2010 goals---March update

So I was trying to do this mid month but I decided to move it more to the end of every month. It just seems to make more sense that way. Click here to see the original post about my goals AND here to see my first update.

1) Lose 20 pounds by the end of the year.
When I posted my first update I had just started Weight Watchers and I'm proud to say I have kept it up and don't plan on stopping! As of Friday, which is my weigh in day, I have lost 8.6 pounds and made my first goal which was 5% of my body weight (that was the first goal they recommended online...I guess if you do the math you will know how fat I am...oh well.) I'm loving Weight Watchers, even though the weight is coming off slowly I feel like I am truly making a lifestyle change. This past weekend I slacked off a bit and I know I will again over Easter, also I haven't been exercising as much as I would like. Hopefully, after Easter I will get back on the fit train and I won't gain weight while I am away for Easter!

2)Take more pictures
I've been a little better about this. Also, I want to get my pictures all organized, my new MacBook will help with that and we are also going to be investing in a large external hard drive. Once I have that I want to consolidate all my pictures on to it.

3) Get accepted to a Masters in Teaching program
Not much has changed since last week (see here for details.) I am still really leaning towards School #3 and have found out more information on it. Yes, it will take longer but I think the pros outweigh the cons. I've been gathering more information from the woman who would be my advisor and she told me if I start this summer I won't graduate until January 2012. I would have loved to be able to finish in a year but an extra 6 months to 1 year (because I might not find a full time teaching job mid year) won't be the worst thing that could.) That being said I don't really want to slam the door on School #1. It's hard...but I want to decide for sure VERY SOON.

ABCs of me

I saw this on Taylor's blog and thought I would play along. You know I love these kind of things! Play along if you want to!

A. AREA CODE : outside Baltimore
B. BED SIZE: Queen...but I would love a King someday!
D. DOG'S NAME: Hanna
E. ESSENTIAL "START THE DAY!" ITEM: Water...I drink a ton of water and I'm always thirsty when I wake up
F. FAVORITE COLOR: Blue normally, but I like a lot of colors.

G. GOLD OR SILVER: Silver

H. HEIGHT: 5'6"

I. INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY: I used to play the piano a bit.
J. JOB: My job title is "Client Manager" if you want to be official.

K. KIDS: Just a fur baby now but definitely at least 2 someday.
L. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: Apartment.

M. MOM'S NAME: Starts with a P.

N. NICKNAME: I have a lot...mostly from K!

O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: None...except when I was born.

P. PET PEEVE: the sound of dry markers....just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

Q. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE: "You'll shoot your eye out kid" or anything else from "A Christmas Story" ha! I actually quote movies constantly.

R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY?: Righty

S. SIBLINGS: younger sister and younger brother

T. TIME YOU WAKE UP: 7ish.
U. UNDERWEAR: I wear underwear if that is the question...

V. VEGGIE YOU DISLIKE: I'm not a huge Veggie fan but I don't really dislike any of them. It all depends on cooking and seasoning!

W. WAYS/REASONS YOU ARE LATE: Usually I am right on time...I hate being too early or being late.

X. XRAYS YOU'VE HAD: teeth (at the dentist), nose (broke it) and once I had a chest x-ray because I had asthma as a kid.

Y. YUMMY FOOD YOU MAKE: Lots! Since it's getting warmer I'm thinking about making my loaded baked potato salad which is super yummy and always a big hit at cookouts!

Z. ZOO ANIMALS YOU LIKE: Monkeys and big cats.

Mac Attack! (and some other random things)

• This is my first ever post coming from my shiny new MacBook Pro. So far I love it! It definitely is going to take some time to get used to but it's not as complicated as I thought it would be. My sister gave me a little lesson last night and helped me get it all set up. Yesterday I went shopping with my mom and my sister, I was planning on just buying the laptop at the Apple store. BUT...my wonderful mother surprised me completely and bought it for me. I was literally so surprised I started crying! I feel so lucky and grateful that my parents did this for me so I can put the money I would have spent towards other grad school expenses. I also ended up getting a cool printer for free!
• Speaking of my mother...today is her birthday! We are going out to eat tonight with our family and some friends. My sister and I are also going to take her out tomorrow to this cool wine bar.
• My brother is also in his last high school musical this weekend, I went to see him on Wednesday and I'm going again tonight with everyone after the birthday dinner.
• No final decision on what school I will be going to yet but I will keep you informed!
• I'll be posting an update on my 2010 goals very soon...mostly about weight watchers.
• This is my 300th post!

I'll leave you with my first experiment with Photo Booth. Stunning right?

crush

I have a crush on Sam and Stephanie from the Biggest Loser.

I always liked both of them separately and in fact, while watching the first episode I totally told K that I thought they would be a really adorable couple (call me Patti Stanger.) And they actually are!

Why I am so obsessed I have no clue. I just think it's so cute that they fell in love on the Biggest Loser. Last night while watching the show I kept wanting them to kiss or something...or hold hands while on the treadmill. But they never did and I was sad. Then I went to sleep and had a dream about them. Not a sexual dream or anything, just a dream about them being on the ranch.

I want to know more details about the relationship. How did they tell the other contestants? What do Jillian and Bob think? Do they ever have dates in the kitchen? Skinny dip in the pool? Was Koli jealous? Were any of the other girls jealous? Is there a Tiger Beat article or something that can give me answers?

PS The above picture (from the article I linked to) is not a good picture of Sam...he is much cuter now. Last night, when they all went home, he even was wearing a tres fab Burberry scarf.

Yes, I realize this probably means I am insane and the fact that I'm posting about it makes me even more insane. But I was hoping sharing my feelings would help get it out of my system.

To Mac?

Or not to Mac?

That is the question.

Thoughts?

decision?

I spent the weekend reflecting. I also spent a lot of time trying to distract myself from completely stressing out. Thank you New Moon dvd and your bonus features, shopping and sleeping in for your assistance with distraction.

Anyways, as many of you know I am planning on going back to school to get my Masters in Teaching, starting this summer. In early February I was accepted to School #3, which I considered my third choice because the program takes a little longer. Due to some application drama and my generally negative feelings on their process I never completed my application with School #2. School #1, as of Friday, I was still waiting to hear.

Since School #1 was taking such a long time to get back to me I began to consider School #3. Weighing the pros and cons it seemed that the only con is that it might mean being in school for longer then a year. A major pro is that it would allow me extra flexibility and the ability to work part time...which would cut down on the amount of money I would need to borrow. That is huge because for one, it would mean not going completely broke and also, with K putting himself through law school, we are already going to have a lot of student loan debt to worry about in the future.

Also, because School #3 is more flexible I would hopefully be able to student teach in the county that I want to work in. While I wouldn't get a full school year of student teaching experience (like School #1) because I could work I would try and substitute as my part time job...and still get my foot in the door that way.

What I am trying to say is that even before this email I got on Friday I was beginning to lean towards School #3. The email was from the director of the program at School #1 and basically said I'm on a waiting list. It's a small program and the size depends on what they can find for internship (student teaching) placements. She said they would love to accept everyone but obviously can't if they don't have placements. Who knows why I wasn't on their first...it could be anything. Honestly, I wish it had been a flat out no because now I just have to wait and see...and time is ticking.

That is why I am considering just going with School #3...I feel like my gut is telling me that's where I should go. But I also don't want to slam the door on School #1. I'm thinking about giving them until the middle of the week, then checking in again.

I need to make plans...and I'm sick of waiting.

Hopefully, this wasn't too rambling. I just needed to get it out. Thank for all of your sweet comments throughout this process...I really appreciate it.

featured!

Today I am a little overwhelmed with the whole grad school situation (I'll fill you in later.) But...on a happier note...I am being featured over at Raindrops and Roses today! Go check it out!

Also, the weather is gorgeous and it's almost the weekend...so I'm trying to stay optimistic.

Happy Weekend!