July 21, 2011: Unexpected Expectations

How can one truly expect the unexpected when there is so much in the unknown? So to my readers out there... I must first apologize! I will be a better blogger, this I vow from today on out! I have neglected this lovely page for far too long!
Okay back to the subject matter. The last 5 months for me have been insane and eventful. I know that the goal of this blog is for impowerment of women, but I wanted to bring up the many things that make us the way we are.
We as women have an amazing ability to adapt in an almost chameleon like fashion! I am going to share a few ways with how I have changed to fit my surroundings in the past few months.
March: In the month of march so many things changed for myself and many that I love! My Bestie, turned 19 and got engaged 9 days later to an amazing man! Talk about the element of surprise, She knew it was coming but as her fiance schemed and I played the roll of MOLE, she was not to know when it would actually occur. Needless to say she said yes and will be marrying her sweetheart in less than a week! Go her!
My sweet sweet little sister, turned the big 8. When this happened I realized that it had been nearly 11 years since I had been her age, boy how time flies. Kimberlie was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. In my family, we take baptisms pretty seriously, because this marks the point in our lives where we take the first major step of what I guess you could say is showing our devotion to our religion.
March was also the month where I started to reconnnect with a guy in my apartment complex, I could say that it was a game of chase where I was pursued endlessly by a handsome young suitor, but that would just be far to honest! ;-) This boy, goes by the name of Bret, the truth is, he made his attempts to get to know me months before this and had honestly given up on me because I was stubborn, determined I was happy and hated men. I felt like I did not need that other part in my life at the moment and just shoved anything male other than my man posse I hung out with on a regular basis(but everyone knows that best friends are genderless, and you should never date within a circle... wayyy tooooo awwwwkwwwwarrrddd). It took some creeping of my own and with some odd intentions to reconnect me with Bret. He was super sweet and fun to hang out with, I knew from the first time that we hung out that he was someone I wanted to get to know. So I did. He is amazing, funny, dorky, booksmart, cute as heck, tall, active, all the things I need in a guy.
April rolled around and Bret and I became boyfriend and girlfriend, I can honestly say before this point I had no clue what I was missing out on. Have the presence of another person when you need them or even when you don't is just something else!
In my family we have 3 birthdays during the month of April. My mom joined Club 5-Oh, Kindahl had a sweet 16, and miss Khloe turned a whopping 15. As I look back a few years at Kindahl and Khloe's ages and where I was, I think they are spending that time much better than I ever was. I admire my cute sisters for that. The focus at that time was not based on the present, but what could the future bring for me! My advice to anyon at any age, plan for the future, expect it to change, but make sure that you live in the present.
May flew by so fast I can hardly remember anything but finals week and my amazing cruise to mexico! Oh what fun you can have in mexico :-D.
Same thing happened for June, The main thing I remember about that month is Bret joining the church. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this, but that day was one of the most spiritual days I have ever had.
Now we are in July.I spent the 4th with Bret and his family and friends, it was a bit of a culture shock at first but I LOVED it! Then I hit another quarter life crisis dealing with the fact that I had yet aged another year by no fault of my own. Every birthday I struggle a bit with acceptance because it marks the fact that another year for me has gone by, I am almost forced to look at what I have done up until that point, and what there is to accomplish by the next year.
Some decisions that have caused me to change even more is my plan for education. I was not finding my niche at Utah State, so I have taken a one year leave of absense to pursue a career in the medical field through Bridgerland Applied Technology College.
I am still working at the Credit Union, but have taken on a load of 10 more hours a week! I can do this I know I can.
In the space of five months I can honestly say, my ways of thinking about life has dramatically changed. And I like it. Who is to say exactly what the future holds, but the now is what I am enjoying. Being surrounded by family often is a feeling I have grown to love.
Some minor changes I have taken to(and you know who you are because you have caused them!) are that I now love to eat cookie dough more than cookies sometimes, want a puppy, enjoy spending hours with children, and have accepted my flaws more than I ever thought I would.
A bigger change for me is that I have learned to love more, and feel like I am more honest in what I do. A challenge I would give to anyone is to see how many things in one day you can do for someone else, without thinking "how will this benefit me?"

The Recipe of the month is a Greek Salad I have yet to try it but it sounds DELICIOUS! A great way to utilize left over chicken and that fresh lettuce that should be maturing a gardens here soon!

• 1/3 cup(s) red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh dill or oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 teaspoon(s) garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper
• 6 cup(s) chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 1/2 cup(s) (about 12 ounces) chopped cooked chicken (see Tips & Techniques)
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1/2 cup(s) finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup(s) sliced ripe black olives
• 1/2 cup(s) crumbled feta cheese

Loving Me, Like the Woman I am: February 2011, part 2

I promised in my previous post this month that I would address love! Well as I wracked my brain for the little knowledge I have obtained about love, I realized this was a lost cause.  Then the brilliant idea entered into my head that I do not have to make this about how we as women love others, but as to how we as women can come to love ourselves.
It took me a very long time to grow to love myself, not just as a physical being but as a spiritual and intellectual being. Growing up, I was always a head taller than all the other girls, and when 5th grade came along I was also a good 4 pounds heavier. This was hard for me, I never wore a size 00 like most of my friends. My body went strait from girls 12/14 to Junior's size 5 in one somewhere. This was hard on me. By the end of 6th grade I was 5'8 and probably oh a good 150 pounds or so. That to many women would be ideal, but the little girl inside felt like a major outsider. I just continued to grow and develop. By the end of 8th grade I had reached my full height of 5'11, wore a 36 C bra(of which I now wish I had back), and a size 11 in jeans. This sudden blossoming of my body only made me more down on myself. My self esteem was wracked on by outside sources such as the media, friends and even sometimes family wouldn't realize that their small comments would cut deep.
Between 9th and 10th grades I decided I was going to lose some weight, so I changed my eating habits and worked out like a mad woman, lost just short of 20 pounds. Yup I was feeling good. But it did not really get me the relief I was expecting to feel. Needless to say I have now learned to love myself even though I have put on 13 of those pounds since then. One time on my FACEBOOK page I posted a profile that said the following, "I went through the mental list in my head that i might not have enough of: funny, thin, curvy, pretty, spiritual, sweet, caring, loving, flirtacious, bubbly, serious, softspoken, outspoken, smart, goofy etc. Then I started to think... I have just the amount I need of each of those, the way god made me, because he doesnt make mistakes. I have no reason to change anything. Take it and love it, leave it and lose. ;)"
The older that I get, the more insight that I gain that beauty comes in so many different forms. Now what would this blog post be if I didn't address men at all? Well certainly not one that had to do with love. This next statement is for you single women still waiting for that special someone. Today as I cleaned out my fish bowl, I decided to watch the fish for a while. I poured some fish food into the bowl(because heaven knows the last time I fed the poor thing.) The fish just sat there, and watched the food fall to the bottom of the bowl, and then slurped it up along with some scum. I thought to myself "You idiot fish, what are you doing?! You would rather wait for the sodden pieces of no-good to fall to the bottom of the bowl and then slurp it up with some of your own feces? Gross and not smart, the good stuff is still floating at the top!" Then it occurred to me... "Wow, men/boys can be just like my goldfish. Not just the part about the 15 second memory, but the part about how they will wait for the stuff that was once good to fall to the bottom. They will wait because it is too hard to go up to the surface where the good stuff awaits, they wait for some of the pieces to fall away to the bottom where they are easier for the picking. Never mind that they may have been mingling with some scum. This does not by any means, mean that you are not worth their time, but it means they are not worthy of you. Occasionally my wish would arise and go up to the surface and get some of the food. I thought, well if there is hope for those flecks of food, there must be hope for us single women!"
And as for you women who have already signed into a contract of love, I have a quote for you from an excellent book I got for Christmas this year entitled I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer- A fitness Program for the Soul by Emily Watts. In this book she addresses really any stress one may come across during a months time and answers it with an "exercise". Well there is one chapter/exercise that addresses how men are different from women. Exercise #7 An Exercise in Understanding Men: The next time you are frustrated because you don't seem to be getting a response from the man in your life, remind yourself that he is not being deliberately obtuse it's just the way he is wired. Communicate your needs clearly and directly, and don't forget to express gratitude when they are met.
Oh this line of advice made me giggle, but I am sure that many experienced women out there could really actually apply this tip. 
I have filled this blog up too much with me, but I really am enjoying writing it. My challenge to you is that you go and find that inner peace with you, and WORK IT! And if you must have a man in your life, realize that you should not settle,  because then you place your own self worth below that of what you truly are. Keep in mind as well that most men aren't entirely dumb, they just need to be told point blank what is going on.

Love you! Until next month

Black Like the Woman I am: February 2011 part 1

So as a few of you may know, not only is the month of February famous for valentines day, but its also famous for Black History Month. Now one does not see cards or candies out with pictures of black people on them, because well for the most part many would find this weird. Many have argued as to why black people get a whole month to themselves, well my guess would be that it is because of the hundreds of years of injustice that whites did not have to go through here in the United States. In no way am I racist towards white people but its fair, really the least that can be done. One thing I found interesting that kind of upset me is that basically no one knew what black history month was here in my Utah Schools, it is not acknowledged the way it should be. This post is not to complain about the lack of information given out to elementary kids in school, or to talk about the injustice that "whites" have inflicted upon blacks. This post is for me to celebrate some of the most influential black women in this world!

Coretta Scott King: Wife of Martin Luther King Junior

Gladys Knight(and The Pips): Interesting factoid about Gladys, She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Harriet Tubman: Key woman in the Under Ground Railroad, the project that helped slaves to get to the North to freedom.

Jane Manning James: If you have ever wondered who the black woman in the Joseph Smith movie that is played at temple square and now available on DVD, that is Jane Manning James. She was one of the first black members of the LDS Church.

Mae Jemison: Not only was she a volunteer doctor for the Peace Corps, but she was also the first black female astronaut.

Michelle Obama: Biggest white house fashion sensation since Jackie O. Michelle Obama(despite her husband's less than honorable decisions in office) keeps up the family face with her strong personality and values. They say behind every good man is an even greater woman... living proof.

Oprah Winfrey: She is Oprah! It is too hard to summarize her doings.

Serena and Venus Williams: World Famous athletes, these sisters have been kicking booty on the tennis courts for many years.

Princess Tiana: Disney's first black princess, featured in "The Princess and the Frog"

Kathi Lewis: Okay... so my mom is not black we know, as a matter of a fact if you leave here in the sun too long she starts to turn into a redskin(awful joke I know) But this woman is AMAZING. Not only was she Mother of the Year for Washington State in 2001 but she has adopted 7 children, 6 of which are black. She has always made an effort to make sure that we take pride in our ethnic background. I love you Mommy!

This Post is Part 1 to my blog this month, in about a week or so I will post something on the lines of LOVE! Stay tuned...

Dieting Like the Woman I am: January 2011

Welcome to "____Like the Woman I am" blog! Yes I realize that it is the 31st of January, but today was the day I thought of the blog idea. The goal behind this blog is to give women from ages 18 to 80 a common ground where we can share our philosophies, funnies, ideas, recipes, religion etc. Really anything that has to do with being a woman is what I am hoping to post here. This will probably just be a blog that is posted on about once a month. I guess my journalistic side just got a little antsy and I decided this blog may be a good way for me to practice for my major. Feel free to comment and email me your ideas from months to come. I need your help to fill in the blank in the title!


Dieting: Now take note now that I do in no way am I fit to give medical, dietary or fitness advice, but with it being January and the New Year, everyone wants to shed a couple pounds. These are just some of the things I have found that work out.

My 3 E's

• Exercise: We all dread the idea of having to squeeze into spandex shorts each day and roll into the gym. When you get to the gym you may get discouraged because others around might appear to be in better shape than yourself. Do not let this get you down. The gym is a place where a variety of people can go to get in shape and stay in shape alike. But if it is really something you are uncomfortable doing, the start off doing some work outs within your home.Some of the things I would recommend to make it fun and easy are
• Dance for an thirty minutes to an hour a day: do this in the morning, middle of the day or at night, not only will it give you the necessary cardio boost we all need to stay healthy, but it is fun!
• Sit on a yoga ball while folding laundry: this simple idea helps to strengthen your core muscles and correct your posture.
• Clean the house: No this is not always fun but blast some music and clean everything top to bottom.
• In the spring and summer don't pass up the chance to mow the lawn.
• For more easy things to do without going to the gym, click this link http://healthmad.com/fitness/10-natural-cheats-to-burn-calories-no-gym-required/ 
• Eating: No one really wants to give up the late night bowl of ice cream, the peanut butter sandwich, or the bag of chips you can down in one sitting. So don't! Moderation is key in anything.
• Cutting out calories can be easy as long as you give yourself limits. Make sure that before you make any serious changes to your diet you consult with your physician and see what he or she suggests as an appropriate caloric intake for you personally.
• Follow the food pyramid: http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html
• portion control is important, they are put on the back of food packaging by law for a reason.
• Drink 8 full glasses of water a day: When you drink more liquid your body is more able to burn calories than when you are dehydrated. This will also help you to feel more full.
• Do not cut out carbs just eat the right kind. Cutting carbs completely from one diet can very easily lead to a carbohydrate binge later on.
• Put down the candy bar and have a piece of fruit instead.
• Eat your dairy! (ice cream is not included as a daily serving of dairy, it goes under fats and oils)
• Establishing: Make sure that when you say you are going to do better, you establish a time when you are going to do it.
• Set a timeline: "I would like to lose 5 pounds in three weeks" is an example.
• Select a time of day: Whether it is 6:00 am that you are pumping the iron or 12:00 noon, set your body on a schedule that fits your daily life.
• BE REASONABLE!! You are not going to lose 30 pounds in a month! It just is not healthy, set your goals small and make them attainable. Do not just throw yourself into an unfamiliar routine, you are more likely to give up.
• Do things as a family or friends: Whether it is learning to cook healthier or going for a stroll around the neighborhood, having a support group always makes things easier.

Losing weight is something we can all do, the list may seem long but if you think about it they are really just minor adjustments to daily life. I think it is okay to allow yourself one cheat day a week as well, just don't go crazy!
If you are looking to lose weight for swimsuit season, start getting fit now so you have yourself a routine down by then. Go shopping over the spring break times for a few new clothing items to spruce up your wardrobe as a reward for your achievements.


Recipe: My younger sister gave me this recipe, I am not so sure where she got it from but it is a delicious low fat, low calorie rendition of the chocolate chip cookie.


16 Graham Crackers coursely crushed
1 can of fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 dash of salt
3/4 a package of chocolate chips


combine the items in a mixing bowl and stir it all together until you get a cookie dough like texture. Then take little teaspoon size balls of the dough and set them 1-2 inches a apart on a greased cookie sheet(the cookies will spread out). Then place the cookies into an oven that is pre-heated to 350 degrees for about 9-11 minutes.


I know this recipe sounds odd, but you will be amazed at how good it is!


Have a good last day of January and look for February's post coming soon!