I'm Not to Blame!

I swear I'm not to blame! Okay, well maybe just a little bit. I'm sure you all have noticed my absence from the blogging world for the better part of the last month and a half--wow, has it really been that long?! Actually, yes, it seems like it has been an eternity! First of all, I sort of backed out of the HAWMC mid-month in April because I wasn't really feeling some of the prompts and my life has been all sorts of crazy. Then, I never found time to write. That's not to say that I didn't have the time, but I didn't make it a priority. Then, I slowly started joining races and freaking out about the impending move-out date to my lease with no leads in the full-time job search. And meanwhile, my hard drive crashed. But don't let that all worry you.

The Blah

Let's start with the mediocre and then get to the fun stuff! So as I said, I have not had much luck in the job hunt. Soon after my last post, I received a call from a hiring manager at the company my aunt works for--a medical device company--to set up an interview for a territory representative position in West Virginia. Never before had I seen my self moving there, but with this potential opportunity, it became more and more of a possibility. It didn't seem too far fetched. Well, one Ann Taylor suit later, and I was all set to drive the 4 hours to Charleston for my interview.

The excitement on my face is anything but faked.

And then, just like that, the nature of my interview was changed to a phone interview. I should have known it was doomed from that point forth. Two weeks later and no call back--I think that's pushing the time limit of "a week or so." So I sent a kindly-worded email, and several hours later I got a not so pleasant phone call. While driving from Virginia Beach to Charlottesville. Just after my mom had a total knee replacement--the reason I was in VB to start out with. This is twice now that I've received unfortunate news while driving. And I had also just found out that my 3 year old! Mac needed a new hard drive...only 2 months after the extended warranty ended! Two strikes. That drive home was anything but pleasant, but I tried to stay positive and made plans to go for a run to take my mind off things.

And then, like adding insult to injury, I walked in to a flooded apartment! My roommate was gone for beach week, and I had been home to care for my mom/her house. My first thought was, "Did MK leave something on?" But I know she's smarter than that. Turns out that the water heater broke and consequently flooded the hallway and halfway into both bedrooms. Let me tell you, it's really hard to keep it together when everything seems to be going wrong at the same time. Luckily, I have a super slow-to-respond landlady. I try to assume positive intent for everyone, but she really is just out to make money. In order to keep an ounce of sanity, I changed into running clothes (after bawling for a good couple of minutes) and headed over to meet up with my friend for a run. The water heater wasn't fixed until the next day...

As for that lovely suit pictured up there--I had to return it. I have no immediate use for a $300 suit, and it was hanging in my closet taunting me. But through all of this, I'm trying to stay positive and keep looking. And weigh my options. That obviously wasn't meant to be. And there are many more people out there with problems far greater than mine. I may be moving back home in a week and a half, which sure feels like failure, but it's the financially responsible thing to do at this point and will give me even more motivation to stay there as temporarily as possible.

The Fun Stuff

Like I said, I've also had my share of fun in the past few weeks. Which is probably easier to demonstrate in picture form:

To sum it up...

Races I've Run:

• MetroDash: 600m run interspersed with obstacles, VB
• Run 4 Their Lives: 10k run (there was also a 5k option), Cville
• Bedrock Trail 1/2 Marathon: Walnut Creek Park (1st trail run), Cville

Other Fun:

• Wine tasting with Katie, Cville
• Dinner and margs with my Newsplex crew, Cville
• Cupcakes with Sissy, VB
• Precious puppytime and cookout, VB
• Boat!, VB

And from here, I will stay positive and cherish every last day in Charlottesville. Oh, and sign up for/run races galore!

Races in the Coming Months:

• 4 the Wounded 5k: June 2nd, Cville
• Color Me Rad 5k: July 21st, Richmond
• ASYMCA 8k Mud Run: August 11th, VB
• ECSC 8k, VB OR MidAtlantic Super Spartan (8+ miles/20+ obstacles), Leesburg: August 25th
• Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon: September 2nd, VB

A Day of Perfection

It only seems right that yesterday's HAWMC prompt was to describe my idea of a perfect day, because yesterday was definitely up there! I really don't have a perfect day planned out, but a mix of items on the following list can certainly contribute!

To-Do Items for a Day of Perfection

• Running: Preferably on a hot day, and preferably in the afternoon. But I'm not picky.
• Baseball: I grew up watching my oldest brother play Little League and was subsequently his training partner in the sense that we would throw a ball around in the side yard. I never played for a team myself, but this remains my favorite sport to watch, especially live.
• Gym: This goes hand-in-hand with running, but even when I do get an outdoor run in, I like to hit up the gym afterward for some strength training, ab work, or some sort of addendum to my cardio.
• Time spent with good friends: Always takes a day from good to great.
• Good food: Preferably grilled, as was the case yesterday. And it's when it's something you generally don't eat on a regular basis, it's even better.
• Beach: Sand, waves, heat--so relaxing!
• Road trips: With good music and good company.

I'm sure there's plenty more to add to this list, but that's all I can think of currently. Yesterday was a mix of running, baseball, good company, and good food. Unfortunately, UVA did not win against UNC, and we ended up leaving after the 5th inning, but it was so enjoyable! And we left so as to do some grilling and (more) drinking, so it was a great alternative. 

This upcoming weekend will feature running, good company, the beach, and a road trip. Another mix of perfection!

10 Things

...I hate about you--good movie! But alas, that is not the theme for tonight's late prompt. Instead, it is 10 things I am unable to live without or else eminent death will befall me! 10 things I want or need most. Two completely different lists, if you want my honest opinion. I'm taking this one slightly out of the realm of normalcy by not just merely creating a list of concrete things but rather abstract things or feelings or what have you. And I'll go with need over want.

1. Self-accomplishment: I'm pretty sure this one is important to everyone, but following up on my prior post, I have that Type A personality where I need success. I'm not asking to be the best at everything, but I do need to feel like I have a purpose and that I've tried my best. I need to experience all the means to the ends, and all that jazz. Fairly self-explanatory.
2. Companionship: Think of how life would be without friends there to see the best and the worst of you. And not to mention everything in between the two extremes. A true friend is there for your boring days too. The days when all you really have to say is "Guess what, I ran out of egg beaters for breakfast, so I mixed some protein powder in my oatmeal, and although it wasn't as filling as normal, it was decently pleasing to the taste buds. Want to see a picture?!" Unfortunately, although I did mention this to a friend, this quote is slightly very exaggerated.
3. Family:  I'm not saying I need all family, because let's face it--everyone has that one person in their family that just clashes with the rest and can embarrass you from across the globe, whether it be a distant cousin or what have you. But at the end of the day, family is just that--family. You were brought into the world for a reason by people who presumably (hopefully) love you in order to fulfill their desires and inevitably become your own person with your own desires. Yeah, that's too confusing/deep/whatever for me too. Whereas friends can choose to be there for all your non memorable moments, family...oh, well I guess they can choose too. Hmm...let's just move onto number 4.
4. Fitness: I once tried having a lifestyle that was light on this aspect. It didn't like me too much. Then I didn't like it. It was a hate-hate dislike-dislike relationship. Then I changed and it resented me. I sent it packing (aka my fatter former self) and embraced the fitter me. Then I took it one step further and set some goals for myself (which I have yet to achieve, but all the more reason to keep on keeping on). This goes hand in hand with #1 really. I need to accomplish things in the gym and in my training schedule in order to really feel successful and healthy.
5. Sleep: I really enjoy this one. Not too much. Just enough. 7 hours is on the lower side, but manageable. I prefer a solid 8. No midnight wake-ups for bathroom breaks or odd dreams/nightmares please!
6. Protein: If there was one food (group) that I could not live without, it would be protein. Or more specifically fish (perhaps eggs too). If I was stranded on a boat with a fishing rod and a means of which to purify water and all I needed to do was find rations to sustain myself, I think I would be set. Although, if I had a hen living on the boat with me too, that would be a perfect balance. Fish and eggs. Sweet! Oh my, I'm an odd one, aren't I? Note to self: learn to fish better.
7. Ice: I prefer my drinks on the rocks. I'm referring to non-alcoholic drinks, but if they are a little bit spirited too, then so be it. Call me a drink snob, but some things are better cold.
8. Sunshine: I could never live on one of the poles, where half of the year the days are pretty much nights all the time. Yeah, I'd go insane and get a major case of SAD (seasonal affectiveness disorder). Some days, even being indoors at work (where I can see the sunshine outside) gives me a case of the mehs (read: a normal persons "blahs"). Let's go even further and say that I need calm sunshine--aka no wind! Wind = bad!
9. Optimism: Yup, this is a biggie for me. Almost constant smile, please! Reality just sucks sometimes. For me, it's important to present myself how I want to be, even if I'm not quite there at the time. It's my face's way of "dressing the part." Appear happy, smile, and eventually you will have a reason to anyway.
10. Sarcasm/humor: I need it. I want it. I have to have it! This is like the addendum to #9. Generally #10 creates #9. And vice-versa. Really, reading #1-#9 contributes to #10. And #10 is present in #1-#9. I'll stop talking in numbers now. But honestly, answer me this question:

Would you have read this far if it weren't for my ever-present humor & sarcasm? I mean "this far" in terms of this post and for the duration of your readership, however long it may be... Or does this just make you want to stop reading/subscribing/take me off your Google Reader? I accept all answers but there is a right and a wrong answer, folks!

Catching up

Yesterday, I just was not able to blog. It was a long day spent at work, then hitting up the gym and helping Megan pack for a wedding weekend away before conking out for the night. So let me dedicate this post to yesterday's HAWMC prompt involving stream of consciousness. I'm not too fond of the phrase that starts this prompt: "This morning, when I look in the mirror..." because there are a lot of thoughts that come up when I look in the mirror. After all, I do work in retail (currently).

It's not just about what I'm wearing when I catch my reflection. I always have my eye on something--does my hair look right? Am I getting a bit puffy? Do I look as tired as I feel? Boy do I look very Jewish (although I'm Catholic). The mirror is more of a reminder of insecurities for me, because as I've mentioned before, I'm not very objective when it comes to my body. I could look like a fitness model in one of those magazines like Shape or Self or Women's Health, and yet I would still feel like I have something to improve on. I guess you can say it's a flaw of mine. Although, is it really that bad to continually want to improve yourself, your health, your well-being?

I'm sure that somewhere along the line, there's some sort of deep-seated cause for my aversion to mirrors or not. Well, not so much of an aversion as a continual nitpicking of the image I see before me. I have many characteristics of that Type A personality--perfectionism, OCD organization, etc. I've been that way for as long as I can remember, but it isn't necessarily a downfall. I'm not sure there will ever come a day when I'm 100% pleased with my reflection, but that's not to say that I'm displeased. Far from it. I'd much rather have a mirror tell show me how my body is changing rather than some stupid number on a scale, though!

Anyway, I started off this post stating that I'm not fond of the prompt, and it's because I don't think it really allows for a true stream of consciousness. My stream of consciousness is my general smorgasbord of a post where I slop together a bit of everything and call it real writing. It's where I go from puppies to running to what pajama bottoms I'm wearing (grey & pink plaid, if you really want to know) to what food I ran out of (eggs and chicken). It's the retelling of odd encounters I had at work or how my first workout back on a track was just how I remembered many track days--terrible to run through but oh so rewarding? helpful. Stream of consciousness if from A to Z to M to F to R to... you tell me! But I guess this gives you a taste of both versions.

When you look in the mirror, what are your initial thoughts? Stream of consciousness...what does it mean to you?

Take a chance tonight

I think today I win the blogging award for worst motivation. I had practically all day (that I wasn't doing laundry or running or working out) to blog today and yet I decided that since I didn't have to be at work til 6 I'd take a "mental health day" of sorts. Aka I'm lazy! But for the sake of my participation in the HAWMC, I'm eeking out a quick post before the alcohol impairs my spelling I hit the sheets. Speaking of which, I'm switching out my comforter tomorrow, hopefully!

Today's topic: theme songs! More specifically, the theme song that my blog would take on if blogs had theme songs. I don't know about you, but that seems awesome! seems unnecessary to me. It's like b*tch, I can't sum up my blog in that few words! What the heck you smoking?! Now it's clear that I'm on (over-sized) glass one of champagne, yes?

Anyway, due to lack of creativity and songwriting skills, I'm turning to my itunes--or more specifically my most recent playlist--to answer this prompt. While I've been loving the Childish Gambino album that my manager, Caroline, turned me on to, I don't think he's quite the appropriate answer for a theme song of this blog. Darn it! Oh well, on to the next!

Let me reiterate that "turning to my itunes" means reading down the list of songs in my playlist (fun fact: it's titled Dance Dance) and picking out the first one that has any sort of semblance to a theme song for my blog. I settled on Kylie Minogue's Get Outta My Way. Pretty much she says just that--get out of her way and do what you wouldn't normally do. I'll let you watch it to get the rest of the message yourself:

Now that I'm listening to more than just the first verse, I realize it doesn't relate too well. Forgive me.

My 16-year-old self

Let me just tell you, my 16-year-old self was nothing like who I am today. I mean NOTHING. You can ask some of the very few select people that I recently showed my old high school IDs to. 16-year-old (high school junior) me was a girl with a bad haircut (too short), too much hair product (resulting in crazy curls), braces, and battling bad skin. To say that picture horrified and embarrassed me is an understatement. Yes, it is that bad! What's really funny though, is that between my junior and senior year, I had this really quick transformation. My senior year, I was a hell of a lot prettier, and look like a former version of my current self. But anyway, that's beside the point.

Seeing as I recently stumbled upon my old diary, I actually do have some good advice for my younger self. Granted, I only read about 3 random entries, but still. Firstly, I would tell myself to be selective of the people that I hung around with. There were times in high school when I didn't hang out with the best crowd, and I'm pretty sure that's because I didn't yet know who I was or what I wanted from myself. I was trying to figure that all out, and because of that, I trusted many people that didn't deserve that much from me and consequently, I got in a few situations because of it.

Secondly, my 16-year-old self should be aware that she does not need to follow in anyone's footsteps. I really hate to say this, but neither of my parent's jobs are much to be desired. My father works for Verizon Wireless doing some sort of sales. My mom is a middle school special education instructor. I grew up being told not to fall into either of those professions. I hold a lot of gratuity for my mom--I think that what she does really does matter and is a hard profession, but the salary is not worth the stress. But when the younger of my brothers went off to college, he found his niche in engineering. Consequently, I followed that path because I had heard of the end results--great job, nice salary, etc--with no regards of the means of getting there. That led me to applying directly for UVa's engineering program to which I was accepted. However, I learned early on that it wasn't my niche. To the advice of some deans and professors, I stayed in it far too long and by the time I chose a different path, there was only so much to choose without having to waste extra time. Needless to say, because of this, I am fully aware that environmental science is not my calling but was more of a fall back to a different science degree. My 16-year-old self should have took more time to really inquire as to what it is she wants to do, within reason, that she's good at and could pursue a career in.

Thirdly, I would tell my 16 year old self not to take fitness for granted and to make it a priority. I definitely peaked in my running the next year, but I could have achieved so much more if I really went for it without any excuses. I would tell her not to let it fall by the wayside with the looming days of college, but if she did, it would come back in a heartbeat. I would tell her to continue the community involvement when she ultimately got to college. I would let her know that although out-of-state is a heck of a lot more expensive, that she should choose somewhere that she wanted to go.

I would also tell her not to waste any time on high school boys, because let's face it--they're ALL immature.

Keep Calm and...

Freak out about everything life throws your way! As you all know, I'm the queen of keeping calm using my blog to vent. That's just the way it goes sometimes. However, I like to think that on more than one occasion, I have some activities I partake in to keep my nerves in line, clear my mind, etc. Let's see if I can put them in "Keep Calm" format:

Running = Cathartic

Archie. Enough said.

Two of my top things to do when anxious. The other is obviously the gym, but I'm not quite trying to overachieve with this post by creating a million of these things.