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It may have been quiet some time since we've spoken, words of pure silence to those friends, once seemingly family, but you are in my thoughts and prayers. And while we may never speak, not for a lack of love but for reasons only you know, do know this - that you all have never left my prayers for one day and you never will.

I got home last night from wonderful Canada just in time to miss Sandy touch down there, and as I'm packing this week to head to New York my heart is a little heavier than normal. I wish to comfort those I once knew, to pray with old friends and explain God's presence throughout acts that are so unexplainable. I'm not sure what this trip has in store for me, but then again... I never do.

The weather is starting to change! I'm looking forward to some downtime {even for a night} before my next flight and I'm so excited for this movie! Not to mention it includes my crush Gael Garcia. 

The film features Alex and Nica a young couple, in love and engaged to be married and backpack through the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia.

 The synopsis: "The couple hires a local guide to lead them, they trade anecdotes, play games to pass the time. And then, a momentary misstep, a gesture that takes only two or three seconds, a gesture that’s over almost as soon as it begins. But once it is done, it can’t be undone. Once it is done, it threatens to undo everything the couple believed about each other and about themselves. 

Can't. wait!

Well, hello!

To say that I'm overdue posting is an understatement but to be fair it's was quite a summer and one that left me more on the road and in the air than it did at home.

As fall approaches that weather here in California teases us between the two seasons, I'm taking a moment to reflect on how incredibly blessed the past few months (and years..) have been.  June marked the end of a long training session, and I ran my first half marathon! The crazier part, I'm signed up to do it again (...and again...). It's become an addiction of pure adrenaline and conquering any challenge in life. It might be tough, definitely hurts but in the end so worth crossing the finish line.  June also took me up to Napa and some quality time with girlfriends and lots of good wine. Who doesn't love a road trip through the vineyards!

July took me back to Europe. After everything that happened, it was the perfect time to rip away the band aid and head back to a place that hurt so much leaving.  My first stop was in Berlin for their Fashion Week and meeting with editors and agencies. I think the true highlight however was getting to speak Italian at a company dinner. Any chance to listen, practice and especially speak...even if in Germany, I'll take.  No time for sightseeing this time, but I have a feeling there will be more trips in the future.   The way back we stopped in London for another round of meetings. London, like many cities, holds a special place in my heart and even though I've been there countless times, I still find the eagerness to get up early and explore the city as if I were seeing it for the first time.

August was a whirlwind of weddings and traveling for work. Flying over to New York to celebrate Whitney & Russ  at the most amazing fairy tale of a castle to flying back to Tahoe for Tiara & Nick's wedding and getting a chance to spend some quality time with lifelong friends. August also took me like a flying mad woman to Vegas, Denver, Boulder and Houston for which I think I'm still recovering from.

This summer wasn't at all what I expected it to be, it was so much more than I had hoped for.

This is actually my first free moment to finally get some what caught up on blogging. Ironically as I wait in anticipation for another adventure (but more on that later...) 


May was quite the month, and of course I'm updating half way through June. My final month of training, a trip back to New York, baseball games, rooftops and warm weather! Minus the current June gloom, summer is officially here!

A few scenes from my most recent trip to New York! 

1. Bubbles!! At the Dream Hotel for an event we did there 2. Rooftop lunch dates at Birreria 3. Finally making it to the Brooklyn Bridge with added bonus of thunderstorms, no umbrella (or jackets) and a dance party over the East River  4. When your boss wants an ice cream sandwich, you never say no:: at The Meatball Shop

Tear It Up!

Going to see these boys come home and rock out with some of my faves this weekend.

Simply.can't.wait.

FABB!

Lucky Magazine made its west coast debut for its Fashion and Beauty Blog Conference, 'FABB' the other day and 'lucky' me got to attend! Held at the Annenburg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, California! A day packed with some of the fashion industry's greatest inspirations and stylish bloggers. Everyone from Zac Posen to Jessica Alba to little 'Sally Drapper' from Mad Men, sharing their insights into the changing world of fashion while some of the best style bloggers tweeted and instagramed every moment.

'A Fine Frenzy' ended the day with a mini-private performance on the deck of the Marion Davies Guest House on site. The perfect ending to a very fashionable day!

To watch the entire conference, head over to Lucky Magazine or click here!

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While I love blogging, finding the time (and my renegade missions to find a computer) are often failures. But alas, I will continue to try my best. I've been thinking really about the direction that I want to take this blog. Most of it I feel has been about my healing and the next chapter in my life. I still debate about how much I want to share, how much I really want to open up about. The reality is, God has given me this testimony. And I'll be real, I've been praying about how best to share it. Not here per say, but in general. 


I can't imagine it being any coincidence that in our small groups at church that that is exactly what we're working on doing now. There's a road in it for me to share. I have no clue where it will take me or really how best to tell it, but I know in my heart that there's purpose in it. An awesome purpose.


New York this round was bitter-sweet, saying goodbye to old friends and running into old memories. And for the first time, I realized how much I missed the community of other Christians. Let me just throw the disclaimer out there- Some Christians (and I believe we all know which ones) have given the rest of us who truly believe the word, a really bad wrap. I might however, have to save that for another post. 


My community is made of friends are there for each other (what a concept!) filled with men who are genuine and true and men who love their wives the way that the bible says (Ephesians 5:25 ) 
A group of marriages that are examples of "rolling up your sleeves" when life gets difficult and ugly but being truthful in it. To be honest, I'm around people that build each other up. My life isn't about drinking every night till the sun comes up or going to concert after concert and having meaningless conversations about politics, but diving into matters that really matter in life. 

                                  

Never ever did I think I would be able to do 12 miles. Even writing it sounds daunting, but I did it!

Last Saturday (and after two weeks of non-stop work and travel!) I met up with Team In Training for the Train Run! Starting in Solana Beach, we took the train up to Oceanside. Simple, leave your car in S.B and run back to it! One minor problem, I hadn't ran in a bit because of work and the sun decided to shine warm and bright way too early.

All three Team In Training San Diego teams came together for the run. If the excitement and adrenaline for the Rock N' Roll is even half of what it was Saturday, I think I just might be officially addicted to half-marathons (for the moment...and yes 26 miles, I'm looking at you next!)

I'm still amazed at where life has taken me. The people that have become part of my everyday life, and traveling a road that was never meant to be the life plan. And yet, I couldn't be happier!

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Well hello Tuesday! What a week it's been and we're only at the beginning! This weekend I'm setting up for another 10 miler and packing for New York, so much going on but so many amazing and good things that I can't even wrap my head around.


This afternoon I got an e-mail that just made the smile on my face even bigger. Today I was nominated for a rock hero (ironic considering my super, superhero party, no?!) In no way do I consider myself a hero (but it does make you feel good).


ROCK HEROES:

We must say that every week we are flooded with nominees for the Rock Heroes!  It just goes to show you what an amazing group of individuals all of you are!  Here are a few of those Rock Heroes…..

Emily has been so much fun to watch as she gets stronger every week.  She comes to us while starting a new page in her life and decided to help in the fight against blood cancers.  It is always so refreshing to have someone that is making a positive impact on their lives as well as others!  Emily is another one with a knock out smile on her face and a wonderful attitude about life that keeps us all smiling!    

With team in training, while being able to accomplish 13 miles is it's own great challenge, there are so many more personal reasons that I'm training. I'm not running for myself, but really for all those who are fighting. Those who dream of running, or even wish they could walk. People who are fighting a battle bigger than themselves. If I can do 13 miles for them, then that's just the beginning of what I can do. 

{New York, New York}

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I leave in a week to head back out to New York, and while it's my fourth time back since I've moved from Italy, I still can't believe that my life sends me back to that very place {of all the cities...!}

I really do have to laugh at God's sense of humor with me. This trip will be bitter-sweet- filled with lots of goodbyes. And while I wrestle with reaching out to some past participants in my life, I'm hoping this trip to make new friends, create new experiences and if my heart allows it, be open to all {and every} possibility that the small world city has to offer.

The Kaiser Chiefs will always hold a special place in my heart. I won't get into the details as to why exactly, mainly I just don't think it has any real relevance, but nonetheless I will forever be flooded with great memories.

A great evening turning into an even more amazing night {Monday night dance session till early morning beachside fellowship under the stars}. An epic night in more ways than one.

Run! Run! Run!

I officially hit the two month marker! In two months, I'll be racing in my first 1/2 marathon! Training with Team In Training has been such an amazing experience. Last weekend I hit 10 miles... it's even daunting to type out. The photo above is from my first 8 miler the other week. It was pouring rain and we did a trail run inland. There's something so magical about running in the rain, and for a swimmer it was the added element I needed to keep going. That day I was only supposed to aim for 7 miles but the pure joy of being able to push yourself past your own capabilities not only mentally but physically is an adrenaline high unlike any other. 

Music isn't allowed on our Saturday runs and being in your head for two hours is nothing short of it's own challenge but what I love is that I get to have one-on-one time with God to tell him my hopes, my fears and to sit (or rather run) in his grace and blessings he's given me. I'm not only constantly amazed at what he's done in my life, but what he's given me the courage (and strength) to do.

This weekend I'm running the Carlsbad 5000 a race I used to do with my dad in high school. Three miles seems like nothing now!

Hello blog, I've done a horrible job at updating {past updates can be found here} 

There's so much to say and so much to get caught up on, but right now all I can say is that I'm nothing short of utterly grateful for the blessings that have been given to me in my life. Tomorrow I turn 31 {how did that happen!} and I honestly couldn't image a more perfect place to be in life, in every way possible. 

 I can only hope and pray that this next year can be even more amazing that 30 was!

All the fun superhero photos here and of course here!

Sometimes the greatest blessings can come from the most challenging of times. These photos were taken over the course of my two years living in Italy and traveling around Europe. I wanted to show the everyday life and culture of the people, wherever I went. 


To see the complete photo selection, click here 


All proceeds from sales of the photos will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team In Training. Each photo is $25 and includes size of choice and free shipping! All photos are printed on glossy print paper unless otherwise requested. 


Size options: 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 8x12, 11x14, 12x18, 8x8, 12x12, and 16x20. Requests and shipping information can be emailed to emily.provansal@gmail.com 


For more information and to see my story: pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr12/eprovansal

New Year, New Challenge

Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.

Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you know, I have decided to run in a 1/2 marathon this summer as a way to support a great cause. For the next 4 months, I will be training for the San Diego Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon on Sunday, June 3rd, as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training.

I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling cancer. My mother lost her fight to cancer at too young of an age, and 2012 marks the 20th Anniversary of the loss of her fight with cancer. I'm running in honor of her and others who have fought, those who are fighting and those who will be effected by this disease. 

If there is someone special to you battling Cancer, I would love to honor them by adding their name to my running shirt. 

Please make a donation to support. If you cannot donate, please pass along my story to inspire others to contribute in their own way. We can all have our part in increasing awareness. You have been a special part of my life, either as a motivator, supporter, or even a stabilizer at times, so I already thank you tremendously.

To support, please visit: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr12/eprovansal

Join me in this new challenge. I have set up a variety of ways for you to track my progress, successes and defeats and fundrasiging events throughout the next few months. Just click on one (or all of the icons) below to "follow," "friend," "subscribe," or "connect" with me. I would love to hear from you all! Thank you in advance for your support!

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