I also started my running training program. I'm started on Week 4 of the program because it's for beginners and I'm giving myself a little credit here. Anyway, I have to walk 10 mins, run 5 mins, walk 5 mins, run 10 mins. I was close this morning... coming in at 9 mins in the end. Something to push harder for Thursday morning.
5:30 am: Why am I awake? No, I don't have to work early. It's because I can't breathe. The air in my apartment is drier than the Sahara Desert. I literally woke up in order to breathe. I quickily Google how to create a homemade humidifier. Bingo - run the shower and boil a pot of water. Yes, at 5:30 am I cranked on my shower and put a boiling pot of water next to my bed. It sufficed, but that's really not ideal to do every night. So I went the store this afternoon and purchased a real humidifier. My parents have one in their house, but I've never had one. I'm excited to give it a try tonight. Wow, excited about a humidifier. My life is so wild sometimes!
I also started my running training program. I'm started on Week 4 of the program because it's for beginners and I'm giving myself a little credit here. Anyway, I have to walk 10 mins, run 5 mins, walk 5 mins, run 10 mins. I was close this morning... coming in at 9 mins in the end. Something to push harder for Thursday morning.
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When was the last time you drove a different route to work? I drive the same route every day going to gymnastics and to the TV station. I even drive the same route when running my errands. Today, it dawned on me that I had never been down the road by Aldi (my favorite grocery store). I took a right onto 83rd St. rather than a left. I past four or five different housing developments in less than a mile stretch of road before popping back out on 86th St. I honestly felt weird for the next few miles, like I was sideways or something. Go figure, this way is actually quicker than the way I usually go. I only hit one stoplight instead of three. Glad it only took me 6 months to figure that out. My second new thing today was wearing one of the coats I got for a steal on Black Friday from Younkers. I know what you're thinking, "Watch out catalog models, here comes Jessica." I have to thank my photographer Christina for making me look so great. The map of Iowa behind me adds a touch of adventuresome too, don't you think?
Two weeks these babies have sat in a box. I didn't plan my plan out very well. See, I bought new running shoes the day before getting a tattoo on my side. I didn't want to irritate the tattoo, so I didn't run until it was all healed up. That means my new shoes almost had dust on them before our first run together. OK, a little dramatic, but you get my picture. Sunday I went for a lovely run around my grandma's town. I had eaten so much on Saturday for our family Thanksgiving lunch and dinner I had no room left come Sunday for another big meal. That was the real motivation for me to run. So I laced em up and hit the pavement. It was cold and windy, but I had to do it. I ran around most of Volga, a town of 200, in northeast Iowa. My Asics are lightweight and comfy. I also tried improving my running technique (based on my research) by pushing off my big toe, lifting my knees, and putting a little spring in my stride. Needless to say, my calves were still sore today. Maybe, hopefully, one of these days I can get myself in shape.
I started this blog without really reading many other blogs. Honestly, I'm a busy girl. I'm not on pinterest, stumbled upon, or tumblr. I just don't have the time. I decided to make time Saturday to look at other blogs to see if I'm on the right track. There's so many blogs out there, how in the world do I find good ones to model myself after? Simply do a Google search for "best blogs." Original, I know. I found an article in Time that lists the Top 25 Blogs of 2011. I managed to get through the first three which have three very different purposes. My blog relates closest to The Everywhereist in that she's blogging about her personal experiences at home, abroad, in airports, everywhere. Depending upon the nature of the blog, like mine for example, I think it has to be entertaining, witty, smart and unique. I'm hoping My First Time is at least two of those things (and probably all four for my parents). I haven't found anyone else blogging about doing something new every day, but who knows, maybe another blogger is thinking the same thing right now. I mean, there's gotta be someone else out there who is making each day different, right?
No, I didn't go back out shopping Friday night. Instead, I enjoyed one of my other favorite pastimes: food. I ate at not one, but two places I've never eaten before. My friend invited me to dinner at Star Bar. Unfortunately, I had already eaten so we stuck to the "small plate" menu. Since I was somewhat full, something light sounded good. We settled on the edamame and seasame crusted ahi tuna. The edamame was good (just like at Quattro) and perfect for a light-weight snack. I'm a sushi fan, but not sashimi (raw chunk of fish on rice). The ahi tuna was a little raw for me with no extra flavors to round it out.
We then mosied over to Court Avenue Brewery. After a bit, my friends decided to order more food. I mooched off them scoring a spring roll and piece of pizza. I really liked the pizza. I had expected something a bit more greasy and bar-esque, but was happily surprised to find that was not the case. I can't be for certain, but I think I had my first Root Down as well. It was also quite tastey. Although, I can't say I've had many drinks I didn't like. I awoke at 3:30 a.m. to report on this lovely, little American tradition we call Black Friday. After hanging out at the mall for a couple hours talking to shoppers, I got sucked in. I decided I was going to go shopping some time before Christmas, so why not just do it today. On just five hours of crappy sleep, seven hours of work and a turkey breakfast, I hit up Valley West Mall. I think I might have participated in this ridiculous day once awhile ago, but never at Valley West Mall. Yep, today's new thing is totally based on a technicality.
P.S. In case you were wondering, it was a successful shopping day: 2 hats, 2 coats, and 2 pairs of boots. OK, not all of them. I was only responsible for making the stuffing for our ABC5 Thanksgiving Feast. I'm not a big stuffing fan, so I honestly can't say I've ever made it before. I'm being very generous by saying I "made" stuffing. I dumped it out of the box into a pot of boiling water. Very talented, tell me about it.
There's the show Desperate Housewifes, and then there's Mad Men. Somewhere in between the two is Mad Housewife wine. I saw someone drinking it one night and thought I would give it a try. I usually pick a bottle of wine based on how eye-catching the label is and if it's less than $10. So when I saw Mad Housewife on the shelf, it popped out at me. Cabernet Sauvignon is my wine of choice; something somewhat sweet and somewhat dry. I really like this one, especially compared to my pick last week of Sutter Home. The bottle jumped out at me because it was the front display of the grocery store and it came in less than $8. However, that was not a good cab sav. Yes, I drank it, over the course of a few days. That is one wine I will not be pouring another glass of anytime soon.
I'm slowly making my away around all the coffee shops in the metro. I've been to Mars Cafe, Amici, Zanzibar's, Friedichs, Smokey Row, and now Java Joe's. I went yesterday with a friend. It's got a really cool vibe. I feel like Amici is more white-collar with its sleek, contemporary decor, while Java Joe's seems more like a place for a wider range of eclectic people. I was pleased with my cappuccino and my partner in crime enjoyed his tiramisu latte that the barrista recommended. I was also happy to put their free Wi-Fi to good use. Now if only there was more parking...
Since my work schedule got messed up (once again), I found myself with not much to do on this
overcast Monday afternoon. The light bulb went on: photo shoot time. Here are some of the pictures from my hour stroll around the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. |