Still love to run

Yup.

Just want to go further. And I am.

It's all happening.

Adoption Day

I just received the nicest flower arrangement from my aunt and uncle for my adoption day.

It was a nice surprise - made me tear up.

Who's the luckiest adopted girl in the world?

Me. :-)

Don't Wait

-to take that long walk on the riverfront to see the receding water; nature is amazing, take advantage of the ever-changing moments to appreciate how wild they really are and how lucky you are to witness them.

-to get those miles in that are on your training plan; push yourself and reap the eventual rewards.

-for your idea of the "right" person to come along and tell you they love you; love yourself, and make yourself available to the many soulmates that are out there, looking for you, too.

-to tell your dog how they came to be in your life, and you in theirs, again and again. While dogs can't talk back, they love to listen.

-to spend a good two hours getting through more than a few chapters in that nightstand book that beckons. Enjoy the adventure of getting to the end.

-to take advantage of a rainy, cool morning to sleep in; it's a rare delight, and when the circumstances are right, seize the opportunity.

-give some thought to your long-term plans; if they need to be modified for safety, comfort, achievability, make the adjustment and embrace the new plan.

-to hold the hand of someone you like very much; touch is an amazing way to communicate what words might not adequately convey.

-to feel good enough to smile. Smiles have a transformative power. Often, a smile can change your mood, and the mood of others. Win, win.

-to remind yourself of your worth; no one can dictate what you deserve, what you need or how special you are, that's up to you.

-to give a full-on hug to someone you know. Both arms wrapped around the other person, good sqeezing going on, maybe some hand patting. Get in there and make it happen. I have a good friend who is an awesome hugger, and when I ask for one I get one, and it immediately brightens my mood.

For a good example, see below:

I'm reminded of these things on a daily/weekly basis. Helps to write them down.

Plus, I just saw the documentary The Human Experience and it got me thinking...

Metro hot-handedness

On Friday afternoon while I was at my desk working on a project, I realized how painfully tight my neck and shoulder muscles were. It had been a very busy week, and with my training, class and unexpected projects, the tension had settled in and boy was it painful.

Not for long.

I had a small window of opportunity on Friday between getting off of work and plans I had, so I decided to call a local spa to see if they had any openings. I really didn't think I'd be successful - but kept my fingers crossed that they'd have something.

Yup they did, from 5:30 - 6:00.

Bam. Done. Booked it.

The spa is called Metro, and it's on 1st Capital just off of Main Street in St. Chuck. My appointment was with RC. I found parking, and walked into a very small space, which looked to be in the middle of renovations.

A strapping gentleman with a beaming smile and tangible charisma walked into the foyer from the back hallway and asked if I was Kristin. He then introduced himself as RC and that he'd be handling my massage that day.

Find and dandy by me.

He handed me a menu, and asked me to choose music I'd like to listen to whilst getting rubbed down.

The choices were, in a word, fantastic. Really. Tori Amos, Mazzy Star, Portishead were just a few of the tantalizing picks. Did they sneak a peek at my college playlist? Uncanny. I settled on Dead Can Dance "Spirit Chaser", one of my favorite albums of all time.

The massage room  was cozy, warm and smelled very fainlty of something minty. Turned out it was the massage oil they use...Aveda something or other.

The massage itself was more than I could've hoped for. He focused on my lower back, upper back, shoulders and neck. He was working out the knots with easy pressure, and when he'd move on to another area, I felt such relief in the spots he had just manipulated. His hands were large, but not rough. He'd also warmed them up, as well as the table, so the entire experience was like a giant, warm hug.

When my eyes weren't closed, I had a good view of his shoes. Very large, handsome leather slip-ons. Perhaps Earth, Ecco or some other earthy-crunchy label. Probably good for someone who's on their feet all day.

He finished off by pulling a hot, wet towel out of the towel warmer and draping it across my back, where he pressed down with his hands and slowly slipped it off.

Perfection.

I have to say, for a last-minute quicky massage, it surpassed my expectations.

Go see RC at Metro. You won't be disappointed. Tell him Kristin Hall sent you.

Below is my favorite song from Spiritchaser.

Who are you?

Every night, since the end of last April, before I go to sleep I make it a point to remember something good about my life from that day, and to think something I look forward to upon waking up.

I'm thankful.

I've been thinking about this lately - the good things.  When work or life gets crazy, I also think about what I could be faced with, which makes me even more grateful.

I am not:

-facing another night of cold and hunger, not knowing when my next meal or warm bed will be

-working in an oven-hot, windowless factory, bent over machinery, my fingers and back cramped while I make toys that sell for $15.00, and my hourly wage is $.15

-a woman on her first, second or third marriage who's husband is unfaithful which makes her take it out on her kids

-battling a life-threatening illness

-alone

I am:

-thankful to have a warm place to call my home

-blessed to have a wonderful boss, a rewarding job and the opportunity to work towards better health for hundreds of thousands of people

-overjoyed to have real love in my life

-amazed and grateful to be as healthy as I am and dont' take it for granted any longer

-lucky to have the most wonderful dog on the planet as my best buddy

And, much like this next clip....

I'm also just a girl......

standing in front of a boy....

asking him to love her. ;-)



Bwahahahaa.....such a crappy movie I couldn't resist. The post was getting way to serious.

Defining your vision

Pessimist.

Optimist.

Realist.

Which way do you lean?

I've crossed "pessimist" off my list, as I've never really been one. Oh sure, certain situations that to me seemed impossible were written off early, so if that's pessimism I've guilty. But overall, I don't take that view.

As recent as a few years ago, I was almost a complete optimist. That is to say, I lived in the land of make-believe that I could control the uncontrollable, and things would work out. Not for the best, but work out the way I had them set up to in my head.

Glad that's over.

I have fallen into the comfort - I use that word carefully, because it is truly comforting - of looking at a situation for what it is, not what it could be. My pragmatic approach to breaking down what I'm learning or living is, for me, what feels right.

I look for the silver lining  - which is a good movie, and an even better concept.  I seek the good that can come, and I have hope, but don't pin it too high...it's at eye level. It's good to hope for things, but it's also good to accept that if those heights aren't reached, you can be satisfied, even happy, with the outcome.

Looking at life realistically takes a giant load off. You know that load...worrying about what might be. Embracing what "is" can be so freeing. It really can.

So when I ask myself, "Is it possible for me to run two miles, five miles, seven miles?" my answer is, "Yes, it is." I do it. Can I run 13.1 miles? That's my goal. If I walk some of it, so be it. But I will travel 13.1 miles by foot and willpower on April 7th, hopefully (boom...and there's the optimism!) upright the entire way.

All that said, you may have already guessed that I fall into the category of optimistic realist. I'm happier when I can come to terms with the unknown, and make the changes I have control of to better my life.

Is that playing it safe? No, I don't think so. Is being a realist better than being an optimist? Who am I to say? I don't think it's a question of what's "better" - it's a question of what works for you, and what makes sense for your life.

On the flip side, when it comes to romance I'm a realistic optimist. And much like the image, you'll never hear me say I love you with all my heart....because the heart an organ. But, I will say I love you with all that I am.

;-)

Dodging Metaphorical Bullets

I've managed to avoid the following things in my life, and I feel damn lucky for it:

1. 50 Shades of Gray. I'd rather nap. And have.

2. Cats. I have a severe allergy. Dogs are my pet of choice. Neat how some things work out for the best.

3. Eating live crawfish. I may live in MO, but I do not hail from MO, so this is easier to avoid were I a native.

4. Being carjacked/mugged. Difficult to do in STL. 

5. The non-important parts of Canada. I believe I've seen the best bits.

6. Jellyfish. Spent some time on the West Coast, in the ocean. They live there.

7. The movie Avatar. This means I have 161 minutes more than 25.7 million people had before they watched it. HA!

8. Marrying the wrong man. (I did marry the right one, at the wrong time...)
9. An obsession with Scandanavian modern furniture.

10. Broken bones. I've had many sprains, but no breaks. Surprising, considering how uncoordinated and adventurous I am. Never a good combo.

11. Buffalo stampede. I grew up in ND, and we had a few field trips to national parks where buffalo roam, so yeah, the opportunity was there.
12. Scientology. No explanation needed.

13. Spam. I'm a Vienna Sausage kinda gal.

14. Hearing an entire Rush song. Bleeding ears, bleeding ears...

15. Losing at indian leg wrestling more than winning. It's a common pasttime when you're snowed in. Lots of practice.

16. Being serenaded with Christmas carols by a talented Jewish accordion player posing as my boyfriend. Wait, that did happen....shoooooot.

17. Being last chair flute in band. I was always in the top two...with the exception of 7th grade. The year from hell. The photo above is me in 7th grade. 99 problems and band was one of 'em.

18. A girl fight my junior year of high school. I won first chair piccolo, and the bruiser who lost and was now second chair said she'd get me after school. The prestige of first chair always comes with danger....

19. Being sprayed by a skunk. Having been to camp and living on the prairie gets you very close to this.

20. Total heartbreak. Some close calls, but I'm still alive, don't hate men and believe in love, so I'm pretty sure the best is yet to come.

Much like a personal puzzle...

...all the pieces are falling into place.

I’m a little scared to list it all for fear I will jinx it. SO I will just hit the highlights:

-The 1/2 marathon training kicks off in a month, and I’m well prepared. The Fleet Feet coach who is reworking my training plan has participated in the tris I signed up for so she’s shared a lot in terms of prep, course, weather, etc. She agrees that a 1/2 is a big enough bite in tandem with my 70.3 tri training. I'll do the full marathon training in the summer to train for Chicago.

-The spinning classes at Rogue, which is ONE BLOCK FROM MY FRONT DOOR, are in full swing and I’ve just signed up for a couple later this week.

-I chatted with a couple people over the weekend who are now keyed up for some long weekend rides this winter, waiting to hear back from my buddy at Momentum to see if there are any others.

-My bikes are tuned up and working great. Still, I’m going to hit up a flat repair class tomorrow so I can get a discount on some new tools.

-I have all of my winter riding/running clothes & gear. Check.

-Might need another pair of running shoes to switch out with…so that’s on the list.

-I STILL LOVE RUNNING.

-Planning a quick weekend getaway prior to the 1/2 marathon training. I need a minibreak.

Life is ridiculously good.

All that’s left is for this PMSy-crabbiness to subside. Lol

A trickling down...

...can bring about spilleth.

I think a lot. Most days, I make a concious effort to live in the moment, because you cannot rely on the future and the past isn't an option.

I do my best not to overthink, which I find to be exhausting and a waste of time, and the challenges I encountered this year helped me to realize my ability to and the beauty of spending mental energy on things I have (some) control over and not to worry about that which I cannot control.

Lately, usually during the wee waking hours, thoughts creep into my mind relating to my purpose. Thoughts of how to live a fulfilling life, give back, realize the value of time and kindness and act accordingly.Forgive myself and others the pitfalls, mistakes, and wrongs which were done not out of malice but of ignorance and move forward in a positive way.

So on this day before Thanksgiving, I decidedly take a moment to pause and reflect upon that for which I am grateful:

1. Family - near and far, here and gone. I'm gthankful for the time I've had with them, and for what time remains.

2. Really, really good health. Aside from the not-quite-perfect vision which makes me bespectacled towards the end of the week, I take no medication, I have no pains, and I am clear-headed. And it's about time I started appreciating that on a larger scale...

3. A job in which I'm thanked almost on a daily basis for how much I contribute, and I know I'm a cog in the wheel of making a difference for generations to come.

4. My many years of education. My most recent degree, in Professional Counseling, was not only an education but almost three years of therapy due to the practicum, the research and generally being a guinea pig for my classmates and vice versa.

5. Straight teeth - thanks to my mom and two years of orthodontic hell.

6. My best friend, Oliver. It's all about timing, and the April day when we found each other is the day I, for the first time, invested wholly in another being. I will only have a few years left with him, and I will strive to make each of his days as happy as can be.

7. Friends - mine are amazing. The most amazing on the planet. And I strive to be equally amazing for them. My friends come in all shapes and sizes; they were made during my childhood, my college days and my adult years at work, in play and in passing. Some are brand new, others were on my 2nd grade kickball team. From wherever, whenever, I hold them dear.

8. Love - I have been blessed to have known true love a couple of times in my life. It's an amazing feeling, and my memories of the good times I shared with these people have taught me the importance of being in a relationship built on trust, respect, deep friendship and shared values. Shared musical taste is a bonus.

There's so much more I'm thankful for - French cinema, live music shows, cycling, running outside in any season, guiding my yak through various waterways, mediation - but there isn't enough time or room to list it all.

I leave you with this - whether you're celebrating big or small, alone or with many, here or away, I wish you a safe, celebratory and savory Thanksgiving.

What lovely caress....

These bands/songs are hot on my playlist at the moment:
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So in love

Yup. I'm in love.

It's a great feeling to wake up in the morning knowing that there is a special feeling that will carry you through the day. Through the good times. Through the bad.

Being in love makes me want to bake cupcakes.

It makes me want to dance in fountains.

It makes me want to stay up all night so I don''t miss a thing. (lightly quoting Aerosmith...apparently love makes me want to do that also.)

It makes me want to lounge in bed all morning, wrapping up in my comfy sheets and blankets and hugging the pillow tight.

Being in love makes anything seem possible.

It allows me to see the world in a whole new way. Fresh, and just for me.

I am in love. Deeply, deeply in love.

Throw my head back, eyes closed, breahtlessly in love.

No turning back here.

I'm in over my head, and where this will lead is anyone's guess.

I just have to go with it, embrace the euphoria and hope for the best.

I want this love to last forever.

This love, that's just for me.

I am sooooo in love.....................

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With autumn.

:-)

This time of year is so damn magical to me. Always has been, as long as I can remember.

The smell of wet leaves. Early morning cool rain. The colors. The feel of the air.

I love fall, and it loves me.

Being in love with autumn is almost better than being in love for real.

Almost, but not quite. ;-)

Grilled cheese, mixed tapes, NYC, Pajama Sundays...

...these are a few of my favorite things:

1. Weekends at my favorite cabin with favorite people. Or alone. Nature is my salvation.

2. Paddling. River or lake, it makes no difference. The feeling is incredible.

3. Grilled cheese sandwiches on white Bunny Bread.

4. Conversations with new and old friends that are filled with depth, humor and surprises. Over coffee or tea, even better.

5. My dog, who has the best personality of anyone I've ever known.

6. Books. Real books you can hold that have pages you can fold over for reading later.

7. Clever writing, expert delivery and nuanced performances. See "Girls" and any Lars Von Trier or Wes Anderson film.

8. Anders Danielsen Lie. The world is a better place with him in it.

9. Music. Preferably live. Preferably punk, rock, folk or rockabilly.

10. My Felt, Fuji and Trek.

11. Holding hands at the movies.

12. Early morning rides, late night runs.

13. Marshmallows roasted over a campfire. No chocolate or graham crackers needed. The simplicity of getting the right amount of toastiness, peeling it off and starting over is beyond soothing.

14. Opaque tights.

15. Trips to NYC and Seattle.

16. The smell of rain-soaked sidewalks and leaves, powdery baby necks, lilac bushes, and pot roast with fresh rolls.

17. Finding art that I can't stop looking at, haggling down the price, getting it framed, then hanging it in just the right place.

18. Crocheting my own hats with soft, pretty yarn.

19. A good make-out session. The longer the better. Clothes on. Music in the background. Sometimes the promise of something more is better than getting the goods.

20. The art of creating a good mixed tape.

21. Horror movies. Bad or good. Fun times.

22. A day at the zoo.

23. Spontaneous daytripping. Preferably within 120 miles from home for a timely return.

24. Finding a great old movie on the telly late at night and staying up to finish it.

25. Peeling hand-picked apples lovingly by hand and making a pie with homemade crust. Then cutting a piece, still warm, and eating it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

26. Shopping at or receving gifts/cards from Sephora, Plowsharing, Dicks Sporting Goods, Alpine Shop, REI or Craft Alliance.

27. Pizza. Deweys goat cheese, sausage & kalamata olive, Happy Joes Taco Joe no tomatoes, or Triple A's sausage.

28. Wearing jeans at work.

29. Training for sprint triathlons.

30. Sleeping in at least once a month. Any more than that and I would get addicted. It's happened, and it ain't pretty.

31. Billy Bragg, Jack White, Damien Rice, Lou Reed, Beastie Boys, old Indigo Girls, and Sezen Aksu.

32. Soft, semi-fitted sweaters in earthy colors.

34. Cinnamon or sweet mint gum.

35. Picnics in the fall.

36. Local festivals.

37. Growing my hair out and rediscovering the joy of hot rollers.

38. Seeing the Rocky Mountains in the distance. This makes me feel alive, happy and at home.

39. Falling in love.

40. Finding surprise notes in places like my book bag, bathroom mirror or my car telling me to have a good day or that I'm loved.

41. Chai tea latte. Meshuggah's or Mokabe's makes the best.

42. Dinner at Mangia, Shaved Duck, Bridge, King & I or Bottleworks.

43. Board games.

44. Professional massages.

45. When someone scratches my back or brushes my hair. Heaven.

46. The sound crunchy leaves make when walking through them.

47. Going to the pumpkin patch, picking out the best one, then scooping out the goop, roasting the seeds and carving up a good face for placement on the front porch.

48. Sushi. Crunch, Vegas and Snow rolls at Kampai are my fave.

49. Cool-weather hiking.

50. Pajama Sundays.

51. Breakfast for dinner. Sparingly, because it's gotta remain a rare treat or else it gets old.

52. Good hugs. Those arm-wrapped, hand-rubbing, meaningful ones.

53. Sheets warm and fresh from the dryer on a snowy day.

54. Spending time with my crazy, fun, loud, much-of-the-time innapropriate family. We swear a lot, and sometimes act like 10-year olds on a sugar high.

55. Sunsets that conjure up shades of pink, purple and burnt sienna.

56. Wearing socks. Another reason I dislike summer.

57. Flying to another city. The excitement to get to your destination, purchasing a crossword puzzle book and cheapy celebrity magazine, people watching, walking through an unfamiliar airport. It's rockstar.