Look at me go!
Ok, to explain the picture below, this picture is taken at mile 26 of the 26.2 mile race, and just after you have come up the interstate off ramp (the second biggest hill on the course, but it sucks worse cause it's at mile 26). I think I look pretty good for being at this point. BTW, I went on to sprint past Mr. Number 5022 to the finish line. From this point in the race, it's down the hill and around the corner (tricky w/ the tar and tired legs) and then a 300 m sprint to the finish line. People cheering you on, bells ringing, it's great fun! I can't wait for next year!
Monday, September 27, 2004
Here is me in the Northshore inline marathon. This picture was taken by ActionSports International. It's copywrited, but I'm not distributing it, so I think it's ok for me to use here :P I'm still deciding if I'll purchase a small pic of me in the marathon or not...
Posted by Hello
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
The Bus of Eternal Stench
Oh, it stank. It's the stink of ages. Once it gets on you, it never goes away, and even when you are in your house, away from the bus for 3 hrs, you still smell it. Noone else does, or they pretend not to. But that SMELL! The bus I rode home tonight smelled like mothballs, or something equally discusting. That putrid, astringenty, metallic-biting smell. Maybe it smells of Urinal Cakes. I don't know. But whatever it was, whoever it was -STANK. I smelled it all the way home, and combined with the diesel fumes and the fact I had to sit in the back of the bus, facing sideways and trying to hold a convo w/ someone...
My poor belly is still doing flip flops. I took a shower to releave myself of the stench, but I think it's permenantly impressed upon my nose hairs and my brain. I can't really even smell, my allergies are so bad. Ugh, so that tells you just how BAD this was. I think I'm going to put vaporub under my nose and go to bed and pout there. I'm sure Eeyore and Kirara will keep me company, and they won't tell me that I smell now too. :(
Oh, it stank. It's the stink of ages. Once it gets on you, it never goes away, and even when you are in your house, away from the bus for 3 hrs, you still smell it. Noone else does, or they pretend not to. But that SMELL! The bus I rode home tonight smelled like mothballs, or something equally discusting. That putrid, astringenty, metallic-biting smell. Maybe it smells of Urinal Cakes. I don't know. But whatever it was, whoever it was -STANK. I smelled it all the way home, and combined with the diesel fumes and the fact I had to sit in the back of the bus, facing sideways and trying to hold a convo w/ someone...
My poor belly is still doing flip flops. I took a shower to releave myself of the stench, but I think it's permenantly impressed upon my nose hairs and my brain. I can't really even smell, my allergies are so bad. Ugh, so that tells you just how BAD this was. I think I'm going to put vaporub under my nose and go to bed and pout there. I'm sure Eeyore and Kirara will keep me company, and they won't tell me that I smell now too. :(
Monday, September 20, 2004
...And Stretch.
Oh, I'm a bit sore. Not so bad though, because I did train, but eep...I'll train harder for next year. But I so happy I did it, not just to prove to myself I could, but because I set a goal and attained it. I finished in 1:46:58, and my goal was to finish in under 2 hrs. My other goals, not falling, and getting to the start on time, also were attained.
So at the award ceremony, my brother is looking at the times that won the Rec division. Suddenly he announces, "I could beat these times." I looked at him, and I thought to myself, "yup, he could...hmmm" and a plan formed. So, for next year, he's gonna do it, and we're gonna train to do a speed line together. we hope to get at least one more who can go that fast (finish around 1:20) so that he wins overall rec. and I win women's rec. Sound impossible? Well, I thought me doing a marathon in anything was gonna be hard, but I actually had quite a bit of energy left at the end...so who knows how fast I can go. Oh, and of course I'll be souping up my skates for next year (not new ones...yet...but definately better/bigger wheels and better bearings).
Good times. Now to lose 15 lbs, get a bike, find some goggles and do the swimming and the biking for cross training. Oh, and don't forget the skate skies and classic style XC skies...oh, and the downhill skies! Gotta have something for cross training!
I'll get a pic of me up as soon as I have one.
Oh, I'm a bit sore. Not so bad though, because I did train, but eep...I'll train harder for next year. But I so happy I did it, not just to prove to myself I could, but because I set a goal and attained it. I finished in 1:46:58, and my goal was to finish in under 2 hrs. My other goals, not falling, and getting to the start on time, also were attained.
So at the award ceremony, my brother is looking at the times that won the Rec division. Suddenly he announces, "I could beat these times." I looked at him, and I thought to myself, "yup, he could...hmmm" and a plan formed. So, for next year, he's gonna do it, and we're gonna train to do a speed line together. we hope to get at least one more who can go that fast (finish around 1:20) so that he wins overall rec. and I win women's rec. Sound impossible? Well, I thought me doing a marathon in anything was gonna be hard, but I actually had quite a bit of energy left at the end...so who knows how fast I can go. Oh, and of course I'll be souping up my skates for next year (not new ones...yet...but definately better/bigger wheels and better bearings).
Good times. Now to lose 15 lbs, get a bike, find some goggles and do the swimming and the biking for cross training. Oh, and don't forget the skate skies and classic style XC skies...oh, and the downhill skies! Gotta have something for cross training!
I'll get a pic of me up as soon as I have one.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Back to basics
So far in my classes, I haven't really learned anything new. I thought that was what grad school was all about. But I spose we have to review everything that everyone might have forgotten over 1 to 15 to 30 summers between their last semester and now. Still, I'm getting a new perspective on old material. It's odd though when you cover an ENTIRE class you had in undergrad in 50 min. (and you understand it all, and it starts coming back to you! woot!) The homework sucks, and I'm not quite sure how I'll keep up with it, and working, and having any sort of life what so ever. I know what Katie means, she's at school all friggen day, and I'm at work and class all day too. I should put a blanket in my pod at work, and another in my locker at school. Yes, I said locker. I have a cute little locker that is about 4 inches wide by about 4 feet tall, perfect for jackets and mittens, and on top, there is a little 1ft x 1.2ftx 2 1.5ft deep cubby for things like extra shoes, food, gym clothes, books, etc (though not necessarily all at the same time!)
When I look at it all, it's like EEP, when am I doign to get X, Y and Z done and still read P, D and Q while studying for F, U and K exams. But, it's not so bad when I break it down week by week, and make lists, and just breathe. After all--everyone is getting overwhelmed by something at some point, it's how we deal with it that makes us stronger people. I am convinced (at least at this point) that grad school isn't so much about learning the material, as about learning how to find the material you need, and how to cope when you can't or it's just too much at once.
In other news, my B-day went quite well. I went to work and to class, (poo) and then after my class I went to Old Chicago w/ Kris from downstairs, Peri from class, Lee and Chris and my bestest roomie Katie! We had food, and then, I had the Fudge Brownie (w/ ice cream)-for free cause it was my b-day and they're all nice like that. Don't worry, I shared. It was a hodge-podge celebration put together about 3 hrs before we went, right before my class, and I didn't get a chance to call everyone, specially the people I knew it would be more than a little hastle to drive all the way over to St. Paul just for a late dinner...but I hope to do something more next week/end sometime. Nothing special, just maybe dinner or a small movie night, or going out (hehe)
So, the rest of this week stays busy. I have class tonight, volunteering tomorrow and then a Dr. Appt. and then I leave to go get my race packet in Duluth. Then Saturday is The Big Race. (well, big for me anyway, as it's my first ever) Karin is riding up to Duluth w/ me, so we'll get to chat away any pre-race jitters. But all in all, I'm getting really excited for this race. I was really kinda disappointed when we didn't do it last year, so here's to the second try!
So far in my classes, I haven't really learned anything new. I thought that was what grad school was all about. But I spose we have to review everything that everyone might have forgotten over 1 to 15 to 30 summers between their last semester and now. Still, I'm getting a new perspective on old material. It's odd though when you cover an ENTIRE class you had in undergrad in 50 min. (and you understand it all, and it starts coming back to you! woot!) The homework sucks, and I'm not quite sure how I'll keep up with it, and working, and having any sort of life what so ever. I know what Katie means, she's at school all friggen day, and I'm at work and class all day too. I should put a blanket in my pod at work, and another in my locker at school. Yes, I said locker. I have a cute little locker that is about 4 inches wide by about 4 feet tall, perfect for jackets and mittens, and on top, there is a little 1ft x 1.2ftx 2 1.5ft deep cubby for things like extra shoes, food, gym clothes, books, etc (though not necessarily all at the same time!)
When I look at it all, it's like EEP, when am I doign to get X, Y and Z done and still read P, D and Q while studying for F, U and K exams. But, it's not so bad when I break it down week by week, and make lists, and just breathe. After all--everyone is getting overwhelmed by something at some point, it's how we deal with it that makes us stronger people. I am convinced (at least at this point) that grad school isn't so much about learning the material, as about learning how to find the material you need, and how to cope when you can't or it's just too much at once.
In other news, my B-day went quite well. I went to work and to class, (poo) and then after my class I went to Old Chicago w/ Kris from downstairs, Peri from class, Lee and Chris and my bestest roomie Katie! We had food, and then, I had the Fudge Brownie (w/ ice cream)-for free cause it was my b-day and they're all nice like that. Don't worry, I shared. It was a hodge-podge celebration put together about 3 hrs before we went, right before my class, and I didn't get a chance to call everyone, specially the people I knew it would be more than a little hastle to drive all the way over to St. Paul just for a late dinner...but I hope to do something more next week/end sometime. Nothing special, just maybe dinner or a small movie night, or going out (hehe)
So, the rest of this week stays busy. I have class tonight, volunteering tomorrow and then a Dr. Appt. and then I leave to go get my race packet in Duluth. Then Saturday is The Big Race. (well, big for me anyway, as it's my first ever) Karin is riding up to Duluth w/ me, so we'll get to chat away any pre-race jitters. But all in all, I'm getting really excited for this race. I was really kinda disappointed when we didn't do it last year, so here's to the second try!
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Whew!
Ok, I knew that grad school would be work, but this is ridiculous! I will most definately be reorganizing my study habits. I am used to skim the book, do the problems. Now it's read the book, write the paper. That's easily twice the work as before. Not HARDER work, per say. Just more work. And I'll be working more hours during grad school because I need to pay rent and eat food. Luckily for me, I have 5 hrs between classes tomorrow in order to study study study!
Bleah. I've been up since 6, I'm going to bed. I worked twice as long today as I had planned on working. I'll probably check my webct stuff again before going to bed, just to make sure I have everything I need for tomorrow.
Gotta love school, right? WHEEEE!
Ok, I knew that grad school would be work, but this is ridiculous! I will most definately be reorganizing my study habits. I am used to skim the book, do the problems. Now it's read the book, write the paper. That's easily twice the work as before. Not HARDER work, per say. Just more work. And I'll be working more hours during grad school because I need to pay rent and eat food. Luckily for me, I have 5 hrs between classes tomorrow in order to study study study!
Bleah. I've been up since 6, I'm going to bed. I worked twice as long today as I had planned on working. I'll probably check my webct stuff again before going to bed, just to make sure I have everything I need for tomorrow.
Gotta love school, right? WHEEEE!
Monday, September 06, 2004
Yippee! Remember all that talk about cutting the hair and changing the window dressings? Here it is. I've added the little picture bot thing from Hello (link at bottom) to my blog. I am not sure what pics I'll add, but this is one of my favorites from the Europe trip last summer. Oh, and Rachel, do you have the pic CD? I don't know where it is, grant it haven't looked, and I accidentally deleted them all off my computer when I reformated :(
Posted by Hello
Thursday, September 02, 2004
What a difference a day makes!
Wow, I have already typed this blog entry. It's almost like deja-vu, only this time I know I'm repeating something. Damned blogger has been misbehaving for me lately. Ok, here I go again.
On Tuesday, I was fretting because I didn't know what I was going to be doing one week from then. Then Wonderful Wednesday. I met my advisor, registered for classes, visited the bookstore (in an attempt to purchase my books so I could be super ready for class, but no luck), and poof!, I know what I'm doing from now until December. Not only that, but I have a strikingly good idea of what is going on Spring semester too! Woot!
Also on Wednesday I had my car's oil changed and tires rotated, and all the other bits checked out--good news, I have no need to replace my breaks like I though, they are just being squeaky (so says the nice mechanic who should know what he is talkign about). When I got home from doing that I cleaned the kitchen, and cleaned my room. But I still wasn't done. I then attacked all the stuff in my attic that I've been meaning to do all summer, and was one of the major 'you will do this' things on my "summer to do list". Missions: accomplished. So I celebrated last night by playing video games with Katie and reading some Star Wars. A good day indeed.
I also learned that once you are registered for grad school, you become suddenly smarter. At work for instance, I suddenly have been talking with people about 'developing' things and 'researching', instead of simply filing. Oh, and the biggest improvement on the work situation...tomorrow I'm going to go shoot water balloons off - as scientific research. I like 'developing' and 'researching'. Yup, it has been a good day and a half!
Wow, I have already typed this blog entry. It's almost like deja-vu, only this time I know I'm repeating something. Damned blogger has been misbehaving for me lately. Ok, here I go again.
On Tuesday, I was fretting because I didn't know what I was going to be doing one week from then. Then Wonderful Wednesday. I met my advisor, registered for classes, visited the bookstore (in an attempt to purchase my books so I could be super ready for class, but no luck), and poof!, I know what I'm doing from now until December. Not only that, but I have a strikingly good idea of what is going on Spring semester too! Woot!
Also on Wednesday I had my car's oil changed and tires rotated, and all the other bits checked out--good news, I have no need to replace my breaks like I though, they are just being squeaky (so says the nice mechanic who should know what he is talkign about). When I got home from doing that I cleaned the kitchen, and cleaned my room. But I still wasn't done. I then attacked all the stuff in my attic that I've been meaning to do all summer, and was one of the major 'you will do this' things on my "summer to do list". Missions: accomplished. So I celebrated last night by playing video games with Katie and reading some Star Wars. A good day indeed.
I also learned that once you are registered for grad school, you become suddenly smarter. At work for instance, I suddenly have been talking with people about 'developing' things and 'researching', instead of simply filing. Oh, and the biggest improvement on the work situation...tomorrow I'm going to go shoot water balloons off - as scientific research. I like 'developing' and 'researching'. Yup, it has been a good day and a half!
