I love good deals.

Two movie tickets for $9? Don't mind if I do.

There's really nothing of value to update about. Unless you'd like me to bore you with running stories and ramblings.

Maybe later.

The older you get, the faster time flies.

Did I mention that J & I plan to run a 10k in the fall? As in this October? As in 6.2 miles? As in double of what we plan to run at our first 5k in May?

I mean, I did knock out a run of 3 miles straight outside yesterday, which has been my biggest running milestone so far. I'm thrilled, but also terrified because I cannot imagine running double that.

And ofcourse I just realized the 10k registration opens up (already) next Wednesday. That's unbeliveable.

That, and the fact that tomorrow is March.

Yikes.

I keep coming back like a boomerang.

Four days since my last post, whoops. I guess this just goes to show that I like avoid the computer at all costs on the weekend, let alone outside of office hours. ;)

Saturday, on a whim, I got to see one of my (former) favorite bands live - the Plain White T's - thanks to my BFFL, who won tickets in a radio station contest.

The reason I say former is because they honestly will always have a place close to my music loving heart even though I dug their music moreso back in 2002. Oh, junior year in high school. It was an acoustic set and only four songs, but it was fabulous.

And I got their new(ish) album as soon as I could so I could fall in love all over again.

J is going to the Flyers' game tonight.. which means I get to have the TV apartment to myself. And I can't wait. What up, Biggest Loser and DVR catch-up!

I'm still debating whether or not to go to the gym tonight, or take a rest day (mostly take full advantage of the TV apartment). My runs have been a little bit more difficult to get through lately. It might be attributed to all of the junk I ate this weekend since I haven't had a good run since last Thursday, so I'm anxious to see how the rest of the week pans out. Maybe I'll just opt for a run outside around the complex - running outside is so much more enjoyable than a treadmill. I can't go more than ten seconds without glaring at my distance. It makes it almost unbearable to keep going.

I also overcame my fear of the rowing machine. I'm happy about this, but my arms and back are not right now. Same goes for the blisters on my hands. Boo.

Oh, the weather outside is weather.

It's so easy this week to forget it's February when you step outside. Until Tuesday. A wintry mix, seriously? No wonder everyone's allergies are going nuts right now. But regardless, it definitely makes me ready for spring to be here!

I read a lot of blogs online (thanks, GoogleReader).. and I do mean a lot. It's mainly a hodgepodge ranging from ridiculous time wasters (hello, Lamebook) to decor & design (Young House Love is my absolute favorite) - however, most of them are cooking/baking/healthy eating blogs. These have not only opened my mind to different recipes and exercise, but also kinds of food I've never heard of before, but intrigued me. Like this morning's breakfast.

Meet Larabars. I heard about these through nearly every foodie blog I follow daily - basically it's a 100% natural bar made from only two to nine ingredients, mainly a combination of fruit/figs and nuts. Figs and nuts? A handful of ingredients? How the frig does that create an amazing taste of peanut butter & chocolate? It totally doesn't sound right - figs + nuts =/= cookie, but oh, believe me when I say it tasted that way. My tummy (& taste buds) are happy and I am in love.

And there is a Trader Joe's 30 feet from my office. This could be bad news. Actually it's been bad news for a while now anyway.

Good news is that today is Friday (!!!!) and this is one of the first weekends since we've been married that J & I have absolutely no set plans.. and it feels glorious. I've thought about bringing up the fact that we have been talking about painting an accent wall in our apartment for over a month now, but haven't actually done anything about it. So, maybe we can make that happen.

One thing I know for sure - I'm definitely going to make these happen this weekend. At least.

What do I know.

I took it upon myself to register for both a warm power yoga and spin class for my Y's spring session this morning. The yoga class is a little over an hour on Mondays, with the 45 minute spin class on Wednesdays. Will it help me to continue to get my butt in gear and build endurance? Yes. Although I have no idea what to expect in either - I've never taken a spin class. But, will I probably wonder what the hell I was thinking once they get started? Definitely. It seems like a good idea now, but I already anticipate getting my butt kicked. That doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to them though.. for now!



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It's funny how gung-ho I am about booking a vacation until it actually comes time to hand over the cash - or in this case almost our entire tax refund. J & I have been talking about taking a first anniversary/honeymoon round 2 trip for an all-inclusive to Punta Cana for a week - mostly because we were so economical with our honeymoon last year (OBX) and we feel like we can treat ourselves using our tax refund money. But now that it's actually time to set the plans in stone, the logical, frugal part of my brain (it's the dominant part, what can I say?) runs through scenarios varying from maybe we should set this money aside for emergencies/a house downpayment/general savings to debating whether we should use the lump sum for several things instead of one big ticket item. It's so annoying.

Why can't I just let go once in a while?

In other (not-so-much) dilemmas, I have been dying to make this. 

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Spinach and feta hummus. Yum. How delicious does that look? I mean, that can be considered an acceptable dinner, right?

Wow, that was short lived.

What can I say. I jumped on and off the blogger bandwagon pretty quick. Possibly in record time.
But I'm happy to say that there is absolutely nothing new from my post back in November until now, February 15, which is pathetic & good all at the same time.

The only real change I could note is that we adopted a now-5 month old kitten from our local SPCA in November. It is absolutely amazing (and depressing) how fast he is growing.

November 2010

February 2011

We named him Buddy. Original, I know.

What else is new... consider this next one a shocker: J & I have also gotten into running. Yes, running. It just so happens that at this point, since we joined the Y in January (with 99% of the population) and signed up for a 5k in May, I can comfortably run just under 3 miles straight. If you asked me this time last year to run a 10th of a mile with you, I would laugh in your face. Why? Because I felt like death before, during & after. Just the anticipation of having to run made me exhausted. And while I was running? Forget it. All I could think about was quitting. I couldn't breathe, my chest throbbed and my legs felt like lead.

Now I am in no means fast - my gazelle-esqe running friends blow past me with my 10 minute mile pace, but considering my inability to run two months ago, I'll take it. Right now I'm just trying to focus on my endurance. I'm surprisingly at a point where I don't despise running, although I don't love it either, but the constant challenge of pushing myself and seeing progress does help me to enjoy it though.. or the fact that I've lost 6 pounds since Christmas. J & I also are taking a leap and are signing up for the Marine Corp 10k with another friend this fall.

If that's not a challenge then I don't know what is.

Today is a combination of all things not nice.

I hate the rain, but especially loathe it in the fall. Wet + cold + leaves = a day to avoid life, grab some peppermint hot chocolate and stay in bed under the covers watching movies. Or just sleeping, I could handle that.

It's definitely not a day to be stuck in an office staring at Microsoft Word for nine hours with soaked pant legs, a mental reminder to buy rainboots (yet again) and frizzy hair that you shouldn't have even bothered to style. Well, in all honesty my rainy day "hairstyle" consists of pulling my bangs back with bobby pins. Quite the fashionista, I know.

The only good thing that could possibly come out of this craptastic day is a trip to Panera. I need some hearty sandwich & soup in my life.

And these - ever since I saw the recipe this morning I've been dying to get home & make them.

Anything that is a pseudo-dessert & needs ingredients I already have in my kitchen (plus chocolate) sounds amazing in my novice's baker brain.