Step by Step

About 6 months ago when I realized that, wow. I. was. turning. 30!!!. this year I was torn between trepidation and angst. Ugh, my 20s over?!  But somehow between now and then I have come to a place of peace and excitement of new and fun adventures to be had. I'm not sure why this is a bigger change than 24 to 25 or even 28 to 29....well, clearly. that "tens" place that is going up another digit. That is big.  I can't wait. :)

My work friends surprised me with a birthday party today. I thought I was in the middle of a potenitally difficult meeting with the big boss when they knocked at the door and sang happy birthday and then stole me away to the conference room for breakfast.  After the shock of "HUH? What? Where are we going?"  I was happy. We spend so much time putting out fires (literally and figuratively), trying to get everything 'right', following the procedures, mentoring, etc...that it was so wonderful to be surrounded by a roomful of incredible women who not only are great co-workers and mentors..but also just friends.  I am blessed to have happened upon my work place by fluke, to have been involved in some incredible program development, and to have all of those beautiful people around me every day.  .. yay.

Certainly a wonderful way to begin the Celebrate 30 extravaganza!  Next party: dinner out on July2. THEN the next party: July 11. complete with sno cones and a bounce house....because I wanted it that way. :)

fun.

Thursday

So apparently, Thursday is the day to post....I'm still thankful for thursday, but love the idea of the sharing the thirsday 13. :)  SO here we go:

1. OMG, I'm thrilled it is thursday. What a week!  Some events:

2. I was puked on...TWICE this week at work. Hmmmmm, love my job? yeah....most of the time.

3. did an assessment Wednesday that needs to be sent tomorrow (Friday) hello quick turn around..nice to meet you.

4. Planning my 30th (!!!) birthday party! July 11th.  I've decided on a bounce house and snocone machine. Why not?

5. I learned that Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passed away today. wow. 

6. The music from Thriller (specifically the beginning with the creeking door) used to SCARE THE CRAP out of me...my sister loved the record and would play it at our house and I would run away every time.

7. Running program is going really well. Today I met my Rose Bowl goal and completed the FULL circle (3.5 mi)

8. Thought I was getting sick on Monday (headache, sore throat, ear ache) and out of pure distress took one of my new Allegra pills ($50 per refill!!) and it ALL went away within the hour. Ahhhhhhhh. Lovely.

9. Downside of my Allegra? TOTALLY makes me an odd combination of exhausted and jittery. Bizzare combination....bizzare.  I drank a bunch of coffee thinking it would wake me up and it only made matters worse.

10. wow. 13 is a lot.

11. I'm getting my hair cut again tomorrow. Totally needs a trim.

12. I saw pictures of my little brother and sister this week....suddenly neither of them are very little anymore.

13. I bought tickets to fly to Pittsburgh to visit my friends again in July! Can't wait!

A blogger mommy at www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com ( who has adopted a bunch of kiddos that I enjoy reading about)  takes a minute each week to post a 'Thankful Thursday" and I enjoy the idea- of taking time to think about those things that bring our life joy...rather than fatigue and stress. :)

This week I am thankful for:

1. Running again. Really running (although, someday I might laugh that I thought this was actually running....I hope!)

2. Being told I'm doing a 'great job' at work.  That helps the 3% pay cut.

3. That my kitchen sink only has a few dirty dishes in it...It makes finding a spoon so much easier: In the drawer! WOW!

These were meaningful this week.

The first time I walked around the Rose Bowl I didn't think it would ever end. I was with friends from work who seemed to walk faster than I could run.  I huffed and puffed and cursed myself for getting so very out of shape that walking a 5K brought a tingly buzz to my legs. And after? We had to celebrate with chips and margaritas.  'cause clearly, we just exercised for christ sake. 

The Rose Bowl seems to have gotten busier over the years, and rather than being annoied that everyone and their brother is going the wrong direction, I'll be happy that maybe just a small sub-set of the population is trying to be healthy.  In any event, since that very first walk I had set a goal for myself to actually RUN the bowl.  I've been in two triathlons that used the loop as a 5K 'run' of which I...walked...with little jogs tossed in.  And then? I'm a walker (well, now i'm a walker....). Hell, I'm a -marathon- walker and did the majority of my mid-week walks around the loop.  Well, then around the loop and up the hill...then around the loop up the hill and off the path....then around the loop, up the hill, off the path, and down the valley, up the rock incline all the way to the hiking trail....Well...that's it. I could walk until the cow's came home and I ran out of water and shot blocks but was no closer to running it.

After finishing (well, and prior, trying to finish the last grueling 23 mile training walk) the Pasadena marathon I knew I was being called towards a new athletic endeavor- partly due to the fact I was sick and tired of walking for hours on end, but also because Anne and I were out of every story we could ever think of telling and were starting to stop each other with 'yeah, I know, I've heard this before', and because my body was ready for another challenge.  I had become accustomed to the walking and started to crave more.

As luck would have it...or not. I really do believe that people and things are brought into your life when they are needed...my chiropractor not only fixed my crazy back (and continues to fix....) but also was the founder of a Pasadena running group that just -happened- to have a preconditioning group beginning 3 weeks after the marathon.  We started anxiously....thinking it would be nearly impossible.

Tonight after work we finished a running interval of 4 min run/2 min walk.  For all intensive purposes, I'm calling that running...  ....and we made it 75% around the bowl before finishing the scheduled work out.....and if I weren't with a group of 3 others and a dog...I might have continued the intervals just to get to the end....so that I could finish that damn loop.... running.

I off handedly told them it has been my goal for the last 6 years.  They chuckled "well, we'll be there in a couple weeks".

Did you hear that?

I'll be there....in a couple of weeks.

*smile*

I did it again, letting months of time slip by with no blogging. I thought about it. I considered what I might write...but then..didn't.  Work got crazy then got better then...got crazy again.  Marathon trained for and done and a trip to Pittsburgh to visit friends. ;)

1. work: Crazy. Good. Crazy.  There. That's about it ;)

2. Marathon #3! Wooooooooooooooooooooo!  As opposed to my first marathon race report not getting done due to the fact that merely thinking about the marathon made me want to puke this one? Not much to say! Well, yes much to say..but different. VERY different.  Simply put: It was GREAT! Well, I got stuck in traffic at the start (bad julie staying in bed way too long) but was able to find Anne and the Leggers. Then it started to rain and it rained for about the first 7 miles and was windy and cold. Anne and I have trained in rain...oh, maybe 2 walks in the last 3 years (YAY Southern California!) so....it was interesting. Truthfully, I was worried PETRIFIED that my feet would be ground beef by the end. (...and I'm such a girl that I was worried I wouldn't be able to wear my cute new peep-toe wedge shoes to Becca's baby shower the following week! ah! the horror!) Somehow, in the rain, in the wet, and 26 miles....I didn't get a single freakin' blister*. It was the first time we actually had to wear those ugly plastic ponchos we carry 'just in case'. Often Anne and I actually wear rain coats for training and then it never rains and we are the fools with rain coats tied around the waist....and here, well, we should have brought the rain coats!  We did great. Our time was fair and would have been better if we didn't have to wait in line for a porta-potty for 15 minutes mid-race.  And still? Our marathons are about finishing. I don't even care how quickly or ...slowly as it may be...we finish.  I was so proud of myself for not only not getting any blisters (!!!) but also that I felt great the majority of the time.  I was a little wary of the post 20 mile CRASH that I kinda over-did-it on the shot Bloks...and finished a little HYPER.  Drove home, ordered 2 pizzas (no, I didn't eat all of them...just for the variety) and relaxed.

IMG_0942

*I am the blister queen. I get blisters thinking about blisters. I have done every blister remedy known to man, athlete, and dr. I have duct taped my feet, I have soaked them in pickle juice, I have lubed with many a lube, I have lanced, I have jellied. I have spent hundreds of dollars in socks.  and ....still....regularly blister.

3. Pittsburgh: yay!  I made plans with Anya and Dina to fly out and surprise Becca for her baby shower.  (if you are thinking who are those people? :college friends) I didn't make it to any of their bridal showers and I thought, ok, only ONE OF US has the FIRST baby...and there will only be ONE first baby shower.  I hadn't seen Becca or Anya since Anya's wedding in Dec 2007 and I missed them so much.  Yes, one day...I will get married and they better haul their butts across the country for it. :) haha. but UNTIL then...I guess I'll have to go to Pittsburgh.  Simply put: We had a BLAST.  It was the perfect amount of time to spend with the girls and because it wasn't a wedding, everything was just so much more relaxed.  We went out to dinner, went for Rita's (Italian Ice, not margaritas, but that would have been fine too), and spent some time walking around Chatham. Fun. Giggles.  Becs was HUGE and super cute.  I can't wait to meet her little one.  Surprising her was priceless and it was the first time I had "surprised" anyone like that.  I can't wait to see them all again soon!

And so...when will I blog again? Ummm.....I dunno. Maybe soon. :)

I've been sick (again) and am hoping that it is almost over with.  I've been home (or close with only brief adventures) since Tuesday (it is now Sunday)  I have to laugh, or roll my eyes, or...cry that in my last post I wrote about "one of the worst meetings in my professional career" and yet....this week....I had another.  Certainly, being home SICK and being called into a meeting under court order (read through the lines if you wish) was just horrible.  There were more moments of "OHmyGODwhatHaveIGottenMyselfInto?!" and I'm blessed to be saved by another grace of God- My sister called in the middle of the meeting (cell on vibrate, but I saw her name and photo pop up) and it was SO helpful to ground me just a little bit, get out of my head, see through the fog of my sinuses, and...stay clear and calm during those stressful 10 or so minutes that felt like 3 hours.  Now that I think back on it...I have absolutely no idea how long I had to talk for...I know I was AT the building for 2.5 hrs...but spent most of that time sitting in a small room by myself...texting my ...previous boss? ....what do I call her? Good friend and incredible OT mentor....I've got her job now! (and soon the OFFICE.....).   Anyhow, I know I can't say much, I won't....but... IT SUCKED....and I left and sat in my car and cried....Just a little bit.  I hope I said the right things.

This morning I got up and had the urge to thumb through old pictures- I was looking for highschool/middle school pictures, but ended up with a box full of college....and I realized how much of it was lost in a fog and that made me sad.  I was on some meds for a while (perscribed by my doctors.....) that I really think messed me up more than ever helping.  Moreso evident in the photos was the -for sure- 50 pounds they made me gain.  Thankfully, now off of them all, I have lost most of it...but still  NO WONDER I shut myself off from others.  I'm thankful that I'm on the other side of it all....and know that my life will continue to progress and improve....   I was ALSO able to reflect on how MUCH FUN I had at college with my friends...parts that I had forgotten about.  I tend to remember only the really bad semester I had rather than the 7 others that were an adventure.  We were goofballs.  just plain silly.  My favorite pictures are with Becca, Anya, and Dina.  Many contain images of us with our tutorials (Sr. Thesis) or breaks from studying.

SO I hope I feel better....like...in 10 minutes.  I need a clearer head this week to get some essential work done. Those 3 days that are missing in February seem to be mocking me....I know it is ONLY 3 days...but I have NO IDEA how I'm going to get all of my reports done in time.  I also have some looming authorization issues to deal with....as well as...the department's productivity going down because 2 therapists (myself and another) missing most of last week.  In today's economy....that isn't a good thing.

And again, I will blame facebook for the lack in blogging and well, not really having much to blog about.  But here is the short list:

1. Training Continues

2. Christmas Vaca- good

3. Life in LA

4. Work...in charge

the details:

1. Training:  Anne and I are actively training for the Pasadena Marathon, which has been rescheduled for March 22.  Since we were already registered for the last event (that was cancelled), we are eligible for a significant discount.  Up until last weekend I continued to feel ohmygodareyouseriousjulie? about all things marathon as it had been a looong time since any serious milage.  Last weekend we did 21 miles, I rocked it and -never- crashed or felt ill!!! (?!?...ah, WONDERFUL) and for that I am so proud of myself...I had secretly been worried b/c after our last 20 miler I felt like hell and it made me doubt my ability to finish long distances.  SO with LA dates changed, we are not doing the LA marathon...and with that it seems everyone is changing dates...so it just happens that my two fav triathlons will be the two weeks prior to the Pasadena race.  Well, not great timing, but sprint tris are all about fun for me, so I'm definately in for them.  And besides, I need to redeem myself after the LA Tri back snafoo. Note to self: do not throw your back out doing absolutely nothing prior the these next races.

2. I traveled 'home' to upstate NY for Christmas. I hate living so far away from friends and most importantly, family, but I also think there is something so wonderful about that.  I come into town and we all realize how precious and rare that is..and we make use of the time.  I know many friends who live blocks from their family and never see them.  I love seeing my younger step bro and sis learn and grow...and turn into incredible almost adults.  Ty is so much like my older sister and Jon is just the greatest kid ever.  And, well, they think I'm cool..and that is worth something, right?  I also caught up with my bestest NY buds.  I'm in awe of the wonderful lives they are making for themselves.  And then there is Christmas. Love it.  And had a great dinner with my dad.

3. There continue to be days when I go about life and suddenly realize, HOLY CRAP! I LIVE in LA!  This just happened on Friday when I had to go to a school visit in Compton, sat in traffic on freeways (forever), and had to go to a meeting in mid wilshire.  The meeting was one of those that I knew, when I became an OT that I would probably be in one day, but definately one that you never wanted to wish on anyone or any family.  And despite how horrible the meeting topics were...I had the most amazing view from the 7th floor window facing the foothills with the BEST view of the Hollywood sign.  For a minute I just tuned out and sat there reflecting on life, my journey, and how crazy it was that I was sitting in that room, as the supervisor of my department, having to make some very difficult decisions for a family, and yet how beautiful life is and can be.  It was one of those moments of grace that God shines down on us to let us know 'yep, this sucks, but tomorrow will be a beautiful sunny day'  ...and well, Saturday while it was beautiful and sunny I was sick and in bed.  I began feeling yucky on Tuesday and told myself "you have to get through that meeting on Friday" and I did....thank you me.

4. Work.  Given the topics above more than once last week I said "UGH, bad week to play boss" One thing after another, but I did it.  I learned a lot and will continue to learn and grow in my new role.  This change is great for my career but also for me...who was getting a little too comfortable in my previous place.

SO, I'm looking forward to 2009.  2008 taught me a lot, however, I'm glad to move on to a new year.  I feel good things. Wonderful things. And I'm looking forward to it!

So, I have seen this list floating around on email forwards and on other blogs...and I thought I would complete it as well. Crossed out are the things I have done. ;) ....now if I can just take a cruise to France, bungee jump off of the Eiffel tower, hitchhike to the Mona Lisa, then take a sleeper train to adopt a child from England....I'm set.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (Echo Mtn??)
9. Held a praying mantis. (I stepped on it)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (one day?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (not at current job)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (I’m counting walking...26 miles is 26 miles)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (not by choice…haha)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (do teeth count??)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Its a good day when:

1. You get up early to meet a good friend and to walk 10 miles.

2. You can walk 10 miles and (yeah!) then have energy to go Christmas shopping

3. You see your chiropractor at the coffee shop and rather than quietly running the other way he wants to chat and is super friendly and makes you feel like a real person and cheers you on for getting up early to go walking.

4. You find a great gift onsale

5. You have time to sit and snuggle with your kitty

6. You find $300 (!!!!) in a Christmas card from last Christmas!!!!!

7. At the stoplight you linger for a little bit and then (WHAM!) a car runs a red light ....that WOULD have hit you...but for whatever reason you didn't go...and thus didn't get hit. (Thank you God)

8. A mix-up on your Sbux order only reveals that HEY! I like peppermint mochas!

9. You can spend dinner with good friends...all dressed up for fun.

10. You win the BIG GIFT at the work Christmas party- the first time in 5 years!!!

11. You get time to IM your little brother and get to remember what it was like when you were 16...ahhhh youth.

12. You can finish the day feeling happy, healthy, and loved.

my day.

Can you top it?!

FYI. I'm still here. Still getting up, still working, still walking.

still smiling.

and sometimes I still mess up all the lyrics to the song

but that is why you love me, right? haha