New Vest!

Some of you have been with me long enough to remember this post about my Vest, where I gave it some love.  My more recent friends might only remember this other post about my Vest where I wasn't sure if we were friends or not.  Either way, my Vest was always around giving me grief and giving me clear lungs.  But now, I can retire it because it's time to make room for a new Vest... the Afflovest!  There's no question: we're already BFFs.  When I learned that this Vest might be a real option (around October 2015), it was already a part of my day.  I thought about it LITERALLY every morning.  Any day that I overslept and didn't have time for a morning Vest sesh, I thought about how I could at least get in 10 minutes of the Afflovest while I dry my hair and let the dog out.

If you haven't heard of it, I recommend checking out their website and the YouTube videos posted by people who got the Vest and are demoing it.  The biggest advantage that it brings is I'm not hooked up to vacuum cleaner hoses, but free to walk around with the cordless technology!  It doesn't use air, like the old Vests do, but more true vibrations.  It has 3 settings, Vibration, Drainage, and Percussion (my favorite).  Anyway, not trying to do a promo for them, but I had to share in my excitement.  I mean look at me! I've never been so happy to wear a Vest!

In other news, not much else has changed.  Soccer season just picked back up, I'm singing in the adult choir at church (as I have time), and Zoe is still obsessed with the ball.

Oh! One thing I did was sign up for the Rock CF Kick Backs program.  It's an awesome group of people who, as part of the Rock CF Foundation, provide new tennis shoes to CFers who want to get running or need a new pair from running so much!  It's a really awesome program and I was THRILLED to get my tennis shoes.  Got to keep working hard to stay healthy!

Have a great weekend and a Happy Valentines Day!
-Annie

Long time, I see.

In reference to the post below, I still haven't seen the results.  It's been almost a year.  I still remember that day-- I curled up on the floor of my apartment and cried.  I should have remembered that science takes forever.  Not their fault, I understand that.  I just should have known to not count those chickens just yet.

Hello world! I don't post much for a few reasons but primarily because I grew tired of it.  Occasionally, like today, I'll decide the posting isn't sure a tough thing to do.  It's nice to be heard every so often.  I do have a second "blog" for my personal thoughts and feelings. Things that don't need to be shared with the world around me.

I also don't post as often because a lot has changed in 10 months (shocking, right??).  I moved home in June of 2012 and finished out college commuting back to my college town.  I also took a few classes from home and held an internship at a local gym for the final two quarters of college.  Then, on Nov. 17, 2012, I graduated college early by two quarters.  *high fives all around*  Backing that time-table up about a month, I also started a "big girl job" in mid-October.  After I graduated, I went on a graduation cruise with my mom, and began working full time (8-5, M-F) the Monday I came back from my cruise.  Very exciting, very busy.

I also shifted away from the blogging world with my new job because, like a fellow blogger (Unknown Cystic), I don't want to put my career in jeopardy just because of my health.  The internet is an incredible thing, but has the potential to ruin lives.

I also recently turned down the chance to be a local "face of CF" as a part of a really great fundraiser locally.  I've supported and attended the gala they host when I'm able to, but this would have made me the key speaker and face in the media.  I was all for it until I was employed.  I'm sorry, but I just can't.  I was a recent speaker with my mom on the Mother/Daughter Perspective of CF for local CF families hosted by my clinic.  It was a great event and we had fun doing it.  It's on YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube, my work did a Harlem Shake video.  We're the first in our industry to do one and the other companies got called out by observers.  It was tons of fun.

Ironically, after noting that I would like to keep my job despite my genes, I'm home sick today.  It's the first full day I've taken off for feeling UGH.  Remember all that belly pain I've had since late elementary school? It still haunts me.  I actually had a recent colonoscopy to see what was wrong.  Verdict? "You have a normal colon. Nothing is wrong with you."  WRONG.  Just because we can't see or determine the problem does not mean nothing is wrong.  The highly respected doctor who performed the colonoscopy suggested it might be my diet.  I mentioned this to my CF doctor who scoffed.  "Doubtful."  Still back on square one, in pain and still "nothing wrong."

For the record, I cried before my colonoscopy many times.  Was I afraid? Was I in a lot of pain? No and no. I was HUNGRY.  I was waiting for them to put me to sleep and tears are running down my cheeks.  The nurses were great and worked to console me letting me know that there is nothing to fear and it will all be over soon.  I just looked at them through my teary eyes and said "I'm not afraid, I'm hungry.  I just really want to eat."  I'm not sure they quite knew what to do with me.

Think about it! I couldn't eat for 24 hours.  ME.  Or drink Dr. Pepper.  ME!! I had a lot of juices to choke down the solution to "clear me out."  I got so physically sick of sweet drinks that I started sucking on the cajun sweet pickles that my mom makes at Christmas time for some spice.  Sad, I know.

Recent doctor visit revealed that I would benefit from some IV antibiotics, but it wasn't an emergency.  I made a deal that she let me wait 6 weeks and be reevaluated because I was beginning playing soccer again and running once more.  I was making a serious effort to improve my cardiorespiratory health and I wanted to see if that would help before we made any decision to send me to the hospital.  I've been running every day since.

My running partner, aka the boyfriend, has been great.  When our work schedules allow us to run together, he meets me at the gym closest to me and we run.  He gives me the push to keep going without pushing me to a breaking point.  I've also lost several pounds over the last few months and he's declared that I'm going to eat as much as he does, if not more.  We'll see how that works out!

Speaking of the boyfriend, all is well in that department.  ("well" is the understatement of the century, actually.)  We're extremely happy and things just make sense.  It's nice when your best friend is also your boyfriend. :)

Speaking of friends, one of them (aka Emmons) is turning 21 in August and someone in her family got the great idea to have a serious celebration... IN VEGAS.  Come late August I will be flying out with her family for a 21st birthday party in Sin City.  I'm sure there's nothing that can go wrong.. haha!

Two of my other close friends are getting married in November.. on the same day... in different cities! Bummer! I'm very excited for them both and can't wait to celebrate with them!

On that note, I think that's all the updates I've got so far.  Well, I'm sure there are plenty more, but that's all I've got for today. One more reason I don't blog, before I forget: I spend all day at work at a computer.  I really don't want to get on my home computer once I leave.  It's just not appealing to me.

Ciao.

Where did I go?!

Oh hello again blog! Sorry I kinda forgot about you... things have been busy, SHOCK I know.

One of the things I added to my schedule is... RUNNING. Yep. I'm running at least 2 miles a week. It's not much but it's a start. Hoping to bump it up this week a little. Getting ready for that doctor's appointment!!

Swamped with school, future, friends, sorority, and everything else I cram into my crazy weeks! It's been fun though. And all is well!

Great Strides walk coming up in 2 weeks!

Sorry I don't have much to say! Just glad to be BACK!!!!!!!!

-Andrea

Running against my will!

I decided to be a good cyster and take a workout class to make sure I get some fitness in, despite my lack of will-power. I joined the Aerobic Dance & Conditioning class at 8 every Tues/Thurs morning. So far, it has showed me just how out of shape I have gotten since high school!! The first real day of class, last Thursday, we did circuit training with push-ups, crunches, running, and a few other things. It hurt, but it felt great! Tuesday, we ran a 1.5 mile run. We will do it again at the end of the quarter to see how we improved. I ran it in 15:35, so roughly a 10 min. mile. Works for me!! I thought that it was pretty good for being out of shape, so I can't wait to see what I can do in 10 more weeks.

-Andrea

Home Home HOME!!

Oh my GOSH. I can't even try to explain how happy I am to be home. I am EXHAUSTED and in PAIN right now, so I will not be giving an official update right now about how camp went and how I'm feeling since I have a doctor's appt in a few days. I will soon though. I'm just so tired. As an overview, camp is over and I'm not doing the second week. I can't. It was a very very very long week. I'm glad I did the camp, it was a great experience, but it's not something I'm capable of doing a second time.

The pain is mostly in my feet from doing a ton of walking and the pain finally hit when I woke up from my nap this afternoon (first thing I did when I got home). My thighs hurt from yoga, dancing, and other physical activities I did this week. My calves hurt from a 1.5 mile run I did (in not bad time). My back/shoulders/neck hurt from the stress of the camp. So right now, I'm trying to recover. I loved the campers I was in charge of, I hope they keep in contact, especially if they need to talk to someone. I made some awesome friends, the other counselors. I don't think I've ever bonded so quickly with a group of people I didn't know. As a group, we bonded so quickly because we had to! That was the only way to keep sane. I'm really going to miss our meetings and after-meeting meetings!

Ok. Time to veg out. I need my brain to shut down again. It's been waaaay too busy this week. This update was a little longer than expected, but hey- it's ok.

-Annie

Must watch video

Please, take 6 minutes out of your day to watch this video off of America's Got Talent. I posted it on facebook and twitter. It's so inspirational to the CF community; actually to anyone. These two beautiful girls have equally beautiful voices and I wish them the best of luck on the rest of their AGT journey!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W5Q3Yal3yQ

On a side note, I went running today! I'm officially buddying up with sis-in-law Sarah and we started our frequent running today.

And in case you're not keeping up with the World Cup... GO USA!!!!!!!!!! We pulled off a VERY important goal 2 minutes into stoppage time, so almost the 92nd minute. INSANE!! Because of that, they won the bracket and advanced. GO USA!!!!!!!!

-Annie

Mansion

I am getting paid $25 a day, not counting food and gas money, to play with/care for 5 dogs and 3 cats, ward off spiders, scare off mice, water plants, and live in a very old, mid-construction, and kinda dirty, house 30 minutes south of town with one of my best friends. Ok... I guess I can handle it. (see picture of house)

I got to see my nephew the other night and it made my world. I've missed him a lot. :]]]]

Bright and early Friday morning, I went golfing with the Dad! More importantly, I drove the golf cart around instead of golfed but it was fun. Then we watched 4 or 5 episodes of The Big Bang Theory. It fits our family quite well! lol

Hmm I wish I had more to say. Just house-sitting. I drive home every day to wash/sterilize Cayston stuff because there is no good place to clean it at at the mansion.

Time for more World Cup while I wait for Cayston stuff to sanitize so I can do my afternoon one, wash, and then sterilize it again.

Monday I have a bone density test. Quick, painless, and then I'm outta there. Going running with sis-in-law Sarah on Monday too. We're going to try to get into the habit of running together a few times a week. She's trying to lose baby Carter weight and I'm just trying to stay healthy, obviously. Hopefully we can both accomplish our goals!

-Anni

"..I'm addicted, it's a crisis"

So I do have a new addiction. But it's not a crisis. I am so totally sold out on the Wii Fit. See, I got really tired of running outdoors (hot, gross, bleh) but I didn't want to stop working out. So I switched to running with the Wii Fit (along with other workouts). The runs do make me cough, so I figure they're doing their job. I also regularly do yoga, strength training stuff (ab work, leg work, etc.) play games that make my calf muscles hurt the next morning (ow!!) and play some Wii tennis/boxing to beef up those arms. I love it. I really do. As soon as I finish this post, I'm going to do another hour on it. I do about an hour each day. It burns, I really do get a workout from it. And it keeps track of my weight and BMI. It SAYS I gained 5 lbs yesterday, but knowing me, it probably has something to do with when I ate. But the Wii Fit was pretty excited!

Another reason I love doing with Wii Fit is that I know I'm working on getting the body back I used to have. I used to be so strong and so toned, but then I got fat, old, and lazy (haha) and lost most of it. I want to be back in shape, and not just being able to run a mile without too much strain but have my awesome leg strength back, my amazing abs once again, and maybe actually build up some arm strength. My right arm is already stronger from all that Wii tennis I do, but my poor left arm is getting left out. I'll balance it out though.

Ok, seriously, I really want to go play so I'm gone.

Beach in 4 days.

Chris comes home in 3 days.

4 days left to organize the boxes brought home from college.

*sigh*

-Annie

Couch Potato

NOT! Well, I do enjoy my NCIS, Law & Order: SVU, House, and a few other shows, but I haven't completely vegged out. I've been running! Every morning I get up and run a lap around my neighborhood and then tan some (preparing for when I go to the beach in a little over a week). I know, a lap isn't much (6/10ths of a mile I think) but it's a start and I can feel it. I can feel those coughs that bring junk up each time. I can feel my lungs being introduced into hard work again. It's feels so good and so bad at the same time. But my motivation is also pretty serious. Although, as my FB status said recently, "It's hard to be motivated by someone who doesn't exist yet"... I'm running for my kids. For my future family. Because I want to be there for them. I want to be there. So I'm running a little bit every day hoping to work back up to where I used to be. I push myself a little bit more every morning, running more than walking than the day before. I'm trying.

Today was spent with my little "sister" because today was her last day of junior year of high school! So we roamed the town and ate crawfish this evening. Here is the best picture from the day! (Taken in a Target parking lot!)

-Annie

Crawfish, Interviews, and Bunnies... Oh my!

This morning, I went and supported a fellow sorority, Kappa Delta, in one of their national philanthropies. They host a 5k/Mile Fun Run to raise money for a local Children's home and for the Prevent Child Abuse America. The 5k is a serious 5k because it's very hilly. Not my style. I also haven't run in a while, and I didn't want to attempt something so.... legit. So I ran the 1 mile fun run! It's actually 1.25 miles. I'm not sure how fast I ran it, but I did well for not having run in a while. I was really proud of myself. I had a little motivation on the last 1/2 mile...

Before I continue, you need a little history. You know those Easter Bunnies that sit in the malls to let little kids take their picture with them? Or the mascots that run around at football games and hug you even if you don't want to hug them? Or the clowns? Or the Santas in the mall? Well, I'm scared of all of them. I'm less wary of my own college mascot, but I still won't run up to him or anything. Also, know that my favourite branch of the military is the Marines. Ok, moving on.

The 1 mile run was around a lake, so it was somewhat curvy. I came around a curve a little over half way done and I saw him: the Easter Bunny. Walking against the runner's direction clapping for people and giving high fives. I had no choice but to pass him. I picked up the pace and ran past him, giving him a slight smile and a nod. Sigh of relief. Until I heard it: footsteps running behind me. I turned and looked, praying it was just another runner, but no... it was the Easter Bunny and he was chasing me!!!!!! I kept going and he caught up pretty quickly, unfortunately. I pretended to play it cool, smiling at him again. I can't even begin to tell you how creepy it was. I took another good look and I noticed something new: showing through the white/pink skin was a USMC (United States Marine Corps) shirt. My brain didn't know how to process that. Was it a Marine in the costume? Did the Bunny eat a Marine? Should I fear Marines now or love Easter Bunnies?? I let my mind wander to thinking about how heavy the head part of the costume must be. So I said something, "That's impressive." The bunny just looks at me. So I clarify. "That's impressive running with the costume on. Especially with the head part." The bunny looks at me again (remember we're still running!!). Then, the Marine inside pulled the head off!!!!! And it was Jon, my Big Sis's boyfriend!! My mind/heart could rest at ease knowing that I was safe. He ran the rest of the race with me, with the bunny head on, and every person with a camera took a picture of us at the end of the race. So there's proof! I'll find one of those pictures and put it on here later.

Yesterday, I went to a charity crawfish boil. (Look at me and my philanthropic self) The March of Dimes was having a crawfish boil where for $20, you get 5lbs, corn, potatoes, and a drink. The boyfriend and I bought 10lbs. We ate 5 at the event and 5 back in my apartment. We waited around, eating the first 5, to see some friends of mine I knew were coming.

Also, yesterday was the day that the Union Board list for interviews got put up! My name was on the list and I'm pretty excited about it. I have an interview this Thursday (April 1st) and we'll see if I make Union Board.

That's all for now!

-Annie

EDITED to add the picture of PROOF!!!

Day of Rest

Today, Sunday, is my workout day of rest. Mostly because Sunday is one of the busiest days for me, ironically. I have church in the mornings from 9-12, choir from 3:45-5, meeting from 6-7ish, and tonight we have Sorority Sunday from 7-7:30ish. On Sunday, the gym closes at 8. And I know when working out, I need to have a day where my body can just recover, so I decided Sunday would be the day. I can feel I'm sore, but it's not impairing me in any way, thankfully.

Yesterday, I hit the gym again! The boyfriend and I did a bunch of arm machines, including some new ones (pull ups, dips, rowing machine). Even he worked legs with me, including this new machine that is difficult for the vertically challenged. And then, cardio time. I powerwalked 1.5 miles!! It was hard walking that far because my shin splints reared their ugly heads about 0.3 miles in. But I kept going. Again, good productive coughing about 0.7 miles in and on, including afterward. The boyfriend walked/ran a mile on the treadmill, and then ran at a heartier pace a few laps around the track while I finished my 1.5. He's really putting a lot of effort into this, and I'm super proud of him.

Together, this is our plan:

We work out every day, except Sundays.

We always do a full-body: arms, legs, abs, cardio.

Next quarter, months I'm not on TOBI, we go to the gym when it opens if we can. If not, we work out later that day.

I enjoy working out with him. I didn't think I would, and I didn't earlier in the year, but I do now. It's time we spend together doing something we both need to do. He'll push me, but somehow knows when to back down; I do the same. The hardest thing to get him to do is cardio, partially because he has messed up knees, but he'll do it with me. I think working out with him was the final push I needed to get myself back in the gym and getting back into shape, and to get that cardio going. Finally.

Jason/Anjea, I know one/both of you read this often, so I have a question: since I'm spending a week with y'all soon, do you have free weights I could use? I'll try to run, but always walk, with the dogs daily, but I need to keep up the weight-work. Let me know!

Oh! And I'm a dark-red head now! I forgot to mention that! It's subtle until you get close, and I like that. Check it.

I was sitting outside in the BEAUTIFUL weather from Saturday doing homework. It was way too nice to sit inside.

-Andrea

"We don't feel pain"

Finally! A good day in college town! I had had a pretty great 7 day break (snow, family, home cooked food, etc.) but yesterday and today were back to the grind, and they turned out pretty great! One day during break, I did a little retail therapy to help lift my spirits. I spent most of it on make-up and other g.irly items (weird, for me) but I'm so glad I did. I will actually put forth the effort in the mornings to make myself look decent! That helps motivate me to get up out of bed after doing TOBI. That, and my new hair dryer. I'm in love. Just look at it! I pretty much leave the little attachment thing on because the stylists use it on my when I get my hair cut and I love it. The shower-head looking thing makes me a little nervous! I'm off-topic now. Yesterday, both of my morning classes let out early. While I normally groan when my 8am gets out early because I just sit in the same building until 10am, I have found that I really enjoy chatting with some of the people who are also in both of my morning classes. They can be pretty entertaining! After my second class let out, I did some homework and waited for the boyfriend to make the drive from home to college. We made a trip to SuperOne (much needed!) and I baked a cake (yummm). While it was cooling, we went to the gym. YES you read right. I finally made it back to the good ol' gym. The boyfriend is helping me with arm muscle building machines so I can gain my arm strength back, and I always work on my legs. However, while I was doing one machine, my knee popped funny. It doesn't hurt unless I put a lot of strain on it, but I was nervous about running. So I ellipticaled (lol) a mile instead of running. I was proud of myself, but disappointed with the time and respiratory results. So...

Today I made it back to the gym! Yayyyy!! 2 days strong and I'm proud of myself. Today I did the treadmill instead of the elliptical machine and I could feel a difference. The pounding of power-walking (I dislike running on a treadmill) definitely loosened some junk up and I was coughing away (much to the worry of nearby joggers). I had a lot of good, productive coughing for the next 20 minutes after that too. Oh, and before the treadmill, I did all of the arm/leg machines again. Got to put weight on me somehow! And I miss my strength from being an athlete.

I was encouraged by Lauren's post (Read here), but I haven't yet had the time in my day to add in extra miles. With adding all of the weight work too, and working with a partner, it takes up a lot of time. That's not a complaint, but when I have the time, I'll definitely up the distance. It may be some serious power-walking, but it helped! Baby steps....

So the boyfriend has put himself on a diet. Using my amazing new Kines knowledge, we have worked out a calorie amount for him to lose weight to, along with working out. So less about the "weight" and more about the "fat", if that makes sense. Anyway, because of our VERY different needs in calorie intake, we've come across some problems that will only get worse with time: how do I feed both of us together?? I need excess calories/sodium/fat and he needs just the opposite! We're trying portion differences if we share something cooked (I eat 2/3; he gets 1/3). He's cutting out most snacking (unless it's healthy/low calorie; and then it's limited) while I eat constantly. Me eating makes him want to eat too. Poor guy... I really do feel badly about it, but there's nothing either of us can do right now. I need to gain weight and he's trying to shave it off. I'm the one who is really pushing the gym right now, and I know he'll always go if I go. So go we shall!!

Oh, and the gym. So two days now, and there's only one part of my body that hurts: my hands. I'm building my calluses back and they HURT!!! Working out was so painful today, but mostly in my hands! Oh well. Another day at the gym with the phrases "We don't feel pain" and "I ha.te you Chase Wooten" running through my head.

Time to explain. Chase Wooten was one of my keeper trainers/off-campus soccer coach/soccer camp keeper coach over the last 8+ years of my life. He was the only trainer I've ever had who I actually wanted to keep pushing myself for. He was a great motivator and a hilarious guy. (Oh! I'm saying "was" because I'm "retired" and he moved away.) If the training started to hurt, "Nope, we don't feel pain. Let's go." I don't think I've ever pushed myself harder than when working for Chase. He made training so much fun with his dry sarcasm and comments that made me laugh and want to do better. So, I personally adopted the phrase "We don't feel pain" as my workout slogan for when I don't think I can lift another weight or take another step. And I don't actually ha.te Chase, not at all, but that's another thing I would say to him as I worked because it hurt and he was the one pushing me. Just another joke to get through the pain.

So, if I was a great author like Betsy, CG, Ronnie/Mandi, or Lauren, I would end this post in a cute way, tying in "we don't feel pain" to some metaphor of life. But I'm not, so I'm just going to end it with this: tomorrow morning, I dye my hair. Goodbye brown. Hello red.

-Andrea

(Un)Happy Post # 100!

I was hoping my 100th post would be a happy one. Part of it is! We'll start with the good stuff.

My sis-in-law who's been preggers just found out what she's having today... A !!!!! So I'll get to add a niece to the nephew I already have. That was definitely the highlight of my day.

I've also been drinking a lot more water lately. I'm a Dr. Pepper addict (and proud of it) and I've been chain-drinking for the past few weeks. Friday night I realized I was really really dehydrated. So for 3 1/2 days straight, I drank nothing but water, with surprisingly few negative side-effects. After those 3 1/2 days, I've only had 1 can of Dr. Pepper each day. And it's slowly consumed, unlike the last few weeks when I would finish 2 or 3 in under 2 hours, easily.

However, these rough 3 weeks have really been hard on me. I realized today I'm depressed. Not the diagnosable depression, but just down. I can't eat, I fight with the boyfriend, and I've lost the will to fight CF. I go through stages like this so I'm not too worried about it. But here's what I've contributed it to: I'm homesick, I'm mad that I'm homesick, I feel sick in general, I'm mad I feel sick, I'm stressed, I'm tired, the weather is depressing, I feel like I'm caught in a circle of bad health I can't get out of. Tuesday, I couldn't walk without getting winded. I really felt I was going to die on the couch. Because I feel this way, I don't feel like I can't get back to the physical health I was at. The feeling of hopelessness leads me to stop fighting CF. So when I stop pushing back, I feel even worse. Then I get mad because I h.ate feeling sick. And the cycle continues. UGGHHH!!!

I need it to get pretty outside so I will at least be happier in general, but it is suppose to SNOW tomorrow night. Here in the south, it's not pretty snow. It's gross. Really gross. It doesn't stick. It just makes everything soggy and heavy. I want it to be warm again! When it's a nice warm, sunny day, we all feel a little bit better. I having to bundle up to walk to the gym just to take it all off when I get there. And then I have to find a place to store my clothes while I workout and put them back on before walking back out. It's really annoying, to be honest. And I'm back to seriously hating running again. Did you know that jogging/running is the most ha.ted form of exercise in America?? At least I'm not alone in my hatred. I wouldn't mind just doing weight/flexibility training, but we've been over this: I need cardio too....

I tried the 5 hour energy drink this evening. I chose the grape flavour. It tasted like watered down Dymatapp, so I could stomach it. People, IT REALLY WORKS. I'm very much a skeptic on things like this, but 5 hour energy works. I wasn't jittery or hyper. I just felt awake. Normal awake. And alert. Occasionally, while studying, my eyes would get a little droopy. Give it a few seconds, and they were fine again. It was great. And I watched the clock and as the 5 hours ended, I didn't crash and burn. (It ended an hour ago) I got progressively sleepier as the 6th hour dragged on, but it was 11+ pm and I SHOULD be sleepy! I had a very slight headache afterwards, but it's nothing like the caffeine/sinus headaches I get. Do follow the directions though. It says don't take more than 2 a day, with SEVERAL hours in between. So basically, don't OD on 5hr energy drinks, ok?

Oh, and the New Orleans Saints won the Superbowl. :]

That's all. Don't worry. I'll be fine. I just need some time and for this test tomorrow to be done with. Then I'm baking a cake. Or cupcakes or something.

-Annie

Busy busy busy!

This MLK day break will be nice tomorrow (already is nice, seeing as I'm normally in bed by this time) because it's going to be a super busy week!

Monday: finish my Kines 290 project, finish studying for my Kines 292 test (both due Tuesday)

Tuesday: Present project and take test. SLEEP. Go to the lab between 3:30-6:30 to run another test, soccer game that night at 7.

Wednesday: Go to biology at 8, drive home, eat lunch, go to the doctor (GET A GOOD REPORT), visit Casey's new puppy, head back to college-town, mandatory self-defense class at 7. Study for bio test Friday

Thursday: Soccer game at 6. SLEEP MORE. Study for bio test Friday

Friday: Bio test. Sleep a whole lot more. Busy weekend ahead!

WHEW!!! I've got to be careful with my time-management this week so I can get ample amount of sleep for all the running around I'm doing. I live a crazy life! (Take THAT, CF!)

I finally went to the "big church" service at the church I've been attending. Before, I had only gone to the college Sunday school and college worship. I found out last week what time the real service started and made a point to go today. So I spend from 9-12; 3:45-5 at the church now (I joined the choir too, so that second chunk is singing!). That really makes me happy. I had been missing that greatly and I adore my church here in college-town. I feel at home. :]

When I have time to take a breath, I'll give the report on my doctor's appt. from Wednesday. Cross your fingers, your legs, and your heart that it's a good report. My January resolution was a bust, but I'm hoping my PFTs will still be good enough!

-Annie

A Full Day of Sub-Freezing Temps

Wow. Just wow. For Louisiana, this is COLD! I can't remember a day when it was below 32 all day long. There are ice patches all over campus. When I walked to class this morning for my 8am, it was 18 degrees, 10 mph wind, felt like 6 degrees. Let me see if I can explain this... I DON'T DO COLD. I am not a cold-weather creature, by any stretch of the imagination. I have been wearing full-body underarmour as a base layer of my warmth. But the wind is unbearable. Southern cold is different from northern cold, and I've been in both more than once. Northern cold is dry. Southern cold has humidity that sticks to you and "chills you to the bone" (as I heard from a Northern lady visiting). Today, the humidity ranges from 60+% to about 30% throughout the day. That's enough water in the air to make anyone very very cold, without wind. Then add in the 10-12mph winds... ugh... needless to say, I didn't want to leave my covers this morning.

On a different note, it was roughly 2 days until I heard my upstairs neighbors use water again. And since my bathroom is not a rainforest anymore, I'm assuming it has been fixed. Yay!

Oh!! Last night was the College Football National Championship game! I cooked dinner for the boyfriend and his best friend (came out HORRIBLE. The recipe was just awful; not my fault. Never cook 3-cheese pasta bake from Campbells recipe book EVER. Smells good, but don't be fooled.) as we cheered on Bama (Sorry Anjea!! Nothing against Texas, but I like Bama more) as they won the National Championship! Roll Tide! It was a fun game to watch.

After I finish this post, I'm going to wash all the dishes from last night (and the tray we cooked the pizza on afterwards), load up Dora, and head home! Celebrating boyfriend's best friend's birthday tomorrow.

So I've been unable to run all week. For the first few days, I had a random hip-flexer injury where I couldn't even walk well. Once that healed, I now have very sore quads from my kines 292 class where we've been doing muscle strength trainings and workouts. So I still can't walk well. *sigh* Maybe Monday will be better.

-Annie

Twenty-ten or two-thousand-ten?

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

So I had planned on a huge "2009 Recap" but I'm not really feeling it. I'll do a baby "2009 Recap" though!

• Finished up my high school soccer season
• Had sinus surgery....
• And then got pneumonia
• Placed in state science fair
• Graduated high school with honors!
• Finished up my work in the lab (and got my soul back)
• Went to Colorado on LBASYC
• Went to Myrtle Beach with family
• Went to Boston with my high school choir
• Went on Senior Trip all over the southern east coast
• Went through Rush and joined Sigma Kappa
• Started classes in college!!
• Turned 19!
• My nephew was born!
• Learned a new nephew/niece is being baked!
• Rung in the new year with friends

I think that's it when it comes to touching on the high points. It was a pretty great year, looking back. Here are some predictions for 2010:

• Anjea has a boy
• I turn 20
• I go to Panama over the summer
• I don't have to go to the hospital for anything (*crosses fingers*)
• I finish out my first year of college strong
• I get into a habit of running every day
• I get a job to finish out the school year or a summer job (or both!)

Some of those are already guaranteed things, but hey! I have to get something right!

I don't have a New Year's resolution, but I do have a January Resolution: before my dr. appt on the 20th, run every single day starting Jan 4. If I can do that, I won't have to worry about my lung functions when the appt rolls around.

It's 10:30, I'm tired, but before I hit the sack, it's time to start packing!! I'm heading back to college town tomorrow afternoon-ish. While I have greatly enjoyed my break, it's time to go back.

Best of luck to my high school friends who have midterms in a few days. Relax, eat lots, take naps when you can, and study smart. You'll do fine.

GOOD NIGHT!

-Annie

Ahh Mondays

It's Monday once again, but who cares?? I'm still on break! Life's good.

So I don't think I'm getting sick (*crosses fingers*). My GI junk is better. Who knows what that was, but I'm glad it's over. However, my cough has steadily gotten worse. Not really bad, but I can tell. It's more productive and wet, not that dry cough or the clearing of the throat that all CFers do. But that serious "lung" cough. It came to my attention, days after it should have, that my boyfriend's dad thinks he may have had a return of his walking pneumonia. WHAT?! Contagious or not, I don't think I need to be around it. I learned this after being there 3 days in a row. "This cough just won't go away!" he says. akjsdlakdf then why am I over here?! They are normally really good about remembering my "issues" but this blew me away. However, I think it may be more contributed to his smoking habits than pneumonia. Either way, I'm a little bit upset.

The Indy Bowl is today! Louisiana Tech is not playing this year, but I'm still going. Gig 'em Aggies!

I can hardly wait to get back to college-town and have the gym be open again so I can go running inside. It's very obvious how much running affects my health, but I cannot run outside. It just doesn't work. I have no idea how I did it for four years in the cold (and 14 in the heat!).

2009 is almost over!! I'll do a year's recap soon.

-Annie

"No Excuses!"

And yet... still not running. And my running buddy just left for Illinois. *sigh*. The cold outside takes my feeble motivation and stomps it into the ground. And the stationary bike was put up in the closet to make room for family. So I sit.

I've noticed a change in my level of coughing, and so has my mom. THAT'S NOT GOOD because now she's worried I'm either getting sick or CF sick and I have a Dr. appt in January. Fantastic. I'll be up and running starting around Jan 4 (since I'll be back in college-town) but it's going to be another tough start from the beginning.

On a lighter note, it's Christmas Eve! Today will be a good day with going to the grandparents' for the traditional pizza lunch and then to a family friends' house where every year they host the after-dinner party. The dinner was at another family friends' house, but they've had a busy year with 3 weddings and sick parents, so no annual Christmas Eve chili dinner. So the after-party people this year are picking up the slack and serving dinner too. Life's pretty great around here around this time of year.

So my dog is strange sometimes. In her crate, she has a water bowl that is attached to the metal door. We fill it every night. We also always give her her pink blanket (that her birth owner gave her as a parting gift). It seems by every morning, the pink blanket is put in the water. And not usually just a corning, but stuffed in there. And this morning, I think she tried to take a bath in it, and was pretty successful. One side of her face, her belly, her tail, and all four paws were sopping wet. And as soon as I let her out of her crate, she heads for my bed. *sigh*

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a great morning. :]

-Annie

Rough Running Day

Ouch. Today was a very difficult day for running for me. I went out with Alissa to go run, but I didn't make it very far. Bad bad bad...

I think it was a combination of a few things:

1- I had NO concept of how far a mile was on this track. No markings or anything.

2- It's cold outside! More importantly, it's OUTSIDE!

3- Talking/laughing while running

4- Running with someone who is way better at running. We probably started off faster than I normally do.

5- Hills.

All of these things put together resulted in me coughing until I felt like keeling over and me saying "Alissa, I HAVE to sit down." My lungs felt like they were getting punched. My legs, however, felt fine. Ugh. If it's not one thing, it's another, right?

But, on the plus side, that difficult run produced a lot of mucus. Those really good coughs got plenty up and out, believe me. So while I was disappointed with my short distance, the ultimate mission was still accomplished, so I guess it evens out.

The rest of the day was pretty good though! I saw New Moon with my Dad, and it was good even with the movie stopping at a very tense part. Stopping = the film stops, the lights come on, and the screen moves back to the "pre-movie" position. This was happening right after Jacob cuts his hair and says, "This is me keeping that promise Bella. Now go home." As he turns to walk away, the movie cuts. Classic Dad, he says loudly in the theater, "Well that seems like an odd way to end the movie." The lady 2 rows in front of us laughs even louder. Oh Dad.

This evening was pretty epic, I must say. It was the Christmas scavenger hunt with my friends from high school!! We all met up to eat a cheap buffet dinner (we are broke college kids after all) and then go to our starting/ending house, form teams, get the list, and GO GO GOOOOO!!!! The list included things like: the Black Santa, snow, kissing someone under the mistletoe, caroling to someone, employee in an elf hat, ghetto Christmas decorations, Christmas underwear, etc. We had to take pictures of us with this stuff (and a video of the caroling) and meet back at the house by 9:30. It was a crazy and fun night!

And now, as I do my last dose of TOBI for this 28 days on (and smile!), I say goodnight!

-Annie

Perfect Timing!

I had been thinking all morning about how much I was dreading running in my neighborhood, or even outside at all. Running outside, in the cold, on hills, by myself, with shin splints is not my ideal running conditions. I was beginning to get discouraged about running over break, and was about to surrender and only use the stationary bike. But, you know how God likes to step in an take a seemingly hopeless situation and make it all work out? TA-DA!! I *just* got a text message from a dear friend of mine, Alissa, who enjoys running (well, at least it looks that way since she runs all the time!). We have played soccer together for many years. She just text me asking if we could have running dates while we were both in from college. YES PLEASE!!! So Alissa, I know you occasionally creep on my blog, and if you are reading this: THANK YOU!!

I think today, unless we work out a running date, I'm sticking to the stationary bike today to give my legs one more day of healing.

Oh look! Another text. Running date set for tomorrow. :] Love her!

-Annie