Whew.
I am hoping this gets easier as I go.
I'm speaking of my newfound goal of trying to work out a few times a week. I started swimming this past Monday (the 19th) after work. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it, and I never seemed to be able to fit it in with my current schedule. But when there's a will, there's a way.
I really enjoy swimming. For being a cardiovascular workout, it really can be low-impact which is safer for my knee. I have a floating patella which means my knee cap isn't always in the right place and that can get pretty painful. When I was in high school and in an alternative gym class because of Marching Band, it used to be very troublesome. I was delegated to walking the track for 30 minutes three times a week because I wasn't really allowed to run. Besides, I don't run very well either but that's besides the point.
With swimming, I'm able to go as fast as I can and not kill my knee. I used to be on swim team when I was younger. I wish I'd kept that up, because I used to be able to swim more laps without getting as winded as I do now.
This is going to be an adventure, that's for sure. But I'm excited to try to keep up with this work out plan as much as possible. Currently, I plan on swimming two to three times a week and possibly doing weights an extra day per week but we'll see how that goes. I assume I will be in pain for most of the first few weeks of this!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
On My Favorite Thing - Spending Money!
Let me just clear the air here... I LOVE shopping (not totally unusual I suppose, but I used to be the biggest tomboy and never enjoyed it much). For the most part. By that, I mean when I find items that are really cute and probably as inexpensive as possible thanks to my income. But luckily for me, there are places like Old Navy with affordable, cute pieces (my most recent adventure for a pair or two of jeans turned into a hundred-dollar affair, though I DID get quite a few things for that amount of money). There are also places like Burlington Coat Factory where I finally purchased my new winter coat for half off it's original $200 price tag.
I know, even HALF of $200 is a little more than half of my paychecks, but I decided that I was tired of having the same jacket I've had since oh, maybe 2004. Maybe even 2003, it was when I was still working at Build-a-Bear (that is an adventure of it's own!). What I figure when I'm shopping is if I wear it enough, it's worth whatever the cost is. I'm an avid watcher of What Not to Wear which is surprisingly useful. Even with not having been on the show.
But I'm quite excited about my new coat, I'll eventually have to take a picture. It's definitely cute!
Besides my Old Navy obsession, I also LOVE book shopping. There's nothing better then coming home with a new find. Or an old find, since I've recently begun reading the Harry Potter series. I'd never read it and figured it's about time to see what the hullabaloo was about (that word totally does not get used nearly enough!). So far so good, I'm on to book number three and enjoying myself so far. Once I get into a book, it's hard for me to put it down without finishing it entirely. It was the same with the Twilight series too. (I am an out of the closest book nerd if you've not been able to tell!)
Now that I'm rambling, I believe it's time for bed. Work comes too early on Sundays!
I know, even HALF of $200 is a little more than half of my paychecks, but I decided that I was tired of having the same jacket I've had since oh, maybe 2004. Maybe even 2003, it was when I was still working at Build-a-Bear (that is an adventure of it's own!). What I figure when I'm shopping is if I wear it enough, it's worth whatever the cost is. I'm an avid watcher of What Not to Wear which is surprisingly useful. Even with not having been on the show.
But I'm quite excited about my new coat, I'll eventually have to take a picture. It's definitely cute!
Besides my Old Navy obsession, I also LOVE book shopping. There's nothing better then coming home with a new find. Or an old find, since I've recently begun reading the Harry Potter series. I'd never read it and figured it's about time to see what the hullabaloo was about (that word totally does not get used nearly enough!). So far so good, I'm on to book number three and enjoying myself so far. Once I get into a book, it's hard for me to put it down without finishing it entirely. It was the same with the Twilight series too. (I am an out of the closest book nerd if you've not been able to tell!)
Now that I'm rambling, I believe it's time for bed. Work comes too early on Sundays!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Change
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. - Barack Obama
Chances are, if you've previously read my blog, you know I support change, treating people as unique, and above all, I have a strong belief in Barack Obama.
I cannot believe that it's already his inauguration. My only hope now is that people can be patient enough to let him do the work that is necessary to fix our country. With most change, it's going to take time and I feel as though people will be quick to judge if it doesn't happen right away. But I think now, more than ever, it shouldn't matter what your belief is because we need to come together for a unity much stronger than any belief, and that's because we are the United States. Whether you're a democrat or a republican or affiliate yourself with no party, I think that Obama has the power to reunite us all.
I applaud his work, and that of the politicians before him who have given this nation a redeeming quality. Heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr and now Barack Obama show that it doesn't matter your race or your background. It's what you can do to make the world a better place.
One of my main goals in my life is to leave my mark on the world, whether it be because I've made someone's life a little bit better or because I've done something to put myself in the history books.
To those fighting for our country, fighting to make a change in this world, or even fighting to make themselves better: thank you - because it probably will never get said enough!
Chances are, if you've previously read my blog, you know I support change, treating people as unique, and above all, I have a strong belief in Barack Obama.
I cannot believe that it's already his inauguration. My only hope now is that people can be patient enough to let him do the work that is necessary to fix our country. With most change, it's going to take time and I feel as though people will be quick to judge if it doesn't happen right away. But I think now, more than ever, it shouldn't matter what your belief is because we need to come together for a unity much stronger than any belief, and that's because we are the United States. Whether you're a democrat or a republican or affiliate yourself with no party, I think that Obama has the power to reunite us all.
I applaud his work, and that of the politicians before him who have given this nation a redeeming quality. Heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr and now Barack Obama show that it doesn't matter your race or your background. It's what you can do to make the world a better place.
One of my main goals in my life is to leave my mark on the world, whether it be because I've made someone's life a little bit better or because I've done something to put myself in the history books.
To those fighting for our country, fighting to make a change in this world, or even fighting to make themselves better: thank you - because it probably will never get said enough!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Making (and Keeping) a Schedule.
I finally set up a proper g-mail account for myself. I've been debating but I had heard of their calendar and their e-mail being really good so I figured I'd give it a shot. Mostly for their calendar.
As I set that up today, I began to realize how busy this semester of college is going to be. Even without really having a full class load, I have work 6 days a week, between two different locations for pharmacy technician, and yet another job in which I work one night a week. I am also trying to exercise a little bit more because I am out of shape. Terribly out of shape. Plus the time I need for homework and my online class, not to forget about the time I need to take care of my horse. After looking at this calendar, it seems every block of time is used for school, work, homework, or taking care of my horse which in itself sometimes feels like a full time job.
I begun to realize though that if I have a set schedule like this, I'm either going to blow it all off or I will follow it and things will go smoothly. As smoothly as they possibly can at least. I've figured that I don't even have to be up before 10 on most days. Which is relatively lucky. Or even if I feel the need to, I can work out in the mornings and be done by 9 at night. In either case, I've got some options even with this schedule I'm setting for myself.
I hope I can stick to this calendar. Because before it was hard seeing when I could fit everything in, but now that it's all laid out... Maybe it will make everything easier!
As I set that up today, I began to realize how busy this semester of college is going to be. Even without really having a full class load, I have work 6 days a week, between two different locations for pharmacy technician, and yet another job in which I work one night a week. I am also trying to exercise a little bit more because I am out of shape. Terribly out of shape. Plus the time I need for homework and my online class, not to forget about the time I need to take care of my horse. After looking at this calendar, it seems every block of time is used for school, work, homework, or taking care of my horse which in itself sometimes feels like a full time job.
I begun to realize though that if I have a set schedule like this, I'm either going to blow it all off or I will follow it and things will go smoothly. As smoothly as they possibly can at least. I've figured that I don't even have to be up before 10 on most days. Which is relatively lucky. Or even if I feel the need to, I can work out in the mornings and be done by 9 at night. In either case, I've got some options even with this schedule I'm setting for myself.
I hope I can stick to this calendar. Because before it was hard seeing when I could fit everything in, but now that it's all laid out... Maybe it will make everything easier!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Past Week
Wonderful school has started up again. I actually looked forward to the new semester because it means that I won't have to work a second job in the daytime anymore. Definitely a plus, as I did it for a few weeks during winter break and it absolutely was a bad idea. I mean, the money was somewhat nice but not enough to keep me wanting to do it for any length of time.
I've only got three classes this semester, mostly in part because I still have to work one job nearly full time in order to afford it. I pay for my own classes and my books, which can get pretty costly. Of my three classes, I luckily only needed two books but it was still $207.
At any rate, school is sure to keep me relatively busy, I've got an online course for Intro to Theater, Calculus, and Economics. I think this is the last semester I won't have to take any science courses, from now til the time I'm done with my gen eds I have sections of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics left.
After that, though, I'll be able to take my PCAT and start applying to Pharmacy schools. I can't wait for that.
On top of this, I'm trying to get to a few horse shows this year as well. I show AQHA, which is the association for Quarter horses, competitively, whether it be locally or nationally. I don't bring it up much because it's often hard to explain what exactly I do, and usually unless anyone's into the horse thing themselves. But I do have my own horse and she's pretty much a big part of my life at the moment. It keeps me grounded because it's something I have to work for as far as the showing stuff goes. She's like my rock, it's like having something or somebody to go to when you're stressed.
I digress.
The whole point of this post was to sort of describe why I haven't posted in the past week. Unfortunately, being busy with school and work apparently must take precedence when it comes to this blog. I am so not sure if I spelled "precedence" right. I hope so. But hey, if I disappear every so often, at least whomever reads this won't be TOO concerned!
I've only got three classes this semester, mostly in part because I still have to work one job nearly full time in order to afford it. I pay for my own classes and my books, which can get pretty costly. Of my three classes, I luckily only needed two books but it was still $207.
At any rate, school is sure to keep me relatively busy, I've got an online course for Intro to Theater, Calculus, and Economics. I think this is the last semester I won't have to take any science courses, from now til the time I'm done with my gen eds I have sections of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics left.
After that, though, I'll be able to take my PCAT and start applying to Pharmacy schools. I can't wait for that.
On top of this, I'm trying to get to a few horse shows this year as well. I show AQHA, which is the association for Quarter horses, competitively, whether it be locally or nationally. I don't bring it up much because it's often hard to explain what exactly I do, and usually unless anyone's into the horse thing themselves. But I do have my own horse and she's pretty much a big part of my life at the moment. It keeps me grounded because it's something I have to work for as far as the showing stuff goes. She's like my rock, it's like having something or somebody to go to when you're stressed.
I digress.
The whole point of this post was to sort of describe why I haven't posted in the past week. Unfortunately, being busy with school and work apparently must take precedence when it comes to this blog. I am so not sure if I spelled "precedence" right. I hope so. But hey, if I disappear every so often, at least whomever reads this won't be TOO concerned!
Monday, January 12, 2009
A blog about food..
So apparently winter is officially hitting Chicago.
Not like it hasn't done anything yet already - December was quite snowy, cold, and icy to top everything off. Sweet.
Now it's the first blizzard of '09. Well, blizzard like conditions I guess. But I didn't come on here to talk weather.
My hometown finally got its very own Sonic! Is it bad that I'm this excited over a food establishment?
Perhaps.. but it's sort of nostalgia based.
When I was younger, the town my grandmother lived in had not one but TWO sonic locations. My family, both extended and immediate, always used to buy Cherry Limeades at every chance while in Newton for however long our stay was. Besides spending time with the family, a chance to eat at Sonic was pretty rare for us because the closest one to me was 3 hours away up until this past year. So seeing all of those Sonic commercials was pretty tempting.
The last time I saw a Sonic was while we were in Springfield one year for a horse show. However, I wasn't in the car that stopped at Sonic which was, again, tempting.
So now that we have our very own Sonic, my pockets and my diet are going to take a turn for the worse. Good thing I have another year-long gym membership - I'll definitely need to work out after all of this! (By the way, if you ever have the chance to have Sonic - they have the best Banana Cream Pie milkshakes!)
Not like it hasn't done anything yet already - December was quite snowy, cold, and icy to top everything off. Sweet.
Now it's the first blizzard of '09. Well, blizzard like conditions I guess. But I didn't come on here to talk weather.
My hometown finally got its very own Sonic! Is it bad that I'm this excited over a food establishment?
Perhaps.. but it's sort of nostalgia based.
When I was younger, the town my grandmother lived in had not one but TWO sonic locations. My family, both extended and immediate, always used to buy Cherry Limeades at every chance while in Newton for however long our stay was. Besides spending time with the family, a chance to eat at Sonic was pretty rare for us because the closest one to me was 3 hours away up until this past year. So seeing all of those Sonic commercials was pretty tempting.
The last time I saw a Sonic was while we were in Springfield one year for a horse show. However, I wasn't in the car that stopped at Sonic which was, again, tempting.
So now that we have our very own Sonic, my pockets and my diet are going to take a turn for the worse. Good thing I have another year-long gym membership - I'll definitely need to work out after all of this! (By the way, if you ever have the chance to have Sonic - they have the best Banana Cream Pie milkshakes!)
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Pros and Cons of iTunes
iTunes is amazingly troublesome. As well as entirely too convenient.
I could get into some serious problems while being able to do a one-click purchase and download right to my computer. And I am sure I do. In the end, I've ended up with an album full of songs I've never heard from an artist I've never even heard of. Which could go both ways. If I end up LIKING the band, it's definitely a good, sound judgment. However, it could go the other way too and I could end up hating both the album I've just spent 8 to 10 dollars and the artist to boot.
It's a no-win situation!
However.. these were winning choices in my book..
1. Linkin Park - "Minutes to Midnight"
Overall, I have not given Linkin Park a fair shot. Sure, I've liked some songs they have done but never enough to purchase an album. But I did preview a few of them, all thirty seconds that iTunes gives you to hear. I really like the entire album though, there aren't any songs that I would say don't belong on this album. My favorite songs include "Leave Out All the Rest" which coincidentally appears on the Twilight movie soundtrack and "Bleed it Out" which is just a fun song to get me moving. "In Between" is also a good track, though like I said there aren't any I'd say I dislike.
2. Lady Gaga - "The Fame"
I've heard "Just Dance" everywhere, and I was curious. Lady Gaga reminds me of a sane Britney Spears, tied in with Pink and maybe a little Christina Aguilera. All of her tracks are very dance-y and she is VERY blunt. I really like "Poker Face" and obviously, "Just Dance." Unfortunately, I haven't listened to much else yet but it's very pump you up music.
3. The All American Rejects - "When the World Comes Down"
I hold a bit of a bias for this, because I've listened to a lot of AAR in the past, they are in fact one of my favorite bands. It STILL fits into the iTunes purchase category though! In any case, I love "Mona Lisa" and "Gives You Hell." I've found their songs also fall into the get you pumped category.
4. Three Days Grace - "One-X"
One of my iTunes finds, though I do think I've heard "Never Too Late" before I saw it on iTunes. No matter, it's a decent album. In fact, I still need to give most of it a listen...
But like I said, I usually end up with random things I haven't heard of before. Sigh. Time to turn on that shopping cart feature so I don't get stuck making a purchase I don't really want.
On a side note, and because I really don't know how else to end this post.. Less than 5 months until I'm 25! By less than, I mean a day under 5 months. Sigh!
I could get into some serious problems while being able to do a one-click purchase and download right to my computer. And I am sure I do. In the end, I've ended up with an album full of songs I've never heard from an artist I've never even heard of. Which could go both ways. If I end up LIKING the band, it's definitely a good, sound judgment. However, it could go the other way too and I could end up hating both the album I've just spent 8 to 10 dollars and the artist to boot.
It's a no-win situation!
However.. these were winning choices in my book..
1. Linkin Park - "Minutes to Midnight"
Overall, I have not given Linkin Park a fair shot. Sure, I've liked some songs they have done but never enough to purchase an album. But I did preview a few of them, all thirty seconds that iTunes gives you to hear. I really like the entire album though, there aren't any songs that I would say don't belong on this album. My favorite songs include "Leave Out All the Rest" which coincidentally appears on the Twilight movie soundtrack and "Bleed it Out" which is just a fun song to get me moving. "In Between" is also a good track, though like I said there aren't any I'd say I dislike.
2. Lady Gaga - "The Fame"
I've heard "Just Dance" everywhere, and I was curious. Lady Gaga reminds me of a sane Britney Spears, tied in with Pink and maybe a little Christina Aguilera. All of her tracks are very dance-y and she is VERY blunt. I really like "Poker Face" and obviously, "Just Dance." Unfortunately, I haven't listened to much else yet but it's very pump you up music.
3. The All American Rejects - "When the World Comes Down"
I hold a bit of a bias for this, because I've listened to a lot of AAR in the past, they are in fact one of my favorite bands. It STILL fits into the iTunes purchase category though! In any case, I love "Mona Lisa" and "Gives You Hell." I've found their songs also fall into the get you pumped category.
4. Three Days Grace - "One-X"
One of my iTunes finds, though I do think I've heard "Never Too Late" before I saw it on iTunes. No matter, it's a decent album. In fact, I still need to give most of it a listen...
But like I said, I usually end up with random things I haven't heard of before. Sigh. Time to turn on that shopping cart feature so I don't get stuck making a purchase I don't really want.
On a side note, and because I really don't know how else to end this post.. Less than 5 months until I'm 25! By less than, I mean a day under 5 months. Sigh!
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