New York....New York

For my birthday my parents sent me to New York City with my brother and my dad's youngest sister Traci and her husband. Let's just say that I want to go back and do it all over again. If I made enough money and wouldn't get homesick I would move to New York City. It was magical and wonderful and just like the movies.

I got to experience everything. I don't think I can pick out a favorite part of NYC. But if I had to it would have to be Lady Liberty. She is beautiful and stands for so much that I didn't even know about.
On Wednesday our plane landed right on time. I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to a lot of things.... well everything. So our plane landing right on time just put my nerves to rest. As soon as I got off the plane my phone buzzed and my Aunt and Uncles plane was delayed in Dallas and Justin and I would get the pleasure of sitting in the airport for 2.5 hours. Not too bad if you DO NOT do like us and go get your luggage. Justin and I went and got our luggage and then realized that we couldn't go back into the airport area. DANG IT! Thank goodness for Netflix on my Iphone. At 2:30 they pulled up in a taxi and we were on our way to NYC!
My aunt had to leave us to go to a conference so we went walking around the city. The apartment is right across the street from Julliard. Just a few blocks from Central Park and not too far from Columbus Circle. We walked all over the place and stopped to get some NYC Pizza Pie. It was just as good as everyone thinks.

Thursday was our Statue of Liberty and Eilis Island day. It was a blast. We rode the subway all the up to the Ferry and went on our way. The museum that is at the bottom on SoL was closed for renovation so that was a bummer. But on the bright side we were able to go on and not spend so much time on these islands. Since SoL didn't take too long we were able to walk around Wall Street for some of the day. We walked right into Occupy Wall Street. This was an experience. Tents everywhere, people screaming everywhere, 99% signs everywhere. I did not partake in this OWS movement but I did get some pictures. I'll post those on facebook! We also go to see the Wall Street Bull. Being the financial nerd I am I had to get a picture. Since we had so much time left on Thursday we were able to go ahead and do more! We went to Top of the Rock. This place had amazing views. It is on top of Rockefeller Plaza and you can see everything. Central Park, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Met Life Building, Helmsley Building.... you get the point. We were able to eat some good Hong Kong Chinese food on Thursday. It was amazing.

Friday was a day. I don't really even remember what we did on Friday except for the fact that we did go see Wicked. That is really all I need to remember because there are no words to describe that play! To say it was amazing would be an understatement. We were also able to see the MET. HOLY HANNAH that place was huge. The next NYC trip I take there will be a whole day dedicated to the MET.

Saturday was also a busy day. We saw everything and anything there was too see. We were able to go the Empire State Building. (Yes I did sing Empire State of Mind the whole time I was in New York) That was the hottest place EVER! The sun was shining right into the windows that we were standing by to go up the elevator. Death. The views at the Empire were amazing. We were on the 102nd floor. You could see past the harbor onto the ocean. It was insane. The Brooklyn Bridge was in the distance.
We stumbled on a Christmas Market. I am not sure that is what it is called in the middle of November but it had great eats and good shopping. It also had an ice skating rink. It was fun.

My favorite part of Saturday was eating at City Bakery. This place was packed with so many people. I was trying to get in as my aunt was pulling my arm and I kept bumping into this man. In my head I was cursing him and just wanted him to stop moving. He didn't but I did. My Aunt grabbed my arm and gave "the look" so I looked back at the man to apologize for not stopping and cursing him in my head. I looked straight into these amazing blue eyes and realized that the man I was cursing was Jake Gyllenhaal. I was speechless. For the first time ever I couldn't speak! All I did was look at him and turn 1000 colors of red. Blushing and embarrassed. I didn't even get a picture but he did say excuse me. After I came too I thought about running after him to get a picture but... I didn't. I think he is probably trying to find me on facebook or twitter. I just know he is.

They were in the process of putting up Christmas in the city and I would love to see that.

NYC was a blast and we are already planning a trip back.... this time to run the NYC Marathon. I cannot wait to run it.

More pictures coming to facebook soon!!

"Fun" Run

I recently was able to run my first 5k in about 3 years. I was so nervous leading up to it. I was so tired the day of the race for many reasons but one of them was I had to get up at 6:30 and be ready to jump in the car and drive to the Civic Center at 7am! I am not much of the early riser and when you add staying up late to the mix it sometimes does not work out very well.

I enjoyed my run. I was so tired afterwards but there was not time for sleep! Texas Tech was playing and I had to watch that game. I enjoyed fun time with friends and my mom and cheered the Raiders to a victory against Kansas.

I ran my 5k in 33 minutes!! I was so proud of myself. My body felt like it had been hit by a bus. I am not sure if it was running on the bricks or just the fact that your always run faster and better in a race than you do when you just run for "fun." All in all I had a great run and supported a great cause Breast Cancer.

I have a race coming up on Saturday. The Hub City Mud Run. It should be a fun time. I am a littler nervous because if y'all know me at all you know I am VERY girly. I am not much for my body to be dirty and running in mud just doesn't seem that appealing. I know i will get dirt under my nails, in my hair, in my ears and all over my face. It should be a fun time! I will let y'all know how that goes. I am very sure my mother will take lots of pictures to document this dirty occasion.

Lovely picture taken by my wonderful friend Tori. This is how tired I was. This picture makes me laugh!

Run group!!! Love these women very much! They keep me motivated with my workouts!!!

Fall

I love Fall. How can you not love fall. There are so many things about this season that make me happy! I live in Texas so there is no "real" seasons. I think sometimes Spring and Fall get skipped because it seems to get hot in March and stay hot till November!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Chimy's Before football games, fun with friends at football games and most of all FOOTBALL! Saturdays are now more complete with some College Game Day on TV and some Red Raider First Downs to look forwards too!

Not so favorite thing:

A cold. I was in the dust storm that blew in while watching the season opener at TTU. It lead to a week worth of taking these meds! I can't believe it is only the second week of September and I have already had a sinus infection/cold!

Happy Fall!!!!

Boot camp

Wow, it has been 2 years since I last wrote on my blog.

I have decided to just update here and there about my new experince in boot camp. I get up 3 days a week to work out at Cardinal's Sports Center. I have been doing boot camp since May 1st and can I please tell you that it kicks my tail EVERYDAY! But, I have finally started to enjoy working out again much like I did when I was in high school and playing sports!

I never thought I would ever say it but I am actaully trying to get ready to run a small race. I would LOVE to run a half marathon sometime in the near future. My goal is to run a half marathon in Hawaii as well as qualify to run the Boston or the New York Marthons some day. My mother thinks that I am crazy.

My working out has paid off so much. I am feeling so much better every day. I feel energized even though I am waking up at 4:40am to get to the gym by 5 am. No worries! I usually run a little late in true Jessica fashion. :) I get to buy new shoes every 2-3 months. Even though they are tennis shoes I still get the satisfaction of going shoe shopping, which every girl loves. And I work out with some of the best friends a girl could ask for each morning. They keep me motivated as well as grounded.

Thats all for now. I will keep you all updated on my new work out experince and how it goes every week. I do konw that there is a fun race coming up in October with all sorts of obsteculs at Spirit Ranch. (More deatails later when I get them) and I am actaully really excited to run it. I mean, what person would not be excited for a 5k race that involves mud and a fire pit. HA!!

Here is a quick look at some photos.

June 2010 in Flordia for Emily's wedding. We had a long day at the beach as you can tell from my sunburn. I think I stayed red that whole trip! :)

August 2011- Enjoying music with Susan

Summer Fun

Even if you do have a job you are still able to have some summer fun!

The group at Jimmy Buffett

Me and Mom at Jimmy Buffett

Amanda came to visit!!!!

Circle of Life

As you sit back and enjoy life there is that time you forget that it is ending. With every breath we take we are closer to it. The past week has been a little hard. My Papa had a stroke on Monday morning. It has been a really rough 3 days. It is slowly ending. His life, his pain, his aggravations, him being worried it is all slowly ending. Over the past year we have all know this was going to come. Each time we "prepared" ourselves for the worst. You never now what it is like until it happens. The moment you run out of tears from hearing your grandmother tell her husband of 60 years "I love you" and "Goodbye" for the possible last time as he lays there unresponsive to her and everything around her, that is the moment you realize your life is about to change, her life is about to change. I remember that there is a bigger person, a bigger power that takes this on. I have to tell myself that God is there and it is through Him that we are alive, forgiven. He is our rock and salvation. We are to call upon him. He has gotten me through this. He will get me through what there is to come.
As Papa Bill's time comes near an end, I think of the things that are amazing about him and the so many memories that we will always have of him! Here are just a few to share-
-He always had a Passion for golf. Golf will forever be a sport I hold true and dear to my heart. He loved to play and everyone at YCGC will miss him dearly.
-Until Monday, he was always feeding somethings, it could be a cat, dog, bird, turtle, rabbit, anything... his love for all living thingswas amazing.
-He is the most patient man I know. He would never get angry until the last possible second. He was so calm all the time.
-He had a heart of gold. He loved everyone so much and knew the right words to say to cheer you up. My brother takes after him for this.
-His tomato plants always over produced! That man would have more tomatoes then anyone I know. He ate one with every meal. Just make sure there was salt and pepper.
-Every valentines day since I can remember he would buy me candies. Caramel, chocolate, pecans! They were the best. This past valentines day we sat down with a glass of milk and ate them together with my Mom and Barbara! They were so good and I will love those Millionaire candies so much!
-Jello, When I was little and sick he would be my babysitter when I couldn't go to school. He would always make Jello and we would eat it together as a snack in the afternoon!
There are so many other memories! Those are just a few!
Sorry for the downer post but thank you to everyone that has prayed for us over the past 5 years. It has been an amazing 23 years with him and I can't wait to walk with him again.
Love ya'll so much!

Standing Still

I started my new job today! I am very excited to finally be a full time employee! Today was such a good day, (except for the fact that I over slept.) I am excited to finally be paying my own bills and living on my own for the first time!
I have to thank everyone for praying for me as well as keeping me encouraged! It means the world and I really don't know what I would have done without it! Thank you!
Now that I have a job, I am finding myself wondering if it is really what I want. Recently I have learned so much about my relationship with Christ. I have grown over the past few years but nothing like the past few months. I have completely realized that He is in control and that why in the world do I think I can constantly take care of things myself when all it does is stress me out! These past few months have been a roller coaster ride of emotions as well as much mental pain and growing. I wouldn't trade it for the world and I won't regret anything that has happened. But for some reason I feel as if the world is passing me by. As if I'm standing still and letting life happen without being a part of it. Why? I guess I can only fix this and get on with life without being stressed out!
On a side note:
Can't wait till my first paycheck!!! Wahoo!!!