I’ve had three doctors’ appointments this week–one on Monday and two on Tuesday.  The first appointment was to have my bones scanned.  My gastroenterologist was worried about the density of my bones since I have a vitamin D deficiency.  According to the scan, my bones are still healthy so I don’t have to worry about osteoporosis for the time being.

The first appointment on Tuesday was with my general doctor.  I wanted him to take a look at my knee.  He said I have bursitis, which is an inflammation of the bursa underneath my knee.  For the next couple of weeks, I’m not supposed to jump, run, or climb stairs (or as little as possible since I live in a two-story townhome), and I need to be careful when doing lunges or squats.  Luckily, my boot camp instructors are working with me and still giving me a good workout.

My general doctor also decided to test my vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron levels again since I’ve now been on supplements for a few months.  Yesterday, I got a call from the nurse.  My vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels are in the low normal range so I just need to keep taking my supplements and, hopefully, they’ll continue to increase.  My iron level, on the other hand, is still too low, which means I get to have iron infusions by IV once a week for the next four weeks.

The second appointment on Tuesday was with a sleep doctor.  I don’t sleep well at night.  It takes me forever to fall asleep and then I wake up umpteen million times during the night.  When I wake up, I don’t feel rested at all and I constantly feel like I’m going to fall asleep at work, which I’ve actually done.  He’s having me start a medication to see if it will help me sleep.  It’s not habit forming, which is good.  He’s also testing my oxygen levels to make sure I don’t have sleep apnia, or I should say a worse case than I already had because in 2005, I was borderline.

*****

I’ve been doing boot camp for five weeks now.  This is my sixth week.  So far, I’ve lost 12.8 pounds and three or four inches off of my waist.  I’ve also lost inches off of my thighs, hips, and neck, but I’m not sure how much.  They don’t track chest measurements for women.  I want to start tracking that measurement (at home) because I really want to know if I’m losing inches there.  It would be a glorious day if I am.

*****

I feel like Tuesday was a waste of a day off of work.  I took it off so I could read Mockingjay all day.  Guess what didn’t happen? I didn’t get to Mockingjay at all. I knew I was pushing it because I was only halfway through my reread of Catching Fire at midnight on Tuesday morning.  But, I figured I could get through the rest of the book mid-morning.  I was wrong.  With all the doctors’ appointments, boot camp, and car troubles on Tuesday, I didn’t finish my reread of Catching Fire until 9:00 pm.  I was so frustrated!  But, I’m glad I took the time to reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  I always forget how much I love a story until I’m rereading it.

At this point, Mockingjay is going on hold for a couple of days because I have the chance to read an ARC of Matched by Ally Condie.  My blog friend Natasha lent it to me at the book charity event last Saturday.  We’re going to a book blogger social this Saturday, which makes returning it to her easier since neither of us know where the other lives. I figure I’ll always have Mockingjay now that it’s mine, but if I don’t get Matched read by Saturday, I’ll have to wait until November 30 to read it.  Whatever you do, please don’t spoil Mockingjay for me, and I promise when I review Matched, I won’t spoil it for you!

*****

Yesterday, Corey started school for the first time in over 10 years.  He was really nervous, but I think he enjoyed his classes.  Of course, he’ll know for sure how he feels once he’s gone a few times.

I start school on Monday.  I’m excited, but I feel like it’s almost on me and I need more time to get ready!

The most frustrating thing for me when trying to lose weight is when I don’t lose weight and I gain it instead.  I’ve been eating completely healthy this last week and I worked my butt off in boot camp, yet, I still gained two pounds. I’m just trying to remember that it’s probably because of muscle gain, even still it’s disconcerting. I guess we’ll see if I lost any inches this week after our session today.  I really hope so because I have a hard time sticking with things when I don’t see results.

Updated: I did lose an inch off my waist and a half an inch off my neck.  I do feel a little better now.

*****

I’m getting all my paperwork done for my financial aid for this school year.  I’m a little behind because Corey and I had to file our taxes late due to everything that happened last year.  I always forget how much paperwork it takes to get financial aid to go through.  It’s so daunting!  Luckily, my FAFSA application says I should not only qualify for subsidized loans this year, but I should also qualify for a full pell grant!

*****

I’m getting really nervous about my Spanish class this semester.  Sure, I’ve known Spanish since I was six years old, but I don’t speak or listen to it every day.  I also haven’t really practiced in many years.  I try to speak it whenever I’m hanging out with my nephew-in-law Dave, but I just feel so rusty.  The last class I took was almost 10 years ago.  What if I’ve forgotten everything I need to pass this class?  Fortunately, I remember most of the grammar rules, but my vocabulary is not nearly as rich as it used to be.  I know it’ll come back to me, but I’m still nervous.

*****

Since I finished rereading Shiver and reading Linger, I’m back to reading Fellowship of the Ring again.  I hope I can finish it this week.  Otherwise, it’s going on the back burner again so I can reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire to get ready for Mockingjay‘s release on the 24th!

I’ve been doing this boot camp thing now for a little over two weeks.  I got weighed and measured today, but I wasn’t found wanting.  (What movie is that in reference to?)  I didn’t lose any inches off my waist this week, but I did lose another 5 pounds.  So far, I’ve lost 11 pounds total since starting boot camp!

*****

School starts in less than four weeks.  I’m getting excited and nervous.  I hope I can figure out a way to work working out into my hectic schedule.  I know I won’t be able to keep up with the five-times-a-week boot camp, but I’m going to try to go at least two or three times a week.  I don’t want to stop now that I’m in the habit of being more active.  Even though I feel like dying each day, I actually feel good.  Go figure.

This semester, I’m taking three classes again.  I’m taking Spanish to finally get my language credit out of the way.  (I love learning foreign languages, but I’ve been taking so many languages here and there that I’ve never completed the credit in one language.)  I’m also taking an intro to literature class since I never paid attention to literature in school.  I thought it might help me become better versed in the literature I need to know to do well in my major. Finally, I’m taking another religion class.  I don’t need to take anymore, but I wanted to take a class in between my Spanish and literature class so I signed up for one since there’s always space available.

*****

Thanks for all the feedback regarding whether I should split my book reviews on to a separate blog.  For now, I’ve decided to keep my blog in one piece.  I think with school starting in a month, I should keep things as simple as possible.  I might revisit the idea again in the future.

When I posted about the boot camp exercise program that Corey was participating in, I misspoke about one thing and I didn’t mention another.  The program is actually Monday through Friday instead of Saturday so it’s a five-times-a-week thing.  It’s also not just exercise; it’s diet too.  For the first month, you’re not allowed to eat bread, pasta, soda (any kind including diet), or dairy.  If you do, then you have to do 20 push-ups as “punishment” during your next session.

I have gone to six sessions now.  During the first three days, I didn’t know about the diet restrictions because Corey has been given permission to eat whole wheat bread and dairy because of health reasons and his already limited diet.  On Wednesday, I was punished for eating dairy the day before.  I haven’t had it since.  And, even though I crave string cheese (for the protein), I’ve been feeling a lot better.  I also haven’t had bread or pasta since then either and I feel great.  I feel like I’m eating the same thing over and over again, but I feel great.  The best thing is I can satiate my sugar cravings with fruit.  As long as I eat a tangerine or some apple slices, I no longer crave sugar.

These workouts are tough!  Last Tuesday, I had to climb up and down two flights of stairs 10 times while wearing the 20-lb. military vest.  I nearly died, but I did it!  After that, my instructor made me take the vest off and I haven’t worn it since because my lower back started to ache.  Once my muscles are strengthened, then I’ll be able to wear the vest again.

I’m dead tired and extremely sore after each workout and especially the next day.  But, I’ve been sleeping better.  I don’t wake up nearly as often as I use to so I feel more rested.  I still feel tired because I’m still out of shape and because of my low vitamin levels.  But, hopefully, as I get more in shape and eat healthier foods, I won’t be so tired anymore.

We take measurements each Monday and I’ve already lost one and half inches off my waist.  I’ve lost inches off most of the areas we measured, but my waist was the largest loss!  I’m very excited and I can’t wait to get in better shape and start feeling better.

PS–If you want to know more about this program, check out their website.  If you end up signing up, let them know I referred you.

I received the results from the biopsy taken during my colonoscopy.  It came back normal so I don’t have anything like colitis or colon cancer, which is good.  At this point, I guess I have IBS or SIBO.  I’m on some pretty strong–and nasty–antibiotics right now to see if that helps.  If it does, then I have SIBO.  If it doesn’t, it’s probably IBS.  I’m supposed to see my gastroenterologist again in a week or so.  I guess I should make an appointment.

I started eating no sugar on Tuesday.  I’ve only eaten one thing I shouldn’t in the past few days because my boss’s boss offered each of my team members a gourmet brownie.  She lives in and works from Phoenix and, every now and then, she comes to Utah to see everyone in person so I thought it would be a bad thing to turn the brownie down.  Anyway, it was really yummy, but it made me kind of sick.  I’m not sure if it’s the sugar or the gluten.

I’ve craved sugar a few times since Tuesday, but I’ve been able to manage it by eating some fruit, nectarines being my favorite quenchers.  It’s really kind of cool to see that I can eat fruit and satisfy my sweet tooth.

Since Monday, Corey has been going to a boot camp, of sorts.  Okay, it’s not really boot camp, but the instructors call it that because of their regimen.  For an hour, Corey works out with weights.  He’s not allowed to take a break and he has to jog from station to station.  The only break he’s allowed is heavy cardio.  He does this every day, except Sunday, for six to eight weeks.  And, during this first week, he has to wear a military jacket full of lead (20 pounds). He said he feels like he’s walking on air every time he takes it off.

Anyway, I get to start this torture on Monday! I’m excited and apprehensive at the same time.  I’ve really missed working out with my personal trainer.  I enjoyed working out, or at least how it made me feel when I wasn’t working out.  And, I liked the weight loss results I experienced.  I’m going to do this until Fall semester starts, which is six weeks from Monday.  Once that happens, because my time will be limited again, I’ll have to find some way to work exercise into my schedule without having to spend six hours per week doing it.

I’m back on track.  For the past two weeks, I’ve been eating healthy and watching my calories.  I already feel so much better and I’m down another 3 pounds!  I don’t know why I have such huge cravings for bad food because it just makes me feel sick after I eat them (e.g. french fries, other fried foods).  I do still fight sugar cravings almost daily.  But, as long as I eat sugar in moderation, then I still feel okay.

I still haven’t got back into exercising regularly. I need to because I feel better when I do and I sleep a lot better, which has a been a problem the past few weeks.   Since I haven’t put a lot of effort into exercising, I’m not sure how my Skecher Shape-ups are doing.  I have noticed that my walks seem more productive when I wear them.  By productive, I mean I can feel more of a burn when I walk.  I’ll try to be better at exercising in the name of research.

*****

I feel like I’m in a catch-22 situation every day when I go to school.  I really enjoy walking to class because it gives me some exercise, some alone and relaxation time, I get a chance to be outdoors for a bit, and I can listen to music or an audiobook while I walk.  But, I also like to have Corey drop me off because that means we get to spend a few extra minutes together.

*****

I finally have all my midterm scores back and I’m very pleased.  As I’ve already stated, I got a 95% on my Doctrine and Covenants midterm and 90% on my Japanese written midterm.  I found out that I got an 89% on my Japanese oral midterm, and after the curve was applied to both of my Japanese scores, my written score went up to 122% and my oral score went up to 108%. The score I was dreading the most was my English midterm, but I was pleasantly surprised with an A-.  However, ironically, I did worse on the written essay questions than I thought I did and I did better on expressing the main idea of the essays we had read in class.  Go figure.

*****

I still miss reading for pleasure.  I haven’t had much time lately to even crack open Elantris so I’m still only a third of the way through.  (I don’t think I’m going to hit my 35-book goal this year.)  It’s killing me not to know what’s going on in Elantris!  But, I’m being responsible and doing my homework instead.

Luckily, I have had some non-thinking type projects to do at work lately so I’ve been listening to audiobooks.  I finished Twilight a few weeks ago, New Moon a couple of weeks ago, and I’m listening to Eclipse right now.  I’ve decided that I really enjoy listening to audiobooks because I can still satisfy my cravings to “read” my favorite books without them pushing books I haven’t read and want to read farther down my to read list.  Also, the readers do such a good job at reading with emotion and animation that they bring the characters and story to life.  Audiobooks are so much better than movies made from books because you still have all the elements that make you love the book.

*****

I joined and added Google Friend Connect to my blog.  Join us or die … er … join if you want to know when I’ve made a post. It’s near the bottom of my sidebar, under my shelves.

*****

I’ve decided that I’m going to reply to comments via commenting rather than sending an e-mail to each individual person.  My friend Brodi replies to every comment made on her blog and I really like the way she does it.  It works out well.  Although, she is much funnier than I am.  Anyway, when you post a comment, don’t forget to click the “Subscribe to this post’s comments” link so you’re notified when I (or even someone else) replies.  (Click here for instructions if you need them.)  I’ll also post a reminder on my next few posts so you don’t forget until it becomes a habit.

A couple of my friends post random ramblings every now and then and I thought it would be fun to give it a try.

Because of my last post, some of you may be thinking that I’m not enjoying school.  That’s not it at all.  I absolutely love school.  I enjoy every minute of it, including the homework and tests.  I just hate trying to decide what I want to do with my life.  I’d rather go to school just to go to school.

*****

I feel like I’m not doing very well with any of my goals this year.  I just can’t seem to get my head in the game.  I keep giving myself permission to slack off (not in terms of school).  I really need to focus and get back into things because I felt so much better when I was following my goals.

*****

One of the things I miss the most with my crazy schedule is reading the things I want to read.  I’m doing plenty of reading and I find the essays my teacher assigns interesting.  I just miss reading for pleasure.  (I never thought I’d say that when I was younger.)

When time allows, I read a couple of chapters of Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.  I’m nearly through a third of the book.  I’m really enjoying it and I want to know what happens.  I wish I could read it more often. Oh well.

*****

Midterms are here and I get to take a midterm for all three of my classes on Monday so I’ll be studying my heart out this weekend.  I’m not worried about my Doctrine and Covenants midterm because it’s not cumulative.  It’s just the second test in the class.  I think I’ll do okay on my English midterm, but I’m a little worried about the essay questions.  I hate essay questions with a passion!  I’m most worried about my Japanese spoken midterm because I don’t feel like I’ve had enough time to devote to Japanese.  I’m sure I’ll do fine because I’ve been doing great in class.  It just freaks me out a little bit.

*****

I handed in my research paper for my English class yesterday.  I chose to write about the frustrations of being left-handed.  It was really fun to research this topic, although I could be biased since I’m left-handed.  Still, I look forward to seeing how I do on this paper.  I think I might actually pull off an A.