Fall Goals

In college, I made goals for every quarter. I continued this in the summer. Probably, because it didn't really feel like college was over.

Now, though, that I haven't moved back to Athens, and have a week and a half of my big-girl job, it has sunk in. This is it. Life. For the next 35 or so years.

It's cool. I totally love this life.

So, I think I am going to keep writing out goals seasonally. It works for me. A month doesn't give me enough time to feel like I am achieving what I set my mind to, but isn't so long that I forget about them.

Might as well keep the ball rolling. So, without further ado...

Fall Quarter Goals

1. Keep on top of my lesson planning.

I am definitely an over-planner. I try to have all my materials and plans figured out for next week by Thursday of this week. This helps me to keep the curriculum in sight, have more time when I'm at home at night, and make sure the print shop at my school (who does all the copying, we don't have a central copier) has time to et all the copies run off way ahead of time. I know that keeping up with this is going to be the key to my sanity as the year progresses.

2. Work out 4 times a week.

Again, a way to preserve my sanity. Running has really been a head-clearing activity for me, and I don't want to lose it. I have been missing a good gym work out, though, so when the $$ finally starts rolling in, I think I am going to suck it up and by a gym membership. I usually take 2 rest days, but I know that as things pick up, unexpected rest days might pop up. So, I'm being forgiving and allowing myself that.  

3. Make 3 new friends in my new city.

Now that I have finally started working, I have been introduced to a huge family of amazing people. And, finally, I have a bit of a social life again. Albeit, it's all entirely work-related. I can see a couple that will definitely become friends, but I won't really count that until we hang out outside of school stuff. Maybe I can even mooch off their friends and make even more!

I've got a ton on my plate with right now as I cannonball into my first year of teaching. So, I won't bog myself down with too many goals. I think if I get these under my belt, I'll be on my way to a great year!

Here's to making it happen!

~Rach

Major Achievement

Today, I am giving myself pat on the back. And a standing ovation. And a gold medal. And a raise.

Ok, not a raise. How many days till the paychecks start rolling in? By my count, 34.

So what happened?

I ran 5 miles without stopping!

And the crowd goes wild!!! I'm not sure I can even believe it! At the start of my running mission, I don't think I could even run 5 minutes without stopping. Back when I set my summer goals, I thought a 5k seemed far-fetched.

Then, today, I surprised myself with running for 50 min strait without a walking break. Yes, I know a 10 min mile isn't all too impressive, but from where I started, I could through myself a fiesta!

Check out that self-satisfied, red, sweaty, face! And giant hand? Damn perspective. 

Actually, today was the second day in a row that I surprised myself with how great my run felt. Yesterday, I did 40 min, with only two 1-min breaks. Not sure on the distance.

Both days though, I felt great. Like I could go on forever! Try of a half! Ok, that might be a bit hyperbolas. Even so, it was amazing to feel like that.

So, being the math-y I am, I looked for a common factor. Both nights before I had gotten decent sleep. Then, I woke up, had a cup of coffee and a full breakfast. Not a mini meal. I digested and set out, and had the 2 best runs of my short career.

I think I figured out a good routine for myself. Just in time for the start of the school year when I won't have enough time in the morning. Perfect.

After a much-needed shower, I created this random mess. And a blurry pic to boot.

That would be a some frozen greenbeans, frozen mushroom/rice burger, canned chick peas, and delicious ketchup.

Why the lack of anything fresh? Because my fridge looked like this.

Yea, beer, wine, and condiments. Total college guy style. I'm embarrassed. But hey, at least I did a good job eating every last bit of last weeks grocery haul.

Now, I'm off to restock... and probably spend more money than I should. Later, it's some chocolate PB cupcake baking for my dad's bday. Then, a friend from high school is coming for a night out! It's shaping up to be a pretty fantastic Friday!

Here's to celebrating the small achievements!
~ Rach

Fitness Frenzy

I usually don't go into too much specifics when it comes to fitness. Honestly, I don't really consider myself much of an athlete, and I feel like a bit of a faker trying to talk about it. What is that about?

Also, my workouts aren't that interesting or exciting. You know, I'll run a couple slow miles, or do one of my fave DVDs, or go to a group fitness class. But that's nothing exciting.

However, in the past few days, I have had some entertaining fitness experiences, so I figured why not relive them here!

1)New Running Route!
From last Saturday till Tuesday, I was back in my home town babysitting/house-sitting for some family friends. I tried to keep up my normal morning workouts, and did pretty well. Running in my neighborhood, though, still makes me feel all awkward and nervous. I wanted to run, but not around the area.

So, I finally bit the bullet and bought a year pass to the county park nearby! I have always wanted to run the 2 mile bike path that goes around the lake, but the $10 expense was something I didn't want to sacrifice in y post-gad budget. I know, $10 isn't that much, but that could also feed me for 2days!

Well, I did it, and it was worth every penny! I ran there 3 times while I was home and loved every second. I did the path either 2 or 3 times, and found myself continuously running way longer thanI expected with how hilly the path is. But with these views, how can you not?

source

not my kids

2. Locked myself out of the car

After one of these amazing runs, I managed to lock my keys and cell in the car. Only me, I swear. A nice old man let me borrow his phone to call my dad (and waited for him to get there and unlock the car- probably because he thought I was a barely-16 yr old), but my dad was about 25 min away.

In the meantime, I did a little strengthening workout. Me, the girl who 2 years ago claimed to hate working out, used a little spare time to get even sweatier and look ridiculous doing squats, lunges, and planks in the grass next to the parking lot. 

I did a little leg circuit (3xs):

• 20 plié quats
• 20 bench lunges (right, then left) obviously, the picnic table came in handy here
• 30 calf raises (nuetral)
• 30 calf raises (turned out in relevé)

Then a little core circuit (3xs)

• 20 spiderman plans (10 each leg)
• 20 rolling T side planks
• 2 min plank

Man, oh man this little workout left me sore the next day! It hurt so good!

3. I got Zumba certified yesterday!!!!!

 This is the biggest news by far. I have been wanting to do it for the last 2 years and never had the cahoonas to do it. Well, in the spring (when I was still in school and had a little extra money to blow) I registered for the Basic 1 training.

Yesterday, I spent 9 hours learning, dancing, sweating, and having a great time! I really do love Zumba, and I am so excited to say that I am a certified instructor now!

bright gear was a must. Although, I missed the legging memo. I think I was the only one there in shorts, but it was hella hot, so I was ok with it!

The studio that hosted the training.

Oh yea, that's official, baby!

  I have no immediate plans to start teaching anywhere. I kind of feel like that would be a bad idea on top of my first year of teaching. I do have this dream of starting an after school class program at my job for the teachers and students and parents. Who knows, maybe after a couple months, I'll be able to start something up! 


Here's to fitness fiascos and feats, and to having a good time through all of it!
~ Rach

Nesting?

Whenever I have heard the term "nesting", it's always in reference to babies. Future mothers getting the nursery together and arranged in order to create an environment they are happy and comfortable about bringing their new bundle of joy into.

Well, that certainly isn't my situation (don't worry, Mom and Dad, there are no babies anywhere near my future), but for the past few days, I have felt like "nesting" is exactly what I was doing. What was my baby? Me, maybe? Can I be my own baby?

Being the ever-OCD and over-analyzing girl that I am, I looked it up:

nesting  (ˈnɛstɪŋ)

the tendency to arrange one's immediate surroundings, such as a work station, to create a place where one feels secure, comfortable, or in control.

Now that sounds just like me! Getting things how I want them so I feel safe and in control? Yep, that's my personality for ya. And, that's exactly what I have been doing for the past week. So my inkling didn't lead me astray after all. 

I've been moving things around and finally getting some art up on all those blank walls.

 This guy is the star of the wall next to the kitchen. Art quilt thanks to mi madre that depicts so perfectly the part of the town that I lived in when I studied abroad in Toledo, Spain.

 Another goody from that experience in Spain was this post of "The Garden of Earthly Delights". After over and year and a half of being rolled in a poster tube, it has finally found a home on the wall.


I have also hung a bunch of my own work, another quilt of my mom's, and even some cross-stitching that my grandmother did maybe 50 years ago. I love the idea that there are 3 generations of art and furniture filling my apartment and making it feel like home.


Also helpful in making it feel like home? I finally got my cable and internet installed!

Wow, what a difference that makes! All of a sudden, it feels very permanent. It's starting to settle in that this is my place, and not just some vacation home that I am staying in for the summer. I'm sure it will feel even more real when I pay my first electric and water bills.

*********

On a completely unrelated note, a little update on my running experiment. 

Today, I had the best run of my life. I ran(with minor walking breaks) 3.2 miles in just under 35 minutes. For me, that is a record-setting pace, and it really felt awesome. I felt like I could have kep going, but I wanted to make sure I had time to hang out with Jillian Michaels for some Yoga Meltdown before I headed out.

What was the variable that made this run so good?

I ate breakfast and digested before heading out. Usually, I run first thing in the morning, before eating anything, and still pretty groggy. The change meant that I had some food in me and had time to wake up before conquering the demon. And... it was awesome!

Duh, Rach! Obviously it is going to go better and feel better if you put a little gas in the tank first! No shit, Sherlock. I know I'm a really smart person, but sometimes my own stupidity amazes me. I definitely going to repeat it again tomorrow and see if I can keep the positive, running momentum going.

Here's to settling in and figuring things (even if they're pretty obvious) out!

 ~ Rach 

 

WIAW: Kitchen Disasters

This past week has all been about getting adjusted to my new place. Including the kitchen. Each kitchen has it's quirks, my new one included. I wish I could blame these disasters on that, but really, it's just my clumsiness showing it's ugly head. I like to say it's part of my charm.

Lucky for all of you, all 3 of these kitchen disasters happened in the same day. No lie. Good/Bad things always happen in threes, right?

Thanks Jenn for hosting, and giving me the chance to show all of my blunders.

The first nightmare happened at breakfast. I hate to say it, but I have switch my breakfast from oats! At my new place, I really like to eat breakfast out on my patio, which gets direct sunlight. It's just too damn hot to eat hot oats out there. So, I switched it up and attempted a smoothie.

This is what happens when you try to make a smoothie in a food processor. Apparently, their not made for that. It tasted good... when I could navigate around all the chunks. In the mix was some SunWarrior, chia, almond milk, mixed berries, and ice.

Luckily, lunch went off without a hitch. But then again, it's hard to screw up a salad.

This was followed by an unpictured apple with PB.

Dinner, however, was another story. In an attempt to get more protein and bulk up my meals, I decied to try TVP. I had heard ok things about it, it looked like a good thing to just hide away in my meals, and the directions for cooking looked easy enough. Yea, they looked that way.

Note to self: following those oh-so-easy directions leads to a  charred mess in the micro that will stink up the entire apartment.

Ahh much better at 1/2 the time. And not too awful. Although the texture is a little close to ground meat for me. Something I have never really enjoyed.

Mmmm add some sauteed veggies, a little oats, and some salsa, and you have a winner right there!

And the final disaster for the evening, came at desert. I just wanted a little choco oats.

I have only made choco oats in this very mug and micro about a bajillion times. You would think I have it down by now. Eh, still tasted good.

And sticking with this months theme, let's talk exercise. It's been about a week since I started my mission impossible: running. I can definitely say that it is still not something I love. But, I can feel it getting easier every time I do it. I haven't stuck with every single day, but I'm doing it more days than not. I think it's something I can stay with until I start my job and can actually afford to join a gym again. I do have to say, I miss sweaty, intense gym sessions, but it feels good to be doing something.

Here's to handling blunders with grace (seems to be something I have gotten pretty good at over the years haha)!
~ Rach

Mission Impossible?

Operation force-myself-to-become-a-"runner" has officially begun.

Yep, me, who for the past 22 years of my existence have claimed to "absolutely hate running".

I'm trying it. I weighed all kinds of options in my head, and this seemed to be the best decision. Besides, I have surprised myself repeatedly over the past year in the exercise department, so who is to say I can't?

My top reasons for giving the running thing another try:

1. It will save me money on a gym membership. Since I won't start getting paid till the school year starts, and I just moved into my own apartment (moving is maj-oh! expensive, by the way), my budget is tight. I mean really tight. It is a good way to save the $40 dollars extra that a gym membership would add to my monthly bill. Honestly, this is my main reason. Once that pay check starts rolling in, I might most definitely will add it back in.

2. I have always wanted to, but never had the confidence. I have always admired runners: their stamina, will power, legs. However, I have always been self-conscious trying it out myself. I am not what I would call athletic. I was always a competitive dancer, but anything not choreographed to music sent shivers of uneasiness through my spine. Add the fact that the last running experience I had was thanks to an over-critical, personal training boyfriend, and you have the perfect recipe for "too scared to embarrass myself" syndrome. 

But, I'm in a new city, where no one knows me. I don't have that boyfriends' voice in the back of my mind anymore (thank goodness, right!?). What the heck. Let me put myself out there, and see how it goes. 

3. It's a good way to check out the neighborhood. Alright, this one might be a stretch, but I hate even numbers, so I wanted to get it up to 3.


So, this morning, I set my alarm early, and set out for my first try at this thing. I am the kind of person that I need to just force myself to do it for a week or so, and it will become habit, part of my routine. 

I did about 2 miles, and I would say I ran about half of the time and walked the other. Honestly, this is better than I expected, and a pleasant surprise. My plan is to do this same path until I can run the whole thing, and then add on more distance. I am committing myself to doing it daily for at least the next 10 days. And then, I will reconsider if I feel like I need to splurge on the gym membership. So far, so good.

Here's to a wild leap outside my comfort zone- no quitting!
~ Rach

WIAW Summertime

When I was a student, and now teaching, one of my favorite things about school was the routine. I liked going to the classes everyday, and now I like my routine of teaching each class everyday. One of the hardest things about summer break is the three week stop in that schedule. To help keep me sane, I try and keep on somewhat of a daily routine during the summer, too. It makes the back-to-school transition much easier.

What better way to outline that schedule than with the best link-up party of the week! Having the time to creep on everyone's daily eats is definitely one huge plus to Summer vacation!

Thanks again to Jenn for hosting!

Some where between 8:30 & 9, I get my patooty out of bed. I like to let myself enjoy sleeping in during summer, but not too late. 

At 9:30ish, breakfast ensued. That totally awesome OU mug was first filled with hot lemon water that I sipped on while I waited to get hungry. Just haven't been waking up ready for breakfast like I usually do. Late night snacking might be the culprit. The mug's second fill was black coffee alongside some oatbran cooked with 1/2 scp. Vanilla Sun Warrior (seriously, obsessively in love with this stuff. More on that later) and a random assortment of berries. 

Breakfast was the perfect thing to power me through and exceptionally sweaty workout at my new gym. I don't know what it is about this place, but I feel like I sweat more than I did at the gym at school. Whatever, it feels amazing!

Came home, showered, and lunch was on! This is my go-to summer salad that never fails. Base of chopped greens, add in last night's dinner leftover veggies (this time it was grilled zucchini, yellow squash, and asparagus), chop some cukes and tomatoes for a little fresh crunch, and finish it off with some raw tofu for that protein. Soooo good! Dressed with italian seasoning and balsamic.

 My lunch "desert" was a serving of yellow corn tortilla chips and an almost-too-juicy-but-that's-impossible orange.

After lunch, I got set to my project for the day. Mom and Dad like to leave me these when I'm home. Like they did when I was in high school. Six years ago. Ugh. Not too much complaining this time since those two awesomely-retro chairs on the right and two others are becoming mind (for free!) and finding a home in my new apartment!  I scrubbed that whole pile you see there, and in this freaking heat, worked up quite a sweat.

When I was done, I had worked up an appetite for a snack, but couldn't decide on one thing (I really wanted cereal but there was no non-dairy milk in the house). So, I snacked through the kitchen: carrots and pickles, apple with cinnamon and PB2, raisins strait up. Random smattering, but I would say all on the healthy side.

Dinner was a bit of an experiment (that I didn't take the time to photograph very well. Not one of my strengths). I concocted am italian-style lentil loaf that was a surprise hit! I'll post a recipe tomorrow. It was accompanied by a simple salad and steamed greenbeans. And, although lentil loaf doesn't scream "summer!", it hit the spot!

My sweet tooth was satisfied with one of my mom's sinfully delicious "Everything Cookies" straight from the freezer. I wish I could say this snack was healthy, but not a chance. They aren't vegan either, but they are just too damn good to pass up. My plan is to enjoy these little pleasures while I'm home, and then do better when I move. 

This is pretty much what my summer days have looked like around here. But not for long...4 days till I move to my own place!!!

Here's to making time move magically faster!

~Rach

One down, One to go

Well, folks, I have been home at my parents' house for one week. And thank goodness, I only have 1 more to go before I move back out to my own place (!!!) near my new job.

Graduation and leaving school was a terribly hard transition for me, and being back in my parents' house has made it even worse. Don't get me wrong, I have a great relationship with my parents, but this just isn't my home anymore. I physically don't fit here. My stuff is in the dining room and living room temporarily, and I can barely move in my bedroom. Going from living on your own for 4 years to being back under your parents' roof is just an awkward and weird time.

This week hasn't been all bad though. It's been nice to have some time to relax and hang with the fam. Cue the highlight reel.

I joined a gym!
Yes, me, the self-proclaimed hater of working out, paid heard-earned money to be able to get my sweat on. But, throughout the last year or so, I have discovered how important and fun working out is. The gym isn't great, but it is so nice to have a place to have a good sweat sesh everyday. I know it has made me a little more ...pleasant to have at home. Of course, when I move, I'll be canceling my membership here and looking for somewhere new around my new place.

Sweaty self-pic in the car after a particularly good workout. Completely necessary, and you're welcome.

Hanging with the broski.
My brother and his girlfriend are pretty amazing people. The first night I was home she invited me over to make dinner and hang out since she knew I was feeling pretty down because of graduation. On Thursday, we all went bowling and out after.

I have a weird love for bowling shoes.
The guy behind the counter found this weird.
Sorry, I'm not sorry.

 This night was super fun, but resulted in drinking too much, eating too much, and not getting enough sleep. I felt terrible the whole next day, but I guess that's the price to pay for too much fun. I say family bonding, and a great night out is worth the uncomfortable next day.

Other highlights of the week:

 Mani-pedi's with Mom. This was my first pedicure, and I can't believe it took me 22 years to do it. I think I''m hooked. I have also decided that I will continue painting my nails crazy colors when I'm teaching. Screw professionality. I like it, and it will help me relate to my students.

And, a movie date with Dad on Friday night. I finally got to see Avengers, and it was awesome! As always Dad was the best date ever, and bonus cool points that he got the seniors ticket!

I guess all there's left to do while I'm home is to take advantage of the good parts and countdown the days till I'm back out on my own.

Here's to only 7 days!
~Rach

One Great Weekend

After my amazing first week of student teaching, I couldn't have asked for a better, more relaxing weekend full of all of my favorite things.

Saturday morning, I treated myself to my first cup of coffee all week. I know, right!? I'm the 3-or-4-cups-a-day kind of girl usually. But, I can't do that during the week because I can only go to the bathroom during specific periods. Coffee runs right through me, and I can't be leaving the classroom every 40 min to hit the lou. Sorry for the TMI.

The Nectar of the Gods

 After my coffee and a leisurely oatmeal breakfast, my roommate and a couple other friends and I went grocery shopping. This is an all morning event. First, we hit up the amazing Athens Farmer's Market. It's the biggest one in Southeastern Ohio, and we always spend a good chunk of time there.

Here's a shot from the summer. Always a highlight of the weekend.

I picked up some kale, spinach, Gold Rush apples, and parsnips- a new to me veggie that I can't wait to try!. Then we headed to a couple other grocery stores to get the rest of the goodies we needed for the week. Grocery shopping always turns into an all-morning trip, but I'm not complaining. It's one of my favorite activities!

This is what the fridge looked like after we arranged our loot. Four girls share this fridge, but somehow we always manage to make everything fit. I have the bottom right drawer/ shelf. I know my stuff takes up the most room, but we seem to have figured out a system where everyone has enough space.

 I used up what salad stuff I had left from the week, and opened up some much-needed space in the fridge. The result was a delicious lunch.

Romaine (thy were out of spinach last week), carrots, celery, tomatoes, cukes, avocado, black beans. Topped with balsamic and italian seasoning. Always accompanied by some kosher dills and my Tervis Tumbler (new! and totally obsessed) full of agua.

And because even lunch needs desert, an apple with PB.

 I did some much-needed cleaning and headed to the gym for a great sweat sesh. It was one of those days where I zone out and all of a sudden 45 min are gone and I'm a sweaty mess! It was fantastic.

45 on the eliptical (the clock is counting down, so I actually took this near the beginning of my workout), 20 of core, and a good amount of stretching. Perfect gym day.

 One of my best friends, Val, was celebrating her 21st Saturday night, and I knew it was going to be a crazy one. So, I made sure to get a good dinner in before.

Plate of roasties- onions, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, asparagus, and tofu- this much x2. I followed it up with some PB oats for dessert.

 It was a great night that included these chocolate-covered strawberry jello shots. I didn't partake in the jello, but I may have picked the chocolate off of a few to nibble on.

It was a great, fun night. Sometimes nothing is better than a night on the town with great girlfriends! Today, I am looking forward to doing a little shopping uptown- need some new OU gear now that we made it to the sweet 16!- and going to my friend's Zumba class tonight. A perfect Sunday.

Next week, since I get a second Spring Break, will be spent writing lesson plans and experimenting in the kitchen. This quarter is shaping up to be a great one!

Here's to keeping the positive momentum going!
~ Rach

WIAW #5

Happy Hump-Day, folks! 

You know what that means,

It's What I Ate Wednesday! from Jenn over at Peas and Crayons. My favorite mid-week distraction that happens to fall on my weekly day of no classes. Let's hope I can control myself this week, though. Girl's got shit to do!

Here's what Tuesday looked like through shots of my food.

8:00a Gym
Even though I have been working out later in the day lately, I went before breakfast this morning. I was awake. I had 3 hours to kill before class. Thought I might as well.

9:30a Breakfast

The coffee shop in front of my apartment building was giving away free coffees this morning for some event sponsored by CoffeeMate, so I made sure to grab one on my way back from the gym.

I know, another bowl of oats eaten at my desk. But this one was extra special because of the addition of half a banana (the experiment is going well!) and a topping of the first scoop of a brand new jar of PB. There is nothing like the goopy first spoon full. Runny delights for my taste buds.

1:00p Lunch
Made it through my first 2 classes and a meeting with one of my favorite Profs. Came home to make this beauty- another meal eaten at my desk: we'll call it my version of a working lunch.

Monstuo de ensalada: Spinach, carrots, celery, cukes, avocado, broc slaw, chick peas. Balsamic and nooch on top. Eaten at turbo speed.

And, because even lunch needs dessert:

A microwave-baked apple: slice it thin, top with cinnamon, and zap for 2 min.

4:00p Snack

Eaten as stealthily as possible during class. Ahhh, who am I kidding, there was no courtesy-effort made. 

 6:30p Dinner
Before running off to my evening of meetings. Why must all of my clubs/student organizations insist on having their meetings on the same night?

Sauted onions, mushrooms, kale, and tofu with yesterday's kabocha and some whole wheat pasta mixed in.

This was utterly scrumptious, and I was proud of myself for this one. Pasta has been a fear food of mine for years. I would binge on it, and those empty carbs? Obviously let to immediate 10-pound gains. Well, not tonight, ladies and gents, a enjoyed every bite of those noodles without letting those thoughts in once! Pat on the back for me.

Dessert was an unpictured square of dark chocolate topped in more of that gooey PB. Some cereal snackage will definitely be happening after those meetings.

Here's to a day of good GREEN food!
~ Rach