A year and something later...

So yeah, it has been too long! Almost a year has passed since my last update and as far as my weight goes, I'm doing TERRIBLE! My mood hasn't been great, but I've been eating better. I think to myself, why have I been gaining weight when my lunches and calorie intake has seemed to be lower than ever? Well this year I moved and I now have access to a Keurig machine and that thing makes individual cups of coffee... that I like to sugar and cream until it doesn't really resemble coffee anymore.

ohhai. Theres the calories. While I've significantly dropped the caloric intake on my meals I've increased my sugar several fold. I'm also not really exercising as much as I should. I've been to the gym once? Since I moved at least. Thats so time consuming and hard. I don't know the cable channels either. So I can't even pick what I want to watch! Lets try and get back in the gym this week.

Not sleeping well, as usual, has contributed significantly to my lack of motivation to do anything other than work and school. That couch is comfy enough to get me to nap... gotta catch up with that sleep. I've been doing this tuesday thursday thing that has been wreaking havoc on my general sleep schedule... School is so close to being done so why not skimp on the sleep?

A lack of sleep leads to SO many problems it isn't even funny. Weight gain being the number one. Huh. Vicious cycle. 

Blast from the Past...

Yes, of course. I'm back after a LONG hiatus of writing and being busy and trying to live life and neglecting food/weight blog. I've got quite a lot to update about but lets just start with the one soul reason I started writing this thing in the first place:

No significant weight change either direction. No, haven't really exercised, I've gotten sick a few times lost the weight and bounced it all back but nothing more than what I started with.

THEN I start having this weird obnoxious pain in my insides so of course I see countless doctors and nobody can tell me one way or another what is wrong with me and soon I will be scheduled to have my insides scoped out to see if I have any number of problems like constipation (which would be quite obvious), ulcers (which I've been tested for already), celiac (which is VERY unlikely) or some other stomach/intestinal issue. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I had something growing, but thats just based on my family history and current average health. It did just kind of come on all of a sudden so who knows! I'll be informing you when I finally do get into the doctor chair and see how all that goes. Work schedule frequently conflicts with life and stuff. So that's been slowing me down quite a bit.

Tried the whole gluten free thing and that helped to a point, but there was still pain so clearly that isn't my problem. Doctors have told me several different diets to use since I've been trying to avoid getting scoped but I'm kind of sick of it. So I'll bite the bullet.

Has it really been since August?

So here is my bit to you all since it has certainly been a long, LONG time from my last update. I'm pretty sure that my last update involved me not being at home and typing on this very same computer (not mine).

As of this moment I am ill. Like... the kind of ill that is so frustrating that it debilitates you from doing much of anything which includes working.

As far as my weight management attempts I haven't gained anything and my last doctor weigh in puts me another couple pounds lighter! Which is good cause I feel like I've been eating out and not making wise decisions a lot concerning my food choices. For example, a friend of mine told me I need to live with her so that I will quit eating pizza so much. Well, news flash... I freaking love pizza like there is no tomorrow. I just need to exercise more so I have an excuse to actually eat it, and not feel guilty at all. Did I mention its delicious?

So back to my gross disgusting disease...

I've been hacking up all sorts of rainbow colored mucus which I can only assume means I have a slight upper respiratory infection. I got out of going to the doctor by calling the student health center and whining my way into a new albuterol inhaler. Except for the fact that the DR prescribed the big one which is irritating because I only wanted a small one. Goodbye $50, I would have used you well... So beware, cash prices on medication can very quite a bit from place to place. Lately I've been using Walgreens. When I picked up my inhaler I had my boyfriend being my nurse and standing with me. There were three groups of people there for whatever reason and only one person from each entourage were getting anything from the pharmacy, and NONE of them looked sick or ill or decrepit  in any way shape form or fashion. Not to mention they were also really loud and obnoxious which is exactly my favorite thing to deal with when picking up my "OH MY GOD I WANT TO DIE, FIX ME PLEASE" kind of drugs, how did they know? I've been controlling my cough with various different medications including, but not limited to: Norco, Ventolin, Mucinex, Zyrtec (in the rare chance that it's allergies, but its obviously not) and Ambien (cause a bitch gotta sleep, yo).

I'm pretty sure I owe my co-worker a big batch of not diseased cookies cause he is working a double since we have no other people to replace either one of us. I hope he doesn't get sick cause I can't cover his shifts. Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks.

But today in addition to being sick I sold my TV to a nice Elite Yelper and she was super excited to get the TV. I'm glad it went to a good home. I haven't driven anywhere today since nurse boyfriend is available but I am back in austin germing up his apartment and I will eventually have to take my ass back to San Marcos, germs and all.

I don't think I've ever abused an albuterol inhaler so much in my life... hah. 1-2 puffs I stick with... but every 4-6 hours? You've got to be kidding me. NOPE. You would think I know better than to disobey doctors orders, but NOPE... I'm a rebel without a cause. Actually, my cause is wellness as fast as I can get there.

Get out of my lungs you devil ailment. You're not welcome here. The power of Ventolin compels you!

The Smelly Tale of Dirty Sanchez

Well hello all! I know I've neglected you for a long while now... Like, what? Several months? Yeah lets just glaze over that fact... So here is a quicky catch up on what I've been doing:

1. Went to Africa- Did good out there, got sick once and lost 10lbs while I was there!
2. Came home from Africa- So in the jumble of all the travel mess I've kept off that insane 10lbs and have continued to lose weight! Yay me!
3. MOVED. Holy hell. That whole ordeal is probably the most annoying damn thing I've been through this whole year.

• In the moving business I'm not sure what all you know, but it was extremely stressful as you do know already. But due to the backing out of third roomie that left my current roomie and I homeless. So in the ballad of the search for our temporary forever home (while I was in Africa) there were many steps of mis. BUT long story short we ended up finding a place and had a blast and we are rounding out our first week and getting settled in. 
• This morning I weighed in again and lost ANOTHER 4lbs! Yay me! I'm doing so good! And it will only get better once the semester starts so that I can attend the gym in the mornings. Get that damn stress out! Also probably going to go to therapy and go talk to a professional about all my  "problems" Cause sometimes you just need a damn shrink. Which will probably help effect the shrinking waistline I seem to be having! HUZZAH!!!!!1!!11

So Yes, now you are thinking "WTF is up with that weird title!?" Well, I will tell you. 

So in the process of moving I was doing a bit of cleaning and of course the trash filled up and I had to travel out to the dumpster at my former apartment complex. As I was nearing my goal of the disgusting dumpsters I noticed a man pawing through the trash. He was doing it ever so slightly and only at the top. I think to myself "great, another dumpster diver..." and then I hear him call out to me. He says, "Do you need some help?" and since I was carrying a crap load (literally) of kitty litter and I said a quick and graceful "No thank you." So I amble up to the dumpster and get a good swing in to throw my feline fecal matter away and Mr. Sanchez (I don't know if that is actually his name I don't remember) introduces himself to me. He talks about how much money is just thrown away in the dumpsters with all the cans left behind from the college students. What he didn't know is that I just threw a ton of old wine bottles away. So, he keeps on talking about how hundreds of dollars are just there for the taking and pawing at the top level of the trash.

 He starts to make some small talk with me and ask about the apartment complex because he is considering moving around here. I told him immediately not to waste his time or money at this place and referred him to a previous place I lived that was the same price and a higher quality of living. So then he asks me another question which was kind of odd, "Are you mexicana?" I just go no, not really... I'm Costa Rican. He then asks me another question which was EXTREMELY weird. "Are you single?" And I am completely caught off guard with that one. I just say "Uh yeah technically but I'm seeing someone right now." And he goes, "oh thats cool, I just wanna be friends." I tell him oh okay, thats cool. He comes back with another shot, "Hey, is there any way I can get your number? That's where I say No. No sorry... and whats going through my head is "EEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS THIS GUY TRYING TO PICK ME UP AT A DUMPSTER!??!???!?!" I did somehow manage to keep a cool head and politely decline his offer. He then asked me where I lived. Another alarm went off in my head. He then tells me "I was gonna offer to bring some beer over and we can hang out!" No thank you Mr. Sanchez. I'm not interested in being attacked in my home that I hate. So I just explained that I'm moving the following day, and that we were really busy and I had to get back to my apartment and continue cleaning.

What I have failed to mention thus far is that when he introduced himself I accidentally gave him my real first name. I did a mental face palm about 50 times after saying my name, but then I just blew it off. So then as I am finally able to walk away from my new dumpster boyfriend he calls out to me and asks me what my last name is. I kept walking away but I turned to him and yelled back "STEVENS!" It did not occur to me that it was my pharmacists last name... it also didn't occur to me that there is an Alyssa Stevens on Campus. Sorry chick, Dirty Sanchez might look you up.

So when I got back to my apartment (checking over my shoulder the entire way to make sure I wasn't followed) I immediately got on my phone and called my gentleman caller and told him my interesting new story. I had a good laugh.

So since I couldn't ever remember his actual name we came up with Dirty Sanchez.

So there is my funny story. Enjoy!

The Rains down in Africa

So as you all know I've been gone for the month of June. It was a long month and I spent it in Ethiopia. The food there was good. Can't say I would go out of my way to get it again, but I do know what I like if ever presented with the opportunity again.

So over this trip I lost some weight. I went down to my last belt notch even. Which is really nice for me, but also incredibly frustrating because none of my pants quite fit right now. You may be thinking "GO SHOPPING!!!" But that will be on hold until at least August rolls around. I think the biggest feat/challenge right now is to not eat everything in sight. It's certainly going to be a challenge, but I believe I can do it.

I weighed myself the day I got home and then again today (its been one week) and I've managed to gain one pound. SO obviously I need to stray away from bad food now.

This morning I ate a mango. I'm well on track... see? I'm stopping the soda again now that I've had every possible one I could want to drink and I suppose beer and alcohol of any sort is going to be off limits. Considering how the 4th of July went I'm totally okay with that.

I've also managed to deep fry myself, but that is beside the point. But once this burn goes away I'm back outside at 8am to go jogging. No matter how horribly humid it is. Ew. Keeping it short and sweet.

Alyssa

Do something nice for someone in June.

Here we go, one more time... Everybody's feeling fine? I certainly hope so. So I've been watching a LOT of Grey's Anatomy. A lot of it is sappy, and reminds me of moments from my past... And since I was in Target wandering aimlessly (after I got my laundry detergent) I picked up some other things. Then I started listening to the store music, which got me thinking about all the great times I've had with my friends. I relate a lot of my life to music. I remember so many things due to music. Just like people have memory triggers to smell I get memory triggers to music (as many also do). Thinking about my wonderful friends triggered me to write this blog.

Most of you know that in a few short days I am going to Africa. Ethiopia to be more specific. Addis Ababa to be even MORE specific. Saturday at 8am I am on a plane to Chicago, then London, then Addis.

But besides that little bit of info, I wanted to write a sappy blog about how much I care about all of you and how much you all mean to me. A lot of you know how much you mean to me already, but yeah sometimes I just need to reiterate that fact when I'm about to go to a third world country, and with every trip there are risks of demise.

So, as a Scorpio, according to the stars I am a tough shelled venomous creature with a hard shell. I also have a squishy mushy inside under my hard shell. I completely agree with that description. There are other bits that Scorpios are notorious for, but that is beside the point. That doesn't matter. Here are my squishy innards.

Thank you all for being super supportive, and amazing people. This last year has been an INSANE roller coaster ride of stress, emotions, and business. Without all of you I could not be me. Not saying that I depend on you to be me, but I do need all of you to put me together occasionally :)

Without those late night phone calls to bitch about whatever, and those "you need a goddamn margarita Alyssa" nights, and the goofy moments we all have together, I'd totally be in Shoal Creek.

First I had Kajukenbo to keep me on my toes physically, and without it I actually would be a walking psych patient. It gave me something to focus on, something to work towards. Every belt is an emotional hurtle. For whatever reason every single belt coincides with some kind of personal hurtle. So far I'm at purple, but I WILL be at black some day. I haven't stopped, just postponed.

There are a small few of you I will be delivering special messages to personally (via email or facebook), Just in case all hell breaks loose and I get stranded in Africa.

With my new job I started, I gained 5 great friends who I am excited to get to know better. Trivia nights have become my Kaju, and it keeps me on my toes. The anxiety involved with every round, every win, and every unfortunate loss gives me the rush of adrenaline I need to get through the rest of my week. Its where I get most of my de-stressing done even if I sit there with a glazed look in my eyes while everybody else talks about video games or comic books or what have you.

All of you (every single friend) have a special place in my heart. Even if I don't get to see you as much as I would like. My schedule never permits enough time to hang out with all of you and raise our friendship points in the most Sim like fashion. My green gem shines for you all. Upon my return I expect to get together with as many of you as I can. Especially if I don't have malaria.


But lets catch up on some other stuff. So for exactly 6 whole weeks I had this boyfriend. I thought he was a great guy until I realized that he was just an asshole wearing a nice guy suit. You people need to tell me your impressions of any "boyfriend" type person in my life. Seriously. If he is being an asshole or any kind of unusual behaviour is present SPEAK UP! The less time I spend with assholes the less likely I am to become a bitter old hag whenThe more I think about it, this is the most "abusive" man relationship I've ever been in. HOW you ask? How did I end up in that situation? Well, I ignored my instincts. Every time I ignore these instincts I pay for it. No he never hit me, or called me names or anything of a traditional abusive relationship. I just felt not good enough nearly the whole time. Oh well. I am prepared and willing to wait for my penguin. A silly/sappy analogy, I know, but yeah. Hopefully someday I will be lucky enough to come across that guy and I won't be dumb enough to let him get away. But I'm not worrying about any of the stupid boy stuff until after I get back.

As far as my health is going, nothing has changed. My weight has stayed the same. Nothing to report other than I am being more active since school has been out and also just being more aware of my choices.

As far as the title of this blog goes, Do something nice for someone while I am gone. Unbeknownst to most of you I do volunteer my time, and do nice things for others as often as I can. So maybe donate to a good cause, or give a bum a meal, or go pick up trash at a park. Who cares what you do, just do something that will benefit more than just yourself. Its for the greater good. The greater good.

Thats enough rambling for now, so take that however you like, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask. I will get online a little bit while I'm over there but the internet is spotty, and I'll probably have to ride a goat to Europe before I get a strong connection.

My skype name is Uber_alyssa so if I can skype at all you should all add me. If you don't have skype, you should download it immediately and sign up for a free acct.


PS in case of abduction by Somalian pirates, I will be taking over their ships and I will henceforth be known as Pirate Boebel the Blackhearted. I didn't pick out my pirate name, but the one that was given to me was unusually appropriate.

Party on Wayne, Party on Garth!

So as the end of the semester inches closer and closer, my insanity or aggro is getting easier to trigger. I've been fortunate enough to have some extra relaxers around lately (not drugs, but people) that are keeping me from my imminent demise into crazy cat ladydom. That train has been temporarily derailed, but whether its for a day or for a lifetime, only time will tell! These last few weeks have been nothing short of busy busy busy. Today I was fortunate enough to have my last class of the day cancelled. Got some lunch, about to do my hair, and got to watch some TV! That never happens on tuesdays and thursdays... ANYWAYS, today I got some shiz done and when I get home from work I fully intend on putting all my laundry away! WHAAAAT?!?! I usually live out of my laundry basket, but this time... I wanna have non wrinkled clothes. for once.

tomorrow is trivia. BRING IT ON.

So last week I made it to the gym a whopping 0 times.  Yeah, thats how topsy turvy my schedule was. I skipped yesterday cause i needed a recovery time from my body hating me. I'm assuming its just from allergies. I've lived in the central texas area long enough that allergies are probably going to start effecting me. Tomorrow is a Go to the gym no matter what day, so perhaps i'm going to jog a mile straight. My biggest problem is that I get so BORED. I have ADD while running i swear...

Forgive the lack of capital letters. i really hate the keyboard I'm working on. so while I am pressing the shift key, it doesnt always work.

I can't wait to get rid of this laptop... Macbook I will have you yet!