The Conclusion

NPC Border States - Class E - 5th place!

I'll be back in a few days with a proper show recap but for now

I'm gettin' drunk off pancakes! 

*watch the video & then it will all make sense :)

Here's What I Got!

This is one of the pics Tom took of me this morning at pre-judging.

It doesn't look I'll be placing higher than 4th or 5th place

but you know what, I'll take it!!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and the

light has a brownie in its hand...lol :)

I'll be back later with placing info - I'm

going to rest & play Word Mole on my phone!

Switching Modes...

I have to thank my incredibly supportive friend Chelsea for the picture below. She posted it on my facebook a few days ago and it's perfect for the way that I'm feeling this morning! It's almost time to head out the door to the venue and get show day started! I'm a bit fearful, a tad nervous, and a whole lotta hungry :) but I'm flipping the switch and......

Let's get it!!!

Almost Time!!

I received a surprise this week and the picture will explain exactly what I'm talking about....

"My period will now be called Shark Week"

Yep....that bitch Aunt Flo decided to make an appearance EARLY and I'm so frickin' bloated, I'm going to start calling myself "Sponge Tenecia Square Pants" (that was lame...I know...blame the depletion...lol). I'm trying not to freak out about the fact that things do not appear to be progressing as they should be but I'm worried, bottom line.

On a more positive note, two of my Figure idols have confirmed that they will be competing this weekend at the Border States Pro show that is being held in conjunction with the NPC Border States show that I am doing. I told Tom he better take pics like a stalker!!! (that was a joke, San Diego Police Department. I swear my husband & I aren't stalkers!!) The two ladies I'm talking about are none other than:

IFBB Pro Teresa Anthony

IFBB Pro Krissy Chin

Last night as I was struggling through my final cardio session, my ipod decided to play the two best songs that could have served as this prep's wrap-up! 

I'm done with prep...it's time to rest and wait for show time...yyyeeeaaahhh bbuuddddyy!!!!

New Release Tuesday

I've expressed this feeling before but it seems like the appropriate time to share it again - I have a girl crush on Sara Bareilles! I love that her music and her "yes, I'm heartbroken but you're an butthead" attitude.

I also love that la tienda (the store) that she's dancing in looks like the stores in south Tucson where I grew up!

Oh...and the ending of the video is PRICELESS!! :)

Get In My Belly!

I love food....I have a mad passionate love affair going on with it. In case you're confused, I'm not talking about non-prep food...I do not have a love affair going on with ground turkey, egg whites, asparagus, and spinach right now! I eat it but I don't LOVE it....not like I love carne asada fries, apple pancakes from Bobo's, empanadas (and just about every other baked good) from Le Cave's, and Peanut Buster Parfaits (extra hot fudge & peanuts, please!) from Dairy Queen.

Anyway, here are the foods I'm dreaming about & lusting after. My tastebuds are screaming for a tasty treat and any one of these will do!


Gingerbread Bagels - Candy Corn Sugar Cookies
http://gingerbreadbagels.com/2011/10/23/candy-corn-soft-sugar-cookies/

Cookies & Cups - Butterfinger Krispie Treats
http://cookiesandcups.com/butterfinger-krispie-treats/

Sugar Cooking - Pretzel Cookies with Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chips
http://sugarcooking.blogspot.com/2010/07/pretzel-cookies-with-chocolate-peanut.html

Pioneer Woman - Fry Bread!!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/10/indian-fry-bread-and-indian-tacos/
*When I was 12, my aunt Margaret (who is Tohono O'odham) taught me how to make fry bread. I haven't made them in a few years and reading this recipe took me back to the fun time I spent learning to make them with my aunt!

The Life & Lessons of Rachel Wilkerson - Butterscotch Pumpkin Cookies
http://www.rachelwilkerson.com/2009/10/29/butterscotch-pumpkin-cookies/

And since we're on the topic of food if you have any recommendations for places to grub while in San Diego, please share them in the comments area! Thanks!!!

Holy Bad Blogger, Batman!!

Let's all agree that it's a bit ridiculous that I haven't written a post in a week - completely unacceptable but let's forget about the past and I'll pinky-promise to do better :)

Last week was our anniversary and since it was so close to the show, Tommy & I had initially decided that we would hold off "date night" until after the show. Little did he know that I had already booked a hotel and reservation at a foo-foo (yes, that's a word..lol) restaurant in Scottsdale. I told him Saturday morning about our plans and off we went. The food at Tanzy was delicious and I enjoyed every bite of my off-plan meal! I had the risotto, a glass of bubbly, and a few bites of the chocolate cheesecake they gave us as a gift for our anniversary. It was wonderful & I did not regret having the meal at all! Tommy and I had a lot of fun & it was nice to spend a lovely evening together without worrying about "can I eat that?" or "there's laundry in the dryer that needs to be folded".

Work has been super busy but I'm still lovin' every minute of it! I have been assigned a mentor and she has been a Business Librarian for many years. She has been training me on the various business resources we have in our library system in addition to inviting me to workshops in the community where she is a presenter. Yesterday was my first day as the presenter for our Information Power for Small Business workshop. I was soooo nervous - I hate to speak in front of groups - ugh! But all went well and all of the participants were very complimentary in their evaluations!

It's peak week and that can be one of the hardest weeks of a prep for me. I catch myself saying "I'm not going to make it!" or "I can't keep this up!" but I know that I CAN & WILL!!! Since I am more familiar with my worksite and how the daily schedule works, it will be easier for me to get my meals-water-workouts done during the work day. It's going to be a long week but I'm going to keep my eyes on the prize...... BORDER STATES IN SAN DIEGO!!!!

And I leave you with this....this is my pretend "This is so yummy even though this is the 4th time I'm eating it today" look.... :)

New Release Tuesday

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!

7 Years & Counting!!

Tomorrow Tom and I will celebrate 7 years of marriage! It's crazy to think that I've kept him around this long....the man is just a thorn in my side! I'M KIDDING!!! We have been through a lot in the past 7 years but marriage is an adventure and there's no one I would rather have by my side than him!

Morning after he proposed

Rehearsal dinner

Reception

Day after our wedding! We look so young!!

Goin' on a date :)

Surprise party I threw for him to celebrate him completing
the Tucson Fire 22 week academy!

Ana C. Photography 2010

Lee Byrd Photography 2010

NPC Terminator 7/16/11

Friday Is My Favorite Day!

Cropped my head out of this pic because I was making a
weird "I think I smell a fart" face!!

Happy Friday!!! I had today off so the hubs and I hit up some stores earlier, plan to watch some movies, and just do nothing! The pic above is the outfit I'm sporting today :) My shirt says "I Wear Pink For My Grandma" - my sister bought one for me, my mom, and herself. I love it! Check out my very cute bow flip-flops....a $10 purchase from DSW at the start of summer...love love love them!

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I went to MAC to turn in my empty containers and left with a bag of new makeup! That wasn't the plan but at least one of the items was free! lol! I did buy one of the colors in their new fall collection (which has some creepy advertising goin' on....even Tom said the pictures in the store scared him a bit...). The color is Three Ring Yellow and I can't wait to try it out! I also bought some items from the winter collection (which isn't even out yet!!!) and I can't wait to share them with you in a couple of weeks!

Teavana recently opened here and since I had previously heard many good things about the tea they sell, I decided to stop by. I did buy their Youthberry White Tea which they say supports healthy skin and promotes body hydration. It was very light and wasn't too sweet. I won this tumbler in a raffle the store was having so I'm using that to justify the dollar amount I spent while there ;)

The picture below is from a couple of days ago (I apologize for the lack of progress pics this prep!) so this is where things stand with 2 weeks until showtime! Not horrible....not fantastic either! Bring on the cardio...this girl needs to drop some lbs & tighten things up!!! :)

That's What's Up Thursday

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Fitness is, in a word, incredible! I am constantly
amazed at the physical strength and
creativity of those that compete in
this particular division.

This routine, performed at this year's Olympia and Arnold Classic
Europe, is so beautiful & captivating.
If you haven't seen it, find it on youtube!


IFBB Fitness Pro Myriam Capes - now that's what's up!

New Release Tuesday

So I usually just post one new release each Tuesday but I'm seriously feelin' these two songs that I just HAD to share them both with you today!

Both are great for cardio playlists or just "dance party" playlists! I will warn you that once you hear them, it will be ridiculously difficult for you to get them out of your head!

Rihanna - We Found Love

*I just want to put my "going out" clothes on and dance for hours every single time I hear this song! Ri-Ri is ON FIYAH right now!!

David Guetta feat. Usher

*I don't like Usher...let's be clear on that...but David Guetta is a genius for picking him for this track. It's muscial perfection and I actually enjoy hearing Usher's whining for 3:35 ;)

My Affair with HBO

Happy Sunday!!!

I have to work today but I wanted to share some of the things that made me reside in my pajamas and ignore my chores yesterday!

HBO - oh how I love thee!!! Now when Tom and I got married, we agreed that HBO was a need not a want. Boxing, documentaries, incredible series....yep, we NEEDED all of those things ;) While laying in bed justifying my laziness restful state, I viewed two documentaries that could only be described as nothing short of impressive, moving, riveting, and enlightening!!

The first was called "The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell". The documentary is about the history of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the effect of this policy on gay and lesbian service members, and the fight to have DADT repealed. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this and learning more about this particular issue. I was shocked to learn that many veterans were discharged from the military despite serving honorably for many years, going to war, and received medals of commendation. The interviews with Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach and Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer about how their careers were abruptly ended because of this policy are really eye-opening and sobering.
I would like to say that I was thoroughly disgusted with some of the behavior of those featured in this film, including a certain AZ politician I once considered voting for. I am saddened by the fact that we as a country still feel justified in denying our citizens basic human rights. I am not asking you to support/agree with someone's lifestyle but I am demanding that you treat them with dignity and respect.

The second documentary was called "I Can't Do This But I CAN Do That: A Film for Families About Learning Differences". As a mother of a child with physical challenges, this really struck a chord with me. The Princess doesn't have any issues with expressing when she needs assistance/is feeling frustrated/etc so I know I can have a conversation with her at virtually any time (except when Transformers or X-Men is on! If I interrupt either one of those, I could be subject to physical harm! lol). Some of the children in this film shared how difficult it was for them to express the challenges they were facing in school because of their learning style. When they shared how they were treated by other children and school staff...at times, I felt like my heart was breaking. I loved that those in the documentary used the phrases "learning difference". I don't like the word "disability" - it leaves a bad taste in my mouth so I very rarely use it! When people label someone with a "disability", expectations for that individual drop and they are often cast aside. I think we need to support children in their difference learning styles. No child should be made to feel ashamed, stupid, or unworthy because their brain processes information differently than another child!!

I will now step off of my soapbox, take a deep cleansing breath, and wish you all a wonderful rest of the day! :)

Random Thoughts....

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A couple of weeks ago, I shared some of the books that I was currently reading. This book by Dr. Hutchinson has NOT made me happy!! In fact, it's totally ruining my life!

Here are two reasons why:

1) On page 19, the question "When is it too hot to exercise?" is asked & answered. I live in Arizona where 361 days out of the year, it's hotter than Hades aka 421 degrees and that's at 5:00 am when I'm doing cardio....IN THE SHADE!!! The book's answer to the how hot is too hot question is that humans are good at automatically adjusting to hot conditions and can push beyond their limit when conditions are unusally hot. So much for using the AZ heat as an excuse to stay indoors and watch General Hospital!!

2) On page 27, the question is "How long does it take to get unfit?" and the answer is enough to depress me!! I think my body should take F-O-R-E-V-E-R to go back to the squishy chubby state is was in about a year ago however that is not the case. According to this book, Danish researchers found that it only took 2 to 3 weeks for subjects who reduced their physical activity to show a decreased ability to burn fat. What the what?!?!? Two weeks?!?!

I'm putting this book away and pretending like I never read it!

Last but not least, I want to share with you a book I wanted to BURN today when I saw it on the shelf at our library.

Ok...so I'm being a bit dramatic....I didn't want to burn it but my first thought was "Really?? You're writing books now?!?!"...I shouldn't call the book "crap" until I read it...but I'm almost too scared to touch it.... ;)

What are your thoughts on "JNL"?

New Release Tuesday

About 97.6% of the time, I have NO idea what Sean Paul is saying in his songs but I still shake my hinny to the beat!! LOL!!! I don't usually figure out the lyrics until I've listened to the song about 15, 000 times.

It's no different with this song!! Other than the chorus, I can't really figure out what he's saying but that doesn't even matter! The beat is hot, he's hotter, and I can't stop listening to it.

As soon as I know what the lyrics are, I'll be sure to share them with you ;)