Midterm Time!

My only excuse to why I haven't posted in a while is because I have had a few midterms, and on top of that, I have had some fun that kept me busy.

The last two weeks have rough and wonderful at the same time. Friday June 28th, I flew up to Portland to help celebrate Kissy French's Last Dance aka as Kylee's bachelorette party. I flew out of Long Beach airport, so I got their a little early to avoid traffic and decided it was time to start celebrating right then and there…

The rest of the weekend was spent dressing up 80's style, going to bars, eating at Pok Pok, singing karaoke, watching a drag show and then seeing male strippers. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Our Wonderful 80's attire. 

The club we attended on Friday had a trampoline floor. So you had a little spring to your step. At first I thought the floor was collapsing, but then someone told me the reason for the bounciness.

The Club on Friday night. This is how I remember it ;)

These are the only pictures I can show from Saturday night.

Bride to be in white

Me singing karaoke! 

"Beyonce" at the drag show

Fireman stripper - yes he took off his jacket

Sunday morning, since I was in PDX, I decided to take a late flight out of town so I could see some of my college ladies. Bonus, a Seattle lady was in town as well, so it was a fun little reunion.

Chelsea, Nichole and I buying cupcakes for Jenny's second annual 28th birthday!

Kappa girls (minus Victoria) unite!

I was so excited to be able to spend time with these girls.

I flew home late Sunday night, crammed for a test and practiced for a presentation that was pending the next two days. Luckily right after that we had Thursday (4th of July) and Friday off. A much needed break!

Chris flew into town late Wednesday night, and I got to spend the entire weekend with him.

4th of July was spent in Newport Beach with some buds!

The crew!

Lots of beers flowing

'Merica! Fuck Yeah!

With my love

Friday was spent studying…Oh did I mention I had a test on Monday. Oh wait, not just a test, a final. So during the hot summer day, I spent it inside studying pediatrics.

Friday night, Chris and I needed to get out of the house so we went to a near by driving range. I suck at golf :)

 Saturday we woke up late and took a mini hike at Peter's Canyon in Tustin.

The view from the Vista Point

And after spending the entire rest of the day studying, Chris and I got some beers at Provision's in Old Towne Orange

We were a little hungry (and slightly drunk) afterwards, so we went to Felix's down the road. This is a little Cuban/Spanish restaurant with delicious food, huge portions, and wonderful prices. Needless to say I have wanted to try this place for a while and I was not disappointed. In fact, we had so much food, we had lunch the next day and it was just as good, if not better the second day.

My dish!

Chris left mid afternoon on Sunday and the rest of my day was spent cramming in the library.

Today (Monday), I took my final (I don't think I failed), came home, ran a hot sweaty 4.5 miles (hey, it has been a while) in 80 degree weather and then took a yoga class. I needed to sweat the studying out of me.

So that is why you haven't seen a blog from me in a while. The past two weeks have been a little stressful with all the tests and projects, but I know looking back that I will remember the fun I had and not the stress of having to cram for school.

YOLO! (Sorry, I had to throw that in there)

I have 3 more weeks left of this semester and…this year. Soon I will be a 3rd year (where has the time gone) and in my second clinical rotation.

Snail Speed

This is a running post… :)

As you know I have a goal to run 30 half marathons by the end of this year and I am at 27. I signed up for a race in August and I think I am going to sign up for the Long Beach Half in Oct and then the Seattle Ghost half over Thanksgiving, so if I have to walk or crawl any of those races, I will, because I am completing 3 more races this year.

Today, in an effort to procrastinate studying for my cardiopulmonary test (I really like procrastinating, in fact I am doing it right now by blogging), I decided to run 9 miles. I did think about my test and how exercising increases my supply of blood to my heart because of my muscle pump and how my demand for oxygen is higher as well, so really it wasn't completely procrastinating, because I was locking down important concepts for the test. But I thought about that specific topic (and wondering what kind of heart failure I most likely have :) because I was out of breath while running. Usually my leg strength is the limiting factor when I run, but today, the air felt much thinner. I completed my run and I ran the entire time, but man, it was a doozie.

This got me thinking (I know, never a good thing): I don't think my body was built for running. That doesn't mean I am going to stop running. I love it too much, but I know I will never be a fast runner. This is something that I have struggled with since I started running races almost 7 years ago. It is partially my body type, partially my training (right now), and partially anxiety while running in a race. I know in the future that I will complete my goal of running a sub 2 hour half, but right now I have to be okay with my speed and knowing that I am still getting exercise, having fun, and hey, since I am running slower, burning more fat.

Today, gravity was not on my side, but other days I feel like I could run for ever.

My next half in August is a mud and chocolate run. I am doing this race for 3 reasons
1. It involves chocolate (really do I need to give any more reasons?)
2. The date was ideal for my next half with an excellent starting time of 9:30am
3. I know that I am not doing this race for time because I believe there will be chocolate on the course and I would love to eat as much of it as I can.

So here is to being okay with my snail pace, which in reality is really an average pace of all runners and a fast pace to all non-runners. I may not be able to run a 6 min mile, but I can walk on my hands :)

Don't mind the boots.

What is something that you love to do but have slight struggles with?

I'm Thirty!

Crazy to say that. I haven't really said it out loud yet, but I have thought it. But all in all the day has been very delightful.

I had class this morning at 8:45am and when I arrived, a bouquet of purple flowers were waiting for me from Sammy Snifferpifits (AKA Chris). He couldn't be with me on my birthday, so he sent beautiful flowers instead (the next best thing to Chris actually being in town). It definitely started the morning off right. Along with the red velvet cupcakes that Kelsey had brought to me!

Nothing special about class, but I did bike to school today, so I had to carry my flowers home while riding. Hey it was a good arm exercise.

I know I look really sexy holding those flowers on my bike.

The rest of the afternoon was spent napping, eating a red velvet cupcake, attending a wonderful yoga class (I did an awesome handstand today) and then eating a Cali Taco Burrito.

I am officially full, relaxed, and happy.

It has been a great way to ring in this new decade of life. Thank you for all the love!

A New Decade Approaching

On Tuesday I turn 30. Whoa, I remember turning 18 and thinking how old I was then. Although I do not have any reservations about the next decade of my life, it is still an age I have always thought I'd be an adult.

How I still think I look and how I still feel!

And I am far from being a real adult. I do not have a job, I am still in school, I party like I did in college (and by that I mean much less often, with fewer drinks, and much more hung over the next morning). I still call my parents if I need advice or a want to talk about my crappy day. But maybe I will never feel like an adult, even when I get a job, get married, and have children (gasp).

That all being said, I am also very grateful for my life. I have an amazing fiance, family, and friends. I am in school for a career that I know I will enjoy going to every day, and I have my health.

In one of my classes we are studying about physical therapy management for people who have tetraplegia (new term for quadriplegia). On Wednesday, we had a guest lecture come in to talk to us about working with people with C1-C4 tetraplegia. This population may require a respirator for the rest of their life and are completely dependent on someone else to perform activities of daily living. We were also fortunate to have two guests come talk to us who are people living with high tetraplegia. It was a very eye opening experience. These two people rely on a ventilator to breathe for them. If their nose itches, they can't just scratch it, and if they are thirsty, they can't just reach for water. As I mentioned in an early post, I did a project where one of our teammates was in a wheel chair but had full use of their arms and abdominal muscles. Getting around in that situation was difficult and took much more time than with someone who is not in a wheelchair.

It just made me realize that even though sometimes I look at my arms and wish they were more toned, or that I could run just a little faster I would be happier, but in reality, I am able to use my arms and legs without any problems. I went on a run today (procrastination technique to avoiding studying for my midterm tomorrow) and while I was running, enjoying the weather and the pavement under my feet, feeling my muscles burn, I was appreciative that I was able to run. It made studying easier (just a little easier). I know I will still have insecurities, be jealous of other people's lives (especially right now while I am in school), and not have everything I want, I have to remember everything I have.

Sheryl Crow has a quote in one of her songs that I live by "it is not having what you want, it is wanting what you've got."

So as in the words of Tim McGraw: In my next 30 years, I will try and live by these words. I will appreciate my loved ones, the body I am in, and everything that I have. That is a tall order, but I am going to try.

So as last Sunday started my 30th birthday celebration, the party continues until at least Tuesday (on my actual birthday). Cheers!

Here is to fun!

Anyone have words that they live by?

Memorial Day Weekend!

My itinerary over Memorial Weekend:
Friday afternoon marked the beginning of my Weekend fun. A few of us had bought a Groupon for 2 months unlimited membership at Rock City Climbing in Anaheim, so on Friday after our cadaver lab we headed over for our first climb.

Photo Credit: Leslie Lam

It was really fun and a great work out. I could feel my forearms like I have never felt them before. I have rock climbed before, but never for over an hour. And yes, I was completely sore the next two days, but it was so worth it.

Late Friday night, I flew home to Seattle. I landed around 11pm where Christopher picked me up, with a flower on the front seat, and we headed out to Capital Hill to a cute little bar called Poco Wine and Spirits. We ordered a glass of Kinker Brick Zinfandel that was absolutely delicious! The bar also offered great service and has a cute ambiance.

My rose waiting for me in the Car at the airport.

The next morning Chris and I were going to drive up to Bellingham, but because of the I-5 bridge collapse we decided to stay in town and have a Seattle day. So Chris, Andrew (who was also in town), Shelly, and my parents all headed out to Pike Place market where I purchased my usuals: honey sticks and Jelly fruit rolls. After enduring the crowds at the market, we decided to check out the spice store down the street. On the way, we happened upon a little wine tasting room called Masquerade Wines. It is actually based out of Bellingham, but they have a tasting room below the market. We sipped delicious red and white wines and bought their Syrah before heading to the spice market.

Sunday morning, Chris and I headed over to his parents house to celebrate my birthday. Which birthday is this you ask? Well my birthday isn't for another week, but it will be my 30th birthday. We had a lovely brunch with Chris's parents at the Club House in Tam o Shanter on the golf course and then discussed wedding stuff (my new favorite topic). The time flew by and we had to rush home because we were heading out to Palisades to celebrate my 30th and Shelly's 25th birthday with my parents. The restaurant was fabulous.

Photo Credit: Shelly Short

Enjoying my delicious dessert

A little dark, but Chris and I in front of the Seattle backdrop. 

Dinner was amazing spanning from the wine to the service to the food to the company.

My parents dropped Shelly, Chris and I off at a bar on Capital Hill so we could meet up with some friends. It was an intimate group, but the company was fantastic.

Monday, I woke up when my internal clock told me to wake up (I may or may not have been drunk the night before) and my mom and I ran 9 miles from Leschi to Seward and back. We though we were only going to run 8, but to our surprise (and it is always a good one), we did an extra mile. The temperature was perfect, but it did drizzle the entire time, so I was a little wet by the time we got back into the car. The only reason this was an issue is because we were meeting up with the family for lunch. We went to Goldberg's in Factoria where I ordered a Reuben Sandwich. It was amazing, but since it was so big and I could not order a half, I was forced to take the other half back to California with me which I did enjoy for lunch the next day. 

Monday night I flew home and landed in Orange around 10pm. Tuesday was spent in class, enjoying my second half of my sandwich (people were jealous of it) and going rock climbing again followed by a yoga class later that evening. I will say that I am happy I went climbing and did yoga, but my upper extremities and upper back are a tad bit sore. Totally worth it.

What did you do this Memorial Weekend?

Colorful Running

With tradition…The last few races I have run with my mom, I have posted the picture of us after completing the race…So here it is:

You see, it even says Proof that we finished the race.

Okay, now on to the current week...

Saturday morning I completed my 1st color run. What is this you ask? It is a run where you get an array of colors thrown at you at different check points along the course of a 5K. It was so much fun. A group of us from Chapman (plus two guests) met at school at 6:15am (a little bit too early for a Saturday morning, but definitely worth it) and carpooled down to Irvine.

The race started at 8am, but since 15,000 people were all trying to drive into one entrance we thought it would be best to get to the start line a little earlier.

Below are pictures (credit Tiffany Yu) showing how much fun we had at the run.

The group before the race started

One of the color stations, you can see the orange dust.

After the run, a little bit more colorful!

I was trying to add color to my outfit

Our outfits

So much fun, Jumping for joy

The 3.1 mile flew by. In fact when I saw the finish line I was convinced we had only ran half the distance (either because I ran it so fast or I was having so much fun). I did plot the mileage later that day and it was in fact a 5K.

The run was well organized and they did a good job of pumping everyone up so early in the morning. I highly suggest participating in these types of runs. There were so many different shapes and sizes of bodies, people of all different ages, and athletic abilities. It was just a great way to get out and exercise.

On Sunday (after calling my mom and soon to be mother in law), a group of us set out on the town for a project for our Rehab class. The assignment was to have a member in our group do errands in a wheel chair. Our activities were to go to lunch (and the person in the wheel chair had to go to the bathroom), go to the post office to buy stamps, and then go to the schools theatre to watch a show. Here was our day...

Eating lunch at the Gastropub

Crossing the street

At the post office…there were no ramps…definitely not within the ADA guidelines

At Chapman's Theatre.

The project was very eye opening. Although our "patient" was very high functioning and independent with his activities of daily living, getting in and out of a car, through a door, or into public buildings took extra time and work. But it was nice to see (except for getting stamps at the post office), that the city is wheel chair accessible.

The rest of my free time this weekend was spent in the library for two reasons:
1.) It has been so damn hot here that I needed an air conditioned spot (plus they have free cookies in the library because next week is the undergrads finals week)
2.) I have a test on Monday that I just started studying for on Thursday!

Have you had any eye opening experiences lately?

Race Recap - 27th Half Marathon Completed!

This weekend was a great weekend. It started out with me picking up my wedding dress! I bought my dress at a trunk sale in Rancho Cucamonga which is about 40 mins North East of where I currently live. I recruited a few friends to drive out there with me to pick it up. After picking it up with a large smile on my face, my dress carefully placed in the trunk, we stopped at a restaurant to "celebrate" with sangria. 

Lauren, Kelsey, and Jenny enjoying the delicious Sangria!

Hummus trio we enjoyed with our drinks

Later that night, my mom flew into town. She was down visiting to a) see me and b) run the OC half marathon. She arrived at 9pm and we both decided that we were a little hungry and thirsty. We decided on a restaurant in Old Town Orange called Gabbi's. It is an amazing Mexican restaurant that I have been to once before and have thoroughly enjoyed both times.

We ordered Pisco Sours and veggie tacos as our late night snack.

The pisco sour

Etta enjoying the warm weather and her Pisco Sour

Our delicious tacos with plantains

Saturday morning my mom and I had a leisurely morning, went to the expo to pick up our bibs for the race, ate a lovely lunch at Rutabegorz in Old Town Orange and made sure to give our legs plenty of rest. At geriatric dinner time (5:15pm), my mom and I headed to a restaurant in Irvine called Prego. We wanted to make sure that the food settled in our stomachs before we went to bed and since we had to be up at 3am the next morning, we went to bed really early. The dinner was fabulous. My mom and I ordered a glass of Syrah from Cline Cellars (a Sonoma winery), asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, a pear and goat cheese salad, and we split a pasta with sausage and mushrooms. We were happy and full.

We came home, set up our race gear, and went to bed around 10pm.

My stuff all ready for the morning

I got a really good nights sleep and woke up almost bright tailed the next morning when my alarm went off at 3:15am.

The OC half marathon (and marathon) is a point to point race, which means it starts and ends in different places. The race started somewhere in Newport Beach, but ended at the OC Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa, so you park there and they bus you to the starting line. Our shuttle time was set for 4:45am. We didn't want to worry about being late and/or missing the bus, so we left my house at 4am and arrived at the fair grounds around 4:20am. This was a smart idea, because when we were on the shuttle to the start line, we noticed a long line of cars getting off at the exit to park. I have experienced this before and ended up being an hour late to the race start which isn't a good way to start a race.

My mom and I at the start line around 5:30am

The race was really fun. I believe about 9,500 people did the half and 1,500 did the full, but the way they organized it, I never felt like I was crowded by people and I was able to run at my own pace the entire time. The course is beautiful and pretty flat. I think there is about 200ft of elevation, but the hills are very manageable and there were ample water stops along the way. The temperature was a pleasant 50 to 60 degrees so I didn't stop at all the water stations.

I finished the race in a little over 2 hours. I was not trying to PR,  just finish. I felt great the entire race and felt even better when I crossed the finish line of my 27th half marathon and received this wonderful medal.

I have to decide on my next 3 half marathons to run by the end of the year. It all depends on where I get placed in my clinical rotation next semester. Does anyone have any suggestion of wonderful races in Southern California or the Seattle area from now until December?