Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Music, Books, Miles, and Looks of April

Music:

 

This Isn't Everything You Are by Snow Patrol - I love when a group has such a distinct sound, you can hear a song on the radio and you instantly know it's by a certain band.  That's what happened with this song when I heard it on the radio a couple of weeks ago.  It's a heavier song, but I really like the phase "This Isn't Everything You Are" as I think it's our natural tendency to sort of link our identity or worth with something like a relationship, career, or something big you are working towards (like for me, the CFA).  So it's good to remember:  This Isn't Everything You Are.

Books:

Another big reading month.  77 hours of studying, 5 books finished.  

The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain - I checked this out after Kelly raved about it - and it was a great book.  It's about 2 friends who are dealing with the aftermath of their friend's suicide, and are trying to figure out what brought her to take her life.  It's obviously a heavy subject, but it's an intriguing, fast read.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah - This was the April book for our blogger book club.  It was pretty good.  I am not a big fan of Kristin Hannah's book, but I did like this one.  The main characters kind of annoyed me at certain points, though.  I think it's art to have flawed characters that don't annoy the reader, honestly.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak - I loved The Book Thief so decided to check out the other book by this author.  I think I would have liked it more had I not read The Book Thief first, as the bar was pretty high.  It was a good read with a good message, though.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks - I haven't read a Nicholas Sparks book in years, but requested this from the library after a friend told me it was a good read.  As usual, it was a fast, easy, sort of mindless read, which is what I needed...

Single State of the Union - This book is a collection of essays written by single women on topics such as  career advancement, child rearing, living alone, and traveling.  I can't say I agreed with the view of all the authors of the various essays, but there were quite a few where I found myself nodding my head in agreement. 

Miles:

This was another strong running month for me.  I finished off with 87 miles.  I increased my long runs up to 10 miles.  My goal is to be at 14 by the time the CFA is behind me, and I know I'll be ready for that kind of distance increase.  I feel good about the base I'll have going into marathon training.

I've also continued to bike - usually 1-2 x's a week on the stationary bike in my condo gym.  And the nice ride bikes are back out, so I bike to/from work, the grocery store, church, birthday parties, you name it!


Looks:


Oh look, another bathroom shot.  I really need to get a full length mirror...  Anywho, this is my favorite outfit of April.  The cardigan is new (another item I bought with my 50% off coupon at BR).  I love that color of pink, and it looks especially good with navy.  I think navy is the new black.

17 comments:

Gracie said...

I love navy, too. I think it works well with colors black may not.

Stephany said...

77 hours of studying? Holy moly!

I am planning on lots of mindless books for my upcoming cruise, ha, and The Lucky One is already on the list! The movie was pretty cute, so I expect the book to be good, too. :)

Marlys said...

I love the pink sweater! And the fact that you got it 50% off! My mind gets dizzy thinking about all that studying! I'm glad the end is in view! Running will be a good replacement for studying!

Nora said...

Love that color on you! I am a huge fan of adding some bright/spring colors to my wardrobe this spring (although it's not been very springlike!) and summer. Your hair is SO long! Looks great =)

Way to go on all the hours of studying + books + miles you ran. That's awesome :)

Unknown said...

That is a beautiful color and you wear it well!

Leigh said...

The only book that I've read out of your list is the The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. Kind of sad! But I am a sucker for a sappy book or movie :)

Amber said...

You had a big month of studying, reading and running!!!

I love that pink cardigan on you! And your hair looks so gorgeous after you hot roll it too!

missris said...

I'm currently adding all of these books to my "to read" list! :) Thanks for the suggestions.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I haven't read any of those books. I do have Winter Garden ready at the library; I just have to go and pick it up. I know I am late on the book club front, but wanted to read it anyway.

Love the pink sweater! It is so Springlike! I love the classic navy and white with a pop of color!

I still can't believe how much you studied PLUS got other things done! You only have one more month though! Phew. I think you need a June mini-reward when you are done!

Raquelita said...

I am so impressed with your mileage this month, especially since you logged 77 hours of studying for the CFA! You are a beast! (But a very cute one in that pink cardigan!)

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I loved your outfit! I'm glad that you liked Midwife's Confession- I think I am going to read the Lucky One soon because I need a good mindless read!

Amber @ A little pink in the cornfields said...

You are such an inspiration! I don't even want to know the number of hours of studying I have done, and I am not organized enough to even figure it out!

What I have been keeping track of is miles though and I cannot wait to add those up soon! :)

Cherry Blossoms said...

That is a really good picture of you and way to go with getting all of your runs in on top of the endless hrs of studying! I really should be studying myself for my licensure test but instead here I am reading blogs.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE that Snow Patrol song! I can't believe you studied for 77 hours AND read 5 books. You're so well organized it makes me feel like a mess. Ha :) Good job!

Abby said...

I'm amazed with all that you do! The heavy studying hours, working, and all those miles for running!

I bet you're getting excited to train! I miss running!! I haven't done so outdoors in about 2 weeks. This is the little spurt of the year where my allergies are freaky bad + it's super hot outside! Right now it 80 degrees and it's 7 am.

So I turn to the "dredmill" when I feel like pounding out a few miles. Otherwise, I'm just doing weight training & boxing.

Love you in the pink cardigan! You hair look beautiful, by the way!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

I LOVED the Midwife's Confession. First book I've read so fast in a while (granted, I don't read much, but still).

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I LOVE navy. I think it looks better on me than black does.