Bogota Blackberry

I've been on a quest this year to be nicer to myself - getting regular massages, treating myself to manicures, among other things. If you know me, you know I like to fade into the background, I don't like to stand out. So when I treat myself to a manicure I usually go for an understated color. I'm not sure what happened this time - maybe it's the fact I'm leaving for Italy tomorrow - but I chose a burgundy color (Bogota Blackberry). When she applied the first coat, I panicked a little and started doubting my choice. It was really bright!! But it turned out nice, if I do say so myself. It'll be fun (I think) while it lasts.

Training - Week 1

A quick update on my progress for my upcoming 12K. Saturday morning I walked with a couple of friends - approx. 4 to 4 1/2 miles. We never seem to remember to bring a pedometer! Today I did around 4 1/2 to 5 miles, alternating between walking one song and jogging one song. It's a start!

Pictures

I am finally getting around to uploading pictures from the last couple of weeks so I thought I'd post a few. Most of them are feet pictures! :)

My feet at the Seahawks game

One of the jugglers at the Renaissance Fair

My feet at the Renaissance Fair (on the giant swing)

My feet & my co-worker's feet at our bowling offsite

The Space Needle

My feet at the Sonics game

Kevin Durant being introduced (the whole reason I wanted to go to the game)

Houston Weekend

I went to Houston this past weekend. It was great to visit and catch up with good friends. On the one hand it feels as if I never left, but on the other it feels like everything has changed. Time never stands still. Sonia picked me up at the airport on Friday and we spent the night putting together goody bags for the party the next day. Saturday I started the day on balloon duty, blowing up the balloons for the party. The party was a lot of fun! I said goodbye to Sonia and left with Michelle. Michelle, Jason, Christian & I had dinner at Lupe Tortilla. Yum! I do miss good Mexican food!! Sunday Michelle, Khrissy & I went to the Renaissance Fair. It was great weather and a lot of fun. The best part of the Renaissance Fair? The food! I ate my way through starting with empanadas and ending with a ice cream sandwich with a few things in between. Michelle dropped me off at the airport Monday morning. It was a great trip, too quick as usual.

$1.47?!

I am leaving for Italy in less than a week now. I knew the dollar was tanking but when I saw the NY Times.com headline this morning about the sinking dollar I started getting a little concerned. And then I checked the exchange rate - how did we get to $1.47 for the euro!? Granted, I'm about to sound like my dad but I remember when the euro was 88 cents!! This was way back in 2000 - 2001 when I was living in London but still! Of course I am just venting. Is a weak dollar going to stop me from travelling? No. I will still go to Europe at least twice next year. Will I stay in hostels to cut down on cost? No. I am way to Princess in the Pea now about hotels. I will spend the extra money for a little nicer hotel. Of course now it'll probably be a less nicer hotel and a 2 star or 3 star instead of 4 star and I'll probably use my airline miles to buy my tickets instead of using my airline miles to upgrade but I will still go. So nothing is changing - I'll just complain more! :) Ugh! I just can't believe it's $1.47!!