Pursuing Optimism.

Apparently there is some legal definition out there about pessimism.  It seems to be one of those things that really stood out to Mr. Wendling in law school.  He still reminds me that next to this definition (my simple summarization); “the thought that if things are bad, they will continue to be bad,” my picture should have been tacked to that ridiculously expensive law book.  And said husband makes a good point. I do often think like this; “Awww Thursdays are awful therefore Thursdays shall remain awful until the end of time because they aren’t hump day and they are definitely not Friday!”

But, I’m trying to change my ways because I’d like to get my face next to something way cooler in a law book.  And I’ll let you know what that might be once I figure it out.

So, here I go pursuing optimism...

The Monday after a four day weekend doesn’t suck.  It’s just a reminder of how nice it is to have relaxing days off!

Running a half-marathon is awesome even if you did run it in exactly two hours.  Be thankful that you pushed it that last mile rather than wishing you pushed it even harder to run it in under two hours!  After all, it was a personal best and you did get this sweet medal…

Thanksgiving is glorious.  The food, the wine, the lack of guilt in consuming three days worth of calories in just a few hours.  We kept it pretty low-key this year.  With our sights set on the running we have been doing, we looked up a few recipes in Cooking Light and had great results.

The reflection of me through my husband’s eyes is something to be thankful for even when it isn’t the super skinny, tan, perfect reflection we all wish for.  It's one of those things that continues to make me thankful for the life I lead.  It’s the power of the relationships we surround ourselves with that allows us to be our best selves.

And as I reflect on this last holiday we’ll spend away from our friends and family, I treasure my young marriage and this quiet time we have together.  I am thankful for the days that he points out my pessimism as much as I am thankful for the days that he points to my overbearing need to continue to grow as a personal strength.

On Saturday, we got up to watch NASA launch a ROVER to Mars.  It will take this thing 8 1/2 months to reach its destination.   I can't help but wonder where our lives will take us in that amount of time!



NASA Launches Sophisticated Rover on Journey to Mars.

16 Miles

I am officially at the point in my training where I’m running distances I’ve never run before.  This past weekend was sixteen miles.  Sixteen miles.  Alone.  No Andy a few feet {miles} in front of me.  Just me, my thoughts, a little Lady Antebellum mixed with Cee Lo Green on the iPod and laps around a familiar park.

Sometimes I hesitate to write about running because it seems that all of the metaphors were emphasized long before I picked up a pencil, a pair of running shoes or pounded on a keyboard.  But the beauty of running is that it’s all about the relationship you have with yourself.  When you get past the familiar distances - whether that is one mile or twenty - it’s time to listen to your mind, body and heart on how to fuel yourself and when to take a break.

I am currently struggling with the concept of motivation.  I have long been a self-motivated individual – ever since a teacher could check that pre-determined description on a report card and declare it so.  But at some point {typically around mile 12 in this metaphor} self-motivation isn’t enough.  So, I have been focusing on the outside factors that motivate me and have started compiling a list of what I am running for during each mile of the marathon. 

I think this is a good exercise {how’s that pun?} for me because it makes me realize that I am actually never running alone.  I am always running with someone.  Whether that someone is a friend who I know is running miles away but at the exact same time that I am, a sister who always stops to check in with me and really wants to know how my run went or a particularly concerning issue or relationship close to me.  These are the people and things that motivate me on my runs and in my life. 

But these people are especially inspiring when they "pin" things like this in my honor...

Ok, someone knows me well!

From Miami to Iowa and Back Again.

It's been a busy few weeks so I'm going to give you the CliffsNotes.

We had a great opportunity to visit my {Aunt} Misty down in Miami Beach at Canyon Ranch Resort so we jumped on it and it was an amazing time full of plenty of max relaxing, good food and laughter!

And because it was a last minute trip, we drove from Miami back to Melbourne just in time for me to catch a flight to Iowa in order to work for a week.  And although I won't miss this pace when I move back to Iowa - work, work, work, visit friends, see family and work, work, work - there is an excitement to it that I enjoy.  And I will miss the early mornings of putting on makeup and chatting with my sister.

But you know it's time to head home after a long month of traveling when you are trying new beers and you send this picture to your husband...

And he replies with this picture...

Ahhh yes, true love is simultaneously {and without a word} choosing the same new beer that your spouse does 1300 miles away.