onward

So, it's been awhile.

It's been awhile because I've been going through a lot. A summary:

Running: Obviously, the last couple of posts have shown an extreme amount of frustration. But, the bloodbath is over, and I'm weaning myself, after 5.5 weeks (because that's all I could last, instead of 8 weeks) back into running. I'm doing about 4 miles on average every three days, except I ran tonight and ran last night, and I'M SO SORE! It's sad. Well, it's sad in the amazing point of view: in February I did a 26 mile run and was happy, felt good, and was over it within 12 hours. Now, a mere 5 weeks later, I'm doing 4 mile runs and am talking myself into walking down stairs. The body is simply a complete conundrum.

Work: I have resigned from my current job and accepted a new position at a very awesome arch/land arch/interior/graphic/product office extrodinaire. My first task, after learning the culture, history, and contact database, is to fill in for someone who has been there for 12 years while she is on maternity leave. Then I get to write a marketing plan. Challenge? Yes. Opportunity? HELL yes. Murky areas? Yes. Growth opportunity? Yes. Networking? Going to explode. Scared? OMG yes.

Boys: W & I keep seeing each other. There is no explanation for this other than the chemistry still exists, even after all the turmoil. I kick myself and at the same time feel like I love him. It's something I don't fully understand.

Savings: improving. All the time. I am so fortunate.

Gardening: Well, I did not get into the gardening program I wanted to be in, but have taken a few gardening classes in the meantime, and my little strip of garden is doing rather well. It's been remarkable seeing the annual plants come back, and event plants that shouldn't be annuals come back. Seed propagation has resulted in cosmos, marigolds, basil, dill, parsley, strawberries, and I think even some cauliflower to flourish. We have this purple cauliflower that is so beautiful and gorgeous it's hard to pick in the garden right now. I took some pictures; I'll try to post those sometime soon. I should add a bunch of stuff to my flickr account.

Hmm, what else.

I'm happier. That's good. And I've always lived by the motto that I need to be happy, no matter what. So it seems I'm on track.

I'll try to be more frequent. I think I'm coming out of a funk.

whee!

Things I've Done:
Registered for my third L.A. Marthon
Cleaned the floors in apt.
Watered plants
Took down Christmas
Lot's of work for work
Hung new curtains
Bought new rugs
Made all returns and purchases
Gym once a week
Dropped pants off to be hemmed
Have seen friends more often
Dentist appointments
Made eye appointment

Things to Do:
Get ready for typography class
Register for gardening program already
Start helping M with our garden
Laundry
Update computer so I can use the new nano
Get new pedicure
Research things in New York
Job hunt options

So far, all in all, a successful year. Things are chugging away smoothly. Almost too smoothly. I think I've decided to take the dive into the L.A. County Common Grounds Gardening Program. It starts the day before the marathon and continues through the end of May.

This means every Saturday from March 1 - May 31st is given up from 9:00am to 4:00pm. It seems like a giant committment, on top of my typography class and SMPS volunteer duties. BUT - at least I will not have to worry about training runs. I have a feeling that come June 1st I may have to plan a massive party to celebrate that I'll have my Saturday's back. Perhaps that massive party should take place on Catalina Island followed by those damn surf lessons.

I have the application on my desk today and am going to fill it out; this reminds me to check in with F, a lovely lady I met at a party who was also planning on doing this. I've hung out with her twice now and I think she'll make the program a really great experience to go through; we'll at least have each other, plus I'll probably meet a lot of other people.

This program will also require community service after it is done, so that is good - I've been meaning to start working that in to my life, so this is perfect.

Okay - well here goes! Gardening, I am making you a priority once again!

grow

The garden at my apartment is just so awesome. Take a gander at these tomatos we harvested - they are so yummy and delicious. M made some wonderful gazpacho out of them the other day in her new food processor (I am officially in love with food processors, by the way). We have peppers, lettuce, a myriad of spices ready to harvest, and a zuchinni and a few eggplants on their way to being ready.



We also harvested the corn. It looked so promising!


And then we tossed it in the pot...


But when we took it out to cool it down and took a bite, our teeth got stuck. The corn had turned to a glue-like consistency. It was such a sad moment. I think we should have picked it much earlier. Oh well - that's what first gardens are for, right? To experiment and make mistakes? Obviously, I'm trying to make myself feel better. ;)

blush

Okay - how yummy is this. ***Almost*** ready to be picked. Yummy!

I have all these memories from growing up that pertain to strawberries from the garden. E & I would walk to my house from school during spring, go out to the backyard, and pick fresh strawberries from the garden. Eat them all warm from the sun. Just brush the dirt off - who cares?

That and peas.

Next weekend or next week, I'm going to plant some broccoli and more pepper plants.

calendar

Wow! I have so much going on - I simutaneously love it and hate it.

Work - will calm down a bit after tomorrow night when we have our opening. I am happy that things are going well with it and we are getting a lot of positive feedback. I'll be in Texas next week speaking a the A I A conference - put some finishing touches (with more to come in the next couple of days) on that presentation last night. Another rehearsal and we'll have it down pat - am presenting with two colleagues.

Running - going well! I'll be taking a weeklong break from it starting today, unless I can get my ass up tomorrow morning to go for a run. Which I am going to try very hard to do.

Swimming - won't get back to the pool until the second week of May. I hate that - but I just can't get over there during their public lap swim hours. Sigh.

Furniture - M & I got a sweet new couch! It has inspired me to start the re-upholstering process on my currnet little 2-piece couch. Actually spend some money on that. I've enlisted the superious interior design skills of E to help me choose some classy fabric for it. I am very excited about getting it finally done nice!

Veggie - man, our veggies our just running amok. I am so happy about this! I have some more pics to post on the ol' flickr page. So check there for that.

Hmmm - OH YEAH COACHELLA! I leave for coachella tomorrow night! I will definitely report on that.

busy?

I feel like I've been both incredibly busy but not. Did some wonderful shopping at H&M this last weekend. Won a lottery to participate in the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in October - woooo! A race to run for again. Planted a veggie garden.

OH! The veggie garden. I am so happy. I will try to post pics soon - I have taken several - so that should be good. I should also get them on flikr.

Hmmm - boys - eh. Dating no one, but still connected with C.

So...yay for plants and running? What else does a girl need, anyway?

sigh.