Sunday, January 31, 2010

You Should read this book


This is what the GoodReads teaser says
You are what you eat. . . .
Cat smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.
As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice. . . .
This funny and thoughtful novel explores how girls feel about their bodies, and the ways they can best take care of their most precious resource: themselves.


I read this after Lisa McAnn, a young adult author whose books I love, recommended it. I started it last night and finished it this morning. I would have kept reading last night if I could have kept my eyes open. This story really touched me. I was that girl in high school (and in college, and as an adult to be fully honest). I was smart and a great friend, but I was overweight. And I really didn't do anything about it. I ate candy and drank soda for comfort after a hard day, my social life revolved around eating out with my friends. And I thought oh people will like me because of my personality--they did but no one fell in love with me during this time. I don't completely think it was the way I looked; I think the way I looked affected how I felt about myself and that kept love out of my life. And I am not saying that overweight people are unloveable and don't fall in love, I just know what was truth for me.

I finally lost over 60 pounds in 2003 when I decided I needed a change. I started loving and valuing myself a little more. And things didn't change immediately--guys weren't falling under my spell(like they do in Cat's case in the book) but I was more self-confident and eventually that drew guys to me. When I met the man who is now my husband, he commented on my brains and my love of teaching before he ever talked about my looks. He calls me his nerdy girl(sometimes adding in the descriptive hot before nerdy). I don't think he fell in love with me because I was now skinny, I think because I got healthy for me I now knew I was loveable and he could see that. And like Cat, I realized smart and beautiful is the way I want to be remembered, not just solely for my looks(which aren't just based on weight) or my smartness. One of the things about being pregnant that freaked me out the most is losing control over my weight(not total control--but having to be OK with gaining weight) as I have worked so hard to be where I am and feel the way I do. Ironically, I think these days my husband finds me even more beautiful....

So enough of spilling out my guts. You should read this book, maybe you were this girl in high school, maybe you teased this girl in high school, maybe you know of someone who is right now going through this. I teach 8th graders and I watch my female students struggle with this. I watch as they slam down energy drinks as a meal or avoid lunch because they think they are fat or make comments about their own and other's weight. This will be another teen lit book that I recommend to some of my students who might identify with the story. I know losing weight doesn't solve problems, but if I had one wish for my students it would be that they love that girl in the mirror

Saturday, January 30, 2010

What I read this month

Amy's jan-10 book montage



Wicked Prey

Bloodroot

The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund

Capture

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Evil at Heart

The Beach Club

The Alibi Man

Addition

Sushi for Beginners: A Novel

Answered Prayers

Shadow of Power: a Paul Madriani novel



Amy's favorite books »



Thursday, January 21, 2010

15 weeks

How far along? 15 weeks
Total Weight Gain: About 10 pounds
Maternity Clothes: getting there--went shopping and bought a few things, ordered 2 bella bands which will come in handy soon. Contemplating maternity jeans, but haven't found any in tall and I have grown accustomed as an adult to finally not having high waters!
Sleep: still love it, but have been waking up to pee in the early am and I am stuffy these days so I wake up not being able to breathe easily
Best Moment This Week: trying on maternity clothes and finding them surprisingly stylish. The saleslady remarked that I was a fast shopper, I just told her I know what looks good on me and I don't bother with things that don't. So she said to come back in a couple weeks when they have more spring stuff and I would find a lot more similar stuff but in brighter colors.
Movement: Not yet
Gender: Unknown
Labor Signs: none
Belly Button In or Out: In
What I miss: laying on my stomach--I didn't do it often but now I am too paranoid too.
What I'm looking forward to: our ultrasound--we haven't had one yet and I can't wait!
Weekly Wisdom: Everyone thinks I am patient due to my job but I am anxious waiting for 18-20 weeks so we can get our ultrasound and genetic testing out of the way.
Milestones: Blood draw for the quad screen today.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Etsy Maternity Faves

So it is another cold day here and I don't really want to work--so I am virtually shopping on etsy--my maternity finds for today are.





Monday, January 11, 2010

Maternity Monday--13 weeks

Don't mind my face there--Kevin made me get out of bed and get dressed to take this belly picture.
How far along? 13 weeks
Total Weight Gain: About 5 pounds--doctor next week so I will know for sure
Maternity Clothes: getting there--jeans are getting harder to wear but most of my clothes still fit.
Sleep: Need a lot of it!
Best Moment This Week: telling my students and boss and other teachers so now its out and being celebrated
Movement: Not yet
Gender: Unknown
Labor Signs: none
Belly Button In or Out: In
What I miss:Spinning class--I know I could still do it but I have been super cautious.
What I'm looking forward to: enjoying cooking and baking again! for awhile everything I made I didn't really care for after I cooked it.
Weekly Wisdom: Middle schoolers will surprise you both with their thoughfulness and thoughtlessness in the same week.
Milestones: Telling everyone






Friday, January 8, 2010

New Design

YAY!! Lauren from Designer Blogs has redone my blog--it now reflects my personality and has 3 birds--one for a little one!!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Custom Design for Amy

Test Post

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009 in review and looking ahead to 2010

I am up early on New Year's Day mostly because I went to sleep at 7 pm on New Year's Eve--a side benefit of being pregnant and traveling all day. All in all this year was pretty great. I finished my first year of teaching at a new school and felt pretty good about it. I won a technology grant and was able to buy a bunch of tech related stuff and training for me and some colleagues. Now I am in another grant and waiting for some more stuff to be delivered. I feel more a part of my school, which is a great feeling. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon, which was amazing and wonderful. We settled more into our new town and new friends. And of course we got pregnant.

Up next, planning for Baby D, finding room in our little apartment for the 3 of us, and planning maternity leave at the beginning of the year. Personally I want to be more organized at home(I tend to practice the drop it method when I get home) and read more non-fiction. And have fun with my husband!!