Fires and Friends

Growing up in the midwest, you never really get to know the ocean.  My beaches growing up were lakes and boats went out on the rivers.  There was no going out into the super salty ocean water for a swim or wave jumping.  And despite that I’ve now lived in California for over two years, I forget this is something I can now do.

A couple weeks ago, Heather and I headed out for an afternoon at Dockweiler Beach.  Should I mention this was the first time I went to the beach all summer? (I mean aside from enjoying my lunch break on the beach.)  I know it’s crazy but somehow I allow myself to forget how easily accessible beach days have become.

Dockweiler Beach is one of the few (maybe even the only) beach in the area that is lined with fire pits and the nights are packed with people sitting around, roasting marshmallows and enjoying the company of their friends.

When Heather and I went to the beach that day, we didn’t expect to find an open fire pit.  It was a weekend after all.  But when we got there around noon there were a few fire pits left and we decided “why not?” and set up in front of one.  We spent the day scaring others away from our fire pit and trying to lure our friends to join us for some even s’mores.  And of course, we’d take their company sooner too!

We had a small group, but it was super fun!  Two of Heather’s friends joined us ready to have a little beach BBQ and Blayne arrived shortly after with firewood, s’mores ingredients and his super nice camera to document the evening.  I’m working on getting better about taking pictures but it’s always nice to have a friend with a nice camera to take pictures so I don’t have to (and they always turn out better than my photos anyway).

So here are some pictures (courtesy of Blayne!) from our evening at Dockweiler Beach a few weeks ago.

 

Foodie for a Day

A couple weeks ago, oatmeal was on the menu for breakfast.  Not just because I wanted it, but rather because I had a near empty jar of almond butter and I wasn’t willing to let one delicious ounce go to waste.  So what did I do?

Oatmeal in a jar of course!

Just some hot oats with banana and cinnamon topped with a sprinkle of trail mix.  Getting the chunks of melty almond butter as I was eating was so yummy!  Probably my favorite breakfast in quite some time! YUM!

Sometimes you need a reminder...

It’s been one of those weeks where all the little things are getting to me, no matter how hard I try to push past them.  While it has been a harder and more stressful week at work and there are a few health related things also playing into it, I should still be able to breathe through it all.  And for some reason I haven’t been able to.

But today seems to be a day of realizations:

I woke up this morning realizing a pattern in my life with the so-called “nice” guys.  They aren’t really nice; they are just too chicken to look you in the eyes and tell you the truth.

I also realized I like to run.  And I don’t just mean physically run but more I like to run away from my problems or stress.  It’s a way that I’ve learned to deal with things.  There are many reasons why I made my move to LA, but as part of my morning realization, I also found myself admitting I ran away to LA.

This evening I realized I’m not taking care of myself.  I’m allowing my lazy exhaustion to get the best of me and therefore not eat the way I prefer, making my body feel heavier and my wallet feel lighter. (Making your lunches really is cheaper and healthier, even when choosing the healthy food options when eating out).  I’m not making sure I’m getting my adrenaline flowing at my usual amount with the right weight-lifting, cardio, and yoga balance.  I’m not giving myself enough time to just sit down, breathe and relax.  And I’m not spending enough time surrounded by my friends.

This needs to change.  It’s a crazy few weeks at work and life in general but I need to make time for myself and my needs before I drive myself into the ground and go crazy.

So what does this mean?  Why am I choosing to share all of this?

Because sometimes we need a reminder to PUT YOURSELF FIRST!

And how did I start doing that today?  Well, I found out it was International Chocolate Day and I made sure I ate a few pieces of dark chocolate.  I deserved it and I needed to celebrate. 

And now, I’m off to finish laundry and hit the hay nice and early. 

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10 years later...

I’m late writing this post.  I didn’t forget.  I mean, how could you?  But rather, I found myself stuck.  Like staring at a blank page on the screen and not knowing what to say to express how I was actually feeling.

I’ve always had this pull towards New York City.  This unexplainable pull that has been around for years.  Longer than I even know.

Even looking back to that day.  It’s hard to think it was 10 years ago.

I remember when it happened.  I was a freshmen in high school sitting in my 2nd period english class (with a teacher who while I can’t remember his name, I do remember he looked like a lumberjack).  I left class and that was when the rumors began.  People were talking about a building or tower blowing up.  

My high school was across the street from a sewage treatment plant so we all thought one of the towers at the plant was what blew up.  Word continued to spread and by the next period or two, TVs around the school were turned on and we were all finding out what actually happened.

I remember feeling speechless and achy for what happened.  I remember being worried that Chicago would be next.  I remember having a hard time just taking it all in.  I remember feeling helpless.

I went home that afternoon, locked myself in my room and just wrote.  The only way I knew to deal with this was to put pen to paper, words to a page and just write.  When I was done I decided to send it to my local paper.  I wanted to share with anyone I could and hope that maybe I’d touch someone and help them know they aren’t alone.

So as I was sitting in front of my computer a few nights ago trying to figure out what to say, I realized I should just share the poem.  I got to share this poem with my community and make my family proud that I was doing what I could to help the people hurting.  But today, now 10 years later, I want to share this with all of you.  

We all know 9/11 is a day this country will never forget.  It’s a day where we will have a shadow following us around.  A day where we can’t help but think of those who lost their lives.  To the victims.

To All the Victims by Katie Arnold

To all the victims involved in this mess,

My prayers go out to you,

My heart goes out to you.

My tears how they fall,

They fall for the lives lost,

For all the families and friends,

Who are mourning this very day.

This day is a part of history,

we will remember it forever.

We shall never forget.

I will never forget.

My prayers go out to you,

my heart goes out to you.

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Music Monday

What my day was supposed to look like:

-Meet/work with Gigi

-Yoga

-Grocery shopping

-Laundry

-Anatomy final prep, blog work, research for Gigi

What my day did look like:

-Meet/work with Gigi

-Yoga

-Semi urgent text from work

-Walked over to work

-Proceeded to work for the next 7 or so hours

-Took my coworker home/met her puppy (!!)

Clearly my day didn’t go as planned.  It ended well getting to meet little puppy Rosco but it was quite the roller coaster in between.  Please send your positive vibes my way that all goes well and the dust clears away.

Anyway, I think it’s time we all relax with a little music, wouldn’t you say?

I’m one of those people who likes having some older music on my iPod (or iPhone) because a little nostalgia always makes me smile.  Well as I was running this past week, “Maybe It’s Me” by Ingram Hill came up and I couldn’t help but sing along (mouthing the lyrics as I was at the gym and didn’t want to scare/bother people) while pushing forward.  It made me happy.  I sure do love that song.  So it was only fitting that I included it today.

Here’s a live version of “Maybe It’s Me” by Ingram Hill.  Enjoy.  

(And don’t blame me if you start listening to this song on repeat..)

Harry Potter Book Club

When I was back home in IL I found myself wanting to read the Harry Potter books.  And no, I don’t mean again.  I mean as in the first time.  Ever.  

Back when they were still new, I read the first book and started the second.  I liked them but sitting down and reading just didn’t happen and I found myself losing interest.  I saw the second movie (or at least parts of it) but that was it.

But now the story is over.  All books and movies have been released.  The hype has died down (kinda?) and it feels more attainable to tackle without the wait.

So I picked it up again and just kept reading.  I stopped when I was busy but my desire to keep going was there and I finished the book a couple weeks ago.  I rented the movie from Netflix and finished watching it last night.

Why does this matter, you ask?

Because after I finished the first book, I realized there were others out there like me who may want to join in.  Or people who read the books and watched the movies who want to experience it all again.

Therefore, I’m starting a Harry Potter Book Club via Talk Less, Say More.

So if you want to join me - I’ll be continuing with Book 2 as soon as I get the box from my parents with the book inside (hint hint mom and dad).  If you need to read/re-read Book 1, go pick it up and get started! 

I’d love to have you join me!!

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Fitness Friday

I was still sick this week, though getting better each day, I was still sick so I tried to keep things a bit easier but after today’s run, I’m back in action!

Sat 9/3/11

25 mins Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred - Level 1

Sun 9/4/11

25 mins stationary bike

20 mins interval incline walking

15-20 mins abs and stretching

Mon 9/5/11

30 mins elliptical

20 mins abs and stretching

Tues 9/6/11

Rest

Wed 9/7/11

90 mins yoga

Thurs 9/8/11

Rest

Fri 9/9/11

50 mins walk/run - 4.5+ miles

Ladies and Gentlemen: I’M BACK!!

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