How come the Academy Awards don't garner the celebratory frenzy the Super Bowl does each year? No grocery fliers boasting sales on food items prepared in crocks... no one calling in sick on Monday due to partying too late... no buzz about the cost of a 30-second commercial spot... it's all a little disconcerting to me!
When the bugs will return? Not that I'm missing them! Last summer (my first in Jax) was a miserable period of home invasion and reluctant bug-hunting/murdering. The cooler winter weather has been wonderful reprieve, but I fear the days of spotting palmetto bugs clinging to the wall above my bed are right around the corner. **Shudder**
Why FL toddlers keep disappearing? It seems that one case doesn't even close before the news media is all over a new one. It's heartbreaking and very, very troubling.
If Lucas has started walking yet. Baby boy is quickly approaching the one-year mark, and is busy marking milestones all across the board. It's a joy to hear stories and receive pictures, but it's just not the same! I'm hoping to get back to MN in the next few months for an all-Lucas weekend.
If obscure holidays like President's Day merit anything more than a free day for government workers and gangbusters sales promotions for furniture stores/car dealers? Yawn.
When the economics stimulus will start showing up in the form of small increases in our paychecks. Not sure, but this may bode well for a return of Starbucks expenditures to my budget! (I'm not doing so hot with the do-it-at-home coffee maker... meh).
Why I continue to unnecessarily bundle in layers for the occasionally "brisk" weather down here. Do I have terribly poor circulation? Was my hardy Midwestern upbringing a mere illusion? Whatever the reasons, I continue to be grateful I hung onto my collection of coats, hats, mittens and scarves. But don't let that deter you from planning your spring trips to visit me, you winter-weary Minn-ah-sohtans! It's still much warmer here, and it's still much closer to the ocean. ;-)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Ruuuuuuun, Forrest! Run!!!
Last Sunday nearly 7,000 participated in the Breast Cancer Marathon here in Jax, and I was thrilled to be one of them!
All runners were required to be lined up by 7:30 a.m., so the day started quite early. It was more than a little odd to see so much activity and energy congregating in the pre-dawn. Cheryl and Marc signed up to be volunteers, and had to report to campus by 6 a.m. to catch a bus out to their assigned stop. Yikes! I guess the day started even earlier for some of us. ;-)
Doing the race with a wonderful group (pictured below: Yinka, Cayla and Michelle) made for a really memorable experience. In the weeks leading up to the race, the four of us met on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. to train. The night before the race, Michelle hosted us at her place for a fabulous carb-loading dinner. I'm honestly still having salacious dreams about the heapings of spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and red velvet cake. Only when I'm gearing up for a half marathon is it acceptable to eat like that!
Aaaaand we're off! San Pablo Road and the MC campus were transformed into a veritable marathon village for an entire day... it was an amazing and unforgettable sight. The marathon route took us over the bridge and into Jax Beach. The residential streets and beach stretch were full of awesome supporters. Bands were performing at various locations, and spectators young and old were lined along the route with noisemakers, encouraging signs and pink-clad pets.
At one point early in the race (around mile #3, I believe) there was a commotion behind me and I looked back just as another runner took a hard fall onto his front and a group clustered to him yelling, "Runner down!" Seeing he was adequately assisted, I continued on my way, but was troubled by a nagging thought: Did I let Cheryl know I put her down as my local emergency contact in case I have trouble along the route?! I couldn't remember, but was comforted in knowing my drivers' license and medical insurance card were tucked away with my i-pod and chewing gum supply in the plastic baggie wedged into my sport bra.
Crossing the finish line... Kudos to the random 9-year-old kid who unknowingly served as my pacer for that last treacherous mile over the JTB bridge!
2/15/09 was a day to witness and feel many good things, and it will continue to be the impetus for many more. All the proceeds from the race support breast cancer research, with a majority going to MC's programs. With efforts like these, we come closer and closer to finishing breast cancer. And that is a sweet, sweet thing.
All runners were required to be lined up by 7:30 a.m., so the day started quite early. It was more than a little odd to see so much activity and energy congregating in the pre-dawn. Cheryl and Marc signed up to be volunteers, and had to report to campus by 6 a.m. to catch a bus out to their assigned stop. Yikes! I guess the day started even earlier for some of us. ;-)
Doing the race with a wonderful group (pictured below: Yinka, Cayla and Michelle) made for a really memorable experience. In the weeks leading up to the race, the four of us met on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. to train. The night before the race, Michelle hosted us at her place for a fabulous carb-loading dinner. I'm honestly still having salacious dreams about the heapings of spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and red velvet cake. Only when I'm gearing up for a half marathon is it acceptable to eat like that!
Aaaaand we're off! San Pablo Road and the MC campus were transformed into a veritable marathon village for an entire day... it was an amazing and unforgettable sight. The marathon route took us over the bridge and into Jax Beach. The residential streets and beach stretch were full of awesome supporters. Bands were performing at various locations, and spectators young and old were lined along the route with noisemakers, encouraging signs and pink-clad pets.
At one point early in the race (around mile #3, I believe) there was a commotion behind me and I looked back just as another runner took a hard fall onto his front and a group clustered to him yelling, "Runner down!" Seeing he was adequately assisted, I continued on my way, but was troubled by a nagging thought: Did I let Cheryl know I put her down as my local emergency contact in case I have trouble along the route?! I couldn't remember, but was comforted in knowing my drivers' license and medical insurance card were tucked away with my i-pod and chewing gum supply in the plastic baggie wedged into my sport bra.
Crossing the finish line... Kudos to the random 9-year-old kid who unknowingly served as my pacer for that last treacherous mile over the JTB bridge!
2/15/09 was a day to witness and feel many good things, and it will continue to be the impetus for many more. All the proceeds from the race support breast cancer research, with a majority going to MC's programs. With efforts like these, we come closer and closer to finishing breast cancer. And that is a sweet, sweet thing.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I'm still here...
I've just been a little low-key lately. My sincerest apologies to all the fans!
Hopefully the New Year has been treating everyone well so far. According to statistics, most people who make resolutions will have abandoned them by now. Perhaps it's the looming lure of pink-and-red M&M's, heart-shaped cookies and gooey V-Day chocolates. Or maybe it's simply a lack of time to consistently do the things we'd really like to do -- and know are really good for us. Take last night: I'd have LIKED to hit the trails around my complex with Libby, walking to my daily goal of 10,000 steps and further conditioning my legs for this weekend's upcoming half-marathon. I know that would have been a really good way to spend my evening. But somehow my bottom became glued to the couch for an entire episode of American Idol. UGH.
My very best wishes to everyone out there who is diligently sticking to their goals! And to those, like me, who experience the occasional unproductive evening, let's find solace and triumph in some of the smaller accomplishments. For example...
* I finally purchased a coffee maker and am producing my own brew at home. Hallelujah to removing Starbucks expenditures from my weekly budget!
* I organized the piles on my desk yesterday into a slightly less severe semblance of chaos.
* I started the last section of the book I've been trying to complete for over a month.
* I finally re-connected with a dear friend who moved to the other side of the world after college and just recently returned to the states... to live in the SE!
* I vacuumed my car and discovered in it's hidden places: a set of keys I thought I'd lost, my cherished coupon envelope, and my missing lip gloss. Score!
Count all your little accomplishments, and feel great about them. Have a good week, everyone. ;-)
Hopefully the New Year has been treating everyone well so far. According to statistics, most people who make resolutions will have abandoned them by now. Perhaps it's the looming lure of pink-and-red M&M's, heart-shaped cookies and gooey V-Day chocolates. Or maybe it's simply a lack of time to consistently do the things we'd really like to do -- and know are really good for us. Take last night: I'd have LIKED to hit the trails around my complex with Libby, walking to my daily goal of 10,000 steps and further conditioning my legs for this weekend's upcoming half-marathon. I know that would have been a really good way to spend my evening. But somehow my bottom became glued to the couch for an entire episode of American Idol. UGH.
My very best wishes to everyone out there who is diligently sticking to their goals! And to those, like me, who experience the occasional unproductive evening, let's find solace and triumph in some of the smaller accomplishments. For example...
* I finally purchased a coffee maker and am producing my own brew at home. Hallelujah to removing Starbucks expenditures from my weekly budget!
* I organized the piles on my desk yesterday into a slightly less severe semblance of chaos.
* I started the last section of the book I've been trying to complete for over a month.
* I finally re-connected with a dear friend who moved to the other side of the world after college and just recently returned to the states... to live in the SE!
* I vacuumed my car and discovered in it's hidden places: a set of keys I thought I'd lost, my cherished coupon envelope, and my missing lip gloss. Score!
Count all your little accomplishments, and feel great about them. Have a good week, everyone. ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
