Sick and then CFL1 February 18, 2013

Hello after a pretty long absence from blogging!  As mentioned in my previous blog post, I was in San Francisco and came home with a cold which knocked me out of working out for the entire week.  Yikes!

I originally was keeping this bit of information under my cap, but I realized that the goal of this blog was to be honest and open…and me not talking about this would be against that credo.  I went for my Crossfit Level 1 Trainer test this week.  I wasn’t going to blog about this because I was scared of failing the test and I didn’t want to publicly fail.  Ugh.  But that isn’t what this blog is about.  

Anyway, I mainly did it because I want to potentially judge the Regionals for the Crossfit Games and also, maybe sometime in the far off future – it would be nice to coach.  There are other reasons, but those are the main ones.  I was still pretty sick, and if possible, was going to cancel.  Unfortunately, it was non-refundable and I wasn’t goingto eat the decent amount of money I paid for the weekend seminar and test phase.  I won’t go into all the details of what the weekend entailed, but it was a great time overall.  We had some amazing teachers over the weekend that consisted of James Hobart, Mel Ocker”Beast” Ockerby, Spencer Hendel, Austin Malleolo, EC Synkowski, and Mat Frankel.  All beasts of the North East!  There were a lot of lectures, practical work, and of course, Crossfit workouts both days.  I learned a ton and it was a great experience.  I’m not sure how I did on the test, I’m not the greatest of testers and with the cold – I’m not sure I could process everything that was being thrown at us.  If I didn’t pass, I’ll just take the test again.  I’m just glad that I got to attend and meet lots of great people from the local Crossfit community. 

In one of the breakouts, we worked on deadlifts together…and boy…it finally clicked with me on how to use my hamstrings during this movement.  They are on fire today!

Both days at lunch, we got to watch the instructors workout – which was a treat!  Here are some pictures that I managed to get.

Mat, Mel, Austin doing sled pushes

Hand Stand Push Ups on the rings … no big deal.

Spencer Hendel doing overhead pistols

In other news, the whale tail hair trend for Team Dizzle has gone further than just me and Jarrod.  We’ve started a trend!  One of them is Mel Ockerby herself!

30n30 day 28 December 15, 2008

Today sucked. There were layoffs where I work and it’s a stinker.

Today, I am thankful that I have a job.

30n30 day 27 make your own bloody marys December 14, 2008

Today, I’m going to brunch with some of my friends to the East Coast Grill.  They have a make-your-own bloody mary bar. I am so excited.  Nothing like a good bloody mary to start your day off.  You add your own spice, celery, kick.  Pure deliciousness. Should be some good times.

Niko was supposed to go, but he has to do some work today.  A last minute departure by someone in his department has left a void and now Niko and his team trying to close the gap.  They’ll get it worked out.  I hope that this doesn’t carry on to our vacation, but if it does…I’ll have to live.

Later today, the plan is to clean the apartment and do lots of laundry.  Over the last couple of weeks, the apartment has become quite messy.  Mostly due to me.  I haven’t really felt inspired to clean.  Most likely a combination of being sad about Erica, stressed about work stuff…adds up to me not feeling very motivated to do work around the house.  Video games and television seem far more appealing at the moment.  This is the last week of work before the winter break and I haven’t needed it more than I do this year.  (Hopefully, Niko won’t have to work over the holiday break…ugh.)

Today, I am thankful that my company gives us the week off during the Christmas holiday.

30n30 day 26 little big planet December 13, 2008

I have heard nothing but good things about Little Big Planet. So, today, after much discussion – Niko and I picked up a PS3 and Little Big Planet.  I’m very excited to play it – but we have to set it up and get all the updates for it.  Tomorrow, Niko and I are going to go meet some friends for breakfast where they have a make-your-own Bloody Marys.  How awesome is that?

Today, I am thankful for video games and the escapism that they offer.

30n30 day 25 kitty treadmill December 12, 2008

Today, I am thankful for cute kitty videos that cheer up your day!

30n30 day 24 rage December 10, 2008

Right now, I am filled with rage…I don’t know why.  I just am.  It’s a calm one and I’m not really taking out on other people – but I just feel a rage building up inside me.  So I’ll just skip to the thankful part.

Today, I am thankful for being insured (dental, medical, eyes).

30n30 day 23 missing… December 9, 2008

I wrapped all of my Christmas gifts except for the one for my brother.  Unfortunately, it disappeared in our one bedroom apartment.  Vanished…poof!  It SUCKS!  Niko and I think that one of us must have accidentally thrown it away.  Now I’m going to have to get him a gift certificate or something.  Ugh.

Today I am thankful for the life of Erica Murray.  In her short time here, she taught us so much about living.

30n30 day 22 enfermo December 8, 2008

My stomach is not feeling well.  I’m on medication for my diabetes and my body is adjusting.  I think when I eat too much sugar – the drugs make my stomach all crappy…literally.  Too much information, right?

Here are my Facebook status updates for today:

Christina can’t believe it was 18 degrees on her way to work this morning. 9:44am

Christina is enjoying a leek and goat cheese quiche from Clear Flour. 10:15am

Christina is eating a chocolate bacon bar…or is it bacon chocolate? 11:00am

Christina has got a lot of filing to catch up on. Ugh. 2:50pm

Christina is at home and going to eat some dinner. Exciting life in Boston. 8:00pm

Christina is not feeling well. 9:00pm

Today, I am thankful for mindless television like Gossip Girl.

30n30 day 21 fa la la la la December 7, 2008

Today, I went Christmas shopping for Niko and for myself.  I bought Niko a Ferragamo wallet (which he loves) and myself a pretty ring.  I also shopped for Niko’s family.  They are all getting iPod Touches.  I went with my friend Alex and he didn’t really buy a lot.  Other than that…it was a prety chill weekend.

After a long day of shopping, Niko came and met us and we picked up Meg from the train station and we all went to Ken Ramen for dinner.  Alex was convinced that it will change my mind about ramen noodles (I think that they taste like doughy plastic).  The broth was AMAZING, but I’m still not a fan of ramen noodles.  No changing my mind!  All and all, it was  a pretty chill weekend.  I think I’m going to go to bed early and get nice and rested for tomorrow.

Today, I am thankful for my friends spread throughout the US!

30n30 day 20 new hair December 6, 2008

Today, I went to get my hair done…it had been awhile and I needed an update.  I also brought my friend Tara to get her hair done.  She wasn’t one for ever doing her hair and needed some encouragement to get into a salon and have the person show her the right way to do her hair.  It looked so good when all was said and done.  I added some red highlights to my hair.  The color is totally unnatural – but it’s nice for a little change.

I still can’t stop thinking about Erica’s death.  After yesterday’s post, I just sat in my living room and cried and cried.  I thought about her life, her family, her close friends…her death.  I went to a very small college and everyone knew everyone.  She graduated the year behind me. We lost one of our own…and it hurts a lot.  She was 29 years old.  Let me spell that out for you – TWENTY FUCKING NINE and she died.  I’m at a loss for words.

Today, I’m thankful for my family and friends.