Hi! I am annoyed I haven't posted in a about a week because I made a goal to myself to keep up to about three posts a week, but the past week and a half has just been CRAZY. I've been occupied with trying to finish these last couple classes of undergrad (where the HECK has the time gone?!) and just trying to enjoy the time I have left here because I am only in Gainesville for one more week and a half. And it is so bittersweet.

Today was the last day of classes. I actually didn't have any classes today. Just one yesterday and it was an exam that I probably didn't do so hot on (I KNOW I didn't do so hot on.) Anyway, the past week was awesome and unfortunately I don't even have pictures to share. What kind of blogger am I? I promise I am trying to get better at this. Michael came to visit and stayed for the week! He was here on work because his company (Men's Health Magazine) was able to use locations around UF's campus for an outdoor video shoot. Go Gators! I will be sharing those videos when they're released! Our week was busy and fun as I still had class and work and he had to work, but we fit in a lot! And we were very well fed...

The weekend consisted of a lot of brunches and a lot of beer!! We squeezed in brunch at Mi Apa, Peach Valley Cafe and The Flying Biscuit. Saturday morning we dropped in at Crossfit Lead for yoga with the beautiful YoginiLei (Leila) and a class that nothing but kicked my ass. It's a great gym, great coach and awesome atmosphere but I'm literally still sore. I'm not a crossfitter at all, don't think I ever will be, but it's always fun to try new things.The workout was a super hard partner workout and my least favorite exercise was a run carrying a kettle bell on my shoulder (torture.) Favorite exercise was the overhead walking lunges - those are more my speed ;).

After what felt like burning a million calories, we ate a huge brunch and then went to the Hogtown Craft Beer Fest, which was so much fun. There was 300 beers to sample, food trucks and it was a beautiful day. It was nice to disconnect for a little bit and spend time with Michael and his parents since I've only seen them a handful of times in the past year. Luckily that's all about to change...

As each day goes by it kind of hits me a little more that my time at UF is almost over and as much as I get sad thinking about it, I also get really excited for what's next. I accepted a job at an advertising agency in Philadelphia and could not be more excited and ready for this new adventure. I can't wait to write all about it! I feel so thankful for all of the opportunities that have come my way and it is still so surreal that I am moving and starting a real job up NORTH. Who am I? Why do I still feel 16 years old sometimes?? What is winter even like? Will I survive?

So that's kind of life lately! I hope to have more workouts, recipes and other healthy content up on here shortly when things slow down a little bit in the next week.

What are your post-grad plans? 

Is everyone ready for graduation?

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter/Passover weekend! I was able to go home to spend Passover with my family, which is something that I haven't done in a long time! School has always been too busy at this time. This weekend was special because my grandparents held the seder on Friday night and it was also their 51st wedding anniversary on Sunday...and they had NO idea I was coming home! It was such a fun surprise. I love surprises. Instead of writing about it I'll just share a bunch of pictures! I got home Thursday night and had dinner downtown with my dad and sister. My dad just moved into a new condo downtown that is right on the river and beautiful! Going home is vacation more than anything!

Friday consisted of a strength class at the gym I used to go to at home and then I hit the beach with my sister and mom. It was GORGEOUS. Man, I miss the beach here.

Friday night we made it over to my grandparents place for Passover and they were definitely surprised!

Our seder was nice, can never go wrong with matzoh ball soup and Manischewitz - a kosher wine that tastes like straight up grape juice if you are not familiar. Delicious, but a recipe for a wicked hangover if more than eight ounces is consumed.

Saturday morning I did an aerobic step class with my mom - HARD. The choreography was wild and it left me drenched. Step is underrated these days! It's so fun and such a good workout. Saturday we grilled chicken & steak, made garlic bread, salad and other munchies for a little anniversary party for my grandparents. Whenever I go home it entails a lot of food and a lot of family time! All things I love.

It was a fun and super relaxing weekend! We also made an amazing cocktail Saturday night and I will share the recipe in a future post :)

I look forward to a little more down time after graduation!

How did you spend your weekend? Family? Food? Sun? 

Fact: We are our own worst critics. Our millennial culture has an overarching do better, work harder, don't stop stigma that can create a sense of shame if we don't do what we are "supposed" to do, look a certain way or even act a certain way. Popular sayings like 'YOLO,' 'Work hard, play hard,' and 'Nobody cares, work harder,' force us to submit to that status quo. There's always so much pressure. But here's the question I've been asking myself: does this actually do more good than harm?

It's only human to feel self pity when we go through tough times or when things don't play out exactly how we want them to. It happens, and that's life. I've been through a couple things that made me really question life and why I do what I'm doing. What's my purpose here? Why aren't I doing more to better my friends, family, the world, myself?

These questions used to come up frequently, and I'm sure that some of you might relate. But here's the thing, focusing on what we think we should do and what we could have done better and not what we've accomplished and what we're good at creates a path un-wandered that may possibly turn into a dark road. Why do we do that? Why do we constantly beat ourselves up for 'failing' when in reality, maybe it was just a sharp turn in the road that's going to drive us to reach our goals in the long run?

For example, I sit here writing this post in bed at 8 a.m. after hitting snooze a million times. I was 'supposed' to get up and workout at 6 a.m. I was frustrated with myself for not waking up and sweating off last night's Cookie Butter Ice Cream, but then I thought, maybe my body just doesn't want it right now. Nobody will notice unless I make it an issue. I needed that extra two hours of sleep. There's always later to sweat, or tomorrow. Tomorrow is always a new day. Getting into a habit of self love begins in the mind and the heart. It's all about being present and doing what you feel in the moment. Not what anyone else wants or what you think society expects of you. What you want and what you feel.

Being kinder to myself is something that I try to work on every day, and like previously stated, it starts with relaxing the mind. Practicing yoga has helped a TON. If you haven't tried yoga, please don't knock it until you try it. It works. It teaches you to let go of everything and just focus on making yourself feel good in the present moment.

And let me tell you, being present works wonders. Focusing on what you have accomplished and what you're working on now instead of what you could be doing is a great starting point to being kinder to yourself. I'm usually a 'live in the moment' kind of person but lately I've been falling into a trap of being a lot harder on myself than I need to be. As I look for jobs and will be graduating soon, I have so many questions about where I'll be in the next five years. Sure, I have direction and I have goals, but the only thing set in stone right now is how I am living today to my fullest potential. I have been putting so much effort and time into my future life that I'm letting the here and now slip away.

I realized this yesterday after I taught my group fitness class. I only have one more month teaching here at UF and it's been such an amazing time. I've met some people who have stuck with me since I taught my first class two years ago (you know who you are.) I had a moment driving home where I almost got emotional because I was thinking just how much I am going to miss it! And everything about my time here for that matter. And then I started thinking about everything that I've accomplished here in college, the people I've met and my impact. I felt proud of myself and at peace. I was present.

My point here is that although we need to have goals and look toward the future, there's only so much energy that we can put toward the future because it's not here yet. Be proud of what you've accomplished. Be proud of the person that you are. Invest your energy in making yourself and others around you feel happy today. When you start to get into those dark places and thinking about what you haven't done or what you think you need to do, always remember that you are here for a reason and if you just let yourself be present for a moment, I guarantee you will appreciate how far you've come and all that you've done.

I feel strongly about this, but the main thing I want you to take away here is this: When things don't work out the way you want them to, take a step back and enjoy the journey. Give yourself a pat on the back and a reminder that when one door closes, another one will open. You have one life, one body and one soul. Be kind to yourself.

- Rach