Is this thing on?

It's been a while.

A few things have changed...

1. I graduated & was accepted into a dietetic internship

my nutrition besties

2. I got engaged to the most amazing guy! He came out of nowhere but at just the right time. I cannot wait to start our life together next May.

3. I moved back to my hometown (see reasons 1&2) and moved in with my roomie for life, my twin! 

I am hoping to document my year as a dietetic intern while planning our wedding, eating healthy and having fun. 

ciao, baby!

I am soooo excited for March 2015!

I will be going on a trip to Italy (Florence, Milan & Rome!) with the Nutrition program at my school for a food tasting trip;)

It will be my first time leaving the good old US of A and I can't wait!

Think that I will meet an Italian popstar like in the Lizzie Mcguire movie?!

dear anatomy professor...

Dear Anatomy professor-
Remember yesterday when made an announcement to the class that "Kristen seriously needs to improve her test taking skills!"?! It was kind of rude. I am embarrassed to say that I cried on the way home. It isn't a pretty quality, lady.While I was polite and just muttered "thanks" to you, here's something that you should know.
This is undoubtedly the hardest summer of my life. My two sisters just moved across the country and my parents are in the process of doing the same.They are selling the house that I grew up in. The kitchen where I learned how to cook. The bedroom that I cried myself to sleep when my heart was broken. The driveway that I learned how to drive in.
All of these changes have caused my health to go haywire. I'm dealing with it. Your comment yesterday was a trigger for me. Another reminder that I am not the best at everything (or anything!) and it hurt me. Before you criticize someone in public, know their story. You have no idea what is going on in someone's life.
I have not missed a single class, assignment or even left a second early. I have not given up when it would be the easy thing to do considering your teaching is less than stellar. And I am not planning on it.
So here's a hint-if you have a comment for a student, say it in private. Don't embarrass them to make yourself seem funny.
:)

baby, i'm back

Ahhhh!!!! How has it been 2 months since I have been here?!

Things have been a little crazy in  my life lately-family is moving across the country and I am taking a killer summer course that is kicking my butt. 

I really want to get back into the habit of blogging, because it is fun!

It will also hold me accountable to do some cooking instead of letting my mom have all the fun ;)

caramel chocolate turtle cookies

Be back soon!

being real

Almost two months since I have been here?! Craziness. I feel the need to recap and write about why I wasn't posting (not that anyone cares, but for my journey).

Honestly, this semester has been incredibly hard on me.

Between school work, a new part-time job, family moving, etc., I saw my old unhealthy habits come back with a vengeance. 

There were times that I thought about coming here and writing about it-being real, but it is scary. I am a nutrition major because I LOVE FOOD! and admitting that sometimes I let my anxiety get the best of me is hard. 

This week has been good for my soul. The sun is finally out and shining, and I think that winter really is over-finally! I am motivated to be healthy and happy and not to dwell on the times that I mess up. This winter was looooong and cold. 

Yesterday, my friend Kayla and I went on a long run. She is running a half with me at the end of the month and it will be her first one. We started talking about things that we have been struggling with and it was such a blessing to me. I never knew that we shared some of the same issues, and I don't feel so alone about it.

How fitting that it is April 1, not meaning April Fool's Day, but the first day of a new month.

I am committing April to be a month of HEALTH & HAPPINESS! 

Anyone want to join?!

baker's guilt

Every single stinkin' time I go home for the weekend, I feel it.

It's baker's guilt and I've got it bad.

Every time I sit down to relax at my parent's house I hear "get off your lazy butt and bake"

You see, who has time to bake at college when there is organic chemistry to be studied?! If I would have known how much I would HATE o-chem I might have changed my major;) 

I have gotten into a habit of only baking this one healthy cookie recipe at school and then baking more when I visit home.  It works but I miss it.

And so I will return to school tomorrow with my nose in my chemistry book, dreaming of the days of homemade brownies.

Every so often I need this reminder: COLLEGE IS WORTH IT! I WILL FEEL BETTER WHEN I GRADUATE IN A MILLION YEARS! 

loving OURSELVES on Valentine's Day

While reading through some blogs about Valentine's Day, it hit me.

This is the first year in three years that I am not sad on February 14.

I am not reminiscing about the three special days that I spent with him, I am not wishing that I was on a fancy date. I am loving my life today and learning to love myself again.

I was so inspired last night while watching the Biggest Loser finale by David who said something like "No longer is my story a sad one".

I feel that way too.

No longer is my story one of a girl who lost herself after her relationship ended.

My story is one of a girl who found herself.

I am optimistic, not pessimistic, about love again.

We all have stories to share.

What makes us who we are.

We all deserve to CELEBRATE and LOVE ourselves-because these stories are beautiful.

So today on February 14, 2014, I am loving myself as well as everyone in my life.

Are you?

Ryan loves you too!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!