Monday, May 30, 2011

First 10km Run!

Yesterday, Steve, our friend Ange and I did the 10km Sri Chinmoy run. I wasn't sure how I'd go because I had never actually ran 10km but Steve stuck with me and as always was very encouraging and helped to keep me motivated. I really enjoy running with him, he's very supportive and inspires me to try harder. My iPod also helped to keep me moving! A good playlist goes a long way when you're running!
The run was really nice, near the ocean with really great views of the city skyline. It also took us through Williamstown, an adorable little town that I'm hoping we can go back to explore sometime soon.
This was us chilling out after we came across the finish line. Ange and that guy standing behind her (Geoff :) got engaged the night before the run, so they were pretty happy! We were pretty happy for them...they make a really great match!
There was lots of love in the air this weekend, with friends getting engaged and Steve and I celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. I'll be posting our annual anniversary photo soon. This is Steve and I after we came across the finish line.
And by far, the best thing about doing runs is going for brunch and coffee afterwards! We went to Fraus, a crepes place known for their hot chocolate. There were a million flavors to choose from and it comes served in a giant cup, more like a soup bowl than a hot chocolate mug. Definitely a meal you can enjoy much more after a good run that works up a good appetite!

Next fun run is July 31st. Let's see how we go between now and then! :)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Early - Mid May in Photos

Hello! I've been on a bit of a blogging break, in case you hadn't noticed. I just haven't been very inspired to sit down and blog in the last few weeks but after browsing through old blog posts from this time last year, my inspiration seemed to return. I really love what a wonderful tool blogging is for documenting our adventures and day to day life and I really want to keep it up. Finding the time is the tricky bit, but I really want to try harder. I'm going to give it my best go! So, let's recap, shall we? Here's a picture post to bring you up-to-date on what happened in the first couple weeks of May. May is always such a busy month for us and one of my most favorite months of the year. This year has been no exception!

We kicked off the month with Steve and a couple of friends from his work doing the Puffy Billy Race, a run that races the Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenongs. It's basically a 13km run mostly uphill. I took the train!
The views along the way were really pretty and the train was all open and people could sit on the side of the train with their feet hanging out the side. It was pretty neat, especially if you were little...the kids on the train loved it! So did I!
I really felt for the runners...it was a tough one! Steve beat the train I was on, so he did very well!
The layout of the train station and the steam train itself made everything feel like we had stepped back in time. I think I would have really loved living back then!
I'm still loving all the beauty of autumn, although celebrating my favorite month in autumn and not spring is still pretty confusing. Not sure that will ever change!

I think I can, I think I can. It's probably more likely that the runners were thinking this than the train!
Well done on the run Steve...you rock!

On May 8th, I did my first ever fun run, and you know what? It was actually fun! We did the 8km Mother's Day Classic run to help raise money for breast cancer with a few friends. An insane amount of people came out for the event and even with a stomach bug I managed to finish the run. I wasn't about to miss it after months of running in preparation. Sometimes, being a stubborn Taurus pays off!
This is my running buddy, she helps to keep me motivated and gets me out even when it's the last thing I feel like doing. Thanks for all the support Ange!
We were quite happy with ourselves for following through and doing the run. I have to admit, I think I may have caught the "running bug" I have heard so much about from runners. It's kind of addictive and oh so good for my mental health. It also helps let me eat and drink whatever I want, so that's a real bonus!
Well done everyone! You guys are awesome!

I baked a lot this month and finally tried making rainbow cupcakes. They turned out great! I think they'd be really fun for a kid's birthday party.

We had a little house guest just before my birthday. We were walking Jesse on our usual evening stroll when we stumbled upon a little kitten. Of course, I couldn't bare the thought of it being outside on a cold and rainy night, and somehow managed to talk Steve into letting us take it home. Did I mention that Steve is very allergic to cats? He's such a good guy! I sort of fell head over heels in love with the little thing and Jesse was pretty fond of it too. They were so cute together! We would of kept it forever if it weren't for the fact that Steve blew his nose and took allergy medication for the entire 3 days it stayed with us!
Can I just say, kittens are way more work than puppies?! They get into everything and like to climb things unexpectedly at random moments...
Point proven. Jesse didn't seem to know what to think of that! Ha!
But, we forgave it pretty quickly because, well, they also really like to snuggle and I love me a good cuddle!

After posting lots of found kitten flyers around the neighborhood without any success, we had to give in and take it to the vet, where they scanned it for a microchip. Sadly, it wasn't micro chipped (Micro chip your animals people!) and we had to leave it at the vet to be picked up by the pound. There's a law here that if you take a lost animal into a vet to be scanned for a micro chip, the vet has to keep the animal and send it to the pound. It makes sense in that it means all lost animals are in one place in case their owners are looking for them, but it stinks to not know what happens to the animal once you leave the vet. I like closure. I'll be honest, I cried. I just hope with all my heart that it's owners found it or it has been adopted by a loving family who gives it lots of cuddles and laughs at it's crazy kitten ways!
Thank you Kitty for coming into our lives, we really loved our time with you!

On May 12th, I celebrated my 31st birthday. It was a lovely day. The girls at work bought me these pretty tulips (my favorite!) and had a cake for me. Steve and I went out for a nice dinner and then a massage in the evening. I can't quite believe I'm 31 already! It seems like only a couple of months ago that I turned 30. Time is flying!
Thanks to everyone for the lovely birthday wishes on facebook, email and by post. You guys are the best and I love you all!

And last but not least, I dyed my hair a really fun red. I'm not sure this photo even does it justice, it's much more red in the sun! I really love it and think it will stay like this for awhile. Although, who knows, I seem to get bored very easily!

So, that's the highlights of the first couple of weeks in this oh so wonderful month. I'll be back soon with what's been happening in the last two weeks. Just want to say a big thank you to anyone who has faithfully been checking in here, waiting for an update...you're the best! Thanks for your patience! xoxo