It’s been a very busy week so far, as I anticipated! Lots of scrambling around trying to get into the rest of my classes (all the animal science classes are full, but so far I’ve gotten into two of them, maybe 3!) But so far, I love love love school. I mean, sure I haven’t really started the hard work yet… but even talking about the material and being around people that share my passion is so energizing.
Speaking of energizing, I’m just popping in to update that I ran for 31 minutes tonight! Yes, I officially passed my running goal!! I wasn’t planning on it at all, I was planning on doing a 28 minute run, but when my time was up, I just kept going. I ran until I got to my house and it turned out to be just about 31 minutes. The craziest thing is, I didn’t even feel like I had to stop… I could have totally kept going. The past couple runs have actually been oddly easy… I’m not sure if I passed some kind of a threshold or what, but all of the sudden it’s like my body remembers what’s going on and pushes through without any problem. Even the hills that I usually struggle on are a piece of cake. It feels unreal… I don’t mean to brag, but I am so, so proud of myself! I guess this means I need to start working on a new goal. Speed, perhaps? Or I might integrate cycling into my “off” days. We’ll see.
The day I’ve been waiting for has finally come… the first day of school! And just like when I was younger, I fought & argued to stay in bed. I could hardly sleep a wink last night because I was literally buzzing with excitement and anxiety/nerves. The minute I think to myself, “I wonder if I’ll have a hard time falling asleep?” I know I’ll have a hard time falling asleep. Does this happen to anyone else?? It’s the worst! But today ought to be fun. I’m ready to dive in! Bring it on, higher education!
Wish me luck!
Photo: found here. Doesn’t it stress you out? Thankfully I don’t think I’ll have any classes like that this semester.
toast & tea • running 25 min without stopping for the first time ever (I’ve done it 3 times now!) • the way my cats actually smell good – I SWEAR – they are meticulous about cleaning, as cats usually are, and somehow they always smell like soap (plus, compared to Frank, anything smells good – dogs are so gross sometimes) • the view out of my office window – I can see all the colorful flowers in our garden, the white picket fence, and beyond that, the tops of the hills we live on • finding new songs to run to • creating new hairstyles (I’m currently digging this diagonal messy french braid thing) • completing all my to-do list items for school • getting my Maid of Honor dress in the mail – I still can’t believe my little sister is getting married…. ahh! (P.S. Hi Ana!) • the way our bed traps body heat (sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing) • going to visit dogs that are locked in a room while at a party (they’re always SO happy to have company) • being able to see stars in the sky in our backyard • good samaritans that will jump your car when you accidentally leave your lights on (oops) • middle of the night visits from Scout, who is too cool for school to come cuddle in the daytime • when Julian sleep talks about work & the characters in his videos – HILARIOUS • my Mom filming a really neat segment for Google Business today – so proud of her! • taking Frank for walks, & taking him ‘bye-bye’ in the car (he used to hate it, now he LOVES it) • having the world’s smartest dog because he can obey hand signal commands without even having to say the word! • the way the sun shines into my office in the morning & both my girls ‘lay out’ tanning themselves • finishing Seabiscuit the book, so I can finally watch the movie! • my husband’s sense of humor, & the little things he does to make my days better.
Well, this is my last things I love thursday until school starts…. time will tell whether or not I’ll be able to keep this up with my new schedule, I sure hope I can. Until next time boys & girls…
Did anyone happen to catch the new HBO documentary last night, Madonna of the Mills? It’s about a Pennsylvania woman who single handedly rescues over 2,000 pups from puppy mills. If you aren’t familiar with puppy mills, I beg you to do some research. It’s a disgusting trade that deserves to be ceased immediately.
“All of those cute puppies that are sold in pet stores come from “puppy mills.” Their mothers spend their entire lives in a tiny, unsanitary cages, never walked, never petted, never doing anything but making puppies . When these dogs can no longer produce litters or money for their owners, they are put to death – stoned, shot, drowned or starved.”
Organizations like the Humane Society of the United States have done a ton of work to help spread the word with their informative & resourceful puppy mills campaign (ASPCA has one also), but I think a film like this could really help spread awareness to the general public, the folks who are supporting this practice by purchasing puppies from pet stores and breeders*. I plan on watching it soon! Here’s the trailer:
*Let me be clear though, not all breeders are bad. Just putting a small amount of research can be extremely helpful in discovering exactly who and what you are supporting when you purchase a puppy from a breeder.
America’s 25 most expensive restaurants. This is absurd… as the editor said, I can’t imagine why anyone would pay upwards of $1000 for a single meal. Everyone’s got their thing to splurge on, I guess, but… what a waste!
DC Earthquake Devastation. I admit, I was cracking up at everyone’s response to the earthquake in VA yesterday, just like the rest of the silly Californians. I realize they are no joke, but I suppose living on the West Coast has desensitized me. Glad everyone is ok, though the Washington Monument may be cracked (super sad).
Did you know Charlie Bucket from the original Willy Wonka film (aka Peter Ostrum) grew up not to be an actor, but a large animal vet?
Kittywood Studios Incorporated! This is really funny. “We need another Maru video before his contract expires.” If only there were such a thing. At least we know there is a market…?
Photo: No idea the original source, TinEye brought up about a million results, but found here.
I feel like I may soon be able to actually classify myself as a ‘runner’ – though a part of me still thinks that term is reserved for more elite, seasoned athletes. But today I am feeling pretty proud, because I just ran twenty five minutes without stopping for the first time in my life. Ahhh! I can hardly believe it now, much less when I was actually huffing & puffing out on the pavement. These little achievements & milestones are one of my favorite things about running (also up there: feeling strong, being healthy, and having alone time). Just last Friday I crossed the 20 minute mark and I have already broken that personal record. I can see why people become addicted to this.
It’s absolutely bonkers to think that a little more than two months ago I could not run a single minute without feeling like I was going to pass out and/or melt into a puddle on the sidewalk. But I made a promise to myself, a commitment to make fitness and my health more of a priority (NOT to be skinnier at all, that is soo not the point of this). I started out alternating running for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds, working my way up to lengthier runs and shorter walks, and now I have reached the point where I don’t walk at all, except to warm up & cool down. It’s been HARD. Hard to motivate myself to get out of bed, hard to actually stretch before leaving the house (the most boring part of running if you ask me), and extra hard to push through those really tough stretches when you have to start mentally cheerleading yourself just to keep going.
Aside from the week that we moved, I haven’t missed a day. I’ve wanted to, for sure, but I’ve stuck to my guns (it helps to wake up & immediately put on running shorts). In a strange sort of way, I’ve become kind of protective over my runs. It’s become a part of my routine. The thought of skipping a run makes me feel defeated and lazy. I really don’t know how I managed to live this many years without having something like this in my life. I crave that sense of accomplishment – it’s the best feeling ever! Yes, there are moments when I’m running up hills where I seriously want to scream – if I had any breath, that is. But in the end, it’s more worth it than you can imagine. And it really doesn’t take that long – about 30 minutes, 45 when you factor in getting dressed, stretching, drinking water, etc.
I don’t think I have shared much about my new running program here, but after reaching this milestone today I wanted to scream it from the rooftop because I am proud of my hard work. I figured it was a good time to comment about it. I’m definitely not done – my first real goal is 30 minutes without stopping, but I think I’ll be there in a few more weeks. And then I think I may have to find a 5k!
Are there any other runners reading? What’s been the biggest hurdle for you, mentally & physically? What’s the biggest accomplishment?
Photo: I think it’s a Nike promo shot, but I found it here.
I forgot to do this last week. So there are some things in here leftover from last week… but it’s never too late to count your blessings, right?
my new desk!! • surprise drop-in visits from my brother, Ben! • apricot fruit roll-ups • talking to my 14 yr old sister about books (specifically The Hunger Games, of which she is now a huge fan) • watching Frank play ‘football’ in the backyard, aka, relentlessly trying to pick up a huge football with his little mouth • and, watching him play hockey with ice cubes (which he loves lately because of his teething!) • waking up to find a surprise middle-of-the-night visit from Scout, sleeping pressed up against me • spontaneously deciding to make brownies – from a box mix! I prefer to bake from scratch, but sometimes there is nothing better than spending less than 5 minutes to bake. • finally ordering (& receiving) our wedding album • birds actually using our bird feeders, & the pets getting a kick out of watching them • lunch dates with friends, & their two adorable little boys • the way every word a 3 yr old says is cute – “I want my tortillas” – SO CUTE! (And is it just me, or are kids getting smarter? I feel like three year olds shouldn’t know the word tortilla, but then again, I haven’t been around small ones for a really long time) • getting my first textbook in the mail, along with my veterinary medical dictionary, and veterinary medical terminology flashcards! I’m sure I won’t be so excited about using them in a month or so. • buying other school supplies like binders, paper, pens, etc. • being able to run for 20 min without stopping – a HUGE accomplishment for me & definitely a first • when my husband offers to run errands for me (BIG love on that one) • very productive days • pot luck theme parties with friends – Childhood Comfort Foods – which is as tasty as it sounds. • afternoons lounging by the pool with Cesca • being a super klutz and shattering yet another phone screen of mine… granted, not a thing I should “love” but it was time for an upgrade and now I have a shiny new phone which I love!
Aaand, getting things dooooone! On that note, I am off to check a few more things off my ‘to-do before school’ list. Xo
DIY of the day: thrifted frames with corkboard. Such a brilliant idea! I need something like this for my new office (but they look great as jewelry racks, too…) Now to find some decent frames…
10 most amazing public pools – ah, public pools. I miss being naive enough not to care about swimming in the same pool as snotty kids with open sores who are DEFINITELY peeing in the pool.
Which reminds me of this great post from Sarah Wilson… how to travel & not fall apart, health-wise. So much great advice here! Super helpful if you have ever fallen ill whilst traveling… and that’s pretty much all of us.
I am thoroughly obsessed with this outfit. The thing about vintage is that while it’s wonderful in so many ways, it’s entirely frustrating to not be able to rush out & buy the same thing! I guess that’s what makes finding a cute piece so awesome. Not that I ever go thrifting – I just like to look on from the sidelines & admire.
Scanwiches… for all you sandwich lovers, scans of – ready for it? – sandwiches.
