A few months have passed and after incorporating mom's daily yoga into my physical routine I've managed to increase my flexibility to levels beyond what I was capable of in my previous life.
Granted I was a man and way older, but even if I were to compare myself to others my age I'd proudly say I'm flexible.
Speaking of flexibility. I remember seeing videos about weighted stretches in my previous life. Supposedly it's really good for muscle stability and longevity in terms of physical health.
Of course, I neither lived long enough in my previous life to see the effects nor had the effort to even start doing it. But in this life it is something I should look into. I'll wait until I'm a bit older though and the same for weight lifting.
My current plan is for the next 3 years is to build up my cardio base, things like jogging, swimming and biking.
After that for another 3 years or so build up form and functional fitness. For myself, that'd be running, strength, kicking speed and possibly flexibility. Of course these things could change depending on my priorities, right now I want to be a goalkeeper in soccer but who knows if a quest might appear completely derailing my plans.
So at about 13 is when I will be starting full on weight lifting and HIIT training. Any earlier than that and I risk developmental problems. In fact 13 may be a bit too early but for myself with maxed out potential stats and abilities from my status window it should be fine.
Enough about my fitness plans though. Today is the first day of the Australian Junior Chess Championships. The tournament runs for 8 days. Starting on Tuesday and going all the way to Thursday the next week (skipping weekends.)
From what I've read of the schedule for the open (u18) competitors which I am competing in there will be 1 round a day except for the final day where an extra match will be played for a total of 9 round.
The matches themselves have no crazy rules such as changing time controls after 40 moves. It's just a simple 90+90 time control where each side starts with 90 minutes per side and gains an additional 90 seconds per move.
The standard stuff like touch move, touch take and no phones at the board apply.
For younger kids they discourage talking to parents but apparently there is no rule against it. Probably due to the kids feeling too much pressure or scared without them.
Hmm, if only mom was willing to help me cheat then this would be the easiest win ever.
Even just having a phone and leaving it in the bathroom before the game and then going during it. While they usually monitor for cheating in the bathrooms due to the ease of cheating they wouldn't suspect a 5-year-old would they?
Alas, I have to play with integrity as befitting a super-mega-genius, pretty-fit-girl extraordinaire like myself.
"Luna are you sure you only want your water bottle? You won't need any snacks for the possible 4 hours or so you're playing?" Mom asked with worry.
"For the fifth time mom, yes I'll be fine."
Well to be fair to mom I have been doing a lot of snacking in this life. But that's more the idea of overeating to make sure I achieve maximum growth. Most girls after all undereat in their developmental phase due to beauty standards, whether from their mothers or from what they see from their barbie dolls.
In fact I have a crazy theory in regards the evolution of women that goes back to our chimpanzee days, the theory being that woman who were physically stronger, more risk-taking and so on with positive traits that we equate to masculinity in the modern day weren't passed down in women.
I mean think about it, would a woman who was the strongest person in the tribe want to take the risk of childbirth where first of all they spend months pregnant unable to function properly and have to rely on others for basic necessities?
This doesn't even mention the inherent risks of giving birth which can very much kill them in the process.
Well whether or not that theory is true it doesn't really matter, just food for thought you know.
"Okay fine Luna I won't ask again, let's get to the hall area, we need to register."
The tournament itself is being held within a school hall. While it's not one of the Elderwood schools my parents attended it is another illustrious private school.
On the way to the hall, I've seen 2 large ovals used for cricket and footy, 1 outdoor swimming pool and 1 indoor one, along with a set of multipurpose sports court for basketball, volleyball, netball and so on.
Surely Elderwood Girls' will have all this stuff too right? I mean my parents wouldn't send me to some povo (poverty) school right?
After walking for 7 minutes from the visitors car park we made it to the hall and upon seeing the entryway I could see an older man with a clipboard sitting down on a cheap school table with a line in front of him.
"Mom I think we're lining up over there."
"Yeah let's go."
As we got in line I saw the mother of the kid in front of us turn their head and do a double-take as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Uh, Teresa? Teresa Leonidas?" The woman asked in a whisper unsure of herself.
"Yes that's me." Mom replied calmly.
"I've watched all of your movies and really loved you in Spider-Gwen. Can I get a photo with you?" The woman was clearly ecstatic at seeing my mother.
The kid with the woman a boy who looked to be maybe 8 years old turned his head and looked up at my mom and seemed to have thought, 'Yeah she looks like she could be an actress.' Well at least that's what I picked up from his facial expressions.
After that he turned his head to me and seemed surprised, "You look the exact same."
"Well yeah, she's my mom." I answered candidly.
"Yeah I could tell that part but like you look like twins... well other than the obvious age gap." He answered.
"Are you calling my mommy old?" I said with fake hurt in my voice.
"N-no. I meant that you're heights are just so different it's clear you weren't born at the same time."
"So you're saying my mom's a tall freak like a giraffe huh." If it were socially acceptable for me and if my mom weren't here I would've started fake crying right there and then.
"Luna stop bullying the poor kid. And yes miss I'd be happy to take a photo, I'll be here for the whole day taking care of Luna here so we can do it once we're inside. I don't want to get swarmed on the first day." Mom scolded me and replied to the woman in one go.
That level of smooth talk I guess is only really seen from those who speak for a living. One day I'll have to learn from her.
Looking at it now I'm going to be learning a lot of things from mom growing up.
"Next!"
The woman and son in front of us went up to register.
"Luna why'd you bully the poor kid?"
Bully? I will not take these slanderous accusations.
"I was having fun and it wasn't bullying he said we look the exact same when obviously I'm way younger. I had to correct him, who knows that sort of tragedies he'd unleash on women in the future without my guidance?"
"So to get it straight he did nothing wrong and now you want him to fear talking to women?"
"I mean when you say it like that..."
Mom just deadpan stared me as I stopped talking and sighed as if to give up on the idea of educating me.
"Signing up Jacob for the u10 age group."
"Jacob, Jacob. Yep got it him down thank you please proceed inside, the first round will start in about 70 minutes."
""Thank you."" The mother and son replied in unison before walking in.
"Next!"
Geez does he have to yell so loudly we're right here?
"Hey, Luna for the open age group."
"Luna... Luna, Yeah, wait did you mean to sign up for the open age group? This is usually for under 18's and you're child seems quite young." The man asked.
"Yeah, we got a referral from Gerald of RichTown Chess Club. He said to just say his name if there were any issues with the signup process for this."
"Gerald approved her... Then I have nothing more to say tournament starts in about 70 minutes. Please proceed inside."
And like that I walked into the hall housing my first side quest.