GRANOLAS

What's a granola you ask!!! I guess Granolas is what they call hard core hikers/backpackers, my sister has predicted that Tim and I are on our way to becoming Granolas. I have to say I think she is right, we have been going on so many hikes lately when we aren't surfing we are hiking which is great for living an active lifestyle. We are trying to prepare ourselves for a backpacking trip we are planning this summer and we have been talking with Tim's good friend Laurie she has been giving us some of her expert advice as she is a backpacking pro she has been giving us tips on equipment to look into and is graciously allowing us to borrow some of her gear for our trip this summer so we can get a taste of what we should invest in.

Here are a few photos of our Journey so far!!! Enjoy!!!

 Log Riding in Idylwild

 Hiking Day In Idylwild

Iron Mountain

  Enjoying the view in Idylwild

Suicide Rock

Potato Chip Rock

Our Backpacking Guru

Yup I think we are ready for our trip

New Beginnings!!!!

Well it has been a long road for me since I graduated from Graduate School a road filled with troubles, trials, doubts, stress, anxiety, tears, courage, surrender, self reflection, and hope! I thought I would end that sentence with hope because I am filled with the hope of an unknown future but faith that opportunities placed before me have been divinely placed there for a reason. To give you a little idea of my journey so far I went back to school to learn and to increase my options for a career in something I would love and to make my self more marketable for employment. HAHAHA well graduating was a rude awakening I realized that I went to school to make myself more marketable came out after the grueling thesis work 100 pages, working an internship 25-30 hours per week of FREE work and after all that employment in social service fields have two things to say to me I am unexperienced and overqualified. Oh so those 800 hours of free work are not enough experience and I had a better shot at this job when I didn't have my Master's cool its ok I don't regret anything, you almost would rather here that you are just not a good fit. So how did I survive this self doubt and discouragement well here's how.  So some things I have learned during my phase of life that I would love to share with all those out there going through the unemployment depression.

• Allow yourself to express your sadness- sometimes you just need a good cry maybe you went to another interview only to get shot down again, maybe at your part time employment someone tried to put you down, and made you feel less great than you are, maybe you cleaned the house for the 16th time because you didn't have anything better to do. My suggestion for working through this is to allow yourself a good cry follow it up with some reflection write in a journal write your frustrations or talk to someone who loves you. 
• Surround yourself with a support system - some of the best moments I have experienced these past few months were the times when my sister Tim and I either went home to spend time at my parents or just spent the day surfing. It really helps get your mind off your stress and remember that no matter how successful you are in life what really matters is the relationships you embrace now because those relationships give you a hope and encourage you to keep trucking along. 
• Keep your chin up - it's hard to come home from an interview that you got rejected from and apply for another set of jobs the next day, but being able to get online after a rejection, research and apply to a few jobs makes you feel accomplished and motivated, it also makes you realize that you are a fighter not a quitter and you will make it somehow. 
• Get yourself moving- start a fitness routine it really helps to have a daily schedule that includes a vigorous work out because you will feel energized and you will have something in your day that you will feel proud of, maybe you ran a mile farther than yesterday and now feel proud of yourself for that accomplishment. Also the endorphins you get from working out will put you in good spirits to face all those job applications. 
• Set new goals - so I'm not exactly talking about career goals, no I'm talking about personal goals. Maybe you want to try a new hobby set a personal goal and accomplish it, mine was to go on more hikes and train for a backpacking trip. Well my backpacking trip is this summer I'm so excited and I've been on countless hikes which I must say is my new favorite goal. 
• Deepen your faith - it's so easy to feel sorry for yourself when you work so hard for a degree and you don't see the end road anywhere in sight. It's hard to really understand that God still has you in his hands and sees your heart to the core. Human nature tends to feel discouraged by the things that you don't have or see. However it's so important to surrender and have faith that there is a purpose for your life God still has you in his grasp and when you surrender EVERYTHING all your self doubt, self pity, your own plans than you really start to understand the meaning of true deep faith. 

Now that I have finally landed a job I am so excited and filled with hope!!! So from first hand experience I have to tell all of you going through unemployment you will make it through take note of some of my advice and adapt or adopt whatever you wish this has really helped me and I know there are many more things a person can do to keep there chin up and keep the hope a float these were my secrets. 

So for those of you interested in reading more about what I will be doing, I am going to be working for a company that provides therapy to children on the autism spectrum. Seems ideal for me as I just wrote my thesis on Art Therapy for Autism, I guess it was just meant to be!

A Tale of Two Hikers

It seems appropriate that in my goal to kick up my personal health and fitness, my husband would recommend that we get into hiking. Also seems appropriate that we begin this quest to become hikers in the springtime, because I feel like all the most beautiful hikes are in their best bloom during springtime. Plus it's not that hot yet.

So Tim has been actively searching out hikes for us to go on around here in San Diego, and we are booking some trips in the upcoming future. It's Tim's goal to become backpackers that live for the trail. I'm excited too because, well, I love being outdoors so it should be a fun journey. There are a few things I am a little nervous about. I'll be honest I do love to camp probably most then most, I love sitting around the campfire, sleeping in tents, waking up with the sun its all great fun, but I am in no way a hard core camper. It's going to be interesting to just have a backpack in the wilderness and have to go without little luxuries like showers, and bathrooms eek. Also I'm a little concerned about food and water what happens when we run out I'm not a happy camper if  I don't have sustenance to keep this engine running.

Have any of you done the backpacking thing do you have any tips for how to survive the trail for this beginning female. Do you have any great backpacking trips or hikes to recommend.

Springing into Gear

Wow time flies I really can't believe we are changing the time again seems like winter just flew by, which is great because I hate winters blah so cold and dreary to depressing for this sunshine loving girl. What happened this winter well I'm ashamed to say that I let myself go and let the graduate school blues (that's the depression you experience when you finish graduate school) get the best of me. I lost motivation for things I love to do run, surf, dance etc. So what happens when you get older and stop being as active as you used to, you get fat, well you gain weight. But I'm saying good bye to those stinking lb's and taking my life back, Im springing into gear this month I started by finding myself an accountability partner my good friend Bea and I are checking in together to make sure we stay on track with our fitness goals. I had a physical today at the doctor so I know I'm in good health and I know my exact wt. So here are a few of the things I have learned about staying in good shape.

1. Don't ever starve yourself, that really just slows your metabolism down which is completely counterproductive. 
2. Make realistic goals for yourself.
3. Guilt is counterproductive don't beat yourself up over little mistakes if you didn't make it to the gym one day but made it the other 4 don't spiral into a woah is me I can't do this. 
4. Don't put your focus on calorie counting there is so much bad information out there that companies market their snacks as low calorie or 100 calorie type snacks but those snacks have zero nutritious value. If you are going to eat calories make sure they are nutrient dense meaning that even if there is a high calorie count there are tons of vitamins and minerals in that food that is going to keep your body and metabolism functioning. 
5. Carbs aren't the enemy, but if you are going to eat carbs they need to be very high in fiber, and pair it with a protein because the combination of carbs and proteins together is actually a really great combination to keep your body energized. 
6. And finally most importantly don't do workouts you hate that is the fastest way to failure, if you love to dance do an hour of dancing, (sign up for that club dance class at your gym) if you love to hike, hike, if you hate running don't do it, if you love to do yoga do yoga find something you love and look forward to, so that working out is not as much of a chore. 

Here are my fitness inspirations!!! 

You gotta be in good shape to catch all those waves out in the water!!!

Money Saving Housewife 101

So being married it seems like there is a natural give and take that just happens to take place over time, overtime you just find your self falling into your naturally assumed roles. Maybe you observed these roles based on what you have learned from society or within your own family. I'm a bit of a feminist myself so gender roles are a bit taboo for me but then again here I am enjoying taking up some of those stereotypical housewife roles. For example I love to cook so I generally do the cooking and grocery shopping for Tim and I which I don't mind because it's what I love, (can cooking be a sixth love language I think I'm adding it to the list). Anyways since I do the grocery shopping I am always searching and scanning for ways to save and get the best deal, I do the regular compare ads, clip coupons, shop clearance etc. but my favorite way to save money is by shopping at Sprouts on Wednesdays double ad wednesdays are my favorite day of the week! You get the deals from the week before plus the new deals for the next week. I was so excited when I walked away from the grocery store with three full bags of groceries (mostly produce I might add) for just $13, whoever said eating healthy has to cost more was so mistaken! What is your favorite way to save money at the grocery store, this new wife loves any advice she can get!

My Wife Diaries

It's funny how you hear things as a single girl from your married friends about being married and being a wife and you develop your own idea or fantasy about what YOUR marriage will be like, then once you get to experience marriage for yourself, you realize "OH that's what they were talking about!".

Here are some revelations I have learned from being married!

• Tell each other how you feel!! When you do life together it's easy to wake up to the same person who sleeps next to you and just assume they know how much they mean to you (NOT TRUE) I have learned that it is so important to uplift each other by telling that person how much they mean to you whenever you think it. (if you are married tell your spouse you appreciate them today) 
• It's easy to get frustrated over things when you never communicate your needs. It's so important to communicate your needs even if you are just tired and really need a break or are worried and need prayer for something, that's on your heart. It surprises me sometimes how much Tim steps up and helps out once he knows what I'm going through. 
• Take time to think about what your spouse does right. Honesty time, now I know I am not the only one who struggles with this! I have found in my marriage I forget this one most often. It's easy to feel like you wish that your husband does this or that more, but it's sooo soo important to make an effort to think about the billions of qualities that your spouse does possess.  There are so many things I cherish about my husband, I really need to think on those more. It will make your life so much better and more positive. 
• Finally It is all in the way you present it! It's ok to let your spouse know when you are annoyed or frustrated with things however it is so important how you present it. Obviously they are not trying to annoy or frustrate you on purpose, sometimes when you live together it just happens!! Whenever you do feel that way stop yourself in the moment maybe think through what you are planning to say ask yourself will this come across as criticism? My advice is try the sandwich method, example: I love it that you have been helping out so much more with the chores it really makes me feel loved, it would really mean a lot to me if you could continue helping out with things around the house like ---------- it would be such a relief/help to me even more, since I know you have been doing so much more to help me with things! praise and compliment - need - praise and compliment! See how that doesn't sound like a criticism but it gets the message across that you have an expectation you need met. 

I'm not writing this because I want to brag about how I get these things right in my marriage this is really a confession about things I am trying really hard at doing more! One of the biggest things I have learned about marriage is that it is REAL WORK it's never easy but it is so rewarding when you learn about how to be the wife your husband needs and love him the way he needs!

Date Nights and the Marrieds

So once you get married things tend to slow down a ton. Here's how:
*You tend to go to bed way earlier than you ever have since you were maybe 10.
*You tend to prefer to stay in and just watch a movie on Friday Nights rather than going out on the town.
*If you have cable TV you tend to become obsessed with certain shows (mine are downton abbey, new girl, and modern family).
* Going out with friends becomes a real chore because now you got rid of all your hot going out clothes and have filled your closet with nice mature looking dresses that if you wear out you instantly feel like a granny.
*And date nights become less and less spectacular, sometimes date night for Tim and I consists of going to our favorite fish taco joint and splurging on a drink or even worse you squeeze in a date after shopping at costco and split a soda and cheap meal at costco (dun da da YOUR MARRIED).

 So it takes a bit of work to shake things up and that is why I am actually kind of thrilled about this upcoming holiday, because it requires people like us young marrieds (those without kids because I hear having kids takes it to a whole new level), to work on shaking up the romance maybe wear heels, a pretty dress, glam up the hair and make up and go out in public! I can't wait!!! I have no idea what we are doing but I'm sure Tim has something up his sleeve. What will be your plans this Valentines?