Blast from the Past...

A quick "shout out" to my friend Craig. Great to see you and catch up with you today! I'll get those pics from high school posted soon! ;)

Aggie football: I admit that I was wrong in one of my earlier posts when I predicted we would not win another game all season. I did not realize that the Iowa State game would be the battle of the two worst teams in the Big 12. Yay! We won. We are only the second worst! Woo hoo! NOW we will not win another game for the rest of the season...

Running update: Fabulous 21 miler on Saturday. Beautiful running weather, almost perfect health, and great running partners. I was actually able to keep up with the big boys the entire time. 9:12 average pace, huge negative split (which is good), and ended the run with several sub-9 minute miles. I'm pumped about San Antonio, which is just around the corner.

The Great Facebook Experiment

No Clif Notes version of the following. If you want, or care, to know what I think, then yes, you must read the entire post. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the deeper side of the 26.2 Princess.

For whatever reason, the Facebook phenomenon has exploded for my age group. I suppose its because we are nearing our 20 year high school reunions, or are within a couple of years of it. Or maybe we are going through some mid-life crisis and are trying to reconnect with anything that reminds us of our youth. Anyway, it is a wonderful, bizarre and fascinating experience and feeling to "reconnect" with people who I have not seen or talked to for years, in some cases, well over 20 years. Friends from both high schools I attended, people I knew from A&M, both undergrad and grad school, sorority sisters, fraternity friends, you name it, we are all reconnecting. (Begin the "reconnecting/reconnect" drinking game now, because I use those words alot in this post. I obviously need a thesaurus..)

I certainly hope that we are all wiser and more mature than we were back in high school and college. Wasn't everything that happened then the end-all-be-all? Remember when 30 was old, the end of youth, and scary as hell? I honestly don't recall ever giving my future beyond my senior year in high school or college an ounce of thought. I was so concerned about the immediate present. I didn't have the understanding and wisdom that comes with growing up and maturing, but no one did really, even though every single one of us thought we knew it all back then.

I remember myself as being scared and insecure and so unsure and un-confident (is that a word??) about things, that it overwhelmed me. I so longed to be accepted and part of a group(s) that I think I too often didn't let people see or get to know who I really was, or am. So I wonder, what do the people I'm reconnecting with now on Facebook remember about me? What type of person was I? Was I a good friend, trustworthy, fun, encouraging, supportive? Was I shallow, gossipy, clingy, weird, mean, whatever? I know I was shy, which so many people find hard to believe, but its true... I am to this day a shy person until I get comfortable with someone, whether that takes one minute or one year, and unfortunately many mistake my shyness for snobbishness or something. I've been told that many times. It breaks my heart. And, do any of these people wonder what I or others remember about them? If I'm really honest with myself, there are some people I am "Facebook friends" with that I would love to tell off because of something they said or did or how they treated me a zillion years ago (I'm sure someone out there feels the same way about me. I know, that's very hard to believe, seeing that I am such a sweet princess and all ;) But I digress...

What breaks my heart even more is that I'm even thinking about this again after so many years. As I've gotten older, I have become so much more sure about myself, who I am, who I want to be, what I'm capable of, and what kind of friend/daughter/sister/aunt/etc I am. The past is the past right? Why relive it? But here it is, staring us in the face in the form of Facebook and reunions. Don't get me wrong, I have been having a blast catching up with old friends, and staying in better touch with current ones, but at the same time, its one big popularity contest all over again. Why didn't that person accept my friend request? Why didn't that person reply to the email I sent or the blurb I posted on the wall? God almighty, I am way too old to give a crap about this stuff again!

But do I really care, or has society engrained in me/us that we must care about what everyone thinks about us, and that no matter how old we are, our worth is somehow measured by how many people we know or have around us at any given time? At this age, isn't it more about the quality of friendships rather than the quantity? It is for me, no doubt. I can count on one hand the people who I can pick up the phone and talk to about anything and everything, people who would be there for me no matter what, and vice versa. Ok, maybe two hands if I'm lucky, but its still a small circle of people who I can call my dearest and closest friends, and I think that's great. Its about acceptance for who you are, connection, quality, chemistry, and above all, trust. I think it gets harder as we get older to really find and develop those types of friendships. Adult relationships take time to root and become meaningful.

But what about those rare cases when a connection or re-connection is immediate, and you just know that that long-lost friendship can redevelop to a level that is reserved for your closest of friends? How lucky and neat is that? For example, I've just very recently gotten back in touch with a friend of mine from high school thanks to Facebook, and we talked for a while last night. It was like no time had passed since we went to prom back in 1988, or since I last saw him at church (yes, I have been known to enter a church now and then!) when I was in grad school over 10 years ago. Conversation was easy and fun, and there was a sense of trust and respect, even after all of these years. I immediately remembered why I enjoyed his company all those years ago, and I have no doubt that we will stay in touch now.

That, my friends, is what I believe the great Facebook experiment is all about... not having 200 friends, 180 of whom really don't care about your day-to-day life's happenings, and maybe 15 of whom still don't honestly remember who the heck you are but you are friends of friends so you must be friends too. No, Facebook is about finding those one or two, or more, special friends with whom you lost touch for some reason but have always wondered about, and instantly have that connection again. Its weeding through the hundreds of old acquaintances to find a true reconnection or two, re-establishing a friendship that is meaningful.

OK, I'm done. Seriously, did I just write all this crap? Where did that come from? I should be a philosopher or psychologist or something. Or maybe I should just shutup. Hope you enjoyed this, because my next post will be back to regular nonsense and ramblings, and bitching about something, I'm sure. Speaking of which, any of my readers All My Children fans? Am I the only one who thinks this whole tornado storyline is awful and so terribly written its embarrassing? (See, I'm back already!!)

On the running road again...

Health update: YIPPIE!!! I have an official clean bill of health and can resume all normal activities, including running and marathon training, if you call that "normal." Some call it crazy and insane. What do they know?! I still have a lingering cough that my doctor believes is some residual inflammation mixed with allergy symptoms. Apparently, the cesspool of a city I call home, and love dearly, is quite polluted and a haven for allergy-inducers. Who knew?? So, I've been advised to do my running in the mornings when it is less polluted, which may be difficult since I'm usually at work no later than 7:30 am, earlier if possible (especially when the All My Children episode that I watch every morning at 6am is boring). I also don't feel safe running by myself in the dark. Duh. Anyway, I'll figure it out. It'll help alot having this cold front coming through tonight as I type (thunder, lightning everywhere!!), and it will soon be getting lighter earlier in the mornings.

The best news is that I am cleared to see my nephews and niece. Boy, are they going to get a TON of loving from Auntie Kiki!

*Thank you* to my family and friends, blog readers and Facebook peeps for your well-wishes during my bout with this mess. Best quote during this time came from Denis, the founder of Houston Fit, who, when he found out what I was suffering from, said "What? Are you six years old?!" Sometimes I wish I were...

Just chill out: Yeah, right. One thing that my doctor did advise me to do was reduce my stress. Oh good grief, here we go again. I get told to reduce my stress all of the time. I am Type A, have a very demanding job and just lost eleventy-billion dollars in my 401k, but I have a much less stressful life than many people I know. I guess its all relative. Just how exactly am I supposed to reduce stress?? Large amounts of alcohol, all day long, or perhaps a huge lottery win? How about a drug-induced coma for a few months? And yes, before you point it out, I am aware of the well-known universal #1 stress-reliever...

HAHAHAHAHA! This morning, a medical student walked into my office and wanted to know if she could post an ad on the bulliten board down the hall. I said I had no idea, that I was not in charge of the bulliten boards, and she said "but, this is the Office of the Director of Board Relations" as is noted on my door. I had to keep from chuckling as I let her know that "board relations" means governance and I have nothing to do with what gets posted on the bulliten boards around the workplace. It was cute, good for a much needed smile today. However, I wonder how many other people around here think I'm in charge of bulliten boards. If that were the case, maybe I wouldn't be so "stressed out." Then again, I don't think I'd be paid very well as the director of bulliten board relations.

I am alive, I think...

Whooping Cough: Yes, dear reader(s), I have officially been diagnosed with whooping cough. I am apparently the only adult anyone knows who has been inflicted with this disease. I guess that immunization shot that I got as a toddler has finally worn off. Supposedly, whooping cough is on the rise in adults. That's not well known outside of the medical community though, so when I tell people what I have, they look at me like I just told them I have leprosy or something, and then they back away slowly. At least I don't have people invading my circle of personal space anymore.

Kidding aside, it does suck. Whenever I'm not experiencing deep dry coughs, I'm either taking the crap-load of meds I've been prescribed or I'm high from those meds. Whoever invented cough syrup with hydrocodone should be sainted, because that part does not suck. I'm on another round of steroids for probably the next month or so, and I'm trying out a new inhaler. From what I've read, this could last weeks or months. Good lord above. I better not gain any weight from these steroids, or start growing facial hair and getting a deep voice. And, while many illnesses cause one to lose their appetite, and lose some weight, this one doesn't. Darn the luck.

However, whooping cough will not stop me from running San Antonio next month. No way. I honestly feel just fine everywhere else except my chest and my throat which is sore from coughing. In other words, it sounds a whole lot worse than it feels. It frustrating as hell though. Someone did point out to me that at least its not called hookem cough. Ha ha. Get it??

Good news is that I'm well beyond the contagious stage. Bad news is that I've still been advised to not visit my new neice or nephews, who just turned 2 on Wednesday, October 15th. HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY HAYDEN AND KOEN!!!! I'm greatly disappointed to miss their party tomorrow, but I hope they know that their Auntie Kiki loves them very, very much and that I'll make it up to them.

And speaking of my neice and nephews, here are a couple of adorable pics:


And speaking of adorable, my Goddaughter Emily had her first middle school dance, and here is a picture of her and her friends. She is the one on the left. I am in awe of what a wonderful and beautiful young lady she has become! I remember so vividly holding her in my arms when she was like 4 days old. They really do grow up so fast.


Running update: Well, not much of that has been going on. I did not run with my training group last weekend, but I got in a 45 minute run on Monday, and a 50 minute run on Tuesday. They were a struggle for reasons mentioned above. I have never huffed and puffed so hard after a short easy run. Just such a hard time catching my breath and taking deep breaths. The 'roids should help with this. We'll see. I've also thrown in a few workouts on the elliptical, just to try to stay in some sort of shape. Like I said, this is not an illness that takes away your appetite.

Aggie football: I'm just patiently waiting for the end of the season. Unfortunately, its going to be a torturous road there. Its almost laughable now. I don't even want to think about what Tech might do to us tomorrow. So scared. I want my mommy!

Property tax appeal: So, on Wednesday, I had my formal hearing for my property tax protest. If you are ever looking for a great spot to people watch, the HCAD office is the place for you! I enjoyed my 2 hours in the waiting room, just watching people, and watching them try to nonchalantly get away from me when I started coughing. When I was finally called for my hearing, I was taken to a room where the 3-person review board and an appraiser were waiting. All were older gentlemen. Score! I thought I would easily charm my way through this! Well, not so much. They were pretty tough, but I did manage to get my property valued at a little less than what I paid for it in March, and overall knocked off about $27k from HCAD's first value, which I promptly protested, then turned down their second offer, hence ending up in the hearing. All in all, I'm glad I protested, but the amount of time, work and research I put into determining what I thought my property was worth was pretty unnecessary. Those guys already have their minds made up before you even get into the room.

More pics of Sorennah...

Just received these from my brother and sister in law:



Sorennah Caroline was born on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 3:05pm. She weighed 7lb 8oz and was 18.5”.

I won't get to meet Sorennah for several weeks. My doctor has instructed me to stay away from her and my nephews as I may be contagious with whatever has invaded my lungs. I wish I could say I feel a ton better, but I don't really. I thought my cough was getting better, but not so much. Still waiting on blood work results. Bronchitis or whooping cough seem to be the key suspects. I'm very sad that I can't see my niece. It breaks my heart.

No picture of the day or anything humorous. Sorry. Just not feeling funny...

Welcome to the world, Sorennah Caroline!

My beautiful niece, Sorennah Caroline was born on Saturday, October 4. Mom, dad, and twin brothers are all doing fine, though the boys were apparently surprised that their new sister actually makes noise and is real. I am honored beyond words, and rendered speechless, that my brother and sister in law gave Sorennah the middle name Caroline in honor of me, just a slight deviation of Carolyn. They let me be the first to know her name, and I still get choked up thinking about it, and I think I always will. They have no idea how special this is to me. I am heading to Dallas this weekend to see the happy family, meet Sorennah, and play with my nephews...their worlds have just changed dramatically. By the way, they can apparently say my auntie name "Kiki." I can't wait to hear this, it will melt my heart, as most everything they do does. Here is the first pic I have received of my precious niece:


Other news: My bout with allergies turned into a nasty struggle with a lung infection. Whooping cough was thrown around, but I don't think that's what I have. Regardless, I was put on bed rest Wednesday afternoon and have basically been horizontal since then. And, my cough was so severe and "dry" it was making my vocal cords raw, so I was told not to talk for this time as well. My meds include yummy juiced up cough medicine, steriods, two weeks worth of antibiotics, and an inhaler. Everything seems to be working because I am feeling a lot better and plan to get back to work tomorrow. I'm pretty sure that if I was infectious, that period is gone now. I hope so, since I am visiting my new niece on Saturday. I might have to do the Michael Jackson face mask just to be on the safe side. That will make for some great pictures...

Running update: Yes, call me crazy, idiotic, dumb, stupid, but I couldn't take 48+ hours of bed rest and no talking any longer and I got up Saturday morning to attempt my run. I told myself I'd run just a little while until my lungs hurt or I started having trouble breathing. Unbelievably, neither happened, and I finished my 18 mile run strong and feeling good. I started off a bit slow to be on the safe side, but finished with several miles sub-9 minutes. I think my overall pace was around 9:08 average. Not too shabby for lungs full of crud. I'm happy.

More pics of Sorennah soon!