Almost Ready...

I want to share my list of 30 things to accomplish before turning 31, but I'm still trying to tweak a few ideas on the list. It's coming soon! However, one item on the list I want to start writing about on my blog. It's kind of personal, but this is a way for me to record my thoughts and to remember them! One thing on my list is to think of 30 reasons why I am proud of the last 30 years of my life. So I will be blogging about this randomly throughout the next year. Some posts will be more personal than others, but life is about opening up and sharing, so why not?!

As I was driving home tonight, the thought hit me that I am so incredibly grateful that I have such a diverse group of people in my life. I have people that are close to me that come from all walks of life. You name it, I can probably identify someone I know that comes from a particular culture, label or group. I seriously love that. This diversity among my most favorite people makes me a better person. I am constantly growing and learning from others. I love that I have such a wide difference of friends and family, that for any particular question or challenge that I am facing or have, I can choose with whom I trust about that specific thing. So for example, I can go to some people for some things, but others for different things. Isn't that amazing how different we all are, and yet what we experience and who we are is so beneficial to those around us?! I love that I am so open to having such different and amazing people be close to me. I think that says a lot about who I am as a person and that's definitely something I am proud of. I welcome all types of people into my life. I don't close off or judge someone just because they are are a particular label or come from a certain group. I don't want to put particular labels here and I don't need to. I just love and adore those in my life who are positive, who help me to grow, and teach me so much from the way they choose to live their life!

Guess Who's 30? This girl!

Last weekend, I hit a new landmark in my life...I turned 30! And I spent it at the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland, with my most favorite person on Earth, Bryce! He took all the pictures, so I will have to post them when he sends them my way. But let me tell you, I had SO much fun! It was the perfect vacation. We stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel, so we could walk to and from our hotel to Disneyland and California Adventure each day. I got to go on all my favorite rides, some I went on 2-3 times! My favorites include: Soarin' Over California, Peter Pan, Finding Nemo (I've wanted to go on this ride for a few years now, but we've never attempted because of the long line. But since it was my birthday, Bryce was okay with waiting in line for me, and I LOVED the ride!), Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Midway Mania Toystory ride. I got to eat all my favorite Disneyland foods-clam chowder, corndogs, churros, and even ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant for the first time on my birthday. This restaurant is visible from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. In the words of Bryce, "the ambiance was amazing!" and the food was even better! Even after eating all that yummy food, I still managed to come home and lose a pound. Probably from all the walking around we did. I did get in one morning of the gym. My goal was two, but hey, it was a vacation AND my birthday weekend, so I don't feel guilty! I was able to sleep in, take a few naps, do some shopping, and just get away from my job, grad school and normal everyday life!
Bryce spoiled me on my birthday, and I was grateful to spend a lot of quality time with him. He sure knows how to make me laugh and forget about the stresses of life! And the Glover family knows how to do Disneyland, I highly suggest taking one of them along with you the next time you go to Disneyland. You never have to worry about what to do or where to go because they know the ins and outs!

Woohoo!

I'm down another 3.8 pounds, which makes a total lost of 11.6 pounds. So proud of myself! It's amazing what can be accomplished when you have the right mindset, even with a busy schedule. No excuses, and deciding what you really want can make all the difference!
On a random side note, I feel like watching Ellen, having a diet coke daily, and taking life a day at a time is helping me get through a busy time. I'm almost 30, peeps! I'm in the process of finishing up my list of 30 things I want to accomplish while I'm 30. Once it is finalized I will share! (I need to be held accountable).
And another random note, five things I'm so grateful for today:
1. Diet Coke (as mentioned above)
2. Working with amazing coworkers. Glad to know I'm not alone in the craziness, stress and fun in teaching!
3. POP chips-barbecue. I'm officially obsessed! Yummy and healthier than regular chips.
4. Modern Family-makes me laugh every time!
5. My cute students who make me happy every day. I laugh all the time in my job. I want them to succeed and I'm doing everything I can to make them even smarter than they already are. It's not easy but it's definitely worth it!

Down Three More!

I lost another 3 pounds last week! Yay! This week has been more of a challenge for me, with getting ready for Parent Teacher Conferences, and having them at night. I'm still working on working hard though! Next week will post more...Carry on!