New Resolutions

I know most people make their resolutions around New Year's -- work out more, eat healthier, etc. I tend to find that its springtime when I feel the need to get my act together. The weather is warmer, the sun is shining(...and I look like the next Twilight cast member), people start planning vacations, and I have to actually start thinking about getting back into an itsy, bitsy, tweeny weeny....BIKINI. Don't get me wrong, I love the pool, the sun, the lake, boating -- any summer activity -- but I dread the photographs. So here is one of my question: has anyone found never-fail tips for photographing well in bathing suits? I usually go with the "suck-the-tummy-in-turn-at-an-angle-hand-on-the-love-handle" method if I can. But I'm just curious. And while I'm late on this train, what are some things you all do to get ready for summer and bikini season?

As for me:
- I've been perusing health magazine websites -- Health, Shape, Prevention and Women's Health.
- I'm determined to use the gym once I get into my new apartment.
- I tossed all the change from my purse into my piggy bank. Saves money AND prevents me from getting Cheez Its out of the vending machine at work.
- I've tried to incorporate more vegetables, salads, etc. into my diet.
- I've also tried to drink more milk and eat more eggs.
- Sticking to my grocery list. I can plan out meals when I'm not starving, prevents impulse purchases, and saves a little money.
- Shop the perimeter of the store more (less processed foods are usually along the edges).
- Bought Kroger light ice cream to satisfy my insatiable sweet tooth. I also have some of the 150 calorie "Warm Delights" microwavable desserts.
- Eat fruit with lunch every day, and try to incorporate it as a side to other meals.

Of course, I still ate an entire frozen Totino's pizza for dinner...but I can splurge every once in a while, right? I did eat vegetables and eggs like EVERY DAY last week.

I know the big key is to WORK OUT. I'm working that out still. (Excuse the lame pun.) But how do you all get back to feeling good? I've just felt frumpy lately, so I'm trying to get out of this slump. Any tips to add?

Random Acts of Kindness

First off, I am so sorry for leaving you hanging for a week. I've been busy with work (and will be through next week), so I haven't had time to think of interesting things to write. Keyword: interesting. It's strange that since I've started this little blog project I'll think of things randomly throughout the day that I could blog about. And then ultimately decide that A. It isn't interesting enough B. It's a stupid idea or C. I don't have enough to say about it.

But I will say this....

Random acts of kindness make me happy. Seriously. Even if they aren't directed at me. It's something about knowing that there are good, thoughtful people in the world still. That humans are still capable of caring about one another, when all we seem to be told is that people are selfish. The news is filled with terrible things -- death, adultery, greed. It's so refreshing to be reminded that the other end of the spectrum still exists. For example: Last week, I left work on Thursday after it had been snowing the entire afternoon only to find that the boy had brushed all the snow off my car already. (I was extremely grateful! Being practical, I wore flats. Being unpractical, didn't think that 2 inches of snow + drifts = snow in my shoes.) When I got home I found that someone had moved the trashcan from the curb back up against the house before all the snow. (Again, I was wearing flats. And it was COLD. Seeing that kind of thoughtfulness made me feel warm inside.) And as if that all wasn't enough, I came home Friday to find the front walk shoveled. (Did I mention that I couldn't find a snow shovel anywhere in the garage???)

People will never cease to amaze you if you just let them. You just need to have a little faith.

---

On another note, I've made a good start on at least one of my resolutions! I made an appointment with an orthopedist to have my shoulder looked at again. I won't lie, I hung up the first time I called. I had to work up a bit of nerve. I'm just annoyed with still having to go to the doctor for the same issue, but circumstances haven't allowed for me to get it taken care of before now. I joked (or was it really a joke?) with my dad that I'm just going to type out a list of symptoms and a timeline of doctors, medications, shots and treatments to hand over. It has to be easier than rehashing the last 2 years. Of course I had to also call the last orthopedist and request copies of my X-rays and MRI's to provide the new doctor...

Awkward.

It felt a little bit like breaking up. The lady on the phone didn't seem to believe me when I said that my new insurance didn't cover them, almost like the typical, "It's not you, it's me" speech or the "I want us to be together, but we just can't be together right now." The next step is to go by and pick up my things...

Hope you all find a kind act to do for another person and are staying on track with your resolutions!

Simply,
MJ

Maybe THIS Year...

It's 2010....a new year is upon us! I was lucky enough to spend NYE celebrating with dinner and a night out with a group of good friends and the boy. It's so hard to believe how quickly this last year has flown by. Ironically I rang in 2009 and 2010 in the same bar, in the same LBD...ok, well I guess it's not really ironic, but it's strange to think of the parallels between the two nights and how much has changed inbetween. The year 2009 was one for growth and change. I'd say I've learned more in the last few months than I have in the last few years of college. I won't lie...it's been tough and I've struggled through the better part of the year. But I feel like I'm starting to get my feet back on solid ground and starting to find my way. So, maybe THIS year, I'll do the following:

1. Get my shoulder fixed. I've been diagnosed with a torn labrum in my shoulder, which bothers me from time to time. Due to circumstances (and all the changes this year) I haven't had the opportunity for either physical therapy and/or surgery to get it fixed.
2. Take the GMAT.
3. Work on career advancement - either begin grad school, advance in my job, or find a new position.

Those are my top three new year's resolutions. I have a tendency to make too many resolutions and not keep them, so this year I pinpointed my top priorities to work on. Cross your fingers that I can get all these accomplished!

My reminder to myself as we enter the next decade, as Taylor Swift would put it (more lyrically than I am able to) -- "This is life before you know who you're gonna be." I know that God isn't finished with me yet, and that I still have a lot of growing and changing to do. This is just the next step!

Simply,
MJ