Happy Monday!

Monday, April 30th, 2012
Central Park East - 6:35am

Good morning!  Happy Monday - back at it again!  I had a great weekend.  Lots of running, relaxing, and eating really good food :) 

I was thrilled to get an email this morning from an old friend I haven't seen in a long time.  She's an artist from Vermont who shuns Facebook and blogging and pretty much all things technology (besides the email).  She apparently quit her job and went to New Zealand for some long period of time.  Now she's planning on just driving around the country for awhile.  In lieu of blogging, she is willing to write little handwritten notes to people periodically.  Pretty cool - I'm a little jealous.  She and I ran the Tough Mudder together 2 years ago and spent some time together at the Liberate Vermont Music Festival in '09 and '10.  She's a tough nut.  I love hearing from people and all their adventures in life. 

Have a wonderful day, friends!!

Happy Friday!

Friday, April 27th, 2012
Central Park East - 7:02am

Good morning!  It was beautiful today.  Cold-ish - about 46 degrees, but clear, blue skied, not windy, and sunny.  Lots of people were out.  We saw Niko (little black & white Japanese Chin), Logan (flat coated retriever), and Isaac (black miniature poodle).  The cool air was getting everybody all excited and so, consequently, Sofie was playing chase with all mentioned. 

Yesterday night was nice.  It rained during my run, but that was ok because it kept me cool.  I really didn't feel like going yesterday so pushing myself to get it done felt good.  Brian had a bit of a rough/busy day at work and was feeling a little low so I got the fixings for S'mores and we made them after dinner using a candle (wax/unscented don't worry) to roast the marshmallows.  They were the best bad-day S'mores ever.  Dinner was good, too.  We made kind of a stir-fry with udon noodles, sauteed sugar peas, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.  Sofie has to go to the vet today for her pre-spay appointment.  They'll take her blood (aka rob us blind), and then tell us that she is, in fact, healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.  Hopefully this vet is one we can stick with.  They are located in Brooklyn and are about 100-150 bucks cheaper than the cheapest vet I've found in Manhattan.  They also have fantastic reviews on Yelp.  I found out about them from Niko's lady in the Park.

HAPPY FRIDAY!  

Thursday

Thursday (ALREADY?!), April 26th, 2012
Central Park East - 6:57am

Good morning!  Twas a lovely day in the Park, today.  I was a bit late getting up.  Woke at 6:30 instead of 6am.  I just needed it.  As I walked down to the Conservatory Pond, I realized something strange.  It was packed with people, boats in the water, etc...

"Am I in the twilight zone?  What time is it?"

Then I noticed they were filming a movie!  Some guy I passed warned me that walking in the "area" of filming signified that I was giving my consent to be filmed and that I can't sue the company if I appear in a movie. 

"Whatever - I'm not going to sue you (but my dog might)."

I don't know what the movie was - I don't know whether I was in the background of any filming - and I don't know whether Sofie was.  But if you happen to see a movie in the nearish future that seems to be set in Central Park near the Conservatory Pond, and you notice a small, spritely, black and tan dog chasing birds out of hedges, don't look twice - it really is Sofie and me.  :)  

In other news, the breeder where I think we'll be getting our next dog just sent me the most recent picture.  From left to right are the 3 males and then the female.  If we end up with one of these pups, (which it looks like we will), it will be ready to come home with us in June.  2 dogs are better than 1!

Pretty cute, eh?  It's the eyebrows. 

We're not set on a male or female yet, but were thinking Pippa if we get the female or Theo if we end up with one of the males.

Have a great day!!

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Central Park East - 7:00am

Good morning!  Can't believe it's Wed. already.  Time is going by so quickly!  Sofie met her friend Niko in the Park today.  Niko is a little black and white Japanese Chin.  He looks like he is as big as Sofie, but his lady told me he only weighs 9 lbs!  He is entirely hair.  Sofie likes to be chased by Niko and Niko likes to chase so it's a perfect arrangement.  They played for about 15 minutes until we went our separate ways.  I learned that she takes her dog to an animal hospital in Brooklyn called One Love and it's much cheaper and better than Manhattan prices.  Hopefully that works out because otherwise we don't have a vet to get her spayed at yet. 

About a week ago I called an animal hospital that I thought was in New Jersey and made 2 appointments.  One for blood work for anesthesia and the other for Sofie to be spayed.  I called back 15 minutes after I hung up and had to cancel because the dang animal hospital wasn't in New Jersey but rather, North Carolina. 

Me: "Hi, we were just speaking about Sofie, I made an appointment to get her spayed..."

Receptionist:  "Oh Hi, yes I remember.  How can I help you?"

Me: "Well, uh, where are you located?"

Rec: "125 Ocean Drive.  Do you need driving directions?"

Me: "Hmm....this is a little embarrassing.  What state are you located in?  Are you in New Jersey?"

Rec: "No dear, we're located in North Carolina."

Me: "Well I live in NYC.  I think I'll have to cancel those appointments."

Rec: (laughs) "Ok, I'll cancel for you. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Me:  "Ummm....No... but Thanks for your time!"  (have a nice life). 

These sorts of things only happen to me. 

Have a great day everyone!

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Central Park East - 7:05am

Good morning!  Had a great day yesterday.  My day worked out exactly as I like it to.  It included at least 10 miles combined.  3.2 with Sofie on our daily morning walk - 6 mile run after work - then about 2 or so after my run with Sofie for her evening walk.  I came home to hot leftover eggplant parm that Brian had made yesterday (I'm fairly certain it's better on day 2).  Then we watched our Netflix movie The Fighter - which was AWESOME!  You know, the one with Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Mark Wahlberg.  Freakin fantastic.  Whoever said Mondays have to suck? 

This morning was surprisingly cold here.   Check it out!  41 degrees!

Here's to today being as great as yesterday. 

Have a great one, everyone!

Just another manic Monday

Monday April 23, 2012
Central Park East - 6:45am

Good morning!  The weekend went by far too quickly, but I suppose it always does.  I think we should all get 3 day weekends - one day to recover from the week and catch up on getting stuff done at your house (Friday), then 2 days to have fun (Sat/Sun).  It was a great weekend.  Saturday had wonderful weather, though Sunday was pretty crappy (after the run).  My race went great!  I had a goal of a 7:45pace, and I blew that out of the water, averaging about 7min mile.  I even got 15th among the females in my age group!  I'm feeling extra motivated now to get even faster before my next race (a 10k). 

This morning was a drag.  I woke up and wanted to go back to sleep SOOO bad.  I got up and it was raining.  Luckily it was a nice rain.  It was a drizzly, gray rain, which I kind of like because it's not bad enough to warrant me not going, and it will always be a quiet, empty morning.  Those kinds of mornings can be really nice sometimes.  This morning I only saw 2 people I knew.  Other than that there was no one out.  Just the sound of the rain and the birds.  I can't believe we're almost out of April.  Hallelujah!  One step closer to the end of these god-forsaken classes!!! 

Have a wonderful, fantastic day!

TGIF!!

Friday, April 20th, 2012
Central Park East - 7:00am

Good morning!  THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!  The weeks go by really fast but they are so damn full of stuff to do that every time Friday rolls around it feels amazing.  This weekend is going to be fun.  I have a race on Sunday and then the Immunology people are getting together at 1 to do some yoga.  For now I've just got to make it through today so that I can relax tonight with Brian and Sofie.  I might also be looking forward to whatever it is Brian brings home for us this evening (usually we get Friday treats). 

Have a great, great, great, day!