I love the Baltimore Ravens.

And unless you follow me on Twitter (with my annoying habit of live tweeting sporting events like a wannabe journalist), then there is no reason for you to know this.

Especially because it’s a new love affair. 

Even my best friend from high school was confused by this new found love.

So here it is, my reasoning behind my newfound love of the Ravens…

(Be forewarned that my logic makes no sense…)

I feel like every person has a NFL team they follow. Whether their grandpa loves the team or they grew up in that city or their cousin’s best friend’s boyfriend once played for the team, everyone has a team.

Steven has loved the San Francisco 49ers his entire life (because of his grandpa), Jamie loves Seattle Seahawks because she’s from Seattle.

And you know what, I wanted a team!

Why wouldn’t I start now?! I like football, it’s not soccer season, why not pick a team now?! And then (in my weird logic) I will make my future kids like the team and then I will start the tradition! 

“My mom loves the ____ so now I do!”

They are already going to love the Blazers and the Timbers, so why not throw in a NFL team?!

So one Sunday afternoon, Dannica and I were drinking some wine by her rooftop pool (doesn’t that sound so glamourous?!) and we both decided we were going to pick teams and stick to it.

(this is actually a photo of the day I became a Ravens fan… 23 weeks ago)

So first I thought of any family connections… Dad is from Iran, Mom is from Nebraska. Both don’t have NFL football teams.

Then I thought of the places I lived. Vegas = no NFL team. But Atlanta… that’s where I got stuck. See, I lived in Atlanta during the Michael Vick era. I remember not really caring a lot about football (remember, family was not big into football and I was a total soccer girl), but the whole Atlanta Falcons = Michael Vick correlation just can’t leave my mind. So no Falcons for me… (I know this makes no sense)

Here is when my lightbulb moment happened. My family almost decided to move to Baltimore, Maryland before we decided on Portland!

Pros: I remember visiting Baltimore and loving it! And purple is one of my favorite colors (UP purple pride!)

Cons: ummm….

Done deal: I am now a Baltimore Ravens fan!

Courtesy of Bleacher Report

Yes, it’s unconventional. And yes, diehard fans will dismiss me. But you know what? I had a great time this football season! I hosted Monday Night Football dinners, I watched every Ravens game on tv. I know many of the players, I followed the schedule/stats closely.

So here I am, first season as a Ravens fan and we are going to the Super Bowl! If we win, I am going to consider myself lucky.

Courtesy of Dial Global Sports

And the best part… it’s my team vs. Steven’s team! Super Bowl XLVII is a battle in my relationship!

So there you go, my rationale for being a Ravens fan!

I promise this won’t be a one-year thing. I’m a fan now.

(NFL fans, don’t judge me too harshly).

Confession #2: I am so Hannah Horvath

Confession #3: Last night, I felt like an awesome rockstar

Now that we got those confessions out of the way (honestly, each point deserves it’s own post. But we will just focus on #3!)

Last night was not only the Golden Globes and the Girls season 2 premiere, but also the HBO Portland premiere of the new Girls season! And I somehow (by seeing the post on the FB page) secured (free) passes for Dannica and I before it sold out!

Even though we didn’t have any clue what to expect from this event, Dannica and I have been so excited! They have been having these premiere parties all across the country, but I felt super cool that we got on the list for the Portland event (obviously because I am Hannah…)

We arrive early and get our HBO wristbands and drink tickets. Already I am in heaven. They have us wait in line outside to get in. It was freezing, but felt very NYC (I know, I’m going way too far with this whole Girls references…)

We get inside and it’s pure, wonderful chaos! We get drinks and food and before you know it, we are watching season 2 episode 1!

Just me, one of my best friends, and 118 other Portland fans watching one of my favorite shows on premiere night.

But then the most surprising thing happened… they showed us episode 2! Woah! Now I’m ahead of the game now and the season just started!

(I won’t give anything away, but the first two episodes of this season are AWESOME! So excited to see what happens with Hannah & the gang)

After the screening, Dannica and I took full advantage of everything the event had to offer (hello, it was all FREE!)

We got our tarot cards read, we got henna, we ate more food, drank a little more, listened to an awesome girl band and then got to be a part of an awesome photo shoot. We even took a bunch of these Girls character-themed nail polish…things (I still don’t even know what they are.)

Basically our night totally rocked in the name of Girls!

Think I’m crazy for blabbing over this show? Please check it out!

And if you want to be my friend, you HAVE to at least watch an episode (how is that for a threat?!)

Steven and I watched it last night and of course it was just as hilarious as the first time!

But I remember loving the song Becca sings for her audition. And I finally found it!

It’s quirky, it’s sassy, and it’s infectious, and it’s originally by small duo named Lulu and the Lampshades. I am in love. 

“When I’m gone, when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me by my hair
You’re gonna miss me everywhere
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone”

Last year, I sat down and wrote a list of resolutions. And for the most part, I believe I followed them!

My 2012 Resolutions:

1. I continued running

2. I pushed myself past my comfort zone (hello 2 half marathons!)

3. I kept cooking!

So 2012 was a win. A definite win.

For 2013, I want to be more specific. I know I am the type of person who needs a specific goal to be able to reach. So instead of being general like last year, I am going to be exact with what I want out of this new year!

1. Beat 2012′s workout number – Do more than 201 workouts in 2013

2. Run in 4 organized races in 2013

3. Save money from every paycheck in 2013 – put money into savings/credit card bill

Courtesy of Home Saves

4. Read 5 books in 2013

Courtesy of Ludlow & Co.

5. 2013 motto: “Be the type of person you want to meet.”

Let’s see what 2013 has to offer!

You guys! I ran my second half marathon! And although it wasn’t as emotional/happy/fast as my first half marathon, I still had a wonderful experience! And my little fan club totally rocked! Having Steven and my family meant so much to me – I loved having their support!

The story of the Holiday Half…

The race was in North Portland, which is totally my territory. We even ran past the University of Portland (my alma mater and current workplace) twice!

I have never ran an out and back race before. It definitely has its advantages and disadvantages, but all around I loved how the course in North Portland.

So before the race, I didn’t feel prepared (remember this post?). And it was freezing! It was raining, there was wind. The weather was just all around miserable. But I did look fabulous in my tutu that my mom made me (don’t mind my 7 am, “I’m so cold” face.)

Steven (the best race boyfriend ever) patiently waited with me at the start as I freaked out/warmed up/freaked out some more/hydrated/became Croya because of the weather. At the start, all I could think about was “why would any on this earth want to run 13.1 miles in this cold and wind just for fun?”

The answer: Me and the red & white tutu.

Before I knew it, I was off!

Everything happened so fast, I don’t even think I comprehended what I was doing – I was just moving with the crowd. One of my main problems with this race was they did not have pacers or pace cards. So everyone lined up at the start, staggered every 30 seconds, and went off! So for the first couple miles, I was running into slow walkers and getting passed up by 8 min/mile runners. Everything seemed chaotic and for the first half of the race, I was running way faster than I anticipated. Instead of listening to my own running rhythm, I was trying to match my surroundings. That would later kick my butt…

Around mile 5 I saw Steven and my family outside of the University of Portland front entrance! 

I was so happy to see them! I took my first stretch break, drank some Nuun, grabbed a Gu, and soaked up their positive energy! They had pom poms and bells and were cheering for everyone as they passed. With a course that had little support, my family was loud and proud of everyone!

Running into St. Johns was no big deal, I was feeling great! But then… the turnaround fiasco happened in my brain. I knew that we were running to Pier Park and that’s where the turnaround was… well I don’t know where Pier Park is! And of course I didn’t study at the course map, so for about 4 miles I was playing a very twisted game called “Where the $#&* is Pier Park?” And every black arrow is when I expected the turnaround to be…

So by the turnaround, it was of course pouring rain, and I felt defeated. Not only was I physically exhausted by running too fast, but I was mentally exhausted as well. Instead of just zoning out, I was so focused on the turnaround at Pier Park and keeping up with everyone around me. Lesson learned: just go with the flow!

The only thing that kept me going with getting to mile 10 where Steven and the family were waiting for me! 

Miles 7 – 10 were not my proudest moments as a runner. But I powered through. There were admittedly a lot of walking breaks, but at least I was still moving.

Mile 10 was glorious – I basically sprinted just to see my people! I can’t even describe the moment of seeing my family and Steven cheering for me…

Only 3.1 miles to go! The Bluff was super windy and my fab tutu was flying everywhere. But I knew how close I was, I could just feel it. I’m really proud of myself on that last stretch, I really just went all out. I’m pretty sure it had to do with the fact that I was freezing and drenched in rain/sweat!

By this time I knew that I was going to finish slower than my first half – but whatever. No one care more about that than me, and honestly, time is nothing but a number!

My finish felt epic. There was a runner in front of me and I knew I wanted to pass her. So I did… beast mode extreme. 

I finished with the beautiful time of…

2 : 47 : 01

This race was a great learning lesson. Some mistakes were made, but in reality it doesn’t matter. I ran my second half marathon, wore an epic tutu, and had my amazing boyfriend and family stand out in the rain/cold for 3 hours to support me.

I’m going to call this race a success!

HUGE thanks to my fan club for being there! I love you guys. 

Like the horrible blogger that I am, I haven’t posted since December 19! So I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!

I am vowing to keep up with this blog for 2013. I need to write a resolution post as well as a recap of the Holiday Half marathon (yeah, that one I ran almost a month ago…)

But in the mean time, here is a photo dump of the past couple weeks!

Before Christmas:

Grotto with the family to hear Steven sing, wrapping presents, neon Christmas tree in the new apartment, hot chocolate all the time!

Christmas:

Steven and I opened our presents and did our Christmas Eve tradition of having mimosas and cinnamon rolls for breakfast! (PS – I had a Tiffany’s blue box Christmas! Steven rocks!)

Then we spent Christmas Eve afternoon with Steven’s wonderful family!

And later that night we joined my family for my mom’s delicious Christmas cookies (seriously, they rock!)

Christmas day was spent eating great food, hanging out with my wonderful family, and opening presents! And it isn’t Christmas without an epic tournament of Bananagrams…

Beach:

Right after Christmas, Steven and I went to the Oregon Coast for a couple days. We relaxed, napped, read books, and watched tons of movies. Maybe not the most glamorous of vacations, but it was great to get away! (I have zero photos of our four day getaway…)

Also, READ THIS BOOK NOW. I seriously couldn’t put it down! I highly recommend Gone Girl, I read it front to back in a day straight. It was that compelling…

New Years:

I had SO much fun with New Years this year. Even though planning was a little bit of a fiasco, the start to 2013 was perfect! I got to spend it with some of my best friends and that adorable guy that I call my boyfriend

The time between those major events? I have just been hanging out, seeing old friends, and spending time with family

This past month has been amazing. And I am so excited to see what 2013 has in store!

I promise a post about it tomorrow! Things have just been crazy busy. 

(yes, I am a horrible blogger)

Friday

It’s getting festive at the University of Portland Marketing department!

Work Christmas party at Voicebox! It was so much fun singing karaoke with the entire division. Not only did I win a $50 Nordstrom gift card (and no… not because of my singing), but the party was for a great cause. We ended up raising a good amount of money for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital!

Afterwards, I went to celebrate the fabulous life/birth of Miss Katie Yochim

Saturday

Holy Christmas Shopping Santa! Steven and I rocked it this year. I might have gone through the entire Target store twice.

Fun fact: Steven has this nickname for me… “Pickle” And when we discovered there was something of a Christmas Pickle tradition, we knew we had to be a part of it! After a little bit of searching, this Pickle finally has her Christmas Pickle!

Afterwards we had a low-key evening. Steven’s housemate is a foster mom to two adorable kittens! And the great girlfriend I am, a made a sick Steven a Christmas cake! Man, I love easy, box cakes.

Sunday

Brunch with one of my favorite couples, Matt & Bridgette!

After brunch, I knew I had to get in a long run. And man, was it horrible! With less than a week until the half marathon, the runner in me knew I needed to do a 10 miler. It was cold, rainy, and painful. But I did it!

10 miles never looked so ugly.

Afterwards I just felt sick and beat down physically… which unfortunately moved into my Monday.

Monday

I woke up Monday feeling super sick. I blame: hanging out with a sick boyfriend, my long 10 miler, the fact that everyone seems to be getting sick, I’m getting older and my immune system hates me.

I unfortunately had to stay home from work and totally babied myself. Basically my dad was spent chugging Dayquil, drinking way too much tea while sprawled on my couch watching HBO’s Big Love.

(if you don’t watch this show, you should!)

Courtesy of HBO

One bright spot in my sick day is that I received a beautiful housewarming gift from the fabulous Erica Jornlin! Her life in Chicago sounds wonderful and I am so excited to visit her (and Karen and Eric) in the Spring!

As for today, I am thankfully feeling way better! Nose is still sniffly, but it’s manageable. Poor Steven though sounds like kermit the frog! Sick boyfriend needs to feel better!

tis the season for sickness!

And I really don’t feel prepared.

I know I say this about every race I run. But this time seems different.

Don’t get me wrong, I am really excited for the Holiday Half. I will be running in NOPO (my territory), in a fabulous homemade tutu (thanks mom!), with my friends & family supporting me.

But running-wise, I don’t feel ready.

With the whole moving, life stress, and the fact that it gets dark at like 4:30 (ughhh), I just haven’t been able to fit in a lot of my training runs. To top off the fact that I don’t want to run during my lunch break, you can basically say that I haven’t really run at all in the past month.

And staring at the half marathon course is just freaking me out…

But I do workout everyday… and I have made a conscious effort to run my long weekend runs. But will that be enough? Who knows.

What I’m really going to focus on is having as much fun as possible on December 14. Because honestly, if I’m slower then my first half marathon time, no one is going to care but me. So here it is people, I AM GOING TO BE SLOW!

I’m deciding right now that I am going to be the girl, fists in the air, running in a tutu, and having a fab half marathon experience!

(I also promise not to skip my 10 miler this Sunday)

Happy Wednesday everyone!