Running

I started running last week.  It all started when I met Roxanna at the gym.  I was waiting for my zumba class to start.  She was on the treadmill.  So I got on the one next to her.  I've never been on a treadmill.  I always looked at them with great disgust and slight confusion.  I'm more of an elliptical kind of gal, biking, or pilates.  Or so I thought.

I quickly realized that this treadmill was giving me quite the workout! More so than most other things I've been doing.  So the next time I went to the gym I got on the treadmill.  This time I did 1 mile.  The next time 2 miles with a 1 minute break in the middle.

Today I did 2.5 miles without stopping!  And I am so happy about it.  I've noticed in just this short time that my endurance has already began to build.  It's not as hard.  And I can push myself further.  I really like this working out thing, the sweating, the fast heart rate, the feeling like I can't stand another second, and then I do.

Years and years and years ago I heard of a runner's high.  I didn't quite get it at the time, but for the first time in my life I feel like I'm beginning to get a little hint of that.  And my music play list really assists me.  I think I had the most intense moment yesterday at the end of 2 miles while listening to Nine Inch Nails- Give up.

Two Decembers ago- I saw the most beautiful runner at Memorial Park I had ever seen.  It was like she was galloping.  She made it look so easy and she was so full of energy.  I really like watching graceful runners.  But now that I am actually doing this- my little shuffle is beginning to look more like a run.  And I'm really liking it.

One day I dream of running through thick forests.....

Valentine's Day 2011

So for this V-day we made homemade vegetable quesadillas and had an interesting yet scary avocado surprise that has tainted us both regarding avocados (at least for a while!).  And oddly enough, we watched Halloween 2.

Starfish from Maine

The last time I went to Maine, we kayaked to a little uninhabited island and I picked up a couple of these starfish.  Yum-yum has recently discovered them and tries to make love to them every chance she can. 

Carnival Dreams

When I was a little girl, I was afraid of carnivals.  I would look at the rides and focus on the nuts and bolts thinking to myself "are these rides safe?"  The reason why is because my mother and uncle had told me many times that the rides were put together by "drunks."

But ever since I saw the movie "Big Fish" back in 2004, and every time I see clips of small town carnivals in other movies.  It makes you wish you had something like that in your town or city.

So no here in Houston the big Rodeo is here, and me and Patrick decided to go to the carnival recently.  It's interesting regarding the history of cernivals, because the history is quite vast or all over the place.  Some of the origins come from celebrations before Lent for fasting.  Other history even pre-dates christianity.  And of course you have the italian carnivals, the brazilian carnivals, and the oriental carnivals.

Isn't it strange that I also have attended a brazilian carnival within 7 days of the other carnival.
Below are some vintage carnival advertisements and then some pictures of our own.

sometime then

70's tank worn by my mother
when the levee breaks ringing in my ears
toothbrush in hand
post-gym

Yes I do

love this photo and everything about it.  It looks perhaps Canadian, wouldn't you say?

Found this on You Are My Favorite

Another Day

I've been out sick with the flu (2nd time this flu season) :(.  But now I am so delighted to be well again.  Today I slept in a little, went to the gym, and met my husband for lunch at an old chinese restaurant we've been going to for years (and that I've been going to since I could walk).

A quick bath, and ready for work again.  My last 24 hour call shift was two days ago.  Tonight will be my last OB call shift.  After this only 3 months left of call shifts period.  It feels great that the countdown has begun.

painting by Joshua Petker
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