Bremerton

On Saturday, I went over to Bremerton with my friend Leisha. It was great. Perfect weather, and we also stopped by this lavender garden.

My favorite view of downtown Seattle, best captured from the water or from West Seattle

Lavender garden = bee's paradise

The water view from the garden

Fountain in the garden

Flowers in the garden

Me and Lee Lee

Lavender

Sea of lavender

Picking my bouquet. I am a very slow picker!

Bucket List

I was able to remove one thing off of my bucket list!

Bucket List

Updated Bucket List:

Places to Go:
Egypt
Israel
Portugal
Morocco
Turkey (Technically I have been to there but a very short time period)

Things to Do:
Go horseback riding
Write a Book (I need to start/finish the second anthology)
Take a photography class
Go on a helicopter ride

Go on a hot air balloonride

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Before I began my health journey, doing a half marathon was on my bucket list.

As you know, I did the Seattle Half Marathon in November. On Saturday, I did the Rock and Roll Half Marathon with Des, Kenna, and Janice. If anyone had told me I would do two half marathons in seven months, I probably would have laughed. But here we are, and it feels good!

It’s just such a great feeling to cross the finish line. It’s a sense of accomplishment. As you move from the one mile marker, to two, and so on. There’s a point where you realize you are more than half way done. Then you are like two more miles, then one more mile. Then you see the finish line and get that last-minute adrenal rush. Not sure what the next one will be, but here’s to the next!

With Des and Kenna before the race

With Kenna, Janice, and Des before the race

With Janice and Des near the starting line

With Kenna during the race

Rock and Roll Half Marathon Finishers!

Westminster Abbey

The weekend of May 29, Romanita, Toyia, and I went on a retreat to Westminster Abbey in Mission BC. It was a much needed getaway and so absolutely peaceful.

In this season, I feel like I am waiting for time to let me out of things. I am not one to wish time away, but I would love to fast forward. Meanwhile, I need to figure out a way to silence my inner voice and find peace in things that are not so certain. And to find peace in things I can’t change. The only thing I can control is my reaction.

Life will always come up against us. There will always be something, whether small or large. I need to learn to keep my peace despite of. There is nothing in this world that should move me, and I have been letting small things get to me.

It’s tempting to want to retreat into a monastic life but the conflict in me goes with me wherever I go. That just needs to be dealt with. But it was nice to be cut off from the world with no reception. No email. No Facebook updates. Time to write. Eating simple meals. Some of which I could do when here if I wanted.

I just need to focus and get things done.

Viewpoint from one of the paths

The Abbey

Mary's Lake

One of the local homes was open as a garden

Students baling hay. It smelled so fresh

The Archangel Gabriel. One of the priest did this and other people from the Bible. He's 91 now.

The altar. The crucifixion was also done by the priest who is now 91.

Stain Glass windows. I especially loved the yellow, orange and red ones

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

I used to be so good at creating photo albums from my trips. Now, not so much. I am three big trips behind (Croatia/ Slovenia/ Italy, Germany/ Switzerland/ Austria, and Poland/ Hungary/ Austria/ Slovakia/ Czech Republic).

The good news is that I finally uploaded my trip to Croatia/Slovenia/Italy into Shutterfly. Baby steps. I also added my this is forty birthday trip from May 2014 and my weekend trip to the Abbey from a few weeks ago, which I need to write about!

https://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Password is: italia

xoxo

Spirit and Wellness Story

Here is a newsletter article I revamped to submit as a Spirit and Wellness story for my job.

Many people begin the year by making resolutions on changes they want to implement in their lives. At the beginning of 2014, my 40th birthday was looming before me. I began asking myself questions in all the areas of my life. I would have 40 years under my belt, and I had to really think about how I wanted the next 40 years to look.

One area I knew I had room to improve in was the area of health. Yes; I did a lot of walking. Yes; I ate relatively healthy. I rated my health as good, but the big question I asked myself was how the 80-year-old me was going to look back and think about the health choices the 40-year-old me made.

I have a family history of high blood pressure and diabetes. I know that part of that is diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight. Still, knowing my family history, I knew I had to make changes now to get and stay healthy and fit, especially as I age.

So I began a fitness journey in January 2014. One of the biggest things for me was making sure I started a regimen I could maintain easily. I did not want to do a drastic lose 20 pounds in one month approach because I knew that I would probably not sustain the behavior I did to lose the weight.

I began working with a personal trainer Brenda Conner twice a week. She has been a tremendous and steady support. Brenda trains at both the airport and P69. Yes; it was an extra expense, but I needed to invest in my future. I also try to walk 60 minutes every week day. This seems like a lot, but I able to fit it in, especially if I walk during lunch. 

I have also set new fitness goals. For example, in November 2014, I walked my first half marathon. I felt extremely proud when I finished! I did the St. Patrick’s Day Dash 5K in March, and I will walk the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in June. I am not a runner, but walking is something I can do quite easily. 

I bring fruits and vegetables to work to snack on during the day. By the time I get home, I have had at least five servings. I have been trying to “eat” my calories, so I try to only drink water. At dinner, if I am still hungry, I try to have more salad. I have not cut anything out of my diet. I just try to be more mindful of portions. If I want something, I eat it. If I go overboard, I try to add in more steps that day. 

The results? It’s been over a year, and I have dropped some pounds. I sleep better, my mood is better, and must important, I feel better. 

I want to thank Manette and the Spirit and Wellness team for their encouragement and  bringing the need to take care of our health to the forefront. From taking classes to having a coach, the program has offered great tools that I have been able to use during my journey.

Where is LTB?

I have been so lax in posting!

I will have a few articles to post once the next issue of the Scroll comes out in July.

I haven't been busy just preoccupied.

Here's to doing better!