No Sleep Til Brooklyn...Half Marathon

Brooklyn Museum - Start of the race!

Yesterday Todd & I ran in our first Half Marathon!  Oh snap!  Talk about feelin' like a boss!  A boss that can barely walk, wobbles down stairs, and contemplates peeing in her pants just to keep from having to get up.  Yeah, that kind of boss! Despite the pain, Todd & I feel really great about our run yesterday. 

 We joined the New York Road Runners in January, by doing so we qualified for the 9 plus 1 program.  If we do 9 runs this year plus volunteer for one event, we have guaranteed entry into the 2014 New York Marathon.  Yesterday's Brooklyn Half marked our 7th run out of the 9!

WE MADE IT!!!!

Medals are a great accessory!

When I joined the NYRR's I had no intention of running a half or full marathon.  I just wanted to run 5Ks, 4 milers and maybe a 10K here and there.  I have to say that races are addictive.  After running my first "long run" yesterday, I want more!  Not only do I want to run more races but I want to get better!  Here's to training, hard work, and sharing good times with my friends and husband!

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - Veteran Immersion Program

So, obviously I'm not the best at keeping up with this blog business but I'm making a conscious effort to get better.  The past two months I've been very excited about something but was not allowed to discuss it publicly...until NOW!

Jon, at "Attention" receiving his award.  I'm behind the tall dude on the left.  Whoops!

As some of you already know, through the fantastic organization The Mission Continues I was accepted into an eight-week Veterans Immersion Program with the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  What in the world does that mean?

There I am!  Talking up these awesome ladies and crew!

Well, the organization American Corporate Partners approached Jon about mentoring A veteran, but ONE VETERAN wasn't going to cut it for Jon.  He proceeded to develop a program at The Daily Show to give 24 veterans an exclusive opportunity to get an inside look at all the facets and jobs in the entertainment industry.  For the past seven weeks I've participated in Q & A sessions with all the different departments of The Daily Show, from Production to the Writers to the Technical Crew to the Executives at both The Daily Show and Comedy Central.

Giving the girls their Army Swag!

This experience has truly served as a "game changer" for me.  Since moving back to the U.S. and getting out of the Army I struggled with the question of "What do I do now?"  What direction did I want to take my life in?  What career was I passionate for?  In the last four years I deployed to Iraq, worked an on base job, went to school full time and focused my attention on my husbands career and not my own.  Now, its MY time...and I have the best most supportive husband in the world behind me every step of the way.

Got that Daily Show name tape?

Next week is the last week of this program and the staff has organized a Career Fair for us Vets, which include some of New Yorks biggest and best production agencies!

I want to give huge thanks to Jon Stewart and the entire Daily Show Staff!  Special thanks to Elise & Camille, the two Daily Show staffers who where in charge of organizing and managing all of us crazy vets!  You guys rock!

Jon - enjoying my kind words...no really. 

Before my acceptance into this program, I thought I might go into teaching (a wonderful field that I have a great appreciation and admiration for) but I knew that my passion always remained with the entertainment industry.  Anyone who knows me, knows this is true.  I LOVE TV!  I told myself that if they accepted me into this program then I needed to follow my passion with every ounce of energy and drive inside me.

Jon loved the plaques we made him!

And that's just what I plan to do.  Am I a producer right now?  Have I hit the big time?  Not yet...but I'm a work in progress so don't adjust your TV's and stay tuned!

Hope you enjoy these pics from an awards ceremony we organized to thank Jon and the Crew!!

-Karina

Yeah, somehow I got stuck in the back.  I think I'm taller than I am sometimes. 

Nana the Great!

Hello All,

Fall is in full swing!  The temperatures have definitely dropped.  The bad news is I had to put away all my shorts and pretty sun dresses...the good news is I've busted out all my boots, jackets, and scarves!  I love AUTUMN!!

On September 22nd when Todd and I went to Stone Harbor to say farewell to Nana who passed away in March, Pop Jim told us how much she loved autumn as well.  Per Nana's wishes we got to spend time in her favorite place at her favorite time of year.  

Nana's spirit filled the air the whole week at the shore.  Starting from the drive from NYC the beautiful rays from the sun shot out from the clouds as if they were lighting our way. 

When we arrived at the beach the wind blew every cloud out of the way and left only a perfect bright blue sky.  The amount of people that came to say goodbye to Nana astounded both Todd and me. There were high school friends, neighbors, and family from the Kabalan, Mathias, and Rowland sides of the family.  Everyone who could make it was there.

But we did unfortunately have some family members that couldn't make it, however, I came prepared and packed them in my suitcase.  They were there in spirit and flat laminated photo form!  You know that's how Todd and I roll!!

From L to R: Dennis, Kristina, Zoey, Shane, Krissta, Parker, & Kristofer

Nana wanted a Red Solo Cup party memorial with no tears and no black dresses, just flip flops, drinks, and memories.  That's exactly what happened.

We spent a lovely week in a gorgeous house in Stone Harbor.  The weather was perfect and Todd and I tried to do exactly what Nana wanted us to do...Have a Good Time in her FAVORITE place!  Once again...That's exactly what happened!

Todd with Pop Jim on the dock of the Bay...House. :)

The Todd's chauffeured me in the boat!  I felt special!

Oh, and it was also the 7th anniverary of me turning 21! To celebrate we spent a lovely day in Nana's hometown of Cape May!!

The Todd Father & Todd on top of the Cape May Lighthouse

Along the beach in Cape May with the light house in the back

The Ladies of Cape May!

Me & The Todd Father - My new nickname for Dad!

Channeling Nana as a Majorette when she was in High School.

Like stepping back in time - Where's the Soda Jerk?

Our Lady Star of the Sea where Nana married Gpa Caesar. 

The Monarch Butterflies passing through Jersey on the migration trail!

No trip to Stone Harbor is complete without a gorgeous sunset at the Bay House!

Nana's presence was in every single day and in everything we did.  It's still hard to believe she's gone but its mostly because we can still feel her.  I hear her words of advice, her guidance, and can feel her love still.  Although Todd and I don't have kids just yet, we will make sure they feel the love too.  They will know all about Nana the Great!

Back On The Blog!

We're Baaaaacckkk!!  Yes, it's time to bring back the blog!  I started this when we went to Italy and dropped the ball completely for FOUR YEARS!!  My sister-in-law Parker inspired me to bring it back when I read her blog.  Thanks Parker!!  Plus, Todd and I just moved to Manhattan and so I would like to put forth the effort to get this thing going again!  I know we have facebook and our friends and family can keep tabs on that, however, I feel the platform of the blog has a more personal tone.  It's something more like a journal and I love to write.     Sooooo......

Todd and I arrived in NYC on June 29th, 2012 with no place to live and no real working knowledge of the city.  We felt blessed to already know two wonderful people in the city, Sean and Melissa!  They helped us decide what neighborhood fit our personality best (the one they live in) and introduced us to their friends who welcomed us in like family!  Big ups to Kevin, Jen, Tetley, Martha, Arielle, Mo, Laura, Sonia, JC, and everyone at the Parlour!  Oh, you better get used to hearing the word Parlour...its the Irish Pub that we frequent...uh...frequently.

This is just the prelude to future stories, adventures, and fun so I hope you'll continue to tune in!  I feel so blessed to live in this great city and am thankful for my amazing husband Todd.  If he wasn't so amazing at his job, charismatic and basically awesome, we would have never had this opportunity.  Go HUBBY! GO NYC!! PS:  Todd says:  Karina You forgot to put how awesome I think you are!  :)

Pier I cafe with Trump Towers in Background

Pictures of Our House-Tre

Pictures of Our House-Due

Pictures of our House-Una

Quick Story - Funny

So, a few weeks ago Todd and I went to the mall to check it out.  We walked around and found a little pizza place with some ready made pizzas.  I pointed to a pizza that looked like cheese and pineapple.  A hawaiian pizza without the meat...yum!!  Or so I thought.  I took the first bite and it was all cheese.  Then the next bite, I knew I was going to get some yummy pineapple but nope....it wasn't pineapple!!!!  It was French Fries!!!! Hahahahahaha!!  I  got a French Fry and cheese pizza!!!  Todd and I were laughing so hard.  Well, you live you learn and you love Italy!!  Ciao!!  Ah prossimo!  (till next time)

My birthday!

So, my birthday was yesterday the 25th and guess what I got.

I told Todd not to get me anything but he bought me a New Laptop!  I am now the proud owner of a MacBook Pro!  Woo Hoo!!!  

I was so excited...I've been wanting to turn Mac for a long time.  

Here are a few of my first pictures that I took using Photo Booth and the built in camera/webcam!  I love it!

Finally a New Post!

Sorry, that's it's been so long since my last post. We've been super busy. I can't believe all the stuff we have...I don't think the unpacking is ever going to end. Some things are just going to stay in boxes for a while. That's just it. We've taken out pretty much everything we "need" ie. pots, pans, plates, etc. etc. but we have one bedroom full of boxes. Scrapbooking stuff, my old uniforms, some of my shoes (definitely need to get those out), and other Misc. clothing.

The weather in a day has turned from hot to cold. Not freezing but way too cold for shorts and a t-shirt. I think this is what they call Fall or Autumn. :) We don't really have that in Cali. Haha.

I love it! I can start wearing my fall and winter clothes, which surprisingly I seem to have a lot of. It may be because I use to work in an office that was always FREEZING! I would dress like an eskimo for work but would have to take off my layers to go to lunch. *sigh* I miss my work buddies! And also surprisingly I miss work. I miss bringing in a decent pay check for sure!

Soooooo....what's new with us. We had our first party this past weekend at our house. I made salsa, guacamole, green chicken enchiladas, and I had a little burrito bar. A lot of people came and really appreciated the food. There are no Mexican Ristorante's in Italy...I want to open one near base...it would make a KILLING!! Any investors??? "Karina's Cantina" hahahaha

Todd and I went to Venice too a couple of weeks ago!! It was just for a day but it was Bellisima. We are so going back a million times over. It felt like there is so much to discover their. It's the best place to just get lost in.

Here's some pics from the trip. Enjoy! Ciao Ciao!!

Todd gazing out the window on the train.

First picture, just stepping out of train station.

Rialto Bridge...and NOT Rialto, CA...hahaha!!

ITALY PICS!!!!!

So we have a house guest with us from Korea. He's Todd's friend from the Korean Army.

Anyway, he had a tool so I can connect my camera to the computer so here are some pics of our casa and stuff.