I hate going to sleep (early) before making to the next day, so for the most part an early dinner doesn't really work for me. By these standards alone you figure I'd be a brunch person because one would assume I'd be in bed until late and well past breakfast hours. I'm sure eventually my body will thank me (I'm laughing sarcastically), but for now I'm up with the rising sun and on most days even before that ray of light.

So I'm hungry the moment I rise. Usually I prefer to fit in a run or a work out but definitely getting something in the tank is paramount. So with my son rising so late today I was starving. It was a day off other than my daily push ups and pull ups. A resolution of sorts thrown on top of my already busy cardio routine. I didn't have much to do except read. "With The Old Breed" is an incredible read.

Finally he was up and lets just say I couldn't have been happier. If you ever have the pleasure to be a guest in our home you'll see there is absolutely nothing sweeter than the treasure that is Kalel especially in those first waking moments. "Good morning daddy" is music to my ears. Yes the day is young and I'm certain he will get my blood boiling once or more through out the day hit in that instant it magic. This time made even sweeter by the thoughts and smells I could already imagine as I'd been planning brunch for a couple of hours by now.

I made pancakes while getting the sausage ready in the oven. Once I was through carefully making each pancake the same size and thickness I whisked the eggs and got some toast ready. A process that I'm proud to say I have down to a science so neither the pancakes or eggs get cold. I served both a glass of OJ and apple juice (does anybody just say AJ, they should). I also had a small cup of coffee as I'm not trying to dehydrate too far the day before a long run.

Kalel absolutely lights up at the sight of the feast in front of him. We sat in front of the television and we discussed how it'd be a while before I made breakfast like this again because he was headed back to school come Monday. He just said he already knew but that it was OK because he loves it when I do. So overall I was glad to wait for brunch even though my preference leans toward breakfast. We enjoyed our meal and then finished off the last of the homework right on schedule. It was a nice winter break.

As I look at our spread and realize what time it I'm starting to get pretty hungry. Worse when I realize that since I'm running in the AM. I'm looking at another day of brunch as opposed to breakfast. Another reason still why I think sleep is over rated.

I wrote yesterday Kalel's "Christmas" break was speeding to an end. As I sit here typing it we have one more (week)day together. We do have the weekend but for me that means 14 miles and then recovery ride on Sunday.

So I decided we'd go out for the lunch. We walked over to Subway as we often do especially when I've scheduled a work out for the afternoon as opposed to an AM work out. Today though it was filled to the brim and it took forever to get to our sandwich artist. Once we did get to him he was rude and yelling commands reminiscint of my time in the Marine Corps and the recruit chow hall we were herded through while at boot camp. I should have expected it though with everyone "sticking" to their NY resolution.

We made it through the line and since there was no availble seating we walked back home before enjoying our sandwiches. Perhaps in our anticipation of the sanwiches we walked a little faster. Or the sun just moved higher in the sky to the perfect position to fry our heads for the walk back. It felt as if it was definitely a hotter walk even f the temps never went over 80 degrees. I thought of hot runs and hot hikes I went on while in the Corps. I thought of a couple specifically hot days on post when all I could think of was the heat.

The days before we pushed north from Kuwait to Iraq and being covered in sweat before even getting back to our tents. Before I could even get to the days and temperatures we experienced one in Iraq(not always hot BTW), Kalel's laughter brought me back to today. He was laughing because he spilled some water on himself. I remember laughing at myself becaues I don't think in all the years I was in the Corps I could truly stop from spilling all over the place when hurriedly hydrating with a canteen. I snapped a few pictures of him and the streets we traveled on. Were these the sights my comrades and I spoke of when waiting all those weeks for a ride back stateside. I sure think they were. I mean after all I look at these shots and I realise they might not be perceived by others as they are by me.

I see them as a daily reminder of the life I'm so lucky to have. So instead of being upset about the horrible service we had, I focused on the fact that I get to see Kalel on a daily basis. Once in a better mood I'm glad that there are so many folks making conscious deciksions about their life. I welcome them and feel great about this being something in common with more people. I used that energy to get me through my W.O.D. (power hour) and even fit in about a 3 1/2 mile run before dinner time.

So what shall tomorrow bring? One last week day with my son, and one more day before the long run. Suggestions are always welcome. 

The New Year is well on it's way. Just like the first year with a new baby it is filled with a lot of first. My first run. A few quick 800 m intervals due to time constraints. For Kalel his first day back at school. Still a few days away giving us a full extra week of bro bonding time. My first disapoointment in how much crap it is that family judges you more than strangers(friends) do when you're down. Quickly getting me stressed out, something, you may know by now, I avoid like the plague. 

So I quickly looked for what I wasn't taking care of leaving me open for something as silly (since I shouldn't be shocked by family being crippling and dream/soul crushers). It couldn't have been my running. I did that and picked up on my other work out since the Spartan Race is only 3 1/2 weeks out. Then it clicked, I haven't read anything. I'm usually buried in a book (when not running or grabbing dirt). So far THIS year not a single page read. 

So what should I read. I have a few ideas and they're narrowed down because I have only a couple unread books left in my possesion. So for now I'm going to read "With The Old Breed". It's one of the two books used in adapting the story and history for "The Pacific" on HBO. If I hurry I can still turn that into a resolution of a chapter a day. I will also start any other book anyone suggest, I really do believe word of mouth and so if I haven't gotten any other suggestion by Friday I'll be also starting/reading "The Hunger Games Trilogy". 

Now I wonder if this will get as much response as an earlier FB status/tweet did. After a more than taxing work out. I jumped in the shower. Kalel had showered before me and so for some reason (taking me back to my childhood home) we didn't have any hot/warm water. I was hesitant to jump in but when done I had absolutely the best shower in a long time (see tweet above). I shared that as I do a lot of other information links, videos, and miscellaneous. Unlike the daily posts I've been sharing this of course got a lot of flak. I quickly realized all the friends that responded have moved atleast their minds into the gutter. I laughed for as long as the conversation carried on. Not always fueld by MY responses. 

 

I can't really explain how we stayed up until we welcome the next day last night. I do know why though: we were still celebrating as my brother in law very graciously came to toast his sister with a very delicious double chocalte cake. The few minutes we were certain he'd stay quickly but enjoyably turned into hours.

The alarm went off and it meant Griselda was on her way back to work after about a week and a half off. Kalel though still has another week off and so we went to drop her off together. The sparse traffic was a reminder that although the holiday(s) are over the world is only slowly getting back to life.

Kalel had stayed up too, so when we got back home. I had time to fit in my work out as he finished off his "nap". After I showered I threw together some breakfast. He then worked on his holiday homework packet. Then we were off to the movies to watch "Puss In Boots". If he's off on Tuesday it usually means movie day because you can't beat $1.50 a show.

We then headed to the park because after leaving the theatre you couldn't help to really fell lucky to be outside for this beautiful weather. It had been a while since he went to the park and he really does come alive when out doors. It's like he truly feels free. I had a second run work out but he's the one to ran and role played and just wore himself out.

It was overall a great day, yet as walked by strangers and they walked past me I could tell all the euphoria from the holidays is slowly leaving our consciousness. I guess that's sign enough to get rid of the tree. On the to-do list for tomorow for sure.

What else is on the to-do list: a very daunting Spartan WOD that I received today via email. Even as I read I can't help but think about how late it already is. Is there such a thing as an alarm to go to bed.I wouldn't want to hit the snooze on that. I only wish I could sleep like that.

The first time I got to sing happy birthday to Griselda she was turning 18. So in total we've now shared 14 of her birthdays together. It's always a special day and kind of sweet that it's right after we celebrate the beginning of another year. Today was also the last day of a holiday vacation. Which means we couldn't celebrate in a really big way. It just means that we have to drag out the celebration until the following weekend. 

We can't party big on Friday though because as the universe would have it. We run 14 miles on Saturday morning in what marks the halfway point of our marathon training with Team 2 End Aids. I'll consider it as a way to honor the 14 years I've had the pleasure of seeing her smile as we (myself, family & friends) sing happy birthday. 

I have a couple things planned out for Saturday night but that all depends on if Griselda believes me about how much an ice bath will help her after the long run. If I can convince her and then half a nice walk she'll be brand new and we can dance the night away. Any ideas where and we should go? No matter where we go one thing is certain when I sang happy birthday to 18 year old "greaseball" I knew two things for certain I would be marrying her and that I one day I would be singing happy birthday along with our beautiful son. 

 

What a month it was? Yes it's a New Year but I'm grateful I took the time to #resound11 and it did help slow the month from just ending with out some self reflection and hopefully being a place to look back at. I wrote every day and followed along with each prompt. Read one or read them all. Come back once or come back often! I enjoyed the journey and I hope you enjoy reading. Which do you do you like best? Which spoke to you? Do you agree, disagree? It took me full circle and helped transition 2011 to 2012. I hope for a succefull year. Ask anyone who knows me and they'll agree Callejas thinks it's all going to work out. 

1. One Word

2. Vices

3. Virtues

4. Superpower

5. Theme Song

6. Thelma & Louise

7. Achievement Unlocked

8. Catch Phrase

9. Best Photo

10. High/Low

11. Best Meal

12. 12 in 12

13. Best Gift

14. Home is...

15. Discovery

16. Ordinary Extraordinary

17. Appreciate

18. Tradition

19. Then & Now

20. Elevator Speech

21. Embrace

22. Identify The Problem

23. Today Is All You Have

24. Try

25. All Is Love

26. Outro

27. Everything Is Going To Be OK

28. Five Things

29. Let Go

30. Future Self

31. One Word

One Word: Earlier this month, we wrote about our one word to describe 2011. Today, let's write about our one word for 2012. What word do you want to use to describe how you will approach 2012?

My word for 2011 if you look back through all my December post was Difficult. Now by no means do I expect nor would I want for 2012 to be easy. That's not what I would constitute to be a happy year. I don't think Life is easy and boy do I want to "live" this year. I want every day to be successful. OK so every single day may not be perfect and I know that chasing for perfection will alone be my downfall but it can be a success if I learn and improve on what made that particular day less than perfect. 

If I string enough successful days together it will make for an incredible and most importantly successful year. At the end of the year though for things I need to be certain for it to be a succeful year is being with my son and wife. 

So here's to 2012 and Success!!!!!!!

Future Self: Today, write a letter to your future self to read on 12/30/12. Write about what you have accomplished. Write about who you are and who you have become. Write a wishlist.

Hey Jose, 

Can you freaken believe that another year flew by. Well I'll start by wishing you a Happy New Year. So what a year huh. I'm proud of your Marathon runs I'm glad Los Angeles went a lot better than in 2011 but to fit in another marathon along with the Spartan Races and the triathlons awesome. With that schedule of course you finally came under 200 lbs. Here's to hopiing Christmas didn't push you back over. 

I hope Kalel is still the happy kid I'm looking at now. He's kicking but in 3rd grade and well on his way to mastering those skills. I'm of the belief there is no reason to hold him back because of his age. He's got two great parents in the two of you and he will be be fine. I know it's harder for you to stay involved with the new job but you've done a hell of job and I give credit to the everything you learned over such an extended period of unemployment. 

I wanted to ask what your favorite trip was this year. For me it was San Francisco. Maybe it was the longer drive we decided to take up the coast. Maybe it was because it was a bit of time off. After all the running. It was perfect heading to Northern Cali after spring heading south for both Spartan and Ragner. Besides you know how much the wife loves Bubba, but more importantly being taken somewhere with out having to stress about the decision. So good call on that.

Well get going! I hope you have something awesome planned for tomorrow night. Dare I ask if you made it out to New York? 

Jose 

Let Go: What did you let go of in 2011? What was the experience like? How is your life different today? Do you ever regret it?

The one thing I let go of is the notion that I need food for pleasure and the adoption of the idea that it is for fuel. I need to work on this but I truly believe that just being aware of this is incredibly life changing. 

It was like anything else hard at first and although I have some relapses it is getting easier and I expect it that by this time next year it will be completely under control. I feel better this year than I did this same time last year and am about 30 pounds lighter to boot. 

I do regret it sometimes because I do clearly remember taking great pleasure in a slice of pizza or a jelly donut and I can clearly report that although I still crave it and indulge from time to time. It is no where near as appealing as it once was. 

I suspect that letting go completely of this will knock off the last 20 lbs and 2013 should find me in much better place. 

Five Things: Take today to jot down five memories that you would like to never forget about 2011. Try to write about five things you haven't shared yet, but if you need to repeat, that's OK!

What I don't want to forget in 2012 or ever for that matter were some very special days as well as the lessons left behind by 2011. I'm running short on time here so lets make a list and I can always(i will) come back and fill in more of the explanation. 

1. I can not let up on my fitness routine or goals. Coming back from a break is harder than just keeping up the hard work and foundation I've laid unfortunately more than a few times now. I need to improve upon it and not limit myself by destroying my gains by eating horribly or again "letting up". 

2. I ran a marathon, triathlon, and Spartan race. (several 5K's and 10K's) That should be the bar now and every year from here should be spent trying to raise the bar not just simply trying to reach it. 

3. I need to be the "bad cop" sometimes and not always try and be the fun parent. (regardless of what Phil Dunfy has to say on that matter). I did just that this summer and the benefits my son has reaped since then will grow exponentially from this year on. 

4. I need not be scared to write because I have to get all the bad out before I write something worth reading. I'm going to keep doing it until someone pays me to do so. 

5. I never want to forget that 2011 had me finally letting folks in after a very long time of isolating my self. Not so much for the sake of staying safe but because I thought no one understood me. I've met so many people this year that whether they truly understand or not have clearly made me feel I matter and can make a difference in "my world" as well as in the lives of others.

2011 will end and yet all the "work" I've began this year will carry over directly to 2012 and I plan to do it bigger and better every day.