Day Two Con’t

After showering, Reba and I decided to go get a mani/pedi, respectively. It was the most painful pedicure ever! Lol. However, the end result was beautiful toenails (that secretly cover up two black toenails later on)!

 After ward, we met Brittany for lunch. We go to “Da Big Kahuna” where I enjoy my first alcoholic beverage – a Mai Tai -- in Hawaii. J Then we stroll on down to a restaurant on the beach where we relax under the shade (Brittany and Reba were a little sunburnt). I ordered a my favorite drink, the Piña Colada, and it was delish!

The whole day was a relax-fest. We were super exhausted from the race and time change. We strolled along Waikiki’s “main strip” for shopping. And later on ate sushi for dinner. 

Sitting out on the patio was gorgeous and the atmosphere was awesome. And a normal bedtime of 8pm rounded off the night. 

Fish, Fitness, Friends and Fun!

So, I had a fabulous weekend followed by a... meh week. Haha. Let's start with Thursday night. A group of friends all went out for Mexican food for Meredith's bday! Happy Birthday Meredith (it was this past Monday)! We had a good time and I enjoyed every bit of the food. :) I forgot to take pictures :( so here's bday clip-art. Lol

Friday dragged on at work, but I suggested a date night for Aaron and me for the evening. Since it's Lent, I suggested Red Lobster and a movie. Aaron said we must try Fish Daddy's- a coworker of his recommended it and a friend of mine did as well! I am so glad we did! We shared the Hot Crab Dip for an appetizer and I had the Tilapia Alexander with a side of mashed potatoes and broccoli. It was ALL amazing- maybe I was that hungry. Haha. Aaron had the Mahi Mahi Alexander. I thought it was tasty as well! Instead of going to the theatre, Aaron and I caught up on Lost. Haha, I know I know, but we wanted to save money and stay in! 

I slept in Saturday while Aaron went to work (wha waa). Then I got a little energy and decided to shop!! And shop I did! I got so many cute Spring outfits! Shopping always makes me happy when I'm able to find a lot I like! Aaron and I went to the Cheesecake factory to share a drink and nachos. Yum. A perfect ending to my day.

Sunday was a productive day- laundry, cleaning, gym, etc. And then the work week came. Lol.

Monday was dreary, followed by a dreary Tuesday and today was too. Yuck. BUT! Monday I went to the Tulsa Driller's indoor football game (kind of a joke). I had a lot of fun though! Here's a picture of Julie and me:

Last night I went to Inner Peace Yoga for the first time in TWO MONTHS. It's been too long. We did a lot of hip openers and back stretches- just what I needed. And tonight I went to a Kickboxing class! I have to say I was impressed! My all time favorite class was a cardio kickbox class I took in OKC. Well this came close to it. My previous class was just a little more fast paced though. ;) I sure did work up a sweat though- I will definitely be going back! I am already sore and it's only been 2 hours. Haha. 

Now I am holed up in Starbucks enjoying a carmel cappuccino and a red velvet whoopie pie. What a treat! Now to get through the rest of this week. Please come out sun!

Aaron and I will be going to Dallas to visit his parents this weekend. I've already checked out the weather- mid 80's oh yes! I am looking forward to it!

Have a good week/weekend! 

XOXO

SPRING!

Happy Spring everyone! Sunday was officially the first day of Spring and boy am I glad! For the first time in my life I was actually looking forward to the time change. I gained more daylight in the evening! This has made it a little hard for me to rise and shine in the morning without the sun, but I will conquer this soon enough (or the sun will come up earlier as summer nears, ha)!

I've had an amazing week/weekend. Monday I joined an all women's gym that offers more classes after work (BC I am not an early riser). I have tried Zumba!, Powerbar (weights), and am looking forward to trying Kickboxing & Core. My all-time favorite class in OKC was a cardio kickbox class. I lost so much weight in this class and it was FUN! I can't do both running and kickboxing though- it kills my hips. Choices, choices.


Wednesday I ran/walked 2.5 miles with Meredith. I'm not too proud of this run (we both had issues), but I enjoyed her company and the weather was so nice out! Last Friday we did 4 miles without stopping!! Woot! Go us! Looking forward to more of these runs in the future- it is such a blessing to have someone to take your mind off of hard work! :D Then later on that night, I did yoga at home! Here is my personal space for practicing:

Pretty huh?!

Thursday I had lunch with several other new hires and the General Manager of Finance! I am so blessed to work for a company who encourages networking, especially with management! It makes work more fun. Joe was a hoot! :)

Friday at 5pm began my three day weekend! I had a double date with the lovely Lynndi (and Ethan and Aaron of course) at Blu. So nice to catch up; she makes me really miss college when I go back. And Blu is the perfect college restaurant/bar. With $2 Mimosas, delicious sweet potato fries, and my favorite- gazpacho, you cannot go wrong.

Saturday and Sunday I spent a lot of time with my family- especially Lexie-loo, my niece. She is such a beautiful, smart 4 year old. She ALWAYS brings a smile to my face and makes me remember how fun it was to be a kid. You know- those times you can't stop laughing, or making crazy noises with your mouth, or just swinging. I told Lexie to run back to the house on our walk and she ran with her arms up in the sky. Now why on earth would she do that? I guess I am so used to running "normal." Oh to be a kid again! Everything is fun! Here's a picture of me trying to teach Lexie to strecth. LOL.

On Saturday, after eating a HUGE brunch (this is seriously why I get fat when I go home people!), I ran my long 10 mile run around Lake Hefner. Do not worry it took me 3 whole hours before I digested all this and even attempted to move! On my plate:

-Omelet with cheese, bell pepper, and onion inside; salsa on top
-2 pieces of sausage
-hash-browns with ketchup on top (got into a little fight with the ketchup bottle)
-biscuit with gravy all over (favorite!! I think I might marry gravy)
-and a glass of OJ

I would have eaten it all again too. :D

Anywho, shoes laced up, I planned my long run around the lake. Beautiful scenery and enough people for distraction. Even with all that, I could NOT have made it without my sister, Kryssie. She brought me gatorade and a Cliff Bar half way through my run! And support! I am so thankful for her! Here are my splits:

Miles: 10.00
Time: 1 hour and 36 min and 26 sec
Average Pace: 9:36 min/mile

Mile 1: 9:10
Mile 2: 9:23
Mile 3: 9:39 <-- Windy!
Mile 4: 9:36
Mile 5: 9:39 <-- Need fuel
Mile 6: 9:48
Mile 7: 9:37 <--Fuel kicks in
Mile 8: 9:35
Mile 9: 10:08 <-- Will this ever end?
Mile 10: 9:34 <-- End in sight!





After my run, Kryssie and I enjoyed the ride back by catching up on girl talk. That night, a bunch of old friends celebrated Johnnie's 23rd Birthday at Louies! I had a raspberry riesling that was delicious! Before church, my best friend from high school, Caitlin, came and picked me up for a Starbucks date. Donuts and coffee were a must.Then church and playing outside all day with Lexie was on the agenda. Sunday dinner consisted of good food, laughter, and my favorite people! Aaron and I headed home shortly after to enjoy a few episodes of Lost and to get ready for the upcoming week.

I took off Monday for some Spring Cleaning! I got a lot done but not everything- I'll tackle this another day. Then I met Aaron in Tulsa for Lanna Thai. This place was really good! Aaron and I agreed that we will be returning soon. Their Red Curry was spicy enough and filling. YUM.

The work week is almost over! Things I'm looking forward to:

Thurs: Meredith's Birthday Celebration
Sat: K-Life 10K
Sun: Relaxation! and possibly more spring cleaning...

Have a great week!

Beware: This Post May be Longer than Usual

Hello! It's been a while! The day after I wrote my last blog, work was cancelled yet again due to another snowstorm. We got 18 inches (I think)! I wasn't as productive this time, but I did do a workout video by Jillian Michaels:

This video kicked my butt! After just running 8 miles, am I really THAT out of shape? Note to self: do more cardio than just running.

This past weekend was a blast! Aaron and I headed to OKC and celebrated Valentine's Day a little early. He got me a Garmin watch! This watch is amazing. I can now see my time, miles run, and pace. After the run, I can see my splits! Awesome! We saw "No Strings Attached." Very funny and cute. 

Saturday, Aaron's parents met up with us at my parents' house. While Aaron went to breakfast and the mall with them, I put on my running gear (including the new Garmin) and went to the park! It was a gorgeous 50 degrees out. I didn't accomplish my long run, but finished 6.57 miles in 1:04! Average pace of 9:44 min/mile. My best pace was 7:45 min/mile (wow)! I didn't figure out how to find my splits post running. But I switched on autolap which will from now on calculate those! 

Aaron and his parents got back just in time for dinner. My mom made ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and salad. All delicious. She also made cupcakes (for Vday) and brownies. Easy on the sweet stuff Mom! I always overeat when I go home because of all the good food. Haha. After dinner, we cleared the table and Aaron showed my family how to play Dutch Blitz! It was so much fun! 

After all that fun, Aaron and I headed to Norman to meet friends at Louie's. It was so great to catch up with Kati, Shaun, Jeremy, and Johnnie! I feel so divided when I go back home trying to see everyone, especially family, so it was nice to all hang out together!

Sunday, I went to church with the folks and then went shoe shopping!!! I have been way overdue for new shoes! I got two pair that together equaled the cost of my last pair of running shoes. I hope my feet don't notice the difference! Here's a pic of one pair I bought:

Loud I know! But I thought they were cute, haha. Then we headed home because Lulu (nickname for my niece) was needing her nap. :D Mom, Audi, and I sat outside and played with the new puppy. Chewy (or Chewbacca) is the finalized name. Not a fan, but I wasn't around to make sure Stella stuck! Here's a pic of Audi and Chewy:

Then we had dinner which Mom had made a cheesecake for. From scratch and SO delicious. 

After dinner, I got to catch up with my sis who was gone to Army Drill all weekend! We missed you Khristian!

Back to the real world Monday-- but it was Valentine's Day! Aaron came to my house and we went to a local restaurant for dinner for two! Then we relaxed. Despite the above freezing temperature lately, the snow has still been messing with my runs! See below:

Pretty, but no good for my 45 min run. I finished 26 and called in quits. :( Yesterday however! I finished my long run of 1:40 min!!! I ran outside after work for 30 min and then once it got too dark outside I hopped on the treadmill at the gym. I finished 10.15 miles for an average pace of 9:51. I don't feel this pace is too bad taking into consideration the major setbacks the blizzard and snow storms caused. Plus, Jessica gave me a dove chocolate wrapper that stated "Be glad to just run the race, no matter the finish."So true.

This morning I walked outside and it was a whopping 63 degrees! At 8am!! WOW!! This definitely put a smile on my face. So currently, I am blogging outside on my back porch while the birds sing. AND tomorrow is my 19/30 day (work 30 min extra each day and receive one extra vacation day a month!) so my weekend has technically begun!!!

Have a good one!!

XOXO

Snow Day!!!

Hey friends! Late last night, I was notified by my employer that we were shut down today due to the blizzard. What does this mean?! I get to sleep in, relax, and do house chores I have been putting off lately!

So I slept in til 1pm this afternoon. Watched the Ellen show. Talked to my mother for an hour. Annoyed the boyfriend. Then I finally became productive:
             -4 loads of laundry
             -swept kitchen, dining room, and living room
             -load of dishes
             -picked up bedroom and bathroom
             -cooked an amazing dinner!

For dinner, I made a turkey patty, carrots, and one sweet potato. I made two servings of each and saved one for lunch tomorrow! Here's the before and after pics:

After eating the sweet potato (I LOVE them), I googled facts about them. They contain the "good" kind of carb, so your blood sugar stays more even throughout the day, they have virtually NO fat!, and are loaded with vitamins A &C! I will definitely be eating more of them!

There is one downside to the snow day: I didn't get to run today. HOWEVER, I am taking this as a sign. I have been sick for a full week now and needed this full rest day. Yesterday, I ran 60 min, finishing 6. 08 miles, at an average pace of 9:52min/mile! I'm loving these pace runs where I do sprints. Here was my challenge yesterday:
                    -Run 25 min easy
                    -Run 3 min at goal half marathon pace, then 1 min easy (repeat 5x)
                    -Finish running 15 min easy

I haven't done a progression run yet, but I am anxious to see if I enjoy them as much as sprints. Tomorrow, I only have to work from 11am-4pm, still due to the blizzard. Here's my desk that awaits me:

I'm ready to get back to work and ease into it. Haha. Hopefully I can get my long run in tomorrow, but the fitness center may be closed again. :( 

Last weekend my niece, Alexis, had her tonsils removed. She seems to be doing much better though! My parents also got a new puppy! Here are pictures of Lexie (and her doll, Olivia.. she names them all haha) and the new pup, Stella...or Chewy.. No name yet. lol

One last random paragraph (sorry I've been all over the place, it's a snow day and I'm bored! Ha). So, I mentioned my love for reading. After I got out of college, I was able to rediscover this passion of mine! Since June, I've read The How of Happiness, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Confession, Vision in White, Bed of Roses, and Battlefield of the Mind. 

I am currently reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. It is wonderfully written. But, I have a dilemma, I am supposed to have read Water for Elephants by next Thursday (2/10/11) for my Women's Network Book Club. Should I hurriedly try and finish Angelou's book and move on to the next? Or just come back to it after finishing Water for Elephants? I really hate to stop one book and pick up another, but I feel like this is the only way for me to finish the book on time for our meeting! Ahh! Anyways, nothing to stress over. Haha. I'd like to do a review of each on the blog when I'm finished. So be looking for that! Have a great week and stay warm if you're in this snow storm!

XOXO