I need a classified ad

I need to put out an ad for a good running buddy. I already have Krissy but we have different runs goals. That's ok for now but at some point we won't be able to run together as often. I'm focused on improving my time and she wants to increase mileage and could care less how fast she is. I ran 3x1 mile (3min. rest in between) at a 10 min. mile pace with Nathan today. I forgot that his stride is much longer than mine so I'll be able to stay with him if I'm going for a speed run but not for anything easy. Mile times today: 9:41, 9:52, 9:50

Today: 3.0
YTD: 12.3

Hitting the Pavement

Krissy and I headed out for a run after school today. Maybe not the best idea to head out for our "long run" on a Friday afternoon. Teaching is an energy draining job, but I've been lower on my mileage than I wanted to be at this point on the year. I've been taking outside cardio classes twice a week and one pilates class a week so I haven't been sitting around doing nothing. Anyway, back to today's run. We set out for a 3.7 mile loop around the neighborhood and our school. Our feet and legs felt heavy but I was determined not to stop and walk any of it. We made a brief pause due to Krissy's leg cramp but made it through. I got excited about the prospect of finishing with about a mile to go and picked up the pace. Krissy wasn't feeling it so I became her cheerleader. I'm sure she will need to return the favor sometime soon. Our pace was only 10:38/mile but on a Friday after a day at school that was all I could ask for. I might have pushed it had I been out on my own, but I truly enjoy having a running buddy. Truth be told, I might have skipped the run altogether had I not had someone to go with.

An update on my mileage-
Today: 3.7
YTD: 9.3 (Boo)

EP5k

So Sunday I, along with my teacher friend, ran the EP5k. It was held along with the Chevron Marathon and Aramco Half-Marathon. I knew of three people running the half-marathon and was excited for them. I'll fast forward to today when I must have slipped into an alternate universe. As I type I'm watching The Biggest Loser and thinking about how many millions of Americans who cannot even run to the mailbox and back to their house. Today, my small 5k accomplishment was squashed by numerous people. 1) The kids at school, "That's not very far. Mrs. Hill ran 13 miles!" 2) Adults at school, "Oh" and 3) People at the gym, "Ah. I ran the half-marathon." Well, I didn't run the half-marathon. Dena, my cardio camp instructor was very supportive on Monday night and my family is always there to cheer me on. I'm just wondering what world I now live in where a 5k fun run is too easy and I'm not one of the 'cool kids' who ran the half this past Sunday. Strange.

I signed up for the Rodeo Run 5k on Feb. 28th and hope to set a PR. I'm not sure if it will be possible due to the large crowds but I'm going to give it a shot. GET IT!

Thank goodness!

Nathan is getting on the chopper to begin his long journey home! I am so stinking excited I can hardly handle it! I get to pick him on on Friday!

I must be shallow . . . right?

So it seems as if the entire world is asking me when I'm going to get engaged. I would redirect that question to Nathan but he is out of the country and would just get uncomfortable, probably giggle awkwardly and not answer. Anyway, I think that I'm getting shallow (or even more shallow depending on who you talk to) in my old age. He mentioned to me a long time ago that we could get married the next weekend of we went to the JP. I told him no way, that it was never going to happen in a million years that way. Now, my entire life my mom has reminded me that it's not about the ring and having a wedding it's about getting married and spending your life with the one you love. But come on now! Are we girls going to be disappointed if our soon-to-be husband doesn't get down on one knee and propose followed by showers and a wedding in a white dress with the flowers and hoop-la that come with it all? (I blame all of that on TV and romantic comedies.) I joke with the girls at school about getting a big rock and feel dumb afterward, as if they might think that's all I want from Nathan. I love the silly boy more than life itself and with his return next Friday I'm already super excited. But if I wasn't so darn shallow wouldn't I forgo the hoop-la and just get married as soon as he proposed? Wouldn't I not care if he wasn't on one knee with a carefully thought out plan and a lovely ring? On the other hand, at this point I think he could just show me a ring box and I'd lose it and say yes. Ha! The poor boy has no idea what he's in for one day! So can I blame my shallow, idealistic notions of proposals and weddings on media? Should I get over the fact that it will be 6 years soon and I'm ready to wrangle the boy in and make him out up with my silly notions forever? Lord only knows and I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

Note: Please tell me I get blame media! After reading crap like this, I must be brainwashed!
(My favorite mind-numbing parts are in bold)

In a white fantasy wedding, Fergie and Josh Duhamel were married Saturday under magnolia trees filled with thousands of white roses, PEOPLE confirms. The Black Eyed Peas singer, 33, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana gown, and the actor, 36, tied the knot at the Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu. Fergie carried a bouquet of white flowers studded with crystals as the couple exchanged H. Stern rings engraved with personal messages. Ten bridesmaids were dressed in contrasting black. Fergie's specially-designed engagement ring featured a 4-carat brilliant cut diamond set amid other diamonds. A narrowed diamond wedding band completed the set.

Ok, can I barf now? Who actually has weddings like that?!

I think I'm going to be sick!

Ok, so I was grading a large stack of papers tonight just because it's a necessary evil. So I was thinking about how many papers we teachers grade. The numbers are staggering! Ok, so here's the breakdown.

• I'm required to grade 9 assignments in each of my three subjects (math, science, and social studies) each nine-weeks grading period.
• I currently teach 43 students between my two classes.
• Each week I have to grade (43x3) 129 papers.
• Even if it only takes one minutes each, I'm still spending two hours each week on grading.
• We have 36 weeks of school.
• This school year I will grade AT LEAST. . . (129x36) 4, 644 papers!!!!!!!!
• That's not counting those checked for completion and understanding of the concept that are not graded.
• Holy mess! I also spend at least THREE DAYS (2 hours x36) grading papers! I lose three days out of my year grading papers! I think I'm going to be sick!

I should not have figured that out. Bad idea. It's sad to think I'm required to spend so much time grading when I could be working on other things. I know they are a way to measure what my little darlings are doing, but I'm not paid that great. I only take home 32k a year after taxes, health insurance and my extra retirement.

Thank a teacher next time you see them. We truly do love our jobs and spend most of our time thinking about how to get to each and every darling so they can succeed to the best of their abilities. We go home worrying about them because no one will be there when they get home. We are teachers, counselors, mediators, doctors, comedians and numerous other things while sometimes being the only parent and guiding source those students have. (I'll have to share stories of my adopted son, Ken, from last year. I love him! Too cute!)

Goodnight. I have to sleep so I can teach our future about 3-D shapes, the water cycle, and family heritage and culture. I love my job!

Side note: After finishing this post and turning off my computer and realized I never proof-read it. I got back out of bed, turned on my computer and proceeded to check for misspelled words and anything crazy. There still are some mistakes I'm sure but I found it interesting that I couldn't relax until I got up to check it. I'm a loser. Night!

In Another Life

Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere vacationed in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, over the weekend.

Really?! What I need it to say is Nikki Bowen and Nathan Scimeca vacationed in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, over the weekend. What a life right!

I hate decorating!

Since when are candles so expensive?! Well, probably a while, but I'm not really a candle type of gal. Anyway, I'm making small attampts to decorate my apartment. I've been here since July 07 so I guess it's about time, right. After spending a small fortune on freaking candles I found a print at Kohls for way cheap. I'd seen a similar one at Ikea the day before and almost bought it but didn't want to spend the money. Did I mention I hate spending money on decorations? Anyway, I found a similar print at Kohls for 60% off and only spent $26. Woohoo! No more decorating. The next thing I decorate needs to be a house, not an apartment. Let me know what you think. Good and bad.

I like the beady things. Kind of weird, but cheap!

I wish I could visit a place that looked like the pic.

IKEA!

I decided to go to Ikea today in hopes of finding an inexpensive rug and coffee table to finally finish off my living room. I'd looked up what they had inline but you know how that goes. I ended up with a different table than planned because the one I went for had an extremely short end table. I also bought a present for Blanca which you can read about here. I'm posting before and after pics for you to see. I ended up with a new rug, coffe table and end table. Yes, I know Nathan will hate it but he didn't pay for it and he doesn't live here anyway. Sorry, Nathan!

Before

As soon as Blanca saw new things to investigate

After (I still need to decorate it)

New Year, New Chapters

So as the new year begins I made good on my resolution and began a running log to track my mileage. As I'm jogging (it's been a long time since my last run) I began to think about the ways in which my life and those of my friends and family can and will change this year. For family and friends this year holds new homes, new jobs, babies, and traveling. But for myself, I feel very unsure of what this year may bring. There are possibilities for a new home, engagement, and travel but those are not definite hopes or plans by any means. I find it amusing that I know the chapters that others will begin and I have no idea what life holds for me. Here's to finding my next chapter!

I also plan to update my mileage to make myself accountable!
Today: 2.5
YTD: 2.5