You Can Call Me 'Master Jen'

So, I may have failed at May PhotoADay and blogging in general...

& I also may have failed at starting Insanity like I claimed I would. I did do the fit test, but after going to BodyPump the first time I couldn't move my arms for about 4 days. This girl needs upper body strength like woah. BodyPump, in. Insanity, out. And running is here to stay.

Something I didn't fail at: graduating!

Last Saturday I made the journey home to walk in my commencement ceremony. I still have about 4 months of my internship and a few major research and poster presentations until my degree is actually conferred, but I'm starting to see what a big accomplishment this actually is. I'm proud of myself for all the hard work I've put into furthering my education. MS Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, here I am!

Hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.  For me, I have friends visiting, plans to head to the beach and catch some sun, a bit of work, and relaxation of course!

Help Me Choose My New Glasses!

I heard about the company Warby Parker a number of months ago. They have super stylish and hip glasses on the cheap- $95 dollars for everything, frames, prescription, shipping. That's not all, they also give a pair to someone in need when you buy a pair. It's pretty much the Toms concept. This is something I totally support and the rockin' frames definitely help. I promised myself that when the time came to get new glasses, they'd be first on my list. Well, the time has come!

Another great thing about Warby Parker is that they offer a free home try on. You can select up to 5 pairs on glasses to try on at home - for FREE- for five days. This is where you come in; my 5 selected styles have arrived so help me choose a style and color. I want your input!

And now for the Jen-in-glasses-picture-overload:

Colton- Whiskey Tortoise

    

Miles- Amber

   

Japhy- Whiskey Tortoise

   

 Webb- Whiskey Tortoise Matte

           

Becket- Striped Chestnut

 

I've been switching the pairs and wearing them throughout the house to get used to them and also to get Shaun's opinion.  So for he thinks the Miles make me look like an owl...in other words, too round.  The Becket's are too big for my face I think.  I don't really like the Matte finish on the Webb's and I'm not sure about those frames overall.

I'm pretty torn between the Colton (below, left) and Japhy (below, right), both in Whiskey Tortoise.

 

Opinions, please!  What do you think?  

I've sure come along way from when I hated to wear my glasses and my motto was "Guys don't make passes at girls that wear glasses".  Now, Shaun has enlighted me to the motto "Glasses and asses".

Life Lately: A Crazy Week in Februrary

Pardon my recent absence, but between Shaun's Day, V-day, friends visiting, and my 25th birthday, life has been more than a little crazy!  But, it's a welcome crazy.  I'll let this pictures do (most of) the the talking. 

Take a look at the crazy week:

Shaun's Day: His Birthday/Valentine's

Friends Visiting + a day in La Jolla

25th Birthday @ ShoutHouse (dueling piano bar!)

The Birthday Girls

Piano Embarrassment/ Hilarity

Sorry for the picture-heavy post, but I think I'm still recovering from the craziness...these old bones can't party like they used too ;)

In regards to my birthday, I'm so grateful for the friends who came from near and far to help me celebrate.  I also loved the phone calls, texts, and digital love from those that couldn't be physically with me but were still thinking of me.  A big thanks to everybody who made it a night for the books (and to mostly remember)!

A Day in the Life

Woke up this morning and had breakfast.  I had a little more time than usual, so instead of the typical oatmeal with peanut butter and some sort of fruit mixed in, I decided to make something a little nicer yet still simple.  Eggs (+ tapatio), toast with cream cheese, and some blueberries.  Also had a some green tea to kickstart my morning.

 

Went to work.  Basically picture me in an awesome lab coat, wearing gloves, and playing with cells.  Yup, that covers it.

Enjoyed some leftovers for lunch.  Brown rice, baked tofu marinated in soy sauce, and sauteed green bell-peps and mushrooms.  Also snacked on a mini Lara bar and an apple.

 

After work, I headed to the gym to get in my workout.  On the schedule was 3 mi + strength.

 

For strength, I worked on arms and just used some of the machines.  Did a little bit of abs too and called it a day.  Strength is something I really need to start working on; definitely think it will help with running.

Got my post-workout sweat on

And tonight:  came home, did laundry and made some dinner (tuna melt + soup), and got my PACK ON!

Why am I packing?  Well, tomorrow I'm leaving for a weekend cruise to Ensenada with some of my favorite college roommates!  My weekend starts NOW!

Top, L to R: Shannon, Tori
Bottom: Katie, Jessie, Me

New Year, New Goals...Still Late

5 days late isn't too bad for my first post of the new year, is it?  I guess some things don't change...oh well!

Let's Rewind...
NYE was spend exactly like I said in my last post, in my pj's.  Shaun and I drank, played scrabble, ate some fatty foods, watched the new years eve specials (Anderson Cooper > Ryan Seacrest) and all that fun stuff.

We're an exciting couple, I promise

Scrabble Flash

Champagne Toast...we're so attractive...

I woke up hangover-free and dignity still intact, hurray!  I did stay in bed until about noon, which was a surprisingly great feeling.

Then I rung in the new year with a 6.0 mile run at beautiful Mission Bay.  I haven't ran this far since high school, when I ran track and cross country,  so it was a great accomplishment and great way to start off 2012 and my half marathon training!

I struggled a bit in the middle of the run, but felt good enough to pick it up the last 2 miles.  I'll take it!

I enjoyed my run at Mission Bay so much that I ran there again on Tuesday for easy 3.5 miles.  I ran at the perfect time of day; got off work a little early and there was a beautiful sunset.

This is why I LOOOOVE San Diego

I also just joined Daily Mile and have no friends :( so if you want to be my friend and follow my training, feel free to add me!  Trying to get better at logging everything and keeping up to date.  I added a widget to the side of my blog so you can read my workout updates there if you feel so inclined and then maybe I won't have to bore the rest of my one readers with my ramblings here.

Speaking of trying new things...

Goals for 2012!

• Finish unfinished craft projects and start some new ones
• Be more adventurous in the kitchen; cook more!
• Eat healthier, follow my intuition, cut back on late-night snacking.
• Reach my happy/goal weight.
• Save money! (Pay off some credit card debt and student loans)
• Travel (The thing I'm willing to spend my hard earned money on)
• Stop staying up so late and establish a bedtime (Make it easier to get up in the morning)
• Keep in better contact with friends and family back home and elsewhere
• Finish my Masters program AND start the application process for Doctorate programs
• Run 1000 miles this calendar year
• Run a race at each of the following distances: 5k, 10k, Half Marathon
• Be happy, show thanks and appreciation.

Let's make this year a great one!  I have a good feeling about it ;)