spring into fitness

Warmer temperatures, means more runners outside. I joined the group of outdoor runners Monday on my day off. It felt so good to step off the treadmill and hit trails behind my house. I took on 2 miles on Monday. I workout, but I haven't been logging any serious miles.

Up and over the hills and running the trails and back around my house - it was a fantastic run. I get such a rush from jogging outside. If you haven't tried it, I'd recommend you do. Baby steps though. Don't try to knock out 3 miles on your first day if you're not a runner. Maybe run a couple laps around your block and increase each week.

I logged 2 more miles last night at the gym with my bf. Afterward, I did some strength training. It's important to me to not look like a string bean. I need some toned muscle and shape. Healthy is the new sexy, not skinny (or rail thin), ladies.

This morning I was able to hit the pavement outdoors again, this time with my pup, Ellie Mae. She's a little out of shape, so we stuck to just a brief 1 mile jog around the neighborhood. She's a 4-year beagle/jack russell terrier and my love. She is such a sweetheart. I plan to do more runs with her as the temps warm up.

Has the spring fitness bug bit YOU yet?
Summer will be here in just a few months.....

From TONE IT UP, here's my two favorite female trainers, Karena & Katrina's outdoor workout to help get you started.....

I love Kentucky!

Last weekend was my trip to Louisville, KY for work. I was there for 48 hours and picked up the southern accent....someone assumed I was from Tennessee. Ha! I LOVE the south. Some day, I WILL live there.

I had never been to Louisville before, just passed by it on my way to Lexington (which I think is still my favorite city). I tried to take in as much as I could when I was there. It was a short trip.

 

I am planning to go to the Kentucky Derby next spring for sure.

 

A sign that I belong in Kentucky?? Hmm....

One my favorite things about the south.....sweet tea. Yum!

My last year in my 20's

Monday was my 29th birthday. Wow! My LAST year in my 20's! So much to do this year and less than 12 months to do it.

I worked Monday. We had a very busy day planned with a big event on campus and a lot of visitors. I was determined to have a good day.

We had so many people visiting, that in addition to the 9 student tour guides, our intern and my Director (he offered to help, because he is just that awesome and a great leader), and I had to give a campus tour as well. Mind you it was a 1-hour tour across campus walking semi-backwards (for me) in heels. Talk about a great cardio, glute and calf workout! I was exhausted afterward. My tour guides are amazing, that's all I have to say.

After work, I had scheduled a meeting with my student leaders to select our team for next year. What was I thinking scheduling a meeting after a crazy busy day...on my birthday?! What can I say, I love my job and I like to get things done as soon as possible. Again, my students are amazing and I am so blessed to have them in my life. They made me a cake with candles, sang "happy birthday" and gave me a gift card to Starbucks (they know me so well). I was so overjoyed that day with the kindness of co-workers, friends and my students.  I had cards, flowers and gifts on my desk when I finally stepped into my office at 3:00pm.

I celebrated my birthday with Matthew, family and friends last weekend.

Saturday I drove up to Michigan to visit my grandparents and parents. I also got to see my brother, Cody. My mom made one of my favorite dinners: roast beef and homemade noodles. Not the healthiest, but for my birthday, it was worth it. My mom got me a large tote bag and a hanging wall organizer from 31. My grandparents got me a waffle maker (which I've been wanting to get for awhile, but just hadn't yet), a water bottle for work, and a car trunk organizer - it's a lot cuter than the old gray crate I've had since I got my drivers license. My step-dad gave it to me with all the necessary car stuff when I turned 16. I think he was just as excited for me to get my drivers as I was, probably because he wouldn't have to cart me to and from cheerleading and gymnastics practice anymore. It was simply great to see and spend time with my family.

Saturday night, I drove to my dad's house. Me, my step-mom, grandma, sis-in-law and two nieces, Ella (2) and Jade (1) had a girls night. We watched a movie on the Hallmark channel and prepped for Jade's 1st birthday party the next day.

Sunday was Jade's 1st birthday party. My brother, Jerry, is a Marine stationed in California, so when he is away, I feel responsible for Jade (and I don't mind....I love her as if she were my own daughter). Both of my nieces (and nephews) are very special to me. I was so excited for Jade and glad to be able to be there for her. She is such a good baby. My sis-in-law even made me a little cake for me for birthday. So sweet and thoughtful. I was just happy to be with my family.

Sunday evening I was back in Indiana having dinner with friends of ours: two of my favorite couples. We had dinner, ate frozen yogurt afterward and then went to see the new movie, This Means War, with Reese Witherspoon and Chelsea Handler. I LOVED the movie! Two of my favorite celebrity women - it was hilarious!

Matthew gave me my birthday present at my house after the movie......a Jillian Michaels' three piece kettlebell set!! Ahhh! I was so excited. I had NO clue. I was hoping to get a kettlebell soon, but had no idea he'd get me a 3-piece set. Wow! I am a very lucky girl. What an amazing boyfriend to remember the one random comment I made about wanting a kettlebell months ago. :) Thanks babe!

Overall, my 29th birthday was great. I was able to spend it with family and some of my closest friends. It wasn't fancy or crazy-wild partying.....it was perfect.

As my last year in my 20's I have a lot I want to accomplish.....

- finish my masters degree
- pay off my car
- pursue more in my career (a new position?)
- pay off my private student loan
- have more fun
- be more carefree
- spend more time with friends and family
- get a tattoo
- live some place new
- travel more (outside of Michigan, Illinois and Indiana)
- get certified as a personal trainer?

I'm sure I will continue to add to the list, but it's a start. Here's to more fun and really living my life this year!

"thank you" goes a long way

It's the little things in life that get you through. I received two very nice thank you gifts this week that reminded me of that. We often times get so busy and caught up with the hustle and bustle of life that we forget to stop and say thank you to those around us. I am so glad I can help those around me. A simple thank you is plenty for me.

My mentor, friend and colleague, dropped off a very kind thank you card and Starbucks gift card to my office this week. It was for teaching her class for her while she was out of state for a family funeral. Of course I understood and jumped in to help her when she texted me in a panic. I had the hour free, so I was happy to step in and help out. I would hope someone would do the same for me.

A student of mine from New Orleans is visiting campus this week/weekend and gave me a thank you gift for everything I have done for him. I LOVE Southern hospitality.

Seriously, it is the little things that have gotten me through this week. It has been extremely hectic and stressful. I am so grateful for amazing people in my life.

Jade

Happy 1st birthday to my beautiful niece, Jade, today! I am so excited to see her this weekend and celebrate her first birthday. She is growing up so fast.

Happy Valentine's Day!

When I woke up this morning, my first thought was, I wonder how many girls are going to get engaged today?

Valentine's Day - a Hallmark holiday, a day about love, to remember to say I love you and hug those close to you, a day of flower deliveries, heart-shaped boxed chocolates, fancy dinners, chick flick movies, a reminder that you're single, to celebrate love stories, cheesy cards......whatever it means to you.

I received the sweetest (and unexpected) Valentine today from one of the students who works for me. It totally made my day and reminded my why I love my job. My students are the best and are kind of like my "children" since I don't have any of my own yet. They are very good to me and I hope my children grow up to be a lot like them. I am proud of all of my students. 

I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's Day - however you decide to spend it. XO

"a page from your book...."

I received a text message after work today from Matthew....

"So, I took a page out of your book and bought groceries for a guy at the store."

What is he talking about? - I thought.

Then it clicked. Last month I was out grocery shopping and while I was bagging my groceries, I observed a woman in the checkout right after me. [I people watch all the time.] Her cart wasn't very full. As I watched, I just couldn't help but listen in. She only had so much money. She decided to only get what she needed, which in turn were the less expensive items. I noticed the few groceries she left behind included food such as meat, vegetables, and some other things. As the woman walked away, I could tell, feeling discouraged, I rushed up to the cashier to ask if I could buy the rest of the woman's groceries. The cashier was shocked. A complete stranger insisting on buying someone else's groceries and anonymously.

Growing up with a very young single mom, I know this feeling. I experienced it, although my mom always tried her best to hide it. I was that little girl at the store not able to buy my favorite cereal, because it was too expensive. I was fully aware that we couldn't buy the best brands of everything. I was happy with what we did have. My mom sacrificed so much for us growing up. She always tried to give us what she never had when she was a child. I am so grateful for her.

As an adult, I try to repay the favor to my mom and to others in need. This is something my mom instilled in us.

I texted Matthew back.

"That was very nice of you. You are an amazing person. I am so proud and lucky to call you my boyfriend."

Pay it forward. Random acts of kindness go a long way in someone's life.

"A life lived for others, is the only life worth living." - Albert Einstein

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." - Mother Teresa

Did you know that April 26 is Pay It Forward Day?
Check it out: http://payitforwardday.com/

the prisons of life

My church Pastor is currently on vacation, so we had Jason, who is a member of the church and has served as a guest teacher in the past when our Pastor has been away, give the message today. It was amazing. Jason has spoken to us before and shared God's message, but never like this. Maybe he's getting the hang of it. ;)

Jason kicked off a new series entitled, When God? Today's focus was about the prisons of life we experience, such as job loss, death, divorce.....the hardships in life.

I can often be seen taking notes during our church sermons. This is why I LOVE Gracepoint....it's not boring. The message is always relevant and interesting. You won't see anyone falling asleep at GP. 

Here's a glimpse of my notes from today's message....

Today's message was a good reminder that Jesus went through so much, he sacrificed his life for us. While we all face "prison" experiences, it always serves a purpose. The purpose to grow and become what God wants us to become. 

If you can't make it out in my notes, the two passages we talked about today were 2 Corinthians 11:26-27 and Phil 1:12-18....both stories about Paul. Somehow Paul was able to the find the strength and faith to keep going through everything he faced in his life. Hardship is temporary and a learning opportunity. 

The three points Jason wanted us to take away from today's message....prison experiences:

1. Cause growth in us that otherwise would not happen. 

2. Open opportunities for ourselves and others.

3. Accomplish God's will. 

My favorite quote from Jason today....

"Christianity is not a religion that gets you around the prisons of life, it's the religion that will get you through the prisons of life."

Girls weekend in Chicago

Last weekend was our girls weekend in Chicago for my future sis-in-law's bachelorette party. It was AMAZing! SO much fun! Here's a glimpse at our weekend in pictures........

Somebody to stand still with for a minute....

God created man not to be alone....to do life together with someone. It is about happiness and finding that person to spend the rest of your life with. I absolutely LOVE this scene from SATC and it's one of my favorite quotes. 

It's 3am and Carrie asked Mr. Big to meet her at the park...

Carrie: I've done the merry-go-round, I've been through the revolving door. I feel like I met somebody I can stand still with for a minute and...don't you want to stand still with me?

Mr. Big: You drag me out to a park at 3am in the morning to ask me if I want to stand still with you?

Carrie: Yes

Mr. Big then hugs Carrie as they watch the stars above...

Carrie (v.o.): In a city of infinite options, sometimes there's no better feeling than knowing you already have one...

That's just it.....knowing you have an option....you have someone to stand still with....to do life with together. 

“Things usually make sense in time, and even bad decisions have their own kind of correctness.” -Miranda July

 This quote is perfect the time of year it is for me. I finish grad school this May and there are a lot of decisions to be made. I am ready for change. It can be scary, but life is about taking that leap and seeing where you land sometimes.

While I watch friends and family around me take the next steps in their lives - marriage and children, I am on route to take the next step my life - my career. I am feeling confident and ready for the next chapter in my life regardless of the challenges that lie ahead. I know I am ready. I have been ready for the last year. Life isn't about standing still, it is about moving forward. 

stuck in the mud, no....play in the mud.

I had a rough day yesterday. I felt that my post was a little negative and not me at all. So, today's a new day. I wanted to share something a friend of mine texted me last night....he said, "Instead of being stuck in the mud, realize you got to play in the mud."

What a great way of looking at it. Not just my car literally getting stuck in the mud, but when you're feeling stuck in life. Learn to enjoy the journey and play in the mud when life gets messy, rather than get upset over.

Sometimes all you need is a good friend to offer a different perspective.