1. I'm chronologically the oldest of three, but I'm pretty sure I'm the most immature.
2. As a child I modeled, was in a television commercial, played guitar, accordian, and soccer. I was never really GREAT at any of them.
3. I always thought my parents were way too hard on me. . .until I became a teacher.
4. I worked at Disneyland for 4 years, and no I wasn't a character (although I did audition once).
5. I didn't find my confidence until my sophomore year of high school when I joined theater.
6. In high school I predicted that I would never be married or have children.
7. I love to sing, mostly in the shower or in the car where nobody else has to hear me.
8. While living in SF, I had a bad habit of inviting random travelers to spend the night in our apartment.
9. I've made some pretty poor decisions over the years but I don't regret one of them.
10. I walk slowly and don't often pay attention to where I'm going.
11. It's a really good thing I don't have to deal with money for a living.
12. I always see the good in people. Always.
13. I didn't intend on becoming a teacher. I didn't think I'd be very good at it.
14. I have my father's temperament.
15. I couldn't pronounce the word 'gum' when I was little, and for the longest time I called it 'dumb'.
16. I loved, loved, loved to skateboard and roller skate.
17. Most people have described me as "cute". I'm still holding out for "sophisticated and alluring".
18. I struggle with my faith. Daily.
19. Every year there's at least one student I want to adopt.
20. I cry really, really easily. Especially when I'm frustrated.
21. I don't hold my pencil properly.
22. I have a hard time falling asleep unless the TV's on.
23. I wish I lived in Arizona.
24. I think politics tends to bring out the worst in people.
25. I miss my family every day, and I don't tell them that enough.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Mental Feng Shui
ONE.
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. . When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
(Number 17's my favorite)
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. . When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
(Number 17's my favorite)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Gym crazy. . .
I've had more than one request to post 'before/after' shots from The Challenge. I hesitated to do so only because I am still a work in progress. Please keep that in mind when you look at the 'after' photo. Since the end of the official Challenge I have lost another 8 lbs., which puts me at 32 lbs. total since February. I have a goal of 20 more before year's end. I am well on my way. . .
Now, if I could only talk Patti into posting her before/afters. She's seriously amazing!
In the words of Maya Angelou. . .
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I get lost"
That is why I chose this way.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I am weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
But God believes I'm worth it.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I seek HIS name.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I get lost"
That is why I chose this way.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I am weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
But God believes I'm worth it.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I seek HIS name.
When I say "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Guilty as charged. . .
I tried, really I did.
The pull was just too great. And the guilt crept in shortly after the second day. It was literally all I could think about. And every time I sat down to do something mundane (grade papers, check Facebook), the little voice in my head mocked me.
So today I gave in. It would have been day four, but my body couldn't take it. I've officially developed a habit.
The gym is oddly quiet on Sundays, as I've recently discovered, and it felt completely different to be there because I 'wanted to' and not because I 'had to'. Our final weigh-in was last Thursday, and I'd taken a few days off to relax and bask in the glory of a hard three months. Walking through the doors this afternoon of my own volition and not as part of The Challenge was a liberating feeling. Don't get me wrong, having the push of the contest at my back has been incredibly motivating and I certainly wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for that blessing. But working out today, well, it just seemed less stressful even though the workout was just as difficult as it had always been.
* * *
The Challenge is officially over. Results will be announced on Thursday. I am infinitely proud of my Top 5 status, and will be happy wherever I place. I never dreamed I would have made it this far. I've been spending a lot of hours thinking back on the journey: the good, the bad, and the ugly. There have been many, many highlights and low lights throughout these past months. Here are just a few of the things I remember most:
* The day I met the Hanford team in the parking lot of Blockbuster, driving to the KDUV studio, and thinking that we'd left Jennifer behind.
* Eating our "last supper" after our informational meeting, In-n-Out Burgers (I haven't had one since)
* Meeting Mike and thinking he was way too young to be our trainer.
* Zumba.
* Our first team workout, and crying because I couldn't skip rope very well (and still can't).
* Hillary's stepping down so that Jennifer could stay on the team.
* Mike-isms: "lower your butt", "five more", "breathe", "failure is not an option".
* My radio interview with Shannon Steele.
* Patti's "dance" across the pool and laughing so hard we nearly drowned.
* Four-hour workouts before weigh-in.
* Mike's feeble attempt to get me to run through the city of Hanford.
* Retiring some of my old clothes.
* Learning to love broccoli, brown rice, chicken, and protein shakes (okay, not truly loving them, but "adjusting").
* Learning to prioritize my life.
* Realizing that God does answer all types of prayers (even the "just five more reps" variety).
* Seeing my before/after pictures.
There was a certain level of sadness when I left the gym after weigh-in, and it's continued through the weekend. There's a lyric from Hillsong that pretty much sums it up for me:
"I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again."
I know that I've said this before and I'll say it again. I am ETERNALLY thankful to KDUV, to Trainer Mike, to my teammates (especially Patti and Jenn who are THE BEST cheerleaders ever!), and all my friends and family who have supported and prayed for me while I've been on this journey. May your cup runneth over with blessing after blessing.
The journey's only just begun. . .I'll keep you posted.
The pull was just too great. And the guilt crept in shortly after the second day. It was literally all I could think about. And every time I sat down to do something mundane (grade papers, check Facebook), the little voice in my head mocked me.
So today I gave in. It would have been day four, but my body couldn't take it. I've officially developed a habit.
The gym is oddly quiet on Sundays, as I've recently discovered, and it felt completely different to be there because I 'wanted to' and not because I 'had to'. Our final weigh-in was last Thursday, and I'd taken a few days off to relax and bask in the glory of a hard three months. Walking through the doors this afternoon of my own volition and not as part of The Challenge was a liberating feeling. Don't get me wrong, having the push of the contest at my back has been incredibly motivating and I certainly wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for that blessing. But working out today, well, it just seemed less stressful even though the workout was just as difficult as it had always been.
* * *
The Challenge is officially over. Results will be announced on Thursday. I am infinitely proud of my Top 5 status, and will be happy wherever I place. I never dreamed I would have made it this far. I've been spending a lot of hours thinking back on the journey: the good, the bad, and the ugly. There have been many, many highlights and low lights throughout these past months. Here are just a few of the things I remember most:
* The day I met the Hanford team in the parking lot of Blockbuster, driving to the KDUV studio, and thinking that we'd left Jennifer behind.
* Eating our "last supper" after our informational meeting, In-n-Out Burgers (I haven't had one since)
* Meeting Mike and thinking he was way too young to be our trainer.
* Zumba.
* Our first team workout, and crying because I couldn't skip rope very well (and still can't).
* Hillary's stepping down so that Jennifer could stay on the team.
* Mike-isms: "lower your butt", "five more", "breathe", "failure is not an option".
* My radio interview with Shannon Steele.
* Patti's "dance" across the pool and laughing so hard we nearly drowned.
* Four-hour workouts before weigh-in.
* Mike's feeble attempt to get me to run through the city of Hanford.
* Retiring some of my old clothes.
* Learning to love broccoli, brown rice, chicken, and protein shakes (okay, not truly loving them, but "adjusting").
* Learning to prioritize my life.
* Realizing that God does answer all types of prayers (even the "just five more reps" variety).
* Seeing my before/after pictures.
There was a certain level of sadness when I left the gym after weigh-in, and it's continued through the weekend. There's a lyric from Hillsong that pretty much sums it up for me:
"I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again."
I know that I've said this before and I'll say it again. I am ETERNALLY thankful to KDUV, to Trainer Mike, to my teammates (especially Patti and Jenn who are THE BEST cheerleaders ever!), and all my friends and family who have supported and prayed for me while I've been on this journey. May your cup runneth over with blessing after blessing.
The journey's only just begun. . .I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
From the mouths of babes. . .
I stole the survey from a friend's Facebook page. She asked her five year old the same questions. I decided to turn it into a morning assignment at school last week. The answers come from a class of 19 third-graders. How they view me is, at times, eye-opening.
1. What is something Miss Montoya always says to you?
"Brainiac, Fart-smeller, Correctamundo" ('fart-smeller' came from my father, instead of 'smart feller')
2. What makes Miss Montoya happy?
"When we are all being quiet" (this was a common answer--they know me all too well)
3. What makes Miss Montoya sad?
"When Yadira is gone" (true. . .she moved before any of us had a chance to say 'good-bye')
4. How does Miss Montoya make you laugh?
"When she makes a mistake" (thanks, kid)
5. What did Miss Montoya like to do as a child?
"Play outside" (no Wii, Xbox, or Nintendos back then--shocking!)
6. How old is Miss Montoya?
"Somewhere between 21-51" (must be the 'man hands')
7. How tall is Miss Montoya?
"Somewhere between 2 yards-10 feet" (guess I need to revisit the measurement unit)
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
"She likes to watch OPRA" (not really, but I like the way she spelled it)
9. What does Miss Montoya do when you're not around?
"She marks you apsent" (sic) (that's one way to look at it)
10. If Miss Montoya becomes famous, what will it be for?
"Being a great teacher" (of course)
11. What is Miss Montoya really good at?
"Teaching" (go figure)
12. What is Miss Montoya not very good at?
"Remembering" (hey, I'm nearly "51", what do you expect)
13. What does Miss Montoya do for her job?
"Third grade teacher" (that was very specific, good job)
14. What is Miss Montoya's favorite food?
"Sushi and spaghetti" (though not at the same time)
15. What makes Miss Montoya proud of you?
"To never give up" (really, nothing does make me prouder)
16. If Miss Montoya were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Miss Puff" (apparently I don't watch enough Sponge Bob to know who that is)
17. What kinds of things do you work on with Miss Montoya?
"A lot of math" (apparently not enough if we're having "age/height" issues)
18. How are you and Miss Montoya the same?
"We go to the same church" (must have been the Pastor's son)
19. How are you and Miss Montoya different?
"Miss Montoya's smarter" (A+ for that kid)
20. How do you know Miss Montoya likes you?
"Because she likes everybody" (for the most part, my dear, for the most part)
1. What is something Miss Montoya always says to you?
"Brainiac, Fart-smeller, Correctamundo" ('fart-smeller' came from my father, instead of 'smart feller')
2. What makes Miss Montoya happy?
"When we are all being quiet" (this was a common answer--they know me all too well)
3. What makes Miss Montoya sad?
"When Yadira is gone" (true. . .she moved before any of us had a chance to say 'good-bye')
4. How does Miss Montoya make you laugh?
"When she makes a mistake" (thanks, kid)
5. What did Miss Montoya like to do as a child?
"Play outside" (no Wii, Xbox, or Nintendos back then--shocking!)
6. How old is Miss Montoya?
"Somewhere between 21-51" (must be the 'man hands')
7. How tall is Miss Montoya?
"Somewhere between 2 yards-10 feet" (guess I need to revisit the measurement unit)
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
"She likes to watch OPRA" (not really, but I like the way she spelled it)
9. What does Miss Montoya do when you're not around?
"She marks you apsent" (sic) (that's one way to look at it)
10. If Miss Montoya becomes famous, what will it be for?
"Being a great teacher" (of course)
11. What is Miss Montoya really good at?
"Teaching" (go figure)
12. What is Miss Montoya not very good at?
"Remembering" (hey, I'm nearly "51", what do you expect)
13. What does Miss Montoya do for her job?
"Third grade teacher" (that was very specific, good job)
14. What is Miss Montoya's favorite food?
"Sushi and spaghetti" (though not at the same time)
15. What makes Miss Montoya proud of you?
"To never give up" (really, nothing does make me prouder)
16. If Miss Montoya were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Miss Puff" (apparently I don't watch enough Sponge Bob to know who that is)
17. What kinds of things do you work on with Miss Montoya?
"A lot of math" (apparently not enough if we're having "age/height" issues)
18. How are you and Miss Montoya the same?
"We go to the same church" (must have been the Pastor's son)
19. How are you and Miss Montoya different?
"Miss Montoya's smarter" (A+ for that kid)
20. How do you know Miss Montoya likes you?
"Because she likes everybody" (for the most part, my dear, for the most part)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Man hands. . .
I have an evil awful habit. I'm an avid nail biter. No bad tasting polish nor fake acrylic can keep me from pick, pick, picking at them. It's a horrible vice that I've had since I was a child. At 14, when the orthodontist put my braces on, my mom was convinced that I'd not be able to continue to chew on my hands. But folks, where there's a will there's a way, and soon I'd learned how to maneuver around all that metal. Occasionally, I'll find myself in the nail salon having falsies put on for one special occasion or another. And for a week (minimally) my natural nails will have an opportunity to thrive, that is, until, I'm able to see them growing under the acrylic, at which time I will pick at them from underneath.
It's sad, I know. I definitely need an intervention.
I'm fairly confident in the fact that I don't really look my full 42 years of age. I suppose it's partly due to my freckles, and partly due to my attitude. However, if you were to look at my hands, especially lately, you might think I was much older.
Since continuing The Challenge, I've recently noticed the development of callouses on the palms of my hands. Apparently they've been there for a while, just never paid much attention. All this weight-lifting has given me what I call "man hands." I showed them to Trainer Mike last night. The conversation went down something like this:
Me: Look, I've got man hands!
TM: So?
Me: It's gross!
TM: I've got them too.
Me: But you're a man!
TM: (shrugs his shoulders) Buy some gloves.
Apparently my dilemma was lost on him.
Oh, and I'm not ready to buy 'gloves'. Gloves are for serious lifters, and while I'm completely serious about this Challenge, I'm not quite athletic enough to wear weight-lifting gloves. Maybe when I make it to "buff and toned" status then I'll invest in the gloves.
Until then, please, don't look at my hands. You might consider that I'm lying about my age. . .
It's sad, I know. I definitely need an intervention.
I'm fairly confident in the fact that I don't really look my full 42 years of age. I suppose it's partly due to my freckles, and partly due to my attitude. However, if you were to look at my hands, especially lately, you might think I was much older.
Since continuing The Challenge, I've recently noticed the development of callouses on the palms of my hands. Apparently they've been there for a while, just never paid much attention. All this weight-lifting has given me what I call "man hands." I showed them to Trainer Mike last night. The conversation went down something like this:
Me: Look, I've got man hands!
TM: So?
Me: It's gross!
TM: I've got them too.
Me: But you're a man!
TM: (shrugs his shoulders) Buy some gloves.
Apparently my dilemma was lost on him.
Oh, and I'm not ready to buy 'gloves'. Gloves are for serious lifters, and while I'm completely serious about this Challenge, I'm not quite athletic enough to wear weight-lifting gloves. Maybe when I make it to "buff and toned" status then I'll invest in the gloves.
Until then, please, don't look at my hands. You might consider that I'm lying about my age. . .
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