"If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell"

First things first- I'm obsessed with Sylvia Plath (hence her quote as the title of this post!).  

Ok now that I've gotten that out of the way- let's segway to the two mutually exclusive things that I want right now:

 I want to eat whatever I want, and I want to be skinny.  

Why is that so hard to have both?  

I have lost about 25 pounds (used to be 30...whoops), and now I just need to lose 15 more pounds to get to my goal weight.  

Ugh- but cookies. 

Ok- let's not think about that.

Cheese?

No.

I digress.

Voodoo Donuts- Downtown Portland.  I forget what kind this was.  Something with peanut butter.

 I feel like I am so close and I have already come so far!

Well, to be honest I hardly tried at all to lose those first pounds.

I'm a jerk, right? sorrynotsorry

Who wants to buckle down with me?

There are so many ideas out there (thanks, Pinterest!) to get started with.

I'm thinking a combo of kickboxing, running (gross), and yoga with clean-er, portion controlled eating.  Sound like a plan?

Who wants to join me?

Summer is coming so soon (thanks Pacific Northwest weather for the forecasted rain for the rest of the week!).  Just keep thinking, Shorts, dresses, bikinis, sunshine, river floats, boating, sunshine. Did I say sunshine yet? Sunshine!

One year.

It's amazing what can happen in a year.

 Exactly one year ago today, I packed up my little 10 year old Ford Focus, and moved to Vancouver, WA from Los Angeles, CA.

 I thought the job offer I got would be my foot in the door to the publishing industry. 

I got a part time job at a little cafe on Mississippi Avenue in Portland, OR to supplement my income while putting in time as the underling until I would eventually move up. 

Well, that cafe job was the worst, and I had to quit. 

Which meant that I had to find a new job in order to keep living up here. 

And, I did. Less than a month later. 

I had to quit the publishing house, and start a job in a new field that is always changing.

I moved out of my terrible living situation (gotta love craigslist roommates, right?) and into an absolutely lovely studio apartment in Portland. 

I am able to walk to work every single day- and I love it. 

Did I mention that I've lost nearly 30 pounds in this past year? yikes!
I'll have to post a transformation photo or something!

Only 10 more to go!

 I just signed a years lease at this little apartment o' mine- so what are my goals for this next year? 

Well, definitely lose those last 10 pounds! 

Become secure in work. 

Cultivate the friendships that I have made up here so far. 

Find new friends to hang with! 

Explore the city and surrounding areas more! 

write and write and write 

Check out this article I wrote a couple months ago.
 

Yes- I do think that this year is going to be great. 

...and taking more photos. 

Yes, more photos are needed!

I can't tell you how happy I am that Summer is almost here!  Listen to this- it makes me happy.

 P.S. My dad says a surprise is coming for me in the mail tomorrow! I wonder what it will be!