Fitness Friday

I've decided to stop taking the Alli. Not because it doesn't work, but because I'm terrible with taking any kinds of medicine. There have been several times when I'd forgotten to take it when I was supposed to. So, needless to say, it's a hassle that I don't need right now. As far as pills are concerned, I think I'm just going to stick with trying to take my blood pressure pills faithfully like I should. Unlike Alli, or any weight loss pill for that matter, the blood pressure pills are for my health...kind of like a matter of life and death, so, I'm thinking these are more important. I do need to find out about vitamins to take, though. I've been so tired lately (but I think I may be coming down with something). Gotta get vitamins.

I'm starting to train for half marathon (little steps first...26 miles is out of the question) next week. I'm going by Prevention's walking calendar, which I did at the beginning of last year (and loved it...actually lost 11 lbs in 2 months because of it). The key for me is sticking to it. Like I said, I've been so tired, so I'm praying that I can rev up some energy to actually follow the calendar like I should.

I'm still eating better. I've been eating breakfast (yay me), which is usually hard for me. I'm not a breakfast eater, but, every morning for the past 2 weeks, I've been faithfully taking the time to eat breakfast. I've also been eating a small snack (like yogurt) between meals so I won't get the munchies. I haven't been snacking on junk either. In my parents' house, there are 9 of us (3 children, 2 teens, and 4 adults), which makes it hard to buy ingredients for the healthy recipes. Starting next week, it'll only be my sister and I (we're moving into our new house), so it'll be much easier. That's one thing I'm looking forward to.

Can I see the fruits of my labor in pound loss? Not much. I only see a 5 lb weight loss. My clothes are fitting a little looser, which means inches are coming off, if not lbs. I'm still happy, though. I mean, it could be worse, right? I could've gained everything back and then some.

Random Thoughts Thursday

A Pretty Random Topic. I, Raenice Weakly, am a lifelong member of an elite group of people known as "Lefties." Yep, I'm left-handed. Did you know that only one in 10 people is left-handed (says the Left Handers Association...I didn't even know there was a Left Handers Association)? That's only 10% of the world's population. Truthfully, I love being in such a small percentage. It means I'm unique, and I love being different...I never liked being like everybody else.

At work, one of the classes I work with has about 3 left-handed students while another has 5. When I first started substituting (6 years ago), there'd only be 1 or 2, if any at all. The number of left-handed people is slowly increasing. We're taking over the world (enter maniacal laugh right here)! Not really, but it's a nice thought. You'd think the schools would have more desks that cater to lefties. I've seen classes where there were no lefty desk, so the student had to sit at a weird angle to write. *sigh* Lovin this tee:

Moving. I hate the whole process of moving. You know, the packing, the transporting, the unpacking... I hate it. I'm in the middle of moving. Did I mention my sis and I are moving into our first house? Yay! So, even though I despise the moving process, I love the fact that we're moving into a house. I think I can get over all the work it entails, don't you think? Our house is a cute little townhouse - perfect for first time buyers like ourselves. I'll post pics later. I'm excited. I do know this: the next time I move (which will probably be when I get married and move into our dream house), I'm hiring movers to do the dirty work...or my future hubby can do it.

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Inspirational Sunday (On Monday)

Crossposted from my other blog: http://blogs.myspace.com/raeweakly

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…” Philippians 2:9

Rae’s Thought: On Dora the Explorer, there’s this sly fox called ‘Swiper’ who sneaks up on Dora and Boots (her trusty friend). Swiper tries to trip them up and keep them from reaching their intended destination. To make him go away, Dora and Boots (and the millions of kids who are watching) have to say, “Swiper, no swiping!” After saying this a few times, Swiper goes away.

Satan is like a more evil, more sinister version of Swiper for the children of God. He has a habit of sneaking up trying to trip us up. He knows he can’t keep us from reaching God’s intended destination for us, but he can delay us from getting there. Satan is as sly as a fox and as sneaky as a snake. He’ll whisper sweet nothings in your ear, making your mouth water at the thought of things you know you shouldn’t be thinking about. He’ll call you names and make you believe things that aren’t true. He can mess with your mind and make you doubt the God you say you love. Whatever Satan does, you can best believe it isn’t good.

All Dora and Boots have to do to make Swiper disappear is yell his name. Unfortunately, the children of God can’t make Satan go away just by saying his name. It holds no power. Fortunately for us, there is a name that’ll make Satan cringe. Just say Jesus! Unlike Dora and Boots, who have to say the phrase a few times before Swiper disappears, we only need to say Jesus’s name once and that’ll be enough. When the enemy is bothering you, say the name of Jesus with the power and authority that God has given you. Shout it if you have to. Just don’t say it in a weak and timid voice. If it makes you feel better, say it over and over again. Jesus! Imagine Satan putting his hands over his ears and shaking his head, trying to get rid of the sound. Jesus! It’s hurting his ears. Jesus! He’s screaming for you to stop. I can imagine that, for him, hearing that name is equivilent to someone running their nails across the chalkboard. Jesus! Satan can’t take it anymore. He leaves. That’s it. That’s all it takes…the name of Jesus, a name above all other names.

Random Thoughts/Fitness Friday

New Job. So, last month, I started my new job as a math support teacher. I absolutely LOVE it! Just thought I'd let ya'll know. I love working with 4th and 5th graders. The funny thing is, I can feel their frustration with math 'cause I've been there. Math is still not my strongest subject. So, when I tell them I feel them, I really mean it. And do you know how long it's been since I was in 5th grade? 23 years. Yeah. The stuff their making these poor babies learn now...I didn't learn some of the stuff til I was, like, in junior high/high school. *shudder*

I love the fact that I get off at 1:30 and I have Fridays off. Some people asked me if I'd substitute teach on Fridays. Uh...no. I love my 4 day/5hr per day work week. Perfect example of God knowing what's good for you better than you do: I originally wanted to full time teach. I was turned down several times (to the point that I thought something was wrong with me). Now I know, full time teaching wasn't where God wanted me. I SO LOVE MY JOB!!!

School. I've decided to take a semester (much needed) break from school...kind of pull myself from the stress of the doctorate program. This may cause me to finish early next year instead of late this year, but, in my mind, I think my health and sanity is more important than finishing at a certain time. I've just about completed the hardest part of my program, so when I get back in June, it'll be a smoother journey for me.

Fitness. Riight. I haven't been feeling well this week, so, really, I've done nothing. On the other hand, I'm still eating better. :)

Reality Dance Shows. Forget about American Idol or The Bachelor (which is just...ugh to me). I'm waiting for the dance shows. I love, love, LOVE dancing. I just noticed that I've already missed the start of America's Best Dance Crew, which started last month. No worries, I'll start watching. Dancing With The Stars...So You Think You Can Dance...I cannot wait!

I'll be watching for research as much as fun. My next novel, Who's Got Tha Moves, is about a girl who tries out, and makes it, on a reality dance show. I'm having so much fun writing this book ya'll, it's almost a sin! I mean, should I be enjoying, WORK, this much? With my iPod full of music, blasting as I write and imagine the characters dancing and competing? I can't wait til this book comes out. I'm sure this book will sell before my first one.

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Inspirational Sunday

For those who dream impossible dreams!

A Miracle Of Miracles: Realizing An Impossible Dream

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." Christopher Reeve

Recently, for the first time in 5 years I simply went out back, put my cane down, and started walking. I made it 42 yards.

Today I walked 5 miles.

My medical team had said this would be impossible. My brain could no longer send the signals for walking because those nerves in my spinal cord had been destroyed. Though certainly unintentional, my doctors did take something very important away from me: hope.

A while back, a psychologist pal of mine urged me to try to help myself. I was angry. I said, "They're four of Boston's leading neurologists. They all said I'd never get any better."

"They could have all been wrong."

"They said there's nothing I can do! No rehabilitation. No physical therapy. I'm not putting any effort into trying to walk and then be miserable when I fail."

"Trying is never failure."

I'd get steaming mad at people like her. What did they know? They came out in droves. I heard various things I should try: a soy-based diet, massage, Yoga, acupuncture, positive thinking. All of these well-meaning non-experts believed that traditional medical doctors do not know everything about human potential.

However, there was a common denominator in my friends' advice. And that was the word, "Try."

What made me finally try? The answer is simpler than I'd have ever imagined. That day I tried walking on my own, I had simply said to myself, "Why not?"

When I walk I have a Frankenstein-style gait. I get embarrassed so I explain. I met a gal who said, "Stop excusing yourself. Walk proud!" She's just one of the many who've taught me that if I open my heart to acceptance, the world is filled with support teams.

I've also resolved to open my obstinate mind and really listen to others, experts or not. This not only fosters my own sometimes-frail belief in my abilities; it fosters faith in miracles.

One morning my husband, Bob, said there was a huge present for me in our driveway. He had researched "bicycles for disabled people." It was a 300 pound cycle for two. The seats were side by side. He could pedal while I sat by him and enjoyed the outdoors again.

Um . . . did I mention it came assembled with a set of pedals for me too?

Now, hundreds of miles later, after exhaustive hours of pedaling along beautiful bike trails, I only wish that we owned stock in Ben-Gay.

Bob needs a tube a day to keep up with me.

Last week he repeated, "There's a huge present in our driveway." He led me outside. "Voila!" he said. "Oh no," I moaned. Bob dubbed it "The One-Woman Dynamo Power Bike."

"Sweetheart? You know I can't bike on my own."

He laughed sweetly. "I know. And you can't walk either. Then why does the pedometer I bought you have 74 miles on it?"

And so, I made a now often repeated declaration that I am praying others will say to themselves as well. "Yes. I can."

Think I love my bike? You bet. Think I love Bob? Of course. Think I love life again after cloistering myself in a self imposed no-can-do closet? Goodness! You have to ask?

How do we find hope when hope seems impossible? Do we simply believe in our hearts, our minds and our very souls that we can beat the odds?

Yes. Christopher Reeve said, "When we have hope, we discover powers within ourselves we may have never known. Once we choose hope, everything is possible."

His immutable words still ring in my heart and I so hope they will in everyone else's: "And you don't have to be a 'Superman' to do it."

~ Saralee Perel ~

Story from http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/stories/an_impossible_dream.html

Just Wanted to Say...

Random Thoughts/Fitness Friday

Friday, the 13th. Beware of the Friday, the 13th curse! Mwahahahahahah! That, in case you're wondering, was my evil laugh. Sends chills down your spine, doesn't it? Anyway, I don't believe in the whole "Friday, the 13th=bad luck" deal, but I do love a good scary movie. I hadn't really seen one in a while, though. The Ring? Not scary to me. The only scary part was @ the end when she walked out of the TV. The Grudge? Uh uh. Do you know of any scary movies? In honor of the release of an updated Friday, the 13th movie - which, really, could they just leave the 'franchise' alone already -I'm listing my top 5:

5. Child's Play (1988):

You must understand, the thought of a homicidal doll coming to life to terrorize its owner was creepy for someone who collected dolls. I was that someone. After the first one, though, Chucky became funny instead of scary.

4. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

Yep, had me a little afraid to go to sleep. But after the first one, Freddy Kruger, like Chucky, became comical. I stopped watching after the 3rd or 4th one.

3. The Shining (1980).

I was but a little girl when this first came out, but I did watch it years afterwards. I never got a chance to see the whole movie, but what I've seen...pretty scary. The pic says it all: Jack Nicholson did his thang.

2. It (1990).

I swear, this movie has turned me against clowns. I can't even see a clown (especially Ronald McDonald...he's creepy by himself) without seeing It. That clown haunting those poor boys...CREEPY!

1. The Exorcist (1973).

I still can't watch the whole movie...at least not by myself...and definitely not at night. Maybe early morning - like, say 8 or 9? Just to give it enough time to leave my brain by the time I go to bed. This movie terrifies me...like, if I were to watch it now, I'd be a 32 year-old woman sleeping with the lights on. I think this one scares me the most because, as a Christian, I know that Satan/demon possession is biblical and real. I'm not scared of being possessed by demons because I know, as a child of God, they can't touch me or my soul. But to witness it? OMG, I wouldn't want to witness it. Were Jesus's disciples creeped out when they saw someone demon possessed? I mean, yeah, they had the Son of God by their side, but come on. They had to be at least a little frightened.

Plane Crashes. On to another topic...Man, what is up with the plane crashes? After the happy ending of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, we have the sad ending of Flight 3407 in NY. My heart and prayers go out to all who were affected. So sad. And the weird thing is, last night, I dreamt I witnessed a horrible plane crash in a residential neighborhood that ended up in fire, then, this morning, my sis tells me about Flight 3407. Seriously, I'm creeped out.

Fitness Friday. Nothing really to report. Maybe in a week or two.

Inspirational Sunday

Try and Try
© By David Cook

I have always seen life for what it really is.
Ever since I was a child growing up, hard times are all I know.

I had to sit back and watch my mother work from sunset to sundown.
I had to sit back and watch my mother work herself to her grave.

Nothing ever came easy for her.
She always had a heart and kept a smile on her face.

Life is like a newborn baby struggling to come out of its mother's womb,
life is a struggle true enough, but after all the struggling you have done,

and after all the hell you have been through, there is success.
Life is nothing but a big struggle, but just keep the faith and focus on your goals.

Don't let life beat you or you will be walking around like zombies.
Keep on pushing, keep on trying, life can be whatever you make it to be.

But life can also be a bowl of cherries with whip cream and apple pie.
I say this again; life is what you make of it.

You can achieve or conquer anything it throws at you,
you can't quit or give up, you have got to keep on working,

look higher some way, some how you are going to make it.

Random Thoughts

I got tagged on Facebook for the '25 Random Things About Me' post, so, I figured, why not post them on my blog, too. I tried to mix in some interesting things about me, but, clearly, I'm not the most exciting person in the world. In fact, I'm actually pretty boring.

• I'm the oldest of 8 (3 biological & 5 adopted).
• I'm an extremely sarcastic person (as you can probably tell from my posts). Actually, my whole fam is sarcastic.
• I absolutely LOVE seafood, but can't eat it because I'm allergic to it. Eating perch fish can possibly kill me.
• I'm a good writer. I'm not bragging, I just know God gave me this gift and anything that comes from Him is good.
• I am the 5th generation firstborn female. My great great grandmom, great grandmom (GaGa), grandmom (Granny), mom, and I are all the oldest of our siblings. Kind of leaves pressure on me to have a firstborn girl myself, don't you think?
• I'm also a 4th generation Pepsi lover (GaGa, Granny, Mama, & I).
• I'm a 32 year-old virgin.
• GaGa, who died 7 months before I was born, saved my life. Long story short: it was her angel that came late at night to my mom and told her to check my crib. When my parents finally got over the shock of seeing my dead great grandmother, they checked and found me blue in the face & not breathing. Took me to the hospital just in time.
• I feel that GaGa is my guardian angel (see #8). I feel her with me everywhere, especially when I'm baking (she loved to bake too).
• I'm totally addicted to all the CSIs, Criminal Minds, Law & Order SVU, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Ugly Betty and Heroes...like, my week isn't complete without those shows.
• I'm extremely ticklish, especially under my feet. I'm so ticklish that if you point near my neck - without touching me - I'll start cracking up.
• I am claustrophobic, thanks to accidentally locking myself in the bathroom when I was about 13/14. Don't ask.
• I think Jay Z is the BEST rap artist there is, bar none. His lyrics...his music...his delivery...he's a genius.
• I once got tipsy off of a wine cooler (my first time drinking anything with alcohol, no matter how little the amount was).
• I collect anything that has to do with angels (see #8 for why)...angel figurines, pictures, stickers, socks - anything with angels.
• God has given my a purpose (and talent) to educate and empower children and teens.
• I am an anal perfectionator with OCD tendencies. This just means I'm an anal perfectionist who happens to be a procrastinator. Sounds messed up, right?
• I've only had one real boyfriend in my life (the one when I was 9 doesn't count). It only lasted 1 year cuz he went away to college (he was a year older than me) and I wasn't ready for a long distance relationship.
• I'm a walking oxymoron. Example: I'm a romantic, but I cringe & roll my eyes at sappy, mushy stuff...I hate needles, but I love tattoos...I don't like Math, but I LOVE my job as a Math teacher.
• My favorite animal is a white tiger. I'd get one for a pet if it were allowed.
• I have a weakness for stationary. Pens, pencils, spirals, notebooks...gotta have them.
• I also have a weakness for fragrances. I especially have a MAJOR weakness for men who wear cologne...like, I'd hug them just to get a whiff, or, if they're strangers, I'd get real close. Crazy, I know.
• I abhor clowns thanks to that scary Stephen King movie, It. I still get creeped out watching it.
• In front of strangers, I'm shy and quiet, but, in front of family, I'm extremely goofy and talkative.
• It's easier for me to write what I'm feeling/thinking than to say it.

Tickle-Me Tuesday

In honor of all who 'tweet'.

Notes

Inspirational Sunday will return next Sunday.

Superbowl. OMG that game had me at the edge of my seat. The Cardinals did their thang, but YAY STEELERS. How 'bout James Harrison's 100 yd touchdown! Beautiful! I can still see it in my head. Poor baby needed to use an oxygen mask afterwards, but I'd say it was worth it. The longest run in Superbowl history...WOW! And when it looked like either the Cardinals were going to take the trophy home or we'd go into overtime, Santonio Holmes (Superbowl MVP, btw) made a touchdown (the kind that was so close, it almost looked like he didn't make it) in the last 35 seconds of the game. GO STEELERS!

And what about Jennifer Hudson? I was excited to see that she was going to do the National Anthem and she didn't disappoint. Both her and her voice were gorgeous...as always. Not that I pay much attention to American Idol, but she's, by far, my fave of ALL of them. Her voice = powerful...and her story = a classic 'don't give up' story. I mean, she didn't win AI, but she did win. How many AI winners (or contestants for that matter) can say they have an Oscar, was asked by the future pres to sing @ the National Convention, and sang the National Anthem @ the Superbowl?

And, last but not least, my fave Superbowl commercials: (a) E-Trade Babies - funny in a kind of creepy way; (b) Bridgestone Mr. Potato Head; (c) Doritos Office Ball; (d) Coke remake of Mean Joe Green commercial - Polomalu happens to be one of my favorite players, so I'll like any commercial with him; and (e) Career Builder.

Although I'm not a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, I think he did good for Superbowl. I didn't really know any of the songs, but, whatever. I was waiting on 'Born in the USA', though.