Quoted

We've got ourselves a new quote thanks to a Facebook posting from To Write Love On Her Arms.  Here we go now...

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams-

And the former quote was...

"And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time." -Libba Bray-

Yeah, I love quotes.  Can ya tell?

Honey Bunnies!

This weekend I had the opportunity to capture some lil' honey bunnies in downtown Minot!  I graduated high school and played basketball with the lovely mom of the future heart breaker, Mr. Kameron.  His ridiculously cute cousins were also fantastic models.  It took Ophelia a while to wake up, but her expressive face was priceless.  Little Miss Clementine was in her own world and could have cared less that this strange lady with a big camera was following her around non-stop.  And then there were was wee Sammuel, the newest cuddle bug in their family.  We had a wonderful afternoon exploring and filling up my memory card with the four kids, two moms, and one of the sweetest/most bad ass grandmas you will ever meet...

Kam

O

 Clem

Sammy

A Simple Observation

I have found that the more at home I feel within myself, within my own body the more at home I feel spiritually and emotionally.  And, well, the more at home I feel with where I physically am.

I lost my bulldog! Well, kinda…

Last night following my kickboxing class a fellow UBC’er asked me how much my total weight loss was in twenty weeks. When I informed her that I had lost forty-two pounds it dawned on me… Holy Hector! I’ve lost my bulldog!

Before you panic, my darling Gertie Sue is safe and sound. I never actually lost my bulldog you see, but my weight loss is the equivalent to her body weight! For giggles I took some pictures of me holding her. (Please forgive my fashionable look…I was getting ready for bed when these were taken.)

In the first photo I’m clutching her to my chest and belly because those are the areas where my fat goes to first. I have no booty, sadly, and so it's no wonder I could stay upright forty-two pounds ago! My front side was so overloaded with weight you’d think I would have fallen forward nonstop, especially since—in spite of what my first name means—I’m not the most graceful lady you’ll ever meet…

Me with the lovely Gertie Sue

If I lose another twelve pounds, I’ll have lost my wienerdog too! But I don’t think I can manage to hold both my dogs up to my chest for a picture. We shall see…

The handsome Whiskey Jack

In other news, I had a wonderful weekend! It was kicked off bright and early on Saturday morning with my first ATA Fit BootCamp class in Oak Park. Talk about a fun form of torture! It was awesome sweating up a storm on an absolutely beautiful day. Sunday morning I again woke up at the crack of dawn (or a few hours later) and enjoyed a delightful breakfast with an old friend—one of my best friends made a rather impromptu trip to visit family and little’ ol’ me. Then I ended another beautiful day by sipping drinks and eating dinner with new friends… We had an awards dinner on Sunday evening to celebrate the success of all of the ATA UBC graduates. It was fun seeing everyone outside of the gym and out of their work out clothes. We all have much to proud of! I can’t quite remember the statistics, but I believe that combined in ten weeks we lost around 125 pounds (that’s like a person!) and we reduced our body fat by about 45% (say what?!). Needless to say, everyone looks fantastic and it was a lovely way to end a wonderful journey, as well as a wonderful weekend.

Myself and a dear old friend - Marie

Some of my new friends - my UBC life changers!

(L to R: Tina, Kelli, Joni, Dawn and her cutie pie daughter, Rose, Michelle)

Quoted

Here's a new quote for you...  "And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time." -Libba Bray-

The previous quote posted was:  “Your faith will perform miracles, especially when you get your hands and feet involved.” -Gordon B. Hinckley-

Goooood stuff, right?

A Wonderful Journey

Well, the second round of my Ultimate Bodyshaping Course concluded today with fantastic results.  I can truly say that I no longer dread what my body is not capable of.  Rather, I am proud of what it is capable of and I welcome the challenge to push myself beyond that.  I am looking forward to continue building on the foundation UBC has helped me to establish because there is more work to do!

But for now...for now, I'm going to toot my own horn because I am proud of what I accomplished!  In twenty weeks I increased the number of push ups I can do on my toes in one minute by thirty and my minute sit ups by twenty-six.  I shaved two minutes and twelve seconds off of my mile and a half run (this was accomplished in a ten week long time frame).  Let me tell you, I am really proud of that because I used to hate running.  Now I rather like it...  My body fat has been reduced by 7.6%, my tummy has shrunk 8 1/4 inches, and I've dropped forty-two pounds.  And I've got some toned muscles--watch out now!  I'm the lightest I've been in at least a handful of years and the strongest I've ever been.  Suffice it to say, I am in the best shape of my life and am working hard to further this success.  Best of all, I've received support from so many generous people who have helped my Strong Body/Joyful Heart project raise $1,110 to benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation!

What a wonderful journey this has been!  I feel remarkable inside and out and I'm eager for more progress.  Next up for me is an ATAFit BootCamp for the month of June.  It has a similar fitness routine to UBC, but on Saturdays we'll take our workout to the great outdoors at various locations:  parks, playgrounds, extremely long flights of stairs...  I don't quite know what I am in store for, but I am excited to get my butt kicked!

Thank you for your support and encouragement!

Week 19 of My Fitness Journey

Hello!  Hello!  I'm in the middle of week nineteen of my Ultimate Bodyshaping Course fitness journey.  The second ten week long round of UBC ends next Saturday and I truly cannot believe it.  Time has flown by so darn fast and it's been such a great experience for me.

Working out at ATA in Minot, ND through the UBC has become the highlight of my day.  I truly love that there are people there who care whether or not you show up to workout and that you work hard.  They see more in me than I do sometimes and that builds my confidence.  Each day I'm excited to learn what I am capable of and push through doubts and hesitations.  Seeing my body change and feeling my heart change...  My goodness, it's been uplifting.  I feel like for a long time I was lost in myself, but now I'm finding myself again.

It will be weird when UBC comes to a conclusion and I won't have my guidebook to fill out...  But I have no intentions of stopping.  I made a commitment to myself nineteen and a half weeks ago.  I began this fitness endeavor with the mindset that it was a life change, not just a change for the time being.  This truly is a journey that I will be on the rest of my life and I'm excited about that.

On another note, I'm pleased to say that Strong Body/Joyful Heart--the fundraising project I created to coincide with UBC and benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation--has currently raised $870.  We're oh so close to my $1000 goal!  I really hope to meet that goal in addition to my personal goals.  Annnddddd...I think we can do it!

My Four Legged Nephew

My adorable four legged nephew, Butkus, is sick.  The sweet boy has cancer and our days with him are sadly numbered.  He was my homey when I lived with my brother--making my days much happier.  I'm telling you, you haven't lived until you've spooned a 125 pound dog...  Mmmhmm, that's right.  But now Butkus has shed weight so he's just a little guy--for a French Mastiff anyway.

Back in April my brother, sister-in-law, and Butkus visited my parents and I.  That meant that I got to have Butkus all to myself since Nick and Casey stayed at my parents' house; my parents have a French Mastiff of their own, so Butkus stayed with my dogs and me.  I think he had a really great time with Gertie and Whiskey.  He's been in love with Gertie since day one, but he actually didn't try to hump her this time.  This was a nice change, but also sad because it's just one more indicator that he's not his usual self.

Sigh.  It's going to be so hard to say good bye...  He's such a good dog!  Oh how I love him.  All we can do is be thankful for our time with him and cherish the time that remains AND give him all the treats he wants!

Classic Butkus

New Toy

Hello!  Hello!  I have a new toy that I want to share with you...  Actually I've had this toy for over a month now, but still it's new.  :)  I am the proud Momma of a Nikon D90.  Woot!  Woot!  This my first DSLR and she is a beaut'.  It's crazy to think that less than a year ago I purchased my first camera since I was a senior in high school, which was eight years ago.  So there I was for years without a digital point and shoot camera, borrowing my parents and friends when I could and then resorting to my camera phone.  And now I have what I affectionately call my "paparazzi camera" and am rounding up volunteer models and preparing for shooting a wedding in September!  Photography is captivating me and I hope to develop my skillz (yup, skills with a 'z') more and more.  Back in April I attended a photography workshop hosted by the amazing Shawna Noel Photography in Grand Forks, ND.  It was a wonderful learning experience and a lovely day!  Here are some of my favorites from the workshop called SNAP SHOP.

The Shawna Noel and Michael

Jenna

Clarke

Brooke of Just Add Water provided some absolutely beautiful tulip arrangments

Minot Daily News Article Regarding Strong Body/Joyful Heart

Losing weight for a cause:  Minot woman works out to raise money for charity
Article and photos by Katina Tengesdal - Minot Daily News Staff Writer
(posted 20 April 2010) 

Annie Langseth has a unique mission. She’s combining her personal weight loss goals with fundraising for a charity called the Joyful Heart Foundation.

“I was at my all time heaviest weight and I wanted to get healthy again. I had a membership to a gym but I wasn’t pushing myself to make it there every day,” Langseth said.

Along with a friend, Langseth joined a 10-week fitness course, the Ultimate Body Shaping Course at ATA Blackbelt Academy in Minot. As the pounds and inches began to come off, Langseth decided she should add to the benefits by helping others as well.

“One night, after being very sore from class, I thought I should be sore for a very good reason other than just myself,” Langseth said.

Langseth came up with the idea to fundraise for the Joyful Heart Foundation, established by actress and activist Mariska Hargitay. Langseth became familiar with the foundation in college and raised money for it then. She also had the opportunity to meet Hargitay and she was further inspired.
After college, Langseth continued to raise funds for the foundation in various ways, including hosting an art auction in Minot last spring.

The Joyful Heart Foundation assists survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Langseth’s goal this year was to raise $500 for the foundation, by donating according to her inches and pounds of weight lost and through individuals supporting her efforts.

To date, Langseth has lost 18 pounds and nearly four inches in her belly, and she has pledged to double that amount and donate $43.50 to Joyful Heart in addition to the $200 she has already raised. She will continue her fundraising efforts as she gears up to begin another 10-week UBC course.

“When I’m tired, I’ll chant to myself, Strong Body, Joyful Heart. It’s a reminder for me to try and crank out a few more pushups or situps,” Langseth said.

For more information or to support Langseth in her endeavor, visit her Web site at (www.articulate1.com).

My Babies: Whiskey Jack & Gertie Sue

Strong Body/Joyful Heart Update

This past Saturday I wrapped up my first 10 week long Ultimate Bodyshaping Course with wonderful results...  I lost 23.4 pounds, 4 inches in my belly, and 3% body fat.  I also pretty much tripled the amount of push ups and sit ups I can do in one minute.  Holla!  It's been a really great experience and I have enjoyed seeing my body change for the better.  I mean, I've got some muscles now.  Some defined muscles.  Well...  They still need work, but they're there!  I've also enjoyed seeing my confidence in myself grow.  I haven't felt this good about myself inside and out in a long, long while.

The cherry on top is that I was able to--with the help of some very generous people--meet my $500 fundraising goal.  Every penny of that will benefit Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation and its efforts to heal, educate, and empower survivors of violence and abuse.  I hope to raise another $500 by the end of my second UBC course, so if you could help spread the word that would be oh so lovely.

Last Friday a reporter from my local newspaper photographed me working out for a feature story they will hopefully be running this week regarding Strong Body/Joyful Heart.  I'm pretty sure the picture(s) are going to be something...special...  It was weird being the subject of photos because I've become accustomed to taking them!  And then to be "paparazzied" while I'm sweating and punching and kicking...  Let me reference my Norwegian heritage here and say:  uff da!  I tried holding a round kick for a pic, but I don't know how solid my form was.  Cripes, we shall see...

The important thing is just spreading the word about SB/JH and hopefully inspiring people to make a needed change in their own lives.  Maybe that change will be getting healthy physically.  Or maybe that change will be getting healthy emotionally.  Maybe both.  I really hope that overweight people will shed their shame in order to shed some weight.  And if someone stumbles upon my Strong Body/Joyful Heart project and has been carrying a burden caused by sexual or domestic violence, I hope that he or she will come to realize that they are not alone and that there are people who want to help.  I hope that these survivors will shed their shame--a shame that truly doesn't belong to them--as well and reach out for the help they deserve.

I'm so grateful for what UBC has done for me and that I have been able to use it as an opportunity to help others.  So here's to round 2 of UBC and the difference we can continue to make by supporting Joyful Heart Foundation!  Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me!

P.S.  I'll post a link to the newspaper article as soon as I can...

These Roads

These roads are all wet

in this drizzling rain

on this dark, dark evening

and, as such,

appear to be metallic.

The lights of this town

filter through the raindrops,

which smudge the black night,

and hit the pavement reflecting light

in such a beautiful, textured way.

There’s depth to these roads now

and romance

for they seem new and exciting somehow.

These roads are different,

like they’re streets in a large city

as opposed to being

the same damn small town roads

I travel on each day.

These roads are magic

in the rain on this night.

They’re city streets.

And I see them taking me

on an adventure of sorts—

nothing grand, mind you,

but an adventure nonetheless.

Some place foreign to me

where I can get lost.

But these streets are just roads

and these roads

only take me home.

Strong Body/Joyful Heart

A few blog posts ago (13 February 2010) I shared with you a fundraising/fitness endeavor of mine called "Strong Body/Joyful Heart" that entails me working my tush off (quite literally) to raise money for the Joyful Heart Foundation.  I've had every intention to blog frequently throughout this little journey, but since this is only my second blog post I have failed to meet that goal.  That said, I have been successful in reaching some much more important goals...

First of all, I continue to experience tremendous success on a fitness level.  My strength improves each and every week and I'm fitting into clothes much, much better.  (Holla!)  I don't think I will see an eighteen pound weight loss at my final fitness evaluation, which is March 22nd, like I did at my five week fitness evaluation.  But I am confident that my body is tightening up and that I'll be able to meet my goals for push ups, sit ups, and a mile and a half run.  Time will tell...very soon!  I can't believe this ten week course is almost up, but another goal of mine is to continue working hard to get healthier.  In order to accomplish that goal, I have signed up for another ten week long UBC session at ATA.

As for the fundraising aspect of SB/JH, I'm chugging along.  My goal is to raise a minimum of $500 by the end of my first UBC session.  Currently, with the help of so many generous individuals, I've raised $393.50.  This does mean that I have my work cut out for me in these remaining days of my course, but I'm confident that this goal will be accomplished.

Strong Body/Joyful Heart has been a wonderful project for me and has been just what I needed in many ways.  I look forward to seeing my progress on March 22nd and into the next ten week session of UBC.  Thank you all for your support!

Time

There's never any time.
Or maybe there is.
Maybe there is plenty of time.
Maybe I just let it slip through my fingers.

So how do I hold on to it?

Back to Peace

Last night, or I guess very early this morning, I was sorting through old journals and the different loose leaf inserts stuffed in them.  It was fun finding thoughts and ideas that haven't been developed just yet.  Oh if I had all the time in the world I would really enjoy spending my days writing and painting and dreaming and doodling and thinking and praying... 

Anywho, I also found an old poem/song thingy that I wrote back in October of 2006.  I thought I'd share it with you.  I hope you enjoy it.

BACK TO PEACE

It’s dark and the stars have to fight

to shine their light tonight

and the moon, it’s not in sight.

I’m chilled by a cool breeze

and it’s taking everything in me

not to fall to my knees.

It’s so hard to see when I have nothing to search for.

So hard to dream when I have nothing to reach for.

See my world is one day and one day only.

Until now I never knew being surrounded could be so lonely.

So please dull this pain and let me sleep.

Please bring me back, back to peace.

I can’t make sense of this

and the truth is, the truth is

I’m so pissed.

This is so real it must be fake.

It hurts just to be awake.

I may not fall apart, but I still break.

It’s so hard to move forward when I want the past.

Hard to move at all when I know my strength won’t last.

See my world is one day and one day only.

Until now I never knew being surrounded could be so lonely.

So please dull this pain and let me sleep.

Please bring me back, back to peace.

All I ask for is life, renew it.

Do whatever you have to, please do it.

Doesn’t matter if it’s risky, you can’t ruin it.

You can’t wreck what’s been broken

And you can’t take what’s been stolen.

It may be gone, but I’m still holding—holding on.

It’s so hard to whole when I’m missing a piece.

So hard to be full when I feel so damn empty.

See my world is one day and one day only.

Until now I never knew being surrounded could be so lonely.

So please dull this pain and let me sleep.

Please bring me back, back to peace.

Shift the dark to the side

and bring heaven to life.

Shine it’s light in my eyes.

Please bring me back…

Please bring me back…

Please bring me back, back to peace.

Quoted

Former quote:
“You are full of unshaped dreams...
You are laden with beginnings...
There is hope in you...”

-Lola Ridge-

Current quote: 
"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.  I hope you read some fine books, and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art--write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  And I hope somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."
-Neil Gaiman-

Losing weight and raising money for the Joyful Heart Foundation!

Back in the early weeks of January I began a fitness journey known as the Ultimate Bodyshaping Course, which is a kickboxing, resistance, and nutrition course.  I decided that if I was going to be participating in this ten week long course that I wanted it to benefit more than just me, so I made a goal to raise a minimum of $500 to benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation and help them assist survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse along a journey of their own--a journey to heal mind, body, and spirit.  I've named this project Strong Body/Joyful Heart.

In order to raise funds to support Joyful Heart, I'm asking for individuals to sponsor one week of my fitness journey with a minimum $10 donation.  I'll do my part by adding up the pounds and inches I've lost, doubling it, and donating that amount.  I think that $500 is a very obtainable goal considering the fabulous support system I have.

I've now reached my half-way check point in this journey and today completed my five week fitness evaluation.  I am proud to say that I have lost 18 pounds and 3 3/4 inches in my belly!  Better yet, Strong Body/Joyful Heart has raised $243.50.  I have a long ways to go to get where I want to be, but I'm confident that I can attain my fitness goals because of the progress I've made, the support I have received, and because of the encouragement from my instructors at ATA Black Belt Academy in Minot, ND.  And I wholeheartedly believe that with the generosity of others, Strong Body/Joyful Heart can easily raise $500.

If you can help me along my journey with words of encouragement or a donation, I would be most appreciative!  Please visit my website for more information and to find out how you can help.

Quoted

I'm going to start "archiving" the quotes on the right hand side of my blog. I'll post them on my blog every time I update them that way I...you...we can find them later on because I love, love, love quotes.

So today I updated the quote to the following:

“You are full of unshaped dreams...
You are laden with beginnings...
There is hope in you...”
-Lola Ridge-

And the former quote was:

"For lack of attention a thousand forms of loveliness elude us every day."
-Evelyn Underhill-

I'll probably do the same with my "I Suggest" section as well...

Here's to another week! I hope it's a good one!

The makings of a poem...

I found the makings of a poem just now.  I'm not quite sure when I wrote it and it's still so raw, but it reflects how I am feeling at the moment...  I'll hopefully come back to it soon and rework it. 

She awakes,
unwillingly shrugging sleep off of her shoulders.
The blanket slides to her side as she sits up
and breathes deeply,
the smell of sleep lingering in the air—
still intoxicating.
She’s drunk on her dreams,
which dully flash to mind.
The colors have dimmed and shapes blurred.
More like she’s hung-over from their brilliance.

Do you see?
Do you see how the waking world
immediately changes the power of the dreams?
Once so vivid and inspiring.
Now they fade in the light of day.
She longs for what she found in them—
for what they found in her.

She wants nothing more than to curl up
in her feather bedding,
this nest of warmth and peace.
But all birds must learn to fly,
so she leaps into a new day.

Heather & Justin

In early December I took pictures of my co-worker, Heather, and her husband Justin.  They truly are a sweet couple and were crazy enough to brave the cold in just jeans and sweaters (it must be the NoDak in 'em) for some Christmas card photos.  We did get some lovely pictures with a beautiful snow covering and frosty branches in the Scandinavian Heritage Park and Downtown Minot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Miss Rylee

Rylee is the adorable daughter of Kristie and Shannon, featured in my previous post.  She is too darn cute and also too darn quick for my plain ol' digital camera.  I'm hoping that once I get a Digital SLR I'll be able to better capture this little busy bee...

 

 

 

 

 

Kristie & Shannon

Back in November, I took some engagement pictures of my co-worker and her fiance in Downtown Minot.  They were just for fun, but ended up turning out quite well.  In fact, they were so pleased with the photos they hired me to take their wedding pictures in the fall of 2010.  I'm extremely excited for the opportunity, but also have a lot of studying to do!  Here are some of my favorites.  And by "some" I mean "a lot"...