Sunday, March 14, 2010

And That's No Lie!

Since many of you have been waiting with bated breath to find out the truth about me, here it goes:

1. True. I did live in a thatched roof beach house in Samana, D.R. It was a self-sufficient, island paradise where I lived out a dream.
2. True. If the Jefferson County Fair counts, I did win a blue ribbon for my Black Forest Cheesecake. It was a rich, creamy indulgence, now a distant memory. Boo hoo.

3. True. My first taste of real food was actually chocolate. I can't really blame my wonderful mother for giving in to my longing looks as she was enjoying a Hershey Bar. She caved in and let me lick her fingers. Although I gave up Hershey's for the "good stuff", I went on to become a card carrying chocoholic.

4. True. I work out 5 (and sometimes 6) days a week at LA Fitness and I still can't believe I do it religiously. And I am almost growing to like it! Actually, I think I am developing an addiction to exercising, strange as it may seem, especially from someone who used to having a such a strong aversion anything physical.

5. True. Honestly, I did have my own cooking show on Dominican TV. It was a weekly ten minute show, followed by a comedy act (was mine a comedy as well?) where I presented new recipes using local ingredients. And yes, it was in Spanish. The television crew would sneakily lock the door when I began so nobody else could eat my tasty concoctions!
6. True. Another dream I realized was The Wild Goose Restaurant. It was in the cutest little Victoria house on the St. Lawrence River. There were only 9 tables, reservations required, and the menu changed every day. It was great fun but I never worked so hard in my life. In the first three months I lost 40 pounds without even trying! I'm the skinny chick in the blue dress.
7. Lie. My late boyfriend was actually the one with the pilot's license. I would get to maneuver the plane once we were in the air but the idea of landing the craft was just too scary for me! Weaving in and out of the clouds was amazing.

8. Lie. I did grow up in New Jersey but nowhere near a cranberry farm. I was just a suburban Jersey girl with no real claim to fame.

9. Lie. Poor Bill missed out, but I did make Dr. Benjamin Spock's (the baby doctor) 80th birthday tiramisu when I was pastry chef at Brandywine Bay restaurant in the British Virgin Islands.

10. True. I love teaching ESL and have had some fascinating students from all over the world. Right now I have students from Russia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Brazil. Here I am, the almost thin one, in the red top.
11. Lie. Although I am fluent in Spanish, after 17 years living in the D.R., Russian is Greek to me!
12. Lie. I definitely have not grown to love being on a diet but I've been so engrossed in this diet thing that the fact I am only 8 pounds from goal scares me. I know I'll never be truly free of dieting because maintenance is a forever thing. I have to monitor my weight closely for the rest of my life. How many times have I lost weight, only to gain it all back plus an extra ten pounds or so? Far too many. This time it will be different. I also know the exercise thing is not a passing fancy. It is as integral a part of my life as eating healthy. I have made a commitment to myself and will find the strength to stick to it - forever. And that's no lie!

25 comments:

Waisting Time said...

Wow! You have led an exciting life! But we do have number 12 in common.

FOODalogue said...

This was really fun to read -- and I bet to write (and live!). So...when you reach goal, are you going to do the Kirstie Alley bikini reveal?

Seriously, congratulations on your accomplishments to-date and your resolve for the future.

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

Love your list...so great getting to know you.

caruban-online said...

really nice place, the position where??

The Fat Foreigner said...

I've exercised so that's all I can really do. As for salvaging the day, no need, I'm on Japan time and about tongo to bed: Day over!

Recomenzar said...

Felicitaciones por tu texto genial!! y aunque no creas te voy conociendo de a poco.. gracias a que leo tu blog

JourneyBeyondSurvival said...

Fun! You are really amazing. I feel so exotic myself just because I've read your blog!

I know the feeling about being scared to reach goal. I don't want to Evah come back here.

Anonymous said...

What a fascinating life! Thanks for sharing!

M said...

I think it's great that exercise has become such a part of you.

Mimi said...

You are an amazing lady! I really enjoyed reading this!

erica said...

Thanks for commenting and pointing out I didn`t put what the topping was on the muffin.

It's
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon pistachio flavoring

What a fab life!

Tammy said...

What a fascinating list!!! Love it!! :)

Jess said...

Aw, well I can be your Bill Clinton and you can bake me an awesome cake!

That's so awesome that you had your own cooking show. Maybe I'll make my own and put it on youtube and call it a day. Haha.

Thanks for always stopping by and showing me support. I really appreciate it. More than you know. I am feeling pretty good, but can't wait to fit back into my jeans. Seriously. I've been eyeing them for awhile. Won't happen for another 20 pounds or so but it's getting closer and closer every day!

Debbie said...

Your life has been amazing. I like the truth or lie thing cute. Your weight loss is great. I enjoyed your blog.

Kerri O said...

Wow. You have lived an amazing life! Awesome.

Bobbie's Babbles said...

Great post! So interesting and fun. You've definitely been around!! Good for you!

Jennifer@womanvfood said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving that lovely comment. It looks like you lead an a very interesting life as well! Looking forward to more.

Lauralei said...

the list was great - so many diverse experiences - how great for you

Cheryl S. said...

8 pounds away??!!! That's incredible! That little nine table restaurant sounds so sweet and fun...and a lot of work!

Juli said...

Wow. That is very exciting. Thank you for sharing. It is fun to learn more about the people I am sharing my journey with, those who inspire me, like you.

Thanks!!!

Adelina said...

Ha sido un placer pasarme pro aquĆ­.

Un beso.

Megan said...

good luck Ellen! I hope you are encouraged to know that you can overcome this! and it can be a lifestyle change, not just another diet :) keep up the hard work!

LellyJ said...

Hi Ellen

Thanks for visiting my blog and for taking the time to leave a lovely comment. I'm glad that I found your blog! I must say that my life doesn't sound anywhere as interesting as yours . . . the closest I got to my own cooking show was when I made icecream with some of my integration students--I had pre-made the custard and pulled it out of the fridge with a flourish and with the comment I have been waiting my whole life to deliver . . . "Here's one I prepared earlier . . ." Of course, it was totally lost on them!

Katie said...

What a great read! You've sure done some amazing things :)

The beach house is absolutely beautiful!

Patsy said...

I'm tapping you on the shoulder to take part in Photo Tag! :o)