Back from San Diego

Vacay

San Diego was a blast! We went to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. While I enjoyed Sea World, I LOVED the zoo! It was an amazing zoo. I am about "peopled" out and more specifically, "other people's kids-ed" out due to the large Holiday Vacation crowds, but it was awesome just the same. If your are ever in San Diego you MUST go the the zoo. We did not have time to go the the Wild Animal Park (owned by the San Diego Zoo) but I hear it is amazing as well. LOTS of walking! We basically walked for 4 hours straight on both days. (The first picture is of the hotel we stayed at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Beautiful! Highly recommend! Not for the financially faint of heart. The second picture is of the fancy schmanchy gym)

Food

It was bad, so very bad. It stops here. No more.

Exercise

I ran Friday (4 miles), Saturday (5 miles) and Sunday before we left (3 miles) on the treadmill at the hotel.

Funny Treadmill Story

The hotel was attached to/associated with a large fancy gym (that you had to pay $12 f-ing dollars a day to use, by the way!) I was very intimidated by it and seriously considered not working out there because of the "fanciness" of the gym and the "hardbody-ness" of the clientèle, but I sucked it up and went. I figured I would go super early, hide out on a treadmill, do my little run, and then get the hell out.

The treadmills were located on the third floor of the gym. Great place to hide, so no one would see me fumble around like an idiot.Each treadmill had its own little TV (SUPER cool!) that you could set to whatever channel you desire (Food network shows are my preferred running shows. You don't need the sound so I can listen to my iPod and watch other people cook)

Anyhoo...On Saturday I was running at the gym and this pretty, tiny, little gal hops on the treadmill one over from me. She is one of the hardcore treadmill runners that can stand with their feet on either side of the treadmill, turn it on, set it to some ridiculously fast speed, and the jump on and run. I am incapable of this move and have to walk increasingly faster as I punch the little button 5,000 times to get up to a speed where I can finally jog. So I am impressed by her already. Not to mention she is running at a blazing speed right out of the gate. If this is her warm up I am afraid of her regular pace. So she set her TV to a movie and is happily running along until something in the movie she is watching makes her laugh, hard. Well, you runners and non-runners alike can appreciate the fact that you can not laugh really hard and run at a high rate of speed, at the same time, no matter how good you are. Therefore, this laughter causes her to lose her pace and get shot off the back of the treadmill like a rocket. She somewhat saved herself by grabbing the rail on the side, but not before her headphones pop out of the channel box and hit her smack in the forehead which sealed the deal and she landed in a heap at the back of the treadmill.

Now, I, who am also running, start to laugh because, damn it, it was FUNNY, and proceed to almost get shot off the back of my treadmill. Fortunately, I was running at a much slower pace than her and was able to recover with minimal flailing, but we certainly got the attention of the entire third floor.

Lessons I learned from this experience:

1. Cute, tiny girls screw up too, and can have a great sense of humor about it.
2. The Food Network will not get you shot off the back of a treadmill

Vacation: Day 5

Post-yuletide gluttony
Yikes! I have been out of control. Time to reign it in. I leave tomorrow for San Diego. We are going to see hubby's brother and go to the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld. I am so excited, but I have this damn cold. I really hope tomorrow it is mostly gone. I want to enjoy my vacation. I have been asking to go to SeaWorld for 16 years!

Last time I was there (19 years ago!) I was able to feed squid to the walruses and it is, still today, one of my favorite memories. They are HUGE and they flop around in the water below you jockeying for position to catch the squid and suck them up like spaghetti! I don't know if you are still able to do that, but I want to go see them!





Exercise
none. I have a cold and cramps and feel poopy. In the words of Linda Ronstadt, "poor, poor pitiful me"

I am bringing my run stuff with me to San Diego so hopefully I can get some running in there.





Food Log

Breakfast
JC French toast & banana/coffee
Snack
2 pieces of chocolate
Lunch
JC Chicken Carbonara/salad w/ JC dressing & croutons
Snack(s)
1 pc. of chocolate
Dinner
Sushi: Golden Bell Roll/Age dashi tofu/tamago
Snack
none (full from dinner)

Holy Crap! No Christmas cookies! If I can get rid of the chocolate I will be golden.

Ma'am, put down the frosted santa and step away from the cookie platter!

Eventually the world will run out of Christmas cookies and I will be unable to consume anymore. Right?

It is hard to believe how many cookies I ate. If I am completely honest, this is FAR fewer cookies than I would have consumed if I wasn't thinking about the fact that I would have to log them all here. So I guess the food log still helps, but Christ! It is a little embarrassing to write down that I ate (by myself) a DOZEN Christmas cookies today alone AND 5 Lindt Chocolate balls.
We had a great Christmas. The family was all very happy. I caught a cold and was feeling a little tired, but it was a good day.





Christmas Food Log

Breakfast
JC French toast & banana/coffee
Snack
2 Lindt chocolate balls at pet sitting client/powerbar before leaving for Christmas Dinner
Lunch/Dinner (We do holiday meals early 1pm)
1 sm slice ham (I do not like ham)
1/2 c. yukon potatoes (very dry and boring tasting so they must have been good for you)
1/2 c. green bean casserole (not good for you)
1 c. yams w/ brown sugar and marshmallows (not good for you)
Snack
7 Christmas cookies (Christ! How many Christmas cookies can one human consume?)
Dessert
sm. slice of apple pie with about 1/4 c. (read : TINY) sized scoop of ice cream. (I got the smallest pc. of pie. I think it was a statement about all the cookies I ate.)
Snack
5 more Christmas cookies and 3 more Lindt chocolate balls, again at the pet sitting house. (Lord almighty! Make it stop!)

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

Vacation: Day 2

Today: to be filed under what the hell was I thinking??
Today I baked Christmas cookies. The woman that doesn't cook anything that requires her to do more than "pierce film 2-3 times with fork to vent", baked and decorated Christmas cookies. I have a full blown cookie addiction. I may as well have been cooking up meth in my kitchen. Only a fool would surmise that this would not lead to full blown cookie and cookie dough eating binge, which of course it did. I need this Cookie/Candy holiday to be over before they have to bring the baby whale sling to extract me from my house.

(Reference to the TLC show The 1,000 Pound Man, it was a good show, but so sad)

Exercise
None. My knees were pretty sore and I wanted to sleep in so I did not go to the gym today. Besides, why would I want to go to the gym when I had four pounds of cookie dough to eat?


Food Log
Breakfast
JC French toast & banana/coffee
Snack
3 Lindt chocolate balls (gift from pet sitting client)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada/Salad w/ JC dressing & croutons
Snack(s)
4 Christmas cookies (and about 4 more worth of dough *sigh*)
Dinner
JC Mac & Cheese
Snack
Another f*&%ing Christmas cookie

Vacation: Day 1

Exercise

LSR day (1:23:01)
Total miles run: 7.5 (11:04 min/mile pace. Not too shabby)

My knees and legs felt like crap on the run and I felt like I was running really slow. I was passed like I was standing still, by about 405 willowy women with rock hard legs in short shorts. It rocked. But I kept running. In the end my pace came out pretty good. I ran the first 1.5 miles with my run buddy then she started the run/walk and I ran on.

It was a very cathartic run. I actually cried a couple of times. This has been a tough week and I guess I needed a long run to process it all. I was thinking of a poem I read on another blog titled What am I running from? (Athena Diaries) I tried to create my own poem in my head as I ran. NOTE: This is heavily plagiarized from her original because I am in no way creative enough to think of this on my own. Please check out the original at the link above. It is inspiring.

Why I run

I am running from...

I am not thin enough,
from I am not pretty enough,
from I am not smart enough.

I am running from

I am not caring enough,
from I am not hard-working enough,
from I am not ... enough.

I am running to

I am fit enough,
to I am strong enough,
to I am good enough.

I am running to

I am confident enough,
to I am happy enough,
to I am enough.


Food log

Breakfast
no breakfast/coffee
Snack
2 mini Luna bars on the run (samples from the marathon)
Lunch
Out to sushi w/ my college boys: Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/Diet Coke (It was so great to see them. They are doing so well at college. I am so proud of them!)
Snack(s)
4 Christmas cookies (My friend with the dogs gave me Xmas cookies. I ate 4 on the way home. We ran the rest down the garbage disposal to keep from eating them all.)
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara/salad w/ JC dressing & croutons
Snack
JC Lemon cake

Ding dong the Cherubs are gone!

Ok. Maybe a little harsh, but I am so glad to be rid of them for 2 weeks. I am still a serious stress ball, but I am starting to see a glimmer of light waaaaaay down the tunnel. My eating is Out. Of. Control. So, I am going to go to Jenny this morning after some coffee and face the music.

Today is busy. I didn't want it to be, but it has to be. When you disappear from your life for a month doing finals and then catching up at work, everything else builds up. I have my long run (7.5 miles), a meeting with another grad student from state (she needs to borrow some of my old tests and I have been blowing her off all semester), lunch with a group of former students home from their respective colleges (UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, and Cal Poly SLO. Had to brag about them for a moment. I am so proud!), then I have to go trim my friend's dogs' nails (she is kind of like my adopted grandmother and I have been blowing her off for about 4 weeks. Nice, huh? I just found out she was recently diagnosed with Narrow Angle Glaucoma and almost lost her vision. She's had two surgeries in the last month and is going to have a third on Thursday. So if I didn't feel like an asshole before, that sealed the deal.)

Exercise

None since my run on Wednesday. I was going to run on Thursday, but my stomach was not happy. Friday was a planned rest day. TOM has come for a visit and my tummy is still not 100% from the stress/virus/whatever issues it had the last couple of days, so hopefully today's run won't suck.

Food
When I think about how I was eating last winter it doesn't look so bad, but I know it isn't healthy or in line with my goal to maintain and possibly lose another 5 or so pounds.

Friday
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/cottage cheese/coffee (2) I am out of JC food which set me up for...
Snack
6 Christmas cookies, 6 Hersey kisses/coffee
Lunch
none. F&%#ing Christmas shopping
Snack(s)
none. F&%#ing Christmas shopping
Dinner
Chevy's Chicken Quesadilla (I can't find the nutritional info on it (???) but I know it's not good. Probably in 1000 calorie/30 grams of fat range (since, of course, I ate the WHOLE thing. I also ate a bunch of chips and salsa)
Snack
International coffee-style coffee/Yogurt w/ cereal/ JC Lemon Cake

Thursday
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/cottage cheese/coffee (2) I am out of JC food, no breakfast #2
Snack
Nutri grain bar/coffee
Lunch
Yogurt w/ cereal/Apple (I had to throw my regular lunch out, because it was one of those frozen meals that has been in the freezer too long.)
Snack(s)
Power bar
Dinner
Red Robin: Chicken Caesar Wrap no fries/side salad/Diet Coke
Snack
none

Holding Steady

Two Days and counting...

Another quick post and dash. I went to a school play tonight. One of my former students got the lead and he was so excited. Tonight was the only night I could go, so again it is 10:30 and I just got home. He was FABULOUS in the play, so it was worth it! I have an AP Biology review tomorrow night, so I will be late again tomorrow night. Bright side, I am going to have soooo many blogs to catch up on! I am looking forward to Friday. Usually I run out of blogs to read early Friday night and then no one posts again until Monday. But now I am so behind, that I will have plenty of reading!

The drama at school has died down and we are just hanging on until break. I had another productive day. It is amazing how much work I can get done when I don't have to run off to State to teach or take classes. As much as I have enjoyed my masters program, I am a little glad that next semester will the last of the scheduled classes I have to take. Then I can set my own schedule to do research and write my thesis. Even though I got a lot done the overwhelming feeling of stress has not seemed to diminish. Hopefully, when I get started on the Christmas Break work I will feel better about it.

On the positive side (I know, you forgot I had a positive side), I only have one set of AP tests left to grade (well, they turned in two lab reports today, but those are going to wait until after break) I have all of my other four classes' grading caught up INCLUDING the tests and notebooks they handed in TODAY.

Stacey is workin' OFFICIAL ROCK STAR STATUS!



Exercise Log

Treadmill (41:43)
Run 4 miles (10:25 min/mile pace)

My stomach was bothering me again today, but I wanted to do four miles and I did. It wasn't a pleasant four miles though.


Food Log

Breakfast
(1) English muffin/cottage cheese/coffee/(2) JC French Toast/coffee
Snack
Nutri-grain bar/coffee
Lunch
JC Penne Pasta/apple
Snack(s)
6 sm. cookies at the Foods Class Open House/Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (The kids put on a holiday open house for the teachers every year. Many teachers do not go and they really love it when you go. I planned on eating 3 cookies and ended up eating 6. Not exactly a 'win' for me.)
Dinner
Togo's Turkey sandwich (turkey on white roll, mustard, tomatoes, and pickles)
Snack
Togo's peanut butter cookie (large) (Shouldn't have, but did)

Three more days until they go away..

Exercise Log

Treadmill (32:15)
Run 3 miles (10:40 min/mile pace. When did that start to sound slow to me?)

I almost had another "Fuck this. I am going home" day. I actually went out to sushi with a friend and fully intended to bail on the gym, but I was disgusted that I was letting stress and outside bullshit interfere with my goals and plans. I have a marathon to train for damn it! So after sushi, before I had a chance to change my mind, I went to the gym. Let me say that a large sushi meal and diet coke would not be my preferred pre-run meal. I felt quite gross and distended and there was a time when I thought I might puke, but I gutted it out. (Ha! Get it, "gutted" it out! Uncalled for I apologize. There is never a day bad enough to warrant puns)

Food Log

Breakfast
(1) English muffin/cottage cheese/coffee/(2) JC French Toast & banana/coffee
Snack
apple/Nutri-grain bar/coffee
Lunch
JC Chicken w/ wild rice
Snack(s)
JC Cheese curls
Dinner
(Out to Sushi) Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/Diet coke
Snack
sl. wheat bread & margarine/ yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal

I have to go weigh in this weekend. I skipped last weekend because of the lab and, if I am totally honest, I was pretty sure I would be up due to PMS and bad food choices and I just didn't want to see a gain right after hitting goal. However, the eating is out of control again and I need a reality check.

Monday. Doesn't that really say it all?

WARNING: LOTS OF SWEARING AND DISILLUSIONMENT IN THIS POST

Today: To be filed under "Can someone tell me again, why the fuck do I do this for a living?"
I made good headway on my grading today, but it hasn't brought any relief to the stress. I am 2 Xanax shy of a complete mental breakdown. Between all of the work that needs to be done before the kids leave for break, all the Christmas shit I haven't done, and the impending Hell of my Christmas break job I think I am going to lose it.

To top it off, I have a kid making my life MISERABLE with his drama bullshit, that has now somehow become my problem. Student "X" made up a WHOPPING lie as a excuse to turn his lab report in late. I could care less why it was late, it still loses points for being late. (I will give consideration to certain circumstances, but you know..) Anyhoo, while the student was squeezing out crocodile tears and regaling me with his tale, my bullshit meter screamed passed "Break out your hip boots " and went straight to "Dear God! Get a snorkel!" but, I decided to drop it because it didn't change what was going to happen to his late credit on the lab report and I wasn't going to give him an extension on the second lab report that was due Wednesday. I was hoping I was giving him a way out of this WHOPPING lie so he didn't have to perpetuate it.

Well, then dumbass tried to tell this same WHOPPING lie to another teacher to get out of turning in an essay on time. Only this time he threw me under the bus by saying he told me and I promised to not tell his parents (not true) and gave him an extension (not true). This teacher emails me because she is concerned that Student "X" is not getting help for his MADE UP problem and that he told me about this issue and I said I wouldn't tell his parents. This is PATENTLY not true. I said repeatedly to the child that I cannot and would not promise not tell his parents, so the student never said anything directly he just eluded to the big fat lie that he openly told this other teacher. So of course, upon receiving her email I IMMEDIATELY called the Dean of students and told him of his WHOPPING almost lie to me and his WHOPPING actual lie to another teacher. Then I called the other teacher involved and told her the deal. Now she is pissed as hell that he tried to play her and I am pissed as hell because he tried to throw me under the bus (if I have told them once I have told them a thousand times "if it comes down to me or you staying out of trouble, I will chose 'me' every, single time."), but he is SCREWED because now he openly said this lie instead of big, leading hints. Now the same WHOPPING lie is going to be told to his parents, except now Student "X", in the immortal words of Ricki Ricardo, is "going to have a lot of splainin' to do".

Oh yeah, I do this because I am making a better world and giving back to the community. Right.

Exercise Log
None. Rest day (Really, it was a "Fuck this. I am going home" day.)

Food Log
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee/(2) JC French Toast + banana/coffee
Snack
1/2 c. cottage cheese/coffee
Lunch
(Lunch date w/ run buddy) Hold on to your hats we went to....Sushi! Golden Bell Roll/Tamago
Snack(s)
none
Dinner
(Dinner date w/ old friend) Fresh Choice: salad w/ sm. amt. light ranch dressing/~1/2 c. cottage cheese/ 1/2 slice french bread w/ butter/brownie w/ ~1/4 c. nonfat frozen yogurt
Snack
Where did I put that tub of frosting and roll of unbaked cookie dough?

I swear, I will write a non-nasty, non-ranting post someday soon. It has to get better sooner or later, right? Right!? Answer me, damn it!

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

Busy, long Saturday

Today
I had a long, but productive day. I am very glad I made it out on my run this afternoon after lab. I think it improved my mood and outlook a lot. I made a little headway on my inconceivably large pile of grading and I have a plan of attack for the rest of it. I still have lots of other tasks for this weekend on the brain, but as a good friend reminded me, they will either happen or they won't, either way no one is going to die over it.

One more week and the cherubs become their parents' problem for two whole weeks. I just have to hold out until then.

Exercise Log
Long Slow Run (LSR) day
Ran 6 miles 1:11:19 (11:53 min/mile pace)

I was pretty concerned about my fitness and my knee with this run, but aerobically I was fine and the knee held out pretty well. It is sore (actually they both are) but I am icing it and taking Advil. I am going to run two or three miles tomorrow morning (depending on the knee) and then go to the strength class.

Food Log
Breakfast
Chocolate raised donut/6 donut holes/coffee (*sigh* I knew when I bought the kids donuts for the Saturday lab I would eat one/some)
Snack
another flippin' donut/ coffee (*double sigh*)
Lunch
1/2 homemade turkey sandwich (1 pc. wheat bread, mustard, turkey)
Snack(s)
none
Dinner
(Red Robin) Chicken Caesar Wrap (no fries)/side salad
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal

Friday Check in

This sums up how I feel today. I don't have much to say. Not feeling particularly perky or chatty.








Exercise
None. Rest day

Food Log
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/1/2 c.cottage cheese/coffee (2) JC French Toast + banana/coffee
Snack
Nutri-grain bar/coffee/apple
Lunch
Blueberry bagel w/ light cream cheese (student bought it for me! Always right after talk bad about them they do something nice, just to make me feel like an ass!)
Snack(s)
3 small cookies at Faculty Holiday Party (It is what I planned and I stuck to the plan)
Dinner
Out to Sushi/Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/Cold Tofu appetizer
Snack
Yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal

Well, at least it is over...

Teaching
Let's talk about all those inspirational movies where a super dedicated, motivated, and super medicated, ummm... I mean 'and super motivational' teacher takes a bunch of underprivileged, under appreciated kids and turns them into chemical engineers over the summer. Telling us all that if we teachers care enough THEY will care enough and rise to the occasion. BULLSHIT!


Case in point: ( I have a MILLION of them. These just happened to occur tonight, hence the rant)

I sat at school tonight waiting for a student to help him with HIS lab report write up and to tutor HIM on the latest chapter. We were supposed to meet at 8 pm after I went to the gym. I wanted to meet at 6:30-7, he couldn't meet until 8, I said fine I had grading to do anyway. I received a text message at 8:20 "sorry i cant make it. we can do it another time." Really? We can? Thanks! That is awfully sweet of you!

Then, while I am at the grocery store at 8:45 tonight to buy supplies for THIS WEEKEND'S lab (yes, weekend, I hold labs on the weekend and everyone raves about how dedicated the kids are. Umm, I had to institute a rule that if you hadn't read and written up the lab procedure you couldn't come to lab because they would all show up having NO idea what to fucking do and then get mad at ME because the lab was taking too long!)

ANYWAY, I get a call from a very sweet student that has been set up by his 'less than sweet' (read: smug asshole) friend to tell me that I needed to check my email because smug asshole has sent me his lab report to proofread. The lab report is due tomorrow morning at 7 am. Gosh! Thanks for all the lead time. I'll get right on it. Especially since you sleep every morning during my lectures. With that kind of appreciation and respect being directed at me, I certainly want to bend over backwards for you. Bend over... that sounds about right!

In case you were wondering, I AM super human

As a result of shit day # 2,471 I proceeded to pick out a nice, fatty piece of German Chocolate cake and a Reese's Big Cup candy bar when I was at the grocery store for the lab supplies. I however, ....

PUT THEM BACK!!

Holy shit! I almost sound like a rational eater, someone that doesn't sabotage their weight loss efforts because the world is not subscribing to the Code of Stacey. Whoa. I need a minute for that to sink in.

Exercise
Treadmill (32 min)
Run 3 miles (10:40 min/mile)
Knee was hurting all day, but felt surprisingly good on the treadmill. I took it easy on the run and still ended up faster than my usual (pre-treadmill days) pace.

Food Log
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee (2) JC French Toast + banana/coffee
Snack
Nutri-grain bar/coffee/apple
Lunch
(lunch out w/ Mom) Chicken Teriyaki Salad/piece of sourdough bread w/ butter
Snack(s)
JC Toffee bites
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara
Snack
Yogurt w/ 1/4c. cereal (carbs, carbs, and more carbs today!)

Wednesday Check in

Finals

Well, FINALLY this semester is over. I took my Immunology final tonight and let's just say it was not my finest performance. I think it was probably good enough to keep my grade, but I certainly didn't rock it. I had gotten pretty far behind in studying and it was tough to get caught up. Oh well, you know what they say about spilled milk and all...

I now have 5 weeks off of my masters classes! Yay! I wish that we got 5 weeks off from my high school students, but no such luck! I have another week and a half of work and then I get two weeks reprieve from them as well. Yipee! I do, however, have to work at my old job over Christmas Break and that is, quite possibly, going to be a freakin' nightmare. More on that in later posts, I am sure.

I also have not bought a single Christmas present, my house looks like the Grinch has moved in, and not only have I not mailed any Christmas cards, I haven't even bought them. I am just not feeling it this year.

Exercise
none. Rest day.

My knee is bugging me today. I am going to run and go to strength class tomorrow, so we will see. I think the strength training is helping the knee. I am going to do my first long run this weekend to get back into 'marathon mode.' It will only be 6 miles, but it will be the longest run since the injury (well, except for that little marathon thing in October).

Food Log
I hope it is PMS, because I just couldn't stop today. Fortunately, I was at home most of the day and we don't have much food or it could have been much, much worse. But, it wasn't great either.
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee (2) JC French Toast/coffee
Snack
apple/sl. of wheat bread w/ margarine/coffee/coffee/coffee/ coffee (Another one of those days)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada
Snack(s)
1/2 c. cottage cheese/coffee/JC S'mores bar/apple/4-5 handfuls of cereal (Snackapolooza! I kept going back for more *sigh*)
Dinner
Whole Togo's Turkey Sandwich (turkey, mustard, tomatoes, and pickles only)/LARGE Togo's peanut butter cookie (Sheesh!)
Snack
sl. of wheat bread w/ margarine/another handful of cereal (Double Sheesh!)

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!

Sunday Report

My buddy (fellow RBR girl) was up from LA and stayed with me last night, so we got up early and went to the gym this morning.

Exercise

Treadmill (31 min 35 sec)
Run 3 miles (10:31 min/mile)

Strength Class (60 minutes)
Whoa! The regular instructor is back and crazier than ever. Even my friend from LA (she went to the gym w/ me), who does these types of classes all the time, said it was REALLY HARD.

Food Log for Sunday

Breakfast
JC French Toast w/ 1/2 banana
coffee
Snack
apple
Lunch
Oatmeal w/ 1/2 banana/Toast (dry) w/ jam
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 cereal
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara/salad w/ JC dressing/bread w/margarine
Snack
JC Lemon Cake

GOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

Jenny Craig Weigh In

6 months and 13 days after rejoining Jenny Craig for the umpteenth time, I have made my goal weight of 130 pounds. I have never hit goal. I joined JC 13 years ago, becoming a lifetime member because I knew that this would be a lifetime problem. I have been back and forth many, many times, but I have never, ever, made it to goal. I have to say, I am a little proud of myself.

In addition to losing weight, I have run 374 miles since May 25th when I started this journey, have completed another triathlon (Pacific Grove Olympic Distance) , a grueling 5mile run called the Dammit run where I voluntarily ran up, well a Dam obviously, and other assorted killer hills, and I ran/walked the Nike Women's Marathon. I have even eaten a vegetable or two, a fact that my mother and husband are most stunned by.

This may not sound like a lot to you hard core athletes (or even medium core, for that matter), but it is a tremendous amount for me.

My next fitness goals are:

• March 2, 2008: Run the entire Napa Valley Marathon

• September 13, 2008: PR on next year's Pacific Grove Olympic Distance Triathlon (that shouldn't be too hard considering my previous times!)

• October 5, 2008: Half-marathon PR at Cowtown Half Marathon (Again, shouldn't be too hard. It really is the beauty of being so darn slow!)
  

• July, 2009: Complete the Vineman Half-Ironman Triathlon (Whoa, I can't believe I even had the balls to type that)

Exercise

None we bailed on the run. I don't have a good reason so I won't try to make one up.

Food Log for Saturday:

Breakfast
Oatmeal w/ 1/2 banana
coffee coffee
Snack
snack pack of dried plums
Lunch
JC Chicken Carbonara
Snack
LARGE pc. Chocolate cake
Dinner
Sushi/Golden Bell Roll/Tamago

Friday

Thank sweet Jesus! It is Friday! I have to go to school tomorrow for an AP Biology lab, but not until the afternoon. This week felt as if it would never f^%&ing end! My friend is coming up from LA this weekend, so I am bailing on the Holiday party to hang out with her. Not much to say tonight my stomach is out of sorts. I am going to hit the hay. Tomorrow: weigh in at JC, run with RBR girls 4-5 miles, then SUSHI!




Exercise
none. Rest day

Food Log

Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee (2) JC French Toast + 1/2 banana/coffee
Snack
none
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada
Snack
JC S'mores bar
Dinner
JC Chicken Fettuccine/sl. bread w/ margarine
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal

Thursday. Really, it is only Thursday?

I am very ready for this week to be over. Let it rest in peace already!




Exercise
Treadmill: 40 min 34 sec
Run 4 miles (10:09 min/mile pace)

Bailed on pilates.

Food Log
Breakfast
(1) English muffin/coffee (2) JC French Toast/coffee
Snack
snack pack of dried plums
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada
Snack
(out for sushi) California roll (3 pc.)/Tamago/Diet Coke
Dinner
JC Mac and Cheese/slice bread w/ margarine
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4c. Soy flax cereal

Wednesday (for real this time)

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:10

Wednesday (for real this time)

Melvin

Thank you all so much for the well wishes for Mr. Mel-Man (Melvin, my cat) He is feeling much better. He sends big smooches!

Exercise

I took advantage of the hour and half break and went to the gym again.

Treadmill (42 min 45 sec)

Ran 4 miles (10:41 min/mile pace)

Food

Breakfast

(1) English Muffin/Coffee (2) JC French Toast plus banana/Coffee

Snack

Chocolate Cupcake w/ white frosting (Staff Monthly Munchies. I try to stay away but, come on, homemade chocolate cupcakes? I am only human.)

Lunch

½ Togo’s Turkey Sandwich (Turkey, mustard, tomatoes, and pickles)

Snack

Togo’s LARGE peanut butter cookie (I promised myself one to get me to the gym this afternoon. Probably not a good sign when you have to bribe yourself.)

International coffee-style coffee

Dinner

Other ½ Togo’s sandwich

Snack

Yogurt w/ ¼ c. soy flax cereal

Tuesday, right?

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:55

Tuesday, right?

Today

Rough day, but it is over so, I am moving forward.

I went to the vet with Melvin because he was due for his annual exam, he needed his prescription refilled, and he had been a little sluggish lately. He ended up needing a quasi-emergency procedure. It was not life threatening, but he had to go under anesthesia. I did the anesthesia (and cleaned his teeth, might as well get it done) and my friend performed the procedure. I feel like a shitty mom that he had to have this procedure and I don't want to go into the details, but he is fine and resting right now.


Melvin


I was not able to go the the gym since I was at the vet's until 6:30 pm and I had an AP Biology night review at 7:30 pm and I still needed to take Melvin home.

It is 9:45pm I just got home and I still have to write the AP test for tomorrow. No rest for the wicked. Unfortunately, that means I will have to catch up with you wonderful people later. I was able to read everyone's blogs on My Yahoo, but the school internet filter would not let me post comments today for some reason. But, don't worry the kids were all still able to get on My Space and Facebook so, all was right with the world *eye roll*.

You!

I really appreciate your encouraging and funny comments on the post yesterday and all of the days. It really helped me today when things didn't go as well as I would have liked.

I have to admit, that I sometimes (read: often) go back and read old comments to my posts when I am having a bad day. It really helps to lift my spirits. Thanks you all so much!

Food

Breakfast
(1) English muffin
coffee
(2) none (Ever been to one of these meetings that had about 20 minutes of material to cover, yet you don't emerge from the room until 2 hours later? Yeah, that was my morning)

Snack
snack pack of dried plums

Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada

Snack
none (at vet w/ Melvin)

Dinner
JC Salisbury Steak

Snack
none (too late, too tired, too shitty of a day)

Monday

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:11

Monday

UPDATE: I apparently was so tired I didn't realize it was only Monday. I guess it was wishful thinking when I titled this post "Wednesday". Thanks to Tracy for catching that. Lordy!

Exercise

I had an extra hour and half today since the microbiology lab I teach took their final and turned in their final paper last week, so ......*drum roll, please*

I WENT TO THE GYM!

In the middle of the day, when I am at my crankiest! Go me!

I was going to go home and take a nap since I knew I had to tutor tonight after class (my class ends at 8:30 pm) , but I went to the gym and ran hard. The knee was a little sore, but never got worse. I need to check out the physical therapy thing.

Treadmill 30 min (and 40 sec to be exact)
Run 3 miles (10:13 min/mile pace)

It is late. I am tired, and I have to get up in 4 1/2 hours, so I best be off to bed. Here's the damage. I felt like I was eating all day long.

Food

Breakfast
(1) 1 c. oatmeal plus banana
coffee
(2) JC French Toast plus banana
coffee

Snack
1 in. square of See's chocolate (That is finally the end of the damn thing!)

Lunch
JC Mac and Cheese
Salad w/ JC dressing and croutons

Snack
JC S'mores bar
JC Cheese Curls (kind of a snack fest today)

Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara
snack pack of dried mango pieces
Vietnamese soup/broth with vegetables (student I tutored tonight brought it for me. I had already eaten my JC, but I had to eat it. His mom made it for me to thank me)

Snack
JC Toffee Bites

Sunday Food Log

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:40

Sunday Food Log

Exercise

None

I set my alarm, got up, but I did NOT go to the gym. I am not beating myself up over it. I had decided not to run today because I have to watch my mileage with my temperamental knee, but I had planned on going to the strength class. I was not motivated and when my hubby got up and sat down to chat I stayed and chatted. He was worried that he had screwed up my plans, but one of my goals is to make more time for my family and I really enjoyed hanging out and having coffee with him. He is a pretty good egg and I kind of like him.



Anyhoo.. I got a lot of stuff done today around the house so I was pretty glad about that:

1. Cleaned the house and all animal cages. Washed all animal beds and blankets

2. Wrote the three letters of rec. that students gave me at least 2 weeks ago!

3. Paid all of my bills.

4. Washed and folded all of my laundry

5. Grocery shopping

6. Dinner with handsome hubby!

7. Quality time with kitties, doggie, and bun buns!

Food

Breakfast
JC French Toast plus banana
coffee

Snack
coffee

Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada

Snack
raspberries
International coffee style coffee

Dinner (date night)
Sushi
Golden Bell Roll
Tamago
Diet Coke

Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal

Not bad

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:03

Not bad

WI

It could have been worse. I was down 1.4 at weigh in. Since I was up 1.2 last weigh in I am still 1.2 from goal. I am going to try to make it happen for next weigh in, because next weekend the holiday party season officially begins. I have 2 parties next Saturday alone! Plus, my buddy from LA is coming up. Yikes! Fasten your seat belts ladies it is going to be a bumpy ride! At least that is what my graph said! LOL

Exercise

Run (on trail, COLD!!)
0.25 mi walking warm up
3.5 mile run (probably a little more because I was circling to stay with my run buddy who was sick and had to walk to catch her breath) Pace: 12:51 min/mi
0.5 mi walking cool down

The knee felt pretty good, but I think running at a little faster pace is actually better for my knee. But it was nice to be on the trail with my run buddy again.

Food

Breakfast
coffee (trying to not eat right before weigh in. Lame.)

Snack
none (we were out running during snack time)

Lunch (after run)
Carrow's Southwest Chicken salad (small lunch portion, dressing on side. They gave me about 3 tbsp max. of dressing. I am seriously thinking Jenny Craig IS stalking me and calling these restaurants! )
english muffin (instead of the garlic toast that comes with the salad. Yay me!)
Apple pie (you knew it was coming, don't act shocked!)

Snack
coffee

Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara (new menu item. pretty darn tasty actually)
salad w/ JC dressing and croutons

Snack
JC Lemon Cake (because one can never have enough baked goods in one day)