9.28.2008

Update: Induction Phase ... 1 day in

So I've made it 24 hours now! The Induction Phase is the initial stage of the diet. Idealistically, you spend the first two weeks keeping your carb intake at 20 grams per day. This is not that difficult! I think it will be much harder when I can add good carbs into the mix. Andrew has suggested that I wait to weigh myself until I've stuck with the diet for an entire week- so that the results will be much more rewarding to see on the scale. (BTW- to kick off this new diet ordeal, we got a scale yesterday that's candle apple red to match our bathroom... LOVE IT!)

Favorite Diet-Friendly Foods: (so far)

- Black Olives
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Cheddar Cheese
- Lean Deli Meats
- Green Veggies

9.27.2008

To Do: Diet

Since getting married (only 2 months ago) I have noticed a few extra LBS. on this Asian body of mine and have decided to start a much needed diet. I have tried many in my time and have noticed that the only one that has really worked for me is the Atkins Diet. Now I know what you're thinking... "that diet is so un-healthy"... "you can only eat meat and cheese"... and "dieting sucks." Well, that last one is OH SO true- but the Atkins diet has come along way and is not just eliminating carbs and refined sugars. I did it the "old-fashioned" way in the past, completely deleting carbs from my grocery list. It worked wonders but I only lasted a few weeks- with great results, but aching for more variety in my diet. The new version, allows for GOOD carbs, lean meats, a limited portion of cheeses and a huge variety of veggies! Sounds do-able to me! I love all of those things and have never NEEDED carbs with the exception of rice (I'm Asian... what do you expect?) But I can do this! I am shooting for two weeks of the Induction period which a limited version of the diet to jump-start your body and then onto slowly adding what are considered to be good carbs in to regimen. Since I know you're all curious- I will blog my progress and keep you "posted" (hahaha P.S. that's bloggers' humor)

Kalai Concert

Last night Andrew and I went to the Kalai concert at Thanksgiving Point. For those of you wondering... who is Kalai? He is the artist that we used for our First Dance at our wedding. We love his stuff and were stoked that he was in concert so close AND the concert location was the same spot that Andrew proposed- right in front of the waterfalls.
CHEESE, please? I know.
Hymn: Jesus, My Savior True
(He has a whole album of hymns, this one was amazing)


3 Things We Learned From Kalai:

1- Kalai is LDS.
2- Kalai likes to kill small animals.
3- "Broken families, get un-broken and NOT broken families, don't break" - Kalai





9.26.2008

Photo Contest!


I took this picture of my one and only nephew Kyler on our family's cruise in Mexico and ran into a photo contest online.
I decided to submit this picture for fun!
Go to the site below and vote!

https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/index.aspx?referid=EmailFriends&p=763830&x=.jpg

9.25.2008

I stillll ... got it!

On Tuesday morning I interviewed for a position at Merrill Gappmeyer Family Medical Practice with Intermountain Healthcare's Urban South Region. The position is a Patient Coordinator which is right up my alley. The interview went really well and I felt so great about it! They said I would hear from them by Wednesday. When I didn't hear from them yesterday I was pretty bummed... and went back to the drawing board. Ugh. I was at work today training for my new Saturday job and got a call! I was offered the position! I start orientation on Monday! Aside from the drug screening and shots that I have to go through tomorrow- I'm stoked! Needles aren't my fav- but I'll survive for this kind of opportunity :)

9.24.2008

Chopstick-Ready!







I wanted to have a night of Asian cuisine and considering that’s what attracted Andrew to me in the first place- I played around in the kitchen and came up with this recipe!

Try it and let me know what you think!




PORK FRIED RICE


1 Garlic Clove, crushed
2 Eggs
2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
3 teaspoons Soy Sauce
2 Boneless Pork Chops, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces
Frozen Peas
Carrots, diced
Green Onions, diced
Yellow Squash, shredded
4 cups Cooked White Rice


Add 1 tablespoon of Vegetable Oil to Wok at medium heat. Then lightly whisk eggs with a teaspoon of Soy Sauce. Throw in crushed garlic and wait until it starts to crackle in the oil. Pour egg mixture into Wok and scramble into tiny pieces. Set aside to cool. Now the fun begins! Add the remaining tablespoon of Vegetable Oil or more if needed, along with carrots and yellow squash. Stir fry vegetables until tender. When vegetables are done- mix in cooked rice, pork, peas, green onions and egg mixture. Toss it all together and cover with lid. For the next few minutes, fold the rice to get that gently fried texture throughout the whole dish. Feel free to toss in the remaining 2 teaspoons of soy sauce or more to your liking. This fried rice has a lovely flavor of garlic and is beautiful with all the color! And remember, everyone has a little Asian in them! So get your chopsticks out and say Konichiwa!

9.20.2008

Can I get some Costco Looove?



Who loves Costco? That's right. Pretty much EVERYONE and their mother. Ever since I went on Costco runs as a little girl with my mom, I have adored flittering around to each station and snagging the tasty little morsels of goodness that they have offered as FREE samples. Ahh... Costco is truly an enjoyable experience. Aside from this tastbud-friendly pasttime, I have a thorough addiction to the "Costco Dogs" at the front of the store. I mean really, a polish dog and a 20 oz. soft drink for $1.50??!! Can you even attempt to beat that?? I think not! Personally, I love mine with a moderate amount of deli mustard, a hint of ketchup and an even layer of onions. Mmmm... I'm craving another, as I type! If you have not experienced this euphoric and tatalizing deal- go now. I mean right now! You will never want another plain old hot dog again.

9.19.2008

Officially Employed!

Considering I'm desperate in the job search department, I finally got a job offer at the University Mall in Orem, and I'm taking it! Usually the mall is a place of solstace and and therapy for me... as most of you know, but I'm getting frantic people! So, in an act of extreme anxiety, I now have a job at one of my most peaceful places... which will now become an environment of chaos. I bet you're all wondering what fabulously fashionable boutique I am employed by... which could be a glamorous position- getting the first look on the worlds newest fashions and styles. Ahhh, that would be the life! BUT... alternatively, I am working at the Mall's Help Desk, which is practically the same thing, right? I'll keep you posted on the number of customer's I get, asking me where the nearest restroom is. I'm sure it will be a number, out of this world!

By the way, I only work this job on Saturdays... so I have yet to end the job hunt. Just keep looking... Just keep looking... looking... looking... looking... looking...

9.16.2008

Mr. Smartie Pants


Andrew started school at the Utah Valley University in Orem, UT on August 31st and despite his nerves, he has been scoring A's! I'm so proud of him coming home every day and doing his homework days before it is even assigned. His biggest concern before starting school was Math as it isn't everyone's favorite subject, and he just got his grade back on his first Math test and received a fabulous A!!! He's on his way to being the best Engineer ever!

UN-employment





Until now, I have never had this difficult of a time finding a sufficient job for myself and now my family. I'm not looking for the highest paid position, but I'm looking for something I can enjoy everyday! I feel like I'm on the bottom of the totem pole in the employment department. Ugh.

9.15.2008

Be Prepared.


We are attending our Ward Campout this Friday and have purchased our first tent this last weekend. I'm so excited!!! Of course Andrew is fully prepared for such an event, so I will do my best to be an "Outdoors-y" kind of girl. We'll see how well I do...

9.13.2008

Friends are the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life.


My close friend Andre has really shown me what long-lasting friendship is all about. We met in my old student/singles ward and have been friends ever since! He loves Andrew and still gets together with us even though we're an old married couple now :) He treated us to a fabulous dinner at P.F. Changs tonight and we had SO much fun! Friends like that are truly something to be grateful for.

Provo Temple




Last night Andrew and I went to the Provo Temple for the first time. We were both a little nervous considering the last time we went through a session was our very first time in preparation to get married. The minute we stepped into the temple and took a deep breath, my nerves were instantly gone. Somehow, Andrew always knows exactly what to do...
The Provo Temple is a beautiful place and we've decided to make our attendance a Friday tradition :)
Married life is the best!

9.12.2008

7.24.2008





Sealed For Time and All Eternity in the Portland, Oregon Temple

The Start of Our Story

I had just sworn off men the month prior to meeting my man on Match.com - as ironic as it was, the "It's okay to look" phrase on their commercials really caught my attention. My success with men was nonexistent and I decided to take a break from them. I kept seeing the Match.com commercials and finally gave in. I looked! Within the first couple of days, I found Andrew. Apparently, he found my profile first and didn't make any move because he thought I was out of his league. WRONG! As untrue as it was, I contacted him first with a WINK. He then e-mailed me and never stopped.The interesting part about our story is that Andrew was in Iraq serving in the Marine Corps at the time. He had been there for a total of 6 months and had about one more month to go. We emailed back and forth about 3 to 4 times a day for a month. We were able to talk to on the phone several times but most of our contact was via email. We knew that we had much in common and were eager to meet with the hopes that something would come of this long relationship through correspondence. No commitment was made, just plans to meet and see where this connection would go. I went on a cruise to Mexico with my family for a week and in that time, Andrew arrived safely back from Iraq. When I returned we had planned as two strangers to meet at the airport so he could give me a ride home. The first time I saw my future husband was a feeling of “home.” He was and still is very handsome and such a gentlemen. We had a few big long hugs and looks of “we must be crazy” and then headed to his car. In the car we were joking around and he went to give me a high-five. I, being the very forward woman that I am, took his hand and didn’t let go. To his surprise, it just fit. He then took me to my apartment, brought my bags in, and we just sat in awe of this strange and ironic situation. It was like we had been together for much longer than just a couple short hours. I offered to get him a glass of water and he accepted, following me into the kitchen. In the kitchen he took me in his arms and gave me one of his world famous hugs, followed by a silent slow dance on the cold linoleum kitchen floor. I thought he was making “the move” and was going in to kiss me. Boy, I was wrong! So I kissed him. At this point, he knew I was a take-charge kind of girl. We spent a few more hours in my apartment discussing the “status” of our relationship and how fast all of this was going. It didn’t matter and we accepted the blessings that we had been given, in meeting each other no matter how crazy it was. The next day, we decided to spend time together doing normal things that a boyfriend and girlfriend would do and go on our first date. We had lunch at Mimi’s CafĂ© (our favorite restaurant) and then ran a few errands. As we were driving in the car, nonchalantly and so sincere, he told me that he knew it was too soon and was unsure as to how I would react, but he loved me. The feeling was mutual and I told him “I love you too.” We then discussed what was supposed to happen next. With this being the first week of May and Andrew starting school at the end of August, we needed to get married. And married fast! We bought my engagement ring the following day and he proposed 3 days after that in a beautiful garden, filled with an array of beautifully colored flowers and several gorgeous waterfalls. We were engaged and wedding planning for three months. In those agonizing three months we definitely considered eloping to Vegas a few times. But we managed to make it through. We were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Portland, Oregon Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on July 24th, 2008. It was the most wonderful and memorable day of our lives. We then honeymooned in Honolulu and cruised the islands of Hawaii. After a week of relaxation and the beauty of Hawaii, we returned to civilization to start our new life together as husband and wife. We are our own little family now, with a unique story of how it all began. It isn’t so much as a modern day fairytale as we work hard through the bad days and give thanks for the good ones. His strengths are clearly my weaknesses and my strengths are his. It works! We take care of each other. In short, we met online and then in person a month later. We kissed on our first meeting, bought a ring two days later, engaged three days after that and then got married three months following. We want to thank Match.com for giving us the tools and helping us in finding our eternal companions. We love each other very much and without using Match.com we would still be looking for each other in all the wrong places.

Blogging. It's What We Do.

I'm convinced that we are terribly
out of the loop in the blogging world.
So here we are. Let the fun begin.