Hello!
Workouts
Fri – 30 minutes of light elliptical intervals.
Sat - 60 minutes of aerial silks class.
Sun – Much-needed rest!
Mon – 30 minutes of elliptical intervals.
Taking an aerial silks class has been on my bucket list for a long time now. I had been putting it off because I wanted to work on strengthening my upper body first, but then a coupon popped up and, well, you know how that goes.
It was really fun! If you’re in the area, the class was at the Pittsburgh Dance Center in Bloomfield and this is a link to the deal. The teacher, Holly Kirby, is patient and fabulous.
Eats
1) I found a few cups of cornmeal while organizing my pantry. Wanting dessert, I spent a few minutes searching online and stumbled across a SkinnyTaste recipe for Cornmeal Cake (Bolo de Fubá), which didn’t need a lot of wheat flour. I cut the recipe in half, baked it for 35 minutes in an 8×8, and decreased the sugar.
It had a wonderful crispness on top, with a thick custardy layer in the middle. Plus, it only used one bowl!
2) Panseared chicken and broccoli, with a blob of PB atop. Standard work-week dinner.
Big News: We’re moving! (sorta)
You may have noticed that I sometimes constantly complain about being stressed. One of the big reasons is that my husband was recently offered a job in Saipan.
If you’re like everyone else, you’re saying, “wtf is Saipan?” It’s a tiny island in the South Pacific, kind of in between Australia and Japan.
I didn’t want to tell anyone until we were completely certain that he would accept (which he has). This is a fantastic opportunity for him career-wise and I’m super excited for this new big adventure…but, I would be lying if I said that my inner-housecat isn’t a little nervous. We’re taking it in stride.
So, what does “moving (sorta)” actually mean? I’ll fly there with him in late March to help secure an apartment and perform other wifely duties, like making sure he has enough socks. Then, I’ll fly back to Pittsburgh to complete my spring semester. I’ll try to tuck an intense summer semester under my belt before we re-evaluate when I should move to Saipan myself, likely mid-August.
For now, I’m slugging through midterms, planning a trip to visit family in Kentucky, and looking forward to a tropical vacation 
Have you ever made a Big Move before?
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oh my gosh – so exciting! My big move was 1000 miles cross country, but not out of the country!
1,000 miles is a huge move! Please let me know if you have any tips – it’s very overwhelming!
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By Jupiter, woman, if I tried to do what you did in the picture, I’d probably have to visit an emergency room
Thanks, EC! That (very real) possibilty definitely flashed through my mind
HOW AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to you guys on this new upcoming journey. Good thing the job offer is some place cool. Hehe! Can’t wait to read on your adventures in Saipan!
Thank you, Kym! Yes, I have always wanted to see what life on a tropical island is like
Wow!!! And yes! Although not as big as that. England is a pretty similar culture. Yours will be SO much fun though!! I can’t wait to read all about it!
Ohio to England is still a big move, even if the cultures are similar!
Congratulations of your big move! You guys should go on House Hunters International
hahahaha!!!! Except our families would KILL us for buying a house so far away
Holy cow, Alex, that’s amazing!!! What a great opportunity! I can’t wait to follow your adventures there!
Thank you, Natalie! I will definitely keep you all updated
Wow, congrats on the big news of the move!! That’s so exciting & stressful at the same time. I’ve made a cross-country move from WI to FL and then 8 years later, FL back to WI (in August) & it was crazy stressful. It’s also exciting though & I’m sure you two will experience a lot of good things there together & it’ll most likely strengthen your relationship even further. Congrats!
Thank you, Karey! I have never moved out of Pittsburgh, so I’m definitely a little nervous, but trying to focus on all of the excitement and adventure that comes with it.
Wow!! Congratulations on your big move. That is huge. That is going to be an amazing experience though. Very happy for both of you!
Thank you so much, Alaine!!!
What are these elliptical intervals? I’m intrigued. I’ll have to poke around your site a bit more. I love ellipticalling, but I never feel like I get a really great workout from those machines
And OMG that cornmeal cake looks like my total ideal dessert! I LOVEEE cornbread and I like mine on the sweeter side. Too bad it uses so much refined sugar!! How much did you cut it down by?
My elliptical has little buttons for different workouts and one of them is “Intervals.” The machine goes on an easy setting for 2 minutes, then increases resistance and incline for 2 minutes, then goes back to easy. So it alternates between easy and hard. It definitely keeps my heart rate up more than simply trucking along.
I made that cake twice – once with the original sugar and once with it cut in half. I have a hella sweet tooth, so I preferred the sweeter version
Holy cow – that is a big move!! Nope, I’ve only moved 50 miles away from my hometown – not a big deal at all!
Love that trapese class – I am a sucker for groupons too!
Groupons are so SNEAKY! It’s, like, “omg! all this stuff that I didn’t know I need!!!”
Big move and so exciting! I moved from LA to Cabo San Lucas for my hubby job and not going to lie it was scary but one of the best things I ever Did! There are so many ways to meet new friends + experience new things the best advice I can give you is be open ton trying new things and making coffee time with new people. Where your moving is small so most people are very open and you will get to know everyone really fast which is exciting
really interested to see what fitness and heal this like over there! Sending you adventure! Love + shine Courtstar
LA to Mexico is a big move! I’m glad to hear that you look back on it fondly, though.
“be open to trying new things and making coffee time with new people.”
This is such great advice! Having lived in Pittsburgh for so long, I definitely don’t follow it enough. Looking forward to getting some more adventures in my life.
You really made me feel better about it. Thank you so much, Courtney!!!!
That’s wonderful news Alex! Looks like you’ll have warm weather all year round too. I can’t wait to read about your adventures!
Thank you, Beth! I definitely plan to share the story
WOW! Congrats! What an exciting time for you two! Look at it as an adventure- looking forward to following along with your move (when you take the plunge and move there as well). We recently moved from Minnesota to Ohio, and while it’s not as drastic of a move that yours will be, it’s still a move and all of the scariness of change that comes along with it. Good luck and congrats, again!
Thank you, Alisha!!
I think moving is always a little stressful, whether it’s across town, across state lines, or across the world. Thank you for the well wishes
Oh my gosh Alex, that is SO exciting! I mean, it would be a HUGE move, but the experience of living in another country? You can’t beat that! How long would it be for? Or a potential permanent move?
Thanks, Allie!!!
His contract is for 2 years, but would likely be renewed if it’s a really great fit. So, it could be temporary, it could be more long-term. The flexibility is what keeps me from having a total meltdown
That’s a good set-up! You can go in relaxed and not panicked that you’re “stuck there”–just enjoy it while you’re there and then see what the future holds!
A huge congrats to your all! First, to you, for trying a new class! As for the hubby – that sounds like an amazing opportunity! Keeping my fingers crossed that every turns out the best!
Thank you, Nikki! I can use all of the good luck that I can get!
Wow, taking aerial classes and moving–lots of news! Even though it’s a stressful time, try to focus on the excitement instead–new city, new time zone, and new food.
This is such great advice! I’m definitely the more worrisome in our relationship and I tend to get lost in the details/logistics, instead of focusing on what an amazing adventure it is!
Wow wow wow! The aerial class looks awesome! That is a huge move! At least you’ll be closer to Australia!
I have moved to the states from Australia and back twice. It is really exciting and fun. But can also be hard to adjust both ways. Sometimes it is even harder coming home. I think the easiest way to make the most of it and explore and enjoy the new culture while you can!
Australia to the US is a HUGE move! Do you have any advice??? So far, our plan is to get rid of as much stuff as possible. It’s very overwhelming!
That ariel class looks awesome!! Its going on my list of must try’s! I am going through a similar situation, my husband will be moving the US for 6 months in july, it is never an easy time when you are seperated from your loved one. But change can be a good, and good things always seem the hardest to adjust to. What a cool adventure for the both of you!!!
The aerial class was so fun! You must try it if you ever get a chance.
Long distance is so tough! We’ll have to trade ideas for care packages
Hey!
CONGRATS to your husband!! Amazing!
Big move I did was when I was 17..moved to the UK for university for 4 years!
Thank you!!!
Canada to the UK is a huge move! If you have any tips, be sure to send them our way
Aerial silks sounds like so much fun!!! Keep us updated about that
Woa! Congratz to your husband. Never heard of Saipan before but I can imagine it being breathtakingly beautiful. I’m sure you guys will get through this change
I had never heard of Saipan before, either! It’s a big adventure, but I think we’re up to the challenge
Thank you for the well wishes!
That class looks neat! And wow, that is a far move, but I am sure it will be a great adventure!
It’s about as far as you can go without coming back ’round the planet!
Haha
It looks like you’re moving in with some Sharks and Sea Horses! LOL! I hope you can swim really well
And omg, that ariel stuff looks so much fun! A must try in my book!
haha!!! I better sharpen my swimming skills! There aren’t many sharks in Pittsburgh…
The aerial class was a blast! You should definitely join if you ever get an opportunity
oh man no wonder you’re stressed! That’s a lot on your plate! At least you have a tropical vacation on the books. Also pb in your chicken and broccoli? Genius.
Right?! My head has been topsy-turvy for the past three weeks. I wanna go sit on the beach!
OH my gosh this is so exciting!! I have not moved AT ALL yet..(AHH) so I would be sooo nervous for this move, but so excited at the same time!! That aerial class looks so fun!
Brittany, I have never moved before either! I’ve bounced between different apartments, but all in Pitsburgh. NERVOUS is an understatement
Wowza! This is big news!! Congrats to your husband on the job! I want to hear more about the class you took! It sounds super tough and fun
Thank you, Allie!
I’m signed up for another class on Saturday, so I’ll definitely give an update next week
Wow, wow, wow! Congrats to your husband! Sounds like it’s going to be a heck of an adventure. I’m excited for you
It’s my dream in life to move to an island one day. Or at least somewhere that isn’t as landlocked as Pittsburgh. Excited to hear more about this!
Thanks, Angela! I always dreamt about moving to an island, too. Now that it’s happening, my head hasn’t stopped spinning
Wow that is crazy!! But may be a good opportunity to see some new stuff for sure! Exciting! But i defnitely know how you feel being anxious. We did our big move in 2011 from Alaska to North Carolina, thought it is within the same country, it is a whole different world and adjustment. the biggest thing for me is that i miss my friends, etc. But my boyfriend and I have definitely become closer since we are force dto hang out with eachother all the time
haha
Alaska to NC is a huge move! Did you have to get rid of a lot of stuff before you left? We’ve been slowly paring things down…
I got so excited I forgot to say: An aerial class!! You’re so flexible–geez! And I’m pretty sure I’d kill myself trying to do any of that.
Haha! Thanks, Michelle! And, yes, there were defintely times when I almost fell on my face
I’ve never moved out of Pittsburgh! How exciting!
I’ve never lived anywhere else, either! A big adventure, indeed
Holy cow!! That IS big news! Congrats to your husband–this is obviously a very cool job opportunity. Have either of you ever been to Saipan before? I wonder how different (or not) it will be. I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard of it. Thanks for the visual on it’s location.
Wow!!
Thank you, Michelle! Neither of us ever been to Saipan – in fact, I hadn’t even heard of it before the job opened. I’m normally such a cautious person; it’s crazy to move somewhere sight unseen!
That is so exciting for you guys-congrats! I know how you feel (anxious x100000). We’re going to be moving to a new town in April; not very far away, but a place I’ve never lived full of marines. Plus I’ll be leaving my secure job to pursue 100% working from home. Change is terrifying!
Change is always so scary, even if you know it’s completely for the best. Moving is not for the best, though. Moving is the worst
… and by “moving” I mean “packing and cleaning and unpacking”