Sunday, February 27, 2011

Fact or Fiction: Shake Weight

So I bought a shake weight.  I will pause for a moment so you can all laugh . . . . When I brought it home today that was Kyle’s first reaction.  Now that we have that out the way I will explain my rationale and my experiment.  I hate pushups but I really want to tone my arms up.  When I get home from work I am usually pretty tired and we normally watch TV before bed.  I wanted to give this a try because I easily use the shake weight while I watch TV.  I am conducting an experiment to see if it actually works.  I am committed to spending at least 6-10 minutes each night using my shake weight.  I will continue this for at least 6 weeks and will share the results after the first 6 weeks.  Here are my before shots and I’ll check back in with you guys on this in early April. 

‘F’ is for Flip Burger & Fernbank

After an incredibly hectic week and recovering from being sick Kyle and I decided we needed an adventure.   I started my day with my favorite dance class which did wonders for my mood and energy level.  Afterwards I went to visit a friend at her new place, she bought a gorgeous loft.  Once I got home I was feeling great and ready for some quality time with Kyle.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous so we knew we needed to find a patio and fast.  I had my heart set on Tin Lizzy’s but so did the rest of Buckhead.   So as disappointment was about to set in we saw the new location for Flip Burger.  So we basked in the sunlight and enjoyed some amazing food.  Their liquid nitrogen milkshakes are the crowning glory to the menu.
After a delicious lunch we decided to head to Fernbank.  We had seen some advertisement for their mythical creatures exhibit and had to check it out for ourselves.  It was fun to see them bring the mythical creatures of our childhood to life.  It was also really interesting to read about the history behind the myths and the way they evolved throughout the world.  They also posed the question about whether or not these beloved or revered myths were going extinct.  At first it seemed like an odd thought since those creatures never existed but then I thought about culture and how quickly things are evolving and phasing in and out.  Some of the things we love from our childhood are going extinct.  It was exciting to see the little girls carrying around their unicorn and mermaid stuffed animals that their parents bought for them in the gift shop.  It was nice to see that some of our childhood favorites will live on a little longer.  We ended out visit with an IMAX film on Ancient Greece.  It has confirmed the fact that I absolutely must visit Greece.  The geography and architecture were absolutely stunning. 

Friday, February 25, 2011

Happy Birthday Dad!

So my dad is not a huge fan of birthdays but I am a HUGE fan of him so I love having the chance to celebrate him.  Last year we broke his rule about low key birthdays and had a big surprise party and invite our closest family and friends.  He may not admit but I think it meant a lot to him to have a room full of the people he loved.  My dad has been a huge influence on me.  I may look like my mother but I think a lot like my dad.  He has always been very meticulous and organized.  He has been amazing example of being able to reinvent yourself to do what is needed to take care of your family.  He has great taste in music and some of my fondest memories are dancing around our living room when I was little to the Doors, the Beatles, Loudon Wainwright, and Peter Paul & Mary.  He worked a lot when I was little but he always made time for me when he got home and did little things to remind me how special I was.  We would read a book, work on vocabulary, or play silly games before bedtime.  In high school he had foot surgery and while it was hard for him to shift gears and take time off work it was a blessing in disguise.  It was the best thing for our relationship.  During that time we started to become friends and really get to know one another.  At times it was hard to get used to having constant feedback but my parents were helping set me up for success in college and beyond and I will forever be thankful for all the life lessons they taught me.  So today is my Dad’s birthday and although he won’t let me make a big deal out of it I can make a big deal out of him here on my blog.  I am forever thankful for the investment you had made in me and the support you have given me throughout my life.  I have never doubted that you and mom were my biggest fans and whether you believe it or not I am your biggest fan.  I love you!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Teenagers are like Cats

I helped chaperon a high school youth group to a camp called BigStuf this summer.  During one of the leadership sessions they shared an article that was too funny and accurate not to share.  I hope it makes you guys laugh!

Teenagers are like cats


Have you ever realized that children are like dogs? Loyal and affectionate, but teenagers are like cats...

It's so easy to be a dog owner.

You feed it, train it, boss it around. And yet it still puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting and bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.

Then around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor.

Instead of dogging your every step, it disappears. You won't see it again until it gets hungry. Then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you're serving.

When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before. You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong.

It seems so antisocial, so distant.

It won't go on family outings.

Since you're the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you did something wrong.

Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.

Only now you're dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces the opposite of the desired result.

Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter.

The more you go toward it, with open arms, the more it moves away.

Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you should learn to behave like a cat owner.

Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you.

Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten.

Be there to open the door for it.

And just remember...

One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, "You've been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you."

Then you'll realize your cat is now a dog again!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Mumford and Sons

This post is long overdue; I am absolutely obsessed with their album Sigh No More.  It is folk and bluegrass at its best and yet still they managed to make it mainstream.  Their lyrics are powerful and moving.  Here are excerpts from my favorite song off the album and a video of them performing it live.
Awake My Soul
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
This weakness I feel I must finally show

Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free
Har har, har har, har har, har har

In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life

Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

My First Facial

I had my first facial at the Oculus skin care center.  My mom had bought it on living social; she bought it back in August and hadn’t gotten around to using it.  When she saw my “30 before 30 list” she was incredibly thoughtful and offered it to me.  The first part was both interesting and slightly depressing.  They did a complexion analysis.  The good news is I’m in the 85th percentile for my age for wrinkles and fine lines, which means out of 100 women my age only 15 have less wrinkles than I do.  The depressing news was that I’m in the 8th percentile for sun damage.  I was really bothered by this because I am almost obsessive about the use of sun screen, I generally wear hats when I’m in the fun for long periods of time, and I have NEVER been in a tanning bed.  After the good and bad news we headed into the facial room.  It was such a relaxing experience.  I have a zero or one step skin care program at home and during this facial she went through step after step of pampering my skin.  She also gave me suggestions for easy things to add into my routine at home.  I also learned that not all sunscreen in created equal and she gave me some really helpful suggestions.  It is the cleanest and softest my skin has ever felt.  Next time you see a deal on living social or groupon for a facial go ahead and get it, you won’t regret it!   

* Extended version with skin care tips, sorry to leave you hanging Leah! :-) *

Sunscreen - I thought I was so smart for buying moisturizer and foundation with sunscreen already built in. The issue is that unless it has at least 7% zinc oxide it is only protecting you from UVB (causes obvious sun burn) and not UVA (causes sun damage underneath the skin).  She suggested first applying a sunscreen underneath my foundation that has at least 7% zinc oxide and then use a light foundation as another layer of defense.

Exfoliating - I thought this was a something that need to be once every month or two, not the case.  She suggested just an exfloiant at least 2-3 times per week.  She recommended finding a cleanser with an exfoliant already built in so I don't have to add another step since I am lazy about skin care.  She also suggested finding one with glycolic acid for women my age since it is strong but not too hard, she recommended a product with 10 - 12% glycolic acid.

Multi-Vitamins - she suggested applying topical vitamins like Vitamin C to help restore my skin

Skin Analysis - she suggested coming back once or twice a year to measure the increases or decreases in areas like sun damage, texture, pore size, fine lines/wrinkles, etc

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day

Well it’s that time of year again when stores are overrun by giant stuffed animals and sugary confections.  The price of a dozen roses has quadrupled and couples are scrambling for an original idea amongst the commercialized junk.  You may be thinking that I sound bitter but I’m just over all of the phony displays of affection.  I am also over the fact that every restaurant that is any good switches to a $50 per person pre fixe menu just because it’s Valentine’s Day. 
Kyle and I are planning on continuing our tradition of buying one another a card and cooking dinner together at the house.  Granted we usually upgrade from our usual baked chicken or spaghetti to steak or seafood but we spend the evening together at our house and we absolutely love it.  I’m urging other couples to get back to the basics and focus on spending time together rather than splurging on some grand gesture that ultimately will take up too much space or wilt in a few days.  If you really want to impress your date/girlfriend/fiancé/wife then surprise her with a gift on a day when she least expects it and do it just because you love her not because of a commercialized holiday!    

Saturday, February 12, 2011

"Gravity" by Sara Bareilles

I am moved by this song.  I first heard it during a performance on SYTYCD.  Ever since then I have listened to it regularly and it has such a heavy and genuine emotional quality.  I think we have all been in a relationship where we lost ourselves at least a little in order to stay with someone we loved.  She is actually singing about someone who was involved in domestic abuse.  I think the words show her struggle working through someone who is controlling her physically and verbally.  Rachel’s class is my favorite but I must say that this piece was one of my favorites from her class.  She combined moments of passively going through the motions like a zombie with intense outbursts.  The intensity of the outbursts are the moments when she realizes that she is prisoner and wants desperately to break free.  Here is a video of the piece from class.  I hope you guys enjoy watching it even a tenth of as much as I enjoyed dancing it.

Friday, February 11, 2011

TGIF

Today is off to a fantastic start
1. Its Friday
2. Its Pay Day
3. I got confirmation of our reservations for our Anniversary weekend in June, I am surprising Kyle with a trip.  He reads this blog so I can't share any more details.  I love you babydoll!
4. I filed our taxes this year using TurboTax and submitted everything on Sunday 2/6.  I logged into my bank account today and have a pending transaction for our state refund already!
5. Kyle and I are going with his mom to JCT Kitchen tonight, angry mussels here I come. 
6. I survived my first week as manager and I'm really enjoying it so far
7. Alyssa's birthday is tomorrow and she'll be home in less than a week

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Genghis Grill

Let us take a moment of silence for the awesomeness that is Mongolian stir fry. . . . . . . .
I could not handle another day of Healthy Choice soups or frozen entrees so I ventured outside of my cubicle for lunch with two of my coworkers.  We went to Genghis Grill near the REI by Perimeter mall.  They had both been before so they showed me the ropes.  The atmosphere was pretty generic but the possibilities for entrees were endless.  At first I was a tad overwhelmed as I looked upon all the meat, seasoning, veggie, sauce, and starch choices.  I took a deep breath and started piling all my favorites into my bowl.  My concoction was pretty generic but it was only $8.99 and it was made exactly how I like it!  I chose steak and shrimp for my meats and added steakhouse and garlic seasoning.  For veggies I went with my all time favorites of baby corn, red bell peppers, snap peas, spinach, and lots of mushrooms.  Then I chose fried rice as my base and topped it all off with a combination of honey soy sauce and island teriyaki.  For those who like to go with a known entity they have recipe cards that you can choose to follow.  I am much more adventurous and enjoyed the guess work, plus let’s be honest I am a pickier eater than some/most.  I would recommend this place or any Mongolian stir fry place to those of you who haven’t tried it.  I have heard that Chow Baby is excellent.  Tomorrow I will return to my boring lean cuisine or healthy choice meals but today I dined in Mongolian glory and I was incredibly thankful for the variety.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Little Things


Sometimes it is the small and simple things in life that really remind you how much you have to be thankful for.  We get so wrapped up in all the ways we aren't perfect or all the areas that need improvement and sometimes we forget to celebrate the victories in our life.  One of the major victories in my life is my friends.  I have some amazing friendships in my life.  My reminder of this came in the form of a card.  It was a simple gesture to congratulate me on my promotion but it really reminded me how important my friends are to me and how much I have to be thankful for.  I hope you each have something positive happen this week that reminds you to celebrate and be thankful for the people or things in your life.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

My First Day as a Manager

I accepted a promotion at work on 1/26 to become the manager of the test release coordination team.  My first official day as their manager was yesterday.  I am leading a team of 7 people.  I am really excited about the opportunity and also a little nervous if I’m honest.  So far things are off to a strong start and I’m extremely excited about the future of the team!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Home Sweet Shipping Container

Let me begin by saying that I am not one of those people that is completely wrapped up in the green movement.  Although I do think we have trashed our world and now we need to take some responsibly to improving the way we live and treating our planet with some respect.  A friend of mine on Facebook posted the link to this article and I was instantly intrigued.  I absolutely love our loft and these homes using recycled shipping containers reminded me of the modern style in a very eco friendly package.  Now I just need them to become more reasonably priced so Kyle and I can one.  Unfortunately because of price and where we live our next house will definitely be more traditional but one day we’d love to have a house like this or one of the modern style prefab homes.  Here is a picture of my favorite out of their examples.  If you want to read the full article here is the link:





The Redondo Beach House is an architecturally designed shipping container based contemporary house to suit your site and lifestyle. The award-winning De Maria Design’s luxury beachside house was constructed using eight prefabricated, recycled steel shipping containers, which are integrated with some traditional building techniques

Friday, February 4, 2011

Sips & Strokes – Ballet Slippers

My friend Joanna had a pretty terrible week last week so we decided to do something fun to cheer her up!  She suggested this class and of course I was pumped because I love girls’ night, painting, and dance pictures.  If you haven’t tried one of these classes you definitely should get a group together and go.  They make it really easy and no matter what skill level you end up creating a piece that you can be proud of.  Here are a few pictures from the night:

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Girls Retreat

The other female leaders and I hosted a retreat/sleepover for the girls in the high school youth group (Ignition).  We focused on the importance of knowing who are, seeing your true beauty, and being in community with one another.  One of the exercises we did was we had each of the girls fill out a life wheel.  They had to write one word in each piece of the circle.  We asked them to only include truths about themselves, we did not limit whether they had to be what people might consider positive or negative.  We just asked them to describe themselves in 32 words/phrases.  Once they were done we discussed as a group and then they with the help of their friends decorated their mirrors with statements of affirmation.  This was to symbolize that instead of allowing our own insecurities block out what we see that we must look at ourselves for who we are and use those truths and the positive things about ourselves as a frame of reference.  These truths are reminders of who we are and that what we see in the mirror is just one fraction of the person we are.  The leaders also completed the exercise and shared with the girls, here is a picture of my mirror and a few pictures of the girls from the retreat. 
1 Timothy 4:8
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come"

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Who says consignment can’t be made modern

I love interior decorating and bargain shopping.  Kyle and I have discussed adding a seating area for reading to our bedroom but have been holding off because all the chairs we like are pretty expensive.  After the high school retreat this weekend we were pretty exhausted (blog entry to come on the retreat, I love our group of girls so much!).  We decided to take Sunday to rest and run errands that we had fallen behind on.  The weather was gorgeous and I had an intense desire to go adventure shopping so I headed to My Favorite Place, that’s the name of an antique/consignment store off PIB.  I love looking at all the knick knacks and discarded treasures.  I also love thinking of the changes I could make to reinvent them and make them fabulous again.  I wasn’t really expecting to find anything and then I stumbled on this great looking set of chairs, the best part they were only $36 for both chairs.  All I had to do was buy $3 spray paint and change the color of the legs from blond to black.  I bought the accent table at Ross for $19.99.  So for less than $60 bucks we finally have our seating area and I love the way it turned out.  I am in the process on finding a lamp for the table but for now here is our new space.


Tuesday, February 1, 2011

500 Page Views

I just hit 500 page views and I'v been blogging a little over a month.  I was excited so I figured I'd blog about it.

My Mantra for 2011 - Be Deliberate

de·lib·er·ate (d -l b r- t)  adj.
1. Done with or marked by full consciousness of the nature and effects; intentional:
I have a mantra for 2011 and that is to be deliberate.  I am not into resolutions but I reflected on this word the other day and was really inspired.  Any goal you want to reach can be achieved by being deliberate.  I think our society, me included, spends way too much time blaming others for our shortcomings or looking for excuses.  Or we avoid decisions and then wonder why we are discontent with our lives.  Starting this year I will take accountability for my decisions, both the small and big ones and in turn the impact that they have on my life.  I will succeed and in the times when I stumble I will use it to learn and grow.  Being deliberate is not an easy task but I plan to succeed by cycling through 5 stages:
A)     Take inventory of myself and my personal areas of strengths and weaknesses.
B)      Evaluate my decision making skills in a wide range of situations. 
C)      Acknowledge that I will make incorrect choices at times and conquer my fear of making the wrong decision. 
D)     Make intentional decisions and remember that the lack of action/decision is a decision in itself.
E)      Take accountability for my decisions and for my happiness.
F)      Repeat