Be Nice.

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

-Mark Twain

Olympic Swimming Trials Behind The Scenes Tour

What has seen 9 World Records Broken...

Is 2.5 Meters Deep...

And Kept at 80 Degrees?

Did this Picture help?

How about this one?

Last night I was lucky enough to get a behind the scenes tour of the pools used for the Olympic Swim Trials. The pools (the one above and is for the actual races that you'll see on tv) were both built in 12 days. 

In the morning, the racing pool will host prelims, and for the first time--use all ten lanes--as there are over 1900 swimmers with qualifying times...and 7 days left for even more swimmers to qualify.

At night, the pool will only use 8 of the lanes. In some races only the first place qualifier will gain a spot on the Olympic team...in other races, it will be the top two qualifiers. The 1900+ swimmers will be narrowed down to around 48 or 49 swimmers to represent the United States at the Olympics.

I couldn't resist having my picture taken on the pool deck... :) 

This pool is the "warm up" pool. It's a pool that only swimmers and coaches see. No press, no fans, no volunteers. 4 years ago, many of the Olympic swimmers commented on the caliber of this warm up pool, so I was really interested in seeing why.

This 13 lane pool is kept at 81 degrees. (1 degree warmer than the racing pool--most swimmers have 4% body fat--and can easily tell that 1 degree difference). 5 lanes are 25 meters for sprint work, 8 lanes are 50 meters...just like the pool the qualifiers will race in. (Another fun fact--each lane rope costs $1700)

It gave me chills to go on this tour, learn all about the event, the work that went into making the pools, but mostly just to realize that I was walking in the same place that some Olympic athletes (okay...Michael Phelps) would be walking. Way Cool.

Will You Be Watching the Swimming Trials?

What Is Your Favorite Summer Olympic Event?!

Thanks for Reading!!! 

5 Things

Happy Wednesday Friends!!! Where has this week gone? Here is a quick post with just a few... well precisely five things that are making my week just a little bit sweeter...

Burt's Bees "Aloe & Witch Hazel" Hand Sanitizer

I was so sick of the gel and foam sanitizers that left my hands feeling dirtier than before I used them, or the overwhelming perfume scent that most purse sized sanitizers seem to 'boast.' This purse sized spray is perfect. It lightly coats my hands, and leaves them feeling clean, and surprisingly soft...and the smell--a natural, fresh scent that is surprisingly soft as well. 

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Extreme Wear "Bubblegum Pink"
I couldn't be more obsessed with this nail polish color. To me it is the perfect summer color, and at $2.49...It's the perfect price. The polish has stayed on my toes (flawlessly) for about 5-6 days, however within a day--it chips off my nails. But for the price, and the fabulous color (now only for my toes)--I can't complain too much.

Fogo de Chao
I don't normally comment on restaurants. However, I was out of town this past weekend, and had the chance to try some delicious food and drinks. One of my favorites: Fogo de Chao, an international chain, of authentic Brazilian Steakhouses was simply incredible--not only because of the food, but also due to their impeccable service and attentiveness to the patrons. We went in for 'just a drink',' which turned into a memorable food experience. My advice--go on a very empty stomach, and don't fill up on the salad bar (whoops!). I would definitely return, and wish that my city had one of these restaurants--though my waistline pry doesn't :)

Eccolo Journal 'World Traveler'
One of my favorite things to do, is write (obviously)... However some things I write, are just for me...Mostly those--oh my goodness I have to get this out of my head and on paper--type of things :) Regardless of the subject or the magnitude--I like writing my thoughts in a pretty place--and as of lately, my Eccolo Journal has become just that place... The best part of it for me (aside from the low price) is that it fits in my purses--so I can always write my thoughts down--no matter when or where they strike.

MBG is Coming Home
One of my longest/bestest friends comes home this weekend (and her hubby too--who is pretty awesome as well)...and I get to see her this coming Monday night!!! I couldn't be more excited. Seriously. I've never looked so forward to a Monday the way I am this week.


Hope each and every one of you has at least one fabulous thing getting you through this week!
Thanks for reading :)

Fairytale

"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

– G. K. Chesterton

I love this quote. 

Over the past few months, this quote has come to mean more to me than it did the first time I read it. I've always been known to those around me as an eternal optimist, always smiling, and just happy for the sake of being happy... And about 98% of the time I am those things... Where life from the outside would seem much like a fairy tale.  

Yet, life has felt far from the fairy tale. Instead vanquishing dragons became a new (very undesirable) hobby. However (as many of you probably already know), slaying dragons isn't easy to do alone... and even if you have someone to slay the dragons with--the dragons can still seem just as daunting, if not more.

Thankfully all fairy tales that I've read heard, or watched, have all ended with  "...and they/he/she lived happily ever after."

So here's to my happily ever after...your happily ever after...and all the dragons that seem to get in the way of that; but most likely make us appreciate our happily ever afters even more. 

Kiddin Around

Most of my weekend recaps focus on my entire weekend. But I’m going to switch it up (just this once) and dork out a little bit—and focus on my Saturday night—because it was So. Much. Fun.

I baby-sat 2 of my favorite kids “J” and “O”…

The Weather Was Perfect,

So We Played Outdoors For Hours (I have the bug bites to prove it)

We blew bubbles.

"J" just saw The Avengers, and pretended the bubbles were lasers...and that he was Captain America, saving the world from the bubble lasers.

I outlined "J" and "O" and they colored in their shapes.
"J" a soccer goalie, and "O" a runner

"J"s friend "E" came over, so I traced her as well.

I was amazed by her artistic talent at 7 years old!!!

We made edible artwork with Twizzlers Pull and Peel.

"J" made a picture of his favorite tie, "E" made a bowl, and "O" made a mermaid and a horse. 

The rest of my weekend involved working retail, margaritas, watching Star Trek & Super 8, catching up with some old friends, and sleeping...lots of sleeping.

Make It A Great Week & Thanks For Reading

Choice

Profound....

Who are you today?

5 Things

This Dress 

I said "I'm not going to buy anything," (which seem to be my new famous last words), but I fell in love with this LBD. It looks amazing on... (like did I just shrink 3 sizes type of good) Also, I figured this dress would be perfect for work, the fabric is great for traveling, and lightweight for the hot summer weather.

This Candy

I've been obsessed with lemon drops lately. I don't know if it's the summer weather, or maybe my taste buds are changing (normally I loathe tart candy and/or fruity candy), or what.  But they've become my new go-to candy (like 1 bag at my desk and 1 bag in my purse type of go-to). 

This Drink
Fruit Infused Water. I switched the fruit in my infusion pitcher to limes...and ohmygoodnessitissogood. I have been going through a pitcher each day--which is pretty impressive, considering I'm not quite the water drinker I should be.

This App
My Fitness Pal is currently my favorite app on my iPhone. Not only does it keep me accountable with tracking my calories, but it keeps me extremely motivated by keeping my progress visible, allowing me to interact with friends on this app (and see their progress), and input my calories burned. It's gotten me on the right track, and kept me there--which other programs/diets have failed to do...oh and another bonus, it's free! (bloggy friends--if you're on this let me know so we can be fitness pal friends too!)

This Bag
I know no one who reads my blog is shopping for a gift for me (although if you are reading this mom...please, please, please). This tote (specifically the Longchamp le pilage large in black) is something I've been coveting. I'm not quite sure as to why I haven't bought it...probably because I don't have a reason to do so (but if I did have a good reason, I'd pry have to buy it, so if anyone could give me a reason that would be fabulous).


Happy Hump Day & Thanks For Reading...
What Are You Currently Loving or Coveting?