Mysterious Ways...

We all have people in our lives who have really helped shaped us into the men and women we are today, right? For me, I have so many I cannot even count. However, I want to tell you a bit about two of my uncles - Rod and Don

Uncle Rod is my godfather. I think that is what led to our special relationship. He and my aunt (my mom's sister) had no children. They were young and fun and really adored my sister and me.

I have some great memories of my Uncle Rod. Everything from riding the kiddy roller coasters at Fiesta Texas, to him sewing the pearl back onto my American Girl doll dress that broke, and he even carried me on his shouldars from the family room to the kitchen for some popcorn because their cat was too scary to walk by. Uncle Rod was fantastic.

My parents, sister, aunt and uncle and I went to Las vegas when I was in 6th grade. It was a great November.

My Uncle Rod passed away that February at the age of 39 from pneumonia. It was devastating. I was devastated. This man who I looked up to so much, my godfather, was taken from me - why did God let this happen? He never got to see me grow up - it still makes me so sad just to think about his passing.

One year after he passed away, my aunt was buying wedding invitations for her second marriage, to a man named Don.

I could have cared less about this man. Who did he think he was coming in and marrying my aunt? She had already found the love of her life - how dare he? I was never ever ever going to call him my uncle.

Let me just say my bitterness and anger that did not last long.

My Uncle Don is one of the most amazing men in my life. He is so incredibly compassionate and giving, always willing to talk about his short comings in order to make people understand their own struggles - I could not imagine my life not having him in it.

That is where the mourning process got really complicated for me. When I was younger I felt like I had to choose between these two men. Like I could not love them both. Over the years I have really come to understand that I don't have to choose.

Uncle Rod had the beginning of my life.
And Uncle Don has the rest.

And that is how God intended it.

For some reason, it was Uncle Rod's time to go - and I will never know why. But I am content with that. I don't know what type of relationship Uncle Rod and I would have had as I got older - but I can now accept the fact that it was a relationship that was never supposed to happen.

God definitely works in mysterious ways - and I am thankful everyday for that.

Skinny Bitches.

I feel skinny today. I know I am not. Probably haven't even lost any weight.

But I feel great.

Training

This weekend was great in terms of my training for the Avon Walk (75 days to go!). It is so nice having my co-worker L living so close. She is awesome motivation for me and keeps me walking.

On Saturday we walked for 8 miles on the path along the Potomac River. What an amazing place to walk! The walk was rough - don't get me wrong. But it was great walking and chatting with L and her friend C (they know each other from college). After walking with them, I had to run some errands - and walked an additional 2 miles. My goodness, I walked 10 miles in one day! I don't think I have ever done that before! It felt great. But I was so sore after wards. A nice hot shower, take out and a chick flick made for a great Valentine's Day.

On Sunday, day 2 called for some more training! I walked up to L's house and met her and C. It was time for our 6 miles trek around Alexandria. One of the best things about walking, is seeing all of the great little shops, coffee houses and restaurants in the area. I have never been to the Del Rey / Braddock Heights before. It was great. I love finding cute little places!

Day 2 was another rough walk. I feel so out of shape. L and C are great motivation for me. They keep up their "endurance" pace (13 minute miles!) I feel like such a slacker but am so glad I am walking with them. I then had to run some more errands and walked another 1.5 miles.

18 miles total for the weekend?!?!?! Oh my goodness. Beyond impressed with myself - and so excited to keep going!

Oh oh oh! I bought new running shoes today and I am soooo excited. They are so pretty and comfy (never thought I would be so excited about a pair of exercise shoes!) I am in love...




Oh, and the sale guy wasn't too bad on the eyes :-)

Dream.

My dream come true. John Legend. Josh Groban. Same stage. Singing. In front of me.



Ahhhhhhhhhh!


More to come from "We Are One" inaugural concert as well as the Inauguration parade.This weekend is at to an amazing start.

Yes We Can.

I cannot believe the time is almost here. This weekend. 1.20.2009. Oh my.

I am sure I will have lots of stories. Good and bad. I mean come on, I am wearing long underwear. How can that not bring stories?!?


I will leave you with a few will.i.am lyrics


It's been a long time coming
Up the mountain kept runnin'
Souls of freedom kept hummin'
Channeling Harriet Tubman

Kennedy, Lincoln, and King
We gotta maninvest in that dream
It feels like we're swimming upstream
It feels like we're stuck inbetween
A rock and a hard place,
We've been through the heartaches
And lived through the darkest days

It's a new day.





I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

A moment to Vent...

Dear Girl at work whose phone is too loud,

I realize it is cold -- for DC that is (as it is 20 degrees, and I am from the midwest). However, I think it is completely ridiculous that you took a cab to work today because you felt it was too far to walk from the Smithsonian metro to the office (ie. It is 2 blocks away).

I now know why this country is overweight (including myself) -- because behavior like that is acceptable. And you probably spent a good $15 on the taxi ride.

I thought you said you were from Ohio and NYC? You = ridiculous.

Have a great day,
Me

CHIPOTLE!

Okay, I am sure you are thinking to yourself -- "This girl is going to talk about Chipotle again?...Woah".

Well here is the thing. I really want Chipotle for dinner. Like really! Instead of holding myself back (which might lead to eating everything "semi healthy" in my apartment...I am going to allow myself this treat.

With one stipulation.

I knew there was a web site where I could figure out the caloric value of those massive burritos. It is so user friendly, and I played around on it for about 20 minutes at work deciding what I would allow myself to get.

First, of course I figured what my normal meal would be there (carnitas burrito, rice, tomato salsa, corn salsa, cheese and sour cream)....

And the total is.... 1140 calroies! Oh my gosh! WHAT!?!?!?!?

That is insane. Ridiculous. Mind boggling. The really scary part is that my choice burrito would be 135% of my daily sodium intake! Ugh!

Then I figured out what I could get that would be a "decent" amount of calories -- this way I would still get the yummyness, without the stomach crud feeling.

So, my option for tonight is ... 3 soft tacos (I can bring one to work!), tomato salsa, verde salsa, black beans, lettuce, cheese and even Guacamole! The new total is 675 calories.

Now I realize that is a lot...but I figure, I split it 2 ways (2 for dinner, 1 for lunch) it makes it not so bad. And I am trying something new, the green salsa always looked good but I never got it!

I will let you know how my adventure goes :-)