Today is a historic day for me!

I was able to fit into a skirt that I have not been able to wear in over a year!

I couldn't pull it up over my ass because it had grown too large.

But now I'm wearing it!!!

The skirt is also significant to me because it is one of my favorite skirts, and one of the only pieces of clothing that I still own from my very first H&M visit which was in Paris, France.

Back from 2005.

That's 2005!!
That was 5 years ago people! My high school days!

I'm happy to report that I have been shrinking, which is a grand feeling after having been busting my ass for the last six months. But I'm not finished yet! There's still more to go! :)

Yesterday was my first official training day for my marathon coming up in January.

I really was supposed to take Monday off as a rest day according to the schedule, but I had decided I wanted to run prior to discovering and committing to this schedule.

Plus I ate Chipotle and felt like shit and wanted to burn it out of me.

I ran about 4.1 miles in 45 minutes, so about 10:97 is my time right now per minute. I was also held up by 3 streetlights.

I think that's pretty good, BUT it can and will get better :)

lesson learned

• Never deny an offered sweater for a cold bike ride home from a really hot guy. He's obviously going to want it back, especially after stating how it's his favorite hoodie and he'll let you borrow it for your ride home.

I am kicking myself for not accepting it.

My roommate brought home a dog last night.
I don't think I'm ready for this.
I feel like I gave birth to a child and now this thing will be attached to me forever.
Mentally I'm not ready for this.
~
Last night I went to see Phantogram - Awesome show!
and rather than it being at a large venue, it was at our local dive Rips.
Luckily I now live close so I was able to bike my way over, but then when I asked the "security/parking attendant" where there was a bike rack, some douchebags walking by started laughing at me.
But whatever assholes, I won't be getting the DUI.
Oh, and the highlight of the show was when the midget behind me started to slightly hold on to my waist and try and grind with me while I was grooving out. At first it really weirded me out and I stopped dancing, but then later I just didn't care and thought it quite funny because this guy was so short my ass must have been rubbing his chest.
Quite hilarious I thought.
And listening to the opener before Phantogram, Josiah Wolf, made me really sad and I actually started to tear up a bit and for a moment and thought I was going to break down (sometimes I can be an emotional drunk). It was reminding me of someone.
~
I ran 4.2 miles yesterday on the bridal path. For the most part it was comfortable and I was really enjoying my run, but it started getting dark fast since I went after work. On my run back about 1/2 ways my right knee cap was starting to feel a bit irritated. I'll have to start bringing my brace to last for longer runs.
~
Ok, now for some pictures!

some of my work lately!

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crazy storm Phoenix experienced this past week! this is my work view.

there were 4 tornadoes that hit northern AZ, crazy!

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Ok, and now for some Black Keys! These are from my SD/LA trip, BUUTTT... I don't have photos from the Palladium night because that was my rock star experience..

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and then this lil' guy was outside my work window one day

I'm running a 1/2 marathon in January!
The PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon.
I'm excited to pick up running.

These are my new schnazzy shoes!! The Nike Frees Run+

Last night I tried them out and ran 3.52 miles in them.
Pretty much pain free the entire time. But I think when I do start training for longer runs I'll have to wear my knee brace.

I Feel Really Happy

For now at the moment at least. :)

I just finished the entire Chipotle veggie salad bowl I picked up for lunch and two tortillas. Insane!
I've never finished off an entire bowl and not feel stuffed.
But I hadn't eaten since like 6:30pm of yesterday when I ate a light dinner because I had decided that today for lunch it would be OK to eat a vegan cooked meal today.

As much as I try and stick to a 100% raw diet, I do believe and have learned with time that life needs to be enjoyable in all aspects. And if one day I'm somewhere and offered a vegan chocolate-chip cookie, then damn straight I will eat that cookie. I believe in indulgences. It keeps you sane. Otherwise it's chaotic madness in your brain because you want something so badly and you keep telling yourself no, which I've actually learned makes you want it even more. It's OK to say yes to things at times. Sometimes just telling myself, Yes, I can eat this, will make me no longer want it.
People usually want the forbidden. So just allow it.

Plus I was OK with eating Chipotle for lunch because not only will it get rid of my craving, but I will be working out after class this evening, so I'll have the opportunity to burn all the calories I've consumed today.

I've been feeling really creative and full of inspiration lately. More so than normal I should say at least.
Here's a list of projects I want to start or already am in the middle of:

• finish burning all my cd's into my iTunes and file them away in my new cd mass-case
• photograph for my portfolio
• submit my application to the California College of Arts, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The Academy of Art University by January (including my portfolio)
• finish painting and sanding my wooden rocking chair
• finish decorating the walls of my room
• finish all hand-washing laundry
• begin re-designing the living room
• begin spray painting the coffee table that will be moved out to the patio. Add a tile mosaic surface after painting.
• build resume
• finish reading The Town and The City by Jack Kerouac
• Finish reading STIFF: the curious lives of human cadavers by Mary Roach
• get past the introduction of and finish reading Moments of Being by Virginia Woolf
• go to Jerome to visit Cody to discuss my tattoo
• get my right tragus pierced
• buy Nike Free's and start trail running
• sign up for the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon in January
• order polaroid film
• photograph and sell my vintage TOD's purse on Ebay
• buy a bike light
• apply for a second weekend job
• take out roomie's sewing machine and start a new project.
• put together a drawing folder
• organize photo folders
• gather You reminders to ship off to photographer
• buy my Built to Spill, Pepper, & Godsmack ticket!
• find a used copy of my English textbook

Whew! Quite a list! But I love seeing long lists of things to accomplish because it really motivates you to get them done within a time frame, which usually excites me to start/finish the next goal. I was up until 1:30am last night working on copying music to my iTunes. Thank you rain for cancelling my class and plans for the evening, otherwise I don't know when I would have started that project!

Turned in my first portfolio for life drawing. I was short one gesture, which I along with others had misunderstood what she exactly was requesting, so I received an entire letter grade lower. a B. I'll post photos a bit later of my work! I'm actually quite proud of how well the came out (to my standards at least).

I came across a nasty article Marie Claire magazine wrote up on 6 foodie & exercise bloggers, claiming they are unhealthy, promoting unhealthy eating through their blogs, and that they have or had an eating/mental disorder regarding food at some point. After reading the article I clicked the link to one of the bloggers to find out for myself. Here she is, Caitlin, and I actually like her blog and think her eating habits are quite healthy for her and enjoy reading about her running experiences. So thank you, I guess, Marie Claire, because your bashing made me curios and turned me on to a new blog!

Here's the Marie Claire article if you're interested.
After reading it I could tell that Marie Claire is just jealous of the healthy eating habits of regular exercisers ;)

Vermont

Here are some photos for your enjoyment of one of the many places I will live in someday.

Reminds me of my childhood playhouse.

I would love to live hidden deep in the forest.

I would like to live here, where open roads lead to nothingness, and seasons actually exist.

I want to wake up to mornings like this.

I need to be around mountains.

I would like a sun room some day.

Fresh fruit growing in abundance in my backyard would be heaven!

Such a beautiful image.

I love me a Victorian house.

What I Have Been Doing

my L.A. trip was awesome! Such a crazy fun time. And the Black Keys kicked ass. The SOMA venue was sick, and the Palladium will surely be an experience I will always remember.