Races

I just registered to run the Texas half marathon on New Years Day. I'm planning on putting my name in the lottery for the Houston half marathon on January 30. If all goes well, I'm going to run the Dallas Big D marathon in April.

I guess I should probably start running again...

Yummo

I made this last night and it was amazing. You should make it too!

Oh, and remember when I offered to make cd's for whoever wanted one and how I had all the time in the world to make them and send them out in a timely matter? Well...I finally actually did it...a million months later. If you requested one, I will be sending them out shortly. Get excited. I think it's a great mix.

furnishing

Our little apartment is slowly but surely looking like two adults live there. No longer are we breaking bread at a card table (although the folding chairs have yet to be replaced)! The coolest thing about our new table? It's portable! The sides fold down into a nice skinny box. It's such a great design. Sadly though, the floors in our apartment are a bit crooked so we had to put cardboard under the legs to keep it steady (my quads get a workout every day as I walk through the kitchen, it's awesome).

The map above the messy desk is my latest project. Not only does it add a bit of color to our cream colored casa, but it's a neat way to show off all of the cool places we he has been.

The left side of the wall seems ultra naked to me and I was thinking of painting three canvases different shades of some color (maybe green?), and hanging them vertically down the wall. I'm not the most creative girl on the block. Does anyone have any other brilliant ideas I should consider?

best discovery

I'm going to share with you the most amazing thing, I'm pretty sure it's going to change your life. It's called PB2, and it's the craziest peanut butter product I've ever seen. Instead of having 190 calories and 16 grams of fat per serving it has 45 calories and 1 gram of fat. Isn't that amazing? It even tastes almost as good as the normal stuff. The trick is that it comes in powder form and you add water. A little weird, but totally worth it for the amount of calories and fat you're saving. Check it out here.

And just for funsies, you should try this smoothie:

1 frozen banana (cut into pieces)
1 6oz container plain yogurt (mine was of the greek variety and fat free)
1 1/2 rounded spoonfuls of PB2 w/ chocolate (or 1 1/2 spoonfuls of normal pb)
1/2 spoonful of cocoa powder
a few splashes of milk

Blend and enjoy!

Hope you're having a productive Saturday!

Seeing the future

I've mentioned it several times before, but I hate surprises. In fact, just the other day I read the last three chapters of the book I started reading the day before (and the first chapter of the NEXT book in the series). No...not because I am a speed reader, but because I can't stand to read a book without knowing how it all works out in the end. Yes, I realize that this is a bit ridiculous.

The first 29 years of my life were very predictable. It was rare that I sought out change. I would only consider trying something different when an opportunity presented itself to me. Then I met the most perfect guy in the world for me who just so happened to operate much differently than me. In the seven years I lived in DC, Mister was busy moving around four cities in four different states and just as many different countries. Instead of thinking about tomorrow (or next year) he just focuses on today. By marrying Mister, I essentially had to give up control of my surroundings to support him as he fulfills his dream of being a federal agent. Every three years or so we will pick up our lives and move somewhere new. The process of getting new assignments is long and is sure to be painful for me (see paragraph above). We should get the list of open positions at the end of next month and it is CONSUMING me. It is basically all I can think about. But really, it's not going to get any better once I have that in my hands. After we narrow it down to 10 choices we then have to wait another 8 more months to find out where we are assigned. I might die.

If you know where I can find a crystal ball, let me know. I'd like to know how my life unfolds.

Oh, and if you're curious, Mister and I have been figuring out our gameplan and he'd like to focus on Middle Eastern and African countries (maybe with an Ireland or Scotland long shot bid thrown in just for funsies). Can you see me in the Middle East or Africa? This should be interesting.

Edited to add: Thanks to a successful NOW bid, we're currently in DC preparing for our first overseas assignment to Conakry, Guinea. Wish us luck!

Delicacy

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I ordered popcorn crab at a japanese restaurant, but it wasn't this:

I should probably be embarrassed...

...that I am doing a full on chair dance in my cubicle, but I just can't help it, this song is just so danceable!!  Happy Friday!

Utah in Pictures

I did a horrible job taking pictures on our recent trip to Utah. Missing is photographic evidence of the Music and the Spoken Words Memorial Day concert (which my friend Ruth performed in), brunch with Corey and his awesome beard, a Tyson (with a worm mustache) from Survivor sighting, determining who is smartest according to Brain Age (that would be me...), nephew David bursting into tears every time I dared look at him, being used as a trampoline by Caroline, tennis watching (and learning that Amanda can tell who's playing just by their grunts), lots of delicious food, cuddles from Ryan, Nintento pictochats with Claire, Matthew and Jake, getting some exercize "with" Nat and Amanda (i.e. me struggling up the hill 50 feet behind them), and many more fun things. Big thanks to Mom and Dad for providing us with an amazing place to hang out. Just all in all a great time. And now for the pictures:

Mister and I and the place we got married in. In fact...I think the room is visible just above our heads.

Some of the kiddos getting ready for a nature walk.

This is my family. Check out the beautiful surroundings.

Me with the cascading springs.

C looking SASSY!

This goat was at once alive. Now it's stuffed, tethered to a bird bath and molting. Completely disturbing.

Things! The funnest game ever. But only if you can decipher the players submissions (MOM).

SYCYTD

Another season of So You Think You Can Dance has started and Mister (and I) couldn't be more thrilled. I got him hooked when we were dating last summer when I told him that I would love to hang out with him on Wednesday and Thursday nights, but only if we could watch SYTYCD. I'm sure he protested quite a bit, but since I'm irresistable and such good company, he agreed to my conditions. His grumbles quickly turned to cheers as he became mesmerized by the talent on screen. He is SO MUCH FUN to watch this type of show with. He gets sincerely excited for the contestants. The top 11 were revealed last night and every.single.time someone was told they made the show, he would cheer and laugh and pump his fists and give me hugs and kisses. I can't get enough of it. I did take a video of one such celebration but when I asked permission to post on the blog for your entertainment was denied. Too bad for you, seriously. If you're local and would like to experience pure joy, both on screen and off, come on over, we've got plenty of seats. We'll even pop you some popcorn!