tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11586316115658645592024-02-20T18:43:34.039-06:00Read SomethingJust my life. Nothing special. My trials and tribulations. Leave a comment and urge me on or feel free to tell me I am retarded, but be gentle.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-85858947101704897602011-07-04T23:56:00.000-05:002011-07-04T23:57:20.674-05:00Written from Images is a writing exercise I have decided to adopt. Writing from an image a story emerges using only the details of the image I write a story explaining what I believe must have happened. It is interesting to see if I get any of the details right with the actual story behind the image. <br /><br />My Story:<br />She did not shield herself from the wind though she served as a shield to her two boys, staring at the pile of rubble where her home once stood. Worry shown in her eyes though the lines on her forehead were evidence of many worries that existed in the past. Her clothes already mangled and worn, dirt clung to the necks of her boys and to the material that clothed a baby which she held close to her chest. Resolution seemed distant, it had already been a challenge to keep hunger at bay, but now the little shack that had barely stood no longer remained. She was tired and defeated and though her heart filled with emotion she couldn’t even muster the strength to be angry at God. Hadn’t her family endured enough, with the recent departure of her husband and three mouths left to feed, hadn’t her family endured enough? She had left her parents nearly six years ago, no more talents in her repertoire than washing dishes and ironing clothes. She was swept off her feet and carried away, dreams of a loving marriage and a happy home more than she had ever experienced in her childhood. Her knight and shining armor had passed away last winter and it was all she could do to keep food on the table. Obtaining a job wasn’t likely with three little ones at home with no one to look after them and now she didn’t even have a home. Without an abundance of options all she could do is stare, stare into the rubble praying an answer would emerge. As if frozen in time she and her children did not move, they did not speak and as the sun passed over them they remained a victim of circumstance and hope was far away. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBy0UWq1cQgEwSWn5oSr0YUWtQqyP_nmo7YtRHt0Ryw9hksfV3_6QlGnae2nIyk2lkAzEVto8KqRq3eZUgAelboL0q-bmGwpcZLsu2nzWO0udosyJ_0Kgl3svXRO6MYC895are2fDj_A/s1600/Migrant+Mother.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBy0UWq1cQgEwSWn5oSr0YUWtQqyP_nmo7YtRHt0Ryw9hksfV3_6QlGnae2nIyk2lkAzEVto8KqRq3eZUgAelboL0q-bmGwpcZLsu2nzWO0udosyJ_0Kgl3svXRO6MYC895are2fDj_A/s320/Migrant+Mother.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625727669618339346" /></a><br /><br />The Real Story:<br />As era-defining photographs go, “Migrant Mother” pretty much takes the cake. For many, Florence Owens Thompson is the face of the Great Depression, thanks to legendary shutterbug Dorothea Lange. Lange captured the image while visiting a dusty California pea-pickers’ camp in February 1936, and in doing so, captured the resilience of a proud nation facing desperate times.<br />Unbelievably, Thompson’s story is as compelling as her portrait. Just 32 years old when Lange approached her (“as if drawn by a magnet,” Lange said). Thompson was a mother of seven who’d lost her husband to tuberculosis. Stranded at a migratory labor farm in Nipomo, Calif. her family sustained themselves on birds killed by her kids and vegetables taken from a nearby field – as meager a living as any earned by the other 2,500 workers there. The photo’s impact was staggering. Reproduced in newspapers everywhere, Thompson’s haunted face triggered an immediate public outcry, quickly prompting politicos from the federal Resettlement Administration to send food and supplies. Sadly, however, Thompson and her family had already moved on, receiving nary a wedge of government cheese for their high-profile misery. In fact, no one knew the identity of the photographed woman until Thompson revealed herself years later in a 1976 newspaper article.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-40336700797982894282011-07-01T11:30:00.000-05:002011-07-01T11:30:04.458-05:00SouthlakeRead Southlake's History in Community Impact Newspaper<br /><br /><a href="http://impactnews.com/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/585-history/12642-southlake#.Tg319wwvC58.blogger">Southlake</a>Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-46575912393789137962011-07-01T11:28:00.001-05:002011-07-01T11:29:09.500-05:00Armend’sRead my latest restaurant profile in Community Impact Newspaper. <br /><br /><a href="http://impactnews.com/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/586-dining/13298-armends#.Tg31nsaBeRE.blogger">Armend’s</a>Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-89617366355351948042011-01-19T20:39:00.000-06:002011-01-19T20:40:31.744-06:00It's been a while.Dating. It’s ruthless, it’s a game, and it’s tiring and awakening all at the same time. Some of us date for the fun of it right? Yea right. Dating can be fun at first but it isn’t till you find that person you are twitter pated with that the real fun begins. Sure some of us can claim that we don’t want anything serious but deep down inside aren’t we all looking for someone we can share our lives with? A best friend who loves us unconditionally. I mean someone better than a family member because after all you can’t choose family, one might argue that you don’t choose your twitter pated counterpart but let’s face it from the point you become official (officially titled or not) you’re on a working interview. <br /><br />It took me nearly 3 years to finally get the job, but he did it. On December 19, 2010 he got down on one knee and put a ring on my finger. This was something we had talked about doing since literally date one. He knew apparently, I have that “I want to be with her for the rest of my life” effect on people. But truthfully on our first date he was already feeling me out to see if I was even datable long term. I must’ve said all the right things, as we tend to do on first dates, and low and behold I am affianced. We have talked about marriage till we are blue in face. I have sat there in tears thinking it was never going to happen. Virtually planned my wedding online a million times online, discussed my faux plans with my best friends and then finally calmed the hell down. Gaining a promotion of sorts at work took my attention away from concentrating on when he was going to finally pop the question. I knew his finances weren’t where he wanted them to be and being the rich boy with a poor man’s salary I thought the day was far from near. <br /><br />So here I sit with a date written in pencil for our tentative upcoming nuptials and I can’t seem to get into it. My mother is way more involved than I thought she would be. Friends send me links and messages about various creative ideas they have in regards to the big day. I have been overwhelmed and bombarded with all the opinions of those close to me and those whose opinions I really don’t give a crapola about. Don’t get me wrong. I care. Don’t put me in some cardboard box of a building and adorn it with some crepe paper and call it a day. No if we are going to do this we are going to do it right. But if it’s all the same to you the JP and a cruise in the Bahamas suits me just fine. I am the only girl however and am loved by a great deal of people who would destroy me if I didn’t have a wedding. So I await the moments to hit me. You know the “aha” moment if you will. I keep thinking I will walk into my venue and it will envelope me, this feeling of “this is it.” Or step into a dress and atop the pedestal at the bridal boutique, look in the mirror and feel “this is the one.” It hasn’t happened yet. Perhaps that has something to do with my lack of excitement.<br /><br />My parents are taking to this well enough. Past Dad’s drunken handlings of the proposal and my mother hugging me and calling me her baby girl more than usual they seem to be handling it fabulously. Mom has however said on two occasions, “This is her show.” God help us all, I am not getting in her way. I have faith though. In my parents. They have let me want for nothing. I was supposed to drive a brand new red firebird when I turned 16; I ended up with my Dad’s hand me down Chevy Silverado. I didn’t have the elaborate quinceanera my Dad would’ve liked me to have, instead I had a sweet sixteen party that involved all my closest friends and Medieval Times. We didn’t get my dress for Prom at the high fashion section of the mall, nope we found it at some specialty dress shop in Oak Cliff. So it wasn’t top of the line, society recognized, but I never knew any better and I never felt any less. I know the same will apply to my wedding. <br /><br />In the end of it all the details don’t matter. I will take a way 3 hours worth of memories, if I remember hehe. And some pictures, I care most about the pictures. But what surpasses it all isn’t the wedding but the marriage and not just the act of becoming one but becoming one with the one. So details be damned I got what I wanted and he sits playing Madden on his Play Station as I write, we’re pretty blessed and I need to remember that amidst all the chaos that is sure to ensue.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-91186646143770265602010-08-23T09:40:00.002-05:002010-08-23T10:14:02.282-05:00Stress EatingI wish I could be one of those people that when I get stressed I decide to avoid food at all costs. However I am not. It's a comfort and I enjoy it, that's one reason I got here in the first place. All this business going with my brother really took a lot from me this weekend. I am trying my best not to let it consume me, but how can you not? It has consumed my parents and I live with them. I stayed gone all weekend and that helped some on the thinking, not so much on the eating. Dinner with my wish family, drinks with J and friends and big ol' Sunday breakfast. I feel awful. <br /><br />I thought it would be ok because I would be going to work out this evening but nooo I screwed up and volunteered to work this evening. I had thought that I would go to the morning camp session but completely forgot I was even coming in later so that threw a wrench in the entire thing. I re-scheduled to go on Thursday morning but I really wanted to go today because I knew it would make me feel better. <br /><br />I will be running away this weekend to K's wedding. That will mostly be exciting because J and I will be driving together and coming back together, taking our sweet time on the way back. <br /><br />Yay!Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-90003757010255700052010-08-17T15:04:00.002-05:002010-08-17T15:22:55.436-05:00Ay Ay AySo my baby brother, the boy who can tug at my heart strings and pretty much make me want to do anything I can for him is putting himself into rehab today. :( <br /><br />About 4 years ago he got entangled into a mess of meth. He and my other brother were doing this horrible nasty drug. The baby however got pulled over one day and caught with less than a gram of it. He winds up on probation. Of course because he is on probation he manages to steer clear of it for years.<br /><br />Two years a go we dealt with him being placed into a jailed rehab of sorts. He was in jail but it was a section meant for young people who had been charged with a drug charge of some sort. Now he wound up here not because he failed a drug test or failed to show up for a probabtion meeting. His officer whom was the wife of a former employer didn't like him too much and she had managed to get him to sign up for this jailed program. He hadn't done drugs in years and his jail time was due to trickery so his lawyer managed to get him out before Christmas.<br /><br />Push to present day. The lovely middle child managed to get his butt suspended from school about 3 months ago and he had to come home. He came home and in the brief time he was here he managed to get the baby hooked up with a meth dealer again. Damn damn damn! Three months later the baby can't shake the habit again, he knows he is in trouble. Trying a vain attempt to change his number and keep away from the riff raff, he gets desperate and goes through old phone records to find Mr.Dealer's number. So every Wednesday he meets up with his dealer, spends his money on this drug and then spends the rest of the week coming up with excuses to borrow money from friends. His friends who have no idea what he is doing as he hides in closets to perform the duty of consuming this drug. Even his girlfriend whom he spends countless hours with has no idea. <br /><br />Yesterday he relays to me all of the above along with he lost his job. He had been suggested for a promotion and failed a UA, of course. The owner of the company, luckily, is his best friend's Dad. He gave him the deal of "you get help and you can have your job back." So I had to keep my lips sealed last night as he didn't want to make a huge scene with our parents. I didn't sleep worried about it all night and this morning I had the pleasure of informing my mother. She held it together. But I know she broke when I left. She had hoped this was behind us. She thought him spending time in jail was enough of a scare. And now she worries if he will be successful and what will happen when her other son returns from California. <br /><br />Pray for my family.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-41611461445866177662010-08-15T19:04:00.002-05:002010-08-15T19:23:00.926-05:00Planning Nothing is HardThis week I am working my 7-day rotation. That's always a very fabulous time. I look forward to the days when this rotation no longer exists, it can't get here fast enough. <br /><br />My time will be spent at work and thus far the only thing on the agenda is a wine night with my Hilary. This will consist of she and I sitting around her APT sipping on some wine. My wine rack is full of colorful reds and greens and whites glistening from the kitchen window begging to be consumed. Well consume them we will this Thursday. At most I am thinking about buying some cheeses and some fruit and just indulging that way vs. making a big expensive meal. <br /><br />Saturday I am supposed to be going to a fancy restaurant in Ft.Worth with my Wish Kid's family. I am looking forward to that. Her Dad is an avid photographer and actually hooked me up with a SLR 35mm. I know I know who uses film anymore?! I am just playing but I can tell he is excited that I am doing it and I have always wanted to mess around with photography and I will eventually get the DSLR. <br /><br />So operation do nothing, not working out so far but at least it's only 2 adventures vs. one for every day of the week. I think my Sunday is completely free. No work, no boot camp no nothing. <br /><br />I will get better at planning nothing.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-1013564712534422862010-08-11T08:41:00.003-05:002010-08-11T08:58:51.101-05:00All worries come from fearI am afraid of instability. It's the reason I plan my entire life in a little compact book and know exactly what I am doing 2 weeks ahead of time. It's why I can't make plans with friends or family without consulting the planner first. Why I constantly look for a job with better pay, having enough money is also a great part of the stability feeling. The list goes on. I unfortunately have little control over this factor, so I feel like working out is the one thing I do have control over. It might be why I am doing better at sticking with it. Since I have discovered this fear I have been trying to create stability in life and not worry about the things I can't change. Continuing to apply and seek better opportunites career-wise is what I CAN DO. Making someone hire me or give me more opportunities is something I CAN'T DO. <br /><br />I have the added goal of scheduling less things also. This Thursday is the last day I am scheduled for OT in BFE. And I won't be volunteering for a while. Additionally once I have my old roomie's wedding out of the way I will be strictly protecting my free time. Now this is a huge task indeed and is for no other purpose than to protect my sanity and maybe breathe a little better. I need to quit overbooking myself. I enjoy being busy but there is a limit and there is no reason for me to be this busy. Used to I felt like if you weren't busy then you weren't being productive and that was a sign of laziness or loser-ness on some level. Now I am slowly learning that enjoying my free time is enjoying life. That is not to say I won't do anything during my free time, but just not plan for the fun as much, let it happen more naturally. <br /><br />We'll see how this goes, it has never been my nature but people do have the ability to change so they say.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-7487791969960351522010-08-10T09:52:00.002-05:002010-08-10T10:15:13.224-05:00Can't stop talking about itI think I must get annoying to those around me when I start talking about Boot Camp. I am obsessed. I love it so much. The weight isn't falling off like I wanted it to. But it's coming off and staying off. Before I lost like 4 lbs and it would fluctate up and down a pound or two. After losing the 8 this last month I find that I kind of haven't gone up or down AT All. Now we did take a week off in between each camp but the fact that in that week break I gained nothing, lost nothing and all I did was monitor the calorie intake and worked out a little, that was an accomplishment. <br /><br />Waiting to buy the dress for Kelley's wedding wasn't an option, I found a dress on sale and it was pretty. So I tried it on and was really cute and flattering. I doubt the next 2 weeks will make that much of a difference.<br /><br />I leave for California in a month. So that's one more month of working out hard. I will see my brother for the first time since April-ish and I hope that he can tell I have been working at it. It's also very exciting to think that maybe I can buy some new clothes for the trip. Man what I would give to be in a size smaller in jeans. I can't wait for that milestone. I have 1 more pound to lose and I will be at my first milestone!<br /><br />I will blog about it, in efforts of not talking about it as much.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-32860624701958745892010-07-31T14:07:00.002-05:002010-07-31T14:28:09.892-05:00Success!I went for my fitness assessment this a.m. gearing up for my second month of bootcamp. Ow ow! So excited, so pumped. Everyone should do this. Anyways. <br /><br />Showed up on time and got my measurements, and happy to report the following:<br /><br />Before After<br /><br />Weight: You don't kneed to know that. The difference of 8 lbs.<br /><br />Body fat% 34.0 33.5<br /><br />BMI: 32.7 31.5<br /><br />Waist Line: 36 35<br /><br />Hips: 45 44<br /><br /><br />So pretty happy with all that. In fact pretty proud! Then it was time to move to the fitness portion of the assesment. And the results are as follows.<br /><br />34 push-ups in 90 seconds 48 push ups in 90 seconds<br /><br />27 sit-ups in 90 seconds 37 <br /><br />Plank hold: 35 seconds 1 minute!<br /><br />Obstacle course: 8:21 7:35<br /><br />Month two begins on Monday and thus will start my frugal calorie intake again. I am so excited. Shooting for the full 10 lbs this month. How awesome would that be? That means that if I could keep going at about that rate by November I could be pretty much at my goal weight. I am ridiculously happy and excited. At the end of month 2 I get to go shopping for a black dress for K's wedding and I am sincerely hoping I am in a new size bracket. Anyways just wanted to update my progress!!Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-44627023578427348222010-07-28T08:50:00.002-05:002010-07-28T09:46:58.037-05:00Some days I just don't.You those days where you just don't. You don't want to talk, you don't want to do your duties, you don't want to dress in clothes suitable for public. You just want to exist. Watch blankly at the television or listen without really listening to some music or surf blindly on the internet for nothing. That's what I feel like at the present moment. <br /><br />Anyways regarding boot camp; successfully completed one month! I loved it so much I signed up for a second month and that will start Monday!!! Woo hoo this week break was making me so nervous. I was afraid I was going to become undisciplined and go back to old habits. I did go to Sonic yesterday however I worked out with my mom and taught her some boot camp exercises. I got on the scale this morning and still not dissappointed. I lost a total of 8 lbs in a month. That is huge for me. It took me 3 months just to lose ten at the beginning of the year and I wasn't having near as much fun. I am looking at a number I haven't seen in a long time!!! In total for the year I have lost 15 lbs. There is no stopping me now! I have muscles too in my arms that I didn't have before. Yup I am becoming a machine.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-20772588832481319452010-07-18T08:05:00.002-05:002010-07-18T09:48:40.749-05:00I'm PrettyI looked in the mirror this morning after wiping off the excess mascara that didn't quite wash off in the shower and thought immeadiately to myself, "I'm pretty." It was the first time in a very long time that I thought it, said it and meant it. What a very nice feeling! Maybe my transformation bootcamp really was more than just a physcial transformation. That was what Mike, our camp instructor had said in the beginning and it seems to be ringing true. I love love love how I am feeling, now if only the world could be stricken of all calories it would be joyous!Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-34994557577433713902010-07-14T10:01:00.002-05:002010-07-14T10:11:42.363-05:00Small pet peeveI forgot. So I can't workout tonight. :( I am very upset about it but I have an obligation that I can put off no longer. Anyways so I am talking to J about it and he is acting all disappointed and crap over me not making it tonight. He mentions the money I have spent and how it is a shame I am missing a class when it's only 3 classes per week. Blah blah blah! I mention how I am not a fan of him making me feel bad when I feel plenty bad on my own. His argument becomes I am not dissappointed in you but for you. You know I bit my tongue through that conversation. But I felt like telling him, "Who is doing this?" I am doing this and I am sure as hell not doing it for anyone else but me. And when I see him busting his a$$ in the Texas heat for even one day a week then he can give me the "Oh I am so dissappointed" speech. I don't know why but it really pissed him off. I understand he is excited that I am doing this and who wouldn't get excited about their significant other getting healthy and getting in shape. I know when he told me worked out last week I was so excited. But if he doesn't work out one day or if he doesn't eat something he is supposed to one day I am not going to say crap. He sees what I am doing, if he wants to use it for inspiration, motivation then great. But I will not do more than what I am doing unless I WANT TO! And I won't let anyone discount my efforts. Maybe I am overreacting. I will leave it. But he better keep his trap shut.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-6059198394758859472010-07-14T08:32:00.003-05:002010-07-14T09:53:21.300-05:00Good Morning Loves!I am in a very good mood today. I did something I wasn't going to do until Sunday morning but I couldn't resist. Looking in the mirror the last few days I just keep saying to myself, "I look thinner." So finally I wanted to see if it was just my imagination. Nope 3 more lbs gone! So in 3 weeks I have lost 6lbs. That is a healthy drop and I am happy!!!! I am proud beyond proud. That is no pills, no taking away all the foods I love, no counting calories. Just simply eating healthy and working my a$$ off 3 days a week. I wish I could go to 4 days per week but I live to far away for that. Too many days getting home at 7:45p.m. Not doable for Maria. Anyways I signed up for the next class. I look forward to orientation for that class so I can see if I lost inches and if I have a better time on the obstacle course. For the most part I have seen a huge change in the amount of pain I have been carrying in my back. The first 2 weeks I went with very minimal pain. Now this week has been a littl different. I didn't miss the pain in my lower back at all, I have found jumping and Maria do not go together.<br /><br /><br />Getting a hold of the SPCA is a pain in the ass. I am trying to get my little darling Neutered tomorrow but they certainly are not making it easy. Anyways. Take care all!Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-81345755551349572032010-07-08T07:22:00.003-05:002010-07-08T08:07:54.978-05:00Someone had hid the scale.But I found it! I tried to refrain from looking, telling myself if I didn't lose anything it would be fine I am building muscle after all. Not the case, I have lost 3 or 4lbs, don't remember where I was when I started this thing, but I know I haven't seen that number in a while. I am pretty happy about this progress. It's different this time it's more exciting. With this I know it's more than just weight loss, it's toning and building muscle. I feel so welcomed there and like I am really accomplishing something in that hour. I told J yesterday, this is something I don't think I will ever be able to give up. I like it so much I want to do the 4-day a week class, but that takes out a lot of time during the week. So today I will just make sure I make it to the gym and do some cardio at the very least, I don't want to feel like I did this last Monday. This las Monday was worse than the first week, I am hoping next Monday I kick more a$$ than before. <br /><br />Scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon is satisfying.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-85137577048087331312010-07-07T15:07:00.002-05:002010-07-07T15:27:59.390-05:00Leg cramps and unhealthy foodSo working out has been pretty tough the last 2 days. J had told me it would be like his "hell week" when he used to play football. The second week of training was always harder. In light of it I have steered clear of any bad for you foods or any heavy foods. I feel like I have done pretty well this week and last week. However the first small teeny tiny piece of cake and I am sick. Booo! Then last week I had a burger and I was done with food for the night. <br /><br />These leg cramps pretty much suck too. I have stretched. I have soaked, have been consuming plenty of water, the only other thing to so is just get used to it because until my body is used to it this will most likely keep happening. <br /><br />But I am loving it, I swear I looked in the mirror and thought I saw abs! Hahah here is hoping!Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-51393065822216846942010-07-05T09:52:00.002-05:002010-07-05T10:20:27.933-05:00Bootcamp Week 2The second week of bootcamp will commence today. I do look forward to it a great deal. However I am so tired right now I can't fathom running and climbing and lifting, but I know once I get there I will kick it into gear. I am not sure what kind of results I gained last week as trainer guy, Mike, said not to pay attention to the scale too much since we are definitely gaining muscle in this training. My back hasn't been in immobile pain all week which is amazing. It hurts but it's not the "I can barely move" hurt. <br /><br />Sports wasn't my thing as a child. Mom put me in swimming and jazz for a while, but those got expensive and I guess I didn't show that much interest either. Then I was on the basketball team in middle school, didn't stick with it passed that. Arts was my thing, I was in orchestra and I mentored little kids in the reading program and I was on the yearbook. So this is the complete opposite of anything I have ever put my body through physically.<br /><br />I will do a better job of sticking to the meal plan this week. But all in all I think I did pretty awesome last week. The bootcamp is a good fit for me. When I was going to the gym almost every morning before work, results were happening and it was at my own hand. But when my schedule changed and a morning work out was no longer possible I was going back to lazy ways. I would get off work and go to the gym and be highly unmotivated. My main reason . . . I knew that after I worked out for an hour I would be stuck 60-90 minute traffic, just wasn't appealing. Not to mention with the lack of motivation stopping ten minutes before I was supposed to or doing one less rep on a weight machine, which is still kind of intimidating to me, was easily done. While bootcamp is self paced, meaning if I need to walk from one station to another it won't result in a man yelling in my face. It is not a Jillian from Biggest Loser type bootcamp. It is very encouraging and you don't feel like slacking because everyone is telling you good job. I don't want to be told good job for a job that is not good so I push. I really hope I get there today and tasks that were harder last week will be easier this week. Some of the ladies in the group said the second week is better, that you won't hate yourself anymore for signing up. <br /><br />I have already decided to sign up for August's camp!Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-22771780040597091362010-06-29T08:14:00.002-05:002010-06-29T08:47:30.923-05:00First day of bootcamp down.It was exciting, it was invigorating and it kicked my ass. They definitely preach at you to pace yourself and I feel like I did. Walking some of it and only doing 2 rounds of 1 drill instead of 3. It was a challenge and that is something I haven't done to myself physically ever. This is going to work for me! When you work out alone its easy to stop 5 minutes early because you are tired or not run the last lap because your legs are fatigued but in this group setting I can't do that. I mean I can, but if I do I look like a wimp. There are people of all shapes and sizes in there and all age groups too. If there is a 60 something man in there keeping up I think I can too. Plus I really enjoyed doing this with my co-worker. Granted she was ready to quit on me yesterday, I think she will stick with it. I pray she does at least. I have talked to other women in there who have stated they made a lot of progress even with just going the three days a week and that is highly motivating. One woman is sitting there telling me she has lost alomost 2 dress sizes in one month!!!! WTF, I would be in heaven. I pulled out my goal jeans this weekend. They are wranglers because yes I wore those from time to time back in the day. Dated the cowboy and all. I haven't worn them in at least 5 years maybe more. So that is the first goal, to get back into those. Don't be surprised if on the day that happens I come to work in my cowboy boots and my wranglers bragging. HA! <br /><br />Breakfast: Scrambled egg whites with 1 tsp of american cheese and a slice of peanutbutter toast. It was yummy, hit the spot and I get a snack in about 15 minutes. This is the hardest part not wanting to munch in between meals.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-65111778072077906982010-06-22T07:53:00.002-05:002010-06-22T09:31:33.886-05:00Let's try this againNever ending battle this whole weight loss thing, but new plan new ball game. <br /><br />I have a work out buddy now! Yay and a trainer of sorts. I have signed up for a fitness boot camp. Excied and nervous are the combined feelings rolling around in my head right now. I always said if I had someone to push me then I would do better, I am hoping this is the push I need. I paid the money and it was not terribly much but it could've gone to any number of other things so if I don't do this then I wasted my hard earned cashola. <br /><br />Assessment is on Saturday, where they will take my measurements and get us started on a meal plan. I think there is a sit-up and push-up test too. OY!<br /><br />I went to the gym yesterday, I figured I should go this week and gear up for working out harder next week. Yes I understand the ridiculous thought of that statement. I just want a good month of someone teaching me what to do and then I should be good. But if I see good results, I might go for another round. There are so many promising testimonials on their website. If I lost 40lbs, I would be so stoked. That's all I want.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-10805931279976581332010-06-01T09:43:00.002-05:002010-06-01T10:08:49.929-05:00What is your sneezing style?I had to post this because it was a sparked conversation and I had to know if there was some type of scientific explaination for why people sneeze all quiet and petite while others are loud and boistrous. <br /><br />Well just so you know, there is no scientific reason to back up your annoying sneeze. Most likely however it was learned behavior, your mother sneezed that way her entire life and you figured that's how you should too. Unfortunately we can't blame our mothers for all our bad habits. But unless it's been pointed to you it is unlikely you are even aware of how it comes out. I didn't realize I was a compulsive nail biter until someone in college pointed out, now I rarely do that. <br /><br />There is however one hereditary sneeze. It is called a photic sneeze which is triggered by sudden sunlight. Twenty perecnt of Sweedes are photic sneezers . . . funny. It is 100 percent attributed to genes like eye color, it is not related to gender. <br /><br />So if you know of a loud sneezer you might want to clue them in. <br /><br />WHICH TYPE OF SNEEZER ARE YOU?<br /><br />"Shooting the Breeze About Sneezing" by Patti A. Wood, a body language expert and Benadryl spokeswoman:<br /><br /><br />Trumpet Sneeze -- These people expel air almost completely through their mouths with a loud, "OOOH."<br /><br />Internal Sneeze -- Nothing really comes out except an odd "ump" noise. It's a wonder their eardrums don't explode.<br /><br />Big Bad Wolf Sneeze -- They huff and puff before sneezing, as if they could blow the whole house down.<br /><br />The Tease -- They capture our attention and may rivet an entire room in place as they go "aahhh ahhhh," with only a tiny little anticlimactic "achoo" at the end.<br /><br />Freeze Tag -- The sneezer's whole face and body freeze, perhaps for several seconds, as the sneeze builds up internally. It suddenly explodes out, animating the entire person.<br /><br />Hand as Handkerchief -These sneezers let it go right into their hand. This is really annoying if they then offer their hand for a handshake.<br /><br />The Coughing Sneeze -- This is a series of coughlike sounding sneezes close together without a breath.<br /><br />The Shout-it-Out Sneeze -This manly sneeze is so loud it can be heard in the next state.<br /><br />Cartoon Sneeze -- This sounds like a little kid sneezing. Also known as the dainty sneeze.<br /><br />The How High Can You Count? Sneeze -- The sneezer that keeps sneezing one right after the other until he begins to look like Count von Count from "Sesame Street."<br /><br />Spray Gun -- This sneezer makes you wish you were carrying an umbrella and wearing a raincoat.<br /><br />SNEEZE: A DEFINITION<br /><br />So, what exactly is a sneeze? According to the American Academy of Neurology, sneezing is a reflex designed to protect the respiratory system.<br /><br />A ticklish feeling in the nose starts a reaction that activates the nerves that make you sneeze. It's basically a really fast exhalation through the nose and mouth designed to eject offending alien objects, such as pollen or a tiny bug.<br /><br />DID YOU KNOW?<br /><br />• A sneeze can throw water droplets six feet into the air at speeds of up to 100 mph. One sneeze can propel 100,000 bacteria into the air. (Be sure to wear a raincoat around some people.)<br /><br />• Sneezy of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was originally to have been called Deafy, until someone, long before the days of political correctness, spotted the unconscious slur, writes Michael Barrier in "Hollywood Cartoons."<br /><br />• Some people who suffer strokes affecting the medulla part of the brain lose their ability to sneeze, even though the urge to sneeze and the ability to mimic the action remains. According to a study published by the American Association of Neurology, the sneeze "build-up" was not affected, only the completion of the sneeze. The stroke victims researched recovered their ability to sneeze within six months.<br /><br />According to a Benadryl survey of 547 people:<br /><br />• About 45 percent said they sneeze differently in public than by themselves.<br /><br />• When asked what best describes what is going through their mind when sneezing, 47 percent responded, "I hope I don't bother anyone."<br /><br />• 32 percent of women hold in their sneeze<br /><br />• 26 percent of women are multiple sneezers, compared to 27 percent of men<br /><br />• 46 percent of men say they are "big sneezers"<br /><br />Sources: "Shooting the Breeze About Sneezing" by Patti A. Wood, Benadryl spokeswoman; Hoechst Marion Roussel, the pharmaceutical division of Hoechst AG; American Academy of Neurology (AAN); Washington Post; Library of Congress; Guinness Book of World Records. Amy Hotz writes for the StarNews in Wilmington, N.C.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-72965683805486504632010-05-31T09:24:00.003-05:002010-05-31T10:13:50.519-05:00Friends ForeverSome friends come and go, while others they last forever. They withstand distance and long lulls in between communication picking up the phone as though no time has passed. This week was an amazing testament to that. I met Tricia Lynn Rash when we were in our Junior year of highschool. Unfortunately it wasn't until the Summer after that we truly got close. We went to yearbook camp. I know nerdy, but we were editors of our yearbook for the Senior year and that was the time we used to plan. She bunked with her best friend Stacy and I bunked with a gal named Christina. We had so much fun. It made for a fabulous foundation for our Senior year, the best year of high school. I remember those days so fondly. We spent our time after school working on that dang book making deadlines and thoroughly enjoying creating pages and writing stories and captions. Afterwards we would gather at someone's house or some restaurant and spend evenings goofing off and enjoying young life, with minimal drama. Tricia and I followed each other to college. We had made the deal that if we both got accepted into UNT then that is where we would go. I also got accepted into another school but when it came down to it, UNT was local and I had a friend. We just about killed each other the first semester our Freshman year of college. Things ironed themselves out when we started limiting our together time. We parted living arrangements after our Freshman year but remained close. I was in her wedding 2 years ago in Hawaii and she recently came for a visit. We don't talk nearly often enough, but once again even through the lulls when we finally get to catch up it is as if no time has passed at all. She has been visiting recently, as she lives in Hawaii now with her husband whom is a Marine and is stationed there. It's so reassuring to know that no matter the time or place there are some friendships that withstand.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-39413163002197276372010-05-24T10:07:00.003-05:002010-05-24T13:36:47.127-05:00PlansYou know all those familiar sayings, "Life is what happens while you're making plans." "God has a plan." "One door closes another one opens." The list goes on. <br /><br />In recent days I have come not to hate those phrases quite as much as I used to. There was a point when those words were uttered I wanted to punch the speaker in the face. I wanted my plans to work out, I wanted to be in control of my life and it's destiny. Not that I was trying to take that out of God's hands or anything, but I always kind of thought he was ok with my plans, that they were good plans. Well every time I turn around God changes my plans. I am sure it is all for the best and that sometimes the direction you are pointed is better than the path you are on but dang it, it's hard to be patient.<br /><br />I didn't get into the teaching program. There is no way of knowing why this happened, I studied very hard and honestly feel I could have studied any harder. I passed the test and I had the credentials. Literally 10 minutes prior to receiving this information I had a very good conversation with the director of our department. He gave good advice and made me feel more secure about my degree and where I could gear it in the hospital. He sees very genuine in wanting people to stay in Baylor and advancing and using the skills they have to do those things. He is very easy to talk to and made me feel confident in support regarding any opportunities that come my way. I really hope that this is the case because I am due for an opportunity. <br /><br />I don't feel upset or sad regarding the happenings in the last month, with studying and it getting me seemingly no where. I have to respect the steps I take to get somewhere, they are all worth it. <br /><br />"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare<br /><br />Perhaps my doubts got the better of me, no matter how I tried to subdue them maybe they were deep seeded in my brain. Or maybe it really was just God's plan. God's plan is better than my plan, so I suppose I need to stop taking the plans I make to seriously. I need to have the faith that everything will work out for the best in the end regardless.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-78508604500143062702010-05-24T08:06:00.002-05:002010-05-24T09:51:13.997-05:00Wish ChroniclesI want to be sure to chronicle my Make-A-Wish experience this time around.<br /><br />Nela is my new wish kid. She has been dealt an unfortunate hand and with that hand she has some limitations that have been placed on her life. This vibrant special girl once played baseball and was a cheerleader. She once went to school like her brother and sister with the ability to play with her friends and attend school field trips and the steroids she takes has caused her to gain weight. Now she is unable to play the sport she deems as her favorite and she is homebound educated. <br /><br />She stays busy and connected through a lot of artistic creations as well as a blog she keeps for her classmates to comment on. She recently lost her 2 front teeth and is very proud of that accomplishment. <br /><br />When I went to ask Nela about her wish she sat thoughtfully and responded with, "mmmmm I don't know." So we broke it down, asking her if she could go anywhere, have anything, be anything or meet anyone what each would be. She responded with Disneyland/world, trampoline, artist and Selena Gomez. When we broke it down and pitted each against eachother Artist beat Disneyland/world and Selena Gomez beat Artist. So her official wish is to meet Selena Gomez and I really hope we can make that happen. It is diffcult sometimes to deal with celebrity schedules in addition to working around wish kid schedules as they often have to deal with treatments etc. But I have faith in the organization I volunteer for and I know they will make everything awesome!<br /><br />Everyone should do this.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-25585996787734219342010-04-05T10:19:00.002-05:002010-04-05T13:17:28.935-05:00UpdatedToo much going on! Last Thursday I interviewed for the Dallas Alternative Certification program and after the interview she said that she was reccomending me for the program. Yay! Now I am having to prep for the TEXES which is the state board test. This is the first of two standardized tests. Seems a bit unfair that they get this process going so close to time for the actual training to start. It leaves basically no room to goof on the test. So while things are not set it is looking better for me. If nothing else I know I want to work toward this so if I bomb the test I can keep studying and try again. Standardized tests are NOT my thing. Why can't people just let me write essays for everything. That is my forte! So day after the interview . . . I am relieved its over however still very worried about the whole thing. Qustioning whether this is the right decision for me. <br /><br />I mean I went to college thinking "I want to be a journalist. I want to travel the world and I want to write about things that matter. Be a vessel of information unto the masses." That's what I want to do. I have awesome research skills, the ability to work under deadline and people want to tell me things even when I don't ask. Did I mention I am nosey as hell. See to me these are the perfect makings of a journalist, a profession I still think I would be good at. However I had all these grand ideas in mind prior to ever wanting to be married or ever wanting to have kids. I didn't really think I wanted either of those things and fate liked me . . . so since fate liked me I would fall in love with a photojournalist and we would travel the world reporting together, me writing and him snapping shots. Our stories would be our children and we would write a book and live happily ever after. <br /><br />Well fate had other ideas in mind. When I finally shook the lead weight of boyfriend, whom I never planned on marrying but had somehow occupied 3 years of my college career, I was free. My plans for becoming what I had always wanted to be were full fledged in motion. I interned at a newspaper, I worked 2 jobs, went to school full time and worked for the school paper as well. Looking back I have zero idea how I did it. Getting little to no sleep wasn't a big deal back then and somehow I still managed to have a social life . . . a gooood one too. <br /><br />During my internship I did a series of stories on the scarcity of foster homes in North Texas. During an interview about a child's advocacy center I learned a lot and found myself in tears hurt for these children. It was then that I felt a new calling to help children. I even remember looking up the adoption website, wishing I had the means to do something for them. The spark had been ignited and while it was a low burning flame, there were a few things I had a passion for. Writing, spreading knowledge and children. <br /><br />Shortly before I graduated I accidentally found myself in another relationship. After 1.5 years single I was with J. He says he fell for me because I was going to be a writer. I say I fell for him because he had his crap together already. Boy were we wrong. In the midst I graduated and there was no hot awesome newspaper job waiting. Sadness. Somewhere in there J mentioned that I should be a teacher. I don't know how he knows these things he just does, he says he has that ability. So of course since he suggests it I ignore it. <br /><br />Now here I am a little over a year after I graduated and sitting here depressed and defeated. But wait hope . . . an angel! During my training, a lovely trainee told me I would make a good teacher, now since J's statement that had been told to me a few more times but my trainee saying it woke me up. I would be good at that! So my trainee finds an info session on alternative certification for DISD and now that's what I am driving myself crazy with. Tomorrow I begin test prep courses, I will be in Dallas from 7am to 915pm. Once again nothing is for sure but I like working toward a goal.Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1158631611565864559.post-32721332381469316322010-03-31T10:15:00.002-05:002010-03-31T10:20:58.519-05:00Hercules!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ABqFkc47LZGtMKIw8bmJ0oMlyw6LYqbAp12tw2YO4NsE_p_GNzChXB4NvhX1iXUqsJzP12abxGdyJAM9t1ka2T8xf5RfGilU5IZW-1bTK57ZSdpuHckRTBFDtl1JuFxm7oWgKzUXz14/s1600/hercules3.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ABqFkc47LZGtMKIw8bmJ0oMlyw6LYqbAp12tw2YO4NsE_p_GNzChXB4NvhX1iXUqsJzP12abxGdyJAM9t1ka2T8xf5RfGilU5IZW-1bTK57ZSdpuHckRTBFDtl1JuFxm7oWgKzUXz14/s320/hercules3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454818291621800418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9r2pNPaUTfzPGo3vekX0kDORyPgLk5PFteiBAbTM9RkAfzMzsnjNCjp98rAoCpLJJ6wR6G_H8Q0n2TGkC8H4OaTea7TZZvgwFC7JufX5gyrC1EK2gSQD6bTt_FVprbYI9_sSaTts4Eo/s1600/hercules2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9r2pNPaUTfzPGo3vekX0kDORyPgLk5PFteiBAbTM9RkAfzMzsnjNCjp98rAoCpLJJ6wR6G_H8Q0n2TGkC8H4OaTea7TZZvgwFC7JufX5gyrC1EK2gSQD6bTt_FVprbYI9_sSaTts4Eo/s320/hercules2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454818157351107394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz53AhI4g5JRsFE18z2RP3fhW7PAS6bYnBMGvmOkNs2Ge_bw9qNbukvhD7m36-R_95nFOo2JFZtqj0rjNYbZvMxBnX64eMVXQUw2WqbtIpRx6Ty__zFJFCIwD8XmCG8g2QAlyk3vCX3Ck/s1600/hercules.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz53AhI4g5JRsFE18z2RP3fhW7PAS6bYnBMGvmOkNs2Ge_bw9qNbukvhD7m36-R_95nFOo2JFZtqj0rjNYbZvMxBnX64eMVXQUw2WqbtIpRx6Ty__zFJFCIwD8XmCG8g2QAlyk3vCX3Ck/s320/hercules.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454817743701599010" /></a>Lupehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02768180219558237418noreply@blogger.com0