Who Are You?: A Poem

I've been writing more poems lately and I love how words just flow to paper. Here's one I found that I wrote a few years ago, but I really like. Most of my poems I keep private, but I will try to share some here.

Who are you?

You’re the secrets you keep

The secrets kept from you

The memories you cherish

And the ones that keep your ghosts up at night

The tears shed

The nights of laughter

The confusion and the clarity

The days and the nights

Spent alone

Or in a crowded room

The kisses and regrets

Convictions and losses

The loves and lost loves

The people you meet

And the people kept from you

Multi-faceted lives

So who are you?

I'm So Grateful...

These past few months have been a whirlwind. I've had many ups and downs and new experiences. Here is a list of things I'm currently grateful for...

1. My amazing friends. Let me tell you, I have certain friends that have been my rock. The people I go to when I need to vent, need a shoulder to cry on or need a laugh. They listen to me complain or talk about the same thing over and over and never push me away. Those people you find that are there for you no matter what, don't let them go.

Current roomie and old roomie :) Just an example of a few people that have been there for me. There's many more :)

2. My parents. Growing up, it is crazy how much your relationship with your parents changes. You go from needing them for every single thing to being on your own. Living on my own makes me appreciate them even more and I am so grateful for everything they've done for me and they constantly make me smile.

3. Music. I love this quote: "When words fail, music speaks". There have been so many times where I let myself just melt into the music I'm listening to and when a song speaks exactly to how I am feeling.

One of my favorite songs at the moment:

4. My faith. I'm not extremely religious any more but it is comforting being able to pray at night and have God there for me.

5. Lastly, I think I am most grateful for hope. The hope I retain that one day things will be better. One day I'll be in the arms of someone who loves me and who I love so much I can't contain it. The hope that one day I'll have my dream job and be living in my dream home. The hope that no matter what happens, I'll have people there for me and I'll be okay.

What are you thankful for this year?

I'm Back!

Hello old friends! I think I need to start blogging again. I'm ready for a change and a chance to get my feelings out there. I need to start tracking workouts again, because let's face it, I've been pretty lazy. There's been so many changes since I last wrote on this blog.

For starters, I'm now single. My long-time boyfriend and I broke up in August. It was something I'd been thinking about for a while and it just didn't feel right any more. I still cherish what we had, but I do feel ready for new experiences.

I've also been living in an apartment with a roommate since May and things are going wonderfully. She's a sweetheart and very clean and organized like I am so we get along pretty well. I love having my own space and I definitely couldn't imagine having dates pick me up at my parent's place. Let's face it, I'm 24... apartment living is awesome for right now.

I'm currently working at a chiropractor's office part-time, still working for a non-profit and doing several freelance writing and marketing endeavours.

If you want to know anything else, just ask. :) Here's to (hopefully) more posts soon...

Goodbye for Now

This blog started out as a way to share my thoughts and connect with other bloggers and writers. Over time, it has been a great way to connect (I've met some great people from blogging), I've gotten in trouble with friends for writing too much or accidentally offending someone and felt creatively stifled, wrote a lot and then took many breaks and shared my love of writing.

I've been debating for a while taking a blogging break. Life has been busy and I don't have the time or passion for blogging at the moment. You may have already noticed that I haven't posted much and I just don't feel that creative or know what to post at the moment. I may post sporadically, but this is goodbye for now! Thanks to my loyal readers who have read this over the years!

An update before I go...

I'm moving out! I just got an apartment with a friend and we will be moving soon. New job, new apartment... things are going well! I'm very excited for a change.

If you still want to keep track of my workouts, check out Fitocracy.

Feel free to say hi on Twitter!

Weekly Workouts 5/6-5/12

Monday 5/6: Ran about 2 miles at the park with my friend then we did some exercises using a park bench including tricep dips, push ups and bicycle ab workout.

Tuesday 5/7: Took a walk for about an hour.

Wednesday 5/8: Ran for 1.5 miles then did some arm exercises with my 7 lb. Kettlebell and some ab exercises.

Thursday 5/9: Rest day.

Friday 5/10: Played Just Dance 4 for about 30 minutes.

Saturday 5/11: Rest day. 

Sunday 5/12: Busy with Mother's Day festivities so rest day. Need to get back into working out next week. 

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Weekly Workouts 4/29-5/5

Monday 4/29: Rode bikes with a friend to a nearby park and played tennis for an hour.

Tuesday 4/30: I ran about 1.8 miles outside during my lunch break.

Wednesday 5/1: Ran/walked at a local park with my boy for about 2.2 miles. Made my day when a little girl said "Wow they're running fast!" when we went by. :)

Thursday 5/2: Took my dog for a walk for a little over a half a mile.

Friday 5/3: Played tennis with a friend for about an hour.

Saturday 5/4: Rest day.

Sunday 5/5: Ran/walked for 2 miles then did 15 minutes of yoga to cool down.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Weekly Workouts 4/22-4/28

Monday 4/22: Rollerbladed with a friend for 6 miles.

Tuesday 4/23: Rest day.

Wednesday 4/24: Today I call it "Random Pinterest Workout Day"! I did some workouts that I have pinned on Pinterest. I tried to focus on abs or arms because my legs/ankles were still very sore from rollerblading. Here are a few examples of workouts I did: some Zumba, Abs and Hips, Kettlebell moves. I didn't track on Fitocracy because I just did so many random exercises for about 45 minutes.

Thursday 4/25: I played Just Dance Just Sweat for 30 minutes and did some arm exercises with 3 lb. weights.

Friday 4/26: Played tennis with a friend for about an hour. Felt good!

Saturday 4/27: Walked outside but didn't keep track of how far.

Sunday 4/28: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Weekly Workouts 4/15-4/21

Monday 4/15: Ran about 2 miles with a friend then we did arm and ab workouts with 3 lb. weights and 7 lb. Kettlebell.

Tuesday 4/16: I ran outside 1.4 miles then did about 15 minutes of yoga to stretch afterwards.

Wednesday 4/17: Rode my bike outside for about 1 mile then did the "Skinny Bitch" Ab Workout for about 15 minutes.

Thursday 4/18: Rest day - long work day.

Friday 4/19: Rest day - 12 hour day travelling for a work event.

Saturday 4/20: I ran on the treadmill for a mile and did some arm/ab/leg exercises. I did the exercises shown in the picture plus a few more. I also danced at night!

Sunday 4/21: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Don't Let Them Go

Often in my life I've had friends who walk away at the first sign of an argument. So now I cherish the friends who forgive, talk things out and love me for me. When you find a friend like that, don't let them go. Most people in life, if you have a real relationship with them, will hurt you at some point or you may hurt them. The strongest and deepest relationships and in my opinion, the most meaningful are the ones that go through all that hurt and come out stronger on the other side. :)

I especially love these quotes, even though they relate mostly to a romantic relationship:

Weekly Workouts 4/8-4/14

Monday 4/8: I ran outside for a mile then it started raining so I ran 2 more miles on the treadmill (about 3 miles total). Then I did some arm exercises with my Kettlebell and did my 15 minute ab workout!

Tuesday 4/9: Busy day at work so rest day. I think the majority of my Tuesdays and Thursdays working will be rest days because it is hard to fit in a good workout.

Wednesday 4/10: Ran on the treadmill for about 1.5 miles then did some arm and ab exercises.

Thursday 4/11: Rest day - I hate calling this a rest day because I had about a 12 hour work day mostly on my feet. So... no workout day?

Friday 4/12: Ran/walked 2 miles on the treadmill and did some arm exercises and stretching.

Saturday 4/13: Did Zumba toning with 3 lb. weights for 30 minutes and did some crunches.

Sunday 4/14: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Weekly Workouts 4/1-4/7

Monday 4/1: Went running outside with a friend for about 1.8 miles then did 30 minutes of yoga.

Tuesday 4/2: Played Just Dance Just Sweat for 30 minutes then did some arm exercises with my 7 lb. Kettlebell.

Wednesday 4/3: Rest day.

Thursday 4/4: Ran with a friend for 3.5 miles! She is definitely a good motivator! We did some good stretching afterwards too.

Friday 4/5: Ran for a mile with a friend then we did the "Skinny Bitch" Ab Workout and 20 minutes of yoga!

Saturday 4/6: Rest day. I did dance that night though! :)

Sunday 4/7: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

We're Eating Crap and Feeling Like It Too

I would say in the past few years or so I've been more interested in health, wellness and healthy living. In my spare time, I love looking up information on clean eating and living a healthy life.

Growing up, I never really thought about or realized all the nasty chemicals that go into the foods we eat or how it correlates to our health. Obviously we learn that junk food can make you fat, but we don't really learn about how it can make you so sick. We never learn about all the chemicals, additives and generally nasty things they put into food. It may be good for your pantry and your wallet to buy foods that last forever (I specifically recall my mom saying certain foods never go bad) how can that be good for your gut? If a food never decomposes on its own, how am I supposed to digest it?

Recently I was reading an article from 100 Days of Real Food and Food Babe on food laws in the UK vs here in the US. Did you know overseas they ban certain chemicals added to foods that are still allowed here? I also always thought that the FDA is on our side, keeping us safe from things in foods that would make us sick. Definitely not true. The FDA helps big food corporations more than it helps us. 100 Days of Real Food also periodically posts food labels. For example, recently she posted a Lunchable PB&J sandwich. A regular PB&J sandwich contains bread, peanut butter and jelly. And that's it. Look at the label:

Over 85 ingredients? Really?

I will be the first to admit I am lazy when it comes to cooking and often choose a pre-packaged meal over one I'd have to put together. I have to stop this! Is the extra 2 minutes worth filling my body with all these chemicals over spending a little time to make a healthy version?

I've also been looking at my sugar intake. I also admit I LOVE sugar. Don't we all? Don't most of us search high and low for dessert after every meal? I sure do. It is sickening to realize how much added sugar is put in foods that you wouldn't even think had sugar. I was doing some research yesterday as I had a Starbucks Peppermint Green Tea Frappucino and a Pumpkin Scone. I realized that I was eating/drinking over 16 teaspoons of sugar just in one meal. Guess what the American Heart Association recommends for women per day? 5 teaspoons! Yuck! A few weeks ago I was eating a sucker I won from Dave & Busters. I happened to look at the ingredients. It had such weird and unrecognizable ingredients I actually threw it out.

It is tough when most people around you think you are kind of nuts when you talk about eating healthier and cutting out sugar and processed foods. But I want to do my best to start eating better and eating cleaner. That means more vegetables, more fruit, more organic and lean meats, only whole wheat breads and snacks, no junk food, no processed foods or sugary foods, no dairy (it upsets my stomach anyways), etc.

Any advice or tips for me? I just need to stop being lazy and eat better!

Weekly Workouts 3/25-3/31

Monday 3/25: Ran/walked on the treadmill for about 1.5 miles and did arm exercises with 3 lb weights while walking. Also did ab workouts - for more details check out my Fitocracy page (link below)!

I also signed up for the Superhero Challenge from one of my favorite Real Worlders and personal trainers, Emily Schromm! Basically, you pay $20 to join and you try to challenge yourself to 10 minutes of exercise, 10 minutes of stretching, no sugar and no alcohol each day. I've really been wanting to exercise a little each day and eat less sugar so this is perfect. Because you pay the $20 you are eligible for all types of prizes! Click the link above to join me. :)

Tuesday 3/26: Basically a rest day because of a busy work schedule. I did walk a lot at work though (over 2 miles). I've been trying to bring my FitBit to work to track how much I walk.

Wednesday 3/27: Ran/walked on the treadmill. Used the 3 lb weights while walking. Also used my 7 lb Kettlebell after and did some arm/ab exercises.

Thursday 3/28: Did some ab/arm exercises using a Kettlebell. Later ran a little over 2 miles outside with a friend.

Friday 3/29: I did Zumba for 30 minutes and did some stretching and crunches.

Saturday 3/30: I ran for a mile then walked home (about .75 mile) then did some ab exercises.

Sunday 3/31: Rest day. I hope everyone had a nice Easter or day off! :)

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Happy Easter - Great Deal on Glasses!

Today I want to share an awesome coupon with you! Glasses USA has glasses and sunglasses for really great prices. For Easter, they are doing a special promo for 50% off and free shipping on everything!

So if you need some new frames, click below and grab this deal before it ends Sunday!



Oh and Happy Easter! Have a great holiday! 
 

Update On Me: New Job!

For anyone who cares, I thought I'd share an update on my life. It has been a while and I am sorry I haven't been more motivated to post besides guest posts that come my way or my weekly workouts. I did post an update at the beginning of the month and things have certainly changed since then!

I got a part-time job! Honestly, I was starting to get extremely stressed out and on the cusp of depressed thinking about not being able to afford moving out and my freelance jobs weren't as steady as I wanted them to be. Moving out should be exciting, and it was (still is) but I was just stressed out wondering if my work would pick up and what I would do when the eventual ups and downs of hours and money occurred with extra expenses. So I began doing some job searching and interestingly enough, I only had two call backs and interviews with Chiropractor offices.

The first one was a disaster. Think a (surprise) group interview (I thought it was individual) with about 40 people and the job and workplace just didn't really seem like a good fit for me. I was discouraged. I somewhat gave up on applying. Then I got a call back from another Chiropractor. The office is very close to my house and had interesting hours (open about 20-30 hours a week and on long days there is a few hour break in between the day) so I headed to the interview. I figured it couldn't hurt. Because of my extreme nervousness, I try to go into nerve-racking situations such as interviews with a good attitude but reminding myself that if it goes horribly or I don't get the job, it wasn't meant to be.

Long story short, the interview went well and I got an email then call later in the week that I got the job! I started last week as a Chiropractor Assistant. It is a very small office but busy. I love that it is only a few days a week and on long days I have a break so I can keep on top of my freelance work. I love that I can wear comfy scrubs and how it saves time getting ready in the morning. I've been working with patients mostly, helping them with heating pads on their back, assisting the doctor when she adjust them, etc. It is definitely different from any job I've had but I like that I can stay on my feet since I am on my computer so much at home. I like it so far and enjoy the change of pace. Of course there are upsides and downsides that hopefully I can share here. But think upsides: amazingly kind and sweet patients. Downsides: amazingly cranky patients and gross tasks... a lady came in and we realized she had lice. I'm still itching thinking about it.

Pink Scrubs! Did I mention my favorite show is "Scrubs"? Also that is not my bedroom...

Right now I have a few weeks off while the doctor heads on a cruise so hopefully I can stay busy with my freelance work for a while and enjoy some extra free time. Let's hope I don't forget everything I just learned! I'll try to update this blog more too. I've still been really wanting to revamp my eating habits and haven't really done well with it. This morning, I got up and went to Starbucks for breakfast (how ridiculous is it that there were about 12 cars in line at the drive thru at 10 am?! Not even the normal before work rush!) and realized that I inhaled about 16 teaspoons of sugar with a drink and a scone! Guess what the American Heart Association recommends for women for the ENTIRE day? 5 teaspoons! So I ate triple the amount in ONE MEAL. Yuck. More on that later.

Thanks for listening,

Weekly Workouts 3/18-3/24

Monday 3/18: Ran/walked on the treadmill and did arm exercises with 3 lb weights while walking. Also did "Skinny Bitch" Ab Workout DVD.

Tuesday 3/19: Rest day.

Wednesday 3/20: Ran on the treadmill for a mile and did some squats, lunges, reverse lunges, crunches and oblique crunches.

Thursday 3/21: Rest day.

Friday 3/22: Rest day. I know I have a lot of rest days but this was a really busy week... more on that later!

Saturday 3/23: Planned to work out this day but didn't get to it! Argh...

Sunday 3/24: Blah, didn't work out today either!

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

The Trends of the Season

With fickle trends coming and going, seemingly at a rate of knots, it can sometimes be tricky to keep up with what's in vogue - particularly for guys who aren't dedicated followers of fashion. However, with spring on its way, it's time to put away the scarves and gloves, which means a wardrobe update for the new season - here are a few tips on how to refresh your look for spring 2013, and stay on-trend. 

Colour
Colour will be big this spring, as it's all about breaking free of the drab winter months and leaving behind neutral tones like grey, black and brown. Liven up your everyday wardrobe with colourful chinos in shades of tan, navy blue and burgundy, and opt for t-shirts and thin knit sweaters in lighter, pastel tones. 

Turtle necks
You don’t have to be a high-fashion enthusiast to sport a turtle neck this spring. In fact, this one-time fisherman’s choice is making its way back onto the high street and into the wardrobes of Britain’s sharpest dressers. For best results, pair a turtle neck top in a shade like moss green or maroon with a dark blue blazer to provide a subtle colour contrast. For stylish turtle necks that will look just as good in the office as at a swanky restaurant, check out the latest collections from All Saints and Ralph Lauren. 

Velvet
Don’t be afraid to experiment with velvet in the coming season, as a stylish velvet blazer is perfect for dressing up with a shirt and trousers, or dressing down with jeans and a plain t-shirt. If you're concerned that velvet is a bit too adventurous for your tastes, don't worry: you're in good company. Velvet is the fabric of choice for Les Miserables star Eddie Redmayne, who wore a fantastic blue velvet suit to the world premiere of the much-praised musical. 

If you're planning a big shopping session in time for spring, make payment quick, easy and hassle-free with American Express. Accepted at a host of top retailers on the high street and online, American Express credit cards offer security and peace of mind with online fraud and purchase protection, as well as a host of exclusive membership rewards and benefits, from extra Nectar points to cashback. For more information, and to apply online within just 10 minutes, visit American Express UK. 

Weekly Workouts 3/11-3/17

Monday 3/11: Did Zumba for 30 minutes then did some exercises with my Kettlebell and planks.

Tuesday 3/12: Did the "Skinny Bitch" Ab Workout DVD then ran/walked on the treadmill for 2 miles. Used 3 lb. weights to do arm workouts while walking.

Wednesday 3/13: Rest day.

Thursday 3/14: Ran/walked (only a little) 2 miles on the treadmill.

Friday 3/15: Danced at night!

Saturday 3/16: Rest day.

Sunday 3/17: Also a rest day... took the weekend off. Hope to start my workouts again this week!

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Weekly Workouts 3/4-3/10

Monday 3/4: Did Zumba toning with 2 lb. weights for 30 minutes then yoga for 20 minutes.

Tuesday 3/5: Tried my "Skinny Bitch" Workout DVD (got it for really cheap at Best Buy a while back). I did Abs and Butt for a total 40 minute workout. I liked it! Only bad thing about DVDs like that is I can't really track them on Fitocracy...

Wednesday 3/6: Rest day.

Thursday 3/7: I did the "Skinny Bitch" Workout DVD Arms section for 20 minutes and then did 30 minutes of Just Dance Just Sweat.

Friday 3/8: Zumba toning with 2 lb. weights.

Saturday 3/9: Ran/walked outside for 1.65 miles then did 15 minutes of yoga.

Sunday 3/10: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Love is Different for Everyone

Love is different for everyone. Relationships aren't always the same. Sometimes relationships start with an intense crush. You have to have that person. They make your heart race when you see them. These relationships are great at the start, but often they fizzle. The best kind of relationships are the ones that creep slowly. The person you don't always notice at first. Who slowly comes into your life. The more you spend time with this person, the more you fall for them.

What do you think? How did you meet that special person in your life?

Speaking of love... a special happy birthday wish to the boy in my life! Happy 24th Birthday - I'm so happy to celebrate with you today! Let's all send birthday wishes to Kev!

How Pinteresting! Weekly Faves

I'll admit... when I first heard of Pinterest, I thought it sounded stupid and too much of a time-suck. Well, it is a time-suck because it is so addicting! I'm now obsessed and just got my mom signed up on it too! Here's what I've been pinning and loving lately:

Since I'm hopefully getting an apartment soon, I've been obsessed with looking up organization and decorations for small apartments! Here are some great ones I found on Pinterest:

Here are some other pins I've been loving: 

Why haven't I thought of that? Definitely trying this soon!

Love finding DIY cleaning supplies! Can't wait to make some...

Can someone find me a pink typewriter? So awesome!

I love all the recipes you can find on Pinterest. I want to try these so bad!

What have you been pinning/loving lately? Let's share! Follow me on Pinterest to connect!

An End to Blogging?

You may have noticed more silence around this blog. I feel like I have been a little uninterested in blogging here lately. I love reading blogs about people's lives but I don't always feel comfortable sharing much here. For a blog that is supposed to be my own, I often feel stifled by it. I feel I can't really write much about my personal life or fun times because what if professionals who would potentially hire me think it is inappropriate? Or I stop and think well I wouldn't want my family reading that... or my co-workers... or when I do share my real feelings, I offend a friend by accident.

So you imagine my frustrations for something that is supposed to be an outlet.

I guess another part of it is laziness. I don't take pictures as often as I should. Or I don't think my life is that interesting to share. Yet, I am interested in the random musings and outing of random people. So hopefully you all are more interested in my life than I think! ;)

I am happy with my recent postings chronically my exercise habits weekly. I am hoping to share more with you! I do have sponsored posts from time to time and I hope you don't mind (I am a broke twenty something after all!). So here's an update - I hope to bring you more updates on my life and pictures too! Let me know what you want to read from me too!

Exciting news! If you've followed my blog for a while or know me, you know that I lived in an apartment with a friend in 2009. For the past few years, I've lived with my parents. While, I love my house and it is great to save money, I am definitely ready for a change. My friend Jenette and I have been looking at apartments and found a place I think we want to apply to.

Future roomie and I (I'm on the left!)

It is so exciting but nerve-racking at the same time! I am trying to save money like crazy in anticipation of more bills. Speaking of saving money - I do have some money saving goals. If you also know me, you know I am definitely a spender, not a saver! I love shopping and buying things. Not good when you don't make a ton of money!

So for the next few months (and definitely after I have an apartment) I am really tracking my spending. I have been writing down every single thing I spend money on and how much to see how much I really spend in a month. I often get my nails done or get facials and I am putting a stop to that, at least for now. I also plan to really control how much money I spend on food and limit myself to stop eating out so much.

Luckily, the freelance jobs have been pretty steady lately. My goal is to hopefully have 30-40 hours a week. I've also been looking into part-time jobs to make extra money but I'm not quite sure on that yet.

Cheers to changes and more updates from me! Please share my blog if you love it! :)

Weekly Workouts 2/25-3/3

Old pic but me bundled up for an outside run looking goofy!

Monday 2/25: I did Zumba toning for 30 minutes with 2 lb weights.

Tuesday 2/26: I alternated between running and walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes then did 5 minutes on the Elliptical. I did some arm exercises with 3 lb. weights while walking. I also did some ab workouts.

Wednesday 2/27: Day off.

Thursday 2/28: I did Zumba toning again for 30 minutes with 2 lb weights.

Friday 3/1: Went on the Recumbent bike for a mile then walked on the treadmill for a mile while using some 3 lb. weights.

Saturday 3/2: Ran/walked on the treadmill for a little over 20 minutes. Used the 3 lb weights for arm exercises while walking. Also used my mom's Ab Slide which was equal to 30 sit ups I believe. Also danced my heart out at night for a few hours! :)

Sunday 3/3: Day off.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!