the running vibe

well it seems that as I moved again I picked up some sort of health conscious virus... I prepare my breakfasts and snack packs on a Sunday night - which are all healthy snacks like strawberries, mango, carrots and today I bought and cut bell pepper - for the week. I have all my tupperware washed over the weekend and Sunday night I'm in the kitchen chopping fruits and veg for my enjoyment all week!

And worse of all I've become totally addicted to running. Or at least, I'm addicted to working out. I'm hitting the gym about 4-6 days a week. And though I whine about it - I love it. Somehow...

I don't know what's come over me... I'm so health conscious. I'm actually thinking of signing up for a 5k that will take place in November. When I go out to dinner I actually make the healthy choice. Or if I make the unhealthy choice - I count the calories and be sure to work out if I have the chance or be sure to eat a little leaner the next day!

I seem to be getting healthy and stuff. Egads!

another new city!

so - I have moved my optimist cave to a new and another exciting location: San Antonio, TX! I left Nashville on Sunday, with my friend Stephanie, in a fabulous rental car. Max was in the backseat tripping out on kitty sedatives... He said he didn't want to drive, and he can't handle being in the car if he's not in charge. Crazy kitty...

Oh look - we're in Arkansas!



We finally made it to Texas after a stop over in Oklahoma City.

Here are a few pictures of my new place...

Max likes the view...


That picture was taken before the movers arrived, unloaded and then unpacked my belongings... here's an after shot of the kitchen.




I begin my job on Monday and I'm really excited. I'm hoping to remember to take the time to post more of what's happening in and around San Antonio TX. If you told me a year ago that I'd not just have lived in Nashville but that I'd move to TX too, I can't say that I'd have believed you. But here I am - starting over again.

And on the eve of my birthday, again - so once again, happy personal new year!

a new year...

and i'm no better at posting than I was last year!

Well - so far 2010 has been insanely busy for me personally and professionally. I'm settling into Nashville (Hendersonville technically) quite nicely. I've found ladies to knit with. I have friends to enjoy life with. And I have work to keep me busy all the times in between.
I have found a couple of places for sushi. I have 2 Thai restaurants that I like. And I'm going to try a dim sum restaurant this weekend. I've also found a few local spots that are good hangouts as well.

The weather this winter "was snowier than usual" or that's at least what the locals told me.

Spring seems to be springing - but I'm not holding my breath until we have more than one day of sun and above 60 degree temperatures in a row!

On the work front - I'm busy at the moment with the highlight of my job and I'm supposed to be working at the moment (I'm at home) but I'm taking a break to post and grab a little dessert... Overall, I love my job and the fact that I'm working on multiple projects at once - but right now it is totally kicking my butt. But I'm learning as I go which is great. :)

Well - the work beckons - more posting to come!

fall has fallen upon us!

OG has moved

so, i have been incredibly delinquent in my blog posting... 2009, the year of change for me, and i've posted none of it. Well, not much of it anyway...

Well, I have moved. I am now living and working in central Tennessee... outside of Nashville for a retailer.

I can't believe how much my life has changed since I started this blog - or how much has changed since I last blogged.

The OG lives in a smaller town outside of Nashville, enjoying the comforts of small town life with a bigger city next door. Gas is cheaper, rent is cheaper, the utilities are certainly cheaper - but that's about it. But I love it.

More to come later. But thought I'd post up that Optimist Girl is now posting from somewhere new!

6 months ago

6 months ago I lost my job to workforce reduction and I 'knew' at the time it would all work out. That I would find a new job, that I would be ok.
Well, here I am ... spending the 2nd to last night in the apartment I have called home for a year and a half. The OG cave will no longer be located in San Francisco... it will now be found in Nashville, and I'm hoping it won't be quite to cave-like but instead full of beautiful sunshine. :) I didn't realize how much I missed having the sun in my windows and having a view that was more than my concrete patio.

I have already spent a week in Nashville and I love it so far. Now admittedly I am working long hours, but I don't care, I love it. It is so green and lush and has rolling hills and lots of trees and it is just so green!

I am very sad to be leaving San Francisco, but here I am exactly 11 years later finding myself moving eastward... I have been yearning to start my life in a new city and this is the perfect chance and I'm thrilled...

more to come...

Scotland: Edinburgh (con't)

As I think that there is a limit to the length of posts so I have to divide everything up.

Here we go... Edinburgh continued...

The Heart of Lothian



This is the back of the church the Queen & family attend when in Edinburgh at Hollyrood Palace (picts to follow)















As the Queen was in residence at Hollyrood, there were few spots to take pictures and all I could get a clear shot of was the fountain in front of the residence. (FYI: traffic was also a mess)











On the local flavor side of things... this pig was in the window of a butchers shop named Oink. This was at the beginning of the day. When I passed the window later... the pig was practically gone.