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Sunrise, Sunrise

Have you ever heard the saying, "Red sun in the morning, Sailor take warning?" I've heard it since I was little, that if the sunrise was red, there would be "rough seas" later. So, after my alarm went off at 5:45 this morning and I saw this sky, I'd say we will see an afternoon storm today. Also, the sky was full of "horse tails," which supposedly means a change in the weather is in store. I love the weather, what can I say. I write this as I lay in bed, with my coffee, in my robe. Life is good.

Ahhh, so nice to run in cooler weather. It's truly amazing how much the heat and humidity can take out of you. I've been doing lots of treadmill running lately. Because even getting up at 9:00 it feels too hot outside. So, I hadn't seen a sunrise in awhile, hence why I got up so early this morning. I felt like I could have run forever. I ran a new loop around town today that I mapped at exactly five miles. I wasn't even tired when I was finished! Summer, I love you...but you are terrible for my running! I'm excited for fall temperatures, and my long cool runs outside. This morning it kind of felt that way. I felt like I could just run, and run, and run. When I started my run I didn't see a soul around but as time went by people started on their morning commutes. I will soon have one of those, since my Master's end is growing near! :) I will likely be running early more often then. I conciously made an effort to run sloooww today. Sometimes I think I race out of the gate and exhaust myself. By keeping a slower pace today, it helped me save energy to disperse throughout my run. At the end of my loop I almost wanted to take a few more streets because the morning was too pretty but, I just decided to call it a day.

I also found a dollar bill on my run! Which paid for half my coffee... :)

After my run I was craving some caffeine so I hit up a local restaurant that brews Starbucks. I am NOT a coffee snob and I don't have to have Starbucks, I just really love it! I met a few regulars in there, and recruited them to come down and see me in the bar at Arris'! :) I ordered a cafe latte, which I requested only be coffee and steamed skim milk, no flavored syrup for this girl. I got a discount since I work locally, not bad, eh?

I had to take care of a few things this morning, had a long survey I was required to fill out for the NAIA that had been hanging over my head so I got that out of the way and now I'm anticipating seeing a former college classmate of mine on Kathie Lee & Hoda this morning.

My music for my morning run came from The National...

This is how I met him

Last night when I was at work someone was asking how my boyfriend and I met. Well, where do I begin? I might embarrass him by primarily dedicating this post to him, but he can deal ;-). The truth is, he is the person responsible for the biggest smile I've ever worn. He is the light in my eyes that my friends and family say they've never seen before. He is hands down, the most incredible person I've ever come accross.

Five years ago was any other ordinary college day. I walked into a class I was less than thrilled about taking, Intro to Bible. I walked in that room and that's when I saw him. I think I forgot to breathe a few times. I can't remember if I sat next to him the first day or waited a few days to migrate his way but nonetheless, we ended up sitting next to each other in that class for an entire semester. I started drawing on this notebook he had. We played tic-tac-toe and hangman and doodled our names because we were sooo bored in class. He tried to be shy at first but I "forced" him to converse with me :) The truth is, I was dating someone else at the time. But I knew there was something special about David. Some reason why we met. I yearned to find out why.

We began to keep in contact over instant messenger and text messages. Probably something our significant others over the years were not aware of (oops! :) But I loved talking with him. We had some of the most amazing conversations. He had depth. He asked me questions I never thought to stop and ask myself. He constantly made me wonder and why I didn't just drop everything and ask him to be with me, I don't know. Now it's because we say we had other lessons to learn before it was "our" time. We hung out in the same groups of people, I'd see him everywhere on campus and we'd just pass each other by. But not a single day went by I didn't wonder what my life would be like with him. Not a single day did I walk by him and say a thousand words in my glance. Over five years we went in and out of touch, but for the most part, if we weren't physically having some means of communication, he was in my thoughts, constantly. And through a series of events we ended up here. Together. I don't know if I truly ever believed we'd be here but I hoped for it, every day, in every breath. I think every couple has a story. But for me, our story changed my life. For five years only a handful of people only knew about David and I's connection. And now, it's the most amazing gift to be able to walk by his side, my best friend and supporter, as his girl friend and be able to wear the feelings I've felt for so long on my sleeve.

Just like riding a bike...

You know the old saying, "it's just like riding a bike?" Well, now I know why! The minute I hopped on this bike all the muscles and feelings came back instantly. The last time I rode a bike was the summer of 2005 after I had surgery and couldn't do much else in the way of physical activity. A fellow assistant coach who lives in my building let me borrow his bike to take out for a few spins, (since I'm in the market for one). So I lowered the seat and took it out for a ride today. It took me a little bit to get the hang of the gear changing, etc. but once I did I loved it! I broke a really good sweat and rode four miles in just under 25 minutes. I definitely could have gone farther, but I didn't want to do too much of a good thing! I didn't want to over do it and then feel like I hate riding a bike so, I just went for a short little ride :) Can't wait to buy my own! Today I listened to some Citizen Cope on my ride...





I followed it up with a protein shake. I love protein shakes!

My blood sugar has been all out of whack. I'm somewhat hypoglysemic and so is my dad and sister. Sometimes when my blood sugar plumits I can feel it coming on and frantically eat a banana or some peanut butter. Sometimes it just hits rock bottom before I have any chance at all. When it does that, I break out in a cold sweat instantly, see black spots, and feel like I'm going to faint on the spot. It's not fun! Poor David had to witness this once :( But most of the time, I do okay. Lately though, I just feel like my blood sugars all over the map and I realized I'd stopped drinking my protein supplement, (primarily because I ran out of it). So, I went to the store at the beginning of this week and picked up some more and so far, I've felt a lot better this week.

A couple of months ago I took a picture to show my progress of "being fit." I took another one today, just to compare. The one on the left is before, and on the right - after. Looks like I'm keeping on track.

David and I both have the weekend off to celebrate his friend's wedding. I'm sooo looking forward to another great weekend with him! Long weekends are great because it makes the week so short, and here we are upon anotherrr weekend! I just have to get through work tonight, and I feel like another bike ride is in store for me in the morning! I'd like to ride a few miles then run a few miles...get that mini triathlon feel to my workout...ha!

Adios!

An Amazing Weekend

Wow. I think I have finally caught up from a long but amazing weekend. Holiday weekends are so great but I feel like when you get back you have so much to catch up on. I did NOT want to leave the lake and come back to reality. Literally staying on the water for two days with my boyfriend and family was so great. We began our holiday weekend by floating the James. We put in at Galena...so much fun!

Saturday morning we headed to Table Rock and hung out on the dock for two days. The weather was uncooperative but it did not hinder our fun! I had such a blast just sitting around, talking with everyone, spending time with David.

I'm not going to lie. I pretty much ate and drank as I felt necessary while I was away on my weekend. There were times that I felt guilty but, I had such an awesome time any guilt quickly left. As soon as I returned, I got right back at it, and I already feel like myself again :) Yesterday I began my day with an easy four mile run that basically kicked my butt. (That's what I get for taking a few days off, huh)! This morning I did my normal sprint routine and tomorrow I will do a 30 minute boot camp I found another another blog I read. http://www.graduatemeghann.com/.

On a sadder note. Life has changed so much this week for a few people I know and I just want to take a minute to offer my sympathies. My childhood friend Travis, lost his mother this week to a 2 year battle with Pancreatic cancer. She was always around us as kids and she's always wore a smile. Such an inspirational lady. During her battle she continued to update her facebook with her condition. I even remember her once asking for prayers, not for her, but for her family, because they were taking it so hard. I know that she is in God's arms. Free of pain. We will all miss her so much.

Our family friend Lance's house burned to the ground last night. I received that phone call this morning. And my heart also goes out to him. I'm so happy he was able to get out in time as well as his son. Things can always be replaced. Your thoughts and prayers for these people in my life are greatly appreciated!

Love Me Some History

I can't help it. I'm an absolute sucker for some history. I love, learning about history. So as people should remember the real reason for the season at Christmas, I can't help but remember the same for the fourth of July. The commemoration of the Declaration of Indepence from Great Britain. There's a feeling I get when I'm submerged in a historial place. The feeling I got when I visited Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington or the way I felt standing in front of the Black Wall in Washington D.C. Those places signify times of why we stand in freedom today. I'm in awe and completely amazed be the tribulations our country survived.

This weekend is going to be full of outdoor activities. I'm taking David home to Springfield and we're floating the James River near Galena tomorrow.

Saturday is a pool day and Sunday morning we are off to Table Rock Lake to enjoy the Fourth of July, watch fireworks from the water on the boat, and see another sunset like this one I saw last Fourth of July.

It was last July 5th that I decided to make my life a healthy one. I've since lost around 40 pounds. I'm PROUD of myself for sticking with something that's so difficult for so many people. When I return from the weekend, I will include before and after pictures and talk more about my amazing journey. Time to celebrate!

Eat, Pray, Love

There are some mornings that I wake up and wonder, could life get any better? For the most part my days are simple, uneventful...calm. I don't lead an extraordinary life and my seconds are not monumental. But my passion for life however, most certainly is extraordinary. My heart, open; and my love - remarkable. I lead a life that I believe I was created for, and there is no greater feeling.

I began my morning with a four mile run. It wasn't too hot, a nice breeze, some hills made it challenging, and it got my blood pumping. After lunch at Panera Bread with David, I wandered around Barnes & Noble. Probably one of my favorite things to do. I love reading. There are so many different types of literature I could literally get lost in body and mind in a place like that. I went in there with the intentions of purchasing my LSAT book, and got sidetracked by dozens of other books. Eat, Pray, Love is next on my list. With the movie coming out, I'm anxious to read the book first. I'm in love with the title alone. Eat, Pray, Love. So simple but so meaningful. The pure definition of the smallest, yet most beautiful aspects of life.

It's funny. Sometimes I wake up and the words just pour out of me. As if I can't wait to sit down and put the painting I have in my head into words on the paper in front of me. As I write this, I'm listening to one of the most beautiful compositions I've heard in awhile.

Last night David and I watched half of Avatar, I was too sleepy to finish it! And I loved what I saw! I was unsure after previews what I thought but I was intrigued. I can't wait to finish it!

Something I wrote...

So still, let this light
Fall upon me.
To show me the touch
I cannot feel,
To feel the light I seek.
I am whole now.
Awake in the dreams,
Of dreams undone,
You are the one.
You are night beneath-
My sun.
I am whole,
And whole has won.
You are one,
My one.

W.