Xavierism

Kylie & Ella: A True Love Story

Our Babies Kylie (a Male Umbrella Cockatoo) & Baby Ella Sharing a Tender Moment. Kylie Moves in for Some Love...

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

Over 1000 Miles!

Early Monday morning and I'm ready to tackle the day. Weekend was very kind: an evening with good friends and much needed quiet time at home with our Umbrella Cockatoos. The older I get, the more I appreciate the fact that I am my own best friend. It's been a challenge now that my Life Partner/Soulmate is living in different state. We celebrated 12 years together on January 26th. It's only been a few weeks since he moved to accept a great job in Oklahoma City. This long distance relationship is hard but I know we'll be together again once Ro is able to find comparable job here in Phoenix.

Download A Tender Moment with Kylie : A little clip featuring Kyle whispering and chatting with me. ***I could only seem to play this clip using Apple's Quicktime Player.

More than ever running has become an active sanctuary for my peace of mind and self therapy. This past weekend I have officially ran over 1000 miles. As long as I've had an online blog, I never thought I would ever write about my running life, moments & races. If I were given a sneak peek 7 years ago into the future and learn that I took up running, I wouldn't have believed it. Running has always been a passion but always had excuse for not following through.  I'd run a few miles one day, a few miles days later and the I wouldn't run again for months at a time. Now I look forward to my morning runs...how did I get to this point? Regardless of the answer, I've got to admit that I love my life. I'm ready to head out for a run soon. I look forward to my adventures through the next 1000 miles.

 

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

Current Music: Empire of One's If I Let Myself Dream

Current Mood: Coffee Happy

Welcome 2012!

Enjoyed the first day of 2012.

 

*Enjoyed a lazy late morning in bed.

*Spent the day with Rodan

*We met up with a friend at Lux Central

*Attended Mass

*Enjoyed a late afternoon run

*Chilled on the couch with our cockatoos

A Perfect way to start off the New Year!

****CHEERS!****

My Personal Review of 2011

Alana Davis - 32 Flavors

I learned so much about myself throughout this year. I've always wanted to be a Runner.  If running around the block or two every now and then qualifies me as a runner then that was me. Although I wanted to be a runner that actually entered running events and actually stuck to goals and program. I'm not a great runner but I get out there and run. Early in the year, I felt a great ease while running. It wasn't till I ran a trail 10K run in April that slowed me down. For most of the Summer I felt a bit sluggish. I also realized that with anything in life, one must have a plan. I allowed myself to veer off that path and take the easy road. That was definitely a wrong turn. I'm now doing my best to get back on track and get ready for a New Year of great running. I want to see results and improve my Personal Records.

Without one's health, you're nothing! Thanks to running I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my life. If only I didn't wait till I turned 46 to understand all of this. Now that I am 47, I want to feel at my best. Two major surgeries and another Cancer scare during the Summer didn't stop me. Moral of this chapter? If you're not feeling well or something doesn't feel quite right, have it checked out by your Doctors. Don't wait! Better to correct the problem than to face the consequences head on.

Like any other year, I learned a great deal about friends and acquaintances. Funny how one can feel so connected to certain people and minor events happen that allow their true colors to show. Miki Howard wrote a very powerful quote: "Everyone who says they're a friend doesn't mean they're your friend." Thanks to running I have gained so many wonderful and supportive friends. Running connects us so again I am thankful that I am able to get out there and put one foor in front of the other. Overall I am thankful for the true friends in my life.

Rodan and I have added another year. We will soon celebrate 12 years together. It hasn't always been easy but it's definitely been worth it. 

Omar, Kylie & Baby Ella continue to be the Feathered Angels of our house. Each bird has a personality of their own...just like children. I will have to post most clips of our babies throughout 2012.

Praise God, my Patron Saints and Angels for allowing my Faith & Sense of Humor to get me through the rough patches. My good friends are like tiny treasure...priceless. So I thank those that have been there for Rodan and myself.

To those that read my blog or stumble upon this blog post, I do Wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to sharing in 2012!

*****CHEERS & LOVE!*****

Current Music: Alana Davis' 32 Flavors

Current Mood: Simply Blessed

Happy 2011!

 

Ella & Kylie Having a Snack while Watching a Judge Judy episode

Ella on 12seconds.tv

Since mid week, I've been nursing a bad cold. I've worked from home and have been determined to stay home bound till I get better. While Rodan is at work, I've enjoyed the company of Omar, Kylie, & Baby Ella. I had to share this clip.

*CHEERS*

All The Way

***Random Play
*A Fine Frenzy: One Cell In The Sea
*Sheila Kirsten Hughes: Perspectives
*Diana Winter: Escapizm
*Aly Tadros: Things Worth Keeping
*Salvador: Aware
*Celia Chavez: Sailor's Daughter

Time is cruel. Rather that's why I say every time I look into the mirror. Gray hairs are popping up like weeds in one's garden. A new wrinkle on face is given it's own name. Cruel. I remember things from grade school. I can remember how I felt at certain moments in time. Close my eyes and I'm back to the moment when my heart was broken for the first time. The 2nd time. The last time I spoke to my Buelita. The moment that I realized Mother and I have similar looking hands. Grand moments in my book.

The Little things. Like the title of my last blog post, I have really thought about the small blessings that I have taken for granted. It's no secret that I have always wanted to be a Father. I've always pictured that I would have a beautiful little girl. It never happened but am blessed to have three beautiful nieces. It's not the same but it's a grand blessing.

Other people actually have kids. I have three cockatoos. Three little feathered angels. I recently had another dream about St. Scholastica. Like the other dreams, she and I are sitting on the same bench surrounded by a beautiful garden. So many little pigeons, doves and smaller birds are in plain view. She gave me a few words of wisdom and inspiration. Just like the other dreams, I turn away to look at the garden and when I look back at St. Scholastica, she's gone. Every time I have these dreams, I truly feel her Love.

Working with Hospice groups, I also do my share as a volunteer. I have spent time with a few Hospice patients this week. On Tuesday, I had lunch with the Mother of a Hospice patient. She didn't ask for anything...she simply wanted to be heard. She had so much anger at God and this world. She simply wanted someone to listen. I sat. We cried. I gave her a grand hug. Every time I meet with family members or friends of Hospice patients, I always feel as though I should gain something from each experience. 

Busy lives. Busy people. Interaction between neighbours and is a thing of the past. It's great to see that Social Media is bringing people together. I believe that I am pretty good at keeping in touch with good friends. The Little Things seem to be grand things in my life right now. It's the little things that give me Faith & Hope. I am thankful that I can get lost in the sea of my blessings.

Take what you gather from this post. Remember that we each have so much to be thankful for...we really do. I woke up and immediately gave thanks to God, my Angels and Saints for allowing me to be part of this day. I look forward to today's challenges. Life is beautiful. Sometimes we must reflect to see & feel the beauty of it all.

Current Music: Salvador's Here I am
Current Mood: Thankful

It's Been A Good Day

Sitting in the Back Yard Enjoying A Quiet Moment... on 12seconds.tv

***Random Play
*Dave Yaden: Bear Me Up
*A Fine Frenzy: One Cell In The Sea
*Missy Higgins: On A Clear Night
*Tony Lucca: Come Around Again
*Celia Chavez: Sailor's Daughter
*Carrie Catherine: Green Eyed Soul

It's been a good day. I accomplished every thing that I set out to do today. On top of that, I worked in our yard and planted Bangkok Red Bougainvilleas. These shrubs can be seeing everywhere in Phoenix.  It's good to know we finally added more colour to our yard. I ran with 3 miles with a group of friends this evening. I actually passed on dinner with friends to run. Somethin' must be changing within me...and I like it. My Baby, a Netbook, returned from the repair shop. It's running better than ever. I really missed my little toy.

Here I am sitting in our backyard by the pool. Birds are out on the porch sitting on top of their cages. Wind feels nice. Wind chimes are playing their own tune. I can hear the music playing from inside the house. Ordinary wine tastes special tonight. Too bad Rodan is working. Overall, it's been a another good day.

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

Current Music: A Fine Frenzy's Ashes and Wine
Current Mood: Peaceful & Content

Polka Time with Omar!

Polka Time with Omar! from Xavierism on Vimeo.