Elizabeth = Bad Blogger

I haven't blogged in a really *really* long time.  I don't have a good excuse.  I just didn't have anything noteworthy to say!

Life here is great, we're embarking on a new journey soon - possibly becoming home (instead of condo) owners!  

I still love my job.  I adore my husband.  I can't wait for babies.

That sums up my life in a nutshell :)  

A New Day

Last week was a profound week in American history - we inaugurated an African American President.  There were so many things that ran through my mind while watching him be sworn into the highest office in our great nation.  First, I'm so proud of over 50% of us (or more) that decided that race wasn't an issue.  Sure, a few people probably voted for him because of his race, but the number of people who didn't consider it a factor is amazing to me.  No - this doesn't end racism.  No - this doesn't fix all of our problems.  No - this doesn't magically solve the economic crisis.  Yes - this means we're ready to take steps to change.  Yes - this means we see that the worth this man is more than the color of his skin.

I believe in President Obama.  Such a simple statement that says so much.  Sure, he's only been president for a week, but in that week so many Americans have rediscovered there love for this country.  Maybe in the coming years we won't have to say we're Canadian when we travel abroad:)  (haha, or if you're me, Australian - and no, I can't do the accent, but I sure did think I could!!).  But what he has that is different from the previous administration, from what I can see, is a grasp of the big picture.  He gets the gravity of our current place in the world, our economy, and our general hopelessness.  That's a great place to start.

Most of you don't know this but I used to dream about being Secretary of State.  Honestly.  I did.  When Bush was in office, I abandoned that dream.  I didn't want to be a part of an administration that was so obviously unaware of what America wanted and needed.  But now, I wonder if maybe I don't still want what I used to dream about.  Now that I'm proud of our President.  

I work for the government and I am SO incredibly proud of the job I do every day.  I love who I work for.  No, not my boss, but the group of people I serve.  I am so proud to give back to people who have given so much to our country.  With the new administration, my dream of being a bigger part of the government has been renewed and I wonder if I can't make this job into something more.  I always knew I wanted this to be a career, but now I have hope that maybe I can advance to a place where I can make policy and make change.  In the words of our great leader, yes we can.  Yes I can.

30 Day Shred - Day 25

While I can't say that I'm "shredded," I can say that I'm leaner, meaner, and stronger than I have been in years.  (well, not leaner than I was at my wedding, but you can't re-create that kind of stress...).  The 30 Day Shred has lived up to its name.  In 25 days of doing it every day except two, I can honestly say that I'm stronger than I've ever been and that is saying a lot given that I've been working out 5 days a week (strength and cardio) for at least the last 6 years consistently.  

What about this workout is different you might ask?  And moreover, you might wonder how it works being only 28 minutes long start to finish?  Well first, I didn't *just* workout 28 minutes a day.  I cut my calories to 1200 - 1500 a day (not as hard as it seems), and on at least 3 days a week I did 45 minutes of kickboxing in addition to the 28 minutes of shred.  But having said that, this workout is different.  It combines strength and cardio in a way that forces your body to change.  It keeps you moving for 28 minutes straight.  I still do Level 1 on occasion and it still kicks my arse.  Jillian Michales is my hero.  I'd LOVE to have her train me for one day - just to see if I could handle it.  I'm sure I could, but I can't guarantee that I wouldn't, puke, cry, or both!

I am really proud of myself!  I have some pretty exciting things that I want to do this year and being fit is goal number one.  Lets hope I keep it up!

30 Day Shred - Day 7

I am seven days into the 30 day shred and so far so good.  I have done at least one of the programs every day (except Friday, no time!) for seven days.  I did double programs on three of those days.  Given how hard the workouts are, I'm not surprised that I'm already seeing results.  I can also tell that I'm getting stronger because I don't want to cry at the end anymore!  Haha, you think I'm kidding, but after the first workout I almost did want to cry - its been a long time since I pushed myself that hard at the gym!  I guess that should tell me something, its not worth going to the gym if I'm not working hard.  Otherwise its a waste of an hour.  So this video has provided me with a much needed kick in the arse.  Jillian Michaels is my new personal hero, and kind of like a virtual personal trainer!

Now it's time to clean up that diet.  I'm going to try to cut carbs out completely, but we'll see how that goes.  All in all, I've had great success over the last week.  I just need to keep it up!

New Year, New Me?

2008 was quite a year full of many challenges, and equally as many joys.  I can't believe how fast the year went - I know we always say that but quite literally I feel like it was last January about a month ago.  Where did the year go?  Let me recap: last year I began my recovery from a nasty auto-immune disease flare up (a slow process that still isn't quite complete); quit a job that was, to say the least, not the right job for me (I think I've covered that topic sufficiently in previous posts:)); took time off to heal; found a job that truly fulfills me and continued to grow in my new career; battled unexpected health crises that taught me that with my condition its imperative that I listen to myself and slow down; we undertook a major remodel (finally!) and are living in a dream condo; and my husband and I have taken all these experiences and have really grown in our marriage.  Phew, no wonder I feel like it flew by - it was a very full year!

A friend asked what my four wishes were for 2009 the other day, they are pretty simple, but I'm going to officially put them into the universe for its consideration.

1. To continue to regain my full health, which includes respecting when my body tells me to slow down (and yes, that also means that I should listen to my doctors more:)).

2. For our little family to have a new addition, when the time is right.  In the same vein, to be able to have a healthy pregnancy and baby without any complications (Crohn's related or other).

3. To spend more time with my dear friends and my family.  I wish that they all have a healthy 2009 and that the new year brings them joy.

4. To be kinder to myself and to be kinder to those around me, even when I'm cranky.  This is not always easy for me: I can be very hard on myself and when I am tired, cranky, stressed out, I often take it out on those closest to me.  I consider this my greatest fault and hope that I can make an effort to change it this year.

So there it is, my wishes/resolutions/hopes/whatever you'd like to call them....

I hope that 2009 brings all of you every wonderful moment that you wish for!  

30 Day Shred - Day 1

In my never-ending quest for a new workout routine I asked for Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred for Christmas.  My wonderful friend got it for me and today was day 1.  I was going to do all three sections today just to see how they workouts were but Level 1 was so challenging that I called it good right there!  

The plan is 3 minutes of strength, 2 minute of cardio, and 1 minute of abs repeated 3 times.  Not only is it very efficient it was also really engaging.  I usually work out for an hour, and after 30 minutes I was seriously spent, but I didn't feel bored at all!  So, after day 1 I am a fan of the workout and excited to get to day 2!!

I stole this from my dear Michelle, who took it from the darling Lisa....I thought it was fun so I put it here too!  I've done more than I realized!

Top 100 things one should do in their life, ones I have done are bolded:

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars 
3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower 
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (why just Paris?  I've been plenty of other places....)
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb 
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (does a triathlon count?)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (I was too cheap to pay for one, but I have been to Venice)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language (I really tried, but have not retained much of the italian i tried to learn)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (does a climbing wall count?)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance 
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in
55. Been in a movie (only as an extra for a major motion picture, and in classmates films in college)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (I assume a lemonade stand counts...)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (i fainted when they pricked my finger to blood type me, they asked me not to donate! :))
65. Gone sky diving (Uh, never)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (probably one of the most heart wrenching experience of my life)
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square 
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (I wouldn't' call it that, but some might)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club 
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (This one may be a yes in a few months thanks to the car accident)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Ridden an elephant