An Unexpected Journey

This movie season is one I have been anticipating for a long time. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will finally be hitting theaters on December 14th and, boy, am I relieved! I first heard about the possible project being spearheaded by Peter Jackson maybe a year or so after The Return of the King was completed, but then began the long convoluted drama between Jackson and New Line Cinema. I wondered - along with hundreds of thousands of others - if this movie would ever be made.

The wait is over! The movie will be out this December and it gets better: it's going to be released as a trilogy! Oh happy day!

When The Fellowship of the Ring came out, I had yet to read any of Tolkien's works. I was in high school and was going through my uppity, I only read serious fiction, phase (thank God I grew out of that!) and really had no time or patience for fantasy novels.

That all ended the moment Bilbo slipped the ring on at his (111th!) birthday party and disappeared before our very eyes. I was hooked! I must've seen that film a dozen times in the theatre, at least, since it eventually and conveniently made its way to our local $2 theatre, making it a nice way to kill an hour or forty five minutes before moving on to other adventures.

As a sophomore in college, I finally picked up the books and over the course of four months, I spent every available second reading The Lord of the Rings. It only took me so long because I was a Biology major and, unfortunately, had to delegate much of my precious free time to studying. An education in Middle Earth was much preferable, but I was shelling out quite a bit in tuition and had to make an effort, though during my study breaks, I was right there with Frodo and Sam.

I discovered a whole new world of orcs and hobbits, elves and ents, of how good can triumph over evil, of the imposition of modernity and technology against living a simpler life and that you can't always stop change, and what true friendship looks like. The Lord of the Rings opened my eyes to worlds and themes beyond my previous reckoning and, most of all, introduced me to myself.

From there on, I became a fantasy nerd. And thank God for that! Let's face it: the LOTR was pure escapism for me. Why sit through the drudgery of molecular biology texts when you can instead be enthralled by Tom Bombadil? But I found true happiness in these books. I became insatiable, devouring book after book. After LOTR, I read the Hobbit (yes, out of order, but that's okay), then the complete Chronicles of Narnia. And shortly thereafter? Harry Potter. Trust me, that one did not come easy either, but I'll save that for another post.

My mom and I outside The Eagle and Child pub where the Inklings (including JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis) held their meetings.

Eventually, I found my niche, my community, and even my calling in the fantasy genre. I never knew how much I needed whimsy and magic in my life until I found myself in these books. Looking back, it's hard to imagine what life was like prior to LOTR; it's become so ingrained in who I am now that I have to remind myself this wasn't how it's always been.

Many, if they're lucky, find their way into the fantasy world eventually. Some get there by means of a wardrobe, or a police box, or through Platform 9 3/4. For me, Tolkien will always hold a special place in my heart as my gateway drug into fantasy.

I may love Harry Potter a great (great!) deal, but I was an elf in Rivendale long before I was ever a first year at Hogwarts. When life starts getting to be a little bit much, I'm so thankful that I'll be given three more opportunities to dive back into Middle Earth, let Gandalf the Grey's magic restore me, and be ready to slay the metaphorical dragons coming my way.

I leave you with these two wonderful trailers for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and hope you share in my unadulterated glee in watching them:

(P.S. I'm fairly certain I shouldn't find Richard Armitage good looking in his hairy dwarf costume, but I can't help myself.)

Halloween Reads (sort of)

Every year, I like to read a book or two during the month of October that is fitting with the holiday. I love a good theme. In keeping with the seasonal festivities, I am taking my usual habit and kicking it up by 500%. This year, I am making it a point to scare/creep the bejeebus out of me at every reading opportunity.

Last year's read was Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, a rather tame story in comparison to this year's selections, but very enjoyable. I like the movie quite a bit - who doesn't wish they could join Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman and fly/jump off their roof, holding broomsticks, in front of their whole town? Plus, Aidan Quinn. Although it left me feeling mostly satisfied, it didn't quite hit the Halloween note. You know, the shrill, screeching, knife thrusting towards your face, psycho note.

This year's list brings psycho killers, witches, ghosts, and the End of the World. They may not be precisely Halloween related, but all are suitably creepy or thrilling in nature and should serve their purpose just fine. Naturally, no such Halloween reading list would be complete without Neil Gaiman and Stephen King. Check and check!

Bring on the scary!

***

My 2012 Halloween Reads:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

From Goodreads: After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own. Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

***

The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson

From Goodreads: GOOD FRIDAY, 1612. Pendle Hill, Lancashire.

A mysterious gathering of thirteen people is interrupted by local magistrate, Roger Nowell. Is this a witches' Sabbat?

Two notorious Lancashire witches are already in Lancaster Castle waiting trial. Why is the beautiful and wealthy Alice Nutter defending them? And why is she among the group of thirteen on Pendle Hill?

Elsewhere, a starved, abused child lurks. And a Jesuit priest and former Gunpowder plotter, recently returned from France, is widely rumoured to be heading for Lancashire. But who will offer him sanctuary? And how quickly can he be caught?

This is the reign of James I, a Protestant King with an obsession: to rid his realm of twin evils, witchcraft and Catholicism, at any price...

***

John Dies At The End by David Wong

From Goodreads: STOP. You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands. NO, don't put it down. It's too late. They're watching you. My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you'll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it's too late. You touched the book. You're in the game. You're under the eye. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me.

The important thing is this: The drug is called Soy Sauce and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. I'm sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault.

***

Misery by Stephen King

From Goodreads: Novelist Paul Sheldon wakes up in a secluded farmhouse in Colorado with broken legs and Annie Wilkes, a disappointed fan, hovering over him with drugs, ax, and blowtorch and demanding that he bring his heroine back to life.

[Sidebar: I am fairly certain this book will end up in the freezer at some point, but I'm willing to give it a go.]

***

And for an alternate, in case any of the above creep me out far too much:

Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer by Cecily von Ziegesar

From Goodreads: Just as in the original story, Serena returns from boarding school hoping to make amends with her BFF Blair Waldorf--things just haven't been the same since Nate Archibald came between them. But here's where our dark tale takes a turn: Serena decides that the only way for her to make things right with Blair is to eliminate Nate. If that means killing him, well, c'est la vie. Her attempted murder doesn't go unnoticed by Blair, however, who isn't about to let Serena kill whoever she wants-not when there's Cyrus Rose and Chuck Bass and Titi Coates and everyone else who's ever irritated Blair to get rid of first . . . .

***

If the above list isn't to your taste, here is a short list of some of my favorite suspenseful-chilling-thrilling-creepy-leave-the-night-light-on reads:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What are some of your favorite chilling and thrilling reads? Please, no Twilight jokes. :-)

A Southern Californian's Lament

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Many are already embracing the coming of fall with Pumpkin Spice lattes, scarves and boots, and perfect 60 degree weather ...

... It was 100 degrees today in Los Angeles, bringing on a serious case of the grumps. I found myself positively chartreuse with envy (That Thing You Do! anybody?) of everyone in the Northern Hemisphere who will soon get to experience true autumn, with the leaves underfoot, their reds, greens, and browns waving in the October breeze like little flags welcoming The Great Pumpkin.

Let's face it, I'm not envious, I'm flat out jealous. I love Southern California and it certainly has it's perks (... not freezing in the winter, world class museums/restaurants/beaches, Disneyland...) but it is highly lacking in seasons.

To that end, rather than wasting the day as an unproductive mope, I took some time and put together a list of things that excite me about my favorite season:

1, 11: Quintessential New England towns in the fall get me all in a lather where I want nothing more than to tramp around the leaf strewn streets discussing Melville and Hawthorne like a third Gilmore Girl. I would adore living in Stars Hollow.

2, 6: Pumpkins and Halloween! Just call me Linus, but spending the night in a pumpkin patch would be a dream come true. I'd pack cozy blankets and sleeping bags, a picnic to include hot cider and candy corn, and lay under the stars and do my best not to freak out that a Scarecrow will come steal my soul in my sleep. Alas, most pumpkin patch proprietors would consider this trespassing so I will have to settle for a day-time visit. I'm not sure I have the skills to do a Hogwarts Crest design on a pumpkin like this picture, but I'm going to give it the old college try! I often end up not doing much for Halloween, but the past two years I've been able to go to Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. I won't be able to attend this year, which depresses me enormously, so I'm going to have to work hard to find a new way to celebrate this year. Breaking out the decorations early may be a good way to start.

3, 15: I'm no foodie, but there is something about the fall that makes me want to eat healthier. Perhaps because many of the best dishes feature lots of greens and oranges, my two favorite colors. I'm encouraged to attempt these two recipes this season: ratatouille and vegetable soup seem simple enough, though I'm sure I can find a way to make it complicated.

4, 9, 10: Not much is more perfect than getting cozy on the couch with a great movie, while the wind howls outside and rattles the windows. "You've Got Mail" is a perennial favorite but is most welcome during the fall. "This place is a tomb. I'm going to the nut shop where it's fun." Love it. A new favorite is "Arsenic and Old Lace", a delightfully quirky 'horror' story in which Carey Grant's character, Mortimer, discovers his aunts have a silly habit of killing people and burying them in the basement. The fall is also the time when Hollywood releases their last bids for Oscar nods. One such film that I'm very excited about is "Lincoln" featuring Daniel Day Lewis as our 16th and (arguably) greatest president.

5, 12: The only thing greater than cozily watching a great film is curling up with a good book - any time, any place, preferably in a comfy chair by the fireplace. I CANNOT WAIT for JK Rowling's debut adult novel: The Casual Vacancy. Hidden corruption in an idyll English village? Always a winner with me!

7, 8: Peacoats, boots, sweaters, scarves, layers! I love it all. As a naturally modest individual, I always feel more comfortable when fully covered, which makes wearing sweatshirts in the summer looks awfully silly (still do it though). Such awkwardness fades away in the fall. I only wish I had unlimited funds and could make such fun outfits like these a reality in my closet.

13: Pumpkin EVERYTHING. Pumpkin cream cheese muffins and pumpkin bread from Starbucks, pumpkin pancakes from Mimi's Cafe, toasted pumpkin seeds the day after carving my Hogwarts Pumpkin ... I want it all!

14: Last, but certainly not least: baking. Baking in the fall is more like a prelude to Christmas baking, more about practice and getting back in the habit before the serious business of Christmas baking takes over. Trust me, December rolls around and it's like I'm a Keebler Elf with all the cookie baking I do ... but in and of itself, baking in the fall is soothing. Sometimes things get crazy around the holidays - working on the perfect costume for Halloween, stressing over time-off at Thanksgiving, struggling to find the perfect gifts at Christmas - it gets a little crazy at times. I find baking to be great therapy with a delicious treat at the end instead of a bill.

It has just occurred to me that I left out the greatest thing about fall from my collage and my list . . . 'Fall Back'! 'Fall Back', the end of Daylight Savings in which we gain an extra hour of sleep, is my third most favorite day of the year (apart from Christmas and my birthday)! Nothing trumps sleep. 2:00 am, Sunday, November 4th - calendar is marked!

Now that I've listed a few of my favorite things (Julie Andrews should be singing in your head right now), I'm making it a mission to find fall in Southern California where ever I can. I've already made tentative plans to visit Julian, a picturesque mountain town outside of San Diego famous for it's apple pies, to hunt down the perfect pumpkin - I can't wait!

Now that I've found a way to make the most of this Autumn, I encourage all of you to make the most of the season as well!

Finish Lines are Dreams with Deadlines

I want to cry.

My knees are screaming inappropriate invectives at me. Every second step feels as if tiny pins are stabbing my foot, sending sharp pains into my back like perverse acupuncture. The sun is rising higher and higher, the temperature with it. My sun screen, which started melting off an hour ago, has mixed with the sweat from my forehead and is burning its way into my eyes.

I'm loving it.

The pain barely registers through the cheers of strangers shouting "Go Nikki!", "You can do this!", "Keep going, the finish is just around the corner!" My parents are also just around the corner, making it even harder to keep down the ball that has formed in my throat, dampening my ability to breathe.

Nine months of preparation, countless runs, and 13 miles have brought me to this point, with that ever elusive .1 mile to go. A few minutes more and it'll all be over, the medal will be around my neck, my knee will be iced, and my face will be beaming. I want to reach the finish line so bad but I'm not ready for it to be over. The euphoria of running down Main Street USA, taking the obligatory photo in front of King Stephan's castle, being cheered on by entire troops of boy scouts and high school cheer squads, seeing myself on the jumbo screen at Angel Stadium, these special moments are still alive and are carrying me through just as much as my legs are. I've had possibly more fun in the last three hours of this race than in any other sporting or fitness endeavor I've ever participated in. Every second has has brought me happiness, excitement, encouragement, bringing me that much closer to the finish line and what I set out to do all those months ago.

I don't want it to end but I can see my parents now, waving and taking pictures. I smile and wave back, fighting back tears of pride, joy, and struggle. This last dose of encouragement is more than enough to carry me home.

Less than a hundred feet away is the finish line. And victory.

***

My official stats:

Overall Time: 3:23:37

Overall Place: 12890 / 14836

Gender Place: 7827 / 9341

Division Place: 1637 / 1848

5K Time: 44:34

10K Time: 1:30:37

15K Time: 2:20:58

I'm pretty darn proud that I finished ahead of ~2,000 people. It was never about finishing with a particular time, it was just about finishing. I had to walk a little bit, my knees were giving me a lot of problems, and I probably walked about 2 miles total. Now that I've finished a half marathon and know what it takes, I really want to run a complete half. I enjoyed this one so much but I wasn't sure if I wanted to do another one. I decided to take some time and think about it, since I'd have to be much more diligent in my training if I want to run an entire half. A couple days ago I found myself researching the San Diego Half Marathon - I think I'm sold on it! I would much rather run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disney, but it sold out before the Disneyland Half even occurred. That just means I'll be ready for it in 2014.

I thought I'd want to take a break from running once this race was over - the mental stress that I put on myself weighed me down more than the physical stress and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to put myself through that again. It's been 10 days and I'm already itching to lace up my shoes, the only thing preventing me is the plantar fasciitis that I developed on the half. I've got to give my foot some time to heal before I head out again but I am very much looking forward to it.

Now that I achieved my goal - completed a half marathon and developed an enjoyment of running - what's next? While my foot is healing, I don't want to lose momentum so I've decided to do a . . . . 30 Day Ab Challenge!! These challenges are very popular and I'm always last to jump on trendy bandwagons, but better late than never! I'll be starting it soon but if there is anybody who wants to join me on this challenge, I've located a good workout and I'd love to have others join me. Everybody don't jump up at once now. ;-)

Happy Trails!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop!

The Disneyland Half Marathon is only 11 days away and I didn't run last weekend. I am about four months and eighty thousand words away from having a completed manuscript by the end of the year. The George Foreman grill I bought five months ago is still in the box. The last time I updated my blog was back in May.

Hi.

Clearly, it's time to re-evaluate those goals I set back in January.

I really like goals - especially the making of them. The process of creating a strategy for success, planning the timetable, and developing a focus is exciting to the point of intoxicating, all that potential floating about in the ether. It's thrilling!

The execution? The discipline? Those things are a whole lot harder! It's apparent that I'm very nicely suited to be somebody else's life coach, but not so much my own.

The root of the problem is most likely that I bit off more than I can chew, started choking, and refused to let the EMT perform the Heimlich. Now I'm blue in the face and have only myself to blame. I set a lot of lofty goals with unrealistic time frames, resulting in a certain degree of guilt on my part. Subsequently, I started eating my feelings in the form of whole loaves of sourdough bread covered in Nutella. Delicious, but depressing.

What is the solution?

New goals, of course! Only, this time, no pressure, no schedules, no deadlines.

It's very strange to be goal-oriented yet discipline-deficient, but discovering this interesting personality quirk has been invaluable. I do not regret overwhelming myself with goals, since the point was to experience new things and achieve my dreams, but I do want to stop feeling bad about not being on schedule. This self-imposed guilt I've been carrying around has been weighing me down so much that I've practically shut down entirely. This is not good.

The following are the methods I've devised to pull me out of my funk:

1. Twitter. At this time, my twitter is mostly used to stalk Zachary Levi and trade Friends quotes with Audrey - both worthwhile pursuits, but I think it's time to take my Twittering a bit more seriously. The plan is simple: create a presence. Social Media is a huge marketing force and there may come a time when my future livelihood will depend on what kind of following I have. So . . . follow me (!) - @DaNikster46 - and I'll be pleased to return to the favor.

2. Bucket List. I've been thinking a lot lately about my Bucket List - things I want to do before I die (Just in case you were at all unaware what a Bucket List was. And if you were, you should put 'crawling out of my cave' on yours.) - and there are things on that list I've been putting off for no good reason. It's time to actively work on that list! A few notables are: 1) Sky Dive, 2) Do Las Vegas, 3) Conquer a video game, 4) Become a proficient swimmer, and 5) Hike Half-Dome. Let's do this!

3. Write Seriously. I write, but it's erratic. I'm looking for consistency. Recently, a friend recommended me on Twitter as a new writer - such an honor! - and it got me thinking: am I really a writer? Does one have to be published to be considered a writer? Or work in the publishing field, or have been an English major? What are the qualifications? It's all of these things, some of these things, and none of these things. Writing can be a lifestyle choice, a calling, a part of one's soul. First and foremost, for me, it's a decision. I said sayonara to a career in cancer research to write - it follows that I've got to write. What does this mean? More blogging. More tweeting. Finishing my novel. Actively pursuing a career in publishing and not giving up, however long it takes.

4. All Other Goals Still Apply. I'm not giving up on my other goals - running, reading, cooking, etc. To start, next weekend I'll be running a half marathon. October will bring a reprisal of The Warrior Dash with my best friend and my brother and I will give it our all at The Spartan Sprint in December. I think it's safe to say I've become a runner. Hooray!

Dirty = good!

When it comes to my reading goal, I'm about 16 books off track, but I'm still reading - always reading! - and have read 48 books so far. Can't stop. Won't stop! Finally, I'm certainly no Betty Crocker and probably never will be - future husband, hope you like to cook or have an abiding passion for spaghetti - but I'm very pleased to say that I haven't had a freezer meal in ages. I may not cook, but I'm very proficient at boiling pasta, which is enough for now.

I feel good about these decisions and I look forward to where they're going to take me. What is most important is that I'm happy with these choices and that is really the point, isn't it?

Cheers!

If I had a table, I'd put this on it . . .

The hardest thing about moving out on your own for the first time: collecting furniture. It's easy if you don't mind the hodgepodge college method of decorating - whatever you can piece together from your parents, grandparents, old roommates, furniture you found on the street corner, pulled out of the charity dumpster at the end of the school year, etc. However, if you're going for the more sophisticated look, where every piece of furniture actually coordinates, then it takes a while to get it all together.

As such, I do not have a dining table yet.

But if I had one, this would be it:

(World Market, $299)

And if I did have this table, this is what I would put on it:

It's a little odd to have a dining table center piece without a table, like putting the cart before the horse, but I think there's nothing wrong with a little forward planning.

They look just as nice on top of my bookcase until such a time as I have a table to put them on.

They are super easy to make. All you need is:

1) Decorative bottles - $6 each from Pier 1

2) Hot glue gun

3) LED candlesticks - $7 for package of two from Joann's Fabrics

4) Ribbon

Glue the cap to the bottle, let dry. Then add the batteries and replace the candlestick, give it a quarter turn back wards to disconnect the batteries. Then wrap a little ribbon around the base to hide the glue - et voila!

And when you're ready for a romantic, candle lit dinner, twist it a quarter turn to the right.

Now, all I need is the table. And maybe the guest for the romantic dinner.

I heard Johnny Depp is now free . . .

Ugly Shoes, Beautiful Workout

(Image from here.)

After last week's run, my feet hurt like I'd just spent 18 hours standing in line for Star Tours at Disneyland wearing three-inch pumps. Painful!

It was a valuable lesson stressing the importance of proper footwear when running. My pretty black and pink Nike running shoes I got at The Rack last September for about $40 are serviceable enough for short work outs, but when it comes to the long run, they're more than inadequate, they evolve from cute gym shoes into instruments of torture.

Which goes to show, footwear should not be selected on aesthetics alone - functionality is far more important.

I knew I couldn't put my beloved feet back into the shoe-version of the Iron Maiden - it was past time I got fitted for running shoes.

For runners of all experience levels, being fitted for running shoes is a must. The proper foot wear ensures proper alignment of your body, decreasing stress on your ankles, knees, and back. It corrects your stride and provides support for your feet, preventing blisters, calluses, and other foot-related injuries. Whether you run every now and then, or all the time, you want to make sure you're wearing the proper equipment.

You wouldn't strap a two-by-four to your feet for downhill skiing, or jump out of an airplane using a bed sheet for a parachute; it follows that you wouldn't want to go running without wearing the right kind of shoes, either.

I decided to go to Road Runner Sports on the recommendation of a friend and, conveniently, there is a store located only a few miles from my apartment. I know there are other great running stores out there that also perform this service, I just happened to have had a great experience with Road Runner.

What getting fitted entails:

1) First, they get a little back ground information on what kind of work out you're doing - marathon training, hiking, walking, etc - and what kinds of discomfort you may be experiencing - lower back pain, collapsed arches, etc.

2) Your shoe size will be measured, naturally, which means taking off your socks. Word to the wise, don't go in with dirty feet. You'll be embarrassed and though the customer service rep will keep a professional air, they'll probably be grossed out. Luckily, I had a charming guy helping me out and he ensured me that I had "beautiful feet". I'll be getting a lot of mileage out of that compliment!

3) Next, your arch type will be measured by standing on a pressure-sensor pad. It will tell you your foot shape and where you place your weight. I've always known I've had high arches, but I did not realize how high they were until this text. I didn't even have a foot print - I had two splotches, one for my heel and one for the balls of my feet, and nothing in between. The assistant went on to explain that this is what caused the terrible pain in my feet, as my shoes have absolutely zero arch support, the arches in my feet are collapsing when I run. Which hurts, a lot, let me tell you. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you need arch support if you have high arches, but I've never even tried to utilize Dr Scholl's shoe inserts, let alone have some customized to my feet. I also discovered that I place most of my weight on my left heel. Not only do I have high arches, I don't stand correctly. I'm the Leaning Tower of Nikki, which is why my dream of becoming a ballerina would never have gotten past the barre - I'd probably give my partner a concussion on the first lift attempt. Plus, Natalie Portman-like ballerinas scare me.

The following is an example of the type of scan they perform:

(Image from here.)

4) Following your arch measurements, they will have you run at a comfortable pace on a treadmill, barefoot, while a camera records your feet while you run. This is to determine what kind of pronation you have - basically, are your feet straight or do they bend inwards or outwards while running. If your feet bend out or in, it forces the bones in your ankles and legs to bend, diminishing support, creating tension on your joints, often resulting in shin splints, or causing your ankle more easily. Not good. I was shown to have a perfectly straight left foot and a bit of an outward pronation in my right.

What does this all mean? Between my high arches, the pressure on my left, and the pronation on my right, I need two different shoes to support my feet. Now, you don't usually have to buy two different pairs of shoes and only wear the left from one and the right from the other - the solution is to have shoe inserts form-fitted to your feet. Completely customized to you.

5) It's pretty easy - the assistant will heat up the insoles and while you stand on a cushy piece of foam, they will place the insert on your feet, mold it to your feet, and then have you pressed down it while it cools and takes on the shape of your foot, filling in all the areas where you need support - like your St Louis-like arches. This means the good looking assistant will have his hands all over your feet, so getting a pedicure beforehand isn't necessarily a bad idea.

6) You also have the option of getting new shoes that are geared to your needs as well. The inserts can be put into any shoe, but for maximum effect, it's good to get a new pair of shoes that are designed for your type of feet. For me, I was recommended to get a "Neutral Plus" shoe - this is basically a standard shoe with a bit of extra cushioning, since the inserts will be taking care of my arches, the shoes will mostly be reinforcement. After a long and thorough examination, trying on several different pairs, and probably walking half a mile around the store, I settled on probably the ugliest pair of shoes I've ever owned - the Mizuno Wave Creation. My assistant commended me on choosing practicality over the better looking Asics, which were a sapphire blue so beautiful, they would've caused my Nikes to need years of therapy to overcome their resultant inferiority complex.

I want to state for the record that you do not have to spend a stink-load of money on expensive running shoes if you don't want to - there are excellent quality shoes at reasonable prices - what is important is finding the right shoe for your needs, one that will provide proper support and allow you to run at your most maximum efficiency.

For me, I decided to Go Big, or Go Home: I bought the inserts, the shoes, the Road Runner Sports membership, all told, a lot of money. But, the inserts are good for 1,000 miles and the ugly shoes are going to be my saving grace on Run Day. Running 13.1 miles is daunting enough, knowing I don't have to worry so much about my feet giving out clears up a lot of head space to worry about other things - like fitting in a photo op with Tinker Bell and out-running all the other women for the bathroom behind the Alice in Wonderland ride.

It's important to break in your new running shoes. The Road Runner Sports assistant instructed me to wear them for twenty minutes the first day then in twenty minute increments for the next two days, before wearing them on a big run. I wore them for a short workout on Wednesday and I was a little worried, as my feet did not feel great afterward, though it was hard to tell if it was the shoe or the lingering pain from Sunday's run. I continued breaking them in by wearing them all day on Friday. Since my work is mostly a desk job, I'm off my feet for most of the day, so all told, I probably only got in an hour's worth of breaking them in - putting me right on target according to the instructions.

I woke up early Saturday morning, ready to take my new inserts and shoes out for a test run (haha) and I am proud to say that I cut ten minutes off of my time! I ran the same 5 mile loop as last weekend and clocked in at 1:06:02, with an average pace of 13.2 minutes per mile. My ultimate goal is to keep a 13-14 minute mile and so far, so good!

Granted, my Mizunos aren't winged shoes that will help me fly like Mercury or run like Usain Bolt. I'm still the girl who identifies more strongly with the Tortoise than the Hare, but there is a difference in my running. My feet feel great, allowing me to run longer, and by relieving a lot of the tension in my legs, I am economizing my steps and expending less energy when I run, giving me the energy to go the distance, so to speak. Last week, I was dead on my feet after my run - this week, I had enough spare energy to vacuum my entire apartment right after running and then go spend the next ten hours at Disneyland.

If you're unable to go into running store to be fitted for a shoe, there are great online resources to help you select a shoe. Here is a good resource, with shoe recommendations suited to different types of feet. It is also important to keep your feet healthy - wash and dry them daily, keep your toe nails trimmed, and if you experience any persistent pain, have your feet checked out by a podiatrist sooner rather than later.

Next time on the agenda: must do something about my knees.

Happy Running!

Taking it to the streets

What's this? A blog from Nikki? I thought she fell of the face of the earth.

At least, that's certainly what the last couple of weeks have felt like. Some changes have happened at work which have hugely impacted my free time and extra-curriculars, making the last month or so feel a lot like this:

(Photo from here.)

The beauty of life is that it is ever changing, as unpredictable as the weather or Lady Gaga's next wig. Which means that we must always adapt to its challenges, or, like the elephant above, end up with our heads in the sand, praying for the waves to drag us out to sea.

I don't know about you, but when life starts getting rough, I break out my new favorite adage: "Keep calm and organize." With the new hours at work, I've had to re-evaluate my work out regimen, my writing schedule, when to fit in chores, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. and it's been rough. But the last two weeks of experimenting have definitely taught me one thing: To-Do Lists are wonderful!

I love lists. I will add things to a list solely for the satisfaction of being able to cross that puppy off. There are few things so satisfying as visual affirmation of having accomplished something. Since I create a lot of lists, I go through a lot of paper - usually scraps, but still waste - and I wanted something a little more permanent. Enter Pinterest. I found a great and simple make-your-own dry-erase board and voila:

Yes, that is my green ruler from elementary school, stamped with my name in case anyone is confused who it belongs to.

I used the same paints from this post ($1.99 each), since I like uniformity, and found some really pretty scrap book paper from Michael's, $0.39 a page. I have a handful of old, inexpensive picture frames bought from Target during my college days, so being able to re-purpose one of them is a bonus. I would recommend using the Sharpie on the back side of the glass, as I've since discovered that erasing the dry-erase marks sometimes removes the Sharpie marks as well.

Happy Listing!

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Now to my next topic: running. Due to the past couple weeks' craziness, I've only managed to fit in one 2.5 mile run. It was not pretty.

Yesterday, I was invited to join a sunrise boot camp down at the Santa Monica Pier, run by Slim Body Fitness. Having not had a decent work out in two weeks, I was surprised that I didn't die there on the beach within the first twenty minutes. However, it did give me a swift kick in the rear and a fat knock to the noggin'. Running is not enough, I need to work on my core strength as well. My new resolve is to run on the weekends and hit the gym for interval training during the week, focusing on strength training and cardio.

Up til now, almost all of my running has been at the gym on a tread mill. Tread mills are great, but they can't substitute for the real thing. It's not only important to take your run to the streets (or park, beach, trails, etc) for the fresh air and interesting scenery, but to get a real idea of how to keep pace. It's a lot harder keeping pace when you don't have a machine to drag you along when you get a little tired.

Today I got my first real taste of long-distance running. Thanks to Map My Run, I found a 5 mile run at a local park that I decided to take for a spin this morning:

It went fairly well, save for when I got lost inside the park, when I was supposed to stay on the periphery, which led to a little bit more walking than I wanted while I was climbing up hills to try and figure out where I was. At the end of it all, I managed to do 5 miles at a 15.48 pace. Not too shabby!

It seems like Mud Runs are all the rage now. I'm always learning about new runs, ever since I participated in the Warrior Dash, and I've come across a few interesting ones:

For the Zombie enthusiasts, there is the Run For Your Lives race, where Zombies jump out at you from practically nowhere and try to take your "life flag".

For those who enjoy getting messy, but maybe not muddy, there is The Color Run, which looks very cool (and pretty) indeed!

And for those with a more militant bent, there is the Spartan Sprint, where "Gladiators" await you with fake-jousts to try and knock you off the course. My brother, ex-Marine that he is, decided this was the run for him and it didn't take much convincing for me to join in. For the Southern Californians out there who want to participate, the race is the first weekend in December, plenty of time to gird your loins and sign up!

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And now: writing.

I am proud to say that one thing I have successfully implemented in the last two weeks is writing every day. I take my moleskin and my lunch and chill in my car with the windows down, making the most of the SoCal breeze while it lasts, and spend a good 50 minutes writing on my lunch breaks. On Sundays, I bring it all together on my computer to tweak and edit.

I'm nowhere close to where I want to be in my writing, but I feel good about it. I'm learning as I go and have only to go up!

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Progress Report:

Words Written to Date: 6830 (28.45% of Weekly Goal)

Miles Run to Date: 53.05

Average Pace: 14.03 minutes per mile

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For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A post about my true love . . . Traveling.

By my count, I have been to 13 different countries and that is not even nearly close to the number I want to visit in my lifetime, which is ALL of them. Well, most of them.

Sadly, pesky things like work, car payments, and student loans are preventing me from dropping everything and becoming the kind of jet-setter I've dreamed about (which includes drinking bellinis in in Venice, riding an elephant in Thailand, and chasing King Penguins in Tierra del Fuego).

Until such a life is possible, I'm bringing the world home and putting it on my walls.

Introducing my first project:





I'm sure many of you have seen variations of this craft online, especially on Pinterest, and I've wanted to make my own version for a while now. There are some cute versions for married couples depicting where they met, then married, then lived. I decided to go with the three places in the world that I truly consider home - Merced County, San Diego, and London.

It's a fairly self-explanatory craft, but what's the fun in making something and not sharing about the process?

Step #1: Paint the frame.





I used floating frames meant to display comic books ($5 each, on sale at Michael's) and I chose to match the color to the throw pillows on my couch. What you don't see in the photos are the little strands of camel hair from my paint brushes that got stuck in the paint. I would recommend spray painting instead, unless you like the texture. Don't forgot to add a couple layers of gloss for that nice, shiny look.

Step #2: Choose your map.





If you're a AAA member, you can get free maps from any AAA office (thanks Dad!), or you can order a street map offline, which I did for the London map. The good thing is, the map doesn't necessarily need to be current, so you can get old ones fairly inexpensively.

Step #3: Select your heart templates.





Due to the types of maps that I selected, one big heart wouldn't quite cover all of my favorite areas, so I found a selection of different sized hearts worked nicely.

Step #4: Arrange your hearts.





I tried to keep the pieces mostly in geographical order.

Step #5: Put it all together.





Repeat as desired and display.






All in all, for three framed maps it cost about $30 total.

Maps - Merced County/San Diego - $0 (AAA); London - $8 (online)
Paint - Navy Blue, Teal, Clear Gloss - $1.99 each
Frames - 3 x $5

A Word on Writing

Blah.

Eloquent, I know.

This is just a quick post to discuss how far I am behind in all my goals. Ugh.

The ugly truth of it is that I have only written 1411 words in the last six weeks, only 11.8% of the 12,000 I should have written, were I still on track.

I am 6 books behind on my reading goal.

I've only run 4.25 miles in the past two weeks and I should be running at least 3.5 miles by now, three times a week.

I'm not even going to get into how I haven't managed to cook a single recipe or that I have three unfinished projects waiting in the wings.

To be fair, I have had some things come up that took away from my time - a short vacation in Texas, a trip to my hometown for my nephew's birthday, a much needed Audrey Hepburn marathon on a Saturday. Which leads me to my conclusion:

It's okay.

I'm behind, so what? I may be behind, but I have not given up. Life is allowed to get in the way because that is the point, isn't it? To live this life, the only one I've got, in a way that brings satisfaction and completeness.

There is nothing wrong with falling behind, so long as I keep on working. I may or may not catch up, but I will get there in the end, if a little later than I had originally planned.

Those People, You Know The Ones . . .

WARRIOR DASH, 2011 (Photo courtesy of Kim W.)

It all started last year when I was first introduced to the idea of running the Warrior Dash - a 5k mud run with obstacles reminiscent of boot camp, which people apparently volunteer to do for fun. Oddly enough, the novelty of the obstacles is what won me over, the running part just a necessary evil to get to the sheer joy of sliding down fireman poles, doing high-knees through a field of tires, and belly crawling through a puddle of mud beneath barbed wire. It didn't take much to convince my best friend, her hubby, and brother to join in on the madness, despite the hard fact that, to 75 percent of the group, fitness is more of an academic theory usually bandied about during living room couch discussions of the state of the average American's health (while we're kicking back Mountain Dews and digging into chips and salsa), rather than a practical pursuit.

But that was okay, we had seven months to train. Climbing the never-ending stairs to the top of Splash Mountain at Disneyland was no longer a time to laze about the railings and watch other people get drenched, it was Warrior Dash Training! Although we meant well, those seven months quickly dwindled down to five months, then three months, and suddenly the Dash was only 4 weeks away and I could barely get through a mile without needing to stop for a (ten minute) breather. The Dash, although awesome, was a bit of a wake up call. There was a time in life when I could run a 6 and a half minute mile. Sure, I was twelve years old and didn't weigh more than 90 pounds . . . soaking wet . . . with rocks in my pockets (to quote my Dad), but the idea holds: I used to be in shape and now I can't hardly get through running half a mile without huffing and puffing to a degree that could put even the Big Bad Wolf out of work.

I've always been adverse to running. During my brief experiences playing soccer in elementary school, I learned very quickly that the game was much more enjoyable when played from the relatively running-free position of goalie (in fact, I recall games where I sat crossed legged and watched the proceedings with detached interest while making daisy-chains). After soccer, I got smart and went out for softball (very short sprints and lots of bench sitting), then got even smarter, volleyball (it's practically like Foosball for how little you have to run). There were a few seasons of track where I ran the 200 meter, but long jump and high jump soon caught me eye and it was all over from there.

My lengthy history of anti-running agendas have now run their course. I recall a conversation with my best friend around the time of the Dash where we decided that we wanted to be the kind of people who do things like the Dash - outdoorsy, fitness-like activities (granola optional) - to become one of Those People.

You know Those People - the people who get up at 6:00 am and run three miles before you even have your first bowl of Lucky Charms. The people who spend more money on their mountain bikes than they do on their car and who you can never get a hold of because they're in Yosemite, again, and cell signal is patchy. Yes, Those People - the people I used to openly tease for being absolutely crazy and certainly not human for finding pleasure in running for three hours in a row; the type of people I explain I could never be like because sleeping in to 10:00 am is not only a luxury, but a requirement for my existence, but who I secretly envy deep inside for being so much healthier and productive than I am.

Bringing secret shame to the surface is the best reason to make a change. I want to be a runner! There, I've said it, it's out there, I can't take it back. I want to run and I want to like it and what better way to get there than to run a half marathon. Not so long ago, the idea of running for 13 miles straight was my idea of torture, but now I see it as my freedom. I have an opportunity to make a change in my life, to introduce healthy habits that will set the stage for the next decade of my life, and beyond, and ultimately liberate myself from destructive habits and negative thoughts.

This past week was my first true week of training and although I can't say I love running, yet, I can't say I hate it either. I do love that my calf muscles are becoming more apparent. I do not like that they make putting on my skinny jeans that much more difficult (seriously, it's my calves that are keeping me from wearing them?!). It's only been a week, but I can feel the progress, and what's more, I can see it.

I can see the finish line, seventh months and thirteen miles ahead of me, and I can hear the crowd, cheering me on and I am motivated. I can't wait!

In an effort not to lose steam or stride, I convinced a few of my coworkers to run the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with me at the end of March. I figure having a couple 5ks on deck will be good practice between now and the Disneyland Half Marathon. Plus, running to raise money and awareness for breast cancer is something I can totally be on board with. In fact, my coworkers and I are trying to raise $500 for the foundation - check out our team page for more information about donating to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. (Yes, I named our team They Who Shall Not Be Named because we are a small bunch of indecisive people and if I can fit in a Harry Potter reference, I will, and will take ten points for Gryffindor for my trouble.) Please do not feel obligated to donate, but if you would like to make a donation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and support.

Happy trails!

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Goal Tracking:

Books Read: 3/100 (I've so far picked rather lengthy titles)

Miles Run Last Week: 5.05

Average Pace: 16:55 min/mile

Words Written: 395, but also created detailed outline for Act I

Weekend Update with Nikki

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads . . . It was only a matter of time before my total internet immersion brought me to the Blogosphere . . .

So . . . here it is: To High Places by Narrow Roads.

I decided a few months ago that it is not only natural, but expected, that I start a blog but actually launching one turned out to be a lot more involved that I thought. Beyond the challenges of choosing which blog website to join, customizing layouts, choosing color schemes, and naming it, I had to consider exactly what I wanted my blog to be about. Many blogs are topical, politics and whatnot, or dedicated to things like fashion or DIY, but as my political platform involves Skittles for the masses and my fashionista-ness extends only so far in that I haven't had to tie my shoe-laces in over four years, I figure keeping this blog low key and mostly personal is the way to go.

Ultimately, I am a goal-oriented kinda girl but my ambition has always been at war with my inherent laziness. Which is where this blog comes in. My new motto for 2012 is 'Make It Happen!' and I am putting it to work in a handful of ways:

1) I've got it into my head that I want to be a published author - yikes! My best friend, an English teacher, no less, reminds me often that writers write. Go figure, huh? Well, she's correct, as she so often is, and I've taken her advice to heart. I've been working on a book idea for a couple years now and it's high time I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and get this baby written. The average teen fiction novel (my genre of choice) is roughly 80,000 words and by writing 2,000 words per week, I should have a draft in 40 weeks. Whether it is ever published or not, completing a manuscript is something I have been dreaming of for years and it's time to make it happen.

2)  I've never been a great athlete. If I were, you'd have seen me at the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing, beside Kerri Walsh (look out Misty May-Treanor!) kicking butt on the volleyball court. Although that's a dream for another lifetime, I have always been semi-sporty - when the mood suited. Unfortunately, the past few years have seen a rapid decline in my overall fitness and that's something I need to remedy now. My mom likes to remind me that all my bad habits will catch up with me by 30 and as I am only two years from that most dreaded and despised age, it's time to get crackin'. I have taken the metaphorical fitness-bull by the horns and have signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon! By September 2nd, I will have somehow learned to run for three hours straight and, with luck, have developed a love for running that will remain long after the race is over.

3) I like big books and I cannot lie. Despite my absolute passion for reading, my foundation in literature has always been a little shaky due to some positively reprehensible English teachers in high school who thought watching the movie was as good, if not better, than reading the actual novel it was based on. Public Education, fail. I've taken it upon myself to fill in the gaps and have been slowly crossing off books from the 1,000 Things To Read Before You Die list. To assist in this endeavor, I have joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge and have pledged to read 100 books this year.

4) I like to think of myself as crafty, as in I can manipulate and maneuver situations to work in my benefit better than any daytime soap opera diva, but now I want to tackle the other version of the word, a la Martha Stewart (although, she really illustrates both definitions, huh?). I recently made a giant leap and moved into my very first apartment, which is beyond great in its cute, cozy, awesomeness. For the first time, all decorating decisions are mine, mine, MINE (cackle, cackle), and have I got ideas! This will be a great place to showcase my super-gluing prowess.

5) In conjunction with Goal #2, in an effort to develop some healthy habits and to help make up for all those Reese's Peanut Butter cups I've consumed in 28 years, I'm going to learn how to cook. It shouldn't be too hard, right? It's just like being back in Lab, all the same rules apply for most part - always add acid and don't drink the ethanol (or cooking wine), right? Probably not, but I'm looking forward to all the trial and tasty errors.

So, why 'To High Places by Narrow Roads'? It's fairly simple, when you think about it. Anything worth achieving comes at a price - hard work, determination, sweat and struggle - these are the things that make accomplishments all the sweeter. You don't make it to the top of the mountain via the ski lift and think you've actually accomplished something. It's only when you take the trail, with the winding switchbacks that sometimes take you to the precarious edge, and feel the pain in your legs and the pounding of your heart when you are finally at the top and surveying the world around you, only then do you actually get that sense of having done something truly remarkable.

The easiest part of having goals is making them, it's the follow-up where the challenge lies, which is ultimately why I've decided to use this blog as a tool for accountability. By making my goals public and inviting others to follow in my journey, I have to answer to someone other than myself (because when push comes to shove and it's go outside and run or stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate, a brownie, and an episode of CHUCK, CHUCK will always win - but no longer!). I thank you all in advance for your encouragement and support, I know I'll never get through many of these goals without the support of my friends and family.

Now that I've officially launched (where's the champagne?) To High Places by Narrow Roads, there's no going back! Stay tuned next week for the first update.

. . .