Mmmm... CaKe!!!

I've created a new blog to showcase my cakes.

http://itsapizzacake.blogspot.com/

Check it out! :D

Ace of Cakes...

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found a new love! No, it's not a boy... it's cake decorating!


So this week has been a week of birthdays and what's a birthday without CaKe?! Noting my apparent craftiness, my friends commissioned me to sort of head up the cake department for our friends' special days and I immediately went BoNkErS! Well, let's allow the cakes to speak for themselves...

This is 'Clarence', our dinosaur cake, that was made for Alex Hale's birthday.

This is Po from 'Kung Fu Panda'! I made this cake for Brad Beaufort's birthday.

And, my personal favorite, a Minnie Mouse inspired cake for my dear friend Kristin.

I seriously cannot explain to you how much fun I've had making these cakes! I can't wait for the next birthday!!

Summer... in a nutshell

I wish I could put this summer in a nutshell; that I could throw all the hours worked and dollars earned into a nutshell so that 4 months would feel like 4 days. Let me explain...

This summer has been great. I've been able to spend a lot of time with my family and friends and I've made more money in the last 2 months than I've made in any whole summer. I've enjoyed being by the ocean; the peace it brings is undeniable. But for the benefits, I've paid a hefty price.

I miss having support and having good friends surrounding me 24/7. Don't get me wrong, the people I have here are wonderful, but my friends in Provo have spoiled me with constant love and uplifting attitudes and I've never realized how much I rely on that. I'm counting down the days to be reunited with Shantelle, Brittany, Brennon, Chalece, Becca and everyone else who makes my life so complete.

My health has gone to the dogs. I honestly have no idea why, other than that I might be somewhat exhausted. I've been sick to my stomach at least once a week, foods that I used to love have made me ill, and to top it all off-I now have a kidney stone! (NOT COOL) I've been having migraines far too frequently, and I can't even tell you the last time I've had a restful night's sleep. I guess part of me hopes that my return to the West will put my body and mind back in line.

Basically, I feel like I've put myself on hold while I'm here, which definitely sucks. I'm working three jobs and trying to finish two Independent Study classes so I can graduate in April. The only people I hang out with are my Mom and Steve and the weather has been miserable the entire time I've been here, so even my days off are spent indoors.

I need to make this money. I need to spend time with my family. But where is the line? Where is the point where I crack and jump in my car and drive the 36 hours back to where life makes sense?

Goodbye...

Yesterday I lost one of the most amazing men in my life... my grandfather.

And while I can't even begin to regale you with all of his achievements in sports (from baseball to pool to bocce ball) or the life lessons he taught me... I feel I need to in some way honor him, or mourn him.. right now I'm not quite sure what to do.

I can't say that I'm not glad that he's passed on. I know he was in pain and so frustrated that he could no longer communicate his thoughts and feelings to us. But no matter how many people tell me he's 'gone to a better place' it doesn't ease the burning hole in my heart.

My Pop-Pop was one of the strongest people I have ever known--both in the body and in spirit. He played softball and bocce ball well into his eighties and has more confidence and conviction than most men will lever know. If there is one thing I know I have of my grandfather's (besides my height) it's the confidence to be myself. He always seemed like a man who could just walk up to anybody and say "I'm Bob Cinelli. If you don't like it, I don't need ya." And for those of you who know me, know I've inherited a very similar attitude about life.

This has also made me think about goodbyes. I hate goodbyes. Yes, I just used the word 'hate'. Saying goodbye to my friends in Provo a week ago was brutal. Saying goodbye to my friends who were graduating broke my heart. And saying goodbye to my Pop-Pop will be a heart-wrenching experience. The last time I saw him was at Christmas--before he got sick. He was joking around and griping about me not playing baseball anymore. But I could see in his eyes that he knew we would be saying goodbye soon. He looked at me with so much love and I could tell that he was proud to have me as a granddaughter. I'm glad I could make him proud. That I could get good grades, do good things, and make his favorite Christmas cookies to maybe make his time on this earth just the tiniest bit brighter.

You didn't know my Pop-Pop, but he was an extraordinary man. And I hope that a glimpse of his extraordinary qualities live on through me.

I love you Pop-Pop Noisy.

Please watch over me until we meet again.

In Loving Memory of Robert Anthony Cinelli

5/2/2009

D-Day

Today D stands for DYNOMITE!

Because that is what I am going to look like in 6 weeks. I am starting the Slim in 6 program today and am so stoked. After researching tons of different home fitness programs and getting realistic about my goals and expectations, I honestly feel that I will have amazing success with Slim in 6.

I woke up at 8 am this morning for cardio and it kicked my butt. But I am determined to be the real me... to melt away this chubby exterior and let the true Pizza shine through. It's only 6 weeks... I can push myself for 6 weeks.

And beautifully coinciding with my goal is my going home. I'll be finishing out my last week in NJ, but I'm hoping most of the difference will have occurred by then and week 6's results will just be icing on the cake.

"Some people are destined to succeed and some people are determined to succeed." Well, I believe that to truly succeed one has to believe in both, and boy do I!!

Here we go...

About 3 months late, but probably more sincere than had I done it on January 1st. My resolutions... not necessarily for the year, but for the next 6 weeks or so at least.

I can and I will do the following:

- Lose weight (no joke this time)

- Get A's

- Be more social with people outside my elite circle

- Do more selfless service

- Clean up after myself more

These have all come after a lot of thought and preparation. I have purchased the "Slim in 6" fitness plan, mapped out all my assignments until finals, and posted reminders of my goals all around my room and in my planner. I am determined to return home a better person than I was the last time they saw me. (PS I'm going home for the summer. Crazy, I know)

I see no reason why I can't do these things. I am the only person standing in my way. With a little encouragement and a lot of motivation I am ready to be the new me. I am determined, and a determined Pizza is a force to be reckoned with.

Something To Look Forward To...

Haha. I fooled you. You were bracing yourself for another depressing blog about my slim odds of ever getting married, and how anxious I am to get to the temple. WRONG!

I've been thinking lately about the amazing women who inspire my life and I decided to write about them a little bit.

Emma Hale Smith

Wife to the Prophet Joseph and probably one of the most amazing women to ever walk the earth. Don't believe me, please read "My Great-Great-Grandmother, Emma Hale Smith" by Gracia Jones (Ensign, Aug 1992) After reading this article for a religion class I was catapulted into studying Emma's life. This woman dealt with more adversity than most anyone in this mortal probation and she stood by her husband through everything. There's a song called Emma that my roommate (to be discussed momentarily) introduced me to, that I think captures her beautifully.

With the world on your shoulders,

When the nights had grown colder--

You seemed to weather every storm

With a queen's grace.

When you lost your husband;

When you buried your children.

I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed.

How much can one heart take?

Shantelle Smith

No relation to Emma, but another great Smith lady, nonetheless. Shantelle is my roommate. I've known her only since September, but she (along with my other two roommates) has impacted me more than she knows. She is a faithful woman. She has been loyal to the missionary she's waiting for (two years is a LONG time). And even when her life seems to be crumbling and crashing, there is a surety in her eyes that is undeniable--her testimony. I have never met a girl who lives her faith the way she does and to live with her and see her struggle and triumph everyday has been inspiring. A Rascal Flatts song reminds of Shantelle.

On your knees, you look up

Decide you've had enough.

You get mad, you get strong;

Wipe your hands, shake it off.

Then you stand.

Every time you get up 

And get back in the race,

One more small piece of you

Starts to fall into place.

Vicki Stecher

Quite possibly the greatest influence on my life was someone else's mother. When I became friends with Dawnelle and Hannah (and their entire family), little did I know that in this family I would find my strength. This woman is my idol. She is the epitome of a woman of Christ. Balancing her children, her career, her marriage, and her own life--and all with grace and her own personal flair. She has more love in her heart than I have yet to know in my 21 years of living. She has more creativity than could be imagined by a thousand Picassos. And she has more strength than even the strongest man on earth. I have seen her struggle through hardship and come out trimphant with nothing but her faith and her family. She is everything I hope to be as a wife and mother. Even when she had her own life and her own family to tend to, she was always there to lift me up. A ballad by Faith Hill makes me think of my Mama Stecher.

You showed me how it feels

To feel the sky within my reach.

And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me.

Your love made me make it through.

Oh, I owe so much to you.

You were right there for me.

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky.

In my heart there'll always be a place for you,

For all my life.

I'll keep a part of you with me.

And everywhere I am, there you'll be.

My Mother

I could never end a post about amazing women without writing about my mom. This woman is my other half. Literally. There are times when I don't know where I end and she begins. But, as far as inspirational, my mom is as great as they come. She is an optimist at heart and always encouraged me to follow my heart. She's helped me cultivate my talents with patience and instruction that I'm sure no one else on earth could match. She is a woman of poise, grace, and classic beauty. When I think of my mom, I think of Audrey Hepburn or Lucille Ball. Classic women who, when they walked into a room, caused everyone in it to rise up to their level. My mother inspires me to be a better woman. It is because of her that I can withstand so many things because she taught me that to make it in this world you have to have two things: resilience and class. It's kind of goofy, but this song from Annie will forever remind me of my mother and I think it somewhat captures her 'total package' attitude.

Who cares what they're wearing

On Main Street or Seville Row.

It's what you wear from ear to ear,

And not from head to toe that matters.

So senator, so janitor,

So long for a while.

Remember you're never fully dressed,

Though you may wear the best,

You're never fully dressed without a smile.

I have been so blessed to be inspired by some AMAZING women in this life and I can only hope and pray that as I continue to grow and mature that I will become someone who will make them proud.

Things I Hate About Breakups...

Not that I've been through very many, but this most recent one has brought to light a few trends that I officially despise:

1. All the crying

2. The weight gain from the excessive ice cream indulgence

3. When everyone and their dog has to ask you "What happened?!"

4. The rest of the crying

5. The inevitable giving back of his stuff (SO awkward)

6. The awesome songs you can no longer listen to

7. The bitterness at seeing other peoples' happiness (esp. when those people are your roommates)

8. The first time you go out with someone else and do WAY too much comparing

9. A little bit more crying

10. The random occurrence of heartache when something reminds you of when things were good...

I really don't like breaking up. I especially don't like being broken up with. But I do enjoy the part where I get my life back together and look twice as good as I did before and he feels like an idiot. Yeah, I like that part.

Another one bites the dust...