Reflections

365 days. 52 weeks. Lots of new things.

A dating life. The loss of my Grandpa. A new job. Quitting other jobs. Running a household (of one...). Missing friends. Making new friends. Having a social life. Wonderful holidays with wonderful people. The birth of my nephew. Neglecting updating my blog for 6 months...

So let's start with what's been up since last time.
Job: Crazy. Challenging. Gratifying. Hair pulling at times. But a great start to my career.
In other wonderful and exciting news, I am officially a certified Personal Trainer. Wooo! Hardest test of my life, but I am official and certified. Now I just need some gumption and guinea pigs and guts to get started.

On the topic of Dating:
Ha. I feel like I've gone on dates with them all. High maintenance, low maintenance, educated, non-educated, athletic, non-athletic, passive, aggressive. And I am no closer to anything than I was last year at this time. Therefore, I am focusing this year on the single, and being ok with that (emphasis on the ok with that...)

So tonight starts the beginning of the ok-ness. And it will most likely be rung in with a sparkly dress. And I will blog about the ringing in later this weekend. And THAT is my other New Year's Resolution. To be more connected. With friends, family, new people, and those to be met.

So Happy New Year to you all! 

A Victory!

With shaking hands and a pounding heart I went into my closet this morning, and took the pair of shorts from the bottom of the pile. These shorts aren't just any shorts. They are THE shorts. The "goal shorts".

Now, for those of you who know me, I am a true hourglass, curvy woman. I have boobs and a butt and I am SO not ashamed to admit it. I love my body type, and always have. I am strong and athletic with calves that look great with a pair of heels or trainers. However, with curves comes a constant battle of clothes not fitting, or not fitting correctly (too big in the waist, too small in the butt, too much boob showing, meteor shower on my thighs shows, the list goes on. I haven't really lost any weight in the past year, although I have been working out tons and strength training like a mad woman.

Fast Forward again to my closet this morning. I pulled out my shorts. They are navy blue, Gap chino like shorts. What's more American than navy blue shorts? I put both legs in and BAM! Like Emeril, they fit. This is a victory for me, proof that I don't (more like refuse) to deprive myself of foods I love, work out every single day to exhaustion, and let the scale dictate health.

Don't get me wrong, I have lots of goals for my health, however, it felt great today to shimmy in my skinny shorts and button them without sucking in :)

Cheers to a healthy 4th (I WILL be eating s'mores and a burger)!

New Job!

Hi All,

Well, since my last post, there has been one huge thing that happened:

I got a grown up job! Not only a grown up job, but a job in the field that I want to work in! I am the new Fitness Center and Group Exercise Coordinator at a local Community Center.

I am so, SO excited to dive in and start learning... and there will be a LOT of that to do. I am in charge of a staff of about 35 and ALL of their schedules. Good thing I like logistics :)

I also get to lead a Teen Bootcamp. It. Is. A. Blast. They are a group of awesome teens who are so hard working and fun. Last week we did 15 minutes of warm ups and plyos (hard plyos, they were troopers: jump squats, butt kicks, high knees, and burpees). Then half an hour of circuit training (thank you Garage band for letting me make tons of 1 minute clips with 30 second pauses!) and 10 minutes of core and cool down. They were such troopers. We set team goals, and I think they even had fun.

I am SO excited about this path that I am on. It has taken a while for me to get what I want, but the wait has been so worth it. The experience I'll gain here for my age is great! Cheers to a healthy 4th!

You Win Again, Mini Golf

Last weekend, I went on another Match date. I had spoken to said gentleman a few times. He was a Fitness Professional, and seemed pretty nice. He invited me out Mini Golfing, and I said sure.

Let me take the opportunity to present my only mini-golfing experience previous to this date. My brother decided he wanted to go to Grand Slam for one of his birthdays. Grand Slam was the Babe Ruth of all kids' South Twin Cities birthday dreams. Arcades, mini-golf, batting cages, and laser tag, this place was AWESOME. For realskis. At the party, my parents let me partake by mini-golfing. Because giving the most accident prone child of three a putter and a golf ball is obviously the best choice. All I remember about that day is my mom saying, "This is NOT baseball!!!" as my golf ball went flying across the course. Call me Tiger Woods baby.

Present Day:
Upon meeting at the mini-golf joint, I met my date.

First indicator it wasn't going to work: he was wearing khaki cargos, brown lace up Heavy Doc Martins and black, halfway up the calf socks. 


After making lots of small talk, we continued through the different holes. Although said date was slightly boring, the hilarious gay couple behind me kept narrating my awesome mini-golf skills and cracking me up.

Along about hole 7, I had to putt my ball into the hole from the edge of a water trap. I'm sure you can all see where this is going...

Upon putting out of the water trap, I tipped backwards, resulting in a Matrix-like backbend over the man-made creek. To my date's defense, he did grab my arm and rescue me from the perils of having a wet butt for the rest of the evening. I'm of course laughing in hysterics b/c the situation is rather hilarious. I don't think my date appreciated the exuberance. I was cool with it. *sidenote: the couple behind us ups their commentary, and it is just freaking hilarious by this point*.

Aside from my date just kind of being boring in general and kind of annoying and whiney about the putter he was given the topper on not wanting to see him again was when he thought he messed up recording the score, and he walked all the way through the mini-golf course (a good 10 minutes of me waiting up at the top...) to attempt to figure out where the score could have gone wrong. And by walking all the way through, I do mean through other peoples' games resulting in me realizing that he is kind of rude even after I told him I'd take one for the team and he could have winning score. 


All in all, it was an hour and a half of my time, and I stopped by Dairy Queen on the way home, so all was well. Beware of those with Doc Martin's and shorts. 

Digging in the Dirt (and other adventures of grandeur)

Hello All!
I apologize for my absence. I fully realize all 6 of my followers have been waiting on the edge of their seats waiting for another haphazard date. I regret to inform you, there have been no dates since the last post (not even bad ones)!

I have been far too busy doing this:

And This

I will write stories regarding both of these next time. Until then, I have lots more garden beds to dig up and plant, and end tables and small figurines to dust.

To Weigh or Not to Weigh

Since starting studying for my Personal Training exam (through ACE), I have been going back and forth about scales. Some advise throwing your scale away and using a tape measurer and the way your jeans fit to measure ones successes, and I can see how that would be extremely beneficial. Less mind games, less

However, since I am an anal retentive control freak at times  like to know, I prefer weighing myself daily. But that scale is really hard to face at times. So I definitely don't do it every day. Or after ingesting massive amounts of pizza and beer (yup, even health professionals do it at times...). I only weigh myself on days that I feel fabulous, and if that number doesn't match what I'd want it to, then I put the scale away and focus on my goals.

But here is the case in point: If a number on a machine that is probably inaccurate anyway is determining the mood of your day, put the scale in the back closet. Step back and learn how to rely on how you FEEL. Do you feel strong and healthy?  Do you feel like shakin' your tail feather in your pair of jeans? If so then celebrate!

If you're not feeling so rocking one day, stay away from the scale and put on something comfortable!! That cute belted sundress that makes you feel like a million because if doesn't have a button at your waist, or your yoga pants that instantly lift your butt.

If you focus on how you feel, you will start to make connections between your habits and the benefits or downfalls of them. Then, if you want, integrate the scale slowly into your feel good routine.

Tomorrow is Sunday, a fresh start to the week. Start on a good note and don't weigh yourself :)

Upon recently nosediving into the world of online dating, I have been puzzled with one aspect of "modern" dating. Now don't get me wrong, I'm only 24 so I haven't had a lifetime of dating experience. However, I am puzzled by the current trend of texting as a primary form of dating communication instead of calling to ask me out or getting to know me.

In fact, I am so annoyed by the texting me first thing that it has become a deal breaker. I personally would like to know if my date has an abnormally high voice.

So now I question, is this something I'll just have to deal with or should I stay on the "if he doesn't have balls to call then I don't want to date him" path?

Decisions, Decisions.

Personality: Type A Chaos

So many of you may know, I am a walking disaster. I am clumsy, always have bruises that I don't know how I get, and my bedroom at any given moment looks like a department store AND sporting goods store exploded. But here's the thing: in my head I am crazy organized. 

I swear I color code my thoughts. 

I THINK IN EXCEL SPREADSHEET FORM

I get mad when shirts with phrases on them have improper punctuation. Just ask http://www.girlwithblog.com/

I constantly struggle with closing the gap. Wouldn't it be nice to come home to a clean house that is extremely organized? Moms of two year olds can do it even though they live with multiple tornados who fingerpaint and leave things everywhere. I have just me. No animals to blame it on or roommates. 

Now I love living alone but man I'm horrible at being domestic. 

In college, I usually had a crazy organized room that's just b/c the rooms were glorified shoe boxes .

Tonight, I will toast by myself b/c I can't go out because I lost my 2nd debit card in a month's time to attempting to better my external organization. And to putting my cards in the right slots in my wallet.

Amy 

Pinstripes

I realized I never told you about my date to that bocce ball joint. It was a nice place that he picked, but he didn't really research the location properly. We needed a reservation (resulting in us talking by the bar for 45 minutes which wasn't too bad, but definitely awkward) for both dinner AND bowling AND bocce ball so we ended up just getting dinner. The food was pretty delicious and I chowed down. I will not lie. I figure I am a very food oriented person, so why not just allow that to show on the first date right....?

Continue onto date. He was very nice, but kinda awkward. There definitely was no spark. And he told me he broke up with his last girlfriend of a year this spring. As it recently snowed in Minnesota in MAY, I will venture to say this young man was not ready for a new girlfriend. And I, my friends, am no rebound.

The end of the date was the most awkward check paying experience I have ever experienced. Now you are all probably familiar with the check dance.

Those of you who watch, "How I Met Your Mother" are probably familiar with the Check Dance:
Check comes. Guy gets out wallet. Girl offers to pay her part. Ending goes from there.

My Check Dance: Check comes. Guy gets out wallet. I offer to pay my part. He stares at me. No response either way. So. Awkward. So I put my card in, he puts his card in, but oh my gosh so weird.

Now, call me a snob, but typically if a guy doesn't pay on the first date and he has picked the place, I don't go on a second. I've talked to many women about this, and all of them have agreed with me. I feel it is just standard chivalrous practice. Dude, you could take me to an Applebee's happy hour, I'd totes be ok with that. Just pay.

Anyway, date ended with an awkward goodbye, and that, my friends, was my Pinstripes date.

The List is Narrowing

So I went on another date tonight from someone I met online. Sigh. The perils of dating. While getting all gussied up and giddy with anticipation is fun, I am getting tired of first and second dates. Whereas tonight's gentleman and one of last week's gentlemen were certainly nice enough, I have come to the realization that I am narrowing down what I really might want from a significant other in life. Many thanks to the numerous dates I have gone on for helping me narrow down my list.

THE LIST

• Must exude energy
• There absolutely must be a spark of some sort. Wishy washiness is no option...
• Must exude confidence
• Must not be intimidated that I'm not intimidated by a first date
• Must be decisive
• If said man is interested, and I may be interested, he must call within a week. Any more time than that is enough time for me to go, "Hmmm..."
• Must not invite me home on the first date... didn't your mothers teach you anything?!

That, ladies and gents, concludes my list. Oh and I suppose he needs to do his own laundry, as we all know that I have enough without someone else's laundry to Downy Wrinkle Release. Yup. I said it.

On a side not, I am watching JAWS III and am highly disappointed with the anatomical inaccuracies Everyone knows sharks have more than one row of teeth. Get it right 1983.

Pantsless Saturdays

Seeing as I promised I would make a better effort to update this, I thought updating right now was a great way to delay my run. It is 11 am on Saturday, and I still haven't put pants on yet. Yup. A run isn't happening for a while. On the flip side, underwear and a tee is a perfect live alone Saturday morning get up. Until you remember the blinds are open in your den, and because your recliner is electric and slow to rise, it is an awkward 30 seconds between the time you discover your neighbors can see you and you actually sit up.

This Week's Highlights:

Awaking at 4 am for the Royal Wedding. It just reenforced my desire to become a princess. Except I'd be princess to Prince Harry... Everyone knows his future wife will be the ruckus causer and I am not the pursed lips type...

Giant blister that has prevented me from running all week. This may not sound that important for you all, but seriously, I have way too much energy that I need to get out of my system, and running is my way of doing it. Sitting on an upright bike, albeit I bike into a hot sweaty mess, just doesn't give me the same satisfaction as running faster than the person next to me on the treadmill, or pushing myself to do a second lap around a lake. This abundance of energy has resulted in my tripping over my already clumsy self, running into lots of things, and an abundance of bruises. I'm telling you, I'm going to make them into a fashion statement. Purple and Royal Blue are Jewel Tones which are supposedly popular.

11:10 AM- I still have not put on pants.

I only will work at the gym 1-2 late nights a week now, which I am pumped about! Weeehoooooo for a little more free time.

This week was chaotic, so no more entertaining dates to speak of. I do have one tonight at a new place called Pinstripes, a local bowling/boccee ball joint. We shall see! Wish me luck folks.

Now I am off to put on some running shorts and socks and hope that my blister is FINALLY better.

For Now We Are Young...

Today reminded me of a song. Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over The Sea." In real life, supposedly, it is about Anne Frank... which is depressing. But today, the sun streaming through the steeple of my church reminded me of an excerpt of the song.

But for now we are young
Let us lay in the sun
And count every beautiful thing 
We can see
Love to be
In the arms of all I'm keeping here with me




Beauty is everywhere. It was in the eyes of the little ones smelling the flowers this morning, the wrinkles on the faces of the elderly surrounded by their beloved families, it is in the Easter plant that is now sitting on top of my sink, juuuust where my grandma would have put it. And it was in the new life that I was surrounded by all day. Crying babies, green grass, and trumpet lilies (one of my favorite reminders of new life) and in a large part of the congregation pretending to be Easter Bunnies because Everybunny needs to spread the word that Christ is Risen.

I go to bed tonight with a happy heart, slightly saddened by the loss of the physical presence of my grandpa, but lightened with the reassurance that he is rejoicing in heaven.

The Greatness that is In The Aeroplane Over the Sea

On Potential Awkward Dates

I recently had a great date that could have gone seriously wrong, but because I frequently find myself in awkward and embarrassing situations, I was able to coyly finagle myself out of the foreseen awkwardness. Or I just wasn't embarrassed. Either way it was a night full of hilarity with a new person. The evening progressed like this:

"Amy?"
"Yup, that's me. Nice to meet you!"

{Insert 30 seconds of walking behind hostess here}

{Insert Amy sliding on the slippery, wood floor and face-planting it in front of the table}

{Laughs ensue}

Conversation eventually resumed after 5 minutes of laughing, and the waitress asking if I wanted a drink because it would make me feel better.

Then my super cute date knocked his beer ALL OVER the table, making me feel significantly less clumsy.

This was shortly followed by me knocking my entire silverware set on the floor. This may seem minor, however, when a knife, fork, and spoon all clank on a (slippery) wood floor, it attracts a few stares. Then my date suggested that we walk around and find an arcade, which would have been super fun, except that I stupidly wore uncomfortable shoes, so I painfully but gracefully walked around. We called it a night, and he walked me to the car, and ended the evening with the promise of a second date (we really did have a good time).

Then I noticed my phone was missing. Found flip flops in car, and went on a wild goose chase for phone. When phone was retrieved, I did have a nice text from said date.

This concludes what could have been an extremely awkward date, but was really just hilarious. And SO MUCH BETTER than This Date .

On Awkward Dating

New Year's Eve, I,  in my drunken 1AM stupor, in true classy form, joined Match.com . What an adventure it has been so far. In all of my dates' defenses, the majority of them have been true to their profiles, I have been able to recognize them all, and I have yet to be enticed to enter into the back of a white, windowless van with puppies in the back. But MAN I have had some humdingers of crazy. Actually, just one whose level of crazy rivaled the crazy cat lady from The Simpsons. Ok, not that bad, but it was comical.

Upon arriving at an upscale restaurant in an upscale area, I encounter said date. He looks like he stepped off a boat, and not in the hot Tommy Hilfiger, white button down "I'm on a yacht I'm rugged and good looking, yet refined enough to have a yacht" kind of way. He looked more like a comedy with Tom Green in it who was a boat driver and was singing "You're a Fine Girl Brandy". I approached the date with an open, "Hey, this may just work out as friends" attitude. It soon became apparent to me that friends was not an option. I'll spare you the details, but rather leave you with a list.

TOP 5 COMMENTS THAT MADE ME WANT TO ASK FOR THE BILL

1). "I know we're at an Italian place, but I'm ordering French Fries with my linguine."

2). "I was like, super disappointed when both the boat AND the truck I got for my birthday from my dad were used. It's ok though, because the Kindle I got was new, so I guess it'll be alright."

3). Upon me asking what prompted him to live in Australia, "Well, my girlfriend moved there, so I followed. It was really boring though. I lived right by the beach, but, I mean, there are only so many times you can go to the beach without getting bored." Keep in mind, it was snowing outside when this young gent spoke those words. SNOWING. IN MINNESOTA. Also keep in mind that I could be entertained with a book at the beach IN AUSTRALIA every day of my life. I resumed disinterest.

4). "My mom always did my laundry. Then my girlfriend washed and folded all my laundry. I'm seriously disappointed with the send out laundry services in the Twin Cities." "Do you know how to do your laundry, or do you just not like to do it?" "I've never learned. I had someone try to teach me once, but it was just too many steps." Sidenote: as surprised as you all may be, I am totally NOT a domestic goddess. In fact, I'm not even a domestic minion. I'm domestic in the sense that I do laundry, and it promptly stays in the clean hamper until I Downy Wrinkle Release, wear it all, need to do laundry, and repeat the process.

5). Upon exiting the restaurant (after declining desert, THAT'S how much I wanted to get out of there), "Well, I'd invite you back to my place, but I sleep on the floor of my best friend's apartment". I don't care about the apartment sitch, it was more of the assumption that I'd go back to his place after... sooo awkward.

Gentlemen, heed my advice: take off the Sperry Topsiders for anything else. Ladies: This is why we meet men in a public place.  I also advise carrying a pre-made list of escape strategies. I, for one, would have been able to have my escape-woman call, but it was all too amusing to sit and hear what other shenanigans this guy was speaking of. And with that, my friends, I leave you.

I'm BA-A-C-K-K-K

Hello All,

Well, ahem, after 4 months of insanity a blogging vacation, I am back. Updates on life:


1). After a battle with Bone Cancer, my Grandpa passed away. I am still grieving deeply, but knowing he has been released from his pain makes it easier to cope with. More updates later as my grieving progresses.

2). I have decided to take on studying to become a personal trainer! YEEEHOOOOOOO! It is a lot of work, but will be worth it in the end. Ultimately, I want to work with teens promoting positive body image and self esteem. It will take a while to accomplish, but I am excited for what the future brings.

3). I joined Match.com... some hilarity has already occurred. More to come I am sure :) I shall also blog about these stories.

So sorry about the brief update, but I will make better attempts to update, I promise.

Amy