Seventy Fifth Stop: That Is All

Most people try to better themselves and be the best that can be in their profession.

As an interpreter, there is so much I don't know.  There are so many ways to sign a simple sentence.  Most of my job is left to how I hear or see something and figure the best way to give it to the other consumer with the same meaning. 

This weekend I got to sit in a conference for 3 days with some of the most inspiring, supportive and motivating people I have ever met.  Going to a conference where you don't really know anyone in the profession had me shaking in my xtra-tuff boots.  The interpreting world can be so rude... ie: not helpful, and this "I'm better than you attitude".  But it was so refreshing to meet 60 men and women who are so far away from that type of interaction. Everyone was so helpful, encouraging, motivating, wanting to work together for the betterment of ourselves and as a team to provide the best services we can to our consumers.

Our presenter was Nigel Howard... no words can describe the beauty of his signing.  He can take something that we hearing people/ working interpreters made way too complicated and  he would sign it so beautifully, shrug his shoulders and say thats all. If only it was that easy.

To truly get an idea how phenomenal this guy is, we talked in depth amount of the human anatomy and I wish that he was my interpreter when I took Anatomy and Physiology.  I would of totally and completely understood the class better by watching him than I did listening to a semester of lecturing.   That is the true gift that I hope to one day be able to provide to my consumers.  If only my interpretation of the content would be so clear that a hearing person, who does not know sign language, would be able to understand the content material...One can only dream!

Here is to feeling the best I have felt about my profession and truly look forward to working with all these wonderful people I met from all over Alaska, the United States, and Canada!  

Seventy Fourth Stop: Completed Puzzle

To say that my weekend was extremely amazing would not fully encompass how great it truly was.

Not many people can say that their puzzle pieces all fall together and feel complete, and feel like they are exactly where they are supposed to be.  To feel at home and connected to the world and beautiful nature that surrounds us is a feeling that is so beautiful and overwhelming.

I probably sound like a babbling idiot, but there truly are no words to really explain these feelings, unless you have experienced them.

Many people have asked me how I like up here.. I always struggle to put it in words because until you have come up here and experienced the good life... my explanation will never do it justice.

So blessed (I know I say that all the time, but hey.. it is so true!)     I cannot wait to see what awaits me.

Seventy Third Stop: Babysitting

I got to go up to Anchorage to celebrate my 4-day weekend.

I was able to load up on groceries and spend the weekend babysitting the kiddos.  We had so much fun and nobody got hurt...House was still standing at the end of the weekend, as well.

I got to take the kids to the sledding park/ play ground.  The hills are huge and they were pretty slick too!  Some of the kids went up to the very top and they would shoot down that hill at least 50 mph.  Call me a chicken, but I never remember doing that as a child... or was I willing to.   Especially now, all I could think about was if I do this I will most likely break an arm or a finger and not be able to work.   I'm out!   It was a hard decision,too, when you have adorable little Tyler saying, "Ryan.. you come.  You slide with me."   That was hard to say no to.

It is always refreshing to get out of the village for a bit and socialize and let's be honest - go shopping!  One thing I truly miss is being able to go to the store to pick something up ... or if you have a rough day, take a walk around Target to decompress and check out all the new shiny things!

"Cheers"  to a successful weekend!

Hanging out with this guy in 9 degree weather. 

Seventy Second Stop: Independence

Pay-off day.

After lots of work and dedication, my kiddo has mastered her diabetic independence.  Due to this, we get to go on a field trip.

We get to go to Homer!   Tomorrow morning my kiddo and I are jumping on the 9:30 flight from here in the village to Homer.  Yup.. a plane to go on the field trip.  So different already than any field trip I went on in school.

We will then meet up with the "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" teacher in Homer and then go and meet the other Deaf kiddo and spend the day with her at her school.

I cannot wait to see these two develop a friendship that I would hope could last a life time.  They are able to share so many things already that they have talked over Skype.  The first time meeting someone face to face without a computer is always a little nerve racking, but so exciting!

Here is to celebrating independence!

Seventy First Stop: SNOW

SNOW.. SNOW.. SNOW!!!

This California girl is learning what this thing people call "snow" is.  It is different to visit the snow, but to live in it is so awesome!!

The kids have had so much fun and get so excited.  Having snow though means going to play takes some prep time to make sure that all the kids are adequately layered up to go out in the snow and freezing temperatures.

On the first snow, we all went out and they were sliding down the hill.  By sledding they practically throw themselves down the hill. They had no sleds.  I was shocked, but they were so cute and their adorable giggles were so cute.

This California girl is slowly becoming an Alaskan!

Seventieth Stop: Keto

Since I have started this "must-happen-life-change",  I have learned so much.

Dr. Mosher recommend that I read a book called Keto Clarity by Jimmy Moore.  This book has helped my fears of what this life-change is going to look like and made it not so scary.   Being told everything you can't eat starts to make you feel like you will never be able to eat again!   I was on the devastated side when he told  me, but when you are faced with the option of. 1) continue living a life that won't last long and there will be more medical issues... OR... 2)  make the ketogenic diet and paleo your foundation forever... The decision is pretty easy.   I have to much to still do with my life and I am tired of having to see every kind of doctor under the sun. 

So, I have completed the book Keto Clarity, and I have researched online of some delicious looking dishes, and everything is in perspective that this is not going to be that bad. 

I do feel like I have been cheated by our health system and my educational system.  I have been taught by my personal trainers, my Kinesiology classes, my nutrition classes, my nutritionists, every doctor I go to, and our society that I need to: 

 - eat protein and vegetables with limited carbs   

-Need to eat 6 times a day

- Hungry pains will eventually go away 

 - Need to exercise

- must follow a strict schedule

 - Never eat the fat and look for lean meats

This book will throw your world upside down if this what you have been taught as well!   In order for our bodies to function properly and burn the fat that is in our body, our systems need to not burn sugar and burn fat.

How can we do that?? 

Lets start with what make up our macronutrients? seventiet 

 Hint.. there is only 3:  

Protein, Carbs, and FAT!!!

Because our society has food readily available due to fast-food restaurants, and food stores, we no longer have to survive off what the earth provides for US to go out and kill or gather.  Our society has become dependent on sugars and carbs more than we even acknowledge.  Our bodies now function off of sugar (ever get a head ache if you haven't had a soda or haven't eaten?)  Our bodies are not functioning to their fullest potential and that is why so many people have to take a handful of medications to help with their heart, their cholesterol, aches/pains, arthritis, diabetes, depression, epilepsy, IBS, and the list goes on.  This is why obesity is on the rise around the world and especially here in America.  We are not providing our bodies what it needs to be successful. 

So what can we do?  Do your own research as I have done.  Read the book.  If you do not have time check into Jimmy Moore's Livinglavitalowcarb.com/blog/n1 ...he is a success story of this diet and is just an average person now trying to help people change their lives.

I am not sitting here writing about this to blow smoke up your boo-hiney.   If you want to be healthier, want to help cure some ailments, aches/pains, medical issues, and loose the stubborn belly fat that won't go away... what do you have to  lose?  

I have been limiting my carbs to 30-50 grams a day,  protein is the same and fat!!  Bacon is my new best friend and I am feeling so much better.  I do not have all the proper ingredients right now so I have been doing the best I can with what I have till I get to go food shopping (village life problems.. no health food store close) to dive in 100% .  What I have done, though, is loose 2 pounds and I don't have crashes and I am not starving.  The fat kills the hunger cravings. 

I will check back in about the diet when I have everything  I need to be successful. 

So, if your news year resolution was to lose weight and the typical crap we all do isn't working... what do you have to lose?!    

We can do it together.

Sixty Ninth Stop: Dr. Bret Mosher

      Disclosure:   this blog is not get pity.   That is the last thing I want.  This is to hopefully provide hope to those who struggle with a medical issue that cannot be figured out.  To the person who has struggled and tried everything and is ready to give up... I am/have been that person.  Don't give-up!   Trust in yourself to keep up the fight to find your answers.  They will come.  It has taken me 20 years! 

    To most,  I am a pretty healthy active individual.  I love to work out and do whatever I can to be healthy.  What many don't know is that I have had my struggles.   Growing up I have had my fair share of unanswered health questions and going to every different kind of doctor under the sun.  I often am left with no answers and more confusion than when I started.  Most of the doctors are so quick to give me a prescription because it worked before, but never truly get to the bottom of what the real underlying issue is.  

     I am so happy to finally announce that I have found the doctor that will change and has changed my life.  He is on a track that has not been looked at before and is having success.  He has been able to provide me with vitamins and minerals, all natural stuff, that is truly making a difference in my life.  

    For anyone that is out there has medical issues that for whatever reason cannot be diagnosed and just present more questions, and doctors not taking the time to get to the real issue... there is hope!   I am proof that there is someone who can help.  There is hope that you will be able to get to a better "you".  I am proof. 

    For those of you in the San Diego area, or if you are willing to travel to see the best doctor I have ever had the honor of getting to call my doctor, he is it.  His name is Dr. Bret Mosher and he is located in Poway.   He is my miracle and I am forever blessed! 

Ways to contact him:  

Poway Valley Center, 13364 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064

(858) 679-2995.   

http://www.mosherhealth.com