Feelin' tough

Ladies, do you ever wonder why men love those action movies full of shooting, blood, guns, fast cars, etc? Well, I think I finally understood it last night.

For my Ethics class, we watched the movie, 3:10 to Yuma, a western, made in 2007. My first thought, oh gosh, another western? In this class we watch a movie and evaluate and analyze the ethics or lack thereof in it in a paper every week. We have watched some amazing movies that I've never seen before. Last night was by far the best. If you've never seen this movie, I highly recommend it.

I walked out of there feeling tough. I finally understood why guys like these movies. It gives them this high, feeling like a bad ass.

When I feel like this or when I've had a rough day, I workout. Here are a few pics I found on Pinterest to help keep me motivated and feeling like a bad ass.

Forget girl push-ups....do "Powerful Woman, kick-your-ass" push-ups.

 

Don’t hate her because she’s beautiful, hate her because she kicks so much ass.

shut it

Stephanie over at love, life and babies has a great post today. So great, that I had to share.

Today I definitely needed this reminder. Reading Stephanie's post really helped calm me and put my mind and heart at ease. I had a rough day. 

Like many people, I too, often times say too much. A lot of people like to talk about work and what do a lot of us do when we talk about work? Brag or complain.

On my bad days, I know it's best to just shut it - not share it. No one wants a Negative Nancy anyway. 

Hurtful words are sometimes said in the heat of the moment. 

Gossip is an easy filler during an awkward silence. 

Saying unnecessary things are just that, unnecessary.  

At the end of the day, God is who I want to be right with. 

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.