Rant Time

If you're not in the mood to hear me bitch then it would be a good time to tune out. 

This happens to be a time in the year when I hear a lot of complaining. Complaining is fine, I do it all the time, but it's on a teeter-totter/seesaw/balance thing that has complaining on one side and action on the other. 

When a person is complaining, I'm all ears because I understand you need to vent/rant/bitch, I get that (just take a look at this post), but complaining needs to be balanced with action. When a person is exerting effort to do their job, succeed in school, work out, etc... the complaining they do is more appreciated because they aren't just whining, but they have actions to back them up. The phrase "actions speak louder than words" really shines here. Think about it: the person who complains about their weight or their school work (me) without having a solid history of taking action on these complaints just sounds like a sad whiny song on repeat. BUT the person who bitches about their weight and is also going to the gym regularly and/or being active outdoors sounds more justified and you can feel more sympathetic towards their complaints. 

Now, I'm far from perfect. I complain all the time, but usually I have actions to go along with them. There are times I don't and I'm just whining to my mom on the phone; that's about the time when Mom tells me to get the fuck of the phone and go do something about it!! That's a true friend =>

Quit with the promises, waiting until......(not now) and plain ol' bitching and go get shit done.

I leave you with my favorite phrase from Nike: JUST DO IT

Rant Over!

New Year, New Promises

Let's try keeping them =>

First, as some of you know I've started a vlog and I'd like to keep up with it. I think it's fun and I am pretty sure my family is enjoying it. For those who aren't aware, my family doesn't live close anymore so this is a fun way for them to "see" me more often. OH and I made a vlog on this post! It's at the bottom, check it out!!

Second, I'm a runner and I plan on making some nice PR's this year. I'm doing the Bay-to-Breakers again this year and I'm not holding back! I'm excited to see how I can tear up San Francisco! =>

Source: ldp2013.xanga.com via Glady on Pinterest

Third, I want to really get into the Wheel of Time series. I will not be finishing this series by any means this year, so that is not a realistic resolution to make....but I want to start reading it and hopefully finish a book or two between semesters =>

Source: google.com via Glady on Pinterest

Fourth, I am right in the middle of the Jessica Darling series and I want to finish that in the first quarter of the year. Should be simple enough, it's a super easy read and I'm already tied right in the middle of it!!

Source: google.com via Glady on Pinterest

Fifth, my nails. I've made this one before....and I've succeeded before! Sounds weird right? Well after my "1 year anniversary" of not biting my nails, I began biting them again. Pretty lame. I  vow to make it past the one year anniversary this time!!

Sixth, the organization of my craft closet!! It is a total disaster and I plan to make it a fun & organized crafting corner.

(I skipped this in my video, didn't mean to!)

Source: michaels.com via Glady on Pinterest

Seventh, a photo project. Some of you may be aware of my project 365 I did in 2010. Some of you may also know that I had a hard time keeping up with the posting of that project haha. WELL I was talking with Daniel and he came up with project 52 (for the weeks in a year). I'm LOVIN' it! I explain it on my photo blog, check it out!!

Eighth, I want to dedicate more time to yoga. I LOVE yoga, we have our ups and downs (HAHA). Sad, thing is, we don't see each other as often as we used to =<

I am going to make a promise to do yoga as often as I can (the goal is once a day) even if it's just a simple pose or meditation. I'm SOO excited, I miss my yoga =>

Source: erinsmodelsanctuary.com via Glady on Pinterest

For those who aren't aware, that^^ is Tara Stiles, she is AMAZING!! =>

There you have it!! Six more promises to keep. It's Pinky-Promise time!!

Link up your resolutions over at J&M's Eye Candy!!

I Am Me. Who Are You?

I did this little "tag" thing on Youtube on my vlog channel 
It was SO fun, though it is short, it took a LOT of effort because it is stop-motion and I've never done that before. Ehh..I explain it a bit, just watch! If you do it you're own way, I would LOVE to see it!



Don't be scared to subscribe, my channel is lonely haha =>

Save-A-Sister 10K

Today was the Save-A-Sister 10k, 5k and 1-mile walk. I participated in the 10k. I have a video here of the start. It is a little shaky, but that's what you get when you have to hold the phone way above your head to accommodate for the people walking in front of you. I knew I could do it in under 1.5hrs. I had an unrealistic goal of 1hr only because I saw last years results and found an old friend who completed it in that time. I haven't dedicated enough training for that to work, so I made a more realistic goal of 1:15. Then across the finish line I came with 1:05:47 =>
I'm proud of that and can definitely do it in under an hour next time.
Enjoy the video, the balloons are my favorite part.
Here's a silly photo of me running. This would be loop #2 for the 10k people, so not very many runners at this point.

Mentally Scary

     530am comes quick. I woke up feeling great and actually looking forward to my LSD (Long, slow distance) run.
     Breakfast was simple: toast and a banana then GU (I tried the tri-berry today). I packed up my mid-run GU and started the mapmyrun app to keep track of me and for easy logging later.
     It's dark when I start around 615am and I've adjusted to that, though it wasn't that way about a month ago. When I head out I focus on mini goals to help me stay in a positive mindset. The first one is reaching "the traffic lights" That's the daylight point. But before I was out of my neighborhood, I was spooked. I swear everything was howling. Cats, dogs and even the chickens! I'm not kidding, the headphones have not been put on faster.
     With music playing I figured the scariness would lessen. Nope. With my ears plugged to the environment my eyes started noticing more..like the weird teenager out walking and the fact that it was darker than normal. With overcast blanketing the sky I had this lonely feeling that I would never see the sun. That is not a positive mantra.
     Just as a note there was a song that had lyrics saying "this doesn't get better" I was like "really??" I've never noticed those words in that song before, but of course they stuck out today.
     Crossing the main street I make it to the main trail. I love the trails because they are wide and the pavement is nice to run on with my Nike's. Then I start seeing, or in fact..not seeing because there aren't any streetlights or trail lights for the path. I was pissed that the cars that have headlights got all the luminescence on the road. It was creepy dark! I started thinking this is a crazy idea, running out here in the dark and without any one around..Plus there was this bird. Yes a bird that looked like a rock on the path..because it was so dark. As I approached the "rock" it flew up just passed my face and I had a freak-out jumping moment. Stupid bird.
     To keep my sanity, I took a walking break about 2 miles sooner than normal to adjust my mindset. I started telling myself that there were going to be others outside soon, then cars and finally the sun will start brightening the trail. I was wrong again.
     My first goal landmark arrived: the traffic lights. What happened? darkness..still. what..the..hell?!? All these events were less than motivating. I figured the happy daylight wasn't going to come anytime soon with the damn overcast. Damn you weather! Just another mental thing to overcome. I can do it.
     Another strange thing..there weren't any walkers, runners or bikers out doing their thing....hmm. I'm starting to feel like there was a memo that I just didn't get.
     Once I reached my second landmark I was super pissed. There's this fishing pond about 2.5 miles out and there's always people out fishing, walking (there's a trail head) or at least cars parked. Nothing. No one. It's still dark. That weird blue-toned light started about here. That does not count as daylight to me. I just figured that at this point there wasn't a happy ending. No sun until after I get home, no people to smile at while running on the trail and no funny people staring from their car.

Glimpse of Daylight-Hope

     Then on the positive side of things..what? there's a positive?!? Yes..positive. I took a look at my phone to see how I was doing. With all the creepy, negative things I was focused on during my run so far..I had not been paying attention to pace/distance..I was doing damn good.
     Jumping forward a mile, it was time for my mid-run GU (tried the mandarin orange). I took a walking break to ingest this stuff, ughalak! the texture makes me want to gag..but the taste actually isn't that bad (well..some of them) back to my light problem. The daylight started coming out and I was feeling great. Amazing how something simple as light can make such a mental difference.

Daylight!!

     After the GU I saw the first people since I left my house, the weird teenager didn't count; it was a couple walking with backpacks on. Then by the time I reached the fountain again I saw an old man sitting to tie his shoe, later another couple running with their dog...who looked like this >>
     Whether it was actually this or not, I have no idea. But you can imagine it put a smile on my face to see this thing with all its hairy goodness running with its tongue out. Glorious.
     Feeling mentally better than when I started, I just focused on getting the rest done, the last half. Of course, that wasn't going to be as easy as I was hoping. I had one of the most stubborn side stitches ever. Lame. I usually can get rid of one pretty quickly..but this one had no intention of letting me run. I was pissed..again. I had the energy to just shoot and I felt great, but then this little thing is stopping me.
     I hate when things are in my way. Eventually, I got the stubborn pain to lessen..but I couldn't get it to go away completely. You can imagine how that put a damper on my pace. Oh well. Getting out there and doing it, regardless of time or distance is the bigger picture for me.
     To sum this up, I want to tell you what helped make sense of most of my running events today..it was Sunday and I had no clue.
     Now is when you laugh at me. I usually run on a Saturday, which is why I'm used to all the activity going on around me. I don't know if the anniversary of 9/11 has people stay indoors as well to make it double-lonely on the road, but the roads and paths were definitely empty. I didn't realize it was Sunday until I got home and Daniel wasn't there....once he arrived I asked why he took so long to get home, wondering if it was another long day at work. He had the most confused face and tone in his voice..then he reminded me that it was Sunday. bam..the "OH" moment. Like a giant light lit a mental tunnel.
     The whole Sunday thing still doesn't fix the fact that it was creepy dark outside, but does make sense of other things. This was only 7 miles for me..it wasn't hard physically at all. Done this before, but it was just mentally challenging.
     Sorry for such a looong post, I just had to share. If you read through this whole thing you deserve a gold star!! Thanks a ton, you guys are champs =>

Positive

     On the first week of classes I was mad because the professors got switched. I was only taking that class because of the original professor, so you can imagine my temptation to drop it when I found my reason was gone.
     I am super thrilled I didn't drop it!! The professor that took the class over is AMAZING! First, she showed us the "Brain in the Palm of your Hand" which I truly enjoyed, I will dig up the link of its source for you: here is the video of Dr. Dan Siegel showing you what I'm talking about; he does so in the sense of relating it to parenthood, but you can easily understand how this is used in every aspect of life.
    Then she gave us a quote to look into:

 "The mind can change the brain to change the mind." 

     It's definitely a favorite of mine and I want it hung up on my wall somewhere. We had to find what it "defines" which wasn't hard. While looking it up I ran into a ton of info from Rick Hanson, who the quote is from. He has a lot of info on mindfulness, which I'm all about! I immediately signed up for his Just One Thing newsletter and rummaged through his Skillful Means wiki to find sources on meditation, psychological practices and more.
     During some recent digging I came across the "Three good things" exercise. I'm in love with this, it's simple and makes a difference in how you think throughout your day.
     Most of us are focused on the negative things going on around us. The idea of this exercise is to focus on the positive things. How do you do it?
1. at night before bed think of three positive things that happened that day.
2. write them down
3. this is important: write down why they were good, why were they positive for you. 
Keep in mind, he says that these things do not have to be huge amazing things, they can be anything from having great toast in the morning to running your first marathon. The reasons can be simple, too. Maybe the toast was so good for you because you bought different bread or a new jelly.
     When I started, on the second day I was thinking about the three things I was going to write about throughout my day. It was really amazing, as things happened I thought to myself, "Oooh! That will be one of my things!" hehe sounds silly, but try it and you'll see! =>

Good People

     It never ceases to amaze me how just a couple of good people can make for great company.
     I had a Lia Sophia party tonight (for those that don't know, it's jewelry) and I sent out a facebook invite aaaand like a million postcard invites to people at college. Many saying they would come, though I didn't actually expect it to happen.
     When the party bell rang, there were only two guests: my sister-in-law Michelle and a really good friend in college, Lori. There is one other that was supposed to make it that had very good reason not to..she has be excused hehe =>
     My point of this is that as I was hoping for a big show, it was quite small....but the fun-o-meter went up just as high.
It's good to have good people in your life.
=>
     Aside from all that, if you want to check out the jewelry go here:
https://www.liasophia.com/sites/amymartin1/catalog-intro
and put Glady Dalton in the hostess lookup, you have until Friday the 9th!! =>
The Deal: by 2 get 3rd at half price....the MOST EXPENSIVE is your HALF-OFF piece!! =>

Fun Fourth Adventures!

During the day, I took the time to get some things accomplished, like stats homework, organizing photos, editing photos, going to the gym, and just plain catching up! 

Aside from all the busy-work, Daniel and I went down to Mesquite in the evening to have some fun with friends & family. 

Dad made some delicious and giant pork ribs to eat before we headed out to see Mesquite's fireworks display. I have not been very impressed the last couple years with their display, but they surprised me this year with some pretty badass fireworks for such a small town. 

A couple examples:

Something I like to do every year is to have people "write messages" with sparklers!! Everyone enjoys it, even the kids!

Now, how about some people?? 

Okay, a few explanations: Kyle is folding his arms because he was mad about some brotherly quarrel that involved that giant K'Nex cube that Adam is holding above his head....umm Ian is shooting the camera with a K'Nex gun he made aaand it looks like I'm attacking Daniel because I was so I could get a photo! haha

I would explain what my brothers are doing, but I just can't....hehe

Lydia was just being an absolute doll for me here while I was getting photos.....lots of thanks to Michelle!!
OH! and doesn't that head piece just look sooo cute!?? That would be the amazing work of J&M's Eye Candy!!
Go check out their shoppe!!

Here's the set on flickr for my Fun Fourth Adventures!
Hope all of you had some Fun, Fantastic, Fourth Adventures!! 

Sand Hollow Little Adventures

I have been anxious to do something fun that was out of our "norm"....I gave Daniel a lot of ideas and a few days to think about it. Then come Sunday (July 3rd) he decided we'd go swimming at Sand Hollow. 

YAY!!

I got everything ready pretty quick and we were off!

Now, I should mention that Daniel was a bit hesitant to go anywhere because he really enjoys his time home since we don't get too much of it that we can spend together. 

Anyway, we went and he wasn't all that excited until we were on the freeway almost there....then it hit me.

He's never been to Sand Hollow!! haha =>

I've been several times and never really thought about it, but Daniel has never been. I seem to walk him into a lot of firsts in his life..I'm just awesome like that, but it goes both ways =>

We had flippers, goggles, toys and an umbrella....we were set for awesome!

I didn't take a whole lot of photos because I was in the water most of the time, duh.

While Daniel was almost right near the buoy he told me he found a toilet. 

Yes, a toilet. 

I thought he was full of shit. I didn't see it the first time, so I started to think he was seeing things...haha

Later on when the sun hid behind the clouds a bit, it was easier to spot what was under the water. Daniel found his toilet again and got me out there to have a look for myself.

There seriously was a porcelain throne sitting at the bottom of the water. 

HAHA!! It was even upright!

After I got several good looks in, I started to wonder who the hell would drop a toilet down in the water at Sand Hollow!!? Regardless, it sure was funny.

Aside from all that, Daniel was glad we came. It actually turned out perfect because the time frame we were there wasn't all that hot and we had a decent amount of clouds to help us out. Once we got home it got super windy! We just have the best timing ever, I think..haha

Anyway, here are some photos.....OH and for those who hear so much about this Daniel boyfriend of mine, but have never seen him as if he's some sort of figment of my imagination I will assure you, He Does Exist!!

He's just not fond of photos.....but, I have captured him!! It's fun, like Pokemon or something. 

Set on Flickr

Poopface

LIFE!!

I just updated my photo blog on some favs from my San Francisco trip. Here's the Flickr set =>

Mom & I finished 2:12 which is awesome for us walking it(mostly)...GO MOM!! Next year I'm going for time rather than experience.

It was definitely an amazing experience. SO many people!! My favorite other than the scenery would have to be the neighborhoods we went through. Every couple houses had a party going on with loud music for us all to hear. We had every genre you could think of!! The people were all so fun and full of energy. The costumes were all entertaining, I saw umpa-lumpas equipped with theme music, a giant birthday candle and a firefighter(a real one!). Check the Zazzle Bay to Breakers 2011 group on flickr to see everyone's photos of the event!
Here's a few shots:
Flying Tortillas!!

BUTTS!


I couldn't imagine running in a suit like that would be very easy..

SO excited for Bay-Breakers 2012!! 
See you there =>

Just Breathe

This is Tara Stiles. For those who aren't that close to me, I'm very thankful that I stumbled onto her a year ago. She has taught me so much about myself. 
Today, she inspired me to share how yoga has helped me and I thought I'd go full blown blog post for everyone to see. Here goes.



I like to put everything on a calendar so I can physically see what I need to do and what is coming up. Lately, since this school semester is coming to an end, my life is packed with to-do's...when I look ahead a few days to see what's coming up I feel overwhelmed and I start focusing on every little thing that needs to happen. When something simple is surrounded by several other things then that simple task is no longer simple. The way you think and feel about what is about to happen or your busy day can physically and mentally make something more difficult or easier. That saying, "it's all in the mind" is pretty much what I'm getting at here. 


I've experienced times where I get stressed over what is yet to come. Not only does that stress me out more when 'it' comes, but it uneccisarily stresses me out before 'it' comes. THEN there's the snowball effect where I'm already falling apart over one thing that everything else in the path of that thing, will also get out of hand. This cycle repeats itself within the last two months of every semester. I'm changing that. 


Yoga is more than just putting yourself in a pretzel shape and chanting out funny phrases. There are several types of yoga and you do what works for you personallly. If that chanting puts you in your happy place, then go for it. They all have one thing in common though, and it happens to be the most important lesson I've learned. Breathing.


Yoga has literally saved me from myself. I'm an over-thinker, I heavily criticize everything I do and I worry waaaay too much about what is happening next. When I'm always looking ahead like that, I don't take the time to look at the 'now'. I am always helping myself in the future (or so I think) and I skip over helping myself now. 


When the calendar gets full, I find it much harder to take time to pause and do a yoga routine. Not that I don't have the time, everyone can fit 10-15min of yoga in....but it's that when I do have some free time I'm in a daze, thinking and spacing out because my brain needs to regulate itself. Plus, when you squeeze in a quick routine as a chore rather than something you do to relax and open you mind and body..then you probably don't get many benefits from it. Rushing through a yoga routine to me, was never satisfying. 


Here is how yoga saved me. I was finding that I wasn't doing yoga as often as before I got to these predictable busy days and the effects on my mind and body were noticeable. I could mention how, but that is a whole different story and blog post haha.


I was starting that horrible cycle again and thought to myself that I had to stop it this time. 
So what did I do? What am I doing? 

Breathing.

It seems so simple because we just do it and don't think about it. We are a mutitasking culture and we do as much as we can simultaniously. Sure, breathing isn't considered a task to us. But if every now and then we just focus in on our breathing it could make a difference. Breathing promotes the thought of you as you. Not you as a student, you as an employee, daughter, mother, helping friend or friend in need. But you as yourself. 


Now breathing is the first part and is the biggest and most important. But if you can clear your mind for a few minutes, I mean really clear it and push all thoughts out of your head and focus in on YOU then that would be amazing, but I won't ask too much, haha baby steps.

That is how yoga saved me. It taught me the simple concept of just remembering to breathe. 
In my current busy life, I am SO grateful for that lesson. When I look at the full calendar today, I have a brief moment of an overwhelming feeling and then I just close my eyes, take a deep breath or 10 and clear my head. If there's time I'll sit and just meditate or do a relaxing, or even stimulating if I need the push, yoga routine. Then when I return to my to-do list, I have a fresh mind and body so that snowball effect doesn't crush anything. 

That feeling is the best in the world, I feel like I can do anything. 

Thanks Tara Stiles for giving me the inspiration to share this. 

"HOW I SHINE" Fridays!

I Shine in many ways and I'm going to set out to shine a little brighter within this project..will you join me??

Tomorrow is "HOW I SHINE" Fridays!

So GET WITH IT!! =>

.....please??(haha)

Discover

Today I noticed a butterfly.

This was the first butterfly I have seen this season. 

This little butterfly stopped me in my hurried tracks. I was running late to class in which we were having an exam, an exam I barely studied for. With this current week, school seems to be piling up, thing after thing, higher and higher. Stuff that is happening in less than 5 days seems unreachable. 

I've been here before, these are familiar roads. You would think by now I could drive it blind, that I would know the scenery and what to expect. 

I put myself in this place, on this road. I do it time and time again, I've conditioned myself to. My mind knows that in the past, many times over, I have been in this position and I have gotten out quite nicely despite ALL the crazy worry and frustration with it. SO my mind knows that procrastination IS an option. Thanks to that conditioning, I procrastinate and don't get the motivation until that last minute. It's as if my mind strives off of that last-minute thrill/drama/pressure..that red line, that due date. It's at the point where I perform better when I wait it off, adding to the conditioning.

Change is a big word, it's like a door with nothing behind it..a stage door. Sure it can add to some great entertainment, but in the end you know there is nothing there, not in less you add a little imagination..or a lot. Then the door could open up to just about anything you (and the director, producer, graphic artists) can think of. You never know if it's real or not.

I am going to use a different word....Discover. Yup, that's what I'll go with. I'm going to dig deeper and discover a way to make things work out of routine, out of what I was conditioned to fall into. 

This digging and discovering will involve finding a way to get that same itch for procrastination, but at the same time getting my school work done a little earlier. 

To do this I will need a few things: source for earlier motivation, something to replace that late-doing with....

I am proud to say I have not bitten my nails in almost 6 months. In order to do that I had to switch that nasty old habit with something else. It needed a replacement. BUT not 100% replaced..It also involved a HEAVY amount of cognitive thinking..of switching it from an auto habit, to something I'm doing consciously..that was step 1. After that, that takes a looong time. I was able to use the power of just my self-awareness to realize what I was doing and then choose (key word) to do less of it. That took strength. Then the next step I needed to find just a little something to help give my brain a little break. For this, I used nail polish because I don't like the color of choice ending up in my teeth. A combination in the right order of all of it gave me my beautiful nails I have tapping on this keyboard now. 

I don't know now, but I will figure it out by Wednesday.

•  I will consciously think about all the things I put off until they're due
•  I will start choosing to do them earlier
•  then I will find something to suffice my adrenaline rush for that last minute. 

What does any of this have to do with me being late because of my awkward standing and staring at a butterfly this morning?? Everything.

To me that butterfly symbolized having a worry-free attitude for the day. I'm the type of person that can really pull that off, even if things are crazy. SO it was just as easy as noticing that butterfly to put me in the right mindset to be worry-free and have an awesome day. Accomplish everything I set out for and have a smile on while doing it.

That butterfly fluttered around my yard, bopping up and down and circling around with no care in the world and it came naturally. That is what I'm after. A natural worry-free attitude. I don't want to have to see a careless butterfly to remind me to be worry-free. I want to take a little excess frustration out and transform it into a natural worry-free attitude. 

Don't get me wrong, I am worry-free quite often. BUT throughout my days there are 'butterflies' (if you will) reminding me of that mindset..I want to skip that step, I want it to just come.... naturally. 

The Girl in the Window

I don't know why I haven't heard of this before. My boyfriend came across this and thought because of my psychology interest that I should look it up. If you haven't heard of this story, it definitely is one to give attention to.
To brief it for you, a girl was neglected for several years. During this neglect the girl was not taught anything, just severely neglected. So at seven years old she was like an infant, couldn't talk, wasn't potty trained and barely knew how to use her hands among so much more. I can't seem to find the words to describe how this story makes me feel. You'll have to read/listen to it to understand the feelings for yourself.
Here are some links:
article

Audio of the article

video/audio

Over-thinking It

     GEEZ....the wind outside is intense!! A lot like the thoughts traveling through my mind the past while..mainly the past week.
     Majority of it all is school related. Then on top of it are the little things that always pick at people when they are distracted.
     School. It's fun and challenging. Unfortunately, the challenge part isn't from the actual subjects you're being taught. It is from issues concerning time, schedule, availability and planning....each thing adds up and effects your future in school. Right now I'm feeling the frustration of it piling up. Whatever happens, will be fine and I'll make the best out of it. It can go two ways, with ups and downs on both sides. One way has me starting out low and gradually getting higher, which is the preferred path in my eyes, but it leaves me hanging on my graduation date..just waiting and holding off until I finish the slow route. The second path has me starting a little higher and getting through it just to go on with my other classes. This path gets me where I want to be in the long run, in a faster time..but I will probably learn little and retain nothing. Ehhh.....I have come to the conclusion, I will be happy either way. I will focus on the "ups" of where I land and I will fly with it. =>
     The little things. Let's just say insurance and their fine details can be one big pain in the butt.
Other things going on that I would like to mention....I will be taking Summer classes, so yea there goes my Summer.....again! haha
     Somehow I still plan on going on a mini, like very mini vacation back up to Tahoe with a friend. We won't have much time, but we'll make it awesome =>
     My exercise and training adventure is still going strong. Actually, better than ever....I am trying to work through some kinks I had in running, some weird cramps that have been causing issues, but they seem to be dwindling away. So, I'm able to run past that wall. Also, my cross-training is doing wonders on my running efforts. Overall I am very pleased with my new active lifestyle haha =>
     Whew..well It is officially like 630am on a Monday morning. Monday the day back to school after that wonderful and much needed Spring break. Unfortunately I spent a big portion of it concerned and studying for school. BUT I did get some awesome time with an awesome friend. => I also was able to help her out with her plans for the future in relation to school. Yay => I love it when I can be of any assistance to people.
     Now, that the first half of the semester is over, I am doomed. The second semester will be much more difficult. Well..I'm not so worried about tests, I've been doing just fine in that area, I am much more concerned with projects that are now coming to their due dates. Ugh. Well I need to sit down and figure how long I have to make some awesome professional papers on observational cues and a bingo game in relation to that to use to teach mothers..then my power point on schizoid personality disorder..which is a pretty boring disorder with very little research....oh and a food demonstration..all of which is pretty much due the same week...haha => HERE GOES!!

On a much brighter note..here are baby red pandas frolicking in the snow:

One

One
Originally uploaded by sparkleplenty69

A Heart A Day for February!! Try it!! Post it to the group or my facebook page!!

Sunday Adventures

....start now.
Mom and I planned on training outdoors for our B2B on Sundays. We started today. Our route went like this:

We went up some pretty good hills and down some as well. We didn't do quite the distance as the B2B, but we have other routes planned as well. This one is mainly for hill training. =>

Along the route we stopped several times for photos or odd objects that we found on the side of the road. Here are some of those photos:

First, we found this little friend:

Then snow in January haha:

This would be a condom, which I later found out is from a gay and bisexual club:


Here's a shirt:


Just a view of where we came from:


Beer Bottle:


Mom in a rock hole:


Some other random items we found:


All photos can be found in a Flickr set called Sunday Adventures

All in all it was 6.28miles walked(with some distractions and stops) in 2:10:14 with an average pace of 20min/mile Next time our walk will be a little faster and no stopping haha =>
Soon we will be adding running to the mix and I can't wait to put what I've done on the treadmill to practice outdoors.....
Until Next Time.