5:03 pm:
told you i'd be back! so i've just started CKU and the last section of week one talked about blogging and how it can be effective in the weight loss journey. i've noticed that the lifestyle i've become accustomed to is very lazy. i sit at a desk from 9 am - 6 pm for work and then go home to catch up on my shows before bed. i HAVE started going to the gym early in the morning and sometimes at night, however, other than working out at the actual gym...i'm not getting any exercise. i've decided that i need to park further away from stores (this will be good for both my health and minimizing door dings), take a walk at lunch and become more active at night (take a walk to the shopping center or go out and play with my dogs). i understand that i don't need to do these things every single day, however, i do need to work them in. i'm excited for this lifestyle change and ready to embrace a "new, healthier" me.

morning:
"when i let go of what i am, i become what i might be." - lao tzu

leave it to mom to brighten my day with her "quote of the day." hopefully this will be a more upbeat blog than yesterday. the weekend was very hard for me because most of my fellow high school graduates were graduating from college. unfortunately, i'm still at a community college and am only able to take a few classes at a time (none this semester) due to monetary issues. i allowed myself to pile debt while i was in my past relationship and was never repaid. i've already touched on that issue in a previous blog and do not want to revisit it. i've been letting my money problems get the best of me and have spent most of my time dwelling on what i can no longer control. the past is in the past and i'm looking forward to the future!

plan of action (debt):
- my father has promised to help me out with my credit card and give me extra money for school
(he currently lives in egypt, however, will be here in august)
- my mom has promised to pay for school if i maintain a "b" average for two semesters
(they were paying for school until my grades dropped)
- my brother still owes me $350 from when he was unemployed
(money towards credit card bill)
- the extra paycheck i get in june will alleviate some stress
- apply for financial aid: starting fall semester
- POSSIBLY take out a new credit card with a lower APR and cancel the current one

plan of action (college):
- apply for financial aid over the summer
- save ANY extra money over the summer
- sign up for at least three fall semester classes

i'm a fan of "to do" lists. they always make me feel so much better and in turn, look forward to the future instead of dreading what might be. last night, my mom made spaghetti so i rushed home to eat so we had time to visit my granny in the rehab center. she was having her shower so we asked the nurse to let her know we were there and would visit with her on thursday. after i got home i started working on uploading my cds in iTunes. i've done about 25 and have a little over 75 to finish. i love sense of completion, crossing something off a list (even if it's a grocery list) and knowing you're one step closer to "the big finish." how lame can i be? after my fun with iTunes i went downstairs and watched "workout." i promised myself i wouldn't because i knew i had to wake up early, however, denita wouldn't stop texting me! i must have cried eight times! i miss doug and think he was a great asset to the team/show. i was also so proud of the sky lab clients (especially lori and tess). overall, it was a great episode. i can't wait until the "reunion" show next week! personally, i think there should be a reality CK show! we would be great cast members!

as for today? i brought tomato rice for lunch (which i'm uber excited about) and about to heat it up after this. after work, i have swing dance class. it's so much fun. the instructors get to dance with us during rotation and one of them said i was a "natural!" i used to cheer in high school so picking up on movements and counts is easy for me. i'm taking the class with my mom, meg (co-worker), mark (her boyfriend) and miesha (mom's co-worker/friend). i'm glad i have people in the class who keep me laughing. all we have to do is look at each other and we're in stitches! since we have dance class tonight, we'll probably be eating wraps for dinner. my mom usually stops in at whole foods and gets us a little something to snack on before. she's a huge advocate for the "not eating after 7 pm" rule. I GUESS! anyways, hopefully i'll have time to update later...for now, toodles!