Jennifer Navarrete

Author: jennifer

  • NaBloPoMo Day 16 – Rock-n-Roll Marathon San Antonio

    As you may or may not know I have participated in two Half-Marathons (13.1 miles). The first was the Inauguaral P.F. Chang’s Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Phoenix, AZ 2004 then it was off to the Greater Hartford Marathon in Hartford, CT 2006. Since the pattern so far has been to do one of these every two years then it should come as no surprise that with the recent announcement of Elite Racings newest Rock-n-Roll Marathon San Antonio 2008 I’m set to go again.

    I have a personal goal to run the Big One (Full Marathon 26.2 miles) within the next 2 years.  Since we typically use the runs as an excuse to get in shape and travel the RNR-SA doesn’t qualify to be the Big One. Being in my backyard will make this a fun event. With no travel involved it will be a great way to get in shape for my Full Marathon goal.

    Want to join me? Race Day is November 16, 2008.

  • NaPodPoMo #16 – Decisions

    Watching my son make a decision between an XBox360 or a PS3 has me pondering decision making in general.

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  • NaBloPoMo #15 – Tamale Pricing Brings Inflation Realization

    Image by Stephan Maloman

    Today my sister received a rude awakening as to the true cost of inflation.

    Here in our region of the world, Texas, you can find a dozen tamales for around $5-6. That’s a pretty typical price range. My sister had pre-ordered 3 dozen tamales from an acquaintance last week. When she went to go pick them up today she was stunned to discover that the $20 she had with her would not cover the price of her 3 dozen tamales. Nope she was short $10.

    Turns out that tamales now cost $10/dozen. Or at least they did today. The reasoning for the steep price? The cost of the meat had gone up considerably hence the price increase. The reason the meat had gone up was because the cost of the grain the cow eats had gone up and so had the gas used to transport it to market.

    Now here in San Antonio there is an area of town where Tamale Factories are lined up and down the street. Great selection and competition keeps the price in the $4.50-5.50 range. Or at least that was the cost earlier this year. Now after hearing my sisters tale of inflation, I wonder if we will see a similar jump in cost per dozen.

    I have the urge to go down Tamale Road to check prices in anticipation of the upcoming holidays. Maybe I’ll test out a tamale or two to make sure the quality hasn’t changed even if the price has.

  • NaPodPoMo #15 – Interaction

    Day 15! That makes today HumpDay! Woot!

    We’re officially at the half-way point of the NaPodPoMo Experience (hat tip to Jenn of Inside My Head. It’s been fun so far. I’m looking forward to getting over the hump and finishing our daily podcasts in short audio form (hat tip to Dani of TruthSeekers) with a bang. Thanks everyone for the interaction and the fun.

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  • NaBloPoMo Day 14 – Knowledge Seeker

    As a kid I was always a curious gal. I wanted to know why things were the way they were. I tore through books at breakneck speed soaking up they knowledge they contained. I wasn’t the brightest in the barrel, but I could definitely see daylight.
    I was a pretty fast learner and enjoyed studying new things. I guess you could say I was a knowledge seeker. The library was my favorite place to visit. If I discovered something interesting, I would find out everything possible and either expand upon it or move on to another subject. To me learning was fun. Now testing? Oh that’s another story altogether.

    Times haven’t changed that much since then. The big difference is that now I can immerse myself in a topic of my choice via the internet. However I haven’t given up on going to the library to complete my studies. On the contrary we consider ourselves regulars at a few of our local branches. We visit the library so much that sometimes I think our late fines could have paid for a new wing. Well…. at least a bookshelf or two.

  • NaPodPoMo #14 – DREAM ON

    A talk by Retired Brigadiere General Ezell Ware, Jr.  is the inspiration for today’s post.

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  • NaBloPoMo Day 13 – Start

    Sometimes I’ve got so many ideas for projects in my head that I wonder where  I should start. What should I do first? When would be the right time? Who can I get to help me? Where will I get the funding?

    These questions roll around my head with no clear answer in sight. Time passes. I kick these ideas around and around. They pop into my head randomly. Reminding me that while I have this great idea for a project, I haven’t done anything to bring it into fruition.

    But the timing isn’t right. The idea isn’t fully formed. The partners aren’t in place yet. The funding hasn’t been finalized. And…….I could go on and on and on.

    There will always be stumbling blocks in front of any project. There will always be funding and timing issues. However if I never take that first step towards making my idea a reality it will never happen. No amount of thinking about it will cause it to materialize unless I start.

    Start what?

    Start putting it down on paper.

    Start making those calls.

    Start asking for partners.

    Start asking for the funding.

    Yeah, I know. It’s hard. The Starting.  What if I start and it doesn’t work out? What if I start and I’m not able to finish? What if I start and no one comes along to help me finish?

    It is entirely possible you may start something and your project falls flat. Yep. It could happen. It is also entirely possible you may start your project and it may succeed.

    How will you know whether your project will succeed or fail?

    You won’t.

    Unless you start.

  • NaPodPoMo #13 Getting It Done

    I was asked what the secret was to “Getting it done”. Since I am a bit of an energetic afternoon person, I figured I would pose the question to you.

    “What do you do to get it all done?”

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  • NaBloPoMo Day 12 – Cooler Heads

    We have all heard that old sage advice given to all newlyweds, “Never go to sleep angry”.

    I think this applies to a lot of things. Like “Never Eat Angry… because you’ll get heartburn” or Never Drive Angry…because you’ll get into an accident” or even better “Never Send an Email Angry….because the person you sent it to will have proof you’re an idiot.”

    I kid, but in some sense the “Never _____ Angry…” is sage advice in just about any situation. Like “Never Post a Blog or Podcast Angry…because after you cool down you’ll realize just how harsh you sounded” While your anger may very well be for a just and noble reason. It is always best to wait for a calmer moment to correctly phrase your response. The saying, “Cooler Heads Prevail” is so very true.

    There have been times when I’ve been tempted to fire off a quick and angry response and have been so glad someone was there to be the cooler head. Then there are times I’m the cooler head for someone else. Whatever the case if you find yourself ready to fire off a blog post or podcast or email, take a deep breath and go find a cooler head to talk it over with. Better yet, be the cooler head the next time someone else needs one.

  • NaPodPoMo #12 A Life of Quiet Desperation

    Recently I was reading and came across this quote by Henry David Thoreau,

    “Most Men Lead Lives Of Quiet Desperation

    And Go To The Grave

    With A Song Still In Them.”

    It got me thinking about my own path. I’m curious to hear your take on this quote.

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