Two-a-day Tuesday

Thank you Thank you!

Thank you all for your kind words for my birthday. I don't usually broadcast it in non-recovery arenas, but since this is essentially my diary, and it is pretty cool to me, I figured, why not?

My birthday always makes me reflect on my life and all that I am grateful for and I am very grateful for all my new virtual friends. You have helped and inspired me more than you know in this quest for fitness, balance, and healthier lifestyle. Thank you for being a part of my journey.

I was thinking about the "Marathon in All 50 States" thing that Shirleyperly is doing. I thought I could do a modified goal and do a "Marathon in all my friend's hometowns" type thing. I guess, it could be alternately titled, "RBR's Blog Stalker Fantasy Tour" Tracy already knows my stalker tendencies! lol!

Side note: Hmm... I put the 'lol' so it wouldn't seem so creepy, but I think it actually heightened the creep factor. Sorry about that.

Anyhoo... just thoughts rambling about in my head. I would love to meet you all of you in person. Watch out! RBR may be coming to a marathon near you! Hey, I think that makes Southbay Girl first! San Diego in June baby! (Alright, technically you are not in San Diego, but us Northern Californians think of everything below Santa Barbara as one big city called "So Cal" anyway. )


Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Because I have decided I need two rest days (Monday and Friday) and I need to get three run days in to train for the marathon I need to double up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will run at lunch and then go to my swim class on those nights.

Yesterday was my first Tuesday doing this. I did it last Thursday, but Thursdays are an easier day for me schedule-wise.

Summary of workouts: I am pooped.

Ok, really here is the breakdown:
Run: Total distance was 4 miles with 5 X hill repeats. The dam trail I wanted to run up was closed, so I had to go up a freaking billy goat trail. That GREATLY reduced the distance I was able to cover on the hill repeats. I was supposed to do 2 min climbs, but I could only handle 1:15. I did 5 of them, but I guess I am going to have to work on that or find a hill to climb that doesn't require a fucking ax pick to get up it!

Swim Class: Total swim time 1 hour. We did various drills for a total yardage 1200. I went, so we count that as a win. I had my earplugs this time and I was able to complete the whole class without getting sick. Yay! It went pretty well. I still hate swimming and I don't think I am any better yet, but I have only had two swim classes. I like the instructor and I fit in with the class, so I guess I will keep going.

What is the deal with the pink?

I am sitting on my couch in my pink fleece, wearing pink 'super soft' socks, with my pink water bottle next to me. I run in a pink hat and carry a pink RBR bag to races. Pink has become my power color. That makes some people (women, mostly) unhappy.

Lately, (read: after a bitch at the tri training made a comment about my pink shirt and hat. Yeah, I know, bad ass, you and your mini van are too cool to wear pink. Sorry short rant. It is over. I'm fine.) I have been thinking, "what is the deal with the pink?"

As a young child, 7 or so, I LOVED pink. I thought it was the prettiest color. I wasn't really into dolls or Barbie, much, but I had a rock tumbler (remember those?!) and any rock that came out even remotely pink was instantly my favorite. I liked pink clothes, pink things, and my Mom decorated my room in blue.

As a pre-teen and teenager, I HATED pink. I despised its "girlie" connotations. I would REFUSE to don anything that could even be considered a related color to pink. Reds, purples, burgundies, they were all to be avoided at all cost. I loved blue and black, I listened to dark music, heavily lined my eyes in black, and my Mom decorated my room in pink. (Sensing a pattern, here?)

My hatred of pink carried into my adulthood. Why? Pink was "girlie", weak, soft, and certainly not representative of the bad ass I thought I was. Then my life changed, rather dramatically, which is a story for another time, but I started to realize that I didn't know a fucking thing about myself or what I really liked or disliked.

Years go by, and other life altering changes (less dramatic, but eye opening nonetheless) make me decide to actually do something besides work, eat, sleep, repeat. I find triathlon and running.

And I rediscover pink.

It started when I spotted a pink hat with a cat (Puma logo) on it. I was drawn to it. I sat in that store and stared at that hat for 10 minutes deciding whether to get it or not. My internal dialog is something like this:

"I can't wear a pink hat. That is lame. I have a black hat. I wear black."

"It is sooo pretty though. And it has a cat on it. I think that is a sign."

"You will look lame. It will draw attention to you. You are not a 'pink' person."

After several trips around the store, I went back and bought the damn hat. It is the same hat I run in today. It is pink. It is girlie. And it started a revolution. (Ok, dramatic, but it did create a profound change in me)

The girl that would rather fade in to the woodwork because she was "too cool for that", was cheering and yelling to other runners and having fun on the course. She stayed up late with friends to puffy paint (yes, I said puffy paint. It is not just for sorority girls anymore!) race shirts, that had obnoxious sayings like "Run Bitch Run" and "Thank God the Swim is Over."

So I ask, What is wrong with 'girlie'? When did being a 'girl' become a bad thing? Why do we (and by 'we' I mean non-red head women. They get a pass. Pink looks terrible on many of them. I digress...) fear and hate the 'pink'?

You know the most feared animal in the forest? Mama bear. Not papa, mama.

Today, I love being a girl. I don't have to put qualifiers on it, like "I am a girl, but not a 'girlie' girl."

Today, I am 'girlie' enough to comfort a child that has had her feelings hurt by other kids, I am 'girlie' enough to cry until snot pours down my face EVERY TIME I watch Steel Magnolias, but I am also 'girlie' enough to go back to college and get three degrees, I am 'girlie' enough to hold the hand of my friend as he dies of cancer, and I am 'girlie' enough to do any damn thing that I put my mind to.

Yeah, I am a girl, and I love pink. You got somethin' to say about it?

In the weeds

When I was a waitress there was a saying for when you were completely behind on all your tables. It is called being "in the weeds." (Random trivia moment: the saying apparently dates back to wartime, when being in the weeds would cause your army to be slaughtered. and was used by the army cooks to indicate when they were seriously backed up)

I am totally in the weeds.

Unfortunately, I am 100% responsible for my for my position among the vegetation. We are off next week for President's Week (don't ask me, but I ain't complaining) and I have almost every minute of it booked. I just need to get caught up and I am sure I will feel better. I have a mountain of grading, a major presentation to create for my master's program, I need to do my training, my house is a disaster, I have no clean laundry after today, the list goes on and on and on....

Valentine's Day

It is Valentines Day, the Thursday before a week off of school. The kids are going ape shit and I think it is seriously cruel and unusual punishment to expect us teachers to actually try to teach them today and tomorrow. It is a simple formula:

Teenage hormones + candy + drama = massively unproductive learning environment


Random Trivia moment #2: One of the stories of the origin of Valentine's Day. It was named after a rebellious Roman priest, St. Valentine that lived and died in 270 AD. At the time the Roman emperor had issued an order banning marriage as a means to keep men from being distracted by familial ties assuming that it would make them better soldiers. St. Valentine opposed this order and would meet young lovers in secret and perform marriage ceremonies (see picture to right. I like it because it looks like he is flipping the bird to the Roman emperor). For this act he was jailed and sentenced to death. While in custody, it is fabled, that St. Valentine befriended his jailer and restored the sight of the jailer's daughter, on the eve of his execution he wrote a note to the daughter and signed it "from your Valentine"



Somehow that all got turned into butt loads of money being spent on candy, flowers, and Hallmark cards. Oh, and of course, my favorite, singing, dancing stuffed animals (my husband gets one every year! I love those damn things . I don't think he does, but that is not the point!)


Kooza!

My husband and I bought my parents Cirque du Soleil tickets for their birthdays in October and on Tuesday night we finally went.

It. Was. Awesome.

I have seen three (Vareka, Corteo, and now Kooza) Kooza was the best of the three. That is saying a lot because with Cirque du Soleil it is hard to top the first one you see because you are so blown away.

Now, I am not a "show" person. I hate crowds. I never go to concerts or Vegas shows, because I usually am bored to tears. Cirque is AMAZING. If you have never been you absolutely MUST GO. It is expensive, but worth it.


These women either have no bones at all or they are mutants that have 78 vertebra in their spinal column. Of course, this is a gross exaggeration to illustrate the point that these were the most flexible and strongest humans I have ever seen. (Random trivia moment #3: Adult humans have 24 vertebra in their spinal column. You are born with 33, but five fuse to form the sacrum and the four below that fuse to form your coccyx. The remaining vertebra are divided into three regions of the spine: 7 cervical (neck) vertebra, 12 thoracic (upper back) vertebra, and 5 lumbar (lower back) vertebra.)



Marathon training

I ran on Tuesday and my knee felt pretty good, but I am going to the doctor today to get a cortisone shot just in case. I am going to try to run tonight. It may not happen because the shot made me sore last time. It has been pretty sore since the 30K. I don;'t want it to be an issue for the marathon. I am running in a half marathon this weekend that is supposed to be a little hilly. Hopefully the knee will be ok.

I went and had my weight room training last Sunday. It was pretty laid back. He just told me how to use the machines set the range of motion, etc. They are are FitLinxx machines so it stores your information which is nice.

I am still not sure about a routine. I have some exercise plans that I am taking from and I need to add strength exercises for the knee issue I have. I am procrastinating,

... much like I am by writing this blog instead of grading. Ok, must go back to life.

Friday

Date Night
Tonight hubby and I went to Body Worlds 2 at the Tech Museum of Innovation.

It. Was. Amazing.

If you get an opportunity, go, DO NOT MISS IT. The one pervasive thought I was left with after viewing the exhibit is . We are meat. We are AMAZINGLY magical pieces of meat, but we are meat. It is this reality that makes biology so fascinating to me. Each second an organism's body performs hundreds of synchronized actions without so much as a second thought from the organism. Even complicated (I will not say advanced, because sometimes I don't think we are very advanced) creatures like us humans, can not begin to contemplate the endless number of calculations and adjustments that the body makes each minute just to keep us alive.

Anyhoo.. it was great and I needed to have a night with hubby to distract myself from myself and remind me how lucky I am to have him in my life. Smoochies to Mr. RBR. He doesn't read or know about this blog, but virtual smoochies anyway. He puts up with an amazing amount crap from me. Next month it will be 17 years of my psycho crap to be exact.

Mood Issues
Wintertime Blues are upon me, but it is so much better than last year at this time. Last January, I was at an emotional low point. My run buddy even pointed out that I am so much happier this year. She said she was very concerned by my mood and behavior last year. I have to think the running this winter (I did not run AT ALL last winter. I think I logged 4 miles in all of January 2007, and this year I have 85.8 already) and watching what I eat (ok, somewhat/trying/... well, alright, at least it is not the fucking free-for-all of last January) is responsible for this difference.

Exercise
None. Rest Day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

I have my two run day tomorrow. It is supposed to rain like hell, so I bought a rain run jacket. This should be exciting.

Food
Thursday:
Total calories in: 1645 cal
Total calories burned in exercise: 454 cal

Friday:
Breakfast
JC French Toast & banana/coffee (320 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)
Lunch
Mimi's Cafe w. Mom: 1 cup Corn chowder/1/2 Tuna Salad sandwich (640 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
Date Night: Okayama's (Absolute Best Japanese Restaurant in San Jose, CA) Beef Teriyaki Dinner w/ all the fixin's ( around 1000 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)

Total calories in: 2110 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Merry Christmas! (Most unoriginal post title ever!)

Merry Christmas!

I am not sure who I am saying that to because no one reads this blog except occasionally my friend Tracy and she has probably already seen this on another site I go to, but whatever! In my opinion you can never have too many images of a smilin', fat, orange cat in a Santa hat! I bought this picture as Christmas Cards years ago and I loved the picture so much that I couldn't send the cards out!

Today I have to go see Blackie the wonder dog! He is a pet sitting client's dog that I have been taking care of (when they are out town, about 2-3 times a year) for the past 11 years. Blackie is a ~14-16 year old, blind cocker spaniel. He still loves life, his walks, and every human being he has ever met. If you are feeling down about yourself Blackie is the ultimate validator, HE THINKS YOU ARE WONDERFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Who wouldn't love a dog like that?

Then we are going to my parents for the Christmas celebration (more f&*%ing Christmas cookies will be consumed I am sure). We are a pretty low key family so it won't be too crazy.


Here's to wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Here is my dog lucy singing you a rousing rendition of "Have a Very Merry Christmas".

Cute Coots on Christmas Eve

Work
Today I went to work at my old job for half day (the veterinary hospital is only open half day on Xmas Eve). Good to know that all the reasons I left are still in effect. I made some progress on Mission Impossible. It will be an interesting couple of weeks.


American Coot (coolest water fowl ever!)

Exercise

Run on Trail (54:10)
5 miles (10:50 min/mile pace)

After work I tried to go to the gym, but it was going to close in half an hour, so I decided to run on the trail. It was beautiful out so I am glad I did. I think I have a cold and my throat was bugging me a little, but my knee felt better than it did on Saturday's run.

The trail I run on goes along a creek, past percolation ponds, and by a small lake. The wildlife I see there is so cool. I thought I would share images (stolen from the internet of course) of some of the wildlife I see there regularly. The first picture is a muskrat swimming, the next is an American Coot (my all time favorite water fowl. They have the coolest feet!)














There are lots of species of ducks and both Canada and Snow Geese. The next images are of a great Blue Heron and the Great Egret. Both are very common sightings along the trail.


It was a beautiful day for a run. On days like this I can't believe I ever run on a treadmill. But on cold, rainy, dark days I immediately remember why the gym membership is a necessary evil.









Food Log

Breakfast
JC French toast & banana/coffee
Snack
2 pieces of chocolate at work
Lunch
JC Chicken Carbonara/ 2 sl. bread with margarine
Snack(s)
JC S'mores bar
Dinner
Chevy's chicken soft taco/chicken tamale/rice & beans
Snack
JC Lemon Cake

End of another busy weekend

Random Thoughts
Is there ANYTHING that Beyonce won't hock on television? I am all for taking advantage of your popularity to make a buck, but come on! Just in the last 24 hours I have seen her shilling for makers of cell phones, makeup, perfume, cable t.v, and credit cards.

Really? Does she need the cash that bad? I know her last album wasn't the home run she had hoped for, but it still made her a decent chunk of change. Hell, most people could live the rest of their lives off her Destiny's Child royalties alone.


I don't know why I brought it up, I guess it was just Beyonce overload.

Today
Even though I am pretty wiped out from this week, I got up early to go to the gym. The opener for the Y apparently was sick or something and the gym didn't open until late. This meant I had less time to run before the strength class started. This was ok because my knee was pretty darn sore at the beginning of the run. It never got worse and, in fact, got a little better toward the end. I pushed it for the last mile and a half because I spent most of the first mile at a 12:00 min/mile and I wanted to get in at least 2.5 miles before the strength class.

I found out that my favorite (and most tortuous) strength class instructor is giving up the Sunday class. It was really a bummer to hear this. I just started going to this class and it was my favorite. It is going to turn into a spin/pilates class after the first of the year. I will have to think on that one. I think the strength training is helping my knee, so I need to keep it up, but all the classes at the Y are turning into pilates classes. In my limited exposure to pilates it seems like if you don't have special instruction in pilates, you don't get a lot of benefit out of it or you can even hurt yourself. Maybe I will get a couple private lessons and then take the classes at the Y. I refuse to pay for regular classes when I pay a ridiculous fee to be a member of the Y.

Exercise Log
Treadmill (26:21 min:sec)
Run 2.5 miles (10:32 min/mile pace)

Strength Training Class (60 min)
I am entirely too lame and uncoordinated for the yoga ball. Who knew a playground toy could cause so much pain and embarrassment?

Food Log
Breakfast
JC French Toast w/banana/coffee
Snack
powerbar/coffee
Lunch
JC Mac 'n Cheese/sl. wheat bread w/ margarine
Snack(s)
coffee (X3) (Grading always makes me want coffee *shrug*)
Dinner
(Date night at sushi) Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/2 pcs. fried tofu/Diet Coke
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal

Reluctant Workout

Pre-Gym inner dialogue

If the parking lot is full, I am going home. Dammit, 5 open spaces. Fine I will go in. But....

If the treadmills are all taken, I am going home. Dammit, at least 6 open treadmills including my favorite one. Fine, I will get on, but ...

If I still feel like this after a mile, I am going home. If I run three miles then I will have an even 10 miles so far this week and it is only Tuesday. Dammit. Fine, I will do 3 miles, but...

If I don't finish the three miles at least 5 minutes before the class, I am not going to strength class. Dammit, 7 min to spare. Fine, I will go!


Exercise Log

Treadmill (30 min 33 sec)
Run 3 miles (10:11 min/mile)

Strength Class (30 minutes)
One of my favorite instructors. As long as I do not have to laugh, breathe, or do anything that requires the use of my abdominal muscles this week, I should be fine.

I really do feel better for going, but damn, it is hard to get in the door some days!

Food Log

Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee (2) JC French Toast + banana/coffee
Snack
apple/coffee/coffee/coffee/ coffee (get the picture?)
Lunch
JC Mac and Cheese
Snack(s)
sl. wheat bread with margarine/coffee/California rolls (3pc)/Tamago
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara
Snack
JC Lemon Cake

The Ego Roller Coaster

Exercise: Another Monday afternoon gym visit (read: I rock!)
Treadmill (40 min 35 sec.)
Run 4 miles (10:09 min/mile Woo Hoo!)


After the gym, I was in the parking lot loading up my gym bag when I saw three older teenage boys (probably about 18-19) walking by. This is what I heard:

Teenage Boy #1,"Dude, she's hot." I look around, only me and a pretty hot soccer mom in the parking lot. Could be her, but it could be me. Hmm. I think to myself, I must be looking hot today.

Teenage Boy #2, "Yeah she's hot, but, dude, she is hella old." Hmm, feeling less hot. I am 38 and hot soccer mom is probably early 40's. At this point, she looks at me and I look at her. Let's be honest, we are sizing each other up trying to decide who looks older. I decide they are talking about her. (Yes, I realize to 18-19 year olds 38 and 40 are the same, and both are really flippin' old. But, shhhhh, listen to the story!)

Teenage Boy #1, "Not her, her!" Hmm, maybe it is me. Maybe I am the hot one

Teenage Boy #2, "Dude, she's hella old too. But yeah, she's hot." Back to being old. Bummer

By this time they have walked away and I am left with a decision. I decide that I am hot to both boys and only old to one. Soccer mom is the one that is hot to both and old to both. So there.

It is my story and I can interpret it any damn way I want to!

Food Log

Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee (2) JC French Toast + banana/coffee
Snack
apple
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada/sl. wheat bread with margarine
Snack
JC Cheese Curls
Dinner
Homemade turkey sandwich (turkey, mustard and wheat bread) Look Ma! I am eating wheat bread!

Don't cha?

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:18

Don't cha?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?! (Sorry, I teach high school and I am probably emotionally only about 15-16 at most anyway!)

Yesterday I wore a skirt I haven't worn since last January. Last January I was at least 20 pounds heavier than I am now and the skirt was, well, if we are being kind we could say it was snug, if we are being honest ,it made me look like 10 pounds of sausage in 5 pounds of casing, as my mother would say.

"Casing", for those of you that weren't raised by hillbillies like I was, is the layer of, usually intestine, that you put the ground sausage in to make links. I know, disgusting. Now you probably will never eat sausage again, so I won't go into what goes into the "ground" part . Ick! anyway if the casing is too small you get a taut, lumpy, about to burst appearance to your links.

You can thank me later for the lovely visual.

Anyhoo, back to my story...

Yesterday I wore said skirt and it actually fit like it was supposed to and, if I say so myself, and since I am the only one typing here I guess I DO say so myself, I looked quite fetching in it. I got several compliments and a few turned heads. Ha! It was kind of nice.

Unfortunately, my pretty skirt and pink sweater did NOT make biology any more interesting to high school sophomores, so that part of my day didn't go any better, BUT the rest of the day was nice! Which leads me to my next category... (like my new segue system!)

Teaching vent

*sigh*

This is going to make me sound old, but we didn't act like this when I was in school. Maybe this was in large part because I was a nerd and nerds are in classes with other needs and we all typically do whatever the teacher tells us.

Why must I TELL students to take out their pencils and paper? Why must I re-tell said students three times to take out their pencils and paper to get approximately 85% of the class to do so? Why must I tell students everyday that, no, I do not loan out pencils or paper (and technically, if they actually do the assignment paper would not be a "loan" anyway) and that they are expected to bring these materials to class everyday? And finally, why do they honestly think that because they came unprepared for class it is an excuse and perfectly ok to sleep/text message their friends/talk to their neighbor/stare blankly at the wall/etc. instead of take notes or do whatever assignment we are all working on?

Some days feel like I show up to work, strap 36 dead birds around my neck and slog through the period (95 minute periods mind you!) until the merciful bell rings and allows me to untie the birds and let them shuffle from the classroom. Then 36 more dead birds show up and the process starts all over again.

Ok, enough of that.

Exercise

Treadmill (41 minutes)
Run 4 miles (!!) (10:15 min/mile Hoo Hah!)

Pilates Class (1 hour)
Umm.. I don't think I am flexible/strong/coordinated enough for this.

Food

Breakfast
(1) English muffin
coffee
(2) NO TIME! Cherub central! "Teacher, I want..., I need..., You didn't.., How come...?" blah, blah, blah

Snack
apple
snack pack of dried mango pieces
snack pack of dried plums (sounds so much nicer than 'prunes')

Lunch (late)
Sushi (rough day)
Golden Bell Roll (I know, I know...)
Tamago
Diet coke

Snack
none

Dinner
JC Cheesy Enchilada (the lunch I ditched to have sushi)

Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 c. soy flax cereal

I rock!

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:39

I rock!

I am here to report I have had pie in my house for over 14 hours and have not eaten any of it. Of course, my mother would KILL me for bring a pie that had been sliced into, but I will still take it as a win. I was never opposed to replacing the original pie I intended to bring (and ate by myself) with a new pie I bought on my way to her house!

Did I ever tell you all about the year I had to replace the candy in my husband's Easter basket five times because I kept eating it?! I know now to buy the stuff the night before!

Anyhoo..

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And to those that don't celebrate this holiday, just Happy Day!

Wednesday Log

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:19

Wednesday Log

Good News

I got to pick up my 20 "new to me" microscopes from State today! I was begging for money at Back to School Night and a parent actually said "ok, how much do you need?" I almost fell out of my chair. She gave me a check for $500 to buy refurbished microscopes that State was selling for $50 a piece (HELL of a deal. They are old, but have amazing optics!)

I went to the microscope guy at State and told him I got a donation to buy some microscopes and he asked how many I wanted, I said, " is there any way I can get 20 for $500?" He said, "let me ask" and Voila! I have 20 new microscopes for my kids at a STEAL! He even serviced them all for me for free, threw in a bunch of extra bulbs AND a binocular scope for me! I could barely contain myself!

Then...

I went up to see my master professor to see if there was any word on the Raccoon study I was hoping to get in on as the RVT. This would also give me a project to write a thesis for my MS and YES it was approved by the FDA and I am going to be a part of it! Happy Dance!

All in all a pretty darn good day!

Exercise

none. I guess I am taking this "rest your knee" thing to heart. I could have swam, but... I didn't.

Food

Breakfast
JC French Toast
coffee

Snack
Grande nonfat sugar-free vanilla latte

Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada
1/4 c. cottage cheese

Snack
JC S'mores bar
coffee

Dinner
Sushi
Golden Bell Roll (I think we are talking full blown addiction at this point)
Tamago

Snack
none
Diet Coke

Thanksgiving Gratitude List

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:18

Thanksgiving Gratitude List

Thanksgiving Gratitude List

1. I am grateful I am clean and sober. Without this, nothing else that is good in my life, or my life itself for that matter, would be possible.

2. I am grateful for my relationship with my husband. We met in a meeting almost 17 years ago and have been together ever since. He has been with me through the worst of the worst times and stuck by me when everyone else had given up. He gave me tough love when I needed it and softness when I needed it. He makes me feel safe and loved. I can not thank him enough for that. I never thought I was capable of the life we have built together. Feet first baby! (We have a joke. “No one leaves this relationship unless it is feet first!” We have a morbid sense of humor in my house)

3. I am grateful for my family of origin. I lost them once. Not lost, that sounds like I was a victim, I wasn’t. I threw them away once. I will never let that happen again.

4. I am grateful for my education and the opportunities it has afforded me. My father was the first in our family to go to college. He worked three jobs to make it happen. He had to attend alternate quarters to work enough to save for the next quarter and then he continued to work while he was in school. When I came along he was determined that I would not struggle as he did. I don’t remember a time when I thought I wasn’t going to college. When the time came I was an immature, emotionally screwed up girl and I ended up dropping out (let’s be honest, I dropped out before they kicked me out.) I squandered his money and shattered his dreams.
When I got my shit together I was too embarrassed to even attempt school again. I thought I was too stupid, lazy, unmotivated, etc. My then boyfriend, now husband, encouraged me to go back. He couldn’t see me waiting tables and cocktailing for the rest of my life. I started back at community college (it was my dime this time and I had to work full time to make it happen) and discovered that I actually liked learning. I kept at it and eventually graduated with my BS in biology. I was the second person in our family (and last so far) to graduate from college. I have since earned my registered veterinary technician (RVT) license, a single subject teaching credential in biology and chemistry, MA in Administration and Educational Leadership, a preliminary administrative credential, and am currently working on a second masters degree (MS) in Microbiology and Molecular Biology.

5. I am grateful for my furry, feathered and scaly family. I have a large animal family that gives me joy everyday and reminds me not to take life so damn seriously!

Posted By: RBR | Comments (2

Good News & Bad News

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:32

Good News & Bad News

Ever the optimist I will begin with the good news! (read: I want to put off admitting to the horrifying amount of food I ate today)

Knee Doctor

I went today and it was so nice to go to a doctor that isn't standing by the door with their hand on the handle, chomping at the bit to get to their next patient, before they even say hello to you. He examined my knee, asked what I had done so far and never once acted like I was an idiot for coming in or waiting so long to come in. Plus he was HOT, another big plus in my book.

He took an x-ray of my knee and said he did not see evidence of a stress fracture (Yikes! Hadn't considered that one) but he couldn't rule it out. He gave me a cortisone shot in my knee (He mentioned it, I asked for it. Surprisingly not painful due to and anesthetic spray he used. It ached for a little while later, but all in all not bad) He prescribed physical therapy and gave me several physical therapists that he recommended to run by my oh-so-caring-and-competent primary care physician to see if I can get insurance to pay for it. He told me to give the knee a break from the treamill for 24-48 hours and then try a short run on Saturday. So I will do that.

I feel good that I have tried this new avenue, hopefully it will be what I need to be able to get running and training for Napa! He said if it isn't any better in 2 weeks that I need to come back to see him and he will insist on an MRI to see if there is a fracture (I really don't think so).

Anyway that is the update!

Part II of the Good News

As of 12 noon today, NO CHERUBS of either the high school or college variety for 5 days!! Love them to death, but to ensure that it is not LITERALLY to death I need a break from them sometimes!

College cherubs have a lab report due on Monday and their final lab practical on Wednesday so they are all emailing like mad, but I don't have to go and teach them. Yipee!

The high school cherubs are as glad to get rid of me for 5 days as I am to get rid of them, so we are all good! I doubt there will be any phone calls or emails from them! Another Yipee!

Food (*sigh* It is time to face the music)

Breakfast
(1) English muffin
coffee
(2) JC French Toast ( I know, you are shocked!)
more coffee

Snack
apple
more coffee
1 inch square of Sees chocolate bar (college reference letter bribes are starting to trickle in, must pawn these off on other teenagers! And yes, the remainder of this bar is stashed in my desk.)

Lunch
1 slice cheese pizza (the victory party for my class winning the Second Harvest Canned Food Drive. I am ridiculously competitive about this and i win every year! I had stiff competition this year, but the kids stepped it up and we won! Boo Yah!)
And even more coffee (the shocking revelations they just keep a comin')

Snack
Sushi (ok, not really a snack, but was eaten in lieu of a snack, so... I know, lame!)
Golden Bell Roll
Tamago
Diet Coke (hey, at least it wasn't coffee!)

Dinner
JC Cheesy Enchilada

Snack (because there just hasn't been enough!)
JC Lemon cake
Yogurt w/ 1/4 c. soy flax cereal

Mixed bag

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:42

Mixed bag

Food
Today's food didn't go as well as yesterday.

Breakfast:
JC French Toast
coffee

Breakfast #2:
oatmeal w/ 1/2 sliced banana
more coffee

Snack:
coffee

Lunch: Out to sushi w/ friend form LA before she left
Golden Bell Roll (really not good for you)
Tamago
Diet Coke

Snack:
more coffee (sheesh!)

Dinner:
Salad w/ JC dressing and croutons
JC Mac and Cheese

Snack:
Chocolate Cake** (LARGE piece ate all of it)

**I was going to get Taco Bell for dinner AND the cake, but I told myself I had to choose one. I think this is better than all or nothing attitude I usually have, where I would go whole hog since I screwed up the day anyway.


Exercise

I didn't do any exercise today. I will pay for that later in the week

Mood

Lightened by the fact that I got A LOT of shit done today.

1. Grading a stack of tests I had been putting off for a couple of weeks. I am currently working on a equally late stack of lab reports.

2. Tutoring for AP Biology Genetics Problems (slowed my progress grading, but who can get mad at kids that come in on Veteran's Day to get help)

3. Cleaned the entire house including all animals' cages and bowls.

4. Washed , dried and folded ALL of my laundry. Even found some long, lost run socks! Separated my dry cleaning to get taken to the cleaners.

5. Quality time with my buddy from LA

6. Quality time with my kitties!

Survived the night!

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:06

Survived the night!

My hubby went to Monterey for a couple of days. He left on Sunday. Usually when he goes out of town I binge like crazy. Last night I posted all of my food except two handfuls of cereal I ate right before bed, so all in all a good food day and I worked out in the morning instead of hiding in bed all day as I would surely have done before.

I was going to get up early and go to the gym to walk on the treadmill (it is cold outside. Yeah, seriously wimpy Californian here!) but I have been dawdling and now I have to get ready to meet my friend for breakfast. I will need to go later to keep on track. I already ate my JC French toast so hopefully I won't be too bad at breakfast. I LOVE breakfast!

Today I am going to school to get some grading done. We have Veteran's Day off so NO CHERUBS!! Maybe I can get some work done! I am only going to grade for 3 hours MAX! My house is a disaster and I have no clean laundry ,so I have to come home and take care of it before the week starts!

Hope you all have a great day!

Free time = A little introspection...

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:57

Free time = A little introspection...

Took today as a rest day. My legs are actually feeling ok, but our track workout was going to focus on hill practice. I was worried that it would be too much for my knees. I really can’t get injured at this point in my training. So I used today to do some self-reflection (translate: I loafed around and did nothing).

When I was running yesterday (during the first 7 miles, before it got ugly) I was looking around the trail I run on and I was struck by how relaxed and happy I felt. Sure my legs hurt and I was tired, but I was really happy. I even remarked to, my run buddy how I never felt like this during the school year. Now don’t get me wrong, I really love my job, but last year was pretty hard on me. I also know that I have a pattern of working out and getting somewhat healthy during the summer and completely abandoning a healthy lifestyle once school starts. Once September hits, all of the choices I make are centered on the school I teach at, my students, my masters’ classes, everything but my health (emotional and physical) and my family. I routinely forget my family members’ birthdays, and special occasions. I decline invitations to just about everything because I have too much work to do or have a school related commitment. I want to change this. This pledge, similar to all of my past pledges to lose weight, has been made before, but I feel that I need to make a public declaration of my goal to put my health and family first this year. This is not to say that I will abandon my job or responsibilities, rather that I will not take on new responsibilities or commitments that add to my workload unnecessarily. I am going to continue to post my weight loss and training progress and I will add my progress on occupational and emotional health.

My first success in this arena is that I have not volunteered to teach a second section of microbiology. The professor is looking to cover a recently opened section for fall. I decided last semester I would only teach one section of microbiology at State and that the courses I taught and the courses I take for my masters would all fall on the same nights so that I am not out every night after work at State.