"Girl you gonna show the world that something good can work"

Good grief. Yesterday was a great day, but it was also the worst. I was so convinced it was Thursday. I really committed to it. I was convinced all my favorite shows were coming on, I told Ed how excited I was for The Office and Parks and Recreation and how excited I was that tomorrow was the weekend. And worst of all, I did my workout like it was Thursday. Meaning, I was anticipating a day off. Monday and Friday I weight train and don't run. So I try to really push hard the day before those days off, knowing I'll have time to recover. Damn you fake Thursday!! My legs are killing me today and I still have to run. On the bright side, my running is going amazing. I was having some real problems with all the attachments in my right leg the past week, but that seems to have passed with a bunch of babying. I'm up to 24 minutes, non-stop, 3k. I actually hit the 3k mark yesterday and I did a little celebratory dance and fist pump while on the treadmill. I'm sure I looked ridiculous but you have to understand. I've never run so far or so long IN MY LIFE. I'm not one of those people that once could do this and am doing it again. This is brand new and amazing. And I'm super proud of myself and most of all, super grateful for Ed pushing me to do this. :)

Mom also said something interesting the other day, that weddings are the biggest motivators to lose weight and usually the most successful motivators. I cannot stress how LITTLE I think about the wedding. I actively avoid thinking about this wedding in hopes that some kind fairy godmother will step in and do everything for me and I can just show up and be all cute and surprised:

 'Wow! You did all this for little 'ole me?! I had no idea! You all are the sweetest!' 

Alas. I do not think this will happen. (...still hoping.) The thing that's really motivating me? The race. The idea that I am faced with an immutable task in May, that I have always wanted to be able to do, gets me running every time. 

So let's see what else can I fill you in on... Oh yes, I turned 26! :) Time flies by. It was a fantastic birthday, filled with unbelievably delicious meals, fun activities and even a couple free food items and drinks. And I even got carded! What more can a girl ask for? Ed was truly amazing. He even ordered the exact cake I wanted, Prinsesstårta (with orchids on it)!  We spent Saturday in Sonoma, wine tasting and eating at our favorite places and then went to a member's club party at Jacuzzi Winery. We went to Tyler Florence's restaurant downtown, Wayfare Tavern for dinner (having to battle the Chinese New Year parade, we even got stuck behind the floats!) And on the day of my birthday? We relaxed. I got to take a nap (my favorite thing ever), we had pho for lunch and for dinner went to a wonderful Italian restaurant in Palo Alto. It was just the greatest weekend. And my big surprise birthday present?? An ice cream maker!!! (also my favoritest thing ever) It was all perfect. :) 

Valentine's Day was likewise, perfect. We actually ended up staying in and having a lovely homemade meal and champagne. Ed brought me the most beautiful roses. And surprised me with the Voltaggio brother's cookbook! It's so far beyond our skill level, but hands down the most interesting cookbook we own now.

I know I've been terribly lax about writing here... . We've just had lots of activities involving food (We went to our first Michelin star restaurant last night! - the most interesting and creative dinner I've ever had - sorry Volt!) and exercise (training, training, training) and there's only so much people can read when it comes to those topics. Gets boring reeeeeal quick. Though... I've had a suggestion that I take on a challenge like Julie & Julia and work my way through a list of something. The list being the INSANE number of classes offered at the YMCA. If I can get myself to the first of these classes, I may endeavor to attack the list... we'll see. So I apologize in advance for possible overload of information about exercising! 

There should be many more exciting things to talk about coming... a wilderness survival class, another beekeeping class, trip to Monterrey, possible trip to a popular island with mai tai's? :) and some of my and Ed's best friends are coming to visit in March and my sister may come to see them too so that could be fodder for some great activities. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends from home and showing them around our nice little life here.