das Liebster Award-ness

So my buddy Jaime over at The Unlikely Competitor nominated me for the Liebster Award. Don't you worry, I won't let this incredible honor get to my head in any way, shape or form.

Errr... I mean...

Unfortunately, I don't read any blogs that fit the bill to be nominated for the Liebster Award (see below) but I am going to participate in answering these really fun questions and then I'm going to create a list of 11 questions that anyone reading my blog can feel free to answer at their leisure. Though, when I do come across a blog of incredible worth, I will make sure to add a link to it and then reference this post. This is my solemn oath!

 

"So what is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award nomination goes to those bloggers who have a following of less than 200 to promote other bloggers to comment and share - even get to know each other! I think this is great, because it gives you the potential to gather a larger following! If you get nominated, you cannot nominate the person who nominated you (No tagbacks!).

The point of the Liebster Award is to answer questions, tell 11 secrets about yourself, and nominate 11 other bloggers who fit the criteria. Here it goes!"

1. If you could get on a plane and go anywhere, where would it be and why?
Australia! First of all, I think the opportunity to sit on a plane for 14 hours or so would be amazing. Also, traveling "forward" in time and then "backwards" in time would be well worth the cost of the ticket.

Kangaroo Island

But seriously, I've always wanted to go to Australia. There is a place in South Australia called Kangaroo Island and I would love to explore the cliffs, beaches, and the Shipwreck Trail. Seeing wild Kangaroos, outside of a zoo environment, would also be pretty amazing. (Yes, there are actually Kangaroos there!) I also want to tour the Sydney Opera House and see a show there, ANY show.

2. What is one major thing you would like to accomplish in your life time?
This is a tough one because I'm still young and feel like I still have so many things I want to accomplish (Masters Degree, have a baby, not take out a loan to pay for my child's education, etc.). But since I need to choose, I would like to write a book and publish it (self published or otherwise, doesn't matter to me) and actually have people enjoy it!

3. What was your favorite class in high school or college and why?
My English class, Senior Year of High School. I was lucky enough to be placed in an Arthurian Legends themed English class and I absolutely loved it. I was already obsessed with  Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon so it was the perfect fit for me. We had to read all the standard books for Seniors but we got the added benefit of studying Arthurian Legend and having an AWESOME teacher. At the end of the year, we also got to go to England on a 10 day Arthurian Tour and it was an amazing experience.

4. What is one thing that always makes you smile?
My dog, Hank.

Hank with his 3rd Birthday "Gift"

5. If you were going to try a new hobby, what would you try?
Rock Climbing!

6. What is your favorite kind of music?
I absolutely love every type of music but I love discovering local Indie Rock bands before they hit the big time. You know, kinda like The Decemberists. (No, I'm not from Oregon but I did listen to the Decemberists before the were more well known)

7. What is your favorite race and why?
Out of the three races I've run, my favorite has been the California Classic in Fresno. The course was interesting, we ran through the zoo, and even though I swore, "never again" at the finish, I had a really good time. Other than running a Disney Race, I really want to do a Run Catalina Island race. Can't have Fresno be the most interesting course I've run!

8. If you could live anywhere for a year where would it be?
If living didn't require working, I would live in Greece. Preferably on the Peninsula somewhere but close enough to a city that if I wanted to do "city-style" exploring, I could.

9. What made you start blogging?
I blogged on Livejournal in High School. It started as a way to keep track of all the silly things that my friends and I said during the day as well as chronicling the trials and tribulations of High School. I went back and read some of my old entries and deleted the blog right after. Then I got back into blogging last year when I was attempting to make light of the fact that I needed to lose weight, badly. It has ended up helping me out more than I expected, plus it is fun to chronicle the "joys" of getting in shape.

10. If you could meet a famous person, past or present, who would it be?
If you knew me in high school, you knew that History class was my least favorite class. I did everything I could to get out of taking History classes, including taking a one night a week Junior College course my Junior year of high school. One semester, one day a week... AMAZING. Anyway, as an adult, I've found a new love of history. I don't have to take exams and remember exact dates and that's exactly how I like it!

Anyway, I think Anne Boleyn is such a tragic, misunderstood figure. I would love to meet her and just have a discussion with her about her life.

11. What is something you have done that you are really proud of? 
Prior to May of last year, I would have said that completing my Bachelor's Degree in four years was my greatest accomplishment. Now, I can say that completing three half marathons has been my greatest accomplishment. I hated running prior to last year and could hardly run 30 seconds at a time when I started. Now, I can proudly say that prior to my pregnancy, running 5 miles at a time is a piece 'o cake!

11 fun facts about me:

1. My favorite musical is The Music Man.

2. I play the Clarinet and Bass Clarinet.

3. I don't chew gum because the sound annoys me.

4. When I was 9, I trained my aunt's Pekingese to do agility.

5. I buy wine based on the awesomeness of the label and/or name.

6. My book as a kid was called But No Elephants and my favorite song was Rockin' Robin.

7. No matter how stupid or silly the episode is, I find great joy in watching America's Next Top Model. Don't tell anyone.

8. My favorite movies are The Goonies, The Sandlot, Hook, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

9. I have an irrational fear of spiders and if I see one above my bed, I can't sleep well for at least three days.

10. I love answering questions asked by song and confusing everyone around me.

11. In high school, I drove a train at a park in town and I can still repeat my script, word for word. "Welcome aboard the C.P. Huntington, Engine # 74...."


And now for 11 questions to those I've nominated (Errr... will nominate in the future):


1. What made you start blogging? ( STOLEN! :))

2. What is your favorite book and your favorite quote from that book?

3. If you were given the chance to complete five of your bucket list activities this week, which ones would you choose and why?

4. What makes you happiest after a stressful day?

5. How would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

6. What do you do that makes you lose track of time?

7. Turn on your favorite music listening device. What is the next song? What is the most played song? What is the least played song?

8. Slippers or socks?

8. You can only have one picture displayed in your entire house. Post the picture that you would choose, no explanation required.

9. If you could go back in time, which era would you choose to visit?

10. What's your favorite meal?

11. Quick, what do you see when you look at this.... ?

Introducing... the barely there baby belly!

I would like to preface this by saying I had to find the most form fitting pre-pregnancy shirt that I own and endure a 20 minute photo shoot with my Mom to find the right angle to prove that I actually have a belly. I can't lie, it was actually kind of fun and amusing to find the right wall in my house and argue with my Mom. She kept telling me to let my stomach go and push it out. What she didn't realize is that I am NOT holding in my stomach and I was letting go as much as I could. My husband was cracking up at us by the time we finished and even got the "honor" of picking the final "Facebook Approved" photo.

17.5 Week "Baby D Belly"

Pickles and Macaroni & Cheese

No joke, pickles and mac & cheese are high on my cravings list. Luckily, I have no urges to mix the two together... my brain thinks that would be horrible. Baby D on the other hand is thinking really hard about considering the combo.

I had my most recent doctor's appointment on Friday. Baby's heartbeat is 153 BPM and quite literally sounds like a galloping horse. When I first heard the heartbeat at 12 weeks, it was much quieter and harder to find. It was neat to hear that first time but so much more life affirming this time around. It's pretty cool to hear the baby moving around and trying to get away from the doppler. I actually starting giggling (yes, like a small girl) during my appointment and it caused the baby to start moving like crazy AND I FELT THE MOVEMENT. Oh my goodness! It was, for lack of a better or more Melanie-esque word, freaking magical. MAG-I-CAL.

Downside of my 16 week appointment is that I feel like I've already gained so much weight. Honestly, I'm about 12 pounds up from my pre-pregnancy weight. Thank goodness I didn't lose weight from morning sickness because that would have been miserable. My doctor is not worried and says this is not the time for me to feel worried about my weight. One of my pregnancy books says that weight gain is gradual. Another website resource says I've gained an excess of six pounds based on "where I should be". My doctor disagrees with both and told me that I will see my weight "stair step" upwards and that I need to expect to gain 25-35 pounds. Her normally nice demeanor changed when she sternly told me, "Don't you dare listen to anyone but me on this matter." She then returned to normal and told me to *walk* at least 30 minutes a day and to consume 300-ish calories more than usual per day. She said my choice of freeze dried fruits and veggies were excellent (I think so too by the way... fat-free, low sugar, crispy, crunchy, yummy...mmmmm).

To make myself feel better, I have walked the dog for 40 minutes a day since that appointment. I have the energy and the motivation to do it, so I am taking advantage of that! My legs are definitely sore and the whole dynamic of exercising feels so... different. For instance, when I got home from my walk today, I could have eaten an entire pig. (Sorry, I just wasn't hungry enough to eat an entire cow, so pig was the next best animal choice.) I had crackers and a few snack sized pickles instead and felt much better. Then within minutes, I was already feeling the burn in my legs. Yes, I walked three miles... but really? Sigh... it's OK, it's just different. My running app told me that I went six miles instead of three (I've checked the route on Map My Run in the past) which is hilarious since I was done in less than 40 minutes. :) Either I've gotten WAY faster with pregnancy, my app is taking pity on me, or the app is malfunctioning. I'm going with the last one, just in case you couldn't guess.

Merry New Years! eerrrr... I think?

Pregnancy is making me lose my mind AND my waist line. I feel like this little babe is draining me of IQ and energy, all at the same time! Up is down, left is right, and keyboards are for hand writing letters. It's a weird feeling!

Luckily, I am getting some of my energy back but I feel so bogged down from being pregnant, that I am much more content being lazy than productive. I'm already 14.5 weeks along and it seems kind of surreal still. We've seen the baby, heard the heartbeat, and can see all the outward signs of pregnancy but it still doesn't seem like it is really happening.

When I first started my blog back in January and I started the special diet, I had cravings for all types of foods. Multiply that by 200 and that's how I feel now. I had it so easy back then!

Friend's Facebook Post: I could use some pho or thai curry for lunch.
My response: So could I! *like post*
My response to my sudden realization that I have no access to either food in my town: O_o

Friend's Facebook Post: Just found a recipe for Scalloped Potatoes that looks BOMB.
My response: Can you send that to me?
My response to knowing I won't eat this anytime soon ANYWAY:  :(

I've restarted my playing of The Sims 3 in the last couple of days (vacation + lack of motivation = day on the couch playing Sims 3) and food that my SIMS ARE EATING, appeal to me. Sigh... I will never win. :)

I just got an update email from the Santa Rosa Marathon (End of August of 2013) about their course updates and new offerings and I am so bummed that it is probably too soon after delivery for me to participate. Running while pregnant is safe and was approved by my doctor but I haven't done ANY since my half marathon in November. The most I feel capable of doing right now is walking and even that seems iffy. I cleaned up my garden for 15 minutes this afternoon and it made me sore! Such a change!

But the positives are these: In the next couple of weeks the baby will be able to hear me, in about a month we will know if the babe is a boy or a girl, and at some point in the very near future, my doctor expects that I may be able to feel the baby moving around. Amazing!

Exciting News!

I haven't been blogging but this time, I'm not going to apologize. I've been keeping a huge secret and it's finally gone public.

My husband and I are going to have a baby!(!!!!!!!!!)

Our Baby Announcement Photo.. "Our Family is Growing by TWO FEET"

Basically, I've had two great things happen to me in a short amount of time. I have a great new job that I LOVE and now I have this little baby that I can't stop thinking about. It's been a wild ride and yes, I did my half marathon as a pregnant lady. I did know at the time and battled severe nausea and sickness the whole way but you know... I did it and now this little babe is an "official runner"!

I'll be blogging more now that I don't have to worry about letting my secret escape. :)

Another run in the books...

I'm just now sitting down in my home away from home (the hotel in South San Francisco) and basically wishing I could curl up and sleep for three days straight. Who thought it was a good idea to have marathons on Sundays? Give us our day of rest, people! :) The time change also really screwed me up. I mean, it seriously messed with my brain. Not to mention, we had a doorbell ditcher stop by our house at 12:15AM/11:15PM last night. It set me on edge for about an hour and I just couldn't fall back to sleep. I woke up at 5AM ready to seize the day and strangle a door bell ditcher!

It has been a really long weekend and it feels like I've squeezed 48 hours into today. First, I went home early on Friday so I could drive to meet my new manager for the first time and get a five cent tour of the facility where I will be working. I really wanted to go to the Expo for the race on Friday night to save myself the miles but that just didn't happen. Once I got home, I stuffed my face with BBQ Pulled Pork and crashed.

On Saturday, I went to the Expo but I spent all morning reading and being unproductive. The Expo set up was obviously in favor of the vendors because the bib, goodie bag, and t-shirt pick ups were scattered all over the place. I really wasn't interested in any of the vendors but I stopped and looked at tech shirts with funny sayings on them for about 10 minutes. I almost caved and bought one that said, "Dear God, Please let there be someone behind me to read this!" That is what I'm thinking most of the time that I'm running, so it would have been perfect.

Being away from home and eating out for almost every meal has really hurt my training. I didn't stay well hydrated this past week and I feel really sluggish from my food choices even though I've been deliberately choosing healthy options (Grilled Veggie Paninis, Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches, Chicken Penne Pasta with Marinara, etc.). I just haven't been diligent with my training, which is really what it comes down to and I'm disappointed in myself because I could have and SHOULD have gotten a better time than I did.

The race itself was OK. I was signed up as a half marathon RUNNER but ended up walking a majority of the time I was on the course. I actually got knocked over by a man with a stroller at or around mile two and that pretty effectively ruined my running plan for the rest of the race. I'm OK but my knee took most of the pressure from that little episode. I'm just really lucky that the person next to me was able to keep me from falling all the way to the ground (and no, he didn't cushion my fall but he definitely caught me and pushed me back upright). The course was more hilly than I expected which helped me a lot in the downhill portion but really slowed me down on the uphill.

The finish area of the race was ridiculous. Finishers had to walk a ways to get to the "Finisher's Village" where we received sweatshirts and medals. The positive of the out of the way village was that the breakfast was plentiful/yummy and there were ice cream sundaes. I haven't taken part in the breakfast offerings at the last two races but this one was a necessity because I was starving. But after sitting down and scarfing my breakfast, I realized that I had to walk back to my car and I clocked it on my GPS as a full mile back. Not to mention, I had to guesstimate where I parked and cross my fingers that I picked the right section of the parking lot. Luckily, I did pick the right area on the first try so I didn't have to torture myself further.

I got to the finish line at 3 hours and 22 minutes, which is my slowest and most disappointing time to date. Considering how much I walked, it is actually a good time but it's just not where I wanted to be as my goal was to be below three hours. On a positive note, I'm alive and I didn't require medical attention at any point before, during, or after the race and I left in my own vehicle. :)

Day 2

I've been keeping quiet on the blogger-sphere mainly because I've been going through a lot of personal changes lately and the main change was a big secret for a long time. (No, it's not pregnancy so don't even start with me!) I got a new job and it's been a stressful but exciting change. I can't say where I'm working because my blog, unlike my Facebook, is public and I don't feel like getting tagged in a corporate Google search.

This change has been a long time coming. I feel like I hit a wall where I was working that I could not go through, climb over, or leap over and it wasn't from lack of trying on my part! I could go on and on and tell you all the horrible things that I went through there and the stupid shit that people told me but it wouldn't make sense at this point. All I can say is that I was being majorly held back. But at the same time, I struggled in making my decision because I loved what I did and I was really comfortable there.

So a couple of weeks ago, after I accepted my job offer, I walked into my manager's office and broke the news to him. Really fast. My hands were shaking, I felt like crying, and my voice almost failed me. But surprisingly, he was really happy for me and told me I needed to make the best decision for me, etc. Relieved? Yes! Was that the end of it? No... I wish! I'm not going to go into the details but it involved a lack luster counter offer. I finished my final two weeks there and it was not fun. I watched everything I've done unravel and it was the worst experience ever. And all I could do was watch.

There were positive moments to my final two weeks so I can't forget those. I got called a "shining star employee" and someone that is "rarely attained" by the Regional Manager. I got a ton of phone calls and emails from people within the company who were upset to see me go. One of our vendors told me that I am a "super brain" and he wants to keep me on his contact list for the future. Coworkers even came out of the woodwork and told me that they felt I was treated unfairly during my employment. I am going to forget all the bad and remember all the good, that is my goal!

I'm currently on Day 2 of my new job training and I am sitting in a hotel room, 200+ miles away from home (but close to my family). I am using my resistance band exercises in my hotel room, I'm using the hotel gym equipment, and I'm bound and determined to eat healthy. I've got a kitchenette in my room, so I think that will be easier than I'm imagining. I'm mentally exhausted and sore from slouching over people's shoulders all day. For those of you who know me in a work sense, you know that I'm pretty "get up and go" and I feel so unhelpful right now. I just want to absorb everything and get to work! I want to help fix problems and get solutions underway fast. I know, I know... I need to go with the flow and take my time. Yeah, yeah. :)

But this is how I really feel...