Week One. Done.

Week One and Done!  Success!  I started my big girl job and made it through a full 5-day work week.  

Well, maybe make that a SIX day work week since I spent 10 HOURS driving.

Commuting to work an hour each way is not for the weak hearted. 

The morning is fine... I cruise with my coffee, laugh at the phone-tap, gaze at the sunrise, slowly wake up....

The afternoon is harder.  I am usually much more tired, it is pitch black out (daylight savings...sigh.. come on!!) and just want to be home.  

I discovered a few things that helped.  Running the campus after school was nice (on the days that it was warm) and I was able to get 30 minutes of sunshine in.  Plus I got hooted at by college boys (yay, I look young!)

Another day I came home, ate dinner, relaxed for an hour, then ran 5 miles on the dreadtreadmill.  Then I showered and when straight to sleep.  Moral of the story?  My free time has been drastically cut.  I forgot what it was like to work.

Tonight I did something drastic!  I went to a new gym.  And signed up.  For a freakin' year.

The guy at the front desk was VERY convincing, it was an 11-11-11 sale, he told me I would get a full refund if I moved or started working there (I'm hoping to teach a class or two), and it is RIGHT.BY.WORK.

The campus gym is not my style.  It is big but congested all at once.  Big, high ceilings, balconies to look over (no I do not want to watch 19 year old boys lift weights while I run), and is super crowded with young kids.  I guess I've graduated to adulthood.  I'd rather work out with adults who have just gotten out of work as well.  Just sayin'.

I feel good about joining because I will have somewhere to workout (its huge and nice) after work and it is literally a mile away.  I am also looking forward to teaching again (it's been a week and I already miss it, especially excited because they have a TRX CLASS!!! I've missed teaching that).  And heck, there were pleeennnty of good lookin' men there. ;-)  hey i'm only human.

So the commute is long.

I have a new gym. (and commitment phobia.  Signing up gave me anxiety!)

and I LIKE my new job.  My coworkers are great, 

the campus is beautiful, 

and the days have been FLYING BY!

I am grateful for the weekend.  I will be sleeping in.  On that note, its almost midnight and way past my bedtime. ;-)

Sunday Funday

Well I must say I have a little bit of a nervous belly!  Tomorrow is my first day back at a big girl job!  I will be spending Monday morning in the HR Office learning all about my new benefits (YAY! I can go to the Doctor again without weighing the pros & cons$$$ so heavily!)  Afterwards, my new bosses are taking me out to lunch to celebrate.  I have to say, I am VERY excited about working with these people... They all seem SO friendly, and many people I have yet to meet in the office and at the school have even sent me e-mails welcoming me to the "family".


I've been experiencing a lot of nervousness lately with all the change, and been addressing it with journaling, prayer, and talking about it with someone wise.  Last week, I went to yoga...


Side note *** I got into CROW POSE.  First time ever!  YAY!

Now it totally inspired me to practice yoga more.  I wanna get good!  Luckily, there are plenty of places in the vicinity of my new job... so I plan on practicing much more!


ANNNYWAY.


When I got on the mat, the yoga teacher informed us that today's practice would be dedicated to LETTING GO. 


"Let go of all the things that no longer serve you."


Those were powerful words to me.
I have always felt selfish for letting go of things that no longer "serve me", because I have been previously taught to do things for others that you would like done for yourself, sew good seeds, etc.


Even at the expense of yourself?  Your sanity, your mental/emotional/physical health?  


What it means to "let go"...Letting go of the things that no longer serve you... is healthy.  
Certain relationships are not meant to last forever.
Sometimes those people were brought into your life for a time and purpose, and then it IS time to LET GO.


Sometimes circumstances are only for a time and period... to help you or to grow you.. and then it is time to LET GO.


Sometimes memories are there for a time and period... to help you cope and deal with things slowly... but then its time to LET THEM GO.


I left my yoga mat that day after an hour of practice.  We Namaste'd, rolled up our mats, tied our shoe laces, and left the room.  Yet I still take the practice of LETTING GO with me. 


Letting go of the things that no longer serve me.  Not in a selfish way, but in a humble way.


Letting go, with faith, that God knows the plans He has for me... Plans for good and not for evil, for a future and a hope. *Jeremiah 29:11

Movin' On

Change is always scary.  Even good change.  Or is it just me?  I guess I'm a semi creature of habit.  Or I'm more of a Type A personality and enjoy being in control and calculating things just right.  Life has quickly shown me that it doesn't play by my rules.  

BIG CHANGES!  I'm leaving the fitness industry in the full-time capacity and am going to work for a University as a Coordinator for First Year students.  I will be planning things like Orientation, Family Weekends, and even a Family 5K (which we all know I'll be participating in!).  This is a big change... a step in a new direction... but also very exciting.

Things I'll be looking forward to:


1. Having a full-time job with a steady paycheck.

2. Having benefits!!!

3. Having paid time off (I have huge desires to travel more).

4. A steady paycheck (oh wait, did I mention that already?)


5. A free MASTERS. (I think I will pursue a masters in counseling)


6. Dressing up for work again.  Putting on spandex and a sweatshirt all winter was very relaxing and nice. But I gotta be honest, it will be fun to wear make-up that won't run, have my hair straightened not sweaty, and wear pretty dresses.  I love working out but am also a girly girl at heart.

7. Meeting new people.  I will be meeting more new people!  That is my favorite part of starting anything new.  Making friends and interesting people is always very exciting.


8. Getting out of the area.  I will be working a few towns over from me.  New scenery...perhaps a move... 


9. A new gym!  Okay, sounds ridiculous, but I DO love fitness.  I get free membership to the University's gym which is super nice.  New town also means new gyms (and a boatload of them over there)... So maybe I will pick up some classes elsewhere.  Again, more new people!

10. Not having to run myself ragged hustlin'.  I love what I do as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer but it is not an easy life.  It is 2 a day workouts, overtraining of your own body, having to be "on" 100% all the time with whoever you are with, energized, and constantly in "sales mode" to grow your business.  It is pretty exhausting.  I'm ready to enjoy doing it for FUN without worrying about it as a source of primary income.

ANNNND...that's the update.


Wish me luck!


I will be posting more about health, fitness, & nutrition now that I will still need an outlet for it.  Reviews, How To's, Tips, Videos, etc.  I will also be personal training on a part time basis and keeping some of my "special" clients. ;-) as well as pursuing online training as well.


Keep reading!

THE UPDATE

Hello Friendssssss!


It's been awhile.  I figure I'd skip the apologies and just skip to giving you the low-down.

WHAT'S CHANGED:


1. I moved to Seattle.

Or maybe Seattle just moved to me.  It. is. always. raining. 
Or so it seems. 
Either way, this is really putting a damper on extending my runner's tan until October or November.


2.  I deactivated my Facebook account (gasp!)
Yep, it's true.  I got sick of being so involved in other people's lives, seeing their updates every 2.2 seconds from my iphone (gotta love-hate it) and allowing others to have a false sense of knowing me.  Not to sound all high-&-mighty, but Facebook is a bit of a sham.  Again, I'm not a hata, I just don't want it right now.  It's been two whole weeks and I have yet to go through withdrawal.  I actually like having it out of my life.   I think that's a good sign, don't you?


3. I gave up Facebook but added another trashy time-sucker into my life.  I am currently watching (for the first time) The Real Housewives.  I have a new obsession with this and have made my way to the end of Season 2 of New York City.  I will watch it through and then perhaps continue on to the other cities.  Oh boy.  My fav housewife is by far Bethenny.  Not only is she funny but she tells it how it is.

4. I'm writing a book.  I know it sounds silly...but I have all these ideas floating around in my head regarding health, fitness, and nutrition.  Mind-Body stuff for sure.  I have also worked full time in the fitness & nutrition scene for over a year now and I have maaaany stories/case studies/and experiences that are helping mold my new "stand" on things.  Also I am nearly done with my first year at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  Buy my book when it comes out! ;-)


5. I've been running lots more lately.  Finally got my mojo back... AKA: My ankle is doing better!  Thank you Lord!!!!  Last week I ran the longest I've run in almost 2 years: 15 MILES. It was not easy because I had a horrible stomach ache & allergies... no coffee... early wake up... just. not. great.  BUT my body handled it just fine and I suffered no soreness the next day!  Yipppee!

6. I'm vey content with where I am right now in my life despite things not being how I thought they'd be.  This has been huge!  I am content being single and enjoying all the relationships I'm invested in.  My heart feels like it is getting healthy and opening up to possibilities though I am not in a rush nor will I settle!


7.  My vision got a bit worse and I got new contacts and am waiting on my new glasses.  I'm excited to get them cuz they're pretty fashionable. ;-) Thanks Walmart!


8. I've sort of given up weight training.  Yep, I'm in running-mode now that my ankle has been A-OKAY and it is what I really love to do.  I have given up on weight training and to be honest, it was making me pretty bulky.  I am currently trying to go back to how I feel most comfortable with my body.

9. I'm no longer a blonde!  Yep, I went back to my ROOTS!  I'm dark haired.  After 2 years of being super light, the change was a radical and huge one... but I like it!






WHAT HASN'T CHANGED:


1. I still don't own an iPad.  (and still lusting).


2. Peppermint mocha lattes are back in my life since last season. Yep, still addicted and need to pace myself with how many I will allow myself to buy.

3. I am still a personal trainer and group exercise instructor.  and I still need more full time hours.

4. The remnants of gum from when I spit it out the window and it got stuck on my car is still there.  It's been two months.  Ew.


5. I'm still not sure how to blog.  


Hope you enjoyed the update!  :-)  What's new with you!?!?!? 


Have you watched The Real Housewives??? Or are you hooked on another reality show?  If you've watched NYC, who is your favs?  


Bethenny!  Currently I don't like Kelly (she is a liar!) nor am I a huge fan of Luann.


5 Things that have changed since you last read???

Just Another Manic Monday

Hi everyone Sam!!!  Today is a totally different Monday.  Usually Mondays are spent working at the gym in the morning and the rest of the day evening off.  No split shifts on Mondays = Perfect day to start the week.  However, today I went to the other gym in the evening for clients.  Why?


cuz tomorrow I'm going to NYC!

you see, I must reconnect with my love.


Or... I'm just overdue for an excursion. 
Tomorrow is my baby brother's 17th birthday (seriously when did he get so old?)  and since he's NEVER been to NYC (I know... gasp), I'm taking him and my two other siblings there for the day. 


Surprisingly, my sister is less than excited about going, the birthday boy is medium-excited (aka: laid back about most things in life going), and my youngest brother is excited (yay!).  He's planned out a line of attack for seeing all of the sites with a nice dry-erase board map of the city.

We plan on seeing the WTC, Central Park, Times Square, Canal St/China Town/Little Italy.... those are on the top-list.  So I guess we have a lotta walkin', subwayin' (pray I don't get lost with my 3 precious gems in a big city OR LOSE MY CAR and FORGET WHERE I PARK IT!) but tomorrow should be FUN!

Off to download Tom-Tom GPS to my iphone.
Did you know it dropped drastically in price? $100 down to $45.
Woo woo!

to be continued....

I'm official.

Oh yeah, it's official.  The United States government sent me a very important package today.

They were writing to inform me that after 25 years they will agreeably let me out of the country.

(Yes, you're only seeing the OUTSIDE of my passport to protect my safety.  Ok, I'm lying.  My passport photo is HORRIBLE.  I will be showing as few people as required in the airport).

BUT.... Woo hoo!  Dominican Republic, October 2011, here I come!

No, I will not be sipping drinks on the beach... 

I'm going on a missions trip with my church to demonstrate God's character, nature and love to the people of the Dominican Republic.

I'm pretty excited about it.

How many children do you think will let me hug them?

Or perhaps they will be giving me the "Get off me, white girl." face?

Either way, don't be surprised if I come home with one... or five.

We all know I am hitting 25 and have some catching up to do with Angelina.

Rainy Days Always Get Me...

sleepy. 

aaand apparently my little dog too!  


well today is Friday... though honestly, everyday this week felt like Friday... cuz thats what happens when business is slow!!!


This week most of my clients went on vacation for the 4th, which left me with alot of downtime.  My downtime spent in the pool, with friends, BBQ'in, and sleeping.  Okay, I'm lying.  I've been sleeping HORRIBLY lately.  What up with that?  Going to bed late, waking up too early, and no naps. 


Anyway, its taking its toll on my body and now, by Friday, I feel sick and headachy.


Off to snuggle with my dog!

Why I Wake Up

Is it sad that the taste of coffee lures me to rise from my bed?  Days where I don't have to get up early...I peek one eye open and look at the clock... 

and then begins my internal debate.... Should I "force" myself to go back to sleep for another hour?  Should I rise and get coffee cuz the taste is so smooth warm and yummy?  Quick - I Should get it now before the coffee maker gets turned off & I have to drink reheated microwave coffee (Never, ever as good, even if it is just a 20 second nuke).

OR if I'm up early for work, let me paint you a different scenerio: 

Days where my alarm clock goes off by 6:15 am. and I think "Oh my gosh - why didn't I go to bed earlier last night?  Ugh!" or "Oh my gosh, what a long day..." as I pray to God to give my body & mind the strength to pull it off... and THEN ................ I get semi excited.  Oh!  Coffee!  Yay!!!  Warmth, comfort, goodness.

I kid you not.  Other coffee drinkers HAVE to know what I mean?  It's like our cool club, where the tea-drinkers or non-caffiene luvahs say "Ew I don't drink coffee... I don't want to be addicted... yada yada yada."  But let me tell you, that one/two cups in the morning is just... one of my favorite parts of the day!

I look forward to going to sleep sometimes and waking up for that nice morning drink.  

SADLY:

There are exceptions.

Coffee in the hot hot summer (mornings included) is not always the yummiest.  Sometimes it just makes my body overheat and I feel sick.  Drink goes down the drain.

Othertimes whenever I feel nauseous, that is something that will send me over the edge: I despise it.  Crazy right?

Andddd other times (afternoon and evening coffee), just... Isn't. as. good.  I don't know why.  I'm really only a true morning drinker.  

I am also PICKY about the coffee mugs I like.

The big, heavy mugs are my favorite.  It makes the coffee taste better.  The skinny light mugs?  No thanks.  There is one I drink everytime I'm home.  It's actually an Edible Arranagements mug, probably filled with some sort of fruit at one time or another, yet it is the heaviest cozyiest mug around.  My mom and I battle over it (of course we won't admit it!) ;-) but we both love it.

the last question you may wonder... what do I PUT in my coffee?

Well, I used to be a milk n sugar gal.

Then I went through a Coffee mate Fat Free French Vanilla phase.

Now, I love TRUVIA and a packet of Diet Hot Chocolate mixed in with a lil bit of water.

I know, the combination sounds odd, but trust me - coffee+hot choc = smooth extreme goodness.

And for right now - I wouldn't want it any other way....

Thank you God for coffee.

Now, I'm off to sip mine from my fine yellow mug.

Enjoy your day!

Triple Tangent Tuesday

Really the only thing keeping me back from writing everyday (like one of my fav new bloggers ev-ver, Sam), is that I really don't have anything interesting that someone would wanna read too many things to write.  So, today, in order to keep up with Sam (and my attempts to keep up my "Oh, I'm gonna blog everyday!" empty promises), I will start with Triple Tangent Tuesday.  

Tangent #1:  When I'm not training/teaching/in workout mode, I am extremely physically lazy.

No really.  It's true.  When I worked at the office (yes, I used to have a desk job), and I would rarely get up from my chair to do a task.  Even if it involved as little as walking across the room, I'd roll on over in my spinny chair (but hey, isn't that what they're for?).  Or a paper down the hall that needed to be taken from the copier?  I'd ask a walking-by coworker to grab it for me.  Seriously. Lazy.  Now at least I have an excuse.... "But I taught 2 classes this morning... I'm ti-ired..."  Eh. well. Not really. 

"What? I gotta get up?  You're not gonna get it for me?  But you're right there.  Seriously... Ok, well you're not right there.  But you're closer.  Okay, you're not closer, but you're standing..." ;-)

Tangent #2:  I can eat my bodyweight in produce.

Yes, it's true.  I can eat an entire watermelon, cantaloupe, or a family sized Sam's Club bag of lettuce in 1 day.  My stomach is a bottomless pit when it comes to fresh, "light", watery-filled foods.  Of course that gives me Veggie Belly.  Veggie Belly is what I call it after you eat too much produce and your belly looks 5 months preggo and you're peeing every 10 minutes when you haven't drank all day.  Please tell me someone understands?  No?

So creepy... but seriously so funny... But no, really, so creepy.

Tangent #3:  I never ever ever have my toenails NOT painted.  EVER. 

So random, but I hate unpainted toenails on a female.  Well, when I see other women without their toenails painted, It's not like I look at them with disdain or anything... It's just for me?  I need 'em painted.  I'm not picky on the color either... Fun, bold, sparkles (yes, even though I look like a Barbie-lovin 5 year old) or the "mature" colors (I dunno, that means paler/muted colors to me?)

Anyway- Naked toenails?  You'll never see it on me.

What are your 3 Tangents?

What are you doing today?  I am going into work at 2pm.  No morning clients for me today = Sleeping in = LOVE.  I got 10 hours last night.  That is amazzzzing for me.  That makes me happy.  Seriously, seriously HapPy.

Movin On Up... or Over

Apparently I find blogging on this side of the blogosphere (as opposed to a Wordpress I had started) is the place to be.  Shoutout to Sam for telling me this was where the cool-kids hung. 

 So I decided to pick up my virtual bags (aka: a few of my lame posts) and move on over here... at 11:07 p.m.  




Why do I find it so alluring to start projects at the most inopportune times?  Seriously?  A half hour before leaving to meet my friends on a trip to NYC a few weeks ago I began cleaning out my closet.  Why?  When I need to be up at 6:30 a.m I decide to start creating a blog.  Why?  I think its the thrill of procrastination.  Or hey, maybe its cuz I'm so busy, days are spent outside or at work, and when I finally do get a time to veg it is well after 9 pm.  NOT that I'm complaining.  Of course not.  I do have an awesome job that I love... and was reminded even moreso when I recently celebrated my 25th birthday.  So much love poured out from my clients!  Gift cards for coffee (ah, the way to my heart!), a day spa, shopping stores, american express, candles, and even chocolate covered strawberries!  Seriously, amazing.  Anyway - just sayin - I'm not complaining. ;-)


But hey, on that note, I have an early wake-up and 3 fun clients! One is even teaching me some Nigerian.  Ka-du!  (that means Hello)... Of course I forget how to say bye... so as we say it where I'm from.... See ya!