Since I Was Gone

Thinking back on what else I've been up to since my extended break from blogging, I realized I forgot to mention that I started running and training for half-marathons. Well--it actually started as training for ONE half-marathon: The San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Half-Marathon to be exact. A few months before I graduated from CLU, I decided I wanted to run that half-marathon in memory of my cousin, Vincent. The proceeds made by the SD Rock 'N' Roll marathon goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, so I felt it would be a perfect tribute. I went ahead and paid the entry fee, and I felt compelled then to begin training. It was right after my 27th birthday that I started lacing up my worn-out Sauconys, and started running a few nights a week.

When I first started, my first goal was to run 20 minutes without stopping. I remember the first day I ran--I could barely run 4 minutes without stopping to walk. But, I persisted, and kept run/walking until I completed a 20 minute workout. After a couple weeks, I met my first goal of being able to run 20 minutes without stopping. Once I met that goal, I started adding time. 25, 30, 35 minutes. When I got to that point, I started measuring my runs by distance. It was very helpful that around this same time, I got an iPhone and downloaded the Nike+ app. The app uses GPS to measure your distance, times you, and lets you know your pace. It also allows you to set goals by time, distance, or calories burned. Having that tangible information so close at hand, and being able to watch my running skills get better was a nice push.

It was also nice to watch my body change. Pounds began to melt off me. As I began to train by running really long distances (8, 9, 10+ miles at a time), I really began to look at the food that I was eating in a different way. I saw it more as fuel for my running rather than just something that tasted good. As a result, my habits changed. I sought more balance between carbs, fats, and protein. I went for smaller portions more frequently throughout the day versus big meals 2 or 3 times a day. This caused me to lose even more weight. With a lighter body, I felt more energized. In addition to running, I also started hiking and walking more. It really was a little, personal revolution.

By the time the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Half-Marathon came around in June 2011, I was pretty well prepared. I was lucky enough to have my sorority Big Sis, Evelyn, run with me during my first half-marathon. My parents and Fernando also came down to San Diego that weekend to cheer me on at the finish line. Crossing the finish line was super emotional--I managed to not cry, but it was really a very heart-warming feeling to manage this big physical feat and also do it in memory of my cousin. The medal I received at the finish line was never mine--I had always planned to give it to my aunt, Yolanda, to show her that I ran in Vincent's memory.

Evelyn and I at the SD Rock 'N' Roll Half-Marathon finish line

Since that day, I've run two other half-marathons (The Santa Clarita Half-Marathon in November of 2011 and the San Luis Obispo Half-Marathon in April 2012), and am less than a month away from running my 4th (the SCV Half-Marathon again). I've also run in a couple smaller events, including a 6-mile mud run and a St. Patrick's Day 5K. I never thought that I would love running, but I really do. It allows me to feel like I have complete control and mastery over my body. The last time I went to the doctor, my doctor listened to my heart and lungs and asked, "Are you a runner?" When I said yes, he said he could tell based on my low heart rate and high lung capacity. He also said all my blood work showed that I was a healthy individual for my age. All told, from my starting weight to my lowest weight over the last year and a half, I'd lost 30+ pounds. I've gained a little of that back due to less intense training over the summer months due to the extreme heat and less strict diet, but overall, I'm much better than I was when I first started.

As long as my body can handle it, I hope to continue training for half-marathons. Each time I pay the entrance fee for a race, I again feel compelled to train and do my best.

~LOVE~

Back on the Wagon

I can't believe it's been more than a year since my last post--I'm not exactly sure why I stopped posting-- perhaps I was just feeling a lot of pressure with the end of grad school and the prospect of trying to get a job? Either way, over the past year and half, many things have happened that I'd love to write down so I don't forget.

The biggest events, of course, included my graduation from California Lutheran University with my Master's degree in Counseling & Guidance for College Students. I received the highest score possible on my Comprehensive Exam, which is something I am incredibly proud of.

It is unfortunate that I graduated with this degree during one of the worst times for public education in California. I've applied to many jobs--whenever I see a posting for anything even remotely local, I apply, but I haven't had much luck finding full-time employment.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to be hired for a VERY part-time (4 hours a week) counseling position with the Honors Program at Pierce Community College. This was the same program and supervisor I had worked with as an intern in the Fall of 2010. I really enjoyed my job--the Honors Program at Pierce prepared students for UCLA and similar undergraduate programs. Not only was I using my counseling skills, but I often got to use my English skills when helping my students write their Personal Statements or applications for scholarships. I was told by some students that I was the "best counselor" they'd ever worked with at Pierce. We sent over 70% of graduating program participants to UCLA this year!

Sadly, by the end of the school year, my supervisor had to deliver some bad news. Due to budget cuts, not only was she going to be removed as the Director of the program (which meant she no longer would be paid for working for the program 16 hours a week), but they no longer could afford to pay me for my 4 hours of work a week.

Then, in June I was contacted by Pierce again to ask if I would be willing to teach a course called "College Success Seminar" to a group of Summer Bridge students. Summer Bridge is an 8-week program that helps low-income/first generation students make the transition from high school to college. In cohorts, the students are enrolled in two classes (English and the College Success Seminar), and attend class from 8am-12:30pm four days a week. I was given a copy of the textbook and told to come up with my own curriculum. So, for 8 weeks this summer, I was working like crazy. Writing my own curriculum, teaching, grading, etc--it all adds up to a lot of hours. It was a lot of work, but I was so happy to get the experience. Most full-time counselors at community colleges are required to teach similar courses as part of their job, so this will be a great thing to put on my resume. It also allowed me to get into the hiring pool at Pierce College should they need an instructor for this class again during the school year or another Summer Bridge program.

Considering how little "work" I get to do within my chosen profession, I've had to take on some other part-time jobs to help make ends meet here on the home front. About a year ago, I found out through a friend that her pet-sitter was looking to hire a new employee. I sent out a resume right away and she called me right back. Since then, I've been working several hours a week either as a dog walker or a pet-sitter (some clients are regular 5 days a week jobs, others are just for a week at a time while clients are on vacation). It is a surprisingly lucrative job--and I get paid in cash. Together with the tutoring I've been doing for years now, I've pieced together a nice little schedule.

Fernando is still working at Pacific Sales corporate in Torrance, but he is actively looking for other employment. The long commute is definitely wearing on him. Again, the job market is not really working in either of our favors, but we just have to be persistent. With any luck--a year from now we'll both be employed full-time. At that point, I think we'll be in a much better place--financially--to start thinking about starting a family. Until then--we're staying busy being "parents" to August and Chipotle.

~LOVE~

My Graduation Annoucement

Classic Purple Graduation

Click here to browse our most popular graduation announcements.

View the entire collection of cards.

Vacations To Take

List #28: Vacations To Take

I have a few vacations "on-deck." They include:

• Las Vegas for the weekend of August 19-21, 2011. This is a bachelorette getaway, but is different because we are renting a vacation home (as opposed to splitting the partiers up into random hotel rooms).
• Hollister, CA for the weekend of September 16-18, 2011. This trip is to attend the wedding of one of my sorority sisters. I'm also a bridesmaid in the wedding
• Seattle, WA/Portland, OR/Tillamook, OR/Medford, OR/San Francisco, CA from October 12-19, 2011. This is our "five year anniversary trip." We plan to fly up to Seattle, spend a couple days there, then rent a car and road-trip back home with stops in Portland, a day-trip to Tillamook, a night in Medford, and a couple days in San Francisco.

Other vacations I would like to take sometime in my life:

• Washington, D.C.
• Austin, TX (to see the bats come out from under the bridge)
• Boston
• Chicago
• Alaska
• Atlanta
• Prague
• Oktoberfest in Germany
• London
• Paris
• Gastronomic tour of Italy
• Croatia
• Romania
• Thailand
• Tokyo
• Peru
• Brazil
• Argentina

And a couple of "encore" vacations I'd love to re-do with my husband/children/friends:

• The Grand Canyon
• Yellowstone
• Yosemite
• New York City
• Hawaii
• Cancun
• Orlando/Disneyworld
• Miami
• New Orleans

~LOVE~

Lessons Learned

List #27: Lessons Learned

I'll try to keep this one brief, because it's late (once again).

• Everything is okay to eat/drink, as long as you do it in moderation
• Honesty is the best policy
• Family is #1
• If you and your partner aren't "on the same team," you're in trouble
• Wash your hands often
• It's okay to be selfish every once in awhile
• Stretch before exercising
• Nothing worth achieving comes easily
• Friends who don't positively contribute to your life are not worth keeping around
• Be polite--people are not used to it and it makes a big difference
• Sadly, it's often not what you know, but who you know

~LOVE~

Books I'd Like To Read This Year

List #26: Books I'd Like To Read This Year

Oh man, I have big plans for all the books I want to read once I'm done with grad school (on May 13)!! Here is a short list, based on what I can think of right now (quarter to midnight).

• Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card (Currently reading this one)
• Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card
• Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
• The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain
• Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain
• The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
• Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me by Chelsea Handler (Due out May 10)
• Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (Due out May 3)

Special Note: I own all of these books except the two that aren't out yet. They are both on my Amazon Wishlist, but if I don't get them by graduation, I'll probably just buy them myself.

~LOVE~

Things I'd Rather Be Doing Right Now

List 25: Things I'd Rather Be Doing Right Now

To be honest, right now I am sipping coffee in my kitchen and spending quality time with my computer/the internet. These are two things I love, and often would rather be doing than whatever else I may be doing. That said, while I do have this moment of peace at home, this is all going down in between loads of laundry, taking out the trash, sweeping, vacuuming, and getting dressed so I can go tutor at 2:30 . . . I also have a couple lingering school assignments that I need to tackle this weekend . . .

My list will be short, since right NOW, I'm doing something I like:

• Getting a manicure
• On vacation . . . somewhere tropical with a delicious, fruity, boozy drink in my hand
• Getting a massage (in previously mentioned tropical locale)
• Winning the Mega Millions Lotto--hey, a girl can dream, right? I should probably start with buying a ticket . . .

This is the life

~LOVE~

I Make Lists For

List #24: I Make Lists For . . .

• Shopping lists, especially around the holidays (not groceries, usually my husband does the grocery shopping)
• Paying bills; balancing my checkbook
• To-do lists (for chores mostly)
• Rosters/contact lists for sorority stuff

I'm not a big list maker, but I thought this 30 Days of Lists Blogging Challenge seemed like a cool, not to hard idea.

~LOVE~

Guilty Pleasures

List #23: Guilty Pleasures

• Eating chips and salsa (only) for dinner
• Reading US Weekly
• Keeping Google Chat open when I'm in the office
• Watching The Real Housewives of Orange County/New Jersey/Beverly Hills
• Taking "mental health days"
• Flaming Hot Cheetos
• Spending hours shopping at Ross
• Long, hot showers
• Starbucks coffee (as opposed to making it by myself at home)
• Playing Words With Friends when I should be working
• Staying up past my bedtime
• Twilight Series books and movies
• Sookie Stackhouse novels and True Blood

~LOVE~

Today I Saw . . .

List 22: Today I Saw . . .

• My dog curled up on my bedroom floor
• Myself in the mirror
• My husband ironing his work clothes
• The kid and her BFF playing
• Aladdin
• The Little Mermaid
• Lots of rain
• A 9th grade student studying for a Romeo and Juliet test
• The interior of my car
• My iPhone blowing up with calls and texts for some reason
• My mom and dad
• My Sigma Omega Nu graduation stole
• My mom's cat,Tabetha, being a brat
• My dog running out into the front yard to greet me when I got home
• Top Chef All-Stars
• My computer screen

~LOVE~