What a great 3 day weekend. Just what I needed before the semester gets in full swing.

• I had fun making cookies with my new cookie press/icing gun. I made almond macaroons with my standard buttercream frosting filling. It didn't quite work the way I expected (don't ask me what I was expecting) but it was really great. The reviews are right!
• Had a great run Sunday. I feel like I'm really making good improvements. Not much pain today, although an Advil PM and Stopain helped with that (even if I do smell like an old lady ... sweet cold relief!). I have the nagging feeling it's time for new shoes, though. I do put them through a lot more than the average person. Also, need to recalibrate my running stride so Nike+ doesn't get confused again.
  
• Had dinner with a friend in LA that I don't get to see often and haven't seen in ages. We hobbled around together; it was fun times.
  
• Lovely, lovely engagement pictures. I can't wait for the wedding photos!
  
• Managed 15 push ups toward the 100 push up challenge!
  
• No work and no school on Monday! And a short work week, so next weekend is all that much closer!
  

The one complaint I have is that I couldn't go running except for Sunday. Maybe it's similar to how Olympians get depressed after the games are over? Probably not.

Today was my thoroughly exciting Disneyland Half Marathon!


Sorry to ruin the suspense! I had in the back of my mind (since last week, and halfway through the race) that I could beat 2:30. Which is a big improvement from last year's 2:47. But I didn't find out I had beaten my goal until I talked to my parents, who were confused because they had my actual chip time. I figured I had a 10 minute late start on the clock ... didn't know it was almost 15!

Here's the recap. Everyone seems to want to know, "How did the race go?" Honestly, I kind of block out the whole middle of the run ...

Saw Andy right out of the gate. He got some great pictures (check out Facebook)!
Mile 2: Discovered running + drinking = too hard. Made mental note to actually drink at the next station.
Mile 3: Ran through the castle. Always a highlight. And, my Nike+ was now noticeably off.
Mile 5: Actually walked so I could get some water. At every stop, the water tasted ... gritty. Ew.
Mile 8: Ow.
Mile 10: Andy again! It was fun looking for him. Kind of like Where's Waldo.
Mile 12: Nike+ says "Congrats! You're done!" People were probably wondering why I was running along saying "shut up."
Mile 13: Everything hurts. I walked just 2 steps until a woman passed me and said, "Don't stop now!!" It was just outside the Rainforest Cafe. And she was super right.

What a fantastic day. Good weather, a consistent pace the whole time, beat everyone's expectations (especially mine), and a shiny new gold medal to add to my collection.

Oh yeah, and I can't walk.

Remember the first day of school, when you had all your new supplies and were all excited to start brand new classes that weren't more of the same-old you suffered through last year, you got to see all your friends again, and it was all so very exciting?

Today's the first day of school. And I am getting way too old for this.

I trekked all over campus after work today to buy my books (amazing how lax you get with that), stopped by the business building to ask about graduating (for reals!) and finally made it to the odd, outcast building in which one of my classes will be held this semester. Campus is filled with the 20-and-under set, making me feel really, really old.

Plus, my one solitary week off was super hectic. Between obsessively watching the Olympics, my parents visited and did a ton of my wedding planning (thanks mom & dad!), I ran a ton, picked up my dress and stashed it at my very generous aunt- and uncle-to-be's house, took engagement pictures, visited with some similarly off of school friends, and basically spent no time just relaxing. And I still didn't get nearly everything done!

Speaking of, my grandmother's birthday is in a couple of days. I didn't forget - but I am just now going to get to send a card ... now if only I can find a picture and make it in the next 10 minutes ...

Finally broke down and created a sparkpeople page. I'm so close to the next trophy and it was an easy 25 points. Lame.

Come join spark and be my friend.

I'll try to keep my health freakishness over there, but I'll warn you now: I've finally ordered the Nike+ system, and I think once I get my account set up I can post neat little widgets about my runs. I'm excited!! I know you're not!!

This was posted on the daily spark (www.dailyspark.com). I only kind of watched it the first time, but it's great.

Guess who has a new hero ...

Last Tuesday I finished my penultimate semester of grad school. Whew! Who takes two classes over the summer??

• Consumer Behavior could have been more interesting, but the rough part was that I didn't fit the demographic of the class at all. No luxury cars, face creams, gourmet cupcakes here. Plus, the group project was pretty tough just to get the members to fill the requirements! It's really a different group than my IOM classes. On the other hand, it was nice not having a final exam (as I didn't read the book).
  
• Financial Statement Analysis was just plain brutal. It's listed as an accounting class - I checked and double checked pretty often. It was taught as a finance class. I've taken both versions before, and they were pretty difficult, so I figured I could work my way through this too. But if you thought financial statements were subjective, wait until you hear some of the analysis "methods" out there! It's almost an entirely subjective class. The homeworks were long (but shorter toward the end), and I can imagine a project added on top would have made it insane. Luckily, the final didn't seem too awful, although I still couldn't venture a guess as to how well I did.
  

Both classes typically filled the four-hour time slot (when most everyone else I know got out early), and both classes I imagine would have been a lot more work in the full fall/spring semesters. But, since there weren't any IOM classes to be found during the summer (why offer the specialization if you're not going to offer the classes??), they were OK substitutes. After all, they make me look much more well-rounded.

Since I bid for fall classes, I've changed my mind on my second class twice. My first class is digital industry strategy class. For the second, I bid and won a finance class, because I felt like I should be taking a finance class and I've already got the finance degree. Then I switched to a high-tech business strategy class, because I'd heard it was good and I really haven't been happy with the finance classes. After this summer, I think I'll stick with IOM classes, so I've signed up for the available two. Why not take classes that will advance your career plans? At least I'll get to see some of my IOM buddies!