F you Sandy

Hurricane Irene has nothing on what Hurricane Sandy did to NJ in the past few days. I am in utter shock at the devastation in my town. The entire county is without power and I know many many people who's homes have been completely washed away into the ocean.

On facebook there is just picture after picture of my town and the effects of the storm. We have no power but are lucky enough to have gas so we are still able to shower and cook food on the stove. They say it'll be up to a week before we get power. But I count myself very very lucky that only our power is out right now.

I'm back to work today. My office somehow still has power even though most of the town does not. But it's good to get out of the house. However it's hard to get gas so unless I can find somewhere to pump soon I'll be stuck at home again.

Two towns right next to me are destroyed. Beachclubs and roller coasters on the boardwalk washed into the sea. It's totally insane. I could never imagine it would be this bad. I feel helpless as well. I wish there was something I can do to help my friends. Hopefully in a few days we'll start to get power back and will start to rebuild near me.

I am a Tough mudder! Pics

This past weekend I did a Tough Mudder. A 12 mile obstacle course here in NJ. It's one of the best mud events out there. Also something that I truly never thought I could do. About 2 years ago I remember watching friends complete this and thinking to myself I could NEVER. Really. I was still so very overweight and couldn't imagine running 12 miles, let alone doing the obstacle that there were doing.

Yet this past weekend, there I was, doing my very own tough mudder! It was so surreal the whole time I was doing it. I kept thinking to myself how impossible I used to think this would be. Yet there I was, with four friend, totally rocking it. We finished in about 3 and a half hours! Unlike the Spartan Race I did a few weeks ago, this was so much FUN!!! It was hard and I am very bruised, but the whole time we were just laughing and having a great time.

This is such a wonderful event because everyone is helping you. Not just your friends, but strangers helping you up hills and facing your fears. There was a part where I totally freaked out. The part were you have to run through electric wires. I was standing there freaking out. A girl came up to me, grabbed my hand, and we ran through it together. And then shared a giant hug afterwards. I didn't know who she was and yet she was there for me. That's what these events are all about. Teamwork.

There are signs posted everywhere about how tough you are and how this isn't a race but a challenge. And that is exactly what it is. It's not even timed officially. It's all about completing it to the best of your ability. I will absolutely do this race again next year! It was a blast and I only hope to do that much better next year.

Here is my team and I about to start. We are so nice and clean!

Not so muddy yet!

Lots and lots of mud!!! But still smiling! Oh and if you notice I'm bleeding down my leg. lol. It didn't hurt though! Promise

Finishers!!!!!!

Love my gym family. We killed it!



I'm back!! (Pictures of my trip!)

I had the best time in Florida. It was a much much needed break and really helped me destress. I got to do and see so much!!! This is only a handful of pictures I took from my phone. I have way more on my camera. I was able to go to Seaworld, Aquatica (water park), Universal, Disney (Epcot and Magic Kingdom!). It was great. All that walking around was rough though. I just hope it helped counter all the yummy foods I ate!!

The best day I had was the day we went to Epcot. Which I have no pictures from. I was way too busy eating. Word of advice, if your going to Disney, go during the Epcot food and wine festival. It was the best experience ever. There are 29 countries/types of foods that you were able to sample from. I ended up hitting 14 of them that day. lol. They are small plates that cost about $3-5 a plate.

I had a Margarita in Mexico, Ravioli in Italy, Karaage Hand Roll (crispy chicken in a sushi roll) in Japan, Waffle in Belgium, a creme brulee in France, a lava cake in Ireland, Cheese soup from Canada, and something called a griddled greek cheese with pistachios and honey from Greece. Which was so amazing I got it twice. That is just a few things of what I ate that day. I had to be rolled out of Disney basically. It's a great experience and something I think people need to experience at least once!

The day we went to Magic Kingdom I was a total kid. I bought a Tiara and tried to take pictures with characters!!! I even did a character breakfast that morning with Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck! It was so fun acting like a kid. It was great to escape reality for the day.

Me with Cinderella! I also posed with Sleepy Beauty and Rapunzel!

My friend and I on Dumbo!

At Epcot I got to meet Mary Poppins

Universal I met the Grinch! He loved me.

Best part of Universal is Harry Potter world!! I am a huge huge fan of the books and movies. This place is incredible! I had a butterbeer, pumpkin juice (delicious). I got to see Hogwarts up close. Went shopping at Ollivanders, Honeydukes (great candy) and Zonkos. It you love Harry Potter this is a must see!!! Absolutely amazing. I want to go back when they expand the place.

At Seaworld I got to see the whale show and the dolphin show. I am slightly obsessed with Whales and Dolphins so this was great. I love love Orcas!

The last day, we both were exhausted. So we stuck by the pool all day. The perfect ending to my trip. Getting sun and going into the pools and hot tubs all day long. Paradise.

This was a great trip. One that felt long enough to enjoy and where I was actually looking forward to going home at the end. I'm happy to be back home, and oddly I am loving the cold weather after a week in Florida. lol.

Much needed vacation coming!

On Sunday I am leaving for a week to go to Sunny WARM Florida!

It really can't come at a better time. My life is in a tailspin and I need a time out. I need to be able to relax and unwind. I haven't been able to for weeks, maybe even months if I'm being honest with myself.

These past two weeks have been a nightmare for me. On all ends. I can't wait to escape for a week and hopefully get some clarity on what my next steps should be. Ever have that feeling, where you standing on a cliff about to take a leap into the unknown.

That's where I feel like I am right now. On the verge of something big. But I don't know what that something is yet. I can feel change coming at me and fast, but I just don't know what it is yet. I hate this uneasy feeling I have 24/7. I haven't been able to lose any weight for months, and I know it's because of this stress. My eating and workouts are on point. But my sleep and stress is threw the roof.

Either way in exactly 48 hours from now I'll be laying by a pool soaking up the sun. I cannot wait! I've never needed a vacation more than I do right now.