What a great weekend

It's the end of another weekend....and I am so looking forward to the week ahead. This weekend I find out about the brighthouse network job, and i also have an interview at United Health Group.

Even though I am looking forward to the week ahead, we had an AWESOME weekend! Since Ray's birthday was in the middle of the week, we celebrated this weekend. We went to the Tampa Improv, where we saw Sommore. She was hilarious! It was a great show! Afterwards, we took a walk around Ybor City for a little bit and then went home.

This is what we found when we came home:


Elena got the babysitter to lay down with her and they both ended up falling asleep lol. Meanwhile this was us in Tampa:



And of course me taking pictures of myself lol


Today we had a bbq. We had over a few people mainly from the gym, our neighbors and landlord. We have been truly blessed with wonderful neighbors and such outstanding landlords. Elena had fun with Grace, our landlords 5 year old and Madison, our neighbors 10-year old. However, her poor room will need lots of TLC from me tomorrow cus it's wrecked!!! Oh and I know it's a shocker but I wore a dress today! Here are a few pictures from today.



This is what happens when you let a 5 year old and a 2 1/2 year old play dress up unsupervised




Elena yelling cheese!


TILL NEXT TIME!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Ray!!!!

So I haven't been on here lately cus our lives aren't that interesting but I did want to write about today. Today is Ray's 32nd birthday!!!! This is the 1st time in 5 years I can celebrate his birthday with him and I am so happy about that! Today started out as any other day he is on leave. We woke up, took Elena to "daycare", and went to the gym. After getting back and freshening up we went to the movies, we saw Inglorious Basterds. I'm pretty indifferent about the movie so I won't get into that but we had a nice day together. We picked up Elena from daycare and came home and had some spinach pizza. (Neither one of us wanted to cook lol) I made chocolate cupcakes and they seemed to be loved by everyone in the Surita household.

Elena singing Happy Birthday to Ray


Elena enjoying her oh so big cupcake!


Me and the birthday boy


The two most important people in my life


As far as the rest of the week went, we made two different dinners. Last night we had Lemon glazed chicken over rice which I didn't get to take a pic of because we were so hungry, we didn't remember until we were already done lol. On Sunday night we made Penne with spinach and ham. It tasted very good and we made enough to last 2 days. I love those kinds of meals!!

Penne with spinach and ham


I'm starting to notice a lot of these meals look alike but they all taste so different from each other and unique in their own way.

On Saturday we went to Ray's aunt and uncle house. Cookie and Johnny are the nicest people I have ever met. We had so much fun and it's really nice to finally have family nearby. Forgive me for not having too many pictures of that day, I forgot my SD card home so I can only get two pictures on the camera.

Elena and daddy playing in the pool


Even while it started raining she still found a way to play and have fun!


I promise to take more pictures next time!!!!!

Recap of our week

So it's been kind of a busy week for me. I've been doing a lot of working out and concentrating on my diet because this weight just has to come off. I have cut my caloric intake down to 1200-1500 a day. I've already lost 2 lbs in the last few days! Yay me! We are still on the healthy eating thing but I have added a twist to it. I have decided that not only will I do 1200-1500 calories a day but I will have to have at least 25 grams of fiber a day. I found so many tasty things that are high in fiber that are helping me with my diet but I will tell you that if you have never done a high fiber diet and want to try it, do it slowly. Your stomach will thank you!

So here are some of the meals we made over the last few days for anyone who may want a recipe or two.

Wednesday night we had Pork Lo Mein


Thursday night we had Curried Turkey Stir Fry served over brown rice



Since today is Friday we didn't cook, we just ordered spinach pizza from CiCi's pizza. Scoff and make faces all you want but it is really good! Elena loves it more than regular pizza! Anyone who knows Elena knows how much she loves pizza!

Tomorrow we are going to Ray's aunt Cookie's house and we decide to bake her some cookies. Elena and I made cake mix cookies and they came out really delicious (I only had one I swear!) Here are some pictures of her helping me make them and the final result.







We also took some over to our neighbors house along with a birthday gift for their daughter. I love any excuse to bake!! lol.

So I finally tried it!

Yes that's right I finally tried it! I finally ate fish! In my 27 years I can honeslty say I have not eaten fish more than once or twice but Ray has been pushing me to try it so after 4 years of him pushing it I finally gave in. Tonight we made Cuban style Tilapia Salad. It was absolutely delicious! What's so great is that these meals only take about 30 minutes each. We even made the dressing for this particulr meal. I'm liking this whole healthy eating. We eat till we are full but not that over exhausted full you get when you eat bad food and you know you've done wrong and need a serious nap lol. I also found a gret new 100 calorie pack snack from South Beach Diet. It tastes just like Famous Amos cookies. There aren't too many in there but what do you expect for 100 calories? Oh and the best part? It has 20% of daily fiber. Thats a BIG plus! Anyone who has looked in my pantry knows I love the high fiber stuff! I am still trying to work out in the mornings and also trained with a trainer today. I'm trying to stay motivated and get myself back in a shape thats not round!

So here was Elena helping again and the final result:




I don't know how I feel about trying other kinds of fish but this will definitely be making another appearance in the Surita household again!

Wish me luck!

Ok so I need some good luck vibes because I just interviewed for a job with Brighthouse. For those who don't know what Brighthouse is, it's the local phone, cable, and internet company (no, it's NOTHING like GCI!). They actually have really great service and will even send people out to your house on Sunday! GASP! I know it's unheard of, especially if you've lived in Kodiak, AK but yes there is actual service like that. So wish me luck! I hope I get it! I've applied to over a 100 jobs and have had only 5 interviews. The worse part? I'm doing better than some other people looking for a job, I've heard people entering 50-100 resumes and not hearing anything so I am going to take what I can get!

I've also worked out today. YAY ME!!!! I have been working out almost every weekday morning at like 645, and I train twice a week on top of that for an hour each time. I'm so proud of myself. I was gonna go this afternoon too and I actually got there but I ran into Crystal, my trainer and by the time she and I were done running our mouths Ray was done working out and we had to go lol.

Tonight we made mushroom and spinach fettucini. I must tell you it was absolutely delish! It taste a lot like fettucini alfredo without all the fat in the alfredo sauce. Who knew there were so many healthy alternatives? The best part? All of these recipes only take 30 minutes or less! I don't know what we are having tomorrow night but I can't wait!



Elena LOVED it too!




Ok, I must go now, a certain little potty trainig monster who is walking around in my heels has decided to pee in them! Oh the joys of motherhood!

Our Lazy Sunday

So today was just a lazy day for us. Its our day of rest and our way to recoup for the week ahead. Ray for work, Elena for daycare, and me........for going out to bars where people dance ON the bar lol. It was absolutely wonderful not having to leave the house, not because I didn't have a choice but because it WAS my choice (if that makes sense). It actually was such a lazy family day that Elena cooked dinner lol. She has so much fun helping in the kitchen. It's wonderful to be able to do these kinds of things with her. I'm thinking next weekend we will bake some cookies! I am sure she would love to do that!

This is Elena preparing the marinade


Now she is putting the meat in the marinade



She is making sure the meat is fully covered with the marinade


She is so helpful and had so much fun cooking. This is definitely a great way to spend some quality family time together.

And viola! This is the final masterpiece! Korean BBQ Ribs!! (THANKS JENNY!)



The ribs were great and we paired it with white rice and a side salad. Ok, so it may have not been the healthiest meal but we have been substituting regular products with their lighter versions. We can't give up all the things we like! What's the point in being healthier if you can't enjoy it??

Tampa Improv

Ok so first I will tell u about my hair. I'm sure no one cares but I'm gonna tell anyway. I love it! I washed it and after it was dried I combed it out and flatironed it for literally 2 minutes and I was done! I love it!

Ok Ok so last night I went out with 6 other coastie wives and had such an awesome time! We went to Tampa Improv and saw Joe Koy who is absolutely hilarious. The Broadway Comedy Club that Ray and I went to in NY had nothing on the Tampa Improv. The Tampa Improv had good food, great drinks, and great comedians. Afterwards we decided to go to Coyote Ugly. I haven't been to a bar in a while but I definitely had a lot of fun. The movie is definitely not an exaggeration, the bars are just like the movie without the horrible acting behind it lol. Here are some pics from the night:

At the Tampa Improv


Coyota Ugly


I can't wait for the next Girl's Night Out!

For more pictures visit
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27230&id=1551707366&l=62f7251dfa

Clearwater Aquarium

So friday we went to Clearwater Aquarium, not much of an Aquarium but it is one hell of a rescue and rehabilitation center. Those poor animals and all they went thru to get to where they are now. We saw turles who were blind or nearly blind. We saw dolphins who were at one time very badly burned by the sun because they were beached at one point. We even saw one dolphin who completely lost her fin. So sad but so inspiring at the same time. One of my favorite quotes is "Always remember in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you" I don't know who said it but it definitely rings true. I definitely believe that about myself and I hope others do as well.

Elena had lots of fun at the aquarium and has always been fascinated by fish. But here is a surprising twist....the girl is fascinated by sharks!!!!! My 2 1/2 year old who was startled by a snapper fish is in love with sharks! She loved watching shark week (soooo not my idea!). At the aquarium there were 2 sharks in a tank and one of the employees was scuba diving in the water to clean the glass and do you know my child stood there and said "Mommy I want to see the shark bite her". Luckily the lady cleaning the tank didn't hear that! I just pray that whatever amazing person she grows up to be, it has nothing to do with sharks!

Elena and Ray


Elena with "Sharkey". She loves that thing!

Call of Duty

Call of Duty. No, not the game, just regular old miltary stuff duty. I won't be cooking dinner tonight because Ray has duty. I know it can be worse, he is working 1-7 today as opposed to the overnight he used to do on the "Funro" but it still sucks sometimes. He has phone duty for a week. Now keep in mind that this is the phone that supposedly never rings and yet he is always being summoned. I think he does it on purpose, I'll tell you why. He stares at that damn phone almost as if he is trying to will it to ring (or as he calls it, "using the force"). Well at least I got out of cooking tonight! Tonight Elena and I feast on hotdogs and Ray will be having leftovers.

So today was the second day of keeping my hair as is without putting it in a pony tail or washing it. Lets keep in mind, that I am now in Florida, "the land of humidity". It is 90 something degrees, humidity is at like 300% and I sweat so much it's ridiculous. I have about 46 hours more to go and you would think I would try and stay in doors for most of that time but nooooo we are going to the aquarium tomorrow! I KNOW, I KNOW! I'm a glutton for punishment!!! I guess I have just been so isolated for so long that I just need to get out of the house and do something Un-Kodiak-like. I know it's not a real word but it's a much better choice of words than what I originally intended to write lol.

I'll let you know how the aquarium goes tomorrow!

So I finally gave in and decided to blog!

So this is my first blog post. Not sure who is even reading this but thought I would write anyway!

So to begin I will let you know about the huge thing I did today. I have decided to relax my hair! Now for those who know me must think I'm crazy but I just had to do it. My hair is already straight but with this Florida weather, it has my hair doing all kinds of weird things. I am so proud of myself for finally doing it I just hope it worked. See, I have to keep my hair as is for 72 hours in oh about 95 degree heat. I can barely go two days without washing it!!! If I can get thru it it will be well worth it as it is supposed to last 6 months!!!! Oh I hope it works, me and my flatiron are starting to hate each other.

Ray and I have also started to eat healthier. The trip down from Kodiak to Clearwater completely ruined my diet causing me to gain 20 lbs!!! We recently bought a cookbook for diabetics and I was sure everything would be bland and horrible but to my pleasant surprise I was wrong. Tonight was the 3rd recipe we have made from the book and it was delish! We made Bow-tie pasta with chicken and asparagus. Elena even loved it and I haven't seen too many 2 1/2 year olds in to asparagus. For dessert we had homemade raspberry and chocolate sorbet. I'm actually getting into this healthy stuff!

Tonight's dinner:



Tomorrow night: Ahi Tuna Salad with Citrus-Cilantro Vinaigrette!!!