Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Hmmm

It's interesting. I have been with Doug for seven years now. We have had about 6-8 months of completely, not talking at all, broken up "for good" time but the rest, we were together. I never really questioned him. I felt a long time ago that he is my "one" and I'm lucky.
I'm lucky in the sense that my first love will be my last. I know that we have grown up together - and that is SUCH a beautiful thing! I have grown up a LOT in the past seven years and I have been through a lot. I am still growing and moving and shaking and it is nice that I have been able to grow alongside Doug.
I am reading this blog that I find fascinating: The Real Housewife of Ciudad Juarez. I totally have a crush on her life - Emily is living in Juarez with her husband. Not so much the green card situation which is totally beautiful the way she is handling it, but the living in Mexico, the learning Spanish, different culture. I miss all of that so much. I was sitting here thinking, I almost wish I had a noncitizen husband who I move to Mexico with. I don't so much wish I had a different man than mine - I DON'T - you can't have him. But I wish I could move to Mexico. I miss speaking another language (however poorly) and living in a different culture. Oh, how I miss it. I wish Doug would do it with me.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

3-Day Refresh

Beachbody has a new(er) program called the 3-day Refresh. I have to be honest. I did not love it. I felt energetic, but I was HUNGRY. The allotted calories is somewhere around 900 (varies on what fruits/veg you choose). I loved the Fiber Sweep, meh on the Vanilla Fresh.
I didn't mind the restrictions on food. The dinner recipes were really good. I definitely will keep those in my repertoire. I am going to have a vegan day every week now, as well.
I think the #3dayrefresh is good to reset - I didn't want to eat (and haven't eaten) a ton of junk since...yes, it has only been a day but still, coming from a 10+ years long binger, that's pretty extraordinary.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Interesting

I found this article about happiness vs decision making style and it is fascinating. I am totally a satisficer and Doug is a maximizer. Drives me CRAZY but now I get it. I often feel like he is DRAGGING out everything when I just want to decide and move on to the next phase or choice or moment. That's not to say he makes bad decisions, just that he takes longer to make decisions (and usually we come to the same decision but I don't feel the need to test it out - he does). This is absolutely interesting to me.
Does anyone else find this dichotomy in their own relationship?

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Excited to announce....

That I am officially a Florida State Nole! I will be attending Florida State University for their Master's of Social Work program beginning this spring!
I will be using LOTS of capitals and exclamation points because I AM SO EXCITED!
I was so bummed with how the application process went with my :( alma mater USF and felt like I was jerked around. Not saying alumni should get instant entrance into grad school at their bach uni, but it definitely should not be even NEAR as difficult as it was. As a result, I didn't have a ton of confidence jumping into the process again at a new school (especially one I didn't graduate from!) but I forged onward and left the past where it should be - in the past. I got 3 new recommendation letters and 1 from the same professor. I wrote a petition for exceptional circumstance and a new personal statement. I sent these to my favorite teacher-friend and she edited superbly for me!
AND NOW I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT AT FLORIDA STATE!!!!! I can't even begin to talk about how excited I am! This is such a perfect opportunity and was actually the only program in Florida I wanted to attend but before I applied to USF, they didn't accept students from other majors than social work (for undergrad level). I looked again over the summer and FSU started taking non-SW majored students, so I immediately started my application, resume, letters of ref and additional papers needed.
I am just incredibly pleased! I have been smiling for days and waiting for when I can start buying college textbooks again (do I have a sickness?). I can't wait for new notebooks, binders, pens, school supplies. I can't wait to study at a coffee shop and just get involved deep in my new field. I am over the moon with excitement, glee, joy and happiness. Doug has been laughing for days at how silly I am!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Turning a new leaf: Spending Diet!

Have you heard of the Spending Diet ? I LOVE And Then We Saved. It is a great website with tons of fascinating tips on daily life. Love it.
I committed personally to a Spending Diet.
Here is my budget. Everything is biweekly since that is how often I am paid. So this is what I "can" spend biweekly. All the rest goes into savings.
From my gross amount, my health insurance, FICA, SSA, and retirement amounts are taken. I base mine off of my net amount.
I decided that this is reasonable for my lifestyle.
80/gas (a bit flexible with the fluctuations in pricing)
100/food
65/Shakeology (seriously helps with my general health, well being, cravings and sanity so it is worth the cost)
50/car insurance
100/play.
This is probably more lenient than a lot of other people but I am only saving. I have no living expenses except food. Gas is a requirement for me because taking a 4 hour bus ride (2 hours there and 2 hours back) inhibits my life too significantly. I could ride the bus, but the time-cost analysis leads me to a 45 minute commute is well worth paying my own gas. As far as I know, I am not able to commute in a ride-share or drive with someone else. Hopefully, down the line, I will move closer to my job (or get a job closer to me or work from home).
I am currently doing #21DayFix but I also have #P90X and #Insanity that I can do if I get bored.
In my food column, it is needs only. My favorite water (La Croix!!!) is not a need, but a want so it comes out of my play money and I only buy it when it is on sale. Food needs are fruits, veggies, meats. That's it really. I focus on eating healthy and living healthy. I have found that I am a LOT happier when I am not binging, eating junk or tons of candy (my weakness is Cry baby tears - I can eat those til the cows come home).
But that is my basic budget. The rest of my money is going STRAIGHT to savings. I can use savings for gifts or genuine needs. I have a little bit of money in each of my accounts in case of emergency (like 50 extra in each of my checking accounts). My goal is to save up enough to be able to take 2-3 weeks to go to Malawi next year! EEEH!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Day Five

Day five of #21DayFix has led to some major cravings. I want bread, pasta and carby-starchy deliciousness. However, I have higher energy and even though I don't like the flavor, I am loving the healthiness and happiness #Shakeology brings me. I am definitely a convert. I will continue using Shakeo for a long time.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Day Four

Definitely a good day. I relaxed a lot and didn't stress. I am getting nervous about this upcoming weekend as usually I just chow my way through the weekends (anxiety, hello!). This weekend, NOPE! I will be following the fix.
I did cheat today. I had a mini Krackel bar (one of the like .5 oz ones). I don't regret it. Just a moment of caving to temptation. Now I'm back. :)
I am about to do the Pilates Fix, so here goes!!
#21DayFix I am coming for you!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Day Three

I ate less than Monday or Tuesday. and I am pretty satisfied too! I have my Shakeology ready to go for after I work out. I actually made a shake but it looked like ice cream so I put it in a bowl. I used 1.5 purple of "triple berry" mix (frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), 1 yellow of almond milk and Shakeology (Greenberry). It isn't bad. I don't love greenberry though. Any recipes for greenberry that I have to try?
Still have a headache but much lighter than yesterday, thankfully.
My energy is a little higher than usual. I am not sore yet, but I know when I wake up tomorrow, my arms/upper body is going to be killing from yesterday's Upper Fix. Today is Lower Fix. I am about to go kill it. Wish me luck!!
I am loving this #21DayFix !

Day Two

Day Two of #21DayFix has me going crazy!
Headaches galore from lack of sodium and processed sugars. However, I was able to kill it in the workout! So stoked about that!
I did not read outside of reading at lunch. :(
I feel like I am slowly getting better and better, healthier and healthier. Since that is my goal, I am good with that! I am excited to keep improving and I am proud that I haven't been cheating.
I haven't been "stuffed" but I have definitely been satisfied. I ate a little more than yesterday.
I got tipsy from my Shakeology. How weird am I? I added lemon extract...way too much spilled out (maybe a tablespoon total?) and somehow, maybe because I am a lightweight, I was tipsy. Strange effect but hey, make do with what you are dealt. I am a lightweight.
I can't wait to get to bed. Night yall!