The Graduate

Some things are just so worth it.... 

Case and point: 4 years of devotion to school, late nights pouring over homework, early mornings up studying, weekends spent building dune buggy projects, days and days spent writing term papers, and oh... while you're at it why don't you tutor the underling engineers in their Statics, Dynamics, and Thermodynamics that you passed, and can now pass on your supreme knowledge to the fledgling aspiring graduates. 


Well, this weekend marked the end of a season for me. As far as the foreseeable future goes I am no longer a student. Not enrolled in classes, no teachers, no campus, no homohomework, and NO papers!! Oww oww!!! 

Peace OUT Tech, it's been real... 

Nothing is more fulfilling than graduating with honors; from the very same school my dear papa graduated from many years ago :) I am so proud and honored and blessed and just- relieved! 

Alumni <3 

I received the General Engineering Department's
Student Award for Outstanding Achievement. Booyah!! 

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What does "The Graduate" do with her copious free time and lack of classes to attend? Ha, a whole lot less! 


So far I've been waking up far too late in the "morning," spending 3+ hours in the gym per day, and practicing walking/posng till my toes are numb. 

Practice makes perfect....
Just put one foot in front of the other! 

My friend, and an international beauty pageant queen ;) - Melissa - has been teaching me sooooooo many things I didnt know about how to place my feet/hands/hips/shoulders... heck, BODY, when I present for prejudging. Why didn't I ask her to coach me sooner!? All I can say is ya'll Bikini gurls betta watch out, there's a new fitness diva in town ;) 

I'm channeling Victoria's Secret catwalk
attitude for my walk and posing ;) 

I got some new kicks with ankle straps (vital for getting the right leg extension and stride for walking) and they're also a good inch taller- ya know, cuz I'm kinda short.. LOL. 

These babies are gonna carry me to my Pro card, you KNOW
the reason women accomplish great things is because of the shoes! 

So, besides all that walkin' stuff I am also tweaking my posing, most notably my back pose. You'll just have to wait and see the differences in that though... 

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In other news, I am off to Seattle this weekend for my friend Leeza's bachelorette party. It's gonna be a BLAST and I can't wait. 


I attended my beautiful friend Staci's bachelorette party last weekend here in Butte. She's a Bikini competitior too, can you tell? 

Staci with herself as a Bikni-Staci cake :) 

That's all for now folks! I'll be out of town until Monday with Leeza's partay. Have a great weekend yourselves and enjoy all this nice summer weather!! 




Blessings, 


~ Ruthie

"Taxing" Times

I'm sure if you hear me say "I'm busy" one more time you'll smack me right in the face so I will refrain from stating the obvious... Everything is getting done all at once as I get ready to GRADUATE with a Mechanical Engineering degree in only 4 weeks, and before that I:


1) Take the Fundamentals of Engineeing Exam (or "FE," like the Bar exam for law) ... tomorrow!! 
2) Test drive, make presentation, and present at Symposium our dune buggy Senior Design Project... testing this afternoon, presentation next Friday! 
3) Compete in Pittsburgh at the 2012 NPC Pittsburgh Championships national bikini show.... 3 weeks from today!!
4) Graduate :) 


I love being productive, and good thing!! Because boy, do I have to be lately. 

This weekend is full of activities; first up the dune buggy testing, which I am SOOOO excited for :) Finally it's done and we can drive it! Then a booty workout, grocery shopping, and a little final review for the FE. Then tomorrow it's the FE test from 7am - 6pm (ooophta) and food prep. Sunday is early mornin' posing practice with my girls and tanning, then church and home to Whitehall for my friend Leeza's bridal shower! I am so happy for Leeza and I know we will have a blast at her party. She got me the cutest shirt yesterday for my Maid of Honor duties: 

Adore! 

I may be juggling a lot of things, but I constantly remind myself and am fully aware of how truly BLESSED I am and how so so so many things are working in my favor and I have only the Lord to thank for it. FOr example, yesterday I got my taxes done (after hours of searching for those darn W-2s!!) on TurboTax.com and found out I will get a Federal refund of over $1,000!! Blessing #1!! Also, about a week ago the State of MT sent me $100 for some past thing I overpaid for, blessing #2!! I got 100% on my Biology test last week, got a 95% on my big Energy Issues paper, and passed the FE practice test with a 73.4% (it's a standardized test that all you need to pass is a 60% because it's so hard). Blessings #3, #4, and #5!! The biggest relief and blessing though is our dune buggy being DONE and running as of today, whew... blessing #6. We've been working on it every weekend for the last 2 semesters and I am very happy to see it done. 


I am sharing my blessings with you because, although I stress about being "busy" and having lots of homework, projects, contest prep stuff, bills, tax duties and beyond.... In the words of an old Christian psalm: 

"Count your blessings, name them one by one, 

Count your many blessings, see what God has done..."

I should never, never feel that I am not incredible blessed. So many are horribly less fortunate, and I have more than anyone could ask for. Case and point- a terrible tragedy has befallen the Kennedy family at Oxygen Magazine, a large well-known women's fitness publication, as it's founder and publisher, Robert Kennedy passed away this morning. "Tough Love" Bob lost his long battle with lung cancer and died this morning. That hit me like a brick wall as I thought of his wife, Tosca Reno, author of the incredible "Eat Clean Diet" book series, and his daughters, whom all will miss him dearly and must be heart-broken in pain right now. I think of how my own father is older than Bob was, and I almost tear up thinking that some day he too will have to leave me here; although I sincerely hope that is no time soon. 

My heart goes out to Bob's friends and family,
I send you all my prayers. 

To read the heart-breaking news first hand, and to leave a comment for his family go to this link: http://www.rkpubs.com/bob/

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:2-5 NLT) 

~ I pray Tosca and her daughters be filled with peace, knowing their husband and father is in heaven, and that they are touched my God's undying love for them as they endure the trial and pain of losing a loved one so close to their heart. We will all miss Bob, and his great influence on the world of fitness.

As always.... Blessings, 

~Ruthie 

Congrats Graduates!!

Shout out to all my awesome friends who graduated this past weekend from Montana Tech (and various other schools :p)

However, I am especially proud of my girls:
Miranda Dunkel, Kaci Hockaday, Jerika Allick, and Rachel Costin...

~~ YOU GO GIRLS!! ~~

Rachel looking beautiful @ Commencement

Jerika got a hard earned Engineering degree,
someday I will follow in your footsteps girl ;)

Rachel spoke at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony and did great!
Her speech was really funny and honest :)

Miranda getting pinned at Nursing Pinning

Graduation is always so bittersweet... I hate seeing my friends go, but I am so proud of them for making it through college. I know this means new adventures and an exciting new life for them :)

Tech's grads before getting turned loose on the world...

Kaci, oh the times we had at Overflow. I still remember your smiling face from the first time Cameron twisted my arm into going to church (on a Friday night!?) but it turned out to be the biggest blessing for my life because I met such genuinely beautiful people like you. I know you will go far in your career and will be an incredible dentist to those in need overseas. I know God goes with you where ever you go...

Kaci and I taking a break together at a church service project

Miranda, oh how I'll miss you! I know you'll have a great time with your hubby far far away (where ever the Marine Core takes you!) but it was a pleasure and an honor to have you as my roommate for the last three years :) I love you and may God bless all your efforts!

Miranda and I on an infamous "Missoula Shopping Day!"

Jerika, even though we have only known each other for a short time, I cannot even express how much I value your friendship. You reached out to me and gave me that little push I needed to find a sport I really really love, who knows if I would have ever found out about the 2011 NPC Big Sky Classic and placed 4th, joined Team Bombshell, and taken off on a new passion and competition if it weren't for you! For that I am forever thankful :) And ever since you have been an incredible motivator and so supportive, with those qualities any employer would be NUTS not to keep you around! Love you girl and I'm still prayin' for your success in your new job and engineering career.

Rachel, where to start :) We go waaaayyyy back and all I can say is it is jaw dropping to see the mature, beautiful, spiritual, and loving and caring young woman you have grown to be. You were always the sweetest thing and I know any man, any patient, and any new friends you meet as you enter your new life as a nurse will be SO lucky to have you. Continue to trust and follow in Jesus in all your ways and there is no limit to the impact you will have on the lives of others. I thank God for you and I thank YOU for being such a good friend for so long!

Oh I still remember the days :p
(Can you spot me and Rachel?)

 

So go get em' girls, let the world have it, don't take no for an answer, make your mark, all the above :p. I think these verses apply to the challenging world ahead of you all (hopefully not too challenging) ...

"Rejoice in the Lord always; anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. "  - Philippians 4:11-13