Did you know…
… it’s incredibly difficult to get back into ‘blog mode’ after being away for three.point.five weeks? I can’t even tell you guys how many times I’ve attempted to get a post up in the past couple of days only to admit defeat and walk away because I got so overwhelmed by everything I felt I had to explain. But I’ve missed you guys, and things have finally settled down enough for me to get back to blogging on a regular basis, so I guess I should start by filling you in on what’s been going on around these parts since my last real post from waaaaay back in the beginning of July. Eeeep.
Okay. Remember all of those cryptic hints concerning big upcoming changes that I kept dropping in the month or so before I left? I know it was kind of annoying, but I kept things vague because I didn’t want to jump ahead of myself and share too much info before anything had a chance to actually materialize. Well, after waiting for what felt like forever, things are finally solid enough for me to let the cat out of the bag.
First, I have to apologize for committing one of the biggest cardinal sins of friendship – I abandoned you guys for a boy. I know, I know, shame on me… but I had a good reason! See, I had someone special come visit me for two weeks in the beginning of July, and spending time on the computer when I had a pretty limited amount of time to spend with him felt like a bit of a waste.
So who is this mystery guy? Well, he’s my new guy (squee!!) – we’ll call him J for now. Our story? A little complicated… We’ve known each other for a little over eight years now, and we’ve always been close and had great chemistry, but the timing/situation was always off, which is why we never hooked up in the past. Heck, the timing/situation still isn’t ideal… and by “isn’t ideal” I mean he’s currently serving in the military and we’re attempting to make this work despite the distance and the fact that we have no idea what the future will look like. Foolhardy? Maybe a little, but I’m tired of playing it safe and living a lackluster life as a result. Taking chances is the only way to experience greatness, and while yes – I may crash and burn big time- I’m choosing to stay positive and holding out for the best. The two weeks I got to spend with J were amazing, and that’s definitely something worth fighting for, no? Just try not to get too upset with me if I feel the need to mope every once in a while – I’ll do my best to keep the “woe is me” at a minimum. Deal? Deal.
So that was the first two weeks of my absence – a lot of nights out, a lot of long talks, and a lovely weekend in the Canadian Rockies…
After that, it was off to Vegas for a few (5-ish) days…
And before you jump to any conclusions, no, I didn’t run off to elope – J and I went to the airport together, but we left on separate flights [sad face]. I won’t say too much about Vegas for now because I’ll probably go into a little more detail in tomorrow’s post, but I will say that it definitely helped me deal with the fact that my two weeks with J had come to an end. Boo.
Let’s see. I got back from Vegas on… I want to say it was Monday night (early Tuesday morning)? of last week… and I’ve been scrambling around playing catch up ever since. I kind of put “real life” on hold for the past three weeks, so I’ve been catching up on work, catching up on menial errands/tasks, and catching up on school. What? Yep, school… in a sense, anyways.
Back at the end of May, I signed up with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to start working on becoming a certified health coach. After wrestling with the idea for months, researching tonnes of different education options, and talking to plenty of graduates and health coaches, I decided IIN would be a good fit for me. It definitely won’t be the only schooling that I do in the area (there are a couple more programs that I’m really interested in as well), but it seemed like a good place to start. My classes opened up a couple of weeks ago, and I’m really enjoying the material so far. Health and nutrition are some of my biggest passions, and being able to help people become healthier and happier would be a dream come true. I already do that to a certain extent through blogging, but I figure that getting more education and direction can never be a bad thing.
So that’s life as I currently know it… A new relationship and a new journey towards what may end up being a new career. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t super happy with the way things are going right now, and I can’t wait to see where they go from here…
Happy Monday, friends! 😀
SO happy for you! A new man and a new career?! That is amazing news! Can’t wait to read more… 🙂
So glad to see a post from you today! Whenever a blogger doesn’t update for awhile I always check in just in case I missed a post or something happened. Glad all is well! I’m excited to hear about your mini getaway with J. Aww. Now you get to have a mysterious nickname for your guy too like some of my other favorite bloggers 🙂
That’s also super exciting news about IIN. I can’t wait to read about what you are learning and what you plan to do with the certification.
1. I am SO happy that you’re back!!!!! 🙂 2. Yay for a new boy! I can only imagine how difficult it will be dealing with distance and other factors but good for you for taking a chance! 3. Congrats again on the IIE start – I have a feeling you are going to love it 🙂 AND AGAIN, YAY FOR BEING BACK!!!
I am so happy for you! And I am so happy that you are back and all is well. I missed your posts! I am glad you enjoyed yourself and got to unplug for a bit – we all need to do it….I am also studying for a nutrition certification – isn’t it great to have school work you are actually interested in learning about?
congratulations on all the changes! definitely exciting stuff!
Andrew and I did the long distance thing while he was in the military for 2 years before he came home for good. It definitely sucked at time…and I know exactly how those plain rides feel…and how akward you feel when you’re crying on a plane by yourself and everyone’s staring at you (or is that just me) !! BUT you guys will get through it and it will make your relationship stronger. If you ever need someone to talk to or someone who understands…please ask!
Thanks girl! J has about 2 years left in his current enlistment, so I’m hoping they go by quickly 😕
So glad that you are back! Eep!
I hope everything works out with you and your man; he seems like an amazing guy <3 🙂
I’d say you explained yourself extremely well love, and I’ll say it again – so thrilled for you for all the changes that have happened for you lately. I know the boy makes you happy, which will get you through the difficult times. And as for school, you’re following your passion and dreams which is so, so admirable. I’d hire you to be my health coach any day! I’m just so freakin’ happy to see you happy and back to blogging!! <3
Awwr thanks love <3 It's definitely good to be back (even though I've been secretly lurking for a while), but it's kind of crazy how quickly I fell out of the blogging groove... Gonna take a while to find a rhythm again.
So much news!! So happy for you that you’ve got together with this guy and I hope it all works out for you!! I know a few people who have been with someone in the military and they’re managing with the whole distance thing so hopefully it’ll be ok..you know what they say anyway..”absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Looks like you had a beautiful time in the Rockies too..wow!
awwww I’m so happy for you Amanda! You have so many positives going on in your life 🙂 Welcome back girly! I’ve never dated anyone personally who was involved in the military, but I know a ton of couples who have done the long distance thing. My sister and her boyfriend have been together for 8 years now and were separated due to school. Just take it day by day and you’ll be fine 🙂 xo
Oh, I’ve missed you! I’m so glad you took the time to be with your boy, though. And it looks like you had a fabulous time – the Canadian Rockies look BEAUTIFUL. I love the story about you two, though. I think the best kind of relationships are those that began as friendships. It’s so cool that you two have known each other throughout different points in your life. I can’t wait to hear more about your schooling and future with the boy!
Hope you have a great Monday!
Your life right now makes me feel so happy for you. You just seem so FULL. I absolutely love it. Your absence is forgiven. Xoxo.
Then I guess I can forgive you for not dragging me out of a plane with you 😉
Hey if you have to have a good reason for disappearing a new man is a good one!! That’s awesome! I hope he is “the one” 🙂
So glad to see you’re back blogging! Your trip sounds romantic and exciting, I’m glad to hear you had a good time. Also, congrats to you on heading back to school; it sounds like it is going to be a fulfilling opportunity!
Congratulations! Two new journeys, definitely exciting! I am so glad you have come back to blogging too!
Congrats on the new man! Hopefully we will get to meet him in the near future! So glad you are back!!!
Yes, yes, yes! A new love, a new career path and fun in the Rockies and Las Vegas? I couldn’t be any happier for you, Amanda! It’s simply amazing how much has happened for you in the past weeks and month. Keeping my fingers crossed you and J will have a great future despite the hurdles that come with him serving in the military. While I personally know next to nothing about military life there are so many bloggers out there showing proof these long-distance relationships can work. Just believe in it – and I know you do 🙂 – and it will.
Just to confirm: yes, you definitely help others through blogging already but it’s awesome to know you’ll soon be able to support an even larger number of people through health coaching. I’m absolutely sure it’s the right career path for you and you’ll do a great job.
There’s so much more I feel like saying yet I don’t want to write a novel here so I’ll stop [for now]. Happy Monday, Amanda <3! [Hope you got my mail and didn't find it strange :).]
Thanks so much, Miss <3 <3 And your e-mail wasn't strange at all! I was actually super touched 🙂 I'll get back to you sometime today - I've just been scrambling around trying to get caught up with everything else.
I was wondering where you were, no shame in all of that!! I would have done the same thing, you cant waste precious time like that! Glad to see you back. Good luck with your adventure too.
Glad you were able to write again<3
Obviously I know what's been going on and I know that the military life is tough for sure, but that's what friends are for during those times:)
I'm just super happy you're happy!
And I'm excited to hear more about IIN.
oh my goodness!! so so happy for you!! ♥ the love of my life was in the military too – we did the whole writing letters every day/talking for two minutes at a time thing while he was in kuwait… it was def hard bc we missed each other so much, but there was also something super romantic about how much we trusted each other + valued the time we did get to talk, that made things really special 🙂 (we’re not together anymore… but that doesn’t change any of that!) …and you’ll have to keep us posted about IIN! i’m taking my NASM exam again (i let my certification lapse) at the end of the month and then after i get that done i really think i might look into IIN – i’ve heard nothing but good things! 🙂 ..again: so so happy for you!! 🙂 🙂 xo ♥
Awwr! Thanks for the encouraging story, Jessica! You’re right – there IS something super romantic about the whole situation, but it definitely has it’s downsides as well. And that’s awesome that you’re considering IIN as well! Let me know if you have any questions about it!
I know what military life is like and it is HARD! I am married to a Navy pilot and I know what it’s like to deal with time apart and moving to new places. It’s got to be worth it to you, or else it won’t be worth the hardships. I’m sure you’ll figure this out with time : ) Let me know if you have any questions about relationships with those in the military : )
Congrats on all the announcements! I’m glad to have you back in the blog world. Sounds like you have alot of exciting things to look forward to!
That is amazing! So happy for you! See, having a guy in your life makes things so much better, don’t you agree? 😉
😆 I do have to agree. And by the sounds of it, I’m assuming things are going well with you and your guy? 😀
That sounds so great and exciting, Amanda. I am really happy for you. I do have a J, too, by the way 😉 though I decided to just call him “the boyfriend” on the blog, guess he would think J sounds a lot cooler.
And I love that you get into the health coaching thing. There are so many bad diet coaches around who don’t know anything about how dieting can lead to an ED and give advice that hurts me physically only hearing about it. So, yay for you becoming a health coach!
Welcome back, dear Amanda! You did not abandon anyone – you left the blog for a bit with a great reason and I’m SO happy for you! Enjoy your time with The Boy and I can’t wait to hear/read more (not trying to be nosy, obviously 😀 ). Happy Monday and here’s to more happiness to come!
i KNEW it!! I am SO happy for you! when it comes to how I normally respond when a friend says she’s dating someone new, you might as well cast me in the role of “that overly excited friend in every romantic comedy you’ve ever seen” because I’m like “omg dish! i want all the deets!!” however, I’ll resist that urge and keep it cool, with a simple “yay! can’t wait to hear more” 🙂 and I’m SO glad you’re back to blogging! congrats on your nutrition program, that sounds amazing!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I’m so happy for you girl!! Those are both wonderful things to share, and while I’m glad you took the time away to really enjoy your time with your man, I’m super excited that you’re back! His name starts with J AND he’s in the military??? That made me smile since it sounds incredibly familiar 😉 If you ever need to vent/chat about that, please don’t hesitate to send me an email, love. I know your situation well, and while it can make your time together more precious/meaningful than it would be otherwise….it really sucks at times too! Here if you need me, hun! And very very glad you’re back 🙂
Awwr thanks so much, love <3 I have to say that it's really great to see that things worked out so well for you and Joe... hopefully I'll be able to say the same one day 🙂
I think you will 🙂 And I’m here for you in the meantime <3
these are BIG events! and sometimes you just need to disconnect in order to connect with what your heart desires and GOD’s plans. We’re always here. So glad you are following your heart. You know i am always here to pray. Woe is me can happen anytime. xxoo
Congrats on all accounts, sometimes new things and taking chances is just what we need to really get us going!
Welcome back! I’ve missed you around the blog world. 🙂 Squee for the new boy–I hope we get some good stories! And even bigger squee for the new direction in life! There’s something awesome about people who are willing to drop their lives (…okay maybe not that dramatically, but you get the point) to pursue what they’re really interested in, and it definitely inspires me to do the same. I’m actually at that weird crossroads myself–I’m currently investigating a field that are related to what I wanted to do once upon a time, but it’s still completely different. Scary, yes. Worth it? I think so. With big risk comes big rewards…hopefully. 🙂
You better be spilling the beans soon, girlie! Like I said… I need someone to be all sorts of giddy with about new life directions 😉
How exciting! As someone in a military relationship I can completely understand how nuts and unknown those are. This is going to be a pivotal part of your life and you’ll look back in a year and realize how far you’ve come. At least that’s what I tell myself. 🙂
Aw I’m so happy for you!!! I had a suspicion it would be about a boy 😉 that is seriously so awesome and I’m so glad you’re so happy right now! Long distance is tough- I’m in a similar situation right now with a boy and I never imagined it would be this hard. It’s something I avoid talking about on the blog for a lot of reasons but I understand where you’re coming from. When you don’t see someone you care about for a long time, it makes sense to back away from the Internet to enjoy every second! It sounds like you did just that. My selfish side is excited you’re back though!
I remember you mentioning a boy! And I have to admit that I was curious about what happened with him… but I totally know what you mean about it not being a pleasant thing to talk about. Lemme know if you ever need a shoulder/ear to mope to!
Yay, glad to have you back. More importantly, I’m glad you’re happy with how things are going! (Well… except that leaving on separate flights bit, but you know what I mean.)
Yay…welcome back Amanda! Congrats on your relationship and new job endeavor! These are two big milestones, and I’m super happy for you! 🙂
Aww new relationships are exciting! Being single is great, but after a while you want a special guy to grow with you and experience more of life with. Good luck with your certification-how long is it? (Classes, tests?).
The program takes about a year to complete. There are 40 modules (a new one ever week) and 4 tests to write along the way. So you kind of have to keep up with the material, but at the same time you can go at your own pace and put as much time/effort into it as you want.
You have a lot of exciting changes/things going on in your life right now and they all sound so positive! Good for you for doing some great things for YOU! 🙂
Yay! So glad you’re back and so glad you have a special man in your life! That is totally an acceptable reason to abandon the blog world for a bit. I’m so glad y’all are going for it…despite it maybe NOT being the best time/situation. It may never be the “right” time. Can’t wait to hear more about it all.
And congrats to you for your new direction with your schooling. I’m sure you’re learning lots of interesting stuff. Sounds like you’ve had quite the busy and exciting month, lady! So glad you’re back.
That’s basically what I’ve learned over the years – that waiting for the “right” time is just going to keep you waiting around forever and missing out on potentially amazing opportunities. Thanks girlie <3
Oh wow, there’s so much news in this post! But first I just want to say YAY you’re back! 🙂
I’ll forgive you for ditching us for a boy, but only because I’m so happy for you! Your story with J sounds like a movie. 😀 I’m really glad you’re giving it a chance, even if the timing is crappy. You sound really happy and you deserve it!!
Also that’s so awesome about enrolling in IIN. I think you’ll be a great health coach! It’s nice to see someone entering the field who doesn’t preach no carb diets and other crazy stuff like that. 😛 Your balanced, realistic approach to health is exactly what people need!
SOOOOo superhappy for you girll!! I am so glad you let go any concerns and just dive into the happiness and enjoying it!! You deserve the best and only the best.
And congrats on registering for IIN!! So exciting!
Missed you like crazy and so happy to have you back, sis!
Welcome back! I couldn’t be happier for you with all you have going on in your life. Congratulations on both the new boy & enrolling in IIN. You’re going to love the classes as you go into the program deeper <3
p.s. If you ever need/want to talk about your relationship, just shoot me an email. Joshua & I did the long distance relationship when he first joined the military. Always here for you girl.
Thanks so much, love! And I definitely might have to take you up on that offer. I know you did IIN as well, so I hope you don’t mind if I pick your brain about that too <3
Congrats Amanda! On both announcements! I am so happy you’re back and so happy you enjoyed your time away! Enjoy your new man and I can’t wait to here more about your new classes!