Friday, July 29, 2011

can someone buy me this? please and thank you.

glimpse of El Salvador No. 1

my home for two weeks. no hot water. we didn't have to cook here, but this is our kitchen where other people cook who live in these apartments.



rules of a gentleman No. 70

Thursday, July 28, 2011

sleeping with El Sal.

i've been a real big fan of geometric prints lately that have come into style. loud. bright. geometric patterns. on clothes, housewares, everything. you can imagine my delight when i discovered this garment of a linen throw while in the market in San Salvador. one of my many treasures i brought home. that i will now sleep with at night remembering my incredible God ordained journey and my friends in another land...

last night.

and so my last night i had spent in the USA, July 14... my dad took me to one of my beloved restaurants as my send-off dinner. Christopher's in Wayne, PA. my beloved town. we dined on the sidewalk with chilled wine, great food, and good talks. love you dad.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

leaving it all behind.

...my flat iron stays home
...there is no paint on my nails (which never happens)
...i need a new pedicure desperately
...my make up bag sits on my dresser
...there are no accessories or jewelry on me (tragic)
...my purse sits in my bedroom right where i left it this morning
...my high heels lay on the floor of my closet waiting for my next night on the town or social affair
...my beloved car will sit in a parking lot for 12 days untouched
...i will be without my iPhone and BB for a very long time
...i have no laptop or access to internet, so long facebook!

i leave it all behind. off to El Salvador on a 12 day mission trip at 3am tonight! i leave it behind to enter into a life nothing similar to mine. to step outside my comfort zone and just be among God's people in a community of simplicity. because that's all we REALLY need. their needs are met, and they're happy. there are no super malls and fancy restaurants. but yet joy remains.

it is quite different for sure getting ready to leave on a 12 day international mission trip. more different than anything i'm used to or have done before. but i felt God tugging at my heart and here i am. He has never failed me yet, and so i trust. i trust in safety watching over our team. and i trust in our leadership. and i trust that God's plan is the ultimate one and we must go where we are called. for His purpose.

may God's will be done. amen.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

rules of a gentleman No.190

just work hard. it's not hard work.

“And that’s the key word: career. Longevity. The long haul. What’s really good with building a career, leaving a legacy, and making a substantial mark on this world? All the millenials want (and see) is point Z. They don’t want to sit through and listen to B or C, or work Saturday nights on J or K, or wake up early on Sunday for P and Q. They just want Z. And when they can’t endure the pains, struggle, and valuable life lessons that a few years of Ds and Es take, they’re onto the next one. Unfortunately, they’re missing the point. It’s not about Z, it’s never been (C’mon Z’s a crappy letter anyways, all it’s good for is Zebra and Pizza). A truly invaluable life is comprised of the journey: achieving and appreciating the entire alphabet. The hard work is the trophy.


Work hard. It’s that simple, guys. Just work hard and you’ve already one-upped the rest. It’s an unsung art, and it’s the answer. And unlike money or connections or all the other excuses people make as to why someone else has the advantage, hard work is something that everyone has access to.”



from: source

agreed...!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Lake Wallenpaupack, summer of 2011

our first visit for the summer of 2011. i could have blog posts back to the summer of '81 when i was born. i grew up here in the summer and it's one of the most beautiful peaceful places - my favorite summer spot. as a baby i napped on the floor of the boat as my parents waterskiied... as a toddler, i waddled on the beach collecting sticks and sand... as a kid, i played in the fresh water spring that runs along side our beach feeding the lake making soups and dams out of rocks... as an older kid, dana and i invented different games in the woods at our house to play before dinner... as a teen, i began bringing friends and boyfriends to introduce them to the most wonderful place in my life. blessed to have a retreat as magestic as this. thank you, Nanny & Grandad - for building a retirement home you never retired to. because your first grandchild was born the year Grandad retired and you couldn't bare to be away from her. ME!

our first weekend was a bit different for 2011. we had to assist with all aspects of opening the house from winter, since my Grandad is still in a neckbrace from his trip and fall accident. hard work, then relaxing by the lake! no boat yet this year, as it would be too much for my Grandad to maintain on his own while wearing the brace. i miss our boat. and i miss skiing. but enjoyed the perfect weather weekend with family and my very dear good friend, Mary! whom i've known since middle school. old time good time friends.

view from our lavish beach...


rockstar parents. in every sense of the word.


Mary and I enjoying the deck and cocktails before dinner at the Yacht Club.


pre-dinner sight seeing over the lake...


thank you, Nanny & Grandad. for all you do for us. all the time. building memories with you never gets old.


breath taking...


back deck beers before lunch!

rules of a gentleman No.86

sunny drive.

if given a choice, this is how i would prefer to drive to work every day. around 830am when the sun is brightly shining just warm enough to use full sunroof and partial window. hair blowing. sipping island coconut iced coffee from mom and dad's Keurig. blasting Jason Aldean tunes. while also tanning my arms. rocking some sweet aves. (aviators) bliss.

Monday, July 11, 2011

this is me. after my kick butt gym session friday evening. sometimes i surprise myself and when i hopped on the treadmill, i ended up going 4 miles. it was raining outside heavily which is why i was forced to run inside. then i did over 50 push-ups for my 100 push-up challenge training. this called for a photo to document my milestone! i was feeling pretty good... until saturday morning arrived...

Friday, July 8, 2011

my view.

view from my conference call...

rainy afternoon here in the 'burbs of Philadelphia. but weatherdude says bright SUNNY and warm for tomorrow and Sunday. let's hope he's right!

things.

100.

that is how many push-ups i am supposed to be able to do consecutively after i'm doing with my 7 week training program from hundredpushups.com

admittedly stole this idea from an archive of one of my new blog friends, emily :)

i like a new challenge and being that i haven't been able to train for distance races in the past year or so due to my knees, i figured this was a new type of training schedule i would "enjoy". i use the term enjoy loosely.

so my friends, i dare you to join me on the challenge. it's a tough one! but gradual progression does wonders and i'm up to doing 30ish push-ups as my max set.

a little gun show never hurt anyone.

(this is not technically part of the program, but it is also useful to impress boys who were doing 10 push-ups with a pause for a sweet tea vodka shot to celebrate our nation's birthday. i said, ok fine i'll do it and raise you 10. thankyouverymuch.)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

happy bird.

for no other reason than why NOT be happy?! too much to live for.


flourescent bikini.

after this weekend at the shore, my friend Lacey was rocking this suit. and i fell in love. i need this. i mean, who doesn't?

(this is not Lacey, but i pic i found online.)


THIS is Lacey ;)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

rules of a gentleman No. 55

i love these! one day i'll find him ;)

run, sweat, pool.

who ever said Lululemon didn't make bathing suits? perfect summer evening to bust out a few miles at 8pm just before sun down. slight breeze, no real heat or humidity. lovely.

and this to come home to...

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

terrible...

we live in a sick world.

rules of a gentleman No. 06

4th of July highlights.

weekend filled with bliss of being at the seashore among best friends.

deck cocktails upon arriving Fri night...


Whitebrier Friday night.


Happy Hour WB on Saturday.


Rock N Chair Sat night.



red white blue day Sunday.


WHITE cruise Sunday night.