First one down

I did it!

First workout DONE.

And it wasn't pretty...in fact, it was rather pathetic.

But, it was still a start.

I just realized that I'm training to train.

Make sense?

Anyways, I started. It's the whole "keep on doin it" thing that can get me.

Wish me luck!

Motivation

It's time for reinforcements.

CALL IN THE TROOPS!!

NO. MORE. EXCUSES.

Day 1

I should retitle that to "Day 1- Attempt" because Day 1:

FAIL

To sum up: Too much homework+sleep deprivation= no chance in H-E- double toothpicks I'm going to drag my butt up from the chair and go running.

The worst part? I felt guilty ALL DAY.

So. I will let you know when the attempted first run has occured. But with the way this homework is looking, don't hold your breath folks.

My newest challenge

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

-John "The Penguin" Bingham

So I guess it's pretty obvious what my next challenge is. But let me explain how this came about. First, I'm really out of shape (I would argue that round is a shape, but...that is just an ego defense mechanism cropping up) thanks to Nursing school, complete lack of motivation, and overall laziness. Most people are fortunate to have a love/hate relationship with running. I love to hate it. Its something I've NEVER been good at. Two things combined to "inspire" this change.
First, I promised my lovely sister that I would run a 10K with her in September. And, being me, if I'm going to do something, I want to do a decent job and not have to have someone roll me across the finish line.
Next, for one of my nursing classes, one of the projects is to read a self-improvement book. Fortunately, this one fit the criteria. A "kill two birds with one stone" type of deal. So I read it. And loved the book. The author makes running realistic. I don't feel like I have to have 1% body fat, amazing endurance, and devote ALL my time to be a runner. It is going to take some of my time, but not all of it. He makes running realistic, because he's been the overweight, forty-something, smoker/drinker when he started running. The odds were stacked against him. And now, he's done at least 40 marathons. I really can't say enough good about this book. If you want to start running, start with this book. PHENOMENAL!! It has some programs at the end of the book, and I'm going to take my first step.....

TOMORROW.
And I think I'm more scared than anything.
Because I want this to be a lifestyle change.
It. Terrifies. Me.

But it must be done, because a lifestyle change is in order right now. So friends, I will keep you posted on my running journey. Things might drop off a bit in March, because I will be spending five days (twelve-hours each) each week at the hospital for my preceptorship. We'll see how she plays out in March. But for now, I'm starting. And I think I'll do better if I can hold myself accountable. Hence, the blogging about my running career. Wish me luck!

How do you solve a problem with a name like Maria?

I was originally going to be named Marie, but when I was born, I had huge, dark eyes. My Uncle was also serving in Chile at the time and my parents became inspired to change their minds and the "e" became an "a" for Maria. I think my Mom's obsession with The Sound of Music might have had some influence as well, but she has never admitted this.

While this name has inspired many-a-song from Brooks & Dunn "My Maria" to Sound of Music's "How do you solve a problem like Maria" and the infamous "Maria" from West Side Story (the one I think that suits me the least), it can also put a person of my color (ghastly white) in some random and hilarious situations.

It was a typical afternoon, I was finally reading a FUN book because I have TIME when my phone rang.
"Hello?"
" 'Allo?" said a voice with a very thick South-of-the-Border accent.
"Hello??" I replied, feeling extremely confused.
The Hello's continued for about a minute, me trying to see if this person would realize that I clearly no speaka da Espanol, but he continued on.
" Is this Maria" he said, flipping the "r" as only the Spanish can do.
"Yes..."
"Anna you know the mumble-mumble?"
"Sorry, the what?" My confusion escalated with each sentence.
"Her name-a Charly"he continued
"No, I don't know anyone named Charly. I think you have the wrong number." I rudely interrupted.
"No, no! She your friend! Her name-a C-H.." he spelled her name out- and it wasn't until he got to her last name, that I realized this is a co-worker of mine.
"Oh! Yes, I know her!"
"Si! Yes! She left a bag, I'm taxi driver and she left a bag here. Can you call?"
" Yes, I'll let her know."
"Ok- my number...." He gave me his number and I proceeded to call her and let her know about her lost bag.

Good news: She got the message and got her bag back.
The Better news: There are still honest people in the world today.

I just have to laugh, because he must have assumed since my name is Maria, I spoke a hint of Spanish and proceeded to call me. Poor fellow, he must've been extremely disappointed. I just have to laugh. My name gets me into all sorts of mischief, and I'm sure it will continue till the day I die. Good times.

See these two fabulous people?

They just happened to have two extra tickets to see this fabulous funny guy...Brian Regan!!

So they asked us if we wanted to go and who could possibly say no to that?!

Oh man...he was hilarious!! I laughed SO hard that night! He did a few routines that I'd heard before, but trust me, it is so worth seeing it again in person! He also did some new ones that I LOVED.

We had a FABULOUS night! Thanks again B and J!

Not to brag or anything, but...

This was the final that is King of finals. You see, not only did we have questions from the previous quizzes ( 7 quizzes with 35 questions per test- a grueling total of 7 hours spent with two other friends getting down all the right answers) revised questions, we also had my personal favorite: new questions. Not like a final should be a review of what we've learned the past four months or anything...not at all...

The highest score I'd heard of was a 79%. Yup. 79%. Which, in the grand scheme of things will be fine since she usually adds a generous curve. I recieved:

And I'm pretty proud of it.

SO GLAD FINALS ARE OVER.

One semester down, one to go.