thank you doctor...

- oops
- you'll feel a slight pinch... you know it's not just a pinch...
- your blood has stopped coming out, must have collapsed the vein, we'll try poking you again... perfect, just what I wanted...
- ok, the test came back and it read your heart beat as abnormal, nothing to worry about, have a good day.... are you serious doc? no explanations....
- wow, your knees really are fat.. thanks, I needed to hear that...
- this medicine will make you eat a lot and gain weight
- this medicine will make you lose your appetite ... really does everything have to affect my eating habits, I rather like eating ya know!!
- and I know there are many more, but these were my personal favorites...

So, today Josh and I had to get TB tests at the health center so we can volunteer at the state hospital. That was fine and all, it stings for a sec then it done. Fine if that was all, but no, I was lucky enough to get by blood drawn again. It took awhile for the request from the nurse to get to the lab so it left me waiting in the room a little longer than I had wanted. I would have been ok if they had done it real quick leaving me little time to think, but no, I got to wait. This left time for me to start freaking out and complain to Josh about how I really didn't want to get the blood drawn. Anyways, they finally call my name and I go back and sit in the nice blue chair and wait for the guy to find a "good juicy vein". He finally decides he has one so he pokes me, lucky for him he got it the first time (a rare incidence in my case). He fills up the first rather large tube very slowly because my blood isn't flowing too fast, then he goes to stick in the next one and nothing... so he starts moving the needle around in my arm and no luck, the vein collapsed... great... thankfully he was kind enough to get a more experienced guy to come over and poke my other arm. He does it easily, but still, my arms hurt after. I am saying this because I realize I am weak. I realize I am not the strongest when it comes to drawing blood, but I just seem to have bad experiences. This one I must admit was actually one of the better times. Anyways, I needed to tell someone so I wrote this post...

Metabolic Workouts

Ok, I have been having a hard time lately with studying and school and such, but I'm trying to do better, especially since tomorrow is the last day I have to wake up early. Anyways, In my class today we did a metabolic workout. These are pretty new in the fitness world, or at least understanding them is new, but it was a lot of fun. Plus it is supposed to be the best way to burn fat because it boosts your metabolic rate quickly and it lasts for longer most other workouts. Also, it is quick and pretty easy, but you do have to motivate yourself to push it and actually do your best and not just do it all half hearted. Anyways, this is how it goes...

You perform each exercise for 10 seconds with about 2-5 seconds rest between exercises.

first exercise: squat to press- begin holding two dumbells and shoulder level, perform a squat and when you are coming up from the squat press the dumbells above your head.

second exercise: T push-ups- in a push up position perform a push-up and when done lift one hand and twist and hold, return hand to the ground and perform another push-up this time raising the other hand


third exercise: dumbell squat- while holding one dumbell near the chest perform a squat while lowering the dumbell between the legs, while coming up bring the dumbell back to the chest.

fourth exercise: standing row- while holdinga dumbell slightly lean forward with one hand behind back. With the hand holding the dumbell perform a row by bringing the elbow back at a 90 degree angle and pinching the shoulder blades together. do 10 seconds with each arm
fifth exercise: statue of liberty- hold one dumbell as high as you can in the air and take four steps forward then four steps back. do 10 seconds for each arm.

Once each exercise is done perform a bike blast. This is done by getting on a stationary bike and pedaling as hard and as fast as you can for 30 seconds. If you don't have a bike excessible then do high knees or run in place quickly for 30 seconds.

Once you have finished all six activities take a short (15-30 seconds) break and repeat all exercises in the same order. Do it all a total of three times and then you're done. It is a short less then twn minutes, and it boosts your metabolism so you burn more calories after you're done.

Anyways, I know this was long and maybe it was a little confusing, but let me know if you have any questions of if you try it let me know how you felt after. We did it in class and it definitely made me tired, but I am excited to make my aerobics class do it later this semester.

Projects

So I have decided to try and do something productive with my time, so I decided to complete one project a month. I started in December and so far it has been good. A whole two projects and I am feeling good about myself. So far they have both consisted of me sitting at a sewing machine, but I think for February I am going to read my whole NASM certification text book so that I can pass my certification exam and be hired as a real personal trainer. Anyways... here are some picture of my last two projects, not the best, but I am proud of what I have done.

December: I made a quilt. January: a fun bag. My mom received one like this that my aunt and cousins had made for her and she liked it so much (and all the ladies she works with) that she decided to make one (with my help) for one of the teachers she works with. So I figured out how to put it together and then made this one. I must give credit though to my mom who sewed the outside. She said it was easier to sew caprisuns then fabric. And also a thanks to the family at Christmas who help drink caprisuns and then didn't throw them away so they could be sown.

7 more days!!

I only have 7 more days, which turns out to be 28.5 hours or two weeks and one day left. Then I will be done being and intern and I can hopefully get a real job! It feels good knowing that there is an end to this, back in September it didn't seem like it would end, but it finally is! I love the people I am training now and will miss them, but hopefully soon I'll have real clients that I can help on a more regular basis. I am really excited to get certified in personal training and become a health fitness specialist. I may not be a mean trainer and yell at the clients to work harder and stuff, but I do get them to work hard, I just ask them nicely to do it. Maybe I'll work on that, but no guarantees.... Anyways, have a great weekend and hopefully you get Monday off, because I know I am looking forward to it!

Happy Birthday Josh!!!

Well, Josh had to work pretty much all day today, so I am home getting things ready for dinner and wishing he were here, but let me just say how I am so happy to have Josh with me everyday. He is my best friend and I couldn't have asked for a better guy. I hope you have a great day and a good year being 24. I love you.

Why I "love" snow....

- It is white, very bright and reflects the sun
- It gets in my shoes and makes my toes numb
- It piles up high and is fun to walk through when it about 2 1/2 feet high
- It stops my car from getting out of the driveway early in the morning
- When it melts it sometimes turns into ice over the night
- It allows me to wear more clothes and jackets each day
- When you slip and fall it not only impacts the fall, but it gets you are nice and wet.

Pretty much I just love snow....

I must say though that I have the best husband ever. He got up at 5:30 this morning to help me get the stuck car out of the driveway/ middle of the street. It was cold and I know he would have rather been in bed, but he truly is amazing and I am so grateful for all he does for me. I couldn't have asked for anyone more perfect.

We did not have a white Christmas and I was happy

We had a great break! Definitely not ready to go back to school tomorrow, but I guess we have to. We were able to have a good time in California with my family. We went to Disneyland, the Getty Museum, LA Temple on Christmas Eve and shopping. It was nice to be in warm weather and be with the family. We are so grateful that my parents let us come and stay and eat all their food. Although we got sick we had a good time relaxing.

"O" for Olson

The Statue at the Getty that reminded me of MckayThe girls at the Getty

Proof that I am strong

Not only did we go to California, but we also got to go to Arizona and stay with Chris and Lolly and I got to meet Grandma and Grandpa Olson. We had fun playing with Sadie and again relaxing the warm weather. The Arizona weather almost made me want to move there, but then again I don't know how I would handle to summer.

Not everything is necessarily good news. As we were driving home to Provo my mom called and told me that my great-grandpa passed away this morning. He was 95 years old and lived a great life. He was funny and always put a smile on everyone's face. Although it is sad to know that he left us here on earth, I am happy that he is again reunited with his wife after many many years. He can once again be funny. I love you very much and I will miss you calling me George.