Party!

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Hope you can make it!!

The Holidays

Since I've been listening to endless amounts of holiday music, in between NPR that bookends my day, I've been thinking about the holidays. About what each of them means and about what I want them to mean for me and the people I care about.

Growing up, I was pretty much the only Jew. What always amazed me was that no one knew the major holidays, the pillars of my religion, but everyone knew Chanukah. Now, I love Chanukah - everyone does - but it is not a major holiday. The only reason it gets any attention really is because it falls around the same time as Christmas. Presents are wonderful, but it's always funny to me that people feel it's important to wish me a happy Chanukah.

My Grandmother (on my Mom's side) is without religion - she never saw a place for it in her life. She refuses to send out holiday cards that have anything to do with any holiday - she'll send out Happy New Year cards, which I always love. Send her a card that says "Season's Greetings" and she'll claw your eyes out. The way I feel about the words "Ain't" and "funner" do not even compare to how she feels about "season's greetings".

It's funny how the holidays bring out these parts of our personalities - parts that maybe we should keep to ourselves. Whether it is stress-induced or due to a lack of sunshine, I'm not sure, but I know that I plan to make a concerted effort this season to not let anything get me down. Being surrounded by positive, caring people that are truthful, honest and kind-hearted makes a world of difference.

And that leads me to the things I'm most thankful for:

I'm thankful for my friends and family - this year, you have all shown me that you are in it for the long haul. Your support of me in all pursuits - business and otherwise - means more to me than I could possibly express in words. I'm thankful for my parents who show me every day what love is. Who taught me the meaning of hard work and dedication and are always there for me in good and bad times.

I'm thankful for my boyfriend (yes, Sam, I finally said it - are you proud of me?!) who can make me laugh and has made me believe that I have more to give than I ever thought possible.

I'm thankful for my new home - a space all my own. (and the dishwasher, washer and dryer that are installed in it - hallelujah!)

I'm thankful for my puppy Luna, who is at once the greatest love and pain in the ass of my life.

I'm thankful for my horses - Cass and West - that always remind me of where I've been and where I'm going. They are the best friends - without judgment, always there and always up for some fun.

I'm thankful for my new coach, Eric Hodska, who answers every one of my millions of questions with humor, patience and the expertise only he has.

I'm thankful for Tuesday Night Texas Hold'em, where even if you don't win, you get to be (or at least play) a rockstar.

I'm thankful for my business that has taught me so much and opened so many doors to me and others. The people I work with are not just business contacts, but friends. Being able to do something good for charity and the environment softens the hard edges and stresses that come with the territory of running a small business.

I'm thankful for Ironman - an event and a sport that has added new dimensions to my being.

I'm thankful for my sponsors that will be staying with me for 2009: The Block Island Sport Shop, Cannondale, Xterra Wetsuits, Larabar, Bear Naked, Perfect 3 nutrition and JCT Racing

And mostly, I'm thankful that every January 1st brings the possibility of a new year and a new beginning.

I wish you all every possibly joy these next few weeks and in the new year!

Observation of the day

Rest days go by fast!

Got in a mini visit w/ Sam and the boys last night, I have such a blast with that whole crew - made a yummy meal for the travel-weary.

Now back to more year-end tax work, training and plotting a New Years/House Warming Party...

Pedal On

I headed into the city yesterday afternoon after dropping Luna off for some quality time with her Grandparents. Steph was nice enough to put me up for the night and we went out for a girl-talk filled dinner w/ super athlete, Anna Banana.

While the service was bad, the extra time that the waiter spent hiding was great for extra story telling!

This morning, the alarm went off and Steph and I prepared for a ride with the girl's team. A few of the guys joined us as we headed up Riverside Drive en-route to Nyack and some cycling drill-playing.

First off, I love these girls - we are a diverse group of women (well, the men are diverse too) from all over the world and all over New York. It is so much fun spending time w/ these chicks on and off the bike and I was psyched we could all coordinate schedules for a fun outing.

The goal today was to get comfy riding w/ one another and to do some drills. Mercifully, drills are not particularly taxing as I've been on my bike maybe 3 times since Ironman. Out in Nyack we stopped for coffee and bathrooms with running water. Then it was time to head back into the big city to complete what ended up being a 4 hour ride (granted, some of that was tooling around the field to stay warm during drills).

My voice is hoarse from laughing and chatting against the wind - but today was an awesome day - a fun experience and as someone noted, I'm happier than I've been in a long time and it shows on my face. Could it be that this is a recovery week??!!

Idle Hands

What do you do when the boy is away? Spend time with the girls of course!!

This has been a week of girly activities - keeping these idle hands from doing the devil's work! Pretty much, it means getting down to the business of doing my workouts, holiday cards and lots of year end tax work!

Each day this week I had random drop-by visits from friends, family and my sister (well, I guess she falls into the family category). Wedding update - we found her a dress! I can't believe my sis is getting married. I'm just hoping no one will notice that I'm not lining up to get married! I can commit to my training - that must count for something?!

Last night was Holiday in the Depot - my hometown has an event with lots of singing, shopping, food, wine and good cheer. It was a blast to see familiar faces and sing endlessly! I also picked up some hilarious little gifts that I can't wait to give!

This weekend is training, training and more training, but with lots of inapropriate girl fun thrown in. After today's workouts, I'm headed into the city to see Steph and Anna. Tomorrow morning, the women's road cycling team that I was asked to join this year is having a morning bonding session. Riding, gossip, games, coffee and more riding. I love these girls!

Will try to remember by camera!

Somewhere this weekend, I need to make time to make my chocolate truffles! Don't worry, Coach, I won't be eating them myself!

A legend leaves

Sat down with my cup of tea this AM and NYTimes.com - and was saddened to see that a female icon and legend has died. The gorgeous and notorious Betty Page has died. You can read the obituary HERE. She was a phenomenal lady who pushed the envelope - not to mention she spiced up people's lives all over the country during her heyday.

Espana!

Well, y'all - it's that time of year again! Almost time for the Strong Like Bull Spain Training camp!

We filled the majority of the camp spots internally, and now we are extending an invitation to you lucky people! Details on the camp are HERE

Airfare is dropping daily making this trip more affordable than traveling on your own!

Imagine this:

You land in sunny Spain - it is about 75 degrees. A driver picks you up from the airport and brings you to the villa just south of Granada. There you have all the amenities - semi-private apartment, lounge/bar, 3-lane 25 meter pool, hot tub, cold tub, trails to hike and ride and the most beautiful view you've ever seen.

You have a healthy chef that prepares 3 meals a day. You have a lead and follow vehicle and custom designed training rides lasting from 2-6 or 7 hours! You have the option of a morning yoga practice, run and swim.

You have the chance to visit one of the wonders of the world - in a city that dwarfs our oldest history in the US.

We promise the pro-training of a lifetime for all ability levels!!