Submersible

DUDE.

This situation is GRIPPING. 

It's incredibly sad, but mannnnn. I've been following it like a crazy person, watching anyone who will post a video about it. Just to hear all the angles.

But this freaking submersible imploded and all 5 crew members parished.

And the paying customers paid $250,000 for their final journey. 

To see the Titanic.

Through a 21 inch tiny window in a tin can.

Ok, sorry, aluminum and carbon fiber.

Manuevered with a Logitech game controller. 

No bathroom.

The hope is that the pressure was just so crazy that it imploded and they died in milliseconds. 

Fascinating.

Going down 13,000ft, which is deeper than anything ever. Which is just insane. 

And you're bolted in from the OUTSIDE. 

With 17 teeny, tiny 3/8 bolts. 

Like, wut? 

So even if the surfaced on their own, they wouldn't have been able to get out. And the clock was just ticking with how much O2 they had left. Which of course, was just an estimate because this hadn't actually been done before (5 men being trapped and needing the emergency O2 supply).

That is just insane to me. 

I know people love adventure and these types of expeditions are a thing. But I'd think they'd want it to be like suuuuuper buttoned up. We know way less of the deep ocean than we do of space. 

So yeah, I'll go up in a rocket first before going down into the middle of the earth. 

End of School and Awards!

I can't believe I have a middle schooler and 3rd grader. 

It's really crazy how time flies once they are in school. 

We've been so busy with end of year activities, park days, award ceremonies, performances, etc. 

Mila got an Academic Achievement Award and we were invited to go (secretly). We are so proud. 

She got two other awards: Extra Award and Safety Patrol Award. So proud! 

Can't forget about little Ava. She got an Artist Award and we're so happy for her! She also had an amazing year and really learned a lot. Her writing skills, comprehension, etc. She works really hard and is super bright. I'm so glad she does not struggle in school (yet). She does really well and seems to enjoy it. 

So cute these little second graders. 

My BABY. Ugh. I'm so proud of the little person she is and is becoming. But WAHHHH. My BABY.

Middle school here she comes! She's such a lovely young lady and is the sweetest thing. I feel like this next year is going to be pretty big for her. I hit my adult height at age 12...so...ugh.

#sisters

Mila also had her end of year picnic and this was extra special since it's her last year in elementary school. 

I'm grateful for the friends she's made and am excited to see what next year brings. 

It was a gorgeous morning to be at the park. The 5th graders walked over from the elementary school. 

Mila's been BFFs with a set of twins since first grade. 

Moving up and on. 

I wanted to make the last day of school special in some way. 

It's tough because both Steve and I have to work and with my new job, it's just really hard to juggle them when they are home. To be honest, I don't juggle, I just end up ignoring them and I feel terrible about that. It's not fair.

They had a half day on their last day so they did have to entertain themselves for a few hours in the afternoon.

But I got them off the bus and did a happy dance. 

Special treat on the way to Popo's house!

Because of my work schedule and having a very busy Friday, they chose to spend a couple of nights with my mom. We have a summer party Saturday, so I'll pick them up on the way up north. 

I really, really want to have a good summer. I am trying to go day by day and put one foot in front of the other. 

Things are good for now and I'm hopeful for the future. But for now, I'm excited to spend this summer with my girls. 

Physique Update

My title sounds formal, like anyone is out there critiquing my "physique" other than me, myself and I. 

But here we are. Middle of June and I've made some moves with my weight.

About 2 weeks ago I decided to really pay attention to my diet. I knew I was snacking too much and not being mindful of the types of food that was entering my body.

I started up a new love of cottage cheese. Yes, I know. It just doesn't sound appealing. I know. The consistency is also not the best, but for some reason, I don't mind it.

Now, don't get me wrong I love my sweet stuff, so I'm not eating just plain cottage cheese. Because that sounds awful. I'm eating the "fruit doubles" - so yeah, it has some added sugar but it also has 12g of protein in one serving. And it's gluten free. And I love them. So I'm eating like two of those a day - one for breakfast and one for snack later in the day. 

I'm limiting my snacking to fruit or granola bars. 

My dinners are usually protein and some salad mix (you know the kinds that come all ready to go? I love those!)

I'm down 3-4lbs. 

I weighed in this morning at 122.2.

I was like 116 - 118lbs last year.

Got up to 126 over the winter. 

So that's a win! 

Yahoo!

Don't get me wrong. I'm making it sound kinda easy.

It has not been easy. 

I want to eat all the PopTarts. I want to eat all the ice cream. I do let myself have one small bowl of ice cream each night because that's just my jam. But I really try not to have more than one small bowl and because I haven't snacked all day, I don't feel too badly about it. 

But I love snacks. And chocolate. And dessert coffees. 

(Sigh).

BUT, I have to remember that the way I feel - stronger, more confident, clothes fitting better...that all feels better than all the snacks and chocolate.

I'm lifting heavier too - using those 30lbs for some back and leg exercises. 

So I'm hoping that some of the weight I put on during winter was muscle. We'll see as I try to lose the next few pounds.  

What I can say is that body recomposition is just so crazy. 

I was about 126-128lbs when I started my fitness journey and I got almost back up to that weight this past winter. But my body is completely different. My clothes feel tight, but not that tight. And not in the same way. No muffin top. WUT.

I'm trying so hard to build this Asian booty. I have spent my entire life with the flattest ass. 

My PR on unilateral shoulder presses 6 reps with the 30lb dumbbell. Working on that progressive overload, people. 

~125lbs. 

I have 4-5 more pounds to lose to get to my goal. 

I just need to focus and it's all Gucci.

Boat Life is The Best Life

We took the boat out the other day. 

The first time out is always exciting. 

Albeit this year looks different because things are just different.

But the girls wanted to go out and try tubing! They've done it before with friends, but we haven't done it with our boat. 

I got the boat all cleaned up and ready.

I was sweating my ass off trying to get the interior cleaned. 

We launched without issue. Success! 

My favorite view

The water was SO clear. And FREEZING.

my favorite place is on the water

Those smiles

Here's to many more boat days.

Garden

I'm trying again.

I didn't do anything serious last year and didn't put any real effort into it.

I want to try again.

I started a bunch of things under the light and just moved them outside this week.

Green Beans

Sweet Peppers

Poblano Peppers

Jalepeno Peppers

Cucumber

Zucchini 

Pumpkin

Corn

Watermelon

Acorn Squash

Tomato (just one from Ava's class project)

Lettuce

and I have Raspberries (the bush is much bigger this year!) and Strawberries (just one, sad plant, that survived from last year's garden. 

So we'll see how it goes. 

Oh! We also scored a new water tank! It's the exact same one as we have for the pool, but brand spanking new. Found it on Marketplace and it was a STEAL. We plan to keep this one by the garden and attach a hose so I can easily water my garden without fear of draining the tank in the basement. 

End of School and Getting Ready for Summer

Does anyone else straight lose their mind towards the end of school? There are just so many things! Field trips! Permission slips! Concerts! Orchestra! Chorus! Picnic! Field Day!

I really don't know how parents are expected to attend all of these things. Ok, so some of them happen in the evening hours. Which just makes for a really long day.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to miss any of these things. My parents never attended these types of events (maybe chorus, maybe) so I want to be there to see my kids' excitement. 

But DANG. There are just so many things to commit to. Feel guilt over.

But we do it because we love our kids.

Even after we've worked for 10-12 straight hours (I'm saying straight through with only potty breaks) and our brains hurt.

And even though I'm exhausted, I beam with pride as my kid up up there doing there thing.

With it being the end of the year, I decided that I'd surprise the girls by picking them up early from school and taking them to a movie. The Little Mermaid (live action) came out in theatres an I was so excited to take the girls. 

The movie was just ok in my opinion. I just didn't love it. Something weird about the underwater CGI and they changed the story a bit...the girls liked it, but towards the end (it was over 2 hours long!) they did start asking when it'd be ok. So I guess it wasn't that good.