RYBO

I realize that I normally wait 2 months to post after a "catch up" blog post... but I wanted to do this one, and I just finished studying for a test tomorrow and haven't quite calmed down from the studying... so I'm writing it now before I forget. And this post (and any others that may contain this same theme) are mainly for ME. So don't feel that you have to go on and read all of this :)

Months ago, I bought this book on my kindle fire for like 99 cents and there it has sat in queue waiting for the day that I would actually have time to read it. Well, fortunately for this book, this time was last Friday night. The book is called Run Your Butt Off, A Breakthrough Plan to Lose Weight and Start Running [No Experience Necessary!]  

I started reading it, and it was like I was having a conversation with the author, instead of reading. I liked loved that. I also liked the fact that everything was spelled out for you. The basis of this fitness routine, is that you start with walking and then build up slowly to the running. For example, this week is my "Week 1" and all I have to do is walk for 30 minutes, 4 days a week. When I say "all I have to do" I don't just mean that I'm going out strolling around my neighborhood looking at the crazys around Lumberton... I mean I'm walking at a pretty fast pace, to where my legs actually feel like I'm doing something with them. (Even my thighs!)

Along with the walking, I'm also eating better... which means I've forced myself to eat a healthy dinner AND only drink water today, AND (the big kicker) I've only had ONE snack after dinner. This was my biggest issue. Whenever I would eat dinner, I'd eat, but I wouldn't eat enough I suppose, and then I'd be stuffing my face full of chips, crackers, candy, etc. until I went to bed. Which is how I've put on all this weight since moving back from Los Angeles.

Here's the thing about my lifestyle in Los Angeles: I had it made. I only shopped at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Ralph's. I RARELY ate fast food. I RARELY drank sweet tea. I worked out almost everyday... whether that meant I went to take yoga or pilates at the gym, worked out at the gym, or went hiking/running/walking in Runyon Canyon behind my apartment (which really meant Cameron forced me to go with him, but I totally felt better afterwards!)... It also didn't hurt that my gym membership was paid for by Cameron. In that respect, I felt like I was wasting his money if I didn't go, which was even more motivation for me to get my ass there... not to mention it was literally less than a block away at the end of my street.

Fast forward almost 2 years, I'm the heaviest I've ever been and I'm not really happy about it. I've always had issues with my weight and body. And I'm not saying that I think I'm overweight, or fat... or ugly. But I'm not happy and I could definitely stand to shed a few of these extra pounds I've racked up since moving back to the South.

SO... This Run Your Butt Off thing seems like something that's right up my alley. I can pace myself based on how comfortable I feel with my progress. And as long as I'm continuing to eat better, and keeping up the exercise... I think that I'll be successful with this new change. I'm also excited about it, because running is something that I can do for the rest of my life... (or until I need new hips or knees). So that's a big plus as well. And I don't need a gym membership. I can run OUTSIDE. Around the neighborhood. At the beach. Etc.

Today I did my first walk for 30 minutes... and I actually enjoyed myself.

And when I watch the Biggest Loser tomorrow night, I will be drinking my water, and NOT eating something terrible for me. Go Me. !

Oh... I have a blog?

It seems that for the past couple of months I may have forgotten that I have a blog. Not that anyone really reads this, it's more or less for my personal use. But, I figured while I actually had some spare time where I'm not doing anything related to school (although I SHOULD be), I'd give a quick little update.

I will warn you, I'm going to be tooting my own horn, and being really obnoxious about a few things in here... so If you don't want to be bothered by my bragging or complaining, I suggest you stop reading here. And I will not apologize for it. (Damn it. I'm proud of myself!)

School: School sucks. I hate this semester more than any other semester I've ever been enrolled in through out the past 8 years of my life. Why? Well, that is an excellent question. I hate it because of a few key reasons... 1, ALL of my friends with the exception of 3, are doing their student teaching internship this semester and so I'm stuck in classes with (excuse my language) dumbasses that have either just gotten into the elementary ed. program, OR they are just plain stupid and have to have EVERY little assignment/thing/sentence spelled out for them. If you know ANYTHING about me, you know that I do not do well with stupidity, ignorance, and brown nosing. And all three of those equal the majority of the people in my elementary education classes. 2, I have a professor that can't stand me because I keep questioning their teaching methods. Call me crazy, but I feel that since I'll be in debt for $20,000 when I finish this degree, that I deserve to question things that I either do not agree with or think are ridiculous. 3, The education classes that I'm in are boring, repetitive and are supposed to be taken at the beginning when you get into the program... but you know me, I have to be different and take the 4 hour higher level classes FIRST and leave the "easy" stuff til the end. The so called "easy" stuff has mainly turned out to be a mess load of busy work and ridiculous assignments that no one really understands. Not to mention one of my classes is called "arts integration in the elementary school" ... I hate art. I'm creative and crafty, but I am NOT an artist. So far, the most fun I've had in that class was when we did some creating with Model Magic and today we made Shrinky Dinks. And yes, I was one of the FEW people that actually KNEW what those were. And remembered making them when I was little.

SO.... School is not really fun for me this semester. I go home every weekend just so I can get away from the ridiculousness. And I'm not real happy up here this go around. The only thing that's keeping me sane this semester is my History of Nazi Germany history class.

LIFE: Life. Life is crazy. With all this mess at school and tons of school work, papers, and what not I haven't had much time to myself. Every weekend I go home I end up doing more school work than anything fun. And I've almost decided that I have more fun hanging out with my Mama than with anyone else. (Mom, You're welcome).

Other than that, Mom and I went to Washington, DC for spring break at the beginning of March for 5 days and had an AMAZING time! I'll need to do a separate post just for that...

This is where I'm going to step up onto my pedestal so that I can toot my own horn for a little bit. :)

Several weeks ago in my history class, Dr. Brown told our class that the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honors Society was accepting applications for their new spring inductees. I went online to the history website at UNCP and looked at the application and realized that as far as I knew, I met all of the qualifications. So, I filled one out, and took it over to the Registrar's office to get it signed and all official and turned it in. I wasn't sure if this was a "fill it out and we will let you know if we want you" or a "you get in because you filled it out" type of deal. Turns out, I GOT IN because of the history classes that I've taken AND because of my high GPA in those history classes.
         So, today, I was formally inducted into the Alpha-Delta-Xi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta at UNC Pembroke! WHOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately, it was only a ceremony that History majors and members of Phi Alpha Theta could attend, so mama couldn't come. But, I've got a certificate that will be framed shortly, and a couple of HONORS cords to wear at GRADUATION in December!

LAST WEEK, mom called and said "you've got a letter from the center of academic excellence at the college" ... well, that either meant that they wanted to tell me that I am in fact, 'excellent' OR that I was not and I needed to leave the school. Needless to say I told mama to open it, and she read the letter to me. It was a letter informing me that based on my grades, GPA and hard work ethic, I was being inducted into the Mu Delta Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honors Society. This one is based on all of my classes and grades and GPA, and it is also for "non-traditional students". The induction for this one will be April 11, and my mom will get to come to this one! She's very excited.

Needless to say, I've been very humbled and taken back by these two different honors that I'm receiving. And Yes, I am freaking proud of myself. I moved back to North Carolina with a goal to finish my college degree, and I'm 4 weeks away from summer break, and 4 more months of student teaching away from having my bachelor's degree!  I've worked my ass off for the past almost 2 years and I absolutely love what I'm doing, and what I will be doing once I'm in my own classroom. And whether I had gotten recognized or not, I'd still be proud of myself.

HOWEVER, it means even more to me to know that I am being HONORED for everything that I've worked so hard for. And this is why I'm bragging. Because if someone had told me I'd have the GPA that I do in college 6 years ago, (or that I'd be living in Lumberton, but that's a WHOLE other story) I would have laughed in their faces.

BAM. I've got it!

So, that's all of my horn tooting for now... Until I decide to post pictures of these inductions, of course. :)

Senior Year.. What???

That's right folks. Today at 4:30pm when I walk through those doors of the Education Building at UNC Pembroke, it will officially be the beginning of my SENIOR year of college... Okay, more like 4pm because I'm super OCD about being on time and I will have probably left my apartment at 3:30 even though I could leave at 4 and be there on time... but, WHATEVER. I AM A SENIOR! And, to me, that's really all that matters.

That, and I get to see all of my ELE classmates and friends that I haven't seen in forever.

AND... Wait for it...

UNCP got rid of Taco Bell (goodbye weight gain from last year!) and, put in its place a full-functioning, LEGITIMATE STARBUCKS!!!!!!! Say what?! You mean I won't be practically falling asleep during my 3 night classes any more? And I WON'T have to drink the "coffee" from the booth at the university center? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!  What am I going to do with myself?
I'm going to have the wonderful option of getting my grande iced white mocha with SOY and NO WHIP everyday if I want it. AND use my UNCP Card to pay for it. Which means that Mama's paying for it really... since she paid for the bonus bucks on my card... but hey, it's not coming out of my weekly money. So that's a plus. :)

So I've got 18 hours this semester. Three elementary education classes and two history courses for my concentration. It's going to be a tough semester, but I'm actually looking forward to it. (Right now, at least). That opinion may change.... We'll see how much blogging I'm doing in another month. Then we can make that decision.

Fall 2011. Spring 2012- all regular classes.... then this time next fall I'll be getting ready to step into a classroom for my internship. and then BAM... December 2012 will be here before I know it and I'll be walking across that stage to get my diploma. And Aside from my future wedding day and birth(s) of a child(ren) that may be one of the best days of my life.

That's all for now... I'll update once school gets into full swing and I can safely talk about how classes are.... Unless I find something even more ridiculous or something crazy happens.

God forbid Hardee's not butter my biscuit in the morning.

One Year Later... An Update, of sorts!

July 22 marked exactly one year since moving back from Los Angeles. And that day in itself was pretty uneventful, I think. I can't really remember what I did, but it was far less emotional than last year. So, let's re cap the last year, shall we?

Since moving back from Hollywood:
-Got accepted to UNC-Pembroke!
-Moved to Lumberton (actually, I did this before I even got accepted... whatever.)
-Met awesome, AWESOME new friends at school
-Passed the praxis!!!!!
-Accepted to Elementary Education Program!!!
-TURNED 25!!! (boo!!! hahaha)
-Became an aunt, again, to two beautiful little boy/girl twins!!!
-Watched my nephew Keller turn 3!!! (not right at all! he shouldn't be that old!)
-Got a summer job
-Successfully completed summer school
-Studied and worked my arse off while in school in order to get on the CHANCELLOR'S LIST!!!!!

And, last but probably THE most important:
-I managed to survive ONE YEAR in Lumberton, NC.

So, now what? Well....

I'm getting a mini-vacay FINALLY!! Mom and I are too poor to go anywhere exciting, so I'm packing up and heading west to visit some of my favorite people for a few days!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is my last day at FIFI's for the summer... it was a great summer job. Very laid back and no real problems! (Who knew a job could be like that...) After I get off at 3, I'll be spending some time packing up and then heading to Lumberton for the night. I've got to check my mail and pay rent before my little adventure!

Thursday: Thursday I'll be leaving Lumberton and heading to Asheboro to stay with Cameron's mom Dora for the night. Which is VERY exciting. We haven't seen each other in a few months, and we always, ALWAYS have a great time! I absolutely love that even though Cameron and I are just friends, his mom is still a big part of my life! Because she is quite possibly one of the best people I know! And we just have so much in common... and I know she can hardly wait for me to get there and be able to get a "TO-GO" cup of sweet tea, extra ice, and not have someone look at her like she's crazy! :)

Friday: Friday morning I'll leave Asheboro and head for the Goss Planation... Ok, that's not really what is it called, but I like the ring to it. The "Goss Plantation" is in Pilot Mountain, NC and is where my bestest friend in the whole world parents live. I'll be there through either Sunday or Monday... I can't really remember when I said I would be leaving. Either way, I'm excited. Mainly because I haven't been to PM in over 2 years... but also because Keri and I have only gotten to see each other for one sleep over at her place in Greenville, and one lunch date with us and our lovely mothers since CHRISTMAS! Yes, that's right. Crazy isn't it?

So, to celebrate being back in the lovely state of North Carolina for a year, this is what I'm doing! :)

Once I get back I've got a jammed packed schedule! Jack, Cameron's old room mate and one of my dear friends is marrying Allison, who I've come to know and love as well on August 6th! Which means not only do I get to witness the marriage of this super awesome couple, but I get to see Cameron face to face for the first time in over a year!!! Which I think we're both excited about. We talk constantly on the phone, texting and on facebook, but I'm ready for a "Cameron hug" and to hear his lovely sarcastic tone and remarks in person. And his wonderful mom is coming for that weekend... AND I'll hopefully get to see his awesome sister Courtney and SUPER PRECIOUS niece (still mine, partly, in my opinion) Morgan!! Who I haven't seen since this past October!

After the wedding festivities I'll have a couple of days to recover then I'll be dragging my mom to Lumberton where we're going to lock ourselves into my house and clean, re-arrange, clean some more, buy some food and new stuff for the house, and get ready for classes to start on August 15!

So, I'm off to bed, but I'll be sure to update after my trip! :)

An Aunt... to 3 beautiful blessings!

In just a few short weeks, my precious nephew Keller (or Bean, as he's more commonly known) will turn 3 years old.... Keller is an amazing child. And super sweet and special, especially to me. He's the first child that's ever called me "Aunt" anything... And the way he says (or screams, when he's excited) "Aunt Kawa" when he sees me melts my heart every time. God blessed my cousin Amanda and her husband Nic with an amazing gift for sure... I can't believe he's going to be THREE!! Those three years have gone by so quickly! For instance in a few weeks, on July 18 three years ago I was doing this....

Meeting my new little nephew, Keller Allan Dane Nichols!

This past Tuesday, Amanda and Nic were blessed with not one, but TWO precious bundles of joy! Tucker Landon Rette and Iris Esther Klare were born at 9:11 and 9:12pm June 21st! 

Wednesday night I was able to go and see them for the first time! 

Meeting little man Tucker! 

And of course, here is Miss Iris (below) 

Testing out the car seat... 

God gave our family two new blessings! I can't tell you how excited and thankful I am that they are finally here and HEALTHY! Tucker and Iris are sooo tiny! But they are healthy and eating like champs! (They're going home sometime Tuesday hopefully!) I've spent the past 8 months telling Amanda how excited I was about the twins, and I loved them from the day I found out that she was pregnant again....And that was back when we thought there was only ONE baby! 

It just amazes me how much I love those two precious little babies! I can't get enough of them! 

I was actually stuck in Lumberton because of summer school when they made their grand appearance into this world... not that I would have been at the hospital, but I could have seen them sooner! haha. But Amanda put a picture up on Facebook of both babies that was taken right after they were born... and I sat here and cried! Turning 25 has made me an emotional basket case. And yes, I'm blaming my birthday and in some way my mother for birthing me 25 years ago. (Just kidding Mama...kind of).

Okay. I'll stop going on and on about the newest editions to the family. But come on, those are precious babies!


....I'm not proud or anything.... Promise! :)

The TWINS are HERE!!!!!!!!

This is ONE HAPPY AUNT!!!!!!!!!!

Iris, 5lbs 13 oz, 19 inches long and
Tucker, 5lbs 4oz, 18 inches long!

Amanda's in recovery in the room at the hospital and the twins are in the NICU but doing fine.... she'll be able to go see them in a few more hours!

And I am counting down the hours and minutes until I get back to Wilmington and can get my hands on these precious little babies!!!!!!!

Pictures to come!!!

Don't worry, I haven't been taken prisoner...

For those that were worried... I'm alive and well. And I just have two words to sum up why I haven't been blogging recently....

Summer. School.

The end....
Just kidding! I'm not letting you people get off that easy!
Okay, so for updates:
I love my job! FIFI is doing great! And the ladies I work with are awesome! I'm not working that many hours, because of school, and there's two full time employees that get most of the hours.... and I'm only part time, so that's okay. It's very tempting to be downtown right across the street from one of my favorite places ever though. Port City Java has been a part of my life ever since my cousin Jane starting working at one when she was like 17 or something. (She's now 28, so, you do the math... a long time). And there's just something about that Mocha Shake of theirs (personally, I think it's crack, why else would it be that good?) that draws me over there...

BUT... this summer I am trying my hardest to eat better and work out. Which, hasn't really amounted to anything yet... I figure once summer school is over I can go 100% full out in this attempt. Because between work and school I don't really have the time. Yeah, yeah yeah, I know, I could make the time. However, I'm living in Lumberton half the week and in Wilmington the other half, so it's hard to transport my Wii back and forth each time I go somewhere different. So, we'll see. Maybe I just need some motivation... Perhaps I should put on my bikini that I wore last summer in Los Angeles and that might help. :)

School is going great! It's very time consuming and hard, but I'm liking both of my classes. I have one that's completely online and one that's face to face (on campus). There's a ton of reading and work. Mainly because 16 or 17 weeks of material is nicely crammed into 6 weeks (or 5 in the case of one of my classes). I haven't done summer school since I decided to go back to Cape Fear Community College before moving to Cali. So I had forgotten how much faster paced the classes were. And UNCP has 2 day a week classes for 4 hour periods. CFCC did classes M-F for 2 hours. So that was a big change as well. I'm used to the 4 hour classes... all of the elementary education classes are 4 credit hours. At least I didn't have to get used to that.

That's about it really. I've got a crazy out of control tomato plant growing at my mom's, named Wilson. (Don't judge me). Wilson currently has 4 (or 5?) little tomatoes growing! And I personally can't wait to cut into one and make a tomato sammich. (That's a sandwich to those who don't speak southern).
I'm also growing cilantro and basil. The cilantro was touch and go there for a while... but he's turned the corner and is growing very nicely now. The basil is out of control, just like Wilson. Mom cut it back a little. It was getting a little out of hand.

My friend Stacey is coming in 2 weeks! Which I'm VERY excited about! She lives in Atlanta... we met when I started working at Gap Kids back in 2008. (Holy crap!) She was one of the managers with me! We're the same person, essentially. And, we complete each other. It's a great bond, really. Same tastes in everything. And she is one of the only people that I can quote or sing lines from High school musical to and she'll sing back. Most people frown upon this trick, but not Stacey. She embraces it. Just as I do.

So I have that to look forward to... and right now that's about it. Summer school ends June 29. Then I'll be working more hopefully. And trying to work out more, and hopefully work on my tan.
I was so spoiled in LA. That pool at our apartment got more use from me than anyone that lived there. I spent at least 2 hours out there reading every week day. (Cameron usually had me hiking up some mountain or new trail he'd googled on the weekends). And I miss that.
I may have to get a kiddy pool to put my feet in. :)

Hope you are having a fantastic start to the summer!