Sauna Etiquette

My two guy friends and myself usually go to the gym, do our own respected workouts then go sit in the sauna together.  I understand that there will always be that one person that messes up on the sauna etiquette (in my mind)  You know that guy that's trying to pick a fight with you over useless current events or hitting on you. 

Haha, yep seems about right...

Yesterday evening was not an exception to this idea.  Last night, my buddies and I go into the sauna and sure enough here comes the weirdo, who farmer blew his nose, put his grimy hands on the seat & magazine he was reading...all proceeding to rub his stomach and chest.  What?  Why are you sitting 1. super close to me and 2. awkwardly rubbing yourself.  Excuse me, sir, you are not in here alone!
As I was sitting there trying not to gage, I thought of a few Sauna Etiquette rules that need to be posted on the door as you walk in.

1. Chatting is okay, yelling is not.
2. Don't sweat/sneeze/cough on the person next to you
3. Avoid staring at people's bodies - they notice; don't be a creep!
4. Just start a conversation if you want- again don't awkwardly stare
5. If you start to get dizzy or have a hard time breathing- Get OUT

I remember when I was studying abroad in Ireland at the student rec center or should I say room.  The thing was tiny but they had a really great sign as you walked in of the rules.  Basically, it said to wear clothes, don't smell, don't hit on/oogle over other people in the gym, and don't steal anything.  Of course it said this in a very Irish, funny way.  Once again interactions at the gym crack me up!

How do people do it!

So far after I made my goals for 2012 I haven't been doing so well on that updating the blog more regularly. Sorry about that!  I've been feeling overwhelmed lately with the new job at Office Max.  I've been working roughly 35 hours a week in the print shop and learning all the new systems they are running off.  I understand that undergraduate and graduate school are different but dang I don't remember how I worked, volunteered, trained for my half, did well in school, and had some type of down time when I was in undergrad.  I have a larger respect for people who work full time and go to school - you guys rock!    .....and do you have any tips?!?!

On another note, I've been sick for the past week or so which has put yet another small hault on my workout schedule.  I went to the gym last night after work, I figured I was feeling better, might as well give it a shot.  I get to the gym and guess what I forgot - a sports bra!  Man, I hate when that happens normally I would just leave; I'm not above admitting that I"ll leave.  Last night I was just so determined to get a workout in; so I tried working out in a normal bra and a fleece half zip - worst experience ever!!

1st of all so uncomfortable and I was dying of heat!  How in the heck to people run/work out in a normal bra and wear long sleeves?!? Note to self: always recheck the gym bag before leaving for work/school!

I got a new job!

I recently have been MIA in the world of blogging-imagine that.  Some days I do really well and have so many great things to share but lately I can't seem to come up with anything worth sharing.  So here is what I got today- I got a new job.  I'm really excited about it; it's at Office Max in the Impress area. I'm returning to my days of working at a print shop, to be honest I kinda missed doing that kind of stuff.  What I'm still having a hard time doing...dealing with the customers, different paperwork forms, and all the different transactions possible on the register.  I figure it all takes time but I enjoy having something else to do besides school. 

New Year's Resolutions

I know what you are thinking, it's the end of January and this fool is now just starting her resolutions.  Yep!  Here's the thing, I really view Easter as the new year.  It's weird I know but for me Easter has always meant new life, new beginnings, close to my birthday so literally a new year of life for me..boo ya!  I also like to take the month of January and really think about some goals or resolutions I'd like to accomplish or work towards in the coming year. After I've thought of some good resolutions, I write them down, post them where I can see them, and then I start around the 1st of February.  Some are kinda silly, some will be a very big challenge but I'm excited about it!  A little challenge here and there is good, makes you a stronger person. 

In this coming year, I'd like to...(in no particular order)

1. wear my retainer every single night!
2. learn more about the family business
3. increase my knowledge on hobbies my family does
4. move onto bigger and better things or ideas...don't stop dreaming
5. complete the Certificate of Public Health Sciences with stellar grades
6. get accepted into the full Master of Public Health program
7. be okay with the idea that "normal" is different for everyone & truly accept my limitations
8. find some sort of job, take another course, or volunteer in more diverse areas
9. tattoo Believe on my left rib cage with my brother while he gets his rib piece
10. decide between Physician Assistant School and Medical School and just go for it
11. be more open with people, put myself out there more
12. update my blog more regularly

Here is my list of things I'd like to accomplish this year, if I hit the mark on all of them great, if I don't no worries.  Always got next year! 

How easy it is to forget...

I'll admit it; I slipped up on the fitness aspect of my life.  I got sucked into the holidays, finals craziness, being sick, and traveling which meant working out was.not.a.priority.  I regret this decision.  Why? I gained a few lbs. I forgot how much work getting back into shape was (not that I was in shape to begin with haha).  Most importantly, I forgot my pain that is associated with exercising and getting into shape.  I forgot that lovely depression stage in the cycle of chronic pain, that you feel wicked depressed but you aren't sure why.  Let me tell you something...I remember now.

This past week has been a struggle, filled with pain, a few tears (hate to admit that one!), sleeping more than is appropriate, slight isolation, and transitions.  I can't change the constant battle I have with my body and while my body is slowly resetting itself to once again handle the stress I put it under to be active and live my life; I will be resetting my way of thinking.  It's gunna be a slow process folks but as a dear friend told me, "You can't keep giving up on yourself and your body when you feel defeated or get owned by something... You have to keep believing in yourself and trying different things."

One day at a time...

Taking a Bath

I really enjoy taking a shower; showering is super relaxing and a great stress reducer.  No joke, I could end every single day with a shower.  I have been known to shower at 2 or 3 in the morning, all the crappy things about the day wash away & you can be so fresh, so clean, clean before going to bed!

Taking a bath on the other, stresses.me.out.  When I told this to my mom, she laughed at me and said, "That's funny because you used to love bathes so you could play in the water."  Well Mommadukes, times have changed.

Reasons why it stresses me out:

1. You are sitting in your own filth! You bathe to get clean not get more dirty.duh.
2. I'm too tall for standard tubs!
3. Water gets cold
4. I get cold
5. Don't get an ounce of relaxation, only anxiety
6. Hello instant bacterial growth
7. Soap scum left on your skin?  Um, I'll pass thanks.

SICK!

I wish I could enjoy taking a bath like a majority of the population; reading a book, being surrounded by candles, listening to music, I just can't.  Hot tubes, yeah I can get down on that.  I mean you are wearing a bathing suit, fully sunk in water, have chemicals, and super hot water-chances are you'll get too hot instead of cold. 

Does the thought of taking a bath completely freak anyone else out?  

My Best Friend's Wedding

This past weekend my best friend from high school got married in a beautiful evening ceremony; she looked gorgeous and beyond happy.  Of course, me being me never experiences a dull moment when I come home to visit.  For starters, my car was getting a tune up and wasn't finished.  Although we have a lot of other things I could drive they were occupied.  So how did I get to my friends wedding dressed in my wedding best...my dad's diesel work pickup. Haha That thing was no easy task getting in and out in a skirt let me tell you, but it got me to my friend's big day and I'm very thankful it did!!

I had the privilege to help her and her family decorate the reception on Thursday morning and even had lunch with them!  The wedding was an elegant snow flake, emerald green theme.  The center pieces were simplistic, beautiful, and something you would see on Pinterest- simply stunning!  I had such a great time at her wedding; it was great to see old friends and meet Erin's friends from college.  I would definitely relive that night- I love weddings!  I have the most beautiful friends a girl could ask for (on the inside and out) and enjoy spending time with them when I'm home!