I realized I haven't blogged a lot lately.....like maybe this month. I'm not sure. Is it October yet? Oh good, no. If it was October that would be very scary indeed. Still very busy with the beginning of the year transitions for students and my workplace recently hired two new additions to the team....so I'm pretty sure we can count on work being busy until....December...rounded out with a nice little break for when we get married:)
I have another excuse though for not blogging! And it involves Mike! I try to keep around a 2:1 ratio for our blogs. I allow myself to post two times for every one of Mike's posts because I know I have more feelings that need to be expressed and also he is usually the busier one. But things are getting wonky now. There is blog silence on his end and I can only attribute that to the fact that he's really looking to moving forward in our new joint blog, but can't because we don't have a name.
That's where you come in. "Buzzsaw" was about Mike's journey throughout law school. "Pencil" was, I believe, mostly my random thoughts, feelings, and recaps of our weekends. Rest assured, you will still get my ramblings. We want this new blog to be about our adventures as a Navy JAG family, but also just a family. Although we'll still be in the DC area for the next few years, both of us will be starting a new journey together.
If you have any great name ideas for our new blog, please comment here OR just let Mike or me know. It can be a play on our names, have something to do with the navy or nautical sayings, or whatever you think. The winning contributor will get credit for naming our future.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Making the Most of....September
One of my favorite bloggers recently posted a list of ways to make the most of September. She does one for every month, but this month I was really inspired by how her list fit some of my own personal goals for this month: http://fitnessista.com/2014/09/10-ways-to-make-it-a-stellar-september/.
1) Streamline.
I REALLY need to clean out my closet, donate some items, consign some others, and make space in my life for the person I am becoming. Holding onto clothes from college that I don't wear anymore seems less practical every day.
2) Sign up for a new class or fall fitness event.
Mike and I signed up for a 10K in October. I would like to ACTUALLY train for this one...meaning run more than 3 miles before the race day. (<<Hold me to this, MJ!) I would also like to make time for different group fitness classes, including zumba, kickboxing, and yoga.
3) Determine your personal abundance block, and brainstorm strategies to turn over a new leaf this fall.
I realized the other day that I have a really hard time focusing due to trying to do too many things at once. I kept asking Mike to diagnose why my computer was so slow and he ended up telling me it was because I had two different google chromes profiles with no less than 8 tabs each open, as well as 7 different applications running on my computer at once. I cannot multi-task and I'd like to simplify my work computer this month in order to simplify my thought process.
4) Enjoy an outdoor dinner party, long walk or picnic.
September has turned out to be pretty humid and hot so far in DC!, but Mike is so awesome at grilling that I'd like to take advantage of that for as long as possible before it gets cool out. I'd also like to try hiking nearby one day.
5) Join a cheering squad.
This time of year is really stressful at my job and sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in 'busy' without stopping to recognize the achievements of my coworkers and students. I'd like to make more time to show appreciation for others.
6) Hit up the farmers market and make a new recipe with your findings.
I love farmer's markets during the Fall and heard we have a good one near us. I'd like to explore what it has the offer.
7) Make this cornbread
I want to make it with chili too! Football, cornbread, and chili are perfect together:)
8) I didn't want to follow Gina's fitness calendar, so my #8 is going to be "learning something new".
I'm using Duolingo, Memrise, and some quick study guides to learn Spanish. Hopefully, I can talk with my sister, mom, and students to practice!
9) Plan a date night.
I'd love to have a farmer's market date, try out some new restaurants near us, see some more movies, and cook more....both with friends and with Mike.
10) New candle.
I'd love a new fall-scented candle!
1) Streamline.
I REALLY need to clean out my closet, donate some items, consign some others, and make space in my life for the person I am becoming. Holding onto clothes from college that I don't wear anymore seems less practical every day.
2) Sign up for a new class or fall fitness event.
Mike and I signed up for a 10K in October. I would like to ACTUALLY train for this one...meaning run more than 3 miles before the race day. (<<Hold me to this, MJ!) I would also like to make time for different group fitness classes, including zumba, kickboxing, and yoga.
3) Determine your personal abundance block, and brainstorm strategies to turn over a new leaf this fall.
I realized the other day that I have a really hard time focusing due to trying to do too many things at once. I kept asking Mike to diagnose why my computer was so slow and he ended up telling me it was because I had two different google chromes profiles with no less than 8 tabs each open, as well as 7 different applications running on my computer at once. I cannot multi-task and I'd like to simplify my work computer this month in order to simplify my thought process.
4) Enjoy an outdoor dinner party, long walk or picnic.
September has turned out to be pretty humid and hot so far in DC!, but Mike is so awesome at grilling that I'd like to take advantage of that for as long as possible before it gets cool out. I'd also like to try hiking nearby one day.
5) Join a cheering squad.
This time of year is really stressful at my job and sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in 'busy' without stopping to recognize the achievements of my coworkers and students. I'd like to make more time to show appreciation for others.
6) Hit up the farmers market and make a new recipe with your findings.
I love farmer's markets during the Fall and heard we have a good one near us. I'd like to explore what it has the offer.
7) Make this cornbread
I want to make it with chili too! Football, cornbread, and chili are perfect together:)
8) I didn't want to follow Gina's fitness calendar, so my #8 is going to be "learning something new".
I'm using Duolingo, Memrise, and some quick study guides to learn Spanish. Hopefully, I can talk with my sister, mom, and students to practice!
9) Plan a date night.
I'd love to have a farmer's market date, try out some new restaurants near us, see some more movies, and cook more....both with friends and with Mike.
10) New candle.
I'd love a new fall-scented candle!
Monday, September 1, 2014
6.2 Awesome Miles & Mount Vernon
South Lakes 10K
Last weekend Mike and I ran a 10k in Reston to measure our progress after weeks of working out. (Mike got a gym membership from August to November and we've been taking full advantage of it.) We both did really well in the 10k. I averaged 8:50/miles for a finish time of 55:00 and Mike averaged 8:09/miles so we was quite a bit faster. Our new 3 mile loop route near the house is full of hills so I credit that for our fast times despite not running any training runs over 3 miles. Mike also made a playlist for us to both listen to full of songs from the Guardians of the Galaxy movie which just came out recently. If you haven't seen it yet, it has an awesome old school soundtrack.
Mike has another 'ruck' coming up this September and then we both signed up for The Parks 10k in the city in November. That route is supposed to be a lot faster and flatter so we're hoping for a good showing then.
We were both INCREDIBLY sore after the race and stayed dormant a few days to recover. I know I used to run half marathons, but right now my body can't handle the thought of 13 miles, for some reason.
Georgetown and Indian
This weekend Mike's mom came to stay with us and we had a great time showing her our new stomping grounds in Northern Virginia. We got to spend the better part of Saturday hanging out in Georgetown. Mike got to explore the apple store while Leslie and I looked around in BHLDN (Anthropologie's bridal shop where I had bought my wedding gown online). I felt affirmed in my purchase when all gowns comparable in style to mine were marked up far more than what I paid. They were all absolutely beautiful, though.
I got to have a little bit of the in-store bridal shopping experience via Leslie who was looking for dress to wear to the ceremony. There was even a "this is the one" moment and everyone kept congratulating her on the perfect dress find even as we were leaving the store! It was so much fun.
Before we left Georgetown, we of course had to stop and get some Pinkberry which I maintain is, yes the most expensive, but best yogurt I've had. I went for my normal combination of strawberries/almonds/coconut with tart yogurt.
Later that evening, we ventured to a place Mike and I have never been before for some Indian food. (We don't yet have our regular joints in Nova.) We shared champagne (celebrating the everyday!), goat curry, tandoori salmon, and salmon tikka masala with garlic naan and some pistachio/rice frozen dessert. Mike and Leslie both wanted to mango mousse, but I whispered to Mike that I actually don't like mango or mousse so they were nice enough to brave unknown frozen pistachio dessert for me:)
Mount Vernon and Thai
On Sunday, we had tickets to see Mount Vernon which was a wonderful way to spend a day! Although quite warm with an unforgiving sun, the breeze off of the Potomac River was cooling and the day was beautiful. We learned much about the founder of our country and that his integrity was probably his most valuable leadership trait.
Later that evening, we went to dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant with great reviews and had a fantastic meal of sweet & sour tofu, crispy basil duck, and chicken panang curry. It was great to have Leslie over for a few days to be able to show her around town.
Finishing The West Wing
Mike and I finished The West Wing and have a newfound void in out lives which we are trying to fill with new episodes of Once Upon A Time. But there is no replacing a Leo McGarry and let's just say that, for a while, I was trying to feel out Mike's thought incorporating the name Leo into a future child of ours.
I'm sure we've been watching The West Wing ever since shortly after we started dating and now just finished it. Because getting through series takes a lot of time, I've also recently ordered the book "Scarcity" for us to read together and share our perspectives on.
This Week!
I can't believe it's September. I really can't. This week marks the "official" start of my travel schedule to college campuses. Last week was basically triage time at the community colleges. Where did August go? My favorite season Fall is right around the corner and there are less than 4 months until Mike and I get married. Eep.
This week I'm looking forward to finding my new work groove for traveling and checking in with my students, having a lowkey Settlers, burgers, and beer night with Alex and Kelly, and having some quality date time with Mike. Fall always makes me want to go on dates:)
Last weekend Mike and I ran a 10k in Reston to measure our progress after weeks of working out. (Mike got a gym membership from August to November and we've been taking full advantage of it.) We both did really well in the 10k. I averaged 8:50/miles for a finish time of 55:00 and Mike averaged 8:09/miles so we was quite a bit faster. Our new 3 mile loop route near the house is full of hills so I credit that for our fast times despite not running any training runs over 3 miles. Mike also made a playlist for us to both listen to full of songs from the Guardians of the Galaxy movie which just came out recently. If you haven't seen it yet, it has an awesome old school soundtrack.
Mike has another 'ruck' coming up this September and then we both signed up for The Parks 10k in the city in November. That route is supposed to be a lot faster and flatter so we're hoping for a good showing then.
We were both INCREDIBLY sore after the race and stayed dormant a few days to recover. I know I used to run half marathons, but right now my body can't handle the thought of 13 miles, for some reason.
Georgetown and Indian
This weekend Mike's mom came to stay with us and we had a great time showing her our new stomping grounds in Northern Virginia. We got to spend the better part of Saturday hanging out in Georgetown. Mike got to explore the apple store while Leslie and I looked around in BHLDN (Anthropologie's bridal shop where I had bought my wedding gown online). I felt affirmed in my purchase when all gowns comparable in style to mine were marked up far more than what I paid. They were all absolutely beautiful, though.
I got to have a little bit of the in-store bridal shopping experience via Leslie who was looking for dress to wear to the ceremony. There was even a "this is the one" moment and everyone kept congratulating her on the perfect dress find even as we were leaving the store! It was so much fun.
Before we left Georgetown, we of course had to stop and get some Pinkberry which I maintain is, yes the most expensive, but best yogurt I've had. I went for my normal combination of strawberries/almonds/coconut with tart yogurt.
Later that evening, we ventured to a place Mike and I have never been before for some Indian food. (We don't yet have our regular joints in Nova.) We shared champagne (celebrating the everyday!), goat curry, tandoori salmon, and salmon tikka masala with garlic naan and some pistachio/rice frozen dessert. Mike and Leslie both wanted to mango mousse, but I whispered to Mike that I actually don't like mango or mousse so they were nice enough to brave unknown frozen pistachio dessert for me:)
Mount Vernon and Thai
.jpeg) |
| Mount Vernon estate |
On Sunday, we had tickets to see Mount Vernon which was a wonderful way to spend a day! Although quite warm with an unforgiving sun, the breeze off of the Potomac River was cooling and the day was beautiful. We learned much about the founder of our country and that his integrity was probably his most valuable leadership trait.
Later that evening, we went to dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant with great reviews and had a fantastic meal of sweet & sour tofu, crispy basil duck, and chicken panang curry. It was great to have Leslie over for a few days to be able to show her around town.
Finishing The West Wing
Mike and I finished The West Wing and have a newfound void in out lives which we are trying to fill with new episodes of Once Upon A Time. But there is no replacing a Leo McGarry and let's just say that, for a while, I was trying to feel out Mike's thought incorporating the name Leo into a future child of ours.
I'm sure we've been watching The West Wing ever since shortly after we started dating and now just finished it. Because getting through series takes a lot of time, I've also recently ordered the book "Scarcity" for us to read together and share our perspectives on.
This Week!
I can't believe it's September. I really can't. This week marks the "official" start of my travel schedule to college campuses. Last week was basically triage time at the community colleges. Where did August go? My favorite season Fall is right around the corner and there are less than 4 months until Mike and I get married. Eep.
This week I'm looking forward to finding my new work groove for traveling and checking in with my students, having a lowkey Settlers, burgers, and beer night with Alex and Kelly, and having some quality date time with Mike. Fall always makes me want to go on dates:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)