tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63259806880754781102024-03-14T10:25:11.294-04:00Adventure April"Life is a daring adventure or nothing." --Helen KellerApril Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-21253162969289312912012-03-20T16:11:00.001-04:002012-03-20T16:11:39.127-04:00Disney Princess Half-Marathon: Part I (Expo and the Start!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This winter has not really been the best for me, health-wise. I posted a while back about being sick and falling behind training, but on top of that, I got sick right after Valentine's Day and skipped a TON of classes because I was so ill right before the half. I was a nervous wreck I wouldn't be able to even WALK the thing, let alone run it. Despite everything, I went home a little earlier, slept a ton, and caught a Friday late-night plane to Orlando to race.</div>
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I had paid the entrance fee, after all. I might as well go to Disney World, one of my favorite places ever. The whole reason I signed up for this race in the first place, to be my first half-marathon, was because 1) I wanted to be a princess 2) Since I never ran the distance before, I wouldn't be self-conscious about my time, and 3) Running through the Magic Kingdom--can it get any more awesome than that?!</div>
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So I tried to dispel my worries and went to the Expo (see above). I still wasn't feeling well simply walking around, and the race was TOMORROW. I was more than a tad worried, and kept praying I would at least be able to walk it and not be picked up by the 16-min-per-mile pacers, something I had NEVER worried about while training.</div>
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I got some freebies (LUNA bars! Yogurt!) and gear, including an I DID IT! shirt. I was dying to wear it. I knew I had to earn it. I could only hope that I would.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There was even an awesome running "glass slipper" on display. I can only say, wow, Disney is so great with attention to detail....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had to sit down because I started feeling lightheaded and dizzy. This, in turn, made me freak out even more. And did I mention I still had a DEEP chest cough? Nowhere near ready to run the next day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even then, as I was feeling pretty crappy, I couldn't resist posing with Gaston and my "muscled bod."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a 3:30 pm dinner (I kid you not, I went to bed at 5 pm...but didn't fall asleep until 7) at the All Star Movies Resort, my parents and I went to bed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have never, ever been in bed that early before. Even though I was exhausted from the previous week, I tossed and turned (and coughed). I freaked out around ten pm when I woke up coughing. Thank goodness I had my inhaler, and that seemed to help the coughing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With one very early wake-up call, we boarded the buses and headed to the Epcot parking lot! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But not without a few fiascos. I have read OVER and OVER <b>not to do anything differently from training on the morning before the race</b>. So I brought peanut butter to eat, and some crackers. Great. It was three am--I forced a spoonful down and had to be satisfied that that was all my body would accept, and I counted on the fact that I had eaten well the day before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Additionally, packing for the race, I planned to wear shorts, a tutu, and a wicking tank top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was only about 35 degrees out at 3 am, and would be in the 40s to low 50s all day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tank top? I don't think so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Luckily, I had thrown in a shirt I had <b>just bought</b> and <b>still had the tags on</b> at the last second into my suitcase. Relieved, I went to put it on...and the security tag was <b>still on.</b> You know, those bulky, ink-filled plastic things cashiers sometimes forget to remove with their handy-dandy machine?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Need I remind you, it was three am on the day of the race. I certainly wasn't going back to the store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank goodness that Disney always has places open. My mom ran to the hotel store and they used their machine--backwards--on my shirt, and it came off after a little finagling. If they hadn't, I would've frozen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, I had done a lot of reading about what the beginning of this race was like. With about 19,000 runners, most of them women, things can get a little crazy. The lines for the Port-A-Potties appeared ridiculous, but I headed toward the back and only waited two minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aaah, the little things in life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was still coughing, but not as much. It helped that the weather was warmer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here I am, all bundled up in my throwaway hoodie (...I still really liked that hoodie, but I was ready to admit it doesn't fit me anymore). After the LONG walk (it really was about 15-20 minutes) from the Port-A-Potties, backstage, past MORE Port-A-Potties (if they had come to life, the runners would have had absolutely no chance of escaping the Port-A-Potty army), and finally, I arrived at Corral C.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My mom sneaked in and took a pic while I waited nervously for the start. I felt very alone and with a bunch of older runners. There were, oddly enough, quite a few guys in my area, many running with their own princesses. Awww. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eventually, my mom left me,
and I stretched a little and tried to keep warm. After the wheelchair
start (and each start had fireworks! How cool was that?!), it was soon
time to go. I expected a crowd, and I thought running the Rock 'n' Roll 10k had prepared me for a decent crowd, but nothing like this! Here's the crowd right before the starting line:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMJkt0c7SpWGAPUA1eQ4ux05qWQ_ROXcLIS1_dGw5UGsp2oQxvpFxrb7yHGoQ1SGLOtK8gcKApZLfE8R8CJUcEAErCT4t87qQM2GMmAHr1j7NMqe2TwYlKr-PKVV0Ctw_YGq4e4uvpjrt/s1600/DSC00533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMJkt0c7SpWGAPUA1eQ4ux05qWQ_ROXcLIS1_dGw5UGsp2oQxvpFxrb7yHGoQ1SGLOtK8gcKApZLfE8R8CJUcEAErCT4t87qQM2GMmAHr1j7NMqe2TwYlKr-PKVV0Ctw_YGq4e4uvpjrt/s640/DSC00533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started way too fast. I did my best to keep to the side and let runners pass me, but the crowd swept me up. I think I covered about an 11:40-12:15 mile pace at first. Now, that's plenty normal for me while I was training, but I kept in mind that I was still sick and I wanted to go as slow as possible in the beginning, at least for the first half of the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted to badly to finish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I kept coughing. I knew I could only use my inhaler twice during the race, so I wanted to wait and use it sparingly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was feeling bad at mile 2 and unsure if I would make it. I decided to take a ton of walk breaks and persist with a slow jog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's worth mentioning all the mile markers were storybook scenes, and very nicely designed. I enjoyed passing them, and they made each mile more special (after mile 8, every one after that was a new distance PR!). I also decided to keep my hoodie as long as possible (when I'm warm, I cough less).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's what began my time lapse. Now, I knew going into this race that I was going to take a ton of pictures (why wear a tutu, after all, if you're not going to be in photos with it?!). So, I stopped at the first character stop--Jack Sparrow and a giant pirate ship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I waited about ten-fifteen minutes in line, and the photo's still dark because the sun is still not up (My corral start? Approximately 5:57 am). </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also read that this race is all highway. If you are reading this, thinking about doing the Disney Princess Half or the Regular Half, it is! Still, I entertained myself looking at other people's costumes, and I'm such a huge Disney geek that I loved running behind the scenes, or "backstage," in Disney lingo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />I loved that I have driven this same route a zillion times in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This next photo stop was COMPLETELY worth the wait. All the princes? The "smolder" of Flynn Rider? I was so there. Did I really have to keep running after this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, yes, I did. I wasn't even halfway finished. But here is one of my favorite, unexpected parts of the race:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That would be <i>running through the Magic Kingdom toll booths. </i>Really. I run through TWO theme parks and pass a ton of awesome characters, and one of my favorite parts was a toll booth? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, yeah. The operators (I assume?) were out there, directing people and cheering people on. As I passed the speed bump, I thought, <i>I am not a car</i>, and that thought kept me amused for a very long time. Hey, it was only six am, okay? I am easily amused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Unexpected moments during a race can be good (tollbooths!)...or bad (I certainly didn't expect to be sick). Have you had any unexpected moments in your life lately?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b>Non-running related, I ran into my boyfriend the other day in one of the strangest places in an academic building on campus. Unexpected, but it totally made my day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I'm on spring break right now! Woohoo! If you could take a vacation RIGHT NOW, where would you go?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, I'm currently in a beautiful place, so I think I'll stay right here. =D<b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b> </span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-42962695416016376542012-02-16T22:21:00.000-05:002012-02-16T22:22:42.966-05:00Okay With It<b>Janae</b> over at <a href="http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/">Hungry Runner Girl </a>recently posted about <b><a href="http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/2012/02/fear-of-failure-and-perfectionism.html">perfectionism</a></b>.<div><br /></div><div>It's something I've been thinking a lot about lately. On February 26th, I'll be running the <b>Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>And you know what? Nearly everything has strayed from my plans.</div><div><br /></div><div>-I barely trained for my 10k (but I finished with flying colors).</div><div><br /></div><div>-I was really sick from mid-December to mid-January and I jumped into my half-marathon training plan with some two-mile runs and a six-mile long run the first week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oops.</div><div><br /></div><div>-I got sick AGAIN and it looks like my longest run before the race will be 8 miles.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Only</i> 8 miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Did I ever think I would say "only" 8 miles? 8 miles was an impossible distance once upon a time.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I realized, training or not, I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Life gets in the way of plans sometimes. I've learned to accept this lately, but sometimes it's hard to take a scary plunge when I've been looking forward to this for so long.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm leaving for the trip just about a week from now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm okay with whatever happens.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will finish, even if I'm walking across that finish line.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I'm okay with it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know this race will be tons of fun and a great photo opportunity. After, I'm looking forward to cross-training (conquering my fear of spinning once and for all?!) and running shorter, speedier distances. It'll be nice to run for the sake of running again.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Would you rather train with a purpose (a race, or for charity, or an event) or just for your own benefit?</b></div><div>I love planning, so I like training with a purpose. I think I'll appreciate cross-training a lot more now, though, especially because in college I can really take advantage of a great gym.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What makes you decide to venture out when you have other responsibilities? Friends? Family? A midnight run...or a midnight run to get ice cream? </b></div><div><div>Tonight I decided, heck, it's open mic night and my boyfriend is playing a set. I'm going to go. I'm glad I did-I had a great time and it was nice to hang out with friends. I've worked hard lately and I deserved it. </div></div><div><br /></div>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-81410103823521849472012-02-13T19:40:00.001-05:002012-02-13T20:20:34.833-05:00Diligence, Dancing, and Dorkiness<div style="text-align: left;">Friday night, I went out for sushi and to a cozy venue for a singer-songwriter performance with Max. It was a lovely evening, but I was exhausted and turned in early. Is this what tons of running and homework does to me? I guess so!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Saturday, I took a break from homework to go see <b>The Vow</b> with some girlfriends. Cheesy, as I expected, but with a satisfying ending. I liked it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hurried home to get ready for the Yule Ball...after a week of being fairly responsible and diligent, I was ready to dance!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6D0cW2CtkcnRqXRjN2uuZiWGw4G7KCVBJDUSUaLB_cffQQM5kSuyFsQk1LipyteaZU7awCeeuUztRBGL0CcdD_29llEuqNL9N-EHSZELt7kE-Orgs9kWC_gAgihIT5w1yVU1BesnHw77/s1600/melandme+yule+ball.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoXDGpxvPD4H7uSmiijMV96VXgGnwVg-1CncsHAYw9gE1bc7fioBBWodj8Riyna3Xpc1UUgcPgiTF2t1Su5w8X2i3Y2-a8iQDmu0C2dk5fFZdyGweBP19nADS8V_jeqGWrqgIMV3cty4u/s1600/DSC02031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoXDGpxvPD4H7uSmiijMV96VXgGnwVg-1CncsHAYw9gE1bc7fioBBWodj8Riyna3Xpc1UUgcPgiTF2t1Su5w8X2i3Y2-a8iQDmu0C2dk5fFZdyGweBP19nADS8V_jeqGWrqgIMV3cty4u/s400/DSC02031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708629553310519810" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">(Me and Max before heading out...did I mention it was flurrying?! Freezing out!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6D0cW2CtkcnRqXRjN2uuZiWGw4G7KCVBJDUSUaLB_cffQQM5kSuyFsQk1LipyteaZU7awCeeuUztRBGL0CcdD_29llEuqNL9N-EHSZELt7kE-Orgs9kWC_gAgihIT5w1yVU1BesnHw77/s400/melandme+yule+ball.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708629761170785522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Mel and me at the dance...we had a dancing pre-party and we were SO READY, including to our latest obsession, "We Found Love in a Hopeless Place")</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We all crashed in our room with some...unexpected guests...until the wee hours of the morning, telling stories and being goofy. The master storyteller had an omnipotence not pictured here, hehe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MI2SVWkq-0nKvedXd2aHcVB2oWte4pSZB460aWc6Ve8HqXZEgXZ5nF9QmekJUOqu93UM7v9lrPYSwYfe4kJLr-CJ__nyOFDEEmoyluU-roaLm8hjh7DsTiz8yxP3IOTlQLURZqo6M1ws/s1600/DSC02043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MI2SVWkq-0nKvedXd2aHcVB2oWte4pSZB460aWc6Ve8HqXZEgXZ5nF9QmekJUOqu93UM7v9lrPYSwYfe4kJLr-CJ__nyOFDEEmoyluU-roaLm8hjh7DsTiz8yxP3IOTlQLURZqo6M1ws/s400/DSC02043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708629429892242210" /></a>(How many people can you fit in a room meant for two people? One, two...)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSasOdVLKte3ilm7v9pshFwdloX26dzvAWZW1Xrmp9Ba2GqqlxBpGbSfL-WlxRsIZF_HFauWgyHgMKMwmX16zkYE59NgN9zyUUKBd1erFaJppDyM_a_Fz4SyGWhhAP_-LVwy7mcrcJbadg/s1600/DSC02044.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSasOdVLKte3ilm7v9pshFwdloX26dzvAWZW1Xrmp9Ba2GqqlxBpGbSfL-WlxRsIZF_HFauWgyHgMKMwmX16zkYE59NgN9zyUUKBd1erFaJppDyM_a_Fz4SyGWhhAP_-LVwy7mcrcJbadg/s400/DSC02044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708629307396919314" /></a>(Three, four...)</div><div><br /></div><div>And two more on my bed!</div><div><br /></div><div>I confess to skipping my 9-mile long run in favor of homework and laziness. I didn't get much sleep. I'm <b>not</b> going to beat myself up over it. I need sleep and to keep my grades up, and I'l stick to my long run this weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, Mel and I were being goofy with packages from home. Our parents had shipped us dresses for the dance, and WHAT ELSE are you supposed to do with these except make a robot? </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ocm60DxvIKgXL2JcbBOC63Wb4Z78iHafARcGv6jJidyOC23Hy-fFzRCgGRNwmx7hgBUdej7nAK6L5k0fD_Iir7CV7uXkV1g1WTDt0fzYEOmiG8iJjkRSoVjcRkaILuvhS3qNom2XbTWf/s1600/DSC02045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ocm60DxvIKgXL2JcbBOC63Wb4Z78iHafARcGv6jJidyOC23Hy-fFzRCgGRNwmx7hgBUdej7nAK6L5k0fD_Iir7CV7uXkV1g1WTDt0fzYEOmiG8iJjkRSoVjcRkaILuvhS3qNom2XbTWf/s400/DSC02045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708628331347472466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(The expert robot-designer, hard at work.)</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaoYewmcvZk1xhg50F6yGFtX_TkbHsAq0UTdjaRuxNpzWoj3HC7u9D10pSH0uekCtPWpYkwWAhiO_i9T9g7VJ1z14OR40szHXp1QI_a9N10WEMImWCLm1IqZ2z5GDrXwpVKVGA38ArWPk/s1600/DSC02046.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaoYewmcvZk1xhg50F6yGFtX_TkbHsAq0UTdjaRuxNpzWoj3HC7u9D10pSH0uekCtPWpYkwWAhiO_i9T9g7VJ1z14OR40szHXp1QI_a9N10WEMImWCLm1IqZ2z5GDrXwpVKVGA38ArWPk/s400/DSC02046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708628220793821714" /></a>(The finished product! I barely look human, right? ;) )</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Monday!</div><div><br /></div><div>On Mondays I look forward to pancakes from the dining hall. =D It's also my favorite day of classes, so I really don't mind Mondays. <b>What's your favorite day of the week?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was soooo hungry the other night that I stuck pb on a spoon and dipped it into cereal. <b>Do you have a go-to late night snack? </b>(I try not to snack much at night, but sometimes you must.)</div><div>I really REALLY like chocolate milk. I mean, really. I think I consume enough chocolate milk for twenty people a day, late night or not.</div>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-18263506446950397642012-02-09T23:42:00.002-05:002012-02-09T23:52:43.255-05:00Late Night Laundry<div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday I went to <b>yoga</b> with Mel...I could finally do the chair pose without completely dying! It was intense, but it felt good.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then...late-night laundry!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOfHk61SDVHqN-BQb01uqvXfazNQSRvfTTp2K0mYl7czB-4lY4CuExDOTTsgf9Efdqnxz5Csao1hRnxy3CKoud5XYeYsPmbrc6zrEtZuf_zIdDr3mQOJNcyYLh_PC2tmY6o5UwdePzCJs/s1600/doinglaundry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpg7Ca2ztNbPm1GYqo1ohz3gfI-4Wuie1tCNrSBtgdqE-rRsnnAYuHThz-Rm_W4HHM0wC64zxgIhh2bgySvPQdZOCaEFsVZosTaRdZ8YOKKmmUZ-Sw9lFkFttwq68iPrJLEZxRRZROADh/s1600/wafflesthursday.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOfHk61SDVHqN-BQb01uqvXfazNQSRvfTTp2K0mYl7czB-4lY4CuExDOTTsgf9Efdqnxz5Csao1hRnxy3CKoud5XYeYsPmbrc6zrEtZuf_zIdDr3mQOJNcyYLh_PC2tmY6o5UwdePzCJs/s400/doinglaundry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707360567373742482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">A friend surprised me by making extra chicken nuggets in the kitchen...wooo for an unexpected snack!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T-iVSxdaoHM5agerWVFgESyeCtRMKkuOBqcu-CItRlwACJR4VtG2HBpwK_w5LG8tu5OMEAR4V3jfrvKFA8RJGp25ACodDcQUI7nEkM842ASrqKRCn08Nwr9WDeFKbQGoOJAviCmbyxzA/s1600/chickennuggets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T-iVSxdaoHM5agerWVFgESyeCtRMKkuOBqcu-CItRlwACJR4VtG2HBpwK_w5LG8tu5OMEAR4V3jfrvKFA8RJGp25ACodDcQUI7nEkM842ASrqKRCn08Nwr9WDeFKbQGoOJAviCmbyxzA/s400/chickennuggets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707255749069989250" border="0" /></a>I decided to treat myself to some waffles-a-la-mode this morning...for no other reason than the fact that it has been a crazy week. Very stressful. It was almost *too* sweet, though. I think I prefer my usual combo of peaches and whipped cream, instead.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpg7Ca2ztNbPm1GYqo1ohz3gfI-4Wuie1tCNrSBtgdqE-rRsnnAYuHThz-Rm_W4HHM0wC64zxgIhh2bgySvPQdZOCaEFsVZosTaRdZ8YOKKmmUZ-Sw9lFkFttwq68iPrJLEZxRRZROADh/s1600/wafflesthursday.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpg7Ca2ztNbPm1GYqo1ohz3gfI-4Wuie1tCNrSBtgdqE-rRsnnAYuHThz-Rm_W4HHM0wC64zxgIhh2bgySvPQdZOCaEFsVZosTaRdZ8YOKKmmUZ-Sw9lFkFttwq68iPrJLEZxRRZROADh/s400/wafflesthursday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707255844740747202" border="0" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span>After classes and some homework, I ran with L for a speedy <b>three miles</b> (splits were 10:23, 9:50, and my watch died, so...I'm guessing 10-10:20ish). </div><div><br /></div><div>We went to the Relay for Life rally!</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a giant salad and baked penne:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNd2t10nyNHK3cLr7pzBoA4lZCA2RjG07bxVbzTedoUjJKFYnags_ndKpB5rEWJB9jGdNObOboWt7EI2AdOcLKdtjoMIzW6t1Q0juVyFne4e14gGzGUjRJU9LtjTc1GYwLHTR3eiU0HSq/s400/Photo-0044.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707365031953913122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>And then I piled peppers on my pizza, yuuum.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxENwI5vVWArWfxc_pXIxIStAvAXnYudZqhla55FbZMk9raYhFsoC8UhQyJlDRM-dUfrJrkqOxaK60rVMFMIObmqdvDtSKXbcjrjvsjWHm6fTqIvHHT7VFqZ78RTl36lZ2Y7BIkZ0Hsni/s400/Photo-0046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707365209862402642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been listening to so much <b>Glee</b> music lately ("I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is SO SINGABLE while studying!), but I haven't watched any tv. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's your latest tv addiction?</b></div><div>I miss watching <b>Glee</b> and <b>White Collar</b>, but there's simply too much going on for tv time too!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>My friends have weird nicknames for each other. Mel alternates between calling me anything from puppy to pumpernickel (really). Do you have a nickname?</b></div><div>I've called her jellybean and sour patch kid. Sense a trend in my nicknaming? Hehe.</div><div><b><br /></b></div>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-81073511791008687232012-02-07T15:57:00.008-05:002012-02-07T22:13:57.396-05:00Pastel de Nata and B19So, this past Saturday, I ventured into town with my friend A and Mel to look for dresses. There's going to be a Yule Ball this weekend (woohoo!), and it's semi-formal, so we were on the hunt....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VBW4p-zzk_3fATdOL-wZEPJK_RdH-T_kyjbwntWAD5PsJahVS0MXaYI4X8avaVP_je_ru3xzf_459x9Jiqur1-RUqQ4YVUtnynIpvSTvTsgWh1zUREXgltJeLplJRQiIUDg97OzFVIdr/s1600/DSC02012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VBW4p-zzk_3fATdOL-wZEPJK_RdH-T_kyjbwntWAD5PsJahVS0MXaYI4X8avaVP_je_ru3xzf_459x9Jiqur1-RUqQ4YVUtnynIpvSTvTsgWh1zUREXgltJeLplJRQiIUDg97OzFVIdr/s400/DSC02012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706502064308809922" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Passing some cool shrubbery-people)<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWc5gyNEChNdN3NVVKthajkIyNOK9Vf-qoES2Q2m9sYc-5EQJ6KQepjCCUyf8D3T8uEFCipGlNWhll3X8KfJYJdlJCNLNTaISAGtxCJtyaPGGO4Ymr0zqRC9kKJS20hSXVHrgkvkwsNd_/s1600/DSC02011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWc5gyNEChNdN3NVVKthajkIyNOK9Vf-qoES2Q2m9sYc-5EQJ6KQepjCCUyf8D3T8uEFCipGlNWhll3X8KfJYJdlJCNLNTaISAGtxCJtyaPGGO4Ymr0zqRC9kKJS20hSXVHrgkvkwsNd_/s400/DSC02011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706501926001318802" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(We needed another goofy roomy photo. Stuffed dinosaur? Check.)<br /></div><br />We stopped at a bakery and I treated myself to a pastel de nata, something I'd never heard of. It's a Portuguese egg cream pastry...or so I read on the menu! Delish.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjmYo0KWbNisbJQV2FVuwNj6xWMdKOYu4RY7Uz0tYSFW7a2aq-XTHL6oB1yZocZ6hm6zYl9RUgD_NIbtA_HzBTnBKQUlmSngACLUZzMRACRHFO3FfuRPF0PaRXJUyOej442V45BX2Wm3h/s1600/DSC02015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjmYo0KWbNisbJQV2FVuwNj6xWMdKOYu4RY7Uz0tYSFW7a2aq-XTHL6oB1yZocZ6hm6zYl9RUgD_NIbtA_HzBTnBKQUlmSngACLUZzMRACRHFO3FfuRPF0PaRXJUyOej442V45BX2Wm3h/s400/DSC02015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706502291455290962" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(So flaky and goooooood.)<br /><br /></div>Although shopping in town (and trying on elegant dresses in thrift stores!) was tons of fun, we turned up empty for something we could *actually* wear.<br /><br />Home to the rescue! My mom mailed me a package, and I got it in the mail today. I love getting mail, it's one of the coolest feelings in the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzgOLxH31Md4pH8l1TNoxGfr6UqsykJQex7nP28XWmsQKkSTE3NcuDX4MfMQ7obzWBW11IB5zqI_lQ_zff00y1tMcAadbA38D0ORaIXeeDUO8I9quXfSiPD8zCunV16d5XTyGYL6Oj9cE/s1600/DSC02019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzgOLxH31Md4pH8l1TNoxGfr6UqsykJQex7nP28XWmsQKkSTE3NcuDX4MfMQ7obzWBW11IB5zqI_lQ_zff00y1tMcAadbA38D0ORaIXeeDUO8I9quXfSiPD8zCunV16d5XTyGYL6Oj9cE/s400/DSC02019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706501748349643906" border="0" /></a><br />(Totally worth the long wait in line.)<br /></div><br />After some cheese quesadillas and a salad with iceberg and shredded lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cheddar, refried beans, and lots of guacamole, we headed to bingo (sorry for the blurriness...cell phone camera). I had some oreo cheesecake that I devoured too quickly to photograph...oops. Custard-like, but deeelicious.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEB1nZ17Z_bV2-CdprloW_ljzdnfO3IJOOtv7JIyea5NPCWGYyKZkSI4iJ17cssFqB90u67NqubZIE45tCl8FpXRxuyKXYLKV9MIVQvnXb7RuYPalai-tDDduHdNhbnKp_6NeztpHNfbx/s1600/tacotuesday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEB1nZ17Z_bV2-CdprloW_ljzdnfO3IJOOtv7JIyea5NPCWGYyKZkSI4iJ17cssFqB90u67NqubZIE45tCl8FpXRxuyKXYLKV9MIVQvnXb7RuYPalai-tDDduHdNhbnKp_6NeztpHNfbx/s400/tacotuesday1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706596087283957058" border="0" /></a><br />He's hard at work on B19.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypJxf8c5KOYMtEndFmvKP1B-BAfA49y64sKFCBOeBxehyphenhyphenpI0X72YbhyphenhyphenC9kAOOFe1kPp2HlYmXAL-uBbvtLDr9ZSnXOyzdPxKbaoDu_2YiLUQGurcbRYF-7pS9veg8IciMnNtwDQJ9Vs81/s1600/maxbingo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypJxf8c5KOYMtEndFmvKP1B-BAfA49y64sKFCBOeBxehyphenhyphenpI0X72YbhyphenhyphenC9kAOOFe1kPp2HlYmXAL-uBbvtLDr9ZSnXOyzdPxKbaoDu_2YiLUQGurcbRYF-7pS9veg8IciMnNtwDQJ9Vs81/s400/maxbingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706596575191797826" border="0" /></a><br />(Out of our entire table, none of us won. =( Bummer.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And if you were wondering, it's completely normal to wander by a first-floor dorm and peek inside to see what they're watching (Food Network!) Not that we did it....<br /><br />Good Tuesday. Time for some more homework and SLEEP! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I had so much work today that I'm skipping my run. Do you get workout guilt?<br /><br />Oreo cheesecake! Yeeeaaah! Do you have a candy/dessert combo, or unusual favorite dessert?<br /></span></div></div>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-9526118102284025812012-02-06T19:50:00.000-05:002012-02-06T19:51:22.693-05:00Super Bowl Sunday ShenanigansSaturday night, I ended up chatting with one of my friends about half-marathons, so I didn't fall asleep till past two am...but long run at 10 am the next day we did! Huge thanks to L for accompanying me on the beautiful trail even when he was exhausted. We took a few stretching breaks and did our best to ignore our rumbling stomachs. We hit <span style="font-weight: bold;">six miles </span>at<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 1:17</span>...at the entrance of the dining hall. Perfect timing!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJeWz8hjHpXEl1vG2_bfF6PPvre-eLnz04GP-peLCssnnSheUQJvc_eO-0cd96d_y8Xb00v9s4v4_AWIxT5cKA7lToYZX9S7R0o2cKTbP0pSa2MxmhQp6uIvtjTqLWtQ_ra7z5JlItdPC/s1600/423064_10151242744600037_551130036_22833645_275780185_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJeWz8hjHpXEl1vG2_bfF6PPvre-eLnz04GP-peLCssnnSheUQJvc_eO-0cd96d_y8Xb00v9s4v4_AWIxT5cKA7lToYZX9S7R0o2cKTbP0pSa2MxmhQp6uIvtjTqLWtQ_ra7z5JlItdPC/s400/423064_10151242744600037_551130036_22833645_275780185_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706187948743172418" border="0" /></a>Sandwiched between L and Mel. Yes, we are THOSE people that ran straight to the dining hall instead of showering...yikes. The BF isn't pictured...but he showed up to enjoy my sweaty company, anyway. What a trooper.<br /><br />After a relaxaing afternoon, we all piled into the lounge to watch the game on the projector. Go Giants! Wooo! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjaKMyz76ouP7Crgw8xerYdkosiriM0FBa9y4EDpPAl0LhRTzYf4m7_TBugEz1HnLHPIrmEA6ssvnc2moxvw0ik3kKy0wAwp1WGw-sC9CsfBE2WDkh4Agtalc7krlAXEKBcnRCihNCabL/s1600/431327_10151244621200037_551130036_22842765_1332103795_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjaKMyz76ouP7Crgw8xerYdkosiriM0FBa9y4EDpPAl0LhRTzYf4m7_TBugEz1HnLHPIrmEA6ssvnc2moxvw0ik3kKy0wAwp1WGw-sC9CsfBE2WDkh4Agtalc7krlAXEKBcnRCihNCabL/s400/431327_10151244621200037_551130036_22842765_1332103795_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706188964744029682" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Cheering the team on after stuffing ourselves with pizza and chicken wings!) <br /></div><br />Yup, just some college students having fun. But I've gotta say...Mel is a big fan of creepy photos.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-51JK8hqxIZMfx3hovaxdVWfe23SavZcjDjCdIE2BOW1yM2xcJZP1PtAZBAf2Z9qdnEcgXtPbo2bWfUgWAPr5Est2QUkbXPNSSIZO6k5OSSHruuZARwCTpU0YSa9zAF-B2JvpaGPp0FM1/s1600/418900_10151244620415037_551130036_22842757_349600537_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-51JK8hqxIZMfx3hovaxdVWfe23SavZcjDjCdIE2BOW1yM2xcJZP1PtAZBAf2Z9qdnEcgXtPbo2bWfUgWAPr5Est2QUkbXPNSSIZO6k5OSSHruuZARwCTpU0YSa9zAF-B2JvpaGPp0FM1/s400/418900_10151244620415037_551130036_22842757_349600537_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706188391118544050" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(Like this one. Girl knows how to capture my beauty, let me tell ya.)<br /></div><br />I'm still recovering from my food coma, phew. <br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you watch the game?!</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's Monday. I'm exhausted and swimming in homework. Any concentration tips?</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-51378223670272381582012-02-01T23:00:00.000-05:002012-02-01T23:04:04.496-05:00Go Long!The past two Sundays, I've been going long. 7 and 8 miles, both new distances for me! (1:38 and 1:40 respectively). It was pretty eye-opening to see how much faster I run outside rather than on the treadmill.<br /><br />I was so proud of my 8-miler that I took a photo:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zM7zTsJaZ72zon3MajfH0KLC_LwQ-79TYlNEzTrw_eKmGIYW7Q46eBOOecxtHMUXT6PKPee2zV_ZymV6zC90ThJwgwgmuV3vMIRwfZMqgRF1CTu4oVQRq1TclxvtDnlTbt-ptdGEHArw/s1600/DSC01993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zM7zTsJaZ72zon3MajfH0KLC_LwQ-79TYlNEzTrw_eKmGIYW7Q46eBOOecxtHMUXT6PKPee2zV_ZymV6zC90ThJwgwgmuV3vMIRwfZMqgRF1CTu4oVQRq1TclxvtDnlTbt-ptdGEHArw/s400/DSC01993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704380706998057106" border="0" /></a>(Yaaaaay! 8 miles!)<br /></div><br />It was a nice, relaxing run. I <span style="font-weight: bold;">love</span> Sunday long runs. They give me time to meditate, ruminate, and, I admit, belt out some Flight of the Conchords alongside Taylor Swift. (Yep, I've got quite an eclectic mix of music.)<br /><br />I've been trying more gym classes--I tried a dance class yesterday and Zumba'd it up today! On top of that, I ran a quick <span style="font-weight: bold;">three miles</span> with a friend. Half-marathon training and socializing has never been so exhausting!<br /><br />My roomie, Mel, smuggled me back a s'mores bar from the cafeteria:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLous11rbOWv2I-umCckjH0mDnIzctxZhRHrhDU1tMOk6vPBomjLFGBrFTz_6mOGrQAUiQkkpQ-56QcRmjPgl-IsP7Is8ym-bLJYWqHqvokjQTtYYL0fiHKl4PMKwBTO5GfYQuNK3d3eb/s1600/DSC02002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLous11rbOWv2I-umCckjH0mDnIzctxZhRHrhDU1tMOk6vPBomjLFGBrFTz_6mOGrQAUiQkkpQ-56QcRmjPgl-IsP7Is8ym-bLJYWqHqvokjQTtYYL0fiHKl4PMKwBTO5GfYQuNK3d3eb/s400/DSC02002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704383506797562578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(These are addicting. Oooh, my.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I'm running five miles tomorrow with a bud! YAY for half-marathon training! Time for bed...schoolwork + social life + training is exhausting.<br /></div></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's your latest food addiction?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I was talking with a friend yesterday, and while I thought about running as a love and an addiction, she thought about it like a love/hate relationship...what do you think?</span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-19033409289111517282012-01-18T10:31:00.005-05:002012-01-18T10:50:29.478-05:00Adventuring in Progress....<span>What can I say? I sincerely apologize for the gigantic hiatus. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">College got the best of me,</span><span> and these past four months have been</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>unlike</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> anything </span><span>I've ever known. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />What I did this half of 2011:<br /><br />-Ran a 10k! (recap coming!)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span>The Rock 'n' Roll 10k in Prospect Park was one of the most unprepared-for events I've ever participated in. I'd only run two 5ks before this, so I was a wreck, but it was an amazing race and I finished with a smile on my face!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>-Got a 4.0 average!</span> I was taking two major classes, but only twelve credits. Still...it's a proud moment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">-Which means I made the Dean's List!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />-Had an amazing social life and managed to meet some incredible people (including my boyfriend, but more on that later).<br /><br />-Fell in love with yoga<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span>Oooh, yoga. I love it. I've started practicing some yoga stretches after runs and I've noticed it makes such a difference in my running. And stretching and warm-ups and cool-downs are now my buds. 2012 will not be the year of injuries!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />-Mourned the loss of my kitchen </span><br />I have microwaveable soup more often than I would like, but the weekend breakfasts are very good. Still, I miss my gigantic fridge of fruit and veggies at home!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />-Played in the snow...on Halloween<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Snowball fight with my friends? Check!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br />-Went to my first concert! (Laura Stevenson & The Cans)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span>They were amazing live, even though I didn't get home till 2:30 am! It was worth it.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />Here's to an adventure-filled (AND blog-filled) 2012!<br /><br />Hang on tight for the ride!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3RRqiIWy5QRYT41eFm-Q02YtF2QIymSdlWmlCvxac8uJkF2PYG3hV-ZwxLAfSdeEXTc0umi3MjqmY9GW6ITWz_rjVh2wobEFSi8Rdls7SQoy2O9gHu04jv4Fi5JAzEGhwEoFX6RKxTn4/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 427px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3RRqiIWy5QRYT41eFm-Q02YtF2QIymSdlWmlCvxac8uJkF2PYG3hV-ZwxLAfSdeEXTc0umi3MjqmY9GW6ITWz_rjVh2wobEFSi8Rdls7SQoy2O9gHu04jv4Fi5JAzEGhwEoFX6RKxTn4/s400/DSC_0249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698999114038411266" border="0" /></a>(Ziplining in Costa Rica, Jan. 2012)<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-10613900800710956582011-09-13T22:48:00.003-04:002011-09-13T22:55:58.748-04:00Terrific Trip Tuesday: Kayaking!I recently went on a school-sponsored trip to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bannerman Castle</span>, located on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pollopel Island</span> in upstate New York.<br /><br />I almost missed the trip, if not for my neighbor waking me up at 8:30 to run to the bus! He (and my roomie) woke me up at 2 am to tell me when we had to leave the next day, but I don't remember it! Scary. It's like it was a dream. I can vaguely picture it, but I was really, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> out of it. Um...it's said there are three things you can get in college: <span style="font-weight: bold;">sleep, good grades, and a social life.</span> The catch? Pick two! <br /><br />Clearly, I need more sleep.<br /><br />What a gorgeous day! I've <span style="font-weight: bold;">kayaked</span> a few times before, but this was my first time in a single-seater. Soooo much fun! (No photos, sorry, because I forgot my phone on the bus.) I was worried it was going to be too strenuous (even though the flier said no experience necessary, I didn't believe it! The backpacking trip also said no experience necessary, and that was TOUGH AS HELL), but it was fine. I was able to easily stay in the front of the pack and drifted to the middle often so I could just float and enjoy the view of the mountains. My arms weren't even sore (okay, *too* sore) the next day. Yipee!<br /><br />I've joined the outdoors club here at school (and I've recently become a yoga addict), so I'm anxious to see what other trips there are. There's indoor rock-climbing this week...hmm. <br /><br />The internet is slow here, but college is awesome. Once I have my posters up, I'll show off my room. My Tuesdays should be renamed tiring Tuesdays...I had four classes today, so blogging is a stretch! Hopefully, as things get back to normal (bizarre schedule from Hurricane Irene), I'll get back to blogging regularly. I apologize for the lull.<br /><br />Happy adventuring! =)April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-1032134133390640862011-09-06T22:38:00.014-04:002011-09-06T23:09:33.511-04:00Terrific Trip Tuesday: Salamanders, 'Shrooms and Summits!We hiked 1.5 miles in and within the first five minutes, I thought, <span style="font-weight: bold;">this is the toughest thing I've ever done.</span><br /><br />The first five feet were straight <span style="font-weight: bold;">downhill</span>, and my pack was set awkwardly, so it was digging into my head, and I couldn't see. I seriously considered turning around.<br /><br />And you know, I take the most pride in myself for <span style="font-weight: bold;">not giving up</span> when things get tough. Still, I've learned it's important to know my limits.<br /><br />It was time to push them a little farther.<br /><br />We set up camp in Phoenicia and just sat around, played cards, and talked. At nighttime, we had a fire and we even found an orange salamander! (We dubbed him Charlie.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DrFQEqZTE4lE3-KLc4NOoiw9G5rTAwatR8UCAqQdJEL8NPpCMveRwxlw4rn2aJTK6g3JAdvSuldHRM32nTgsAOAR9j-K90luaIwU5qlA6ypcwBtXneITislnhhvzQWsNZ3O3Ugc0TeBT/s1600/DSC01186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DrFQEqZTE4lE3-KLc4NOoiw9G5rTAwatR8UCAqQdJEL8NPpCMveRwxlw4rn2aJTK6g3JAdvSuldHRM32nTgsAOAR9j-K90luaIwU5qlA6ypcwBtXneITislnhhvzQWsNZ3O3Ugc0TeBT/s400/DSC01186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649446443488587666" border="0" /></a>It was nice and toasty around the fire. We played many rounds of the "picnic" game, when you have to guess different rules of what is allowed (and isn't) on a picnic, like certain letters, or a certain number of syllables.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVI3gj-4fCBoaGsGNL3_uPKX5f6lFu0QK9KYsuOaaZIzo4HMStQxuSUIIYBdcoF6stxjAOMY9vshhT5Mt0TBxXBSk8TZe_D9BndsdgWWeg8PngVvHB5-EdNrMhz51duyZO8-lL25hlYlp/s1600/DSC01187.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVI3gj-4fCBoaGsGNL3_uPKX5f6lFu0QK9KYsuOaaZIzo4HMStQxuSUIIYBdcoF6stxjAOMY9vshhT5Mt0TBxXBSk8TZe_D9BndsdgWWeg8PngVvHB5-EdNrMhz51duyZO8-lL25hlYlp/s400/DSC01187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649446340193227426" border="0" /></a>Charlie!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6avdq1jIsJKy7uD61ZMQIyNqzmjvkmGDCCUhBTexRv8HF9esnhi8UT5GOQddrNrRTEEU4ke7tFuU07A3xXuMTrphQW62qCpnAlDe6h3sc-bzGw2eUQ4xOnUxJ_ifurHadCduzVX_lOa_/s1600/DSC01189.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6avdq1jIsJKy7uD61ZMQIyNqzmjvkmGDCCUhBTexRv8HF9esnhi8UT5GOQddrNrRTEEU4ke7tFuU07A3xXuMTrphQW62qCpnAlDe6h3sc-bzGw2eUQ4xOnUxJ_ifurHadCduzVX_lOa_/s400/DSC01189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649446226070982258" border="0" /></a>Some <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jiffy-Pop </span>around the fire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHsBAS5t2YaYPW8lsFZQps4300gmxRSPz86UsVSc5PAKPCUk3Xdimc3ZzDnrUCheCjeR6_NBn9tbW-W74X-62_B6XF0-B-NPJ8qqSjOu9qiC6zP6fL9vAvRGGsC25jK9pWuBqP1nWjySR/s1600/DSC01190.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHsBAS5t2YaYPW8lsFZQps4300gmxRSPz86UsVSc5PAKPCUk3Xdimc3ZzDnrUCheCjeR6_NBn9tbW-W74X-62_B6XF0-B-NPJ8qqSjOu9qiC6zP6fL9vAvRGGsC25jK9pWuBqP1nWjySR/s400/DSC01190.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649446033954491394" border="0" /></a>The woods!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlp7HzHIBk-qRx3dF6gq5mlCYLOVJ0m2Gxt2E2mcujHcWLLr16tHEZ0Y7rYCiX2k6Z5RYUzhSC4VAzctOH5uA5PeNCtYoOHgV9Co3xkVsRyvagqOWfDx7mBIg9PO6f6IlYc7PVYJrbE7u/s1600/DSC01201.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtvgPuHVfv94pBEJosfW25p6gZ4DyPJ9gKtDOveIdlWPOtj4HN7eBNMWsXcCqmspzXwKYP7DeNkzGuhmVtCiy1_lZuLfyseto0sZfcx3SfV2PUTk7bQgQuyrzH8tK4lqTIOORMQ6yk0lp/s1600/DSC01197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtvgPuHVfv94pBEJosfW25p6gZ4DyPJ9gKtDOveIdlWPOtj4HN7eBNMWsXcCqmspzXwKYP7DeNkzGuhmVtCiy1_lZuLfyseto0sZfcx3SfV2PUTk7bQgQuyrzH8tK4lqTIOORMQ6yk0lp/s400/DSC01197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649445496682492738" border="0" /></a><br />This is actually from the last day, but I LOVE my tent. I sleep so well outside. I just conk out. Too bad I don't sleep that well in my dorm! I was up at five am today...eek.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlp7HzHIBk-qRx3dF6gq5mlCYLOVJ0m2Gxt2E2mcujHcWLLr16tHEZ0Y7rYCiX2k6Z5RYUzhSC4VAzctOH5uA5PeNCtYoOHgV9Co3xkVsRyvagqOWfDx7mBIg9PO6f6IlYc7PVYJrbE7u/s1600/DSC01201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlp7HzHIBk-qRx3dF6gq5mlCYLOVJ0m2Gxt2E2mcujHcWLLr16tHEZ0Y7rYCiX2k6Z5RYUzhSC4VAzctOH5uA5PeNCtYoOHgV9Co3xkVsRyvagqOWfDx7mBIg9PO6f6IlYc7PVYJrbE7u/s400/DSC01201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649445795691857810" border="0" /></a>My friends and I are hiking to the bus with our packs (about 1.5 miles back).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_uLilBjOBk3ynRmvI-0Z192tdcfvjFgOGXT-8V0xjKdrfsuKy7nXu-gXeQ4jlzHu9V8QfHMqQ9vNwAoC9Omuhp8fxeLiObEvCt8SoOuCU-tLYrvoZGZXJZLFNXrmCfcT1uwLMb2h4XGC/s1600/DSC01205.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_uLilBjOBk3ynRmvI-0Z192tdcfvjFgOGXT-8V0xjKdrfsuKy7nXu-gXeQ4jlzHu9V8QfHMqQ9vNwAoC9Omuhp8fxeLiObEvCt8SoOuCU-tLYrvoZGZXJZLFNXrmCfcT1uwLMb2h4XGC/s400/DSC01205.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649445002866328770" border="0" /></a>There were several small waterfalls and we even hiked along a stream. This is my favorite photo from the trip. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S_Ky3pcHhUjtG4xYLKlIfumKnWQfleNMpfN5S4avEXLmKKWKq9UEcRWYQNnFTC0tc8d0xlJIME6e8PZkUu2tqf42XLwTa2adceDFrJeK1zYGaDrLDl0H5Wa6g_zjmKr6Z2xvUwjDvcFq/s1600/DSC01216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S_Ky3pcHhUjtG4xYLKlIfumKnWQfleNMpfN5S4avEXLmKKWKq9UEcRWYQNnFTC0tc8d0xlJIME6e8PZkUu2tqf42XLwTa2adceDFrJeK1zYGaDrLDl0H5Wa6g_zjmKr6Z2xvUwjDvcFq/s400/DSC01216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649443200684024034" border="0" /></a>Our guide wanted to take some "artsy" shots. "Bend your leg! No, your other leg!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCVHocDowo87Eq_-2eZ3e3xQXz0NLpviG7q7XqcXQud0oban6_7qMAPXEi7jh6NL80EY8vqqERe9awo_jn8w8PWPkVmPTK3RKYPAWiV38Cc2Wcr80cNBQUpUP8E6oPwCsHc3u4yOczyIG/s1600/DSC01223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCVHocDowo87Eq_-2eZ3e3xQXz0NLpviG7q7XqcXQud0oban6_7qMAPXEi7jh6NL80EY8vqqERe9awo_jn8w8PWPkVmPTK3RKYPAWiV38Cc2Wcr80cNBQUpUP8E6oPwCsHc3u4yOczyIG/s400/DSC01223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649442685094455426" border="0" /></a>He was so excited to find some edible black mushrooms (black crumpets) to eat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBlwZ9OlekhQI0zB4Bm2U98d8RjCWjRwpIY53B3oLpfKSDNVFI3_TqjR0dp-W8RKSeKZ-5TEQTMuRAc7_uQL8GiWO-LV14cKS3yQPWeKUfkymbg-EfEWzvjO81ZHTBKB8vc7rb4gM4X-D/s1600/DSC01226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBlwZ9OlekhQI0zB4Bm2U98d8RjCWjRwpIY53B3oLpfKSDNVFI3_TqjR0dp-W8RKSeKZ-5TEQTMuRAc7_uQL8GiWO-LV14cKS3yQPWeKUfkymbg-EfEWzvjO81ZHTBKB8vc7rb4gM4X-D/s400/DSC01226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649442495716797874" border="0" /></a>I loved standing over the bridge. Almost there! We were very tired by this point (the third day, and the day after the hardest hiking day, when we hiked about six miles to the summit). <br /><br />Actually, the second day, we made it about 2 miles to the trailhead before we heard BADOOOMBOOOOOOOOOM and within thirty seconds, it started pouring rain. We had to turn around and head back to camp. Around 3, it cleared up, and by 4, me and two other girls were bored enough to head back up to try the summit again. Boy, was it steep! The second attempt, we just took rain gear, headlamps, and water. Soooo much easier without packs.<br /><br />Although it's challenging, I love hiking! This was my first time hiking, and it really pushes your body in a different way.<br /><br />Anyway, about .5 of a mile from the summit, we hit some rock stairs. These were some hard-core vertical stairs that were extremely steep. I have some issues with stairs. My balance is not the best, and I fell quite a lot as a child. <br /><br />BADOOOMBOOOOOOOOOM.<br /><br />I tried the rock stairs, but it was *so* steep that I was completely convinced I couldn't make it back down in a downpour without sliding. I went back with one of the more experienced girls, and, sure enough, fifteen minutes down it started to POUR. <br /><br />Turns out there were FIVE sets of rock stairs total. Eek. The others made it to the top and back down two sets, but they said it was absolutely crazy coming back down the rest of the way.<br /><br />I was glad I challenged myself, but glad I went with my gut feeling (that I have so often overridden this year). After all, it was only my first time hiking EVER! I think I did pretty well. =D<br /><br />On Sunday, we were never so glad to see the main road, and civilization, again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeCe3BlTZeMACg8bQaSsRJMEZP7TRI7POp3Rfhssa6plinzxZX0_MF_iLkDLBzvkpRO8B_Xc8TBNBoybnYPYoVyQF9436LNmwC_UwTBpo8k3Z0Bvf3B7HO0BVnscoS3lsF-_PjwrRtW9w/s1600/DSC01231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeCe3BlTZeMACg8bQaSsRJMEZP7TRI7POp3Rfhssa6plinzxZX0_MF_iLkDLBzvkpRO8B_Xc8TBNBoybnYPYoVyQF9436LNmwC_UwTBpo8k3Z0Bvf3B7HO0BVnscoS3lsF-_PjwrRtW9w/s400/DSC01231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649442192923294418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WdpDgpQYivXlg0C-H97Vqh8TsBemZOJFSEygE7b9jewYe3Ay6LV8KmIze12xlv9zja5eLEwH9fEN4GSjonCYwo1aGWjEyaMbWPUixRYPnrVejqUe2usiG_tPUpILazusEjn-dii0HaRx/s1600/DSC01232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WdpDgpQYivXlg0C-H97Vqh8TsBemZOJFSEygE7b9jewYe3Ay6LV8KmIze12xlv9zja5eLEwH9fEN4GSjonCYwo1aGWjEyaMbWPUixRYPnrVejqUe2usiG_tPUpILazusEjn-dii0HaRx/s400/DSC01232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649442036299870642" border="0" /></a>The guides got straight to work cooking the sausages with mushrooms, though. <br /><br />Three days of backpacking in Phoenicia, New York. One awesome adventure.<br /><br />My first thought upon returning home? SHOOOOOOOWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-24066571044426329132011-08-23T10:17:00.002-04:002011-08-23T10:17:00.415-04:00Terrific Trip Tuesday: My Home TurfRewind to a cool day in NYC history....
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When the Yankees won the World Series!</span>
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<br />A friend and I skipped off to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Manhattan</span> to watch the parade, and then out to Max Brenner for some goodies.
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<br />I'm about to leave for my hiking trip, so I'll let the photos speak for themselves. =)
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2Xar76e-4Y3P3uyuf9rB2OWdY7tlLih2pvnkuXkPNL0xxV3_qSKXG5S1UvCe6lq-1nqB34jALFj6CsTkrcDBpO4wRBMHS7CIX1NGAdlFbkT42ACIZuR0BIaix3FA2zns5HaawKa3FhS3/s1600/DSC09628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2Xar76e-4Y3P3uyuf9rB2OWdY7tlLih2pvnkuXkPNL0xxV3_qSKXG5S1UvCe6lq-1nqB34jALFj6CsTkrcDBpO4wRBMHS7CIX1NGAdlFbkT42ACIZuR0BIaix3FA2zns5HaawKa3FhS3/s400/DSC09628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642910767147393122" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRa1h1-kvjhaLrlPlI4uHZAHKezOpa5PGJ7ZagJ_5mpNc6Qn52n_f9XslMx_UGMUEheUlF2eo3Oiu5wVG8OxnFVEPjYWbJ9AhqUNFBtEU5u32409sXh-CTnuSUxQLa5R3vVtx7EStgnqq/s1600/DSC09635.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRa1h1-kvjhaLrlPlI4uHZAHKezOpa5PGJ7ZagJ_5mpNc6Qn52n_f9XslMx_UGMUEheUlF2eo3Oiu5wVG8OxnFVEPjYWbJ9AhqUNFBtEU5u32409sXh-CTnuSUxQLa5R3vVtx7EStgnqq/s400/DSC09635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642910497338983954" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHAjnjscazfTe_HIGHZQwcvQOkvR7ZC0RRq8grePU0a6H_QX-f33yk89SwIGH6oZ8GvSbz-Hz6PRXf4laSLdTW0mOqAerCXlDa6SipiFh5rQE8fdOV8WMbo7PulhRxj8u5LfunHzJOHUr/s1600/DSC09649.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHAjnjscazfTe_HIGHZQwcvQOkvR7ZC0RRq8grePU0a6H_QX-f33yk89SwIGH6oZ8GvSbz-Hz6PRXf4laSLdTW0mOqAerCXlDa6SipiFh5rQE8fdOV8WMbo7PulhRxj8u5LfunHzJOHUr/s400/DSC09649.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642909928061326626" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnDlHRRo3vQv_vqeag-1usWUDhWyORpPQJn_3lctr_FSW7Ae0mCgeraUaay682eo6JSWPx-xhyozmtW0F6uwdWSFDP_MzyOr5jqoIymRW1lW2npFh1sW57eqADub-bqqATU-oByaMhG_y/s1600/DSC09656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnDlHRRo3vQv_vqeag-1usWUDhWyORpPQJn_3lctr_FSW7Ae0mCgeraUaay682eo6JSWPx-xhyozmtW0F6uwdWSFDP_MzyOr5jqoIymRW1lW2npFh1sW57eqADub-bqqATU-oByaMhG_y/s400/DSC09656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642909683764676946" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDpE7LTW4qwzKc-3P_KdHwSp1kjcFpvsIRlGbrm22htyTy_jWq-ttUhek-VrQiF0jffgZYoXZAdPKD2jDZah474oYXUOCxp7W_zrCV5Qk6sXUbUJu-dsTHr-ITE7o1scVHsh4uKdP7UoO/s1600/DSC09684.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDpE7LTW4qwzKc-3P_KdHwSp1kjcFpvsIRlGbrm22htyTy_jWq-ttUhek-VrQiF0jffgZYoXZAdPKD2jDZah474oYXUOCxp7W_zrCV5Qk6sXUbUJu-dsTHr-ITE7o1scVHsh4uKdP7UoO/s400/DSC09684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642909358988422482" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hxlXfMklSGoSrf-5cGyusHr1eQdhns7M9z1vk0QHgP8bGTFbo7VwTVJ5WIVlRBXq1fXOJNCJ40bgdQcZzcJ6USc6KgD7p3ckPHXbJctqUVo1bfbUXdK3njKXTf_gfNp4zxkTYePViKIa/s1600/DSC09687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hxlXfMklSGoSrf-5cGyusHr1eQdhns7M9z1vk0QHgP8bGTFbo7VwTVJ5WIVlRBXq1fXOJNCJ40bgdQcZzcJ6USc6KgD7p3ckPHXbJctqUVo1bfbUXdK3njKXTf_gfNp4zxkTYePViKIa/s400/DSC09687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642399116139863906" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do you love about your hometown?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I've just moved into my dorm! Woohoo! What are you looking forward to about this school year?</span>
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<br />April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-81204008126765484072011-08-19T10:17:00.002-04:002011-08-19T10:17:00.701-04:00The Week Where I Give In To Every Craving....Okay, I'm only going to be gone for about two weeks before I visit home.
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<br />Still, the past week has been packed with visiting friends, eating a TON of delicious food, and basically traipsing around my house like I'm leaving forever. Oh, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">shopping</span>. I caved and bought <a href="http://www.newbalance.com/products/WW10/">New Balance Minimus Life sneaks</a>. I love them so far--review coming soon!
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<br />Canceling my gym membership and returning all my library books seems so <span style="font-weight: bold;">final</span>. How did summer go so quickly??
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<br />With a number of things to do before I left, close to the top of my list was to make a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Green Monster smoothie</span>. I used the simple-yet-delicious <a href="http://juliannabananna.blogspot.com/2011/06/first-ever-green-monster-baccalaureate.html">recipe</a> from <a href="http://juliannabananna.blogspot.com/">JuliannaBananna</a>. It isn't the prettiest, but it was delicious! (My mom tasted it and was shocked when she heard I put <span style="font-style: italic;">spinach</span> in it. I eat the most vegetables in the family, haha.)
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToz9Fp2NbzGcrnKT8oh9JjHizX22kY-VEOUnAfZftqYWC60AO7mlyp5VILmf8GjzDqPLx_6eU6dJwb7YrIiCAUPKNTGkuXvBPcNooiTYSN_9I7L7354vwl7ks1xgfC-vKtjW4ZuQ7fdWH/s1600/DSC01155.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToz9Fp2NbzGcrnKT8oh9JjHizX22kY-VEOUnAfZftqYWC60AO7mlyp5VILmf8GjzDqPLx_6eU6dJwb7YrIiCAUPKNTGkuXvBPcNooiTYSN_9I7L7354vwl7ks1xgfC-vKtjW4ZuQ7fdWH/s400/DSC01155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642387175493663698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bottoms up!</span>
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<br />I have been craving <span style="font-weight: bold;">s'mores </span>lately, so I finally bought all my ingredients at the grocery and concocted a ton. This one is made with a<span style="font-weight: bold;"> dark chocolate Reese's</span>. YUM. Dark chocolate + pb = amaaazing combination.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR3g-cZK_WN2UPa2T5wkI3o0R0iyuHGNRQaCvkF26zd7VL1z_YTmrMQHH2PX2dyV8Vb0FFTnjSj5oSfKtimHu7OEQS4PaRvOkN03JrIXvA0bxiRoL4K59LhgKW4SC6Moi-4bi4aV1Izig/s1600/DSC01171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR3g-cZK_WN2UPa2T5wkI3o0R0iyuHGNRQaCvkF26zd7VL1z_YTmrMQHH2PX2dyV8Vb0FFTnjSj5oSfKtimHu7OEQS4PaRvOkN03JrIXvA0bxiRoL4K59LhgKW4SC6Moi-4bi4aV1Izig/s400/DSC01171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642386252227285650" border="0" /></a>We finally went to a new(ish, new to me is about...a year?!) restaurant, CheeburgerCheeburger. I did the unthinkable and ordered a salad. They have unlimited toppings on their salads, so I went a bit crazy. It was gigantic, with <span style="font-weight: bold;">grilled chicken, banana peppers, red bell peppers, grape tomatoes, salsa, black olives, cheddar cheese, guacamole, onions, baby corn, </span>and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> romaine. </span>*phew* I think that's everything! I liked the salad even better after it marinated overnight, and I stuffed it in a wrap, which toned down the spiciness a bit.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RgDlXVMTI6nG4MDcBHPQCWBfdiPqpyy2NdgMc8eenp4PdaMlCdsbKn7GjsMCHSQGxkfXTkc8jytnA5s3CcGYyyS4z7OERbJ1H74lpgfAX3m9psLhavt2J0uh-XqnI2pnYAmUGNyW0pEf/s1600/DSC01156.jpg">
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C7HV4W9qmlF039d8LQQejdREaW1lAPnZ1AuEUcAgHnkB2CL_ucGvZtSqOL4pT1RFUQWzvosDJ3TcWLIutcpI13vfL_1F-uLDDYUUUnbQvX-90dJBOGSux_a6EIuOJLpYxEVnKfuXjGrn/s1600/DSC01159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C7HV4W9qmlF039d8LQQejdREaW1lAPnZ1AuEUcAgHnkB2CL_ucGvZtSqOL4pT1RFUQWzvosDJ3TcWLIutcpI13vfL_1F-uLDDYUUUnbQvX-90dJBOGSux_a6EIuOJLpYxEVnKfuXjGrn/s400/DSC01159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642386958220680402" border="0" /></a>
<br />I leave with this (so flattering) photo of me, because my mom thought it was funny I was in bliss, and I made s'mores three nights in a row.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have marshmallows, will microwave.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5GDpkow_jPm4hdq_4ulwpqh0zaMFqhw2ZWMFKLOLONNYCbkUhGm9ErI3SW667pOu8NP6bW20xGYSAFxrBeR1zkI404OT3lRA4Fmze69qvYSczNtrDoDznLv7HlV9OPJLMKMCMLPArpgX/s1600/DSC01169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5GDpkow_jPm4hdq_4ulwpqh0zaMFqhw2ZWMFKLOLONNYCbkUhGm9ErI3SW667pOu8NP6bW20xGYSAFxrBeR1zkI404OT3lRA4Fmze69qvYSczNtrDoDznLv7HlV9OPJLMKMCMLPArpgX/s400/DSC01169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642386748505144482" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I might become a s'more.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What food can't you get enough of lately?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I loved my Green Monster! I wish it had more green. Do you like smoothie/shakes?</span>
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<br />April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-74330404891119797162011-08-16T10:15:00.005-04:002011-08-16T10:15:01.538-04:00Terrific Trip Tuesday: Washington, D.C.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xrIa_YtHERhETZe3zhTZMCjqHUe-wAbyuekaA4TQYWwtzAlqdStXluUtdyMFTmwFhBhsq9P9G3GQcTXaOD0miGTxJiW17rjFXVB7UVPY7flRZ3C3oSty5s6U0glETuAEIjOhIBlxZNky/s1600/DSC00992.JPG">
<br /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Although my trip was only a few days, so much happened that I had to split it into two parts. (Part 1: National Harbor, Maryland and Alexandria, VA <a href="http://adventureapril.blogspot.com/2011/08/terrific-trip-tuesday.html">here</a>.)</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm going for a run! No, really, I AM!</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After a day of sightseeing in Alexandria, I decided to check out the hotel gym for a quick run. I mean...super quick. I ran two miles in about 23 minutes and then ran back to my room to take a shower before the military band performance.</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9nS24dwnetor0ZeVHK7W5A9uvq5VN1xZ1M8gYYYIFuwm5W-8iaaf8DHewSOzsLrZGCbNoS3PZtdvyHDGl-RsG0N6dw4f0ah5VEV80C36GuzvBSKdEYty5HBgfDsJ9ha3DLH0xAgbxQsp/s1600/DSC00914.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9nS24dwnetor0ZeVHK7W5A9uvq5VN1xZ1M8gYYYIFuwm5W-8iaaf8DHewSOzsLrZGCbNoS3PZtdvyHDGl-RsG0N6dw4f0ah5VEV80C36GuzvBSKdEYty5HBgfDsJ9ha3DLH0xAgbxQsp/s400/DSC00914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311128419726594" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A workout is a workout.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I wasn't exactly planning on running this vacation (I had a huuuge inflating spider bite on my heel), but I was able to cover it up with a band-aid and some foam so I could walk (and run!) without pain. Due to this, I didn't exactly pack running clothes...so my pajama Tweety top it was. =P</span>
<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cQzkAszk_h_Cll31HXXXPrih2w5QtaA44oDtIqyGiXUsvAZnnbNebaBtRrCW71Um8fWVDglKnPznMdBH6UZj5gGaJc0BLtXZXLjytY8RGsmfLV1e6-K4ZJD3uxrNCNwbvDYdD_ZxpbRn/s1600/DSC00915.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cQzkAszk_h_Cll31HXXXPrih2w5QtaA44oDtIqyGiXUsvAZnnbNebaBtRrCW71Um8fWVDglKnPznMdBH6UZj5gGaJc0BLtXZXLjytY8RGsmfLV1e6-K4ZJD3uxrNCNwbvDYdD_ZxpbRn/s400/DSC00915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311217674666530" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After a speedy shower, we headed down to the harbor to watch the Army band perform. They were awesome! We grabbed some subs and sat on the steps for a waterside show. Later that evening, we saw some impressive fireworks (while perched on boulders by the hotel) and I edited for several hours.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The next day was busy! We toured the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Capitol</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Fun fact--even though there is a crypt inside it, no one is actually buried there. George Washington was supposed to be buried there, but he requested in his will to be buried at Mt. Vernon instead. Inside statuary hall, there are "whisper spots" where you can hear people several feet away, thanks to the acoustics of the building. </span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Another fun fact: the statue of </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">King Kamehameha I </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">stood in statuary hall until the floor underneath started cracking. The statue and its base have a combined weight of </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">15,000 lbs</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. WHOA. It now stands in the lobby of the building. (more info on the statue and the man </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh/kamehameha.cfm">here</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.)</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> With a quick stop for some food in the cafeteria before heading over to the Library:</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVQYf0BSrLkhi5LI1h6MV_jxK73dn6httYEbQUr9189-XOHzAWzkrWoRDWi-Fbp7MBn2RNbojSiQLnS49FJ7a1qKelhhmHn1yJYJQPF7M2gUPj1-1fFel9EbqCX5Q5edvxG_QqRGfeHFc/s1600/DSC00950.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVQYf0BSrLkhi5LI1h6MV_jxK73dn6httYEbQUr9189-XOHzAWzkrWoRDWi-Fbp7MBn2RNbojSiQLnS49FJ7a1qKelhhmHn1yJYJQPF7M2gUPj1-1fFel9EbqCX5Q5edvxG_QqRGfeHFc/s400/DSC00950.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638312179305904018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Corn on the cob, sauteed eggplant, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">grilled chicken </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">olives, onions, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> tomatoes.</span>
<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAIrqCBJ3tPsh_trF8mJB2wy3erlGdpGRL9GydmvVMP-NmLsxty2xu-pw3Rn5TP2I3WQlEAYuLi0pif9zBNerPjsPOWLGSfbaWwoTUdBb0ud_4DGcV58Hc2JQJ9jlFkqMuYgvj3X0r-eT/s1600/DSC00971.JPG">
<br /></a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGdoPUg04lprFfxn3w1VX10zZ5y88Z768OZW8wA5bztizM-VREe_WDumDfkGeb83I2z6fbz2q4ipeavhgvyiw_OAhqTj-tG7PCWScdZRrYL07m6t_0yqGUXVzMbiHUXzkKrqjuKHp2Xfw/s1600/DSC00951.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGdoPUg04lprFfxn3w1VX10zZ5y88Z768OZW8wA5bztizM-VREe_WDumDfkGeb83I2z6fbz2q4ipeavhgvyiw_OAhqTj-tG7PCWScdZRrYL07m6t_0yqGUXVzMbiHUXzkKrqjuKHp2Xfw/s400/DSC00951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638312258309865890" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What was probably the most expensive (yet tiny) salad I have eaten. I believe this was about $6...yikes. I was craving greens, though. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tomatoes</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">strawberry</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">spinach</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and well, I'm not quite sure what else....</span>
<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_0S6kDdIZS1CY_-Yxd2SlZVlNZ6MWrRW3_DtMlblHBcAiDVs-Uc-laBewgNNppF9Kc75NzImcBHsanuBxnnAwJT7Lus_NMT0RXjrymyPLrl0xoLG7riC0cLT1-fOnJ03TVZ3OPLR5jbg/s1600/DSC00933.jpg">
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4MqHD6p55XV0ZGV6t1Mdi0WGihf9W0oAEdD-RG5qsfGR21eOLUCiNJsO1YiUk7YzYMze0UN7BijSGz4b18YzI8hlBtYtIGG1fcd98_OjNKrzlmnD6itXvh7EybciQ0dROL6Zn548tf2m/s1600/DSC00969.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4MqHD6p55XV0ZGV6t1Mdi0WGihf9W0oAEdD-RG5qsfGR21eOLUCiNJsO1YiUk7YzYMze0UN7BijSGz4b18YzI8hlBtYtIGG1fcd98_OjNKrzlmnD6itXvh7EybciQ0dROL6Zn548tf2m/s400/DSC00969.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311931947549170" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">On to the Library of Congress! What a beautiful, beautiful building. The ceiling is engraved with famous quotes. My favorite? "The pen is mightier than the sword." --Edward Bulwer-Lytton</span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_0S6kDdIZS1CY_-Yxd2SlZVlNZ6MWrRW3_DtMlblHBcAiDVs-Uc-laBewgNNppF9Kc75NzImcBHsanuBxnnAwJT7Lus_NMT0RXjrymyPLrl0xoLG7riC0cLT1-fOnJ03TVZ3OPLR5jbg/s1600/DSC00933.jpg">
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I was probably most excited to see the viewing area with all the books. There is a balcony overlooking the library where National Treasure was filmed. No photos allowed, but I enjoyed it. The best part is that anyone can go in and read or research--you just need to apply for a reading permit across the street. Amazing. </span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The next day, we toured the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">White House</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">! So. Cool. The president was awarding a Medal of Honor that same afternoon, but we didn't spot him. </span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Did you know that there is no "back" and "front" of the White House? They are referred to as the North and South entrances, because they didn't want to offend anyone by welcoming them at the "back" entrance.</span>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZxSF51rCLKgIufQ-ulKm9cydr3bNftRNs8nouhh5ff0RC7lj4hGrRZf4kM8p7pHRXMqoi7L-jYAVgGJ1w8BZWoLAGj_vPJk8UF3YZle6XyrJUw66qt5evYdPeTIhZdH6ZZiCik9UpV7v/s1600/DSC00939.JPG">
<br /></a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_0S6kDdIZS1CY_-Yxd2SlZVlNZ6MWrRW3_DtMlblHBcAiDVs-Uc-laBewgNNppF9Kc75NzImcBHsanuBxnnAwJT7Lus_NMT0RXjrymyPLrl0xoLG7riC0cLT1-fOnJ03TVZ3OPLR5jbg/s1600/DSC00933.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_0S6kDdIZS1CY_-Yxd2SlZVlNZ6MWrRW3_DtMlblHBcAiDVs-Uc-laBewgNNppF9Kc75NzImcBHsanuBxnnAwJT7Lus_NMT0RXjrymyPLrl0xoLG7riC0cLT1-fOnJ03TVZ3OPLR5jbg/s400/DSC00933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311327791513858" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We stopped for lunch at Founding Farmers. There was quite a wait, so we hopped over to CVS to buy some milk for breakfast and coffee.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Wow. It was totally worth the wait.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Founding Farmers prides itself on organic, local foods, and the place was mobbed! Everything was quite tasty. I had the butternut squash ravioli.</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuiEFetcb94tMcRo-LSOnYqWPNo0oho4HI5H2uWqcCCHsD_Jj7hPGwb_EEqSBvnA3yHUF3Kfi1SHIZ-hsfZFoDaJea8Z4tJ7NQ0El_9zKlICZsU578KdMr8-b2v-7BHDbCcLop8ngZ5nF/s1600/DSC00940.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuiEFetcb94tMcRo-LSOnYqWPNo0oho4HI5H2uWqcCCHsD_Jj7hPGwb_EEqSBvnA3yHUF3Kfi1SHIZ-hsfZFoDaJea8Z4tJ7NQ0El_9zKlICZsU578KdMr8-b2v-7BHDbCcLop8ngZ5nF/s400/DSC00940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311819193917842" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It was the best pasta I have ever had (outside Italy, of course). Whoa. Just looking at the photo makes me want to race back to D.C....</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We topped off the day at the National Building Museum, where I saw a World's Fair exhibit (pretty much empty, since the museum was closing--neat!) and a LEGO exhibit. I had seen some of the LEGO models before, on my Chicago trip, but this in-progress White House replica was cool.</span>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xrIa_YtHERhETZe3zhTZMCjqHUe-wAbyuekaA4TQYWwtzAlqdStXluUtdyMFTmwFhBhsq9P9G3GQcTXaOD0miGTxJiW17rjFXVB7UVPY7flRZ3C3oSty5s6U0glETuAEIjOhIBlxZNky/s1600/DSC00992.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xrIa_YtHERhETZe3zhTZMCjqHUe-wAbyuekaA4TQYWwtzAlqdStXluUtdyMFTmwFhBhsq9P9G3GQcTXaOD0miGTxJiW17rjFXVB7UVPY7flRZ3C3oSty5s6U0glETuAEIjOhIBlxZNky/s400/DSC00992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638312376557158482" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It was a LONG, hot walk back to the hotel (my dad caved and took the metro), but a great day. We stopped at the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">American History museum</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> before heading home the next day (best part: the First Ladies' dresses and the replica of Julia Child's kitchen!). I love U.S. history, but after a full day of touring the day before, we were all exhausted and ready to head back home.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Great trip! I hope I get to return to D.C. again. I love all the museums and historical sites.</span>
<br />April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-47064043843630872442011-08-13T23:50:00.012-04:002011-08-14T00:18:03.444-04:00Sweet Times + Swede Dreams<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did I spend a recent morning dancing around my kitchen with a blissful look plastered on my face?</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOuG0gL0iirSz9T4FSv8hjt9vi1dFa_KpmWRFK8y34OKQbyszNkJc27rXJ8XsO5W5bAA-zoJSZtAPJboZywS2MpWBTGn_y87L9FK4WqNJcEHrpopaIPWJgDztHwqbAO9Oo0j50OB-ODfv/s1600/DSC01128.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H6zMsn9eOGkD2EkmIQjQW8hbJKqx45BleWQXF4zwfuQKZM809XmCZ1zk01j4zW3YTaL42vrZKZWOVHvT3bD2QKC2YYH0nX_h96MukDcoS8JVTJvqIPQVEj7UsXs35ED1ss8dw0ufB9D7/s1600/DSC01113.jpg">
<br /></a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOuG0gL0iirSz9T4FSv8hjt9vi1dFa_KpmWRFK8y34OKQbyszNkJc27rXJ8XsO5W5bAA-zoJSZtAPJboZywS2MpWBTGn_y87L9FK4WqNJcEHrpopaIPWJgDztHwqbAO9Oo0j50OB-ODfv/s1600/DSC01128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOuG0gL0iirSz9T4FSv8hjt9vi1dFa_KpmWRFK8y34OKQbyszNkJc27rXJ8XsO5W5bAA-zoJSZtAPJboZywS2MpWBTGn_y87L9FK4WqNJcEHrpopaIPWJgDztHwqbAO9Oo0j50OB-ODfv/s400/DSC01128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640555325259557298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">That would be </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">dark chocolate-covered pineapple</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. In the shape of a star, plucked from an </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Edible Arrangements basket</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. YUM. My family goes through fruit by the ton, and this was a welcome surprise. (Okay, I don't want to give away all the credit...I have been known to eat four or five apples/oranges/an entire bushel of grapes in one day. I am a fruitivore. =P)</span>
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<br /></span></span></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H6zMsn9eOGkD2EkmIQjQW8hbJKqx45BleWQXF4zwfuQKZM809XmCZ1zk01j4zW3YTaL42vrZKZWOVHvT3bD2QKC2YYH0nX_h96MukDcoS8JVTJvqIPQVEj7UsXs35ED1ss8dw0ufB9D7/s1600/DSC01113.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H6zMsn9eOGkD2EkmIQjQW8hbJKqx45BleWQXF4zwfuQKZM809XmCZ1zk01j4zW3YTaL42vrZKZWOVHvT3bD2QKC2YYH0nX_h96MukDcoS8JVTJvqIPQVEj7UsXs35ED1ss8dw0ufB9D7/s400/DSC01113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640555186543829346" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The next day...IKEA! I had no reason to shop, what with my dorm already being furnished, but I'm a sucker for everything miniature. I love the sleek furniture and I coveted sooo many bookshelves. One day I will have a Manhattan apartment with lots of bookshelves. =D</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC1TlJaiA9LG0OTFElB6CkpiuzAxIrnZ9FQFhMm2XRlqY9w7MXI8Ufhb0ZxfuPF73pexFahIN8UuXrt3AP4RgGu6XpaDgJpq6Op-MSZrp7_9B_SrBxFGEP5JkjQh0pHAVD84kcbqFLRvy/s1600/DSC01131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC1TlJaiA9LG0OTFElB6CkpiuzAxIrnZ9FQFhMm2XRlqY9w7MXI8Ufhb0ZxfuPF73pexFahIN8UuXrt3AP4RgGu6XpaDgJpq6Op-MSZrp7_9B_SrBxFGEP5JkjQh0pHAVD84kcbqFLRvy/s400/DSC01131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640555030628829202" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We stopped for a quick bite to eat. I had </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Swedish meatballs</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">lingonberry jam</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">mashed potatoes</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, along with a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">side salad</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXHA_Dq9ThrkV0BSjVRfy5VjBeoxLEGf5SsZ5V6XUwtH59AUR-fqO62gX3_Y_W6zwtpYFT3YbRgetv9FHrQwF9CQny6J85ktugEAZL5OHh9cswqvQE7D2emAEQUR9se1MjZAI4HgXPGtT/s1600/DSC01133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXHA_Dq9ThrkV0BSjVRfy5VjBeoxLEGf5SsZ5V6XUwtH59AUR-fqO62gX3_Y_W6zwtpYFT3YbRgetv9FHrQwF9CQny6J85ktugEAZL5OHh9cswqvQE7D2emAEQUR9se1MjZAI4HgXPGtT/s400/DSC01133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554934965333122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lingonberry juice</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">! =)</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xEqLCa2YIKhXJT7TmuK0w9AGZ238NX4JKIgyFNKhumJiPhytSc3gK8cdnbu6q9Ijk0yycT968fhvkxQXiz_hxB0w6gMVPEflgIQdA1QWeX5ITQRJYCtn5Uxo-3PmftCnYkeHkBD7-QJ7/s1600/DSC01136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xEqLCa2YIKhXJT7TmuK0w9AGZ238NX4JKIgyFNKhumJiPhytSc3gK8cdnbu6q9Ijk0yycT968fhvkxQXiz_hxB0w6gMVPEflgIQdA1QWeX5ITQRJYCtn5Uxo-3PmftCnYkeHkBD7-QJ7/s400/DSC01136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554852454924066" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I loved the</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> lingonberry jam </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and bought some to take home for myself. Dinner was some biscuits with jam...delish. I hadn't had biscuits in a very long time.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
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<br />I've been running around lately trying to finish up everything before I leave for college. I needed some quality friend time. =D
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<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Froyo date with the lovely </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">M. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We went to a new place (with CHAIRS! Whoa, a step-up from the place I had been to before) and it was a nice time catching up, reminiscing about high school, and analyzing the shop's soundtrack. The music consisted of Glee covers, Broadway, and random Disney songs...strange, but I liked it!</span>
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BBxSejb0BrPInZdd9vcz4du4oXAX7WnU1SzFj15dSXCuOZuZkhoDz2DtYCZdq169LRHcbV4fAIaF-ABIyu7hXRtXVgas79NvBojMKJfYdBwKA7GXTkC9-XV1tq_zzlMmgwbjxVk6VX-V/s1600/DSC01141.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BBxSejb0BrPInZdd9vcz4du4oXAX7WnU1SzFj15dSXCuOZuZkhoDz2DtYCZdq169LRHcbV4fAIaF-ABIyu7hXRtXVgas79NvBojMKJfYdBwKA7GXTkC9-XV1tq_zzlMmgwbjxVk6VX-V/s400/DSC01141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554695949100450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Nice, new shirt? </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes, super comfy, but...I realized I had </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">blue armpits</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> by the end of the night. Wash before wearing...noted! I am wearing my running shorts, but I actually went for a 20 minute swim that morning. I have not been in the workout groove lately (my muscles feel tight), and I'm not doing anything strenuous before my three day </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">backpacking trip</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. It's so close! A week from today, I'll be in the middle of hiking in the mountains. Woohoo!</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkHFa3FYpu0PCGICnK5Z8zBFJjHAYaaSm8btuW-AEgOzfQPhDZVRKF3DtBJUOlYxgS6N8yEmVmTCU4P3NyjMo4cBnpHNb8hxQWxUY-ng1O3GrGryHupKeLOHdCRXUtBj0fw8-bsU2gGbt/s1600/DSC01142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkHFa3FYpu0PCGICnK5Z8zBFJjHAYaaSm8btuW-AEgOzfQPhDZVRKF3DtBJUOlYxgS6N8yEmVmTCU4P3NyjMo4cBnpHNb8hxQWxUY-ng1O3GrGryHupKeLOHdCRXUtBj0fw8-bsU2gGbt/s400/DSC01142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554604633274306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Cake batter, banana, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> raspberry flavors </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">with</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> chocolate chips, kiwi, maraschino cherries, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> rainbow sprinkles! </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I am addicted to the combination of cake batter and banana. After making a CVS run (for Sour Patch Kids and Fig Newtons...talk about sugar overload!), we watched The Notebook (me for the first time...I live under a rock. I liked it! I love the 40s era!).</span>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XV2Np4fNIfQzFCUkpmsyVuAcmwKPGfbcWQloaCk8Ca6DpCFj4RpBwiEU-cNmKwayac7RA7fMVyzuLaHIQlfh6roLh952dk32F7gwiBdiHjYLBRp_ECMN5De41kSKUp4e2tZ0tmudT_-s/s1600/DSC01145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XV2Np4fNIfQzFCUkpmsyVuAcmwKPGfbcWQloaCk8Ca6DpCFj4RpBwiEU-cNmKwayac7RA7fMVyzuLaHIQlfh6roLh952dk32F7gwiBdiHjYLBRp_ECMN5De41kSKUp4e2tZ0tmudT_-s/s400/DSC01145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554513578340322" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I was up against the Rock Band champ...but I managed to pull off 99% on keyboard! Yipee! I had to record it because I am notoriously terrible at Rock Band. Queen?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Heck yeah.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My attempt on drums? Um...there is a reason I didn't photograph that one. ;)</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nv57NRLVRDZv_uoXNLaBtsQN5FkAdj3ya6oae6LOpW7lLzt6psDSZt6ZhzFhDvYQpwFqmN1F1sMXRFv2kVOfXqz8hajOX_CmF0cotkUUTJqFF31kp_NAQJKOBvgKX2AhRMi-jLrd_hcI/s1600/DSC01146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nv57NRLVRDZv_uoXNLaBtsQN5FkAdj3ya6oae6LOpW7lLzt6psDSZt6ZhzFhDvYQpwFqmN1F1sMXRFv2kVOfXqz8hajOX_CmF0cotkUUTJqFF31kp_NAQJKOBvgKX2AhRMi-jLrd_hcI/s400/DSC01146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640554382909571218" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Of course, M kicked my butt in Disney Trivial Pursuit. I consider myself a Disney enthusiast, but I am useless on questions for The Rescuers and The Great Mouse Detective...I really need to watch/re-watch those!</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Well played, M, well played. </span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I think I'm bringing Disney Scene It to college for a hall-wide competition. =D </span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The next day, I hung out with more friends! I saw </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Glee</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, the movie, and stopped at Borders to pick up a few books. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do you like board games? </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I can't get enough of them. I say the weirdest things in reaction to clues (this week: MUUUUFASA! (a la </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Lion King</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">)), and they make great competition and fodder for inside jokes.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Watched any movies lately?</span>
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<br />April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-72144013987200759022011-08-07T23:06:00.008-04:002011-08-07T23:32:42.288-04:00Shopping Spree!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With only a few weeks left until I leave for college, I decided to go on a shopping spree! Woo! Time to raid the mall. I drove on the highway for the first time (phew!). I bought some cute red flats and some new clothes. I can't seem to get the shopping bug out of me, though...I've been eyeing the New Balance </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I bought these </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">flax roll-ups </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">the other day...nervously. I had never actually eaten flax seeds before and I wondered how these would taste. I love wraps...but would they be compromised?!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGXbgfMpU-nUg_iSgrNlE9ihFdP5vOEsssEQWiXYjXtGKWTfCYkQklN2UkbAVYada-SqMxLzguf6VAdpLbeQo-qRWvnwrdBfE8UlxhQ5e8Ry8IQkavknHfHU7Jbjp6DCfQm_Z7MhWOvMt/s1600/DSC01088.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVGb8k2NjQNKbpPC4QD-0rV7mNp1lm6nEqGjm97RnaMsJNPDA1QzHZ8gSrhI0pwaed8yzZREPphMbAX_8yWr5TaB48NVVctyxJ16BbagDvPjW-lBMaTryLgwcthEG3ttWnz99JJyauDDH/s1600/DSC01084.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswe4dEUN6XiQ_V-izf59CxX7aC9MST81CO7yB5wf1yfpUSq7SvCRnvAF_Q1YRHrDDqf1fDjU20q-lc54xVGlBBSBEAByEcQSpwotLzL3j75NE3Lv4teLtysXdYb8UuKJf0U3QeQV1mk5Q/s1600/DSC01083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswe4dEUN6XiQ_V-izf59CxX7aC9MST81CO7yB5wf1yfpUSq7SvCRnvAF_Q1YRHrDDqf1fDjU20q-lc54xVGlBBSBEAByEcQSpwotLzL3j75NE3Lv4teLtysXdYb8UuKJf0U3QeQV1mk5Q/s400/DSC01083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638318292844367170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Nope! </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Not at all. They were absolutely delicious. I had a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">wrap</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">garlic hummus</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">romaine</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and a</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> granny smith apple</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. It was a weird combo (I go with whatever's in my fridge), but it worked! The sweet tartness of the apple balances out the strong bitterness lettuce sometimes has.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVGb8k2NjQNKbpPC4QD-0rV7mNp1lm6nEqGjm97RnaMsJNPDA1QzHZ8gSrhI0pwaed8yzZREPphMbAX_8yWr5TaB48NVVctyxJ16BbagDvPjW-lBMaTryLgwcthEG3ttWnz99JJyauDDH/s1600/DSC01084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVGb8k2NjQNKbpPC4QD-0rV7mNp1lm6nEqGjm97RnaMsJNPDA1QzHZ8gSrhI0pwaed8yzZREPphMbAX_8yWr5TaB48NVVctyxJ16BbagDvPjW-lBMaTryLgwcthEG3ttWnz99JJyauDDH/s400/DSC01084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638318391795144578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After a day of shopping, we headed to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Cheesecake Factory.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8iBs1ENnwL5boOs7Uug6S9omg-bUJD2MD-hdlTQaPfrRYnTTVkD1N-y5DoQVlg6wYHyzS3ZV7jSFxV2gLUIdH0cGBbpF6hEfG20LM8bs8HVyrKS5ZVl0AvcLsh_faS-zoLs-8CSil9vn/s1600/DSC01085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8iBs1ENnwL5boOs7Uug6S9omg-bUJD2MD-hdlTQaPfrRYnTTVkD1N-y5DoQVlg6wYHyzS3ZV7jSFxV2gLUIdH0cGBbpF6hEfG20LM8bs8HVyrKS5ZVl0AvcLsh_faS-zoLs-8CSil9vn/s400/DSC01085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638318523757354578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I had the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Southeast Asian Chicken</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, yum. String beans + sesame seeds? AWESOME.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGXbgfMpU-nUg_iSgrNlE9ihFdP5vOEsssEQWiXYjXtGKWTfCYkQklN2UkbAVYada-SqMxLzguf6VAdpLbeQo-qRWvnwrdBfE8UlxhQ5e8Ry8IQkavknHfHU7Jbjp6DCfQm_Z7MhWOvMt/s1600/DSC01088.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGXbgfMpU-nUg_iSgrNlE9ihFdP5vOEsssEQWiXYjXtGKWTfCYkQklN2UkbAVYada-SqMxLzguf6VAdpLbeQo-qRWvnwrdBfE8UlxhQ5e8Ry8IQkavknHfHU7Jbjp6DCfQm_Z7MhWOvMt/s400/DSC01088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638318598950454146" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for dessert. Yum.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Runs:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">: 2 miles in 25:35 (I took it slowly because I was feeling tired.)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">: 2 miles in 22:29 with a negative split!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thursday</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">: 2.01 miles in 22:26</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It feels great to be running on a regular basis again. Most of my workouts these past few weeks have been walking hills on the treadmill with my hiking boots on (3-5 miles) so I can break them in. It feels so FREE to be running again!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How are you enjoying summer this month?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I spent a ton of time at the beach this summer. Lots of time hanging out with friends and family, reading a ton, and watching movies (Netflix...oooh, it is much too handy. Luckily, it keeps me from getting bored while walking on the treadmill.)</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have had scrambled eggs a TON lately for breakfast. I need a new method! What's your favorite way to eat eggs, and with what?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-25763942495980032362011-08-02T21:50:00.004-04:002011-08-02T21:56:45.038-04:00Terrific Trip Tuesday: National Harbor and Alexandria<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I was recently able to go to both National Harbor, MD and Washington, D.C.! And we also visited Alexandria, VA in between! Woohoo!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I had been to D.C. before but I've never stayed overnight in MD except for Baltimore, so it was pretty exciting.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I don't know about everybody else, but I love </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">car trips</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I have yet to be the driver for a vacationing trip, but I don't really mind being a passenger, either. I get to read (</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Harry Potter </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">marathon?!), look out the window, and play the license plate game (I am secretly seven, I know, but from my love of Disney movies and my obsession with cookies...I think this was apparent already).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(I've seen them all by now, though! I think </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Maine</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Utah, Missouri, Hawaii, and Alaska </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">are the rarest for this area.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When I was little, I always packed fake food for my imaginary journeys. I would pack up a little bag and stuff it with fake cookies, cantaloupe, and pancakes. Uh...dessert, fruit, and breakfast food??</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Times haven't changed so much.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3_vJF56LRgTQOA9cCLix2J2xxotr_LanpLm6Thn1HkEFwsYUii4wNQWQ6sv8vaEieyD-AmxRLn5zu-Ny6iCO2asos8k8OsNqvJI_Dpqpm_9fni-NGFKO9hkP4tN8Llpl0RTCfMatkNRk/s1600/DSC00826.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3_vJF56LRgTQOA9cCLix2J2xxotr_LanpLm6Thn1HkEFwsYUii4wNQWQ6sv8vaEieyD-AmxRLn5zu-Ny6iCO2asos8k8OsNqvJI_Dpqpm_9fni-NGFKO9hkP4tN8Llpl0RTCfMatkNRk/s400/DSC00826.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636434923577729042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I still pack up my stuff! Here I have a peanut butter and banana sandwich, blueberries, baby carrots (both of those packed in one of my nifty bento boxes), and a whole bushel of bananas.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Potassium oozes from my pores, I bet!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">National Harbor is a cute area. Lots of little shops and restaurants are here. I couldn't resist posing with my intense MUSCLESSS (riiight) with this statue. *</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">flex</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">*</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqXYrF6KTcE-75ZScOj0YSfJHYgUJgDVgVzKb2KbkJIcxQwMVp1zwKMF-Mk95PxV-4UcnDaGTiH1Ej3rFJ8Oh-kSxrphldyOIAWfuXbYfOY3JisQR3A6d9ULRERo8JA-gbQR8kF_l2h5L/s1600/DSC00840.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqXYrF6KTcE-75ZScOj0YSfJHYgUJgDVgVzKb2KbkJIcxQwMVp1zwKMF-Mk95PxV-4UcnDaGTiH1Ej3rFJ8Oh-kSxrphldyOIAWfuXbYfOY3JisQR3A6d9ULRERo8JA-gbQR8kF_l2h5L/s400/DSC00840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636435272431141362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We headed over to dinner at </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ketchup.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48Sr3j1JaM-RRhborD80V6LHHB4m2QOkeEsSEffHupRUw9YTWCx4O2c3HKuzqTBv1bwLXjcAfLzC7U4m1tbKnpxr8SxsIszqwlyfhSkNA6TyOpXveJq4dRJsSprESjdkCIJ4M1WetYeih/s1600/DSC00844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48Sr3j1JaM-RRhborD80V6LHHB4m2QOkeEsSEffHupRUw9YTWCx4O2c3HKuzqTBv1bwLXjcAfLzC7U4m1tbKnpxr8SxsIszqwlyfhSkNA6TyOpXveJq4dRJsSprESjdkCIJ4M1WetYeih/s400/DSC00844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636435635528499410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Texas Two-Step. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicken breast, corn on the cob, and cheesy mashed potatoes topped with onion crisps.</span></span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfAT8fJixJ2BSQgrEgT7fyFmqg7du9afFq8g_7Fkr4bkTlMN5eQrIQMfUwVb9_jSd_CPjwrPxYJFIT80CMUTGENv6HOssaesIXGJwuMdhTkMZ3yy_JX6yGKEEXztB70XhP8YYc1NKip3j/s1600/DSC00845.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfAT8fJixJ2BSQgrEgT7fyFmqg7du9afFq8g_7Fkr4bkTlMN5eQrIQMfUwVb9_jSd_CPjwrPxYJFIT80CMUTGENv6HOssaesIXGJwuMdhTkMZ3yy_JX6yGKEEXztB70XhP8YYc1NKip3j/s400/DSC00845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636435734498750834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mmmm, crab cake. In Maryland, crab cake does not disappoint.<br /><br /></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0fUeZ6XO-iMF9VT8-B9J_gvk7ug9Ab4p9V2c5FsmHW8yqZBVerHO6Rmm-x92nkbEboMD5p8UclLCLsl1UF1ys5utFYRCzfAIMQDrv5PDrTIP11zCp0bBlSjslHdQGCvEYZEeiHgWeHfC/s1600/DSC00846.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0fUeZ6XO-iMF9VT8-B9J_gvk7ug9Ab4p9V2c5FsmHW8yqZBVerHO6Rmm-x92nkbEboMD5p8UclLCLsl1UF1ys5utFYRCzfAIMQDrv5PDrTIP11zCp0bBlSjslHdQGCvEYZEeiHgWeHfC/s400/DSC00846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636435823258293426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mini corn muffins with honey butter!<br /><br /></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWDFWJ_DSm9vWf4gZCrJNn5qQq7N2ufXXIEqd4Na14EUtEYhzwJ32_AHg_uZYiBrwk5PrGlFRbaAM6ytD6EAqCm6ei5VauBD-1eqHKsHp-4inu9w72dmRLHb7lcPhMldBe8P6nowwPGIx/s1600/DSC00863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWDFWJ_DSm9vWf4gZCrJNn5qQq7N2ufXXIEqd4Na14EUtEYhzwJ32_AHg_uZYiBrwk5PrGlFRbaAM6ytD6EAqCm6ei5VauBD-1eqHKsHp-4inu9w72dmRLHb7lcPhMldBe8P6nowwPGIx/s400/DSC00863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636435923691665330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">On the boat going to Old Town Alexandria.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNX8LcEFXWVfZ22wvHl2h5nzs0OcXENXcDy1psI009ZnPWoyRGUnSYLDJ8Aj0chZ6VEd-goeKM7uC1_7mw3yhU9B1cptOKcLhz3tuOrVu6td_MPrOh1za-GAmf1ALWpk94zQM2gYVmQsw/s1600/DSC00874.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNX8LcEFXWVfZ22wvHl2h5nzs0OcXENXcDy1psI009ZnPWoyRGUnSYLDJ8Aj0chZ6VEd-goeKM7uC1_7mw3yhU9B1cptOKcLhz3tuOrVu6td_MPrOh1za-GAmf1ALWpk94zQM2gYVmQsw/s400/DSC00874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436025467610930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Burger and sweet potato fries!</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XtST5D_CC58Z5_SWBmmxwSdT_wMNzOh3rq7mZxo4fwVUfaaICja3ohifPcggA8DLn4RMHYklgIqDkP2ArlL6w0gsxk78qcnpIj-ZUAG7zPgGiJ4XUVNeB1gCXUie1CQoz3kVXqBTTYxH/s1600/DSC00880.JPG"><br /></a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09EWiQmUDoJ7NyCcJ2kCK-493A5D3oM-QS_h6E6i4uPmOEHCG9cxLe2qo8GdsENR-mEctxDzNP20oouP58_i9HgXnrAzr3wq5PYZPH5FHb-taKQ-DPbm_e_iEEepXTSbV9pFWOacvIVXQ/s1600/DSC00879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09EWiQmUDoJ7NyCcJ2kCK-493A5D3oM-QS_h6E6i4uPmOEHCG9cxLe2qo8GdsENR-mEctxDzNP20oouP58_i9HgXnrAzr3wq5PYZPH5FHb-taKQ-DPbm_e_iEEepXTSbV9pFWOacvIVXQ/s400/DSC00879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436142794286626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Where Washington's town house once stood.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeDgnn0RArSqmL0-ZiSok107cA_Q0OWG6eolRroahdzAXtq8FpChYnUVQXaHKhUrfQNTSakdwYHgEHC21yXHwE6iUhOJwHqfSROLhE0uXFRBFQICPKs7DzqFTVnc1WkeiZOX_v2qAfgt6/s1600/DSC00871.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeDgnn0RArSqmL0-ZiSok107cA_Q0OWG6eolRroahdzAXtq8FpChYnUVQXaHKhUrfQNTSakdwYHgEHC21yXHwE6iUhOJwHqfSROLhE0uXFRBFQICPKs7DzqFTVnc1WkeiZOX_v2qAfgt6/s400/DSC00871.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436499322660642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Obligatory sign photo? I think so.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0LWSUdY8UOEi-3hou0Wst8HSqTdvFhuRfwz5BBdeY1vvB-023A69felA0TgFic93SeyFsgvDKN6jjV_ETsM7qh-WvUaLoTWCB2X5zcTivonjJUGSgS08_9cO-I4p0uu9i8rfjCUP85UU/s1600/DSC00906.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0LWSUdY8UOEi-3hou0Wst8HSqTdvFhuRfwz5BBdeY1vvB-023A69felA0TgFic93SeyFsgvDKN6jjV_ETsM7qh-WvUaLoTWCB2X5zcTivonjJUGSgS08_9cO-I4p0uu9i8rfjCUP85UU/s400/DSC00906.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636436618893725026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I love steamboats.<br /><br />On the next Terrific Trip Tuesday...Washington, D.C.!<br /></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-69349380862966130932011-07-29T23:14:00.000-04:002011-07-29T23:16:04.762-04:00Success, and Why I'm Obsessed With It<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Success.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I haven't been very much of a prolific blogger lately (yikes). I had been away at the beach in the no man's land of no internet. Being cut off from the world made me a prolific writer. It also made me incredibly lonely with my thoughts when events were going on.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lately, I have been so obsessed with measuring success and progress. I thought I left that world behind when I finished college applications, but I suppose not! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Okay, to get the full picture, these are my high school hobbies:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Writing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Lacrosse</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Tennis</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Running<br />-Piano</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Swimming</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Volunteering</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-Costume-making</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Not really in that order.<br /><br />I love doing everything. I am addicted to learning about new hobbies.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The problem is, I love being successful at everything. I push myself to my limits and beyond. This can be amazingly helpful (I received a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Most</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Improved</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> medal for my first year on the lacrosse team!), but it can also be frustrating, and utterly exhausting. I thought I'd brought the pressure down to a manageable level, but it's started to creep into my exercise. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In the past two days, I've spent at least two hours a day exercising. I'm beginning to break in my hiking boots (on the treadmill, unfortunately, because I don't live near trails). </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have been diligent about recording every minute I've been working out.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Diligence is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">good</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, right?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Well, the pressure grew to the point where I would get really frustrated if I swam for 18 minutes instead of 20, or something like that. I started measuring everything and stacking things up against how they would prepare me for my hiking trip (upper body strength, etc.) </span>or my half-marathon.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I also did not have a very relaxing vacation, due to a number of reasons, but tensions were high as I returned home. I sort of collapsed with the exhaustion and then I was swept up again in college preparations.</span> The two issues piled up against each other and it was causing me a lot of stress.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sometimes I guess I just have to take life as it comes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I swam today. No stopwatch. No goggles. Just me and even breathing. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It was kind of meditative...something I've been experimenting with after dinner lately. My family meditates for a few minutes after eating. We all gather on the living room floor. I don't think it's really meditating--my dad counts; my mom flits through the day; I stretch. It's a start.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I know I have plenty of time to get in shape for the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Disney Princess Half-Marathon </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(which I am now officially registered for! YAY!). There's no turning back after paying that entry fee, haha! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And the hiking trip...I'll be okay. Pressure, get out of my exercise routine!!</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you tried meditating? What about yoga? If you don't--how do you wind down your day?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><br />Have you run without a watch lately? Or the equivalent, if you don't run?</span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-13019064683961007192011-07-12T10:00:00.003-04:002011-07-12T10:00:02.867-04:00Terrific Trip Tuesday<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I love to travel.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As you're reading this, I'm on my way home from</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">D.C.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have a ton of trip photos just hangin' out, so I thought I'd use </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Tuesdays</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> for a while to talk about my past </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">adventures</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">During August 2009, I went to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Chicago</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn03BR3PiaHFsAXJXm6U0yF7ZMspnlnU_MGeE58aeN_NY33XxGcF6QAIsWwsLmF_Q8LHD_4Dy1lf0zL5eCScaRvOnWeRZy22wkSbBhpBM9neTXoJPqd-UVZZj8jepfDXvImvVQMdfHUIJk/s1600/DSC08656.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn03BR3PiaHFsAXJXm6U0yF7ZMspnlnU_MGeE58aeN_NY33XxGcF6QAIsWwsLmF_Q8LHD_4Dy1lf0zL5eCScaRvOnWeRZy22wkSbBhpBM9neTXoJPqd-UVZZj8jepfDXvImvVQMdfHUIJk/s400/DSC08656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626963953051104418" border="0" /></a><br />(Land of amazing architecture!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e3bgRgdsjHhKO5iu5vxQqU0U9Z6nmL7EOxgDBpylvzmTXGFL6I8Icc5f4eJyb_CB7x5WV6MfY1uK1BTZB77ob9ndHirD2BsY6HNfqpM5okY2hnkgvMnFf2ZivKfYAmVxPq0ZS45Bqw6n/s1600/DSC08531.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e3bgRgdsjHhKO5iu5vxQqU0U9Z6nmL7EOxgDBpylvzmTXGFL6I8Icc5f4eJyb_CB7x5WV6MfY1uK1BTZB77ob9ndHirD2BsY6HNfqpM5okY2hnkgvMnFf2ZivKfYAmVxPq0ZS45Bqw6n/s400/DSC08531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964190493212546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(I <span style="font-style: italic;">loved</span> it.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7qq_kUUY7RsOHfzjnqKsH_aBWo3hcSxaQjGNfVr8-yCEgae3uE6gHJwsNLZ9UYR9hBQSaYVaFBJVdH0AlRykL9ptfw_ZoPocIzgSV4tsued0NWsDGZlSnWU4ao9cFvci1WgZ51Pz6qJ5/s1600/DSC08721.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7qq_kUUY7RsOHfzjnqKsH_aBWo3hcSxaQjGNfVr8-yCEgae3uE6gHJwsNLZ9UYR9hBQSaYVaFBJVdH0AlRykL9ptfw_ZoPocIzgSV4tsued0NWsDGZlSnWU4ao9cFvci1WgZ51Pz6qJ5/s400/DSC08721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964067357640466" border="0" /></a><br />(A trip is not complete without a cheesy photo in front of the bean.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXw_n0i3z5RS7jg9Ol7gVbBn8_ZqTOTVOMgoijpeIQY1tMg6pq4Wco0XdLJJLJsgBC2i0j2AzKPe_sBNmOvnR8-HWUOdM67QCdb2AHH57Mo1wKdgw2G0cuUrmwtrEyWq8APj6GLA_BKbL/s1600/DSC08870.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXw_n0i3z5RS7jg9Ol7gVbBn8_ZqTOTVOMgoijpeIQY1tMg6pq4Wco0XdLJJLJsgBC2i0j2AzKPe_sBNmOvnR8-HWUOdM67QCdb2AHH57Mo1wKdgw2G0cuUrmwtrEyWq8APj6GLA_BKbL/s400/DSC08870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964576961041090" border="0" /></a>(Hangin' with a pirate at <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Field Museum of Natural History</span>.)<br /></div><br /></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJesoYkUVvkwuFGOmkhoBh0_xBCcJbAih29xqdrUJ_XIBo-qDW0o2-suu8AQe5SxSVDRqeRZV1PixGIO_1w6SvpbKjpCEX9rtypO7q60NpVQA2zi-MhfMTNFf9gL23ec4BzuPFQNb4Nii/s1600/DSC08882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJesoYkUVvkwuFGOmkhoBh0_xBCcJbAih29xqdrUJ_XIBo-qDW0o2-suu8AQe5SxSVDRqeRZV1PixGIO_1w6SvpbKjpCEX9rtypO7q60NpVQA2zi-MhfMTNFf9gL23ec4BzuPFQNb4Nii/s400/DSC08882.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964699209943602" border="0" /></a>(The museum is most famous, though, for "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sue</span>." This dinosaur is famous for being the largest, most complete t-rex ever found.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also enjoyed The Museum of Science and Industry, where there was....<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZLayA6-SIDfC4IQiOKRRoTMSYYNV2KYD8PJ2RwRWCpGHn2PcKQQCuXPYSFvyfGp7qIbQR_VIRGrmW9j7vasRylT06cQJEcwnzT_bt-msLDbPIW13ii3sTYwxEWF-75Je0qdHu18uvSEM/s1600/DSC08921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZLayA6-SIDfC4IQiOKRRoTMSYYNV2KYD8PJ2RwRWCpGHn2PcKQQCuXPYSFvyfGp7qIbQR_VIRGrmW9j7vasRylT06cQJEcwnzT_bt-msLDbPIW13ii3sTYwxEWF-75Je0qdHu18uvSEM/s400/DSC08921.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626967543322689474" border="0" /></a><br />(<a href="http://harrypotterexhibition.com/">Harry Potter: The Exhibition</a> is fantastic. I saw it again when it came to New York, where it stays until September before going on an international tour. I highly recommend it!)<br /></div></div><br /></div><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOFcnOIxVEJ0h1rsfCx_7YubA9glCSv4avQVvixSCFACSrGY4lUUGhuj6B-OfnY6HBATKdjcyDQDdyo-3iWDh1IisEh-FaDx1-Lleb0OJAUzJeghe_GXGV55gn-TcRBsuoLZDKrnhuHOH/s1600/DSC08927.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOFcnOIxVEJ0h1rsfCx_7YubA9glCSv4avQVvixSCFACSrGY4lUUGhuj6B-OfnY6HBATKdjcyDQDdyo-3iWDh1IisEh-FaDx1-Lleb0OJAUzJeghe_GXGV55gn-TcRBsuoLZDKrnhuHOH/s400/DSC08927.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964783404382690" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(We even ate in a pizzeria where writing on the walls was encouraged! Whoa.)<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I loved Chicago. The residents were friendly, the food was fantastic (and reasonable!), and the architecture was amazing. I'd love to travel back someday, and I'd even consider living there...if it weren't so darn cold in the winter. *shiver*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Definitely yay, I love road trips and I'd love to do one on my own someday. Maybe to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Louisiana</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (I've never been!), </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Florida </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(I love FL, from southwest to central and just all over), or even west to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Texas</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (I've been to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">San Antonio</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, but I'd love to visit more of the state) if I'm feeling a little braver.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Road trips! Yay or nay? </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I (almost) never get bored between reading, playing license plate games, and staring out the window. Singing your favorite songs helps, too.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Belting out Broadway on the highway is the best!<br /><br /></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-6809999323610165392011-07-09T10:00:00.001-04:002011-07-09T10:00:07.717-04:00What Writing Is....<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The lovely </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Cat Hellisen</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">over</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> at </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.cathellisen.com/">Inarticulations</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>posted about </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.cathellisen.com/?p=1572">what writing is</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I've been thinking lately about why I started blogging.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Probably so I could have a reason to take even more delicious photos of food.</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdukmaTSVmfful5C4z6wwvExGgZ7gZYEsQmPx_XpwkKTeiSy2NF8xvUN3nBK6MrdCXpakGgiEVIDOjW53kHlMPacnY1G4KfWlukGUnGlcLjb-tCWBcSKADcz3iWJQSN2jQYM8sabyaaCq/s1600/DSC08918.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdukmaTSVmfful5C4z6wwvExGgZ7gZYEsQmPx_XpwkKTeiSy2NF8xvUN3nBK6MrdCXpakGgiEVIDOjW53kHlMPacnY1G4KfWlukGUnGlcLjb-tCWBcSKADcz3iWJQSN2jQYM8sabyaaCq/s400/DSC08918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626956462171136882" border="0" /></a> <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Some great Thai in Chicago. I've been on a Chicago photo kick lately. Great city.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't forget to photograph dessert, too!</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVy-xByRn60lim-XHw-tqR6rn_yuWEzCbOl_vCz4FeVeajfRYpFJT9-Vry4Y-CmsVWKGDfdMlUPImfeUrkQPl3HKo-TB7HVGt5PQIK8n5Ympz8jfDpARU6xSOQEuZcHG3PvWdholB3xyD/s1600/DSC08565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVy-xByRn60lim-XHw-tqR6rn_yuWEzCbOl_vCz4FeVeajfRYpFJT9-Vry4Y-CmsVWKGDfdMlUPImfeUrkQPl3HKo-TB7HVGt5PQIK8n5Ympz8jfDpARU6xSOQEuZcHG3PvWdholB3xyD/s400/DSC08565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626957054940962418" border="0" /></a>(Cheesecake cake pop. Mmmm.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Or maybe it was because all the cool cats were doing it, and I wanted to get in on the fun!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR9ADdEZ3kxDbMLKDe8rqYQAQkBNfpeQT-AFBt1KGKMAU6DQTthnNy-ZxqxoWCmQI8uwz_Fy33cQca58ouedGUEshktEPs9UIEuM46TCkoMjVqM_sefraJtw8Aoif2VkcfFGMURL94pWf/s1600/DSC09466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR9ADdEZ3kxDbMLKDe8rqYQAQkBNfpeQT-AFBt1KGKMAU6DQTthnNy-ZxqxoWCmQI8uwz_Fy33cQca58ouedGUEshktEPs9UIEuM46TCkoMjVqM_sefraJtw8Aoif2VkcfFGMURL94pWf/s400/DSC09466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626957428748340194" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(Those are my friend's kittens. That kitten in the back corner is actually blogging. I. Know. He's so talented.)</span><br /></div></div><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Truth is, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">love</span> entertaining people</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I don't hesitate to crack jokes and blurt out my life's story in person...so why not combine it with writing?</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I like to write </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">novels</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, but I love the idea of writing for an audience in real time. It connects people in ways I never thought possible. I get to read slices of life from all over--</span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://solediluna.wordpress.com/">Puerto Rico</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/">Utah</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://mealsandmiles.com/">Florida</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and even in my own backyard, </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.une-vie-saine.com/">NYC</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I probably would have never encountered these wonderful people without blogging.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm a fiend for tracking my exercise, and I love to watch progress. And...I like to talk.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Writing novels will always be my passion. There's nothing like finishing a draft and going, "Oh, thank goodness </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">that's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> over," but blogging is an exciting aspect of writing that I wish I had discovered sooner.<br /><br />As Cat said, the lows of writing novels (and the beast that is publishing) can be very low, and it's nice to have feedback from non-industry people. Now that I'm not working on the school newspaper, I need to keep my skills fresh. Blogging is a great way to do that.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What's writing to you?</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So as you all read this, I'm cooped up in the car! <span>Hopefully rereading</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</span> right now...what's on <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> to-read list?<br /><br /></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-75803838573490693722011-07-07T21:40:00.000-04:002011-07-07T21:39:29.572-04:00How NOT to Run, and the Amazing Blogger Award!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Wisdom is doing something and going, "Oh, dangit, now I know!"</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Workout-wise, the past few days were...</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >interesting</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.<br /><br /></span> </span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >My Saturday, aka: How NOT to Run<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">First, <span style="font-weight: bold;">decide that you're not going to run today! </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Nope, you are definitely <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">not </span>running. You are having a relaxing day at the beach.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span><span>Get ready to slather on the sunscreen!<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />As a result of you having a nice <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">relaxing</span> day, have a HUGE breakfast. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Lots of fiber. Grilled peanut butter and apple sandwich. With two apples. Oh <span style="font-style: italic;">yeaaah</span>. This is the kind of breakfast you'd like to sleep off on the beach. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Ten minutes before you leave,</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">make a snap decision! You're running! And it's going to be a </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">long run. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh boy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make sure your Garmin's not charged! </span> Hasn't been charged in a while? EVEN BETTER.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Throw everything you think you need into your backpack. </span>Make sure you<span style="font-weight: bold;"> forget your headband </span>so your hair flops crazily all through the run! It's the latest fashion, you know.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />While you're at it, leave your Body Glide at home, too.<br /><br />Arrive at the beach at approximately 11 am. Decide to start your run at the <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">hottest part of the day.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Luckily, you HAVE packed sunscreen.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Run your four miles! =D<br /></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">All joking aside, this run was actually awesome!! </span></span></span></span></span></span>There are some days I just get the itch to run like crazy. This was my</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > first official 4 mile run ever</span><span style="font-size:100%;">! Yay! I kept it slow and steady, so I had </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >4.03 </span><span style="font-size:100%;">in </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >49:45</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.<br /><br />Did I learn, though? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >NAH! </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> The day after, I ran two miles in the rain (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >24:52</span><span style="font-size:100%;">), effectively destroying my phone.<br /><br />Bad move on my part. Darn rain. Now I know--next time, my phone's going in a plastic baggie. The run was peaceful and fun, though, so at least that was good. =D<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >In other news</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, the lovely Paola over at <a href="http://solediluna.wordpress.com/">Sol de Luna</a> tagged me for the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Amazing Blogger Award! </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Thanks, Paola! Her blog is absolutely awesome, definitely check it out!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >1) Favorite cartoon character?<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5OYtSv_CUao4Bo-CQfIGEpTCNs6zCT8_Ic3LCdenldTJLaQQ8VC3TIM6Ll4Tz9erfK1IDY-HhCdxIWwhZdwkc5gH-hxnpPS8-QDOGk8W0j6szOIlNo4RsnPQvdVZ1AUVnSc8LBaFHKBc/s1600/141443__lilo_l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5OYtSv_CUao4Bo-CQfIGEpTCNs6zCT8_Ic3LCdenldTJLaQQ8VC3TIM6Ll4Tz9erfK1IDY-HhCdxIWwhZdwkc5gH-hxnpPS8-QDOGk8W0j6szOIlNo4RsnPQvdVZ1AUVnSc8LBaFHKBc/s400/141443__lilo_l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626780411849511490" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />(I love </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Stitch</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. "O'hana means family," is a sucker line for me every time. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > Lilo & Stitch </span><span style="font-size:100%;">remains one of my favorite movies.)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >2) Favorite thing to photograph?<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX2-at3X9Ut1lPLcJLA-be75RxXIUXX6doQzXODaSux2pzxS0VSlBmKCxcEPXoXNmtfQ78nZR3Vu03LnJ_a0yAd_Zc2OysjYuKDzuUEIYH8sR1txcD-ciJ5tEGmsUA8sdnmbG1PjZY7Oo/s1600/DSC08737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX2-at3X9Ut1lPLcJLA-be75RxXIUXX6doQzXODaSux2pzxS0VSlBmKCxcEPXoXNmtfQ78nZR3Vu03LnJ_a0yAd_Zc2OysjYuKDzuUEIYH8sR1txcD-ciJ5tEGmsUA8sdnmbG1PjZY7Oo/s400/DSC08737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626782280712126002" border="0" /></a></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(I do enjoy photographing food, of course. Deep dish pizza in Chicago!)<br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46aTMiFOaKKn1zw9FVBu72-cjLJIgr67DwUwEt8r-eOikC5VaIdGWSwJONaxiDHbZhfYVC6-thDCdbfg6ftAouanuphA4QSsXkfVb7c3OyAnvjnxg4Vv62tCPu9iQtVSzIjYTRWW41Uns/s1600/DSC01577.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46aTMiFOaKKn1zw9FVBu72-cjLJIgr67DwUwEt8r-eOikC5VaIdGWSwJONaxiDHbZhfYVC6-thDCdbfg6ftAouanuphA4QSsXkfVb7c3OyAnvjnxg4Vv62tCPu9iQtVSzIjYTRWW41Uns/s400/DSC01577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626782613379825842" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >(But I truly love photographing architecture while I travel. In front of the Louvre in Paris, France.)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />3) Favorite thing to cook?<br />I do love breakfast. I rarely photograph it, because it's similar. I love egg with salsa over brown rice, or a grilled pb sandwich with an apple. YUM.<br /><br />4) Favorite way to exercise?<br />Running, swimming, and biking! I love all three! =D They each teach me a new appreciation for what my body can do.<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNb3vQ-MYVMO0V_qKvN6Z1O1b5wcsZ6GWVv0CDh2vwNhJHKUcMgOjfINQkclQnjMiIl7uF4rN0SHoZZA7HItarN9BPaaKR0zldXukkLwcpdsxgY3tLwzjbCPGQK-BFmy8eod_AGGpt3NK/s1600/DSC00777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNb3vQ-MYVMO0V_qKvN6Z1O1b5wcsZ6GWVv0CDh2vwNhJHKUcMgOjfINQkclQnjMiIl7uF4rN0SHoZZA7HItarN9BPaaKR0zldXukkLwcpdsxgY3tLwzjbCPGQK-BFmy8eod_AGGpt3NK/s400/DSC00777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626783524868239362" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(I get the kookiest looks on my face when I run, though. I can't help it--I'm so </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >happy</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.)<br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />5) Favorite movies:<br />After <span style="font-style: italic;">Lilo & Stitch</span>, I love <span style="font-style: italic;">Catch Me If You Can</span>. The musical is just as awesome.<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu6pa_myQKo0Kjw6CboQnXC1UtgCsgpohs-uLXaWOO2dvsPUF3TFoVqHl3u4nnE12w6fVEdHG6cjVKcm-YcTGBuwASw-gkufrnZ-LoTcxG70rMBo3dNXohp3TucVcBzM6BjTkz2WK5RHk/s1600/LeoCatchMeIfYouCan2-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu6pa_myQKo0Kjw6CboQnXC1UtgCsgpohs-uLXaWOO2dvsPUF3TFoVqHl3u4nnE12w6fVEdHG6cjVKcm-YcTGBuwASw-gkufrnZ-LoTcxG70rMBo3dNXohp3TucVcBzM6BjTkz2WK5RHk/s400/LeoCatchMeIfYouCan2-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626784200849390514" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >(Why hello, Leo. His Broadway counterpart, Aaron Tveit, portrays Frank Jr. fantastically.)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6) Favorite clothing:<br />Sundresses!<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqiXJ0MVdRv8qOSg16sye0giIcUty15VE-NJAIT6fqQSKpuubVWbOXweBAuQkjNunccenDXkTxphDqcMJgqwRxRLmucW630nTgPAEW8PKVJKopSnlVtmuuQ218oMIb0vvLPev34tY8ntC/s1600/DSC08539_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqiXJ0MVdRv8qOSg16sye0giIcUty15VE-NJAIT6fqQSKpuubVWbOXweBAuQkjNunccenDXkTxphDqcMJgqwRxRLmucW630nTgPAEW8PKVJKopSnlVtmuuQ218oMIb0vvLPev34tY8ntC/s400/DSC08539_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785051245867474" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />(Often layered over something else. In Chicago.)<br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />7)Favorite flower?<br />Sunflowers and carnations. They tied.<br /><br />8) Favorite breakfast?<br />Scrambled egg with cheddar inside two waffles. *swoon*<br />Really, I could eat breakfast food all day long. I love almost all kinds of breakfast food, it's hard to pick!<br /><br />9)Favorite book?<br />I love many, but lately I'm loving <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Invincible-Summer-Hannah-Moskowitz/dp/1442407514/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310088094&sr=8-1">Invincible Summer</a> by Hannah Moskowitz. Stop making me cry, Hannah!!<br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HGq7TH84LaYUHWW5JQ5cqKh8KrA9j-mAkxKz6y9DdRC9wC2ZKiQ7Tq-Foq89Q20LJGIUjo-SlO796oDAuIBV0kJHdxpYXZnKiVqclzkPZDqX5Xq7E_rFcesxqYqJCGobvGZMtxUlAtp2/s1600/invincible%252Bsummer.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HGq7TH84LaYUHWW5JQ5cqKh8KrA9j-mAkxKz6y9DdRC9wC2ZKiQ7Tq-Foq89Q20LJGIUjo-SlO796oDAuIBV0kJHdxpYXZnKiVqclzkPZDqX5Xq7E_rFcesxqYqJCGobvGZMtxUlAtp2/s400/invincible%252Bsummer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785682417901970" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />10) What is your <span style="font-style: italic;">least </span>favorite food?<br />Peas. I like sugar snap peas, but regular peas...ick. I try to be an equal opportunity vegetable lover, but peas are a skip every time for me. Who knows why....<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYFmJpZtYDKCbFgArOmihXHvNOsXDbC0Yq4NaL_IOQOiUePWeF-RD966o4DlgQU_FSIKp739liNWmn2nv1dr25TUPvNQJ0UwUBZ5N-nCIJnlHVp0APlWhOOr9tNgUvSfg7SihOQbr9PB9/s1600/Photo+650.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYFmJpZtYDKCbFgArOmihXHvNOsXDbC0Yq4NaL_IOQOiUePWeF-RD966o4DlgQU_FSIKp739liNWmn2nv1dr25TUPvNQJ0UwUBZ5N-nCIJnlHVp0APlWhOOr9tNgUvSfg7SihOQbr9PB9/s400/Photo+650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626786537772468434" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(I sure don't.)<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">11) What would your dream job be?<br />I want to be an event planner for Walt Disney World. I admire their gold standard of customer service, and I love the area of hospitality.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySTCtRcbuDDewNnAAO-nVOm_DbDHVlGgVEu8WK9nfqbs_TMeDqXUG4YRz5cqMvcs06_0UXV2xnI42sbtiXxWSbP_PVW8cN7bEzB6LekJefVO9Wu1nBTvi1p7g28PFlNOHUQ2zBvfihllF/s1600/animal-kingdom.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySTCtRcbuDDewNnAAO-nVOm_DbDHVlGgVEu8WK9nfqbs_TMeDqXUG4YRz5cqMvcs06_0UXV2xnI42sbtiXxWSbP_PVW8cN7bEzB6LekJefVO9Wu1nBTvi1p7g28PFlNOHUQ2zBvfihllF/s400/animal-kingdom.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626786837743987234" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />(But first, I would love to intern here!)<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">12) What is your favorite salad topper?<br />That's easy! Black beans!<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQEv40IQ4H9nmMIELD-0LZE1NWUm3IdtTrcVq0fY-2YSU10P0CMsLWjt9gJWHEYOSfyiqGPH0Sdw8Qi6gAUVFzuXIujPSpH-Mge4YnSaNfLT4h_QZBRW-oZDzObLkDyUbR49yPuVB1uKJ/s1600/DSC00649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQEv40IQ4H9nmMIELD-0LZE1NWUm3IdtTrcVq0fY-2YSU10P0CMsLWjt9gJWHEYOSfyiqGPH0Sdw8Qi6gAUVFzuXIujPSpH-Mge4YnSaNfLT4h_QZBRW-oZDzObLkDyUbR49yPuVB1uKJ/s400/DSC00649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626787111690978498" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Though from that photo, you might think it's </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >grapes</span><span style="font-size:100%;">....)<br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />13) Do you have a running mantra?</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><br />Yes! Mine is:<span style="font-weight: bold;"> "Keep moving forward."</span> No matter how slow I'm going, as long as I keep going, every step is a success. As long as I continue my exercise ventures and try new things, I'll discover things about myself and the world around me I never would have if I had sprawled on my couch.<br /><br />It's a shortened version of this quote, because the short version is easier to chant:<br /><br />"Around here, however, we don't look backwards very long, we keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > --Walt Disney</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you had a bad workout recently? Did you learn anything from it?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Because I'm about to go on vacation...what was one of your favorite places to visit on vacation?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ></span></div></div>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-43169862225340960992011-07-06T22:57:00.011-04:002011-07-07T00:19:36.870-04:00Serendipity!! (Adventure in the City)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sorry I've fallen off the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">blogosphere </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">lately! I just had </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">college orientation</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and I'm still catching up on my workouts.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A regular post about food and exercise will be back tomorrow </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(the lovely </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Paola </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">from </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://solediluna.wordpress.com/">Sol de Luna</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> was kind enough to tag me in the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Amazing Blogger Award</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">! I'm </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">so </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">psyched to fill it out.) </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But the past slew of days has been such an adventure. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Orientation! Celebrating the 4th! And, of course, yesterday's incredible </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">adventure in the city</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">First off, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">college is going to be great!</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'll be heading upstate for school. Mountains, anybody? Mountains mean </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">mountain biking</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">trail running<span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and college means easy access to a gym! Woohoo! </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I was lucky enough to meet my roommate and new friends.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So, since college is coming quickly, a friend, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">M</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and I decided to visit one of our friends at </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">NYU</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I hadn't been to Greenwich Village in a while, so I decided to find all the places I'd been hearing about....</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/">Peanut Butter & Co.</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> had too many tempting options! I finally settled on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peanut Butter Sampler</span>. The best picks? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dark Chocolate Dreams </span>(imagine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nutella </span>laced with addictive substances and dipped in magic. Here you go.)<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">White Chocolate Wonderful</span>.<br /></span> <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4rzOiJxiHDnXDBQ2326eWkubc8cO47IMqvDEkaXP4prGhGS2xJSTHXuLjOZr2AMkxFskm7jpdiRZW7oMXy42qPJScaUAWlLrgANYlR4qNGrPU19uldwyUezjD91-0l2mE-dgzUnWALT3/s1600/DSC00825.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4rzOiJxiHDnXDBQ2326eWkubc8cO47IMqvDEkaXP4prGhGS2xJSTHXuLjOZr2AMkxFskm7jpdiRZW7oMXy42qPJScaUAWlLrgANYlR4qNGrPU19uldwyUezjD91-0l2mE-dgzUnWALT3/s400/DSC00825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626452583309638690" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">(It's a shame I'm not a huge celery fan. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Apples with pb</span> all the way, for me.)<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I ended up having half of </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">M</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'s </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Peanut Butter Cup sandwich</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, aka <span style="font-weight: bold;">pb and Nutella</span>. YUM. The sandwiches were surprisingly filling. Thanks, chica, and my growling stomach that rules my mind thanks you, too.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And then THIS happened:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"So are you two hanging out in the city after?" (The true life of a suburbanite: Manhattan = 'the city.')</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Yup, we're going to </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.strandbooks.com/">The Strand </a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and then </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.insomniacookies.com/">Insomnia</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Well, at 6:30 I'm meeting </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meg Cabot</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So, of course, we accompanied her to the NYU bookstore, where the fantabulous Meg Cabot was giving a presentation on her new novel, </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Overbite-Meg-Cabot/dp/0061735108/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310011612&sr=1-1">Overbite</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I love her novels!! She's just as nice and hilarious in person as I thought she'd be! It was a small presentation, and it was worth the wait. The whole time I couldn't believe it was happening.</span> </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS95Edi1JHu_vD2ewif5Nq03YZqHX5eWGjHPweOKsKGMdKlM-HOckFMQGkH90q_uiaRgnOo5lS6KDhJ1D0hq1y-LAHAELvcvO3MqYjLa9HZEdhtbxkFoDmktYArToI3HbgMJyVTEkvWeX/s1600/meg+and+me.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS95Edi1JHu_vD2ewif5Nq03YZqHX5eWGjHPweOKsKGMdKlM-HOckFMQGkH90q_uiaRgnOo5lS6KDhJ1D0hq1y-LAHAELvcvO3MqYjLa9HZEdhtbxkFoDmktYArToI3HbgMJyVTEkvWeX/s400/meg+and+me.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626454993363923602" border="0" /></a>(PROOF.)<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I called my mom right after, saying, "I just met Meg Cabot! Yes, THE Meg Cabot!"</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Not gonna lie, we felt just a bit like rockstars.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Earlier in the day, after trekking around in the Village, we headed to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Strand</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Success! $1 for the </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Narnia </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">sound track and an illustrated, colored version of </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Little Prince</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I actually found a pop-up version, and believe me, I was very tempted to bring it in to my English class! College is great already because </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Little Prince</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is on my reading list. =D</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Insomnia </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">is so tiny. Only three stools inside! I would've walked right by if </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">M </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">hadn't spotted it. I bought a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">PB Cup cookie</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, but truth be told, I was </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">pb'ed out</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">! Too much pb, though I never thought I would say that. I did have pb this morning, though, so don't worry, it's a temporary condition! :)</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We also relaxed in </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Washington Square Park</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, which I had never actually been to before! (Bad New Yorker, bad.) Seeing the fountain made me want to dance around like in </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://washingtonsquareparkblog.com/2011/05/02/glee-films-at-washington-square-park-friday/">Glee</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />I will settle for an </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ice cream sandwich</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, though.<br /><br /></span> </div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZRFfjPNioejj8YLctiJaXZa9QhhD7eL3VRfK98eUWVkZ-_l1Jacpp8sWEOaL9yykPqyenKbyKbvY7pPF9n6wI_OEEb6Ppi0lVyNEIwi0I1lR08lqZLLGKh-vW-I8QPDuF5WcdlO4sV6U/s1600/washington+sq+ice+cream.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZRFfjPNioejj8YLctiJaXZa9QhhD7eL3VRfK98eUWVkZ-_l1Jacpp8sWEOaL9yykPqyenKbyKbvY7pPF9n6wI_OEEb6Ppi0lVyNEIwi0I1lR08lqZLLGKh-vW-I8QPDuF5WcdlO4sV6U/s400/washington+sq+ice+cream.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626456281260183698" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(I am dangerously attractive after a long day of walking in the heat and stuffing my face.)<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I had a delicious dinner of</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> london broil sandwiches</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, (yes, plural. THEY WERE AWESOME.), </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">bbq chicken</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">macaroni salad</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">watermelon</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">cupcake</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Thanks, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">M</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, they were delicious.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Hope you all had a great 4th of July! I sure did. </span> </div>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-11935814692675060022011-06-26T18:09:00.012-04:002011-06-26T23:04:27.462-04:00That's the Way I Roll<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sitting here in my Nike tempo shorts is just too comfy. I'm supposed to be packing for orientation (YAY!), but right now I am simply basking in my day. It was one of the days you don't expect to be amazing, but it was amazing anyway!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My day started with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">oats in a jar.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQrcW9oR-zGUbpQvq6rg0k-HE1UjzqVh36413OH7Q7CUEJtIgUZEpql3GeGqHMRRHuizn_zlpkH_w8OSJeWUXI_JzdWd8Ea4wlgsmcmZIliTEHUrkNU8qUYKxF5etOFQq77p3x9wJooPA/s1600/DSC00789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQrcW9oR-zGUbpQvq6rg0k-HE1UjzqVh36413OH7Q7CUEJtIgUZEpql3GeGqHMRRHuizn_zlpkH_w8OSJeWUXI_JzdWd8Ea4wlgsmcmZIliTEHUrkNU8qUYKxF5etOFQq77p3x9wJooPA/s400/DSC00789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622721489151916242" border="0" /></a><br />While I love oatmeal, I ran out of steel-cut and had to use <span style="font-weight: bold;">blueberry instant</span> in my emptied jar of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dark Chocolate Dreams</span>.<br /><br />I bought this jar on <span style="font-style: italic;">Thursday</span>. Don't judge.<br /><br />Okay, you can judge, but it was DELICIOUS.<br /><br />I also put in strawberries, <span style="font-weight: bold;">blueberries</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">strawberry yogurt</span>. (In case you can't tell, I dig strawberries!) I wasn't <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">wowed</span>...maybe because it wasn't overnight? Maybe because it was just <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">too much</span> sugar for me in the morning? It was awfully sugary, even for me, and I'm a sugar fiend!<br /><br />After this experiment, I think I'll stick to salty/savory flavors for breakfast, the most amazing meal of the day for me.<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Speaking of amazing, I have two new features on my page! There is now a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Races</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> tab (where I can eagerly stare at the upcoming </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Walt Disney World Princess Half-Marathon</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> in </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2012</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, as well as a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Blogroll!</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> If </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">you'd</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> like to be added to the Blogroll, simply shoot me an email at adventureapril(at)gmail(dot)com. I love reading blogs and the best way to find gems sometimes is simply to ask nicely! That's a good rule for life, I think, too. Asking nicely never hurt anybody.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today, on a whim, my mom and I decided to have a picnic at the local park. I love an excuse to lug a ton of food with me, so I packed the cooler with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">fruit salad<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for the two of us (</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">blueberries</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">peaches</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">bananas</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">watermelon</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">strawberries</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">!) along with a regular salad for me with breaded </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">chicken</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">cucumbers</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">cheddar</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">honey-dijon dressing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Yes, that cooler was packed full and 95% of the food was for me.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPQ_Oky-e28Nm5R1ridjMCqF-l74WReQenJE6GE2guLfHB3SYshZrLhx_y2ClpL1fVQgkwkRbboIHGGq9SewIfcm9GNCkuY_BDv2iqfxD78INfVSFUFd_ndrr97nANxGzNbuZWGYfgi3g/s1600/DSC00792.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPQ_Oky-e28Nm5R1ridjMCqF-l74WReQenJE6GE2guLfHB3SYshZrLhx_y2ClpL1fVQgkwkRbboIHGGq9SewIfcm9GNCkuY_BDv2iqfxD78INfVSFUFd_ndrr97nANxGzNbuZWGYfgi3g/s400/DSC00792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622722676742925298" border="0" /></a><br />(<span style="font-weight: bold;">Baby carrots</span> are hiding in my hip Mickey Mouse container.)<br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hey, that's just the way I roll. =D</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The park was crowded, but it was a nice ride down to the marina. There was a 50s-70s car show going on, so we got to look at all the cool vintage cars! My favorite was a VW Beetle, like this one:</span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.irv2.com/forums/f64/what-was-your-dream-car-91674-3.html"> </a><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTFFE7chBF68TS57bi9CIGSnEQh8jc8BZB3-T1XRGSN-lS2o7Htgkbl9qJqWN0Ymi_nrWBDGcZrNM11ncHo-GZ3xm7lugjWYyaVGXvQ6nKl3J7CmdD-QZzNS7SRzeHOBxtRvCfJIz7blk/s1600/1972_vw.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTFFE7chBF68TS57bi9CIGSnEQh8jc8BZB3-T1XRGSN-lS2o7Htgkbl9qJqWN0Ymi_nrWBDGcZrNM11ncHo-GZ3xm7lugjWYyaVGXvQ6nKl3J7CmdD-QZzNS7SRzeHOBxtRvCfJIz7blk/s400/1972_vw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622655518124290546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We rode by quickly, keeping about a 9:30 pace (slight incline), and about 7:30 on the way back. Halfway through, we stopped to eat at a picnic bench!</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDlLqMJzSULaDoWQB79s_bE5opH0LMb77KL4e9sUdK8WWTFJMptsdAM0RtJkxNlrI-IoHy7wnoSlvRgDMppN6lWEgMyABZD_wX8cWHCst3HjsHAcGsUTw1mKWqncEswKO0B9lk_OwoJpF/s1600/DSC00796.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDlLqMJzSULaDoWQB79s_bE5opH0LMb77KL4e9sUdK8WWTFJMptsdAM0RtJkxNlrI-IoHy7wnoSlvRgDMppN6lWEgMyABZD_wX8cWHCst3HjsHAcGsUTw1mKWqncEswKO0B9lk_OwoJpF/s400/DSC00796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622723036787324450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Take a photo! Of me! Of the bike! Of me...looking like a palm tree?!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfa7zX_E4ZOvvEIbC3jhypfgFSWKgBPkfARt2VBR7lOThpLdRZOeu_kR1YhMzjeEXiENwQjmQPMs4Rq3C4WoNIo7YNLQccr_fjptEX3HnxdmeY7ndWcyqhLua1MQL_HVx7640JvntgJXX/s1600/DSC00797.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfa7zX_E4ZOvvEIbC3jhypfgFSWKgBPkfARt2VBR7lOThpLdRZOeu_kR1YhMzjeEXiENwQjmQPMs4Rq3C4WoNIo7YNLQccr_fjptEX3HnxdmeY7ndWcyqhLua1MQL_HVx7640JvntgJXX/s400/DSC00797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622723297110074498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Yes, that is my red helmet in the corner. </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Safety is sexy.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Yes, I whip out </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">cheesy quotes</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> like nobody's business. But seriously, the Safety is Sexy campaign is a great movement, and you can find more info and swag </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://safetyissexy.blogspot.com/">here</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After a quick stop at the bike shop to fix my flat, we headed home. It turns out that I rode 3.42 miles on a slow leak. I suspected that was why it was so hard to balance, but I didn't want to derail the picnic. I biked for 33 minutes to top everything off (and it was a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">MUCH</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> smoother ride!) Today's total mileage was about 8.5 miles--my Garmin is charging, so all my data will be in this </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">week's total</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I love biking, and that was my first long ride outside in over a year.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It's good to be back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What's your favorite picnicking food?<br /><br />Have you been biking lately?</span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-10435211881543275732011-06-22T13:09:00.023-04:002011-06-25T16:33:56.290-04:005k and Saying Saturday<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today was my much-anticipated </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">5k</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. The local </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Luke M. Parlatore Memorial Run </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">was held today. This was my first-ever 5k last year, so I was excited. I must have woken up five times last night to check the clock (every hour, on the hour!) to make sure I didn't oversleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And then...I overslept!! Luckily, my dad kicked me out of bed at 7:30--I was supposed to be there by 8, yikes! I bolted out, threw on my race clothes, snagged some pb, and headed to the race start. I was there by 8:15, which was fine, since the gun was at 9:00. I mingled, picked up my shirt, and soon--we were off!!</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea3CV-dNJVafoZTn90NAXTv711qftM6aO7gSXaPWsK2kbpBY-MiPQU64Mj4eWeGb_C6i8aHadnFkBqq44uqtfMMVpEwLohbT3AaOrBO1QqM6oRxcOzCvwX2CnSDcv3QQ3vx6S_Iqd55Qf/s1600/DSC00774.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea3CV-dNJVafoZTn90NAXTv711qftM6aO7gSXaPWsK2kbpBY-MiPQU64Mj4eWeGb_C6i8aHadnFkBqq44uqtfMMVpEwLohbT3AaOrBO1QqM6oRxcOzCvwX2CnSDcv3QQ3vx6S_Iqd55Qf/s400/DSC00774.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622251744799057970" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (I snapped a quick photo before leaving my house. I'm wearing my favorite <a href="http://www.killersocks.com/">Killer Socks</a> shirt, that has a nifty zipper in the back for my ID.)<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My lovely parents took this shot of me at mile 1. It's totally normal to act goofy in just a 5k, right?? My lax coach paced me for the first mile (10:08), but then I was on my own. I was in bliss! I was running faster than I have in ages, accompanied with some music (</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Disney</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> classics next to</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Simple Plan</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I hadn't listened to either of them in a while. Best mix ever).</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ili9sZz3mRQ-xrO1tvSiwhS7yfsho27ZDag2MLZWtShf1JdfOOqnZ9UV4uf-uy7W-eBdOzx_rCCVrDrd9pMDBl4rb0-IizdUuFPgVfZzDSlSMjH2K62MKkEivZ2Z40HxOZUqMis9_FaM/s1600/DSC00777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ili9sZz3mRQ-xrO1tvSiwhS7yfsho27ZDag2MLZWtShf1JdfOOqnZ9UV4uf-uy7W-eBdOzx_rCCVrDrd9pMDBl4rb0-IizdUuFPgVfZzDSlSMjH2K62MKkEivZ2Z40HxOZUqMis9_FaM/s400/DSC00777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622252821909590578" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As much as I was enjoying myself, I was afraid of burn-out. I knew I couldn't hold a 10:00 pace for three miles with no training. I'd only run a few times this month, and I've only run three miles twice! One was about 37:00 and the other about 35:00. I knew I had to slow it down.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Still, I was </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">GIDDY</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">!</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHQsFI-L1OqZa7XX7ar_O1btmhXm8XTmEmAs3cdOYxM6grpm1EtQytcNCZC_E0Fff33w-cqo6x6hPNcztdn2ZgOwWmlpe99cHKPiiEzPgZgvz-Z6A3CiJ2u9hwysLvoPUImUk3fQE4rI0/s1600/DSC00780.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHQsFI-L1OqZa7XX7ar_O1btmhXm8XTmEmAs3cdOYxM6grpm1EtQytcNCZC_E0Fff33w-cqo6x6hPNcztdn2ZgOwWmlpe99cHKPiiEzPgZgvz-Z6A3CiJ2u9hwysLvoPUImUk3fQE4rI0/s400/DSC00780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622253260525335426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (Around the three-mile mark, I'm still pacing well and feeling strong.)<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I had started my Garmin late, so I knew my time was off, but after the first mile, I slowed to about an 11:15 pace. Which quickly became an 11:24 pace. I tried to keep it around 11:20 or so, and took the third mile back up to about 11:00. Toward the last half mile, I saw my pace creep to 12:00, and I fought it back down to 11:16 for the final lap around the track. That was a tough fight.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Somehow, for me, the second the finish line is in sight, it all gets so much </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">harder</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. You'd think it would be easier, because it's *right there*, but all my mind is thinking is...less than a quarter mile? I'm practically there! Can I walk now? I'm thirsty. My calves are bothering me. Those people staring think I'm evolving into a turtle, I bet.<br /><br />I dug out all I could and finished in 32:10. That's right, nearly a two-minute PR. With no formal training!!<br /><br />I was so thrilled. Fueled up with a banana and took some more goofy photos before heading home.<br /><br />Of course, because I just can't get enough activity into my day, I went <span style="font-weight: bold;">KAYAKING</span>!<br /><br />There was a local festival out on the bay, so my mom and I took a two-seater kayak out and paddled. My arms were much stronger than the last time I did this (yay, weight training!). <- <span style="font-style: italic;">I never thought I would say that. Should I preserve this moment?<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Anyway, some good food this week:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Roasted red pepper hummus (Athenos), baby carrots, and crackers:<br /><br /></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDK_P7CNAmIRnozA4voaT7soI3CJdnQ-ZAuREVyQVDGnEc6NK7-y1l9FvP7Djr3xM7lZ0DQNZFjbrCXF70kMnkSPYLmIRBbfK4Z22XZh85yExAjQaxGvlgOTJq1-5DhyJ7o8_rwR3iAMe/s1600/DSC00749.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDK_P7CNAmIRnozA4voaT7soI3CJdnQ-ZAuREVyQVDGnEc6NK7-y1l9FvP7Djr3xM7lZ0DQNZFjbrCXF70kMnkSPYLmIRBbfK4Z22XZh85yExAjQaxGvlgOTJq1-5DhyJ7o8_rwR3iAMe/s400/DSC00749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622253980007933458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Grilled eggplant with mozzarella and tomatoes on a bun, and sauteed asparagus:<br /></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwrFObDb-MVuAQSokuTbisCPN86b4r-7nMjAdKRVz3mJcKmri0Js7evMlJ7lSEOmRQeEf-4CA3xbZMJ6r1X4LiqMPt4CziuBHw-1Qp0dpWOodIm52Lw0ssBECHdBdnCgnvDUXigJu37PZ/s1600/DSC00760.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwrFObDb-MVuAQSokuTbisCPN86b4r-7nMjAdKRVz3mJcKmri0Js7evMlJ7lSEOmRQeEf-4CA3xbZMJ6r1X4LiqMPt4CziuBHw-1Qp0dpWOodIm52Lw0ssBECHdBdnCgnvDUXigJu37PZ/s400/DSC00760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622254363399122530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And the first</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> ice cream cone</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> of the season! Mint chocolate chip, my favorite.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7G7_j_hTDq2kueLHhjloiubSDTclgGlPqaQf7rqmDxgofH11B-JX3EMbywqwYgS0u4aiC5Yz1ekN6RGktrHExZxXNYnqsxK6AhAE5qcsiZggQIw6c5yO6FulrRwhfxJHivRdVbWJTF2v/s1600/DSC00765.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7G7_j_hTDq2kueLHhjloiubSDTclgGlPqaQf7rqmDxgofH11B-JX3EMbywqwYgS0u4aiC5Yz1ekN6RGktrHExZxXNYnqsxK6AhAE5qcsiZggQIw6c5yO6FulrRwhfxJHivRdVbWJTF2v/s400/DSC00765.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622254851697277666" border="0" /></a><br />(Okay, I try not to play favorites. They are all delicious and I would never turn ice cream down, pretty much.)<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A runner today had a shirt that said "The only difference between </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">try </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">triumph</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">UMPH!"</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> on the back. I loved it. I'm a sucker for cheesy motivational sayings.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What's your favorite ice cream or froyo flavor?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I'm long overdue for froyo. =D</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />And do you have a favorite saying?<br /></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-82902605040173178002011-06-20T23:11:00.000-04:002011-06-20T23:11:47.257-04:00Something That Scares YouI promised <a href="http://adventureapril.blogspot.com/2011/06/dare-i-say-it.html">a while ago</a> that I would post about trying spin for the first time. Technically, it wasn't my first time (I tried it once in June 2009). I've blocked that memory from my head.<br /><br />This is what I knew when I first signed up for spin that fateful day:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">-It was on a bike.<br />-It was set to music.<br />-It was a good workout!<br /><br /></span>Hey, it sounded good to me. At the time, I had just started my gym membership and only taken half-hour classes, so I assumed spinning was a half-hour, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HAHAHA. </span>As you spinners know, it is quite intense. However, I didn't read fitness blogs at the time, and I had absolutely no idea what was in store for me.<br /><br />I had only been running for twenty minutes at a time back then, and I was just starting to get in shape. When the instructor said to increase the tension, I increased it every time. I struggled, waiting for the half-hour mark. When we showed no sign of cooling down, I assumed it was a 45 minute class. At 40 minutes I realized it was an hour class. I looked around me at all the hardcore spinners and felt crestfallen. They were still going strong.<br /><br />They even had fancy water bottles. =(<br /><br />I was exhausted. I was intimidated. And I wanted OUTTA THERE! I hopped off that bike at the conclusion of the class, felt happy that I survived (and defeated at the same time), and thought I would try again someday. When I was ready.<br /><br />"When I was ready" turned out to be two years later. Today. I'd been eyeing the spin schedule, but I didn't have the guts to take it on.<br /><br />Thanks to prom, my sleep schedule was all messed up. I woke up at 5:00 am. I'm an early riser, but that's pushing it for me! Despite trying to get back to sleep, my stomach was roaring, so I gave in, made breakfast, and decided to do something crazy. Spin.<br /><br />I drove to the gym with classical music on, hoping to calm down. I mustered the cheeriest good morning to the receptionist and signed up at 6:10 am, then hopped on the treadmill for forty minutes. Guilty pleasure while walking on the treadmill: reading the <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>Gossip Girl</span> series. It's so addicting! My 2 miles were filled with the cattiness and glitz of Manhattan socialites.<br /><br />I was so scared of taking spin again that I almost walked out after my warm-up. After a quick stretch, I entered the workout room. Luckily, some nice spinners showed me how to move and adjust my bike.<br /><br />I'm proud to say I didn't struggle until about 40 minutes in. I stopped increasing the tension, then, and didn't hesitate to back off. After injuring myself from pushing it, I'm slooowly learning the difference between <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">challenging your limits</span> </span>and <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">pushing myself past the critical point of pain.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </span> Discomfort is okay. Sharp pain is <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">NOT </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">okay</span></span>. This is now permanently ingrained in my head.<br /><br />I walked out of the class today encouraged by the friendly spinners. I'm going to back just to completely get over my fear of it, but today was encouraging. I really love working out in the morning.<br /><br />Good day! Now if only I could get my left eye to stop burning from too much chlorine....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEZmjU4rz-ZPmi-j1MziG2CwyJz0h4m0toBsCPblG_2tXqxarECjNV9zhkWQW8gxEsiMRNGGlYr-6XrUxr2LcIc8ftGKR0YvIMRxgZSfZAEJUgPor1xlPX0hrYh8sCeSD1kUYdhob1p3q/s1600/DSC00738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEZmjU4rz-ZPmi-j1MziG2CwyJz0h4m0toBsCPblG_2tXqxarECjNV9zhkWQW8gxEsiMRNGGlYr-6XrUxr2LcIc8ftGKR0YvIMRxgZSfZAEJUgPor1xlPX0hrYh8sCeSD1kUYdhob1p3q/s400/DSC00738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620496836944808386" border="0" /></a><br />(Dinner was leftovers from T.G.I. Friday's: Jack Daniel's chicken and sweet potato fries on top of romaine and tomatoes. My mom thinks I'm weird because I combine potatoes and lettuce. I THINK NOT.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My legs were sore today, so I took it easy and stretched out with a swim.<br /><br />I was craving a burger (although I doubt nothing will surpass my beloved Shack Shack), so I decided to head to Checkers. I got a Cheese Champ accidentally, but it was good. Next time, I'm going to forgo the mayo. (Sometimes, I just have to say AYYYYYYYO, PLEASE NO MAYO.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7arV_M-FNjeuIVly1O_l5roUh6Cz7OkSxlxHg801deljjSpdNUQ1Z41rMrndn5Vu0RuqpSoPTXqsMnX6XvlvrVqh0st3EFj5_MSQn5XWIJrEYMSfoIw9PXtQc0ULFynkBurVUXMAAIWB/s1600/Photo-0142.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7arV_M-FNjeuIVly1O_l5roUh6Cz7OkSxlxHg801deljjSpdNUQ1Z41rMrndn5Vu0RuqpSoPTXqsMnX6XvlvrVqh0st3EFj5_MSQn5XWIJrEYMSfoIw9PXtQc0ULFynkBurVUXMAAIWB/s400/Photo-0142.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620504399290355906" border="0" /></a><br />(I took it on my phone, because in true classiness, I ate in my car.)<br /></div><br />For dinner, I cooked grilled some delicious eggplant with mozzarella and tomatoes, on top of spaghetti. I also had a salad with tomato, mozzarella, and honey mustard dressing. YUM.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsb-YkNZ8ZZYpl9wREDf4YA6B_GogkZdC3zej3Ok6qJL0nuDf_1FRNgemGFt9bZZguXW9rZsxeRWEgSLLZpt6N1SEdaL4j5Gh3FIkxCINgGhOWybdsy16PBRIKAWyWhZoz7s03tH32_kB/s1600/DSC00742.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddBC6v5VgFRVCdfW0Me8qVV6KHIZoMSB_LxI8sUzOgqCKcu8rs3uvbwg85WwExSiO0kozJTdPUb4ONkPeuw6roNYBTN6rcyf30i4wnVAHo5n8BWlQ_GpyFUcpRv7eHyjADRCzUVC6iP8I/s1600/DSC00746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddBC6v5VgFRVCdfW0Me8qVV6KHIZoMSB_LxI8sUzOgqCKcu8rs3uvbwg85WwExSiO0kozJTdPUb4ONkPeuw6roNYBTN6rcyf30i4wnVAHo5n8BWlQ_GpyFUcpRv7eHyjADRCzUVC6iP8I/s400/DSC00746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620499703892272626" border="0" /></a><br />(SO DELISH. I could eat eggplant forever, pretty much.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsb-YkNZ8ZZYpl9wREDf4YA6B_GogkZdC3zej3Ok6qJL0nuDf_1FRNgemGFt9bZZguXW9rZsxeRWEgSLLZpt6N1SEdaL4j5Gh3FIkxCINgGhOWybdsy16PBRIKAWyWhZoz7s03tH32_kB/s1600/DSC00742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsb-YkNZ8ZZYpl9wREDf4YA6B_GogkZdC3zej3Ok6qJL0nuDf_1FRNgemGFt9bZZguXW9rZsxeRWEgSLLZpt6N1SEdaL4j5Gh3FIkxCINgGhOWybdsy16PBRIKAWyWhZoz7s03tH32_kB/s400/DSC00742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620499472346551218" border="0" /></a>(I love putting the cheese from the main course in my salad. It's like the previews that get you excited for the movie.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CiejpghUkeBFhbxmpmMFb14nteuLdV9honn6XrOym8Wzg8MaJXWjG8nYZX9xCu4i7yNIbmyz9lEGqd5ZtB70iKbtBIw3xCEoY7PIX5auAhOTKc2C4grKoP8fdp5LyhBDASQQKLVRr8-R/s1600/DSC00748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CiejpghUkeBFhbxmpmMFb14nteuLdV9honn6XrOym8Wzg8MaJXWjG8nYZX9xCu4i7yNIbmyz9lEGqd5ZtB70iKbtBIw3xCEoY7PIX5auAhOTKc2C4grKoP8fdp5LyhBDASQQKLVRr8-R/s400/DSC00748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620501072202184098" border="0" /></a>(My snack on top of my workout schedule. The banana is covering all my "tough" workouts, I swear. Accompanied by much more than two of those amazing chocolate-covered cashews. I could munch on these lots more. Soooo good.)<br /></div></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Sunday: </span>40 min. walk (2 miles) + 60 min. spin + 45 min. swim<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday: </span>30 min. swim<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's something that scares you? Is it a workout that pushes your limits, or a new situation that gives you the jitters?</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br /></span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325980688075478110.post-69469406977275232942011-06-18T17:30:00.012-04:002011-06-18T19:54:21.245-04:00The Party That Never StopsSo, since high school has finished up...I went to prom last night!<br /><br />PROMPROMPROM. (Okay, I had to get that out of my system. *phew*)<br /><br />Now, I am not a girly, extravagant sort of person. Yet, for some reason, prom still gives me the jitters and I get ridiculously excited. It helps that my date was absolutely wonderful.<br /><br />No workouts, just dancing! A very good Friday indeed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZcrkuX5Pm3ClVu_m7PXSJUvNYvNQMPTplLFNA1Oe-u3PKGPZ1eTVwC8f06ilroAKivO4V4pRUmKQwnA7yJToPbeH0cYAWS7srrzqwi-i4DXtAZ4x1zm-zMcuOwvDTLOwupxbugVVzAXO/s1600/DSC00709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZcrkuX5Pm3ClVu_m7PXSJUvNYvNQMPTplLFNA1Oe-u3PKGPZ1eTVwC8f06ilroAKivO4V4pRUmKQwnA7yJToPbeH0cYAWS7srrzqwi-i4DXtAZ4x1zm-zMcuOwvDTLOwupxbugVVzAXO/s400/DSC00709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619676294814018818" border="0" /></a><br />(Please excuse my messy living room. Painting your nails > tidying up, right?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I didn't get back till four am (due to traffic...yes, traffic)! For this early riser, it was super late. I didn't fall asleep till around 5:30.<br /></div></div><br />I may have indulged in some fantastic <span style="font-weight: bold;">ice cream cake</span> at prom and a <span style="font-weight: bold;">chocolate croissant</span> when I got home, but hey, it's prom! Only happens once. (Okay, well, twice for <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span>, but I'm just going to stand by that. Indulging = perfectly okay on fancy occasions. Heck, indulging is just okay overall in my mind!)<br /><br />After waking up at noon and lounging around my house, I decided I should actually DO something today and headed to the gym.<br /><br />Since I felt so good with running before and there's a local 5k coming up, I decided to see if I could run one. I could! I averaged about a 12:00 pace (once tuuuuuurtle pace for me), because I didn't want to push it. I ran the <span>5k</span> in <span style="font-weight: bold;">37:22</span>. Now I think it'll be safe to run the official race on Saturday, no matter how slowly. I just hope registration isn't filled and the t-shirts aren't gone yet. I ran the same 5k about one year ago, so it'll be neat to do it again.<br /><br />I also did strength training. I could only manage about 10 lbs on the shoulder press, which is sort of pitiful. I'm going to work on that. I think I'll look up similar exercises to do at home, too.<br /><br />The only thing that got me through it was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPo5wWmKEaI">"Give Me Everything"</a> playing on repeat in my head, from last night. Sometimes I love when music gets stuck in my head and distracts me. I replayed my favorite moments from last night while I worked out--it was a continued party! Hey, at least it made the workout more fun. Blech, shoulder presses.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you have a local race you've run more than once? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And, more importantly, what song is stuck in your head at the moment?</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Give Me Everything" can't last me forever!</span>April Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01145778944645832502noreply@blogger.com0