Lorraine Hansberry

“A woman who is willing to be herself

and pursue her own potential

runs not so much the risk of loneliness,

as the challenge of exposure to more interesting men

and people in general.”

-Lorraine Hansberry

The Adventures of Amanda and Amanda - Meet Najja on Bird Ridge

Amanda and Amanda meet Najja from Brooklyn on Bird Ridge.

He was a man on a mission with a voice of an Angel.

His story was interesting and he made a strong impression on us,

truly a remarkable inspiration.

Without a doubt,

I will see him again.

I dont know where or when...but I will see him again.

It Should Be Effortless

Its not often someone catches me off guard

and gives me butterflies,

but today someone did ♥

I love my new life!

Life is what you make it.

And I will make it!

Last Minutes With Oden

Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.

Pride Fest 2011, Anchorage Alaska

Note to Self

I think self exploration is important and what better way to learn about yourself, then through the conversations with others.

So I decided to share one I had yesterday via text message with you:

Him: So I hear you are looking for a relationship.

Me: Im not looking for "a relationship" Im looking for "the right relationship"

Him: What's the right relationship?

Me: One that allows me to keep my own identity and individualism. One that is supportive and allows personal growth. One that is honest and loyal. One that makes me a better person as a unit rather than standing alone. One that has a foundation of strong friendship and unconditional love.

Him: Too in depth.

Me: I know what I want.

So, Im posting this not only as a personal reminder that these things are important to me, but to also share what I have learned from past relationships with you.

I believe that two people have to be looking for the same things and that your core values have to be mutual...

or it just wont work.

If you try to make it work,

you will only be left with hurt feelings and wasted time.

"Too Much Beauty On A Person"

He looks like Drake
and knows all his words.
Hes blowin up my phone
like we already love birds.

OMG hes Greek, God.
tellin my he cooks
givin me all the lines
like hes reading them in books.

Hes callin me crazy cuz Im quick on my toes.
I tell him,

Call me what you want
Call me what you may.
Bottom line is, I am who I say.
Inspire me.
desire me,
and we may meet up some day.

My Sidekick

Bewbies and Beakfast

Great night out with a great group of friends!

MAYORS MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON

In my car after the race, headed home.

Out of 1212 female runners,

I came in at 698 place with a time of 2:40:59.3

That is running at a pace of 11 min 16 sec a mile for 13.1 miles.

GO ME!!

I want you all to know:

Life is truly what you make it.

If you want something, go get it.

The only thing that is stopping you from reaching your goals...

is YOU!

The human body is a cell, you can change it.

If you dont like your job, quit.

If youre unhappy where you live, move.

Create your own world.

Stop with the excuses.

When you let go of the fear, anything is possible!

~A.Delight

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs

Tonight after work I headed over to the Sheraton Hotel to pick up my packet for the race on Saturday. I sat in the hotel lobby thinking, what the hell did I just get myself into. I was frozen in thought.

I admit, I've done a lot of wild and crazy things in my life...but this is the first time I've actually been nervous.

And then I walked out to my car and in front of me was this:

Now if that isnt a sign, I dont know what is.

Diet and Exercise

0800-0900 Gym:

30 min of cardio

A certain arm machine that I suck at,

but will master.

and 75 sit-ups on the stability ball

0900- Lean MR shake

1030- large banana

1330- salad

1530- yogurt

1800- Salmon and asparagus

2000-2130 Gym:

Hip abduction 3 sets of 10 at 95 lbs.

Hip adduction 3 sets of 10 at 65 lbs.

Leg extensions 3 sets of 10 at 80 lbs.

Seated leg curl 3 sets of 10 at 70 lbs.

Vertical Chest 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

Compound Row 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

Seated arm press 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

3 sets of planks

3 sets of planks on the bosu ball

110 sit-ups on the stability ball

then 30 min of cardio.

2130- Lean MR Shake

2330- small pasta salad with tuna

Shake it up!

0900- kashi

1100- Lean MR shake

1330- salad

1800- banana and yogurt

1900- Crab sushi roll

...and then I got stuck at work till 2130.

no gym.

Not cool.

Establishing A Routine

0900- bowl of Kashi

1130-Lean MR shake

1400- salad

1800- large banana and yogurt

2000-2100 gym

Hip abduction 3 sets of 10 at 95 lbs.

Hip adduction 3 sets of 10 at 65 lbs.

Leg extensions 3 sets of 10 at 80 lbs.

Seated leg curl 3 sets of 10 at 70 lbs.

Vertical Chest 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

Compound Row 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

1 miles of cardio,

50 consecutive sit-ups on the stability ball,

50 consecutive reverse sit-ups on the stability ball,

50 consecutive prone leg lifts on the stability ball.

2130- Lean MR shake

2300- Left over turkey breast

Skinny Raven Sports

MONDAY

0800- Kashi with a large banana

1300- Crab sushi roll with 6 oz of beef stew

1600- yogurt

1800- Another Large banana

2000- 4 miles on the precore 100i and 75 sit-ups

2030- Turkey breast and small green salad

After work today, I went over to Skinny Raven Sports to get fitted for a new pair of running shoes for the race on saturday.

The customer service was once again excellent!! They recorded me running on the tread mill and showed me how I ran in the shoes that fit me the best.

I figured I would wear them to the gym and at work all week to break them in. I love them!!! They feel...and look fantastic!

Thank you Skinny Raven for hooking me up with such a great fit!!!

Bird Ridge

SUNDAY

0930- Bowl of Kashi (120 cal)

1100- 1200 Yoga Class

1230- Smoothy with 1 banana, 6 medium strawberries,

1/2 cup of OJ, VitC, VitD and 6 ice cubes (138 cal)

1400-1600 Hiked up Bird Ridge

1600- 1 oz of peanuts (160 cal)

1630-1800 Hiked up Flattop...again

1830- 8 oz steak (420 cal) and a salad (105 cal)

On our way down the Bird Ridge Trail

Flattop Mountain View

My Parents are Remarkable People

I climbed to the top of a mountain to watch the sun set over Anchorage tonight. I refuse to sit home when I can be out doing something productive and healthy. Not to mention, I love to be alone with my thoughts.

I dont know if it was the fact that I was wearing my high school LL Bean track jacket or the fact that I saw many little girls today that reminded me of my own daughter, but I missed her dearly and began thinking about my life and how I got to where I am.

And the thought that came to my mind was,

"My parents are remarkable people."

But the choices they made in the past have directly effected who I am as a person,

how I am as a mother,

how I view relationships and how I see the world.

And quite frankly, I wouldnt want it any other way.

My father, a great craftsman brilliant in his creative design and yankee ingenuity.

My fondest memories of him are listening to him sing and play his guitars.

My mother, the greatest animal lover I know and independent business owner.

As a child thousands of miles away,

I knew I could look up at the moon and know that she was talking to it too.

Tonight, as the sun sets, I am thinking of my own daughter

and wondering what her fondest memories will be

and what she will have to say about me some day.

This was sent to me tonight in my email from

Phillip Ernest.

I read it tonight when I climbed of that mountain.

Be Willing to Give.~

This was a time of decreased momentum from high of energy and emotion,

This is the time the future will bring Us all our dreams of how we know it our lives should be~.

Simplicity and integrity are the keys here.~

If we carefully and simply give our heart to what we know is true.~

Reducing our immediate work load by working together, take the step toward better relationships and fulfillment of your aspirations.~

Time to mend your heart,reflect on your role in relationships~assimilate~

We all most Take responsibility for our own behavior"be Happy"~

Be grateful when nourishment comes from another,but don't let that be your only source.~

If someone is not giving you what you want, for instance, ~

this could be a spiritual reminder to give yourself more of what you need~

Be willing to dive in deep to Create room for you heart to join the Universal Mind.~

Be Willing to Give.~

Remember,giving and receiving are not inherently different.~

To give with love is to receive also. ~

Giving draws love into your world and fans the flames of passion and intimacy.

We have a lot of work to do.

Introduce new activities and ideas into your world~

Today's Diet and Exercise

0700- a medium banana

0900- Ran a 5 mile race

1030- 8 oz steak

1500- 3 scrambled egg whites

1730- a bowl of Kaski strawberry fields with rice milk

2030- a very large banana

2230- a small green salad with a few strips of chicken and chopped broccoli

2245- Hiked Flattop mountain

Alaska Run for Women 2011

Runners lining up!

Cutest racer of the day!

Headed to the start line!

The Adventures of Amanda and Amanda continue!

We made it!!! And with a strong finnish!

~5 MILES~

If I smack it, will anyone notice?

Today I consumed:

0800 - 2 hard boiled egg whites

1000 - a banana

1200 - yogurt

1300 - veggie wrap

1630 - 1/4 cup of cottage cheese and 6 triscuits

2400 - 4 scramble egg whites with salsa

40 oz of water

8 oz of rice milk

Exercise:

A.M.

I spent 45 min in the gym:

2 miles of cardio,

50 consecutive sit-ups on the stability ball,

50 consecutive reverse sit-ups on the stability ball,

50 consecutive prone leg lifts on the stability ball.

P.M.

circuit training with Adam

upper body...arms...idk.

all I know is they are going to hurt tomorrow.

Not a fan of protein bars.

Today I consumed:

0800 - A few bites of the left over protein bar...yuck

0900 - a banana

1000 - yogurt

1300 - veggie wrap

1630 - last few bites of the protein bar...jesus its like plastic

2000 - a green salad with pulled chicken and broccoli

20 oz of water

Exercise:

I spent 45 min in the gym doing 4 miles of cardio.

Sunday Morning.

Falling Asleep To This

Legs

Today I consumed:

0900 - 1 hard boiled egg white

1000 - a banana

1100 - 1 hard boiled egg white

1200 - a yogurt

1300 - a veggie wrap

2100 - half a protein bar

2130 - a green salad with pulled chicken and broccoli

6 oz of V8

8 oz of rice milk

10 oz of water

Exercise:

I spent an hour in the gym;

Hip abduction 3 sets of 10 at 95 lbs.

Hip adduction 3 sets of 10 at 65 lbs.

Leg extensions 3 sets of 10 at 80 lbs.

Seated leg curl 3 sets of 10 at 70 lbs.

Horizontal leg curl 3 sets of 10 at 10 lbs.

26 leg lifts

100 sit-ups on the stability ball

Then after all of that,

1 mile on the precore 100i

Cardio last.

Thinking about Shakes

Today I consumed:

0900 - bananna

1000 - yogurt

1230 - crab sushi

1230 - 6 oz of oriental noodle soup

1630 - 1 tbs of peanut butter

1630 - a banana

1800 - 2 handfuls of fresh asparagus

2130 - a few strips of plain pulled chicken

2130 - 2 scrambled egg whites with salsa

30 oz of water

Exercise:

I spent about 2 hours in the gym this evening;

I started out with 2.5 miles on the precore 100i,

which I will have you know, is very difficult.

I then joined Adam on the weights:

3 sets of 12 seated rows at 50 lbs.

3 sets of 12 T-bar rows at 10 lbs.

3 sets of 12 rotary seated rows at 20 lbs.

Its almost midnight and its still light out.

Today I consumed:

13:30 - a veggie wrap,

16:30 - 1 small banana

16:30 - 1 ts of peanut butter,

18:00 - a green salad with pulled chicken,

22:00 - 3 scrambled egg whites with salsa,

23:00 - a yogurt.

30 oz of water

Exercise:

I spent an hour in the gym;

Hip abduction 3 sets of 10 at 95 lbs.

Hip adduction 3 sets of 10 at 65 lbs.

Leg extensions 3 sets of 10 at 80 lbs.

Vertical Chest 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

Compound Row 3 sets of 10 at 60 lbs.

100 sit-ups on the stability ball

Then after all of that,

1 mile on the precore 100i

and another mile on the treadmill.

Cardio last.

The Adventures of Amanda and Amanda ~ Winner Creek Gorge Trail, Girdwood, Alaska.

Today we hiked seven miles on the Winner Creek Gorge Trail, in Girdwood, Alaska. This is a video of us on the Hand Tram. A metal basket powered by pulling yourself along a large rope...or in our case, having cute guys thinking they are funny as they quickly pull us...then let us dangle in the middle, only to pull us harder. Seriously I thought I was going to die!!!

I have never seen water so beautiful in my whole life. Where it wasnt running so fast, it was a crystal blue almost teal marine color. When I return to this place again, I will bring my HD digital camera. But here is a video from my iphone simply to capture the pure beauty in the sound and movement of the water.