I'm Alive! (& a Giveaway)

***Taps mic. "Is this thing on?"

Hiiiii!  So yeah.  After a few months, I am FINALLY dusting off the blog, and here I am!  I hope y'all are doing well.   Things are pretty fantastic over here in the Compilation Tape world - school is out in four days, Layla is continuing to grow and thrive, and Mike and I are just enjoying life one day at a time.

I suppose I really don't have a specific reason for my absence.  I mean, life?  More important things to focus on?  Crazy busy days?  You get the drill.  But, now that school is almost out, and I actually have ideas of topics to discuss here, I am BACK!

I know that a giveaway is kind of a weird way to re-enter the blogosphere, but it was the kick I needed to sit down and write, so it is what it is.  Look for some life updates over the next few days!

If you recall, back in September, I ran the Super Spartan (8 miles) with Kelly of "Running Kellometers".  It was SO tough, but afterwards, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment (and relief that I didn't injure myself three weeks before the Chicago Marathon).  It was one of those experiences where I totally cursed it while running, but afterwards, I was ready to sign up again.

(I love this matra.  So true.)

Anyway, the Chicago Spartan is coming up in August, and as long as there isn't a bun in the oven, I am ALL ABOUT signing up again (though I think I'll go for the Sprint and not the Super).  

And if YOU, or someone you know, is considering it, you should totally enter my giveaway for a free race entry for any open-heat, non-confirmed start time in the continental U.S.  OR, you can use the code "MEMORIAL" from now until 5/27 for $40 off your registration.  So, it's basically a win-win!  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unfiltered Thoughts.

In the spirit of trying to write more transparent, open posts, I decided to simply share what's on my mind lately. I'm going to try and avoid any major editing so that you truly get a peak inside my head. 

* I'm tired. Aren't we all? But seriously. Layla has been sleeping through the night for quite some time now and you'd think that I'd get more sleep as a result. For some reason, I am getting less. I fall asleep without any issues (usually around 9:00 or so), and then once 2:00 a.m. hits - BAM. I cannot turn my mind off. 

* I'm kind of bummed that Trivia Crack is no longer "a thing". Two months ago, it was ALL my students were concerned about. I jumped on the bandwagon as well, and now? I have no active games.(Update: I now have two games going, but I am pretty sure it's due to the blizzard we're experincing right now.) I suppose it's a good thing though - I was starting to get the same questions over and over.

* I'm pretty obsessed with my kid. I mean, I've always loved her, but these past few months have just been SO.MUCH.FUN. But at the same time, I am hesitant to share all of the cute/funny/amazing/OMG! things that she does, because I don't want to seem like "that mom" who is constantly bragging about her child, you know?

Reading books with papa in bed!

Such a sweet little angel:)

* I was driving to pick up dinner last night (read: Wednesday) and I heard "Let Her Cry" by Hootie and the Blowfish on the radio. Typically, I'd change the channel, but something about this song - and the fact that H & B was my FIRST CONCERT (OMG. SO EMBARRASSING.) - compelled me to sing along. Don't tell anyone.

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* Social media is weird. I love it for the same reasons everyone else does: the constant contact, cute photos, and those damn quizzes that are such a time-suck, but I take them anyway. However, I am tired of everyone sharing #allthefeels #allthetime. And I get that the outbreak of measles is super scary - and yes, I have a child and yes, I choose to vaccinate - but the 400 posts about it? And the political posts!  Geez. I certainly won't be changing my vote just because you posted yet another Fox News article, thankyouverymuch. I get it - I can block these people/remove them from my timeline/etc.  But I guess (and this is a serious inquiry) I just wonder if everyone really thinks they will change people's minds by posting these items. And if that's the case, then it's actually kind of fascinating that social media has evolved into that type of platform. Am I making any sense?

* I actually really love the fact that we're in the midst of a blizzard. We've had a pretty cozy day so far, and over the past few years, Chicago hasn't really had a "winter".  We have super mild temps in November and December, a few below freezing days in January, and we're usually hit pretty hard in February.  Right on cue, Mother Nature.

Our little lady wasn't such a fan…

This was taken on Sunday. Add about another foot to this photo:)

* I watched the Super Bowl last night, and fell asleep after halftime. I mean, I really only watched it for the commercials (umm…sad and boring?) and Katy Perry. The football?  Could have cared less. But it had me pondering other things. Like, how did Missy Elliott get into the mix? Do you think Katy Perry was like, "I really want Missy to perform with me"? Or is this the type of decision made by executives? And actually, I DID have one football question. Why don't these NFL coaches dress up a bit? Does Bill Belichick own anything other than those damn hooded sweatshirts? If I was going to be on national TV, I'd at least thrown on a tie.

What's on YOUR mind these days?

My 2015 "Word"

As many of you know, I don't believe in resolutions. I've made them in the past, and rarely stuck with them. So last year, after I read a few blog posts that suggested committing to a "word" instead, I figured that approach allowed me to make changes without setting strict goals. Letting a word guide my every day thoughts and actions was far more realistic for me, and I like to think that I did my best to maintain it.

Last year's "word" was "balance". With a new baby, and returning to work after four months of maternity leave, I strived to balance motherhood, marriage, work and friendships. And while I wasn't perfect in every aspect, I really tried my best.

This year, after much thought, I've decided to commit to the word "nourish", which is defined as:

...to provide (someone or something) with food and other things that are needed to live, be healthy, etc.

...to cause (something) to develop or grow stronger

I really love both definitions, and I think the word applies to so many aspects of my life. For instance...

* I want to nourish my body. From clean eating (which I am KICKING ASS with, btw), to consistent exercise, I want to make sure that I am nourishing myself physically. I've always loved to work out, but lately, I've been trying to focus on a balance of intense cardio HIIT workouts, and the strength and stretching of barre classes at The Dailey Method. As for the food, well, I love to eat, too. And I know this sounds horribly cheesy, but as of late, before I eat anything, I simply ask myself if it will "nourish" the body (and sometimes the mind, especially when it comes to coffee). For me, this simple question has worked.

(Right now, I am digging HIIT treadmill workouts, as well as CrossFit-type workouts. Pinterest has been an awesome resource for these!)

* I want to nourish my mind. For me, this can be achieved simply by taking more time to read. Now that our bedroom is completed, I've found that it's become such a relaxing space, and I enjoy just hanging out in bed and reading a good book.

(Are you tired of my bedroom pics yet?  Because I'm not!)

* I want to nourish my relationships. Whether it's a date night with Mike or brunch with friends, I need to embrace these opportunities as they arise, whether I "feel like it" or not.  And when it comes to my sweet little baby lady, I want to continue to just enjoy my time with her, regardless of other crap I need to get done.

(My little bestie. We took some time last week to snuggle before rushing out the door. It made my day.)

Do you have a "word" for 2015?  Or resolutions?  Tell me about them!

My Fitness Bucket List

Before I begin, I have to thank everyone for their comments and thoughts on my last post.  I know that God has a plan for our family, and I just have to be patient, but whether we have another child or not, I DO know that we are truly blessed, and either way, we will continue to be happy:)

The other day, Mike and I were watching TV, and there was a scene in Times Square on New Years Eve (I honestly forget what we were watching exactly).  Mike turned to me and said, "We should add this to our bucket list." (Personally, Times Square on NYE sounds like a nightmare, but at the same time, it's definitely a cool bucket list item.)  Anyway, it got me thinking about my "fitness" bucket list.  What races / classes / fitness-related experiences do I want to achieve in my lifetime?  Anyway, here they are, in no particular order:

* Run the New York City Marathon.

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I've put my name in the lottery a few times, but I've never been selected.  I would LOVE to run in my favorite city in the world and experience the crowds in all five boroughs!

* Speaking of the marathon, beat my current time of 4:49.   (Note:  I don't think this will happen at NYCM, so I'd likely sign up for Chicago to achieve this goal.)


* Speaking of times, I'd like to beat my current half-marathon time of 2:03.  I do think this is within reach sooner rather than later, and I've decided to make it a goal of mine this year!


* Hike Runyon Canon.  And perhaps run into celebrities along the way:)  (This require a trip to Los Angeles, which is a city I've never visited.)

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* Take one barre class each day for one month.  (This is something I can easily do this year at The Dailey Method!)

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* "Run" the Boston Freedom Trail.  (I've walked the Freedom Trail, so I think it'd be fun to actually run it.)

* Try stand-up paddelboarding.

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* Try Crossfit.

* Take my best friend's WERQ class.  She's a WERQ instructor in the north suburbs, and I'd love to take her dance class someday.  (This can easily be arranged, especially when I am not working over the summer.)

* Complete a triathlon.  This might seem easy, but I do not own a bike and I am petrified of riding one. So, this requires me getting over a fairly irrational fear.  

Do you have any fitness "bucket list" items?  Share them with me!