Full of Friends

January 23rd

When I moved to Atlanta I knew absolutely NO ONE.  From the very first weekend in town, I met four girls which grew into many more.  I have been filled with lots of different groups of friends.  The ease of finding all of these friends really show how God was in the move here.  Here are a few from the weekend.

First, this is my trainer Natasha.  She doesn't take any less than the best from us.  Thanks for pushing us to better ourselves!  Can't wait to see some results soon!

January 24th:

Elizabeth and I met for brunch at Another Egg cafe before volunteering at Passion.  Elizabeth has a wonderful heart and is always giving of her time.  She moved here in June also.   It's been fun getting to know her story more.  After volunteering I ran 6 miles!  Yep, I DID IT.  I just have to post my watch because i was so surprised it was slightly under 10 minutes!   Another group of girls went to dinner and watched American Sniper. I must see movie.  We walked out of the theater in complete silence.  So powerful!

January 25th:

Since moving, I joined a tennis team.  I just randomly went online and found a team.  It has been so much fun getting back into the groove.  By no means has it all came out, but it's been fun playing!  Here's my partner for the day, Harry.

Love/Hate Relationship

January 20, 2015

I have a love/hate relationship with running.  I have been building up and met up with my friend Chloe for a beautiful trail run at Chattahoochee River.  Love having the ability to run.  Love meeting a new friend that runs my pace.  Love a good trail that is flat.  Hate having to run to be in shape.  Hate having to make it a priority.  Wish we could all be at an ideal weight, eating queso every meal!

January 21st:  Loving knowing I'm healthy, HATE going to the doctor.

Well today I have by far had the oddest experience at a doctors office, let's call it a house.  I have no idea where to go for a doctor.  So, I went to my insurance website and found a doctor that accepted my insurance (and they also answered the telephone).  All i needed was a yearly physical. There were other businesses in houses on this street, so I thought it was normal.  Walking into the house, it should be on hoarders.  The waiting room (living room) had furniture from the 60s.  That should of been a sign.

I walked up to the front desk and the receptionist turned out to be the nurse also.  She asked me to weight myself and figure out how tall I am.  Ok, first for everything.  Sign #2 to run for the hills.

Then i go to the exam room which is also a former bedroom.  I started asking questions about where the doctor is, but he hadn't arrived yet. She would be good at taking my blood and doing an EKG.  As she is doing the blood work, out of the corner of my eye, I spot the doctor.  Oh wow, sign #3.  How do I leave at this point?

Here comes the doctor.  1000 years old and had to have smoked his entire life.  Kept asking me if I needed medicine.  Nope, just getting a check out. He couldn't quite understand why I didn't need medicine.

After the exam, he takes me to check out (kitchen) to his desk.  He asks me about my co-pay and I responded I had no idea.  I said last year my physical was free, but I'm not sure if I paid a co-pay.  He said, "Well i guess it's free again today."

I ran for the hills. I have no idea if I get charged anything.  We shall see!

January 22:

Love have friends that told me about a "tiger tail", but HATE stretching/foam rolling.  Since my leg has been bothering me, I'm supposed to be stretching and foam rolling.  It hurts SO bad when you are rolling over sore tendons.  So, I have chosen to forego the rolling and since then it has delayed my healing.  Jenny and Stephanie in St. Louis spoke about a tiger tail for years.  Finally I gave in and purchased a tiger tail. I should use it more, I really don't use it much, but it gives me relief and it eliminates foam rolling!

Remember the Alamo

Sunday, January 18th

After another food truck lunch, we headed about an hour south to San Antonio.  Another amazing city, one I would like to have a date next time I visit.  It was so romantic with the river walk, perfect for couples.  First stop was the Alamo where we had our history lesson for the weekend.  We bought a taxi pass for the water and traveled up the entire river to the Pearl brewery and museum.  Another great day with nothing planned resulted in lots of stops at bars/restaurants and too much food!

Alamo!  Awkward Photo Moment

Water Taxi

Monday, January 19th

Before we headed out of town, we had one finally brunch off the River Walk.  This was our first trip together and it exceeded our expectations.  We could do it again!

Beautiful weather, couldn't of asked for a better time!

Keep Austin Weird---I'll do my part

Friday, January 16

I have always wanted to visit Austin and when you fly coast to coast, sometimes you need a break in between.  What better than a long weekend to take advantage of the flights.  Austin was BEAUTIFUL.  For an active person, who loves live music..this is the city for you!

Pallavi flew in several hours before I arrived on Thursday and meet some new friends for the evening.  We were able to tour the nightlife and found out Austin is known for food trucks.  We might have had every meal at a food truck all weekend.   Good thing we met these guys on Thursday, you never know when they come in handy. Just ask Pallavi!

Photo from Thursday

Friday morning we decided we were going to get exercise by walking 2 miles to brunch.  By the time we got back from brunch hours later, it was time for a quick nap.  Later in the afternoon we had a private tour around town on segways.  

Capital Building

Vincent--Our driver for the Evening

Saturday, January 17

After sleeping in, we took a 5 mile run around the lake, up and down the trails.  It was such a great afternoon to be outside.  Did you see I ran 5 miles?  That's a big deal since I've hurt my leg over a year ago.  I just might be making a comeback.  Whole Foods started in Austin and of course i spent HOURS checking out every single aisle.  So many great things to see in that store.  Afterwards, we walked to Graffiti Park where we watched artists transform the space they bid on.  Way cool!  On our way back to the hotel, we just made stops in bars/restaurants until we arrived back late!

View from the Trail

Whole Foods

San Fran---The City That Knows How

Monday, January 12th

William Howard Taft said the above title and it's so true.  Every time I'm in San Francisco I just can't help but smile.  Everything is good, all the time there!  Love the city, love the employees.  Life can't be better! The hustle of the city, warms my heart.  I am sure it would be a different story if I lived there, but it's the most wonderful city to visit!

Landing in the middle of the afternoon, gave me plenty of time to check out my favorite restaurant, Gracias Madre.  It's located in the Mission District and i just load up on meals. I take leftovers that I had for 3 straight meals.  I might have an obsession with this place!

Just the sign of the location

Tuesday, January 13th:  Berkeley

My employee lives in Oakland and I have wanted to visit Berkeley since she's so close.  Marie took me to Gather for dinner.  I think I could fit into Berkeley (lots of vegan options), but i didn't know what areas were safe or not.  I'll stick to Asheville where that's a little more safe!

Marie and Jonathan (works in Marketing)

Wednesday, January 14th

Our marketing department is housed out of San Francisco, so we decided to schedule ourselves a tour of the Apollo offices.  We met with our marketing team to discuss our upcoming campaign and how we were focusing on the security programs in our college.  Chris, my boss, was in town and Marie/Rick have wanted to take him to House of Prime Rib for dinner.  We toured around the city and enjoyed a wonderful meal!

Alcatraz

Bay Bridge

Marketing Office

Thursday, January 15th

Nice, early, and foggy.  That's the kind of morning you can expect in the Bay Area.  Suited up with both my watch for miles and my heart rate monitor.  Haven't quite figured out what to do with both yet.

Morning view--I stayed on sidewalks!

All In the Neighborhood

January 8th

I have met an incredible girl, Eboni, and we were able to share dinner at J. Alexander's.  I just love that place and especially we great company.  We have been able to share our experiences and help encourage each other!

January 9th

Pallavi and I found a new neighborhood bar.  After our trainer, we were spent.  We were going to make a healthy choice, but decided we didn't have enough energy to cook.  That lead us to a new restaurant.

Saturday, January 10

The morning started with brunch at Haley's house, followed by a few hours of volunteering at Passion. The evening finished with a wine and cheese party at Pallavi's with a few girls.

Meghan, Pallavi, and I

January 11

I still can't believe we don't have indoor tennis courts in Atlanta and I'm playing in a WINTER league. Today was a chilly, chilly day (42 degrees) with no sunshine.  We were troopers and watched all teams finish.  Not a win for the good guys, but had fun playing!  Almost forgot the picture of today, but here's me freezing!

All About Working Out

January 6th

Starting in December, Pallavi and I hired a personal trainer to come to our gym at our apartment.  Natasha is from Russia and she always reminds us about how she forgot to get her certification in counting.  She doesn't take it easy on us and that's what we need. For one hour it's an intense workout where we are constantly moving.  Our rest period is abs.  Not only do we workout, we have taken measurements and cleaned out our refrigerator and cabinets.  We mean business this year.

January 7th

Also for a month now I have been on a water challenge.  I've been trying to drink around a gallon of water a day.   If you know me, this is huge.  I have gone weeks with minimal water, drinking coffee and tea ONLY.  For four months I didn't sleep much in Atlanta, so I had to have caffeine to make it through the day.  It's a decision I have to make each day and track.  Here's my tracking system, very high tech.  I haven't missed a day yet, but it has to always be at the front of my mind.  I hear your skin will look more beautiful, but I haven't noticed a difference yet.  Hopefully the water is doing what it is supposed to do!

New Year, New Idea

January 5, 2015

As the new year rolls around, new goals are set.  Some are easier to obtain than others, but I'm going to do my best with my new idea.  I have a friend in Atlanta who has taken a picture every day for 2014.  I thought, what a great blog idea!  So let's see what kind of fun 2015 brings!

January 1:

I had the opportunity to visit old friends in St. Louis to bring in the new year.  It's always good to share moments with those in St. Louis that I love!  I flew back to Atlanta that day to hang out with new friends!  I'm truly blessed with my friends in all locations!

Jenessa and her beautiful family:  Ricky, Liam, and Ryan

Stephanie

January 2, 3, 4th

Passion Conference:  WOW!!!  I go to an amazing church in Atlanta who hosts 3 conferences this year for college aged individuals.  I had the chance to volunteer in Resources.  We were able to sell shirts, books, hats, End it necklaces, CDs, and tickets for next year.  I have met some amazing individuals, both college students and volunteers.  What a great time!  Our church stands for ending slavery.  I have learned so many facts about women, even in the US.  What a great way to give back!

Haley and Elizabeth

Sound Check with Kristin Stanfill and Chris Tomlin

Day 2--January 3rd

Late Night Sound Check:  Tomlin, Standfill, Crowder, Christy Nichols, Charlie Hall

Full of college students---Finished at 1 AM

January 4th- End It Movement--Shirts on each seat

January 5th, 2015

Today I got a sweet gift in the mail from my friend Amanda.  Look at these adorable glasses.  This is so true!  

Outline of Missouri with Home inside