quick update....

ya know, as I sit here at 10pm writing this journal entry, I'm also hovered over a bowl of this egg white custard type concoction I make when I diet.....aka Meal 6 for the day. If I weren't dieting right now, I couldn't even begin to imagine what I may possibly be consuming at this hour...either way, due to hunger and desperation, I will tell ya that this custard is amazing. If you were to ask me about it during my offseason, I'd probably damn near retch at the thought of it, but as I diet it becomes the highlight of each day. Correction, the highlight of any day in my life is when I have time to hang out in my kitchen and bake, but the egg white custard runs a close second. And speaking of baking, I have cooked up some pretty crazy stuff recently. Of course, I've given almost all of it away though. I may single handedly be responsible for everyone I know gaining weight while I diet...scary, huh?

The NY Pro is only a week and a half away....wow!...time REALLY does pass by quickly. I'm curious about the outcome of this event considering the number of women combined in the one class. I do have some predictions, but I'll keep them to myself....we'll see what happens on May 9-10. I have some bitter-sweet feelings regarding this event because I really wanted to compete there, but I also know that backing out was probably for the best. My time will come, I just need to be patient. Until then, I'm focussing on my guest posing appearance that is creeping up on me very quickly.

I'm headed out of town this weekend to judge our first bodybuilding show of the season and I'm really looking forward to it :)I'm not sure if I'll have time to get some pics while I'm there, but I will try.

gotta run...

Life is good! After a quick trip out of town to deal with some personal matters, I'm back and I feel better than ever. Of course, being home means that I'm back to working 7 days/week again, but I'm enjoying the distraction. Keeping busy is enabling me to keep my mind off of the things that bother me most. And when I'm dieting, keeping busy means that I spend less time worrying about what I crave food wise and instead, I just eat what I should. That certainly doesn't stop me from baking treats when I have a few moments of free time though. You see, I start dieting and everyone around me tends to gain weight. I obviously can't eat what I make, but I know that my neighbors, family and friends can so, I give it all away.

I had ordered a new stove which arrived recently....I was pretty excited about it, but I had not anticipated that it wouldn't fit in the spot where my previous stove was. Let's just say that I had to put my carpentry skills to work just to get the darn thing in place. Keeping in mind that I'm NOT a carpenter, I took some initiative instead of asking for help. In order for the stove to fit properly, I had to pull the counter top and cabinets from the wall,shift them over, ensure it was all level again, re-mount them, and re-caulk the counter top.....it was a pretty big undertaking, but I managed to complete it myself :) I was eager to bake something in it so I whipped up a batch of decadent 'peanut butter fudge brownies' and a few other goodies that turned out perfectly. My sister had called and found out I was baking so she came right over. Unlike me, my sister has zero self control....she inhaled several brownies before taking a pan of them home with her. She often asks me how I can keep food like that in my house and not eat it....my answer is simple, I choose not to. Needless to say, I'm thrilled to death with my stove and so is my sister...LOL!

I realize we're already half way through the week, but this past weekend was awesome. I went to an engagement party for some friends of mine...the hosts were amazing, they put on quite a party.
A pic of the Bride, bridesmaid (aka the host) & me

and of course, a pic with my partners in crime.....Macey & Jen

Speaking of engagements, the start of this Spring has been really odd, every time I turn around another 'couple' I know is splitting up, but then again I know several en route to getting married this Summer as well. I swear these things come in waves. The difficult part is that I have so many friends getting married that I have to selectively pick and choose which I'll attend because some are being held on the same day.....and choosing between friends is not an easy task! I'm just hoping I don't hurt anyone's feelings in the process.

I was finally able to get a copy of my pic from the exhibit at ACE Gallery put on by Martin Schoeller. The reviews of his work have been interesting. I was thrilled that he had chosen to use one of my pics.


Aside from that, the UFC is being hosted in Canada this weekend!!! I wish I could have set aside some time to make the trek to see it, but with all of my upcoming travel plans, I really can't take any more time off. Oh well, I'll enjoy it from home on PPV like many other people.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

What a fantastic week! Aside from my 'day to day' shit that is going very smoothly, my strength is back with a vengeance! I had some pretty amazing workouts this week. Once again, I'm rejuvenated and so excited to train!!! It's simply amazing how stress can affect every aspect of your life. Now that there seems to be an incredible calm after the storm, I've forced myself to shift my focus toward things that are important to me.

My sister recently moved back to the city. She also rejoined the gym where I train....she used to train there with me years ago so, I'm sure it'll be like old times. My sis and I are quite close, it's so nice to live in the same city with her again....we get to do 'normal' things together and just hang out like sister's often do.

The last while, I had really let the little and not so important things slide. When I say little things, I'm referring to painting my toe nails, and the not so important things are more along the lines of 'dusting' and other domestic crap.
I'm a toe nail polish fanatic! I actually take great care of my feet, I figure that feet are ugly to begin with so, a little effort will go a long way. My sis and I are planning to go for pedicures this week :) As for the domestic crap, I'm certainly not obsessive about cleanliness around home, I just prefer that my house is spotless at all times. I'd never lose sleep if the dishes weren't done before I went to bed though. My family and friends often drop by with only a moments notice so, I prefer to be prepared at all times. I'd be truly embarrassed if someone just happened to pop by and my house was a total disaster.....I can thank my mother for that one, that's how I was raised...LOL!

Our 2008 contest season here in BC kicks off 4 weeks from now. I have actually been invited to guest pose at one of the Novice level shows this year. Of course, I'm going to do it...and I'm pretty darn excited about it too! It serves as motivation to get my arse in gear, get in to shape and have some fun. I'll be judging this show during the day and guest posing at night...it should be interesting.



I'll have more info about the local news story soon. I'm meeting with a reporter for an interview this week...it sounds like they're planning to get some footage of me training now too...fun, fun, fun! Thankfully, I do not have issues with training infront of a camera :) I'm not easily distracted when I'm in the gym, I'm there for one reason and one reason only and that's to train, nothing else. Fortunately, my ipod, which I use religiously, filters out the surrounding noise of 'clanging' plates, chit chat and other possible distractions.

until next week.....

a few pics from the Mexican/St. Patty's day get together.

Jen & moi


the girls


prepping food alongside one of my oldest and dearest side-kicks....