Stone Mountain Trail

Near the Candler Park Area

Today we tried a new part of the Stone Mountain trail.  I was fascinated to learn that this trail actually starts in the city near Piedmont Avenue and runs all the way to Stone Mountain for a total of 19 miles.  We started at the Carter Center, rode to Decatur and rode back.

I want to start at Piedmont Avenue and ride to Stone Mountain one day. I also like this trail because a good bit of it is actually set up as a trail with divided lanes.  There were also other perks, once we got to Decatur, they had bike lanes and we stopped at DQ... ahhh ice cream. Near Ponce we rode through some sprinklers, wonderful and cooling on such a hot day... on the way back, I tried to dodge the sprinklers and scuffed my leg on my pedal. If it could happen, right?

We also stopped at an open house, we saw the signs on the way back... When I say the house was a-mazing... I would definitely say it's a dream house. Get this, the street its on is Tuxedo Avenue... it so fit!! The realtor said it was originally a 2 br, one story home and the current owners turned it into a 5br, 2 story home.  The kitchen area was nice and open, perfect for entertaining.  They also had a fabulous back yard, with a screened in back porch. And get this, they have installed a zip line in the backyard for their daughters! Fabulous! It is out of my price range at $650,000+, but one day I'd definitely like a house that nice.

M•A•C Fashion Forward Trend Show

I know I previously said the lady didn't reserve my spot for the trend show, but I had to call back. Why? That's simple; I love make-up.  Make-up is really like art for your face. LOVE IT!! I think one of my dream jobs would be a make-up artist. I basically only use M•A•C, so when they have something I usually go. This time was no different. I got a 1 PM slot and I chose a look that was semi dramatic without me looking like I'm doing theee most.

On the Trail Again...

Ready to go!

I definitely want to make biking a part of my regular exercise regimen.  I find it exhilarating and somewhat calming.  It's also nice to listen to music on low as I ride. As part of my training for the Tour de Cure, I went with some of my coworker pals to ride the Silver Comet Trail. I think I have found a new favorite place to ride... the scenery and terrain was so nice and serene.

It's great to ride with motivated people because they motivate me to keep riding. I tend to end up a bit behind my comrades, but I catch up to them eventually. Yesterday was the furthest I've gone on my bike, 25 miles. I'll say it again. 25 miles!!!! I have to ride 34/37 on the day of the race, so I'm close to my goal. Yes!!

More pictures after the jump.

EJD

If you know me, you know Eric Jerome Dickey is my absolute favorite author. If you don't know me, now you know. Imagine how excited I was when I went to Barnes and Noble's website and I saw that he not only had a new book coming out, but he was doing a book reading/signing!! Every time I know he's coming to town, I'm going to see him and I own all of his books.

He did a reading from his new book An Accidental Affair, it seems to be pretty good so far... I'll probably start reading it tomorrow.

Pi Mile/Getting Fitted

Saturday morning, I did the Pi Mile at Georgia Tech. Leave it to a techie school to name a 5k after pi. Anyways, it was my first time participating and I genuinely had fun. It was nice seeing some of my sorority sisters that were running too.

Because I hadn't been running this winter, half training and my ankle had been hurting, I was wondering how my run would go... Surprisingly, it wasn't too painful. I ran for a good bit, but it was my improper breathing that got me. According to my sport band, it took me like 40 minutes to finish. Perhaps if I had run the whole thing at my initial pace, I would have finished in 30. I really want to get to where I run a 5k in 30 minutes and improve from there.

In the Dark... Purple

I o I went to the gym yesterday for my step sculpt class and had a super duper workout. After the gym, what did I do? Stop by my favorite counter in Dillard's... the MAC counter!!!

I had been trying to avoid them because I always 90% of the time I find something that I want. This time wasn't any different.  They have a line called Reel Sexy and they have the most fabulous purple nail polish and eyeliner. I LOVE PURPLE! The polish is called In the Dark... Purple and honestly, it's the best purple polish I've been able to find. Opaque creme and vibrant. Can you say, "owwww?" I'll say it for you. I had to buy it and paint my nails ASAP. Had. To. Have. IT! How'd it turn out? I'll say haute to trot!! I wore the eyeliner, Resort, today but I didn't take a picture of it. I was truly lovely too.

To add to the fire, they had fliers at the register for a class they're having on the 28th. What?! Seven hours of the new trends for the Spring/Summer. Rho is so there! I made my reservations today. I'll definitely take pictures and give my take on it. I'm getting sleepy, so I'll catch up with you all later.

Update (4/17): I called to verify my reservation... the lady didn't even have my name in the book nor is the class 7 hours.  It's a one hour reservation where they give a makeover. I was a bit disappointed. Ch.

Bye Bye Braces

Today is my last full day with braces. They've been with me for a year and a half. Because I'm my sentimental self. I'll miss them, but I won't at the same time. Sigh. I'll update if my orthodontist takes them off, cross your fingers.

Update (4/11): I didn't get them off. I was a little sad, but oh well. I'll have them for at least a few more weeks.

A GOOD Weekend

Isn't it serene?

Yesterday was Good Friday and I was off work. Yay!!! I got to sleep late and watch a little TV when I woke up like I had to be at work...

Side of the mountain. Ahh, the history.

I had plans to chill inside, but my mom came to visit and she always wants to do something. Initially, I was being a grump, but I obliged.  We ended up going to Stone Mountain and had a little picnic by the water with my aunt.  It was nice and serene.  Then we decided to ride the sky lift to the top of the mountain.  My mom and I decided to walk back down. I tried to convince my aunt, but it didn't work... My mom and I walked down and we had fun. It was a nice experience. (I'm starting to wake up and realize that my parents won't be here forever. It's hard to think about that.)

Little Fish King

I love Rho!

*sings* Little Fish Kiiiiiiing... Ahhh King.  His real name is Pharaoh; King is his nickname. He's my lovable and cute pet Betta.  He's my company on my desk at work.  He's my entertainment when I'm a little bored.  Yet, everyone is trying to kill him off.  Ok, maybe not kill him, but they're always asking if he's still alive. I've even been asked if he dies, could we have a fish funeral a la The Cosby Show. He's alive and he's active too.

I've had King for about a year, I think. When I first got him I spent more money on him than he cost. He may be just a little fishy, but he's Rho's fishy. He was shy when I'd put my finger up to the bowl and swim away.

Eggtastic

As a child, Easter used to be one of my favorite holidays. It wasn't because of the speeches, which I hated, or Jesus rising on the 3rd day (don't judge me). I loved Easter because of the new dresses (big, frilly and ugly) I would get, with socks to match, the basket and the eggs. I really thought I was styling and profiling in those awful dresses, sigh. 
I remember one Easter I got my hair pressed, with a comb, and got Shirley Temple Curls... this was my Grandmama's idea. I didn't like the heat that close to my head or face and needless to say the beautician burned me. 

Most Easters we went to visit my Grandmama and she and I would color real eggs... Do kids still do this today or do they just use plastic ones? I don't really like eggs, but it was fun to color them and go find them when my family hid them.  I don't remember how old I was, but I brought some eggs home and hid them under my bed because I didn't want my Dad to eat them.  In my extra young mind, they were too pretty to be eaten.  Well, I also was young and forgetful.  I forgot the eggs were under my bed. I think my Mom must have smelled them later and they were a rotten mess. Funny, I don't remember a smell. Oops. 

The baskets were another story... They were filled with junk that no kid needs, but oh were they fun! Bright colors, coloring books, stickers, candy... whaaaaa?! Loved them.  Loved them.  LOVED THEM!!! That's about all I remember, other than church and dinner afterward.

I wish everyone a happy Easter and enjoy the eggs if they're still done the old school way. 

Misadventures in Biking

This'll be short. I went with some coworkers to ride on a path that I found on pathfinder.org. This path wasn't the best for bikes and it was really crowded. Aside from that, it's hilly and will definitely help one get acclimated to gears, etc.

I hate going up steep hills. I like them even less if I have to descend them. There was a REALLY steep one with a speed bump and I went down that hill extra slowly because I didn't want to burst my tire on that bump. I'm convinced that's why my coworker's tire went flat. Well there was another hill that I had to descend that wasn't as steep. There was a walker going down and a jogger coming up... I hit my brakes and my back tire jumped off the ground. If I hadn't been blessed to stop, that tumble would have been ugly and painful. I hope that never happens again.