Year of The "YOLO"

Another New Years Eve, where is the time going? I feel like I was just preparing to go ring in 2013 in Times Square and now I am getting ready to do it all over again for 2014. I have my layers ready! 

Of course I could not let this holiday pass without watching my all time favorite movie, yep you guessed it... New Years Eve!

As I look back on this year I am really happy with how I challenged myself in new and exciting ways and put myself out there. Always remembering to push myself out of my comfort zone and try things that I wouldn't normally do. I lived up to the YOLO (you only live once) saying and when I felt uncomfortable the little voice inside said YOLOOoooOooooOOO

Here are my top favorite moments of 2013:

1. St. Thomas!

2. Entering my first 5k and running better than I ever expected. 

3. And then beating that time in my second 5k.

4. Turning 21.

5. Getting my spin certification over the summer. Doing something I love!

6. Aruba. Enough said :)

7. Completing my methods courses successfully this semester. I feel so much more prepared standing in front of a classroom now.

8. Being The Elf :) 

9. Being persistent with my T1D management despite being disappointed and frustrated more often than I'd like.

10. The whole month of December because who loves Christmas?

Talk to you all next year! Have a SAFE and HAPPY new year! 

Hello From The Car Dealership

What better time to catch you all up then while I wait for my car to get inspected and an oil change.

Christmas has come and gone and I am so sad! No more Christmas music, movies, etc. Soon the red cups will be gone at Starbucks. It is very sad. However my Christmas festivities were pleasant as I hope all of yours were too.

Christmas Eve dinner and mass was great as always! It was COLD though.

After getting to sleep at 3am, Christmas got off to a slow start. I am lucky to say I had a very good Christmas with lots of nice things. Yay for new clothes! Here are some others...

Thank you Lindaloo! (Hope this post isn't too boring for you) 

 Loving my new Asics!!!! 

As much as I love Christmas and splurging I am happy to be back to my normal gym and eating routine. Remember T1D does not go away for the holidays so all of the food can get very overwhelming. After a very scary experience I had Thursday night with a severe hyperglycemia I have learned my lesson never to binge on cookies again.

Who is looking forward to the new year?! I love the opportunity to enter a new year and symbolically have a fresh start.

Also needed to share this. Thank you Tanya! 

Too funny! But sadly true. 

Only One More Sleep!

Well it is one of my most favorite days of the year, Christmas Eve! I cannot believe how it has crept up again. In my old age I am really understanding how fast time goes.

I am looking forward to dinner at my favorite restaurant Dazies with family and friends and then heading to midnight mass in Brooklyn. It has been our new tradition the past 3 years. After a busy day running from the gym, nail salon, bank, hair salon and of course, Starbucks I am looking forward to a great evening of great food and even better people!

 

There are so many Christmas Eve memories that fill my heart.... From feeling like the coolest kid when Santa would visit my home in Staten Island on Christmas Eve for pictures, to the skating shows I used to be in on Christmas Eve when I first moved out to Long Island... Although some of those very special people may no longer be here, I am grateful to have those memories and still enjoy this time of the year with those I love. 

I hope you all have an enjoyable Christmas and reflect on the most important parts of your life! 

Christmas Movie of The Day: Miracle on 34th Street

Christmas Song(s) of The Day: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Deck The Rooftop - Glee Cast

This will be sure to put you in a good mood!

"Which is worse? A lie that draws a smile or a truth that draws a tear?"

Baking Blues?

It wouldn't be Christmastime without some holiday baking. I love this part of the holiday season as it is so festive and it is really the only time of the year I do my own baking. Yesterday and today was spent doing just that. Luckily my friend Betty (gluten free) Crocker helped me out.

Sugar cookies were yesterday's project. My gingerbread men are looking a little off, but it was still fun making them with the cutter and the Christmas trees. Of course I added in some festive sprinkles.

Today I mastered my favorite, chocolate chip! These were so much harder because of all the prep and mixing the dough. If I knew it was going to be such an arm workout I would have saved it for the mixing and did a few extra squats this morning instead. Regardless, I successfully prepped the dough and baked!

I could not resist having one that was still warm.

They are, if I do say so myself pretty damn good!

This brings me to my love hate relationship with baking and any other type of splurge treat. Remember back to my post on the dark side of fitness? It kind of relates back to that. I am all for the YOLO and splurging once in awhile, but I wish I could let go of that guilty feeling. I try and tell myself that I do not eat "junk" on a regular basis. I should be able to treat myself and enjoy it without thinking twice during the holidays... but it is still easier said than done. It is just something I am working on. A big part of this has to do with the fact that trying to take the correct amount of insulin for these baked goods can be difficult. So therefore really enjoying myself without wondering "what is my blood sugar going to do" is not possible. It is amazing how a bad blood sugar can make you feel like the worst person on the planet. My goal for the next few days during the holiday eating madness is the practice self control and not think twice! Trying to look on the positive things too that I do like never slacking from the gym! It is all about balance. Funny how I can preach all of these things, but it is hard for me to remember them myself!

Anyway enough of that! 2 more sleeps til Christmas!

Christmas Movie of The Day: The Polar Express

Christmas Song of The Day: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

It wouldn't be Christmas without this classic!

Shopping, Santa & Starbucks

Yesterday was my dad and I's annual "Saturday Before Christmas Tradition." For the past 7 years on the Saturday before Christmas I go into work with my dad and really soak in Christmas in NYC. What better place to be able to do this than the iconic Macy's Herald Square! 

Yesterday we caught the 10:36am train and made it in time just for lunch! (I plan so well, don't I?) I always look forward to lunch at Cucina where their salad bar is up to Kim's standards!

Dad really did put me to work this time. I helped him pack up some boxes in preparation for his upcoming office move. After we made out rounds around the store. 

It was pretty warm this year which I was not a fan of. I like the winter chill on this particular day. 

Main entrance:

Walking around this store is definitely a workout. 

At 2:30 it was time to go see Big Red! 

3 hour wait? Not for us! It was great seeing my friend again. 

 

It's always nice when Sugar Plum and Santa catch up. 

After Santaland it was off to Starbucks. There are 4 to choose from in this store! 

Back to work it was..

I took a stroll along Holiday Lane and saw all of the ornaments and decorations. So much to choose from! 

A side note, I always have to be careful this day because walking around the largest department store can be a blood sugar issue (what else is new). I remember the first time we did this I dropped low about 5 times. Not fun trying to get from the main selling floor up to floor 9 in a panic. I am getting better though and learning more each year. 

After a hard day at work it was off to a nice dinner at a restaurant in Queens with friends Jack and Nilsa! I had 2 glasses of wine too! YOLO. 

I was wiped out at the end of the night! 

Hope you enjoyed reading about one of my favorite traditions. Hard to believe we have 3 sleeps til Christmas. 

Christmas Song of the Day: A New York Christmas - Rob Thomas 

Christmas Movie of the Day: The Year Without a Santa Claus 

One of my favorite ABC Family specials! 

Friday Favorites - Christmas

That's right people! Who is excited?

(but I really do know him)

I cannot believe it is December 20th! Here are a few of my favorites from this past week:

Favorite Christmas Nails:

Favorite Workout: Thursdays Studio Sampler Class & this mornings UFX Burn 3-2-1 class.

Perfect mega calorie burners. You have heard me talk about the Thursday class before. It was my first time back in awhile because of school. This morning was something I have never taken before and I am soooo sore. 3min cardio, 2min strength and 1min core. 6 rounds and each round includes different exercises. I WAS DRENCHED. In addition to them being insane workouts...they were all done to Christmas Music!

Favorite Trixie Sighting:

Favorite Christmas Hair (for kids):

and for adults:

Favorite Meme:

(Which I am proud to say I said NO to baking last night because I didn't want to over indulge. I am patiently awaiting my treat from my favorite bakery which will be here Monday. Stay tuned!)


Favorite Pat on The Back Moment: Another semester down!

(Not going to lie, disappointed with the B but still after a tough semester I'll take it!)

Favorite T1D Meme:

Christmas Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra

Christmas Movie: Miracle on 34th Street (both versions):

 

 

 

I am looking forward to one of my Christmas Traditions with my Dad tomorrow! It is going to be a fun day. Here is just a little part of our day that we do every year...