Today I turned 30 years old. I can hardly believe it.

We had some work to get done today in the home office before heading to a business meeting in San Francisco and we were able to eat dinner there before heading home. We then went and walked around a local nice outside shopping center before Chris surprised me with letting me pick out an awesome dock/speaker for my iPhone. I’ve been wanting one for YEARS but I couldn’t justify spending the money. It was a wonderful gift! I’ve got it all hooked up!

I received over 70(!!!) Facebook birthday wishes and it was so fun reading them throughout the day! Here are some of my favorites that made me smile/laugh:

My mom: If I had enough money I would have gotten you this for your birthday, but I’m financially embarrassed … maybe next year! Happy happy birthday! <:o) [she linked to a 5 million dollar iphone lol!]
Ex-coworker: What a cute kid! You’re one of the only people I know to keep the toe-head sporting into your 30′s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! [commenting about my FB profile pic of me at 2 years old having a birthday tantrum! lol]
High school classmate: Happy birthday, Leslie! 30′s aren’t so bad… it’s like the 20′s… except with money. hahaha!
A BFF: Happy birthday. Now you’re a hoar AND you’re old. Love you so!! xxo [hoar is mispelled on purpose- inside joke]
One of my brothers: Good thing we have a lot of friends in common. Had about 70 people remind me it’s your birthday!!! Haha jk jk. Hope you have a good one…

I’m getting tired in my old age but wanted to blog about today and save some of the cute FB comments. I truly am a very lucky girl surrounded by the most amazing friends & family.

I’ve always been a tomboy in many ways – but loving sports was never something I did. I remember when I first met Chris and he was in love with basketball. I would hang out with him while he watched it but I always just used it as “nap time”. Ha!

A few years ago I attended a San Jose Sharks hockey game with my cousin and I had a good time. I didn’t know what the hell was going on but the energy from the crowd was something I’d never witnessed before! When the opportunity came up to go to another game with my Mom, I was excited to go back. It’d been a very long time since I had been to the first game and things had gotten even better! Our arena had upgraded some stuff including the jumbo tron. After that game, I was HOOKED!

I started watching the games on our little TV and Chris would complain that hockey was hard to follow – that he didn’t wanna watch! I kept at it and would go to games every 2 weeks or so with friends & family.

After a few weeks, Chris slowly started to learn more about the game and the players. It didn’t take long until we were both looking at the schedule I’d pinned to the fridge to see when the next game was. My mom & brothers were getting hooked at the same time. We had a few family members who were Sharks fans but it had taken us a while to catch on, I guess!

On Valentine’s Day in 2008, Chris bought me a 50 inch HD TV. Now we were no longer struggling to see the puck on TV – now it was a whole new experience!

The last few weeks have been filled with pre-season Sharks hockey and I’ve been lucky enough to attend two games already. I don’t know what it is about the energy of the crowd, the excitement of seeing that little puck shoot in the net like a shotgun bullet, or the fun of just being so passionate about something but I’m hooked! This hockey team has become such a big part of our lives – I can’t imagine what it would be like to not be a huge Sharks fan!

September 29 w/ Sharks Mascot, SJ Sharkie

Me: Can I please get a grande iced chai with non-fat milk please?
Starbucks Barista: Chai?  Sure!  What size?
Me: Grande, please.
Barista: Great!  Is 2 percent milk ok?
Me: Non-fat, please.
Barista: Great!  Did you say you wanted vanilla?  It’s so tasty!
Me: No thanks.
Barista:  Let me make it for you – it’s tasty!  It’s free if you don’t like it!
Me:  Ok… I’ll try it!
Barista:  Ok, is 2 percent milk ok?
Me:  Non-fat milk, please…
Barista:  Ok, great!

I found humor, not so much frustration, in the above situation.  I think it mostly has to do with the fact that I, myself, don’t listen to people very well so if I were a barista, I’d do the same thing!  I guess it’s just odd because every other Starbucks I’ve been to – they’re pretty good at getting the order right off the bat.  Anyway, I did get my coffee – thank goodness for everyone involved!   And the vanilla, it WAS tasty! 

Wow – I haven’t blogged in a while!

Life has been great!  I’ve continued running – not as much as I’d like but we are doing our best to fit it in a few times a week.  I made the mistake of running on the treadmill twice and had a hard time the other day when we tried to run outside.  I told myself that moving forward I will stick to outside running.  On Saturday morning we got up and hit the road and I was able to run the 2.5 miles that I wasn’t able to get thru a few days earlier so I’m glad I pushed myself.  I have never sweated so much – TMI, I know.

We did finish the last 6 episodes of Ugly Betty on this lazy Sunday and I’m so sad to see the show end.  What a fantastic show – I’m so upset that it got canceled.  I don’t know why – I don’t feel like it ever jumped the shark.  I love the writing and the characters and they really did end it well.

Now I’m back into the new fall TV show premieres which keeps me up late at night with my TiVo!  Terrible, I know, but I HATE not watching shows the night they air.I’m excited for Desperate Housewives tonight, aren’t you?

Hockey season is now kicking off with pre-season games.  I was lucky enough to go to one last night and the Sharks won!  Yay!

Ok, well, this was a little grab bag of little nothings.  Just wanted to post an update!

After seeing Liz‘s great 4 small goals for the rest of 2010 from Elsie, I thought I would post my own!

1. Don’t Stop Running! I’ve spent the last 7 weeks training to run a 5k and have put my heart & soul into it and would hate to lose it all by slacking off once I complete the program & 5k.

2. Take More Pics & Video I’ve got my Nikon D100 up and running again and want to get back into loving photography!  Also, my Flip Camcorder needs to get put to use!

3. Cut Back on Sugar Intake I eat a lot of sugar.  I really think it’s important that I cut back.  I think it will be a key part in getting more healthy.

4. Be More Frugal When Possible We’ve been trying to not spend as much money by cooking at home, buying in bulk, checking sales, etc.  I want to continue to be conscious of money we’re spending.

I’d love to see yours! Leave your link in the comments if you pic your own four!

Preparing dinner for us is now something I’ve been doing more of.  I’ve never been a good cook so I’m a little intimidated by making a meal.  Lately, after flashing back to my childhood, I have discovered the wonderfulness of SHAKE AND BAKE.

What is Shake & Bake, you ask?  It’s a box that comes with two powder packets as well as two small plastic bags.  You wet the chicken breasts, throw them in the bag, and shake.  The powder coats the chicken and you throw those bad boys into the oven for 20 minutes.  It leaves a crispy coating on the chicken – YUM!

Not only is this totally easy – but I really do love the flavor of chicken that tastes and looks fried but isn’t!

And now I find myself wanting to use it as my “go to” meal every night and just mix up the sides.

Am I totally earning a big fat F in Housewiving?

P.S.  I really am kidding about making it EVERY night.  Sorta. lol

Here’s a list of things I’d like to accomplish on my fitness/running journey!

1. Run a 5K DONE! – Sept 5 10
2. Improve my mile time.  Get it under 10 minutes
3. Run a 10K
4. Run 5 times in one week for at least 20 minutes each run
5. Run 30 miles in one month
6. Complete a half marathon

I don’t know about you but I have tons of random things that end up on my computer desk.  Here’s 5.  The explanation is below the photos.

Photo 1: A mini San Jose Sharks Zamboni = I’m a huge Sharks fan and my mom got it for me in NY!

Photo 2: Anastasia music box = Anastasia is one of my favorite movies (TOP 5!) and it’s also another gift from my mom.

Photo 3: Marilyn Monroe Print = Fell in love with it in an art gallery and it was like $250.  Found it the next day at TJ Maxx for $5.  Fate.  Lava Lamp = gift from family friend.  Means a lot to me!

Photo 4: Rosebud body scrub = I don’t know where the hell I got this but my nickname is Rosebud.

Your turn.  What random 5 things do you have on your desk?