First Resolution

So my first resolution...HYDRATION!!!!


Sounds easy right? Tip...Sip...and Swallow right? How hard can it really be to drink the clear stuff? Answer.....EXTREMELY! In my field we are not allowed to consume liquids for more than one reason. Obviously we aren't aloud to bring drinks into to the OR (although I have seen people bring coffee in..tisk tisk)..and secondly..we can't get up and go to the bathroom. This makes it very challenging to stay hydrated and I often notice my pee is NEON green. BAD BAD BAD!! So my goal is to carry a water bottle with me everywhere I go besides in the OR and completely load up as soon as my foot crosses the red sterile line. I'm also hoping to cut back on cola products (I drink diet..but its probably even worse than regular with the chemicals it has).

SO heres my resolution...at least 3 bottles of water a day (doesnt sound like much does it?..that shows you how bad I've been). Does beer count? I think not! I definitely fulfilled the 3 bottle rule with beer today...but shucky darns..it doesn't count.

P.S. funny side note...I forced hubby to go workout after we got trashed at this beer brewing place..he ended up throwing up for 1/3 of our workout in the bathroom. too funny...that shows how hard core we are :)

Welcoming 2009 with open arms..haha

2009...thank god you got here!! I couldn't wait ONE more second (since they already made me wait an extra second...)! The evening was very nice and laid back. We went to a friends party and hung out...celebrated 2009 with a nice kiss...and returned home to rescue my puppy (left him at home with my Mom and the grandkids). New years day has been nothing but laziness...took the puppy to the dog park..and decided to pretty much take a day off. I had worked out pretty hard the last 6 days in a row with yesterday being no exception. Today is all about relaxin!

Another big deal about a new year means one more year my husband and I have been together. We started dating on New Years Eve 2004/2005 which means we have officially been in love for 4 years!! Pretty good eh?

I'm sure everyone has some pretty big aspirations for 2009..as do I..but I don't want to spoil my blog by listing them all. It will be more exciting if I just talk about them as I accomplish them. Also...if I miss one or two..no one will know...hahaha.

I hope everyone had a great new years eve..lets have a great 2009...and maybe I can talk the world into skipping 2010 since even years seem to suck for me.

Can 2009 get here any sooner???

I think we'd all agree that 2008 has been a little rough for many reasons. Some high notes of 2008 for me were
- running my first half marathon
- running my first marathon
- getting a tri bike and starting my adventures in cycling
- a lil trip to Denver with the hubby
- finishing the first part of school and starting the next chapter
- exploring my life in fine detail and trying to make things more meaningful

The low points...are in the past...haha

So I am very eager for 2009 to get here and see what it brings. I have always said odd years are the best for me...its something my best friend and I discuss regularly. This year has been no exception. I can't wait for 2009 and turning 25 (hey..lower car insurance for one thing). I graduate in 2009, I start my career, maybe buy a house? maybe have a baby? (oh wait..that would require husband living in the same state..haha) who knows! But I'm pumped and running full steam ahead (no pun intended..I haven't done much running lately).

So cheers...to 2009..and moving forward :)

We now continue our regularly scheduled program..

Sorry for the pause in broadcasting. Sometimes life gets crazy enough that you just have to take a step back from everything you are doing..and trim the fat...temporarily. For me..trimming the fat was not blogging amongst some other things. No worries.. I still read your blogs. But I honestly couldn't come up with anything decent to say for my own. It would have gone like this..

Its snowing..I'm depressed..I haven't really trained for my marathon thats coming up..good bye!

See...aren't you glad I spared you that?

Rotations are going well. My life is somewhat back to normal since losing my Dad. Its kinda weird..but at first I couldn't picture life without him..and now it's almost hard to picture what it was like when he was here. There is a countdown until I graduate in August...but wanna know a secret?? shhhhhhh...don't tell ANYONE....but I'm already looking for doctorate programs!! EEEEEEEK! I know...I know...but I'm just starting to look...innocent looking I promise!

Also I joined an awesome gym called Urban Active. (www.urbanactive.com) I'm pretty obsessed with it and it's gotten me some greatttttt workouts... unfortunately though I haven't ran more than 6 miles in a LONG time. I may be ditching that full marathon in January after all...but we thought maybe we could run the half as bandits??? what do you think??

Missed you all :)

Vacation

Sorry..taking a much needed vacation from blogging and many other extra curricular activies.

Me vs. Nature

There is something so simple about lacing up a pair of running shoes and being out the door. A way to get away from the buzz of daily life, ringing cell phones, piles of unread mail, and the glare of violence from the tv. No $$ needed...its something that us Americans can share with the world. People of all countries, all ages, all races, all sexes can enjoy something so simple as putting one foot in front of the other, time and time again. Then there is the comraderie between runners. We don't even have to share the same language...all it takes is a simple head nod which says enough. A nod that silently acknowledges the simple gift of being one vs. nature.

Lately my world has been crazy, God has forced me to look at my life in ways I never have. Suddenly things that were of major importance have faded away. Money no longer has the same meaning, working your life away to make social gains are no longer tempting, and nothing is more precious than spending time with family. The weather, my car, the couch I sit on...no longer have significance in my life. I have realized more now than ever....that "you just never know..." I want to leave this world with a solid sense of what it is...I want to experience it for everything it has to offer. I want to become one with nature...or at least battle it....me vs. nature. There is one way to thoroughly get a grip on something so complex...and that is to conquer it. I want to live everyday like it was my last...or at least die trying. I have learned one big thing....that in the end...its all the little things. A hug from a friend. Your Dog's wagging tail. Laughing with family. Watching the sunrise. A pair of running shoes.

Summarize

Ok...to sum up the last week. I finished up my time at the hospital in Cincinnati. That night we had trick or treat at my cousins house. I soon learned how to be "cool" on Halloween. For the last ohhh...say 5 years....Halloween has been all about wearing a slutty costume and seeing who can do the most "jager bombs." Now that kids are in the distant future, I figured what better time to start figuring out this whole "Halloween w/ kids thing." So we dressed up lil cousin as a Lion...took a few beers and a bunch of candy...and set up "shop" in the driveway. Next thing you know...everyone is doing jell-o shots at the neighbors house. A half hour later...lil Lion and Dad come back with a mini beer (for Dad..not the Lion). So here is where I realized...that the "cool" peepz give out booze to the adults and candy to the kids. I'm totally stealing that idea and hoping it spreads like wild fire. The only problem is that when Trick or Treat is over....the adults pass out..and the kids are on a sugar buzz. I'll have to find a way to work in some benadryl in the mix of all the consumed candy.

Saturday morning I got up and played co-ed flag football. Later on my Mommy came into town with my Aunt and we celebrated my Mom's 55th birthday (sorry Mom) by making a gourmet dinner and a homemade cake. Sunday morning I was sad to leave Cinci and my fun roomies (cousins) but had to start my georgia adventure early.

So far it has completely sucked being back in Georgia. Its been great to have my husband, puppy, and house........but the rotation has been horrible. This city is notoriously known for treating you like shit in the hospital and this rotation has been no exception. I wish there was a switch I could turn in my head to make me back to "normal" (my version of normal anyway..haha)...but it just doesn't exist. People at the hospital asked if maybe I went back to work too soon (i think they were concerned i might kill someone....jk) Basically...all I can do is show up and do my best everyday. I know that its not the best I have...but its the best I can do considering the circumstances. Taking more time off won't help...it will just allow me to get more rusty. Eventually the kinks will work itself out. It definitely is NOT helping that I have to move every month and start over. At this point...a little consistency and stability is what I'm craving.

In running news...I went and got fitted for some new running shoes. I loved my Brooks...but this time I got some Adidas.....weird...I never run in Adidas...but I'm willing to try it. I had a nice 5 mile run today... I gotta go for 8-10 this weekend. The training has begun my friends...and it feels wonderful. I also booked my flight and hotel for the Disney marathon. I want to make a shirt that says "In Memory * Disney 4 Dad" to wear...anyone have suggestions of where to do this?