Breast Cancer Awareness Month - And (one big reason) Why I Relay ...

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.

Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.

Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more that 40,000 will die.
(That's 18% or about 1 in 5 diagnosed)(source)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
For me, Breast Cancer Awareness is something I try to keep on the forefront year round.

All cancer is scary.  All cancer is bad.
For me, Breast Cancer has almost claimed the lives of two of my most favorite people.

My Aunt Tanda, and My Close Friend Dawn.

Each has their own stories - their own journeys and battles.  Both are survivors,  and I am so grateful for that.

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide (source), so I am thankful that there is so much awareness surrounding it to help better educate women (and men).  Some may think it's a little overboard, but I think there can never be too much exposure for cancer and anything you can do to help prevent/cure it.

There are two big things I always tell people though about this month:

1) You are never too young to do a boob check!

Whether you go get your boobs pancaked in a monogram or you do an at home check, do it!  Early detection is key!!  Especially if you have a history of cancer in your family, get checked out!
According to The American Cancer Society, women 40 and over should have annual mammograms.  And women in their 20/30's should have a clinical breast exam every 3 years (source).  I do it about once a month, in the shower - and have them check at my annual appointment every year.  I never want to get the "it will never happen to me" mentality - so I check often (along with my skin for Melanoma - but that's another blog post for another day).

Here are some great sites to check out to perform a check at home:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/32094-check-yourself-breast-cancer/
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-self-exam

Ask your primary physician about scheduling a mammogram if you are 40 or over.  Or you can contact Planned Parenthood to see about scheduling a mammogram (Planned Parenthood Site)

2) While all this pink merchandise is GREAT and AWESOME to raise awareness ... check the facts on where that "portion of sales" is going.

It sucks - but some companies are quick to make a buck off of breast cancer awareness.  Whenever you see a product promoting itself as giving back, check to see which charity it lists.  If a charity is not listed right on the product, do some research!  A good site to use is Charity Watch.  You can look up charities by name, or by category.I'm not saying DON'T buy that pink scarf ... just be aware of where that money is going!

Cancer Sucks.

Thankfully research is getting better, and new treatments are coming out all the time.
I have hope that my daughter will grow up, and Cancer is only going to be a Zodiac Sign.

That Cancer is nothing more than a minor infection that can be treated and removed from the body.

Too many of my family and friends have been affected by cancer.

Aunt Tanda and Dawn are incredible, strong, beautiful women that I look up to.  They have endured a chapter in their lives, that no person should have to go through.  It is because of their strength and determination to kick cancer's ass, that I Relay For Life.

This is my third year doing Relay, and while we have switched over to a new city, the mission remains the same: Celebrate.  Remember.  Fight Back.

Through Awareness and Support, I wish to lift the spirits of those who are affected by Cancer.
Through Fundraising, I wish to help fund Research and Studies and find a cure for Cancer.

Through Relay For Life - I can do all these things.

Support your local Relay For Life, or any other Cancer Cause that touches you.

Together - we can make a difference!

I dedicate this post to my Aunt Tanda, My friend Dawn, and all the other Breast Cancer patients that either have won or lost their battles.  I will keep relaying because of you <3

Thank you for reading.

Nichole

Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer

PS - I have set the bar high for myself this year, and want to raise $1,000 for my Relay For Life.  Anything and everything helps <3  Please donate to this amazing cause by going HERE

Time to Buckle Up!

Ladies and Gentlemen ... this is your captain speaking ...

Thank you for following the blog Nikki In Progress 2.0.

It has been a pleasure so far serving you, with fun stories and from the heart thoughts.

We're about to take off on our next trip, but before we do we want to go through a few annoucements:

Over the next few months, Nichole will be managing a full schedule.  Her focus will be on family, school, work, Relay and fitness.  Blog posts will reflect these major areas.

Nichole wants to apologize in advance to her friends, and some parts of her family.  Her schedule is going to be pretty tight and there won't be a whole lot of free time.

Nichole also would like to remind everyone that she only wants positive influences in her life.  While haters may indeed be her motivators, sour attitudes and those who only bring drama to her life will be handed a parachute and be asked to exit the aircraft.

From time to time, we may need to land the aircraft and refuel.  This is important to help make the distance in our journey.

In the event of an emergency, cell phones and email may be used to reach out to close friends and family for support and advice.  Your computer cannot be used as a flotation device.

In board snacks and beverages will be served on this flight, and it is encouraged to indulge.  Especially on the beverage part.

As your captain, I thank you again for choosing Nikki In Progress 2.0 as your blog of choice.  We hope you enjoy the flight, and we'll see you in December.

School starts tomorrow.
Relay is beginning to pick up speed.
Work is gearing up for some major projects.
My next 5K is in a few weeks.

Time to get my game face on.

"Rabbit, put your game face on."

Finding your passion

No - not this kind of Passions!

 

It's important to be passionate about something.

 

Whether it's a cause ... a hobby ... or a goal.

 

Some people are passionate about their family.  Their spouse.  Their job.

 

I attended my first Relay For Life committee meeting last night, as co-event chair.  It was exciting to be in a room with people who are just as passionate about the cause as I am.  There was hugs, and laughter.  We're more than just volunteers for this great cause.  We're even more than friends.  We're a Relay Family.

I wanted to share with my readers my passion.
My passion for a great cause, which is Relay For Life.  My passion for my kids.  My education.  And my fitness.  As cheesy as it sounds, I wanted to share the passion I have for my husband.

I know - "gag me".  Ha, ha, ha!

 

I think it's important to have a passion for something.  For me, it personally helps motivate and drive me.  I'm an emotional person (deep down), which can sometimes derail me on my path towards the ultimate goal.  People's words and actions cut me deeper than they know.  It is my passion that saves me, and puts me back on track.  Which is why I think I have such a passion for my kids and husband.  They help me pick up the pieces and get back on track.  This includes Relay and my Education.

 

My passion, from what I've been told, is infectious.  Like my smile (yes, I take pride in my "eye disappearing" smile), most people get inspired hearing me talk about my ambitious goals.

 

For example, this years Relay, I have my initial personal goal set at $750 - but I'm striving to be a Grand Club member this year ($1000).

As a Co-Event Chair for my relay, I also have big goals for my event.  I want to bring in as many vendors as possible to make our event fun and inviting ... thus turning into a successful event!  

 

I also am excited for my school year.  Hopefully, I will be done with my AA by the end of the summer ... of course, this may push from being a full summer quarter, into a full fall quarter.  I am meeting with my counselor at the end of this quarter to look into what needs to be finalized for my application to Washington State, but it is my passion to continue my education that is helping me move forward.

 

I have actually begun looking at new goals for what I can do to combine both of my passions - raising money for a great cause, and providing for my family.  I hope to look into non-profits after receiving my 4 year degree to see how I can combine my passions.  Don't get me wrong - I enjoy the company I work for.  I am just not passionate about my current job.  It's nice, pays the bills.  I strive for more, though.

 

I also want to provide the best life I can for my husband and children.  Providing the best life isn't necessarily marked by how much I bring home financially.  Instead, I want my children to laugh a lot.  I want them to be able to express their feelings without feeling scared or ashamed.  I want them to treat others as they want to be treated.  I want to provide them the life that I was given - a life that isn't always easy, but it's worth it.  I also want them to explore their own passions (which will change multiple times as they grow older and learn new things, which is okay).  I also want them to know that as their mother, I am always here for them.  And as their father, Josh will also be there for them.  As individuals, and as a unit - we strive to be the best parents we can be.

 

To be the best parents we can be, that also means being passionate in our marriage.  Before having kids, we made a promise to ourselves not to put our relationship on the back burner.  To ensure our marriage is also healthy, we go on date nights.  We hug often.  We kiss often.  We talk through our feelings, though some days its easier said than done.  Josh and I also laugh together, a lot.  Laughter is sometimes the only way we can get through some things. Thank goodness for laughter.  I am grateful that I have a partner in life that is passionate and supportive.  Josh and I believe in each other, and I think that is why our marriage has been successful (considering how long we have been married, and how young we were when we got together).

Now it's your turn!
What is your passion?  Is it for a cause, or your own goals?  Or maybe just as something a little as "passionate about getting a walk in every day".

Whatever your passion may be, please share!

Thanks for reading!

Nichole
Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer

P.S. - if you would like to check out my relay page, please click here!

September Preview

I thought I was going to bed ... but a clear mind comes with many ideas running rampant!

So to hopefully help shut off my brain for the night - I wanted to give you (my amazing readers) a preview of what to expect in the month of September:

Vegas

Not going to try to hide it.

But I am FLIPPING excited for this trip.

My first "adult" trip to Vegas was 2011, when my husband turned 30.  We had SUCH an amazing time, that I knew I wanted to go back for mine.  I had dreams almost nightly of Vegas when I was pregnant with my son ... I knew it had to happen.  However, my 30th was in January.  I didn't find it too appealing to go to Vegas in January.  So we opted to wait until the same time we went in 2011.  The weather was near perfection (for me anyway, ha ha).  The pools were still open.  It was awesome.  I cannot wait to go back, and create new memories in Las Vegas.

 College

This quarter should prove to be interesting.  Not because of what I'm taking ... but just how much I'm taking.

I was awarded a grant, and I wanted to make sure I took full advantage of what was given to me.  Therefore, I choose to up my credits from 10 to 15.  The good news is, if I can maintain 15 fall & winter quarter, I can scale back to 10 if needed in the Spring ... and hopefully graduate Summer (or possibly Fall quarter of next school year).  It's hard to say though - as I need to revisit my career path with my counselor after fall quarter.  Until then, I'm sure I'll be blogging a time or two in September about getting ready for this upcoming quarter.

Relay For Life

My husband shook his head at me earlier today, as I sat in the car on the way home (it was a long drive, considering traffic and the pit stops) talking about all the things for Relay I wanted to get started in the next week.  He laughed, smiled and just kindly said "Summer break went by way too quick."  It's true, though.  I promised him no major Relay commitments (i.e. meetings, etc) until "summer was over".  This was early June when I made this promise.
Where.  Did.  Our.  Summer.  GO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

My passion for Relay is quite large.  I am almost positive there will be many posts about it in my blog as I become more involved again.

 

 

My youngest, J.J.

My handsome little man is turning 1.  I actually am tearing up as I type it ... because it seems like only yesterday we were snuggling together in the hospital room.  He has always been a snuggler.  That will always be the memory I go back to.  It's the same one I do for Rachel as well.  That first day, husband leaves to talk with friends and family who are visiting ... I nurse my baby ... and we fall asleep.  Skin to skin, cuddling as mother and child.  Now here I am, 11 1/2 months later, about to throw him his first birthday party.  He's growing up every day in front of my eyes ... I just got to remember not to blink so fast.

 

 

Bubble Run 5K

The first race in my mini-series kicks off September 21st!  I am excited, as it'll be a "fun run" more than competitive.  I am allowed to push strollers, and am debating getting Rachel to "run" with me ... we'll see!  Nevertheless, I am thrilled about this kick off to what I hope is a positive lifestyle change.

 

 

The Nikki Fu Experiment 

I don't want to give anything away - but I think over the weekend I had a light bulb go off on what my first blog series should be.

Considering I have never tackled a series before, I was pretty excited when the idea came to me.  I need to do some research and planning before I can share it with you.  I'm hopeful that by the end of the month, my series will be underway!  (Spoiler alert: It's a little predictable in concept, but I feel my approach will separate me from others).

There is a few other little things to that I'm sure will be popping up this month ... but this covers the big subjects.  I am calling it now - I'm going to blink my eyes, and it's going to be Thanksgiving.

 

 XO -

Nikki
"Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer"

Goals

I went to this seminar thing a few years back with my company.

Joe Montana was there ... so was Laura Bush ... even Bill Cosby.

Oh Bill - Crazy Old Man.  We Love You.

There was also a guy there who talked about goal setting.  I feel terrible that I don't remember his name, but his speech stuck with me.  While this was a business setting (and yes, they pitched stock management and property like it was going out of style ... sigh ...) the message behind what he was saying could be applied to ALL aspects of life.

It was simple: Any goal is obtainable.  A dream can become reality, you just have to make it happen.

Ultimately, he had us all write down our goals.  Then take those goals, and break it down even further.  Like anything, you need to work at it to be better at it.  So say, your goal was to learn a new language.  You can break it down to say that in 6 months you hope to hold a 1 minute conversation with someone.  Break it down even further - daily, commit to do something to help you get towards your goal.  Perhaps this is learn a new word in that language.  Then, once a week form a sentence with the words you've learned.  And so forth.

By breaking it down, and doing something daily/weekly to help you achieve your goals, it feels obtainable!

Back in my freshman blog, I wrote a goal post (you can see it here).  It is so interesting to me, that my goals are not too different now than they were then.  While I'm not going to go back over what I had then (feel free to read the old post), I wanted to write down my new goals.  With life about to get a heck of a lot crazier again, I felt it would help me focus.  Later on I may elaborate more on my goals.  For now, this is just an overview ...

1 - Weight

Seems to always be #1 on my goal list.  Probably because it's always been my #1 problem.  I feel like if I can get the weight off, I can get a lot more done ... things would come together better ...
I recognize this isn't entirely true.  There are emotional things I will need to work out before I can truly shed all the "weight" off.
HOWEVER, I do wish to get down to a weight that I am comfortable with!  This is so I can keep up with my two beautiful children (they are constantly on the go!), fit better in clothes and just *feel* better.

2 - Education

This is something that I have been working on, and am proud to say that I have completed 2 full quarters (plus a light summer quarter) so far!  I will revisit everything with a counselor in a few months - but my goal is to be done with my 2 year degree by Spring or Summer 2014.  The ULTIMATE goal ... is to apply and go to Washington State University.  They have a Business Management Bachelor's program out of the University Center in Everett, WA.  I feel it in my BONES that the prophecy will be fulfilled ... and I can officially be a Cougar Graduate.

GO COUGS!!!!!!

3 - Family

This is my foundation.

My ridiculously gorgeous daughter ... my handsome little man ... and my supportive husband.

Without my foundation in place, I am lost.

My goal is to maintain healthy relationships with my husband, daughter and son.  Whether we do family dates all together ... one on one time with the kids (i.e. Rachel & I go grocery shopping just the two of us) ... and date nights.

4 - Finances

It's true.  I am kind of a freak of nature.

I enjoy budgeting.
I enjoy tracking expenses ... making financial goals ... and typing out pretty excel spreadsheets.

We have had our financial boat ROCKED HARD this last year.  The extra kiddo plus me working part time/school definitely put a strain on our pocketbook.  It also didn't help, that my husband got laid off.  Luckily, we saw that one coming.  So I went back to work full time a few months ago.

It is my goal to regroup and restructure our budget.  Josh and I both want to be out of this house, and in our "forever home" in the next few years.  We also have some other major plans we want to accomplish.

5 - Relay For Life

To say that I have a passion for The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life now ... is a big understatement.

Last year was my first Relay For Life.  I was inspired to start a team thanks to Dawn, centered in the center in orange.  And Briana, also in the center, in grey.  These ladies are some of my closest and dearest friends.  They are both also cancer survivors.  Cancer is a terrible and devastating thing and I wish it upon no one - not even my worse enemy.
In my family alone, my Grandma ... Grandpa ... and Aunt are survivors.  On top of my close friends, pictured here, I have many more friends and their loved ones whose lives have been affected by cancer.

What drew me into the ACS RFL, was because of what it gave back to our local community.  Along with top research, the ACS doesn't focus on just one cancer.  I liked this, and wanted to be apart of Relay.  This was Dawn's second year, and she was asked to be Team Development.  Dawn asked me to come out to an early meeting to meet everyone, and I was hooked.  I took the position of Entertainment and Publicity, and ran with it.  So much, that I was asked to be Co-Event chair for this upcoming year.  I am so honored and blessed that I can help organize and throw such an amazing event ... Celebrating Our Survivors ~ Remembering Those We've Lost ~ And Fighting Back So No One Will Have To Go Through Cancer.

6 - Running

I signed up to do the Warrior Dash this last summer for my friend's dirty 30 (who in turned inspired another dirty 30 ... and so on!)

While it wasn't a complete success (my close friends, Briana *the survivor I mention above in the RFL paragraph* broke her foot/ankle in 4 places.  It was a devastating break, to say the least).
My victory crossing the finish line was bitter sweet.

After the guilt and sadness passed, though, a rush came over me.  I did it.  I f-ing did it.  Me, somewhat out of shape (work in progress, folks) overweight young thing here made it through a 5K that had walls to climb ... mud to crawl through ... and fire to jump over.
I.  Did.  It.
And I loved it.  The rush of running, the way my body had grown.  It inspired me that day.  I walked away from the Warrior going "I want to keep running."
And I've been trying to.  I have signed up for a few fun 5Ks in the area, and I cannot wait to compete (spoiler alert: I'm going to be posting about those quite a bit, ha ha).

There are other goals in mind ... I feel as if I can focus/work on these though, the others will fall into place.

I still want to have a Nikki Empire ... but that is put on the back burner, as I need a clear vision of what kind of Empire I want ...

"This is not the Empire you're looking for"

What kind of goals do you have?
Are they big and long term - or short and sweet?

I'd love to hear what you're working towards!

Thanks for checking my blog out - have a great evening (or morning, depending on how you look at it ...)

~ Be The Thermostat, Not The Thermometer ~

Nikki