15 Day Challenge: Day 5

[Day 5]: If you could have dinner with any five people, who would they be?

After much deliberation, I have decided who I would invite for dinner.  It is a very interesting group.  First, would be Denzel Washington (see #23).  I have met him before, but it was brief.  And I am convinced we would be friends if we spent an entire dinner together.  Plus, I made friends with his son once upon a time so we already have that in common - true story!  Next, I would invite my mom's mom and my dad's dad since I never met either of them.  I have heard lots of stories about both so I know it would be interesting to meet them.  The fourth person would be the President just because I have always thought it would be awesome to meet one.  It's not on my bucket list, but it is something that I have always wanted to do.  Last, but certainly not least, would be Jesus.  There are just so many questions I would love to ask.  So many! 

Be sure to link up with Sar to jump on the 15 Day Challenge wagon.  You still have 10 whole days to participate in the fun!!

Andrea :)

15 Day Challenge: Day 3 and 4

Happy 4th of July!!!  

yummy and healthy dessert I made to celebrate!

Yay for being American!!  And the countdown to my birthday has officially begun :)  I missed out on posting yesterday so I am doubling up on Day 3 and 4 today.

[Day 3]: Tell us about an article of clothing you're attached to.

To be honest, I had a lot of trouble thinking of a single piece of clothing.  There are lots of different items that through the years I have kept, but mostly just because I'm not that great at cleaning out my closet.  However, the pieces I have the most trouble parting with are those that have logos of events I worked or races I ran.  Even though it is very rare that I wear those shirts/polos outside of the event or race day, I have a closet stacked full of them.  I've gotten to the point with work where I purposely ask for sizes that don't fit so I can give them away rather than keep them.  Even though it is quite rare that I wear these items, they have so much sentimental value that I just can't throw them out.

[Day 4]: What's your favorite childhood memory?

I have many wonderful childhood memories, but what I remember most is how excited I was EVERY year for Thanksgiving to roll around.  Thanksgiving meant everyone came to our house when I was a kid.  I loved that.  It was always so exciting to get up on that Wednesday morning to wait for all of the out-of-town guests to begin arriving for their stay at our house.  I had bunk beds so I always got a roommate.  We had about 7-8 extra people at our house for the Thanksgiving break.  And we had SOOOOOO much fun.  We stayed up late playing board games and cards and just talking.  We had Rook tournaments with trophies for the winners and dreaded Earthcake (long story, but let's just say you did NOT want to have to eat it) for the losers.  We played Psychiatrist and the Broom Game (which we still use to initiate new people into our family - Chris got his dose the first time he came back to KY with me).  We had great food and great fun. One year my cousin Kenneth and I even came up with the 9lb 5oz club that you could only be in if you weighed at least that much when you were born....and yes, we both did....and yes, I think we only made it up in order to exclude my annoying (at the time) brother, but you better believe we never forgot it.  I think these memories are the reason why I have always preferred Thanksgiving to Christmas.  Now that I live so far from home, I have been going back for Christmas each year and missing all those fun Thanksgivings, but hopefully I can make it back this year because I sure hate to miss those memorable, yet awkward family photos that ALWAYS get taken as families depart the party on turkey day...especially since this was one they took without me recently...haha....    

poor quality picture, but totally classic...

Enjoy your holiday!!  Don't forget to join the fun by linking up with Sar.

Andrea :)

15 Day Challenge: Day 2

Since work is taking over my life right now, let me just get right to it before it becomes Day 3 :)

[Day 2]: Write a [few] six word memoir[s]

Try your best, it never fails

Growing up, my mom used to always tell us to just try our best.  After all, that is all she asked.  We would laugh and mock her little saying back then (sorry, Mom!), but as I have grown up, I have discovered the truth and wisdom in it.

Ask, and it shall be given

Recently, I have learned that it is in fact impossible for others to know what you are thinking and magically make it happen, appear, become reality, etc.  Sometimes, and quite honestly more often than not, you simply have to ask.  And even though God does know our thoughts, I believe it is as equally important that we ask him as well.  He revels in that community with us. *However, I have not quite mastered this one yet - can we say, um, work in progress? :)

 Many the miles, worthwhile in end

So, there is this Sara Bareilles song that always comes on my Adele (LOVE her) Pandora station called "Many the Miles" and it always reminds me of Chris and the many miles that separate us right now.  However, we know that we won't always be so far apart and that is how I am sure it will be worthwhile in the end.  Just hoping and praying that end is sooner than later.

This was fun!  Hope you enjoyed reading :)  And link up with Sar...it's not too late!!


Andrea :)

15 Day Challenge: Day 1

Since I am pretty new to this whole blogging thing, I decided to participate in my first link-up.  I found Sar at Life of Love via my friend Ashley (Cooper) Kinney's blog a couple of months ago.  I was excited when Sar announced she was hosting the 15 Day Challenge.  So here I go...

Day 1: List 15 fun facts about yourself.

1) I never missed a day of school from K-12.  My brother and I did get chicken pox once, but it was over Christmas break so we didn't have to miss school.  I guess I got a few lucky breaks here and there, but I'm pretty proud of the accomplishment.

2) I have collected penguins since I was born.  My dad chose an animal for each of us (I have two brothers - Jordan: elephants and McKinley: whales) to collect when we were born.  I have accummulated quite a large collection of all different types of penguins since then.  To this day, I keep a Shirt Tales (remember them?) stuffed penguin my Aunt Mary Ruth made me on my bed along with the cutest little stuffed penguin that Christopher brought back from England as a gift for me when we first started dating.

3) Speaking of Christopher, we have been in a long distance relationship for 2+ years now.  Not sure if that is such a FUN fact, especially when we have to go weeks without seeing one another at times, but it is a fact of life for me...at least for now.

4) I became an aunt for the first time a couple of months ago.  I don't believe a more precious baby ever existed.  Brinley is absolutely perfect.  And I get to see her again in just a little over a week!

5) My family and I have traveled together (by car with the exception of our final two trips) to all 50 states.  We started our official "See All 50 States" mission with a trip to Texas in 1994 when McKinley was just 4 years old.  We made our last trips to Hawaii and Alaska in 2010.  We had a blast on all of our trips together even if it wasn't always easy to get them scheduled once Jordan and I were in college and later working.  So very glad and grateful (thanks Mom and Dad!!) for these experiences.  I truly believe they helped shape me into the person I am today.  My top three states (in no particular order and obviously excluding my home state of Kentucky) were Hawaii, Vermont, and California.  My top three cites were San Francisco, Idaho Falls, and San Antonio.

6) I moved from a very small town in Kentucky to New York City in 2007 without a job and knowing only 3 people who lived here.  Not something I would really recommend, but in the end everything worked out for the best.  I still can't believe it's been 5 years (tomorrow to be exact) that I moved here.

7) I am one NYRR race away from qualifying for the 2013 NYC Marathon.  It will be a real challenge, but I am excited to conquer it.

8) My fingernails are always painted.  Always!

9) I studied abroad in London as a part of my master's program.  I highly recommend it to anyone that has the opportunity.  It was a life changing experience for me.

10) I no longer have any living grandparents, but I had the most wonderful relationship with my Mamaw.  She passed away at the beginning of my sophomore year in college.  She was a true inspiration to me. I still miss her very much.  I wish she had been able to watch McKinley grow up (and lose that baby fat she was always so worried about), meet Christopher, and welcome little Brinley into the world, but I know that she is watching over all of us from Heaven.  She was such a special lady to so many people, especially all of our family.

11) I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgetown College.  I only made two B's in my college career.  Both in my senior year - Statistics with Dr. Wolfe and English Literature with Dr. Brady.  In retrospect, it really didn't make a difference in the grand scheme of my life, but it sure did make me mad then.

12) I was in a sorority (Phi Mu - Delta Eta Chapter) in college, but a lot of people didn't realize it because I was so involved with my position as manager of the Tiger Football team. However, I am glad that I was able to enjoy both aspects of college - Greek Life and College Athletics.  Made me well-rounded :)

13) I want to attend the Oscars.  If anyone knows of a way to do so outside of being nominated for an award, please let me know.  Always loved the Oscars and would just love to have the experience of being in that auditorium for the big event just once.

14) I almost always sleep on a flight.  I usually am out before we take off and wake up just as the airline attendant is announcing the local time.  Some of my best sleep is on planes.

15) I have two favorite holidays - Groundhog's Day and Fourth of July.  Strange, huh?  I got my license on 2-2-2000 so I adopted Groundhog's Day as a favorite at that point.  I have always loved fireworks so the Fourth of July is an obvious one.  Plus it means my birthday is only 20 days away...and I LOVE BIRTHDAYS...especially mine! :)

Hope you enjoyed reading my fun facts!  You should participate in Sar's link up as well!

Andrea :)

Sewing, anyone?

Once upon a time, I signed up for a Groupon to an introductory sewing class.  I took that class roughly a month ago....and I LOVED IT!!  I had so much fun on that random Thursday night with a few unsuspecting strangers, an eccentric British teacher, and this little sewing machine :)

I remember signing up for the class because it sounded like something fun and random to do in this sometimes all too predictable city, but also because I remember how much fun I had making a stuffed penguin back in high school home economics.   We even sewed by hand in those days.  My favorite part about sewing is that you are creating something out of what seems like nothing.  That, my friends, is what adventure is all about!!  So, in my normal fashion, I rushed into the sewing studio just in time for the class to begin.  I chose a fun and exciting black and white polka dot pattern for my project.  We were given a brief orientation to the machine and some practice rounds on scrap fabric before we got right into the sewing action.  We took it step by step and there weren't too many steps for this project, but I truly did enjoy myself.  Here are a couple of pictures of my progress throughout the project.

The zipper part was a little tricky...

I had such a feeling of accomplishment when I finished my last stitch.  I'm still not exactly sure what I'll use the bag to store just yet, but I am a quite proud owner of my very own hand machine crafted zipper bag!! Isn't it a beauty?

So proud of my creation!

Have any of you recently completed a project and felt that great sense of accomplishment and pride in your work?


Andrea :)

Dance, Dance, Dance

One of my former college roommates is originally from Bulgaria.  Fortunately, we both live in New York City now and are able to get together from time to time.  She is a true treasure of a friend and we always have a great time catching up and spending time together.

Most recently, Vanya invited me to a Bulgarian Dance Festival that took place in a school auditorium nearby my apartment.  It was quite interesting.  There were a couple of different dance troupes performing and several wardrobe changes throughout the night.  I was very intrigued by the exciting and fun dances that were performed.  It made me a little sad that there are no national dances that all Americans are familiar with and could perform any time the moment was right.  America has more regional and cultural dances as we are such a melting pot for so many different types of people and cultures, but after attending this performance I was convinced it would be fun if we had a few uniform American dances, too :)  Check out some of the pictures I took of Vanya's dance troupe...

Vanya and her mom :)

Vanya even taught me a few dances at the end of the night...so fun!!

After the show, I felt even more prepared for my eventual visit to Bulgaria.  Gotta figure out a good time to get that one crossed off my bucket list.  Pack your bags, Vanya...

Andrea :)

Race #8

 Name: NYRR New York Mini 10K

Date/Time: Saturday, June 9 at 8am

Location: Central Park

Length: 6.2 miles

Bib Number: 7343 

Official Time: 1:18:57

Average Time per Mile: 12:43 

This race was a woman's only event.  I have only done one other all women's race - the Diva Half Marathon in Long Island - a couple of years ago.  I loved it.  The atmosphere for this race was a lot of fun as well.  There is something about a race being exclusive to women that makes it somehow more exciting.  In addition to the hype of it being women only, the weather was amazing for running!  The official temperature was 69 degrees with 5mph winds.  Perfect!  In fact, the whole race I thought it might start pouring down rain at any moment.  Fortunately, it held off until I crossed the finish line and collected my medal....yes, they gave us medals!!

Pre-race...I really liked the shirts for this race!

Anyway, on to the race itself.  This race began on 61st and Central Park West.  We ran for about a mile and a half before we entered the park.  I really liked this part of the course.  Even though I had some knee/leg pain throughout much of the first mile, I still clocked in pretty close to 11:30.  I was a bit surprised as I hadn't done too much running since the Brooklyn Half a couple of weeks ago.  After that I really needed a bit of a break from running and then work got really busy so I have been swamped.  I did manage to get in a few decent runs the week or so prior to the race, but I wasn't expecting to be too stellar on the course.  Needless to say, I kept it pretty consistent with the first couple of miles.  I started to get warmed up around mile 2 and was feeling pretty good until I hit the 5k marker at 37:55.  I wasn't entirely disappointed in that time, but I just started to feel a little off at that point.  I tried to force my mind to think about something else and not to think about it, but I kept feeling a little faint.  Needless to say, the second half of the race was not too fun.  I couldn't decide if I should walk, stop for a breather, ask for help at the next water station, drink a bunch of Gatorade, or just shake it off.  I ended up just putting one foot in front of the other convincing myself that I would be finished soon and if I still felt bad I could take a visit to the medic tent at the finish line.  My 4th mile was probably somewhere around 14 minutes as I couldn't decide what would be best and was really struggling.  I made my decision at the mile 5 marker to try to finish as strong as possible, but not to completely overdo it.  The last two miles were somewhere between 12 and 13 minutes each which was a feat in itself at that point in time.  As soon as I crossed the finish (and collected my lovely medal!!), I made a beeline for the bagels.  After washing half the bagel down with lots of Gatorade, I started to feel a little less lightheaded and shaky.  They were handing out popsicles as well so I grabbed one of those and got some sugar in my system.  I walked around for a few minutes as it began to sprinkle.  I felt better almost immediately after eating something so I chalked it up to not having enough to eat the night before and morning of the run.  I didn't feel bad for the rest of the day or weekend so I think that must have definitely been it.

Very happy to have 8 races finished!! :)

With this race in the record books, I have just one left to complete my goal of qualifying for the 2013 Marathon.  I've signed up for that one in September when work will be a little bit calmer and hopefully my running schedule will be more in tact.  It is only a 1 mile race so I am looking forward to really doing GREAT on it.  Stay tuned....


Andrea :)