These shoes were made for running

I must be getting used to the humidity because when I have been starting my runs in the morning it doesn't feel too bad but by the end I am still drenched with sweat. I can also tell I am running faster as well as my shorter runs are finished in about 9 min miles instead of 10. My sis would be so proud. My only prob right now is a slight pain I feel above my achilles tendon on the right side. I have iced it down and hopefully it will get better!

New obsession

I have been taking a lot of sky photos lately, especially when I see big fluffy clouds. Love them!{I have been taking some while I drive: probably not the safest thing to do, but I like living on the edge ;)}
Last night I went to one of the most boring continuing education classes ever. About halfway through I was reminded of the Peanuts cartoon, when everything the adults ever say is incomprehensible. The lecturer's mouth was moving and words were coming out but all I heard was "blah blah, blah blah, blah blah." Thank goodness I don't have another for at least one month!

Family=Food

So most of the weekend withe the 'rents were spent eating and then resting from all the eating! We tried 2 new restaurants, all OTL (outside-the-loop - gasp!). But they were both delish!
Sat night found us in a little India of sorts. It was the most random restaurant front:They served yummy but spicy curriesAnd we enjoyed the ginnormous dosais.But of course we had to cut the spice with a little sweetness at Amy's.On Sunday after our long run (11 for me, 15 for Joe),we met Tinger at yoga and then went for some Dim Sum at Fung's.Going to Chinese with Mom and Dad are always fun because Mom likes to get in the mix of things.We enjoyed a variety of different foodsAnd I am looking forward to a return trip to enjoy even more!
Mom and Dad left yesterday morning after much drama with her Taiwanese passport. I hope she left her stuff at home and didn't lose it!
Tinger and I spent craft Monday making a camera strap, a window shade and a mini-album for my trip to Beaver Creek. But the only photo I took was at our trip to Lowe's to pick up a few things for the shade!And for dinner I cooked up some of the dumplings Mom froze and made for us - Yummy!I have started this short work week with a 3 mile run, a trip to the grocery store and 4 completed loads of laundry. Feeling pretty productive so far!
And last but not least, Happy Birthday DAD!

Yay!

The 'rents are coming to town to visit before they leave for their vacation to the Machu Pichu in Peru. I am looking forward to some QT with the fam, which will include lots of good eats!

What doesn't cause you to drown...

will only make you stronger! Today was a lesson in mental toughness. My run workout was a 6 mile run with 4 3 minute intervals in the middle. Yesterday the rain was coming down pretty hard, but this morning was pretty dry. But as soon as I walked onto the loop to start my run at Memorial Park, it started sprinkling and 2 secs later, pouring down rain. I took cover under some trees and said I would wait 5 minutes before I left. After about 3 minutes the rain let up a bit so I started my run. 1 minute later it started pouring again. I took cover under another tree and waited a couple more minutes. By this time I was already soaked, so I decided, what the hell, I am here, I am already wet, might as well get this workout over with. The rain pretty much stopped after about 3 miles, but, needless to stay, I stayed pretty wet the whole time.

I will say you do feel really hardcore when you are running in the rain. I was not the only person out there, but many people left. And I will also say that I am glad the run is over and done!

Finally

Hurricane season is upon us and it finally rained early this morning. Makes it much more difficult to run - I ended up going to our gym garage and running there - but it is much cooler this morning!
Tinger, Boom and RuRu spent the nite - their house is being painted and the fumes were starting to get to them. I hope they slept ok in our makeshift guest room! I'm glad we bought the queen sized aero bed - at least it has more room!

I keep repeating myself

...but it is disgusting and humid out there. I only ran 4 miles this morning and was drenched by the time I was done. My Ipod has been freaking out a bit as well because it or my headphones are getting wet and not working properly. I wish it would just rain a bit to get rid of the water in the air!

P.S. Happy birthday to one of my dearest friends in the world!

Craft Monday

Today was scrappy day for our craft monday. I worked on my 12 on the 12th album while Ting made cards. After I finished I made a few cards as well and then we both made tags. We used lots of punches and stamps. We were quite productive!
Here is Tinger mid-production:Our pile of cards:A close up of the cards: Now we never have a need to buy a card at the store again!
I am off to figure out how to cook the ahi tuna we bought yesterday - wish me luck :)

Baby it's humid outside part three

Sunday mornings are typically reserved for long runs and today was my first official long run in preparation for the NYC marathon. The 10 miles felt forever, especially since we were pretty much soaked through by the halfway point. I wish it would rain a bit just to clear up some of the humidity, if only for a brief moment. The air just feels so heavy and wet!
I am going to attempt yoga as well this morning and after that I may take a nap!

Make it work

Yippee - another fave reality show is on again - Project Runway! It's so weird, everytime a new show starts it takes me a while to warm up to the new contestants and stop comparing them to the previous season. Take, for example, SYTYCD, my fave ever. I am really enjoying the dancing and all, but I haven't been as attached to the peeps this year. Don't get me wrong, I am still going to see them live if and when they come to town, but it doesn't seem the same. Still love it though!

I am ready for the weekend. Hopefully we'll just be doing a whole lotta nothin'!

Productive morning

Since I have been awake, I have run intervals, gone to the grocery store, made lentils for dinner and made my breakfast! All before 8 AM! I am so much more productive in the AM - no time to be lazy yet!

Back in the swing of things

I feel like I am still getting caught up with stuff since getting back from Maine. This is probably because I haven't had a full weekend to get stuff in order. Our house is out of control - I am the queen of clutter. So one goal this weekend is to tidy up!
One thing Joe and I have been doing this summer is reliving LOST. Well the reliving is mostly me while Joe is getting caught up. I have loved it from the beginning. Joe would watch random episodes with me and end up asking a million questions as to what was going on. So we decided to take the time from the end of last season to the beginning of the next to watch it from the start. And I must say, that first season is still amazing, even though I know what happens. It makes me remember why I love the show in the first place. The current plot is very action-based and plot-driven, but the first season was also very character-driven, which made me relate and care about the peeps on the island. Which is why I still love it so much - I want to know what happens to the peeps. This is so much better than 99% of the reality crap that is on tv right now. Just my 2 cents!
And because I hate posting without a photo- I finally found the hole punch I have been stalking!This was found during our craft Monday errands. Now I just have to find time to use it!

He didn't let us down

Yesterday was a fun filled day full of crafts and music! Tinger and I spent a couple hours in the morning running errands before we started craft day! We made coasters and napkins (and by we I mean I cut the fabic and she did the actual sewing). {photos to come later}

After craft day, Joe and I met some friends for a couple drinks before the George Michael concert. He was absolutely amazing! I think he is one of the most underrated artists from the 80s. I mean Wham was fun and everything, but his solo stuff is so much better. That said, he actually sang a few Wham songs (I'm Your Man, Everything She Wants and Careless Whisper!). I love that he also sang Kissing a Fool. He played for almost 3 hours and we were exhausted by the end.

Our seats were in the 2nd section back on the floor, which were very good, but I still had a difficut time taking a good photo.This morning I just found my GM cd and and uploading it to my ipod - I had forgotten I had it!

Baby, it's humid outside part 2

a.k.a. running is 10% physical and 90% mental
a.k.a. the last of the vacation photos

I woke up this morning after a crappy night's sleep around 4:30 AM. I think I had a hard time sleeping because I was anxious about having to get up in the morning - something I think Tinger mentioned she went through the other night. Joe got up as well to ride his bike out at Zube park with his buddy Brad.
I finished the 8 miles in 1 hour and 20 minutes, a bit slower than yesterdays pace, but I was just happy to finish! I think I started sweating about 1 minute into the run and when I started my second loop around Memorial I was already drenched in sweat. That just made me feel more miserable and tired and wonder "why in the world do I do this to myself???" I got my groove back by mile 7 and finished fairly strong, but it was very mental. The 99% humidity doesn't help either. But it's done, I feel good and I get a break tomorrow - woot!

Our last day in Maine was spent shopping and relaxing with a little bit of golf for Joe.But first we had to visit the giant chair!As always, a stop at LL Bean's.
They have a new river aquarium in the store.I spent more time in the hammock while Joe golfed. Harry relaxing with us as well.We grilled scallops, steak and veggies for dinner. My first taste of parsnips, a sweeter kind of carrot, which were delish.
All in all it was a great trip!

Baby, it's humid outside

So I have officially started my training for the NYC marathon. By sheer luck my name got drawn in the lottery, but Joe's did not. I was hoping we would be able to run together and take photos along the way, but I guess it will just be me! I ran 5 miles this morning and was basically drenched with sweat by the time I finished. My baby sis should be proud that I finished in about 45.16 so almost a 9 min mile pace!

Here is day 3 of our past weekend - I can't believe the week is almost over already -good grief, where does the time go??
It was very foggy on Sunday morning - I love the way the water looks!After our morning run and breakfast we visited the Giant Stairs, a natural rock formation, at Land's End.After lunch Joe did his 2nd annual swim around an island. Last year he swam around Birch Island, right across from our house. This year he swam around White Island (I think) while we kayaked alongside. Here is the view from my kayak!
After a yummy, healthy dinner of chicken, tofu and salad, we stopped by Cote's to have dessert. Dessert was followed by the Producers, which we really enjoyed. It made me wish I had seen the original on Broadway with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. It also reminded me that we really need to see some more shows when they come to H-town!
Tomorrow will be the last day of photos. Thanks for your attention!

Day two

Because everyday life can be a bit mundane I will continue with pics from the weekend! Saturday was spent just hanging out and relaxing. We began the day with a short run and then a trip to the local farmer's market. The coolest thing we saw there were some alpalcas. They were so cute!After a yummy lunch of some homemade fish chower (almost exactly like clam chowder but made with haddick instead of clams), we napped a bit before Mom K and Joe decided to go for a short swim. The water was way too cold for me to get in, so I just snapped photos.When they were done in the water we rested some more.I spent most of the day reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, an excellent read which I highly recommend.
I can't quite remember what we had for dinner - something on the grill I am sure. But I do remember dessert - one of our must eat places is Dairy Frost, which has the yummiest soft serve! I suppose it's very similar to Dairy Queen, but since we don't have one in Texas we like to come here when we are visiting.After dessert we visited the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge.Quite a cool piece of architechture (sp?).
The rest of the weekend coming next...