Gonna Make You Sweat: Day 8

A picture of the best moment of your life

           

      

First off, I know this is 100 day picture blog and 100 days have probably passed since I last wrote, but life has been in the way. Hopefully with the changing of the season comes a change that allows me more time to read and write. Two things I dearly miss right now. 

    

I've had many great moments of my life and many great people to share it with. I want to share is what has been most influential to me recently. Bootcamp. In late April I started doing an outdoor fitness bootcamp with ABC Fitness Company. This was something a coworker told me about, and I thought she was crazy. I thought I'd have to be crazy for getting up that early! But I wasn't active. I danced for 15 years and after that kind of stopped moving. Eating terribly. I was always tired, not feeling well, my migraines were starting to get worse. So I decided to take that leap and be crazy. Along with my roommate and another coworker we started our journey to a better us. Since late April I have completed three 6 week bootcamp sessions, lost about 20 pounds, 24inches, 8% body fat, and 3 pant sizes. Not to mention I feel AMAZING :) Im also very proud of my dad for completing two bootcamps with me and my awesome friend for starting this one with me. I can't forget my trainer Stacie, she was 70% of the reason I went. Supported me when I needed support and gave me the best workouts of my life. To her I owe a lot.
     
I am now working my way towards running a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full marathon in the next year. In addition to those races I have decided to participate in Spartan Race, Warrior Dash, and Tough Mudder. Just to be a badass, you know.

    

Above are my before and after pictures. The pictures of me are after the first two camps spanning over 16 weeks. The picture below is the results of fitness testing from the first and last day of camp.

With a Little Help from My Friends: Day 7

Something You love

        

 

     

I love my roommate! (don't worry Felisha I love you too) We haven't been living together that long, but we have become very close in a very short amount of time. We talk about EVERYTHING, and have the best heart to hearts. I would do anything for this girl! And I know she would do the same. She keeps me in check and I keep her calm, or at least I try too. Some people you meet in life you know will be temporary friends, but I truly know she is a friend for life. I am so lucky to have an awesome person to live with along with my sister. 

Breathe: Day 6

Your favorite quote, in your handwriting

     

 

      

This quote is from the Pink Floyd song Breathe off the Album Dark Side of the Moon. It's one of my favorite albums, so many of the lyrics in those songs mean something to me. And it's also great music. In simple words, this quote means life is what you make it. I intend to make my life everything I want. When I am older I want to say I did this, and I did that, not I wish I did this and I wish I did that. There's so much ahead of me now, I can't wait to see what happens.

Here Comes the Sun: Day 5

A place that makes you happy

        

 

      

This is a little beach in Carmel by the Sea. I tend to frequent this spot as often as I can. My parents own a timeshare in Carmel and it is our home away from home. I love it there. Even with the cold weather, even on a foggy day, that place brings me peace. It's my escape :) This picture was taken in March 2010. It was a perfect day there. The weather is so unpredictable, but even in the fog it can still a beautiful eerie place.  

Ten Years Gone: Day 4

A picture of yourself 10 years ago

    

 

     

Ten years. It’s amazing what can happen in ten years. How much you grow, how much you change, how much life throws at you. Ten years ago I was 12 years old, so young and so carefree. When I think of ten years I think of the people who have come in and out of my life. I think of the music I listened to, what influenced me. I think of the mistakes I’ve made and what I’ve learned from them. Most of all I think of who I am today and what I’ve been through to become the person I am. I’m proud of my accomplishments, and I’m thankful for my friends and family. I’m at this great point in my life. I’m happy, energetic, successful, and less stressed (which is a big deal). I’m finally getting health problems under control and I have honestly never felt this great. I can’t wait to take new opportunities and risks to fulfill this new life. I feel I have started a new beginning and I can’t wait to see where it takes me :)

       

This picture was taken in Seattle, obviously I’ve changed a lot…..

He Moves His Words Like a Prize Fighter: Day 3

Favorite book that you own

        

 

         

During my 30 Day photo challenge I wrote about my favorite book. For this blog I am going to write about a book that intrigues me. I have yet to finish this book but so far it's fascinating. My awesome friend showed me this book. Now, it's not what you think it is! This book is about personalty types and communication. And basically how to manipulate that communication to get what you want/need in your work and social life. hmmm this will be an interesting one to finish. This author also wrote 48 Laws of Power, which is next on my reading list. 

Back in the Saddle: Day 2

A photo that makes you happy

    

 

       

Yes that is Steven Tyler, and yes I saw Aerosmith 6 rows back. This picture reminds me of another time in my life. Life seems to be constantly moving and the past falls farther into the past. Although my life is drastically changing, and changing for the better, I always look to memories to be thankful for what I have and what I've experienced. This is a great experience of mine, I hope to have many more :)

Crazy Little Thing Called Love: Day 1

A picture of yourself taken on the first day of the challenge

         

 

         

After finishing my 30 Day Photo Challenge I found I have very little to write about, unless you want to hear about my workday everyday lol  so to spark up my interest again I am going to blog the 100 day photo challege. Now lets be real. This is going to take longer than 100 days, but you will see 100 photos. 

       

So today I took this picture with my dog Roxie. She really has a few screws loose and is crazy beyond belief, but she has more personalty and character than most people I know :) 

Blame it on the Alcohol

Viva Las Vegas

    

 

      

I recently took a short vacation to the wonderful Las Vegas for a bachelorette party. The trip was filled with a whole lot of laughs, alcohol, dancing, and sleeping. Here are a few pics to recap the vacation. 

      

Night 1

    

 

     

Deepa, Wynter and I headed to Moon at the Palms the first night. It happened to be St Patrick's Day and March Madness, so you could imagine the people. We headed to the Playboy Club for a bit, but made our way back to Moon for the rest of the night.

       

    

Night 2

      

The second night Nicole flew in, and while waiting for her to arrive, the ladies and I went to Tao, which was located where we stayed. It was awesome :) We somehow were able to get Nicole in without waiting in line and got her wrist "re-stamped" because her "first stamp" "rubbed off"

     

     

Night 3

    

 

     

The third night was definitely the most interesting. We ended up first at Tryst and the XS. Holly Madison was at XS while we were there, and ran into a Russell Brand look a like. Or maybe it was him... The music was awesome and the dancing was insane. When I think of Vegas, XS is definitely what I thought it was going to be. This night I started to introduce myself as Roxie.

       

       

Unfortunately my sister was sick and was unable to go :( We will just have to make it there another St Patrick's Day/March Madness another year. All in all it was a good trip :)

You Can't Always Get What You Want

 

           

I have recently started to watch the show Californication (showtime) and have done some life reflection if you will. It's funny how you can see parts of your life reflected in bits of fiction. Some how living on this roller coaster of life seems to work itself out at times. Yet everything has a way of turning to shit once in a while. Are we constantly fixing our mistakes and rebuilding the broken? Or are we soaring in our triumphs with speed bums to run over. I'll take the latter. The only way to be a good optimist is to know the pessimists point of view. Don't get me wrong, we've all been in that place where life is utterly broken into the tiniest of pieces. But even then most all recover somehow. 

I think I've learned a lot these past couple years. Through tragedy and heartbreak I've found a part of myself, an important part at that. After it all I always find myself in the same place, just a little more grown up. 

Californication is a show about this roller coaster. Where happy endings are questionable and life turns to shit. Yet through that, life works itself out to some peaceful place. Everything in between is pushed in as well. And love? "what if love isn't enough?" well i know a lot of people have an opinion on that subject.  Do we let life lead or do we fight?

     

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need...

Thunder Only Happens When it's Raning: Day 28

A picture of something you're afraid of

       

 

      

So I thought this picture was really neat, and you can see a bit of lightning in the background. When I was little I was watching the Lion King with my sister and my "brother" and lightning hit a tree a couple of blocks away and hit a house. It also cut the power, seriously scared the shit out of me. Ever since then hearing thunder makes me uneasy. Growing up in an old house it would rattle the windows. It just sounds all bad. Lets just say when a thunder storm is happening, Im probably in bed, scared shitless. 

Get Low: Day 27

A picture of you and a family member

      

 

       

This is my sister Felisha. Felisha, Felisha, Felisha. hmmmm I could say many thing about my sister, but I will keep this one short and sweet. I'm very grateful that growing up we got along, for the most part. We had occasional fights about wearing each others clothing, but that's about it. When she went away to college we became a bit closer, and apparently I got "cooler". I'm very proud of her for what she has accomplished. Getting her BS in Biology by the time she was 21 and now working in a lab. I know someday she'll change the world, in some way. She's also taught me many important life lessons and I know she's always watching out for me. She's also helping me train for Vegas, thank god. wub you sister!

All My Loving: Day 26

A picture of something that means a lot to you

      

 

       

First off, I am way behind on blogs again, lame I know. I have been way to consumed with my life lately to take some time, sit relax, and write. Soooooo I'm taking the time now. 

     

So this is Oscar and Roxie. I grew up with dogs, dachshunds in particular. Willey, Murphy, and Kanada have all been a special part of my life as well. There's nothing like the welcome a dog gives you when you arrive home from a long days work. I love these dogs more than I can explain :) and I miss them terribly everyday. 

American Idiot: Day 24

A picture of something you wish you could change

     

 

       

I wish I could change stupid people.

"The U.S. House of Representatives has just voted to bar Planned Parenthood health centers from all federal funding for birth control, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and other lifesaving care."
I really feel this is a step backwards. I don't like to get political but really? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING. It's annoying to me that people want to teach abstinence, pro life, and things like that and expect teen pregnancy and STDs at a low rate. You can't have it all! It's great to have your own opinion on the subject, but that doesn't mean everyone should live that way. If safe sex was taught in schools, and birth control and condoms were available to teens and young adults, teen pregnancy, STDs and abortion rates would be much lower. Europe knows whats up! Sex sells in America, just not safe sex. Which is sad. I'm not saying that if we changed our views on sex, things would be fine and dandy, I'm just saying it would be a step in the right direction. 
If the government cut all federal funding from Planned Parenthood just imagine how life would be. Terrible. This is possibly one of the worst fucking ideas America has had. 
     
click here to make a difference. It only takes a moment.      

Us and Them: Day 23

A picture of your favorite book

    

 

        

This is one of my absolute favorite books. Since all of you know how I love Harry Potter, I thought I would share one of my other favorites. I first read this book when I was a freshman. Having to read many books for my AP classes I was so glad we had to read this book. It stood out from all the other books and I just kept coming back to it.  

Any Colour You Like: Day 22

A picture of something you wish you were better at

    

 

     

Makeup. Now don't me wrong, I know the basics of makeup, and I can pull it off when I need to, but I don't have fantastically awesome skills like some of my coworkers do. I've done weddings and I've mastered makeup for my own face but I would love to learn more, because I know there is much much more to learn. Even things like special effects makeup and how to cover up tattoos. I'm hoping to get more training in this soon.  

That's Life: Day 21

A picture of something you wish you could forget

      

 

    

Car Crash. I wish I could forget the sound of metal crashing into metal. It's weird because everything seems to be moving in slow motion, yet it's over so so quickly. I was in two car accidents within 5 months, within a mile from my house. My car was totaled in one and I was injured in both. I'm just thankful that I'm safe and okay today, they could have been a lot worse.   

There's a lot of other things I wish I could forget... but I don't think the world wide web is an appropriate place to "share my feelings" I believe as long as we take away from our experiences and learn, that's the most important thing.   

Right as Rain: Day 16

A picture of  a person who inspires you

   

 

    

First off, I am WAY behind on my blog posts. I've been super sick and recently went on vacation and was not able to take my laptop with me. So I'm catching up since I got off work early today :)

    

When trying to figure out who inspires me, I had to think really hard on this one. I have many people in my life that I love and adore and have influenced me in great ways. This blog is about my good friend Susan. She mentored me after I graduated cosmetology school and taught me many of the things I know today. And to this day she has given me the best haircuts of my life. Just talking to her I love to absorb her knowledge. She knows so much and is so intelligent, I love to pick her brain. She is always patient with me and gives me the best advice when I need it. I'm lame and don't have a picture with her either, but I love this haircut she has :) I wish her the best in her career and her life ahead of her. Love you!