a babe in the making

Change is the only constant

2009-08-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

No truer words have ever been spoken. Nearly 6 weeks since my last post and so much has changed in my life since my move. Thankfully, all good changes.

Here's what's happened in the past 6 weeks or so:

My roommates: Monica and Ava. Both girls are sweet as pie. Ava has quickly become one of my closest girlfriends and I can easily see as my best friend for possibly a life time. I've never had a connection with a girlfriend quiet like the one I have with Ava. She's my girl and I adore her. Monica - we had it out with each other maybe 4 weeks after I moved it. It wasn't a terrible fight but I did say things that were hurtful. I had become very frustrated with her mostly because we have very different was of living. Very different. But we talked and we're the better for it. Kind broke the ice between us. Now we know how to live together so that we're both happy. She's sweet and wildly funny. Endearing. I'm happy to say we all live happily and peacefully together. This alone is a small miracle I think. It's not easy to live with anyone.
Food: I gave up my daily morning cup of coffee. Yes it can be done. It was difficult the very first week. I took Motrin when needed but after the first week I was fine. I have a cup every so often but it's not a full on addiction. I used to have 2 cups a day. Sometimes 3 and I had tension in my shoulders and back that I never could get rid of. Bye bye coffee, bye bye shoulder and back pain. My 4pm chocolate attacks also vanished as well has my late night ice cream cravings. I have lost 8lbs and counting :) I have also made the switch to Organic everything. I'll go into that in another post.
Mom: My mom moved in with me this weekend. This will take adjusting but I do love having her around. She moved up from FL and is already adapting to NY very well. I have one brave mama. She's started her job hunt already. More on this to come I'm sure.
Career: I have always dreamed of being running my own company. I've already taken steps in that direction. More on that too later.

I have a laptop now so I'll be back to posting. I'll be commenting on your blogs as well very soon. I've missed you all!

Just a quick note

2009-06-25T05:40:00.000-07:00

Hello. It's me. Yes, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I have limited Internet access so that is why the lack of posts. In case you were wondering. I'll be back soon. Shopping for a new laptop in the very near future. Hope you're doing well. Bye for now =o)

Book in Review: Little Bee - A Novel, by Chris Cleave

2009-06-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

I was captured by the main character Little Bee by page 2. This book lives up to all it's praises. Chris Cleave is an impressive writer. I will be looking for his other books to add to my reading list. I highly recommend this book! It's is a beautiful story. {image source}

Currently reading: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Quote of the Day

2009-06-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

I must learn to love the fool in me--
the one who feels too much,
talks too much,
takes too many chances,
wins sometimes and loses often,
lacks self-control,
loves and hates,
hurts and gets hurt,
promises and breaks promises,
laughs and cries.
It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant
whom I also harbor and who would rob me of
human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool.

-- Theodore I. Rubin, MD

Counting my many blessings

2009-06-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

I have plenty to be grateful for. I have to focus on those things now more than ever. When I allow myself to think about all that I have lost in this move, it breaks my heart. I fight back tears as I write this...

I'm grateful for:

Summer! The weather was amazing this weekend.
I live with the sweetest roommates. We get along so wonderfully. We spent all of Sunday together. All weekend we've been so helpful to one another with moving and settling in. We have great chemistry.
My puppy. He's been so good about the move. He reads me so well it honestly astonishes me. I'm so in love with him!
I now live only a few blocks from one of my dearest girlfriends. We went for a long walk yesterday and caught up on the latest. I love her dearly and I've missed her. I'll be seeing much more of her now.
Puppy friends. My roommates each have a dog of their own. One is a puppy Puggle and the other a senior Lhasa Apso mix. My puppy has company and playmates while we're all away at work. It's such a relief to have this setup. We're a team when it comes to our babies and having that kind of support is priceless.
I am fortunate to live in a beautiful area of Queens. It is so green and lush. Tree-lined streets and beautiful gardens everywhere. I'll be posting pics soon. I look forward to walking my puppy and going for jogs just for scenery.
Neighborhood is so convenient! Shops and restaurants only a few blocks away!
My room came with a functioning air-conditioner. One less thing for me to buy.
It's my mama's birthday today. I would be lost without her. I am so grateful to have her with me still.

Happy Saturday!! Movin Day for me =o)

2009-06-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

TODAY is moving day. The last day of this chapter in my life. Bittersweet kind of day really. Well I better get going with my day.

Wanted to share with you this really awesome wedding invitation I came across last night, originally posted on A CUP OF JO. It's definetly worth the re-post.

Enjoy!

Some design inspiration for my new room =o)

2009-06-05T05:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, I haven't even moved it yet (tomorrow!!) and I'm already thinking of how I want to setup my new room!! This is one thing I've missed and craved for from my single years - MY OWN ROOM! Oh how I've missed you!

Things I want to take from this first photo:

A sassy little bench at the foot of the bed, small coffee table. I love the idea of 2 seats facing the bed but don't think my room is large enough for it. We'll see.
2 nightstands 2 lamps, bookshelves on each side - I like.
I love the drapes around the bed, mine would be white. Love the idea! Drama!

I love the blue wall in this picture. That shade a blue is so beautiful. Still toying around with different color shades but this one is definetly a contender. Just the back wall of the room but it would serious give it that sexy sophisticated look I crave for my space.

Pictures of my new apartment will be coming soon!

{Images from elledecor.com}

30 things to do before 30 (8 months!!)

2009-06-04T04:09:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the ever so fabulous Samiantha of BEING SAMIANTHA, I decided that I too wanted to create a list of the things I've been meaning to do. I've set myself a deadline of my 30th birthday so as not to be tempted to procrastinate for all of eternity. That means I have only 8 months to complete everything on my list!

Here goes:

Take a salsa class

Get a facial

Get a message

Take a photography class

Write up a career plan

Read 30 new books (2 down, 1 in progress)

Pay off all my old debt

Find the perfect shade of lipstick

Buy the perfect everyday perfume

Take a personal finance class

Find the perfect body lotion

Come up with a facial regimen i can stick to

Make 5 new girlfriends (2 down, 3 more to go)

Take a hip-hop dance class

Get my driver's license

Go see a dentist

See a Broadway show

See a comedy show

Dine at 30 new restaurants

Buy tickets to see the Nutcracker ballet

Plan a picnic in Central Park

Stay in a Bed n Breakfast in Vermont

Complete a set of self portraits that I'm happy with

Buy a high quality photo scanner

Take a Photoshop class

Try 30 new recipes

Do 30 military push ups straight

List 30 life lessons

List 30 things I'm grateful for

Find someone to teach me how to play soccer

Now I may tweek this list as time progresses. This is what I could come up with just this morning. I'm excited about all these things that I've been meaning to do and finally getting around to doing them! I'll keep you posted as I check them off my list =o)

Photo Source

Fuss to be had!

2009-06-03T03:32:00.000-07:00

Ideya Latin Bistro

{photo source}

Flor de Sol

{photo source}

It's incredible to me how agile my mind is this early in the morning. It's so early that I think my writer's block is still asleep. I'm an unusual creature. I truly love these early morning starts. It feels like my days are much longer and I get so much more done.

2 things I've been thinking more prominently about of lates:

My 30th birthday
My mom's 50th birthday

Granted they are both next year, mine in Feb and hers in June, but these are milestone birthdays and making a big fuss is an order! I'm thinking of planning my own 30th birthday party since I enjoy the process so much. UNLIKE my mom, who dreads planning and executing any kind of social gathering. It stresses her out more than it should. So my love of party planning clearly did not come from her.

Anyhow, no one needs to know that I planned my own party. She will be the host on paper, on the invites that is. Just the thought of formal invites gets me all excited. I'm thinking something on a smaller scale like a cocktail party at my favorite restaurant: Ideya Latin Bistro.

Since moving to NY, I've gone to this restaurant everyday year for my birthday. And also for other occasions when I need to be sure the night is near flawless. I need to speak with them soon to get a price for food and for reserving the entire restaurant for a night. It's a very small restaurant so I'm hoping it won't be ridiculous in price.

We'll see. I may also very likely forgo a formal 30th party and just focus on my mom's party. I think I would enjoy her party more anyhow. Just to see her so happy would be worth it.

As for mom's birthday, I will enjoy making all the fuss I can afford! She's hinted at wanting a party for her 50th ever so discreetly but I know she wants a big fuss to be made. I am more than happy to oblige =) It won't be lavish but it will be chic and sophisticated like my mama dearest. The first place that comes to mind is my new favorite Tapas restaurant: Flor de Sol. Pennies need to be saved pronto!

Have a little faith in me

2009-06-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

{photo source}

I need to be at work very early this week, so I've been catching the sunrise during my morning commute. This morning as I was waiting for my bus, sipping my coffee, watching the sunrise, I had a revelation.

Maybe I didn't get married because it's not what God has planned for me right now. Not because I don't know how to appreciate a good man and not because I may have commitment issues. Not because our relationship, our love wasn't strong enough and not because I don't want to be married. No. Maybe it's much more simple. I'm not getting married because it's not what I need be doing right now. And I want to be alone because that's what I need right now. There is no other reason for wanting to be alone except that it's what gives me peace at this moment in my life.

Funny how when I'm doing what I think I should be doing it only makes me miserable. Even if I don't understand why. I suppose this is God's way of nudging me in the right direction. I'm hardheaded so it's taken all this time for me to realize that. I need to have a little more faith in that voice that speaks to my heart.

Book in Review: The Year of the Fog by Michelle Richmond

2009-06-01T04:18:00.001-07:00

Though the it is written beautifully, truely, I felt like it dragged on with side stories I didn't find much relevance to the main story. And the ending came up a bit short. Though I don't recommend this book unless the subject hits close to home, I will be looking for more books written by Michelle Richmond. I really enjoyed her style of writing.

Image Source

I am the tortoise

2009-05-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

{photo source}

I just entered the lottery for the NYC marathon this year. Which way to the asylum?
I signed up for running classes which I will be attending every Thursday evening for the next 9 weeks. I need to learn how to stretch and how to train with sorness and... more running stuff.

Should I actually get picked to race this year, this will be the sign that will be held up for me. In no way shape or form am I physically ready to run a marathon BUT I am very enthused. That counts for something, right?! I've heard from friends that the sheer energy of this race is what ultimately gets you through it. Even if you've had minimal training. I'm counting on it.

Breaking News: What I've been up to lately

2009-05-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

(Photos from my last vist to our local dog run; my dogs not shown)

Packing. I'm moving out of my apartment that I share with my ex and moving in with 2 other girlfriends. Moving back to the neighborhood that I absolutely love. More about that later. Moving next weekend.
Mom didn't move to NY after all. I enjoyed the beaches in Miami instead. That was 2 weeks ago.
My cousin is getting married in 3 weeks. Mom, Dad and brother will be visting. I need to find a dress to wear for the wedding.
I've become a bookworm over night. Currently reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Reading has been a great comfort. I love loosing myself in the story. I enjoy these breaks from my own life.

Thank You!

2009-05-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

{Image Source}

A special thank you for all of you who read and comment!
Your feedback is immensely appreciated! Thank You!

What inspires you to blog?

2009-05-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers,

I could use your help. I'm having a bit of blogger's block. I have no idea what to write about.

My own posts bore me. Not good.

The thing is I am in fact a very smart, funny, silly, happy and overly enthusiastic person but my writing doesn't reflect it and it bums me out.

My first thought is to write about whatever interests me or whatever happens to be going on... but I want more structure to this blog... more topic based I think. Errr... *sigh*

Does your life sometimes seem uninteresting even to you? How do you get around this?

I want to pour myself into this blog... but I'm not sure how :o(

Any feed back, advice would be great! Thanks in advance! Your blogger in the Making

A doggy dog morning

2009-05-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

My furry friends at the dog run this morning. They are so precious.

My pups are the 2 black ones you see in the photos: Bella, black lab mix, Boo, shih tzu/poodle mix. Bella and Boo. The others are their buddy's you happen to be there this morning. And what a beautiful day in NY! The weather - PERFECT! Happy Mothers's Day to all you mothers reading this! I'm visiting my mama this Thursday down in Florida so I'll be celebrating her then.

I'm shooting in RAW finally!! And there is a significant difference in clarity in my shots.

Plus I can edit them to my hearts content without worrying about distortion. Now to just get a mac, and light room and I'll be set to actually polish these shots up and get creative. These shots are straight out of the camera; only a little cropping to flush them neatly against each other.

The House and Cuddy climax tonight!

2009-05-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Finally! House and Cuddy come together for a very steamy sex scene (or something!)

House I've been following off and on but is by far one of my favorite TV series. I love House especially because of his wicked humor! Tonight episode promises to be memorable at the very least! Can't wait!

Emily Giffin's 'love the one you're with'

2009-05-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

{picture source}

It's about a woman at a cross-roads in her life. She comes to a point where she needs to make a choice: give up all that she has with her husband OR be with her significant ex who she has a profound, undeniable physical and emotional connection. The passion depicted on those pages was enough to give me goose bumps but it's no trashy romance novel. I also love that once you think you know what's going to happen next she surprises you (the author).

I love how this book wrote up each man as two amazing but very different men making her choice that much more difficult. She loves them both. The main character: I felt all the emotions she felt and understood all her rationalizations. I struggled with her.

To add, it details how she became a professional photographer and her love for New York City.

It took me only a few days to go through it. I just could not put it down. And the ending... just when you think she can't surprise you...the choice seems obvious... it's an unexpected ending but one that is ... well I supposed you'll have to read it to find out ;o)

I sobbed as I read the final pages. I cried a good cry because I was with her. I was proud of her. This story has given me hope that I can trust the decisions I've made for myself. This novel is about love but it's also about choice and having faith in the choices that we make for ourselves.

It's about being true to yourself.

Puppy's first trip to the beach

2009-05-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

This series of photos is my favorite of the 400+ photos I took last week at the Doggy birthday beach party. It was a perfect day to be at the beach and we all had a blast. This is my cousin's 4 month yellow lab. It was her first visit to the beach and the first time she went swimming.

It was a thrill to watch her.

I love dogs. Truely. More pics to come of my favorite four-legged, furry friends.

Babies and Puppies = Picture Perfect

2009-04-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Just a sample of the Doggy Beach Party =o)

Will post more photos soon!

Astor Place and Union Square

2009-04-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

Spontaneous shooting! I've been carrying around my little compact camera (Sony Cybershot)and brought it out whenever I saw anything that interested me. It's with this camera that I discovered my love for photography and hadn't taken it out since getting my beautiful DSLR Nikon D80. Had lots of fun just casually shooting as I went about my day and night :)

Cityscapes: Central Park in the Spring

2009-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

How New Yorkers do Spring

2009-04-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Random thoughts

2009-04-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

It's been a bit quite on the home front... maybe you've noticed ;o)

My daily grind: Wake up early, go to the gym, go to work, work, run home, stick something in my mouth and go to bed. This has been the bulk of my everyday. Pretty dull. But that's not a bad thing. I was in much need of dull. Not enough of it can make a girl a little nutty.

The dust has finally settled from post wedding planning, personal life falling to pieces and moving out from home to live with crazy roommates, big blowout fight with crazy roommate and then moving back with ex to help each other out... dull is a welcome change of pace.

But still. I'm getting bored here.

So to shake things up again, I'm starting to gravitate towards what had held my attention before I was engaged: Photography! I love, love photography and it was my primary focus before I found myself in the midst of all things wedding. I'm excited to be getting back to it. You'll see more of my amateur attempts. I'll be focusing on landscape/New York for the most part.

Come May, my mama is moving up from Florida to come live with me in NY. Me and my mom have a great relationship and I'm excited about her moving here. I'm still trying to figure out if living together is the best idea for me, even though it's simply the most practical. Rent is expensive and sharing a 2 bed room will give me more of what I want versus if I tried to find a studio for myself...but still. Do I want to live with anyone at all? I'm not sure. We'll see how this pans out later. Seems to be the latest trend in my circle. 2 other girlfriends are moving in with their mom to save money. Maybe it's just a sign of the times.

Other things to look forward to in the near future:

Doggy birthday I'm taking the kids (my dogs) to at the end of this month! It will make a great photo opt and I think it promises to be fun and hilarious. My cousin's dog is turning 10 and she is throwing him a beach birthday party. Too cute!
My cousin's bridal shower! I am so excited for her! She's getting married this summer.
My little brother is graduating from college and my cousin (I have lots of cousins) is graduating from med school! Much to celebrate!

Stay tuned ;o)

Unapologetically me

2009-04-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

"If you want to improve, be content with being thought of as foolish and stupid" ~ Epictetus

I need reminders like these to put my doubts to a subtle whisper from their usual overpowering roar.

I live with my ex still. I've been helping him get back on his feet from his bout of unemployment. And during this time, we simply live in the present. Many times we carry on as though nothing has changed. We call this time 'savoring' the time we have left with each other. We love each other very much. We love our life together.

In the weeks to come, I'll start saving up what I need to move out on my own. I'm both excited and scared about the whole thing. And to top, I question if I'm doing the right thing. "Couldn't I do whatever it is that I need to do right here, with him?" No, I just don't think so.

I have come to realize that my great dissatisfaction has nothing to do with my sweet, loving, ex but with myself. I want to be more authentic. I want to be unapologetically me. And this I need to do on my own. I need to go down this road. This is simply what I need... even though sometimes I wish it weren't true.

April: "Bring it!"

2009-03-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

This morning walking into the ladies locker room after my morning run, I came across a flyer advertising the April Body of Work Challenge. My gym, Crunch, is sponsoring this and is offering a Year Membership as the grand prize.

The challenge: workout for 26 days in the month of April = 6 days a week, 1 day rest AND blog about each day at http://www.socialworkout.com/.

Me thinks: I'm working out and blogging anyway and here is a challenge to keep me motivated for all of April. Why not? Bring It!

To keep me (and you) interested, I am going to further challenge myself to try new workouts, new ways to bust my ass and get in shape. This way I won't be bored with my own posts (not cool).

Everyone one is jumping on board! What are you waiting for?! Sign Up!

My feet in Brooklyn

2009-03-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

A beautiful but hazy Saturday! I took plenty of pics! Here are two favorites so far. I'll tell you all about my Saturday in the next post, promise!

First picture is the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge today from City Hall. It's such a a great walk with awesome views. The bridge itself is gorgeous! The second picture is of the Manhattan Bridge from the same State Park.

Vinyasa Yoga seriously kicked my arse

2009-03-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

I had never taken a yoga class before. On Thursday morning, I was at the gym feeling sluggish and getting bored. A Vinyasa Yoga class was about to start so I thought it would at least keep me interested and give me a good stretch.

I take of my shoes and socks ( I love being bare foot!!) and grab a yoga mat. I'm very animated so the instructor picked right away that this was my first time. She came over and introduced herself and told me that this was an 'Open Level' class ~ all levels but mostly advanced. I thought to myself "Leave it to me to take an advanced Yoga class for my first time". But I'm so glad it was! It not only gave me the stretch I desperately needed but it kept me engaged. It was challenging and fun! It felt awesome!

I left the class with muscles trembling but I was relaxed and refreshed. What a phenomenal class!! I see why there are so many Yoga junkies! In the woman's locker room, some of the ladies in the class asked me how I liked it. I told them I loved it and couldn't believe how challenging it was. They told me I did great for it being my first time (so nice to hear!). I was very focused on how to do the poses correctly. I was truly fascinated. It was like no other class I had ever taken. I think Yoga is just what I need in my life right now - for my body and soul.

Photo source: Here

First Week of Spring in New York

2009-03-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorite shots of my walk in the park this afternoon. I love the park but today I just wasn't inspired. After my walk, I headed downtown to an arepa bar called Caracas. The last picture is a shot of a bit of their wall art reflected in a mirror. Happy Saturday!

Mission: Look Good Naked!

2009-03-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

I've been on a mission to improve my health and to feel my very best since late last year. The goal: To feel and look incredible by my next birthday - the big 30! Today, I did something awesome towards that goal! I'm officially a member of Crunch!

I didn't realize how desperate I was for a change in gym until I walked into this place. Everything else seems so dull in comparison. They have a location right by where I work so I thought to check it out since I had heard raves about their very interesting group classes. After a walk around, it had lived up to my expectations. The place screams - Different and Fun!

I'm so psyched to try a few of their classes this week:

Tomorrow - I'm meeting a personal trainer for half hour during my lunch break (yep I signed up for a few of those too!!) Then after work, I'll be taking their R&B Lounge class (their descript)- "From Stevie Wonder to Alicia Keyes, this class features the most soulful artists to move you through a smooth set of rhythm and blues choreography." Does that even sound like a workout?! Sounds like a whole lot of fun!

Wednesday - I want to try their Cardio Tai Box class - "A high energy; high impact blend of kicks and punches set to upbeat music. This class is the perfect combination of martial arts, boxing and cardiovascular training." Sounds like "Bye, bye flab!" to me!

Thursday - Gonna try The Ride &Abs - this is their spin class with an ab workout thrown in. Awesome!

Classes on my list to try next week: Pole Dancing, Virgin Yoga, Rockstar Pilates, Knockout Boxing. I couldn't be more excited!

Probably will go for a run in the park on Saturday if the weather is nice. Friday and Sunday are my laziest days of the week so they default as my Rest days. I'm figuring with these awesome classes, plus my runs, PT sessions here and there... I'll be sizzling hot by summer's end!!

I promised myself this year that I would take care of myself and that I would put my health as my #1 priority. It's mid-March so I'm doing alright so far. Next year I'll be 30 and I want to feel my very best.

Photo Source: Here

Confessions of a Sephorista

2009-03-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

So I'm not perfect... but no one needs to know that ;o)

I want to share with you all gorgeous babes a few new tricks I have in my makeup bag to looking flawless! I rate all these products a perfect 10! They do just what they promise... and how often does that happen?!

I adore going into Sephora. Makes me feel like a kid in a candy store! But at the same time... I'm like "Where do I even begin?!" But that's part of the fun too! Sephora lets you try to your heart's content AND they let you return it if you are not completely satisfied (love this!!). I swear this is not a sponsored post...haha! I just heart Sephora!

So here are a few of my must haves:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - All you need is a dab and it leaves your skin super silky! I love this stuff!! It does exactly what it says!

Benefit Erase Paste concealer - This stuff is awesome! I have always had a battle with dark circles under my eyes (shh...our little secret...) and have tried a boat load of products to no real satisfaction. This paste doesn't make them disappear all together but it's the closeset I've ever come. However, if you are trying to hide that blemish... It erases it!! It's creamy, light and blends really easily. Never feels heavy. I don't do heavy. Highly recommend it!

Benefit Eye Bright - Wow. What a difference it makes! I try my very best to get my beauty sleep but some nights it's just not possible. It's like a magic stick for tired eyes!

Benefit Coralista - The most perfect blush for this spring and summer! It blends perfectly into you skin and gives you a natural glow. I put it on my cheeks and eye lids for that 'I'm so happy I could pop' look! Really, really nice!! Plus if comes in a really funky box =0)

Photos from Sephora.com

Boo's first day at the park

2009-03-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

This is my puppy Boo. He is a Shih tzu/Poodle mix pup and is 5 months old. Yesterday was the warmest winter day this year so I decided he was old enough to go to the park and play with any dogs that might be there. He had so much fun! He came home filthy but it was well worth it. He didn't really ever stop running the entire time we were there so getting good shots of him was especially difficult.

This first shot is a Before... this is how he looks like before he rolls in the mud and grass...haha!

This is how my precious looks when he's at home.

This is an action shot of him post rolling in mud and grass. This was pretty much him the entire time =o). Running!

A walk in the park

2009-03-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

It was a warm winter day in New York.

Cloudy, hazy and warm.

I thought I would just go with it and get a few shots of Central Park in the winter.

These are my favorites.

I AM a runner

2009-02-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

I run to loose weight. Pretty straight-forward. However, there are plenty of other ways to loose weight. Why run?

Here are my reasons:

Running forces me to focus on simply breathing. Because I'm very analytical, I have such a hard time with getting my mind to simply stop. Running helps me to just breathe.

Running is hard. So when I make any progress, it feels amazing! It's a real boost to my self-confidence. I'm confident but I'm also critical of myself. When I see progress in my running, it gives me the boost I need to keep going and not let the bad days get to me.

Something about my feet pounding down against the surface. It feels good.

I love that after a run, bad or good, my body pulsates. My face is red and I can literally feel my blood pumping through my arms and legs. It's a sort of high. Maybe runner's high? I don't know but it feels incredible. In that moment, there is nothing I can't do!! ... except take another step ;-)
I love that seasoned runners look and move like well oiled machines. They look unstoppable. I aspire to look and move like that one day.

I am only getting started in this sport so I really didn't consider myself a runner. I think you can call yourself a runner the day you realize you can't go too long without lacing up. Well, I realized this today. I AM a runner. My knee feels better and I'm eager to lace up again.

I have been wanting to go for a run all week but couldn't. In these past two weeks, I've been paying for my rookie runner mistake: Training too hard too fast.

I had been pushing myself so far beyond my comfort level that I hurt my knee on my last run. I've had muscle soreness since I started training but I thought that it would pass and I would soon feel stronger. However, I noticed to my horror that instead of making progress I was getting weaker! I had no energy and I could barely do half a mile several days after my weekly long run. I was getting very frustrated!

Last week, I was limping through Barnes and Nobles and came across this book:
Runner' World - Complete Book of Woman's Running, The Best Advice to Get Started, Stay Motivated, Lose Weight, Run Injury-Free, Be Safe, and Train for Any Distance

As I read through it, I realized I was approaching all this backwards. My 'All or Nothing' mentality was putting me in a very bad situation. I was doing everything they suggest not to do to prevent injury.My favorite quote from this book so far: "One of life's little paradoxes is that sometimes when we strain hard, we accomplish less. This is certainly true in running."

Since, I decided to start over with my training but a little wiser this time. I will be doing their suggested 8 week plan for beginners. I really don't want to hurt myself.

Those of us with an 'All or Nothing' mentality, we often take on more than we should and grind through it instead of admitting we're in over our heads. This is me.

I have learned the hard way that it's better to readjust my goals at the expense of my ego than to grind through it and cause real physical injury. I did this with kickboxing a few years back. I LOVED kickboxing and trained 6 days a week for several months...until I just couldn't do it anymore. All those intense workouts with no real rest in between took it's toll on my knees.

I had a sharp pain behind my knees weeks after I had stopped. My knees finally healed but it took so long that I worried I might have done permanent damage.

Hurting my knee last week was the reality check I needed. I don't want to make that same mistake again. This rookie is a runner... in the making.

An infatuation with produce

2009-02-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after my run, I dipped into the local Dean and DeLuca (1150 Madison Ave, between 85th and 86th street) for a steaming hot cup of coffee to warm myself up. I always love to take a look around because they have an amazing variety of everything: meat, fish, bread, cheese... you name it and they probably have at least 5 varieties of it.

I turned a corner and came across this vision. Yes! The produce section! Isn't it beautiful?! My eyes look fondly at the Shaki Mushrooms first (SO YUMMMY!) and then the Portobellos. The cherry tomatoes, snow peas, green beans and yellow summer squash are exquisite! I'm in love with this whole arrangement of vegetables. So beautiful!

Comon'! Fess up! I doubt that I'm the only one who feels like this about produce. Maybe it's the foodie in me that is so infatuated. Whatever it is, it's awesome to be me in the produce section. Like a kid in a candy store.

Photo by a babe in the making

Beauty in Blue

2009-02-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

Running in Central Park has been my new Sunday ritual for the past several weeks. I had done the 6 mile loop around the park previously but this week decided to take the 1.5 mile around the reservoir. The 6 miles are doable but I would be in pain for the rest of the week. I'm scaling back and working up to the 6 miles again. My shins and calves are grateful for this decision.

Today the dirt track around the reservoir was now mud. Gross but challenging. I was so focused on not slipping that I could barely make the silly 1.5 miles around. It is so much harder to run in mud! Seems obvious now but I had no idea how much harder it would be. Plus I was freezing.

I'm such a baby. I like to think I'm so hardcore but really - not so much. Still working on it I suppose ;-)

Midway during my run, I stopped for a few seconds to catch my breathe and snap this shot. This is why it's such a joy to run in the park despite the freezing weather. I hope to capture more views of Central Park on future runs.

My Birthday, My New York

2009-02-14T06:10:00.000-08:00

This is where my day began - Nail's Noble (1484 3rd Ave, between 83rd and 84th). I went in for a quick manicure but this place gives your hands the spa treatment with their hot cream hand message. I also decided to splurge for a back rub while I waited for my nails to dry... lets just say it wasn't as great as the hand message. I couldn't wait for it to be over.

After my manicure, I walked down 3rd Ave and came across the

Super Runners Shop (1246 3rd Ave at 72nd Street). The perfect place to shop for my birthday present! I got myself a fancy pair and The Runner's Map of Central Park! I can't wait to break them in!

All that shopping made me hungry! So I headed further downtown - SoHo to be precise! I love it's architecture among other things! Here I'm drooling over the large, tall, arched windows of this building.

Soho is also where my favorite restaurant of all time is located: Ideya Latin Bistro (349 West Broadway, between Broome and Grand streets) . I've been coming to Ideya for my birthday every year for the past 4 years, ever since I discovered it! They serve latin food with flair. I think of it as a perfect piece of Miami in New York.

I really love this place and don't come often enough. I love how minimal everything is.

We had their Medio Dia sandwich served with a perfectly dressed side salad. Perfectly delicious.

And to finish my birthday lunch, a slice of heaven! Tres Leches cake! Perfection!

We caught the "He's just not that into you" movie after lunch. Funny, cute and alot more insightful then I thought it would be. No, I did not read the book but now I just might...lol!

Photos by a babe in the making

Marathon Training Week 5 and 6

2009-02-08T03:45:00.000-08:00

Week 5: 10 miles total; feeling pain in my shins
Week 6: 2 miles; Shin pain nearly unbearable on short run. Did weight training this week to give shins a rest.

They were painful to the touch. I found a way to stretch and message them to relieve the pain. Reading and advice from an experienced runner suggests that I need better shoes. I have a pair of cross trainers and I've had them for a while now. My birthday gift to myself will be a pair of fancy running shoes =o)

Oh and one more thing - I'm adjusting this marathon goal to half-marathon. Yep, shin pain is also an indicator of over training. Sometimes you don't know until you know, you know? But there is no shame in half-marathon for this rookie runner. No shame at all.

Welcome!

2009-02-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

As you all may already know, I'm no longer engaged and in fact back on the single scene. I don't know what life has in store for me. I did not expect to be here so I'll probably be surpised again with what happens next.

I wanted to start a new blog that is less about becoming a bride and more about becoming a woman who I respect and love. Lets see what happens tomorrow.

Thanks for reading ;-)