MIA: No Excuses

I apologize for not updating the ole blog recently. I have no excuses really I just need to set aside some time. I will do my best to catch you guys up.

My last good friend has left the area. We were really good about having dinner every week together and of course over a good beer or fabulous wine. It was hard telling her good bye but in her words "its not goodbye rather a see you later." I am excited about the new adventure in her life in NYC and wish her the best.

Miss you already

Next, I tried something different courtesy of Blank Canvas blog which said to try something new because I have the opportunity too (check May 2011 post). I went to the Paul Mitchell School to get a hair cut. Now to some, this may seem trivial but to me my hair is literally an extension of me and I take care and pride in it most of the time. Usually I shell out between 80 to 100 bucks on a good haircut this including a tip and this next I decided to branch out and try a student for a change. It took a little longer (2 and 1/2 hours) than I would have liked but it turned out nicely. Thanks Marco for the trim. I do believe I will be returning to my normal chica Rachelle for a fresh new look in the future.


Pulling your on humanitarian strings for a minute, I got a call from NIH Blood Bank about giving a blood. You should you know that I usually faint when I get a shot so this was no easy task for me. I made my way over to Bethesda and down the many halls to the Blood Bank and it was like a party in there. They had music playing in the background and not the elevator music I mean disco ball dancing music. I was greeted by a nurse named Denise who treated me like a rockstar. She made my experience extremely pleasant so much so that I have decided to go back in 56 days. I want to urge you all to go out and give a pint of the good stuff to your  local Red Cross or hospital as they are in desperate need of blood as only humans can give sorry zombies and vampires maybe in the future. Mister did take me out to a nice dinner afterwards to which I was very thankful for.

myself, Cathy and Pat (2/3 of Team Graves)

Saturday morning was greeted extremely at 5:30 to get up for quick run in Reston. We ran 7 miles (I ran 6 miles) down the WO&D trail. It was so nice to have Jenn Z back on the team and Mike C. out at the water stop. I am truly thankful for the wonderful people I have met through TNT. Jenn Z was my mentor my first season and I met Mike during my first season as well. We even had a few birthdays to celebrate so I made mini cupcakes to celebrate the occasion. Happy Birthday to Geet, Jasti and Karen, who's turning the big 5-0!

Jenn Z., Cathy, Pat and myself