I was speaking to my aunt the other day and mentioned how as I grow older and remain single each day, I have a list of ideals that my future hubby "Nigel" will have. Nigel will of course be a Christian, make me laugh, be good-looking more because of his personality than his face, be social (but like to stay in and hangout with just me), be a total foodie like myself, love country music, be athletic, will share the love of traveling and England, come from old money and be independently wealthy, carry a tune/enjoy karaoke, love my family, ski, love to cook, and pretty much worship the ground I walk on. Of course I followed up my comment with the fact that once the real Nigel shows up, I will love him and none of the above may apply. And that's ok! I'll have Nigel.
My aunt merely replied, "that's good."
A few days after this conversation, once again I was speaking with my aunt (we do tend to talk almost everyday, or at least twice a week) and she told me about a little moment between her and my uncle. She told me that she was telling Unkie how she had decided to lose some weight and just be good about eating as she isn't happy with her weight right now. He looked at her and remarked how beautiful he thought she was and that he loved her. I might also add here that this is after 25 years of marriage. I think perhaps a few PG-13 things happened after that comment -- aka holding hands -- but if Nigel could still think I'm beautiful in 25 years, no matter how I might age, that would be perfect.
Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman, is a novel that was adapted into a movie almost a decade ago. The story surrounds 2 sisters, who have a bit of witchcraft magic inside of them. The book was excellent, the movie changed the story completely, but one thing that did remain was the character Sally Owens' (played by Sandra Bullock) recipe for her perfect man. She included ideals such as he would have one blue eye and one green (or was it brown?) eye and that he could flip pancakes in the air while making them. Silly as it seemed when she was young, he came along and at just the right moment, fitting her recipe exactly.
Will Nigel actually be the man I have described above? Most likely not. However, he will love me, worship the ground I walk on, and still find me beautiful after 25 years, that I know.
So hurry up and get here, would you?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Keep the faith
Week 5 – still going strong!
Today I completed Day 2 of Couch to 5K’s Week 5 running program. This week is a bit trickier than the previous four. The first four weeks hold the same running/walking interval for all 3 days within each week. However, here is the Week 5 breakdown:
Day 1 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, 3 intervals of 5-minute runs, with 3-minute brisk walk rests in-between the runs, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 2 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 8 minutes, rest (brisk walk) for 5 minutes, Run 8 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 3 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 20 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk
I struggled to run on day 1. I thought, if I can barely do these three 5-minute runs, how can I possibly run for 8 minutes, TWICE, in 2 days, let alone run for 20 minutes in 4 days?! Plus, my first 5k is less than a fortnight away! So after I got home I spoke to my running buddy, my Auntie, who is running the 5k with me, to tell her of my worries and woes.
She reminded me that even the best runners have off days. Even she, who runs a 5k 3 times a week already, has off days where she really struggles to run. She went on to say that I’ll do great in the race and if we have to walk, so what?! We’re in this together.
Her words were encouraging and just what I needed to hear. She was right and I knew that. I recently read a blog entry about training for a race. The writer talks about the new Miley Cyrus song, “The Climb,” and about training says, “I love the training more than the actual race…the process of life more than the "perfect" moments at the end.” Her point is that “no matter how many mountains we manage to summit (or move), there is always another. And the process is what we have to enjoy: the riding, the running—even on an aching foot in the rain.” She loves that the MC song encapsulates this very idea. And yet, as I listen to the song, what I hear most is MC's line that says:
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
So keep the faith, it’s what is keeping me going. I prayed this morning that I would be able to complete the 8-minute runs. Was it hard? YES. Was it hot out? YES. Did I do it? YES YES YES! Keep the faith, it’s all about the climb.
Today I completed Day 2 of Couch to 5K’s Week 5 running program. This week is a bit trickier than the previous four. The first four weeks hold the same running/walking interval for all 3 days within each week. However, here is the Week 5 breakdown:
Day 1 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, 3 intervals of 5-minute runs, with 3-minute brisk walk rests in-between the runs, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 2 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 8 minutes, rest (brisk walk) for 5 minutes, Run 8 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 3 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 20 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk
I struggled to run on day 1. I thought, if I can barely do these three 5-minute runs, how can I possibly run for 8 minutes, TWICE, in 2 days, let alone run for 20 minutes in 4 days?! Plus, my first 5k is less than a fortnight away! So after I got home I spoke to my running buddy, my Auntie, who is running the 5k with me, to tell her of my worries and woes.
She reminded me that even the best runners have off days. Even she, who runs a 5k 3 times a week already, has off days where she really struggles to run. She went on to say that I’ll do great in the race and if we have to walk, so what?! We’re in this together.
Her words were encouraging and just what I needed to hear. She was right and I knew that. I recently read a blog entry about training for a race. The writer talks about the new Miley Cyrus song, “The Climb,” and about training says, “I love the training more than the actual race…the process of life more than the "perfect" moments at the end.” Her point is that “no matter how many mountains we manage to summit (or move), there is always another. And the process is what we have to enjoy: the riding, the running—even on an aching foot in the rain.” She loves that the MC song encapsulates this very idea. And yet, as I listen to the song, what I hear most is MC's line that says:
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
So keep the faith, it’s what is keeping me going. I prayed this morning that I would be able to complete the 8-minute runs. Was it hard? YES. Was it hot out? YES. Did I do it? YES YES YES! Keep the faith, it’s all about the climb.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Old Faithful
When I was younger, there was this woman who either walked or jogged along our street everyday. Since my parents continued to see her day after day, they began calling her “Old Faithful.” We’d drive by and they’d say, “theeeere’s Old Faithful!” Eventually she must have picked a different route, so we stopped seeing her.
Today I officially became this little city’s version of Old Faithful. There was I was, chugging along on a running interval for week 5 of Couch to 5K and I was passing moms and kids heading to the local elementary school. I headed up one of the hills and as I reached the top, I saw the crossing guard (CG) watching me and saw her say something. So I pulled out my iPod earbud and said a breathless, “What?!”
She proceeded to tell me that I looked fantastic and remarked that I’m going to lose a ton of weight. I laughed and said that I hoped so, having already lost about 8 lbs. She then asked if it was just from the running, which it isn’t of course, so I told her I’m working on eating healthy and nutritious too. CG then asked what a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner was for me, she said, “a lot of salads, huh?” Answering this question was actually difficult. What do I eat that I could tell her to make it sound possible? Her question reminded me of celebrity weight loss articles that share in little boxes what that celebrity eats. It always seems so blah and like oh sure, she can do it, she’s a celebrity! Of course when I mentioned that it wasn’t always salads and that I try to be creative, turning my favorite meals into a healthier option, she kind of nodded and started talking about Weight Watchers POINTS. I told her I wasn’t doing a diet, that I had joined FirstPlace4Health at my church and it was about balancing my life – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. She seemed very interested. Then 2 children came along who needed help crossing the street, so that ended our conversation. As I was gearing up to head off again, she shouted that she would see me again and was excited about watching me progress.
Becoming the new Old Faithful? It feels awesome.
Today I officially became this little city’s version of Old Faithful. There was I was, chugging along on a running interval for week 5 of Couch to 5K and I was passing moms and kids heading to the local elementary school. I headed up one of the hills and as I reached the top, I saw the crossing guard (CG) watching me and saw her say something. So I pulled out my iPod earbud and said a breathless, “What?!”
She proceeded to tell me that I looked fantastic and remarked that I’m going to lose a ton of weight. I laughed and said that I hoped so, having already lost about 8 lbs. She then asked if it was just from the running, which it isn’t of course, so I told her I’m working on eating healthy and nutritious too. CG then asked what a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner was for me, she said, “a lot of salads, huh?” Answering this question was actually difficult. What do I eat that I could tell her to make it sound possible? Her question reminded me of celebrity weight loss articles that share in little boxes what that celebrity eats. It always seems so blah and like oh sure, she can do it, she’s a celebrity! Of course when I mentioned that it wasn’t always salads and that I try to be creative, turning my favorite meals into a healthier option, she kind of nodded and started talking about Weight Watchers POINTS. I told her I wasn’t doing a diet, that I had joined FirstPlace4Health at my church and it was about balancing my life – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. She seemed very interested. Then 2 children came along who needed help crossing the street, so that ended our conversation. As I was gearing up to head off again, she shouted that she would see me again and was excited about watching me progress.
Becoming the new Old Faithful? It feels awesome.
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