New Job

I got a new job!!! Ok, I got the job 3 months ago, but it's still pretty new. Being a workin' woman is tough--tight schedules, 8 hour days, sitting at desk, paychecks coming in...it's rough.  Anyway, after months of sending in cover letters, online applications, informational interviews, and hundreds of emails, I finally got offered a job!

I am a Program Assistant at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition. The title is a little fuzzy, but it's actually pretty cool and exactly where I wanted to be. When I started the MPH program, I had the goal of working for USAID. It is one of the premier development agencies in the world. My role is to help manage grants for the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I don't have any real decision making responsibilities, but I get to read all the proposals that come in for various activities (TB work, HIV/AIDS programs, water and sanitation, childhood vaccines, malaria programs, and other health activities). It's pretty interesting.

In addition to my main responsibility I'm also on the country team for Nicaragua and am on the gender team for the bureau. I don't really know exactly what my role on that team will be, but gender is a significant issue and I'll be meeting with representatives from the other offices and bureaus (education, health, democracy, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, etc).

The job is starting slow and I have plenty of time on gchat, but I'm thrilled to have a job and be starting my career as a public health professional.

26.2

The race of my life was actually 84 days ago. Since then I've received many complaints that my blog has become stagnant, so here's the update. And even though the race was months ago and I have limited pictures, I'm posting anyway...for friends and family...and because marathons are a  

BIG DEAL.

So without further ado...

On Saturday November 13, 2010 I completed the SunTrust Richmond Marathon. How was it you ask--AMAZING! I have never had a better time running; it was fun, hard, beautiful, perfect weather, long, totally insane, and incredible. Now maybe because it's 84 days later, I don't remember how hard it actually was, but I'm telling you it was awesome.

The race went much better than expected. All the hours and Saturday mornings spent running paid off and I had a great race. My time was not the fastest, but I finished in my goal range, I didn't walk, and only came out with mild soreness and one minor injury. The first 10 miles flew by and I felt really good. The weather was in the 40's to start and by the end it was in the 60's. So perfect. I ran next to rivers, across bridges, up some hills, through city, down in some valleys, and back on the streets of Richmond, VA. I ran the race with my running buddy, Traci and we kept each other going for all 26.2 miles. She had a pace keeping watch, so we knew how fast we were running the entire time. Miles 8-13 were probably the fastest pace and 24-26 weren't too shabby either. People warned me that as I got closer to finishing I might get emotional. Emotional?! From what I asked. Emotional from the training, hard work, realization of an accomplished goal, and the pure breaking down of the body. While some of those thoughts did cross as I passed the mile 25 marker and realized I was really going to finish this thing...no tears or uprising of emotions flowed. Instead, I just kicked it into gear and ran my fastest mile of the whole race. I guess it's still true that I'm just not an emotional girl. I don't think you have to cry to realize the enormity of finishing a marathon.

Saturday, November 13 was an awesome day.

Will I do it again???? I'm not saying yes, but I'm not saying no either.

Practicing crossing the finish line the night before the race. And if you're wondering what Traci and I are doing with our hands...we're just flashing our symbol. 2A

My cheering squad

I'll try to get more pictures. For now, you can check out a few pics online.
http://www.brightroom.com/view

Fall Happenings

October was a busy month with trips to start and end the month and a birthday celebration in between. My birthday was pretty low key this year with dinner with some friends and a small gathering afterward featuring my favorite dessert--ice cream.

I decided to skip town for Halloween and headed down to the Sunshine state instead. I went to visit a friend living in Orlando and we packed the weekend with fun Florida things. Clearwater Beach (Gulf Coast), Tampa, Disneyworld, and Daytona Beach. You all know how much I love the ocean, so this was a perfect weekend!

Here are some pictures to enjoy.

 Birthday Dinner

 Opening Gifts

 How does that yoga pose look like again? Obviously, I don't yoga.

 Yup, it's real!

 Daytona Beach...you can actually drive your car right onto the beach and park, which we did.

Thankful

A few things I'm thankful for...

A loving Heavenly Father
Family
Friends
Jesus Christ
Plan of Salvation
Freedom
Education
Fall colors
Health
Running
Sunshine
Beaches
Airplanes
Warms rolls w/butter
Laughing
Clean sheets
Nieces and Nephews
Hoodies
Prayer
Testimony
Indoor Plumbing
Not living in Pioneer times (idea stolen from my friend Stephanie, but I completely agree)
Cell phones
Ice cream
Conference Talks
Heating/AC
Beautiful planet we live on

Happy Thanksgiving!

Where everybody knows your name...

BOSTON!!!

I love living on the east coast and having cool cities so close. The first week of October brought me to Boston for my friend Doug's wedding, and to visit longtime friend, Whitney. First time to Boston--it was worth the wait. I'll forgo the daily itinerary and just offer a synopsis with lots of pictures.

Arrived Wed night, stayed through Tuesday night: North End, Harvard, Boston University, the "T", late chats with Whitters, Cannolis, Italian food, Lexington, Fenway Park, Boston Temple, wedding, reception, drive to Maine and back, Freedom Trail, long runs on Minute Man Trail, more chats with Whitters, new friends, awesome food, great times! I love Boston!

 Ok, so I know this is a fuzzy photo, but it's all I got. 

The North Church..."one if by land, two if by sea."

 Gelato

 Specialty chocolate shop = delicious Hot Chocolate!!!

 The Beautiful Couple: Doug and Sarah Rodermund

 Lexington Bridge....Where the shot was heard around the world

 I'm not too sure about holding Flat Stanley in this picture

 Walden Pond

Need to come back when it's a bit warmer to take a dip

 Welcome to Maine! First time eating lobster...so not worth the money

 Portland--East coast sytle!

 Can you help me out with the sign? Dorms at Bowdoin College...beautiful campus, weird sign.

I'll be coming back to Boston in May for Whit's graduation. I'm hoping to catch a game and see the inside of Fenway Park.  Boston was everything I hoped for and more (including the Boston accent)!

What a day

Yesterday I ran a marathon.
And I got a job offer.

Good things do come to those wait...and work hard.

(details to follow)

Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat.

Ragnar D.C. September 24-25, 201 miles of running relay fun! I wasn't too thrilled about running this race, but my running buddy Traci made a deal that if I ran the relay, she'd run the marathon with me in November. The Ragnar Race originated in Utah and has since expanded to locations around the country. The idea is 12 runners, 200 miles, each runner runs 3 separate legs ranging from 3-9 miles. Sounds easy right...well, it's a beast!

Reflection Vests are required from dusk to dawn

My running buddy. 13.1 check...201 check...26.2 bring it on!

The race began at 12 noon on Friday September 24 in Cumberland, MD. 200 miles and about 30 hours later we ended up in Alexandria, VA. The weather was insane, with temperatures nearing 95 degrees. We slept in increments that maybe totaled 5 hours. I ran at 4:30 pm, 2:00 am, and 12 pm (the next day) for a total of 16.5 miles. This race is crazy, but for some reason, I love it!

Next year....Ragnar Florida Keys!