One Step at a Time

So...yeah I know it has been a while since I've posted. I hope you can all forgive me. I was just reading blogs today and felt somewhat...inspired....to start up my blog again.

I don't even know where to start! So much has happened. I guess I'll start from the beginning.

1. Last Winter Semester I transferred to BYU, and I love it a lot. I decided to switch majors and I'm now majoring in Family Life with an emphasis in Human Development. I absolutely love my major and find it fascinating to learn about the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of people. This semester I'm finishing off my GE credits. Pray that I survive...

2. I lived in China for 6 months by myself. That's right, by myself. I was so grown up! I had my own apartment and everything. I did an internship for Gymboree Play n' Learn, which are learning centers for parents and babies/children ages newborn to 5 years. I loved those kids so much. It's pretty hard to sum up those 6 months in one paragraph but I don't regret one bit going. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and has changed me for the better. And to be honest, I've been missing China a whole lot lately. Maybe I'll have some posts about it later....

3. My dad is now a mission president in McAllen, Texas. It was so much fun to go and visit over Christmas break and enjoy the warm weather. I miss my parents much more than I could ever express over the blog, but I know they are doing great things. I really love the Hispanic culture and it was fun to come from China, where everything was in Chinese, and then suddenly be immersed in Spanish.

I think those are the 3 biggest changes that have occurred in the past year and half...

I've also decided that it would be beneficial for me to post about my weight loss goals. At the beginning of January I joined Weight Watchers with a friend and it's been great. The thing that is great about WW is that they teach you to be accountable, and I think that has always been the hardest part for me. I think I just realized the true meaning of Shakira's song "Hips Don't Lie". Haha! In my first month I've lost 8 pounds, which I am satisfied with. I want to form healthy lifestyle habits, not just go on some crazy diet that makes the weight fall off...only to have the weight come back on!

I've also started going to Zumba classes at Gold's Gym. And oh.my.gosh. I absolutely love them. Sure, the first few classes are awkward, but once you get those steps down and learn that it's okay to shake what your momma gave you, Zumba is so much fun! I feel really good about my exercise schedule now because I feel like it's something I will want to do for the rest of my life. I'm running 2 miles three times a week, lifting weights, and going to Zumba 2-3 times a week. It feels great to sweat!

I am feeling pretty great about life. I've learned that for every step that I take backwards, Heavenly Father gives me the strength to take three more forward. Although I've struggled with my weight for years, this time is different because I've learned to rely on the Lord more. I'm not sure why this never occurred to me before but I can tell you that it is making all the difference. I'm starting to learn that even when you don't think something is that important to the Lord, it is. He cares, no matter how small or big. Perhaps I needed to fail so many times to become humble enough to know that I can't do this alone. He is there for me, and that is what keeps me going!

I love President Hinckley's quote, "We should walk with the knowledge that we need help every step of the way." I hope I can remember this during both the easy times and hard times.

xoxo,
Nicole