Goooooaaallll!

This is a post with just a lot of writing and no pictures- I won't be offended if you bypass it. A lot of it is for me to just get down on to something. Funny how blogging works sometimes..

and on a side note- for those you might be interested it is time again to sign-up for the Bigs and Littles Blogging network partnership again! You might recall I participated in this over the Fall and had a wonderful experience. It is a fantastic way to get to know a new blogger, and build a relationship that can help each of your blogs grow. Sign up here!!

New year, new week, new day. I love the feeling that with a new year it can mean a new start, a new life, a place to take a deep breath and start-over. Start a new job, relationship, health regimen. A way to start a new goal.

I have several goals for this upcoming year. I'm not going to call them resolutions because I don't want to feel as if I'm changing anything but instead striving to create something better. A goal to lose weight might be the same as a resolution to go to the gym more but instead it's putting it on a timeline that will hopefully last more than a week or two. And although both may have the same results and ending, I'd like to think it's different.

Blogging Goals:
As with any blogger I would love to grow this space. See more daily readers or even the occasionally drop-in. I'm going to work on making more of my images pinable and sharable.

I'd also like to focus on my content this year- perhaps to see myself become more of a niche blogger instead of a lifestyle one. Either way this may change in general because if all goes well around this time of year next year I will be gearing up for my long-hike.

Meet more of you! I want to create better relationships with the bloggers I have already started chatting too and while I'm at it start chatting with more of you. I like having this world of friends and acquaintances I can turn to at any time of the day.

Life Goals:
Along with most people I'd like to work on getting a bit more healthy. I had a stress-fracture in my leg this year in running and instead of doing the smart thing and continue to exercise with low-impact alternatives, I became depressed. I stopped working out at all, I ate my feelings and then started a fun cycle of not liking who I was becoming, gaining weight, become upset that this was happening and then eating some more. Ugly mess that I could totally acknowledge was unfolding and felt helpless to stop.  I'm not trying to beat myself up about it but want myself to be more aware of it. Make a more conscious decision when it comes to what I am eating and how I'm spending my time, and I've been cleared to start running again (slowly and at an easy pace) and that is what I'm going to do. Also, I'm still eligible for the marathon this year and kind of feel like I'm doing it no matter what- whether I can run the whole thing or have to drop out half-way, I will cross the start line (and hopefully the finish!)

I want to make better use of my time with my relationships too. With the job I'm currently at it's been hard to make time for the people I love and care about, to make times to go on dates. Every person I've been attempted to create a romantic relationship with in the past few years have falling apart before they even start because I'm scared of the time commitment. But guess what, relationships take time. I know, surprise! So I want to let me myself fall this year- and if that means I need to find a new job than I will, because although money is nice and yes I need it for forever, I also need relationships for forever and right now I think that is what is more important.

I'm a year+ ish away from my big hike and also need to start focusing on that. Spending my extra income on gear, finding a few weekends to take some practice hikes, figuring out how everything works. Start writing companies for sponsorships- it's going to happen, and I'm ecstatic, terrified and ready all at once.


So that is it, for now. I have a whole year ahead of me to start make changes, to work towards goals that have always been there but are now within my reach.

What kind of goals do you have for this year?

To Confess or Not to Confess?

I'm going to go with yes, because it's Wednesday and that is what is happening around these parts...

I confess: I re-joined weight watchers yesterday because I've been feeling all over the place lately and really need to get myself in check. I'm actually starting with their Simple Start this time and so far so good (said one day in..) Anyways it's worked in the past but if anyone else out there is doing it would love some recipe/meal ideas!

I confess: I'm super annoyed because it turns out my leg actually is broken (stress fracture)- least favorite sentence I heard this weekr. Annoyed because a) thought it was broken four weeks ago and was told it wasn't b) because I was told it wasn't broken I was then told I could run on it which c) led to it hurting again and finding out it really is a stress fracture. boo- super not happy and now I will be behind weeks in my marathon training. I'm upset, frustrated and my leg hurts.

I confess: Saw this ad on facebook on Monday for a ManServant and why yes, I would like this for my birthday. Thank you in advance- and warning not sexually explicit but prob still #NSFW.

 Have a great day! 

It's a Good Day When...

It's a good day when...I sleep until my alarm rings. Weird I know, but most nights I have trouble sleeping, staying asleep really. It's so nice to not wake up before the alarm wakes me!

It's a good day when... I get to leave work early! This usually only happens when it's a holiday or the kids don't have school for some crazy reason but I cherish them when they happen!

It's a good day when... at notification from the library comes saying a new book is available! I've always wanted to read that is usually my first thought. Haha!

It's a good day when... running 3 miles feels like a breeze

It's a good day when... Big J is dressed and ready for school before I even walk in the door

It's a good day when...someone else makes me dinner and I don't have to do the cooking

It's a good day when... I get lots of blog comments! I love hearing from all of you!!

What's a good day for you?

   Joining up with Lisa over at Two Martinis and Brittany at Happy is a Choice for this fun link-up! Check them all out! 

And don't forget to check out the giveaway I've got going on right now- TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!!! Read my review and the business story here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

what else are weekends for?

Besides having lots of fun...

I had a pretty nice weekend- thankfully because the weather was helpful. Saturday morning I woke up nice and early to participate in the Oakley Mini 10K Race. Now last year, 2013, I was super into running. Mostly because I had the time to- I went for a run 4-5 days a week, started running races to motivate myself and over the course of the year completed two half-marathons, a 10-mile run, three 10Ks, two 4-mile runs, and two 5Ks. This qualified me for the marathon this year. But then I kind of stopped running... I started my new job, which has crazy hours, the winter was crazy, blah blah blah excuses. Push comes to shove now I'm now 20-weeks out from the NYC Marathon and I have to start running again. I signed up for a training course, registered for some races and broke out my running shoes to get this party started again!

I ran a few times last week to get back in the swing of things and then ran my race on Saturday... it was slow going, but I made it across the finish. Here's to many miles more!!

Before the Race

After the Race

After the race I went with a friend to a favorite place of mine, Joe Shanghai's, for delicious soup dumplings. Yum yum yum, they really are the best! Next time you are in NYC you have to stop by there.

Saturday night was super chill, my friend D and I stayed in and had wine/movie night (our second of the week, although this one was way less crazy). We watched Oz the Great and Powerful, G.B.F (my new favorite movie), and Struck by Lightning.

If you haven't heard of G.B.F- you need to go on to Netflixs now and watch it. one, it's freakin hilarious, and two it has a fantastic cast.  That's all I'm going to tell you. Now go and Enjoy!

Sunday morning brought the most interesting surprise. Besides being my 5th year anniversary of moving to NYC (so crazy!) and Father's Day,  while I was getting ready to go to brunch, my entry box buzzed. I wasn't expecting anyone so I ignored it. After it buzzed again, I went and asked who it was. "It's the mailman- I have a package for you" hmm- okay, I wasn't expecting a box but maybe one of my roommates was. Guy gets to the door and the box is for me, and it's from amazon. Now I did order some things but had them sent to work - but maybe I had made a mistake and they got sent to my home address instead? But then I opened the box and was treated to the sight of seasons 1-5 of the wonderful tv show "In Living Color". Yep. All 5. Um I didn't order this? I was freaking out a bit because I thought maybe someone had hacked the account. But no, not the case. 

After finally figuring out the number to call amazon, I get a customer service rep on the phone. The gentleman is very nice and helping me find out who sent me the box. "Ma'am - Gordan Samuel sent this to you". What? Who? I have no idea who this person is. Now I'm really going crazy- is someone stalking me? Sending me strange gifts? Can I send this back and have you refund the money to whoever this Gordon person is?

Then the rep asks me if I had ever heard of Teri Falco- and wait yes I have, that is my Aunt. 

So low and behold the gift is from my Aunt. After much giggles and laughs, and a great story for brunch, I am now a proud owner of all 5 seasons of this wonderful show!

Sunday afternoon was relaxing and involved calling all the wonderful fathers in my life and wishing them a fantabulous day! 

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Happy Father's Day!

run like the wind

Happy Friday!! I thought this day would never come... I'm spending my morning at the US Customs House to hopefully be approved for Global Entry on my passport. I know, doesn't it sound like fun?!

It's been a long week- with some good times and crazy ones...

Yesterday I had lunch with an old friend- someone I literally hadn't seen in 7+ years. We went to summer camp together, and it was lovely catching up. And now to the weekend...

My list of things to do this weekend....

1) RUN! Sunday counts as the official 20-week mark until the NYC Marathon and I have got to get my butt into training. Tomorrow I am running the Oakley Women's 10K, which is a race I really enjoyed last year plus their race shirts are cute.

last years shirt

2) Go to Joe Shang Hai's- a nyc favorite of mine, I actually have some friends who have never been, so we are trekking down their after my race? Not confirmed yet.

3) Watch Pretty Little Liars- the new season came back on Tuesday? Will Ezra survive, and who is A??!

4) Work on Bachelorette Party shenanigans! The party is at the end of next month and I have to find some cute favors... any ideas?

5) Relax... I'm in bad need of a pedicure, a massage and a suntan. Sunday shall be known as pamper me day.

Enjoy your weekend!!

(because it has been stuck in my head all week!)

TGIF!

This has utterly been a long and exhausting week for me- besides the fact that I literally cannot breathe out of my nose at this moment, Big J decided to pull some cra-cra shit starting Monday and ending never. (If it doesn't end soon, I may check myself into a facility for something I make up right now, hey hard drugs let's be friends!)

Anywho- I'm ready to curl up on my couch with a big hot mug of tea, a box of tissues, my favorite blanket, and Frozen. It will be happening in t-minus 12 hours.

But besides the outrageous child behavior I've dealt with this week and the beautiful (awful) sinuses my father so gratefully gave to me at the moment of my conception , thanks dad!, there have been some great things this week as well....

1) My newest Coffee Table Book- I've beeen a little too into coffee table books lately, but Urban Outfitters keeps me coming back for more with their shenanigans. This is my newest one- and it's freaking hilarious. You can check out the blog here, trust me- it will be the best part of your day.

a sample of my collection

2) I'm like 98% sure that I will be attending the Blogcation hosted by Erin over at Two Thirds Hazel- I'm still waiting to hear back from my boss if it's cool that I take a week off, but it will happen. If you haven't heard about the blogcation yet- I suggest you click here and read all about this perfect vacation for yourself and your blogging buddies... and if you are already going or thinking about going let me know! I need a roommate!


3) Kait, from Kait Makes A Run for It, blogged about this language app on Wednesday call Duolingo, and now I'm totally hooked and may or may not be learning spanish. We will see how that last part goes. I also downloaded QuizUp (my mistake) and I'm dominating in both The Harry Potter and Hunger Games book categories- don't mess with someone who has read those books hundreds of times. Boo-yah!

damn right I'm correct

4) I'm officially registered for the NYC Marathon this year and am actually starting to get excited about it. I've been a bit off on my running game lately but I started looking at training plans and tips and am hoping to jump back on the program in the next few weeks and then to start my official training in June. You will hear lots more as this happens. yay!

5) And as April draws to the half-way-ish point, I'm getting psyched for all my summer plans! Now I just need to order some new swimsuits, shorts, and find a good sunless tanner for my paper white legs. And does anyone want to help me install my AC unit...

Happy Friday!

FitBit

Last week and this past weekend I went on a bit of a healthy living scheme- not that I ate healthy or anything but I really did some research on ways I can improve my health and my fitness. Before I started this new job, I ran 3-5 times a week- usually before work because I had a lot of time (I didn't go into work until 11:30 or 1 most days). But with this new job, I have to be at work at 7:30 am and starting this summer it may be even earlier. This makes it pretty hard to be motivated to work-out. And on top of that, I get hunger at early hours of the day. When you eat breakfast at 6:45/7 around 9:30/10 you are ready for lunch- ugh.

For awhile last year from spring to the end of summer I had a Jawbone UP band. It was similar to the fitbit- it recorded the steps I took, how I slept at night, I could log in how much water I drank, the calories I ate. That, and along with running, I was doing pretty well in the health/fitness department. I wasn't at the best shape of my life but I felt good about myself and noticed a difference in my clothes. Despite the label of being waterproof though- the UP band quit on my twice! I went ahead and replaced it the first time, but after the second time I just didn't think it was worth it anymore.

look at all these classy colors...

Fast forward to several vacations and the lack of running and unfortunately I'm feeling not as great as I once did- I am really set on trying to find a way to work in more exercise during the workday and get back into some better shape. So I bought a FitBit Flex. Just like the UP band, it tracks my steps each day, my sleeping habits, and it has a way to let me log in water, food or any other important items- you can even set-up a weight loss plan with it.. I also really like that it is wireless and can sync with both  my iphone and my computer.The band is priced pretty well too- you can check out the site here- $99 for the band I bought, plus free shipping. The UP band is now the same and nike fuel band, which is also comparable, is more expensive.

I'm on Day 2 1/2 of the band now - and so far so good, it updates itself frequently and whenever you open the app, which I like. I also set-up the weight-loss part and have been trying my best to log my calories in. You have to tap it to make the sleep part work- which has taking some getting used to, and they don't really give you instructions in the box- everything I need to know I've had to look at online. A little weird, but no serious complaints yet! 

Besides buying the band I went ahead and invested into some yoga DVDs. I really like doing yoga but haven't been great about going consistently. I thought with the DVDs it would be easier to pop one in at work and just bring my mat and leave it, instead of finding a good class time, having to travel there and back and so on. Once June rolls around I have to start marathon training for November and I also like doing yoga run I'm done with a run- I tried to pick some good videos via amazon so I will let you all know how they are! I also just read this great article about incorporating yoga at the end of your hike while doing the Appalachian Trail. You know walk all day, do some yoga and then pass out. If I do the DVDs long enough hopefully the routines will be stuck in my brain for some time.

Does anyone else have a fitbit? Let's be friends- my email address is rjlee2009@gmail.com. I'm hoping all these things will help me get back into a better routine- I know once I actually start going I will be a lot happier!