Paula Radcliffe says I'm amazing!

Skinny, quick little Paula Radcliffe (281 in the picture to the right) told me tonight after my measly little 2.96 mile run tonight that I did a great job! She also told me that I had completed my longest run so far!

Here I am again. Kicking some more ass.

Thanks, Paula. I appreciate the encouragement!

P.S. The Nike+ system has a woman that talks you through your run depending on what goal you've set. I assume that it is Paula coaching me through my run. I'm really not losing my mind. Besides that she actually says in her accent, "Hello. This is Paula Radcliffe. You've completed your longest run so far. Congratulations!"

See? I'm really NOT losing my mind. Paula really does talk to me.

"Your wife doesn't have any symptoms?"

This is what I heard today as I sat waiting for the doctor to come and speak with me to question whether I have reached the "normal" zone again or not. So here's how it went down....

I was sitting and minding my own business, waiting patiently. Through the wall I hear,

"Your wife doesn't have any symptoms?"
"No."
Inaudible chatter.
"This is going to be a little uncomfortable. I have to stick this in the end of your urethra."
More inaudible.
More fuzz.
"Well, chlamydia isn't all that uncommon."

So, here's me sitting and listening intently as a health educator. I admit it. I put my ear closer to the wall. Who wouldn't? Let's be honest here. How would you like to be at THAT dinner table tonight? Yikes. Either wifey gave it to hubby and has something to share or hubby gave it to wifey and she just doesn't know it yet. The dog's been out prowling somewhere along the way in any case! My concerns paled in comparison.

So, all checked out well at the doc's. I am good to go for a few months. I think that I have, in fact, fallen back into the "normal" zone. Here's l'il ole me kicking ass and taking names.

I need to update my Coach fund. I am actually now at $18 and I am considering that I did not have a contact yesterday with "him" since I was asked by a student to forward the message. I believe I am justified in this thinking since "he" did respond and I did not respond back. Bite me, pal. You and your $10 road side sneakers you are so proud of aren't worth me losing a new Coach bag over. Yes. I am a snot. And with good reason, I might add.

Tonight at the gym it's a good, solid run night. I have falledn behind in the Nike+ challenge. Yesterday I was 16 out of 30 and today I have fallen to 20. I can make up some spots tonight, though. I just didn't run yesterday, so I lost a little ground. No big deal. I needed the rest. Tonight, though, it's back on the horse! Giddy up!

Libby is gone, so now it is just me and Mag and the cats again. The apartment is a mess and smells like a manger. It's amazing how much more stench an additional dog can add. Ugh. I am not the queen of clean as it is, so making it all better is going to suck.

Yesterday was Grace Anne's birthday. I am officially the worst aunt ever. I completely forgot. It's on track with how my week is going, though, since I forgot a meeting yesterday and an interview today. Something's gotta give. Maybe my synthetic happiness is making me (more) flighty. Tomorrow is a new day, though, and I am going to do better!

I am outta here. I gained another $2 today!! So close I can taste that like-butta-leatha.

My Nike+ Challenge

So, I am loving my Nike+ system. Yesterday I did 2.88 miles and it kept track of time, mileage, calories, pace, etc. It's great! It's like being on a treadmill only better. I am part of a NIke+ challenge for beginners. Bascially, 30 women around the world who consider themselves beginners are seeing who runs the most miles in 14 days. Yesterday I was in sixth place, but this afternoon I have already fallen to 15th. I don't know if I am going to hit the gym tonight or not. I know that my body could use a rest, but I am feeling good and feel like I could put in at least a couple of miles. On the other hand, when I start getting like this and push and push, that is when I really start to feel the ole heel start to hurt. I should lay off. But, I probably won't! The tread on the bottom of my running shoes is almost gone, which means it is time for new ones. I haven't bought new ones since July, which is a miracle since I had an addiction for a while.

Yesterday when I got home from work, the cat food container was laying on its side and the cat food was strewn across the dining room. Apparently someone (Libby) decided to help themselves to a snack mid-day. I expect the same when I get home today since she would not eat her breakfast again. Maggie is farting like Walter the farting dog again. What gives? Lord have mercy.

I have a dilemma reagrding my Coach fund. I feel like I should get my full $2 for the day, but I did contact "him." It was for a legitimate reason, however. A former student emailed me and asked that I pass his email address on to "him." So I did. I kept it very professional and to the point and signed it "Jennifer." That oughtta show him. He can put that in his juice box and suck it.

I am actually feeling quite empowered these days. I feel proud of my workout efforts, the weight that I am losing, and the fact that I am finding myself again. Did I mention that my legs are looking kick ass these days, too? It feels fantastic to feel my sense of humor coming back. I haven't cried in over a week (eight days to be exact). I am just generally feeling relief and hope. THAT is awesome in itself.

I have missed me.

My "little" visitor...

So I am lucky enough to have a "little" visitor for a couple of days. My mom's dog, Libby, is hanging with Maggie and I for a few. This morning was interesting. Libby got Maggie all kinds of wound up. She was biting at Maggie's front paws. Maggie made a hard spin to the right. Libby tackled her. Maggie got up and jumped at Lib. Lib took off (as fast as Libby can take off) and ran through the dining room around the table. Scout was hiding behind the table. He saw Lib coming. Scout high tailed it out of the dining room with Lib in hot pursuit. Maggie saw Scout come running with Lib on his tail and she fell in and chased both of them through the bedroom, around into the bathroom, and back out into the living room. Ever had about 190 pounds of lab flying through a one bedroom apartment when you are trying to grab for collars? Can you imagine the noise in the apartment downstairs? I am thinking they were not happy campers.

So, I made some more progress on the grad school application. Now that I actually found my debit card, I could fax my transcript request to Penn State. I also made contact with a former professor who is hopefully going to serve as a reference if I can get the appropriate information to her. The paper? Oh yeah, the paper...that is still a work in progress. I think that I have gathered as much info as I need. Now it is just a matter of sitting down and writing the stupid thing. Time is getting short, so I better get at it!

Tonight's plans include taking Mag and Lib for some kind of physical activity. Not sure what that is going to be since it is still mud season. I wish the ground would at least freeze. I am also headed to the Y. I re calibrated my Nike+ yesterday, so I am hoping to get some better mileage that I have been getting. I am also hoping for a faster pace. I am fairly certain that when I calibrated the thing initially that I had added two or three extra laps because I had lost count on the indoor track. Ooops. There are typically guys playing basketball down below, so at least I have something to watch while I run.

So, check this out... Can you count the number of chins in this picture? Good Lord. This is me on the cruise in 2004. Hefty. I am feeling good about where I am now and will continue to work towards the goal of getting and staying healthy.

Okay, off I go. See ya later!

It's been a few days since I've posted. What a busy few days it has been!

Last week was just crazy busy trying to keep the program afloat. Katie is back as Program Manager for the 21st Century Program at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES and it has been nice to chat about program issues and conundrums with her. The SURGE Program is coming along, but we've got a long way to go.

I have been spending LOTS of time at the gym, working it hard. I think tomorrow needs to be a day off, or at least a light day. I did elliptical and weights Friday, four mile run yesterday, and a mile run and 20 minutes on the elliptical today. My thighs are tired and I am afraid they are going to look like Lance Armstrong's legs any day now. It feels good to work off some of my frustration and emotion, though. I had a long drive home from Mom's today and started thinking. It's not good when I start to think.

The good thing is that my thoughts have shifted from feeling sorry for myself to how pissed I am at the situation and "him" and how I am just better off without him. He told me that I deserved someone better and I think that I finally agree with him. I just wish that I could forget about him completely. Everything over the last few weeks has helped. It has also been a big help that I finally WANT to get over it. There is no use pining away for something that isn't going to happen and for someone who doesn't want to be with me. Why do I even put myself through that? It makes no sense.

I finally got to work on the term paper this morning. Granted, I didn't get far, but at least I have gotten through a few articles and have outlined some notes. I am looking forward to the actual composition and know that I will wait until the last minute to complete it. Typical. I have also been thinking about my personal statement and what I will write in it. It's hard to think about because there are so many things that I would like to do. I asked Mom this morning, "So, if I do this degree what then? Another bachelors?" I can't imagine being done and accomplishing the goal that I have had as long as I can remember. I have literally always planned on and wanted to complete a doctoral. I might actually be headed that way. Exciting.

We went to Pennsylvania yesterday for my grandmother's 75th birthday. It was nice for the family to be together. I have a visitor today and tomorrow and maybe Tuesday. Miss Libby is here with Maggie and I. Nala is less than impressed and is hissing from under the Adirondack chair. Scout couldn't really care less. it's just one more dog to rub against.

We are all sleepy this afternoon. I could use some lunch and a nap, but should get writing. I have a crazy busy week coming up and I know that I won't feel like writing when I get home from work. I also won't have time to write during work, so I guess I better get at it. 5-7 pages isn't that long...especially double spaced. Suck it up and have at it.

Big money! No whammies!

So, I had a brainstorm on the way to work (which is when most of my thinking occurs) this morning. I do like Coach bags. I deserve a new one. I have a plan.

Here it is:
For each day that I don't contact "him" I pay myself $1. For each day that I don't cry, I get to pay myself another $1 for a possible total of $2 per day. That could really add up! Once I have a sizable amount, I head to the Coach outlet and treat myself to a little something nice.

It's a plan.

The term paper....it has been rough. I have finally decided on the topic of "GW's policy of abstinence-only funded sex education curriculum/programs and how it will effect our youth." He is a stupid little monkey and this policy proves it. Ignorance doesn't keep kids from having sex. Keeping the truth from them doesn't really accomplish much good, either.

Getting references is kind of a pain in the arse. It is going to be a challenge to get three references by February 1st. It's not that i don't have people that I can use, but they want a professor and two others. I have the prof all lined up, but she wants to know what the topic of my project was in her class and what I got. This class was like seven and a half years ago. For the love of God! I can't remember what the paper was about. I also can't remember what my grade was. I graduated with a 3.9 so it had to have at least been decent. I also need to prepare my resume again and get it in a file. I have no idea where the one is that I used to get my current job. I stole a copy out of my personnel file so that I can at least type it out tonight.

Why must the process be so arduous?

I may end up having to ask Katie to do a reference. She's my clutch girl.

Okay, off to the gym. I am ready for the elliptical tonight.

By the way, I think I am going to earn $2 today! Go me!

The boys in blue BRING IT!

Is there a better way to start 2007 than a big Penn State win? After having a so so season, they looked simpy AWESOME today. Joe was in the coach's box, but it didn't slow them down. Tony Hunt was like a freight train. Morelli was spot on with a lethal arm. Kevin Kelly still sucks. Rumors of a possible national championship next year according to the team. Joe won't let that get spoken about anytime soon, but good golly I would be thrilled!

Maggie stills gets confused from the Penn State games. She isn't really sure what the yelling is about and why I seem to fling my arms for no apparent reason. She gets exicted anyway, until she realizes that she isn't going outside. Poor girl.

She's been a weirdo. She is frustrated because she hasn't been able to play. With the big slash on her paw, I don't dare let her run around. She would be even more miserable with stitches and an infection, so she's going to have to suck it up for a while. She needs an attitude adjustment. She is big on growling at Scout these days and has taken to chasing Nala when she is just trying to mind her own business. Maybe the space of the apartment is getting to her. She is bored with life. Her mom isn't very exciting these days.

I almost did nothing for New Year's last night. I was this ( ) close to sitting home with Mags, but decided to go ahead and go to Amy's. After an intense five hour game of Trivial Pursuit 90's Version and a bottle of Pleasant Valley Spumante (YUM) the ball dropped. 2007. It's finally here. 2006 is a distant memory - not one that I care to revisit any time soon. Yuck.

Katie has a goal of losing 20 pounds by March. That's doable and I am going to hop on the bandwagon with her. That would get me to pretty much where I would like to be...maybe ten pounds off. I know that I won't get back to high school weight, even though it was a fairly healthy weight for my current age. I guess we'll see if I am Georgalicious by March.

Back to work tomorrow. That's disgusting that I am ready to be t work, considering that I will be dropping the hammer tomorrow and cleaning up more left over garbage. Just another day in paradise!