Not Me Monday

Its Monday and you know what that means.... it time for yet another round of NOT ME MONDAY!!

1. I did NOT text message my boyfriend at 1:30am this morning to make sure he was alive and well after having a nightmare that he died.


2. When my alarm sounded at the very butt crack of dawn (5:00am) I most certainly did NOT hit the snooze button until 6:30, twenty minuets before I had to leave, giving myself no other option than to run out the door in day old sweats, no make-up, sun glasses, and yucky dirty hair pulled into an oh so lovely pony tail.


3. Once I arrived at school I did NOT sleep yet another 30 minuets in my car prior to class beginning.


4. On my way home from class I did NOT swing by my parents house to raid their refrigerator simply because mine currently has nothing more than a month old container or OJ and some miscellaneous salad dressings.


5. After filling my grumbling tummy, I did NOT go home to my apartment only to find a pile of dishes in my sink and clothes covering almost every square inch of my bedroom floor. That kind of mess is disgusting, and NOT at all indicative of the way I live.


6. I did NOT ignore my dogs plea to go for a walk so I could talk on the phone with my sister. That kind of behavior is absolutely inconsiderate!


7. On top of it all, I am NOT having one of those days where I feel bloated, fat, cranky, and out of shape all rolled into one.


8. I am NOT sitting here wasting time missing my boyfriend while he is away on a two month business trip. Who ever heard of a business trip lasting two freaking months anyway?!?!


9. And last but not least, I did NOT spend my afternoon walking around the San Diego Zoo taking pictures when I should have been cleaning. I am NOT that irresponsible.

Back to School

32 Days Left! (see you soon babe!)

Sadly today is the last day of spring break, which means tomorrow marks the beginning of having no life once again. As much as I hate being a student, the prospect of being a nurse at the end of it all makes this whole process worth while. I was thrilled the other day when my mom bought me my first pair of scrubs. Now it could just be the excitement of it all, but I truly believe my new scrubs are the cutest scrubs any hospital has ever seen!! As I paraded around my parents house in my purple and teal scrubs with a stethoscope around my neck, I couldnt help but picture myself running around a busy hospital helping those in need.

Now this isnt a picture of me of course because I forgot to take a pic, so here is the catalog picture of my adorable new scrubs...

I also had the privilege that day of putting in my first IV (on my poor dad who was such a good sport) with the help and instruction from the nurse of all nurses.... my mom! I must admit I was nervous at first, but once I got the hang of it, puttin in IV's felt no harder than tying my own shoes. It was then I was reminded of exactly why it is I go to school and work my butt off everyday.... because in the end it will be far worth all my hard work.

Distance

Call me corny but I just cant help myself.... I miss my boyfriend like CRAZY! I knew when I first met Casey that he would be leaving on a two month business trip to Minnesota from March to May, but I honestly wasn't prepared for just how much I'd miss having him around. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but if you ask me..... distance sucks! I miss how he makes me laugh, I miss talking to him with a glass of wine all curled up on the couch, I miss cooking dinner for him, I miss running errands with him, I miss how we both make fun of each other, I miss making him watch all my reality TV shows with me, I miss the way he calms me down when I get upset, I miss the way he makes me feel beautiful when I'm around him, I miss making up with him after an argument, I miss the way he challenges me and pushes me to think outside the box, I miss quiet nights together in my apartment with candles and music playing in the background, and of course I miss kissing him more than anything!! :-) I've now officially started the countdown.... 34 days until he comes home!! Everyday without him is a challenge, but I know the Lord is using this time apart to strengthen our relationship.

Beautifully Curvy

Ok I must admit, watching the E! television show Keeping Up With The Kardashians is probably one of my most embarrassing guilty pleasures. The show has absolutely no morals, is so obviously scripted, and contains no depth or meaning what so ever, yet for some reason I'm completely enamored and fascinated by these three wealthy and beautiful sisters. On the most recent episode, Khloe Kardashian daringly poses nude for PETA's "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" ad, and while I dont in any way condone posing nude for ads that will be plastered on billboards for the world to see, I do think its about damn time the world sees a REAL woman's body in all its glory, rather than some size zero flawless bodied model. Thank you Khole for giving girls confidence to embrace their curves!!

BREAKING NEWS:
As of June 1st 2009 I will officially be living in Scottsdale Arizona!! I couldnt be more excited about moving to my new city. As scared and nervous as I am to make this HUGE transition in my life, I know God has wonderful things planned for me in Arizona, and I couldnt be more excited about the journey ahead. Please keep me in your prayers as I embarke on this new beginning. Below is a video called "God of This City" (one of my favorite worship songs) with viedo scenery of my new hometown of Scottsdale! Enjoy.

Prayers Needed

Ok guys I could really use some prayer right now. Each time I visit my sister in Arizona I find myself wanting to move out here more and more.... and as I sit here typing in the gorgeous Arizona sun, I cant imagine living anywhere else. Yesterday my sister and I took the day to apartment hunt, and to my delight there was a plethora of beautiful apartments in my price range! Unfortunately, there are a few factors keeping me from going ahead and signing a lease TODAY. No matter what, I want to be living where God wants me. I want to flourish where He knows I will flourish best. Please be in prayer that God would reveal His will for me and give me a complete peace about the decision. Thanks everyone!

This is a picture of the front entrance of the apartment complex I'm DYING to live in :-)

A Sister Weekend Is In Order!!

YAY, tomorrow I leave for Arizona!!! Thats right, its "sistah" time! Those of you who know me well, know that my older sister isnt just family, she's my best friend in the entire world. I tell her anything and everything, and as we grow older we become even closer than before. Most of the time when my sister and I see each other we're surrounded by family or friends, so rarely do we get the opportunity to hang out alone with each other for an entire weekend. Fortunately, this weekend her husband is on a snowboarding trip with some buddies so you know what that means...... watch out Arizona here comes the Riolo sisters!!! :-) I'll be sure to take lots of pics and blog about the weekend.

See you soon SISTER!!!!

Casey's Birthday

This past Monday (Feb. 23) just so happened to be my adorable boyfriend's 24th Birthday, and in celebration of such an event, I threw him a private Birthday Party for two. Here are some pictures of the decorated apartment....

It might be hard to tell in this picture, but the whole apartment was filled with candles that where lite when he walked in :-)

A close up shot of the table

The beautiful double layer chocolate cake I baked him myself

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY!!!! XOXOX

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Today marks the beginning of the 2009 National Eating Disorder Awareness Week!! Its a time we can all come together and fight for an end to eating disorders once and for all. I'll bet not one of you reading this blog right now had any idea that an eating disorder awareness week even existed... and that is precisely the problem! More women die each year from eating disorders than breast cancer!!!! But no one seems knows this. Why?? Its time we start talking about it. Its time to put down our shame and embarrassment and speak out. I'm not proud by any means of what I did to my body, but I refuse to remain silent and allow millions of young girls suffer. Eating disorders can be eradicated, but we need your help!

What Can You Do to Help Prevent Eating Disorders?

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  Learn all you can about anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Genuine awareness will help you avoid judgmental or mistaken attitudes about food, weight, body shape, and eating disorders.


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  Discourage the idea that a particular diet, weight, or body size will automatically lead to happiness and fulfillment.


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  Choose to challenge the false belief that thinness and weight loss are great, while body fat and weight gain are horrible or indicate laziness, worthlessness, or immorality.


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  Avoid categorizing foods as “good/safe” vs. “bad/dangerous.” Remember, we all need to eat a balanced variety of foods.


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  Decide to avoid judging others and yourself on the basis of body weight or shape. Turn off the voices in your head that tell you that a person’s body weight says anything about their character, personality, or value as a person.


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  Avoid conveying an attitude that says, “I will like you better if you lose weight, or don’t eat so much, etc.”


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  Become a critical viewer of the media and its messages about self-esteem and body image. Talk back to the television when you hear a comment or see an image that promotes thinness at all costs. Rip out (or better yet, write to the editor about ) advertisements or articles in your magazines that make you feel bad about your body shape or size


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  If you think someone has an eating disorder, express your concerns in a forthright, caring manner. Gently but firmly encourage the person to seek trained professional help.


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  Be a model of healthy self-esteem and body image. Recognize that others pay attention and learn from the way you talk about yourself and your body. Choose to talk about yourself with respect and appreciation. Choose to value yourself based on your goals, accomplishments, talents, and character. Avoid letting the way you feel about your body weight and shape determine the course of your day. Embrace the natural diversity of human bodies and celebrate your body’s unique shape and size.


• 
  Support local and national nonprofit eating disorders organizations — like the National Eating Disorders Association

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder but dont know how or where to get help, start by calling The Nation Eating Disorder Association's toll free hot line at 1-800-931-2237.

Dont just stand by this week.... do something! There are girls that need you, believe me I know!

Your Daily Dose of Empowerment

Why is it men and women both unanimously agree that being a woman is most definitely more difficult than being a man? Further more, why is it that we as women have settled into a life of resignation when it comes to our struggle with body image, food, and weight? I've heard women say time and time again that to some extent obsessing over our bodies is a "normal" thing for women to do. WHY? What about body dissatisfaction is normal? Its nothing more than an excuse if you ask me. I dont know about you, but I dont want to spend my entire life hating my body or wishing it could be different... what a waste of energy and emotion. Who said that as women this is our cross to bear? NOT ME THATS FOR SURE! I'm fully aware that as I age my body will continue to change, but why are we all trying so desperately hard to keep that from happening? We should be wearing our ever changing bodies as badges of honor... not failure. Now dont be mistaken, I too am guilty of riding the seemingly never ending merry-go-round of body image issues... but I'll be damned if I let myself believe that its "just the way life is". Next time you look at your cellulite, thick thighs, fluffy tummy, or big butt, dare to fight back. Big butt?? SAYS WHO? Ugly hair? SAYS WHO? Who made the rule that only skinny girls with stick legs, big boob, perfect hair, and flawless skin were beautiful? Its time to change our definition of beauty. Its time to be proud of who we are and what we look like. Its time stop letting our unrealistic ideal of the "perfect figure" dictate what we eat, what we wear, or what we do. Dont promise to love who you are five pounds from now... just do it NOW! It wont be easy I can promise you that.... but it will be worth it. I dont know about you, but I'm done believing that all women are doomed to struggle with body image their entire life.... thats ridiculous, and I bet it makes God incredibly sad.