If you’re anything like us, today is gonna be kinda crazy. Christine will be baking till she drops, Greta and the cats will continue terrorizing our Christmas tree and I will do my best to stamp and address the mountain of unsent Christmas cards on our kitchen table. I know, I know…kinda late in coming, but they will get to you before New Years, so, I say that still totally counts!

But while our cards will be late, our warm wishes for y’all are anything but. So, in the spirit of the season, please enjoy these pics of Greta’s first visit with Santa Claus. As you can see, they really hit it off…for like, ten seconds. Ah, well…there’s always next year. Happy holidays, amigos!

these past couple of days have been really great! between christmas shopping and eating  junk food; i’ve had such a good time. been watching friends too.. i’ve never really been a friends person but i’m really getting into it now.. especially when i’ve got time to waste and just need something to keep me awake. heh, i really have to start studying too! everyone’s telling us how important A levels are and how we should be studying real hard right now, and that just makes me realise that i have to step up my game.

also went to see the time traveler’s wife today and thought it was brilliant, even though it leaves you with that sad feeling in the end..

just a shot from the time traveler’s wife..

Have you ever been angry or sad and felt as if someone was throwing gasoline on your negative emotion?

Well, I certainly have.

Here’s an example of how it goes:

Someone says something and you think a thought.  The thought causes a negative emotion.  From that emotion, you think another crappy thought, and the emotion builds.  Then, another thought pops up, and the emotion gets even stronger.

This process can continue until you have a full blown nervous breakdown or you want to hurt someone really, really badly.  Neither response is ideal.

It’s like turning down a one-way street to Badville, the town of nasty emotions.  The longer you drive, the stronger the emotions become.  If you keep driving, you’ll end up downtown where the streets are confusing, the people are unfriendly and it’s difficult to find your way out.

So, when I’ve noticed that I have turned down the wrong one-way street, I attempt to get the hell out as soon as I notice where I’m heading.  I throw my mental car in reverse and drive to a safe place where I can examine what’s really going on, because if I allow myself to drive all the way to Badville, I know I’ll be there for a while, and it’s not a place that I want to be hanging out.

have had such a busy day today! was busy helping out in the making of a party.. which went quite well. am so tired right now! but at least i can wake up late tomorrow. i love holidays!

Bachelor of Arts (not all)

Julie Ann, Patricia Ann, Jayne Patricia, Laurie (nm), Alex James, Megan Skye Courtney, Chelsea May, Stephanie Frances, Amy Jane, Libby (nm), Mary Ann, Shane Daniel, Olivia Jade, Kaeun (nm), So Yun, Jessica Margaret, Merrin (nm), Alana Suzanne, Phebe Hope, Stuart William, Catherine Margaret, Sian Briana, Samuel Edward, Nooriye (nm), Siusega Vincent, Matalena (nm), Rosemary Joy Gawn, Leah Diane, Julia Rose, Aleisha Louise, Leuma (nm), Jasmine Mary, Ann Elizabeth, Lucy Patricia, Karma Sian, Elizabeth Helen, Bridie Jean, Sophie Joy, Kurt Paul, Michaela Colleen, Sharon Elizabeth, Natasha Moana-Marie, Ennety Mharakurwa, Steven Charles Franklyn, Melissa Anne, Shelley (nm), Dorothy-Jane, Lucinda Elizabeth, Holly Margaret, Fergus Lachlan Stewart, Shiona Margaret, Victoria Nyasha, Chloe-Rose Caramela, Melody Louise, Ella Simone, Brittany Christine, Ashley Miranda, Caroline Sarah, Lucy Charlotte, April Dawn.

Master of arts first class honors: Kim Forrester

Master of arts with distinction: Gina Eleanor Mary, Michael Ian, Kate Elizabeth, Brigid Mary, Anna Maria, Brenda Alison, Matthew William, Christian Elias.

Master of arts with merit: Ruth Amelia, Mason John.

Master of international law and politics with second class honors: Madhur (nm)

Bachelor of arts first class honors: Vanessa Maria, Samuel Jai, Lloyd William, Rachel Anne Stuart, Ilka (nm), Emily Violet Matilda, Laura Kate, Amy Rachel, Esma Anne, Kirsty Frances, Vicki Ann, Thomas Antony William, Elissa Anne, Jacqueline Leonie, Hadassa Christine, Brooke Nicholle, Genevieve Helen Clare, Yan Chen, Gabriel (nm), Kirsty Robyn, Cindy Lee.

Bachelor of art second class honors (1): Suzanne Louise, Jane Elizabeth, Rebecca Amie, Frances Ruth, Amanda Elizabeth, Lucy Susanne, Delwyn Marie, Andrew James Foster, Christina Laalaai.

Bachelor of arts second class honors (2): Shannon Narelle

i don’t usually post pictures of my friends here, but i know YOU read this blog, and i know you don’t mind me mentioning you.. here’s a tribute to all we had. and a recent good time !

i just woke up to the radio and ended up singing to gorillaz. think i’m going up to my school now, there’s supposed to be a christmas party at a bar near jc so there will be loads of people, and some of my friends are there so i’m going to go there to say hello. have nothing else to do this morning anyway! it isn’ t exactly how i’d originally planned my day.. but things happen.  you all have a good day!

i have no ideaa what to say in this post. there’s so much going on right now & it’s not a good idea to write posts when everything in your mind doesn’t add up. still hurt i suppose but all will be well soon enough! or at least, i hope so!

i’ve just started my christmas holidays and i can’t wait for the festivities, even though i’d better get myself sorted out by then because i know i won’t have fun if i don’t !! well i still knew i had to sacrifice these holidays, to prepare for important events later this year. it’s 3am here, and i’m still up writing this. better go to bed i say! x

“Christine”

500m Row

21 Box Jumps

12 Bodyweight Deadlifts

3 Rounds for Time

Added Strength

Clean and Jerk 5×5 @ 80% 1 RM

Snatch 3×3 @ 80% of 1 RM

Today’s Isabel Stare-a-thon  contains a certain dreamy and golden globe nominated Joseph*:

*many of the ladies & the gents agree on his pure dreaminess, especially Christine & Lauren

♫ Lauren

apparently, i had time to waste!

Last December, I attended three Christmas parties, baked goodies for neighbors, made gingerbread houses and drank hot chocolate at least four times a week.

I also lost about 6 pounds.

Five years ago, my itinerary looked very similar.  The only difference was that entered the New Year 5 pounds heavier.

So, what was different?

I approached the holidays differently.  My mother taught me that there is always a solution for a problem.  For many years, I remained focused on the problem:  lots of good food and my story around my inability to resist them.

Now I live in solution mode. This way of living requires that I pose a question that will lead to an answer.  My q uestion became:  “How can I enjoy my favorite holiday foods and maintain (or lose) weight?”

After years of searching for the solution, I have discovered my way of eating wonderful foods, maintaining my weight and truly enjoying the holiday season without all the guilt and drama that use to plague my experience.

Here are some of the solutions that have worked for me:

1- Eat When you are Hungry

I have studied naturally thin people for years, and what almost all of them have in common is that they eat when they are hungry.

Physical hunger is our body’s way of communicating with us.  It is a signal that your body needs to be refueled.

During this holiday season, notice when you are physically hungry.  Some of my clients describe physical hunger as a grumble in the tummy, lightheadedness, and/or physical weakness.  Don’t wait until you are famished, b ut do allow yourself the gift of feeling that light, hungry feeling.

If you eat when you are physically hungry and stop when satisfied (not stuffed), you will most likely lose weight and, more importantly, you will learn how to communicate with your body

(Note:  this type of body connection takes time, especially if you are overweight and have been disconnected for a long time. In my program, we work a lot with a hunger scale, which provides you with a visual guide to learning your body’s cues.)

2 – Use the 80% Rule

The Japanese have a saying called hara hachi bu, which means to eat until you are eighty percent full.

Many North Americans have the habit of eating way beyond eighty percent to the point of stretching out the stomachs and waistlines.

When you learn to use your body wisdom, not external cues, to feed yourself, you will learn what that light, energetic fe eling is for you.

3 – Drop the Guilt

I’ll never forget one of my French friends claiming that the reason Americans were overweight was because they don’t enjoy their food.  However, I believe she is on to something.

One of the best ways to lose weight during the holidays is to take pleasure in the food.  This may seem counterintuitive, but think about it.  When are you most likely to overeat?  When you’ve really enjoyed your meal or when you are carrying around the negative emotion of guilt for enjoying a piece of Aunt Betty’s pecan pie?

My clients report that most of their binges occur from feelings of guilt that says things like, “Well, you’ve blown it.  You might as well eat another piece.”

Why not drop this worthless emotion and enjoy your food?

4 – Plan Your Splurges

I believe that part of the reason I was able to lose weight during last year’s holiday season was because I planned my splurges.  Before baking all day, I planned to sit down with three of the cookies I had made and enjoy every bite.  This intention swayed me from eating half the batter before it could make it to the oven.

Think about your favorite holiday foods.  Is it eggnog?  Maybe you enjoy pumpkin pie.  Whatever it is, allow yourself the pleasure of enjoying it and plan it.

5 – Focus on Quality, not Quantity

The holiday season is filled with crappy food.

When you go unconscious and disconnect from your body, the tendency is to eat any and everything in sight, but this holiday season, I want you to focus on filling your body with nutritious, whole foods.

Snub processed foods and choose high quality meats, fruits and veggies, and even desserts.

When you eat flavorful and fresh foods versus the b land diet stuff, your tendency to overeat later decreases.

Ultimately, this leads to less calories and more pleasure. Voila!  C’est parfait!

6 – Be Mindful of Alcohol

The holidays are festive, which means alcohol for many people.  While I enjoy a glass of wine or Champagne, I also know that too much alcohol can cause people to disconnect from their bodies.  Disconnected people overeat.

If you enjoy alcohol, please be mindful of its effect on you.  You may want to consider alcohol as one of your splurges and plan on enjoying one drink.  My experience has been that more than one drink leads to overeating.

7 – Move Your Body

It’s cold outside.  Football games are on.  People are gathered around the fire.

The holidays encourage us to sit around and relax.  However, our bodies want to move, even if it is ten degrees Celsius outside .

Try to incorporate movement in your day.  Hit the gym.  Bundle up and take a walk.  Try a workout video at home.

Just move.

8 – Breathe

Breathing is my magic weight loss tool.

Yes, something as innate and instinctual as breathing can help you lose weight.

Before each meal, I take deep breaths.  Breathing techniques are another way of connecting with my body.  As I feel the air moving in and out of my lungs, I notice my physical sensations.  I am more aware of my body’s signals and needs.  Breathing also reminds me of my intentions.

Breathing also alerts me to slow down.  There is no need to rush through my meal.  I can enjoy it slowly, one bite at a time.

Breath work helps me focus on what is before me:  the wonderful food, my awesome family, my great health, and my countless blessings.

If yo u are in a situation where you are tempted to eat more than your body needs, practice breath work.  Simple take ten nice, slow breaths and notice what’s going on within your body.
–
It’s not only possible to lose weight during the holidays, it’s fun.  Honoring your body, connecting with yourself and enjoying foods are the best way to drop the pounds permanently.

I was singing “let it snow, let it snow, let is snooow!”

Until I was in it. Yes, submerged in the snow in Moberly, Missouri for a live shot. Just how cold was it, you might ask? Well… cold enough to freeze the live truck. So cold, in fact, the live truck is still sitting in Moberly because we could not get the mast down. Here’s how it went down:

1. Missed call around 12:30 a.m.

2. Answered call at 2:38 a.m.

3. Was informed I was going to do a live shot in Moberly.

4. Got up, got dressed, got ready…

5. Drove to Moberly.

6. Proceeded to freeze.

7. Set up live shot equipment with the truck operator, Josh.

8. Couldn’t feel my fingers.

9. Did a live shot around 5 a.m.

10. Lips went numb so I couldn’t say my last name correctly on the air.

11. Lost feeling in my toes.

12. Got reprimanded by salt truck men because we parked in an inconvenient spot for them.

13. Cleaned up all live truck equipment.

14. Re-set up live truck equipment. We realized the live truck mast wouldn’t go back down so we couldn’t move like the MoDOT men asked.

15. Lost the feeling in my face.

16. Tried unsuccessfully two more times to do a live shot, but the frigid temperatures prevented us from having a good audio connection with the station.

17. Died.

18. Was revived.

19. Received class credit.

Sweet.

To watch the chaos, click here. I am the second half – the one about to be blown away.

Have a frosty day – drive carefully!

-go to school
-find out info about cameras
-find which camera to buy
-go out
-study for test
-return plate + several other items

doubt that i’ll even get half of that list done. but oh well! i’ll try to give it a shot!

”Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67)

Afflictions come in many shapes and sizes. The prodigal son’s pain brought him home to his father with humility. Paul’s thorn in the flesh fostered humility and dependence on God. Prodigal affliction brings God’s children home; sanctified affliction deepens the faith of the saints.

“Astray” is a tragic condition that leads to a desperate place but every one who embarks on its road does not see the danger. Internally, there are two routes I can travel today as I make choices on how to live. I stand at the fork in the road and see two options.

* A six lane superhighway beckons me in one direction. Most everyone is traveling on it at high speeds. They’re laughing, having the time of their lives, and the road signs are beguiling and eye catching. It seems right to go this way. But God’s words play in my ear and warn me that when I travel farther down that road, it is full of traps and dead ends. My company will be comprised of a people numbed out to God’s voice. My circumstances will be a set of scenarios where I am hemmed in on all sides, oftentimes feeling desperate for a way of escape.

* A path through the woods is my other option. There is a straggler or two who has walked the path in front of me and bent down the grass so I can discern their trail. I carry a machete to carve out the way, like going through unchartered woods. Limbs must be moved aside for me to pass. Vines must be cut in order to proceed. It is much harder work to travel this road.

At times, I second guess myself as I remember how most of my friends are traveling the superhighway. But the longer I progress on this narrow path, the solitary way begins to pay off. I hear God telling me where to go next. I can think clearly. When I review how far I’ve come, I feel stronger and confident. With prayerful consideration of each obstacle, I know I’m learning wisdom. The narrow way is slowly transforming me into a spiritual athlete.

It is important for me, if I’m in painful circumstances today, to ask God why I’m there. My first impulse is to try to escape discomfort. But if my ‘thorn in the flesh’ is sanctified affliction, the suffering is meant to acquaint me with Jesus and the journey to Calvary.

Because others watch me live in my affliction, they are getting a first-hand snapshot of how Jesus responded on his way to the cross. If, however, my painful circumstances is the result of having traveled the superhighway of the prodigal, then I run back home. My pain will bring me back to my Father – ever waiting on the horizon.

Pain is never wasted if I place it in your hands. What a redemptive Savior you are! Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christine is a recording artist; author, speaker, and host of the nationally syndicated radio program Daughters of Promise, heard on nearly 700 hundred stations. Subscribe to Christine’s blog and read other articles, stories, and commentaries at http://christinewyrtzen.wordpress.com

Thanks for getting us from 22nd place to 9th place in ONE DAY! To sum up our crazy experience so far, the contest opened in early November, and we didn’t hear about it until someone had tweeted it one day in late November. We jumped on it RIGHT away on November 23rd, got together to analyze our competition (only 14 videos at the time!), wrote our script out, filmed for 3 week nights after work, and with 30 hours of video editing using File Maker Pro, After Effects, iMovie, few late nights setting up our WordPress blog, here we are with ONE day to garner as many votes as we can with the highest ranking possible. We’ve seen some incredible support from a number of our friends, fans, and family already and are so so forever grateful. You guys are the best.

We only have 1 hour left until the contest ends tonight and hope that you will all continue to spread our dream amongst your own networks and help us get to Vancouver in 2010 to cover everything that the Olympics has to offer!

Regardless of what happens at the stroke of midnight tonight, we can honestly say that we’ve had a blast working together on this project and this is only going to lead to further opportunities. Major thank you to Samsung & MSN & Vancouver 2010 Olympics for hosting this competition and giving 10 lucky Canadians the chance of a lifetime!

May the best explorer win!!

<3 Dom & Tine