Thanksforgiving

Yes, I am fully aware that I'm only a week late on my obligatory Thanksgiving post. I could just skip over the holiday altogether, but this year I am thankful for so much.
I thought about doing the whole "oh I'm thankful for my family and friends and job and having food to eat", but how about we skip all that? I am thankful for all of those things and I don't even know that I could fully articulate how thankful I really am for all my blessings. However, I have some different, relatively random things that I am also quite thankful for:

• Food Network: What would I do without Chopped, Next Iron Chef, Iron Chef or Cupcake Wars? Just when I thought reality TV couldn't get any better, Food Network reality shows came along. It's also thanks to Food Network that my family's Thanksgivings have become exponentially more delicious.
• The ability to work out: I never thought I could physically achieve what I have. Working out has had such an awesome effect on my mind and body; I am so thankful that I can run and jump and dance and lift weights. Being physically fit and able is something people don't really think about, but I am very grateful that I'm able to work out.
• The Hunger Games: I won't say that The Hunger Games is the next great American novel, but I love this trilogy. I felt tears welling up in my eyes when I first saw the trailer actually (don't judge me). I don't get many opportunities to read because I take classes year round, so I was very happy to discover a fun, enthralling book series for the end of the summer. 
• Starbucks: My love for Starbucks is a gift and a curse. Remember when I said I wasn't going to drink so much Starbucks? That attempt failed. I still love my cinnamon dolce lattes, not every day, but I deserve to indulge once in awhile.
• Movies: I cannot believe that a litle over a year ago I rarely went to the movies. I actually lost count of how many movies I've seen in the past twelve months. It's a great feeling to be able to take a few hours out of the day and not stress out about anything. I could go to the movies every week, if given the opportunity. 
• Leggings: Does this one really need an explanation? We should all be grateful for leggings.

I'm also incredibly thankful for all the people who read my blog, especially through my recent disappearance erratic posting. Writing brightens up my day and helps me to put things in perspective, so I'll always be writing, even when things get crazy.

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Hey! I'm Still Alive!

Whoops. 

I didn't forget about my blog, how could I? However, I also didn't realize how difficult it would be to transition from one stage of my life to another. I have recently had to get used to a new job, new people, a new (tough) commute, all the while preparing for Thanksgiving and foolishly agreeing to work a few more shifts at my old job.

It's been great. No, really, it's been great. I have been super crazy busy, but I have managed to stay on top of my workouts and I feel like I have every opportunity ahead of me. I definitely plan on getting back into my blog. I miss it! However, it's the end of the semester and I have more work to do to pull off my 4.0 goal. So, if you're still reading, I'm coming back!

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From College to the Working World...Literally

Tomorrow I start my new internship! I also start a very long string of work-filled days. Since I agreed to work at my current job Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week I will be working twelve days straight (and we have two work meetings this week - fun!). Today has consequently been spent preparing for what will be a tough, but totally rewarding week.

• I'm getting ready for adult things- packing healthy lunches, waking up at 5:20am to fit in daily workouts, having an extended commute, dressing for a business casual environment (although luckily I saw jeans when I went in for my interview!) and attempting to organize my room and my closet. I'm very excited and I've been reading up on various blogs to see how some of my fellow (way more together) bloggers get through this balancing act.
• Speaking of awesome bloggers, I discovered a great blog yesterday - Life of Blyss. Alyssa is absolutely hilarious and I must say I'm super impressed with how toned her arms are. One of her top posts is her Strapless Dress Arm workout, which I plan to try in the next hour or so. I ran my six miles this morning and I just wasn't feeling an arm workout after a six mile run. I'm not the best at sticking to workouts like this, but I need a good arm workout since Insanity and running don't target my arms as well.
• Winter is coming and I swear I'm going to avoid gaining weight or letting myself go over the holidays. With egg nog sitting in my fridge and my recent pumpkin spice latte recipe discovery, it's not going to be easy. I fell off the wagon a bit last week (I missed two workouts! Ridiculous!), so it's time for me to get into a hardcore schedule. I'm actually going to start logging my workouts, which should help. My tentative schedule for this week is Monday: 3 mile run, Tuesday: Insanity Power and Resistance, Wednesday: 3 mile run, Thursday: Insanity Cardio Recovery, Friday: off, Saturday: RPM cycling class, Sunday: 7 mile run. I need to keep challenging myself, otherwise I just won't feel right. After missing two workouts back to back I just felt weird. I don't want to make missing workouts a habit, otherwise all my hard work will go to waste.

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I Wish I Knew HTML

I really like this template, but saving my changes is proving difficult. So please don't judge me for the obviously incorrect category headings and the un-linked slider images. I think I just need to switch to a different browser, but after a very long day and the end of one journey/the beginning of another in my life (yes, I'm still being dramatic), changing from Firefox to Internet Explorer is just too much. I'll fix it, I promise. I actually plan on keeping this template - all the fruits and the green make it A+ in my book.

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It's My Time

WeHeartIt

I am totally commemorating the beginning of this post by listening to "It's My Time" from the Black Swan soundtrack and, with that dramatic introduction, I have an announcement to make. I got the job! I am so very excited and semi-overwhelmed with how quickly this all happen - I applied last Tuesday night and I got the call today around 4ish. The timing couldn't have been more perfect though, so I am super relieved. I have to warn everyone though: the blogging may be very inconsistent next week and the following week. Getting adjusted to a new schedule is going to be exciting, but also crazy. I also need to kick it into high gear and figure out how I'm going to fit in workouts. I've put off getting up before 6am to workout since I can't get past the thought that I'm often at work until 9:30pm (waking up at 5:30am just seems too extreme). Now though I'll be getting home around 6, but with homework looming in the evening hours I'd rather start my day off with a workout. I'm still getting used to the fact that I'm going to have an almost adult schedule - no nights and weekends! Tomorrow I think I'll attempt to transfer some of my Insanity workouts from my old laptop to this one; I find that Insanity is a good motivator for me to get out of bed because it's such a deep, intense sweaty workout. All that excitement aside, there are two random things I wanted to mention before I forget!

• Has anyone seen the Inside Edition story on Fit 2 Fat 2 Fit? I found the preview intriguing: a guy who previously had a six pack eating like mad to gain a ton of weight. I of course had to stick around and find out why he'd do such a thing. Turns out he's attempting to become a better personal trainer by actually going through an intense weight loss himself. I think psychologically this could really help his relationship with his clients; if they know he has completed something like this, they will trust him more. I could never do it though. It would take an immense amount of effort for me to gain that much weight and I imagine I'd just feel so sick all the time. Plus I have to worry about the negative health side effects - what about cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and the metabolism slowing down?
• This isn't a book review, since I haven't actually read or purchased the book yet, so perhaps it's a bit premature. However, I'm really looking forward to purchasing Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns). I read one of her articles in Glamour magazine and I just fell in love with her writing style - she's engaging, captivating and just seems like the type of person you'd want for your best friend. I find Kaling to be refreshingly honest and of course she's super funny. I can't wait to read this book - it'll be the perfect partner to all my heavy Statistics and Psychology readings.

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Nothing Wrong with a Nice, Cold Run

Everyone is complaining about the super chilly temperatures. I knew it would be cold, but I figured it would be a good opportunity to fit in a quick outdoor run - and I was right! I had to take my car to the shop after class today (according the the mechanic, it's "broken"...surprising, right?) and instead of walking back I figured, why not run? It was only about a mile, but I figured I'd take advantage of a solid running opportunity since I have to leave for work soon. I also figured it'd be important to start getting adjusted to running in colder weather. For anyone who isn't used to running outside in the cold, it can be tough getting used to the coughing and breathing difficulties that come with cold weather running. It's worth it when you feel that endorphin rush later though!

This isn't related to running, but I learned some really interesting facts about sleep today in Physiological Psychology! First, did you know dolphins sleep on one side of the brain at a time? How cool is that? I imagine it'd be a super efficient way to multi-task if humans could do it. The most interesting things I learned were about REM sleep though. I've always been fascinated with sleep and dreams, so this section of Physiological Psychology has been especially interesting to me. REM sleep, when you typically experience dreams, occurs at about the same time every night, in the early morning hours. So here's a scenario: you go out, party, drink some, get back around 3-4am and have to be up for work at 6am. Do you go to sleep or just pull an all nighter? If you've actually experienced this situation, you may have found that if you get a few hours of sleep it makes all the difference in how your body feels when you wake up. That's not necessarily because you got sleep (technically, you're still moderately sleep deprived), but because you experienced REM sleep. REM sleep deprivation is actually worse than sleep deprivation in general. So next time you wonder if you should just stay up all night, take advantage of those very few hours of sleep - your body and mind will thank you the next day.

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Sunday equals Game Day!

I really haven't posted since Monday? Really? I guess it makes sense; this week has been a blur to say the least. I've been looking forward to today all week though; 5 mile run, pumpkin pancakes, Ravens game, Next Iron Chef premiere and relaxation in general. I'm hoping the Ravens make up for their abysmal performance last Monday against the Jaguars. My Ravens will always have my heart, but I want to see them win! So I guess I should update on the happenings of last week, huh?

• I got my Merrel barefoot running shoes in the mail on Wednesday and they feel like a dream! I first ran 3 miles with them on Friday and it felt like I was running on air. Finally, after months of my feet feeling like they were close to amputation, the pain in my feet is subsiding. Now all I need is my new pair of work shoes and I should be set for a full recovery. 
• My latte detox has been going surprisingly well. I did go to Starbucks twice last week, but that's still a fifty percent reduction in lattes, so I'd classify it as a win. I think I can reward myself once in awhile, right?
• Looks like I'm getting a new car! I've been putting off this decision forever, but I think it's time. After my car decided to randomly die on me Monday (and was subsequently brought back to life for the millionth time), the windshield wipers stopped working on me yesterday while I was driving in a lovely snow/rain combination. I'd be surprised if I can get much of anything for my car at this point, but I'll take even a few hundred dollars, plus I have enough money saved up for a decent down payment. I'll hopefully get it week after next because I'm waiting for...drumroll please...
• A possible internship offer! I interviewed about two weeks ago for an unpaid spring internship with a staffing firm and I received an offer a few days ago - super exciting. However, I also applied for a paid Human Resources intern position on Tuesday night, Wednesday they called me for a phone interview, and Thursday I went in for a real interview! It went well and I'm really liking the company and the position, plus my hours would be ideal. I'd have evenings and weekends free, although I'd stay as a seasonal employee at my current job and work one weekend a month (anticipating car payments). My fingers are crossed that I'll get this offer; there are so many huge advantages to getting a paid internship (I can take 4 real classes next semester instead of 3, making money - obviously, and I don't have to stress over balancing an internship, work, and classes). 
• Hello last minute win by the Buckeyes last night! What an exciting end to the game! I still remember the tough loss to Wisconsin last year, but despite our NCAA struggles and drama, we pulled out a win.

I'm looking forward to this week because I should have less to stress me out! I'm not applying to any more internships, which is going to save me a huge amount of time (applying for jobs is a full time job!). And to all my followers, have a very happy Halloween! With all the insanity, I forgot it was Halloween weekend until Friday night when I had to work...that kind of reaction to Halloween is typical for me, but I still love seeing creative costumes!

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