Hello 2010!

It's hard to believe a decade has passed since we were ringing in the new millenium. Do you remember where you were when everyone was freaking out about Y2K? I was a junior in high school on our marching band trip to Florida where we celebrated New Year's Eve at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. I don't really remember much about it except I have a feeling it was pretty lame.

I did a lot of growing up the past 10 years as I graduated high school, college, and grad school in 2001, 2005, and 2007. I also started (and still have) my first "big girl" job where I work as an Exercise Physiologist within a hospital system in Columbus. Besides the last 6-8 weeks of the year when we're super busy and working crazy hours, I love my job and rarely dread going to work. Granted, I don't make the big bucks but feel it's a trade off since I enjoy what I do. Since 2000, I've made new friends, kept my old friends, and watched some of them get married & have kids. I also went from running high school cross country to running college cross country to running marathons. I also met Todd. I'd say it was a fantastic decade and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring.

Todd & I celebrated New Year's Eve this year at the Scioto River Boat Club. A few of Todd's Honda work friends organized the party and it turned out to be a great night. It was $25/person which included food & unlimited drinks for the night. There was music playing with a makeshift dance floor and tables set up for beer pong and flip cup. I would say there were between 100-125 people there but it didn't seem too crowded. Luckily, I knew a decent amount of people and had fun hanging out with Todd's friends. I wasn't really looking forward to the party because I have never been a fan of New Year's Eve. There's usually too much hype and it never turns out to be that great but I will admit this year wasn't too bad.

Todd & I on New Year's Eve

I started the new year with my first long run of my Boston training. Since I'm still coming back from an injury in October and just started running again a few weeks ago, I only did 6 miles. Although, in the cold and wind, I don't know if I really would have wanted to do much more than that. I'm gonna have to suck it up here soon when I start into my double digit long runs in single digit temperatures.

Later in the afternoon, I made my delicious BBQ baked beans to take over to Dave's house for the Rose Bowl. Dave had been roasting a pork shoulder all day for shredded BBQ pork sandwiches and I thought this would be the perfect side dish. I figured I'd share the recipe too if anyone wanted to try them.

BBQ Baked Beans

Ingredients: 1 28-oz can of baked beans, drained
1/2 cup of BBQ sauce
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1 apple, diced
1/2 onion, chopped
Crumble bacon on top (optional)

Directions: Mix ingredients together & bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Todd & I watching the Rose Bowl at Dave's house

Dave, Lynn & Nathan

Amazingly, the Buckeyes actually pulled out a win over Oregon. Looks like OSU fans will be happy with Tressel for another year.

In other college sports, UK takes on rival Louisville this afternoon. It's always a fun game to watch, especially when it's at Rupp Arena, and should be a great game this year as UK is undefeated. I'm hoping my Cats will be 15-0 after today!