Portfolios, Photographs, and Pant Sizes - OH MY!

After my second weigh in with DPT, I'm happy to report that I'm down a total of 15 pounds and several inches off of my waist!  I haven't seen much change in myself, but I can tell when I put on my clothes.  I was holding up my pants with a safety pin, and I knew that had to change when I was folding over more than the safety pin could hold!  Even my work out clothes were too big.  When DPT tells you that you look like Santa Claus by tucking in your shirt (so your pants won't fall off), then you know it's time to upgrade the wardrobe.  As of my most recent shopping trip, I've gone from a size 28 women's plus size clothing to a size 22 women's plus size clothing!  I <3 RESULTS!

So, one of my earlier excuses was that school work was kicking my tail.  Well, um it really is!  This is, hopefully, my final semester at WVU for my RBA degree with an emphasis in Communication Studies.  In the final weeks of September, I diligently worked on my portfolio to qualify for graduation.  My portfolio consisted of a narrative detailing my skills and information regarding my work experience in relationship to college courses, samples of my work, and letters of recommendation from past and present supervisors.  I was super nervous after submitting it, and I am waiting on pins and needles until I get confirmation about graduation.  I actually got a fabulous email from the RBA Academic advisor regarding the organization of my portfolio yesterday.  She stated that it was the "best one so far" and "that they would like to use my work for reference for future students" and "that I should have nothing to worry about" (in regards to credits for graduation)!  More updates on graduation will come as I know them! :)

Graduation is 10 years in the making for me!  I started my journey at WVU in 1999, directly after high school, and life events got in the way of finishing my degree sooner.  This journey has made me stronger, because I know that it really takes hard work and determination to reach your goals.  Being an independent student is a blessing and a curse in itself - a blessing because it allows me the freedom to complete my work on my schedule, and a curse because it allows me to put other things before school work and procrastinate to get certain items done.  I'm really going to value this degree when I get it and I can't wait to start the next journey in to graduate school.

I wanted to celebrate this milestone in my life with some new pictures.  I haven't had professional pictures taken since our wedding over 8 years ago, and pictures by myself since my senior year in high school.  I've been following (read: stalking) a local photographer, Amanda Reed Photography, and I just had to have her take some fantastic pictures for me.  And she did not disappoint!  I had an idea in mind for the perfect picture to fit my personality, and she completely delivered my vision.

I hand-made the tutu, and the colors are like cotton candy.  I wanted the picture to be fun, flirty, carefree, and innocent, and she captured that image straight from my thoughts.  We may have ruined a pair of white leggings in the process, but it's all for a good shot!  I had the best time shooting with her.  It didn't feel staged or posed.  It felt like an old friend was talking with me, and I felt more comfortable than I ever thought I could taking photographs.  In addition to the tutu pictures, she took pictures of the hubs and I sporting our WVU gear and another single of me showcasing my best feature - my eyes!  My parents thought these were the best pictures of me EVER.  Amanda really knows how to pull out the natural beauty of her subject and the environment around them.  I can't wait to see the rest of the photographs, and I know who my go-to photographer will be from now on!

Until next time, I leave you with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."  Until recently, I didn't carry my beautiful with me.  I didn't see that in myself.  But now I know that beauty is not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.  I know my inside beauty shines out, and I'm finding my outer beauty on this lifestyle journey.  We are all beautiful and unique, and this is what makes us special!

When the eatin' is good...

On with the traveling...

Just last weekend, the hubs and I took a trip to the Triangle area in North Carolina.  You may ask - Why?  For one, there is some great shopping in that area.  Secondly, I grew up there for much of my younger childhood years.  And third, the hubs wanted to hit all the eateries on the Man vs. Food Triangle challenge.  But this is a diet blog, you say.  Oh yes, I know - but the eatin' was so good!

We stayed at the Aloft hotel in Chapel Hill.  Aloft is the new, hip version of the W hotels made popular by Starwood Properties.  

The hotel is very hip and trendy, and feels like it caters to the younger crowd.  When we booked, we were put on a waiting list for a King Room - and lo and behold we DID NOT get it.  So, two queens it is...

The beds were not as comfy as the Mardi Gras Resort, but I did get a restful nights sleep.  We relaxed in the salt water pool, and it seemed we were the only ones who took advantage of it during our stay.  That clamshell in the corner is so comfortable!  I could have taken a very nice afternoon nap there.  I need to research where to purchase one of these for my back yard.

On to the food...

So we went to Time-Out Restaurant in Chapel Hill for the famous square biscuits.  Let's just say they did not disappoint!  The chicken was also pretty fabulous as well.  After a morning full of shopping and walking, we decided to hit The Roast Grill for the famous hot dogs.  If you go here, you better know exactly what you want.  It's standing bar room only and your options are limited.  You can get your dog burned to the degree you like, and I actually heard a man say "Get it as burnt as you can get it!"  Your only options for toppings are: mustard, chili, onions, and slaw.  That's it!  But they are very tasty, and the chili has a little kick to it.  We didn't do Adam justice and compete in the hot dog challenge.  But I honestly don't think I could have eaten more than the 1 hot dog I consumed anyway!  

After an afternoon full of shopping, eyebrow threading, and more walking, we decided to hit The Pit for the famous BBQ.  If you like NC style BBQ (that's the vinegar style), then you MUST go here.  Best food of our entire trip - from the meats to the sides to the sangria.  Service was fabulous, and there is even complimentary valet since parking is so sparse in that area.

Needless to say that our sessions with DPT were killer after these trips, but they were nice and relaxing while we were there.  More info on DPT on the next blog...

Mardi Gras, Football, and Laryngitis...

Ok, so I’ve been a total blog slacker lately, but it’s not like I don’t have a ton of excuses why.  I could say that I was sick, or that we’ve traveled a lot, or that schoolwork is really intense this semester, but none of those excuses are good enough.  I just haven’t made time for my blog or myself much lately.  So, this may be a long-winded blog (or blogs), but at least I’m updating.

Since my last blog, we have traveled to our first WVU game of the season.  In case you didn’t know, in this family we bleed gold and blue.  We traveled to Huntington, WV to see the Mountaineers take on the Thundering Herd, and I have to say that the last m8 minutes of the game were great!  (The other minutes – not so much!)  Here is a picture of me supporting the ‘Eers!

The best part of the trip was the little mini vacation we had at the new Mardi Gras Resort and Casino in Cross Lanes.  The hotel is pretty fabulous, and we got a really great rate for the football game.  The bed was like a cloud and you just melted in to it.  It was so hard to get up in the morning, so we just lounged all day.  The room was large and had some great amenities.

The lobby is pristine, beautiful, and full of bright colors.  This hotel is completely brand new, so it still had the new, clean smell associated with it.  OH, AND IT’S COMPLETELY NON-SMOKING – EVEN THE CASINO.  In case you can’t tell, I LOVE this aspect of the property.  There was a salt-water pool and hot tub, and the padded loungers were great to relax the day away.

I’m gonna let you know that I am no good at the gambling.  In fact, my allotted $5 gambling money went faster than I could read this blog.  And I even played penny slots!  I’m horrible with those things, but it was a fun experience.

During our stay, I will say that we fell off of the diet and exercise bandwagon.  We ate very unhealthy, and I definitely could tell a huge difference in the way I felt.   I felt very lazy and lethargic, and I could feel how heavy the food was.  Although it was extremely tasty, I couldn’t eat any more than half of any meal we consumed.  I know that my body was adjusting to the new diet and exercise plan, and this trip set us back on our progress.

Until next time, I leave you with a quote from David Viscott: “You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be.”