Thinking Out Loud ; 5/8

“Shake your groove thang! Shake your groove thang! Yeah! Yeah! Show them how you do it now!”

You may be thinking that was a random start to this post, but I am happy it’s Thursday! Thursday’s are the day before the weekend begins and also the day for Amanda’s link-up. If you ask me (or anyone) that sounds like a pretty amazing day. 😉 Off to the thoughts!

1. I am semi-stressing out due to the thought that my AP English Exam is tomorrow morning. Remember those times where I had to go for three hours on a Saturday morning? Well, the day has finally come. I have been doing a lot of practice, but I have never been good with tests (especially that are timed). Please, please, please wish me luck!

 

2. We’ve started a new project in art for the final. It is a Tim Burton inspired sculpture. I decided I would go off of the Corpse Bride and do a woman with big eyes and a very tiny waist. I love the proportions and how girly-classic it looks. I was experimenting with different sketches and ultimately decided on a spider theme (Although I hate spiders). Here’s the sketch I will be going off of. 🙂

3. I am finally moving on Saturday! I have to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready before we start moving at 6 a.m. I can’t be doing much moving, because I have to go to a three hour prep class at 9 a.m., but afterwards, I am going to set up my room. Although I am not too thrilled to be waking up so early, I know it will be worth it!

4. My teacher pretty much implied that we should buy dark chocolate on test days. Apparently it is suppost to help with stress, so this just gives me an ever more authentic reason to eat more chocolate. I’m not complaining. 😉

5. On Tuesday, it was my sisters 21st birthday. I was a bit thrown off that day, because I didn’t get to eat dinner until 9:20 p.m. WHAT. I was starving! We went to Macayo’s and I got an order of carne asada grilled tacos (First time trying carne asada!), grilled and roasted veggies, and rice. It was so delicious! She invited about 20 friends, so in total, there was 24 of us in a restaurant. A great deal of her friends really like me, so it was nice seeing them and talking to them. 🙂

6. I have been saying “Ahh geez” A LOT lately. I don’t know where it has come from, but it’s like my new motto or something now. I even got some of my friends to say it too. 😉

7. You know how I mentioned that I have been having Sweet Tea instead of Peach Tea? Yeah.. that relationship didn’t work out too well.. I wasn’t just feelin’ the flavor.

8. T-minus 14 full days until Summer vacation! 😀

9. I’ve been craving a good hike lately. Good thing I will be meeting up with my friend Sunday morning to go hiking. It’s like an addiction to me now. I always want to go hiking! I think it is the view once we reach the top that really gives me that urge.

10. I FINALLY watched Despicable Me 2 and Monsters University for my first time this week. ADORABLE. ❤ I was so missing out.

 

I hope you have an amazing day! ❤

 

-What do you eat when stressed?

-What’s your favorite animated movie? Disney movie?

-What are your plans for the summer?

-Tell me some of your random thoughts!

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Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

 

Currently ; May 2014

Happy Monday Cinco de Mayo everyone!

I hope everyone had a marvelous weekend that was filled with a lot of happiness and whole lot less of stress. Amiright? I know I’m a few days late, but it’s time for a currently post for the month of May! ^_^

 

Current Book:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I was finally able to snag a copy from the library, and so far, it is a really good book! It’s a bit confusing without proper punctuation, but I overlook that. I heard a movie on the book came out, so once I finish the book, I’m gonna watch it. From what I’ve read so far, I would really recommend it. 🙂

Current Music:

Still playing this song on repeat. I can’t get enough of it.

Current Guilty Pleasure:

Art. I have neglected it for quite some time, but I am getting back in the groove. It’s ranging from masks, to Disney boxes, to sculptures, to sketches. My artistic side is coming out stronger than ever!

Current Nail Color:

Still rocking the purple. My other nail polishes have been packed away. I did get a pedicure with a really cute tealish-aquamarine color, but I’ll save you from seeing a picture of my feet. I personally don’t like seeing feet.

Current Entertainment:

Lately, I’ve been watching Salem on tv and Bomb Girls on Netflix. Salem is a bit graphic, but I enjoy watching it. Bomb Girls is a good show to watch! It really does a good job with showing how life was for women during WWII. I also love the fashion and hairstyles, so that’s a plus. 🙂

Current Wish/Needs:

• Art supplies.
• A massage.
• Dresses.
• A vacation.

Current Food:

Erm, it’s a bit weird, but I have been having tuna more often lately. I guess that’s the savory part. I’ve gotten a bit creative, and I have been making smoothies in a mini food processor. I can’t wait until I’ll be able to whip out the blender again. 🙂 I’ve also been having oatmeal before bed as well. It really does help me sleep better with a full stomach.

Current Drink:

I’ve been cheating on my beloved Diet Snapple Peach Tea with Diet Snapple Sweet Tea. As you can see, I am a big fan of Snapple. 😉

Current Triumphs:

• Rekindling my love for art.
• Making more time for me.
• Finally being able to do the splits.
• Being able to sleep more. Thank goodness!

 Current Bane of Existence:

So many finals and exams coming up. SO.MUCH.STRESS. I can’t wait until it is all over by the end of May. I can do this.. I can do this..

Current Blogger Crush:

My girl Ashley. She has such a big heart and never fails to make me laugh. I can’t wait until the day I get to meet this chick! We live in the same state, so of course we have to. We’re foodie twins all the way. Oh how many crazy adventures we’d get into if we were roommates.. You should go check out her blog, like right now.

Current Indulgence:

Sleep. I have been lacking a lot of it lately, so I take every advantage I’ve got with naps and sleep. It’s good for the body, so I don’t justify it as being lazy. 😉

Current Blessing:

Being able to do more of what I love even through all of the chaoticness of this month. I did lose myself this year, but I’m slowly finding myself again. 🙂

 Current Outfit:

Still going strong with my love for dresses. They’re my thang, didn’t ya know?

Current Excitement:

School ending at the end of this month! No more stress! Just time for friends, family, excitement, and ME. I am so ready.

Current Link:

I’ve been on Buzzfeed like it’s nobody’s business lately.

Current Mood:

At ease with everything. Pure bliss.

 

I hope you have an amazing day and month. Stay smiling. ❤

 

 

-What are you looking forward to this month?

-What are some of your currently’s?

-What did you do over the weekend?

———————-

Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

 

I Don’t Know How To React

Happy Thursday! I am going to keep this intro short and sweet to get straight into the thoughts..

Thank you Amanda for hosting! 

1. I got some really bad news yesterday, and to be honest, I don’t know how to react to it. I really don’t want to get into details, but what I found out is going to effect me for the rest of my life. Literally. I couldn’t help by cry right in front of the doctor. I couldn’t even muster out a word to my mom as we walked to the car. I can tell my parents are really concerned, but I don’t even know what to say. I am at a literal loss for words. All I want to do is crawl up into a ball and sleep, but that will do no good. I am trying to stay as positive as I can, but this burden is really weighing down my heart. I have done a lot of praying. I have done a lot of crying. I’m sorry I started out this post so heart heavy. I promise the rest are on the more positive side.

2. To cheer me up, my mom bought me Pho for lunch. Goodness this woman knows me so well. My love for pho is unreal. I mean come on, how can you not love how tasty it is and how it opens you up? I am able to handle more spicier foods now, so my throat and nose are really thanking me for that.

3. I can spend hours upon hours in a bookstore, primarily Barnes n Nobles. I was in there for a good few hours exploring the aisles while drinking some coffee. Doesn’t that sound perfect? To me it does. I finally came across Divergent and am looking forward to diving right into it. Doesn’t the movie come out tomorrow? I’m going to read the book before watching the movie. Who agrees that books are always better than the movie?

4. You guys.. my obsession for Diet Snapple Peach Tea is about to come back. I finally found these again after weeks of looking. Let’s just say I will be taking more frequent trips to the 99 cents store. 😀

5. You know what else I found? Stevia. I have been looking ALL OVER for it and I finally found it at Big Lots! I can’t wait to try it out. What are some things you add Stevia to? Suggestions much appreciated. 🙂

6. I don’t think I am ready for Spring Break to be over. I am grateful for an education, but I am really not looking forward to waking up early and spending 7 hours at school. I know that the work load is going to increase. You know what makes me happy though? I will only have 9 more weeks left of school. HOLLA!

7. I finally started using Snapchat. I mean I downloaded the app a while ago, but I was “too lazy” to take pictures. What am I kidding? I looked like a hot mess every time I got a snapchat. It’s actually pretty fun when you get comfortable with taking random pictures. If anyone wants to snapchat, let me know!

8. You know what else I have been using more lately? Twitter. I have these periods where I go on it for a long time all the time and then it switches to never opening up the app. I have been using it a lot more lately and I don’t really think I will stop any time soon. I have been talking to some pretty cool people on there. You should follow me and tweet me so we can become friends. Okay? 😉

9. I think it is safe to say that Ashley and I would be the perfect roomies. I mean we both live in Arizona, we love roasting veggies (and eating them), peanut butter fanatics, foodie twins, and our personalities are so in sync. What do ya say girl? You up for it? We’d get into some pretty crazy adventures!

10. I’m thinking about cutting my hair short this Summer. Should I or should I not? Opinions are welcome.

I hope you are having an amazing day and week. ❤

-What do you use Stevia in?

-What’s your favorite book? What are you currently reading? 

-What’s your favorite comfort food?

-What’s your snapchat name? Twitter name? 

———————-

Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

Thinking Out Loud #9 –

I think I share just as much excitement as Amanda does for Thursday. I mean, how can you not get excited about Thursdays and piling all of your random thoughts into one post? You get to learn so much about different bloggers and how their mind works. It’s no secret that we’re all a bit nosy to find out what’s going on in people’s lives. Or maybe that’s just me… o.o

1. I am in a really giddy mood today, because today is finally the day I get to see the house that I’m moving into in less than 2 months! I’ve only seen pictures online, but from the looks of them, it’s pretty fantastic! The rooms are spacious, the patio is huge, my room will get its own little patio area 😀 , there is a fireplace, two french doors, and a beautiful big kitchen. (Gotta save the best for last, right? 😉 ) I get to go see it after school today. Let’s just say I won’t be able to sit still in my seat from all of this anticipation! Plus, it’s more into the city which means more activity, more (NEW) people, and new experiences.

2. You know how I’ve been raving about Diet Snapple Peach Tea? Well, I just discovered these babies. I no longer have to keep purchasing the 6 packs. I can just whip out one of these, pour it in some water, do the shake it shake it dance, and enjoy. 😉

3. I’ve been eating more lately. I have been feeling/looking small again. I’ve gotten a few comments about it at school. I didn’t intentionally mean to. I mean from the looks of it, I have been eating more and conquering food like no otha! I guess this just means more food for me.

4. Oh! I just remembered (haha, good thing for this post. amiright?) that I am finally starting to exercise again! Since physical therapy, I’ve been going in to do back exercises including resistance bands and a stability ball. There have been exercises I have done without equipment. Some of the exercises include pulling, stretching, and squats. At home, I have started doing more leg/glute focused workouts along with some arms. I have been doing Blogilates to work my way back in slowly. I’ve always had a love for pilates and I just love her vibrant energy. For arms, I’ve been using my body weight and 5 lb dumbbells. I just can’t wait to get back into the gym. 😀

5. Speaking of more focused leg workouts, I wore shorts yesterday and got a lot of compliments on my legs. They told me that they were muscular and told me they looked nice. My progress is showing and I am so happy with it! My legs are the first to grow for me (muscle wise). I take pride in the strength of my legs. 🙂

6. I started watching Being Human on Netflix lately. I don’t know how I feel about it.. I need some suggestions on what’s good on Netflix. Please leave some suggestions below. 🙂

7. My motivation for doing my school work has been on point lately. I’ve been knocking out homework before 5 pm, I’ve gotten ahead on some projects that aren’t due until next month, I’ve been doing well with studying, and ace-ing tests! This girl is one happy girl. 😀

8. Speaking of school, Spring Break starts next Friday afternoon. Granted I don’t have any plans to travel, I am excited to get a week off. It will be full of family time, friend time, meeting new people, cooking/baking, reading, relaxing, and working out. Sounds pretty perfect to me.

9. I’ve been going through cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and almond milk so quickly. Seriously, the cottage cheese and greek yogurt doesn’t even last 4 days. What is this? Why is it disappearing so quickly? *le sigh..*

10. I hope you have an amazing day. ❤

-What do you like to watch on Netflix?

-What are you doing for Spring Break?

-What workouts do you like?

-What do you like to eat?

——————-

Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

Trade ‘Em Up

Ahh, another weekend in the books and a brand new start to a new week. I love the start to a new week, because it brings all new adventures. I’m going to go a new way and go with a Trade Em’ Up (I think that’s what they’re called) like Alex. 🙂

I wouldn’t trade… the amount of determination I had yesterday. Knocked out a few assignments that aren’t due until the end of April. Holla! 😀 This song is appropriate, right? 

I wouldn’t trade… the amount of reading I’ve done lately. Knocking out pages like it’s nobody’s business.

I would trade… cancelled plans. I had a few plans to head out and hang out with some new friends, but the downpour called for rearrangements.

I wouldn’t trade… the beautiful rainy weather Arizona had been having lately.

I wouldn’t trade… easing back into workout. This weekend, I felt good enough to do a Pilates workout to slowly ease back into being more active. Speaking of being more active, I started taking some evening walks and it has brought a lot of clarity.

I wouldn’t trade… my binge watching on Netflix this weekend. I knocked out The Carrie Diaries, The Following, and The B***h in Apt 13.

I would trade… the over thinking that comes to me at night. I don’t know what’s been triggering it, but I have been in shut down mode once I lay in bed to go to sleep.

I wouldn’t trade… the amount of sleep I have been getting lately.

I would trade… my friend, Kalie, being in the hospital. I know she is going through a lot, so my thoughts and prayers are going out to her. ❤

I wouldn’t trade… the time I have been choosing for me. Yes, I may have put off some work, but it was some well needed time that I needed. I put away all of the stresses and just relaxed. School has been hectic as the weeks dwindle down to Spring Break. Typical how the teachers pile everything on before break comes.. *le sigh*

I wouldn’t trade… my Diet Snapple Peach Teas. 😀

I wouldn’t trade… getting the news that I am moving in May. I can’t wait to get to a new area and see my parents start their dream.

I wouldn’t trade… my itch for running coming back.

I would trade… the warmer weather coming back. I’m excited for it to be Spring, but then that’s closer to 120 degree Summer weather. Oh joyous.

I wouldn’t trade.. opening up from shell and meeting a bunch of new people. Seriously, it feels good to meet new people and try new things.

I hope you have an amazing week. ❤

-What wouldn’t you trade?

-What would you trade?

-What did you do over the weekend?

-What are you looking forward to this week?

——————-

Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

Thinking Out Loud #7 – Cravings Gone Wild

*happy dance* *happy dance*

It’s finally Thursday! I can say that I am loving Thursdays as much as I am loving Wednesdays on the blog world. I love drooling looking at other bloggers food creations as well as reading their random thoughts. I feel a bigger connection towards them. Ya feel? I first and foremost have to thank the lovely Amanda for hosting today’s link-up. You are creating a connection between bloggers world wide! 😀

1. You guys.. I have a confession. I have a new found love for a new-to-me drink. I crave it all hours of the day. I have already had one every day this week! It’s so sweet, refreshing, AMAZING. I love Diet Snapple Peach. There. I admit it. It’s just so good! I went to go see my long time best friend that I had not seen in over a year, and I stumbled upon this precious baby. I was freaking out when I drank it. I usually like to stick to my water, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee, but man! Make room in the fridge for my Snapples!

2. Like my craving for Snapples, I have also been craving Pho. I first had it in December for my birthday with one of my good friends. Did I fall in love with it. It was so tasty and I loved the kick from the jalapenos and sriracha I added into the mix. 😉 I was able to satisfy this craving with my mom with the chicken and shrimp combo. She has been feeling a bit under the weather lately, so I suggested we try Pho, because let’s face it, it works wonders for you. She fell in love. Like daughter like mother. 😉

3. I was probably the only one that hasn’t mentioned Valentines day around here, but I did get a bit of a surprise when I came home. I found this beautiful banquet sitting on the kitchen table when I came home from school. They were sent from my friend that was deployed in Afghanistan. Let’s just say I was swooning over the beautiful and thoughtfulness.

4. My iPod COMPLETELY deleted everything out of the blue! Music, pictures, videos, apps.. Poof. Gone! I was having trouble with my iTunes account for a while, but I didn’t expect it to delete everything! I lost so many precious memories.. Even my iTunes library deleted. I had to create a whole new account and start all over. Humph.. 😦

5. I have a Spanish oral test tomorrow. I am so bad at Spanish. I can understand pretty much the basics, but speaking it? No bueno. Especially speaking in front of everyone to answer 3 questions and describe a picture for a minute? No me gusta..

6. On the up side, I have a four day weekend this weekend! HOLLA. 😀

7. I went to my first physical therapy session on Tuesday and it was good! I got two massages (upper and lower back) and learned some stretches to do at home. My back is pretty tight, so I have another appointment today. I find out how many sessions I’ll need and when I can get back into the groove of thangs. Having high hopes!

8. The weather in Arizona has been PERFECT lately. It may be getting up to 80, but the wind just makes it all good. Why can’t it stay like this all of the time?! I would be more of an outside adventurer if it was. I am just not looking forward to the excessive heat that will be coming my way shortly. o.o

9. I’m going to end on an odd number, because why not? I hope you all have an amazing day! ❤

-What have you been craving lately?

-Do you speak another language?

-Tell me some of your random thoughts! 

——————–

Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com