Trying to RUN Up SAPA (a.k.a. impossible)

I ran.

(Well actually, not just me. A few hundred)

(Trying very hard to stay dry in the pouring rain BEFORE the race)

I conquered.

(That's a lie, not completely!)

I did only the half and the following day there was a 10 for fun.

(But there were some woman who were REALLY heroes. One conquered

the 70 km AND many others did the FULL marathon...something to aspire to)

Really cute how they made it such a big deal and it really WAS very well organized.

I can no longer walk.

The Sapa Hills were long, steep and muddy.

A few shots from the run.

The best award/trophy you could EVER ask for...a warm cuppa coffeeeeeeeee!

But the energy was great, the weather funny, and the scenery?

Our front door....to THIS!!!

Who could ask for better?

Spoiled rotten.

Yes.

Yes, I know.

What do YOU say running up-hills?

I can't really say all of the words you would hear me 

mumbling and muttering up a hill

(completely inappropriate)

HOWEVER,

you will hear me mutter random name likes;

Nickie,

Gearing,

Tanya,

Linsday,

Marni,

Darcy,

Mayberry,

Long,

Sally,

Dicerb,

Leslie,

Jane,

Tonia,

Gut,

Fred,

Jéré,

Noèmi,

Marc,

Chels,

Katie,

Jess,

Em,

Coach,

Collin,

Katya,

Krisin,

Tracey,

Peggy,

Fraz,

Jenna,

Lil,

Cristy,

Al,

Volker,

Bob Ward,

Elia,

Morgie,

Tim,

Geoff,

Tina,

Sophie,

Loyd,

Pete, 

Lausanne Sport,

Ottawa Rowing Club,

Pairs in the women's Canadian heavy eight....

...just to name a FEW~!

Feeling better about running-up hills already!

Hah.

Just Keep Running, Just Keep Running or Not?

Not sure this was a good idea.

(gulp)

What was I thinking???

Clearly I was not thinking.

(Nice Lauren, niceeee!)

And YES, that is a half marathon pinnie for

Saturday and a "fun-run" 10 km pinnie

for Sunday, the next day.

(Double gulp)

Ultra marathoners are laughing at me right now.

(I can hear you~!)

So...yeah.

What are YOUR plans for the weekend?

How I Was Happily Tatted By Lauren Wells

The Story of the Tattoo

By:

Lauren Wells

It all started in Istanbul, Turkey.
It was a beautiful, sunny day and I had
was finishing my third cup of delicious coffee.

I was feeling pretty good,
(caffeine high)
walking around,
(A.k.a lost)
discovering the city on my own
(as you do when you are in a new city)
when I saw this sign.

The friend I had been staying with in Istanbul had mentioned 

that Kadiköy area was

a hip place, 

with great coffee joints,

and tattoo parlous galore.

The thought of getting a tattoo hadn't really crossed my mind.

Until I noticed the sign that is...and then a very big and bare space on my wrist.

Hmmm.

And I thought, why not?

What could go wrong?

(Well, maybe a lot and was I leave the next morning? Maybe)

But these are moments you tell your grandchildren 

and moments that put hair on your chest.

(I am super hairy-chested now)

So then came the tough part...

...what do I get?

A tattoo of a snake with my head on it?

Or this interesting little number?

Yes, I WAS extremely nervous but also excited.

Not so excited about the PAIN but that was secondary 

to my NERVES about what my family,

friends and 

BOSSES would think.

YIKES!

(I wanted to make sure that I could hide it under my watch if necessary

while teaching...one never knows!)

Hah!

Are you my tattoo artist?

(gulp)

OHhhhh?

You don't speak English?

Awesome.

Thsi was Me crapping my pants just a teenie-tiny bit.

Complete FAKE smile....so scared at that point. 

BAH - hahahah~!

(What a wimp you are Lauren!)

Less than an hour later...I was smiling from cheek-to-cheek.

What does it say you ask?

Well "Rhiannon" of course.

Who else would bully me and peer pressure me (from afar) 

to get her name branded on my wrist?

Sisters, they are so PUSHY!

Hah!

(Of course that is not true, the meaning goes much deeper.

The reminder of Rhiannon is essential for me.

Some days more than others as it can be a tough reminder/yet inspiring one.

And sometimes I just laugh out LOUD as I try to imagine

what Rhi might say if she could talk....really.

WHAT WOULD SHE SAY?

It keeps my little head thinking and smiling a lot) 

And so...that's the end of the story.

Even as I write this message and I look down and smile.

Why?

Because this may sound weird but it almost feels like it's 

always been there. 

You know?

It just feels right.

THE END.

How I Feel About Teaching - By Dr.Seuss

"You know you're in love when 

you can't fall asleep because reality is 

finally better than your dreams."

- Dr. Seuss

Teaching on a Friday and having too much FUN~!

Sigh*

I wish every day could be a Friday feeling kind-of-day.

(Still smiling into year four...whOA!)

Only One More Day Until Friday...

I am feeling like the second guy.

Wiped out already and still two more days to go.

Argh*

(Says the half-ape-like-homonin-lady)

Thank GAWD for my 

black,

crack,

snack,

called... 

...COFFEE!!!

?!(*R(*&#$*(#?!)#&$^#($

From Purchase to Consumption: She's a Fruit Eater (former ManEater)

Good question!

How DOES a fruit get from the fruit market to my belly?

So glad you asked.

ET VOILA, ça commence~!

Which one?

Tough choice.

The place.

The faces.

The pressure is extreme.

Fruit picked but now...which one to eat?

I CHOOSE YOU!

The death of a...what's this fruit called again?

Sigh*

I already forgot. 

Whatever!

Do I really have to KNOW the name of the fruit I am ingesting?

Hmmmmmmmm.

Debatable.

Too excited.

Just starting eating, just start eating.

A taste of heaven that definitely REQUIRES a good amount of work.

(Sooo many dang SEEDS!)

And...?

TASTE BUDS SCREAMING

"I'm so excited and I just can't hide it, I know-I know-I know

I want you, WANT YOU!"

Best idea EVER!

(By accident, of course...I found a spoon from my family.

It's Sam-O or Malcolm's favourite spoon)

OPPS!

CLEPTO auntie Lolo.

Worst Aunt ever.

Sigh*

Take some time to reflect with some tea?

Liquorice tea?

Sold.

Good day.

Great story.

Tell it again Lauren.

(Please don't)

So...yeah.

Typical Saturday Run in the Jungle

It started with a "Happy Birthday" song in English.

As all good runs should.

(She was also very particular about these bracelets, could not stop playing with them!)

Start with a hill?

Why not!

Get to the top ONLY for the view of course.

Ahhhhhh, a little moment of HEAVEN!

Ahhh CRAP!

I just got PASSED, for PETE's SAKE LAUREN!

FOCUS on the running LESS on the photos.

(Shesssssh)

Adam is actually one of the nicest running partners...although pretty sure he LOVED

getting so far ahead of me.

BLASTED!

The of COURSE I get lost....only for a brief moment.

MOM - it's okay!

I found the pathway again.

IT's THIS WAY~!

Everybody look to the left.

Everybody look to the right.

Great views on either side.

Why not stop and take a picture?

Boom.

Just when I wish I had a single rowing shell....look at that water.

Again, I HAD to stop and take a picture of that.

"Only living statue/door/house/thingy in N.Y"

(Simon and Garfunkel reference, no biggy)

OHHHH for goodness sakes LO!

Where the HECK is your partner????

BINGO!

I found him, still ahead and taking more distance.

DANG.

Alright, I gotta run 

(literally)

need to STOP taking photos and catch-up!

(This would also be my only ride home so umm, yeah. Move you BUTT Lauren!)

Like I said, typical run with Lauren in the jungle.

Just call me Jane.