Tell Me About It Tuesday.

Today at my gym I saw a woman wearing this shirt

Seriously?! One thing I love about my gym is that I can get a whole weight circuit & cardio in under an hour. Another great thing? Men & women of all ages, gender, and fitness level workout and we workout HARD. I mean don't get me wrong it's not like grunting and moaning going on and sounding like a football game but if I'm breathing heavily and sweating I'm fitting right in.

When I was in undergrad I went to my gym a lot. It was 2 blocks away from my dorm and right next to the building where all my classes were. I went there because it was convenient, big, and had tons of equipment. It also had all the girls who PUT ON MAKEUP BEFORE WORKING OUT?! Yes, you saw that right, girls would be in the locker room gussying up to go get sweaty meet a guy. Ok, yes, the campus gym was a good place to meet guys, I met one of my good friends at the gym. BUT I am not going to sacrifice my workout just to meet a guy!

Now, I'm not saying that you need to wear 2 sizes too big pants, and the baggiest t-shirt you own. I'm all for wearing cute athletic wear and often do. I like to wear Emi-Jay & Sparkly Soul instead of the usual hair ties. Heck, I even have multiple pairs of running shoes just because of the colors (don't judge, I know you do too!). However, if you only reason to go to the gym is to meet a guy and make those of us who DO SWEAT look bad, save yourself the time and go to the local bar. I'll be getting my sweat on :)

 

5 For Five!

It's Monday! I'm super excited for this week because I have it completely partially off! I don't have to teach all week (1 week Thanksgiving Break!) so that means:

• No 30 minute drive into work and 40 minutes back!
• Sleeping in till 7 am (at least)
• Getting workouts in when there is sunlight!

These may seem like simple things but trust me, I NEED this break. Sure I have to work at Old Navy but hey I'll have some fun Black Friday stories to share :)

Since Blogger decided to be a pain in the butt last week I wasn't able to post goals, thus I am starting fresh this week! Here they go!

1) DRINK MORE WATER! I have been really sick this week with a cold and not drinking my water. I feel it in my body and skin so I need to up the ante.

2) Drink Less Wine. I've been having a glass of wine EVERY NIGHT this week! I've actually chosen to drink wine instead of taking Nyquil. I SWEAR I'm not an alcoholic but I've been so stressed lately that a glass calms me down. If I have a total of 3-4 glasses this week (mostly on the weekend) that is acceptable... right?

 3) Cook/Eat Healthier. Like I said in #2 I've been sick lately. Why is it when you have a cold all you crave is comfort food or nothing at all? Between skipping meals and then eating mac n'cheese my diet has gone way down hill. Time to get back on track and cook more meals like this

and eat less of this!

4) Workout. Same excuse as #3 but it really does help me relax. I always feel better afterwards. I need to start seeing results. My gym is doing a challenge where if you keep your BMI the same or lower you win a prize! Challenge Accepted!

5) Get my Christmas Cards Out! Every year my family makes fun of me because I always buy cards but A) Never send them out or B) Send them out WAY LATE and they don't get them till New Years or later. Not this year. It's on family. I WILL be the first family Christmas Card to get out :)

*Added Goal: Get caught up on grading student papers!

Sunday Social: Thankfulness

I have to say I'm SO HAPPY that Blogger finally got their act together and fixed the issues! I'm back to blogging and it feels so good ;)

I'm linking up with the Sunday Social girls today and they are doing things a little differently. Instead of questions we just say what we are THANKFUL for! After the past few weeks I've been having this is a great post to remind myself just how blessed I am.

 I'm THANKFUL For...

•  My Family. My parents are my rock, my sister is ALWAYS there for me and my brother has the best sarcastic sense of humor. 

• I'm so lucky for my 2nd families. I miss them OH SO MUCH but being able to talk to them on a weekly basis helps. They have done so much for me in so many ways! We have so many memories and I am so blessed that they welcomed me into their families <3

•  I have 3 jobs. I teach 3rd grade, tutor, and work at Old Navy. I'm so lucky to have these jobs and love all of them, no matter how stressful & tiring it can get. I am able to support myself and am thankful that my parents raised me to be such a hard worker. 

•  My friends. I don't have a ton but the ones I do have are the best. We are the type where we don't have to talk everyday but when we do it's like we never missed a beat. I'm lucky to have so many different experiences with them from high school to weddings to internships and now teaching together. I can go to them for any kind of advice and know things will work out ok. 

•  I'm incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to move away. I'm so thankful I didn't get "stuck" in my hometown and not experience the world. I've been all over Europe, Jamaica, Aruba, and now living in Las Vegas. I'm proud to say I'm a world traveler and do love traveling. 

• Technology is amazing. Listening to free songs on Pandora, skyping with my family and friends, having the Iphone and all the amazingness that comes with it. It's made my move so much easier and life as well!

• Bloggy Friends! I've met so many wonderful women through blogging and feel so encouraged when I'm having a bad day. I hope to meet some of you in real life! Jenn & Leslie get your butts out here!

•  Lastly I'm so THANKFUL for my FAITH in God. I was made in HIS image and I know that no matter how often I fail HE will ALWAYS be there for me and forgive me. I am SO LUCKY to have that reassurance and try to be the best person I can be.
  
  Psalm 95:1-6 - O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
  
  Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-15-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CdCNtvUG
  Psalm 95:1-6 - O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
  
  Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-15-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CdCNtvUG

Psalm 95:1-6 - O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-15-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CdCD9TK

5 for Five!

Well it's Monday... again. I'm very thankful that my weeks go by fast but my weekends are going by even faster, especially now that I'm working at Old Navy! Now onto the most fun link-up with Jenn & Jessica! 

 Let's review last week, shall we? Pink means success and blue means try harder!

1) Workout at least 3x this week! I did this! I did this!
2) Blog, Blog, Blog! I only blogged 3x but hey I still blogged!
3) NO SPENDING MONEY! So I kinda cheated on this one a little bit... on Wednesday (Halloween) Chipotle had $2 full size burritos... seriously how could I pass that up?! BUT I only spent those $2. I say success!
4) Write at least 3 letters. Ugh this one is another fail...
5) Pray/Bible study every night. I'm really happy I put this one on. I always pray but this week I did meaningful prayer and really studied the Bible. It's been helping.

On to this weeks goals!

1) I'm keeping my gym promise but upping it to 4x this week! I just feel so much better when I go.

2) I'm going to keep my NO SPENDING MONEY (minus bills, gas, etc).

3) I'm going to be more productive in my day. That means no coming home from the gym at 7 pm and going right to bed. No, I will grade papers, fold the huge pile of laundry, do the dishes, etc. Then I can enjoy my weekends more :)

4) I WILL write letters this week! But please, please, please send me your address if you want one! I'm running out of address ;)

5) I need to be drinking more water. It's hard as a teacher because I only have 2x during the day I can use the bathroom but I will tough it out and drink more.

What are your goals for the week?

Always believing in Faith & Serendipity

"Its Ok" Thursday

Phew, I made it to Thursday! Can I just say that I am really liking Thursdays lately because it means 1 more day till the weekend! PLUS I get to link up with Amber & Neely for "Its Ok" Thursday!

 "Its Ok"

I get so excited for the weekend even though I have no plans

I'm stressed out beyond belief right now-I'm getting to the gym every night!

I'm excited to make a new work friend... it's making life a little easier right now

Having a Starbucks Creme Brulee Latte is the highlight of my day

I read others blogs and don't always comment. Sometimes I just don't have much to say

I think my job would be 100x easier if I only had to focus on the kids 

I really love my job... most days ;)

I'm excited & nervous for my 2nd job at Old Navy

I can't eat out, buy the things I WANT, and pay for groceries with gift cards

I look to God every day for guidance and don't always say how THANKFUL I am

What is ok in your life? Link-up or comment and SHARE :)

5 For 5: Becoming a Better Me

Happy Monday! Ok that probably got a lot of eye rolls because who says "Happy Monday!"? Well, to me it's one more day I wake up and can live my life, I get to see my students and have them learn new things and it's one day closer to the weekend :)

Also, I get to link-up with Jenn & Jessica for 5 for 5!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to participate last week so I don't have any to reflect on. Let's get on to this weeks goals!

1) Workout at least 3x this week! I really think I can do this. I HAVE to do this for my health and sanity!

2) Blog, Blog, Blog! Even if I only do 2 blogs this week it is better than none. And I don't want to just "blog" but I want it to mean something... to someone, anyone.

3) NO SPENDING MONEY! On anything! I got all my groceries, I don't need anything for Halloween, and I don't have the money to spend anyways.

4) Write at least 3 letters. I've been putting this as a goal the last few times but I REALLY want to follow through with it this week. Please send me your address so you can get a fun card!

5) Pray/Bible study every night. I've really gotten away from my bible study these past few weeks. I pray every night and every morning but lately it's been for things and not being thankful. I need to get in the right mindset and be faithful every day, not just when its convenient for me.

What are your 5 goals for this week? Link-up and share!

 

Sunday Social-Halloween

Who's ready for the weekend to be over? Definitely not I! Today was relaxing and productive and I don't want it to be over! Here is a glimpse of my Saturday...

Have you linked up with Ashley & Neely for Sunday Social? You should... it's a party!

1. What was your favorite halloween costume as a kid?(pictures??)
Unfortunately I don't have any  pictures but I always enjoyed dressing up as a princess or a bride...

2. If you could go back and dress up as something what would it be?
I think dressing up like Minnie Mouse would always be fun

3. Favorite costume as an adult?(pictures)
I can honestly say I've never dressed up as an adult. I don't really care for Halloween...

4. Favorite Halloween Candy?
As a kid and even now I always loved getting the "fruity" candy. Dots, twizzlers, air heads... anything other than chocolate.

5. Favorite Halloween Memory?
Easily the year I was 13. I didn't go trick-or-treating but I had friends over for dinner, then we watched Halloween movies while our younger siblings went out for candy. Then we got to charge a candy fee for watching the house... it was so much fun.



6. Whats your favorite scary movie?
I don't care for scary movies but I love Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, and Charlie Brown Halloween.

Link up and share your Halloween fun!