2015 Fitness Goals

Hello again!
Last year, since starting at a "real" CrossFit gym, I decided that I would make some fitness goals. 

These were my fitness goals for 2014-

1. To run a half under 2 hours 
2. To get 3 consecutive pull-ups 
3. 10 consecutive push ups 
4. 10 consecutive double unders 
5. To cleans and jerk my current body weight( 155lbs) 
6. To snatch (catch and hold in the bottom) 100lbs 

Here is how 2014 ended!

1. I ran my half in 2:35 which was still relatively good for not training for it... oops! I just wasn't committed to waking up early, and running in the hot, ugly air of the central valley.
2. I am able to do 5 pull ups consecutively now!
3. I don't quite have 10 push ups, I have 4 with good form.
4. I am able to do 10 consecutive double unders, but I would like to have them more consistently... I definitely have good and bad double under days. 
5. I was able to clean my current body weight, 150lbs... but maxed out a jerk of 140 lbs
6. Last, I haven't successfully snatched (caught in the bottom) 100 lbs... but I can hit that weight consistently with a power snatch, so I know the strength is there, I just need to work in technique.

I struggled with motivation and personal issues at the gym until the end April of last year, and because of that I didn't consistently make it into the gym. After finding motivation, and getting my personal circle back on track, I hit the gym hard, and never looked back. I made HUGE progress from April to December. I am excited to see what I can do in a full year, instead of only 7 months.

For 2015 my fitness goals are to-

1. Clean & Jerk 175 lbs
2. Snatch (catch in the bottom) 135 lbs
3. Squat 250 lbs (at least!) haha
4. Have consistent double unders- So, being able to complete ANNIE (sit ups and double unders) in under 10 minutes. I know that this means I have to put in the time to work on my doubles other than when they are a part of the workouts in the gym haha!
5. To work on my pull up strength/grip/ consistency. I struggle holding onto the rig, and with getting more than 3 reps in at a time during a WOD. I would like to complete a workout like FRAN (thrusters and pull ups) with my pull ups being broken up in no less than sets of 10. 
6. Work on my core strength- I have decided to dedicate 3 days a week to core strength exercises.
7. Work on upper body strength- I have decided to dedicate 2 days a week to upper body strength exercises. 
8. Run a half marathon in under 2 hours- I wan to take this goal more seriously this year. I think that making running a part of my exercise routine will help with this. I will have to give you all an update, but I would like to incorporate about 2 runs a week into my routine training, I also think I will sign up for a run that I don't have to train through the Summer for haha! 

I can tell that after the last year of training, my goals have become much more specific. I hope that this means, I will have a stronger drive, and more motivation to accomplish them and so much more. 

I am so lucky to have made friends, and have family that will support me, and motivate me along the way. Here is to my fitness goals and any that you may have as well! 

xoxo
-Tori

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

It has been a while!

Life has been crazy, and well I haven't had internet lately! 

I didn't realize how much I was on my computer and the internet, until I did have one part of the equation! 

Well here is some big news! Garrett and I have decided to move in together! This is something that we have discussed for some time, we have been keeping our ears and eyes open for a place in Reedley, and we found to good of a deal to pass up! 

We are beyond excited to have somewhere to cook, clean, make memories, and call home together. 

It has been a little crazy with cleaning, moving, prioritizing things, realizing all the little things we don't have, transferring utilities, and all the good stuff that comes with moving. But, we are beyond thankful for my family, the support and love they have given us through this. 

We rant quite settled in, we are getting there! I am sure my pinterest feed will now consist of home DIY projects, and how to make this little apartment our own. 

For Christmas Eve, we spent time with my mom and (as of 12/27, stepdad! ahhh!) Max.

Christmas Day, in the morning we spent time with Garrett's mom and brothers. Then that afternoon we went to his grandparents (Gram and Papa). It was a great day filled with love and happiness - other than the cold I caught haha!

New Years Eve, we spent with great friends! I am so blessed to have the people I do in my life. Over the last year or so, I have really made sure to keep people around that make me happy, and who support me, and these people do all of that. I know they call CrossFit a cult, but from CrossFit, I have made some of the best friends that I ever have.

Last, on day 3/365, Garrett participated in a weightlifting tournament and got third place! he went 5/6 with his lifts, and got a new meet snatch PR, and an overall meet total PR! 

CFO Fran-niversary: Every Rep Counts Partner Competition

Oh man, It's been a while!

I definitely catch up with my posts on training, and life, but for now I am just going to catch you up on the recent partner competition I participated in! A couple months ago a few people in my gym talked about signing up for CrossFit Oakdale's "Every Rep Counts" partner competition.  Garrett kinda planted the bug for Diane and I to partner up, and do the competition. I definitely gave it some thought, and decided to ask Diane if she would want to. Without hesitation, she was like " Yea! That would be awesome!" haha! She is the best, so from there we committed to do the comp! We decided to do their "open" division, which was their version of scaled. 

These were our finishes!-

This past Saturday (12/6/2014) was the day! 

We had a total of 5 workouts, but the set up was more like 2 separate workouts,

The first four were called "The Girls Gauntlet" and were set up like a game board set up a 5 min AMRAP of each workout, with 5 minutes of rest between each one- 

Diane- 

9-15-21-27 +6 each round

Deadlifts @ #115 and bar over burpees

- In practice Diane and I (haha, it makes me laugh that her name is the workout, I know I am amused easily haha) felt super comfortable with these movements, and the pace that we had. We got through the round of 27 deadlifts and got about 5 burpees in. At the even we got through the round of 27 deadlifts +2 burpees. We stayed right on track with what we practiced, especially since we wanted to try to keep a decent pace, and not let the adrenaline get the best of us. 

5 min rest

Annie-

10-20-30-40-50 +10 each round

HR push ups and double unders

- Well, in practice we were happy with the way we did this workout, we finished the round of 50 HR push ups, and started the doubles. The easiest way to say this, on comp day, neither one of us could get our double unders to save our lives. Its disappointing, because we think that if this event would have gone a little better we could have placed differently. But, we live and learn, and we are definitely going to be working our doubles haha. 

5 min rest

Grace-

Clean and Jerk @ 65lbs

- When we practiced this workout, we were confident. The weight was light, and we were moving it well. We knew in competition the workout would feel a little different with having done the first 2 WOD's prior, but we still weren't to worried. In practice we got a total of 77 reps, in competition we got 65. Not bad, for having two previous workouts. But man, after this workout, I was messed up! I have been getting over a chest cold, so I was super short of breath. Killed me. 

5min Rest

Fran-

9-15-21-27 +6 each round

Thrusters @45lbs

KB Swings (american) 35lbs

- For me, this workout didn't go quite as planned. I was super winded from Grace, and I was stupid and drank too much water on our 5 min break. I could feel the water just sitting above where I had my belt cinched, and I felt like it was going to come up the whole workout. 

My thrusters felt so slow, man.. ugh idk.

 But Diane, dude she killed this workout! She moved the thruster weight and KB swings with ease. She did mad work on this one.She is the best partner ever.

We had a break for about 2 hours, then we had our final event:

9 min AMRAP

Kara-Bel

30 wall balls 14lbs, 9ft target

6 snatches #65

- Wellllll, we left for lunch. We had delicious little sandwiches at a place called Cottonwood Cafe in downtown Oakdale. We got back to the event just in time for our last event! We warmed up, and prepped for about 10 min, before it was our turn for the final workout. This workout went about as well as it did in practice. I did all of the snatches, and Diane killed all the wall balls! I would do the 6 snatches, then get in about 10 WB, and Diane finished the rest of the round. From what it felt like, we moved well, and we hardly wasted any time. I felt like that workout went as smooth as it possibly could. We did better than we did in practice! We finished 5 rounds and got through 26 reps of the Wall balls for the 6th round! It was a good finish for us. 

I almost died of an asthma attack haha. I really need to learn to breath through my workouts, haha. After this one Diane and I literally walked over to where everyone was, and collapsed.

Diane's legs started cramping like crazy, and I couldn't even hold myself up to sit, I was just laying down trying to breath! haha!

That is what giving it your all feels like, I guess!

Overall, I had a great time at the comp, I had an awesome partner, and have an amazing CrossFit family there to support, and cheer us on! I was definitely nervous about letting Diane down ( i kinda feel like I did in the gauntlet), but I feel like we completed each other well, we motivated each other, and ultimately we felt good and had a good time! 

-Until next time, 

xoxo

Tori

Training 11/10-11/14

Monday 11/10-

To start all I really want to say is, THANK GOODNESS for deload weeks! haha

Back Squats

3x3 @ 60% =120 lbs

Snatch

2x 80%=75lbs

1x 85%=80lbs

1x 90%=85lbs

METCON:

400m run

Fran @ 55 lbs

400 m run

Fran @ 55 lbs

400 m run

**Finished over the time cap of 25 min- probably somewhere closer to 27 min. 

- This workout. Do I really need to say more? After the first round of Fran I was toast. As silly as it may sound, I tried to use the time running, and doing thrusters as my "down time," the time that I was able to recoup and catch my breath for the pull- ups. ugh, those pull-ups... I really wish that I had them down better, like I said in my previous post, doing high volume of some gymnastic movements kills me, and that is what I am hoping to improve. 

I know, I am not cool enough to take off my shirt yet, but it was sooooo hot, and I was so sweaty haha

Tuesday 11/11- 

Veterans Day

9am workout:

Hero WOD- "BLAKE" 

100ft walking lunge w/ 45lb plate over head

24in Box jump

20 Wall Balls #24lb

10 HSPU - I used a 45lb plate and ABMAT to modify

Anthony gave the class a 30 min time cap, within that time I was able to finish 3 rounds, +3 lunges... I kinda feel guilty for not pushing through and finishing through the time cap, but I got a pretty good shinner on my last round of box jumps, and just wanted to be done. 

All in all, thank you Blake for your service and sacrifice. 

Thank you to all the have served, are serving, and will serve. 

I thank you everyday for our freedom. 

workout #2

16min AMRAP

6 push press - #75

12 cleans- #75

24 sit ups

Bearcrawl the width of the room

= 4rds+ 3

during

after... haha

Adrina and Lawrence were not able to make it to the gym for the Hero WOD, so I told her that I would go back later to workout with her again. Garrett was nice enough to make up this good little burner (after many ideas were nixed by Adrinia and I...haha) My body hated me when I first started the workout, but when the 16 minutes where up it definitely felt nice to have moved after earlier that day, and my binge watching ARROW on NETFLIX. My whole family is totally obsessed with the show, if you haven't watched it you totally should. 

Thursday 11/13-

Heavy Dbl Pwr Snatch- 105lbs

- I was finally able to get into the 100 club! haha. I have been stuck at 95lbs for my snatch forrrrrever! 100 felt like cake, and 105 went up just as easy, it was a good day for me! I attempted 115, but wasn't getting it up high enough ( in my standards haha- meaning I wouldn't have to drop under it at all) but it was nice to test the weight out, who knows what can/will happen come max week ;)

drop to 3x1 @ 90%- 95lbs

RDL 3x5 @ 135

METCON-

9 min AMRAP

30 Double Unders @ 175lbs

10 Deadlifts

= 4rds+8 reps

-I love deadlifts in a workout, its my absolute fav, and even more I love heavy deadlifts. Its a movement that I can pull a relatively heavy amount of weight for reps, its kinda like my confidence booster. The weight for this workout felt easy, just the way I like it... After my first round I even took off my belt ;) I lifted au natural haha...

But on the other hand, ugh, double unders. A couple weeks ago, they where on point, they felt great! More recently on the other hand I feel like I am struggling, I am not finding a rhythm, and am getting frustrated, which isn't helpful at all in a workout... Once again something that I need to focus on, and practice everyday just to get back into the groove, I guess. 

Friday 11/14-

Clean & Jerk 

x2 @ 80% - 110 lbs

x1 @ 85% - 115lbs

x1 @ 90%- 120lbs

Back Squats

3x3 @ 40 % - 80lbs

METCON-

10 min AMRAP

10 OHS #65 lbs

100 m run

= 5rds+10

Oh, overhead squats!

-Felt good after this workout, other than my lower back lighting up, I was able to stabilize relatively well and get the OHS done! After the workout I asked Garrett how they looked, he said I was defintily playing with the line of parallel on set, but over all for me, there was improvement! I am happy with that!

Thanks for reading! 

Now that midterms are over, hopefully I can keep my blog posts a little more frequent, rather than getting them in on the weekend! 

xoxo,

Tori

Training 11/3-11/8 & CrossFit Invitational ReCap!

Monday 11/3- 
This week at the gym was our last week of heavy squats. This week was designed for us to be a t higher percentage of our max, for more set/reps, which (fingers crossed) in turn would lead to a new PR for our max week!
We did:

Back Squats 3x10 @ 73%  = 140lbs

Last set of 10, bumped up to 155 lbs

Snatch work @ 65lbs

- I was supposed to work this a little differently, but squats took me a little longer. I decided to throw lighter weight on the bar so I could focus on positions, and making a better connection with the bar.

Wednesday 11/5- 

Back Squats 4x5 @ 160lbs

For the lase set of 5 I bumped up to 165

-I was surprised at how light the weight felt this training day. I was getting down into full depth, and was able to stay more upright than normal in my squat. I have a tendency to loose my upper back and fall forward. I was so excited!

Pusch Press 5x3 @ 95lbs

METCON-

7 min AMRAP

7 OH squats #75

7 Lateral jumps over the bar

7 Toes 2 Bar

Finished: 3rds+3 reps

-This workout was so tough, especially after the squats in strength. I had a hard time stabilizing and squatting the weight in the OH position. Although, there was a struggle, I was so happy because that was the heaviest weight I have ever OH squatted in a workout, and my toes 2 bar, are getting better. After this workout, I decided that I need to continue to work on my gymnastic skills. Things like toes 2 bar, pull ups, push ups, and double unders. I can do a few, but then I am maxed out. I want to build up a sense of endurance for these movements, and be able to string them together.

Thursday 11/6-

Heavy Triple Pwr Snatch - hit 95lbs

drop to 3x1 @ 90% = 85lbs

RDL 

3x5 @ 135

METCON-

10- 1

Box Jump

Deadlift @ 185 lbs

Finished: 8:47

-I was so happy after this workout! I did all box jumps, which I typically will step up on some haha! I was also able to do the workout RX'd at 185- It's not that I have never lifted that heavy in a workout, but I have never lifted that heavy and with that large of a rep scheme. I felt strong with every lift, except the initial pick up of the bar, I could definitely feel the weight pull me down, and me rounding a little, but when I continued with the reps, I felt like I was straightening our my back again. When we lift heavy like that again, I will have to remember to ask whatever coach so I can work on correcting it, or staying mindful of my positions. 

Saturday 11/8-

Back Squats 

4x3 @ 88% = 170lbs

3x3 @ 85% = 160lbs

**this strength day was supposed to be 8x3 @ 88%

Garrett and I where heading out to San Francisco, so I went to the gym early, while he was training his clients to get my workout in, and I was able to get through my strength. After the dead lifts on Saturday my back was definitely feeling a little sore. It was disappointing because my legs felt good enough to squat the heavy weight, but the pressure on my back was killing me. I was/am nervous with the way I felt about these squats, I am afraid that it may have gotten in my head for max week. I just have to keep telling myself that I AM going to hit 205 for my back squat, I am right there, I can feel it. Fake it, till you make it, right? Lets just hope the positive talk works!

Sunday 11/9- 

 CrossFit Invitational!

For my birthday, Garrett got us tickets to go and watch the CrossFit Invitational in San Jose! Four teams where there to compete for the " team world champ" title! USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. Of course, we where there to support our country, the beautiful red, white, and blue! 

We where excited to see all of these athletes, because we have never seen anyone other than those that compete in the NorCal region. It was an awesome chance to see the best of the best in CrossFit represent their countries all in one place, and one that wasn't as hard on the budget as going to the CrossFit games.

Here are some pictures from the event!:

The arena before every one got there, reppin CrossFit Reedley

Well we had to change into our sweet new USA shirts haha

intermission

Ah! I got to snag a picture with Kara Webb, one of my top favs! 

Training 10/27- 11/1; and A Little Bit of an Emotional Ramble

This week just wasn't a good week of training. It was so the point that I didn't even want to do this blog post on it. But, in the end, I realized that bad weeks, make the good weeks better. I was recovering from having an awful cold the past weekend. I probably shouldn't have worked out as soon as I did, and rested more, I know. That is most likely the reason why I felt like poop the majority of the week, but I missed the gym, and I just wanted to workout. 

Looking back, I should have listened to what my body was telling me because almost after every workout I left the gym mad. I am actually embarrassed of my behavior in front of my gym family/friends. I shouldn't have acted that way. I will say it now and you will see it again in this post, I was a major drama queen, and I am sorry for anyone that had to be around that haha. 

I am hoping that the current week 11/3- 11/8 is much better! 

Monday 10/27-

Back Squats 3x10 @ 70 %

Snatch 5x2 @70-75 % 

METCON-

7 min AMRAP

3 Power Snatches @ 70 lbs

5 Burpees

Finished 6 rounds + 1 snatch

Tuesday 10/28- 

This was a bad day- It started with the strength, I was able to hit 135 for my first of many attempts, but I just couldn't hit it again. I was angry and impatient. It got the best of me. No bueno.

Power Clean | find a heavy double; then drop to 85% for 3x1

Pause Deadlift 3x3

4 Rounds for time-

15 burpees

200 m run carry w/ 14lb medball

50 double unders

I finished around 13 minutes, I wasn't really paying attention to the time. In my mind I didn't really complete this workout because I gave up on the double unders, and only did 25 in the second & third round, and in the last round I did 100 singles. It was a bad day for me, I was a major drama queen :(

Wednesday 10/29- 

the intent was there to work out. I actually started to workout, then mother nature decided to visit early, and I didn't have any necessities on me so I had to stop :( Being a girl is the worst sometimes.

Thursday 10/ 30- 

Find a heavy double power snatch; got up to 85 lbs

Then drop to 3x1 @ 85 %

RDL 3x5 @ 100lbs

METCON-

2 rds for time

100ft walking lunge

25 Shoulder to over head 75#

35 KB SDHP 55#

45 sit ups

Finished in 11:52

Friday 10/31-

Back Squats 8x3 @ 85%

I wasn't really feeling 100% and couldn't get all my squats at the 85% so I broke the sets up. 

4x3 @ 85% 165#

4x3 @ 80% 150#

Then; Clean and Jerk 5x2 @ 70%; 95#

- I stayed with the lighter weight for C&J so that way I could work on staying on my heels a little longer to get the bar up into my hip. I haven't been making the best connection with the bar, which in turn is just hurting me and my lifts, so I took a step back to work on technique a little.

METCON-

7 min AMRAP

1 plate burpee, 25#

1 box jump

2 plate burpee

2 box hum

ect. 

Was able to complete round of 8, and got 12 reps into the round of 9.

Saturday 11/1- 

Anvil Hero Workout- "King Eli"

3 Rounds | Eli's favorite number

9 Squat Cleans | his age

5 Front squats | born in the month of May

28 Burpee Box Jumps | on the 28th day

200 m run

5 Deadlifts | the year of 2005

Womens weight 95#

Finished in 22:52

On October 18th Eli was hit by a car, and killed, while playing in his front yard. Many at our gym where and our affected by this tragedy, because his mom Chenda came to our gym, and many of the parents/kids knew him through the Immanuel school system. CrossFit Reedley planned an event to help with raising funds for the family and, as a community come together in this time of need. 

This tragedy has brought up so many buried memories for me. When I was 8 years old, I was also hit by a car. The woman stopped, pulled me out of the street, and left me. If is wasn't for my neighbor who was driving her son to school, I would have never been able to find some sort of justice for this accident. Eli was hit and dragged two blocks, and then was left there by the boys that hit him. All I could think about is, what would have happened to my little brother if he saw that happen to me? How would my family be today, if I wasn't lucky enough to be alive? What,and how could that woman (for my accident, and the boys that hit Eli) live with herself after her actions? What is it like living my life with the affects of this accident- the hip pain, the fact that I may never be able to carry a child because of this?

I made this comment to a friend, who stated that we need to have sympathy for both sides involved in this accident, because every one was hurting. I didn't understand, why have sympathy for those that that hit, and continued to keep driving, and left a little boy in the road. The pain that the family of the son, grandson, nephew and friend,  is now feeling because he is now gone. Why feel sorry for the boys that should go to jail for their negligence?   She responded to me by saying that she would pray for me, that I heal from the pain that I am having, and that I shouldn't live my life with such a grudge, that it would ultimately ruin me ( she didn't direct that to me, she said "a person"... but ultimately in the conversation it comes back to me). When I read that I felt my chest fall into my stomach, and immediately began to question myself, the quality of life that I am living, and if I am a good person or not. Not the best feeling, let me tell you (although, I am sure we have all felt this, and you are well aware.)

Just typing this, my heart is racing, my mouth is dry, and my body is beginning to tremble. I don't want to be a person who lives my life with a type of hatred or grudge. But seeing the hurt and pain that Eli's family is having, brings up all these memories, things that I have suppressed and held back; because in reality, there is nothing that I can do to change my circumstances, what has happened to me has made me who I am today, but it doesn't take away from the suffering that I have to deal with for the rest of my life. 

I know, I am kind of rambling, but I am hurting right now (admitting my feelings- BIG STEP, haha) . I am struggling with letting go, and trying to move on, to try and forgive, because that is the person that I want to be. But, at the same time why do I have to do that? When I was the victim, when I am the one, on every cold day is reminded of my accident, when my hip stiffens, or my hip dysplasia acts up. This is something I know I will need time to work on how I see these events. 

All in all, my heart is heavy for his family and for those that knew him, more so than the hello that I had here at the gym. The little bit of pain I felt, sweat that covered me, and tears that ran down my face through out this workout will never be enough... But, What I love most about crossfit, is that we can come together as a community, we throw down, and support each other in a time of need.

In my last round of King Eli, finishing up the front squats.

Thanks for reading once again,

xoxo

-Tori

October Obsessions

How I am getting organized- Erin Condren Life Planner 2014
A friend of mine has been on the EC bandwagon for a few years, I loved the calendar, but I just couldn't cough up the money ($50+, yikes! to a college student) to purchase one. I found myself daily, repeatedly, visiting the site. Creating my own planner, and looking at all the cool extras to go with it. So, obviously, I caved haha.

I have recently had issues syncing my task app, and Google calendar together, which has just messed with my scheduling all around. I decided that I wanted to go back to pen and paper, something that I would physically be able to see adjust, without having to pull out my phone, and without fear that a server/app will crash and will lose everything. I have always loved notebooks, stickies and pens anyway, even though I try to jump on the technology bandwagon, I am just a pen and paper type of girl.

After reading reviews, I was torn between a FiloFax and Erin Condren Life Planner. I ended up going with the EC planner because I had seen one personally, they have super cute designs, and ultimately it was cheaper. Before I knew it, I had made my purchase, and the waiting game began. I waited A WHOLE MONTH, before this beauty came in. But when she did, oh did the planning/organizing begin! I am not the planner person who uses washi tape, and stickers (more than what the planner came with), at least not yet haha.

EC Life Planner has custmizable/interchangeable covers, year view, month view, weekly view, cute quotes, notes/doodle section,  stickers, a removable perpetual calendar, and a pencil pouch!

monthly view
{via} 

weekly view
{via}

keep it together folder, perpetual calender, and pencil pouch
{via}

I know you are asking yourself "is it really worth it?"
I believe that my planner is one of the best purchases I have made all year. I adore my planner, seriously one of the best things I have purchased to help organize, to stay on top of meal planning, blogging, school and work. I know there are a handful of people who have purchased, and then stopped using the calendar halfway through the year. I would say that if you are not someone with a planner/organizer already this may not be the way to go for you. Try purchasing a less expensive one from Target, so if you stop using it, its not as much of a financial hit as a life planner can be, but if you stick with it, then you know you can make the commitment of purchasing a life planner.

Now I am on the search for a cute purse that isn't to big, but big enough to fit my calender. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

If you haven't purchased a calendar previously, and are interested in purchasing one for yourself you can click on my "invite a friend" link, and after you create an account you will receive a $10 coupon! Awesome, right?!

What I am using for note taking in class?
 Evernote or Microsoft OneNote?
I have dabbled with both of these note taking applications in class, but I have recently decided that I prefer Evernote over Microsoft OneNote. I like the traditional layout of OneNote, it is ver similar to the "note" tab when working with Word, Evernote doesn't use the traditional style layout, but they do lay out all your notes nicely, and you have the ability to separate your notes into different notebooks to keep it all organized. The number one, absolute best thing about Evernote is that it syncs so effortlessly between all of my Apple products. It makes it so convenient, being able to have the same information, whether I am on my phone, laptop or a tablet (as long as I am writing a note with internet connection so it is able to sync) I am all about the "easy button", and Evernote and Apple has done a fabulous job creating one regarding note taking for me. Since Apple has started using the App store for the computer, I am able to download Evernote. With the download I am able to use it as an application on my computer. It also has a "quick note" type of thing in my menu bar, I just click the elephant, jot something down, record a voice memo, snap a screen shot, or a section of a screen that I am interested in (which is something that is almost impossible to do with OneNote, or at least not as easy.) and then hit save to Evernote, and once again it syncs with no problems.
In my book Evernote is the overall winner, and one that I will continue to use for note taking in class, and quick notes that I can take when I have my phone out.

What am I writing with? 
Like I said previously, I have always been a pen, pencil, paper, stickies kind of girl. I love jotting down ideas, quotes, "to-do's", doodles, keeping track of workouts, and more. I personally love Moleskine, I have a handful of them, in multiple style and sizes. I keep them in every bag that I own, when I am in need to jot something down, I always have one with me. My personal favorite are the small, 3.5x5.5 size, it fits perfect for any purse, bag, or whatever you carry around!  They have tons of colors, and sizes for whatever you need them for. Moleskine also has this thing going on with Evernote, two of my favorites together, its a sign that they are awesome, and if you haven't tried them already you need to. Along with my notebook obsession, I love pens... ahhh when the ink hits paper... heaven. Currently I am super fond of Paper Mate Flair Pens. They have a handful of great colors, don't smear, and write beautifully... All this girl needs!

What have I been drinking? 
Mmmm coffee, a staple for any college student right, I have currently ditches Starbucks, and have been a frequent visiter of Dutch Bro's. Delicious! That's it, straight and to the point, all that needs to be said! If you are in the Fresno area make sure to give them a try. My favorite is the one off of Ashlan and Willow!

Whats been on replay?
Frequently played on my iTunes/Pandora are: Artctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, Kings of Leon. Sick beats, and rad lyrics. They had me at the first verse. I have been into more of the rock/alternative sound lately, and these guys fit the bill. They are playing as I type this blog!

Well friends, thanks for reading.
Until next time,
xoxo
Tori