Ready for some sun

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I have officially hit my saturation point with east coast winter. It was an incredibly mild winter this year - it has snowed all of 3 times so far, and it only stuck around over night in practically each case. But I am still very much over it. And ready for summer. And sun. And being tan. And the beach. And bathing suits. And barbecues.

Yet I'm not looking forward to summer in the city. Sweaty and grimy and sticky and humid. However, I do have a roof deck this year so I'm hoping to put that to good use and to enjoy whatever breezes may waft upon me up there.

I also didn't go to the beach nearly enough last summer, so I fully intend to spend every possible weekend there this year. I think it will be a useful endeavor - I'll still be in classes (fingers crossed they offer what I need!) so I can use the hour-plus-long train ride to the beach to study, get my tan on, and study on the way back into the city. Not too shabby, eh? I'm very much looking forward to it!

In the meantime, c'mon Spring....!

eating for health

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I was helped greatly along in getting on the Eating Healthy bandwagon this week by my parents - who sent me back east with enough fruits and carrots & celery (rarely do I eat the two separately anymore, thus they deserve their own nomenclature) to last me through the week. Their contribution to my diet has greatly improved the way I have felt and functioned since I woke up on Tuesday morning, ready to get back to the gym and back to the healthy lifestyle I'd been pursuing before I allowed the excuse of "Thanksgiving and beyond" to derail my intentions.

But this morning, I began my day with a cup of granola cereal with milk (a "gift" from a coworker who was angling for the trash bin after he decided he no longer wanted his NEW purchase! - I simply cannot see food wasted. I cannot. It gives me anxiety). And 2 hours later, I was starving. Literally starving, looking to eat anything in sight, including the remaining rum cakes a coworker brought in for the office after a recent cruise. (Did you see that I wrote "rum cakes," plural? Yeah.)

But then? Ah then. Then the carrots & celery, and my own healthy concoction of red beans with brown rice called to me from the fridge and almost immediately after the first bites I felt more energized, and more awake. From 2 bites.3 max. Eating healthfully is so key for me. So key to my energy, to my contentedness, to my alertness. And starting the day off with sugar is obviously not working for me. Time to make my oatmeal for next week, that much is certain.

I do love this awareness though. I love this listening to my body, responding to what I know it needs (even though the crux of me wants more sugar), and having my body respond favorably in part. I love that each step I take in the right direction is a success, and that I am beginning to take those steps again. Makes me feel strong, in and of itself.

But I mostly love my parents for sending me home with such natural goodness - because I can promise you, if I had not had those fruits and veggies in my arsenal, I would have made several lunches out of all the unhealthiness that abounds around my office and home. ;) So mostly, thanks to my parents for raising their family with an awareness of health and sustainability of self, even though everyone succumbs to those bites of rum cake now and again.

PS - Oh, and no, that piccy is not one I took. I'm that lame. I have to steal pictures of carrots & celery possessing the same plasticware that all offices all across America keep for their employees. tsk.

Grindin' along

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The weather has been looking more and more like Spring outside - which is horribly depressing when you step outside into 40 degree weather.

But in better news, after a nearly 4-month hiatus, I got myself back into the gym yesterday, and I intend to do the same today. I've been starting small - one half-hour ab class under my belt, and I'm hoping for another today. But, as a friend told me, just the act of getting back into the habit of going to the gym after work will be a benefit. As soon as that feels second nature again, I'll be able to motivate to get back into the truly change-inducing workouts.

Besides, I have homework to do after work these days! Anatomy labelling and Nutrition reading, here I come! And oh, what fun I'm having!

i love my family

Never more than this past weekend have I know how lucky I am to have what is easily the most loving family in the world. I am truly, truly blessed.

Happy V-Day!

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I had my first class last night - it was fantastic, I am more excited than ever before about seeing how fitness could work for me as a career change. And today is Valentine's Day, so watch out world - a few more days of chocolate splurging before I get back on track with the gym and put the knowledge I'm gaining in my classes to good use! Enjoy your day today, all, tell those you love how much they mean to you, and indulge in some Hallmark ridiculousity if you'd like. Today's the day for it, after all.

oops

I forgot about this little blog again yesterday. I know, I'm the worst blogger in the history of America! But at least I remembered you today, eh? Fickle. That's what I'm becoming lately. Fickle. Mostly, though, I've been busy and content, on top of being forgetful. So, that's something. In other news, it's supposed to snow tonight, which I am actually very excited about. I'll let you know if it pans out though - sometimes these predictions are far more wrong than right. Or, worse still, it may snow and then not stick.

Very soon I will return to regaling you, my three readers, with tales of my fantastic New York adventures, I promise. In the meantime, you'll have to make due with some random pictures on this Wednesday. Enjoy!

marilyn

i love that self-created-woman-glamazon-nervous-child who was Marilyn Monroe. Don't worry - I'm not heartbroken in the least (people tend to fret when "heart" and "break" are ever in the same zone) - this quote just made me smile. Because I am indeed grateful for my friends, girls and boys, for everything they bring to my life. Happy Monday!

“This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” 
― Marilyn Monroe

Friday Friday Friday!

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There really is nothing better than a Friday ending a truly great week. There is, more importantly, nothing like realizing in one tiny week just how much you cherish your friendships, and the path your life is taking. But to have a great week thanks to those things, ending on a bright and sunny (albeit cold) Friday with a fun outing scheduled for the night? That is just the best of the best.

(And I realize that piccy probably made you think that my life was going horribly this week, and that even a Friday could hardly offer relief. Nope. I just thought it was funny. :))

Happy February 1st!

 The month of sugary candy, chocolates galore, and lotsa pink, red and white, is upon us! Take every day this month to cherish the loved ones you have in your life, and take that special February 14th to anticipate the discount-chocolate feast that will ensue on February 15th! Less variation than the candy available for Halloween, to be sure, but delicious nonetheless!

PS - that piccy is just because I found it adorable, and this is the month that Hallmark dictates we shall make all about love. But, truly, do take care of the hearts your family, friends, and significant others have entrusted to you.