I'M BACK!!! (Omaha Blogger Meet-up)

I'm back..FINALLY!!  Sorry, but I had decided to take a break from blogging while I finished my last semester in college.  I was already stressed beyond my limits; why add to it?  Well now that that's over with I can get back to blogging!  First, I'll update everything that has happened recently!

First, in May I walked the stage for graduation!  Technically, I didn't graduate until this month because I had to take one class in June, but UNO has no ceremony for August graduates.

That's my family!  My parents, my brothers, my sis-in-law, and my brother's girlfriend!

I graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration, specializing in Small Business Management and a Minor in Marketing.  OF COURSE I celebrated after the ceremony with my friends

..and with a WOD- Burpees and Deadlifts.  FYI- late nights, shots, and crossfit don't mix!

Almost right after graduation I headed to visit my boyfriend in Davenport, IA.  He's currently playing for one of Houston Astros Single A teams.  I got to spend 6 days with him and it was exactly what I needed.  We hadn't seen each other since he left for spring training in March, I was stressed and overwhelmed by my last semester, and he is about the only person that I can completely and totally relax/be silly with and have 100% fun!  To say I needed to see him is an understatement!  Sadly, it went way too fast and had to head back to Omaha and get ready for my friend's wedding.

I was so excited because most of the "college" friends I have, I made at my first college.  I didn't really meet a whole lot of people at UNO since I already had so many friends from high school in town and I was entering in a year after everyone else had established their "cliques."  She was one of my closest friends because we had SO much in common!  We both had a love of history, which is actually where we met- World Civ II and where she met her husband!  She is my first friend to get married and I was so excited when she asked me to be a part of her big day!

Yeah, she has GREAT style.  I loved our dresses.

Then, since I don't technically get my degree until this month; I took a nannying job for the summer.  It was a ROUGH job- I spent hours by the pool catching some rays!  I also loved the fact that their mom was a dietician and therefore, I received LOTS and LOTS of fresh veggies from their garden!

July is when I started applying for jobs, so that I would hopefully be gainfully employed by the time I was finished nannying.  I interviewed at some local places and a couple that were out of town and finally decided to take a position with an insurance company in town.  In order to begin my career I had to study and pass FOUR licensing exams this weekend!  Guess what?!?

I DID IT!!!!!!  I passed them, holy crap I was stressed, sweaty, and all around FREAKING out, but I DID IT!!

This summer I completed ONLY two races and both were 5Ks.  This is pretty big for me considering I'm used to doing at least ONE marathon along with other races during the spring/summer.  It is definitely paying off though.  By focusing more on crossfit, I have put on A LOT of muscle and I'm not in pain as much!

My mom and I before the "Road to Omaha Run."  A 5K that coincided with The College World Series

My sis-in-law and I before "Midnight Madness 5K" in Ames, IA

I have another race planned in September.  Another 5K, but this one is FREE because Lululemon is AWESOME!!  They are offering a run down by the river followed by yoga, at no cost.  How awesome is that?!?

Most recently, I had the pleasure of meeting other local bloggers in the Omaha Metro Area!  Erin from GirlGoneVeggie.com wanted to connect to other local bloggers since she had just moved to the midwest and didn't really know anyone.  Well, she's awesome and got a bunch of us together for lunch at Ingredient Restaurant in Midtown Omaha.

It was so great meeting all these women!  No, we're not all fitness based which is awesome because we all have different interests and strengths.  I am more than excited to start picking their brains (especially beauty and fashion)!  We have all agreed that a once a month meet-up would be great, so expect updates to come....maybe even some fashion advice ;)  (well maybe if it contains spandex).

Okay, okay I've been dragging on but here's the LAST point I wanted to mention.  I always have this "bucket" list going on in my head.  I'm always mentally editing and adding all sorts of activities.  Amongst some of the activities have been: marathons (check), triathlon (check), be a bleach blonde (check), be a red head (check), be awesome (duh! check), graduate college (check)...okay I think you get the deal.  Well, there's been something lingering on my list for a couple years now and I've never gone for it because of fear.  Fear of failing, fear of being judged, and fear of the unknown.  Around my birthday I decided what the hell?  Who cares if I'm afraid?  I've learned that when I am afraid of scared of something, it's usually something I need to go after.  When I push past my fears, I find this whole other side of me I didn't know existed.  SOOO here it is......in May of 2014 I will be doing a bikini competition.

I have told two people in my life- my sister-in-law and one of my best friends.  I honestly don't care what people have to say about it.  I'm not doing it for the body, for a trophy (I don't even plan on winning), or anything like that.  I want to do it to prove to myself I can.  In high school, I remember telling my cross country coach I wanted to do a tri and run a marathon, but never thought I would.  Well now I have 5 marathons, 3 halfs, and a sprint tri under my belt.  Well, the same applies here.  I've always wanted to commit myself to something so completely- it's 100% physical and 100% mental just like my races.

I want to do it for myself.  I want to strut on that stage with an insane amount of confidence.  I've always been a little self-concious when it comes to my looks because of my skin condition.  I have Keratis Pilaris.  It is usually seen on the backs of people's arms.  They are little pimple-looking red/white bumps.  It is an overproduction of keratin causing "plugs" to clog the hair follicle.  At least that's what I've been told.  It is a condition that actually 75% of the population has, but mine happens to be one of the worst cases my dermatologist has seen.  It not only covers my arms, but also covers my legs.  Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about it other than deal.  Of course growing up when people would point it out, I'd get a little defensive.  There are times when I don't want to wear anything other than long sleeves and pants because I thought they looked so gross.  Well, I've decided to say "screw it" and no longer let me insecurity win.

I know this process will be long, sucky, and just plain brutal.  Well that sounds exactly like training for a marathon- grueling miles by myself, having to realize exactly what will happen when I put certain foods into my body and how it will affect my run.  I have already asked for guidance from the guys at Nutrishop Omaha.  They've started me out on a very healthy/well balanced diet.  I'm excited to see how this process will turn out and I will documenting all the ups and downs right here!

Well, that's everything. I think I caught you up on my crazy/hectic life since this spring..I can't believe that has all happened in less than 3 months!!  Til next time....