What I left Behind

...About a foot of snow.
But I'm back in Denver.
Stay tuned.

Finally

I'm currently in College Station, TX visiting my cousin Nikki and her husband Dan. And I have finally put in a work out! I seriously lagged last week, from being so exhausted from going non-stop. I did have my hip hop class on Monday but the instructor didn't bring the right music we were learning a routine to (Single Ladies by Beyonce), so we only did the old routine she taught us a couple of times, and a dance from Dance Jam a couple times, definitely not what I call a full work out. Then yesterday Nikki and I went on a 2 hour walk around the Texas A&M campus. I don't really call this a full on work out either because it was a very leisurely walk, but both Nikki and Dan (who is studying exercise physiology) say it does count as a full work out, so I suppose I agree with them because they are the experts. Then this afternoon I did a Jillian Michael's work out which was very hard! Just as I think I'm getting my cardio endurance high, I try something different and I'm literally left breathless. But I'm glad to put in a work out, and glad to be back to my blogging self! And super happy to be in College Station visiting my cousin. Tomorrow we head to Austin!

...lots and lots to come!

This Weekend

I leave tomorrow morning for a quick trip to Albuquerque!

I fly back into Denver Sunday night.
It'll be great to see my parents, cousins, and friends.

"One Fifth Avenue"

I recently finished the book "One Fifth Avenue" by Candace Bushnell. She's the author of "Sex and the City" amongst others. This is the first book I've read by her, and I really enjoyed it. Thank you Nikki!

I loved the characters in this book and how they are all related and intertwined. Some parts are a little X rated but I suppose that makes sense, considering the author and what she is known for. It takes place in NYC as an "old" actress moves back to the city from LA. Falls in love with a man from her 20's, who is now dating a girl in her 20's. A little old lady dies, and her apartment is taken over by a new rich family. A young boy is a technical genius and all the tenants rely on him to fix their computers and keep the internet running. All ends with a happy ending with a couple of interesting twists. Good book, I would recommend it.

On a side note

Happy Birthday Emily!

on another side note

6th day in a row of workouts!
I worked out Tuesday to make up for the
fact that I won't be able to work out Saturday.

the Green in me

I'm half Irish. This is news to a lot of people because I don't look Irish, and because my last name is Madrid. But my Mom's maiden name is Egan, so their ya go!

In my family St. Patrick's Day holds a very special place is all our hearts. It is the day 18 years ago that my Grandpa Egan passed away. I was extremely close to him while I was young, and I'm thankful because of that closeness with him while he was alive, that today I have an even stronger relationship with him now that I am an adult. He enters my life when I least expect it. And it is usually just as my life is taking a turn, and somehow he always lets me know how proud he is of me. It is one of those feelings that you just can't explain, but you know that it is their.

I remember all the details of that day, and the day before so clearly. And I relive them and think of them every St. Patrick's Day. My Grandpa lived in an apartment near my elementary school, and I would often walk over to see him after school. I loved seeing him more frequently. He move to Albuquerque from Santa Fe, and when he was in Santa Fe we would go and visit him once a month. The day before(3/16/91), my mom did Grandpa's taxes, and we were waiting for a day for him to have enough strength to sign them. March 16th, he was having one of his better days, but my mom held off on getting his signature in hopes the next day he would be even stronger. Before going to his apartment that afternoon my mom and I made a trip to Payless and I got these super cute black dress up shoe's. I remember sitting on the couch in the living room with my Grandpa on his hospital bed that was put in the living room so he could watch TV, and wanting to show him my new shoes, but I never did.

I believe it was my Aunt Deanna who was staying with him that night. The next morning my mom came into my room to let me know of his passing and if I wanted to go with her to the apartment. I did. Just as I was getting ready I noticed a perfectly shaped heart shadow in my room from the reflections of the sun coming into my room. I know that was my Grandpa Egan looking down on me letting me know, that he was still their and that he will always be their to look after me.

I remember walking into his apartment, a sheet over his body, and my mom and her sister's talking in the little dining room. My Grandpa was wearing a pale green button down shirt, and had marked his "Readers Digest" with a 4-leaf clover green sticker on today, as if he knew St. Patrick's Day was his day to enter Heaven.

While my mom and aunts were discussing what to do next. I went up to his bed and put my foot up on one of the railings to show him my shoes. I had a conversation in my head of what I would have said "Look Grandpa at my new shiny shoes." He would have said "Oh, how beautiful."

I was unfortunate to not have grandparents in my life for long periods. My last living grandparent was my Grandma Madrid, and she passed away in November 1996. When I meet adults who are my age, or older and they talk about their grandparents still living, I think how lucky they are. How lucky to have a grandparent as an adult, to have that relationship. To ask them questions about growing up in the early 1900's. So if you are lucky enough to have a grandparent that is still alive, cherish your relationship with them, and find out all you can to share their legacy with your children to be passed on to future generations.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

The Rundown

So here are the details of my fabulous weekend with Michelle. First let me start by saying it feels so good to feel like I have a life. For people at work to ask me "so what are you doing this weekend?" and to actually give them an answer, feels so good.

On Thursday night we went to the Avalanche game. We won in a overtime shoot out. Unfortunately this game wasn't as fun as games in the past. Year over year the Avs seem to be getting worse at their hockey skills, so the Pepsi Center wasn't packed like it usually is. And a good, energetic audience is half the fun. Their was one big fight that broke out, which was actually quite surprising.

Friday we just hung out. It was suppose to be super cold and snowy, so I didn't really plan anything. We slept in, then went to breakfast. We did a lot of talking. That night we went to Dance Jam, then came home and watched some old episodes of "Sex and the City." Classic girls night!

Saturday was super busy. We started the day with a drive up to Red Rocks. It was a beautiful day. We did an easy 1.5 mile hike around the grounds. Afterwards we went to the actual Amphitheater. This venue is amazing. I've been lucky enough to go to a handful of concerts their, and it is truly a unique experience. Usually the concert season starts with the sunrise Easter service and goes through Labor Day. This was my first time at the Amphitheater during the day, so it was really nice to just enjoy it. Their were a lot of people their, running up and down the stairs, their was even a yoga class going on. Near the amphitheater is a little museum of Red Rocks. It was really cool. Their is a wall with the dates and performers of every concert at Red Rocks.
After Red Rocks we drove to Idaho Falls for a soak in the Hot Springs. It was very nice. We did the private bath and pool combo. The bath was over 100 degree's of hot Mineral water. The pool was nice, and very tropical. The area around the pool had tropical plants and flowers all around.
The day was a fun-filled day. It was great to do a couple of Colorado touristy things that I've always wanted to do but have never done, until now.

Sunday we got up and went to Dance Jam, then to a really cute Tea house in Louisville, called the Huckleberry.

I feel so fortunate to have a such a great friend in Michelle. Their was no shortage of conversation. I told her numerous times about how perfect her timing was for a visit.

A Picturesque Weekend

Red Rocks~Morrison, CO

The deer came down to eat the green grass

More deer

Red Rocks with the beautiful Colorado blue sky

Michelle & I during out hike around Red Rocks

The view from atop the amphitheater ~ see those buildings in the background?
That's downtown Denver

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Michelle & I enjoying the views after our hike

It was so beautiful

More Red Rocks

So amazing

Indian Hot Springs ~ Idaho Springs, CO

Idaho Springs, CO

Frozen Waterfall

Out to dinner

Good Day

Today was a great day.

More tomorrow.

Here's a sample.

2-1 Avalanche!

The winning score Colorado Av's 2 Minnesota Wild 1

The after win round up

Av's go in to score!

Michelle & I

One of the things I like best about living in Denver is all the action. I got into the Colorado Avalanche when I first moved here, and I've been lucky to go to a handful of games at the Pepsi Center. They are so much fun, and seeing a sporting event live, well their is nothing like it! Michelle arrived last night, and I took her to her first professional hockey game. We had a great time, had awesome seats, and the Av's won! ...this was the first time I've been to a game and they won, so I was very excited.

3 Things...

1. Please send out all your good vibes and spirit fingers to Kali tomorrow! Kali is the instructor who teaches the Dance Jam class I go to on Friday's and Sunday's, as well as the Hip Hop class on Monday's. She's an awesome dancer, and is trying out tomorrow for the TV show "So You Think Can Dance". I myself have never watched the show, but I can definitely tell you that I'll be watching this coming season. Her sister Kara is also trying out. Her sister was in a performance with Rihanna at the MTV Video Music Awards last September. Rihanna opened the show with her song Disturbia.

2. Today at the gym I tried a new class, called the MIXX. And well my booty is already sore, and I know tomorrow will be worse! It's a combo class of Kickboxing and Dance. Lots of fun and sweat!

3. Prayer Request: My Uncle John (who happens to also be my God-Father) has had horrible arthritis in his back for a couple of years now. And has been in constant pain. His last hope was a back surgery he had on Tuesday. He is in recovery right now and word is the surgery was a success. But until his incision is all healed (2 or 3 weeks) they won't know if all the pain as been taken away. Please keep him in your prayers.

My Uncle John holding Katherine~4mos at the time(his first Grandchild, my God-Daughter)
Rhode Island, May 2007

~something I love~

These dresses from Victoria's Secret.
I love this one because it is so flowy. Plus I like how it is long, but not super long. I wish it came in a pale blue color, but the only other color it comes in is pink. And well I'm not much of a pink fan. It just looks comfy. I have 2 summer trips planned: one to Florida and one to Rhode Island. I think this dress would be perfect for both.


I love this dress more. I think it is SO super cute. I love how it goes past the knee's, and that paisley print is fabulous. But the strapless style, I don't think I can pull off. Plus this dress isn't has casual as the one above, so I would have to have some place special to wear it to. And as of right now, no weddings are going on this summer.
So the green one is more realistic, in my opinion. And if I do get it, it will be in the green, because like I said, I don't really like pink. If I could, I would get both - maybe one day the paisley print one will go on clearance, and I can get it in a size smaller, and have it be a "reward" dress when I am down to that size! But I am curious, what do you think? Could I pull off the green? Or what about the paisley one, do you think I would be able to wear that as a casual dress? Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Victoria's Secret is to me like J. Crew is to Emily. I love VS. If had endless amounts of money, lots and lots of my money would go to Victoria's Secret. I worked in the call center at Victoria's Secret Catalogue for 3 years while I was in college. For the most part I loved it, and the 40% discount I got put me in some major debt! To this day I still love it. When I get a catalogue I study it like how I used to when I worked their. And for the most part when I'm out in public I can still tell if someone is wearing something from Victoria's Secret.

Call Me Crazy

I actually really like the change to Daylight Savings Time. Three years ago I was going through a horrible depression from my break up with Aaron. I was seeing a counselor who pointed out to me that it is good to have something to look forward to. And she gave the change to daylight savings as something to look forward to. When Aaron and I broke up it was the end of November when the days are becoming their shortest and it is darker earlier. As you may or may not know but going through a break up is very similar to going through a death. Something/someone that was once part of your daily life is just gone. Completely gone. For me it was easy to become depressed and the literal darkness around me, didn't help. The counselor said that extra daylight is literally extra sunshine. And after the drama of last night, I didn't sleep very good, got to sleep probably around 2am, then got up at 8am for Dance Jam. But this change was good for me. I'm looking forward to extra sunshine in my day, being able to be outside more, and still having light out when I leave the gym.

Stupid Drivers

So the original title for this post was "Happy Birthday Frank". That was before I got rear-ended! This is the second time in my life I have been rear-ended, and my third car accident. The first time I got rear-ended was the summer of 2001. So it's been awhile. Let me tell you the story.
I went out tonight to Dave and Buster's to help celebrate Frank's birthday. I drove myself so I could leave early since we lose an hour tonight, and since I have dance jam tomorrow morning. I was leaving Dave and Buster's and at a complete stop when the SUV behind me decides to hit me. I freaked out, and that is my main side effect. I had noticed this SUV because right before the stop light to leave the complex area, is a three way stop, and this SUV had pretty much raced to the stop sign. I immediately thought "that person is going fast in a parking lot." Didn't think much of it, until I saw their head lights behind my car, and then hit my car. I immediately got out of the car, the woman driver asked if I was ok. I said "yeah. i noticed you got to that stop sign quick, and then you hit me. are you ok to drive?" she said "yeah." i said "well we need to go into a parking lot, i need to get your information." Like I said, I was just freaking out. When something like that happens, a trigger just goes off in me, and all I want to do is cry. so i get her information. their was no major damage to either of the cars (thankfully.) I have some minor paint repair, that's it. i called Ginny, and they were already close to home...I was hoping one of them could drive me home so I could have my little freak out without driving. I could tell that Ginny heard the tears/fear/freak out in my voice, and insisted on stopping by. Carlos was with them, and he works for his Dad who owns a Car Body Shop, and Carlos specifically looks at cars that were in accidents to see how much damage is done. I have already called and reported the accident to my insurance. And now I have this constant ringing/headache feeling in the back of my head. Who knows, it could be the jolt of the impact or from me freaking out, and all the inconvenience this accident is going to cause. Dealing with crap like this just sucks. It's time consuming and unnecessary stress. And none of it is my fault!

One Theory

I shared this story with my friend Tina a while ago during a girls trip to Minneapolis almost 3 years ago. We were swimming. And well I can't believe I'm about to put this story out their, but I've shared enough on my blog, why not share this?!

So when I was younger I went swimming almost every single day during the summer at the Coronado Club, on Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque. I loved swimming then, and I love swimming now. When "The Little Mermaid" came out all I wanted was to be a mermaid. I used to do dance routines under water and pretend I had an audience. In the "show" I would pretend I was wearing a white bathing suit, and I had a light guy change lights on me to change the color of my bathing suit. Red, Blue, Green, etc.... I always did things to entertain myself.
Anyways, when the time came for me to get out of the water and dry off, I would, and always ask my mother if I could take one more dip. I would take one last swim, come back out and dry off again. During that last swim I would wonder to myself "why can't I just get a little bit wet?" I believe I was asking myself this because drying off is just a big pain. It isn't something I enjoy. It's not easy to get completely dry, you put on your clothes and they stick to you because you are not completely dry, then you are just uncomfortable the whole way home. I know it isn't possible but I still think about it to this day. Regardless if you jump in a swimming pool for 1 minute, or you are in their for 1 hour you are still the same amount of wet. You get completely wet. I suppose if I had my way when you go swimming their would be different levels of wetness, depending on how long you were actually in the water. But this is not possible. Weird I know, but these are the things go on in my head.

My Shaun-Filled Weekend

Shaun & IWhat every 4 year old needs: a trampoline

Let me start by saying, I really did not want to go the gym today, but I really wanted to write about my weekend with Shaun. So what did I do? That's right, I went to the gym. And yes I feel great about it, blah blah blah. So now for your reading pleasure, my weekend with Shaun.

Shaun is a good friend of mine. And long story short, he is the reason I moved to Denver in the first place. He lives in Albuquerque, and has lived in Albuquerque the whole time I've been in Denver. His brother (Jason), sister-in-law (Rachel), and Ayla (niece) all live in Denver. He came up last minute for Ayla's 4th birthday, as a surprise.

We got to hang out, talk, and play some rounds of Rummy. We even went to go see the movie "Taken". ...very suspenseful.

Shaun always has ways of going over the top. Hence the trampoline. We were at lunch on Friday, and he see the Wal-mart I live next to, and wants to go get a trampoline for Ayla. It was very entertaining seeing Shaun, Jason, and Roger's (step-Dad) put together the contraption. Needless to say it was a big hit with Ayla, and all the kids. I wish so much I got a picture of Ayla. She the most beautiful little girl! I got plenty of hugs from her, and lots of other little kids that day.

It was great to see Shaun and just hang out with him like old times.

My Focus

OMG.
All my focus right now is on watching "After the Final Rose" of the Bachelor.
Jason just got done dumping Melissa.
I can't believe this is happening.

39 down...

...111 to go. For the record I went to Dance Jam both Friday night and this morning. So While Shaun was in town I only missed one work out, which was Saturday's Hydro water class. I've had a crazy weekend, and more crazy weekends ahead.
Thankfully I have a plan on how to make up for the lost "w's" on my calendar. I'm going to try and make Monday's and Friday's Double Workouts. Monday's Hip Hop class is at 6:30pm, which is a later workout for me. Last Monday I got to the gym and was able to do 35 minutes on the elliptical as well as my weights, then do the 60 minute Hip Hop class. So, almost a double workout. I should be able to do the same thing on Friday's because Dance Jam is at 5:45pm on Friday's. So that is the plan. For blogging purposes and markings on my calendar, a double workout will be a single "w" and a single blog. They are more so for me to make up a day if I happen to miss one, or if I don't miss a day, just to get in that extra something to burn more calories.

Stay tuned: A rundown of my Shaun-filled weekend!