It's Your Choice

I found this quote the other day - "There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it is easy" - Unknown.

How true is that quote?

How many times do we choose the easier path just because it is easier?

I personally have found that when you take the harder path - the reward is greater.

I am a firm believer in the fact that you have a choice. In everything.

No matter what is currently happening or what will happen in my life - I choose to be happy.

Wow, it's been a few weeks since I last posted! Where do I start...

I ended my sugar fast early - a day and a half. Some people might view this as a failure. I don't. It wasn't a moment of weakness - I knew that I was going to break it and I was ok with that. I am really proud of myself for going five and a half days without it. It was tough but I proved to myself that I am stronger than my inner sugar demons. Woo hoo!

For the next few weeks I get to dogsit for Sandy while is off in dreadful Hawaii. I have two new temporary roommates who will wake me in the wee hours of the morning having to use the restroom and wanting to be fed. They will shed all over my clothes causing me to probably use my whole lint roller during the stay. And lastly, they will lick their own behinds. But you know what? These roommates won't leave dishes behind, bring stupid boys over or forget to the door/turn off lights!

I made the big chop. I cut about four or five inches off my hair... It was a change that I had been thinking about for months but just really never had the guts to do. Well, when I was talking to my hairdresser, Linsey, about what toying with the idea of going shorter, to my surprise I blurted out "Just do it!". While she was cutting it, I immediately regretted it. {Sigh}. It's only hair, right? It'll grow back..... right? While my styling time is cut down by a measly ten minutes, it is easier to handle. Now this next time around with Linsey, I'm focused on going back to blonde :)

Day Five (And other ramblings)

Oh man... day five. Can I just say I picked a bad week to do this? We threw a surprise baby shower for a girl here at work. The food was fabulous! But then someone brought out the monster chocolate cake from Costco. This is GOOD cake. And they even brought ice cream. I think a single tear streamed down my cheek. Just kidding! But I was bummed. But during the whole lunch, I had to sit there with a container of cookies right next to my plate (it what happens when you're one of the last people to sit down). Day five was like any other day. I now feel like I can resist sugar. I don't need sugar. Maybe the stronghold sugar had on me is over!

• Today is also national doughnut day. I remember this day last year. I was working at West Valley Auto Plaza and someone owed me a doughnut for something I had done for him a few weeks prior. Next thing I know he shows up with a glorious doughnut from Schmidts Bakery. This was the biggest doughnut I had ever seen - and it was filled with delicious Bevarian cream. I had to eat it in two shifts. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
• My first merit review is coming up in July at Sallie Mae Bank. My boss gave me the paperwork to fill out yesterday. I must admit, I was a wee nervous about this whole process. But I'm doing better today! At least I'll get some kind of raise with it...
• Trials are the darndest things. One thing right after another. BAM! WHACK! SUCKER PUNCH! But the few things that have happened over the last few days have made me realize some important concepts and try to correct some bad habits. Sometimes I wish the Lord would send me an email or float a note down from heaven saying "Holly, here are the few things I need you to work on... ". You know, constructive critisim. But that would be too easy. We were never told it would be easy, only that it would be worth it.

Day Four

Everytime I write the title of the blog with what day it is, I feel like I'm in the movie, The Ring. The lady has seven days until she dies and it shows "Day 1" or "Day 6" on the screen.
Day four was not too bad. I was in a better mood, so that made the day easier! I thought maybe I could breathe easy without any temptations today but the temptations found me. I went to a RS book club in my complex last night with Rachael and of course - they had delicious treats there! They had popcorn w/ olive oil, home-made peanut butter Chex mix and and home-made pumpkin chocolate chips cookies. My mouth is watering just typing this! I stuck to the popcorn. I didn't know if that Chex mix had any sugar in or not! But those cookies looked so good...
Someone at work was telling me about this guy (on a reality TV show) LOVED chocolate. The nutritionist/trainer that he was working with told him to eat nothing but chocolate for two days. The only other thing he could have is water... Well, after two days, the guy was official off of chocolate. I thought maybe I should try that with doughnuts. Mmmmm... doughnuts. But then I thought of how UNHEALTHY that would be! Plus, I don't want to ruin that bond that doughnuts and I share.

Day Three

So as you can tell, day three was a little bit rough for me. Maybe "little" is an understatement. I had a terrible attitude throughout the day but looked forward to go to the gym and seeing a movie that night! I vented to my roommmate Rachael after I got home from the gym and it seemed to help. She's a really good listener!
The craving for sugar wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. Sure, when I was at the movie I wanted some candy. Or when I was at my mom's house, there were fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. When I asked her who made them she said "Oh help yourse - oh wait, DON'T help yourself!". Thanks Mom for helping me stay on track!
After the movie, Rachael and I were starving but seeing how it was 11 pm, we didn't have a lot of choices. We ended up at the McDonalds drive thru (because I can't stand Burger King or Taco Bell and I don't know where a Wendy's close to my house is) and I got a Happy Meal. I forgot that it comes with a drink, so I ordered a Sprite and promptly threw it away when I got home. If I was going to slip up, it wouldn't be on something as insignificant as a Sprite! I'd chow down on a big brownie from Kneaders... Yummmmmmm.... Kneaders....

No Bueno

Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to tell everyone to stick it where the sun don't shine?

That's the attitude I have right now.

Sorry if I've already snapped at you or acted that I knew more than you.

Sorry in advance to those that I snap at or act as if I know more than you.

It's not a good day.

I blame it on the no-sugar battle.

Day Two

Today was a little tougher....
After I get back to work from my lunch break, I like to have a piece of candy from the bowl in someone's office. Not today. I really wanted one but resisted!
It was someones birthday celebration today at work. I was really relieved when he said he wanted some fruit! So when I went to Harmon's to pick it out - I picked out some really good looking fruit - strawberries, kiwis, blackberries, blueberries, cantalope and honey dew. It was all so good!
For dinner, I had some Subway. When I was at the register paying, I saw all those yummy cookies. They were calling my name... I instead opted to get some Baked Lays.
Two days down, five days to go. I don't have the shakes yet but there is always tomorrow! Someone at work also told me that after day three, it's a breeze. So I just gotta get through tomorow!

Day One

Today was my first day of no sugar...
It wasn't too bad. There were cookies out on the counter this morning and I wanted one but I resisted. Go me! There are still some Sour Patch Jolly Rancher gummies that I got at the movie last night that I need to chuck. I don't want any temptation near me if I have anything to do about it! Rachael and I went to the H-4 dessert social tonight and they had brownies and rice krispy treats and sugar-filled juice but I had none! For breakfast I had yogurt. Then after church I had a Healthy Choice dinner. Then at 3 pm I had an orange. At 7 pm, I had chicken and tomoatoes (not my choice, I went to a goodbye dinner party) and a breadstick and then at 9 pm, I had half of a green pepper and another yogurt. I still really want one of those cookies.
From what I've heard, day two and three are the worst. Mindy said you get the "shakes"! Nuts. Tomorrow will be difficult because there is an ample candy supply at work and we have a birthday celebration. The person whose birthday it is, he's a pretty healthy person. So maybe he'll pick fruit for his treat. I can only hope.
When Rachael and I were talking about our sugar intake, I realize that there probably hasn't been a day that goes by that I haven't had some sort of processed sugar. That's scary. Sugar is like my crack. I have to go through the mental and physically withdrawls!

A Spoonful of Sugar...

I've always known that I can accomplish something if I really try. Sometimes I put goal off or slack off because of procrastination (aka being lazy). But now I have a new goal - no sugar for a week. Pick your jaw up off the floor. I've always wanted to try this but never thought I had the willpower to do so. My inspiration to do this is because of things my siblings have done in the past. My brother Greg had a goal to go without TV for awhile. I know he reached his set goal (it was one month, I believe) and I think he is surpassing it. I know that when Mindy lived back in California, she and Laurie Goff set a goal of no sugar for awhile. I think that they actually made it! And most recently, Sandy's latest blog post about running. I have accomplished goals that were difficult too - like graduating college! It took me awhile but hey, I finished!

This is something that I think will be very difficult. I've never tried this before! But just so we are clear on what Holly is NOT eating - processed sugar. Candy, cake, brownies, soda, etc. I will still be having fruit and the SMALL amounts of sugar found in things like my oatmeal (Weight Control oatmeal , 2 grams of sugar per packet) and my Healthy Choice dinners. Keep those frosted brownies and delicious doughnuts away from me!

I figure the more people I tell, the more people will ask how I am doing and encourage me to keep on the right track. A week doesn't seem like that long but I know it will feel like forever! I hope that this will get the sugar crave out of my system somewhat. I know that in order to get fit and stay healthy, this is something I need to cut back on!

A Little Taste of Paradise

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

With views that took my breath away (and how fast the bus

drivers drove), this was an amazing adventure!

The water was warm, the people were friendly and helpful,

the sand felt soft and the sun was glowing.

Due to the swine flu, the resort was pretty bare until Friday. I wouldn't have

it any other way though!

I did so many things that I haven't done before - snorkeling, using the Mexican

transportation system and swim in the Carribean Sea just to name a few!

One week!

The time has FINALLY arrived! I don't know if I've ever been more excited for anything in my life... Well, maybe that one time The Rock came to town. But my trip is almost here!

Nothing but beach and sun for four days - who wouldn't love that?

There are nifty little pools to wash the sand off your feet for when you leave the beach area

Look at that view - gorgeous! And I might be tempted to take home some of the room decor...

I have things planned every day until my trip to help these last few days fly... Tonight is kickboxing and The Biggest Loser. Wednesday I'm going to the Food Bank to volunteer. Thursday is kickboxing and Southland (awesome new TV drama!). Friday night is a get together with some of my high school buddies. Saturday is my wax appointment and going shopping for the little items I still need. Sunday is Mothers Day -woo hoo! A home cooked meal always is good. Monday night is pedicures and packing! I wish that there was a bootcamp class fixed in there somewhere to kick my butt one last time before I go - here's to wishing!

Are you kidding me?!

I have two weeks until my Cancun vacation... And out of nowhere this swine flu pops up and has the whole world in a tizzy. The media has blown this way out of proportion and honestly I do not think that it is that big of deal. But for those who want to know - Cancun is still on.

When my friends and I purchased this vacation package, we did not pay for travel insurance (ability to cancel or reschedule your vacation with no penalties) and Expedia, right now, is not waiving cancellation penalties for travel during our vacation days. We would lose out on a lot of money if we cancelled right now. If this "almost pandemic" gets worse, who knows what Expedia will say then.

Here are some facts about the "regular" flu and swine flu:

Regular flu kills over 250,000 people worldwide annually. There have only been 8 CONFIRMED deaths of swine flu. All of those that have confirmed deaths are people who are from Mexico. Yes, that little boy who died in Houston is from Mexico City.

The swine flu has not hit Quintana Roo, the state the Cancun is in. No resorts are reporting anyone sick.

Tamiflu and Relezna are prescriptions given to people who have flu-like symptoms. They are helping individuals who have these symptoms.

The symptoms of regular flu and swine flu are the same.

Here is the part where I get on my soapbox:

This is practically the regular flu. The media is causing the panic here. Be smart people - wash your hands and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. It's not that hard. It's not like hundreds of people all over the world are dying of this flu. There have been 8 confirmed deaths. Yes, there are something like 160 SUSPECTED deaths but those aren't for sure.

Experts say face masks do not necessarily help against the spread of this flu. It is person-to-person contact. Not airborne. Now, I can understand wearing one if you are in a highly infected area, such as Mexico city. But here in Utah and pretty much the rest of the U.S., you do NOT need to wear one.

Some may think I'm crazy for still going on my trip. Do you want to pay my cancellation fees and rescheduling fees? I didn't think so. This is not a life or death situation. If it was, we would not be allowed to go by government officials. They would shut down the borders. I am going to try to get a prescription for Tamiflu before I go on my trip if this flu still continues like it has. If the doctor says it is safe to take it even though I do not have any symptoms, I will. If not, I can start taking them if I do feel sick.

I have waited since the end of January for this vacation. I am not waiting anymore.

BOTTOM LINE:

Stop freaking out! And wash your hands and cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough!!

A Quarter Century

I am officially starting my blog on the eve of my 25th birthday. Has it already been a year? Do I feel any older? No. I still feel like I'm 20. Do I feel any wiser? Not really. Man, a quarter century sure sounds old!

The past year I have endured many trials, including losing my job. That wasn't fun. But I've also had many great things happen... such as:

Graduating! This was the most challenging thing I've ever had to do... Not just scholastically but mentally as well. I wanted to give up so many times!

My family was there for me a lot during this year. Whether it was a shoulder to cry on, moving into a new place or just hanging out with, I know I can always count on them!

(Sorry to the family members not pictured!)

To those who know this story, it may not seem like this was a joyous time for me (we ran out of gas on I-80 between Tooele and Wendover). But this experience taught me a lot! First, always be prepared with an extra gas can on a road trip, second, there are still good samaritans out there and lastly, when you're with a carful of boys and one of them says to "man up" and see if the driver can make it to the next gas station that is 90 miles away with the gas light on, tell them they're dumb boys and need to get gas.

Last but certainly not least, I became friends with this girl! Jenny! I know this isn't a great picture but it's the only one where its just us two! Making new friends is hard but we became roommates and fast friends.

I wonder what age 25 will bring me... How many heartbreaks, trials, conquering fears and pee-your-pants laughing moments?

I know that at least it will take me to Cancun! Woo hoo!