In times of great stress and illness, I thought I would write a list of things that relax me. It is always important to remember things like these.

My Relaxing Things:

Heat/Warmth
Yummy warm bedding, pillows, and blankets
Hot Showers
The smell of Bath & Body Sensual Amber
My TV Shows, more specifically: One Life To Live, General Hospital, Dr. Phil, Oprah, Extreme
Home Makeover, Desperate Housewives, Bachelor, True Beauty, American Idol, Double
Shot at Love, Real World, Grey's Anatomy, Saturday Night Live, King of Queens, Scrubs,
Sex and the City
Cozy, really baggy Sweatpants
My bed
Good Lighting
Computer games
Non-procrastination
Massages
Working Out
Music, the kind you would listen to in your car at night
Eating Healthy
Good friends
Mrs. Grass's Chicken Noodle Soup
Pepsi
Pepper (My dog)
Summer Nights
The sun

I'm interested in hearing your lists!

Starting off the New Semester right!

I have had a good couple first days of the semester. I have had good experiences in my classes. I have set up my 1:1's with my bosses for the whole semester. I have gone and gotten the checkbook signed over for NRHH. I have gotten a group of friends to go to breakfast with at the Delicious Schaffer Commons twice a week. I have gotten a group of friends to go to fitness classes with a few times a week. And it is all good.

There are statistics that say people who eat a good, healthy breakfast are less likely to overeat the rest of the day. And women who eat eggs for breakfast are much less likely to overeat during the rest of the day, cuz they are high in protein and keep you full. And with the delicious omelet bar at the UC, I'm doing good.

I also had the workout of my life today and I am already feeling the soreness. I did a 15 minute Intense Core Complete workout class and then did an hour-long (really only needed to be 1/2 hour, honestly) Power Step class, which included basic step along with intervals of wait lifting and other exercises, all to great music and an enthusiastic trainer of course!

I've also been getting to bed MUCH earlier (around 10 or 11) and getting up WAY earlier (about 7 or 8) which feels nice. For some reason, I feel like I'm accomplishing something by doing this?

All in all, I must say that I am feeling so good right now. And I am here to tell you that by really taking the time to take care of yourself, it really changes your every day life. By getting appropriate sleep, eating and drinking well, exercising regularly, taking my medicine when I am supposed to, taking care of my skin, cleaning my room twice a day, making my bed everyday, and surrounding myself with good friends that make me feel good, I am feeling fantastic!! It is true what they say, in order to do anything in life, you must start by taking care of yourself. I highly recommend everyone taking a look at themselves and their lives and asking themselves if they take care of themselves and put themselves first. It will truly make a difference.

That is all I have to say for now!
Nite!

What an exhausting day.

What an exhausting day. (Although I am sure not quite exhausting as Barack's...) 5 classes. 12 hours of lectures straight with only brief breaks to eat meals and catch snipits of the inauguration. (Have I expressed how upset I am about having classes today and not being able to watch the inauguration?) Anyway...to continue the journey through the first day of classes...

Managerial Accounting
Professor: Michael MacDonald
Interesting professor. LOTS of energy. Almost talks to fast and intense to understand. The kind of professor where his hair jiggles when he talks cuz he is so overly expressive. Good teacher though. Seems to know what he's talking about and I think I'll like this branch of accounting better than my previous class. He was also quite funny talking about how the only thing anyone cared about today was what Michelle Obama was wearing to the inaugural ball. However, I was a bit confused about his attire. He was wearing a very nice navy sweater with dress pants and then black tennis shoes with red paint on them. What is that? I don't really understand.

Psychology of Personality
Professor: Carolyn Morgan
GREAT CLASS! I love it and I think it is going to be an amazing semester with this one. The professor wasn't quite what I expected but she's awesome. Today we spent most of the day taking personality assessments. Of course, with my very strange test anxiety, I didn't finish them on time so I have to do that tonite and turn it in on Thursday but it was fun. Can't wait!

World of Ideas
Professor: Dale Ritterbusch
I'm not gonna lie. This professor scared the crap out of me when he came in the room and started listing off all the reasons we were destined to fail the course. And then proceeded to talk about Russian War Weapons in great detail for no reason known to me. And this man is old and very difficult to understand. The kind where he whistles when he says his s's. Kinda like that character from Whinnie and the Pooh. However, at the end of class he explained that he is indeed a pretty lax grader and as long as you participate you will pass. So I'm not uber worried about it.

I am currently watching the Inaugural Ball and am bawling my eyes out. Beyonce was astounding singing At Last while Barack and Michelle danced their first dance as the presidential couple. It was amazing and beautiful and I cried like a freakin baby. They are so super in love. It is amusing watching them TRY to dance though. lol. It was also an amazing sight to see Beyonce and Alicia Keys (two of my major idols) singing together on stage. Beautiful.

I need to watch American Idol and go to bed now. I'm exhausted.
NITE!!

WHAT A BIG DAY!!!

Wow...What a big day! To be able to tell my grandchildren one day that I saw the first Black President take his oath at the biggest inauguration of history is such an exciting thing! As I sit and watch the coverage of the ceremony and the parade and the luncheon and every other little task he has assigned for the day, I can't help but wonder how he must be feeling right now...Is he excited? Overwhelmed? Scared? Nervous? Terrified? Think what the hell have I gotten myself into? Exhausted? Its just so exciting! I really wish I could be in Washington DC this week. But I wish more that I could have stayed in my room and watch the whole thing on TV today. Luckily, I am taping it on my new VCR so I can watch it tonite after class.

Which brings me to my next point...

I have officially started classes for the spring semester! 2 down, 3 to go! And I must say it has been a pretty good day thus far. I woke up at 7 (Yes, I really did) and went to have breakfast at the terrific Schaffer Commons in the UC. When arriving there, I found some good friends/staff members and was able to eat with them. Which is really nice. We set up times to eat together every Tuesday and Thursday morning! I had a DELICIOUS cheesy omelette, some super crispy bacon *yum*, and some potatoes. Amazing! Then I was off to class!

So far I have had Psychology of Learning and Conditioning and Macroeconomics. Both seem like they will be fine. Here is the low down.

Pych of L&C

Professor: Dr. Eileen Knight

I had her for Individual and Society last year and she actually remembered me and was excited to see me. Which is always good. Having a professor know you individually and know your name is very key in college (or any school for that matter). This way, you are more likely to be swayed to a better grade if on the fence. I think I will really like this class. I enjoyed her in my last class and her exams are a good fit for me.

MacroEcon

Professor: Benjamin Artz (not sure if he is a doctor or not?)

This professor, I shit you not, looks like he is 15 years old. Very weird. Not used to seeing young professors. He looked like he was going to a 6th grade dance with his blue striped button-up shirt, khaki pants, and brown sketchers. He is funny though, almost in a pompous, cocky way. I'm not sure if I will like him or not. I was frightened when I saw in Bold letters ont the syllabus: EXTRA CREDIT WILL NOT BE OFFERED IN THIS COURSE. DO NOT ASK. This is the only reason I received an A- in my last Econ class. Econ. Not quite the course of preference for me. However, he does curve all exams, drops the lowest grade exam, and he seems to know much more what he is talking about and makes things much easier to understand (by comparing them to things going on right now in our society) than my last econ professor. So I'm hoping for the best.

I can tell that I am starting to get into the upper level classes with all of the No extra credit's, take notes how you feel cuz we aren't taking them for you's, and if you don't come to class that's your choice but good luck with that's. But at least I'm starting to be able to take classes I'm interested in.

Now I'm on lunch break and then I have Managerial Accounting (ew) and Psychology of Personality (CAN'T WAIT!). Then dinner (pasta at Tomato Head Red's...YUM!). And finally, World of Ideas.

Fortunately, our staff meeting got cancelled tonite so I can come back, watch all the shows I taped today, do whatever homework I may have (none yet) and hit the hay. Kindof an exhausting day!

Well, I'm off to the rest of my classes!

Wish me luck!

Bye!

Exhausted...

I am spent. Beat. Exhausted. Wore out. Sore. Need a massage. Ready for bed. Get the point? lol. This is what I have spent the past 7 hours straight doing.

GETTING READY FOR MY HALL TO OPEN:

My Welcome Sign

My Postings Area

My Bulletin Board - Its about safe sex since Valentine's Day is coming up!

My door decs for all of my residents

And posted signs for our first floor meeting of the semester.

Now, I must go eat dinner and sleep!

Night!

I'M HOME...or not...

I'M HOME!!! I'm back in WW in my warm dorm with my queen size bed and my comfy futon and my beautiful 37 inch screen TV and my door that I can shut and lock whenever I want! And it feels so good! I got back around noon, put my new pillow-top mattress topper on my bed, set up my new DVD player, VCR, and Humidifier (great for the asthma in this awful weather!), and unpacked all my new clothes, movies, and Bath & Body Sensual Amber supplies! I even spent some time with some of my good friends/staff members! It was a good first day back....

EXCEPT......

Every year I seem to ask myself the same question...

WHY THE HELL DO I LIVE IN WISCONSIN???
WHY THE HELL HAVEN'T I GOTTEN OUT OF THIS GOD-FORSAKEN STATE WHEN I'VE HAD THE CHANCE??

Let's just say...the windchill advisory is calling for -45 degree windchill tomorrow. They say not to go outside unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY and even then to wear several layers and do not go out for very long. They say in this weather, frostbite and hypothermia can happen in less than 10 minutes. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT??? That's scary stuff. And this is coming from a girl that is cold sitting inside her 70 degree bedroom! Let's just say...I won't be leaving the building at all tomorrow, simply for fear of locking myself outside. What would I do? There is nobody on campus! Instead, I will sleep all day under my warm covers and watch TV! Sounds like a plan to me!



Wish me luck!

Home sweet home!

*My whole plan, when moving into my own single room, was to make my dorm look like anything but a dorm, but rather a home. I think we (my mom, sister, and I) did a great job! Let me know what you think!*

My door!

My Room!

My futon!

My fabulous painting!

My bed!!

We (mom, Callie, and I) made these birds ourselves out of felt and decorated my room with them. They match the birds on the pillow on my bed.

My amazing lamp and my pretty TV!

My desk! (Its a little cluttered at the moment cuz I got so many books and movies over break. I'll be organizing that better shortly.

And the entryway!

On to the next season...

My break is slowly coming to an end. I did a lot of stuff today to get ready to go back to school. Did all my laundry. Bought a new planner and started filling it out. Scoped out all my professors on myprofessorsucks.com (most of them look really good!!). Packed up most of my stuff. Checked out my Training schedule for this weekend. Changed my meal plan (went from 19 meals to 14 meals a week. 19 was just way too much no matter what the circumstances). And did some last minute shopping. Now I just need to get a few school supplies (notebooks and folders and stuff) and get my books. And move, of course. I'm excited to go back. Excited to get back to class and to see my friends as well as other stuff. I haven't seen my best friend this entire break. :(

But for now, I am uber pumped for tomorrow. My grandma and I have appointments for massages at 3:15. Great way to end my break. I love massages! And then we are going out for salmon (Both of our's favorite!!) for dinner. YUM!

So, I'm off to bed now.

Nite.

blah...

I have been racking my brain the past few days trying to come up with anything to write about on this here blog. But, sad to say, my life isn't exactly exciting right now. I've been sleeping till 1pm, watching my soaps, Dr. Phil and Oprah, playing on my computer and been doing pretty much nothing for the past week. But don't worry, my life will get much more exciting when I get back to school. Do not get me wrong, I am not complaining about being home. I love my home, and my family, and relaxing (and not to mention my dogs), I just don't think you want to hear about my TV schedule everyday. So, here is a preview of things to come:

Things I'm looking forward to:

*Our trip to Fondulac this weekend for an ice skating show. (This means a hotel with plenty

of time to go hot tubbing, and I just got a new suit!!)

*My date with my grandma (Jeani) on Monday! We're getting massages! Yay! Just the thing I

need to finish off my break before going back to a hectic schedule!

*Getting my Financial Aid Reimbursement check. This way, I can do some of the things I've

been waiting for, like getting new tires on my car!

*Going back to school next week. (This means training, starting class, going back to

work, and starting my presidency!)

So until then...

Start off the New Year right!

Have I ever mentioned that I love Dr. Phil and Oprah? Well it is true, and both of today's episodes were very inspiring for those who are trying to get life back on track for the new year. I thought I would share a little bit with you all.

Dr. Phil's episode today was about making New Year's Resolutions stick by using 4 simple steps:

1. Name It & Claim It
(Specificity is key! You need to have a specific goal in mind. Simply stating that you want things to be better won't work. For example, I would like to lose 30 pounds by Spring Break.)

2. Keep Score
(Apply a timeline to your goal and have a way to measure the accomplishment of the goal. For example, I have 3 months to lose 30 pounds, therefore, I will lose 10 pounds per month.)

3. You Can't Control what you Can't Control
(Focus on what you can control and make your goal realistic. For example, you cannot control what the dining halls will be serving today, but you can control choosing the healthier options available and exercising 3 times a week.)

4. Program Success
(Program your resolution into your lifestyle. You can do this by scheduling specific time into your day to work out and finding healthy foods you really enjoy.)

5. Steps & Consequences
(Take baby steps and Penalize yourself when you veer from your plan. For example, if I work out for one hour every day this week, I can buy that new sweater I've been eyeing.)

If you follow these 5 steps, your new years resolutions should stick!


Next, Oprah's episode today was the beginning to her "Best Life" week and she discussed her ever-constant weight issues. And she had some great stuff that I particularly found inspiring.

* Your body does not crave food, it craves love.
- What are you really hungry for?

* Put yourself back on your priority list.
- Schedule time for yourself (massages, etc.)

* Plan your meals
- If you plan your meals in advance, you are less likely to pick up that bag of potato chips.

* Exercise is #1!
- Resistance training with weights
- 30 min on treadmill a day (try singing at the same time)


*Good Questions to ask yourself
- Why are you overweight?
- What are you really hungry for?
- Why have you been unable to maintain weight loss in the past?
- Why do you want to lose weight?

So usually, I do not make new year's resolutions because I feel like if you make resolutions just because it is a specific time of year, and not because you are ready to do so, you will never fulfill them. Therefore, I tend to make resolutions all throughout the year. However, these two episodes inspired me to set a resolution. And since it is still Jan 5, I will call it my new year's resolution. I, like Oprah, tend to struggle with weight. It may not be as severe as Oprah, and most of you are probably thinking "What are you talking about?" but I am a bit more overweight than I wish to be. I don't feel healthy, it harms my asthma, and I'm afraid if I were to go to an audition right now, I would not be as likely to be hired as a performer as would have been a year and a half ago. Therefore,

I resolve to lose 30 pounds by May 31st.

This gives me roughly 5 months to lose 30 pounds, which is only 6 pounds a month. This should be easy. So everyone wish me luck and please provide your support. Hopefully through these 5 steps, you all will be able to accomplish your resolutions as well!

Things I miss:

*Having my own bed
*Having a room where I can go and shut and lock the door
*Ashley Palubicki
*The pasta from The Down Under at the UC
*Class (I know I'm weird)
*American Idol
*RHA
*Cute boys
*The smell of my room
*Having something to do
*Work
*Psychology Class

I think its going to be a good year...

Year 2009 Overview

In 2009, you find yourself connecting with people effortlessly as your warm-hearted actions are acknowledged and radiated back to you in a way you've never experienced before. The confident joy and happiness you freely give to others gives you the innate ability to be productive. For you, kind actions are the way to transformation and success.

This is a perfect time for proud Leo, because you have the desire, drive and power to help society. You realize there's work to do, and you'll give a helping hand wherever you can. You are ready to align yourself with a higher level of awareness, and exhibit a regenerative attitude is about reaping the harvest by submitting to the larger purpose. What you are able to give to others directly reflects the transformation happening within you.

Your heart is in the right place, and you are likely to accomplish all that you set out to do this year. You're developing excellent skills in your own personal transformation process, and you are ready to make the conscious decision to be the best you can be. You feel secure, and the beauty of who you are shines through easily and effortlessly.

Year 2009 Romantic

You feel as if you're reaping the harvest this year in your relationships. Socially, your connections are very positive and your altruistic, visionary personality brings you a great circle of friends. Very strong and intuitive, your sense of self-worth in a close relationship makes it a very loving and secure one -- your main focus for some time now. Your enthusiasm bubbles over as an intimate relationship blossoms, and the challenges of constructive communication become easier and easier.

Energetically, you are uplifted when you choose to be in a relationship and master the art of accepting someone as they are. In the springtime, your focus may shift to marriage as many blessings come your way, giving you opportunities to experience conscious acts of sharing, cooperation and honor. Things may seem to move fast, but if you go with the flow, you'll gain confidence in your progress.

Much healing takes place when you have someone close to share your life with. Reap the rewards, and you will encounter feelings that will become the basis for far-reaching transformation in your life -- and in that of others as well. Leo's need to be in charge is no problem, because you and your partner are energetically and equally matched. Be grateful for the love and growth you are experiencing -- both metaphysically and spiritually.

Year 2009 Career

As you help others in your work, you find balance in your own life and, as a result, financial opportunities arise. You are far from conventional, and this helps you have no fear in starting new projects and developing ways for making a good living.

You are able to make major changes in your career without completely eliminating your current foundation. During the summer, career advancements streamline as greater responsibility and commitment come your way. This is an excellent time to focus on your ideals for social progress, and actualize them in a public sphere.

As a Leo, you have the communication skills required to bring new opportunities for growth. This year, you easily visualize new possibilities and eliminate potential roadblocks. Your co-workers appreciate your leadership skills and respect your ability to bring people and resources together for positive change. You may be conservative financially while learning to carve out ways of meeting your material needs, but you continue to draw greater resources to you to serve the greater good.

Help!

So...as I was saying earlier this week...I am on winter break right now and have been extremely bored. I don't have many high school friends to hang out with at home and my best friends from college are from Winona, MN, Greenbay, and Chicago. Therefore we are pretty spread out and it is anywhere from 2-4 hours to visit any of them. Needless to say, I don't have a lot to do...

So I got really excited this weekend when a few of them came to town and we got to hang out, hoping, *hopefully*, we could find something to do together. Three, 20-year-old girls with no plans for 3 days and guess what we did...

1. Watched fat people on TV
2. Ate fattening foods
3. People watched on a bench at the mall for an hour
4. Searched for something to do until our brains hurt and we passed out from exhaustion.

Granted, we could come up with a few lame things, such as go to the library or go ice skating, but what fun is that?

So here is the question I came up throughout this endeavour.

At 20 years old, is it that there is absolutely nothing to do?

Or is it that nothing is fun anymore?

20 is such a crappy age, no longer a teenager, but not quite yet a full-out adult. The only thing to even remotely do at our age is go to the bars, but we aren't even old enough to do that!

Ponder this question and let me know what you think!

bore⋅dom [bawr-duhm, bohr-] –noun. The state of being bored; tedium; ennui.
Origin: 1850–55; bore 2 + -dom


Boredom
noun
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.



Boredom n. 1. The state of being bored, or pestered; a state of ennui. --Dickens.
2. The realm of bores; bores, collectively.

Let's just say...I have a problem with "breaks".