31 January 2013

Weigh In - Week 5

Something worked this week - I'll blame it on the up of exercise.
That and being more intense with my meal planning.
And of course continuing to track.

A total of 2.6 lbs down for the week.
Making my grand total loss 9.4 lbs since December 28, 2012.
This also decreased my Daily Points Target to 29.  This is a little bitter sweet.
Yay for less points, boo for less food with points plus values.  More fruits and veggies.
And even better planning.

Next week - I WILL hit my 5% goal - which is a total of a 10 pound loss.

And this little video was just the pep talk I needed.
If you haven't seen the Kid President Pep Talk - that's what this is.
And it's pretty much the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o


29 January 2013

Quesadilla

I'm sharing this with you.
The most deliciously simple meal I've made.

The secret? Having already roasted brussels sprouts on hand.
Oh and finding huge tortillas that are only 2 points plus value each.
Tuck this simple little meal in your back pocket.  I had it after water aerobics this evening and I'll totally be having it tomorrow night.

1 Tortilla (2pts)
1 wedge laughing cow cheese (I used garlic herb because it's what I had on hand) (1pt)
28 grams shredded low fat cheese (2pts)
1 egg - scrambled (2pts) (tomorrow night I'll add an egg white to the whole egg for the addition of 0pts)
Handful of quartered roasted brussels sprouts (1 pt due to the oil used in the process of roasting)
2 strips MorningstarFarms "bacon" (1pt)

9pts plus for a delicious and filling meal.

Tomorrow night I'll add the bell pepper that I forgot to add tonight, giving it more flavor and adding in more bulk/filling-ness.

I'd tell you the brand of tortillas - but that'll have to come in an edit.  My feet are toasty warm in my sheets and I don't feel like venturing to the kitchen.  (yes, a little lazy - but I did water aerobics this evening, so I'm allowed a little lazy)

EDIT! 
The tortillas that I found are from La Tortilla Factory and are called Smart Delicious Tortillas. 
I purchased them at a QFC in Portland, Ore.

Parental Relationship (Question #3)



My mom: She raised me.  
I’d say “by herself” - but I know she had the support of friends and family.  
The day to day stuff though, was all her.  

While we don’t talk every day, she is by far the most important person in my life.  
I’ve probably never expressed how much I admire her tenacity.  Her spirit.  
She’s one heck of a fighter - and I’m pretty sure she probably doesn’t realize it.  

She’s always shown me unconditional love and support.  
For that - I am ever grateful.  

When I was younger - I know I took her for granted.  Isn’t that what most kids do?

As a woman who will turn 31 in July - I am fully understanding her sacrifice and the love she poured into raising me.  

I’d like to say we have a good relationship.  
I know I could be a better communicator - and that would only help it become great.  

My mom: She raised me.
I love her to the moon and back.






27 January 2013

3 Legitimate Fears (Question #2)

1. Failing.  At Life.  It’s become a fear over the years because I have always struggled to survive on my own.  I am horrible at money management.  I am horrible at choosing jobs which allow me to make good amounts of money.  Who doesn’t have the fear of Failing?

2. Ladders.  I have no idea where my fear of them came from.  I just really really really hate climbing up and down them.  It’s gotten better over the years.  I’m not afraid of heights.  I’ll go up janky staircases.  I remember being on a Mission Trip with my high school and were were in NM at these caves.  Part of the tour was climbing up these huge ladders.  I was shaking the whole way up.  When we got to the top I wanted to die.  
Again - I have no idea where the fear came from.


3.  Being alone.  I guess this goes along with failing at life.  I’m not one of those gals that always has to have a significant other.  I’ve been single more of my life than in couplehood.  But the thought of never finding a person to share my life with scares me.  I’ve always wanted a family.  It’s part of who I am.  And not finding a person to fill that dream with is scary.  

26 January 2013

Abs- Who Knew.

Apparently under it all I have them.

And they feel worked.

I did a 30 min workout last night via a DVD.
There was some ab stuff and some leg stuff.

This morning I decided to not sleep in but to go to Water Aerobics.
I usually only go on Tuesday.  My instructor is young and nice and uses a microphone.
She gives us a pretty good workout.

This mornings instructor uses her drill saregent voice and is more intense.
It was a different workout - very focused on my abs...which while I don't see them, I know they exist.

I won't say today was a better workout than my Tuesday workout.
It was just more intense and focused on a different group of muscles.

I came home and made myself a breakfast scramble which included a couple spoonfuls of Trader Joe's diced Onions, Garlic, and Shallots, a handful of their broccoli slaw, about 1/4 cup of red kidney beans, 2 oz ground turkey, a small amount of taco seasoning, and an egg with a packet of mild taco bell sauce.  Super filling and super delicious.  With the small amount of oil I used it's a 6 pts+ meal.  I also had a slice of bread with some country crock for an additional 4 pts+.  I'll add in an orange to round it all out.  Yeah - it's a 10 pts+ breakfast - but it'll keep me full for a while and it was what my body needed after the workout (which got me 6 activity points).


25 January 2013

Take 2 Steps Back

I totally caved today.

Purchased a loaf of bakery fresh french bread.

I did the fat girl move and tore off a piece once I got to my car.
Even more fat girl - I had purchased some Country Crock...and you know it.  I opened it up and smooshed my bread into it.

Boom.

Fat Girl Heaven.

I proceeded to have some more with my dinner.
This time I actually cut off a hunk and weighed it to see how much I was eating. I topped it with a low point egg salad (I used 1 whole boiled egg, 2 just the whites boiled eggs, a tbsp of lite mayo, and a tsp of brown mustard along with some seasoning).

The rest of it sits in my kitchen.  Untouched.

I also just ate a skinnycow ice cream sandwich and well, feel like crud.

I have to motivate myself to go to water aerobics tomorrow morning.
Class is at 7:30.
It'd be my step forward.

Now to go calculate my bread points.

24 January 2013

20 Random Facts About Me - Taire (Question #1)

1. My name is from an episode of Star Trek - Season 2, Episode 19: A Private Little War.  

2. I am an only child who grew up in a single parent household.

3. Pictures of me from High School can be categorized  into three groups: Girl Scouts, Band, and Youth Group.

4. Going skydiving is on my list of things to do.

5. I own all 10 seasons of Friends.  I never start from the beginning when I put em on though.  Usually season 3 or 4.  

6. I didn’t start driving until 2009.  I was 27 years old.   

7. When I moved to Buffalo in November of 2004 I didn’t know anybody.  It was thrilling and so very frightening all at the same time.

8. The year I turned 25 I treated myself to a massage and a haircut.  I sat in the stylist’s chair for well over an hour. She was scared of my curly hair.  I was finally rescued by the shop owner who had curly hair himself.  

9. My first shot was with a drag queen in Buffalo

10. I don’t like the movie Napoleon Dynamite.

11. When I was little I wanted my name to be Summer and I aspired to be either a Nurse or an Ice Skater. I didn’t go ice skating until I was in Jr. High.

12. I would only drink chocolate milk when I was younger.  It had to be very cold.  But no ice in it.  It weirded me out that one of my college roommates put ice in her milk.  But she had a weird oral fixation with chewing on the stuff.  Oh wait...that’s not really about me, is it?

13. I used to practice tap dancing in the grocery store - this was while I attended Jr. College.  

14. I grew up with a rotary telephone and a black and white tv.  If you’ve done the math from my previous facts - I was born in 1982.  I received Annie and Peter Pan before we had a color TV or a VCR.

15. The only pet I’ve ever had was a rat named Brown Sugar.  I grew up in an apartment complex and I’m not sure if they didn’t allow large pets or if my mom just never wanted us to have one.  When she died, my mom buried her (in a box) under the Office Depot that was being built in my hometown.  

16. I have a half brother that I’ve only met once.  His name is Jason.  We have the same paternal DNA.

17. I’ve tried star fruit and dragon fruit.  I liked neither.  

18.  I almost never remember my dreams - unless they are amazingly crazy and weird.  And that is really rare.  

19.  I have never traveled abroad - save for going to Jamaica on a cruise.  This fact makes me sad.  Eventually I’d like to travel to England where my grandmother was born.  And Australia.  

20.  I feel like even though I am 30 I still have a long way to go in developing who I am.  

Weigh In - Week 4

Not answering any of those list questions just yet.
Figured I'd do my weekly weigh in.

.8 pounds lost this week.
Tiny movement in the right direction.
But I'll take it!

I really do like the meeting I chose to go to.
It's full of a lot of lovely people (mostly ladies).
And my leader - she's so real people!
She talked to us about how she ended up at Krispy Kreme on Sunday and ate 5 donuts.

5!

or in Weight Watchers talk: 130 points plus worth of donuts.

I know what I did wrong this week and what to do to make it better - well, for the most part.

Onto the new week and loosing more of this unhealthy weight.

-As a side note - I've been doing my darndest to plan ahead.  Last week worked out much better.  I think I just liked my food choices way more.  This weekend I have to do some searching to find a tasty lunch/dinner.  It's pretty much the best way for me to survive the week - same meal planned out for each lunch and dinner Monday-Thursday.  Friday I try to switch it up.  Take something different to work.  Otherwise I get bored.
I also have to figure out how to manage the weekend.

So much to learn.  Good thing I've got my whole life to figure it all out.

23 January 2013

Some Direction



I did not come up with this list....
But I think it'd be good for me to have some direction.
So I think that starting with my next blog post - I will answer the questions. I might switch the order, I might rephrase the question.  Perhaps make it more of my own....but this list will be my guideline.

List is borrowed from this blog: http://cherishinghopesanddreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/30-things.html

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Feeding the Hunger or Why Do I ALWAYS Want Chocolate

No Really - I think there might be something wrong with me.

I am constantly craving chocolate.
And no, it has nothing to do with what time of the month it is.

Clearly I am missing a key ingredient in my diet.
All signs lead to Magnesium.

Further research shows me the top 10 Foods Highest in Magnesium:
1. Bran
2. Dried Herbs
3. Squash, Pumpkin, and Watermelon Seeds (Dried or Roasted)
4. Cocoa Powder (Dark Chocolate)....It's not a list that replaces chocolate, but for my purpose it is ironic
5. Flax, Sesame Seeds, and Sesame Butter
6. Brazil Nuts
7. Sunflower Seeds
8. Almonds and Cashews
9. Molasses
10. Dry Roasted Soybeans (Edamame)

This list came from this link: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-magnesium.php

The problem is with WW I try to stay away from nuts.  They are just plain high in points.
Edamame, while delicious, is also not a super point friendly food.

Dr. Oz has a slightly different list - which includes bananas (something I have one of daily) and kidney beans - which this week I am eating in my lunch.
http://www.doctoroz.com/slideshow/magnesium-grocery-list#slide-1

Clearly I need to figure out something.
For now, I'll continue to try and curb my sweet tooth/chocolate craving with tea and fruit and perhaps some oatmeal.

21 January 2013

What's a Date?

Soooo.....I'm on this online dating website.
A free one.
And I feel like my profile isn't complete crap.
I've got honest pictures of myself.

I've sent a decent number of "hello" messages.
Yet, I almost never get a return.

It's starting to make me question my self worth.
Am I really not attractive to men here in Portland?

I really miss being in a relationship.

I really do want to get married - settle down.

I am 30.
I really didn't want to be in my mid-late 30's when I had my first child.

Want, want, want.
Perhaps that's the problem.
I want it all.

I need to stop looking.
No wait, I've done that too.

I'm not sure how to get myself out there.
I don't like bars and I know a bunch of girls who claim that they don't know anyone good enough for me.

So men of Portland, what's the deal?

20 January 2013

Attack of the Fat Girl

Yesterday was the Season 8 opener for The Rose City Rollers.

The bout started at 5:45.  I was at the venue by 1pm.
I do this because I don't like to be rushed and because I like to make sure that things are in place.
And I can keep our Rinxter guy company - kind of.

I packed some food with me.
Healthy food.
Food which I had tracked the points for.
I ate some of it.

But then there were burritos brought in.
They feed the yellow shirt volunteers and we (the officials) can snag what's left.
I snagged one.
I don't even know how hungry I was.
I'm pretty sure I would have survived without it.
But I ate it.
The Whole Damn Thing.

Then there's the after party.
We have a pretty good pizza sponsor.
They make a killer supreme veggie pizza - it has roasted garlic and artichoke on it.
Once again, I'm not even sure I was that hungry - but I ate a slice of that veggie pizza.  Then went back and got a slice of the hawaiian.  I even questioned myself on that.
Seriously - fat girl. Next time, step away from the pizza.
Once slice would have totally been enough.

Today is a NEW DAY and I'm going to to my darndest to stay within my points, eat fruits/veggies, and get in some exercise.  Skating is on the agenda.

Now if only I could shake this cold.

19 January 2013

Bout Day

Today is the Season 8 Opener for the Rose City Rollers.

It marks my third season opener.  Though, the first one I'm pretty sure I was oblivious to it being a season opener as I was still somewhat new.

This bout is more magical because it is held at Memorial Coliseum and it's a double header.
We don't often do double headers.  We do 2-3 bout weekends instead.
In some ways, I wish we'd do more double headers.
But our fans don't like them as much.

This particular bout also happens to overlap Rat Cities Season Opener.
As well as a few other minor leagues who are having bouts.

Things are becoming more mixed up in our worlds.
More bouts are overlapping.  Even over tournament weekends.
Or maybe that's just us - silly Rose is having a 3 day bout weekend the same weekend as a
tournament that is in our own state.

At any rate, after this bout I'll be taking 3-4 weeks off.
I need to regroup, and decide what role I want to continue with.
If any.

I also really wish I didn't have a head cold.
I'll be bringing a box of tissues to the event.
Along with my water bottle (though, that's typical)

17 January 2013

The Loss

Tonight I attended my third WW meeting.
I weighed in and found that I had managed to loose 3 pounds this week.

I blame it on making my lunch/dinner for the week on Sunday, tracking religiously, and getting in exercise.

Now - can I keep it up this week?
I sure hope so.

I just have to find something inspiring to eat this week.

And I need to get in more exercise.

That last sentence will probably be my mantra for the rest of my life.

14 January 2013

A Before Photo

I suppose I should put a before photo on here.
This is really a before photo.  It's from my first summer here in Portland - summer of 2010.
I lost 30 of it that Fall - but put most of it back on.  Though, in a different way.  My face isn't quite as full.

Either way - it's a size I don't want to be ever again.


13 January 2013

Cooking, Cooking, Cooking

So I am tragically poor.

Thankfully, when I thought I had money I had purchased a spaghetti squash and salmon.
Today I managed to spend under $40 at the store and have spent the day cooking for the week.

Lunch will be 1oz salmon which was cooked in the toaster oven.  I only added lemon salt and some other seasoning.  Along with the salmon will be 3oz of spaghetti squash.  Today was my first time ever making it!
The hardest part was cutting the squash in half.  After scraping out the guts I placed it cut side down on a baking sheet and put it in the oven for about 40 min (oven was set at 375).  Once cooked, I scraped out the inside with a fork and added in a little olive oil and some garlic powder.  I'll be adding in some cooked down arugula (it ends up being 3 points plus)

Dinner will be Potato Kale Soup.  I took the recipe in one of the WW cookbooks, but did it all in the crock pot.  I added a little pepper for taste and Kale! The broth is pretty tasty.  It comes out to 5 points plus per serving.  It's highly likely I'll add some chicken.  We shall see though.

I'm crossing my fingers that I don't get bored with all of this.

I'm proud of myself for getting this done on the weekend.
Though, I do need to go make a few smoothies.  So I've got that done also.

On a side note - I totally have my outfits for the week picked out.  This is not the usual.
Trying to form new habits and do things that are good for me.

11 January 2013

Paleo?

I know nothing about the Paleo diet.

But I think I will research it.

I'm posting the links to these two blogs here so that I don't forget them.
And perhaps someone out there who might come across my little blog will find them useful or at least have something to say about the Paleo diet.

http://paleopilgrimage.com/

and

http://nomnompaleo.com/recipeindex

There you have it.

Or perhaps, there I have it.

ch ch ch ch changes....

Weight Loss Excuses

I have a bunch of excuses.
Reasons why this week I lost but 1 little pound.

Don't get me wrong - I am happy I managed to loose.
A loss of any size is movement in the right direction.

My sister and her husband were here and we ate out.
I did a horrible job at tracking.
I went back to work and it was stressful.
Aunt Flo was visiting and well, she made me eat things that I didn't really need.

See.
A bunch of excuses.

I am down a total of 3 pounds.
That's three pounds less of me taking up your space.
And for that, you are welcome.

At my meeting on Thursday I stayed for the after session.
I like the leader - she's sassy and quick witted.
The group is a good group of ladies - many of whom attended the same meeting I went to the first time I joined WW.
I decided to purchase the 360 kit.  In it there is a measuring tape.  Of which, I plan on using this weekend.
I plan on doing a lot this weekend.
Reevaluating how I am getting in my fruits and veggies.
Planning out my exercise routine.
Making a few goals.

It's the only way that I'm going to make this happen.  And I'm doing it for me.
Knowing some of the crap my mom is going through right now - health things, a lot of them due to her weight - inspires me to Not want to have to deal with it all when I'm in my 60's, or even younger.  I already battle with achy joints. And I know when I lost weight the last time, some of that went away.

My mantra for this week: I am strong.

06 January 2013

Do I Step Out Completely?

Last night as I was lying in bed attempting to go to sleep I found myself writing a letter in my head to an organization.

One that I've given 2 yrs of my life to.
As I was writing this letter I realized that I don't find what I'm doing fun.

I've lost my zeal for it.

I think I somewhat realized this awhile ago - but fully realized it last night.

There is so much negative energy right now and so little being done about it.
And I find myself not wanting to be there.

I used to be able to cheer for all in some way.  I might have preferred certain folks, but I could get behind everybody and show support.
That feeling is gone.
Left the building.

I still love the concept. What they do for the community.

Here's my problem - what I've been doing the past year and a half, there's really nobody who is primed to take my place.  There's nobody that has shown interest.  Most are involved in some other capacity.
So stepping out would make me feel guilty.  I can't completely blame the organization.  I'm the one who dedicated so much time. Who let them use me to the best of my ability.
Guilt via a volunteer position.
That's not right is it?

I'm so unsure of what to do right now.


04 January 2013

If only we could all be so awesome

"This is pretty much as badass as imaginable--

"The Gulabi gang (from Hindi gulabi, "pink", transln. "pink gang") is a group of women vigilantes and activists originally from Banda in Bundelkhand district, Uttar Pradesh, India, but reported to be active across North India as of 2010. It is named after the pink saris worn by its members.

The gang was founded in 2006 by Sampat Pal Devi, a mother of five and former government health worker (and a former child bride), as a response to widespread domestic abuse and other violence against women. Gulabis visit abusive husbands and beat them up with laathis (bamboo sticks) unless they stop abusing their wives. In 2008, they stormed an electricity office in Banda district and forced officials to turn back the power they had cut in order to extract bribes. They have also stopped child marriages and protested dowry and female illiteracy."

(I stole this from FB, I hope it is all true)


Smoothie Harmony

Since the beginning of the school year (august-ish) I've been making myself a smoothie for breakfast.  I've calculated the points but as I was not really doing weight watchers at that point I didn't add them all together or pay much attention.  I make them in a large mason jar, which my blender blade/base will screw onto.  It's really very convenient because after smoothie is made (I try to make them in the evening so everything can meld together) I screw on the mason jar lid and I'm ready to go.

My smoothie this morning was 11 points+. My smoothie yesterday was 12 points+
I took away the peanut butter and used the whole serving of whey protein (I had only been using half).
Part of it is the 3 point yogurt.  I have a ton of yogurt that I need to use.  So for now, high point value yogurt!
Also - the pureed sweet potato. That alone is 2 points+.  Once I use it all up I'll switch over to pumpkin which has 0 points+

So what my morning smoothie will look like:

Non-Dairy milk (right now it's coconut milk, but when I shopped at TJ's yesterday, they had none - so I picked up almond milk) = 1-2 points +
Yogurt (4-6 oz) = 2-3 points+
Pumpkin = 0 points+
Banana/Apple = 0 points+
Frozen Fruit = 0 points+
Spinach/Kale/Chard = 0 points+   (this is a bag mix from TJ's)
Ground Flax Meal = 2 points+  (Bob's Red Mill)
Whey/Soy Protein = 2 points + (Whey Protein is Bob's Red Mill.  The Soy Protein I purchased at TJ's and will start using when the Whey Protein is gone)

If I add together the highest point values plus all others that takes me down to a 9 points+ smoothie with a ton of protein (7 points+ if I can use only 4 oz of my liquid and find a 2 point+ yogurt)
I go for a lot of protein because I drink my breakfast between 7:30 and 7:45 and don't get lunch until 12:30/12:45.  I work with busy special needs middle schoolers and I have to be able to last with what I have for breakfast.

My WW meeting took me down to 30 Daily Points from 31.  That's only one point - but that's less things I can eat that have a point value.  So if I can get my smoothie down in points but keep it filling - I'm on the right track.  Plus, it gets me 2 servings of veggies and 2.5 servings of fruit.

I use a scale to weigh everything.  It's probably the best purchase I've made to help me with my weight loss journey.  It's nothing fancy.  It is electronic and will zero out, which is handy dandy.  I even use it when I'm eating crackers.  I don't trust the number of crackers per serving that they tell you - instead I weigh out the gram amount.  Sometimes you get less, sometimes you get more.  Either way - it's been so very amazingly helpful, especially in smoothie making.


03 January 2013

Finding Food

In the past 2 days I have managed to discover a few rather tasty low point plus items.
One of them being laughing cow's cinnamon cream cheese wedges.  Spread on a bagel thin and add some thinly sliced apple and you  have a delicious 3 pts + snack/part of a meal.

Today for lunch I had some hominy mixed with tomato soup.  I added in 1/2 of a bagel thin for some whole wheat.  5pts +

Next step is to adjust my morning smoothie.  Right now it's sitting at a pretty high points plus value.  I purchased a bag of kale/chard/spinach mix and plan on pureeing it and pouring that into an ice cube tray.  I know that otherwise I won't get it all used.  I also plan on cutting out the peanut butter.  I will just use the whole serving of the whey/soy protein.  The addition of apples will also help up the fiber/filling content.
Adventure time in creating yummy things that will help me stay full, loose weight, and get in plenty o healthy things.

Beyond that I need to focus on upping my daily water intake.  I'm really bad about drinking as much as I should.  I have a tiny bladder and hate having to use the restroom all of the time.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Weighed in this evening.  Managed to loose 2lbs.  Two pounds less of me in this world.
Pretty exciting considering I didn't think I had done that well.

It's not about willpower.
It's about control.
I am in control of my life.




01 January 2013

2013

It's a new year!

I don't make resolutions typically - but I do try and make goals.
Have I figured them out yet? Nope.
I do know that my number one goal this year will be improving me.
My lifestyle.
My weight.
The choices I make.
All of them need to have the end product of making a better me.
Perhaps that is a good enough start.

The first good choice I made was to ring in the New Year with some rather wonderful people.  While this year lacked a friend bursting through the door to join the countdown with 5 seconds left or hot jamz, it was delightful none the less.  There was a lot of laughter and joy.  I tried drinking vinegar for the first time (mixed with a shot of vodka and some club soda - it was pretty tasty).  I shared delicious food.  And I laughed while a large group of us played cards against humanity.

Here is to 2013.
I know that it's going to be a great year because I will make it so.
And I will do my best to overcome the inevitable bumps in the road, not alone, but by seeking out the companionship and help of my friends.