Day 1 of 365 - January 1, 2012

Really looking forward to 2012, new job, new outlook on working out, new carpet.  I signed up for 2 Nike Plus Challenges; and 2 Nike+ Goals:

365 Miles in 365 Days - 62 challengers; Day 1, 18th place with 2.65 miles today.  Too bad the 4.01 miles yesterday were 4 hours too early to count. 

Zodiac Challenge - Libra currently in 6th place.  (Again too bad that 4 miles yesterday was a couple hours early)

January Goal:  30 miles in 30 days:  8.16 miles completed.  21.84 to go by 1/25.  Thankfully, yesterday DID count on this one! 

January Goal:  Run 12 times by 1/25.  3 runs completed.  .89 runs ahead of my goal.  

I signed up for a 10k Race on 2/11/12, I have never run 6 miles before.  Longest run ever has been 5.3 miles and that was YEARS ago when I was running five days a week.  It's good motivation.  I've been doing the 4 mile run/walk combo and I feel good, not too much pain.  In fact, the legs are not giving out, it's the lungs - need to get the cardio endurance back.  But, the great thing about the human body ..... it does come back.  Quickly.   The race will be fantastic, it's on a route that I already run regularly, so it will be an easy race mentally.  It's flat and fast.  I think this will be a good first venture into 10k.  

Downloaded the Ease into 10k app (formerly Couch to 10k C210K) ... and jumped straight into week 2 which is 5 minute walking warm up, 4 minute run/1 minute walk, repeat 5 times, 5 minute walking cool down.  I had no problem with the 4 minutes, provided I stuck to a 12 minute mile.  Speed is not my friend right now ... burns me out too quickly.  Slow and steady and 4 miles will be mine pretty easily.  

On another note, Christmas decorations have been taken down and moved upstairs.  Tomorrow's task will be putting all of the ornaments back in boxes, and replacing everything else into the attic.  Packers won a nail biter against the Lions; which put the Falcons as 5th seed and now playing the winner of Dallas/Giants; Lions will be playing the Saints next week.  We NEED to root for the Lions, because we KNOW we can win against them in Lambeau ... the Saints will be a tougher competitor.  Come on Super Bowl!  

Maggie & Tyler sleeping in on New Years Day

 Thankfully, Tyler is back to normal; he's letting me pet him again and he's started sleeping in my bed every night (yes, I swore I would never let him do this ...) I think the pain of the 3 ticks that he had over Thanksgiving have been removed from his short term memory.  He's really the best dog anyone could ask for - and he has really done so much for helping to socialize Maggie too.  Good dogs all around.  The loves of my life.  

I have really enjoyed being off for the last two weeks; it's been so nice spending so much time with the pups.  But, as all good things come to an end, so does vacation and back to 5am mornings and a new routine for the dogs.  

Off to drink more water before bed.  

Small goals for this year:  

Team Fitness 3 days per week.  

Run 3 days per week.  

100 oz of water per day.  

Take vitamins every day.  

More cooking at home, less eating out.  

Enjoy the new job. 

Recipe for today:  Homemade Veggie Burgers 

• 2 medium red bell peppers , cut in one inch pieces 
• 1 portabella mushroom, cut into one inch slices
• 1 8oz can of sliced beets 
• 1 medium onion , cut in wedges
• 8 garlic cloves , peeled and roughly chopped
• 4 cups black beans , cooked, rinsed and well drained (preferably homemade)
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice , cooked
• 1 1/2 cups carrots , grated
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce , like Cholula, Tapatio, Franks Red Hot, Sirachi (NO Tabasco!!)
• 1/2-3/4 cup breadcrumbs

Directions:

1. In a food processor, place red pepper, onion, mushroom, beets and garlic. Pulse until chopped in small pieces, but not finely ground. Put mixture in a strainer to remove excess water, gently pushing veggie mixture down with hands. Put mixture into large mixing bowl.
2. Place the well drained black beans in the food processor and pulse lightly until beans are mashed but not ground up. You should still see some semi-whole beans. Mixture will be somewhat dry. Scrape mashed beans into mixing bowl and stir into the veggie mixture.
3. Add brown rice and grated carrot, stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste, making it a wee tad salty because the bread crumbs will tone it down.
4. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, cumin and hot sauce with a fork. Add to the bean mixture, mixing well.
5. Add bread crumbs, ¼ cup at a time until mixture holds together well. It should not be runny, and it should not be crumbly.
6. Optional: To ensure proper seasoning and to make sure burgers will hold together, make a small 2 inch patty and fry in a small pan. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. With hands, form patties and fry in a small amount of olive or vegetable oil, approximately three minutes per side until nicely browned and crisp and hot throughout.
8. Because of the cumin, these make awesome Tex-Mex burgers. Serve on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and guacamole or chipotle mayo. NOTE: I make these burgers for a restaurant, so I freeze the uncooked patties on a cookie sheet, then transfer to a freezer container or individual baggies. This will add slightly to the cooking time, but they cook up great. You can also grill them on a well-oiled grill basket.

I make these this week, cooked up one ... the flavor was DELICIOUS, the consistency isn't perfect yet.  I think it might need more breadcrumbs?  It made 14 patties, can't wait for some good vegetarian lunches this week!

Trust

trust

–noun

1.  reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

2.  confident expectation of something; hope.

...

4.  a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

 I have recently had my trust in someone tested, yet again.  And it has failed the test, yet again.  The initial time the trust was broken was years ago and over time I have tried to forgive and try to allow that trust to be regained. 
How does one regain trust that has been lost? 
Can lost trust be regained?

I have read many stories, articles, perspectives, opinions, and discussed with my best friends over many cocktails and the consenus is unanimous.  Yes, no, sometimes, and it depends.

The biggest factor that seems to contribute to the ability to regain trust is the commitment to rebuilding that trust on the part of the person who broke the trust in the first place.  The second biggest factor seems to be the willingness to forgive on the part of the person whose trust was broken. 

It depends was a very popular response -- it depends .... on what happened?  How often did it happen.  How big of a deal was it?  Was there regret, or remorse?

How do you regain the trust?  If there is remorse on behalf of the trust-breaker; and a willingness to forgive on behalf of the trust-breakee, you have a good start.  Then it takes a lot of time, honesty, communication and effort.

Strategies: 
Say what you mean.
Do what you say you're going to do, actions speak much louder than words.
Follow through on your word (your verbal commitments).
Look out for the other's well being.
Think about how your actions may make the other person feel, hurt or hinder the other person and make conscious decisions on your actions.
Go out of your way to put in the effort to rebuild the trust.
Know that it is going to take time.   Both must be committed to slowly rebuilding the trust.
One action that breaks the trust may require one hundred positive actions to rebuild it.
Communication, communication, communication.  Honesty, honesty, honesty.

After many "innocent" incidences (there is always some explaination ...) that have happened, and a lack of effort - sadly, I believe that our trust is beyond repair.  We need to be honest with each other and both commit to letting go and moving on.

Eat, Pray, Love

A couple of friends and I went to this movie last week and there were a couple of things that really hit me.  So much so that I've actually gotten a copy of the book and plan to read the whole thing!  I am not usually one to read the book, then see the movie.  I usually like books more than the movies.  I also dislike all of the "hype."  Eat, Pray, Love had a lot of hype -- probably by Oprah or something.  So, I avoided it.  Blah, blah, blah, girly book.  

Well, we saw the movie and I loved it (yea, it's easy to love when Julia Roberts is one of your idols too ...) but it was so powerful. So real.  So me.  Well, without the great year long soul-finding travel to beautiful places ... but you know what I mean.  

One quote that hit me the most was: 

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master..."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) 

Interesting concept.  I don't think I have found MY soul mate.  But I know I have been theirs ... not sure if they've been open to me being their soul mate, but I know I have done this for someone.  And, true enough ... it didn't last.  

Powerful.  I need to be more open to meeting a soul mate.  

Another simple thing for Happy People ... "Be Open to New Ideas"   

I'm ready. 

The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People by David Niven, Ph.D

I found this book by David Niven a few years ago and recently saw it sitting in my bookshelf and figured it would be a perfect day to revisit it.  It's a very quick read and incredibly enlightening.  The lesson that hit home today was:

 

#37 - Don't let your entire life hinge on one element.  

"Your life is made up of may different facets.  Don't focus on one aspect of your life so much that you can't experience pleasure if that one are is unsettled.  It can become all you think about, and it can deaden your enjoyment of everything else - things you would otherwise love."

Feeling a lack of success and satisfaction in my personal life has been hindering me from enjoying my work life, my exercise life, my friends, my family, my vacations.  I keep thinking, "it would be really nice if I had someone to share this with," or "it would so much better if I had my significant other with me on this vacation." 

Low and behold, I could have had a really great vacation enjoying my family and friends.  I *did* have a great vacation, and I probably would have enjoyed it more had I gotten the whole "I'm sick of being single" thought out of my head the entire time.  Because the funny thing is, one of my girlfriends that I spent a lot of time with over vacation has been married for 4.5 years now and her husband does not enjoy traveling or doing things with her friends ... and she LOVED the time away from him. Here I'm wanting to be with someone and she's reveling in the time AWAY.  

Smile, laugh, have fun ... enjoy those around me that mean the most to me.  Now ... while I have the chance. 

Welcome to Spring ... now I need a summer vacation!

I have been planning my summer vacation, now that my trip over the 4th of July has gotten messed up by a team meeting in Salt Lake City (though the miles will be nice), and the change of my class reunion back two weekends.  So, I canceled my trip to Wisconsin over the Fourth, and I'm looking forward to 16 days up north in August instead! 

I'm teaching a class in Chicago in mid-August, so I figured it would be a great time to drive up to Wisconsin the week before, spend the week at the lake, then head five hours back to Chicago, teach my class (which happens to be at a pet-friendly hotel too!), then drive the 12 hours back to ATL on Saturday morning.  That's two full weeks away from the office and two full weeks traveling with the pups!! 

Now, I need to start getting a hold of people and schedule some time with my friends while I'm in town!  A week at the lake by myself will be incredibly boring, so I will need to get SOMETHING in the works.  Hmmm ... gotta get the brain ticking! 

Daughtry ... ear candy

I was just recently exposed to Daughtry - since I haven't watched Idol for the last few years.  I downloaded his two albums and have been smitten - and surprised at how much his lyrics spoke to my life.  

I listened to "Over You" on my way home from the gym tonight and it cut straight to the bone, and I'm glad that when I saw him for the first time in three years a few weeks ago - that I am over him.

Now that it’s all said and done
I can’t believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down
Like an old abandoned house
What you said when you left
Just left me cold and out of breath
I felt as if I was in way to deep
Guess I let you get the best of meeee

(Chorus)
Well I never saw it coming
I should have started running
A long, long time agooo!
And I never thought I’d doubt you
I’m better off without you
More than you, more than you know
I’m slowly getting closure
I guess it’s really over
I’m finally gettin’ better
Now I’m picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together
‘Cause the day I thought I’d never get through
I got over you!!!
(End Chorus)

You took a hammer to these walls
Dragged the memories down the hall
Packed your bags and walked away
There was nothing I could say,
And when you slammed the front door shut
A lot of other’s opened up
So did my eyes so I could see
That you never were the best for meee

(Chorus)
Well I never saw it coming
I should have started running
A long, long time agooo!
And I never thought I’d doubt you
I’m better off without you
More than you, more than you know
I’m slowly getting closure
I guess it’s really over
I’m finally getting’ better
Now I’m picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together
‘Cause the day I thought I’d never get through
I got over you!!!
(End Chorus)

I never saw it coming
I should have started running
A long, long time agooo
And I never thought I’d doubt you
I’m better off without you

And I never saw it coming
I should have started running
I’m finally getting better
Now I’m picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together
And I got over you!!!
And I got over you!!!
And I got over you!!!

The day I thought I’d never get through
I got over you… 

(C)Daughtry, 2007 

Real Sun, Fake Sun and some Endorphins for Good Measure

It's amazing what a little sun will do for a person.  We have finally had some warm weather this weekend (62 today, and forecasted to be in the mid-upper 60's tomorrow too!  

It's been about 7 months since I've been tanning, so I went back to Planet Beach yesterday.  I got home from work and had every intention of going to the gym, but I was exhausted from getting up at 5:30am every day this week, so I took a quick cat nap on the sofa (you know ... cats sleep all day, so don't be surprised when my nap was 2.5 hours long!)  It made a HUGE difference in how I felt last night.  I was meeting the neighbors to go through some documents for the HOA, we were also going to celebrate a "win" against one of our residents that has a court judgment against her for $17,000 -- of which she has not paid a penny.  The water was shut off yesterday morning ... then promptly turned back on.  Grrrrrr ......

Since we were to meet over at AS's for the non-existent celebration at 7:30, I ran down to go tanning about 6:30 -- ahhhhh, it felt SO good to get back in the tanning bed!!!  I talked to Kelly for a while and caught up with her, she's so sweet.  She's letting me put some business cards there and see if I get any orders out of it!  She said she was going to order some for her mom in Michigan.  I got over to AS's about 7:30 and had a couple of bottles of wine, some appetizers and pizza.  I haven't eaten pizza in ages.  Good times with good girlfriends!  Really looking to margaritas on the patio at Uncle Julios tomorrow afternoon!  

Today I did 30 minutes on the step mill and lifted weights for about 45 minutes at the gym -- it felt great to get there and have a great workout!  I went tanning again this afternoon and headed to Whole Foods to pick up some peanut butter so I could make some dog cookies.  

I'm donating 300 bags of dog cookies to the American Cancer Society for their Bark for Life fundraising event next weekend.  I told Kenly I'd get them to her on Tuesday ... so this weekend was made for baking!  I have 5 batches done today, and 5 more to go tomorrow.  Then packaging everything up on Monday night after I print more bag labels on Monday.  I bet I will need to order more labels -- I should do a quick inventory tomorrow while I am finishing laundry too.

Overall, finally a warm weekend, plenty of sun, a couple of days at the gym, and some good sleep. Today is a good day.  Finally.  

In Search Of .... Motivation

The last few months have been tough to find the motivation I need in ..... life, in general.  It's been a tough couple of months.  I try to keep a smile on my face and be the good team player, but I've been struggling to be engaged in life. 


Things that have brought me pleasure in the past seem dull, boring, uninteresting. 
Things I have obsessed about in the past haven't even crossed my mind.

My passions in the past have been going to the gym 5+ days a week.  I'm lucky if I've gone five times in the last month.  I've gained weight, my clothes don't fit, I feel ugly ... and sadly I don't care.  Every day I know I need to go to the gym.  I need to go for a run.  I need to lift weights.  I need to go spinning.  I know it will make me feel better.  The endorphins are like a welcome, addictive drug ... but yet I'm not inspired. 

Hanging out with my friends has become a thing of the past.  I get home from work at night and I'm cold.  I get under the blanket on the sofa and I fall asleep.  I get home and I have no desire to even leave the house again.  I don't even want to take the dogs for a walk because it's too cold out.  This winter has been dreadful.  Days, upon weeks, upon nearly 3 months of COLD weather.  Barely a day over 40 ... nights in the low 20's.  I got the hell out of Wisconsin to get out of that weather, and the seasonal depression.  It NEEDS to get warm soon.  Saturday is finally forecasted for 60 degrees.  I hope that will take me out of my funk.  It's been TOO long since I have even remotely lived my life.  I have been miserable ... the warm weather needs to snap me out of it.

I talked to David tonight and told him I needed some motivation.  He gave me a great idea.  Get home from work, leave the car running ... take out the dogs, give 'em dinner, change clothes ... since the car is still running, I have to leave the house again ... why not just get into the nice warm car and go to the gym.  Brilliant David.  I will try that next week!  Thank you!! 

I think I also need to get back to the tanning bed.  Maybe a little vitamin d will do an ego good.  Maybe a week without a class, getting a little extra sleep and a better workout schedule and some sun will be good for me next week.

Another delicious Supper Club Night!

I am so grateful for my fabulous Supper Club friends! We always have such a great time, wonderful food, tasty wine, and outstanding conversation!

Last night I hosted dinner at my house, and our theme of the night was "Luau!" The menu was to die for:

Coconut Crusted Mahi-Mahi Bites with pineapple salsa
Kalua Pork
Kim Chi
Fruit Salad with a yogurt glaze
Rice salad with fresh pineapple, cherries, coconut
Grilled pineapple shortcakes

Everything was SO yummy - I will definitely be making all of these recipes again!

I made the Kalua Pork - if you'd like to make it at home:
4-6 lb. picnic ham or boston butt cut of pork
3 T. liquid smoke
1/4 c. brown sugar

Preheat over to 275 degrees. Trim the pork, and rub with liquid smoke and brown sugar. Wrap tightly in foil, place in a pan in oven for 5-7 hours (depending on the size of your pork) Approximately 1 hour per pound. Take out of oven, remove bone and shred with two forks.

You can also cook this on high in a crock pot for 6+ hours (until it is falling off the bone).

Ultra simple, and a fan favorite!

When in Shanghai ... you've gotta do .....

What to do in Shanghai

February 5, 2010

Some of the really cool things we did ... and things we didn't get a chance to do, but definitely put on your list if you're in town!

Yu Yuan Gardens: In the center of Old Town, just southwest of the Bund, the Garden of Peace and Comfort offers an escape from the fast pace of the surrounding city. With 30 pavilions and over 5 acres, this 16th century garden can be explored for days. Of the many temples and halls, the Grand Rockery is the most popular. Two thousand tons of rare yellow stones are combined with rice glue to form a massive sculpture that stands 46 feet high. There is also a lot of tourist shopping, with shops going on for what feels like miles! Since this is a very tourist area, be cautious on the prices you pay for souveniers.
The Bund: This famous waterfront has been Shanghai’s center since the mid-1800’s. It offers a taste of the past with the colonial structures along the promenade and a view of the future across the river in Pudong. The city’s historical landmarks as well as new 21st century structures can all be seen along the 1 mile walk. This is one of the oldest parts of Shanghai in the West River district called Puxi (Poo-shee)
The local alleyways: When you are in Puxi, near the Bund and Yu Yuan Gardens, walk around and take a look into some of the alleys. They will be selling foods, candied fruit on a stick or even critters on a stick. Most of these old apartments are only 1-2 rooms, and were built before they had indoor electricty and running water. Look around at the water spikets outside (where the residents get their water and take back to their apartment). Most families live together with an extended family - so it is not unlikely for a family of 6+ to be living in a small one room apartment here. Note the power lines strung all through the alleys to give the apartments electricity that was put in at a much later time.
ERA - Circus City: What an amazing show of Acrobatic Artistry! http://www.era-shanghai.com/en/
The Maglev Train to/from the airport: This is the world's fastest train. In 8 minutes you can go from Metro Line #2 station to the Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)! In a taxi, it's about a 40 minute drive! For 50RMB (about $7) you can take this elevated magnetic train and WOOOSH, you're at the airport!
Shanghai World Financial Tower Observatory: This was the slated to be the tallest building in the world when it went under construction in 1997. During the construction. the Asian Financial Crisis caused the work to cease for 2 years. The original design was 84 floors, which would have made it the tallest building in the world- the Patronas Towers in Kauala Lumpur opened in 1998 and beat the SWFT by 4 floors - so the redesigned the construction and added an additional 17 floors to the plan to top it out at 101 floors, which delayed construction an additional 4 years. Construction resumed in 2004, with the final floor being completed in 2007. The elevator was added in 2008, and it opened its doors on August 28, 2008. Due to a structural limit it never surpassed Taipai 101, it was officially opened as the 2nd tallest building in the world. Currently #3, after the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai opened in 2009.

Shanghai is the home to 13 of the top 200 tallest buildings.
Chicago is home to 13 of the top 200
New York City is the home to 16 of the top 200
Dubai is home to 25 of the top 200 --- CRAZY!!

Oriental Pearl Tower Observatory: Right down in the financial district of Pudong, the Oriental Pearl Tower is one of the most recongized icons of the Shanghai skyline.
Puxi (Pu-shee): The old town of Shanghai. Pu: "River" Xi: "West"
People's Square: Much like the Central Park+Times Square of NYC, the are around this large green space is filled with many businesses, shopping and of course ... the park. The comparable Square that you've probably heard of in Beijing is Tiananmin Square. Remember the student riots in Beijing in the late '90s?
The Fabric Markets: Have cashmere coats, rain coats, leather coats, shirts, suits, pants ... anything you want custom tailored to YOU! I highly recommend Sun Juan's store which is located on the 2nd floor (Store 250) of the Shanghai Shilupu Cloth Market at 168 Dongmen Rd in Puxi.
Science & Technology Museum: http://www.sstm.org.cn/structure/english2/eindex China is very focused on being bigger and better than anyone else. We never made it to the Museum, but the reviews are amazing! They have 5 main interactive exhibits and two 3D IMAX theaters.
Dongtai Road: http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1851908_1851830_1851810,00.html We didn't make it here, but it is on the Top 10 list of many, many Top 10 lists! It looks very cool and it would have been fun to buy some more authentic stuff while we were here.
Blind Person Massage: For a mere 65RMB (about $10US) you can get a WONDERFUL 60 minute foot massage. For a great recommendation on masseuse: try #66, 36, 37, 10 or 26. They are all incredible!!! For such a cheap price - you can afford to get a massage every week!
Jade Buddha Temple: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2761785-jade_buddha_temple_shanghai-i;_ylt=AqJnPNsW7s9cYgYU_JznWBo4FWoL?rsort=helpful#descsummary We also didn't make it here, but have heard great things from some of my other colleagues who did get the chance to come here. Shanghai’s most famous temple is known for it’s white jade Buddhas carved from a single slab of Burmese jade. Brought to Shanghai in 1881, the statues are housed in separate houses amongst beautiful jewels and stones. In addition there are also ancient carvings, paintings and precious Buddhist cultural relics.
Xiang Yang Market: Or, better known as "the knock-off market". Located underground at the Science & Technology Metro stop - this place is HUGE! You can not cover the entire place in a few hours - but many of the stores carry the same things ... just different people selling. You can find almost anything you like - and it's all about the negotiations. The better you are, the better price you will get.
Super Brand Mall: http://www.superbrandmall.com/index/index_en.asp A HUUUUGE 10 story mall, with every store you can possibly imagine. They have many popular European and American stores

I'm sure there are a million more things to do while you are here, but these things will certainly take up a good portion of your time. Check the times that places are open. The Fabric Market closes at 6pm during weeknights, and the knock-off market closes at 8pm. So, you have to schedule your time accordingly. Our "normal" office hours here were 9am-6pm, so in order to get to the fabric market one weeknight, we had to leave the office by 5pm.


FYI - most of the taxi drivers do NOT speak any English, so make sure you have a "TAKE ME TO" taxi card. All businesses will have a taxi card (which are the size of a business card), so you can get to where you want to go and they are usually written in both English & Chinese. Make sure you have one for your hotel so you can get home!!!