California Update

Saturday
I was really excited for my massage, but I should know better than to think someone I randomly found online might compare to Cynthia. It was a relaxing massage, but she had the whole "we're going to get after it and make it hurt" mentality, and I was on the verge of falling asleep. My dad got me 90 minutes of shiatsu massage for Christmas, so I might try that out and do 45 minutes this week and (if it's good) 45 minutes before my marathon.

Saturday night was a lot of fun. We planned a reunion for the Industry Hills swimmers. The turnout was pretty low, but I got to hangout with Amanda and Lyndsay and they were the ones I really wanted to see. It's cool how with some friends you can just pick up where you left off even though you haven't seen them in ages. We met up at BJ's in West Covina. It was crazy there since the Cowboys game was on TV, but we eventually got a table in the bar once the game ended.

Sunday
I didn't sleep very well on Saturday night, but I got up on Sunday morning and went to the gym. I did 40 minutes on the stationary bike (which was upright rather than recumbent, and I liked that) and 20 minutes of weights. I'm not supposed to lift weights because of my heart but it's so hard to find stuff to do that doesn't involve my shin. Plus I want toned wedding dress arms, so I have been trying to do some light weights and body weight exercises (push-ups, pillars, etc.).

After I worked out, my mom and I headed to Amy's Patio Cafe in Altadena. It is this really cute restaurant with only 10 tables. I got a really good Eggbeater omelette with goat cheese, fresh spinach, and sundried tomatoes. After lunch we headed to Alfred Angelo to look at dresses. I'm so glad I didn't go with anything I tried on at David's Bridal. I went a little fancier, and the dresses looked so much better. I felt such much more confident, so that made me happy. I found two strapless dresses that I love. One is floor-length with some beading, and the other has a fairly long train, a corset in the back, and the beading is just around the upper part of the stress. The sales ladies liked the second one better, and most of my friends like the first one better. So I am still undecided. I'm going back on Tuesday with my mom and Esther to make a decision and maybe buy a veil (I wasn't planning on the veil either, but I kind of liked it).

My mom had to work last night, so my dad, brother, and I went to Outback for dinner. I have been trying to make better food choices so I can start 2009 at a pretty good weight and then drop the remaining pounds for the wedding. I ordered a 7 oz filet with no butter, a side salad with lowfat tomato dressing, and steamed veggies. It was super good, and much healthier than the blue cheese dressing and loaded baked potato that I normally order. It was nice to catch up with my dad and brother, and somehow we ended up talking about fraud, segregation of duties, and internal controls (and I'm the only accountant... so very random conversation).

Last night my brother and I visited my friend Jason and his partner Kent at their apartment in Hollywood. I hadn't seen Jason in ages, and I miss swimming with him and acting like a 10 year-old (or maybe just a dirty 27 year-old?). I finally got to meet Kent, and he seems like a great guy and I am very happy for Jason. After we visited for awhile, my brother and I went out to a few places in Hollywood. My brother had to work the next day, so I was a good sister and reminded him at 1:00 that it was our bedtime.

Today
I'm planning on some R&R. My mom is recovering from her night shift, and I plan on getting some studying done today and heading to the gym. Esther (my grandma) gets in tomorrow from Las Vegas, and she'll be here through the 28th (when we both leave). I am still waiting on my presents (for my parents and brother) to arrive, and I am starting to get a little nervous!