{blank} is a special occasion.

As I have mentioned previously, I absolutely love the blog Enjoying The Small Things.  Today Kelle posted about the "Life is a Special Occasion" Hallmark Challenge in which she is participating.  I decided that I want to participate as well.  So I quickly scribbled out a few cards, put stamps on them, and dropped them in the mailbox.  When was the last time you received a hand-written note in the mail?  I know that when my grandparents send me cards, it completely makes my day. 

I also entered the online contest(through Facebook).  I thought I would share my entry:

Running with my fiance    ...is my any-day special occasion.

As anyone who has ever gone for a run knows, running is not always easy.  Running is a lot like life.  Some days you are on top of the world, and you know you can accomplish anything.  Other days you are struggling to put one foot in front of the other and contemplate just giving up and going back to bed.  The great joy about running with my fiance is that I know he is there to cheer me on during my "I feel like an Olympic athlete" days and to gently push me over the hurdles of the "this is too hard; I am not strong enough" days.  I love running with my fiance because I know that I am there for him during his ups and downs too.  I imagine our marriage to be like one giant ultra marathon race that we run side-by-side.  It will be full of "runner's highs" and sometimes lows, but together we will enjoy the journey.  Running with my fiance is my any-day special occasion, because it reminds me that together we can do anything.

~*~*~

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and rest of the week!  I'm off to work!

Trail run

Chris and I met up with the running group today for a really fun trail run at Weikiwa State Park.  The running path was 5.6 miles, but after doing a little back tracking we ended up running about 6 miles.  It was very hot, and we ended up doing a walk/run.  We were both glad that I bought my hydration pack filled with ice water.  Although running on trails seemed more difficult, I loved it so much more than running on the road.  After meeting up with the rest of the group, we all went in the spring which was like an ice bath.  At first it was extremely cold, but after you were very glad you got in the water.  After the spring, most of us headed out to breakfast.  We had a really wonderful time.  After returning home, I took a nap which was splendid.  I love afternoon naps. 

I have a few pictures to share.  I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend!

wild turkey

 

 

 

We counted 9 turkeys

 

 

Heading to the trail head

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news...

I started running with a running club, and I love it!  We meet up twice a week and run and then you have the option of grabbing food with the group after the run.  I love running with the group!  There are people of all paces, so there is always someone to run with.  I love meeting new people, and I was sick of running on my own, so this group is a perfect match for me.  Chris and I are running a trail run with the group tomorrow morning.  I hope to post about that tomorrow.  (I am going to try to blog a little more often.)

Oh yes, and I registered for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!  I cannot wait!  I have been wanting to run this race for two years now.

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In addition to running, Chris and I took a trip to Jupiter to visit my family the weekend before the 4th of July.  We celebrated the 4th with our friends Nick and Federica at Lake Eola.  I watched the last shuttle launch from the roof of our building at work.  Oh yes, and we got evacuated from our building at work due to a chemical spill.  Luckily everyone was alright.  Chris and I also went to the Winter Park farmer's market. 

Our seat for the fireworks. 

The best dessert ever!  And my awesome Aunt Nora!

I spy strawberries, blueberries, angel food cake, yogurt, cool whip, and amaretto... YUM!

Family picture!  We went to visit my cousin's new home.

Lake Eola

The fountain works again!

The last shuttle launch from the roof of the building at work.

Farmer's Market

Chris found some fun glasses at Pottery Barn

All purchased at the farmer's market.  Sadly, I already killed my basil plant.

Sadly I forgot to buy balsamic so I had to use some dressing I already had.

In wedding-related news, we have a new wedding date.  The new day is Friday, November 9, 2012.  We had to change the date in order to get the photographers we really wanted.  For both of us, the photography is the most important aspect of our wedding in terms of planning (obviously the fact that we will become husband and wife after exchanging vows is the most important).  The photographs will be what is left to remember this momentous occasions in our life, and we have found the most perfect photographers!

And I know that some of you are thinking that our date is pretty far off so planning seems early, but I want to plan as much as I can before defending my dissertation and finding a job.  I also bought The Dress!  Eek!  I tried on several dresses... and I kept comparing every dress to one.  This dress makes me feel beautiful!  I do not want to say any more, because Chris reads this blog (well sometimes when I bug him enough).  Since I fell in love with the dress, I decided I might as well buy it before it is gone.  The weekend after we returned from Italy, my mom and Chris's mom came to town and we met up with Chris's sister Jessica, my friend Diane, and my friend Aurora to get my dress.  Then we went to show my mom the venue.  It was a very nice weekend!

Mom and I after we said Yes to the dress.

Chris and I also checked out Bananas this weekend.  It is a really fun restaurant with good food.  I want to go back when they have one of their drag queen shows. 

I do not know the last time I had cotton candy!

I hope that you all are doing well! Chris and I are going to finish watching one of the Harry Potter movies (we are marathon-ing the movies before we see the new movie).  Then we have our trail run in the morning!  I hope you all are having a lovely weekend!

Italia (4)

More photos from our Italy trip here.

Resurrection tapestry in the Vatican

  I hope you enjoyed the photos.  I cannot wait to go back to Rome... one day!