Reunited and it feels so GOOD!

(Me and P. Kat, together again!)

Medal? Mental.

They like me, they really like me!

I received the biggest surprise last week when a voice-mail was left for me, informing me that I had won a medal in the Streamwood Stride 5k! Whaaaat?! I know, right?

So apparently they gave out medals for best looking runner.

But seriously I checked the rankings online and it looks like I got 2nd best time in my age bracket. Yes, there were only 4 girls in my bracket, but STILL. 

I'm planning on getting it engraved with my name, the date and my race time. I gotta make a big deal about this, who knows when the next time will be, huh? 

As of right now, the next time I will have a chance to get a medal will be in the Hot Chocolate 5k, November 4th. We've registered and everything. Our bib #s are 1295 & 1296. Please let me know if you've registered and we can make plans to meet up for pictures before and after the race. 

Races ran in 2012: 1

Medals: 1

Running!

On June 9th in Streamwood, IL, Zane and I ran the Streamwood Stride 5k. It was a sunny warm morning, the race started at 8:00. I made a new personal record of 35:56 AND I got 2nd place in my age group. (There were only 6 or 7 of us in my age group, but still...) Now that's the time for me to beat next time.
There are a lot more people interested in running than I ever thought.
Right now my good friend Amanda is just starting getting into running and unfortunately our friend Sunil injured himself before the race so he couldn't join us. I run about 2x per week although I wish it were more.
Please let me know in the comments if you are a runner and what sort of running you do.
The next race I'm registered for is the Hot Chocolate 5k in November. I want to run a race in July and September too. We'll see.

ONE!!!!

Saturday
October 22, 2011

So, this was my dilemma: Is the day I'm counting down to supposed to be one or zero? I chose ONE but it feels unfinished. But on the other hand, there is no such thing as a zero day, right? I don't know. Anyways...

Wedding day!

It was beautiful and fun, low stress and high winds. It rained on and off, but then again it was on Puget Sound in October. No biggie!

We woke up early and met at the reception site to help set up. It was held at a historic building in downtown Bellingham, "the Leopold" in the ballroom. Lots of moving tables, chairs, ironing cloth napkins and tableclothes... good thing there was lots of help! Local friends as well as extended family worked very hard to get things juuuuuuust right. I'm not sure Bellingham knew what hit it when so many Hay/Labrus rolled into town. Bubba nearly bowled Ben over when he first got to the site. That's an entrance!

The bridesmaids and bride all had appointments for hair at the mall followed by getting dressed at Allyssa's and then pictures with the rest of the bridal party and some family. (I can't wait to see how the professional pics turned out!) The location for the pictures was inside an old building in Fairhaven, three stories of stairs wrapping around the inside, leading up from a courtyard with a fountain.

Then we got to the hall, hung out in the back and the wedding started on time. In fact we were ready at least 30 minutes before the appointed time and ended up killing time, re-applying lipgloss, snacking on granola bars, taking girly pictures and counting down the time. The flower girl and her brother the ring bearer kept us entertained too. At one point he gave us his best Mr. Miyagi impression, "Wax on, Wax off!"

Saje & Flower Girl (Allyssa's Cousin)

Bridal Party

(below) Me and the beautiful Mother of the Groom

After the wedding there was a receiving line and I got to see so many wonderful friends and beloved family who traveled many hours to attend. We made our way to the reception at last and in our absence it had transformed from merely a fine looking room to a splendid scene of elegance. Candles and goblets and crystals and two large chandeliers adorned the room and lent much to the sophisticated taste level of the entire reception.

After dinner there was dancing...

...and cake.

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the cake toppers on the side cakes were Cinderella & Prince Charming and Belle & the Beast. Not to be outdone by the decorations were the cake flavors: Chocolate, Coconut, Lemon and Bananas Foster! Yum!

Zane and I had so much fun dancing to a few old songs and many of the current dance tunes. Even Dad and Mom got out on the floor to one of the first songs, "Play that funky music, white boy!" I nearly died! One of my favorite memories of the whole weekend. We also got to catch up at the reception with Dani and Jay, Toni and Bob and Delia and Duston.

The night ended, as all things do. But the memories of it will be cherished for many years. And even if those memories fade, the same will never be said of the love we have for Ben and Allyssa.

Four and More for Jonelle

Wednesday

October 19, 2011

In Bellingham, hanging out with family and getting ready for the wedding on the 22nd.

My dress looks good, don't need to hem it.

When I left Chicago there were a lot of trees already changing colors, but in WA they are juuuuuuust starting to change. It's like double fall for me. Jonelle would be jealous!

Speaking of Jonelle, here are some more shots for her that I took in Chicago before I came over.

Eleven

October 12, 2011

Wednesday

Today I flew to Seattle. First time flying by myself since I was 15. Less nervous than I thought I’d be. But we DID just fly in September for the Hindi assembly AND I’m flying out of the airport I know the best into the airport I probably know second best. The one and only other time I flew by myself is when I was 15, and my uncle and aunt delivered me to the terminal and my mom met me on the other end at the baggage claim, so I didn’t really DO anything on my own.

I look up from typing this on the plane and see michael scott as a blond woodsman, daryl as count dracula, todd packer as a nun. OMB I just looked up and saw Timothy Oliphant! I MUST find and watch this episode ASAP!!!!!

For Jonelle