2012

It's the last day of 2012 and, wow, has this been an interesting year!

You learn a lot about yourself when you...

...start a new job that ends up testing you in ways you didn't expect.
...move into your first place by yourself.
...end a relationship and start a new one.
...travel twice across the United States, once to Seattle, and once to North Carolina.
...join a gym and actually start going.
...join your rugby teams eboard and deal with all the stress and responsibility that comes with that.
...adopt your first pet, in my case a cat.
...make positive changes for the sake of your happiness.

I am in many ways not the same person I was a year ago, in a good way.

Review of October: Part 1

 In October I traveled to Seattle with my rugby team. I didn't get many pictures of the games or socials, but I did get some touristy pictures of Seattle, I city that I had never been to before. Seattle surprised us it's weather, we had three days of beautiful sunshine.

  

The view from our second social on Sunday right on the bay. Just the beginning of some beautiful views. To see more pics continue reading. 

product reviews take 2!

More product reviews round 2:

 Revlon ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup: This stuff freaked me out at first because it really does feel wet. I thought my brush was wet from sweat, which made no sense at the time! I ditched the little brush that came with it and use my own. I feel the coverage is good, I was using it as a concealer/foundation until I realized the shade was off slightly, so I with a lighter shade for me this could work really well.

For more reviews continue reading...

small changes...

Perhaps this is too personal, but it is important. I have finally done something to help myself that could change my perspective on life in a very positive way. 

Recently I have been dragging through the day-to-day with little hope for the future. All I could see was an empty space full of negativity. I have supportive friends and family, but I would ignore their comments in favor of my own distorted reality.

I want to enjoy life and the moments I have with those around me. I no longer want to hate myself for every mistake I make. I know there was no reason for me to be so painfully self-critical, but I couldn't help it. I might be good for hours, days, maybe even weeks, but inevitably something would set me off again and again.

I won't go into more detail because it's all quite personal. It's a small change that's finally happened, and I know it won't be like a black to white transition, but I am hopeful things can be better in the future. Calmer, clearer, and brighter.

remy's adventure...

Remy I and recently test drove the 'come with me kitty' harness/leash again. The first time ended suddenly when he started to slip out of the leash (sneaky little pooper scooper). Since it's so damn hot outside I didn't want to try again, but I know its better for him to get used to it while he's still young.

With a more properly adjusted harness, I think Remy loved his trip outdoors. I have a nice grassy area with tall trees right out my apartment which is removed from the parking lot, and is perfect for a little cat to explore. It doesn't look too nice right now because the grass is dying, but usually it's pretty green. Also, I made sure he didn't eat the pine needles, I've heard cats are allergic.

He was so cute slinking around, then randomly laying down, then getting back up to check out more stuff. He also was more patient with me this time as I put on the harness, especially the second time I took him out today.

product reviews...

After a weekend of slacking off (minus a 50 min of cardio on Friday night) I finally got my butt back to the gym tonight for some kick box cardio. There was a different instructor this time, and I think it was a bit easier to handle. More squats and shuffles and less jumping jacks. Regardless I still left a drippy sweaty mess, and I swear to god everyone was staring at me as I left. Are people really not used to seeing someone with a fully soaked shirt at the gym?? Perhaps it was just my imagination.

Well, I thought I'd change it up a bit and share some of my current favorite beauty products, so the hard work is already done for you and you don't have to test them out yourself! Awesome, right?

1.

 

Miracle Foot Repair Cream by Miracle of Aloe:

I LOVE this foot cream, it makes my feet baby soft after just one application. I used to steal this from my mom at home until I got my own tube. It's pretty affordable, I got it for about $6 dollars at a large chain store.

kicking my butt...

Last Wednesday I decided to go to my gym's kick box cardio class for the first time. I thought it would fun, I thought it would be sweaty but enjoyable.

I was SO wrong.

I have never done so many jumping jacks in my f'ing life! It was like some warm-ups I have done at rugby practice, you know with the jumping jacks and squats, ground touches, etc. Except this time it wasn't a warm-up, it was the whole class, which lasted for at least 45 minutes.

20 minutes in I wanted to leave, I was wiped out and my head hurt. I wasn't prepared for the intensity. But I know now after playing rugby what it is like to be uncomfortable and just to push through it. It got a little better, there was more jabbing and less jumping. Then it got more intense again but this time I was feeling more revved up, and more like I could totally do this s**t! Although at one point we did jumping jacks and I had to pause because I was feeling a bit dizzy.

I learned a valuable lesson though, do NOT underestimate the power of a tiny Japanese woman teaching a kick box cardio class. She kicked my butt. I plan on going back but a bit more prepared for the madness next time. I think this class could totally help increase my fitness level.

Visiting a close friend back east...

Recently I made my first solo flight to visit a very close and dear friend in North Carolina

Nellie moved out to there in last June for graduate school, and before this trip I had only seen her once since moving. For someone who is one of my closest friends visiting once a year is not nearly enough.

Taking a few days of much desired PTO I jetted off towards my destination! Nellie for days had mentioned how excited she was that I was coming to visit. It made the trip that much more special in a very cheesy way.

The first thing I noticed about NC is how forested the landscape is. It's basically what I expected Missouri to look like for some reason. Here is a shot from us driving from Raleigh-Durham airport. 

what i love about...

What I love about my Pilates class (I've gone about 5 times already)

1. Exercising why lying down...?
2. The prospect of rock hard abs. (Under the tummy 'cause I'll never have a six pack, I'd rather eat cookies.)
3. All the stretching and increased flexibility.
4. Focusing so hard on the different moves that all other worries melt away.
5. Breaking a sweat and feeling fantastic afterwards.

Now that I can actually do ab exercises I'm kinda obsessed with them. I swear to god, before I started playing rugby I couldn't even do a elbow to knee sit-up. No joke. Now, no problemo. If I actually keep up with these Pilate classes, and they don't help with my core strength and my scrumming, then I swear I will eat my freakin' shoe.

Next Wednesday I am looking forward to trying the gym's cardio kickboxing class.

 Not as easy as it looks, but not as hard as it used to be for this chub. :)