It's time, and I can't put it off any longer.

So I've made a goal for myself. I need to get myself into shape. And quickly. Not in a hurried unhealthy way, but not take 5 years either. I owe my mom $500. She said if I lost a good amount of weight by the time we head back to Austria next summer, I don't have to pay her back. While I don't enjoy hearing my mother comment on my weight, I could really use the $500! I've got to get started NOW. It is going to be hard, but I've done it before and so I KNOW I can do it again. And this is weird, but it will work: The first part of this has to do with the time my friend Cerine will be in California/New Zealand/Australia -which is for 5 weeks. She leaves this Wednesday 28 October. She will be back 1 December. My plan is to follow a healthy eating plan (and get used to it so I can do it for life!) and get my exercise in at least 5 times a week. I am using Cerine's trip as a timeline because she is one of the most supportive people in my life. (She's also been one of my BFFs for 19 years- I should think she would be!) My two exceptions for the eating plan? Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'm human and let's face it- those are two holidays centered around food (yes, Halloween is a holiday full of junk!! :) ) . I still plan to work out those days- I always jog on Thanksgiving. It's a long-standing tradition! The second part is from 1 December to Christmas Eve. I want to prove to myself that I CAN eat healthfully during the Christmas season but occasionally treat myself (again- that whole human thing!).

I need all the support I can get. I'm trying to decide if I should keep a food and exercise diary on here. Maybe by using a public forum such as this will inspire me and keep my honest.

Hell- today I was watching -on the NBC sports channel- an 80 year old man finish the Hawaii Ironman triathlon. If HE can do that, then CERTAINLY I CAN lose this weight and become healthy! Why do I resist so much? Do I think my favorite pizzas and deserts will be gone forever if I don't eat them so much? Or is it that I don't want guys hitting on me because I'm tired of relationships and being fat is a great way to keep them away? (Well, that IS working, but I am very unhealthy as a result! Besides- I can be cold and distant if I need be- I'm great at that!) Anyhoo- that's a topic for another time.

Think about me, send me good thoughts and tons of encouragement, and I'll post a picture on December 1.

I'll even ask Cerine to take it.

School at 33

So as most of you may know, I am a college student. I am also 33 years old. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a college student at this age, it doesn't always make me feel good about it. After I graduated high school in 1994, I went to college for 2 years (to the place where I am now!) but I hated it. I am glad I am back and taking it seriously this time (and I of course can NOT ever adequately express how grateful I am to my Dad for footing the bill- he takes education very seriously as well do I) and I am a better student this go around. Do I wish I had done this when I was 18? For sure, but I just wasn't ready. I go to school with really nice people, yet being my age makes me feel a bit out of place. I am able to make friends, and luckily I don't look 33. (Which will help me many, many years down the road!) I just wish I could share my experiences with my fellow students without sounding like a know-it-all or a mother figure. I've never been great at fitting in anywhere or not feeling awkward so that affects me, too. What my present college experience HAS taught me is that if there is something you want to do, DO IT. And DO IT NOW. We only get this one shot and MUST take advantage of what we are able to do! I have no desire for marriage and don't even ask me about children. Not for me, thanks! My point is that are not too old make a great life for ourselves! Grasp the opportunities! Seize the day! Blah blah blah You catch my drift, right? Get out, and enjoy yourself.

Why the name?

So I've been told when I like something, I REALLY like said thing. I'm combining two of my obsessions, Star Wars and Harry Potter into my blog title and URL, because I REALLY like the two of them. I'm hoping to use this blog as a record of my triumphs, my losses, and random, everyday musings. And to improve my writing by expressing my "quirkiness". Feel free to comment, as I welcome opinions and ideas. I'm sick of politics, although from time to time I will express my views on here because, well, I can, and as an American (USA! USA! USA!), I should. I need to find a really cool tagline, but to borrow from George Lucas, "May the Force be with you."

BTW- my grammar sucks. Get used to it. I'm not here to be graded- it's not English class. Besides- I'm a math major.