Avon Breast Cancer Walk

I just came back from breakfast with my friends Bree and Caroline at Ann Sather (BEST cinnamon rolls!), and we passed the Avon Breast Cancer Walkers. I saw some folks putting up directional signage yesterday afternoon around my neighborhood and campus, but didn't realize what it was for. I get so moved at the men and women who come and participate in this walk. They are raising money for breast cancer, and many are walking in honor of folks. People can choose between walking the distance of a half marathon to two marathons in two days. They camp out in a park over night. They were at mile 14. Traffic was going slow as drivers were honking and hollering their encouragement out the window, and lots of folks had come out with signs and were clapping the walkers on. I was so moved, I cried. I'm crying, again, just typing this. It was quite a sight to see.

It made me excited for next weekend, as I get to participate in my sister's Relay for Life team that is in honor of my niece Emily and my brother-in-law Paul. The church I grew up going to has a team that my sister leads, and I've never gotten to participate in it before. I'll post and have fun photos!

A Coffee Tip

I love to put some cinnamon, vanilla or almond extract in my coffee grounds prior to brewing it. Delicious treat and will make you feel like your coffee is better and more special than what you can get at a coffee shop (and save you $3-$5!)

The Biggest Loser Assessment

I had my physical assessment today for our Biggest Loser contest at work. I am even more excited now for a couple of reasons. First, the woman who created this for us (and did my assessment today) told me that she used to weigh over 200 lbs. It's nice to know that the woman who created this for us and who will be working with us has been through it and knows what it's like to be obese. Secondly, I found out that my FFW (fat free weight) is 153 lbs! I have 153 lbs of muscle and bone. That was kind of fun for me.

Sex and the City

I am going to see the movie at midnight tonight. Thanks, Maegen! After Amy sees it, we can all compare notes.

The Biggest Loser

My workplace has a biggest loser contest this summer for a small cohort of faculty and staff. Part of why I'm so excited is because it's for people who have at least 10 lbs to lose, and it's totally geared to what motivates me. I'm really grateful to our Fitness Director for putting this together. My initial assessment is tomorrow. I'm frightened of what I'm going to find out, but can't wait to be able to see some results and enjoy myself while I work on this!! Plus, I'm all about winning some prizes!

A healthy tip from Alison: Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips are delicious! They taste just like bacon (it's a soy product) and make excellent BLTs.

Indiana Jones = One Thumb Down

I saw the new Indiana Jones flick last night at a drive-in. (Score two extra points for you, Will!) While the experience was fun, the movie was kind of lame.

My friend Bree recently told me how excited she was about this movie, until she watched the three old Indiana Jones. She said she found herself saying, "Why did I think these were so great, again?" I think its because we've gotten spoiled by better cinematic writing and cinematography. At any rate, this flick fell REALLY flat for me.

One of the things I'm really appreciating about recent science fiction is how they are modernizing it and making it believable (e.g. Iron Man...I LOVED what they did with that!)

This one was one big unbelievable pile of hooey. (Sort of spoiler alert, although not really if you've ever watched an IJ flick - there's a formula that this one follows to a T.) It went from typical Indiana Jones, with double crossing agents, going underground in some pyramid, then 'almost' falling off a cliff/waterfall, to the underground space having bizarre boobey traps in it and collapsing. Then the end is just ridiculous. I won't spoil it for those who are going to see the movie, but I literally looked at Will and said, "what the h just happened?" I can't think of a more incredibly stupid, non-realistic end to a bad movie that I've ever seen.

The reason I only give it a one thumbs down? Cate Blanchett was great and I think this was a good career move for her.

My favorite picture of Rosie

This one has to be my favorite that her mom has ever sent me. It's such a great candid photo that expresses the delight that is Rosie.

Seal Beach

One of the GREATEST things about going to LA for my conference was getting to stay with my old friend Josh and his wife, Kate. I stayed a few days after my conference, and we went to Seal Beach, where Kate's family has a townhouse. It was SO much fun and so beautiful. I also thoroughly enjoyed their Chihuahuas, Isabella and Princeton. Isabella was my buddy.

UYWI Conference

I had a blast in LA at Urban Youth Worker Institute's annual conference. Fun with old friends, new friends, etc. One of our traditions is to skip the final session adn go to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Here are some fun photos.

Graduation

The youth ministry class that graduated this year were freshman when I started at NPU. I'm very proud of them, but was a tad choked up upon their graduation. Here are some photos.

Where in the world is Alison?

I realized that I haven't blogged in a coons age. That's exactly what went through my head when I thought about it. You can't take the country out' tha girl...

I've been very busy, hence my lack of correspondence. I've been working on several projects, and am exhausted. My Dad's not been doing well and ended up in the hospital for several days. He got to go home this evening, thank God. (Seriously, thank God! He has blood clots in his lungs which could have caused a heart attack but they passed through his heart and settled in his lungs.) He's on some blood thinners and will have to stay on an oxygen tank at home for awhile. If his blood oxygen goes back up to normal after his blood clots finish dissolving, then he can get rid of the oxygen.

On a fun note, tomorrow morning I'm heading out to LA for Urban Youth Worker Institute's Conference, followed by a few days vacation with my friends Josh and Kate. I'm hoping to get online periodically and post some photos and some Alison-fun.

I've been getting a gagillion text messages from Josh, telling me the weather should be in the 100s while I'm there, and what clothes to bring while we're at the beach. That's right, Josh and Kate are taking me to a relative's house on the ocean. Apparently we're going to see dolphins, and I'm being taken out for sushi on Friday night. SSSOOO excited for some R&R and fun in the sun! I've got my books picked out to read: James Patterson's Judge & Jury, Kathy Khang (and others) More Than Serving Tea, and Divided by Faith. Not so sure on the heavy reading, but I've downloaded some new music, have a couple of new movies to watch...YAY!!!!