Life Lately

*ahem* Hello? Is this thing on? Holy moly, y’all… I swear that I’m alive, that things are fine. But at some point, blogging just wasn’t a priority. I’ve still done my races, had a blast, taken photos galore, but at some point, I’m just like Meh. That race recap isn’t important.

So here we are, it’s freaking December and I haven't really blogged about anything since what, June? Where have the last six months gone? Let me tell you.

1. Wedding Planning

We had all these grand intentions to knock out a whole bunch of important wedding things over the summer during the three weeks that we share as "down time" (and I use that term super loosely). We didn't get as much done as we could have, nor probably should have and now that we're like 106 days out, it's time to get cranking on things we haven't done yet (officiant, dessert, other relatively minor things) but it's time to be putting it all together! Holy cow! 

We did our engagement photos the weekend before Thanksgiving (you know, 9 months after we got engaged) and I'm just in LOVE. A drizzly, gray day at Disneyland but it made the colors and lighting and story just all that much better. We super lucked out with finding Brady and I can't wait to see what he does for our wedding! 

2. Still Running

I mean, you don't expect that to ever change, right? Since June, I've hopped around, running San Diego and Seattle half marathons, paced Ventura in September, ran the Long Beach Marathon in October, added a birthday race, went to a conference in Indiana and conveniently was there the same time as the Indianapolis Monumental race weekend so duh new state to cross off! Vegas was right after that with some of the best girlfriends ever to top it all off. Tomorrow, I'm headed up to Sacramento to run the California International Marathon (my original goal race for the year) and pending its result, maybe you'll actually hear all about it! 

This is how we roll. Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas 2016. 

3. Enjoying Family Time

My sister moved back to California from five years in New York in the middle of July and I am sooo happy to have her home! Not only is it great having her home for wedding planning, but it's pretty fantastic having my whole immediate family in one place. There are only four of us in my immediate family, so we are small, and it's awesome knowing that we can kinda see each other whenever. Lots of family time and I wouldn't have it any other way! 

4. #WorkLife

This summer was insane. I mean, summer always is and my running mileage takes a total nosedive, but that's expected. But we made it through another summer of orientation programming, insane schedules, ups and downs and a summer with these amazing 45 student leaders I get to call my team. They are ridiculous, spirited, genuine beautiful human beings and I am so grateful that I get to call it my job to work with them and watch them in action.

Scheedules this summer were just crazy, and that's an understatement to say the least, but nothing we couldn't handle! Next summer is already shaping up to be a little cray cray too, but that's the way it rolls in the world of higher education - you just about never know what you're going to get!

5. Health

Nothing major, to start. But a major struggle this year has been some health and wellness challenges that some days, just knock me on my butt. About 6 years ago, I did a sleep study that revealed nothing. Just last week (right before Thanksgiving), I did another and while results are pending, I am hopeful that it starts guiding my doctors to some answers. 

Can you sleep attached to that for a night?

My challenge is that I can sleep for hours - 5, 7, 10 - and I never feel rested. I never get to a point where I feel entirely alert. Any given day, I can take a nap on my office floor for an hour and be out (that's twice now), or I'm asleep in the car on the way home from Disneyland in 5 minutes flat. I am out cold - dead to the world - but still wake up feeling totally and completely exhausted. I've worn my Garmin to bed for the last three months to get an idea of my sleep habits and essentially, I never hit REM sleep, which is when your body ultimately settles down, recharges and rests. I never get there, which would explain why I can sleep 10 hours and feel just as tired as if I slept 5. My doctor mentioned a few ideas that he thinks may be the diagnosis, but I'll hold off until I actually find out what's up, hopefully in the next week or so. 

I like to think that this hasn't affected me day-to-day but in hindsight, it's totally dictated how some of my days, weeks, go and I hate it. Hate. It. 

So there you have it. It feels like a lot and then not a lot at all, but it all adds up, right? I'm hoping I can start getting on the blogging bandwagon again soon because I miss y'all! More soon. 

xoxo

Weekend Wrap Up

Yawwwwn. It’s only Monday? This weekend was ridiculously fabulously awesome, but man… having a life and having fun is TIRING, yo!

Friday night, of course, is football night, and I headed out with Doug’s mom to their homecoming game on Friday evening. Not the outcome hoped for, so boo to that, but it was a beautiful night out and made it feel like it actually hadn’t been 100+ outside earlier in the day.

Saturday morning I was back at run club after missing last week due to work. We had an awesome 6 mile run at race pace planned but Jacky and Monica were planning on more (because they’re both about to rock some fulls in a few weeks), so after they all came back, we went out for 4.5 more to round up to 10.5 (in my case). I needed to get in the direction of home, so I planned on doing 2.6 more at home on the treadmill to get to 13.1 ‘caus why not? And then discovered that the fans in the gym didn’t work and it was already 90+ outside, so there was no way that was about to happen. Nuh-uh. I was a little bummed, but took it as a sign to get home and chill for a bit before I headed out with my mom and sister to get wedding-ready!

My sister came in to town just Thursday evening and was only here until Sunday morning, so I'm glad I got some extra time with her over manis & pedis - plus I'm the one that picked her up from the airport since I couldn't take Friday off to go kayaking with her and my parents. Womp! 

We clean up pretty good.

A long-time family friend got married Saturday evening – by long-time, I mean my mom grew up with her mom in the LA Hungarian circle, so this was much a reunion for folks I hadn’t seen in a LONG time! Doug got to meet a whole bunch of folks who he had met once like two years ago, but it was a great night of celebrating, seeing old friends and of course, wine. Doug and I had been up and going since 6:30 am, so getting back from Malibu at 1 am was beyond exhausting…

Family selfie!

My sister & I with the gorgeous bride. <3

… so sleeping in until 9:30 am on Sunday was DELIGHTFUL. So very needed. I felt a little guilty not getting up and getting my run in (goals to meet, people!) but sometimes… it’s just needed. We headed out for lunch with my grandma and uncle who just got back from their two-week trip to Italy, so we finally got to hear all about it!

And from there, naturally, we didn’t stop, but headed down to Carson to get to the second to last Galaxy game of the season! Doug is now good luck, as they’ve always won when he’s gone, and as the Galaxy are tied for second and only one point behind first, we needed it! 3-2 win, for the books – you bet I’m dragging him to the last home game in a few weeks!

Galaxy win, woot!

And finally home again for some last-minute weekend work, and crashed hard at 11 pm. Ugh, Monday. You can always expect they’re going to suck… and they generally do. But it’s the first Monday of the first full week of classes on campus, so there’s a new kind of buzz going around too and I like it! Happy Monday – going to make it a good one and I hope you do, too!

I hope to make someone’s Monday by finally announcing the winner of the Tiux giveaway from a few weeks back after Ventura! Congratulations to

Aileen, you've been emailed and have until Thursday, October 1 to claim your prize! Congratulations!

How was your weekend?

Florida, Vacation, Disney, Wedding Bound!

Oh my god, you guys... VACATION.

While I know I travel a lot, I finally feel like I'm actually going on a vacation. Maybe because it's longer than a weekend. I'm so excited! 

Gulf, you are calling my name!

 We're Florida bound -- spefically, two days in Orlando and then two days in Sarasota for some wedding, beach, sand, surf, all things vacation fun!

Unfortunately, I discovered that the Sarasota Half is the same Sunday, and found out about it wayyyy to late to pay that much for registration. I even almost convinced Doug to the relay... almost. Fail!

BUT - I get to take Doug to one of the best places ever for the THE VERY FIRST TIME. I can't wait - like, beyond excited. We're both nerdy Hidden Mickey fanatics, so I know he's just going to have a BALL (pun intended).

(source)

 My dear, old friend from graduate school, Kim, is getting married just south of Sarasota. It's a tiny wedding (only about 40 people), so I feel so fortunate that not only were Doug and I invited, but that we're actually going to make it! I haven't seen her in a year and a half, since last Christmas, when we carried on our one-day-dates during the holidays when we were both in California.

About three years ago this time, I spent half of my Spring Break visiting her in New York, not long after she
had moved there for her new job. She was one of my best people in San Diego and throughout grad school, especially as she continued to work at SDSU after she graduated (the year before me). Many of my San Diego adventures and shenanigans involve her and I am so excited to be there for her wedding.

Kim, though you probs aren't reading this at this point (since you're already in Florida!), I hope your wedding day is everything you desire and so much more! Many congratulations and years of love for you and Erik! See you soon!

Are you heading anywhere exciting this weekend?

Weekend Wrap Up

Mondays are cruel. Mondays after a superbly fantastic 3-day weekend gallivanting around Atlanta with your boyfriend and some great friends make it even more cruel. Woof. With that, reliving the fabulousness of this past weekend, mostly through photo - enjoy!

Thursday night started with a trip to the airport & this creeptastic restaurant.

 

Friday's adventure was a trip to the Georgia Aquarium - I can't get enough sea otter adorableness.

Saturday was the World of Coke - my fave!

A gorgeous wedding at the Atlanta History Center.

Kid you not - the doors opened, she stepped out & it started to rain. Hard.

A college reunion for these guys.

 

Post-rain costume change. Good decision.

And ended with a trip to Stone Mountain on a perfect day.

How was your weekend? Did you anything special? Have you ever attended a wedding in the rain?

 

Friday Fun

I'm out for a weekend away! Well, not really away considering I just got back from DC, but a weekend down the road in Atlanta until Sunday evening. So excited!

Get to spend the weekend with this guy! <3

Doug's teammate from college (they played football together at Pomona-Pitzer out in LA) is getting married in Atlanta, so it's pretty much going to be a mini-college reunion for a whole bunch of them. Last night, Doug, his roommate Chris, and his girlfriend Nancy (who we went to Vegas with at Christmas, love them!) got in about 8:30 pm, we grabbed dinner and promptly crashed at the hotel up here in Buckhead. Today it's a day of exploring and fun times showing Chris and Nancy around, since Doug's been before, at the World of Coke (my favorite!) and the Georgia Aquarium (world's largest!) and some other randomness around the ATL.

[source]

Tomorrow it's whatever we please and the wedding at this absolutely stunning place on the left. It's absolutely gorgeous and I cannot wait to get to explore, even if there's a forecast of storms looming over. It's going to be stunning. I've been ogling over photos online since we found out the wedding was here. Gorgeous. Lots of photos to come on Monday! Long story short is that I'm looking forward to a (mostly) stay-cation for me and gallavanting around Atlanta with some great folks. It should be a great weekend a nice escape from Athens on its graduation weekend (chaos). Hooray!


Hope you have a most wonderful weekend!

What are your exciting plans for this weekend?

Wine & Dine: Week 11

 

Week 11 is down, Week 12 is here and you know what that means -- it's Wine and Dine week! So excited! It's my first RunDisney race and I get to meet up with a whole bunch of super awesomely fabulous people (Heather, Amma, Selby, Alicia, & some others I don't know!) and have a grand ol' weekend. Can you say stoked? Yes'm.  Last full week of training -- next week, there's still some on the docket so I don't lose momentum, but won't take it as seriously. Sort of. 

Monday: Rest

Rest

I've gotten really good at Mondays. It was a crazy day anyway -- long day at work, ran home to get the pup out to the park, laundry, packed for Texas, packed for the gym, made my lunch, put all the laundry away (in the same day? It's a Christmas Halloween miracle!), finished my cousin's wedding gift, did my nails, and went to bed way too late.

Tuesday: 8 x 400 / 5K pace

6 x 400 / faster than 5K pace

This was a lot faster than 5K pace, or at least... what I think my 5K pace is lately. I haven't done a track workout in quite a few weeks (I'm learning to really enjoy some good tempo runs), but decided that I really want to do my best to stick with my speed trainings on Tuesdays. So, headed out the door, at the gym and on the track by 6:15 am to get in some quality track time (I'm trying to love it, really) and the Air Force ROTC students. I felt really good - I forgot to look at my fridge and see how many sets I was supposed to do, but decided I'd go to where I felt good and 6 happened to be it! I probably could have gone for more but I didn't want to push myself crazy hard to the first track sesh back. Overall, happy. Check out them splits:

 Not super consistent, but ballpark, so I'm happy with that.

Wednesday: 6 miles 
3.25 mi run / 32:14 / 9:55 pace and 3.26 mi cycle / 14:41 / 13.3 mph
My Brooks have been giving me the worst blisters lately - three, namely. One on top of my pinky (at the top of the nail-bed) and two at the tips of each of my second toes. It's been weird. They went a little way for a while, and then came back full force on Wednesday. I just couldn't fathom getting to 6 miles, so I pushed hard for the 3. 25 (they started killing me at mile 2), and decided I'd make up for the difference with a quick cycle to end it. Bummed, but glad I at least tried to make up for it! Eep!

Thursday: 3 miles
Rest
Thursday was travel day - I knew it'd be a stretch to get in these 3 miles, but I left them on the schedule anyway. Leaving for the airport at 6:35 am didn't allow me a ton of opportunity to get them in, but with all the walking I did in San Marcos on my visit to Texas State made up for it. It was nearly 80 on Thursday there, and I'd forgotten about those hills. Man! I think I made up for my lack of running 3 miles with walking a ton of them in hills and heat.

Friday: 10 miles
5.89 miles / 1:05:something / not sure!
Runnin' in Austin, woo! Went out a few early for a .5 mile jog around the block, then met up with my uncle. We were supposed to go for a run down on Town Lake, but he tweaked his knee earlier in the week, so we walked the 1.2 down to Town Lake from the hotel. I then ran out for a few extra miles while he walked, and then walked back. Not nearly the distance I'd hoped for, but given a) the early morning, b) the long day ahead, c) the long wedding weekend ahead, I'm glad I did it at all! I wish I had gotten photos of the gorgeous morning - runners everywhere, swans out & about... stunning. I miss Austin!

Friday continued with the bridesmaids' adventure in mani-pedis (my feet love me again), lunch, rehearsal, chillin', rehearsal dinner, & attempting to out for a drink only to walk back to the hotel to pass out!

Saturday: Rest
Rest
Well, not so restful - up and ready to go for hair appointments at 8:30 am. Yay, fun! Happy wedding day and congratulations to Marika and Jeff! More wedding photos to come, but I'll leave you two for now that at least set the scene. The venue was stunning - Green Pastures is in a residential neighborhood in southwest Austin, but you'd have no idea. Peacocks wander the property, it's covered in oak trees and shade, and is just... magnificent.

Doug & I on Saturday night! 

Sunday: Cross Train
Park Time!
Kickball totally counts as cross-training, right? Marika and Jeff had hosted a picnic in the park after their graduation from Stanford (mmhmm), they wanted to do it again after their wedding, so we split up for a little bride's-side/groom's-side kickball. Fantastic.

And then flew home Sunday evening, got to Athens and promptly fell into bed. 

Wine and Dine week is heeeeeeeeere!

DIY Bachelorette Invitations

One of my bestest friends in the whole wide world, Tina, is getting married in March - exciting! She doesn't have a maid of honor, but five us on her side who are all taking various roles of the typical MOH duties. So while Maria is in charge of the bachelorette party planning, she and I got so excited about some of the idea we saw on Pinterest for invitations (like this one), we decided to make a happy combination of two that we really loved. Maria invited me to help make the invitations, given my level of excitement thanks to Pinterest, and I happily jumped in. In the end, I put together the actual invitations, sent them to Maria in Phoenix who designed the insert, made the envelopes (yep, made!), and sent them to the bride's guest list.

Tina's colors are puple and silver, but we thought we'd add black into the mix for a little sexy glam vibe. These were super duper fun, and are super easy to make, so if you're looking for a little inspiration, check out the work below!

For 21 invitations, I spent just barely $10. Not a bad deal!
- 5 sheets 12"x12" purple scrapbook cardstock ($2.50)
- 24-sheet 12"x12" pack black cardstock ($4)
- Two 3-yd glitter lace rolls ($4)

Using the invite we found on Pinterest, I sketched a stencil that I could use as the corset bodice and came up with this:

 Using those awesome design-cut scissors, I added a little "lace" to the bottom for an extra little flare. And then I proceeded to trace and cut 21 of these - definitely the least fun about this crafting day!

Black sheets were cut in half, and then folded, for a 6"x6" invitation.

Before all the pieces come togeher.

 Before I glued the corsets to the invitations, I'd cut them in half then glue each piece individually to the two front flaps:

Lucky for me, I've had this awesome heart-shaped hole punch, perfect for making the eylets in the corset!

And then the lacing fun began. This was definitely the most tedious part, and I ended up with black glitter all over my kitchen counter (I think I'm still finding some), but I just loved how they turned out and was so excited!                                          

 All 21 of my little gems:

And then Maria finished the magic. She made envelopes (since the envelopes were just at 6"x6", we unfortunately couldn't order the same-sized envelopes we had found on Amazon... so then came Google and how to make envelopes. Weeee) that turned out fabulously, and she added a last little insert on the right inside flap with the bride's sizes, of course!

I loved Maria's inserts.

 And there you have it - just a little bit of labor but a whole lot of love from two bridesmaids. What do you think? Have you made your bachelorette invitations before? Show and tell time!