Training...

Training for what you might ask?

The El Paso Spira 1/2 Marathon and yes my first running race EVER! My Husband is and has always been a runner and since the day we met has been getting me into running. He did a great job of it when we lived in Columbia, SC but getting back into it here in El Paso, TX has been challenging to say the least.

I have always enjoyed taking part in such things as Breast Cancer Walks and Walks that help raise awareness. A dear friend of the family has been going through a very hard time dealing with and overcoming  Breast Cancer. In October I found out information for the El Paso Breast Cancer Walk and got a team together and we walked as did my Mom in Columbia in honor of Deneen. My Amazing Mother found out about the only Breast Cancer Marathon, it's in Jacksonville, FL. That will be happening on Sunday, February 21st and she has taken on the challenge herself to run her first ever Marathon as. She has definitely inspired me to set a goal such as running a 1/2 marathon and going for it. The one that I will be taking part in with the support of my Husband running by my side is sponsored by Michelob Ultra on March 7th. I am doing it for me and for my Birthday! There are a few people in my life also taking on such challenges, it is great to push yourself (and eachother) to try new things!

My upcoming run/walks:

1. February 21st Race for the Cure 5k

2. March 7th El Paso 1/2 Marathon

3. April 30th Relay for Life

I challenge all of my followers to find something in your area to participate in that you have never done before! You will be surprised at the number of walks/runs that happen all around you each weekend. It is also a great way to find out more about yourself and the things you enjoy outside of your norm.

Visit with Mom

My Mom finally came to see where we live in El Paso, Texas on January 29th -February 1st....I mean we have only be living here for 6 months now :) I wish the whole family could have come but I will take what I can get! We tried to do and see everything in just 2 1/2 days. I had so many places that I have told her about and wanted to take her to that when it was time and she was here I could not even think where to start. But I will give you a rundown of the trip: Friday I left work early to pick her up at the airport and of course her flight was the only one behind schedule due to the weather(snow), but I finally got her and we got home about the same time as my sweet husband you showed up with a bouquet of roses for me and flowers for my Mom as well. We let Fritz get showered and changed and we went to Carlos Y Mickey's for dinner....they have the Texas size (bigger than your head) Margarita's that are SO GOOD!

Saturday we got up and got ready to go for a hike in the mountains, it was kind of chilly when we left but not too bad. We climbing all the way up to snow and ice on the ground...but it did not stop us!

This hike only took us about an hour and half so we decided we would go to the Mckelligon Canyon to walk and run. It is about 5 miles round trip but the fist 2.5 is up hill. At the top, you are at 4,780 feet elevation so it is butt kicker for sure! I love going there because it is one the few places that has a start and end point. My Mom and I ran the whole way back just in case we did not burn enough calories on the way up :)

When we got home we were hungry and wore out, we needed some rest before we got going again to the Outlet Mall to SHOP.  Then we went out to dinner to another one of our favorite restaurants; BJ's. Mom loved it!

Sunday we went sightseeing around downtown El Paso. Places that I had not yet been to,  we ended up driving the wrong way down a one way street, thank goodness everything was closed and there was no traffic! We also went the National Cemetery, to my work then just my Mom and I went to do more shopping while waiting for my oil to be changed. When Fritz's parents were here at Christmas they were very generous and bought us our first complete bedroom set. We still needed to pick out a bedspread and all of that jazz, so my Mom and I went searching,  and found something that I loved and knew would not be too 'girly' for Fritz!

Thanks MOM :)

At the National Cemetery

Outside of my office

And our Master Bedroom almost complete!

I cannot wait for the next visit with my Mom and ANYONE else that would like to please come see me/us!!

Texas Tech School of Medicine

Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

TTU-HSC EL Paso

Finally! After a applying to Texas Tech School of Medicine for a job similar to what I did at USC SOM hearing back from them a month later, getting an interview in November (the week of Thanksgiving) and getting offered the job December 16th (the day I flew back to El Paso) I have finally started my NEW JOB on January 11, 2010. What a great way to start the New Year with a new job! Everything has been going great so far. I love the people that I work with and the job that I am doing. My title is Unit Coordinator but what I actully am doing is working in the Office of Curriculum, Evaluation and Accreditation as the 3rd and 4th year coordinator. Texas Tech was originally just a 3rd and 4th year medical school. This past year they were accredited to be a full 1-4 year medical school, so they created a new curriculum for the 1st and 2nd year students. So my job now is to help make the new curriculum for the 3rd and 4th year students to follow the 1st and 2nd year students, I will not have any students for another year. So at times things are slow but I am truly enjoying every bit of it.

Below is a little bit of history on our campus and a view from my office in the Medical Education Building looking over to the Health Science Center.

El Intercambio (The Interchange) is the central campus pedestrian  mall and public art centerpiece of the Paul L. Foster SOM located at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center campus in El Paso, TX. Hodges collaborated with artist Larry Kirkland in the design of the mall.

The central green space links research and academic facilities, providing a unique experience at the core of the new campus.

On either side of the mall large sunken gardens offer ample green space for frisbee, lounging outdoors and serve as stormwater detention ponds. Rainwater is directed from the buildings and parking lots into these areas where it ponds temporarily before infiltrating into the sandy soils of the Rio Grande valley. This project was selected for the "Award of Excellence" by Public Art Network - Year in Review 2009.

I am also right on the boarder of Mexico so from the kitchen 4 offices down the hall this is what I see....

A December to Remember!

I arrived in Columbia, SC on Friday November 27th just in time for a nice Thanksgiving dinner with my family :) I had a very fun and packed trip home. I was able to be home for the Carolina vs. Clemson game on Saturday so of course we made it a big event with the whole family and I got to see a good bit of friends that I had not seen in months. Below is a picture of my Sisters tailgating.

My Mom and I went to NY to surprise her BFF Donna for her 50th birthday! We had a blast and what was evern better was I got to spend 2 days in the car just My Mom and I and then lots of girls time while we were there. We were also able to visit family and attend a girls night Christmas Party and my cousin Katie's basketball game!

 

My other big reason for coming home to SC is for an awesome friends and ZTA sisters wedding! I was very excited to finally be able to be a part of her wedding, living in Texas made it hard/ not possiable to attend her bridal showers.

The Night before Courtney becomes MRS!

 

Bridal Brunch with Bridesmaids

Mr. & Mrs. Ganes and I

I was very lucky to also get to see my Grandma while I was home, she came from FL to spend Christmas with my Family 2 days before I left to go back to El Paso!

What's for Dinner?

What's for dinner? Probably the most common question asked in most homes. I have started to put together a collection of the dinners that I have made for my hard working and amazing husband. Being newly married, unemployed, lots of new gifts and all the time in the world I figured what better way to welcome my husband home each night. I have cooked much more than the amount of pictures that have been taken and posted but just wanted to share a few.

November

November was a very busy/crazy month, Fritz was sick and out of work for 2 weeks to start it off! Then he has to go out to the field for a week of training the week and they got back the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Our FRG wanted to do something for the guys the morning that they left and the night that they got home. I was at the troop at 2:30AM to serve hot breakfast burritos and it was about 23*!! I know it is dark but it was still the wee hours of the morning right after the buses left.

The night they came home we knew that it was going to be long day/night of turning in weapons, awards and getting everything cleared so we had Hot BBQ sandwiches’ for them while they were doing all of their stuff. Again this picture is dark but it was now late into the night after about 8 hours of being there!

So as many of you may or may not know but I have been trying to find a full-time job here in El Paso before I ever moved here and really had no luck. About 2 weeks after I got here I was out at the mall (I know big surprise :)) and decided to see if the Limited was hiring...and they were so I applied and got hired. I was very excited but that soon ended when every time I was scheduled to work I got called off! Well in the mean time I have still been looking and applying daily for jobs, going to the Army center for employment to help me and was getting NO where until November when I got a call from Texas Tech School of Medicine for an interview a week before Thanksgiving. The interview went great, but it was a little intimidating due to I interviewed with 8 ppl and me! Well at the end of the interview the director told me to be patient due to it was the week before Thanksgiving and they were interviewing for 5 open positions. Sooo now for the waiting game of hearing something, anything back.

Our original plans for Thanksgiving was that my family was going to come to El Paso for our first Thanksgiving...but that did not work out as planned. Fritz and I were then going to go to SC for Thanksgiving until he found out he has duty the Friday after so that was not going to work either(oh the joys of the AMRY LIFE). So after talking it all over with Fritz and my Parents we decided that Fritz and I would have Thanksgiving here in El Paso and then I would fly to SC on Friday! I have never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner so I was little nervous especially seems how we were having 5 other ppl over (single soldiers that could not go home). Luckily everything came out better than I expected! Below is the table before everyone started to fill up and after the 4 appetizers’ that we had been munching on!

Friday morning came....a day that my sweet Husband had not been looking forward to because I as going home to SC for almost 3 weeks!

Long over due!

Alright, so I know it has been a LONG time since I have updated my blog and a lot has happened since I moved to El Paso, TX with my amazing husband.

When I first got here the weather was still really nice so on the weekends we did a lot of hiking and rock climbing in the mountains that surround us. A few of the places that we have hiked are the Franklin Mts., Aztec Mts., & Ron Coleman Trail. It was a very new adventure for me, not only was it a great work out but the altitude change kicks your butt and it is not anything that I can describe to you and you will understand...you just have to come visit us in El Paso and see for yourself :)

Sunset at the Franklin Mts. You can see the Rio

Grande, Mexico, New Mexico and Texas!

pic above was at the top of the Franklin Mts. before the sunset...right pic was pretty scary but I LOVED it!



October was Fritz birthday so I had a little bit of surprise party/get together for him :) I had some of our friends meet us at Olive Garden for dinner then over to our apt. for desert....a 4 layer chocolate peanut butter cream cheese cake!

On the way home from dinner............................the cake!!!!

Also, in October we went to a Winery in New Mexico for a fall fest, and it was a BLAST. They had of course wine tasting, crafts and live music. They had an area set up with rides for the kids…but Fritz and Putnam decided that they wanted to go on the ride the spins your around and around after a GOOD bit of wine. The guy running the ride thought it would be fun too, and the little kids around us watching yelled “puke, puke, puke!” oh boys. We had such a great time that we are looking forward to the next event that they host. My 2 favorite things there were the wine margaritas and the great dip mixes that we got.

Well my sweet hubby worked a 31 hour shift yesterday and has been sleeping all day today, so I am going to make him a nice dinner before our work out.

P.S. I promise I will not wait 3 months to update everyone :) more to come later today/tonight!!