Dead-Eye ... Apparently it's a Good Thing

On December 28, 2013, I was taken to the shooting range for the first time.  "Jim" took me to the Angeles Range where I shot a bolt action rifle and a handgun.  The range was very loud and we had to wear ear plugs and eye protection at all times.  But once I got used to the noise I was able to tune it out.

I was excited but nervous to start shooting.  I let "Jim" go first.  Then it was my turn.  My first shot was high right but still pierced the target, the next 4 hit near the middle of the target.  My second target was similar - first shot high right, the other four near the middle.  But all 10 of my first shots hit the targets. :)

 my first 2 targets!

After "Jim" took another round, I sat down again to shoot.  My very first shot blew out the bullseye!

bullseye!!

After we shot some more paper targets, we moved on to other objects.  We shot at paintballs, chalk pieces, shell casings, and golf balls.  I got pretty good and had a great time doing it.

After spending all morning at ther rifle range we broke for lunch.

still wearing our neon orange earplugs

Our afternoon was spent at the pistol range, where I shot the handgun.  I was a litle intimidated by the kick-back, but started getting use to it.  I was less accurate with the handgun, likely because of the kick-back as well as the lack of scope!  But I had a great time.

 the pistol range

When I described my shooting to my dad he said I was a "deadeye".  I had no clue what that means.  He and "Jim" both explained that it was a good thing ... so .. it's a good thing!

Living life everyday, trying something new ... at the range.

Under the Sea

"Jim" and I went to the aquarium this past weekend.  The first time was for our 4th date, and we spent all day there.  This was a much shorter, but still enjoyable visit.  It started out with getting annual passes.

We went to the deep sea exhibit first and then went to the inside petting tank and felt the sea urchins and aenemome.  We went to the penguin show and a penguin walked around and visited people, but we were not allowed to touch.

We took a picture next to the big christmas tree decorated with jellyfish and star fish.

Then we visited "our tank," the reef tank.

It was a short trip, but a lot of fun, and just like the first time, I had my own personal tour guide.

Living life everyday, sometimes under the sea ...

Finding "Jim"

In a previous post (which can be read HERE), I lamented about the rigors of dating and I came up with a method of determining if a date was successful or not that compared it to going to the gym and thus, the "Jim" v. Gym scale was born.

Well, I am happy to report that I found my "Jim," the one who tops out the list.  In fact, his rating blows the list out of the water because instead of making me want to skip the gym altogether, he actually wants to go with me to the gym!  Clearly I miss calculated in my original scale in failing to include this possibility.

Anyway, we we met online, which formerly had a stigma attached, but nowadays is really, really common.  I think more than half the couples I know met online.  Weird huh?  Anyway, I never really liked online dating though I had done it a number of times.  I was actually about to close my account when "Jim" messaged.  We sent a few lengthy emails back and forth before he asked me out.

The first date was dinner and fireworks fly (literally, we watched fireworks from a parking structure!)  The second date was dinner and more fireworks (this time dowtown Disney).  Then we had a mini-date of frozen yogurt followed by an epically long date at the Aquarium of the Pacific.  That was followed by a beach date, a movie date, and a miniature golf date.  All these dates in the matter of 2 weeks!  

On November 7, 2013 "Jim" asked me to be his girlfriend.  :)  I, of course, said yes!  

Happy Halloween 2013

Last year was the best Halloween EVER ... it wasn't Halloween ... it was Giant's Parade Day!  This year, I had to again resort to "celebrating" Halloween instead.  I am not a Halloween person, but there are a couple things I enjoy: pumpkin everything (specifically toasted pumpkin seeds) and little kids in cute costumes.

Here are a couple of the adorable kids I got to see in costume (thank you facebook for allowing the sharing of these cute photos!)

Tea Time

My mom has recently been introduced to going to tea, and loves it.  My aunt took her for the first time and she was hooked.  She planned a tea for August 4, as a way to celebrate many things and just an excuse to get family together.  All the girls on her side of the family were invited and attended.

For the Queens

We went to afternoon tea at Lovejoy's Tea House.  The tea house was very quaint and our waitress/hostess was amazing.  There were 8 of us, and we each ordered a different type of tea, and tried each others.  We had all sorts of other good stuff including salad, little sandwiches, fruit, scones, crumpets, and petite fours.  It was all delicious!

 Mmmmm

 We had a great time and laughed a lot!  It was fun being just the girls.

Me, My Mom, and My Sister

All the girls in the family.

We were living everyday, with a little spot of tea and some laughter!

My Buster-Posey-th (28th) Birthday

After running the Giant Race my last day of being 27, I could not have thought of a better way to start 28 then going to a Giants game, but I am getting a bit ahead of myself.

I woke up early on my 28th birthday and went straight to the gym.  I was going to train with Adam, my original trainer, who I had not seen since I moved from the bay area in November 2012.  I got there and we caught up a bit as we jumped into the workout.  Having not seen min in over 6 months he was amazed to see how much my body had changed, everything a little slimmer.  He put me through a hard workout.

Then I got to have tea with my health coach who has really just become a great friend.  We caught up and talked about everything under the sun.

That's when the day took an unexpected turn.  I spent the rest of the afternoon helping my mom pick-out granite for my grandparents.  It was not in the plan. but ended up being ok since I spent some one and one time with my mom.

Then I had the ultimate birthday meal - pizza and ice cream cake.  Yes, I still eat like a kid, no I don't care.  Everything tasted delicious, but honestly the next day did not make me feel so great.  It's amazing how your body will react to things once you start cleaning up your diet.

My mom decorated our mantle in Giants fashion.

After our late lunch, I got ready for the Giants game that night!  I had purchased a Buster Posey (#28) shirt to wear, in a kids size, I might add!  I was joined by my sister and 2 friends.  We drove up to the city, parked and walked into the stadium.  We had club level seats so we got to view all of the historical items and photographs.  We got some food and found our seats.

No Zoom.

The game was a good one and I saw all my favorites (and some of my not so favorites) play.  It got COLD, but we just bundled up some more.  The Giants won the game!

All bundled up!

It was a wonderful birthday spent with many of my favorite people.  If my birthday was any indication, this year is going to be the best yet!

28 will be GREAT!

Living life everyday, celebrating and going to Giants games!

The GIANT Race 2013

On month ago, on August 4, 2013, I celebrated my last day of being 27 by running the GIANT RACE.  This race is associated with the SF Giants and benefits Project Open Hand, an organization that provides healthy meals for the sick and elderly in the SF bay area. 

I ran the race last year in 37:29.  I was happy with the time, but wanted to beat it.  Last year I did not do any fundraising.  This year I set my goal at $500.

I started training and fundraising for the race in June.  I started training by running intervals - one minute at a run, one minute at a very slow walk.  I started fundraising by setting up my fundraising page.

I increased my training by running intervals every other day.  I increased the run pace, increased the walk pace, and increased the total time spent.  I increased my fundraising efforts by sending out an email to family and friends encouraging them to run with me or to donate on my fundraising page.

As my time dropped, my donations went on the rise.  But then I hit a bit of an obstacle.  My hip started hurting from the impact of running, so I temporarily had to switch to the elliptical, running on the treadmill only once a week.  I maintained my time, but was unable to decrease it.  Similarly, my fundraising stalled, so it was time for one last email as a reminder before the race.

Just a few days before the race, something relaxed in my hip and I was able to run again.  I also got several more donations, bringing me to a total of $525 raised, beating my goal!

On the day of the race, I was joined by 5 friends in running.  Oddly enough, each represented a different time period in my life - childhood, high school, college, law school, and post law school.  It was very cool to see my life represented in one group of people supporting me and encouraging me.

I ran the race using the interval technique and beat last year's time by 16 seconds!  Not as much as I wanted to shave off, but I beat last year, and that was the goal.

After the race we hung out on the field, got to explore the dugout, and took pictures with the 2 World Series trophies.

 Our Feet on the Field!  :)

In the Dugout! 

TROPHIES!!

Running this race and raising money for a good cause was a great way to start the last day of being 27!

Living everyday, supporting good causes!

An Indian Wedding

A good friend of mine, who happens to be Indian, got married at the end of July.  While the traditional Indian wedding lasts 7 days, she and her now husband shortened their to 3 days, combining things to make it more feasible for people to attend and enjoy themselves.

The first day was the Mendhi and Sangeet, or as I called it, the henna party.  It was a beautiful reception at a restaurant in Glendale for family and close friends.  The women were dressed in bright colors and decorated in sparkling and shining jewelry. 

The women were allowed and encouraged to have their hands hennaed with beautiful designs.  The women doing the designs did an amazing job.  Each was different, done expertly and quickly.  I loved mine!

My hand on the right, beautiful huh?!

 The Beautiful Bride!

Dinner was fabulous, a never ending cycle of food including different hummus, pastries, rice, potatoes, meat skewers, fruit platters, cookies, and much more.  There was talking and dancing and everyone had a great time.

The second day was a day of prayer.

The last day was the actual ceremony and reception.  It started at noon with the groom's entrance, and him being welcomed by the bride's mom.

 Riding in on a Segway

 A welcome hug

Then there was a break and small meal consisting of course of delicious food.  People chatted with excitement, waiting for the ceremony to start. 

Everyone was then ushered in to ceremony room.  The music started as the groom first walked down the aisle.  The bridesmaids and flower girls followed, and then came the beautiful bride.  She was dressed in traditional red and was glowing as she smiled into the crowd.

The ceremony was long, incorporating many traditional items, prayers, and actions.  Thankfully the bride and groom described everything in their program so guest were able to follow along. 

 Literally tying the knot

After the ceremony, there was a short break.  Then a cocktail reception with delicious appetizers and excited chatter.  Finally, the doors to the reception room opened and we were greeted with beautifully decorated and laid out tables.  The wedding party entered first, and then finally the bride and groom.  The bride had changed into white (American traditional).  They took their seats at the head of the room, overseeing the party.

The first dance and emotional speeches followed.  Smiles lit up around the room as the bride and groom were accurately described. 

Dinner was a buffet or traditional and delicious Indian foods.  I liked everything I tried (which is quite a rarity!) but my favorite thing was the Nan.  There were displays of desserts for the taking - little cupcakes, pies, mousses, tarts, and other sweet items.

Then there was endless dancing and partying!  When I left around 11, the party was still rocking.  It was so wonderful to see my friend utterly happy and enjoying her day with her new husband.  It was a treat to have experienced so many traditions unfamiliar to me.

 With the lovely bride on her wedding day!

Living life everyday, celebrating love and being introduced to new traditions and cultures!

Mr. & Mrs. McNerney

On Saturday June 29, 2013 (one month ago today!) I had the great pleasure of witnessing the wedding of two good friends.  The bride I have known since I was in third grade; we went to grade school, high school, and college together.  The groom I have known since the bride brought him to the birthday dinner of a mutual friend and introduced us several years ago (when it was like pulling teeth to get him to talk to anyone if you can even believe it!)

Though not constantly present in their lives for geographical reasons, I still had the opportunity to watch their relationship start, develop, and blossom.  And it has been beautiful.

As their wedding favor indicated, it started with a cookie.  They literally baked oatmeal cookies on their first date.  Something so simple and yet it perfectly defines them as a couple and as friends to others - they are sweet and comforting. 

They uniquely enjoy just being with each other and each lights up when the other enters the room.  They are truly halves to a whole and yet, they are complete in and of themselves.

 You may kiss the bride!

 The Groom

 The Bride

Though these two friends are younger than me, I admire them and look to them for an example of what I want in a relationship.  To me, they are quite possibly the epitome of love.  Congratulations to these two wonderful people ... I wish you nothing but happiness, though I think you have already found that in each other! 

Living life everyday, celebrating the start of happily ever after.

Motivation Monday: Things That Matter, Things That Don't

On this early Monday morning, many people are thinking about how they still wish it was the weekend (I am almost always one of them, today included, as I sit in the airport headed back to Orange County after a nice weekend in SF).  We are very busy people.  There are a lot of things going on in our lives, both good and bad, fun and tedious, enjoyable and terrible.  There always have been, there always will be.

As I digest and consider some of the developments in my life over the last two weeks or so, I have found that there are simply things that matter and things that don't.  So when you are worried about something, mad about something, anxious about something, nervous about something ... think to yourself does it really matter?  When you think something is the end of the world, is it really?

I have been replaying this Rascal Flatts song in my head over the last couple of days and it really hits home the point.  So when something happens to you that puts you in a bad mood, or you are not having a good day for whatever reason, take a chance to give yourself some perspective … because there are things that matter and things that don’t.

Living life every day by reminding myself there are things that matter and things that don’t.

Only 2 Seasons

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.  There are only 2 seasons - winter and baseball.  And we all know how much I loathe winter (for the lack of baseball almost as much as the cold weather, almost).  But I LOVE baseball season.

While I moved away from my beloved Giants after the end of last season, I have been able to make it to quite a few baseball games in the first couple of months in the season and have many, many more planned.

First was spring training (you can see previous posts HERE and HERE).  I had the pleasure of attending 3 Giants games and a Rockies/Padres game.  It was pure bliss after the cold, baseball-less winter.

Then April started with a bang when my Giants played the Dodgers at Dodger stadium in the first series of the 2013 season.  Though I could not make opening day (why did you have to make opening day a 1 p.m start?!), I was there the very next night to see Madison Bumgarner pitch and the Giants win.

 With my Dodgers fan "buffers"

April continued in it’s awesomeness with 2 back to back weekends of baseball.  April 19th and 20th I joined friends at the Angels games.  On the 19th, the Angels beat the Tigers in what was a close game that got blown open in the 8th inning by the Angels.  It was capped by a fireworks show, making it my first Big Bang Friday of the season.  On April 20th, I again saw the Angel’s play the Tigers.  In the first inning the Angels scored 10 runs, aided by Mike Trout’s first career grand slam.  It was pretty awesome.

Big Bang Friday!

Then on April 27 and 28, I headed to San Diego to watch my Giants take on the Padres.  It was my first time back in Petco Park in probably 6 years.  I love that park, it is beautiful.  It is not AT&T, but it is wonderful nonetheless.  We watched Barry Zito and Ryan Vogelsong pitch.  Unfortunately, neither got the wins.  The Giants were swept by the Padres in that series after having just swept the Padres the previous weekend.  Oh, baseball, how fickle you are!

Sunny San Diego

May saw no baseball games until the last weekend, but the game was worth the wait.  On the Sunday of memorial day weekend, I took my sister to the Giants’ game at AT&T park to celebrate her birthday (her birthday is in January, a little late I know).  We had a blast.  We took a couple laps around the ballpark, looked out over McCovey Cove, enjoyed the food (traditional hotdog for me, tri-tip sandwich for her), went shopping in the dugout store, collected our Barry Zito bobbleheads, and cheered Matt Cain and on our Giants to a 7-3 win over the Rockies!

Happiest Place on Earth

June, much to my dismay had been, gulp, baseball game-less, until the this past Wednesday.  BUT on June 26, 2013, I again ventured up to LA with a very good friend of mine to see the Giants take on the Dodgers at Dodger’s stadium.  Unfortunately this was the first Giants loss I have witnessed at Dodgers stadium and was the final game of a Dodgers sweep. :(  But at least we had a good time!

 Go Giants!

July and August have baseball games planned already and September is in the works.  The baseball season is nearly halfover?!  Say it ain’t so!

Loving baseball, living life every day!

But I Don't Want To ...

Last week I had one of those days that rarely happens to me anymore ... I plain and simply did not want to go to the gym.  I did not want to run the intervals I had planned to do that night.  I did not want to complete the training session I had scheduled.  I did not want to step foot inside the gym, I just wanted to go home.

I have always told myself that half the battle is getting there, and really I just have to get started.  Once I have my gym clothes and shoes on I am committed.  By the time I drive to the gym, it's too late to turn back, I might as well go in.  When I finally jump on that machine, I know I will complete the workout set in front of me.

But that doesn't mean I like it ... all ... the ... time.  Most of the time I love the gym.  It is truly a place for me to focus entirely on me, to spend some time inside my own head, to sort out my thoughts while working on my body at the same time. But some times I just don't want to be there, and on those days are the days that matter most.

It is easy to go to the gym on the days you are feeling well or when you need to get out some aggression.  It is easy to go on the days you are meeting someone or need a break from reality.  But it is not easy to go everyday.  Going everyday is hard.  Going on those days you are tired or sore or incredibly busy is even harder.  But those are the days that matter most.

Those hard days matter most BECAUSE they are hard.  They are the difference makers.  They are the make or break.  They are the challenge that creates the change. 

So on those days that you just don't want to go, remember those are the days that matter the most. Go and you won't regret it.  Skip it and I can almost guarantee that you will.

Working out even on those most difficult days is just a part of living every day!

"Jim" v. Gym

First off, let me start by clarifying.  This “Jim” referenced in the title is no person in particular, but rather a generic term for someone I may have or will date.  I actually don’t think I even know anyone named Jim ... but that is besides the point I suppose.

Anyway, I have always assumed it sort of natural that people “rate” their dates, either the actual person or the experience in general, on some sort of scale.  Some use the standard “on a scale of 1 to 10,” others use a more standardized test “poor, fair, good” method, and still others may resort to an annual review type “below expectations, meets expectations, exceeds expectations” way of comparing and contrasting.

Well, none of these ways have really worked for me.  After a date I typically end up with “it was fine, I guess.”  Not quite the stellar, informative, reflective and awakening perspective that I want and expect from myself.  But, I have lived with that, until recently that is.

As of late I have had dating experiences that lead me to think “I should have stuck to my gym schedule instead.”  Which has lead me to the “Jim” vs. Gym comparison method!  (NOTE: for those of you who hate the gym, this probably will not work at all, but maybe you could find something as a substitute and just do a find and replace of some sort).  So, here you go, my new method of rating my dating:

“Jim” v. Gym Comparison

10.  Gym?  What Gym?
9.    Worth skipping the gym even if I got free training
8.    Worth skipping the gym every day of the week.
7.    Worth skipping even on a training day.
6.    Worth skipping on a legs, cardio or arms day, but not a training day.
5.    Worth skipping on a cardio or arms day but not a training or legs day.
4.    Worth skipping on an arms but not a training, legs or cardio day.
3.    In hindsight, not worth skipping, even on an arms day.
2.    My only thought during the date “I wish I was in the gym right now.”
1.    I Actually cut the date short and went to the gym.

Dating and going to the gym, just part of living every day!

Spring Training 2013, Part II

Good Lord, I cannot believe the delay on getting this post up!  And for something so important too!!

After going to spring training the first weekend in March, I was hooked.  It was like I was a person walking through the desert and someone appears and gave me a bottle of water and said “only one sip.”  One sip, clearly is not enough.  So, I just had to go back for more baseball (and since it was so hot, water too for that matter!)

My roommate and I drove out to Arizona for another baseball filled weekend, the fourth weekend in March.  We had tickets to 2 games.  The first was a night game at Salt River Field (spring home of the Diamondbacks and the Rockies).  This was my first spring training night game and my first spring training game somewhere other than Scottsdale stadium.  I was excited.

At Salt River Fields

The stadium was gorgeous.  The food was unbelievable - they seriously had everything.  The game was a good one right off the bat with homerun after homerun.  The seats were awesome, third row from the field right near the bullpen.  But, the teams weren’t mine, so I was not quite as engaged.

The next day, we headed to the Angel’s camp to see the Angels take on my Giants!  My roommate is an Angel’s fan, so it was great that we both got to see our teams (just for the record, I really like the Angels, just not when they play the Giants).

A little friendly competition!

It was HOT, but I was excited.  We got there early to see the players arrive.  The Giants players were signing autographs on the field.  Blanco and Pagan were signing, but I could not make my way to the front.  I was disappointed.

Finally the crowd thinned a bit and I finally made it to the front.  Blanco and Pagan had left, but much to my delight, who was signing autographs but Hunter Pence!  LOVE him!!  He signed my ticket and I gladly gave up my spot in front, and headed to get food before sitting for the game.

 Just before signing my ticket!

:)

The Giants were behind the whole time, and the in true Giants fashion, came back to win it in the end.  I believe the score was 5-4.  It made for a happy ride home (for me anyway!)

So in my two trips to spring training this year, the Giants won all of their games and I got autographs from CODY ROSS, SERGIO ROMO, and HUNTER PENCE.  I don’t know how 2014 is going to top this ... but I can’t wait to find out! ;)

Going back for more of what you want ... living every day.