Because some days you just need to be reminded...

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.

-Aristotle

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

-Robert Collier

Taking a breather

As I am sure you have noticed, I have taken a brief hiatus from my updates. I am finishing up a week long semester break and am getting ready to get back to the grind and start yet another semester. The last month has been somewhat distracting and busy with my trip to Arizona, finalizing my divorce, girls weekend in Illinois, planning my move, and of course, the typical end of the semester "I can't bear to keep myself motivated" blues. However, break time is officially up and I have no more time to neglect my responsibilities. Tomorrow I start back, ready or not, to my hectic schedule and I intend to try to stay organized and motivated, and get back into some sort of a routine (we all know I can't function effectively without one). It will be a bit of a challenge as I am making preparations to move (yes, only 45 days to go) and I am also busy with all the mundane details of changing my name back, etc., but, then again, I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't busy. I haven't NOT been crazy busy in over 3 years. Ah...the life of a full time student with a full time job. So on this eve of a new semester, I will post some fun pics of my lazy weekend around Cincinnati. Unfortunately, a lazy weekend doesn't come my way too often. The weather was gorgeous, the company great, and it was a lovely way to enjoy a weekend with no school work. Alas, I won't have another one for a while.


I spent Saturday morning at Findley market with my good friend Angie, and her little girl Anika.


We enjoyed tasty belgium waffles for breakfast. Yum!


The three of us...Anika is getting so big!


Sunday afternoon picnic at Ault Park.


Darcy loves going to the park!!


A little Chipotle for lunch.


Such a pretty day for an afternoon outside.

A taste of home

My week at home has come and gone all to quickly, and I find myself packing for my return home to the Midwest. So in honor of my time in the desert, it only seems fitting that the picture of the week is nothing else, but a little taste of home. Tomorrow I say au revoir to the desert, the cactus, the mountains, and all things hot, hot, hot. At least this time, as I leave my beloved desert that I have long called home, I know my return back here will only be a few short months away.

My day in court

Yesterday I had the exciting opportunity to shadow my mentor, a court reporter at the Federal Courthouse here in Phoenix. The experience was amazing. Mondays are criminal sentencing day, so I spent the day sitting in on a variety of hearings that ranged from Reentry after deportation and assault with a deadly weapon to armed bank robbery and sexual assault. I also had two hearings that required an interpreter which I thought was really great to get acquainted with. It was a great experience and I feel like I learned a great deal.

Favorite Random Courthouse Room:
The marshal's shooting range in the basement of the building. (who know they even had one??)

Favorite Quote of the Day:
(From a convicted armed robber) "Your Honor, I am NOT a criminal. I am the nicest person you will ever meet."

Most difficult moment:
For one of the hearings, the defendant was in custody elsewhere and not present the in courtroom. He was teleconferenced in and had a very thick Iranian accent. I couldn't understand a word he was saying. Needless to say, the hearing was rather short, as it was quickly determined an interpreter would be necessary. The entire thing was actually pretty comical as it was very clear that most everyone (minus the court reporter) could hardly understand what he was saying. I was surprised how much the c.r. actually understood and was able to write. It was pretty ironic since the c.r. and I had just previously had a conversation about what things she still found difficult, and various accents was one of the things she had mentioned.

Most unexpected person that I met:
Marilyn Sanchez, last year's NCRA President. Didn't know she even worked in AZ.

What I've realized I most need to work on after spending the day in court:
Colloquy/ speaker identifications.



This is the view of the inside of the courthouse from the main entrance. The large circular room straight back is actually a court room that is used for only the most special cases.


Along this hall are all various court rooms which is where I spent my day.

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix AZ

This desert rat is finally home for a week and loving the heat, sunshine, and all things brown. Yesterday we went to the Desert Botanical Garden to check out the Chihuly Exhibit, an exhibit that highlights innovative and vibrant glass sculptures created by artisan, Dale Chihuly. The glass sculptures looked even more beautiful with the gorgeous backdrop of the Arizona desert. I took a million pictures, and although I couldn't post them all, a few are below.

Valley of the Sun

I am back in the valley of the sun (awww, home sweet home) and soaking up the heat. 101 degrees never felt so great!!! So the the obvious choice for my picture of the week is a little taste of home. I couldn't decide, so you get two.

Flying Pig Marathon

After 3 months of training, the big day has finally come and gone. Today, I was among twenty two thousand other people participating in the 11th annual Flying Pig Marathon here in Cincinnati. Our day started bright and early, as the race started at 6:30 a.m., and although the morning started out with rain, the weather eventually cooperated and we only had to deal with drizzles the first couple of miles. We made great time. We finished our 13.10 miles earlier than we anticipated at 3 hours and 31 minutes, giving us an average walking time of 16 minute miles. The pig is a rather difficult course thanks to the hilly nature of Cincinnati, and it was quite challenging at times. I think the most significant climb was around mile 6 or 7, where you begin a two and a half mile steady uphill climb. But we did it, and I have my medal to prove it!!! Our Northside MRDD team also raised over $2,000 for the upcoming MRDD tax levy campaign which will help provide support for people with disabilities.
Check another exciting accomplishment off my 30 for 30 list.


Me, Amy, Maria, and Carol
(my marathon buddies)


My feast of food at our post-marathon lunch
at Boswell's Ally


Darcy supporting his mommy by wearing
his Flying Pig Marathon scarf.