On Your Mark...Get Set...GO

I'm off, today was the start of my training for the Sun Trust National Marathon in Washington DC. You are all welcome to join me! The Marathon is March 21st. that gives us about 4 months to train. So far we have a team that consist of Shelley, Cassie, Anne and Rob.
For those of you who know me, you know I'm not much of a runner, so this will be quite the challenge for me. Mostly, because it hard for me to get myself motivated to go out in the cold and run. I'm usually talked into running by my roommate Anne. So here you have it, a schedule I'm determined to fallow for the next 4 months.

16-Week Marathon Training Schedule

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5	Rest	15
2	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	6	Rest	16
3	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	7	Rest	17
4	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
5	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	10	Rest	21
6	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	11	Rest	24
7	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	12	Rest	26
8	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	14	Rest	28
9	4	Rest	7	4	Rest	16	Rest	31
10	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	16	Rest	34
11	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	17	Rest	35
12	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	18	Rest	36
13	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	20	Rest	38
14	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	9	Rest	27
15	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
16	3	Rest	3	Walk 2	Rest	26.2	Rest	34.2

Raise your hand if you think I need to give up diet soda while training. I go through these phases where I become dependent (addicted) to the stuff. I just love it so much! Sometimes I will go with only drink diet soda on the weekends, but lately I drink about two cans a day! Is this bad?
I feel like it gives me energy for the whole day and I love it! These are my favorite ways to enjoy my soda in order of my favorite; 1st. fountain soda (if the syrup is done right) 2nd. can 3rd. bottle. yumm yumm.

Halloween

For Halloween this year Rob and I dressed up as Juno and Bleeker. Check out my BF Rob's blog for more fun photos.

The Secret Life of Bees

Loved it. I recommend this movie, two thumbs up. I read the book about a year ago, which made the movie even more enjoyable. I thought the cinematography in the movie was awesome. Don't forget the kleenex!

The Perfect Day

Saturday was such a nice day that Rob and I packed a lunch, loaded the bikes and headed to a near by National Park called Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook is home to a military base and a lighthouse, within view of the Manhattan skyline.
Rob getting the bikes ready for our ride.
This trail was so fun. The Fall leafs were all over. We pretty much had the trail to ourselves .
Unfortunately we did not get many pictures together.
Lunch on the beach.
Behind Rob is the Manhattan skyline. It was a little overcast out there.
We made it to the light house. There was so much more to do there and explore but we didn't want to be biking back in the dark.
The End.

More Connecticut Falls

This is the Marritt Parkway in Connecticut
Fones school of Dental Hygiene in the Fall
This may be kinda weird but, I love Cemeteries I think they are really pretty. What better time to see one then in the Fall. Natalie and I were trying to cram in our reading for our cap stone class while our DH class went to visit Irene Newman's grave. She served as the first dental hygienist.

Good Times

My last 2 Falls have been in Connecticut and I'm really starting to miss the beautiful colors out there. These are some pictures of this amazing pumpkin patch we use to go to. If you look out far enough you can see all the trees changing colors. Connecticut is full of trees and known for it's beautiful Fall season. I think my favorite drive out there was on the Marritt Parkway this time of year.

View fron my Apt.

I have moved back to Virgina and I'm loving my new apartment. I live with Anne and Tori. We scored with this lovely corner unit on the 17th floor. This is a shot I took from my living room of the Washington monument and the Pentagon. The one at night is of the Pentagon on 9-11, they lit up the side that was hit by the plane. Work has been really slow for me, so I'm trying to keep myself busy. I'm wanting to enroll in a photography class while out here. I got my self a nice camera a few months ago but I'm not quite sure how to work all the different features yet.

US Open

We made it to the US Open once again this year. We had such a great time. The weather was perfect. We saw Jokavich play in a night match. Like last year we mad our way down to the center of the court into some empty seats. We payed $40.00 for our tickets and got to see the match in $200.00 seats! Forgive me for not posting my blog in awhile. I am going without internet for a few weeks and have just been lazy about it. Some of you may not even know but I went to Guatemala this summer to visit my dear friend Anne. I hope to get those up soon too.

Happy Little Family

Here's a story I contemplated posting. In this photo is a picture of Me, Rob, and his 21 year old cousin Paul. Paul was in town visiting Rob for a couple of days. For the weekend we decided to go to NYC. When in the city we tried for lottery tickets for Wicked. For those of you who don't know, lottery tickets are when they pick about 10 people's names out of about a 100 to get tickets for 2, front row, for the price of $26.00 a ticket. (normally they go for about $200.00 a few sets back). Well, Paul won! Because Rob and I both have seen the show, we decided to sell the 2nd ticket for the same $26.00 price to a group of 5, who were short 1 ticket. We approached the group with the offer, which they gladly accepted.
With Paul at the show, Rob and I decide to do a little shopping. When in H&M Rob receives a text message from his cousin. The text message reads something like this; The People you guys gave the ticket to were so so grateful, they keep saying "tell your PARENTS thanks so much"! Yeah, ok, Paul is only 4years younger then me! It's not like they were young kids either. They were probably college aged students! Can you believe that they thought we were his parents! Oh well, I didn't take much offense to it anyway. I find it more funny then anything. Raise you hand if you think I look old enough to be Paul's mother?

Born on the 4th of July...

Happy Birthday grandpa Sunderland. I would like to make a shout out to him and the good U.S.A. I'm sad I missed my Grandfather's big 4th of July birthday bash this year. My Grandpa passed away several years ago. My mother's family holds a big family reunion on the 4th, wish I could have been there to celebrate with you all.

feeling crafty...

My sister in law and I were feeling a little crafty so we made these adorable hair barrettes. All you need is felt, thread, sequins, a little bead or pearl with a hole in it and a barrette. I think I will be making more, they turned out so cute.

OBX

This year Rachel Came out for Duck! It was nice to be there with both my sisters and Rob.I love it there in the Outer Banks it's so quaint. Rob and I had fun on our new Beach cruisers. I was able to try surfing for my first time and had lots of relaxing by the pool and at the beach.

Graduation

Rob is done with school! It was so fun to be there with him and see him graduate. The night before was Gala we enjoyed great food, dancing and mostly being with our friends.

Monkeying around

Rob’s classmate Tyler and his wife Janica were nice enough to let us go to their parent’s house in Richmond where they run a zoo. Rob’s sister was in town visiting and she loves animals so we got to see the monkeys up close. The Chimpanzee is 3 years old his name is Quincy. The orangutan is Farley he is just 1 year old and lives in the house. They were so cute and fun to play with. Farley is a wild one. It was hard to get a picture with him sitting still.
I wish I could post all the pictures there are some funny ones. My favorite is a short video clip we got of Tyler hugging and making kissing sounds to his wife Janica, when he does this, Quincy gets very jealous makes a fist, jumps and tries to punch him in the face. Janica practically raised the little guy I guess he is just a little protective of her.

DiaperCake

These Diaper Cakes were so fun to make. I saw that my friend Stephanie had made one that was on her blog and she gave me all the tips to make them. congratulations to rob & lindsay Eric and Nicole.

Boards weekend

This weekend I went down to Richmond to assist Rob on his Dental boards, it was so neat to be there with him. He had two amazing patients which makes all the difference in the world. We were there all day Saturday and half the day Sunday. We enjoyed some Brunch with Rob's roommate Derek after the long weekend.Raise your hand if you think Rob should hire me?!

going away party

Shelley has left for Arizona and Anne will soon be leaving for Guatemala. There was a going away party for them on Friday. We will miss them both. One of our roommates has already arrived her name is Kisa she's from St. George and really cute. We are all happy to have her.

More Treats

Some of my roommates made a rule in the house, no baking unless it's Sunday. They say there are to many sweets laying around. I've been breaking the rules, I couldn't resist and either could they. These cheesecake cupcakes are fast, easy and so tasty. I top them off with some fresh strawberries. Enjoy.
CHEESECAKE:
24 oz. cream cheese
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
5 eggs

TOPPING:
1 1/2 c. sour cream
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Make graham cracker crust and pack down in bottom of cupcake liners. (Vanilla wafer)
Cream together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time. Spoon into cupcake liners until almost full. Bake 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Remove from oven, cool 5 minutes.
Mix topping ingredients. Fill indentation in cupcakes and smooth on top. Return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Makes 2 dozen regular size cupcakes. May want to serve with cherries, strawberries or blueberries on top.

I'm bugged!

Recently, I have been bugged by the litterbugs. When driving home from Richmond last week I noticed a rather large object come from a truck window. To my surprise it was a fast food cup. I assumed, this must have been accidental, who really throws their trash out a car window? And then came the remainder of the trash from the meal. I was quite angry and bothered by this. I give the man a dirty look while driving passed him.
I can honestly say, I don't think I know anyone who would do such a thing. On that note I think we can all do our part, including me. On occasion I have thrown my gum out the car window, and I feel guilty every time. No more. I'm very good about throwing my trash away as all of you are I'm sure. From now on I will hold onto my gum till I can dispose of it properly. As well should the smokers! I get the feeling they think they are the exception. Why is it they just throw their cigarette butts on the ground like it is the norm?

Sweet Tooth Stevenson

Sweets, treats, and chocolate, Easter time is no exception. As many of you may already know, Mini Cadbury Eggs are my favorite seasonal candy. My sister Shelley introduced me to these yummy morsels about 5 years ago. It's awfully hard to stick to my new years resolution of eating healthy between the Girl Scout cookies and holiday candy.

Roller Derby

Rob And I enjoyed a night out with the gothic roller girls. They were pretty hard core. I have only seen this done on TV, turns out there is a team here in DC. It was funny to see it in person. My favorite thing to do at events like this is people watch, one of my hobbies.

Bare with me

I hope to have my blog looking cute in no time. I just need a little time to play around with it a bit.

VCU Winter Ball

Dinner with some of our friends before the dance. We ate at the Tobacco Company yummy yummy food.
Here we all are at the dance, Eric and Nicole went missing?
All of us girls looking pretty!
This was the best prom ever!