Off to North Carolina

"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked."
Anais Nin

I love this picture! Congrats Landis!!! Go Pennsylvania!
I am going to miss watching the Tour de France while eating dinner. I love watching the competition, but also the gorgeous scenary and crazy spectators.

Watching the Tour de France has really put me in the mood to be out on the road biking. My legs also needed a rest from running, so I went biking on Saturday and Sunday. I am trying to keep my pace up and average between 13-14 mph with 15-16 mph sprints in between. I rode about 48 miles over the two days.

Getting in Shape

Well, I am attempting to get myself back into shape for our upcoming vacation. The thought of me sitting in a bathing suit for 7 days straight sends shivers down my spine, so I was up early this morning for a quick 4 mile run. It has been so hot and sticky in DC, so the light rain that we had this morning was much appreciated. As I was getting ready to kick myself into gear to run up the big Hill, a pack of Marines came from around the bend and ran in front of me. I turned my i-pod off and listened to their chants as I sprinted up the Hill.

Upstate PA

Below are some clips from a recent vacation with the Rotzell family. We stayed at a lake house in upstate PA. It was very relaxing...we spent time on the lake, went biking, running, walking, played plenty of ping pong, and saw tons of wildlife.

View of the lake house from the paddle boat

The guys grilling

Yum...quesadillas!

View of the lake

Hanging out on the dock

Mom and daughters

Our precious niece!

Anne Frank said, or wrote, for that matter, "The best remedy for those who are afraid,
lonely or unhappy is to go outside,
somewhere where they can be quiet,
alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that
all is as it should be and that
God wishes to see people happy,
amidst the simple beauty of nature."

And to nature Tim and I go for the 4th of July break. Tim and I head to upstate PA to a lake house with family.Mentioning that I can't wait is underestimating it. Four days without computers, laptops, phones, blackberry, or anything that plugs in may be scary for some people, but it has never sounded more welcoming to me. I am packing light...just a book, a swimsuit, and some hiking shoes.

Back in the Habit

I have started running again. I think my urge to run is seasonal. It is great to be back out on the streets!

My friend is training for a half marathon and I have found that her training regiment is great! Two short runs during the week and one long run on the weekends.

Maybe I'll see you out on the road!

The past semester's interns have all moved out and for a few days our hall will be quiet: the doors will stop slamming and the shouting will cease. Tim and I cherish the "in between" time. The new summer interns move in the first weekend of June and we will once again be showing the young excited interns around, leading them to the nearest grocery stores, and pointing them to the metro. Oh, and making sure they vacuum!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Tim and I head to my parent's house in Pennsylvania where we will meet up with 12 of our college friends at the NCAA lacrosse tournament. A tradition going on 8 years.

Ahh! This is the Life!

Just returned from Palm Beach, Florida where my childhood friend Danielle got married. The resort was gorgeous, the sun hot, the food exceptional, and the relaxation unbelievable. We had a wonderful time and many memories were made.


Jay's ring was inscribed with Proverbs 3 : 3-6
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

A Celebration Weekend

Abigail's 21st Birthday!!!

Danielle's Wedding Shower and Bachelorette!!!

Easter!!!

New York State of Mind

A few weeks ago Tim and I, along with friends, took the train into New York City to celebrate my sister's birthday, her running a half marathon, Tim's first time in NYC, and spending a lot of money on food and drink.

Once we visited the city that never sleeps, the clock has not stopped ticking in DC as well. All energy is contagious, whether positive or negative. The go, go, go of New York definitely rubbed off.

My mind and thoughts have been focused on other things...starting a new business, reading and focusing on this time of year, catching up with friends and family, spending time outdoors, and traveling. My body is adjusting to the new season and daylight savings time.

As I go from one task to the other, one week to the next, this quote by J.R.R. Tolkien keeps popping into my thoughts:

"All that is gold does not glitter; not all those that wander are lost."

Thanks Becky for bringing it to mind.

They Say Today is the Day

SAIGYO, a medieval-age monk wrote,
"Could I die under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom on a full-
moon night of spring?"

Today is the day that the Cherry Blossoms are to bloom in DC. The weather has definitely been warm enough. My husband is out on a bike ride near the tidal basin now. I am anxious to get his report when he returns.

The season is here when DC folks get up from their desks and flock outside. I love this time of year. The weather makes it easier to get out of bed in the morning; warm air flows in from outside instead of bitter cold.

St. Patrick's Day 8K

I keep forgetting to post about my first race of 2006. On Sunday, I ran the St. Patrick's Day 8k in Washington, DC. It was supposed to be a 10k, but the DC police would not approve the course, so an 8k it was. It was a gorgeous day to run, the sun peaked through right at the start of the race (why does that always happen?).

The course was quick and fun. It had a lot of turns which kept things exciting. I would highly recommend this race!

Race Stats:
I finished 234 overall out of 2489 women runners, and 69th in my division of 789 runners. My pace was a 7:57 mile.

I feel like I did pretty good, especially since I was up late hanging out with family the night before.

I just found an indoor public pool blocks away from my apartment. In a way I always knew it was there, but it took a friend telling me that she had also swam there before I actually went to check it out for myself. It is a great free pool, a little sketchy at times, but what isn't in DC? Any DC resident can use it, and guests are allowed.
I absolutely love swimming. I have been twice this week and hope to begin swimming on a regular basis. I used to be so jealous of Bill and Hannah, but now I have a pool too!
The possibility of training for a triathalon is becoming much more real.

I just found this great photography site. The photos are simple, pure, and crisp. They are also very cheap...making good presents.

Check out Alicia Bock, courtesy Decor 8.

These flowers remind me of the beginning of spring. I noticed the small purple flowers with the white centers popping through the mud during my run on Sunday. The wind is becoming less harsh, and the sun is shining longer.

About two years ago I read John Adams by David McCullough. It was an incredible book, but I was left wanting to know more about Abigail. Hearing of my interest in Abigail Adams, my husband's grandmother sent me her copy of Dearest Friend, a Life of Abigail Adams to read. And I am so glad that she did!

This book did an excellent job of characterizing Abigail, and of deciphering her emotions, needs, and wants amongst the multitude of correspondence that she produced. It certainly fullfilled by desire to learn more about Abigail. In fact, I was so drawn in to Abigail's personality that I did not want the book to end. I rationed my reading of the book, allowing myself time to mull over her words of love, commitment, disagreement, and responsibility to her husband and family.

Abigail was a very complex woman, and maybe that is why she is so intriguing. She was highly self-conscience of her ability to write and spell, yet she did not let that stop her from sharing her views of politics in letters to her husband, dignitaries, and newspapers. She believed that a woman's responsibility was to her family and her home. Yet, she stepped outside that boundary quite often, engaging in politics and discussion of the emancipation of women.

But mostly, what draws people to her character and life is the transcendant nature of her letters. They are filled with advice and charges that can be applied [and in some cases should be applied more often] today. Though times have changed, public decency, good character, and a women's strength should not.

My friend started a very interesting blog on current issues facing women today. It is a great site! Also, check out Becca and Bella for another book review.

Simple Pleasures

Barefoot Contessa put new recipes up on her website today, to mark the slow beginning of Spring. Check them out here: http://www.barefootcontessa.com/

I absolutely love the yellow background!

Also, today is the first day of Lent, an increasingly important time of the year for me. My sisters, mother, and grandmother are all reading through Henri Nouwen's Show Me the Way.

A beautiful passage today states, "The Season of Lent, during which Winter and Spring struggle with eachother for dominance, helps us in a special way to cry out for God's mercy."

Frazzeled

I have been very frazzeled lately with not much time to just sit, read, and be still.

Jane Austen once wrote, "Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings." I hope that is not entirely true, but sometimes I look back at my week or month and see only a few shining sparks of brilliant moments in between a lot of gray.

Thoreau points out that "It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?"

Letters in Love

The letters of John and Abigail Adams: always soothing for me, I could read on and on. They contain much wisdom and wonderful insight into our country at the time of revolution, and into a strong marriage/relationship. John and Abigial spent many months and years apart, yet their love for each other continued to grow. Abigail provided support to John's public service, and John in return provided affection.



"No Words, no Actions can express the Ardour of Affection with which I am theirs & yours."

"I have waited with great patience, restraining as much as posible every anxious Idea for 3 Months. But now every Vessel which arrives sits my expectation upon the wing, and I pray my Gaurdian Genious to waft me the happy tidings of your Safety and Welfare. Heitherto my wandering Ideas Rove like the Son of Ulissis from Sea to Sea, and from Shore to Shore, not knowing where to find you. Sometimes I fancy'd you upon the Mighty Waters, sometimes at your desired Haven; sometimes upon the ungratefull and Hostile Shore of Britain, but at all times and in all places under the protecting care and Guardianship of that Being who not only cloathes the lilies of the Feild and hears the young Ravens when they cry, but hath said of how much more worth are ye than many Sparrows, and this confidence which the world cannot deprive me of, is my food by day and my Rest by Night, and was all my consolation under the Horrid Ideas of assassination, the only Event of which I had not thought, and in some measure prepaird my mind."

Wonderful reading for a Valentine's Day.