Weekend? What Weekend?

It's been one of those weekends--the kind where I feel like I've been at work more than I haven't and it's really not much of a weekend at all. Yesterday, after my 2 posts, I had to head into Loft for an 8 hour shift--which meant no time for a second round of cardio. I didn't get out until 9, and even if the gym was open (which it wasn't), I was so exhausted that I wouldn't have been able to do more than walk on the treadmill. I totally justified it by counting it as my second round of low-intensity cardio by saying that since I was on my feet for those 8 hours and it was our Style Event (read: extra busy), it was definitely a workout. I think sometimes retail counts as cardio, right??


I only got a slight reprieve from the busy store last night--enough time to catch a 9:40 showing of Bridesmaids--SO.GOOD! When it started, I was unsure if I would like it, because it is definitely a different kind of movie--kind of like Juno (which I LOVED/own)--but I more than warmed up to it. It was so awkwardly funny that you couldn't help but laugh and enjoy it. If you like the normal dude humor of movies like The Hangover and Wedding Crashers, then you are sure to love this movie. Can I get a 'yay' for awesome leading female roles?!

Today is my rest-up/fatten up carb-load day, which started at 6am. Still have to be up early to get in my meals even if I'm not working out in the morning :) I don't really mind it though--it's starting to become habitual. Opened at the store at the (not-so) bright and early hour of 9:30, and by the time I got off at 1:15 I was just ready to relax. I had to meet with Pleasants--results weren't too great this week. I gained 0.3 lbs, which he reminded me isn't that terrible since it was my last stress week of the semester. I can only half agree because I know that part of it was (probably) my nutrition on Friday after the race--those darn nuts were not part of my plan!--and I've been a bit sedentary when I'm not working out or working. Let's be honest--sometimes you just need to rest. And sometimes you just need to rest your eyes on a Sunday afternoon catching up on last night's SNL while laying on your bed. But of course, the moment I got up to get into my bed instead of on it, I woke right up. Thus, grocery shopping!

Sunday is by far my new favorite day to go grocery shopping--I've started going to Giant, which is amazing at marking things down. I got SIX things of the leanest ground chicken breast for a total of $9! Add to that a few necessities, some $1 frozen steamer veggies, etc., and I was only $38 poorer. Or as I like to think of it (this time and this time only), many groceries richer!! They also had Jones' (diet) sodas on sale for $1 and since I kinda love them, I had to get a few. Which reminds me, is diet soda bad during prep? Even if I'm still getting in my gallon of water each day on top of that?? I'm normally not a soda person, but sometimes I just need one for the caffeine/artificially-sweetened taste-ha!

Aside from that, I'm so stoked to get into the gym in the morning! I feel like it has been forever, even though it has only been a day. This week I pledge to hit every workout and hit it hard! I need to see results! Maintaining this early on is not in my plan. I know I have what it takes to push that little bit extra :)

What are you excited for this week?!

Back-to-Back Post Saturday

Well I hope you all enjoyed my recap of the Filthy 5K, which I definitely left filthy! I'm posting another blog today because I got a really sweet comment from Kyra of The Get in Shape Girl. Her post was in response to my post a few days ago, and here's what she said:

Hey girlfriend!! Congrats on finishing school. What a huge accomplishment! So aside from the competitions, what's else is going on? Remember to set other goals aside from just competition ones. I've been reading a lot on post-competition emotions. You def need to have a lot of other goals set for yourself because it's easy to become addicted to constantly seeing the results from dieting down and hard training. I just want you to come off of this super-healthy! 

Instead of just replying to her comment (because, let's be honest--we all forget to look at those sometimes), I thought I would make this into a blog. She brings up a lot of good points. I do need goals besides just the competitions, and (since I'm sure we read a lot of the same blogs) I've seen some post-competition blogs too where the competitor feels empty/unsure of what to do next. I do have 10 weeks to go until my first competition (I recounted today!), but I do think it's good to figure out my goals early.

Kyra is right--it is easy to become addicted to constantly seeing results, and I'm one of those people. I strive to do whatever I can to be the best, and when things start going the other way, I freak out and the result is a downs spiral! And then it takes forever for me to get back to where I was, and even then I don't feel the same. It's happened to me before, when I stopped running track my senior year of high school, and I am nervous because these competitions are going to bring me below the weight I was then, and I definitely don't want to gain weight like crazy.

So that being said, here are my (tentative) goals for both now and after the competitions:

• Compete again--I know there's always the possibility I could change my mind about this, but so far, I'm enjoying my journey to the stage, and I love having things to work for. If I decide I want to continue to do shows, it gives me a reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not gain weight like a hippo. I enjoy the lifting I've been doing--it gives me both a physical and mental push--and it is definitely not something I'm ready to give up in a 10-12 weeks.
• Compete in more 5Ks--I've always been a runner, except for the brief period that I had no motivation to get out there and do it. I like running outdoors more so than on the treadmill (during the winter is another story). I know I will never be at the level I was in high school, because training for races alone is a lot different than running with a team and having certain drills, etc., but I do want to be more competitive with running. That's not to say I'm going to become some ridiculously addicted/competitive person, because after the Filthy 5K yesterday, I do want to enjoy some more fun runs, of which there are a lot in Virginia.
• Take some nutrition courses--Time allowing. Being in prep has raised a lot of questions that I've never really had before. Why am I eating over a pound of chicken a day and still losing weight? How exactly does carb cycling work? I've heard all the positive results of prep, but are there any negative or lasting implications of this nutrition phase? And my questions are not just restricted to nutrition during prep, but prep is what has inspired my desire to know more about nutrition in general.
• Become a certified personal trainer--Working out with Kevin and Bob, another of Kevin's clients, has sort of inspired this. At first, I realized I just really enjoy lifting, and I'm not half bad at it. Then I started getting feisty, if you will. First I would ask Kevin to tack on more weight because a set was to light. Then when all three of us were working out together, I'd find myself giving them a hard time pushing them to do a few more reps or a few more pounds. At one point, Bob said, "Geez, I don't think I could ever have you as my personal trainer--you'd kick my ass!" I think he was half-joking and I was pretty hyper at the time for being 5am on a weekday, but for the sake of my argument, I think I want to do this, or at least work in a fitness-oriented environment.
• Create a nutrition & training plan for post-comp--I'll definitely discuss this with Kevin when it gets closer to the show, but in agreement with Kyra, I think it is good to have some sort of plan. Once I've gone through the experience of the competition, I'll know more about what I would like for this plan to include, but for now, it's really up in the air

Laying all this out makes me feel a lot better. At first glance at Kyra's comment, I got a little panicked and all I could think was "I haven't thought about that! I haven't even competed yet!!" But she's right. It's better to at least have an idea of what I want to accomplish after my competitions than to have no idea at all. And once again, I'm sure these goals/plans are bound to change, but when they do, I'll adapt them--nothing has to be set in stone.

Thanks again, Kyra, for bringing up this good point! I do have to admit that a few of my first thoughts were "I'll get to actually eat in August! And drink!" but I don't want to go overboard with the freedom, and you've definitely helped me put this into a lifestyle perspective!

MGD Filthy 5K: A Review

Let's get dirty! I repeated this phrase on numerous occasions leading up to the much-anticipated mud run that I took part in yesterday. Obviously, this run was more for fun that it was for competition, and I don't see how anyone could run it for time--there were spiraling stairs, slippery rocks, "death-defying" leaps (ha), and narrow trails. It was my first time doing a mud run and I really did not know what to expect except for mud and running.

We're two tough cookies!

At first, I was afraid my friend, Megan, and I would not make it in time--the race was slated to start at 6pm in Richmond and we didn't leave Charlottesville until around 5. Traffic was a b*tch!! But we raced to get there, and when we arrived we realized we weren' really that late--there was still a hugely long line to get our bibs and chips. After waiting in line for a good 45 minutes, we put on our race bibs, checked-in our bags and got pumped to start the race--but not before making a (porta) potty run!

First race run in just a sports bra...

I was impressed with the start of the race--after the 20(?) waves of starts, which we missed, they just opened up the course to all registered racers. Since we had the timing chips, it didn't really matter too much and it lessened congestion. Since I was there to get dirty and have fun, I made sure to run through every puddle, and Megan made sure to splash me numerous times...haha, jerk! I was kinda disappointed in the lack of mud though. I thought there would be more mud and since it had previously rained that day, I thought there would be anyway. But there was actually only one crossing of the James River, some scrambling over slippery rocks (over which everyone walked), one turn-around in the river/on the riverbank, and then a mud pit to crawl through at the end. I may have grabbed a couple handfuls of mud at the turn-around and Megan and I started our own mud war while running. Aside from that, there were areas of the course that went through the woods and they were a bit narrow, making it impossible to pass the walkers--which meant that there were periods of time where everyone was walking.

At the end of the race, I was soooo hungy--I hadn't bothered to pack food because I didn't think I would be in Richmond as long as I was. We left right before 5, so I missed that meal, which I realize I should have eaten before I left, and after waiting in line, running the race, etc., it was almost 9! Needless to say I was HUNGRY!! They gave us a pack of nuts, a Clifbar, and a small Powerade in our baggies, and I was pretty tempted to eat it all. After looking at the nutrition facts though, I decided against the Powerade--what a waste, all sugar!--and the Clifbar--44g of carbs! I debated, both internally & aloud, about eating the nuts, and finally I gave in. I felt a bit bad for doing it--they're pretty high in (good) fat, and I already had my carbs for the day, but I needed refuel, and I needed it then. I texted Pleasants about it, and after I admitted I was dumb for not even bringing a shake, he said I should go ahead and eat the nut then eat some egg whites and/or a shake when I got home. Good thing I ate them, because we didn't get back til midnight!! There was free live music and scrambling competitions and other fun stuff...so we had to get our money's worth before heading back...

That all being said, I had SUCH a good time running the Filthy 5K! It was more of a fun run than a timed run, which is new to me, since I'm so used to running 5Ks for the time. My time was actually twice that of all the other 5Ks I've finished, but I'm not at all worried about it. I enjoyed the company of running with Megan, and I succeeded at my goal of getting super muddy! I don't have a bucket list, but I think I'm going to make one so I can cross these things off of them!

Have you done a mud run before? How did you like it? Did you do it for the fun of it (getting covered in mud) or for the challenge??

P.S. All the pics are from my Droid camera, which explains the poor lighting/quality/shininess!

Rinsing off in the river--the lines for hoses were TOO long!

DONE. And a New Love List

I'm done with my last paper of my undergrad career. Finished with 2 hours so spare (finished around 3, it's due by 5). Turning it in, via an online drop box, was accompanied by an odd feeling. I don't know how I feel!!! My head feels like it weights 10 pounds and there's like 100 bouncy balls in it. I feel lazy. I feel tired I am tired! I want to celebrate, but my celebration is working out at Gold's tonight. Kevin jokingly suggested some heavy squats to celebrate--yeah, right. The bad news about paper-writing is I get so wrapped up and I forget to drink my water! I'm so behind--I'm gonna feel like a whale this afternoon. Oh, and I do have to give a shout-out to my amazing lil guy who was patient with me while I ignored him wrote my 11-page paper.

Archie has a chewing habit, hence the tattered doggy tent

I don't know what to do with myself now. Well, I mean I guess I do. And I do have a lot coming up. I'm just glad that this gives me the time and energy I need to put all my focus and motivation into training for this figure competition and job hunt eek!. I'm not really great with resumes, because even though I know I'm an exceptional worker and have many great qualities, I'm really bad at putting it on paper. Luckily, my friend Celia is going to help me with that when she gets back from vacay this week--she's really good with things like that. For the time-being though, I'm going to look for a part-time serving position at one of the local restaurants. Really didn't want to serve again, but I do know a good amount of people at the restaurants around UVa, so I should be good to go(?).

In other news, I bring to you Love List #2:

Me & Sissy--Game ON girl!

• Being done with college--This has to be top of my love list. It's now been a few hours since I initially started this post and it's finally kicking in--I'M DONE! I'm graduating in less than 2 weeks!!!! With this comes feelings of anxiety, happiness, and a whole lot of freedom. I'm especially glad that this gives me all the time and focus--both mentally and physically--I need to prepare for these competitions!**
• Deciding to do 2 competitions--That's right, I said it. I am unofficially officially doing 2 competitions. They are 2 weeks apart, but after talking to Pleasants yesterday, we think it is a good decision. I say unofficially because I have yet to register for them, but I finally got in contact with the commissioner of the Old Dominion Classic and he added me to the mailing list to keep me updated with competition info. The second one is actually the original show that I was going to do that was pushed back to the first weekend in August. My original reason for not wanting to do this show was because of the date change, but with all of my timing issues, it makes sense to do both.
• Results--This is week 3 of my new nutrition plan (well, week 2 if you don't count my carb depletion), and I hate to sound vain, but dang I look good! I also lost almost 3 pounds this past week as well as about 4 percent body fat, all while maintaining my muscle mass! Results? Heck yes! And I can see greater definition, which is always a plus. Keep it coming! Pleasants says I should be between 108 & 112 lbs by the date of the competition, and I know it's doable. My petite sister, Eleanor will be jealous! 
• Working out with Kevin--Yes, I also have to add this to the list. Kevin is always the one that pushed me that extra bit during each set, each and every rep. He knows when I'm bullshitting and calls me out on it. He also lets me do what sometimes, like when I want to go up in weight during good mornings, showing up both him and our other workout buddy, Bob (in terms of % weight increase). Sorry boys, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do ;-) He also doesn't let me say things like, "I'll probably suck during the first competition, so I'm doing another one 2 weeks later to make up for it." Thanks for the support, Kevin!
• Beach--Right now I am craving beach time! My absolute bestie, Katie, just graduated from JMU, and although I could not attend the event/festivities on Saturday, I am SO excited for her! She's attending WVU for grad school and I know she's going to kick some ass! So right now, she's back home in Virginia Beach and I'm stuck working and trying to find more work--yuck! But I know we will soon be reunited! I absolutely cannot wait to hang out with her--and her amazing fiance, Tommy!
• Actually having time to watch TV at night--Now, I normally don't do this, but lately I do have time to sit lay down and watch some faves--How I Met Your Mother, anyone??



Katie & I--Only besties have this type of bond!

• Waking up between 5-6am--I actually enjoy waking up this early because it makes me feel like I have control over my day. I get my workout in and, although I do tend to have a midday slump, overall I feel more energetic. Not to mention I get to see the sunrise and I get the sidewalks all to myself (for the most part).

Okay, you're turn! I'm going to turn my Love List into a weekly occurrence (hopefully), so if you would like to join in post your own love list in your blog and keep the optimism coming! I hope you enjoy these little tidbits of insight into my life. Next post: summer plans! Happy Monday night!

Whirlwind Week

As always, I first want to apologize for my absence. This time I really don't have much of an excuse except that final (papers) have made me extremely lazy. Instead of catching up on my blogs when I'm not writing not at work, I've been catching up on some TV shows online, and then some. That doesn't mean that I haven't gotten my workouts in, because I have, and I'm feeling really good about hiring Pleasants to do my nutrition work. Makes life so much easier.

Earlier in the week, Wednesday/Thursday(?), I was having a few wrist problems which was impacting my lifting--I think I slept on it wrong or tweaked something in my wrist a day prior. Pleasants gave me something to put on it, and the next day it was fine, phew! In other gym-related news, I'm getting used to waking up before 6am to get in my workouts and start my daily meals. Thursday and Friday, Kevin and I worked out at 5:30am, and I stayed a bit longer to work abs, calves, and do first-round cardio. This also gave me the kick in the pants I needed to get my paper done (the one that was extended to Friday). Once I sat down and actually banged it out, it only took maybe a little over an hour to complete. You best believe there was a smile on my face as I walked (instead of drove) on grounds (campus) to turn it in to the professor in person. I wished him an enjoyable summer and was on my way, listening to Selena Gomez's "Who Says" on repeat. Don't judge, it's such a cute/catchy song!

Then yesterday, I woke up at my prescribed 6am, threw on clothes and hopped in the car to head to the gym. As I turned in, I got a bad feeling--the parking lot was EMPTY. Luckily, I immediately realized my mistake--it was Saturday and the gym does not open until 8am on Saturdays, duh! But then I had to figure out what I was going to do instead. I contemplated waiting til 8am and going then. I contemplated running around the neighborhood. Running won--I didn't feel like sitting around because there was a good bit I wanted to get done that day. BUT, it was chilly and I really didn't feel like running my normal loop. So as I was passing Washington Park, I decided to do a stair workout. The only problem? The stairs there are awkwardly long, so I was taking odd strides and had to make sure to do an even number of sets and break it up so I was starting off on the opposite foot each time. All-in-all, it helped though--I mean stairs are still stairs, and I do feel like I got a good workout.


I also treated myself to a new pair of booty shorts by Nike. I just had to--I'm shrinking too much for my current getup and I kinda wanna show off what I've been working for, not gonna lie! Following that, I had an epically unhelpful trip to Sam's Club--they didn't have anything I was looking for--bulk egg whites anyone??--yet I did stumble upon something I wanted and didn't think to look for. That thing being bulk sugar-free coffee syrups--jackpot! With two flavors in hand, I walked out a bit happier. And then the greatest thing happened--I was hanging out with a friend, and she happened to be puppy-sitting for her friend, so I got to hang out with a puppy! Okay, yes I do have a puppy that I love and adore and makes me laugh, but there's something about larger breed puppies that makes them adorable as well. This one, named Tank, was a pit bull/shepherd/lab mix and so sweet! We wrestled--I think he won because he's just too cute to lose.

When I finally got to the gym, I was definitely in a good mood, fresh with memories of puppy play and coffee (haha). When I got on the treadmill for my last cardio of the day, I actually managed to run a 7 minute mile! I cannot recall the last time I even wanted to do that! I wasn't planning on running at this pace for as long as I did--in fact, I even went over my cardio time for a couple minutes just to finish up--but I got going and it felt good and I was rocking my new shorts, so I thought, "Hey, why not see if I still got it??" It's no sub 6-minute mile like I ran back in my glory days, but I'll take it! After all, I'm not training for a race, I'm training for a figure competition.

I wasn't intending this post to be so lengthy, but when I'm gone for 3 days, I guess I can't expect any less. Other key things from this week--my poor, poor girls continue to shrink, and I decided to be social the past two nights! Friday night was very low-key and I only stayed out for about an hour--long enough to meet a friend's new boyfriend. Last night got a bit lengthy, as I lost track of time having a good time drinking water with some great friends I have neglected.

It was a bit of an awakening being at bars last night, for a couple reasons.

Where you could find me, most pre-prep nights...

1. "Ohhhh, that's how I act when I'm drunk." --One of my friends recently turned 21 and I have dubbed her the new drunk version of the old me. It's interesting seeing drunk people from a sober perspective. And yet completely entertaining.
2. When you know all the bartenders at your favorite bar and you haven't seen them in forever a while, then you order a water, you have a lot of explaining to do. I generally try to sum this up in a few short words--"I'm not drinking til the end of July/beginning of August. I'm training for a figure competition." But then both they and surrounding eavesdroppers drunk boys want to know what that is, want you to flex, give you all their attention until you walk away uninterested. Okay, that last part was directed mostly to the surrounding drunk boys. My bartender friends are awesome and, even though they could totally win in an arm-wrestling match, I always appease them by flashing my guns when they ask, awkward as it is.
3. When you go to a bar that you frequent in a pretty small college town, you are bound to run into the person you have no desire to see. Which results in a conversation similar to this: Boy: "Liz!!!! **insert huge pick-up hug here** What's going on? I haven't seen you in forever! By the way, I got a new phone, so I don't have your number...and I don't think you have mine anymore??"Me: "No, don't think I do... (And don't want it)" ...Time elapses and a half-hour later he comes back over, says he's leaving and mentions not having my number again. Awkward. So I unenthusiastically give it to him, to which he replies that he will text me--what, no phone calls these days?--yawn. Buddy, if you couldn't already tell, I really do not want to hear from you. There's a reason that A. I don't have your number and B. you haven't heard from me, oh, and C. this is me being nice, now please go away before I'm not. And by the way, your girlfriend is really pretty. Gag, wannabe cheaters.
4. I really cannot do this often. I left a bit later than I intended and by the time I got home and got in bed it was 1am. 5 hours of sleep is NOT enough. Lesson learned. 

But at the end of the day/night, I have a very rewarding and pleasant week! I'm down another couple pounds and am interested to see where my BF% and BMI are at when I check in with Pleasants later today. And he said we're cutting carbs even more, so that should be interesting! Ta ta for now my bloggie loves, gotta get my workout on!

What is your "awakening" when you go out with friends during prep/when you haven't been out in a while? Any awkwardness, like during my night?

What made your week that much better??

Me and my momma!

Lastly, Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you so SO much!

Man Overboard!

The phrase seriously sums up how I feel tonight. I woke up early to get in my abs/calves/1st cardio, and when I got home I was feeling very much awake. As the day went on, I took some time for myself--the calm before the storm (of final papers)--and pretty much just watched online TV. Oh, and I had my interview &I made a trip out to Target--Archie got some new treats and bones that he is LOVING!!!

Archie's EXACT reaction...

My second round at the gym was at 4 for legs--hit them HARD. And silly me didn't think "Oh today is leg day and I have to work afterward for 4 hours so I probably shouldn't wear heels." Nope, I wore them--as I was driving in the car I realized my mistake--I could feel a little tightness as I stepped on the gas/brakes as necessary. And then, with 15 minutes to spare before I had to be on the clock at LOFT, I whipped out my 9 ounces of chicken and broccoli. I'm a bit afraid of what happened next--I DEVOURED it! All of it! Yesterday I was having a hard time finishing even 8 ounces, and yet today I almost still felt hungry. Almost--it was actually water that I was "hungry" for.

It had to be the combination of my ass-kicking workout (thanks, Kevin!) and my refuel afterward, but my energy levels rapidly sank like a hit ship. Faster than the Titanic--that's how quickly. I honestly have no idea how I managed to get through work. But I did, so no biggie! I'm taking all of this as a learning experience though--I mentioned to Pleasants my energy drain and he said that's bound to happen with the carb unload (which is Wednesdays through Saturdays). I mean, it definitely makes sense, but if anything I wouldn't expect to start feeling the dragging sensation until Thursdays. Interesting.

Tomorrow I have a 5:30 workout, so I should probably get in bed soon (I'm currently on the bed, but I don't think that's the same thing). I do want to share with you a delightful little picture that will soon be talked about again on this blog for sure...

See what that says on that little package there?! STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE COFFEE!!!! I have yet to mention that I LOVE strawberries! In fact, I'm actually (more than) a bit bummed that I won't be able to eat any during the prime strawberry season (May) this year. Back home in Virginia Beach, we have an agricultural area called Pungo filled with farms and tons of strawberry patches. Memorial Day weekend they even throw a festival--The Pungo Strawberry Festival. I can't tell you how sad I am that I won't be able to indulge in a strawberry shortcake or a strawberry daiquiri--I wasn't of legal age last year, so this would be the first year I could actually try a fresh one. SIGH. There's always next year, and as far as I know, I'm not going anywhere.

But anyway, I'm excited to try the coffee--just have to get through the bag that I'm currently working on--Hazelnut Cinnamon. And doesn't the sugar-free syrup look good too?! Vanilla! Not sure if it will taste alright with the strawberry shortcake coffee, but you know I'm still going to try it (just in case)!

Fave! I loved her as a little girl, and still do!
In fact, aside from Ariel, I wanted to be her!

P.S. I've read a lot of blogs that have May promises/resolutions(?), so I'm totally on board with this idea (okay, yes, this is contradictory to the blog title--but that refers to my energy)! In case you haven't already figured it out, I'm trying to be more optimistic while maintaining my oh-so-subtle sarcasm. I've even incorporated 5 smiles in today's post--6 if you count yours if you are currently smiling or at any point did smile while reading this.

Can you find all 5 smiles?? Two of them are a little bit tricky. Are you doing anything special for May? Are there any fruits you love or things you would love to do but have to miss this month??


I hope you all have wonderful dreams about being your favorite childhood storybook characters tonight!

P.P.S. Shout-out to Brantley over at the Newsplex! Miss you already, you mentor, you (and our coffee club "meetings"...because everyone knows coffee means business)!!

You have to be kidding me...

I want this keyboard--especially love
the "enter" key!

A BIG uh-oh! So the past few days, more than one of my meals has been egg whites. Now, the carton of liquid egg whites says 1/4 cup is 1 egg. This seemed like a hell of a lot of a bit too much food to me, so I just googled the conversion. What did I find? 2 tablespoons is 1 egg white, 3 tablespoons is one whole egg. I've been eating too much!!! I kinda felt that I was eating too much anyway, but then again, I'm used to eyeballing it, which is me ultimately estimating how much, say, 3 ounces is (I was probably "measuring" out half of that and calling it 3 ounces). WAHHHHHH--I FEEL FAT! But you know what, it's okay, because: A. it's protein and B. at least I found out early on. See, I can do this whole optimism thing! :)

I do want to apologize for being MIA for two a few days, but I was really stressing my entire grade final paper for my biometeorology class. Good news though--the due date got pushed back to Friday (of course I found this out in class when I was freaking out all morning yesterday). I had to miss a cardio sesh because of it, but it's okay, I'll make it up, even if a day late. Which reminds me, I had an amazing run outdoors this morning--I managed to catch the sunrise & it was BEAUTIFUL!! Put a smile on my face for sure--I do believe it is going to be a good day (even though it is my last day at the newsplex, tear, tear).

Typical nice day in Historic Downtown Charlottesville

And I'll be done with all my papers, a.k.a. the semester, a.k.a. COLLEGE, by Friday night! Only three papers between now and then--not too bad. It's hard to keep up with reading/writing my blog(s) though, so I apologize in advance if you don't hear from me a whole lot this week. I do want to let you in on a little piece of info though--I have an interview tomorrow morning! Okay, so it's not for a "career" job, but it will work out well til I find one of those. Charlottesville has an amazing Historic Downtown area, which is full of restaurants and small businesses, and the occasional yoga studio, etc. Well, long story short, a friend from back home now lives here and he recommended me to his boss...andddddd he's 99% sure that I have a job hostessing/waitressing at the restaurant he works at! In the Charlottesville restaurant business, working downtown is practically the most desirable area to work--big $$ to be made, especially during the summer when you can sit outside and enjoy a nice meal in beautiful weather. So wish me luck, but it looks like I'm golden for this one!

"No mom, you're wrong--
I own this bed!"

In other news, little Archie has had a BIG week! He's learning to go potty like a man ;) and he taught himself to jump on the bed--which is pretty high for him. Now that I think about it, that could be a bad thing, the jumping, but it's still exciting. I remember when he wasn't able to walk up stairs on his own just a few months ago... My little gentleman is growing up so fast! Then one day he's going to go off to college and I'll have an empty nest... Oh wait, he's a dog--scratch that!

Edit: I'm thinking of purchasing a tub of powdered egg whites to cut down on cost since I go through so many. Has anyone tried this? Am I able to cook them on the stove top (adding water according to directions) just like I would normal egg whites?? I'm having a hard time using google to answer this question.