wedded bliss!

Holy moley, what a fun weekend! Amanda and Anthony's wedding was beautiful, flawless, and joyous from start to finish. The whole thing felt like a big happy reunion: Sarah photographed, Heather coordinated, Tony deejayed, Lori did make-up, and the whole gang was there to party down. Plus, witnessing so much love in one room made my heart swell. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

5th half

You guys, I did it. I finished the NYC half-marathon, my fifth, this Sunday. Although I didn't PR (three minutes off), I'm still pretty proud of myself. The whole experience was awesome: The course takes you around Central Park, where the flowers are starting to bloom, down Times Square and the West Side Highway, past the Freedom Tower, through part of the Battery Tunnel (!!!), and finished at South Street Seaport. I'm pretty sure had a smile plastered to my face the whole 13.1 miles—it reminded me how much I love NYC. Then, because I was somewhat delirious, I made the unwise decision of walking home...to Brooklyn! Um, hello. My Garmin read 19 miles by the time I collapsed at my front door. Does this count as marathon training?

girl time

With my fella down at SXSW, it's just me and Monkey ruling the roost. Yesterday I went to my friend's surprise birthday party, which was a testament to her adorable husband. (So cute! I love love!) As for the weekend, I have grand plans: hanging with a pal, shopping for bridesmaid-dress-appropriate underwear, writing a story, and running the New York half-marathon on minimal training like the crazy person that I am.

Disney day

This week started off with me fighting a cold and feeling a little sad, but I've finally recovered—and on such a glorious day! It feels like spring outside, and I ditched my run in favor of taking a long walk around the neighborhood and laying in the park. Then I went into the city, and walked from Union Square to Herald Square. Everyone was so happy, it felt like I was in a Disney movie. I also ditched my errands to chit-chat with some long-lost friends. Take-a-break days are just necessary sometimes, aren't they?

happy quit-aversary!

I've been so busy lately that I almost neglected to celebrate my one-year quit-aversary on the blog! Last March 4, I traded in the security of a steady paycheck and health insurance for the possibility of a happier future. And you know what? It's paid off in spades. I adore working in my sweatpants, eating lunch at home, and taking breaks with my fuzzy cat. I sleep better, exercise more, and stress less. Just a year ago, I remember receiving a work form stating that I lost 10+ days of vacation because I felt like I couldn't take them. Now that I'm my own boss, I've been able to spend my time as I see fit: Going to surf camp, touring Europe with my love, toasting family and friends' weddings—and, most importantly, spending time with my dad before he passed. Taking a chance on myself has been one of my best decisions to date!

missing him

It's been five months already since my dad died (can you even believe it?). Although the shock has faded and life has moved forward, there are still sharp little pangs that come and go, like side cramps during a run. For some reason, I've been feeling the ache today; I really want to call home and hear him respond "mei mei." (What is it about a father's voice that just instantly makes you feel like you're five, safely curled up in his lap?) It also makes me sad to think that I won't get to see the look in his eyes as he cradles his grandchild or hands me off to my groom. So I'm finding solace in something my wise-beyond-her-years friend Tricia told me on her last visit to Brooklyn. She lost her dad some time ago, and when we were chatting about her beautiful wedding this fall, she told me that she could feel his presence. It made me realize: Even if my dad isn't with me in the flesh, at least he's here in my heart.

chalet bachelorette

You know your friends are amazing when one wants a snowboarding weekend as her bachelorette (part two)—and the rest are psyched! My friend Amanda's wedding is rapidly approaching (!!!), so we headed up to the chalet for a fun girls' trip in her honor. It was awesome! We had some good runs, feasted on delicious carbonara and chocolate cake, and polished off five bottles of wine. What more could you ask for? We talked a lot about her big day—and big days in general—and I'm just tingling with excitement. Life is good. :)