Movies I've recently watched

Day 11

Hope you're all enjoying a beautiful Saturday! I'll be out kayaking 11 miles. I just hope I survive and the weather is clear. Warm would be terrific as well.

While I'm out enjoying the sunshine, here's a few brief movie reviews of flicks I've seen recently.

• Die Hard - Ok, I know I'm I couple decades behind in watching this, but I just saw it for the first time in the past couple weeks. I loved it! I don't honestly know why I hadn't watched it before (probably that whole R rating thing). It was fun of action and adventure. Mostly ridiculous, but it was fun to watch. Who doesn't like to watch Bruce Willis being a badass? Seriously. I would definitely watch this again.

• Jennifer's Body - I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! Maybe it was just the sexy Megan Fox, but I really like Amanda Seyfried, too. It captured my attention right away, and I really enjoyed the story. I thought it was going to be a lot scarier and give me bad dreams, but it didn't. Bonus!

• Green Hornet - I didn't really care for this movie much. It took too long to get going in the beginning, and a lot of the violence seemed ridiculous and unnecessary. My favorite character was the bad guy, Chudnofsky. He was hilarious - in a scary, mobster, bad guy kinda way. Overall, though, I didn't really care for the story or the way it was told. I wouldn't recommend it.

• Tangled - This was thoroughly enjoyable for me! I loved the unique telling of the story of Rampunzel. I loved the music and the animation. It was definitely a cute, feel-good movie! I would watch this again and definitely would recommend it.

If you've seen any of these, how would you rate them?

What movies have you seen recently? Are there any you would recommend?

Five Favorites for Friday

Day 10

Today's will be just a quick post. I just finished my final, and I'm pretty much all packed for my weekend Pedal and Paddle. Laura should be here soon to pick me up. I'm so excited. And nervous.

Confession: I haven't gone on a bike ride at all this month!

Five quick favorites:

• Color - To wear - green/orange. To admire - vibrant red, orange, yellow
• Car - Toss between my first real car ('89 Dodge Daytona, red. Oh, how I loved that car) and my most recent car ('08 Scion xB, RLS 5, gold)
• Author from my teenage years - Mary Higgins Clark
• Flower - gladiolas or lily of the valleys
• Race I've run - Earth Day Half Marathon in St Cloud, MN 2002

Have a beautiful weekend!

Send me all kinds of well wishes as I kayak and bike around northern MN tomorrow and Sunday!

Thankful Thursday #9

Day 9

Ok, so the first 8 TT weren't numbered, but I thought it might be fun to start numbering them, so here we are to #9 (pathetic considering I started this over a year ago) and my first numbered post.

Today I am grateful for:

Band-Aids - They help heal, and more importantly, they keep me from getting blood all over the carpet at work (see yesterday's post).



{source}



Pop-Tarts - Ok, so these are actually Wal-mart's brand, but they are so tasty and quick and easy and just perfect for when you're in a hurry and don't have time for an actual breakfast.



My husband - He has got to be one of THE most supportive, encouraging husbands out there. I am so grateful every.single.day. BUT I was especially grateful at how understanding he was during/after our first scuba lesson. He helped calm me down and even helped me not to give up but to get back in the pool the next day. He is nothing short of amazing. Last night, he helped me get ready for my Pedal & Paddle this weekend by finally installing the computer he gave me for my birthday last Aug on my bike

and attaching a mirror to my helmet.

I figure a 45-mile bike ride will be a good time way to get used to riding with a mirror. So, we'll see how that goes.

What are you thankful for today?

Are my feet fat?

Day 8

Seriously.

I bought these shoes back in Oct or Nov.

Super cute shoes from Marshalls

I thought buying shoes would be safe while I'm trying to lose weight. Something that would last and still fit even after a drop some pounds.

I know, I know. I should be working.
Or studying for my final.

I loved these shoes when I first brought them home and the first few times I wore them.

Now, they are T-I-G-H-T!
And painful.

Can you see the indentations? Ouch! :(

So, I ask again. What's the deal? Can feet get fat?

Oh, and I'm so desparately in need of a pedi, that my pinkie toe started bleeding this afternoon.

Ok, so maybe it wasn't completely spontaneous.

Target Tuesday #1

Day 7

I was flitting around blogland today, and I came across Target Tuesday.

It has been super summery hot the past couple days here in Minnesota, so I thought I'd see what summery things I could find.

Crisa Cancun Glassware

Summer Fields Bedding

Peita Flat Thong Sandal




Tiered Maxi Skirt

 

Halter Maxi Dress

And oh my goodness, I WANT THIS DRESS!! It's convertible into, like, a bajillion different styles.

Multi-Style Convertible Maxi Dress

Okay, shopping trip is over for now. I should really to get back to work.

Stay cool about there!

Oh, and why not stop over at Fabulous but Evil to see what else is hot at Target this week.

Yikes!

Day 6

I'm so not looking forward to this week. Yes, I know that Monday is nearly over. Well, the work day at least. I have so much to do this week!

I can't believe that my Pedal & Paddle weekend is already this coming weekend. Friday afternoon, I'll be heading up north for a weekend enjoying the outdoors. I'm super excited.

BUT!

Before I can go, I have to ...

Study for, and take, a final
Do Laundry
Pack
Schedule some blog posts

Hopefully get in a bike ride

Get a pre-weekend massage

(I think I'll be needing a post-weekend massage as well)

Which means it will be a very busy week!

But, the reward at the end will make it all worth it!

Provided I can make it through the week.

Successfully.

******

Just a a follow-up note on my post from Saturday. I did go back on Sunday for the 2nd pool session. I did feel a lot more comfortable in the pool, but I still didn't do all the exercises. In fact, I mostly hung out in the shallow end by myself just getting used to being surrounded by water and using the regulator. I did push my boundaries and felt good about it! I have a lot of practicing to do, but luckily, I also have a very patient, understanding husband that will encourage and help me. Not this week, though. Way too much else going on.

The Power of Words

Day 5

I'm not sure what I can really say to add to this video. It choked me all up when I watched it. Our words and outlook really can make a huge difference.

Being Super Excited About Something

Day 4

Doesn't mean you'll enjoy it.

Last night we started our scuba training.
Last night was review of what we learned during our self-study prior to the class.

I was super excited about all the possibilities that scuba could bring.
The feeling of weightlessness.
The fantastic sights to see - the fish, the coral.

This morning we were in the pool.

And.
It.
Was.
Trau-
matic.

I'm not very comfortable under the water, and I've never been able to do anything under water without physically plugging my nose. The first exercise we had to do under the water was breathe through the regulator without wearing a mask. For a full minute.

This was extremely difficult for me.

I did not like it.
It put me into total panic mode.

I was able to finish most of the other requirements during today's pool session, but I did have to skip one entirely. No mask-buddy drag.

It was all just a bit too much.

I've been on an emotional roller coaster ever since. I can't even count how many times I've fought back tears. ok actually cried.

Way too much stress!

Jeff and I have spent hours discussing this. What could have been different. How my reaction was normal/justified.

Now, I'm totally torn. Do I continue working toward my certification or do I quit? Most of what we're learning are emergency procedures that most likely I'll never need to do. Most likely, once in open water it will be a much easier, more enjoyable experience.

I've pushed myself immensely in the past year at riding a bike, so I'm *nearly* convinced I can push myself at this, too.

It will just take time.

Creature Comforts

Day 3

My friend, K, said she'd like to read a favorite things post, so....

Introducing...

drumroll, please

Five Favorites for Friday

In yesterday's post, I mentioned being grateful to live in a time with so many creature comforts, so I thought I'd share five of my favorite creature comforts with you!

1. Contact Lenses. They can be a HUGE pain what with all the care and maintenance, but they also make my life so. much. easier. I can see better and don't have to worry about pushing up my glasses or getting all sweaty underneath my glasses or dropping/stepping on/breaking my glasses. Of course, I'm grateful for glasses as well. They make great back-ups and allow me to rest my eyes from time to time.
2. Climate Control. Be it heat or air conditioning, I'm ultimately grateful for it. I get cold super easy, so I often complain about A/C, but there are definitely times when I appreciate it greatly. Now, if summer will just hurry up already!
3. Smartphones. Sure, these little buggers can be addicting, and maybe I shouldn't spend as much time on mine, but it definitely is nice to always have a way to contact someone in a variety of ways (phone, text, IM, email, blog, etc) or research something or whatever else to pass the time.
4. Social Media / Networking. I'll admit it. I'm terribly nosy. And probably a bit of a gossip. *shrug* I just like to keep up-to-date on the people I care about but don't have the chance to see very often. Enter email, Facebook, blogging, etc. Now I can spy on keep up with old friends, new friends, family, news, etc, etc, etc.
5. Indoor plumbing. I'm not just talking about the toilet, either. Though with as many times as I have to pee in a day, I sure am glad I don't have to slog myself outside every. single. time! Imagine life without a bathtub or shower. I definitely enjoy long, hot showers. Or a washing machine. Doing laundry on washboards? Um. No, thank you! Or kitchen sink. Or dishwasher, for those lucky ducks who have one. I have a hard enough time doing the dishes. They'd never get done if I had to lug buckets of water into the house first!

What about you? What are your favorite creature comforts?

*****
Oh, and I added an email subscription option, for those of you who may prefer that. Just enter your email address in the little box over there on the left. You can also subscribe by Following or RSS feeds.

Being Grateful

Day 2

Last summer, I was on a roll with posting a Thankful Thursday post each week. I'm not sure what happened, but they suddenly stopped in mid-July. I even had a post in draft that I never finished.

It was simply a link to a friend's post with a quotation from President Hinckley about gratitude. I still think it's a great quotation!

"Be grateful. How thankful we ought to be. How comfortably we live. How very easy is life compared to what it once was. . . . We have it so easy, so pleasant, so delightful. We ride in cars that are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. . . . [We have] the miracles of medicine, the miracles of science, the miracles of communication, transportation, education---what a wonderful time in which to live. Of all of these wondrous, challenging things with which we live, I hope you regard it a blessing to be alive in this great age of the world. . . . I hope you walk with gratitude in your hearts, really. Grateful people are respectful people. Grateful people are courteous people. Grateful people are kindly people."

Be grateful (The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 250).

I am grateful for so many things in my life - especially to be living in a time with so many creature comforts!

The Challenge Begins...

Day 1

Last week, I mentioned that I was going to challenge myself to post something everyday for the next 30 days, beginning June 1st.

Thank you to those you gave me some blogging ideas! If/when I use your idea, I'll be use to link back to you. :)

I can't believe it's already after 4pm, and I'm just now finding time to put something together. To start the month off, here's some total randomness going through my head right now.

• I absolutely can NOT believe it's already June! Where did the first ½ of 2011 go?
• I am so tired of MN weather! This past winter was so cold and long and spring has been pretty nonexistent.
• I'm looking forward to moving some place where it feels like summer all year round.
• Even though it's 74°F and sunny outside, I'm wearing a sweater at my desk, and my fingers are little ice pops.
• I ♥ to complain, but I don't consider myself a negative person.
• One week from Friday, I head up north for my Pedal & Paddle weekend.
  11-mile kayak trip on Sat.
  45-mile bike ride on Sun.
  It is going to be T-O-U-G-H!
  But the weekend will be spent with my good friend, Laura, and I'm sure we'll have a blast with the other women. Did I mention it was a women's only weekend?
• SCUBA diving lessons this weekend! Fri, Sat, Sun. I'm so excited! I just hope I love it. :)
• I ♥ my MyTouch 4G phone, but I have to charge it 2-3x per DAY. That can get a bit annoying.
• Oh, this past weekend, I watched Die Hard for the very. first. time.

I think that's good for my first post. :)

Happy June!

Need Ideas!

I've been wanting to blog for the past few days, but everytime I think about it, my mind completely goes blank!

Do I really have nothing to say?
No opinions on life...or anything?
Nothing going on in my life?

C'mon now. I must have something to contribute to the blogosphere, right?

I saw on a friend's blog several weeks ago that she was doing a 30-day posting challenge, and I thought, hey, I want to see if I can do that, too! Since June has 30 days, I figured it would be a perfect time to start this challenge*.

Will I really find something to say every. single. day?
I'm hoping I'll find a good variety of things to share.
Some posts may be long and some may be very short, but I promise** to post something everyday in June.

Be it my thoughts, my goals, my experiences.
A quotation, a video, a song, a picture.

Like I said, hopefully I'll get a good variety.

Now, is where I may need your help.
Are there any particular topics you'd like me to discuss?
Anything I should steer away from?
Any meme you'd like me to revive? Tech Tuesdays? Thankful Thursdays? Flashback Fridays?

Any ideas at all would be most welcome.
Please leave me a comment on this post or send me an email.

*I have the most difficult time starting any new challenge on a day other than the first of the month or the beginning of a week. I just cannot start something in the middle! Just one of my loveable quirks, right?

**Take the word promise with a grain of salt. I will really, really try to keep this promise, but, well, you know....

24 - Unaired Pilot back from 1994

Even if you've never watched the show 24 (I've never even seen one episode), I'm sure you'll still find this hilarious! My boss was cracking up watching it at work a few weeks ago, so she sent me the link.

It's always good to laugh at work.

Happy Friday the 13th

In honor of Friday the 13th, I present you with a clip of Freaky Friday. The original. With a young Jodie Foster.

Watch "Freaky Friday(1976) Body Swap" on YouTube

Ah. 70s movies. Aren't they grand?!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe weekend! I'll be writing a paper and studying for a final. Exciting, I know.

Signs

It's actually quite warm out today. Way too warm for the skyways. I wish I'd had my bike, so I could ride home, but then I would've missed out on the following signs out on Nicollet.

A guy sitting on the sidewalk, eating a big slice of pizza, holding a sign that read:

"No food"

At first read, I thought, "Why? Because you're already eating a slice? What about later? Why would anyone turn down food?"

Then I read the rest of the sign:

"No money
Anything will help"

Oops! This poor man wasn't turning down food, he was simply stating he didn't have any. D'oh! (on my part)

A couple blocks later, there was a kid (late teens, early twenties), holding this sign:

"Wife Kidnapted Ransom .99"

I feel bad for his wife, if he has one. It would suck to be held with such little value by the one who should value you the most.

Then I glimpsed the other side of his sign:

"Will work half assed ... "

I'm not sure how he ended that sentence, but ...

I certainly hope the first guy gets more sympathy.

Why I'm Smiling Today...

It's FRIDAY!

The sun is shining brightly.

The temps are actually warm, too.

I got out of class early.

I walked outside to work. WITHOUT wearing a jacket.

The traffic lights were favorable in my route, so where I didn't have to stand and wait for too many.

I nicely zigzagged through downtown, coming across a really cool, old building in the midst of the modern skyscrapers.

I also stumbled upon and walked through a small park outside the government center.

My new ID arrived at work; my fidgeting hands broke my old one.

It's gonna be a great weekend!

Hope you all have something fun planned. :)

Goal Update

I know you've all been on the edge of your seats wondering if I achieved my fitness goal for the month of April.

Well, I DID IT!!!

Sadly, with very disappointing results:

Weight: 148.6 → 150.4
Body Fat %: 39.7 → 39.6
BMI: 25.1 → 25.4
Muscle %: 25 → 25.4

Actually, now that I write it down like that, it doesn't seem too bad. I gained a little weight but also muscle. :)

The most depressing was that it turns out we can't really afford even a small shopping spree right now. Boooo!!!

May's goal is to exercise 5-6 days per week, including two days in the weight room.
I should make a food goal, but I'll save that for June. ;)

On a slightly different note - Only SIX weeks until my Pedal 'n Paddle weekend!!! I'm getting excited.

Where Does the Time Go?

Spring has come and gone and will (hopefully) come again soon. I've been struggling a lot this spring. I blame SAD. I think getting a real taste a warmer weather made it so much more difficult to accept the relapse back into colder temps. I'm hopeful that it will not last long.

In an effort to overcome SAD, I've been attempting (the past few days) to brighten my outlook. I've been trying to wear brighter, more spring-like colors. While this has helped immensely, it has also been a part of the problem. Staring into my closet filled with browns, oranges, and reds, it's becoming more and more diffcult to decide on a cheery outfit.

And so, although April is nearly over, my workout goal for April has been to beef up my exercise schedule. It's kind of a complicated schedule, so let's just simplify it by saying my goal is to exercise 23 days from April 2nd to April 30. I've got it all scheduled out. It's a mix of running, biking, and swimming. So far, I've met this goal. Only one more week to go! :)

My prize for attaining this goal? A SHOPPING SPREE! I get to buy some fun, spring/summer clothes. It's been very motivating. I just know I'll meet this goal.

It had been awhile, so I also decided to update the look of my blog. Let me know what you think.

I'd especially like to point out the addition of a couple widgets in my right sidebar. I've joined a site called Daily Mile (basically a twitter-like site for althetes). I've added a widget that simply states the total miles I've done (since joining the site) and one that gives a snippet of my most recent workout. I only joined the site yesterday, but I'd already recommend it to anyone that wants a nice, easy way to track and reflect on their exercise routine.

For those of you that may celebrate it, HAPPY EASTER tomorrow!

Is Winter Over YET??

My clothing certainly seems to think so. :)

This past Saturday, the zipper broke on my (3-year-old) winter coat.

This morning, my boots have eaten another pair of my socks.

It just dawned on me today, that the holes in my socks must be from my boots. I have gone through so. many. pairs of socks this winter. It's ridiculous! Now, I've got to either trash them....or learn how to darn socks. Several of said ruined socks I just got this past Christmas from the Ugly Sock Fairy, and I'm just not ready to part with them yet.

Stupid boots!! :P

This is MN, afterall, so, although Spring is nearing calendar-wise, there is still a good chance we'll get more snow this season.

I need new boots, a new coat.
I don't want to buy them, though.
Especially knowing after this one, we'll only have one more winter.
It's so hard to buy new winter stuff knowing it will only get used for one season.
Guess time will tell if I buckle.

At least one post in March? Check!

Hot Yoga. Oh yeah!

I got a great deal on a yoga package at CorePowerYoga. Unlimited yoga for one month. I started last night.

Source

I gotta say, I wasn't very impressed with the class last night. It was so crowded. The music was too loud. I was at one end of the studio, and when the instructor was at the other end, I couldn't hear her. At all. It was very annoying! Especially for a novice yogi like me.

Today I went back during lunch (Gotta get my money's work, y'know.) for Hot Yoga Express. What an entirely different experience! I'd done hot yoga before, back in August, and really loved it. This was actually the same instructor. I'm sure he didn't remember me from 6+ months ago.

I checked in, changed, and waited in the studio. It was warm and comforting.

Partly into the practice, Patrick (the instructor) was walking us through a pose when he called one of the women by name. I thought, Wow, I wonder how long you have to come here before the instructor knows your name.

Then I heard him say something about it being her first time, so it was okay to say at stage 1.

A few minutes later, I heard him say MY name as he corrected my posture. Wow! I totally blown away. Very impressive to know my name after just checking me in minutes before class started.

In general hot yoga is more concentrated on strength and posture than on flow, which I really like. I think it's a great way to start yoga.

And Patrick makes you feel so comfortable with his slight corrections and helping you to focus.

If anyone wants to join me sometime, let me know!