My "sister" (whom I have known for almost 11 years now) is a student and she is studying to be a teacher. She had to write a book with pictures, of course. She sent me the story yesterday. I have read it twice now. Cried twice. To me, it is the best present I have ever received.

"Once upon a time, not so very far away, there was a kingdom. The kingdom wasn’t anything special; nothing too noteworthy had ever taken place there. It was just another common, ordinary, everyday kingdom.

Now in this kingdom a princess was born; a small girl that, at first glance, could be deemed as ordinary as her surroundings. It was only when a closer look was taken that her true potential was revealed. Her smile emanated colors, her eyes promised the extraordinary, and her actions screamed you wouldn’t be let down.

Time passed, and the princess spent most of it exploring her kingdom and the vast surrounding area. She loved everything about the outdoors. She could spend hours swimming in the lake, walking in the tall grasses, or watching the sunset and the stars come out to illuminate the sky. The more time she spent exploring the more she wondered what lay outside her kingdom. She wondered until her curiosity got the best of her. So, she said her goodbyes and was off to see what the rest of the world had to offer.

Her journey took her through the sky, along beaches, down ravines, and through forests. She saw and experienced everything she could for the simple reason was she could. During the course of her journey, she met many interesting people and renewed acquaintances with old. People seemed to be drawn to the colors that surrounded her. She loved the sights, the cultures, and the history of the new lands she explored, but she knew in her heart it was time to go home. So she packed her bags and retraced her steps through the forests, up the ravines, along the beaches, and through the sky until she reached her kingdom. When she arrived, she was greeted by friends and family alike and for awhile she was content, but her need for something more soon became evident. She chose for her new adventure to go to school. Her studies lead her in the direction of chemistry. She studied, time flew, and before she knew it, she was graduating.

The day before her graduation, she tried on outfit after outfit after outfit before deciding on the perfect one, which she wore to her graduation and her after party. She smiled for pictures, talked to her friends, and treasured the moment secretly, realizing it wouldn’t be long before her contentment would disappear. It would be time to start a new chapter in her life, for she was of the new age of princesses. She was a princess who would never be content to live happily ever after; she would have to live happily for the moment and that would be enough."

And she said WITH the pictures it is better... I can't imagine!

Yay! :)

Today I worked out with my trainer. :) Yay! I have missed her. Like I have said a many a time before she ROCKS! I saw her and made her give me a hug :). My body is sore, but I am feeling SO good! Hopefully I will make it to my goal weight again. I know I said I wanted to before my bday, and that came and went and I HATE putting pressure on myself like that, but I would like to lose 5# by May 2... and that is from my "starting" weight of last Sunday. I think I can do it. I am healthy, no worries, people. I EAT ... A LOT ;). Just been tired lately... that's all. Can't say much more at this time, yet I would like to...

So today I went out to the trails for the first time. Ran for about 50 min total - about 4 miles. I WAS DYING... so if I could do that, YOU CAN DO IT- ESP. WITH HILLS!! Here's to getting fit and staying fit... for life ;)

This is my Day 3 of counting and keeping track! Last night I went to the gym and Bud1 and 2 played basketball... we played 21 for about 40 min. I don't like playing with them because I usually lose. I can't tip! But the first game it was 19-19-21 AND I was ahead for a majority of it (only because they kept tipping each other). Then an old student came by and we played 2 on 2... THEN there were six people on the other court and they asked us to play 5 on 5. Not the brightest idea. Full court and there was one chick.... and I hate that AUTOMATICALLY we have to guard each other because we're girls... oh, well. I was wearing my HR monitor and I burned almost 1200 calories in an hour and a half!! :) Quite the workout :) Feeling good, guys!!

I am starting anew. I am loving this! Today I got a free lunch because a visiting Prof. was in. Went to a steakhouse downtown (expensive). We get a cap on our amts and usually I get the most expensive. This time I opted for getting the healthiest. As everyone around me got the Big Red Burger (go figure!), the Cali Burger, some other random burger and a Caesar salad (not as good as one might expect)... I opted for the grilled chicken, steamed vegetables and rice. :) I also have had an apple, a banana, a South Beach LIVING wrap thingee, and rice krispie treats (thanks to Bud1 and his Sam's club present he bought me!). Don't worry, only one a day ;) I am about to go to the rec and I meet with my trainer FINALLY on Wednesday!! I was talking to my friend yesterday and she said I never knew how it was when you said you were TOO busy for working out. She said she thought it was a cop out, but now she finally has seen the light. She's a personal trainer (not mine), a fitness queen, really, and she's seeing my point of view. I am going to try. But I have to try really hard with that and with research. AND I have been soooo tired lately. Hopefully this will clear that up!!!!!!!!! So people, please, I need motivation. I can't run the half, which is sad, but I am getting back to things cuz I am feeling better (most of the time) and NEED to do this. Thanks Ali Vincent for being a huge role model and motivation. Hello, people, she's a stud!!