Wine & Love v4

Happy Thursday everyone! It's time for another edition of Wine & Love, hosted by Nora!

In typical Amber, I-want-to-always-be-positive fashion, I am doing my Loves first. :)

Loves: What I am loving this week!

♥ Reading The Giver and Matilda for my Children's Lit class! It is just the sort of happy that I am in need of right now! Especially after finishing a dark book for blogger book club. (Which was very good, just dark.) I think I read both books in 4th grade the first time around, and while I am very familiar with the story of Matilda, I'm a bit shaky on The Giver.

♥ New members for Books 'n Bars! A girl that has been in several of my classes since last fall found out about our book club and was so excited to join that she was clapping! The enthusiasm makes me so happy! :)

♥ Getting my very own DVR box... Since my sister's boyfriend moved in (more on this later) we have had some.... issues with the DVR. Some overlaps... some instances where the box gets shut off... This may seem petty to you... but when you're gone allllll day working and in class, maybe the one thing you're really looking forward to is that Big Brother episode that was on yesterday (and today, cause... it's on 3 times a week...). When it's gone because the box was shut off it's enough to make you want to throw the remote...

I didn't do that... really. I didn't.

Ok, I did.

Then I picked it up, because Lexi would think it's a chew toy.

Wines: What is making me reach for the wine
(which in my case is Diet Coke, because I am on detox.)

:( Apparently #3 on my Love list is a wine as well! As happy as I am that I am getting my own box, I have to wine about shows not being recorded. How annoying is it to get home, get comfy, sit down and point the remote at your list of DVR'd shows and.... Nothin'. It's all gone.

:( Missing the Iowa/Iowa State game this weekend because of class. Yes, I have a weekend class that is from 5-9 on Friday night and 8-5 on Saturday. Boo to that.

:( Not getting called to sub... come on teachers! Call in sick! I want to teach your class! I have a couple assignments scheduled for October, but other than that I have gotten very few calls. Hopefully after the first month of school it will pick up. Teachers, do you think that's the case? Will I start to get more calls after a month or so?

What is making you happy or reach for the wine this week?

Ten on Tuesday - edition ... (who the heck knows?!)

It doesn't feel like Tuesday - but it is! Yay for a short week! Here's another set of questions from Chelsea!

1. What temperature do you keep your thermostat on during the day?
We like it chilly... in the summer it's usually kept in the low 70s and that's pretty much the norm in the winter too. I love curling up with a blanket on the couch or in bed, no matter the season. Right now is perfection, though. The windows are wide open and it's a cool 61 degrees. Perfect sleeping weather!

2. What temperature do you keep your thermostat on at night?
Same as above, maybe a tad colder. We didn't touch the thermostat last month and we just got our bill. It's a whopping $160... that is RIDICULOUS for 1,000 sf. Usually I am the one that controls the thermostat and keeps my sister in check... but between her boyfriend moving in and all the changes in general, I guess I held back on my control issues around the house. Might have to take over that one again.

3. In a canister of mixed nuts, do you pick out certain varieties and leave the others?
Yup. I love the cashews. Those usually go first. Then pistachios. Then almonds. Peanuts are usually in there last. They're boring.

4. What is your favorite kind of M&M?
Peanut butter! Oooohhhh, man. I could totally go for some PB M&M's right now...

5. How do you buy books? (Amazon, bookstore, new, used, electronic, etc)
Ummm, all. Seriously. I have a book buying PROBLEM. I cruise into Half Price Books at least a couple times a week, I check out books weekly from the library, I am total buds with my UPS guy and I regularly compare prices with electronic copies. I have a legit problem. Do I care? Nope. Not really.

6. How do you like your eggs cooked?
Scrambled with salsa or hot sauce. Mmmm, yum!

7. Can you whistle?
Not at all! I have tried for years and I just can't do it!

8. What common word do you always misspell?
I'm actually a very good speller until someone is watching me. When someone is watching me I will second guess every word, but overall I know that I am very good at spelling.

9. Are you afraid of flying?
Not at all. I love flying!

10. How often do you go shopping?
Not all that often actually! Wait. What kind of shopping? Obviously I shop for books on a weekly basis. Clothes shopping happens when I need something, and it's rarely to the mall. If I need clothes I usually end up at Maurices (which is a stand alone store in my area), TJ Maxx, Kohl's or some other department store. Groceries and Costco trips usually happen every week and a half or so.
My favorite kinds of shopping trips consist of driving around town to different stores. I think I had my fill of malls and would be happy never setting foot in one again.

Pick your favorite question and answer it below!

What happens when it rains at the lake...

What happens when it rains all day at the lake and everyone is stuck inside the cabin? Well, if you're in our group of friends you start doing stupid human tricks, drinking excessively and riding four wheelers to small town bars. Yep. Check it out.

"I can balance a spoon on my nose!"

"All you do is lean back really far ... "

"Wait, wait! I can balance a book on my head!"

"So can I! So can I!"
This is boring. Let's go to the bar!

"Whoa! Intense!"

"Wait. What? Why?!"

"Let's get together for a picture. Smile, you have all your teeth!"

"Strangely, this chair was extremely comfortable."

"But, I had had about 6 beers. The FLOOR would've been comfortable, too."

"Oh, wait. This isn't a dance floor?! Oops."

"I was just posing. I didn't drink that. Really."

"Awww, we all still love each other!"

"What a great idea!"

"Get up, guys! We've gotta go four wheeling!"

"Hold your horses, buddy!"

"Annnnd, the sun is back!"

Happy Labor Day, folks! Enjoy your day off. :)

What's meant to be will be...

Do you believe some things are meant to be? Or, not meant to be?

I do. Kind of. I believe that things happen for a reason. It may be a tiny reason or a huge reason, but there's a reason for it happening that is probably in our best interest.

So, where am I going with this?

Last week on the first day of one my classes the prof told us about this trip she and another prof (who happens to be my advisor) were planning to Belize. It was to a tiny island off the coast that was 4 blocks wide and 10 miles long. They were planning on taking 10 students with them this year over spring break to do workshops with the kids and teachers down there.

The cost was $2800 and that would include airfare, lodging, meals and several excursions. The trip would include 3 days in Belize and be 5 days total with travel time.

I immediately wanted to go, but was discouraged by the high cost and short amount of time.

Later I found out that I would get some credit and practicum hours for going that could go towards earning my degree/license and I thought that seemed like a win/win if I wasn't actually paying tuition to go and the only cost is the trip. I had to decide by the 1st.

Enter yesterday. I emailed my advisor early in the morning and explained that I was leaning towards going and that I was still on the fence. She emailed back and said that there was only one spot left and that if I wanted to go I had to get in the $100 deposit to her by 4pm.

I thought and thought and thought... consulted a couple of close friends and got encouragement to go... and then made up my mind.

I wanted to go!

I got to campus, burst into my advisor's door and practically shouted, "I want to go!" She immediately put her head in her hands and said somebody else just took the last spot...

Ugh.

Oh, ok. It is completely my fault. I took waaaay too long to make a decision.

Then again, I think many of these kinds of things are blessings in disguise and there is obviously a reason I should stay home.

Maybe it's because I have $2,000 on a credit card that I should pay off before I jet off to Belize. Maybe it's because there is something else going on that is more important. Maybe I will go on a blogger meetup instead? Who knows, right?!

Still, it's a bummer. It definitely put a damper on the rest of my day.... but, it will be okay. I think I'm just ready to go on a vacation. A beach vacation.

This conversation made me laugh though... I seriously thought it was Friday yesterday morning

(It says 10:13pm b/c that is when I took the screenshot)

Do you believe things happen for a reason? If you could choose anywhere to go on a vacation RIGHT NOW where would you go?

Wine & Love v3

It's that time again - Thursday's Wine & Love hosted by the fabulous Nora!

Wines:

♥ Rude customer service people. I had a woman at my eye doctor's office tell me that my prescription was too high and she couldn't help me. I really want to call that doctor and explain to him exactly why he is losing me as a patient.

♥ My body fat composition test. Enough said.

♥ Still feeling new at my part-time gig. I hate being the newbie.

♥ Not seeing my sissy lately. Yes, we live together but our schedules are literally opposite of each other. (btw, we don't call each other sissy and never have. I honestly don't know why I typed that, but I think it's so cute, so I am leaving it).

♥ Having to miss the Iowa/Iowa State game next weekend. I hate making grown up decisions. It sucks really bad.

♥ Labor Day weekend = end of summer

Loves:

♥ Amazing friends like this two girls

♥ Whatsapp and texting with blog friends. Why has it taken so long for me to jump on board with texting blogger friends? Do you have Whatsapp? Let's chat!

♥ Getting called in August to sub in October - this tells me that teachers are requesting me and that feels amazing.

♥ Working out 3 days in a row this week. My legs are screaming at me, but I don't care. It still feels good in a weird and sick way. I know the only way to get rid of the pain is to work them again. So, I will.

♥ Recruiting new members for Books 'n Bars. In class on Tuesday, a girl that has been in a million classes of mine (ok, not a million. Maybe three) and I were talking about books (the class we have together is Children's Lit) and she mentioned how she would like to join a book club. Can you guess where this is going? I invited her to join us and she was literally clapping, she was so excited! It made me want to start clapping as well!

♥ Amazing blog friends and everyone that posted a comment yesterday. Your support means so much to me and I promise I won't let you down.

♥ Making plans to "virtually" train with a blogging buddy. Not sure how we're going to make this work, but we'll figure something. Maybe a spreadsheet in Google Docs?

♥ The four tickets I bought for WICKED yesterday! My level of excitement is through the roof and poor Lesli had to patiently remind me that it is over two months away from now and that I have plenty of time to sort out plans...

♥ The outcome on last night's Big Brother. Do you watch?

♥That I got an invitation to the lake this weekend (not Okoboji, a different lake) and that I can end summer right!

What are you love this week and what is making you reach for the wine?

Workin' on my fitness

Via

For my graduate program we have to take several methods courses for teaching science, math, reading... etc.

One of them is the PE methods course.

I had heard this class was easy, but annoying and was advised to get it out of the way. I chose to take this methods course as soon as possible for that reason.

What I wasn't completely aware of was the fact that we would be doing the fitness test that kids do in school and we would do it twice.

Now, I understand that and it makes sense to do it, but honestly, I was dreading it.

The first fitness test was last night and we had to do a 1 mile timed run, 1 minute of push-ups (on knees or full) and 1 minute of situps.

I went into this taking it very seriously and planning to let this kick my butt. I know some of you think this sounds super easy, and it probably is, but continuous running without stopping has never been something I have been good at. (Not that we couldn't stop, I didn't want to be last one done and I wanted to put forth an effort).

We started the class with the situps and pushups, which were easy. Then we moved to the track above the basketball court in the Knapp Center (umm, it's so hot up there! They need fans, asap) and we had to run around the track 7 1/2 times for a mile. I was immediately bummed because I was expecting to, A. run outside and, B. the track to be full sized, where a mile was 4 times around it.

Here is the breakdown of how I did:

Situps: 42
Pushups: 30 (from knees)
1 mile run: 13:07

My situps and pushups were above average to good for my age.

The mile run was too high.

Of course the average is dependent on a person's physical ability but, in my opinion, running a 10 minute mile should be the norm for everyone. My goal for the 12 weeks of this semester is to get my mile down to 10 minutes.

We also did an EKG body composition test where we recorded the percentage of fat in our body. I am not going to reveal this, but I will reveal that I drove home crying.

Literally, crying.

Now, before you lecture me I will tell you that I am fine now. I gave myself last night to mope about it and now it's time to do something about it. I refuse to cry about it anymore because that will get me nowhere fast. I am going to take this class seriously and work on my numbers. That is the only thing I can do.

Each student in the class had to also set a goal for themselves. Mine is simply to reduce the percentage of body fat. Simple, yet specific and realistic. I don't expect drastic changes as that is not realistic or healthy, but I do expect a 1-2% reduction.

To do so I have to:

STOP making excuses and STOP the negative self talk (such as "I can't do this").

REDUCE the last minute homework/studying and reduce the amount of time spent on the couch watching tv.

INCREASE motivation by working out with a buddy and regularly reviewing the stats from yesterday to keep me going.

START scheduling and planning my workouts at the beginning of each week and hold myself accountable to that schedule like I do with work or classes.

The only word I can think of to describe last night is mortifying, but I am glad that I chose to do this class early and I am glad that I am taking it seriously (several students are not).

It is important to me to be a good role model to my students and my children someday and to do so, I have to be physically fit. Period.

I truly believe that kids will do what you model for them, whether you are aware of it or not. It's not a game or funny and it should be taken very seriously. Little eyes are on you are at all times and I am determined to be a good example for them.

What would you say the average time to run a mile is? Have you ever had a stark realization like this that you were out of shape? What did you do?

Every weekend should be a blogger weekend. Period.

Friday morning I headed 3 1/2 hours north to Minneapolis, MN to meet up with two of my favorite bloggers ever. These are two bloggers that never get missed in my reader. I wait for their posts, and do my best to read them and comment each and every day.

You know what kind of bloggers I am talking about, right?

I had met Lisa earlier this spring for a book signing in Minneapolis, but we didn't get to spend a significant amount of time together, so I was looking forward to spending an entire weekend with her.

(Lisa and I eating our sweet corn ice cream with bacon on top at the MN State Fair)

I had never met Amber in person... and I was equal parts nervous and excited! I first started reading Amber in 2008, back when she was still Amber Alert! I'm pretty sure we found each other through Jessica, back when she was still Classy in Philly. Now she is a wonderful book blogger, Cover to Cover!

(Amber and I with giant pickles! So yum and probably the only veggie we had there...)

Of course we had plenty of conversation about blogs, bloggers, comments... etc... when Amber and I got to wondering where my first comment was on her blog. She said she couldn't find it, so I mentally filed a note in my head to look when I got home and... look what I found... Lesli and I's comments, back to back! I'm not positive it's the first comment, but it's definitely one of the first...

I think this blog post was a 25 things about me post inspired by the Facebook meme that went around for awhile. Remember that?

Also, how fitting that my first blog friend (Lesli) was there and that it was about the color pink!

::rolls eyes::

Thank goodness that phase of my life is over and I no longer have everything in pink and a Hello Kitty themed bathroom.

Did you know I had a Hello Kitty bathroom?

Yep and no, I was not 10 years old. I was 25 years old. I am real mature. Ha! I still have the Hello Kitty toaster that a friend gave me for Christmas years ago and I use it everyday (it works, why should I buy a new one? Plus, it doesn't sit on my counter top... lol).

As I used my toaster today I thought to myself, am I going to make Lisa use my HK toaster when she comes to visit??!

Why yes, yes I am.

Hehe, sorry Lisa! You're gonna have a big ol' HK head on your breakfast.

Anyway, I digress.

It was interesting to hear how we all found each other, how we found our favorite blogs and just talking in person about it all in general. I can quickly feel this addiction to meeting bloggers getting stronger and I cannot wait to meet more. I also added TONS of bloggers to my reader. There are so many bloggers that Amber and Lisa talk about and I am positive that if they love them so much, I will too.

I cannot gush enough about these ladies and how wonderful the weekend was! I hope we can get together again soon with more bloggers in Chicago this winter - I am really, really looking forward to it!

Make sure to check out all of Amber's recaps here, here and here. She did an absolutely phenomenal job!

I have definitely added this weekend to one of the best weekends I have ever had, and I already miss both ladies so so so much.