What Are You Gearing Up For?

I can't decide if these books
make me want to set a new
reading goal or a goal around
clutter for 2014. 

Only a few more days before the new year begins. I always get really excited at the new year. Mostly because I like the idea that things can change in a year. That hard work can make dreams happen. It's the wholesome American Midwest in me that likes to believe that working hard is rewarded. 

So I'm gearing up for what I'm going to concentrate on next year. This year I wanted to be well, write daily, try new things and be a better blogger. For the most part, I kept those resolutions. The end result is (the past week--okay, month--aside on the health part) has been more blog traffic lately (funny how that happens when you actually post more than 1-2 times a month), a solid draft on the novel plus several new stories and outlines for future stories, a fairly consistent running schedule, and an indoor skydiving experience under my belt, among other things. 

So now I'm thinking, what next? I will have a goal around writing, one around reading, one around my health for shiz, and then something else. It will have to be realistic, but maybe this time I'll start backwards. I'll start with what I want to have accomplished at the end of next year and then work backward on what it'll take to get me there. 

What are you preparing for in 2014? Any big goals on the horizon?

Is 33 too young to start thinking of your mortality?

Lately I've been obsessed with time and I'm not sure why. I feel like 33 is pretty young and therefore I should be LESS worried about time, but then I think of all I want to do with my life and the spiral starts again.

Maybe this is the consequence of having a parent who died relatively young. Or maybe I'm just slowly going insane. Or maybe I'm too ambitious. I really have no idea.

It was kicked back up lately because of a news story about how freezing eggs is now considered common practice and is covered by some insurance companies. They featured a woman on there who was 38 years old. Only five years older than I am. This freaked me out.

While the whole "should I have a kid?" debate is really for a completely different blog post (if at all.) To be honest, the kid thing has been a feeling that has been a pretty steady "no" for the majority of my life. And while I'm not sure it will change, I abhor the thought that my indecision would make a decision for me. Not just for this decision, but really for any decision. I want to be the person creating my life and not letting it just spring up around me.

But I digress. This is about time. And all the things I'm scared that I won't get finished. First of all, I am afraid this damn novel will never get done. Then I'm afraid I'll never get to the point of owning a home. Or eventually having a job where I work for myself (that's less about time and more about fear). But honestly, isn't it all really about fear? I always thought I was fairly fearless, but come to find out that's not so much case. So now fear of dying before things get done is becoming my mantra.

I guess I have two choices: 1) keep thinking these morbid thoughts and do nothing or 2) use this to do something. I'm probably more of a choice #2 person. Any advice?

Failure or New Opportunity?

Birthday cupcakes (not all 6 but still)
definitely played into my downfall!

I hate failing. In fact, someone once said they thought I had a fear of it. Maybe I do, I'm not sure, but whether I fear it or not, I've certainly done my fair share. The latest failure: January's goals. Not all of them, but certainly my weight loss experiment with The Firm Express.

I have done every workout in the series. I did not, however, do them in the correct order or 3 times a week. I also blew off my diet for a few weeks. Argh. At one point, I had lost 7 pounds during the month due to the exercise and since put about half of it back on. That's what I get for indulging in birthday, Superbowl and Valentine's day celebrations. And mostly just not paying attention to what I was eating well enough.

I heard a stat once that said it took the average person six attempts to quit smoking. I think that number is probably double or triple for lifestyle changes. So instead of wallowing in misery or failure, I'm going to try again. And maybe this time I'll start wearing incredibly tight pants and belts to make myself uncomfortable enough to stop putting food in my face.

This week:

• Days per month that I worked on my novel: 15/15 (not sucking on this one!)
• Calories burned per week: 1550 (a pound is 3500)
• Weight loss/gain since last posted result: +3 lb.
• Cumulative loss/ gain: -3 lbs.

Birthday Goodness

Word of the birthday: indulgence. Yesterday I turned, well, older. And after a long but productive week at work hosting some coworkers, I was ready to relax and kick if on my birthday weekend. Chef started it out right. He got me a 90 minute massage. 90. 9-0. Every minute was wonderful. Afterwards while I waited for my ride (Chef wanted me to be as relaxed as possible), I indulged more in a cream puff. That I ate outside. In 70 degree weather. Did I mention it's January?

Birthday Beach Trip

I took my annual birthday trip to Sephora where I got my birthday freebie (Fresh lip moisturizers--not as good as last year's "Birthday cake" scented shower gel, but hey it was free). Chef and I went out for dinner, and had a steak with some delicious ahi tuna and cheese laden side dishes. The next day--my actual birthday--we went out to get waffles for breakfast. Then what is now a tradition--we did a birthday beach trip. Then we lounged around drinking mimosas and eating chinese food. Chef got me a copy of Breaking Dawn that I ate up like nobody's business. I also got a special dessert from Chef--SKOOKIE (aka skillet cookie). And to top things off, he got me tickets to see Amy Poehler in conversation with Jane Lynch next month in Santa Monica. I'm super excited.

Skookie!

The birthday wishes continued today where my office had a birthday bomb go off in it with streamers and decorations. Plus my team had flowers delivered to my office. It really touched my heart and I felt lucky to have them.

Flowers from my team

All in all, not a bad start to the year. I'm lucky to be able to get older, learn more, have more experiences, and look forward to another year of adventure. I made two birthday goals: 1) that next year I will be firmly planted in a single digit dress size and 2) I will have been rejected by at least one literary agent.

Wish me luck!

Ready to Be Off For a While

Only one more day of work and I'm working from home to avoid the commute. (It's my Christmas present to myself). I'm totally ready for some time off. Who's with me?

My Christmas Cookies:
can you spot the two non-
holiday ones?

• Pages of fiction read: 93% of a 320 page book--27 percent more than last week (The Family Fang)That's 86 pages. Uh oh.
• Fiction read:  The Family Fang  (a Greg recommendation).It's getting to the end and has given me lots of ideas.
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: None. Want to wait until after the holidays to start the next one.
• Five pages written: nope. I suck.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 
• Exercise: 150 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 32 seconds (same from last week)
• Friends and family: Yup. Called two friends and actually talked to one. 
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.
• One revised section of novel per week: Edited 11 pages and sadly am now changing a ton of stuff. It's gonna be a long process, but hopefully the end product will be better than before.

Where I'm at This Week

Harry and David delights

I got my first Christmas present about a week ago and am very thankful for it. My waistline is less thankful, but I have managed to not have eaten the entire thing  and still have quite a bit left. Hooray!

• Pages of fiction read: 66% of a 320 page book--34 percent more than last week (The Family Fang)That's 108 pages.
• Fiction read: Began The Family Fang this week (a Greg recommendation).Still quite awesome. 
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Finished Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris.
• Five pages written: nope. I suck.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 
• Exercise: 110 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 32 seconds (broke previous best on 11/25)
• Friends and family: Yup. a few emails to miscellaneous people and a call with my brother/niece/nephew.
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.
• One revised section of novel per week: I edited a short section, but came upon a revelation that's making things better, but delaying my process. 

The Need For Speed

With My Race Face On!

Today I had an off-site with my team at work. I gave them four options for our activity and they chose go karts. I think they choose wisely. I didn't realize how competitive I could get until I was stuck behind someone and wanting to pass so badly. I took everyone on the inside and it rocked. I came in first. I'm proud, but mostly was just glad to get some time with my team. They've been rocking so hard this year and they deserve some celebrating. 


In the mean time, here are my goal updates:

• Pages of fiction read: 35% of a 320 page book (The Family Fang)That's 112 pages.
• Fiction read: Finished Confessions of a Prairie Bitch last week (an Anne recommendation) and began The Family Fang this week (a Greg recommendation). Both are awesome
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: going to start Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris but haven't yet.
• Five pages written: nope. But I edited 20 pages last week.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 
• Exercise: 150 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 32 seconds (broke previous best on 11/25)
• Friends and family: Yup. Had a long call with my dad last night.
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.
• One revised section of novel per week: Not finished, but I did edit more than 20 pages.

Work Inappropriate Shoes (Is there such a thing?)

My booties--left side.

It's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving which means that it's basically a dead day at work. We are all joyous to have an extra long weekend and I'm ready myself to get my relaxin' on. One of the great things about Thanksgiving is the casual Wednesday. Nothing says "I'm mentally already gone" like jeans and an early release on Hump Day. And in honor of that kind of thinking, I also added in some killer shoes.

Top view

Now, I don't like playing favorites with my shoes, because it's kind of a Sophie's Choice moment, but the ones I wore today hold a special place in my heart. And even though the 4 inch spike heel is a little work inappropriate, I still decided to rock these bad boys like there was no tomorrow. And there isn't. At least no tomorrow in my office which is welcome break from the commute.

Here's my weekly goal update:

Right side

• Pages of fiction read: 26% of a 432 page book (World War Z) and 22% of a 320 page book (Confessions of a Prairie Bitch). That's 182 pages.
• Fiction read: World War Z by Max Brooks and Confessions of a Prairie Bitch (which is AWESOME!! Thanks, Anne)
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Finished The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larrson yesterday. It was unsatisfying. 
• Five pages written: yes.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 
• Exercise: 150 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 44 seconds (from previous week-- came close but couldn't break that this week)
• Friends and family: Yup. Two calls and one more email.
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.I still suck and with little Thanksgiving hope.
• One revised section of novel per week:  Taking a new approach and actually reading what I've written thus far to fill in the gaps. So, no.

I Blame my Lack of Goals on my Time in Traffic

What I was doing about
a year ago.

I don't know if it's the change from Daylight Saving Time or what, but traffic has been nuts the last two weeks. I've been averaging about 90 minutes for the trip home when it would typically take me 60 to 65. It's driving me insane. And the nearly 3 hour drive last Thursday about put me over the edge and at least had me considering drastic changes.

Until then, I'll just use the commute to have something to raise my fist up to the heavens and an excuse for my lack of productivity.

• Pages of fiction read: 20% of a 432 page book (World War Z) So, that's technically 87 pages. 
• Fiction read: World War Z by Max Brooks. I might be over zombies. Or just need a break.
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: 13 hours into The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larrson. 
• Five pages written: Nope. 
• Calorie tracking: Check. Could still do better but at least I'm being honest on my calorie intake. 
• Exercise: 221 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 44 seconds
• Friends and family: Yup. Two calls and one more email.
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.I suck.
• One revised section of novel per week:  Check! Still working it.

Trying to Challenge Myself. . .Still

Happiness is an empty gym at 5 a.m.

I'm getting complacent in my exercise so I started challenging myself to do a 5K on the elliptical every morning before work.I also try and beat my time from the day before. I'll keep a best record here because, well, I can and I have no where else to put it.

• Pages of fiction read: 23% of a 432 page book (World War Z) So, that's technically 99.63 pages, but I'm rounding up to 100 for my goal's sake. 
• Fiction read: World War Z by Max Brooks. Pretty good so far.
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Eight hours into The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larrson. 
• Five pages written: Yup.Yay me!
• Calorie tracking: Check. Ate very well, but not very healthily. But got better since I've been back. 
• Exercise: 144 minutes of exercise in the last week. Not so hot.
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 31 minutes, 32 seconds
• Friends and family: Yup. Called two friends and returned another call. 
• Weight Loss: 0 lb. I'm determined to change that this week. 
• One revised section of novel per week:  Check! Revise. revise. Revise. 

Day One: Charleston

Coast Restaurant
--very French Quarter feel,
except less smelly

I'm travelling to Charleston, SC for work and although I've only been here a few hours, I have to say the place is pretty darn cute. And there are a plethora of little local restaurants and shops within walking distance of my hotel. If I can successfully navigate a business trip so that I don't have to drive once while being there, it's a good thing. 


Hit a restaurant called Coast tonight that was just a block down the way. Seafood which is awesome. I had a lobster and crab gratin with blue cheese mashed potatoes and green beans (pictured). They helped make up for the calorie gap since I ate two Fiber One bars while travelling today. Calorie gap and belly successfully filled. Delicious. If I didn't already have dinner plans, I'd probably go back tomorrow night. YUM!!


 Hopefully I'll have a few more pictures to post tomorrow after the conference, but in the mean time, here's my weekly update:

Lobster and Crab gratin.
Was much better than it looks.
Bad lighting.

• Pages of fiction read: 33% of a 432 page book (World War Z) So, that's technically 143 pages. 
• Fiction read: World War Z by Max Brooks. Pretty good so far.
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Six hours into The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larrson. Maybe I can do via audio what I couldn't do reading--finish it!
• Five pages written: Yup. Had 6 on the plane trip alone last week.
• Calorie tracking: Check.Crappy road, world series eating.
• Exercise: 225 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Friends and family: Yup. Called a friend to chat and tell her that I was missing her lots!
• Weight Loss:0 lb
• One revised section of novel per week:  Check! Have bridged the beginning to what I've previously written, so now it's just revise, revise, revise.I will get a rough draft done by my Birthday. I keep chanting that.

Last Night's Dinner Theme: I tried!

Maple glazed chicken
with Brussels sprouts slaw

Last night I cooked dinner again. I'm back to at least attempting to cook 3 times a week instead of being my usual lazy self. So, if you have any good places you go to for healthy recipes, let me know (And thanks, Misty, for reminding me about Cooking Light). So I've attempted two dishes this week, both with low levels of success. 


I made pumpkin ravioli with a light cheese sauce and hazelnuts on Sunday. It was actually not too bad, but just didn't have a lot of POP. I think the flavors were supposed to be subtle but ended up as bland. And it's a fine line between subtle and bland. Too fine a line for a cook like me. 


Last night was the meal pictured: Maple glazed chicken with Brussels sprout slaw. I found out a few things: 1) I love roasted Brussels Sprouts but I do NOT like raw ones. Even with a nice vinaigrette and dried cranberries. 2) That maple and red wine vinegar might smell like crap when reducing but don't taste too badly together. and 3) I still overcook chicken like nobody's business. I wish I wasn't afraid to give someone food poisoning, but I am.  And that makes me cook the shit out of things. The chicken was terribly overdone, but did need the steak knife for adequate slicing. 


Anyway, here's where I'm at:

• Pages of fiction read: 55% of a 400 page book (Mockingjay). So, that's technically 220 pages.
• Fiction read: Mockingjay. I'm going to be sad when it's over. 
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: None, but I just got the two final Stieg Larsson books because I can't seem to read them and the Confederacy of Dunces, because I've always wanted to read that, but never seem to remember.
• Five pages written: Yes!!! Still reworking a new beginning to the book. started a brand new section. I'm now up to 45 pages of NEW material in four weeks.
• Calorie tracking: Check. a whopping 281 calories OVER than my daily goal. Last week was not a good one. hence the new recipes, etc. 
• Exercise: 265 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Friends and family: Yup. A friend AND a family member got phone calls this week.  
• Weight Loss:0 lb (did you SEE the calorie overage? Of course I didn't lose weight!)
• One revised section of novel per week:  Check! Got about 8 pages of a transition to the main story.

"He laughed at pretty much everything I said"

The above is a quote from Sara Leal, the 22 year old who reportedly slept with Ashton Kutcher a few weeks back. US Magazine is doing a teaser on the affair and promoted it as "the duo talked astrology (they're both Aquarius), religion, love, even politics. I'm having a hard time wondering why Ashton Kutcher would give two shits about the political affiliations of his latest piece of tail, but maybe that's just me. Maybe I'm not giving him enough credit. Either way, I love that she explains his encounter with her as a way for him to break away from it all and be "real." I'm thinking it might've had something to do wtih you being hot, honey. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I do not have a goal around sleeping with celebrities, but I do have other goals. Here's where I'm at:

• Pages of fiction read: 65% of a 391 page book (Catching Fire). So, that's technically 254 pages.
• Fiction read: Catching Fire. Page turning (or page clicking on the Kindle).
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: FINALLY finished Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner.
• Five pages written: Yes!!! Reworking a new beginning to the book. Am at 16 pages (mostly new) so far. in fact, since I started concentrating on the writing/ revising, I have finished 37 pages of NEW material in three weeks!!!!
• Calorie tracking: Check. a whopping 54 calories lower than my daily goal. 
• Exercise: 345 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Friends and family: Done. 
• Weight Loss:0 lb
• One revised section of novel per week:  Check! Got about 16 pages of a new beginning finished and a transition to the main story.

Hungry for The Hunger Games

I started it late and I'm loving it now. The Hunger Games rocks my world. It's throwing my reading into overdrive, for sure. Plus it helps that it's aimed at someone half my age (or less--stop laughing). 

• Pages of fiction read: 41% of a 384 page book (The Hunger Games) and 35% of a 391 page book (Catching Fire). So, that's technically 294 pages.
• Fiction read: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Page turning (or page clicking on the Kindle).
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Trying to finish Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner, which I started over a month ago. It's hard to finish it. It's not really good, but I have the same compulsion to finish fiction on audio as I do on page.
• Five pages written: Yes!!! Reworking a new beginning to the book. Am at 12 pages (mostly new) so far.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 289 calories lower than my daily goal. 
• Exercise: 315 minutes of exercise in the last week. But I missed two work outs because I was sick.
• Friends and family: Done. Called my lovely, remarkable grandmother.
• Weight Loss:-0.8 lb
• One revised section of novel per week:  Check! Got about 12 pages of a new beginning started. Working on finishing that and one more section for next week.

Notable Things from September

from @andrewchen blog

I know that I concentrate on my goals every week and I'm proud of that, but what does those weekly goals add up to? Well, I've noticed a few things last month that made me proud, so I thought I'd share. Here are a few of them:

• I'm only 4 lbs away from my lowest weight EVER (since the age of 14-yes, 14)
• My skinny jeans are looking good again. I wore them yesterday and didn't have trouble breathing or standing muffin top. (Who out there doesn't have some sitting muffin top? I ask you this in all seriousness. I think even models have a slight fold of skin when they bend in two, right?)
• My clothes are looking way too big. And when does someone NOT like to buy new clothes? Not that I have yet, because I'm waiting until I'm lower than my lowest. I still have some clothes from the back of the closet that I need to bust out.
• My "hack around" shorts, the shorts I put on when I change out of my work clothes but before bed, are so big that I have to really use the drawstring to keep them up, not just use it for show.
• I topped my own record from last month for most blog posts in a month. Previous record was 24 and I got 25 in. Not too shabby.
• I also topped my most blog posts in a YEAR--beating out the first year that I started this blog. I guess California makes me want to share more or I'm prioritizing blogging more. Either way, I'm happy to keep on, keeping on.
• I feel happy about my novel and am less attached. These are both good things. I'm able to move things around and cut things with little internal debate. It's actually fun!

I'm sure October will be even better! Any big goals that you have coming up or completed?

I Have a Fever. . .

. . .and I wish more cowbell could cure it. I woke up this morning feeling okay, but tired. More tired than normal. I chalked it up to getting to bed later than normal. (Kinda glad new TV is on!). But by the time I got to work and got started on my day (which had only about a 30 minute break from meetings, interviews and webinars before lunch and not much more time after lunch), I realized I was a little under the weather. Fever yet still cold and a craving for soup for lunch. Add to that other coworkers (who sit in close proximity) who've been sick and I think I'm doomed.

But I will fight it tonight with soup and rest, and not doing too much of anything. The only benefit of being not quite sick yet.

Despite any pending illness, I have managed to do some things right.

• Pages of fiction read: 93. I'm under for my second week, but my excuse this week is that I finished one book and the book I'm starting next is on my Kindle, which was dead and my charging cable recently broken. So I'm on hold until my new charger comes today! 
• Fiction read:  Finished Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman. Am starting the much anticipated The Hunger Games tomorrow. 
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: None. Ugh. I need to load up my ipod or have my memory erased about the awesomeness that is Pandora. 
• Five pages written: I'm gonna say yes. I wrote three pages for a story and am revising another so I don't know the exact word count.
• Calorie tracking: Check. But I was just over my daily average for weight loss for the second week in a row.
• Exercise: 355 minutes of exercise in the last week.
• Friends and family: Done. Everyone's having babies. Makes the reaching out easier!
• Weight Loss: Lost 0.8 lbs. (Total since LA move: 26 lbs)
• Last week's NEW goal: Have 600 word story for contest completed, edited, and submitted.- It's Completed and Edited. Will submit this weekend. 
• New Goal: I've decided to focus on FINALLY finishing the novel. So I'm now committed to combining feedback from my old Writers' Group (I miss you guys!!) and revising one small section at a time. Goal is to have at least one sectioned revised per week.  

What I did this week. . .

Between locking myself out and being busy at work, my personal goals are taking a hit this week. There are times that that's just the case, aren't there? Here's to doing better next week!


• Pages of fiction read: 71
• Fiction read: Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Still none. Pandora.
• Five pages written: Nope. I'm slacking.
• Calorie tracking: Check. But I was just over my daily average for weight loss :(
• Exercise: 370 minutes of exercise in the last week.
• Friends and family: Done. One good thing about the Colts loss.
• Weight Loss: Lost 0.2 lbs.
• At least 5 pages types on a new story/ essay: Nope. Only one page done. FAIL sauce.
• NEW goal: Have 600 word story for contest completed, edited, and submitted.

What to Finish

Here's my progress to this week's goals:

• Pages of fiction read: 127
• Fiction read: Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Still none. Pandora comedy is doing me right right now. 
• Creative writing every day: yes
• Five pages written: Yes-- and then some!
• Calorie tracking: Check. Averaged 179 calories under my daily goal.
• Exercise: 310 minutes of exercise in the last week.
• Friends and family: Done. mostly because my friend Julie had an adorable little son this week and I did some virtual cheek squeezing until I can lay my hands on those chubby cheeks in person. 
• Weight Loss: Steady. Which is weird considering I think I ate everything in sight.
• At least 5 pages types on a new story/ essay:I've got three on one story, two on another. Does that count?

Okay, here's the most recent dilemma. I seem to have writing ADD right now. I've got a short story that needs some major work waiting to be reshaped, a novel that needs some good flushing out and an ending, a short story that is written in my head but no where else, and a new creative non-fiction essay that I'm dying to get out. And now I'm hankering to write a screenplay. It is LA, after all. Doesn't everyone have a screenplay? 

So do I continue starting stuff or do I hunker down and finish a few things? Am I really this disorganized?

Stuff I Ate When I was Fat(ter)

Today is goal reporting day and I hit a big one this morning. Or at least what seems like a big one: I have lost 25 pounds since moving to LA. Despite numerous splurges, our wedding and honeymoon, new restaurant explorations, business trips and my utter lack of self-restraint at times, I'm only 6 lbs away from hitting a new low. And it's only down from there.

When thinking back to when I was well over 200 lbs, I think about what I ate then compared to now. Here are some things that I used to eat alone, with no one watching, judging: entire DiGiorno pizzas, entire boxes of TGIFriday's loaded potato skins, entire loaves of bread dipped in olive oil and seasonings, a box of ice sugar cookies, tubes of chocolate chip cookie dough, entire orders of Papa John's cheesesticks, pancakes with toast, bacon and hashbrown casserole from Cracker Barrel, the Baconator with large fries from Wendy's, cupcakes-lots of cupcakes. And that actually could've been in just a week's time.

I have other things to celebrate. Here's my progress to this week's goals:

• Pages of fiction read: 113
• Fiction read:State of Wonder (finished it and it was okay); started Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: None. I keep forgetting to load my ipod back with the book I was listening to.
• Creative writing every day: yes
• Five pages written: Yes-- and then some!
• Calorie tracking: Check. Averaged 298 calories under my daily goal.
• Exercise: 345 minutes of exercise in the last week.
• Friends and family: Done.
• Weight Loss: Down 0.8 lb
• Short story done by August 27th: I worked for 4 hours on Sunday and didn't think I was finished. I did some tweaking and I sent what I thought was finished. Or at least ready for some heavy edits. i missed my deadline. I turned it in on Monday.

New weekly goal: I hope to have at least 5 pages types on a new story/ essay.

A Frozen Hot Chocolate But No Weight Gain. . . Maybe Vegas isn't all bad

I'm a day late on my weekly update, but I'm a little late on everything this week because of the Vegas trip. For the record, I lost a dollar but won in the Forum shops because there was a cute jacket and tank on sale that I snapped up. Most amazingly was that I ordered and ate some of Serendipity's famous frozen hot chocolate. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I thought it was going to be an ice cream dessert and it was actually like a chocolate slushie, but better. All of that, I enjoyed some good food, but didn't over indulge and ended up breaking even on my weight for the week. Viva Las Vegas for that!

• Pages of fiction read: 153
• Fiction read:State of Wonder (got 100 pages to go)
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Jennifer Weiner's Fly Away Home (Haven't listened this week as I've not been commuting)
• Creative writing every day: yes
• Five pages written: Yes
• Calorie tracking: Check. Averaged 236 calories under my daily goal.
• Exercise: 455 minutes of exercise in the last week.
• Friends and family: Done.
• Weight Loss: Broke even.
• Short story done by August 27th: I'm about 3/4 done so it looks like I'll be cranking some out on Saturday.

Have a great week!