The Count Down!

Happy New Year, Everyone! I hope you all had a splendid 2011, and I wish you all of the best for the year to come. A new year is always an excellent opportunity to reflect on our pasts, and then to look towards our futures. It is definitely important to do some self-evaluating, but just make sure not to be too hard on yourself about your mistakes--after all, your past is just practice! :) Plus, you don't want to resolve to do *too* many changes because you'll only end up disappointing yourself. 

For my resolutions this year, I thought I would do a count down style for you all to see the top 10 moments of my life from 2011 (with #1 being the best!!), and also create a top 10 list for my goals for 2012! So start your clocks! ;) haha just kidding ;) Here it goes!

Top 10 Moments from 2011

1) January 21st-- When Tyler and I started dating <3

2) February 10th-- Celebrating my 21st birthday! :D 

3) December 21st--Celebrating Christmas with Tyler! <3

4) Getting a 4.0 after Spring and Fall semester (let's cross our fingers I can do it again this semester ;) )

5) July 4th-- Caught my first fishes! (Yes, I caught multiple!!) 

6) August 19th-- Last day of my internship! 

7) Taking Step Aerobics for the 5th time ;)

8) Loosing 35 pounds!!

9) Removing or significantly reducing stress by learning to recognize what bothers me, and then making changes accordingly (or at least attempting to!) 

10) Becoming re-united with my blogging and creative writing! :) 

Top 10 Goals for 2012

1) Keep being the best girlfriend that I can possibly be <3 

2) Become a certified step aerobics instructor

3) Run my first half marathon

4) Finding a full-time job that will satisfy all of my financial needs, (and that will at least be somewhat fun ;) )

5) Become less anxious!!! Write down my feelings ASAP, and get all negativity out of my system!! (I did improve with doing this this year, but it still needs work!) 

6) Be able to purchase my first Coach purse (yes, I know this sounds silly, but it is something that I really want, and it will be a good motivator for me too!) 

7) Continue blogging, and creating poetic pieces

8) Purchase my own car! (Probably a used one, but hopefully one with less miles and better gas mileage than my current soccer mom 'tank' ;) )

9) Graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors 

10) GET MORE SLEEP! 

So as you can see, I do have quite the list of goals, and I can almost guarantee that I won't be able to get them all accomplished (especially number 10), but I do feel fairly confident that I *can* make changes. It might not all happen tomorrow, but eventually it is my goal to at least partially cross off each thing--by making small improvements.  

Oh, by the way, did you see my fortune in the picture above? I obtained this fortune from Hy-Vee on Wednesday when I ate Chinese with my sister Carolyn and her husband Wes, as well as Tyler, and I thought it was the loveliest fortune that I could receive! I'm praying that it will come true--even if it does unexpectedly (as things usually do) :) But, even if it doesn't, it still makes me feel happy to look at it, because it reminds me to believe in myself which is something I really need to do more of. Heck, maybe since I shared this fortune, you all can exceed your expectations too! So, Happy New Year, and best of luck! 2012, bring it on! :D 

Happiness, Christmas Gifts, & Resolutions

Happiness is living life to its fullest~ a cheesy but true statement! I've been appreciating this simple thought more than ever lately! I've been relaxing, pampering, and even sleeping a few extra hours to make up for all of the sleep lost over the semester! It's truly been great! Although I know I've neglected my blog a little, I think I'm ready to be back in full force! :D Yay! It's really such a good outlet for me! :) So I hope you don't mind if I take a little time to get caught up with you! I'll be back to my more "creative" posts here soon too! :) I was really having fun with those! :D

Anyway! Obviously one of the major topics of the season is showing off what you got for Christmas! haha (Okay, so I know that this is kind of the commercial aspects of the season, but heck, we all enjoy it!) So, I wanted to take a moment to tell you some of my favorite gifts! Although, I will warn you, none of these gifts are ones that I can carry around or display! They are *much* better! Anyway, I had wished for my boyfriend Tyler to take me out to a nice dinner, and well he did! He took me out for a lovely evening at Johnny Carinos, and before that he had treated me to a 3D experience at the Carmike Theater! We watched the Adventures of Tin Tin, and I must say it was super cool! Although, I'm kind of hooked on 3D movies now ;) I saw that there was going to be a 3D version of the Titanic coming out too, and I about hyperventilated! LOL! After our supper he took me on a lovely drive through the Falls Park Winter Wonderland! It was beautiful! And so romantic! I even braved my atrocious fear of heights and ascended to the top of the tower to overlook the falls! (At least it was dark out so I couldn't see how high I was exactly ;) ) So, those are just a few of the gifts I received, and honestly it was the best Christmas ever! I remember last year at this time I was just getting to know him, and it's so amazing to see how far we've come! Our one year anniversary is coming up too, and I'll be sure to do another post about that too! (Only if you're interested of course!)

So, obviously after this wonderful Christmas experience, I had to think about some of the things to come! And this is where the resolution part comes in ;) First and foremost, I want to graduate--which will happen on May 6th, I believe. Second, I want to continue my health and fitness journey! I would love to become a certified step aerobics instructor, and I would like to accomplish that by this summer! Third, I want to continue being the best girlfriend that I can be. All that old time romance is not over-rated, people. Fourth, I want to keep being positive. I found this quote that says 'my mantra of the year' quite perfectly, and I'm going to leave you with this today.... Of course, I'm going to be creating more inspirational pieces for myself too (In much shorter postings) from now until the end of the year! :) So without further ado....

"This is the day you stare down every naysayer in your life who doesn't get it yet. Because you do. Finally. And now you know that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

(PS I selected today's picture in accordance with the message of this quote. Are you afraid to be an individual? Are you afraid of letting your whole self out into the world? Free yourself. Let yourself go. Let the Light illuminate you--your beauty, your talents, and everything 'you'. :) )

By the Moonlight

The nights are getting dark, and foggy. 

Full of mystery, and expectancy.

I know something's coming.

Sparkling diamonds of hope shining

Hanging over the world, like a blanket

Cozily cuddling every tree in the thicket 

The birds huddle down in knowing supposition

The remaining leaves rattle away as Mother Nature, magician

Raises her wand and lays on the earth a deep slumber

While white crystals of light disperse and soon outnumber

The blades of grass, and burrow into the breaches of pavement

Soon the world is quiet, waiting with breath baited, and wonderment

Flake constellations keep forming in the sky and are illuminated

By the Moonlight, they fall through the air. Oh Winter, we are well-acquainted. 

Cinderella's Slippers

There's something in a pair of shoes that can feel so magical, so metamorphic. I think Cinderella's fairy godmother knew exactly what she was doing as soon as she magically crafted the one-of-a-kind pair of glass slippers. She wanted Cinderella to have the most stunning kicks in the whole room! Now, I'm not trying to say that this pair of shoes are the most-stunning, but they are fun to wear, and they are manageable to walk in! ;) They are definitely my special occasion shoes too, as I have only worn them for one other occasion, and that was my sister's wedding. I plan on keeping these shoes for that tradition too--special occasion only.  And, yes, I would also love to wear them for my wedding someday too :) No, they are not Christian Louboutin's or even Manolo Blahnik's, but they are definitely very valuable to me because of all the wonderful memories that will someday be associated with them. I can't wait to take them out of the box again!  Who knows? The next time could very well be on the day I say my vows, to my wonderful Prince. But, for now, I'll just dance away the night, at the black and white ball, with my Prince Charming, and know that happily-ever-after will be coming soon enough <3 

Breaking Through

Such delicate fragments of ice that have been cracked apart and swept ashore by the blustery, unforgiving winds. The winds wrecked their formations and blew them so hard that they collided with the rocks. However, they seem to have adapted to live together quite nicely. They are now snuggling among the rocks, and bracing them from the harsh winds, and freezing waters. The stories of Nature are endless, and even the smallest stories are worth telling. Yes, I find the simple things of Nature to be the most beautiful. 

Running with All Her Strength

She knew that she had been hiding her feelings from the world, and she was tired of living a lie--a lie she mostly told to herself.

She had told herself she wasn't worth it, but she knew that reality was quite the opposite--She *was* worth it. 

So she picked up all of her anxieties, all of her imperfections, all of her incongruences, and she started to run. 

She didn't know where she was headed, or which way was north, but she kept on running and praying. 

She didn't care how silly she looked, or how many people doubted her. She just ran. 

Every step was one step closer to her true self, and she ran and prayed every day from then on out. 

6 months later, she still runs, and fights for the truth. 

She feels more beautiful than ever--not just because she has lost weight from her body, but because she has lost the weight of all that baggage.

She doesn't care anymore what people think. She just tries to do what God tells her too, and she does it with all of her heart. 

It's not always easy, and it doesn't always make sense, but she still does it. 

Some people may not understand her either, but that's okay, because who's she trying to impress anyway?

So, she will just keep on running, fighting, praying, and knowing that she's finally going down the right road, and that realization is more than she could've ever asked for. 

F.I.N.A.L.S

If you are currently a college student, or if you have been in the past, you know all too well what this acronym actually stands for, and although I am much too polite to actually say it, that does not mean that I don't *think* it--at least sometimes! Yes, feel free to gasp and tell me that I'm a terrible person ;) LOL! Nerds have limitations of their levels of exhaustion too, and I feel I surpassed mine during midterms!

It's time to buckle-down though, and get to work, or else I'm really going to be disappointed in myself. Just because I have a major case of senioritis does not mean that I can be on brain vacation all day! Yes, pinterest is fun--but probably not very appropriate during class time ;) I've got to remember how hard I've had to work to get to this point. Yes, I should be proud, and I definitely think I've earned it, but I've got to keep on earning it! haha And, I think I would be disappointed some day if I looked back and only remembered zoning out for 90% of my senior year of college--although, I will admit that there are definitely times where every form of distraction is necessary in certain classes which will remain unnamed! LOL! You all can think of one I'm sure!

Anyway, I've included a picture of a desk that I used a long time back in Elementary school. This desk has been long-retired from actual school-use, but it has made a wonderful addition to our basement/play room. Not only does it remind me of how much I enjoyed school as a child, but it has reminded me to keep working hard, because so many have gone and done the same before me. :)

So keep on studying, and doing the best you can to pay attention. (Although reading my blog counts as being productive!! bahahha!) Just remember, there's only about 2 weeks left now! :D Let's get through it together! Comment below as to what your finals-week tips are! I'd love to hear them--the crazier the better! No better time for laughs than during the times of stress! :D

Deck the Halls!

It's the most wonderful time of the year again! Time to dust off the trees that have been stored in our basements, and bring out the bulbs and garlands to decorate their bare branches. Time to turn on the Christmas music and fall into a pool of nostalgia as we all remember and cherish those simple traditions from our childhoods. We feel that spark of joy--that sense of foreshadowing--there's something amazing that's coming! Whether if we are 1 or 92, I think we all really *can* feel the excitement. It's not just excitement for what lies under the tree either... It's that sense that we are all on the brink--we are constantly changing and bringing new things to the world, and of course, if one is Christian, he will be looking forward to the second coming as well--which is really exciting! But even if one is not Christian, this time of year is really exciting because it is so symbolic of preparation. Even though the world is covered in snow, and everything seems dormant and dead, he will  know that there is that promise of life, or Spring--which in South Dakota is *at least* six months from now, hahha!

So, yes, there are some amazing things to come, and that is the joy of living--knowing that there is so much to be hopeful for. One thing that I was reminded of though (which I saw on my lovely new addiction called Pinterest hehe) was this: "we must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us". I'm not sure who's brilliant words these are, but they are so wise and true. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind and to lose focus of the everyday joys. What I strive to do is to make every day memorable in some small way. Then I sit down at night and think of all of the things that I have to be thankful for, and how those small memorable things have impacted my day. It really helps me to feel a larger purpose, and it helps me to appreciate every single day :)

So to help make this year's Christmas a bit more memorable, I bought my very first Christmas Tree! :D It's not exactly traditional, but it definitely does embody my style. I really had fun buying all of the trimmings, and then hanging all of the decorations on it. It really is a show-stopper in my room, and I will use it for many years to come. It has already brought me a lot of joy, and I hope it can bring you some Christmas cheer too! :) I really had fun capturing some pictures of my room, and some of the other decorations that I've put up as well. I'm really *trying* to get better at taking my own pictures ;) So any feedback, or advice, would be appreciated! :)

Times to Come

It's a whirlwind moment in my life right now. It's nearing the end of the Fall semester and approaching the new year, and last semester of my college career. It's a time full of anxiety, really, and I will admit that I'm much more scared than I may appear. I'm scared of what's to come, but yet I know that it's going to be something incredible! 

I often think about the way my life has been in the last few years, and I think about how trite it must be compared to my future. I know this sounds mean, but I'm not trying to beat myself up, or 'talk down' at my current situation. I know that this part of my life is necessary for me to reach the future. Even though I may laugh at myself some day for caring so much about every assignment, or laugh at myself for how much I used to whine about my part time job, these things have undoubtedly changed me, and prepared me to be ready for my future. They've taught me to work hard and never give up, and to be friendly to others no matter what. They've taught me to smile at strangers and say hello to someone who looks like they're feeling down. And I've really learned to value these parts of my life--most of the time! 

Believe me, I still have plenty of days where I wake up thinking 'why bother?'... And then, if I'm feeling particularly grouchy, I only focus on the surface of the situation, and think about how little things have changed. Total lie, of course, but when you're feeling tired and worn-out, you can pretty much convince yourself of anything. hah! So yes, I have my days of being a Debbie Downer, but I think everyone does ;) 

What I've come to realize as of late though is that everything is relative. Time is so quickly moving. In 6 months, I will be living the future that I've been hoping for. Who knows what it will be like? It could be a nightmare, or it could be everything I've ever dreamed of! And personally, I'm trying my hardest to have is be the second option. I'm putting it out to the universe right now, I will be happy with my life in the future. I will have a job that will provide me with everything that I need in order to live a good life, and I will enjoy doing this job for the most part. 

I know this isn't really the best part of my future though. The best part is going to be the life outside of my working world--my family. It's going to be so incredible to wake up someday next to my wonderful husband and have his face be the first thing I see in the morning. It will also be so wonderful to wake up some day to my children tugging at my sheets, and either crying at me or smiling. To be able to have a family of my own will be the greatest thing I could do with my life. It will be far more important than the job I have or the amount of money that I make. It will be more important than the number of purses in my closet, or the number on the scale, not that I won't stop caring about these things, haha! I still want to remain true to myself. Just because I'll someday get married and have children does not mean that I will completely change. I will still be me, and I know some people will argue with this and say that I'll become a completely different person, but to me, that just can't be true. Even though I am vastly a different person from what I was 10 years ago, I wouldn't say that I'm 'completely' different. I still have a passion for fashion, a passion to learn, and most importantly, a passion to love, and that is a passion that I *know* will never die. 

So as you can see, the best days are yet to come, my friends. :) Live it up, and remember if you're looking for a purpose, place your hand over your heart. If you feel something beating there, then you do have a purpose. You're alive for a reason. Never give up! Keep on loving like crazy, and don't let those praying knees get lazy! :D

College Gal Confessions: I'm Thankful

It's that time of year again where everyone is starting to think about about the things they are thankful for, and I've got to say, I've got quite the list! Almost every day I am so blessed with so many wonderful opportunities to be around my family, my friends, my professors, and even my coworkers! That alone is so much to be thankful for, and I know this a little mushy-gushy, but I am truly so blessed to have such a great school to attend, and to have a job that provides me with the money I need to pay for school, clothes, and pretty much everything else except room and board--although that will also be coming out of my pocketbook in about 6 months or so!

I will be honest with you though, it's not always easy to be so thankful for my education and my job. This last weekend was definitely an example of that! Not only did I have massive amounts of homework, I also had to work for 13 hours over the course of the weekend! Of course the homework was all assigned on Friday and due Monday, too. I'm not trying to complain, but seriously, I thought I was going to keel over from either lack of sleep or from complete, utter overwhelmingess! (Haha, I know that's not a word, but it definitely describes how I felt!) Many of you may think that I never get overwhelmed or discouraged, but I can guarantee you that even I have days where I just want to crawl back into my bed and do nothing the whole day. I'm not a perfect person, and I know that. I'm human, and I make mistakes too. Sure, I offer some advice posts in my blog, but I'm never trying to claim that I know everything. I'm just opening up a discussion, and maybe trying to help some of you see the world a *little* bit differently. So, even if I can just bring a slightly new perspective, or spark a few ideas, I feel like I've accomplished something far greater than myself.

I am so thankful that so many of you have found enjoyment in these posts, and I appreciate all of your support! I never realized how uplifting it could feel to be a part of this blogger community. It's really nice to be able to put myself out here, unedited, and to have people actually, sometimes, *like* the pieces that I've written! So yeah, maybe I sometimes still need a little validation, but I'm not ashamed to admit it! LOL :) So, thank you again, for letting me be real. I really couldn't ask for much more than that.

Going the Distance---Schedule It!

Life is all about balance.  As you've seen from some of my other posts in this "Going the Distance" series, I've been really trying to implicate some balance into my life.  People always make comments to me wondering how I fit everything into my life, or how I manage to have time to write blog posts, or do other leisurely activities, and the answer is self-discipline and constant schedule reevaluation. In order to begin a new, healthy lifestyle, you are also probably going to have to reevaluate your current situation just a little bit. Time is often the component of health that scares some people away though, but I promise, as soon as you start thinking about some of the choices you are making currently, you will soon realize that several things can be eliminated!

Before you make any changes to your current schedule, just sit down and really think about the things that you've been doing with your time.... Is four hours of watching TV really *that* important? If the answer is yes, then by all means keep TV in your schedule, but maybe try to compromise a little and set aside a smaller amount of time to do it, or pick one day each week to sit down at watch TV for as long as you want. TV is just an example though, so just try to re-adjust your schedule according to your areas of ineffective time use!

After you weigh your current schedule, make a list of things that you would like to incorporate into your new schedule. Be realistic though! If you start out with too much, you will get discouraged! If you have troubles remembering your schedule or sticking to a schedule, then by all means use a calendar, an agenda, or make to-do lists. You can even use your phone to send you reminders! Whatever you need to do in order to remember and stick to your schedule, do it!!

If your new schedule is still giving you grief, then set up a reward system! Reward yourself by adding in one of your favorite leisurely activities after you've finished everything else, pamper yourself a little by taking a hot shower or bath, or just take some time to sit and be. By thinking of these activities as rewards, you will be 10 times more likely to complete your to-do list! It just takes a little change in perspective, but once you get past the first few weeks of your new schedule, you'll be an old pro! :D

If things are still not working for you, then reevaluate the schedule. Maybe you've added in too much, or you're not getting the important things done when they need to be done. Your schedule will need constant reevaluation, so try to stay in-tune with your body and your spirit, and edit the schedule according to what best suits your lifestyle! :)

Bright Wishes for the Future

Hello everyone! I hope that you've all been having a great week so far! I'm loving this transitional weather that we've been having so far! It's so beautiful outside, and every time I go outside, I can't help but smile because the change excites me! Winter is such a beautiful season in my opinion. Seriously, from the intricate patterns of frost clinging on your windows to the sparking flakes of white noise drifting from the heavens, there's such a simple beauty that's full of hope and promise. And, of course there's nothing as wonderful as stepping outside in a new pea coat, with a bunchy scarf enveloping your neck, and feeling the flakes of snow brushing against the skin on your face. Simple and yet so beautiful. (Yes, I know it hasn't snowed yet, but if you couldn't tell, I'm just a little excited!) Like I said though, it's just a time full of promise for me. Promise of what's to come.... And that's what I wanted to write about today--Bright wishes for the future.

We all have so many hopes and dreams for our futures. Some that are a bit far-fetched, and some that seem much more likely to happen. We make wishes for each day that we live, and make wishes for every day to come. What we often forget, or at least what *I* often forget, is to make cautious wishes. Sure, we can sarcastically wish that a class will be cancelled, or wish that our computer will crash so that we have an excuse to get out of an assignment, or wish that we could skip a day that has less-than-appealing activities planned. Once we put those things out there, and focus on them, they usually happen... That's the funny thing about life. Once we focus on something, our life begins to revolve around it to some degree. That's why I wrote a whole post dedicated to mental wellness and why it's so important to focus on the positive things in life. Let me give you an example of one wish that I have made for so many years of my life, and now, I'm kind of regretting it, but yet not!

I wished for my life to fast-forward...

Sounds a little familiar, right? I don't care how wonderful your high school experience, or college experience, was--you probably wished at some point in time that you could be a 'grown-up'--completely on your own, making your own decisions, and doing your own thing--individualism, to keep it short and sweet. This really is an interesting thing to wish for, because no matter where you are in life, there will always be someone influencing you. Which is something that you don't want to wish away, believe me! That's not what I was really intending for with this wish though. My intent for fast-forwarding was so that my career path would already be decided, and that I could 'comfortable'. But why would I wish for comfort? And who's to say that I'll be comfortable when I'm older? I could have a whole new set of problems to face! Sometimes, you've got to be uncomfortable, in the now moment, to make your life worthwhile.

As of now, my life has been on fast-forward a little bit. I'm almost half way through my last year at University, and I'm about to graduate with my degree of choice- English! :D As exciting as this is, I'm starting to get a little nervous. The deadline for me to make decisions is coming up. Oy. I'm usually spot-on with deadlines for assignments, and always working weeks ahead on projects and such--in other words, I'm being a typical English nerd! Ha! But it's a lifestyle I've really come to embrace--always putting the best of myself out there, and even if I don't get an "A" on every project or paper, I will know that I tried *my* hardest! :)

So, I suppose I should do the same thing with my career path! Just put my best foot forward, and try my hardest. I should follow the same path as those little snowflakes--embracing my individuality, shining with all my might, continuing to pray for hope, and knowing that I have a world of promise ahead <3

My Life's Playlist- TAG!

Hey everyone! I thought I'd write a fun post/tag for all of you to enjoy! I've always been influenced by music, and so I thought it would be interesting to think of songs that define certain aspects of my life and call it my life's playlist! Just follow my categories below, or add your own, and let me know what songs define your life! I tag you all! So leave comments! Or create your own post! I'd love to read your responses!

My Life's Playlist:


Song about Love: "Lucky", by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. This is my favorite love song because it emphasizes that not only should you just be in love with each other, but you should consider your significant other your best friend! <3

Song that Motivates Me: "Real Girl", by Mutya Buena. This song motivates me for obvious reasons! She is so strong in what she's saying, and it helps me to visualize where I will be someday too! :D

Song for When I'm Sad: "I Have a Dream", originally by ABBA, but I like Amanda Seyfried's version a little better. This song again helps me to get through any tough time that I'm having! It's so uplifting and it makes me believe in myself again :)


Song for When I'm Angry: "The Climb", by Miley Cyrus. Okay, go ahead and laugh! I won't mind! But really, this song really helps me when I'm angry because it makes me realize that I'm going to have to continue to keep working hard and fighting strong my entire life! Every day is a new chance, and I will never be broken!


Song for When I'm Bored: "I Feel Like Dancing", by All Time Low. This song is so fun, it just makes me want to get up and dance my little socks off! :D Woot!


Song that Makes Me Happy: "The Edge of Glory", originally by Lady Gaga, but I like Alex Goot's version better. First of all, his voice is GORGEOUS! ha! Second, the vibe is way cooler, and it just makes me happy!


Song that Evokes Good Memories: "Photograph", by Nickleback. This song evokes good memories because it reminds me that everything is relative. If something's bothering you now, 10 years from now, you'll be laughing at it!

Song that Evokes Bad Memories: "No Such Thing", by John Mayer. Don't get me wrong, I love this song, and I still listen to it frequently. It reminds me of how I felt in high school--trapped and over-shadowed. Now, I use it as a song for motivating myself. I use it as a reminder that I can get past anything :)

Favorite Song at the Moment: "Enchanted", by Taylor Swift. First, it's Taylor Swift.. Need I say more? ;) Just kidding! This song makes me think of the night I met my wonderful Tyler <3 I love him oh-so-much! <3  


Weird Song that You Like, but it Doesn't Really Suit You: "We Found Love", by Rhianna. The video is dirty/creepy, it's kind of a techno beat, and it just kind of freaks me out, but yet I'm obsessed with it? My subconscious is definitely doing something creepy with this song! ha

Going the Distance---Love It!

Hello again everyone! Shocking how I've managed to post the last two days now, right? Haha! I think so too ;) I'm just sitting around with some free time at the moment, so I thought, what they hay? I'll just write another segment of my "Going the Distance" series.

Today, I'm going to be talking about mind set, or emotional health, which is by far the *most* important part of any healthy life style. If you are not sound mentally, then everything else will just be in disarray. So, it's very important that you stay focused mentally on your diet and exercise regimen, as well as continuing to love and nurture yourself!

 This was by far the hardest part of establishing my new lifestyle because I was a very self-destructive person. I used to constantly bring myself down and beat myself up because I felt like I was not living up to my expectations. I would then take these feelings out by having lots of unhealthy foods, and sit around for hours watching TV and Youtube. Sounds really bad, right? It was. I was a very unhappy person there for awhile, and things were definitely out of control. But now I've learned that self discipline is not a way to punish yourself, but rather regain control of your life! Sure, I still have days where I'm not thrilled with who I am, but I think everyone has those days ;) When I'm having a day like that, I take some time to meditate and journal about why I'm feeling that way, and then I like to write about things that I'm thankful for, and things that do make me happy. This focus on positive things is *so* important, because once you banish the negativity in your life, you will be able to conquer anything! :D

Meditation, or prayer, are very important aspects of mental wellness. Do whichever suits you best. Just take some time to reflect every day. Once you start to do this, you'll not only feel more connected with yourself, but you'll feel more connected with the universe, or God, or any other higher power that you believe in. Take time every morning to think three positive thoughts. Constantly put it out to the universe that you *can* do whatever task at hand, and believe it. Once you believe that you can do something, 99.9% of the time, you will be able to do it :)

In order to stay focused in your diet and exercise, just keep thinking positively. I know this all sounds kind of cheesy, but I promise that it works. Tell yourself that you *will* eat healthy, (lean, clean, and green!!!) and do it! Believe in yourself! You might be surprised by how much you can accomplish! :) And if you need a great meditation video, I love this one from ToneItUp! Not only do you get a great meditation, you get a great stretch in too, which is always a good thing! Also, listening to motivational speakers is a great thing too! I personally love Jillian Michaels motivational materials. Sign up with a health community or follow a personal trainer on Twitter or Facebook. Seeing those little reminders really will help you to stay focused and positive!

Again, you can always leave comments or message me on Facebook if you need some help, or if you're having a tough day. Even if you aren't trying to diet, it's so important that you incorporate some positivity into your life. So be happy, stay strong, and remember, each day is a new opportunity to get one step closer to your goals! :)

Going the Distance---Feed It!

Greetings fellow bloggies! I apologize about the delay of this post, but the last two weeks have been full of writing papers for classes and readings! Yes, it's Midterms...already! Where has the time gone? It seems like every year of University has gone faster and faster for me. Luckily, I think I just finished up with the last of my assignments for the week, so no worries, I am not procrastinating right now! ha! But just to give you an idea of what my midterms were like, I had to write 35 pages worth of material for different classes, (5 papers total), plus all of the normal readings, plus studying for two tests! Yikes! Haha, well enough about that! I'm sure you've been anxious to hear a bit more about my diet, not my crazy life. lol

Before I get in too deep here, I do want to make a quick disclaimer that I forgot to make in my last post. I forgot to mention that anyone with injuries, or any other health issues should definitely consider talking to his or her doctor before starting any exercise or diet regimen. You should check your BMI online too, and make sure your weight loss goal is not too low for someone of your size. If you're still uncertain, again, I recommend talking to a doctor or a nutritionist to make sure you're heading in the right direction. I do not want anyone getting injured or sick because of my posts! :) 

Anyway, now for the yummy talk! haha! I have three words that I want you all to envision: lean, clean, and green--that is how your diet should be if you really want to cut weight and be healthier (and happier). This means to avoid foods high in fat, calories, unnatural sugar, and chemicals/preservatives. Sounds hard, right? Well, it's not as hard as you'd think. Try substituting slowly at first, like try adding Truvia to your tea instead of a teaspoon of sugar, substitute a cup of hot chocolate (made with hot water, NOT MILK) instead of having a full size candy bar, or try a few Saltine crackers with a *thin* layer of peanut butter instead of having a piece of white bread *smothered* in peanut butter to satisfy those sticky cravings! Small choices make a HUGE difference! 

As time goes on, and you get used to the small changes, start incorporating a few more fruits. (Yes, I appreciated making changes slowly because I knew I'd give up otherwise.) Some of my favorite fruits are apples, raisins, craisins, bananas, kiwi, watermelon, peaches, and pears! Fruit is great because it's portable! Stick an apple in your purse or your backpack and have it for a snack! I promise it's much more satisfying than a bag of Cheetos! *Natural* almonds are a great snack too, just make sure that there is no extra salt or flavors added, as these are generally not 'clean' ingredients. Luna bars are also a great pre-workout snack, or meal replacement! They are 70% organic and they're really high in protein! They taste yummy too! If you want I may even try to do a favorite food post each week to give your more healthy ideas :)

My diet now is pretty strict, and you're probably wondering what I've incorporated now. Well, I usually have cereal in the morning, such as Kashi Go Lean, or Fiber One. I always have a cup of coffee with Light, French Vanilla Coffee Mate liquid creamer because I'm naughty ;) And, I always have a multivitamin. For lunch, I really like Oatmeal (made with water), light fat-free yogurt and fruit, or I'll have fat free cottage cheese instead of Oatmeal. Or sometimes a reduced-sodium soup, or cereal again. Just remember to have a large serving of fruit with whatever you eat, and keep everything else light. For snack, I love having Crystal Light Green Tea Instant Drink Mix, in any of the flavors, because Green Tea is so good for you, and it's yummy too! I always have fruit and usually almonds too. For supper, it really ranges, but I just try to watch portions of whatever I have. Just listen to your body; it'll know when to stop :) For those late night snack attacks, go with fruit and a cup of warm, decaf tea. It'll really hit the spot and help you unwind! :) 

Just remember, don't beat yourself up if you mess up! It's okay to have a sweet every now and then. (Heck, I even had two cookies today! haha) But just remember that moderation is key. Try to drink lots of water (half of your body weight, in ounces, every day!!!) and repeat after me: Lean, Clean, Green! :D 

Comment if you have any questions! You can always message me on Facebook too if you need support! I want to be here for you!! The ToneItUp community also has some really great tips on healthy eating too!  Happy Snacking! :D 

Going the Distance---Move it!

Hello everyone! I know that it's a pretty crazy time of the semester for everyone--or at least I know it's a crazy time for me! It's midterm season here at good ol' DSU, and that means nights of practically no sleep, and days so busy there's hardly a moment to think. So you're probably wondering why I'm sitting here writing a blog post.... Good question! Haha, okay I think we all know the *real* reason why - procrastination! Garsh, that problem will be the death of me! But seriously, that actually isn't the whole reason why I'm writing today. Today I'm going to tell you about a little, okay large!!!, journey that I have undertaken in the last 5 months--the journey to wellness. Now, if you're easily offended by serious motivation, this post is not for you to read--just kidding. If you don't like what I have to say, I can respect that.

Anyway, enough disclaimers and chit chat, let's get down to business! (Cheesy segway...) This is actually going to be the first post in a series of posts because I have so much to say about my journey to wellness! There are so many different aspects to consider, and so much tied into being "well". So today I'm going to talk about fitness, or moving my body.People have probably noticed that my body has changed a little bit in the last few months, and I should hope so! I've now lost 26 pounds, down two (sometimes three) sizes, and I feel so much better too! I've worked my @$$ off to get here (literally), and I'm not going to sugar coat that effort at all....

 It all started after a few problems I had been having with my shoulder. One morning I woke up and simply could not move without crying because I had slept on it wrong. I missed classes so that I could lay in bed with a sore shoulder the whole day.I knew that there was something more to be done about it. After thinking about it for a day or two, I decided that I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired all of the time, and so I decided to try working out a bit more to see if it would improve my health. So about two days a week I tried doing my elliptical, along with going to a Step Aerobics class at our community center (which I had already been doing). Feeling better already, I decided to make exercise a permanent fixture in my life.

Around my sister's wedding, I began on a new track to try to get in a little better shape. I purchased a Jillian Michael's video called "30 Day Shred", and even though it seemed somewhat gimmicky, it actually turned out to be one of the best workouts ever! I never thought that I would ever get past level one on that thing, but somehow I just kept pushing on and I knew that my strength would only improve. After completing the shred, I decided to get Jillian's "Ripped in 30", I know it sounds really silly and like it wouldn't work, but after trying the level four workout, let me tell you I will never doubt Jillian again. I now consider her to be one of my favorite health mentors. She has such a great outlook on life too, which I will talk more about in my next post. Anyway, I still do this workout routinely, as I have not found anything tougher! hahah! That's seriously how tough it is!

I've also started running a lot more too! I really enjoy running because it's a great time to clear my mind! I usually run anywhere from 3-6 miles a day, and I'm seriously addicted! And if it's too cold to run outside, I simply substitute my elliptical or my treadmill in for 30 minutes.

Other than running, I also love the ToneItUp team on youtube. Not only do they have countless workout videos to help you out when you're short on time, but they also have an amazing blog where they share healthy recipes and foods to incorporate into your diet. I will talk more about my diet in a separate post too. I absolutely love their ab-workout videos. Yes, I finally have a 6-pack now :) And, I love their "love-handle" workout videos, because what woman loves her love handles? Certainly not this gal! But seriously, it was a major problem area for me, and I've noticed a huge difference since I've added their videos into my routine.

So what is my daily exercise regimen? Well, it is a little crazy, but I promise it delivers. One Mondays and Wednesdays I usually go to my Step Aerobics class (which is an intense, hour-long, fun, and fast-paced class!) (This is also the FIFTH semester that I have participated in it!) And then, if I have time, I'll try to go for a run too (usually about 3 miles) so that adds up to be about an hour and a half. On every other day, I'll usually run for 30 minutes (I try to really push and run 4-6 miles here), do my Jillian video (about 30 minutes), and then do two ToneItUp videos (about 20 minutes) and then I'll just do some arm lifts for 5-10 minutes, so again it adds up to be an hour and half, which sounds like a HUGE commitment, and it is! TRUST ME! Especially when I have to do it in the morning! BLAH! So, am I suggesting that you start at this level? Absolutely not--unless you've already been working out and would like to step it up. What I suggest is finding some sort of exercise that you find fun. Find a sensible amount of time that you would like to do it for, and then do it! Every day! Also, I really try not to take days off. I think it's a bad idea, and a bad habit to get into, but if you're not as habitual as I am, then go for it. Just keep in mind that if you take two days off a week, it adds up to be a whole week by the time that month is over, and if you multiply that by twelve months, that's twelve WEEKS of not working out, which is about 3 MONTHS... So it's your choice, but I personally think that exercise should be a daily thing for everyone--even if it's just going for a 30 minute, slow-paced walk. It's better than nothing, and it'll improve your life by leaps and bounds. Trust me.

So let's review! Do something you love, find a sensible amount of time to do it in, do it every day, and remember that you're improving your life one step at a time. It really doesn't have to be super hard; in fact, you may come to really enjoy some new time for yourself--you're worth the fight, so step up to the plate and swing :)

The Big *One*

Usually a person is only given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the story I am about to tell. For me the story is rather simple, but nevertheless, it's amazing, and it continues to change my life every--single--day.

It was the end of Fall Semester, 2010. Finals week was a full-blown disaster as usual consisting of late nights with literally no sleep, and mountains of papers to write and review. I was a mess--to put it lightly ;) Anyway, DSU always offers a winter formal around that time of year, so I was pretty excited when I saw the fliers appear on campus. I always have enjoyed going to dances, and this is the closest dance to a formal or prom, so it's an excuse to dress up (as if I really needed one! ha!) So I asked my parents permission to stay out a wee bit later than usual so that I could go and have a good time, however they were adamant that I needed to *go with* someone. Ugh. Luckily I knew there was a good guy friend I could go with and I was pretty excited since he was really nice, and kind of cute, but unfortunately he copped out at the last minute, and I remember just rolling my eyes and thinking "oh, well this figures!".... Ha! If only he knew! (Uh oh, he might possibly read this-- no worries Mister Date Cop-out-I still consider you my friend!) Anyway, then I decided to ask another girlfriend to go with me and she thought she was going to be able to go, but then she had another commitment, so there I was Friday night December 10th, 2010, dateless....

That night also was the night of a home school event. So I went with my parents and sisters to do some Christmas caroling at the high rise. It was so much fun that I kind of forgot about all of my lonely woes! I was having a great time bonding with some of the other members of the homeschool group, especially this darling little boy who kept telling me that I was "his girl"! So adorable, right?!?! Anyway, the whole event was really great and it reawakened my spirit. I prayed right there, and right then that I would have a great time at the dance. 

After caroling, we all came back to the house, and I set off to my bathroom to start curling my hair-despite my parents' grumbling about not having a date. I smiled and told them I would not be alone, and I knew that I wasn't because God was with me that night. Sounds cheesy, right? But He was. Believe me. So I dressed up in some of my finest boots and leggings and I hit the floor. It was exactly what I needed! Some girls I knew actually ended up being there and it was so fun to dance with them! They also happened to have this really cute guy friend that seemed to be a part of their group too. As the night went on I inched closer and closer to him. I could just *tell* that he was a good guy. First, he looked dang good in his Charlie Brown Christmas tie, and second he seemed like he was having a really good time too (and he wasn't drunk, so that was a plus too! LOL!) Anyway, I finally got his name from another girlfriend of mine, and I was determined to talk to him!!! I never did get the nerve to at the dance, just because it's kind of weird shouting to someone you really don't know... So I did the old facebook trick (Yes, I cop-out too, so I'm not one to judge!) I still remember opening up the chat screen and typing h and then i. I sat with those letters on my screen for like ten whole minutes before hitting enter, and as soon as I did, I swear to you I ran like heck away from my computer, just because I was so nervous! (Might be hard to believe if you know me well! I'm normally not a nervous person!) It sounds so silly now, and you can feel free to laugh, because it makes me laugh too :) As soon as I heard the chat "ba-boop" at me, I was probably one of the happiest people in the world, because I did it--well sort of ;) 

This young man and I corresponded for all of Christmas vacation and it was so exciting to learn new things about him every day. We would ask each other random questions, and get giddy when the other one would make hints about attraction. We finally met for our first date--China Moon. I had worked all day in the Pamida Pharmacy that day, so I was pretty tired, but I was still so excited!!! I was kind of scared though because I had never eaten at China Moon (feel free to gasp and tell me that I'm a terrible person!). We sat and talked for probably two hours that evening. It was truly wonderful! 

We continued to correspond and met up for a few other dates. Finally it was January 21st, 2011, and I knew the moment that I woke up that day that it was going to happen, and it did. I asked him if he wanted to be "official" and he said yes. Let me tell you it was one of the best "yes's" I have ever heard. And even to this day, I still get giddy thinking about it. 

Since then my life has changed by leaps and bounds. Not only am I completely in love with this young man, but I know that we were made to be together, and if anything different had happened on the night of December 10th, 2010, then we might not be together. Our fates had intertwined because God had made it so. I thank Him every day for that too :) 

So yes, I know this was an incredibly long, and personal post, but you're all my friends, and even if you didn't read it all, that's okay :) I guess all I really wanted to say is that sometimes you've got to take a chance, and go out of your comfort zone a little bit. Remember the old cliche too, that love always happens when you're least expecting it. :) 

Unexpected Fate

We all have stories of unexpected things happening in our lives. Usually we can name some of the strangest scenarios, scariest stories, or the funny recaps of last weekend, at the drop of a hat, but we sometimes tend to forget the unexpected things that bring us so much joy. Let me tell you a little story...

College was a new start for me. I was able to branch out and make new friends. Sure, I stumbled a few times (heck, I fell flat on my face Sophomore year), but that's part of what life is all about. I was kind of lost those first two years as to who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. It was all so uncertain until Comp II with Dr. Laflin. He was my academic counselor, my friend, and most importantly, my inspiration. After a few weeks of being in the class I just *knew* that I was destined to be an English major, and I impulsively switched the next day. Let me just say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made; I could not be happier in any other major. (I was pre-med before this!! and now all I can think about that is, "what the heck where you thinking?!?! Ha!) I love all of my classes and I appreciate all of my teachers who work so hard to come up with so many inventive and stimulating ideas and discussions...

My major change is not the only life-changing moment for me however...

Junior year: a fresh start. I was ready to build the person that I am today, so I worked myself so hard that at times, there were nights I'd stay up until 4:30 am just so that I would be "ready" to be my best the next day. I will admit there were times I thought I would never make it, but here I am, as a senior!!! Anyway, my junior year I finally started to take myself seriously and I took my friendships seriously, and there were times I was burned by fickle friendships, but sometimes the bad situations turn into good ones. There is one situation in particular that I can never say enough good things about... Stay tuned and I'll tell you the story next time! :D

Haha! wow... I really just ended with a cliff hanger? I'm so mean!!! Feel free to hate in the comments below ;)

Starting somewhere...

I know that many of us have idols that we look up to for inspiration. Celebrities have been created, and branded, and placed in the spotlight, and many of us crave the same attention. We may view these people as having no flaws, stutters, or hang ups. We think that these people are always strong, and always were, but let me tell you:

Even strong people have to start somewhere. 

Someone, once upon a time, told me that I could be whatever I wanted and that I could be the best at it. Now, I finally believe this person. It's taken me many years, and countless times where I've completely doubted myself, but now I know: I have the makings to be someone inspirational. This may sound conceded, but I'm really not trying to make it sound that way.... All I'm trying to say is that I am fighting my hardest, and pushing my limits every single day because I *know* that there is so much to fight for. There is no reason to be careless. Who cares if it's *just* a silly assignment, or *just* a boring meeting? Show up and be there, and by "be there" I mean BE THERE 100% because otherwise there is no point. If you're not going to dedicate yourself, you're only cheating yourself. That's what it takes to be inspirational--dedication.

If you want something, you have to put all of yourself into it and you'll get it. This statement follows not only the laws of quantum physics, but it also follows common sense. So get up, and push yourself. Do one thing that is out of the ordinary for you. You might end up surprising yourself with what you can achieve. It can be as simple as participating in class (which involves actually reading an assignment!), walking a mile or two, or even just smiling and saying hi to a stranger. This may sound cheesy, but I promise, in a month or two, you'll notice a huge difference. On top of all of this, if you can learn to dedicate yourself, you can learn to believe in yourself, and believing in yourself is going to bring you a bright future (even brighter than all of those Hollywood lights). 

Blogging Rekindled

Here I am, rekindling, and revising the blogger canvas that I had once used as a main medium of communication. Although some may argue that blogging is a lost form of art, I tend to disagree. It's a digital diary really, and still a place to write and create, so what's so bad about it? Sure it can be a little "two-dimensional", and may just represent what just used to be on a piece of paper, but it still has that extra element of connection--interactivity.

Many diaries, books, and pages well-written will go unread if they only stay stashed on a shelf, and let's just face it, some thoughts were just made to be linked. Although blogging is simple, and very Web 2.0, it's still alive, and for a good reason-- it's waiting for the artist, the author, to fill the space available. On here there is no demand for perfection. There is no need to hire an editor to stoop over your work and check for every misspelling, every comma splice, or every sentence fragment. The writer holds the reigns--the stylus, the keys, and there's something so intriguing and beautiful about a text being so raw, so unedited and yet meaningful. We connect with each other through the links and form our own webs, our own networks, and our own anthologies of meaning. 

I know this seems a little philosophical, and a tad nerdy, but it is something to keep in mind. Beauty is a blog title waiting to be clicked; a comment about to be posted; and a mouse hovering above the "join this site" button. Unexpected things lie ahead, so go ahead-- be interactive, be beautiful, and click.