Fall came fast...

Wow, it is really already Fall...November...almost Thanksgiving!  Where did the time go?  I can't even begin to tell you how fast this summer went for me.  School is beginning to really pick up and therefore I have been pretty stressed. The weather though, has been perfect.  I don't remember ever having a true fall season here in Eastern NC.  It usually goes summer to winter, with maybe one nice day of fall.  But this last month or so has been absolutely gorgeous. 

It makes me so happy...and yet sort of sad at the same time.  I am an independent, single woman and I am happy with that.  I know I don't need a man to complete me...at least at this point in my life.  But when everything else in the world seems so perfect, I just get this weird feeling in my body.  I don't know how to describe it....I just wish, sometimes, that I had someone to spend these near perfect days with.  Instead of doing things alone (which I am happy doing!) I want a 'significant other' to share the times with and create memories for more than myself!  And yet there are many times I am so glad I am single.  I think it's just the woman in me getting these weird feelings of wanting to be with someone. 

Ohhhh, but men....they are almost as complicated as women.  Almost.

About 2-3 weeks ago though, I had some really great guys come into my life.  Not in a dating sense....in a great friendship sort of way.  I feel myself around them and it's very comforting to know they aren't in it to 'get with me'.  I haven't laughed so hard and so much in a long time....i know it's the beginning of a lasting friendship.  What's tough though is that two of them are Marines and therefore could get orders elsewhere.  Hopefully that doesn't happen soon.  Here we are though...

 

Jake, Ethan, myself, Chris, and Bryan

Really great people....alright well I have some schoolwork to accomplish, but y'all have a very blessed Sunday.  Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having.  Be thankful for the kind, loving people in your life...

 

This girl...

...hasn't written in...months?!  Believe me, that doesn't mean I've been up to nothing or have nothing to say.  :)

Life just has a funny way of  being...confusing, ever-changing, and sometimes punishing. 

My back has been healing quite well.  I have been working out for three weeks now.  I really...desperately...urgently need to lose the weight I have put on since my injury almost 21 weeks ago.  My mood and personality just isn't the same when my confidence is this low.  I try to put on a happy face, but really, I feel like a shadow of myself--a larger shadow that shades more ground than I'd like. 

They say that men prefer larger, confident women than a supermodel with a horrible personality.  I don't want to be a supermodel (fitness model, yes!).  I don't want to be 'thinner' and leaner for anybody but myself.  It really sucks when your own clothes don't fit you...when you can't find clothes that DO fit you...and when you can't pull off clothes because of your belly (or larger boobs!).  Yes boobs suck.  They can go down a cup size and I'd be happy.

So for my new workouts, I have been doing cardio.  Namely the stairclimber and elliptical.  Also, since I can't lift very  heavy weights because of my back, I am instead lifting about 70-75% of my max, but doing many reps, about 20.  I do 4 sets of these.  It's much easier on my back than attempting to lift heavier weights and be in pain.  We'll see how it goes though.  I realllyyy need to get my diet on track.  That really is the hardest part for me.  I love working out and would spend the whole day in the gym if I could.  But the diet part of fitness?!  Well, I just always have a sweet tooth that gets the better of me.  I'm struggling to find the balance I need.  It will come though.  I just have to have more self discipline. 

For now everybody, goodbye and have a blessed day.  If anybody is reading this on the East coast, be safe in this hurricane!

Self-Image ... a work in progress

ya know, simply put, sometimes life can be a bitch. 

excuse the language :)

life most certainly has its ups and its downs...they are part of what makes us who we are.  how we overcome struggles, how we deal with stress, the way we handle life's excitements...all play a role in shaping who we are.  in my last post i informed my small group of followers that i fractured 2 (possibly 3 i learned!) vertebrae.  due to this unexpected life event, i have been 'out of commision' for some time now.  by this i mean i can't life anything, couldn't drive for a while, and couldn't exert to much energy doing anything.  well my darned body is the type of body that just needs and craves exercise.  i gain weight very fast.  it's a curse, really.  unfortunately my body is showing that i had a serious injury.  i cannot find clothes that look good on me and i certainly can't pull any outfit i would like out of my closet because they don't all fit!  it's actually been pretty depressing.  i mean i already had an awful body image and now it's 10x worse.  i absolutely hate..dispise...loathe the way i look now.  and you know what?  i hate feeling this way about my body!  i hate being uncomfortable in my own skin.  when i was smaller (last summer) i was pretty confident (though not entirely) and i felt good in the clothes i was wearing. 

ok, so to fix this......  i've been eating better, for one.  this is by far my biggest hurdle.  i have never been one of those people who gets 'bored' with their workouts.  i love working out.  i love lifting weights.  i love being in the gym.  i do however get bored with my diet.  very easily.  this is why i 'veer off course' sometimes.  so lately i have been trying to change up what i eat so i don't get bored as easily.  also, i have been in the gym.  don't worry, not lifting anything.  i have been getting on the elliptical for at least 45 minutes a day.  i hate not getting to the gym and i don't want my back to be an excuse of some sort. 

lately (being single and all) i've been thinking of the quote that says something along the lines of "you have to love yourself before you can love someone else".  i've been thinking about it because i most certainly do not 'love' myself (mostly my image issues).  i never really thought this statement is true because i know that i have love to give.  ...however since i am single, that means that i have to put myself out there in some ways, which means having confidence.  which means I'm not going to be going on a date any time soon because i'm not exactly radiating confidence.  so unattractive, i know.  i hate when guys don't have confidence, and i'm being so hypocritical!  i know i can love (or at least like, so soon for love!) someone else without 'loving' myself, but i'm not going to get anywhere in the near future....unless some nice, caring guy i'm attracted to can boost my self-image!

this is so much complaining, i know.  but this blog is a good spot for me to vent!!  also it is called Confessions of a Patriotic Barbie.  not feeling like barbie any more.   ughhhh!!  i wish i had the money to hire a cook and am awesome fitness trainer who has a good record!

wellll, my birthday is at the end of the month, and it also marks 6 weeks since the day of my fall :)  i can't wait to get back in the gym and lift!  i miss it.

y'all have very blessed day and i am going to try to do the same...i feel better now that i've vented on the internet :)

Ash     ( i'm at work and don't have my signature thingy :P )

Broken Back But Not Broken Spirits

I'm baaaack!   With a broken baaaack!!

So I was in Colorado Springs visiting my father last week and boy what a week it was!  I got in around midnight on Monday night/Tuesday morning after having a hard time with my flights.  Tuesday we went to my dads work where they have a rock climbing wall that's about 30 feet high.  So I decided I'd try it out!  We hooked me up and I climbed to the top my first try! (on the easy route of course :-P)  I then climbed down about halfway before asking how I'm 'supposed' to get down.  I was told to jump!  The harness should catch me and bring me down slowly.  Well the loop on my harness snapped and I fell to the ground fracturing 2 vertebrae and bruising a lung.  I was only in the hospital 27 hours!  I have the amazing EMTs and hospital staff to thank for that.  They were all absolutely fantastic.  Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs definitely exceeded any expectations I may have had. 

Now let's talk about this whole experience....

I just want to point out that I am so very blessed to be where I'm at with this injury.  Yes, I broke 2 vertebrae, but guess what?  I'm walking fine (doing light cardio in fact), I can sit straight, and continue to live a mostly normal life (limited movements for right now).  I VERY EASILY could have been killed or paralyzed in this accident.  It would have taken landing slightly differently to change my life forever.  I am just so thankful that the Lord was looking out for me on June 19.  My dad witnessed everything and he said he has never been so scared in life...which is saying something considering what hell he has been through in the past.  His baby girl was knocked unconscious, wind knocked out of her.  I woke up and had no idea where I was, but I knew my back was hurt so I just laid there. I was so thankful when I wiggled my toes and they were doing what I wanted them to do.  This past week has been pretty emotional.  I now know that I was put on this earth for some reason...I just don't know why yet. 

So they say you should live life to the fullest everyday, right?  Well now, I really want to!  After realizing how blessed I was in this situation, I just want to do SOMEthing with my life.  I mean so far what have I done?  I've gone to school.....that's it.  Sure, I've had some good times in between, but I really want to live.  As of right now, I work, go to the gym, and come home.  That's it.  I'm 21 years old and I have such an empty space in my heart.  I don't know what's missing.   Is it love?  Family?  I'm just not sure.  I am such an adrenaline junky and I never get to live that out here in good 'ole Eastern North Carolina.  Maybe a move is in need.  Colorado Springs with my Dad?  There's all sorts of outdoor fun there...all year round.  I just....I don't know!!!  I feel so dissatisfied and I know that my days are limited....as I said, this week has been emotional and eye-opening.

My thoughts are scattered right now, so forgive me if while reading this it seems jumpy.  I just needed to get out some of these feelings...I was also hoping that writing it out would give me a clue, but it didn't lol

If you're reading this, go live your life!!!  And of course, have a blessed day :)

Bake-aholic

Hey yall!!!

I'm in a good mood right now...not great, but good.  (maybe because I just took my Managerial Accounting exam!)

So this past weekend I was SO busy!  Saturday I mowed the yard...then I went to Lowe's to get some...stuff!  I'm re-doing my parents bathroom (now I guess it's mine..complicated situation).  I just got new towel racks, light, and mirror for now, but I know it will make a HUGE difference.  Especially considering we still have the ugly contractors stuff in there right now.  I also got some grass seed and weed killer...

OK but the most exciting part was my Sunday.  I baked ALL day Sunday...and loved every minute of it.  I made Strawberry Lemon muffins, Chocolate Chip muffins, and Peanut Butter & Jelly cupcakes...yepp.  You heard right.  Peanut Butter & Jelly.

I decided that every Monday I am going to bake for work and set up my donation jar (this stuff isn't cheap!).  It was a success yesterday!  I also got compliments such as

"OMG that was the BEST cupcakes I've ever had in my life!!! Will you make me an entire batch?!" 

and..

"Ashley that was by far the best cup cake I ever ate, thanks!"

:-)  Makes me happy.   See, I really do love the baking process, but clearly and cannot/don't want to, eat allll of the stuff I make.  I usually don't even have one.  Don't worry, I do taste the batter to make sure everything is coming out just right :)  Here is a pic of the Strawberry Lemon muffins about to bake (this batter, btw, tasted like an amazing ColdStone Creamery creation)

Alright so now for the Peanut Butter & Jelly cupcakes.  They had jelly on the inside (I alternated between strawberry and grape), were topped with a delicious peanut butter frosting, and had a dollop of jelly on top!  Here are the simple steps I took to finish them off :)


1.  I used a fruit 'thingy' (I have no idea what it is supposed to be used for!) to make an imprint on the top of the cupcake since it made a perfect circle.

 

2.  I used a small paring knife to hollow out the center.  Directly following that, I used the same fruit 'thingy' to get any cake I missed.

 

3.  At this point, I used a teaspoon (simply bc of its small size, not to measure) to scoop the jelly/jam into the cupcakes.

 

4.  Almost done!  Last step was frosting the cupcakes which I did on a lazy susan.  The pics after that are of the finished project!

YUMMY YUMMY!!   Well, actually guys I have to get going because I have a dinner thing to go to :)  

Be blessed yall :)

Cupcakes & College

Howdy :)

OK so last time (I know it was a while ago) I said that I was going to make cupcakes for Easter!  Annnnd I did!  I made Hummingbird cupcakes and plain yellow cupcakes in ice creams cones.  If you're from the south you may have heard of and/or had Hummingbird cake...well I made the cupcake version!  They have mashed banana, crushed pineapple, and coconut.  They are DELICIOUS!  Everyone who's had one has loved them.  I have made them about 4 times in a short time span.  They are topped with a cream cheese frosting but they are also SO good without anything on them.  My ice cream cone cupcakes had a vanilla buttercream frosting on them that I made pink and I added little Easter marshmallows on them...here they are :)

 

To transport the cones, I cut holes into the top of the box my new laptop came in.  And isn't my little cupcake carrier awesome!?  It's so useful.  It's kind of big, but I mean it has to be a little big in order to hold cupcakes that have frosting!  it holds 36 too!  I have been making lots of cupcakes and muffins and whatnot for the Marines I work with and the other people in my office and it definitely has gotten expensive.  I didn't bring anything this past Monday (which is the day I usually bring goodies) and the Gunny from Corporal's Course noticed and suggested I bring in a jar to collect donations.  What a good idea! So I bought a glass jar today and I'm going to make a label to stick on it that says "Ashley's Baking Fund".  I'm actually pretty excited about this because I LOVE baking :)

This past weekend was also Lauren's bridal shower!  She got so much awesome stuff to go in her new house!  How exciting!!  We decorated everything very pink by the way :)  I also made my brownies that everyone loves.  Here is a pic of the beautiful bride, Lauren, and her bridesmaids :)

 

 I looked completely awful, but everyone else really looked great!  It was a great time...and Marcy made a Sangria that was pure deliciousness.  And the fruit in it was completely soaked in alcohol! haha...they were also very good though ;)

Classes are finally starting to come to an end.  Finals begin next week!  My first semester of grad school is almost done!  Last night was my last Finance class so my group and I went out to Chico's for drinks :)  I got the huge 46 oz Margarita that they have and it was not strong at all!!  I mean I probably should not have been able to drive after that and I could (and did).  I wasn't looking to get wasted or anything, but that barely did anything! ....I sound like an alcoholic huh?!  OH speaking of that, my friend Chris calls me the alcoholic baker (because it seems like every time we are texting I'm drinking a glass of wine or having a beer) so after I finished my last batch of cupcakes the other night this is the text I sent him and the one I got back:

Me- "The alcoholic baker succeeds again"

Chris- "Does that mean you're drunk or the cupcakes are done?"

Hahaha that cracked me up!  I thought it was hilarious for some reason....

I'm watching the Flyers v. Penguins game right now and getting angry, so I think it's time to log off!!  GO PENGUINS!!!  they better step it up!!

night yall

Bachelorette #1 weekend

Yesterday was my friend Ashleigh's bachelorette party!!  I say bachelorette number one because my best friend Lauren's is next month! (well in May actually).  Ashleigh's fiance, Colin, is in the Navy and is stationed down in Charleston.  They are tying the knot next Friday, April 6, but not throwing the big 'shindig' until later on.  But anyways, yesterday was the last 'fling before the ring' as Lauren put it :)  We had a great girls night that started at our town's local 'hang out' spot, El Cerro.  If you're from Havelock, you know this is THE place to get the best Margaritas.  They are sooo delicious!!!  We then made our way down to Cabana Club in Morehead.  There were not many people there, but we definitely made the most of it.  A few gals rode the mechanical bull, we drank, and danced the night away. 

I have to say, it is pretty darn entertaining just watching other people though.  I mean the things they were doing in public were just........well, gross.  I'll leave it at that :)

Those are just a few pics from the evening.  After looking at those and feeling the way I did last night, I've REALLY realized how much I need to start doing more cardio and dieting.  I am not happy AT ALL with the way I look.  Ya know, I try to come off all confident and poised, but the truth is, I'm so self-conscious that it consumes my thoughts.  I mean, I may not be the biggest girl out there, but I have high expectations for myself and I know what I can achieve and do with my body.  I just need to do it.  SO today I went to the gym and worked my back and did some HIIT on the elliptical.  Tomorrow is going to be leg day and some straight cardio.  I have also been riding my bike everyday I'm in Greenville and that is a great workout (if you make it one).  I will say though, my knees have been absolutely killing me.  I still have no idea what is wrong with them, but they are in so much pain sometimes.

Tomorrow I am baking lots of cupcakes for everybody I work with.  I'm super excited about it!  I love baking!! I hardly eat what I bake, which is perfect for me.  I just love the process and enjoy giving the goodies to other people.  I went to the commissary today to get some of the items and when I got home I wanted to start then and there!  BUT I will wait until tomorrow so that they are as fresh as possible for Monday :)  I will be sure to take pics of the deliciousness that comes out of my kitchen!

Here's some motivation for myself and hopefully for yall!!  It's not perfect, but it's better than where I'm at now!

 

Be blessed yall!

Food Prep Sunday

Hey y'all!!

Not that anyone is reading thissss, but anyways.... =)

Yesterday Lauren and I went to Raleigh to go shopping!!  We went to Crabtree (of course), but on the way I got a speeding ticket!  It was an honest mistake though!  The speed limit changes from 70 to 55 and I just hadn't noticed the change.  Lauren and I were just talking and I said "I think the speed limit changes around here". I slow down and then look in my rear view mirror.  I see a silver Charger and I'm like crap!!!  He turned on his lights and I immediately pulled over.  The State Trooper didn't even give me a chance to speak!  He just wrote up the ticket.

Last night I went with Lauren and some friends to the bowling alley on base.  We mostly drank :P  it was a good time though :)  I've also been working on a lot of schoolwork-quizzes, case studies, homework, etc... May 1 is my last exam for the semester!  Of course then later that month I will be starting summer classes...never ends!

Ok so today, I prepared for my entire week!

Here's a quick list of what I made-
Grilled porkchops with a light, low-sodium seasoning with a bit of chili powder for a kick.
Steamed broccoli
Steamed red bell peppers
Roasted sweet potatoes
Brown rice
Baked asparagus
Lean turkey burgers

Mmmm =) I have them all set to go in the fridge!  Makes eating healthy so much easier when it's ready to grab!!

OK pretty short post but I've got to go to bed!

Be blessed y'all!

Spring is here!!

I know, I'm a day late stating this, but Spring is finally here!  I mean not that we've had much of a winter, but now it's official!! I love the springtime.  Warm weather, flowers blooming, more motivation to get in the gym!  Okay I have consistently been going to the gym, but I need to do more cardio!  I've gained weight like crazy.  It freaking sucks!  But, this morning, I went on another bike ride and plan to do it tomorrow morning as well...nice and early before the roads get too busy. 

So last week, I went to the website Soldiers' Angels (also listed at the top left of the page) and I 'adopted' a soldier.  He is in the Army and is in Afghanistan right now.  I am going to write a letter a week and send a care package once a month.  I've been meaning to do something for the troops and have been putting it off.  This adds a lot more responsibility to my plate though!  It's going to be hard to follow through with this while I finish this semester of school, but I am going to do my very best to let this fella know we are thinking about him and praying for his safe return.  If you can, take a second to browse the website to see if there is something small you can..or BIG!

This past weekend, Asheley and I went on a trip to Myrtle Beach for her birthday!  It was a reallyy good time!!  The weather was beautiful.  We did a lot of shopping, but didn't find a whole lot :(  I was so disappointed! But we did go out on St. Patrick's Day and met up with a few friends of ours.  Overall, it was just a good weekend :)

 

We didn't really take that many pics :( hehe ...So something that's become pretty popular over the past few weeks is the game DrawSomething.  You can get it on most Smartphones I believe.  It's really similar to Pictionary...you draw something and the other person has to guess what it is!  It is hilarious sometimes... Here is what a buddy of mine sent me yesterday :)

 

Alright folks, I hope you go out and enjoy this amazing spring weather!! I would, but I have a test tomorrow :(  Have a blessed day!!!

 

"If you are going through hell, keep going."

What a great quote from Mister Winston Churchill!  I may not be going through hell (it's not that bad!), but I am super stressed out.  Grad school is consuming most of my time and my mind.  It's hard to think about anything else.  I have several assignments due, quizzes, tests, and case studies.  I just can't wait for it to be over!!  I'm ready to start my career and make some real money.

Aside from school, things have been okay...of course there isn't much going on other than school.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous!  I hadn't got to enjoy it yet this year, but yesterday, I finally took that new bike out that I had told y'all about!  One of my classmates took my brother and I on a bike ride around Greenville.  We went about 14 miles or so.  It was so awesome...first off, I hadn't ridden a bike in what seems like forever!  But it's one of those things you don't forget how to do (thank goodness!).  Secondly, I got a little bit of sun on my face and my arms got a little bit of a tan!  About time...I'm so pale, I probably blind people when I step into the sunlight. 

Tomorrow I am headed to Myrtle Beach with my mom's boyfriends daughter (get that?!).  It is her birthday and we are going to live it up down there!  I need a mini 'vaycay' so this should be fun.  Her name is Asheley...and she is a riot!  we always have a blast together though...she brings out a little bit of my wild side hehehe

 

So don't think I've forgotten about working out, because yes, I still do it at least 5 times a week.  I have been working out with a Corporal who works with me and it's been helping a great deal.  Working out with someone actually motivates me more and he pushes me to do more than I think I can do.  He said he can have me do 10 pushups on my own by April 9...but I don't think he will win that bet.  I did 8 on Monday, but they were on the Assisted Dip/Pull-up machine.  I only had 25 lbs on there, but still.  I'm going to try my best though, so wish me luck!!  I seriously need to get my diet on track though.  I know I keep saying this, but I mean it!  I am completely unhappy with the way my body looks, and I need to do something about it.  I will admit that it is so hard to prepare meals and cook healthy when school is as overwhelming as it is for me.

Can't wait for summer .... :)

Have a blessed day yall!

 

 

Happy February

Well, again, it has been forever and a day since I have written.  I'm not kidding when I say that between school, work, and working out, my time is completely spent.  3 graduate classes are too many for me this semester.  Next semester I am only taking two and working along with that. 

Enough complaining.

So last Wednesday, my best friend Lauren taught her first spinning class!  She is doing her internship at the YMCA in New Bern and after just three weeks, she is teaching.  Her class was really good!  I definitely got a good workout!  It really hurts my knees though :(  the part where you stand and pedal ("jogging") killed me.  I'm not supposed to do stairclimbers or anything because of my knees, and this simulated that.  But that had nothing to do with her teaching or the class overall :)  She did great and I'm so happy for her!  Love ya!

I can't believe it's already Superbowl time!  And it's on my brother's birthday once again!  He is going to be 19 (I can't believe that either!).  Time flies when you're having fun going to school full time!  This Superbowl, I don't really care who wins, but I'd rather it be the Giants.  I just don't care for the Patriots.  My Steelers didn't do so hot this year! 

Whelp, I just wanted to finally get on here and write something, but now I've got to get back to Finance homework!  I hope you all have had a great month!  Y'all be blessed :-)

R.I.P. Casey

Yesterday, my small hometown was rocked with an unexpected death.  I got on Facebook and several friends that I graduated high school with had statuses saying, "RIP.  You will be missed", "Only the good die young", etc.  I kept saying this and was getting pretty scared.  Finally I asked if I was the only 'Havelock-ian' who had no clue what was going on and I got some messages saying that a student we graduated with had committed suicide.

I was shocked, to say the least.  I mean this kid was funny, smart, witty, intelligent, and loved by his friends.  His dad died our sophomore or junior year (I don't quite remember when) and he took it pretty hard.  Casey was his name and we had band together all four years of high school.  We also swam together our freshman year.  I'm not going to act like I was close to him, because I wasn't.  But he was a classmate and we had obviously exchanged many conversations and jokes. 

I have to get something off my chest though.  Suicide is seriously the most selfish and stupid way to go.  It puts your family through more pain than you could ever imagine.  It makes the family and friends feel guilty that they didn't see it coming or that they weren't there when needed.  They will have to live with that the rest of their lives.  Really, that is so selfish.  Sure, I feel bad that he felt like that was the only way to handle things, but you have to be a stand-up person and think about others instead of just yourself.  If I thought that suicide was the best way to go, guess what?  I'd be dead a few times.  2011 was pretty much and awful year.  I had tough times growing up, but I know that there is always more to life and that God will lead us through it.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

With that said, I have to say that I am very astounded by the way my high school classmates have come together.  Our class of 2008 was quite frankly, awesome.  We weren't focused on material things, we were almost ALL friends.  It didn't matter if you were a 'geek' and were in all AP classes.  It didn't matter if you were in the marching band or wind ensemble.  It didn't matter if you were the all-star on the sports team.  We all communicated in some way.  And now, with this sad death, we have come together once again.  Take a look at some of the statuses on Facebook that have been posted-

"Chin up HHS Class of 08. The memories we shared with him will carry on."

"don't ever feel like no one cares. look around you, you are always going to be surrounded by people that love you. no matter how far away you are or how long its been since youve seen or spoken to them. remember that everyone ♥"

"i just want to tell all my friends in Havelock that i love you, stay strong and we are ALL going to get through this because we're a family, and families stick together! dont forget that ♥"

"Havelock fam we have to stick together. Please remember you're never alone. Rest in peace."

"Wearing HHS tomorrow as we come together for a member of our ram nation who has fallen. Please know that you can call me if you EVER need anything.. I don't even care what time it is. I love you guys like family."

"Havelock may be a small town, but we all got each others back...near or far, we stick together"

There are countless more in support of our small town and our small high school.  It makes me grateful that I came from a place with so many people ready to be supportive and uplifting in difficult times.  As Justin Moore said, "A lot of people called it prison when I was growin' up, but these are my roots and this is what I love...I wouldn't trade one single day here in small town USA".

Look, if things are rough for you, try to find the silver lining.  Talk to your friends and/or your family.  Trust in God that everything will be ok...maybe not now or in the near future, but eventually, you will be okay.  Have a blessed day.

God bless the Gentry family and Casey, may you rest in peace.

So. Much. Work.

Hey everybody!!  Oh my gosh grad school work is overwhelming!!  Especially for me, the procrastinator!  I will push through and make it though.  It will just take a lot of dedication, focus, and will power.  Like most things in life right?  :) 

Today I had another good leg workout.  Last week I did all supersets for my first leg workout of the week and I liked it, so I'm going to try that for a while until my body plateaus!  Supersets always give me a great workout. 

OK so right now, I have to admit, I am watching Khloe and Lamar on E!.  I know, I know...."the Kardashians?!"  yessss...but I do like Khloe more than the others.  She may be a bit more outspoken, but she is also the most down to earth out of the group (I feel).  She hates when her family members get upset about simple things and I love seeing that.  The rest of the Kardashians do tend to get reallyyy upset over some stupid things. 

ANYwayyys!   Yesterday I got my Christmas present from Millie!  I know, a bit late, but it takes a looong time to get stuff from Australia!  She got me a bikini with the Australian flag, 2 bags of Cadbury chocolate filled with caramel, 2 boxes of Kinder chocolate, and something that resembles Nutella.  YUM!!  OH and the card she wrote me was so sweet.  :D

 I found this picture below and I think it is SO funny and SO true!!  Girls are definitely catty and this pretty much sums it up!  :) And with this, I'm OUT!  Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Monday Off

Today is MLK day, so I had the day off from work!  Love that.  So this morning, naturally, I woke up and went to the gym!  I worked shoulders today and did cardio.  I just love going to the gym...it is my sanctuary.  It's just me, my music, and the weights I'm lifting.  I don't focus or worry about anybody/anything else.  I seriously need to get my diet on a steady pace though.  I absolutely hate the way my body looks...I can't put anything on without looking/feeling big.  I need to lose the extra crap around my waist and stomach.  One day I will have the body I want, which is pictured below...I just have to work to get there!!

Oh so last night, I made a blackberry/raspberry cobbler!!  It is sooo yummy (and yes, I know it does not help my belly problem!)  Additionally, my dad made good 'ol chicken n' waffles!! A great northern meal...which I definitely think should be a southern meal..it definitely sounds and tastes like one.  I will post pics of both the cobbler and chicken n' waffles on my next post :)

My brother, dad, and I went to the bowling alley on base today.  Let me just tell you, I suck at bowling!! I mean I'm completely awful!!  Jack is pretty good and so is my dad.  There were so many people there with their young children today.  and the children are so misbehaved.  I wanted to go over and spank them myself!!  Hey people!! Discipline your children!!!

Tomorrow morning I have work for a few hours, then I am headed back to school.  Have a great, blessed day :)

Football Saturday

Today has been a pretty good day :) 

I woke up and went straight to the gym to work on my legs, booty, and abs.  After I showered, my dad and I went to the Bike Depot here in Havelock to get my new bike!!  I got the Trek 3700 in green.  It is awesome!!  Here's a pic of what it looks like...

I can't wait until it comes in!!  I have been wanting a bike for a while now and for Christmas, my dad got me a gift certificate to our local bike shop!  How thoughtful?!  After ordering the bike, my dad and I went to the commissary to do some much needed grocery shopping.  We got stuff to make chicken & waffles (YUM!), cobbler (YUM!), and tonights dinner which was mashed potatoes with noodles and boiled beef.  We love depression era food.  So delicious.  Not good for my diet though!! not at all :S  It's so hard to stick to my diet with my brother and my dad around.   I think once I'm at the house alone for most of the week I will be able to stick to it better. 

So grad school is already kind of difficult.  Ive had a lot of reading (with more to do) and I have a quiz on Tuesday and a point paper due in accounting on Thursday.  I need to do that tomorrow!!  Again, it's hard with people at the house...I need some quiet time!  I'm am glad I am getting my masters now as opposed to when I'm a little older and have a serious job and a family.  I definitely would not be able to take 9 credit hours then! 

This evening has been consumed by football!!  The first game of the night (49ers V. Saints) was a great game.  Very exciting and suspenseful.  The Broncos V. Patriots game?  Not so much.  It hurts to watch actually.  There are about 13 minutes left in the 4th and the score is 42-10.  Wow!  what a snoozer.

I hope you all have had a good Saturday and a good weekend so far.  I'm ready for the gym again tomorrow!! I love it!!  Be blessed...

 

I am SO sorry!

I know I do not have that many followers, but still, I feel awful about my lack of posts!!  I literally have been too busy to write!  What's happened since my last post?  Ummm the holidays, my college graduation, work, and oh yeah, starting GRAD school!!

Graduation was really exciting, but I didn't feel as relieved as other college grads might feel.  This is probably because I started graduate school yesterday.  I'm really nervous about this next chapter in my life.  My classes are going to require a lot of work out of me and a lot of reading (which I think is the worst part!)  I'm taking 9 credit hours which is full time and I am also working on Mondays, Tuesday mornings, and Fridays down at Cherry Point.  Busy, busy, busy!

OK so my blog is titled "Patriotic Barbie", so I guess I should write about something 'military-ish'?! :)  OK will do!!  Let me just say, I love working on base alongside the Marines.  I have previously developed some close friendships with some of them and already this winter, I have grown close with several more.  Most are Sergeants and Staff Sergeants who really offer me good advice when I need and they really are great listeners!  Oh and most of them have a great sense of humor...and they laugh at my jokes!  haha that makes me feel good :)  Yesterday I got a new ECU shirt from out student store!  It says "Pirates supporting Troops - Troops Supporting Pirates"  and it has a list of all the military bases in NC!

I hope that all of you have had a blessed holiday season and new year.  Make 2012 great!  If you made a New Year's Resolution, stick with it and make it happen!!!