Thankful Thursday: My Parents

When I knew I was going to do Thankful Thursday posts, there was nothing else I could think of to be thankful for first except my parents.

I know I was not the easiest child, teenager, or young adult, to be around for a very long time (hell, sometimes I'm still not pleasant).  From 10-14, I was confused and uncomfortable and all together strange, though I do not remember a lot about that time.  Middle school was God awful and I was thankful to get into high school.  Before that though I was spoiled and never went without (and I still don't) because of them.  Family trips, skating, soccer, cheerleading, softball, shopping - I got to do and have it all.  For those things I obviously am very thankful for, but it is the other type of support that I am eternally thankful for.

High school, specifically sophomore and senior years, were tough.  I dealt with my first bout of depression in 10th grade.  Luckily I had my parents, despite our relationship being strained sometimes, and their support in getting better.  When tragedy rocked my world in July 2003, they were there once again.

My reaction to that incident though rocked THEIR world later that year.  Never once were they mad at me, but genuinely worried and wanted me to get better. Through the next few years as I graduated and went to college they continued to support me in ways I will never forget.

We have been fortunate that my parents have good jobs and are what I would consider successful.  It has never been a cake walk in my opinion, but as the saying goes: Work Hard, Play Hard.  I believe my parents have nailed this philosophy.  Looking at them makes me hopeful that my future will at one time be filled with nights at ball games, trips to Vegas and weekend getaways, most of the time spent together.

Currently at an age where I am considered a "real" adult, the things they continue to do are priceless.  I unfortunately still have to depend on them for a lot because they have let me fulfill my dream of being a sports information director (and that has taken a while), but they have let me grow and change and become the person I have always wanted to be.

The biggest thing they do is believe in me.  They believed I could succeed at anything I put my mind to.  I won a national championship with my skating team, graduated Summa Cum Laude out of high school, moved to South Carolina, joined a sorority, got good grades, moved to Chicago for an internship (which they took a loan out for), graduated with honors and secured a "job" out of college. Plus they have helped me move like six times now, so that has to count for a lot.

Now I am still doing what I love and getting a master's degree, all because they were willing to help me out and believe I can do it.

As of late though, the biggest gift they have given me is Weight Watchers.  I say it like that because my parents offered to pay for this program. They could see I was still not happy with my body and it took a toll on me.  In the past they paid for Jenny Craig, but I wasn't in the stage of my life to follow that like I should have.  Weight Watchers though was a program that was going to work.  Obviously it has.  I am 36 pounds lighter.  I am happier than I have been in several years and looking forward to seeing my progression through the next year when I graduate with a master's and FINALLY get my first full time position.

Without their financial and emotional support, there is no way I could have gotten this far.  WW actually came relatively easy for me once I stopped giving into every temptation that came my way, plus getting my butt in gear more often than not.  There is nothing better than calling after a meeting and knowing how proud they are of me.

After finishing the Warrior Dash

I am thankful, grateful and elated to have two of the best people in the world looking out for me.  I know my parents always have my best interest and hoping the best for me. I really think that my parents are the reason I am still here today and I am very happy for that.

Today (and everyday) there is nothing I am more thankful for than Shawn and Kathie.

-A

P.S. My 50-year old father did the Warrior Dash with me because I wanted to prove I could do it and there was no one else to go with me.  One more reason I love him that much more!

Tomorrow: Fun, Flirty Friday

And I'm BACK!

My last wonderful post on this blog was back when I was in a technology class. I have decided to revamp it and get back to my life.

For those who may not know, I have been on a weight loss journey since January 9, 2012 and have now lost 36.2 lbs

August 2011 to August 2012...I can tell a difference for sure

So let's update you on what has happened throughout that loss...March I hit the 20 pound mark and June was 30.  These last few weeks have been a yo-yo and my body trying to figure out what the hell its doing.  This summer definitely didn't help, but it also didn't hinder too much.  I lost 3 lbs in 3 months and I will tell you that is an accomplishment from everything I did.

I went  on several vacations (I know how did I get so lucky).  Well it was a lot of hard work and a lot of saving.  Starting in June, I hit up Florida to visit the place where I used to live and people I worked with.  Worked out everyday I was there, despite a massive hangover from a long delay at the airport and a late night, ate pretty well and got some sun.  Weigh in on Wednesday was kind and I was down 0.8.

At the end of June I was on my way to St. Louis.  Poor planning on my part = eating crappy food in my car.  I also drank every night and didn't really “think” too hard about my meals, but you know what I ended up losing 1.2 lbs that week (one workout and lots of walking I guess).

Finally I closed out my list of “real” vacations with a trek to Vegas.  This one was a doozie (sp?).  I say that because in Vegas, you eat, drink, walk, “swim” and gamble…and that is exactly what I did.

I did have one more “get-out-of-town” event and I went to Toronto to go to a baseball game as well as see some of the city.   More eating and more drinking ensued.  Throughout the summer I also went to Tigers games, went out with friends and enjoyed my life.

All in all though, I lost 3.4 pounds in those months and I am happy to say that.

So here I am 36.2 pounds gone; an entire size down (possibly more, but I am not ready for that yet) and a happier, healthier me.

I have decided to resume blogging in hopes that it keeps me committed and focused to my end goal.  To stay with that I have created themes for each day:
Meditation Monday
Tuesday Troubles
Weight Watcher Wednesday
Thankful Thursday
Fun, Flirty Friday
And
Weekend Warrior

Maybe I will gather some followers on this thing.  Until tomorrow.
-A

Technology Makes the Sick Day Worthless

This is my final edition of my blog for #COM641.

Yesterday, I had to take a sick day because of a fever and blowing my nose every single minute. However, my sick day that I planned to spend on the couch doing nothing, turned into a day of work (just not in my physical office).

With the advancement of technology, work can go anywhere with you.  In some cases its the best thing ever, especially when you just need a day away from the office.  And in the case of yesterday, it was the most ANNOYING thing ever to be in contact.  Some of it I brought on myself by actually coming into work to get stuff to work on at home and answering an e-mail once I was already home, but it was still bothersome.

I guess then it brings me to my next point of whether or not we really feel we can step away from work.  With the constant ability to be connected, have we just found it acceptable that we are always to be around and available?  People expect things from you no matter what, day or night, weekend or workday.   If you don't get something to them, or miss out on it, they could possibly go to the higher-ups and report you.

Either way I think we need to get to the point where we will simply be unavailable.

So tonight I am going home from work and I am turning everything off.  No e-mail alerts, no phone calls, just me, my couch and some television time.

It has been fun blog...and maybe I will continue about grad school next semester, but for now...
GRAD GIRL (One semester Down) OUT

Our ability to communicate

As the semester is winding down, I find myself noticing things about technology that both enhances my life and bugs the crap out of me.

Recently I have had the opportunity to travel with the women's soccer team as a part of their postseason run.  Unfortunately it ended with a runner-up trophy and not the National Title, but it was great.  Anyway one of the greatest things about that team is that when they eat meals together, they are not allowed to have their cell phones with them.

Now, I would be worried that the conversation would be dull or the room we were put in to eat would be quiet or almost silent and I found that it was quite the opposite.  I don't know if it is because of the connection that these women have with each other, but they constantly were abuzz with new topics ranging from sports, preparation for the game to school work and upcoming final exams.

It actually gave me a little bit of hope in the human race that we can still talk face-to-face without having the crutch of a cell phone in our hands.  I actually think I was the weird one because I always have my phone because you never know when the media would need something...and on this trip they needed a lot.

The funny thing is that I actually noticed myself "needing" my phone more and more on these trips and I was so thankful that I had an iPhone because if I was still stuck with my blackberry a lot more people would be left behind without e-mails or information I provided them just because I had that phone. (oh hey run-on sentence).

Anyway it was great to see these girls in shock when other teams had their phones not only with them, but OUT on the table during a keynote speaker.  That is how you know you have trained your team well.

So things that bug the crap out of me though is when people do not have cell phone manners.  If you are in a crowded room and you get a phone call, please step out of the room.  If you have clicky keys like on a blackberry, try to keep your clicking to a minimum.  And if you are like me and you forget not everyone has a smart phone, be mindful of how many messages and how fast you are sending them.

That was all I had for today.  Nothing too spectacular.

Grad Girl out!

Travel and Technology

Well I guess I have been a little slacking in the blog department, but I guess I hope my microblog could be looked at as a whole blog from time to time.

I get to go on my first trip with GVSU athletics tomorrow morning beginning at 4:45 a.m.  I am heading to Denver/Golden, Colo. for the NCAA Regional Final game with women's soccer.  Should be a good trip.

Through all of the planning and preparation I have decided to talk about technology and travel because in truth, technology has simplified travel.  Or has it?

Going with the pro technology (more or less internet, computer-based technology) and travel I will say that I would much rather book a flight, hotel, car, etc. through a website than talking to a human.  1)Because it is all in front of me.  The info, the prices, disclaimers, etc. right there on my screen for me to read instead of listening to someone (who normally is not a native English speaker) rattle off things that may or may not impact me throughout my trip planning. 2) It is easy. End of story. and 3) I HATE being on the phone with any company for more than five minutes.  Half of the time the operator doesn't under stand your question and the other half you are punching a combination of at least 12 numbers in order to reach someone to really give you an answer.

Then there are the other things while traveling that are great.  Wi-Fi (on flight, in airports and sometimes on buses), Cell phone chargers in the airport and now in some airplanes and the ability to get non-stop updates about flight changes, hotel information, etc. right on your phone.

Now to the bad side.  With booking I really don't think there are a lot of negatives, though I really wish they would allow you to cancel and rebook a ticket online.  Many carriers still do not allow this.  Sometimes travel, even though its work related sometimes allows you to get away, but with all of this connectivity though, you are expected to constantly be updating this, sending that and doing this.  Add in a two-hour time difference and you could be getting up well before your normal time in your current time zone just to keep up with the demands of your native time zone.  EXHAUSTING!

Plus I have two computers: a desktop and a laptop.  One I do all of my design work on and notes, etc. and the laptop is basically for word, and stat crew (the program we used to update athletic stats).  So now I have to think about everything I may need on my MAC desktop and hook it up with my PC laptop.

And get this: I googled technology and travel tips and more than 300,000 results popped up.  Now relevancy beside that is still a lot of information.  So here are my own personal tips:
1) Get your stuff together - cords, chargers, batteries, etc. and make sure you really need all of them.
2) Make your laptop EASILY accessible to get out of your bag for security (one of my biggest pet peeves).
3) Download apps if you can that include Flight Tracking, Weather Updates, Flight check-in and even some for pure entertainment...I personally love angry birds.
4) Take the time during the travel to relax, even if for only 20 minutes, but turn everything off and just be. (Yes this is really zen, but I think it gives a refreshing take on the rest of your trip.
5) Bring "old-fashioned" technology such as a book or magazine and get into that instead of reading on your Kindle or iPad.
and finally...6) Sit back and enjoy the flight.

Until next time...
I think its GradGirl 7.0