Mircrosoft Access

Wow. Oh Microsoft. Businesses wouldn't be able to function without you, but oh, how I dislike you. Never mind my Management degree. I dislike YOU! Why must I learn how to formulate a database? Isnt that for IT professionals? And how about an Excell spread sheet? Isn't that for accountants?

Reasonably, I will complete my Computer class with nothing short of an A grade. However... I think that it will take me 13 hours to complete this project. Must make coffee... Now.

Figure THAT Out

This weekend I went with my friend to a fitness figure competition! It was hosted in Ramstein Germany and included female figure, female body building, and male body building categories. Naturally, being the skinny shapeless thing that I am, I didn't really care much for any of this. However I went to support her, and that is just what I did! She did amazing, competing in the under 5'5" category, winning first place, and THEN winning first "over-all" figures!! I am so proud of her! She looked amazing.

Back to what I said about this not being my thing... I am a runner. A seasonal runner, if you will, as I hate the cold. From about April until November I will run my little heart out, eating like a pig so that my slender figure does not whittle away into nothingness. But, since I was around the diet and figure building experts... I asked for recommendations. I have decided to implement changes in my nearly vegetarian diet. First, I LOVE a good, medium rare steak. I love BBQ chicken. And I like tuna steak. That is it for the meat category, I really like nothing else.

So, add a little bit of vanilla flavored protein to milk, and slurp that sucker down, four times a day. FOUR TIMES? First, I don't drink milk. Second, you want me to drink that HOW MANY TIMES? Fine, I will bargain with myself. I will start by drinking one glass per day, and as my running mileage increases, I will increase it to two glasses. I can add more pasta in my diet to combat my minimal intake of poultry and pork. I will eat breakfast, and I will eat more fruit. Yes, I will eat bread too, I like bread. I cant promise any more than that.

After all, beach season is approaching and I would rather not have to dodge anorexia pamphlets being thrown my way. I would rather passersby NOT count my vertebrae, thanks a bunch. I will continue to run my little legs off, but when it comes to living a healthy life, and eating better, I FIGURE what can I lose?

K9 Catching

Today my husband and I went to the Military Working Dog Kennels to visit our soon to be dog. He was very excited to see us, and we spent lots of time in the yard playing with him. He seemed to respond more so to my husbands "command" voices, but kept with me, I assume, because I have a softer touch. I assume I will be the one spoiling him! I cant wait to take him home in a few weeks! We are so very looking forward to giving him the retirement he deserves!

While we were there, I had a slight brain lapse, and agreed to "Catch" one of the dogs. This was not going to be our dog, as they are phasing him out of aggression. "Sure!" I said. "Honey, the camera is in the truck..." and off I went to be suited up! The suit probably weighs half of what I do, and I had to have two of the handlers help me into it.

As I attempted to run from this particular dog, more like, waddle, I thought to myself "this is a bad idea" and BAM down I went. The dog caught me by the arm, and twisted me to the ground. I can only imagine how much this would have hurt had I not been suited. I decided to do this two more times, and on the third take down, his handler had the dog drag me, for what felt like five minutes. Laughter ensued in all who were watching this. I thought it was a great experience, but have no desire to do it again!

The idea was so that I can see the dog's capabilities, which are similar to the capabilities of the dog we will be taking home. I have a lot of respect for these animals and their handlers, and I am sure my take down will be talked about all day long...

Adopting!!!

I am thrilled beyond words to write that my husband and I are adopting a retired Military Working Dog!! These dogs are so special! We do have photographs, but until all is said and done, I will not post them or specifics about him. Our lovely dog will come to our home to retire and live the life he has earned! He has been deployed with our United States Army many, many times, and he is ready for a rest! My husband and I, both being Veterans, take this very seriously and to heart.

It is so important to remember our four-footed Soldiers as well! They help keep us safe, and they too have given all to protect their country. Although we will be adopting an Army dog, there are many other K9 units in the Armed Forces. See the below link for the most awesome MWD story I have ever heard... Please note that this is not my article, not my dog, and was posted publicly on the web.

Wish us luck for a speedy adoption!

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=162184407141480

Foot Where?

I am supposed to wear these running? Are you kidding! Falling to peer pressure from my tri-athlete brother in law, I have decided to give these puppies a whirl. After many online searches, and yes, approaching strangers I've seen wearing them, I decided, "Hey, they can't be that bad!" So alas, I have began my trial by the mandatory, wearing-them-eight-hours-before-actually-running. My problem is they are quite ugly! My poor toes long to be once again touching one another! My feet feel like I am a sort of swamp monster! Thank goodness I did not get the Vibram's in green! I chose the most annoying color, in hopes that they are "so ugly, they're cute" (think hairless cat). Alas, we'll see how it goes! But I am surely missing my pink heels right about now!

The Gospel According to Miri

I was recently backed in to a strictly religious corner. I come from very religious roots. Roots which I have gone far, far away from. For years I have blazed my own trail in sense of religion. I don't lie, I don't cheat, I don't steal... I apologize for my mistakes and I always try to treat others with the kindness I would like to be treated. When this doesn't work out I make amends. Just as I forgive, I like to be forgiven as well. I digress... No, I will not go to church. No, I will not pray in specifics about your church. No I will not read your religion manuals and no, I do not worry my soul is damned to hell.
Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't steal. Period. If you cant accept someones religion, maybe you shouldn't get in a conversation with those of other faiths. Because chances are, they do not share your opinion.

For What It's Worth

And education can be recieved in more ways than just Universities. Quite often I see many collgege graduates wandering around like highschool freshman, only they have cars, and can drink. Legally. Often times, these "graduates" get paid more for their occupation, even though someone without a college degree can perform better. I absolutely believe that an education is important. So important, in fact, that it should never stop. One should never stop learning from lessons, listening to friends, co workers, relatives, and taking in as much information and multi colored opinions as possible. Travel. Learn how to say "Hello" in ten different languages! (This, I can do) Learning about other religions doesnt mean you have to convert your beliefs, but it might come in handy should you work beside a Latter Day Saint, a Catholic, a Jew... Learn about people. Learn about living. Learn how to fix your own car. (Lets face it girls) Not ALL men know how to change the oil or change a flat tire. Take cooking classes, host an ethnic night at serve dinners from all over the world. Even if they turn out horrible, trust me, very rarely you will have a person in your home who flat out regects your cooking, even if the Japanese food isnt just like they make it in Tokyo.

I do think that going to school is important. I wish I payed more attention in high school, but Im very glad I didnt attend University. Yes, I nearly have my bachelors degree now, but from about five different schools, colleges, and trade credits. And its been fun, but absolutely nothing adds up to the education I have recieved by living my life to the fullest. One of the most important things I have ever learned is that yes, after tragedy, you can in fact learn to laugh again. You will rise from the sorrow and find a new appreciation for life. You can live through anything, do anything, and be anyone you want to be. Just please, dont be a criminal. The prisions all over the world are way too overcrowded as it is.