back again

I'm back (maybe???) If you read the previous incarnations of this blog, this should be no surprise to you. I got bored with blogging. It happens. But then, as always, the urge to write something -anything- started to bug me again. I thought maybe if I get a journal and write everything down in there, it would quell the urge. It does, but I'm a girl well seeped in technology. If I can't do it from my phone, it's very hard for me to be bothered at all.

Things are routine as always. I work my forty hours, hit the gym, find time to socialize with friends and hang out with Adam. Work is the same. I was asked where I saw my career going, and realized I don't have any ambition to go elsewhere. I'm happy doing what I do now. I'm focusing on moving up where I'm at and doing good work while I'm at it. Things are good work-wise. Who am I to ruing something that works well?

 I've been really good about working out lately. I'm down 1.7 pounds last time I checked! I'm well on my way to getting my $100 reward from work for having a healthy BMI. Adam and I ran the Disney Royal Family Tangled 5K back at the end of February for the Princess Half Marathon Weekend. 3.1 miles in 40 minutes! That's better than my last 5K in December by 5 minutes. Not a whole lot of improvement, but it's better than nothing!

We're running the Expedition Everest Challenge on May 5 and I hope to run the Tower of Terror 10-Miler and possibly the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. It's weird to think that back in high school I refused to run, blaming my knees and the odd way that my bones grew in. But I've enjoyed running. Now I just need to get past getting bored. Usually I space out listening to my Doctor Who audios, but that's not really a safe thing to do.

Pretty good on my Resolutions so far, right? (except for me writing my reviews on books and audios and everything... but we all knew I wouldn't follow through with that)

SLOTH

'

Just in case you haven't seen some of the best hilarity I've seen in ages :)

Running Update

{found on pinterest}

Today I repeated Week 4 of the Couch to 5K program.

Repeated because inadvertently took a 3 day rest break and when I went running yesterday, I could barely do the first 4 minute run.

Of course, while taking my 3 day running rest, I did a 4 (make that 5) day 30 Day Shred rest.

Yay for lack of motivation. I'm trying to keep it up. The hardest thing is time. I can wake up early and Shred, Shower and Work. Or I can Work, Gym, Shred. But either way it's just taking too much time away from me prepping dinner or taking care of the rest of my chores. So which is more important? Do I focus more on me, or do I try to be a good wife?

Finding this balance is difficult.

At least I know that it's paying off. People are telling me I look much trimmer and my clothes seem looser!

in which laura is open and frank

"You should probably expect a heart attack or a stroke by the time you're 25."

To most people, those words are terrifying. They cause trips to libraries to stock up on information and trips to the grocery store to replace all the food that was in the refrigerator.

But when those words were said to me at 16, I laughingly blew them off. "Well I'm not dead yet," I told my family. "I'll change my habits when I get older. 25 is forever away."

I said the same thing when I was 18 and in college. "25 is years away. I'll get better in shape later." I had also reverted to 2 meals a day, if I was lucky, and usually at least one of those meals was pop tarts and rice krispie treats.

Eventually I started to wise up. I remembered how tasty broccoli with cheese can be, and how good it feels to get out and run after work for just a few moments. Now I'm 23. I have a full time job with an attempt to always eat better and to work out more. I'm also a 23 year old with a Lipitor prescription.

I have the fab fortune of winning the genetic lottery with Asian genes with a tendency towards bad eyesight, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I can practically see my genes getting picked on at the playground.

The doc tried to put me on meds before. I had a -unique- reaction: I tended to burst into tears at the most inconvenient of times. After I had time to "re-stabilize" myself, as it were, doc suggested Lipitor. I was skeptical. Lipitor commercials seem to always have older gentlemen as the star, not a mid-twenties gal. But it wasn't a bad option, considering.

I'm still terrified that one day I'll wake up to find myself In a hospital bed recovering from my first heart attack. Sure I'm alive and kicking for now, but what about next week? Next month? Next year?

So I take my meds. I try to workout regularly. I make smart and sometimes healthy food choices. And I have the almost-hubs cheering me on every step of the way.

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I wrote the above when I went to the doctor and he put me on Lipitor. I was terrified to put it out into the world, as it were, and absolutely refused to make this my first post when I restarted my blog. Eventually I adapted to the fact that I was taking Lipitor, and I got so comfortable that I could joke about it. Besides, there's this weird twinge that makes it seem so hilarious to watch peoples faces when I tell them that my triglycerides, which should be at 150, are at 400.

I've learned to be very open about my health. I have genetically HIGH cholesterol. I make healthy choices in what I choose to eat and I work out. In fact, I've been working out quite regularly lately. I am working on making my way through Couch to 5K - I'm on week 4! And when I was out at Sam's Club last weekend, they had Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred for like $8. So now I'm doing 30DS as well. And man, is it kicking my butt!!! But I'll be in awesome shape for the Disney Royal Family 5K in February. and hopefully the Tower of Terror 10-miler Weekend.


Wednesday morning, I went to get some blood work done. I'll find out Friday when I go back to the doctor if the Lipitor is really working. And believe you me, I'm terrified. I want to be healthy and live forever and ever. Positive thoughts y'all.

Happy New Year!

{source}

Welcome to the Year of the Dragon! 

It's my year too! I was born under the Dragon sign, and weirdly enough every "fortune telling" that utilizes the Zodiac is right on the money.

The following descriptions are courtesy of US Bridal Guide:

Earth Dragons make great managers because they are practical, levelheaded and demonstrate a knack for organizing. They still have the need to dictate and be admired, but they are affable, congenial and supportive. Compared to other Dragons, Earth Dragons are less likely to breathe fire at the least irritation. They will work diligently to complete their life goals. The Earth element adds a greater portion of self-control to the Dragon's personality and usually the Earth Dragon is deserving of the respect he or she desires. These Dragons take their life and romantic responsibilities quite seriously.

Taurus brings the Dragon back down from the clouds and adds a purposeful strength to his character. Taurean Dragons will work consistently to achieve material comforts and high standards of living essential to their well-being.  

If you know me, you know how crazy accurate that is. Same with everything else they have listed; it's really awesome!


Tết (aka Vietnamese New Year) was Monday January 23. I spent the weekend prepping for the New Year by cleaning as much as possible. It's this funny superstition that whatever you do in the first three days of the new year, that's what you'll be doing all year long. You're also not supposed to sweep or take the trash out as that will send all your good luck away. I even made Adam be the first person to come into the house/apartment so he could bring the good luck in with him.

May you all have the best luck possible this year!