I'm in love, I'm in love

... and I don't care who knows it!

There once was this guy who sat on the opposite side of my EMT class who I rarely talked to. I apologized once, for getting his dreads stuck in the collar I was using on him and I drug his body across the dirty floor once too. And that was about it. No side conversations, no flirty eyes. Nothing. I even tweeted once that there weren't any cute guys in my class and none of them even had nice butts to look at (what a drag). The last day of class came and went, practicals were taken, drinks were had, and everybody seemed to go their separate ways. I had only exchanged numbers with two people in my class, both of which ended up not finishing the class (still love you guys though!). So there I was, leaving Unos Pizza with all my classmates still inside, with no new friends. Then something happened a couple months later.

Now, this is where I have to admit I had a Tinder. You know, swipe left, swipe right. Well, there was A LOT of left swiping (was that for no? I already forget). So much so, that I would rarely go on because it was such a waste of time. Or so I thought. One day last summer, bored out of my sweaty mind, I decided to give it another shot. Left, left, left, left, then wait. He looks familiar. Clicks to check for more pictures. There he was, the guy who sat on the opposite side of my EMT class!! NO WAY!! Someone I had something in common with, someone who would understand the same excitement I had when I passed the NR-EMT written exam! Swipe right, it's a match! I was so excited to talk EMT stuff with him that it never even crossed my mind that he would end up being my boyfriend.

Conversations were usually short. Mostly about crazy patients in the ER he works in or me letting him know when "Untold Stories of the ER" was on. Then his birthday came fast approaching and he had never been to Manayunk and it's a crime to be my friend without visiting Main Street at least once! So when his birthday weekend finally came, we met up and went to Kildares. I had the greatest time and couldn't believe that I had been missing out on such a great guy for so long! And really, after that, the friendship grew into something so much more.

Trust me, I was just as shocked as he was and probably everybody else around us. It wasn't much longer after that first date at Kildares that we were in a relationship and I couldn't get the smile off of my face. Finally, someone who wanted a relationship. Finally, someone who I had common interests with. Finally, someone who found time to drive to see me. Finally, someone I could be myself around.

It wasn't much longer after dating that I knew I loved Jalil. He was so much different than all the other guys I dated. We went together so well, like the Doctor and his companion (nerd alert). I truly believe that you aren't suppose to look for love. It will find you, completely unexpected, which is the best way. Every day that we spend together is so amazing and makes me realize just how lucky I am to have him in my life now. I can't predict the future, but I think it holds some pretty freaking awesome shit for the two of us.

And I mean, we are pretty cute, so that definitely helps.

One Week!

Last year when I turned 24 I made a list of "25 things to do before I turn 25". Well, I have exactly one week left before I turn 25 and I have to sadly report that I didn't accomplish all 25 things. Having such a hectic schedule definitely didn't help. One of the best items that I got to cross off was being with my best friend when she turned 25. Although I was there the weekend before, I still got to party with her like it was 1789 (I was George Washington at her "America" themed party!)

I still want to continue with my list until I can accomplish all of them. Some might be trickier than others, but this girl is determined! Now lets see what else I have to cross of my list, shall we!

Meet a stranger and turn them into a friend

Get a new tattoo

Find a kick ass EMT job

This.

Run a half marathon

See a broadway show

Buy a bathing suit that I feel confident in

Cut and dye my hair

Be financially aware

Start to learn a new language

Have dinner with myself, no distractions

Buy a present for somebody "just because"

Visit a family member I haven't seen in a long time

Be with my best friend when she turns 25

Make a meat lover fall in love with a vegan meal

Donate to a charity

Take a road trip

Have a day of pampering for myself

Volunteer

Pay for someones lunch

Say "I love you" even if it scares me

Go to the beach and watch the sunrise

Learn a new hobby

Read The Hunger Games series

Go to a Panthers game with Sarika

14 to go! Clearly I'm not the best at doing anything that isn't working, eating, or sleeping. I can't complain too much about my 24th year on this earth, but I have a good feeling about 25. Here's to hoping that it is filled with life saving stories, memories made with Jalil, and everything in between!

Just Do Shit.

I told myself that I wouldn't make any resolutions for 2015. I found my 2013 resolutions list the other day and lets just say not a single one of them got crossed off. I can't plan my life around a list of things that might happen because the disappointment of not crossing them off upsets me to the core. All I can hope is that 2015 is going to be a great year filled with kick ass memories. 2014 wasn't too awful for me. Let's have a review of my past year, shall we?

• I got to take a trip to a winery with my very first college roommate
• My best friend in the whole wide world came to Philadelphia!
• I went to cotillion with a group of some pretty awesome people
• I got 2 new tattoos :-D
• I was part of a surprise pub crawl for a friend
• Became a certified EMT
• Got to go to Six Flags for the first time
• Moved into a new apartment with Sarika and Sandy
• Bought (technically leased) a new car
• Stayed up WAY too late to be able to see Sarikas guru
• Got a transport EMT job
• Ran a 5k
• Started a friendship with a guy from my EMT class
• Walked a 5k with my family
• Learned how to drive an ambulance
• Guy from previous point became my boyfriend
• Ran a 10k with said boyfriend
• Went to Arizona to celebrate Paige's 25th birthday! MURICA!
• Started volunteering at Radnor Fire Company as an EMT
• Spent Christmas with my mom and brother in Florida
• Started Crossfit again!
• And finally, in all my 24 years of living, got a midnight kiss on New Years!

If you couldn't tell, I think I had a pretty solid year (at least I think I did). Granted I only listed the good things and not the bad, but no one needs to dwell on those, especially me. 

There are a lot of things ahead of me in 2015, I can feel it and hopefully I remember to share it with all of you!

Happy New Year!

5k's and protein shakes

The start of the fall season also starts the season of all things races. I couldn't even tell you the last time I ran a race of any distance. Last year one of my New Years Resolutions was to run a half marathon. Lets just say that didn't work out too well for me. Running isn't my favorite workout, I would much rather lift barbells over my head and do countless numbers of burpees. However, I decided that I needed to change that!

Since I've been sticking to my gym routine so well I figured that I could sign up for a 5k and run it easy peasy. After much research I found the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run in Philadelphia. I knew that this was going to be the perfect start to my running season. I'm not the biggest fan of going places by myself so I was super stoked to know that I would be running alongside my girl Katera! And by alongside I mean way behind her, like 10 minutes behind her. That girl is a beast and I wish to one day run like her.

On Sunday I woke up bright and early so I wasn't a slug driving to the race. I made myself a protein shake (which I will be discussing later) and headed out to the Please Touch Museum. Once I got there, I forgot how exciting it was to get ready for a race. I know that a 5k is only 3.1 miles but when you are doing it for such a great cause it is so much more then that. Before we all got into postion we all sang the National Anthem, which to be honest, made me silently cry to myself. I knew I had to get through this race for all those that couldn't be here to run with us. The countdown began and the anticipation grew. I turned on my bollywood Pandora station (yes, bollywood) and set off. Around mile 2 I hurt my ankle so I didn't do quite as well as I would have hoped. As soon as the finish line was in sight, I reminded myself of those that didn't even get the opportunity to run the race and I finished out strong. The post-run high is such a great feeling! Minus the throbbing ankle pain!

Now, for a quick PSA.
I have finally found my favorite protein powder. It has taken me a few different brands and flavors but I am pretty confident this is the one. Garden of Life's Raw Energy Protein with Guayaki Yerba Mate. This is a supplement exclusive to Whole Foods and if I didn't asked the lovely Whole Body Team Member what she would suggest, I would have never known this was even an option. I can't really describe the flavor because it is like nothing I have ever had before, but it is quite delicious! One scoop of powder + 8 oz. of unsweetened almond milk = one energy packed shake! It definitely keeps me going and pushing through my work out. So go out there and buy yourself some! You won't regret it. I promise!

how I torture myself at the gym.

Since I had to stop crossfitting, I was getting really lazy in the gym. Planet Fitness is cheap but it ain't no Crossfit Manayunk. I would go in, do some abs, maybe run, maybe squat, and then leave from boredom. One day my friend had text me asking what I was up to and I told him I was at the gym. However, when I told him what I did he was not happy with me and I ended up in his living room that night getting told to do burpees, wall sits, and jumping lunges. He told me that if I wanted him to, that he would make me a full body workout routine that we would use for 4 weeks and then he would make a new one the following month. Best. Dude. Ever. I guess that is a perk of being friends with a gym rat/lacrosse player.

I'm on my second week now and I think that it is going great. I love that every day is different and works out different areas of my body. I include cardio before and after each of these workouts and definitely a lot of stretching before, during, and after! I hope that this can help someone else out there who has no self motivation in the gym. Although he isn't physically at the gym with me, I know that I am making him proud by showing up and pushing myself to do the best I can. Since this is only a 5 day cycle, you have some rest days or you can go all in and get yourself to the gym on those extra days. I want to find some classes around Manayunk that I can get to so I can mix it up some. Zumba, hot yoga, barre classes, anything. As long as I'm moving, I'm happy!

Day 1
Dumbbell Bench Press
4x5/4/3/10 (4 sets: 1 at 5, 1 at 4...etc.)
Dumbbell Arnold Press
4x10
Tricep Dips with Lateral Raises
4x10

Day 2
Back Squat
4x5/4/3/10 (The heavier the better!)
Dumbbell Thrusters
4x10
Dumbbell Reverse Lunge
4x10
Calf Raises
4x12

Day 3
Pull-Ups
4x5/4/3/10
Dumbbell Single Arm Row
4x12
Incline Dumbbell Curl
4x10
Crossbody Dumbbell Curl
4x8
Pronated Curl
4x8

Day 4
Incline Dumbbell Bench
4x12
Tricep Push Down
4x10
Tricep Dip
4x10
Push-Ups
4x10

Day 5
Roman Deadlift
4x10
Squat Jumps
4x15
Incline Sit-Ups
4x12
Cable Twists
4x12

hello world.

It's me, Chelsey. The girl who used to blog a least two times a week. All of a sudden, summer started and my blogging stopped. But have no fear, I am back (hopefully)!

Lets see if I can highlight key points of my summer for ya.

• My jeep decided it didn't want to drive me around anymore, so hello 2014 Honda Civic.
• I had to stop crossfitting thanks to a new car payment and higher insurance.
• I surprised my mom with a quick trip to Florida.
• I worked at Whole Foods since my nanny job goes into hiatus during the summer (unfortunately).
• The two times I wore my bathing suit I was at the beach with the boys I nanny and at Sesame Place with the boys I nanny.
• And still no EMT job...

Although I didn't do anything absolutely crazy, I can't say that my summer was that awful. I enjoyed my time away from the boys but I definitely made it a point to visit as much as possible. I can't wait to get back into zoo trips and quick visits to the aquarium. 

Even though I had to stop crossfitting I am still going to the gym at least five times a week. Luckily, I have a kick ass friend who wrote out a weekly workout routine for me because I have no discipline when it comes to gyms that aren't referred to as boxes.

I am trying to stick to a vegan diet, but sometimes I just gotta have a piece of cheese. I have made some delicious dishes throughout the summer so I will be sure to share them with you all! My new goal in terms of food is going to be "clean eating". I do a lot of it now but I cheat far too much then I should.

Sometime in the near future I will most likely be changing my blog name because as of right now, the nanny part is the only one to stand true. If anyone has suggestions please share because I don't want to change it to "kinda vegan, Planet Fitnessing, nanny". Definitely doesn't have a great ring to it huh?

I hope to not disappoint with my posts. So here's to new recipes, workout routines, and conversations between me and Max!

16%

After I turned 24 I decided that I would make a 25 things to do before I turn 25 list. As of today, I am a third of the way through the year until I turn 25. That sounds absolutely nuts and I think I might have a mini panic attack.

Let us review the list and see how things are going shall we?

1. Meet a stranger and turn them into a friend
2. Get a new tattoo
3. Find a kick ass EMT job
4. This.
5. Run a half marathon
6. See a broadway show
7. Buy a bathing suit that I feel confident in
8. Cut and dye my hair
9. Be financially aware
10. Start to learn a new language
11. Have dinner with myself, no distractions
12. Buy a present for somebody "just because"
13. Visit a family member I haven't seen in a long time
14. Be with my best friend when she turns 25
15. Make a meat lover fall in love with a vegan meal
16. Donate to a charity
17. Take a road trip
18. Have a day of pampering for myself
19. Volunteer
20. Pay for someones lunch
21. Say "I love you" even if it scares me
22. Go to the beach and watch the sunrise
23. Learn a new hobby
24. Read The Hunger Games series
25. Go to a Panthers game with Sarika

Well, so far it only looks like I have tackled 4 things on my list. There is still time, 8 months to be exact!! This summer I am hoping to knock out a lot of these because I need some family, beach, and road trips in my life.

Even though I haven't crossed many things off my list, I still have done a lot since I turned 24 and I am truly hoping that this year keeps getting better. I have had no complaints so far and I'm totally digging 2014.

Have any of you made any sort of bucket lists lately? I hope that you are getting to cross some things off of it because it feels great when you get to!!