Wow..10-12 inches of snow for Columbus this weekend. Man I hate snow. I was told Columbus doesn’t get that much snow…until I moved here. Every February around Valentine’s Day the northeast gets a ridiculous snow storm and tries to keep me inside my place all weekend. Well not this time! I dug my car out of the snow and made it to lunch this afternoon and did my laundry. The weather doesn’t realize that come February I want spring to come and hate being inside because of the freezing cold weather.

I ran outside Tuesday and was planning on Thursday but didn’t. I didn’t run outside at all last week and I probably won’t this week because it’s going to be so darn cold. If it doesn’t start to warm up the week after that I’ll probably go crazy and run in the snow again.

2 runs, 2 days in a row. That’s right, I ran outside this Sunday and Monday. Sunday was great. Weather was in the mid 30’s and a little rain but I ran for a mile. I know, I know, only a mile? Well I haven’t ran since November so I’m getting back in sync. Monday I ran another mile, it was a little colder but still totally awesome. And I plan to run again this week, try and stop me!

Things are so much better than they were back in November. I went to Habitat on Saturday and helped refurbish a house and I’m doing it again next weekend. I’ve made some great friends with the church Heritage House. One of my friends from high school goes to OSU and the Heritage House has a house on campus where they worship and have events each week. It’s not just college students, there are people who have graduated and families who attend. The one night I went to a BBQ and this Friday is an acoustic cafe.

Next week all of the outside sales reps are coming to Delaware, OH for the annual sales meeting. I can’t wait to meet my reps. Jake has a ‘redneck hillbilly accent’ and Chip is great; Chip is professional but I heard from Allison he can be very funny outside of work. Daryl is referred to as the ‘ghost’ although I don’t think he is and Greg is my rep for Disney. I’ve heard many stories about them but I’m sure no story does justice for what they’re like in person.

Well, I said I was going to run outside this weekend and I did! I put on a couple layers, drove down to the Metro Park and ran for about 20 minutes in the snow. At least I think it was 20 minutes. It may not have been long but it was an accomplishment for me. I will keep trying and hopefully get used to running in the dreaded cold. It hurt afterwords, the burning itching feeling started at the end of my run, but it will not discourage me from running again. I just can’t go 8 weeks or more without running, you know? I think next time I’ll wear two pairs of socks, mesh running shoes aren’t a benefit during the winter in my opinion.

P.S. Cristina- I’m not a wuss! (at least not anymore)

Man, I do NOT like winter. I have at least 8 more weeks of this hellish weather. I like hot, sunny weather that does not require multiple layers, long sleeves, gloves or boots. I just get so depressed. I read that winter months lead to eating unhealthy foods, sleeping and anything else that’s bad for you.

So, when it rains, it pours. This Sunday I ended up clogging my toilet. I have a plunger but it wasn’t doing the trick so I went out and bought a better one. It still didn’t work; on the way to the store I find out that my driver’s side door won’t stay closed. It came open while I was turning into my apartment complex. Over the holiday I got an oil change and the mechanic told me my ball joints for the wheels are bad. I went to Sears to get a second opinion and waited 4 HOURS to have them replaced and spent $500! But my landlord has 24 hour maintenance so my toilet was fixed by the time I returned. I love how now that I have a full time job I have no money!

I usually don’t run outside during the winter but now that I don’t have a gym membership I’m dying to run. I’m going to do it; this weekend. I know it’s insane but I’m just inching to run even if it’s a measly attempt. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I found out last week that one of my friends from home has had a crush on me as long as I have liked him. He didn’t have the guts to tell me until now. Lucky for him I’m still single, not lucky for me he’s in the Navy, in Hawaii, and was deployed to Afghanistan for 6 months! He says he’ll call me, this will be interesting…

Who actually keeps the resolutions they make New Year’s Eve? Seriously? So I’ve decided to set goals for myself, a similar concept but different in my mind. I am very goal oriented and with a real job and having moved out of the house I need some motivation.

1. Run a half marathon at the end of summer. One day when I was leaving work I saw someone had a 13.1 sticker on their car. I was like ‘I really want one!’ So instead of just buying one and pretending I ran a half marathon, I’m going to do it! Columbus is a great area for races and it’ll get me in shape come warmer weather.

2. Join Delaware’s bike club. I went out to eat in downtown Delaware and stopped at a mom and pop bike shop to find out where the restaurant was and stopped at the shop after dinner. I started talking to the owner and what bike I had and he told me there’s a bike club that meets twice a week during spring and summer and bikes 30-40 miles. I am SO joining and I can’t wait! Stella is very deprived at the moment….

3. Volunteer with Habitat. I went to orientation a week or two ago so I’m all set to start volunteering, I just need to sign up. Delaware’s Habitat is very organized and I can volunteer in the winter time. Plus I get to use my awesome pink tools in my pink tool bag!

4. Take the GMAT. Ok so I don’t actually plan on getting my masters for at least two years but the scores are good for 5 years. So I’m going to save my money, buy a prep book, study my ass off and then take the test after I save enough to pay for the test. PPG has an awesome tuition reimbursement program that I will definitely take advantage of.

What are your New Year’s Goals/Resolutions?

The Cardinal Rules of Dating from The Blonde Theory

1. Always let men open doors for you
2. Never second-guess a man
3. Don’t sleep with a man or even ask him up to your apartment on your first, second, or third date
4. Never babble and make the man work to find out more about you. Don’t be an open book; always remain a mystery
5. Always listen attentively
6. Always stand up straight
7. Don’t touch him too much
8. Act a little aloof, so he feels he has to work to earn your admiration
9. Never act like you know more than him
10. Make sure you let him know you need him, not that you need a boyfriend, but you need him specifically
11. Always let a guy know that you think he’s very important
12. Always wear enough makeup

So one of my good friends (a guy) once told me I intimidate guys or I could possibly intimidate them. I was like ‘no way’, how could I be intimidating? I’m athletic, I love to watch sports, I like to have fun, I’m adventurous, why would I be intimidating? Well I started reading The Blonde Theory and according to it, guys ARE intimidated by smart, independent, confident women. Hmmm… unbelievable.

I think in part The Blonde Theory has some good points but I don’t think it’s completely true. I can still be with someone and be myself, my independent, smart, confident self.

So now that I have a full time job, the dropping temperatures and the sun setting at the god-awful-hour of 6 pm, I have been running less. To put it simply: it sucks. But I’ve posted my running playlist below for those interested. Last weekend I actually ran outside, I went to the Metro Park near my apartment. The place is awesome, I ran on the nature trail out to the Olentangy River.

Harder to Breath- Maroon 5
Running Down a Dream- Tom Petty
Bombs Over Bahgdad- Outkast
Shake It- Metrostation
Beat It- Fall Out Boy featuring John Mayer
Take It Off- ??
That’s What You Get- Paramore
Mercy- Duffy
American Boy- Estelle
One Way or Another- Blondie
Lovestoned- Justin Timberlake
The Supermassive Black Hole- Muse
Brain Stew- Green Day
School’s Out for Summer- Alice Cooper
Espionage- Green Day
Sex On Fire- Kings of Leon
Great DJ- The Tings Tings
Hey Baby- No Doubt
I Know You Want Me- Pitbull
Welcome To Oblivion- Medina Lake
Run My Mouth- Ra Ra Riot
Major Tom- Shiny Toy Guns

It is a week before Thanksgiving and I have no idea how it came so fast. Here is what’s happened in my life so quickly I don’t know how I got to where I am now.

- Moved back home: end of July

- Weekend in D.C.: Labor Day weekend

- Phone interview with PPG: September 1; I thought the position was in Delaware the state, actually in Delaware, Ohio. I told Jan this and I did not think I would get to second round interviews.

- Second interview with PPG: September 23.

- Job offer with PPG: September 25.

- Accept offer with PPG: September 28.

- Cruise to Key West, FL and Cozumel, Mexico: October 1-6.

- Start date at PPG in Kenosha, WI: October 12.

- Moved to Polaris, (Columbus area) Ohio: October 31.

- My birthday: November 10.

- Weekend in Chicago: November 13-15.

It’s been two years since I broke up with my high school boyfriend of almost four years. I broke up with him because I knew I didn’t want to marry him, which he would have asked after college, and he was afraid I would get an internship and leave him behind in Ohio. I would have done that too, after all I’m moving to Columbus for my job. Last year I didn’t want to have a boyfriend. I enjoy being single and indpendent and having a drama-free life. I also knew it would be easier to go wherever I wanted to go if I wasn’t tied down to anyone after graduation.

But single life has it’s downsides and there are certain aspects of relationships that I miss. I miss being able to talk to someone about anything and at anytime. I miss cuddling and hugs and affection. I miss having someone there to come home to.

But there are some things I don’t want to give up; mostly my independence. If someone starts to suffocate me, I run and I hate it. I want to be able to have a nice balance where I can still be independent, doing the things I like to do on my own.

All of my coworkers are engaged, married, or widowed. I am the youngest and the only one who’s single. Granted, one is a year older and another is two so there isn’t much difference but those two are engaged. This is difficult too because they are focused on the next step in their lives: marriage. I don’t understand why everyone is getting married at 25 and younger and having kids. But I do know that I’m not ready for that. So, for now, I will be single and enjoy it the best I can.

Monday was my first day at Matthew’s Paint, PPG. I am flying to Kenosha, Wisconsin for my training and flying home on weekends. In about two weeks I should be moving to Columbus, Ohio. Everything is happening so fast, it’s crazy! But I love it!

I only went into to work for about 2 and 1/2 hours Monday but afterwards all I could think is: I LOVE my job! I know it seems a bit early to say that but Thursday night I was still saying it and my mom could tell when I called her that I am TRULY happy and it’s been awhile since I’ve been this happy. The people are great, I like the two customer service reps I work with, Niki and Ellen. This week Allison, the Marketing Coordinator, will join us.

Matt, who is training me, is awesome. They call him ‘ADD boy’ because he’ll start one thing and then skip to another thing that comes up. It doesn’t bother me though; I try to keep him on task if I think I’ll get confused. My territory is the Southeast and my major accounts are Disney, Creative Colors, and Hope’s Windows. We supply the paint for the signs outside in Disney and have 75% of the market in Florida. Matt was nervous about meeting me, he was afraid I wouldn’t represent Matthew’s Paint well or his customers wouldn’t be in good hands with me. I’m really sad that I won’t be working with Matt in Delaware because it is so much fun training with him.

What I love most is throughout the week there were little things that just made my day. For example we all received Matthew’s Paint laptop bags. The hotel we’re staying at has cookies in the afternoon when we return from work (and they’re good!). Those are the only things I can think of right now but I get excited about the little things. I think it’s better to live your life that way, to have reasonable expectations but appreciate the little things.

The best thing about the end of the week is Ohio State LOST and Niki, Ellen, and Chad are fans (and Penn State won)!!!