Expectations

I received this email at work and thought it was great and I could totally relate to it so I wanted to share

"Several weeks ago I felt pretty overwhelmed but could not figure out why. Then I heard a list of the everyday expectations we place on ourselves:

• Be slim, physically fit, and toned.
• Have great hair, make-up, and a fashionable wardrobe.
• Be intelligent articulate, and computer-savvy.
• Be popular and sexually attractive but of good character.
• Pursue all your gifts and talents to the point of mastery.
• Marry someone with all the above traits.
• Communicate, have romance, share chores, have date nights.
• Have a beautiful home, which is clean, organized, and well-decorated.
• Cook low-fat, low-carb, high-protein, gourmet meals.
• Maintain a beautiful, mulched yard,
• Produce children who are cute, healthy, intelligent, and well-behaved, who get into the right schools, who don’t succumb to peer pressure but are well-liked and popular.
• Be financially successful.
• Stay current in your field.
• Read good books for pleasure.
• Be confident but not abrasive.
• Be humble and spiritual.
• Create traditions and holidays that are beautiful and meaningful.
• Write letters, remember birthdays and anniversaries, send cards and gifts.
• Keep in touch with friends.
• Have deep family relationships.
• Be relaxed, friendly, and easy-going.

I look at this list and wonder which items I can disregard. They are all important and worthwhile. But seeing this in black and white makes me realize that I have probably bitten off more than I can chew. Something has to go. I am expecting too much of myself! I am going to trim down my list. How about you? "

I'll be the 1st to admit there are a few more things on my list - one being running. It would go like this "Be a great runner" To me being 'great' is running 8ish min miles for a continuous amount of time. Yes I can get there with time and practice and patience but its hard work ontop of all the other expectations.

I'm attempting to trim down my list. It is hard, especially for women in my opinion. Whats the first thing I'm trimming thats relevant to me? I'm not sure at the moment, I've just sat here for 15 minutes trying to figure out what to say and I'm just drawing a blank. So I'll have to get back to ya.
 
 
What do you think? Are there more expectations that you put onyourself that aren't on the list?

Will you 'trim down' your list?

Vacation

Nope, not on vacation (yet). I'm trying to determine where the hubs and I should go on vacation later this year. I havent even narrowed down a list yet, this is the frustrating part. Well that and the fact that I havent booked anything yet.  When are we planning to go somewhere? December. Why am I freaking when its 6+ months away? Well because I'm a little ocd when it comes to having everything set and planned and done and not 'spur of the moment'.

Yes there are GOBS of places I want to go....



its just WHERE should we go this year ?

We love islands - we've been to USVI, BVI, St. Lucia, Tahiti

and we love snow skiing. Because last year was to Tahiti, we attempted to gather friends and go skiing but with people having babies its not going to work out.  So we figured lets take another fun trip while we can. 

I've been to London (had to go for work in 2007) so I'm wanting to convince the stubborn husband that he'd like going to Europe too, and we'd also hop on a train and check out other countries while we are over there. Oh and let me throw out there I can get us 2 free tickets over there right now with sky miles! The ONLY thing I'm concerned about is the weather and the cold. Like its one thing when youre skiing, but to play tourist and have to wear sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, scarves - is it really worth it?

Then I got thinking - let me throw it out there. Where is your dream vacation?
If you've been to Europe, when did you go and what other countries have you been to / would you recommend going to?

Week Overview

Quick update about this past week. I've been slacking a little when it comes to posting about individual runs so I figured I'd write about this week.

With this being a new month I'm going to attempt to run 3x a week for a month, which will accomplish one of my goals. Here's how this week went down
Sunday : 10 mile bike ride
Monday : lazy - 9:00pm bed time that night.
Tuesday: 2.5 mile run (9.34 pace)
Wednesday: 1300 yard swim then a 1.1 mile run (9:44 pace)
Thursday: lazy - hubby got onto me about not studying so I studied :(
Friday: went and hung out with some friends and their 2 little girls :)
Saturday: Hot Yoga then a 2.1 mile run (9:24 pace) and a 1.5 mile walk at night.

Really liked running 3x a week. Kept the distances shorter - the back to back runs on tues and weds were exhausting with the swim so I need to plan out a schedule better next week and slightly increase my distances too.

Here's to another great week!

C.P.A

disclaimer: I am NOT a CPA. I am not designating myself as a CPA. I am merely taking the exam and posting about the exam process at this time. Thanks :)

Alrighty - CPA - Certified Public Accountant.  Crash course in how to get this designation after your name.

1. Go to college and earn 150 credit hours (aka 5 years) for the most part almost all states (45/50) have this requirement.

2. For Florida I had to submit an application to the FL dept of business & professional regulation, to be approved to sit for the cpa exam (aka 'the exam')

3. Receive Notice to Schedule from NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy)

4. Pay Gobs of Money for exam fees and registration fees to NASBA - wait 3-5 days for your Notice to Schedule (NTS) which comes via email (and is a huge waste of time because if its email it should be immediate but thats just me)

5. Get NTS - log onto Prometric's site to finally pick the most dreaded day in your own personal history.

6. STUDY - STUDY - Lose friends - STUDY - gain bags under eyes - Study....day dream....

7. Exam Day. The most anxious day, nerve wrecking day in my life. Like its so not cool and you have to do it 4 times (well thats if your lucky and can pass each section on your 1st try).

Each exam for the CPA section varies on time and with all the fun new changes for 2011 lets just hope everyone passes. Oh wait that wont hapen....because look here

The pass rates for 2010 are wonderful.....ughh. Pretty fun looking test right??

If my life wasnt busy enough, trying to have a social life, become a better runner, enjoy life, I decided to pursue this little adventure. Right now I'm studying for FAR (well actually getting back into studying - I kinda have ADD when it comes to studying). I took Audit in April and have the fingers, toes, eyes, all crossed in hopes I passed that one but a miracle would be great too.

When I was at the Big 4 I used Becker but that was a while ago so I had to invest in some updated material and came across Yaeger. They use Wiley for their books and though the print is small and cramed together its not horrible.

What I like about Yaeger is 1 - it was way cheaper than Becker, 2 - the instructors 'teach' more vs Becker that just read the book to you 3 - you get access to the instructors via phone / email. granted they have a time limit (I think 3 hours per section you can call and chat with them) but still thats pretty awesome especially if you dont get it. 4 - yaeger sends you their videos on a usb stick so you can use it anywhere, becker you can only install it on 2-3 computers and then after 1 year its not accessible (unless you know a few computer tricks).

So thats about it for my CPA report today - questions email me at my email address
TalesFromTheSole@Gmail.com

Giveaway Post

I bet you think I'm posting about Skinny Runner.....well folks you are wrong.

Tonights Lovely giveaway is brought to you by - Long Legs on The Loose

Shes giving away some Easy Bands and the giveaway ends on May 5th.


Update on my 1st Giveaway:

Obviously that didnt happen - Sorry folks who were paying attention. I'll be re-listing the give away soon though and even if I get one measly comment I'll follow through and award the prize!

April 2011 Summary

I cant believe another month is over. I'm not sure about you but April seemed to FLY by.  But I guess when you log 46 miles, it helps pass the time....well that and a lot of this

Oh Easter Candy- how I love thee!! Brett and I have 'discussions' about which is the better candy.  I say they are in 2 different categories since Reese's are well hands down the best chocolate/peanut butter candy and Cadburry Creme eggs are well just delicious!!

Some Highlights this month include
Taking about 2 weeks off to rest my legs in order for the Shin Splints to go away.
Foam Rolling = Friend
Taking Kady for a billion walks....alright not a billion but almost
Being Featured on Skinny Runner which has increased my follower count! Whooohoo!
Running 2 5K's 1 week apart and setting a New PR!!
Getting back into the pool at the gym

Cant believe its May already! Memorial Day will be here before we know it and  Round 2 of the CPA exam is this month.... I'll post soon about this I promise :) 

46.04 Miles in April
Walking: 21.66 miles
Running: 12.35 miles
Elliptical: 6.18 miles
Cycling: 5.05 miles
Swimming: 0.8 miles 

Running with Dogs

"If dogs could talk, it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one." ~Andy Rooney

This is my baby, Kady. Kady is a Doberman Pinscher and she is 6 years old. Brett and I got her as a puppy when she as 12 weeks old.  When we went to the breeder, only her and her sister were left, so we were left with the hard choice of which puppy to choose. Upon letting the 2 out into the yard, the sister started digging - which made our decision very easy at that point.

Kady is AKC and her AKC Name is actually Kady Von Legend Monster. Yes we named her Monster - LOL. It was and is very fitting for her. She was a monster as a puppy. She was a punk and full of energy.  Now being 6 she has dfinately calmed down and Brett and I are thankful - though its sad thinking of her as getting 'old'.

Now what happens is usually Brett takes her for a run because the speedy monster runs way too fast for me.  Well Kady 2.0 has slowed down now, so I can take her for runs, and Im kinda on the fence about how I feel about running with her. She starts off way slow now- like you have to drag her to get going.  Since she does run slower, it is nice if youre in one of those I dont care moods and just want to run.

Tonight we had a nice walk and then run together. She likes to pretend she doesnt have any energy after a run or a walk. ::eye roll:: good thing I know different. LoL.


This morning we did a 1 mile walk, lunchtime we did a 1/2 mile walk, home from work another 1 mile walk and then a 1.25 mile run. Not a bad day for the Kady Monster :)

Run # 65

"The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours." - Peggy Fleming

This morning was the American Lung Associations Fight For Air Run / Walk. The event started at 7:30am and was in 'my back yard'. So when a race is that close I somewhat feel like I have to do it.  Now I did not register for this race - oooooooooh - tsk tsk. Yes Yes horrible I know.  BUT when I got home I went online and donated to the American Lung Association.

So 7am the alarm goes off and Brett and I did NOT want to get up. SO, being the brave one that I am, I got out of bed and started brushing my teeth and putting on my running clothes - this sparked Brett to get out of bed. After chugging some water and me eating 1/2 a granola bar we headed down to Lake Eola to partake in this mornings route

 The course wasnt too bad - started on Eola drive = brick = :(  but then we got onto pavement BUT the way the course was laid out, we had more uphills than downhills.  Alright Alright maybe not actual hills but remember being in Florida, any slight incline on a road = hill.  Even Brett when we met up was like 'wow that had a lot of hills" hahah

This race is smaller - so perfect for the beginning or seasoned runner. The roads were open and it isnt a crowded race like the IOA 5K. There were 2 water stops and the Easter bunny handed out water at the end. Oh speaking of the end - Brett and I both think they had the finish too far since he logged 3.15 miles - I was watchin my Garmin and once it hit 3.10 I pushed the stop button so fast LOL but It was at least .05 away from the finish.  AND the best part- I set a new 5K PR!!

Overall it was a great race - great turnout - great cause and the course was better than average in my opinion and I can see if you were to be apart of a team this would be a great atmosphere afterwards to hang out at. 


Results of Run #65
Distance: 3.10
Time: 29:28
Pace: 9:30 / mile
M1 - 9:31
M2 - 9:44
M3 - 9:21
M4 (.1) - 8:47 / mile pace