Join me in my journey...

I'm going to participate in my first half marathon. I have a blog documenting the journey. I hope you'll follow along. I'm way behind in updating this blog but I promise I will have lots of new content soon!

http://cdefrank-runbabyrun.blogspot.com/

California

A little over a week ago I flew out to Orange County California to visit my friend John. I had a blast! It was relaxing, entertaining and beautiful. I spent a week there and when I wasn't working out, relaxing at the pool or soaking in the hot tub, I was exploring SoCal with John and some new friends. I did a lot in just a week:


• Stars on Hollywood Blvd.
• Night out in West Hollywood
• Hike in LA near the Hollywood sign
• Shopping on Rodeo Dr.
• Drive along Mulholland Dr.
• Night out in Long Beach
• Bike ride from Santa Monica to Venice Beach
• Dipped my toes in the Pacific
• Dinner and drinks at Long Beach
• Massage, Manicure and Pedicure at Burke Williams Day Spa
• Amazing Crepes for dinner and an even more amazing dessert
• Taco Tuesday
• Evening walk along Laguna Beach and through the town (my favorite part!)
• Nose pierced at Laguna Beach
• Drives along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)
• All you can eat sushi

More photos:
http://web.mac.com/cdefrank/iWeb/Site/cali%20iweb.html

Atlanta Pride 5K Run

This morning I participated in the Atlanta Pride 5K run at Piedmont park. I had originally signed up for the race because I knew two of the girls running in it. We had made plans to meet up at the park before the race and run together. That didn't end up happening.

The girls ended up bailing so I was left with the decision to attend the race on my own...or I could just skip it? I'm happy to say I dug deep out of my comfort zone and attended the race. It was an amazing feeling to accomplish this on my own. The 3.1 mile run was a piece of cake compared to the anxiety I had to overcome to actually get there. My time ended up being 29:29, one of my best times out of the 5K's I have ran over the past years.

After the race, I collected a t-shirt, banana, water and bag full of coupons and samples with a smile on my face and a very proud feeling inside. I turned my ipod back on as I walked to my car and a song randomly began that sums up my life perfectly at this moment.

Exactly by Amy Steinberg

i am exactly where i need to be
i need to be exactly where i am
i am a blessing manifest
i can undress the moment
naked time unwinds beneath my mind
and from within i find the kind of beauty
only i can find
i am exactly where i need to be
i need to be exactly where i am
i am surrendering so willingly
to be the perfect me inside this now
and truly how else could it be
destiny she blesses me
destiny she blesses me
when i try to fight or run
i only wind up back at square one
when i think i know what’s best for me
fate she takes me back
to exactly where i need to be
i am exactly where i need to be
i need to be exactly where i am
i am divinely timed and shining brightly
yes i believe that there’s a purpose just for me
yes i believe that we are light
and we shine infinitely
i am exactly where i need to be
i need to be exactly where i am
i am not aimlessly existing see
i am in perfect harmony with universal energy
and i am truly free when i accept my own divinity
look at me look at me closely
tell me exactly what you see
if you are paying attention you will now begin ascension of the mind
why, because if you look at me just right you will see a kiss
for it took a kiss to make this breath exist
the intersection of my mother’s and father’s lips
to touch twist and perfect what came next to produce me
look at me and you will see the breeze
the breeze it took to shake the leaves to make
my mother’s hair move, my father dare touch it and say
please may i have a kiss
yes the breeze made me exist
and if you want to get even deeper into this
when you look at me you will see a cloud
the cloud it took to form the storm to make the breeze shake the leaves to
inspire the liplock – yes a raindrop will pop up out these words
you heard me right
if you look at me close enough you will see a dark stormy night
and what is night
well night ain’t night without it’s polar opposite of sunlight
so if you watch the way my hands sway
you’ll see the light of day
and everyday is a testament to the sediment of the earth’s core
it’s ever spinning enormous force so if you look at me just right
you will see a spark of the source
but the most fascinating thing about this, and it’s true
is that if you look at me just right, you see you
it’s only what you perceive how you believe the space between
you and me
that creates reality
so when i sing you can feel it
when i cry you can heal it
when i speak words you can be the words i speak by singing with me
peace love free, peace love free
peace love free, peace love free
peace love free, peace love free
peace love free, peace love free
when i try to fight or run
i only wind up back at square one
when i think i know what’s best for me
fate she takes me back
to exactly where i need to be
and when i am alone and full of fear
i just remember the rising sun always appears
everyday miracles, miracles that i see
well they take me back
they take me back
they take me back
to exactly where i need to be

Barbara Kruger

I'm writing an 11 page research paper on Barbara Kruger. She is internationally renowned for her signature black, white and red poster-style works of art that convey in-your-face messages on women's rights and issues of power. You've probably seen her work before, just thought I'd share it with all of you. http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/feminist/Barbara-Kruger.html

EARTH (to all people that hog sidewalks) DAY.

In honor of Earth Day I decided to leave my SUV at home today and ride my bike to do some errands. The total trip ended up being about 10 miles (class was canceled so I had some time to spare). It felt great to get a workout in while getting stuff done all while treating the earth a little better. Although, I do have to point out what a shame it is that biking around this town/city is not all pleasant.

Now, I'm not one of those hardcore bikers that go with the flow of traffic. That scares the crap out of me.
I bike on the sidewalk...and I was very mistaken when I thought the hardest part of my trip would be the physical aspect. Even though I'm very outta shape that was a piece of cake compared to the idiots I had to maneuver around. I'm not kidding. Three or four times I'd be riding toward two people walking side by side and neither of the moved out of the way. They clearly saw me...I was headed right for them. Then there were the people that found it necessary to walk right in the middle of the sidewalk, as if they owned it and no one else would be traveling by foot or bike on "their" sidewalk. I'd even let out an "Ahem! Excuse Me" and they wouldn't budge. So I'd hop off my bike and go around them. And last but not lease there were the drivers. Drivers HATE bikers. Drivers also forgot what those white lines sprayed on the road before a traffic light are for. Just in case one of you are one of those drivers that forgot, they are for pedestrians to walk or ride on. It's our only way of crossing the street safely.

So while my intention started out as a way to do my part to treat the earth better today, I learned a lot and nothing has to do with the earth. I'm definately going to make a better effort to consider the people around me, especially while I'm on the road driving my car.

Don't worry. I have not become discouraged from riding my bike around Atlanta, next time I'm riding and two people are walking toward me on the side walk, I'm not stopping. Ha ha, maybe then they'll learn their lesson.

cmd

p.s. Yes mom, I did wear my helmet. ;)

Savasana....

Saturday mornings I've been attending a yoga class at Piedmont Park. It's so much fun. It's a great workout and relaxing at the same time. In this picture we had just finished the workout and were in Savasana...This pose is about letting go completely. Proper relaxation is essential for the health of our mind and body and for clarity of thought for making good choice. You can actually see me! I'm in the front row, all the way to the right, wearing a maroon long sleeve shirt. Next time I go, I'm going to ride my bike to the park (it's about two miles away from my apartment).

This yoga class was such a nice break from a very busy week. SCAD is amazing and intense. I am swarmed with homework every night but I'm not complaining at all. I love it. So, I'm doing well and I really enjoy my classes. It's so nice to be learning and sharing in a creative environment. I'm so impressed by the work the SCAD students produce. It's a real honor to be a part of such a talented group of people.

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Loving Atlanta!

Well I've been here in Atlanta for a little over a week and I've already done so much. It's even more amazing than I thought it would be. I'm not having any problems adjusting to the 70 degree weather, walks in piedmont park, bike rides exploring midtown, cocktails on the patio and so many other things.

The people here are very friendly. Rex and I got invited to a "Yappy Hour" at the park near by on Fridays. I've been taking him running with me and it turns out he is even more out of shape than I am. I might do a 10K in July...I'll keep you posted on that.

My apartment is great and is in the perfect location so I'll be walking or riding my bike to class. I have everything set up and organized so it feels like home. Elyse (Audra's sister) moved in today. It's nice to have a familiar face around.

Here are some pics to better sum up the past week...

Living Room

Kitchen

Deck

St. Patties Day with Mark & Rob

Georgia Aquarium

About to eat raw oysters...

Eating raw oysters...

Never again.