Boring Week

This week has been very unproductive. I feel as though I have done nothing I really wanted to accomplish. That is happening a lot these days. After coming home from work and it being so dark out, I am just not in the mood to workout. I can tell that was bad. Even in just one week I feel as though my clothes are a little tighter. But it is the holidays and next week is going to be even worse! The exercise room is filled with presents waiting to be wrapped. That isn't good either. So many presents still to wrap. However the shopping is done and was done a while ago.

There are a few things that have happened recently so I'll just touch on all those.

1. I have been told that I cannot apply for the Dental Hygiene program at Tri-State because although I was an excellent student with A's and B's in high schools and graduated with honors from college I have to pass this little test Tri-State offers. It's a basic math and english test. My english is great, but math not so much. This test is more number sequence if anything and that is what I can serious trouble with. So because I can't figure out the number sequence I can't even apply? Does that make sense? NO. I know I could handle the program and would work my you know what off, but they won't even let me apply! I'm going to fight this. I could still do Dental Assistant but it's not the same... I would rather do Hygiene and they are the only place around here to offer that. So if I really want to do Hygiene I have to apply to other schools elsewhere. Blah... now I'm back to think what to do with me life again. Should I go back to design? Should I do Marketing/Advertising? What oh what to do now......

2. I think I"m getting sick again. I thought I was all over it so I stopped taking meds and now I am always tired again (but that could also be because I haven't been working out) and always have a headache. AND I'm feeling congested again. Oh this is not good. Bring on the cold-eeze and nyquil!

3. I cannot wear cute boots. I love love love them, but my calves are just too "thick" and that is upsetting. Oh to have skinny legs...

4. I wish I didn't have to work on Christmas Eve. I think everyone should have off the day before and after a holiday. At least Christmas is on a Friday this year. I might have to cut out early though for church at 4:30.

Ok that is it for now....today is cookie baking day. Oh no haha. I must go workout!

Inspiration/Vision Boards

So I've decided that as part of my Get Fit in 2010 plan I need a Inspiration/Vision Board. The whole get fit plan is to get fit both mentally and physically in 2010. I want to be a new healthier me. :) I remember hearing about these boards a long time ago on Oprah and it seemed like a wonderful idea. I just never got around to creating one, but that was then and this is now and I am creating one. Better late than never, right?

"The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires."

It seems and sounds like a great idea and a wonderful way to stay positive and real your goals. I have a number of goals I would like to achieve in 2010 and this is just one way to keep those goals in mind. If they are in front of me where I can see them I will be less likely to let them fall to the wayside. I feel like for the first time in a long time, things are finally starting to fall into place. I know it's up to me to make sure that things continue to go as planned and that I stay on the right track, but none the less... this could help. And it's just a good idea.

On my Vision Board I plan on putting the acceptance letter into the dental assistant program I am applying to. Notice I say acceptance when I haven't applied yet, but know it's what I want and will achieve it! I plan on putting a picture of Ireland & Greece on there. Those are two places that I really really want to visit. A friend of mine and myself keep saying we're saving money to go to Ireland next year (or really save all next year so the following year we can go). I will go there and it will be magical. I plan on putting a picture of me when I was in at the perfect weight for my height. I was healthy and athletic and happy with my overall appearance. Lately I have not been too happy in that department and would like to get back into running. I plan on putting a heart on there to symbolize love. I want to fall in love again. For the past year I've been pushing love away, pushing guys away because I didn't know what I was doing with my life, where I was going in my life. But now I have a plan and goals and I"m ready to open myself up to the possibility of falling in love again. I'm not going searching for it, but just saying I'm ready. And I plan on putting other little things like those Easytone Reebok shoes and clothes I would like...just little things.

Yep, it's all part of my Get Fit in 2010 plan because next year is MY year! :)
What would you put on your vision board??

I love questions like this:

Ten on Tuesday

1. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be?

Oh man, well lately I've been having some issues in this department. So to be honest I would love to change my books (they could be bigger), my nose (could be smaller) and butt (could be smaller). I can change the butt, I just need to get in shape and start running again which I plan to do after the new year. It's all part of my get fit in 2010 plan! Which I guess also means I don't like my weight right now... But as far as a bigger chest and smaller nose... those are just wishful thinking and really shouldn't matter anyway. One thing I would not change is my height. I am 4'11 and everyone, everyone comments on the fact that I am so short. I don't think it's that short and do get annoyed when it becomes the opening statement when I meet someone. I love (hate when I can't reach things) my height. It's who I am and will always be who I am.

2. Is there a habit in others that you find annoying?

Of course there are many habits and even some of my own that I think are annoying. But I'm trying not to focus on those things and to surround myself with good people who lift me up... and not annoy me haha. But I would have to say that gossip and talking "bad" about others is very very annoying. There are more but that's the main one.

3. What is your favorite recipe using ground beef?

Oh man I love ground beef! Haha that sounds weird, but it's true. I do not eat meat unless it's in the form of ground beef. Yes that means I hate steak. I know weird... but my favorite would have to be tacos. I just love tacos!

4. What was your favorite book as a kid?

To Kill a Mocking Bird. I read it in high school and fell in love with the story. I think everyone can relate to each character at one point in their lives. I could read that again and again.

5. Did you work as a teenager and if so, where?

I would babysit a lot. And when I didn't do that it was Old Navy....retail = the devil!

6. Did you work while in college and if so, where?

I really didn't. My senior year I worked in the comp labs designing brochures and flyers, but it wasn't anything crazy. Being a student was work enough! Over the summers I worked here and there... mini golf was a fun one.

7. When you go to sleep do you like total darkness or semi? When you go to sleep do you need quiet or is some noise ok?

I need silence unless I am really really really tired and semi darkness is ok.

8. When doing laundry, fabric softener or not?

Just dryer sheets.

9. Open toed or closed toed shoes?

Well it depends on the weather. Winter needs closed toed but in the summer open is fun to show off cute painted nails.

10. Would you rather be blind or deaf?

If I had a choice, it would be deaf. I can't imagine not being able to see the world and my family and friends. There are other forms of communication for the deaf, but not being able to see would kill me. That's a sad question...

11. Dangle or stud earrings?

Stud. I am almost always wearing these fake diamond studs.

12. Bottled water or tap?

Bottled... I know, how unearth friendly of me.

13. What do you put on pancakes?

I love pancakes! Butter, chocolate chips and maybe, just maybe, a little syrup.

14. On a long trip would you rather drive or fly?

Fly. Long drives get sooo boring after a while. When you fly you can just sit back and relax, you don't have to worry about traffic delays or music to listen to or anything else really... flying is so much better.

15. Do you prefer classic old movies or new?

Ok that's a tough one. I guess new movies because I like seeing movies I haven't seen, but I love being able to watch old favorites. How old is old though? One Fine Day has been on HBO a lot lately which I would call old and I love that movie! Hmmm ok I guess I would say old when it comes to good love stories or romance. These days they make it far to complicated and unrealistic.

a sign

So on my way to work this morning I was behind a school bus at a stop light. In the back window of the bus someone has written a message:

Wise men
seek HIM still

"It's all happening."

2010 Aries Snapshot

"Create, Create, Create

Aries, at the stroke of midnight on March 21, 2010, the Spring Equinox, the Sun, and Mercury, planet of the mind and communication, will conjoin Venus, planet of creativity and love, in the Fifth House of the chart ruling romance and the arts. Close by will be joyful Jupiter and altruistic Uranus, indicating a great deal of activity in those fields throughout the year. If you're single, you're very likely to welcome a new love, and he or she is very likely someone from your neighborhood. The void-of-course Moon in Taurus at the stroke of midnight hints at the close of an old cycle involving your career. This could indicate a raise, promotion, transfer, or a whole new career. Perhaps the most important new development in your life will be a sudden shift in values."

See a new career and new love just might happen for me next year! The sudden shift in values sounds a little scary though... maybe it's linked to me attending a new church and trying to get more involved there.

In other news, the holiday season is in full swing! We finally have some snow on the ground and little Violet is loving it (cute pics to come soon). She loves rolling and running around in it, but we only have a few inches... not sure what she'll think when we have a couple feet. But so far so good! My new tires are always wonderful on my little Nissan. No more slipping and sliding for me. And everyone is loving my Christmas card as well. That makes me smile. :)

I also just got done talking with a friend who I haven't talked to in what feels like forever! She has been talking about a possible move to Seattle with her boyfriend. She wants my friend Asia and myself to think about moving there too. I know Asia would think about it because she loved Seattle. I liked Portland better thought. However, friends would make all the difference. This weekend I was at a holiday party and someone asked me if I'd stay here (in Erie) forever. And it got me thinking... probably not. I say that now and I've said that in the past as well. But it's funny how Erie grows on you after traveling. I've grown to appreciate what Erie has to offer, but at the same time hate what it can't offer. So I don't know... time will tell. But for now I'm enjoying it.

Change is growth and growth is part of life.

I am so tired for some reason. I could shut my eyes and just fall asleep. And it's only 2pm and I'm at work. Work has been slow lately so maybe that's why... and maybe because it's snowing outside and I would love nothing more than to curl up on the couch with a peppermint mocha and a good movie. Yep that sounds perfect right now.

I really should finish my Christmas shopping today. I'm almost almost done, but I'm tired and would rather go to the mall tomorrow. Lazy I know.. but tomorrow will always be there. I need to finish this week though. I would like to have everything all done and wrapped and ready to go so I can start baking cookies! I would really really like to find a good gingerbread cookie recipe for this year.

I can't believe it's almost 2010. Where oh where did this year go?! I've been talking to a good friend of mine about this past year and all the ups and downs..for both of us. My friends lives have been drama filled as of late... I mentioned that before.. but anyway... ups and downs. We've been talking about everything and realized that you are always growing and always changing. People are always changing so you can't really get mad at someone for suddenly being someone different. You can't get mad when suddenly you are different.

Change is growth and growth is part of life.

On looking back on my past year I would have said I didn't do too much growing.. but after talking to my friend, I have. And then just like that I had a wow moment. I moved back home to figure things out and what have I done? Well a lot after really sitting down and thinking about it.

1. I've gotten healthier (emotionally, physically, and spiritually). I've been exercising a lot more (well not since getting sick), not drinking as much because in NC I drank way too much and made some poor decisions, starting going back to church and really enjoying it... focusing.

2. I've made up my mind that I would like to pursue a career that is more steady and stable and a career I can do anywhere... dental asst then hygiene. I just need to get on the ball with that. I can always freelance and always come back to design. I'm not giving it up or anything... just becoming more realistic with the future. People keep asking if that's really what I want to do and you know what, yes. They say if I'm passionate about design that I should go back to school to Portfolio Center. But here's the thing... I love design I really do and loved loved loved my job in NC designing wedding invitations. Loved it and would love to continue to do that here in Erie if I had the chance, but is it my passion? I don't know. I feel like if it was something I was really really passionate about then I wouldn't be going back and forth about going to Portfolio Center. It's been a year and that fact that I still don't know if I want to go there is my answer. If I don't know, then I don't. Is it wrong to want to do something else?

3. I got a dog! The best spontaneous decision I made this year. Well I say spontaneous but I was thinking about getting a dog for a long time just not a chihuahua. But after meeting Violet, it was love at first sight. She's a sweetheart. I'm so happy I found violet and so happy she's mine... all mine. She's like my baby :)

I've really come a long way from who I was last year. I'm on track for something good to happen. I can feel it... I think next year is going to be my year. I hope so anyway... good things are about to happen :)

Holiday cards are ready to be mailed out. All I need now is to stop at the post office tomorrow and get some cute winter stamps. :) My car also passed inspection which I knew it would, but still.. you never know what they could say needs to be done. I now have a PA plate on my car. Everyone can stop asking when I'm changing it back now. Thank you very much.

So I'm really starting to think that we all want what we can't have and then when we get what we think we want, we're always looking for something better, wanting something else. Maybe that doesn't make sense but it's the truth when it comes to me. I feel like I am never satisfied with what I have.

Anyway that's all I got for now... still sick and feeling gross. So I leave you with this:

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

— C.S. Lewis