Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

Spring break starting

Running 7 miles and working on speed

Going to New York City tomorrow!!!

Being content with where life is leading me

Running Reflection

Well, today I ran the most I've ever run: 6 miles. I'd have to say I'm rather proud of this because 5 months ago I couldn't run 10 minutes straight. I'm a slow runner, more of a jogger, but I ran for an hour and 15 minutes today. It was icy, I slipped a few times and I wanted to quit about a million times, but I'm almost halfway to my half-marathon goal. I have 55 days until the Get in Gear Half-Marathon. It has been seemingly more of a mental battle than a physical one, but being someone not used to running more than maybe 3 miles at a time (in the last 5 months that is) it has been grueling on my body. I get sore every time I run, but I know I am accomplishing something so it doesn't bother me so much. I still haven't quite figured out how to eat right and that has been frustrating as I'd like to try and drop a few pounds (or inches) in this pursuit. Now that I'm focused on this half-marathon, I've been looking for a few more to run before I head back to Korea for the summer. Possibly the Green Bay half-marathon?

Picture: Brittany, Kate and me after the Snowflake Shuffle 5K in St. Joseph, MN. I ran right around a 36 minute 5K which is normal for me, but I'm looking to improve on that :)

And for those interested, this is the half-marathon plan I've been using.

Here's Hoping

I have decided to revamp my blog in hopes that I will be posting more often. I have realized that I really miss writing about everyday things, while trivial, it is cathartic. I am also in the beginning stages (4 weeks in) of training for a half-marathon and I thought it would be nice to have a place to document my successes and failures, my angst and happiness through the training process. I've also decided that while I'm not very good about doing things everyday, I want to work on updating as much as possible. Maybe just pictures, maybe short words, anything to keep the creativity flowing.

Today's picture: a beautiful sunset from Karon Beach on Phuket, Thailand. It's cold and snowy here, but in early August I was spending my evenings on the balcony of the Hilton Arcadia Resort. A beautiful ending to the most amazing vacation I've ever had.

Thankful Thursday

Having my paper finished and handed in

A rather relaxing weekend ahead, not too much homework

New York City in 8 days!

Being patient

Thankful Thursday

Registering for a half-marathon (hoping I'll be ready is another thing)

Having Dustin meet my family last weekend

Heading to Duluth this weekend

Trying new recipes

2009 Reflection and 2010 Outlook

Yes this is about 21 days late, but I'd like to reflect on things that went well and not so well in 2009 and also look forward to what 2010 may bring.

So...2009...
I spent the first 8 months of it in Korea
Teaching, traveling, making friends, eating DELICIOUS food and growing.
I rang in the New Year in downtown Seoul with presumably millions of Koreans.
China in May, climbed the Great Wall, ate sticky strawberries and haggled.
Marked a year in Korea in July and celebrated a month later in Thailand,
The most beautiful place I've ever visited.
Flew home to my family and fought jet lag for about a month.
Started my master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language,
Quickly started teaching again, adjusted to America and made new friends.
Lost my grandfather...I'm lucky to have had 24 of his 85 years.
Met a wonderful man and am planning on spending the rest of my life with him.
Had Thanksgiving dinner with my family...ahhhh, turkey, cranberries, lefse!
Finished the semester with a decent GPA and a research paper I'm proud of.
Celebrated Christmas with my family and enjoyed every moment.
Racked up eight 5Ks and a few PRs...best decision I've ever made...running is FUN!

And...2010...
Rang in the New Year with an amazing man.
Started a second semester of graduate work and
Decided for now that I will forgo my teaching license.
For the first time in a long time, I am incredibly happy.
May be headed overseas to teach...UAE, Saudi Arabia, Korea again...
May stay state side and pursue a Ph.D.
Hopefully and probably getting hitched to that amazing man.
Training for a half-marathon (a full will have to wait, I think, until 2011)
And keeping up with the 5Ks and eventually, 10Ks (soon!!!).
And whatever else may find me in 2010, I am ready for it...good or bad.

I'm Still Here

I have not forgotten about this blog. I promise to update soon.

It's been a very busy new year and a very exciting few months.

Updates will happen :)