So it's official...

I received a letter in the mail yesterday from California State University Northridge officially welcoming me to the Graduate Program! I'm thrilled and yet scared to death. I told myself for way too long that this was an unattainable goal and I was wrong. What I need to remind myself is that this is a process and it will take me as long as it's going to take, hence the term gradual student.

I wanted to thank everyone for their encouragement and support along the way. I especially want to thank Shawnie and Kevin for their input on my Graduate essay...thanks guys. I couldn't have done it without your help ;-) Also I am grateful to family and friends for their unwavering belief in me. Your unfaltering confidence in me has been inspiring and I'm working very hard to believe the same.

I'm sure I will experience moments of varying emotions: cries of frustration, screams in exasperation, boisterous squeals of glee when praised and pangs of self-doubt with the inevitable critiques, but it will be worth every minute.

Running up that road...

So I just finished the first 9 weeks of running today. Now 9 weeks actually fell over 4 months, but eh who's counting. I know I have a long way to go and about 30 pounds to go with it, but I wanted to thank a few people for getting me here.

First and foremost I have to thank the GetRunning app which has supported me the whole way. It was perfect for someone like me who has no real experience with running and is completely out of shape. So thank you for making running possible and thanks for suggesting Run Keeper Pro for the next step!

I also want to thank my aunt Eileen & uncle Chuck for running with me at my first 5K and Steve & Maren for running with me on the second. It was great to have moral support along the way. I look forward to my next 5K, then 10K and then who knows maybe even a marathon.

Thanks to my Facebook friends for encouraging me, my wife and my Dad for cheering me on and a little pat on the back to myself for seeing this through. Here's to the next leg of my running journey...cheers! (Forgive the puns)

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

New iPhone OS 4

I can't wait! Watch the keynote and see what the buzz is all about.
Multitasking, wallpaper, folders I can't stand it. I want my OS 4 now! Ok I'll have to wait, but I won't like it ;-)

Mud Run

Today I ran the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud 5K Run @ Castaic Lake and had a blast. My friends Steve and Maren joined me, or more appropriately I joined them, as I worked my way around the course. This hellish route took us through military style obstacles courses, uphill and downhill terrain and of course mud, lots and lots of mud. It kicked my ass, but hell I finished and had fun doing it. I'll post a picture when they become available.

I'm a little bit proud of myself ;-) and honestly, I can't wait for the next one!

Poppies! Poppies!

This past weekend we had our friend Mary at our place. It was great catching up with her and laughing all weekend long. On Sunday, Mary's last day, we decided to drive down to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is minutes from our home, to take pictures. Due to the amount of rain and frost we received this year we are experiencing a gorgeous poppy and wildflower bloom. It would have been a shame not to have captured this on film so we didn't let the moment got to waste. This makes living out in the middle of the desert all worth while. Truly breathtaking...

So I did it....

Yesterday I finished the Graduate essay I've been threatening to do for well over a year. I read, reviewed and tweaked the application and finally I pressed the button which turned it in. Graduate school is something that I've always wanted to accomplish, but was never sure I would be able to do. I determined that I wouldn't know until I tried and now is as good a time as any. I want to thank everyone that has encouraged me and helped along the way. I may have baulked, self-doubted and procrastinated, but I always listened. So thanks!

Now the waiting game begins. Keep a few fingers crossed, if you believe in such things ;-) ... and I'll keep you posted.

California wildflowers Part I

On a recent hike with Kim and the naughties I took some pictures of local flora in the hills surrounding Elizabeth Lake. I cannot wait for sunnier days so the flowers will begin bloom and to be able to take better photographs. The hills are beginning to turn shades of yellow, orange and purple. I am looking forward to exploring the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in the next few weeks, so be on the look out for more pictures of spring flowers.

A view of Elizabeth Lake through wildflowers

Nemophila menziesii or Baby blue-eyes

Lupinus polyphyllus or Lupine

Helianthella californica or Helianthella

Phacelia tanacetifolia or Purple Tancy

Ranunculus californicus or California buttercup

Clarkia purpurea or Purple Clarkia

Lupinus albifrons or Bush Lupine