Like Nike says, I need to "Just Do It".

        So blogging has been put on the back burner for awhile for a few different reasons. They aren't really important right now, so I won't go into detail.
       Two weekends ago, I went home to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday! (Old right? No one ever believes me!) It was so amazing. I came home before he got home from golfing (newly retired, what else would he be doing?). I waited in our family room with my mom and brother until he got home. I was nervous because I didn't exactly leave for school with him on good terms. When he got home, my mom and brother hid me from him (Jimmy decided sitting on top of me would be appropriate). He finally realized I was there and he gave me the biggest bear hug ever! It was the best feeling in the world. He also has a new thing where he is trying to give Jimmy and me a hug every day (obviously not while I'm at school) and tell us he loves us at least once a day, because you never know when one of us might not be around anymore. The four football players our community lost really took a toll on our community (I found myself hysterically crying when I saw a minor car accident the other day on my way to lab). Anyway, back to the weekend. The next day, I got to see Patrick's first race for Navy! It was exciting:) I love watching my man do what he loves to do. He ended up getting his Chit approved to come home for the weekend! It was great. I didn't want the weekend to be over.
        Last week happened to be stressful but ended up going by really quickly. I got my Chemistry exam back and was not too happy, but I can't say I expected any better. I just don't understand Chemistry.
       This past weekend was amazing though! Well first, it was parents weekend so I got to spend the whole weekend with my family which is always great. Plus, I got to stay in their hotel room to get a break! I loved it. Aside from the kind of stuff, my cousin finally had her twins! She's the first of my paternal cousins to have children. She had two little girls, Ella Grace and Addison Taylor (I am IN LOVE with the names!). I cannot wait to finally meet them! Also, bright and early this morning, my cousin's husband came home from his deployment! I am so so so happy for her! First, they didn't think he'd be home for Thanksgiving! And also, they spent probably eight, if not more, of their first year of marriage separated! I know thats what you sign up for in a military relationship but still, I couldn't be happier for her! Her 3am text saying she was getting up to shower made me so happy!
       Well, there is my recap of the past two weekends. Now to the current stuff. My parents have started worrying about how much I'm eating and whether or not I'm losing (too much) weight. While being a vegetarian in the dining hall is doable, it definitely isn't the easiest thing and isn't made any easier by having my classes interfere with open hours. And, since I haven't been working out as much as I used to (no dance classes 3 nights a week and no track practice), I don't burn a ton of calories and therefore don't need to eat a ton. I just need to be sure what I'm eating is healthy and worth the calories I take in.
     Which brings me to my next issue. I, for the first time in my life, do not have a flat, almost 6-pack stomach. I am beyond embarrassed of it, but hopefully knowing someone (I hope) is reading this will make me nervous that someday they might see the aforementioned stomach and be grossed out. So I am hoping it motivates me to get moving. Finding time to work out (the way I'm used to working out) is extremely hard. I've attended triathlon club meetings, but since I'm not a swimmer, don't have a bike, and haven't ran in who knows how long, I'm not quite ready for that. I went to the gym twice last week along with a Zumba class in the lounge. Go me! Finally getting some exercise in. I am in such a workout lull that I can't even get motivated to make up workouts (poor Amanda is stuck with the same old workout). So I decided I NEED to change things. While there isn't much I can do diet-wise while eating at the dining hall, I refuse to lose my body that I think isn't too shabby. I am planning to run before class Tuesday and Thursday. I also plan to go to the gym at least two days this week along with doing workouts in my room when I don't have time for the gym. I really have trouble with self-motivation and holding myself accountable so we'll see where this goes. I really need a training buddy, maybe who doesn't live here, who I can make this a competition with. All I know is that I'm getting pictures done next weekend and I really don't want to have to pick a different dress out to wear because I don't look as good as I did when I bought it...

beware of the freshman 15....

Today, I was told that the salad, which was the healthy option for dinner last night, was 500 calories! Healthy? That is 1/4 the calories of an average diet and no one eats just a salad for dinner! Finding healthy things to eat around here has been pretty hard. Sometimes, I just make myself a peanut butter sandwich because my other vegetarian option is pizza. Its crazy.

After my classes, I dragged Lauren and Julia to zumba!!! Megan and Karra were there also! I am so glad Megan is in most of my classes because I now have a running buddy who won't wimp out on me. I do think he boyfriend should apply to the Naval Academy though, even though she isn't too find of the idea;)

Now gaining weight as a freshman is something that worries me. I'm not eating the best food and I haven't had the chance to get a workout in (I am not running at 11pm when I'm writing this). So I decided I want to walk everywhere. Well, no one else from my dorm has the same brilliant idea, even though we live the farthest from all the academic buildings and the other freshman dorms. So I was coerced into taking a bus to Zumba tonight. And the bus didn't let us off anywhere near where we wanted to go. It was my first and hopefully last bus experience (unless for inclement weather).

Anyway, I love my days though there isn't much to report. I can say I am glad I don't have a boatload of homework yet.