Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 恭喜發財

The Green Girl wants to wish everyone a happy, healthy, safe, and Chinese Lunar New Year.

According to Chinese astrology, our universe consists of five basic elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. It is said that everything in the universe, including humans, has a relationship with these five elements.

The Chinese believe every element is equally important and powerful. Metal will create Water, Water will create Wood, Wood will create Fire, Fire will create Earth, and Earth will then create Metal. Conversely, there is also a cycle of incompatibility and destruction: Metal will destroy Wood, Wood will destroy the Earth, Earth will destroy Water, Water will destroy Fire, and Fire will then destroy the Metal.

The Snake 蛇 is a Fire element but 2013 is a Water year. The conflict between the elements means most of people will experience mix of good and bad fortune.

The Chinese philosophy of Yin-Yang 陰陽 states Yin must follow Yang for the universe to be in balance. The Dragon Yang of 2012, the cycle’s most powerful positive force, must be balanced by the cycle’s most powerful negative force, the Snake Yin of 2013. The 'positive' and 'negative' represent the opposing yet complementary forces and should not be construed in a moral framework as 'good' or 'bad'. Harmony is achieved through this paradoxical balance.

The dynamic elemental relationship between Fire and Water means we should proceed with caution especially when dealing with health, relationships, and finances.

The Water energy will creativity, discovery, and innovation by releasing old thinking that blocked growth and progress. This means 2013 is a good year to expand your horizons by learning new things.

In Chinese metaphysics, the Snake is the Traveling Star and Water is the element of transport and communications so the Water Snake will likely bring opportunities for travel.

The Chinese believe rewards are found in the inner world of spirit during a Water Snake Year.

I believe the Water Snake will favor my renewed focus on personal and professional growth, and I will respect the 'Water will destroy Fire' by approaching things with caution.

Second Annual Unofficial Rose Parade Bandit Run

The Green Girl and her friend, Janey, joined the Sole Runners for the Second Annual Unofficial Rose Parade Bandit Run.

The Rose Parade is an annual event held in Pasadena on New Year's Day (unless New Year's Day falls on a Sunday and then it's held on the following Monday).

The theme of this year's 124th Rose Parade was in honor of Dr. Seuss' book, 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!'

The Unofficial Pasadena Rose Parade Bandit Runners

The 5.5 mile Rose Parade procession begins at South Orange Grove Boulevard and Green Street and then heads east on Colorado Boulevard. The parade ends by turning north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and stopping at Villa Street.

The unofficial start for our Bandit Run was just east of the parade route.

We casually seeded ourselves based on running speed and headed west on Colorado Boulevard in our respective, informal pace groups.

Spectators camped out for the Pasadena Rose Parade

Since curbside viewing space for the Rose Parade is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, adventurous spectators camped out up along the route starting at noon the day before.

The majority of the businesses along Colorado Boulevard boarded up the front of their stores with wood for protection. Some stores saw this as an opportunity and transformed their window reinforcements into billboard advertisements.

The Green Girl, Janey, and Sole Runner Mary at the Rose Parade

The experience is best described as running a race with lots of spectators but not a lot of runners.

Unfortunately for us runners, the weather was unseasonably cold so there were a lot of fire pits. Which made it nearly impossible to breathe at times.

Celebratory confetti, giant marshmallows, tortillas, and silly string were splattered across the ground.

Beverly Hills Pet Care Foundation Rose Parade Float

On occasion, our heels would stick to the ground as we ran down Colorado Boulevard.

When we reached South Orange Grove Boulevard and Green Street, the floats, marching bands, and equestrian units were all lined up in preparation for start of the parade.

China Airlines 'Cycling Through Paradise' Rose Parade Float

According to the Tournament of Roses rules, 'each float must conform to certain regulations in the areas of height, width, length and thematic design and the entire surface must be covered using a variety of flowers, seeds, bark, leaves and other natural materials.'

I was in awe of the level of detail the float designers were able to achieve using only regulation materials.

The 'Destination Cars Land' Rose Parade Float

I'm a huge Pixar fan so my favorite was the 'Destination Cars Land’ float.

It featured Lightning McQueen and Sally racing above the 'Welcome to Cars Land' sign along with Flo’s V8 Cafe and Cozy Cone Motel signs.

The Second Annual Unofficial Rose Parade Bandit Run was the perfect way to kick off the New Year.

Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

The Green Girl's 100 Things for 2013

The Green Girl was inspired by the Day Zero Project's '101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge' to start her own challenge of attempting to complete 100 things in a given calendar year.

The Green Girl's 100 Things for 2013 - [048/100]

1. Accrue 60 professional development units (PDUs) for my PMP certification 01.16.2013
2. Create my elevator pitch 02.16.2013
3. Update my resume 05.06.2013
4. Get a promotion or new job 03.01.2013
5. Get Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
6. Learn a new technical skill 01.19.2013
7. Find a mentor
8. Go completely paperless/automated for all bills 01.14.2013
9. Get at least 5 sponsors for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation annual walk
10. Re-assess the Tumaini for the Future project 10.31.2013
11. Answer the '50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind'
12. Simplify my life in 10 tangible ways [10/10]
• Started using Evernote for productivity/organization 01.31.2013
• Started using Evernote Web Clipper for bookmarks 01.31.2013
• Started using Evernote to inventory household items. 03.10.2013
• Started using Feedly for RSS feed subscriptions. 03.10.2013
• Started using only icons to conserve Bookmark Toolbar real estate. 03.11.2013
• Started using Zim Wiki for a desktop wiki. 03.15.2013
• Started using a green Ikea cutting board to fold my clothing. 03.16.2013
• Started using WinMerge Excel plug-in. 03.28.2013
• Started using PuTTY Connection Manager. 03.29.2013
• Started following a weekly schedule. 04.15.2013
13. Volunteer at an assisted-living or retirement home
14. Start journaling again 01.07.2013
15. Write a short story
16. Get a library card 01.07.2013
17. Read Sophie's World
18. Read Chi Marathon book
19. Mark all the places I've visited in my 1000 Places To See Before You Die book
20. Do something outside of my comfort zone 01.19.2013
21. Do something spontaneous
22. Get a new luggage 03.15.2013
23. Buy a necklace 02.10.2013
24. Buy a dress 08.29.2013
25. Buy a pair of black heels 05.25.2013
26. Mend clothing that need repairs
27. Go on a road trip
28. Go camping 09.06.2013
29. Go dancing
30. Ride a bus with Jade 12.25.2013
31. Ride a train with Jade 02.17.2013
32. Build a snowman 02.10.2013
33. Go on a picnic 08.03.2013
34. Go zip lining
35. Play Pixar Monopoly
36. Get mole check
37. Get my wisdom teeth removed
38. Get new prescription sunglasses 01.15.2013
39. Give contact lenses another go 09.19.2013
40. Meeting a blogging friend in real life
41. Update The Running Green Girl's header
42. Update The Running Green Girl's About
43. Improve The Running Green Girl SEO
44. Update my running playlist 10.26.2013
45. Consolidate/prune my address books/contacts 08.29.2013
46. Organize or digitize photographs
47. Organize family photographs online 03.27.2013
48. Put pictures in frames
49. Do Pilates on a reformer 01.31.2013
50. Explore a new place with Lexa
51. Do a century with Lexa, Angelina, Chris, Kapil, and Nevil
52. Learn to ride Lexa clipped in
53. Take Lexa for a ride on the Metro 06.23.2013
54. Complete Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred
55. Run a race in a costume 07.07.2013
56. Get a facial
57. Spend a day at a spa
58. Go to Disneyland 09.01.2013
59. Go to California Adventure 09.01.2013
60. Get another tattoo
61. Meditate 05.02.2013
62. Attend a self-defense class
63. Attend a gun/firearms training class
64. Renew CPR/First Aid certification 01.12.2013
65. Organize bathroom cabinet
66. Coat shower liner with baby oil and see if it prevents soap scum
67. Organize the kitchen pantry
68. Update my recipe book 01.14.2013
69. Get a green mixer
70. Take a cooking class
71. Roast a whole chicken
72. Make vegetarian sushi
73. Make homemade mac & cheese 04.10.2013
74. Try a new cuisine 05.04.2013
75. Go fruit picking
76. Eat a new fruit 03.18.2013
77. Repair camera or get a replacement 02.05.2013
78. Learn how to use manual features/settings on camera
79. Take pictures of the sun rise and set in the same day 09.07.2013
80. Take a picture for each letter of the alphabet
81. Take a picture for the numbers from 0 to 9
82. Take a picture of the same place every month
83. Document a day in the life of a Green Girl in pictures
84. Take a picture of a Dead Drop
85. Send a care package to the little boy I'm sponsoring through Vision Africa
86. Perform a random act of kindness 08.14.2013
87. Make a scrapbook
88. Help microfinance a small business through a Zidisha loan
89. Get a new Road ID 01.29.2013
90. Obtain Amateur Ham Radio License 01.20.2013
91. Get a ham radio 01.28.2013
92. Inventory bug-out bags 01.15.2013
93. Get 10 more bug-out bag items [10/10]
• Flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers 02.09.2013
94. Inventory emergency food/water supplies 12.10.2013
95. Inventory first aid kit 01.15.2013
96. Purchase second first aid kit for home 02.13.2013
97. Give all family members paracord bracelets/keychains 01.29.2013
98. Print out map with routes to ride to San Jose with Lexa
99. Take bug-out bag for test ride with Lexa
100. Private

Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k Race Report

The Green Girl and her friend, Janey, ran their very first race on the sand at the Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k Saturday evening.

The Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k is the sister race to the annual summer Manhattan Beach 5k.

The Manhattan Beach 5k takes place each June and coincides with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of sunlight for the year. The Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k was scheduled for the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of sunlight for the year.

Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k at the Manhattan Beach Pier

A solstice occurs when the part of the Earth’s equator that faces the Sun is tilted at its highest or lowest point. The day of the Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and the Winter Solstice is the shortest day.

The solstice provides an extremely low tide, creating ideal running conditions for on the hard-packed sand.

Sunset at the Manhattan Beach Pier

The Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k consisted of a 5k run/walk on the sand and a Little Elves Dash.

Each participant received a cotton t-shirt and a glow necklace. The timing chips were conveniently attached to our bibs.

Christmas Tree at the Manhattan Beach Pier

The evening was unusually cold and on occasion, a raindrop would fall. The sunset faded into the horizon as the runners shivered and waited for the race to start.

The Manhattan Beach Pier glowed with holiday lights which reflected on the dark waves and the wet sand.

Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k Starting Line at the Manhattan Beach Pier

Spectators lined the pier from above and cheered us on as we started the race.

In the darkness, you could see the fluorescent glow of the necklaces moving along the beach.

The course was an out and back loop along the water. The well-packed sand was the perfect surface for running since it was just like running on a dirt trail.

Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k Mile 1

Volunteers shined bright lights on the mile markers so they could be easily seen.

I had so much fun running on the beach. The Manhattan Beach Yuletide 5k was the perfect race to get me into the holiday spirit.

The Green Girl's Updated Motivational Collage

The Green Girl decided it was time to update her Motivational Collage.

Since my last collage, I did manage to accrue 54 out of the 60 professional development units (PDUs) required per three-year cycle for my my PMP certification.

In terms of dreaming and following my heart, I took some chances and ended up with some bumps and bruises along the way.

My updated collage reflects the following:

• Heal
• Balance head and heart

My number one focus right now is an amelioration of my mind, body, and soul.

A significant portion of this healing process will be the rehabilitation of my right heel. I've been struggling with Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) since the beginning of this year.

I believe finding a balance between my head and heart will be an integral part of this journey for me.

Healing comes from taking responsibility:
to realize that it is you – and no one else –
that creates your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions.
Peter Shepherd