My big cast iron balls

If anyone is looking for a new way to sweat a lot and build up some of that muscle that is hiding beneath the skin somewhere I recommend kettlebells. Yes those are my 18 and 25 pound babies you see in the picture to the right.

Today I started my new Thursday workout routine (don't run on Tue and Thu) and decided to dedicate it fully to my big cast iron balls! I always do 15 min after running, but love muscle so decided to incorporate more, and its so much fun!

I would never had believed it either, my husband was (is) the god of kettlebell but I never thought that I would get into it. Swinging a heavy cast iron ball around didn't look like a good time too me... But once I found a good workout (started with Lauren Brooks and still love it, cant wait for the new DVD!) I was so hooked. Its like the ultimate core exercise.

I am not going to lie, it is probably one of the hardest work outs you've had in your life and it is easy to get injured if not applying proper technique. But it is so worth it and you will walk around feeling like a total bad ass all day!

Knowledge is a windmill on speed

Rainy and windy day here in Rota. The weather was helpful and I actually had a really productive day inside today! Have finally got some of the books for this semester, so I am playing catch up and pretending to be a super wind powered studying mechanism!

Have one question though, what is up with these people who write the textbooks for university? Do they have something to prove or whatever reason do they have not to use "normal" language in writing? I catch myself all the time after reading a paragraph and then realising I didn't understand what I just read so I have to reread it one (or more) times! So frustrating, forget the academic gibberish and just say it out straight!

Catching up like a windmill on speed though! Although I really only understand half of what I read, I find it very interesting. The first couple books were on feminist and gender based theology, which does not rock my boat. But the one I am working on now focuses more on systematic christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly and rational account of the Christian faith and beliefs.
The guys at the faculty has us answering the question; what is theology's most important aspect... Easy right...

Time to sleep and dream of the valentine weekend I am planning... Will tell more when its all booked.
Hope the weather clears a bit tomorrow, seriously need a good run!

Where did my ladybugs go?

Last week I was so pumped and ready to go with everything I have going on in my life. This week, yeah, not so much. This week I just want to be lazy and not have to do anything of the things that I am supposed to be doing.
My husband tells me that life is not just fun fun fun all the time, reality comes and bites you in the ass once in awhile... Ugh, I hate when he is right.

If I could have it my way I would just like to hide from the world for a few days. Creep under some magical protective blanket that would keep me safe and warm and very well hidden.
I will get over this soon enough though, I always do.
Life goes on and before you know it I will have ladybugs crawling all over me (under the Tuscan sun reference) and I will be smiling again.
Here little ladybugs, come on, you can do it, here here little ladybugs just come on crawling to me...

Hmmpft... perhaps I shouldn't try so hard.

Humbug

Due to once a month hormonal reasons I am not writing today, believe me, it is for the best.
So instead, here comes some flash fiction I wrote for my creative writing class last semester. Suits my grumpy mood. Enjoy!
(The photo is the spookiest I had, from Aracena in Huelva)

Here is to the future...

It was soon the beginning of a new year and the time was ripe for a new start, time for Shannon’s life to become whatever she wanted it to be. And there was only one way that this would happen, she had to kill her best friend. She had thought about this for a few months now and that was the only decision that made any sense whatsoever. Everything, after all, was Erica’s fault, Shannon’s whole fucked-up life was her fault. Erica was always bossing her around and giving Shannon false promises that one day she would actually be there for her, but obviously this was a one way street. It was driving Shannon nuts and all she could feel was hate and anger and she just couldn’t stand it anymore.

On the eve of the new year Shannon had convinced Erica, after a lot of begging and making it seem like she was doing her this huge favor, to come with her on a brisk walk through the woods. It would be refreshing after the big feast Shannon had prepared and that Erica had greedily wolfed down without a single word of thanks. The winning argument was that they would feel less bloated at the party they were going to later and Shannon knew that a sexy start of the new year was very important for Erica.

“Oh my god I’m going to get so hammered later, 2010 is going to start with a massive hang over that’s one thing that I know for sure!” Erica said looking pleased with her plan for the night. “I’m already feeling totally woozy form that champagne we had with dinner.”

“Yeah I think you managed to drink the whole bottle yourself”

“Well how could I not? The food you cooked was so damn salty,” she said and laughed. An instant rush of rage and pain filled Shannon. It was always like this, she could not please Erica, it didn’t matter how hard she tried.

As they stumbled through the woods the pain and anger inside Shannon was replaced by a sneer on her face and butterflies of anticipation in her stomach. It was nearly time, the drugs she had put into the champagne seemed to be already working their magic. This was going to be the best year ever.

“Shannon, enough of this damn refreshing walk nonsense, what a stupid idea it was anyway, I need to go home and get ready already.” Erica said stubbornly, stopped abruptly and at once spun around. The sudden turn did not agree with her body and she stumbled to the ground.

“Ouch! Shit I think I twisted my foot!” Erica grimaced from the pain. Shannon pouted her lips and stood there, looking down at Erica with false pity. “Stop staring you damn fool, do something!” Shannon nodded her head and the pout turned into a smile. “Oh my god, I’m not feeling too good, Shannon I think I’m gonna pass out” and that is exactly what Erica did.

Shannon dragged the body of her best friend further into the woods and pushed it so it tumbled down a steep slope. She watched and giggled as Erica’s body would crush into tree stubs and rocks on the way down. Carefully Shannon made her way down the slope, slipping a few times herself. She had been here the day before, digging the grave, and luckily the body landed pretty darn close to it.

“And now just to make sure” she said to herself and pulled up the axe she had stored in the grave. Closing her eyes she swung the axe down a few times feeling it breaking through flesh and bone. Still not looking at the body, since blood always made her feel squeamish, she kicked the messy corpse down into the grave and threw the blood-spattered axe down after it. After covering up the hole she took great pleasure in the sensation of the huge weight that was just lifted from her shoulders, took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. Finally she was free. Shannon hurried up the slope, in urgency now to fully enjoy the New Year’s party. Close to the top she sprinted the last bit but lost her footing, sliding down the slope still with a smile on her face it all of a sudden went dark for Shannon.

She awoke to a sky full of multicolored magical fireworks. Paralyzed, mute and filled with panic she thought about her fresh start. Shannon thought about her new beginning and started to weep, lying there motionless on top of the newly filled grave.

Having it all

I am one of those gals who usually thinks that being alone is wonderful, I enjoy and need my own time and I am not at all scared of being alone.
But let me tell you, friends totally rock. They give me such a sense of accomplishment by just hanging out with them. And after yesterday I feel very accomplished!

Yesterday was one of them Saturdays where my husband and I have nothing really planned out and would be happy just staying home all day. But then something happens, and it usually does when I don't have to do anything, that turns everything into an adventure just because everything I am doing is because i want to do it. Is there any better feeling?

The day started at El Paseo (Puerto de la santa Maria) mall for some shopping and washing the car, one of my favorite stores were having a sale and I end up buying this gorgeous leopard print skirt. Or what I thought was a skirt... When I came home and model it for my husband it turns out that something looks a bit wrong. And, oh what is this? Pockets on the bottom... Turns out the "skirt" is a one piece short and top, very ghetto indeed... So (as you can see in the pic) I cut the bottom part of and turn it into a top... Got many compliments actually, hahaha!

Later on we met up with Sara and six other swedes at Juan's grill for dinner. Wow, is that some good food! The best meat I have had in Spain so far, there are no words to explain it so go out and try it yourself! Order the sausage (also in the pic) or the steak, yummy!

After this mind blowing meal with awesome company, Andre and I met our other friends Rosa and Steven for some bar hopping and pool playing. We end this fabulous night hanging out with Tori in my favorite pub O'Grady's and having deep conversations about religion till three in the morning!

Just feeling very thankful to have that Saturday to look back on whenever I get my rare dose of loneliness or feeling sorry for myself. There are so many experiences and people out there and I just happened upon some of the best. Everything without expectations just rocks so much more.

Running wild!

Oh what a fantastic run I had today! You other runners out there know what I am talking about, one of those runs where your mind clears, your breathing is easy. A perfect breeze to cool you but the sun to make it all sparkle!

And no dogs! Yes, I have, like many fellow hikers, runners and bikers, been pestered by this aggressive dog. Rota is really dog crazy too, it is like every citizen of this little town has at least two of them and they prefer the tiny annoying ones... Anyway last week he just did not want to leave me alone, I change my route and there he still was, barking and going insane. But this week has been totally dog free, ah sweet luxury!

The photos show my route (and what I look at everyday from my balcony) running, can not complain right?!
Of course I wake up just about everyday not wanting to go out there, it is just so much easier to be lazy! But I try to fool my mind, just tell it; you only have to go out there and walk, that's all... But once I am out there the spring in my step just comes naturally and I start running! Afterwards I always feel like a rock star.

Today it was not hard to convince myself thou, it is such a pretty spring day and I have been so sad after the news of my grandfather. I knew there would be no better medicine to cheer me up!

Well, have to go prepare tonight's masterpiece dinner; Marinated and then blackened tuna steaks with a fresh barley salad with a raspberry vinaigrette. Yeah, I am a wicked cook...

Memories...

My grandfather died today. He is now resting in peace and that gives me comfort.
His death made me think of all the times he made me smile, and the love he gave, sometimes even without knowing it.
Time does not have a price, what we choose to do with it and who we choose to spend it with is of such importance. Give your time to the people you love, that will be your greatest gift.