Family Fun (Ultra Cheese Alert)

This Easter was so much fun. I pretty much spent all day with the family, going to church, eating an Easter worthy lunch, and going Easter egg hunting. Also, about and hour of that time was spent taking funny (and SUPER cheese-y) pictures with the fam. Ch-ch-check it!

ok. this was posed. But she was DETERMINED to get that egg.

My little sister, Tatum, was ruthless. She was pretty much in full on sprint the whole time trying to get to the eggs before everyone else.

All of the sissys. Notice how out of place I look. haha.

Here's were I started thinking of funny, cheese-y poses for us to do.

Heres another

AND ANOTHER! haha

My sisters fell backwards off the bench when I thought it would be a good pose to put their feet up in the air. oops.

She was OK!

Action Shot!

My parents. Aren't they just the cutest?!

Fast forward to today. I was SUPER ready to get back into the swing of things after pigging out on Easter candy and Ham yesterday. So I was happy to have my usual breakfast when I woke up.

Half a cup of fat free cottage cheese with Blueberries mixed in and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Whole Wheat Toast with Blackberry Preserves AND Apricot Preserves. Unfortunately my indecisiveness extends past the breakfast table and into my regular life.

After breakfast I FINALLLY got to the grocery store. I was kind of anxious to go to the grocery store because of a funny story that happened this weekend. First a little back story the guy who works in the produce section of the grocery store is super CUTE, I had a class with him in college, so I know him and everytime I go to the grocery store we usually talk. Ok got that?! Good. Now the funny part:

Saturday night my friend Brittani and I hit up one of our favorite dance spots. We usually just dance by ourselves and generally are bitches to any creeps that try to come hit on us. Anyway, there was this guy that kept trying to get my attention while I was dancing, but I kept giving him mean looks and blowing him off. He didn't stop, so finally I look over to say something......and realize it is my produce boy!! Me being a little "braver" than usual (if you catch my drift) ran over and gave him a big hug to say hi. Now we have made small talk in the produce section of Kroger before, but NEVER took it as far as physical contact (just a hug!) in a CLUB before. hahaha. I guess you could say I was a little embarrassed to see him again in the grocery store.

Well, I successfully made my grocery trip, saw the produce boy, smiled, made small talk, and went on my merry way. Geez, that was awkward. haha :)

Came home from the grocery store, unloaded, chopped, bagged, and stored the groceries. Then made up a quick lunch. I tried a new wrap combo!

• Italian Herb Flat Out Wrap
• Swiss Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
• Sliced Cucumber
• Sliced Tomato
• Spinach
• Dijon Mustard
• Quacker Oats Cheesey Mini Rice Cakes

YUM! I really liked this combo alot! It was very fresh and just plain good.

After lunch I went to a meeting about proctoring for standardized testing in the elementary schools. It is volunteer and not paid or anything, but it would be fun.

Then I went over to the gym to get a little run in.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do a long run or a short run, so I decided just to hop on and see how I felt. After a miles I set my goal at 5 miles, but after I finished 5 I wanted to do one more, so I ran 6 miles in all. The only that SUCKS about doing long runs at the gym is that the treadmills are automatically set to cool down after 30 minutes, so I had to constantly reset it to keep it from slowing me down. Oh well.

Now I'm off to cook up some dinner and probably lounge around for the rest of the night. I hope everyone had a good Monday. I know, Mondays generally are bad. But, its almost over!

Lots of Love, <3 Ems.

Two Down, One To Go...

Well peeps, I have made it through two interviews this week and now I'm waiting for my last one in about a hour. I'm telling you its been so rough and discouraging. I'm not really doing as well on the interviews as I would have hoped, and then when I do think that I do good I don't get the response that I expected. Yesterday's interview was just horrible, so I'm pretty sure I messed that one up. And then the interview that I had today I thought went really really well. Both while I was waiting to be interviewed I was listening to the guy that was being interviewed before me, and they hired him right on the spot. But me? they said they would call me next week. So, I dont know about that. The interview tonight is my second interview so I'm thinking that's a good sign. But its just a serving position at this little hip restaurant downtown. But a jobs a job, I guess and it is a really cool place. I probably won't be finding a teaching position until the beginning of the next school year, since summer is coming up soon. So, I need something to bring in the cash flow while I wait. ;)

Keeping with the warm weather theme, I wanted something cold for brekkie this morning...so I had some cereal!

• 1 Cup All-Bran Flakes
• 1/2 Nanner
• Cinnamon
• Blueberries!

For lunch I wanted something for my sweet tooth. Whenever I get a sweet craving for lunch I always fix up a yummy grilled peanut butter and Jayjay.

• Grilled Honey Wheat Toast
• 2 Tbsp. Mighty Maple Peanut Butter
• Other half of the 'Nanner from brekkie
• Blackberry Preserves
• Cinnamon

I wanted to try Chobani flavor #2. I have heard rave reviews of the blueberry flavor, so I decided this was the one for me today.

I added some chopped up strawberries, just cause.

Ok guys, I know that you all LOVE the Chobani, but I must say that while I do like it a lot, I think that I like the Oikos better. Its just thicker and creamier. But then again, I haven't tried the plain Chobani, so it might be a little thicker since it doesnt have the liquid fruit flavoring at the bottom. I think that if you were trying to ease someone into greek yogurt that Chobani would def. do the trick. But for someone who has been eating greek yogurt for a while, I have kind of built up a taste for the thicker kinds.

Now I have to freshen up and head out for my THIRD interview in the past 36 hours. This whole "job hunt" thing is really starting to wear on me. I feel like I have definitely at this really hard cross road in my life right now, and I still haven't decided which way I want to go. I have a lot of options that I have been considering and have made steps towards all of them, just to see what pans out. I need everyone's prays and support right now, its a pretty hard/confusing time! Right now my options include:

1. Grad School for my Masters in Education
• Steps towards this: I have signed up to take the GRE (which is like the ACT for grad school) and I take it next Tuesday. I have also applied for scholarships and financial aid.
• Pros: It will help me build up my credentials for a better chance at scoring a teaching job when I graduate with my masters. Also, the economy will hopefully be better when I get out of school
• Cons: I'm not sure if I want to continue with education, or do something else. I'm not sure if I would be able to pay for it.
2. Pursuing a second degree in Nutrition:
• Steps toward this: I have met with the nutrition director of my old college and reapplied for admission to ETSU for a 2nd degree.
• Pros: Nutrition is something that I am way interested in and would love to pursue it. Also, I think that with 2 degrees I will have more of a range when looking for a job.
• Cons: I'm sort of ready for a change of scenery and don't really want to go back to the same school I just graduated from.
3. Continuing in my job search for a teaching position:
• Steps towards this: Put in multiple applications and gone to interviews. Also, I am attending a job fair in April in Nashville for teachers.
• Pros: Well, obv. its what I set out to in the first place and it would be nice to be settled with a career (and steady paycheck).
• Cons: It's so hard to find and job with the economy how it is and nothing is guaranteed. Also, I'm not 100% sure that I am ready to settle into a career just yet.

So there you have it. This are the issues that have really been weighing on me lately. I know that everything will work out the way that they are supposed to, but it is just so hard and confusing! Any advise?!

Woah! I wrote way too much...I gotta RUN! I'll let you guys know how this interview goes when i get back!

Lots of Love <3 Ems.

Edited to add: I just got home from my last interview and I got the job! I start on Friday. Its just that job as a server at that little resturuant, but it will have to do for now. I need some cash flowage, so hopefully this will help while i decide what the HELL I wanna do with my life! Thanks for all the postive comments guys, you always put a bright spot in my bad days, it is much appreciated. PLUS, it totally made me day to hear that Katie thought I looked like Elisha Cuthbert :)

Packages and Peanut Butter

I was having a pretty "Blah" day today and it was immediately brightened when I checked the mail and found this little surprise stuffed among all the junk mail:

What is it you ask?!...Well, I KNEW what it was, so I tore it open and first pulled out this beautiful card:

Still wondering what it is?! Wellll, CHECK IT OUT:

Thats right boys and girls, it was my "ohsheglows" hoodie that I won in Angela's contest. I was so excited that I just had to try it on right away (and get the roomie to snap a pic).

Represent! P.S. theres Boo-Tay shot #2 for ya Mica! haha.

I guess I could also update 'cha with some eats as well. Last night I just COULD NOT decide what I wanted to eat so I just whipped up an old fave:

Annie's Mac and Cheese with Peas.

I had the ol stand by lunch today as well. I was craving sweet, and we all know that peanut butter (especially Mighty Maple) always hits the spot when it comes to a sweet tooth ;). Here is my usual Close-Up/Break-Down:

• Honey Wheat Bread
• Mighty Maple Peanut Butter
• 1/2 Nanner
• A Few Raisins
• Cinnamon
• Blackberry Preserves
• Grilled to Perfection on the Georgie Grill

I also had some Pineapple Fat Free Yogurt on the side, with blueberry and Bran Flakes mixed in:

Now I am sitting here enjoying a nice cup-o-joe before work. Just look how cute this coffee is:

Its called "Moon Doggie" coffee, and this flavor is Butter Rum (but they have ALL kinds of different flavors). My roommates mom is a big animal rights advocate and the money from the coffee purchases goes toward fund raising for animal rights groups. If your interested you can visit www.moondoggiecoffee.com for more information and to place any orders. Its really great coffee for a really great cause!

Now, I must be off to work! See ya lata! <3 Ems.

Food Porn ALERT!

Oh my goodness...just look at this deliciousness in the form of a pb & j!

Honey Wheat Bread with Chocolate chip cookie dough peanut butter, strawberry preserves, and half a banana. grilled and warm and gooey! :) can you handle another shot?!

BAM!

Time for a close-up

And all together with some cherry yogurt and blueberries on the side. On my wonderful monster plate that I got from my secret cupid! :)

Okay backtracking to breakfast, I had my usual two pieces of whole wheat bread with blackberry and apricot preserves, and 1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese with cinnamon.

After breakfast I also had a quick gym sess' that included:

• 35 minutes on the eliptical
• 1 mile run (for a cooldown)
• leg weights

Oh yeah and KATIE, you were right. That thing is an arc trainer and looks a little like this:

Has anyone ever used this?! According to the stats on the machine (which seem to be accurate because you have to enter in your weight, age, and sex, and it also has a HRM) I burn WAY more calories on this than I do on the elipitcal, but I am baffled as to why, it doesnt really feel like that much more of a workout. Does anyone know anything about this?!

Ok dears, Im going to hop in the shower and prepare to go to work for the night.

Hope everyone is having a great tuesday! <3 Ems

Just Havin' a Good Time

Happy Saturday everybody! I hope everyone is having a blast this weekend. My weekend has been filled with work, work, and more work. But thats OK with me, because that means im racking in the cash flowage. haha. I just got home from a 9 HOUR shift!! NO BREAK! Im a workin woman, thats for sure!Today was the most beautiful sunny day too! ohhh spring is sooo close! :)

I had to pack up my lunch since I knew that I was going to be at work for so long. isnt it just the cutest?

flat out wrap and a granny smith apple.

My breakfast this morning was such a disappointment :( I think that I put too much water and/or milk in my oats and they were all runny! PLUS Im pretty sure that my roommate ate about 95% of the HUGE-O carton of blueberries that I bought, so I didnt have many left. I did what I could though.

This bowl contained:

• 1/2 cup of oats
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk
• few blueberries
• 1 banana
• few blackberries

Now Im off to have dinner with some girlies from work. I am SO TIRED though, so I might have to call it a short night. Anyways gals, I leave with the hilarious video for your saturday night viewing pleasure...hopefully this is you tonight, "just havin' a good time".