Nothing Less than a 5K

Thanks so much for the kind comments and emails about my post yesterday!  The blogging community is great!

I've written before about running, but I don't know if I've ever really said how much I love to run.  There's just something about getting in a good workout that makes me feel great!  It's sometimes hard to fit in a workout each day as I'm sure you all know, but I think it's so important to try to break a sweat every day or at least five days per week.

Last week, I decided I'm going to start doing "Nothing Less than a 5K" five days per week.  I started this "campaign" last Wednesday, and so far, I've run nothing less than 3.1 miles on four days.  I've gotten back to running more regularly this month (in fact, I've run more days in May than I've taken off!), but not a consistent amount.  I'll run 4.5-5 miles one day and 1.5 the next, so I decided it's time to start a new "program."  Plus, I'd like to do the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Savannah in November and there's no time like the present to start training.

Each week, I try to look at my schedule to see when I know I can't run and work around it.  Take last week and this week for example.  I knew that last weekend I would be going to Charleston to visit PC (an update on him is coming tomorrow - please continue praying!), so I wouldn't be running Friday and Saturday.  This week, I know I have two nights with events for work plus a meeting with my childhood best friend who's getting married in a few weeks tomorrow night to go over music for her wedding (I'm singing) and then a graduation to go to Friday night.

Last week's running schedule worked out nicely and I took Friday and Saturday off.

My running/workout plan for this week is (I'm lumping Sunday into this week):
Sunday - 3.1
Monday - 3.1
Tuesday - workout at the gym during lunch; off day
Wednesday - run
Thursday - gym workout, run
Friday - try to fit in a run before graduation
Saturday - run

One thing I really need to work on is going to the gym.  Even though I'm active and running most days, I haven't been to the gym in about a month for strength training.  I try to go twice a week on average to do an upper body workout and abs, but the past month with everything that's gone on plus being absolutely tired and drained, I've opted to go home after work for an outdoors run and skip the gym.  I'm trying to change that this week.  With two out of town evening events for work, I'm going to try to get to the gym at some point during the day on those days.  I can do a quick 30 minute workout which is really all I normally do when strength training, take a shower, and head back to work pretty easily.

So, tell me, how do you fit workouts in during the week especially when you're busy?

A New Beginning

Ok, so it's been a long time since I've written anything.  I've been trying to keep up with everything you all have written, but honestly, work and life have both been so busy lately, that I've barely had the time.  (I know, I know, I hate excuses, too.)  And when I have had time, I haven't had the time to comment.

A few years ago I started a blog (not this one, obviously) and really enjoyed it.  I had several hundred followers (a few of you that read my blog today read then even) and really enjoyed writing about my life.  Then some things changed.  Some big things.  I stopped blogging on my former blog without notice or so much as a "follow my new journey."  When life throws you lemons, and believe me, I got thrown a big Lemon, it causes you to do one of two things: wallow in self-pity and misery of a life you always dreamed of that didn't turn out like you wished or start fresh, move on, and make lemonade.  I chose the later.

I've contemplated many times sharing my story on this blog, but I've shied away from it.  I guess a part of me feels like my past is my past and there's no reason to get bogged down in talking about it.  But another part of me is seeing how the things that have happened in my life in the past two years are being used by God for good. I hope that I've held my head high and shown dignity and grace through it all, and I also hope that I have been a positive influence on those who know me and those who don't.  I figure that if the things I've gone through can help my little sister and her friends and my friends not experience the same, it's worth it.

So will I share my story here?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I haven't decided yet to be perfectly honest with you.  Sometimes I think I'd like to because it is my life and the things that have happened, though not pleasant, have brought me to a much better place and a much closer relationship with God.  They've taught me things I didn't ever think I'd experience and I've learned so much about others, myself, and God through it all in ways I may not have ever had the chance to had these things not occurred.

Whether or not I share on the blog remains to be seen, but please know that I'm more than willing to talk via email about it.  I guess one (or really the only) of my hang ups to not sharing on the blog is that a few people "in real life" read this blog and while they all know my story and have been here for me, sometimes I don't want to deal with questions.  The fact of the matter is, I am an extremely optimistic person and happy 99.9% of the time, but I'm also human.  Sometimes, I have days when I don't want to talk about things or answer questions.  I have a great career, wonderful family and friends, a bright future, but I also have worries and stresses.  I'm not one who likes to dwell on them and I guess my underlying fear is that if I do "vent" on the blog, it'll turn into explanations that have to be given.

So, there you have it, a new beginning.  I hope to be back to blogging regularly about my life and the things that interest me.  If not every day, at least every other.  Blogging is a great way to remember things and really share your thoughts and emotions, and it's also a great community.  Here's to blogging, bloggers, and the community they bring!

God Bless America!

I had a totally different post planned in my head for today as I'm attempting to jump back on the blogging band wagon feet first, but in light of the news last night, I'd just like to say, God Bless America!

I've heard it said many times that most people will remember where they were when they found out Bin Laden was killed just as most remember where they were when 9/11 occurred.  On September 11, 2001, I was in ninth grade and walking between geometry honors and health.  On May 1, 2011, I was dozing in a chair in the den watching a DVR'd episode of Bethenny Ever After when my grandma called to say the US had killed him.  I tried to stay awake to watch President Obama, but couldn't.

What started 10 years ago on September 14th with this:

has ended here nearly 10 years later:

I am so proud to be from a county where freedom is valued and justice is served.  While watching the Today Show this morning when I was getting ready for work, I had tears in my eyes seeing the floods of people at Ground Zero and in front of the White House celebrating.  I am so thankful for our military, their families, and our leadership.

On the other hand, my heartaches for Bin Laden as (and I don't think I'm going out on a limb here) he will not spend eternity in heaven.  I remember when Saddam Hussein was executed and feeling so glad that the world was safe without him, but so much sorrow as well knowing that he didn't confess Jesus as his Savior and Lord.

To end on a not so somber note, I saw this on someone's Facebook this morning, "She married her prince.  The bad guy's dead.  It was a Disney weekend!"

The Royal Wedding!

Did you get up at 4 AM for The Wedding?  I did!  It was such an exciting event and you could see the love and excitement shared between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  That's how it should be!

The Dress & Jewels
Gorgeous!  It reminded me of Grace Kelly.  I loved how traditional, but also how modern it was.  The intricate lace detailing was beautiful!

I also loved her "something borrowed" halo tiara lent to her by Queen Elizabeth.  The earrings given as a gift by her parents completed the look.

The Music
I don't think the music could've been any prettier!  I love John Rutter and the piece he composed for The Wedding was wonderful.  (I'm singing for a wedding this summer and I'm hoping the bride will chose "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by Rutter as one of her pieces!)  The hymns they chose were great as well.

The Kiss

The Happiest Place on Earth

Last week, I went with PC and his family to Disney World!  We had a blast!  PC, his brother, and nephew hadn't been before, so it was their first time.  I've actually only been to Disney once and really enjoyed being back!

We drove from Charleston to Orlando last Saturday and got up and checked in to our resort, the Port Orleans - French Quarter, early Sunday morning before heading to Magic Kingdom for the day.  I love Magic Kingdom!  If I had to pick only one favorite park, this would be it.  I L-O-V-E Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the Thunder Mountain.  (Notice the Mountain theme?)

On Monday, we went to Hollywood Studios.  We watched Beauty & the Beast, rode plenty of rides including Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster (Side note: I hadn't riden this ride before and if I had not gotten a fast pass for the Aerosmith ride and waited in line for two hours [the approximate wait while we were there], I would've been disappointed.  I thought the ride was two short.), and took the backlot tour.  Oh, yeah, we also met Harrison Ford's stunt double from the last Indiana Jones film after the stunt show.

Tuesday morning we headed to the Polynesian Resort bright and early for a character breakfast.  PC's nephew was so excited!  We saw Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch.  Lilo and Stitch were new to me.  After breakfast, which was delicious I must add, we headed over to Animal Kingdom for safaris, animal watching, and Mt. Everest (there I go with the mountains again).

Wednesday, our last day in Disney, was spent at Epcot.  I really do love Epcot.  I love walking around the different countries and seeing the shows.  I also think I would've loved Soarin', but when we got there early that morning, all the fast passes were gone and the wait stayed well above two hours all day.  I enjoyed my desserts in France, burger in America, and the William and Kate Forever sticker I purchased in England.  (Cheesy, I know, but I thought my sister and I should each have one as a keepsake from the Big Event.  By the way, I can't wait to watch it on Thursday night!).

We had a blast!  It was nice to have a "Spring Break!"

I'm Back!

After a long time off, I'm back!  I have much to update you on this week like Disney World!  I hope you all had a great Easter!

A Great Birthday Weekend for Me!

Yesterday was my 25th  birthday and I had a great time celebrating all weekend with my family and friends!  I'm always so on the go and busy that I feel like I don't have much time to relax and this weekend was just what I needed!

After a long week at work, I went down to Charleston Friday night thru yesterday afternoon.  On Saturday, I slept late for me (like 8:00 AM!) then PC and I went to lunch and to yobe.

Yobe is pretty much my favorite place at the moment.  I love frozen yogurt!

Saturday night, PC's sister made delicious spanakopita, Greek potatoes, salad, and a yummy cake for a joint birthday dinner for PC's dad and me.  It was so good!

Yesterday, PC and I ate Mexican after church and went back to yobe.  When I say I love it, I am serious!

To finish off the weekend, my mom made a delicious dinner for my birthday with my family last night.

It was truly a wonderful weekend spent with my favorite people minus PIC and CJP, full of wonderful gifts including tickets to see:

  

from PC!  

And even though it's not officially my birthday weekend anymore, my office is taking me to lunch today!