3.11.12

Sunday: We have been going regularly to the Oregon Buddhist Temple since June 2011 for service and Dharma School, but since the holidays and Blake recently being on-call (consistently having appointments from 11-1) on Sundays, we just don't have a day together to relax. We would probably stop going altogether but Mayan has also joined the temple's Girl Scout group (which is good for her) so we try to go every other week so she can still go to scout meetings.

Usually, Blake will leave after the service (which is 10-11) while the kids go to Dharma School and I hang out with the Sangha (the temple members.) Going as a group is stressful for us, though. They are really tolerant of children ("little Buddhas"!) but its hard to focus when George is crawling under the benches and yammering during the long chants or the silent reflection.

This is why, this morning, it was easy to convince Blake to take Mayan only while I stayed behind and snuggled in bed with Geo and Izzy (we watched a cute Disney animated film called Teacher's Pet.) Good thing Mayan did go because the students were practicing for a play in honor of Buddha's birthday on April 8th...she gets to be a Muppet! Should be pretty cute. (I'll definitely post about that!)

My big accomplishments for the day were starting this blog, and going on a long run in preparation for my race next weekend. The Shamrock Run was my first ever race last year; doing it this year makes it an official tradition! Last year I did a 5K (3.1 miles) and this time I'm doing the 8K (4.9 miles.) If 10K was an option I'd have signed up for that because I have once before (Run Like Hell in October.) I'm not complaining, though, since I have not been running as much as usual and 6.2 miles would have been a stretch.

I actually like running when the weather is crappy; it keeps me cool. While it has been sunny and mid-60's most of the week, things got back to "normal" for the weekend (ie rainy and cool.) I even got hailed on around mile 3. I listened to a podcast of This American Life while I ran, which kept me thoroughly entertained.

While I did this, Blake took our moody brood to the park nearby.



Since we made some extra cash today and ate really healthily this week, we decided to get burgers and fries from a great place nearby called Foster Burger. It was our first time and even though we got there before 6pm we still had to wait for a table. Lots of families in a loud, fun environment--colorful concert posters covering the walls, gravy fries, and they serve gluten-free buns. We have been more relaxed about the kids eating foods they are sensitive too after our elimination diet in January, so Mayan was really stoked to eat fries (with black squid ink aioli...which she thought was so cool b/c it was black!) Hopefully, she doesn't have any annoying side-effects.

Blake and I both got the Kiwi Burger (lamb, fried egg, pickled beets) with a gluten-free bun...it was really good but we don't eat very many grains at all (maybe a few times a week) and not anything bread-y in over two months. We were both so bloated, we compared our "pregnant" tummies all evening. Maybe bun-less next time...

Coming up this week:

Blake has his interview for the Phlebotomy program on the 14th!! Think good thoughts!
I leave for L.A. to spend a few days with my sister next Sunday! Woot!


XO
L