T minus 208

208 days until my wedding.  As the day draws closer, I'm getting those wedding jitters that I suppose every soon-to-be married person gets.  House hunting, financial planning, etc. has set my brain whirling.  I feel more of an adult now than I ever have in my entire life; yes, even more so than the day the hellion was born.  These nerves will not get the best of me, however, because I plan on accomplishing everything I have my mind set to and then some.  I've always prided myself on my determination, and I have no intentions on letting my pre-wedding jitters get the worst of me.

Which leads me to the reason I'm writing this blog:

I am determined.  I always have been, and I always will be.  I credit this to my parents and watching their struggle to raise four kids on a very limited income.  While some may view my parents as weak, I view them both as strong and proud.  I have picked up these attributes and additional attributes through the years.  One such additional attribute is my love for exercising and staying fit through other various activities.

Today was the first day in a long time that I actually had a real workout.  By "real workout" I mean one where I actually lifted weights instead of just going to the gym and doing stationary cycling for an hour so I could catch up on my reading assignments for school.  While I enjoy stationary cycling and the chance to read uninterrupted for an hour whilst also doing a beneficial exercise for my body, my love for exercising has always been with free weights and challenging myself to improve  and move up with the weights.  I haven't had a chance to do a real workout lately because I've been so frazzled with school and work and most importantly, the hellion.

I am not one to put up with people whining about their problems.  And by no means am I trying to toot my own horn here, but I've been going to school full time, working full time, and raising a kid for the past 4 years.  In August, I acquired a second job.  So yes, since August I've been working two jobs full time, going to school full time, and raising a kid.  I've managed to keep all As during this time, and fortunately, both jobs allow me to have the same off days (Tuesday and Thursday, which just so happens to be the same days I have class from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.), and on those off days, when the hellion and I get out of school, I make sure to spend quality time with him.

Needless to say, I'm EXHAUSTED.  But I'm not an idiot; I know that I've chosen to put myself into this situation.  Why?  Well, because frankly, I'm an English major who has been working the same job throughout my high school and college careers, a job in the fast food industry for the past EIGHT years.  Leave it to say that my resume isn't too impressive to most potential employers, despite the fact that I've had a consistent work history.  So I went out and found another job, though not in my future career choice. 

Now, I totally went off on a tangent to say this:  with my hectic schedule, of course I had to let something go.  First, it was my taekwondo classes.  Then it was the gym, despite that I bought and paid-in-full a year's membership.  Everything that had to do with my fitness and exercise was cut from my list.  The weight I lost during the first half of the year slowly crept back into my body.  It didn't help that I wasn't watching what I was eating.  But then again, when you're on the go from sunup to sundown, it makes it harder to monitor your diet.

None of this was more evident to me than this past Saturday, when I had a bridal luncheon with my bridesmaids.  We went to David's Bridal to order their bridesmaid dresses, and I got measured just for shits and giggles.  My measurements on Saturday were 35 & 1/2 in the chest, 31 in the waist, and 38 in the hips.  Not a big deal to some of you, but at my greatest healthy weight loss, I was down to a size 2. So I know that getting back down to a size 2 is not unreasonable.  My body was healthy at a size 2 since I was working out constantly, and I felt more confident that I ever have in my life.

After I completely stopped working out in August, I talked with my friend Steven, who agreed to begin working with me at the gym in January so I could feel confident in my wedding dress for the wedding in May.  Because of this agreement with Steven, I completely dismissed every picking up a free weight again--until January, that is.  AND I WAS FINE WITH THIS PLAN.  Why?  Because I told myself that my crazy schedule didn't allow time for me to work out anymore.  So I decided to wait until January to hit the gym full time (since graduation is in December and I plan on quitting my fast food job then also, I would have more time to dedicate to the gym).  Well, the other day I was on the phone with Steven, who was once again giving me a pep talk about working out.  He told me, "If you want to look good badly enough, you'll MAKE the time."  This is coming from the guy who lost some 60 odd pounds in 35 weeks in order to train for a body building competition.  (He won second in the competition, though I personally feel, from looking at the pictures, that he should have won first.)

So after Steven's words, and after my shocking body measurements from Saturday, I had a revelation.  I CAN make the time, I just have been using my busy schedule as an excuse.  So I've decided to stop making excuses and to get my ass back in the gym.  Today I woke up early, for starting my day at the gym is my favorite way to begin the day, and I went to the gym and did a real workout.  I've found my fitness determination again, and I don't plan on letting it go.  Whether or not I get down to a size 2 is up to me, and I plan on at least losing a few pounds before the wedding in May.

I hope this blog post doesn't make me sound obnoxious.  I know some people would feel that way by listening to someone complaining about not being a size 2.  But I'm doing it the healthy way, just like I did before.  See this post for proof.  I know it can be done.  I did it, and Steven lost all that weight (for body building competition purposes) in 35 weeks!  It can be done.  So the next time I want to complain about this, I'm going to read this blog post for inspiration.  And let's not forget the endorphins sent to the brain after a good workout.  It is a  good probability that said endorphins are the reason I wrote this extremely long blog.  So get out there and do it!

The point I'm making by saying all this is that you do what you have to do.  Some people have no determination to succeed in life, others, like myself, do have that determination.  And despite the odds stacked against them, they will do whatever it takes, no matter how much sleep lost, to succeed.  

I will do what it takes, the healthy way, in order to succeed in my life goals.

Addition & Subtraction

A lot of new things occurring in my life as of late. 

Most importantly, I got NEW (second) job!  If you didn't already know, I've been working in the fast food industry since high school.  It's a job that paid the bills and didn't distract from my studies.  I'm grateful for the job, but it's time to start slowly breaking the tie I have to it.  One of my goals is to have a new "better" job when I graduate with my bachelor's degree in December (definitely before the new year, 2013).  While at this new job I am only making minimum wage, it is definitely more relaxed and professional than my fast food job, and I have opportunities to rise further up the ladder.  I love everything about the job, so far.  Then again, I've only been working there for a little under a month, so we'll see how it turns out, perhaps a year from now. I don't know what's going to happen after the wedding next May, considering that Chadrick and I are planning on relocating.  Anyway, I have no intentions of quitting this second job, although it has proven tough to work two jobs and take care of the hellion and go to school full time.  Staying completely busy is not an alien concept to me, considering that I've been on the go practically since the hellion was born.  It's a role I fit well =)

In addition to a new job, I also got a new car!  I love everything about my new car.  I think it is more "me" than the Honda I bought last year.  While I was a bit overwhelmed at the luxury of the inside at first, I've become adjusted to it. I have dubbed her "Sonja the Sonata."

  
I've noticed that more and more people are tying the knot. This is something to which I've never before paid attention.  Am I looking more closely now because I'm soon-to-be married myself?  Because I'm older?  Because I didn't care before?  A combination of all three (and more)?  Of course all these weddings have opened a whole new world for me in wedding planning, what I originally wanted and what I now want.  Chadrick and I have decided to do a book themed wedding (he loves me, doesn't he?), complete with a flood of ideas from various wedding planning websites.  I'm really excited about everything coming together for the wedding.  We have all the major necessities taken care of, with the exception of the caterer and the dj.  Everything else has been decided, so the only main concern is the little things such as getting everything and everyone together for programming purposes, and, of course, the actual "bringing together" of all these small details.  So much preparation for one day!  But it's a challenge that I've taken on and won't let it get me down.

A few weeks ago I started my last semester as an undergrad!  I graduate on December 14th and am so excited!!  I've developed a very mild case of senioritis.  It's not an especially developed case, just one that makes me take a more relaxed outlook at my class schedule and assignments.  For those who don't know, a relaxed attitude about classes is a RARE thing to me.  There's just something about your last semester as an undergrad that does it to you.  What can I say?  I'm still going to make all As. =)

While there have been new additions in my life, there have also been a few things I've taken out of my life.  One of these things is a childhood friend.  A situation arose last weekend that made me upset and sad for said childhood friend.  I'm not going to go into extreme detail, but I hope that she doesn't ever have to learn the hard way who her real friends are.Maybe one day this burnt bridge can be rebuilt.  I hope so, anyway.

Another thing I've given up, at least until after December, is taekwondo.  I can't remember if I've already stated that in a previous blog, but here ya have it.  It's not that I'm not enjoying taekwondo, it's just that I don't have the time for it, especially now that I have a second job.  I took the hellion out of taekwondo also.  He wants to try other sports and activities, and unfortunately my finances and availability don't always agree.  Maybe after December he can, like me, take on taekwondo again.

The biggest thing that I've let go from my life is my decision to attend grad school in January.  I've been in school constantly (fall, spring, and summer) since the hellion was 1.  I feel that I should take a break from school, especially with the wedding coming up in May.  I don't want to overstress myself concerning grad school AND the wedding.  While I know that I can handle both of those things at the same time, it's really just an issue of me taking some time off to enjoy myself more.  Grad school can wait until Fall 2013.  I know I'll stick to my guns and go too, so it's not just something I'm going to put off and never accomplish.  My plans for next "semester" include reading as many books as possible, searching for a house in the location Chadrick and I have chosen to move to after the wedding, and working only one job.  I also plan on dedicating myself more to the hellion in his kindergarten studies.

Speaking of the hellion, did you know that he started kindergarten?!  I can't believe my baby is already a school-aged child.  Before I know it, he'll be a senior!  Sorry for the mom rant, but it really does make me sad.  It also makes me excited that I get to see this sweet little person that came from my body grow and develop into his own person.  Sometimes I have minor panic attacks at his future (Will I be a good mom?  Will he hate me during his teenage years?  Afterward?  How is he going to turn out?), but I think that is something that every parent goes through.  For now, he is my sweet little hellion.

1st day of kindergarten

Arts and crafts day at the library

Stay Together for the Kids

It's been 2 years and I had completely forgotten about this song.  Bittersweet, considering I never really listen to them.

 Blink 182- "Stay Together for the Kids"

 

"If this is what he wants, and it's what she wants, then why is there so much pain?
So here's your holiday,
hope you enjoy it this time, you gave it all away."

Saying "Yes to the Dress"

Yesterday I went with my mom, future mother-in-law, and two of my bridesmaids to look for my wedding dress.  I wasn't planning on buying a dress yesterday, but I found one that literally took my breath away when I saw it on me in the mirror.  We spent two hours trying on dresses, and this blog is dedicated to those dresses that didn't make the cut.  Fiancee can rest assured that the dress I chose is not in one of the following pictures.

(I hope posting these pictures isn't wedding taboo or anything of the sort....)

 This first dress was absolutely gorgeous!  It was, however, extremely heavy and since we're having a summer wedding, I didn't see it as a possibility.  It made me feel like a queen though =)

 The opposite of the first dress, this dress made me feel like a princess.  I loved it & the train, but I felt like it was a little too tight in the back area.

 Dara and Roberta picked out two "fun" dresses for me to try on.  The one on the left, which I deemed "the Taylor Swift dress," was chosen by Dara.  I felt like I was going to a prom.   The one on the right was chosen by Roberta.

 

 This dress is the runner up to the dress I chose.  I had a hard time deciding, but I chose the other dress because this dress didn't take my breath away like the one I chose.

The last dress I tried on was my original first choice.  I LOVED the back of it, but I thought the front wasn't as up to par; it seemed like it was a little too plain in comparison with the back of the dress.

My future mother-in-law surprised me with a great gift, and I am very grateful for her in my life.  We all went to Subway afterward for a quick lunch.  I have to be more conscious of what I eat now because I have a wedding dress to fit into!

My name is Crystal, and I have a problem.

According to my Fitocracy profile, my last real workout was on June 26th.  June 26th was two days before my June minimester finals.  June 26th was also two days before our family beach vacation.  June 26th also made day 5 of my "low carb" diet.  June 26th was also the week that I was premenstrual, meaning that I was super depressed and whiny, because I ALWAYS get like that the week before my period. It's not a good feeling.  So while on our beach vacation, I used being premenstrual as an excuse to blow through my low carb diet, and devoured everything in sight.  Hey, isn't that what you're supposed to do on vacation anyway?  "Once I get back home and out of this premenstrual funk I'll go back to the gym."  Ha. Ha. Ha.

So after our wonderful beach vacation, I didn't go to the gym for the rest of the week.  I blamed my actual period this time, not my premenstrual hormones.  Then the week after that (July 9th) I used the start of July term as an excuse.  (July classes run from 7:00 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.)  School four days a week plus work five days a week?  No way.  "I'm too tired to work out!"  I was still paying no mind to my diet.  I told myself constantly yesterday (July 15th) that since I didn't have work, class, or the hellion, I would go to the gym and make it kick my ass.  Needless to say, I literally laid on the couch all day.  Which, may I add, is something that I NEVER do.  It felt nice to be lazy all day, but it's not something that I could grow accustomed to doing.

So here I am, typing up the past lazy twenty days of my life.  Aside from being a lazy fuck, the main reason I haven't been to the gym in the last twenty days is because I (ashamedly) was too focused on the competitiveness of Fitocracy.  On the website, you earn points for every exercise you do, and my workout quickly changed from working out to get toned and fit to working out in order to compete with my real friends-- the ones that I actually know-- on Fitocracy.  When these friends quit working out, I continued to work out, but was now competing against my other friends on Fitocracy, the ones I know through the Fitocracy network.  Because of this, I quickly realized that I wasn't seeing the results I had started to see before I went all Bad Sportsmanship Panda on everyone. (Because I wasn't doing any set target area workout, I was just doing things to earn the most amount of points on Fitocracy.)

I had this grand scheme in my head that I was going to hire a personal trainer in order to get back into shape and still be able to compete against other Fitocrats.  I was even going to sell my gym membership and buy a membership at another gym because my bodybuilder friend was willing to work with me.  But then he told me something that slapped me into reality, "Crystal, you don't need me.  You already know what you need to do."  So, with this realization, I understood that it was time for me to come out into the open with the reason and admit my shame:  that I've been a bad sport, and haven't been focused on my fitness goals like I used to be.

While some could say that a possible solution would be to stop using Fitocracy, I do not want to rid myself from it because it is such a great website:  the people are supportive and knowledgeable, everyone is willing to give advice when asked, and more importantly, it's such a great positive atmosphere.  There is never any pessimism; it's always optimistic and supportive, which is what most people need when undertaking fitness goals.  It's a great website and I have no intentions of deactivating my membership.

I just wrote this blog to ask forgiveness from my fellow Fitocrats.  Now that I'm no longer in denial and have come to terms with my laziness due to my bad sportsmanship, I'm ready to get back into the gym and start kicking some ass.  Can you forgive me?

What I've done during the past 6 months of my Facebook-free life.....

I decided to delete my Facebook account at the end of 2011.  This was due to reasons some of you may or may not know, but I reactivated my account two days ago, after 6 months of no popular social networking.

So what have I done these past 6 months?  Well, in addition to (somewhat) updating this blog.....

• I joined a new blog site:  Tumblr.
• I also convinced LC to join Tumblr, and whilst talking about why we liked it so much, we decided that it is because we can shy away from "social" networking, being mysterious while connecting with others who also share the same interests.  It's also nice to note the lack of drama that Tumblr social networking proivdes.  Check out my tumblr page here.

• I also joined a fitness social networking site:  Fitocracy.
•  Shortly before I deactivated my fb account, I bought a gym membership and joined this website. This website is amazing; the competitiveness of it and the people on it keep me motivated to work out. There is no weird pick up lines and hooking up (at least not with me), and the people are always so positive.  Again, with this website, like Tumblr, I can stay mysterious while getting positive feedback and optimism about staying in shape and being healthy.

• After being told about it by the fiancee, I also started an instagram account.
• I don't know how to connect the link to my account, but my name is lwlmthompson if you want to follow me.

• Additionally, I joined a Linkedin.
• Linkedin is a professional networking site.  I joined it in order to try and help get a job more steered toward my goal career.  Wish me luck!

• I focused more on schoolwork.
• It's funny how Facebook takes up so much of your time.  Without fb, I was able to focus more on school.  So much so that I made the President's List (all As) at JSU last semester.  I also made As in the two classes I took during June, and fully intend on making As in the two classes I'm taking now in July.  I am taking four classes this fall, and while I plan on staying active on fb, I also plan to make the President's List again in the fall before graduation in December.

•  I focused more on my relationship with other people.
• It's funny to see who your real friends are when you don't have fb.  While social networking can be a great way to strengthen friendships, it can also be an illusion of what friendship really is.  Without fb I was able to connect more on the friends that really mattered, and build more solid relationships with them the old fashioned way.

•  I figured out what I want to do with my life:  become a librarian.
• While some may scoff at the idea, I've realized that this is perfect for me.  No it's not the most ideal career, but if you know me (or have seen my tumblr page) you can get an idea of how much I love reading and books, and how books make me so happy.  Yes, I'm a nerd.  It is because I wasn't spending so much time on fb that I was able to read more and finally realize what I wanted to do with my life after college.

•  I was able to travel and go on adventures without being bombarded by fb.
• You know how this goes.  You go on vacation and you have this desire to take a million pictures and post them on fb, or to post status updates for bragging purposes to make those who aren't on vacation envious that you are.  Yeah, that was me.  Big time.  It was nice to actually go on vacation and not worry about posting pictures and status updates on fb every five minutes.  And I must say that the fiancee and I did a lot of traveling and had a lot of adventures the last 6 months, and we have more planned for the rest of the year.  It was good bonding time for us =)

There are a plethora of other things I accomplished while not having a fb, but these are the big ones I can think of right now.  Which leads me to the question I'm sure some of you are asking:  if my life was so great without Facebook, what made me reactivate my account?

In all honesty, I don't know.  Maybe it was because my 54-year-old technology-challenged mother got a fb account in order to connect with her family in the Philippines.  Maybe it's because I was completely bored one day and decided I wanted to start snooping on fb again.  All I know is that I reactivated my account two days ago and was completely overwhelmed about all the "new" things on fb.  These things that I used to know how to  navigate, and now I don't have a clue.  I, like my parents, am completely technology-retarded, and you can ask my fiancee about how frustrated I was/am about how difficult it is to navigate fb now.  It's a learning process.

That being said, there's something about "mysterious" social networking that doesn't cut it for me.  I guess you could say I substituted personal social networking for mysterious social networking, and while that's all well & good, sometimes it's nice to know what's going on in the lives of the people around you.  Like with my sisters and my nieces and nephews.  Or with my best friend, Crissy, whom I don't get to see anymore because she moved away.  Or with friends that live in other states.  Or even with my family in the Philippines.  I guess I deactivated my fb account the first time because I lost sight of what fb was initially for:  social networking, not stalker central.  I can say that while I deleted over 150 people from my account the day I reactivated it, I am still not on it as much as I was before.  For now, anyway.

Clutter, clutter, everywhere!

So every now and then I get in this mood to where I want to try and rid every aspect of my life of clutter.  I did this yesterday with my tumblr page, I did it with the pictures on my computer, etc., and then today I realize that when I go through these minimizing stages in my life, I fill the new space with more material things, such as clothes.  Although I just got back (BROKE) from my beach vacation on Sunday, I proceeded to go to the local mall today and spend about $250 on clothes in various stores.  Why does this always happen to me?  I am blaming this behavior on my premenstrual hormones.  That's totally it.

So the fiancee and I took the kids to Destin, FL this past week, and it was a blast.  Granted, I am pooped, I am broke, and I am certain that I am never having any more kids, but I still had a good time.  Vacation completely spoiled me, as I didn't watch what I ate and did little to no (lifting) exercising.  I blame this, again, on being premenstrual.  You boys are so lucky to not have to deal with this kind of girly stuff.  Ugh.  Anyway, check my  instagram for vacation pictures.

I finished both of my June summer classes (Black America and The Health Aspects of Aging) with As!  It raised my GPA from a 3.5 to a 3.6, so I am hoping that by the time graduation comes in December I will have at least a 3.7 if not higher-- we'll see what happens with my two July summer classes.  I know GPA does not really matter as far as employment after graduation goes, but it is something that is important to me, and I will attain to go above and beyond  my goals. 
I am also working to get my graduate application to UA together.  It's due in October, but I want to have it in by September to be considered for scholarships.  Wish me luck!

Also, today I got this crazy idea to reactivate my facebook account.  I've gone 6 months without facebook, and I don't miss it or anything like that, but today I got extremely bored and wanted to check my facebook account.  This idea may fit into the whole de-cluttering thing I was talking about earlier?  I don't know.  We'll see.

June, June, June

As of yet, I feel that April & June have been the craziest months of the year. April because of so many things planned: concerts, mini vacations, etc.

It is now June, & what I thought would be a somewhat easy online health class has turned into a Goliath. The assignments get harder each week. Considering that the class is only a month long & we have until midnight on Fridays to complete the assignments & test, it SUCKS. On a bright note, I have a 95 in the class thus far, & the class is over in 8 days, so maybe I should quit my bitchin' & suck it up.

June has been a crazy month. For some reason my family chooses to have babies in June. Por ejemplo, my birthday is the 16th, my brother's is the 18th. My nephew's is the 7th (his birthday party this year was on the 9th), my niece's is also the 16th (yay! & her party was also on the 16th this year), my other niece's birthday is on the 24th (& her first birthday party is on the 21st, I.e. next week.) Throw in Father's Day & the fact that I actually have an ex who wants to see his kid, & it makes for a crazy month. Check my instagram for pictures of all the June madness.

Also, the hellion has been doing wonderfully in the juniors class at tkd. I was worried at first, but he has stepped up from the Little Dragons (4 & younger) class, & I couldn't be more proud. Today he knew the name of his form, the # of movements in it, & the meaning of it all before anyone else could answer! He's so smart :)

The fiancee & I are taking the kids to the beach on the 28th (the day my summer classes end, yay!) & I cannot wait!!

Did I just say fiancee? Yep, that's right, he proposed! :)

I'm off to bed because I am pooped. I am an official antique (25-years-old) as of this past Saturday, & old lady is old. Good night, all.

Summer days drifting away...

This is being typed on my handy dandy android phone. Yay, technology!

I'm thoroughly enjoying my summer mini classes, an online health class, The Aspects of Aging. The online class is not as hard as I thought it would be (I've only taken one other online class before, & I made my first C. I told myself I would never take another online class again--oh the things a sooner graduation date will make you do), but it is by no means easy.

I'm also taking a history course entitled Black America.  We opened the course with American Slavery & will end it with the civil rights movement. We are currently reading a book called American Slavery by Peter Kolchin; I am enjoying Kolchin's book. I actually have to have the rest of it read by tomorrow & a 4 pg. book review on it due on Thursday (which I should probably be working on now), but I need to get this blog written since I've been so neglecful of if as of late.

The only bad thing about these summer classes is that they are mini mesters, so everything is so condensed. I would really like to take the Black America class during a full term, just so I could go more in depth with the subject. To sum up my summer school schedule: 2 classes in June, the above mentioned, & 2 classes in July. Then four classes in the fall & graduation in December!

I've also been searching information on grad schools, & I plan to apply to UA to get my masters in Library & Information Studies. Wish me luck!

In relation to my masters, I've been searching for jobs in order to try & gain experience for my career. Luckily JSU has a position open at their library for which I've already applied. I won't know anything until the end of this month, so wish me luck! I'm really really REALLY hoping I get the job. I've never wanted anything so badly in my life.

Because of my summer school schedule I've taken a cut in hours at work. This is both a bad thing & a good thing. It's bad because, obviously, I'm not making as much money. It's a good thing, though, because I have enough time before my class starts to get a full workout in at the school's gym, & then get my hourly cardio session in at the gym after class ends & before picking up the hellion from school. Needless to say, I'm still keeping up the hard work at the gym. I've even had four people in the past week tell me I've lost weight (see uploaded progress picture). =D

Speaking of the hellion, he has been doing wonderfully. He starts kindergarten in the fall, & this makes me so upset but also so happy. He graduated from preschool at the end of May, & at his graduation ceremony he even got to read to the audience! Proud mommy is proud. (I've uploaded a picture from his graduation that is supposed to be after this paragraph, but seeing as how I am technology-retarded & this is my first post from my phone, Idk if it will be here.)

My birthday is coming up this Saturday. I'll be an official antique-- 25-years-old. I'm mentally much older though; I feel like I'm ancient! Birthday festivities will be taking place. You can find my pictures on instagram, seeing as how I don't have fb anymore (6 months & counting!). My instagram name is lwlmthompson.

I think that is all for now, kind folks. I need to finish this book & start my book review. Let's hope I don't fall asleep in the midst of it. Wish me luck!

Post I started a few weeks ago & never finished. I'll just write another post later.

I started reading Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses a few days ago.  I love it.  I'm very happy that LC convinced me to read it, as she is reading it also.  I feel that it is a nice tie to the History of Islam class I took in the spring, as I would probably be very confused and not want to finish the story if I didn't know what I now know about Islam and Muhammad.  For Mother's Day, boyfriend Chad bought me Letters from the Earth by Mark Twain, which I've been anxious to read since I read an excerpt from it for the American Lit. class I took a few semesters ago.  My boyfriend is so good.  Yes, he is.  I plan on reading Letters from the Earth after I finish The Satanic Verses.  I think they may be a good compliment to one another.  East v. west.  Good v. Evil.

Mother's Day was fun.  We had homemade breakfast with mom, then I took the hellion to the movies to see "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" movie.  The weather wasn't up to par, however, so I didn't get to take pictures of us in our "swag."  However, I do have an instagram account, which I post random pictures on, if any of you lovelies would like to follow:  lwlmthompson.

I've swung back into my workout routine again.  I've also started drinking a protein shake after workout sessions, so hopefully my body can benefit a little more from that and I can start seeing the results I want sooner.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

It's nice to have a month off from school.  I'm looking forward to summer classes, however, because I'm looking forward to graduation in December!

Those thoughts you think when you're tired but can't fall asleep.

I need to take that typing test.
I made all As this semester!
I wonder if I will next semester...
I have 15 books for 4 classes in the fall.  FML.
FIFTEEN TEXTBOOKS?!
I'd better make all As next semester too.
I hate my job.
Don't most people?
I should probably be at the gym.
I hate that I haven't made much time for reading lately.
I can't believe I'm graduating in December.
When will spring cleaning be over?
I want to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button again.
I should probably get that movie back from Teresa.
I want to watch Shame.
I can't wait to finish watching The Reader.
Cliche as it is, my boyfriend is my rock.
But how can I be a strong rock for him when he needs me to be?
Logan is cute.
I'm really tired and should be in the bed.
I DON'T WANT TO WORK TOMORROW!!!
What book am I going to read next?
These leggings are really getting on my nerves.
Why do my thoughts jump like this?
Is this normal?
Do other people think the same way I do?
Probably not.
Skittles have been my demise this week.
May-HAM.  Hahaha, yeah.
I think the worst part of getting ready for bed is taking my contacts out.
Why does that have to be so daunting?
I need a vacation.
And a million dollars.
Rumi is wonderful.
I hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.  Ever.

Adventurous April

Can you believe this little cutie pie will be five on Saturday?  It does not seem like it's been five years, and I'm having trouble coming to terms with the fact that my hellion is no longer a baby.  It's been such an experience watching him develop and grow.  I never knew what my life would be like with a child, and now I can't imagine it without him.  It's been a long, arduous journey, but one that I'm proud to have known.  Again, I can't believe he will be five on Saturday!  I'm pretty sure I will cry at this birthday party.  It's bound to happen.

I had three finals today.  The only one I was concerned about was the last final, History of Islam.  I think I did ok.  I was aiming to make a 103 on the final so I could have an A in the class, but I know I didn't do that well.  I have never studied so hard in my entire life!  I have one more final on Friday, and then I'm off for the entire month of May before summer classes begin in June.  Graduation in December, and grad school in January!  I am so ready for life now that I know what I'm going to do with mine.  Does this feeling happen to everyone?

I haven't been to the gym in over a week, but I'm planning on hitting it hard in May.  Beach body here I come!

Progress picture 03/29/12

It's been over a month since I last posted, but I'm too tired to blog much.  I have to work at 6 A.M. tomorrow, and the only reason I'm awake is because I'm waiting on my hellion to come home from his dad's.

Here's the past month of my life in pictures:

Hard Rock Biloxi, Spring Break 2012

Easter Sunday breakfast

Easter Sunday

Melanie's birthday 04/09/12

Sexy boyfriend in Memphis

Red Hot Chili Peppers!  Memphis, 04/11/12

Gracie turns one! 04/14/12

Best friends, minus Madeline

Dad's 64th birthday, 04/17/12

I can't believe he will be 5 on Saturday.

I promise I will be a better blogger.

C

A Better Me

I realized lately that I've had a lot of aspirations concerning my body, such as:

• Gym membership. I've been an avid gym patron since I bought my membership at the end of December.  I can only remember two distinct times that I slacked off (the first time for 10 days, the second time for 4 days).  It's been tough, but I can slowly see changes in my body, and I've had others say they notice extreme differences.  Just having compliments about my changing body has increased my self-esteem and confidence tremendously.  I notice that I'm more prone to wear clothes that aren't so baggy anymore, which is a good thing since summer is just around the corner.
• My super duper awesome boyfriend, Chad, has purchased a tanning membership for us.  He is awesome =)  I don't go as often as I used to (say, when I was in high school) because I am more aware, or rather, I care more, of my risk of skin cancer.  But I think tanning in moderation isn't too bad.
• Taking better care of my teeth.  I've scheduled a ZOOM! teeth whitening session in May after the semester is over, as a sort of reward for myself for doing so well this semester.  I'm also going to see about getting other needed things done to my mouth.
• One of my New Year's Resolutions from last year was to wash my face every day.  Sadly (and grossly!) I haven't done so, but a friend from work suggested trying Oil of Olay, which I know is one of the best skin products on the market, so I'm thinking of investing in a bottle and trying it out.  Hopefully I'll stick to it this time!
• Because I found out that I will be graduating this December instead of next May (2013), I have decided that if my belly flab hasn't changed much by then (my gym membership expires in December), that I will look into having cosmetic surgery--a tummy tuck-- as my graduation present to myself.  I know that cosmetic surgery can be a controversial issue to some people, but I feel that if I work out consistently for an entire year and I see no changes to my target problem area that cosmetic surgery will not be an issue.  After all, I will still work out consistently after the fact.  But hopefully I WILL see changes in my stomach before then, and I can save some hard-earned cash and do something more exciting for my graduation gift, like going on a Christmas vacation.
• Last but not least, I've been thinking of cutting my hair in lieu of summer.  I've been growing out my hair for almost two years-- I had a trim this past November-- but I feel like it's time for a small change in my hair.  I'm not too sure yet about cutting it, but it's an idea I've entertained.
• I'm still working on my New Year's Resolution of good posture.

 I know the argument I'm setting up for myself about how I shouldn't care about my image enough to have all these alterations to it (teeth whitening, cosmetic surgery), but my only response is that I'm doing these things to be healthier and more aware of the consequences of not taking care of my body.  I'm not doing it to try to aspire to be society's image of beauty or whatever.  I'm doing it to lead a healthier lifestyle for MY standards.

Boyfriend Chad

 Spring break officially began for me yesterday at 12:15, and I couldn't be happier.  I need this week off.  Biloxi is in the itinerary next week!  Hopefully I'll win some money at the casino; I've never been before, so I'm pretty excited about it.

April is going to be a busy month for me.  I have things to do nearly every weekend in April, mainly Easter Sunday and the hellion's birthday at the end of April.  Other things I have planned between those weeks, such as finishing Spring semester!  Then 2 summer classes and 4 & 1/2 fall classes, then graduation!

Well, I'm off to take the hellion to the movies to see The Lorax.  We're having a Mommy and Me Day =)

It was so hard trying to get him to look at the camera and not the Wii!

Dear blog,

Can you ever forgive me for casting you aside during my hectic life?

I've been swamped in school work.  Spring break is two long weeks away, and I will be more than happy when it arrives.  I've preferred this semester of class much more than last semester's schedule.  I actually enjoy three of my four classes this semester, which can be a relief, except that I enjoy them so much that I can't enjoy them because I'm so busy trying to be an overachiever in each one of them.  Does that make sense?  If not, I'm sorry.  I don't mean to sound contradictory.

As an English major, numerous reading assignments are expected.  The reading assignments I've been given this semester have actually been enjoyable.  In one of my classes, Young Adult Literature, we've had to read 10 YA novels, of our choosing, and write two papers on each novel.  This has been a daunting task, but one that I've enjoyed very much.  My books?

• Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
• Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
• She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
• Flight by Sherman Alexie
• Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
• The Lover by Marguerite Duras
•  Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

I'll admit, the textbook definition is NOT the definition I had in mind of YA literature, but I've enjoyed being able to knock off some books that have been on my reading list for a while, so it's not too bad.  My teacher for the class is great, which makes the class more enjoyable also.  The book that I've most enjoyed reading this semester is Flight by Sherman Alexie.  I discovered Alexie last semester in my Native American Literature class, and I absolutely love him now.  He is definitely in my top ten favorite authors. The least favorite book I've read would probably be The Alchemist.  I had such high expectations when I went into reading it, and it disappointed me for personal reasons.

 In my Survey of Black Literature I class, we've also had a lot of assignments.  My favorite, Frederick Douglass, was on the list.  I've read his autobiography, Narrative in the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself several times, and each time I've enjoyed it more and more.  I need to procure a copy of it and his other works for my library...

Other works I've read this semester for this class include Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs, Ar'n't I a Woman? by Sojourner Truth, A Red Record by Ida B. Wells, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson, Conjure Tales and Stories of the Color Line by Charles W. Chesnutt, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, and The Conjure Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher.  The most enjoyable to me from this selection has been Charles W. Chestnutt and his color line stories.  I've also enjoyed Harriet Jacobs' novel.  I'm looking forward to taking the second part of this class in the fall.

I've also had the chance to actually read the Koran in my History of Islam class.  I'm glad I was able to take this class directly after the Bible as Literature class I took last semester.  It's interesting to note the differences between the two religions.  I've learned so much about Islam that I never would have known before, and I'm glad I've been able to take this class to clear any misunderstandings or stereotypes of Islam and its followers.

I'm also taking a 20th Century Poetry class that I despise, but only because my teacher doesn't really know how to teach the class, in my opinion.

So, if you've actually read through my rundown of classes and have made it to this paragraph, thanks =)  Sorry to have bored you with nerd talk for half of this blog, but furthermore....

Two weeks ago my advisor informed me that my graduation date is December 2012 instead of May 2013.   I was so shocked and relieved and happy and nervous all at the same time that I still sometimes have trouble believing that I will be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the fall.  But go me!  =)

I've still been an avid gym-aholic.  It's been almost three months since I started working out, and while I quickly lost 5 lbs. within the first three weeks of working out, I haven't lost any weight since then; rather, my weight has been fluctuating from 135-137.  I try not to let that bother me though, because I've had several people comment on how I look more toned and skinnier than before.  I'll take that, even if the scale isn't budging.  I've slowly been improving in the cardio aspect of my workout, and hope to run my first official 5k in the town's local 5k run in August.  I'm also thinking of joining the Runner's Club to help me improve my running time. 

My little workout buddy

My hellion has been growing rapidly, both physically and mentally.  He's moved from size 5T clothes to a small in the boys department.  I'm both happy and sad that he's growing so fast.  Before I know it he'll be taller than I am!  Also, he amazes me every day with how smart he is.  I'm pretty sure that he's the smartest little four-year-old in the world.  That opinion may be a little biased though.... =)  I can't believe he will be 5 in a month!

This Saturday I'm going to see the Avett Brothers (again!) in Birmingham.  I can't wait!  It's going to be a lovely St. Patricks Day celebration. Then the following Saturday (24th) is the Alabama Shakes concert in Tuscaloosa.  I've only heard three of their songs, but they seem to be the hottest up-and-coming band, so I can't wait to see them live, and for such a cheap price!  And last but certainly not least, the long-awaited RHCP concert in Memphis in April!  I.am.so.excited!!!!!!!!!!!  It's going to be--and forgive me for using this word--epic.

It's going to be an enjoyable month of concerts.  Finals are at the end of April, and then I have a beach trip planned with the kids in the month I have off from school before summer term begins.  Cruise in August for Lacretia's graduation, and then my graduation in December!  This year is looking, and has been thus far, wonderful.  Life is grand.  But right now, I'm just really looking forward to spring break =)

I had one other thing I wanted to say, but I forgot.  And since I have three back-to-back midterms tomorrow morning, I must be off to study!  Here's to hoping I don't fall asleep, since I've been awake since 5 a.m. and am dreadfully tired.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

Crystal

Nashville Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend in Nashville.

I saw Ani Difranco perform at the Cannery Ballroom; she is wonderful.

Ani Difranco

Also discovered a new band, Pearl and the Beard, who opened for Ani.  They were mind-blowing!  Check them out!

Pearl and the Beard

Pearl and the Beard performing with Ani:  Which Side are You On?

The hotel was right in the middle of Broadway, which meant it was in walking distance of everything-- the Ryman was right across the street from our hotel!

We "toured" Vanderbilt.

We visited the Nashville replication of The Parthenon in Greece.

And by far, my favorite part of our weekend (yes, more favorite than seeing Ani perform again), I fell in love with a used bookstore we found right beside Vanderbilt's campus, BookmanBookwoman.  I didn't want to leave & I spent a ridiculous amount of money on books.  I couldn't help it!  I already miss it and want to go back.

I neither exercised this weekend nor watched what I ate, but it was all done without regrets.  That's the way to think, sometimes. =)

Long, long winter

This winter hasn't been as cold as winters past, for which I am thankful.  It is, however, still winter, which is the season I loathe the most.  Today it has been rainy and gloomy all day, and I hate it.  I'm ready for summer, most especially since I've been consistently working out.  I'm ready to note changes in my body and be able to flaunt it in those clothes that I wouldn't wear last summer because they were too small to fit into.

I'm ready to take the hellion to the beach and the water park.
I'm ready to bask in the sunlight in the park with LC while doing yoga.
I'm ready for a small break from school.  (I'll be taking 2 classes this summer as opposed to 4.)
I'm ready to take my bike for a ride on the trail.
I'm ready for the awesome cruise to the Caribbean this August!
I'm ready for longer nights and longer mornings.
I'm ready for business to pick up at work, which equals more moolah!
I'm ready for my birthday in June.  I will be considered an antique this year.
I'm ready for the hellion to turn 5 in April!  Well, I'm sorta ready.... :-/

I'm just ready for winter to be over.

Frozen Yogurt Date

Semi-untitled

I do not miss Facebook at all.  It has almost been a week since I deactivated my account, and I have hardly thought about all those "friends" I have.  The most important friends I have are the ones I still communicate with outside of FB.  I will say that I do think I miss the pictures.  Pictures of my nieces and nephews and other people.  That was the main thing I used to do on FB anyway: picture stalking.  I may activate my account one day just to get the pictures on my account to print out.  We will see.

In the world outside of FB, I have started a tumblr.com account.  Those interested in it can view it here.  I'm very surprised that I was never interested in tumblr before.  I think I now spend more time on tumblr than I do on all my social websites combined.  & although I'm on tumblr more, I'm not as easily sucked into it as I was by FB.  Tumblr is easier to navigate & post findings as opposed to Blogger.  I actually moved my Plagiarist blog from here to there.  I thought about moving this blog to tumblr also, but I'm too lazy to do so.  Plus, if I did that I wouldn't have access to other Blogger accounts!  So here this blog will stay.

School is moving along nicely this semester.  I find all of my classes to be interesting, and I haven't yet been bogged down too heavily with assignments.  Alas, there have only been two weeks of class.  I thought I would go crazy with having four classes a day, three days a week, but I think I actually prefer it to last semester's schedule.

My workout routine is still going strong.  I haven't lost any more weight since the 5 lbs. I lost the first week, but I think I am ok with that since I have been working out almost every day and am slowly starting to see changes in my body.  I had a great workout at the gym this morning-- I ran the mile in 9:20!  Still not my best time, but definitely a major improvement from when I started working out three weeks ago.  Since I've actually put my mind to it & got my lazy ass out of the house to start working harder to become fit & healthy, I now wish that I had not given away all those clothes last year that I couldn't fit into.  I guess this means that when I reach my goal weight I will have a rewarding shopping day =)  The day I reach my goal weight is going to be a fabulous one.

Speaking of shopping spree, I was putting away laundry today when I thought to myself that I need some new workout clothes.  Hopefully I won't go with that thought and splurge too much.  Ya never know.... =)

I love how much better I feel about life.  Physically & mentally.  I know I've asked this before, but why did I ever stop working out in the first place?  I still haven't been able to incorporate a yoga routine into my schedule, but I hope I will be able to soon.  I want to be more fit & flexible again!

Yesterday

I deactivated my FB account again.  It was sort of an impulse decision, but I think a lot of my decision was based on the fact that I started a tumblr account a few weeks ago & I am completely addicted to it.  I was checking it more and posting on it more than I was on FB, so I just decided that FB isn't for me right now.  I don't know how long this deactivation will last, but I hope to gain something-- no matter how small-- from it.

I worked out at the gym with one of my friends and had a good workout.  I've been consistently working out for almost a month now and I've lost 5 lbs. and ran the mile yesterday in 10:16!  That's not my best mile time, but it's much better than when I first started working out three weeks ago.  I'm really proud of myself.  Only 10 lbs. to go & I'll be back down to this size!:

2009

 Mom & dad's 29th anniversary.  Almost three decades.  WOW.

My parents- May 2010

 I hung out with three of my best friends from high school.  It's kind of our once-a-year tradition now, since we all live in separate towns and don't see each other often.  It was nice to catch up again.  I miss them a lot.

me, Jessica, Scott, Roberta

 I drove with the hellion & my best friend and her son to visit one of our good friends, Brandi, who just had her first child last Wednesday.  Kinzie is so precious!  I'm so happy for Brandi.

Well, there's a little insight into my busy, hectic, and fun day yesterday.  I'm off to bed with the hellion.  We both have to rise & shine early tomorrow for school!