-5

Hello, everybody!

Whew, this weekend has been such a rush.  The Last Exorcism, party with Jess Lowell, and Contra Dancing all rolled into one, fun-filled adventure.  :)  I just wish it would never end.  But it will, as all things have to.

I have some great news to share after my staggering 10lb gain last week!  I lost 5!  So, essentially I'm right back to where I was before I started Weight Watchers for the 2nd time this past summer.  Thinking about it that way is definitely frustrating, but hey, at least I didn't gain another 5.

As I've learned with Weight Watchers, you're going to screw up sometimes.  Actually, lots of times.  It's inevitable.  Losing weight is HARD work.  It's not something you can commit yourself to, and expect to happen right away.  It definitely isn't something for the weak-willed people of the world.  (I have issues with my willpower often enough, so I'm speaking directly from personal experience, here.)  A "diet" can't be this wishy-washy food and exercise plan that you follow sometimes, and then wonder why it isn't working for you.  When you're in the business of losing weight-it's go big or go home. 

A support system can make ALL the difference in the world.  I'm very lucky to have such a strong support system from all of my friends and family, whenever I need them.  They keep me strong and motivated (except for those times when the friends aren't thinking and decide that supper for the night should be Wings, but then it's all up to me whether I want to comply or not.)  Unfortunately I usually do-the cafeteria on campus isn't always as appealing as I think the staff would like.  But, I mean, at least we get to eat.  :)

Last night I went Contra Dancing with Ryan, and two of his Theatre friends from UVM (Alice, and Zoe), at Edmund's Middle School here in Burlington.  What a blast.  :)  Some of the same people are still dancing as the ones Ashley, Velvet, Ryan, and I experienced the first time we went.  Contra Dancing is such a beautiful art form.  When everyone knows what they're doing and when the ladies that have been doing this for years are making it all look so effortless, Contra Dancing's appeal certainly shines through.  I was thinking about whether they have a formal Contra Dance later in the year where all the ladies and gents dress up in formal wear and then come to pull this off.  I think it would be gorgeous!!!!!!  :)  Ryan and I learned that he needs to work on his frame and that I need to (still) work on how to spin correctly.  Aww..dancing lessons!  Well-moral of the story for all this-Contra Dancing is INTENSE.  After one dance I'm sweaty, gross, can't breathe, and for every 1 dance that I dance, I need to sit out 2.  Hahaha.  That's pretty bad, but hey, I have a lot more weight that I'm throwing around than all the rest of those people.  If there  was a weekly class or dance offered somewhere that pulled off a Contra Dance for an hour or two, I would totally go to that.  It would increase my stamina, my confidence in some of the moves, and maybe I could even learn a few extra fun moves to throw in as well. 

You can really learn a lot about a person by the way they dance.  :)  Obviously you want a partner that can keep up with you, but not one that wants to swing you around 110 mph so that your feet don't even get the CHANCE to touch the ground.  (I mean, unless you're into that sort of thing...)  There were some people that I felt safe and comfortable with, and others that I felt like I had to take the lead-which is not fun.  A person really learns a lot from moving their body with someone else.  I believe it is an experience everyone should be able to have. 

All in all, everything went well.  My core and my thighs hurt a little today, but right now I'm in the mindset that I want to Bounce and Swing every guy I come across with.  And that could potentially be awkward....I don't know......   ;)

In the end, I'm still working on losing weight.  Unless something terribly interesting happens in the next week that I just can't WAIT to blog about (it'll probably happen,) I'll check back in again next Sunday with how I've done.  Please, please, please wish me luck.  Until I feel myself sliding back down into the 250s I won't feel as though I'm doing a super fantastic great job. 

LOVE!

<3 Megan <3

Snowball/Jeanne Mance/Successes/Failures

Well, hello everyone!

I've been a slacker lately.  I'm so caught up in my day to day life that things have started to slide on the blogosphere side of my life.

SO, to catch up, let's start with snowball:

These are snapshots of the evening.  Hahaha.  Amid all the completely inebriated people in the center of the dance floor, the rest of us had a GREAT time with the chocolate fountain (FONDUE!!!!)  and some of the music.  Top Hat Entertainment could have probably done a little bit of a better job, but we were able to do the Hand Jive, so then it was all good. :)

Now, let's talk about Jeanne Mance!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I received the BEST massage in the past 8 years from Ryan.  It felt so goooood.  We made a special trip to Rite Aid to get baby oil, and a water fountain.  Mmmmmm hmmm.....it was awesome.   We made a Zen Tent, and a new phrase: "It's ZEN TIME, WHAT?"  Yes, things are strange.

Later in the evening, we decided to get Wings for supper.  After calling and waiting for 45 mins, Wings calls Ryan's cell phone.  Joe BOOKS it down the stairs.  When Ryan and I arrive, there are like 4-5 guys lined up against the wall with police officers reading them their rights.  We don't know what happened, but it had to do with alcohol and being on campus.  To see the supposed dialogue, check out Ryan's blog: http://ryhowland.blogspot.com/

Ryan and I just completed a V-Day mailing package to go out to everybody.  It was pretty epic!  Hahahaha.  We've got letters going to L-ville, Barre, and Florida.  Toes!!!!  Let's just blanket our country with 308 Luv!

As far as successes and failures, I'm surviving school.  I don't particularly enjoy a few of my classes this semester, but I'm plugging through them.  I just wish the next three months would hurry up and be done because I'm basically ready to go home and spend time with my family and Ryan.  Granted, I wish I could also go visit Velvet and Ashley at their respective homes in NY and Mass, but it is what it is.

As far as plans for next year, Ryan and I are still planning to hop a plane to Florida over Thanksgiving break.  Mmmmm hmmm....pictures to come!  Hahahahha.  Cannot wait.  Taking a plane (or two!) by ourselves is going to be pretty amazing, and I feel like I'll feel MUCH more like an adult when that is able to happen.  Can't wait!

I believe that's about it as of right now.  I'm (immensely) enjoying being a single woman, and I plan to enjoy it until I feel I'm ready to try dating again.  I love being able to go out with my friends and not feel guilty about not being ONLINE for 7hrs every night talking about the same things day after day.  I really do feel free, and I'm going to enjoy that freedom to it's fullest extent.

Much Love!  IT'S ZEN TIME, WHAT?!

Love, Megan

Sad Day at Camp Champ

I just checked my mymail account for my school's portal.  Apparently, some kid in my grade died last night after going off campus to visit friends.

Last night, Champ. had a Halloween Dance.  Ryan came.  I walked Ryan "home", except then he walked me back to Main St. because we both realized that it is kind of sketchy in Burlington at 12:30 am.  After finally going our seperate ways, I decided to run, all the way back to my dorm.  I have not had the motivation or urge to run in about three years.  Coincidence that someone happened to die the same night, probably after attending the same dance I did?  I seriously doubt it.  I am a FIRM believer in my instincts, and it has saved my A$$ on more than one occasion.  I am also a firm believer in watching out for myself, and realizing when I don't feel safe, and BOOKIN' it out of there as soon as that happens.  Everyone-PLEASE be careful around Halloween time.  I know it's a LOT of fun, and it can be if you do the holiday right.  However, I know there are a lot of stupid, spur-of-the-moment decisions that people sometimes make, and those mistakes lead to big trouble.  I don't know about you, but I like my friends.  I would do anything to protect them.  So please, just keep everyone safe, and save the stupid stuff for a night that everyone isn't walking around drunk looking for other people to mess with.

On a lighter note, Ashley is coming home with me tonight!  I am leaving my laptop here so unfortunately I will not be in contact with you all for a while, but not like you'll be avidly awaiting my next entry on the evening of Halloween.  Psh, who does THAT?!  If you have a life, I would suggest that you get out there and use it.  :)

I'm also taking a "SHIT TON" (thanks again to Velvet for this awesome term) of laundry home with me this weekend.  My duffle bag is going to consist of a TON of clothing, and my hair brush, tooth brush/toothpaste/floss/fluoride, deoderant, and perfume.  Except maybe not even perfume, I have some of the cheap stuff at home that I need to use up. :)  So yeah, good times.

Well, other than the good time I had at the dance last night with Jess, Velvet, Ashley, Joe, and Ryan, not too much is happening for me.  Just kind of hanging in there for the moment.

As I have nothing of further interest to speak of at this moment, I will sign off.
Love you all,
Megan

P.S. Do you ever feel kind of like Pocahontas when the leaves blow and billow up and around you?  Because I know I do. :)

GLEEEEEE!!!!

Soooo...guess what today is?  GLEE DAY!!! (And Eastwick immediately following!!!)

What a fantastic evening this is going to be...and Sir Ryan and I are planning on taking a BUNCH of pictures to let everyone from home know JUST how much fun we're having at college.  Tonight's the night...get pumped!!!! 

I am finally done ALL homework assignments in one of my classes for the rest of the year.  (Not including group projects and stuff like that, but all pre-assigned hw readings and papers are complete.)  KIND OF PUMPED!!!!   I'm working on my remaining classes...I'm about 1/3 done the rest of my hw for another class, and still trying to do what I can with the remaining 3.  My two COR classes actually don't count seeing as how they do not let you know what your upcoming homework assignments are going to be, but for SWK Methods, Human Behavior, and Intro to SWK, I'm working on.  (Intro SWK is complete...so actually TECHNICALLY it's just SWK Methods and Human Behavior.)

Mmmm whatcha sayyyyyy.  I have another riddiculous 7-8 pager coming due in about 2 weeks that I'm trying desperately to get started on....we'll see how well that works out.  ;)

Anywho--I miss contra dancing.  I want to take Luke sometime.  He, however isn't so keen on the idea.  Hmph, well fine.  Ryan and I had an epic time (especially since Velvet and Ashely had fun with it too) so thats ok.  However, IDK how well Luke will fare around the 12th of Feb...but that's another story. :D

Halloween is also coming. I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited.  October is my favorite month of the year and Halloween is my FAVE holiday (Christmas being a close 2nd.)  Mmmm...holidays.  Such fantastic inventions. 

Ok, well before I start boring all of you with the morbid details of this Aesthetic Expressions paper, I am going to go get started on that.

Love everyone, and stay safe!!!

xo.xo
~Megan

Contra Dancing

...is THE most amazing experience of my life.  Not only was I really excited to go with Ashley's family and Velvet and Ryan, but I was REALLY excited because this was my first official couple's dancing experience.  (As in the kind of dance you need a partner in order to do...not the clubbing shit that you can do by yourself or with someone else.)  BANK!  (Bring it On reference, anyone?)  Ha ha ha, but I digress.  Contra dancing was THE most epic experience of my life, and even though it only happened last night, I am STILL excited about this whole thing!!!

Now--my physicality.  Might you be wondering how I happen to be doing at this particular moment in time?  Yes?  Well, then let us proceed.  My thighs are SO SORE. 

List of Megan's Exercise for the Week:
Wed. Night- Beava <3'in Dance.  3 Hrs of semi-ok music.  Kind of hard to dance to, but there was a few good songs.

Thurs. Night- Kickboxing.  1 Hr of INTENSIVE cardiovascular kickboxing n' shit.

Fri. Night- Contra Dancing.  3 HRS of INTENSIVE 20 MINUTE dances with NONSTOP action.


Oh boy!  Yes, so hopefully I will be losing some weight on Weight Watchers by this coming Monday.  We shall see!!!


Tonight in 308 Velvet, Ryan, Ashley and I watched Zombieland, and Serendipity.  (Awesome combo?  I thought so, too.)  Unfortunately Jess has gone home for the weekend so she missed out on those opportunities, but it's ok.  :)

Generally speaking my life in 308 lately is AWESOME.  Free time this weekend and Monday (due to Columbus Day) to do homework, SLEEP, and maybe I'll even go to the gym tomorrow and work up a sweat.  Who knows?  Anything is possible, "...whaddaya say to taking chances?" (Thank you Celine Deon for your amazing musical talents.)

I will leave you with Celine Deon- Taking Chances (on YouTube).

Enjoy your evening!

Love as Always,
Megan

Mmmm Whatcha Sayyyyyy

Is kind of an awesome song.  Hahahhaa.  This is a bit like "Waterloo" in the sense that the only word/phrase I know is "Mmm Whatcha Say," and "Waterloo," respectively.

Tonight is the Beava' Feva' Dance @ CampChamp!  Whooooot!  Sooo excited to go dance and have some fun!

Ashely is working till 8 tonight, Velvet works till midnight so she will not be with us until a bit later this evening.

However, Jess, Ryan, and I are allllllll set to go.  We've been waiting for this since last week.  You can only imagine the excitement build up.  :D

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

Anywho, Glee and Eastwick will be caught up on by tomorrow evening at the ABSOLUTE latest. :)

G2g get ready 2 go n' shit!  Hope you all have a wonderful evening, and stay out of trouble.  Wednesday nights are the BEST nights for school dances!

Leave a comment and let me know how your life is going!!!

x.o.x.o.
Love,
Megan