Birthday Weekend

Wednesday in the middle of work, I had the thought that I should treat myself to a weekend in Chicago. I went on priceline and booked a Five Star hotel for cheap. I was so excited at the idea of spending some time in my favorite city.

Friday morning I awoke around 8 am and headed to the gym for a two mile jog and then I attempted to get a little Christmas Shopping done on the way home. I have vowed I will never take my children the day after Thanksgiving to shop, because it's not fair to them or me, especially with all of the people.

I got home and started packing for my weekend adventure. I packed up my car and headed into the city around 3pm. I arrived at the hotel around 4:30pm, checked in, and relaxed in the room for a couple of hours.

I made my way down Michigan Avenue and hit Victoria Secret, which was having some awesome sales and found my mom and sister-in-laws presents. I was pretty excited and after shopping for a few hours returned to my hotel room. I headed out and found some yummy dinner and went back to the hotel and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Saturday, I woke up around 8am and got ready for the day. I left the hotel around 10am and headed to Millennium park. I ate a muffin and sat and watched people at the Bean for a couple of hours. I headed to Macy's on State Street where the windows are a disappointment, but they were having some great sales, so I went and shopped, but didn't find anything worth buying. I then headed to various other stores.

Around 3:30pm my family arrived into the city and we went to the German Market and they ate some Bratwurst, Strudel, and Hot Chocolate. It was all delicious. The German Market was very packed, since it was the first day, and my family had had enough after only about 45 minutes. A couple of my friends came into the city and we went and ate tapas at Cafe' Iberico. It was delicious.

After dinner we wandered back to Millennium park and then started heading north on Michigan Ave. One of my friends asked what we should do. I thought for a moment and then suggested we go to the top of the John Hancock building. We walked a few more blocks and waited in line for about 20 minutes. We had an awesome view from our table and sipped hot chocolate. Honestly, the best view is from the Women's bathroom. I took a couple of pictures I'll post.

Sunday, I headed home early, because it started to snow. My family returned home from church and we had lasagna and pumpkin cheesecake for my birthday dinner. I got another kitchen gadget. It's a hot air popper which the top is a bowl! I look forward to using it soon.

Thanksgiving 5K Turkey Trot

Last evening, I anxiously prepared for my first 5K. I went and stayed the night at Nalihda's, one of my coworkers, so that, I wouldn't have to get up as early. I arrived at her home last evening around 8:30 and worked on upper body and abs with her. It was my second workout of the day, so I went a little light on the weight.



After the workout, we watched Runaway Bride. I fell asleep in the middle of the movie. Then around 11:30pm I began getting ready for bed. Nalihda is an experienced runner, so I asked her for some advice on how to finish the race. 1st have goals, which I already had and 2nd to keep good form and focus on my breathing.



I woke up 20 minutes before my alarm and began to prepare for the adventure ahead of me. When we arrived at the high school where the race was beginning, there literally was a sea of thousands everywhere. I entered the gymnasium, found my name, what number I would be wearing, and quickly hurried to the table to get my number.



After receiving my number, I had to put a disposable chip on my shoe to record my time and pinned my number to my green pullover jacket. I had to continue to remind myself to breath before the race even started. I put in my headphones and began listening to Fall Out Boy. We were able to cross the start line about 2 minutes after the race began. The times reflected do not have the approximate 2 minutes removed. I quickly fell into my pace and hit the 1 mile marker at about 13 minutes. The 2nd mile marker I hit at 22 minutes and I finished around 38. The official scores will be in around 3pm this afternoon.



I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I had this Thanksgiving to run the race and make it to the finish line. I look forward to next year and the many more races I will run.

Weddings, Reflections, and Thanksgiving

A week from today is my 29th birthday. Ever since my mid life crisis at 25, I have been enjoying my birthdays. In conjunction with my birthday, yesterday Lara, one of my high school friends, got married. Wonderful news came yesterday as Jenny announced that she is having twins in May! These events have ignited a myriad of memories to flood my mind.

I remember Jenny, Beth and I meeting one hot August day in Southern Illinois as we laughed and experienced band camp before our Freshman year. Lara came into the picture as we started our Freshman year. That early bond has lasted and been fortified, through all of our life-changing events.

One unique thing about this bond formed over 14 years ago is that we have never had a fight, not even a squabble. Life for the four of us was always healthy and uplifting. We made it through break ups, hook ups and every other kind of joy and/or disappointment.

I have looked upon these memories and realized the value of true friends. True friends will do anything for you and you will reciprocate to them in the like manner. I value those few friends that love and respect me even with all of my flaws and imperfections. I feel blessed for good friends who have stood by me throughout the years and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives.

At this time of Thanksgiving, I add a small list of things I am thankful for in no particular order: Family, Friends, Faith, Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, Love, Prayer, Career, Exercise, Food, Scriptures, Temple and Talents.

Answered Prayer

Today I was feeling extremely sick in the morning. I received two phone calls letting me know that one of my friend's would be speaking in church. It was the first time this friend talked in church, so I got dressed and headed for Sacrament meeting.

Today's topic was Prayer. The message of the Hymn, "Did you think to Pray?" was used twice in two different talks. The line, "Prayer will change the night to day..." had great impact this day.

The message and testimony my friend bore was powerful. I have been praying for over two years that this individual would find joy in this life. It made me feel fulfilled. It also taught me again that Heavenly Father will answer our prayers in His own due time. Hearing that talk was worth getting up for today.

I hope that I will feel good enough to train tomorrow morning for my race.

On the Trail again

On this cold, dreary November day in Chicago, I got up around 9am and then started preparing for my run outside. I arrived at the Old Plank trail and started my run. The first couple of miles were a breeze. The last mile is always the challenge, but I concentrate on my breathing, which keeps me focused. Today, in my last mile I had the Frankfort Grainery in the foreground to focus on. Millions of memories flooded my mind of being on the trail as a teenager. It was quite pleasant to finish my run with those thoughts. I have also discovered that Fall Out Boy is my choice of music to keep me going on a good pace between 10-11 minute miles. I'm hoping that it's not any colder than it was today on Thanksgiving morning or it could be an interesting run.

hitting the pavement

Ok so I have never posted from my blackberry, but I have a few spare minutes before the soccer game, so here goes nothing. I have begun running outside. It is quite different than running on the treadmill or elliptical. It is wonderful to feel like I'm actually going somewhere. Thank goodness I've found my niche. I'm going to run 4 miles outside on Saturday. I'm sure I'll have quite a bit to say about that adventure.