Get up and do it

Marrying Kyle has led me into many adventures I never though I would be in... one being his family tradition of going to Hawaii every spring break. Due to scheduling, they decided to go early this year - and I was invited as Kyle's forever-friend. It was amazing, don't get me wrong, but there are a few things to readjust to as I'm back. The major issue being that I gained 8 pounds (yikes).

It's really depressing to know that I weigh more than I ever really wanted to... especially since I've been half-hardheartedly attempting trying to get in shape and lose a few over the last few years. Call it the ultimate motivation, if you will, but my sister is getting married in a month, and I really want to be in better shape for that - and for life. So instead of waiting for Kyle, or other people, I've decided to really push myself into doing things instead of getting lost in just researching how to be healthy, more fit, and lose weight.

I think the biggest struggle I have is that as a former dancer, I was super athletic. Maybe I wasn't ripped or anything, but I always knew that nothing would be an issue for me. I knew my strengths, my few physical weaknesses, my flexibility - everything. When I started gaining weight, I watched my body change, and things I'd always been able to do suddenly became near impossible. It is a very depressing downfall to observe on yourself. Why go on? Why try? It's never going to be the same. You will never be able to use dance in your future anyway. I could hear myself talking about how I looked. I always knew I wasn't as thin as other dancers, but now... why even put myself out there? I grew more and more embarrassed with my appearance and hated my body.

Stop.

Something has to change. This continuous need to be fit and in shape and to feel healthy and good about myself and what I was living for was always nagging at me. And I knew, even on that flight home from such a beautiful place that I would start now. I may have tried after Christmas - or said I would try anyway. But this time, things would be different. I would do it myself. Want it myself, for myself. I would own it. Own the desire to be fit and active again. No more wishing, hoping, or yearning. It would be me - my time, my chance, my opportunity.

Perhaps I will never dance again as I once have, but I think I am alright with that. If nothing else, I want to be in the best shape of my life. I'm young, married, not a mom yet, and have no job and therefore unlimited free time, I should be getting in shape!

My biggest hurdle to get over is myself. I just need to get up and simply do things. Not let each day float by me as I sit idly by (looking at you, pinterest).

Although I didn't start my workouts day one that we got back, I did start on day two! Sure, it's a lot of work, tracking what I eat, trying to eat 1200 calories a day (when I eat healthy, I under eat), doing extra exercises at every opportunity, saying no to extra sugar, drinking lots of water, drinking tea, making healthy meals, exercising the dog, doing chores around the house, keeping myself on track every day - but so far, it's worth it. I know there just has to be a positive outcome from all of this, and I'm super hopeful that it will be sooner than later.... ok, not too much, because I know it won't happen overnight, and I'm whole-lotta-sore today, but that's ok! I want to be in shape, and sore is good.

Christmas Shorts

Christmas seems to be that time of year for traditions (queue this song). Be they the kind where you put twinkle lights everywhere, listen to the discography of Mannheim Steamroller Christmases on repeat, or, I find, that a common 21st century tradition is to watch certain movies. When I was a kid, it wasn't Christmas without watching our VHS of the remake of Miracle on 34th Street at least once... that and Little Women. Now I feel like it's not Christmas without Lord of the Rings and cinnamon gum, Harry Potter, and Prep and Landing.

If you haven't heard of Prep and Landing now is your opportunity to watch it!

 It's a Disney Christmas short which provides a solid 22 minutes of silly, Christmas-y enjoyment. I first saw it back in 2009 when it first came out and I've found little that comes close to it... other than the Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (currently available on Netflix). I love it. It's just that it's ....it's so tinsel! It follows the tale of two Christmas elfs that prepare for the arrival of Santa in the house, ensuring that no creatures are stirring and all the stockings are hung with care. It's the little things that make it entertaining.

Watch Prep and Landing on Hulu for free!

They brought out Prep and Landing 2: Naughty vs Nice last year which opens the story more into how children can be considered  on the "naughty list" instead of the "nice list" ...until someone is so naughty that they try to hack into the system at the North Pole!

Ok, yes, I'm being ridiculous, but these shorts are adorable, and I love them. Watching them alone is fine, but sharing the hilarity with others is all the more enjoyable. So jot down a note to make some cocoa tonight and snuggle up on the couch and watch some Prep and Landing. It won't even take an hour out of your evening - so you'll have plenty of time to fill it with all your other preexisting Christmas traditions!

Speaking of traditions... I still need to make a list of Christmas-y things to do! Coming soon!

The less serious side of our wedding

Of course... there was the more normal side of our wedding... if you can call it "normal"

When I say our wedding was fun... I mean it was FUN. and funny. I cracked up most of the day.

My 80s poof practice veil

Transporting items around the property in style

nerds.

what happened between just about every picture.

Kyle and I made faces at each other to maintain sanity...
somehow, this managed to get captured.

Our dads are awesome and came up
with this idea themselves

Post ceremony faces

I fit in quite well

Successfully got frosting up his nose (my bad...)

again, between every picture.

Our big day

September 15, 2012 will never be the same in my life.
I've never been surrounded by so many loving, caring, generous, and supportive friends and family... and well, I've definitely never digested so many tums in my life.
Kyle and I jumped into the biggest and bestest adventure of our lives together.

All photos are the wonderful artistry of Keely K. Studios.

 

Jars of crayons for coloring on the newsprint laid on the tables.

 

Before the "first look"

The bridesmaids were peeking in.

Loose and assorted bright orange and coral flowers.

Calendar guest book to sign your name on your birthday (for future reference and potential bday gifts).

Me and my Dad, walking up to the ceremony

Starting our marriage by serving one another through washing each others feet as Jesus did for his disciples.

 

Orange shoes and jalapeno socks!

 Yard games and BBQ lunch on the lawn after the ceremony.

Our lovely cake, covered in fresh flowers and, well, Beaver colors.

Our farewell included their throwing paper airplanes at us. It ended up being slightly painful, but so fun!

Bookworm at heart

I have recently realized something in need of my confession. In all my name calling of my sister, and others as bookworms, I've been jealous.

First off, I'm sorry to those of you who I called such.

I never had the patience growing up to read all the books my sister could. I wanted to, but I just couldn't get past the 3-page continuous dialogue of Anne Shirley. I couldn't figure out when the plot would start in classics. I liked adventure and fantasy, but some of the books just seemed too big and daunting. I got into books by Brian Jaques, author of the Redwall series, but once I figured out the systematic plots, I gave up.

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My reading days lessened and I grew bored.

In college my bookshelf started filling up again. I grew more interested in reading. Perhaps, again, spurned on by my jealousy of my art, creative writing, and English major friends, I wanted to be cool too. I wasn't just into science, I loved art and more than that I loved adventure. Books are an adventure waiting to happen. Sometimes I feel like they talk to me, and if I were to open their covers they would start singing and beckoning me to read them. But education called. I had little time to devote to "fun reading" as I called it. My shelf of books I progressively purchased off half.com had to sit and wait... and wait... and they're still waiting. I have shelves (currently in boxes) of books that I have yet to read. I actually made a document that is a list of books I hope to read. It is over 200 titles long.

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Life of Pi has been on my to-read list for a few years now... the other day I happened upon a movie trailer for it during the most recent free episode of New Girl on Hulu. I panicked. "I've wanted to read this, now it's gonna be a movie and I still haven't read it?"

I splurged.

This small town is severely lacking in good bookstores. I sufficed with Target. Yes-- Target. I purchased myself not just one, but two books. Life of Pi by Yann Martel and The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick.

For some reason I decided to read The Silver Linings Playbook first (mind you, while still in the middle of 21 other books) and powered through it in three days. Yes, three days. I'm a speed reader, but after my mistake of speeding too fast through the Harry Potter series (and missed a world of poignant information... needless to say I was so excited to finally read them!) and the Twilight books (which made me think they were actually better than when I actually took the time to think about their plot and character development), I made sure to actually take the time to comprehend the story I was taking in.

I realized how happy I was lost in a book and that's when it hit me: I love reading. Perhaps this is a simple thought/realization, but still. I hold to it, and I appreciate myself more for it.

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Somewhere during grad school I lost the interest in opening Word documents, so needless to say I rarely look at my list-of-books-to-read, but the other night (at 1am to be precise), I happened upon GoodReads, which is a site to find books you may be interested in based on your reading history (kinda like netflix, only you can't read them online). It also allows you to organize the books you have read, are currently reading, and those you want to read. Give it a browse. I find it entertaining.

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What are some of your favorite books or authors? What are some of the books you want to finish this year? How long does it usually take you to read a book? Do you have a favorite place to read? Do you have any recommendations for me? Wanna be my friend on GoodReads?