Running in Santa Fe

Running in Santa Fe = Hard on the lungs and easy on the soul.

Georgia O'Keeffe came to New Mexico and decided to make it her home because of the beautiful landscapes and sky. I grew up in Santa Fe but sometimes I am still awestruck with the beauty of New Mexico. 

My mom lives just outside of town, there is an out and back run on a quite road starting from her front door.  Running at 7,000 feet makes it hard to breath (more so with the rolling incline on the way out), but it was so worth it. 

On the morning I went running it was amazing, a slight sprinkling of snow, it was cool and crisp but the sun was shining.  I loved every minute of it. 

Taking a moment alone, challenging myself, taking in the view, stepping away from the stimulation of family and the holidays and running, changed my state of mind.  It made me feel satisfied, peaceful and ready. 

 Enjoy the view, the moment, the run or what ever you do that makes you feel like you,

Elena

*I took these pictures later, I did not have my camera when I went running, but I wanted it so I could share how beautiful it was.  I would have brought my camera the next time I went running but I never made it out again (too much to do, too many kids, not enough sleep and maybe too many margaritas).

Thesis Done!

Thesis = MBA

I am done.  I got the email this evening I am finally finished.

Years ago I started an MBA program at SF State.  I lived in Oakland with my best girl friends, I had a great boy friend, I worked 50 hours a week and went to school at night.  I had a nonstop busy life and I loved it because I new it was temporary.

Soon my boyfriend became my fiance, and I added wedding planning to my crazy life.

Then more change happened, I got pregnant, then when I was 6 six month pregnant I was laid off, a few months later my boyfriend became my husband, I moved to Sacramento and Taylor was born.  My life was just as nonstop but for totally different reasons.

I took two weeks off school after I had Taylor.  Then with the support of Rob and my mom I finished my last few classes two months after Taylor was born. 

Rob would drive me to the city (because I could not stand to be so far away from Taylor), he would put her in a sling and walk for three hours while I was in class. 

When Rob went back to work my mom came to help, and she would come to the city and take care of Taylor while I was in class. 

When I finished my classes I was done.  My thesis was so far from my mind. 

My whole world had changed, suddenly I was a stay at home mom in a new city.

The longer I went without working on my thesis heavier it felt, the harder it felt to commit to it, so I just did not do it.

I stopped and started working on it several times, then a few months ago I started working on it for real. I had a deadline, which clearly I need, and finally I am done.

I am done.

Thank you Autumn for your help with my thesis- I would have lost it without your help.

Elena

Cooking

Food = Love

I am not saying that eating is a valid replacement for any type of love and I am not talking about my ongoing weight issues but nothing says "I love you" or "I care for you" like feeding them.

In my family if someones dies you bring food, if someone has a baby you bring food, if someone comes over you feed them, and if someone shows up unexpectedly you still feed them.

What brought on this tangent?

I am cooking soup.  Hearty, rich vegetable soup, which by the way, is a very good way to say "I love you".

Nothing says love like soup or waffles with whip cream and strawberries.  I am not really sure why but its how I feel.

It is rainy and cool, and I am cooking soup.  I have friends coming for dinner so I got excited and decided to bake cookies as well, Carrot Cake Cookies (can you say "eemmm", these suckers are good).

Show some love,
Elena

You may be wondering...

December 16th has come and gone (as you may have guessed, given my last post was titled "December 17th") and you may be wondering if I made my thesis deadline.

The answer is no.  I have submitted my third (and hopefully final draft) and I am awaiting approval.

Honestly, I was surprised that I had to do the third draft.  I thought I was done the with the second draft, and I would have been done well before December 16th.  Instead I am on to the third draft, not ideal but I am on my way.

I am far enough along that even if I have to do a forth draft (cross you fingers that I don't), I will finish. 

I am checking my email much too often to see if my professor has emailed me.  I just want to be done, I am over it, but very close. 

I will finish before the new year.

I will keep you posted,

Elena