Ah, yes. The old blog. I remember it like it was...when did I last blog?
How has everyone been? Life seems to be a bit hectic for me. Places to go, marathons to prepare for, goals and dreams to achieve.
So let me catch everyone up on my goings-on...
I left in April to do the Navy thing- 2 weeks, 2 days, my ass- (really, they sold shirts with this and the unit logo on it) and an interesting thing happened on the way to the...porta-jon. Just kidding. I saw a GunnerySergeant there, a Marine. His voice sounded sooo familiar. I stared at him for the longest and I soon realized that I knew him. Now many of you know that I still love the Marine Corps. Well, if there was any doubt on my part about how I felt about the Corps, it was confirmed there in that Gunny. He was a Sergeant, just as I was, back in 1998 in California. We were in the same unit. Oh, the memories...and he's still cute.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I felt deflated when I returned here. I felt soo comfortable out there with the guys in our tree suits...I knew what I had to do.
I will try to get back into the Corps. People I've told ask me "Why on earth would I want to go back?" I can't expect them to understand. The best way I can describe it is this way: There are those who read the Bible and are filled with a peace and knowing that at that moment things are as they should be. But time goes by, life happens and you cease to have that hunger to read and learn more, before you realize. But you see the Bible again, and you open it up and start reading and you go, "That's right." The hunger returns and you realize you need that hunger to continue to maintain that balance in your life. I felt balance out there. I am good at what I am do out there. Plus, there is a level of motivation and energy that helps keep me on my toes. In a small way, the Marine Corps raised me. I was a baby when I joined. And I would do it all again. I am not trying to relive the past, I just need to finish what I started. No More Regrets.
So along with that, I am training for the Marine Corps Marathon, so it's Marine Corps all the way around this year. I'll be blogging more about my training and insights. For example, Chris Carmichael, and I say this with much love, seems thinner. But that hasn't hindered her running. She is like a bullet now! This got me to thinking...we women come in all shapes and sizes. Some have hips and others don't. Having said all that, I think now I realize the different roles we women may have played in the days of tribes, and without central air/heating. The hunt for food must have proved tumultous task, especially to seek out big game for the up coming winter. The 'tortoises' -big-hipped women, were the main body that lurched in the thickets with the weapons, waiting patiently for the wild game to appear. Allthewhile, the 'hares' - the thin, aerodynamic women of the tribe, were the decoy. They let the lions, tigers and bears...everybody "Oh My!", chase them to where the tortoises were and then 'we' would attack with such ferocity that they pause with a moment of clarity and then take his demise with much bravado and defiance. Where are the men you ask...DUH! It's NBA Finals week!
Take care my fellow tortoises and hares. Our race has yet begun...
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Friday, April 07, 2006
Quick, quick, sloow...quick, quick, sloow..
Hello to all!
How has your week been? Mine has been pleasant. My thighs are still huge, but nothing else has swelled, so things are good. I haven't ran as much as I had hoped to when I first planned my training regimen. No worry, I am going to kick the running into high gear upon my return from naval duties. I'd like there to be less of me by October.
Besides the diet drama, I went to Applause Dance Factory in Ridgeland and learned a little Mambo. I tell ya, if you want strong legs, especially the calves, try ballroom dancing for an hour. My calves felt like they're about to explode! A five minute intro to the Samba box step was enough to have me looking like hippo trying to mimic rhythm while balancing on two toothpicks. There were three men in the class, all old enough to get the 'discount' if you know what I mean, and they were all fighting over me! Who knew I would ever be considered 'fresh meat'. I think one was trying to get me to press up against him, but I could be mistaking his arthritis for a tight grip. One told me that he had a son who was about to turn 40 and I tell you, he was holding up pretty well to be anywhere near 60 himself. The other, I think if he dressed up in a suit, with a pinky ring, he'd be mistaken for a mob boss. He's the quick witted one and the best dancer of the three. And they all smelled good, and had prepared with breathmints before the class. (Made me a little conscious of myself, but none of them past out so my breath must not have been that bad.) Ladies, if you need a sugar daddy, I believe this is the way to go. If you already have one, take him dancing....an old dog may not learn new tricks, but the Samba may help remind him of some old ones...wink,wink!
How has your week been? Mine has been pleasant. My thighs are still huge, but nothing else has swelled, so things are good. I haven't ran as much as I had hoped to when I first planned my training regimen. No worry, I am going to kick the running into high gear upon my return from naval duties. I'd like there to be less of me by October.
Besides the diet drama, I went to Applause Dance Factory in Ridgeland and learned a little Mambo. I tell ya, if you want strong legs, especially the calves, try ballroom dancing for an hour. My calves felt like they're about to explode! A five minute intro to the Samba box step was enough to have me looking like hippo trying to mimic rhythm while balancing on two toothpicks. There were three men in the class, all old enough to get the 'discount' if you know what I mean, and they were all fighting over me! Who knew I would ever be considered 'fresh meat'. I think one was trying to get me to press up against him, but I could be mistaking his arthritis for a tight grip. One told me that he had a son who was about to turn 40 and I tell you, he was holding up pretty well to be anywhere near 60 himself. The other, I think if he dressed up in a suit, with a pinky ring, he'd be mistaken for a mob boss. He's the quick witted one and the best dancer of the three. And they all smelled good, and had prepared with breathmints before the class. (Made me a little conscious of myself, but none of them past out so my breath must not have been that bad.) Ladies, if you need a sugar daddy, I believe this is the way to go. If you already have one, take him dancing....an old dog may not learn new tricks, but the Samba may help remind him of some old ones...wink,wink!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Stalker Update....
It is confirmed. My stalker is now a bagel-pusher. He still has his white van. I've seen him the last few times when I was on my way to the gym. He figured out that I got a membership at Fitness Lady. He sits outside of the Beagle Bagel, not doing anything, just sitting in his van. I still haven't gotten a good look at him, but he has muscular forearms. I guess he's waiting for me to replenish my glucose levels right after my workout... Hhhmff!
Speaking of carbs; I am on a new eating plan. Not the see-food diet. It is slightly extreme, but I had to go there in the beginning to get my portions right. What I have done is resigned to my crockpot. I have chosen about 17 meals I wish to eat. I then choose one a week, and proceed to buy the food on Sat or Sun. Cook it all on Sunday and divide it into 1 or 2 cup servings for the week. I don't vary too much for my breakfast, and dinner is usually a salad, so my problem was lunch time. So this works well for me. From the bodyfat test I had in January and the recommended calories it suggested for me to lose 2lbs a week, I would have to eat approx. 1700 calories. It doesn't sound so bad, but I tell you, I must have been a pig, because now, every 2 or 3 hours, I am starving. That is good though, because I know my metabolism is working. Not many could do this, since it requires eating the same food all week, but I am on a mission. I want to lose at least 15 lbs by the Marine Corps Marathon in October. If I can't find a few good men, I at least want a few good pictures! Whew, my stomach is talking to me as I type this. I also had to cut much of my sugar and coffee...ohhh, the horror! I love those two, especially together.
As for the Hound Dog, I think he's retired. I haven't seen him this year. No, this year is my year! The Year of the Tiger! Rrrrrr! (Did you know 'viagra' is sanskrit for tiger penis? Just a tidbit of useless information. I could go into why, but I am not sure if there are any kids out there reading this. I'll give the reason in the next blog, wink-wink.)
So in closing, my fellow runners, I hope you all remember that you have the power. The power to move, to live, to be. Take advantage...and hopefully you'll aquire a bagel-pushing stalker just like me! Ciao!
Speaking of carbs; I am on a new eating plan. Not the see-food diet. It is slightly extreme, but I had to go there in the beginning to get my portions right. What I have done is resigned to my crockpot. I have chosen about 17 meals I wish to eat. I then choose one a week, and proceed to buy the food on Sat or Sun. Cook it all on Sunday and divide it into 1 or 2 cup servings for the week. I don't vary too much for my breakfast, and dinner is usually a salad, so my problem was lunch time. So this works well for me. From the bodyfat test I had in January and the recommended calories it suggested for me to lose 2lbs a week, I would have to eat approx. 1700 calories. It doesn't sound so bad, but I tell you, I must have been a pig, because now, every 2 or 3 hours, I am starving. That is good though, because I know my metabolism is working. Not many could do this, since it requires eating the same food all week, but I am on a mission. I want to lose at least 15 lbs by the Marine Corps Marathon in October. If I can't find a few good men, I at least want a few good pictures! Whew, my stomach is talking to me as I type this. I also had to cut much of my sugar and coffee...ohhh, the horror! I love those two, especially together.
As for the Hound Dog, I think he's retired. I haven't seen him this year. No, this year is my year! The Year of the Tiger! Rrrrrr! (Did you know 'viagra' is sanskrit for tiger penis? Just a tidbit of useless information. I could go into why, but I am not sure if there are any kids out there reading this. I'll give the reason in the next blog, wink-wink.)
So in closing, my fellow runners, I hope you all remember that you have the power. The power to move, to live, to be. Take advantage...and hopefully you'll aquire a bagel-pushing stalker just like me! Ciao!
Monday, March 27, 2006
The TAO of AMERIGO'S
Greetings and salutations!
It has been a long weekend for me, but I am happy to say, Monday has been productive and well-wished to succumb to Tuesday.
I believe there is a sign for the events that occur or are about to happen, in everyone's life. There are also signs, literally, that have a way of keeping you on track, albeit sometimes trivially. When I lived in Oklahoma, I was terribly depressed. Why? Because I lived in Oklahoma. I was raised as a city girl. Rolling hills of nothing and not even having a coffee shop in town made me crazy. (How I ended up there is another story which I'll probably tell later) Whenever I would get in despair, I would drive around town and blinking away tears, I would notice tons of churches. There was a church on every block, practically. Interestingly enough, I never attended a church while there, but I did take heed to there signs. The mini marquees. There would always be some anecdote to whatever it was that I was trying to overcome or forget. At first it was annoying. Who knew I was going through this problem and how did they find this particular phrase to aid me? Luckily, I am only temporarily hard-headed and in time, I would let the words sink in. Fastforward five years. I am not depressed, but there are still times that I find myself in a quadry of sorts. And quite welcoming am I when I notice a marquee along my path to my destination.
As you may remember, I am on my new regimen having started at 5 am this morning. No birds were chirping, no sun to greet me. I usually say a prayer in the morning, but I had to start over 5 times because I would drift off to sleep before I finished. Finally threw myself out of bed and dressed quickly to not give myself a reason to stay. I made it to the gym to do my weights by 5:45. (I told you I kept nodding off.) One thing about myself that I've noticed, is that I have to do things in the morning, or they may not get done. It takes more energy for me to talk myself into exercising in the evening - after I've eaten all that food- than it does for me to get up and go in the am. I reminded myself to live in the moment and focus on what I was trying to accomplish, but I truely wanted to retire back into my bed. I ignored the urge and proceeded to enhance my appearance (you always have to refer things positively - if I had said 'to get rid of the extra pounds', already those words feel exhausting. 'Enhancing' makes you think of simply applying powder to reduce shine. Nothing of the beauty is taken away, it's more acceptable. Therefore I am making my ass more acceptable.)
Back to my point. I could barely muster a smile to the lady at the counter because all I could think about was sleep. (I couldn't resist the Gray's Anatomy rerun last night) Without much thought, I followed my routine and made my way home. Thoughts of food entered my mind when the light was yellow and turning red in front of Amerigo's. Coming to a complete stop, lo and behold what did I see but a marquee staring back at me! Today it read:
Today's choices are Tomorrow's reality. How true, how true. I felt better after having read that. I wasn't wasting my time this morning.... I was creating my future.
Leave it to the Tao of Amerigo's to set my mind right and keep me on the track to being a sexy and virtuous woman.
Don't ignore your sign. It's out there, you just have to pay attention.
Run on!
It has been a long weekend for me, but I am happy to say, Monday has been productive and well-wished to succumb to Tuesday.
I believe there is a sign for the events that occur or are about to happen, in everyone's life. There are also signs, literally, that have a way of keeping you on track, albeit sometimes trivially. When I lived in Oklahoma, I was terribly depressed. Why? Because I lived in Oklahoma. I was raised as a city girl. Rolling hills of nothing and not even having a coffee shop in town made me crazy. (How I ended up there is another story which I'll probably tell later) Whenever I would get in despair, I would drive around town and blinking away tears, I would notice tons of churches. There was a church on every block, practically. Interestingly enough, I never attended a church while there, but I did take heed to there signs. The mini marquees. There would always be some anecdote to whatever it was that I was trying to overcome or forget. At first it was annoying. Who knew I was going through this problem and how did they find this particular phrase to aid me? Luckily, I am only temporarily hard-headed and in time, I would let the words sink in. Fastforward five years. I am not depressed, but there are still times that I find myself in a quadry of sorts. And quite welcoming am I when I notice a marquee along my path to my destination.
As you may remember, I am on my new regimen having started at 5 am this morning. No birds were chirping, no sun to greet me. I usually say a prayer in the morning, but I had to start over 5 times because I would drift off to sleep before I finished. Finally threw myself out of bed and dressed quickly to not give myself a reason to stay. I made it to the gym to do my weights by 5:45. (I told you I kept nodding off.) One thing about myself that I've noticed, is that I have to do things in the morning, or they may not get done. It takes more energy for me to talk myself into exercising in the evening - after I've eaten all that food- than it does for me to get up and go in the am. I reminded myself to live in the moment and focus on what I was trying to accomplish, but I truely wanted to retire back into my bed. I ignored the urge and proceeded to enhance my appearance (you always have to refer things positively - if I had said 'to get rid of the extra pounds', already those words feel exhausting. 'Enhancing' makes you think of simply applying powder to reduce shine. Nothing of the beauty is taken away, it's more acceptable. Therefore I am making my ass more acceptable.)
Back to my point. I could barely muster a smile to the lady at the counter because all I could think about was sleep. (I couldn't resist the Gray's Anatomy rerun last night) Without much thought, I followed my routine and made my way home. Thoughts of food entered my mind when the light was yellow and turning red in front of Amerigo's. Coming to a complete stop, lo and behold what did I see but a marquee staring back at me! Today it read:
Today's choices are Tomorrow's reality. How true, how true. I felt better after having read that. I wasn't wasting my time this morning.... I was creating my future.
Leave it to the Tao of Amerigo's to set my mind right and keep me on the track to being a sexy and virtuous woman.
Don't ignore your sign. It's out there, you just have to pay attention.
Run on!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Tiny Bubbles....in my wiiiine...Makes me happy.....makes me feeeel fiiine!!
Hello again! No, I'm not drunking!
I just wanted to say that....wha...I forgot. Anyway...
This final week before I begin my full-fledge training is being spent in happy indulgence, if you couldn't already tell. I have partaken of the cool delights of some ice cream...oh the agony - remember, I'm lactose intolerant. But it was good going down! Yesterday was the evil plot of terrorists at work - yes, the monthly luncheon at work. Gluttony and coveting of others metabolisms...but it was good going down! I'm saving the chocolate for this weekend. MMMM-MMM, chocolate. But this is going to take some thought and careful masterminding. You can't just pick any 'ol chocolate and not just a little. The timing and location of purchase must coincide with the new moon in accordance with the Chocolate Gods while their mercury is in rising ( I have no idea what I just said) OH! And don't forget the much advertised and always ostracized CARB-LOADING! We runners can't forget the carbs...I know the mileage is not that high, how else am i going to have the energy to DO all those miles? HE-HE, I do believe a trip to LE OLIVE JARDIN is in order. For you southerners, that the Garden of Olives.. I mean Olive Garden. (hiccup) OKay. I must get back to work now. Don't forget to have fun!!!!
I just wanted to say that....wha...I forgot. Anyway...
This final week before I begin my full-fledge training is being spent in happy indulgence, if you couldn't already tell. I have partaken of the cool delights of some ice cream...oh the agony - remember, I'm lactose intolerant. But it was good going down! Yesterday was the evil plot of terrorists at work - yes, the monthly luncheon at work. Gluttony and coveting of others metabolisms...but it was good going down! I'm saving the chocolate for this weekend. MMMM-MMM, chocolate. But this is going to take some thought and careful masterminding. You can't just pick any 'ol chocolate and not just a little. The timing and location of purchase must coincide with the new moon in accordance with the Chocolate Gods while their mercury is in rising ( I have no idea what I just said) OH! And don't forget the much advertised and always ostracized CARB-LOADING! We runners can't forget the carbs...I know the mileage is not that high, how else am i going to have the energy to DO all those miles? HE-HE, I do believe a trip to LE OLIVE JARDIN is in order. For you southerners, that the Garden of Olives.. I mean Olive Garden. (hiccup) OKay. I must get back to work now. Don't forget to have fun!!!!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The Year of the Tortoise
Ahhh...the faint memory of months past has brought me to another adventure to embark upon.
How is everyone? I hope all is well.
You are probably wonder why I have title this 'The Year of the Tortoise'? Well, after this morning's run, I can safely say that I am definitely not the hare. I have lost it. My mojo, that is. I was huffing and puffing all the way. I could barely catch wind, muchless suck any while I choo-chooed my way up the minor inclines of terrain.
I admit, I have not kept up with a regular schedule of running, but I have been lifting weights and doing my share of squats and lunges. My legs are much stronger than they were before I ever started to train for a marathon. They're stock and thick...good for load-bearing, foundations for human pyramid formations...and the occassional deflective device needed as stand-in goalie for a shirts-skins soccer game.
As I ran this morning, I thought of the new runners embarking on their first journey into the realm of 'marathoner'. It was about this time last year that I was beginning to hear those voices. You know... the voices. The ones that sound like your voice, but not your words. "What in the world have you gotten yourself into?" "There is no way you can run a marathon! You're too old...out of shape...too busy!" It is very easy to give in to that voice, because it's so loud and we've all listened to it before. After all, aren't we suppose to listen to our conscience? I am here to tell you, it's not your conscience. It's your fears manifested. I feared the success of it all because I had become so caught up in the idea that 'something bad is bound to happen anyway' or that if I accomplished this, then I wouldn't be able to make or use the excuses I had in the past. I would change. Change can be quite scary. But it is also important, exhiliarting and inevitable. You've been changing all these years, what is the big deal now?
The big deal is that this change is something you can control. You are the master of your fate; the Captain of your soul. No one else has the power to take this away from you. There is so much negativity in the world that sarcasm and cynicism has become the norm and people don't realize that in manifests in how you think and act. But you can change that. Of all the chaos and craziness in the world, you have control over you and to change your life for the better.
So, if you're second guessing yourself, nervous, sad that your friends and your family don't share your enthusiasm, DON'T BE! All that will change. Even if you have to fake the confidence just a little to get you to that next meeting or that next mile, do what you have to to achieve your goal.
I am back out there huffing and puffing with you. I may not know all of you, but I've been there and I understand. So don't give up and don't give in...just keep going to you reach your second wind!
How is everyone? I hope all is well.
You are probably wonder why I have title this 'The Year of the Tortoise'? Well, after this morning's run, I can safely say that I am definitely not the hare. I have lost it. My mojo, that is. I was huffing and puffing all the way. I could barely catch wind, muchless suck any while I choo-chooed my way up the minor inclines of terrain.
I admit, I have not kept up with a regular schedule of running, but I have been lifting weights and doing my share of squats and lunges. My legs are much stronger than they were before I ever started to train for a marathon. They're stock and thick...good for load-bearing, foundations for human pyramid formations...and the occassional deflective device needed as stand-in goalie for a shirts-skins soccer game.
As I ran this morning, I thought of the new runners embarking on their first journey into the realm of 'marathoner'. It was about this time last year that I was beginning to hear those voices. You know... the voices. The ones that sound like your voice, but not your words. "What in the world have you gotten yourself into?" "There is no way you can run a marathon! You're too old...out of shape...too busy!" It is very easy to give in to that voice, because it's so loud and we've all listened to it before. After all, aren't we suppose to listen to our conscience? I am here to tell you, it's not your conscience. It's your fears manifested. I feared the success of it all because I had become so caught up in the idea that 'something bad is bound to happen anyway' or that if I accomplished this, then I wouldn't be able to make or use the excuses I had in the past. I would change. Change can be quite scary. But it is also important, exhiliarting and inevitable. You've been changing all these years, what is the big deal now?
The big deal is that this change is something you can control. You are the master of your fate; the Captain of your soul. No one else has the power to take this away from you. There is so much negativity in the world that sarcasm and cynicism has become the norm and people don't realize that in manifests in how you think and act. But you can change that. Of all the chaos and craziness in the world, you have control over you and to change your life for the better.
So, if you're second guessing yourself, nervous, sad that your friends and your family don't share your enthusiasm, DON'T BE! All that will change. Even if you have to fake the confidence just a little to get you to that next meeting or that next mile, do what you have to to achieve your goal.
I am back out there huffing and puffing with you. I may not know all of you, but I've been there and I understand. So don't give up and don't give in...just keep going to you reach your second wind!
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