Carolina Swag

Prise de conscience: realisation

I am very much in love with David Hindman. I revel in that every single day.

I never attributed my level of happiness to how close I drew to God.  

I can't remember ever being as happy as I am now. It speaks for itself.

I want to live in NC. In David's dream house. With the three "guest" bedrooms.

We've slimmed down so much since then! (10/2011)

Decisions that need to be made about my projected path in graduate school have been creeping up on me lately. Licensure laws and requirements to become a licensed mental health professional are different for every state. And it costs a hell of a lot of money to get licensed. I'm slightly worried about where to get licensed, knowing very well that I won't be in Florida forever. And hopefully not even too much longer. This anxious feeling I'm having is incredibly premature, but I can't shake it. I'm used to knowing and planning and doing. Even as I type this, I know I should be praying harder. But I'm impatient for answers. I'm good at being spontaneous. This situation demands just the opposite. Hello, reality.

Fitness Update:
Day 3 of Week 5 was a breeze! Warm up for 5 minutes, jog for 20 minutes, cool down for 5 minutes. Day 1 of Week 6, on the other hand, was brutal. David and I thought it would be easy; we were back to interval training. We'd already done it. Run for 5, walk for 3, run for 8, walk for 3, run for 5. By the time I was halfway through with the 8 minute interval, I was done. Winded. Exhausted. Mentally defeated. While this could be for a ton of different reasons (wearing a sports bra that has become too big, forgetting to use my inhaler before the run, speeding walking two miles with Monica the day before, the 90-ish-degree-pollen-filled weather), all I'm really left with are excuses. Though I made it through without stopping, I can't help but feel disappointed in my body.  It was so frustrating! Not to mention, it's been so hard to eat healthy. I've been so hungry. I can't afford all the fruit and filling, fat-free stuff that I'd been eating with all the wedding stuff and the whole "providing for two" situation (not that I'm complaining, darling). I'll just be glad when the wedding is over and I can get back on track with my finances. If David can land this job with Florida Commerce, I can start saving again. Then a move to NC wouldn't seem so unrealistic. If I could just save between $7,000 and $10,000 over the next few years, it'll be easy.

Week 6, Day 2 was much easier. I'm enjoying the long distances much better. Yesterday, we flaked out on our running, which means we'll be running Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday this week. I was disappointed that we didn't stick to the schedule, but sometimes quality time together is more important than our "to do" list.

Other news:
Everyone's talking about it, so I'm sorry for the repetition. (I'm not.) The Hunger Games movie was...decent. I enjoyed the slight character development that was only suggested in the book, rather than actually explored. And for the sake of "theatrics", the movie wasn't that far off (ahem...Harry Potter) that I was upset. Most noteably, the "pin" situation, and Haymitch's character (even though Woody is awesome). All in all, it was alright. Stanley Tucci (Ceasar), Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss), and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) were great. I would see the other two if they came out as movies. As a side note, I wasn't gunning for Peeta until I read the third book, Mockingjay. Also, read the books before you see the movie. It's a must.

Saturday, I went to a "spa night" with some ladies from my church. While I didn't really get spa'd up, I got to enjoy some great company. I painted a lot of nails, and got to work on my french manicure skills. Oh. And I made my own foot scrub! I was hesitant about adding food coloring to the scrub (it was an awful diarrhea yellow), but after testing it on myself, I knew it would be fine. For about a week, I had been considering opening an Etsy shop after experimenting with a few scrubs. I'm thinking this summer will slow me down so that I can concentrate on some products, and maybe get together with Brittany so she can sell her awesome homemade polish.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

David is knee deep in The Hunger Games. And I'm in full Hunger Games mode. I'd go to the midnight showing on Thursday if I weren't so old and tired. I only go to midnight showings to see RP (we're on an initial-only basis).

It seems to be an ongoing trend that I've ceased taking pictures when I'm having a good time. When I get my new iPhone, I'll taking and posting ridiculous amounts. Our weekend in Orlando was great. Turns out that I was desperately in need of girl time. I got a little migraine/nauseous on Saturday night and had to catch a cab back to the hotel from CityWalk, but that was the only hiccup. Thank God for mini-golf, outlet stores, and Tu Tu Tango.

Skylar, Lauren, Me, Amanda, and Jessie in the center!

Lauren and I on St. Patty's wearing not one speck of green!

And some mustache greatness.

***

Back to the Hunger Games, I really want these (these particular ones sold from Etsy, but I want ones like it):

Now that David is reading the books, he'll understand why I want them. :-D

And last, but certainly not least: David and I are starting week 6 of C25K this week. Yesterday, we finished our last day of week 5: running for 20 minutes with no walking. I thought it was going to be difficult, but it seems that it was just in my head. We both finished strong. Such progress is exciting!!

Look for my watermark tee tutorial tomorrow. See you soon, lovies.

Overwhelmed by Hunger.

Should curiosity beseech you, treat yourself to The Hunger Games. It would be selfish of me not to recommend this amazing book that I picked up this week and finished in less than 24 hours. While it had moments reminiscent of the Goblet of Fire, it was a quick, riveting read. The moment that I finished the book, I headed straight to Amazon to buy the next two. 

Other than that, I will be the first to admit my absolute and utter Daniel fast FAILURE. After a successful, water-filled Monday and a painful Tuesday, my migraine and my nausea had completely taken me over. I left work a little earlier than usual; barely able to keep my eyes open. By the time I walked through the door, I was in full zombie mode. I groaned (cried) all the way to my bedroom, shut the door, and fell face-first onto my cloud. David called and offered to make dinner, which, at that point, sounded much better than anything I was facing at that very moment. I tried to sleep. One hour. Two hours. Nothing. I woke up feeling even more nauseated and dizzy than I had before I laid down. I knew caffeine had been the culprit, and had ultimately gotten me where I was. So I made a quick cup of coffee and chugged it as fast as I could without burning the roof of my mouth. Still nothing. I took an Excedrin, two Vicodin, and drank some water. Again, nothing. I straggled to the couch, eating up his delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner: grain, meat, sauce, bread, something...anything. My nearly forgotten about hunger had certainly been quenched, but I was still dizzy; still a throbbing mess. 

When I woke up on Wednesday morning, I felt much better. Decidedly, I knew I couldn't continue my fast the way I had been going on. Whether it's postponed or simply moderated, I'm not sure, but I've tried to continue eating fruits and vegetables, and drinking my water...and my cup of coffee, of course. 

Today, David and I made it to the much anticipated Jason's Deli for lunch. Simply wonderful. David and Jason, if you were wondering. Have I mentioned that I love this boy? I've noticed that I've had trouble sleeping over the past few days, as well. I'd like to attribute it to rarely sleeping alone. The past few days have contained a much too much empty bed. Thankfully, I've convinced David that his similar recent sleep trouble is related, and I currently find myself in good company. He's finally started up his blog again! Check it out here. It's got a fresh new look (you're welcome). I'm hoping that this means that he'll have the opportunity to guest blog for me sometime in the near future (thank you, Brittany, for this awesome idea!) Speaking of Brittany, I'm hoping she and I will be trading eachother's territory for a guest post, as well. 

Other things...Lynn and Mallory and I will be sharing Mallory's bathroom for the next few days while David works on the other bathroom. It's in need of some serious TLC and remodeling. Thank God for men who do manly work. Otherwise, that bathroom would stay this way forever. Oh! And I'm hoping to segue into the technologically-savvy world of Apple products (as if my iPod touch counted for nothing) by purchasing my very first iPhone. That's if I can find a feasible plan, or get together with someone else and their family plan. Being a Boost Mobile customer has spoiled me. I'm quite comfortable with my $53 a month for unlimited everything, thank you very much. It will be an eye-opening transition. Yay responsibility!

Good night, for now. Wish me well as I continue this strangely satisfying pseudo-fast. Check out David's blog, and read some of his ridiculously blessed life. If luck be the lady, he is my lady. Or...um? Ok. Good night.