Life is... Good!

I often wonder, “Why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?” Answer?

In the words of so many, “Life isn’t fair.” Hmm… Bummer.

I can hear something over and over, but never hear it. (I believe that was a confession). I can know something, but not really know it. Sometimes it takes being told again, or a slap in the face, to change.

This past spring, someone told me to simply “cherish the good days.” I go back to this often. I do not use this thought to compare myself to others, but to remember to be thankful. Not every day is going to be fantastic. In fact, many days won’t even be close. However, reflecting back to times that were good give hope of what’s to come.

I was also reminded of how much can happen in one day, one hour, one moment. “Cherish the good moments.” When I can’t have my cake or even have a slice, I can remember the times that I was able to devour an entire sheet cake! (I’m getting hungry).

My aunt, Tammy, always wears the “Life is Good” t-shirts. What an awesome company. Their slogan is “Spreading the Power of Optimism.” It’s hard not to smile when you see the silly sayings and pictures. While life is not always fair, it really is good.

Naked Nails

I decided today that I am “medium maintenance.” I would like to coin this term, thank you. By this I mean I am not low nor high maintenance. How did I decide this? Well, I have gone almost 24 hours with naked nails. If I were high maintenance, this would never occur. If I were low maintenance, this would not bother me.

News flash!!! It’s starting to bother me. The way I see it, painting my nails is a noncommittal tattoo. It’s my art outlet. I can change the color to match my outfit or an event I’m attending. Just perfect. I suppose Dad would call this my “vice.” Call it what you may. All I know is that I sweat a little when I see this….

and this....

She's My Bean Queen

Cooking shows are entertaining. It seems that in the past few years, The Cooking Channel and The Food Network have grown in popularity. This is fine by me, because I have totally jumped on the bandwagon!

Let's face it. There is a lot of study down time in college. When I was a freshman, I found myself utterly intrigued by Paula Deen.

Her focus is southern comfort food. Her obsession with mayonnaise, butter, and all things bad for you is comical. Her love for life is simply contagious. As I began to follow her show, I realized that the reason I loved her so much is because she made me feel loved and comforted. Funny how someone I've never met is able to do this. Her cooking talent is evident, but her talents stretch far beyond the kitchen.

But let's get real. She's hilarious. 

"Bein' rich is having leftovers. Good leftovers make yo' tongue fly outta yo' mouth and smack yo' brains out."

"Nobody better get between a fat girl and her food. 'Specially if the girl is me."

"Oh I would be so teed off if I didn't put butter on my biscuit one mornin' and I walk out there and a truck hits me. And there my ass is, lyin' out in that street to die healthy. Oh, nooo, darlin'."

And if you really feel like laughing today...

It's just too bad that her sons, Jamie and Bobby, are married. Those are two pretty men. 

Where's the Cream Filling??

When people say they like organic potato chips and brussel sprouts, I have to question them just a little. I like a lot of health foods. I see them importance in whole grains, fruits, and veggies. But, who are we kidding? A few cheese balls dipped in ranch dressing just does the trick sometimes. I could honestly live on M&Ms and diet soda. 

When I see donuts, my mouth begins to water. There, I said it. I love donuts. Ugh! I just can’t hide it anymore. I’m not partial to any certain kind. I don’t want hurt feelings here. A cream-filled long john is sufficient; however, I enjoy a little donut hole just as well. I will treat all donuts equal, just as they should be. 

This is where balance becomes so important. A donut here or there will not kill me. The Krispy Kreme diet, however, is a bit of an overload. I have found that seeking balance can be challenging, and not just with my donut obsession :-) After reading God Never Blinks by Regina Brett, I realized the importance of taking the next right choice. Live for each moment, and go with what feels right. Everything else will fall into place. There is no need to worry about the past or future. Just take the next right step. Even if it means eating a teeny, tiny donut hole. 

Say My Name, Same My Name...

For any runners looking for a really great tool, check out Map My Run. I use it to find running/biking routes. It works especially well when I want to run in unfamiliar places. It's quite user-friendly. Today I found a new 4-mile loop. It's nice to switch it up and feel excited about running again!

This weekend I had brunch in Des Moines at Jethro's BBQ. It's located near the Drake campus, and has been visited by the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food" show!

Host Adam Richman attempted to eat a five pound sandwich in 15 minutes. Crazy! (He failed with one pound left).

As I looked over the brunch menu, I noticed an omelet named the "Anna Kay." Even though my middle name is Jane, not Kay, my eyes jumped quickly to this part of the menu. 

When I was little, I searched the public library for any book with a character named Anna. I read the same stories over and over. Why this was so exciting, I will never know. 

Growing up, I never liked my name. When we ordered shirts for clubs and sports, my girlfriends would put their first names on the back. "Ashley,""Kelli," "Brooke"... They all looked so cute. My shirt said "Anna." Two letters. Boring and short! What a sad life I lived ;-)

However, I suppose my name does have some perks. 

• I mean, it rhymes with banana, one of my favorite fruits. 
• It's a palindrome. Anna. Did I just write that forward or backward? You will never know. 
• It means "gracious." Clearly perfect for me.
• But best of all, I was named after my great grandma :-) 

Fun fact: It is technically pronounced /a-na/

Song of the day: "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child. Tootles!!!

Forever Young, I Want To Be Forever Young

I am an avid reader of msn.com. It is a great source for news, sports, entertainment, fashion….  really just EVERYTHING! I just love it; however, it tends to be quite the time sucker. Some of my favorite pages include “fitbie” and “glo.” There is just so much information. Each article leads to another. Honestly, just amazing. Sorry, I’m a nerd.

Today I came across an interesting article called “What We Wish We Knew As Teens.” This age group is so intriguing to me, so I immediately clicked on it.

Bayside High = most iconic high school of all time

Back off ladies, Dylan is mine.

Here is the list:

           

1.     Love Who You Are

2.     Have More Fun

3.     Character Counts

4.     Awkwardness Fades

5.     Memories Fade, Too

6.     Don’t Limit Who You Date

7.     Think of Your Career

8.     Don’t Rush

9.     Tune Out the Haters

10.  Allow Yourself to be Pursued

11.  Just Breathe

I absolutely love this list. In my mind, it is perfect. High school is a busy time. There are activities and obligations. Teenagers are learning who they are. Personalities are being formed. Each individual has so much to offer to the world. Each teenager is special in his or her own way. It is easy to let the stress of fitting in and future plans muddle the high school experience.

Looking back, I spread myself too thin. While it’s not good to put all of your eggs in one basket, it is also not ideal to do everything. Teenage years should be about figuring out strengths and weaknesses. It’s about making mistakes and learning from them.

It is easy to “shoulda, coulda, woulda” the high school years. The fact is that they shape who we are today. All of the awkwardness is part of the ride. “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.” Thank you Green Day :-)

Last but not least, the high schools of the future:

Are you a Gleek?

Zac Efron is stealing the hearts of tweens, teens, and adults. Truth hurts.

I feel like turning on "The Breakfast Club." Sounds like a nice little Sunday for me. Take care. Call a high school friend.... or don't. 

Snap Out've It!

I'm all about getting a solid eight hours of sleep each night. With that being said, we all know that life happens. Late nights and early mornings are sometimes necessary. Like Faith Hill said, "The secret of life is getting up early, the secret of life is staying up late." The problem is when they both occur the same night.


Along with less sleep comes irritable Anna. For some reason my eyes feel wacky, cold sores form, and I'm just plain doggin' it. Not fun.

Introducing....

The Nap. Oh, how this three letter word has become my best friend. Now, I'm not the type to nap for hours on end (I consider that actually sleeping). I am a huge fan of the "cat nap." Just 20-30 minutes of "resting my eyes" is heavenly.

Then there's the "snap out've it" nap. These sometimes cause a bit of anxiety. This is when you are so out of it that you wake up in a sweat. Panic sets in. Where am I? Where am I supposed to be? What day is it? Is it 5:00 am or pm? Ahhhh!!! Clearly, you need to "snap out've it."






This girl is pretty notorious for this type of nap :-)
Love you, Katherine.






Now that I just got my nap in, it's time to pull myself together and meet a few friends out for the Sturgis Falls Celebration! Hope the weekend is going well!

You've Got Snail Mail

Another beautiful summer morning! I suppose it's a good thing I never sleep in and miss the chirping birds and misty grass. On this particular morning, I am up and excited for the day. I will be traveling to Des Moines to attend a wedding for my friends Kelli and Dennis. I will be seeing people from high school, which can sometimes be nerve-wracking; however, it's going to be a fun time!

I will be the first to admit that I am not overly “tech savvy.” However, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Social networks, texting, and email are the basis of communication today. Sometimes it drives me crazy when people act “scared” of technology (sorry Mom and Dad). It is changing so much, and we are all learning. The fact is that these types of communication are not the wave of the future. They are today. Which means, in order to keep up, we should participate.

I love the movie, “You’ve Got Mail.” I mean, come on… with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, you just can’t go wrong. The screenplay for this film is outstanding. Love. It.

           

            Joe Fox (Tom Hanks): You’ve… got mail.

            Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan): Yes!

            Joe Fox: Some very powerful words.

            Kathleen Kelly: Yes….

Don’t feel bad if you shed a few tears…

Now....

Here’s where I begin to contradict myself…

Snail mail makes my day. There is something about opening an envelope to find a card, letter, or invitation. My friend Katherine loves browsing through the Hallmark store, so I can usually count on her for a laugh and a smile. So, if you want to know a way to my heart, send me some snail mail.

Bills can stay far away (I’m talking to you, Von Maur.)

To Be, or Not To Be... Is That the Question???

When people hear that I am going to be a high school English teacher they usually cringe and say, “I better use proper English around you.” Here’s what I have to say…

First of all, you should always use proper English. I mean, don’t we all want to sound intelligent? I guess I just thought that was the idea. However, maybe I’m wrong.

Secondly, high school students are usually not as insane as the person making these assumptions. Consider this: teenagers are underestimated and often misunderstood. As of this coming fall, they are my world. They better be little angels in my classroom… or else.

Lastly, most people think I have Shakespeare memorized and sit around writing poetry. While this is not the case, you should know… English teachers are the coolest, smartest people you will ever meet. Ha… take that.

Enjoy your day, and learn a new word today :-)

To Find a Dream and a Life of Her Own

First of all, stocking hats at the gym... in June?? I don't get it. Phew... got that off my chest. Moving on.

Yesterday, my 17-year-old sister (favorite person in the whole world) and my parents went on a college visit to Winona State University. This is an exciting time as Sarah begins a new journey in her life.

Can you believe this little Goober is going to be a senior in high school??

Or better yet, this nerd???

Since I'm eight years older than my sister, I feel responsible for her in many ways. I try to be a good role model; however, it is not always easy. I fail and make mistakes. But the best part is, Sarah loves me anyway. We learn from each other, but most importantly we laugh together.

With everything we have been through together, it's hard for me to believe she is an independent young woman. At times it is difficult to listen and observe as she considers her future, as well as makes daily decisions. Part of me wants her to follow in my footsteps and become a Panther, but one of my friends reminded me the other day how important it is for her to make her own decisions. This is Sarah's life. I am proud of her and know that she needs "wide open spaces, room to make her big mistakes." (Thanks Dixie Chicks... I knew you were good for something). She is talented, artistic, and smart. I love watching her grow and support her 100%.

Did I mention that she's a little bit goofy too? Wonder where she get's that???

Love you Goober!!!

Confessions of a "Brunette"

It's time we get real. I'm not a true brunette. I know, I know. It's hard to believe that this hair color is not natural. This morning, I made a trip to Polk-a-Dot Salon to color and cut my hair. As I was getting ready, I realized that I didn't mind the color of my hair. I consulted my sister, and she told me, "I don't think you look like a ginger." (My apologies to anyone with red hair.) Nice, Sarah. Since my hair hasn't faded out too bad, I opted to just trim it up before the weekend. 

I began thinking about all of the styles and colors this head of hair has obtained throughout the years. Hence, it's time to confess. I have no idea what my true hair color is. I have been highlighting, low-lighting, and coloring since I was in 7th grade. Hey, a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.

My mom has always told me that there are a few things you never mess with. Your feet, your eyes, and your hair. While I completely agree with her now, I haven't always.

Box dye. Horrible idea.

Back to blonde after a true professional got her hands on me.

Blondie. Inverted and Asymmetrical. (Must have been going up for the dollar dance!)

Adding in the brunette.

I wanted to be Posh Spice. Do you blame me?

Shorter "pixie" cut.

And finally.... Today!

Just like anything in life, we can learn from the past. I have definitely learned a lot from my hair. First, change it up. There is no reason not to take chances and have some fun! Second, it's always reversible. After coming home in tears (more than once), I know that hair grows and color can be changed. And most of all, your hair should always be in the hands of a true professional!

Enjoy the day! 

Old School Intervals

It's a cloudy, rainy day. Which means I cannot will not run outside today. After work yesterday evening, I traveled the quick hour to my hometown. There are a few things I needed to pick up, and I wanted to see my dad on Father's Day. There is a 4-mile loop that I really enjoy running here, so I was a little bummed to see rain this morning. It didn't take long for me to slip on one of my sister's tie-dye t-shirts and head to the Franklin County Wellness Center.

Please forgive my hair.

I just wish I had some Wigwam tube socks and a scrunchie to finish off the look. No such luck. As I was cruisin' along on the treadmill, Alanis Morissette came on my Ipod. Talk about old school! I was loving it!

Needless to say, I ended up having a really great workout. Here is the treadmill interval workout I completed this morning:

0-4 min	4 mph
4-9 min	6 mph
9-13 min	6.5 mph
13-16 min	7 mph
16-18 min	7.5 mph
18-19 min	8 mph
19-21 min	7.5 mph
21-24 min	7 mph
24-28 min	6.5 mph
28-33 min	6 mph
33-36 min	4 mph

 It turns out to be about 3.5 miles, depending on the length of the warm-up and cool-down. 

Time to hit the shower and head back to CF so I can work again tonight! Peace out (I feel like this is very fitting as I wear this gnarly shirt!)  

Celebrate Your Papa Bear!!!

Happy Father's Day! A great reason to throw some steaks on the grill and toss the football around. I have to work today, so I don't plan to head home to spend time with my dad. Bummer! But, who knows, I may get a wild hair and travel home for the night. I was reading an article this morning about fathers. The question was, what have you learned from your father? People were sharing stories and pictures. It got me thinking about all of the things I have learned from my dad throughout the years.

Vacation in Door County, Wisconsin last summer. I'm along with my sister, Sarah, brother, Mike, and of course, my dad!

1. Patience. My dad does not rush into things. I suppose it helps that he is an avid golfer (and we all know how much patience that takes). He steps back and really thinks before taking leaps. His practicality has rubbed off on me. I know that things will happen on their own time. With faith and understanding, we are all taken care of. 
2. I matter. My dad cares about his health. He exercises each day. We enjoy talking about planks, running, and biking. I know that he does this because he cares about himself. By taking care of myself, I realize that I matter. Dad shows me that I matter. 
3. Have faith. While my dad is a man of few words. I still see what he does each day. I watch him open the Bible, attend church weekly, and live a Christian life. It is one of the best gifts he could have ever given me. 
4. Be silly. My dad has a great sense of humor. He may "play dumb," but I know he is smarter than the average bear. He's one silly Papa Bear :-)

I love you, Dad!

hey, where's the fan???

Heya everyone! Another week is almost complete. It's hard to believe that June is already halfway over. I selfishly want this summer to pass by quickly so I can start my student teaching in the fall. However, as my dad would say, "you can't wish your life away." So, I won't!

Last night was very fun! I went out to dinner at a Sakura Japanese Steakhouse with a few friends. I enjoyed some sushi while being entertained by the chef chopping up rice, noodles, and veggies. He even tried to fling a piece of shrimp into our mouths... kinda messy, but pretty hysterical :-) After dinner, we sat on the deck of Betsy and Brian's apartment building and watched some fireworks that were being displayed downtown. It was such a beautiful night!

So apparently an electrician is coming this morning to "fart around." Therefore, our power will be shut off from 9:00 until noon. Good thing I'm heading off to Katherine's bridal shower, otherwise I would have either laid here in the heat or headed to Target and the mall. It's a rough life ;-) Off to get ready before my hair dryer shuts off! AAAhhhh!!!

Attention all Iowans: it's humid today. So crank up your fans and relax!!

My brother's little carin terrior, Nala.

say aah... it's your birthday

I had a hard time rolling out of bed this morning. For some reason, my body was feeling sore. Could have been my surprise 2 hour shift yesterday (highly unlikely) or maybe those killer planks in yesterday's kickboxing class. Either way, I did a "1-2-3-GO!" and went on a 3 mile run outside. It's beautiful this morning!

A beautiful day for my friend Betsy's birthday!!! Tonight I am meeting her for dinner to celebrate!





Birthdays are my favorite. I am quite notorious for holding birth-weeks or even birth-months. There is always a reason to celebrate! And there is always a reason for sugar :-) My friends and I went on quite a streak where we were baking cakes weekly (and I'm proud to say this is no exaggeration). Here are a few ones to share....

UNI cake after running the Homecoming 5K. Go Panthers!! (Cake still looks yummy, Katherine.)

Masterpiece using real, fresh gerber daisies. This is what happens when you live in an apartment with three other girls. Imaginations run wild.

Sarah's oh, so special Barbie cake! Making this what like a science experiment. Way fun and very tasty. Barbie didn't quite fit, so we had to improvise with Skipper. I wish I could say it felt weird eating her dress, but I loved every minute :-)

I'm rocking out to "Say Ah" by Trey Songz. Yeah, that's right, it's 9 a.m. 

rockin' out with some pita chips

I should start off right away by explaining my obsession with Target. I know people say that quite often, but seriously, what do they not have? After I got called in to help out at work, I was in desperate need of cooling off. Since I don't sit still very long, it didn't take long to head out the door to spend my daily earnings on toilet paper and birthday cards (another obsession I'm sure I will share). I wandered around for a while, and then...... I fell victim to the impulse isle.... Whoops!! And boy am I glad I did! I found these puppies...

I am currently dipping them into some black bean salsa... yummy in my tummy!!! Kashi does it again!

As I head home, I was reeeaally enjoying the radio. Like, the embarrassing singing, dash board drumming kind of enjoyment. Growing up in Iowa has allowed me to really appreciate country music, especially in the summer. And who doesn't want an excuse to wear cowboy boots and flip flops?? Don't get me wrong, I have a soft spot for Britney Spears and Akon. However, in the summer, I find myself sticking with the country twang...

Miss these girls. (along with the Waterloo Bucks beer garden)

everything i know, i've learned from the today show....

howdy friends! this morning i popped out of bed at approximately 5:02 a.m. for my kickboxing class. i was kind of in a daze on my drive to the gym, but quickly snapped out of it when i saw a full class ready to work it out! i know what you are thinking... that's stinkin' early!!! well, after class it didn't take long for me to shower and lay back down in my bed (don't think i made bed before i left for the gym). i was in and out of sleep as i listened to the today show cast catch me up on today's headlines. boy do i love that show!

four hours of complete entertainment. matt lauer and his handsomeness along side the lovely ann curry is just goodness!


don't get me wrong, i did shed some tears on meredith's last day :-(






i digress.... what i was thinking about this morning while i "watched" the today show was how much i actually learn. they have it all. headlines, tips, recipes, and so much more. some of it is a bit "fluffy," but we can't be serious all of the time! being well informed of the world around us is so important. it is how we connect with others. as i go into teaching, i hope to incorporate headlines into the classroom. students need to have an understanding of their surroundings. it is how we learn and become better people.

until then, matt lauer, will you marry me???

here goes nothing!!

hello world (or probably no one)!!! this is my first posting on "a balanced banana" and i am excited! i've been wanting to do this for a while, so here it goes... i thought it would be best to begin with a little introduction about myself and the intentions of my blog. i live in cedar falls, iowa. i am currently working on receiving a secondary language arts teaching degree. it has not been the smoothest road, but i am beginning to see the light... whoop, whoop! after receiving a B.A. in communication from the wonderful university of northern iowa, i realized that my heart was in teaching. after countless discussions and prayers with friends and family, i decided to go back to UNI to become a teacher! i will be student teaching this coming fall, and (fingers crossed) getting a teaching job soon after!

what do i do in the meantime?? live. it. up. :-) but really, i serve/bartend at a local sports bar. i spend time with my friends and family (didn't i say i was pretty typical???). i love running and all types of fitness. i currently have a minor obsession with kickboxing. i feel best when i am "on track" with a balanced lifestyle... hence, the blog! i hope to use this as an outlet to reach others with similar interest. those closest to me know that i have a lot to say, so without further ado... introducing.... "a balanced banana"!!!!