tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80470816360926617672024-02-02T14:40:41.453-06:00Chance Encounters“Chance encounters are what keep us going...”
-Haruki MurakamiKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-91103976058318199212013-03-05T07:49:00.000-06:002013-03-05T07:51:03.530-06:00Five tips on running your first marathon.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rounding the track, I choked back the tears. My body
threatened rebellion-- legs were trembling, toes were blistering, feet were aching.
I glanced at my watch. 26.1 miles, barely a tenth of a mile to go. The finish
line now finally in sight, my throat began to clamp and my eyes started to
swell. I knew </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this was it</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. In a
moment, I’d be crossing the finish line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the next few seconds, I closed my
eyes, ignored the pain and then suddenly, felt overcome by a wave of gratefulness.
My mind focused on God and silently, I thanked Him for giving me strength. For
giving me hope. And for getting me through the longest race of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On February 17, I finished the Okinawa City Marathon,
checking off yet another goal on the infamous “baby bucket list.” What began as a
lofty intention turned out to be one of my proudest accomplishments to
date. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">Four months of training culminated
in four hours and sixteen minutes of racing. At first, 26.2 miles seemed daunting,
but through weeks of preparing my mind, body and spirit, on race day, I was
ready and there was no looking back. I knew I would finish, whether I had to
run, walk, or crawl. And so, it was with this attitude, I crushed every doubt and
pounded away 42 kilometers of pavement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Since the race, various friends have approached me, wanting
to know <i>how</i> I did it… how I prepared,
how I trained and how I managed to finish. While I could easily elaborate for
hours, I’ll keep it simple. The first
step is logging off Facebook, lacing up your kicks and simply lugging one foot
in front of the other. Then obviously, getting serious by learning as much as
you can. Here are five strategies that worked for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Five tips on running
your first marathon.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) Train
smart.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Champions
do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks,
months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself
is merely the demonstration of their championship character.”</i> –Alan
Armstrong<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps the most important aspect of racing
is in the training itself. In order to build strength, endurance and speed, you
must train accordingly. For me, it was running hills one day, intervals the
next (alternating between sprinting and walking), while also including a tempo
run (a shorter run where you focus on the pace you’d like to maintain during
the race), and a long run (your longest distance of the week). Combining these
workouts with various cross training helped me get faster, stronger, and much
more prepared than I would have been only running on a treadmill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 2)<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Eat
healthy… And enough.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems like a no-brainer, but
eating healthy is vital to your performance as a runner. If you eat junk, your
running will reflect your diet. Moreover, eating enough is just as important.
If you think cutting carbs is going to help you run faster, think again. If
there was ever a time to eat your spaghetti, this is it. Your muscles need as
much glycogen as possible for quick energy, especially during your long runs. Whenever
I knew I’d be running 13 miles or longer, I always brought GU gel packets with
me to eat every 45 minutes. During the marathon, I consumed six gel packets, as
well as plenty of water. This ensured that I would never run out of energy and
hit the proverbial ‘wall.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.peakperformance.on.ca/tipsandtools/athlete_needs.php" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Do athletes pay enough attention to their nutritional needs?</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.runningforfitness.org/book/chapter-7-eating-drinking-and-running/energy-while-running" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Why you need to take in energy on long runs.</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">3) Listen
to music.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe it’s just me, but if there is one thing
that motivates me to exercise it is MUSIC. The night before each race, I have a
ritual where I listen to hundreds of songs, download my favorites and compile
the perfect playlist. I’ve recently acquired a taste for house and club music
because it tends to be upbeat and prompts me to run faster. On the other hand,
I also like country and 90s alternative. I just don’t listen to it if I’m
intending on sprinting… or winning. ;)</span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4) Find
a running buddy.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“The
reason we race isn't so much to beat each other... but to be with each other.”</i>-Christopher McDougall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Holding yourself accountable during
training can be difficult. Life gets busy, other obligations spring up, and
sometimes you just don’t feel like running. I can’t tell you how many times I scheduled
a 5:30am run and then later secretly wanted to call it off for the sake of more
sleep. But knowing I had a friend who was depending on me to meet her forced me
to suck it up and go! Thankfully, I had Laurie and Tamara relying on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaGp0jbqFNCRsXtYz5asAWVxp_bp1AcGLXGsrSjfTzepIWiKOQnAPc0GJgRYgwpVRgsGPdHEwfInGkLfLSSWcBzbwXCJCza486TDsSd9LrmfoWqYBlZq8kmxiIFwtO3u-km7n5YS9ORk/s1600/IMG_7989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaGp0jbqFNCRsXtYz5asAWVxp_bp1AcGLXGsrSjfTzepIWiKOQnAPc0GJgRYgwpVRgsGPdHEwfInGkLfLSSWcBzbwXCJCza486TDsSd9LrmfoWqYBlZq8kmxiIFwtO3u-km7n5YS9ORk/s320/IMG_7989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another reason to find a running
buddy is for the friendship, camaraderie and conversation that develop during these
runs. Sometimes, a 14 mile run would become a two-hour venting session, but at
the end of it, our minds would be cleared and we’d be ready to tackle the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI2gNDun6zBHD4U_wNXV1M3Sz-YT2006FUIzR3IPqmawXHgqpvSFgpBFNEPXBLSMpYbgFBElLRVPdUqnf1Ef6fIiUNzauye5AVHJ47TxkyFubn00FLDeyBN01KLRDeQ57d3YyWunvm7Y/s1600/IMG_7994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI2gNDun6zBHD4U_wNXV1M3Sz-YT2006FUIzR3IPqmawXHgqpvSFgpBFNEPXBLSMpYbgFBElLRVPdUqnf1Ef6fIiUNzauye5AVHJ47TxkyFubn00FLDeyBN01KLRDeQ57d3YyWunvm7Y/s320/IMG_7994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">During the marathon, Tamara ran every
step of the race with me. Of course, we didn’t chat the full 26 miles, but we
did check on each other and it was comforting to know she was there if I needed
anything. When we finished, it was an emotional moment. With tears welling up
in our eyes, we gave each other the biggest hug and congratulated each other
for succeeding. We both knew how many hours we had dedicated towards this
achievement and there were no words needed to express how proud we were for
each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH688U3P69b95Ueq5jSwmEUl_kkaSUjJFbUJb_Y6TPM4RHkElehfwAnrTyBjPg_8DAUiHgy8YJTyXHE10lEoQvBdke62D3wXmrlrpTmUYfXNKllUm4gjuM9Y34Duxo_80rNfa22iQ8SCs/s1600/IMG_8004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH688U3P69b95Ueq5jSwmEUl_kkaSUjJFbUJb_Y6TPM4RHkElehfwAnrTyBjPg_8DAUiHgy8YJTyXHE10lEoQvBdke62D3wXmrlrpTmUYfXNKllUm4gjuM9Y34Duxo_80rNfa22iQ8SCs/s320/IMG_8004.JPG" width="172" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> 5) Have
faith.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Your
belief determines your action and your action determines your results, but
first you have to believe.”</i><b> -</b>Mark
Victor Hansen <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In
order to run a race of this magnitude, you’ve got to have faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Believe
in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable
confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” –</i>Norman
Vincent Peale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But for me, faith extended beyond myself
and towards a higher power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“I
tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you
could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move.
Nothing would be impossible.” -</i>Matthew 17:20 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I believed that God would calm my fears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Don’t
be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
-</i>Isaiah 41:10<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I trusted that He would give me strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Commit
everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-Psalm
37:5 <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“But
those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be
faint.” </i>-Isaiah 40:31<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I had faith I would finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Faith
is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us
assurance about things we cannot see.” </i>-Hebrews
11:1 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the end, I accomplished what I aspired
to do, but not on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“It
is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification
comes from God.” -</i>2 Corinthians 3:5 <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgJ8EdLJPVFc8rixSvNOPAF8KevHARauE1fz_kBSNYNaZH5yiinjHloi4CNNs6hbPAepDNcANd2d9PJYsugqB_olY2V4rjJzHaaTXI_6b5t665oxumSmUV2v0hyMPwkyoxrXCnQkzflA/s1600/IMG_8012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgJ8EdLJPVFc8rixSvNOPAF8KevHARauE1fz_kBSNYNaZH5yiinjHloi4CNNs6hbPAepDNcANd2d9PJYsugqB_olY2V4rjJzHaaTXI_6b5t665oxumSmUV2v0hyMPwkyoxrXCnQkzflA/s320/IMG_8012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“If
you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”-</i>Kathrine Switzer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“I run
because long after my footprints fade away, maybe I will have inspired a few to
reject the easy path, hit the trails, put one foot in front of the other, and
come to the same conclusion I did: I run because it always takes me where I
want to go.” -</i>Dean Karnazes</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-17096011874080400802012-12-05T06:01:00.002-06:002012-12-05T06:06:12.161-06:00a trip to Mainland Japan: black pantyhose, bare fingers & vicious monkeys<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Six months in Okinawa barely prepared me for what I was about to encounter during my weeklong trip to mainland Japan. Yes, it's the same country, but aside from the language, the two are nothing alike. Okinawa is to Tokyo as Punxsutawney is to New York City. Think small town versus big city--- similar customs, but a stark contrast in people, culture and scenery. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRcZE10kkw7YRr0erxf-BWkTdpSvJpm7x4Hb8uD-MeHzHKmuEvCYdYgvvHbihCM4RGdi34MEMHtQFXooBn6Wvd4oE0h7fF5-Srt2Ogg0dyJwXN14j_eGchkOqBKeDmeGnfRmGkUS4n3Q/s1600/japan-okinawa+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRcZE10kkw7YRr0erxf-BWkTdpSvJpm7x4Hb8uD-MeHzHKmuEvCYdYgvvHbihCM4RGdi34MEMHtQFXooBn6Wvd4oE0h7fF5-Srt2Ogg0dyJwXN14j_eGchkOqBKeDmeGnfRmGkUS4n3Q/s320/japan-okinawa+map.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Okinawa is about a three-hour flight from Tokyo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's what I noticed the most:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1) <i>Staying in a 4-star hotel doesn't mean drifting off into dreamland comfortably</i>. During our stay at the Universal Port Hotel in Osaka, my bed was harder than a
rock and my pillow felt like it was filled with rice. The hotel itself was gorgeous, but the bed was comparable to sleeping on the floor. I've slept in two-star motels that have comfier beds. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8CokQZf3A-HWfbBKMiMnwxoXKNfuPfiQ8fSTlkyuUt0I_T7kWa7vz3lBmgEwzeI1lVFCUsxiWq1mVPLE5pCP7-626CBfZ8Teq9ugWjlmFVXIxVuuqr9KAHuW_NBjYIcX5YIg3e-LBdU/s1600/IMG_7420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8CokQZf3A-HWfbBKMiMnwxoXKNfuPfiQ8fSTlkyuUt0I_T7kWa7vz3lBmgEwzeI1lVFCUsxiWq1mVPLE5pCP7-626CBfZ8Teq9ugWjlmFVXIxVuuqr9KAHuW_NBjYIcX5YIg3e-LBdU/s320/IMG_7420.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Firmest, most uncomfortable beds I've ever encountered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Hardly any Japanese women wear engagement rings.</i> No diamonds anywhere! And only some married women wear wedding bands. Turns out, big shiny rocks are not as common in Japan as they are in the U.S. (Another reason I'm lucky to be an American!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3) <i>Japanese people seem to be very quiet and
mannerly on the train. </i>No yelling, no loud talking, no rude pushing/shoving. In fact, no one even pretends to glance at anyone else. A little different than what I've seen in train/subway systems in other countries.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4) <i>Japanese women prefer fashion over warmth. </i> 95% of all women I saw were wearing black tights with shorts and boots... in 40 degree weather. Of course, they don wool peacoats and scarves, but their legs have to be freezing!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Creepy Japanese fashion photography.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i> </i></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Hardly any overweight Asians.</i> The majority of those I saw were
very thin. And it's no surprise... while shopping at a Forever21 in Tokyo on Monday, I couldn't find <i>one</i> pair of jeans that were larger than a size 26. Perhaps the females starve themselves to accommodate their shopping needs... Or they've all been blessed with a fortunate set of genes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6) <i>“Sumimasen” is the magic word. </i>When it comes to
interacting with the Japanese (or anyone for that matter), manners are highly appreciated. <i>Sumimasen</i> means “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me”… and it's the best way to approach a stranger when you're about to ask them a question!</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7) <i>Mainland Japanese are different looking than native Okinawans.</i> Some seem to be taller, have larger eyes and have lighter
skin. This could be due to the fact that native Okinawans are actually Ryukyuan kingdom descendants who were<i> not</i> Japanese. Okinawa did not officially become annexed into Japan until 1879.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">8) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i> </i></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Unique architecture on the mainland</i>…Very different
buildings/structures than I've seen in Okinawa. Thatched, extravagantly sloped roofs with cylindrical
tiles vs. simple concrete block construction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Building in Osaka.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Building in Okinawa.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">9) <i>Prevalence of rickshaws.</i> These human-drawn
carriages originated in Japan and were once the chief form of public
transportation here. I noticed quite a few in Kyoto but none in Tokyo or Osaka.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">10) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Staring
at a monkey will get you attacked.</i> Looking at a Japanese macaque monkey in the eye
is considered an act of aggression and doing so could be more dangerous than you may think.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> At the Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto, the monkeys will bite you if you longingly look into their eyes. So please, save your stares for their backsides. At least in the name of safety.</span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-82351471625578433592012-11-02T06:34:00.002-05:002012-11-02T06:34:17.587-05:00Officially Training for a Marathon!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDbTnjEvwKYaDGCTHzN7csl0GOJo9qFXfBxwQAKLpttC_NpOClrD0rmib2e-mDANa7oyyfHmlQpbKiy3tJudeh8-sJ8T3fo0x1vxCNj_SfMMa0JcoU3wE2tKPkotKSRpTikfv4rF2iBY/s1600/run1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDbTnjEvwKYaDGCTHzN7csl0GOJo9qFXfBxwQAKLpttC_NpOClrD0rmib2e-mDANa7oyyfHmlQpbKiy3tJudeh8-sJ8T3fo0x1vxCNj_SfMMa0JcoU3wE2tKPkotKSRpTikfv4rF2iBY/s320/run1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning, Tamara and I ventured off base, running 10
miles to the Sunabe Seawall to Sunset Beach and then back on base.
We witnessed the sun rising, the waves crashing and the brand new day
beginning for Okinawa. It’s moments like these that help you forget your legs
are cramping, your body is aching and you’d rather be sleeping. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY0n915utta6d1zwLH7W1rmXC0S_RD8wd0vyTg6_On_A4WKASos_z8SwQXwGOX36iEJ9RxcVeQxznMoqqjohhCVgkRNQHZm8xnq9C4Ddo3MYRRCWbfOzDuaFf8Z6sSEVYokzMP-7c7fE/s1600/run2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY0n915utta6d1zwLH7W1rmXC0S_RD8wd0vyTg6_On_A4WKASos_z8SwQXwGOX36iEJ9RxcVeQxznMoqqjohhCVgkRNQHZm8xnq9C4Ddo3MYRRCWbfOzDuaFf8Z6sSEVYokzMP-7c7fE/s320/run2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was the second long run of a 17-week training program I’ve
committed to that will prepare me for the Okinawa City Marathon on February 17</span><sup style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.
Over the course of the next three and half months, I will gradually work up to
20 miles, then taper off my mileage about two weeks before the race.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGLmXSXtJmhMcnq_bq6xQMpaGVumTI0JYupCKv82ExcrQN2IaU07OR6mSWj69Gn0DflPmPRM3pZfHX0dhk6aRz7xITjh7ZDy1rkDttE-M9aSV7yHxVad9XC7wCwP-bOxA187itHBUaOs/s1600/kim+tamara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGLmXSXtJmhMcnq_bq6xQMpaGVumTI0JYupCKv82ExcrQN2IaU07OR6mSWj69Gn0DflPmPRM3pZfHX0dhk6aRz7xITjh7ZDy1rkDttE-M9aSV7yHxVad9XC7wCwP-bOxA187itHBUaOs/s320/kim+tamara.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve recruited Tamara as my running partner, a friend I’ve
been jogging with since June. If it
weren’t for her, I would be way more tempted to hit the snooze button at 5am!
Having someone to talk to during a two-hour run makes training something to
look forward to. It’s that little slot out of the day where we can share
unfiltered conversations, vent our frustrations, and encourage each other’s hopes
and aspirations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(When I’m not running with Tamara, I run with Allison who
likes to chat, but prefers to be fast ;))<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v5CkWouzOtn94DFCNs_f6B3CJg0OKYxwic0fFB_2agAaAyFhfqVaLW7KnN4tM9hQzjkdh7qb5icz-eFexy62_VcwgxDMLqlE_I3-SaJUbwPpjyKLSMkTQCxeAwxKrwV0koPkgGwHeuc/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v5CkWouzOtn94DFCNs_f6B3CJg0OKYxwic0fFB_2agAaAyFhfqVaLW7KnN4tM9hQzjkdh7qb5icz-eFexy62_VcwgxDMLqlE_I3-SaJUbwPpjyKLSMkTQCxeAwxKrwV0koPkgGwHeuc/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And what is my plan for conquering this marathon?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soaking in every second of the scenery, keeping a smile
on my face, and taking each run one step at a time.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-87772262216865905992012-09-17T08:28:00.000-05:002012-09-17T08:34:11.898-05:00Our Engagement Story<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you meet someone who…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">makes your heart flutter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">makes you a better person, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can’t live without, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you<i> </i>hold<b> </b>onto that person and you <i> n e v
e r. l e t. g o.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I met Kevin, I knew he was unique. He was unlike any
other guy I had ever met. He was gentle
with children, friendly to strangers, respectful to the elderly, but most importantly, he was perfect to <i>me</i>. He
was charming, chivalrous and selfless... He put me on a pedestal and treated me like a princess. He had a way of
making me feel special and I <i>knew </i>from
the start he was the man I wanted to marry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a notion he felt the same, but I had no idea when he
would propose, if ever. But then one September day, my life changed forever…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were on a cruise, vacationing in the Caribbean when it happened.
As the sun was rising and the ship was
docking, Kevin kissed my forehead, waking me from a deep slumber. It was Friday
and we had finally arrived in Belize.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For months leading up to our trip, Kevin had insisted we book
a room with a balcony and soon, I would learn why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I rolled out of bed and followed him to the wooden railing,
overlooking the ocean. With his back facing me, he began pouring his heart out,
telling me how much I meant to him. At first, I didn’t think anything of it
because he was always expressing his feelings for me. But this time was
different. He seemed nervous and I didn’t know why. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He turned around and continued telling me how much he loved
me and how happy he was to have met me. He said that he could tell I felt the
same because I was constantly showing him, especially when he had deployed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“There was one gift you sent me while I was in Haiti that
was very special… those coupons you made,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3x8xB2fyF9vTij3KykSeK7bxgdsBINhsP0peWlVF5b2cQsXpfC54KYeOAllTr0OkqGeUnHkq4i3Y2NSWGHCj97VZq907rGvtXLIpfcSAEGaA52YrQOqdTStpwjZayOL56QvXq9IiHfg/s1600/DSC_0376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3x8xB2fyF9vTij3KykSeK7bxgdsBINhsP0peWlVF5b2cQsXpfC54KYeOAllTr0OkqGeUnHkq4i3Y2NSWGHCj97VZq907rGvtXLIpfcSAEGaA52YrQOqdTStpwjZayOL56QvXq9IiHfg/s320/DSC_0376.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was referring to a tiny box of coupons made out of pink
construction paper. On each coupon I had
written a promise, mostly things I would do for him once he returned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point, he had already been home for three months and
still hadn’t used <i>any</i> of his coupons,
so of course, I was quick to point that out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yes, but you still haven’t used any of them yet!” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He looked at me with a smile and said, “But there’s really only <i>one</i> I need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he handed me a small pink heart, on which I could see
three small words written in ink… “My Eternal Love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S0_z-dhDNotSD5ST6-ywXRh0ZKT-pyIMfdaEriWquyA9_cAzz5ab1ZnLKxF-Q4Dc6IQWINGU6o-Wfjn7BoEnPyNr_yLCGRFXdYaDjNgq8O5zTOejRSu7YX1ZrSQFVKKs63-Jaf8yFQI/s1600/DSC_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S0_z-dhDNotSD5ST6-ywXRh0ZKT-pyIMfdaEriWquyA9_cAzz5ab1ZnLKxF-Q4Dc6IQWINGU6o-Wfjn7BoEnPyNr_yLCGRFXdYaDjNgq8O5zTOejRSu7YX1ZrSQFVKKs63-Jaf8yFQI/s320/DSC_0377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Immediately, my eyes welled up with tears and I told him I
would always love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was then he bent down on one knee, pulled out the most
beautiful ring and said those five words that melted my heart, “Will you marry
me, Kim?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Of course, I spontaneously
burst into uncontrollable tears. In fact, I was so overwhelmed with emotion I
couldn’t even respond!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolQdfoKGBya7QQ8zHzmhlDlgwv6PA6whlUyEZ7-q08gSQN2dd2eF6Qpma7Ca8ncu2XfBEzmWbH179nyKHdvCtN8Qx_nk-Kluyj9HT6uwiw8KVC_V0dtRjGxfE1PAADkdEJkeNwpJxZfE/s1600/IMG_4568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolQdfoKGBya7QQ8zHzmhlDlgwv6PA6whlUyEZ7-q08gSQN2dd2eF6Qpma7Ca8ncu2XfBEzmWbH179nyKHdvCtN8Qx_nk-Kluyj9HT6uwiw8KVC_V0dtRjGxfE1PAADkdEJkeNwpJxZfE/s320/IMG_4568.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For at least five minutes, we stood there, kissing and
hugging each other tightly. Finally, he pulled back and slipped the sparkly
princess cut jewel on my finger. We were <i>engaged!
</i>And to make it even more special, it was the 17<sup>th</sup> day of
September--exactly 17 months to the day after we met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHDIeZ0bAoSgqIi8eFyVJCU0ATCB4uiQPF1CtTQSJGZT6joyvohbmdZEX4g5mItDTmgLf3gEND7nxSqGTwnFzyBkkYLi1pswLCuOYzV-UMZUci4cJyBdSM1FcD_j0-jfXL4EcMX3MWKY/s1600/IMG_4567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHDIeZ0bAoSgqIi8eFyVJCU0ATCB4uiQPF1CtTQSJGZT6joyvohbmdZEX4g5mItDTmgLf3gEND7nxSqGTwnFzyBkkYLi1pswLCuOYzV-UMZUci4cJyBdSM1FcD_j0-jfXL4EcMX3MWKY/s320/IMG_4567.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because we were still on a ship, I had to wait THREE days to
inform my friends and family of the news. I later found out that a month before
our trip, Kevin had called both my mom and my dad, asking for their blessing to
marry me. He also spoke to each of my seven siblings, requesting their
approval as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznT5hBBIMMFUQOmJ5TRXU2UculqJJ2zVbptWu9Qgs8Aww_0yZXeH29nqVxqjagCyKZ3v6soojqI8pbdj8Go9OvQpbPmq4Xk7ZmjjAa3Xx0hswGCpgcpK7wz_mEEKX7odXKCrz9IkwIbQ/s1600/IMG_4569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznT5hBBIMMFUQOmJ5TRXU2UculqJJ2zVbptWu9Qgs8Aww_0yZXeH29nqVxqjagCyKZ3v6soojqI8pbdj8Go9OvQpbPmq4Xk7ZmjjAa3Xx0hswGCpgcpK7wz_mEEKX7odXKCrz9IkwIbQ/s320/IMG_4569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now, exactly two years later, we are (obviously) married and
life couldn’t be better! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight, we celebrated the second anniversary of the proposal
with a delicious dinner on the Sunabe Seawall. It was romantic and perfect… just
like my husband. :)</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMpG0zB7OR9gHQWtqosQ4xBfPIaXkHgF0NUy6WDB1GwH3y9J0KnvH6u7ixdCiQTx3FbAckygi2flTWTpdI9uKJpfxO1BOgTBk7KO0a-jQ8gBFb9UTTXzo2EKftNXN88Dcd7YX-mSyTsc/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMpG0zB7OR9gHQWtqosQ4xBfPIaXkHgF0NUy6WDB1GwH3y9J0KnvH6u7ixdCiQTx3FbAckygi2flTWTpdI9uKJpfxO1BOgTBk7KO0a-jQ8gBFb9UTTXzo2EKftNXN88Dcd7YX-mSyTsc/s200/DSC_0365.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6VKsBV-oItA5RgHMI1E5i9zsFPdXe1QKjVNtCQwetN5zlA-pAsAVKNsNyRcjgYB1_ore2gkRU64zRGsi0eBvh4ncBO6w5xYb-f_KWoEK6X-ag81fcJNOBdykx6PeGTNOqVKlUd5tsvA/s1600/DSC_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6VKsBV-oItA5RgHMI1E5i9zsFPdXe1QKjVNtCQwetN5zlA-pAsAVKNsNyRcjgYB1_ore2gkRU64zRGsi0eBvh4ncBO6w5xYb-f_KWoEK6X-ag81fcJNOBdykx6PeGTNOqVKlUd5tsvA/s200/DSC_0368.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-25893053575166377442012-09-15T06:02:00.000-05:002012-09-15T06:25:55.412-05:00Celebrating Life, One Birthday at a Time.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The older I get, the faster the years seem to fly by. I know
it sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. This year, I turned 26 and I started
thinking, “Wow, my sweet sixteen was a DECADE ago.” Ten years ago this week, I
was applying for my driver’s permit and celebrating with a sleepover. Unlike
most girls my age, I didn’t have a boyfriend and my best friend and I were obnoxiously joined at the hip. We were the same height, the same weight, the same size, and eventually we drove the same car (matching 1995 Saturns).
We were essentially sisters, affectionately known as Kim & Mim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiTxEWnep3sT3QFkHli2JIoJtEV_o2azvEnuOMf_Xp1t2xOQ5rWQg71bRFznR_RbffmWmbip4L3yF6xBL5QsWPsi6AUvvJH9BHT2R6dEP5Rjo6kyREnoAtjWfSbySKqciRuOFCbpIzd8/s1600/DSC_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiTxEWnep3sT3QFkHli2JIoJtEV_o2azvEnuOMf_Xp1t2xOQ5rWQg71bRFznR_RbffmWmbip4L3yF6xBL5QsWPsi6AUvvJH9BHT2R6dEP5Rjo6kyREnoAtjWfSbySKqciRuOFCbpIzd8/s320/DSC_0315.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;">{me & Mim @ a school dance}</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">December 2002<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Age 16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Punxsutawney, PA</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Little did I know, over the course of the next few years, I
would get accepted to Penn State, pledge a sorority, live a semester abroad,
land the job of my dreams, meet the love of my life, get married and move to
the opposite side of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It all seems surreal and each day, I thank God for the
experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way… I often find myself
getting nostalgic, so the other day, I spent a few hours perusing old photos
and decided it would be fun to give you a glimpse into some of my previous
birthdays… starting with my fourth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #4</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrlJJFUUaoFdoUkeIvCE-djAgUETF7CF7aQEhW3nTYuIDpsEaARZ2w6XG8R6Q7XoyNvO2GWQwHZmVPNRfqXI6lN9d6ICL4wh2vS8OBRWXyY6t8bfM-WJj9hcRVMVb6A5OjtVLO0ITrK8/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrlJJFUUaoFdoUkeIvCE-djAgUETF7CF7aQEhW3nTYuIDpsEaARZ2w6XG8R6Q7XoyNvO2GWQwHZmVPNRfqXI6lN9d6ICL4wh2vS8OBRWXyY6t8bfM-WJj9hcRVMVb6A5OjtVLO0ITrK8/s320/DSC_0317.JPG" width="304" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{me & mom}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 1990<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Punxsutawney, PA</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #5</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jj3syqBaCm5aCNlzV2PR5UpwaicpQoTMv4eFyJIN6VA3y9hiVXfLlxqdh7RN69ksiI9vlkmDzpHBcmZDAwCMOOBKfHAOCT0fQ1EWI1ZXdHw8mE309ltnq_yp4_27qr2FlEYTopPdJGI/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jj3syqBaCm5aCNlzV2PR5UpwaicpQoTMv4eFyJIN6VA3y9hiVXfLlxqdh7RN69ksiI9vlkmDzpHBcmZDAwCMOOBKfHAOCT0fQ1EWI1ZXdHw8mE309ltnq_yp4_27qr2FlEYTopPdJGI/s320/DSC_0319.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{me, Erika, JC, Danielle}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">July 1991</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pittsburgh, PA</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every summer, all the cousins on my mom's side of the family would reunite for an annual birthday party and take turns blowing out the candles.
Looking back, it’s absolutely gross to think of nine or ten kids blowing their
spit all over a cake…and then eating it. When I “grow up” and have
children of my own, I’ll be sure to have an extra cake on hand for the adults!
Haha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7yulx3eEXDD7ebrYZETH1xwRzr5m_oJDLnr332AZpWS8Bu5zlrefWIx9m7MsONfWRxnoIyFycmnYhqmImZCh2Ui3gZ8D_azpI2cDcjOj4I4PCze0MRimdzyWpxvDCBRjOGt7k-_3oHY/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7yulx3eEXDD7ebrYZETH1xwRzr5m_oJDLnr332AZpWS8Bu5zlrefWIx9m7MsONfWRxnoIyFycmnYhqmImZCh2Ui3gZ8D_azpI2cDcjOj4I4PCze0MRimdzyWpxvDCBRjOGt7k-_3oHY/s320/DSC_0318.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{me & Danielle}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 1991<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Punxsutawney, PA</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #7</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF10RQoVy-wQCzWeuwC4LWQ-zWMdM_89o_6wq4j9XnG2eqRHkLoYCR_kz9nstTmopuGe_msJ29JXs53Vd6gSi_1XuFiw7JFXc-IQh6bZmScVj-BRpCXp7hP2qE9mw_UTf6buEbLN85oRg/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF10RQoVy-wQCzWeuwC4LWQ-zWMdM_89o_6wq4j9XnG2eqRHkLoYCR_kz9nstTmopuGe_msJ29JXs53Vd6gSi_1XuFiw7JFXc-IQh6bZmScVj-BRpCXp7hP2qE9mw_UTf6buEbLN85oRg/s320/DSC_0320.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{me, Jessica, Danielle}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 1993<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Puxsutawney, PA</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a kid, I always looked forward to my birthday because I
always had a party and I <i>always</i> had a sleepover. And for some reason, I always
seemed to get Barbie Dolls as gifts.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #12</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsK7ZnU5AywWEvXfA5wPuqC6lq-tLN8esNCzIX9AAE3V9YgHq3vxzDbAWCyeZKSu3DEx-mxieUSHebKO10SDUQ3EWaBNk9PdCWGzmtfq6v_1_VRJODSOXhklzPWEFQudsGuR6gpzFmhk/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsK7ZnU5AywWEvXfA5wPuqC6lq-tLN8esNCzIX9AAE3V9YgHq3vxzDbAWCyeZKSu3DEx-mxieUSHebKO10SDUQ3EWaBNk9PdCWGzmtfq6v_1_VRJODSOXhklzPWEFQudsGuR6gpzFmhk/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="317" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{me, Deidre, Sarah}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 1998</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Punxsutawney, PA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, this one is a bit embarrassing, but it had to be shared.
Somehow I convinced my friends to play with the sheep on my farm during my birthday party.
Deidre is holding Lambert, who was the lamb that, while suffering from
pneumonia, became delirious, ran into a combine (a piece of farm equipment) and
broke his neck. Miraculously, he survived and lived the rest of his life with a
lopsided head and a semi-obstructed voicebox (imagine an extremely glottal “Baaaaaa”).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #18</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYRk5cuiZtohOoDMTXQ66Vvp9XtggWLWTz7NGYwfwT6raRL8huh1A4FJyRafujXQQBPbvzxphuEy1_GDPOqJVj6QU_k9x9SJEUydc8J1XEG5sgv_0Je21IQYT7foKY8NnYzc9Ik-2Cng/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYRk5cuiZtohOoDMTXQ66Vvp9XtggWLWTz7NGYwfwT6raRL8huh1A4FJyRafujXQQBPbvzxphuEy1_GDPOqJVj6QU_k9x9SJEUydc8J1XEG5sgv_0Je21IQYT7foKY8NnYzc9Ik-2Cng/s320/DSC_0323.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{Megan, Jackie, Theresa, Autumn, Misti, Katie}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2004</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Indiana, PA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the infamous day I became an adult... The photo was
taken at IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) with some of my best friends
from high school. If I remember correctly, we spent the night acquainting
ourselves with college life, aka the frat scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #19</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVnnoV0x-Ror0UsVJOpjeGwiAR2ypzpB3KdYwnwZqhZOghGhlRMb6qou6LRSrVabMCETnlltx4k0HN5_soB8fhERu-Nwof0lHskbm3MKXmWdUp4-SKk5_GojxPDrIKt52rXIXDtb4lis/s1600/DSC_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVnnoV0x-Ror0UsVJOpjeGwiAR2ypzpB3KdYwnwZqhZOghGhlRMb6qou6LRSrVabMCETnlltx4k0HN5_soB8fhERu-Nwof0lHskbm3MKXmWdUp4-SKk5_GojxPDrIKt52rXIXDtb4lis/s320/DSC_0325.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{Jackie, Me, Theresa, Megan}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2005</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Niagara Falls, Canada</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyone who grew up in Pennsylvania or New York knows the
legal imbibing age in Canada is 19... So what better way to celebrate my Canadian
legality than with wine & waterfalls?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #21</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSD5QC5vqbGx_4XOxrBb3JzhkcSFq2vOfs8vahesVVqfZuru59yrAn3IWuhiO7y913hBu0inFR8Yoe7uBUGwdt8c7eH6jL9r4VGGIRiC5r4TRkKDGfgLG4WP9e1Domz7ihvW1vb-kQBE/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSD5QC5vqbGx_4XOxrBb3JzhkcSFq2vOfs8vahesVVqfZuru59yrAn3IWuhiO7y913hBu0inFR8Yoe7uBUGwdt8c7eH6jL9r4VGGIRiC5r4TRkKDGfgLG4WP9e1Domz7ihvW1vb-kQBE/s320/21.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{Jen, Amanda, me, Ashley, Nikki}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2007</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">State College, PA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was obviously one of the most memorable. First of all,
I was the last of all my friends to turn 21… basically the last senior at Penn
State to be allowed into a bar. So you can only imagine how enthusiastic I was
about this milestone… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The night before, my roommate organized a pregame at our
apartment and then at midnight, we proceeded to some karaoke bar where I proudly
climbed on stage and pretended I was Mariah Carey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8kK_2lhreNsOY3zkfH9dLzzVoina1KCkXEamnsVsTKX0dY0H1l5IEUZTGrgZwr0EByhH26-0ELNNbBQXQU_H8z2WARM3CzES6yogn051F2o4b4BdiOoMogBpByTa2dCgO0jWJhaZXnU/s1600/21b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8kK_2lhreNsOY3zkfH9dLzzVoina1KCkXEamnsVsTKX0dY0H1l5IEUZTGrgZwr0EByhH26-0ELNNbBQXQU_H8z2WARM3CzES6yogn051F2o4b4BdiOoMogBpByTa2dCgO0jWJhaZXnU/s320/21b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On my actual birthday, dinner was eaten at Red Lobster and
drinks were “sampled” at both the G-Man and the Dark Horse. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #23</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXe8cvMoUyrubiFQbjdusG5exKNk07FwhLvL7lY634rEKIMEdH4ltryGWB229dlRby3z4wamoA9BBfRZWW4HQsJis2LVemhL8SLe8W6EvyizkdCr-UT7usX3YmLi1__EH4wEb9Fsbqwk/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXe8cvMoUyrubiFQbjdusG5exKNk07FwhLvL7lY634rEKIMEdH4ltryGWB229dlRby3z4wamoA9BBfRZWW4HQsJis2LVemhL8SLe8W6EvyizkdCr-UT7usX3YmLi1__EH4wEb9Fsbqwk/s320/23.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{me & Kevin on the Riverwalk}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p> </o:p>September 2009</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Savannah, GA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the first time celebrating my birthday with Kevin…
I could tell he was a keeper because instead of just taking me out to dinner,
he also planned a romantic weekend getaway for us in the charming city of Savannah, Georgia!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #24</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82JkKnXPiDcaqU1DbCHWA6MJVo4lxCNet9421GaN64Ox4ScpMr6wRA3kq5CxwkpYRqSzdq20Eia5VuEwklYLC5ywQxLtVbra0IUu4J8v-vFe7cp6AXpA04Ac5d2v9llSkSztJubX-evs/s1600/IMG_4139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82JkKnXPiDcaqU1DbCHWA6MJVo4lxCNet9421GaN64Ox4ScpMr6wRA3kq5CxwkpYRqSzdq20Eia5VuEwklYLC5ywQxLtVbra0IUu4J8v-vFe7cp6AXpA04Ac5d2v9llSkSztJubX-evs/s320/IMG_4139.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p> {me & Kevin}</o:p> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2010<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Tuscaloosa, AL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2010, fate and football collided with PSU playing Alabama
for the first time in twenty years. For those of you who know my husband, he
graduated from Alabama, while I graduated from Penn State. When I found out the long-awaited game was <i>on my birthday</i> <b>in Alabama</b> (where I was working at the
time), I was ecstatic! Of course, we bought tickets, tailgated all day, watched the game, then
left the next morning for a Caribbean cruise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJW2SmYnkKSFD9eTjGZeDdyZymN1a2ODNKWmJ7WOShts3K4TaJzJTXXLkeUimaKfLwwJZ1kP7S4qeJXJ7I-6W6wjJrqYa5yYzRYmYHwSQBHxtz022f9AXLdZVUZLStsd-9pp0H8kwWXA/s1600/IMG_4195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJW2SmYnkKSFD9eTjGZeDdyZymN1a2ODNKWmJ7WOShts3K4TaJzJTXXLkeUimaKfLwwJZ1kP7S4qeJXJ7I-6W6wjJrqYa5yYzRYmYHwSQBHxtz022f9AXLdZVUZLStsd-9pp0H8kwWXA/s320/IMG_4195.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">BIRTHDAY #25<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjVT_Qsl4q7k5-t_VUrWHe59OYD3okUFhyphenhyphenYFoet6__ateKWfD8ewiqhdk4SNFlMTT_8WBEfQbtNU2gCNZO7Zn2Gu6Q0L0Loqhx-O-q-LxCZL-1To55T4Dhv1y2ufKA6KFvPWn8AkLYIs/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjVT_Qsl4q7k5-t_VUrWHe59OYD3okUFhyphenhyphenYFoet6__ateKWfD8ewiqhdk4SNFlMTT_8WBEfQbtNU2gCNZO7Zn2Gu6Q0L0Loqhx-O-q-LxCZL-1To55T4Dhv1y2ufKA6KFvPWn8AkLYIs/s320/25.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">San Angelo, TX</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">First birthday as a married woman… Kevin and I had just
moved to Texas, we were still staying in a hotel, living out of a suitcase hundreds
of miles away from home. We spent the day kayaking the Concho River, eating
dinner at the Olive Garden and splitting a ginormous Strawberry Cheesequake
from Dairy Queen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY #26</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">First birthday celebrated in Japan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Nm2I5SQwD6XEApXAOJjPYee2IZ5JxXwukZ8RT3mFqZsTAnI9DxRGB13PGTLtZiOUx3WzYEmnleV3u9UaFWnXBTcONxU3VY8K4KWdmsJnKhHFC3xH-Q9it9cRYok5JGTbJ6AR8ZjX3k/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Nm2I5SQwD6XEApXAOJjPYee2IZ5JxXwukZ8RT3mFqZsTAnI9DxRGB13PGTLtZiOUx3WzYEmnleV3u9UaFWnXBTcONxU3VY8K4KWdmsJnKhHFC3xH-Q9it9cRYok5JGTbJ6AR8ZjX3k/s320/26.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wine & Cupcake party with a few of my female friends on
the island...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdt5iXE-iHgxi9aDOiyUiIxDCRrpnI_oen6dXm7HF47aFfQf_sGV0B6IevfbccAdVb-7qpSSMG_iKJFeUGVmydhR5NkIhWngwzGqN-zefd9gvG4_zcXI_ywRyBdV_4Iqa_6z1q_8MqKo/s1600/909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdt5iXE-iHgxi9aDOiyUiIxDCRrpnI_oen6dXm7HF47aFfQf_sGV0B6IevfbccAdVb-7qpSSMG_iKJFeUGVmydhR5NkIhWngwzGqN-zefd9gvG4_zcXI_ywRyBdV_4Iqa_6z1q_8MqKo/s320/909.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{ladies of the 909th}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Okinawa, Japan</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7qSTo7RJ5IoOYn61OJIVbBLX9widVUd_2sffThEfe68CNnLyBnyplOKCHk4xg7s7x-X-DZi4byI6CvVnQTgJ8CMH4_IME41SyZ04wpaX4M7LjkL-2XYgJO_ZAp_p_HD8wrIAyuk2NyE/s1600/alyssa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7qSTo7RJ5IoOYn61OJIVbBLX9widVUd_2sffThEfe68CNnLyBnyplOKCHk4xg7s7x-X-DZi4byI6CvVnQTgJ8CMH4_IME41SyZ04wpaX4M7LjkL-2XYgJO_ZAp_p_HD8wrIAyuk2NyE/s320/alyssa2.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{my next door neighbor, Alyssa}</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTRI39IROKLLIeRoOuqEEoDdss57crDZ2yUjk9l9hdRby4ff7axGo-7baAFljIT9nxit9vB3n2A7Lkgc3VeoW_7uxbLvPg8W0LPhbMfAiWGM7L7cS0G1FO6L0hxMk2j8lK0ZQDzt_z_A/s1600/couch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTRI39IROKLLIeRoOuqEEoDdss57crDZ2yUjk9l9hdRby4ff7axGo-7baAFljIT9nxit9vB3n2A7Lkgc3VeoW_7uxbLvPg8W0LPhbMfAiWGM7L7cS0G1FO6L0hxMk2j8lK0ZQDzt_z_A/s320/couch1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{Ebony, Liberty, me, Alyssa, Cerrin}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kevin also surprised me with a stunning rose & lily bouquet,
cooked me macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup, gave me a gorgeous white
& black diamond necklace, then took me out to a fancy schmancy seafood
restaurant for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI603ebN24XUvJgXDMdF4w0w5IGYJoDm8R0C2S2QYMvtk0OnEVKnHzDpulXTvJkdn17QpW0cNWuFsOAwMnJM25ldvEk93nsHvxOd811Sk5UxihrP7oAV5e70hOxH056_MfsvEWLvlE-jc/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI603ebN24XUvJgXDMdF4w0w5IGYJoDm8R0C2S2QYMvtk0OnEVKnHzDpulXTvJkdn17QpW0cNWuFsOAwMnJM25ldvEk93nsHvxOd811Sk5UxihrP7oAV5e70hOxH056_MfsvEWLvlE-jc/s320/DSC_0184.JPG" width="212" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHmFd-4TqaECItsrPWNRnsK3gULByET96ehKjS9J9Oit0szabVN1XK1YiETfCSwVhIlSGvuaOLr8JExxsDB7log4DcGdP2_WnFZWDp4XOyU0W8iP1C5tqfJS533ulUvTcHuZiuVt0gr8/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHmFd-4TqaECItsrPWNRnsK3gULByET96ehKjS9J9Oit0szabVN1XK1YiETfCSwVhIlSGvuaOLr8JExxsDB7log4DcGdP2_WnFZWDp4XOyU0W8iP1C5tqfJS533ulUvTcHuZiuVt0gr8/s320/DSC_0194.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwLbSKMhuYYj2t2WnK1fCbCROWIZiK3UvEDfDorrWjtAblZh1OKJPMn-Tuszah-F1cPWwHyEYU6EZQXrB1-i7mCjB7s6I1VJRqZUIVZzHawa3yOoyUcWmvfdysH46-F2bOX_0ss3O6X0/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwLbSKMhuYYj2t2WnK1fCbCROWIZiK3UvEDfDorrWjtAblZh1OKJPMn-Tuszah-F1cPWwHyEYU6EZQXrB1-i7mCjB7s6I1VJRqZUIVZzHawa3yOoyUcWmvfdysH46-F2bOX_0ss3O6X0/s320/DSC_0248.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, it’s hard to believe I’m 26… 10 years ago, it was an age
I associated with being grown up, outdated and <i>old</i>… Haha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But now, not so much… My metabolism may be slower, but I am
more motivated, disciplined, and energetic than I’ve ever been. I would say I’m
finally in my prime…and embracing it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><i>Do
not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.</i> ~Author
Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><i>A
man's age is something impressive, it sums up his life: maturity reached
slowly and against many obstacles, illnesses cured, griefs and despairs
overcome, and unconscious risks taken; maturity formed through so many desires,
hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves. A man's age represents a fine
cargo of experiences and memories. </i> ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, <i>Wartime
Writings 1939-1944</i>, translated from French by Norah Purcell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><i>A
man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. </i> ~John Barrymore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><i> The
other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life. "Why," I answered without a thought, "now."</i> ~David
Grayson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-86765743561585058752012-09-12T01:17:00.000-05:002012-09-12T01:28:47.881-05:00The Race that Almost Killed Me... (& My Secret to Speed)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__T1e0B90jKxxTE2QVPFxzYHC2D0io5Pu_PGJYl1YXpTQ1fx8BagaSCXZVpehphR9vNw87RdE6LzXnJ2Uy9B8Js8Axfh4HqhZPSCP-YuoX59scTTUUwThGKeaESdhDokDKpND5l-VmLg/s1600/race4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__T1e0B90jKxxTE2QVPFxzYHC2D0io5Pu_PGJYl1YXpTQ1fx8BagaSCXZVpehphR9vNw87RdE6LzXnJ2Uy9B8Js8Axfh4HqhZPSCP-YuoX59scTTUUwThGKeaESdhDokDKpND5l-VmLg/s320/race4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Before the race: I <i>look</i> unstoppable, but I actually feel quite distressed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was the race that almost killed me… Or rather, the race I
almost killed myself. The culmination of two months of training had boiled down
to five kilometers and I was bound and determined to give it my best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was certainly not my first race, but my nerves were
shot. The night before I tossed and turned and barely slept, then woke up with
knots twisting in my stomach. Why was I so nervous? I had done this before,
countless times… in the hot, beating sun, in the pouring rain, on the treadmill
and on the pavement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But this race was different. It was the first one I had trained
for consistently. It was the first time I had developed a training plan and
stuck with it faithfully. Interval sprinting one day, pace running another… Each
workout was building my endurance, increasing my speed and pushing my limits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But even with all of that preparation, five minutes before
the race, my legs were quivering, my hands were trembling and my heart was
pounding. I closed my eyes, drew in a deep breath and bowed my head, asking God
to calm my fears and give me strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4Ix2hV_EGwIN5Drj4f9MoiFKXgcsRA11rohRE9qtmsgPs_UU0pwo0gUhe4dh3vfsp0I6lnQr5SllXc1VCTMlPIuFnv5l4ckBqikFpYdFYi6GXQXQgUYu7eYXKsxzdaG4GGaXD0iQQIE/s1600/race1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4Ix2hV_EGwIN5Drj4f9MoiFKXgcsRA11rohRE9qtmsgPs_UU0pwo0gUhe4dh3vfsp0I6lnQr5SllXc1VCTMlPIuFnv5l4ckBqikFpYdFYi6GXQXQgUYu7eYXKsxzdaG4GGaXD0iQQIE/s400/race1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm the chick with the pink shoes and the orange sweat band... Yes, the one who looks like a rejected character from the movie Dodgeball.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As the national anthem played, I stood at attention beside
dozens of other runners, both young and old, military and civilian, and
suddenly decided that this day, I would push myself like I never had before.
This would be the race I would test my boundaries. I would not stop. I would
not give up.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So as the starter’s pistol cracked, I propelled myself
across the starting line and sprinted through the crowd. Within the first half
mile, my mouth was parched, my throat was clenched and my mind was telling me
to slow down.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTnpL9gqJCE7kecB9_90ohvesfWS0w3jyVqEYWKO2FzodjPTVokqxjO5s3_Q_NPo2J6P__-LGnUjjf2A_5M-RAWgsVcHuPtE8VvY6maPHCTEcO5NOMPxH1rw2r-dnDE9lVXs1A8542yU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTnpL9gqJCE7kecB9_90ohvesfWS0w3jyVqEYWKO2FzodjPTVokqxjO5s3_Q_NPo2J6P__-LGnUjjf2A_5M-RAWgsVcHuPtE8VvY6maPHCTEcO5NOMPxH1rw2r-dnDE9lVXs1A8542yU/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Blasting my music, of course.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I wouldn’t. I continued my pace, lengthened my stride
and began picking off the slower runners ahead of me. With each pass, I gained
more and more confidence. By mile two, I realized that while I would never beat
the fastest man, there were only <i>two</i>
women I needed to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I approached mile 2.5, my legs were aching, my chest was
tightening and my lungs were beginning to feel like bursting. I wanted to stop. My
body was <i>begging</i> me for a break… But I couldn’t. I was way too close to the
end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At mile 2.85, sweat was pouring down my face, my feet were throbbing and my breaths were turning into audible grunts and moans. At this
point, I didn’t care how I looked or sounded; all I wanted was to finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A few seconds later, I was trailing just inches behind one
of the aforementioned female runners… <i>This</i>
was my chance to pass. If I did it now, I knew I would need to dart the entire
way to the end to stay ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And that’s exactly what I did. With just two-tenths of a
mile to go, I closed my eyes, thrusted one foot in front of the other, and like
a rocket, launched myself toward the finish line. Every breath burned my
windpipe and each step seared my calves, but I kept pushing forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, the finish line was in sight. I saw the silhouettes
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focus on was flying over that finish line. Seconds later, I crossed, passing on
the proverbial torch to my teammate. My portion of the triathlon relay had
ended. At last, I could rest.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My husband rushed towards me with a bottle of water and I
nearly collapsed into his arms. Shaking and limping, I made my way to the gym,
gasping for icy air. I stumbled through the doors and flopped myself onto the
floor. My shins were splintering and my calves were cramping, but it didn’t
matter… I was finally finished, running my fastest 5k at 21:49. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G_qR3FcQhkPyXO3FWmzc9bxVBaIzoySERj8JeVdjUOhDNWoiYamvIR6zpZB6L4pmJYDWwG1obDwAW5yXQs6pmOZtfoqJENzmblKo7aJXrx0S6F4Mzl1-C299xpODpZYfVODEbBBwJs8/s1600/triathlon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G_qR3FcQhkPyXO3FWmzc9bxVBaIzoySERj8JeVdjUOhDNWoiYamvIR6zpZB6L4pmJYDWwG1obDwAW5yXQs6pmOZtfoqJENzmblKo7aJXrx0S6F4Mzl1-C299xpODpZYfVODEbBBwJs8/s320/triathlon.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Three days later, my legs are still sore and my gait is more
like a gimp, but I am smiling from ear to ear. Together, my team finished
second in the ladies road bike division of the triathlon, and I also ended up
being the second fastest female runner that day. The race nearly killed me, but
that feeling of winning made me feel more alive than I have in awhile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcviFhtgqaoySf_qUyyEDYMCBbs7nepDJTQdbrcnT2qAT1JHfjl3hUH0iQrDgYfOZh_BogZE9TTHKfmNijgBjg1HfGwUny11G3LF9JdcVVY8HZ-0B_BfNAYqQmFWAlbJszDNNDaHQeALQ/s1600/trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcviFhtgqaoySf_qUyyEDYMCBbs7nepDJTQdbrcnT2qAT1JHfjl3hUH0iQrDgYfOZh_BogZE9TTHKfmNijgBjg1HfGwUny11G3LF9JdcVVY8HZ-0B_BfNAYqQmFWAlbJszDNNDaHQeALQ/s320/trophy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">I look terrible, but I thought you'd like to see the trophy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> BONUS: My Secret to Speed</span></b></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Want to know what <i>really </i>makes me run fast? </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just listen to my iTunes... Give me any type of house or dance music and I will shave MINUTES off of my total run time. </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This race, I owe to Swedish House Mafia. ;)</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fy_8KTa4DrQ" width="560"></iframe>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-51391333833097791952012-09-03T07:52:00.002-05:002012-09-03T07:57:52.499-05:00Touristy Travels & Training for a Triathlon<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The irony
behind this blog is that when I have nothing happening, I have all the time in
the world to write… But when I’m actually busy, I can’t seem to find a spare
second to write down my thoughts. The past month and a half has been just that
way. Between my sister staying with us
for three straight weeks, a super typhoon hitting the island and training for
my triathlon relay, I’ve been bouncing around, gasping for breath (literally).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To recap all
that’s come to pass, I’ll just stick with the best of the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">First,
Shannon’s visit… Three weeks of castles, cliffs & beaches;
sightseeing, snorkeling & swimming; sushi, seafood & steak... 21 days
of laughing, joking & bonding... all in an attempt to give my 18-year-old
sister the most exciting post-graduation trip to ever be experienced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1) </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Churaumi Aquarium</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">: One of the largest aquariums in the world,
filled with thousands of fish and dozens of sharks... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Most interesting exhibit?</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Coral
Reef World</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, a room showing all of the poisonous/dangerous underwater
creatures you should avoid when swimming, snorkeling or diving in Okinawa,
including the following: </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">box jellyfish, sea
wasp anemone, Portuguese Man of War, cone snails, sea snakes, blue-ringed
octopus, stonefish, lionfish, stripe-eel catfish, crown of thorns starfish,
flower urchins and diadema urchins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://oki-churaumi.jp/en/images/dl/leaflet_kikenseibutsu.pdf">http://oki-churaumi.jp/en/images/dl/leaflet_kikenseibutsu.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2) </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Shuri Castle: </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Former palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, built
during the 14</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> century, almost completely destroyed during WWII,
then rebuilt 1958-1992. Very different from the castles I toured while living
in Spain (Grenada, Madrid, etc). While it did have a golden throne, it seemed
to lack the same opulence and grandeur that you see in many European castles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3) </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ryukyumura: </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A small theme park showcasing traditional Okinawan culture, including a village recreated from the Ryukyu Kingdom… Here
you can see the essence of Okinawan architecture--houses built 200 years ago
(moved to this location), as well as the longstanding industries of the island
(sugar factories, pottery making, and farming). If you enjoy history, this spot
is for you… Ryukyumura feels like a journey back in time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">4) </span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Zanpa
Lighthouse: </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Climb a
cylindrical staircase to catch a glimpse of one of the island’s most
breathtaking views... You’ll find yourself dozens of feet above the ocean,
overlooking the cliffs as waves crash below you. Seeing the ocean from this
height is surreal. While it was certainly a serene moment with my sister, I
will definitely come back with my husband… and a bottle of wine :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5)<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Okinawa
World: </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This is a tourists’ mecca,
located just an hour southeast of Kadena Air Base. Here you can go spelunking
through the Gyokusendo Caves, blow your own Ryukyuan glass, sample Okinawan-grown
sugar cane, sip Habu sake, taste-test several local desserts (including Mango
Cake and the Okinawan Salt Cookie), watch an Eisa Dancing show, and tour the
Habu Snake Museum. Of course, Shannon’s favorite part was seeing all the
snakes! Yuckkk!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">6) </span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Okinawa
Peace Memorial Museum: </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Commemorates
the 200,000+ lives lost during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Touring the
museum not only helped me better understand the history behind the war, but
also the role of the US military on the island since the 1940s. Perhaps the
most moving exhibit was simply a room full of books, filled with stories
written by survivors of the Battle of Okinawa. Shannon and I spent almost an
hour reading these gruesome accounts…and there’s one I will never forget. An
Okinawan girl tells the story of how she witnessed her mother being decapitated
by Japanese soldiers because she could not speak Japanese… and then later
watched her younger brother and sister die after being knifed to death by the
same soldiers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, it
was a very busy few weeks with my sister, but we got to see so much together!
Fortunately I was able to talk her into working out with me so I
didn’t have to stop training for my race while she was here...This Sunday I will be
competing in my first ever triathlon relay and I’m on a team of three: I will run,
Tamara will bike, and Maria will swim. To prepare, I’ve been
running intervals, doing pace runs and cross training with yoga, spinning and CrossFit. I’m
really looking forward to the race and I’m hoping to set a personal record.
Wish me luck!<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-35299669097912967672012-07-24T20:58:00.000-05:002012-07-25T00:34:27.630-05:00Baby Bucket List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two months
down, only 34 more to go… It’s hard to believe how fast the time has flown
since my husband and I arrived here in May. Between moving, unpacking, decorating
and puppy adopting, we’ve consumed ourselves with getting settled and transforming
our house into a home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, it
seems like whenever we’re out meeting new friends, the question that always
arises is, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“When do you plan on starting
a family?” </i>or<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you want babies here in Japan?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsqZgTCzGGla5tFa7SeQvSpK1ut5sRn4HfvWLENdY1vBlsQ6IqnuK5QrJX6VVfz3dHYBRBSzfArM_-r_iW7LKoK9no-lxNC63H7Rrd5-0UohNnCKJiIzUsF-Qwwvx3enGgbgvk-UQTQA/s1600/baby+bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsqZgTCzGGla5tFa7SeQvSpK1ut5sRn4HfvWLENdY1vBlsQ6IqnuK5QrJX6VVfz3dHYBRBSzfArM_-r_iW7LKoK9no-lxNC63H7Rrd5-0UohNnCKJiIzUsF-Qwwvx3enGgbgvk-UQTQA/s320/baby+bottle.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valid
question, but quite frankly, none of your business ;) j/k… But I digress. Of course we want
babies (lots of them!) but honestly, not here in a foreign country, thousands
of miles from family and friends. We JUST got married last year and we still
have so much we want to see and experience together <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before</i> becoming parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean, if
we were stationed in Minot, North Dakota, I may have different sentiments, but
we are in Okinawa, JAPAN, and the world is at our fingertips! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With that
said, I’ve created a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Baby Bucket List</span></b>—all the things I want to do before
becoming a mother (before leaving Japan).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> 1) </o:p></b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jump out of a perfectly good airplane. </b>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">terrified
of skydiving, but Kevin’s pressuring me to overcome my fear)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2) </b><b>Scuba dive a large shipwreck. </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(a
REAL one, not manmade)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>3)</b></span> </span></b><b>Run a marathon in less than 4 hours.</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>4)</b></span> </span></b><b>Compete in a triathlon.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>5)</b></span> </span></b><b>Kayak the Okinawa coastline.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>6)</b></span> </span></b><b>Learn to speak Japanese.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>7)</b></span> </span></b><b>Go ocean jet skiing & hang gliding.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>8)</b></span> </span></b><b>Master the art of photography.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>9)</b></span> </span></b><b>Go skinny dipping in the ocean after
midnight.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10)</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
Travel Asia:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Okinawa:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Watch the
sunrise on the east coast of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tour the Nago
Pineapple Winery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tour Orion
brewery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Visit Churaumi
Aquarium. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(one of the largest aquariums
in the world)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Scuba dive
every major site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Zip line
the forest canopy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Walk
through the Valley of Gangala.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Explore
Gyokusendo Cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Hike Mount
Katsuu & Hiji Falls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Visit Neo Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Nakijin Castle
ruins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Hedo Point<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Nakamura House<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Ryukyu Mura
Folk Village<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Yomitan
Pottery Village<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Ikei Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Forest
Adventure Park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Japanese
Naval Underground Headquarters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Peace
Memorial Park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Shuri Castle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Kinjocho
Stone Road<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Komaka Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Kerama Island
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(diving)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://matadornetwork.com/trips/10-great-outdoor-events-in-okinawa/">http://matadornetwork.com/trips/10-great-outdoor-events-in-okinawa/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://matadornetwork.com/nights/fire-flowers-and-phalluses-ten-festivals-in-japan/">http://matadornetwork.com/nights/fire-flowers-and-phalluses-ten-festivals-in-japan/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Mainland Japan:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Hike Mt.
Fuji.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tour
Hiroshima.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Disneyland
Tokyo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Imperial Palace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Sapporo. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(snow festival in Hokkaido)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/things-to-do-in-japan/">http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/things-to-do-in-japan/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/things-to-do">http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/things-to-do</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Thailand:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Visit Bangkok.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Ride an
elephant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Feed the
tigers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Australia:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Visit Sydney.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Scuba dive
the Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In China:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Visit Shanghai.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Visit Hong
Kong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tour Beijing-
Forbidden City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-See Xian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Walk The
Great Wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guam<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">South Korea<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now, the
plan is to tackle Okinawa first, soak up all there is to offer on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> island, and then venture off to
other countries. If there’s something on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i>
bucket that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> also want to
accomplish yourself, please let me know! The more, the merrier… After all,
experiences are always better shared with a friend. :)</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Avoiding danger is no safer in the
long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or
nothing.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">— Helen Keller</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-74844285790155320452012-07-20T09:41:00.001-05:002012-07-20T09:41:38.076-05:00From Garden Slave to Produce Princess<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a kid, the only thing I hated more than cleaning the barn
was weeding the garden. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes, I once lived on a farm, and yes, I had
chores. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course, I didn’t mind the ones that involved minimal discomfort
(i.e. feeding the bunnies), but the ones that kept me outside burning in the
hot, scorching sun only to get eaten alive by gnats and mosquitos? No, thanks!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Our family farm in Punxsutawney, PA.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, growing up, I grew to HATE the garden. Why? Well, maybe
because ours was half the size of a football field. Or perhaps it was a bit
unpleasant getting woken up by my mother at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6am</i>
during the SUMMER to weed, pick and water. Not gonna lie, at age nine, I felt
like a slave…and boy, did I want emancipated! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Sorry, Mom! lol.) </i>While all my friends were sleeping in, there I
was... hunched over, knees covered in dirt, filling a five-gallon bucket with enough beans
to feed Somalia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the time, I had no appreciate for fresh fruit or
vegetables, so this was pure, unwarranted torture. To me, candy, pastries and
ice cream were way tastier than carrots, tomatoes and squash. But now, as an
adult, I look back and realize how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fortunate</i>
I was to be eating organic produce from our very own garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Living on base, most military families (including us) shop
at the commissary. But there is one type of food I refuse to buy there, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and you guessed it</i>… it’s produce. It’s
not only expensive, it’s overripe and on the verge of rotting before you ever
bring it home. It only took one bad batch of tomatoes with brown, rancid juice,
for me to swear off their vegetables forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So now I shop <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">off base
</i>at a nearby Japanese farmers market, where all the produce is locally grown,
fresh and delicious.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Japanese woman peruses the gourd bin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRTLWA8e4JfYbvOlYj7KgeSmm0QJb8lF-OmJRZy_lhD36hnYJwZQCK5-wQ069XnwmCmON3MW0T50t6kjTCMXzFMLwubmJ1ZG-cHGqMCAIkXccPHLBcxTQu4zyUWWeYtzUyl5LIhdCCV8/s1600/DSC_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRTLWA8e4JfYbvOlYj7KgeSmm0QJb8lF-OmJRZy_lhD36hnYJwZQCK5-wQ069XnwmCmON3MW0T50t6kjTCMXzFMLwubmJ1ZG-cHGqMCAIkXccPHLBcxTQu4zyUWWeYtzUyl5LIhdCCV8/s320/DSC_0508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Mangos are considered a delicacy in Japan.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7xwY96LJ_D6zML7OvSYA9jMccCk0fcubLbo4ENnXHmMSGT8qYYTw4V52NXgECWi_egso37NBO2JhZuqM4VFHNl-ISLckQDcl33khEjUJ_BFlGd8-l-oA7bQ1hnPxjtT4-wvlh3rvF5k/s1600/DSC_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7xwY96LJ_D6zML7OvSYA9jMccCk0fcubLbo4ENnXHmMSGT8qYYTw4V52NXgECWi_egso37NBO2JhZuqM4VFHNl-ISLckQDcl33khEjUJ_BFlGd8-l-oA7bQ1hnPxjtT4-wvlh3rvF5k/s320/DSC_0511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">For 1,300 yen (or $16.54), you can buy TWO mangos.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Fresh bananas grown in Okinawa.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbq3qpEl2SGouozJ-eh4Svp7gI0ljfWe3ym9EnRvDYnrkXLLkvoy5lzFv9nZil-pU90iB1HFH_zeOtTRdppRWyjaoKukGymJ6m9qLcMchKARd9JqMKAExETv_GwbYnPZUwhdTuYiaSEA/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbq3qpEl2SGouozJ-eh4Svp7gI0ljfWe3ym9EnRvDYnrkXLLkvoy5lzFv9nZil-pU90iB1HFH_zeOtTRdppRWyjaoKukGymJ6m9qLcMchKARd9JqMKAExETv_GwbYnPZUwhdTuYiaSEA/s320/DSC_0531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">My friend Cerrin selecting some garlic.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhepXPZekRFDVI1XcPuZ5Fwv-w5-tbMmy72J7CVszT87bgC9XSxNMwgXODWJHATK1L3P9ro3sT-ETKb88EnVKXnlEtuuY6S6gi0BmXNh5rkb4YrD8otjtO5ytd3Ke_x8z43ma4p02iJg/s1600/DSC_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhepXPZekRFDVI1XcPuZ5Fwv-w5-tbMmy72J7CVszT87bgC9XSxNMwgXODWJHATK1L3P9ro3sT-ETKb88EnVKXnlEtuuY6S6gi0BmXNh5rkb4YrD8otjtO5ytd3Ke_x8z43ma4p02iJg/s320/DSC_0534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Soft tofu, a staple in the Japanese diet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrq4rIQ6Epb9klQ7pS3FWHgXxC8u2Vkg3ThWvIqVdoN_2NRZVyQAXW4h7l1jM5DUnngZ7lIJBVoMk7zSO9nSS0XngfdTzgg4rusw5l1sbsq1k-vqpgFnbmmGjxGnK5V2NsLItKuoXGYc/s1600/DSC_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrq4rIQ6Epb9klQ7pS3FWHgXxC8u2Vkg3ThWvIqVdoN_2NRZVyQAXW4h7l1jM5DUnngZ7lIJBVoMk7zSO9nSS0XngfdTzgg4rusw5l1sbsq1k-vqpgFnbmmGjxGnK5V2NsLItKuoXGYc/s320/DSC_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Yummy fruit jams.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span id="goog_620296814"></span><span id="goog_620296815"></span></span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-83644446111578864852012-07-16T07:54:00.001-05:002012-07-17T01:51:52.230-05:00My Fluffy Monsters: Murphy & Marley<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." -</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gene Hill</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ2EjAAbhOSoqPlSI9uHGium1yzFtnuMlxjPp27Osjr423w0w30J5hCI1nVkwR7PjhfVHQNSKImWYQn4ssut1bVtjyY9L92JQv_BmoD0xpcKbpYLgVZQ2PC0MvAOqhMrNrEhceA0nS6g/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ2EjAAbhOSoqPlSI9uHGium1yzFtnuMlxjPp27Osjr423w0w30J5hCI1nVkwR7PjhfVHQNSKImWYQn4ssut1bVtjyY9L92JQv_BmoD0xpcKbpYLgVZQ2PC0MvAOqhMrNrEhceA0nS6g/s200/DSC_0346.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHna0Fz-pzfo0XWqz7sXQ1k9AbUvZHEhaTs16qAKrOuuLvPYWFqfzuZwnvQvBVewu1up6TK4xmhSIVI8Di_6W9uaUehIABHp8xV4FuZdC2Otxvb44c_CxrOiLhvzG0bPYQDC_VZqlCVdc/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHna0Fz-pzfo0XWqz7sXQ1k9AbUvZHEhaTs16qAKrOuuLvPYWFqfzuZwnvQvBVewu1up6TK4xmhSIVI8Di_6W9uaUehIABHp8xV4FuZdC2Otxvb44c_CxrOiLhvzG0bPYQDC_VZqlCVdc/s200/DSC_0348.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m proud to introduce the two newest, fluffiest members
of our family… Murphy & Marley!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0-zWAQGgRW4vysquVZl0t1pUEgBOnNgVFMfcViQwhkiBWYhSs0FrX5yPv9eusuww4-nEbC28yEEhj3ilAOfKPUMURyTvYbVwcKezMsR4cLvcYv4u80OZwvoINiNHY-92ije-IGuPknk/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0-zWAQGgRW4vysquVZl0t1pUEgBOnNgVFMfcViQwhkiBWYhSs0FrX5yPv9eusuww4-nEbC28yEEhj3ilAOfKPUMURyTvYbVwcKezMsR4cLvcYv4u80OZwvoINiNHY-92ije-IGuPknk/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Kevin, Marley & Murphy pause during the first of many evening walks.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">M & M have a story much like many other pets…
They were born into a litter of four puppies, placed into a kill shelter, and
given only five days to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9xkZzN3I-jiF5icbJbw9NOl1nYRho1NX1wMn7kbtMpr0WV3AJFwDDWPaNHPRRMgbpqVreOXeq1Y0LLLhg7n2F6-LoRXttzGFROTtKCUs3J_X9h2IEaMkGHipQUZQ0YMqKPq9gfqlvpk/s1600/murphy+and+siblings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9xkZzN3I-jiF5icbJbw9NOl1nYRho1NX1wMn7kbtMpr0WV3AJFwDDWPaNHPRRMgbpqVreOXeq1Y0LLLhg7n2F6-LoRXttzGFROTtKCUs3J_X9h2IEaMkGHipQUZQ0YMqKPq9gfqlvpk/s320/murphy+and+siblings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Murphy, his brother (who passed away) & his sister (who was adopted) at Ozato Shelter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fortunately for them, the fluffy five-month-old duo caught the
attention of a non-profit organization
called Doggies, Inc, whose director decided there was no way she’d let them get
gassed. <o:p></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Soon, M & M were removed from the shelter and sent to live in a foster home with a volunteer family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvi_iMOb4gxKlN3R088tfM5DBu_SzgxqHGpMAkzHuMYKjnNMF3nxEoTsb0Hhh4JMid2LjAJgsv53YSYZDRS5Qb9vT9FQ-ttDyGkp6gfl2edvWOdiWLBfc7hoyWD08NTm6y1TOBBrhiKw/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvi_iMOb4gxKlN3R088tfM5DBu_SzgxqHGpMAkzHuMYKjnNMF3nxEoTsb0Hhh4JMid2LjAJgsv53YSYZDRS5Qb9vT9FQ-ttDyGkp6gfl2edvWOdiWLBfc7hoyWD08NTm6y1TOBBrhiKw/s320/DSC_0313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">The brothers munching on some tasty rawhide treats.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was then Kevin noticed an
advertisement online to adopt these precious babies. At first, I was a bit
apprehensive. After all, we had only arrived in Okinawa a month prior and we’d
barely settled in. But after meeting them in person, my heart melted like
butter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Murphy had a fluffy
forehead, a shaggy coat and a boisterous personality, while Marley--the tinier
of the two—was somewhat meek, but extremely energetic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5rdSSx76ijzpCEFl3gM55GkgBNFju9MjVqFcMONjd2zV3cvHfKCYjEolFRYx5gh3AVwfLV7HWDeM-pmeuDcnGJMNwE8MseG_OKVTmt_N2o40ymITqqMzNETFyIdMcKr7CYZ21RqwFRc/s1600/DSC_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5rdSSx76ijzpCEFl3gM55GkgBNFju9MjVqFcMONjd2zV3cvHfKCYjEolFRYx5gh3AVwfLV7HWDeM-pmeuDcnGJMNwE8MseG_OKVTmt_N2o40ymITqqMzNETFyIdMcKr7CYZ21RqwFRc/s320/DSC_0483.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Murphy</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZR8bsQci76Zh5wSEjnzGRw_1CkaWnu9VBkX5arrt0tdHTpga9jdJn4GiLNZMJaZ3mBUSkRA8KE33eFZVXhKkCmybU-gcU-bZWKlRPoyXVWofENdmNXkeDrC3bF3LKPyMVgeCePTS_Uw/s1600/DSC_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZR8bsQci76Zh5wSEjnzGRw_1CkaWnu9VBkX5arrt0tdHTpga9jdJn4GiLNZMJaZ3mBUSkRA8KE33eFZVXhKkCmybU-gcU-bZWKlRPoyXVWofENdmNXkeDrC3bF3LKPyMVgeCePTS_Uw/s320/DSC_0489.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Marley</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the way they played
together was ADORABLE. One minute they were licking each other, the next they
were wrestling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXFe4jISBPQpx3JWdqqrRng74pHC6yetRvd9XbibfOmnWKBGH7xk56B9cWiugYYwJ2Xm4Bnp5FOuV72SLOeaWhNyW14Gj-H8n43LVJqe5hnJxrbdSv7JdZq_9VWPWE2axlxk9xVCOj9A/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXFe4jISBPQpx3JWdqqrRng74pHC6yetRvd9XbibfOmnWKBGH7xk56B9cWiugYYwJ2Xm4Bnp5FOuV72SLOeaWhNyW14Gj-H8n43LVJqe5hnJxrbdSv7JdZq_9VWPWE2axlxk9xVCOj9A/s320/DSC_0373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I knew that if we adopted them together, we’d never have to worry about us (or them) ever getting bored! They were playmates from the womb and we believed they deserved to stay that way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6hk7uRkOC4SwD5i_ceRj9m4j-_96PjEoCyXIVaq6w7jSc6_BOe2prDOVCQdPfABlkK8RxdThs8DW0VmKTgRVgglqdLCBHa2329aVwiFjQ16ozZsQF33k5ML6HWuvYbiVG5Jjv7AKsD8/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6hk7uRkOC4SwD5i_ceRj9m4j-_96PjEoCyXIVaq6w7jSc6_BOe2prDOVCQdPfABlkK8RxdThs8DW0VmKTgRVgglqdLCBHa2329aVwiFjQ16ozZsQF33k5ML6HWuvYbiVG5Jjv7AKsD8/s320/DSC_0397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, Saturday, July 7<sup>th</sup>,
we accepted the adoption and by Tuesday, July 10<sup>th</sup>, they officially
became our pets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vyJaoPfChW2IeDd-w2Td5jwoC9MyIRhOjx0qPKd_NRhn7hlN-01kOymeu6RgNTxwcu_ja5c829Gvae8BgY2pPhF2I3h6P2SErtCgB5NvPL_G4qM4vFIU3TBOMvytOwTD_I0CBU5Tck/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vyJaoPfChW2IeDd-w2Td5jwoC9MyIRhOjx0qPKd_NRhn7hlN-01kOymeu6RgNTxwcu_ja5c829Gvae8BgY2pPhF2I3h6P2SErtCgB5NvPL_G4qM4vFIU3TBOMvytOwTD_I0CBU5Tck/s320/DSC_0265.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ll be honest, the past few
days have been utterly exhausting (experiencing a traumatizing day at the vet, picking up poop, cleaning the carpet and getting
dragged by the leash), but every hour of the bad is worth every second of the
good. Every time they lick my hands, follow my footsteps or snuggle me on the
floor, I’m reminded of what it feels like to be loved unconditionally… and I
hope they feel the same. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_oJpcp-7xQuCsk6ZxTSqVtW_VksFnTKfd4JNZ7_9ouGWbhoJguXUAXUNUNIJDTlZLmO1N14ejjc01AzD0blYGVMLpk7621ksPQS-q5Cv-LewRZ_8iiM7cHU3yvIMiDB659YQgnYlrUU/s1600/DSC_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_oJpcp-7xQuCsk6ZxTSqVtW_VksFnTKfd4JNZ7_9ouGWbhoJguXUAXUNUNIJDTlZLmO1N14ejjc01AzD0blYGVMLpk7621ksPQS-q5Cv-LewRZ_8iiM7cHU3yvIMiDB659YQgnYlrUU/s320/DSC_0333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: white;">"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." :)</span></span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-86692745536922533272012-07-01T07:30:00.002-05:002012-07-01T07:35:16.394-05:00Camping, Diving & Kayaking at Okuma Beach<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hands down, this was the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">best weekend</span> I've had since we arrived in Okinawa! We spent two days at a military-only, secluded resort called Okuma for camping, diving and kayaking with two of our newest friends.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1q_3yW4lDx-3-031j7iNdkBnqJlK55pkgWLjwxYSA6nPELbM6MOSFLOBYTVbBYKpkeo6gLFSk0Vo81oy2LjRgFI2xEXgtwtcRFeqG1Cy0hamB3r25fuBT8yd6FoGy-sHuvhyphenhyphenPmYNXLA/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1q_3yW4lDx-3-031j7iNdkBnqJlK55pkgWLjwxYSA6nPELbM6MOSFLOBYTVbBYKpkeo6gLFSk0Vo81oy2LjRgFI2xEXgtwtcRFeqG1Cy0hamB3r25fuBT8yd6FoGy-sHuvhyphenhyphenPmYNXLA/s320/DSC_0309.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Saturday (for the first time in over a year), Kevin and I donned our masks, fins & tanks to go scuba diving... sinking almost sixty feet under the surface of the East China Sea to see hundreds of tropical fish and canyons full of brightly-colored coral.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8ApzuAmLTAAb84W5VC6JxQ06Dxv70_iJl0QdpaiNwtHgcj5P5Bd99T_1g_0eN3Nsqj9qRTCzUMQKurx7vVd9-NRv194dP-uW7nmqMuYe9ZTKMvdtoQjJdV7QSmjQUWa7xRbHzzYkx9c/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8ApzuAmLTAAb84W5VC6JxQ06Dxv70_iJl0QdpaiNwtHgcj5P5Bd99T_1g_0eN3Nsqj9qRTCzUMQKurx7vVd9-NRv194dP-uW7nmqMuYe9ZTKMvdtoQjJdV7QSmjQUWa7xRbHzzYkx9c/s320/DSC_0311.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the actual dive. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Our underwater camera got stolen at the Tough Mudder Race in Texas.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instead of staying in a hotel, cabin or condo, we chose to be "at one with nature" and pitch a tent (so to speak)... ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLPyalQSE_jr87Qfatkv7cP2Dain51HlOS4ltnUU9qQJvFWFBJ0LrGLsXyv2-cOqEXLU80Mrrr5DFxtw01yXc-6ds5NGcCY6e7yY_piT2JJn93o1UmuiH1CQqxp86SnVsvxPN8m2Mj7A/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLPyalQSE_jr87Qfatkv7cP2Dain51HlOS4ltnUU9qQJvFWFBJ0LrGLsXyv2-cOqEXLU80Mrrr5DFxtw01yXc-6ds5NGcCY6e7yY_piT2JJn93o1UmuiH1CQqxp86SnVsvxPN8m2Mj7A/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course, we relaxed on the beach & went swimming in the emerald waters...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAIlDyCwHDXlo1L0WqpTbjT9uffCGIj0kMe1s5gOFv0K3f73QB4GOr5csE8gaRXQFQ0rMRErrFmmz8IQXsy86Aos21f_oNoFnFKudQEYBsg1Tm_49hL4k-fZeGtbKoROHpKC5t0nL3_4/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAIlDyCwHDXlo1L0WqpTbjT9uffCGIj0kMe1s5gOFv0K3f73QB4GOr5csE8gaRXQFQ0rMRErrFmmz8IQXsy86Aos21f_oNoFnFKudQEYBsg1Tm_49hL4k-fZeGtbKoROHpKC5t0nL3_4/s320/IMG_5528.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kevin and John bought matching hats...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY3okci1WBRN-CSnMYoHgatthRzh4WhoHSIRpT1EldMxbanJAw_Y-yvF3TlXlLlmaIRPOwLUSrPH8wp9Tg3gx1_4oeQCui8SaoQxrRAoRPM8hMOpdarKF2mhdJlKg7DmvX4iU4saRm5A/s1600/IMG_5513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY3okci1WBRN-CSnMYoHgatthRzh4WhoHSIRpT1EldMxbanJAw_Y-yvF3TlXlLlmaIRPOwLUSrPH8wp9Tg3gx1_4oeQCui8SaoQxrRAoRPM8hMOpdarKF2mhdJlKg7DmvX4iU4saRm5A/s320/IMG_5513.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Allison and I worked on our tans...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnbWoPuQK82fcXxeDXNYTWu3W3JyLwGh5KkQFp19RG2-IPMdH7bVYaA2Iyd58wqNLpA0GTaCZNBNYRtb5I2b0UWtIMbTY-E3dRwFl0geRqdtc9VJYkuRO7U417PGv_TebSDfnwzPhnDQ/s1600/IMG_5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnbWoPuQK82fcXxeDXNYTWu3W3JyLwGh5KkQFp19RG2-IPMdH7bVYaA2Iyd58wqNLpA0GTaCZNBNYRtb5I2b0UWtIMbTY-E3dRwFl0geRqdtc9VJYkuRO7U417PGv_TebSDfnwzPhnDQ/s320/IMG_5475.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The four of us shared a few drinks...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ078JgkvIQrGcIOxG3t1h9cTdm0yQnPIoaWc6SQrWd6SeGNI40k5UkIH-foTaVaagsUGgcnxGk_Nbjy3P8QYR1j92T43GK7-LMDZaIWdWY7uSb29udJ-bp0cc9vHz66BFgprwZPqzg6k/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ078JgkvIQrGcIOxG3t1h9cTdm0yQnPIoaWc6SQrWd6SeGNI40k5UkIH-foTaVaagsUGgcnxGk_Nbjy3P8QYR1j92T43GK7-LMDZaIWdWY7uSb29udJ-bp0cc9vHz66BFgprwZPqzg6k/s320/DSC_0312.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Captured the moonlight reflecting off the water...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fed a little boy his first-ever S'MORE...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Acted like children...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-GS9RWClhBFK1lQiH9R2sOTJgrv0d4qy96AZcFaFDkrWWH-lLPKdsg-jBXRUQpAUUjM3kKG21Z6Ylp-AHzcgQkHhp_parkgKQNIGOW5zuPm_e8HKgJZBiNSdSd8vb_XlpStozvHpPOc/s1600/IMG_5487.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-GS9RWClhBFK1lQiH9R2sOTJgrv0d4qy96AZcFaFDkrWWH-lLPKdsg-jBXRUQpAUUjM3kKG21Z6Ylp-AHzcgQkHhp_parkgKQNIGOW5zuPm_e8HKgJZBiNSdSd8vb_XlpStozvHpPOc/s320/IMG_5487.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hiked through a cove...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kayaked our way through the ocean...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib0IXjUYxvmjG19UuufmQmLitq4zjC5gKa2DD3V9qWBuPufiv1qK_qj_4wNoUTgP9GQkFGvTJ_htJoTI8UagAOVlh-bVOSqaZ0gH8jgTq2V3tax0Zq5NTQYj66ypLK72FLwWSR0R15mA/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib0IXjUYxvmjG19UuufmQmLitq4zjC5gKa2DD3V9qWBuPufiv1qK_qj_4wNoUTgP9GQkFGvTJ_htJoTI8UagAOVlh-bVOSqaZ0gH8jgTq2V3tax0Zq5NTQYj66ypLK72FLwWSR0R15mA/s320/DSC_0368.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Managed to get stuck in a rip current that was pushing us out to sea... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfb4zJnFag4Mcap05aZmbde6T5rdLe_Be_3NT0DHczyUerko_Uim1ZVKegXO42vpK5LO4pMAZ2y1ZEneSy950XARvHa1N0pzhOi223iNu5Gjgw3oPYSuhUk8PECOPmTBbSJnf4HmyaKI/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfb4zJnFag4Mcap05aZmbde6T5rdLe_Be_3NT0DHczyUerko_Uim1ZVKegXO42vpK5LO4pMAZ2y1ZEneSy950XARvHa1N0pzhOi223iNu5Gjgw3oPYSuhUk8PECOPmTBbSJnf4HmyaKI/s320/DSC_0376.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But thankfully, due to a combination of arm power, paddling and persistence, we eventually made it back to the shore.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All in all, it was the perfect weekend with the perfect scenery and the perfect company... and I can't wait to go back!</span></div>
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<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-91084614683413796772012-06-20T05:57:00.004-05:002012-06-20T06:16:00.778-05:00Burnt CDs, High School Flashbacks & Japanese Elevator Music<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today, for the first time in eight years, I burned myself a
CD. Yes, in the land of sushi, samurais & Suzuki, there is no such thing as
Pandora or mainstream American radio. I actually had to travel back in time to
recover my blank, burnable CDs. Well not physically, but in spirit... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Creating a playlist on my laptop prompted
flashbacks from my high school years, cruising around in my '95 Saturn, blaring
none other than the greatest rapper of 2004, Lil Jon. The sad thing is I still know
every word from “Salt Shaker.” What’s even sadder? Thanks to a 20-minute daily commute to class, I was <i>that</i> girl who had every song ever written by 50 Cent and
Ludacris memorized. True story.</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Regrettably, you will not find "Magic Stick" nor "Slow Jamz" on this CD.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyways, even though my rinky dink Mazda does have one of
those after-market CD players in the dash, the only radio station that you can find in
English is one that’s designed to meet “all of the musical tastes on base,” if
you catch my drift. One minute you’ll be listening to Adele’s “Rumor Has It,” and
the next, you’ll be frantically reaching for the volume knob to mute the 1967
hit “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” I mean, I’d rather listen to Japanese jibber
jabber (talk radio) than kumbaya classics from the sixties.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Speaking of Japanese radio, if you ever walk into a store
off base, you’ll notice the difference in music immediately. Ever been to
Disney World’s Small World exhibit? Remember the little kids singing like
robots? Well, it’s a mix between that and the strange electronic sounds you’d
expect from a Nintendo game. I’m not saying every song is like this, but it’s
their equivalent to our elevator music…obviously<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> intended</i> to be soothing, but unfortunately quite irritating.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: This is anything but cute. It could be the most annoying song you've ever heard in your life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And while we’re talking music, I will say that it caught me
by complete surprise to hear “Call Me Maybe” at a sushi restaurant today.
Whatever happened to the zen garden genre you'd <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expect</i> to hear while you’re in Japan? You know, flutes, harps and
babbling brooks? Perhaps they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">think </i>we
prefer the one-hit wonders over their more traditional tunes? Not me… Pour me some green tea and put me in
a trance! Make me think I’m climbing Mt. Fuji, not clubbing at the shore. This
is JAPAN, after all. Not New Jersey.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">What I'd prefer to hear while feasting on raw fish.</span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-13131179993346250332012-06-15T06:12:00.000-05:002012-06-15T10:24:02.487-05:00Losing Weight the Okinawan Way<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC7TAzJ-FLbB463NSWNvSc-gf-qnh3hujlE3K0MzVWfSgSVTdiF78FSt4bJKa0Yhyc4v5F28y2EkYn-YdpbAgTbp6WyCuHYK45OatnvpQs926JXu9YfmewVZ-vlPx15M_-IEeyAzPWJ0/s1600/IMG_4936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC7TAzJ-FLbB463NSWNvSc-gf-qnh3hujlE3K0MzVWfSgSVTdiF78FSt4bJKa0Yhyc4v5F28y2EkYn-YdpbAgTbp6WyCuHYK45OatnvpQs926JXu9YfmewVZ-vlPx15M_-IEeyAzPWJ0/s320/IMG_4936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are three times in a woman’s life when she’s most
likely to gain weight…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 1)</span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>First year of college (freshman fifteen)</span></div>
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<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> 2) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Immediately following her wedding (honeymoon
muffin-top)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 3) During pregnancy (nine months of “eating for
two”)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For me, it was right after I got
married. I mean, the minute the reception started I was stuffing my face with
pasta, meatballs, garlic bread… not to mention, Italian crème wedding cake and
decadent butter cookies. Like most brides, I spent my entire engagement trying to lose weight
(and look perfect in my form-fitting lace gown), only to gain it all back within
the first few weeks of my marriage. And ever since then, I’ve found it very
difficult to lose those extra pounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Crab cakes, coleslaw, hush puppies and Blue Moon... Dinner on Okaloosa Island, FL.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I got the news we’d be living
in Okinawa, I was ecstatic. First, I’ve always wanted to live on an island and second,
I knew that the people who are from here are among the healthiest in the world.
The average life expectancy of an Okinawan woman is 86 and a man’s is 78. Here,
it’s not uncommon to meet someone over the age of 100. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From what I understand, it’s primarily
attributed to their lifestyles, especially their eating habits. Unlike
Americans who eat a large amount of processed foods, Okinawans stick with fish,
rice and vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMmYKmyzyk3HIXN2a9m4S3TM92JzuLfFHVwq2zn-RGWVQwhhyeYAJa1mpAGk8vFD1ejH4CRL-_64XXNGMUQd9OQN6JjDStSrcjQ7Cb5Y72kHG__F6iZTziDjK8ieKC7Tj64jGgTGC7cg/s1600/IMG_5081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMmYKmyzyk3HIXN2a9m4S3TM92JzuLfFHVwq2zn-RGWVQwhhyeYAJa1mpAGk8vFD1ejH4CRL-_64XXNGMUQd9OQN6JjDStSrcjQ7Cb5Y72kHG__F6iZTziDjK8ieKC7Tj64jGgTGC7cg/s320/IMG_5081.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I knew moving here would
ultimately change my perspective on food and give me a new incentive to drop
down to my pre-wedding weight (& stop eating junk food!). And that’s where I am now, three weeks into our
stay, working out and trying to eat as healthy as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been running at least four
days a week, practicing yoga, trying new aerobic classes and eating the
freshest food I can find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I downloaded an app on my iphone
called MyFitnessPal to track my calories, exercise and water consumption---and
it’s helped me lose about a pound a week (and that’s even with splurging on the
weekends, too)! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fortunately, I’ve met a few new
friends who like working out as much as I do. Monday, I went running along the
Sunabe Seawall with Maria and Tamara, and today I took a Zumba class with Katie.
I also met a girl named Allison who’s super athletic and loves running
half-marathons, so I already know who I’ll be training with while I’m here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbhB6jqVmKBgGbOvD7xshcydlCGa9gfaAj1ANhMINVLp-kpPL-RKa-wfUogTkjblZt_WLqzBzBMEZ4IirDHNSBO5JxIKQeNqjr8UQ_5oEb7mvTzsVK8tgGamuzfSeGdzD7EOlFFRbNmg/s1600/boobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbhB6jqVmKBgGbOvD7xshcydlCGa9gfaAj1ANhMINVLp-kpPL-RKa-wfUogTkjblZt_WLqzBzBMEZ4IirDHNSBO5JxIKQeNqjr8UQ_5oEb7mvTzsVK8tgGamuzfSeGdzD7EOlFFRbNmg/s320/boobs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know it seems like taboo to talk
openly about my weight but we all know as women, it can be one of the most
frustrating aspects of our lives, trying to balance our love for food with our
desire to be thin. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t work REALLY hard to stay
in shape. So, that’s one of my goals on
this island… to be the healthiest I’ve ever been & ultimately, the happiest
I’ve ever been. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now come visit! :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-28432316717789117682012-06-07T08:24:00.001-05:002012-06-07T08:30:15.156-05:00Finding a house, grilling a steak & saying goodbye to peeing in silence<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me
just start this by saying I’m thankful to be alive… and it should be noted that
Okinawans are hands down, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the worst drivers on the planet. </span>Yesterday, Kevin and
I narrowly avoided death as we were driving off base. Some oblivious teenager swerved
into our lane and cut us off with only inches to spare. If Kevin hadn’t slammed
on his brakes, I would be in a full body cast right now. Scariest moment yet...
And it’s only week two.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Onto
more positive news… Yesterday we found a house! Unfortunately, it’s not on the
beach as we had hoped, but it’s still spacious and close to Kevin’s work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP0JL2UIQDt5fYGvtFMBdJYaAa8EtDnlbuDCdtIzidNWt1cTv7VpLMfF6aivOo128zriHIeZWYaRCkfjSFayYzW3y7BLESZvgClR2eLMqmUUQJLr3A85sEEJW5YBYrzbHZ90z27PHSvw/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP0JL2UIQDt5fYGvtFMBdJYaAa8EtDnlbuDCdtIzidNWt1cTv7VpLMfF6aivOo128zriHIeZWYaRCkfjSFayYzW3y7BLESZvgClR2eLMqmUUQJLr3A85sEEJW5YBYrzbHZ90z27PHSvw/s320/IMG_5083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s a
1600 square ft. two-level home with THREE bedrooms/THREE bathrooms—obviously more
than adequate, but also the perfect amount of space for incoming guests. Compared to
our last apartment in Texas, this is quite the upgrade! No more squeezing
ourselves into an 800 square ft. furnace without central air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our
official move-in day is June 16<sup>th</sup>. Until then, nights will be spent
at the hotel and days will be spent exploring the island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Speaking
of exploring, today I had a little spur-of-the-moment adventure with my friend
Courtney!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, we
stopped at a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">beach</span> (just five minutes from the base) near Sunabe. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34apwt8MeaL3CdDYejJ9pJYzpRhsky9-BAI3D2u3LqzK-OSDwoVX419Kw0MQ710PSlmvW_iZlyjyfMwY5AENorQSjaeNy_Wt9NqjcjgeDmw1yAPCvhQGEl_qfrBcLZQOAkegQcnrEjFA/s1600/IMG_5100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34apwt8MeaL3CdDYejJ9pJYzpRhsky9-BAI3D2u3LqzK-OSDwoVX419Kw0MQ710PSlmvW_iZlyjyfMwY5AENorQSjaeNy_Wt9NqjcjgeDmw1yAPCvhQGEl_qfrBcLZQOAkegQcnrEjFA/s320/IMG_5100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right
now, it’s the rainy season in Okinawa so each year, the weather is predictably
dreary during the months of May and June. Even though the sky is dark and cloudy, it
doesn’t stop families from diving into the crystal clear water. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tHtWQDL7WKbzrgwn4pkiO7-oirNoA_zZZj2_iA78fYB-hK0247Py0BvItPIWFbJ2CkASoiA45OXUnY2sn2XRlbBrIs9yGNWFYQl_oL0o48eCVMDUaPS_2ikGWArRjUsEu-hAmF0v1mo/s1600/IMG_5106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tHtWQDL7WKbzrgwn4pkiO7-oirNoA_zZZj2_iA78fYB-hK0247Py0BvItPIWFbJ2CkASoiA45OXUnY2sn2XRlbBrIs9yGNWFYQl_oL0o48eCVMDUaPS_2ikGWArRjUsEu-hAmF0v1mo/s320/IMG_5106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I, of
course, savored the moment, kicked off my sandals and let the waves splash over my ankles. I thought to myself, “Is this real? I cannot believe I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">live</i> here.” This, coming from a girl who grew up near muddy
riverbanks and spent her summers rope swinging into a pond. No, this is way different.
And to me, such a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After
our shore excursion, we ate lunch at this all-you-can-eat grill-your-own-meat
buffet. Novel idea. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0UBUcaAUJYkGJ3fDBzYdqXd3zfybUAwprQ1LuLkFP_yKgdGPimO6Mh4s_kspk0X95s1OP_kD1IakEvbRlcJW1YB2_GQK5pvK9oGDZY-cy53FhIvYwVkR0pN6TDB059GW0RDn7aqaJv4/s1600/IMG_5108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0UBUcaAUJYkGJ3fDBzYdqXd3zfybUAwprQ1LuLkFP_yKgdGPimO6Mh4s_kspk0X95s1OP_kD1IakEvbRlcJW1YB2_GQK5pvK9oGDZY-cy53FhIvYwVkR0pN6TDB059GW0RDn7aqaJv4/s200/IMG_5108.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9-TrLlxypHUcRZrZLtN-hm-yYl5hGXZsvBqeLs2BEmr_50d5tiyGTMGtnaMZ04cAGA-UVO6evv4v8Npoe4AMRK_ukzzEc0bXABFr638b-Im7JGUNLerrIRsEJUa1Q2eSxQ9SAKMhPCo/s1600/IMG_5107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9-TrLlxypHUcRZrZLtN-hm-yYl5hGXZsvBqeLs2BEmr_50d5tiyGTMGtnaMZ04cAGA-UVO6evv4v8Npoe4AMRK_ukzzEc0bXABFr638b-Im7JGUNLerrIRsEJUa1Q2eSxQ9SAKMhPCo/s200/IMG_5107.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebwKKdgqhjtJAlX_du7sMTujR8ocQRaCY7ugfeUtzachZGdMlPWjh6GKujhn_Gt6ovZKzzbfd0PqtzB8QveAd54-l0UfulauBt0GivwlBNJ3QAFeW_W6-t6_M9SrcgI1QarIgZkTp7zE/s1600/IMG_5104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebwKKdgqhjtJAlX_du7sMTujR8ocQRaCY7ugfeUtzachZGdMlPWjh6GKujhn_Gt6ovZKzzbfd0PqtzB8QveAd54-l0UfulauBt0GivwlBNJ3QAFeW_W6-t6_M9SrcgI1QarIgZkTp7zE/s320/IMG_5104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN8Fa84Z_f04VqLy3RMpitz7NO_XPg_OxFlw2ZohrMHDmiJhk1RDjHK36iKvo18LZ3RCFtkVIZp16QGCWwUKuHH0sgXIp65p4gNBet2sZSlAY9H-1PWf3ZjYcBIB-sW-3ynfU0urMTnA/s1600/IMG_5101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN8Fa84Z_f04VqLy3RMpitz7NO_XPg_OxFlw2ZohrMHDmiJhk1RDjHK36iKvo18LZ3RCFtkVIZp16QGCWwUKuHH0sgXIp65p4gNBet2sZSlAY9H-1PWf3ZjYcBIB-sW-3ynfU0urMTnA/s200/IMG_5101.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Notice
the misspelling outside… <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUSRosY8cmlF-KPIALvdMxiEkpdt7BhLREwqF8X4ZoyrlW8okl6rl-v2lCHjW3mkg2SCrATldWhJTbF0zNc-VUvT_3WNRqv93S68ZgEYVg1htlqd1ENCrK8oh2CE33XWZ4RLrf59vR6c/s1600/IMG_5112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUSRosY8cmlF-KPIALvdMxiEkpdt7BhLREwqF8X4ZoyrlW8okl6rl-v2lCHjW3mkg2SCrATldWhJTbF0zNc-VUvT_3WNRqv93S68ZgEYVg1htlqd1ENCrK8oh2CE33XWZ4RLrf59vR6c/s320/IMG_5112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then
it was time to check out the restroom. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK1vL3vcQUjRxS2AQb-yYBszkZK374AtJ-7CQd2ZyAXp4DgAP8MJlGDI8l5EB5WbFkasXsSyacuZEsobzTpZSgHAEZMsmAdlgDxmAExwy6n961hEzuFjruCjvxCClqhoqUcvNSUaLdAA/s1600/IMG_5125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK1vL3vcQUjRxS2AQb-yYBszkZK374AtJ-7CQd2ZyAXp4DgAP8MJlGDI8l5EB5WbFkasXsSyacuZEsobzTpZSgHAEZMsmAdlgDxmAExwy6n961hEzuFjruCjvxCClqhoqUcvNSUaLdAA/s200/IMG_5125.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take a look at the black device hanging on the
wall. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_yNNMi0nh9DN5LkPMO0Dvbzy05zworll5Y0gEh98Gkht_2giALB8BBtG8TRUrSKVmV8wkq8uIqQ3oqgF2RRymNBrShTpy3tul3hYE7lmZqZEwVUZrLcvb-w4Y6vBY19iRV77qJH5-5I/s1600/IMG_5122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_yNNMi0nh9DN5LkPMO0Dvbzy05zworll5Y0gEh98Gkht_2giALB8BBtG8TRUrSKVmV8wkq8uIqQ3oqgF2RRymNBrShTpy3tul3hYE7lmZqZEwVUZrLcvb-w4Y6vBY19iRV77qJH5-5I/s200/IMG_5122.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apparently the Japanese have an aversion to hearing themselves urinate
because as soon as you start peeing, this tiny toilet contraption starts making
a loud water-flowing noise to overpower yours in the stall. Silly, but this is
their culture.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwsyUwMju17v-3Ef91fZXsyP8waCy2sgzKLg5EFtA_CMKClEcCxONtQ4bftvzbeHJ-3DpNTUedN_wrs7lEJ2EA4WZwEwHDu_7huw9tPZVb_TJ0NfiHivMtLW3EAjGMpobfFh2rQ0-Xh0/s1600/IMG_5121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwsyUwMju17v-3Ef91fZXsyP8waCy2sgzKLg5EFtA_CMKClEcCxONtQ4bftvzbeHJ-3DpNTUedN_wrs7lEJ2EA4WZwEwHDu_7huw9tPZVb_TJ0NfiHivMtLW3EAjGMpobfFh2rQ0-Xh0/s200/IMG_5121.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you've always been curious as to what an authentic Japanese toilet looks like, here you go...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6L3_EtlorIQ58VraFm8uBzPSbedM8NaGfsLjEdKZPkjIx0U2BSetKOS86flLl_sNeFNSabBKGmU_hQDhOc68KF1QLKNuDbDJDHrCLxgtoaO6v5mfqMo2vCtofM8wEWmlyjs7ikhamIk/s1600/IMG_5124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6L3_EtlorIQ58VraFm8uBzPSbedM8NaGfsLjEdKZPkjIx0U2BSetKOS86flLl_sNeFNSabBKGmU_hQDhOc68KF1QLKNuDbDJDHrCLxgtoaO6v5mfqMo2vCtofM8wEWmlyjs7ikhamIk/s320/IMG_5124.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Squatting is your only option.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, lastly, if
you want a good laugh, look below. Written in prain Engrish.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOesqO0Do_KiSPa9M8XaBUNeBSWl_dXuGYy0wYCBxMvnZdgDkX0c6AhHDs-gX0x8Bsk0CEPqQ9Z3-fnDolYb-CVBppV6IsSzMZKbKLL6J5WuOHHbpGdhw6CtrCHBxb8KFF1qUC-URuXo/s1600/IMG_5114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOesqO0Do_KiSPa9M8XaBUNeBSWl_dXuGYy0wYCBxMvnZdgDkX0c6AhHDs-gX0x8Bsk0CEPqQ9Z3-fnDolYb-CVBppV6IsSzMZKbKLL6J5WuOHHbpGdhw6CtrCHBxb8KFF1qUC-URuXo/s320/IMG_5114.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is real life Japan. *bows*</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-88197826336977221692012-06-01T01:47:00.002-05:002012-06-01T06:52:51.338-05:00Driving on the "Wrong" Side of the Road<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know I haven’t been faithful at keeping up with this blog.
Every day I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">plan</i> to post but later
find myself doing something else. On one hand, I would like to keep all of you
at home updated, but on the other hand, I just want to remain private until I
get my bearings straight. Being in a foreign country is exciting, but it’s also
overwhelming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq9pPy3bofCs0i1UNFZRcOy4ASLiqr3VWYOOTkr31fwN4m2rXDA6Qm2aU9XgayUFw1MCrqt-X08nnG53F_iT7Ab-DzYUxU-gCek2WrfQ8sQkO3-2q8LDkV6utJcle3kfGutXQJoclGfU/s1600/DSC_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq9pPy3bofCs0i1UNFZRcOy4ASLiqr3VWYOOTkr31fwN4m2rXDA6Qm2aU9XgayUFw1MCrqt-X08nnG53F_iT7Ab-DzYUxU-gCek2WrfQ8sQkO3-2q8LDkV6utJcle3kfGutXQJoclGfU/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I don't understand one word (or should I say character?) on this building.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With that said, I can’t believe it’s already been a week
since we set foot on the island! It’s been a busy time, running around the base
(literally), meeting new people, searching for cars, buying new cars, sitting
through long, boring briefings, and coping with sickness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unfortunately, we are still living out of a suitcase,
sleeping in a hotel, waiting to find out whether our future home will be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">on</i> base or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">off</i> base. In order for us to be eligible to live off base, housing
on base needs to be 95% occupied. As of last week, it was 94.27% full. So, we
shall see come Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perhaps the greatest progress made this week was in the form
of transportation. On Wednesday, Kevin and I passed the test to obtain our
Japanese driver’s licenses! Then on Thursday, we purchased two Japanese cars!
Mine is a 2003 Mazda Familia and Kevin’s is a 2002 Nissan Primera. Not the most
beautiful vehicles, but much nicer than most driven on Okinawa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56sBCSJEQDrqNX_IKifw8wuyo9r7K_xi7CoK54M_OhBTV-xYClipQ418IPuGGSKbufO3fTmOfVryrHbcEmYLOHaLZwPnNQBSTHenLE4NArudkYvGyuW8sgkJgpP2naOzzHQyB6EQ2QAs/s1600/IMG_4990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56sBCSJEQDrqNX_IKifw8wuyo9r7K_xi7CoK54M_OhBTV-xYClipQ418IPuGGSKbufO3fTmOfVryrHbcEmYLOHaLZwPnNQBSTHenLE4NArudkYvGyuW8sgkJgpP2naOzzHQyB6EQ2QAs/s320/IMG_4990.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">My car.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA1VPeG_7Pi2uMRAlqSVw7DZA4YfO2MN1ymRHvZnvISbcXwuoPrHQ3-92SFH7TDp27kdmtVpo0FM-LiBPcAiI4HNbejk0ZmJICeRy0qp2E5ioL1aRV2TQJEk-jLxNaJWjSAAtAMyLGWk/s1600/IMG_4992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA1VPeG_7Pi2uMRAlqSVw7DZA4YfO2MN1ymRHvZnvISbcXwuoPrHQ3-92SFH7TDp27kdmtVpo0FM-LiBPcAiI4HNbejk0ZmJICeRy0qp2E5ioL1aRV2TQJEk-jLxNaJWjSAAtAMyLGWk/s320/IMG_4992.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Kevin's car.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As you can see, the steering wheel is on the right side of
the car. And believe it or not, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we have
to teach ourselves</i> how to drive on the left side of the road! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg12UcuuZTM7lC8D8qtIpGXkTxI1AE46Uxxp6p_OhsMgy7iRfkln6LcHpYqAXtlA2GiSAGwMc8PxHQGIRbe5RCsp8QlXqx3RzVLuA3OT4EdlnlUZ6osLJ1UfhQPdrkpsRHfIXBJmhGJs/s1600/IMG_4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg12UcuuZTM7lC8D8qtIpGXkTxI1AE46Uxxp6p_OhsMgy7iRfkln6LcHpYqAXtlA2GiSAGwMc8PxHQGIRbe5RCsp8QlXqx3RzVLuA3OT4EdlnlUZ6osLJ1UfhQPdrkpsRHfIXBJmhGJs/s320/IMG_4994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me just say, getting behind the wheel that first time
nearly crippled me…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had heard all of the horror stories behind Japanese
drivers coming to a complete stop in the middle of the busy highway.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (It is customary for them to allow other
drivers into traffic as a courtesy.)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had watched videos of Japanese drivers running red lights.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (In Okinawa, there is what’s called the
“Three Car Rule.” Although not actually a rule, you should never enter an
intersection until you’re sure that all cross traffic has halted. It is a
common occurrence for at least three vehicles to continue through the
intersection even after the light has turned red.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I had been told that if you’re ever involved in an
accident with a Japanese driver, you’re automatically liable <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Japanese citizens and local nationals are
not required to carry insurance. Only Americans are.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInpmnEaIFjXWkNzldF6axjuUCcoV5XV-4AJlo8mK33zJAxFGystD3gURoY6UZcCrRUFl7wlewiryuXRdTduzOTejYP66B5GaLsayPgPIIbaOmKwibE92G59JETgOnwuVMFDvNhIbr8Q0/s1600/DSC_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInpmnEaIFjXWkNzldF6axjuUCcoV5XV-4AJlo8mK33zJAxFGystD3gURoY6UZcCrRUFl7wlewiryuXRdTduzOTejYP66B5GaLsayPgPIIbaOmKwibE92G59JETgOnwuVMFDvNhIbr8Q0/s320/DSC_0297.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So you can probably imagine how anxious I was just to even
step foot on the gas. My drive home from the dealership was a total of five
minutes but it felt like forever. This is exactly how it went: First, I walked
to the wrong side of the vehicle. FAIL. Then, I turned the windshield wipers on
instead of the turn signal. FAIL. Then I almost drove into the opposing side of
traffic. FAIL. Thanks to my guardian angel, I did make it home in one piece.
SCORE.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflkJ4w6wJN_fTQwU7RQYQoqUBbrA2bkJokeKoRvxlIbMLo2m0SMmqSA3s5C0-tEd13ku_-wOu_g76eiWmEo1625sFIXguv8BhvAyJY8l1wVPUkxcQ8E029_l1t-seMk02hyoep1LfyyQ/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflkJ4w6wJN_fTQwU7RQYQoqUBbrA2bkJokeKoRvxlIbMLo2m0SMmqSA3s5C0-tEd13ku_-wOu_g76eiWmEo1625sFIXguv8BhvAyJY8l1wVPUkxcQ8E029_l1t-seMk02hyoep1LfyyQ/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-24768765206928493212012-05-27T11:16:00.000-05:002012-06-01T01:47:53.481-05:00Konnichiwa, Okinawa!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So it’s been about a month since the last time I updated the
blog. You have my sincerest apologies. The past few weeks have been BUSY
visiting/saying goodbye to family and friends before leaving the country. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a
four-week timespan, we spent two weeks in Alabama...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4VMdZvWVzJaxIZcPbQyJPtA0xJC3jGdD3AwXhFcWn-A2ucg_o9SnPkqUfrRsPaj0RbvuB1sJXrS7IYeJ3EMWgFzwyezLOCI6i3dovujeRIQPkwoUk0RoPnguPz2irxjKAQthgtV_Wz8/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4VMdZvWVzJaxIZcPbQyJPtA0xJC3jGdD3AwXhFcWn-A2ucg_o9SnPkqUfrRsPaj0RbvuB1sJXrS7IYeJ3EMWgFzwyezLOCI6i3dovujeRIQPkwoUk0RoPnguPz2irxjKAQthgtV_Wz8/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a day in DC...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy06-qRrq05YzpEdPv0UjwXIngHojM-rPTKz0jCW4vk77ITWWEyR4Ze2gXLjBxNszOzK7TBwiXhWZXoNPG6e1OT9SzTWWSF9mENPr7rJ0POleX23NEe326FQ9OzUMwU24QLe0yvRCSMZk/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy06-qRrq05YzpEdPv0UjwXIngHojM-rPTKz0jCW4vk77ITWWEyR4Ze2gXLjBxNszOzK7TBwiXhWZXoNPG6e1OT9SzTWWSF9mENPr7rJ0POleX23NEe326FQ9OzUMwU24QLe0yvRCSMZk/s320/DSC_0364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a night in
Baltimore...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yJadq4UkxrYfrDLlCDyC1NZfLGCD64aaky_SPBeo8j52HVU4r0u-GggoCWP8dc2xpH2oAionmorloHFUIlDs9sFoCevn03-5Lm-Q4B5KPyHiYOCfMpkLWGhIabdFGXSatcoHbJSaFqU/s1600/DSC_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yJadq4UkxrYfrDLlCDyC1NZfLGCD64aaky_SPBeo8j52HVU4r0u-GggoCWP8dc2xpH2oAionmorloHFUIlDs9sFoCevn03-5Lm-Q4B5KPyHiYOCfMpkLWGhIabdFGXSatcoHbJSaFqU/s320/DSC_0483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">four days in Philadelphia...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3W3DB4Y4sNXaCOPJHziIZkBhbWIdEB2_YwjfplX72VTc_zViEmUgw2M9oGN8mySgQie2TmY9lISmA0SISbPmgKMNWis9Q8MSbqOOq0t2xqYgnzft0_40a_i6BAG3pEfZPPHoaUVlwCE/s1600/DSC_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3W3DB4Y4sNXaCOPJHziIZkBhbWIdEB2_YwjfplX72VTc_zViEmUgw2M9oGN8mySgQie2TmY9lISmA0SISbPmgKMNWis9Q8MSbqOOq0t2xqYgnzft0_40a_i6BAG3pEfZPPHoaUVlwCE/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">five days in Punxsutawney...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYz3IlLGw0VYHJqvhjTqYWLXyqLDmXDDxImdAK1m3IVNnwV0Q6w336dy9zqeECXh8ueR5FOwz5VVGdjm7kelihBEAbfFoB0LCZ5r1GDC5jWPuCtb0-RsoPKDaWH5kjJH4TCeXxdMPuu9U/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYz3IlLGw0VYHJqvhjTqYWLXyqLDmXDDxImdAK1m3IVNnwV0Q6w336dy9zqeECXh8ueR5FOwz5VVGdjm7kelihBEAbfFoB0LCZ5r1GDC5jWPuCtb0-RsoPKDaWH5kjJH4TCeXxdMPuu9U/s320/DSC_0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">four days in
San Diego...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and a day in Seattle---an incredible vacation but tiring and hectic,
nonetheless. While I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wanted</i> to sit
and post every day, I felt like my time was better spent with my loved ones,
making those last-minute memories before skipping the States.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thursday morning we boarded a plane in the “Rainy City” and after
a day or so in the sky (21 hours total with layovers), we finally made it to
the “Keystone of the Pacific.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(I plan on
posting more later about the trip itself, for those of you who are interested
in how I kept myself occupied on a flight of that length.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We arrived in Okinawa around 6pm Friday local time (which is
13 hours ahead of EST), completely exhausted but also equally excited. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fortunately
for us, we were greeted by two of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet---a
couple named Billy and Courtney, our sponsors here at the base.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right from the start, we got a sense of their southern
hospitality. Not only did they pick us up from the airport, they filled our
(lodging) fridge with food. Turns out, they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i>
from the South and love Auburn football just as much as my husband does! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That night, we met up with them for a little socialization
and were introduced to several other couples, many of which are the husbands Kevin
will be working with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saturday morning, we woke up early, went for a short
three-mile run around the base, then joined Billy & Courtney again for lunch.
If you know me at all, you can probably guess what we ate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, I did, in fact, consume the freshest sushi I’ve ever
encountered. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seaweed salad, shrimp
nagiri, a rainbow roll and hot green tea</i>. It was perfect. Similar to what
I’ve eaten in the US, but a little tastier. Not sure why, but maybe it was the
scenery? Or the company? Or perhaps the music? I’m not lying when I say that I
heard the melodic, no-word version of “Unbreak My Heart” while mastering my
chopstick skills. Toni Braxton would be flattered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Following lunch, we stopped at the BX to buy new iPhones. We
were told the ones we already had wouldn’t work in Japan. (That’s probably not
true, but whatever.) Either way, I’m content with the 4S and my newfound
capability of communicating with Siri. And now, we no longer have to rely on
our hotel room to make phone calls. Believe me, it was a tough 12 hours living
without a cell phone. Especially one with the Internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So after all that, you’d think that we’d just stay in our
hotel room and recover from all the jet lag we were experiencing. But nope, we
decided to meet up with an old friend of ours who we knew from when we lived in
Valdosta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Brian picked us up from the hotel around six and we headed
north on the island towards a Marine base called Camp Schwab. We had heard of a
free concert happening around 8pm and wanted to check it out. It ended up being
similar to a carnival with prize-winning games, fried food and loud music. Of
course, Kevin won me a blow-up samurai sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_sRFVh9ZgNckbBBD-dT9gk6IKmKA_R83NRr4u9CuPvvoly-G_W63jQ2WS-9b6Qod9EHAAf6qEq9Rce7seD80IJAtxus-ZyCww8ACT-us-qxS0hmHgLlK3X188oB6k1tUu6VtRnII6Hs/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_sRFVh9ZgNckbBBD-dT9gk6IKmKA_R83NRr4u9CuPvvoly-G_W63jQ2WS-9b6Qod9EHAAf6qEq9Rce7seD80IJAtxus-ZyCww8ACT-us-qxS0hmHgLlK3X188oB6k1tUu6VtRnII6Hs/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And we got to hear the 90s grunge band Candlebox and their
one-hit wonder "Far Behind" in person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48L2mA0hnZf0F9od1n-ScUb72dCPHFCMee7x6akpUpvO3OIHzrfaIZs_V2Rdy0dYoWwrvuzvSGAWC62blhhRPQzv1MKSdoV-PEOaRbf7c2FiS6XxQjmU87Fvj_Dqiu5ijDEtIcxbOZN0/s1600/IMG_0019.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D3c6bd586805e2bfb%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1338156797%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D27006AC29EC4B79FC500BB9B7DBD7F21CF4C0C1F.51180759D5E43F08287AFE0A843C5792B8000249%26key%3Dlh1" />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Needless to say, both Kevin and I fell asleep in the car on
the way home. (Sorry, Brian) We were both beyond exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then last but not least, today we slept in, ate a
humongous brunch buffet on base, and then napped literally all afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s been a great past two days and we are so happy to be
here! Stay tuned…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-14439357443239404902012-04-20T21:14:00.000-05:002012-04-20T21:20:37.629-05:00What We’ll Miss (and NOT Miss) About San Angelo…<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We barely lived there eight months and we’re
on the move yet AGAIN. Yesterday, we said goodbye to San Angelo, Texas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZn8HLjlSBOvkQZlR6uC_m28uqxHhFAaSlE0UVCEIy5J-1OCwsi5Cf_OlHE14FVjjXiEHtbdJYCk08jXYd4JhbvBi0FORxURgH4bVYWo8BH0k11hNuALpZmaser-YPZYvK2cX6Bn4F-Y/s1600/sanangelo_tx.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZn8HLjlSBOvkQZlR6uC_m28uqxHhFAaSlE0UVCEIy5J-1OCwsi5Cf_OlHE14FVjjXiEHtbdJYCk08jXYd4JhbvBi0FORxURgH4bVYWo8BH0k11hNuALpZmaser-YPZYvK2cX6Bn4F-Y/s1600/sanangelo_tx.gif" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We arrived in “The Wool and Mohair Capital
of the World” back in August and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. The first
month we spent staying in a hotel, searching for a place to live. The next four
months were nothing but work. And the last three months were a hodgepodge
of volunteering, packing, running and traveling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuFieVhHC-0pUB6bq_1215PZ0IUTI8z12F_OZ7ZUxj76F_O3-GvkcgEkEdbx1bzmSjCn7kHCcUL8rMkJ_CPtHsIm7Ftey9orR_UD6y_DrLyInzrp5n4IC5J7XhRFQw6v6mKee0YDbn94/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuFieVhHC-0pUB6bq_1215PZ0IUTI8z12F_OZ7ZUxj76F_O3-GvkcgEkEdbx1bzmSjCn7kHCcUL8rMkJ_CPtHsIm7Ftey9orR_UD6y_DrLyInzrp5n4IC5J7XhRFQw6v6mKee0YDbn94/s320/IMG_1727.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Random sheep statue at the park.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To say that we’re excited to leave this
city is certainly an understatement. While I did make a few friends, I never
really felt like it was home. The highlights of my time there were limited to
running along the river, going out to eat and traveling to other cities in
Texas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUCDhA1u0uPDhJLPH_zDQneRTGvPEFjP5g3CM9Q-m0Ur4ch7ONAvANbH1nWO-ozAwFMlwT8hn9KoXODYLo15PqteRhaQCOsgLxGPiNquXYeLuAWOeFovzxoPv2sr8SJmr0lgTfdpdTvU/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUCDhA1u0uPDhJLPH_zDQneRTGvPEFjP5g3CM9Q-m0Ur4ch7ONAvANbH1nWO-ozAwFMlwT8hn9KoXODYLo15PqteRhaQCOsgLxGPiNquXYeLuAWOeFovzxoPv2sr8SJmr0lgTfdpdTvU/s320/IMG_3312.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">A fun night out in Austin (3.5 hours from San Angelo).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Below is our collaborative list of what we
love and hate about this city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What
We’ll Miss…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Franco’s
restaurant<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you were to judge this place on its outward appearance, you would
never go inside. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall shed with an old raggedy sign.
But don’t let its looks deceive you…this restaurant has the best Mexican food
you will EVER eat. No, seriously. With San Angelo only 2.5 hours from the border,
this is truly authentic cuisine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From the moment you sit down, you’re greeted with a heaping pile of fresh
tortilla chips and salsa. When the waitress comes, remember to order the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">queso</i>. It’s a creamy mixture of cheeses
(that makes my mouth water just THINKING about it).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdNV4Imh88s8yrJQNy8SGSAi_KbsuJAtluXw2J6AOEHysgSF227OWV8uh9K5uQvDgszD5SGo_wvCP81LUCTf10GcmnM1_iiF5n64tgUGM_XhY040rfhakV3P21n6-hgeniukmahM-Rxc/s1600/IMG_4337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdNV4Imh88s8yrJQNy8SGSAi_KbsuJAtluXw2J6AOEHysgSF227OWV8uh9K5uQvDgszD5SGo_wvCP81LUCTf10GcmnM1_iiF5n64tgUGM_XhY040rfhakV3P21n6-hgeniukmahM-Rxc/s320/IMG_4337.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Amazing queso dip.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our favorite meal is the fajita quesadillas. I always got the chicken and
Kevin got the steak. For $12 each, you literally have enough to feed three. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vH84Y9uohFPD99w5e7zbo5iRDqX5WDM9JZtGH1wMkuC2xu7GXLWE_0j_U5Tz68nOkoGaSF5y6QpQ13Y40QK4oI3hxLtZuegtJ7Z6-1cCUAN-i9FCm7Gz3hFMxzt__v_w8p2L2AlNKCk/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vH84Y9uohFPD99w5e7zbo5iRDqX5WDM9JZtGH1wMkuC2xu7GXLWE_0j_U5Tz68nOkoGaSF5y6QpQ13Y40QK4oI3hxLtZuegtJ7Z6-1cCUAN-i9FCm7Gz3hFMxzt__v_w8p2L2AlNKCk/s320/IMG_4336.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Chicken fajita quesadillas.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once you’ve eaten all you can, it’s time to order dessert. If you’ve
never had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sopapilla,</i> be prepared for
the most delicious, decadent confectionary of your life. Sopapilla is a flaky fried pastry covered in
cinnamon, sugar and honey (similar to the Greek dessert <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">baklava</i>, but no filo dough involved). It is SO good I cannot even
begin to describe the taste. All I will say is I have tried it before at many
different Mexican restaurants and it has never been as delicious as Franco’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
River Walk<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we moved to San Angelo, this instantly became one of our favorite
places. Along a two-mile stretch is a walkway that lines the Concho River. On
any given day, you’ll find runners, walkers and bikers, as well as geese,
ducks, and fish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslW3HBq3Q3Oka2PasAttF7MEtizdIJQ8reUKfkCSUAPCcHOOkqDI7dbzDMzwf23tHMCZdQj8DMUlpaPfe7dGS-0qzU6B0qVinNE70Jpcwz3XHQNiAuVrKmKrfFU7_C0We3Fj_M69S1ng/s1600/IMG_1678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslW3HBq3Q3Oka2PasAttF7MEtizdIJQ8reUKfkCSUAPCcHOOkqDI7dbzDMzwf23tHMCZdQj8DMUlpaPfe7dGS-0qzU6B0qVinNE70Jpcwz3XHQNiAuVrKmKrfFU7_C0We3Fj_M69S1ng/s200/IMG_1678.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1aWtpMl2Mq1SJuQE2nID7JzuX07gjpp-rO3l5BlDC3vLx44c911JVyK8yVhju9zir7RIvzcF0ozRkk5MhLNxwdfBy7T0BzxZ_T53lk9i4x2lKtdMR7Pbz8Z9oRy1xgO8kQUkZHRwJd4/s1600/IMG_1700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1aWtpMl2Mq1SJuQE2nID7JzuX07gjpp-rO3l5BlDC3vLx44c911JVyK8yVhju9zir7RIvzcF0ozRkk5MhLNxwdfBy7T0BzxZ_T53lk9i4x2lKtdMR7Pbz8Z9oRy1xgO8kQUkZHRwJd4/s200/IMG_1700.jpg" width="149" /></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Bailey was still living with us in Texas, we liked taking her on
walks here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZED-K11cb33876mqHWEnhcGQYJBSDhelePVwGcYpQuylPoGpA1Wv_EtCaSH6BRBeibhaRYR-JEOENkepYnJOqovPZ3bki9Qv64BvPSvfBfh6uWIprLJuLmlUTpLECic8bTo8ce61xJe8/s1600/IMG_1692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZED-K11cb33876mqHWEnhcGQYJBSDhelePVwGcYpQuylPoGpA1Wv_EtCaSH6BRBeibhaRYR-JEOENkepYnJOqovPZ3bki9Qv64BvPSvfBfh6uWIprLJuLmlUTpLECic8bTo8ce61xJe8/s320/IMG_1692.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Country
western atmosphere<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes,
I like seeing men in cowboy hats and cowboy boots... I love listening to
country music... And I like sitting at a traffic light, just feet beside a
trailer carrying sheep or horses. Judging from the surroundings, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> has to be where George Strait wrote all of his lyrics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8lOX6EUGOud3WAjiiz9RDLKjYe0g8ln5xPdWH499cuEedx6Vh2cB7SHyvdm_UF9eaZAROEK6nl5aQHITUyATlahDepreknbgWqhKaODZb2O853ATaIn_8ULtGBMeTJEetGp8p6oyo5c/s1600/IMG_3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8lOX6EUGOud3WAjiiz9RDLKjYe0g8ln5xPdWH499cuEedx6Vh2cB7SHyvdm_UF9eaZAROEK6nl5aQHITUyATlahDepreknbgWqhKaODZb2O853ATaIn_8ULtGBMeTJEetGp8p6oyo5c/s200/IMG_3448.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1gBKtwjcj_o2c8EYdKzNSDkc3bLCivAn6dHtW5wqDJjR5Fujj5UdFbhqU-OkPfkOPFDO1BABWGrrVTiJ1P3wern0l8ijrysxXuqRRxqS7znaBS74NpeeyBm9Mz-q7bWjzNEjrwS59os/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1gBKtwjcj_o2c8EYdKzNSDkc3bLCivAn6dHtW5wqDJjR5Fujj5UdFbhqU-OkPfkOPFDO1BABWGrrVTiJ1P3wern0l8ijrysxXuqRRxqS7znaBS74NpeeyBm9Mz-q7bWjzNEjrwS59os/s200/IMG_1833.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What We Won’t Miss…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dirty
Conch Water <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let’s just say the water here cannot be consumed. It is simply
undrinkable. So, if you’re trying to hydrate, cook, or make coffee, the only
thing you can do is drive to the nearest water station. For $ .25 you can
purchase a gallon of purified H2O. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BUT if you enjoy dirty, disgusting water that tastes like a salt block,
feel free to fill up at the faucet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(It should also be noted that the water is so HARD that it is impossible
to rinse off soap in the shower, as well as detergent in the dishwasher.) Adios,
nasty San Angelo water!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our
Neighbors</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m just gonna go ahead and admit that we didn’t live in the most <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">posh </i>apartment in San Angelo. In
reality, it’s a dump compared to anywhere we’ve ever lived before. The
apartment interior itself is somewhat nice but our neighbors are the sketchiest people
I’ve ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zTHWMaKX2613peFXeOYgS2ux3RI2NOuZ1S4K6YimKHc8ha2HlVIGAQwsj-5MdsbkE6bG6IN-aUvSHywstE1qfvkqw3CZ61Giz79DXjiD23zHzCTx7H3pCFWGEr6_Ifxx7wmUQRt0LFQ/s1600/IMG_4405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zTHWMaKX2613peFXeOYgS2ux3RI2NOuZ1S4K6YimKHc8ha2HlVIGAQwsj-5MdsbkE6bG6IN-aUvSHywstE1qfvkqw3CZ61Giz79DXjiD23zHzCTx7H3pCFWGEr6_Ifxx7wmUQRt0LFQ/s320/IMG_4405.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, none of them work. Walk out into the parking lot at 10:30am and
there are only about four empty spaces. Then step outside around 3:30pm and
you’ll see dozens of unsupervised kids parading around the pavement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">More
than anything, our neighbors gave me the creeps. Especially the men. Apparently
they never got the memo that staring and whistling at a woman who is clearly
married (and not interested) is not okay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our
Apartment <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Living in one of the hottest
places in the country without proper air conditioning is something I will NEVER
do again. I never appreciated central air until I spent eight months in an
apartment with a useless window air conditioner. Not only did it suck up a lot
of energy, it never cooled down our entire apartment. Sleeping in the nude with
two fans blowing simultaneously was standard. (Yes, I’m glad that’s over with.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-8924723937544287662012-04-17T14:44:00.000-05:002012-04-17T14:44:17.076-05:00How I Met My Husband<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ll never forget the day I met my husband. It was three
years ago today- April 17, 2009. I was 22 years old, living in Valdosta,
Georgia, working two jobs--- a TV reporter by day and a cocktail waitress by
night. In a given week, I would clock in over 70 hours between writing stories and
waiting on tables.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpovxjH6rEe7T3SM1jGbVj-CHXwWBaW8yHFDKMsVroPlkSONcaWZaszAwjpFXPYycFzhgFrztE5qv7kQdhqgvF1l48WYLzSAWB8KvfYpAtIOhNi2g9576OJlW1NjYcY-e-tc1p9LV5w5w/s1600/wctv+liveshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpovxjH6rEe7T3SM1jGbVj-CHXwWBaW8yHFDKMsVroPlkSONcaWZaszAwjpFXPYycFzhgFrztE5qv7kQdhqgvF1l48WYLzSAWB8KvfYpAtIOhNi2g9576OJlW1NjYcY-e-tc1p9LV5w5w/s200/wctv+liveshot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Live on WCTV.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YWiLJbZgoBp9svCH8IWcvt7C3isH6RfhYinZETbenbmUUxaiCEd3AB3u6mEeUeR_0YnlNhzCHBFfYc8opwn1wZ9Y4uahePW9esXnFFdpln9V2VXPfW4ySZ9GaT-AGfJX8FJ2qD3H6ck/s1600/waitressing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YWiLJbZgoBp9svCH8IWcvt7C3isH6RfhYinZETbenbmUUxaiCEd3AB3u6mEeUeR_0YnlNhzCHBFfYc8opwn1wZ9Y4uahePW9esXnFFdpln9V2VXPfW4ySZ9GaT-AGfJX8FJ2qD3H6ck/s200/waitressing.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Waitressing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32yDCn_P8FGdxjmSOulo7cxXx_KaKDgW6uL7eN0uKWELYQ7hJ5OFDGSec9RsNu220Gy_z6Y0kxKqmFNMPEiuerkG63fr3-WMvZOrQ_5NJCMzrLFJQ-FTDyPUqcaW__xPKJ8IRVDPrguk/s1600/valdosta_ga.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32yDCn_P8FGdxjmSOulo7cxXx_KaKDgW6uL7eN0uKWELYQ7hJ5OFDGSec9RsNu220Gy_z6Y0kxKqmFNMPEiuerkG63fr3-WMvZOrQ_5NJCMzrLFJQ-FTDyPUqcaW__xPKJ8IRVDPrguk/s200/valdosta_ga.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Valdosta- the city I called home for 1.5 years.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By no means was I looking for love---I was absorbed with
paying my bills and focused on finding a job that would get me as far away as
possible from the post-college life I wasn’t exactly enjoying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then one Friday evening, between leaving one job and
heading to the other, I got a text from my roommate… “Hey, I’m at the pool and
there are two really cute guys here. Stop by and say hi before you leave!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Turns out, she had been sunbathing alone at our apartment
complex’s pool when some guy wearing red, white and blue swim trunks walked
over and graciously offered her a beer out of his toolbox filled with ice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz04s7tslTOe9n4NlRCHbuMHwv0gu5LfgHf7Y4ijLTb2IOGYhrmEryYDyJ-rshBpcysJUPZa43sknQaeZrf7RXlzRU5o6y6Vm4Tyo4SXRQjiIwPuj2WifR1Q2cGIHhc1PJh4wSB5BnnY/s1600/the+links+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz04s7tslTOe9n4NlRCHbuMHwv0gu5LfgHf7Y4ijLTb2IOGYhrmEryYDyJ-rshBpcysJUPZa43sknQaeZrf7RXlzRU5o6y6Vm4Tyo4SXRQjiIwPuj2WifR1Q2cGIHhc1PJh4wSB5BnnY/s320/the+links+pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">The pool at The Links Apartments.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rushing to make it to my second job on time, I didn’t really
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to stop by the pool and
socialize when I obviously couldn’t stay and sunbathe myself. But something
changed my mind and I decided to drive over and say hello.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk4Eeu4PSzOlLh_yDbvdeLiJpqmQxyiIA4nZWAOTNlGl4ajd5EAeGHQXuZRSjLG9l99CQEOz6YVKgQWC2r1sMQ6EhpOO-NhKghFV7a_VxA_Yf6K_R1ACI210eYcm1KlhXZXjNpUTahzI/s1600/the+links2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk4Eeu4PSzOlLh_yDbvdeLiJpqmQxyiIA4nZWAOTNlGl4ajd5EAeGHQXuZRSjLG9l99CQEOz6YVKgQWC2r1sMQ6EhpOO-NhKghFV7a_VxA_Yf6K_R1ACI210eYcm1KlhXZXjNpUTahzI/s320/the+links2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pulling into the parking space, I could see my friend
sitting across from two men---one dark and muscular and the other smaller with
reddish hair. I could tell she was flirting and I braced myself for the inevitable
introduction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Hey Kim! Over here! This is Kevin and this is Shawn. They
live here, too!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At that moment, I felt a bit embarrassed. There I was, fully
clothed in a formal black uniform, draped in a knee-length apron while there they
were, laying around, lounging in their beach wear sipping on brewskis. But
then, my eyes landed on Kevin and I was immediately smitten.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He was tall with dark brown hair and these gorgeous
blue-green eyes. His body was toned, his teeth perfect, and his smile
contagious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be honest, I don’t remember <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> part of our two-minute conversation, but I do remember leaving
that pool with only one thing on my mind… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I worked the next five hours, thinking about the handsome
man at the pool. Then just before my shift ended, I opened my phone to a text from
my friend. Apparently, Kevin and his roommate were throwing a barbecue and I
was invited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At first I didn’t want to go. I had just spent the past 14
hours working and I was exhausted. But as I was pulling into our gated
community, I caught a glimpse of my friend waving from an apartment balcony to come inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Within minutes, Kevin and I were chatting and flirting and I
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> he was different than any guy I
had ever met before. I could tell he was respectful, sweet, charming, and
genuine. And to add icing to the cake, I found him <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very </i>attractive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little did I know that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he</i>
would be the man I’d soon fall madly in love with and eventually call my
husband. Looking back, I am so grateful for that day. It was a chance encounter
that changed the course of my life and today, I couldn’t be happier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIFBnWJqBZ4x-iItwVGRmtD9dOX2eGq0-mH1dpClKs29y3or2td5-0g7i7rBJ7grj0qeTvPS3faBAiolh8RTH2OAKnaJ1YWTi7BL7WMrZtZMsM0WTWY53F6R-5-eD0B63kTcprSUUsg4/s1600/kevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIFBnWJqBZ4x-iItwVGRmtD9dOX2eGq0-mH1dpClKs29y3or2td5-0g7i7rBJ7grj0qeTvPS3faBAiolh8RTH2OAKnaJ1YWTi7BL7WMrZtZMsM0WTWY53F6R-5-eD0B63kTcprSUUsg4/s320/kevin.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">About two weeks after we met (April 2009).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-38681155302627604282012-04-16T13:56:00.000-05:002012-04-16T13:57:30.551-05:00Married a Year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8o34YD2PRH9dBRE6SOkPhVuk2NI_VKFV4zGysxaAPS3fxSFvzC85JJL-lAJTRi_MdHkTb7ztEWoHxnJ1yr_QIUQSlayjgvUP219yYEfU1UxBDX_fMn50UnEgcCVw0VNGt43lR2tU9zM/s1600/420_1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8o34YD2PRH9dBRE6SOkPhVuk2NI_VKFV4zGysxaAPS3fxSFvzC85JJL-lAJTRi_MdHkTb7ztEWoHxnJ1yr_QIUQSlayjgvUP219yYEfU1UxBDX_fMn50UnEgcCVw0VNGt43lR2tU9zM/s320/420_1_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Scottie Jones Photography</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Strike an average
between what a woman thinks of her husband a month before she marries him and
what she thinks of him a year afterward, and you will have the truth about
him.”</i> ~H.L. Mencken, A Book of
Burlesques, 1916<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A month before I married Kevin I thought he was the perfect
package (handsome, funny, charming, brave, hard-working, and generous). A year
later, I still believe he is all of those things, but now I know much more
about him than I ever did before we tied the knot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The truth is, every day is a lesson. When you’re married,
you discover little things about your spouse that you never knew while you were
dating. Some of them are good, some of them bad, but it all depends on how you
handle those discoveries. Here are a few lighthearted lessons from our first
year of marriage… :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 lessons learned during our first year of marriage:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Two TVs are
always better than one.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I never realized how much we did
NOT have in common until we sat down to watch TV together. For Kevin, a perfect
night on the couch would include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">King of
the Hill</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seinfeld, Storage Wars,
Sons of Guns,</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Dad, </i>or anything
on ESPN. For me, I’d rather see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Keeping
up with the Kardashians, E! News,</i> or anything on TLC. (The only shows we actually
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mutually</i> enjoy are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Criminal Minds, Suits, </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Family Guy.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So you can only imagine the frustration
that ensued when during our first move, one of our TVs got shipped away. Of
course, neither of us could agree on a show we both wanted to watch and it was
an all-out war over the remote control. Eventually, we negotiated a deal where
we could alternate between each other’s programs. However, it was easy to see
how much Kevin hated everything about Kim Kardashian’s wedding drama and how I
was equally annoyed over seeing every single college football game of the
season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It took a couple months of compromising
until we finally decided to just spare each other the torture and watch our own
programs separately. Of course, we don’t purposely sit in different rooms every
night and ignore each other. BUT when we don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like acting interested in something we’re not, we know we
don’t have to pretend. And not having to pretend makes both of us MUCH happier
spouses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Side note: Yes, I forced Kevin to
wake up at 4am to watch the Royal Wedding with me. No, he’d probably never do
that again! Haha</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Loving each
other does not mean loving all the same things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Kevin and I were dating, we both did a lot of things together to
please each other---things we didn’t always necessarily enjoy. For example,
Kevin would go shopping with me even when he didn’t want to… and I would go to
bars I didn’t like just because he asked me to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But after we got married, we suddenly stopped trying so hard to please
each other. I would flat out tell him I didn’t want to go out with him and his
friends and he would blatantly refuse to go to the mall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At first I got really offended that we were clashing so much, but
eventually I realized the reason we click so well is because we are so
different. I’m attracted to his manly personality. I like the fact my husband
is more concerned with sports than he is with fashion. Deep down, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like </i>how he’d rather go to the shooting
range than the shopping mall. If he honestly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">enjoyed </i>trying on new clothes, I think I’d be worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve
come to realize that loving each other does not mean we have to love all the
same things. Having our own preferences, tastes and hobbies makes us the
individuals we are. I love Kevin for who he is, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> for the interests we share. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Never send a
man to a grocery store alone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe it’s just me, but I’m very particular about grocery shopping. When
you send me to the supermarket, I have a detailed list of every single fruit,
vegetable, dairy product and meat item I need. I make a point to NEVER walk
through the candy or chip aisles and I also have a budget. Before I even grab
the shopping cart, I’ve already calculated in my head how much I’m going to
spend. And, I’ve already warned myself to stay away from the bakery. But not my
husband…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Send Kevin <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alone</i> and you’ll see
twice as much spent, plus junk food galore. You name it, he buys it<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. Wine. Beer. Cookies. Candy. Ice Cream. Chips.
Dip.</i> You get the picture. He goes on an all-out shopping spree, buying
every single snack I’ve purposely tried to avoid the past six months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I laugh as I type this because I honestly don’t blame him. Women are always
on a perpetual diet and living with a woman who is constantly watching her
weight can be downright boring (think FiberOne, soup and salad every day). If
it wasn’t for Kevin, I would never eat DiGiornio pizza, keep beer in the fridge
or eat ice cream before bedtime. I’ll admit, I sometimes throw a fit when he
comes home with these “forbidden foods,” but secretly, I’m happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On our wedding day, my mother-in-law created a “Wisdom Tree” for the
reception. On the tree, friends and family could hang their best marriage
advice and wish us well. Below are some of those tips we’ve taken to heart.</span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some “Rules” for a Happy Marriage:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Always keep God first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Never go to bed angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Never talk badly about each other to anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Never bring up mistakes from the past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Encourage your partner with kind words every
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Neglect the whole world rather than each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Forgive and forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-83267718752151036612012-04-08T13:46:00.000-05:002012-04-16T13:37:08.176-05:00Happy Easter<a href="http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F22MCCNU" target="_blank">There's an Empty Cross, There's an Empty Tomb</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>John 11: 25-26 </b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Philippians 3:10-12</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."<br /><b><br />Romans 6:8-11 </b><br />"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."</span></span></span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-22044645103456757352012-04-06T08:26:00.000-05:002012-04-06T08:35:17.893-05:00Six Things I Learned Selling Cars...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpynQh01Q6T9eP5yQD3PgV4uERVHCZdDdldkTNstAPCtR4I9wkRRwLTXMPqCVyrj3YT-1Am7Xb9bubSoN4-WjwU9ejd-imMAOe4xELXbTALiBIL1o2ObZ31WGlhkGOB3rEqQbGLpmpIjk/s1600/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpynQh01Q6T9eP5yQD3PgV4uERVHCZdDdldkTNstAPCtR4I9wkRRwLTXMPqCVyrj3YT-1Am7Xb9bubSoN4-WjwU9ejd-imMAOe4xELXbTALiBIL1o2ObZ31WGlhkGOB3rEqQbGLpmpIjk/s320/money.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not
all sales people are bad. Not all are good.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This goes for any occupation. In every workplace, there are good apples
and bad apples. Sometimes it’s easy to spot the “bruised” ones right from the
beginning and then other times, it takes much longer to recognize the “rotten”
ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Either way, whether you’re walking into a car dealership or a new relationship,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always keep your guard up and be careful
who you give your trust. </i>Just because someone is nice to you and seems
interested in your career/family/life, it doesn’t always mean they have your
best interests in mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Know
your facts before you show up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The customers who snag the best deals are always the ones who’ve done
their research. Before showing up at a car lot, make sure you know exactly how
much your trade-in is worth (kbb.com & nada.com) and how much the vehicle
you’re buying is worth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dealership I used to work for would never advertise the price of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">used</i> vehicles. Why? Because they believe
the buyer is oblivious. They think the customer has no concept of vehicle
worth. They believe if they wait to reveal the price until <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after </i>the test drive, they can make the buyer fall in love with
something they can only afford via high monthly payment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Often times, salesmen or sales managers would add $2,000-$5,000 onto the
price of a used car. Again, you may ask why? Because they are brazen and know
they can get away with it. All it takes is for a good salesman to build rapport,
get you to fall in love with him AND the car, and then a warm, fuzzy feeling takes over and you stop
questioning his sincerity & honesty. Where I worked, I witnessed salesmen
high-fiving each other after “ten-pounding” a customer… meaning, they made TEN
THOUSAND DOLLARS off of ONE PERSON. How? By giving them too little for their
trade-in, charging them way too much for the vehicle, extending the term to 75
months, and hiking the interest rate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is pretty scary, isn’t it? Absolutely, but remember, not every sales
person operates this way. Like I said before, there’s always a few “rotten”
apples who give the rest of the bunch a bad name. Not every sales person is a
greedy con artist. There are some who are genuine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Never
buy out of emotion.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The easiest way for a salesman to get you to buy a vehicle is to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">make you fall in love </i>with it. In my
training, I learned “the feel of the wheel seals the deal.” Meaning, we get you
into the driver’s seat and you automatically take <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mental ownership</i> of the car. Without saying a word, you start thinking
about how the vehicle will improve your life/appearance/status. All of sudden, you NEED this car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sales people are trained to “investigate” you to figure out what your
personal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hot button</i> is. If you are
someone who nearly died in a car accident, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">safety</i>
is probably the most important feature to you. But if you’re the person trying
to save money on gas, fuel efficiency/economy is key. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A good sales person will discover what makes you tick and they will craft
their presentation to fit YOUR wants and needs. Then, once they’ve said all the
right things and taken you through the process, it will be very difficult for
you to say “no” to buying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Buyers
are Liars”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a favorite saying used by car salesmen. Very ironic because most
people think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they </i>are the liars. But from my experience, I say <i>both </i>sides are guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">During my four months of wheeling and dealing, I NEVER once lied to a
customer…but you can bet, I was lied to every single day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There was this one man who looked like the Hispanic version of Captain
Hook (creepy moustache). He was in his mid 40s and had his heart set on buying
his wife a brand new Chevy Cruze. Of course, I gave a stellar presentation,
explaining every single feature and benefit, and then took him on a test drive.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the next hour and a half, I listened to him go on and on about how much
money he makes shearing sheep all throughout Texas. He bragged about his “numerous”
rental properties and how he “buys cars all the time.” As you can imagine, I
was excited because I thought this was a done deal. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wrong.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We
get back to the dealership, I obtain all of his information, only to find out
this man has zero credit and no bank would loan him a penny. Thanks to him, I
wasted an entire afternoon with someone who couldn’t even buy. AND to add
insult to injury, I didn’t make a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dime</i>
because without a sale, there is no income. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Focus
on price, not payment.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You want the best deal? Pay more
attention to the PRICE than the payment. Car salesmen are trained to get you to
focus on one thing and one thing only… your monthly payment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">$300/month doesn’t seem so bad, right? Well, (without accounting for
interest), a 5-year loan at $300/month would ending up costing you at least
$18,000. A 6-year term at $300/month would end up costing you at least $21,600.
In a year, that’s a difference of over $3,600!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just by getting you to focus on the PAYMENT instead of the price, the
term, or the interest rate, a car dealership can make THOUSANDS of dollars off
of you, without you realizing it. I know this all seems like common sense, but
you have no idea how many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">educated </i>people
get taken advantage of every single day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With that said, know what interest rate you qualify for BEFORE arriving
at the dealership. If you don’t, the dealership will give you highest one you
agree upon. After all, the partnerships they have with national banks allow
them to profit off of every loan they finance in-house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By negotiating the PRICE, you will ultimately pay less. No dealership
wants to lose your business over a few dollars. In fact, I’ve seen customers who
have bought a vehicle at a price<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> lower</i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">than invoice</i>, just because they stuck
to their guns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Walking
away is your best bargaining tool.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When the salesman just won’t
budge, remember you can always walk away. Leaving the dealership is the last
thing they want you to do because they know, once you’re gone, you may never
come back. Use this to your advantage.
Nine times out of ten, they will either come down on the price or offer you a
better deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Great article on the psychology behind selling:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/psychological-selling/" target="_blank">http://www.copyblogger.com/psychological-selling/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-27065170406996595082012-04-05T11:01:00.001-05:002012-04-05T18:53:10.846-05:00Selling cars, winning bread & hating life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zYUEjNUcudAu1E55obrWT4-OOoGBQleoSMpRmohPb_cNmp5VULqpnzAfH7MQ4syy_a243ONR48zfrdRjFosZr1Ci_4glzbGoW6zECaCDqR94sV5Izyre3Xh8tq2Z62B2fVZJCphZCSU/s1600/cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zYUEjNUcudAu1E55obrWT4-OOoGBQleoSMpRmohPb_cNmp5VULqpnzAfH7MQ4syy_a243ONR48zfrdRjFosZr1Ci_4glzbGoW6zECaCDqR94sV5Izyre3Xh8tq2Z62B2fVZJCphZCSU/s1600/cars.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When my husband and I moved to Texas, I
knew it would only be temporary.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His job
would keep us here a few months and I knew, I did NOT want to sit at home, watching
soap operas and cleaning the tub. So, I applied for a job that I knew would be
short-lived, yet undoubtedly lucrative... Then lo and behold, I was hired.</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At first I was very skeptical. I didn’t
WANT to be labeled as a car salesperson. I saw myself as a journalist and I did
not want to be associated with a profession that, in my mind, was not highly
esteemed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, I soon got over <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> as soon as the paychecks started
rolling in… Within the first couple weeks I was selling cars, making more money
off of one sale than I had earned in an entire month working as a reporter.
Soon, I was out-earning my husband, jokingly calling myself the “breadwinner”
of our home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But it didn’t take long for that enthusiasm
to waver. Working 12-14 hours a day, six days a week was taking a toll on my
spirit. Not only did I live thousands of miles away from friends and family, I
never saw my husband. We worked opposite shifts and only ate meals together on
Sundays (my only day off). We never went anywhere or did anything fun. This was
not the life I wanted. I was miserable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On top of that, I witnessed some very
sketchy behavior from two of my managers that I believed was dishonest, unfair,
and unethical. Of course, I confronted them with my concerns and while it was
subsequently resolved, I never trusted any of them again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Within a week, I resigned… Fortunately,
with just enough money saved to pay off every single credit card and student
loan I owed money on. Coincidence? I think not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spending those four months selling cars was
by no means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ideal</i>, but it did teach
me a few life lessons, as well as give me some insight into the business… Tomorrow,
I’ll share some of my best car-selling secrets and I guarantee, you'll save <i>thousands</i> next time you buy a
car.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-6615692247864252312012-03-31T23:55:00.001-05:002012-04-01T11:27:05.732-05:00Officially a Tough Mudder... HOO-RAH!<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12 miles, 25 obstacles, and 3.5 hours later, I am officially
a Tough Mudder.</span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpQcSwOvv0xscdckfhqiZ6CbgTb2vPl3EnQDJzdV9ijyu4-MAM_TMgBOxNoIUPH3etJrnAjgyZJjKYJnALbkcCAwBlrbjj-wk_Zio83gIALJv-7Zkh8GQKd1pp6hri9pYore888jpBF8/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpQcSwOvv0xscdckfhqiZ6CbgTb2vPl3EnQDJzdV9ijyu4-MAM_TMgBOxNoIUPH3etJrnAjgyZJjKYJnALbkcCAwBlrbjj-wk_Zio83gIALJv-7Zkh8GQKd1pp6hri9pYore888jpBF8/s320/IMG_0961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Part of the pledge.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m not going to bore you with a diary account of my day,
but I will say, that military-style obstacle course beat my body to a pulp. By
the time I was done, I felt like I had been plowed over by a train. Or two.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip005q3G4jjqJA9lOCav8q0-Zn3T_7I_iNPjvhchMqKq5M8cNj4vgM_LLoV1lkwxHQTaoZP-wNWF_TM8WDgCyb0NzAYAkNmaD-q9RHWpgd4OmecaIOFNdmUHQU0jUIxfbJ5LCOemPmvms/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip005q3G4jjqJA9lOCav8q0-Zn3T_7I_iNPjvhchMqKq5M8cNj4vgM_LLoV1lkwxHQTaoZP-wNWF_TM8WDgCyb0NzAYAkNmaD-q9RHWpgd4OmecaIOFNdmUHQU0jUIxfbJ5LCOemPmvms/s320/IMG_4319.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Minutes after crossing the finish line.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Between crawling through clay, swimming through ice, leaping
over mudholes, and slithering through sludge, I am EXHAUSTED. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My arms and legs are covered in scrapes, scratches and bruises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My bra is full of algae. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AND every single crack and crevice is filled with mud/clay/cow
manure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disgusting, but nothing a good shower and soap can’t wash
away.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaAg28e8q_UHZpRvjjaEFRwk9y-0CsQMdZLklcgDXt2m8TIgoZN8qtG2U0MjOCRqEM7e5TD6ehWXwjEQMdNZ8AF1tLa9xwdCGEyEkDs_40XqeeQ_tunagT3ger8zvKGaTN4lkLXrOzp0/s1600/IMG_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaAg28e8q_UHZpRvjjaEFRwk9y-0CsQMdZLklcgDXt2m8TIgoZN8qtG2U0MjOCRqEM7e5TD6ehWXwjEQMdNZ8AF1tLa9xwdCGEyEkDs_40XqeeQ_tunagT3ger8zvKGaTN4lkLXrOzp0/s200/IMG_4324.JPG" width="191" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrCLVHhiC9Wk89KPnwZCICjzhcR9cAIRWkJd4b5AFwB2StuWyD9Tka594dHLCq8XDesKBvvMiYkBnW_NXi1nxEzU1YVqxAEVnnGMlsHJO1tfdd63rgXRZC4FyDXGpVBxNaZfGCI49gLg/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrCLVHhiC9Wk89KPnwZCICjzhcR9cAIRWkJd4b5AFwB2StuWyD9Tka594dHLCq8XDesKBvvMiYkBnW_NXi1nxEzU1YVqxAEVnnGMlsHJO1tfdd63rgXRZC4FyDXGpVBxNaZfGCI49gLg/s200/IMG_4334.JPG" width="171" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Me and my husband Kevin <3</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Below is a list of my top five most memorable obstacle
moments… Enjoy!</span><br />
<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My top 5 most
memorable obstacles</span></b></span></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> 1) Muddy
Trenches- </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Cannonball!!!!!”</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was an alternating series of muddy
mounds and deep trenches filled with nasty water that smelled like COW POOP. (Trust
me, having grown up on a farm triggered an unfortunate recognition of the scent.)
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, to get across the obstacle, you had to
jump into the icky brown troughs, swim across to the next mound, then pull
yourself up a slippery four-foot slope… and then do it all over again another
ten times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was one of the most disgusting things
I’ve ever had to do. It was comparable to rolling around in a flooded cow
stall. Never in my life did I purse my lips together so tightly just to avoid
drinking the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After about the third trench, I decided to
stop grossing myself out and started to actually have fun with it. For the next
few jumps, I pretended I was Ron Burgandy and cannonballed into the nastiness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsXwTwqCtdTYA2q_jzkoUPrfLMd0suxMzElUnjVGfbNE9ibtPpAFYG4laiGBVR_h6dl2bs4Y2n0r0Ek_vZUM1lfX4reO7jhHquprUI2SY0RUxOjTh4br1ryQD6ZOZ-fCdWoAYprnvXjU/s1600/11_anchorman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsXwTwqCtdTYA2q_jzkoUPrfLMd0suxMzElUnjVGfbNE9ibtPpAFYG4laiGBVR_h6dl2bs4Y2n0r0Ek_vZUM1lfX4reO7jhHquprUI2SY0RUxOjTh4br1ryQD6ZOZ-fCdWoAYprnvXjU/s320/11_anchorman.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Will Ferrell in "Anchorman"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 2) Arctic
Enema<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was a huge shipping container full of FREEZING
COLD- 30-something-degree water. You climb
a wall, jump, into the “tub”, swim underneath a board, and then climb back out
of the box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sounds easy enough, right? WRONG. This was
the shortest obstacle but it was truly a test of withstanding the elements.
Plunging into that icy blue liquid put me into instant shock. Thousands of tiny
needles seemed to pierce my skin. Worse than the initial plunge was purposely submerging
myself under the barrier, just to get to the other side of the tank. Having my
head underwater with absolutely no vision gave me a sick sense of claustrophobia
and I was very close to panicking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I now understand how the passengers
of the Titanic felt! Terrifying!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Side note: After the race, I spoke to a guy who
said he was immediately traumatized after jumping into the tank. He said it
shocked him so much that he began vomiting inside the tank. (SO GLAD I WAS NOT
BEHIND HIM!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a video I found from another race so you can see what I'm referring to:</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EHFLpEmoZuw" width="420"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 3) Devil’s
Beard</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was a gigantic cargo net
tightly tied to the ground on all four ends, hovering over a nasty mix of sand
and sludge. The only way to get through it was by lying on your belly and
crawling through the muck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At first, I didn’t think this was
as challenging as some of the other obstacles. HOWEVER, this one really depends
on whom you’re surrounded by. Within ten seconds of sliding under the rope, I
was clubbed in the head by my husband’s elbow. Apparently I was moving more
quickly than he was and he didn’t like the competition. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THEN, some jerks behind me thought
it would be cool to pass me, race each other to the other side and, inadvertently kick that nasty muddy goo into my eyes. Needless to say, I finished that
obstacle like a blind snake, slithering with both my eyes and mouth closed to
avoid eating their spinoff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But it’s okay, I did get my
revenge... I later passed those losers and beat them to the finish line. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2yFZG4iOOPVKTsdO1L-JAAWJgkI6LMlBA2CjODtJD7qEbUlLEpxBoGoUhnvorS24NwNV0tuzYJGZnRDlS8vjGP0UUid-5FuvJFioYxYRxLhT_qGyoWpqNGU3IDSihdEw3yBNfEzytR0/s1600/bc-devils-beard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2yFZG4iOOPVKTsdO1L-JAAWJgkI6LMlBA2CjODtJD7qEbUlLEpxBoGoUhnvorS24NwNV0tuzYJGZnRDlS8vjGP0UUid-5FuvJFioYxYRxLhT_qGyoWpqNGU3IDSihdEw3yBNfEzytR0/s1600/bc-devils-beard.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo from Tough Mudder Website</span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 4) Half
Pipe-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This obstacle resembles something you’d typically
see at a skate park. But this is a little different… Instead of using
wheels to reach the top, you’re using every muscle in your legs and back to
propel yourself over the brim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s a 12-foot half pipe, a greasy sloped fiberglass
wall that takes both athleticism and teamwork to overcome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For some reason, this was the one that
scared me the most. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But why?</i> Maybe it
was hundreds of spectators standing around… Or maybe it was some kind of athletic
insecurity I was harboring. Either way,
I FROZE. I watched my husband sprint and spring to the top but I could NOT get
my legs to follow. Finally, after a few minutes of watching other women run,
jump, and miserably fall, I finally decided it was now or never. I ran with all
my might, stretched for my husband’s hand, slipped out of grasp, and bounced to the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After the fourth try, I MADE IT! What an
awesome feeling it was to accomplish something I never thought I was capable
of. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I guess all of those lunges/plyometrics
workouts paid off! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsfKhHs3EGV1-BXXpmoUYPIoLibONyJbr7hPpLH1Ku6EECTVDLw6m3VZ2Eln1UsCWlHInXAuTK8dCKtnFoM8FEMAiedJ9nh5MXqPbPJbKbIdwvYyMRQsjr-J-CA93X63nTBDTCsxJjNk/s1600/half+pipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsfKhHs3EGV1-BXXpmoUYPIoLibONyJbr7hPpLH1Ku6EECTVDLw6m3VZ2Eln1UsCWlHInXAuTK8dCKtnFoM8FEMAiedJ9nh5MXqPbPJbKbIdwvYyMRQsjr-J-CA93X63nTBDTCsxJjNk/s320/half+pipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo taken during another Tough Mudder race.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: x-small;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b> 5) </b></span> </span></b><b>Walk
the Plank<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was a mixture between Peter Pan and
Swamp Monsters…an obstacle that is no fun if you’re afraid of either heights OR
murky waters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s a 15-foot platform standing over a
lake. All you need to do is climb the wooden barricade, leap into a frigid
lake, and swim to shore. Very simple physically, yet very challenging mentally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For me, the jump into the lake was nothing.
Five years ago I jumped off a 75-foot cliff in Lagos, Portugal while on spring
break. Now THAT was pure and warranted fear. Later, I was told I landed only
inches away from a heap of rocks. Luckily, I live to tell that story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But the lake is somewhat scary itself. The
water is so dark and cloudy that there is no possible way to see ANYTHING that
might be swimming around or beneath you. It also doesn’t help when your husband
harasses you and pretends like he felt a snake. It goes without saying, I was
DETERMINED to get out of there as quickly as possible. I kicked, paddled and splashed
my way to the grass. When I emerged, I was covered in slimy algae. I’ll take
that over a reptile encounter any day.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a video I found from another race:</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_UIdQP5uM4Q" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><b>A few words of future advice:</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Sign up for the earliest heat of the day. Going
first makes for a much less slippery course and cooler temperatures. Starting
later subjects you to a hotter sun, as well as longer lines waiting to do the
obstacles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Make sure you drink plenty of water and Gatorade
the night before the race. Too many people started to get leg cramps during the
7<sup>th</sup> mile of the race. Electrolytes are key to preventing excruciating
pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span>Bring a towel and a change of clothes for the
end of the race. You’ll want to get rinsed off as soon as possible. Plus, there’s
plenty of food, beer, and socializing for those who conquer their fears and cross the finish line.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0aTWheJkkItrv-H9mjLltXiYG0_GCvSlo6C87Oo7D4QlCdgnCNOlOwCmNMBDruJroCVAd8gwIqZJyNPduPJwdgTaSlET4_-7LuZ3Mvss0UUWgT-b9Qy55mzNGGoYxN3Xx9TYIwWnTGI/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0aTWheJkkItrv-H9mjLltXiYG0_GCvSlo6C87Oo7D4QlCdgnCNOlOwCmNMBDruJroCVAd8gwIqZJyNPduPJwdgTaSlET4_-7LuZ3Mvss0UUWgT-b9Qy55mzNGGoYxN3Xx9TYIwWnTGI/s320/IMG_4330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Be prepared to run with mud and rocks in your shoes. Blisters are inevitable.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Side Note: I fully intended on taking more photos. However, by the time the race was over, I was too tired to do anything but sleep. Also, we still had a five-hour drive home AND we hadn't slept since Thursday. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-54439178007260189922012-03-29T23:14:00.000-05:002012-04-01T11:29:41.062-05:00About to become a Tough Mudder<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vh5HdPM_QuE" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Mud. Ice. Electricity. Fire. Blood. Sweat. Tears.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not sure how I was persuaded to pay $130 to take part in something that, quite frankly, scares me to death. I suppose that's the beauty of life---facing your fears; doing things that challenge you, terrify you, make you a stronger person.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At 8am on Saturday, we will be the first in line to conquer the 10 to 12-mile course in Wortham, Texas. There will be 24 military-style obstacles, and we'll be crawling through mud, swimming through ice, and running through fire.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did I mention the potential for electrocution? Yep, they even have an obstacle that no matter how strong you think you are, it will make you fall flat on your face. Trust me, I watched my husband leap into a face plant during the Houston race. And it wasn't pretty.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kevin (my husband) tells me this race is more challenging than a marathon, so of course, I asked him what's the best way to prepare. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His response? <i>Don't think about it. Just do it. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, because if I think about it anymore, I will probably find a reason not to... Haha</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.toughmudder.com/" target="_blank">Tough Mudder Official Website</a></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J2DQs0xGSSA" width="560"></iframe>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047081636092661767.post-58346314881670574162012-03-29T01:19:00.001-05:002012-04-02T07:52:58.471-05:007 things you may not know about me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><br />1) Native of Punxsutawney, PA. <i>(No, I've never met Bill Murray.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Punxsutawney Phil: Prognosticator of Prognosticator (<i>Groundhog Day Live)</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i>2) Former 4-H’er/farmer. Owned/raised sheep, cows, pigs, chickens and bunnies growing up. <i>(Yes, I listen to country music. The lyrics describe my childhood.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">4-H Logo taken from <a href="http://www.georgia4h.org/" target="_blank">www.georgia4h.org</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i>3) Sister to seven siblings…Danielle- 26; Shannon-17; Kayla-16; Nicholas-15; Bryan-13; Amy-8; Gregory- 5. <i>(Blended family. No, I'm not Amish.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Professional photo taken by Scottie Jones Photography.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.scottiejonesphotography.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scottie Jones Photography website</span></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i>4) Studied abroad in Seville, Spain for a semester in college. <i>(Yes, I watched a bull get slaughtered in a dirt arena. No, I never learned flamenco or sevillanas.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">My friends and I at la Feria de Sevilla.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i>5) Crowned Penn State Homecoming Queen in 2007. <i>(Unfortunately, the crown was not made out of real silver and diamonds. It has since tarnished.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">2007 PSU Homecoming King and Queen- Chris & Kim</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i>6) Spent three years working as an on-air news reporter for the CBS affiliates in the Tallahassee, Florida and Birmingham, Alabama television markets. <i>(No, I never received fan mail from prison inmates.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Getting attacked by a sheriff's dog on WCTV.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Reporting live from Auburn for CBS42.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i>7) Spent four LONG months selling new and used cars in Texas. <i>(Yes, I made lots of money. No, I would never subject myself to 75 hour work weeks ever again.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Watch this "Badger Commercials" video... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HILARIOUS.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"There's the rearview mirror.. That's where you can put on your makeup!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Don't talk to me, I'm on my popcorn break... Do you see this suit I'm wearing? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't fix cars, I sell cars!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(<i>No, I was nothing like the badger.)</i></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RGJdNPiWZzQ" width="420"></iframe>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885689048326668359noreply@blogger.com0