Motivation

I started a Boot Camp fitness class on Monday and it literally is BOOT CAMP! Usually it takes a day or two for me to be sore after a workout. Not this time--I was sore during the workout. However, it's an incredibly motivating class. I'm used to teaching the class and setting the pace. However, in this class it's my goal to be better than everyone--not really a good idea to have that goal as an instructor. In the last two days I have been very satisfied with the workout and I know if I keep it up and eat right I WILL see results.

The class is through BCOR Fitness in Des Moines. I heard about it through a Living Social deal. It was only $20 for 30 days. I found out today that the regular price is $200 for 2 months. Talk about a good deal!! I recommend anyone join living social. You get daily e-mails with your deal of the day in your area. Both Kevin and I have gotten good use out of the website with restaurant deals, etc.

After my workout tonight I went to the grocery store and purchased the following items:

• Grapes
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Apples
• Pineapple
• Carrots
• Special K Yogurt and Berries (sooo good!!)
• Chicken
• Broccoli
• Rice
• Wheat Thins
• Crystal Light (to motivate me to drink more H2O!!)

I was very proud of myself for buying the food I did. Part of Boot Camp is to keep a food journal, which is helping me to be accountable for what I put into my body. I know from experience not to completely deprive myself, so I will give myself the weekends to not worry about what I eat. The biggest challenge I'm finding is being with a 7 and 5 year old all day! I cannot eat what they eat, so I think I'll have to start bringing my lunch once in awhile.

Also to note, I got a new pair of workout shorts from Kohls and 2 sports bras from Target. The shorts were only $14 and I already have two pairs of the same shorts in different colors. I usually hate wearing shorts when I work out but I LOVE these shorts. They have built-in underwear, so no wedgies! Here is the link if you're interested. The sports bras were also a steal--only $10. I can't find the sale price online, sorry! Finally, I went to buy new running shoes!! I've had my old pair for awhile and have put many miles on them, so time for a new pair. An updated wardrobe always helps the workout motivation :)

P.S. My instructor is also pretty easy on the eyes ;)

This Week's Kid-isms

These are a few questions, comments, and instances from the 7 and 5 year olds I nanny for during the week.

• "Are most dogs girls or boys?"
• P. went on a tangent about women's rights for the majority of the day after reading about injustices in Ancient Greece. "That's SO not fair. Girls do everything for boys. We MADE them for crying out loud. We MADE them. Withoutgirls boys wouldn't exist." I did not get into details about how it works the other way around, too. I just agreed :)
• "How do they get babies out of the mommies tummies? Do they just cut them open?"
• "Renember to bring in the aminals." Notice the spellings.
• "Allie, do you love your boyfriend?"
• H. accidently locked herself in the closet. She was upset about her sister not letting her use her colors. Pretty soon I heard banging and, "Let me out, Allie!" Turns out, in an old house there are no doorknobs on the inside of closets. Poor girl.
• They attempted to teach the dog how to stop, drop, and roll in case of a fire, and not be afraid of a fireman if he tried to carry the dog out.Every game they play involves some animal or some person being terribly injured. Example: Barbie took a trip to Antarctica and was eaten by a Snow Monster.
• The pictures below were from a few weeks ago. We made lists of what they wanted to be when they grew up, and I copied what they said verbatim.

That's all I got for today. I have been a delinquent blogger because my days have been filled with children, which is OK with me. This weekend I'm traveling to Minneapolis to visit my homegirl Tonia and shop for a bridesmaid's (ahem.. Maid of Honor) dress. The boy is galavanting in Wisconsin at Country Fest with friends for his brother's 30th birthday. Have a lovely weekend, bellos!

A Des Moines Resident

I finally am starting to feel like I officially live in Des Moines. Up until now, I still kind of felt like I was visiting Kevin or my aunt, whom I live with. Today after I got done nannying, I drove down to Gray's Lake in downtown Des Moines, about 10 minutes from the home I nanny at. This made me feel like I can do things on my own in my new city. I know how to get around without my trusty GPS. Gray's Lake is a man-made lake with about a 2-mile perimeter. You can paddle boat, kayak, canoe, or run, bike, or walk on the trail going around the lake. I chose to go for a run. I enjoyed "people watching" as I ran, and it seemed to make the run go a little quicker. Kevin and I have decided to meet each other at Gray's Lake after work and run together. He runs faster than me and I like to go at my own pace, so we will run in opposite directions and meet each other at the end. I think this will motivate both of us to work out.

Other activities/places I have taken advantage of while living in Des Moines:

*Iowa Cubs games at Principal Park downtown

*Downtown Des Moines farmer's market on Saturday mornings. This things is HUGE!

*West Des Moines farmer's market at "Historic Valley Junction" on Thursday evenings. They have a live band and it's just a great atmosphere.

*Des Moines Fast Pitch League every Wednesday night

*Mickey's Irish Pub-- Found our DSM karaoke bar! They also have live music on the weekends. It reminds me of the OP back in Cedar Falls.

*Activities with the kids-- Science Center of Des Moines, Blank Park Zoo, Ashby Park

*High Life Lounge downtown is probably our favorite place to eat-- it looks super sketchy and has shag carpet inside. They also advertise they don't stock beer that was introduced after 1970. But the food is very cheap and very good! I also love the atmosphere.

*I also saw a sign for "Yoga in the Park" every Saturday morning at Gray's Lake... for free! I have been wanting to try yoga and I think this would be the perfect opportunity.

I'm sure I'm missing some things. But the point is, I'm starting to take advantage of all Des Moines has to offer. I think I'll be perfectly happy spending a few years here. Every time I do something new, I take a mental note so I can bring future visitors to do all these fun things!

All Alone in the Shower

Tonight I realized that my current shower is the only shower that has been only mine. Growing up, I always shared a shower with parents, brothers, or my sister. In college, we had the communal dorm showers, and then in apartment living I always shared a shower with one or two girls. The last apartment I was in was a teeny tiny little apartment with one small shower and three girls. Needless to say there was an assortment of shampoos, body washes, acne cleansers, razors, etc. It is something I took for granted. Now, my shampoo is lonely in its solitary shower. I loved living with my best friends. There was always someone to talk to, someone to do something with, someone to drink with, and someone to model my latest purchase for. I miss sitting on each others' beds, complaining about our boyfriends not calling or how stressed we were with homework. I recently visited my roommate Andrea and it was like we still lived together. I am growing to cherish those moments with friends. I don't know many other females here in Des Moines. I am tired of talking about beer, food, and pooping with Kevin and his roommate (I never disclose my bowel movements... girls don't poop.) I need some stimulating conversation with females my own age. Man, I miss my roommates.

This picture of Erin and I was taken during our Remedial Reading bar crawl!! It was the most difficult class of MANY we took together and we all deserved the night out.

Andrea-- I had to creep far and wide for this old school picture. I don't know when it was taken, where it was taken, or even why it was taken. Excuse my creepy scare and I'll excuse your windblown bangs. :)

Mushy Mushy

My main squeeze is Kevin John Clark. If I believed in soul mates I would be certain I found mine. He has a lovely face (see below). I'm missing him this week because he is off working in far-away lands (Nebraska.) Here is our "love story" in a nutshell:

*Girl and boy are introduced by Tonia.

*Girl sees boy. Girl likes what she sees.

*A few months later, boy comes to his senses when he sees girl do pushups.

*Girl and boy go on a date.

*Girl and boy fall in love.

*Girl goes to Italy. Boy is sad.

*Girl comes back. Loves boy still.

*Boy and girl are apart for a year while girl is at UNI.

*Girl and boy are reunited.

*Happy times are upon girl and boy.

* To be continued... :)

Now that we live in the same city, I feel spoiled I get to see him whenever I want. So, when we are apart for a week it feels like forever. Anyway, I found this quote (see below) and I thought it offered a real perspective of how a relationship works. It's good to remember everything is not always perfct. However, I am a perfectionist and sometimes I know I just need to relax. Maybe this quote will give you a new perspective, too. [Note: I changed all the she's to he's and the her's to him's to make it befitting for all you lady-readers out there.]

P.S. I titled this post "Mushy Mushy" as a spin of another Brand New song I love, "Moshi Moshi." Give it a listen. Skip in to about 1:20.

"You may not be his first, his last, or his only. He loved before and he may love again. But if he loves you now, what else matters? He’s not perfect—you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together. But if he can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you can break—his heart. So don’t hurt him, don’t change him, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than he can give. Smile when he makes you happy, let him know when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there." {Bob Marley}

Opening a Box of Crayons

Benvenuto! That's "Welcome!" in Italian. "Start Acting My Age" is purposed to serve as a creative outlet for me. There are so many things that I come across that want to share with my friends, family, and fellow creative beings--music, craft ideas, fashion, wedding things, exercise, anything Italian, and things kids say.

"I'll Grow Old, Start Acting My Age" is a lyric from one of my favorite songs, "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot," from my favorite band, Brand New. See the rest of the lyrics here. You can view it played live by my future husband Jesse Lacey (1 of 2) here. The lyric is also meaningful in relation to my personality. I truly am a kid at heart. I am attracted to bright colors, I love to swing, I hate being in trouble, I wet the bed--just kidding, I wish I could spend all of my time outside, I love dressing up Barbies and Polly Pockets with the girls I nanny for...I could go on forever. My mom makes fun of me and always tell me I am definitely a kindergarten teacher. I take that as a compliment! 1. That is what I went to school for, 2. Who doesn't love a kindergarten teacher?

As I enter the "real world," I am forced to start acting my age. However, I will be an elementary teacher, so keeping a little immaturity is a good thing. This blog will be a reflection of my grown-up self mixed with the kindergartner in me that makes life fun and interesting. Piacere!

(That's "Enjoy!" in Italian. If you're wondering, "Why the Italian?" I spent 10 weeks in Italy last summer. My boyfriend doesn't let me speak it in real life..I was gone 10 weeks, it was a traumatic time in his life apparently. I am also attempting to build my Italian vocabulary so this will be a good place to do that! That's the kindergarten TEACHER in me talking.)