Dedication

This is dedicated to you...you know who you are.

I'm not going down without a fight this time.

Cursed

Bad things seem to happen in my personal life when I do 30-day blog challenges. Therefore I'm quitting this one. Maybe I'll be back after my New Mexico vacation with another update then, but for now I decided it was best to just stay mum.

Day #11

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

There are a few careers that I've dreamt about, but realistically don't think will happen. The one I'd probably choose to answer this question is a movie critic. I always thought it would be awesome to get to watch movies, share your opinion, and be paid for it. The downside is you'd basically have to watch every movie, and there are plenty of movies that come out which I have absolutely no interest in seeing, such as G.I. Joe Retaliation. Ick.

Day #10

Today I am picking my own topic, because I actually have something to discuss. Yesterday I went to the doctor's for a check-up on how my medication was going, and I requested to do a blood test, specifically for glucose intolerance. My dad has diabetes and my sister had told me she was on the border of having insulin resistance, so I figured I must be in bad shape since I'm heavier than her. Anyway, I got the results today and to my great surprise, I have a lower percentage than she does! And than my mom! I was at 5.6% and they are at 5.9%. Apparently all of my other stats are good too. The only thing of any concern is that my triglycerides are in the mildly high range, though birth control and alcohol can affect that. Overall I think I'm in good shape! But this foray into finding out more about the state of my health has made me feel more dedicated to losing weight.

That brings me to my conundrum. I decided to start posting weight loss updates on Facebook. I'm doing this because I read an article the other day saying that sharing information like that on social media sites keeps you accountable and more motivated. On the other hand, I don't want to come off like I'm promoting the need to lose weight. You all know how I feel about the belief that all women seem to share about needing to lose weight to be happier. It's just gotten to the point for me that it's too uncomfortable to be the size I am. I'm self-conscious. I don't need to become a twig, and I don't need to drop a bunch of weight overnight, but I would like to drop enough to feel healthier, fitter, and more comfortable in my own skin.

So for the past few days I've been getting up early to do Just Dance or Hip Hop Experience on the Wii, as well as some stretches for my back. Next week I am going to go check out a gym with my co-worker to see if I might want to get a membership there, since it's only $15 a month and offers classes. And this summer semester, I am going to be taking a Stretch and Strength course at CWI, to keep me up on exercise and to help improve my back. I'm also going to try to get my bike over to the apartments so I can ride back and forth to work during the summer. Oh, and of course there are Chris and I's beloved "gym and a swim" that we do in the summer, when our complex's pool is open.

Anyway, I have my starting weight, so here we go. Wish me luck!

Days 7, 8, and 9

So I totally fell off the blog wagon over the weekend. Sorry. Here are entries for Saturday, Sunday, and today:

Day #7: What are your favorite comfort foods and why?:

This was actually a stupid topic to choose today, on my part. I'm fasting for a blood test at the doctor's in a couple of hours and it is getting to a painful stage...I don't need to focus even more on food! Quick answer would be usually something sweet like cookies, or if we're talking meals there's nothing better for comfort than a big bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy. Yum!!

Day #8: What is your favorite quote?:

I have a ton, to be honest. Go on any quote site and look up Oscar Wilde and you're going to get just a huge list of amazing quotes! But, in honor of Sunday being Mother's Day, I thought I'd choose my favorite humorous mother related quote, which is..."If I wanted to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'd put shoes on my cat." Perfect for me, right? I actually put that as a favorite quote on an assignment from high school, so my feelings of not wanting kids have gone that far back. When I was married before, I was going to have them because that's what you're supposed to do when you're LDS, you know? Luckily now I don't have that pressure and can make the decision on my own. Anyway, I got a card from my girls yesterday, each with their own signature meow written inside. We went and had dinner at my mom's as well. I have a wonderful mom and am glad I can call her one of my best friends. I may not ever get to celebrate Mother's Day in a mainstream way, but my family is perfect and I wouldn't change it for anything...

Day #9: Put your music player on shuffle and write the first 10 songs that come up:

• Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
• Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
• In Need of a Miracle - New Radicals
• Cell Block Tango - Chicago motion picture soundtrack
• Hello, Goodbye - The Beatles
• Bones - The Gossip
• Darts of Pleasure - Franz Ferdinand
• Bandoliers - Them Crooked Vultures
• Baby Come Home - Scissor Sisters
• Forever Young - Rod Stewart

Whew! Nothing too embarrassing! Now say a little prayer for me that I can survive the next two hours without passing out from hunger...

Day #6

What is your star sign and do you think it fits your personality?:

Personally I think horoscopes are a bunch of bunk, so instead of doing this exact question, I am going to modify it a bit. Last year, at work, we took the Meyers-Briggs Personality Test. I found it incredibly interesting! The personality type I got (INFJ) was really spot on...so much so that it made me feel a little more sane. I'll explain how after the description (bear with me, it's a little long):

As an INFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in primarily via intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system. 

INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types. 

INFJs place great importance on having things orderly and systematic in their outer world. They put a lot of energy into identifying the best system for getting things done, and constantly define and re-define the priorities in their lives. On the other hand, INFJs operate within themselves on an intuitive basis which is entirely spontaneous. They know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without detailed knowledge of the subject at hand. They are usually right, and they usually know it. Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith into their instincts and intuitions. This is something of a conflict between the inner and outer worlds, and may result in the INFJ not being as organized as other Judging types tend to be. Or we may see some signs of disarray in an otherwise orderly tendency, such as a consistently messy desk. 

INFJs have uncanny insight into people and situations. They get "feelings" about things and intuitively understand them. As an extreme example, some INFJs report experiences of a psychic nature, such as getting strong feelings about there being a problem with a loved one, and discovering later that they were in a car accident. This is the sort of thing that other types may scorn and scoff at, and the INFJ themself does not really understand their intuition at a level which can be verbalized. Consequently, most INFJs are protective of their inner selves, sharing only what they choose to share when they choose to share it. They are deep, complex individuals, who are quite private and typically difficult to understand. INFJs hold back part of themselves, and can be secretive. 

But the INFJ is as genuinely warm as they are complex. INFJs hold a special place in the heart of people who they are close to, who are able to see their special gifts and depth of caring. INFJs are concerned for people's feelings, and try to be gentle to avoid hurting anyone. They are very sensitive to conflict, and cannot tolerate it very well. Situations which are charged with conflict may drive the normally peaceful INFJ into a state of agitation or charged anger. They may tend to internalize conflict into their bodies, and experience health problems when under a lot of stress. 

Because the INFJ has such strong intuitive capabilities, they trust their own instincts above all else. This may result in an INFJ stubborness and tendency to ignore other people's opinions. They believe that they're right. On the other hand, INFJ is a perfectionist who doubts that they are living up to their full potential. INFJs are rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them. They believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments. They have strong value systems, and need to live their lives in accordance with what they feel is right. In deference to the Feeling aspect of their personalities, INFJs are in some ways gentle and easy going. Conversely, they have very high expectations of themselves, and frequently of their families. They don't believe in compromising their ideals. 

INFJ is a natural nurturer; patient, devoted and protective. They make loving parents and usually have strong bonds with their offspring. They have high expectations of their children, and push them to be the best that they can be. This can sometimes manifest itself in the INFJ being hard-nosed and stubborn. But generally, children of an INFJ get devoted and sincere parental guidance, combined with deep caring. 

In the workplace, the INFJ usually shows up in areas where they can be creative and somewhat independent. They have a natural affinity for art, and many excel in the sciences, where they make use of their intuition. INFJs can also be found in service-oriented professions. They are not good at dealing with minutia or very detailed tasks. The INFJ will either avoid such things, or else go to the other extreme and become enveloped in the details to the extent that they can no longer see the big picture. An INFJ who has gone the route of becoming meticulous about details may be highly critical of other individuals who are not. 

The INFJ individual is gifted in ways that other types are not. Life is not necessarily easy for the INFJ, but they are capable of great depth of feeling and personal achievement.

 
It's all the talk about INFJ's intuition that makes me feel more sane. Throughout my life I've always had a strong intuitive nature. I like to tell people I'm a little bit psychic! Ha! Anyway, it was just kind of crazy to read this because it very closely describes me.

After we took the test and were going over results, our information included the names of some famous people with our same personality types. I cracked up over mine. They included the following: Jesus Christ and Mahatma Gandhi...but also Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden. I have since warned people that I could either be really good or really bad, so they ought not to cross me! Obviously I know probably none of these people took the actual test, but I just thought it was interesting how such seemingly different people could have the same type of personality at their core.

Day #5

What are five places that you'd like to visit?:

I was actually telling Chris the other day that we should start making it a point to take a side trip anytime we visit his family in England to see other places in Europe. It just seems like a waste to go that far and not travel to some other fun sites, but Chris pointed out that it's already so expensive to travel to England in the first place, that paying for an additional vacation on top of that could be tough. Plus we are going there to visit his family, so I'd feel kinda bad ditching them for a week to go off on our own. But anyway, we are going to pretend those aren't issues right now and list off the dream vacation destinations:

1) Paris

• To be honest, I don't like the French. I'm not exactly sure why I want to go to Paris other than because it's only a few hours from London and it seems like something that is on everyone's bucket list. It would be an experience, at least. I definitely want to make a side trip there one day (even considering the reasons listed above) because you could go for just a couple of days and they have a train from London that isn't too outrageously expensive.

2) Italy

•  I'm not that particular about where, I just think it would be a fun place to visit. Chris has been there once and always talks about wanting to go back.

3) Scotland

• My British friends and family might not like me listing this one (there seems to be a rivalry between the two countries) but it was my favorite country when I was on the British Literary Tour in college (sorry England) and we only stayed there for a few days. I would love to go back again and explore.

4) Greece

• I've always loved Greek myths and would love to explore their ruins. And come on! It's absolutely gorgeous!

5) Hawaii

• This one doesn't really apply to a place to see when we go to Europe, but this is the spot Chris really wants to visit. I've never been either and obviously think it would be a lot of fun. It would also be a lot of money though, so we'll have to save up for this one for awhile.