Marvy

I can't get over what a freakin' cuuute kitty I have!! This is Marvin, a.k.a. "Snacks" -- he's a pound kitty, about nine or 10 years old, and he lives at my parents' house:



Lovvve him!!

Despite it only being Tuesday, having a busy week ahead of me yet, and feeling a little groggy, I am in an excellent mood. Hoping to get in a good workout today after work. May go for a run at the bay or something if it stays nice out later!

Time for another post!

What I failed to mention about the half-mar was that I think I sprained my big toe on my right foot. It never swelled up or turned black and blue, but it felt ... funny. It feels considerably better, though, and I even ran down to and all through Balboa Park yesterday morning. I did tape it, though, so I am pretty sure that helped me feel OK enough to make the whole run. HOWEVER, some lovely cramps (of the female kind) set in about 2/3 of the way through my run, and it was tough making it back home. All's well that ends well, though, right?

It's been tough getting back into gym/active mode. I have gone on a couple hikes, though:



I love working so close to that mountain 'cause if I just can't bring myself to go to the gym after work (especially on really nice days, like that one) it is a great alternative. And one of my best friends lives right there, too, and is usually up for hiking with me.

I started paying a visit to these little guys at the lake/trails by my work during my lunch hour (when I'm able to leave the office, anyway):



Cuuute. I got some funky little tan lines on my feet from the heels I was wearing that day -- guess it was as sunny and hot as it felt!

Finally, a mini update on my beloved avocado seeds (I must have like seven of them at various stages right now). I just planted this one (right after taking the picture, in fact) in a pot with soil in it, and it's (hopefully still) thriving at my parents' house:



Cross your fingers for me!

Next on the agenda is hopefully paying a visit to the Stone Brewing Co., the San Diego Fair (where I'd like to get a permanent toe ring like Vanessa's), and maybe finding some more festivals to go to. The latest one I went to was a Greek festival down the street from my house, where I entered to win (and apparently didn't) tickets to Athens, among other prizes. Boooo. Did eat a lot of good food, though.

In a nutshell ...

So, it's been several months since I last wrote here. I think I get to the point where it's been so long, that what good is an update now? Not like I need to recap every minute detail in my life since February, but in a nutshell, here's what I've been up to:

met some cool new people,

solidified friendships I already had (couldn't ask for better friends than Devon and Vanessa!),

moved out again,

went to Mexico,

kayaked for the first time (in Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja, with fin whales!!),

ran my first half marathon with my amazingly inspirational and perservering little sister,

took my first Vegas trip,

did some random stuff like went paintballing, saw some concerts, partook in some cool festivals, and got a little more involved with work and volunteering.

On the half-marathon front: I tried to take running and this sport a lot more seriously when I initially signed up for the full Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (and later switched after talking to Giselle and my sister), and for having not really trained/built up to as much as I should have for this (I seriously hadn't run at ALL for a couple of weeks prior), I think my time of 2:04 for 13.1 miles was not too shabby! I owe it all to my sister, too. I know I was having a "good" running day 'cause I felt amazing 'til about mile 10.5, but from that point 'til the end, my sister was still speeding through people and encouraging me to keep up with her. I really did contemplate hanging back and letting her go off, but I just couldn't do it :)



And, she already took the liberty of signing us up for another half, in Huntington Beach. Not 'til February, and I'm sure we'll squeeze another one in there before then, but I have heard this one is really beautiful ... plus, all the calories at a potential Super Bowl party later that day would be well-earned!


My crazy friends. This is at a beer festival; go figure.


Vegas.

Well, that's all for now. It's still crazy busy at work, and I'm still, believe it or not, catching up on sleep from weeks ago. Just never enough time in the day, and if there is, it's filled with some work-type aspect that just has to be done!