First Run of the Year!

I had a rough day at work today - don't really want to talk about it, but my day definitely could have gone downhill because of it.  But one of my goals this year is to kick the negativity I feel constantly, so I fought real hard not to let it bother me.  Luckily, I was also steadily busy until about 3:30pm so that helped.  That last hour I really was just not up for anything, and it took everything I had to keep myself motivated to get to the gym afterwards.  I had running plans!

And make it to the gym I did.  It was super cold out - and this is usually a big excuse for me to skip my workouts - one more additional stop in the cold before getting home - yeah I know - totally a lame excuse.  But, when you are less than motivated to do anything, any excuse will work.  Not today.  I was determined.  So I rushed out the door at 4:30pm, hopped in my car, and made my way to the gym.  I had planned to run 2 miles, nice and slow.  I am working on rebuilding my endurance (and building distance) which means for now I need to run slow so my body adjusts.  I really didn't take running seriously at all in 2012, so even though I can run 3 miles - I definitely struggle to maintain my preferred pace of 10 minute miles.  The truth is that for now I need to just slow it down and worry about speed later. So for now, I am treadmilling at a 12 minute mile pace.  I know that may seem slow.  But its a comfortable enough pace for me to run longer each time. And today I surpassed my 2 mile goal and ran 2.5 miles instead!  Woot!  And honestly, it felt great.  It helped clear away the stress and frustration from the day.  I picked up a sandwich from Subway afterwards for dinner (ok, it was that or a microwave pizza in my freezer - subway was clearly the better option).  And then finished off my evening with a lavender and vanilla bubble bath :)  Perfect ending to a not so great day.

Tomorrow morning I will need to get up pretty early so I can pack up for my trip to NJ!  I also want to take my Christmas decorations down before heading out so that is one less thing worry about when I get back!  I am so excited to see my family, see a Broadway show in NYC, have dinner with my law school bff and her fiance, and most importantly - get my dog, Buffy, back!  How could you not love this face??

2013 Goals

Well, since it's the first day of the year and all, I suppose I should join the rest of the world and set some goals for the year.  I hate the idea of "resolutions."  I feel like the word alone just sets me up for failure.  Instead, I prefer goals.  Something I can work for.  As I was looking back over the past year, I realized that I hadn't officially set any goals for 2012.  In hopes of having a better year, this year I am making certain that I do.

2013 is going to be the year that I find myself again...

1.  In 2012, I reached my heaviest weight ever.  I know it's probably not that heavy to most people, but its enough to make me feel uncomfortable.  I have started to hate clothes shopping, and although I weigh a camouflage uniform everyday, when I am out of uniform I've resorted to workout clothes or pajamas, when I used to always dress up in skirts or more dressy clothing, just to feel like a girl.  Losing 15lbs will get me back to a weight that I really felt comfortable with and I was able to maintain for quite a few years.  The rest of my goals will, I think, help me to achieve this weight loss goal.

2.  I have previously run two half marathons.  I ran the Arizona Women's Half Marathon in November 2010, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2011.  I really enjoyed running the half marathons, but more than that, I enjoyed the training - feeling like I could accomplish something new each week with a new distance or pace.  Last year I gave it a half-hearted attempt, but really didn't make it a priority.  This year I WILL make training a priority.  I haven't picked out any races just yet, but I am eyeing the Diva Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach in April.  My mom and I had recently discussed doing a girls' weekend that weekend.  My mom doesn't run, but we made the Disney Princess Half Marathon into a girls weekend and had a great time.  I think that training for specific races will also help aid me in weight loss - it will give me a consistent workout plan - and it will force me to eat better than I have been so that I am fueled properly.

3.  Every year I attempt to read 50 books. In 2008 I almost met my goal, reading 48 books.  This was because I had graduated law school in June of that year, and though I was studying for the bar exam that summer - I made sure to read a book for fun at night to de-stress, and it really helped!  After the bar exam was over, I read constantly.  Granted, I still have a job and cant just read for fun ALL of the time, but if I make time each night to read for even a half hour, I should certainly make my goal.  Plus, reading really does help me de-stress at night before going to bed.  Less stress will certainly help with weight loss, too.

4. In 2012, I felt very negative.  I really let everything that was making me feel down just completely control and absorb my life.  It was a horrible feeling, and one that I couldn't seem to let go of.  This year, I vow to just not let the negativity affect me so much.  Therefore, I am going to be sure to make a note of at least one positive thing each day.  I did this for a month in 2011 when I was feeling really down and it helped.  I am sure it will help even more if I keep it up for an entire year.

5.  Finally, eating out a lot has taken its toll on me.  It's not even just going out to dinners with the boyfriend.  I resorted to eating takeout on a regular basis instead of cooking.  Not good.  At one point in my life (2010-2011) I went over a year without eating takeout food (with the exception of panera and chipotle).  My body felt so much better not eating crap all of the time.  But in 2012, I felt so negative and down and worthless, I just stopped caring.  This is a horrible attitude.  Plus, eating out takes its toll on my wallet, and I really need to get back to rebuilding my savings account.  You would not believe how much $5 here and $8 there adds up over an entire month!  I am also going to make a notice every time I do eat out, so that I can keep track of how well I am doing at this.

Overall, I really hope 2013 will be a better year - honestly, I just don't know if I could take another year like 2012.  I miss being the "happy" me, and the "healthy" me, and the "fit" me.  And I will find her again.

So far, I have started off the year on an ok foot.  I was really sad this morning that Jasin was so sick.  We are supposed to visit my parents in two days, and I am really hoping that he will be ok for our trip.  So since he obviously needed to rest and get better, I was on my own today.  I got in a really good workout this morning, and I am sure I will be sore from it tomorrow once DOMS has set in.  It went like this:

20 jumping jacks
20 squats
20 jumping squats
20 alternating lunges
20 burpees
20 pushups
20 mountain climbers
20 crunches

3 rounds for time.

I finished in 24 minutes, and my heart rate monitor said I burned 240 calories.  Definitely not bad for the first workout of the year!  After running some errands, I settled on a grilled chicken caesar salad from panera for lunch, and then set to work getting all of my laundry done (all 3 loads), and then cleaning out my closet.  I live alone, and have a huge master bedroom with master closet all to myself.  Which is fantastic!  Except it was a serious mess.  Clothes all over the place, random empty boxes, no sort of organization.  And I cant even remember the last time I went through my clothes and got rid of that which did not fit or I would never wear again.  So today I set to it.  And really, it only took an hour and a half.  I threw out a bag of shoes (ok, mostly flip flops that were kind of old) and then organized the rest of them.  I then realized that all of my shoes are black - I really need more color in my shoes!  I moved on to organize my purses - got this idea off of pinterest:

Finally, I went through all of my clothes and made 3 bags.  One bag was for clothes that need to go to the dry cleaner.  Mostly dresses, but also some uniforms.  My second bag was for clothes that were for donating to Good Will.  These are my clothes that I bought and wore once or twice but didn't really like or would never wear again.  Then my last bag was clothes that needed to be trashed - these were clothes that I have owned for years, and just don't fit in anymore, but even if I could wear them I probably wouldn't.  Like jeans from 4+ years ago.  Overall, it was kind of a freeing experience.  But now my closet feels empty.  Guess shopping will be in my future.  I still have to go through my dresser - especially my workout clothes - but that is for another day.

A Review of 2012

I certainly cant say that I am sad to see 2012 over.  2012 was a rough year for me personally.  For the most part, I felt lost.  Like I couldn't find the woman I was.  And I couldn't find the woman I want to be.  My weight sky-rocketed to my heaviest I have ever been.  I lacked motivation to workout most of the time; and when I had the motivation, I lacked the follow-through.  When alone, I felt sad.  When at work I felt miserable.  And by year's end, the only regularly recurring feeling I had was that of being worthless.  People always say you have to hit rock bottom before you can make a change.  I don't know if I've hit rock bottom, but it certainly feels like it.  Lately, all I can do is depend on other people to make me feel worthwhile or happy.  It's not fair to them.  And it's not fair to me either.  I used to be really happy and healthy.  I used to make myself a priority and I only depended on myself.  I used to feel like a rock-star.  And I want that feeling back...

2012 wasn't completely horrible.  A lot of really great things did happen.  So for now, I want to remember 2012 for the happy moments, and then move on and figure out how to make myself happy with just me.  So here's a monthly recap:

January:
Jasin and I had our very first kiss on New Years Day, at 1am when he left my house.  Apparently a midnight kiss was just too cliche...

I tried my only criminal case of the year.  Well, the defendant plead guilty, but I successfully argued two motions on my own.  And one was a motion I was worried I would lose, so that was a professional success for me!

Jasin and I attended our first ever Air Force Ball, and had a great time!

February:
I turned 29, and Jasin bought me clipless pedals and cycling shoes and cleats for my birthday.  The first time I tried them out, I sprained my wrist falling!

I ran my longest run of the ENTIRE year - 6.25 miles.  This was a big success after a 9 month knee injury in 2011.

I flew to Buffalo, NY and took the NY State bar exam.  I didn't pass, but considering I studied maybe half of the subjects on the test, I only failed by 20 points, so it really wasn't a huge disappointment.

March:
Jasin and I went for a hike on Eagle's Peak at the United States Air Force Academy - unfortunately it was covered in ice, and very treacherous.  But still beautiful even if we didn't make it to the top!

Jasin and I went away to Estes Park, CO for a weekend.  Estes Park is about 3 hours away from Colorado Springs, and it is also the city where the Stanley Hotel is located, which is the hotel that The Shining was based off of.  I absolutely love it there.  We went for a few hikes in Rocky Mountain State Park, and had an absolutely wonderful time.  Plus, this was our first weekend away as a couple!

April:
Jasin and I went hiking on Easter Sunday at Palmer Lake.  The hike was pretty steep, but the top of the mountain was a great pay-off view!

I also bought my first mountain bike, and went for my first bike ride.  We rode the perimeter of the base we are stationed out, which was about 12 miles.  I was rather slow but I didn't fall and overall I really enjoyed it. We later went on my second mountain bike ride at the Air Force Academy.  I really struggled, was beating myself up, and Jasin eventually just cut our ride short because he was getting annoyed.  After we both calmed down we decided to go to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and on the way there I got pulled over and got a speeding ticket!  The zoo wasn't even that great!  But then even later that night we went out to dinner at the Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant thanks to a living social deal, and the food was amazing and turned the day around for us.

I passed my annual PT test with a score of 95.2 out of 100!  I completed my 1.5 mile run in 13:20, and received a 16 second altitude adjustment on top of that!  I received full points for my waist measurement eve though I was about 10 pounds heavier than my last test.  I also completed 42 push ups in one minute, and 52 sit ups in one minute.

May:
I was travelling a lot in May for work.

The first week in May I went away for a Negotiations & Alternate Dispute Resolution Course.  I really enjoyed the class a lot and had the opportunity to see friends I hadn't seen in a while.

The third week in May I went away again for the Operational Law Course - it was one week in a classroom, and then the second week in the field, camped out in a tent, dealing with deployed legal issues.  I enjoyed this course as well and it had me really excited for hopefully deploying.

I got back from my last course on Memorial Day Weekend, and Jasin and I immediately went camping the night after I got back.  It was super windy, so we couldn't even light a campfire!  We also brought my dog, Buffy, with us, and she seemed to handle it well.  A few weeks later the Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed the place we camped out. :(

June:
I flew back to NJ to visit my family and attend my friends Brent and Kelly's wedding.  Jasin wasn't able to come with because of work, but I had a great time with my family and celebrating two of my favorite people!

I went to Las Vegas for the very first time!  We stayed at Harrah's on the strip and saw two shows: Phantom of the Opera and The Blue Man Group.  We also toured the Hoover Dam, and visited some of Jasin's friends!

 

I participated in my first ever duathlon also!  It was held on the base I am stationed at and consisted of a 1 mile run, a 10 mile mountain bike road, and another 1 mile road.  There were only about 35 people who participated and I finished around #30, but it was really fun and I finished in 1:19:18!  J also ran the last 1/2 mile with me and it seriously meant so much because I definitely struggled!

I attended a Dining In for my base, which is basically a formal dinner where you wear your mess dress, and there are all these rules you have to follow.  It sounds like it wouldnt be fun, but I had a great time.  I sat with my co-workers and we laughed quite a bit that night.

Jasin and I also built my dog a new home!  She is crate trained and even though she turned 1 years old in June, I don't trust her to run around the house when I am not home.  But we upgraded her from a playpen that she kept breaking the zippers on, to a hallway table that doubles as a home for her on the bottom. :)

I found out I would be deploying to Afghanistan in November for 6 months.

Jasin and I went to Keystone, which is a ski resort in Colorado, and attempted mountain biking.  We rode the ski lift up, took an "easy trail" and I fell no less than 4 times, and really really painfully.  I had bruises all over my body and couldn't sit right for a week afterwards.  Needless to say, we only made it about 1/4 of the mile down the hill before we had to switch to the service road.

July:
Jasin and I went to his hometown in Northern Arizona for his 20 year high school reunion.  It was a difficult experience for him, I am sure, but we made the best of it.  We spent a lot of time driving around and seeing the sights, and we also went shooting one afternoon.

We also built a new patio and a pergola in my backyard.  This was a huge project that took every weekend during the month and really tested our relationship.  We had a really difficult time, but in the end everything was ok and the backyard turned out pretty awesome.

August:
I went to Virginia for two weeks for another operational law course.  The class was really great, but I was pretty much a hermit the entire time I was there.  I didn't go out with people at night, and I spent my time on the weekend by myself.  I might have worked out ONCE the entire time I was there.  I ate like crap.  It was a great course, but a really bad time, personally.

I qualified on the M9 pistol on my first try!

September:
Jasin and I went on a predeployment vacation to Disney World!  We were there for 4 nights and had a really great time.

I spent a lot of time in September getting ready for my deployment because training was scheduled in October, and I would also be visiting my family.  I also finally qualified on the M4 rifle (I got it on the second try.)

I ran the Color Me Rad run in Denver.  It was possibly one of the worst races I've participated in.  The parking situation was HORRIBLE.  I ended up parking over a mile away from the park the race was being held in.  We ran on grass - it was really uneven with lots of gopher holes.  People were walking everywhere - instead of following the race course.  It was just bad.  And then I had to walk over a mile back to my car.  I would not run that race again.

October:
I held an awesome kick-off event for my entire base for the Combined Federal Campaign.  It went way better than I could have imagined.

I spent a week visiting my parents in NJ.  It was a really relaxing time, and honestly I didn't do much.  I brought my dog with me, because my parents were going to take care of her while I would be deployed.

After a week with my parents, I went to two weeks of predeployment training. It was really tough, I was bruised and sore, and tired.  But I was really excited about deploying!

I spent another week with my parents and survived Hurricane Sandy with them.  My parents were lucky and not much damage happened to their house, but they were without power for over a week.  The day before I was heading back to Colorado for 2 weeks before going to Afghanistan, I found out my deployment had been cancelled.

November:
I came back to Colorado and was really bummed about my cancelled deployment - I had really wanted to go.  Instead, I got thrown into preparing for a base-wide inspection I haunt been expecting to be a part of.

I came down with a stomach virus right before Thanksgiving.  We had a nice Thanksgiving nonetheless

I started sewing again.  I even completed a set of curtains for my home office!

I also just started this blog - still working on it.

December:
Survived the base-wide inspection, and my office did really well.

I went to another training course for work for a brand new program that I am really excited about, and I am hoping it will open up some doors for me.

I made homemade Christmas stockings for Jasin and I.

We celebrated our first Christmas together.

The Year didn't end so well, with Jasin becoming violently ill on NYE at around 9:30pm :(  This, after he was getting over having walking pneumonia.

DIY Office Accessories

I only had to go to work once this week, and I only have to go to work once next week - which means I have a lot of time on my hands, and I tend to fall into the "lazy" trap.  Aside from getting in my workout yesterday morning, I pretty much lazied around my house all day.  And today was starting to look the same.  I am actually so so sore from yesterday's workout, that I have relegated today a rest and stretching day...

I had been planning on giving my mom a homemade Christmas present, but I hadn't really gotten around to actually making it.  However, since I am leaving on Thursday to visit my family, I figured today would be a good day to finally get it done!  And that at least breaks the "lazy" trap for a while.

So today's project: DIY Office Accessories.

A wrist rest for the keyboard and the mouse, along with a matching mouse pad.

(don't mind that they are just sitting on my carpeted floor)

This was a totally easy project - it took less than 2 hours total.  Although, I have recently begun sewing things more often, I am in no way excellent at sewing - luckily, this is going to my mom, and she has to like it whether its perfect or not!

What you need for the wrist rests:

* your choice of fabric - I started with 1 yard and cut from there; I had more than 1/2 yard left over.

* sewing machine and thread

* straight pins

* rice - I used Thai jasmine rice because the grocery store had a large bag of it on sale

The fabric I chose is a calming shade of blue, and has dogs on it with sayings like "bark" and arf."  I picked this fabric because my mom really loves dogs, and I know she has pictures of both mine and her dog in her office.  She will definitely appreciate my choice.

For the keyboard wrist rest I went with 18"x8".  And for the mouse pad wrist rest I went with 8"x6.5".  (At this point I also cut out the fabric for the mouse pad, and I went with 10"x10" because a square seemed like a good idea.)

I started with the wrist rest because it was the smallest one.  Once I had the 8"x6.5" fabric cut out, I ironed it, then folded it in half (right side together), and pinned around the edges.

I then sewed around one short side and the long side that was pinned - there was no need to sew the folded side.  On the long pinned edge, I did leave just under one inch open so that i could fold it down when finishing it up.  Once I finished sewing it up, I then turned it right side out, just like you would when making a pillow.

I then sewed a top stitch along the three closed sides, just to make it a bit more interesting.  I am terrible at sewing top stitches in a straight line, but no big deal.  Then it was time to fill it up with the rice.  I first attempted to do this by just picking up the rice with my bare hand - this meant rice went EVERYWHERE.  So I got a ladle from my kitchen, and that seemed to help minimize the mess.

The next step was definitely the hardest - closing that thing up.  It took a few tries - yes, I had to un-stitch it completely and try again.  I could not sew it up using the sewing machine, so I resorted to hand stitching.  I didn't do the best job, but it stays shut and the rice doesn't spill everywhere, so it works for me.  The finished product:

I went through the exact same process with the keyboard wrist rest:

All that was left to do was create the mouse pad.  Again, I started with a 10"x10" piece of fabric, and after ironing it, I laid it on top of shelf paper.  I used the peel and stick kind, so I just peeled the backing off, and laid the fabric on top of it.  The shelf paper was a little bit bigger so that the fabric would fit on it and I would be able to smooth it out.

I then sewed a seam all the way around it.  I tried as hard as I could to make the stitch a straight line, but that didn't happen.  Hey I did my best.  Once I completed the simple sewing project, I coated the entire thing with 2 layers of modge podge.  I used the matte kind - probably not the best for coating fabric, but it works.  Once it was dry, I trimmed all the way around it, and I was finished!

All in all, it was a really simple project that can be completed in just 2 hours or less, and it can really make your office feel a bit more personalized.  I know my mom will love it, and I am glad I could give her a homemade gift this year.  :)

Now, I need to jump in the shower and get ready for a date night!  Jasin and I are going out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary.  We actually don't really have any specific plans, so who knows where we'll end up!  Have a great night!

Back to the Workouts

Well, I'm glad to say that I am back to the workouts!  Yesterday, I struggled all morning with working out.  Ever notice that when you take extended breaks from working out, it's all that much harder to motivate yourself?  I somehow forget this and fall into the same trap over and over again...  Yesterday, I did a circuit from the Women's Health Big Book of Exercises - I LOVE that book.  And I followed it up with a Jillian Michael's Cardio Kickboxing dvd from her The Biggest Winner series.  It was short, but it was just what I needed to get back into the workouts.  So much so that today I couldn't wait to workout this morning!!

Admittedly, I wanted to go for a run.  This rarely happens lately, so I was really disappointed when I realized it had snowed last night = my driveway and sidewalk need to be shoveled, my street isn't plowed, and honestly I didn't want to deal with it.  I refuse to run outside when it snows.  I hate running in Colorado outside as it is because of the hills, but the people around here (ok, myself included) aren't very good about shoveling their sidewalks, and I am accident-prone as it is.  And I really didn't want to drive to the gym.  Ok, enough excuses.

Today I opted for a crossfit inspired workout that I found on pinterest!  The original workout is linked here.  I modified it a little bit, and this is how it turned out:

5 Rounds for Time:
* 10 air squats
* 10 burpees
* 10 butterfly situps
* 10 step-ups (each leg)
* 10 v-ups
* 10 tuck jumps
* 10 knee push-ups
* 10 russian twists
* 10 reverse prisoner lunges (each leg)

(I opted for knee pushups because I am really concentrating getting my body as low to the ground before I push back up.)

The end result:

Can't complain!  I suppose at some point I will get around to shoveling the sidewalk and driveway.  The front of my house doesn't really get sunlight, so my neighbors across the street have virtually no snow on their lawns/driveways/sidewalks, but my side of the street looks like it got hit real bad.  Oh well.  Such is the life of a homeowner!

Christmas 2012

So, Christmas has come and gone, and it truly was very special.  This was the first year I haven't spent Christmas with my family.  I knew this would eventually happen, being in the military and all, but I got lucky the past 3 years - having the ability to take leave around the holidays.  I probably could have taken leave to spend the holidays with my parents again this year, but ultimately I chose to spend it with Jasin instead.  Considering I was actually supposed to be in Afghanistan right now (until my deployment was cancelled in November - 2 weeks before I was supposed to leave!) my parents weren't expecting me to be with them anyway.  And since mine and Jasin's 1 year dating anniversary is, well, today (!!!) I decided I wanted to spend our first Christmas together, instead.  Jasin's been really sick with walking pneumonia for the past 2 weeks, which worked in my favor because I was able to do Christmas prepping while he rested over the weekend!

I spent most of Saturday and Sunday running errands to so many different stories to get foods and ingredients, and last minute Christmas presents for my family - nothing like waiting until the last minute!  When Monday finally came I was so excited to begin the cooking!!  Christmas Eve is really important to me because that is when my family really celebrates - dinner at my Grandma's house, and exchanging presents with Grandma, the Aunt and Uncle, and my cousins.  We have done this since I was born, and its possibly my favorite family get together of the entire year.  So since I was going to be here in Colorado instead, I wanted to make sure that Jasin and I had a special evening together.  I began my prepping by baking 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies.  I cheated though - they were the Pillsbury Ready to Bake kind!  Shhh!  But they still taste delicious!  I then prepped a lasagna to throw in the oven later, and a breakfast casserole for Christmas morning.  I threw a pork roast in the slow cooker as well.  I also made a spinach and artichoke dip, which tasted more like spinach and less like artichoke - hey, it was my first time!  But Jasin seemed to enjoy it all the same :)  I also attempted mashed sweet potatoes, but I had a little snafu and they ended up in the garbage.  *sigh*  I also had a veggie tray with a light veggie dip.  All in all, the dinner was a complete success!

(don't mind my cheap plastic table cloth!)

Jasin brought over his dvd binder, and threw on A Christmas Story - because, well, I have apparently lived under a rock my entire life and had NEVER seen it before.  I know.  I am already hanging my head in shame.  Since I was still cooking while he turned it on, I didnt get a chance to watch it completely through, but what I did see was so great!  I felt so bad that I am 29 years old and had never seen it before!!  Afterwards, we watched my favorite Christmas movie:  The Muppet Christmas Carol!!  LOVE IT!

We woke up Christmas morning around 7:30 and I threw the breakfast casserole in the oven.  While it cooked, we had our morning coffee, and opened presents.  Even though it was just the two of us, our tree showed us that we were indeed loved. :)

Jasin actually brought over all of the presents that his family had mailed him, and I was glad.  I had forgotten to tell him to bring them, but I am glad he waited and opened them on Christmas morning.  My family did not send me any presents, though, because we are going to visit them next weekend after New Years!  Well, my grandma and aunt did send me one present - they bought me a Silver Kitchen Aid mixer to fuel my addiction to baking (cupcakes).  I already have a red one.  I told them I just wanted a second mixing bowl - they felt I needed a second mixer instead.  I'm so glad they understand these things :)

I was really excited to finally exchange gifts with Jasin.  I bought him a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Mixer - he had been eyeing it for a while, but it is quite pricey - luckily Amazon did me well with a great sale!  I gave him a few other things too that he really liked!  He bought me a blu-ray player (because he felt I was behind the times without one) and a beautiful watch, among other things!  Jasin really thinks that jewelry is a waste of money and has no real intrinsic value, so I was really surprised with a watch - but it's practical!  And its dainty - perfect for me!

By the time we finished opening presents, the casserole was done, and we enjoyed the breakfast!  We then watched A Christmas Story TWO more times!  :)  Even though we were still looking a bit disheveled, Jasin agreed we could take a Christmas morning picture:

Jasin went in to work for a few hours to check on his guys - he felt bad that they were working and he wasn't.  But then we snuggled up on the couch at his house and watched Gross Pointe Blank.  Such a great movie!!  We started watching Expendables 2 (which I also got him for Christmas), but then our friends invited us over for dinner so we walked down the street and celebrated with them and their family!  By the time we got home last night we were exhausted, and had to wake up early for work today.  Overall, it was a really great Christmas, and I am glad we could celebrate our first Christmas together!

Today is our one year dating anniversary, but we decided not to do anything ridiculous.  Jasin is still feeling sick, and we just exchanged Christmas presents - we are planning to go out to dinner this weekend to celebrate, and possibly to the movies.  We really want to see Les Mis!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Holiday Parties

So far this holiday season, Jasin and I have been to three holiday parties.  I love holiday parties because they really help to get you into the holiday spirit!  And when you live so far from your family (like I do), sometimes these holiday parties are the closest things to actually having family around.  I'll be seeing my family for the "holidays" but not until the beginning of January... This is my first year not spending Christmas with my family, so it's been a bit more difficult for me.

Last Friday, Jasin and I went to the base holiday party - we are both in the Air Force, and every year the base we are stationed at does a really nice holiday party.  In fact, last year at the holiday party, Jasin bought me a drink, we chatted for a good while, and I gave him my phone number.  We knew each other for a few months, but that was ultimately the catalyst for our relationship - we had our first date the day after Christmas!

This year's theme was the 1940s, because the party was held on Pearl Harbor Day.  Everyone was encouraged to dress up accordingly, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend money on a vintage dress.  So I opted for a dress I already had, that really didn't fit the theme.  I really like this dress, but admittedly, it looked better when I was 10lbs lighter (when I originally bought it 2 years ago).  Jasin looked rather dapper, though.

We had a really good time at the party.  The food was really good, too!  I splurged on a slice of pumpkin cheesecake and it was yum!  The best part was when each table had to present a "snowman", and the winning table would win gift cards.  Jasin was selected from our table to be the "snowman."  Every table was given a bag that contained three rolls of toilet paper, and construction paper black hat, pumpkin nose, and coal circles.  Everyone looked hilarious, and it made the night so much more entertaining!

The following day we attended my office's holiday party.  It was at my boss's house, and pretty low key.  My boss's wife made some amazing food, and everyone just kind of sat around chatting.  We did a white elephant gift exchange, and I ended up with an ice scraper that had a mitt on it. :/  I forgot to bring my camera to the party, so unfortunately, I have no pictures from the evening.  But overall, it was a really nice evening.

Then last night, Jasin and I attended a holiday party at the home of a guy Jasin works with.  Jasin is actually that guy's boss, but they have a good relationship.  We've been to a party at their house before so we already knew everyone there.  I spent most of my evening chatting with the other ladies.  There were some really yummy platters of food.  My favorite was the spinach dip inside of a bread bowl.  I made cupcakes for the occasion too!

They were chocolate fudge cupcakes with a white chocolate ganache filling, and red butter cream frosting with white sugar pearls.  So delicious!  I normally make my cupcakes from scratch, but I had a box of Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge cake mix, so I opted to just use that.  The ganache filling was delicious, but I didn't use a lot of it - I think next time I would use more filling to give them that something extra.  The frosting was the most annoying because it wouldn't turn red!  I used almost the entire bottle of red food coloring, but they still looked pink!  I think maybe it might have been the lighting in my kitchen, or maybe it just took much longer for the color to really soak in.  But by the time we got to the party, they looked red to me.  And they were a big hit at the party!