Things I've learned

In the short week I've been back in school, I've learned some important things. About myself!!

1. I lack patience. Particularly, for ignorance. Ok, so we are in child psychology. Yes, we are going to learn about various theories we disagree with (I mean, hello, Freud was a nutcase) but this isn't the forum for debating your beliefs on corporal punishment. Shut up and a take notes people!!!
2. I am much more assertive. I think will have to bite my tongue tomorrow in class, otherwise I will stand up before lecture begins and yell, "If you want to debate any topic we discuss in class, do it during office hours people. Let the prof. speak!!!" (3 classes down and we've gotten through two friggin' slides of a bazillion slide powerpoint.
3. I am uber prepared. Last week during A&P lab our professor told us to look over the first two pages of our lab manual. What did I do?? Took about 12 pages of notes, made flash cards, memorized all of the key terms, made diagrams with overlays, printed out practice worksheets, and did the first several pages of my workbook. I walk into class today and see most of my classmates just taking the cellophane wrappers off of their lab manuals!!!

Yeah, I'm a nerd. BUT I'm a woman who wants to get as much as I can out of my education. I already have a BS. I know how the system works. Let's do this, people.

Oh, and in lab today I wanted to hit the little girl with blue and purple hair over the head with my textbook. She has already failed the course twice and did not take a single note. Nada. Didn't even have a pencil out on her desk. AND don't get me started on the dingbat sitting behind me.

Of course they probably all think I'm insane anyway. When discussing the best way (using the planes of the body) to cut up a body if you were a serial killer I blurt out, "Just do a quick transverse cut and the neck, keep the head and burn the rest of the body."
Maybe I am crazy?? Nah, it's just PMS!!!

BYOC - I'm a student, I get to be tardy to the party!!!

BYOC - Bring Your Own Crazy! 5 little questions we answer to give our blogging brains a break and to get to know each other better. Copy and paste to your own blog and enjoy!




1. If money and time wasn't a problem - name a place you'd go on vacation and for how long?



I want to travel. I'd start out small. It is Sanford and my dream to load up and drive. First, I want to see all that my great state of Texas has to offer. It is like a whole country, ya know!! Then, I'd want to start toward the East Coast and meander my way around the country!!!

2. This week I had a discussion with some friends about names our children or other people we know call the "nether regions". Don't hate - it's funny. So let's share them for a laugh. Any creative words for hoohaa and tallywhacker you think we haven't heard yet?



Growing up, we didn't discuss such parts. My mom called my nether regions "possible." As in, "I will wash as far as possible, and you wash possible," at bath time.

I had a friend that called her nether regions her "china box." Not really sure where that one came from!!!


3. Take a picture of your nails right now! Bossy, aren't I? I just had my nails done - I can't help it. I neeeed to show someone!

This is the longest mani I've had in a while - same color since Tuesday?? Oh the humanity!!!


4. Tell me about the weather right now where you are!

Ugh. It's 80 degrees and humid. And windy as all get out. In friggin' January. I would be loving this weather if a) the grass and trees still weren't dead and depressing and b) the humidity and wind didn't make me so cold. If this keeps up, I won't be wearing shorts until July.


5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and blog land.


Real life: I'm trying to get myself into a routine with school. Of course, today I am ready to commit murder. All I want to do is study my "language of Anatomy" and people won't stop freaking bothering me. I mean, seriously, no one - and I mean no one - ever ever ever stops by for a visit. Today my house is like Grand Central. Argh!!
BUT, school is still agreeing with my scale. I'm not dropping pounds like crazy, but no more bouncy bouncy bouncy.
Blog life: I'm reading, but not doing much commenting. And the support system is still my anchor!!!

Ten Things Thursday

With school starting this week, my life again has "meaning and purpose" and I thought I would blurb out some of my thoughts bullet-style. Being Thursday, I will just jump on the 10 things Thursday Bandwagon!!!

1. School started Tuesday!! I am so grateful for my parents and their never-ending support. Without them, I would not have been able to start this semester!!
2. I am eventually going to become and RN, but I'm starting out focusing on my LVN.
3. Hopefully it will only take me 3-4 long semesters to complete my degree. That depends on how much I can take in the summer/mini sessions.
4. I really enjoy learning. Nerd.
5. Speaking of being a nerd, when I got my textbooks on Friday, I immediately began reading my A&P text, outlining the first chapter, making flash cards and visual aides. Sanford has really given me grief about this!!
6. During Tuesday's lab I was the only one taking "notes" regarding cell phone/tardy policies. And of course the prof pointed that out to the class, asking for a copy of my notes. NERD.
7. College-life has changed so much since I graduated with my BA in 2004. Everything is online: assignment submission, syllabi, so on and so on.
8. Since I'm going to college in the same town where I taught high school for the first four years of my teaching career, I am getting a lot of strange looks from former students. None of them have had the guts to talk to me yet!!
9. College life and my scales are really digging each other. I'm not sitting at home, so I'm not snacking. And when I am at home I am too busy being nerdy to think about eating!!
10. I am taking a Nutrition class. The prof is a year younger than me....but I think *hope* I will get a lot out of the class. Our "Critical Thinking Project" for the semester is log our food intake on www.choosemyplate.gov and e-mail the results of a 3 day span to the prof. Kinda cool!!

It's official...

I am going back to school!!! EEK!!!

Classes start TUESDAY!!!! I'm taking Anatomy and Physiology (I got this in the bag, I watch Grey's), Diet and Nutrition Therapy, and Child Psychology.

I'm pretty darn excited!! AND I have gym access!!! Oh yeah!

Skin or no skin?

On apples, that is. Do you eat the skin, or do you peel them first?? Personally, the skin is my favorite part. I’ve never really liked the middle. But, as I sit here – the skin doesn’t seem to be liking me very much. And I wish they didn’t brown so fast. I takes me 10 minutes to eat one wedge…and now the others are brown. =(


Yesterday’s plan was to eat a healthy supper. I had it all planned out…and then the lights went out!! Ugh. From 4:30 to 11:00 we were living the life of the pioneer. And once the batteries on our phones, lap top, iPod and Kindle died – it got pretty boring!!! And that led to a 9:00 supper of desperation – Pizza. At least I did get some butt kicking Zumba in yesterday!!

Speaking of Zumba – I have the official DVDs…and I don’t like them. I loved the songs we danced to in class last year, and after searching for ever and ever and ever I finally found some of them on youtube.

My legs started screaming with the first squat – just proving that I’ve been lazy for far too long!!! But, it felt great to sweat!!

And today, I planned out my lunches, snacks and suppers for the rest of the week. I’ve never done this – let’s see if it helps. I even drug my lazy butt to the grocery store and stocked up!! Greek yogurt, apples, lettuce, and cauliflower.

AND, I’m playing the part of the good wife!! I have Sanford’s lunches all packed for the rest of the week in little brown bags in the fridge. BTW, my new amazing fridge?? Well I still love it. But I noticed that first night that there were little shards of glass everywhere. Come to find out, one of the shelves broke during shipping or delivery and instead of replacing, they just took it out!!! So, they are bringing me a new one today!!!

I know my life is so interesting, right??

Tag (and random trivia: Tag is also known as tip, tick, tig, tiggy, dobby, it, chase)

I was tagged by Sam (=

The Rules

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 peeps!

My random 11
1. I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I am now re-addicted to Angry Birds!!

2. I love to jump up out of the bed and start doing laundry first thing in the morning. Drives Sanford crazy!

3. Most of my Christmas presents were "kitchen-based." I guess there was some unspoken theme that I needed to get in the kitchen and cook Sanford something....LOL

4. I am looking forward to Spring. After taking a several year hiatus, I plan on planting flowers again this year!!

5. I'm still holding on to my sad, worn out 42DD bras like I'm actually going to be able to use them for something...maybe a winter hat?

6. I desperately need a new purse. I've never gone this long without buying a purse...

7. I like love Taylor Swift.

8. When cleaning out my truck yesterday, I found 7 never before used Zumba DVDs!!!

9. I still have my Christmas jingle bells on my front door - from 4 years ago!!!

10. I hate feet. Particularly, MY feet.

11. I want a big, yard dog. Like a German Shepherd or something hairy like that. Chris is afraid a big dog will try to eat our Chihuahua babies!!

Sam's Questions :o)

1. How often do you have to wash your hair?

I usually wash my hair every other day - but sometimes I have to wash it daily!!!

2. What's your daily goal for protein intake?

Confession...I've never made a protein goal...bad, I know!

3. Favorite item on the work desk?

My iHome. Without it, I would go insane!!

4. Who would you pick to solve your murder: criminal minds team or CSI?

Um, have you seen Derrick?? Of course, I'd be dead. But, I'd say criminal minds!! (I also wouldn't be able to stand Horatio and his over-dramatic self. I'd come back from the dead and haunt him!!)

5. What is your favorite flower?

The Hibiscus. It reminds me of my Grandmother!!

6. What book are you reading now?

Currently, I'm reading Stephen King's Bag of Bones. I'm waiting for "Not Another Mother's Son" to come in the mail.

7. What is your favorite sport?

I'd have to say football, even though I'm ready for this season to be over. My heart just hasn't been in it this year.

8. Are you usually late, early or always on time when meeting with someone?

I'm always late. for everything. ALWAYS.

9. Have you / would you ever bungee jump?

No way, Jose. That whole free falling thing weirds me out. I don't even do straight drop rollercoasters!!! (BUT Greezed Lightening was my favorite ride at Astroworld!)

10. What would be your dream career?

If you would have asked me that 5 months ago, I would have given you an answer in a heartbeat. Now, who knows....

11. Do you believe in first love?

I do!! But not that crappy high school I'm in love every other day junk. I really feel that Sanford is my first - and only - love.

My Questions:

1. What is your most played song on your iPod? (or if you don't have an iPod, that one song you listen to over and over and over)
2. What's your least favorite thing about yourself?
3. What is your favorite smell?
4. Do you dream or have nightmares?
5. What is your "go to" healthy snack?
6. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
7. Do you lock your doors?
8. In which store would you max out your credit cards?
9. What is the best/worst job you've ever had? 
10. What is the one TV program you can't live without?
11. Can you function without coffee?

And who I am tagging?

1. Laura
2. Miss April
3. Terrie
4. MandaPanda
5. AmandaKiska
6. Robin
7. Cassie
8. Chubby McGee
9. Bonnie
10. Kristin50
11. oh_mg

It's a gremlin...I'm sure of it.

Why, oh why is it that I don't want to shove anything into my face all day. I eat balanced, decent bandster friendly meals all day - like a good girl.

And then night comes...and suddenly I'm possessed by a gremlin. I want to shove everything in my mouth. EEK!

Last night I ate Reese's cups. Meh.

I am just going to duct tape my mouth shut. Put a shocking device on the fridge and the cabinet. Something.

And, it doesn't help that my dear sweet Sanford eats a huge bowl of Banana Pudding ice cream every night. He is such a bad influence. Too bad I love him so much, or I might punch him.

2012 - a breakdown

SO, a resolution to not have any resolutions has resulted in some OCD-laced goals for the new year. I suppose I should publish them - in order to hold myself accountable. Then, keep a daily blog with any indiscretions. Because, I am human right??

2012 Goals

January 1 - March 1

• Lose: 24 pounds
• Exercise: 3-4 times/week
• Drink: 48 ounces of water/day
• Quit: Cheetos, chocolate, late-night junkfests

March 1 - June 1

• Lose: 20 pounds
• Exercise: 5 times/week
• Drink: 64 ounces water/day
• Quit: See above!!!

June 1 - September 1

• Lose: 10 pounds (will put me at 160)
• Drink: 64+ ounces water/day
• Exercise: 5+ times/week

September 1 - December 31

• Enter maintenance mode!
• maybe lose 10 more pounds...we shall see!
• Keep on exercising, drinking water and staying away from junk!!

Confession: I've never tracked calories, protein, water intake, food consumption or exercise in my weight loos journey thus far. I have also noticed that I have stopped losing as easily as I once did, and I think that this course of action will *hopefully* get everything moving in the right direction.

I'm sick and tired of losing and gaining the same 5-9 pounds. My scale is like a yo-yo and it is driving me nucking futz. Enough is enough.

BYOC

Duuuuuuuuudes….BYOC is back after a small holiday hiatus.











Yup, Bring Your Own Crazy returns! It is 5 little questions you can answer in your own blog to give your blogging brain a break and to get to know each other better.






Copy, paste and enjoy!






Let’s do a holiday/new year themed BYOC today!






1. How do you feel about NY resolutions? Do you make them? Do you forget about them quickly? Do they help you?






For as long as I can remember, pre-band, my NY resolution was the same: lose weight. This year, I've mapped out goals. Not resolutions. I've broken the year up into quarters and have mini goals for each one. Here's to trying something new!!


2. Did you put up a Christmas tree? How many? Is it still up?






This year I traded trees with my m-i-l. She wasn't in the "spirit" so she took my four foot tree and I took her 7 foot tree. I have a "pooh" themed tree. Since I've been married, my mom has bought me the Hallmark Pooh collection. It's super cute. I actually just finished taking it down!! It takes forever because I put all of the ornaments in their original boxes!!






3. How many total Christmases did you choose to have to attend outside of your home?






Sanford and I opened our presents on Christmas Eve morning. (It is a tradition they started when he was a kid, because they always travelled to his grandmother's on Christmas Day.) Then, we went to his parent's house for lunch. Later that evening, we did the gift swap at his Aunt's...thankfully (maybe) we all live on top of each other, so essentially I didn't even leave the house... And we spent Christmas Day with my parents.






4. What are you most looking forward to this year?






I'm looking for a purpose this year. Whether it be that I resume my teaching career or start something new. Like start nursing school. Stability is really something I'm looking forward to!!!






5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blogland this week.






Real life: Not too much to report. Worked a few days at my grandparents. Got a letter giving me the option to surrender my certificate...blah. AND I got the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing fridge!! I was wanting new furniture, but our other fridge crapped out...so there went my sofa!!!
 
 

Isn't she lovely?

I also had a former student upload a pic to FB that really made me smile. I loved teaching, and this is one of the reason why. The story behind the pic: I can't exactly remember where the phrase came from - something quirky one of my kiddos said, one that struggled in class, but came up with this hilarious phrase out of the blue one day! And then, I made the poster and stuck it in the window. That was in 2007. 5 years later, and the poster is still in the window!!

We don't eat fruit on our tacos!

In blogland: After being MIA for over a month, I've returned. And found the same amazing support system that has always been there. Why? Because you guys are awesome!!!

2012: "Ima do me."

I've been absent. I just turned my back on blogging right at Thanksgiving and never looked back. But, in order to hold myself accountable, I have returned.



2011, to say the least, was a bipolar year for me. Everything in my world turned upside down in October and I spent the rest of the year trying to pick up the pieces. This upheaval did not prove positive toward my weight loss goals. I used it as an excuse to stress eat. Anything that comes in an orange package: Cheetos, Kit Kats, mini Reeses... My weight went from onederland to 219.
 

219.

 

Ugh. It took me a while before I pulled myself up enough to stop the craptastic eating. With the New Year, I'm falling back into my old bandster routines. I even sat down and mapped out some goals for the year. Not resolutions - but changes!!

 

There are some positive things to mention, weight-wise. Looking back on my journey with my band...

 

2 years ago:

 

• I weighed 329 pounds.
• I was wearing a size 26 pants. (And they were tight!)
• I was wearing 3x and 4x tops, size 10 shoes and a 44DD bra.
• I was preparing to have my first consult with my surgeon.

1 year ago:

• I weighed 254 pounds.
• I was wearing a size 18 pants, 1x tops, 10 shoes, and 42DD bra.
• I was recovering from having a 5 pound, basketball-sized cyst, my right ovary, and right fallopian tube removed.

Today:

My mom is sitting to my right. People say we don't look alike.
I'm pretty sure we are twins.

• I weigh 203 pounds.
• I am wearing a size 14 pants (some 12s), large tops, 9-9.5 shoes, and a 38C bra.
• I no longer am able to shop in the Women's Department at all!!

Physically I am starting this year in a much better place.

Otherwise, I am still playing the waiting game with my career. I had to write a letter to the Board of Education, basically trying to keep my certificate. I don't have a really good feeling about it. I think they are going to make an example out of me.

With that decision in the hands of some committee in our state capitol, I'm seriously considering going back to college. The thought actually excites me. But, college is a lot more expensive these days. So, it's another one of those wait and see things.

I have been keeping myself busy with some crafting projects...fun stuff.

My "laboratory"

My first project - for my s-i-l

A key ring holder for the in laws

For cousin's toddler

Cars themed room

Too much time on my hands and pinterest = nail art!!



Here's to 2012 - It's gotta get better, right???