Christmas in NYC!

         

Coming to NYC

  Leigh, Morgan, Me, and Jo in Macy's. Leigh, Morgan, and Jo (old roommate) left on Friday night (11pm) from Wheeling, WV in a bus and arrived in Manhattan on Saturday morning (7:30am), stayed all day then left to go back to Wheeling at 11pm. We had a fun filled adventurous day in the city even though it was frigid and packed full of holiday shoppers. 

Stacy came up this past weekend from Lexington, KY and again, it was another frigid weekend. We saw Wintuck, went up on Top of the Rock, managed the crowds at Rockefeller, went to my Holiday party with work, went to craft and holiday shows, ate yummy food, and had a wonderful time with each other. 

Gobble Gobble

Made it into Cincinnati yesterday morning from NYC. I left with Charlotte (friend from Cbus) and Katie (her sister's friend's sister) on Wednesday around 2pm. We anticipated to sit in traffic, but the roads were actually not that bad. We arrived in Columbus shortly before midnight and I was able to stay the night with my old roommate, then drove into Cincy Thursday morning.  It has been a bit overwhelming being in large homes and apartments.  I am use to living in such a small box, over populated streets, congested trains, and crowded grocery stores.  

                

Another Reason Why I love Brooklyn

Saturday Stroll in Park Slope with Kaytie. 

We went to the Farmers Market at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. It was FRIGID. I had 5 top layers on and 2 layers for my legs and was freezing. We got sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, green peppers, tomatoes, and apples.   YUM!!

Rainy Days

Another rainy day....

I have experienced more rain since moving to NYC then I did all of last year in San Antonio. I was use to blue skies and warmth.  Now I have rain, cold, and darkness beginning at 4:30pm.  The worst is walking a mile in cold rain--no matter all the effort I put into staying dry, I will be wet. 

Last Wednesday, I saw an orthopedic doctor for my foot. It has been hurting since the Scranton Marathon.  Before I saw him, I thought of worst and best case scenarios...Best: give me some physical therapy and i'll be ready to start running.  Worst: boot me. 

The Worst was chosen. I am now wearing Betty Boot Jr.--the smaller version of my original boot that I got in January.  An MRI was done on Tuesday and I will find the results out on Friday.  A positive side, I will most likely be able to start running around Christmas and should be able to run Boston in April, even though I should technically begin training the beginning of December... 

So now, I have the opportunity to walk 2 miles a day in Betty Boot Jr (she does not stay dry in rain), go up in down subway stairs, and balance myself while riding the subway.  Occasionally a nice person will let me sit down.  Some people look at my single boot and ask if I am ready for ski season.....

Bike Rider

A friend of mine in NYC let me borrow her Diamondback Century Hybrid bike last weekend. I moved some furniture around and was able to fit it in my tiny 9x9 room.  I gave my body about 2 weeks to recover the Steamtown marathon by doing very little physical activity.  My foot swelled some after the race and I had some swelling last week.  Friday night, I went for a 3 mile jog through Park Slope and felt pretty good. However, yesterday morning, I woke up to terrible pain in my right foot.  After icing several times yesterday morning and taking advil, the pain subsided, but it was still evident. This morning, I woke up to pain once again my foot but not as severe as yesterday.  This is the same foot that I had a significant injury too on January 1. Unfortunately, I am not going to run until getting approval from a doctor. I am going to try and find a sports med/podiatrist this week.

It was such a gorgeous day today, I couldn't just stay inside--so I rode for the first time in Manhattan. I rode to the Manhattan Bridge and cut across the island through Greenwich Village to the West Side Hwy, where I had some great views of Jersey City.  I rode back home via the Brooklyn Bridge (which I hated doing on a weekend).  The Brooklyn Bridge is packed with tourists on weekends and my patience dwindles when they suddenly stop to take pictures, walk on the wrong side of the path, and walk 4 people across the path.  It was a great way to spend 3 hours of my Sunday afternoon.  Just another reason why i love NYC....                                                            

marathon!

I ran the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA October 12 with Theo, Keith, and Shaun.  Theo's wife and three of our friends drove out to Scranton with us to support and cheer us on.  It was gorgeous!

I finished 3rd in my age group, qualifying for Boston with a time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 18 seconds. Keith finished at 3 hours 35 min, Theo at 4 hours 2 min, and Shaun at 4 hours 11 min. 

The race was a lot of fun and pretty. The crowd support was fantastic and people were so enthusiastic when we would run through their towns.  The last 3 miles of the marathon were the toughest part of the race with hills. 

Going to take the next few weeks off of running and letting my body recover and let me foot heal (the one I broke has been swollen since the race).  Then training for Boston will take place!

Tough Week

Last week was rough--I pushed my body too hard last Sunday during the 1/2 marathon and then paid for it.  Muscles acted up and it was really hard to walk. My leg and side were constantly spasming.  Baclofen really helped the spasms and allowed me to at least function during the day. Spent Saturday inside the entire day just resting and then attempted to go for a walk.  However, the arms and legs were incredibly weak. 

Last week made me angry.  I hated that I was unable to run and do other activities that I would have wanted to do. I was angry that my body was acting the way it was.  

I was in New Paltz, NY yesterday afternoon and was able to spend some good time at a coffee shop journalling and getting my thoughts and feelings out. I was also able to spend some time in prayer, which I realized I lacked all week. 

This week is already off to a better start....only taken one pill today and my legs are co-operating!!!!

Maine

    Sail boats in the Portland Harbor. York Beach 

While in 5th grade, geography class focused on studying all 50 states, requiring students to be knowledgeable not only of all the states and their geographic location, but their capitols as well.  Projects were also required of each student to write a report about each state. My state was Maine. Since writing the report, a dream and goal of mine was to go to Maine.  16 years later, that dream came true. My co-worker, Emily, and I went to York for her to run in a 5k race and for me to run a 1/2 marathon. We then adventured to Freeport and to Portland. I excelled in eating my first lobster, walked the sandy, crittered filled beach, enjoyed the multitude of New England Clam Chowder, wore my winter coat in the 48 degree evening temperature, ate my first Whippie Pie, and heard the term "wicked" in almost every phrase or sentence.  It was a gorgeous, fun-filled weekend away from the city and being a 4 1/2 hour drive--it's a perfect weekend gettaway. 

Governor's Island

Governor's Island looks like an old college campus; however, the buildings are no longer occupied. Instead, the island is owned by the army.  In the 1920s, the Orville brothers flew a plane for the first time over water from the island.  The mayor at the time, La Guardia wanted to build an airport on the island. After much debate, the island was considered not adequate. 

The picture on the right is a picture taken from the ferry of Manhattan on our way to the island. The picture below (left) is the jazz festival that was taking place.  The band, dancers, and people were dressed from the 1920s.  The picture on the bottom right is my friend Megan, who was trying on fancy, fun hats. 

                                     

Brooklyn--How Sweet It Is

1. The view of Manhattan
2. The Hasidic Jewish population
3. Park Slope Presbyterian Church 
4. Prospect Park
5. Beaches
6. Jacques Torres
7. Block Parties
8. Brownstone 
9. Grimaldi's Pizza
10. One Girl Cookie
11. Parking spots on the street
12. Neighbors watching out for me

Storms

Hannah is extremely popular in New York-- engulfing the media, news, and topics of conversation.  Rain and high winds are expected.  After experiencing tropical storm Erin last year in San Antonio with 11 inches of rain in one day, poor sewage systems and signs that said "don't drown, turn around," I think I can handle Hannah. 

Being in New York and living in the city has definitely been a learning experience about material possessions, especially my car. As apart of my job at the New York Eye and Ear, I travel to Westchester County (north of Manhattan) to the elementary and middle schools to provide audiological services to the hearing impaired students.  Two weeks ago, while on the highway in Queens, I got hit from behind. It hurt my back and caused minimal damage to my car. Through insurance, I got my car fixed (they also fixed all the bumps incurred from people hitting while parked on the street).  I had a perfectly good bumper for one week. While in the elementary school parking lot yesterday, I was hit again.  This time, part of the bumper fell off and became dented. I put the bumper back on and now it's just has a dent and some "wrinkles."

A car is just a car, nothing more. It still works and I'm safe.  Many people have been telling me that I should have the mom in the mini van pay for the damage--but I did not want to go through my insurance again. Accidents happen. My bumper is going to continue get bumped/hit.  Getting mad or upset definitely won't improve the situation or change what has happened. My car is just going to have extra character from living in the city. 

Where I live

Brooklyn, NY

My new home. 

What I have found interesting so far:

• I can't find breakfast tacos ( I have found 1 breakfast burrito)
• coffee shops are everywhere
• Dunkin Donuts out numbers Starbucks
  
• There are 12 rats per every human
• I can go to Brighton Beach and feel like I'm in Russia. 
• When I miss Cincinnati, I can go to Coney Island
• My car will never look the same
• Hebrew is as common as English

I did it Kelly!!!

No matter how much I try to keep my life simple, there are always uncertainties--life becomes crazy-- I don't get enough sleep, my room becomes a mess, and I eat too many chocolate chips.  I am constantly looking and seeking new activities such as traveling to a new place, hiking, camping, climbing, and even running into a new neighborhood. 

Despite all my sins and imperfections and when I become engulfed in the busyness of life, the Lord remains constant--always there and never leaving. Trying to rely on Him and let Him lead my life.

My life is a journey, an unfinished one...