cheesed

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

You know what really gets me? Is that every time I go to Dunkin Donuts I order a coffee and I ask for cream and sugar and it's always bitter no matter how many they add. And that when I'm getting ready in the morning and I'm clearly not dilly dallying and PDF says "we really need to leave soon..." and then I get all flustered and try to hurry when really we don't need to be in any sort of rush at all. Or when my alarm clock goes off at 6:30am so I can get up to go to the gym and instead of hitting "snooze" I hit "off" and I wake up late. That just really irritates me.

Whew! My ranting is over, I just needed to get it off my chest.

I hope I find better coffee soon.

defining real life

It has come to my attention that some terms in my vocabulary are not universally used. So without further delay:

A list of terms to help define my real life adventures....

Advobuddy- this is equivalent to a little brother or little sister in Devils' Advocates. My "big" is the amazing Patty, and my "lil" bro is the fabulous Brett.

Advobuddy Challenge- various tasks Patty, Brett, and I must complete in order to win an amazing prize that is to be determined. Tasks include but are not limited to: seeing a movie together, attending Devils' Advocates events, winning a scavenger hunt, and singing karaoke.

Babeway- also known as the Safeway on the north east corner of Broadway and Rural. Every time I'm in there I spot the HOTTEST guys! Not to mention many of my comrades who live in the area also acknowledge this to be true. Everyone knows that if they want a little eye candy to go with their groceries to hit up this supermarket. Don't forget to do your hair, just in case you get the courage to ask for his number.

Bee- the nickname for my baby sister of about two and half years also referred to as Haleigh. She is awesome and beautiful. I hope to be just like her when I grow up.

CFE- a mandated 200 volunteer hours by the School of Community Resources and Development titled Career Field Exploration hours in which I (and all SCRD) students must complete before graduation.

Chi Omega- a greek organization on the ASU Campus of which I am affiliated with. I have served on the exec board for two years and lived in the house for three. My best friends are Chi Omegas and so is my baby sister!

Devils' Advocates- a paraprofessional volunteer student organization on ASU's campus committed to giving tours to prospective students. They are most often recognized as "the kids who wear white polo's and walk around backwards on campus". I have been giving tours since Fall 2007.

Dinosaur- the pet name I have given my laptop due to the length of its existence. It was manufactured in 1998 and has a Pentium processor. Yep folks, just a regular Pentium. Although he is old and somewhat slow (I can't open Internet Explorer and run Itunes at the same time) I have somehow found a patience for him.

Panhellenic- national panhellenic council. This is the council of which Chi Omega belongs to along with 11 other social sororities on ASU's campus. The council unites the many organizations and plans community events, recruitment events, as well as guidelines and rules to follow.

PDF- potential dating future. I met a boy in early December of 2009 and we've been pretty much inseperable since. He is Wonderful. :)

PRSA- parks and recreation student association. A student association on the Downtown Campus associated with my major. I was the secretary for the 2008-2009 school year and president for the fall of 2009.

Psi Epsilon- the Chi Omega Chapter name at ASU sometimes referred to as Psi Ep. With over 175 different chapters across the nation, there has to be some way to tell us apart.

Stats- statistics. It was PRM 402 that I took in the fall of 2009. The class was at 7:30am on the Downtown Campus. Needless to say there was much caffeine involved.

Terrible-Stepmother-To-Be- the name I used to refer to my Dad's fiance until my intoxicated Aunt told me that they had already gotten married. Her title has only been changed by dropping the "-to-be" part of her former name.

TR- therapeutic recreation. I am in the parks and recreation management program at ASU's Downtown Campus and I am specializing in therapeutic recreation which means I will get to help mentally and physically disabled individuals through rehabilition by means of recreation. Woot Woot!

I hope this helps.

love your loved ones

Hello my name is Aimee and this is an (unpleasant) real life adventure...

Last week I was hanging out with the beloved PDF when he received a phone call. I can't remember who called him, but one of his neighbors with whom he spent a majority of his childhood was brain dead in the hospital on life support. Apparently she had taken a bottle of pills earlier that day in an attempt to commit suicide. The family decided to discontinue the use of life support.

There would be no funeral, but a celebration of her life the following Saturday at her home next door to the Nelson (PDF's) household. I was asked to attend with the family. I decided to do the most classy Audrey Hepburn-ish thing possible. I pulled my hair back, applied waterproof mascara, dressed in black, and put a handkerchief in my handbag. Before leaving my Aunt Lani warned me not to try and make any jokes, suggest any games, or tell any stories (see birthday ruiner). "As a matter of fact, just loop your arm through his and keep your lips shut" she advised me. Good advice.

The day was a chilly, overcast one like today. I was running late (like always) and the memorial service had already started once PDF, his brother, and I walked next door. Eyes followed the three of us as we made our way across the living room to where the rest of the family had assembled. The remaining part of the service we were in attendance for was surely the most heart wrenching. The surviving brother spoke first barely choking out words to describe their childhood memories and the sudden void in his life. Her mother spoke and wondered aloud if she had been home if her daughter would have made the decision to take her own life. Her grandmother spoke about a memory from a few years before involving her grandfather. Her sister-in-law spoke about her zest for life and love of others. Lastly, her friends filled the room with her hobbies, traits, and memories.

Although I didn't know the family or the victim of her own selfish action I couldn't help but recall attending funeral services for those I did. It reminded me exactly how fragile life can be and that each day should be lived to the fullest rather than wasting it on resentment, anger, or fear. In futile attempts to avoid small talk I let my mind wander to the things I would do today if I were to die tomorrow.

1.Tell my loved ones they were loved
2. Skydive
3. Call my Dad

My list was quickly interrupted when the strong boy I was clutching on to began to tear up. My heart sank and I silently wished to never have be in this situation again.

I hope you live each day to the fullest.

spring semester line up

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

In desperate need of a 3 hour upper division credit I enrolled myself in WSH 421 Girlhood and Adolescence at the end of the week last week. It's a T/TH class so unfortunately I missed the first two class periods, but after attending today I will never miss another lecture. It was phenomenal. I really enjoy the topics we discussed and the themes and ideologies that went along with the subject. This is one textbook I cannot wait to purchase. Doing the homework for this class will in fact be exciting. I'm glad I have found at least one class to get excited about.

On a different note I am becoming more and more nervous about my final TR courses I am taking. One is a hybrid class that meets on Tuesday afternoons (I really like this) and the other is completely online. The online education system scares me. Mostly because classes I have taken online previously have not been essential to my major or challenging in any way. Last semester two of my key TR courses were online and I did moderately well in one class and just awful in the other. I am afraid of being tossed into an internship with hardly any knowledge of the subject simply because I can't navigate Blackboard.

My other class I am taking is PRM 401 with Dr. Yoshioka. This M/W afternoon class is going to be my biggest challenge in the sense of staying awake. I have established a routine of going to the gym on M/W mornings with lunch following. After sweating at the gym and filling my belly with (mostly) health foods I find myself nodding off to the incessant chatter of the instructor. I do hope the course content gets more exciting. Perhaps I will utilize this class time to write about my ridiculous adventures.....

In the meanwhile I am trying to figure out a schedule that allows for an adequate amount of time to complete my homework and readings, blog and do office hours, go to the gym, and goof off.

I guess since I am committed to these classes I should probably go ahead and buy the books.

I hope you didn't procrastinate purchasing educational literature like myself!

Day 6

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

My arms are sore and my legs shake when I walk. Today's workout was successful, but I haven't been taking my exercising/eating healthier plan seriously. The last week has been spent recovering from my intense swim workout and consuming fatty foods. Today I am getting serious. I am so excited that PDF not only supports my workout plan, but actually accompanies me to the YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays. Yay!

Exercise

I spent a half hour on the treadmill today as well as 20 minutes or so on a mat working my abs and stretching out.

5:27- I am running at 6 mph. Some morning show is on and the host has the tiniest legs I have ever seen. They are twigs. Literally. I can feel mine giggling and shaking with every step. I hate her.

5:29- (Still running at 6 mph) PDF notices my disgust for the TV Show host and comments on her legs. They are gross and too skinny he says. I love him.

10:00- I have reduced my speed to 5.5 mph for fear of a heart attack. I am completely drenched in sweat and i can hear my heart pulsing in my ears.

12:00- (Still running at 5.5 mph) I now know why everyone brings their Ipod to the gym. It's so you can tune out the sound of your own panting.

17:00- (Barely running at 5.5 mph) These stupid gym shorts keep riding up. I have found a rhythm of pull my shorts out of my butt, take three steps, and do it again.

25:00- I have reduced my speed yet again to 5.0 mph. I am starting to see black spots.

27:00- People walking by are staring. I think my face must be beat red, or I look like I'm about to pass out or something.

30:00 (Chugging along at 5.0 mph) The machine tricked me! I ran, panted, and sweat for a half hour and now it added 5 minutes for a "cool down". This is absurd. I want to speak to a manager.

31:00- The machine automatically reduced the speed to 4.5 mph. I guess this isn't so bad.

32:00- Down to 4.0 mph. I am performing a quick paced walk/awkward jog maneuver.

33:00- 3.5 mph. I am starting to hear other noises besides my heart. I think the gentlemen next to me just uttered something in my direction, but I cannot make it out.

34:00- 3.0 mph. I am comfortably walking. I can see how a cool down is effective...

35:00- 2.5 mph. PDF has come to save me from this wretched machine. Thank God.

Diet
Breakfast- I was at the gym
Lunch- Although it had Parmesan cheese, dressing, and croutons I had a chicken Caesar salad for lunch with a pita. It was delicious and healthier than the gyro I watched my counterpart eat.
Dinner- Sushi at Ra! I had a Tootsy Maki roll and half of a Viva Las Vegas roll. Yum!
Late Night Snack- Two oatmeal stouts from 4 Peaks Brewery and a 100 Grand candy bar.

Okay, so it's not great but it's better than McDonald's!

I hope you are achieving your goals.

spring break shape

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

After weighing in last year at 10lbs OVER my ideal weight when Spring Break rolled around I've decided to get into shape before embarrassing myself in a bikini. I do not like the idea of crash dieting (although I did manage to lose over 10lbs in 10 days after having my tonsils removed) so I am setting out on my weight loss/toning adventure on a healthy note. This means I will achieve (let's keep our fingers crossed) my goal weight through means of exercise and healthy eating. Here goes....

Day 1

Exercise:

Went to the Downtown YMCA and had 45 minutes before class to get my heart rate above 90 beats per minute. I ended up swimming 1650 meters (about a mile). I attempted this (partially) through swimming 15 x 50m on a minute. For those of you who do not speak swim coach (don't feel bad, I just learned this past summer) that means you swim 50 meters (at the Y it's down and back) in a minute or less fifteen times in a row, or in 15 minutes. I went something like this:

1x50- Oooh... this water is chilly (this becomes apparent to the entire pool).
2x50- Warmin' up, and it feels good.
3x50- Wow! I'm making it down and back in 50 seconds this is going to be easier than I thought!
4x50- Too much warmin' up.... I think I just pulled something.
5x50- Mister Man just asked to share my lane. Of course! I say, after all I am a good sharer.
6x50- Whew! Was that four or five?
7x50- Not as fast as I thought.... gettin' kinda tired. Mister Man is literally a Swim Master. His goggles are shiny, his speedo is tiny. He makes me look dumb.
8x50- NEED AIR, I can't breathe due to my hair falling out of it's pony tail.
9x50- My thighs have turned to jello and cannot kick...I am sinking. Swim Master has moved lanes, perhaps he did not appreciate my slower pace.
10x50- Pretty sure the lifeguard almost jumped in after me.
11x50- Forget the minute mark, I'll be lucky if I make it down and back in 2 minutes.
12x50- Pain is pulsating through my body, my ears are buzzing, I am blinded by my bangs. Swim Master is making waves in the water with his speed. This makes me motion sick.
13x50- Doggy paddling counts as a stroke, right?
14x50- One more, concentrate Aimee.
15x50- Is that my bobby pin floating on the bottom of the pool?!

Diet:
Breakfast- 2 pieces of toast slathered with butter and jam on one and butter and cinammon sugar on the other. 1 cup of coffee with three cremes and two sugars.
Lunch- I was in the freakin' pool.
Mid-Afternoon Snack- Hot'n'Spicy Chicken sandwich from McDonald's w/o mayo and added Mac Sauce and some of my sister's french fries.
Dinner- A barrage of Golden State, Spicy Tuna, and California rolls from Sushi 101, along with some edamame. Water to drink.
Late-Night Snack- Medium Reese's Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Okay, so I don't have the diet thing down but at least I hit the gym. And drank mostly water. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon.

I hope your will power is stronger than mine.

unworthy

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

There I was feeling down on myself for royally screwing up my life when my close friends assured me that having less responsibility is for the best. I would have more time to focus on academia, I could enjoy my final semester at ASU, and I would be less stressed. Although I wasn't happy, things were sounding better. At least I had the support of my friends, family, and the cute boy I'm dating (PDF). I was getting a hold of the silver lining in my little rainstorm when a hurricane came and rocked my world.

As fate would have it, I am being asked to step down from my position as President because there are an abundance of other students who are looking to get involved. Additionally, I have lost my research project because there are other students who can work more effectively on a time line. Turns out "other students" is just a code word for my Potential Dating Future. That's right folks, the boy I am dating has inadvertently stolen my presidency, my research project, and my heart.

The worst part is that he isn't doing any of these things intentionally. He didn't plot to have me removed as President or menacingly steal my project. He was just himself. Intelligent, passionate, committed, honorable, and trustworthy among a million other things (No wonder I am dating him, he's a catch!). It's just hard to know that the person who is better than you is your secret-keeper and partner in crime, the one holding your hand.

With my confidence shattered and my morale completely missing I can hardly stomach being in his presence much less attempting to converse with him. All I can think about is how I am not good enough, how I directly do not measure up to him.

Have you ever walked into a party with your potluck dish of macaroni salad in your lucky tube socks all ready to win the potato sack race only to realize it's a cocktail party? It kinda feels like that.

On our way downtown this morning it was all I could do to fight back tears as feelings of inferiority and sheer stupidity washed over me. It was then I began to notice how mismatched we are. There I was waiting for the train with smudged glasses, bad breath (despite brushing my teeth 3 times), sticky-out hair, and a baggy hoody (a result of being up for a portion of the night vomiting my guts out with food poisoning) holding the hand of a boy who had undoubtedly showered and was dressed in casual business attire looking flawless. On the train he was reading Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking which Wikipedia says "popularizes research from psychology and behavioral economics on the adaptive unconscious"(what the heck does that mean, anyway?) while I was struggling to sit up straight. Checking out at Circle K I grabbed a water and strawberry-kiwi Gatorade while he purchased a USA Today and a black coffee. He talked about the hurricane in Haiti and the importance of the assistance from the American government, I have difficulty pronouncing the word Haiti correctly.

I can't tell if my thought process is at all being altered by my tendency to become irrational after little to no sleep and low blood sugar. Most likely. I wonder if the feeling of inadequacy will dispel or if I will continually harbor my inferiority of the ironic situation at hand ultimately resulting in resentment and anger ruining any relationship we may have cultivated.

I do know that I will not be able to help foster a healthy relationship if I constantly feel less sophisticated, mature, and put-together along with seeming totally incompetent. It would be like dating Audrey Hepburn.

I think I need lunch.

I hope the nausea dissipates soon.