Back at it!

I created this blog a few years back, in hopes I would keep up with the super awesome, mind-blowing cool? things I've been up to...man! If only I had kept up with it!  The things "the public" has missed in my life! :)  Now that I am being forced encouraged to blog regularly because of grad school, I will gladly pick back up where I left off.  

What will be the purpose of my blog?  That's still to be determined, other than to share the things I find fascinating on a daily basis in my life.  This might be a quote, perspective from a 5th grader, a filtered iPhone image, a rant, or simply a moment of reflection on the day.  My friends and family have mentioned several times before that I should "write down" the stories that I encounter, so here's my attempt at not only documenting my days, but making connections with others in the world of blog.  

To refresh my blog, I will end with this photo from my weekend.  This is every indication of how to end a weekend and start a Monday...

Thoughts for the Day

The Elusive Magic of the Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, and Cupid Shuffle

What is it about these cliche wedding reception songs that literally pull me up out of my chair and force me into a trance on the dance floor?  I've embarrassed significant others one too many times with my "retarded string bean" / Elaine from Seinfeld dance moves - but I can't help myself.  I would say that it's usually because my friends peer pressure me - but I'm usually the first one up, sometimes even having that "feeling" that one of the magic 3 songs will be coming on next.  My brother got married this past weekend - congratulations John and Sherri! - and the dj played 2 of the 3 songs...I broke a sweat with the Cupid Shuffle.  Does anyone else have this problem? :)

Friends and Family

There really isn't anything better than your family and genuine friends.  Family, no matter what, will always be your family.  The feeling of unconditional love is indescribable - no matter what, you will always have someone who loves you and someone to love.  Friends - old and new - are vital.  The old friends know everything about you and love you just the same...the new ones offer excitement and encouragement to try new things.  I am beyond blessed to have a family who encourages me everyday to be a better person and friends who are like the siblings I never had.

Setting Goals

For the past 5 weeks, I have been participating once a week in a "boot camp" circuit training class with Mom, in addition to my weekly workout routine.  I've really learned new things to challenge my body - things that I wouldn't normally be able to push myself to do on my own, but with the support of our trainer and the 5 other girls, I work harder with the "competition".  At the start of the 6 week program, we all had to set a personal goal  - either fitness or body related.  Thankfully (and I'm not sure how I escaped this), I don't have a stigma about getting on a scale and becoming obsessed with a number - but I have had a goal in the back of my mind to lose the extra 5 or 6 pounds that sticks around just to annoy me and keep my clothes slightly more snug than I'd like them to be.  My goal was to lose 6 pounds in 6 weeks; as of last night, I've lost 4 pounds.  Not quite a pound a week, but a physical difference.  

I had a realization - which is truly a no-brainer and something I do in other aspects of my life on a regular basis - but setting goals works.  If you set the goal, determine how you're going to reach it, and execute properly - you'll achieve.  This is a very simple concept that I teach to my kids on a daily basis, but when it comes to my physical well-being, it's time for me to start taking my own advice.  This was a baby goal, nothing major, nothing "Biggest Loser" sized...but the beauty of the baby step is that it works.  Now I can take another baby step towards inches, and then baby steps back into running, baby steps towards a half marathon...but I'm getting ahead of myself.  My goal for this next week...see ya, 2 more pounds.

Trying out a blog...

I don't generally like to talk about myself.  This whole concept of blogging may take awhile for me to get used to, but I've come across so many interesting and touching blogs along the way that it's piqued my curiosity.  I like to share exciting news, artwork, fashion, deals, quotes, stories about my 5th graders, love for my family, the diversity of my friendships, vent about life's frustrations and disappointments, delight in blessings, and anything else under the sun...hence, random acts of Kristin.  I hope this doesn't come across as being full of myself - just simply a way for me to share all of the wonderful parts of, well, being me.