Quick Update!

Hey all!

I've been super busy lately so I just wanted to check in real quickly. It's been about a month since I started taking Singular, and although the medication has to be taken for a few months before you see the real effects, my asthma has been much better this allergy season than in recent years. Also, in the free time that I have had, I've been running on the treadmill and outside (no more of that walking I used to do!)

PS - I don't know if I ever properly explained what asthma is, and THIS is a great resource for an easy to understand description.

Do you know what May is?...

...It's Asthma Awareness Month! In all my years I had no idea.

That little tidbit is just one of the important pieces of information I found out from http://www.epa.gov/asthma. Once again Google Alerts is steering me in the right direction.

Y'all should check it out - there's a lot of interesting information on there. I'd write more, but I gotta get back to work. I promise to post more about my findings in the coming days.

One of my favorite places

Last weekend I visited my family and friends back on Long Island. I don't make it home too often so whenever I do I am always really excited for it. The past few times I've been home the weather has been cold so I haven't been able to do one of my favorite things - walk in Hendrickson Park.

The park is only a block and a half from where my family lives and as far back as elementary school I can remember always having a good time at the park: field trips to the park to ride our bikes, the Valley Stream Pool, playing basketball (my team was 1st place in 1995), playing mini golf.

Being the park reminded me of one reason why I love where I'm from so much, and it also made me want to work out. The park has always been a great place to excersize. There is a 1.5 mile trail surrounding the park with running and bike lanes, and along the way plenty of spots to stretch and do different excercizes. Coming off from my 5K experience, I am looking forward to running the whole course in the park next time I come home.

image URL: http://www.nymtc.org/project/NYMTC_Bicycle_Data_Collection_Program/Nassau/images/N005.gif

Taste of the Nation

Monday was Taste of the Nation, the event I've been helping to plan since last October. OMG it was awesome! The food was amazing - I tried some things I've never tried before, like lambs neck - the drinks were too good and the crowd who came out was great. Patrick and I bid on a basket of champagne and private vineyard tour in the silent auction.. and WON! Hopefully soon we'll know how much money was raised for Share Our Strength. I'll update again when I get that.

Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K

At the race with David and Patrick

Yesterday was the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K Run/Walk. Despite my lack of sleep, I found the energy to make it all the way through and also hit a milestone! I've never been able to run a mile without stopping - and not only did I make it past the first mile mark without stopping, I kept running for another half a mile, walked half a mile and ran the rest! I didn't even think I could do it, so I'm quite impressed with myself.

Overall results: I finished 848 out of 1246 women with an average of 12:57 per mile.

Why I love Google Alerts

Everyday I get an alert for articles/studies/etc Google finds online on asthma research. I've been checking for organizations that specifically do research and spread information on just asthma - and this feature has been a big help. Today it provided me a link to The Asthma Center, which looks like it'll be a big help. Look out for more information soon!

Could vitamin D be the missing link?

THIS study seems to think so.

Many asthmatic children have a vitamin D deficiency, which has researchers saying that even infants should be getting vitamin D supplements, in hopes that it will reduce the likelihood of a number of diseases, including asthma. The study also notes that many mothers are deficient in vitamin D, and it is one of the only vitamins lacking in breast milk.

My Trip to Puerto Rico!..

I've been meaning to write about my trip for a while but things have been pretty hectic at work since I've been back. I'm just finally getting a few moments to breathe and get to all the things I've been meaning to do for a week.

I'll stop complaining - I just had the most relaxing vacation. After feeling overworked for quite some time I called my mom saying I've had enough - and that's where the idea for my trip came from. I took 3 days to get away from everything, FAR FAR AWAY, and it was so amazing I don't think I could have been stressed out even if I tried.

I had my first ever massage and facial, which were amazing. I spent as much time as possible by the pool and came back a little red :) My resort was right on the ocean so it was nice to be on the beach as well. Had myself quite a few pina coladas and some tasty Puerto Rican food. And not to sound cheesy - I felt such a sense of pride being there since I am half Puerto Rican. I feel a desire to go back and learn more about the culture. All in all a great trip.

I think it's important for everyone to take some time to themselves, whether it be going on a trip to somewhere beautiful like I did, or just a few days off of work. Though, I do recommend getting as far away from everything as possible. Just think about it, you could be here:

ONLY SIX DAYS AWAY

Image from www.cherryblossom.org

I'm actually doing the 5K run/walk, but they don't have a logo for that.

ALSO!!!! - Taste of the Nation is ONE WEEK AWAY! Next week is going to be a really exciting one for me!