Birthday Superhero!

So, i'm 30. Really.

And what else could i have possibly done to ring in my thirties than go to Disneyland, dress up as a Captain America Fan Girl, and run a 5K.

First off, let me say, it was AMAZING! I definitely encourage any and everyone to sign up for a Disneyland run! Though, be warned, you have to sign up 9 months in advance and IMMEDIATELY. Our race was sold out within 45 minutes.

Below, i'll walk you through a little of the experience (So this will be a long post, BUT with lots of pictures!... please excuse poor quality, these are all of the iphone variety, and i'm pretty sure my lens was dirty)

Our race was on November 15th, so we had to arrive to pick up our race packets on my birthday, November 14th.

What i love about Disneyland is how great they are at signage, and how easily you can find what you need. When there wasn't a sign telling us where to go there was an actual human being!

We found our way down to the lower level, picked up our race bibs, had a little photo shoot in front of a step and repeat, and  headed upstairs to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo.

After picking up our race shirts and gEAR bag (a clear bag that you could use to check your belongings on race day), we explored the floor, and made our way over to the Disney exclusive merchandise line.

There wasn't a lot for the 5Kers (what do they not take us seriously? ;) ), but we found a shirt for me and a glass
for Jayson.

The Expo was neat, but unless you were a serious runner, it was just a bunch of shiny pretty things that you didn't need.

I did love the extra spots they had for photo ops though!

To continue my birthday celebration, i had my birthday Mike Cake Pop, then we headed into Disneyland to get my birthday button and ride the Jingle Cruise, which we have somehow missed the last 3 years that we've been passholders.

After stopping by our hotel (Hotel Indigo, which is really nice, if you're interested. Here is their TripAdvisor link: click here ), we went to dinner inside
California Adventure.

The "living room" of our hotel room

Jayson picked Wine Country Trattoria because, though i'm not a huge fan of Italian food, it was one of the only options that had multiple Vegetarian options. I love Disney, but their parks really fall short on Vegetarian food options, and completely fail when it comes to Vegan choices. It's definitely something they could and should work on.

Sassy Jayson

I asked Jayson if there was anything in my teeth and i got this photo.

Me looking really drunk off my first drink... Well i look drunk or sassy.

And of course, the beautiful birthday dessert they provide.

But can i just say... i love Disneyland at Christmas time.

Now for the race!

So not the greatest, but i only got about an hour and a half to two hours of sleep before we woke up at 3:30 am to prepare for the race, BUT the excitement of it all kept me going!

We had a great warm up walking from our hotel to the starting line, and it was fantastic to already see so many people dressed up!

They had a small stage and a big screen set up at the start line to entertain us before the start. We were told that Hydra stole some sort of serum, and we were racing to get it back... of course we were.

For Disney's 5Ks, they have 5,000 runners (10,000 for 10k), and we were placed in Corral B... well, Jayson was Corral A, but he very kindly decided to run with me.

We started about 8 minutes after the first runner, so all of our times are about 8 minutes less than what the mile markers show.

Not sure if any of you have ever run in a giant race like this, but for the first few minutes you are basically forced to walk while everyone starts out the gate. Even with that, and a pause for a couple of photo ops, we ran a 12 minute mile for the first mile.

The first half of the race goes through California Adventure (first taking you through the backstage area), and it's so fun to not only be in a near empty park, but also to be able to RUN through the streets!

(We stopped for a picture in front of the castle, but the iphone version did not turn out)

There were several character photo ops along the way (Black Widow, Hawkeye, Mickey & Minnie), but we bypassed those to stay on the race. When we came to Thor about a mile and 3/4 in, we decided to stop.

Don't get me wrong, it is FANTASTIC that we have that photo, BUT that was a TERRIBLE idea. We stopped for 14 minutes in the middle of a run, and our muscles definitely didn't appreciate getting cold and then being forced to run again.

If we do one of these again, we probably won't stop for any of these character meet & greets.

But Mr. Thor was fantastic, and the guy even had
Chris Hemsworth's accent (specifically, his voice sounded like Chris Hemsworth!)

Did i mention that Thor's hammer was also running in the race?

We were forced to walk a little more for the rest of the race, due to our muscles tightening up from the cold stop.

Our second mile total, once you took out the 14 minute photo stop, ended up being about 16 minutes. Part of me is disappointed that we stopped for so many photos, only because i wanted to see how fast i could run the 5k, but the other part of me realizes... Hey, it's Disneyland!
Stop and enjoy the happy!

We ran through New Orleans, and out through the backstage area to Downtown Disney.

Not sure why, but this guy ran for a long time with his daughter bouncing on his shoulder.

Realizing that the race was almost over, we actually slowed down even more to enjoy the last of it. Our last mile was about 15 minutes.

What i also loved about the run was having so many people and Disney employees on the track cheering us on! It really made you feel like you should keep running. They didn't come out to see you walk after all!

It took us almost exactly an hour to go through the parks, and I don't think we planned on any less time. This was a fun run, and wasn't timed. No pressure, it was just to explore the Disney/Marvel-ishness of everything!

We got our medals and a handy dandy treat box, banana, water, and powerade!

I love the look this lady is giving Jayson.

All and all, I absolutely loved the experience, and am so thankful that's how I spent my 30th. I even told Jayson that I think we should probably do more 5Ks and 10Ks. :)

Standard Time is Back

Today is the first day that I can officially start writing PST on my Outlook Event Invites again!

A lot has happened, is happening,
and will be happening around here.

Yesterday, marked one year since my Mammaw passed away; and tomorrow marks 9 months since my dad passed away, which is definitely making this season a bit more emotional than it has been in the past.

Though we are so excited for it to be my (30th!!) birthday, Christmas, and our London vacation, the loss of such important people is very much felt right now. I always especially feel the loss of my mom at this time because she always loved celebrating my birthday.

To make things EVEN MORE emotional, the time has apparently come for massive layoffs at Warner Bros; and no one is safe. By the end of this work week, i should know if I am safe from this round of cuts, or if I will need to start the ever enjoyable interviewing process.

Though all of this is going on, I am blessed to have an amazing husband, and to have had this job for the last year and a half. Jayson and i have looked at our finances and our travel plans, and know that no matter what happens, we should be okay.

PLUS, today we set up our THANKSGIVING TREE!

Yesterday, we bought our new artificial Christmas tree, and today we figured we would set it up and test it. Then somehow it turned into what i hope is a forever tradition for us!

We are planning on trying to come up with things we are thankful for and hang them on the tree leading up to the happy day!

Man, trees with lights on in the house immediately make it feel cozier. :)

Our Thanksgiving "Angel"

Here, there, and everywhere

John Lennon sang "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Well, John was a wise man and we have been so busy making London plans and living life that we have neglected this blog. Please please us and accept our deepest apologizes.

By the way, this is Jayson, I will be guest blogging this week. If you haven't guessed from the subtle Beatle hints, to prep for our London holiday we are watching a Beatles flick this week. Before just shouting out the Rotten Tomatoes 99% rating Beatles film we will be watching, I wanted to enlighten you on how we will celebrate the Beatles while in London.

First off, Sarah and I will be getting mop top hair cuts and plan on being knighted once our feet touch British soil. After that Richard Porter, owner of the Beatles coffee shop,  will lead us on a London Walk called "In My Life Walk". Check out some of the details of the walk here --> Beatles "In My Life Walk"

Although there are so many people, books, and websites that documented each step, thought, and restroom break from each Beatle... We don't have enough bloody time for that. As long as we see Abbey Road studios, walk across the zebra crossing, and record a song to tape in Studio Two we will be fine. Enough about us, tell us about you. If you have any Beatles in London sights, stories, or suggestions let us know.

Tummy Time

Over the past year, i've been through a lot of emotional stress with the loss of two of the people i loved most in the world, my father and my grandmother.
Because of this, i've chalked up any maladies I've had to these events.

Last week, though, i discovered something pretty interesting. After many hours researching online, and a few home tests (no i haven't been to the doctor yet, in fear that their first response will be to prescribe me some medicine, instead of finding the root of the problem), I discovered that I, along with approximately 90% of Americans, have low acid level in my stomach.

All of the below will be a very simplified version of what i've discovered.

How did I know?

Basically, my symptoms continued getting worse. They were simple, but unnerving ones. I lost any appetite, my stomach lining felt irritated, and I felt nauseous pretty regularly.

Upon first research, i actually thought I had too much acid in my stomach... until i found out that low acid level and high acid level actually produce similar symptoms.

There are a couple of home tests you can do to figure out your acid level.

Easiest: When you have a stomach ache (i am talking about your stomach here, not intestines) drink a tablespoon of lemon juice. If it makes your stomach pain go away, you have low acid level. If your stomach pain gets worse, you have a high acid level.

Moderately easy: First thing in the morning, before anything else goes in your body, drink a concoction of 1/4 tsp of Baking Soda mixed with 6 to 8 oz of cold water.
Now pay attention to the clock for 5 min.
Normal acid level reaction: belch in about 2 to 3 min.
High acid level reaction: early and repeated belching.
Low acid level reaction: belching after 3 minutes.
Repeat this for 3 days to get the best results.

How did I figure out my acid level?
Both days I did this, it took me more than 5 min to burp.
I didn't even try the third day.

What does this mean?

Simplified: when your stomach doesn't produce enough acid, it doesn't digest your food properly, and you don't absorb all of the needed nutrients. It leaves you feeling heavy, tired, and overall unwell.

I'm still in the process of figuring out how to fight this, and as of now, I have found the below website to be the most helpful.

http://empoweredsustenance.com/heal-low-stomach-acid-naturally/

I just downed my first glass of apple cider vinegar and warm water... not as tasty as you would want a morning drink, but feel free to go ahead and use this time to research all of the Pros of apple cider vinegar. (hint: there are A LOT)

Of everything, i think the "don't over hydrate" section will be the hardest for me.

Have you ever experienced anything like this? Or had any experience fighting with your stomach's acid levels?

Let me know!

(and side note for those who worry: if my symptoms continue to get worse over the next couple of weeks, don't fret, i'll be making a doctor's appointment.)

89 Days! Bright Star

This week we are watching a film, that upon first watching, I was moved to silence. I only managed to mumble to Jayson that I had to go to bed, and there I went and wept.

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art—

         Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

         Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

         Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

         Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—

No—yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,

         Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

         Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever—or else swoon to death.

John Keats, Bright Star