I Feel Like Paolo Nutini

Yesterday I bought my second pair of running shoes ever. Due to sentimental reasons it was hard to let go of the first ones. The reason they mean something is kind of apparent. They represent a part of the chapter in my healthy/fit lifestyle.  I realised this change is needful after my last run where I left feeling pain in my left foot. The bottoms are starting to wear down and the cushioning I need isn't as predominant anymore. There's been alot of miles put on my trusty shoes that's for sure. I think these new pair will do just fine though. Actually, I was jsut getting ready for my first run in them when I though I should make a post about it.

There's been alot going on in my life. I'll have to post more about it the next chance I get. I'll have alot more photos to share as well. Till next time. Oh, btw there is a link to the video of Paolo Nutini's New Shoes vid down below for your enjoyment.

The old.

The new! They're Adidas which is always a plus I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTkgtQFXXrE

A Cheeseburger Sounds Good Right About Now...

Monday was a day I dreaded, but really don't remember all too well. It was a day I am glad is finally over with, yet am now dealing with the aftermath. What took place was something I feared would feel like, well, teeth being pulled, yet wasn't so bad in the moment... I had dental work done and yes, teeth were pulled. To be more precise, I no longer have any wisdom teeth. It's day 5 since the dreaded event.  I'm doing alright other than my mouth feeling a little sore (gums and teeth ache.) Yesterday was the first time I ate something not in liquid form. It was a simple piece of bread which I soon found out wasn't so simple for someone in my condition. The end result was throbbing pain in my teeth and gums, and me getting a bowl of soup to soften the bread enough to not have to chew it.

When one's only way of obtaining nutrition is through liquid/mushy (non-chewing) form, it doesn't take long to realize how creativity takes place of simple snacking. I've learned that instant mashed potatoes and golden mushroom soup go perfectly mixed together as a delicious meal. I've also learned that slimfast is more about fasting than anything else b/c there's not really enough of it to be filling, and Jello makes a great nearby companion.
I've collected quite a bit of Jello during one health-nut idea I had to snack on more of the cold gooey substance for weight loss a while ago. I stocked and stocked the little boxes and placed them neatly compacted together in one cupboard. Days, weeks, and even a few months have been charted since I made my splurge. My collection was still there perfectly stacked together yet hidden behind some other goodies I have found require less stirring, chilling,  and waiting. I now realize I was just stockpiling for this torturous week unaware I would need even more than my hoarded treasures to satisfy my cravings.

I've been quite fatigued (possibly from starvation) but I'm pushing through it when I have to.  I've taken a few days off to recover, but was asked to come in to work yesterday. I was exhausted midway through longing for the couch, my blanket, and something filling to eat (Oh for the ability to eat solid food!!!) yet I pressed on. Upon finally arriving home, I made sure to satisfy my hunger as well as one can with liquidy nutrition, enjoyed some downtime, and joyfully said hello to my pillow soon afterwards hoping to dream about eating non-mushy food with some success.  Today I've spent my time relaxing as much as possible doing nothing exciting to anyone.  I'm still day dreaming about solid food... salivating over the thought of a cheeseburger (I deserve it) as I eat my bowl of fat free/ sugar free cheesecake pudding.

I hope everyone has a great weekend full of delicious chewy/crunchy/meaty foods. Until next time, ciao.

Time Flies...

I'm very surprised that it's already the end of April. Where have the last 3 and a half months gone and how do I get them back?!!!! It's amazing how the sands of time flow so loosely through our hands. Speaking of time, counting today, I can't believe I recently turned 28 either! o.O I'm slightly afraid. I'm getting older and I feel like I have to be more like a grown up... at least act the part.

April marks my 1 year anniversary of becoming more active and losing weight. I've lost approximately 90lbs and have kept it off. My goal as of late is to slowly lose the last bit of chunk and gain a more muscle to help secure keeping the excess fat away. I've learned even more about nutrition than what I had previously known in this past year... I thought I knew a lot actually. I had lost weight before when I was around 22 and kept off most of it.  At my heaviest, I was around 350 or 360. For the longest time after, I fluctuated around 280-300lbs until recently. I now weigh around 205.

Reflecting upon this amazing transformation in my life, I know dealing with my grief concerning mom has been my main motivator to be active. I've needed an outlet, and it's been a very positive one. I know how concerned she was about my obesity, yet I'm sure by now she'd tell me to eat a few doughnuts, have a slice of her pineapple upside down cake, some sweet tea, along with some of her fried chicken by now. I wish I could tell her about how much I've changed.  I don't know how I've survived this long without even hearing her voice other than looking ahead and knowing my loved one that remain need me. Life just keeps on going. Losing her is something that effects me every day, but I try to stay positive. I usually keep my grief to myself or discuss it with a select few who bear the burden with me, yet writing just seems to make me think, reflect, and express whatever comes to mind.

Concerning the topic of writing, I've not been as active as I was in 2010. My last journal entry dates are far apart and usually just a few paragraphs. I desire to write, but just don't make the time for it. College was great for me because it made me write daily, helped me see the areas in my writing that needed improvement, and it challenged me to go farther. Without that push, I've let it go to the wayside fairly easily. I do desire to convey more of my thoughts through blogging or in my journal, I just need to act on it like I do with exercise.

We can hope and wish for things to happen all too often, yet until we take action and work on our passions, hopes, goals, and dreams, nothing will ever happen. It's just like a farmer looking out on a barren field hoping for his crops to come to fruition without setting forth the effort and dedication it takes to make it happen. I've proven to myself that I can, I just need to do. Herein lies one of my ultimate goals and that is to be more of a doer and less of a sayer.

Thankfully, I have been active for some time at reaching this personal goal. I'm seeing some successes that I've been very happy with lately. One has been improving my career. I'm glad within the past 6 months that I've passed this fantastic marker with a job I now love. Life Works has been a  great experience for me. I never knew how rewarding working there could be. I can't say every day is full of sweetness and happy feelings. It can be challenging, yet I know I'm making a difference in a life. It's exciting to see that difference too.

Another goal I have is to be more prompt on updating Majorly Mark. One reason I don't is I fear I'm a bore. Yet if I don't write how will I ever improve?  I'm going to make myself a challenge to blog every week with a well thought out topic or perhaps even a new piece of art I've done. Doing so will encourage me to knock out another goal which is to work on my art more. I could also write about my thoughts on a new book I'm reading as well or maybe some of the old things I've done like post about an awesome dish I cooked. It's been a while since I've done one of those. Or.... Wait...  here I am brainstorming. I should just jot these ideas down now and build on them so we can see where they take us. I guess it means I should conclude this long entry then.  Have an awesome week and we'll see what next week may bring.

Free Love Day

I'm participating in a facebook event that is being held all day. As stated, "Free Love Day is a day to promote awareness of suicide and depression, as well as to advocate a LIFESTYLE of unconditional love." If you're interested in being involved, you can visit the link here for more information.

I wear my heart on my sleeve today in rememberance of friends and loved ones who have suffered with depression and for those who thought the only remedy was taking their own life. My friends, if you're suffering know you always have an open non-judgemental ear and a shoulder to cry on with me. :)

A Stumbling Upon

I'm struggling to find the words to create an introduction to the reason for this instant sharing I'm wanting to do with this song. While listening to Pandora, I came across this very song that stopped me in my tracks and it struck a chord within me. I'll be having an actual update soon. One is in the works, and I should have it out by tomorrow. Till, then.

Sea/Space Creatures- Art

   Last week, I finally took some time to sketch. I allowed myself an hour to just come up with something and draw it. I've been in a space mood with all the DS9 I've been watching (going through the whole series on Netflicks.) Here are two pages of sketches I did. I hope to make more time for my art, and in turn, share more with the world. Balancing all my loves is hard, but I'm willing to work on it. Hey, blogging two weeks in a row should show how I'm trying to achieve my goal. ;) 



This was where I first wandered into, aquatic alien territory. o.O
I tried using my imagination a bit, then started thinking about
 all the crazy creatures in the deep. I wanted to incorporate more
of a strange oceanic creature feel to the guy,
so I went to studying the very creatures I wanted to present.
 I still need to finish the guy, but here's where I'm at so far.  



Here are some of my little studies. My favorite has to be the vipor fish on the bottom right. I think when I finish the concept for the space creature, he'll have more characteristics of the realy strange sea slug above the aformentioned fish.



Snow Falling In Longview

As the snow falls gently cascading down to join it's already fallen bretheren, I stand outside absorbing the scene that lays before my eyes. The forecasters said it would arrive around 4pm yesterday. Apparently, the snow wanted to make a glitzy entrance to suprise the sleepy eyes now waking this cold February morning. Here are a few glimpses into what I witnessed a few hours earlier.

Kyle entering work as the snow keeps coming down.

It's hard to see, but it started falling real fast for a bit.

The big fountain on the lake.

Walking about past the pavillion.

The statue of a man playing fetch with his dog.

The iconic remake of an old relic of Longview in times past.

One of my favorite photos of the day.

What happens when one stands in place for too long in the snow!

Reminds me of Odo off DS9. 

Mother nature playing games with us.

A little blurry, but I wanted to show it anyway.

The state flower.

Breakfast time for the birds!!!!