Uncharted

Finally, I have compiled a list of 75 things that I want to do, or have the ability to do, in my lifetime. Some things may seem silly to others but, well, I am a silly person at heart. Some may be personal things that I have never addressed but need to do so before it’s too late. My list ranges from falling in love to rock climbing…traveling to just staying home. It’s only natural that my list will grow as I mark things off my list and find more things that I would like to do. I intend on doing a lot this summer and continuing on into the fall, maybe taking one item a month. Most things will be done with my friends, but others are things I will have to face alone. I won't do this in any certain order, and the list isn't in any order either...somethings I won't have the opportunity to complete until later in life, however, many I can do now.
So here it is…my 75 wants in life:
1. Learn to play tennis
2. Go to Seattle, Washington
3. Rock climb
4. Wear a bikini
5. Get-a-weekend alone
6. Feel accomplished
7. Buy size 6
8. Go skiing in Colorado
9. Figure out what I want to do in life
10. Be adventurous
11. Let go of fears
12. Sail
13. Scuba dive
14. Go to a UGA game
15. Sing karaoke
16. Talk to my dad again
17. Italy! ….and eat pizza
18. Visit a 3rd world country and work with children
19. Travel across the border (up or down)
20. Learn to cook a really expensive dish
21. Buy a pair of MinoloBlancs
22. Fall in LoVe
23. Finally feel completely comfortable with myself
24. Return to NYC
25. Take a train ride
26. Dance in the rain
27. Be completely spontaneous for one day
28. See Adele in concert
29. VEGAS
30. Learn to play the piano again
31. Run 3 5k’s in 6 months time
32. Learn to ride a horse
33. Ride in a hot air balloon
34. Get married
35. Go camping
36. Move from Macon, Ga
37. Learn to surf in the Pacific
38. Go to wine country
39. Greece
40. Go to the Grand Canyon
41. See a fashion show
42. Run a half marathon
43. Learn to sew
44. Get my masters
45. Get a degree in nutrition
46. Let the walls fall down
47. Change a tire
48. Disney World
49. Zip-line
50. Adopt a cocker-spaniel
51. White Water Rafting
52. Visit New Orleans
53. Sell a painting
54. Volunteer for a homeless shelter
55. Volunteer at a children’s home
56. Change someones life for the better
57. Do an obstacle course
58. Dance on a bar
59. Amsterdam
60. Backpack in Europe
61. Plastic Surgery
62. Have an amazing NYE
63. Random road trip
64. Learn my Nana’s recipes
65. Gamble
66. Jeep
67. Have a Hangover night
68. Parasailing
69. Buy a hotdog from a Hot Dog Stand in Central Park
70. Mexico: Tacos and Margaritas
71. Get a meaningful tattoo
72. Take painting classes
73. Trust
74. Go kayaking
75. Triathlon

Quote:"I know I'm going nowhere,
When I only sit and stare like I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go..."-Sara Bareilles (Uncharted)

Soon to Come

(At a friends wedding this May!)
Hey Everyone!
It's been a couple of weeks but I'm still hanging on! School has started back for the summer in full swing! I've also got summer camp at the daycare I work at going on! I am currently working on a bucket list (it will be my next entry). So far, it's mostly things that I want to finish in my life time (duh) but I tried to do a lot of things I can do this summer! I'll post the list and then work my way through things bloggling about my experiences! I also want to take suggestions on what numbers to do once I post the list, so feel free to pick once it's up. Look for it next week...titled "Uncharted"

Comes the Dawn

After a While After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman
Not the grief of a child

And you learn
To build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is
Too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way
Of falling down in mid flight

After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers

And you learn
That you really can endure
That you are really strong
And you really do have worth

And you learn and you learn
With every good bye you learn.
Veronica A. Shoffstal

This poem is so inspirational, I used part of it as my senior quote from highschool. It definitely brings me up when I am feeling down! Happy Sunday Funday!

Get into tha Groove

Had an amazing time out with my friends on Cinco de Mayo! It's not very often I get to cut loose on a week night, so we took full advantage of it!

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Friday night, I helped celebrate one of my best friends, from high school, college, graduation. I am so proud of her, she is going to be an amazing teacher! It was nice getting together with two of my best friends from high school and actually catching up. Definitely got me thinking about my future and where I want to go after graduation!

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Heading into the weekend on Saturday morning, we got up super early and headed to the beach, Tybee Island. We just went for the day, but it was awesome! Best idea ever, really wished we would have been able to stay all weekend! It was a much needed trip and I can't wait to go back! School starts back at the end of May, trying to take full advantage of my "Maycation"!

ZUMBA

Lately, I've been feeling blah in the gym. Kind of lost my inspiration in the gym....well I found it tonight in Zumba class. Me and my work out partner in crime Janea, she's been mentioned before, used to take yoga classes from this amazing yoga instructor at our gym. Well...she started teaching Zumba and we LOVED her class, but haven't been able to go much. Janea mentioned she had a Monday class and we just needed to go...feeling apprehensive, I mumbled a fine...I AM BEYOND GLAD I WENT! It woke me up! Reminded me why I love working out! This instructor has so much energy surrounding her that you just can't help but enjoy her class! We even got to do some yoga moves at the end for stretching...I can't wait to get back in it and do more classes, my body is already sore and I LOVE IT! If you live in the Middle GA area and are looking for a great Zumba instructor I definitely recommend Carol, you can find her on Facebook at Zumba Loving Carol C Johnson, she is truly awesome!

There is a Change in the wind...

Losing six pounds this month, was bittersweet. While I'm glad I went down, it wasn't my goal. It only motivates me to push harder and shoot for my next goal.

Finally...I am a senior in college...I NEVER thought this year would come, and what an amazing year it is going to be. I am 23 this year, and I have high hopes. This is the year I will start thinking more seriously about my impending "adulthood". After this year I will be thrown to the wolves as I move out of my mom's house. She has been nothing but gracious and supportive of me in everything I do. I'll meet new people, start new relationships and end old ones. I'll laugh, cry, and love all at once. I will hold onto this last year as one that lacks any responsibility, soaking up each moment of it. Senior year is going to be the time of my life, I'm sure of it. I have the most wonderful friends in the world, who are ALWAYS there when I need them.

There is a Nike Ad that I find myself trying to live by these days:
"Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many people call you, and it's not about who you've dated, are dating, or haven't dated at all. it isn't about who you kissed, what sport you play, or which guy or girl likes you. Its not about your shoes or your hair or the color of your skin or where you live or go to school. In fact, its not about grades, money, clothes, or colleges that accept you or not. Life isn't about if you have lots of friends, or if you are alone, and its not about how accepted or unaccepted you are. Life just isn't about that. But life is about who you love. and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness, and compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love one else's in a way that could never have been achieved otherwise." - Nike


As I get older, I see myself changing into this person I have never known before, someone who is stronger than the person she was yesterday. I am finding the things I cared and worried about last year, aren't even on my plate in the present. I am learning that life doesn't pan out the way I thought when I was 12...which at 12, I thought I would be old, married, and have 2 kids and a dog by 25. However, at 23, I don't see those things happening in the next two years, and I couldn't be happier about it. Looking back on the tears that I have shed over the years, I realized they were meant to mold me into the person I am becoming today. Good things come and go, as well as the bad. I see that the real friends, the ones who truly matter, give the best advice. They don't tell you what you want to hear, even though they understand, they tell you what you need to hear (the advice you don't want to know). Marilyn Monroe has one of the best life quotes, that I personally feel, every girl, woman, young lady should live by at least for one time period in their life.

"This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."
— Marilyn Monroe

I live by this, I couldn't have said it better myself. Anytime I am feeling bad I read this, and I am reminded that I am special and that at the end of the day I have to be happy with myself rather than with others. This year is going to be great, I see so much change coming in my future. I see love, laughter, and life coming at me with full force and a new chapter beginning to be written. I am excited to lose more weight and meet this new Elizabeth that I have never known.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
— Audrey Hepburn

Just Havin Fun!

Learning to not take everything so seriously....Don't get me wrong, I am serious about my workouts, but I have found that you don't have to be so serious all of the time. The number one thing I hear from people is "I need to be doing what you're doing"....my response "You gotta do what you like". So many times I have "done what others do" and found I didn't like it and gave up. Working out twice a day every day M-R and once on the weekends isn't what everyone wants to do. Eating my 6 meals a day, isn't what everyone is capable of doing. I enjoy the feeling I have when I leave the gym, not always during or before, but after I feel great. So go out, try something new, find what you like and works for you. When I first started this process I sat and wrote down everything that was healthy that I liked, I went from there and began eating that way. Do what ya do! :D

*food for thought...its all i need*

Last week was beyond stressful. Everything in the world was due for school and I didn't get to eat my meals or hit the gym like I wanted to. Felt discouraged and disappointed heading into the weekend, only to be brought back to reality that life is not that bad from my friends. Friends and family brought me an amazing weekend that made me stress free for the first real time all semester. Glad to be back in my normal routine with the gym and eating properly.....and best of all I CAN WEAR WHITE! I know that Stacy and Clinton threw this rule out the door, but my Nana and Mimi raised me southern, and you can NOT wear white before Easter. I have been holding out all season and was so happy to finally put on that white dress and my favorite white shorts. :D

I am proud to say, today for the first time ever, I was NOT a procrastinator. I did everything that was due for the week in one day and can just chill out the rest of the week and into the weekend. I have a weigh in this week...not particularly excited about it considering my week last week, but all can do is try harder in the weeks to come :)

We celebrated my maternal grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. If I ever find someone to love me like my Grandaddy loves my Nana, I'll be set for life. He is the epidemy of the Brad Paisley song "Waitin' on a Woman".

March and April...MIA

I know I know, I said I wasn't going to miss a weekly post...well I missed a few...but with two gym trips a day, full time school, some work, and trying to savage what tiny social life I have left...I just haven't had time. :( But here is an update! I've lost about 20 more lbs and am below 180 for the first time ever! I have enjoyed the awesome outside weather, my brother and I hit up High Falls one weekend and I have been staying outside as much as possible! One week left in school and I'll be back on track!

5k and the future

Saturday I ran/walked my 5k with my friend Logan (pictured here). Even though I didn't do as well as I wanted (43:05) I was still so proud of myself for finishing. There are more 5k's coming soon that we are excited about participating in.
I'm finding it easier and easier to fight temptations with food. Even if I want something, I have a greater satisfaction after I eat my healthy meal, rather than the one I really wanted at the time, and this thought keeps me going throughout the day. I've recently met another new workout buddy, which is making my workout routines much more enjoyable.
Sundays are my outside days, and this Sunday we went to the Indian Mounds for a little bit. Afterwards, I decided to give my dane
a bath and go on a walk in the neighborhood. While we were on our walk, we came across another walker and her dog (not sure of the breed, but he was big) and the two hit it off. We exchanged numbers and are going to have puppy dates with our gigantic four legged friends. I am so glad he will have a friend his size to play with.
All in all I've had a pretty good couple of weeks, today is the two year anniversery of Michael Sparrow's death. He is someone I grew up with and have always looked up to. Sunday's don't seem the same without him, but I know he is in a better place and is probably singing and playing his guitar. He is an amazing person and still has an effect on the lives that he has touched over the years.

Quote of the Month: "So wipe your tears and smile, don't feel the darkness, because we have sparked this, candles of flame...and I'm not afraid of death, because I know where God is, He's beside me, always everyday.."-Michael Sparrow (Sanctuary)

Awesome Updates- Been Awhile, I Know

Hey readers! I know it has been awhile, but school kicked in and then I was training for my first 5k, just didn't have a moment to blog! But I am back now!

First 5k~
My mom was diagnosed with diabetes when she was about 16 years old. She is type 1 and on a pump. I heard about a Diabetes Awareness Event in Savannah, Ga, called Sunsplash, there are three races: Kayaking, Cycling, and a 5k. I thought it would be an awesome experience for me and my family to do together. We raised over $1,000 and I ran my first 5k in 27 minutes, which I was proud of!

That's me, my brother Forrest, and Dottie, my mom, at Sunsplash, we made shirts that said "Team Dottie" on the back, I drew our logo to put on the shirts. If you want to know more about the Diabetic Association you can go to: americandiabeticassociation.org

*weight loss*
UGH! I'M SITTING AT -70 lbs for about 2 months now! I completely changed my routine in the gym but I'm still sitting at that darn number! However, I have still gone down another dress size, I am hoping that the stand still is just because of muscle gain and not because I'm not doing enough! One of my friends got married last weekend and it was awesome to be in a dress that was below size 18! Size 16 was my dress size that was even taken in, the last time I was a bridesmaid, it was a size 24...so I wore that 16 with pride.


*what's next*
THE LOVE CLEANSE
One of my favorite people to follow on twitter is: @thesinglewoman. She has a blog as well that I read time to time at: http://www.examiner.com/single-women-in-nashville/mandy-hale. Her name is Mandy Hale and she is a huge inspiration to me. She recently wrote a blog about closing a book on a former relationship and about doing this thing called "The Love Cleanse". Not only is it about freeing yourself from past relationships and moving on, but also about finding yourself and becoming a newer, better, healthier you. I'm pretty excited to give it a try! You can read more about it at this link: http://www.examiner.com/single-women-in-nashville/the-time-of-my-life.

Quote of the Month: "It's a very simple method: Don't eat like that, work out like this, push yourself harder, make good choices and you will succeed"-Tough love for myself from myself

New Routines

It's been awhile, I know. I have been sooo busy with work and school....slacked a little at the gym this week but proud to say I have officially hit 60 lbs!!! I started using the elliptical instead of the treadmill this week, the treadmill has begun to start to hurt my knees and I don't feel like I'm making any progress on my 3k training. I plan to switch it out week to week. Also, I have started doing more free weights instead of only doing machine work. I have been doing it for a week and already can tell a difference in muscles on my arms, chest, and back.

I had a great day by the pool for July 4th, filled with a lot of R and R....and finger foods ;) what did everyone else do?

Lazy Saturday and a Wii

You need one every now and then right? Barely going to sleep last night because I was up late hanging with old friends from high school is keeping from the gym today. Also, we had Mexican for lunch, but I am pretty proud of myself for not eating many chips and salsa :D I could have, however, done without the Chimichanga...haha oh well it happens! I didn't eat the whole thing so it's all good! My nana is making homemade Brunswick Stew, Barbecue, and Coleslaw......so today is pretty much not my best day, but that's okay, taking everything with moderation. Thinking I may do some strength exercises later just so I can say I was completely immobile today ;D haha! The overcast, no sunshine sky certainly isn't helping me in this struggle to get up!

my new workout craze

Just Dance, for the Wii, is the funnest thing I have done on the Wii. This summer I am doing Camp Tattnall at the Daycare and I brought my Wii to play with the kids, one of the kids brought this Just Dance game and let me tell you, it was the funnest workout I may have ever done...I'm talking manly sweating work out! It was great! Also, with all of the activities and sports we have plane I am looking forward to a great, active summer with the kiddies!

Does anybody else have an Wii games that help with working out? Personally I think the Wii is the best thing to ever happen to the video game world...I love that it gets you up and moving rather than just sitting and watching! Thoughts?

Everyone have a great Saturday

Dinner for One!

Just Me, Myself, and I- but that's okay! I have been looking forward to tonight for a couple of days! Jumped in the kitchen and started cooking...I was creative with the cooking but not the name...Spaghetti with Salmon, if anyone has a better suggestion please let me know! It was a delish dish!

Here are the ingredients I used:
-Jar of Artichokes
-Can of tomatoes (any kind, and I drained the juice)
-half a jar of mushrooms
-half of a large onion (chopped)
-whole wheat spaghetti noodles (I also used thin)
-one frozen Salmon (thawed)
-Balsamic Vinaigrette (light)
-Parmesan Cheese

385 Cal!

Step One: Boil the Spaghetti

Step Two: Combing Mushrooms and Chopped Onions to heated pan and cook until onions brown a tad

Step Three: Add your Artichokes

Step Four: Broil Salmon in oven for about 3-5 mins to kick start cooking! (I sprinkled on a tad bit of seasoning salt)

Step Five: Add Tomatoes...and then...cut up Salmon and add it to the Veggies, Drain Noodles and add to pan as well!

Finally...I added my Balsamic and sprinkled on some Parmesan for taste...

Let me know what you all think! I loved it!