First Block....done!

I know I haven't posted in over a month, but school has kept me crazy busy.  I'm not really sure how often I will get here, but will try to more often.  Ideally, I would like to post at least once every 2 weeks, but we'll see how things go.

 Wow....our classes are broken down into 6 week "blocks" and I cannot believe that the first block of classes are done!  Now to relax over this long weekend....I think I've earned it.  ;)  Our Chef Instructor told us at the beginning of school that these first 6 weeks would be like being shot out of a cannon and he was not lying!  The first few weeks were hard as I have not been in school in quite a few years, and getting back into the groove of a school/study schedule was challenging.  Now I think I've got it down pretty well.

My first week of school seemed to be just a series of unfortunate events including turning in papers at the wrong time, for the wrong class, misunderstanding a sign on the door and showing up at the incorrect class, (which also cost me a few trips up and down a steep stairwell), cutting myself and taking out a small part of my fingernail on the first day of handling my knife, and of course nothing in my life would be complete without a really embarrassing moment....it showed up right on time the morning of my 3rd day of school.  I was walking toward the front of the building behind 3 girls, (one being a classmate of mine), when they stopped in front of me and I attempted to go around them only to step into a shallow rock pit.  My ankle twisted and I began to stumble for about 4 or 5 steps as I tried to regain some sort of balance....it all seemed to be happening in slow motion.  Just when I thought I may be able to get my balance and save myself, my huge bag of books and knife case slid off my shoulder and took me down to the ground...oh yes, all the way down.  I couldn't just fall on my bottom, no, I had to be stretched out over half the campus, (or so it seemed).  Normally, there are only a few other students hanging around at that time but, of course, on this fateful day there just happened to be a large crowd of students standing around to witness the excitement of a "newbie" falling on her big ass....but what is a show without an audience, right?  The funny thing is that my first thought after falling was "Oh crap my uniform! I hope it's not dirty!"  WTH???  Luckily, me and my uniform came through the incident unscathed....nothing hurt but my pride, but who needs that anyway.  When I picked myself up off the ground my classmate was right there to hand me my sunglasses that had fallen off.  We later became part of a 3 person group that would last the whole block and are friends.  I think it's safe to say that I probably made quite an unforgettable first impression on her...LOL

Things did calm down after the first week and all has been well ever since.  We were so lucky to get a really great Chef Instructor for our first block of classes.  I have to say that Food Safety & Sanitation, College Success, and even Foundations I were not particularly exciting classes, (but are important to our future success in this school and beyond).  However, Chef Deflieze was so amazing!  He made learning interesting, fun and exciting every day!  I wish that I would have had more teachers like him in Jr. High and High School, (my life might have turned out differently if so).  Chef Deflieze is hands down the best teacher I've ever had.  There is a slight chance that we could have him again later in Foundations III....I am really praying for that to happen.  =)

So now, here I am, at the beginning of a long weekend.  I'm just going to take it all in and enjoy it....stress free.  Oh yeah, and I weighed myself last week and discovered that I'm down another 4 lbs!  That makes nearly 10 lbs lost in the 2 months I've been in AZ....Yay Me!!!   Scott and I have been riding our bikes a lot and for longer distances.  I know we will do even more of that since the weather is cooling down.  Fall is my favorite time of year and I can't wait to be able to turn off the AC and just leave the doors and windows open all the time.  Everyday here gets more beautiful than the last.  No matter where we go, if we are walking Bentley to the dog park or riding our bikes all over town, we are surrounded by palm trees, blue skies and mountainous views.  I absolutely love it and wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now.  I can't wait for even more activities and more weight loss!  

Please keep visiting my blog because there's definitely more to come!

Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal Campbell

Getting Ready....

I could not be having more fun!  Scott and I love it here in Arizona.  We get up early and ride our bikes in the cool morning air, we can walk or ride our bikes anywhere we need to go during the day or night, we spend hot days in the pool and nights in the hot tub.  My body has not been this active in years and it feels great.  Friday was my orientation for school and Scott was able to take off work to come with me.  It was very exciting as I walked through each line verifying info, getting my schedule and uniform...etc.  I even met and took my photo with the president of our school!  All the staff and instructors are friendly, have great attitudes and are available and willing to help anytime we need them.  

I cannot wait to start school on Monday!  I'm getting a bit nervous and hope that my brain can handle all the information that will soon be flooding into it.  I think my biggest challenge is going to be keeping my uniform clean and pressed.  We received 3 sets and they must be clean, pressed and wrinkle free everyday for class.  Clean...absolutely clean...really?  We are talking about white chef jackets...  I've never been able to keep anything white clean....good luck to me!  LOL  

Thanks for reading, "All About My Business"
Crystal

The New Me!!!!!

Here it is...as promised.  Drum roll please........................................................................................

It's definitely short and I definitely Love It!  And so does my hubby.   ;)

 

New Life....

I've begun a new life here in Arizona.  I have a new home, new career on the horizon, practically a new husband since he shaved his head...LOL  So I thought...why not a new me?  I felt a little adventurous and Scott and I have been riding out bikes and walking everywhere, so I think I've lost a bit more weight....  We've actually been having a blast out here.  The night life is really great during the week, but especially on Friday & Saturday nights.  There is so much to do, see, and eat around here!  I feel like I'm in paradise! =)

Okay, I promised a surprise and I will give you a surprise.  Get ready....it's going to be quite a shock....

The next post will contain the surprise..... Haha!


Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal

Loving Life.....

We are so loving life in Scottsdale, AZ!  It is so beautiful here!  Last night the hubby and I went for a 14 mile, (round trip), bike ride and it was great.  The weather was mild, only about 91 degrees outside, no humidity, and a nice cool breeze as we rode along the sidewalks.  On my left, the sun was setting a beautiful orange with a dark blue fading into a light blue sky and a view of one of our big mountains....then I looked to my right and there were white clouds spread across a baby blue sky and the background an even bigger mountain range.  It was breathtaking.  However, by the time we got home my booty felt like minced meat....so sore.  

But we still went for a 5:30 am ride this morning.  I have to say that I am so very amazed at how light it is that early in the morning.  Day breaks here just after 5am, so by 5:30 we have complete light.  All my life it's been dark at 5:30 in the morning...lol  The sun sets around 7:30pm.  I love it!  Somehow, it feels like we have more hours in the day.  We ride on a bike & walking trail out here called the Greenbelt.  It goes for miles around town....beside golf courses, housing tracks, through parks, across bridges, under the road ways....etc.  It is a great trail with beautiful views.  It feels so good to get out there and move my body and use muscles I haven't used since I was 16 years old.  Even my arms get a workout.  I feel my body getting more in shape and stronger everyday.  

I absolutely love living here.  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for making this move possible.  I give God all the glory, because without Him I would have nothing. 

 I have included a few photos I took from my phone this morning, but the iPhones have a crappy camera, so they are not that great.  I will make a point of going out with my Nikon very soon for some awesome shots.  

Also, I will have something to share with you very soon...it will be dramatic and a bit shocking, so stay tuned....

Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal