Great News!

After failing my EMT-test back on 12/31/2010, I am glad to say that on 1/31/2011, I have passed. My certification is goood, its goooood. (Sorry, referencing Bruce Almighty haha.)

With that being sad, this semester is kicking my ass. I have never had so many discussions to respond to. I honestly don't care what Alexander the Great did or what the Greeks accomplished. I've had to take this in high school and again in college. Why on Earth do colleges want you to pay for classes with information that you already know? I don't even think college is learning anymore, I think it is repeating with an expensive price tag.

The learning won't even happen for me until I am at a university or four-year college.

Now that I am done with that rant, I am happy to announce that I found a great doctor. It's so hard to find good doctors in Virginia. Especially if you have gluten sensitivity.

Woah! Way too much to do!

I had a blast at drill and I got together my entire 72-hour pack and I am now working on the required FEMA training.

But, classes are beginning to become busier. One teacher wants us to have a discussion and answer done in the middle of the week and then an assignment and quiz by the end of it. It's like, I miss those online classes where you could do everything at one time. But, oh well. The hardest part of this class will be scheduling the exams.

Today is Matthew and I's three months. Doesn't sound like much to most people but it has been a wonderful three months. Then, there's the Bensley Ball this Saturday. I totally forgot about it until yesterday when Matthew reminded me.

So, busy, busy, and more busy. I won't give up on you though blog! When I have some free time I'll talk about the topics in English that they want us to come up with.

You asked me if I am saved, well what's it to ya?

There is no song artist that I love more than Everlast or Erik Schrody. I love his music because it's real. I wouldn't suggest it for children, teenagers a little, but mostly for adults.

But, his song got me to thinking. From what we can physically see, we all leave this Earth and we are all unaware of what truly happens. Regardless of what bible or text tells you where you go, you are still unaware. But, faith lends us to believe in the afterlife.

I just wonder what a day without religion would be like. Would it be lost and hopeless? Anyways, this video is for the stronghearted. Don't click here if you can't see dead bodies or anything. Good song though. 

Letters Home from the Garden Stone...

Matthew may not know this but, every single day I think of him being deployed. Every. Single. Day. I feel sick to my stomach thinking that he would go to that prison of a 3rd world country. The one place the women of military men do not go are war zones. But, for him, ... I'd join. People don't appreciate the magnitude of what soldiers deal wtih on a daily basis.

Hoorah.

She always dreamt of a fairytale life and all the things your money can't buy.

I always dreamed of a life where I would be appreciated in the community. I wanted the fame not the goods. I wanted to be remembered for all the ways I helped people. I thought Nursing was the top choice for this, beyond Firefighters. Well, then my best friend helped me discover the world of an EMT. An EMT has to think on their toes and be in the fast lane. An EMT has to be prepared for anything. It makes me feel alive, it makes me feel wonderful. It's the adrenaline of a rollercoaster. I love helping people. I love being an (almost) EMT. Volunteering at the rescue squad is awesome. But, all organizations have their dark sides. I can't wait till the day I get to run my own ambulance.

Besides this, while I am daydreaming of my future, I want to be married. I've always dreamed of being married and having children. Trust me, I don't mind my furry kids but it would be nice to have a human child. My other goal is to finish my education. I am leaning more towards a radiologist every single day. I think I want to do Ultrasounds.

But, if none of these things ever happen, I am thankful for the experiences that I have had so far.

Today is just a reflection day for me. I truly don't know what else to say, I just had to say how much I love EMT'n.

GF Lunch today is the same as yesterday. Gotta make sure I utilize my leftovers for money saving!





My Celiac Disease Story

Let's start with my birth. I was a premature baby, weighing in at roughly 4 pounds and 2 ounces. I was born at 7 months as opposed to 9. I was so small my mother used baby doll clothes to dress me at first. I had colic as a baby. I had a full head of hair too and that all fell out and I was left with a new small clump that my mother put bows in. I think the hair thing is relatively normal for babies. As I was growing up, I was a very small child. I had problems with my ears (always needed tubes) and the enamel on my teeth was non-existent. When my teeth first grew in, they were rotting away. My dentist saved them with caps.

People used to think my mother starved me to death. Up until I was 9 years old, when my menstrual started, I was very underweight. At this point, I started gaining weight faster than ever. By the time I was in 5th grade I had to be about 40 pounds overweight. And, by the time I was 16 I was about 60 pounds overweight. Now, here I am at 23 years old and I am roughly 80-90lbs overweight.

Throughout my childhood, and even to this day, my hair constantly falls out. I've had a strong immune system up until around 2003 and rarely got sick. Around this time I caught a flu of some type that put me out for two weeks. The doctors actually didn't lend it to the flu. They couldn't figure out what it was. My mother and I concluded that it was the West Nile virus that was going around as I had been bit by man mosquitoes (it was during the summer break of school.) I was out for at least 2 1/2 weeks. I spent that entire time on the couch, throwing up, with diarrhea, and massive muscular pain. Nothing has been the same since that time. My muscles have never completely healed and I remained pretty strong for the next couple of years but I am starting to see a drop in my health.

Back in 2008-2009 I discovered that I can not have beer. I drank beer on a hot night and I woke up with body chills, shooting body pain, general overall illness and fibromyalgia-like symptoms. In fact, I have been sensitive to touch since I was young. I get angry when people touch me certain ways because it hurts. I had drank beer throughout 2008 and 2009 and each time had the same reaction. I decided to not drink beer anymore but I hadn't thought about any wheat allergy, just a malt allergy. I have also had psychological problems since childhood. I mean early childhood! I was tested for ADHD and was positive. As I got older and gained weight it switched to ADD, and now to bipolar. I was seen for counseling for about 13 years. Nobody lended those symptoms to CD either.

In 2008 or so I met my now best friend Christina. She has Celiac disease and it honestly is one of the first times I'd ever heard of it and had it explained. I constantly tried to find foods (mainstream) that she could eat. I felt sorry for her not being able to eat whatever. Prior to meeting her, in about 2007, I went to the gym vigorously for a whole year and didn't lose any weight! In fact, I gained weight! So here I am at my current state. After meeting Christina I listed all of my symptoms from the weight gain, lack of energy, muscle weakness, weak enamel, bipolar, depression, the acid reflux, the ulcers, and the hietal hernia. Well, it wasn't until I went to the hospital and found out that I had the hernia that I decided to try a gf diet. The doctor did look at my small intestine for CD damage but didn't see any. But, that testing is only about 30% accurate if I am not mistaken.

After I had the diaphragm spasm on me due to the hernia, I knew it was time to go gluten-free. It was a tough battle but I gave it a trial. I took it on full-speed. So, after almost a year being off of gluten, if I eat it now, I throw up and get very sick to my stomach or have a major headache. I have seen improvements in my school-work and in my daily thinking and organization. My mood has improved a lot but unfortunately not all the way, I don't think that it will ever go away completely.

I don't need a doctors opinion to see that I need to be gluten-free. I feel FREE. I feel alive! So this is my journey so far. The one thing I hate the most is smelling wheat. I love the smell of bread, always have. (Never really cared for the taste.) But, I feel more in power now than ever. Now, I am batteling my prediabeties. Wish me luck world, wish me luck!

GF Lunch Idea: Leftover Chicken with a Salad

This was my dinner last night. I kept the chicken plain because I had a ton of it leftover. So, my lunch today is the leftover plain chicken with hot sauce to dip it in and a salad with motzarella cheese and a diet ginger ale. Leftovers are great for a GF diet because that means I don't have to cook twice. I am also having some grapes and a yogurt. For breakfast I had a banana and a few pieces of chocolate and some coffee. I wasn't feeling up to a big breakfast.

To make some super delicious gluten-free chicken tenders like above, cut boneless chicken breast into strips and dip them into egg. Dip the egg-covered chicken into a corn starch/gf flour blend mix (1/4 cup corn starch, 1/4 cup gf flour blend) and then deep fry it at 375 degrees. I have a cheap $10.00 Fry Daddy and it works wonders. Its great for making the egg drop soup too because it cooks the egg fast.

Starting a new trend: GF Lunch Ideas

Well, I can't be angry at my three stooges because if was only their nature. However, my African Soft Furred mice are no more. They suffered a purely ghastly holocaust via the claws and teeth of my furbutts. I have decided that the only fuzzy creatures I can own have to be in a larger status than mice size and in a much more tied-down, secure cage.

But, moving on, as I don't want to dwell on this ghastly event, is some news. I am being transferred from the medical company to the military police in the VDF. I also had to drop my math class as 5 classes was beginning to look like too much. I am still at 12 credit hours which is definitely full-time.

I am looking forward to this school semester but I am not looking forward to the moments taken away from time spent with my boyfriend. If we're lucky, our weekends will be free except for when I have drill.

I also am starting a new trend here on my blog; gluten free lunch ideas!

This is  my lunch today. It is leftover GF lasagna made with Tinkyada lasagna noodles, ricotta, lean hamburger meat, 1/2 fat motzarella cheese, and Rinaldi marina sauce. The salad is a spring mix with pepperjack cheese (I needed to use it), grape tomatoes, light caesar dressing by Ken's, and gluten-free salad topping I purchased from Martins. I forget the exact name of it. I am also drinking madagascar vanilla red tea with it.

On Tuesdays I also have to bring my dinner. I don't have a photo but my dinner is GF homemade brunswick stew with chicken and grapes.

**The gluten free lasagna was enjoyed by all three of the guys at my house: my cousin, my roomate (step father-like figure), and my boyfriend. I can't believe they gobbled it up!

The Dying Commitment

Marriage appears to be of a dying commitment. There are people who are together for many, many years and marriage is just not part of the commitment. There are people who refuse to get married--they usually date for about 5-6 years, cheat, switch-up, or just don't have a sense of commitment or hate that little phrase  'tied-down'. But, I assure you there are many, many reasons to get married. There are advantages and yes, there are disadvantages (as is life.)

Excerpted from "Top 10: Reasons to Get Married" from Askmen.com:

"No.10 Marriage makes you live longer
One of the ways that getting married improves your life is by making it last longer. Various studies have indicated that happily married men tend to outlast their single counterparts. For example, a 2006 study performed by University of California researchers contended that single people are five times more likely to die of infectious disease, nearly 40% more likely to die of heart disease and twice as likely to die accidentally. Other studies suggest that the rate of mortality is a whopping 250% higher among single men than it is among married men."

Who can argue with that? Wouldn't it be awesome if love and marriage made you live longer? I love numbers and facts. Another point I have to put out there is that marriage leads less risks. Usually, you just have yourself to argue with during a single life (unless you live with your mother and actually listen to her). As a married couple you will argue for one's safety, attention, etc. Arguing (lightly) is normal and I am sure persuasion can help prevent many bad choices in life! Humans are social creatures from stonge age to internet.

Let's see... there's also income advantages (taxes), and if and when you have children, there's another tax break. Combined income, sense of security, and budgeting together. Two heads are better than one when applying for loans...Oh, and here's the big one, continuing your blood-line. That's not just for males. Just because women don't pass on their last name, doesn't mean we don't pass on our DNA. And not to mention, who wants to die lonely? Hello crappy nursing home!

Intimacy. It may not seem like it because of all the 'cons' and jokes in media about 'marriage stopping sex' but, technically married men and women have more sex. Just think about it! If you had to engage in a conversation, flowers, dinner, the whole kettle, just to have sex as many times as a married couple, well.... hello unemployment or foreclosure. Your husband or wife is that one partner where you can build on a bedroom relationship. No offense, but who likes the awkwardness in the bedroom...each...and every time? Not to mention, least risk for STD's and a lot more room to feel confident.

"No.2 Married people are happier
A recent study done at an Australian university shows that married men are happier than single men. In fact, married men are 135% more likely to report a high happiness score than single men. That's an astounding figure.

Marriage offers a man the kind of stability and support that allows him to succeed in all other aspects of life. Think about it: How much more could you accomplish if all the drama from crazy women and bad breakups was replaced by the presence of a loving and caring partner?"

And lastly, being with someone, sharing your life and memories, commiting to someone is not as bad as they make it sound. The next time your girl or guy mentions marriage, don't push it away! The reason my post is directed towards men is because often times, it has to start with them. It is etiquette for a man to ask the woman. And don't search for perfect, search for right for you. But, don't settle for crap either! Be happy, and be MARRIED. Don't forget, divorce is possible if it doesn't work out, and if finances is why you are so afraid, sign a pren-up. agreement. Don't let the fears of yesterday hold you back for tomorrow. Besides, do you really know how long you have left on this beautiful Earth? Why not spend that with a life partner?

Mainstream Hopping on the Bandwagon

Gluten-free cereal is nearly impossible to find. You can buy the specialty cereal at an average of $4.00 a box. That's expensive if you ask me! And, they don't come fortified with as many vitamins as the mainstream General Mills and Post cereals. The only gluten-free cereal line that was mainstream was Chex. Chex is okay but it's been nearly impossible for me to personally find the chocolate kind, and you have to add your own fruit if you want a fruity flavor. Certainly, that's a good healthy option. I usually add bananas. But, now, I can have my chocolately and fruity cereal again! Post has made Pebbles gluten-free. That is the fruity and the chocolate kind. They have no guaranteed the other two types yet. But, don't grab just any box! Make sure it says gluten-free in the upper righthand corner. There is definitely some old boxes floating around.

The problem with smell identification.

Dear God,

I really wish that African Soft Furred rats did not eat their young. The idea that a mother can not recognize her young by visual is hard for a human to swallow. But, then again, all AFS can look the same as can mice. Unfortunately, mama AFS or daddy AFS ate her teenager. I didn't find any remains. And, I know she had food. So, I had to research the reason why...so that perhaps I can swallow it a bit better.

It turns out it was my fault or my 'not knowing'. The mother isn't familiar with me and the baby boy had been held by me for a few days so he could become friendly. Well, the cage didn't have 'their' smell enough for him to regain his scent. It turns out the mother found him to be a threat because I was a threat. So, for a while, I plan not to hold the babies. AFS bite (a lot) too. They are more 'visual' pets than the hold-me, love-me cuddle-type. I am not mad at her. It is only her nature.

R.I.P. little teenager. I am sorry, I wish I had known better. I do now. Hopefully, mommy rat doesn't find it necessary with the babies. They will be rehomed soon. They just started walking around and are almost of age to leave mommy.

A bit belated, 2011 Goals

I've always been the Disney Princess follower. The Little Mermaid was my favorite for a very long time and so was Beauty and the Beast. I guess it's technically a bad idea to have children grow up watching Disney. It's a great company with some great movies but it sends across the wrong message. If someone told me I'd find my prince charming and be happy, six-seven years ago, I would agree. I would've been like, "Of course I will." Because, that's what Disney has taught me. That there is a happily ever after and you do get your prince charming. I know now this isn't always the case.

Well, I'm not saying Matthew isn't prince charming. I love him to death and it's only been two and a half months together. But, I have to squeeze my faith that a relationship will last. I am a spoiled brat and I am very hard to get along with. Past all of this spoiled-ness that I posess, I am a sweet, tender-hearted girl. I love the Earth, I love the person who has captured my heart, and I love my family. I also love my country and I take pride in everything I do. (EMT-wise, my education, etc.) Since my heart was broken by someone who I truly fell in love with, I find myself distasteful towards love. I shouldn't be this way and my resolution this year is to try hard not to be that way. Matthew doesn't deserve it. And, I certainly am not such a bitter person to put him through it.

My goals in 2011 are:

1. Lose 25-60 more pounds. The more the merrier!
2. Remain gluten-free for my better health. No more acid reflux! No more hernia acting up and no more extremely fried foods.
3. Try to eat more organic. It doesn't have to be labeled organic, it just has to be fresh meat, fresh veggies, fresh fruit (or frozen). No cans! And less processed gf items.
4. Possibly become engaged to Matthew. I really hope around 10 or so months together, that this is appropriate. Or, perhaps a year together which will be on October 19th, 2011.
5. Finish two-three full semesters of college and hopefully be about 80% done with my general degree, if not completely finished.
6. Go on a vacation! I haven't been on a good one in a long time.
7. Get my finances in check. I would love to pay down some of these bills and debts that I owe.
8. Keep my cats active and healthy.
9. Support Matthew (emtoionally) and his career
10. Learn some new things.
11. And lastly, live life!

My Fair Wedding by David Tutera

If you haven't seen this show yet, and you're into designer/wedding shows, this is a MUST see. Even if you're not, David Tutera is a blast to watch. He has a charming attitude and he is absolutely wonderful at everything he does on this show. If anything, watch it just to look at this handsome creature! So far, I have watched 7 of the My Fair Wedding episodes. It comes on at 9/8 PM Central on Sundays (on WeTV).

My favorite episodes so far that I've seen are actually not even listed on the website but there was the Marilyn Monroe look-alike and the Irish wedding. I loved those two. But, I have enjoyed all the episodes watched. His weddings always turnout AMAZING! I even got my boyfriend to watch a few episodes with me without being 'bored'.

Who wouldn't want to watch this hot thing on t.v.? :)