Short Lived But Well Spent

The relief that I mentioned in my last post was short lived but much enjoyed. Not only did I pass stats, but I passed it with an A! I seriously could not believe it. To date, that was the hardest A I have ever earned. I was 100% expecting a C and nearly passed out when grades were posted. I said that I was going to party P Diddy style, but instead I partied Tooele Utah style with my family and friends. It was a much needed break from a summer full of stress.

As my friends already know, when I visit Utah it's usually chaotic and I can never seem to make it to visit everyone I would love to see. This time however, I was able to stay for 2 weeks, got to see friends that I have not seen in forever, got to spend quality time with my grandparents, my aunt, and my dad, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! To top it all off, my mom drove home with me and stayed in Cali for the weekend and we had a blast.

While in Utah, I ran the Devil Dash with one of my best friends, Becky. It was an obstacle mud run. I had never done one of those before, so I was a little scared, but it turned out to be crazy fun. Unfortunately, the altitude in Utah kicked my trash and once I crossed the finish line I lost my breakfast. I didn't care though, I was just impressed that my horns stayed on after climbing up and under things and swimming in the mud. We had so much fun that today I signed Seif and I up for "Run for Your Lives" here in San Diego. It's in October and not only is it an obstacle mud run, but you are chased by zombies. You have 3 life flags and if you make it out with at least one flag, you are alive. If not, you are turned in to a zombie. It's going to be a blast. Can't wait!

Once I returned to Cali, I had 3 days left until my half marathon. I felt ready to run, but was worried about the heat. It turned out that I had reason to worry, as that half marathon proved to be the worst run of my life. In all of my pictures I look absolutely miserable and trust me, I was. I think that experience ruined my desire to run any more half marathons and that's not a good thing. Half marathons are what keep me active. I love 5K's but they no longer challenge me, so unless they have obstacles, I don't typically sign up. 15K's are awesome, but I have a hard time finding that many of them, so yea .... I need to pick my motivation up off the floor.

I'm now back in school and almost done with the classes I need to transfer to state. I'm soooo excited. This is going to be one tough semester with Anatomy and Chemistry at the same time, but I'm trying to stay positive and focused. Today I memorized the cranial bones and tomorrow I am moving on to the neck, spine, and ribs. If you have any memorization tips, please send them my way!

The only picture of me smiling during my miserable half marathon-when I was DONE.

"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits."

I love that quote by the baseball great, Satchel Paige. Sometimes, we do indeed, just need to "sits." I have been stressing over this online statistics class for a month now and today it finally ended (well kind of). I have all of the tests, homework, and labs done, and Thursday is the final. Can I get a woot! woot!? No seriously, this class has been the bane of my existence. I don't know what convinced me to take an accelerated summer class in a subject I suck at, but I did and I survived! Now I shall sit. No thinking, no running, no nothing, just sit. I don't feel like I have relaxed in a decade and today, for the first time in a month, I feel light. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.....life is good.

My most recent fortune cookie, no joke...

Weddings

They can either warm your heart or be the cause of a serious case of envy. After all, following a certain age, most girls have their entire wedding planned out in their heads. If someone still hasn't found her Prince Charming, attending the wedding of a friend can be excruciating, even if she is genuinely happy for the couple.

Last night I attended the wedding of my friend Jen, and it was most definitely heart warming. Held on the 21st floor of the Sheraton in Hollywood, CA, the views were breathtaking. However, nothing was more breathtaking than the bride herself. Her dress was spectacular! Knowing Jen, I knew that it would be, but oh my, that girl literally took my breath away. She looked gorgeous! The sad thing is that my stupid iPhone doesn't do the dress justice. I can't wait to see her professional pics!

Jen and Mike share something special and the details of their wedding were a perfect reflection of them as a couple. We had a delicious dinner, danced the night away to classic Frank Sinatra, and laughed, laughed, laughed. There was no escaping the love in that room and it really made for an amazing night with some great people. Sadly, my own hubby couldn't make it with me since he is currently on business in Brazil. I loved how a portion of their reception was dedicated not only to the bride and groom, but to all of the married couples in the room, as they danced to "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole. It made me miss him and reflect on our own special day. I can't believe we have been married for 7 years. Time really does fly when you are in love.

Here's to a lifetime of happiness for Jen and Mike. Cheers!

Cheers to grainy iPhone pictures!

The tables were so beautiful done up in purple and gold.

The happy couple.

The ballroom ceiling..the small lights twinkled like stars.

See the people in the background? What they're standing by is no backdrop,
that is the phenomenal view of the Hollywood Hills.

First dance. Frank Sinatra "The Way You Look Tonight."

Words of Wisdom

These words have always spoken to me. I have posted them before and will probably do so again, as I feel they are words that should always be remembered. Hopefully they inspire you in the same way they inspire me.

Desiderata

by

Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

25 Random Facts About Me Tag

Its been awhile since I've participated in one of these, so here are 25 random facts about me.

1.  My favorite type of food is a toss up between Mexican and Italian.
2.  I love cats.
3.  I wish I could speak Arabic.
4.  I'm still learning that I can't please everyone.
5.  If I'm your friend, I'm a friend for life. I don't give up easily and am very forgiving.
6.  I hate math.  I look at certain formulas and they give me anxiety.
7.  I love science.
8.  I am non-religious but very spiritual. I pray every single day and have done so for as long as I can remember.
9.  I am sensitive and easily hurt, though I'll seldom mention it.
10.  I love being outside and am in a bad mood if stuck inside the house for too long.
11.  I despise online classes.
12.  I am a shopaholic.
13.  I love hippies and old people.
14.  I'm secretly scared that I will suck at nursing. Guess it's no longer a secret. Maybe it's these tough classes getting the best of me.
15.  I don't feel my age.
16.  I've never had that overwhelming ache to be a mother and I sometimes wonder what's wrong with me.
17.  I appreciate a good poem.
18.  I don't get the Fifty Shades of Grey hype. (uh oh... here it comes!) Did I like the books? Yes, but I've read far better.
19.  I think glasses are hot.
20.  I wish I had more close friendships and less acquaintances.
21.  I love my husband and my family more than anything and am quite neurotic about their well-being.
22.  I actually do really enjoy being a student, although when I have stressful classes I do nothing but complain.
23.  I miss my old job and my old friends.
24.  Belize is one of my favorite places in the world.
25.  Dirty carpets really, really annoy me. Like, really.
Tag! It's always interesting reading random facts, just do it.:)

And Summer Flies by as Stats Consume Me

Warning...this is another one of many of my posts that begins with adolescent complaints about school. If you don't want to hear my irksome whining you may want to leave or skip to the pictures at the end. However, if you are in the same boat and want to add some misery to your company (that should probably be the other way around, but I like the ring to it) read on.

So...I'm feeling like the perpetual college student these days. With the debt crisis, Cali has had many budget cuts as far as education and for quite some time now, it has been extremely difficult to get the classes I need in order to enter the nursing program. I have 4 more classes left and it is taking me forever to finish them. As such, I must take whatever I can get when I can get it. I really didn't want to take summer classes, but because I am promptly approaching old age I must stay focused and ended up enrolled in a one month stats course. Lord help me. I have never been good at math and this subject has consumed me. I am supposed to be online 3-5 hours per day, but because this class has me stumped, 3-5 hours has pretty much turned in to 6-8 hours per day, 6 days a week! It's draining me, but I'm trying really hard to stay focused. There are no words to describe the celebration that will ensue if I pass this class. I'm talking P Diddy style people.

Although I pretty much don't have a life right now, I did manage to get out this weekend and attend a chili cook off at the beach with my hubby and friends. It was a lot of fun with perfect weather, good music, and lots of hippies, my type of people. Here are a few pics. Thanks for listening to my rants. I know that most people have gone through this already (like I should have) and are rolling their eyes at my complaints, but this is my first go round and if you really must know, I'm a huge perfectionist who is currently rocking a pretty nice GPA. I would like to keep it that way but who knows at this point. I've always known that math is not my forte, but this class has done well made me feel stupid. Oy.... venting complete. On a positive note, have I mentioned how much I love where I live? Budget cuts and all, this place is fab. It really is hard to ever be in a bad mood here. I don't think I'll ever leave.

Reggae at the beach.

A beautiful sunset that sadly was not captured on camera.

I'm also an Advocate for Running (tips from a non-expert)

Americas Finest City Half Marathon

Those who know me know that I love to run. I ventured in to this sport last year and will never turn back. The truth is, I had no interest prior to my husband convincing me to sign up for a half marathon. When I first started running, it's an understatement to say that I complained the whole time. In fact, I hated it. However, after I built my endurance up to 5 miles and eventually 13, I was in love.

A lot of my friends have asked me what keeps me motivated. Besides my new body, there are definitely other factors that play in to endurance. I've decided to list what has worked for me in case people are looking for pointers. Don't forget, I started this not knowing a thing while being completely out of shape. I know that running is very difficult at first and that it is very hard to stay motivated. However, trust me, if you keep it up you will begin to crave it. Anyway, enough of the chit chat, here are some of my tips for success.

• If weather permits, try to run outside instead of on a treadmill. Find a nice route that offers you something beautiful to look at. You will enjoy running far more when you are out in nature, breathing fresh air and enjoying the view. It is also a major stress reliever. I'm kind of spoiled living in California where the weather is usually nice, but I've also ran outside in the cold while there was snow on the ground. It's equally fulfilling-just dress appropriately. My favorite place to run is at Mission Bay, from my house to the beach, or along the harbor downtown.
• Listen to music that pumps you up. We all know this. I love Pandora on my iPhone.
• Download the Nike+GPS app. It talks to you as you run, telling you your mileage and encouraging you. Every time you beat a personal record you are informed. I love it.
• If you are trying to build up mileage, start small and increase it weekly beginning on Sunday. Your week should look something like this:  Tuesday 2 miles, Wednesday 30 min work out of your choice, Thursday 2 miles, Friday rest, Saturday 30 minute workout of your choice, Sunday increase your mileage by double, so this run would be 4 miles. The next week your weekly mileage would increase to 2.5 miles and your Sunday run would jump to 5 miles. Basically, you want to increase your weekly mileage by a half mile every week and your Sunday run by one full mile. This is the schedule I followed religiously to train for my first half marathon and I stopped training once I hit the 10 mile Sunday run. After that, my body was entirely capable of running 13 miles by race day.
• Drink water along your run any time you feel you are losing steam. Drink lots of water all the time.
• Try to follow a low fat, reasonable protein, high carb diet. Avoid sugar. You will notice a huge difference in your performance when you follow this guideline. 
• Try Shot Bloks by Cliff or Gu Gel. I've tried both and I love, love, love Shot Bloks. I know a lot of people who like the Gu Gel too, but personally, the Shot Bloks worked better for me. Take these before every hour of running for energy. I actually take a lower dose every half hour instead or when I get tired while running. It works like a charm. You can buy these at most running stores or places like REI.
• Push yourself by signing up for a half marathon even though it terrifies you. You know you paid for it and you have to do it, so it keeps you going. Once you finish your first half, chances are you will love it and be excited to do another, maybe even go for a full!
• Encourage yourself. We all hit those points where we want to throw in the towel and walk home. Whatever goal you set for yourself, do it. This is another reason that I love the Nike+GPS app. With this app you know exactly whether or not you cheated yourself. When your body says it's tired, your mind can tell it that it's not. Mental determination is powerful..talk to yourself, tell yourself you can do it, push yourself, never say that you can't because the truth is, you CAN. 

Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate 15K (ponytail in pics = me looking like a boy:()

So, that's it for now. I'll post more stuff as I go. Right now I'm training for another half marathon in August, as well as a 5k obstacle run. Why don't you join me?

***After posting this, I realized that I forgot to mention breathing. Remember, breathe through your nose and out your mouth. Also, be sure to stretch!***