Our Journey to 13.1

This morning, Yung and I ran our first half marathon. 13.1 miles! We accomplished the first item on my 30 before 30 list. 

It all started a few years ago when I got it in my head that this would be a great goal for myself. I'm not a runner, nor am I really very athletic, but I do have a desire to somewhat excel in this area of life. We signed up for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon last July to give us plenty of time to train.

Training did not really go as planned. Running does not come naturally to either Yung or I. In December, things were going pretty well on the treadmill. In January, we started really running outdoors and I discovered how difficult it was. It was then that I accepted it in my heart that I don't really like running. I knew I was going to push through with the race, but I finally admitted to myself that I would so rather do my group exercise classes than run for hours at a time.

After moderate effort and a somewhat unproductive couple of months of running, we somehow trotted along and inched our way closer and closer to 13.1.

Today was beautiful, and also the first day of Spring. Aside from the wind, we could not have asked for better weather. Running is different when you are running with thousands of people by your side and when there are cheerleaders and rock bands along the way.

We found our way running around downtown Dallas and in neighborhoods we have yet to explore by foot. We also witnessed our first speed walker who sped by us very quickly. It was amazing. There was also a man with a prosthetic leg that was running faster than most. Truly admirable.

Thank you to all of the police officers and volunteers for keeping us safe and hydrated throughout the race. And thank ya'll for reading along. I'm going to go soak my feet in ice now. Until next time...maybe a triathlon? ;)

From the pre-race Health Expo

Oh, and our post-run meal...After a slow and careful walk back to the car, we got pizza, of course!

For the love of pizza and running - xoxo -

Connie

All photos contributed by Yung.

Pass The Hot Cheetos

During the first weekend of February, Yung and I flew to Washington D.C. for a wonderful family trip. Aaron and Trang came in from Louisiana, and my high school friend Nicole rode the bus down from New York. Our aunt, uncle, and 2 younger cousins live in Virginia, and it was nice to reunite again. 

Our time on the east coast consisted of lots of walking, seeing, and eating. We knew we wanted to visit the sites in D.C., but we were pressed for time, so we did the best we could. The nice thing about D.C. is that most all of the monuments, memorials, and museums are free. It turned out to be a great couple of days.

Highlights:

The Lincoln Memorial. The last time I stood on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial, I was 14 years old and visiting the capitol with my high school band. It was really cool to go back and see it again. The area was filled with many tourists, but we also noticed plenty of joggers running through the area. I love the idea of taking a morning run through the national monuments and memorials. 

The White House. I've never been this close to the white house, and it is fun to imagine what it is like on the inside. I have seen some pictures online, but to me, the inside of The White House will always look like Richie Rich's house...complete with McDonald's and other fun things. I was hoping to see President Obama walking the family dogs (Bo and Sunny) or the First Lady watering the garden, but no such luck.

The Holocaust Museum. We set aside several hours one day to learn about an important time in our world's history. The Holocaust Museum was very well put together, and it is better than any text book or movie. I knew very little about the Holocaust aside from what I have learned in school, and this museum takes you through The Nazi Assault, The War, and The Liberation. There is also a large section on different types of genocide that are currently happening around the world.

Bei Bei, the baby panda. The National Zoological Park is part of the Smithsonian family, so it was another free exhibit to visit. Parking, however, was not free. But as we said that day, it was all for Bei Bei. I learned a lot about panda fertility issues at the zoo. Apparently, it is very hard to make panda babies, so we all hope that Bei Bei stays healthy. We also were saw one of the adult pandas, Bao Bao, eating bamboo. 

The Cool House Illusion at the Sculpture Garden. We walked through the Sculpture Garden one evening and saw the neatest 2D house that appeared 3D. 

The Food. It is not a secret that Aaron and I seem to have bottomless stomachs. Next to our Uncle Bodong, and now maybe Yung, the two of us are Olympian eaters. Trang does come in at a close 4th ;) We had so much delicious food on this trip. Scroll down for our full food list, and here are a few pictures.

Midnight snack at Shake Shack

Our cousins. 

My Aunt and Uncle treated us to the most festive Korean dinner. We truly appreciated their hospitality throughout our trip. 

Duck Donuts

Grand Trunk

Ben's Chili Bowl

Georgetown Cupcake

The People. Aaron and I planned the trip for the sole purpose of visiting our family, but it was a real bonus that not only did Yung and Trang join us, we got to see Nicole as well. Food + People = Bliss. We spent our last two nights up late eating Hot Cheetos and a myriad of other junky type rot-your-stomach food. It was the best time.

Aaron and I with our aunt.

Where we stayed:

Hyatt Regency in Fairfax, VA. Adjoining rooms are the way to go!

What we saw:

Downtown Fairfax, VA
The Lincoln Memorial
The Washington Monument
National World War II Memorial
The White House
China Town in D.C.
Smithsonian Museum of American History and Natural History
The Sculpture Garden
The National Zoological Park
The Holocaust Museum
Jefferson Memorial
Georgetown, D.C.

Where we ate:
Two Sisters Thai
Haveabite
Shake Shack
Silver Diner
China Boy
Jackey Cafe
Chinatown Coffee
Joy Luck Bakery
Dessert Story
BonChon
Yechon
Duck Donuts
HMart
Pi Pizzeria
Grand Trunk
Red Velvet Cupcake
De Clieu Coffee
Ben's Chili Bowl
Georgetown Cupcakes
Sprinkles
Oki Ramen
Todai Japanese
Lots of Hot Cheetos

Where we parked:
Traffic and parking is apparently a nightmare in the D.C. area, but we got extremely lucky every day. Aside from the zoo, we found free parking at all of our other destinations. We received a parking list from a sweet family friend. Contact me before your next D.C. trip, and I will share it with you. 

More pictures:

At the WW2 Memorial

In China Town, most American places had Chinese characters written next to the English sign. We saw places like Corner Bakery, Panera, and Starbucks.

Can you spot Bao Bao?

Jefferson Memorial

Selfies for days. Until our next adventure! Pass the Hot Cheetos.

Xoxo,
C

*Photos contributed by Aaron, Yung, and myself.

Happy March! And Professor is 4!

Professor turned 4 years old last month, and I recently read his third birthday post. I noticed that I am now feeding him about half of what he was eating last year. I got two "talking tos" from the vet, at two separate visits. Professor's puppy BMI was slightly elevated, and I guess I was feeding him too much (although I was giving him the appropriate amount according to the back of the food bag) and also not walking him as much (no more two hour per day walks! we are down to one a day if lucky). I kept insisting it was his hair that made him look big, and I was informed that he had a nice layer of adipose tissue present that wasn't there before. I should have demanded to see his growth chart. Oh the joys of puppy-mommy-hood. 

He got a haircut yesterday, and had to be shaved because his negligent mama let some tangles get in his fur. Although he is very cute, he now looks like a large rat with very little hair. I am hoping the BMI has gone back down other wise I'm sure he's going to get some fasting lab work done to check his cholesterol and diabetes level. 

Kidding.

That's the speech I give my patients at work. 

Oh Professor. He keeps my life interesting and he never leaves my side. Professor wakes up every day happy and he is always eager to take on the day with a smile. I really would rather stay home with him than go out and be in the world. It's just the truth. 

One new development in the past year is that I have found a dog sitter whom I love. We have now used her three times, and it definitely puts my mind at ease enough for Yung and I to go out of town and have the dogs taken care of. 

On to March. I am looking forward to tank top weather :) 

Check out when Professor turned 3.