Really?

If you're famous and rich, there's no excuse to walk around looking like this:

What look is this? Who decided homeless fashion is cool?

Make a Difference

Please help make a difference in someone's life. The internet is an amazing thing and it has helped unite millions across the globe. Together we can change things for the better. You don't have to be rich or powerful to make a difference. You just have to stand up for what's right.

Please visit Invisible Children. Watch the video and help to change to world for better.

"Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live" - IC Campaign

V-Day Cupcakes

I pinned this awhile ago on Pinterest and I knew that I wanted to make them for Valentine's Day. I think they came out pretty good, at least for my first try.

Here are the results:







Here are the lessons I learned:

1. Clean as you go. It made the end dishes much more manageable.
2. I need another cupcake pan, one is not enough.
3. I suck at making frosting, need to work on this... I want fluffy frosting.
4. Don't fill the tins too much. 1/3 is not that much batter.

Taking them to work tomorrow so they disappear but don't end up in my stomach.

Links

If you want to know more about my CrossFit journey, check out my CF dedicated blog: From Bats to Barbells or click the link on the right.

See you there!

Taking the plunge...

Well, I said I was gonna sign up and looky looky I did! I'm proud of myself, mostly because lately I've been saying I want/need to do a lot of things and then I just sit on my behind. I found CrossFit East Village and my trainer friend highly recommended it. Even though it was raining, I got in the car after work and took the "10" minute drive to the box.

Note: Box is CrossFit slang for gym and it didn't take 10 minutes to drive there because there is a bunch of construction and I had to navigate the one-way streets.

Needless to say, I found parking and made my way in. Thank goodness the "front desk" was near the door. I hate when you walk in to someplace new and can't find someone to talk to, I just feel like an idiot wandering around. Ya know? The guy at the desk was named Drew and very nice and helpful. He got me signed up and scheduled for my Foundations class. For those that know nothing about starting CrossFit, you have to take a Foundations class before starting Workouts of the Day (WODs) to learn the basic movements, then you can sign up for the daily classes offered. At CFEV, the Foundations class is three sessions over one week and cost $150. While that may seem like a lot, think of it and three (most likely) one-on-one personal training sessions. That's only $50 a session! Most outside gyms cost about $75-$100 per session. Then the monthly at CFEV is $75. That is the cheapest in the city. Maybe anywhere. I haven't found another cheaper in CA, HI, or CO. And you can attend as many classes as you want. At CrossFit Waipio back home in Hawaii, it's $100 a month and you can only go to two classes a week. I think I found a good deal and it's convenient for me. Double score.

I haven't been this excited for a workout in a long time and hopefully this is the change that I have been looking for to get where I want to be.

Living simply... not a simple task

With so much chaos going on in my life the past few years (two deployments, family turmoil, and a major location shift), I've been trying to take the time to relax and get my life back on track lately. While that seems like an easy task here, it hasn't really turned out the way I want yet. Don't get me wrong, after two deployments I love the idea that I get to go home every day now and don't have to work weekends. Yet, it seems as if I've overloaded myself so much that I'm still not getting things done.

I have all these grand plans... things I want to do and places I want to see. I think so far I've been trying to do everything and in turn, I've done nothing. There are so many ideas floating around in my head that I just get stressed out trying to pick one to do. I think it's time to take a step back and work on prioritizing things.

Long Term Goal
Up first on the list (one of my resolutions): Get back into a consistent workout schedule and tone up.

Accomplishing this by joining a CrossFit gym. My friend is a trainer and has convinced me. Sounds challenging and fun and I can't wait to start really lifting and training again.

Short Term Goal
My house and room are continuosly in a state of mess. I'm going to work on doing a little every day after getting home. You know, before I hunker down in front of the tv. **fingers crossed for this one**

Updates on all to follow.

Imperial Beach Love

When I first told people that I was living in Imperial Beach, I got the look of "why in the world would you want to live there?" from most people.

So yeah, it's close to Mexico... so close that you can see it from the pier and maybe a really tall person could see it from my balcony. Yeah, it is a ways south and most "hip" places to visit are about a 20 minute drive. And it doesn't have the awesome nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter.

But here are the things I love:

The pier is a half block walk from my front door. It has spectacular sunset views and is a nice place to walk along and take a break from life.
The Tin Fish restaurant at the end of the pier has some amazing fish tacos, well worth the quarter mile pier walk.
I have a front row seat from my balcony to all the holiday fireworks shows.
I can walk from my house to the beach... no driving, parking searching required.
There is a surf spot right there, immediately loved that.
Every Friday there is a Farmer's Market with fresh, organic fruit and veggies as well as local vendors.
The people here are really friendly.

So for all the naysayers around, come down and experience IB. It's not what you think.