Today

Today was my first day back on the South Beach Diet after Thanksgiving. I chose the South Beach Diet because it was written by a heart doctor and heart disease runs in my family on both sides. Anyways, Bryan and I started the diet two weeks before Thanksgiving and I lost nine pounds. Sadly, I gained back three of them over Thanksgiving but I'm still pushing through. Since we cheated we had to start back with Phase 1, meaning we can't eat anything with sugar in it for at least a week. I was surprised how easy today was compared to the first time we had to give up sugar. My body actually felt relieved to be eating right again. I'm considering only choosing a few items to cheat with at Christmas time hoping to keep my weight gain down and to keep from feeling sick again. Currently I am 161.2 pounds. My goal weight is 124 lbs. If everything goes according to plan, I should make it by April 4th of next year. Of course by then I hope to have begun my marathon training. I'm pretty excited.

As far as PA school goes, today was a low. I skipped my first class today which probably wasn't the best idea but I was exhausted. I just wanted one day to breathe. Lately, school, especially the idea of PA school, is terrifying me. I'm scared I'll fail or simply I'll get there and feel like I'm in over my head. What if I can stand the sight of blood and faint or worse, throw up? What if I'm making another mistake? I still believe that its God's will for my life but it seems huge and I'm worried I can't do it. I'm not sure I have what it takes to be a PA. I guess today, I just needed God to squeeze my hand a little harder to let me know He's with me every step of the way. Lately, its been crazy how much He's blessed us. Its more comfort that He's blessing this step of faith Bryan and I have taken. Now I just have to keep trusting Him to make this dream a reality. Its not easy.

On the up side, my crafting business is getting started. Simply Anna's Creations and Designs will be up and running soon. My cousin also sells stuff on etsy.com and she really encouraged me this past week. She loved my jewelry I had made and told me I needed to charge more. My business cards are now on their way. I've been wearing my jewelry out and many people have commented on it. My first wedding is coming up on Dec. 18th and the bride is going to give me professional photos of my jewelry to use as free advertisizing. I'm so excited about it. I can't wait to get everything up on my website. Right now I've got to get my camera fixed and hope the rain will go away so I can get some good shots. Anyways, keep a look out for Simply Anna's Creations and Designs coming to you soon.

The Bucket List

Having watched The Bucket List and loving it, then seeing Julia and Julie, which I did not love as much but felt inspired, I have now decided to start a blog of my own. This blog will debut my very own Bucket List to the world as I attempt to cross them off one by one. I only hope this will inspire others to do the same and live their dreams.

My Bucket List

1. Become a mommy

2. Graduate from PA school

3. Run a marathon

4. Publish a novel

5. Write a children's book

6. Tell my grandmother's story

7. Learn to sew

8. Design and make my own clothes

9. Create a small crafting business

10. Learn how to ballroom dance

11. Own a small farm with:

a. chickens, ducks, and a brown cow

b. a vegetable garden

c. an orchard

12. Climb to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back

13. Hike the Appalachian Trail

14. Go on a medical missions trip to Africa

15. Reach a healthy body weight and maintain it

16. Paint a masterpiece

17. Visit New York

18. Go on an European Tour

19. Watch all Audrey Hepburn movies

20. Meet a celebrity

21. See Hollywood and take a picture of the sign

22. Sing a show at a coffee shop

23. Sing in an animated film

24. Learn to play and sing my classics list:

a. You Were Meant for Me by Jewel

b. To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan

c. I'll Stand by You by The Pretenders

d. City Lights by Sara Barielles

e. I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt

25. Record all my classics list on a CD for my own personal use

26. Learn how to swim under water with my eyes open

27. See Train in concert

28. Learn to speak Spanish fluently

I should mention that these are written in the order of how I thought of them and not the order in which I will complete them.