Graduate School Bound!

This past Wednesday, I got some really good news! News that I wasn't expecting for another month, but it absolutely made my day!

I got my acceptance letter from graduate school!

Though the decision came much sooner than I thought, this hasn't been a short process.

In December, I attended the New Employee Orientation program at Appalachian, where I learned that ASU will pay for its employees to take two classes each year, (one per semester) at absolutely no cost to the staff member. This sparked my interest and got me thinking. College classes with no debt...sounds like a pretty good idea to me! I also spoke to a few people that decided to pursue their masters while holding a full-time job as well, to get some additional insight.

In January, I signed up for the GRE, borrowed a book from a friend (Thanks, Lizzy!) and started studying. I took the test about a week later. At that time, I hadn't decided the exact program that I wanted to pursue, but with deadlines quickly approaching, I needed my scores, and fast!

The two programs that I considered were a Masters of Arts in College Student Development and one in Higher Education. Though College Student Development sounds like the more "fun" of the two programs, it had a lot of internship/graduate assistant time commitments that would have to be met, and without being a full-time student, that was going to be very difficult! The Higher Ed. degree is just as intensive, but offers all of its courses in the evenings, for students also working full-time jobs, just like me!

A Masters of Arts in Higher Education provides a graduate the qualifications to hold a director's level position in a community college or four year institution in many different areas. It's made up of 12 classes, most of which are offered all year long (including summer), and will take me two years to complete. Though that may sound like a while, we all know that two years goes by at the speed of light in college, I know my first four did!

The deadline for priority decision for the Higher Ed. program here at Appalachian is March 15, 2013, this coming Friday. That's why I was so surprised when I heard back so soon! One of my goals for 2013 was to decide what direction I wanted my life to go in professionally. I don't know about you, but something's telling me graduate school is it.

 Cheers to the next BIG step in my life!

I can't wait!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Weekly Workout Wrap-Up!

I love reading about what types of exercises other runners do each week, whether that's getting in miles on the treadmill, or lifting weights at the gym. Learning different workout styles helps me to tone my technique, and try new things that I never would have thought about!

As I mentioned in my 10K training post, I've been following Hal Higdon's 10K training plan the past two weeks.

During week two, I've continued to focus on shorter runs, with the longest one being a 3.5 mile run this Sunday.

My workouts this week:
Monday: After doing some stretching and warm-up exercises, I went to 45 minutes of personal training with Sean, and it kicked my butt.
Tuesday: Ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill and did the "Sexy Leg Workout" that I posted on Instagram.

Wednesday: I was supposed to do 30 minutes of cross training, but I wasn't feeling well at all, so I used Wednesday as my "rest day."
Thursday: I mistakenly ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill, instead of the suggested two (I probably needed it though!) I also did abs, and did a good amount of exercises using weights at the gym.
Friday: Today, I have personal training again, so I'm using that as my "40 minute cross." During training, we do super intense cardio workouts, as well as use all different weights. It's a full-body workout, and I end up drenched!
Tomorrow: I'll be doing the "30 Minute Cross" that I missed on Wednesday by running on the elliptical, and then I have my long run on Sunday!

I've mentioned before on my blog that I'm not the healthiest of eaters. Sweets are my ultimate weakness and I LOVE Japanese food. Instead of cutting these out completely (because that normally doesn't work very well,) I've been trying to make some small changes!

1. Ordering water instead of Coke
2. Eating pretzels instead of potato chips
3. Getting fruit instead of french fries

I hope changing these few things in my diet will help me on the way to my ultimate get-fit goals! Have you been getting in your workouts this week?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

My Four Favorite Things!

Happy Wednesday, All! 

 

Today, I'm linking up with Kristin & Ashlyn for "Four Favorites!"

 

Here are my four favorite beach-ready items!

 

I'm ready for warm weather, sun and sand!



Four Things! by melodycmiller featuring printed bags

 

Bag: Kate Spade "Is this seat taken?" Terry

Suit: Target Black Ruffle Bandeau

Sunnies: J.CREW Ray-Ban Classic

Sandals: Tory Burch Miller Logo Flats

 

What are your Four Favorites? Link-Up and let us know!

via

 

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Target Shoe Love!

Among just about anything else in the shopping universe, we all know that Target is the perfect place to find cute shoes! Especially ones that you don't want to spent an arm and a leg (or a foot) on!

The Target closest to my house started putting out their summery wedges around the end of January, along with the first shipment of bathing suits for 2013, and though it was difficult to see myself buying them when Boone's still getting a couple inches of snow a week, it doesn't mean I didn't want to!

Here are a few of my favorite pairs for this Spring!

Mossimo Lindsay Jo Wedge Sandal: $29.99

via

Mossimo Patricia Fabric-Covered Wedge Sandal in Cognac: $29.99

I love that these are two-toned, so you can wear them with brown or black!

via

Merona Emilia Tall Wedge Espadrille in Khaki: $29.99

via

Mossimo Waylon Harachi Cork Wedge Sandal in Black: $29.99

via

...and just because I'm a little behind the bandwagon, and don't own any yet, I'd love a pair of classic nude flats. Of course, Target has them!

Mossimo Ona Patent Scrunch Ballet Flat in Blush: $14.99

via

Find yourself loving these cute shoes too?

You can get free shipping when you spend $50 at Target.com, or if you have a Target Red Card like my Mom and me, you'll get free shipping and 5% off on every purchase! 

Happy Shopping!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Running in My Sleep!

I'm not sure what's been going on lately, but it seems like ever since I started Hal Higdon's 10k training schedule, I haven't been sleeping as well.

 

Last night when I finally laid down about 12:30, I was completely exhausted, but still couldn't fall asleep. I laid there with my eyes closed for what seemed like the longest time, feeling like I needed to go somewhere or do something I'd forgotten. I'm not sure if this is a sign of having two much going on, trying to be too many places at once, or what?

 

Also, the past few nights I've been waking up with my comforter almost on the floor. Maybe I'm doing something while I'm asleep that I don't realize, but who knows?

 

Have any of you runners experienced your mind racing late at night, like you should still be going like the Energizer Bunny? I'm hoping it will eventually subside.

 

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Sunday Favorites!

On this Sunday morning, as I lay under my Pottery Barn duvet cover, and look up at Carrie Bradshaw (a new piece of art in my apartment bedroom), I thought I'd share a few things I've been obsessing over lately!

1. Girl Scout Cookies
Who knew these little colored boxes could bring so much happiness to a girl's life?! I have to admit, this was my first year ever buying Girl Scout cookies, but I'll be making it a tradition from here on out! For my first time, I decided on one box of Thin Mints and one of the Peanut Butter Patties. For me, the Peanut Butter Patties take the cake! So good and so addicting!

via

2. Sex and the City
Hello, my name is Melody, and I am addicted to SATC.

via
Seriously though, this show is like the single woman's bible. I was given the first season by my good friend Samantha (funny enough,) and have since bought the entire series. Yes, I now own seasons one-six. Though this show is a little out there, and (seemingly) unrealistic at times, I've never been more excited to enter my thirties! Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha make life look amazing, no matter what age!

3. Stripes
I don't know what it is recently, but I keep finding myself drawn to stripes. Two dresses, and a shirt later, I may be borderline obsessive, but these cute items are a must-have in my opinion! My latest purchase, this cute cornflower blue/white, boat neck shirt with 3/4 sleeves from Target. They also had it in navy/hot pink combo, but were lacking my size, so I only left with one.

via

What are your Sunday favorites??

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

On My Way to 10k!

For those of you that have been following me on various media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook,) you've probably realized that I've become quite the little runner. I'm not marathon-ready by any means, but it does make me feel good and getting in better shape is just an added bonus!

One of my New Year's goals was to run my first 5K, and

around Valentine's Day this year, I knew I was ready!  It just so happened that The Color Run was coming to Winston-Salem on the weekend of March 16th, and my schedule was wide open. As a gift to myself, I signed up and absolutely can't wait! 

On February 22nd, when I hit the five the five-mile mark, I decided I needed to raise the bar. Being able to run a 5k (3.1 miles) would be awesome, but if I could already run five, why stop there? This is when I started thinking about a 10k (6.2 miles)!

For this more intense goal, I knew I was going to need some assistance. After getting a recommendation from a friend, I enlisted the help of Hal Higdon's 10k Training Program.

This particular guide is an 8-week program, that takes you from running 2.5 miles to getting through all six, during your last week. Today marks day five, and it's going well so far. I'm doing this in addition to my personal training on Monday & Friday, adding a little more structure to my workout.

I've also thrown some new running shoes into the mix!

I bought these Asics Noosa Tri 7's last week, when I found them on super sale at Omega Sports in Winston-Salem! I'd been admiring them on Amazon for a while, but with this pair falling right into my lap (and my price range,) I had to take them home. Not to mention, they were the very last pair and in my size! It was meant to be!

I haven't decided which 10k I plan on doing yet, when it will be or where, but I'm on the lookout! Springtime means wedding season for us coordinators, so my schedule is a bit more limited! One of my new favorite websites is www.runningintheUSA.com, where I can find all types of upcoming races, so when I do decide, you'll be the first to know!

Until then, happy March & happy running!

P.S- I guest posted for my boss Leigh on her beautiful new wedding blog! Read that post here:)

  

As always, Have a Sweet Day!