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