As today is the last official day of 2007, I have been spending some time thinking about what happened this year ... and more importantly what I am hoping for in 2008. I tend to be a bit scatter-brained, jumping from thing-to-thing and project-to-project. At times, this habit of mine creates a sense of panic, when I realize that I have 100 things on my plate and that each of these things is about 10% finished. I feel overwhelmed and unsatisfied, freak out for a bit, and then go back to my ususal ways.
2007 was no different - I was all over the place. BUT I did commit at the beginning of the year to run a marathon, and after many (MANY) months of training and one failed attempt, I finally did so on December 2. Don't think that I didnt think of quitting...several times over those long months of training I almost convinced myself to give it up and move onto something new. I am glad that I overcame my own self, in addition to the other obstacles thrown my way, to complete the Las Vegas Marathon.
I hope in 2008 to be a bit more consistent. To actually finish what I start before moving on to something "bigger and brighter". As I mention occasionally, I am a PhD student ... and I think 2008 is going to have to be the year I really hunker down and get the ball rolling on this dissertation. I have been thinking about it a lot lately and trying to will myself into this next big commitment. In addition to school though, I need some other major goal. Each year I strive to do something new - something I have never done before that will not only teach me something and make me learn, but that will ultimately make me a better person. In 2007 I ran the Las Vegas Marathon, in 2006 I helped build a house in Poland for Habitat for Humanity, in 2005 I quit my job and went back to get my PhD, etc. What will mark 2008 for me? Ultimately I would like to make 2008 "the year I get my head on straight" ... but I think thats more like a goal for 2015 :)
For now I am hoping that 2008 brings much to me that 2007 did - lots of fun and laughter, new friends and new experiences. I hope that somehow, in my sleep tonight, I have an amazing dream that will clearly indicate to me what new type of "marathon leap" I will make in the coming year.
December 31, 2007
I May Not Be Running ...
But I havent given up on my sweet tooth :) I am still baking, and today instead of cookies I opted for a pineapple upside down cake. I have never made one before, and this ones turned out looking pretty good. I havent tasted it yet, so there is no official confirmation that this attempt was a success...
In addition, I did something productive today. My camera has been taking pictures backwards for about a month (maybe more!). Each time I post a picture, its either backwards (the cake is backwards...but you cant tell because a cake looks the same either way) or I have to flip the picture prior to posting it. I took the time today to do some surfing and figured out how to fix the problem. Now I can take pictures without having to worry about that dumb problem. See...I can already tell its going to be a great new year.
In addition, I did something productive today. My camera has been taking pictures backwards for about a month (maybe more!). Each time I post a picture, its either backwards (the cake is backwards...but you cant tell because a cake looks the same either way) or I have to flip the picture prior to posting it. I took the time today to do some surfing and figured out how to fix the problem. Now I can take pictures without having to worry about that dumb problem. See...I can already tell its going to be a great new year.
December 27, 2007
Yeah, I'm Home :(
Well, the trip is over, Christmas is over, and now I can REALLY get some time to rest before the new semester starts, right? Except for all of the class prep I have to do, articles I have to write, and general tasks I have to do to get my life back on track now that its officially "after marathon". I havent run (I dont even think I have walked fast) since the Marathon, which was almost a month ago. Not only have I not run, but I havent stepped inside a gym either. I am in an odd state trying to figure out what to do next, and while doing that pondering I am practicing being a sloth.
As I am literally doing nothing, I also dont have a whole lot to write about either :) I did see this pretty cool cover of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" done by the Plain White T's. Since the Plain White T's are from Chicago, and I need at least something entertaining going on on this blog, I thought I would post the video :)
As I am literally doing nothing, I also dont have a whole lot to write about either :) I did see this pretty cool cover of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" done by the Plain White T's. Since the Plain White T's are from Chicago, and I need at least something entertaining going on on this blog, I thought I would post the video :)
December 23, 2007
Aloha Hawaii!
December 20, 2007
The Hotel
On The Road Again
December 19, 2007
Correction!
I have been told I made a boo-boo on my last post. We saw LAVA on the volcano ... not JAVA. And yes, I had not had a coffee yet so its likely it was some sort of Freudian slip :)
December 18, 2007
The Big Island
December 16, 2007
Jaws Sighting
December 15, 2007
December 14, 2007
Aloha!
Time For The REAL Marathon Recovery
Jeff & I are sitting in the airport waiting to depart on a well needed (and well deserved!) vacation. Its likely you wont be hearing much from me over the next few days ... and thats a very good thing :)
December 13, 2007
The Real Me
December 11, 2007
Merriam-Webster's word of '07: 'w00t' - Yahoo! News
This is right up my sisters alley and I think she might have been the individual responsible for nominating this word as a candidate ... according to Merriam-Webster, the Merriam-word of '07: is "w00t". According to the Yahoo! News article, "w00t" is "a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness or triumph".
My sister, I think, got it from Teen Girl Squad, a cartoon on Homestar Runner. Episode 2 is a pretty clear example of the proper use of "w00t" if you ask me :) Where did the rest of the world get this word? Wikipedia (the keeper of all truth) says "w00t" comes from "a hybrid of letters and numbers that stands for We 0wn the 0ther Team" ... but it appears that the page for this word was just created today!
My sister, I think, got it from Teen Girl Squad, a cartoon on Homestar Runner. Episode 2 is a pretty clear example of the proper use of "w00t" if you ask me :) Where did the rest of the world get this word? Wikipedia (the keeper of all truth) says "w00t" comes from "a hybrid of letters and numbers that stands for We 0wn the 0ther Team" ... but it appears that the page for this word was just created today!
December 10, 2007
Still Don't Know What To Get Me For Christmas?
Well, The Wealth Report at the wallstreetjournal.com has some ideas. It appears retailers are one-upping themselves trying to think of creative gifts for all of the U.S. billionaires ... and those who like to spend like them.
The newest issue of the Robb Report lists "21 Ultimate Gifts" for 2007. The list includes a 300-carat diamond necklace for $16 million.
I am not too sure if I am a fan of this necklace ... but I have a feeling it would still look pretty good wrapped around my neck ;)
Honestly, if you have the cash to burn, I think this single 84.37 carat diamond (reportedly the "largest purest white flawless brilliant-cut diamond ever to appear at auction") is a better bet. Both of them go for about 16 million, but I would rather have one huge diamond than many small ones ... and I think most ladies will agree ;)
The problem would be trying to find a matching 84.37 carat diamond in order to make a matching pair of earrings ...
The newest issue of the Robb Report lists "21 Ultimate Gifts" for 2007. The list includes a 300-carat diamond necklace for $16 million.
I am not too sure if I am a fan of this necklace ... but I have a feeling it would still look pretty good wrapped around my neck ;)
Honestly, if you have the cash to burn, I think this single 84.37 carat diamond (reportedly the "largest purest white flawless brilliant-cut diamond ever to appear at auction") is a better bet. Both of them go for about 16 million, but I would rather have one huge diamond than many small ones ... and I think most ladies will agree ;)
The problem would be trying to find a matching 84.37 carat diamond in order to make a matching pair of earrings ...
December 8, 2007
A Post For Animal Lovers :)
Found some pretty great pictures of dogs and cats that won a recent contest on Dogster and Catster. Some made me laugh and I just had to pass them along...
Cats
Little Bear
Pippin
Sandara
Gordy
Dogs
Gunner
Otis
Pedro Leaftroff Bodagendogg (Now thats a name!)
Goldie
Cats
Little Bear
Pippin
Sandara
Gordy
Dogs
Gunner
Otis
Pedro Leaftroff Bodagendogg (Now thats a name!)
Goldie
December 7, 2007
Sick & Tired ... Literally
I picked up some cooties on the plane (or something) heading home from Vegas and I am just wiped out. Marathon-related I feel awesome - no aches, no pains, no soreness ... etc. If it werent for this stupid head-cold I would be on top of the world right now.
Instead, I just want to sleep :) I also am not in the blogging mood - so no effort was made to find some "Friday Funnies", but here is something about a guy who ran the Las Vegas Marathon with his quadruplets. YES, QUADRUPLETS.
Seems like the blogging world is a bit split over this - with some thinking that its not so wise to run for 5 hours with your 4 babies :) (And against marathon regulations in addition) On top of it, the guy running with them is actually a physician...
Instead, I just want to sleep :) I also am not in the blogging mood - so no effort was made to find some "Friday Funnies", but here is something about a guy who ran the Las Vegas Marathon with his quadruplets. YES, QUADRUPLETS.
Seems like the blogging world is a bit split over this - with some thinking that its not so wise to run for 5 hours with your 4 babies :) (And against marathon regulations in addition) On top of it, the guy running with them is actually a physician...
December 6, 2007
Las Vegas Marathon
Sorry it has taken so long to post - I came home in the midst of finals and brought along a nasty head-cold to boot. Anyway, I sent some pics along the way in Las Vegas, but here is my recap.
I woke up at 4 am for a 6:07 race start. We started off to a cool morning dressed in pants, long sleeves, and gloves. Everyone was excited for the race, but the energy was completely different than it was in Chicago (marathon attempt #1).
We started off to fireworks ... which already finished by the time we crossed the start line. Although the field was much smaller than Chicago, it still took us almost 15 minutes to cross the start. There were a total of 4289 Marathon finishers, and 8166 1/2 Marathon finishers - but all started at the same time and location.
Shortly into it our group separated - Cara and Kevin were in one direction and Bradley, Beca and I were in another. We didnt see Kevin again until mile 22 or so ... and we didnt see Cara until the finish :) Jeff was all over the course in his rental car, and took tons of pics, so I can show you some pics of Cara & Kevin ... but I personally never saw them! Here I am, along with Bradley and Beca, about 2.5 miles into the race.
We saw the Blue Man Group at mile 3 or so.
At mile 5 it had been a while since we saw a bathroom, and we all had to go. So we got in line at a single portapotty and waited for 15 minutes! Most of our miles averaged about 11:30 paces...but mile 5 clocked out at 26.34 :)
We saw Jeff again at mile 9. This is where the course got pretty boring. The first 9 miles were all on the strip, the rest of them were through the streets of Las Vegas. Here is a picture of Bradley, Beca and I and the back of our shirts.
The shirts were awersome! There werent a lot of spectators (or even a lot of runners) but we got comments left and right on our shirts. We were amazed at how many of the runners were actually from Chicago, or had actually done (attempted!) the Chicago Marathon this year. It created a sense of kinship between us and many of the runners, stimulated conversations and helped us meet a lot of people!
The next time we saw Jeff was about mile 13? It was hard to tell because the view was very similar from mile 9 on. All of the view pretty much looked like my post on the way to mile 10. By the next time we saw Jeff, Beca had drifted behind and Bradley and I were on our own. Jeff snapped some shots of Kevin and Cara as they passed by...
And also got a pic of Bradley and I on the approach...
Here we see Cara ... and then Kevin ... and then Beca at Mile 16.
And Bradley and I chugging along at Mile 19. This pic gives you a chance to see the mile markers. The LVMarathon people sent out all this info about the "innovative mile markers". We werent that impressed - and actually often found them quite hard to read! At this point it was about 50 degrees ... but sunny. The weather could not have been more ideal.
The last time I saw Jeff before the finish was at Mile 22...where he got a picture of Kevin and a few shots of Bradley & I. They were supposed to have Emerald Nuts - but they ran out! Luckily (thanks to the genius of Beca) Jeff had peanut-butter filled pretzels waiting for us. We were definitely a bit tired at this point and those pretzels were perfect!
And then here we are just about to FINISH!
And here are all of your official Marathon Finishers :)
In order: Kevin, Me, Bradley, Cara & Beca!
LAS VEGAS MARATHON RECAP
Overall it was a great experience - totally unlike Chicago. The runners in Las Vegas were more laid back, the event was well prepared, and we didnt feel the same level of intensity. Some of this I believe is due to our first experience ... making the emotional level of this one a bit duller. Each of us completed the race, but unfortunately one of the "Vegas Crew" never got out of Chicago due to weather. Its not a mission accomplished until each one of us is satisfied - and the Vegas Crew sticks together. When Patti decides what her next step is, she has the whole team behind her :)
I woke up at 4 am for a 6:07 race start. We started off to a cool morning dressed in pants, long sleeves, and gloves. Everyone was excited for the race, but the energy was completely different than it was in Chicago (marathon attempt #1).
We started off to fireworks ... which already finished by the time we crossed the start line. Although the field was much smaller than Chicago, it still took us almost 15 minutes to cross the start. There were a total of 4289 Marathon finishers, and 8166 1/2 Marathon finishers - but all started at the same time and location.Shortly into it our group separated - Cara and Kevin were in one direction and Bradley, Beca and I were in another. We didnt see Kevin again until mile 22 or so ... and we didnt see Cara until the finish :) Jeff was all over the course in his rental car, and took tons of pics, so I can show you some pics of Cara & Kevin ... but I personally never saw them! Here I am, along with Bradley and Beca, about 2.5 miles into the race.
We saw the Blue Man Group at mile 3 or so.
At mile 5 it had been a while since we saw a bathroom, and we all had to go. So we got in line at a single portapotty and waited for 15 minutes! Most of our miles averaged about 11:30 paces...but mile 5 clocked out at 26.34 :)
We saw Jeff again at mile 9. This is where the course got pretty boring. The first 9 miles were all on the strip, the rest of them were through the streets of Las Vegas. Here is a picture of Bradley, Beca and I and the back of our shirts.
The shirts were awersome! There werent a lot of spectators (or even a lot of runners) but we got comments left and right on our shirts. We were amazed at how many of the runners were actually from Chicago, or had actually done (attempted!) the Chicago Marathon this year. It created a sense of kinship between us and many of the runners, stimulated conversations and helped us meet a lot of people!The next time we saw Jeff was about mile 13? It was hard to tell because the view was very similar from mile 9 on. All of the view pretty much looked like my post on the way to mile 10. By the next time we saw Jeff, Beca had drifted behind and Bradley and I were on our own. Jeff snapped some shots of Kevin and Cara as they passed by...
And also got a pic of Bradley and I on the approach...
Here we see Cara ... and then Kevin ... and then Beca at Mile 16.
And Bradley and I chugging along at Mile 19. This pic gives you a chance to see the mile markers. The LVMarathon people sent out all this info about the "innovative mile markers". We werent that impressed - and actually often found them quite hard to read! At this point it was about 50 degrees ... but sunny. The weather could not have been more ideal.
The last time I saw Jeff before the finish was at Mile 22...where he got a picture of Kevin and a few shots of Bradley & I. They were supposed to have Emerald Nuts - but they ran out! Luckily (thanks to the genius of Beca) Jeff had peanut-butter filled pretzels waiting for us. We were definitely a bit tired at this point and those pretzels were perfect!
And then here we are just about to FINISH!
And here are all of your official Marathon Finishers :)
In order: Kevin, Me, Bradley, Cara & Beca!
LAS VEGAS MARATHON RECAP
Overall it was a great experience - totally unlike Chicago. The runners in Las Vegas were more laid back, the event was well prepared, and we didnt feel the same level of intensity. Some of this I believe is due to our first experience ... making the emotional level of this one a bit duller. Each of us completed the race, but unfortunately one of the "Vegas Crew" never got out of Chicago due to weather. Its not a mission accomplished until each one of us is satisfied - and the Vegas Crew sticks together. When Patti decides what her next step is, she has the whole team behind her :)
December 3, 2007
Still in Vegas
December 2, 2007
I Beat Her
After a 15 min wait for a porta-potty @ mi 5 - I finally finished in 5 hrs and 21 min (take that Katie Holmes!). It was a long, hard race but all of us made it. Unfortunately, Patti never got out of Chicago... I missed her every step of the way :(
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