Yes, I'm Alive...

What a whirlwind of weeks it has been.  With 3 apartment floodings, a ceiling that caved in, a maggot infestation, it's a wonder why I didn't move out until the balcony from the apartment directly above mine collapsed onto mine... right after I finished having dinner there.  Yikes!   Although living out of bags and couch surfing was fun while it lasted, I was thrilled when my management company found a furnished apartment for me to use until they had finished gutting and practically re-building my place. (And by "found" I of course mean managed to offer once they received a quote for the hotel I was getting ready to check into).  But now that the majority of the work is done... the only tasks left are ripping out and replacing my hardwood floors and demolishing and re-structuring my balcony.  I'm starting to think that they had that old "When life gives you lemons" saying all wrong... because I'm tempted to finish it with "throw them at your management company"... or something of the like.  So, while I have not been able to keep up with the blogging (as the place where I was staying was void of an internet connection)... I'm certain that you can appreciate why.

That being said... I'm going to throw out a few updates/thoughts below.  And keep an eye out for more entries.... because being home means having an internet connection. And having an internet connection means that Whitney is a very, very happy blogger/Yelper/emailer/YouTuber/Googler/cyberstalker/Facebooker... uhm... you get the point.

1 - Shin splints are the WORST!  I had to take 2 weeks off of running (and almost had to give up walking altogether).  Painful as all heck, but so much better now that I've given my leg the time that it needs to heal.  And who has time to run when you're living the life of a gypsy anyways?  I guess if it were to happen that the timing was perfection.  Back at it and up to 7 miles.  YAY!  Onward and upward, I say!!!

2 - Land's End is by far my favorite part of San Francisco that I have discovered to date.  A gorgeous maze of trails and look-out points, you're surrounded by gorgeous trees that stand as tall as the eye can see... and offer the most breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and beyond.  Never been? I'll take you.  It's truly a sight to be seen.

3 - Live in or close to San Francisco?  I've discovered the best (and totally recession-proof) spot to get a bite to eat!  Check out Jovino on Union St.  (www.jovinosf.com).  They have a nightly $9 dinner special... which on Saturdays is a heaping pile of homemade spaghetti & meatballs AND a generously poured glass of wine.   Now that's what I call a deal. 

Ok - that's all for now, folks.  

Besos!

Dreaming in Green

Within the last year, I have become passionate about everything 'Green'.  Since accepting my current position with The Ritz-Carlton, I have become increasingly invested in reducing the carbon footprint of the hotel, and am now (with a great deal of help from my boss), spear-heading our property's REACT team (Ritz Environmental Action Conservation Team).  Whooo!  Now that's a mouth full.  

I'm thankful for this undertaking for many reasons, but mostly because as challenging as it can be to properly educate 500 employees on the appropriate recycling and composting practices, I myself have learned more than I could have imagined on the subject and am now one of the most environmentally conscious people that I know, both in and out of the office.  (No, I don't have a home-made compost heap steaming in the back of my building.  And yes, I still by leather shoes.)  Sorry guys, there are times when fashion simply will prevail.  I'm not by any means an 'over-the-top', tree-hugging hipster, but I certainly do my part in ensuring that everything I discard of ends up in its rightful place.  To help you do the same, I'm using my blog as a medium to share helpful (and easy!) facts and hints on how to stay green, and I've even included a simple few below.  

1. Did you know that if every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save about 25 million trees every year? This is just one reason why it's so important to ensure that we recycle whenever possible. **UPDATED** I had previously suggested that you find your news elsewhere (ie: TV, online, etc), however someone was kind enough to remind me of how vulnerable that the newspaper industry is in this struggling economy, and what an important role that they play in supplying the stories that are then published in other media.  While I am not discouraging you to take in your news by paper (lets be honest - most of what you see on TV is warped anyways), please recycle them when you are done!!!  :)
2. The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle can run a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.  It also causes 20% less air pollution than making a new bottle from raw materials. 
3. Do you have a self-cleaning oven?  The next time you want to use that feature, do so right after cooking.  That way you take advantage of the heat that has already accumulated :)

Last but not least, I hear rumors buzzing that an old friend of ours is ready to admit defeat after singing that same old song for almost 40 years now.  Apparently he's come to realize that it is, in fact, easy being green :)

Now, make Kermit proud....  go forth and recycle!!!!

I Drank The Kool Aid

*Our group run in Marin, which we dedicated to Meredith's dad*

As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, experienced runners tend to insist (or warn?) that running can become very addicting.  I have shrugged off this notion as something that has afflicted others, certain that I myself will never fall into this category.  I still have not become addicted, but the way I feel after a long run in the great outdoors?  That's another story all together.  After reaching my first five mile mark in Marin and then enjoying the majestic trees and waterfalls a week later in beautiful Golden Gate Park, I found that I was able to breathe deeper, was high on endorphins, and at times felt certain that I had enough energy to out-run the infamous Energizer Bunny.  (That fluffy pink thing is going down).

I'm quickly finding that there are countless benefits to running.  

1)  I'm toning up and getting into better shape.  I just wore a skirt to work that two months ago I was unable to zip.  Next on my list is that double chin that seems to be anything but camera shy....

2)  I'm much more productive with my time. When I pull myself out of bed at 7 on a Saturday morning and meet my fellow TNTers for a group run, I find that by 10, I have already managed to complete my exercise for the day, visited and caught up with friends over breakfast, and I still have a whole day ahead of me, along with twice the energy to tackle the projects at hand. Now, this is a lifestyle that I'm starting to think I could really get used to!  

3)  The people I'm meeting?  Incredible.  TNT is comprised of the most diverse group of individuals of any organization with which I've been affiliated.  And the best part is that we're all on a mission to support a wonderful cause.  

This is an organization that I can see myself remaining involved with long after my upcoming race. I mentioned this to a friend of mine who has been involved with Team In Training for a number of seasons.  She chuckled, and said "Yup. You drank the Kool Aid".  

Drink it I did... and I'm loving every sip :)