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!

The Nikki Fu Experiment - A Preview!

I left before vacation talking about a preview of September.  Part of it was going into a little more detail about my first blog series!

Well, I'd like to give you a preview regarding a series of blogs over the next few weeks.

I call it ...

The Nikki Fu Experiment!

Yes, that is me.  Halloween 2008.  One of the best (and worst) pictures of me.  Ever.

Let me be honest for a moment.

I am over weight.  I'm not "a little chubby" or "needing to lost a few pounds".  No, I could qualify to be on the biggest loser.  I am a classic case of a yo-yo dieter.  I would do something, lose a bunch of weight, gain weight back.  The cycle is vicious.  I have been within 30 pounds of my "ultimate goal weight" and well above my heaviest (where I'm teetering at now).  I give myself a little more grace now, because of having two babies within two years.

JJ, however, turns 1 next week.  Rachel is now 2 and 1/2.  The execuses and grace period is coming to an end.  Now is the time to act, before my metabolism gets any worse (and science shows, the older I get ... the worse it's only going to get).

My experiment, is to explore healthy living, diet and exercise tips.   Set goals to incorporate these ideas into my routine (daily / weekly / monthly) and see how I succeed.  The ones that work, stay.  The ones that flop, go.

It sounds sad - but this is not my first rodeo going on this adventure.  I just hate being unhealthy like this.  Sure I'm active and running, but even then that has taken the back seat over the last month.   I have a 5K this Saturday that I am not fully prepared for (thankfully it's a fun run, and it's not meant to be taken too seriously).

I'm ready for a full on, life style overhaul.  I tried to challenge myself this summer.  I joined Weight Watchers again.  I did an Insanity Challenge.  It helped, and I lost weight.  Over these last few weeks though, it's like I'm letting myself slip.

Tonight I say: No More.

Tomorrow I say: Bring It.

While my experiment won't kick off until next week, I wanted to share with you what you'll be expecting in the next few months!  I will share with you my progress ... my slip ups ... and all my victories.  I'll be tracking my numbers, and will share them with you as my journey moves forward.

Before Monday you'll see a post regarding what my first goals will be (Daily / Weekly / Monthly goals), plus my plan.  I do plan on reconnecting with My Fitness Pal account (find me here).  I also plan on going back to WW (it's a great system/plan.  I want to follow through on it).  Plus an array of other things, that I will detail out better later on.

Many of my family and friends either have, or currently are, struggling with their weight.  Some are struggling with being fit and active.  And others are just struggling to be healthy.  My hope is that this series will show what tips are realistic and can work ... and what silly ideas should be just left alone.  I'm also hoping I can inspire others in taking steps to be healthier for themselves.  Stay tuned in the next few days for more!

Thanks for reading.

Vacation Hangover!

Do you ever feel like you need a vacation after your vacation has already ended?

Yup.
You are suffering from a vacation hangover.

Sure, part of the want for another vacation so quickly is going back to work ... responsibilities ... life in general ...

But lets face it.  Your vacation flew by, and here you are.  Back on the plane, to return to your regular life.

This is where I'm at today.

My vacation was fantastic.  Filled with shows ... pool side lounging ... and of course, drinking.  We were in Vegas, after all.

Can I go back, please?

Yet, here I am.  Drained.

 

I relaxed.

I didn't rush things.

Why am I so drained??

I'm hungover.  From my vacation.

 

That's all it really boils down to.  It's not a terrible thing.  Smells and certain songs immediately transport me back to the gambling floor of the MGM, or into the Flamingo Restaurant where we frequented for Breakfast.

 

I'm glad to be home.  I'm glad to have my kids ... my friends ... my family ... my life.  Even work - kind of.

 

Okay, maybe not true about work.  My co-workers, though, is what I'm glad to be back to.

   

Vegas is my escape.  An escape that I crave and look forward to every couple of years.  In a city nicknamed "Sin City", I find peace and a calm there that I forget about here at home.

 

I think this "vacation hangover" is a reminder that I need to balance my life a little better, so I don't overdo it when the big vacations do come around.  Maybe cook a little more elaborate meals ... or have a glass of wine with dinner more often ... something to break the "norm".

I'd say take more baths.  But I have kids.  Toddlers.  Me taking a bath won't happen for another 18 years.

 

I promise myself that I will indulge a little more in my daily life.  Even the smallest of things will make a great impact.  I may not be returning to Vegas anytime soon, but it doesn't mean my vacation high has to fully go away.

I may need to remind myself of this many times, especially as life is about to get a little crazier ...

Thanks for reading.

Nikki
Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer

  

You are amazing

I would like to apologize in advance.

I haven't posted a whole lot in the last few days.  I've been in a weird place, emotionally.

It started with a memorial on Thursday ... followed by a series of events Friday ... and here we are.

It's weird, really.  I think a lot of people right now are going through stuff.  It's just weird, because I shouldn't (in my mind) be feeling this way.  At least for this long.

I feel like I should write this, at a minimum, until I can sort out these thoughts and put something together that's not completely random.

Be true to yourself.  Let no ones opinions or judgements sway or change your ways.
Who you are, is what makes you special.  You will not be able to be friends with everyone.  Not everyone will appreciate or understand you.  And as long as they don't try to bring you down or take away from your life, it's okay for them not to try to put in the effort to be better with you.
People are going to hurt you.  People close to you, that you never thought would, are going to let you down.  People that you never expected will also surprise you.  They will comfort you in times of darkness, and relight your fire.
You are the one who makes the choice on how react to what you've been dealt: Do you change who you are?  Do you retreat and suffer alone?  Do you flip the bird and move on?
As long as you are okay with what decisions you've made, no decision is a wrong decision.  Deep down though, you should remember and realize that changing who YOU are is not the answer.

You're human.  You're allowed to cry ... scream ... get mad ... and be sad.  You're allowed to go through depressed stages and want to cut yourself off from the world.  You're allowed to get more loud and let everyone know that you're not going to take it lying down.

You are just perfect the way you are.

I appreciate, and respect, each and every one of you.  Thank you for enriching my life, and I hope I have done the same for you.

Are You Ready For Some Football??

It's true.

I am a football nut.

I love the game ...

I love the atmosphere ...

I love the beer ...

Growing up, I rebelled against it.  Just as I had rebelled against pink ... country music ... and other things that I felt were "uncool".  What a silly preteen I was!

Now, I love watching football on Sunday's with the family.  We don't have cable at the moment, but I am seriously contemplating getting basic HD back.  It's a terrible time, considering that my husband just got laid off.  Yet I know how much we both miss watching football on Sunday.  I am almost thinking about making it Josh's birthday present this year (ha, ha).

This year, I choose to do something new.  I was invited to participate in two fantasy football leagues this year!  As I write this even, I am in the midst of my 2nd draft.  I went in a little less prepared than I wanted to - yet my good friend Michelle helped me out with the hook up on a great research forum.  Plus, the help of my hubby & even the drafting sites themselves (I have one league that is using www.fantasy.nfl.com & the other is using espn.com).

Both drafts were snake style, with my 1st league allowing 90 seconds and my 2nd league allowing 60 seconds for each pick.  I felt I got lucky with my first draft, having 14th pick (out of 14 people).  So my picks were back to back!  The 2nd league, I also did pretty well with my luck!  I ended up with 2nd pick (out of 12) so I got one of the first picks, and my picks are pretty close together.

Each draft, had the same #2 pick: Seattle Defense.  I was lucky enough to snag them for my 2nd league - my original game plan was go get my top RB.  After I saw how quickly the D was picked up in the 1st league though, I didn't want to take any chances and I snatched them when I got the chance!

My 1st league is with my co-workers.  The name of my team is "Jalapeno Business!"

"What does a nosey pepper do?  It gets Jalapeno Business!"

This joke served as the inspiration for my team name.

 

The smack talk was running around, but it was in all good fun (when you're playing with your boss, gotta refrain a little!)  Here are the top picks for my draft in the 1st league:

 

1. Drew Brees, NO-QB
2. Seattle Seahawks Defense, SEA-DEF 

3. Adrian Peterson, MIN-RB

4. Russell Wilson, SEA-QB
5. Marshawn Lynch, SEA-RB

6. Adrian Foster, HOS-RB

7. Ray Rice, BAL-RB
8. Doug Martin, TB-RB

9. Andrew Luck, IND-QB
10. C.J. Spiller, BUF-RB
11. Jamaal Charles, KC-RB
12. Aaron Rogers, GB-QB
13. LeSean McCoy, PHI-RB
14. Reggie Bush, DET-RB **My pick

Reggie Bush wasn't my my top choice, but he was in the top 5.  So I went with it - random choice, in a way.  Considering he wasn't even in the top 5 for the nfl.com top picks.  Yet I felt he was going to be awesome this year.  So I went with my research, and my gut!  I think going with my gut/feelings is half the fun of this, anyway!

The rest of my team for "Jalapeno Business" is:

QB - Jay Cutler (CHI)
RB - Mark Ingram (NO)

RB - Reggie Bush (DET)
WR - Golden Tate (SEA)

WR - Greg Jennings (MIN)
TE - Jermaine Gresham (CIN)

W/R - Denarius Moore (OAK)

K - Josh Brown (NYG)

DEF - Chicago Bears

BN - Jake Locker, (QB - TEN)

BN - Jonathan Stewart (RB - CAR) *He is on the D/L right now ... doh!

BN - Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR - IND)

BN - Rob Gronkowski (TE-NE)

BN - Adam Vinatieri (K - IND)

BN - San Diego Chargers (DEF)

Most of my choices I felt great about - except for my Jonathan Steward pick.  Doh!

The 2nd league I'm playing with is with my south end friends (including my best friend, Tricia!)  The name of this team ..............

Yup.
I went there (ha, ha, ha)!!

This group of friends and family is a pretty open minded, so my team name fits quite well!  They should be a hoot to play with.

Here was the top picks for this league's draft:

1. Adrian Peterson, MIN-RB      
2. Seattle Seahawks Defense, SEA-DEF  **My pick

3. Marshawn Lynch, SEA-RB

4. Adrian Foster, HOS-RB
5. Aaron Rogers, GB-QB

6. Drew Brees, NO-QB

7. Golden Tate, SEA-WR         
8. Doug Martin, TB-RB

9. Ray Rice, BAL-RB
10. Jamaal Charles, KC-RB

11. Alfred Morris, WSH-RB
12. C.J. Spiller, BUF-RB

It didn't surprise me that a lot of the same players were in the 1st round for both leagues.

My team line up turned out like so:

QB - Robert Griffin III, aka RGIII (WSH)
RB - Reggie Bush (DET)

RB - Darren McFadden (OAK)
WR - Sidney Rice (SEA)

WR - Cecil Shorts (JAC)
TE - Kyle Rudolph (MIN)

W/R - Miles Austin (DAL)

K - Josh Brown (NYG)

DEF - Seattle Seahawks

BN - Jake Locker, (QB - TEN)

BN - Mark Ingram (RB - NO)

BN - Denarius Moore (WR - OAK)

BN - Heath Miller (TE-PIT)

BN - Julius Thomas (DEN)

BN - Garrett Hartley (K - NO)

BN - Baltimore Ravens (DEF)

RGIII was a risky choice.  I feel that he's got something to prove, and that he's going to come out swinging this year (pun totally intended!)  I hope he follow through.  If not, Washingtonian Jakey boy better step up (he's on both of my team's back up ...)

Overall, I feel that my team in my work league is a little more balanced ... but I like the risks I've taken with my 2nd league.  I will keep everyone posted as each week passes.

Do you participate in a fantasy football league?  Do you have any strategies ...  good luck charms ... traditions?

I look forward to reading your comments!

GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!!

Nikki
"Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer"

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"

Back To Reality

For the long weekend, we packed up both kids and met up with my Aunt & Uncle for a long weekend at the Ocean.

Needless to say, it was amazing.

A "head clearing, releaxing, intoxicating, silly, loving, awesome" kind of amazing.

The weather was perfect ... the company was fantastic.

I never wanted to leave this fantasy world.

Alas, life crept up to me too soon and pulled me back in.  While I am not thrilled with confronting the bills, arrangments for Josh's layoff and more ... having this break on the coast was an unexpected necessity.

Leaving was hard, but I walked away with a clear head and a rejuvenated spirit.
I felt like I could take on the world again.  Something I feel we lose from time to time.  Especially as life gets busier and harder.  In the next upcoming weeks, I need to remember this feeling of calm and peace as I face new and bigger obstacles.

Co-Chair for my local Relay For Life.
Working Full Time.
School Full Time.
Family.
Husband.
Life.

I knew it was never going to be easy - but it will be worth it.

Next week we leave to go to Vegas ... if I feel 1/2 as great coming home from it as I did from the Ocean, I think I'm going to do all right in the next few months.

XO -
Nikki
"Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer"