Saturday, April 21, 2012

S is for... Sweat

Sweat is both a verb and a noun. It is both something as well as an action.

Some people hate it.

Some people love it.

I love it.

The reason I love it is because it means that I have been working hard.

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**This post is for the April A to Z Challenge!

Kick-Ass April Week 3

I am linking up with Kick Ass April over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. This is the second week of the challenge and if you are new to my blog and this challenge, it's focused on strengthening and firming up our (pardon my French) asses and surrounding areas! Each day with the exception of Saturdays I will be doing squats, burpees, and wall-sits.

For example, day 1 looked like this... 10 squats, 30 seconds burpees, and 15 seconds wall sit.

I will be keeping track of my progress here on my blog and will be keeping a tally of squats completed, minutes of burpees completed, and minutes of wall sits completed.

Here is the schedule for week 3 (Sunday April 15th through Saturday April 21st)

Sunday - 50 squats, 80 seconds burpees, 55 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Monday - 55 squats, 80 seconds burpees, 60 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Tuesday - 55 squats, 90 seconds burpees, 60 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Wednesday - 60 squats, 1 min 30 seconds burpees, 1 min 10 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Thursday - 65 squats, 1 min 30 seconds burpees, 1 min 10 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Friday - 70 squats, 1 min 40 seconds burpees, 1 min 20 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Saturday - REST - COMPLETED

Total Stats:
- Squats =  355 (for week)
- Burpees = 8 min. 50 seconds (for week)
- Wall-Sit =  6 min. 35 seconds (for week)

Half Marathon Training Run 3.27

Had to walk a good portion because I just wasn't feeling the long run today, but I did it. Sweat and all. I missed the last 2 long runs so I needed to do it. Thinking maybe I should start some speed training for my final 3 weeks of training but we will see.

Todays' stats = 10.00 miles in 2:29:00

Friday, April 20, 2012

Just Closed... [Divergent]

DivergentDivergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I zoomed through this book. It was a very quick read, fast paced, high energy story. In a society where we have lots of books looking at battles of kids, this one is different in the sense that it is looking at society as a whole and how society is divided into areas by type of person. I think it is fascinating to see how the author portrays the characters who have many different characteristics as divergent, and these people are ultimately frowned upon and disfavored. Aren't these the types of people the world should be striving to have? Why are they so segregated? It is a fascinating portrayal of sects and classes, put into a modern light and story. I cannot wait for Insurgent.

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R is for... Rain

This post seems very appropriate for today.

It is raining.

This is not a new thing for Oregon.

In fact, I think Oregon is very well known for its rain.

Lately we have been having some very nice days, followed by very rainy days.

I suppose this is nothing new for Oregon. 

And having lived here my whole life I should be used to it, which I am. 

But that doesn't mean that I don't often feel like enough is enough.

Don't get me wrong. I love the rain.

I would probably be very sad living in a state with little to no rain.

There's just something about the crisp fresh air on a rainy day.

Looking around and seeing the glory that is green trees and grass and plants.

None of that would exist here if not for the rain.

And while the rain is good as an actual physical thing, I also think that it is a great metaphor for life. Especially my life lately. 

I have had to deal with a lot of downs lately. 

Failing the Bar the first time I took it, not being able to find work and being out of a job for a little over a year, losing family members and friends due to tragic events, dealing with loans coming due that I cannot afford to pay, and the list could go on.

So while I know that right now things are bad and I'm dealing with a lot of rain, both metaphorically and in actuality, I know that without the rain I would not be able to enjoy the goodness in my life. 

At least not to the extent where I could truly appreciate it.

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**This post is for the April A to Z Challenge!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Half Marathon Training Run 3.26

I didn't really want to run today. I mean I REALLY didn't want to run today. But Joe came home from work and told me that I really should. I mean I was wearing my running clothes and basically ready, the rain had stopped, and it was still light out. I finally decided to just suck it up and go. My legs have been quite tense and tight lately, which has been uber frustrating, but I am just hoping to be able to make my 10 miles on Saturday, even if I have to walk a bit. All in all the run was decent and I am glad as always that I did it.

Todays' stats = 2.05 miles in 25:00

Q is for... Quandary

Quan-da-ry noun \ˈkwän-d(ə-)rē\

Websters' Dictionary defines "quandary" as "a state of perplexity or doubt" 

Dictionary[dot]com defines it as "a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma"

Now why did I choose this word for my letter Q? 

Was it because it is an interesting word? Yes. That is one reason. 

However, it is not the only reason. 

I feel that currently this is an accurate description of my life. 

I am literally in a QUANDARY

I am currently awaiting bar results and I am unemployed and looking for work. 

I had a job briefly, but was let go, which you can read all about here.  

I am upwards of 200k in debt after 4 years of undergraduate education, 3 years of law school, and 2 attempts at the Oregon Bar Exam. 

I need to pass the Bar and get a job. 

If only those two things were as easy as they sound. 

While I feel like I did better on the Bar this time around, I really cannot know for sure until the results come out. I just keep hoping that I am on the list! 

I have been applying for jobs like mad. Legal jobs, non-legal jobs, minimum wage jobs, etc. 

I am not being picky, at all. 

Employers, however, are. 

I'm either overqualified for nearly everything that I don't need a license for, or I'm underqualified for associate positions due to my lack of a license. 

Therefore, currently my life is in a quandary

**This post is for the April A to Z Challenge!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Half Marathon Training Run 3.25

I did the first mile in 12:20 and then the second mile in 11:43. I don't know why my legs have been so slow lately, but hopefully I can snap out of it soon!

The second mile I did a little bit of speed work, just to try to pick up the pace. This was what I did... 0:30 sprint, 2:00 jog, 0:30 sprint, 2:00 jog, 0:30 sprint, 2:00 jog, 0:30 sprint, 2:00 jog, 0:30 sprint, 2:00 jog (which got cut a little short when I hit my 1 mile mark)

Todays' stats = 2.00 miles in 24:03

P is for... Pictures

I will admit, my A to Z posts have been bland.

Not bland in the subject-matter sense, but in the pictorial sense!

That being said, I wanted to include some of my favorite pictures in this post, both to showcase them AND to show that I really am not as bland and boring as I seem :)

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My love and I!

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Super awesome gnome, Gnelson Gnome - my babe got it for me for Valentine's Day 2012

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When I met my long-time Hollywood crush and Idol, Chad Michael Murray

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My niece, Selena, met him too!

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Me and some of my besties on the biggest day of my life thus far, Law School Graduation!

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Three fourths of our law school gal group! 

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 Two of my most favorite girls, my sister and my niece, and I at my graduation!

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Three generations at my graduation :) Grambone, Mommy, and I

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My daddy and I :)

**This post is for the April A to Z Challenge!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Half Marathon Training Run 3.24

So I have a bunch of 2 mile short runs scheduled this week to build up to my 10 mile lsr that I should do on Saturday. I could probably run longer but I haven't had very high mileage the last 2 weeks and the last high mileage week I had I did 20 miles in the week. That being said I want to do around 20 this week and then depending on how it goes and feels I will decide if (and how much) I want to bump up the miles for next week. My schedule has been somewhat in flux, but mainly because of missed runs and feeling like crap. All that considered, I am doing a LOT better training for this half than I did for my 2nd one last year. Keep positive! Tried to run a little harder today and I think it showed it in the pace. Hoping to keep a consistent 13:00/mile pace for the half, so hopefully this helps that out! The weather was just right. A little light rain, but definitely not cold. Perfect running temp!

Todays' stats = 2.10 miles in 25:00 

O is for... Obsessive Compulsive

While I do not have an official diagnosis for OCD, I am pretty sure I can safely self-diagnose myself with it. I am completely OCD about pretty much everything in my life. 

No joke. 

I would have to say that the most OCD-like characteristics come out when I am cleaning or around any sort of mess. 

It drives Joe nuts. 

We could be relaxing (which is extremely hard for me to do) and I find myself finding things to clean or little tasks to do, etc. 

Now don't get me wrong, I get extreme satisfaction from having things in order. 

Isn't this one of the warning signs? 

I try to just let things go but I physically cannot. 
 
**This post is for the April A to Z Challenge!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Half Marathon Training Run 3.23

I haven't been feeling well since Saturday... I missed both runs this weekend and today was a scheduled rest day. It was a gorgeous day out and I figured I should probably get some fresh air. So I did. Not sure if I will be regretting my decision later, but for now I am happy about it.

Todays' Stats = 2.50 miles in 30:00 

N is for... Notary Public

Today I submit my application for becoming a notary public.

I have completed my required 3 hours of educational study time and have received a 95% and 100% on my two required tests.

Not sure the complete value of this license currently since I lost my new job, but hopefully it is helpful at some point.

I suppose if I do start my own practice once I pass the Bar it could be. Or even if I start practicing for a firm. It could make me more appealing, no?

The whole point of getting it was for my new job.

It was a requirement to be a notary public.

I thought it seemed like it would be a worthwhile investment.

I started the studying and had completed everything except for my educational time before I found out I was being let go.

I figured I could just not do it, or I could finish.

And finish I did.

I am no quitter.

And now I am a notary public.

**This post is for the April A to Z Challenge!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Kick-Ass April Week 2

I am linking up with Kick Ass April over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. This is the second week of the challenge and if you are new to my blog and this challenge, it's focused on strengthening and firming up our (pardon my French) asses and surrounding areas! Each day with the exception of Saturdays I will be doing squats, burpees, and wall-sits.

For example, day 1 looked like this... 10 squats, 30 seconds burpees, and 15 seconds wall sit.

I will be keeping track of my progress here on my blog and will be keeping a tally of squats completed, minutes of burpees completed, and minutes of wall sits completed.

Here is the schedule for week 2 (Sunday April 8th through Saturday April 14th)

Sunday - 25 squats, 45 seconds burpees, 35 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Monday - 25 squats, 55 seconds burpees, 40 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Tuesday - 30 squats, 55 seconds burpees, 45 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Wednesday - 30 squats, 60 seconds burpees, 45 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Thursday - 35 squats, 70 seconds burpees, 50 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Friday - 40 squats, 70 seconds burpees, 50 seconds wall sit - COMPLETED
Saturday - REST - COMPLETED

Total Stats:
- Squats = 185 (for week)
- Burpees = 5 min. 55 sec. (for week)
- Wall-Sit = 4 min. 25 sec (for week)

Half Marathon #3 - Training Week #7

Week 7 (Monday April 9th - Sunday April 15th)

Mon - Scheduled = 0 / Done = 0
Tues - Scheduled = 3 / Done = 3 miles in 36:13
Wed - Scheduled = 3 / Done = 3 miles in 35:14
Thurs - Scheduled = 3 / Done = 3.02 miles in 36:40
Fri - Scheduled = 0 / Done = 0
Sat - Scheduled = 2 / Done = 0
Sun - Scheduled = 9 / Done = 0

Weekly Total = 9.02 miles

I missed 11 miles that I had scheduled because I wasn't feeling well... Hoping I could maybe get in a long run tomorrow... will see!

Just Closed... [The Fault in our Stars]

The Fault in Our StarsThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book. While it's from the point of view of teenagers with cancer it has an adult type feel to it. The main characters, Hazel and Augustus are both extremely wise beyond their years. It could be because they have went through so much in their lives. The book was heartbreaking but so beautifully written. It's about living life, not being a victim, and about somewhat going against the traditional view of cancer kids and how they should be treated or even how they want to be treated. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it had a beautiful twist in the end that I was not expecting at all.

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