September

We are half-way through the month of September. There's something about September that signifies a fresh start. I think this way because I'm a teacher, and school always starts in September. It's the second week of school at the JCC. All the classrooms have sharp new crayons, bright new markers, and art supplies. The children all have shiny new shoes, and are fresh faced and eager to be at school. The months of September and January are great months to make new goals. I've made a few myself, and am eager to get going with them. I will most likely be able to graduate from the University of Utah this spring. That's a huge accomplishment for me. I'd like to lose 15 more pounds. I've lost 55 so far, and I'm well on my way to my goal size. I'd like to create more memories and take more pictures this year.

First Day of School

I had my first day of school two days ago. I've been so busy that I haven't been able to blog about it yet. I'm only taking 11 credit hours, but with working full-time it is a lot. I have a 7:30 am class that I'll be attending Monday-Thursday. That sure seems early, but it's the only time that it's offered that I can take it. It will be a busy semester with math and statistics. If all goes well then I can graduate in the spring. I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm so excited. I know it's taken me a long time to get through with school, but I've learned quite a bit along the way.

My preschool children will have their first day of school next Wednesday. My co-teachers Pam and Anny and I are getting our classroom all set up. It looks darling. Today I spent my morning coloring name-tags with marker. I can't believe that I get paid to color!

Secret Lake

I went hiking last night with some girlfriends to Secret Lake, which is a few miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon. We had an amazing time, although we were freezing in our shorts and thin jackets. The air was brisk! We hiked up to the to the lake at the top. On our way we saw 12 deer, a bunny, and believe it or not, a moose! This was my first time seeing a moose and it was incredible. He was napping in a clearing. The beautiful wildflowers were in abundance! It was so pretty, and it really reminded me of how much I love our Utah mountains.

Breaking Dawn

I spent the majority of my day yesterday on my balcony reading Stephanie Meyer's final book in the series "Breaking Dawn." It is such a good read! I feel like I've been waiting all summer to get my hands on this book. Work felt agonizingly long today because I just got to the good part!

If anyone hasn't read the "Twilight" series yet-I guarantee that you will enjoy it. Even though it's geared towards teenagers, it's such a fantastic read!

If you've finished the book before me, please don't spoil the ending!

Happy reading!

It is what it is...

I had a doctor's visit with a specialist yesterday. I'm really feeling so much better, and so it was good to be at the doctor with no pressing and urgent problems.

However, we talked about my care and the probability of me going off of blood thinners. When I was in the hospital, they told me I may have to be on them as little as three months, or a year, or perhaps indefinitely. I went to my visit yesterday feeling optimistic.

I left the visit feeling really down. I have to be on them indefinitely. He went over the risks of going off of them and since my clot was unprovoked I'd have a 10% chance of having another clot in a year, and a whopping 40% chance of having one in 5-10 years. I just don't want to gamble with odds like that.

I immediately consulted my best friend Mary who told me that they keep me alive and healthy, and she likes me that way! I have to learn to look at it that way, but today I'm just feeling scared because they are so dangerous.

Drug manufacturers are currently making new and safer blood thinners. I hope that they come out soon.

I have to remember that it is what it is. Things always happen for a reason, and I have to remember that today.

Sugar

These days, because of my recent "lifestyle makeover" I've found that I can use all the help that I can get. I enjoy reading health and fitness books and magazines. I've recently come across some websites that I enjoy as well including www.weightwatchers.com, and www.self.com.

I recently came across an article about sugar that I'd like to share. I've taken a Nutrition class in college before but I never knew this. Your body digests sugar easily which causes your blood sugar levels to spike. The hormone insulin rushes in to lower it, and you're left with a low blood sugar level. This in turn causes most people to binge in order to raise their blood sugar levels again.

The article recommended to ditch any foods that have more than 10 grams of sugar. I took their advice and have been doing this. When I crave something sweet I'll have a piece of fruit because it has naturally occuring sugar and fiber. I've also cut out refined white flour products. You'd be amazed at how much sugar they contain.

"Think Like Your Cat!"

I was eating my lunch in the staff lounge today at work when the topic of this weekend came up with a co-worker named S. I told her that I was going to get my hair highlighted, catch up on laundry, and maybe go to the pool. Then I asked her what she is doing this weekend. She replies, "Taking a road trip to Denver to enter my cat and I into a game show contest!" Wait...what??! You'd have to just know her to appreciate this. She's totally fun. She's always up for anything. I guess there's a game show on Game Show Network called "Think Like Your Cat." The winner of the game show wins a million dollars!

The idea for this apparently started a few months ago when S took her cat to a cat psychic. (Yes..I know) The cat psychic said her cat would like a bird to play with, and would like to be entered into a game show contest.

S even went so far as to purchase a baby sling so that she can transport her cat easily. Hilarious!

Her weekend sounds like much more fun than mine will be. Now I'm sitting here wishing I owned a cat...