December 31, 2011

As I stared into the bubbles of another glass of champagne, I thought back on the last year of my life.  New Years Eve is funny that way:  tomorrow is just another day, but it isn't at the same time.  It holds promises of positive change, new adventures, and a wonderful future.  It's the world's "start over" button.  Looking back on the last year, I am struck by how blessed I am.  I am healthy and loved beyond measure.  Looking forward to this next year, I am overwhelmed by what is coming my way:  another crack at the 3M Half, another ultra marathon, graduation from law school, the bar exam, and, hopefully, being sworn in as a member of the Texas State Bar.  But with this past year behind me, I know to focus most on the life in between those larger-than-life moments.  Without those bits of life, the exciting parts are meaningless.  Happy New Year to you all, may it be full of laughter, growth, happiness, and many, many blessings.

December 30, 2011

With bags packed, the apartment locked up tight, and the kitties taken care of, we hopped on a plane to what I affectionately refer to as "the frozen tundra of the north."  I know Wisconsin is not actually a tundra, but it felt as close to the tundra as I am likely to get.  We first stopped in Detroit for an hour layover, then had a short flight to Milwaukee.  After a quick drive, we found ourselves in the small suburb of South Milwaukee, a tiny town full of industrial manufacturers, neighborhood bars, and green parks.  It was too late to do any serious exploring, and I knew I would be given the grand tour with a long run bright and early tomorrow morning, so I just took in the sights of a city that has kept its tiny charm in spite of the world around it.  

December 29, 2011

Today was supposed to be spent doing laundry, packing for my trip, cleaning my apartment, and other mundane tasks.  But instead, life happened.  This afternoon, I found out my Dad was in the hospital, for the second time in two weeks, for complications of pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis.  There are so many open questions at this point, it is impossible to know what the immediate or not-so-immediate future holds.  While waiting for word from surgery today, my brother and I spent the afternoon with my Dad, catching up, welcoming a steady stream of visitors, and trying to make him as comfortable as possible for what looks to be a long haul of rest, pain, and frustration.  Again, we don't have a concrete idea of what we're facing, yet, but please keep my Dad in your thoughts, prayers, and hearts.

December 28, 2011

For my purposes, the college football season has come to a close.  As for the professional football season, I will be enjoying the last game of the regular season at Lambeau Field and thus, the regular professional football season also has come to a close.  With this comes the end of our weekly visits to The Tavern, the service at which has really fallen off recently, but that is a different conversation entirely.  Tonight we watched the Longhorns play California in the Holiday Bowl from the second-story patio.  Conveniently, the game was on every television in the restaurant, perfect for watching a stellar defense and an underwhelming offense finish the year with a 21-10 victory.  Thank you, Texas Longhorns, for a better season than last year!  And thank you, Tavern, for a warm place to watch this year's football games, semi-delicious bar food, and unpredictable service.

December 27, 2011

It has been months since I've gone to a yoga class and it definitely showed today.  During the forty-five minute sweaty yoga class at Black Swan's main location, I lost my balance, failed to sustain poses, and was absolutely inept at following directions.  I felt like a complete amateur, and I'm sure I looked the part, as well.  It was a good class, though.  When it comes to sweaty yoga classes, the more packed the room, the more intense the class, as everyone's body temperatures work to heat the room even warmer than originally planned; today's class was at capacity.  On top of this, the instructor had us in new poses, rare poses, and nearly all of them were incredibly consuming.  Hopefully the yogi in me adequately stretched my leg muscles for this evening's track workout, although I'm not sure much can prepare me for that experience.

December 26, 2011

A not-so-wise man once said:  "Take a look at what I'm wearing, people.  You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys?  Forget about it!"  While Rex was talking about American flag-themed pants, I'm pretty sure the line was written for this particular pair of running shorts.  Not only are they the premiere way to tackle a run with any sort of zeal, they make people want to start running solely for the opportunity to wear a pair.  Further, they bring a smile to everyone's face.  On my run this afternoon, I saw no less than a dozen smiling faces admiring my Texas flag running shorts.  At least, I assume that's what they were admiring.  In short (pun intended), I feel like the Chuck Norris of female runners with these "bad boys."

December 25, 2011