One of my life dreams is to run the New York City Marathon. I’m sure everyone who actually reads this (or has ever talked to me) already knows this fact, but just in case, there it is again. When I got into the whole running thing I never had ANY desire to run a full marathon. Well, I actually never had any intentions to become a runner, but see how that turned out…. Anyway, when I was training for my first half I really only wanted to do that distance and be content with achieving that goal. Then, race day happened. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life, so I decided I wanted to run a full because how much cooler would that be? However, I knew there was a good chance that I will hate the distance and might only want to run one full marathon. My theory is go big or go home…thus the dream of running New York began. I hear it’s amazing (you get to run through all five boroughs and thousands of people come out to watch) and I love the city to death (I’ll take any reason to go). I can only begin to imagine how great it would be to participate in this race.
So, back in 2008 I submitted my first application for lottery admission. The only ways in to the NYC Marathon are to have your name drawn in the lottery, run for a charity, or have a fast enough qualifying time. Well lottery did not work for me, charity required me to raise at least $3000 and I certainly don’t run qualifying times that are tougher than Boston’s! This left me stuck waiting until 2009 to apply. For some reason I really thought I was going to get in this past year. I guess I figured they should know I was a serious runner at this point and I applied like the day they started taking applications, certainly that would count for something?? Sadly, I was mistaken. After waiting for 4 months I signed in to the website to find my rejection notice. I definitely cried when I saw that once again lottery had not worked for me. Why this silly thing matters to me so much I don’t know, but it does. In hindsight I realize that it was for the best as my summer of traveling through Europe and the Caribbean, moving, and changing jobs would not have allowed time for proper training. Still, doesn’t make me wish any less that I was in NY this weekend!
Anyway, I got some good news this week: the marathon is taking lottery applications the day after the race this year! That’s THIS Monday!!!! AND, even better, they’re announcing results in MARCH! Basically this means THIS MARCH I will know if I am running NY 2010 or NY 2011. Here’s how the lottery works: If you apply three consecutive years without being admitted you get an automatic entry the fourth year. So, if my name gets drawn this year, obviously I’m in for 2010, if not, then I know 2011 is my year. Hoping that I don’t have to wait that long, but I can be slightly stubborn so I KNOW I can make it to 2011 if I have to. Think of me Monday as begin the waiting game once again!
One last thing. Special thanks to all of my friends and family who have supported me in this little adventure…those of you who who’ve crossed your fingers through the application process, at least pretended to be interested in this ordeal and listened to me talk about it ☺, comforted me when I haven’t gotten in, encouraged me to keep pursuing NY when I’ve been frustrated that it’s been such a long wait, researched charities to find me an alternate way in, told me you would be there when I ran the race, and so on. It means the world to me and I know you will be my support system when it FINALLY happens!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Free Music Friday 6
Here's my Patty Griffin day that got pushed back by my Garth Brooks excitement...Love me some Patty. Hope this makes my favorite freshman roommate happy. :)Also, please share in my excitement that the Frogs are featured this week on ESPN gameday, live from Provo, Utah. Time for us to show why we are ranked #8!!! Happy weekend.
My two favorites, live versions were my only options:
Heavenly Day-
Sweet Lorraine-
My two favorites, live versions were my only options:
Heavenly Day-
Sweet Lorraine-
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Riding Hores in the Lobby...Never a Good Idea
In case you haven't picked up on this, I LOVE TEACHING THIRD GRADE!!! There are many reasons this is the case, one of which is the fact that they are the source of much laughter in my life (mostly unintentional). Crazy enough we are already done with one six weeks and half way into another. This is a little late but here are a few of the highlights from their work and day to day shenangians during the first six weeks:
*Student picture with “I like hores” written across the top (assume she was going for horses)
*When writing to the postman about our favorite fairy tales one student said his is “Jack and the Peestop”
*One girl told me she wants to learn the following in third grade “What happens in our bodies when we eat” She also wants me to leave for a Tuesday and have a sub then I can come back and we will go bowling. Awesome.
*Describe the characteristics of a perfect town: Texas. I think I’ve taught them well don’t you?
*One day after recess I had a kid in another class tell me one of my kids was “humping the pole” His teacher told him she didn’t know what that meant, hoping he didn’t know either, but no, he proceeded to demonstrate this for us (we later found out his dad has taught him) and another kid pipes in with “yeah she was pole dancing”
*While talking to my kids about our author visit from Dianne Dysalvo I was asking them what her last name was. I started with Dianne and one of my kids yells out “Ross”. Impressed they even know who that is.
*My kids are huge Michael Jackson fans. One of them told me her favorite song was PYT, when I responded with oh yeah “Pretty Young Thing” they all just stared at me in shock that I would know what that was.
*Advice from third graders: “Don’t buy the Miley Cyrus cd at Walmart, it’s a waste of money, it only has 7 songs” Thank goodness for that b/c I was definitely about to go buy it.
*Weekly dance contests at recess in which we have some serious moonwalking, splits, bboxing, and break dancing taking place.
*Student writing: “I ride hores in the lobby”. Inspiration for blog title. Generally riding hores anywhere inside besides the rodeo is advised against.
*The students were asked to name three things made from steel while talking about magnets and metals…here is one response: shits. Thinking ships was the intended answer, hoping so at least.
Already got some good materials from the second six weeks as well. Until then...
*Student picture with “I like hores” written across the top (assume she was going for horses)
*When writing to the postman about our favorite fairy tales one student said his is “Jack and the Peestop”
*One girl told me she wants to learn the following in third grade “What happens in our bodies when we eat” She also wants me to leave for a Tuesday and have a sub then I can come back and we will go bowling. Awesome.
*Describe the characteristics of a perfect town: Texas. I think I’ve taught them well don’t you?
*One day after recess I had a kid in another class tell me one of my kids was “humping the pole” His teacher told him she didn’t know what that meant, hoping he didn’t know either, but no, he proceeded to demonstrate this for us (we later found out his dad has taught him) and another kid pipes in with “yeah she was pole dancing”
*While talking to my kids about our author visit from Dianne Dysalvo I was asking them what her last name was. I started with Dianne and one of my kids yells out “Ross”. Impressed they even know who that is.
*My kids are huge Michael Jackson fans. One of them told me her favorite song was PYT, when I responded with oh yeah “Pretty Young Thing” they all just stared at me in shock that I would know what that was.
*Advice from third graders: “Don’t buy the Miley Cyrus cd at Walmart, it’s a waste of money, it only has 7 songs” Thank goodness for that b/c I was definitely about to go buy it.
*Weekly dance contests at recess in which we have some serious moonwalking, splits, bboxing, and break dancing taking place.
*Student writing: “I ride hores in the lobby”. Inspiration for blog title. Generally riding hores anywhere inside besides the rodeo is advised against.
*The students were asked to name three things made from steel while talking about magnets and metals…here is one response: shits. Thinking ships was the intended answer, hoping so at least.
Already got some good materials from the second six weeks as well. Until then...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Free Music Friday 5
Even though it's totally a Patty Griffin kinda day, that will have to wait for another week, because I can't let a dream come true pass by and not mention it. GARTH BROOKS IS COMING OUT OF RETIREMENT!!! Sure, it's only temporary. Sure, it's in Vegas. Sure, it creates a bit of a challenge. Doesn't matter, I'm still pumped. I simply need to figure out how to get tickets and how get to Vegas in December or January. Surely I have a friend with connections right? I have now seen 2 of my top 5 concert list and Garth would make it 3. I never got to see him before he retired and 2014 (when his daughters are grown and he might start touring again) is too far away. Fingers crossed that I can make this happen!
Here are a few Garth songs to help you remember his greatness (as if you could forget).
Disclaimer: Official videos not available for the most part (as usual), did my best to try and find some substitutes.
The Dance - peronsal favorite
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) - another personal favorite, he just has so many good ones!!!
The Red Strokes - Amazing video in the first place, here's the orginal and a remake that, well, just watch it youself...
Orginal (bad sound)
Remake (awesome)
Standing Outside the Fire - Classic Video, this one has Spanish subtitles...
Enjoy your weekend!
Here are a few Garth songs to help you remember his greatness (as if you could forget).
Disclaimer: Official videos not available for the most part (as usual), did my best to try and find some substitutes.
The Dance - peronsal favorite
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) - another personal favorite, he just has so many good ones!!!
The Red Strokes - Amazing video in the first place, here's the orginal and a remake that, well, just watch it youself...
Orginal (bad sound)
Remake (awesome)
Standing Outside the Fire - Classic Video, this one has Spanish subtitles...
Enjoy your weekend!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Month 3 of 12 - "Prepare for the Best and the Fastest Ride"
This last month went super fast, but was thankfully a little calmer than 1 and 2. Highlights included some more concerts, the start of fall, the start of Frog Football, good times with friends as always, and maybe most importantly the start of hockey! Here’s what I’ve got this month…
*I could spend every night (of the fall and spring anyway) on the porch at Mellow Mushroom catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones better.
*I appreciate that so many people in my life put up with my rambling. I realize this might not be by choice, to get a story from me you are just going to get it with details, but I still love that nobody even tries to stop me.
*Grading papers stinks and I’m still figuring out the trick to being efficient with the process
*I’ve been starting every morning with my radio off and spend a little of my ride to school in quiet and prayer, and it makes my day so much better, imagine that.
*Lucille’s has the SECOND best breakfast in town. Sorry I’m an ONG (Old Neighborhood Grill) girl to the core.
*Dark Chocolate Almond cupcakes from Sprinkles are awesome.
*I thought I could compensate for Sprinkles cupcakes with the local cupcake place, but after my recent experience there really just isn’t any comparison, they are truly the best.
*My life doesn’t revolve around cupcakes (contrary to what I make it sound like) but they do play an important role!
*I really can’t stand being sick, I go crazy just sitting
*Yogolait (new frozen yogurt place) is my favorite discovery this month.
*Paul Eason, Cadillac Sky & Angels and Airwaves are my favorite musical discoveries
*A suite at American Airlines Center is everything I imagined it would be
*A Pink concert can be surprisingly fun…and a little racy
*On that note, Pink can actually sing, like for real. When she just sits down with a guitar and goes after it she's pretty good. Who knew?
*I am not patient AT ALL when it comes to waiting for hockey
*Liking to come to work everyday is possible
*Even though I like to joke about my job a lot, my TRUE passion and the REASON I do it is because of how strongly I believe in educating children. I am very serious about every child that comes through my classroom leaving having learned something (hopefully a lot of somethings) new.
*It hurts my feelings when people take that lightly or imply that I do my job for any other reason.
*I love fall campaign time at my church!
*I truly appreciate people who are patient with me
*Almost any issue can be talked through
*For the first time the sight of the Fort Worth skyline made me feel like I was almost home. This is how I used to feel about the Dallas skyline.
*I LOVE getting to know new people. This used to make me nervous but lately it’s one of my favorite things.
*My friends are great at listening to (and at least pretending to care about) my “updates”.
*Kickball is my new favorite after school activity
*I am just as bad at this organized sport as I am at any other
*I know nothing about weight lifting but am thankful for a friend stepping in to be my "personal trainer"
*It is possible for me to love hockey a little more every October when it starts up again
*There’s something surreal about going to the first baby shower for your best friend of 15 years. How did we get there so fast?
*Grocery shopping with a friend is much more entertaining than grocery shopping alone.
*God perfectly orchestrated the group of girls that I get to meet with every Wednesday. After two weeks it has been the biggest answer to prayer and I am so thankful for them.
*Also, it is possible to have an unstructured group of friends become your small group.
*It’s not easy being a superhero
*Homemade chili on a cold day, enjoyed with a good friend, is a great way to spend an afternoon
*U2 puts on a pretty awesome show
*I still love the State Fair as much now as I did as a child
*Fried oreos are really good, even though I think it sounds disgusting
*26 is going too fast
*I could spend every night (of the fall and spring anyway) on the porch at Mellow Mushroom catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones better.
*I appreciate that so many people in my life put up with my rambling. I realize this might not be by choice, to get a story from me you are just going to get it with details, but I still love that nobody even tries to stop me.
*Grading papers stinks and I’m still figuring out the trick to being efficient with the process
*I’ve been starting every morning with my radio off and spend a little of my ride to school in quiet and prayer, and it makes my day so much better, imagine that.
*Lucille’s has the SECOND best breakfast in town. Sorry I’m an ONG (Old Neighborhood Grill) girl to the core.
*Dark Chocolate Almond cupcakes from Sprinkles are awesome.
*I thought I could compensate for Sprinkles cupcakes with the local cupcake place, but after my recent experience there really just isn’t any comparison, they are truly the best.
*My life doesn’t revolve around cupcakes (contrary to what I make it sound like) but they do play an important role!
*I really can’t stand being sick, I go crazy just sitting
*Yogolait (new frozen yogurt place) is my favorite discovery this month.
*Paul Eason, Cadillac Sky & Angels and Airwaves are my favorite musical discoveries
*A suite at American Airlines Center is everything I imagined it would be
*A Pink concert can be surprisingly fun…and a little racy
*On that note, Pink can actually sing, like for real. When she just sits down with a guitar and goes after it she's pretty good. Who knew?
*I am not patient AT ALL when it comes to waiting for hockey
*Liking to come to work everyday is possible
*Even though I like to joke about my job a lot, my TRUE passion and the REASON I do it is because of how strongly I believe in educating children. I am very serious about every child that comes through my classroom leaving having learned something (hopefully a lot of somethings) new.
*It hurts my feelings when people take that lightly or imply that I do my job for any other reason.
*I love fall campaign time at my church!
*I truly appreciate people who are patient with me
*Almost any issue can be talked through
*For the first time the sight of the Fort Worth skyline made me feel like I was almost home. This is how I used to feel about the Dallas skyline.
*I LOVE getting to know new people. This used to make me nervous but lately it’s one of my favorite things.
*My friends are great at listening to (and at least pretending to care about) my “updates”.
*Kickball is my new favorite after school activity
*I am just as bad at this organized sport as I am at any other
*I know nothing about weight lifting but am thankful for a friend stepping in to be my "personal trainer"
*It is possible for me to love hockey a little more every October when it starts up again
*There’s something surreal about going to the first baby shower for your best friend of 15 years. How did we get there so fast?
*Grocery shopping with a friend is much more entertaining than grocery shopping alone.
*God perfectly orchestrated the group of girls that I get to meet with every Wednesday. After two weeks it has been the biggest answer to prayer and I am so thankful for them.
*Also, it is possible to have an unstructured group of friends become your small group.
*It’s not easy being a superhero
*Homemade chili on a cold day, enjoyed with a good friend, is a great way to spend an afternoon
*U2 puts on a pretty awesome show
*I still love the State Fair as much now as I did as a child
*Fried oreos are really good, even though I think it sounds disgusting
*26 is going too fast
Friday, October 9, 2009
Free Music Friday 4
Little late in posting b/c I was at training all day and without a computer. I know everyone is devastated. Anyway, this is a band one of my favorite music sharing friends introduced me to a couple weeks back. They even have Fort Worth roots!!! What's not to like about that? I can't find my favorite song on YouTube but maybe eventually it will make it on there. I don't know a lot about bluegrass but I'm really learning to like it. Anyway here's a little Cadillac Sky to celebrate yet another weekend...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
That's What She Said
A momentous occasion occurs tonight. On the Office Jim and Pam are finally getting married. I am sure there will be many great moments from this episode. CAN'T WAIT!!! I tried to find a Pam and Jim montage to honor the event but they are all blocked for posting. However, I have been wanting to share this for a while, so it will have to do. Can you imagine life before this phrase was so popular?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Hockey By The Numbers
15 - number of years since my dad took me to my first hockey game. That was all it took for me to fall in love with the sport.
11 - number of years since the Stars began a season that would result in a Stanley Cup.
10 - number of years since my dad and I began the tradition of attending the Stars season opener together.
9 - number of times I have been able to follow through on that tradition.
26 - the Stars predicted rank this year.
1 - the number of wins guaranteed tonight
2 - the number of Cups I’m hoping the Stars have won by the end of this season.
Can’t even explain the amount of excitement I feel right now. I’m up at 8am after going to bed at 3am because I can’t even sleep. (Plus a little of the excitement is b/c it’s TCU’s Battle of the Iron Skillet). Here are some highlight reels of my boys. Just a little glimpse of why I am about to come out of my skin. 10 hours!!!
Opening Night video from last year:
In honor of what is likely to be Mike Modano’s (the best American born player ever) last season:
Hoping to have another one of these little videos soon:
11 - number of years since the Stars began a season that would result in a Stanley Cup.
10 - number of years since my dad and I began the tradition of attending the Stars season opener together.
9 - number of times I have been able to follow through on that tradition.
26 - the Stars predicted rank this year.
1 - the number of wins guaranteed tonight
2 - the number of Cups I’m hoping the Stars have won by the end of this season.
Can’t even explain the amount of excitement I feel right now. I’m up at 8am after going to bed at 3am because I can’t even sleep. (Plus a little of the excitement is b/c it’s TCU’s Battle of the Iron Skillet). Here are some highlight reels of my boys. Just a little glimpse of why I am about to come out of my skin. 10 hours!!!
Opening Night video from last year:
In honor of what is likely to be Mike Modano’s (the best American born player ever) last season:
Hoping to have another one of these little videos soon:
Friday, October 2, 2009
Free Music Friday 3
In case you haven't noticed I LOVE hockey. In honor of HOCKEY STARTING TOMORROW I have included a hockey song for today! Not the finest musical quality or video quality but couldn't let this momentous occasion pass without honoring it. GO STARS!
At lunch I was asked if this song was a part of my Free Music Friday, and I said would have to go back and add it. Not sure how I could have forgotten! Found a video of my Stars theme song put to their Stanley Cup winnning goal. Awesome. Tune in tomorrow for some highlight videos to get pumped for the season. I'm probably the only person who will actually watch them but that's okay. WEEKEND'S HERE!!!
At lunch I was asked if this song was a part of my Free Music Friday, and I said would have to go back and add it. Not sure how I could have forgotten! Found a video of my Stars theme song put to their Stanley Cup winnning goal. Awesome. Tune in tomorrow for some highlight videos to get pumped for the season. I'm probably the only person who will actually watch them but that's okay. WEEKEND'S HERE!!!
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