Absolutely Living Life

Inspiration…

Jen — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:19:04 +0000

Inspiration…I’m always amazed me when and how inspiration finds comes along in life. Case in point, inspiration found me last night when a movie came on. Your probably wondering what movie I’m talking about…well it was Soul Surfer, the Bethany Hamilton story. For those of you who have not seen the movie I highly recommend that you watch it. I watched as a young girl at thirteen lost her arm to a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii. After the attack she never once gave up. She never once screamed and never let go. After surviving the attack, blood loss and surgeries she still looked at life with a smile. She was more concerned with everyone else and how they were doing. She even went on a missionary trip to Thailand to help after a Tsunami destroyed parts of the country. It was during this trip she decided to follow her dream of competing in professional surfing. She began to working towards her goal, she practiced surfing daily, worked out and did her studies. She never lost faith in herself or her God.

As I watched the movie I saw a young girl learn to do one-arm push-ups, pull-ups and many other things that we find simple everyday task. She had to relearn everything that she knew. I find that many things she now does with one arm I complain about and I have two arms. She has inspired me to be better. She reminded me to be thankful for what I have. She taught me to always smile and live life no matter the circumstances. And most of all she challenges me to be better. If a young girl who has lost her arm can do push-ups, pull-ups, and surf then I can do these things too without complaining. Surfing is not on my “to do” list just because I don’t live close to the water, but finding a sport or activity that I love is on that list. Her story has made me want to do better and push myself harder.

Thank you Bethany Hamilton for inspiring me!!!!!

The Coming Year…

Jen — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:37:24 +0000

As the new year fast approaches I look back on the year that has past. I find that accomplished things that I planned on and didn’t accomplish other things. As the new year begins I find myself wondering what it is that I want to accomplish. What I’ve discovered is that I want to have a happy and health life. I want to try something new this year….well I want to try a lot of new things this year. The first thing on my list is rock climbing, that should be a good challenge. I’m also going to run a half marathon in October. Italian will be my language of choice for the coming year. And I well fly to see my best friend at least twice this year who now lives in the wonderful state of Texas. I will also accomplish at minimum eight college classes towards my Bachelors of Science degree.

I like setting goals for my life. It gives me something to strive towards. To everyone have a happy and safe New Years Eve. I will see you all next year.

Does anyone else have goals for this coming new year?? What are they??

Pacific Island Circle…

Jen — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:08:59 +0000

Over the course of the past six days I have been to Hawaii, Australia and Guam. I’ve seen a great many things, ate so wonderful food and drank way to much alcohol while traveling. My work takes me all over the world. Some trips are worth it while other I could have lived without, but at least I can say I’ve been there. The bad part of my job is that it makes it hard to eat healthy and exercise regularly. My job also keeps me from seeing family and friends. Thank goodness got cell phones, Facetime and Skype.

So I had some great German food in Australia this time around…yes I know German food in Australia. Last time I was in Australia I had some great seafood soup. I also had some Tooheys New beer. Now just to put things into perspective…I hate beer, but I’ll drink it if there is no hard cider available. Tooheys New and Tooheys Ciders are awesome. I will drink Tooheys without question. In fact its one the things that I look forward to in Australia.

Tonight I’m in Hawaii, headed home tomorrow. I had a wonderful dinner with dessert. I order a veggie burger with fries and the Hawaiian Sweet Bread Pudding with white chocolate and raspberry sauce. And they were just delicious. I love my food and I love my desserts even more.

I’m unfortunately seeing myself in the gym for about anther five hours this week just to work of this dinner alone, but it was so good….

I love my job and the places that it takes me.

Just another day…

Jen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:54:11 +0000

As normal I’m on the road again for work. Normally I don’t mind being on the road except this time I had to celebrate my birthday alone so to speak. Normally I celebrate with my sister and husband this weekend, but a last minute trip came down giving me no option. I tend to like the crews that I travel with on the road, but in this case I really don’t know anyone so it made it very hard yesterday. I however made the best of things and silently celebrate in my mind with having dinner and a few yummy adult beverages in Hawaii. As I enjoyed my Mac and Cheese from the Yardhouse with a few Raspberry Cider’s I remember the year is color. I thought about everywhere I had gone, all the new friends that I made of the year, and the things that I had accomplished. Then I decided on the what I wanted out of the coming year.

What I want to accomplish…get more than a paragraph into writing my book, improve my health, finish at least ten classes towards my Bachelors Degree, payoff most of my bills, enjoy life more, find a new hobby, and travel more for pleasure rather than work. Yup I know I’m setting my standards a little high with this list, but I think I can accomplish most of it. I’ll just have to take it one day at a time.

Now my twelve week Fitbook challenge is going good so far. As off this week I’ve manage not to gain any weight (my goal for the month of December)…in fact I’ve managed to lose just a little. I’ve increased the days that I workout and have been more attentive about what I’m eating. I have found it a little hard to stick with my plan while traveling. Thankfully I’ve been able to modify my plan to keep me on track.

So anyone out there have goals of challenges?? What are they and how do you motivate yourself to keep going??

12 Week Challenges…

Jen — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:04:32 +0000

A few days ago I was visiting one of my favorite blogs, Swanky Dietitian to discover she and some friends started a Healthy Holiday Challenge. What a wonderful idea. She had also mention that she had bought this wonderful little book called Fitbook to help track both food intake and exercise. Once again another great idea. So then I checked out Spicy RD‘s blog to discover that she had also started a December Fitness Challenges. I joined Spicy RD’s challenge, it sounds like it will be motivating. I’ve also started my own personal challenges. The Fitbook tracks twelve weeks at a time, so I’m setting my fitness goals twelve weeks at a time.

I think that the biggest reason that I have not reached my fitness goals is because they are to large and too long. With twelve weeks at a time I can set smaller goals to focus on. I’m also setting monthly goals and giving myself rewards. But by the far the best reward will be a healthier and stress free life!

My goals for the next twelve weeks: Eat healthier, lose ten pounds and increase my push-up count to 25.

My December goals: To not gain weight over the holidays and to lower my one mile run time by a minute.

Do you have any goals short or long term?? Any goals for the holidays??

P.S. Swanky Dietitian I love the amazing recipes you always have on the blog…keep them coming!

Too Long…

Jen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:00:32 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to just sit down and write. I really dislike life when it gets so busy that I have to forgo the things that I love. Since I last wrote, I’m still in instructor upgrade for my job. In fact I’m off to Hawaii for a few days this weekend for work. This should be fun, but you never know. Hopefully the weather is better in Hawaii then it is here at home. I might even get the chance to work a little on my book that I’ve been attempting to write. I think I’ve finally settled on a story line.

Something else that is new is that I’ve decided to train for a half-marathon. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but wasn’t sure that I was ready. I ran a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day again this year and really enjoyed it. I kind of wish that I ran the 10K instead. So I think I’ll find a few 10K’s to run while training for the half-marathon.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, how was everyones turkey day?? I know mine was great. The food was very yummy, in fact it was almost too yummy. My husband and I hung out with some great friends and just enjoyed a relaxing day. The unfortunate part about the entire weekend is that I’m pretty sure I gained a few pounds, so now I need to lose them before Christmas gets here.

Safe Journey to all!

Moving Right Along…

Jen — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:22:54 +0000

Life is still moving at the speed of life, but I’m managing to stay within a step or two. Life did slow down if only for an hour or so Saturday night when I got the chance to chat with my best friend who is currently living in Texas. It’s the simple things in life that I look forward too! It was nice getting the chance to have an adult drink with my her.

Other than that upgrade training is moving right along. I will be happy when training is over. I’m still not convinced that I’m ready for this, but I’m not getting the chance to decide. It sink or swim time as always.

Changing Life….

Jen — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:37:44 +0000

Life changes so fast sometimes that it can be hard to keep up. I can’t even keep up with life its moving so fast. I started a new chapter in my career this week and I’m still a little unsure about this chapter. I’m currently in Instructor Upgrade. What does this mean?? It means that by January I will be able or allowed to teach the young eighteen year olds how to do their jobs. It means that I’m going to be looked at as the expert. I don’t feel like an expert and I do not feel that I’m ready to teach others how to do our job.

On top of this there are other things going on that I can’t talk about in this forum. I feel like life is moving faster than the speed of life and I wonder how I’m going to keep up. The only thing I can do is take one step at a time as I see what life throws my way!!

Favors…

Jen — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:53:28 +0000

People never cease to amaze me. Just when I think someone forgets about a request or a favor asked they come out of nowhere. I asked my new friends that I spoke of earlier in a post for a picture so that I could put a face to the voices. It’s been a few weeks since I requested the picture, so I really wasn’t expecting them to send the picture. To my surprise they emailed me today with the picture! I really had thought that they had forgotten about me. The only bad thing about asking for a picture means that I have to send one of myself in return. Why is this a bad thing, because I hate pictures of me. Anytime there is a camera around that I’m not in charge of I do everything in my power to stay behind it. People always say that pictures of me look good and to stop fussing over them. I say that pictures of me look horrible and I find them embarrassing. In fact I think that I why I like being in charge of the picture taking at get together. I don’t have to avoid my own camera unless someone steals it away from me.

Some day I’ll learn that favors come back and bit me in the butt….

Home Finally…..

Jen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:43:24 +0000

After two months I’ve finally made it home. It was a sad departure from my deployed location. I had an awesome crew that I flew with and made some great friends while I was there. Normally I can’t wait to get home, but this time I had some reservations about leaving. I will say that it is good to be home, if for nothing else to sleep in my own bed and to not have to wear flip fops to the bathroom. Its also great to see family and friends. Skype and Facetime make the time away from friends and family a little easier. They make being home nice to since my best friend moved to Texas while I was gone.

On the way home we stopped in Ayr, Scotland. This is the second time that I have had the joy of visiting this location. And let me just say it was just as wonderful this time as it was last time. I love Scotland and their hospitality. So far this is by far the nicest country that I have come across. I’m planning a trip to either France or Italy next year and I only hope that they are are friendly. I’ve decided that a “me, myself and I” vacation is a must at least once a year if possible. ”Me” time is always a good thing and helps put life into perspective. I can also catch up on some reading and visit the non-tourist attraction places that most people turn their noses up too!

So what have I done since I’ve been home… I finished up finals for two classes that I took while I was deployed. I’ve had a few adult beverages, but it seems that I have lost my taste for alcohol. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily. Other than that I haven’t really done much. At some point I’m going to find a good hiking spot for some great pictures taking.