I'm around...and just for Sandrine...5

Sorry for the lack of blogging...I've been super busy with the kid & hubby. It's a tough balancing act with two men who need you for all the little things in life. I have to be honest and say I wouldn't have it any other way.

It just sucks the life out of me at times. I'll write more soon, so to remind myself - here are some snippets:

1. Moco's 1st Parade
2. Moco's 1st gymnastic class
3. Hubby & I go to NIOSA
4. A Beach Adventure
5. Lack of training
   

No. 2

Sometimes the simplest things in life bring you much pleasure.

Last night, while jotting down notes about the day...I stopped and took a glance at my pencil. It's your run-of-the-mill Mirado Black Warrior No. 2 HB pencil. It's one of the smoothest pencils that I have ever written with. It even smells good, especially when freshly sharpened. A slight whiff of Cedar. Ahhh....

I get to work and pop out my two "work instruments" - the Mirado Black Warrior and my Bic Crystal Ballpoint pen. In a day and age of gel inks, etc. I still prefer the formers.

It's just how I roll...er, write. :)

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Now playing: The Old Haunts - Volatile
via FoxyTunes

3

This weekend I got to watch 3 movies in 3 days.

Three nights of "chick flicks". All by myself; with no one else in the room. Just me and my cat Zoe.

I must admit it was quite nice. I don't think I've been able to do that for a while now. It allowed me to relax ... to not think about the trials and tribulations of parenting an 8 year old.

;)

Edit: For those who asked, I watched the following: Juno, The Jane Austen Book Club & Lars and the Real Girl :)

15/1

That's a 15 minute mile. At a pace of 4 mph, I've got some work to do. It would take me 45 minutes to finish a 5k (about 3 miles), which is not horrible but not great when you think about a half-marathon...3.2 hours to finish. Even then, it's not accounting for the terrain, etc. Bleh. I know, I know - it's only day 1 of official training.

I also did the following:

• 3 reps of pull-downs
• 3 reps of lateral fly
• 3 reps of pectoral fly
• 2.5 reps of drop hang knee lifts (for lower abs)
• 3 reps on the hip abductor machine

Yeah...when I left the gym, my body was shaking. I had to drive to the convenience store and but a Gatorade & a banana. Whew! Did I mention I have a gym consultation tomorrow? Let's see if the trainer can pick my butt up off the floor. heh.

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Now playing: Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger
via FoxyTunes

Random Quote

"It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion." - Anatole France

7 months

That's about how many days are left until the San Antonio Rock 'N' Roll Marathon.

My New Year's Resolution was to get into better shape. My best friend "Moe" decided to up the ante. She decided that we could both run a half-marathon together. "Great," I thought...only Moe had already been training & completed a half-marathon. Being the friend that she is, she encouraged me that it would be a good thing and we could do it together.

January comes along and I begin researching running. I check out books, search the Internet for good training programs, and Moe buys me some running gear - now we both have matching socks & caps. [Side note:You may think me crazy to "research running" but there are a ton of things that one wouldn't know about the sport if you had never, ever attempted it before. So there!]

We're finally into February and I've dabbled with working out & running - nothing serious. Then I get a phone call from Moe. She delivers the message as such:

Moe: hey there...what ya doing?
Me: At Moco's soccer practice. What's up?
Moe: Have you started training for the marathon yet?
Me: I wish. Moco has consumed my life and I haven't even truly started.
Moe: Well, it looks like you are going to have to do it alone.
Me: Huh? What do you mean?
Moe: If I did run it, it would be with a baby stroller.
Me: WTF?! Are you trying to tell me you're preggers?! *jumping up and down*
Moe: *laughing* Yes.

There went my training partner and coach. Selfish, I know...but I had these dreams of a glorious accomplishment as I crossed the finish line. Then again, I thought to myself, I hadn't started training so nothing was lost.

Towards the end of March, our new family was getting into a rhythm and Moco wasn't taking so much of my time. That's when I finally decided that I needed to do something for myself. I once again set my goal to complete a half-marathon. I'm going to gym, cracking open the books again, and trying to stay motivated. It's going to be a long journey for me - the novice runner. However, I am sure it's one I can do. :)

After all, I have 7 months to make it happen. Right?!

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Now playing: Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends
via FoxyTunes

3

Who knew it would take me this long to actually post a #3?! Since I work all day on a computer, I thought surely I would have surpassed this amount by now. Alas, I have not.

Honestly, there are days when I am unsure on what to blog about. I don't read the news enough to give my opinion about what's going on. Although I should. I love new, indie, alternative music, but don't listen often enough to my Independent radio stations to report what's going on there. Bleh.

I just have to find my blogging rhythm and make it work. I'm sure once I've got some other contributing stresses out of the way, I will be a better blogger.

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Now playing: Q And Not U - Wet Work
via FoxyTunes

6.5

That's about how many hours I work now each day.

The boss frequently forgets about the new addition in my life and how it has impacted my work schedule. He calls me into meetings minutes before I am to leave to pick up "Moco" (aka my son) from school. Luckily, I have plenty of co-workers who are not afraid to run in and remind me (and the boss) that I have to leave.

However, he's not the only one at fault. I, too, am guilty of not leaving on time. I used to be "that worker." The dedicated one who would spend hours at work, whether or not I really needed to. I would help out in other departments...even hang out in the office during the weekends to help with weddings (my office happens to be located at a reception facility). I was just always there.

So every now and then, I get caught up in work and forget to leave on time. I'm getting better though. In the past few weeks, I've only had to go inside the school office twice to pick "Moco" up. Sure, it's not the greatest accomplishment known to man...but it's progress. ;) My husband and I have gone from being alone together for 8 years to having an 8 year-old son for the past two months. It's a dizzying experience. I truly don't know whether I am coming or going at times.

6.5 hours. After those have been spent, I clock in for the most important job I'll ever have.

37

I read blogs throughout the day. I've authored a couple of my own. I blogged when others scoffed at the idea.

Yet, the last time I blogged was 37 weeks ago. Seriously.  And so, with a new determination, I'm going to start blogging again. This time on Blogger.com. ("I'm Monica. I used Livejournal.com to blog." Crowd: "Hi, Monica.")

My life has changed in the past 37 weeks. I'm no longer a carefree, happy hour going gal - I'm a mom. We adopted our 8-year-old son Jan. 31st and it's been an adventure ever since. 

I am still working, still a wife and more importantly, still me.

That's Life with "Mango"!