No really, I'm not.

So this week I've been told two things that though I LOVE hearing, neither of which are true.

First - I got an e-mail from a little magazine called "Runners World". How this magazine got my information is so far beyond me I can hardly wrap my head around it. Unless, of course, they've heard me say every week for the past 6 months, "I just really WANT to be a runner" (in which case, they're marketing / sales people are INCREDIBLE and have VERY good hearing). Here's the first line of the e-mail:

Dear Angie,
You're a runner. Whether you run for your health, to lose weight, or the sheer joy of hitting the road, running is an important part of who you are – and who you want to be.

I had two responses to this e-mail in my head. The first went something like this:

Dear Runner's World,
Thanks. I've been trying to be a runner for the past few weeks (and have only really run like a 1/4 of a mile at a time before thinking it's not nearly as much fun as I thought it would be). However, now that I got this e-mail I guess I can quit trying, because, as you stated, "I am a runner." Which is really all I wanted...and now I've got proof.
Love,
Angie

The second goes something like this:

Dear Runner's World,
I assure you, I'm not. I don't run for my health, I don't run to lose weight, I don't run for the sheer joy of hitting the road, and it's very much so NOT a part of who I am. HOWEVER, it is who I want to be. I love watching people run, I want to run for my health, I want to run to lose weight and even though I don't think it will EVER be the case, I want to run for the sheer joy of hitting the road.
Love,
Angie

So from that I haven't yet decided if I just keep with walking, since, ya know, I'm already a runner. Or I use that to be my motivation to actually BE a runner. I'll keep you posted.

Part II:

I haven't addressed this yet to the blogoverse (I don't think at least), but Mom & I are hitting up Weight Watchers again. It's the only "diet" that's ever worked for me and I truly believe it's because it's not a "diet" at all. It's healthy style of eating & living life, all about balance, and is easy as pie for me to follow and figure out. Plus, it doesn't teach depriving yourself of things you like, you can eat whatever, you just "pay" for it in points. So up until today I've been a big believer of what WW is telling me. I went to the dreaded Weigh-In today and much to my surprise and delight, I lost 3 pounds! Taking me to a total of 10 pounds! And when I went to enter my weight today, this is what WW told me:

Please note:You’re probably excited to be losing weight, but you’re losing faster than is recommended. Although it’s normal to lose over 2 lbs in one week, if you lose more than an average of 2 lbs per week over a 4-week period, this could pose health risks, such as heart irregularities, anemia or loss of muscle mass. Please slow your weight loss; your doctor can help you do this if you’re not sure how, or ask your Leader for ideas.

Dear Weight Watchers -
I assure you, I am not. Please note those three weeks where I didn't lose or gain anything because I went back and forth between NO you can't have that pizza, eat a salad to, Beer? Sure. Mexican? Hell yes. Late night McDonald's Hamburger? Yes, please. Even though I had a great week and lost a whopping 3 lbs, I assure you - I am not losing too much weight. And I can even promise you, that will never be the case as long as Beer, Mexican and McDonald's Hamburgers exist.
Love,
Angie
P.S. I clearly do not need help finding ways to slow my weight loss down. See: The reason I am here :)

So in conclusion, I am in fact NOT a runner and I am DEFINITELY NOT losing too much weight. But damn, I can't be told those too things often enough!

Can we be BFF?

This video makes me think the following -

-Totally wish I would've thought of this.
-Can I still do that and not be copying?
-Can I PLEASE be best friends with this entire wedding party?
-They're from MN, which means if I move there, I could be closer to being friends with them (at everyone else I'm already friends with).

So awesome...

I Didn't Know I was 16 and Pregnant

So, lately I've been spending some time w/ my nephew Jack.

Let it be known this little peanut is the world's best baby. I've maybe seen him cry like 3 times (and he's almost a year old - which if you've ever been around, seen or even just heard about a baby - that's just plain crazy talk). He's a happy baby, he's easy to please, and more often than not he just entertains himself. So when I spend a lot of time around him, I'm all, "Puh-leeze, I could totally have a baby right now, how hard is it?" (Disclaimer: Moms & Dads around the world - don't get pissed. I know it's a LOT harder than watching a kid for a few hours and I give you HELLA respect for doing it).

Somehow in the past week or two, not even on purpose, I've done a whole hell of a lot to combat that. It started by watching an episode of 16 and Pregnant. I watched one episode, wasn't addicted, thought it was lame.

Then everyone and their mom (seriously, I've had conversations w/ my mom about this) started talking about the "Catelyn" episode of 16 and prego. After Sukie's request, I watched the episode last Saturday morning. I had somewhere to be at noon, the show started at 11:00 and I figured, I'll start watching and then finish up later. And for reals, everyone grow up -it can't be THAT sad.

Holy effing balls. It was that sad, no actually it was more sad than THAT. It was incredible. Within the first half hour I had a couple tears run down my cheek but still was kind of thinking, this isn't horrible, I can keep it together. (Let it be known my ability to "keep it together" was rather important as I was going to meet a bunch of my friends to go out for another friend's b-day party and I could NOT show up LATE & slobbery from crying about an MTV show about kids having kids).

Well I didn't keep it together. In fact I did anything but. I ended that episode (15 mins after I was supposed to leave the house), with kleenex all around me, and OUT LOUD SOBBING. So far from keeping it together. I cried hard. I smiled hard. I was seriously moved by this television show and for a moment my faith was renewed in humanity through these two incredibly mature and amazing 16 year olds from the middle of nowhere, MI. (I'd blog more about this - but I already know it's borderline embarrassing how much I've talked about this show and need to ween myself off - just do me a favor and watch it before you judge).

I've watched a couple other episodes of that and have been unimpressed but made VERY aware at how much having a baby w/ a guy you're not married to, committed to, have tied down for life can eff up all hopes you had for the relationship.

Then last night (again from Sukie's suggestion) I watched "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" and while I still can't get myself to FULLY believe these crazy bitches (for real?! you had NO IDEA?! You went to take a bath and just WENT INTO LABOR AND DELIVERED A BABY AT HOME?!?!?!?) it has severely effed with my mind.

Today because I am slightly tired and have a little bit of a back ache I'm convinced if I pee I'll give birth.*

Thanks a lot Sukie. I'm totally not watching that Lifetime Movie you told me about - my life is already too far taken over by pregnancy shows.


*(DISCLAIMER: I'm not pregnant. I'm a careful pill taker and have regular periods. And I'm sorry if that was TMI - that's why it's a disclaimer and not in the body of the post.)

Doin' work.

And apparently, I'm doing it quite well. I got a great e-mail today from my boss, complimenting my work and forwarding another e-mail she got from her boss, complimenting my work, in response to another e-mail they both got complimenting my work, praising my abilities, and asking to please work with me again.

Who knew? When I interviewed for this position, no matter how many times I read through the job description I had NO clue what I was interviewing for...and in just 2 months - I've totally found my niche, am finding my career strengths and am apparently excelling fast enough that people have taken note and e-mailed about it.

There is an e-mail chain about how awesome I am. And I didn't start it. In fact, I didn't even participate in it.

And yes - for those of you who read through this e-mail and are all "WOAH. This chick is all about tooting her own horn." To which I respond, yes, in this instance I am. I worked for 3 years for my own family and while they made me feel competent, it's a whole different beast when a, wait no, THREE, somewhat strangers compliment your work. Because, they're not my mom, and therefore, they aren't required to say nice things about me.

So there. I, as a matter of fact (and as a matter of e-mail chain) rock.

Feels damn good, too.

Diet Coke Cupcakes

Oh. Em. Gee. If you've known me in the last 5 years I've probably already informed you of the goodness that is Diet Coke Cake but if I haven't, please allow me to do so now.

Here's the ingredients:
-Box of Chocolate Cake Mix
-one 12 oz can / bottle of diet coke

Mix together, bake, and relish in the low-calorie goodness that is that perfect little cupcake.

I'm not kidding you. Not one bit. They turn out JUST LIKE NORMAL CUPCAKES. I've fooled many a'people with these little buggers, they have no idea they aren't "normal" cupcakes. And you've eliminated all the fat and calories from the protein. (Sure if you want to be a real butt, you've added chemicals from the Diet Coke and taken away from the protein of the eggs...but - like I informed my coworker - Chemicals don't add inches on my hips).

I would've taken a picture to truly show you the moist, chocolaty goodness that is one of these cupcakes, but I already ate it :)

So, maybe now you're one of those BATSHIT crazy people who's all "I don't like chocolate." Well never fear - I have a recipe for you too.

-One Yellow Cake Mix Box
-One 12 oz Diet Sprite.

Same shit: mix, eat, be amazed and enjoy.

I don't know how it works. I don't know why it works. And really, I don't need to. All I know is I mix one of my favorite beverages with a bag of chocolaty powder and in 18-22 minutes I've got 12 delicious little cupcakes that are semi-guilt free and make me feel better about slathering a bit extra frosting on them...and really, that's all I need.

Drink your wata.

The universe is telling me to drink more water.

Finally, my dreams of having unlimited access to a Fountain Diet Coke machine were so close to my reach. We moved offices and our new office is located RIGHT on the other side of the wall to a fountain diet coke machine that the "Institute" has for their students...

Unfortunately, if we want to partake in it, we have to pay $1.25 a day...but ice & water are free. The universe is telling me H20 is the way to go.

p.s. to omg. wtf. fml.

Did I mention the BF is on vacation? In my new found favorite land of Phoenix Arizona? Without me? Til Sunday?

I know, right?

And while I'm complaining (because that's apparently the max of what I'm capable of right now) I missing the Rodeo AND Sae's Wedding Shower up in the TC this weekend. Boo freakin' hoo.

However - on a positive side (wow! I am capable of that right now!) I did book my ticket this week for her bachelorette party which I'm VERY much so looking forward to. Aug 21st is really right around the corner.

omg. wtf. fml.

All applicable.

OMG. It's 5:15 p.m. on Friday. The person I'm working with is located in our Phoenix office and just said "I know you're ahead of us, but I have a chiropractor appointment and I'll be back in an hour. I mean it's only 3:00 here, you don't mind working late do you?" While I'd rather get this shiz done now and not be totally losing my mind, ripping out all my hair, and hitting the fetal position on the ground Monday Morning (you know, 'cuz these are new co-workers and I'm just not ready to go bat shit crazy in front of them...yet), I still am not ecstatic about still being here. Did I mention I was here at 8:00 for a conference call (I'm aware there are plenty people who start their days WAY earlier than that, but if you've ever been around when I wake up in the morning, you know I am not one of "those" people and I do NOT start my day earlier than that, at least not happily I don't). Plus me staying late means I don't get to work out w/ Double T (Trainer Tyler) today which I was actually really looking forward to.

WTF. I was hoping to get out of here a little earlier today given that the only time slots that I'll actually have a "weekend" this weekend is between quittin' time today and 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. When I'll be up at the butt crack of dawn to pack my car full of teenage girls, travel 2 hours with them, only to spend the next 48 hours with them and about 200 other screaming girls at Cheer Camp.*

Which leads me to (what I believe will be a non-attested) FML.

*I'm looking forward to bringing the girls to camp - I know once I'm there it won't be so bad, it's just gearing myself up for it is a bit much. Especially because after this week and today - I'm exhausted and kind of feel like I'm getting sick. Boo. But it is fun to see them progress throughout camp, it's the first big thing they do together as a squad - at at least this year we're staying somewhere w/ Air Conditioning, which I'm all for.

Back to School?

It's true...I'm debating it. Not a full fledged program quite yet.

Since I started the Temptress position - I've been handed a few side projects that aren't what I was originally hired for...but I've liked it. I've been asked to step up to the plate and try my swing at Proposal Development. I had no idea what it was when I started but have a pretty good understanding of it now and am really quite fond of it. I feel like it uses my strengths and is an area I could really excel at.

I do feel I could use a bit more training on it though. Which is where school comes in. UWM offers a Certificate Program in Professional Writ ting and Communication. Since I'm already so well versed in Communication Studies (majored in it, and have been doing it since for say the last 24 years) I figure I enjoyed that enough - let's do a little more and throw in some writing education as well.

It's a short 15 credit certification program and most of it (if not all) is available on line which is great. Especially seeing that, with my current schedule, I'd only be able to enroll in classes after 8:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m. (both of which are totally out of the question...and not offered, not surprisingly - as no college student, even a grad one, would show up before 8 a.m. and / or sober after 8:00 p.m.).

I'm contemplating it, researching it, and giving it some good thought. I feel like this job has provided me with challenges and really is something I could enjoy doing for a while. And if that's the case - might as well do what I can to excel at it. (Look at me - how grown up is that?!)

When did I get old?

I know I'm getting older...that's not a surprise any more. And at least once a week a friend of mine and I will admit it, but it's always followed up with "When did that happen?" It kind of sneaks up on you and all of a sudden you realize you're not as young as you once were.

-When did the decor on my fridge turn from pictures of my friends & I drunk to save the dates, wedding invitations and baby announcements?
-When did I start replacing MTV with HGTV?
-When was it that painting the bathroom became an exciting thing to do instead of a chore?
-How did waking up early to be productive end up something I WANT to do?

Don't get me wrong - there's a lot of growing up left to do - I still drink too much from time to time, which leads me to being even more of a baby the next day when I'm hungover. I still sleep in and there are definitely still days where I do a whole lot of nothing. But I definitely see things changing...I'm becoming a grown up!


(Disclaimer: I know I'm only 25 but you definitely are not the same person at 25 as you were at 21 - so in a way, yes I'm getting old...or at least older).