Revamping misstejota.com

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Currently I'm in the process of revamping this site. If you want to see some snippets of what is going on in my life and/or projects I'm working on please follow me on twitter at misstejota.

I should have a relaunch date posted in the next few weeks.

3rd Blogiversary - Giveaway 3

Update - There were 4 entries and Random.org chose #1. The winner is Dangrdafne. Congrats!

It's time! Here is my third giveaway in my year of giveaways for my 3rd Blogiversary. I will gift one person "The Wizard of Oz" (two-disc special edition).

Image retrieved from Amazon.com

"The Wizard of Oz" is one of my favorite movies and I needed to make sure at some point in this year of giveaways to share this particular item with one lucky winner.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this blog telling me you would like to enter the giveaway. Entry comments must be in by August 30, 2012, 11:59 PM EST. This contest is open to both US and international residents.

Good luck to you all.

I Heart Faces August 2012 Photo Challenge

I've been a fan of the "I Heart Faces" photo challenges for some time. Each month I state I'm going to enter, but I have always been chicken to do so. But this month with the "Pet Faces" challenge I knew I had to bite the bullet and enter. So here is my entry. Good luck to all who entered.

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - http://www.iheartfaces.com/

Celebration of Life

The last couple of weeks have been quite emotionally exhausting. A woman I love very much passed away on July 29, 2008. This woman was my maternal grandmother. So around this date each year I'm a bit more anxious and depressed as I can't help but think about her last few days on Earth.

My grandmother lived to be 82 years old. At her final time she was living on her own and taking very good care of herself. She might not have been in the best of health, as she always put it she was "fair to middling." In her final days she hadn't been feeling well and was taken to the hospital; one thing after another over a short period of time her body began to fail and she passed. During this time she was surrounded by her most of her children and a couple of grandchildren. It bothers me to this day that I wasn't with her when she died. I was 2 hours away on my way to an appointment. I wasn't made aware of how serious her situation was until the day she passed. This lack of knowledge caused a bit of a riff between me and some of my family, that riff thankfully is gone now.

On and off for years I thought I would like to join the National Marrow Donor Registry Program. Each time there was a drive in my city I was either going away on vacation or scheduled to work an event that I couldn't get out of. However, shortly before July 29, 2008 I was finally able to go to a drive and give my sample. I rarely think about what I did, it was so simple, just a few swabs of my gums and cheeks. I figured if the time came I would gladly see if I could be of further service and if I was still a match I would donate. Last week I believe I had my first dream of my grandmother. She might have been in others because I do sometimes wake up and she is fresh on my mind, but this was a dream I actually remembered her being in. I often joke with my maternal aunt if I had a dream where my grandmother made an appearance I would ask her for some lottery numbers. My grandmother was quite lucky when it came to hitting the street numbers. But alas I didn't ask her for any lottery numbers, nor did I wake up with any special numbers on my mind. *kicks dirt*

Better yet I awoke from that dream extremely happy. Unfortunately, I don't recall the specifics, I just know she wanted me to run an errand and I was excited to do it. Cut to a few hours later and I receive a call from National Marrow Donor Program stating it appears I was a match for a gentleman and they would like to know if I could provide a sample to see if that was still the case. I go through a simple phone medical history screening to see if I qualify to even provide a sample, I get some paperwork to sign, and I'm given the labs information where I'm to go and give my new sample. I have no clue if I'm still a viable candidate, but I'm happy to see. Regardless, of how this all turns out I just find it interesting that four years ago around this time I joined the registry, loss someone truly dear to me and was absolutely devastated because of it. And now four years later around the exact same time I am seeing if I am viable candidate to donate my bone marrow to and happy about the time I did have with my grandmother. I'm celebrating life!

I encourage you to let those you love know you love them, celebrate their life. Celebrate your life. And please join the registry, the process is simple and more importantly you can save someone's life.

3rd Blogiversary - Giveaway 2

Update - 29 entries and random.org chose #29. The contest winner is LoriAnnTwiFan. Congrats!!!

As promised on the 26th of every month until June 26, 2013 I will giveaway a little something as a way to say thank you. I want to give back to you all for sticking with me through the highs and lows of the last three years. And to celebrate surviving the 43rd Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA I am giving away a Summit Booth gift pack.

Majority of the items are Comic-Con exclusives and have the Comic-Con logo on them. And as a special treat I am throwing in two exclusive items from the Comic-Con Summit Booth from 2011. The Summit Booth gift pack includes the following items:

1. Two "The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2" temporary tattoos. 

2. Two "The Twilight Saga Cullen Crest" temporary tattoos.

3. 2011 Comic-Con Exclusive Bella pin.

4. 2011 Comic-Con Exclusive Jacob pin.

5. 2012 Comic-Con Exclusive "Warm Bodies" luggage tag.

6. 2012 Comic-Con Exclusive Edward pin.

7. 2012 Comic-Con Exclusive "The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2" pin.

8. 2012 Comic-Con Exclusive "Ender's Game" pin.

9. 2012 Comic-Con Exclusive Jacob pin.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this blog telling me you would like to enter the giveaway. Entry comments must be in by August 2, 2012, 11:59 PM EST. This contest is open to both US and international residents.

If you want extra entries, do the following and leave a comment for EACH one you do!!!

1. Follow @misstejota on twitter (include your twitter handle in the comment ).

2. Send out the following tweet: "3rd Blogiversay #Giveaway (http://bit.ly/misstejotaBG2July262012) by @misstejota. Includes exclusive #SDCC items from #Summit projects like #Twilight." (include URL to the tweet in your comment). Please note, if you have a locked twitter account I may require proof of the tweet with a screen image to ensure that all those who entered are given a fair shot.

Good luck to everyone.

Freebie Friday: Epiphanie Bag Giveaways.

As some of you are aware I'm obsessed with Epiphanie Bags. I want each one in vary colors. However, I can't afford one at the moment. I would gladly trade in one of my designer bags from my corporate america days for one of the Epiphanie Bags. Until the day I can own one or better yet own a few and be able to gift you all with some, I will continue to enter giveaways hoping that I am blessed with one.

Currently there are two contests going on that are each giving away an Epiphanie bag of your choice. They are:

1. Tara Swain Photography. Until July 22, 2012 is giving you multiple entries for her giveaway. You can find out more details and enter here.

2. Nikki Jay Photography has reached 7,500 fans on facebook. To celebrate this achievement she reached out to 15 different vendors and received a collection of goodies to giveaway. You can enter the contest until July 9, 2012. You can see each item she is giving away, find out more details, and enter here.

If you enter, good luck.

Gluten Free While Vacationing.

I normally treat my body poorly when I go on vacation. I end up eating gluten and/or lactose and make myself ill because of it. I was determined to not abuse my body while I am attending ComicCon next week. So I reached out to Dangrdafne and asked her what foods she packs when she travels. Seeing items like soy and rice non-diary beverage, snacks, and granola in her foods to pack box gave me the inspiration to pack myself a box for ComicCon as well.

My ComicCon gluten free stash.

I figured I would try to at least have food for breakfast and lunch. So I blessed myself with some Honey Nut Chex,  coconut milk, V8 cans, natural peanut butter, unsweetened apple sauce, Kind Bars, black tea, green tea, Kiwi-Strawberry Propel Enhanced water flavoring (to add extra flavor to my vodka and diet tonics), tuna, mayo and mustard packets, Glutino preztels and cookies, and Coles Corn cakes. I'll pick up some fruit when I arrive in San Diego so I can have some not packaged food items during the day.

I feel like I'm set to try and eat well and semi-healthy while I'm away. The amount of carbohydrates I eat while I'm gone will be more and the amount of protein that I take in will be lower. Not having access to a kitchen will be a bit of a pain. A morning cup of hot tea for me at the moment doesn't appear likely to happen. The uber fancy hotel we are staying in doesn't have a coffee maker in the room. WTF?! I'm hoping I can request one because their suggested idea of ordering a pot of hot water everyday does not bode well with me. 

Please wish me luck on this new food adventure. And if you have any suggestions and/or recommendations, please let me know.

Wordless Wednesday - Battle with the Pudge

First 3rd Blogiversary Winner!

I'm suspending the regularly schedule Music and/or Movie Monday post to let you all know that my first 3rd Blogiversary giveaway winner has been selected.

Three entries and the winner is jennbee.

Thanks for all those who entered and there will be more chances to win items each month.

"...Beautiful people do not just happen."

image retrieved from pinterest

This has been an emotional week for me. I realized that I have been defeated and that the struggles of my life might continue for a bit. And in one of my moments of contemplation I thought of the above quote and it made me smile. I came to realize that the struggles of my life make me a better person. I will grow from them and they make me a beautiful person. I hope this quote helps you all come to the same realization if you didn't already know.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross, M.D. name might not sound familiar to some of you. But I believe you all have heard of the Kübler-Ross model, better known as the Five Stages of Grief. Dr. Kubler-Ross was a wonderful woman, who has and will continue to inspire many with her teachings. If you have a moment, please take the time to read many of her other wonderful words of wisdom.

Freebie Friday - Slim, but good pickings.

Not much out there in the Interwebs regards to giveaways that I'm aware of or entering. However, the one amazing giveaway that is still going on until July 2, 2012 is the Kelly Moore giveaway. Kelly Moore and partners are giving away the following:

- Canon 5D Mark III or a Nikon D800 ($2,999 to $3,499)
- Kelly Moore Bag ($169-$249)
- Peter Hurley/F Stoppers”The Art behind the Headshot” DVD ($300)
- SLR Lounge Lightroom 4 DVD Guide and Presets(Worth $198)

You can enter *here.

Good luck!!!

*You must have a facebook account to enter the giveaway.

Battle of the Pudge Update

June 30, 2012, will mark a full month into the Miss TeJota vs. the Pudge battle. Currently I am neck and neck in battle points with the pudge. I've lost weight and inches. I'm successfully pushing through the 100 push-ups and 200 sit-ups programs. I'm above target for each program and that makes me very happy. I am eating better and usually under my daily caloric intake. I'm still in the process of figuring out how many grams of carbs is the proper amount for me, as well as protein.

I rarely reach the My Fitness Pal suggested 245 grams of carbohydrates a day for the weight loss program I am on. Due to that, I think I'll try to keep the amount of carbs I consume daily to between 80-120 grams. This number lets me still have oatmeal in the morning, a good amount of fruit, and some gluten free bread on occasion. Figuring out my how much protein I should have a day has been tricky. I've read that I should consume between 30-60 grams a protein a day. However, since my diet as of late has been tailored to my wallet, I've been consuming more meat. My local grocery store had a major meat sale. Boneless and skinless chicken breast for $1.99 a pound for family packs. I had to jump in on that deal, so hence all the chicken I am eating as of late. A friend gifted me a dozen and a half of eggs from a farmer's market. Since they are organic, they don't last as long so I need to eat those bad boys up. So consuming these items can bump up the amount of protein I eat to as much as 92 grams in a single day. I hope to get an understanding and handle on how many grams of carbs and protein I should consume a day to make for a healthy lifestyle that will also allow me to shed the pudge.

Where I'm losing points in the battle is with working out. I'm consistent in keeping with the push-up and sit-up programs, but I haven't added in a decent cardio and/or strength exercise routine. My sleep habits have been quite horrible and it's making me extra lazy. The sit-up and push-up work-outs take no more than 10-12 minutes each session. So I never miss a session. I'm hoping to get on track and add at least three cardio work-outs to my week ranging between 20-40 minutes. I think if I could add this in and successfully keep up with it, I'll beat and win my battle of the pudge.

If any of you have any suggestions please let me know.

Wordless Wednesday - Spider-Man

Happy 3rd Blogiversary!

Image retrieved from Caveman Reflections

Three years ago today, I began this blog, "chronicles of a fat girl named miss tejota." It was an attempt to try to rehash my old blog, "chronicles of a fat girl name miss t.j." in a new format. To learn from my previous mistakes and start anew. I've had my ups and downs like all of us along the way. Some I documented in detail here and other things I kept quiet. But through it all, you all have been there for me. Figuratively holding my hand, giving high-fives, pats on the back, and/or virtual hugs. I'm grateful to you all. 


To celebrate and show my appreciation I decided to try and extend my gratitude. I will attempt to do a giveaway on the 26th of every month until June 26, 2013. The prizes will vary, so I hope each of you will find a giveaway that will suit your fancy enough to enter.


Currently, I'm reading again "The Book of Awakening" by Mark Nepo. Nepo's book was given to me by the lovely Dangrdafne. Dangrdafne has a wonderful blog titled "Dangrdafne Days of Delirium." Please go check out her blog. This wonderful book she gave me has often helped to inspire me and provided me with excellent tools for personal growth and exploration. This book made me want to look for other tools to help enhance my life. I've been told that the teachings of yogi and guru Paramhansa Yogananda are quite wonderful and can truly impact the mind, soul, and spirit when put into practice. So, in honor of Dangrdafne who gave me a book about personal growth, my first giveaway will be a copy of "Spiritual Relationships: The Wisdom of Yogananda, Volume 3." You all enhance my life and spirit with the relationships that have grown from our interactions, therefore I felt a spiritual book about relationships was an appropriate first giveaway.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this blog telling me you would like to enter the giveaway. And since I know this type of book isn't for everyone, if you don't mention that you want to be entered in the giveaway I will not include your name into the entry pool. Entry comments must be in by June 30, 2012, 11:59 PM EST.

Thank you all for your love and support. I'm beyond blessed to have you all in my life. Good luck to all those who enter.

You know the you who you are beneath...

I think we often need to be reminded that beneath all of our hurt, fears, regrets, and insecurities the real and strong person that you are resides.

Author Karen Salmansohn and the woman behind the above quote and lovely artwork has lovely shop filled with inspiring items. Please take the time to check it out.

Freebie Friday - Camera, Camera Bag, and More.

Kelly Moore Bag is doing an amazing giveaway. Kelly Moore and partners are giving away the following:

- Canon 5D Mark III or a Nikon D800 ($2,999 to $3,499)

- Kelly Moore Bag ($169-$249)

- Peter Hurley/F Stoppers”The Art behind the Headshot” DVD ($300)

- SLR Lounge Lightroom 4 DVD Guide and Presets(Worth $198)

You can enter *here.

Good luck!!!

*You must have a facebook account to enter the giveaway.

It's not just you.

My friends often come to me for advice and majority of the time I don't mind giving it. But sometimes, I get so annoyed by the complaining that I just want to walk away while they are in the midst of describing their dilemma, so I don't junk punch them. And I don't mean think about junk punching them, but actually junk punching them. The compulsion to actually hit them in the junk is so strong that I would literally do it.

To get me to the point that I would actually, truly want to hit someone takes a lot. I'm annoyed and disgusted often, I get upset at times, but to truly have me angry or to the point of being mad enough to consider wanting to hit you was rare. But as of late, it's happening more and more. I think it's because I'm noticing folks have this attitude of you don't understand because insert ludicrous statement. I get it, we are often selfish and self-centered beings. But everyone of us has issues and even though they aren't exactly the same there is always a point or points in those issues where folks can relate.

I don't think those who go through break-ups know how hurtful it can be to stay to someone who is single, "you just don't understand the heartache and loss I'm going through right now." Really?! Did it ever occur to you that single person you are talking to is already heartbroken. They might be lonely, they lived days upon days without someone to share their life with, without someone loving to support them. They might be lost and alone and have never had a connection with someone, that they would cherish the day to have a relationship that could possibly end. Or they are being told, "I just don't see why you aren't with someone" while dealing with the constant rejection from possible mates. They might have gone through a break-up previously and that broken connection has affected how they navigate in the world.

Or when you talk about the weight of the world on you as man to support your mate. How "that struggle to live up to that perception is so difficult on you that no female will ever understand." Really?! Did you ever think that possibly that female you are speaking to has supported herself, her whole life. Or that female has been the main caretaker for her family before you even had to wash your own drawers because you, the male was still living at home and being taken care of by your single mother. So she fully understands the pressure because she has lives through it everyday. Because when her paycheck comes she might be sending money off to make sure a sibling can go on a school trip or pay that siblings tuition, while you are worrying about whether or not you can take a date out to an expensive restaurant.

We can relate on things. What you are going through may seem and might actually be horrible, but don't think you are the only one who has been through this. There are very few circumstances where one can truly say "I'm the only one who has had this issue or dilemma." It's not just you, so remember that the next time you go and discuss your problem or seek advice. Because you never know who you might be hurting when you talk about how the other person will never understand.

Wordless Wednesday - Saving My Feet with VFF

No Blog Post Today

I'm having issues with my blog post today. I promised myself instead of rushing to put a post out filled with grammatical errors and/or one with link issues I would rather not post. I apologize for the delay and I'll be back tomorrow.

I hope you all had a great day!

Music Monday - Spotify

I've recently gotten back into spending large chunks of my day listening to new music. The program making it possible is Spotify. I've had access to Spotify for some time, but never bothered to actually put the goodness to use. I kept listening to the same old songs over and over again on my iPhone. But when I re-declared my love for music again I needed to go outside of my normal routine. I looked to my normal music web sites and blogs,  Earplugs Not Included, Hype Machine, and The Music Ninja and was blessed with some great leads.

But more was needed and wanted. So I finally logged into Spotify and struck gold. Anything and everything that I wanted to listen to was there. From Ed Sheeran, to Jimmy, to James Morrison, to the boy band One Direction. I have the free Spotify account because advertisements don't bother me. However, if they will bother you and you would like offline access to your playlists they have paid accounts that offer you those options.

I suggest you sign up for Spotify, check out some music and share with us what you are listening to and what artist(s) has you obsessed with their sound.

Stop beating yourself up...

I think we all need a little inspiration here and there. The web site "Live Life Happy, Inspirational Quotes, Posters & Stories" is a great place to go and get some. Here is one of my favorite posts:

I hope the above words impacted you today. And if not today you remember it when you are in the midst of beating yourself up.

Freebie Friday: Giveaways around the Interwebs

Here are the giveaways that I'm currently entering like mad:

1. Zagg's Daily Gaming Giveaway: Everyday until June 30, 2012 Zagg is giving a daily chance for one individual to win one of the following gaming systems: Sony® PS Vita, Sony PS3™,  Microsoft® Xbox 360®, or a Nintendo® Wii®.

2. Tip Junkie: It's her 5th Annual Birthday Bash and she is giving away tons of stuff. Go see a full listing of prizes here. Each giveaway has a different contest ending date, so go enter right now.

3. Powered-by-Mom iPad 3 Giveaway: Each person has up to 192 entry points for the iPad 3 giveaway. The contest ends on June 18, 2012.

If you enter any or all of these giveaways, Good Luck!

Pudge vs. Miss TeJota

Fourteen days ago I began a new battle of the pudge. So far it has been pretty painless. The most difficult thing for me is eating breakfast everyday. I haven't always been successful, but for the most part I'm eating three meals a day and not going over my allotted caloric intake. Starting tomorrow, I am adding snacks back into my lifestyle. Which means three meals a day, plus two snacks.

My water intake is strong, I drink no less than 96 ounces of water throughout a 24 hour period. Also, I drink four cups of unsweetened cold black tea a day to keep my belly fat under control. I would like to add at least a cup or two of green tea a day because I love the taste and because of other health benefits. Hopefully by the time July comes around I'll be back to taking vitamins and a probiotic daily. I am one of those individuals who needs the extra boost from the probiotic to help with digestion.

One thing I'm not afraid of is exercise. I don't like it, but I can do it and will do it. Due to some issues with my body I need to slowly work my way back into working out on a regular basis. I've had the iPhone apps 100 hundred push-ups and 200 sit-ups for some time now. The goal of these two programs is to get you to be able to do 100 push-ups or 200 sit-ups by the end of the six week program. Two days ago, I was able to do 56 sit-ups over 5 sets, 8 more sit-ups over the targeted goal for the day. Yesterday, I was able to do 37 push-ups over 5 sets, 7 more push-ups over the targeted goal for the day. 

Next up in the exercise routine is the P90X Ab Ripper. It's an ab training program that could be done in under 15 minutes. I don't think I will not be able to complete the program in 15 minutes, but I will finish it each day. Getting my belly down is really important to me because of my families health issues. I'm predisposed to Cardiovascular disease, Stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and Breast cancer. Extreme belly fat is a major risk factor for these diseases. I am looking to change my overall body, but I'm starting with my abs first. 

By the next update I should be finishing week 4 of both the 100 push-ups and 200 sit-ups programs. I'll still be making my through the P90X Ab Ripper, hopefully getting closer to finishing the workout in the 15 minute time-frame, and will have added some type of cardio workout into my exercise routine. So basically, I will be sweating the pudge off as well as eating the pounds away properly. 

The two week winner in the battle, Pudge vs. Miss TeJota, is me! w00t!

Wordless Wednesday - Tony Awards 2012 Red Carpet

  

First love I'm coming back for you.

Music is my first love. I mean I used to be a musicHead. It was the one constant in my life, my soulmate. I could turn to music to help me solve any problem, it cured all ills. Music filled my ears, mind, and soul for at least five to six hours a day. I was constantly looking for new music and I would attend concerts all the time. Then I moved to NYC and one would think my love for music would continue to grow, but for some reason it didn't.

I no longer listened to the radio when I moved, so my knowledge of new artists was drastically limited. I didn't attend shows as much because my wallet was much smaller and the ticket prices were higher. Also I no longer had an in and didn't get to go to concerts and local shows for free. And as the years went by I still bought music, but mostly from the same artists I was quite familiar with. I was positive that attending the SxSW Music Festival and Coachella in 2011 was going to make my zeal for music return. I won't lie, it did for few months. Then it fell off. I didn't turn to music when my financial world start to crumble last year. I didn't turn to it when I had to take the semester off this year. Other distractions like television, fanfiction, and social media became my steady companions. Music was there, but was limited to when I left the house or a hour here and there while I was at home.

Then today I launched my spotify account and realized how much I missed my first love music. All the amazing feelings that listening to an great new artist or a song from familiar artist I hadn't heard came rushing forward. The emotions of it was overwhelming, but I loved being consumed by the feeling. First love I'm sorry I've been absent, but know I'm coming back for you and I won't stray again.

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Here are the links to my SxSW and Coachella posts. Three sites to learn more about new artists or things your favorites are releasing are Earplugs Not Included, Hype Machine, and The Music Ninja.