My First Time...

No you dirty minds, not my "real first time" but my first time running in a race period. Race you ask? Well on Sunday, I ran in the Wharf to Wharf 10k race. For you non metric Americans that is equal to 6 miles. So I live my life by several mantra's and one that I just recently heard by a friend of mine, "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" So lets think about this, we do the daily routine that we have created for ourselves. Why not get out there, and do something different. Well, I have to be honest with you I had already signed up for this race so I was doing it prior to me learning my new slogan. I have been really into running since April of last year and has also helped me drop over 30 pounds. Yes it is true, people I was a bigger than I am today. You still can't believe it, yes I know. I did a good job of hiding my fat. Anyway, so my ultimate goal is to run the NY or Boston Marathon, and so I start my journey. The race on Sunday I finished the run in 49 minutes and 30 seconds, averaging 8:22 a mile.



This a personal best, so I am quite happy with my finish. This has now got me all motivated for the San Jose Rock & Roll half marathon, this being 13 miles. An agressive goal for sure, but I am up for it.

So seriously, look at yourself and ask "when was the last time I did something for the first time".

Good luck and happy first times.

Live strong and take care of you...

So not sure where to begin, but lets go back in time a bit. The year 2004 was not a very happy year for both Alx and myself. In April we lost a very good friend to AIDS, in July Alx's brother took his own life and in September I lost my Mother to a cause I am still trying to deal with. All three happened by surprise with no knowledge of anything ever being wrong. How could we not know something was wrong. So we both struggled and dealt with each death in our own way.


One of the best things that came out of that year was rethinking how I look at life and how I choose to live my life. From 2004 to present I have evolved and matured more than I have ever thought I would. I am not that caddy bitch that I used to be. I had a sharp tongue in my day, but today I choose not to use it. I am a selfish, high maintenance individual, surprising I know, but I have found that I do not have to change who I am but change how I treat others. Those that know me know what I am talking about.


So, why is it that something tragic has to happen in order for us to change how we live? Why can we just not do it automatically because we want to be a better person? Why are we not treating others and our ourselves better?


I have a very good friend, to whom I cherish very much, whose Father has been diagnosed with lukemia. I thought things were going good, but have found out other wise. He is very strong willed person and is such a giver. He makes sure that everybody is always taken care of and just keeps going and going and going. I told him today, when do you take care of you? When do you take a break for you? I have to tell you, that no tears were shed but the eyes watered. Giving him a hug and walking away I felt great, to just be there for a friend in need and just listen. Guess what guys, this goes a long way. My heart breaks for him and I will be there for him in a heart beat. Losing a parent at any age takes it's toll on you, especially when it is a terminal disease and you do not know how much longer they have.


I have so many thoughts going on right now, and you are probably wondering WTF are you trying to say? If you take anything from this, my only wish take care of those you love and most importantly make sure you are taking care of you. Live your life to it's fullest. As I told you, I have many mantra's that I live my life by and sharing another with you all: "What if the rest of your life is the best time of your life"?

As 2007 comes to an end, I want to take the time to stand in time while it continues to pass right by me and think of what I have accomplished or did not accomplish this year. Did I meet the goals I had set for myself? Where did the year go? What was the best thing about 2007?

We all make those infamous resolutions at the beginning of each year, but how many of us actually stick to them. I read an article today and it was about making change in your life. Make small changes in small steps, rather than trying to change everything all at once. Making changes in steps, allows you to get used to the change and before you get bored, you go to the next step. For example, 2007 was about getting where I wanted to be as far as eating right, getting to the gym, and by the end of the year, I am almost where I want to be. Those that want to get into the gym, should go two hours a week, rather than two hours a day. That way you have something to work up to.

As I lay out my goals for 2008, I want to be able to include those that surround me. Friends, family and co-workers. Not only will they help me meet my goals, but could inspire or help them with theirs. I will be 35 in 2008, and it is another turning point for me as a person.

Cheers to 2007, what a great year. The housing market continued to decline, the economy just does not want to go anywhere, we are loosing a war that we should have never started and another year with President Bush. With all of that, the year was still good. Cheers to 2008, looking to make it another great year.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving Day has passed, and giving thanks for what is in our lives is what the day is about. Surrounded by friends and family, it makes the day that much more special. This Thanksgiving, not surrounded by family and friends, but it was the three of us. Alx, Riley and myself, not a bad thing at all. I must tell you the meal was pretty damn good. The breast was flawless, juicy and full of flavor, however the legs just were not done. Oops, oh well just a little longer.

Here is to each and everyone of our family, friends and just anybody that maybe reading this, hope your Thanksgiving was good and to a great holiday season.

A great find from France

We have discovered some new music to us, been all over Europe but we have never heard of. Here is one of the best finds. This is Mylene Farmer, the song is Avant Que L'ombre. The stage was massive and the whole set design for this song, off the hook. There is a sheet of water that comes down from the top, this plays an important part of the song. Loved it, hope you do to.

European thoughs and memories

Over several miles of flying, walking and train travel for twenty days, Alx and I have ended what we call our "European Bankruptcy Trip". We have so much and missed so much, it is amazing how much time it takes to do everything that you want and you are forced to miss a few things. We have met quite a few people and made friends with others. Paris, Amsterdam, Germany and Austria WOW!!!! Never would I have thought we would have the opportunity to take holiday in Europe. It took a lot of planning, penny pinching (more than usual), stressing out and several days of just waiting. In actuality, it is not getting the opportunity, it is about making it happen. I live my life by two motto's:

"If you really want something bad enough, you will make it happen"
and
"Live your life to the fullest and make it the time of your life"

Now, we have been bitten by the European bug and when are we going back again? Of course, not anytime soon, but yes we will go back. With our dollar falling to new lows like Bush's approval rating, we will be be going anytime soon.

This trip was about experiencing culture of each country and to fit in as much as possible. We accomplished both. Out of all the places that we visited, Paris was my favorite. It was a city that I felt really comfortable in and it was a city you could move to and live. Yes you would really need to get on the fast track and learn the language, but a very friendly and helpful city. There were times as we looked at the menu, thinking what the hell are we going to do, but that was the other challenge to overcome. Alx and I have travelled to many cities in the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. All spoke English except for Guadalajara Mexico, since Alx speaks fluent Spanish there was no challenge. Here we do not speak French, Dutch or German, so the translator books that we had came in very handy and definitely got their intended use. Amsterdam is a lot like Las Vegas a good three days is sufficient enough, would we go back, you bet but would be a short trip. Germany was our biggest challenge as the language was not that easy to pronounce, French was a lot easier, but we made it work. We drank several liters of beer in Germany and could actually say we probably drank well over three gallons each for the week and half we were there. Oh the fear, how much weight have we gained? The cheese, the breads, the sausages, the beer oh no. Well with all the walking we did, I lost weight and Alx stayed the same. Whew!!!!
Seeing history over several thousand years old, was so interesting and sight to see. America not that old, so most of our history is on the east coast, where in Europe history is all over.
Getting an outsiders perspective on the United States, our current state of the union and of course our President and his administration was very eye opening. No body holds back on their feelings.
Alx and I have definitely had the time of our lives, and it was great to be able to write about our experiences and share with our family and friends. I hope those that read our blog enjoyed it and all comments were most appreciated.

p.s. yes I will continue to write a blog, I find this therapeutic and enjoy writing about the thoughts, opinions and the happenings in our world.

Cheers.

Day 21...Coming Home

Waking up a three in the morning to be at the airport at five was just wonderful. We are scheduled to fly to London, arriving at 9 am and we would have stayed in London for one day flying home the following day. Today we are going to try to go home today and skip London all together. Our flights were booked through American Airlines, however AA does not fly in and out of Munich so their partner British Airways is out flight to London. Because of this, we are not able to make any changes till we arrive in London. BA showed our itinerary as going home today, so our luggage was tagged all the way to SFO. Flight was Munich to London was only an hour and half, so very short. Arriving in London, it is clear they are under construction. Heading to the AA counter, we are not able to get on the London to JFK to SFO flight, however she put us on the London to LAX flight direct and then to SFO. Perfect, we could not be more happier. Now we have two and half hours to wait for our flight, no big deal. You do not wait at the gate for your flight, instead you wait in the center of the terminal where there is the largest duty free shopping I have ever seen along with restaurants and coffee shops. You do not go to the gate until the flight has been called, they seem to do a pretty good job.
Our flight will be 11 hours in the air, holy cow. I can not sit for more than three hours before my back starts to ache. What am I going to do? At the fifth hour I start to get antsy and need to walk around, well wouldn't you know it our seats are in the center of the five seats in the middle. I hate asking people to get up and let me out especially when they are sleeping. Urgh!!!!!! We I made lumbar support and extra cushions out of the blankets and pillows to make this as comfortable as possible. Finally we arrive in LAX as we walk out there are two flights to SJC, we both think, no why didn't we fly to SJC rather than SFO? Well we were able to get on the SJC flight but our bags went to SFO. Fine, we just want to go home.

It was good to walk in the door and be greeted by Mr Riley, who by the way did not leave our side the entire night. I guess he did miss us.