Recurring Series – Page 106

Looking Forward (v.1)

I’ve seen these posts on Lisa’s blog from time and time and I thought the day before I left on a fun cruise would be the perfect time to do one of my own!

Today, I am looking forward to making it through my “Friday” and spending the evening packing and preparing to leave on my second cruise of this year. There is something extra special about that day-before-vacation feeling and I’m going to try to not wish today away, as I know Monday will sneak up on me and it’ll be back to real life.

This week, I am looking forward to my cruise! (That was an easy one!) I am so looking forward to spending a long weekend on the ship. I plan to spend a lot of time reading, journaling, and relaxing. With an earlier dinner time, my mom and I also hope to catch more of the nightly entertainment. (We’ve only had the late dining option on our past two cruises, which means we miss a lot of the nightly entertainment.) This is my last big vacation of the year so I want to soak it in and enjoy the moments.

This month, I am looking forward to getting back on track with healthy eating and exercise – as well as completing another “30-Day Shred” Challenge in July. I’ve fallen completely off the wagon with healthy eating in the past few weeks. My scale is not my friend. But I’ve started making plans and figuring out ways to keep me motivated to live a healthier lifestyle when I get back from my cruise. One of my better ideas: another “Thirty Day Shred” challenge. I did this in May 2010 with so-so results, so I figure combining the challenge with more exercising and eating better? I should see much better results this time around.

I’m just ready to stop playing around with my health and get serious. I’m really growing tired of being disappointed in myself and annoyed at my reflection.

This year, I am looking forward to moving to a new apartment and my 25th birthday. My mom and I have been planning a move since we signed our lease back in September. We’re not happy with our apartment management but with my new job, I was hesitant to move somewhere new. But we are ready for a new place, updated appliances, AND FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING HOLY A WASHER/DRYER IN OUR APARTMENT. I’m excited about apartment hunting and moving. (Yes, I’m a weirdo who actually enjoys moving!)

And also, my twenty-fifth birthday. A big part of me wants to spend a long weekend in NYC because hello, it’s my 25th birthday! But I’m not sure I can really afford NYC and all the travels I want to do in 2013. So I’m still pondering what I want to do. (Blogger weekend anybody?)

What are you looking forward to today, this week, this month, and this year?

Categories: Recurring Series

Five For Friday

1 – This week has been one for frantic texts to blog friends turned real-life friends, constant prayers for clarity, and eating my feelings. But it’s also been a week where I realized that I’m not as broken as I thought I was and I’m turning into an independent and smart woman. I’ve lived so much of my life being afraid to stand on my own two feet, being scared to acknowledge my own feelings. It’s quite fun to see how I’m coming into my own. Twenty-four has really been a great year so far. And I’m excited to see what the second half of this age has in store for me.

2 – I went to see a podiatrist last Friday. I’ve been experiencing excruciating pain in my ankles and arches when I run and I wanted to get my feet checked out, to make sure there wasn’t anything else going on. The verdict? I spent $60 to be told I need to stretch better. I’m pretty bad at stretching my calves and ankles after I run or do any type of physical activity so my problem lies in my super tight muscles that are having to overcompensate and use muscles from other areas of my lower legs when I run. And because of all this, my knee hyper-extends when I run which is causing further problems. He gave me some strengthening/stretching exercises to do (and I plan on buying a foam roller soon!), but I’m also thinking of getting a sports massage to ease out all the tightness that’s built up over time. Except people on Twitter scared me of how painful it would be. Question: Is it worth it? My mom has had multiple sports massages before her races so I know they work. But would it help my issue, or would more frequent stretching be good enough?

3 – Today is the fourth anniversary of Minnie’s death. She was the first dog I ever had and one of the best dogs to ever exist. (Yes. In the world.) Last year, I wrote a commemorative post on her so hop on over to read it, if you’re so inclined. I never thought the day would come when she wouldn’t be an everyday fixture in my life and I can’t believe it’s been four whole years since I last saw her face. When we took her to the vet after feeling a strange lump by her throat, I never imagined she would be given a death sentence. Just six weeks after that appointment, she was gone forever. (And it was a horrible six weeks of watching her quality of life diminish so rapidly, we knew the most humane thing to do was put her down. Worst day of my life.) Pets, man. They completely destroy you in the best possible way. 🙂

4 – Remember how I used to complain about hating my long hair and how I couldn’t wait to cut it short again? Well, now that it’s short, I’m regretting cutting it. I look at my pictures with my hair when it was longer and get sad. I think part of my problem is I’m not a fan of the cut (the shorter layers barely reach my chin, which I hate) so I’m hoping once it grows out a little, I won’t hate it so much.

5 – A reminder to #twookclub-bers! The poll for our July book chat (to be held on July 29) is going up on Sunday night. A variety of books have already been suggested by a handful of you, but if you haven’t been on to suggest something, do so before Sunday night! We have a few frontrunners so it’ll be interesting to see what you guys choose for July!

Questions for you: Should I get a sports massage to help with the tight muscles in my ankles? Do you prefer your hair long or short?

Categories: Recurring Series

Everyday Moments: May 2012

I took a month off from my usual “Everyday Moments” post, but it’s back this month! These can be cumbersome to keep up so sometimes, you just need a break. That said, I love recapping my months like this, finding the good in every day. Even the crappy ones.

1 – A very productive day at work, Jeremy winning The Biggest Loser

2 – A pedicure with my mom

3 – Buying a new piece of luggage for my cruise (Jessica Simpson; $80, marked down from $400!), baking snickerdoodle cookies

4 – My nephew greeting me with a big hug and then running from the playground to give me another hug when I was leaving. (He is very stingy with his hugs so it made my day!)

5 – My brother’s wedding day!

Photo Credit: Do Re Mi Photography

6 – Sleeping in, buying new make-up products from Bare Minerals, and picking up my nephew! (We watched him for a few days while his parents were on their mini-honeymoon. So fun!)

7 – A running hug and a big smile from my nephew after a stressful day at work.

8 – Making a long “to-do before vacation” list for work and knocking out more than a few tasks.

9 – Cutting my hair back into a bob!

10 – An early Mother’s Day dinner with my mom, brother, and nephew.

11 – Last day of work before vacation!

12 – Making it to Ft. Lauderdale okay, a low-key night before our cruise began

13 – Embarking on our cruise!

14 – A fun-filled day in Key West, biking around the island and walking around all the touristy shops.

15 – Sleeping in until noon, spending the majority of the day relaxing and reading and eating.

16 – Being back in Grand Cayman. Kissing and holding sting rays. Kissing, dancing with, and hugging a dolphin. The feeling of island life.

17 – Being in JAMAICA! The amazing views presented in the rainforest. Zip-lining and the tour guides making things easy and fun.

18 – Enjoying our last day on the cruise by sleeping in, eating a lot, and taking lots of pictures to remember people by.

19 – Getting on the road early (7AM) and seeing DUTCH after a whole week. My brother and nephew coming over for a few hours that night.

20 – A lazy day at home, catching up on shows we missed while we were gone.

21 – My nephew’s school picture. It’s the cutest ever!

22 – The essays in the Stuff Christians Like book. If you’ve grown up in church, this book is SPOT ON for everything that happens. I’m already in love with Jon Acuff’s blog, now I’m in love with the book.

23 – Getting an “excellent” from my boss for my work on a tough project. (I was nervous!)

24 – The premiere of So You Think You Can Dance!

25 – Outback for dinner. Yum, yum!

26 – Long walk with a friend, catching up on life. It’s funny how we can let life get in the way of cultivating those necessary relationships.

27 – Finishing the #twookclub book, even if it made me cry and broke my heart.

28 – Sleeping in until 11, a day off from work, and a day spent doing nothing of importance. Perfection.

29 – A dreary, rainy day. I love rainy days.

30 – My first hard workout in a while. So needed & necessary.

31 – A long, soul-cleansing talk with God about Big Life Issues.

Categories: Recurring Series

Five For Friday

Sigh. I miss Jamaica.

1 – As a welcome back from vacation gift, my body has decided to rebel against me and get sick. It started with a sore throat on Monday afternoon and has morphed into congestion, sneezing, and just feeling very groggy. I can barely keep my eyes open at work, and sleep comes fitfully for me at night. I’ve been taking it easy after work but it’s been a very yucky week for me. I’m hoping I start feeling better by tomorrow because…

2 – I’m starting a new boot camp! To be honest, I haven’t really been feeling the new boot camp trainers at the boot camp I’ve been attending for a few months now that Michael Pittman is gone. I really, really liked the way he conducted the class and it challenged me in a good way and made me excited. Now that he and my absolutely favorite trainer are both gone, it’s not the same. So when I saw a Groupon for 4 weeks of unlimited boot camp classes for just $35, I snatched it up! I’ve actually seen this boot camp class at a park I sometimes run at and I thought it would be a good change for me. I’ll be going three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays) and I’m looking forward to challenging my body in a new way. And believe me, my body needs it after the past few weeks I’ve had!

3 – My dad friend requested me on Facebook two weeks ago. His request is still sitting in my inbox. On the one hand, giving him any sort of access to my life scares the crap out of me. And on the other? It’s my father. And I miss him like crazy. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t help but click on his profile once a day to see his face. And knowing he’s okay, for now, is a huge relief to me. (But I’m also not going to start back a relationship unless a change has happened in his heart and life.) For those who are confused, a back story on what happened with my relationship with my father is here.

4 – Who watched the premiere of So You Think You Can Dance last night? Last season was a disappointing one, in my opinion. (It was obvious who the judges’ favorite was and, well, she wasn’t mine…) So I’m hoping this season gets back to its roots! And also? Stella? Can she please go to Vegas? I know she’s, like, two, but I would vote for her! She had some serious moves and stage presence! (I’m keeping this episode in my DVR for whenever I need a pick-me-up. Stella has captured my heart.)

5 – I am completely 100% looking forward to this three-day weekend. I’m hoping to use it to relax and catch up on sleep, as well as do some home organization and meal planning (since I’m back at Weight Watchers as of yesterday…). I don’t have any fun plans but considering I just got back from a CRUISE… I guess that’s okay.

Categories: Recurring Series

A Weekend in Pictures: The Wedding Edition

My brother is officially a married man! This past Saturday, he married his high school sweetheart, Jenny, and it was a beautiful day. They had been dating since they were 15 and 16, and had been through numerous ups and downs – including a horrible year that had Jenny in and out of the hospital, due to Crohn’s Disease – and I never had any doubt in my mind this day would come.

It wasn’t a day without its own set of frustrations and drama but what wedding day is perfect? All that matters is the two of them and the love between them is evident.

The day for my mom and I started early (before 6AM) as we wanted to sneak in a run before all the craziness. After that, it was quick showers and then driving over to the salon for hair and make-up. I had been worried that my hair and make-up wouldn’t keep since I was getting it done so early (8AM for hair, 9AM for make-up) but I needn’t worry. My hair stayed put (and curled!) throughout the day and night and my make-up only required a few sweeps of a make-up brush to blot out any oil.

I also wore fake eyelashes for the first time in my life. Weird at first, but then I got used to them. But boy, when I took them off at the end of the night, I think my real eyelashes cried, “Hallelujah! We can breathe!”

I was really happy with the job the stylist did at the salon. He kept my make-up very dramatic so that when it started fading, it would look more natural. And it totally did! (Salon Solstice for any locals. Ask for Jayson. He’s the bomb-diggity.)

My mom’s hair turned out fabulous as well! A half-updo, with some pretty curls.

Doesn’t she look 35 here?! Hard to believe she has two children in their mid-twenties!

The next few hours were spent on the couch, watching TV and reading blogs. I didn’t do anything since I didn’t want to mess up my hair. We left around 2:30 to go to the hall. We helped put together wedding favors and make sure the hall was set up perfectly for the wedding.

All the bridesmaids and groomsmen started getting dressed around 4:00. I just want to say, again and again, how much I loved my bridesmaid dress! It’s a fun dress and I felt like a million bucks in it. I loved the color and the style.

Then we just had to wait for the ceremony to begin! We did a few run-throughs of the ceremony in the little waiting room we were in and I couldn’t help but snap a few photos of my nephew in his tux!

That’s the flower girl. My nephew called her his girlfriend, but when I asked her if he was her boyfriend, she told me, “No. We’re just friends.” YOU GO, GIRL! No need to get serious so soon, am I right?!

A sweet father and son moment captured. Mark was consoling my nephew for some reason I can’t remember. They are so handsome. 🙂

A picture with my brother! I adore this picture. It’s now on the lock screen on my phone.

Soon enough, Jenny arrived and it was a flurry of pictures as she got her dress and shoes on and we began gathering to start our walk down the aisle.

I managed to walk down the aisle and up the stairs without tripping, although I’m not sure if I was smiling. I remember telling myself to smile. Just not sure I did smile. WHAT IS THAT? I guess we’ll see when the pictures come out!

I was looking forward to seeing my nephew and the flower girl walk down the aisle but my nephew isn’t fond of having ALL of the attention on him and once he saw his mom wasn’t following him, he started crying and ran back to her. Her big grand entrance? On the arm of her father, her other hand holding her crying son’s hand. She took it all in stride, though, more concerned with making sure her son was okay than having her “moment”. (He ended up spending most of the ceremony on my mom’s lap.)

In any event, the ceremony was beautiful and before I knew it, Mark and Jenny were Mr. and Mrs.!

I’m going to be honest here: I’m not a fan of wedding receptions. It’s the introvert in me, I’m sure. But all the dancing and the socializing and the loud music… it’s not my thing. It prompted a conversation on Twitter about dancing at wedding receptions where I learned it’s perfectly acceptable not to have that. I know most people would consider that to be lame, but it’s just not my thing. A sit-down dinner sounds much more my pace!

I did get a fun picture with my favorite little guy! His smile is the best.

Their first dance!

It was a night to remember and I’m happy for the two of them. It’s been thrilling to watch my brother as a boyfriend, then as a fiancé, and now as a husband. He didn’t have a shining example of what a husband should be from my father but he’s proven time and time again that he is nothing like him and has already shown he’s light-years ahead of my father in maturity.