But my goodness if this isn't the funniest captioned picture I've seen in a long time
(especially on the day they've tracked down "patient zero")
(thanks for sharing, Mary)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine flu is no laughing matter
In some ways I might be a 12-year-old boy...just sayin'
Okay, not really, but I sort of felt like it last night. I'd had a long day...it did perk up mid-day, but then there was the metro break-down on the way home and subsequently a very crowded train and a man who did not need to be standing as close to me as he was, smelling the way he did. Then the pollen explosion during my "hill workout" (I'm not kidding, I could feel it coating my mouth and skin) and the cramping hamstrings and calfs...I know, I'm borderline whining. But all this to get you to the end of my day, which was really great
I'm laying in my bed, watching season one of Robin Hood (greatest Netflix find this year), brushing my teeth, trying to decide if it's too early to turn in for the night, when Emily gchats me from the second floor asking if I'm home. Then asks what I'm doing. I tell her. Then I say, though I think we should be playing Nintendo. She agrees. I head down to the (much cooler) second floor.
Super Mario Brothers 3: I love that game so much. I think it was the first videogame I ever won. Countless hours spent on it as a teenager. It was actually kind of scary to find that after this many years, I still go to the same blocks, use the same turtle shells, the same tubes, fly in the same places, and still play with the B button constantly pushed. AND, we both found ourselves playing along with the other when it was their turn. There were lots of close calls and gasping, but we made it all the way to level 3 without losing one life. But let me just tell you, the water world is HARD!! It always has been. But Emily has a cheat book (seriously, 12 year old boys!) and we got the frog suit out of one of the mushroom houses.
I'm laying in my bed, watching season one of Robin Hood (greatest Netflix find this year), brushing my teeth, trying to decide if it's too early to turn in for the night, when Emily gchats me from the second floor asking if I'm home. Then asks what I'm doing. I tell her. Then I say, though I think we should be playing Nintendo. She agrees. I head down to the (much cooler) second floor.
Super Mario Brothers 3: I love that game so much. I think it was the first videogame I ever won. Countless hours spent on it as a teenager. It was actually kind of scary to find that after this many years, I still go to the same blocks, use the same turtle shells, the same tubes, fly in the same places, and still play with the B button constantly pushed. AND, we both found ourselves playing along with the other when it was their turn. There were lots of close calls and gasping, but we made it all the way to level 3 without losing one life. But let me just tell you, the water world is HARD!! It always has been. But Emily has a cheat book (seriously, 12 year old boys!) and we got the frog suit out of one of the mushroom houses.
I love the Tanooki suit.
I can't wait until the next Nintendo night.
p.s. I ended my game at level 3 with 15 lives. Just sayin'...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
From hot mess to happier mess
Do you ever have those mornings when you wake up and you know it's going to be a rough day? Well, for me, that morning started at 1 a.m. when I woke up at the wrong end of my bed. Literally. I had been asleep for about 2 hours (a miracle I even fell asleep considering it was about 85 degrees in my room) and when I woke up I found I had relocated myself to the edge of my bed right under the ceiling fan. I had also opened my window at some point and I think it was the sound of a fire engine that had woken me up. I got up and closed the window and tried to go back to sleep...
The rest of the hot mess of a morning all stemmed directly from the heat and the associated issues of showering and getting ready (still 85 degrees in my room), as well as a wardrobe choice with serious issues that were not noticed until I was on the metro. [sigh] I got to work only to find a huge stack of agreements ready to be edited and I just sat and wished I could go back and start the day again, preferably with a better attitude and/or sense of humor (and an air conditioner that actually works).
I had to settle for a vent session in my journal, a couple of pep talks with friends, and the harsh reality that I was at work and was going to have to recover the day somehow. Mercifully, the stack of agreements weren't as horrendous as I thought they were going to be, I made lunch plans with a dear friend, and then I came across these gems of photographs on Facebook:
What a great group to ride with!
The rest of the hot mess of a morning all stemmed directly from the heat and the associated issues of showering and getting ready (still 85 degrees in my room), as well as a wardrobe choice with serious issues that were not noticed until I was on the metro. [sigh] I got to work only to find a huge stack of agreements ready to be edited and I just sat and wished I could go back and start the day again, preferably with a better attitude and/or sense of humor (and an air conditioner that actually works).
I had to settle for a vent session in my journal, a couple of pep talks with friends, and the harsh reality that I was at work and was going to have to recover the day somehow. Mercifully, the stack of agreements weren't as horrendous as I thought they were going to be, I made lunch plans with a dear friend, and then I came across these gems of photographs on Facebook:
This picture makes me laugh so hard
I know where those eggs have been...
This sort of feels like an Andy Warhol painting to me for some reason, or something out of Brave New World or something equally creepy.
What a great weekend
What a poser....
What a great group to ride with!
I'm still dreaming about that ice cream...
After viewing the pictures (and probably commenting annoyingly on said pictures), I had the lunch date with my friend, outside on a blanket in a park, whereupon she played for me a song that she recently heard that made her think of me. We laughed together as I listened to the words, and I felt very grateful for a friend who knows me so well.
Turns out I didn't have to go home to start the day again. Turns out I just need good friends and a few good laughs. Though I wouldn't mind an operating air conditioner and a more work-appropriate outfit... :)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Educational weekend
This was one of those weekends where I learned various random things about myself.
1. A weekend vacation in Jamaica really can derail you for an entire week post-vacation.
2. My bedtime really is 10:30 whether I like it or not. I fell asleep sitting up in the backseat of a car during a fully interactive conversation for what felt like 5 minutes but I'm told was more like 40.
3. My allergies really are that bad. I ran out of medication and thought, I should be fine now, right? Wrong. By the time we made it to PA I was all croaky and my sinuses were building with pressure. We got meds but not soon enough, as evidenced by the fact I could barely breathe once we got back from our bike ride. It was not that big of a deal, but I guess it's sort of comforting to know that I'm not spending all this money for nothing...
4. I am still a little bit afraid of my bike, but a 60 mile ride did a lot to help me feel more confident, especially after my chain fell off and I put it back on like a pro and managed to catch back up with the group.
5. Despite my fear of clipless pedals, I'm determined to put them on my bike in the next week or two so that I can quit being a poser and be a real cyclist...or at least attempt to be one.
6. I realized I might be able to do a half-ironman at the end of the season...maybe.
7. I still won't eat soggy bread, no matter how starving I am. Seriously, if you (and by you I mean any restaurant) are going to have a gooey BBQ pork sandwich, you should really invest in more hearty buns for the sog-averse eater.
8. Paying someone a total of $6 ($1 per buggy) for saying good morning in German to the Dutch Amish is definitely worth it.
9. I'm too nice to make a "vroom" sound while passing a cyclist competing in an actual race.
10. I should never get off my bike after 50 miles with 10 to go. Ever.
11. My "happenings" tree is even more beautiful in bloom but casts the same spell over me as before. If I could lay under that tree every day for even just a few minutes I would be so happy.
12. I have great potential as a music producer.
1. A weekend vacation in Jamaica really can derail you for an entire week post-vacation.
2. My bedtime really is 10:30 whether I like it or not. I fell asleep sitting up in the backseat of a car during a fully interactive conversation for what felt like 5 minutes but I'm told was more like 40.
3. My allergies really are that bad. I ran out of medication and thought, I should be fine now, right? Wrong. By the time we made it to PA I was all croaky and my sinuses were building with pressure. We got meds but not soon enough, as evidenced by the fact I could barely breathe once we got back from our bike ride. It was not that big of a deal, but I guess it's sort of comforting to know that I'm not spending all this money for nothing...
4. I am still a little bit afraid of my bike, but a 60 mile ride did a lot to help me feel more confident, especially after my chain fell off and I put it back on like a pro and managed to catch back up with the group.
5. Despite my fear of clipless pedals, I'm determined to put them on my bike in the next week or two so that I can quit being a poser and be a real cyclist...or at least attempt to be one.
6. I realized I might be able to do a half-ironman at the end of the season...maybe.
7. I still won't eat soggy bread, no matter how starving I am. Seriously, if you (and by you I mean any restaurant) are going to have a gooey BBQ pork sandwich, you should really invest in more hearty buns for the sog-averse eater.
8. Paying someone a total of $6 ($1 per buggy) for saying good morning in German to the Dutch Amish is definitely worth it.
9. I'm too nice to make a "vroom" sound while passing a cyclist competing in an actual race.
10. I should never get off my bike after 50 miles with 10 to go. Ever.
11. My "happenings" tree is even more beautiful in bloom but casts the same spell over me as before. If I could lay under that tree every day for even just a few minutes I would be so happy.
12. I have great potential as a music producer.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Dad's Counsel
My dad is full of wisdom and good counsel. Having him as a mentor has made it so that as I get older, the stage at which I bring a problem or a decision to him for advice gets pushed further and further down the line. I will admit, though, sometimes we as his children would roll our eyes when he would give us the same few pieces of advice over and over again. Almost without fail, regardless of the problem, a counseling session with dad would elicit his most famous phrase : "Just tell that person how it makes you feel. Say 'I feel ________ when you do _______.' No one can argue with how you feel." We thought it was the lamest advice as kids. I mean, what kid uses that sort of sentence construction? But lame as we thought it was, we remembered it. Just this morning, Tom and I were talking about how wise that counsel was and how we use it a lot now in our adult lives, though I think it's probably been years since either of us have heard those words from our father.
The other piece of counsel my dad frequently gave has definitely been a governing force in my life. He used to tell me, "You can gauge how much you want something or how important it is to you by the price you are willing to pay." That counsel used to frustrate me so much as a teenager (and even as a college student), because he usually said it when I just wanted him to give something to me or tell me the easy way or find some way to circumvent the path that everyone else had to take. I felt cheated at times, feeling that certain paths were not open to me because of one thing or another, when in reality many (not all) were closed to me because I was unwilling to pay the price.
As I've set about trying to make some pretty serious life decisions for myself the last couple of years, I have used both this counsel and the feelings of the spirit to explore and make decisions. I have had some idea in my mind of where I have wanted to go and what I have wanted to do, but have been frustrated by my lack of experience required for some programs or jobs as well as various fears, such as failure, standardized tests, being poor, choosing the wrong path, etc. Earlier this year I took a break from actively pursuing and researching various ideas. I figured I either didn't know myself well enough to know what I wanted (or what I wanted enough to sacrifice for it), or that it just wasn't time to move on from this particular phase of life. Instead, I chose to focus on other short-term things I knew I could be successful in, racing being one of them.
I got involved in some intense training and planning and even coaching a little bit. I became aware one day of all the time I was putting into this and remembered my dad's counsel. Clearly this was something that was important to me because of the time and effort I was putting in, and, while it was taxing at times, it didn't feel like sacrifice. I filed that feeling away (but not too far away) hoping to be able to access it when I felt it was again time to start exploring job and life options.
That time came not too long after. I think because the training experience was so fresh in my mind, and because I had been mulling over Dad's counsel, I revisited a path that had initially felt closed to me but suddenly became an option. And not only an option, but upon investigation was the obvious choice. The amount of work required to go down this path did not change, but I found that I was no longer daunted by the steps required. In fact, it has been fun and exciting, and I feel confident I will succeed.
I mentioned this all in passing to my dad soon after I had set the plan in motion. He listened to the details and then said, in that soft and low voice he uses when he's really proud and feels both rationally and spiritually that something is a good decision, "I think this is a really good path for you, Julie." I didn't need his approval to move forward but because I had used his counsel to make a decision that I felt great about, his reaction was so satisfying. And when he followed that up with, "I have complete confidence that you will continue to make good decisions for yourself," I cried just a little bit. The only words that came to my mind were, "Because of you Dad. Because of you."
I hope I will have the same unflagging courage (and capacity) to give unpopular but wise advice to my own children. I will always be grateful to my own father for his wisdom and courage to share freely what he knows to be true.
The other piece of counsel my dad frequently gave has definitely been a governing force in my life. He used to tell me, "You can gauge how much you want something or how important it is to you by the price you are willing to pay." That counsel used to frustrate me so much as a teenager (and even as a college student), because he usually said it when I just wanted him to give something to me or tell me the easy way or find some way to circumvent the path that everyone else had to take. I felt cheated at times, feeling that certain paths were not open to me because of one thing or another, when in reality many (not all) were closed to me because I was unwilling to pay the price.
As I've set about trying to make some pretty serious life decisions for myself the last couple of years, I have used both this counsel and the feelings of the spirit to explore and make decisions. I have had some idea in my mind of where I have wanted to go and what I have wanted to do, but have been frustrated by my lack of experience required for some programs or jobs as well as various fears, such as failure, standardized tests, being poor, choosing the wrong path, etc. Earlier this year I took a break from actively pursuing and researching various ideas. I figured I either didn't know myself well enough to know what I wanted (or what I wanted enough to sacrifice for it), or that it just wasn't time to move on from this particular phase of life. Instead, I chose to focus on other short-term things I knew I could be successful in, racing being one of them.
I got involved in some intense training and planning and even coaching a little bit. I became aware one day of all the time I was putting into this and remembered my dad's counsel. Clearly this was something that was important to me because of the time and effort I was putting in, and, while it was taxing at times, it didn't feel like sacrifice. I filed that feeling away (but not too far away) hoping to be able to access it when I felt it was again time to start exploring job and life options.
That time came not too long after. I think because the training experience was so fresh in my mind, and because I had been mulling over Dad's counsel, I revisited a path that had initially felt closed to me but suddenly became an option. And not only an option, but upon investigation was the obvious choice. The amount of work required to go down this path did not change, but I found that I was no longer daunted by the steps required. In fact, it has been fun and exciting, and I feel confident I will succeed.
I mentioned this all in passing to my dad soon after I had set the plan in motion. He listened to the details and then said, in that soft and low voice he uses when he's really proud and feels both rationally and spiritually that something is a good decision, "I think this is a really good path for you, Julie." I didn't need his approval to move forward but because I had used his counsel to make a decision that I felt great about, his reaction was so satisfying. And when he followed that up with, "I have complete confidence that you will continue to make good decisions for yourself," I cried just a little bit. The only words that came to my mind were, "Because of you Dad. Because of you."
I hope I will have the same unflagging courage (and capacity) to give unpopular but wise advice to my own children. I will always be grateful to my own father for his wisdom and courage to share freely what he knows to be true.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Quotable quotes: Jamaica Edition
I think one of my favorite parts of any kind of trip or prolonged experience with close friends are the quotable quotes that come out of it. I'm sure that most of these quotes aren't funny to anyone but us, but they make me laugh just the same.
1. "We need a safety word."
"How about 'nip slip'?"
2. "This is the best V you'll ever have."
3. "Chips in my bed, Niki?" [some time passes] "Are you going to clean up those chips?" [more time passes] "We are on a tropical island!! You better not be putting your chip foot on my bed!" [confused looks from the rest] "There are bugs on tropical islands!"
4. [sitting in the sauna] "I think I'm pregnant."
[little hand raise] "Me too."
5. "I'm so persecuted."
6. [as we're reading our scriptures on our bed] "You guys better not run away with any locals while we're gone."
7. "I don't know what I'd do, maybe take my shirt off."
8. "That's enough feed for the fodder...father? Not father. Fodder. Wait, is that right?"
9. "I'm feeling desperate right now." [takes one step forward] "Very desperate."
10. "Those aren't games. That's called role play."
11. "I also need to become a street dancer."
12. "There is no way (a) I'm prepping to kiss you and (b) your lips are coming anywhere near my nose."
13. "2....4....0....9"
14. "They will cut you."
15. "Quick, someone fake a seizure."
16. "Please don't hop or skip through the metal detector."
17. "We're at sea, and I'm a GOD at sea."
18. "What if we pushed our spa appointment back one hour so we can have one last pina colada with Ralston?"
"I love that we call it an 'appointment'."
1. "We need a safety word."
"How about 'nip slip'?"
2. "This is the best V you'll ever have."
3. "Chips in my bed, Niki?" [some time passes] "Are you going to clean up those chips?" [more time passes] "We are on a tropical island!! You better not be putting your chip foot on my bed!" [confused looks from the rest] "There are bugs on tropical islands!"
4. [sitting in the sauna] "I think I'm pregnant."
[little hand raise] "Me too."
5. "I'm so persecuted."
6. [as we're reading our scriptures on our bed] "You guys better not run away with any locals while we're gone."
7. "I don't know what I'd do, maybe take my shirt off."
8. "That's enough feed for the fodder...father? Not father. Fodder. Wait, is that right?"
9. "I'm feeling desperate right now." [takes one step forward] "Very desperate."
10. "Those aren't games. That's called role play."
11. "I also need to become a street dancer."
12. "There is no way (a) I'm prepping to kiss you and (b) your lips are coming anywhere near my nose."
13. "2....4....0....9"
14. "They will cut you."
15. "Quick, someone fake a seizure."
16. "Please don't hop or skip through the metal detector."
17. "We're at sea, and I'm a GOD at sea."
18. "What if we pushed our spa appointment back one hour so we can have one last pina colada with Ralston?"
"I love that we call it an 'appointment'."
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Jamaica rundown: successes and mistakes
Almost immediately upon our arrival in Jamaica we started making a list of all the trip's successes. While it initially began as a "Successes" list, there were a few mistakes that had to be acknowledged. They all came late in the trip, though, and none of them were too monumental. Mostly they were just funny (except for the two "Epic Fails")
And now, in as best chronological order as I could recreate, I present Girlcation in Jamaica.
Successes:
- Staying at the Ritz on the cheap (thanks, Em!)
- Fletcher the cab driver
- Ralston and his amazing pina coladas
- The electric violin band
- Beachside pilates
- $7 omlette
- Christian Reggae music
- Leanna's discovery of the sauna and cold plunge
- Soft chairs and towels, beachside and poolside
- Pizza and Ruffles, The River Wild, The Holiday, Two Weeks' Notice, and Step Up 2
- Tennis
- Bocce Ball and Cricket
- Richard the Cabana Boy
- Monday morning: everything about it
- Outrunning the Jamaican storm
- Not being on the hijacked plane
- Leaving the Oreos in the drawer
- Leaving the Australian Gold "sunscreen" behind
- Jamaican pirate store
- Finding a cutout of Usain Bolt in the airport
The hobie cat adventure
- Catching our flight in Dallas
- Hostage situation at the airport (EPIC FAIL)
- Australian Gold "sunscreen" (another EPIC FAIL)
- Fletcher's busted up Toyota Camry
- Jamaican Muesli
- Pool-side pina coladas, the slushy mess that they were
- Missing the Reggae Dance class
- $16 omlette
- letting (some would say I invited...) hobie cat man touch my leg
- the Oreos
- $3.50 water
- the mossy rope [shudder]
- Saph the tennis instructor
- the $1 bellman tip
- forgetting to get the sisters a ride to church, then dreaming all night about asking for their forgiveness
- Dominos pizza
- Sprinting with all our luggage to catch our Dallas flight
Mistakes:
All weekend we kept seeing "signs" that we were meant to be in Jamaica, from the LeBron James Sprite bottles to the Sauna and cold plunge to the beachside Pilates, to dancing in a restaurant barefoot to "I Will Survive" ... the only word I could think of all weekend to describe it all was magical. The weather was perfect (we arrived at the airport just as a torrential downpour began...we liked to think Jamaica was crying over us leaving...), the water warm, and the quotable quotes flowing freely.
It was really hard to be back at work yesterday, especially the wearing clothes part, but alas here we are.
Friday, April 17, 2009
I should be working
I should be working, but instead I'm dreaming of the next three days...
I thought this day would go by far too slow, so when one of my bosses came out and said she was going to another office to work because hers was too messy, I decided this would be a perfect project to pass my half day. I don't know about you, but when I would become overwhelmed with the disorganization in my room, my mom would offer to come sit with me while I worked. This way I was kept company and when I wasn't sure how to organize something or where to put it or whether or not I should throw it away, I had the master organizer/thrower-awayer right there to advise me. I have realized over the years that I have picked up this habit, for better or for worse. I enjoy helping others clean and get organized, even if that just means sitting with them quietly and reading a book so they don't feel lonely, so I told her confidently we could have it workable in 15 minutes. She looked skeptical, but I decided to be forceful (which I think surprised her - I'm not often that way) and practically dragged her back into her office to address the...tornado of papers. I'm not kidding.
Undaunted, I launched right in. I began labeling things, taking piles of papers away, slotting boxes for shredding, getting rid of empty boxes, etc. Within 15 minutes, as promised, her office was clean and ready to be worked in. But guess where all the boxes not slotted for shredding are now? You guessed it. In my workspace.
Now, while I love getting myself and other people organized, I absolutely hate Accutracing boxes, which is our firm's program for file storage. I'm not sure why, but there it is. So what have I done instead? Well, I checked the weather in Jamaica, thought about how hungry I was and found my yogurt and granola bar, talked to little brother Tommy on the phone, made a list of things to pick up at CVS on my way out, thought about my book choices for the trip (hoping I've chosen wisely), tried to figure out if I forgot to pack anything (not that I need much more than swimsuits, sunscreen and a PASSPORT, but I had a terrible dream the other night that I showed up in Jamaica and had forgotten to pack my swimsuit! and I wasn't sure last night I actually knew where my passport was since I hadn't looked for it since the move. Thank goodness for everything having a place and everything in its place...), and now I'm blogging about my avoidance.
I know if I don't do something with these boxes now, they will sit here for a week as I employ more avoidance techniques. And honestly, it will take me maybe 30 minutes (the amount of time I've been avoiding them) to actually file them away. I guess I better get to it, because in 2 hours, I'm outta here!
(Oh dear, now the fire alarm is going off. Maybe I'm not going to get to this today...)
I thought this day would go by far too slow, so when one of my bosses came out and said she was going to another office to work because hers was too messy, I decided this would be a perfect project to pass my half day. I don't know about you, but when I would become overwhelmed with the disorganization in my room, my mom would offer to come sit with me while I worked. This way I was kept company and when I wasn't sure how to organize something or where to put it or whether or not I should throw it away, I had the master organizer/thrower-awayer right there to advise me. I have realized over the years that I have picked up this habit, for better or for worse. I enjoy helping others clean and get organized, even if that just means sitting with them quietly and reading a book so they don't feel lonely, so I told her confidently we could have it workable in 15 minutes. She looked skeptical, but I decided to be forceful (which I think surprised her - I'm not often that way) and practically dragged her back into her office to address the...tornado of papers. I'm not kidding.
Undaunted, I launched right in. I began labeling things, taking piles of papers away, slotting boxes for shredding, getting rid of empty boxes, etc. Within 15 minutes, as promised, her office was clean and ready to be worked in. But guess where all the boxes not slotted for shredding are now? You guessed it. In my workspace.
Now, while I love getting myself and other people organized, I absolutely hate Accutracing boxes, which is our firm's program for file storage. I'm not sure why, but there it is. So what have I done instead? Well, I checked the weather in Jamaica, thought about how hungry I was and found my yogurt and granola bar, talked to little brother Tommy on the phone, made a list of things to pick up at CVS on my way out, thought about my book choices for the trip (hoping I've chosen wisely), tried to figure out if I forgot to pack anything (not that I need much more than swimsuits, sunscreen and a PASSPORT, but I had a terrible dream the other night that I showed up in Jamaica and had forgotten to pack my swimsuit! and I wasn't sure last night I actually knew where my passport was since I hadn't looked for it since the move. Thank goodness for everything having a place and everything in its place...), and now I'm blogging about my avoidance.
I know if I don't do something with these boxes now, they will sit here for a week as I employ more avoidance techniques. And honestly, it will take me maybe 30 minutes (the amount of time I've been avoiding them) to actually file them away. I guess I better get to it, because in 2 hours, I'm outta here!
(Oh dear, now the fire alarm is going off. Maybe I'm not going to get to this today...)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Bed: 1. Julie: 3.
I hate it when my bed beats me.
I'm not quite sure why this week has felt so long, but it has. The workouts have been hard but not that hard. (Okay, so maybe the hills on Tuesday hurt a little, and those 50s fly we did yesterday were hard...) I was all set for a track workout this morning. My alarm went off. I turned over. My ribs hurt. Then my left leg cramped. My stomach growled. My bed was warm. My nose was cold. My phone was under my pillow (not sure how it ended up there, but then again I also had a couple of books in bed with me so I probably fell asleep mid-something). I took those all as signs that I could and should skiv off the morning's workout. I texted Katie to let her know I wouldn't be picking her up in 15 minutes. Then I turned back over and went back to bed. It felt great to sleep and my achilles probably thanks me for the rest, but when I finally got up I couldn't help feeling like I had just gotten outkicked at the end of a race. Tomorrow, though, I will prevail.
On another note, I got into work today and found this lovely gem of a video waiting for me.
I get on dancing kicks every once in a while. My most recent one ended about a month ago and while I'm not really ready to get back into it just yet, seeing videos like this one makes me wish I had a dance partner with whom I would put together great routines like this one. These two are pretty much the best west coast swing dancers in the world. I got to see them dance last year and it really is quite a sight.
And now I'll leave you on the best note ever. Tomorrow I leave for Jamaica! I couldn't be happier about it. I really need a break right now and what better way to get said break than around some warmth and water. I'm also hopeful that the weekend will provide more interesting stories than I have been feeding you all for the last few weeks. I'm thinking with 4 women, an island resort, and no set plans, there's no way it can possibly disappoint. Cross your fingers!
I'm not quite sure why this week has felt so long, but it has. The workouts have been hard but not that hard. (Okay, so maybe the hills on Tuesday hurt a little, and those 50s fly we did yesterday were hard...) I was all set for a track workout this morning. My alarm went off. I turned over. My ribs hurt. Then my left leg cramped. My stomach growled. My bed was warm. My nose was cold. My phone was under my pillow (not sure how it ended up there, but then again I also had a couple of books in bed with me so I probably fell asleep mid-something). I took those all as signs that I could and should skiv off the morning's workout. I texted Katie to let her know I wouldn't be picking her up in 15 minutes. Then I turned back over and went back to bed. It felt great to sleep and my achilles probably thanks me for the rest, but when I finally got up I couldn't help feeling like I had just gotten outkicked at the end of a race. Tomorrow, though, I will prevail.
On another note, I got into work today and found this lovely gem of a video waiting for me.
I get on dancing kicks every once in a while. My most recent one ended about a month ago and while I'm not really ready to get back into it just yet, seeing videos like this one makes me wish I had a dance partner with whom I would put together great routines like this one. These two are pretty much the best west coast swing dancers in the world. I got to see them dance last year and it really is quite a sight.
And now I'll leave you on the best note ever. Tomorrow I leave for Jamaica! I couldn't be happier about it. I really need a break right now and what better way to get said break than around some warmth and water. I'm also hopeful that the weekend will provide more interesting stories than I have been feeding you all for the last few weeks. I'm thinking with 4 women, an island resort, and no set plans, there's no way it can possibly disappoint. Cross your fingers!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Confession
I'm actually a little bit embarrassed to offer up this particular confession because it's just the sort of thing I make fun of my mom for.
Up until about a week ago I thought
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man
was actually
The State Puffed Marshmallow Man
I know, I know. It makes no sense, but I saw Ghostbusters for the first time when I was pretty young and that's what I heard and I've had no reason to even consider I had heard wrong. Imagine my surprise when, while purusing last year's Peep Show contest on The Washington Post's website, I saw a diorama of the famous scene from Ghostbusters with a caption that had the correct spelling (and therefore the correct concept). It was like this gigantic lightbulb went off in my head as I thought, "Aaaaaah, now that makes more sense."
Monday, April 13, 2009
Warm Weather Wish List
Today was definitely a Monday. I woke up to run at 5:30 after not nearly enough sleep, and in my stupor locked the door behind me without bringing my keys with me. My legs were exhausted from the last few weeks and so my run was painfully slow. Add in the fact that I was worrying about how I was going to get back into my house without waking my roommates far earlier than they needed to be woken, and by the time I got back from my run it had already felt like a long morning. As I packed my bag for work, I realized I'd misplaced my earphones and had left my iPod in my car. So I took out my spare earphones and grabbed my iPod on my way to the metro, only to find that the cold weather had zapped my battery so i had no tunes to get me to and from work. By the time I got to work, I was really ready to go back to bed. I just had a hard time getting going today. I was moving pretty slowly until my boss yelled from his office that he needed something I was supposed to have gotten to him about an hour earlier (but I felt no sense of urgency, clearly because I hadn't checked his morning schedule to see the conference call he'd added last night...[sigh]). That woke me up pretty quickly and thankfully the rest of the day went fairly smoothly. However, it left me longing for the warmer, longer, seemingly quieter days of summer. The last couple of years I've taken to making a warm weather wish list, and I tend to make that list on rainy spring days when my pining is at its apex. This year that would be today.
In no particular order, these are the things I've had a hankering to do today.
go to a Nats game
backyard bbq
slip 'n slide
hiking
camping
Florida/Disneyworld
waterfight
attend at least one thing at Wolftrap
see Ragtime at the Kennedy Center (not really a warm weather thing, but it's on my list of things to do)
take an international trip that requires a backpack and a good sense of adventure
read books in the park
play kickball
go to a state or county fair
swing on the swingset
watch sunsets
road trips with the sunroof open
Air Force memorial concerts
jazz in the sculpture garden
relearn how to play tennis
more hiking and camping
go to the beach (preferably at home with some friends--start planning now--but I'll take anything at this point)
dance in the rain
lots and lots of bike rides
lay in a field and tell stories
With a list like that, how can you not be happy, even on a dreary spring day.
This is going to be a good summer...
In no particular order, these are the things I've had a hankering to do today.
go to a Nats game
backyard bbq
slip 'n slide
hiking
camping
Florida/Disneyworld
waterfight
attend at least one thing at Wolftrap
see Ragtime at the Kennedy Center (not really a warm weather thing, but it's on my list of things to do)
take an international trip that requires a backpack and a good sense of adventure
read books in the park
play kickball
go to a state or county fair
swing on the swingset
watch sunsets
road trips with the sunroof open
Air Force memorial concerts
jazz in the sculpture garden
relearn how to play tennis
more hiking and camping
go to the beach (preferably at home with some friends--start planning now--but I'll take anything at this point)
dance in the rain
lots and lots of bike rides
lay in a field and tell stories
With a list like that, how can you not be happy, even on a dreary spring day.
This is going to be a good summer...
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter thoughts
Last Sunday was our church's General Conference and one of the talks that made a particular impression upon me was one given by Elder Jeffrey Holland. Elder Holland is a speaker I often connect with because of his choice of topics and the manner in which he addresses them. He often speaks to the very things I am struggling with and speaks to them in a way that touches my spirit. Last week was no different. He spoke about lonliness and about our Savior's final days, particularly the final suffering of the atonement. This week the church put out a video with a portion of that talk combined with some music and clips from a moving video called Testaments.
As I watched this video this afternoon, I reflected on an experience I had on Friday. I have found myself distracted this week and have found it difficult to focus on Easter as much as I would have liked to. On Friday as I took a walk during lunch, in a hurry to run an errand across town, and cut across the park in front of the White House, where there are often protests and other displays. As I entered the park I saw a display I had seen in years past but had forgotten about. There were several men dressed up as Roman soldiers and one man dressed as Christ and carrying wooden cross. They walked slowly and silently through the park. At first I was a little bit embarrassed by this display. I'm not quite sure why, but I was. Then I observed the behavior of those around me. Some were staring with similar feelings of discomfort; some were oblivious; some were taking pictures; some were stopped reverently. As our paths were about to cross, my feelings began to change, but I didn't understand them. I knew they had moved away from discomfort of the display to discomfort with my own reaction. I considered what the reaction of the people of Jerusalem would have been on that Friday. Were there some who stared in discomfort? Were there those who regarded it as just another criminal trial and therefore were not interested? Were there those who payed attention and made mental historical notes? Were there those like me, unsure of how to feel, but sure that they must feel something? All these thoughts took place with lightning speed as our paths crossed moments later. As soon as I passed Christ, my spirit reacted. Unexpectedly, I felt pain, I felt the tragedy of that day, but I also felt of God's love for me and for all of us as He sent His son to live and die for us. I felt my eyes well up with tears and a few spilled over as I passed this silent march. I repented for my initial discomfort and expressed gratitude for these people's willingness to remind me of the significance of that day.
As I prepared myself this morning to sing my solo part in Beautiful Savior, I considered the words I would be singing. This hymn has a beautiful, simple melody and a simple message: the world is a glorious, beautiful place. Take all that glory and beauty and it does not compare to that of Christ. That is pretty remarkable. During the closing prayer of our services today, I felt that reaffirmed in my heart. I was touched by God's love for me and for all mankind.
I know that Christ lived and died for us and was resurrected on the day we celebrate as Easter. I know that He loves us and that He walked that lonely road alone so that we would not have to. I know his sacrifice opened up the way for us to return to our Father in Heaven. His sacrifice makes this life worth living, for without it we would be lost. For that I am eternally grateful.
Happy Easter.
As I watched this video this afternoon, I reflected on an experience I had on Friday. I have found myself distracted this week and have found it difficult to focus on Easter as much as I would have liked to. On Friday as I took a walk during lunch, in a hurry to run an errand across town, and cut across the park in front of the White House, where there are often protests and other displays. As I entered the park I saw a display I had seen in years past but had forgotten about. There were several men dressed up as Roman soldiers and one man dressed as Christ and carrying wooden cross. They walked slowly and silently through the park. At first I was a little bit embarrassed by this display. I'm not quite sure why, but I was. Then I observed the behavior of those around me. Some were staring with similar feelings of discomfort; some were oblivious; some were taking pictures; some were stopped reverently. As our paths were about to cross, my feelings began to change, but I didn't understand them. I knew they had moved away from discomfort of the display to discomfort with my own reaction. I considered what the reaction of the people of Jerusalem would have been on that Friday. Were there some who stared in discomfort? Were there those who regarded it as just another criminal trial and therefore were not interested? Were there those who payed attention and made mental historical notes? Were there those like me, unsure of how to feel, but sure that they must feel something? All these thoughts took place with lightning speed as our paths crossed moments later. As soon as I passed Christ, my spirit reacted. Unexpectedly, I felt pain, I felt the tragedy of that day, but I also felt of God's love for me and for all of us as He sent His son to live and die for us. I felt my eyes well up with tears and a few spilled over as I passed this silent march. I repented for my initial discomfort and expressed gratitude for these people's willingness to remind me of the significance of that day.
As I prepared myself this morning to sing my solo part in Beautiful Savior, I considered the words I would be singing. This hymn has a beautiful, simple melody and a simple message: the world is a glorious, beautiful place. Take all that glory and beauty and it does not compare to that of Christ. That is pretty remarkable. During the closing prayer of our services today, I felt that reaffirmed in my heart. I was touched by God's love for me and for all mankind.
I know that Christ lived and died for us and was resurrected on the day we celebrate as Easter. I know that He loves us and that He walked that lonely road alone so that we would not have to. I know his sacrifice opened up the way for us to return to our Father in Heaven. His sacrifice makes this life worth living, for without it we would be lost. For that I am eternally grateful.
Happy Easter.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Mystery subscription
I'll admit, sometimes I don't read fine print or I click boxes that I assume are waivers so I can get to the next page. However, I'm usually pretty careful when clicking those boxes involve committing myself to something long-term or when it involves money. That's why I can't for the life of me figure out how I started receiving this magazine:
I already subscribe to Runners' World and have been considering subscribing to Running Times (the mystery subscription) but haven't done anything about it. At least I don't think I did. No charge has shown up on my credit card, no bill has come in the mail (yet), and the April and May editions of this magazine showed up in the mail at my house yesterday. I'm so confused.
Is someone sending me magazine subscriptions secretly? If so, will you tell me who you are so I can properly thank you? Because I am really excited about this new magazine.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A boring, mish-mash day
1. I've been listening to the same two songs on repeat for the last 2 days.
2. In an attempt to get my hands on my SAT scores, I've discovered I need to submit by mail, a form to drudge my scores out of the SAT archives. It brought to my remembrance the days of yore when I had to register for college classes over the phone and I felt a teeny bit old.
3. Generic allergy medicine does not equal brand name. I will never make that mistake again.
4. I watched a movie this past weekend that made me want to compete in track and field again real bad. I've been working hard to move from marathon mode to 10k-and-below mode but I forget how much "quick" hurts. I'm not used to my lungs feeling like they're going to explode, but I kind of like it. Today I noticed that, tired as I was, there were hints of that old familiar feeling of sore but strong muscles that can and will work through anything. Mmmmm...I can almost smell the hot rubber of an all-weather track now...
5. I had an inexplicable urge to watch a Bollywood movie while on my run yesterday and my celebrity-crush on Hrithik Roshan came rushing back. I kind of want to watch Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Or Krrish.
One of my favorite clips from KNPH, for your viewing pleasure:
And maybe a picture of Hrithik, just so you get the idea:
6. I ate a cookie on Sunday and felt sick. I haven't had one since then. I got a little scared today that perhaps -- I'm almost afraid to say it outloud -- I'm reexperiencing an extended period of time during college wherein I lost all desire for sweets. I suppose there are worse things in life, but still, it was a strange realization.
7. I had a really funny thought when I woke up this morning but I can't for the life of me remember what it was. Then around mid-morning for some reason a quote from the movie Emma to my mind: "And I know how you like news." I love that quote. And I love that movie, except for the middle part with Jane Fairfax and all that nonsense. I always have to fast-forward through the picnic scene because it's just so uncomfortable.
8. The sunrise was beautiful this morning.
9. Today, due to a series of events I will not outline here because (if you can believe it) they are more boring than the rest of this blog posting, I revisited the story of David and the Bathsheba aftermath. You know, the part where the prophet Nathan tells David the parable or the rich man taking the poor man's only lamb and then tells David "thou art the man." I remember the first time I was taught about David's fall. I felt so betrayed that all through primary we learned about David and Goliath and about David's friendship with Jonathan and all these wonderful things and then BAM! You get to seminary and learn about Bathsheba and all that mess...I remember that day in seminary so clearly. I literally cried through most of the day. It was the cause of some great soul searching during my sophomore year. Every time I think about that story, my heart feels so heavy, both because it is so tragic and because feeling the weight of the Lord's chastisement is my worst nightmare. Basically, he told David, I've given you everything, and had you felt like it wasn't enough, I would have given you more. And yet, and yet...you had to go and take the one thing you shouldn't have taken, and that was where you fouled up. You can hear the love wrapped up in the tremendous disappointment and feeling of tragedy in God's voice. My worst fear, truly, is for God to be disappointed in me because of a lack of faith and obedience.
10. Can't end on that downer. I found, no joke, an eyebrow about an inch long this morning, hiding. In fact, the only reason I saw it was because sometime, somehow it had turned BLONDE. Weird. I plucked that sucker right out. I almost sent it to you, Tom. You know why.
2. In an attempt to get my hands on my SAT scores, I've discovered I need to submit by mail, a form to drudge my scores out of the SAT archives. It brought to my remembrance the days of yore when I had to register for college classes over the phone and I felt a teeny bit old.
3. Generic allergy medicine does not equal brand name. I will never make that mistake again.
4. I watched a movie this past weekend that made me want to compete in track and field again real bad. I've been working hard to move from marathon mode to 10k-and-below mode but I forget how much "quick" hurts. I'm not used to my lungs feeling like they're going to explode, but I kind of like it. Today I noticed that, tired as I was, there were hints of that old familiar feeling of sore but strong muscles that can and will work through anything. Mmmmm...I can almost smell the hot rubber of an all-weather track now...
5. I had an inexplicable urge to watch a Bollywood movie while on my run yesterday and my celebrity-crush on Hrithik Roshan came rushing back. I kind of want to watch Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Or Krrish.
One of my favorite clips from KNPH, for your viewing pleasure:
And maybe a picture of Hrithik, just so you get the idea:
6. I ate a cookie on Sunday and felt sick. I haven't had one since then. I got a little scared today that perhaps -- I'm almost afraid to say it outloud -- I'm reexperiencing an extended period of time during college wherein I lost all desire for sweets. I suppose there are worse things in life, but still, it was a strange realization.
7. I had a really funny thought when I woke up this morning but I can't for the life of me remember what it was. Then around mid-morning for some reason a quote from the movie Emma to my mind: "And I know how you like news." I love that quote. And I love that movie, except for the middle part with Jane Fairfax and all that nonsense. I always have to fast-forward through the picnic scene because it's just so uncomfortable.
8. The sunrise was beautiful this morning.
9. Today, due to a series of events I will not outline here because (if you can believe it) they are more boring than the rest of this blog posting, I revisited the story of David and the Bathsheba aftermath. You know, the part where the prophet Nathan tells David the parable or the rich man taking the poor man's only lamb and then tells David "thou art the man." I remember the first time I was taught about David's fall. I felt so betrayed that all through primary we learned about David and Goliath and about David's friendship with Jonathan and all these wonderful things and then BAM! You get to seminary and learn about Bathsheba and all that mess...I remember that day in seminary so clearly. I literally cried through most of the day. It was the cause of some great soul searching during my sophomore year. Every time I think about that story, my heart feels so heavy, both because it is so tragic and because feeling the weight of the Lord's chastisement is my worst nightmare. Basically, he told David, I've given you everything, and had you felt like it wasn't enough, I would have given you more. And yet, and yet...you had to go and take the one thing you shouldn't have taken, and that was where you fouled up. You can hear the love wrapped up in the tremendous disappointment and feeling of tragedy in God's voice. My worst fear, truly, is for God to be disappointed in me because of a lack of faith and obedience.
10. Can't end on that downer. I found, no joke, an eyebrow about an inch long this morning, hiding. In fact, the only reason I saw it was because sometime, somehow it had turned BLONDE. Weird. I plucked that sucker right out. I almost sent it to you, Tom. You know why.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Dear Spring, take 2
Dear Spring,
I've waited and waited for you to come. You tease me with warm weather then blow me down with winter wind. You bring me beautiful trees and blossoms but require that I medicate myself daily so my allergies don't kill me. I've tried to be patient. But alas, I cannot wait any longer. Therefore, I'm informing you that in 8 short days, I will be traveling here in search of my warm weather:
I can hardly wait.
Jamaica here I come.
(Take that.)
Maybe next year you will come sooner and with less wind. Or maybe not. Maybe what I'm really wishing for is San Diego spring, which I need to admit to myself will never happen out here. Ever. [sigh] I'm sorry for wishing you to be something you're not. But I'm still going to Jamaica.
Sincerely,
A dislocated Southern Californian who needs to abandon all hope of unseasonably warm weather and submit patiently to seasons. [sigh]
Monday, April 6, 2009
Genius (or maybe I'm just a little slow on the technology front)
Can I just tell you how much I love 
my computer,
Google, and
my computer,
Google, and
my little brother Tom.
I've only recently discovered that my computer has a webcam with a built-in microphone and that Google's videochat is really high quality, all thanks to Tom. We had a little video chat session tonight. I can't tell you how much it lifts my soul, especially when I'm missing my family. It's the next-best thing to actually having them physically here. The first time we videochatted I almost emailed Google kind of a schmoopy thank you email because I was just so happy to have been able to see my little brother in real time, all thanks to their genius. Sometimes it's hard being so far away.
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