Thoughts of Today

1. Between this blog, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, my journal has been sadly neglected lately.  I haven't written much of anything in it beyond my Christmas shopping list.  Although I like having a hard-copy documentation of my life, I am oddly ok with it being empty as of late.  It means that my life is good and busy and I'm not afraid to tell the world what is going on.  One of my earlier relationships ate up a lot of my journal space because I wasn't necessarily sure of where things were going (and didn't want to share my hesitations).  But this new, fantastic, heart-filling relationship has got me shouting lovelys from the rooftop (and this blog).

2. I've failed two three days in a row in getting up early to go run.  Two Three days!  I did a long 10-mile run on Saturday that was really, really satisfying.  Each mile after the first one were under 8 min. (and hovered right around 7:30), so I was really happy with that.  But since then, when that alarm goes off at 5 am, I have ignored it.  Why?  Shouldn't the fear of the looming half-marathon be enough to jolt me out of my sweet, warm hibernation?  Apparently not.

3. My mom sent me this photo earlier in the day.  Oh, how homesick it made me.  I want to feel the snow crunch gently under my boots and see the pawprints of little animals in the snow around the ditches.  I want my nose to turn red when I go outside because it is nippy.  I want to wear a jacket, scarf and hat because I have to, not because it is fashionable.

4. I didn't put up a Christmas tree this year for a few reasons.  First, Austin.  Enough said.  Secondly, it seemed kind of like a big hassle for only a few weeks.  But because of this, please see No. 3...that is how I feel when I get back to the apartment and there aren't any twinkling lights to greet me.

5. One day, I'll slowly dance around my dimly-lit living room with my sweethear to Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song."  The tree will be twinkling, casting soft shadows on the walls.  And it will be perfect.

6. I can't believe that the half marathon is in one month + one day.  I am neither excited nor scared.  At this point, I am just focused on getting in a few more long runs between now and then.  Scheduling them in-between parties, heels, brunches, packing, wrapping, Christmas and New Years is a job unto itself. 

7. Our company is moving to Hermosa Beach two days after the half marathon.  I am so excited for this move because the new building is about 1.5 miles from my house.  I can ride my bike to work everyday!  You know how much money I am going to save on gas?!  Oh, yeah, and I guess save the environment, too.

Instant Metamorphosis

Sometimes, all you need is 2 inches to make you feel completely different.  A cute outfit will also work wonders.

That's what happened yesterday.  Normally, I'm a slacks-and-flats kind of working gal.  But for some reason, I had this urge to bust out a pair of cute heels and a trendy top with black skinny jeans.

I felt powerful.

I felt beautiful.

I felt sexy.

I felt taller.

I felt desirable.

I felt like I could conquer the world.

And seriously, this was all because of the heels.  Maybe it's because we have been programmed to think that strong women can run around all day in 3-inch Manolo Blahnik's.  If they can suffer in uncomfortable heels at an uncomfortable angle for an uncomfortably long time, they must be able to do anything.

While I am in the camp of strong women being able to be strong women in whatever clothes they want (my preference is a gray t-shirt and jeans), there is really something magical about heels.  Ok, maybe it's just my experience with heels, as I don't wear them that often and when I do, there's a reason for me to be in them (see: wedding, fancy schmancy dinner or dancing).

Yes, I run in minimalist shoes.  Yes, I don't mind getting sweaty.  And of course, I'd rather read a good book late into the night than go out to a club.  But, I'm still a girl and I still love to dress up and feel like a million bucks.

And who couldn't feel like that with these beauts on.  The lacing up to the bow is the best part - I can't get enough of it.

It's safe to say that I won't be wearing heels every day to work...that's insane.  I run around too much and I really don't want to do irreversible damage to my body by being in heels all the time.  But every now and again, when that inkling comes along, you'll be certain to find me clip-clipping through the lobby...making the noise of a powerful woman in a rockin' pair of heels.

"Shoes are the quickest way for women to achieve instant metamorphosis" - Manolo Blahnik