Estrogen Fest

So... John is in Houston this week for work... and it's been a full-on estrogen pumping festival over here. 

Last night I turned up the N*Sync Pandora station and did some household chores and checked things off of my personal to-do list that I've been meaning to get around to. Then, I had dinner/dessert with a friend before she leaves for a trip to Europe. I came home and did some nice reading on California environmental goals and policies (don't laugh... I actually enjoyed it) and then hit the hay.

Tonight I got home late from work, went across the way to hug this guy (yay for summer and his delayed bedtime!), and then called it a night.

Tomorrow night I plan on some in-home Zumba and finalizing/closing out all of our wedding stuff before John gets home brings back the testosterone and limits my amount boy band listening. The best thing about youtube is all the free work out videos. Seriously... there's great yoga, visualization relaxation, and dance workouts!

I mean... how can you not love this?

Because I'm pretty sure I sang this song multiple times every day when it first came out.....

And.. in honor of Team USA's 30-second goal and amazing win this week...

In Search of Work-Life Balance

The problems we work on in the world are too important for us to get burned out.

I've always been a go-getter- not matter what area of my life. However, it came out especially strong when I was in school. It's true. If I got a 99% on a test, I stressed over the 1% I didn't get. If I missed an extra credit opportunity, I begged for an extension... And forget turning in homework late. It, quite frankly, never happened. (Yep, I'm that nerdy).

My parents raised us saying "a job well done is a job is a job worth doing." Being the first child people-pleasing person that I am, I took this to heart.

It's probably not surprising that my childish over-eager desire to do well in school translated to college (more school). And again, in graduate school (even more school). And then into my job (which is still at a school).

If I'm being honest, work-life balance is something I've struggled with.

{and this is hard to admit, since I like to do everything perfectly}

It's not that my work has an awful corporate culture... I have an awesome boss that encourages me to take care of myself - whether it's an outdoor meeting on a patio, a potluck staff meeting, extra time off to squeeze in doctor's appointments, or the opportunity to work remotely.

However, I still feel the need to check my email incessantly, go into work early, and stay late even when we're not on a tight deadline.

Anyways, it's safe to say that this thing called "work-life" balance has been a challenge for a while. And it still is.

I read a guest post written by one of my former employers and found it refreshing to know that I'm not alone... and that there is hope for change!

Balance has never been an excuse to not work hard. There are seasons when you need to work twelve-hour days. Show up in those times. But don’t feel trapped by staying late just to stay. Not everyone has a boss who tells them when to go home, and it takes confidence to be the one to leave when others are still working. It’s scary, but when you are doing your part, it will actually give other people permission to do the same.

Read it, and be brave enough to leave while others are still working....

After all, the issues we work on demand and deserve the best of us: our most creative, bold, innovative and whole selves. Working for a cause is a marathon, not a sprint. So let’s act accordingly.

All quotes are from the following blog post: http://thechalkboardmag.com/sweet-charity-thoughts-finding-work-life-balance-pressure#sl=3

Child Prodigies

I mean, how can you not love kids?

Why I work for the environment...

Some people tell me that caring about environmental issues is buying into a fake agenda.

That may be their truth (depending on where they stand on the political spectrum), but there are two main things I bring up:

1. God cares about his creation. Not only that, he charges us to take care of it. Genesis 1:26-31 and Psalm 19:1-6. 
2. What if, at the end of the day, it is a big conspiracy? We end up with cleaner water, better air quality, more fuel efficient cars, and safer cities. oops.

{Now, if you want to talk to me about the way people approach environmental issues... that's a different conversation}

Thankful November

 Honestly, I think this whole Facebook "Thankful November" thing seems like it's gotten a little out of hand. 

But I tend to think that about most things that are "trendy." 

Unless, of course, that "trendy thing" has to do with a country song that includes a rap (can I get an amen?). 

Last week John and I reached the two-months mark for marriage (hurray!). 

It has been fabulous. 

We're big fans of marriage in this house. We both come from a long line of strong marriages, and we intend to keep that tradition. 

For us, marriage has been easier than dating and being engaged - mainly because it means we're in the same place at the same time and can coordinate our busy lives better! 

[Trust me, 30 miles might not seem like a long distance, but in LA traffic it might as well be another state. These past few years we got really good at communicating without being able to actually see each other very frequently. We got good at purposely listening, looking for creative ways to support each other, and making sure we express clear expectations. It was a rewarding exercise... but we're glad the distance is over].

During these brief 2 months of marriage, I've slept for about 90% of it.

I wish I was kidding.

Five days after saying "I do," I got inexplicably sick and have not gotten better. 

So far, I've been to 6 doctor appointments {and counting} and have had my blood drawn 4 times with over 30 vials of blood taken. Basically, the lab techs and I are besties. 

While it may not be newlywed paradise, John and I keep coming back to realizing we have so much to be thankful for. 

Here is our "thankful november" list.

[good incredible insurance]

[a wonderfully comfortable home]

[neighbors that feel more like family]

[jobs that challenge us]

[laughter with coworkers]

[coworkers that get us onto the field level for Dodgers playoff games - holla!]

[supportive parents]

[friends that will literally drop what they are doing to help]

[fall TV shows are back on- What's up How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory]

[delirious laugh fests when I mix up words ie: "let's unfreeze the food"]

[pumpkin coffee from Trader Joes]

[a faithful God]

[daylight savings time]

[crisp air]

[a period of rest without school]

[weekends]

[our UCLA medical team]

[flexible work schedules]

xoxo, Kristen Holdsworth

A push and a shove....

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."

Sometimes I need a gentle reminder that HE is good. Sometimes I need a shove.

Either way, I'm learning to trust in the Lord and seek him first, not last.

2013 Goals and Resolutions

When I was a wee little one (ok, pretty much until last year) my parents made my brother and I sit down and write out our goals. Let me tell you... these were not ordinary new year's goals. My parents were goal task masters (If you're reading this mom, I'm just kidding). But seriously.

We had to set goals that were realistic, achievable, quantifiable, etc. etc. etc. AND we couldn't just write them out- they had to cover a broad range of categories. Spiritual, physical, emotional/social, and cognitive... I think.

When we were younger, I didn't mind it (probably because I was a chronic over-pleaser). My brother, on the other hand, HATED it. He would mumble off his goals like my parents were making him eat broccoli (they did that too us too).

Now that I'm older, I've made some goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. The funny thing is, they almost meet all the requirements my parents had... and I did it all on my own. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for your training and upbringing. :)

2013 Goals and Resolutions:

Create a Bible reading plan or find a study and do it consistently

Continue community group

Work out 3 times per week- cardio/strength training twice and yoga once

Meatless Monday (one day per week no meat)

Blog twice per month (at least)

Take more pictures AND upload/organize them

Craft more

Continue to check off movies from Best Picture Academy Awards list 

Coming up in the next few weeks, I will let all two of my followers know what I have been up to, just in case they want to read about instead of just living it with me.