Hi, It's been a few months....

I know, I dropped off the face of the earth again. I had to do some thinking about whether or not to continue this blog. Long story short...I've decided to carry on, but the theme will no longer be the same. I'll keep all the old content. It's still going to be about fitness, exercising and nutrition but I'm not going to go off on starry eyed rants about twilight and Robert Pattinson because well... confession: I'm over it.

However, some things never change...I'm still a dork I just won't be focused on forcing myself to make this blog about one particular subject, because to be honest it made it really hard to write a post and tie it in to something I wasn't particularly interested in any more.

Anyway, I have other nerdy obsessions... first up... have you been watching the new season of true blood?? I haven't caught up to the most recent episode yet, but I'm really liking season 4 a lot more than 3.

I don't know whats going on with Eric right now, but I love how he acts like a little kid.

Also... HAVE YOU SEEN GAME OF THRONES!???!?!?! Yes, I'm yelling that. Have you seen it??! OMG! I'm a total fan girl!  Say hello to my new eye candy...

Jon Snow!

Robb Stark!!

And I can't even talk about poor Boromir I mean Ned...I just can't talk about it.

(photos from winter-is-coming.net)

It's going to take me some time.  Maybe by the end of season 2 I might be ready, but season 2 is so far off at this point!!!  Seriously, you will watch this show and at the end of every episode shake your fist in the air and say 'damn you Game of Thrones!!' because it's just that addicting.

So I'm sure you're probably thinking well... with all this TV watching you've been doing I hope you haven't fallen off the badwagon.  Not to worry my friends.  HBO GO makes it very convenient for me to watch tv when I actually have the time to watch.  Take note cable companies...this needs to be your option now:  Online only content available on demand.  Aside from the fact that I don't own a TV... I can't follow a schedule, I've never been able to glue myself to the tv at a set time, but now I don't have to.  I can stay up til 2am on a Saturday night watching episode after episode of Game of Thrones on my lap top (I mean that's what normal people do on their Saturday nights, right?)

What ever don't judge me!!!

I think I might be moving on to Boardwalk Empire next.

Anyway, aside from my latest fantasy TV obsessions here's whats been going on the past few months...

Remember how I said I wanted to reach that 100lb weight loss goal last fall but then I blew it??  Well I did that back in April, then I went on vacation to Charleston, SC and ran a 10k.  The Cooper River Bridge Run is so much fun :)

Oh and then later that month I ran a 3 mile obstacle/mud race...

MUUUUUDDD!!!

It was a blast!! And such a tough leg work out!  Running in sinking, sticky mud and muddy water for three miles (plus obstacles) is not easy!

Then in May, I decided to lead a Couch to 5k Group.  After almost two full months of training runs the group completely their First 5k!! I was a very proud running momma.

In June, we started a 6 week weight loss challenge at my bootcamp. I had my ups and downs but in the end I lost 5 more lbs.  So my total loss is now at 106lbs and I'm still working at it. Also in June, I got my braces off...so I no longer resemble a teenager...but I still haven't been asked to prom!

So now we're into July.  I'm still working on my weight loss, but I've also decided to try and go back to school in the fall. I wavered for a long time, mostly because I wasn't sure if I personally had what it takes to be a good example of weight loss to others, but I want to become a Registered Dietitian.  I'm starting out small taking baby steps towards the degree since I've been out of school for so long and math and science were never my strong suits.  I have to take a college algebra class towards the degree, so I'm also studying review chapters a couple nights a week and going to a tutor to reteach myself a subject I hadn't studied in 11+ years. Yikes.

Actually, I think this mug is kind of awesome!

And, last but not least... I haven't left my true love out of my life either.  Did you watch the women's world cup?!  Please tell me you did??  Please tell me you supported these amazing athletes!?  Watching women's soccer reminds me of why I love the game so much.  The skill, the athleticism, and the sportsmanship that the men sometimes forget to display are just...I have no words.  It's an inspiration to so many.  In 1999 it was a huge inspiration to me.  The performance by our US women this year just confirms everything there is to love about this sport.  They are my idols.





I can't really talk about the results in the final...it's too upsetting, it's still too soon for me.  Maybe one day.  I will say congratulations to Japan though.  And if I've taken anything from the game or the sport in general it's this.  Dreams can be made or crushed on that field, but at long as you're in the game you have the opportunity to make them.   Case in point, I played two games back to back yesterday. We're having perhaps the biggest heat wave of the summer right now with heat indexes over 100 degrees plus humidity of 52%.  It's brutal, it's the worst weather to play in.  To make matters worse we played a man down and had no subs, we were down on the score board, but at half time we said you know, what do we have to lose, lets play the best damn game we can.  And we did.  We lost but we walked away proud of our passing and our team work and all the effort we put in to the games.  It's a great feeling.

Current Status: *Le Sigh* The World Cup comes to an end!

I promise this is the last post where I mention the world cup...for 4 years...if I'm still blogging in 4 years lol :) My friend Ashley aka Shoewhore told me that her friend Em reads my blog and likes it (sweet! Thanks Em!), but she doesn't understand a damn thing about soccer... it's ok. I understand. The off sides rule is confusing, and the fact that the reffing in this world cup has been a little...well a lot ridiculous, I can understand why you can't get behind the game. It's cool, maybe we're not all meant to understand. But check out this awesome quote that my cousin's fiance sent me from his friend... maybe now you'll get it:

"Twilight's like soccer, they run around for 2 hours, nobody scores, and its billion fans insist you just don't understand"

LOL!

See you don't have to understand completely, just appreciate the fine muscled specimens...um I mean the athleticism of the game... ;).

on to the post!...

Current Mood: Sorta sad that there's no more good soccer on regular tv (I'm one of those freaks that doesn't have cable!) for the foreseeable future...come on 2014!!

Current Weight: 183 (26lbs of loss since I started the blog - 92lbs of total loss!) I lost 3 pounds last week! :) It amazing what happens when I get strict with my diet..and by strict I don't mean starvation or giving up foods I enjoy, I mean a balance of proteins, fibers and starches and portion control. I've set a new goal to lose 20lbs once I get there I'll re-asses and see how much more I need to lose/tone from that point.

Currently Thinking about: My love/hate relationship with Spain! I hate them because they defeated Germany, I hate them because they played a boring 115 minutes of soccer against the brutal Dutch..who knew they had it in them ey??

Sing it! Everyone was Kung Fu fighting!! Those Kicks were fast as lightening!

But I love them because most of their line up is made of FC Barcelona players or soon to be Barca players...and I like Barcelona...you might as well say that Barca won the world cup.

Currently NOT Thinking about: How I still hate Spain because Germany in my opinion was the more creative team, better at passing, and they scored way more goals through out the tournament...but that yellow card against Mueller, I really think that made a difference in their semi final game against Spain. Mueller ultimately won the golden boot (on more assists) yet he had to sit out that game, Germany could have used him. Spain controlled the ball, they controlled the game, and even though the German defense held them at bay for most of the game it only took one corner to make a difference and I counted at least 7 Spanish men on defense at one point. UGH! I'm not bitter...nope not me... not at all. ;)

Keep your eyes on the one on the left... #13 Thomas Mueller, winner of the Golden boot at only 20 years old... the one on the right though, back off ladies I claimed him in 2006 ;) lol It's a long term celeb-crush...christ, I'm turning into a kickette! anyway, #3 Arne Friedrich, German defender who also scored a goal against Argentina! :)

Also...just for the memories... I wanted to post this video:




So long world cup... see you in 4 years!





Currently looking forward to: Starting half marathon training on Saturday!! Oh did I tell you I've decided to run the Baltimore half...? I haven't signed up yet, guess I should jump on that.


De jong Kung Fu fighting is from the dailymail
pic of the German boys from the dailymail

¡¡¡¡Gooooooooooooolllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!

Just watch this...listen to the announcers voice! You don't need to understand the language but you'll understand the emotion...



I watched that video, and this one with the actual video like ten times (couldn't find a good quality of the video with this dubbed on youtube)... Every time I watch it I get chills. It's still unreal to me! When it happened, JE ran out of her office wondering if they could take it away from us... my live stream was a little behind hers so when it caught up and I got to see the goal happen and I jumped up and said there's NO WAY they can take that one away from us!!! I swear this team gives me little heart attacks every time I watch them play!

I'm wishing my fighting boys in blue good luck today! I'll be watching from a local bar... finally not stuck depending on univision's live stream in the office! I have my little USA flags ready!

Even RPattz is fired up by the U-S and A!




Germany face Rob's Three Lions tomorrow at 10am est on ESPN...but sorry Robert, as much as I love your pretty face, I'm supporting Die Mannschaft!!

Current Status: My Big Speech is Tonight!

here is yet another segment on this blog where I rant/ramble...especially about the world cup :):

Current Mood: Excited, but nervous!

Current Weight: 186... 23lbs of loss since I started the blog!!! (89lbs of total loss!!! BMI is down again as well!) I didn't meet my goal so I'm giving up sweets for 30 days. UPDATE: I had my measurements taken last night, even though the scale didn't go down much I lost 1/2" in my arms, 1" in my chest, 2 3/4" in my waist, 2" in my hips, 1" in my thigh so i'm still probably building lots of muscle!

Currently Thinking about: My speech tonight, and how I'm kinda sorta, but not really prepared. I have a power point and an outline but I haven't really practiced the talking part, and my braces make me have a tendency to slur a little when I talk so I hope I don't sound like an ass!!

Currently NOT Thinking about: My speech tonight because then I'll get all worked up and even more nervous then I am!

Currently looking online at: FIFA.com! World cup baby! Have you been following?? It's been really unpredictable! I mean, my German boys lost Serbia!!

It's ok Arne, I still think you have mad Defensive skills...
(He may or may not have something to do with my love of the Germans...
but I swear it's only like less than 10%...90% is their playing style, and the other little bit is how awesome it is to say Schweinsteiger's name with an obnoxious German accent lol)

Any-who... back to the news... Spain lost to the Swiss...Argentina giving solid performances, but not much out of my favorite Messi yet... Portugal destroyed North Korea 7-0, Brazil tops Ivory Coast 3-1, France loses to Mexico 0-2, England ties with Algeria leaving them tied for points with us, but behind in actual goals scored! Honestly I was expecting better performances out of them... and Italy proves to be, meh.

The most insane of the groups has been our group...Group C. It's wide open for anyone to advance. And my USA Men have rallied big time and played probably the most exciting game of the tournament so far against Slovenia. We fell behind in the first half but Donovan fired back in the 2nd half keeping hope alive.... You can watch the highlights here.

Michael Bradley's 82nd-minute equaliser!!

Note: These highlights don't show the goal Edu scored in the 86th minute giving us a 3-2 lead but then taken away by and extremely controversial call by the ref. They claim a US player committed a foul...however, I don't think anyone knows what the foul was, or exactly which player committed it.

(read the article in the daily mail)

Two words FIFA: Instant Replay. At the very least challenges should be allowed on some goals. I know you don't like stopping the clock...so review the challenges at the half or at the end of the game. You can't rely on the refs eyes alone sometimes when the game moves so fast. Look what happened to Ireland v. France. With some handy magic from Henry, France is allowed in the world cup, but putting up a piss poor performance so far. I'm sure the Irish would have fought harder. Poor judgment cost us 2 points. We absolutely have to beat Algeria to advance now.

Currently looking forward to: More world cup games!

Currently listening to: US Soccer press conference

I'm going to speak about weight loss!

Just wanted to post a quick update...I just found out this morning after boot camp that I'm going to be speaking about my experiences with weight loss! My bootcamp is doing free fat loss seminars. Last month we talked about food for fat loss, but this month we want to talk about getting started and finding the motivation to stay healthy... and that's where I come in! :)

I don't know exactly what I'll be saying yet but I have two weeks to prepare and an entire blogs worth of material to pull from ;).

So anyway this is just extra motivation to behave myself this weekend and hit the hotel gym while I'm out of town visiting family (cough lurker Rebecca! cough)...but in case we need extra motivation...


So I'll report back soon and let you know what I'm talking about, it should be a lot of fun!

p.s. as if I was going to forget mentioning this today...

WORLD CUP IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

USA v. Limey's England

Tomorrow Jun. 12 at 2:30 est on ABC!

Soccer Sunday: Can you feel it?

My co-ed team lost its final game... our unfortunate win-less season is over but I could care less, I enjoyed every minute on the field, I loved playing with my team, despite the heart breaking losses we gave it our all every game and I don't think anyone gave up on encouraging each other to keep trying. Sadly my soccer seasons are over for a few weeks, but I'm not fretting or going into a panicked state of loss and denial clutching my cleats against my chest crying because there are no more games. In fact I think I'll be ok, more than ok actually, because there's a little bubble of excitement returning that's been dormant for four years...

Can you feel it too? That little twinge of anticipation...The feeling of wanting to jump up on your desk and shout "come on already!"...

I've had that feeling for a while...The anxiousness of following the qualifying matches, the fear or relief when the groups are announced, then the waiting, oh the agonizing wait...but all of a sudden there's little glimmers of hope... magazine covers start talking about it... you're friends want to know your predictions... you spend an evening at the bar with beers chatting about it...afternoons reading your magazines...

Are you confused? Can you not guess what I'm talking about?

I'll give you a hint.

It's not eclipse.
(I'm a blasphemer I know)

Just click play and watch the GREATEST commercial EVER! ;) you know you want to...

fdjakeioafneaio earu39a9!*!&*!&!^^~!!!!!!!!!!

*throws fist in the air!*

Are you still breathing?!?!

Maybe you're just watching it on repeat

And it's STILL 17 Days away!

*bangs head against desk*

Do you understand how many levels of awesome that commercial is?!?

Do you feel what I feel right now??

fanboys and girls...Imagine having to wait 4 years for the next favorite LOTR/comicbook/starwars/startrek film... now do you understand my level of excitement? This is bigger than all of that, this is bigger than anything, ever. Period. For one month the entire world is watching, cheering, crying, rejoicing...

Maybe you don't get it, maybe you're not into the beautiful game like I am...but maybe you should just give it a chance. There's no other sport out there as universal and uniting as soccer. All you need is one ball. So tune in it all starts June 11th, 2010!!

p.s. The video didn't feature one of the greatest players in the world...probably because he's not sponsored by Nike... but I will pay homage...

My hero... Lionel Messi

Watch out for him and the Argentina squad! Very eager to see how they do.

(call me crazy twi-fans but I *might* chose him over Robert Pattinson
if given the choice to meet both but I could only pick one--although I'm sure maybe Rob might want to meet him too and we could just go together, so it would all work out in the end ;))

image from Sports Illustrated

A Gal's Opinion of the Fifa World Cup Draw

I know what you're thinking... dorky chicks talk about sports?? Heh, I only talk about one sport... my true sporty love... football! (and I'm not talking about the NFL!) I try my best to keep up but there's so many players and teams out there its impossible to stay on top of the game.
What's the world cup draw you ask? Well ladies, the world cup draw took place in South Africa this past Friday. The draw decides which countries will face each other in the opening group stages of the greatest sporting event on earth! From the groups the top two teams advance to the knock out stage, and then it gets a little confusing... refer to this chart from 2006 for a visual. The top two teams from each group advance and they play against the top teams from the other groups. At that point 16 teams should be left, loser goes home. From there, the 8 winners advance to the quarter final and it's do or die to the end.


World Cup 2010 group tables & fixtures

FIFA World Cup : Group A Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:22 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	France	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Mexico	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	South Africa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Uruguay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Head butting and hand balls aside, I think France will be in first in this group, not sure who will be second of this group. Let's cheer for the host team. France 1, South Africa 2.

FIFA World Cup : Group B Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:23 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Argentina	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Greece	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Nigeria	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	South Korea	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Doesn't seem Argentina has consistently performed on the international stage. South Korea might be their only formidable opponents, they've been in the final four before but that was in 2002.... lines up's have changed and one word: Messi. This one goes to Argentina, I think they've been handed a group they can walk out of on top. Argentina 1, South Korea 2.

FIFA World Cup : Group C Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:23 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Algeria	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	England	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Slovenia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	USA	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

*Rubs hands together* Here we go! USA's world cup hopes start June 12 against England! Let the name calling begin! The Yanks v. the Limey's! The Patriots v. the London Silly Nannies! This will be like watching two long lost relatives fight each other. Maybe like two siblings (both of them girls) swinging and pulling hair...we don't really mean to hurt each other, do we? Hell yea we do! Watch out Beckham, we might ruffle your perfect hair, Rooney protect yer bullocks! Terry, um... Chelsea sucks!... So the big question.... Does the US stand a chance against England? I say YES , we can! I believe we have a good fighting chance against one of footballs powerhouse nations... don't believe me? Don't forget this:

Yeah that would be the USA defeating Spain w/ Carles Puyol Saforcada (FC Barcelona), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool). Top players playing for top teams, and we beat them.

If our top players stay fit (as England's top players get older and put on a show of big names), I think we have a good chance of making it out of the group stages.

Let's look at some FIFA stats:

England top scorers:

Wayne ROONEY	760 Minutes	9 Goals
Peter CROUCH	279	4
Frank LAMPARD	890	4

USA top scorers:

Jozy ALTIDORE	755 Minutes	6 Goals
Michael BRADLEY	1326	5
Landon DONOVAN	1340	5
Clint DEMPSEY	1072	5
Brian CHING	747	4

Less time more goals or more players scoring... Altidore and Rooney are pretty equally matched in my opinion. USA have had more goals scored, but also had more goals scored against them... it's a toss up. I'm still undecided who will be 1 and 2 for this group. I can't wait to see it all unfold next summer!

FIFA World Cup : Group D Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:24 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Australia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Germany	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Ghana	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Serbia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Duh Germany... 3rd place in the world cup 2006, 2nd place in Euro 2008. Unless
Ballack, Lahm, Klose, Schweinsteiger, and Podolski all get injured I don't think Germany is going down. Germany 1, Australia 2 (possibly Ghana 2).

FIFA World Cup : Group E Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:24 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Cameroon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Denmark	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Netherlands	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Japan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Netherlands almost seemed unstoppable in Euro 2008 but they fell apart and lost to Russia in the Quarter finals. I don't know enough about any of the other teams to comment. But I'd like to see the Netherlands go on. Netherlands 1, Japan 2.

FIFA World Cup : Group F Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:24 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Italy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Paraguay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Slovakia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Talk about being handed a cake walk in the group stages. Italy will ultimately be #1. I don't know enough about NZ, Paraguay and Slovakia to decide who will be #2.

FIFA World Cup : Group G Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:24 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Brazil	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Ivory Coast	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Korea DPR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Portugal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Brazil or Portugal. I can't decide which of these teams will be one and two.

FIFA World Cup : Group H Table

Friday, 4 December 2009 19:25 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Chile	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Honduras	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Spain	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Switzerland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

If top ranked Spain falls in the group stages I'll be very very surprised. Than again stranger things have happened. (Like getting defeated by the USA!). Spain 1, Honduras 2.

(source for fancy charts: BBC SPORTS)

SO there's my thoughts on the world cup draw, come on Summer 2010!

Rob, you and your three lions are going down!! **

Ah, the limited powers of paint!

======

** We American's will pretend to care up until the point where we lose, in which case we state that we didn't care about soccer in the first place and will go back to our normal pre-season behavior of preparing our NFL fantasy drafts.