Fitness Challenge: Day 31

I thought I'd top it off.

Running/Walking: 1.0 mi / 27.3 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 5 mi / 117 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 30 take 2

I couldn't go to bed 1.5 miles from the finish line, so off to the gym we went to finish it! Of course, I went a little extra for good measure. :)

Running/Walking: 1.6 mi / 26.3 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 112 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 30

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 24.7 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 6 mi / 112 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 29

Running/Walking: 1.7 mi / 23.2 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 6 mi / 106 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 28

Running/Walking: 1 mi / 21.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 100 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 27

Running/Walking: 3 mi / 20.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 90 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 24

Running/Walking: 1 mi / 17.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 5 mi / 90 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

All

I hope this Holiday season has you all doing well and with family.

As many of you know, Bobby and I just celebrated our 5^th wedding anniversary. A lot has changed in the past 5 years and we find ourselves treasuring this time of year, as it’s a break from the constant travel and distance.

Bobby is still living in Dallas and working on his PhD in Physics at the University of Texas at Dallas. He has had a lot of success in his studies over the past year and maintains his 4.0 in his PhD coursework. Additionally, he passed his qualifying exam with distinction and will begin working with the space sciences group this next year. Every weekend during the semester is a travel vacation for him or myself.

As for me, I’ve been having fun working with the ROV installations group at Oceaneering in Houston since the spring of this year.

Merry Christamas and Happy Holidays!

-Steph and Bob

Fitness Challenge: Day 23

I didn't post yesterday, but I'm getting really close to my goal -- YEA!

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 16.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 85 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 21

Running/Walking: 2 mi / 15 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 5 mi / 85 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day

I was too tired to post this last night, so here it is.

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 13 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 5 mi / 80 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 19

Today was a light day, since tomorrow is my last day to work this year and I'm trying to get everything finished before heading off.

Running/Walking: 2 mi / 11.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 75 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 18

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 11.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 75 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 17

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 10 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 65 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 500 / 4500 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 16

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 8.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 65 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 4000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 15

Running/Walking: 1 mi / 7 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 55 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 1000 / 4000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 14

This is proving far more challenging than I initially thought. Between trying to spend extra time with my husband while he's home for the holidays and trying to finish all my projects at work before I take off for the holidays, my progress has been rather lackluster.

I am getting somewhere though. Here's my progress today:

Running/Walking: 1.5 mi / 6 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 55 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 3000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 9

After falling off the bandwagon for a few days after my husband returned home from school I managed to push it a little further today to get back on track. With my husband's loving push, I met my fitness goals for the day!

Running/Walking: 2 mi / 4.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 45 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 1000 / 3000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 5

Running/Walking: 0.5 mi / 2.5 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 5 mi / 35 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 2000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 4

Running/Walking: 1 mi / 2 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 30 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 2000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 3

I was hoping to get in a walk/run this evening, but the swim was enough to knock me out -- that and work! :)

Running/Walking: 0 mi / 1 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 0 mi / 20 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 2000 / 2000 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 2

So far I'm off to a good start. Of course, it is the weekend.

Running/Walking: 0.5 mi / 1 mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 20 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 0 / 4200 yds

Fitness Challenge: Day 1

I've been looking for something to help me focus on doing something about my fatty fatness and I saw this fitness challenge online and thought I'd give it a try.

The Ironman Triathlon Fitness Challenge for December has begun! All skill levels (and distances) welcome. You do not have to aspire to be an Ironman to join this challenge. You may join at any time and adjust your goals to fit how much of the month is left. (We'll be back next month, too.)

The rules are simple:

Between December 1-31, you must complete:

2.4m of swimming (4200 yds)
112m of biking (any bike indoors or out will do)
26.2m of running/walking/elliptical

Add up your distances and post them to the daily thread using the following format:

Earned Today (or most recently) / Earned to Date / Goal for Month

If you do a little bit at a time it is totally manageable.

Will you reach the finish line by the end of the month? Good luck

I started today so here's where I stand:

Running/Walking: 0.5mi / 0.5mi / 26.2 mi
Biking: 10 mi / 10 mi / 112 mi
Swimming: 0 / 0 / 4200 yds

Star Wars Fan Days

Bob and Peter Mayhew

Rebel

Darth Helmet

Dolly Death Star and the Pimpin Stormtrooper

Men Costume Winners

Women Costume Winners

Bob's Qualifier

The official email says:

Congratulations, you have passed the Qualifying Exam with distinction.

YEA for BOB!

For those that do not know, this means that Bob is officially in the PhD program at UTD and that he is sufficiently prepared to obtain a PhD. Of course, he still needs to pick a dissertation topic, research and defend his topic, but he's another step closer to finishing! YEA!

Bob's Stalker

.... Yup, Bob has a stalker. Appartently someone called his apartment complex this afternoon trying to get information on his apartment number out of them. They were so concerned about this call that they called Bob to inform him and to see if he needed to move or change his information (because clearly the person that called was a stalker).



Oh ... did I forget to mention that I called Bob's apartment complex this afternoon, explained that I was on the lease but I don't live there and that all I needed was the address and who the local cable service provider was, so that I could look into ordering cable for Bob? ... ya know, because that's what wives do when they know their husband needs to devote all their spare time to studying and not fiddling with pidly tasks such as calling the cable company.

Transformers Rock!

After working all weekend, driving back to Houston at 5 in the morning Monday, and working half a day before going home to take a nap - Bob and I managed to slip into a midnight showing of the new Transformers movie.

I was mostly just tagging along as this was Bob's movie and I was there for him. Not that I don't like Transformers, but I wasn't really expecting much and while I had watched Transformers as a kid (and seen some since then since we have the DVD's) and had an Optimus Prime - I wouldn't consider myself a huge fan.

So, I was mostly just there. Interested, yes, but not aching to go.

We got to the theater just in time for "Spider-pig, Spider-pig..." and the movie started soon afterwards. Of course, we saw Decepticons first, but I loved how they transistioned BumbleBee from a Volkswagon Bug to a 70's model Chevy Camaro and then to the new Concept Chevy Camaro. I instantly feel in love with BumbleBee.

Overall, I thought the movie was great! So wonderful, that I convinced Bob we needed to go see it again today. Then we went straight to the store and bought an Optimus Prime and ordered a BumbleBee. I know, we're bad - but I loved this movie! :)

My future job

More Fun Quizzes at QuizPox.com

Can't hide my geek

I noticed 2 of my coworkers wearing red shirts today, and commented how cute they looked together. Of course they started droning on and on about how cool red shirts where, to which I said, red shirts always die.

They stared at me for a minute like I'd lost my mind and I said, "Come on, you know, Original Series Star Trek - the red shirts always die."

... I fear I've said too much.

Weird Al in McKinney July 14th

I hadn't been paying attention for awhile, but I was procrastinating work (and trying to think of a sweet birthday gift for Bob) and I noticed Weird Al was going to be in McKinney July 14th. If only Bob weren't in Dallas, we'd have gotten last minute tickets to the show in Houston tonight.... Damn Damn.

Obviously, I've found Bob's birthday present, but we're hoping to get a group together to go - any takers?


YEA - Happy Birthday Bob! :)

Long Time

I know it's been awhile, but I thought I'd update my blog just in case anyone is still reading.

Things have been relatively uneventful these past few months, well, if you consider changing jobs and moving to Houston uneventful. Most everyone knew I was pretty unhappy at my previous job. So after moaning and groaning about it for awhile, I decided it was time to take a chance and see what else I could do.

I considered going back to school for awhile, but my disdain for debt and financial insecurity (and a gentle prod from a fellow coworker who was also quitting) led me to consider searching for something more appealing in Houston. About the same time I was contacted by a recruiter in Houston, so I took advantage of his services and was within weeks interviewing for a position in Houston. I contacted a view other people, but I knew what I was looking for and when it was offered right away, I took it. Of course, by right away I mean 2 weeks after I interviewed while I was on vacation in Dallas - which means I was SUPER chipper to return to work the following Monday and announce my 2 weeks. Best come back from a vacation, ever.

Then, after much chaos that included identifying references, doing a lot of paperwork, and getting a drug test (which I feared I would fail - not because I do drugs, but because I was in the vicinity of a pot smoker for approximately 2 seconds at All Con the previous weekend and because I'm paranoid) I found myself suddenly in Houston. I left Austin on a Friday and was in Houston sleeping on a mat on the floor the following Monday. Hindsight it was almost too quick, but because Bob and I had a scheduled vacation in May - I thought I'd give them a full month prior to taking off.

That was April, and now we're approaching the end of May. That is obviously our biggest news.

In other news, Bob was able to maintain a 4.0 for a second semester. With all the coursework he's completed already this year, and credits that should transfer from A&M after he's completed all the 2nd year coursework (only 1 more left) he'll soon have 50 credit hours towards his PhD. That means he has at least 2 more years till he's done. We'll know for sure how much time he has left after he's taken his qualifier and presented his research topic to his committee. I can hardly wait, being away from each other is always difficult.

Then there was our vacation. While we've had short trips for weekend camping, trips to see family, and such, this was our first real vacation in years. Naturally, we went to Disney World, the location where we planned to go on our honeymoon had we not been sick and had the time and money after we got married. Surprisingly, a lot had changed since Bob proposed to me there in 2000. There are a lot of new rides, a lot of new shows, and even more ways a parent could spend money on their children. We were there for a week, the weather was really nice, and for the majority of the trip the park was pretty quiet for Disney World. Perhaps even more surprising was the infrequency of fussy, whiny kids. Having worked in the parks in 1999, I knew there was a high frequency of fussy children and parents in Disney World, but this was the first time I'd been where the majority of the parents AND kids were pleasant and adorable to watch. Picture little princesses gleefully gliding through the parks, kids skipping and singing, and still more passed out in their strollers as their parents wheeled them back to their beds - so cute. Of course, perhaps the difference was really us because as we age we get more and more interested in having our own, so we look at other kids a bit differently.

Well, that's where we are now.

My Disney Vacation

It took 4 and 1/2 years but Bob and I finally took our long awaited honeymoon in Walt Disney World. Our flight out of Dallas last Sunday was uneventful and we were lounging pool side in Orlando by early afternoon as we waited for a visit from Bob's sister and brother in law.

After a brief monsoon that soaked our guests, we ventured into Magic Kingdom to enjoy our vacation and soak our guests a second time on my favorite ride, Splash Mountain. We rode all our favorites and then headed back to the hotel to get some shut eye (and because Bob's sister and brother in law needed to get home because they had to work the next day).

During our trip we managed to make it to all the major parks and Disney Interactive Quest. We didn't make it to any of the water parks nor the Disney Sports areas, but overall I felt the trip was relaxing and we had a great time watching the excited little kids prance around the park.

Surprisingly a lot had changed since our last trip to Disney World 7 years ago when Bob proposed. There are a lot of new rides in all the parks, some of our old favorites were modified, and they have a new make over to turn little girls into Princesses and little boys into Pirates. We saw little Princesses all dolled up all over the parks, and they looked so cute and were so happy that they brought a smile to our faces. Not to mention the little kids that still had energy to run around the parks in the middle of the night (picture a little girl, maybe 3 or 4, running through Epcot just as happy as could be .... in the middle of the night - so very cute).

Overall it was a great trip and I was super sad to leave - not just because I would be leaving the happiest place on earth (and one of my favorite places) but because it meant I was going to have to come back to Houston by myself. Can't even begin to explain how much I miss Bob and how much I wish we had a couple more weeks in Disney World .... maybe next year. :)

Lions, tigers, and BlackBerries - oh my!

... some people just can not be disconnected from their email. I've now joined the ranks of those that are always connected. My new toy - email everywhere I go. :)

Of course it's not all fun and games. The thing is a bit reminscent of all that is unholy in the world, and other than the fear of getting constant communications from the wrong people I have hope that this is a sign that things are coming together for me - finally a glimmer of hope.

It's not like I get that much email anymore anyway, but Bob will always be able to get me and that's gotta count for something - as long as I remember to take it with me that is.

... then when Jesus prayed to God, was he speaking to himself?

Obviously, I've been reading a lot this week. Mostly swimming material I obtained from my old swim coaches in Austin, but after finishing those I moved on to "Lost Christianities" by Bart Ehrman, which is where the subject line quote comes from. I'm about a third of the way through the book and this line cracked me up. Jesus talking to himself!

Other than reading, things have been pretty slow this week. Bob and I finally got around to purchasing a washer and dryer, the energy efficient front loading kind. Now I've just got to wait till I can liquidate my old retirement fund so I can pay for it!