I'm Baaaaaaaaaack!

Notes
Wow - has it really been almost 3 months since the last time I posted. Yes and it will never happen again. Pinky promise.

Artists
Adele, Lauren Hill, Bruno Mars, Winehouse, Duffy, The Temptations

Current Obsessions
Doing/trying new things
Library
Spontaneity
Cleaning
Training schedule discipline

Teams
Although the Mavs isn't one my of favs, I've gained respect for them this season trumping Heat. Ready for next season - Go Blazers!

Reads
Finished Little Bee - not impresssed. Reading Tiger's Wife - a storyline just caught interest. Next up - Orange is the New Black.

Travels
Crater Lake/Ashland
Idaho
Seattle

Better Late Than Never

Runs
Finished Shamrock 15K with a PR of 10 min/mi. I now thoroughly enjoy the combo of hills and flats, it suits me. Next up is Bridge to Brews 10K on April 17th.

Reads
Finished Freakonomics - I recommend it to all who love titillating facts and statistics. Now I'm on The Gospel According to Coco Chanel and Mountains Beyond Mountains. Up next on the list is Little Bees, Tiger Wife and Orange Is The New Black. Why the sudden influx of reading, you may ask? I've incorporated reading into my GRE study plan - finish a book every other week. I welcome any recommendations you may have.

Songs
Hold Me by Jaime Grace
Lose My Soul by Toby Mac
Ode To A Stalker by Be Honest! Ruth Bryan
You Can't Hurry Love by The Supremes

Current Obsessions
Thrifting
Projectsprocrastinate.tumblr.com
Hood To Coast
Mascara
Pseudo-gauges
Singing

Flying By

Current Obsessions

Praying

Practicing faith

Keeping on top of things

projectsprocrastinate.tumblr.com

English muffin bread toasted with peanut butter spread

Refresh tea

Sprints

Core work

Tiring Days

Current Obssesions
Odd ingredient combos in efforts to clean fridge
Secret cooking ingredient
Wanting to sleep
Knitting everywhere
Being inspired

Yucks
The smell of the artichoke/jalapeno dip I cooked with marinara sauce last night

Runs
I'm on a set schedule now. Eisi is kickin' my butt!

Works
So many trainings, so many presentations! But I'm excited for them all.

Songs
Mad by NeYo

Artists
MaryMary and Israel Houghton

Bundling Up

Runs
Its official! I'm signed up for the PDX marathon on 10/9/11. Training has begun and EI is kicking my butt. Weekly training set with Jess and I'm excited. Abs here I come.....

Current Obsessions
Projectsprocrastinate.tumblr.com
Being on top of class work
Library
Life in balance
East coast
Mint-y tea
New episodes coming back on

Shows
The Game

Too Fast

Runs in 2011
Shamrock Run 15K, March 13
Bridge To Brews 10K, April 17
*Starlight Run 5K, June 4th
*Helvetia Half, June 11
*Portland Marathon, October 9

Looking for a trail or fun run to do in July-early September. Know of any?
*Unregistered now, but in the plans to soon

Reads
Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Shows
The Cosby Show, Everybody Hates Chris

Teams
Dealer gave me free Blazer tickets for Christmas. Thank you L+V. Goin to Blazers vs Rockets game this Sunday. Blazers vs Heat viewing next Sunday. Goin to Blazers vs Golden State game on 1/24. And watching all the rest! Go Blazers!

Current Obsessions
projectsprocrastinate.tumblr.com

Good News December

News
This is truly the season of good news. I'm hearing left and right from friends that are doing/getting great things. B got an amazing internship, KHope got a job interview, JSup is graduating, TBuzz got a dream job assignment in Honduras, Eliz finished 3 Bachelor's degrees, NG got a major change and many more! I'm so thrilled to hear the abundance of great news, keep it goin strong!!!! On my end, I finished up my A+P class strong with an A on my lab final. =)

Runs
Need to start again

Throwbacks
Home Alone 1 and 2
Cool Runnings
Miracle on 34th Street

Teams
Go Blazers! You rocked it last night. Who needs magic anyways....

Always Thankful

Thankful [for]
Answered prayers
Family
Friends
Comedy

Wishes [for]
An A on A&P
Good deal on boots
More time in the day
Ideas to be put on hold so I can finish projects before starting new ones
A fruitful 12/10
Being tan again

Recipes
Shout out to the foodnetwork.com for having such delish recipes. Shout out to JSup, DG, JoNo and PUD for making the recipes come to life.

Songs
Compassionart album by Israel Houghton

Teams
C'mon Blazers! I've got the faith! Go go go.
Good win Beavs!

Throwbacks
Pepper Ann
Recess
Doug
Skip-Its

Blessed Day

Current Obssesions
Being warm
Figure out my meaning in life
Lotioned hands
Reviving old friendships
Doing nothing
Goin with the flow
The ponytail
Good skin
Tea
God time
Alone time
Family time
Friend time
Big scarves

Needs
Socks - Long socks, trouser socks, knee high socks, thick socks,
More sleep

Holidays: Thanksgiving
Still unsure what my favorite holiday is, but Thanksgiving is in the running. I'm forever thankful for anything and everything, so to have a day dedicated to it is good. My mom is pulling out all the works for dinner. I'm excited to eat and see everyone. Not excited to clean.

Inspired
www.newdressaday.com - i need ideas, need creativity, need some talent in sewing too

Screens to Save

Mom, my dear immigrant mother, please go get your mammogram and other womanly exams:
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/section?content=a919024022&fulltext=713240928

No Nonsense November

Runs
I love running and what it does for me physically, emotionally and spiritually. Went for a run for the first time since marathon to Rocky Butte - it was great! Running group dinner this week to get acquainted and start training!

Needs
Needing to do well in A & P which is why November has been dubbed 'No Nonsense November'.

Throwbacks
Church Christmas drama productions

Songs
It Ain't Over by Maurette Brown Clark

Current Obsessions
Getting toned up
Thanksgiving preparations
Christmas festivities
Cleaning (so far its the idea of it, not yet in action)
Studying
Skype

Reads
The Bible and A&P book

Eye of the Tiger

Runs

World, I did it! I finished my first marathon in 6:11. Ran 19.5 miles and walked/limped 6.7 miles. What an incredible experience filled with rain, tears, blisters, and laughter! Once November comes around I'll be training again. Goal for 2011: finish under 5.

Songs

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars - these words...wow.

Current Obsessions

Toning up - back to the squats, dips, crunches, etc

Women of Influence - Michelle Obama, Queen Rania of Jordan, Donna Lasit, Evelyn Santoso. These women prove that it is possible to have it all and be successful: God (don't know about QR and MO, but I know DL and EW do), family, love, career. Something these ladies have in common is they all have supportive, like-minded, influential husbands. This is what I'm praying for. Prayers are powerful people.

Water - my body yearns for it in mass quantities still, post marathon

Getting on The Amazing Race - JoeB is editing the vid now.

This person who'll remain nameless for now - prayers are powerful people.

Photographs

Questions

What time do you get up in the am?

Sayings

"You just have to follow your heart to find your way" - Dreyona, 8yo

Orange of the Day

Runs
In just a few days I'll be completing my first marathon. I'm feeling all sorts of emotions now - I'm anxious, nervous, excited, scared, and more. My goal of finishing will hopefully be accomplished. Pretty sure it will, 90/10.

Movies
Have not seen any lately, haven't had the time! But my list of movies to see is growing like a plant on steroids (aka MiracleGro).

Songs
Putting a playlist together for the marathon. If you have any upbeat songs send them my way por fa!

Current Obsessions
Peaches - nice crisp ones
Clean spaces - which means my room and closet need work
Nipping procrastination in the bud's behind - its as if the mere sight of textbooks make my brain think procrastinate now
Living with exciting uncertainity of what will happen next - but knowing that everything will be exceedingly alright with God by my side

Reads
My A+P textbook has become the read of the moment. Though I have so many books on my list to read once I get the time.

Wishes
Thank you for all the beautiful birthday wishes! I really appreciate each and every one of your friendships!

Momentary Sunshine

Runs
Finished 23rd in 26:45 time last Sunday. 3 weeks until the Portland marathon! Going to do my last long run before the marathon this Friday - wish me luck. The training group for next year's marathon starts in Nov!

Birthday Wish List
Toms - gray and/or red, sewing machine, a Brandon Roy jersey, massages, pedicures, and prayers for life-love-passion-adventure-all around a blessed year

New adds: point and shoot digital camera, febreeze, canvas boards (various sizes - big ones and little ones, squares and rectangles), paint brushes, oils, cool yarn - thick and/or bright but soft, and cute compact mirror

Newer adds: Blazer tickets =), new iPod shuffle in orange - it's small, square-shaped and compact, perfect to clip on to my shorts for running, tights - [black, dark grey, light grey, fishnet, thick knits, patterned knits], lomo camera w/ flash

Newest adds: Glee season 1 dvds, running watch, case and armband for my itouch,

Current Obsessions
Glee! Season premiere today.

Guys who can sing while playing the guitar - melts my heart everytime. Shaz you were right all along...

Ab workouts and squats - superman banana

Clean clothes

Pockets, zippers, holes in the back - on dresses or shirts

Songs
Listen from Dreamgirls

Works
San Diego was great! Bend was fun! I love my job but its going to be a busy busy year!

Shows
Glee Glee Glee. How I Met Your Mother. Project Runway. The Amazing Race. Ellen. Brothers and Sisters. Modern Family. So many shows! Not enough time to watch booo.

Yucks
Cheese - feta especially

The Wavy Hair Look

Birthday Wish List
Toms - gray and/or red, sewing machine, a Brandon Roy jersey, massages, pedicures, and prayers for life-love-passion-adventure-all around a blessed year

New adds: point and shoot digital camera, febreeze, canvas boards (various sizes - big ones and little ones, squares and rectangles), paint brushes, oils, cool yarn - thick and/or bright but soft, and cute compact mirror

Newer adds: Blazer tickets =), new iPod shuffle in orange - it's small, square-shaped and compact, perfect to clip on to my shorts for running, tights - [black, dark grey, light grey, fishnet, thick knits, patterned knits], lomo camera w/ flash

Runs
Race for the Cure this Sunday. Portland Marathon in less than 4 weeks!!!

Wishes
Wishing ThLiBu and TBuzz an amazing trip in Europe and for Stalie's upcoming temporary move to France to go beautiful =)

Current Obsessions
Eating - this is actually a more permanent obsession. But lately I've been surrounded by more and more delicious foods. So eating is a must of course

Relaxing my anxiety attacks before the marathon

Styes - me not so much. My eyes? Yes they love them for some reason hence my third one this quarter. Help!

The Kennedy School [www.kennedyschool.com] - $3 movies, swimming, music- what's not to enjoy? The high-priced-just-ok food, I suppose.

Finishing projects - 3 down, a bajillion to go....

Movies
Ramona and Beezus - based from our very own NE PDX neighborhood. Josh Duhamel is one sizzlin' hot man! How Fergie landed him is beyond my understanding.

Welcome to Portland people, we have RAIN!

Runs
Wine Country Half was a great experience. I semper fi'd right through mile 8 til I had to pee (dang you bladder). The next 3 miles were on gravel and by that time my knees were killing me. I unfortunately walked most of that part. But I saw the light and got back to running when pavement came. Crossed the finish line 33rd in my age division. No, I don't know how many people were in my division, but I'm just going to say......100!

Jess love signed me up for Race for the Cure 5k this morning, so here we go on the 19th. It'll be a rice smooth run before the big 10.10.10 Portland Marathon. The epidemiologist at work is a ultra marathoner. He graced me with some tips yesterday. I'm feeling ok, I can do this. Right?

Current Obsessions
Toast with chunky peanut butter and honey.
Hummus with carrots and/or bell peppers.
Grilled asparagus.
Raspberry lemonade with ginger ale.
Season premieres.
The radio.

Movies
Salt - loved it. People say its the Bourne series with a vajaj. Pretty much is true. Loved it.
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain - didn't know what to expect at first. This british film is definiately a funny one, british funny. Hugh Grant is in this one, not surprised? Neither was I.
Death at a Funeral - Funny, but not as much as I was expecting.
Rain Man - this was good. I need to see more of the oldies because they sure are great.

Throwbacks
Karate Kid - B said it was a great date movie because what's not to love. Childhood throwback, check. Love story, check. Action, check. Jackie Chan, check!

Wishes
Wishing great success for Olls in her Blazers internship submission. Wishing great success for Diaz's man for his WashCo interview. I'm praying for the two of you!

Holidays: Labor Day
Now I never really understood the story behind Labor Day. I still don't know, so I'm not going to share anything there. But I had a really great one this year. Got to hang out with great friends and get some things done. Went to Manzanita with my new VISTA team. What a great group of people they are. Everything couldn't have worked out more perfect. Thanks G! (G = God)

Birthday Wish List
Toms - gray and/or red, sewing machine, a Brandon Roy jersey, massages, pedicures, and prayers for life-love-passion-adventure-all around a blessed year
New adds: point and shoot digital camera, febreeze, canvas boards (various sizes - big ones and little ones, squares and rectangles), paint brushes, oils, cool yarn - thick and/or bright but soft, and cute compact mirror

I'm BAACCKK!!!!

Runs

Wine Country Half Marathon this Sunday in Dundee/Carlton. Excited and scared at the same time. My body's telling me something, I'll listen to it after the race. =) Portland Marathon in 1.5 months - AHH!!! Jess, we are crazy! But I love us for trying! I'm still recruiting 1 or 2 for the training group for next year's marathon. Any takers?

Birthday Wish List

Toms - gray and/or red, sewing machine, a Brandon Roy jersey, massages, pedicures, and prayers for life-love-passion-adventure-all around a blessed year

Current Obsessions

Day old pastries - only $1.50 at Jim and Patties and they taste great! I say the older the better, until you see mold. What a great way to save money and still eat.

Croissants - the freshly baked ones. Only $1.50 at the cafe in my building. I feel the pounds packing already.

Office snack drawers - first week at office and my drawer is jam packed. Bummer I only get to indulge in it 3 days a week.

Toms shoes - read Blake Mycoskie's Costco bio the other day. What an amazing entrepreneur! I'm impressed and would like to bandwagon the success now. Gray or red?

Teams

Beavers Football!!!!!! VS. TCU tomorrow 4:45pm, ESPN. Yeah I don't have cable so I'm not even going to pretend like I'll be watching. I'll probably catch the tail end at Big Al's or something. I will have espn.com coverage that I will be checking regularly

Blazers 2010-2011 Season - RIP CITY UPRISE! Its going to be a great season, I feel it already. Just need to get a new jersey and I'm ready to go!

Saw Aldridge yesterday at Freddy's. He asked me if I was a doctor or nurse because I brought him a whiteboard to sign. I like to stand out and obviously I stuck out like a sore thumb with the board; I realize that.

Books

Say Goodbye to Powerless Christianity by Che Ahn. Very encouraged by the miraculous testimonies.

Songs

Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade and Secrets by One Republic

Shows

Ellen is back on 9/13 and Glee on 9/20. Don't know the exact dates of my other shows but who cares. I don't even catch them on TV anymore - all hulu.

Works

Started my new job this week. Its going to be one heck of a busy-exciting-overwhelming-productive-learning-passionate work year. I think I will enjoy being the Portland Metro VISTA Volunteer Coordinator for one year. Ask me again next month to see if I say the same thing then =)

Calling All Blazer Fans!

Teams

Trail Blazers 2010-11 Season Schedule

Achtung Achtung

Anto's Runners

Now calling all runners to join Anto's Runners to train for the Portland Marathon 2011. Together we can run, be encouraging and fundraise for the American Cancer Society in memory of our beloved brother Anto. We have 7 people now, 10 would be solid! Training starts in November.

We [are] fighting the good fight, we [are] finishing the race, we [are] keeping our faith - 2 Tim 4:7

Adventures

Flying into Barcelona and spending 5-6 days in Spain, 2-3 days in Portugal, 7-9 days in Greece and 6-8 days in France. Dates still tentative, but all very exciting.

Works

New job will be sending me to San Diego for a conference. The hotel is jaw dropping. Can't wait to tan poolside. And learn about the regional health corps too of course.

Kids

The ever-growing Kids Summer Festival is coming to Montavilla Park on August 28th from 5-8 pm. Be there to enjoy community fun, get free school supplies, get free burgers and sno cones, and to have fun! See you there.

Movies

The Other Guys - hilarious. Excited to watch Eat Pray Love with the girls this Sunday.

Perfect Weather Day

Runs

Neighborhood classics: Glendover, Rocky Butte, Mt. Tabor, Rocky Butte, Waterfront. Lucky I live close to run these great trails. My new shoes arrived - lunarglide+ [thank you NikeCouple]. Took them out tonight and I loved them! My feet feel like I haven't even ran anything. K told me about her new running shoes and I'll have to check 'em out too - first I'll have to ask what they're called. Wine Country Half in 4 weeks, Portland Marathon in 10 weeks - ahh!!!

Yucks

Pimples. I feel like mine are overtaking me. Everytime I treat it, its as if I'm feeding it a buffet. Any treatment recommendations?

Deals and Steals

Scored Sam Edelman sandals for $20, gorgeous Colin Stuart teal heels for $17, and a Nau shirt for $7. Sold at Crossroads today and made $81.50!!!

Artists

Tenth Avenue North - They'll be at Rolling Hills Church on October 23rd. Any takers?

Drake and Mary J. Blige - They'll be at Bumbershoot on September 5th of Labor Day Weekend.

Adventures

Every birthday is an adventure and mine is coming up! There are so many things I want to do, but I will have to narrow it down and save the rest - thank God we have birthday adventures once a year! Choices are: Tazo Tea factory tour, Seaside day trip, Spa day, Astoria day trip, Go-cart racing, Shooting range, Skydiving, Rafting trip, or Cooking lessons. I just don't know and birthday's on a Tuesday.

Shows

Have not had time to sit down and watch anything. Project Runway's new season started - time to make room for tv.

Works

Love what I'm doing. Just so much work all the time. Lord please help me get through this week!

Current Obsessions

Color - getting my closet out of the blacks/greys and into color! I think I'm doing pretty good. Bubble tea - darn you tBuzz. I'm feelin' bubble tea all day everyday now. At least you'll indulge in this obsession with me.

Sayings

"You say that I'm a dreamer and I'm not" -Dinner for Schmucks

Movies

Dinner for Schmucks was hilarious. I recommend it for anyone wanting to laugh. There are so many memorable quotes and actions. Loved it! Getting my girlfriends together to watch Eat, Love, Pray - August 15th - Ladies let me know