Went to Prom, Got a Tattoo. In that order.

I feel like my life has been quite exciting since deciding to blog. What am I ever going to do next week when my regular days commence? Please keep reading. I will make stuff up.

Friday night was Prom for the kiddies. This year's graduating class consists of the most amazing, down-to-earth, coolest kids ever. I actually want to be friends with them. A lot of them have completely come into their own over the 4 years I've known them, and I feel truly lucky to have met, taught, and coached many of them.

Also lucky... the students. To have me as their teacher.

...Right?

I see nothing wrong with this.

I'm not sure why there weren't more students around us.

I digress.

The teachers had an amazing after party (um... yeah. We had an after party. For our students' prom.).

The next day I woke up and shrieked. It was tatty day.

I've wanted a tattoo for a long time. When I was 18, I wanted a cute (cute?) scorpion on my mid-back (I'm a Scorpio, not crazy). When I was 23 I wanted my lacrosse number and a Canada flag on my foot. I've thought about a lotus flower, an energy symbol, I wanted my wedding song's title in script, but I've never followed through with any.

Tattoos are so personal. And... they are PERMANENT (duh). It's so hard to think of something that will be meaningful and beautiful that you will want on your body forever. I had decided what I wanted, and I went to the tattoo parlour and put a $20 deposit down. I chickened out.

I went again. Put a $20 deposit down. Chickened out.

Carter and I planned to go on March Break. I called the place. They said to come in.

I chickened out.

I went in again. Not surprisingly, they made me put a deposit down. This time it was $40. Damn.

I called my friend Amanda (who's wanted one for a long time too, and we talked about needing each other). It was Friday night, I was headed to Prom, and I said.... "We're getting tatted tomorrow."

She shrieked. I shrieked. I cried a little bit. No, wait. I was so freaking cool.

This is how we felt.

Then, we did what most normal people would do at 12:00 noon on a Saturday. We did shots.

We got to the tattoo parlour and as soon as Jason, our tattoo artist put the stencil on my back, I knew I was making the right decision. I'd wanted this for a long time, and I was doing it. And yes, I would probably cry.

I asked Jason if we could take photos.

We took none.

Amanda held my hand while I tried to act cool (Jason said it wouldn't hurt more than childbirth. I have no idea what that feels like), meanwhile wincing to Amanda like a little girl. It hurt like a bitch. All you people didn't warn me well enough! It felt like someone was stabbing me with an exacto-knife and then making 3 inch incisions down my back. I can't tell what my pain tolerance is, but it must suck. My friend Jenny once told me that getting a bikini wax didn't hurt. I waltzed in and said "Brazilian, please!" and thought it was my last day on Earth. I went once and swore I would never, EVER go back after what I considered to be a massacre. Jenny, you are my hero.

Hayley at Oat Couture has a tat on her ribs- which apparently is the most painful to get. She also has one that I love- it's script that reads "you are your own tool". How very true, my fitness and foodie readers! Hayley, not only do I admire you because of your ability to kick some serious ass (click on her blog and you'll see what I mean), but I also admire you for tolerating the pain of a rib tattoo. I'm not worthy.

After I got stabbed repeatedly in the back (I thought I got enough of that as a teenage girl), I then held Amanda's hand while she got her tattoo. She was a freaking champion. We were too nervous (and in pain) to take any photos. Then Jason slapped on a big bandage before we could even take any.

So we decided to take photos of the bandage.

Hot.

Amanda was concerned people would think she had tried to hurt herself. So she decided to wear a tank top.

I'm really not sure what people thought of me. I'm embarrassing enough as it is without a massive bandage on my back.

So here she is, two days later:

I feel instantly more badass.

The symbol is japanese and stands for Strength. It is simple, beautiful, and powerful- all things I strive to be in my life. It's ties include personal power and the energy of life. I will write more about why I chose this symbol in a future post, and specifically how my life has changed in the last year since embarking on a different journey.

Oh- and Amanda got a fleur-de-lis on her wrist to represent her grandmother, her mother, and herself- a beautiful tribute. When she told her grandmother, Nanny's response was "Get out".

It was awesome.
When I told my Mom, who I thought had disowned me because she hadn't responded to my texts in 2 hours (very unlike my Mom), she said, "Well, I know your sister really regrets hers."

...Of course my sister regrets hers! She has a tweety bird tattoo. A huge, yellow tweety bird on her lower back. That she got on a whim. While drunk.

No, I'm not kidding.

This is what happens when you drink and ink.

Hahahah Emily, you are a good sport. To each their own!

Do you have a tattoo? What do you have?

I have Strength. And I suddenly have the feeling that people shouldn't cut me off or mess with me- I do have a tattoo, after all.

I've always thought that someone should create a semi-permanent tattoo so that people could have tats for like, 6 months to a year. If this was available, what would you get? 

A New Challenge, Workout, Workout, Indulge.

It's officially summertime, b*tches!!!! Mother Nature greeted us in Canada with pocket thunderstorms to welcome the first official day of summer. How lovely of her.

Speaking of official, I just got word yesterday that I will be an Additional Qualification Instructor for OISE Phys-Ed this summer!!!!!! Basically, once teachers have their Bachelor of Education, they can upgrade their current Health & Phys Ed qualifications to a Specialist (what Carter and I have previously done), or they can get their basic Health & Phys Ed qualifications.

Christina is taking the course this summer, though I'm pretty sure The Athletarian should be the one running the program! Christina is a fellow teacher and blogger, and has the cutest and funniest blog ever. She really helped me start my own blog up, and I have her to thank for posting most of my comments! She is much more inspiring than I am (take for example, the fact that she doesn't drink alcohol... Girl has willpower), she runs a killer 1:44 half marathon (I'm not worthy!), she has amazing clothes (I stare... I'm not ashamed) and yeah... she is GORGE. So make sure to check out her latest blog update here.

Christina and I at FRESH- an awesome vegetarian restaurant she introduced me to! And yes... we ate the whole thing. And then had dessert. Girl influences me.

I'm so excited to teach my fellow teachers, but I'm also scared to death. Teachers, famously, are the WORST students. We talk through presentations, we're late, we text and bbm, we don't take notes. This does actually really bother me, though I can't say I'm innocent all the time. Most teachers are used to being "on"- they are the show for the day- and it's hard to be a student. I'm hoping that I can reach many of the teachers that will come through my classes- I will be teaching things like yoga, pilates, step, spinning, skipping, med balls, equalizers, etc. Basically just opening their eyes to lots of options and perhaps something different to bring into their classrooms.

Today I did a full day CPR/AED re-cert, which was great. It's surprising how much you forget in a short period of time. I had a student pass out on a run this year and the ambulance needed to be called. It was a great refresher course and definitely made me feel more confident in case of an accident.

After the course I went to teach my regular Pump and Bootcamp classes at System Fitness in the Beach. I've been busy with end of year functions (Athletic Banquet, Coaches AGM, NKOTBSB... yes, this is important) that I've had to find coverage for my classes a lot in the month of June. It was so great to be back and the feeling of people excited to see you really makes the job that much better.

Pump class was PACKED and we rocked out to some serious beats. When I say beats, I mean mainstream pop. I love you, Lady Gaga.

Bootcamp was packed too- System has a small studio space and we really take advantage of it. I generally bring some of my own equipment to this class- it is awesome to teach and the people who show up LOVE to get their butts kicked.

Not bad for a home gym- I bring the Equalizers, Kettlebells, Agility Web, skipping ropes, pylons, and gatorade cups to the gym, and do a makeshift ladder using electrical tape. Works wonders!

We did a round of interval training at the beginning of class that consisted of  We moved into a circuit that was set up around the studio with the basis that each station is 1 minute. Equalizer knee ups, Mountain Climber push ups, Skipping, Oblique Twists, Ladder Jacks, Step Ups, Hop Over Squats, X Jumps, Backwards Push Ups, Kettlebell Swings, and Heavy Bag Front Kicks.

Repeat: Interval training (100 jacks, 100 skips, 50 back lunges, 25 push ups, and 1 minute plank)
Repeat: Circuit (above)
Repeat: Interval training

Then we ended with 20 partner leg push downs (aaaaaaaabbbbbbbsssssss, baby!)

WOOOOO! I felt so jacked up that I rewarded myself with a People Style Watch magazine,

Oh thank God! Strappy heels!

a new blush (I'm obsessed),

and a Vitamin Water 10 from my favourite store: Shopper's Drug Mart.

Oh, right. I haven't showered yet. You're welcome.

What a great indulgence!

...Alright, fine. I also had a bowl of Chocolate Cheerios. Stop interrogating me!!!

1. What non-food related indulgence do you allow yourself?

I love magazines and I often try to reward myself with one instead of food like chocolate or candy. Problem is, I've started getting subscriptions to most of them... :) Oh... and I kinda have a thing for heels, in case you didn't notice.

2. What kinds of yoga poses do you think I should include in my teacher training?

Bad Teacher and Workout BFF!

I'm in exams right now, and it is glorious. We don't need to "clock in" to the school if we aren't presiding exams, so it works out that I've had some days where I can sit in my backyard with a drink in hand and do my marks (the marks usually get better as I've had more to drink). Just joking- I just give everyone B's.

Speaking of bad teaching, I am SO excited to see Bad Teacher- it comes out this Friday. Hells. Yes.

My idol.

With my exam schedule, I was able to go to a few kickboxing classes at DNA Fitness in the mornings this week. I got to workout with all the mommies, and it was amazing! DNA has a great set up where you can bring your kids and have them play in a designated kids area while you work out literally next to them. So you get to work out, your kids get to play, and you don't have to pay for daycare. I really think that is so smart- more money to hit up Starbucks after class!!!

Another exciting part of my week: being able to work out with my BFF.

This is Edna.

My Edna.

Okay, her real name is Jessi, but we call each other Edna. We believe we were Golden Girls in a previous life and have dreams of living in retirement together, eating Swiss Chalet and eating bon-bons while watching soaps. I can't imagine my life without my Edna, and the girl can RUN (for a woman of 85).

Oh, right. I married Carter that day.

We hit up the boardwalk for our "Peanut" run- by the time you finish the boardwalk your route resembles a peanut- and I think we did about 7-8km.

Alright, this was taken in the fall. But you get my point.

I love you, boardwalk! <3

 Usually we do a 10-and-1 (Running Room Style) run, where you run for 10 minutes and walk for 1. I started doing this to achieve longer distances without knee pain and to prevent injuries. I find it extremely effective not only for distance running, but for goal setting. You always know that you get a break in 10 minutes- so you can tell yourself "3 minutes to go", etc. I find that if I go into a run/race without a plan or goal, I don't do as well as when I have small set goals for myself.

Jessi pushed me through the run (I was exhausted from kickboxing!) and after stretching we decided to make lunch. We LOVE mexican food so made chicken wraps including fresh chicken, black beans (I mash these up with garlic, lime juice, and jalapeno peppers), homemade guacamole (1 avocado, 2 tbsp cumin, fresh lime juice, 1 garlic clove), fresh salsa, cheese, and lettuce!

Hells yes.

My Edna brought over some local summertime strawberries for dessert and I'm pretty sure I ate half of the quart before she even washed them. I'm not ashamed.

Thank you, Edna, for a wonderful RUNch date (I just made that up. I apologize). You kicked my ass so much that my dentures nearly fell out!

My Golden Girl.

1. Do you prefer working out alone or with a partner/group?

I die for group training. I love the competitiveness of it (when it's strangers), and the chance to have a visit (when it's your friends). I am creepy in classes, though. I want to make friends with people who have similar interests as me and I'm pretty sure I come across as a total creep. It doesn't stop me.

2. What foods are in season close to you right now? What can't you wait for? 

Ontario strawberries (woo hoo!!!!!!!!) and asparagus are in season, and I am in LOVE. Jessi and I talked about how excited we are for Ontario peaches to come into season- and how we can incorporate them into every meal!

W.O.W.- Weekend of Workouts!

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful and amazing Dads out there! I hope you all got to enjoy yours with your family.

My weekend felt like a marathon- even though I've never run a marathon- but from what I hear, it's exhausting physically and mentally, but people love it. I also hear it comes with tons of food and booze.

Friday night we went to a bar called Prohibition in Leslieville for Carter's friend's birthday. Slooty used to live with us, so he's like a brother to me. He's also an amazing DJ- who plays everything from old school rap to Miley Cyrus. (Okay- I can't throw Slooty under the bus here. I request really embarrassing songs when he is DJing, and he reluctantly plays them for me. He is a good man.)

Party in the U.S.A.!!!!!!!

We had dinner with a beautiful couple who are getting married in 4 weeks- Tony & Tash- and I'm sure I'll dedicate an entire blog entry to their wedding (because I'm so excited for it, Tash and I have very similar taste and I am thrilled to share their day with them!). I think Prohibition is the coolest name for a bar- and we had SUCH an amazing time (girls- we HAVE to go dancing!). 

I should hate Tash, for being able to eat Poutine 4 weeks before her wedding. But I just can't. She's too adorable.

Before gorging on veggie quesadillas and wine...

Oh, right... and a martini, too...

I did an interval workout consisting of 5 minutes of skipping, 20 Equalizer chin-ups (10 overhand and 10 underhand), 50 med ball oblique twists, and 10 push-ups. I did this 4 times and I was DONE! Doesn't it always feel better to get a great workout in before going out for the night?

At the bar, of course, I basically did another workout: Dancing to DJ Tools. He was ripping it up! It was epic! (I apologize and will never use that term again).

Saturday morning I was so excited to try my TRX Bootcamp class run through MSC Fitness (the same place that my dream woman, Gudrun teaches... more on her later). Charlene kicked my ass through this hour-long workout- we started slow and got the form down for things like Squats, Speed Skater Lunges, Push-Ups, Y-Flys, Planks, Mountain Climbers, Tricep Push-Ups with Pike, we even did some High Lunge and Warrior I holds with our foot suspended. I thought that was freaking hard.

Alright... this wasn't at the Bootcamp class. But we did these.

Then, we did most of the moves again, this time for time- so it was more of a cardio workout. I'm pretty sure I threw up in my mouth about 5 times. It was a HOT day, so the combination of the heat plus the feeling that my heart was going to burst through my chest (I was also trying to impress the instructor... let's be honest) made me feel a little faint, but I got through it.

As I was leaving, Charlene yelled "Awesome job! I'm so impressed that next week I'm adding kettlebells!".

Damn.

Saturday afternoon I went to my girlfriend Katherine's Jack and Jill!

Ah-dor-ah-ble!!!

Katherine and Greg are getting married in a month, and they have the COOLEST backyard ever. It is perfect for entertaining- has a place for a bar (the most important part, natch), a gorgeous pit for sitting, and... a BEACH VOLLEYBALL court! Yes- this is one backyard! We set up a tournament and Carter and I played 2's against some very drunk stiff competition. I seriously could play beach all day. Now if only I had abs like Gabrielle Reece..

Getting a little Yoga in.

Sunday was Father's Day and we had a full day jam packed for both my Dad and Carter's Dad. We met Carter's Dad in the Beach for an early morning 6km run along the gorgeous boardwalk. I am so happy to live where I live- the boardwalk is a dream to live near, and I take advantage of it as much as I can. Who doesn't love running next to the water?

At 10am, my girl Gudrun held her weekly Yoga on the Beach, which was heavenly (for two reasons: #1- True hot yoga, right by the water, listening to the waves and #2- Gudrun.). There was a Father's Day 5km run that was passing by as we were downward dogging. It was so amazing to see that many runners out with their families. I had to turn my attention back to Gudrun because I was getting distracted. Try watching people run upside-down. It looks effortless! (Yes- I will be taking a photo next week from my downward dog position).

Blissssssssss.

We met my Dad at the Bier Markt- a pub that hosts over 200 kinds of beer- and I got to be with my amazing family. It was a beer-filled day: first, Bier Markt:

I know, I look like a dork.

Too bad the serving sizes were small.

I already had two pieces.

then beer for part of his gift:

Love you Dad!

then to the Steam Whistle for a beer tour (and lots of sampling)!

Apparently Carter needs more beer.

We were lucky enough to be able to walk over to Carter's sister's house where we continued our celebrations with more beer, great food and company.

Glorious!!!!!!

So- a weekend of workouts, amazing friends, family, and most importantly my Dad- the man that I have certainly acquired my sense of humour from (much to my students' dismay). I am so lucky to have him in my life- an active role model and all around wonderful Dad. This one's for you, pops!

I realize I may have overkilled the beer for my Dad this year, but it seems better than the proverbial tie. Any awesome gifts you gave this weekend? 

I did keep the gift of beer local- all Ontario Microbrewed beer, which I thought was pretty cool!

Have you ever been on a beer tour before? 

This was my first one. I was hoping they'd offer wine as a sampler instead, but thought it was rude to ask...

Knockout Series #1: Carrots vs. Carats.

Yesterday I hit up a wicked kickboxing class. We started off doing timed intervals of skipping and crunches, then went into a circuit of fist pushups, lunges, jumping jacks, backward pushups (like downward dog into plank), and lots of kicking and punching on the punching bag and the focus pads. Ah-maze. It was SO up my alley- the instructor even played "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J. Hells yes.

Keeping with the kicking ass theme, I've decided to write a weekly Knockout Series- putting two things head to head and calling a winner by the end of the post. My friend Jess gave me a great idea to write about for the first one- Carrots versus Carats.

Fierce.

Jess is the ultimate woman- smart, hilarious, fashionable, and pun-derful. She is an accomplished and highly sought-after interior decorator, is part of a wine club (where they get together and taste/discuss new wines... where do I sign up?), and has cheekbones to die for.

The ultimate woman.

Jess is the FUNNIEST woman alive- and she really needs to start her own blog. She is also recently engaged and, well, I need her to create a blog so I can get updates on her new engagement ring. Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! (For my sake, at least).


So on to the topic: As a woman who lives for fitness and fashion (but kills for a good bargain), I love me a good and healthy snack, and I love me a beautiful piece of jewelry.

So here we go: Knockout Series #1: Carrots vs. Carats.

Carrots are versatile- they can go in salads, stirfrys, or veggie platters.

Carats are also versatile- you can wear them in your hair, ears, on your neck, wrist, or hand. They go with... well... everything.

I feel you, Mar.

Carrots are portable- you can add dips, salad dressings, or hummus to spice them up.

Carats, on the other hand, can spice up your every day without any topping.

My answer when Carter proposed: "AAAAAAHHHHHHEEEEEEHHHHHAHAAAAAAAAAA!!" I've actually still not said yes.

Carrots can be friendly.

Carats make friends easily.

Carrots come in a nice package.

Carats come in a nicer package.

Carrots are good for you. They contain vitamins and nutrients essential to our health.

Carats are good for you. They contain sparkle and glimmer essential to our health.

Receiving a Birk's diamond necklace delivered on my wedding day. Carter must have known I was low in essential nutrients.

Approximately 20 Carrots.

And... um... approximately 20 Carats.

Damn you, Kim Kardashian.

Sorry carrots, while you are delicious, crunchy, healthy, and versatile... you can't come in between a chick and her diamonds. So go eff yourself while I enjoy my Friday night and drink my martini.

Give me your thoughts: Carrots vs. Carrots... what's your pick?

Any suggestions for the Knockout Series- leave 'em here!