Things You Can Do for 30 Minutes...

Without any training:

Watch an episode of How I Met Your Mother while sitting on the couch
Read a chapter or two of a book
Have a long conversation on the phone
Get your friends' updates on Facebook


One Thing You CAN'T do for 30 Minutes Without Any Training:

Run a 5k with seasoned runners, who also complete sprint triathlons, and keep up with their pace.  Especially if you have not run more than one mile within the last year!

Me and the two "pros"

But hey, at least I dressed the part!

More pros I tried to keep up with

I actually did finish in about 36 minutes with walking for three of them.  Not too bad!  Next year I plan to be one of the pros. 

The Roadmap for the Single Girl...

Every lifestyle has its own sets of must haves.  For those with families with small children it is the collection of Dora the Explorer and the numerous "it toys/characters" of the moment.  For the high school graduate it is the new student orientation booklet for their college.  For the Single Girl it is a list of very important components that will help guide her through the life that is her singledom.  This list will vary slightly from SG to SG depending on her situation, personality and needs.  The following is the list that this SG has compiled throughout the months to help me through my dateless Friday and Saturday nights, translate just what it is those guys are thinking, and to get me through the days in between that simply make up my life as a Single Girl:

He's Just Not That Into You - Had I seen this movie at the beginning of summer I could have saved myself months of confusion trying to figure those guys out.  Not to mention a bit of embarrassment.

Trader Joe's Wine Store - We all know that it is not inexpensive going out for happy hour in the hopes that the new crush/your soulmate/next date will be there.  And, contrary to what they show in the movies, it is not something as simple as standing there looking attractive that gets a guy to buy you a drink.  Thank you Trader Joe's for your budget friendly $3.99 bottles of Pinot Grigio.  Now having a good tasting bottle of wine in the fridge at all times will not come at the cost of having to pass up those patent leather Mary Janes I saw on sale at my favorite shoe store.

Hobbies - There is nothing worse than meeting someone and having him ask you what you do in your freetime if your answer goes something like "Well, I, um, like to spend time with friends...hmmm, what do I do outside of work?"  Having a thriving social life is not the answer to all.  You must invest in yourself and your own talent and interests.  Yes, you may look good standing there but if you have nothing beneath the surface you are sure to drive even yourself crazy of boredom.

Girlfriends - Now I consider myself infinitely fortunate for the friendships that I have.  I have my group of girls that is my family, the ones who I can be completely me around and know they have no judgement for the inadvertantly poor decisions I make, who I would never survive this life without.  Then there are the ones who I have known since childhood, the ones with such a long history, who even though we may not have seen or spoken to each other for months or years, will be able to pick up as if not a day has passed.   And no SG is complete without her gay boyfriend.  Mine lives in Chicago but is only ever a phone call away to help guide me through the male mind.

Now, there are many more elements to surviving the life of a SG.  Some I am aware of and utilize, others I am learning about, and many more I have yet to discover.  All I can tell you is that every night I go to sleep I find myself anticipating the morning where the idea of a new discovery awaits.  You truly never know what or when the next big thing is going to be.  For me, I am happy that I still have the belief that there is a great love in my future and I can't wait to discover it.  Until then I am going to enjoy me and the life that is mine so I am ready for it.