Exposed to "Exposure"

Exposure: A Novel by Therese Fowler

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Here's the lowdown: I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't mind-blowing. Therese Fowler crafts a beautiful and bittersweet story of two young high-schoolers in love -- a love that will overcome anything, or so they think. Their world is shattered when Amelia's father discovers indecent photos of a young man, Amelia's secret boyfriend, on her laptop. The plot spirals out of everyone's control as Fowler delves to the depths of these characters of her imagination. The emotion and relationships are raw, real and powerful, which makes sense after discovering Fowler was inspired by a real and very personal event.

The end was ruined just a tad for me by participating in a #SITSBooks club discussion with Ms. Fowler herself before I finished the book. Resist temptation to read the epilogue or author's notes at the end of the book before you finish reading. Just trust me.

Perhaps the most brilliant part of this novel is its title and the heavy meaning it takes on as the story progresses.

P.S. Thank you to Andrea of Great Thoughts for sending me a copy of this book and leading the discussion with Therese Fowler!



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First 5K in the Books!

Photo credit: Real Simple

I haven't posted this week's run update because I have been busy working and recovering from my very active, but fun, weekend. I ran my first 5K Saturday morning: Run, Walk or Crawl -- We Won't Lay Down to Cancer 5K. It was a great race, so well organized!

But it rained. A lot. I arrived about an hour before the scheduled start to rolls of thunder and bolts of lightning. We all huddled under tents or the roof overhang of the high school we were at. When the storm passed, we emerged to stretch and line up at the start. Just before the gun went off, it started pouring again. Thankfully the thunderstorm had passed, but the rain stuck around for the entire race. I was drenched, and my carefully planned white outfit (I thought it would be cooler in the predicted oppressive heat!) became unexpectedly see-through. I thought my iPhone and iPod were goners, but they miraculously survived even though I had to run without music.

I finished respectably: 32:57.1 -- well within my goal of 34 minutes. I think I could have shaved those 57 seconds off if it weren't for the puddles, but there's always the next one! While I didn't win a prize for high placement, I did win a $150 spa gift certificate in the raffle! My next 5K is toward the end of August, and I hope to simply beat my time from last weekend.

As if running 3.1 miles wasn't enough for the weekend, I hiked 4.5 miles Sunday with my aunt and sister. It was my first time hiking since I was a kid, and I admit I enjoyed it. It was a great workout! I don't think I'll be doing any crazy multi-day hikes anytime soon, but I would be willing to do another moderate hike again.

Sunday night, post-hike, I went to see Tim McGraw. I really didn't think anything could beat his concert last year, but he topped it... with a broken foot! He started the show about 20 feet away from my seats in the middle of the venue! He sang a bunch of my favorite songs, including Red Rag Top, and he did a duet with opener Luke Bryan on Back When. So fun. However, I didn't get home until around 1:00 a.m., and I had to get up at 6:00 Monday morning because...

I took the day off, and my parents were going to Martha's Vineyard! They picked me up at the ungodly hour of 7:00 a.m. Ugh... I am not a happy camper on five hours of sleep, and by the end of the day I was feeling sick. I had never been to M.V. before, though, and it was a nice day. I'd love to go back when I'm not so tired and rent a bike to ride around the island.

So, the run rundown from last week...

Total Miles = 7.3
Tuesday = 2.23 miles @ 9:37 avg.
Wednesday = 1 mile @ 10:11
Friday = 1 mile @ 10:39 (it was over 90 degrees and humid, which made me slower)
Saturday = 3.1 miles (5K race) @ 10:38 avg.

I'm being lazy and taking this week off unless I really feel the urge to do an easy run, but I'm back at it next week!
Tuesday: 2.23 miles
Thursday: 2.23 miles
Weekend: 3.57 miles
Total Mileage = 8.03 miles

Running Update: This Week's Plan and Race!

Photo credit: Real Simple

I have been reading  a lot of runners'/running blogs lately, and I realized it has been a while since I've done a running update. Yes, I have been running regularly, two-three times a week, at my own pace, at my own low mileage.

While I am not "in training" for my upcoming 5K races, I am trying to steadily increase my mileage by 10% a week while really focusing on running those miles -- not walking -- and improve my breathing and stamina. This is what my plan looks like for this week:

Total mileage: 7.3 miles
Monday = 2.2 miles @ 12-minute pace
Wednesday = 1 mile @ 10:20 pace
Friday = 1 mile @ 10:20 pace
Saturday = Run, Walk or Crawl for Cancer 5K! 


I hope to finish the 5K in under 35 minutes. I think I can do it if I stay mentally positive and focus on breathing well. Wish me luck!

There are a few other 5K's in the book over the next few months:

• Butterfly 5K on August 21st
• Ocean's Run 5K on September 25th
• Amica 5K on October 15th

These are really just motivators to keep me on the road and pushing for improvement. I hope to be able to whizz through the 5K by October. After that, I will start training over the winter for my first 10K and half marathon, which will be next spring/summer. After THAT... well, I'm not ready to say what comes after that yet. :)

Any of you pounding the pavement this summer? What races are you doing? If you don't run (which I don't blame you in the least for!), what are you doing to stay active this summer?

Want Another Quick and Easy Chicken Recipe?

Well I have one for you! I found this quick chicken and wine recipe via Allrecipes.com app when I was looking for a chicken recipe that took less than 45 minutes. I was a bit skeptical cooking it that it was going to turn out right, but it ended up being perfect. The wine adds a different sweet yet savory flavor that is absolutely yummy. I used regular white cooking wine from the supermarket shelf, but I'm sure it will be better with your favorite inexpensive bottle of white. I served it with whole wheat rotini mixed with shelled edamame (my new favorite food), EVOO, a pinch of kosher salt and some dried basil. The entire dish took me about 40 minutes start to finish.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into strips (tenders work perfectly)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. In a shallow plate, spread Parmesan cheese. Divide chicken into three parts and dip seasoned chicken in eggs, then coat well with Parmesan cheese. Repeat until all of the chicken pieces are well coated (if you run short on egg and Parmesan, add one more egg and more Parmesan as needed).
2. In a skillet, melt butter or margarine over medium high heat. Cook chicken, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
3. Reduce heat and add wine. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

Recipe via Allrecipes.com

I'd Like to Make a Toast to the End of Shin Splints!

Image credit: Brooks Running

TA-DA!!!! I'd like to introduce you to my brand-spanking-new-I'm-so-excited-and-can't-wait-to-run-in-these Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11 running sneakers! Aren't they pretty? I think so. More importantly, they are comfortable and give me running super powers. (Ok, maybe not, but I feel pretty invincible in them.)

The story of how I found these beauties is a pretty good one -- especially if you're a runner because we're geeks like that -- and you can read all about it in my Yelp review of Rhode Runner. If you are in the area and looking for some expert help in selecting running shoes/paraphernalia, definitely hit up Rhode Runner. I want to thank Christin of A Classy, Southern Wife -- and a fellow runner -- for recommending a visit to a running speciality store; I wasn't able to visit her spot in Memphis, but I think Rhode Runner is its Southern New England twin.

That's all I got for you today, folks. I have been terrible about my #Trust30 posts, I know. The prompts are sitting in my inbox scolding me daily for not addressing them.

It's Punishment Just to Read

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I read less than 25% of this book, and I didn't care for it at all. I'm of the opinion that if a book cannot catch my interest in 100 pages, it probably won't in 500 pages. I really wanted to read every book on my 30-before-30 list, but I just can't make it through this one (so not like me to not finish a book).

What was the problem, you may be asking? Well, I'll sum it up for you. The main character (so it seems) commits a murder by page 100. I wasn't really sure why, however, usually when you read about a murder in a book, it's thrilling, suspenseful, intriguing. You're at the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen to this criminal. Well, with a title like "Crime and Punishment," I'm pretty sure I know what happens to him.

Happy to return this ancient novel to the library stacks where it belongs and move on to my next literary delight. One that truly delights me.


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#Trust30: Sweet dreams are made of these...

Dreams by Michael Rad

Abide in the simple and noble regions of thy life, obey thy heart. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write down your top three dreams. Now write down what’s holding you back from them.

1. To get married and live happily ever after.
2. To travel the world.
3. To be a professional dancer.

I tried to go with long-time, lingering dreams here. Now, on to part two -- the hard stuff.

1. Well, this is the fairy tale, isn't it? And I think that's the problem with it; it's so scripted, and so not completely dependent on oneself. Unfortunately, I am not completely in control over whether or not I get married. Sure, there are actions I can take to tip the scales in my favor, but it's just not up to me. Putting that aside, it is up to me. Frankly, I'm just not there yet. I'm not completely me. I am not the best me I can be for that perfect someone else. I'll get there.

2. Right now, money is holding me back. I'll admit I can be a bit of a spoiled brat, and backpacking isn't really my thing. I don't just want to travel the world, I want to travel the world in style. (Maybe I should have noted that little caveat above, huh?) I'm working on a saving plan, but #1 also kinda gets in the way of this grand scheme of traveling everywhere. Again, a bit dependent on someone else if #1 is going to be accomplished. There's so many logistics to work out. It will take time, but I hope someday I can say I've been there.

3. Ha, this one is almost laughable to me now, but it still tugs on a piece of my heart. Dance was my life for so long, and I aspired to that level with so much passion, but it just wasn't good enough. Ok, I don't think I believed it enough to completely go for it. Now, yeah, maybe I regret it just a little bit. At my age, in my condition, there's not much chance I'll reach that professional level. However, I'm a mean club dancer. I'm there!

Sweet dreams, y'all...

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

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