Saturday, October 24, 2009

Life and Diet

So, I have made comments on facebook about my new boyfriend, but haven't told many of you living far away anything about him. I will not be posting anything to tell all about him on facebook, because that's weird.

Anyways, he is a fellow teacher. We've known each other for a while, and by that I mean since Tyler and I were together. So we started hanging out a few weeks ago and really getting to know each other. We both decided to pray about being together since we both try to live Christ centered lives. I think he does better than I do on that front, but I'm trying and it's hard.

He coaches football, basketball and baseball for our school and a middle school and he really enjoys that. He grew up a little over an hour away from here and he enjoys being close to home.

Last Sunday we decided to start officially dating, so that's where we are right now. He is out of town for the weekend, so I'm just doing my own thing.

In other news, I have now lost 16 lbs from this crazy grapefruit diet that I've been doing. Next Friday is one of my cheat days and I can hardly wait! I think this is probably my last 2 week cycle of this thing, because it's not easy to do. I'll be going back to weight watchers to hopefully lose a few more pounds and then just maintain where I am.

Daniel and I have been trying to walk every day, but we've been a little busy so we haven't been able to go EVERY day. We've been several days. I guess I should go jog today by myself since he's not here.

Oh, my mom wanted me to post this diet on here. It's the Mayo Clinic Diet. You can look it up, but here are the basic guidlines:

Drink 8 ounces of grapefruit juice, or eat 1/2 a grapefruit before EVERY meal.

Breakfast- 2 eggs how ever you want them, and 2 pieces of bacon. (I actually add cheese to my eggs and I don't think it has made much difference)

Lunch- Salad with whatever meat and toppings you want, but little to no carbs in the toppings. Also, few carbs (I try to stay under 5) for whatever dressing you choose. You can have as much as you want.

Dinner- As much protein and veggies (lower in carbs, but they do allow peas) as you want.

Snack- if you are hungry after dinner or before bed, you may have a small glass of fat free milk.

They key is never forgetting your grapefruit. This is not meant to be a long term diet.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Great things!

This week I really got back to running, and I am so proud of myself! I did 2 miles running and 1 mile walking the other day. Today I'm about to go to the track to get some exercise before it either rains or gets too hot.

This week was also homecoming week for our school. It was a lot of fun, but there were also a lot of things that had to be done this week. Anyways, instead of weight watchers, I've been on this sort of power diet, and I still have plenty of energy. Great news is- I have now, since I started losing weight in August, lost 20 pounds :) I am so thrilled with this and can now remove my Gap jeans without even unbuttoning them! It's great!

I just have to say that last night I fought anger the hardest I have in a very long time. I'm really not sure when I was last that angry. Anyways, I did a good job and I'm very proud of myself for not snapping even though I really wanted to speak my mind. I held my tongue, and that is not something I can always do.

In other news, I have been asked to join a woman's bible study so I'm going to do that.

That's all for now!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Stay Positive!

So, I have not had a voice since 2 days before school started. That was 32 days ago. I'm trying to be positive, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I have a voice, it is just not completely back. I have only gone 2 complete days without any voice at all.

Anyways, since this whole getting sick thing, it has been hard to exercise. Every time I get sick or congested I wheeze when I exercise, so it's not a good thing. I have been maintaining the 12 pounds that I have lost, but I have not lost any more weight no matter how healthy I eat.

This week I'm back to running and walking every day and when I get paid I'm joining the gym. It's so boring to exercise alone! Hopefully joining the gym will help add some variety to my exercise routine.

I do have to say that my students have continued to be great and I'm really enjoying them as always.

There really isn't much to say. I have been exhausted, but today I do believe I have caught up on any lack of sleep. I stayed in bed until 2pm and then got back in bed for two more hours. So, really I've only spent about two and a half hours out of bed today and I'm still in my pajamas. I love days like today!

Alright, hope everyone has a great week!!!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

First days :)

I would just like to say, I had an amazing first two days of school! Thank you for anyone who prayed for me.

I do have to say, I was scared to death because I didn't have rosters before school. If I had stuck to the good ole' teach those who come, I would have been teaching everyone from last year, because apparently they all wanted me...

Our school separates 9th grade from the rest of the highschool, so my first period was a class full of 10th graders that were on their very best behavior. Some of them were still half asleep, and others were scared to death at the thought of learning a new language. All in all I think they were very excited and you could really tell their enthusiasm yesterday when we started learning how to say lots of things in Spanish.

I was slightly concerned about my 2nd period class, because although I did not have a roster, the students had their schedules. At open house one of my students mentioned to me that he and half the football team were all in my class together. These are football players that all play baseball together as well...so they are all really good friends. BUT...as it turns out, they were actually fairly well behaved. I taught the majority of them last year, so they are all familiar with my rules.

The rest of the day was great. My last class of the day was a little wild Thursday, but they were on their best behavior yesterday.

I did manage to make it to the track on Thursday, which was great! My feet hurt so bad from standing all day and then doing about 3 miles...but it's all good. I did treat myself to some ice cream when i finished :)

Yesterday I went out to eat and then to see a friend that had back surgery, so I didn't get to run at all, but I'll make up for it today.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Open House!

So, tomorrow is open house :) I'm excited! I also got a sneak peak at some kids that I taught last year and I'm super excited that I get some of the same kids that I really enjoyed having for Spanish I.

I have to make my little sign in the morning that says "Ms. McMahan, Spanish I & II".

I'll have to take pictures of my classroom so everyone can see my bright colored bulletin board...it's orange background with all kinds of multi-colored borders.

Last year I taught the same thing 5 times a day (Spanish I) and this year and I am teaching Spanish I and II. I'm so happy to not have the same thing all day. Also, I'm teaching 6 classes instead of 5.

So how's the running going? It's going...It's harder now that I'm busy, but I'm sticking with it. There are a lot of people at work preparing for marathons/5k's apparently, so I'm going to do this! I haven't weighed myself. I walked 3.5 miles yesterday and 3.5 today, but no running. I'm going running in the morning. We don't have to be at school until 11, so if I go around 7:30 I'll be fine. I'm going to be at school at 9, because I'm an over achiever and I want to get everything done.

Still eating very healthy food though! Tonight we had a grilled chicken breast, a little rice, and a nice salad...at lunch I had a bunch of veggies and some roast beef at some restaurant...But I'm happy with how everything is going!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

8lbs down!

I'm excited! I really shouldn't get on the scale every day...and I honestly try not to. It's been 3 days since I got on the scale so I weighed myself, just out of curiosity today. 8lbs down from the start day! I'm so glad!

I can really feel all my muscles working and I feel AMAZING! I did take a muscle relaxer last night, but that was for neck pain, something I have always had and leads to a miserable migraine if it's not treated.

I can't tell you how many times I was walking yesterday and thinking, "I feel like I have buns of steel already"...my bum was REALLY hurting yesterday! It's these pilates and the running combined.

Also, I think I'm going to start taking pictures of some of my dinners. Yesterday my dinner just looked so fabulous, and I thought the same thing the night before. So, I shall take pictures and show you what a DELICIOUS weight watchers dinner can look like...I'll be sure to include how many points for the meal too.

Off to enjoy my LAST DAY OF SUMMER VACATION! WOOT! I really am excited to see what kids I get to have this year!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

STINK!

I want to know what in the world is making my house smell so terrible...

I tried describing the smell to my roommate (who cannot smell this awful smell)....I said it is like Bug spray meets stinky shoes....I have worked out for about 2 hours today so maybe it's me...I don't know!

Maybe a shower will change all of these things, I sure as heck hope so, because it's an awful smell...really!

So I have set a goal for myself. I would like to be able to run a marathon by December. I don't think there are many that I am actually interested in during that month, but I am interested in some spring marathons...but being able to accomplish the 5k and work at a faster time starting in December will be GREAT!

Yesterday I walked 2 miles. Today I walked/ran 2.5 miles and then walked another 1 mile....also did an hour of Pilates. I made an agreement in my head that every time a car passed I would run for 1 minute...and I did good for about 5 cars, then as the last car was coming, I just couldn't do it...mind you there was 100% humidity today and 95 degrees, so that was terrible. I got to the track, ran 2 laps, then walked back, with just 1 minute of running...so I think I did a pretty good job. I know I have to start out slow. When I came home I did as much Pilates as I could handle and turned off the dang DVD when I was ready to throw something at the TV.

This evening my roommate needed her exercise so we went back to the track and walked 1 mile together. I was supposed to go to boot camp tonight, but I skipped out...I will HAVE to go next Tuesday. I know I worked just as hard at home and at the track as I would have with boot camp, so I don't feel too bad.

Ok...so that's my goal for now. I have set it...AND I'm also trying to be ok with NOT caring what I weigh, but just being satisfied fitting in the clothes I used to wear...which I think is a much better goal than aiming for a specific weight.

I have already lost 6lbs since we started weight watchers! HOORAY! Obviously I gained some post-break up pounds so I am just getting those off...yuck! But I'm almost to what I was before the drama started...I think maybe 2 more lbs to go.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Bucket List continued...

I think I should begin by explaining number 47. I have named my future husband Tom, and even if he isn't named that for real, that's what I'm going to call him. It's a very long story really, but I know some of you may have been wondering, "why does she want to find Tom?" No, I wasn't referring to the myspace Tom.

So, I've been doing some thinking, and I hope that I have been able to encourage MANY people to do this bucket list as well. There is a book called 2002 (I think it's 2 at the end) to do in a life time (or before you die, I'm terrible with book names). Anyways, it's pretty good, and I have looked through some of the things. Yesterday on the way back from whitewater rafting in TN I know I encouraged a couple more people to make a bucket list.

ok....

48. Throw someone close to me a baby shower
49. Make bread from scratch
50. Learn to quilt
51. Design flower bouquets
52. Remodel an old bathroom
53. Jump the train trestle
54. Go running every day for a week
55. Fit into those clothes on the top shelf of my closet
56. Buy a famous painting and hang it somewhere
57. Go to Puerto Rico
58. Go back to Costa Rica and lay on the beach for days
59. Parasail in Mexico (well anywhere really)
60. Own a Mac
61. Go an entire week without a cell phone (In the US)
62. Send a birthday card to everyone in my entire family
63. Spend no money on unnecessary things for 3 months
64. Sit in a sauna
65. Lie on the roof for a little while at night
66. Get rid of old shoes
67. Train a dog from puppy hood
68. Figure out what causes my migraines

Friday, August 7, 2009

Another year older...

So I turned 22 yesterday. It was a GREAT birthday. Crystal (my new roommate) and I went to her grandparents lake house and laid on the dock for about six hours. Then a bunch of friends surprised me and met us for dinner at a seafood place on the lake, which rocked! Then we jammed out to Katy Perry (my new cd) the whole way home....got home, checked facebook and went to bed!

Now, for those of you who don't teach maybe this doesn't sound like a blast, but to me, a week before school starts, one day of pure relaxation is AMAZING!

One week from today I have to head back to work. I'm very excited about this year though. Last year I started with students who had a different teacher at the beginning of the year, so it was a difficult, although smooth, transition. This year they will be all mine from the very beginning! I'm actually going to have a lot of the same students from last year, but it will just be different in general.

My emotions have been shot to heck this summer, but I'm recovering well. I'm ready for school to be here so I can be busy all the time and not have time to think about people that no longer matter. Everyone, and I mean everyone says, "you're so lucky to have found out now"...well you're not lucky to have something like that happen EVER to you, BUT I know that God has much better plans for my life, so that's what I'm looking forward to for this year.

I have no idea where God will take me next year, but I'm willing to do almost anything.

Off to spend those birthday bucks <3

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Bucket List

So I have decided to make a bucket list...after telling someone special yesterday that they needed to make some goals for their life, I decided that even though I have true goals, there are lots of things I want to do while achieving my goals, so I'm going to write them here for you all to see. A few of them are not appropriate for all eyes, so I will leave those out.

1. Go skydiving
2. Go to Hawaii
3. Hike down in the Grand Canyon
4. Go to a beach in California
5. Go camping in North Georgia/ Tennessee
6. Ride a jet ski
7. Learn to surf
8. Get a massage
9. See a glacier
10. scuba dive with sea turtles
11. Swim with the dolphins
12. Go to Europe- Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland
13. England/Ireland
14. Go to Jamaica
15. Visit Guatemala
16. Go to Peru- Cusco
17. Go to Chile
18. Go to Brazil
19. Kiss under the miseltoe
20. Have a baby and name him/her whatever the hell I want to
21. Go to grad school
22. Fall asleep cuddling under the stars
23. Design my own kitchen
24. Scrap book Tyler stuff
25. Scrap book childhood stuff
26. Make Christmas cards and actually send them
27. Go to Canada
28. Learn French
29. weigh 135 lbs
30. Run a marathon
31. ***********************
32. ***********************
33. Go to broadway
34. Go to NYC
35. sky write a message to someone
36. Swim in each of the 7 seas
37. *********************
38. Go hang gliding
39. ****************
40. Learn how to make sushi
41. Wear the halloween costume I've had for 3 years
42. Go tubing in Helen
43. Move to Texas
44. Have a black and white themed bedroom with red accents
45. Get another tattoo
46. Win the lottery
47. Find Tom

I'll add more later- gotta go to the pool.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

No title necessary....short post

Don't make someone a PRIORITY when they make you an OPTION.

Saw that today- couldn't have been said better.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Summer in April?

This week seemed to drag on FOREVER!

I LOVE warm weather, but I do not like to be hot. The air conditioner was on for a whole half an hour today in my house! WOW! Haha....Anyways, Tyler and I drove past Wallgreen's on our way to Arby's for supper and the sign sad it was 90 degrees! It was definitely a very warm day here in GA!

I haven't slept well at all this week so I am so looking forward to doing just that this weekend...I may sleep the whole weekend away!!!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A Great Blessing...

So...The Georgia law, before this year, states that educators must be given a contract, if they are a returning teacher, on or before April 15th. Our governor- Sonny Perdue- passed a law April 10th giving school boards an extension on the final date. This year it has been changed to May 15th, because school boards needed more time to re-work budgets. I was a little concerned, but realistically I knew the school could not afford to lose a Spanish teacher.

Anyways, today I got my contract. It really made my day! I didn't go to my box until late in the afternoon because I was a little scared...but it's all good now!

This week has been extremely tiring! I am so ready for the weekend. Tomorrow night I have to go to a meeting on the changes for my certification program...so I won't be getting in bed until late AGAIN!

Anyways, not too much new... haven't been exercising much, because I'm too tired and busy and I have so much to do!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Day 1- the "Jalk"

So I stayed true to my word and started the running today...I have decided to call today the "jalk". It was mostly walking with 5 -1minute intervals of jogging. I took Chloe along...she did rather well. She prefers to jog, so I guess that is good motivation. I exercised a total of 45 minutes. My goal for tomorrow: 6 - 1 minute intervals of jogging. I also made another goal for myself on the way home. The park is .7 miles from my house, then 1 lap around is .73 miles. Today I only went around the park 1 lap. By the end of school I would like to be able to go around the park 3 times and back and forth from home in 45 minutes. 5 weeks to accomplish this goal. I think I can do it.

I would also like to lose about 10 pounds in that time period. I'm pretty sure I can accomplish that. I have been eating very healthy this week. I cannot think of one thing that I have eaten that was bad....not even sweet tea (a drink, but still)!

I have so much to do. Tomorrow I've got to call Georgia College about getting my masters. The teacher certification program I'm in right now is very expensive and I can get paid to do my master's in Spanish....so as long as they'll take me, I'm ready to jump right in. Tyler is also considering starting his master's this fall. His parents are willing to help out with costs, so I told him I think he should go ahead and do it. We would both finish the year after the wedding and be making $6000 each per year more....sounds good to us!

I am so excited about Spring break, but I really need to find someone to stay with or take Chloe. Tyler's mom is allergic to dogs, so we can't take her with us. Before my roommates have watched her, but they're going out of town for the weeknd. It's really frustrating. I don't want to kennel her, because when I adopted her, she had been in a kennel at the shelter for a couple months. I don't want to put her through that again...plus they have to pee in their kennels, and I do not want her to start peeing in her cage or in the kitchen.

Anyways- I hope I can stay motivated to run every day! Tomorrow maybe it will be more of a "Jolk" than a "Jalk"....hehe...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

2 days until Spring Break!

And guess what they are????

TEST DAY (tomorrow)

and

MOVIE DAY (Friday)!!!!!!
I have found a cute Spanish soap opera sort of thing for my kids to watch. It's on the discovery education website. It is about an American teenager who goes to Spain and meets up with 2 Spanish girls (one was his pen pal) and a Spanish guy. It's super good. Most of it is very easy to understand, but other times I have had to pause it. We've watched one and a half episodes. This time we'll probably get to watch two episodes.

I'm exhausted and I'm so ready for this break! Tyler and I are going to have our engagement pictures taken over the break (we hope). His cousin sent us some examples of what she was thinking about. We're so excited, because it's not your traditional shots. We're also going to look at a few places to have the wedding over break....so that will hopefully be something fun to do!

Oh, and prom is on Saturday! I have to go, even though it's technically during Spring Break. It will be fun though. I need to try on my dress to make sure it still fits.

I'm going to start running for real....like probably tomorrow and just run every day. I had a running program on my i-pod, but I think once I just start I'll be fine...just taking it slow...but I have got to get some pounds off before summer!

Anyways- I'm off!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April Fools!

Oh my did I get tricked.

So my friend Mark (the one my mother was convinced I was supposed to marry a few years ago) moved to Korea about 2 years ago. He is teaching English there and really loves it. About a month ago he called and we talked for a while, but I wasn't able to see him while he was in the states.

I haven't heard from him since he had gotten back until yesterday. Yesterday he sent an e-mail to everyone (friends, family, etc.) telling us that he was engaged and getting married this weekend! His facebook status even said he was super excited that his mom had ordered a plane ticket.

Well, I was upset yesterday because I thought he would tell me in a different way and I thought he would have at least told me he was dating someone when I spoke to him a month ago. He even posted 100 pictures on his picture website of him and her dressed all up, and said in Korea it is totally normal to do all the picture taking before! I was so convinced, so I sent him a message telling him I hope God blesses both of them and their new lives together.

Yeah, today he sent a message to everyone, "April FOOLS!" I was like "you have got to be kidding me!" So yah, apparently I am totally gullible.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I just want to scream!

So since I moved out of my parents house, I have moved 6 times for various reasons. That is a completely different story....but this time was a rather odd move. I really love living by myself and having a place to myself, but it scares me, which is why I haven't done it anymore.

This move was REALLY stupid. I did it to save some money, so my roommate could be closer to campus, and so that Chloe could have a fenced in yard. Well, the only catch was that we had to get two more roommates. Honestly, I love my two new roommates. I hardly ever see them, because our schedules are so different, but they are nice, have morals, and are clean.

Really, I should have moved without my previous roommate...then I would be on cloud 9. She is a smoker...booo...and smokes inside the house CONSTANTLY....we're talking at least 2 packs a day...she never puts one down. I have talked to her several times about this and she continues to do it in her room with the windows open. This winter has been extremely cold in Georgia, so she has put her heat up really high to stay warm while smoking. Needless to say, our power bill has been through the roof! Now, we do live in an old house, so we do not have central heat or air, we just have window units that soak up a ton of power. Well, I managed to stay warm with extra clothes and 15 minutes of use every 2 hours. The new girls, after our first bill of $333 decided to do the same, but our bill only really went down $30 because someone in our house never turns her air off. Also, she has yet to give me the money for the bills. So far, she owes me $170, which is ridiculous.

Also, she is not clean at all. This week was Spring Break for the college, not for me, so the girls knew I would be here. Well, my older roommate left dishes, with stuff in them!, all over the kitchen. I did not wash them, I just rinsed them with hot water and set them aside.

Last night I decided to put a note on her door. It said "Elena, you owe me $170 for bills: electricity and cable. Please pay me this week. Also, please wash the dishes you left over spring break. Thanks! - Wendy"

So, I write this to get it off my chest what I'm going to tell all my roommates when they come home. I think I'm going to tell them that we all need to talk, because it wasn't just Elena (the older roomy) that left dishes. So, I think I'm just going to tell them that they need to ALWAYS wash their dishes, because it only takes a few minutes. That way no one else is left to wash your dishes. Bethany (one of the new girls) and I have had to wash other peoples dishes every week in the house and we are so sick of it. Also, I'm going to tell them that they need to be VERY concious about the power and try not to turn on the air at all since the next 2 weeks are supposed to be in the 70's. And, I'm going to tell them that I can't afford to pay the bills if they do not all give me the money. I think one day of me turning off the power will scare the crap out of them, but I don't really care at this point. We're about to get our bills again in the next few days, and it would be ridiculous for me not to have the money again.

Anyways....drama drama drama, I cannot wait to move out of this place, but that will be in 15 months!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

What a boring week!

So this week has been filled with testing for my kids. They're taking the state high school graduation tests this week, well my 11th graders are. Since half my classes are 10th and the other half 11th graders in all of my classes, I decided to go easy on them.

Monday was a good day. My students know nothing about geography, nor do they care. But their previous teacher skipped the unit on geography, so I decided to take this opportunity to do some geography stuff. One class was only able to name 5 of the 27 countries in Latin America. It was kind of sad.

Tuesday was an okay day. We watched a couple of clips from discovereducation.com about Latin American history. Some classes had better discussions than others.

Today and tomorrow we're watching either Shrek or Finding Nemo in Spanish. The kids said they wanted those two movies, but they don't want to watch them in Spanish. I was even generous enough to put the English subtitles on for them....still whining..Oh well!

Friday will be good though, because we can move on! Testing will be over and I will be oh so glad!

The end is in sight! 42 more days of class and we will be finished for the year! Spring break is in two weeks, and I cannot wait! I think Tyler and I are going to go camping...well that or go see my sisters....not sure yet.

So lots of exciting things have been happenig in my life, but I can't really talk about them yet...Let's just say there will be a new twist to this blog :) I'm so excited! I just wish this whole process would hurry up, but apparently I need to be EXTRA surprised.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

It's been far too long!

Where do I even start?

Well, I guess we could start with school. I started teaching and I am loving it! It is definitely challenging some days, but I am determined not to let the kids get to me. Most days I come home and I'm too tired to even think about cooking meal. This week was a little better. My kids are pretty funny most days though. However, I have learned to treat them like they are in kindergarten. There is no other way to do it.

For example- on Friday we played vocabulary bingo to begin reviewing for out test on Tuesday. I bought a bunch of colored beads to use as the markers. Well, my first class was ok, besides the fact that half of the girls were fighting over who got the hot pink and who got the neon green. I thought 15 and 16 year olds could handle these things a little better, but apparently not. Then a boy in my 3rd class of the day threw a bead at a guy but it accidently hit a girl in the face. Crazy! Anyways, then my last class of the day, after I explained that these were not to be thrown, "accidently" slipped out of your hand, put in your mouth, etc., a boy swallowed 25 of them. Yes, that's right, a 15 year old swallowed 25 beads. You know the beads we used to use at VBS for the bracelettes? Yeah, those.

So that's school. Lots of planning...and lots of work, but overall I love it! My students are good most days.

Now, my certification classes....Let's see. I hate them. They are the biggest waste of time and money. I have to go every Tuesday for 4 hours and 2 Saturdays a month for 8 hours each time. It is absolutely miserable. The majority of the people in the class are retired military, know nothing about teaching, and are extremely closed minded. They want stable, secure jobs, so they picked teaching. I know I would have hated every minute of their classes. Most of them do not have teaching jobs right now. They are just getting a taste of teaching by taking this class in hopes of finding a job for next school year.

Ah, on to life in general...Everything is going fairly well. Chloe (my puppy) is staying at Tyler's apartmet because he has more time to take care of her than I do. Plus I don't want my roommates to feel responsible for her. She seems to be doing really well, although she does not like to poop in front of Tyler, so that has been somewhat of an issue. I think she's doing better though. I take her some, because she sits in front of the door and cries whenever I leave. She is truely a big baby.

Ok, well I'm off to try to get some things done! Need to do some laundry and some cleaning up on this lovely Sunday, then off to bowling with friends!