The Epic Quest for a better me

What am I doing while I’m not blogging? As part of my regime to make me a better  me, I’m exercising every day. –almost – Due to some errands, I have missed a couple days, however I make it up the next workout. To the left is a picture of me now, at least, it’s how I feel. Yes, I feel like a giant peanut m&m candy. I exercise to counter this feeling.

Favorite routines I’ve found:

• Walking (1, 2, or 3 miles) by Leslie Sansone – she encourages you during the workout and takes the time to properly warm you up and cool down as well
• 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels – half the time I want to punch Jillian in the nose during the boxing part, but her workouts definitely get your heart pumping and build up stamina, even if you don’t realize it at the time because of the punching feelings. ;P
• Zumba fitness – OMG, this is SO much fun. I just do the hip-hop at the moment, but I’m encouraged to do more (and maybe will join a class sometime in the future). It doesn’t matter if you can dance, even wiggling to the music is a good time. 😀

I’m not sure if I’m making progress, but ever so often, I glimpse into the mirror and think I see something. We’ll see how it goes. And, perhaps my body image change to a svelt green m&m. 
I hope so.

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Peanut M&M provided by becomeanm&m.com

Supporting the library challenge

Since the browser in which I do most of my blogging has been crashing on me every time I enter it, I’ve taken the opportunity to catch up on some of my reading. I’ve even joined GoodReads, to help organize what I’m reading and I’ve read. It’s while updating my current reading status that I stumbled across some reading challenges. One particular challenge I happen to be doing already (didn’t know it was a challenge!). Since it’s not too late to join, according to the web site, I am with this post.

The Challenge: Support Your Local Library Book Challenge 2009
What to do? [be the first to] Read 12, 25, or 50 books [from the library].
I’ve chosen: 50 books (because I’m nearing the halfway point already ~grin~)
Date of challenge: All of 2009 (to Dec. 31st)

Of course, because I’m joining late, I don’t really expect to win, but I’m still playing, for it’s a good cause, anyway. And, like I’ve said, I’m already reading via my library card. 😀

My Reading List:
February
[1]The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

March
[2]The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards.

April
[3]The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
[4]1)The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

May
[5]Bliss to You – Trixie[dog] and Dean Koontz
[6]What’s God Laughing At? by Deepak Chopra
[7]Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (read most)
[8]The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

June
[9]Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
[10]2)#1 Ladies…Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
[11]Rickles’ Letters by Don Rickles

July
[12]3)@1 Ladies… Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
[13]Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
[14]Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

August
[15]4)#1 Ladies… The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
[16] 5)#1 Ladies… The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith
[17] (currently reading) You Can Observe A Lot By Watching: What I’ve Learned About Teamwork From the Yankees and Life by Yogi Berra
[18]6)#1 Ladies… In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith
[19] (currently reading) 7)#1 Ladies… Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

To Be Read (I’ll update/add count as I read to keep things semi-organized):
8)#1 Ladies… The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
9)#1 Ladies… The Miracle of Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith
10)#1 Ladies… Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
The Twilight Saga (#1-#4)
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
And, leaving some space for whatever I find on the new releases. I usually find at least one book each library visit.

When is the last time you visited your local library? What did you read? If you can’t remember, maybe it’s time to make a trip again. 😉

Happy reading, all.

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books, reading challenge

Bravery

Image via Wikipedia

A dear friend and I were talking tonight about writing, among other things. He suggested that I should tackle the subject of bravery to help me open up more. I’ve not really a clue at the moment of how to approach this subject, so I’m improving by brainstorming ideas of what it may be.

Bravery is…
 – a soldier in battle or on the battlefield. Stories become legends as throughout history, brave men and women risk their own lives for another and/or a specific cause or purpose.
 – Robin Hood, as it was written long years ago. Yes, I realize this one’s fiction, though it has relevance; for the character shows not only to do good works for others, but also to stand up in the face of a bully.
 – a mother saving her child from peril, either physical or emotional. Of course, it could be the father, as the savior, too. More stories seem to be written / known with a female heroine.
 – the holy Father above, or actually Jesus (referring to the Trinity here: God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Anyway, it is said in Christianity that the son will save the sinner (us regular folk) by sacrificing himself on our behalf, all for believing. That’s pretty brave, not only on the Lord’s part, but also on the believer, for stepping up to the plate and having faith.
 {Brief interlude: My goodness, it’s getting heavy in here. Perhaps I should lighten this up a bit? Oh well, soldiering on…}
 – something that one really wants when standing in front of a group trying to give a speech or any kind of talk session. Many people practice their speeches, imagine the audience in their underwear, and other techniques. But, ultimately, it takes “cojones” to get up and set yourself up for potential embarrassment or worse.
 – going on a television show, specifically one of those numerous reality shows, and laying it all out there for a prize. But, is this true bravery, or just avarice and what-not? ~confused look~

Hmm, I’m still not sure about this topic. Perhaps, a reader can help me out here? In the meantime, I shall continue finding it on my own. Good luck to all with your own quests, of bravery, and otherwise.

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bravery

I resolve… (Day 4)

Wow…it’s hard to believe the weekend is almost gone already. I’m not sure I’ve gotten as much done as I envisioned, but I think I’ve done almost all of what needed to be done. Which brings me to…

Day 4: I’ve a little over 130 unread messages in one of my feeds (one of my faves: LOLcats). So, as a part of my daily resolution plan, I think it’s time to tackle that stack. 😀

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I resolve… (Day 3)

Whoa…three days of straight blogging (as opposed to gay? LOL). My writing is  becoming an epidemic. hah! Okay, so I exaggerate slightly. 😉

It’s time for yet another daily resolution. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble thinking of one. *puts on a freshly cleaned thinking cap*

Oh, I smell Febreze! hehe.

Day 3: Do daily 10 squats. A very good exercise (for me, anyway). I hope to get back into a more regimented routine again. 😉

That’s all for now. Ta-Ta.

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