I see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!!

I haven't written in a couple weeks, as I've been busy with school, counselling, and pining away at my thesis, which I plan to defend in June. YAY!!!! I am *almost* finished the roughest draft of it - I have one more chapter to go, and then ALOT of cleaning up to do...but at least the most vigoring part is over with (well as far as writing a thesis goes!)

Dan and I are also in the middle of completing our marriage preparation course - something that couples are required to take, if they are to marry in a Catholic church. However, I would REALLY recommend that all couples take a marriage prep course - it's such an amazing experience and you really get to learn so much more about each other. I notice I find myself analyzing the other couples though and wondering what their processes are by watching their body language and how they interact with each other (sorry, the therapist coming outta me! but this is partly what drives me to become a psychologist!)

For example, one couple had only known each other and been together for TWO whole months, which is ...interesting to say the least...but hey, there are couples that make it work! They are really cute together though; but really, which couples aren't when it's the "honeymoon" phase of your relationship (i.e., first 3 months)? Then there's this other couple who met online and did the whole engagement process backwards...yes, backwards. They booked their church, wedding date and marriage prep courses, long before they got engaged. In fact, they got engaged three days prior to our first marriage prep course! And no, they don't live together. Now THAT is an interesting engagement story (it's not wrong, but honestly, I'm glad ours wasn't this way- seems to take the "romance" ingredient out)

Dan has also been busy these days. He's in the middle of trying to sell his condo, as our condo Terrace Court, located downtown Edmonton, a couple blocks away from where I counsel, is currently being built and will be ready by July. We're getting super excited about it! Since I park on the same street as our new soon-to-be condo, I get to see the progress every week. Dan's going to move in when it's finished, and I'm planning to move in the day after we're married!!!

Of course it's playoff hockey season - so Dan's been pretty happy lately! I finally got to watch Oilers vs. Detroit Game 3 yesterday, which...I might add...was QUITE stressful!!! Especially when Detroit scored 2 goals within a minute!!! Then there was the crazy incident where we thought Detroit scored, but turned out the puck went UNDER the side of the net! What a FLUKE! So happy we won!!! I could totally tell I'm a stress eater though- I totally wanted to eat peanut butter/ chocolate/ nuts (or something tasty and fatty) while watching the game just to calm my stress levels! I was a good girl thought...I didn't :o)

The weather has been amazing here this week, especially today. It's actually considered "spring break" this week (not that that really matters, since I go to school once a week) and besides, I'm still working on homework and counselling. I guess it's a good way to "catch up" on school work. Yeah..that's how I'll look at it! On Sunday, we are actually having our GRADUATION (actually it's considered a "RECOGNITION CEREMONY") since we aren't actually done school until June. I think it's quite ridiculous that we're having our grad so early. I also feel extremely insulted and disrespected. Basically, because our school is on the same campus as another school, in which the students ARE actually graduating (no more classes for them after April), they decided to throw in the 10 of us from Loma Linda University that ARE graduating this year. Like, are we not worthy of our own celebration!??!!? I guess this is usually how it works year after year, but I am really considering bitching about it. Oh well, my classmates and I will have our own REAL grad party in June, when we're actually done classes too!

And for some of those who are interested to know how my fitness level/goals are coming along...I've been pretty happy with the results. For the first 8 weeks, I "dieted" strictly and followed the fitness meal plan to a T. I lost a total of 13 lbs, and significantly leaned out, so that my abs are beginning to become more defined (which has been a long time goal/dream of mine). I'd like to lean out a bit more to get more a bit more defined, but I've adjusted my meal plan to be more "realistic" - for example, I include peanut butter, almond butter and nuts (there was absolutely no fat allowed in the hardcore fitness meal plan), and fruits (this wasn't recommended because of the high sugar content), and I've also included breads, well whole wheat tortilla wraps (breads also were restricted). So my results won't be as dramatic as before, and I am fluctuating b/t the same 5 lbs, but that's ok...as long as I feel good and look healthy, that's what matters most. In fact, I am quite pleased with my results that I finally got the guts to treat myself to this cute Lululemon sports bra in a bright blue color.

As for my work outs, I strength train six times a week, working one body part each day, and I do at least an hour of cardio- usually running on the treadmill or outside- and on Sundays, I do at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours of cardio. The reason I'm doing so much cardio is because Dan and I are training for the Canadian Death Race, which is exactly ONE week before our wedding (so we might be wheel-chairing it down the isle! hehe), and ONE day before my 25th birthday! I notice that my endurance has really improved this year, since last year. YAY! I have always enjoyed running, but I really think that this year, I'm enjoying it even more than ever. It's an extremely great stress reliever- and I think it allows me to keep grounded and focused mentally, emotionally and physically on other aspects of my life.

The one thing I do miss though, is karate. I had to sacrifice learning and teaching time in the dojo these few months, because of school and planning for the wedding. I cannot wait to train on the floor again-soon! Early in June, there is going to be a karate workshop- I'm definitely looking forward to that! :oD Ugh, I hope my skills aren't ultra super rusty!