{Heart Disease}

Wow, I almost missed out on a run this morning. I was sitting down after just seeing my mom and Aunt off to write this post when I thought, "It's a beautiful morning for a little jog. I'll have to go after I finish this." Then I thought about it for one second and decided no way, I'm going to go now and not later. I'm pretty glad I did too.

It wasn't the best time but I'm okay with that. Why? Because I RAN. 

So, speaking of running, it's something I need to do more of. I've had a small wake-up call with my doctor. Unfortunately, I think it's something I'll always have to deal with because it apparently runs rampant in the family. I'm speaking of heart disease. I'm sure everyone has someone in their family with heart disease. Do you have a 33 year old first cousin with a pace maker? A very fit first cousin with extremely high cholesterol? Or an aunt who had her first massive heart attack in her early forty's with several minor ones before that? Ugh. It is a scary thought. 

Anyway, so this time last year my cholesterol was normal. This time last year I worked out less and ate 1/2 and 1/2 as far as healthy and unhealthy foods go. This year my cholesterol is 230 (197 last year), with less than 200 being healthy. My Triglycerides are 298 (116 last year) with less than 150 being healthy. What?! That's double what the healthy range should be! The crazy thing is I've been working out and eating way better since January and taking fish oil as well.  So, it seems as though I've inherited all the heart disease running rampant in my family. My doctor prescribed Niacin (to help lower my cholesterol as a whole), to continue taking the fish oil, Fenofibrate for the triglycerides, and an aspirin a day. We'll check it again in six months to see if it lowers at all and then just go from there. Honestly, I'm thinking of seeing a specialist anyway. We'll see.

                              

{Phone love}

Yesterday I went to Best Buy to see about trading in my phone for the new Samsung Galaxy S4. I had the Samsung Galaxy S3 previously. I went to Best Buy specifically because they have a deal that expires today in that you get $50 minimum when you trade in your current phone and buy a Samsung phone. My S3 was worth $175 but I got $170 because I forgot the phone charger! Still, not bad. So, for the $200 S4, I paid $45 for it. Let me just say, I'm loving this phone so far.

I'm still learning about everything it can do, so no real reviews on it so far. On thing I found out last night it can do is take dual photographs simultaneously with the front and rear camera...

I'm a gadget nerd when it comes to new phones and stuff. I get super excited about them haha and can't seem to help myself.

Here's some info from the interwebs though ;)

View all your content on a stunning 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED™ display that's powered by a robust 1.9GHz quad-core processor - all in a light 0.29LB smartphone.

Capture moments with the 13MP autofocus camera. Take simultaneous front and back photos with Dual Camera, edit them right on your phone with Eraser Shot and relive the memories in brilliant clarity with Story Album.

Experience a whole new way to interact with your smartphone. Wave your hand at the screen to accept calls with Air Gesture, read content by tilting your head or phone with Smart Scroll and preview content by barely touching the screen with Air View.
Samsung

With Smart Pause turned on, videos pause when you look away and start up again when you focus back on the screen.

Multi window: Turn it on to create a split-screen view with two apps, say the browser and S Memo note app.
CNET

• Display

  • 5inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, 441 ppi

  

  

• AP

  • 1.9 GHz Quad-Core Processor / 1.6 GHz Octa-Core Processor
  • The seletion of AP will be differed by markets

• Network

  • 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
  • 3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
  • 4G (LTE Cat 3 100/50Mbps) : up to 6 different band sets (Dependent on market)

• OS

  • Android 4.2.2 (Jelly bean)

  

  
  

• Memory

  • 16 / 32 / 64GB memory + microSD slot (up to 64GB), 2GB RAM
    (User memory approximately 9Gb)*
    *User memory is less than the total memory due to storage of the operating system and software used to operate the phones features. Actual user memory will vary depending on the mobile phone operator and may change after software upgrades are performed. 
    *External Memory may be used to store media (photos, video, and music files) and aplications, which developers implement "storing on SD card" option in.

• Camera

  • Main(Rear): 13 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
  • Sub (Front): 2 Mega pixel camera, Full HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BIS

  

• Camera Features

  • Dual Shot , Drama Shot, Sound & Shot, 360 Photo, Animated Photo, Eraser, Night, Best Photo, Best Face, Beauty Face, HDR (High Dynamic Range), Panorama, Sports

• Video

  • Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark, HEVC
  • Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p)

• Audio

  • Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG,
    FLAC, AC-3, apt-X

• Additional Features

  • Group Play: Share Music, Share Picture, Share Document,
    Play Games
  • Story Album, S Translator, Optical Reader
  • Samsung Smart Scroll, Samsung Smart Pause, Air Gesture,
    Air View
  • Samsung Hub, ChatON (Voice/Video Call, Share screen,
    3-way calling) Samsung WatchON
  • S Travel (Trip Advisor), S Voice™ Drive, S Health
  • Samsung Adapt Display, Samsung Adapt Sound, Auto adjust touch sensitivity (Glove friendly)
  • Safety Assistance, Samsung Link, Screen Mirroring
  • Samsung KNOX (B2B only)

• Google Mobile Services

  • Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude Google Play Store, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads, Voice Search

• Sensor

  • Accelerometer, RGB light, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Gyro,
    Barometer
  • Temperature & Humidity, Gesture

• Dimension

  • 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, 130g

  

• Connectivity

  • WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (HT80)
  • GPS / GLONASS
  • NFC, Bluetooth® 4.0 (LE)
  • IR LED (Remote Control), MHL 2.0

• Battery

  • 2,600mAh

Samsung

                         

{Lil bit of this, Lil bit of that}

Before I get into clothes I've been loving lately, I have to say I've been eye googling this guy I work with.
I know nothing about this guy except for these facts: he's handsome as ever, he's friends with a guy married to a girl I kinda know, he doesn't wear a wedding ring (but it doesn't mean he's not married), his name, and where he works. He doesn't work directly with me but that's the ONE thing that's stopped me from being more bold with this guy. As it is, we only smile at each other in passing in the hallway and when he walks by my section he looks over to smile. Not everyone though likes to date people they work with. We do not work directly together, just in the same room but different sections. We have no connections other than the girl I kinda know who is married to his friend. She doesn't even work with us any longer.

Have I ever mentioned I'm a shy introvert outside work? Seriously, it's ridiculous. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that tid bit about the guy since it's been on my mind since like June. I did notice he wasn't at work last night and happened to walk out to the restrooms with his married guy friend. He and I talked about his wife, their future immediate plans, and school. I was able to throw in the fact that I'm single before asking him, "You look like you're going out to smoke. Where's your smoking buddy?" Yes, he smokes too but I don't know if I'd be okay with that or not. If he's a good guy, why not? Anyway, the friend only laughed a little and said, "Yeah, I'm a little sad he took the night off." That was all he gave me. Guys! ;)

So, I've been buying all kids of crazy clothes and shoes lately. New clothes for the fall season. I love it. Here are a few of my recent purchases...

Navy blue Madden Girl shoes similar to Tom's
but more budget friendly
{Love} them! Talk about comfort!

Gray cardigan

Navy/White striped cardigan and green lace cami

Mustard yellow cardigan, cobalt blue skinnies, and white chucks

This bikini
I'm loving the stripe and solid color separates!
PLUS, each piece was $6.50

Seriously, how cute are these?!

LOVE these $40 boots from Amazon!

Another Amazon find!

The only thing left to mention right now is I will be making my way to Best Buy at some point today to see about trading in my Samsung Galaxy SIII for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Super excited about that possibility! I'm also looking forward to my mom and aunt visiting this weekend for a few days.

Oh! And can I just say I got tons of compliments from the guys I work with on my hair being straight. It was amusing and of course I enjoyed every second of it! ;)

Yesterday, right before work

                          

{Wasted Outfit}

You ever feel this way? I can say today was not one of those days. Neither was yesterday. I didn't take a picture of either outfit, surprisingly, but I got so many compliments on Monday's outfit. I was able to make Polyvore outfits of what I wore though haha.

This is what I wore Monday. Seriously, I can't even begin to tell you how many compliments I received. It was pretty nice. :)

The other outfit I ran into my ex in. It was great and I felt great. :) The Polyvore outfit just doesn't do it justice but I like it.

So, that's that. Otherwise, things are going pretty good. I'm finishing up my Bachelor's degree and will be done with classes December. Talk about excited. My mom and Aunt are coming up for a visit also this weekend, so I'd like to get done with this week's school work by Thursday so I won't have to worry about it. We're going to the Avery Brewing 20th Anniversary Party Sunday.  :)

{Fall in Colorado}

So, one of things I've been wanting to do is drive around Colorado during Fall time to take many photographs. Fall in Colorado is absolutely beautiful. I know many other states are just as beautiful and I've got plans to visit them as well but I'm already here in Colorado, so it's my first trip of photographs I'm going to take.

I saw these on Pinterest and it's so easily doable that it is most definitely going to get done.

Crystal Mill in Marble, Colorado

Aspen Road in Boulder, Colorado

The Boulder, CO one I'll be able to do first since it's not far from here at all, only about 45 minutes away. Marble, CO on the other hand is about a 4 hour drive. It may call for an overnight stay. I also plan on driving North on 285 to Estes Park as I've been told that's a beautiful drive as well. I think I can get the Boulder and 285 drive done during one of my 4 day breaks. The Marble, CO drive will have to be done on 2 of my off days during another break.

I also found this website Colorado Fall Foliage Drives that has more scenic routes to take during the fall. I'm pretty excited since fall is my favorite season. I love everything about it: smells, crisp & cool air, apple cider, pumpkin farms, the changing of the leaves. You name it, I love it.

From Pinterest

I know Fall and Winter are about plants dying but for me it always feels like rebirth. Like anything and everything is possible and life is renewing again.

{Funny thing...}

Almost daily I think of something to make a post about.  Daily I forget to make said post. So, one thing I've wanted to make a post about is my monthly 5k races. I am still running in them. I even bought the next 5 months worth of registrations. The only thing that makes that scary is my work schedule. My work schedule is so crazy, but known, that I scheduled these races on days I know I have off. If a race day changes (like this months), it could definitely throw a kink in things since it seems like for the rest of the year I'm working most weekends.

Anyway, so on to my previous races! I don't think I spoke about May, June, or July's races. May was the Drop Your Drawers and Run Wild 5k. This race benefits kids in need getting underwear. For instance, they sent a whole bunch of underwear to Oklahoma after the huge tornado. This run was at what's become my favorite race park, City Park and afterwards there was a private after party at the Denver Zoo with 2 drink tickets (beer or wine). I had some pink ruffled panties I'd bought for a Halloween costume one year so I wore those over my running pants and an awesome tank-top my parents bought me for my birthday (an early b-day present).

 

Seriously, the green man photo is positively my favorite!

June was a 5k race in Estes Park, Colorado. This is an absolutely beautiful place to run but terrible to do so because of the elevation. I've become use to running here in Aurora at 5,471 ft above sea level. As use to it as you can get anyway. The beginning elevation for the Estes Park 5k is 7,522 ft above sea level! While it may not seem like much of a difference, and I naively thought this as well, it was terrible. When I began running I immediately felt it. To top it all off we gained about 100 feet in elevation in the first mile and a half. I have no problems admitting I walked most of the first 1.5 miles of this race. The nice thing though is the last 1.5 miles were ALL downhill...steeply downhill but that part was nice.

The Stanley Hotel
(The inspiration for the book/movie The Shining by Stephen King.
The TV series was filmed here also.)

The Stanley is the white building on the left side of the photo

The view of of the Rockies on my drive to Estes Park, Colorado

If anyone ever gets a chance to visit Estes Park, CO and Rocky Mountain National Park, I highly recommend it. It's positively beautiful. I can only hope that I'll never run a race in higher elevation again! haha!

July's race was terrible. It was the Firefly Run and was supposed to be on a Saturday night at City Park (my favorite park to run a race in). The Firefly is a night run with glow stick goods and good music and parties and all that jazz.  It was moved though to Friday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Luckily, Friday night worked with my work schedule. The picture of the running route at Dick's did not look promising though. It looked like it was through a lot of parking lot. I tried to keep an open mind though. Oh, we had to pay $5 for parking also! So far, all of my races have had street parking or free parking.  Well, I get there and the pre-race party seemed fun enough. I was by myself though (as I am for all my races but one so far) and I'm a shy person so there's only so much fun that can be had!  The race began and it was entirely through the parking lots of Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Entire. Race. After 1.5 miles the ankle I had surgery on a few years ago began hurting. It occasionally hurts me but usually stops after a little bit. This time, however, it did not stop. I'm pretty sure I began overcompensating for it because then my hip on the same side began hurting. Really bad. It was terrible and the most pain I've ever been in while running. I did stop to walk to kind of walk out the pain but walking just seemed to make it worse. I didn't stick around afterwards for the post- race party. I was in too much pain and not happy with just having ran around the parking lot I had to pay an extra $5 to park my car in.

I can only hope none of my races get moved to this location again because I just won't run it.

These are my next 5 races:

August

September

October

November - Color Run

December

Ok. Whew. What a long post! Sorry guys, it's what I get for waiting so long to post!

{Suicide}

This is a touchy subject but one I feel like I have to talk about right now.

An acquaintance of mine has taken her own life. I didn't know her well but hung out with her a time or two. She's the second person I know to take their own life and it makes me so incredibly sad but mostly angry.  How dare you put the people you love through this? Do you even know it's almost always your loved ones who have to find your body? Clean-up your mess? Get through their own life wondering why? They have to GET through their life without you. They have to survive the emotional trauma you have put them through. They have to wonder for the rest of their lives if there is just one thing they could have done to help you get through your own emotional black hole.

I've suffered through depression. It's not something I've ever sought help on but maybe I should. I NEVER want to put my loved ones through this though. When I do go into my own depressive black hole I help climb myself out of it by thinking of my loved ones. It's not anything I'd ever write about on here but my personal, hand-written journal gets to bear the brunt of those emotions. I think about my niece, who is more precious to me than anything. She's so incredibly young also that I could not even begin to think of what ending my own life would do to her, especially since we have such a close bond.

Seeing the after-effects of two people I know end their own life, it's just selfish. If you really knew what you put your loved ones through and could see just how much they love you and care about you, I'd bet anything you would think twice about ending your own life.