Such a Long Time

I can't believe how long it's been since I've put up anything on this blog. I've just been very, very busy. My job is keeping me traveling, typically three weeks out of four. Basically northern and southern CA, but sometimes out of state too. I love my job and am very grateful that I have such a great team and leader to work with.

Still running. In fact, Randy & I did a half marathon last month and we're doing another one tomorrow. Looking forward to a successful run.

Memphis, TN

This week I was in Memphis, TN training. It was great to hear so many southern accents. I was soaking it all in and, of course, the southern girl in me came out very vocally! These photos are mainly from our Beale Street trip, where I had fried catfish, fried ocra, fried green tomatoes and other fried stuff! The music was the best though.

Twilight in Forks

 I was working in Oregon this week and my team mate, Lisa (who lives there), asked if I wanted to go have lunch at one of the places where Twilight was filmed. Of course I jumped on that offer! The restaurant is called Stone Cliff Inn and has wonderful food and a lovely view of the river below.

Placards are hung on rocks that depict the different scenes from the movie and what the dialogue was for that particular scene. It was crazy fun!

The Inn from the road

Edward come back! Don't leave me!

Don't know if you can read it, but there is dialogue written from the location

A New Author (to me anyway)

I have a fondness for Young Adult novels. Shiver is the first book in a series set in Mercy Falls that is written by Maggie Stiefvater. There are three books in the series, Shiver, Linger and Forever. The first two books are out and third will be released July 12, 2011.

I will confess that after I read Linger, I called my daughter, with tears in my eyes (who promptly laughed at me), to commiserate about the characters and the drama that had unfolded. This is definitely a series you will want to pick up. You might want to wait until the third one is out to spare yourself any tears.

Below is an exert from Shiver:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

The Year of Exploration

I have been pondering the past two months as to what my theme will be for 2011. I have so many new opportunities happening right now, that I don't feel like I have any one specific area I want to concentrate on for my theme. With that said, I think the Year of Exploration will sum up my goals nicely. I want to explore opportunities that will be coming my way  in 2011.

• Travel - my job is taking me to places I never thought I would travel to. I don't really have the time when I'm training to explore a city while I'm there, but I can look up things ahead of time and maybe do some evening sight seeing. Maybe my travel focus will be on people as opposed to places. 
• Running - I want to explore what my body is capable of this year. Last year my average time at the half-marathon was 14.45, which is incredibly slow, but understandable when you figure that I walked most of the time. This year I want to do a half-marathon that starts in San Luis Obispo and ends in Shell Beach. I want to see if I can run most of the race and finish between an 11:30 to 12 minute average pace.
• Scuba Diving - I really enjoyed snorkeling when we were in Mexico last year and I would really like to learn to scuba dive. I'd like to see if I like it. If it will give me additional freedom in the water. The optimal place I'd like to scuba dive is in tropical (warm) water, so we'll see how this one plays out. 
• Read - You know I love to read, but I'm not finding the time to keep up with my blog log, so I will read, but my pace will slow down and I will blog only intermittently about books and I won't be keeping track of the count this year. Suffice it to say that I've read a LOT during the past two years. 164 books in 2009 and 150 in 2010. I'll still be keeping my Excel log, so if you want any recommendations,  just let me know.
• Open Heart - I want to have an open heart that is willing to try new experiences as they come my way and explore opportunities as they present themselves. I want to enjoy time with family and friends and make the most of each opportunity I have with loved ones.

The Conclusion of the Year of Movement

The Year of Movement has come to an end with the conclusion of 2010. I am totally amazed by what Movement has brought into my life! Below are some highlights:

I bought these shoes in January 2010 and didn't replace them all year, which is unusual for me. These sneaks have been everywhere this past year!

I began training to do the Bay to Breaker's race in San Francisco with Tiff and that led to completing two 5ks, one 10k, one 12k and a half-marathon this year! Pretty good for the girl who doesn't run.

Half Marathon in Boston with Maddie & Carey

Ran the Turkey Trot with Randy on Thanksgiving Day!

  

My year of movement has taken me to a lot of places! 

• Utah - to take Connor to the MTC
• San Francisco - Bay to Breakers Race
• California Central Coast - twice a month for my job
• Boston - for the half-marathon
• North Carolina - to visit my sister and her family
• New York City  - to visit Maddie & Dan
• New Jersey - for my new job
• Florida - for my new job
• Texas - for the cruise and to shop!
• Progresso, Mexico - tour Mayan ruins
• Cozumel, Mexico - snorkeling

Florida

Progesso, Mexico - Mayan ruins

Cozumel, Mexico - Snorkeling

All the movement led to a 21 pound weight loss!

Christmas Cruise

We got back late Saturday night from our Christmas cruise to Progesso and Cozumel, Mexico. Randy & I went with Maddie, Dan and Jan, Dan's mom. This is was my first cruise and it won't be my last. I had a blast and was sooo very excited to have some sunshine as two weeks before we had nothing but rain and gray skies at home.
Below are some pics from our good times aboard the fun ship!

We were bumped up to first class on the flight from LA to Houston. Oh, so very nice!

The hotel we stayed at had the typical waffle maker, but this one was in the shape of the state of Texas!

Our first day on the ship.

In the ship's library, pointing out where we were headed to. Trying anyway.

We had a cute towel creature each night.

Gorgeous Phantom Rolls Royce.

Formal night. I got a sequined dress from Macy's for $23!!!!

Red lips will do it to you each time!

In Progresso, Mexico

Mayan ruins

At a natural watering hole Dan went swimming in.

Holding my girl in the palm of my hand lol.

My favorite thing to do :)

We went snorkeling in Cozumel.

We are a family of readers!

Beach time in Cozumel!

Stopped in Charming Charlies in the Galleria. A paradise of bling!

Our last dinner was Texas BBQ!

A demented armadillo at the place next door.

I got sooo many bruises on my legs from the small cabin space!

We had the best time and I can't wait for our next cruise!