Desert Dash 2011 - rain

I was planning on running the Desert Dash 5K in Parker, AZ. We drove out to Parker to meet up with some friends, but on Saturday morning we woke up to pouring rain. So I opted out of running. The run is in the desert in dirt and all uphill, there was no way I was going to be able to run that. I am just not that hard core. I am bummed because I was looking forward to it, but I was not willing to run in pouring rain. A little drizzle and running on asphalt or cement, no problem but I was not looking to do a mud run.

{Photo Corner} Week 7: A little behind

I am a little behind with posting pictures. Here of Baby Bear's little friend she made this weekend.



This is Cornelius, he is a sweet pug. I'll hopefully get back to the lessons soon. Life happens and it has been crazy busy.

{Fitness Corner} Sometimes life happens

I have been doing well to keep my routine going. This week, I have been focusing on training for a 5K. I haven't been training hard or anything, but just shifting gears from strength training to running more. I've been able to keep it up with 4-5 days a week of working out, which has been great and leaves me feeling good.

Well, it looks like things might have to change. My workout time at the gym is before work. Well I am going to have to alter my workout schedule since I was just asked to join a weekly research team meeting on Wednesday mornings. So this meeting is probably going to cut into my workout time. My workout time is timed just so that I can drop Baby Bear off at daycare, workout for 20-30 minutes (depends on how cooperative Baby Bear was that morning in getting out the door on time), shower and get ready, and then walk to my office (it is nice having a nice gym on campus). Having a meeting in the mornings means either cutting my workout time or not working out that morning.

I will see how I might be able to manage it. It is not the end of the world. Wednesdays I also do yoga, so I get two workouts in that day. So it might not be so bad. But it is a bit disappointing since I am not a fan of morning meetings. Work is work and I have to do it and be a team player

{Creative Corner} Valentine's Day cards

Valentine's Day is coming and I designed a Valentine's Day card for Baby Bear to give out to her daycare friends.

A Walk for MS

One of my oldest and dearest friends, John Juniper, was recently diagnose with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is an unpredictable neurological disease that could prevent him from walking someday. He has chosen to start an Interferon therapy that should slow the disease progression, but to date there is no cure for MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to moving us closer toward a world free of MS, but they can't do it without our help. I will be participating in Walk MS 2011 in Rancho Cucamonga on April 9, 2011. I am joining The J Crew for John and will walk with them to support this important cause.

Please help by making a donation to support my fundraising efforts. Money raised will support education, advocacy, research, and local programs that enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. Click here to visit my personal web page to make a secure, online donation. If you prefer, you can mail a check to the National MS Society, Walk MS, 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Please be sure to put my name and our team name, The J Crew, in the memo portion of the check so it will be credited to my fundraising efforts.

Join me at the walk! Walk MS is our rallying point, a time and a place for our communities to come together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to moving us toward a world free of MS. They fund research into effective MS therapies and also help people with MS to live powerful, meaningful lives. I believe in the work they do.

Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. We appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you updated as the event draws nearer.

{Photo Corner} Week 6: Lesson 4 Flash

This week's lesson was on the flash. Basically, when to use a flash and things to consider when you use a flash such as distance and glare. It also covers using your flash outdoors.

The challenge for this lesson required to go outdoors and use a flash. I wasn't able to do the first part of the challenge since it asked that you go out on a gray day. And though it is winter time, in Southern California we had beautiful 70 degree weather this weekend. I love living in So Cal!

The second part of the challenge was to use fill flash to eliminate dark shadows on the face on a bright day. With beautiful weather, this was something I could do!

This picture is without a flash with my favorite model.



Here is another picture of Baby Bear, with the flash this time.



Here is another set. First without a flash:



With the flash:



I never would have thought to use a flash outside during the day (Papa Bear even asked why I had the flash on during the day). Even with only an internal flash, it does make a difference in certain situations. I am having so much fun learning about photography.

{Health and Fitness} NROL4W Stage 2 complete

Wow, it felt like I just started stage 2 and it is now done. I guess stage 1 took longer because it was a longer and I was doing it 2 days a week. I now have 3 days a weeks to devote to it and that made the stage 2 speed on by. I like the program and that it does move along so it doesn't seem like I am doing the same thing all the time. Plus, I know that it is better to switch things up a bit so that my body continues to work and be challenged. I am look forward to the new challenge ahead.

I am going to take the next couple of week to focus on running before moving to stage 3. A break is recommended in the first place. But I have also committed to doing a 5K in a couple of weeks and have done nothing to train. I did the Desert Dash 5K last year and I remember the terrain was really steep, pretty much uphill the entire way. So I do not expect to break any records or even run the majority of it. But I do feel the need to start up some training even if I do plan to most walk it.

I am feeling stronger. I haven't weighed myself or anything but weight loss was never my goal. My goal was to build strength, tone, and define. Of course, I should really work on what I eat to lose fat but I was never one to diet. I do need to focus on eating healthier and I need to make a conscious effort to limit my treats. I have been overdoing it a little bit and I need to watch that more. It is all about moderation and finding the right balance. I am working on it.

{Photo Corner} Week 5: A red retro kitchen

I wasn't able to do lesson 4 because it requires you to go outside and it is generally dark by the time I get home, so I will have to wait until the weekend to do the next lesson. For now I leave you with a few pictures of a kitchen...



Baby Bear's new play kitchen. Isn't it just too cute!



The knobs actually work!



Practicing this white balance thing a little more. I think I might be getting the hang of it. At least I think the coloring in these photos are way better when I use a custom white balance setting. I did try the other pre-sets.

For some pictures of Baby Bear playing with her new kitchen, check out her blog.

Welcome February!

Yay to February! It is the best month of the year, which also happens to be my birthday month. That is right just 27 more days until one of the most important days of the year!!

Welcome February!