20 Down...

...130 to go. Work outs that is. So far so good. Now I just need to stop eating ice cream! One month down, 11 to go.

I got the nicest compliment today while relaxing in the hot tub after the hydro water class. A woman said to me, I love your lipstick it looks great on you. I said to her-I'm not wearing any lipstick. Her reaction-Wow, you have perfect lips. Kinda a weird compliment if you think about it, but made me smile.

Curly Hair

I have curly hair. But I rarely do it curly. Usually it is a curly hair day when I'm running late, because it takes like 2 minutes to do. Well this week was a 2 day curly hair week. I got some funny comments I wanted to share, from some of my co-workers this week at work, and thought I would share.

• One of my bosses directors said "Your hair looks kinky." Kinky, really? What does that mean, I wonder?!
  
• One white guy said to me "I like your new lid." I said "What?" He said "I like your new lid, you did something different with your hair, right?" Since when is hair, a lid?!
  
• Another woman said to me "Your hair. You. Didn't. Straighten. It." Nope, I didn't.
  

It was interesting. I tried to take pictures of my hair from the back, and well it didn't really work, before the battery on my camera died. So below is the best out of the few that I got.

Do You Want something?

***This is my first official Giveaway***

My friend Emily is almost famous! Her blog is witty, funny, clever and just entertaining. All of that writing has gotten her to be a published author! It is very exciting. This book benefits a family struck by a tragedy but still being so blessed. When Emily announced the book was out and available to buy, I bought two books. I'm not too sure why, I think mainly because it was for a good cause. So I have decided to pay it forward, and give my other book away, through this giveaway. Plus it is a shameless way to have people spread the word about my blog, and this family!

Here is what you have to do:

• You'll get 1 entry for leaving me a comment.
• You'll get 2 entries for posting a blog with a link back to my blog about the contest. If you do this, please leave a comment with a link back to your blog where the post is.
• The contest will run through Wednesday February 4th at 8pm MST. The winner will be announced February 5th.

If you would like to donate to this family you can do so here.
To read about the book, or to buy the book click here.

While this contest is going on, I will be posting on the days I work out to keep up with my resolution, so make sure you leave a comment on this specific blog!

Good luck! And here's to something! ...emily something, and something cleverish!

Birthday Flowers

Can you smell them through your computer screen?! :)

Like most girls, I enjoy getting flowers. And I got a beautiful bouquet from my parents for my birthday last Monday. They came to me at work, and they were a great surprise to my day. I hope you enjoy the pictures, how I enjoyed them on my desk at work.

Sunday Fun

I had a very productive weekend. I went to Dance Jam Friday night, and this morning. I have to say I really didn't want to get up and go this morning, but I went, and am so glad that I did. I know I've said it before, but it is so much fun at that 60 minutes goes by SO fast! Saturday morning I did the Hydro water class. It was great. Saturday afternoon I spent some time with my friend Sarah and her 5 month old beautiful baby girl Chloe. This little girl, is super cute! And her personality is truly showing. I really enjoying hanging out with Sarah because it takes me back to the good times we had when we used to live together.

Chloe Renae 5 mos.

Today after my work out I went to go see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." I got well and prepared for this movie, since I knew it was a long one. Prior to the movie I went to Target and got a pretzel and popcorn. Here's a movie secret for you, at AMC movie theaters it is ok to bring in outside food and drink. So with a little planning ahead you don't have to pay the ridiculous pricing for food at the theater. The movie itself was ok. I was expecting more because of all the awards. I think the story could have somehow been better, but I don't know how. And well, Brad Pitt he's a looker as he gets younger! His skin looked so soft and smooth.

Denver's weather has been crazy. On Wednesday Denver broke a record high at 71 degree's! Today the high was 17 degree's and snowy. Super cold. The snow on the ground also made it hard to get out and go to the gym, but I did it anyways!

Otis and the Red Light

youtube was finally successful! Here is a super cute video of Otis. He has always loved to chase around light. And I had been wanting to get him a red lazer light, for forever, when my mom bought him one while she was here after Christmas. It is a cute video, specifically seeing Denali just hanging out in the background.

This Week

This week as been crazy and a lot has happened. And I finally have put in the workout to write about it all! ***Warning: Long Blog Ahead***

Tuesday January 20, 2009

The inauguration of President Barack Obama. History is made with the 44th President of the United States of America. I have recorded on my DVR the events of that day and evening, but I have yet to actually watch any of it. I did watch some of his speech on the internet but it was very choppy. So I read his speech, and decided to copy it here, and highlight what I personally liked about it.

"My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you
have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank
President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and
cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been
spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet,
every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At
these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision
of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to
the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at
war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is
badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of
some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the
nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.
Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings
further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and
threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less
measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a
nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation
must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and
they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know
this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose
over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false
promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have
strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to
set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit;
to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble
idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all
are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure
of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is
never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts
or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for
those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and
fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -
some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have
carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans
in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the
whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy
and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till
their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as
bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the
differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful
nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis
began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed
than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains
undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and
putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,
we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of
remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy
calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new
jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and
bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind
us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield
technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will
harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our
factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to
meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that
our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For
they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women
can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to
courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them
- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no
longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too
big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at
a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the
answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will
end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -
to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -
because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their
government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill.
Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis
has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control
- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The
success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross
Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend
opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the
surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and
our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine,
drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter
expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and
we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and
governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small
village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation
and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and
that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with
missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They
understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do
as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use;
our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example,
the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can
meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater
cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly
leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With
old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear
threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize
for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek
to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to
you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast
us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a
nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are
shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and
because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and
emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but
believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall
soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of
peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and
mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or
blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you
on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power
through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are
on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing
to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your
farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed
hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say
we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can
we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has
changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble
gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts
and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen
heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only
because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit
of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.
And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is
precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and
determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the
kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of
workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which
sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a
stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child,
that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new.
But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty,
courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these
things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of
progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these
truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a
recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves,
our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather
seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the
spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to
shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and
children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this
magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might
not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a
most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have
traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small
band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The
capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with
blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the
father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing
but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at
one common danger, came forth to meet 1/8it 3/8."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let
us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more
the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our
children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey
end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the
horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom
and delivered it safely to future generations."

I really like how he touched on a little bit of everything. Our past, present, and most importantly our hope for the future, and how our past and present will help with our future. I am hopeful.

Wednesday January 21, 2009 and Thursday January 22, 2009

Every year at work the department I work for has an event called Q. Marketplace. The event planners and marketing people have been planning this event since October. It is a huge deal, and this one was my first one. My main job throughout this event was to make sure I had Sandy's(my boss) schedule and to make sure that Sandy followed his schedule.
Here is a little history about the organization I work for. My boss is the VP of QBPP (Qwest Business Partner Program). My boss has 5 RSD's (Regional Sales Director). One in Denver, one in Portland, one in Chicago, one in New York, and one in Atlanta. Under the RSD's are the CSM's (Channel Sales Managers). Each RSD has about 10-12 CSM's. Each CSM has about 8-13 Parnter's they work with who go out and sell Qwest products to Large Business customers. Well at this event all of them come to Denver for a 3 day conference. Their were about 300 people at this event. This was my third time working with all of the RSD's, and my first time meeting all of the CSM's and the Partners.
On Wednesday each team had different sessions with the marketing team, as well as something called the Advisory Council (AC). The AC are the top selling Partners. Wednesday night was a Product Roadshow with a lot of mingling. I went around and was able to meet majority of the CSM that I help support. I didn't get home until 8pm Wednesday night.
Thursday was the craziest of the days. My bosses, boss spoke to the whole team and it was my responsibility to make sure she was back stage ready to speak when it was her turn. Later that afternoon Sandy and the RSD's each got on stage, which I was in the audience for, and the RSD in Chicago was thanking all of the marketing people for putting this whole event together. He then says something to the effect of "And we have to thank the person who keeps Sandy together at all times; April Madrid." It was really SO nice, and SO unexpected. Afterwards as I was going to find Sandy to see if he needed anything, everyone was coming up to me and saying Congratulations. When I did find Sandy he says "Nobody has ever acknowledged one of my admins before. That was great." Like most people, I like to be regonized when I have done a good job. And well it feels good to know that I have done a good job. And with this new job I have, I came in completely blind. I didn't know Sandy, and I didn't know anything about QBPP. So really this is all I know. I think for a person to have an admin you have to have a good personality match. And thankfully Sandy and I are a good match - which is really why I think I got this job. Thursday night was a banquet dinner, with awards being presented to the top CSM's and Parnters. The dinner didn't end until 10pm. So I've had a very long week. I'm glad it is over. It wasn't has bad as in envisioned but I definitely know what to do differently next year to be better prepared.

Happy Birthday to Me

So today is my 29th birthday. And I spent it all alone, like most days. But today is my birthday, so it really sucks, I'm not gonna lie. I wouldn't recommend spending your birthday alone. I worked today. My parents sent me beautiful flowers to my office, which was super sweet. I got a couple of cards from 2 of my co-workers, one of which included a Starbucks gift card! That was a total surprise, and very nice.
I came home and went to the gym. I have to say I really didn't want to go to the gym. As I was walking into the gym, I had convinced myself I would only do 35 minutes on the elliptical. But thankfully and surprisingly the 35 minutes went by super fast, so I added 10 more minutes, and got my full 45 minutes in. After the gym I treated myself to a chicken burger from Red Robin for dinner. After dinner I opened my gifts.
I know I've said it already, but it sucked spending my birthday alone.

I love cards!

my favorite gift: a signed Janet Evanovich Book!

My gifts

Birthday Dinner

Ginny, Frank, & I (I forgot the flash)

So tomorrow is my birthday, which means this weekend was my official birthday weekend. Nothing major was planned. I went out to dinner with Frank, Ginny, and baby Alycia. It was a great dinner at PF Changs. I'm so happy that they insisted on dinner. I love having a birthday dinner. I feel so blessed to have great friends, because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have had a birthday dinner. And well that would have made me sad, even though I told myself that it would have been ok, if I didn't have a birthday dinner.

The great wall of chocolate*

Ginny and Alycia 9mos

*thanks for the recommendation Emily!

Hydro

This morning I did the Hydro Aquatic swim class. It was a lot different compared to the past swim aerobics class I have done - many many years ago. But I enjoyed this one. I loved being back in the water. And it felt good to have a good workout at the beginning of my day. I spent almost 2 and half hours at the gym this morning! The Hydro class was an hour long, afterward I spent some time swimming laps in the lap pool, then had some relaxing time in the hot tub! It was so nice. I took a shower and got all ready in the locker rooms. The facility is so nice. I feel like I'm truly getting what I pay for. I get either a "hello" or "enjoy your workout" every time I enter the gym, and either a "have a good day" or "have a good night" every time I exit the gym.

I do like the dance class more. I'm excited because the dance class goes again tomorrow morning!


At this rate, I think the only day that I won't be going to a class is my Wednesday work out. So on Wednesday's I'll do my "normal" work out on the elliptical. It feels great to be working my body in so many different ways, and keeping it guessing as to what it is I'm going to do next!

Dance Jam!

Tonight at the gym, I did a dance class, called Dance Jam. It was sooooo much fun! I had a great time. We learned a dance routine, and it immediately brought me back to my dance days in High School. I've always loved to dance, and during this "work out" I realized that this whole experience could be FUN! Close to the end of the hour long session we had a "dance off" with the class. The instructor divided us up in two groups and we dancing in front of each other. One time after we finished the routine this little old lady (seriously, I think she was in her 60's) came up to me and said "I think we'll let you lead us. You've done this before, haven't you?" I said to her "I danced in HS." It was such a great compliment, and great motivation. I hope that when I'm 60+, I'm going to the gym for dance class!

Tomorrow morning I'm doing a water class. Another thing that I love. I love swimming. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm enjoying moving my body in different ways, and taking advantage of all my gym has to offer. I've always known I like dancing, and swimming. Plus I like it because I think I'm pretty good at both of those things. It feels so good to be doing activities I enjoy doing. Like a breath of fresh air, that I forgot was ever their. Does that make sense?

So far my theme for 2009 is doing things I like, and sticking to them. Working out-doing things I like to do, reading, blogging, writing. It feels good to not dread to have to go to the gym, but want to go to the gym.

same kind of different as me

I just got done reading "Same Kind of Different as me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. This is a great book. I highly recommend this book. It is a true story about 2 men from 2 completely different worlds, but create this amazing friendship through the power of God. It is a very heart felt book. I cried reading it on the bus. Regardless of your relationship with God, I think you'll enjoy this book. Check it out!




on a side note

I had a video of Otis I wanted this blog to be about, but my video was taking forever to upload. I've been trying to get it to post for the past 45 minutes. Is this normal? I use Firefox. I also tried Internet Explorer. Or am I just impatient? Any advice? Thank you!

Challenge

So last week I really looked into the group classes at my gym. And tonight, I went to one! I'm so proud of myself. It was a 50/50 class. 50% cardio, 50% strength training. The cardio was step aerobics, and wow that kicked my butt. I haven't done step aerobics in who knows how long. I'm excited about these classes. I've spoiled my body in the fact that I don't give it any challenges when I go the gym. I always do the same thing. Back in November I had my free personal training session, where I had the trainer show me different weight training machines, and since I've been going to this new gym, I've been a lot more gutsier and trying new equipment. Which I'm happy about because I know I'm working different muscles. I'm excited to try the Hydro class which is a water aerobics class, as well as Dance blast which is a dance class! Today was also the 4th day in a row I've been to the gym. I can't remember the last time I went to gym 4 days in a row. The good news, I get to take tomorrow off!

Rachael Ray's Tacozagna

I love Rachael Ray, and this is my favorite Rachael Ray meal. Tacozagna. It is a cross between tacos and lasagna, it is like a mexican lasagna. It is super tasty, easy, and fast. You can make this meal with ground turkey, extra lean ground beef, or ground chicken, I've had it all three ways. Enjoy!

What you need: ground turkey, zucchini, carrots, onion, cloves of garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, chicken stock, tortillas, cheese, cilantro.
brown ground turkey

while the meat browns, shred the zucchini, carrots, and chop up the onion and garlic.

mix it all into the meat. keep aside 1/4 of the onion

add the seasonings

add the stock

mix all together

layer in a casserole dish: lay down a tortilla, meat filling, cheese repeat

I forgot to take an "after" picture. Just picture it all cheesey and good! I top mine with the cilantro and the remaining 1/4 raw onion.

1 package ground turkey
1 zuchini
1 carrot
1 onion
3 gloves garlic
3 T chili powder
2 t ground cumin
1 t coriander
1 cup chicken stock
3 tortialls
3 cups cheese
cilantro

Brown meat. While meat is browning grate the zucchini and carrots. Add veggies to the meat and grate in the onion and garlic. Season the meat with chili, cumin, and coriander. Cook about 7 minutes to soften veggies. Stir in chicken stock. Layer a tortilla and top with 1/2 of meat and 1/2 cheese, repeat.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 400 degrees.
Top with your desired toppings.

Baby Love

I have a new addiction. I call it baby love. Throughout the past couple of years a bunch of my friends have had babies. The newest arrived yesterday afternoon. Her name is Kayla Nicole. Isn't she so cute!? I love going to see brand new babies. Thankfully I am not on any shortage of baby love. It was great to go meet her just short of turning 24 hours old. I got to hold her, while she was awake and alert, she got the hick ups as well. ...it was pretty funny. I'm glad she arrived, because it gave me something to do today.

Welcome Kayla Nicole! Date of birth: Jan. 9, 09 - 7lbs 8oz - 19inches
Proud parents: Kyle and Brittany

and if anyone is counting, for the first week of 2009 I went to the gym 5 times! go me!

The Bachelor

I watch The Bachelor on ABC. I think I've watched just about every season since it started. Like most, I'm a sucker for a happy ending. I just watched Monday nights episode. My my quite a few twists and turns. My gut is for Nikki. She got the first impression rose, and you can tell that Jason likes her. And well that diamond ring at the end, that's a beauty!
It's weird to think that the show has already ended, put it is just starting on TV. Why does TV do that? I know they have to edit it and all of that stuff, but I guess I just don't really get it. Here's to wishing Jason good luck!

"The Reading Group"

I just got done with reading The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble. My friend Tina recommended this book to me. We spoke while I was almost 100 pages in, and I told her I was having trouble getting into it. The book itself doesn't really have a beginning. Before the book starts the author has a break down of each character, and that is your introduction to them. You don't really get to know the character by reading about them. So for about the first 1oo pages I kept having to go to the front of the book to read about the character. I didn't really like that, because for me that made it harder to connect to the characters. Once I got over that hump, the book gets very good. In movies and books I can never predict what is going to happen. And this book as some very unpredictable twists, that just make you want to keep reading, to find out what is going to happen.

The book takes place in Europe over a 12 month period. It focuses on 6 different women, a couple are close friends, all are different ages, and all are going through different times in their life. And they all belong to a reading group. At the beginning all are acquaintances and by the end they are all friends.

This book made me think about how easily my life can change. Needless to say I'm waiting for that change. But at the same time trying to tell myself that I can be happy if it doesn't change. I know how blessed I am in my life, but I want more. Is that bad?! I hope not, because I'm hoping!

Recap 2008

January

• My God Daughter Katherine turned One~1/15
  
• I celebrated my 28th Birthday in San Fransisco with Michelle.

April

• Went to Albuquerque to celebrate my Dad's 60th Birthday.

• Alycia April born April 15th.

May

• Started my new job May 19th.
• Went to Florida.

June

• Parents came to visit.
• Attend Marcia and Chris' Wedding.
  

July

• Went to Rhode Island
• Went to Albuquerque for my 10 year HS reunion.

August

• Went to Florida
• Shi'ena turned One~8/11
  
• Chloe Renae born August 12th.
• The Democratic National Convention is in Denver.

September

• 9/1 Samuel Leo turned One.
  

October

• Race for the Cure 5k
• Amaris turned One~10/13
  
• Go to Chicago to celebrate Michelle's 29th Birthday.
• Barack Obama Raley in Civic Center Park, Denver.

November

• Crystal comes to visit.
• Mom comes to visit.
• Parents come to visit for Thanksgiving.

December

• Tanner's 1st Birthday 12/11
• Travel home for the week of Christmas.
  

New Year's Eve & Mom's Visit

My mom flew home with me after Christmas, and spent all last week with me. I had to work, but we had a good time. She took me grocery shopping, helped take down my Christmas decorations, did my laundry, and filled my gas tank! ...gotta love it when Mom comes to visit!

I took a half day off January 2nd, so Mom and I could have a "date" downtown. She met me downtown and we went to lunch at Earl's. We then walked around downtown. The weather was perfect. Sometimes I find it so weird that this is where I live. We walked to the Denver Performing Arts Center, where their is this huge sculpture called "Dancers". We then went to the Denver Pavilions and saw the movie "Seven Pounds". I had high hopes for this movie. It is a good movie, but I think it had the potential to be a lot better. And the twist is very sad. After the movie we walked to Larimer Square where they string lights all along the street during Christmas time. It is beautiful, and the picture doesn't do it justice.

Lights along Larimer Square

Denver Pavilions

"Dancers"

For New Year's Eve Mom and I drove to Conifer, which is a mountain town west of Denver about 30 miles. It was beautiful. We had a local Italian restaurant called Lucille's'. It was super yummy. After dinner we went home, where I colored my Mom's hair, and then rang in the New Year in our PJ's.
The Mountains in Conifer

Mom and I after dinner New Year's Eve

PS Work out update: I didn't go to the gym on Fri. 1/2, but I did yesterday 1/3 and today 1/4!

107 vs. 25

Well as usual my New Year's Resolution is to be healthy, lose weight etc... Get myself to the gym, eat healthy-or more realistically watch what I eat, and portion control. Portion control is super hard for me. But here's to trying.

I believe I've mentioned in previous blogs that I put a "w" on my calendar to mark days I've gone and worked out. If I haven't mentioned it before, that is what I do. I like it because it keeps me accountable and when a month/year is over with I can see how many days I went to the gym. I've been doing this since I first joined a gym 8 years ago! I am sad to report that majority of those 8 years have had little time spent at the gym(obviously). I think out of those 8 years I've only had 3 or 4 good consecutive runs of going to the gym, and the most any one run has had I believe was maybe 6 months long. The last time I had a really good run was 5 years ago, and that was for 4 months. What I define as a good consecutive run: going to the gym 5 days a week.

Last night I was swapping out my calendars, going through and marking every one's birthday's on my 2009 calendar and marking pay days and holidays. When I was done updating the new calendar, I counted up all of the days I worked out in 2008. 2008 had 107 days of work outs. And I think only 2 months with no days spent at the gym. Then I decided to go count my days for 2007 to compare. 2007 had only 25 days at the gym! And many months with absolutely no gym time! So the good news is, 2008 was much better. And the goal is to make 2009 even better! I'll set that 2009 will have at least a total of 150 days in the gym, that's an average of 12 days a month. Ideally I would like to be in the gym 20 days a month, but I want to be realistic. Factor in holidays, vacations, etc... Plus, I have to leave something for 2010!

I'll write more about 2008 and what I hope 2009 will bring. But I'll end with a request from you to help with my goal of being healthy in 2009. I had this idea back in November and thought it would be good specifically as a New Year's resolution. To write a blog each time I go the gym, so that way you(the people who read my blog) can keep me accountable as well. My hope is to run out of things to blog about! And I'm sure their will be a few blogs that will just say, "Go me, I worked out today!" or something to that effect. So you'll know that if I write a blog, you know I worked out. And if a week has passed with no new posting, well that means I'm being lazy!(not good.) Usually my pattern of going to the gym and trying to lose weight is done by myself. Now granted, it is safe to say I do most things by myself, but in regards to going to the gym I need help. And this time around I'm asking for help. (this is me, asking for help.) So this is my trying to change my past pattern's in the hope that my results will be better than what the past as brought me!

I think in the past I've been scared to ask for help. That I kept it a secret I was trying to lose weight. Mainly because if you fail, it is obvious that you have failed(because I'm not thinner, look the same, or have even gained weight). And of course I don't want to be known as a failure. And plus in general in our society it is viewed as a weakness to ask for help(in my opinion anyways). But I know I need to do something different in order for this goal to be realized, and I'm going to do what I feel I need to do to make it happen. I suppose my point is, this isn't easy for me~asking for help, putting this out their.

Now unfortunately I don't think I'm going to start this new pattern off to a good start, because I don't think I'll be able to go the gym today, but we will definitely start this tomorrow!

In advance thank you so much for your support!

3rd Annual

Something I love is the relationship I have with my girl cousins. I have a special unique connection with each one of them, and for me it is a connection of sisterhood. I love it, and wouldn't be able to live without it. They say you can't chose your family, but that you can chose my friends. I love that I have been lucky enough to chose my family as my friends. And 2 years ago I started a new tradition with them, for us to have dinner together every year during the holidays, since that is really the only time all of us are together. And the past 3 times we've gone to dinner, we just happen to go to The Melting Pot. I love having this occasion at the Melting Pot for a couple of reasons. 1. It is a great 4 course meal, and all the food is very tasty. 2. It is a nice long dinner, so their is no rush for us to eat and catch up on all of what has been going on over the past 12 months since we all last saw one another. I'm a slow eater so I truly enjoy being able to eat slow, and have nice good conversation. These four girls are amazing. And I love this new tradition that has been started, and I hope that it doesn't end anytime soon. Here are a few pics of that fun night.

My cousin Brad works at The Melting Pot, and has worked their for the past 2 years. He was our fabulous waiter! We had a super yummy Amaretto chocolate dessert!

sooooo good!

Nikki, Cheryl, me, and Kari

Cheryl, Nikki, Brad, Kari, and I
Aidan & Tango

Riley and Aidan

After the long dinner, Cheryl and I went back to Kari's house for a sleep over. We played Poker, drank, and watched "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II". The pic above are her two boys, Riley(12) and Aidan(7). I love this family SO much. And I love talking with her boys. They are so opposite, which is what makes them so much fun. I am already looking forward to our 4th dinner coming in December!

...coming soon, New Years.