Yay for 2023 and for the first edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  Let’s get started, shall we?

I am excited about this year.  I have a new word for 2023.  I will be traveling to NYC and Washington, DC for two races.  Once I have more information about another summer school program, I will make plans to travel to Mexico.  Finally, a project that I listed in DonorsChoose got funded at the end of December.  

There is more to tell.  So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am a bit sad that today is my last day of Winter Break.  I enjoyed it.  I wrote a post of things I was looking forward to and I did all but 1 (to write a few blog posts).  However, Kim and I finalized our topics for Tuesday Topics and the Fit Five Friday team also put together a list of topics.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that even though I just mentioned I am sad about Winter Break being over, I am looking forward to getting back to my school routine.  A teeny tiny part of me also missed my 2nd graders.  We have a bunch of assessments to do in January so it will be a busy month for us.  I will have snacks and words of support and encouragement for them.  It is all about the food.  🤣

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I signed up for my third race this year – the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k.  You know it is one of my favorite races.  I took it as a sign to finally sign up when I received an email encouraging me to sign up for $45.  It was $5 less than the regular price but still that was my sign.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that my mom turns 80 this year and we are planning a BIG celebration for her in September.  She has a big family so it will be fun to have many family members together and celebrate.  It won’t be a surprise party since she was at the kitchen table when a few of us were talking about it.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I finished reading “Landslide” and “Come Fly the World”.  I liked the latter much more than the first one.  My next book is “Crying in H Mart”.  I love to read.  Like running, reading is my alone and me time.  It saddens me to see that many kids do not know how to read or don’t like to read. 

Topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 things that motivate you.  Feel free to write about this topic or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Wow, how is it already December?  And that 2022 is almost over?!?  Right now the countdown is for December 22nd, the last day of school before Winter Break.  It may be December but I feel like this school year is dragging.  This is only the 15th week of school.  How?  On a positive note, I’m starting off the weekend with a little catch-up over the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that during Thanksgiving Break I relaxed but also worked.  I was observed on Wednesday and I had to work on my portfolio.  Yeah, as much as I don’t like to procrastinate, I did drop the ball and had to get it done last week.  I had to review my lesson, answer some questions about it, and upload a bunch of artifacts.  I will be observed every 3 years so if I am planning to retire in 10-11 years, then I am looking at 3 or 4 more observations.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that last week I got both the shingles and covid vaccine and felt awful the next day.  I was very tired and had a fever.  I spent most of Wednesday in bed and on the sofa reading and watching TV.  I only got up to eat and go to the bathroom.  But I felt like a new woman on Thursday!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I got my free birthday cake/slice from Portillo’s.  I enjoyed it as a lunch meal when I was sick last week.  No shame.  Remember that one time I had mashed potatoes and wine for dinner?

Let me add that while Starbucks did gift me a free drink, I could have sworn that the expiration date was 11/21.  When I used the app to order the drink, the offer was no longer available.  I ended up using my stars for it.  I know I didn’t have to get the drink but I wanted it anyway.

If we were having coffee…
I’d ask you if you’ve watched the “Wednesday” series on Netflix.  I didn’t think I was going to like it but I did.  It is so good!  I loved it and cannot wait for season 2.  My favorite scene was the dance scene.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you after years of entering the lottery, I will finally get the chance to run the NYC Half Marathon!  I am happy and excited about it.  Two of my nephews live in NYC so I am looking forward to seeing them too.  Plus, I hope one of them will let me stay at their place. 

Now I need to start running again and train for it.  I have no finish time goal.  I just want to finish so I will be using Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 training plan.  Soon I will be looking into flights but the “only” bad thing is that I have parent/teacher conferences on the 20th.  The question now is do I come back Sunday night or Monday morning?  I don’t have to be at work till 11:30am.

Thanks for linking up with us again this week!  We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites!  Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday!  Please add your link below.  I am also linking up with Running with Perseverance and Confessions of a Mother Runner for the Ultimate Coffee Date.