passi0n.net

I got this in an email from one of my favorite fitness sites, SparkPeople.com today.  I figured it might be something people would be interested in reading.

As odd as it sounds, sometimes our logical minds can hold us back. Have you ever wanted to attempt a new career, run a marathon, or start your own business? Our brains might scream at us that it is safer to do what has been tried and true in the past, but don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you! We all spend a lot of time worrying and little time examining the calling of our own hearts. What are you passionate about? Is there a way that you can honor these feelings in a responsible way? Trying new things can be terrifying, but following our passions can make us feel alive and become some of our most memorable moments in life. The thrill of love, the depths of grief, and the joys of a new career…all would be impossible without passion.

I need these, SO unbelievably bad. I put on my gym shoes today and when I was tying the laces, they felt like they were going to rip apart. I got my current Nike Shox for my bday in 2005. Yes, that is BEYOND horrible. Gym/Running shoes are supposed to be replaced every 6 mos with moderate use. I go to the gym 5 days a week. Mine are way past worn out. I’m dying for new gym shoes. I want the Nike+ Women’s Shox Turbo VI Running Shoe in Fuschia/Black- Size 8. They are $110 with FREE S&H and they are Nike+ enabled!!  I want them so bad! Please fall out of the sky?

Dear Alesha,
Here is your horoscope
for Sunday, June 1:

You’re just a little bit aggravated by all the details that seem to be mounting up faster than you can deal with them, but help is on the way! As long as you can maintain your sanity, things should be fine.

I like posting my horoscopes, especially when they directly correlate with what is going on in my life at the moment. Oh, and HELLO JUNE! Only 3 days until my Half Birthday!

I have a lot going on right now. Aside from working 2 jobs, 6 days a week- I am working very hard to get back on track financially, academically, mentally/emotionally and physically. I have wanted to for awhile, but now I am finally in a situation where I am able to. Having a job I love really helps with the stress factor, and stress is the main thing that has been holding me back.

Financially- I am consulting with lawyers on the best step to take regarding my past problems with debt (a few credit cards, but mostly medical and some school-related stuff). I am considering filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. I had a few unavoidable medical problems in the past 3-4 years, and the bills for those, on top of bills I was able to handle at the time, are completely overwhelming. Whatever decision I choose to make will not be made with haste as this is something I have been researching for over a year and have the support of my family with whatever decision I choose to make.

Academically- I have filled out my re-application forms for Oregon State University and have to meet with the Head Adviser of the College of Liberal Arts to have them signed. I plan on starting back in the fall (if not summer) to at least get my transfer requirements perfect and squared away. I would love to finish my BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice through Portland State University’s Online program. The only problem with just enrolling in their program now, is that you must have their transfer requirements fulfilled, and have official transcripts with the application. I have completed my AAS in Criminal Justice at the local community college as well as 3 years at OSU. I still owe the community college money (I’ve been making monthly payments) and they won’t release my transcripts until it is paid in full. Well, I’m sick of waiting (it has been 2 years since I “graduated”) and I really have no way to pay them in full. 3 years at OSU should be enough to cover the transfer credits, but in my case, it is not.

I need to go back to school, not only because I crave the knowledge as well as the degree, but because my student loans are all currently in Forbearance status due to my financial situation. The break that I am getting won’t last forever and I’m going to have to start making payments on my loans. That is something that I really can’t afford to do right now. I need to go back to school, finish my degree, and make the steps to start my career – so I not only have something to show for all those loans, but so I can afford to pay them back.

Mentally/Emotionally- I have been focusing on making to-do lists and actually getting the things done. For the first time since I moved into my apartment (in April 2006), I have been deep cleaning. Today I spent hours scrubbing my stove, kitchen counters and walls, cleaning out and organizing my cupboards and drawers, etc. I also cleaned my bathroom and closet. Next I need to clean out my toiletries (on my bathroom shelf) and all my medicine/first-aid stuff in my bathroom drawers. I also need to go through my drawers and closet again and get rid of tons of clothes that I never wear anymore. It helps that my Mom runs a consignment clothing boutique. It just feels so good to finally be getting things done and to slowly but surely be getting back on track.

I have also been focusing on my sleep habits and working on exhausting myself during the day and not working out so late in the evening, so I can sleep a full night. I got a new black satin sleep mask a few months ago, as well as a nature sounds alarm clock. I love falling asleep listening to the rain sounds! I also got Sleepytime tea and Simply Sleep tablets for nights when I have to force myself to sleep, or am having trouble winding down.

This was supposed to be finished yesterday but I didn’t get the chance!! TO BE CONTINUED (with more on my mental/physical health) …. soon~!

I’ve registered for the Nike Women’s (half) Marathon in San Francisco on October 19th (as said in my last post). If you’re interested in doing it with me, go sign up before March 22nd for the random drawing selection for participation. I really hope I get it and if I do, I have about 7 mos to train. 13.1 miles… aaaah I’m gonna die. At least I’ll die doing something healthy!!! Only write back regarding this if you’re serious. It would be nice to have a training partner…preferably someone who is serious about getting in shape or is a motivational RUNNER. I am far from that…..

I’m working at McMenamins and LOVING it. We have awesome food, beer, service, and happy hour specials! The people are great and the atmosphere is awesome. I’m so glad I work there!

I’m renewing my gym membership on the 21st (if not before) and I am RIDICULOUSLY excited to get back in there and be able to work out everyday again!!

My cousin Hudson is INSANELY cute. I have the most adorable pictures from this past weekend in Bend. I might even make an album on Myspace and MAYBE post some here. I’m going to have to tag them though since there are creepy people out there who steal pictures of cute kids to use as their own.

I am still in the process of upgrading WP to the newest version and getting a new layout done. I will be buying a new domain name sometime this year as well. Excited about that~!

Well other than the fact that I am doing well and working a lot, there isn’t much else to update. I am on day 3 of working 8 days in a row. Wish me luck (& $$$$) haha

♥

P.S. CHECK OUT SOCIALVIBE.COM

Ms. Hottie McBoobs invites you to SocialVibe

Has anyone ever run/walked a half marathon? I just got an email about the Nike Women’s Marathon and am super interested in training to do the half marathon. I’ve never been a distance runner but with 6.5 hours to complete it, as well as the fact that it is in October, I’m positive it would be a great goal to work toward. Therefore, after some debating, I registered last night.

It’s a random drawing (due to the race selling out in 3 days in 2007) and it costs $90 to sign up if you get picked. You get a Nike DriFit shirt and a Tiffany & Co. Finisher Necklace for participating and finishing the half/marathon. I won’t know until April 1st if I get selected. BTW, it is in San Francisco & I’ve never been there… The course goes past Union Square, Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina, the Golden Gate Bridge, & Golden Gate Park.

Tips? Advice? Anyone SERIOUSLY want to start training and do it with me? It is going to take A LOT of work. Hell, it would take a lot of work for me to do a 5K or 10K and this is 13.1 miles. I plan on jogging for most of it and power walking if necessary. What better way to get in shape, do something HUGE, and start preparing for my career. I hope I get selected!!!

Click HERE for more info!

Sorry that my last couple posts have been less than entertaining but I have been REALLY busy with work and stuff going on. Yesterday I went to the Civil War football game and watched the Beavers (my team) beat the Ducks 30-28. I know it was close but we were in control the entire game. I knew we wouldn’t break the 10 year tradition of the HOME TEAM WINNING! During the entire game it was cold and raining. By the time it was over, I was soaking wet and had to walk a mile and a half back to my car. THEN I had to be to work an hour later. At least I got a 10 minute nap Last night at work was beyond insane. I was working the floor alone until about 11:30 when I got a little help bussing tables. Sweet stuff. Good tips on a busy night like that though! I left work around 3 am and got back this morning at 10 am. I only worked until about 2 because it slowed down enough for me to go but sheesh it was a long day.

I just got back from a ride along with the local sheriff’s office and although it wasn’t quite what I had expected for tonight (lots of in-office stuff) it was fun. The Sgt. is letting me come back in a week or so for a real ride along. I need to stay focused and motivated about my LE career. Speaking of that, tomorrow is my first real day back at the gym since the surgery. Yippee! Time to whip my lazy butt back into shape.

Ooh yeah! Today it hit me. I was going to pierce the bottom of my bellybutton (finally) after I got my stomach to be all flat. I realized today that there is a lump of scar tissue under there now from my surgery… & well, most of you know about scar tissue and piercings…

Big sushi dinner on Weds, Ride along on Thursday, Panic concert & PF Changs on Friday, & Chaundra’s baby shower on Sunday. Holy busy week! ahhhh!

Ok, I’m freaking exhausted! G’night!!

P.S. My 22nd Birthday is in 8 days! ( Dec 4th)

*HINT HINT*

TheThingsIWant
Amazon

So I had my post-op appointment today with my surgeon and everything went pretty good. I had pneumonia about 6 mos ago so my lungs are still not back to normal even with all the cardio I have been doing since August. He wants me to practice deep breathing exercises and definitely agreed with my P.T’s suggestion that I take up Spinning classes. I really want to do them too because they will benefit me greatly, & sound like a lot of fun. The only problem is that I hate mornings and they are at 6am, 9am and I think noon a couple times a week. I work out in the late afternoon or evening because I stay up all night. Oh the life of the bar folk.

Since I’m on the job topic, I need a second one so, so bad. I not only need to make more money but I need more to do. I’m going crazy! My job can’t give me more hours because we have a full staff and I’m still the “kinda new girl who works her ass off but doesn’t have past bartending experience so she has to work on the floor cocktailing on the nights when the girls who have been there longer aren’t working.” Oh woe is me. I wish things would just fast forward to mid 2007 and I was working full time mostly bartending. At least that way I’d have some experience under my belt.

Oh wait, I have a career to worry about. I have decided that after the holidays are over and about 4 more months of kicking my ass into shape, I’m going to start applying for agencies again. I stopped so I could not only enjoy being young and get myself in good shape, but so I could figure out exactly where I can see myself. Only time will tell. Right now, even though I am extremely stressed out, I am pretty happy where I am.

Next Tuesday I will be headed to the parents house for the Thanksgiving holiday. I will be coming back to MY home on Friday morning so I can make it to the Civil War football game and then to work that night. I am so excited for this coming week! I haven’t seen my parents (especially my dad) in awhile and I haven’t seen my aunt & uncle in a really long time. I love how in the fall I get to wear nice cozy sweaters and long sleeve shirts and satsuma mandarin oranges come out in the stores. Yummy! That reminds me that I need to eat more fruit.

Well, I also work Saturday mornings so I am going to go play Yoshi’s Island DS until my eyes get tired and try to get some sleep. I’m thinking tomorrow might possibly be busy with the big Michigan vs Ohio State game on TV. Pray that I make good tips tomorrow because I REALLY need to pay some bills.

Oh &

15 days until my 22nd Birthday!!

I know this is repetitive because it seems to happen to me every time things start going good. Last night I found out a coworker was talking shit about me, my bank took $75 from me, my student loans go into repayment soon, and I feel like whatever cold or illness I have has moved into my chest. I really don’t need pneumonia again. It sucks that I even got it the first time because it makes it so much easier to get it again.

I really can’t wait to go to the gym tomorrow! I’m going to force myself to go and just take it easy since I don’t have to work tomorrow. I’ve been having bad cough attacks since last Wednesday night and doing anything that really gets my heart rate up makes me start coughing… HARD. I’ve been going to the gym 2 hrs a day, 5 days a week since August 1st, and it feels really weird to not go for the past few days. I feel like a bum.

Well I’m off to go pick up my Halloween costume from my mail center and stop by the Police Dept to sign up for another ride-along. I can’t wait!
Ciao!

EDIT @ 5:00 AM– Work was INSANE tonight. It wasn’t even that busy but people were just being off the wall. Maybe if I feel like it tomorrow I’ll post an entry about it… it was just crazy. Let’s just say it involved emergency exits, stealing food, jumping over fences, people trying to start shit, pee in beer cups, spitting INDOORS, etc. People are crazy… especially when there is alcohol involved. I can’t even fathom what Saturday night (POST OSU vs USC game, Dad’s weekend, Halloween parties) is going to be like.

(from tonight’s workout!!)

In addition to eating (almost completely) clean and working out regularly since August 1st, I decided to recently check out the personal trainers at my gym. Last week I met with one to talk about what I could be doing to lose some weight (and the fastest way to do it) as well as gain strength. I want to be able to look good, feel good, & have the stamina to do well in my physical testing that I have to do. I already know what I have to do to feel that way but I wanted to know the fastest approach and best one for my body type and activity level.

In order to lose about 2 lbs/ week– I have to have 5-6 meals a day (lean meats, protein, whole grains, fruits & veggies and of course lots of water), do cardio 5 days a week and weights 3-4 days a week. (total body workout that targets all of the large muscle groups)

Here is what I have been doing :

Cardio: 45 mins of cross trainer (level 6/10) 5 days a week
Weights : all 3 sets of 12 reps
Squats, hamstrings (ball), chest press, lunges, push ups, squat/row, abs (ball), “W” abs, and lat pulldown. 3-4 days a week

I have already lost 6 lbs and I don’t know how many inches now because I can’t find my tape measure thingymabob

I just thought I’d share! YAY!!!

P.S. BIG HUGS TO JOE TO TURN HIS FROWN UPSIDE DOWN!