Pumping iron

The other day several of my co-workers and I were talking about exercising and lifting weights. Personally, I consider lifting extremely boring. However, after some talking, my co-workers convinced me that I should probably lift weights (talk about a pushover). I should have just stuck to my annual ten push ups and called it a year. One night, after running six miles, I decided that, that night would be my initiation into my weight lifting program.

As I confidently walked into the weight room, chest puffed out, my confidently held shoulders began to slouch as I realized I did not know where anything was and I did not recognize any of the machines. I casually walked around, acting as if I had a lifting plan, and found a machine I recognized. I sat down at the weight machine that requires the lifter to use their body weight or ab strength (I used my subpar upper body strength), to push their chest against the weight arm. The goal of the machine is to exercise the abdominals (saying abdominals makes me think of the bender ball commercials, "I love my abdominals.").

I sat for a minute, got my weight lifting face on, slowly leaned back, and then smashed my chest into the leather padded arm of the machine. As I smashed into the plush pad, the machine essentially rejected me, and catapulted my upper body in the opposite direction. Realizing I must have done something wrong, I casually looked around to ensure that no one had seen me so I could maintain my facade of "experienced weight lifter." I looked at the machine and realized I needed to change a dial to reduce the weight...of course! I reenacted the same sequence of events that were implemented the first time, and yet again I was rejected. Again, I sheepishly looked around to ensure my secret was safe, and inspected my mistake. Duh, the weight was set at 150 lbs, of course the machine wasn't going to budge.

Finally! I figured out the machine's secret, and was ready to break it in. Leaning back even farther than before, because I was confident this time was "the one", I rammed my body into the machine. Expecting to move the machine, I bounced backward. Epic failure.

Instead of making another attempt to move the machine, I moved my body and my abdominals out of the weight room, to my car, and went home. Weight lifting machine, I hate you. This concludes this story and my weight lifting program.

Update: Turns out I was supposed to have my upper body on the opposite side of the arm which meant I needed to push my back into the arm causing my abs to extend......I knew that.

Running

For those of you who know me, you know that I basically was born running. According to my parents as soon as I could run, I would run everywhere. Though I do run for fun, and sometimes catch myself running to places because it is faster (no joke), I know that running will be a hobby I will always stick to, unless I get injured, which I am pretty sure I would still run.

Growing up I was a very active girl; playing soccer, basketball, softball, riding my bike and just hanging out with friends in the backyard or woods. Sitting is not my strong suit because I am always thinking of what else I could be doing. Luckily, I am always on my feet at my job so I am constantly on the move. Thus, running fits me and my busy mind.

Oddly enough, I did not start to competitively run until I was in 8th grade. I did pretty well in 8th grade and so my running "career" started. In 9th grade I ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Once my family moved to Texas I stopped all of my other sports and focused on running. I really enjoyed running in high school not just because I was running but because of the great relationships I made when I was running. Also, my parents saw how much I loved running and they really enjoyed watching me run. Running got me through the tough stuff and it still does.

To this day I continue to find running friends and I have made great friendships because of running ( you know who you all are ;)). Running for me is a time to reflect on the little things, relax and plan my day and next days.

I do not competitively run anymore except for the occasional 5k and half-marathon but I really don't take those seriously. However, the last half I ran I got my best time (1:47, 53 out of 985 in my division and 186 out of 5732 in my gender and 801 overall), and hardly trained, which makes me wonder what my time could be if I trained. Considering this was my third half, maybe I will eventually train.

Anywho, I am a creature of habit and I have worn the same running shoe since high school: Adidas Supernova.

Running shoes do get expensive but it is a necessary investment. However, I have recently been purchasing my shoes at the Adidas outlet in Cypress. Purchasing my shoes at the outlet saves me at least $40/ pair.

To those of you fellow bloggers who run, happy running, and to those who don't, well, know that I will run for you :).

Lame

I am lame! I have not posted in over a month......shame on me. I promise I will try to be better. I think part of my problem is that I am not sure what to write about....while I think of interesting things to write I will share the latest and greatest
Lindsay (my sister) is engaged! I am so excited to help plan her wedding :). I am not sure if she shares the same sentiment about receiving my help, due to my constant phone calls each day asking her what she has planned since the last twenty-four hours we exchanged words, but I am sure she kind of appreciates it.
Casey and I took a week off in March, went to Dallas, played tennis, basketball, slept, ate, visited with family, went on some bike rides, drank coffee, drank wine, drank margaritas, etc. Sadly enough, the only pictures we took were pictures of Batman (will post soon).

Free Time

Since I finished school and graduated on December 20th (not that I am counting the days of freetime) my co-workers, family and friends have been asking me "What have you been doing with your free time?" Well, I tell you. I have been eating, going to yoga (my new love), running with good friends, shopping, planning social events, going to happy hour, sleeping, blogging, and watching TV. During the 2.5 years I was in grad school I vowed that upon my completion of school that I would never say "I'm bored", take advantage of my time with friends and family, and enjoy life- so far so good. Below is a collection of pictures to describe things in 2010.

Wearing matching North Face fleeces with Bob.

Taming the beasts

Attending events with past first ladies (Hilary Clinton pictured above)

Helping friends bond

Hanging out with my BFFL

Training Batman

Spending time with my favorite Pig

Cooking

As I have mentioned in past blogs, I have recently embarked on the new, yet delicious world of cooking. Thank goodness for the ipod ap, Epicurious. I do not have many aps but I would have to say the countdown to Christmas ap, facebook ap, pandora ap and Epicurious ap are superior to all other aps. I have used this ap to cook items such as lime and honey glazed salmon with broccolini and basmati rice (one of my favs). This is a surprisingly easy dish that minimizes the mess I am destined to make :).

Not only does this ap have multiple delicious recipes to look/ cook through, but it makes an organized shopping list that I can use to check off ingredients as I collect them. Jenga! I am definitley that person who writes unorganized lists, walks all over the store multiple times, gets home, unloads the groceries and realizes, "Holy poop! (yes, you just read the word "poop" on my blog) I forgot THE most important ingredient". While most normal people may call this disease forgetfulness, I call it grocerystore amnesia (today grocerystore is one word). Grocerystore amnesia has become so debilitating that people around me have noticed. I was visiting the local HEB the other day, looking for an ingredient, but alas, I forgot which one. A lady in front of me did not share my same diagnosis nor did she have any sympathy because I could hear her say under her breath "What are you doing?!?!?" No joke! Apparently she remembered what she needed and I was in her way, so I moved my cart and she angrily pushed her cart around mine. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to get my official diagnosis and medication.

And I digress...

Another important factoid about this ap is I can select recipes based on the meal, keyword, and even type of diet I am looking to cook for (healthy, low cal, etc). Picture of lime and honey glazed salmon with broccolini is below. Yum!

To view the recipe click here.

Happy New Year! (a little late)

For new years we spent time with some of Casey's friends from Notre Dame. This year we brought in the new year at Red Door. Here are some pictures...

Do not know what I am doing or what I was thinking...



Batty brought in the new year in his Casey's snuggie!



This year was a big one...here is a quick recap

Brought in 2009 in NYC...spent our first days of 2009 there
Casey found out he matched at UT Houston (yay! no moves for another year)
Casey graduated from medical school in May
We went to Hawaii...my first really long plane ride
We learned how to surf
We went Pearl Harbor
Casey started doctoring in July
I went to Chicago for Katie's 30th in October
Casey turned 27
We went to San Francisco, toured Napa, went to Alcatraz, saw my first protest and visited with Casey's friend Chase in November
I graduated Grad school!
I turned 26...closer to 30...
I cooked my first Christmas feast and started cooking in general

Looking forward to many more fun times this year!

For me, Christmas never ends...

If you know me, you know that I LOVE Christmas. Maybe it has something to do with the fact my birthday is two days before it but I have always been the person who starts listening to Christmas carols at the "wrong" time of the year. This year I started listening to them in March. Since I just graduated I have a lot more time on my hands, time I am still not sure how to use. As a result, I partook in all of the Christmas festivities I could. Every weekend I was at a Christmas party or hosting one myself.

This year I had some friends over for a tacky sweater/ pajama party. Fifteen girls crammed into my 770 square feet of luxury for a night of games and fun. See for yourself...