I am a big believer in letting things happen. Well, I am a big believer in actively letting things happen, worrying myself to the quick at the same time.
What's done is done, you cannot change it worth a damn, and a lot can happen in a short amount of time.
Now, today, the theme is a lot can happen in a short amount of time. Sort of "letting things happen" and "everything happens for a reason" and "if it's meant to be, it's meant to be" all at the same time, but mostly just about the former.
This week has been both the longest and the quickest I remember in a while. The longest because I spent all of Tuesday thinking it was Wednesday, but that's another story. After a miserable Tuesday evening (we went into town and checked on my job prospects Tuesday afternoon: absolutely nil), I rose on Wednesday determined to go out and just do my own thing for the afternoon.
I dolled up, because that makes me happy (leggings, black garage sale boots, leopard print tunic, and my grey blazer with some bling, for those who are wondering), and trundled into town. I had no plan in mind, just that I wanted a pick-me-up.
I went to my haven.
Kohl's. Shopping in general, Kohl's in particular. It is my element. I don't know why, but I love Kohl's more than I've loved any other store ever.
I'm a big believer in retail therapy, but I'm also a believer that part of retail therapy is allowing yourself the freedom to buy if you find something you'd like, but if nothing is all that special, you can leave without buying anything and leave just as satisfied. Which is a good frame of mind to have when one is as money-tight as I am right now.
Also, if you do say, "Okay, I'm allowed to buy something," be reasonable. It's about being frugal and about letting yourself do the thing that makes you happy at the same time. For instance, I spent $10 and am perfectly happy.
Anyways, that's not the point.
So I was in Kohl's, and I noticed their "We're hiring for the holiday season!" sign. With an inward sigh, I acknowledged that, hey, it's a job. I inquired and was directed to their online application. Promising myself to look into it, and patting myself on the back for my good sense at multi-tasking, I trundled over to Macy's.
Seeing a similar sign in the doorway, I borrowed a pen from one of the cashiers and wrote down both URLs so as not to forget them. After smelling, touching, and sighing over the fabulous shoe section, I strolled through the store and acknowledged that while lovely and enticing, Macy's is altogether out of my price range on a normal day when I'm not worried about money. With Macy's it's about the feel, rather than the purchase.
I consulted my watch and noticed that it was about time to look into another job prospect I had promised myself I'd look into while I was in town.
On my way to my car, I noticed a store. I won't name it just yet, as I may jinx it, but what happened next still has me reeling.
Smart girl that I am (modest, too!), I had a stack of resumes in my backseat. I snagged one on a whim and a sigh of, "Well, I'm here, I may as well," and walked across the parking lot to the store. Walking in, a sweet-faced middle-aged woman greeted me and asked if she could help me with anything.
"Actually, yes," I said in my best 'I'm a professional' voice. "I'm looking for a job and was wondering if you were accepting resumes?"
She smiled encouragingly.
"We actually are at the moment. Just a minute, let me take this back and see if my manager is available to speak with you."
He was.
He asked if I had time for an interview right then.
I said yes.
He explained to me after the interview that there was a process I had to go through with corporate, but he would do his best to expedite the process as they needed someone soon. That was yesterday afternoon. After getting home and submitting my application to corporate, I went to sleep happy that I might — just might! — have found a job.
This morning, corporate called for my first (of two) interviews with them. It went well, and we scheduled my second interview for tomorrow afternoon. If they still like me after that (and how could they not?) I have to undergo a thorough background check and pass a drug test (easy peasy) and then I'll be hired!
So fingers crossed for me, hopefully you'll be reading a money-making girl's blog here soon!
Also, side note, I went on my first run today since this weekend. 38 degrees made me wish I had a proper pair of running tights, but I cranked out a brisk and easy (though cold and wet!) 3.25 miles in 30 minutes. I found a new loop to run while I'm at it — which is good because the ol' Forerunner is having problems (been having problems) and I'm sending it back to Garmin to be fixed tomorrow, so I'll be Garmin-less for a week and then some.
Wish me luck on the job, I hope your respective winters are as lovely (though not as chilly!) as mine is right now!
Ciao,
kc
TODAY: 3.25 miles
Thursday, October 28, 2010
I Had A Dream
So, I had a dream last night. Nothing new, as I am a highly imaginative person and often have dreams and even remember them.
In this dream, I got engaged (to the right person, don't worry), but the kicker was not only was the rock huge (and I have tiny little fingers and hands) but it was made out of apple cider. Could somebody please tell me the significance of this?
Needless to say, I woke up confused.
In this dream, I got engaged (to the right person, don't worry), but the kicker was not only was the rock huge (and I have tiny little fingers and hands) but it was made out of apple cider. Could somebody please tell me the significance of this?
Needless to say, I woke up confused.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Hunger Diaries
 |
| Photo courtesy Marie Claire, Hearst Magazines, Nov. 2010 |
I was flipping through my Marie Claire November 2010 issue this afternoon when I came across this:
The Hunger Diaries: How Health Writers Could Be Putting You at Risk
Six popular bloggers advocate healthier living, but are they putting readers — and themselves — in danger?
 |
| Photo courtesy Marie Claire, Hearst Magazines, Nov. 2010 |
It's not true across the board.
I do agree with the article in some senses, in that not all blogs promote a rounded outlook of health and happiness. Some show a distinct addiction to their training and what they put in their bodies — unlike say, those of us who don't feel the least bit guilty about rest days (oh, rest days, I adore thee...) and will happily cram one's face full of homemade oreos all day without even a twinge of guilt (hey, I ran 13.1 miles yesterday. I'm justified for like...a year.) — but there is the caveat that not all food/health bloggers are dabbling anorexics.
I grew up with one of the attendees of 2010's "Healthy Living Summit," and I know for a fact that while Nutrition Nut On The Run adores bizarre foods and has an overabundant fondness for veggies (I mean, I love me my broccoli, but not in chocolate...) but I know that she has a healthy love for herself and her healthy lifestyle is well-rounded and well-balanced.
I agree that it is something to be very aware of, as the trend is becoming alarming. But being healthy and fit is a lifestyle that more should adopt — though not at the degradation of life.
Heavy things, my friends. What do you think?
Ciao, bellas,
kc
P.S. It's snowing again.
Sorry, Reckless Running Over Here
After a brutal 4.5 mile uphill, my lovely friend and I powered painfully through the last three miles of our 13.1 mile race yesterday morning in a raining, blustery Portland. It was pouring when we climbed out of bed at 5:45 a.m. in order to get to the start by 6:30 a.m. so we could pick up our numbers and chips that she forgot to pick up on Saturday. After some miscommunication with our sole C.R.E.W. (Cranky Runners, Endless Waiting) member (boyfriend), we got our numbers and were ready to start.
At 7:25 a.m. and thankfully no longer raining, 1,600 racers lined up on 2nd Street in Portland, waiting for the gun to start us on our 5k, 10k, or half marathon races. Stupidly, lovely friend and I had chosen a half marathon.
We were cranky, cantankerous and had three weeks of solo-training-whine-buildup to release. It all came out during a dry first mile. We determined that our 6 a.m. meal was too long ago (though were it not for crossing of communication wires we would have had a little more fuel to start out on), and chomped on our first shot bloks at mile 2. At mile 2.5, I was regretting the running tights under my red shorts and the neon yellow rain shell.
Then, at mile 3, the sky opened up. First merely spitting, but definitely raining, we commiserated that maybe, perhaps, the rain jackets and tights had been a wise choice. As rain began dripping off the brim of my S.F. Giants hat, we agreed that caps instead of the propeller beanies we had intended to wear (to go along with the race's "Alice in Wonderland" theme, as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum) were the better call.
At mile 5, we hit the beginning of the Hill.
"Did you look at the course map?" Heather gasped as the incline began to take its toll on both of us, our speed dropping from a shaky 9-minute-mile to 10s.
"Yeah," I barely managed, equally breathless, as my right hip flexor began to cramp, "It's like this for like a mile and a half. I think."
"We can do it."
"I know."
As the rain came down harder and the other lanes of the road (that was not coned-off) hissed with cars going downhill at speeds upwards of 40 mph. The line of runners chugging up the incline moved further out into the road as the gutter and subsequently, the bike lane became river-esque. The cars loomed closer and we tried to utter exclamations.
Water pooled in the sleeves of our waterproof jackets, trickling down our collars to accumulate inside. The combination of sweat and wet provided an unanticipated conundrum. How can one wipe off one's face when everything is wet?
We ate our second set of shot bloks about a quarter mile into the Hill. At mile 8, as we chomped our third set, I exclaimed, "Do you realize this is the second set of bloks we've eaten on this damned hill?"
Cursing ensued, as it struck home that this Hill was far more than 1.5 miles. We were entering mile 4 of the hill and mile 9 of the race.
"I didn't know you could go uphill this long," my lovely friend growled.
The top seemed to loom and was greeted with broken cheers on our parts. Glimpses of blue sky and a distinct slackening of the downpour was greeted with equal jubilation. Then, the road took a sharp right and we were faced with more horror.
It was the Heart of Darkness of Hills. And it steepened sharply after that turn.
"We should have done more hill repeats," I uttered painfully.
"We should have run more," lovely friend pointed out.
As if 25 miles a week wasn't enough.
The hill petered out at mile 10, and we were past acknowledging that our goal of breaking 2 hours was probably not going to happen. We were hoping for a finish at that point, as our burning legs, churning stomachs, and drenched bodies were petering out as well.
"If there are any more hills, I'm going to kill someone," I growled.
And then the path jutted upwards again.
"Okay, who's first?" I moaned.
Needless to say, our last three miles, while speedy, were tumultuous. We alternated "point" — the ultimate running buddy trick, where you have to keep up with whomever gets a spurt of energy; it helps keep pace and means the bitching alternates — and struggled to keep our legs pounding the pavement. A near tumble down a sharp incline off the side of the path, and a stumble into a runner passing incited comments of how falling down the hill was not, in fact, the quicker way to go and, "sorry, reckless running over here."
But we made it.
2:05:42. With a hill we were unprepared for and torrential rain, we did pretty damn well.
I was 714 out of 1655, and 51st out of my age division. Therefore I am not complaining.
About how I did, that is. My aches and pains are a different story.
We drove home to be greeted by the first snow of the season. Boyfriend can barely contain his glee and my parents and lovely friend got to see the house for the first time. I will post the only picture taken from the race as soon as I get it from my mom. Rain made our C.R.E.W. rather scant, and we were only hailed at the finish line, but we'll take what we can get.
More later.
Ciao,
kc
At 7:25 a.m. and thankfully no longer raining, 1,600 racers lined up on 2nd Street in Portland, waiting for the gun to start us on our 5k, 10k, or half marathon races. Stupidly, lovely friend and I had chosen a half marathon.
We were cranky, cantankerous and had three weeks of solo-training-whine-buildup to release. It all came out during a dry first mile. We determined that our 6 a.m. meal was too long ago (though were it not for crossing of communication wires we would have had a little more fuel to start out on), and chomped on our first shot bloks at mile 2. At mile 2.5, I was regretting the running tights under my red shorts and the neon yellow rain shell.
Then, at mile 3, the sky opened up. First merely spitting, but definitely raining, we commiserated that maybe, perhaps, the rain jackets and tights had been a wise choice. As rain began dripping off the brim of my S.F. Giants hat, we agreed that caps instead of the propeller beanies we had intended to wear (to go along with the race's "Alice in Wonderland" theme, as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum) were the better call.
At mile 5, we hit the beginning of the Hill.
"Did you look at the course map?" Heather gasped as the incline began to take its toll on both of us, our speed dropping from a shaky 9-minute-mile to 10s.
"Yeah," I barely managed, equally breathless, as my right hip flexor began to cramp, "It's like this for like a mile and a half. I think."
"We can do it."
"I know."
As the rain came down harder and the other lanes of the road (that was not coned-off) hissed with cars going downhill at speeds upwards of 40 mph. The line of runners chugging up the incline moved further out into the road as the gutter and subsequently, the bike lane became river-esque. The cars loomed closer and we tried to utter exclamations.
Water pooled in the sleeves of our waterproof jackets, trickling down our collars to accumulate inside. The combination of sweat and wet provided an unanticipated conundrum. How can one wipe off one's face when everything is wet?
We ate our second set of shot bloks about a quarter mile into the Hill. At mile 8, as we chomped our third set, I exclaimed, "Do you realize this is the second set of bloks we've eaten on this damned hill?"
Cursing ensued, as it struck home that this Hill was far more than 1.5 miles. We were entering mile 4 of the hill and mile 9 of the race.
"I didn't know you could go uphill this long," my lovely friend growled.
The top seemed to loom and was greeted with broken cheers on our parts. Glimpses of blue sky and a distinct slackening of the downpour was greeted with equal jubilation. Then, the road took a sharp right and we were faced with more horror.
It was the Heart of Darkness of Hills. And it steepened sharply after that turn.
"We should have done more hill repeats," I uttered painfully.
"We should have run more," lovely friend pointed out.
As if 25 miles a week wasn't enough.
The hill petered out at mile 10, and we were past acknowledging that our goal of breaking 2 hours was probably not going to happen. We were hoping for a finish at that point, as our burning legs, churning stomachs, and drenched bodies were petering out as well.
"If there are any more hills, I'm going to kill someone," I growled.
And then the path jutted upwards again.
"Okay, who's first?" I moaned.
Needless to say, our last three miles, while speedy, were tumultuous. We alternated "point" — the ultimate running buddy trick, where you have to keep up with whomever gets a spurt of energy; it helps keep pace and means the bitching alternates — and struggled to keep our legs pounding the pavement. A near tumble down a sharp incline off the side of the path, and a stumble into a runner passing incited comments of how falling down the hill was not, in fact, the quicker way to go and, "sorry, reckless running over here."
But we made it.
2:05:42. With a hill we were unprepared for and torrential rain, we did pretty damn well.
I was 714 out of 1655, and 51st out of my age division. Therefore I am not complaining.
About how I did, that is. My aches and pains are a different story.
We drove home to be greeted by the first snow of the season. Boyfriend can barely contain his glee and my parents and lovely friend got to see the house for the first time. I will post the only picture taken from the race as soon as I get it from my mom. Rain made our C.R.E.W. rather scant, and we were only hailed at the finish line, but we'll take what we can get.
More later.
Ciao,
kc
Friday, October 22, 2010
Impending rain
My lovely friend sent me this, this morning:
"When you don't think you can do something, sometimes things just fall together really well on race day and you totally surprise yourself. So it's worth it to put yourself out there and take some chances."
Lisa Koll, U.S. distance runner and four time NCAA Division One Champion
Which is really really good to know, as I don't feel prepared for Sunday's race at all. Two months of training on top of the month and a half I did for the last race and I feel unprepared. We started training right after my last race.
What the heck? I should feel geared up and ready to go.
Maybe it's the impending rain. It poured last night here, which I don't mind, but it's supposed to rain on Sunday in Portland. 7:30 a.m. race + rain. Ick.
Oh well, I'm an Arcata girl. We know rain.
Ciao,
kc
"When you don't think you can do something, sometimes things just fall together really well on race day and you totally surprise yourself. So it's worth it to put yourself out there and take some chances."
Lisa Koll, U.S. distance runner and four time NCAA Division One Champion
Which is really really good to know, as I don't feel prepared for Sunday's race at all. Two months of training on top of the month and a half I did for the last race and I feel unprepared. We started training right after my last race.
What the heck? I should feel geared up and ready to go.
Maybe it's the impending rain. It poured last night here, which I don't mind, but it's supposed to rain on Sunday in Portland. 7:30 a.m. race + rain. Ick.
Oh well, I'm an Arcata girl. We know rain.
Ciao,
kc
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Welcome Baby!
Not my baby, but my godsister's baby. My first god-niece? Eh. We'll go with it.
She came home from the hospital today, but I'll (hopefully) get to meet her this weekend. When I'm in Portland for my second half-marathon. Anyways, I was so excited about this little one, that I knit her a hat today!
It's so tiny! I don't know if she'll wear it, or if she'll even get to wear it, but it's the thought that counts and it was fun to make!
I've also been super crafty lately, beginning work on the quilt for boyfriend. He requested it a while ago and last week we went to the fabric store and picked colors. He was pretty cute..."Where are all the boy colors?" he asked.
I've only got three of eight colors cut out so far, and as I'm doing a snail trail pattern, I've got a lot of work ahead of me! We chose purple, teal/blue, bright green and yellow. A bit brighter than I had thought it would be, but it worked out. Hopefully it'll look nice...if it doesn't turn out as what we were picturing, I'll find someone very lucky to gift it to as it will still be beautiful!
I was cutting away the other night and boyfriend asked, "So are you almost done cutting?"
I said with a smile, "Well, this is the third color of eight that I have to do. Which means I have five left, so yeah, I'm almost done."
Apparently, he didn't realize quite how much work it was going to take. I pointed out that this is why I made such a big deal about being sure about the colors we picked! I'm sure it will be lovely. Fingers crossed!
I can't believe my race is on Sunday! Wish me luck while I increase in my antsy-ness as my activity level is halved for tapering. Yay, tapering, ugh, tapering. Love it and hate it. Love it because I don't have to run (there's no such thing as over-tapering), but I hate it because I can't run as much as I'm used to so my body starts to keep me awake at night — plus there's the side issue of my body still wanting as many (or more!) calories as I usually intake when I'm running 20 to 25 miles a week, which makes me feel torpid because I don't run it off.
Ugh.
Yay!
Oh god. I'm running 13 miles this weekend. What was I thinking??
Ciao,
kc
TODAY: 2 miles, 19 minutes flat...I was speedy. Ooops.
She came home from the hospital today, but I'll (hopefully) get to meet her this weekend. When I'm in Portland for my second half-marathon. Anyways, I was so excited about this little one, that I knit her a hat today!
 |
| For size reference, the flower is 1.75" across. So tiny! |
It's so tiny! I don't know if she'll wear it, or if she'll even get to wear it, but it's the thought that counts and it was fun to make!
I've also been super crafty lately, beginning work on the quilt for boyfriend. He requested it a while ago and last week we went to the fabric store and picked colors. He was pretty cute..."Where are all the boy colors?" he asked.
 |
| Two of eight colors all cut out! |
I've only got three of eight colors cut out so far, and as I'm doing a snail trail pattern, I've got a lot of work ahead of me! We chose purple, teal/blue, bright green and yellow. A bit brighter than I had thought it would be, but it worked out. Hopefully it'll look nice...if it doesn't turn out as what we were picturing, I'll find someone very lucky to gift it to as it will still be beautiful!
I was cutting away the other night and boyfriend asked, "So are you almost done cutting?"
I said with a smile, "Well, this is the third color of eight that I have to do. Which means I have five left, so yeah, I'm almost done."
Apparently, he didn't realize quite how much work it was going to take. I pointed out that this is why I made such a big deal about being sure about the colors we picked! I'm sure it will be lovely. Fingers crossed!
I can't believe my race is on Sunday! Wish me luck while I increase in my antsy-ness as my activity level is halved for tapering. Yay, tapering, ugh, tapering. Love it and hate it. Love it because I don't have to run (there's no such thing as over-tapering), but I hate it because I can't run as much as I'm used to so my body starts to keep me awake at night — plus there's the side issue of my body still wanting as many (or more!) calories as I usually intake when I'm running 20 to 25 miles a week, which makes me feel torpid because I don't run it off.
Ugh.
Yay!
Oh god. I'm running 13 miles this weekend. What was I thinking??
Ciao,
kc
TODAY: 2 miles, 19 minutes flat...I was speedy. Ooops.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Time to taper
Really? Really? I'm tapering already?
Crap.
I have not, in the two months that I've been training for this thing, felt this unenthusiastic about running. In the morning it's cold and I am not yet equipped to handle running in the cold (with my birthday coming up, I'm hoping that will change...haha), and in the afternoons I just. don't. want. to.
The absence of my lovely friend has taken its toll, people. I am supremely unmotivated. Awesome.
Not.
Just wanted to throw that out there.
Also, boyfriend and I have discovered this nifty little bar and grill down the road from us. Aptly named "Boondocks" as we are, in fact, in the boonies, it boasts a surly barman and a chirpy, fifty-something waitress/barwoman with short, bleach blonde hair styled with gel, giant diamond earrings and a craggy smile. And more importantly, the Giants game on a flatscreen TV. And decently priced drinks and appetizers.
Boyfriend spent the whole game there on Saturday (I joined him at the top of the 7th), and we both went for innings 2 through 7 yesterday. Quite fun.
In other news:
Crap.
I have not, in the two months that I've been training for this thing, felt this unenthusiastic about running. In the morning it's cold and I am not yet equipped to handle running in the cold (with my birthday coming up, I'm hoping that will change...haha), and in the afternoons I just. don't. want. to.
The absence of my lovely friend has taken its toll, people. I am supremely unmotivated. Awesome.
Not.
Just wanted to throw that out there.
Also, boyfriend and I have discovered this nifty little bar and grill down the road from us. Aptly named "Boondocks" as we are, in fact, in the boonies, it boasts a surly barman and a chirpy, fifty-something waitress/barwoman with short, bleach blonde hair styled with gel, giant diamond earrings and a craggy smile. And more importantly, the Giants game on a flatscreen TV. And decently priced drinks and appetizers.
Boyfriend spent the whole game there on Saturday (I joined him at the top of the 7th), and we both went for innings 2 through 7 yesterday. Quite fun.
In other news:
Sorry for the image quality, cell phone again. It's just so handy!
Corn Cheese Casserole
3 eggs
3 Tbsp Flour
1/2 cup cream (or milk)
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper
1 tsp dill
2 Tbsp parsley (I don't usually use...)
2 cups corn
2 Tbsp butter
2 c diced onion
1 large carrot grated
1 small red pepper
1 c grated cheddar
1 block tofu (optional)
Salsa for garnish
Combine eggs and flour in blender. Add cream, milk, honey, salt, pepper, dill, parsley, and half the corn. Blend. Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions in butter until transluscent. Add carrot and peppers, saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining corn, blended ingredients, and cheese.
Pour in to buttered 9 x 13 inch pan and bake uncovered about 35 minutes until golden and knife through center comes out clean. Serve with salsa.
Boyfriend was dubious about this dish, but I find it yummy in the extreme. He liked it once he tried it, but he was pretty incredulous when I added the tofu. For the record, I blend half the block of (firm) tofu in the blender and then add the rest of it chopped to the saute pan.
I also added a little broccoli that we'd cooked the night before. It was pretty tasty. Bon appetit!
Ciao,
kc
P.S. My race is on SUNDAY! That's six days away!
YESTERDAY: 6 miles
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