Things I'm Loving Friday XLIX

Happy FriYAY! It's a cold one down here in Houston, so I can only assume that it's even chillier in other parts of the state and country. But it’s been a hot minute since I have posted a Things I’m Loving Friday, but I’m committed to making this blog a regular part of my routine again, so here it goes!

Powerbeats2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones

I finally bit the bullet and solved my headphone problem. I figured if I’m going to get serious about one day (hopefully in the near-ish future) qualifying for the Boston Marathon, then I had better get the gear that will help make it possible. Not that there’s anything wrong with the headphones that I currently use, but on my longer, faster runs, they sometimes fall out of my ears. And then there are the days when I just don’t know what to do with the length of the wires. You would think after five solid years of running I would have it figured out, but these wireless headphones are the answer to all my problems. It took me a little while to get used to over-the-ear headphones, but they stay on while I’m running, and in my opinion, the sound quality is excellent. As silly as it sounds, every second counts when it comes to qualifying for Boston, and I would hate for it to come down to a headphone malfunction.

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Longhorn Coaches

I’ll admit that I’m bragging a little bit with this one. It was the start of 3^rd period yesterday, and our head football coach popped his head into my classroom just as I was explaining to my class what we were going to be doing that day, telling me to step outside for a minute because he had a surprise for me. My jaw dropped when I was greeted by two HUGE men wearing burnt orange Longhorn warm-ups. I quickly figured out that it was Oscar Giles and Michael Huff, who are football coaches at the University of Texas, and they were visiting Bellaire to, I assume, take a look at some of our football players. 

And I love to think that some of our students’ college football dreams could be coming true. It puts a smile on my face that is equivalent to the one I’m wearing as I got to put my horns up alongside two coaches who will hopefully help bring the winning tradition back to Longhorn football. I truly couldn’t stop smiling the entire rest of the day knowing that the people I work with not only knew how much it would mean to me to get to meet them, but that these two coaches took the time to shake my hand and thank me for the work that I’m doing. Hook ‘em horns!

Adidas Superstar

Guys, this pair of shoes was the best purchase I ever could have made. I bought them on such a whim – I saw someone at school wearing a pair of black and white Adidas Superstars, and it reminded me of the stylish orange and white pair I had back in the day. I did a quick search to see if there was anything in the red and white realm, because school spirit, obviously, and ever since I got them in the mail sometime around mid-October, I wear them to school at least once a week. They’re comfortable and stylish. I say this because I always get compliments from my students whenever I wear them. And when your students compliment you on your shoe choice, you know you’re rockin’ it.

Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

Podcasts are the new “it” thing these days. And I’ll admit that I’m jumping on board. My school next-door neighbor told me about this podcast, and being the Harry Potter lover that I am, I knew I had to check it out. I was driving from my apartment to the Memorial area in rush-hour traffic just this last week, and I had more than enough time to finish the first episode (?). And I absolutely loved it. I’m already a huge fan of Harry Potter, and one college summer I wrote an entire blog post about how much the Harry Potter series means to me, and how it’s more than just a “wizarding world.” It’s chock full of valuable lessons, and this podcast decodes the text in such a way that makes it meaningful to our own lives. Each episode explores a central theme, and even after listening to just one episode over the topic of commitment, I’m hooked.

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Nine Easy Ways to Fit Mindfulness Into Your Daily Life

I don’t know if it’s just me, and I hope it’s not just me, but it’s so easy for me to get bogged down in my daily to-do list and all that I have to juggle. I feel as though the second my alarm clock goes off, I jump out of bed and my mind starts going. I think about all of the tasks that I need to complete that day and I rarely take time to appreciate the little things that are all around me. I’m so guilty of pulling out my phone while waiting in line at the grocery store instead of striking up a conversation with those around me. Granted, not everyone may want to have a conversation while in line at the grocery store, but you get what I’m saying. I can’t remember the last time – aside from Thanksgiving – I ate something without staring at a television, computer or phone screen. I was actually walking up the stairs to my classroom just this morning thinking about how so many of my students don’t know how to be alone with their thoughts, and then I had the haunting realization that maybe I don’t know how to be alone with my thoughts, either. So my goal going into the end of 2016 and the start of 2017 is to practice mindfulness.

And on that note, I'm off to enjoy a wild Friday night babysitting for some kids down the street from my parents house. I'm not complaining, because a night of Hungry's and watching Elf is surely in my future. And after a go-go-go week, I'll take a relaxed Friday night in. Hopefully I can stay awake longer than the kids!

Things I'm Loving Friday XXXVIII

Here we are again - another Friday! As much as I love earning a little bit of extra cash working volleyball camps, I am also thankful for the downtime I'm being afforded right now - some time to clean and organize, to catch up with friends, to try new recipes, and time to just be still. It's something I'm not very good at, but something that is so necessary. Because once July hits, it's go-go-go until Christmas break. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's focus on some things I'm loving this week!

Lindsey Redifer Art Work
When you're an "adult," you find yourself wanting to own adult things. But sometimes you don't always appreciate the adult prices. Because it doesn't take long to realize that being an adult is expensive. But then you're introduced to beautiful and unique art that both fits the adult mold and is very affordable. Much of Lindsey's art is inspired by the outdoors and the colors she uses are what immediately stood out to me about her oil paintings. Based in Austin, many of her paintings feature some of my very favorite spots. Which is why I couldn't resist purchasing this painting of this Mt. Bonnell tree.

Cyclone Anaya's
One of my Houston favorites. Sam and I enjoyed lunch here on Tuesday, as one of his last meals in Texas before heading off to Asia for ten weeks, and I was reminded of just how much I love this restaurant. I wish I had taken a picture of my food - the Grilled Salmon Salad - because not only did it taste good, but it was pretty, too. Known for its homemade Mexican recipes and real family hospitality, Cyclone Anaya's is one to visit if you ever find yourself in the Houston area. And fun fact: Cyclone Anaya's (not the City Centre location, obviously) was the very first restaurant my dad visited upon moving to Texas.

I didn't take a picture of my food, so here's a picture of Sam and me in all our freshman year glory

Keds
Because I've stopped buying new clothes, I've been on a serious shoe kick. Okay, it's not too serious, but I have found myself gravitating toward the shoe department lately. I am traveling to New York City in about a month, and it's no secret that it is a major walking city. And while I have my trusty Chacos, I also wanted something a bit more ... cute ... to wear around this fashionable city. Cheyney suggested white Keds, and that was all I needed to hear before finding myself at DSW trying on a pair of Keds for size. I missed out on wearing Keds as a kid - opting for tennis shoes, always - but it's never too late to treat yourself to a classic. I even ordered a pair in red, because these will be perfect to wear while walking through the halls of BHS. And though I'm not a huge fan of the liner socks, I decided I'll just suck it up for the sake of these cute and practical shoes.

It's Kind of a Funny Story
Alex lent this book to me before I left for Mexico, and I sure am glad he did. It had actually been on my to-read list for quite a while, but it sort of fell by the wayside during the school year, and by the time I found some time to read, other books had stolen my attention. It's Kind of a Funny Story is, in the simplest terms, a book about depression. But it's not a depressing book. It's funny, it's raw, and it handles the complexities and pressures of what being a teenager looks like. Craig came from what many would call a "good" family, he is smart, and his future looks bright. But then the expectations come crashing down, and he finds himself contemplating suicide. I absolutely devoured this book, finishing it in about two days, and it's another one that I gave five stars to on GoodReads. You truly never know what someone is dealing with, and I try and remind myself of that everyday when I walk through those classroom doors. He labels things 'Tentacles' and 'Anchors,' which I think is something everyone can relate to. It creates what I think is a very realistic picture of depression, and I really loved that the reader is left with some hope upon finishing the book.

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The Brain on 23
On my 23rd birthday, Amira sent this article my way. And I told her it was going to make the blog. And then I never posted about it, but I did save it on my phone. And now is as good a time as ever to post it, right? Before all of my friends start turning 24 on me. I am sure you have gathered by now that 23 is a hard age. We're fresh out of college and starting this new phase of life. And half the time we're not even near where or what we want to be. We long to travel back in time, even just a few months, when we're living with eight of our best friends, and the rest of them live just around the block. We don't know life without social media, and that adds pressure beyond what anyone deserves. We feel guilty for feeling miserable, because in the grand scheme of things, life right now isn't that bad. I still consider myself a kid, but maybe that's because I'm frequently confused as one. I've been reminded by those who have come before me that I'm only 23, and that I have time to figure it all out. To stop worrying so much and to enjoy it. Because there's absolutely no way to know what's coming next. But so far, I've found it to be a pretty good age, even if nobody likes you when you're 23.

And I've got another busy day ahead of me. Here's to sunshine and very little rain!

Things I'm Loving Friday XXXII

And here we are, on the very first day of May. How we got here, I will never know. After today, there are F O U R school weeks left until I can officially say I have completed my first year of teaching. And it won't be four normal weeks, either. Next week we have a couple of days of STAAR testing, AP testing will be going on for the next three weeks, and the last week of school is, of course, dedicated to finals. So I guess I'll hang on for the ride, because it's sure to go by quick!

Live Lokai Bracelet
I can't take credit for this one. All the credit goes to my friend Amira. And while I'm here, let me take a moment to say that she gets all the credit for the "swimming in wine" portion of my Instagram caption a couple of weeks ago. So, now that I've gotten that out of my system, let me talk about just how cool this bracelet is. The white bead holds water from Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth. The black bead contains mud from The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. We all experience the good times, when we feel on top of world. The white bead reminds us to stay humble. And on the opposite end, there are always going to be difficult moments. But the black bead reminds us to remain hopeful in our lowest moments. I absolutely love that, and have worn my bracelet every day since receiving it in the mail.

Women's Go Dry Racerback Tank
I don't think Old Navy gets nearly enough credit. Sure, sometimes you walk out of there completely empty-handed, but most of the time I walk out of there excited about a great deal I just found. And this past Saturday did not disappoint. I was in a shopping mood, because I headed down the road to Memorial City Mall - a rarity for me, especially on a Saturday. And before going into the actual mall, I stopped in at Old Navy, because I've been extremely successful here in the colored pants department. And though I didn't find any colored pants, I did walk into a huge sale on workout apparel. Because I need more of that. But these flowy racerback tops will be perfect for my hot summer runs, and besides, I got them for only $8 apiece.

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Cyprus Sandals
I had spotted these sandals while shopping at City Centre a month or so ago. But because I already had a nice pair of brown sandals, I passed on them. Even though I really liked them. I found myself at City Centre once again this past weekend, and popped into J. Crew when I saw a sign advertising 30% off the entire store. For whatever reason, their clothes are rarely a hit with me, but maybe they had a flowy skirt or dress that would be fun for summer. I didn't find either of those things, but I did find these same sandals. And this time in white! Which was perfect because I've been in the market for a pair of white sandals, but I've had a hard time purchasing any because white gets so dirty so quickly. But 30% off was calling my name, and though I had to size up one size, I foresee these sandals getting plenty of wear.

Zoe's Kitchen Quinoa Salad
This is one of those restaurants that I absolutely love, but often end up neglecting. Located within Town and Country, it often finds itself in City Centre's shadow. But just last weekend I was catching some rays after a swim at the MAC, and I found myself hungry for something healthy, but my usual weekend meal of Salata just didn't appeal to me. And though Hungry's is right down the street, that wasn't what I wanted, either. Instead, I headed in the opposite direction toward Zoe's Kitchen, and settled in with their new quinoa salad - sans feta, plus salmon. I don't know what their salmon kebabs are seasoned with, but it left me vowing to make Zoe's Kitchen one of my go-to restaurants.

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23 Misconceptions About Teachers
This article. I realized a couple of weeks back that I spend a lot of time talking about my job. About my students. About my co-workers. And I think I talk about it so much because there are so many misconceptions out there about teachers. Granted, there are misconceptions about every job, but some of these ring entirely too true. I do have many hats to put on, I do have to be 'on' at (almost) all hours of the day, I do get frustrated when people say my job is easy, or that I'm only doing it for the time off. Though it's certainly an added perk. Teaching wasn't a backup plan, and I think it's the best profession out there for me. Each day is filled with new challenges, laughs, and facepalm moments, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

One of those facepalm moments

Make it a great start to May - one of the busiest and craziest, but also happiest, months of the year!

New Kicks

Happy Saturday! While we were supposed to have a very rainy Saturday, we've hardly had any rain at all. And while I was looking forward to the rain, as a means of being productive, I'm glad the sky held itself together. Because yesterday after school I treated myself to a pair of new running shoes - Asics GT-2000 3, to be exact - from Luke's Locker, and I am obsessed. In love. Infatuated. Call it what you want, but they feel like pillows on my feet. And they're pretty cute to boot.

I believe I mentioned in last Sunday's post that after the Austin Half Marathon, I was going to invest in a new pair of running shoes. You are supposed to replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles, and I think it's safe to say that I've put my fair share of miles on my pink Brooks. My body was certainly telling me that, and after putting on my new pair of Asics, I knew it was true. I felt a difference right away. And as I've also mentioned before, I pronate when I run, meaning I need a little extra support so that my knees won't start giving me trouble. And though that means buying a more expensive shoe, I would much rather pay a little bit more for shoes, than have to pay for knee surgery, or worse, stop running altogether. And ever since I have started purchasing shoes with that extra support, I have experienced very, very little knee pain. And I'm hoping this new pair of shoes will help with my left shin pain. Because weirdly enough, it's only my left shin that has been giving me trouble. Hopefully the new shoes, paired with some diligent calf stretching, will do the trick.

To break in my new shoes, I decided to take them out for a seven mile run around the neighborhood. They have to get acclimated with one another, after all. I know many parts of the country are experiencing some crazy cold weather right now, but not this part. It was about 72 degrees with 80% humidity when I went out for my run. I thought it was going to be a tough run, but it was actually very pleasant. I set out to run only six miles, but it felt so good that I just kept on going. A little slower than usual, but I'll chalk that one up to the humidity. Nonetheless, a great Saturday afternoon run.

I was nice and sweaty after that run, so I came home to shower and freshen up. One of my fellow English teachers has the same off-period as me, and he has a teacher float into his room. And I obviously do not have a classroom, so we both find ourselves in the English lounge at the same time. He is absolutely hilarious to talk to, and he is also a big-time runner. Just the other day we discussed how when we run, we sweat. Some people maybe have a bead of sweat running down the side of their face, but that is not the case for me. So, a shower was very necessary.

After my shower, I headed up the road to Salata for a healthy post-run salad. I sat in there and read Scary Close by Donald Miller while I was eating my salad, and though I am only about one-tenth of the way through the book, I love it already. It focuses a lot on meaningful relationships, and the freedom that comes from loving other people. I'm hoping to get a few more things done so that I can curl up for the rest of the evening with my Kindle.

After making a few stops at CityCentre, I headed back home to continue working. I have been surprisingly productive today, but I still have quite a lot of ground to cover, mainly in the grading area. Honestly, I'm not even touching the short answer responses they wrote yesterday in class, because they are an absolute train wreck. The question asked of them was extremely complex, and I'm not sure that they really gained anything by writing them. I want to take time to go over (for the upteenth time) how to correctly answer a short answer response question. It would take me far more time than it's worth to truly grade and make comments on them. I do still have a stack of expository essays staring back at me, and I would like to get to those before the weekend is over.

I hope your Saturday has been a good one! Anyone gearing up for The Oscars tomorrow night? I will watch them, of course, but because I'm absolutely awful about going to see movies, I'll probably be watching it more for the dresses. And to see if Bellaire grad Richard Linklater can bring home another award for his film, Boyhood. See you guys tomorrow!

Running Survey

Because today I completed half marathon number seven, and it goes in the record books as the most difficult race I have run thus far. So, here’s a running survey to hold you over until I find the time to post a race recap for you guys. Enjoy!

Age: 23
Country/State/General Vicinity: Houston, Texas

Year you ran your first mile without walking: Hmm, this is a good question. I’m sure with all of the sports I played in elementary, middle, and high school, I ran a mile without stopping at some point in time. But I certainly couldn’t tell you the exact year I first ran a mile without stopping!

Ain't that the truth

Year you became a “runner”?: This answer, I do know. I became a runner the year I went off to college – 2010. A couple of my friends decided they wanted to sign up for the Austin Half Marathon, so I decided to sign up with them. Well, it turned out that I was the only one who actually followed through with that decision. I started running the winter of 2010, and I have never looked back.

Why you run now: I absolutely love running (most days). It provides some much-needed “me” time, and I use the time I spend running to think about everything under the sun. I have a job that requires me to be “on” most hours of the day, and this gives me a chance to turn “off” and just go. See this post for a more detailed description of why I run.

What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a sports bra?: Probably $30, on my favorite Under Armour Seamless Essential Sports Bra. Actually, I may have purchased a sports bra from Lululemon, but I more than likely got it on sale.

First race: My first real race was the 2011 Austin Half Marathon. Yeah, I know. I had signed up for the Houston Turkey Trot that Thanksgiving, but was plagued with a bad cold that forced me to forgo it. So, I was a little bit unsure of how this race was going to go, but lo and behold, I ran the entire race without stopping. I might not recommend that method to others, but it worked out just fine for me!

Last race: The 2015 Austin Half Marathon. Race recap to come (eventually)! Just know that those hills absolutely did me dirty.

Slower than usual, yes, but I finished without walking (and believe me, I considered it)

3 races you most wish you could run: Wow. This is a tough question. I would love to run a race in every state, and I would also love to run The Boston Marathon one day, but that would require running a (very fast) marathon in order to just qualify for Boston. So, we’ll see how that one goes. Right now the top three on my “To Run” List are –

• Big Sur Half Marathon

(Source) I'm sorry, but does this not look like the world's prettiest race destination?

• SeaWheeze Half Marathon

Hello, Vancouver (Source)

• Mayor's Midnight Sun Half Marathon 

An Alaskan Summer Solstice tradition (Source)

Favorite race: I have loved every race that I have run. Austin, Houston, San Francisco, Disney World, and Washington D.C – I’ve been lucky enough to get to travel to some of the best places in this country to participate in one of my favorite hobbies. And while each race has had its own special qualities, running through the city in which I was born and raised was probably the most special to me.

Best running advice you’ve ever received: Smile! People will think you're crazy.

First running shoe: Definitely a pair of Mizuno’s. I am partial to the Mizuno brand because that is what I wore throughout my entire volleyball career (not running shoes, of course). However, I think my next pair will be a pair of Asics purely because I find the Asics out on the market right now to be a little bit cuter than the Mizunos. Sue me!

Do you run with a watch?: I do. I either run with my Garmin Forerunner, or I run with my white IronMan watch. Often times it’s not because I want to know my minute/mile time, but just because it helps me gauge how far I have run. Obviously, if I am wearing my Garmin, it gives me the exact distance. But if I am at least wearing a watch, I can deduce about how far I’ve run based on how long I’ve run. The idea of running countless around a track bores me to tears, so I often run through a neighborhood, in a park, or around a lake, and it’s not always easy to know how far I’ve gone.

Running goals for 2015: My main running goal for 2015 is to run 1007.5 miles, combined with Amira who is also going to run 1007.5 miles, for a total of 2,015 miles. And I am well on my way to hitting that goal, but we’ll see how the tables turn when the summer weather approaches.

PRs:

• 5K – 25:21 (I think the ABB 5K is the first official 5K I have ever run!)
• ABB 5K – Houston 2015
• 10K – 49:37
• Turkey Trot 10K – Houston 2011
• 12K – 1:03:31
• 12K of Christmas – Houston 2014
• 15K – 1:21:41
• Hot Chocolate 15K – Dallas 2013
• 10 miles – 1:21:45
• Run for the Water – Austin 2011
• Half Marathon – 1:54:18
• Austin Half Marathon – Austin 2013

I have had an absolutely wonderful weekend here in Austin, and I plan on soaking up every last minute before I head back home. Or I might possibly take a trip to the San Marcos Outlets, depending on the weather. See you guys from Houston!

Things I'm Loving Friday IV

Friday, how SWEET the sound! You guys know that I am a naturally early riser, but I am so looking forward to not having to set an alarm tomorrow, and just waking up when my body wakes me up. It is also such a relief to not have to drive home to Houston this weekend – it is my first weekend in Austin since the very beginning of April. It’s been a whirlwind!

Anyway, let’s move on with another rendition of Things I’m Loving Friday. This just might take the place of Survey Sunday (since I have clearly taken a break from that one), so it’s something new to look forward to.

Harry Potter Stamps

I can thank my volleyball coach for letting me in on this little secret. She knows that I am, and I will certainly not deny this, a huge Harry Potter nerd, so when she found out about the USPS release of limited edition Harry Potter Forever stamps, she quickly informed me. I wasted no time in ordering a packet of them, because I knew they would come in handy with my love of letters. They have come in handy lately, as I have been writing some thank-you notes here and there, so you better believe I have been using them to stamp my letters. We may be 8 days away from graduation, but that doesn’t mean I have to grow up, right?

20 Things I'd Tell My 2o-Something Self

I’m not sure if I’m truly a sentimental person, or the fact that graduation is so close is getting to me. Maybe a little bit of both? Whatever it is, I love reading articles such as this one, where people who have been there, done that reflect on what they would say to their 20-year-old selves. This entire article is worth a read, but here were a few of my favorite points:

1.       You can be good at lots of things.

I particularly liked this point because English and fitness are two very different things. However, this blog has allowed me to combine my love for the two. I’m allowed to be passionate about both things; I don’t have to choose just one.

2.       Read the historical markers.

Savor even the seemingly insignificant moments.

3.       People aren’t thinking of you nearly as much as you think they are.

This one hit home for me, as I constantly struggle with the idea that I have to live up to certain expectations that no one but myself has placed on me. And what’s more, it’s not that people don’t care, but they are far more worried about their own problems.

4.       At the end of the day, it’s between you and God.

Life is fleeting. God is not.

Brooks TranscendRunning Shoes

I told myself that after my half marathon, I would treat myself to a new pair of running shoes. So, when Dylan and I found ourselves at Dick’s Sporting Goods one afternoon, I couldn’t help but check out their selection of running shoes. I tend to over-pronate when I run, which means I require shoes with a little extra support (which typically cost a little extra money). They’re well worth it, though, as these shoes are extremely comfortable, provide that necessary support, and come in a very electric pink color. I have never worn Brooks before, but I am slowly learning to step out of my comfort zone, and not buy the first pair of shoes I try on.

 

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Elementary School Friends

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in college, it’s that keeping up with people is hard. It takes work. It’s not as easy as seeing your friends every day at school, even if you do attend the same college. This is the case with a lot of my old friends, as we are all so busy, and our schedules just don’t quite match up. So, it is always nice when schedules match up, and you are able to enjoy some long-overdue catch-up time. It's even better when it happens by the lake on a beautiful evening!

Homemade Pop Tarts

Completion of the 15th grade calls for something sweet, right? Dylan NEVER lets me bake him anything, so when he said he would accept baked goods once he was finished with his last final, I was not going to pass up that opportunity. I was inspired by the homemade pop tarts at Ted's Bulletin in Washington D.C., and though mine certainly aren't that pretty, I was assured that they tasted good, and that's all that really matters, right? Recipe to come later today!

Enjoy your Friday - I hope it's a great one! Check back in a little later today for a new recipe!

San Francisco: Day One

Good evening from the home of the Golden Gate Bridge. Which we didn't visit today, but it is most definitely on our agenda for tomorrow. And have no fear, I will be sure to cover every single detail of our glorious first full day in San Francisco.

My flight to Denver

Both of my flights were excellent. We flew Southwest, because my dad has racked up quite a few frequent flyer miles, and neither flight met any complications. My dad even provided me with his in-flight wifi, so I was able to peruse Pinterest work on homework while I was in the air. Pretty cool! I arrived in (45 degree) Denver (wearing shorts and chacos) earlier than scheduled, so I promptly went off in search of a food court. The Denver airport is no Bush Intercontinental, but I found a TCBY where I decided to indulge in some (dairy-free!!!) silk chocolate almond frozen yogurt, along with a water bottle to curb the dehydration that often comes from flying.

If it has fruit, it's healthy, right? ;)

Our flight to San Francisco arrived pretty much on time, and we got to our hotel, which is located very near Union Square, a little after 11:30pm. We were both pretty exhausted, so we crawled into bed pretty quickly after that. We let ourselves sleep in a little bit, before waking up around 7:15am (I realize that is not really "sleeping in," but we are used to waking up at 6am when we are "on vacation," in order to get to the local convention center to play a long day of volleyball) to get ready for a very full day.

Breakfast

First things first. Breakfast! We wandered down to check out the complimentary breakfast served at our hotel, but I didn't find anything that looked like it would hold me over for very long. I ate an orange, and my mom ate a piece of toast with butter, but then we wandered in the direction of the race expo so that we could try and find a real breakfast. After looking in at a few places and deeming them unworthy, mainly because they didn't offer anything that was dairy-free, we settled upon an absolutely precious restaurant by the name of Honey Honey Cafe & Crepery. The menu had everything under the sun, so I knew I was sure to find something both nutritious and delicious. After much deliberation, I ordered the Post Street Omelet - sans cheese, substituting egg whites for eggs - which had mushrooms, ham, and green bell peppers inside. My omelet came with a side of potatoes and two pieces of whole wheat toast, so my mom ate my potatoes, and I had one piece of the warm, crispy toast. Everything about this place - the food, the atmosphere, and the location - was fabulous. We are even considering going back again tomorrow!

And one of the best parts about my Honey Honey experience is that I saw three separate people taking pictures of their food. Granted, their crepes were very Instagram-worthy, but I feel as though I am surrounded by people who understand the importance of food presentability.

Expotique

The first stop on our list today, after breakfast, was the race expotique, so that I could pick up my race packet and materials. However, prior to the actual expotique, we had a very special stop to make. This year is the 10th anniversary of the San Francisco Nike Women's Marathon, and that resulted in the production of some very special, limited-edition Nike shoes. You may or may not be aware that this race is the one in which you are presented with a one-of-a-kind Tiffany necklace upon crossing the finish line. So, when I saw the announcement that Nike was selling some unique-to-the-race shoes that you could put on reserve starting last Thursday, and that one of the options was a shoe consisting mostly of the beautiful and non-replicable Tiffany blue color, I knew immediately that I would regret not getting them. My mom so generously offered to get them for me, and I cannot wait to lace them up and go for a run.

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This particular shoe is the Nike Lunarglide+5 running shoe, which I definitely looked up and read reviews on before reserving my pair. Fortunately, they received rave reviews, so I knew I was good to go. I know I just got a new pair of Mizuno's this past week, but in all fairness, it's not like I don't get my money's worth out of them! Anyway, we went to the fifth floor of the Nike store, and I immediately went and picked up my shoes - it was quick and easy. After paying for them, I was told to take a picture that would simulate the end of the race. To my surprise, I was proposed to by my very own San Francisco firefighter. I didn't realize marriage was part of the deal, but it sure was fun!

After I picked up my shoes, my mom and I headed over to the expotique, which was just awesome. It was extremely organized, and they did everything up so well. The carpet lining the entrance was Tiffany blue, and everything inside the tent just looked so sleek. I could tell they really put a lot of effort into making this a special event, and it made me even more excited for the run on Sunday. I will be starting at Powell Street, and my race number is 28202, if you are interested in tracking my progress. The hills in San Francisco are pretty wild, so I am not anticipating a new PR, but it isn't going to take a PR to get that little blue box!

SO cool to see my name on the window 

A little piece of home

After all of that excitement, we walked on back to our hotel to drop off our bags, and we were on our merry way. The first stop on the agenda? Alamo Square to visit those Painted Ladies, aka the houses featured in the theme song to Full House, one of my absolute favorite childhood (and adulthood) shows. My roommates make fun of me for going to the local video store - Vulcan Video - and renting the seasons, but it is easily one of the most wholesome family television shows there is. You got it, dude!

It took a couple of tries to get a good picture, but I just couldn't stop smiling after visiting this beautiful park. It afforded us some pretty sweet views of the city, too.

We got back on the same bus that took us over there, and then we transferred to a bus that would take us directly to the oh-so-touristy Fisherman's Wharf. And though I am well aware that Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap, I loved every minute of it. 

Alcatraz 

We had worked up an appetite by this point, so our first task was finding a restaurant to eat at for lunch. We went with Wipeout Bar and Grill, and we both just loved it. Our food was fabulous, our service was great, and the view was unbeatable. I knew I had to get some sort of fish, so I finally decided on the salmon salad, and my mom went with the turkey burger and a side of sweet potato fries. I ate most of split the sweet potato fries with her, and we both agreed that they were some of the best we have had. I even tried a bite of her turkey burger, and I really liked that, too. It was jut what we needed to perk us back up for more exploring (and walking).

One of the reasons we decided to come to Pier 39 is because of one particular store: Lefty's. I may have mentioned once or twice before that I favor my left hand. I also may have mentioned that my life has been significantly more difficult due to the fact that I am forced to live in a world made for right-handed people. Though I am obviously just kidding, I still wanted to visit a store dedicated to products made only for southpaws. It had scissors and notebooks and can openers, but it also had a fruit peeler and playing cards and coffee mugs, all made especially for a lefty. I ended up purchasing a left-handed oven mitt, as well as a fun little ornament that would remind me of my visit (not that I'm very likely to forget).

My mom and I continued walking around, visiting a beautiful art shop, an NFL store, a chocolate shop, and a Christmas store. There was so much to take in, and I was absolutely loving every minute of it. We considered taking an hour-long boat tour that went around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge, but we were already cold enough as it was, so we nixed that idea and headed in the direction of Ghirardelli Square. 

My mom took the complimentary shuttle, but I chose to walk, enjoying the cool breeze from the water, and wanting to get in as many hills as possible before Sunday. We went into the chocolate store, where my mom bought some of her favorite non-pareils, and I, because I unfortunately can't take a chance on eating any actual chocolate, purchased a Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook. You might have noticed that I really love to bake, so this purchase seemed right up my alley. 

After strolling through Ghirardelli Square, I took the plunge and hiked up a monster hill to the most crooked street in the world - Lombard Street. My mom wasn't sure she felt up to the challenge, and once I got going, I wasn't so sure that I was up for it either. However, I was afforded some pretty unbeatable views, so I ignored my screaming calves.

Once I reached Lombard Street, I couldn't help but smile at how many people were standing at the top snapping pics, as cars drove carefully down the street as though they do it every day (and they probably do). I walked down the stairs to the bottom of the street, and it was truly a spectacular sight. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but the street really is a one-of-a-kind sight, and it was worth every grueling step.

My mom was smart and took a cab up that monster hill, where she promptly found me at the corner of Lombart and Hyde, and we rode the cab back to our hotel, where we are recharging our bodies (and our phones) before deciding where to go for dinner. I think we're both thinking something pretty low-key tonight, as we did a heck of a lot of walking, and we are both pretty worn out. The day really was everything I could have dreamed of and more, and I am so happy I get to share this entire weekend with my sweet mom. The weather is my favorite (though it got a bit chilly the closer we got to the bay), the views are absolutely incredible, and everyone we've talked to has been eager to point us in the right direction. Tomorrow we are planning to visit the area surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge, ride a cable car, and I am even trying to talk my mom into a Golden Gate bike ride to Sausalito. I'm not sure I've managed to convince her quite yet!

And we're off to find something to eat! I hope your Friday was one to remember, and I will talk to you guys again tomorrow!