Yes we did!

So happy :)

Kicking the winter blahs

I usually hibernate in the winter. Leaving the house ONLY when it is absolutely necessary. This results in low energy and motivation, but I have maintained this strategy because....well, the bottom line is I spend less time out in the cold. This year I have employed a new strategy. One that will help me keep the high energy I have the rest of the year. That's right, I've decided that 2009 is the year I kick the winter blahs. Strategy #1: Start a running program - outside in the cold. Ah!!! I have to give myself a pep talk every time it is time to go running. Part of my brain screams, "Do you realize how cold it is out there? Can you stop and think about how crazy this is?" while the other half is speaking logically, "It's less than an hour and you'll be right back inside. Plus you'll feel great after it is all over!" My guess is this battle will continue until I am no longer allergic to the cold of winter. But I tell you, it is a great exercise in determination. After I get started, the one part of my brain stops screaming and it is logic that gets me through the workout. Over the weeks I have paid less attention to the negative thoughts and the running program is working well. My program is interval training that increases intensity over the course of 8 weeks. Running outside really isn't that bad and I think it is helping desensitize me to the cold. I've wanted for 2 years now, to train for a half marathon. I just haven't been disciplined enough to stick to a rigorous training program. I think this winter program, while training my body, is helping me develop the mental toughness I'll need to train for a half marathon this spring. Yay! Strategy #2: Yoga Class and Kung Fu. While yoga is a class I take year-round, Kung Fu is something new for me. I'll admit I have only been to one class. First it was the craziness of the holidays and now it has been a couple social engagements. The one class was challenging and fun so I can see myself getting into it, I just need to hit a rhythm and start going consistently. Effectiveness TBD.... Strategy #3: African drum and dance classes. A little online search yielded a studio right by my job. I'm not good at choreographed dancing, but hey I'm having fun and who knows I may look like I have a left and right foot by spring! Strategy #4: Find a new job. I have been at my job for 3 years now. I'm bored. I have gotten all the promotions I wanted and know the company inside out. It is time to move on to something challenging and stimulating. I have been on a couple of interviews and landed a part-time gig. Now I am just applying to full-time places that look like I'd be challenged. I know if I stay diligent, I will find something amazing. So there we have it. I am intentionally trying new things to keep myself out of winter hibernation. I feel much better than usual this time of year. So I think it is working!

Streeeeeeeeeeeeetch!!!

My, my, my! It has be a loooong time since I have blogged. Today I felt like writing, so here I am. I'm so happy to welcome in a new year. I don't waste time making resolutions for they are usually broken before spring gets here. I instead make commitments. Commitments to myself. What can I do this year to lead a happier, healthier life? This year I have made four commitments to myself. The first days of the new year are always exciting as I plan out exactly the steps I need to take to keep my commitments. My life looks much different than it did the last time I wrote a blog entry. I'm not going to take the time now to describe that transformation. Today was a GREAT day and for some reason blogging came to mind. Perhaps I'm back for 2009?

Birthdays & Packing

It is amazing how fast a month can go by when you need to move in a hurry and continue to live your life. 2 weeks down and 2 to go. I freaked out at first but I'm fine now that my cognition has taken over my emotions. I have a new living situation worked out for the end of June. It will be in the same area of the city with a good friend of mine and her current roommate (a girl she's lived with for 5 years). This is all a blessing in disguise. I've had major problems with one of my current roommates. Without divulging details, let's just say she has been completely inconsiderate and even disrespectful at times. The last few months have been like living with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It was getting to a point where I was considering moving and the situation worked itself out. I am so blessed! So basically I just need a place to live for one month before moving in with the new roomies. I have plenty of offers. I'm leaning towards moving my things home. I have 2 major trips planned for June so I'm only going to be around 2 weeks or so. It doesn't make much sense for me to pay for a room I won't be using much. We'll see, I haven't made up my mind yet. Thanks for all the comments and e-mails of concern. Well May is a busy birthday celebration month. Every time I turn around there is another invite. . . There were a couple more I didn't have my camera for and another this weekend. There must have been a storm a few years ago nine months prior! Whew! I'll share with you pics from this year's Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore. As soon as I get them uploaded that is... All in all, I'm fine and life is still very good!!! :)

I'm homeless

So, our landlord has decided to sell our house. We have to be out by the end of May. All I can say is a four letter word beginning with F.

Life is Good!

I should be in bed right now because I need to be at work super early tomorrow. However, I am so excited about life right now that I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. So why try? Why am I so excited? Let me count the ways.... My brother is dating a girl I love. He's happy which makes me even happier. I have awesome friends. Spring is here! The last couple of weeks have brought with them fun trips. Like the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. I have a new job! Great money and I can ride my bike there!! I'm finally leaving the corporate world - hopefully for good. I'm driving across country with one of my best friends as she relocates to the west coast. We get to go camping together across the U.S. and get a very personal extended good-bye. Simon continues to fill the four-legged companion void in my life. My Mom has come out of winter hibernation and we have started weekly dates. I spoiled myself today with a mini shopping spree. I'm getting my first tattoo. I'm living in a city that isn't perfect but that I have carved a life out in and I love. I can take a two minute walk to the water and see amazing sights like this. I'm attending an outdoor leadership course with Outward Bound in the fall where I will be certified to start trip leading. It is a huge step towards reaching my goal of entering a new career as an outdoor educator. Yay! After visiting Washington, D.C. and seeing the flags at half-mass firsthand, I helped my company raise thousands of dollars for the VT tragedy memorial fund last week. It left me with the feeling that I had made a contribution to the healing of the students, faculty and families involved. I'm sure there is so much more if I sat and gave it more thought. But I do need to get to bed. It is just so awesome how so many things are coming together! Yay!! What is something great going on in your life?

Body Modification

Orginially posted on 100 Things, Friday, December 02, 2005: If you think about it, nearly everyone has modified their body in some way. Perhaps it is something permanent like a tattoo or something temporary like makeup or hair color. It can be something simple like an ear piercing or something major requiring surgery. I believe each modification, whether major or subtle, says something about the person. For me it is piercing. I have three piercings in each ear, with an additional cartilage piercing in one. I also have my belly button pierced. To the relief of my family, I have no plans to get anything else pierced. I am content expressing myself through the piercings I have. In what ways have you modified your body? Does it serve as a form of expression? What does it say about you? If you haven't made any body modifications, are you considering any? What does it say about you? New Addition: Ink I never thought I'd get a tattoo. I have nothing against them, don't think they look trashy, don't find them a violation of "God's temple", and don't find the fact that a tattoo is relatively permanent intimidating. Afterall, life is short and having something permanently on my skin is not on my list of things to be preoccupied with. Besides, tattoos are no longer permanent with modern laser treatments. I just never thought of anything I'd want inked on my skin. That is until I was watching an episode of Miami Ink with my roommate one evening. (This is why I don't watch TV, I don't need anymore great ideas...) Watching the show made me see how tattoos can be an incredibly powerful form of self expression. It can go far beyond the pretty butterfly so many people have tattooed without giving it much thought. Tattoos can honor a loved one, symbolize a turning point in one's life, have religious or cultural significance - the list goes on.... Watching Miami Ink showed me that a well thought out and executed tattoo is in fact, a work of art. At the very instant I came to this realization, this image popped into my mind: I'm getting my first tattoo. I want a single zebra running with the woman in the zebra suit riding it. I am going to see a well-known tattoo artist in the area for a consultation in the upcoming week. Any guesses as to the meaning of the tattoo I want???