#postaday12

I wrote yesterday Kalel's "Christmas" break was speeding to an end. As I sit here typing it we have one more (week)day together. We do have the weekend but for me that means 14 miles and then recovery ride on Sunday.

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So I decided we'd go out for the lunch. We walked over to Subway as we often do especially when I've scheduled a work out for the afternoon as opposed to an AM work out. Today though it was filled to the brim and it took forever to get to our sandwich artist. Once we did get to him he was rude and yelling commands reminiscint of my time in the Marine Corps and the recruit chow hall we were herded through while at boot camp. I should have expected it though with everyone "sticking" to their NY resolution.

We made it through the line and since there was no availble seating we walked back home before enjoying our sandwiches. Perhaps in our anticipation of the sanwiches we walked a little faster. Or the sun just moved higher in the sky to the perfect position to fry our heads for the walk back. It felt as if it was definitely a hotter walk even f the temps never went over 80 degrees. I thought of hot runs and hot hikes I went on while in the Corps. I thought of a couple specifically hot days on post when all I could think of was the heat.

The days before we pushed north from Kuwait to Iraq and being covered in sweat before even getting back to our tents. Before I could even get to the days and temperatures we experienced one in Iraq(not always hot BTW), Kalel's laughter brought me back to today. He was laughing because he spilled some water on himself. I remember laughing at myself becaues I don't think in all the years I was in the Corps I could truly stop from spilling all over the place when hurriedly hydrating with a canteen. I snapped a few pictures of him and the streets we traveled on. Were these the sights my comrades and I spoke of when waiting all those weeks for a ride back stateside. I sure think they were. I mean after all I look at these shots and I realise they might not be perceived by others as they are by me.

I see them as a daily reminder of the life I'm so lucky to have. So instead of being upset about the horrible service we had, I focused on the fact that I get to see Kalel on a daily basis. Once in a better mood I'm glad that there are so many folks making conscious deciksions about their life. I welcome them and feel great about this being something in common with more people. I used that energy to get me through my W.O.D. (power hour) and even fit in about a 3 1/2 mile run before dinner time.

The New Year is well on it's way. Just like the first year with a new baby it is filled with a lot of first. My first run. A few quick 800 m intervals due to time constraints. For Kalel his first day back at school. Still a few days away giving us a full extra week of bro bonding time. My first disapoointment in how much crap it is that family judges you more than strangers(friends) do when you're down. Quickly getting me stressed out, something, you may know by now, I avoid like the plague. 

So I quickly looked for what I wasn't taking care of leaving me open for something as silly (since I shouldn't be shocked by family being crippling and dream/soul crushers). It couldn't have been my running. I did that and picked up on my other work out since the Spartan Race is only 3 1/2 weeks out. Then it clicked, I haven't read anything. I'm usually buried in a book (when not running or grabbing dirt). So far THIS year not a single page read. 

So what should I read. I have a few ideas and they're narrowed down because I have only a couple unread books left in my possesion. So for now I'm going to read "With The Old Breed". It's one of the two books used in adapting the story and history for "The Pacific" on HBO. If I hurry I can still turn that into a resolution of a chapter a day. I will also start any other book anyone suggest, I really do believe word of mouth and so if I haven't gotten any other suggestion by Friday I'll be also starting/reading "The Hunger Games Trilogy". 

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I can't really explain how we stayed up until we welcome the next day last night. I do know why though: we were still celebrating as my brother in law very graciously came to toast his sister with a very delicious double chocalte cake. The few minutes we were certain he'd stay quickly but enjoyably turned into hours.

The alarm went off and it meant Griselda was on her way back to work after about a week and a half off. Kalel though still has another week off and so we went to drop her off together. The sparse traffic was a reminder that although the holiday(s) are over the world is only slowly getting back to life.

Kalel had stayed up too, so when we got back home. I had time to fit in my work out as he finished off his "nap". After I showered I threw together some breakfast. He then worked on his holiday homework packet. Then we were off to the movies to watch "Puss In Boots". If he's off on Tuesday it usually means movie day because you can't beat $1.50 a show.

We then headed to the park because after leaving the theatre you couldn't help to really fell lucky to be outside for this beautiful weather. It had been a while since he went to the park and he really does come alive when out doors. It's like he truly feels free. I had a second run work out but he's the one to ran and role played and just wore himself out.

It was overall a great day, yet as walked by strangers and they walked past me I could tell all the euphoria from the holidays is slowly leaving our consciousness. I guess that's sign enough to get rid of the tree. On the to-do list for tomorow for sure.

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The first time I got to sing happy birthday to Griselda she was turning 18. So in total we've now shared 14 of her birthdays together. It's always a special day and kind of sweet that it's right after we celebrate the beginning of another year. Today was also the last day of a holiday vacation. Which means we couldn't celebrate in a really big way. It just means that we have to drag out the celebration until the following weekend. 

We can't party big on Friday though because as the universe would have it. We run 14 miles on Saturday morning in what marks the halfway point of our marathon training with Team 2 End Aids. I'll consider it as a way to honor the 14 years I've had the pleasure of seeing her smile as we (myself, family & friends) sing happy birthday.