Note

Hi all,

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Cutest Shoes

Well, I'm officially on a spending freeze, except for food (and the parking ticket I just got yesterday...argh). I'm hoping to save enough to do something fun over the holidays, though likely it'll be decided last minute. I wouldn't say no to a mini roadtrip in the NE, but it all depends on who's around and dates and all that. We'll see, but it should be fun. :)

If I WEREN'T on a freeze though, I might have to seriously consider these flats...

Kindle

I wonder what Amazon's Q4 Kindle sales will be now that Oprah has given it her endorsement?

Short and Sweet

I am about to jump in the shower but thought I would do a little update since I have so much to post but no time to do it in. Today's going to be rather crazy... I'm just hoping I actually make it to housegroup tonight, since I haven't been for the past few weeks and I'm getting "Are you dead yet?" emails. Ay... Anyway, had a great time in DC this past weekend, and I'm really excited to have a mug of hot chocolate during my meeting at 9 this morning. :) And I finally got my flight for Homecoming so YAY North Carolina in a few weeks! Just in time for recruiting madness hooray! ;) Okay, time to get cleaned.

PS Thinking about this...

Portraits

Lately I've really gotten into portraits, especially those where the subjects are experiencing one of those universal emotions that you've also experienced. The connection is there even if they're not real or you've never met.

This one is called "Learning to Love You More," which is a nice sentiment.

This one is Coco Chanel, and she is ultra glamorous.

Ceilings

I Finished!

Hooray! The marathon was yesterday and I did cross the finish line! Overall, it was a great experience. I was lined up in the middle of a huge mass of people, just waiting and nervously telling jokes before the start. After the gun went off, we started shuffling forward for about 15 minutes before we got to the start line and could start running. So crazy! I think the first few miles were my favorite part of the race--because everyone was freaking out excited that we were finally here, cheering for each other in the tunnels, and getting a bit emotional at all of the "18 WEEKS OF TRAINING!" signs. :) The first five miles went SO FAST. I didn't miss my music at all and it was really fun to run in the middle of the city. We headed north towards Lincoln Park and the temperature was really nice, though we were mostly in the shade. I alternated between gatorade and water at all the aid stations, and continued running on. Saw Katy at mile 10 which was really fun. And of course I taped my name to my shirt so thousands of people were screaming my name and cheering me on (what a boost). Mile 12 was a bit rough, I think because the first part went so fast and then I had to calm down and settle into the pace. Finished the half on pace for 4:18. By mile 16 it was really hot, and we were out of the shade into the full sun. I started walking through the aid stations, and really my legs were okay except for my knees. Saw that the Alert level was now Red (it had been yellow throughout the race) as the heat got stronger, and at around mile 20, the guy I had been following for a couple miles just collapsed in front of me, and we were all yelling for the police and the medics. I've never seen anything like that during a race (though it's pretty common) so for the next couple miles I took it slower, and had to repeat to myself that I wasn't going to die on the course. I started pounding bananas like it was my job to ward off cramps and had to will myself forward over miles 22-25. At mile 25, the crowd picked up again, and I was just looking for the right turn, which meant we were really close to the finish line. When we got to that turn, I was completely euphoric and started going faster, up the hill. We turned left at the top and could see the finish line. Was so surreal but I pounded the last 300 meters and finished 4:51:54. Not nearly as fast as I would have liked, but I finished. :) Feeling pretty okay today. I've been icing my knees but otherwise just a little sore in my quads. I think I'm done running for a while, but I can't help but think of my next race...anyone up for it? :)

Thanks friends for all your support...I really could not have done it without you! :)

It's Today

Wow, I'm actually running the marathon today. I slept awesomely last night, I think because it seemed too surreal for me to be nervous. Now it's here and I still can't believe it--but I'll bet a lot I'm ready to jump out of my skin in about an hour! Hope it goes well.

New Old Stuff

Cutest Dog Bed Ever

Uh huh. Goliath is going straight in one of these babies whenever I get him/he exists.

Orange!

Toldja orange was in! ;)

DIY Projects

I'd like to do more DIY projects around the house--that is, once I have a house. At this point I'm satisfied with painting my apartment, and my recent art project. :) But if I DID have a house, one of the first things I'd want to do is reupholster my couch. It's something I'd just like to know how to do for the fun of it, and in general I like giving old, ugly things a new life. And then the other day I came across these pictures from an old woodworking book, and I thought, hey, I wonder if there's a market for a DIY helper business. I think there are a lot of people out there that like working with their hands and doing cool stuff in their homes, but have little experience and no idea where to turn. So instead of spending a lot of time and money to, say, reupholster my couch (rather poorly) myself, or paying a lot of money to get someone else to do it (whilst depriving myself of the learning and sense of accomplishment), what if I could call a local artisan to come to my house with their tools and teach me how to do it? I could save money on the tools I'll have little need for in the future, but I'd be able to learn a new skill, and then execute it under the guidance of a professional. I like the idea of individual people helping people, and I think it could be a win-win for crafty people who love what they do but perhaps have no good market in which to sell their skills, and busy people who would like to learn these extra skills but the opportunity costs are currently too high. What do you think--is it a winner?

A Perfect Dress

Claire Danes looks stunning in Zac Posen...

Etsy 2

Also found this cute wristlet from CamilleStar. Too cute!

Shop Local on Etsy

Hello there. The other day I was on Etsy and decided that it's getting a bit big for its own good... It's getting increasingly difficult to parse through all the stuff on there, which is why I was so thrilled to see that they have a Shop Local option to discover new sellers. My favorite was Retrofied, who sells handmade bags. Maybe I'm just on a bag kick these days, but there were several that were so cute! Exhibits A through F:

Fall

Today I really want to move to Portland or Seattle and spend today driving through forests and hiking up mountains. I think it's time to pick apples and eat homemade donuts, to sleep in tents in the backyard, to fall asleep reading on the couch while the family watches the Eagles game, and to play football on the quad with friends.

That sounds wonderful, but right now it's time to run, shower, and go to class. :)

T-8 Days

Well, in exactly 8 days I will be lining up to the start line for my first marathon. What a crazy thought. I guess I really have come a long way since April, when I had to struggle through a mile, then two, then three. I remember in those first runs how my heart resisted the new exercise, which was overwhelming so early on. I tried to encourage myself by increasing my speed each day to give myself little successes to be proud of. I started to feel comfortable, calm, and introspective as I ran. As I continued, I went on a rollercoaster of emotions from extreme doubt that I could actually make it through a marathon alive to a stubborn commitment to finish something I started. I often picture myself crossing the finish line and embracing everyone around me, including friends and family and random strangers. I am excited to race again. It's been a long time since I ran in a race and I'm getting the nerves like no other. But I'm mostly excited because I know I'm in a lot better shape than I was in high school, and if I can just stay calm, I know I'll be fine. I've never been to a marathon before, so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of spectators, but everyone says Chicago is PACKED so I'm excited for that too. I am bummed that my parents won't be there, and that my aunt and uncle and grandparents will be out of town, but hopefully Katy will come and maybe a couple of my Chicago friends. I didn't realize that it would be so important for me to have people there, but the training has turned into more of an emotional journey than I anticipated, and suddenly I'm very grateful that Todd is also running. I have a feeling I will be a ball of mess throughout the race, which is just fine by me, as long as I don't get lazy about my pace since I won't have my iPod. No more Mamma Mia! to keep me pushing harder ;)

Should be a fun ride. Now that it's so close I just can't wait to get started, but I know it'll be here before I know it. Wish me luck!

Blessings

I am thankful for:
-cold enough weather to wear my rainbow socks under my boots
-taking a shower at night means you don't have to take one the next morning :)