back in action

I am a runner.

And when I say that, I don't just mean I run often.

I am a runner.

I am a runner because when I don't run,

I jones and seethe until I can run again.

These last three weeks I've been sidelined

due to a nagging knee pain.

A tight IT band was the diagnosis.

Rest, ice and strengthening was on order.

And no running until it felt better.

Then, add on a nasty three day cold.

I basically was a caged animal,

raging to get out and cause havoc.

I awoke this morning finally feeling normal.

A slight tinge in my knee, but nowhere near 

how it once felt.

I decided today was the day.

Today was the day I could return.

After all, Warriors don't quit.

As I tied my shoelaces,

I realized,

This is what being a runner feels like.

All you want to do is run.

And when you're not running,

all you can think about is running.

Glad to be back.

And can't freakin' wait to

let the marathon training begin!

Wednesday Delights

Since making my summer bucket list

I've been pretty determined to follow through

and complete at least one thing each day of summer.

Well, getting sick was not planned,

which has put a wrench in getting a few of the easy things crossed off.

(If you know me, I never get sick.  And when I do, I'm a HUGE baby!)

I admit that I haven't run once so far on this summer vacation!

Nor have I spent any time by the pool!

What kind of start to summer is this?!

However, after spending two days forced to lounge inside,

I had to get out of the house, despite my lack of energy.

I was in the mood to thrift, so Chris and I headed to 

Roseville's Antique Trove today to get a start on #16.

Much to my delight, I stumbled upon this cute juice pitcher 

for only 12 dollars and decided it had to be mine!

I just love the patterns and can't wait to fill it with a batch of fresh lemonade.

Perhaps that calls for a recipe on Pinterest,

which will allow me to start on #13!

After some time strolling among the antiques,

we headed to the bookstore next.

I'm trying to stick to my "Book a Week" plan,

so next on the list will be this one:

Said to be a modern day Catcher in the Rye

I've got high hopes for this one,

which gives me a little push of motivation

to get done with the book I'm reading now.

For being sick,

I've had a little luck on this Wednesday.

Family Bonding and Best Summer Ever #1

I don't think I brag about my family enough.

So this post is dedicated to them.

This weekend I had the pleasure to serve as

Camp Director of the Friedrich Family "Camping Trip."

Though long ago it did begin as a true camping trip.

We rented 3 awesome houses in South Lake Tahoe,

with enough room to sleep all 32 of us,

in addition to the 5 that came just for the day.

Complete with a softball game, volleyball game,

amazing food, Encore, betting on the Belmont,

pouting after a Celtics loss and beer pong, 

this trip was more than I could have ever hoped for.

However, the part that made the weekend was

Minute to Win It!

Yes, that's right.  My family played some games

inspired by the TV show, including ones called 

"Junk in the Trunk" and "Penny Hose."

Do you have members of your family that 

will willingly place their hands in a pair of panty hose

digging to grab two pennies?

Well I do!

Or family members that will race to unwind an entire roll of toilet paper?

Or attempt to inch a cookie from their forehead to their mouth?

I do!

Here's a sneak peek of my photos below:

My two cousins, Mary Kate and Maddy, competing during

"Face the Cookie." 

And let me tell you, my family is amazing!

For the most part I'd say we all get along,

 though we will take witty jabs at one another from time to time.

But if there weren't any jokes or one-liners

it wouldn't be a true Friedrich event.

We love impromptu games of Bridge and Apples to Apples.

We love to cheer for anything, even when it's just someone walking in the door.

We're loud, but we're lovable.

I feel lucky to call myself a Friedrich

and love sharing every minute with them!

I feel like the pictures can tell a better story of our weekend

than I can put into words.

A view from the lake looking up at one of the amazing

houses we rented.

Our own personal dock came with the house!

 Just a few of the players.

Spontaneous volleyball game at Raegen Beach.

 "Penny Hose" - My aunt Mary is a great sport!

"Bucket Head" - Toss 3 ping pong balls into the bucket...

On top of another players head!

 "Junk in the Trunk" - Shake 4 ping pong balls out.

 "Face the Cookie!"

 Another amazing view from our house.

My family rocks.  Just thought you should know!

*Side note: This counts as putting a checkmark by #1

on my summer bucket list; this being my first road trip of summer.

Best Summer Ever - #12 and #17

Well I guess technically summer has not yet arrived,

(especially because the weather outside is breezy and overcast)

however, my mind has been on summer vacation for a little while now.

When my students and I set goals,

I always remind them

"If you can talk the talk,

can you walk the walk?"

We always talk about how the action

is always harder than the plan.

Well, people,

my "Best Summer Ever List" is already in action!

Exhibit A:

My amazing dessert this evening!!!

I have already consumed massive amounts of 

strawberries and cantaloupe galore!

(I think I have a cantaloupe addiction.)

Thanks to my mother who always provided tons of 

summer fruit as a child.  

I'm convinced that's when the love affair began.
I won't lie.  
The cantaloupe you see above?
Yeah thats the 3rd cantaloupe I've cut up
in the last two weeks.
Nom, nom, nom!! I just can't get enough of it!

So, I suppose I won't have any trouble  crossing off #12: 

Eating a crap-TON of my favorite summer fruits - cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, etc!

Exhibit B:

The first book on my Summer Reading list!

Well I guess I will jump on the latest book bandwagon.

I'm not even sure I'll like it.

However, this is the first book up on my list for summer reading.

So that begins the quest to complete #17:

Reading at least 1 book for every week of summer vacation - 7 total.

I got this idea from Donalyn Miller, 

who wrote The Book Whisperer.

(one of my favorite teacher books!)

She has this awesome little challenge called

Book-A-Day,

where you read 1 book for every day of your vacations.

This includes summer, Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks.

I have to admit, I'm not an avid reader,

but I aspire to be.

So I gave myself a challenge I think I can stick to.

Well, Summer Vacation, you're almost here!

And I still have hope that this will be

The Best Summer Ever.

And I look forward to "walking the walk" 
as I post more 

PROOF

that it really was!

Stay tuned! 

summersummersummer!

Running is a mental game.

And sometimes teaching is too.

While running miles and miles

it's easy to become bored,

frustrated even.

But when those moments arise,

it's important to give your mind a reason to wander

just so you forget all about the 

temptation to give up.

Only 18 teaching days until summer vacation!

And so, with that, I have decided

upon 18 things that I hope to do this summer
to give my mind a little motivation
to daydream about
"My Best Summer Ever."

My Best Summer Ever will include...

1. Road trips - South Lake Tahoe for my family reunion, Santa Cruz with my mom, and more!

2. Watching So You Think You Can Dance! I vow to not miss an episode this year!

3. Spend as much time by the river as possible! 

4. Early Morning Runs to beat the heat
5. Camping - hopefully beach camping so I can cross something off my 30 things before I'm 30 list
6. Bike Rides galore! - I hope that this is the summer my brother and I actually follow through on our plan to bike ride from Sunrise to Negro Bar.
7. Making salsa and trying out other fun recipes with the tomatoes I am growing.
8.  Spending lots of time by the pool while getting a great tan.
9.  Paddle Boarding for the 1st time! 
10. Sewing projects with Abuela 
11. Finally learning a weights routine at the gym
12. Eating a crap-TON of my favorite summer fruits - cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, etc!
13. Baking/cooking as many of the recipes I've pinned on Pinterest as I can.
14. Watching Baseball - Rivercats, Giants, A's, who cares!
15. Saving money to plan an AMAZING Disney trip for my Fall Break/Birthday
16.  Antiquing/Thrifting a little more often 
17. Reading at least 1 book for every week of summer vacation- 7 total!
18. Donating - Time & things I don't use anymore.

You ever hear people talk about a

"runners high?"

Well, this is all where it stems from.

Mental games.

Because when you allow yourself

to daydream or make lists in your head

you forget what mile you're on

and you just keep on going.

Before you know it,

you're done!

And the best part has arrived!

The finish line!