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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Blog #148: Christmas and things.

Hi.

It's only been 2 days! That's way better than two months and I am going to buy myself a present to celebrate.

Just kidding. I've had plenty of presents the past couple weeks days. I've given myself quite a special Christmas. Once you're a grown up that's kind of on you to spoil yourself a little bit, though I had some help from the boyfriend and my family and as always, my boss. This was my first Christmas that I've ever spent away from my mom. I was a little sad about it, but was welcomed into my boyfriend's family Christmas and had a great time visiting with his family and only being slightly hyper competitive while playing Pitch.

I mostly just wanted to show you some of the fun we've been having the past week or so. Boyfriend & I had our Christmas night out and gift exchange on the 19th so that we could do something just the two of us. We exchanged gifts, had dinner at Pierponts, then watched some Parks and Rec to close out the evening. It was wonderful. As I said Monday, he got me a handy dandy digital camera. In addition to that I got some tokens to Quay Coffee and an adorable print of a picture of us in NYC. I got him a Coach messenger bag filled with electrical tape, scissors, and pita chips. I guess you can say that our first gift exchange was a raging success.

Merry Christmas!
Christmas Tree at Union Station
Yum.
Reaction when someone is having more fun with my present than me.
Pretty.

Union Station

 Christmas Eve festivities involved a birthday lunch for his mom at Chapell's in North Kansas City, some last minute shopping at Zona Rosa (I only lost him once.), a race against the clock at Hyvee before they closed for the night, and then snacks and punch at my dad & stepmom's house in Gardner. We got all kinds of goodies there and finished off the evening sipping wine and watching Christmas Vacation - a movie which will never get old for me.

Christmas morning! I made Chris Cakes pancakes (I tinkered a bit with the recipe so we called them "Riss Cakes") with a homemade syrup that would make Buddy the Elf proud. Then, we made a quick stop to spread some Christmas cheer to my sister before it was off to BF's parents' in Kearney. I MAY have gorged myself on crackers and spreads and turkey and rolls and potatoes and ice cream cake but you'll never prove it. We had a delightful time and I'm so grateful that I could be included.

Unfortunately, only sporadic portions of the festivities were photographically documented due to my creative "storing" location for my camera and charger. It's in a different place every time. The adventure happens when I try to remember where I put it.

presents!


We enjoyed fiddling with the settings on the camera to get some pretty colorful pictures.


Boyfriend always pointing camera at me.




retaliation.

Someone likes tools.

wonderment.
More to come after the New Year's weekend extravaganza in Austin! Our flight leaves at 6am Friday which though I'm pretty sure is illegal at least puts us in Austin early enough to count Friday as a whole day. But 6am? Who's idea was that? (I think it was mine.)




Monday, December 24, 2012

Blog #147: Has it been 2 months?

Here's the thing. I've probably thought about a handful or more of things that would be funny or interesting (to me anyway) to write that were more than a tweet or facebook status but less than a blog somehow. And I thought that if I actually sat with them long enough one of them would magically blossom into an actual blog post. What I didn't count on, which is silly because it's basically what I do, is that I would forget about all those things and then mosey over here randomly on Christmas Eve only to see that I haven't written anything here in two months.

I'm still alive.

Here are a few basics, then I'll try to actually get something going for real in the new year (with help from a nice new little digital camera... my gift from a wonderful boyfriend).

1. My post-grad/relationship weight gain is gone! Thanks to my fitbit, myfitnesspal, and my obsessive tendencies, I've gotten 10lb lighter in the past 3 months! Slow and steady wins the race. I wouldn't mind 3-5lb more so I'm going to keep up with it, but my clothes are fitting well again and my next goal will just be to get more fit and toned. I just need to make it to January 1 without gaining it all back! (I'm looking at you, Christmas cookies.)

2. After Christmas celebrations this week with Kansas City family, Eric and I are headed to Austin to party up the new year Texas style with my parents. Good times shall be had by all and as always, I don't guarantee I won't fall in love with the city too hard this time to come back.

3. To be continued (in less than 2 months) because it's Christmas Eve and I've gotta go!

Merry Christmas. Tidings of Comfort and Joy to you and yours!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Blog #145: Things 1-4

1. Did you guys know that I'm going to NYC this week? Because I am. I leave after work Thursday. And my boss is out of town so my time at the office until Thursday will be spent carefully planning each NYC day and creating lists of things to bring which mostly center around blister sticks and moleskin so that I can walk everywhere in mostly comfort but not be that person in tennis shoes when I can be that person in adorable shoes.

2. I'm over halfway through Atlas Shrugged. It's much more engaging than 50 shades of gross, which I quit without making it halfway into the first book. Not because I found the content offensive (though it's not my thing) but because I found the terrible writing offensive. I am still in awe that it was allowed to be published. Then I found out it started out as a Twilight FanFic and everything made sense again. Also, I hated America. Anyhow, Atlas Shrugged has been on my literary bucket list for awhile and Ayn Rand is so much easier to tackle when you don't have to worry about your Junior honors english teacher asking you quiz questions like "What as the 3rd letter from the left of the 5th word from the right on the 16th line of page 732?". So I'll probably read The Fountainhead again eventually. If I can get over the obsessive teacher flashbacks.

3. The Chiefs are really bad you guys. I'm not even okay. Fire ALL the people.Not you Jamaal. You can stay.

4. Things you find at an antique store that are then burned into your mind forever and you can't sleep anymore:


Friday, October 5, 2012

Blog #144: I'm getting so old you guys.

So, I had a birthday. On Monday. You know. October 1st.

And now I am 28.

Aside from that AGE just sounding old to me (well, not like it's an old age, but like it's an old age for me to be because last I checked I was a fresh from college corporate newbie.), I can't help but try to figure out how it got here so fast. I don't think I'm going to worry about it. I don't LOOK my age. Though, now that I am 28 it's probably time to start investing both my time and some $$$ in a real beauty/face preserving routine. And also it's probably time to get better at flossing. And keeping a clean car/room. Some things seem cute for a 21-25 year old but are just downright embarrassing when you're 28. I'm also newly obsessed with my fitbit because a 28 year old should have a regular workout routine. I think. I'll blog more about the fitbit and my obsession later. For now, I'll tell you how I spent my birthday. Then I'll show you some pictures.

I woke up at the crack of 6:30 (ew, but it gets better) because it was a Monday but I didn't have work - I had the Solace House golf tournament fundraiser - On the Upswing. Boyfriend had agreed to volunteer to help with me and he promptly started my day beautifully, with  some gorgeous purple flowers first thing in the morning. Then, with some rushing, we got to the tournament. It was a little frantic at first, and frustrating when I realized I had forgotten my signage. But boyfriend left to go back to get it. Before he could, of course I remembered that I had it in my email so I reprinted - so he just brought me a pumpkin spice latte instead.

At the golf tournament we had a "prize drawing" ("raffles" are illegal in KS apparently.) There were five different prize packages to win - worth varying amount of tickets to enter. I entered the minimum amount of tickets for 2 different baskets just to give a little back to Solace House. They were very popular ones and people were maxing out on tickets for them, so I didn't figure to win anything - I was just happy to give. I. WON. THEM. BOTH. That is called birthday luck. So, I have various restaurant gift cards, a $300 spa visit, $100 to Lowe's (which I handed over to Boyfriend) and a very expensive Golf package including irons (boy), foursomes at two Country Clubs (boy) and a couple of other things I plan to gift. BIRTHDAY LUCK.

We were going to eat at Pierponts for dinner, but my amazing luck got us a Seasons 52 giftcard so we decided to try it. Seasons 52 is a very healthy restaurant on the Plaza. They have a full time menu and several items that change with the season, and every main course is under 475 calories. They also have a great wine selection, and the servers are (well, at least OUR server was) incredibly helpful at working with the bartender to pair the perfect wine to your food selection and tastes. Anyhow, it was fancy, very sweet, and a pretty romantic time.

But then.

After dinner Boyfriend drove me to the Westin, and told me to follow him. I wasn't sure what we were doing. We go in, and go up the elevator, and he takes me outside. I guess it wasn't quite the roof but it was high up, with a view of the Kansas City Skyline, very picturesque. He handed me a card he had made, with a picture of us on the inside and an arrow to a huge aerial picture of NYC. Folded inside the card were our flight confirmation print outs. I had known that he was taking me (obviously, we had to plan it!) and I had explicitly told him that I didn't expect anything else for my birthday, but he still found a way to "give" it to me and make it incredibly special. That guy.

Anyhow, it was a very sweet moment. Romantic swoony stuff. No laughs to be had there. And there's probably no way for me to come back from that so I'll be done there. Enjoy pictures!



Friday, September 28, 2012

Blog #143: Made it!

I made it! I did it! I'm a P90x champ! Well, I mean, I've successfully (sort of) gotten through phase 1 of P90x (for the most part.)

I'm struggling to follow the "no weigh" rule I made for myself but not that much because while I have noticed increased stamina/energy while working out, I haven't really seen any visible/tangible changes in my actual body yet.I know it takes time and I also know that if I stopped trying to consider candy corn a vegetable and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies an acceptable breakfast, it would happen sooner.  I know that's to come, especially with as I continue to progress in how long I can push myself harder in workouts. I have a feeling that actually getting on a scale at this point would be discouraging.

The best thing happened Wednesday. It was cardio day so I went for a run. Now, I had all but convinced myself to just go home and watch the new Modern Family. BUT, at the last second I was like "Marissa! go for that run!" so I did. I walked a half mile to my new favorite trail, and took off. Well, by "took off" I mean "started jogging at a reasonable pace." I ran out to to the bridge by what used to be The Flamingo and back. Then I walked the half mile back to where my car was. I felt great the whole time. Endorphins were IN THE HOUSE. I was thinking "I bet I went almost 3 miles including my warmup/cooldown. I'm almost back to charity 5k form!" THEN, yesterday I looked up the route on mapmyrun.com and found out that the running portion of my workout itself was OVER 3 miles! With my warmup/cooldown I'd gone OVER FOUR! I know that's not super far. I know I've run farther and faster. But you guys, this is the first time since before I started grad school in 2008 that I have gone that distance.

 "But Marissa, you got all skinny and stuff in grad school, what do you mean you couldn't run?" As I've told you though, in grad school I was stressed and busy and living off of green beans, granola bars, and occasional dry cereal. I got "all skinny and stuff" because I barely ever ate. So I was all dark circle eyed and tired and sure I could fit into a size 2 but I wasn't in any shape whatsoever. So, as I'm feeling more and more healthy/in shape I may just have to accept that I'm destined to be more of a 4-6 than a 2-4 but at least I'll be able to sustain a healthy amount of activity.And I realize that those are still small sizes and that I'm lucky to have a more petite frame naturally but that also means that even small fluctuations can have a major effect on my shape and how my clothes fit, so it's give and take.

Phase 2 starts Sunday! I'm going to try to maybe focus more on my food choices at that point... but I still have to get through all of these restaurants I have free birthday food from first.


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Blog #142: When life is awesome...

I guess when life gets good the blogging gets infrequent? Not that life was bad when it was frequent but maybe now it's just awesome? But I think life is pretty awesome in general, even when not awesome things happen. So this is all to say that I've got zero good reason for not writing. Except for maybe that I hate forcing a blog. It should just flow, you know? I've had lots of things to write about. Like the super sweet and spontaneous (alliteration!) picnic stop on the way home from Branson that I made with boyfriend with Osceola Cheese and Mt. Pleasant wine. Or the super sweet and spontaneous (alliteration again! and again! and again!) walk at the lake in Parkville followed by a delicious grilled veggie dinner, also with the boyfriend. But no one likes a braggart.

Or I could write about P90x. We're plugging along at it but woefully a week behind. It's HARD to find that kind of time 6 days a week no matter how motivated you are. Also, it turns out that I hate yoga. At least the way P90x does it. And I love kick boxing. Jab. I think I'm averaging about 4 days a week which is still a vast improvement from the zero to 1 day a week of working out I was averaging before we started. Eating well is probably currently a 65-70% thing and not the 80-90% I'd like to get it to. But I feel stronger!

I won't be writing about the Chiefs today. And maybe not for awhile.

I won't be writing about election stuff, probably ever.

Here are some things I don't mind writing about:

1. I gasped in my head (like, I heard myself audibly gasp but it wasn't out loud.) at this outfit/skirt. Kendi does no wrong.
2. I'm finally on the Revlon Lip Butter bandwagon and that stuff is for realz playa. (blogger recognizes "realz" as a word somehow but not "playa". Oh wait, there's that red squiggly.)
3. My birthday is in 13 days and I get to gladly share it with the On The Upswing golf tournament - a fundraiser for one of my favorite places, Solace House.
4. I am up to 4 pairs of colored pants. They are all in the red family (red, pink, burgundy, light purple). The mint ones keep looking too white and the blue ones seem overdone. I don't think I have a problem yet but would like you to look out for me.
5. And now for another countdown! Did you know I am going to NYC in a month for 5 days? I AM! With Boyfriend. We leave 10/18. So... like 30 days!

5 things is just right. See you next time, blog.
               





Thursday, August 23, 2012

Blog 141: Self Challenge

So. I am in an uncomfortable relationship with most of my clothes. In that they are getting uncomfortable for me to wear due to the snug fit that I believe is a direct result of being 8 months post grad school. I barely ever ate anything other than coffee with granola bars or dry cereal in grad school. That + stress = woohoo, thin! But not quite healthy. However, I did get rid of most clothes that fit too loosely because HELLO, not flattering. And my closet was/is overwhelming, so getting rid of the frumpy stuff made sense. Unfortunately, now I've come to a place where even the jeans that just barely got kept (because I liked them too much despite that they were loose) are fitting me good and snug. 8-10lb does not sound like a lot until you put them on a 5'4 small frame. Now, I truly believe that my system is technically HEALTHIER now than it was at this time last year. It's not like I've been eating fried Twinkies every day for the last half year. I've been making fairly healthy choices, just need to adjust my portion sizes, probably and activity level, definitely. I don't believe the BMI is a totally accurate reflection of overall health but mine is still in the healthy range, so it's not like this was an earth shattering body change that everyone does a double take noticing (even if it was, those people are jerks.)

And while I would love to be totally evolved and accept this as the post grad me, very few of my clothes are flattering right now, and I miss wearing them. I'm not sure I have 1 pair of jeans that I actually love the fit of with the new weight. And you guys, I'm broke. I'm on shopping lock down. So buying several items in the next size up so that I can be fabulous AND comfortable is not entirely feasible. I'll have to do the next best thing: wear my most comfortable and flattering pieces while working to feel better in my jeans again. If by the end of this, my clothes are still snug, I will accept it as a sign, and start remodeling my closet. Deal?

I've been working on cooking for myself more and making better choices (still hard to part with the various candy addictions throughout the day) and off and on sort of committing to working out, but starting next week I am embarking on an actual, intentional challenge. I was going to do it in conjunction with actually TRYING for improvement during the Ingram's Fittest Executive challenge (unlike last year when my life was so consumed with school and internship stuff that I could only muster halfway decent before and after scores with no meaningful improvement.) Unfortunately, our company is not going to be participating in the Ingram's Fittest Executive challenge this year. After kindly listening to my brief, whiny, entitled meltdown on the topic, Boyfriend patiently suggested that maybe he and I just do something. So, next week we're going to start P90x. We'll complete a work out every day, most of the time together but when schedule or travel prevents, we'll still do the same thing, but obviously at our own time. I'll be especially intentional and mindful about my meals/snacks during that time too.

I promise, I am just trying to get my pre-grad school level of fitness back. You know, a fatty cut of bacon is much thinner but way less healthy than a cut of lean steak. I believe I was kind of "bacon-y" in grad school. Very little muscle. I lost my ability to run more than a mile at once (from half marathon shape!). This is not entirely about weight loss. In fact, I expect to lose very little actual weight. I hope focusing on fitness leads to less inches, but overall I just want to be strong and healthy. To prevent myself from flipping out and making this all about counting calories or a number on the scale, I'm setting some boundaries:

1. No more than 2 weigh ins. One at the beginning of the 90 days and 1 at the end. My weight fluctuates a good 5 pounds depending on hormones, and I know it takes awhile for the muscle developed to totally replace fat loss - and that muscle is more dense. So, in order to not make this one of those things where I weigh myself every day and then freak out and refuse to eat more than dry cereal and broccoli as a result of what I see, I'm limiting the weigh ins. The benefits of exercise and healthy choices are much further reaching than an arbitrary number on a scale. I imagine I'll be too busy feeling energetic (after I am sore forever.) and strong to think too much about weight. (Not. I will always think about weight. That is why I only get 2 weigh ins.)
2. No skipping meals. I'm mostly guilty about this at breakfast. Sometimes lunch. The thing is, earlier in the day is a better time to get your calories anyway. Not that I'll be actually counting calories because:
3. No calorie counting/points. Weight Watchers is an excellent program and I am grateful to it for teaching me the awesomeness that is fiber and protein. BUT. Again with the obsessiveness. I'm way too much of a rule follower to keep this healthy. And by that I mean that I overachieve and try to follow rules that aren't even there. 20 points a day? HOW ABOUT 14? I'LL EAT ONLY 14. And then we're back to broccoli and dry cereal and opening a can of green beans, dumping it into a bowl, sticking into a microwave for 2 minutes, and calling it "dinner." "VEGGIES ARE ZERO POINTS. EAT ALL THE GREEN BEANS."

Here is the set of guidelines I hope to follow for at least 80% of the time on this 90 day challenge. 80% because I think being flexible with yourself is important and makes you more likely to succeed. And also because my birthday falls on a Monday within the challenge so I'll probably be breaking each of these guidelines then.
1. Done eating by 7pm. I want to give my body the night to deal. I'll keep downing all that water though. WATER WINS. Which brings me to #2...
2. Water/milk only during the week (alcohol allowed on weekends/special occasions. Try to avoid pop altogether.)
3. Eat with intention (meaning up the veggie content and prepare some stuff ahead of time) - plan healthy snacks and mostly homemade meals. Do a very honest self-check before having seconds.

And that, my 3 readers, is it. Super simple. But I still find a way to type forever about it. Thanks for reading anyway. If you did.


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Blog #140: Oh, lately...

Just some good clean fun is all. Thrown in with some tire failings and superhero boyfriends and delicious meals and football & baseball games. And fun outfits and shrimp boils I love it all.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Blog #139: This is terrible news.

I often use the internet to diagnose myself with a myriad of serious illnesses. Usually in jest. However, once or twice (or every time I feel something "not right" - I'm very aware of my body and its processes) I do actually use Web MD, Google, and the like to investigate my actual symptoms in the hopes of finding the root of my discomfort so that I can save the copay and treat it on my own. And here's the thing: at least 3 times in the past 2 years, I have gone to the doctor and been given the exact diagnosis I hypothesized. And it's not things like "common cold." My most recent foray into the medical field on the internet was a skin thing and while I am lucky to have insurance so I could use my good sense to make an appointment about it, I still spent hours tracking down a diagnosis. And out of dozens of possibilities, I was right. I am GREAT at internet diagnostics. It saves me a lot of money in copay, because if it's not too serious, I don't go in.

We're all on board with my online investigative prowess when it comes to my minor illnesses? Good. So, now to the bad news.

On twitter I've been whining about my sinuses lately. The BFF suggested starting an antihistamine regimen which I will probably try. This post nasal drip is maddening.  However, I've noticed one other concerning element of the sinus drainage/headaches. The past week or so I've had 100 calorie dark chocolate bars (Trader Joe's FTW) as a dessert after lunch. Within 10 minutes of eating the bars, I would start to notice my headache getting exceptionally worse. It wasn't like crawl under my desk and die worse, but it was a noticeable increase in sinus pain/pressure. I ran out of the bars but had some dark chocolate chips (what can I say, a girl needs dessert!) that I brought today. I took like 10 of them out of the bag for a late morning snack. We're talking 10 tiny dark chocolate chips. I ate them and they were delicious. Then, a few minutes later, I noticed my sinus headache worse than it'd been all morning.

I googled "headache after eating chocolate" figuring it would just say something about sugar or something (even though it was a tiny amount, and I don't get the headaches after other sweet indulgences) and I found this article:

If you're allergic to chocolate or the dairy in the chocolate product, you can experience sinus headaches within minutes after consuming chocolate. Increased levels of histamine from an allergic reaction causes soft tissue such as the sinuses to become inflamed. During an allergic reaction, your immune system mistakes the chocolate or dairy as a harmful substance and attempts to fight it off with antibodies and histamine.


I may have a chocolate allergy. Let's all take a moment to let this sink in. I have joked about wishing I were allergic to the foods I love so I wouldn't eat them all the time, but never have I truly wanted for dark chocolate to be taken from me. Are there support groups for this? I need to figure out my new normal.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Blog #138: Wherein I beg for an Olympic Medal and am overly proud of myself for doing ordinary adult things.

You guys. I want to tell you how grown up I was this weekend. I mean, yes I took some naps and most of Sunday was spent in bed or on the couch but hear this: I was exceptionally adulty.

Maybe it's my new living situation that has me hyper aware of how I leave things because I did 2 cooking projects over the weekend that would have left my kitchen destroyed all week (month?) back when I lived alone. But not this time. No, I cleaned up after myself RIGHT AWAY and left the kitchen how I FOUND it like I was at my mom's house or something. Plus, these cooking projects were in order to plan ahead for lunches and dinners so as to avoid eating out! Just like I said I would! So instead of zipping out to spend $8-10 on a meal, I now have a good 8-10 meals that didn't cost me much more than that to make total!

Chicken Salad I made Friday night while being super-grown up.

Not only that, but Friday night. I did my laundry after only 2 weeks (instead of probably 6) so it was only 2 loads. Then, instead of leaving my clothes in the hamper or throwing them on the floor, I put them away immediately. That's right! No procrastinating. And while the laundry was going and chicken boiling for my chicken salad I ran the vacuum in the living room just for maintenance sake. Not because I spilled flour while trying to make cookies in front of my DVR (something that frequently happened at the old place.) Just because I thought, "Hm. It's been a few days since the living room has been vacuumed. Maybe I'll do that real quick." I also got my workout in even though my roommate was out and no one would have known otherwise. Friday & Sunday with their cooking projects and uncharacteristic cleanups were certainly one of my crowning moments in adulthood. And I went to work Saturday so that gets me grown up points too.
My spaghetti squash cooking project 

Lest I get too full of myself or you all think I've totally reformed, here are some "not so" adulty moments from the weekend:
- Saturday upon getting home from work at 3:30 I snacked on some Trader Joe's mini chicken tacos in bed before napping for 3 hours and then sitting in front of the TV watching the Olympics with a bottle of wine until 11pm. No workout. Oops.
- I didn't get out of bed for the day until after 11 on Sunday. And while I was working on my super adult spaghetti squash cooking project, I was also playing Super Nintendo with my roommate.
- We had wine and girl talk in lieu of a workout Sunday. Oops.
- Basically, every night during the Olympics has featured me on my couch for at least 4 hours straight.

May have spent an hour or so rocking the Super Nintendo.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Blog #137: On the whole August Challenge

Greetings, blog. As I mentioned the other day, I'm challenging myself to not eat out at all in the month of August. I promise this has nothing to do with the Chik fil a thing (though I would start to question my eating habits if I felt that my own patronage would make or break a fast food restaurant. I think I've eaten CFA maybe 5 times in my whole life. I just hope Chipotle never becomes so controversial that my mere consumption or desire for a burrito bowl reflects my character and personal life philosophy. Because I love my Chipotle burrito bowl and will miss it this month.) ** (Also, PLEASE read through the link on my last post re: CFA. I want to communicate about the tough issues with kindness and love and the recognition that very few things are as black and white as we'd like them to be. Culture wars be damned.)

Anyhow, the night of the 1st the boss actually gave me 2 tickets to go with my boyfriend to sit in the fancy seats at the Royals game that include all you can eat and drink, so I technically ate restaurant food but I didn't buy any, and this is really more about cost than consumption anyway.
very exclusive entrance

So close!
Here are my priorities for the August Challenge:
1. Save money!!! I haven't taken a HARD look at how much I spend per month on premade food, but the fact that I am averse to even thinking of adding it up means that I should concentrate more on groceries and learning to cook for 1-2 regularly than quickly zipping through my nearest Wendy's or Panera. The days of grad school are over and I have the time to spare, so there are no excuses.
2. Be Healthy. This takes #2 because I believe it's pretty much a side effect of preparing my own food anyway. Also because if someone (usually my boss on occasion, see post script) is going to bring in food from somewhere to the office and offer it to me, if it's something I love I will take advantage of the cost free treat! But health is a motivation here. My roommate and I have committed to doing the 30 day shred this month and have been adding in a mile jog/mile walk with it as well. Hopefully by making smarter food choices and doing the workouts I will start to feel less sluggish and fatigued overall. I can't wait to compare how I feel now with how I will feel at the beginning of September. Plus, my summer clothes are actually much more forgiving than my fall clothes when it comes to fit. The flowy skirts and dresses have allowed for me to fill out with BBQ and beer this summer and my skinny jeans aren't going to be so kind.

This whole thing was going to be a lead up into telling the story about how I was so dedicated to the idea of my "no eating out" that when I forgot my lunch for work yesterday I ended up scrounging until I found some raw broccoli and ranch I had left in the fridge and made myself some rice I found in my desk drawer flavoring it with old pizza hut parmesan cheese packets rather than go get food... but now I've typed so much that to tell that story in an interesting way would take way too much more time.

** Literally right after I typed that about Chipotle, my boss sent me a text telling me to place an order for Chipotle that he would pick up and bring in for lunch for several of us at the office. I kid you not. Yes, I will have a free burrito bowl and chips thankyouverymuch.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Blog #136: Various things I Care to To Think/Talk About more than Chik-Fil-A

1. The Olympics. They are the best. I don't even know what's going ON when I see two people in what look like space suits waving swords at each other until one of them lights up for some reason but I'm still totally enthralled. Granted, my favorites are gymnastics, beach volleyball, swimming, and track... but I could literally sit and watch every minute of all of it in fascination. I watched what I think was water polo while working today. Oddly enough, even if my favorites were on TV for any other kind of championship that wasn't the Olympics, I'd probably yawn and watch reruns of Friends insteads. But, because it is the Olympics, it matters.
2. For my job today I googled the following things: hookah catering, strolling magician, stone temple pilots lyrics. My job is so fun.
3. No eating out challenge this month! I won't be eating at any restaurants... especially not the fast food kind (regardless of presence of waffle fries/polynesian sauce/alleged bigotry) because I need to save money and eat better anyway.
4. I am REALLY not interested in getting into the whole Chik-fil a thing but I like the way this blogger talked about it. http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/07/27/in-the-basement#.UBkxaCwzorB.facebook

That's all.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Blog #135: yesterday

Sometimes traffic jams send me into a level of rage inappropriate for the minor inconvenience they really are. Yesterday there was an accident at a key juncture of my typically incident free commute home and rather than getting riled up at the feeling of being trapped and tired, I took the opportunity to enjoy the glory days of music (including but not limited to some Salt n Peppa and Sir Mixalot action)

Friday, July 20, 2012

Blog #134: Wherein I get a little serious.

I don't typically post opinions I have on topics that are considered controversial, for many reasons. One, I'm of the belief that strong statements in support of any side of an issue (especially if the issue is divisive) in a public forum should be backed with sound resources supporting them. Otherwise they are just more noise. I would prefer not to add to an already noisy internet, but I often tend to lack the follow through necessary to really put forth the time to get something meaningful and eloquent written. So, my opinion gets kept to myself or shared in discussions with those close to me.

Another reason is that I often don't feel convicted enough about something to devote a whole entry in my already sporadically updated blog just to rail about how the world needs more of this and less of that. I try to keep it mostly pretty fun around here. Plus, I don't know if I have it in me not to take opposing commentary personally. Especially if it's done the way most people disagree on the internet these days. You guys, my skin is just not that thick. So, since I can't take the heat, as they say, I pretty much stay out of that kitchen.

In fact,  I often keep myself from even making a spelling correction online just to avoid the backlash. The other day I read one of my favorite blogs, and she had asked her readers which movies made them cry. After about 8 commenters mentioned how various movies had them "balling" I myself had to BALL UP in a corner to physically restrain myself from an all caps tirade: "BAWL. TO CRY LIKE A BABY IS TO BAWL. YOU ARE BAWLING NOT BALLING. STOP IT." But alas, I held myself back.

However.

There is one thing that I feel very strongly about that doesn't need sources, or even much of an explanation. It shouldn't even need to be said and yet here we are. It has nothing to do with spelling or grammar (though, I still believe that the internet needs some help with that.). No, this is just me, making a plea for common decency, that will fall, I'm sure, on deaf ears.

The stories in the news and on the internet lately have been intense this week.But it's the commentary added to the links being shared on Facebook, the reactions in the comment section of the articles, and the overall attitude surrounding the way differing opinions are treated that has me troubled for humanity. And whether or not you believe that 2 men who want to be able to eat chicken sandwiches together for the rest of their lives should be able to teach a group of boys to tie knots and sell popcorn at Christmas time is irrelevant.

Can we all just take a minute and remember that even people who disagree with us are PEOPLE (unless they are Raiders fans.*) ? As in, actual human beings who, regardless of the way they feel about waffle fries and merit badges, are probably basically decent people (Unless they are Raiders fans*)? Can we remember that the issues we're disagreeing about are also about human beings? Not animals or monsters or aliens... but people who have feelings, dreams, hopes, and also are probably pretty decent for the most part? Because, the fact is, people aren't created or developed in a vacuum. A little bit of empathy, even in disagreement, to at the very least realize how someone got to an opinion (even an opinion you find abhorrent) goes a lot further in facilitating change than a personal attack ever will. I didn't totally mean to get on this soap box, and maybe I just need to take a break from reading articles about these topics (or at least from reading the comments sections) but I am equal parts fascinated and horrified at the way we choose to interact with one another. Maybe we should all just take a break from serious things on the internet until we can learn to respectfully disagree.

And for what it's worth, I believe it's none of my business WHO you want to eat chicken sandwiches with.

Thanks for reading. Now let's all have some margaritas and chill out.




*JK about the Raiders thing you guys. But seriously.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Blog #133: Pardon the Thigh Shot

But these bruises are just ridiculous. You may wonder, "Marissa, what monster have you been fighting so fiercely with that you should have such discolorations all over your legs?" To which I would reply, "THE BOXES! All the boxes!"

See, I moved apartments over the weekend. It wasn't too major of a life event because I stayed in the same complex but I still had to load and carry boxes. These particular bruises are the fault of my arms because I have zero upper body strength. When I want to lift an exceptionally heavy box I have to bump it with my leg to get the proper oomph factor. Of course, I bruise like a peach so the oomphs have added up and left me looking like a tough guy. I'm going with it.

While it's not a huge move in regard to distance, the new location/layout of my apartment has me a little disoriented. Pre-caffeine this morning in the shower I almost shampooed my hair with spring fresh body wash. That might also have been due to the adrenaline from dealing with the spider in my shower first thing in the morning but either way. Disorientation.

Come to think of it, my brain has been on the fritz for the past two weeks as far as forgetfulness goes in a variety of ways that are both like me in scatteredness but unlike me in frequency. I might need an X Ray.

Until then I'm just going to chalk it up to too much stuff going on up in there. Much like my room.

P.S. My new roommate has a dog so I guess I have 2 new roommates. Meet Jake. He is very handsome and while he seems to have a little separation anxiety, he's a good dog. We're going to be friends.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Blog #132: introduction.

Meet Boyfriend. We were going to grill out at Smithville Lake and fish tonight. He forgot the grill when we left. So we came back and we're patio grilling instead. This can count as another "non problem problem." oooh my boyfriend has to grill for me on a patio in his condo instead of taking me to the lake. My life is soooooo tragic."

He's okay.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Blog #131: Non Problem Problems.

Ugh. My life is so hard. Every time I try to be cost efficient and buy the Dove brand dry shampoo for $4 instead of my favorite splurge, the $15 Big Sexy Hair version, I end up regretting it. Why? Because I pay $4 for like one use because the sprayer always malfunctions before I can use up the whole bottle. I think I've probably purchased at least 4 Dove versions that have lost their spraying ability within the first 3 uses. I realize that ultimately I end up paying more for the Dove than for the perfectly functional yet more expensive Very Sexy brand but when I am in the moment at the store and I see $4 vs $15 I FREEZE. And I clearly continue to make the wrong choice.

And another thing! I had recently fallen in love with/been singing the praises of Benefit's "They're Real" mascara and while I still believe that it is truly wonderful, it's $18 a tube. Just the other day at Target I got myself some Maybelline "Falsies" mascara for $6 AND IT WORKS JUST AS WELL. JUST AS WELL!!! I feel like someone has been tricking me. But this revelation doesn't keep me from pining over the Urban Decay "Naked" eyeshadow palette ($50) because I have a problem.

How do I even get by??? Just Friday  as I was getting home from my flexible and gainful employment (late because I spent extra time hanging out with my boss and drinking in his office), there were no spots in the area closest to my consistent and safe apartment! I had to park like an extra 20 feet away. It was so annoying.

And I have TOO MANY CLOTHES AND SHOES. I have to pack and switch apartments this week and it's sooooo daunting. And whenever I gain weight it goes straight to my boobs making my clothes look funny and completely changing my shape so the 6ish extra pounds I'm carrying at the moment are making it seem like I don't have any clothes when I really have way too many.

Wanna punch me yet?

(Everything is a joke. Calm down.)

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Blog #130: I might be a communist.

This 4th of July came and went and I did exactly none of these things:

Wear patriotic colors
Watch fireworks
Say the pledge of allegiance
Sing the national anthem or God bless America
Go to a cookout
Wave an American flag
Hold a sparkler
Lay out by a pool
Go to a lake
Eat corn on the cob
Sit around a camp fire
Wear a cowboy hat/boots


These are the things I did do:

Got up early for work at my 2nd job
Read a book about attachment
Played "Proud To Be an American" by lee Greenwood via YouTube.
Listened to country music
Cooked brats for myself on my George Foreman.
Drank some Boulevard Wheats
Ate some grocery store deviled eggs
Hated myself for not realizing what a great opportunity the holiday would have been to finally play the True American drinking game from New Girl.
Missed New Girl.
Went to bed early.

So I'm probably a communist. But at least I didn't run off to Canada for the holiday like SOME people I know.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Blog #129: The latest ZBB album is streaming for free on iTunes today.

So that's what's in my ears. Over and over. Hopefully it will stream free all week until I can get it for myself when it officially comes out next week because I think I've developed a dependence. Sheer brilliance.

Other recent-ish releases you should be hearing:
Regina Spektor - What We Saw From the Cheap Seats
Metric - Synthetica
A Silent Film - Sand & Snow


It's too hot for me to entertain anything but straight up country music in my ears right now... So ZBB it is. (am I the only one that can't get enough country music during the hot summer months?)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Blog #127: Kate Spade Twirl

I love my Birchbox subscription because it has allowed me to have various perfume samples around that I would never have bothered trying otherwise. I've never been much of a perfume person... but I have found myself very partial to a couple of the samples. My very favorite (one that I will likely bite the bullet and buy soon) is Kate Spade's Twirl.

It's perfect and floral and romantic and I don't know any of the actual review terms for perfume because like I said, I'm not a perfume person but I love this. I love it so much that I'm not even going to try to edit that run on sentence I just typed. I'm dying to have a full size bottle of it because my sample is just about out and I hate the idea of not having this to smell whenever I want. BUT IT'S SO EXPENSIVE. At least for me. Why must I have such fancy tastes while I have student loan debt looming over my budget?

My birthday is in 117 days so you can consider this a hint.