desk!
I have made some changes to this blog, it is thanks to Steve Morton who writes on Philofaxy a great blog about organisation that is worth a read http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/ who pointed out there was a problem with viewing. I decided that a new page style was in order and have tweaked. I hope it has ironed out any problems.
Thank you for reading.
Monday, 20 August 2012
Workout week
The week is panning out fairly well.
I missed gym last Tuesday due to a bad cramp in my left calf during the night that seemed to stay with me for most of the day. I used Tuesday as my rest day and felt it wouldn't do to go too mad.
I was back in Wednesday morning for spin my heart rate monitor is now working again and so I have the following data as a result.
Calories: 401
Heart rate avg 131 BPM
Max heart rate 191 BPM
This class and the previous one Monday were held by 2 of my favourite trainers and so I feel comfortable working out with them, they also know I haven't been in for a while so they keep half an eye.
Thursday I came into the gym to complete a yoga class, much needed as I just don't feel as supple as I used to and then I was back in for Zumba in the evening. Not keen on the instructor for this Zumba class but she is different to the old instructor and does make you go for it. I have no data for this class but I came away absolutely shattered.
I had booked Zumba for Friday morning but my University work plus other pressing tasks took me away from the gym and I had this as another rest day.
This week has started very well gym wise. Today I had a PT session with Mike and the following was completed after a warm up. Each exercise was times the first set as many as possible in 60 seconds and the second set over 90 seconds:
Kettle bell squats using 12kg kettle bell
Medicine ball slams with 4kg ball
Vipr lat shuffles wit 6kg Vipr
Down and ups
Squat and press with 4kg medicine ball
Vipr sag shuffles with 6kg Vipr
Shoulder press with 2kg each side
Shuttle runs
Medicine ball wall slams using 4kg ball
High step ups.
Quick stretch
Data shown as follows:
This session ended and I then completed an hours spin class (although I was very tired at the end)
The data today has been collated from a Garmin 910xt an early Christmas gift and a new toy (I am very lucky). Check here fore more details http://www.garmin.com/uk/. This Garmin helps track training regardless of type of exercise and includes swimming. It enables me to set fitness or training goals over a given time so as a test I have set a calories burnt goal and see how quick I can burn 1000 calories. After the sessions today I am 43% into my goal.
I had to peel of my work out gear, it was soaked through.
Back in for Aqua tomorrow and will book up the classes later for the rest of the week.
I missed gym last Tuesday due to a bad cramp in my left calf during the night that seemed to stay with me for most of the day. I used Tuesday as my rest day and felt it wouldn't do to go too mad.
I was back in Wednesday morning for spin my heart rate monitor is now working again and so I have the following data as a result.
Calories: 401
Heart rate avg 131 BPM
Max heart rate 191 BPM
This class and the previous one Monday were held by 2 of my favourite trainers and so I feel comfortable working out with them, they also know I haven't been in for a while so they keep half an eye.
Thursday I came into the gym to complete a yoga class, much needed as I just don't feel as supple as I used to and then I was back in for Zumba in the evening. Not keen on the instructor for this Zumba class but she is different to the old instructor and does make you go for it. I have no data for this class but I came away absolutely shattered.
I had booked Zumba for Friday morning but my University work plus other pressing tasks took me away from the gym and I had this as another rest day.
This week has started very well gym wise. Today I had a PT session with Mike and the following was completed after a warm up. Each exercise was times the first set as many as possible in 60 seconds and the second set over 90 seconds:
Kettle bell squats using 12kg kettle bell
Medicine ball slams with 4kg ball
Vipr lat shuffles wit 6kg Vipr
Down and ups
Squat and press with 4kg medicine ball
Vipr sag shuffles with 6kg Vipr
Shoulder press with 2kg each side
Shuttle runs
Medicine ball wall slams using 4kg ball
High step ups.
Quick stretch
Data shown as follows:
| Avg HR: | 101 bpm |
| Max HR: | 160 bpm |
| Calories: | 187 |
This session ended and I then completed an hours spin class (although I was very tired at the end)
| Avg HR: | 132 bpm |
| Max HR: | 155 bpm |
| Calories: | 244 |
The data today has been collated from a Garmin 910xt an early Christmas gift and a new toy (I am very lucky). Check here fore more details http://www.garmin.com/uk/. This Garmin helps track training regardless of type of exercise and includes swimming. It enables me to set fitness or training goals over a given time so as a test I have set a calories burnt goal and see how quick I can burn 1000 calories. After the sessions today I am 43% into my goal.
I had to peel of my work out gear, it was soaked through.
Back in for Aqua tomorrow and will book up the classes later for the rest of the week.
Monday, 13 August 2012
Phoenix from the flames
There is a reason for this title, the closing ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics was Sunday night and above the Olympic flame rose a Phoenix. I thought this quite apt on a London/Great Britain level and on a personal level and the image has stayed with me since.
On a London/Great Britain level because we had so many doubters as to whether we could hold the Olympics in this country, was we ready for it, would the buildings be ready and adequate? Could we get any medals? Transport issues or strikes despite extra money being paid to many people? Would we fall flat on our face at a great cost in a very public way? Well the answer is WE DID GREAT!!!! Not only finishing 3rd in the medal table but I am happy to say we held one of the most successful Olympics ever. No security issues, no strikes, no riots, I was proud as the whole country came together and we can hold our heads high as Great Britain was on the map and we showed a comeback! I was actually thanked by an American whilst away after the opening ceremony, he said "thank you for that great opening ceremony and thank you for holding what will be a great Olympics", I felt proud!
On a personal level the Phoenix was an image of how I have risen above issues and adversity and I am still here and still strong. I may have a wobble every now and again but thanks to the people around me I can pick myself up and carry on. People come and people go but I am lucky to have my loved ones to count on and I know I am loved. The Phoenix right now is me getting my health and study back on track. It shows that we all have a chance to rise again despite what is up against us.
It was sad when the flame went out though, 16 days of brilliant sport in the UK and some great athletes who should be an inspiration to us all. However, we haven't even seen the full story because the para-Olympics start on 29th August and we will see not only another set of great sports men and women but people who have overcome so much, they are like a phoenix rising from the flames too and I will look forward to following these games when they start.
Things never are straightforward, a small niggle with my car turns into a new car purchased. Ho hum so much for me saving money when back from holiday.
Well it may save me money as I am downgrading engine size and back to petrol instead of diesel (diesel has got so expensive recently) and I hope these downgrades will reflect in money saved further down the line.
On the book front I have just finished Junk by Melvin Burgess , it is part of my reading list for my Open University EA300 Children's Literature course starting in October. Firstly I would not call it a typical children's book, as the title suggests its about junk in other words drugs, also deals with the subject of child runaways and more sordid subjects. However, even though I was reading it under 'duress' I found that I was drawn into it and as the story moved on I wanted to know what happened next. A good read told from different perspectives and at times very unnerving and I am not even a parent, had I been a parent I could be worried! This book won both the Guardian Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal and I can see why and I will read it again when all my studies are over as it was a good read. Available from Amazon from this link and its probably available from other book shops! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0140380191/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
On the gym front I have been busy:
Today was an hour spin class followed by a PT session with Mike. We completed the following:
Leg press40kg 20 reps 4 sets, between each set alt step/shin reach of 20 reps.
Pulldown 15kg 20 reps 4 sets, between each set lat step/shin reach of 20 reps
Chest press 5kg 20 reps 4 sets, between each set touch toes then up to ceiling of 20 reps
Power plate squats for a minute set at 30 and low
Power plate massage
Stretch
My heart rate monitor had stopped working so I have no clue on how many calories I have burnt during these two sessions but I felt good despite my lack of exercise recently. Although I did feel shattered after spin and felt that I could have bailed on the PT session but glad I had booked it and held strong.
Have a good week!
On a London/Great Britain level because we had so many doubters as to whether we could hold the Olympics in this country, was we ready for it, would the buildings be ready and adequate? Could we get any medals? Transport issues or strikes despite extra money being paid to many people? Would we fall flat on our face at a great cost in a very public way? Well the answer is WE DID GREAT!!!! Not only finishing 3rd in the medal table but I am happy to say we held one of the most successful Olympics ever. No security issues, no strikes, no riots, I was proud as the whole country came together and we can hold our heads high as Great Britain was on the map and we showed a comeback! I was actually thanked by an American whilst away after the opening ceremony, he said "thank you for that great opening ceremony and thank you for holding what will be a great Olympics", I felt proud!
On a personal level the Phoenix was an image of how I have risen above issues and adversity and I am still here and still strong. I may have a wobble every now and again but thanks to the people around me I can pick myself up and carry on. People come and people go but I am lucky to have my loved ones to count on and I know I am loved. The Phoenix right now is me getting my health and study back on track. It shows that we all have a chance to rise again despite what is up against us.
It was sad when the flame went out though, 16 days of brilliant sport in the UK and some great athletes who should be an inspiration to us all. However, we haven't even seen the full story because the para-Olympics start on 29th August and we will see not only another set of great sports men and women but people who have overcome so much, they are like a phoenix rising from the flames too and I will look forward to following these games when they start.
Things never are straightforward, a small niggle with my car turns into a new car purchased. Ho hum so much for me saving money when back from holiday.
Well it may save me money as I am downgrading engine size and back to petrol instead of diesel (diesel has got so expensive recently) and I hope these downgrades will reflect in money saved further down the line.
On the book front I have just finished Junk by Melvin Burgess , it is part of my reading list for my Open University EA300 Children's Literature course starting in October. Firstly I would not call it a typical children's book, as the title suggests its about junk in other words drugs, also deals with the subject of child runaways and more sordid subjects. However, even though I was reading it under 'duress' I found that I was drawn into it and as the story moved on I wanted to know what happened next. A good read told from different perspectives and at times very unnerving and I am not even a parent, had I been a parent I could be worried! This book won both the Guardian Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal and I can see why and I will read it again when all my studies are over as it was a good read. Available from Amazon from this link and its probably available from other book shops! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0140380191/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
On the gym front I have been busy:
Today was an hour spin class followed by a PT session with Mike. We completed the following:
Leg press40kg 20 reps 4 sets, between each set alt step/shin reach of 20 reps.
Pulldown 15kg 20 reps 4 sets, between each set lat step/shin reach of 20 reps
Chest press 5kg 20 reps 4 sets, between each set touch toes then up to ceiling of 20 reps
Power plate squats for a minute set at 30 and low
Power plate massage
Stretch
My heart rate monitor had stopped working so I have no clue on how many calories I have burnt during these two sessions but I felt good despite my lack of exercise recently. Although I did feel shattered after spin and felt that I could have bailed on the PT session but glad I had booked it and held strong.
Have a good week!
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Training again.
Time to blog about my training at the gym, writing down my sessions not only helps me keep on track but I hope it provides inspiration to others too!
My first PT session after the holiday was on the 10th August. In this session I completed the following:
My first PT session after the holiday was on the 10th August. In this session I completed the following:
Warm up was a walk on the treadmill for 12 minutes incline was set at 2.
Leg press 40kg 4 sets of 20 reps, between each set alt reach
step 4 sets of 20 reps.
Pull down 20kg 4 sets of 20 reps, between each step lat steps
4 sets of 20 reps.
Kinesis press 5kg 2 sets of 20 reps however this was reduced
to 12 reps then 10 reps on the final set, between each set touch toes and reach
to ceiling 4 sets of 20 reps.
Treadmill intervals on incline 2 walk at 5kph for 30 seconds followed by jog
7kpm for 30 seconds each 30 second interval continued until 13 minutes and then
a walk to cool down, taking it to 20 minutes on the treadmill. I covered 2km in 23 minutes.
Session ended with a stretch.
Back in the gym Monday.
Weigh in for me is today I wont publish here what damage I have done weight wise but I will be noting a start weight and recording what is lost (I hope) over the next few weeks. I need to be fit and healthy for my new job and I have Christmas 2012 and Summer 2013 as goals!
This session was hard work but it was expected to be hard
after being away from the gym for what felt like a long time. I felt good afterwards but it will be
interesting to see how the next week’s sessions go and if I am on the right track
back to fitness. I had noticed that the gym have scheduled new classes and I am looking forward to giving them a shot over the next few weeks.
On the university front I have started my ECM proposal, I am not keen on what topic I have chosen to investigate but time was running out and I needed to get something down on paper. I was hoping for inspiration but have gone with my first idea, I cant put here what this idea is until after the cut off date but I am hoping it will provide me with a pass and then onto the home straight.
Studying with the Open University has been a long hard slog, it has had its highs and lows and it definitely has not been easy to do whilst working and trying to run a home and fitting everything else in. I would recommend the Open University though, they have so many subjects and if I am honest I think I will find a new subject to study once this degree is over but by then the pressure will be off. If you want more information about the OU subject range visit http://www.open.ac.uk/.
Friday, 10 August 2012
Damage limitation
So back from holiday, suffering a little with jet lag but ready to get on with life back in the middle lane until September when life moves quickly into the fast lane.
So things I need to complete or start before I start work on 3 September.
1-start new gym routine
2-finish TMA06 for E303 (current open university level 3 module)
3-start ECM for E303
4-read books for EA300 (final open university level 3 module)
5-organise work filofax
6-organise house
7-start Slimming World
8-plan a starter for new school
Doesn't seem much when I write them down but they are big goals and I don't have as much time as I would have liked. The title says it all for me, I know that this time next year I want to fit into and feel good/look good in a Hollister bikini!!!
I haven't weighed myself yet, I plan to weigh in on Sunday and see what weight I have added whilst being on holiday, I am not strong enough to see it right now and my body is all over the place with the jet lag. So weighing in right now would have the chance to tip me over the edge and give up before I have even started. However, I have booked up gym classes for next week and I hope its the kick start I need to get into a routine.
On the gym front I am annoyed, I booked an aqua class for Thursday morning to start my new routine, I got into the pool with the others and waited and waited, 10 minutes later we were advised that the instructor was on holiday and cover has not been arranged therefore class was now cancelled. So annoyed as I didn't have my swimming stuff with me goggles etc and as I was in the pool I could have gone onto the gym floor if I had my gym stuff with me. I went off fuming and did a steam room session instead. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come at David Lloyd, we have had issues before but recently things had been OK, I don't want to start looking around for a different gym that puts people first.
Booked for next week:
Monday RPM and PT session
Tuesday Zone Cycling
Wednesday RPM
Thursday Yoga and Zumba
Friday Spin and Zumba
I have PT session today, not looking forward to it but I have to get back on the wagon and reverse the damage.
Whilst on holiday I did plenty of reading thanks to the joys of kindle, I plan to post about good books worth reading in the future on this blog in the meantime this is what was read whilst I was away:
ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror by Iain Rob Wright - A fictional story that could be fact, worrying and frightening insight into what 'could' happen in the real world.
Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson - Amazing book that I could not put down, repetitive to start with for good reason with a fantastic twist to the plot.
Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum by Mark Stevens - A brilliant insight to why Broadmoor was built and some of the inmates from the early days, factual and interesting.
The Crew by Dougie Brimson - Started off well, all about football violence in the 1990's but thought the ending was disappointing.
Inflight Science: A Guide to the World from your Airplane Window - Read whilst on my flight to Mexico. A great little read and almost put my fears about flying to bed. Lots of facts about inside and outside a plane and around the airport.
Its Your Time You're Wasting by Frank Chalk - Written by a supply teacher brilliant insight in how some schools are and the children within them. Good reasons behind behaviour by kids and staff, eye opener when you realise that some of the things described in the book happen for real.
London by Tube: A History of the Underground Station Names by David Revill - Bit of an underground geek after travelling on it for many years and wanted to understand some of the history. Was also a cheap book for the kindle and pleased I purchased it before the Olympics so I could gain knowledge of the east end.
Shadow Of The Minotaur by Alan Gibbons - It was a 'have to read for work book' wasn't looking forward to it but once started I found it enjoyable. Good for boys if they are reluctant readers and with more than a nod to Greek mythology anyone who has an interest in that field should enjoy it.
I know my taste is different to others but I have found some good reads by looking at what others are reading via kindle ratings and will continue to search out good and different books to read.
Wishing you all a good weekend.
So things I need to complete or start before I start work on 3 September.
1-start new gym routine
2-finish TMA06 for E303 (current open university level 3 module)
3-start ECM for E303
4-read books for EA300 (final open university level 3 module)
5-organise work filofax
6-organise house
7-start Slimming World
8-plan a starter for new school
Doesn't seem much when I write them down but they are big goals and I don't have as much time as I would have liked. The title says it all for me, I know that this time next year I want to fit into and feel good/look good in a Hollister bikini!!!
I haven't weighed myself yet, I plan to weigh in on Sunday and see what weight I have added whilst being on holiday, I am not strong enough to see it right now and my body is all over the place with the jet lag. So weighing in right now would have the chance to tip me over the edge and give up before I have even started. However, I have booked up gym classes for next week and I hope its the kick start I need to get into a routine.
On the gym front I am annoyed, I booked an aqua class for Thursday morning to start my new routine, I got into the pool with the others and waited and waited, 10 minutes later we were advised that the instructor was on holiday and cover has not been arranged therefore class was now cancelled. So annoyed as I didn't have my swimming stuff with me goggles etc and as I was in the pool I could have gone onto the gym floor if I had my gym stuff with me. I went off fuming and did a steam room session instead. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come at David Lloyd, we have had issues before but recently things had been OK, I don't want to start looking around for a different gym that puts people first.
Booked for next week:
Monday RPM and PT session
Tuesday Zone Cycling
Wednesday RPM
Thursday Yoga and Zumba
Friday Spin and Zumba
I have PT session today, not looking forward to it but I have to get back on the wagon and reverse the damage.
Whilst on holiday I did plenty of reading thanks to the joys of kindle, I plan to post about good books worth reading in the future on this blog in the meantime this is what was read whilst I was away:
ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror by Iain Rob Wright - A fictional story that could be fact, worrying and frightening insight into what 'could' happen in the real world.
Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson - Amazing book that I could not put down, repetitive to start with for good reason with a fantastic twist to the plot.
Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum by Mark Stevens - A brilliant insight to why Broadmoor was built and some of the inmates from the early days, factual and interesting.
The Crew by Dougie Brimson - Started off well, all about football violence in the 1990's but thought the ending was disappointing.
Inflight Science: A Guide to the World from your Airplane Window - Read whilst on my flight to Mexico. A great little read and almost put my fears about flying to bed. Lots of facts about inside and outside a plane and around the airport.
Its Your Time You're Wasting by Frank Chalk - Written by a supply teacher brilliant insight in how some schools are and the children within them. Good reasons behind behaviour by kids and staff, eye opener when you realise that some of the things described in the book happen for real.
London by Tube: A History of the Underground Station Names by David Revill - Bit of an underground geek after travelling on it for many years and wanted to understand some of the history. Was also a cheap book for the kindle and pleased I purchased it before the Olympics so I could gain knowledge of the east end.
Shadow Of The Minotaur by Alan Gibbons - It was a 'have to read for work book' wasn't looking forward to it but once started I found it enjoyable. Good for boys if they are reluctant readers and with more than a nod to Greek mythology anyone who has an interest in that field should enjoy it.
I know my taste is different to others but I have found some good reads by looking at what others are reading via kindle ratings and will continue to search out good and different books to read.
Wishing you all a good weekend.
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