to be her is surely blinding

Well friends, I did it! Today was my second 10K and, true to my previous post, I finished. And I PR’d (1:18:36, off a little more than 4 minutes from my last 10k, or about 42 second a mile)! No one stopped me for directions. And, I did get brunch afterwards, and Dunkin Donuts, and also a turkey sandwich for lunch later from our favorite Santa Monica sandwich spot.

Overall the race wasn’t too bad – the weather was beyond, my playlist was out of this world (Thanks Cor and Lauren!) and I was feeling it with all the running and yoga prep I did. Plus, being surrounded by other runners and supporters doesn’t hurt!

BIG thanks to Mike, who not only LET ME BORROW HIS SUNGLASSES FOR THE RACE (which is like, a really big deal here in the bright + beautiful LA) but also waited for us to finish, stood around while we got drinks/water, and also took a million photos for us!

More photos to come, but here are a few:

 

10k

dunkin

 

Do you have regular cups?

I received this message from my friend Paul the week before last, and knew what it meant:

paul_redcup

The red cups, that I really, really, really, really, really don’t like, were back.

The next day, I was on my way to a friend’s wedding on the opposite coast, after a red eye that I almost didn’t make, and we were stopping for coffee. When T asked if I wanted anything, I said yes, then stood behind him at the counter, and asked the barista, “Do you have any non-red cups? Like, do you have regular cups?” She looked at me like I was insane, and said no, before sliding a red cup my way.

For the record, T did not look at me like I was crazy, but I know he thought it.

Alas, this morning I went to Starbucks to use up an old gift card (and because I’m out of coffee, which is horrifying) and this is what I was greeted with:

photo

For the record, I like these even less than I liked the 2012 cup…which I did not like. At least it was chilly this morning, so I can forgive Starbucks for spreading holiday cheer so early in the year…maybe…

Happy nearly-Thanksgiving, everyone.

A Thanksgiving 5K + My Siblings

Heading home for Thanksgiving this year, I forgot about the inevitable cold weather that’d greet me in Chicago. Luckily, on Thanksgiving Day it was 55 degrees, and we were enjoying the sunshine as we ran the Turkey Trot pre-meal.

Here is my family at the race – Dad, Jeff, Nikki and I ran, and Mom, Jon, and Kylah all walked. I ran the race in 37:12, my new personal best.

We came home to prepare for the feast, and while waiting for the turkey to be done, I snapped these shots of my siblings being ridiculous, aka themselves.

Nothing like being home to keep your spirit silly and your laugh fresh, chicks.

Today is our last day in Chicago, and I’m going to drink some coffee, hopefully participate in Local Saturday shopping, and enjoy these two and the rest of the family until I head back with Jeffrey to LaLa land.

 

yankee swap success

For the past four years, we’ve been hosting a Yankee swap for friends in Los Angeles. A few weeks ago, we had our fourth annual swap. It caused me to look back on years past and remember our four Christmases on Mansfield.

Our first Christmas tree in Los Angeles.

We’re all sitting on the floor because we didn’t have chairs or furniture yet. Those two in black got engaged that night.

In 2009, the hot gift was the slanky (aka the fake snuggie) of which there were two to win!

The 2009 tree, in all its glory and all its Yankee Swap gifts.

2010 brought presents that people were VERY excited about…such as coloring supplies.

And mustaches for all.

2010 also brought another lovely tree.

2011 brought some new faces.

And some exciting gifts.

And a baby tree to replace the big ones that always seem to leave a trail…

2011 marked our fourth yankee swap, and I’d say it was an overall success. Here’s to a fifth anniversary next holiday season, but for now, a Happy Holidays to everyone off in their own corners of the country – I miss you, LA family!