Woohoo!!

I lost an inch in my waist and a half inch on each thigh!! Woohoo!!

I've been working really hard with my personal trainer and on my own and I'm actually seeing some results! Hallelujah!

Sunday Scoop

Ha! Some of my favorite shows are on Sunday nights, and I am always willing to stay up late to watch them!

Recap of this weekend in list form (my favorite kind of form!):

• I had to buy new tires RIGHT after I had just paid a big bill for my credit card that I was excited about.  I'm pretty sure that my bank account tells the universe when there's money in there so that I can have yet another expense! AND this is during the most expensive month of my life...car insurance time (I pay twice a year so they are big payments), moving time (helloooo security deposit and first month's rent at the same time), target trips to get stuff for moving (cleaning supplies, curtain for the kitchen, extension cords, etc.) Oh and get this! I only need two tires, but since Costco's policy is that I can only buy 4 at a time because of the type of car I have, I had to buy 4! I know you're probably wondering why I didn't just go somewhere else...it's for peace of mind.  They have a 90,000 warranty on their tires! You can get them rotated for free at ANY time you want and they're really good about replacing them.   I've never had any trouble with them with tires; they are very reliable.
•  Procrastination at its best! I am procrastinating right now as I type, actually! I have a paper to write and studying to do for my research grad class tomorrow and haven't done anything for them yet! I'm not normally this late with it, but I just refused to spend my Spring Break doing grad work on TOP of moving, unpacking, and getting everything settled at the house.  So I don't feel very bad about it.  I'll regret losing most of today for it, but let's be real...our professor told us this paper is worth ONE point.  So if we turn something in at all, we get it.  Um, hello?! She might as well have told me to BS it even more than I was going to. Ha!
• Last night Dan and I made breakfast for dinner and then I made pumpkin bread for dessert just because I felt like it.  I happen to love both of those things so the combination in one night was glorious!
• I started this cinnamon/honey drink thing last night.  I have been doing a lot of reading on it and also saw some interesting doctor articles about it, so I thought I would give it a try.  It's supposed to be mainly for weight loss, but the two ingredients on their own have a lot of nutritional benefits on their own as well.  This includes maintaining a healthy immune system, help with acne, having antioxidants, reducing cholesterol, indigestion, energy, and the list goes on! I figured even if I don't lose weight with this, it's great for me otherwise! AND I happen to love anything that tastes like cinnamon and I also love honey (although this is my first time with raw honey) so it's a win-win.  So far, I like it.  I wish I could drink it warm though, drinking it luke warm or cold is not as pleasant.  But from what I've read, it's better that way because if it's hot than the honey loses its nutrients faster. Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/melissaw72/posts/4475-Weight-Loss

• I got my hair done on Saturday.  I was really excited about it because I had decided to save some money and instead of get a haircut that I don't really need or highlights/low lights, I would just get one all over color which is cheaper.  WELL it turns out that I didn't factor in that my stylist is apparently more highly trained and can charge higher than others (not sure how I missed that one - I've been going to her for a while now) and the blow-dry charge of $25 which is absolutely ridiculous.  So in order to save, I would need to leave the salon with wet hair, not knowing how my hair turned out?! Well, anyways long story short...my hair looks great.  My wallet does not.

I'm going to try and work on getting some grad work done now...

maybe.

Or maybe I'll go finish my closet upstairs! It's the last thing I have to unpack.  Normally it's the first thing, but I guess since I haven't had to worry about where my work clothes are this past week, it was not my immediate venture.

Happy Weekend!

27x27

I know a lot of bloggers do this, and I've always thought it'd be kinda cool to do.  So I'm doing it...

I'm hoping that I can get these things done by October 7th, which leaves me about 4 months.  I already have a few of them under way.  Wish me luck! :)

No Smoking!

 

I have (unfortunately) grown up around smokers all my life.  My parents smoked cigarettes all the time, in the house, out of the house, morning, day and night.  I was extremely embarrassed by the smell of it, and how it would make our whole house smell like smoke.  Kids would tease us at school saying that we smoked, because our clothes smelled like it.  I rarely invited people over to the house because of it.  I HATED it.  When learning about second hand smoke at school and how it's a danger to those around the people that do smoke, I was appalled to learn that my parents were not only putting their own health at risk, but also the health of my brother, sister, and I.  I went home that day, enraged and determined to convince my parents of why they shouldn't smoke.  I remember putting up No Smoking signs around the house, and making a BIG deal about it when they smoked inside.  I even started throwing away any cigarettes that I saw! (Not whole packs, but if I saw random ones lying around, or half used ones that my parents wanted to finish later)

Nothing worked.  As I'm sure anyone who has smoked for a while can tell you, the only way to truly quit is if you want to do it for yourself and no one else.  My parents later moved on from cigarettes to cigars!  Which normally would be better, considering most people don't inhale cigars.  Well, parents do!  So it's actually even WORSE than smoking cigarettes! Ugh! 

Anyways, it still blows my mind how naive they still are about it all.  I come over and immediately start coughing or covering my mouth because of how smoky it is.  My mom will say some comment about how they haven't smoked inside all day and how she has no idea why I smell it.  DUH!  You'd think after almost 30 years of smoking inside, they would realize that the smell travels and sticks to EVERYTHING!  Clothes, blinds, carpets, even the furniture smells like smoke! 

It makes me really sad to think about all of this, especially considering that my grandfather died from complications of smoking (emphysema and lung cancer).  He even stopped at one point!  He smoked for 40 years, but didn't smoke for 20 and STILL had all of those problems.  I really thought that would jog some kind of motivation for my parents to stop, but no.  I really hate to think about when I have kids, and how I'll be hesitant to bring them over to their house because of the smoke.  I really hope that they quit before it's too late.

What's even sadder, is that I'm the only one in the family that didn't pick it up.  My brother and sister have both smoked (and one still does now) cigarettes on a regular basis.  I know that had they not grown up with it around them, they would have been less likely to be smokers.

There are so many things that come to mind, about what my future children could do to really get me angry...smoking is totally one of those things.  I would FLIP out if my child started doing that.  And hopefully since I don't smoke, don't condone it, and also have family history to prove how awful it is, my children will hopefully grow up as non-smokers like I did.

Thoughts? 

P.S. I LOVE that there are so many non-smoking restaurants now! Woo! I still see smoking hotel rooms, but as long as they have non-smoking options, it's cool.  Glad the public/government has been getting their act together with that!

Workout Crazy

So I worked out on Thursday, twice on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then twice today.  So technically, I've worked out seven times in a row! Yikes! I know it's best to have a day of rest, but it's hard to stop once I'm on a roll!

AND I'm in some more step challenges with my co-workers, so that's extra motivation!  I feel like I just have this non-stop burst of energy and motivation and I should use it while I have it!

Tomorrow I'm going to a Step and Sculpt class with a co-worker and then I might go back to the gym with Dan later on again.  That's how I went twice tonight...I went to a half and half class where you do half cardio/dance and then half muscle conditioning with weights and the yoga ball.  It was awesome, but I didn't feel as exhausted/sweaty as I wanted to.  I came home, had dinner with Dan, and then I went to the gym again with him and just ran/walked on the treadmill for a while.

So the suggested amount of steps a regular person should take is about 10,000 steps a day (typically with "normal" size steps, 2,000 steps = 1 mile so that would mean walking about 5 miles a day is good).  Well, I have been averaging way more than that.  When my school day is over, I usually already have about 10,000 steps.  Then I have my workout, and of course today with 2 workouts I got a TON of steps.

So how many did I get today? ...Are you ready?  28,082 steps!!

I know, crazy, right?! And awesome! Now all I need to see is the scale move some more (downwards please!) and then I'll be even happier!

Let's hope! I'll keep you updated :)

Have a great night!

Hoping my work will pay off

This week I worked out on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and twice on Friday.  After I write this post, I'm going to go to the gym, and may even possibly go again later tonight.  I am trying SO hard to lose some weight, and I haven't seen the scale move much at all yet, except for a pound or so.  I know it takes a while, but seeing a difference (even a little) would be even more motivation for me.

I hope I see some serious movement soon-ish!

~~~~~~

Yesterday was a productive day.  I went to the dentist and had a cleaning.  I was so happy that I got a great report! All my flossing has paid off! Woo!  I also went to my bladder doctor and that went well too.  I took the day off to go to those appointments, and also to relax a bit.  It was really nice waking up at 9am, instead of 6am.  Sometimes you just need that!

I'm looking forward to the holidays, but I still can't believe it's so close! It just doesn't even feel like December right now!

I finished all of my holiday shopping on Black Friday (ohhh yeah!) so all I really have to do to finish is start my wrapping.  Thankfully I have a lot of bags and tissue, which is my favorite kind of "wrapping."

Anyways, I'm off to the gym. 

Happy Weekend!

Self-Control

I've had to have a lot of self conversations with myself about choosing the right things to eat...it's been hard!

Today at the mall I realllllllllly wanted a cheese steak but talked myself into a salad anyways. 

Yesterday at Rita's I wanted a gelati, but opted for the fat free slenderita soft-serve instead.

I find myself cheating more and more, even given my sometimes successful self-conversations.  I'm getting closer to running out of my points for Weight Watchers, and I haven't been working out as much.  I really don't have a reason, other than just lack of motivation.  I'm trying out a boot camp soon (I get a week free).  It's realllyyy early in the morning, but from what I hear it's totally worth it.  Maybe that's what will kick my butt into gear.  I haven't really gained more weight, but I haven't lost any more either, so I know I have to do more about it...

Ugh.  I remember the days where I could eat anything and just workout because I wanted to not because I had to.  I miss those days!

Anyways, I'm not giving up.  I plan on taking some classes next week at the gym, and hopefully that will help motivate me to not cheat as much with food too.

Tomorrow is my friend Jen's wedding.  I'm excited about.  It will be a looooonng day, but a great one.  I feel bad that it's supposed to rain tomorrow.  She wanted an outdoor ceremony so bad and even picked this venue with the outside setting in mind.  Maybe the rain will hold up a little bit for her.

Have a good rest of the weekend!

Can't sleep? Sign up for fitness classes!

So it's 1am and I can't sleep.  So I went online to find a parks and rec fitness class to enroll in for the Fall.  They always have great classes that are affordable and fun.  I've been debating about whether or not to get back into personal training and the only thing that has been stopping me is the money.  Taking a class is a great solution because I'm still getting a great workout, but I'm not paying as much for it.

This is what I ended up choosing:

Trim & Tighten

12 yrs + / 24 classes, start dates below / $71

Toning and strengthening exercises for all muscle groups are set to music.

Bring a mat; 2- to 5-lb. hand weights are optional. Instructors are nationally

certified. Please consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.

Registration: 410-313-7275. Information: Nicola Morgal, 410-313-4718.

Jeanne Sealing ACE-Certified

RP8210.501 Burleigh Manor MS Sep 12 6:30-7:25 PM M & W

I love that it's twice a week, that it's strength training (I really don't enjoy using weights and I'm not very good at it), and it's very cheap at about $3 a class! My only wish is that it would start sooner! 

I was tempted to sign up for this class as well:

Step & Sculpt! with Marianne Larkin, AAAI

12 yrs + / 12 classes starting Sep 17 / $62

Enjoy an invigorating Saturday morning wake-up call with this fun medium- to high intensity

75-minute class that has it all. Pump up your cardiovascular fitness and

challenge your brain with 45-50 minutes of turbo-charged combinations in the

latest in-step choreography. Knowledge of aerobic step terms is recommended.

Moves are demonstrated at various intensity levels so you can customize the workout

to fit your needs. Continue this total body workout with about 20 minutes of

strength, core and ab exercises using hand weights, medicine balls, stability balls

and resistance bands (provided) and finish with an energized stretch.

Registration: 410-313-7275. Information: Nicola Morgal, 410-313-4718.

RP8300.501 Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr 8:30-9:45 AM Sa

But I didn't, because I don't want to sign up for too much right away.  I'm still thinking about it though.  I might try and see if I have any friends who want to join with me...any takers?

I have a gym membership and love going to those classes as well, but doing the classes through parks and rec is so much fun and motivating because it's an extra fee that I paid for, so I feel like I HAVE to go even if I don't feel like working out that day.

I'm going to go and try to go to sleep again...hopefully this time it will work. 

Good night :)

4 Eyes :)

My fun red glasses!

So a few weeks ago, I finally went to an eye doctor.  I have never been to one, unless you count the hearing/eye screening they do in fourth grade.

So luckily, it's really not bad at all.  I have Astigmatism in both eyes and a very slight nearsightedness in my right eye.  My eye doctor told me to just wear them when I need them and especially during night driving.  I've also found them really useful when I'm on the computer and when I watch movies at the theater or in a dark room.  So far, I have the pair I got from the office which is brown and then I also got these fun red glasses (it has a pink design on the sides) from Zenni Optical for super cheap.

I guess if I have to wear them sometimes, I might as well find some cute ones, right?

It still feels weird when I wear them and I think it'll take a while getting used to it.  But I know that it helps a lot, so it's worth it.

Back to Maryland

I have been a bit MIA from my blog recently, because I was at the beach for a little over a week with Dan.  While he was at work, I helped him out a little by doing some packing and getting some boxes for him.  I also did some classroom shopping at TAPS (Teacher and Parent Store - there's not one in MD) and got some fantastic polka dot decorations for my room that I'm super excited about.  I also had a fair amount of beach time, which also meant I got a lot of reading done. :)

Currently, I'm reading "Handle with Care" by Jodi Picoult.

It's about a young girl who has Osteogenesis imperfecta, which is a bone disease where her bones can break very easily.  It talks about her life and each chapter is told by a different chartacter's point of view.  So far, I like it a lot.  I've read some of Jodi's work before, and I think she's a great writer.  She is always very well researched on the subject at hand, and it's always very hard to put her books down, which I love.  It was definitely a great beach read.

So even though I went on antibiotics and finished them last Monday, all of my symptoms including coughing, sore throat, and swollen tonsils came back this past Saturday.  Awesome.  So I called my doctor and she prescribed a stronger antibiotic that I will be taking for a longer period.  Man, I hope it works this time!  I hate being sick! And especially during my favorite season!

The countdowns begin:

18 days left until I return to school to start getting my classroom ready.

22 days until I get to meet some of my students at the open house

25 days until the first day of school

I'm excited that I have a lot to look forward between now and then:

• Hanging out with a friend from Florida around town this weekend and possible laser tagging! Woo!
• Possibly signing a lease pretty soon with Dan
• Jen's wedding next weekend (I'm a bridesmaid)
• Happy Hour with my team from work next week
• Sleeping in as much as possible
• Hearing about Dan's first day at his new job!
• Getting my hair done (I lovvvveeee doing that!)
• Going to a wedding in New York for a family member of Dan's

I know that these next 18 days will probably go by much faster than I want them to, but I'm going to make the most out of them and enjoy my freedom while I can!

Feeling cough-tastic

I have been coughing non-stop for the past couple days.  It started last week just here and there, and then over the weekend it got a lot worse.  I got really annoyed, because it's not the kind where you purposely cough to clear your throat, it's the kind that just kind-of pops up while you're talking in mid-sentence, almost like a choke kind of cough. 

So I went to the Minute clinic yesterday and thankfully it's not strep.  I do know that I got it from my kids (one perpetrator in particular has been coughing all over the place, and of course not covering his mouth at all -- thanks for that kid!).  So anyways, I'm taking ibuprofen to decrease the swelling of my tonsils (according to the Minute Clinic doc they're abnormally huge), and cough suppressant pills.  None of that is working all that well.  The only thing that I've had to use a couple times that worked, is my inhaler.  I had to leave my classroom twice today to take it because I had such awful coughing fits to the point where I couldn't breathe.  It was not fun! 

I went to the store today and loaded up on Halls lozenges and some vitamin C drops.  I've been drinking water like it's my job, and I took a long nap today.  I'm hoping that if I continue all this that this thing will be gone in a few days.  I can only hope!  I am supposed to be going to VA Beach on Monday for a week with Dan, but I don't want to go until I'm healthy.  Not only do I want to prevent from passing this cough-monster onto Dan, but I also don't really want to be in a car for 4.5 hours coughing up a storm.  So we shall see.  Wish me luck!  I only have 3 more days of summer school left, so maybe just leaving the germ-y area of school will help me out too.

Crossing off some of my big to-dos

Remember this post from a while ago? Well, let's take a look and see what I've gotten done on that list since October of last year:

1. Buy myself an awesome diamond necklace.  Haven't done this yet, but I did buy a ring with diamond accents, so that's in the right direction of buying myself something pretty and sparkly!  :)



2. Take a dance class again. I have been looking at taking a jazz class at an actual dance studio (not just through parks and rec) in the fall.  I will keep you posted! I'm excited. :) I partially crossed off, since this is in the works!


3. Get a tattoo.  See picture below :)


I love hearts! <3

4. Learn how to play the acoustic guitar.  I think this is something Dan and I may do together in the future.  But it's not at the top of my priorities now, so I probably won't do this for a while.  But when I do, I will be very happy about it and I'll be sure to share my progress with that.

5. Learn how to do a back walk-over and/or back handspring. Nope, not yet.  Maybe when I live in a house with more space for me to fall over in :)


6. Learn how to line dance. I actually went line dancing last night!  I am still not that great at it, but I'm getting better!  My roommate and I are going to try and go more often!  So that's partially crossed off, since it's in the works!


7. Take a cruise! Did that!  See here and here!


8. Learn how to play the piano. I don't think this will happen until I get a piano and a house! Some day though!


9. Travel the world! Well I have a good start with having been to Bermuda in April.  I'm thinking the next "big" trip outside of the US will probably be another island of some kind or possible Europe!  :)

Ok, so I haven't done a LOT on my list, but I've definitely made a little bit of a dent!  I wasn't really expecting to do all of these things all at once anyways, they're more long-term goals :)

I'm thinking of creating a 27x27 list simliar to what Angie did here.  I like the idea of mixing some long-term but attainable in a year things with some short term goals.  Plus, I turn 26 in a few months (October) so I could start right then and have a year to accomplish those things.  Also, I'm a big fan of the number 7, so it's exciting that it's 27x27 and not just 26x26. :) I know, I'm a dork.

6 down, 15 more to go!

I lost another pound this week!  I'm consistently losing about 1-2 pounds a week with Weight Watchers alone, so I'm thinking if I step it up more with my workouts (which I already have this week) I'll get it going even a little faster. :) 

I'm so excited!

So far, I've lost a total of 6 pounds and 2 inches in 4 weeks!

Chili Mac Recipe

My roommate and I made this tonight and it was deliciously awesome! We got it from Hungry Girl (filling recipes that are all under 300 calories).

Ingredients:
One 14.5-oz. can stewed tomatoes, roughly chopped, juice reserved
1 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen ground-beef-style soy crumbles (like the kind by Boca or Morningstar Farms)
1 onion, chopped
1 red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped portabella mushrooms
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 tsp. chili powder, or more to taste
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
1/4 tsp. ground cumin, or more to taste
5 oz. (about 1 1/4 cups) uncooked elbow macaroni with at least 2g fiber per 2-oz. serving
1/4 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
Optional: cayenne pepper

Directions:
To make the chili, bring a large pot sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove. Add all ingredients -- including the reserved tomato juice -- except macaroni and cheese. Stir thoroughly. Cover and cook until veggies are tender, about 15 minutes, occasionally removing the lid to stir.

Meanwhile, prepare macaroni according to package instructions, in boiling water for about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Once both are cooked, add drained pasta to the pot of chili. Mix thoroughly. Season to taste with cayenne pepper and additional spices, if you like. Evenly top each serving with cheese and enjoy!

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 3/4 cups
Calories: 297
Fat: 2g
Sodium: 637mg
Carbs: 55.5g
Fiber: 9.75g
Sugars: 11.5g
Protein: 19g

WW PointsPlus value = 8

I have to be honest, I was a little worried about using "beef-style soy crumbles" but it was actually really good! I couldn't really tell the difference with all of the other flavors in it! And before this recipe, I didn't realize that there is fat-free cheddar cheese available at all! Score!

*Have you voted or commented on my new blog name yet? Please help! I need opinions and feedback!

Why even make appointments?

What the heck is the point of making an appointment with a doctor if you're going to wait for over an hour to see them anyways?!

I had a 3:00pm Gyn appt. today and here's how it went:

2:35pm I got to the office early. (I was told to be there at 2:45pm).
3:15pm After being there for over 35 minutes without even being told it should be soon, I ask the front desk if I'll be seen soon, and she says yes, should be soon.
3:25pm I am finally called back to take measurements and to go to the room to get dressed.
3:35pm I get dressed...and by that I mean undressed and then cover up with the paper vest and paper blanket to drape over myself...hoping that none of it will break before the doctor comes in.
3:45pm The doctor finally comes in

What is the point of scheduling a 3pm appointment (where I'm told to be there at 2:45 anyways) when I don't actually see the doctor until 45 minutes after my scheduled time. It's BULL****!

Especially considering the fact that if there is ever a doctor's appointment that I want to get in and get out, it's the gynecologist! Get me OUTTA there!

Can I get an Amen??

Feeling Good, and starting to look good too!

*

So with the 3 pounds and 2 inches that I lost last week, and another pound this week, I'm feeling pretty great. I've gotten some compliments from friends and family about how my midsection looks smaller which is great to hear. As a typical woman, I am my own worst critic. So the fact that I have actually personally noticed a difference is HUGE for me. I can actually tell that I'm losing weight in the places that I had previously gained it.

And Weight Watchers has been a HUGE help. I've been really good about being honest with it (if I wanted to, I could just not log in all the foods that I eat during the day, or I could be dishonest with the servings). I feel like if I'm going to do this and be serious about it, I have to do it 100%. And I'm glad I have, because it's paying off!

In other news, I've been better with my money as well. :) I've never really been 'bad' with money, but I have never been great with saving money. Well a month ago or so, I set up a separate checking account where a certain portion of each paycheck goes into. I have been really great about not even looking at that money. My hope is that I can slowly start raising that amount per paycheck and save even more. But for now, it's baby steps. I'm still paying all of my bills on time as always, and I have been paying off my credit card every month as well. So I'm in good standing, and happy with it. I'm hoping to use a good part of my extra summer school money to help pay off my car which will make me really happy. After that's paid off, the only real debt that I will have is my student loan, which I consider to be good debt so that's ok.

Tomorrow is the first day of Summer School and I have to say that I'm surprisingly nervous. I am very confident in my teaching and always have been. But I'm starting a new program this year, and I'm working with a huge range of ages this year. The first two sessions or classes are made up of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders for reading. I'm not as nervous for that, because I teach 5th grade all year round anyways. But the 3rd session I will be teaching science to kindergarteners and first graders. Totally outside my realm of experience! I know it will be fun, but of course I have butterflies, simply for the fear of the unknown.

Wish me luck!

I'm excited that I can reward myself for my hard work this week with a beach trip to VA this upcoming weekend! I have Monday off so I can stay a little longer, and I'm happy to get some relax time in with Dan and his family.

Have a great night everyone! :)

A Good Day

Today has been a pretty good day so far :)

Nice and productive, like I like it!

School went well...

When I left school I went to the grocery store and got stuff for breakfast and lunch for a while, and then got gas for my car. I came home, put the groceries away and made dinner. I started 2 loads of laundry and I also straightened up my room a bit.

I'm just about to take a nap (I need a boost!) and then go to the gym. When I get back I am folding/hanging up my laundry and then going to bed.

Woo! :)

P.S. This past weekend was Beth and Jeremy's wedding! It was beautiful and sweet, just like I thought it would be. As soon as I get the pictures downloaded, I'll put them up and write about it. :)

Surprisingly, not a case of the Mondays*

Apparently I was in the mood to workout today!

*This morning at 7:15am I turned on exercise tv and did "AM Standing Abs" for 10 minutes before getting ready for work.

*After work, I took an hour long class at the gym called "Half and Half" where half of the class was cardio-dance and half was working out with weights (mostly arms, but also thighs and abs).

*Then, after the hour long class I decided that I still had energy so I should use it and spent 20 minutes on the cybex arc trainer machine!

I'm not sure what has gotten into me, but I like it!! hopefully I can stick with this motivation and energy and lose these pounds faster than I had hoped!

This week is super exciting and stressful all rolled up into one!

Monday: (today) My last observation was today! Woohoo!! It really well, and after this I will be tenured! Finally! I stayed at work until 6 today doing work, and then of course worked out. Oh, and it was the first day of Family Life today at school. LOL. I love teaching that unit! It always provides wonderful entertainment for us teachers!

Tuesday: School, work out, run errands, dinner, pick up roomie from airport

Wednesday: School-Family Life day #2, workout, Babysit until 9:30

Thursday: School, work on Report cards- due on Friday, Family Life day #3, (no work out-break day), meet up with other bridesmaids and Beth to get nails done for the wedding! :)

Friday: NO SCHOOL! I'm off to help Beth :) Help Beth all morning/afternoon, go home and get ready for the rehearsal, go back to Beth's for rehearsal. Meet up with Dan and everyone else for the dinner. :)

Saturday: THE BIG DAY! I can't wait, I love weddings, and I love that it's a very close best friend of mine! I am so excited for both of them and can't wait to experience such a special day with them! And of course, Dan will be home too so double excitement! :)

Sunday: Relax day! Finally :)

Have a good week everyone!

*I flippin love Office Space

P.S. I have been updating my 30 day photo challenge :)

Staying Busy

Since I was in high school, I have always been someone to load my social and professional calendars up to the brim with things that make me happy. In high school I: belonged to the drama club, the interact club, the french club, band, chorus, madrigals, I performed in plays and musicals, I was the field hockey manager, I babysat on the weekends and worked at Columbia Association on weeknights. On top of all that, I was always everywhere with my friends...out and about at the mall or other people's houses, random drama parties on the weekends, etc. I literally did not stop. I both hated and loved my passion for wanting to do everything so bad that it meant doing it all at once, even if it sacrificed my sanity.

I'm still pretty much the same way today, for better or worse. I am always busy with work in general; it's part of being a teacher. It's a very complex, tedious, and hard job where there is always more work to be done. To add to that, I have always made my students a priority and by that I mean that I always tell them that I am their #1 fan. So I try to make it to all of their chorus and band concerts, the enrichment fairs that show off their projects, plays, etc. Well, if I stay for those, I usually just stay right on through from the end of school by doing work until the show starts.

Then there's my social/personal loves...seeing my best friends at least a couple times a week, trying to stay on top of working out so that I can feel better about how I look, going on the computer late at night to facebook with other friends or just to check emails or blog, etc.

It's a lot, and I know it is. I know that I am always busy and it's not always easy for me to be spontaneous with much. But for some reason, there has always been a little voice in my head that tells me it's ok to be stressed out with all this, because it's all stuff I want to do really bad, so I'm just going to do it...even if I'm flat out exhausted by the end of the day and don't get to bed until late, only to wake up in the morning sleep-deprived.

I know this method of mine has many flaws, and even while writing this I know that I should probably slow down more often, and not jam pack my week nights and weekends. But it's just so hard for me to want to not have anything planned. I like knowing that something fun is coming up, and that I won't be just sitting around, even though sometimes I need that.

This week for instance:

Monday: Work, went to an outing with students after school, worked out for 1 1/2 hours

Tuesday: Field Trip at work, worked out with co-worker after school, ran errands, had dinner, went back to school for Strings Concert

Wednesday: Work, this is normally my babysit night but it was cancelled. I actually did relax a little this night. I didn't work out, even though I wanted to...I was so exhausted.

Thursday: Went to get bday gift for co-worker before work, early meeting at work, work all day, went and got bday gift for another co-worker, went home and did laundry, met up with Winky and helped take some stuff from the old place apart, got dinner and watched Grey's until 10, and of course now I'm blogging.

Tomorrow: Work all day of course, home to run errands/clean up, champps to meet up with co-workers, movie with co-workers and DW, sleepover

Saturday: Early morning 5K walk/run with KD to support "Girls on the Run." Plans to meet up with Daniel afterwards. Possible shoe shopping to look for wedding shoes. (B's wedding!)

Sunday: Sort-of early 5K walk to support research for Cystic Fibrosis. Get ready for Monday.

OY!

Lots to do...but I want to do all of it!! I'm crazy, I know. Gee, I wonder why my anxiety comes and goes...I know I do this to myself. And that's what's funny to me, is that I know it and still do it anyways because the pros of doing everything that makes me happy (and others happy too usually) completely outweigh the cons of not getting enough sleep, feeling rushed and/or stressed a lot of the time.

On that note, I'm going to put my laundry away and then try to get into bed before 11pm tonight!

Have a good one! :)

WTF

My alarm for 6:02am went off at 5:40am. When it was actually 7:05 in the am, my phone said it was 8:05am. And then kept changing its mind and going back and forth between an hour ahead and the real time. Why is my phone messing with my sleep?!

(baby)