Girls on the Run

This afternoon I signed myself up for something I've been wanting to do for years - "Girls on the Run" - a curriculum based, experiential learning program that utilizes the power of running to provide 3rd-5th grade girls to: Celebrate their bodies, Honor their voices, Recognize their gifts and, Activate their power! In a nutshell, I'm going to be participating in a 10wk program that guides and trains girls together to walk or run the non-competitive New Balance Girls on the Run 5k event during the beginning of June.

I can't tell you how much I love this age group, thinking back to my "Girl Power" days in high school. (Kat, I believed you were a lucky volunteer for this program.) Needless to say, it is so important for girls this age to be surrounded by positive female role models. The thought of going back to 5th grade gives be heartburn. I can only imagine the multitude of issues young girls today are dealing with - we certainly didn't have Britney/Paris/Lindsey in 1992 (did we?)

The first training meeting takes place on 4/27, and I'll be sure to share more thereafter.

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Yesterday while taking a somewhat "relaxed" approach to celebrating Easter (meaning, I boiled some eggs and made egg salad sandwiches,) I started to really miss the celebrations of Easter past when my sistter and I were younger. I remember being so excited for Easter morning, almost too antsy to sleep. I wanted to be the first one to find where my Easter basket was hiding. There were only several hiding locations throughout the house (behind the couch, by the piano, behind the counter downstairs...) When I finally found a basket, I'd immediately know if it was for Ashley or me because mine would always have the "older and cooler" gift inside, whether it be lipsmackers or a babysitter's club book. Sometimes if I came upon Ashley's basket and she had something that I really wanted, I'd make a quick switch before she discovered what was originally hers.

So while missing my family yesterday (and an Easter basket) I boiled some eggs, thought two seconds about coloring them for fun, and then made egg salad sandwiches for dinner. I'm vowing to appropriately celebrate Easter next year - might even make a church appearance.

A little piece of my heart...

I've been home in Big Lake for almost six days, and while coming home always conjures up a mixture of emotions, I now feel like everything is so much clearer to me. Things I was doubting now feel solid and strong. Like whether I really still loved running. Now after five days of "running the lakes" (and one day twice around, yay), my legs feel stronger and I'm still so thankful for the ability to get out and hit the pavement whenever I want to. I also found out the greater importance of family and friends. From tears my mom and I cried after watching "August Rush" for the first time, or Kat trekking up to BL for a quick trip to Target and a swing in to the high school to see Senor Soderberg . I've been shaped by these experiences, old and new. I cherish every moment here at home. While I might not ever again call MN my personal residence, the state will always hold a piece of my heart...

*My mom hiking up in Duluth over Christmas, by far one of the coldest vacations I've taken.

The other morning I emerged into the cold for an early run. You’d think being from MN, I’d be used to the cold - I get that a lot. In all actually, it’s the exact opposite, I hate it. But, there is something about crisp air entering my lungs and desolate streets, that I love. The only people awake at 5am in Bellevue happen to be construction workers heading to the various sprawling building projects. They also happen to have their last cigarette on the same route I take, which I can’t stand. I’m strangely super sensative to smoke, and make all efforts to avoid it. However, this smell is all too soon forgotten by the end of the run. The last .5mi swings through ‘old town’ Bellevue, with the sweetest smells coming from Belle Pastry (http://www.bellepastry.com/). One of these days, I will stop by here to indulge in something delicious! *(photo from 12ks of Christmas run)

Has Spring Sprung?

I’m craving spring, and have been for a long time. Seattle is notorious for this “in between” season crap, where fall-winter-spring are smooshed together into one big season: 8 months of rain, snow/slush, wind, and peeks of sun. The transition from winter to spring has to be the most painful. “Cabin fever” sets in, and you realize that you’ve watched every recorded Bravo show on the DVR.

I’m craving cherry blossoms and tulips, running around Queen Anne - because I swear spring arrives here first. I can’t wait to wear my new rainboots to tromp through puddles (after it has just rained, of course.) And, soon enough it will be warm enough for coffee dates outside and dining on the patio…sigh.

Spring please get here soon.

Hasta Pasta

My sister and her boyfriend left this morning for a vacation in Puerto Rico. (To be young and have spring break again, sigh.) Last year at this time I trekked down to our “51st state” with both my mom and sister for a week, and had an amazing time. I’m not sure if Puerto Rico would be my #1 vacation destination again, since there are many more islands to explore.

On that note, I’m craving a vacation and need one. I’m heading back to MN at the end of the month for a little family time and R&R. This, of course, does not qualify as a vacation. I want hot weather, crystal clear water, beaches, and a complete “unplug” from all technology. Hopefully this is soon coming.

Safe travels mi hermana… xo

Inspiration for the day...

Inspiration for today - remember when you were younger and getting new crayons or markers was the best thing ever. My favorite crayon was Jungle Green. I hated Burnt Sienna. Pretty much hated all the browns for some reason. Markers were a whole other ball game, I would’ve died for the smelly markers. To this day, I still think the smelly markers are the greatest.

Life is about the simple pleasures, really.