In_Relax_Mode

Okay, so it's been a little over 6 months since I've posted on this blog and let me just say that time has flown by like no other. Since I've last posted (January) and since I am out of school and nursing school, I decided to get back into doing the things which I love and enjoy. I started sewing, getting back into shape, took that vacation that our little family oh so needed, and most importantly taking care of my family!
I started sewing a few years ago. My first dress was a puletaha (two-piece formal dress) that was sewn for me and my daughter to wear on Mother's day.

School kept me pretty busy, so I stopped sewing for a while. Last year my husband bought me a Janome sewing machine, it's such a small sewing machine (which I love) but it is so very durable for its size. I didn't want to buy a cheap sewing machine because I didn't want it breaking down on me and I didn't want to buy a too expensive one because I'm not that professional of a sewer, but this machine is a beast!! It was less than $600, strong like the professional ones and yet easy to use for first-timers. I first used the machine to sew a dress for my daughter, and afterwards I never touched that sewing machine again.

I am now sewing again! I sewed a black dress for my aunt who was here 2 month ago, but unfortunately I do not have a picture. I also sewed a dress for myself, but boy were those measurements wrong, so I made it for my sister instead. 

I have already picked out the fabrics that I will be using for the next puletaha that I plan to make and here it is...

I haven't started on it because I am trying to learn the proper way of making a skirt (not just wrapping the elastic band around the waist). It's taking me a while because I also started working out which is what I wish to talk about next.

Last year before my husband left for Iraq, we made some goals in the beginning of that year to get back into shape and lose weight. I started being serious when my husband left. I ran 3x a week and lifted weights 3x a week (taking Sundays off). I started my workouts on March and by the ending of July I had lost 20lbs (some may say that 4 months is too long to lose 20lbs. but I say, "zip it because that is the healthy way to lose weight and to keep it off."). *Just a tip* if you're losing too much weight, you're doing way too much cardio which means you are losing muscle! Cut down on the cardio and focus on weights. Trust me, you don't want to lose muscle.

Nursing school came along, slowly and surely the weight was creeping up on me like those creepy crawlers. Late study, vending machines, eating out, and sleeping late was what I did. I felt the weight coming, but I kept telling myself, "I'll start working out tomorrow." With nursing school, there is no time for anything (for me at least). By the end of the year I had gained back almost all the weight, if not more. 

I am working out again!! And this time I am doing it with my sister. We're doing lots of different workouts, something that won't bore her so easily. We do a spin class, firm fit class, strength training class, we had a personal trainer for 2wks. (it was all we could afford), and we run. My sister goes running in the evenings at a track on Fort Hood and I go running early in the morning at a track near our house where no one is in sight. If for some reason I can't make it to any of those classes, I just lift weights in our garage.

The workouts that I've mentioned are classes that are free for military families, so we take advantage of those classes. I've taken some freaky before and after pics on January, March, and June, but I'm waiting for my husbands permission before I can show you those pics. In the meantime, this is what I have....

My goal is to get down to 140lbs, let me remind you that I am 5'4. You can easily see the weight on me when I am gaining because I am so short. I've got about 9 more lbs. to lose, but I'm in no rush. As long as I keep at it. Since January my sister has lost 45lbs. I would show some before and after pics of her, but I don't think she will appreciate that. Our vacation to Hawaii put a few pounds on me, but nothing too drastic and I wish to speak about that next.

My husband had another 30 day leave because he had some extra leave days that he had to use or lose, and this time we decided to take this vacation to Hawaii then Samoa. We decided to drive to Travis AFB, located in California and take a free hop (military flight) to Hawaii. It was much cheaper and it gave us a chance to visit my husbands siblings on our way there, all for the price of one.

 We drove through New Mexico, then stopped by Tucson, AZ which is where I served my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We stopped by Phoenix to visit my sister-in-law, then we stopped in Cali to visit daddy's 2 brothers and one sister. From there we drove to San Fran and flew out to Hawaii. Unfortunately we did not get any seats to Samoa, so we stayed in Hawaii the whole time, cruising the island, visiting friends and families, and just enjoying our family time together. 

In California

 Our flight to Hawaii; a family laying on the floor, actually we were all laying on the floor

lunch time, our check in bags 

 our lunch box filled with sandwich, chips, soda, juice, fruit, and vegs

"Umbrella Use For Registered Hotel Guest Only"

relxin under the umbrella haha!

 the view from the umbrella

 another view

so beautiful

 hiking

 more hiking

We came to PCC (Polynesian Culture Center) just so I can eat this

fishes at Ala Moana

 near Makaha

Our hotel (just kidding)

dis how you krack the kokonut

DOYNG!

Going back to Texas, pointing to Samoa, Tonga, and Texas!

Our family vacation was so nice and relaxing. It was definitely a much needed vacation. After our trip and eating all the grinds it was time to kick back into gear and start working out again. 

Taking time off from school and giving my time to my husband and daughter is definitely something that I have been taking advantage of. I've decided to take a whole year off from school, and if we are blessed with another child, it won't be a while till I return back to school. School is always there, but raising your child is only done once- SO DO IT RIGHT!

Until next time may the forces be with you!