You know I have to say it: I can't believe it's almost May! May is one of my favorite months of the year; It is Spring time, the flowers are blooming, the weather is great and it's my birthday month. You can't ask for much more than that. However, April is good too! This year has differed a lot from last year in the fact that I have been in one place for an entire month! Usually I move around a lot, be it for work or for fun. So, here is April's monthly comparison of the Who, What and Where of 2011 vs 2012!
Train Like a Mother by Dimity McDowell & Sarah Bowen Shea (review here): This was an easy to read training book for runners, both beginners or advanced. It was filled with funny stories and antidotes from runners polled.
Ape House by Sarah Gruen: This was an interesting story about Bononbos (similar to chimps) who can communicate with humans through sign language. The two main characters are a newspaper reporter and the woman who taught the bonobos to speak. Their paths cross in a story that is amusing, enlightening and fun.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory: I read these out of order. Apparently this was number two. However, for my first Gregory, I liked it. I have heard great things about her, and they were no lie. I can't wait to read more of her books. This one was about the sister of Anne Boleyn, during the reign of Henry VIII. It was a great way for me to learn more about that time period while still engaging me in an interesting story.
You can see the others I've read here.
Cherry Blossom 10 Mile
Jelly Bean 5k
Jelly Bean 10k
Grizzly Peak Trail Half
You can keep up with my training here and racing here.
The verdict? Last year I ate out (and ate a lot of crap); This year I am eating much more healthy and having fun experimenting with some new recipes! I did more hiking last year, but more running this year! I'm exploring things on the local level this year and am loving it! And even though I only read a couple of books last month, I made up for it this month and am still on track for my 52 book reading goal!
How has your April gone this year? How did it differ from last year?
The Who:
2011: Animals!
2012: The Parentals, My Other Mother, Little A, The Cat
The What:
Books:
2011: 4 / 2012: 6
Train Like a Mother by Dimity McDowell & Sarah Bowen Shea (review here): This was an easy to read training book for runners, both beginners or advanced. It was filled with funny stories and antidotes from runners polled.
Ape House by Sarah Gruen: This was an interesting story about Bononbos (similar to chimps) who can communicate with humans through sign language. The two main characters are a newspaper reporter and the woman who taught the bonobos to speak. Their paths cross in a story that is amusing, enlightening and fun.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory: I read these out of order. Apparently this was number two. However, for my first Gregory, I liked it. I have heard great things about her, and they were no lie. I can't wait to read more of her books. This one was about the sister of Anne Boleyn, during the reign of Henry VIII. It was a great way for me to learn more about that time period while still engaging me in an interesting story.
You can see the others I've read here.
Running miles:
2011: 0 / 2012: 113
Races:
2011: 0 / 2012:4
Cherry Blossom 10 Mile
Jelly Bean 5k
Jelly Bean 10k
Grizzly Peak Trail Half
You can keep up with my training here and racing here.
Hiking:
2011: in NZ
2012: in Oakland
Food:
2011: On the road
(pies , kimchi and street meat)
2012: At Home
The Where:
2011: New Zealand, South Korea
2012: Washington DC, The Bay Area, Table Mountain
The verdict? Last year I ate out (and ate a lot of crap); This year I am eating much more healthy and having fun experimenting with some new recipes! I did more hiking last year, but more running this year! I'm exploring things on the local level this year and am loving it! And even though I only read a couple of books last month, I made up for it this month and am still on track for my 52 book reading goal!
How has your April gone this year? How did it differ from last year?
Eating out a lot is really difficult for me. I get so tired of it easily. But, at the same time, if I was doing all that travelling, I'd want to take advantage of exploring places through food as well! :)
ReplyDeleteMy April this year has gone well. Studying is going well and I've been getting some good runs in! Last year I studied for and passed the series 7 exam - and was so stressed by that whole experience, on top of CFA studying. I went on some dates with a friend of a friend who was here for work for a couple of weeks. And I didn't run much! This April, I studied a ton, ran a decent amount, and had zero dates. ;)
ReplyDeleteI vividly remember when you were in New Zealand last year. I just LOVED New Zealand. I spent a week on the south island when I was studying abroad 10 years ago!
That photo of Table Mountain is GORGEOUS! Is that close to you??
How fun to look back and compare the months!!! Last April I was hitting my prs and well on my way to 1500 miles! This year I am listening to my body and taking my time on runs!
ReplyDeleteNot Phillipa Gregory!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry. I can't stand historical fiction set in the time period that I specialize in.)
ReplyDeleteLast April I ran a half-marathon. This April I haven't run any races. Last April I visited Columbus, Ohio. This April I visited Toronto. Last April I was stressed about whether or not I had a job. This April I'm stressed about planning to move for my new job.
this month started tough for me-but since a holiday and a decision about work-it has been the best month in 2012.
ReplyDeleteYay I love May! It's my birth month too! When's your birthday?
ReplyDeleteI love these comparisons and May is one of my favorite months too- perfect weather!
ReplyDeleteYour running is looking great! SO cool that your went to New Zealand last year! I would love to go there someday:)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, very cool series! April 2012 is waaaaay better than April 2011. We were on winter lockdown with Gavin last year, since he was born prematurely and prone to the winter germs. April was the last month of that lockdown - the month where we began to transition him to the real world. It was exciting, but he still wasn't allowed in daycare and he was getting to be a handful for me at home (I was also working fulltime). We've been an active family in 2012 without the medical restraints of last year - way more fun!
ReplyDeleteYay for birthday month! Nice miles!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an awesome month!!!! Wow a 52 book reading goal for the year is awesome, I am trying for 12 and I am behind :( April was a good month for me but May is going to be even better!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the comparison is amazing :) and YAY b-day coming up! I love it
ReplyDelete