A Day in the Life

5:30 – Alarm goes off. Roll over and go back to bed.

6:00 – Get excited remembering I get iced coffee because Chris (my BF) is making. 

7:00 – Arrive at work and eat my delicious breakfast (protein tart!)

7:29 – Feel sad when the iced coffee is gone.

7:45 – Feel even worse when breakfast is almost gone. Savor the last bite. Lick the container (yes at my desk).

8:30 – Realize that I haven’t thought about food for about an hour. YESS! Small victories.

9:30 – Know that in about a half hour it will be snack time. Even though I wasn’t hungry, snack time is still a favorite time.

9:50 – Decide that it’s close enough to 10 to eat my giant peach. Yum fruit.

11:30 – Stomach is growling, but hold out for exactly 26 more minutes until lunch.

11:56- Each lunch. Decide that turkey + avocado (sans bread) is the best thing ever. 

12:02 – Dream about other things with avocado. Stumble across AVOCADO BROWNIES. Decide that buttery (heard it somewhere) is the PERFECT description for avocado.

12:50 – Back to work.

2:00 – Know my afternoon snack is close!

2:25 – Complain to Chris that I want to go grocery shopping because I have everything nothing in my fridge.

2:28 – Have Chris call me a strange little girl.

2:39 – Eat my snack (cottage cheese). Even though I’m not terribly hungry, I need to eat it soon to avoid cramps or whatnot during my workout.

3:45 – Fill my waterbottle with Aminos. Almost my favorite part of the day.

4:00 – Leave work.

4:15 – Workout

5:30 – Drive home to pack and eat dinner and veg out.

8:30 – Get ready for bed. (Yes, I know it’s early. Sorry I’m not sorry).

Ohh the life of a healthy obsessed post-college grad. 

 

Green Monster

So you can see my goals and ambitions for 2012, and guess how many I have accomplished? Especially regarding this blog?…. Yeah, no need to rub it in my face.

Blogging for work makes me forget about blogging for personal reasons- and it’s a little sad because I’m passionate about healthy living blogs and aspiring to become a foodie. Seriously, it’s a little ridiculous how many food blogs I read in a day. But, I get ideas not only personally, but for work too. So it’s a win-win all around.

I’m stopping home at my apartment today to make a Green Monster Smoothie, courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, one of my favorite healthy food blogs. I made it once before and I was pleasantly surprised. Didn’t taste like spinach one bit!

 

 

 

Goals for 2012

I can’t believe it’s almost 2012 already. Where have the years gone? Seems like just yesterday I was in high school, preparing for college- ultimately no worries and simple priorities.

Oh how times have changed.

2011 has been good to me though, I really have nothing to complain about. It was a great year. Senior year of college was a success, landed a great job in a city that I love and said goodbye to long distance (which has been amazing!). I’m independent, living on my own and supporting myself. Now that is a great feeling.

Yeah, it’s been a good year.

I know 2012 will be better because I have plans. And, I’m free to make plans for myself and do what I want to do. How wonderful.

Plans and goals for 2012.

1. Start a cooking and baking blog (with a little added fitness in the mix).
2. Post recipes at least weekly.
3. Try new recipes.
4. Write down all my recipes and modifications for my recipe box.
5. Clean out my closet of clothes I don’t wear and donate.
6. Attend a cooking class.
7. Say “No” when I feel like it and not feel bad.
8. Keep better touch with friends and family.
9. Send more baked goods in the mail.
10. Run a half marathon.
11. Check out the local farmers marketing and get serious about selling some goods this summer!
12. Stay in when I want to stay in and not feel guilty about being boring or “getting old.”
13. Be a better big sister.

I’m really diggin’ that list.

Cheers to a wonderful, happy & healthy 2012!

Big Ambitions

For some reason, this blog is always in the back of my mind. I’m not happy with it. I don’t necessarily like that it’s doesn’t have theme, a creative tagline, catchy design, and the list goes on.

It just doesn’t suite me well.

I love writing and I want to be an active blogger. I think I’m going to take that next step. Food blogging. I LOVE reading food blogs. It’s true, ask my boyfriend (I read them on my lunch hour, when I get home from work and after dinner- it’s addicting). He thinks it’s ridiculous, but bloggers are so interesting!

If we’re friends in real life (and on Facebook) then you probably already know I love baking and cooking. Over the past year it’s actually developed into a big passion of mine. I used to have these big ambitions to own my own cheer gym- but that doesn’t even interest me as much.

Maybe it’s because I know I can make people happy through food. Baking and cooking for others allows me to express my love for those around me. Love in cookie form (or muffin form, or brownie form… You get the point). Trying new recipes is similar to shopping. You browse and browse, but then you find the recipe that fits the best. You have all the ingredients, it fits your taste buds and love takes it from there. Silly analogy but it’s true.

I am not the type to just sit around and wait. I have stalked admired food bloggers and their recipes for some time now. It’s time I start my own. I want to be that blog that people go to for awesome, healthy recipes. I want to be that blog that posts healthy recipes for the week, but allows others to splurge a little on the weekends. That seems to be my life, and I bet it fits others lifestyles as well.

I’m struggle with a name. There are sooo many creative food blog names out there, and I want one. Have any ideas? I’m serious about this. I want to do it. To be clear- not for money. I want to do this because I love writing and I love cooking/baking. It’s definitely a win-win for me.

Help me out. What do you think?

You know how I said I read blogs everyday? I could give you a long list of blogs that I like, but these are my favorite food blogs to date:

• How Sweet It Is: AMAZING, delicious recipes. Plus, Jessica’s writing is amazing. She pulls you into each and every post/recipe she crafts. Truly a beautiful blog.
• Iowa Girl Eats: Same as above, delicious, healthy recipes. Kristin let’s you into her life and posts beautiful pictures. If you’re looking for healthy recipes and some great workouts- check out this blog. You’ll soon be addicted.
• Picky-Palate: This was the first food blog I started following, and was shared by a friend from StumbleUpon who knew my love for baking. Jenny has an adorable blog and family that she shares with all of us “internet friends.” I’ve made several recipes and all have been a hit. Her recipes are my “unhealthy” indulgences that I usually make on weekends, to bring to work or for friends.
• PB Fingers: I just started following this blog, and I really love that it’s updated a couple times per day. Although I haven’t made any recipes from her blog yet- Her workouts are awesome. Plus Julie is truly transparent blogger. I aspire to be this transparent. She let’s you in on her life, fashion, health, etc. It’s quickly becoming a daily read for me.

So friends, I’m really serious about starting a food blog. I probably won’t update as often as I’d want to.. but maybe once or twice a week… Obviously this requires a little more thought but the ideas are brewin’.

No Guarantees

Oh it’s been too long since I’ve seen this screen. Waaaay too long.

Well, let’s not dwell on the past; I’m here now.

Moving away has forced me to face some challenges. Keeping in contact.

I know keeping in touch with loved ones, family, friends, etc. has never been my strong point. Am I too busy? Too oblivious? Dare I say it, too selfish? I don’t know- I’m just not good at it.

The past couple months have proven that I want to get better at keeping in touch, because all the people that are in my life are there for a reason. They mean something to me. Most just blow off my illusive-ness as not caring and that’s not it at all. I do care.

Yeah, sure, I’m busy. I work full time and coach part time, but that’s not an excuse. On the weekends when I have plenty of time for a 10 minute phone call I find myself ‘too busy‘ with running errands, frolic-ing outside, cooking, baking, you name it.

To those who have been hurt by one of my many faults, particularly not calling, texting, skyping, facebooking, emailing, etc. I’m sorry. I care. I know the phone works both ways, but I suppose I think if you want to call me, you will. Not talking does not mean I don’t consider you a close friend or whatever; it’s quite the opposite.

My grandparents often remind me they won’t be around forever. And while it’s hard to type that out, it’s true and it’s finally starting to resonate with me that we have no guarantee. None of us.

I’ll try harder.

If  you’re reading this, chances are I love you and I’ll call you soon 🙂

New Beginnings

Well it’s about time that I tell the world about my new adventures and the next chapter in my life (which I will make much more of an effort to blog about)! Today was my last final; therefore, my last day of a student at Drake University. While these four years have been great, I’m definitely ready to move on.

Most of the past month I was struggling with my “next-year” decision. I had gotten a job offer at my current place of work, but Des Moines isn’t where I wanted to say. When I got the offer for a position that closely resembles my skills, I had to jump on it. So, I have accepted a full-time position in Minneapolis as a Web Marketing Specialist. Needless to say, I’m so excited! I will be close to my boyfriend, one of my good friends might move up there and besides the cold winters the city is a perfect fit. I can’t wait.

Another reason I wanted to get out of Des Moines is because I want to coach all star cheerleading again. I missed it so much, and a coaching position just kind of fell into my lap. It’s so strange how everything is falling into place so perfectly. I will be head coaching for an all star program in Minnesota, and from what I have heard about the program, I think it will be perfect for me. Not coaching this past year (I assistant “coached” a high school team, but they were non-competitive, not my scene) has created a void in my life. Coaching is my passion, and I’m so grateful for a dear friend passing my name along! 🙂

Months ago, I was stressed. I was constantly second guessing my abilities and decisions. After finally making a decision based on my heart, I feel much better. I am so relieved and so excited to take the next step in my career and life. I feel so lucky, so blessed. Life couldn’t be more perfect.

On that note, I have a couple exciting events happening before I start my job and coaching in July. After graduation, I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic, and California with my family and my boyfriend’s family. I have been counting down the days since December but I’m going to fully utilize the rest of this month to kick my butt into vacation/bathing suit-shape.

I really am going to try and blog more often, especially about all the new exciting things happening in my life. If I slack, call me out on it 🙂

What I’ve got.

As I may have mentioned… senior year is a stressful time. Job hunting, waiting in a limbo with no for-sure plans. It’s nothing I’ve ever dreamed of, but I’m grateful. I’m so grateful for who I am, and what I’ve got. Specifically, friends and family that continue to help me through anything just by loving.

I’m blessed to have such wonderful friends, amazing family and a boyfriend that’s too good for words. I have received an excellent education, met some amazing people and experienced some awesome opportunities. I love my job, I love the career path I’m heading down and I love the fact that I want to do so many things in life, it’s impossible to choose just one.

Goals and ambitions are what I’ve got. Here are just a few.

• Be successful in my marketing/creative advertising career.
• Coach competitive cheerleading.
• Toy around with the idea of opening my own cheer gym someday.
• Start an art-and-crafts blog.
• Open a bakery.
• Travel for a living.
• Enjoy and practice the art of photography.

Well friends, those are just a few. No matter what obstacles life throws my way, I know these two things: I have friends and family to keep me grounded and I have my goals and ambitions to keep me going.

16 Years Strong

I would first like to preface this post by saying- yes it’s been too long since I’ve last written. I apologize for break, but there are some exciting and not so exciting times coming up in the next few months, and I’ll be sure to capture them in words for you.

Tonight was Senior Night. It didn’t really feel like it was my last home game, ever. In fact, I still feel like a junior most days.

I got cleared to cheer (I have a bulged disc in my back), and could do  most of the things through a little discomfort, but I’m glad I could be out there with my girls. It’s hard to believe my freshman year there were 7 or 8 seniors, and there are only 2 left. Crazy. As much as I’ve hated it and wanted to quit at times, I am so thankful I pushed through (with much help from my family and friends- especially my Mom. Thanks mom!) Cheering has been one of the best experiences and opportunities I’ve had.

In all 4 years, senior year has been THE BEST. No drama, great coach and an amazing and talented team. I am so proud to be co-captain with such a sweet and understanding friend. These girls, that I have spent the past 8 months with, are like family. Without them, I don’t know where I’d be. We have salvaged our reputation on and around campus, and have proved to many that we are talented. I have never received so many compliments about our team until this year, and it felt great.

Girls, if you’re reading this, I love you. Each and every one of you. Thank you so much for all of the kind letters you wrote me and all the goodies in the basket. I can’t wait to spend tournaments with you and come back and visit you when I’m forced into the real world. Thanks for an amazing year, and we better stay in touch.

This year caps the 16 years of cheering. No longer will I need the “ICheer7” license plate, or room for pom poms and cheer bags. I can get rid of my millions of cheer shoes and all my braces. I can assure you, though, this won’t be it. I’ll open my own cheer gym someday or at the least continue coaching competitive cheer. I can’t give it up that easily.

A Tribute.

All American Girl

December will always hold a bitter taste in my mouth, as it is the month that my childhood friend left this earth and entered Heaven. I was am so angry, but I know I have to keep reminding myself that she was too perfect walk among us. She was breathtakingly beautiful, loyal, fun and I could go on and on about the amazing person she was. My families loved her and my boyfriends probably all wanted to date her but she remained humble and grounded during her 20 short years.

She is the first person I think of when I think of my childhood. She was my best friend since grade school and we would spend every weekend together. I can’t help but to think of all the clothes I wanted to borrow before dances and how much fun we had doing nothing at all. Like any best friends, we had ups and downs and changed throughout the years but one thing was for certain, she knew me like no one else did and I knew she was always there for me. Even though I didn’t see her everyday, I could talk to her and it would be as if nothing changed. I miss hearing updates and asking each other for advice when neither of us knew what to do. I still feel like it’s a nightmare.

I often relive the day I heard the news up until the day of her funeral. I literally thought I was in a nightmare and had to keep reminding myself that it was real. I never knew a person could get to the point where tears just won’t flow and you’re just numb; but it happened. The overwhelming support from the community was amazing to witness. I’ve never seen so many come together, but Chris always had her ways of bringing people together. My heart still breaks everyday thinking of her family who I considered mine throughout my childhood, and her closest friends. Every time I go back to town, I feel an overwhelming sadness come over me. I’m just not strong enough to face it all.

As my tears fall, I can’t help but think of how lucky I was to have her in my life. She is a big part of who I am today. And even though her home is Heaven, I try to live everyday on Earth a little like she would. She’s always lived her life to the fullest, and I can honestly say that’s true. She didn’t take anyone for granted and was loved by everyone. I still see her though. I see her in my dreams, and I see her in the sun. I see her in rainbows and hear her in music. I feel her comfort and guidance when I talk to her but I would give anything to tell her how much I love and appreciated her.

I will never get why it had to happen, but I just have to keep reminding myself that God did have a plan. I have no choice but to believe in Heaven in hopes that one day we will be reunited. She was the best girl with the biggest heart and brightest smile, and even though the accident left everyone who knew her inconsolable, she will never be forgotten, this I know.

To you, Christine Lee Bronken, the most beautiful Christmas angel, you will live in my heart always, SDS forever.

Gimme choices, but don’t expect a decision

This past month, I happily learned that (1) I would be graduating on time (2) I have an internship secured for Spring, and (3) it’s never too early to apply.

With my major being Creative Advertising, there are so many things that I could do with that. Unrealistically, I always imagined graduating college and working at my dream job; however, it is until these past couple weeks that I realized I was being an idealist. I do honestly believe a job is what you make out of it. You could have a job that you never dreamed of having but if you find passion, you can make the best out of it. Whichever job I choose, I know this: I’ll get there. I am so grateful for my ability to elicit passion from the most masked places.

I have grown a lot more confident this year. More confident in myself, my ideas and my abilities. I used to think my ideas were sub-par, but I know I can be successful.What makes me stand out in this industry? I would answer that question for you, but I’m (still trying to figure that out) in the process of finding that out. Check out my resume if you want a mere list, but you’d have to meet me to see what I’m all about 😉 I do believe skills do not make or break someone- it’s drive. And that, my friend, is what I got. (More correct terms: What I have!)

I also often think of what else I want to do with my life. I don’t want to stop short at just having a career. I want to coach. I often dream of opening up my own gym (and luckily, I have a very supportive boyfriend). I want to explore and take dancing lessons; and I want to enrich my life with many different things. Perhaps, I want to do so much is because I am so indecisive. I don’t like to have only one option-that’s scary. My indecisiveness often gets the best of me, but I’m trying.