In Honor of...

May being NATIONAL RUNNING MONTH, I am making the commitment to log a whopping 100 miles of running. There are 31 days in May and four Sundays of which I will not be running. That leaves me with 27 days to do this. This means that on average, I need to run 3.7 miles per day.

ANYONE....

care to join me????

Ummm....

2 DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT FOR THIS CHICA....I'm just sayin'. WAHOOEEEEEE times bazillion!!

I'm still alive...

I just wanted to write a quick blog to let everyone know....I'm still alive. My last post was on January 11, 2010 which was my first day of student teaching.

Little did I know that day, that it would consume my life completely!! I felt like I had just stepped into a different mode, a teacher mode and I haven't been in Cicily mode for a while. I'm not gonna lie. This has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. Maybe I'm just a stress-case, but I think that part of the problem is that I'm a perfectionist and want everything to always go right, but let me tell ya, as a teacher, there is always something that is not going to be perfect. On top of preparing lesson plans and writing a 50 page Teacher Work Sample, I have an Online English class that I'm struggling to get done in time. Not to mention that Cole is going to BYU-I in 2 weeks so right when I am done we are moving to Idaho Falls and we don't have jobs or a place to live......Oh gees.

Although this has been an extremely hard experience, I definitely have grown closer to my Heavenly Father. I think I've said more little mini prayers than I ever had in my life in the last 4 months. I feel bad for my husband more than anything. He is probably more ready for me to be done than I am. He is so great though and gives me pep talks all the time. I love him sooooo much and don't think I could do this with out him.

Well somebody call the waaaambulance right? I'm sorry for the negative post. I'm trying to find the joy in the journey. Elder Worthlin said, "Come what may and love it". So I'm trying my best to do this.

BUT, I only have 3 weeks left and then I'll be done with school forever and ever!! Then I'll be on to the apartment and job hunt.

I love you all and think about everyone all the time. Next time I post it will probably be graduation pics. YIPPEE!!!

back to school

Ohhhhhhh

Back To School

Back To School

To Prove To Dad That I'm Not A Fool

I've Got My Lunch Packed Up

My Boots Tied Tight

I Hope I Don't Get In A Fight

Ohhhh

Back To School

Back To School

Back To School

~Adam Sandler Billy Madison

I started my student teaching a few weeks ago. This picture was taken the morning of my first day. Cole was so nice and packed me a lunch. He even put it a little treat in there and said that it was a surprise and that I'd have to wait until lunch to find out what it was. I felt like a little kid again nervous for my first day of school except now I am "Mrs. Seamons" and I am the one teaching and telling students to be quiet. I am seriously counting down the days until its done. It has been good. I'm a little overwhelmed at times, but it has been a good learning experience. I'm sure that it will come easier as I get used to it.

bring on a new decade

Bring on the new year! I have made some resolutions of course. They are kind of cliche, but that is what the new year is all about right? Cole's brother was here over the holidays and he talked us in to doing the Salt Lake City Half Marathon on April 17 so we are going to do it!!

Here are my goals for 2010:

1. run in a half marathon.

2. practice eating sensibly. some guidelines that I'm setting out are portion sizes. 5 servings of fruits and veggies. no pop except on special occasions. lots of water. 1 treat a day that is less than 200 calories and only if i exercised. whole grains. and low fat.

3. read the Book of Mormon every morning.

4. Go with the flow of life. aka...don't let things stress me out.

5. fit into a size 6 by June 1st. I can do this I know I can.

These are my goals. I am really excited to start running hard again. The last time I ran a half marathon was a couple of years ago and I love the feeling of training for and finishing a race. Who knows? Maybe I'll be up for a full marathon in 2010. ..but I don't know if I'm ready for that commitment quite yet.

here's to those who say they never win anything

Destiny...that is the word I would use to describe what I'm about to tell you. So a few weeks ago I was at Real Deal's Home Decor shopping for my friend's wedding gift. I already had a gift for her, but just wanted to get her a little something else. There was a drawing you could put your name in to win some stuff. So I thought "Hey, I'll give 'er a try". I was about to walk away, but decided to put Cole's name in the drawing too just in case.

Then a few days ago a weird number called me so I didn't answer the phone. I listened to the message and it was Real Deal's trying to get ahold of Cole. I thought it was really weird that they were trying to call Cole and just didn't call them back. They called me again, but I didn't answer cuz I thought that they were just trying to promote or sale something.

The same day I missed a call from a lady in my ward trying to get Visiting Teaching Reports done for December. I thought I'd call her back but couldn't remember which number was hers so I called the Real Deal's Number by accident. I said "uhhh I need to report my visiting to you..." The lady was like "who is this?"
"This is Cicily"
"Oh! Are you related to Cole?"
"Yes, that is my husband". She then proceeded to tell me that he had won the drawing and that they were trying to get ahold of him. She told us that we won a $100 visa card and a one-night- stay at the Black Swan Inn!!! Wowza! Destiny I tell ya...pure destiny. I almost didn't put his name in the drawing. And by accident I called Real Deal's back and I'm so glad that I did. Whew that would have been a bummer if I just kept screening her call. Too bad we didn't win it earlier for our 3 year anniversary that was a week ago. Oh well, we'll have another romantic evening coming our way. YIPEE!! And I always say that I never win anything. I'm eating my words.

Lunch Date

Cole and I looooove Costco. There is nothing better than walking around, holding hands, trying all the yummy samples, and being facinated by the enormous packaged items. And ya can't beat the price of a $1.50 hot dog and drink for lunch. Cole and I have gone there many a time for a little lunch date. Ohh how romantic it is. :)

i can't wait...

...for the next season of GLEE!!!

I just finished watching the season finale and just can't believe everything. I loved it!!

Oh GLEE-- from the song lines of the last episode--"My life would suck with out you." Not really, but I get really excited to watch it on my laptop every Thursday night.

holidays without junk in the trunk

I read a really good article from my SHAPE magazine that included tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining weight. The reason why I like this so much is because they don't say to deprive yourself of your favorite holiday treats, but they give you some really good ideas on how to eat what you want without packing on the poundage. (These tips were taken from the December issue of SHAPE and the article was written by Sharon Liao):)

1. Spoil your supper: You may think it a good idea to skip lunch or breakfast to save on those extra calories, but this could backfire on you. Make sure you eat throughout the day and most importantly, when you're headed to a party, eat a snack before (like an apple and string cheese) you go so that you are not ravenous when you get there.

2. Chew while you chop: When you are preparing food for your parties it is easy to rack up the calories just by tasting as you cook. So pop in a piece of mint gum to chew on so you are not tempted to graze as you cook.

3. Be a picky eater: When your faced with a decadent buffet, survey your options. Instead of tasting everything only choose what you really want - the holiday dishes that you love, that you only get once a year for example. And because it takes 20 minutes to get full wait that long to go back for seconds.

4. Take dainty bites: People who take big bites usually eat more, so take small bites. Also try to go with a small plate.

5. Think before you eat: People think that they have to get as much holiday food in them as possible because it comes once a year. But before you reach for a treat stop and ask yourself how hungry you really are. Also remind yourself that you can take that yummy chocolate fudge home to eat later. You could even freeze it and have it a month after the holidays.

6. Stay on the move: Gym attendance goes down in November and December. But working up a sweat is especially important in these months. Exercise burns extra calories and also helps boost the mood to help maintain stress.

7. Start skinny sipping: Juices and sodas carry alot of excess calories and sugar so why not just sip on a glass of water unless you are dying to have some hot cocoa or cider.

8. Keep your focus: When you are meeting up with old family and friends, it is easy to get caught up in your conversations which can distract you into not paying attention to what and how much you're eating so keep your focus and know what you are putting in your mouth.

9. Seize some ZZZ's: The holiday season is a busy time, but skimping on sleep is not a good idea. Not getting enough sleep lowers your leptin levels which are harmones that control how full you feel. When your exhausted, you feel hungrier, so get at least 8 hours of sleep this season.

And that is it! I am really going to try to implement these tips this holiday season. I don't want to deprive myself of holiday goodness, but I am going to try to really be smart about what I'm eating. And most importantly, I'm going to exercise!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!

Tree Hugger

We got our tree last night. $22.99 at our friendly neighborhood Fred Meyers. The branches had not fallen out yet so it was perfect hugging width. I love Christmas trees! For some reason it just doesn't feel like Christmas until we get our tree put up.

BEFORE

AFTER

I'm so excited for Christmas break! I have exactly 9 days of school left and then I am done with ISU classes forever!!! Yay! On to my student teaching at Century.