Quick Post

One thing I have missed since quitting my job to start school...

Being well-informed on what is happening in the world, in the government, the stock markets, and all other current events--local, national, and international.

As a student, I am finding it hard to stay informed when all my free time is needed to study for the next exam or read the next chapter in a text book (not to mention social and religious obligations I commit to).  Even so, after spending the last few years in an office with a constant stream of information, I can tell I am left with a void from not being informed.  So, I am trying to up my ante and make time for important things in addition to my scholastic studies.  It it hard, and I am grateful for sweet apps on my iPad which help me to know what is happening at any time I might be available to listen.  And today, I heard a quote I particularly like.

"I am not defined by my government.  I am defined by the constitution. I am defined by the principles that God laid out, and I am defined by my actions; but not by my government and who my president is, or who's in congress.  I refuse to be that way."  -Glenn Beck

This comment stuck with me immediately.  Regardless of what is happening with the government, etc., I still have the right to choose how I will conduct my life.  It is my responsibility to take charge of the things in my life and to make a small difference in which ever way I am capable. I must do my best.

Competition

I've been off sweets now for 9 days.

I had the grand idea last week to give up something during Lent, simply for the sake of a challenge. I'm not changing religions or anything, I just like the idea of Lent.  It's like a spring new year's resolution that only lasts 40 days!
So, I chose to not eat sweets.  Its a tough challenge, but very doable and certainly its good for me.  I've been fluxuating around the same 3 lbs for over a year now and I definitely need to push myself more.  This challege can only be good for me.

After the first day, I invited my mom to join me.  I couldn't convince her to do a self vs. self challenge so out came the wagers. :)  That's right, I challenged her to a Rachel vs. Mom competition!

The wager: Pedicures. We will go together to get Easter pedicures.  If we are both successful, then it is just a fun excursion with each other.  If one of us fails, we pay for the other person's pedicure.

The Exception: Because we know our history with sweets, we decided to have one exception each for the days that is seems simply unbearble! Mom chose dark chocolate chips and I chose Red Mango, with fruit toppings only.  Both are things we won't eat in excess.  They are both about as healthy as sweets can be and still satisfy our sweet tooth on those dark days, which is much better than completely giving up!

So how is it going so far? Well, I feel much better without the sweets; and just importantly is the pride I feel when I know I have successfully evaded the food pushers that want me to eat this cake, and that cookie, and these treats. I can't deceive myself though. I know I miss the sugary goodness of Smart Cookie and the happy socializing I once did over sweets at church functions and at work. I've even had dreams that I ate candy, and for the next 24 hours I had to revisit what I did the day before to make sure it was in fact a dream.  But the sweets had to come to and end eventually, and I'm sure this change will be well worth it.

Interestingly enough, the socializing is just as good without the sweets!

RE: The Holiday 20

Recently, I read a post dreading the "holiday 20" lbs. Isn't it so true that if we're not careful, we WILL gain 20 lbs every holiday season? Well, I guess guys don't have the same difficulty, but seriously? Why?

Something I heard a couple weeks ago really stuck with me. We have two mental options this season. Will Power vs Choice Muscle.

Will Power implies we have it or we don't. So many of us don't. But our Choice Muscle? What is that? Its the ability to say NO to the extra cream puff, the ice cream that covers the apple crisp, and that last chocolate covered caramel. But every time we say no, our muscle is being worked and is getting stronger. May we all grow our Choice Muscles this winter! Let's beat that Holiday 20!

Lent

Tuesday, March 24 was Mardi Gras! I almost forgot about it but randomly remembered while I was at work. As I was discussing the purpose of Mardi Gras, and ultimately Ash Wednesday/Lent with my friends at work, we all decided to participate in Lent this year. (Don't know what Lent is? Click here) While I don't believe all the religious practices involved with Lent, I do believe that it can be a time of reflection. A time for you to look at your life and decide what it taking up more time than it possibly should, or what is causing more grief than necessary, or even just what habit you can kick. Similar to New Years Resolutions, I guess. But here is the difference. Lent is 40 days, a new years resolution is supposed to be a permanent change... I choose Lent! ;)

As my co-workers and I continued our Lent conversations, one girl jokingly suggested I give up Facebook for Lent and I instantly laughed away the idea. How on earth could I survive without the ever-increasing, time consuming, love affair that I had formed with Facebook? I honestly didn't think that was possible. I know that sounds completely absurd so let me give you a little history lesson regarding my relationship with Facebook.

I joined Facebook 4 years ago, when it was only open to college students. At that time, you were REQUIRED to have a university email address that had to be verified before you could create your profile. This is not the case today, and essentially half the world is probably part of Facebook. Nevertheless, I continue to spend time with Facebook regardless of how trendy it has become. Facebook has become my social tool... I use it to to throw parties and invite people, I use it to find out what events and parties are happening so I can continue to be social in my never-ending singledom, I use it to keep in touch with the sisters in my ward and to know what is happening in their lives, I used it this last summer to find people from high school which saved me hours of research and awkward phone calls in preparation for our 5 year reunion, I use it to network my wedding business, I use it to communicate with friends and acquaintances, and of course I use it for the picture logging capabilities. Essentially, it has become a necessity by which I stay in contact with everyone I know! So of course I laughed when the suggestion was made to give up Facebook for Lent!

The next few hours of work passed and I continued to stew over this concept. Instead of thinking how ridiculous that suggestion was, I was realizing how ridiculous it was that I didn't think I could give up Facebook! Why should I let some technological feature control MY life? And that was it. I decided to take back my life!

Today is the 4th day of Lent and I have thus far been faithful to my decision. I admit it has been hard. I didn't realize until last Tuesday just how attached I had become. But I believe this change is healthy. I have much more determination to have verbal communication with those I actually care about. I can see how it will improve my life. And my analytical brain is forming theories left and right about my generation and our abilities to communicate. I will of course share them when my "Facebook fast" ends I have time to clarify what I've theorized.

To all, happy Lent!

New Years Resolutions

I believe everyone needs to set resolutions, or goals, at some point. I like to set them for myself to give me the motivation to improve. This year, I've set goals in five areas of my life.

Educationally: For my new job, I will probably be studying to get my Series 7 Certificate at some point this year. In addition, since I've never been a consistent reader, I want to be sure I read at least three books this year. Below are some books that are top on my list.

The last one is my favorite!

Physically: For the last few months, I've been working out with a trainer 2-3 times a week. I want to increase my workouts and go on my own for a total of at least 4 times a week. Hopefully this will help me go down a pant size!

Spiritually: I want to be sure I attend the temple at least twice a month


Socially: In the past, I have less than enjoyed going to all the parties around here, even though I sometimes throw them myself. As a single person in Utah, I have no other option than to get out there. So, I'm resolving to either throw, or attend, at least one party a month. Hopefully, this will help me get a boyfriend at last!


And for fun: I plan to travel to Europe! My brother and his family flew out to Geneva, Switzerland today. They moved there for my brother's work. I plan to visit Geneva for sure, and hope to make it to Austria, Germany, France, and England while I'm there. Anyone interested in traveling with me?
So that's it. Now you all know my new year's resolutions. Hopefully I can make them happen! I wish you all the best in 2009!