Mamallapuram (November 17)

Wednesday was the holiday of Eid so Aileen had the day off. We all loaded into the car and headed down to Mamallapuram which is about 90 minutes south of Chennai. After a brief stop for lunch we headed out for some temple hopping!

Our first stop was the Shore Temple. I think this was most interesting to me because when the tsunami hit, the waves pulling back out uncovered a bunch of the temple that had not been previously excavated.

It rained while we were in the temple, but our intrepid guide found a safe place for us to hang out until the storm passed.

The shore temple was most like Tulum in Mexico since it is located directly on the Bay of Bengal.

We then headed of to the Seven Rathra's Temple. This temple is famous because it is carved from a single piece of stone. They started at the top and then worked their way down to the bottom

I love Xochi posing behind me in this picture.

Next up was Krishna's Butterball - the most underwhelming part of the day for me. Thank goodness Frannie and Aileen were willing to keep it up on the hill.

We wrapped up our exciting day by stopping to ride 4x4's on a 1 kilometer track. It was VERY fun. We had also planned to stop at the "crocodile park" on the way home but it was raining so we kept driving.

Kanchipuram ( 16 November 2010)

I think the next few blog posts are going to be out of order (unless I figure out how to order them on blogger).

We left Tirumala and headed to Kanchipuram, which is known as a sari/silk town and the Veranasi of the south. For those of you who remember, Veranasi was my "high expectation, low yield" stop of my previous India trip so I was a little leery - but game.

Kumar once again negotiated traffic with a fierce horn, steady gaze and nerves of steel. We arrived by 2:00 with the plan of 1) lunch, 2) sari shopping, 3) temples (they did not open till 4:00pm). We had an ok veg lunch (I had another masala dhosa) and then Kumar's "friend of a friend" met us to take us to a sari shop. Honestly, I was a little tired and grouchy and was not thrilled by the prospect of the *let me show you 8,000 saris starting price 10,000 rupees! ($500)*. Frannie helped by ignoring the salesman who wanted us to stay in the back room and barged us into the front room where sari's were thrown around like confetti. I did end up finding a sari that I liked and sent it off with the tailor last night to have the sari top made....now to find a place to wear it!

We then headed off to see some of the temples in Kanchipuram. we started at the Kamakshi Amnan Temple. This is a temple to Shiva. It was fairly quiet and I had a real *I am in India* moment when we rounded a corner and found ourselves in a deserted courtyard, with an elephant headed directly at us. It was amazing. Unfortunately, we were not allowed in the actual sanctuary since it was Hindu's only, but it was beautiful.

We then headed to Ekambranathar Temple. This temple is famous for being the site on an ancient Mango tree which was where Shiva married Parvati. We saw the stump of the ACTUAL tree and then again the tree which I assume had been replanted. This temple was a high point. We had several great interactions with priests who blessed us and one in specific who was THRILLED to practice his English, explain who the gods are and their meaning and even pose for pictures.

Tirumala-Tirupati November 15-16

One of the things that Frannie really wanted to do in India (and I was also game) was to see the Sri Venkateshwara Temple. This is a very famous temple and is considered one of the most holy sites in India. It is the second richest temple (site) in the world after the Vatican. People come and wait in one of several "darshan" lines which range from free (wait estimated at 7 days), 300 rupees (wait estimated at 1-2 days), 500 rupees (wait estimated at 12 or less hours) and the SPECIAL VIP tickets which Aileen has procured for us (wait estimated at 2-4 hours).

It was a bit of a rocky day. We had very few details so were in no hurry to get there. Frannie had booked massages (which turned out to be the oiliest massages every requiring me to wash my hair no less than 10 times) and we were in no hurry. At 2:30 Rahul called our VIP agent and was told that we needed to be there at 6:30. Unfortunately, the town was at least 3 1/2 hours away. Poor Frannie was thrown in the car and we set out for Tirumala. Honestly, it was one of the scariest car rides ever. Imagine a three hour game of chicken on a rainy bad road and you might begin to come close. We arrived at 7:30 (on time by Indian standards) and were informed that I needed Indian dress. *sigh*. I was taken for an enforced shopping trip, re-dressed and our shoes were removed. We then entered the initial stage of the temple.

We were given another *agent* who was supposed to make our way to see the Lord Balaji easier. This involved begging at a locked gate to priests who essentially played rock/paper/scissors to see who would be let in, and in what order. We were let in, but then told we needed to pay for our tickets (pay a bribe). Frannie and I were separated, I was taken to fill out a registration form in which I swore that I believed in Balaji and may have renounced Christianity. Frannie and I were reunited and no money changed hands.

We were then in yet another waiting hall. This time with a video of people paying homage and trying to pray before Balaji while the priests SHOVED them through the line. I guess this is what happens when there is one statue and 30,000 people a day trying to see him and pray (it sounds like this is the guy to pray to if you want money/marriage/children). Unfortunately, I have no pictures since no electronics were allowed (although my watch was fine).

We were then led through a maze through the temple. Indian temples are amazing in their architecture and even more amazing in that the priests seem to LOVE to decorate them with cheap light strings and chandeliers that seem to come from Ikea. We finally made it to the God. It was honestly amazing to see people so moved, when they first saw him they would all shout "Govinda" and put their hands to their foreheads in prayer. Unfortunately, it was so fast that I did not get a good look at the diamond studded hands.

We were then led through the rest of the temple complex where people were dumping money EVERYWHERE. It ended with our receiving rice (yum) and ladoo's - which are a famous sweet. We gave ours to the driver so he could take them home to his family. A priest seemed to like me so I was given several extra.

Oh, and it was raining so we were SOAKING WET. After a fast and mediocre dinner (where I was told to fill out a customer comment card with positive comments before we would receive our bill) we fell into bed at our guest house. After asking for hot water, we were ceremoniously show how to turn ON the hot water in our bathroom:)

The next morning, we were woken up early by the wife of the caretaker couple. She provided is with VERY overpriced chai and then took a HUGE tip. I guess they make their living on tips!

One of the things that the temple is famous for is "hair tonsuring" or hair cutting. People come and shave their heads and the temple sells the hair to add to it's treasure chest. After several false attempts, we finally found a tonsuring site (but were not allowed to take pictures).

So I took a picture of the sign.

We then headed off to see some of the smaller temples in Tirupati. It was raining and wet, but we pushed through to the top!

I loved the temple at the top. It was smaller and manageable for a temple novice!

We then headed for the waterfalls that we had heard so much about. On the way up, I learned that umbrellas are best when shared with friends.

I also learned that "waterfalls" in India must be code for:

water coming out of monkey faces that men bathe in.....

So Frannie and I took another picture......

We then got in a car to head to Kanchi Puram.

India Bound! (November 12/14)

In all of my packing lists - I am now realizing that the one thing I may have forgotten is the cord to upload pictures! boooo! Thank goodness that Rahul has managed to help me out so I can attach pictures to the blog and make it more interesting to the three of you who come here:)

The good news is that I made it safely to Chennai after an American Airlines flight to Brussels and then a Jet Airways flight from Brussels to Chennai. I gave up my coveted aisle seat to a man who claimed to have a bad leg but drew the line when he then tried to get me to change my seat again so that he could sit next to his wife. This would have put in in the dead center between two LARGE men. I figured nice only goes so far....and I had reserved my seat in September. If he was not on the ball as me, that was his tough luck.

Aileen met me at the airport and there was no trouble getting my bag and getting home. I managed to crawl into bed at about 2:00am. I am lucky enough to be visiting with Aileen's sister Frannie so I have someone to travel with. The Crowe Sister's are a treat!

On instructions, Aileen woke me up at about 9:00am this morning. We at waffles and chatted. Xochi and her friend Sam headed out, Frannie went out to do her tai chi, and I did some laps around the house to close out my zones for the week in the back yard. While it is cool for the people who live here....it is HOT to me!

We went out to lunch at the Madras Country Club. We narrowly escaped being kicked out first because of Rahul's inappropriate footwear (he changed from sandals to shoes) and then Xochi's age (we lied about her being 5).

After a quick nap, we headed out for a snack and to the beach!

Rahul and Aileen took us out for "real" food. They started with a banana leaf place mat which was loaded with chutney's and dhosa, ideli, and udappam. It was FABULOUS!

We then proceeded to walk to the beach were we dipped our toes into the Bay of Bengal and watched Xochi ride on a very scary merry go round. After a gelato, we headed home.

Aileen is headed to Delhi tonight and when her flight was delayed she headed back home for wine and chocolate. Red wine, chocolate and friend are the best. I am buzzed now and may edit later.....but Aileen and Rahul are the best!

Weekend in Tulsa (November 5-7)

I was in Tulsa with my sister and Mom over the weekend for Mollie's wedding to Ben. It was a great "girls weekend". I arrived on Friday and we immediately went to a shopping mall to deck out Mom with new duds. We then progressed to a three bottle of wine lunch with Aunt Lynn, Uncle David and Laura followed by more shopping.

Since it was a 4:00pm wedding, there was a fast change in the hotel and then off to the wedding (which was beautiful) and the reception (which was fun). Uncle David had my mom laughing so hard she was crying for most of the receptions and Katie made us cry with her toast.

Saturday we had a busy day. We started by touring the Gilcrease Museum, which is a museum of western history. Lots of American and Native American art. We had a private docent who walked around the museum with is and was very informative.

After lunch at Sonoma Bistro and Wine Bar, we headed back to the hotel where Mom and Liz napped and I ran on the dreadmill for an hour (and then napped). We ended our Tulsa food tour with a fabulous dinner at French Hen. Fabulous food.

To our great surprise, there was a gathering of people in the hospitality room when we returned to the hotel. A game of Mexican Train dominoes broke out and was VERY competitive. I think I came in third.....and was exhausted by the time we went to bed. Thank God for daylight savings and the extra hour the next morning!

Post Monster Dash

They said that the Monster Dash was long (closer to 13.5) because of a last minute course change. I seem to look fine post race with Allan! 13 ish miles is NOTHING to me!:)

Testing Tuesday - November 2

We had mid challenge testing today. I am down a few pounds but my fat % was up?! How is this? My trainer thinks I am still out of whack from my 1/2 marathon on Sunday so I am going to retest fat %/weight tomorrow morning. Today I am chugging water.

My VO2 Max is better

My flexibility is better

I feel stronger and can see muscles in my arms.

As happy as I am, my partner dropped like NINE % body fat. arrrrrggghhh

My Polar changed my program this week. I now need to do 5 hrs of cardio a week. The good news is that the minutes are added in zones 1 and 3, zone 2 is the same. I am happy that my calorie burn goal is now 2850 so it helps me with the WeWa 2500 weekly thread.

Had an interesting discussion with my trainer about how you really do need to change things up to keep progressing. That is why there are "fat" runners - your body gets used to the exercise if you are just bumping along without adding speed work, tempo, sprints or SOMETHING. She also made the point that (in terms of fitness) you are either gaining or losing. There is really no such thing as maintaining.

My 1/2 marathon on Sunday was good. It was windy and the re-route (thanks O'Bama) took us up north along the lakefront into the headwinds (tough). Apparently the race was also about .4 mile longer than a 1/2 should be (13.1). My time was 2:27 so I am happy with about an 11mm pace.

Yesterday I walked for 30 minutes with the dog and today we ran/walked for an hour. I literally ran to a lightpost and then walked to the next. It was like beginning running - but it kept me in zone 2 and got the calories burned. I've been listening to Michael Pollen's In Defense of Food. Once again, I am realizing that I really need to get away from packaged and manipulated food. No low fat, low calorie, fake sugar, etc. Keep Cooking!

I wish I knew how to insert pictures mid blog like my cool friends. hmmmm might have to ask for advice on this one.

Random Race Pictures - Terrapin 5k

Delane and I at the finish.

Weekend Wrap Up - October 24

It was a good workout week this week, I just need to be more consistent with healthy eating!

Monday - Group Spin: 53 min/408 calories

Tuesday - trainer session: 20 minutes/118 calories (not all of the session was on the watch)

Wednesday - Group Groove - 53 minutes/408 calories

Thursday - 30 min treadmill/30 minute rowing machine - 452 calories

Friday - group power - no watch worn

Saturday - 90 min yoga class/35 min power walk with the dog - no watch worn

Sunday - 1 hr 10 min - run/walk - 645 calories

2031/2500 - I am sure I hit the 2500 calorie burn but it was not on a watch:(

I feel like I am seeing more muscles in my shoulders this week!:)

My new goals are:

1 average BMI

2 average body fat %

I think I am going to hit the BMI goal before the body fat % goal.

Feeling Stronger Every Day

I spent an hour running around Wells Park tonight to close out my zones. I had over 20 minutes left in zone 3 (which never happens) so I actually let myself RUN for part of the time. To say that I felt great is an understatement, I actually felt like I was flying. Unlike the last time I let loose, I did not bonk.

I've still got about 5lbs to lose to make it to 20lbs lost this year. I should be able to make it and am starting to see the difference in pictures.

Feeling Good - August 8

After my reality check last week, I got myself in gear. I had some great workouts this week and even ran another race, the "Elvis is Alive" 5k (34:45). I was happy with my time, it was hot and I was working hard. I also saw a number on the scale this week that was four pounds lower than my "official" August weight and dropped me another middle number. Must keep going. I find I am vacillating between thinking I look good and feeling good and thinking I look like an oompa loompah. The numbers on the scale help me quantify how I am feeling and what the clothes are telling me.

Mom and Dad are arriving this week for a visit. I am doing my best to stock the house with healthy options. I spend an hour cutting up veggies and fruit tonight so it will be on hand and want to continue to juice M-Th before work.

I was headed to the gym to workout tonight since it is about 90 out but River was giving me such guilt that I ran with him outside instead. I think he regretted the guilt trip after the run. He is worse for wear than I am. The first 10 minutes were actually GOOD, I was also able to push through almost the entire 30 minute run. Yeah!

Now that I have a page to track workouts on here, I am realizing that I consistently burn about 3,500 calories a week when I work out five days a week. I had better be losing a pound a week at this point....I'm working for it.

Maybe I will fit into that dress by the wedding:)

Reality Check

So I just had a reality check which is sending me back here. I have lost 10lbs so far this year and had a great workout month in July. June was more of a food focused month (and I lost weight), July was more workout focused (not much weight lost, but more compliments).

I managed to wedge myself into a dress that I could not even get near to zipped last summer for Laura's B-party last weekend, I ran a sub 10mpm pace 5k on Thursday and have had great workouts this week. I've been feeling pretty good. I really want to wear my favorite black dress from several years ago to her wedding. I decided to try it on tonight to see if I was close. Let's just say that I felt like I was trying on someone elses clothes. It was a big reality check that I am still 20 lbs (and change) from goal.

I did buy stuff to start juicing again and will start again tomorrow for breakfast. It is a great way for me to start the day, keeps me full till at least noon and keeps me from snacking, gets in the veggies, gets in the water, and is all around a good thing for me. My goal is to juice every day in August for breakfast (unless I am out of town). I'm convinced that juicing is why I lost 4lbs in June. I'd like to lose 4-5 lbs in August.

Headed out to a street fair, will have a beer or two but won't eat. Will be home early and will juice and hit the gym tomorrow. Tomorrow is not only a new day - it is a new month!

Whiny Wednesday

I had a good day yesterday overall. Saw 5 of 7 scheduled kids, made it downtown for my 4:00pm micoderm, met Liane for a 5:20 movie (Salt) and then headed to big bowl for dinner. Just ate my leftovers for lunch today. Laura called me last night and we have Sat plans to maybe see Bon Jovi - yeah!

I was fast asleep at 11:00pm so was up at 6:30. I decided to go for an early morning jog with River. It felt good and I need to up my minimum running time to 40 minutes if time allows (this morning it did, I just did not do it).

River and I did the bank loop (1.5 miles) at 11:00am today. It was hot and we both arrived soaking wet back to the office. Happy to have a little more exercise on the legs though:) My theory this time has been that every little bit counts - both in terms of exercise and making good food choices.

The whiny comes from the fact that even though I saw a great number on the scale yesterday and today and feel good overall, I cannot help but seem to notice my pouchy stomach. I remember this from previous weight loss - I seem to feel fatter, or notice my body more as I get thinner. You would think the reverse would be true - eh. I guess I am just whiny about it today.

Back to work, I've seen four of eight scheduled kids and realized today that I need to get working on my fall schedule. August is going to be a mess for work - I keep telling myself to take deep breaths (and study my Spanish).

Mopy Monday

I woke up in a good mood and made it to spinning at 8:30am at Galter (502 calories burned). Saw three kids, made it home, did some stuff around the house, cleaned the kitchen, visited with Angelique, watched the bachelorette, headed to bed. Nothing to exciting.

I'd like to know why Monday's make me tired when I don't really do all that much "work". I think it is just all the driving around that makes me tired.

Looking forward to tomorrow, work then a facial downtown and (hopefully) a movie with Liane. Yeah!

Beautiful Sunday

So Saturday (yesterday) was a pretty crazy day. I was up early and made it to Group Groove (430 calories), followed by a quick run to Target to return some bras that did not fit, a quick run to Trader Joe's to get some prosecco, and them home. In the middle of it, I realized that I had lunch plans downtown so I got home, showered, changed, packed a bag and headed back out.

Lunch at Feast was great. We split Mac 'n Cheese as a table and I had a BLT with a side salad (which I ate 1/2). It was great, food was fast and good. I loved seeing Olivia one more time and was able to also see Cindy and Michele. Just like old times.

I jetted out from lunch at 2:15 in an attempt to get to my car to make it to Bucktown for our 2:45 Bollywood dance class which was part of Laura's bachelorette party. It was very fun. We learned a routine to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire and it was a great way to start the day. On the way home I ate a coconut cupcake from Most (yum) since I was starving and had enough time at home to nap and wedge myself into the worlds tightest dress. On one hand I am thrilled I could wear it and it did not actually look all that tight once on....on the other hand I could hardly breathe most of the night and had some lovely lines once I took the dress off.

It's thrilling to wear something you have not worn in 2 years. I tried to wear it last summer and honestly, could not even get in anyway near on. I'm getting more compliments in July so even if the scale is not moving, I know there are results.

We had dinner at Carnivale (yum) and then danced away at Fado to a very cheese 80's cover band. The lead singer looked somewhat like a Hobbit and was wearing Rubik's cube tee shirt over tight sweatpants? It was some sort of fashion look. I faded out at about 2:00am (my feet were DONE) and Barb gave both Amy and me a ride home.

Sunday - As normal, River woke me up fairly early to demand food and a bladder break. I crawled back into bed and napped and read till about 10am. River and I took a quick trip to dogbeach - which was weirdly foggy and spooky with WAVES!

I rode my bike downtown to the Art Institute where there is a new exhibit of Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs. It was hard riding home, I was hungry and my legs were tired....but I am glad I did. (1 hr 50 minutes 760 calories)

My weekly calorie burned total was: 4171 - I really want to have lost at least a LITTLE weight in July. Even one pound will make me happy. Off to figure out tabs so I can keep track of workouts and calories burned here.

guerilla workout!

So I managed to sneak in a guerrilla workout this afternoon between shopping and eating with Olivia (and Cal) and bachelorette party festivities with Laura and the girls.

I did damage at Nordstrom with five bras, one pair of running shorts, a pair of sunglasses to replace my favorite pair that broke and two pairs of shoes. One pair of shoes may be going back but I will make that decision later:)

The plan was to call at 4:30 to catch up with the girls who were at the Cubs game. At 3:20 the game was in the 7th. I rode my bike to the gym and got on the treadmill - and saw the game ending. Ran a mile, rode home. Ran go get River at Stay, ran home. Jumped in the shower....made it to Fiesta Cantina by 5:00pm with the help of an awesome cab driver.

45 minutes - 402 calories - 2981 for the week so far. I like what the scale is saying so I am motivated to continue in an (most likely vain) attempt at a loss for July. Honestly, if I maintain I'll be happy since I think my July weigh in was a total fluke.

Off to bed at 11:15pm - hope to catch 9:30 group groove tomorrow morning. Major storms are rolling in. "el lightening" and "el thunder" are competing with River's snores.

Must get a camera to post pictures!

Terrible TV Tuesday - July 20, 2010

I figure it has been almost a month since my last blog post. Time to get going again. It has been another good month. I ended up losing 4lbs in June but have not seen that number again in July. At this point, I just want to maintain the loss for July and then make another attempt at getting rid of some pounds in August.

There has been a real improvement in my fitness this month. I've been burning at least 2500 calories a week an trying to work out five times a week. I think I am ready to start running to the gym (instead of riding my bike) in an attempt to bump myself "to the next level" and burn some more calories. I did it today for the first time, it took me 16 minutes to run there and I bummed a ride home. I'd also run about 20 minutes with the dog before heading to the gym so I was burnt after GG. My total today was 1hr 45 minutes / 945 calories. My legs died in GG.

I ran my first 10k in about five years on Sunday. It took me about 70 minutes, which I think is slooow, but I am thrilled to have finished and am planning my next 10k with a goal of 65 minutes.

When Mary gave me a ride home from the gym she was telling me a funny story about driving her car into the wall of the gym parking lot. It was clearly one of those stories that is hysterical now and was NOT funny at the time. I was a snorting laughing mess.:) Need more of those stories in my life.

Death to the McFlurry - June 24, 2010

I've been doing great on my weight loss/exercise regime. I have defiantly hit another bump in my fitness. Workouts that used to have be burning 600-700 calories are now burning 500-600. I am also down ALMOST 10 lbs since the beginning of the year. The scale said 193. on Monday so I am motivated to keep going.

The downside of this week has been the McFlurry. Someone told me about the "snack sized" McFlurry. I had one yesterday, it was so good I had another today. I knew this could not be good so I looked up the calories....over 400 calories for a snack sized. This treat is dead to me. There are less calories in a Dove Ice Cream bar.

c'est la vie

I have worked out every day this week so far:

Monday - spinning

Tuesday - Power

Wednesday - groove

Thursday - running

Must keep moving in the right direction.

Ian broke up with me on Friday - or I broke up with him....after a day of to much wine and self pity I am back in the saddle with a date on Sunday for brunch. I had my hair cut today so hopefully I will be working the mojo and make a good impression:)

Tuesday May 8th

I don't seem to be doing a good job keeping up with my blog. Some updates:

- I found my camera battery charger and then smashed my camera in Turkey.

- I spent 10 days in Turkey (May 21-31). Hopefully I will get a new camera and post pictures.

- I am still working out five days a week and even ran three times in Turkey with Laura. The challenge goes two more weeks - I am hoping we renew.

I actually got on the scale after turkey and saw a MUCH lower number than expected. So far I have lost five pounds since January which is not great (at a pound a month) but I'LL TAKE IT!. Heck, I'll happily take two years to get back to weight goal at this point. My fitness is really improving. I can workout harder and longer - which burns more calories and also inspires me to eat better.

I've been juicing a la Natalia Rose every morning since returning from Turkey (except weekends). I am almost off caffeine totally at this point with no with drawl (I have had some diet coke). My goal is to not eat any food/drink other than the green lemonade until 12/noon and then to keep with the fruits/veggies as long as possible. I think I am eating less - definitely more f/v.

I'm almost to a decision regarding money management/financial planning. Tomorrow I have one more skype conference with the MD guy and I had a seminar with Fidelity tonight. It will be HUGE to have this off my plate.

Finally, my summer schedule starts Monday, FINALLY! I am excited to be working more efficiently for the summer and (hopefully), running around less. Courtney and Doug are staying with me on Sunday night and we are going out for "our" birthday. yeah!

Still running - the run for the zoo was last weekend. I did the 5k instead of 10k which was a good decision. It was about 33 minutes, the course was VERY crowded. I am happy I ran the whole thing and had a kick for the last .1 mile. My next step is to find a race for July and someone to run it with me.....I need to have a goal!

I love house guests!

Amy is staying with me this week while she rents out her place. I love the company and having someone else around. Since we lived together for a few years, it is somewhat like slipping back into old habits. She is going to watch River for me while I am in Turkey so it is a GIANT win/win. I've convinced her to help me eat the ice cream in my freezer so I am listening to her crunch away on an ice cream cone at this point. Yeah! Less for me to eat!

I really need to find my camera battery charger so I can post some pictures. I'd love to do a daily "what I am wearing" blog - but then I would be outed for wearing the same thing several days in a row. not good

I've already worked out Monday (spin), Tuesday (groove), and Wednesday (groove) this week. I'm thrilled to be on track to hit my five workouts early this week. I'm a little stressed about making my five next week since I am going to miss Monday spinning for a meeting and leave Friday night for Turkey (and I can't count on working out over the weekend since we arrive on Saturday afternoon). The challenge lets us take one week of - which will be my week in Turkey - but I have to hit five for the week before I get there!

Having an ok week other than some stupid family drama that makes me sad and mad. The good news is that I have gotten MUCH better at making decisions that are good for me - rather than doing what other people want me to do (which they say is best for me, but is usually what is best for them.) I still get mad at how mean people are though....I also stress about the "crazy" genes that I know are floating around the family. Is THIS what I have to look forward to? Going batshit crazy and making every one miserable? grrrrreeaaat!

Off to unload the dishwasher - hopefully the rain will hold off and I can run in the morning before my "long day" at work. I need to get some miles in before my 10k in June. This is NOT going to be pretty.

May 10th - Banging my Head on the Desk.

I feel like banging my head on the desk today - and like I keep running into a wall and bouncing back......on one hand, after four weeks in the "five days a week workout challenge", I am noticing a real change in my fitness level. The ability to workout both harder and longer is definitely increasing. On the other hand, I cannot seem to stop eating ice cream or even stop eating when I am not hungry. Every day I look at Delane's blog and am inspired - then fall flat on my face.

Today - I hauled myself out of bed (quite literally) and made it to 8:30am spinning - which I tolerated (I am sore and achy). Upon arriving home, I ate ice cream. ugh

Ran around to see two EI kids in Albany Park, went home to get River, then to the office for four more kids. THANK GOD my 6:15 Lincoln Park kid cancelled this evening. I need to be at the office and get organized.

I got checks today from Cigna - for a kid that I have not seen since last year. My billing help entered in charges from another folder (with a very similar name) and sent it in. I must now pay her to fix her HUGE mistake. It peeves me when people say they are organized and are somewhat smug about the fact that they are so organized, and then pull crap like this. I do not claim to be organized, my desk is a mess, I work hard to keep my house on the positive side of disaster zone......but I have a great memory and do know what I have and have not done, where things are and who I talked to (and when).

UGH - OK- rant over, I am going to try to get 30 solid minutes of paperwork done before heading home for the evening.

Hurray for May!

I just read the post I posted on March 31. It was somewhat shocking to read my paragraph bio of the last few horrendous years of my life. I guess the good news is that 2010 really does seem to be a good year for me. It is amazing how much more upbeat I am feeling about myself and life in general.

Laura started a workout challenge where you need to work out five days a week or pay $5 for every workout you don't complete. I've got three weeks of 5 workouts per week under my belt at this point. Here are all the great things I did in April 2010:

Great dinner out for Amy at Ceres Table

Cubs game with Amy

Hawks game with Liane for the playoffs

bad date:(

two good dates:)

watched more Hawks games with Liane and Amy

Had dinner at Naha to plan our Turkey trip.

Saw Anthony Bourdain at the Chicago theater

Helped Leslie celebrate her 35th birthday followed by a trip to Carol's and 2:00am burritos.

Hosted my 3rd or 4th CAbi party with Anne.

Saw The Farnsworth Invention at Timeline and Trust at Lookingglass.

I'm excited about May and need to go find my camera battery charger so that I can take pictures of my balcony. It was my big project for the weekend and I think it looks beautiful. Going to try to post more and keep sort of an online journal.

Yuck

I think it is fairly well known that I had some serious issues with depression in 2008 into 2009. Things really got started around Thanksgiving 2007 but had been building for some time. I really think that a lot had to do with my plantar fasciitis and inability to keep running. For years running was how I controlled my weight and also my mental well being. After six months of therapy in 2008 and about a year on anti-depressants, only in the past few months have I really been feeling back to "myself". It kills me to think that I spent six months in therapy asking the same questions:

"Why don't I feel like me?"

"When will I feel normal again?"

"What do I need to do?"

"Is this my new normal...or will it pass at some point?"

Unfortunately, I never really got the answers. Fortunately, I have learned with time that I can feel more like me again. Unfortunately, I don't really recognize myself physically any more after almost three years of no consistent exercise and the addition of about 30lbs. I keep trying to work on it but have issues with consistency. In an attempt to "get it out", here is what I ate today:

Breakfast (at the airport) - McDonald's

bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and hash brown - I did not drink the gross coffee

diet coke on plane

Lunch

BBQ pulled pork with sauce at Park West

toast with butter

three bites cole slaw

about 1/2 cup baked beans

Dinner:

Italian beef over a red potato

lettuce and tomato with poppy seed dressing

1/2 glass red wine

about 4 see's chocolates (thanks Lizzie)

I did walk 2.7 miles with my Dad but it does not make up for the crap I ate. Tomorrow, without travel will be better. My goal is to drink more water, eat more fruit and veggies and work out (walk the circle twice - am and pm).

Charleston - Easter 2010

I arrived today after a little delay in O'Hare when they completely offloaded the plane while fixing the hydraulics. There were a few tense moments but all was well. Dad picked me up and we headed off for some fair BBQ at a place in Park West.

The good news is that the weather could not be nicer. Today the high was 77 and it should continue on that vein for the next few days. All I can wonder is why I don't live here as well. It is easy to forget the 120 degree summer days and 50 degree and rainy winters. Dad and I took an (almost) three mile walk and we had a fairly healthy dinner - followed by chocolates sent by Lizzie. Yum.

Whelp, I resurrected this blog because I felt the need to start writing again as a way to get some "stuff out". I don't really expect people to read it but want a place to blog my vacations and also move some stuff out of my head and onto a page in an attempt to reclaim my brain. It was a rough week, hormones are a bitch. I should have known it was going to be rough when last week I was craving Salt and Vinegar Potato chips. I don't even LIKE Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips.