Veggie Lifestyle

So, in my previous post I mentioned how I started the Vegetarian lifestyle. Well, actually, the Presco-vegetarian lifestyle because I still eat fish. But I'm proud to say that I've maintained this healthy habit for three-going-on-four whole weeks!!! I'm so excited and proud of myself. But what makes it even better is that I've seen the benefits. I've lost 8 lbs!!! Woot woot! I think I probably would have lost more, but that dang ice cream is still in the freezer. Hahahaha.

Now, all I need to do is get back on the exercise wagon. That's the sucky thing about the end of the semester. There's so much work that needs to get done that I'm just too lazy to do anything else. P90X totally kicked my butt for the first couple weeks that I haven't given it another chance. LOL. So, I'm gonna be rejoining Shaun T. and the rest of the Rockin' Body crew. Those workouts are more forte. You know...hip hop and dancing always gets me moving.

After reading Line's post about her anti-sweets journey, I thought it would only be fair to update all you bloggers about my veggie-ness. I've given myself a month, but I'm actually gonna see how long I can go with this diet. Its actually been pretty easy, and I've come to enjoy eating fish.

Story time with my daddy....

Those who know my dad, can attest to his love for "talking story." He can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Just as long as you give him a listening ear, and your full attention. His topics range from what barely happened to him 5 minutes before you saw him (LOL), the lives of his six children, the forgetfulness and "craziness" of his wife (ok...I added the "crazy" part), or whatever else is on his mind. Whatever it may be, just plan on it being extended to the half hour version. LOL. Whatever it may be, these are the times I treasure most with my father.

Well, tonight, after picking he and my mom up from town after spending nearly a week in Waikiki for their 37th wedding anniversary, father and I had a great conversation. Instigated by an earlier post by a cousin of mine, I wondered what it must have been like for my dad to grow up in Hawaii before it became a state. Long story short, here are some of the things I NEVER knew about my dad and his family:

1 - His mother spoke very little English. Hawaiian was her first language. Unfortunately, my grandfather only spoke "broken english," so my dad could only understand a little, so he and his siblings would reply in English.

2 - My dad and his older brother were the "black sheep" in the family...according to my grandfather at least. My grandpa would make my dad wash the car EVERY DAY!!! Now, when I say wash the car...I mean...WASH. THE. CAR. Inside AND out. He said even if it was dark outside, grandpa would make them wash the car with a flashlight, and if they missed a spot, they would get dirty lickings. This explains his infatuation with the cleanliness of any car he drives. Even if it isn't his own car, if he's driving it, he makes sure its clean.

3 - He grew up with very little money, and wasn't able to enjoy simple luxuries like breakfast. When he was in elementary, they didn't have money for breakfast. Grandpa would drop them off at school so early that they would get there before the milkman made his delivery to the school cafeteria. So my dad and his siblings would help themselves to the milk that would be sitting right outside the cafeteria door. LOL.

4 - He got caught switching his "sardine" sandwich, with some other girls bologna sandwich. Hahahahahaha. He got whacked with the ruler when he got caught for that one, and he said that was the first and the last time he ever got lickings in school from the teacher.

This last one is my favorite.

5 - My dad was the first in his family....EVER to graduate from high school. According to him, the highest level of education that his father and all his uncles and aunty's were able to achieve was the 5th grade! I know things were a lot more difficult for them back then, but I was so proud of my dad when he told me that. It just makes me appreciate him even more for all the sacrifices that he made to ensure his own children get the best education possible.

*sigh* I never realized before that my dad was the first to graduate. Not only that, but he was the first in his family to become converted and remain an active member of the church. He is quite the pioneer. And how grateful am I to be his daughter.

Counting My Blessings

I am so so so so so so so grateful! As I've mentioned in one of my previous posts, procrastination is one of the best traits that describe myself. Hahaha. But yes, I STILL haven't learned my lesson. But I am so grateful for a Father who understands me and loves me and continues to help me. I know that I wouldn't have been able to do it without His help. I just finished writing my term paper for another one of my classes, and this time I had to write 8-10 pages!!! But yes...I still did it folks. I kept putting it off, and putting it off...all the way until this morning at 8am! Did I mention the paper was due at 1:20?! So after gathering all of my research that I previously made, I was able to write 9 pages in 3 1/2 hours!!!! How I did it, I have no idea! But I know He helped me along the way. I feel so blessed.

"No Meat! No Meat! La la la la la la!!!"

It's official. I've jumped on the "no meat" bandwagon. I've been playing with this idea for quite some time now, but have never really been able to go through with it. But after talking to friends and family who have done it, and said they feel much healthier ever since they have, I've decided to give it a shot. Now, I told myself that I would start small...like just eliminating any beef or pork. That if I absolutely HAD to have some "meaty" consistency, I would substitute it with chicken or turkey. But I decided against that because I've done it before, and it never works out. So, vegetarianism...here I come. I think my body is fighting against what my mind has chosen for it because I'm typing this while laying in bed with an upset stomach. HAHAHAHAHAHA! We'll just say that my body is "cleansing" itself of all the meat I ate over the weekend. I hate sick stomachs.

So...since accountability is key...I'm putting it out there. If you run in to me anywhere, and see me about to eat anything with legs...I give u full permission to slap me! Lol!

1 down....2 more to go!!!

I have officially booked my tickets to L.A. for this summer. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but it means that I am one step closer to my Summer Expedition in Europe!!!! Woot! Woot! You read correctly....Europe baby!!!!!

A couple of my friends and I are currently planning a backpacking trip throughout several European countries this summer, and boy am I excited!!! At first we were thinking of going on a Mediterranean cruise, because one of the main places we wanted to go to was Greece. But we figured, since we're there, we might as well try to see more.

So we decided to take the Eurail to 5+ countries. The train pass is actually cheaper than the cruise itself, the only setback is that we'll have to pay for lodging and food ourselves. But my friends have some companions in some of these countries, so we're gonna try to stay with them. Here are the countries we decided we HAVE to go to:

- France
- Spain
- Italy
- Greece
- Switzerland

The pass lets us travel up to 15 days to up to 21 countries!!!! We are so excited!

So...now that I have one of the major costs out of the way (my roundtrip ticket from here to L.A.), that's one less thing to worry about. Now all that's left is the roundtrip ticket to France from Salt Lake (I'll be road tripping it from L.A to Salt Lake), and then the Eurail pass. Europe....here I come!!!!!!!!!!!

TARGET'S FINALLY HERE!!!

This just might be the number one reason why my wallet will be on a diet for the next couple weeks:

Yes folks...TARGET has finally come to Hawai'i nei. I'm so superly, duperly, OOBERLY excited!!! Ever since roaming its magical aisles for the first time in good 'ole Orem, Utah, I couldn't resist the jaw-dropping deals on the best items!!! Not to mention that they cater to us plump/plus women! I. LOVE. IT!!!! So, yes...my wallet may be getting smaller, but my closet will be loving the new additions mama will be bringing home! Ahhh...I can't wait to go!!!

Blessing in Disguise

Yesterday was one of the busiest Sundays for me. Baby blessings, meetings upon meetings, CHURCH, and an impromptu fireside by one of the Apostles. But I had the reassurance that if I was diligent in my callings, I would be blessed. AND HOW BLESSED AM I!!!

Today is officially the midpoint of my semester and I have a lot...I mean A LOT of stuff due. Here's a list...just to give you an idea.

6-page term paper for Public Administration class
Chapter Review questions (30+) for Astronomy
Midterm for Political Inquiry (my hardest class this semester)
Article review for Political inquiry

So, as I mentioned in my previous post, I have been procrastinating BIG time, and the only thing I was able to finish before today was the Astronomy assignment. So I woke up at 7am to start my 6-page paper, thinking in the back of my mind that I still have to do my article review, which is due at 2:30. Did I mention, my term paper is due at 4pm? So you can see where this is going. Luckily, I have today and tomorrow to take my midterm...so that's a blessing in itself. But the biggest blessing was the email I received, around 11:30 saying that my article review won't be due until 2:30 Wednesday!!! HALELUJAH!!!!!

You can just imagine my utter joy and relief after reading that email. I wanted to kiss the screen! So now, my time is devoted to finishing my term paper, which by the way I am currently halfway through page six!!! Woohoo!!! Then after that, my time is devoted to studying for this midterm...cause it's gonna be a doozie!

I knew that if I put my trust in Him, He would bless me. Thank you. Don't get me wrong...I know I wasn't blessed because of my procrastination. And I know I shouldn't be waiting til the last minute to do EVERYTHING. I'm just saying, that I'm thankful for a Father who knows me, and loves me still the same.

Procrastination....

Procrastination is my best friend, yet number one nemesis!!!! Ugh...the stress involves much hair pulling, late nights, early mornings, nausea, and high blood pressure. Hahaha...ok...maybe not the last one. But that is definitely one f the things that I have difficulty with. This bad habit must be genetic, because I see it in my mother AND my oldest sister. Why...oh WHY....do I have to take after them??? Why can't I take after my "always-prompt" father, or my overly efficient brother. Why oh WHY am I a procrastinator. Well, here's one reason I was able to come up with. I DO BEST UNDER PRESSURE!!!! I don't know why, but most of my best work was done hours...minutes...seconds before its due. The thrill of working against a running clock always gets me going. I love and hate it. But the older I get, I think I hate it more. Yet, I continue to procrastinate. By writing this blog. Hahahahahahaha. I need help.