the moment

I have to remember the moment. I want to remember everything that led up to that moment. The way I felt, the words that were said and not said, the emotions of feeling connected to someone. Just being there and using words and feeling the emotion of the tones and touches. We got closer and closer, not know what to expect, but at the same time feeling very safe and wanted. I never dreamed nor thought this would be a moment or memory I would have. I wanted time to stop so I could savor what was happening. I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to wake up if it was all a dream, but it wasn't a dream. It was real and no one can take that moment away from me. The future is unknown, but that memory is mine to remember and keep forever.

Are you there God? It's me, Holly

I was asked yesterday about my blog and if/when I was going to update it again.  Life has decided to throw some curve balls my way and if you pay attention to my Facebook/Plurk/Twitter statuses then you would've seen my brief update (I erased it already) referring to how it feels that I'm getting beat up by this thing called life.  At the end of May and most recently here in June I've received some really difficult news about a family member and I"m trying to get my emotional and mental sides ready for what looks like to be a long haul.  I'm not going go into the details here.  Don't worry, I have a select few that I've entrusted this information to and they are the ones I vent, cry and laugh with about everything.  If you could just toss up a prayer, chant, happy thought, or whatever it is you believe in that would be awesome. 

My friend Jeff has introduced me to a movie called "Mary and Max".  This is an amazing movie about family and friends and just the toughness of life and at the end is the phrase that says something like God chooses our family members.  Thank God he lets us choose our friends.  You get the idea.  Oh, I love my family, but at times ... well, some of you know what I'm talking about...or at least implying. 

I'm also in the midst of training for the half marathon that is happening in September.  My mom has put together a schedule for me to follow and I'm very VERY thankful for her doing that.  Pretty much I get 2 days off per week to rest.  Otherwise I'm outside after work running around my neighborhood for about an hour so.  This past weekend she was able to come to town and we ran/walked our scheduled 4 miles and it was good.  I've been wanting to run along side her to get a sense of how her running habits are and the pace she keeps.  Tonight after work I'm going to circling my route about 3 times to get about 4 miles in.  I've realized that the first 1 1/2 to 2 miles is the toughest cause my body/legs are getting used to not sitting in a chair all day at the office, but then it seems that I fall into a stride and want to keep going.  Rain or shine I'm out on the days I'm scheduled.  And right now, it's been pretty chilly.  I don't think the Pacific Northwest got the memo that it is summer.  Oh well, it helps actually with the running as its not too hot. 

So, yeah.  That's where I'm at right now.  Work is keeping me really busy but it's steady and consistent which is really nice. 

Take care everyone and I'll get this blog thing updated as much as I can ... even with cryptic updates if need be.

Got to know when to hold em and know when to fold em

People come and go throughout my life. Some by circumstance, some I hope never leave, and some that I've realized it's time to move away from. The last part is at times difficult to do and face, but these people need to be told a final goodbye. A part of me wishes I would've never said hello, but then again that's life ... no regrets. You live and learn ... learning what to do next time and not ignore the warning signs.

I've recently had to say goodbye to a person that has been in and out of my life for quite some time. Wasn't an easy choice, but in the end it's going to save me from that little devil on my shoulder. It was time to fold.

Growing up is tough and I'm thankful for the people I've chosen to surround myself with, even if I have to take a plane trip to see them. I consider them my best friends and my family. Those are the ones I will hold onto.

2010 Half Marathon Update

Just an update on the marathon ... I'm now officially registered so it's do or die! Hopefully not die, but perhaps pass out after the race is done!   It hasn't really sunk in yet that I'm signed up to walk/run 13.1 miles this September, but that's what I'm going to do!  Getting out there to train has been difficult for me, but I'm slowly getting it together.  I walked/ran a mile the other day around a track in about 17 or so minutes and I'm planning on signing up for some local 5Ks in the next few weeks.  The Pacific NW has been under attack by rain storms which make me want to stay inside and snuggle under the blankets.  Someone give me a push out the door!  I have about 3 months to get my act together ... sigh

all fall down

Ah life ... how you love to torture me so.  Seems that when something good happens to me and I'm feeling all happy go lucky for a few a few days, you creep up from behind and either whap me upside the head or pull the rug out from under me.  I should invest in some of those spy glasses that allows me to see what's going on behind me.  Though then you'd prolly drop something from up above.  sigh.

Crazy weather and the Navy Pier

Wow...have definitely experienced the windy part of this city today.  Good thing I put my hair up for the day or it would've been one tangled mess! The fog had set in a little ways up to where you couldn't see the tops of lot of the buildings. Good thing I went to the Willis Tower yesterday or today would've just been pics of fog!  I got some lunch/dinner at Tavern at the Park where I got a BBQ pulled rib sandwich and the sauce has Cherry Coke in it! It was sooo good!  I then ventured to the Navy Pier and as I was there the fog got lower
and lower! It's pretty much in the city streets now. It was also really cold and windy at the end of the pier, but I didn't care. It was quiet and in this pic you can just barely make out the lighthouse out on the water. It kept sounding the fog horn every few seconds which also helped with the calmness.

It's been a great 2 days of sightseeing and I'm back in the room for the night. The conference starts at 9 tomorrow morning and so does the 3 days of meeting after meeting.

Take care everyone! And remember, have a brazzle dazzle day!

Art Institute of Chicago

What a great place! Next time I want to go when it first opens and
take even more time looking around. It was packed in certain parts,
but in others it was nice and quiet. They have a complimentary
backage/coat check so I dropped my stuff off and it was nice to walk
around and not be hauling that stuff around. Even without my jacket
it was really warm which didn't help. Stairs everywhere and to get to
some of the section you have to keep going back to the first floor.

Anyways, I found some of the artwork featured in Ferris Bueller's Day
Off and the small collection of Monet paintings. Monet is my favorite
artist and this pic is one of his. I love it. It just looks so
peaceful and serene...like you can actually see the wind blowing
through the grass and water.

Go Cubs!

Made it to Wrigley Field after hopping on a bus and transfering onto
the El. I contemplated taking the $25 tour, but realized that if I
wanted to go to the art museum (and I did want to) I'd have to forfeit
the tour. Instead I walked around the entire stadium, took some pics
and then ventured into the store across the street and bought a
jacket, t-shirt and hat! Now I'll be ready for the Cubs vs Mariners
game in June!

A new day with new discoveries!

Day 2 of sightseeing began with me missing the Metra to the Museum of
Science and Industry. Guess I didn't do enough research as to train
times. Oh well...I hopped in a cap and got there about 20 minutes
before it opened. I figured quite a few of the people would check out
things on the main floor so I made my way to the top. Man, this place
is awesome! So much to see and very interactive! If I hadn't planned
on doing other things today this place could easily have been an all
day event! I went to one of the Omnimax shows: Ultimate Wave Tahiti.
It goes with surfer Kelly Slater as he surfs and how waves are
created. It was pretty awesome, but I of course got motion sick.
Everything was too close up and the camera was very unsteady which
made it worse. So I shut my eyes and just listened to the sounds for
part of it.

I had spent about an hour and a half at MSI and decided to leave. Of
course I hadn't seen about half the attractions, but I'm ok with
that. Oh, cute factor: I was trying to find my way out and somehow
ended up in farmville (exhibit, not FB application) and I overheard a
dad say to his little boy "look there's the tractor!" The little boy,
prolly about 2 or younger, immediately started running towards it with
a happy face yelling "YAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!" He was so adorable!

My next stop is Wrigley Field which is nowhere near MSI. So I hopped
on a bus and now on the El heading that direction. More later!

Another of my life's must do's is done!

I did it! I finally made it to the Sears Tower! Well, now it's called
Willis Tower, but I still made it! It's been a goal of mine to get to
the tallest buildings and now I can check this one off! It's super
crazy! 103 floors! And they have the glass boxes that you can step
out of the building onto...itwas awesome! I have more pics on my
camera that I'll post later. It's an overcast day in Chicago today,
but te view was great! I about cried cause I honestly didn't know if
I'd ever make it here.

One funny fact, when you enter the building te put you in an elevator
that takes you down! Then you go through security, purchase (or show
your ticket, as was my case) and then you can watch a short film about
the history of the tower ( it was very interesting) and then you get
in another elevator that takes you up, up, up and away! While you
ride the elevator a clip plays that shows the different buildings
around the world and how tall they are with what floor you are passing
as you continue up. Telescopes everywhere around the windows and it's
all so fascinating!

I'm so excited I got to experience this today. And now it's starting
to rain so I'm gonna go back to the hotel and relax!