dreaming over the ocean

So, I am in atlanta, bringing in the new year :) I have been on holiday's in the florida keys, and therefore, MIA. but, have been loving it. Will update soon, with photos as well! I hope all of you had a great holiday season!

so, starting to think of events for 2009. these are a few of them. it will continue to be added too, me thinks. Vancouver 1st half. Sunday, Febuary 15th. entry is full, but i have heard that people sell their entry slots. will try to get one. if not, then i will default to the historic 1/2 in Langley , on the same day. UBC Triathlon, Olympic Distance. March 8th. New Orleans 70.3 . April 5th. WOOOOOOTTTTT! Vancouver Sun Run. April 19th. 10km :) Ride to conquer Cancer . June 19th-21st, Vancouver to Seattle. Ragbrai 2009. July 19th-21st. Iowa. maybe? it might be a good chance for me to get out there this year!

so, on saturday night, i went to our christmas party for work. try putting fitness professionals into high heels, on a boat through false creek, wearing dresses. add snow and wine and too much food. this is what you get. me and my roommate, erika. the mandatory by the christmas wreath photo! me and hot mama, joanna, and her baby in her belly.... The girls from the front desk, and their favourite trainer! This was the first time that carolyn (in the middle) has ever seen snow. she is from Perth. and, i made her walk outside in tiny little heels. can't forget riding african style with too many people in a car! joanna drove. we made the pregnant lady drive in the snow. safety first ;) and, two photos from being up all night long in seattle, with Sam and Gretchen. I was pretty stoked to see them, and am more impressed that after only getting about 5 hours sleep in the 48 hrs previous to this, we do not look so bad! friends, let's do that again sometime :)

so, reasons i am happy today: t here is snow on the north shore mountains. finally!!!! a client gave me 10 pounds of frozen blueberries. i have a fancy boat party tonight, courtesy of body and soul. and, i have a smokin' hot dress. there are so many people out there right now driving around with christmas trees on the tops of their cars. I almost bought one today, and biked with it attached to my backpack. but, i wasn't sure that would be safe. i got amazing christmas cards in the mail yesterday to send out to friends. Petara Panabaker has amazing art. i highly suggest you order some. i got, from my aunt, a recipe for my granny's shortbread cookies. I don't think that i have had some of those since before she died, about 5 years ago. they are amazing!!! :) 1 pound butter 1/2 cup white suger (berry sugar is you have it), 1/2 cup brown sugar, well packed 4 cups of flour pinch of salt roll out, cut, cook 20 minutes @ 300 degrees F.

that was today. my day, thus far: wake up 6:30. school work and breakfast. depart 8:15, on bike, with "sports rain jacket" (from my WVU rowing days), and one pair of long spandex underneath capri-length cannondale cycling bib short things, wool socks, wool short sleeve, polyester long sleeve, and "waterproof" cycling gloves. go to a doctor's appt, 8:45. go to coffee with erik, 9:15. gracefully accept a pair of cycling booties. go on bike ride, 10:30ish. return home, 11:45, and run into shower. eat lunch. do school work (or, blog!). now, here in vancouver, we get rain in the winter . and, when i say rain, i mean that a low pressure front places itself directly above the city, and remains there until about april or may. however, luckly enough though, we have not had a lot of rain this fall. there have been damp rides, but not soaking rides. today, though, i was reminded of what it is going to be to train through the winter. Today, i thought "hmmmm, m...

our canadian politics :) Dear neighbour, about what's going on in Canada as well, i would like to introduce you to the personality in the world that has the ability to stop all people, dead in their tracks. for real. no one will move, no one will approach. i know this, because, i encountered it tonight [ which is not the first time i have encountered one recently ]. i was not attacked. but, that is because i did not approach. can't they just migrate, or hibernate or something? beware .

So, my church (which is conveniently situated in the downtown eastside) is putting together christmas boxes for residents of the community/our neighbours. I am hoping to get together a few (and, when i say a few, i mean lots) of boxes to donate to this drive. As you know, i love the downtown eastside, and think that there are phenomenal people there, many of whom need our help. So, here are a few of the items that are suggested for the shoeboxes... pack of cigarettes with a lighter scotch-taped ot it= nirvana! two ensure (or other brand) of protein/meal replacement shakes Gift card (10$) including places like: Tim HOrtons (the favourite!) McDonalds 7/11 stores Starbucks A&W Army and Navy Phone Cards (10$) for family calls Two granola bars (favourite is Nature Valley Sweet and Salty bars) a new paperback novel thermal gloves (avail at Army and Navy). Cost about 5$ but are very warm: they look small, but expand to fit most hands socks wollen hats. please no products like mouth...

Today, i wrote a facebook message to someone who i have not spoken to in 5 Years. wasn't sure if it was going to be welcome... probably will not be. but, anyhow. it said this: I know that this message will probably be unexpected, and a bit of a surprise... and, i don't really know how it will be taken. Nevertheless, I'm not so much in the business these days wanting to do something, then overanalyzing what will come of it, and therefore, not doing it. so, facebook message it is. I hope that you and (.insert name here.) are doing fantastic... that life, marriage and adventures are treating you well. The other day i realized that i remember that your birthday is coming up in the beginning of December, so i looked you up on facebook. I don't actually remember when it is (or even what you are turning... 23, 24?!?!)... but *Happy Birthday!* May you continue to find your trail, with growth and abundant blessings in this next year. :Cheers: PAX, Amelia and, in all honesty ...

so, i have been sleeping kinda funny recently. sometimes, i experience "restless leg syndrome," or, at least that is what i think it is. It has not happened for about 4 months or so, but in the last couple nights, it has happened again. i hate it. it keeps me awake when i want to sleep... you would think that since my legs are moving enough during the day, that they would want to stop moving for the 8 hours that i am in bed... sigh. so, goal #1 for this week: make sure that I am in bed by 10:15 every night, and closing my eyes by 10:30. I have been eating more and more "primal" recently, and I feel great. I love it, and i feel healthy, and am getting leaner (this weekend, i noticed nice little dimples on my stomach. not fat dimples, but definition dimples... wooT!). however, i have found (especially in this last week), that i am prone to (for lack of a better word) binge eating. thursday was ridiculous. it consisted of thinking about ice cream all day long, ...