30 Posts - Day 30

Day 30: What have you learned this past month? 


Yeah, I totally skipped Day 29 because it was "Your favorite song" and there was already a favorite songs post a while back and I thought it was stupid.

So here we are, Day 30, the end of this thing--that was a fast month! I didn't learn much, except that next time I should find one with more "interesting" topics. I don't think I'm the boring one here, per se... just these topics weren't all the most exciting, know what I mean? Anyway.

Smell ya later.

30 Posts - Day 28

Day 28: A picture of you last year and now, and how you have changed since then


O. M. G. I have been waiting for this day since I started this thing!

Here I am last year...

All of those were taken during my 2-week visit home last year at the beginning of March. I probably weighed around 290, though I can't be sure because I didn't own a scale at the time. I think what saddens me the most when I look at those pictures is that I thought I looked pretty good. Now I look at the photos and all I can see is how unhealthy I look--how fat I look.

Here I am now...

These were all taken on March 22. I had some other ones that I wanted to post, but for some reason the Blogger uploader isn't recognizing their existence. Anyway, I would like to mention that I bought this green shirt probably a year and a half ago. While I could wear XL in Old Navy's knit shirts--they stretch to high-heaven!--I couldn't even get this very non-stretchy XL shirt over my arms. I actually can still button the next button down, but it looks better leaving it open like that over the baby bump :o) I also have the same shirt in a khaki color.

So, how have I changed? Hm, lemme break it down for you:

• I've lost 60 pounds
• I'm 5 months pregnant
• My blood pressure is normal *crossing my fingers that it stays that way*
• My feet aren't fat and puffy
• I can sit indian-style or with my knees up and it doesn't hurt
• I no longer worry about breaking things when I sit down
• I fit in the rides at amusement parks
• I'm happier
• I feel better about myself (at least with clothes on...)
• I don't mind walking and taking public transportation so much (too bad we're about to head back to the land of no public transportation!)
• I feel healthier
• I look healthier
• I no longer have to shop in the plus-size department
• I'm more comfortable in the KTX seats
• I'm positive that I'll be more comfortable on the plane ride home!

And the list goes on. I love the new me. I don't necessarily hate the old me, but I do hate that I thought it was okay to let myself turn into a fat tub o' lard. I definitely didn't realize what I'd turned into until I was sitting at a bar with some friends last year (during that trip home) and this really drunk, obnoxious guy was next to us talking about strippers and strip clubs and I don't really remember what else. His friend kind of gave us an "I'm sorry about him" look and Obnoxious Drunk Guy says, "I don't care what that fat bitch thinks!" Being called fat in Korea was one thing... but it was then that I realized I just looked fat, period. It stung. Unfortunately, it still took a few more months for me to actually do anything about it. 

So here's the new-and-much-improved me--Cheers! (...with sparkling apple juice, of course)

30 Posts - Day 27

Day 27: Why you are doing this 30-day challenge


I decided to do this because I'm pregnant and shouldn't be trying to lose weight, and that doesn't lend a lot to blogging about my life with a Lap-Band. Also, I wanted something to pass the time while I wait for April 25 to get here!

Unfortunately, I'm nearly finished so I guess that means I'll have to start writing more "real" posts again!

30 Posts - Day 26

Day 26: What you think about your friends


Okay, seriously? These subjects are getting kind of lame.

What do I think about my friends? Well, frankly, I can't stand them and I wish they would just leave me alone. I mean, fo' rillz, they're so boring and smelly and have bad style.

What?

I told you that was a lame subject.

30 Posts - Day 25

Day 25: What I would find in your bag


What's in my bag, eh? I thought about just taking a picture, but I'm too lazy to do that. It would involve getting up to get my camera, taking the picture(s), finding my camera cable, uploading....yeah, way too much work.

So, in my bag, you would find:

• wallet
• phone
• Burt's Bees chapstick (with pomegranate oil)
• Gas-X strips
• a pen
• tissues
• iPod
• bobby pins

And that's all, folks!

30 Posts - Day 24

Day 24: A letter to your parents

This is kind of an odd one, no? I'm not really sure where to go with it, which is why I didn't do it yesterday. Oh well. Here we go...

Dear Mom and Dad:


Thank you for being the best parents anyone could ask for. When I think about how much you guys sacrificed in order for me to have the best childhood/teenagerhood possible, I really feel quite humbled. Thank you for your unconditional love and support, in everything I ever even thought I wanted to do. 


Love,
Me

30 Posts - Day 23

Day 23: Something you crave for a lot


Hmmm....

These days my cravings are pretty standard:

Galbi (aka Korean BBQ)

Baskin Robbins (especially Romeo's Heart flavor)

Kimchi!

This is my food porn. MMMMmmmmMMMMmMMMMMmmmmm.

30 Posts - Day 22

Day 22: What makes you different from everyone else


This is kind of a toughie. It's not easy to put on paper what makes you unique.

I'm going to post something I wrote when I was a junior in college. It started out as 100 facts about me, but turned into 50 because it's really difficult!

December 4, 2004:

1. I can't fall asleep with my socks on.
2. I love sitting in my room with no lights except a candle or two burning.
3. I am extremely picky when it comes to the guys that I date.
4. I have been overweight for the majority of my life.
5. My spine is crooked.
6. I hate politics.
7. My favorite clothes are my jeans and some quirky t-shirt with my old chuck taylors.
8. My favorite movie of all time is Ever After. 
9. When I was 5, I told my parents I wanted to be an orphan; I didn't realize at the time that it meant they would have to die.
10. I routinely clean out my buddy list. [Remember AIM?]
11. I have a pretty eclectic taste in music, but I definitely prefer the slower stuff. The more emotion it brings out of me, the better.
12. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do when I graduate next year.
13. I tend to exaggerate the small things in my life so I seem somewhat interesting to those around me. I've been doing it for so long that I hardly remember the truth anymore.
14. I'm a shower freak. 
15. I haven't been to my European Political Systems class since October 29.
16. I have 4 older siblings; 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
17. I used to think I enjoyed drinking, being drunk, but I realize now that I never did. I only wanted to be drunk so I'd forget about being depressed for a few hours, but after a while I would just end up crying for no reason. So now, I just hardly drink at all. It doesn't even taste that good.
18. I own a purple bowling ball and pink bowling bag. I bought them for 2 dollars at the thrift store in 2001, they go with me to every place I move to, but I have yet to actually use the ball.
19. I can't stand to hear people talking down on themselves. I offer a few words to try to help because I know the depressed feeling, but when they absolutely insist that I'm wrong and they're absolutely sure that they're good for nothing, then I get pissy. Everybody is good for something, even if it's just going behind people and cleaning up their boogers.
20. I absolutely love sunshine and warmth. I hate the cold. I get depressed to easily when it's cold out.
21. I love cheesy old love songs.
22. I've done pot before. I liked it at the time, but now that I think back, it's the same as the alcohol; I only did it to forget what I was so unhappy about. I don't think I'm going to do it again, ever.
23. The smell of vanilla candles is super sexy.
24. I am certain that God will provide. Whenever I'm in a bind, He always comes through. There's no reason for me to start doubting Him now.
25. I want to save the world. Let me go to Africa, please. Just let me live there. If I can't save them, let me join them. [I was filling out my Peace Corps application before I met Marc in June 2005]
26. I'm not courageous at all. I have no balls (physically nor metaphorically). 
27. I'm not a virgin. You may think I am, but you haven't asked and I haven't told you otherwise. Sorry to destroy your image of me; God still loves me, so can you.
28. You know why I don't go to church? I hate it. I hate what it's become. I feel closer to God in my bedroom than in any church I've been to in the last few years.
29. I pick my nose. It's gotten worse since I got my nose ring since the boogers always get caught on the inside of it. Tickles like a mofo :)
30. I hate tea and gum makes me want to vomit.
31. I daydream, alot.
32. It's hard to come up with 100 things you might not know about me.
33. My IQ is somewhere around 140. That means I'm a genius, bitches.
34. Unfortunately, "genius" is not synonymous with "ambitious."
35. I think about my ex-boyfriends every day. I wish you the best, N---. You may be a bastard, but there was a reason I loved you. As for you, P---, I'm sorry I went psycho on you. I blamed you for a lot, and I don't regret anything I said or did. I'm just sorry I didn't handle it better. [Oh please. I regret acting like a fool!]
36. Having a long-distance relationship is one of the most difficult things in the world. I thought I wouldn't mind it at first because I've become pretty independent. Unfortunately, as our feelings for each other have grown, it's become more and more difficult to deal with the fact that he's 90 miles away, we're both broke as hell, and who knows when we're gonna be able to live in the same town. [I broke up with this guy just before Valentine's Day. He cried. I didn't.]
37. I am incredibly emotional. For instance, I have tears in my eyes after writing number 36.
38. I believe that your 20's are a time of discovery and growth. So I've done some things that weren't so good; I don't think I really could grow and learn about myself if I hadn't done them. Some might consider that ignorant or immature, but that's okay. They're not me.
39. I'm really getting into this list.
40. One of the most amazing things I've witnessed was July 2002 when Rachel and I went to Washington, D.C. We decided to visit the monuments after midnight--it was kinda scary walking through the dark paths. On the steps of one of the memorials (Lincoln, I think), some people were holding some kind of peace rally, I'd call it. A hundred or so people were sitting on the steps, perfectly still, praying. It was incredible.
41. I love God with all my heart. If you'd like to argue with that, I hate to tell you that it won't be much of a debate. I have nothing to prove to you.
42. I adore piano music. This is why I love Something Corporate and Ben Folds so much. Oh man.
43. I've never had a boyfriend on my birthday.
44. I actually love my job. (If only it paid a bit more...) [Starbucks!]
45. Dashboard Confessional's "Remember to Breathe" makes me melt.
46. My mom is a cancer survivor.
47. So is my dad.
48. I never got to meet any of my grandparents, though from what I hear they were magnificent people.
49. I feel good in trendy clothes, but I'd rather dress in ratty jeans and my favorite shirt any day.
50. It's taken me 2 days to get to this point!

I hope you enjoyed our step back in time!

30 Posts - Day 21

Day 21: A picture of something that makes you happy

Tioman Island, Malaysia - from our trip last October

I lovelovelove sunshine and the beach. It doesn't matter how awful I feel, sunshine makes everything better. So far we've only had a couple of nice spring days in Korea... this week the high is about 50 every day and the low is still at or below freezing. I'm SO over wearing my winter coat and socks! I can't wait to get back to Alabama where it's already 80 every day!

30 Posts - Day 20

Day 20: Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future


Alright, let's just assume for a minute that I'm not already married.

It would definitely be this guy....

Hey there Johnny, how you doin'?

Yep, it's Johnny Depp. I used to tell my [adult] students that I was going to marry him. They would say, "But you're already married!" Sometimes it would take them a few minutes to pick up on the joke...

30 Posts - Day 19

Day 19: Nicknames and why you have them


I have just one nickname, and the only people who (still) use it are the people I went to high school with.

Howie.

Yes, that's right. My nickname is a silly boy's name. You see, my maiden name is Howe, like "How are you?" and people never quite knew how to pronounce it. I got hoe, hoey (like joey), and howie for as long as I could remember. My clever, clever friends came up with things like, "Christina, HOWE are you doing?" or "Christina, HOWE'd you get so cute?". Finally, one genius in particular--pretty sure it was my best friend, though I can't actually remember the first use of Howie as an actual nickname--just started calling me Howie. Before long, it was just my name and it was kinda strange whenever someone actually called me Christina.

Now, here I am 10 years later, and most people from high school still call me Howie. They do throw out the occasional Christina in public settings though, especially amongst people who didn't go to high school with us. I appreciate the nostalgia and endearment that tags along each time I hear it.

30 Posts - Day 18

Day 18: Plans/dreams/goals you have


I just want to...

be happy always... 

visit Greece...

be a mom...

move back home...

see this in person...

and weigh this many pounds.

I don't think this is too much to expect, do you? Nah.

30 Posts - Day 17

Day 17: Someone you would want to switch lives with and why


I hate these kinds of questions! What if I'm HAPPY and I don't WANT to switch lives with anyone for a day?? I am exactly where I want to be, with who I want to be with. Therefore, my answer is nobody.

I haven't always been at this point, but I can definitely say that I'm there now. I love my husband, I love our life, I love our little cantaloupe baby. Oh, and I love our cats. I'm so much healthier than I was a year ago and as soon as this baby pops out (that's what happens, right?) I'm gonna be right back on my journey to a healthy weight. I'm hoping that about 20 pounds just fall off after I give birth because then I'll practically be knocking on ONEderland's door!

30 Posts - Day 16

Day 16: Another picture of yourself

I already posted these on the other blog, but now they're the most recent ones I have! Taken last Tuesday, 19.5 weeks pregnant. I don't have any maternity pants yet, but hopefully I'll have them soon because my pants just aren't working anymore!

30 Posts - Day 15

Day 15: Your favorite songs


**Hey look, I'm halfway done!**

Ooh, favorite songs. Let's see... these will be in no particular order.

• Dashboard Confessional - "The Best Deceptions" My friends and I used to listen to this song on full blast and sing it as loud as we could; I still love to do that on occasion
• Bright Eyes - "The Center of the World" I just love this song. It gives me chills (sometimes).
• Dispatch - "The General" especially the live version from their "All Points Bulletin" album because it goes into Bob Marley's "Stir It Up"
• Flogging Molly - "If I Ever Leave This World Alive" It's about death and love and it's a beautiful song
• Alabama - "Dixieland Delight" It reminds me of home :)
• Florence + The Machine - "Cosmic Love"
• Freelance Whales - "The Great Estates"
• Pat Benatar - "Heartbreaker"
• The Push Stars - "Keg on my Coffin"
• Billy Joel - "We Didn't Start the Fire"
• CCR - "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
• Deathcab for Cutie - "Transatlanticism"
• The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights"
• Ray LaMontangne - "Jolene"
• Band of Horses - "The Funeral"
• Damien Rice - "9 Crimes"
• Poison - "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"

I'm sure I could keep going, but this is a nice sampling of the songs with the most plays on my iTunes (I had to look there after certain point). 

30 Posts - Day 14

Day 14: A picture of you and your family


Here's the whole gang at my wedding. My oldest brother and his family live in NY so we don't get to see them very often. L-R (not including kids): My sister, her husband, my dad, me, Marc, my older brother, my mom, older brother's wife, oldest brother, oldest brother's girlfriend. The kids are my nieces and nephews.

This is my dad's wedding, last year. L-R: My sister, her husband, my older brother's wife, my dad, my step-mom, my older brother, me. The girl is my sister's step-daughter.

30 Posts - Day 13

Day 13: A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Sorry for the posting overload, I took a little hiatus over the weekend! Anyway.

No one's really "hurt" me recently, so how about a letter to someone who's caused me some discomfort?
***********************************************************
Dear Baby in my Belly,

STOP MAKING ME FART AND GIVING ME DIARRHEA.

I love you very much.

XOXO, Yo' Momma

30 Posts - Day 12

Day 12: How you found out about blogging and why you made one

Okay, seriously? How did I find out about blogging? Well, it's 2011 and pretty much everyone and their dog has a blog, so, you know. I found the Lap-Band blogging world through the Lap-Band Talk forums and decided that I should "go public", so to speak. At first I was just keeping it all private, a place for me to track my progress. But when I found the BOOBS community of bloggers, I had to hop on the wagon :)

30 Posts - Day 11

Day 11: Another picture of you and your friends

I told you, I don't have many photos taken WITH friends! Alashg;sahtlhlhetlkj.

30 Posts - Day 10

Day 10: Songs you listen to when you're happy, sad, bored, hyped, and mad


Oh man, this is not easy!

Happy: Florence + the Machines "The Dog Days are Over", anything by Dispatch, anything by OAR (before their newest albums), Elton John, the Who,

Sad: anything from Enter the Worship Circle

Bored: um... anything I guess; is bored really an emotion?

Hyped: I guess this is what I listen to when exercising or cleaning? If so, then anything by Lady Gaga, anything by Muse, Florence + the Machines

Mad: anything by Bright Eyes (especially from the "Fevers and Mirrors" album)

Okay, this is not really comprehensive, but this is what came to mind first. Please don't judge me! :)