Chalk it up!

So today I accomplished one of my goals: to complete the 30km "Around The Bay" run in Hamilton (oldest road race in North America) what a great feeling! The first 20k were pretty smooth, I was beating my ideal time by 2 minutes, but as I approached the last 10k I knew the hills (sorry cliffs) we going to be a little bit of a challenge...and they were...but I stayed on track and beat my goal by 12 seconds ;) (I was pacing as I would to try and complete a 3:45 marathon). It just so happened that my cousin Heather and I saw each other at the 2km mark and decided to run it together...she did awesome!! and it was great to run with her...though while she was talking, all I could do was nod and smile and stay in my zone! (I'm not much of a conversationalist when I am running)! Anywho so as I ran across the finish line that was set up inside the Copps Coliseum I couldn't help but be a little emotional and I shed a couple tears for the feeling of knowing I DID IT! Sorry that I am on my podium right now, but it's a proud moment. To all of you who run no matter what your time is and what race you are in, I applaud you!
Place: 1257/5550
Name:ERIN BRYCECity: Oakville
Bib#: 4784
Time: 2:40:00.9
Chip: 2:39:47.4
Pace: 5:21
Category: Women 25 - 29
Category Place: 53/257
Gender Place: 289/2089
Split @10km: 51:52
Split @15km: 1:18:34
Split @20km: 1:44:46

Earth Hour - Turn Off Your Lights!

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.

Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

The Way I See It #283The most important thing in life is to stop saying "I wish" and start saying "I will." Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probablilities.

ps. I started my 3rd placement at little Lorne Park today...it was nice to be back in the ol' hood...also my associate teacher is fab!

Home

After a little bit of a hiatus this month and a pond hopping flight last night I am back in Oakville...and of course I want to go back to both Ireland and Florida and spend more time with Andrew and my family. But I am home, and today was spent doing as much as one can do in a day...from going to work, to class, to my daily run, to then pulling out the vacuum and sucking up all the cat hair I could (eeesh!), to then doing some laundry, going grocery shopping, and pulling out the Honey Nut Cheerio's and a glass of OJ for din din (yawn!). I think the last time I had cereal for dinner was in Uni or maybe even in Highschool...so no judgement, I just couldn't be bothered to either go for sushi or make myself something that takes more than 2 minutes...so cereal it was...it kind of brought me back to the time when I would have, dare I say, popcorn for dinner. ha! those were the days (highschool days) I never said I was domesticated! Any who so now that I have stopped moving, I feel a little sad not having people around me at all times. boo hoo! Oh well things are of course super busy now that I am home and Andrew and family will be arriving home before I know it!

This Sunday I have my first Around the Bay 30km run in hammertown. I know I am ready for it, but I am a little nervous! While I was in Florida, I continued with my running schedule and had to run a 28km run. So I went to Mapmyrun.com (best website ever) and figured out a nice route (with the help of my mom). I left at 8am on Sunday, with 2 water bottles and gels strapped to me, while listening to my Ipod...and let me tell you I now have an idea of what it feels like to run through the desert! So hot! I now have a sports bra tan, as the sun went straight through my shirt. I also ran out of water at 1:41mins in and thank god my parents showed up on their bikes to rescue me by filling up my bottles. It felt damn good to jump in the Ocean after that run! Any who, so I know I can do the 30km, it will just be a matter of getting a somewhat decent time. So wish me luck! Ah! Well as you can tell I am use to talking to people, so this entry a little lengthy...sorry! Hope everyone had a great long weekend!

"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." - Author Unknown

ps. Did Heidi not look a little bit like a Robo-Blonde on Monday night...fake much? She is gorgeous, but I think when she got her lips done she took it to an entire new level.
pps. As was debated on the Today Show this morning, this months Vogue issue featuring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen has stirred up some controversy between Vogue and the readers. My thoughts: can a cover not just be a cover? Is there really a need to over analyze? I think it's a great cover, celebrating 2 superstars at the top of their game! check out: www.chicagotribune.com for more information.

Happy Easter

Slim Cow

Yesterday I hopped on a plane to meet up with my parents, my sister and Mitchell in Naples, Florida! It's so nice to be in the warm weather and hanging out with my family. It feels as if it's been while; and of course Mitchell is cuter than ever. Tomorrow we are heading to an Easter Egg hunt held by Mediterra where Mitchell is going to clean up! Our strategising has already begun...we made our way to Target to get a top notch Easter basket...Easter bunny here we come! I will post some pictures of our extravaganza tomorrow. Ok so lately I have found that I have caught on to the new gimmick happening in grocery stores across the country...the 100 Calorie snacks..and last night we had some what of a discussion. I of course have been sucked in and think...ahh it's only 100 calories...that's nothing (and so the advertising has worked). So a skinny cow snack or an oreo thin crips seems like a small helping. My dad on the other hand thinks that by stating it's 100 calories it makes him think he must be eating a ton of calories through the day and doesn't like how it says 100 calories. Anywho not sure why I wanted to share my thoughts, but I just think it's such a funny concept. What does 100 calories mean to you? I think the box should say, if you have gone for an hour run, eat up!

Alright next thing on the agenda, I have recently finished my second Jodi Picoult book My Sister's Keeper. (Thanks Elecia) It was very good! Another book I could not put down. I'm not one for getting emotional as I read, but as I was on the plane yesterday I found myself holding back the tears as I was nearing the end. Love this book! And because I am still on the Picoult train, I have just recently picked up her newest book Change of Heart I will let you know if she turns out to my fav author of 08!

Happy Easter Long Weekend Y'all!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I just drove home from class to check my emails & got a super cute one that I had to share: a picture of little Mitchell wishing his Uncle a Happy Birthday! Too cute for words! Happy 23rd Birthday Kevin! Hope it's a year full of dreams come true & smiles! xo
Off to yoga, will post later!

Book Review: Nineteen Minutes

I just finished reading "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult. A teacher from my placement who has similar interests in books recommended it to me, and I thought it sounded interesting; especially in todays society. I have never read a book by this author, but have now become an instant fan. It was a great read, one of those books you can't put down and find yourself wanting to read more.
In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn; color your hair; watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five. Nineteen minutes is how long it took the Tennessee Titans to sell out of tickets to the playoffs. It’s the amount of time it takes to listen to the Yes song Close to the Edge. It’s the length of a sitcom, minus the commercials. It’s the driving distance from theVermont border to the town of Sterling, NH. In nineteen minutes, you can order a pizza and get it delivered. You can read a story to a child or have your oil changed. You can walk two miles. You can sew a hem. In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world; or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.

Synopsis: In this emotionally charged novel, Jodi Picoult delves beneath the surface of a small town to explore what it means to be different in our society.
In Sterling, New Hampshire, 17-year-old high school student Peter Houghton has endured years of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of classmates. His best friend, Josie Cormier, succumbed to peer pressure and now hangs out with the popular crowd that often instigates the harassment. One final incident of bullying sends Peter over the edge and leads him to commit an act of violence that forever changes the lives of Sterling’s residents.
Rich with psychological and social insight, Nineteen Minutes is a riveting, poignant, and thought-provoking novel that has at its center a haunting question. Do we ever really know someone?

Ireland

Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you.
Wishing you always...
Walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain
And tea beside the fire.
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire
P.s Congratulations to my cousin Christopher in B.C whose wife Naomi gave birth to their first baby boy on the weekend: Jadon Lucas Ciantar!

Wish List

If I fell into some money I would call up Mrs. Victoria Beckham and ask her where she got her fantastic dress! Also love the shoes; purse may be a little too matchy matchy for me...but you gotta give it to her, she looks great! (her son is cute..love the costume!)

Fill The Cup

On Monday Drew Barrymore was on the Oprah show...and ever since Monday I can't help but think about the amazing program: "Fill the Cup". On the show Drew Barrymore donated $1 million dollars to the United Nations World Food Programme to help feed the children in Africa. "I've seen with my own eyes what a difference a simple cup of nutritious porridge can make in a child's life," Barrymore, 33 said. "It helps them learn, stay healthy and sets them on track for a bright future." Drew Barrymore got involved with the charity in 2005, and became an Ambassador against hunger last year. "We have a dream...to feed another 10 million hungry children in Africa by Thanksgiving Day" added the organization's Executive Director Josette Sheeran who was also on Oprah. While watching the show I found myself crying over the situation in Africa and also when listening to Drew Barrymore's powerful attempt to get the viewers to listen.... VERY smart of her to send out the message on the greatest forum in the world...the Oprah Show! If anything it got me to listen and I have contributed what I could and can.... which wasn't much but every penny helps...so please everyone visit http://www.drewbarrymore.com/ to learn more about the amazing program. Even a small donation will go a long way. It takes just 25 cents to fill one of the Red Cups that WFP uses to give hungry kids a school meal. This food will not only feed bodies, but also minds, and will help transform lives. Help us Fill the Cup!

The Heart Of The Matter

This is a fantastic song by India Arie! So powerful and peaceful! Make sure to watch/listen to the song with lots of volume. (sorry for all the videos this week, I will cut back) As said in yoga class "Shanti" ~ "I wish you inner peace" xo

March 1

The entire fam dam is in Florida without me...including Mitchell. So I request daily pics of their adventures. Jodie sent me some this morning, and I can't help but think the photo above is the cutest ever! ahhh! Mitchell and his cup of tea in the Lanai. Cute!
ps. Erin & Cam have jet setted off to Mexico today to get married! I wish you both all the happiness in the world! Wish I was there, especially to see Erin walking up the aisle in her beautiful dress! Angela and Heather take TONS of photos!! xoxo