Oops I did it again

You know when you're sure that you sat down to write your blog, and you're pretty sure you told everyone all about the excitement that accompanied your 40th birthday, then when you're talking to your brothers on the phone they are like, "Hey, it's hard to keep up with what you're doing when you don't write on your blog" and you're like, "Hey, I did blog - I just blogged about my birthday" and then you actually take the time to go to your blog and you realize the brother was right that you didn't blog and you start to feel a little guilty because life is flying by and people at home who are desperately waiting for a blog update aren't getting one, so you bust out your computer and start the long awaited update.  That is what is about to unfold for each and every one of you!

I last wrote in November...before my birthday..and I lamented on how life was fairly mundane and that there wasn't must excitement to report.  Well since then I have turned 40 and life is OUT OF CONTROL.  Ha ha ha.  It's not really, but I thought I'd do what I could to encourage you to keep reading.

In celebration of my 40th birthday, I ventured on out to Bali to run a 5K in the Air Asia Kuta Beach Run.  It's an annual event and it just so happened the race started the morning of my birthday.  It was perfect timing.  You might remember that I was hoping to do a 10K in Cambodia but the logistics didn't pan out and a 5 k was much more manageable for my first race.  So off I went to Bali.

We headed out on Saturday morning.  It was an early morning and by the time we boarded the plane I was ready for a nap.  As it turns out the flight to Bali was considerably shorter than I recalled.  I had planned on running the 5K in less time than it took to fly to Bali, however, just as I dozed off, we were being told to prepare for landing.  The flight to Bali was about half an hour - too fast for my run.  So I then decided instead to set my goal to completing the run.

Leaving Surabaya at the crack of dawn meant that we have two full days in Bali (as I flew out on Sunday night).  We got right to vacationing, did a little shopping, enjoyed time in the pool and set out for an enjoyable weekend.  I was happy to have my dear friend Steph along with me not only for the celebrations but also for the run.

Sunday morning meant another early start.  The run started at 6, so we needed to arrive, and get all set up before then.  Steph is a runner...I'm a runner wannabe...so she was great as I had my little moments of, "what am I doing".  It was also super great to have her running run along with me - it was great encouragement and it made me push myself just a little more.

As with all things in Indonesia, the moments leading up to the race were very loud - you see, if there is music to be played or a microphone to be used, there must be lots of blaring and shouting.  At any rate, we were lined up in the 5 K group and set off on the run.  The run was on the beach (thus "BEACH RUN") I was a little worried about how the run would unfold - as I had only, up to this moment, run on a treadmill.  I also had wicked blisters that i was a little worried about, but thanks to some waterproof bandaids and some running socks (apparently there are special socks runners wear!  Go figure).

I didn't run the whole race, but I also kept  running right until the end.  I ran over the finish line and completed the race in about 54 minutes.  I finished 118 place out of 141 participants in the woman's category.  I really felt amazing to have accomplished that goal.  I am the proud owner of a "Finisher" medal that we received at the end of the run.

Since then life has been a whirl wind.  The weekend following my Bali Birthday extravaganza was a three day weekend for us.  It was perfect timing as it gave them the uninterrupted paper-writing time that I needed to finish my final paper for my research class.  I was able to get it off to my peer earlier this week, had it back, made revisions and have sent it on to my prof.  I am so relieved to have it off my plate.  It is technically due on Sunday so I am really enjoying this weekend of nothing.

Last Monday, to celebrate the completion of my paper, I decided to decorate my house for Christmas.  I am really enjoying the ambiance that come with a few twinkling lights and a little tree.  i also created my Christmas playlist in iTunes and now I have 2 full days of christmas music to play using my apple tv.  Life is good.

School is also going at warp speed.  Those of you who remember my days back in Kuwait and my exhibition time, well we're preparing for exhibition here as well. It is the first exhibition that our elementary school has had and it has made for some stressful and busy times, but things seem to be falling into place.  I have an eager group of 5th graders with whom I am working.  I am looking forward to see how their inquiry unfolds.

In addition, we have christmas concerts, and the general rush to the Winter break.  It makes for a really full few weeks until the end of the year.  I am hoping we bust on through and get to winter break with very little drama.  9.5 school days...I think I can!

As Christmas draws nearer I feel more and more sad that I won't be home for the holidays.  Surgery is all booked, I've taken care of my flights and accommodations while I am in Singapore.  Timing works well in as much as I will be able to FaceTime with my family both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, although Christmas Day chatter will likely happen from Singapore as I am schedule to leave that morning.

Stay tuned in coming weeks for my annual Christmas letter.  I will make sure it is posted before Christmas this year.

Sending much love to you all.

Here are some of the moments from the last few weeks.  Grr...they didn't upload in the order I wanted...follow the journey through captions.

We rock.  Finished in an "unofficial time of 52 minutes"  Official time was 54 :)  Whoot shoot.

Having a little fun in the winner's circle - or is that just what it's called for horse races?

Getting ready for a much needed massage after the run.  Most amazing spa I've ever been to.  So loverly.

Before the race - please note that I am sporting my Rider's hat...it was game day, after all...my game day lasted 2 whole days.  Whoot shoot.

Ohhhh, we're halfway there.  Cause for celebration

Back at the hotel.  More celebrations ahead.  A certain little angel really loved the groovy Ray Bans that we got for the race.

Shifting to Christmas - my nifty Christmas pillows.

A little light and some greenery makes my bookshelf so merry.

My little tree.  Last Christmas I came home after American Thanksgiving dinner and my nanny had set it up - it was her tree.  She brought it here.

My bamboo nativity on the beautiful bench that I inherited from my dear friend Angela.