Xavierism

National Day of Prayer

I am proud to be a Catholic.

A Little Xavierism

Running the Temecula Valley Half Marathon - January 21st, 2012

On April 18th, 2012, I wrote a blog update about Rose 'Sporty Diva' Coates and her amazing story how she lost 110 pounds. I'm blessed to have Rosie as a friend and Mentor. Rose has a long term goal - "to compile the profiles and stories of various people to be turned into a book to be sold on Kindle with proceeds going to a charity that centers around health and wellness (to be determined at a future date)." I'm honored that Rose reached out to me so that I can share my story. I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people that have entered my life while on this journey to better health and a healthier Life.

I'm honored that Rose has featured My Weight Loss Story on her blog: Sporty Diva's 98445 Blog. Feel free to head to Rosie's blog, comment, share. Thank you so much Rose for allowing me to be a part of your long term goal. Thank you, thank you!

Along San Juan Road at South Mountain

Along San Juan Road at South Mountain

This past week and weekend were incredible. I enjoyed special moments with many old and new friends. Played tennis and ran with incredible people/friends that push me to be a better athlete. I decided not to run the Whiskey Row Half Marathon this year. I plan to concentrate on 57th Annual Fontana Days Run (Half Marathon). I really want to PR at this race.

One of the hardest courses for me to run is along San Juan Road at South Mountain. First two miles is an incline and my legs just feel worn out by Mile 3. Once I find my groove, I'm okay. This only means one thing: Gotta improve and do more Hill Training. Ugh. I look forward to becoming frirends with this course. The view along South Mountain is definitely one of Mother Nature's best.  Yesterday I ran this course and made the mistake of leaving my Sony MP3 player at home. ACK! I planned to run 8 miles but I'm happy with 7.5 miles. I plan to run this route at least once a week. 

I can hear the Neighbor Mockingbird proudly singing his song. House is quiet. Music is playing low. My Soul & Spirit are singing just as loud as the Mockingbird. Ready to make this week a great one.

*****CHEERS!*****

Pic on The Run!

There are nights when sleep is simply not an option. My mind just wants to wander about and not shut itself off. Usually about that time, a Mockingbird starts to sing his song. This little bird will sing and sing from about 10am till about 3am in the morning. I often feel as though he's a Guardian Angel. I hear his song and I fall asleep immediately. The simply joys in Life are indeed free --- and so very simple!

I woke up this morning at 5am ready for a morning run. I've noticed other runs will take their cam and snap pics while on a run. I thought I'd do the sam this morning. I took this pic while heading South on Central Avenue across from St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. I like that I was able to snap a pic with the light rail heading in my direction. Cool morning run - the city was still half alseep. I felt as though my world was at easy and I could cleary hear and feel my thoughts. This was a perfect way to start my day.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Chris McClarney's Your Love Never Fails

Current Mood: Well Rested

Rose 'Sporty Diva' Coates

Rosie 'Rose~Sporty Diva' Coates on The Today Show - April 2008

***Random Play

*Kerrie Roberts: Self Titled CD

*The Script: Science & Faith

*Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Make a Scene

*Will Young: Echoes

*Andrea Marchant: Counting Down

*Goyte: Making Mirrors

The Internet can be a beautiful thing. It has a way of weaving and bringing people together. I remember reading various articles on the Runner's World site, I came across an article about a remarkable woman that lost 110 pounds. Anyone that puts their mind to making such a change to better their lives is on my Inspirational List. This woman was/is Rosie 'Rose-Sporty Diva' Coates. I immediately remembered she was featured on The Today Show years ago and was thrilled to see that she continued to live her dream and inspire others. I immediately reached out to her and we have continued a friendship ever since.

Rose has a long term goal - "to compile the profiles and stories of various people to be turned into a book to be sold on Kindle with proceeds going to a charity that centers around health and wellness (to be determined at a future date)." I'm honored that Rose reached out to me so that I can share my story. I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people that have entered my life while on this journey to better health and a healthier Life.

Rosie's Site: SportyDiva.com

Rose has made 'commitment to blog about various health and fitness related topics once a week and to include stories about people who have overcome their weight and exercise challenges OR who are in the process of transitioning into a healthier lifestyle.'

Sporty Diva's 98445 Blog

So please visit Rosie's Site & Blog. Let's work and help one another reach our fitness goals.

*****CHEERS!***** 

Current Music: Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Not Giving Up On Love

Current Mood: Healthy, Thankful & Happy!

There goes 1655!

Hollywood Half Marathon / April 7th, 2012

Truly felt blessed sharing Orthodox Good Friday during The Procession with The Epitaphios at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. After Mass, I attended Happy Hour with a few friends and enjoyed great conversations. I left such great company early because I had to return home and do a bit of house cleaning. I'm the Hazel of this house!

I haven't ran all that much this week. My legs have slowly come around and seem to be ready for tomorrow's Sabino Canyon Sunset Run. This was a rough run for me last year. My goal is to have fun and cross the finish line with a better time.

House and bird cages are clean. Tortilla Soup is ready to be placed into containers and stored in the freezer. I am ready to celebrate Orthodox Easter.

*****CHEERS!*****

A Collection of Thoughts

***Random Play

*Idina Menzel: I Stand

*Jamie Drake: When I Was Yours

*Jonny Diaz: More Beautiful You

*Tara MacLean: Passenger

*Lamb: Between Darkness & Wonder

*Amanda Marshall: Tuesday's Child

We're already into April of 2012. When I was in my 20's and enjoying Life's thrills and surprises, I never once thought about how Life would be while in my 40's. Now I find myself asking God to slow down the Wheel of Time. Older I get the more I realize how valuable moments really are & embrace the joy for each breath that I'm allowed and given.

This coming Saturday, I will be running the Hollywood Half Marathon. This will be my 5th Half Marathon this year and 11th overall since I took up running last year. I look forward to running through the streets of Hollywood.

I took up running again for the sole purpose of losing weight. So many times I've lost weight over and over again through proper nutrition and running...only to stop completely and continue the Yo Yo Dieting Syndrome. This time I have stuck to the program and can finally state that this has become a lifestyle. I've worked so hard to turn back. I've ran so many miles only to gain all the weight back and lose self confidence. I have a great support group of friends and fellow runners. Mornings when I don't want to run, I remind myself how lonely I felt when I was overweight. The weight gain always affects my social life. I feel heavy and overweight, I avoid social outings with friends. I'm blessed and thankful that I haven't felt this way in over two years.

One of the joys of running, in my opinion, is facing your demons through self meditation and therapy during runs. It's just me and the open road. Music is usually playing very low but when the voices in my head start to overwhelm my thoughts, I have no choice but to deal with situations head on. I find that I'm not as stressed as before. There's nothing like running or playing tennis and working up a good sweat.

I'm not a great runner so I can't give tips on running but I feel I am qualified to share the simple joys of running. I will never win a race. I will never be at the top of my age division. I will however be listed as someone that completed a race. I will take joy that the weight continues to stay off. At 47, I'm more determined to take care of this body than ever before.

I so wanted to run this morning but decided to lay off and save the fresh legs for Saturday's race. I want to run a good race. I know I have it in me.

Holy week is always so special. Easter brings back so many wonderful memories from my childhood. I can remember the beautiful Easter baskets filled with chocolate goodies that would be waiting for us after Sunday Mass. I will have a few chocolates on Easter as a reward.

The older I get the more I relish in the simple joys of Life. Countless Blessings are all around me.

Current Music: Jamie Drake's Beautiful

Current Mood: Thankfully thankful for This Very Moment!

Sunday, Sunday!

Tina, Patrici, Bere, Myself, Elma & Mary - South Mountain Classic 20k/5K at South Mountain

***Random Play

*Kerri Roberts: Self Titled CD

*NeedToBreathe: The Reckoning

*Melissa Polinar: As of Now EP

*Alison Krauss and Union Station: Paper Airplane

*Matt Dusk: Good News

*Angie Stevens: Queen of This Mess

Sunday mornings are such blessings. I love my spirit knows it's Sunday and differ from the other days of the week. Woke up early feeling energetic so I went for a short run. Elma from our running group also has a Nike+ SportWatch GPS and showed me a trick & setting on the watch. I didn't realize you could set the top part of watch to a Stat Loop so that it constantly changes and updates the Elapsed Time, Distance, Average Pace & Current Pace.  I was excited to take my watch for a short test run. Love it! *Thanks, Elma!

Yesterday morning I ran the South Mountain Classic 5K at South Mountain. Running on San Juan Road is always a challenge for me. I've participated in a few races there and this was the first time I didn't get flustered or frustrated. There was a moment where I just wanted to forget about my time and just walk and breeze through the course. My race spirit wouldn't allow me to do that. I was thrilled and thankful that five of my Beautiful & Chinga fast Chicas were there to run the 20K race. I see and feel progress with my running. I owe a great deal to Bere for the inspiration and butt kicking. Thank you, Bere!

Time to get ready for Sunday Mass. I have a great deal to be thankful for...and I'm ready to have a Conversation with God. Enjoy Sunday!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Needtobreathe's Devil's Been Talkin'

Cuttent Mood: Thankful for a Heart full of Blessings

Grand Canyon University's Run to Fight Children's Cancer 5K- Spring Edition

***Random Play

*Harry Connick, Jr.: Only You

*Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now

*Natalie Merchant: Retrospective 1995-2005

*Julia Fordham: That's Life

*Jamie Drake: When I Was Yours

*Gavin Rossdale: Wanderlust

It's 77 degrees at 5pm on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. I'm currently writing this post beside our pool in the backyard. I see God's Love shining all around me. It's a beautiful thing to see & feel!

This will be a quick update. I really wanted to share the news of yesterday's 5K race. I've never ran very well in 5 and 10K races. My person PR for a 5K is 29:24. My 5K Race PR was 33:31 but that changed as of yesterday. I completed the Grand Canyon University's Run to Fight Children's Cancer 5K - Spring Edition Race with a time of 32:59. This meant a great deal to me since the last 5K race I ran in December was a miserable 36:07. I was telling friends that I often feel like the Sasha Cohen/Johnny Weir of running. I do well while training but always screw up during races. So this latest race gives me Hope. I feel as though I'm heading in the direction with this running thing. I look forward to my next Half Marathon race on Saturday. My body, legs and feet are feeling great. My right ankle injury is no longer a problem. I'm ready to train my best so that I can avenge my last half marathon time of 2:44:42.

Sunday evening will include a homemade pizza and movie night...another quiet night at home with my Umbrella Cockatoos. Life is a blessing!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Gavin Rossdale's Forever May You Run

Current Mood: Fresh & Easy

Recollections

 

***Random Play

*Francesca Battistelli: My Paper Heart - Deluxe Edition

*Whitney Houston: I Look To You

*Matt Dusk: Two Shots

*Judith Owen: Here

*Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Read My Lips

*Will Young: The Hits

Great weekend. I kept to myself for the most part. I did enjoy a Saturday morning run and breakfast with friend, Lark. I attended early Mass on Sunday and returned home and meditated, prayed & spent time recollecting precious moments from my past. I sorted out boxes and boxes of old photographs, letters & cards.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 84th Academy Awards. I am happy that Meryl Streep took home the Oscar for the Best Actress for her role as the Iconic Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. I wasn't too fond with how the movie show cased the former leader as senile but Meryl was superb during Thatcher's peak years. I was quite happy to see that recognition was given to a woman that portrayed the Life of an amazing woman of the 20th Century. The Academy got it right this time!

I'm ready to start training for my next half marathon: Six Tunnels to the Hoover Dam Half Marathon. My right foot feels good. I'm so ready to prove to myself that I can run a better race after that last half marathon.

A close friend of the family passed away last weekend. This woman was part of my childhood memories. She had 3 children but I was close to the oldest daughter that was a year younger than myself. She was diagnosed with Cancer and after her long battle of illness, she was never quite the same. I had various conversations with her during the last of her years and she was simply tired. When I last visited with her, I didn't see the 73 year old woman but rather the young woman she was that I remembered during my grade school years. She was a strong and fierce woman. This served as a reminder that we are all apart of one another's lives.

This week I reconnected with former best friends during two very rough periods of my life. I'm so blessed to have these 4 people back in my life. Ann was a dear friend of mine just before I came out. We parted ways because she was engaged to her then boyfriend and didn't like our relationship. The three male friends became my best friends during the years I came out. They were there for and with me through the beginning of my 'gay' life. I don't know how I would have made it this far without them. Kim, Rodney & Harry were true gifts of friendships. Love or hate Facebook, it has the power to reconnect with the ones you've truly missed in your life.

I treasure the friendships I currently have and those I lost for one reason or another. Last Summer I was constantly praising three people for their friendship. Turns out I'm no longer friends with those three individuals. Sad but Life goes on. The blessings that resulted from those friendships were two people that are still in my Life - Patty & Arriana. I am thankful that my inner circle consists of the same friends as always. 2012 started off rocky but I feel the tide turning. I'm ready to get back on track and follow the detour so that I can get back on my path to this journey called Life.

Ben Rector recored an outstanding cover of Whitney Houston's ' I Wanna Dance with Somebody' on January 15th, 2012. This cover is special because he recorded this before the Woman with 'The Voice' passed away. He played all the instruments & sang the back up vocals. Love how musicans turn an amazing song and mold it into a song of their own. Hope you enjoy this cover as performed by Ben.

Simple Joys are all around us - they're like little treasures. Take a moment and search - you'll be surprised at what you'll find.

****CHEERS!****

Current Music: Judith Owen's Here

Current Mood: Wide Awake & Thankful for this Moment!