A Walk Down Memory Lane…

This morning came early as our alarm went off at 4am. Bo and I had 45 minutes to shower, pack, and get dressed before heading out the door for the airport. As you may recall, we are spending the weekend in South Bend, Indiana to be with family as we celebrate the life of my grandmother and uncle both of whom recently passed away. It is a bittersweet weekend walk down memory lane as I was supposed to be in Meg’s wedding this weekend. But, at the end of the day, family comes first and that is what this weekend is all about. Spending the day with my family meant so much to both Bo and me as the day progressed.

Luckily, our travels were smooth. This was the first connecting flight I’ve taken in ages. There are very few direct flights to South Bend from NYC so our options were far and few between when we booked the flight two weeks ago. During our quick 20 minute layover in Detroit Bo and I were able to snag breakfast. We were craving something healthy yet substantial as we knew we wanted to squeeze in a quick run when we arrived in South Bend. I was apprehensive when I saw that Einstein’s Brothers Bagels was our only choice. However, I was pleased to see their advertisement for the new bagel thins.  I enjoyed a Bagel Thin sandwich complete with egg whites, spinach, and tomatoes. It needed some salt and ketchup but was otherwise a delicious carb and protein mix.

As we were boarding our plane it started to pour! I was worried that our flight would be delayed but luckily these ugly clouds didn’t keep us from reaching South Bend!

After arriving, I made good on my promise to Bo and took him on a tour of Notre Dame campus via a 4 mile run. It was a tough run for me as it was my first outdoor run in the last couple of weeks. But, I finished it and will do it again tomorrow. Hopefully after a few days back on the pavement I’ll feel more confident about my upcoming half marathon. Regardless, campus was absolutely gorgeous and Bo felt the beauty and magic that I felt on this campus growing up.

After our run we met up with my family and aunt for a walk down memory lane. It included some of my aunt and dad’s favorite old places in South Bend.

Blog Pictures 2010 149The State Theatre downtown which was showing Casablanca today only!

Blog Pictures 2010 162Blog Pictures 2010 161

My close friends and family know that during football season my heart is split between two teams, UGA and Notre Dame. I was a Notre Dame cheerleader for FIVE Halloweens in a row and grew up singing the fight song every Saturday as my dad and his entire family grew up in South Bend and their lives revolved around Notre Dame. Blog Pictures 2010 148  Random gorilla sighting? It turns out the owner of a local chocolate store thinks South Bend needs more outdoor art and this gorilla is the first of many sculptures. Interesting article here.Blog Pictures 2010 157Blog Pictures 2010 151 Blog Pictures 2010 153 Blog Pictures 2010 154 Blog Pictures 2010 155 My dad and his family grew up with this bakery. Every single birthday cake, Saturday treat, etc came from the hallowed walls of this buttercreamed filled bakery. Dad and Rusty indulged on a few delicious petite fours this afternoon. I must admit, this was the best petite four I’ve ever had.   Blog Pictures 2010 160  As you can see from my aunt and father above, this weekend is all about family and being with loved ones. I am so blessed that Bo and I are able to share this. It is truly helping him understand more and more about my roots. The walk down memory lane continues later this evening with dinner at Roco’s, South Bend’s oldest pizzeria and the place they grew up with. In fact, this friendly face served them a fresh slice every Friday night for over 20 years! Delicious pizza here I come! Hopefully this will be the perfect treat before a long run tomorrow morning.

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A Walk Down Memory Lane…

This morning came early as our alarm went off at 4am. Bo and I had 45 minutes to shower, pack, and get dressed before heading out the door for the airport. As you may recall, we are spending the weekend in South Bend, Indiana to be with family as we celebrate the life of my grandmother and uncle both of whom recently passed away. It is a bittersweet weekend walk down memory lane as I was supposed to be in Meg’s wedding this weekend. But, at the end of the day, family comes first and that is what this weekend is all about. Spending the day with my family meant so much to both Bo and me as the day progressed.

Luckily, our travels were smooth. This was the first connecting flight I’ve taken in ages. There are very few direct flights to South Bend from NYC so our options were far and few between when we booked the flight two weeks ago. During our quick 20 minute layover in Detroit Bo and I were able to snag breakfast. We were craving something healthy yet substantial as we knew we wanted to squeeze in a quick run when we arrived in South Bend. I was apprehensive when I saw that Einstein’s Brothers Bagels was our only choice. However, I was pleased to see their advertisement for the new bagel thins.  I enjoyed a Bagel Thin sandwich complete with egg whites, spinach, and tomatoes. It needed some salt and ketchup but was otherwise a delicious carb and protein mix.

As we were boarding our plane it started to pour! I was worried that our flight would be delayed but luckily these ugly clouds didn’t keep us from reaching South Bend!

After arriving, I made good on my promise to Bo and took him on a tour of Notre Dame campus via a 4 mile run. It was a tough run for me as it was my first outdoor run in the last couple of weeks. But, I finished it and will do it again tomorrow. Hopefully after a few days back on the pavement I’ll feel more confident about my upcoming half marathon. Regardless, campus was absolutely gorgeous and Bo felt the beauty and magic that I felt on this campus growing up.

After our run we met up with my family and aunt for a walk down memory lane. It included some of my aunt and dad’s favorite old places in South Bend.

Blog Pictures 2010 149The State Theatre downtown which was showing Casablanca today only!

Blog Pictures 2010 162Blog Pictures 2010 161

My close friends and family know that during football season my heart is split between two teams, UGA and Notre Dame. I was a Notre Dame cheerleader for FIVE Halloweens in a row and grew up singing the fight song every Saturday as my dad and his entire family grew up in South Bend and their lives revolved around Notre Dame. Blog Pictures 2010 148  Random gorilla sighting? It turns out the owner of a local chocolate store thinks South Bend needs more outdoor art and this gorilla is the first of many sculptures. Interesting article here.Blog Pictures 2010 157Blog Pictures 2010 151 Blog Pictures 2010 153 Blog Pictures 2010 154 Blog Pictures 2010 155 My dad and his family grew up with this bakery. Every single birthday cake, Saturday treat, etc came from the hallowed walls of this buttercreamed filled bakery. Dad and Rusty indulged on a few delicious petite fours this afternoon. I must admit, this was the best petite four I’ve ever had.   Blog Pictures 2010 160  As you can see from my aunt and father above, this weekend is all about family and being with loved ones. I am so blessed that Bo and I are able to share this. It is truly helping him understand more and more about my roots. The walk down memory lane continues later this evening with dinner at Roco’s, South Bend’s oldest pizzeria and the place they grew up with. In fact, this friendly face served them a fresh slice every Friday night for over 20 years! Delicious pizza here I come! Hopefully this will be the perfect treat before a long run tomorrow morning.

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Three Question Favorites and Sweatin’ and Gettin Muscles

If you haven’t done so yet, don’t forget to enter my Swiffer giveaway here!

Today was an exhausting twelve hour work day. I had an 8am meeting which meant that by the time I turned the computer off this evening and left the office I’d been hard at it for over twelve hours. Today was a meeting filled day which meant I was constantly moving from room to room and changing topics. While I love being part of a dynamic team and collaborating, sometimes the meetings mean it’s 5pm by the time I’m able to start attacking my own to do list.
Therefore, tonight consists of Grey’s Anatomy, sushi, and lots of this…

Three Question Thursday!
I really enjoy learning about bloggers and readers! Therefore, i’m going to try and get better about participating in Iowa Girl’s Three Question Thursdays! Feel free to answer these in the comments section so I can get to know you  better!
Three Question Thursday timefavorite’s edition!
1. What’s your favorite tool/gadget in your kitchen?
2. What’s your favorite candy?
3. What’s your favorite color AND your favorite color to wear?
My answers!
1. My favorite kitchen gadget/tool is our Epicurean cutting board. I was introduced to this brand when I took cooking classes at the Viking Culinary School in Philadelphia.  It is reversible, dishwasher safe, has a groove that catches juices, and is highly durable!
Epicurean Cutting Board with Well
2. I love anything chewy and fruity like Twizzlers, Swedish Fish, or gummy worms. In fact, Meg and I used to use these as our “brain food” when we were studying for finals at the AOPi house in college! Luckily I substitute raw carrots, celery, and other crunchy goodness as brain candy these days.

3. My favorite color is coral or teal. Both colors look wonderful with my complexion and perk me right up! I love wearing navy and yellow this season.
Sweatin’ and Gettin Muscles
My favorite Georgia blogger, Gina, has done it again! She is a great inspiration everyday and serves as a health and fitness role model. She is not only proof that lifting weight won’t bulk you up like Hulk but she also balances the stresses of base/service wife with great workouts, recipes, and more! Earlier this week she posted her second Iron Pumping Plan to help her readers discover new muscles just in time for summer. I always do better with a plan and some discipline. Gina’s plan is perfect for that and exactly what I needed and wanted right now. I’ve completed this two days so far (Monday and Tuesday) and have loved it. It is the perfect mix and short enough that I still have time to add in bursts of cardio to keep the sweat dripping! Here is a taste of the workout that I did on Monday and Tuesday:
Monday:
Overhead press with twist
Bent-over row and kickback
Saxon Side Bend
Bench Push Up
Plie Squat with inner thigh squeeze (place a larger stability ball in between your heels; as you squat down, touch your booty to the ball before standing back up. As you stand up, using your inner thigh muscles, squeeze the stability ball)
Hanging Leg Raises
Tuesday:
Sumo Deadlift
Side squat and leg raise
Dumbbell hammer curls
Supine Tricep extension
Pilates double leg stretch
Ultimate toe touch
Seated row
Lateral to front raises (bring the weights up to your sides (lateral raise) –making your body a capital “T”- then continue to bring the weights forward from the “T” position, so that your arms are extended straight in front of you, with the weights at the same level as your chest. Bring the weights down and repeat)
Between each set I did a 2 minute sprint on the treadmill at 8.0 MPH to keep my heartbeat up. I highly suggest clicking on the links that Gina set up before you head to the gym so you can master the proper form in order to decrease injury risk. I had NO clue what the Saxon side bend was or the pilates double stretch was until I clicked these links.
If you want to learn more about her great workouts head on over to her site and give it a try. Just seeing her great attitude will be inspiration enough to get you lifting weights the next day.  

**NYC area readers and bloggers*** Leave a comment if you’re interested in a May weeknight potluck. I’m itching to host something in our new apartment.

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