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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Oct 05 2007 02:54 (UTC) |
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| Hi Lisa, Congratulations to you for finding what works & your two pounds! I'm happy for you that you are back on the wagon and motivated. I think once life settles a bit more for me I will be ready too. Good Luck! |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Oct 03 2007 15:37 (UTC) |
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| Mmmmmmmm.... Krispy Kreme... there really isn't anything better than a simple glazed right off the rollers! I want to apologize for my long absence from the thread. Life has had it's way with me for the past few months, health issues, my partner moving to Europe for a year (grad school), and my own grad school semester adventures starting three weeks ago have kept me off the site entirely as well as totally off the wagon. At this point, the wagon is so far down the road I can't even see it anymore... I've been eating like crazy, making poor food choices, eating emotionally and I haven't moved my body outside normal daily activities since Sept 1st. I got my butt on the scale this morning (1st time since early august) and I've gained 13.5 pounds back. Although it is most definitely not a move in the direction I wan't, it isn't as bad a move as I had anticipated. I honestly believe it's some sort of miracle that I haven't gained all 30 pounds back! Anyhoo. This morning's post is an attempt to catch up to the wagon and perhaps haul myself back onto it. I can feel the inner tides turning back to a healthier mood and my cravings have definitely lessened since Chris left and we have been able to establish a new way of communication and seeing eachother everyday... thank goodness for Skype! I now know that things will be ok and my emotional eating has curbed dramatically, which feels really good. It also felt really good to see that this thread hasn't completely died out. I'm so happy that it is useful on some level to you all! :o) I hope that I will be able to commit to making this thread, and this site, a source of support again for myself very soon. It is certainly good to see your names, twindaze, Katie & Lisa! Welcome to the new Amazon's and as szenger said, good luck to all of us! Peace and Fall colors, Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Aug 11 2007 23:48 (UTC) |
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| Good for you for realizing that health is more important than an arbitrary pant size, Holly! And good for you for being so close to your goal. Congratulations! |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jul 30 2007 14:09 (UTC) |
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| Is it just me or is it COMPLETELY impossible to stay on a diet anywhere near your birthday??? I'm sure I've gained weight, but am nervous about getting on the scale... I know that denial doesn't do me a damned bit of good, but for now it's keeping the uber-reality at bay... probably a piece of what's helping me to continue eating poorly... *sigh* I hope everyone is staying cool in this bloody heat! I tell you, the fabulous cooling effects of soy ice cream aren't helping my waistline one bit either... I'll have to start sucking on ice cubes or frozen grapes... Peace & lower humidity to all! -Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jul 23 2007 12:17 (UTC) |
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| thank you for the birthday wishes Lauren! I had a wonderful birthday that extended for a week before and almost a week after the actual day... I call this my birthday month :o) It's given me more time to adjust to the number... Happy day to you! |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jul 11 2007 16:52 (UTC) |
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| Good Luck! :o) | |||
| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jul 09 2007 14:11 (UTC) |
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| Lauren, you are so funny! :o) You are right, I will take this chance to get it out, right now! For the next 10 days I am 29!!! Two-nine... the last possible age that will start with a 2... For some reason it's not bothering me that 30 is so close, what sticks in my craw is the patch of gray hair that is slowly gathering at my right temple. Some days I embrace it, on other days my vanity takes over and the tweezers come out... it seems like 30 is too young to have a patch of gray hair. Anyhoo! Lauren, you've probably heard this before... probably from me... but the very fact that you continue to haul yourself up in the face of consistant lack of weight loss. This journey is so difficult even when we are rewarded with teeny bits of weight loss, you are so strong to keep going with the journey. Keep it up, Amazon. You are fabulous! -Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jul 02 2007 16:32 (UTC) |
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| Happy Birthday to you too, Jenny!!!! I'll be sure to think of you on the 7th and send some "Happy Birthday" energy your way. :o) You have lost 88 pounds!!!!!??? Holy moly, you must be so proud of yourself! What a wonderful & effective "reality check" for times when the day-to-day struggles to lose the 1-2 pounds a week gets you down. You are amazing! I am inching toward 30 pounds lost... I'm working to get the last pound off -and gone for good- by the 19th. It would be a great present to myself to meet that goal of 30 pounds for my 30th birthday. I hope this day finds you happy and feeling fantastic! Warm Regards, Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jul 01 2007 14:02 (UTC) |
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| Happy July Amazons :o) This is my birth month & I find it very exciting that July is here! I'll be 30 on the 19th and while I was expecting to take issue with the big 3-0 I'm finding that it isn't as scary as I thought it might be. The weirdest part is that I don't feel old enough to be 30... Lauren and Twindaze, it is SO helpful to know that I am not the only one struggling with the dreaded plateau & bad days... no matter how much you feel that there are others out there sharing these issues, it helps me a great deal to see it in writing and know for sure I am not alone in this. Somehow it makes me feel like less of a disappointment to myself, that I can allow room for human behavior and give myself a break from the uber expectations I place on myself. So, thank you very much for sharing! I hope this Sunday finds you all relaxing and having a wonderful weekend. Peace & fat-free/calorie-free/guilt-free birthday cake to all! Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 24 2007 13:28 (UTC) |
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| Good Morning Amazons... just checking in. Food and cravings are still a big struggle, there has been no weight gained (thank you Gym!!!) however I'm officially stuck at the same weight (since the beginning of May) and am saddened by the amount of time I've been in this struggle to regain control of my calorie intake. I have to keep the faith that control, and mindshift necessary to create it, will come...just like the motivation to begin losing weight... it will come and the number on the blasted scale will start rolling downhill again. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Peace, Avesha ps- is anyone else disgusted by the fact that this web-site is suddenly plastered with Hoodia Diet Patch advertisements!?!?! It's a revolting shame. |
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| Vegetarian | Vegan/Raw Diets .... eager to learn! | Jun 21 2007 11:28 (UTC) |
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| In other words -- I'm sorry to be a word lawyer, but it's for your own good, dammit! :D No offense or irritation taken to your word lawyering, Venix. I appreciate the way you approached the wording I used in a soft fashion rather than the usual to which you referenced. I am generally remiss to post on these sorts of topics, as well, due to the amount of "angry vegans/vegetarians/environmentalists/etc." that seem waiting to attack at any moment and ready to morph your words into things they were never intended. So, thank you for calling me on an over-zealous word choice and offering suggestion in a thoughtful way. Regards, Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 20 2007 17:14 (UTC) |
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| Lauren! Hi! :o) It's good to know you are still with us in this journey and have found a renewal in spirit. Keep posting Amazon, I've missed your great energy & insightful posts. -Avesha | |||
| Vegetarian | Vegan/Raw Diets .... eager to learn! | Jun 19 2007 16:50 (UTC) |
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| Perhaps a FACTOR, but not totally to BLAME. There are other
factors at work, e.g. higher environmental estrogens from plastics and
soy. Venix, you are right to use the word "factor" rather than "blame", perhaps we could throw in "significant" and call it even? The plastics issue you bring up is one I find particularly horrifying. Most of the industrialized western world has come to recognize the harm certain plastics have on the endocrine system and hormonal development and have taken steps to protect its citizens from them... guess who hasn't!? That's right, the good 'ol U.S. of A. and I am generally revolted by the power that profit has over this country. It makes one wonder when the health and well-being of our adults and children will be put before the almighty dollar. There is a glimmer hope here in Maine however. A bill before the State Legislature this session is working to ban "the manufacture, selling, or distribution of childcare products intended for use by children 3yrs or younger that contain phthalates or bisphenol-A" (verbage taken from the bill itself). If the bill isn't killed, perhaps there will be a day when baby bottles, teething rings, sippy cups, water bottles, food containers and most plastic toys won't poison us. Thank goodness for the SIGG company who has taken the initiative to make safe water and baby bottles as an alternative to what is currently offered up on the shelves. |
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| Vegetarian | Vegan/Raw Diets .... eager to learn! | Jun 18 2007 03:28 (UTC) |
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| Yogurt, in theory is not a bad thing. Its cultures are amazing for the digestive tract and the calcium -as has been mentioned here earlier- is of great benefit.
However, yogurt made from dairy is -in the view of some- not the best choice due to the opinion that human systems are not built to digest dairy products properly. There is a loud argument stating that cow's milk should be left to the young cows it is created for and humans, as a species, need to wean off of it. In the most basic sense, the point is easy to see when one looks at the incredible amount of lactose intolerance in the human population and the many subtle -and not so subtle- ways it presents itself. Another thing to consider when you are looking at continuing dairy consumption through the "nutrition goggles" rather than the "animal rights goggles" is the fact that those growth hormones and antibiotics the cows are being injected with transfer to what you are eating or drinking... as do trace or small amounts of the infection the antibiotics are being used to treat. Imagine what that does to your body... TIME Magazine did an amazing article a few years back about the growing trend of puberty beginning at younger and younger ages and how growth hormones in meat and dairy are to blame. It's an interesting thing to think about... do we really know what the effects are of the build up of these hormones, antibiotics, etc. in our bodies? What are they doing to your endocrine & immune systems? What are the lasting effects? Indeed, most studies done on cancer and its relation to food intake find that certain cancers are not caused directly by the foods but by the effects of the foods on your body. In theory, the systems & bodily functions that work to clean your body & keep it regulated become overloaded while trying to flush out these toxins and therefore are -in a sense- too busy to see the abnormal cell divisions, reactions, patterns, etc. that begin the cancer. In theory, any milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. that you can get from a small, local farm (perhaps a co-op or your nearest Whole Foods may be stocked with local products) will not have these things in them because the overcrowding, malnurishment & poor living quarter issues that bring about infection and disease in factory farms aren't an issue in the smaller ones. If you are set on consuming dairy products, that would be a way to do it in a "healthy for all" manner. My personal jury is still out on a great deal of all of this, but the logic is easy to recognize. I eat a vegan diet and find that much of the health issues I dealt with while eating meat and dairy have vanished, which was a great and unexpected surprise as I went vegan initially on a bet and meant only to stay with if for a month. After the first month ended (and I got the shoes I agreed to the bet for) my body had completely detoxed and I felt like a million dollars. A year and a half later I remain with the vegan diet and still feel wonderful. A few indispensable resources on the vegan diet/lifestyle are www.vegweb.com for recipes and "The Vegan Sourcebook" for information. Another, more radical, source for plant-based diet information is a short book & DVD named "The RAVE Diet"... a very interesting read. |
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| Vegetarian | Vegan Mutlivitamins? | Jun 16 2007 21:33 (UTC) |
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| "Rainbow Light" is completely vegan and easy on an empty stomach. "New Chapter Organics" is an amazing vegetarian vitamin, however their Vitamin D is questionable so -depending on how strict you are- it is possibly not vegan. These are, BY FAR, the very best vegetarian/vegan vitamins on the market and well worth the cost. |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 15 2007 14:15 (UTC) |
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| I tried that, Twindaze, and quickly realized that when I am in a "food obsessed" mindset a small cone doesn't fix it. It doesn't go away with one small cone, or one sliver of cake, or whatever it is that I'm fixated on. It continues on regardless of whether I eat what I want or not...
I don't know that there is a "cure all" for this kind of thing, I think it's more obsessive-compulsive than anything... I just wish that I would want a pint of strawberries or a bunch of carrots rather than the crap. A bright point, however, is that I have continued to stay within normal calorie limits and haven't binged. I am finding a lot of strength in that today. |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 15 2007 02:21 (UTC) |
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| Amazons, I need to vent.
I recently (tuesday) got my montlies and for a day or two beforehand and everyday since I have been in a constant battle with my cravings and my rationale. At least -AT LEAST- five times a day I am almost overtaken with the urge to get a soft-serve cone with rainbow sprinkles or a mini carrot cake from my local bakery. And at least as many times in a day my logical, rational brain starts arguing with my irrational food obsessed brain in what seems like this epic battle of wills that always results in my scolding myself (out loud) for seeming to forget that not only do I eat a vegan diet and will suffer greatly with the effects of the dairy on my gullet, but also -and most importantly- how hard I've been working and how far I've come. What is most frustrating is that this food obsession and lack of will power is exactly what has kept me fat for so long. On more occasions than I'd like to admit, I have made "emergency trip" to the grocery store for mini cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc. and have eaten it all in one sitting. Sometimes, when I tried to just "get through the night, the craving will pass" I'd end up making the emergency trip two days later because I couldn't let go of the way I knew these things would taste and feel in my mouth. It's a very powerful thing, this food obsession, and I know for a fact its the reason I binge. By some kind of miracle or divine intervention I have not given into the "medium-twist-on-a-cone-with-rainbow-sprinkle s" craving -which I have had since Monday- nor have I bought the carrot cake I know is waiting for me at the bakery down the street. I have been trying to satisfy the cravings with whole pints of Strawberries (amazingly, only 120 calories!) and protein filled Kashi cereals... however, as you can tell by this rant, I haven't yet been successful in relieving myself of the REAL cravings and am feeling defeated and very alone in this battle. |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 15 2007 02:05 (UTC) |
43 |
| Welcome to the thread Nalo! As for your plateau, it does seem like you are early on in the game to be evening out already. Your calories aren't too restrictive and your exercise seems steady so I'm not sure why you would be stuck at 234 right now. That must be really frustrating for you. 30-40 minutes of cardio and 20-30 minutes of weight training 4-6 days a week with a calorie range of 1,200-1,500 a day is what "they say" is ideal for continued, healthy fat loss. The only thing I see from your movement & calorie description is that perhaps your 20 minute workouts aren't getting your body at peak for long enough which will effect your metabolism and rate you burn fat. You said "at least 20 minutes" does that mean you usually get to 30 minutes every time you do your cardio? This, of course, is a VERY non-official opinion/thought process. Maybe the best thing to do would be to grab a trainer at your gym and ask the question to her/him. They would have a better foundation of knowledge to give advice from. Keep us posted on how you are doing :o) -Avesha | |||
| Vegetarian | Vegetarian/Organic/Vegan Stores in NYC area? | Jun 14 2007 22:22 (UTC) |
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| You should visit the "Super Vegan" website. The author lives in NYC and has a directory of vegetarian and vegan stores, restaurants, etc. www.supervegan.com |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 11 2007 20:52 (UTC) |
45 |
| Jenny, It's interesting you brought up the butter. I just recently saw a thread here on CC where people were translating their weight loss into bags of potatoes & taking pictures! What an incredible visual tool! I think I'd rather choose apples, at least after I'd seen how much weight I'd lost I could eat them all and not feel too badly or gain the weight back. Keep up the good work, Jenny. I am rooting for you. Woot! Woot! :o) -Avesha |
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| Vegetarian | Considering a vegetarian/vegan diet, need suggestions | Jun 10 2007 18:11 (UTC) |
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| oshellybean,
I highly recommend the book "The Vegan Sourcebook" as a resource for those interested in learning more about the vegan diet & lifestyle, it's amazingly thorough. Also, www.vegweb.com is an comprehensive source for recipes and other vegetarians/vegans to bounce questions off of. I have found it very valuable. Lastly, I would encourage you to take amanda's advice and "master" the vegetarian or vegan diet before heading full-on into the raw diet. I would hate to see your enthusiasm for a healthier diet/lifestyle be swamped by the complications and tremendous changes a raw diet brings with it. A slow transition into straight vegetarian, then vegan, then raw diets (if you are seriously interested in trying the raw diet out) will ensure that you will have much better success and health throughout your journey. Good luck! :o) |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 09 2007 11:29 (UTC) |
49 |
| Good Morning Amarnatt,
I'm sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time right now, if there is anything I/we can do to help you sort through any of it please don't hesitate to post. It's a wonderful thing that you are still exercising! Keep it up, if nothing else it may help you retain a sense of some sort of control and help keep away the effects of those amazing sounding Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies... to my super menstral, chocolate obsessed mind they sound like heaven! :o) A happy weekend to you Amarnatt, I hope things get better for you soon. Kind Regards, Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 08 2007 14:27 (UTC) |
52 |
| Jenny, You are so right about "slow & steady wins the race" being linked with weight loss... I have to say it is one of the most frustrating parts of this whole process for me. It can be really discouraging and it is so hard to keep the bigger picture in mind when one week of hard, physically & emotionally tiring work only equals one pound lost.. maybe two if we're lucky. One thing my wise Mother -who also struggles with food and health- continues to remind me of is: "If it were coming off quickly there is very little chance you'd keep it off. You are working on a lifestyle of health and it isn't supposed to happen overnight if you are doing it right." It's nothing we don't know already, but it's so easy to forget. I think of her words often and have them on my refrigerator to see every day... it helps to put things in perspective on days when my goal seems so very far away. Maybe they can help you too Jenny. Warm Regards, Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 07 2007 14:56 (UTC) |
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| Good Morning Beautiful Amazons! I haven't posted in a while becuase I haven't really had much to say. Things are the same, difficult but really good. Twindaze, I think the most important part of your post is the fact that you said "I'm going to keep trying", that is the hardest part of committing to being healthier and you are facing it head on. I hope you can see how wonderful that is and find some comfort in it. Some very recent good news... I finally got my bike tuned-up and have been riding it since Monday. I'd forgotten how peaceful and wonderful it is to ride my bike...plus, I got the extra wide seat when I ordered it which adds another layer of wonderment ;o) I hope everyone is having a great day, it's sunny and the birds are chirping up a storm outside of my kitchen... as corny as it sounds, today is an excellent day to be alive and have all my normal funtions in tact. I feel very lucky today. Warm Regards, Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | Jun 01 2007 14:32 (UTC) |
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| Happy June Amazons! :o) I hope this month brings motivation, success and even better health to all of us. Peace & Lilacs, Avesha |
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| Vegetarian | cook book | May 28 2007 03:31 (UTC) |
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| Oh, you are so right on, lysistrata!
Every vegetarian or vegan kitchen needs Madhur Jaffrey's "World Vegetarian"... it is simply amazing, easy to follow, not too complicated, and easily vegetarian/veganized. Just amazing!
"Vegan Family Cookbook"... wonderful with easy recipes and a lot of "homestyle" cooking. "The Enchanted Broccoli Forest"... a fabulous vegetarian cookbook that is very easy to veganize if you are looking for dairy & meat free recipes. Anything by Joanne Stepaniak is amazing as well. I especially recommend "Vegan Deli". |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | May 23 2007 14:30 (UTC) |
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| Twindaze, I can totally relate to your current calorie intake woes. I recently went through almost a month of simply NOT being able to eat leass than 1,800 calories a day. I think I even posted here about how frustrating it was. I'm not sure what to say that will help you get out of this funk because there was really nothing external that could help me. It seemed that the only thing that worked for me was time and an internal switch that -very recently- went off. I've been able to stick to appropriate calorie limits for a few days now and seem to be back on track...for now. Please don't beat yourself up too badly, it's a normal part of this process to go up and down, back and forth, etc. The most important part is that you are still posting, counting and moving. I hope today is a bright one for you. -Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | May 23 2007 02:08 (UTC) |
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| Hi Mallard!
Welcome -with open arms- to this thread. We Amazons are a great bunch and I am happy to know your Punk is now part of the group :o) I hope you don't lose too much of it in your quest for "age appropriate style". Punk at 46 is fabulous! |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | May 21 2007 19:18 (UTC) |
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| Hello Amazons... it's been a couple of days... I've been down for the count with an intestinal bug that had me absolutely miserable and unfit for human interaction for three days. The horror show has ended and I am getting back to normal. Amar, how was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting??? Lauren, I have to say that it was really great to see your name on the thread again. You've been missed. Katy, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I understand the feeling of not wanting to trust the number until you've seen it for a few days. I told myself that even I went back up to 200 or 201 there would be comfort in knowing I was so close. How are you? Judi, welcome to the thread! :o) Peace and a healthy bowel to all... -Avesha |
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| Motivation | Beautiful Amazon's over 200 | May 16 2007 14:06 (UTC) |
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| It is impossible to imagine him leaving... I plan on throwing myself into my studies to make the time fly by. In a small way it may be a good thing that we'll be apart for his masters. We often joke about how when we are together it's really the only thing we do well :o) We have found it challenging to choose going to the library or closing the door to our study rooms in order to get homework done when we both would MUCH rather hang out with each other. I LOVE that about our relationship, but it does make getting homework done in a timely manner more challenging than it should be. I also find it impossible to imagine graduating without any debt! You must be absolutely thrilled about that, congratulations! Boston is a wonderful city, too, things are lining up really well for you. :o) I will be graduating with a Masters in Social Work (and about $130,000 in debt) in 2009. The program is such a good fit and there are so many loan payment programs if you are willing to work deep in the trenches (the work I love most) so I'm not worried too much about getting the money paid back... every once in a while I panic... "it's an investment" has become my mantra to get through the cold sweats ;o) |
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