I'm listening a lot to this Best Coast song lately because it's awesome.
After a couple weeks/weekends where I felt tired and overwhelmed by life, I'm doing my best to get back on track. Funny, how when my bloody half-marathon is very close (it's Sunday... eep), that's when I get lazy.
But this week I'm getting my shit together. Slowly.
Last night, I went for a nice 7K run and backed up my computer. (I learned the importance of that after the coffee and MacBook incident).
Today I returned (somewhat) victorious to the gym after a couple weeks' absence (at least I ran a bit in the interim, right?). I had a good workout, and my former trainer didn't even notice my absence because he was sick. (I miss having a trainer, but my bank account doesn't. However it's good motivation knowing someone will judge me if I'm absent. Luckily illness intercepted judgement this time.)
Today was gray and cold and rainy and depressing. After the gym, I wandered around a bookstore and picked out a new book which is the easiest surefire cheer-up. (This is why my shelf is overflowing with books, I suppose.) I also went to the LCBO and found a favourite Belgian beer on the shelf as a treat. (Yes, my beer has probably cancelled out the exercise, but that's another matter.)
I finished another book that some dude bought for me before he disappeared from my life. My life has become a Stars song of ex-lovers leaving chocolate bars and gifts of novels written by their friends at my home. I finally unearthed the book from where I'd kicked it underneath my bed and read it. The novel itself was well-written; it was refreshing to read a book set it Toronto where I could vividly picture all of the landmarks and settings. However, it also concerned the subjects of depression and disconnect from reality, which aren't the cheeriest things. Although dark books do cheer me up so there you go. Maybe I should send a text saying that I read the book, but I really don't think I care enough to.
I did my taxes too. St. Louis spending money! Thanks transit passes and charitable deductions!
I spend a lot of time these days thinking about Belgium and Spain and the 1992-1993 Blue Jays. (I constantly watch baseball these days. Jays vs KC is on right now. Guess I can't cancel my cable.)
I really should decide where I'm going to go this summer before Claire's wedding in August. I want to go somewhere cheap. My little cousin raved about the cheapness of the Czech Republic when I saw him in London over March Break. I think that might be the place I go pre-London.
Forgive this rambly post. It's rainy and gray out.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
The saga of the R.A. Dickey bobblehead.
Preamble: I got my trusty MacBookPro back and good as new on Friday evening! Yay! It's got a brand new keyboard, so it totally feels like I'm typing on a new computer. I'm so happy to have my laptop back. I spent a lot of time this weekend using it to catch up on TV shows like The Daily Show and Dateline NBC (one of my not-so-secret TV shames).
As I've mentioned before, my pal Mathew and I got a Flex Pack of Blue Jays tickets. He loves free stuff, so he booked us for all of the promotional items days. Today was R.A. Dicky bobblehead day, and I really wanted a bobblehead. However, I figured if we got there an hour early, we'd be OK. (I actually went to the game with another friend, Mathew met us there later.)
I figured wrong. All of the bobbleheads were gone by the time we got there. I thought oh well, it was just another piece of stuff to gather dust, so who needs it even if I do kind of like Dickey because he's a swell dude and the only knuckleballer in the MLB these days. I decided that I would ease my pain with an $11 beer and get over it (after complaining on Twitter first, of course).
I also posted this picture on Instagram for my #100happydays photo challenge, reasoning that even though I didn't get the bobblehead, I was happy to be at the game.
A friend from work saw the picture on Instagram and mentioned that a group from our school was at the game today. A few of my friends organize an annual YMCA exchange. A group of kids get to go to another province (Alberta this year) and then a group from the other province comes to Toronto. The YMCA funds the airfare and accommodations. Anyway, the Albertans are in town this week, and they all went to today's Jays game. I texted my pal Nigel who was with them, and it turned out they were just a couple sections over from me. I could wave at them!
Of course, I asked if they got bobbleheads, and they did, and another friend from my school who was there happily gave me hers because she didn't want it! I wandered over to their section to get the bobblehead and was warmly greeted by the kids too. Nigel joked that the greeting made it seem like I was a celebrity and that he wanted my autograph.
There's my bobblehead with the real Dickey on the pitcher's mound. Before all of the above happened, my friend Mathew easily bought a bobblehead off of some random person. So everyone who wanted a bobblehead got it. (Well, at least in my group.)
Then, I checked Twitter, and it turned out that my blog/Twitter friend Aaron was at the game too, and his group had a spare bobblehead! My social media connections kind of pay off, eh? However, for the rest of the promotional days, I'm not going to leave it to fate, and I'll get there super early and bring a book to read before the game. Now that I have one bobblehead, I want the rest of this year's set (Jose Reyes, and TBD).
In other sports news, the Raptors just won game four of their playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets. Now the series is tied at two games each. It would be nice for a Toronto team to make it to round two of a play-off series.
And what the what? Has this become a sports blog??
As I've mentioned before, my pal Mathew and I got a Flex Pack of Blue Jays tickets. He loves free stuff, so he booked us for all of the promotional items days. Today was R.A. Dicky bobblehead day, and I really wanted a bobblehead. However, I figured if we got there an hour early, we'd be OK. (I actually went to the game with another friend, Mathew met us there later.)
I figured wrong. All of the bobbleheads were gone by the time we got there. I thought oh well, it was just another piece of stuff to gather dust, so who needs it even if I do kind of like Dickey because he's a swell dude and the only knuckleballer in the MLB these days. I decided that I would ease my pain with an $11 beer and get over it (after complaining on Twitter first, of course).
I also posted this picture on Instagram for my #100happydays photo challenge, reasoning that even though I didn't get the bobblehead, I was happy to be at the game.
A friend from work saw the picture on Instagram and mentioned that a group from our school was at the game today. A few of my friends organize an annual YMCA exchange. A group of kids get to go to another province (Alberta this year) and then a group from the other province comes to Toronto. The YMCA funds the airfare and accommodations. Anyway, the Albertans are in town this week, and they all went to today's Jays game. I texted my pal Nigel who was with them, and it turned out they were just a couple sections over from me. I could wave at them!
Of course, I asked if they got bobbleheads, and they did, and another friend from my school who was there happily gave me hers because she didn't want it! I wandered over to their section to get the bobblehead and was warmly greeted by the kids too. Nigel joked that the greeting made it seem like I was a celebrity and that he wanted my autograph.
There's my bobblehead with the real Dickey on the pitcher's mound. Before all of the above happened, my friend Mathew easily bought a bobblehead off of some random person. So everyone who wanted a bobblehead got it. (Well, at least in my group.)
Then, I checked Twitter, and it turned out that my blog/Twitter friend Aaron was at the game too, and his group had a spare bobblehead! My social media connections kind of pay off, eh? However, for the rest of the promotional days, I'm not going to leave it to fate, and I'll get there super early and bring a book to read before the game. Now that I have one bobblehead, I want the rest of this year's set (Jose Reyes, and TBD).
In other sports news, the Raptors just won game four of their playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets. Now the series is tied at two games each. It would be nice for a Toronto team to make it to round two of a play-off series.
And what the what? Has this become a sports blog??
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Oops.
Last Tuesday, during first period, I managed to spill coffee on the keyboard of my trusty MacBookPro. I thought that I completely fried it, but after bringing it to the Apple Store, it turns out that it's only the keyboard that's fried, and they can replace that for a reasonable cost. They have to order in the parts though, which will take 7-10 days, so here's hoping I have a laptop again by the end of the week.
I really did think I was going to have to replace it, since it wouldn't have been cost effective to spend too much on repairing an almost four-year-old laptop. I'm glad that I don't have to shell out the cash, but I had already selected what I would have gotten as a replacement. A new shiny toy could have been fun!
Apart from my self-inflicted laptop disaster, life has been good. On Thursday, I went to the Bloor Cinema to see The National documentary Mistaken For Strangers. It was rather quirky, but a must-see for any fan of the band. I spent three completely lazy days on Stratford. I ate a lot, watched lots of baseball & Dateline with my parents, and slept. The biggest outing I had was to Target. (Have I mentioned my love of the St Ratford Target?)
I returned back to Toronto yesterday and laced up my shoes for a run through the cemetery, then attempted drinks on a patio since it was borderline summer weather. However, it kept drizzling, so we stayed indoors. Doesn't matter, I had my first patio drinks of the year in March in Paris!
Now I'm tired of writing on my iPhone so that is all.
ps When I was telling a friend at work about my awful spill I said "Yes, I'm that awesome," sarcastically, of course. An adorable little grade nine girl heard me out of context and earnestly agreed "Yes Miss, you are awesome!" It was sweet and made me feel better.
I really did think I was going to have to replace it, since it wouldn't have been cost effective to spend too much on repairing an almost four-year-old laptop. I'm glad that I don't have to shell out the cash, but I had already selected what I would have gotten as a replacement. A new shiny toy could have been fun!
Apart from my self-inflicted laptop disaster, life has been good. On Thursday, I went to the Bloor Cinema to see The National documentary Mistaken For Strangers. It was rather quirky, but a must-see for any fan of the band. I spent three completely lazy days on Stratford. I ate a lot, watched lots of baseball & Dateline with my parents, and slept. The biggest outing I had was to Target. (Have I mentioned my love of the St Ratford Target?)
I returned back to Toronto yesterday and laced up my shoes for a run through the cemetery, then attempted drinks on a patio since it was borderline summer weather. However, it kept drizzling, so we stayed indoors. Doesn't matter, I had my first patio drinks of the year in March in Paris!
Now I'm tired of writing on my iPhone so that is all.
ps When I was telling a friend at work about my awful spill I said "Yes, I'm that awesome," sarcastically, of course. An adorable little grade nine girl heard me out of context and earnestly agreed "Yes Miss, you are awesome!" It was sweet and made me feel better.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
I have only two emotions: careful fear and dead devotion.
The past two days have been busy and wonderful.
Thursday - regular school day followed by a long student council meeting. I thought I'd have time to go home, but I went straight downtown to see The National at Massey Hall. And holifuck, it was a great show. I love this band live. I have to say that I'm developing a bit of a crush on Matt Berringer: a white-wine-drinking tall dude with scruffy graying hair and beard, and dark-framed glasses. That could be my new type. I loved when at the end of "Fake Empire" he dropped the mic, then threw his wine glass on the floor, and then left the stage. I seriously want to copy that move at my retirement party.
Bonus - I didn't know until the evening, but Daughter was the opening band. I love their latest album, and seeing them live was an excellent surprise.
Friday - LONG school day. It was the fifth year that I organized student council's overnight fast for charity. The group of forty students started by making bagged lunches for the homeless, and then we took a bus downtown. Half of the kids volunteered handing out race packets for the Toronto Yonge St. 10K, while the others did a street patrol handing out food (and then they switched). After that we returned to school for a bunch of activities. I even was able to take a break and go for a 5K run to Trinity Bellwoods Park and back.
I set up a borrowed tent in our school gym and managed to get 5.5 hrs sleep despite being at a sleepover with forty-teenagers.
Saturday - Still at school. The kids started with a yoga class, and then we made sock monkeys for another charity that sends them to children overseas. Ours will be going to South Africa this year. After that it was time for the kids to break the fast with a lunch of Portuguese chicken and then we were out. My friend Heather, who was visiting me from London ON, met me at school that afternoon and then we headed back to my neighbourhood. We went out for a couple of pints and then came back to my place to watch TV because that's all I had energy for. (I feel asleep, of course.)
Today - I woke up at 7:30 am to run the Yonge St. 10K. It had rained hard overnight; hard enough to wake me up and make me think that it didn't bode well for the morning's weather. Luckily, it cleared up and the day was sunny and the weather was fairly warm. My friend Sara was also running with us, and she met us at my place, since the starting line was within walking distance.
The race was super fun; I love being able to run down a major city street. My time was decent: 1 hr 4 minutes and 14.8 seconds. That's only 40 seconds slower than my 10K personal best, which is impressive considering that I was tired.
After the race, we went out for some delicious pizza and did a bit of congratulatory shopping. I treated myself to all-black high top Chucks. I've been living in Converse lately.
After Heather headed to the train station, I had a good two-hour nap and now I'm motivating myself to run out and get some groceries. Next week is a four-day week, but report cards are due, so that'll make it busy, and not so wonderful. But then it's the long Easter weekend, so yay!
Thursday - regular school day followed by a long student council meeting. I thought I'd have time to go home, but I went straight downtown to see The National at Massey Hall. And holifuck, it was a great show. I love this band live. I have to say that I'm developing a bit of a crush on Matt Berringer: a white-wine-drinking tall dude with scruffy graying hair and beard, and dark-framed glasses. That could be my new type. I loved when at the end of "Fake Empire" he dropped the mic, then threw his wine glass on the floor, and then left the stage. I seriously want to copy that move at my retirement party.
Bonus - I didn't know until the evening, but Daughter was the opening band. I love their latest album, and seeing them live was an excellent surprise.
Friday - LONG school day. It was the fifth year that I organized student council's overnight fast for charity. The group of forty students started by making bagged lunches for the homeless, and then we took a bus downtown. Half of the kids volunteered handing out race packets for the Toronto Yonge St. 10K, while the others did a street patrol handing out food (and then they switched). After that we returned to school for a bunch of activities. I even was able to take a break and go for a 5K run to Trinity Bellwoods Park and back.
I set up a borrowed tent in our school gym and managed to get 5.5 hrs sleep despite being at a sleepover with forty-teenagers.
Saturday - Still at school. The kids started with a yoga class, and then we made sock monkeys for another charity that sends them to children overseas. Ours will be going to South Africa this year. After that it was time for the kids to break the fast with a lunch of Portuguese chicken and then we were out. My friend Heather, who was visiting me from London ON, met me at school that afternoon and then we headed back to my neighbourhood. We went out for a couple of pints and then came back to my place to watch TV because that's all I had energy for. (I feel asleep, of course.)
Today - I woke up at 7:30 am to run the Yonge St. 10K. It had rained hard overnight; hard enough to wake me up and make me think that it didn't bode well for the morning's weather. Luckily, it cleared up and the day was sunny and the weather was fairly warm. My friend Sara was also running with us, and she met us at my place, since the starting line was within walking distance.
The race was super fun; I love being able to run down a major city street. My time was decent: 1 hr 4 minutes and 14.8 seconds. That's only 40 seconds slower than my 10K personal best, which is impressive considering that I was tired.
After the race, we went out for some delicious pizza and did a bit of congratulatory shopping. I treated myself to all-black high top Chucks. I've been living in Converse lately.
After Heather headed to the train station, I had a good two-hour nap and now I'm motivating myself to run out and get some groceries. Next week is a four-day week, but report cards are due, so that'll make it busy, and not so wonderful. But then it's the long Easter weekend, so yay!
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
2048
The kids at school and I are addicted to this game.
I think it was I who actually started it, because I was stealthily playing during a student council meeting one day, and got in trouble. (Bad role model.)
AFTER yesterday's meeting, a bunch of us sat around playing the game, when we probably all had places to go. Procrastination.
Today a student council kid walked into my classroom with a phone, and I said "No! I don't want to see! NOOOO!!!!!" and he showed me that his friend beat the game.
Across the hall my friend could hear me, and her class was wondering what was going on. "Oh, she's just yelling about the game she likes," my friend told them. They laughed at me.
I feel this is all sitcom-y, and supports my hypothesis that I'm really just a sitcom character. I often look for the cameras.
Next episode: I sleep overnight at school for a charity fundraiser. Last staff meeting it was announced we have an insect and mouse infestation. TUNE IN.
I think it was I who actually started it, because I was stealthily playing during a student council meeting one day, and got in trouble. (Bad role model.)
AFTER yesterday's meeting, a bunch of us sat around playing the game, when we probably all had places to go. Procrastination.
Today a student council kid walked into my classroom with a phone, and I said "No! I don't want to see! NOOOO!!!!!" and he showed me that his friend beat the game.
Across the hall my friend could hear me, and her class was wondering what was going on. "Oh, she's just yelling about the game she likes," my friend told them. They laughed at me.
I feel this is all sitcom-y, and supports my hypothesis that I'm really just a sitcom character. I often look for the cameras.
Next episode: I sleep overnight at school for a charity fundraiser. Last staff meeting it was announced we have an insect and mouse infestation. TUNE IN.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Talking about everything I am doing wrong.
Really, I think I'm too sensitive about things. Or that I care too much or take many things too seriously. I don't know what it is, but these character flaws of mine lead me to feel down far more often than I'd like to.
I have to focus on good things. The little things that bring me joy that will be there no matter what. So here's a happy list:
1) Kitty cat snuggles with Rilo. She's a nice cat.
2) Car sharing: this weekend, I needed a car to get to Hamilton for a Stag and Doe. Car sharing is so perfect for my lifestyle: I love having a car when I need it. The bonus was that I had the car for 24 hours, so this morning I took myself out for brunch, then went to Ikea and did a big grocery shop.
3) My classes are so nice this semester.
4) I went for a long run this evening: 13K. I am definitely ready for my 10K race on April 13th. I'm feeling better about my half marathon too. If I run at the (slowish) pace that I ran this evening, I'll be able to make the distance.
5) Laughing hard with friends. I went out on Friday night with my friend Mathew, and I had one of those very special laughing fits that feel so good.
6) Letting myself be lazy. I often think I should use every free moment to do work, train, accomplish something etc., but sometimes it's just nice to spend the morning bed catching up on the Daily Show.
7) The new Kevin Drew album. It's so good!
8) The amount of sunshine we are getting these days. And it's every so slightly warming up.
I have to focus on good things. The little things that bring me joy that will be there no matter what. So here's a happy list:
1) Kitty cat snuggles with Rilo. She's a nice cat.
2) Car sharing: this weekend, I needed a car to get to Hamilton for a Stag and Doe. Car sharing is so perfect for my lifestyle: I love having a car when I need it. The bonus was that I had the car for 24 hours, so this morning I took myself out for brunch, then went to Ikea and did a big grocery shop.
3) My classes are so nice this semester.
4) I went for a long run this evening: 13K. I am definitely ready for my 10K race on April 13th. I'm feeling better about my half marathon too. If I run at the (slowish) pace that I ran this evening, I'll be able to make the distance.
5) Laughing hard with friends. I went out on Friday night with my friend Mathew, and I had one of those very special laughing fits that feel so good.
6) Letting myself be lazy. I often think I should use every free moment to do work, train, accomplish something etc., but sometimes it's just nice to spend the morning bed catching up on the Daily Show.
7) The new Kevin Drew album. It's so good!
8) The amount of sunshine we are getting these days. And it's every so slightly warming up.
Monday, March 24, 2014
On the longest winter ever and the return of Miss Rilo.
When Shakespeare wrote of the winter of our discontent, he must have made himself a time machine and traveled to this winter that I'm living right now. It's awful. Endless. Right now it's bizarre because the days have gotten longer (yay more sunlight!) but it's still cold as anything. I gave up and hibernated yesterday. I'd had enough.
Today wasn't so bad: a balmy -5 degrees Celsius, but felt like -10. (Compare that to an average temperature of +5.) I went for an evening run, and enjoyed the fact that it was still sunlight at 7 pm.
And there is supposed to be more snow this week. Gah.
On Saturday, I drove to St. Ratford, to retrieve Miss Rilo from her vacation home at my parents' house. She is always rather happy there. I think she likes having two homes. The only thing she doesn't enjoy is the car ride that is necessary to transport her between her two homes.
On Sunday morning, as I was packing up her things, she knew what was going on and hid not-so-cleverly underneath a rocking chair in the basement. After I loaded the car, I decided to take a trip to Tim Horton's to treat my parents to some coffee. Apparently as soon as I left, she figured the coast was clear and headed back upstairs to hang with my parents. But, when I returned, she bee-lined to her hiding place.
I think her hiding was her half-hearted protest to the car ride, but she was pretty resigned as I loaded her into her carrier. No scratches, and no fighting, like other times. As soon as we returned to my place, she was her usual cheerful (and sleepy) self.
Today wasn't so bad: a balmy -5 degrees Celsius, but felt like -10. (Compare that to an average temperature of +5.) I went for an evening run, and enjoyed the fact that it was still sunlight at 7 pm.
And there is supposed to be more snow this week. Gah.
On Saturday, I drove to St. Ratford, to retrieve Miss Rilo from her vacation home at my parents' house. She is always rather happy there. I think she likes having two homes. The only thing she doesn't enjoy is the car ride that is necessary to transport her between her two homes.
On Sunday morning, as I was packing up her things, she knew what was going on and hid not-so-cleverly underneath a rocking chair in the basement. After I loaded the car, I decided to take a trip to Tim Horton's to treat my parents to some coffee. Apparently as soon as I left, she figured the coast was clear and headed back upstairs to hang with my parents. But, when I returned, she bee-lined to her hiding place.
I think her hiding was her half-hearted protest to the car ride, but she was pretty resigned as I loaded her into her carrier. No scratches, and no fighting, like other times. As soon as we returned to my place, she was her usual cheerful (and sleepy) self.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
On getting away and coming back home.
I had an amazing European March Break. London was so much fun. I got to attend my dear friend Claire's hen do, spend lots of amazing time with her, and see her house and meet her cats for the first time. Lots of wine was drunk, and many laughs were had. We went to the Ritz for afternoon tea (where I messed up the time for the reservation but they still let us in... the Ritz is classy, yo) and followed it up with amazingly decadent cocktails. Mine had gold in it, and hers was served in a duck egg in a nest of caramel.
Midweek I took the Eurostar to Paris to meet up with my BFF Becca T. It was so great to see her. She met me at Gare Du Nord and then we headed to the Latin Quarter for drinks on a patio in the sunshine. I spent most of my time in Paris wandering around my favourite neighbourhoods, going to museums, shopping, reading in gardens in the sunshine, and catching up with my dear friend.
I holidayed hard. I was exhausted by the end. I'm jet-lagged and I was back to work the day after I returned. I'm pretty hardcore. When I was in London, I met up with my 25-year-old cousin who is teaching there this year. He was amazed that I was able to meet up with him for drinks the day after an overnight flight followed by a late night party. He said "I couldn't live like that anymore," and I felt rather proud that I can out-do a 25-year-old at 34 years of age. And then, after a week of holidaying hard I was right back at work.
Last night after a long-ish day of school, I came home and went to bed at 8:30 pm. I felt way more rested today. At lunch today I treated to a jet-lagged traveler's wish come true. Staff were summoned for a meeting where we were told that a water main in the neighbourhood was broken, so the water would be turned off in the school, and we'd all have to go home for health and safety. Yes! I went home for a very nice afternoon nap.
My luggage was delayed, and I had to hang around tonight waiting for it to be delievered from between 7 pm and 10 pm. It showed up at 6 pm, and then I spend my evening running a couple of errands.
As I was walking through my neighbourhood, I realized that as much as I love traveling, I'm always happy to be home. I really do love my city, and my job, and I'm happy to be back to my regular routine and working towards my spring goals. And then I realized how truly lucky I am to get to travel and visit excellent friends overseas, and then return home to a life that I love.
And now for more sleep.
Midweek I took the Eurostar to Paris to meet up with my BFF Becca T. It was so great to see her. She met me at Gare Du Nord and then we headed to the Latin Quarter for drinks on a patio in the sunshine. I spent most of my time in Paris wandering around my favourite neighbourhoods, going to museums, shopping, reading in gardens in the sunshine, and catching up with my dear friend.
I holidayed hard. I was exhausted by the end. I'm jet-lagged and I was back to work the day after I returned. I'm pretty hardcore. When I was in London, I met up with my 25-year-old cousin who is teaching there this year. He was amazed that I was able to meet up with him for drinks the day after an overnight flight followed by a late night party. He said "I couldn't live like that anymore," and I felt rather proud that I can out-do a 25-year-old at 34 years of age. And then, after a week of holidaying hard I was right back at work.
Last night after a long-ish day of school, I came home and went to bed at 8:30 pm. I felt way more rested today. At lunch today I treated to a jet-lagged traveler's wish come true. Staff were summoned for a meeting where we were told that a water main in the neighbourhood was broken, so the water would be turned off in the school, and we'd all have to go home for health and safety. Yes! I went home for a very nice afternoon nap.
My luggage was delayed, and I had to hang around tonight waiting for it to be delievered from between 7 pm and 10 pm. It showed up at 6 pm, and then I spend my evening running a couple of errands.
As I was walking through my neighbourhood, I realized that as much as I love traveling, I'm always happy to be home. I really do love my city, and my job, and I'm happy to be back to my regular routine and working towards my spring goals. And then I realized how truly lucky I am to get to travel and visit excellent friends overseas, and then return home to a life that I love.
And now for more sleep.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
On fitness and getting away.
On Fitness
Last year, I decided that I want to try out weight training. However, I had no idea how to start doing this without hurting myself. I decided to get a personal trainer two times a week to help me with this.
At the end of about seven months, and even after my first trainer moved to Calgary, I decided that I would continue because I had really enjoyed the experience. I saw such progress in my personal fitness, and just overall energy levels, that I decided it was well worth the cost.
My second trainer (who was actually really scary intense) moved away at the beginning of the fall, and I ended up with a third trainer, who ended up being my favourite (even though I liked all of them). I kept seeing a lot of progress in my conditioning, my strength, and my energy levels, but my body weight has stayed the same over the past few months. However, in December I was diagnosed with a pesky medical condition that least it explains why the needle on the scale won't move. (Although I have lost a lot of body fat, so that's nice.)
Last Thursday was my last day with my trainer. I felt a little bit emotional at the end of it, like I graduated from school or something. I'm at the point where I can work out on my own quite fine, with workouts based on what we've been doing. However, I'll definitely miss the accountability of absolutely having to work out (and always pretty intensely). On the plus side, not having set appointments is great. If I'm done work early, I can hit the gym ASAP instead of having to kill time before my appointment.
Yesterday was my first workout on my own. I did something I call "factorial rowing", where I row 100 m, then do 12 squat-presses with dumbells, row 200 m, do 12 more squat-presses and so on until 1000 m. I killed it. One plus of training is that I know what a good workout feels like, and I can't inadvertently cheat myself.
Today was actually kind of nice out. The weather app on the phone claimed it was -7 degrees, but it felt warmer because it wasn't windy, and it was sunny out. I opted to skip the gym, and do a training run instead. (Another perk of no long having set times.) I did a decent 7K. I've been forcing myself out in some rough conditions, that running today felt SO EASY, even though I guess it was still kind of cold.
To keep myself accountable on workouts, my goal is to take some time on Sunday nights to plan my exercise for the week in my fitness journal. For each planned workout I do, I get $5 towards an extravagant purchase. If I skip a planned workout, I will deduct $5 from my total.
At the end of the day, I'm super proud of myself for keeping my 2013 fitness resolution well into 2014. I'm a stronger more energetic person who like exercising, and I'm training for a half marathon which I'm super excited for. I'm pretty good with clean eating too. I'd give myself a solid B for my eating. That's a great improvement from a solid F. :)
On Getting Away
This has been a ROUGH winter. I'm talking ice storms, something like 33 extreme cold days, and constant misery. I'm not heading anywhere tropical, but the spring-like temperatures in London and Paris are more than good enough for me.
Today I was thinking about how I'll be able to wear shoes in both these places. SHOES. OUTSIDE. It blows my mind. I'm not even sure how you do that anymore. (Note: I must remember to bring my cute red booties home from school tomorrow. I want to wear those outside.)
I also realized I'll be able to wear fun things like my jean jacket. What the what? And I won't have to pack mittens, a fuzzy scarf, nor a toque. Mind blown.
I want to go for one run in London, and one run in Paris to keep up a bit with my training. I realized that I no longer know how to dress for warmer temperature runs. How many layers do I wear????
I'm also going to do lots of fun things too, and I'm excited for that, but honestly, the lack of snow is what I'm looking forward to the most. At my parents' house, they still have banks of snow that are five feet high. It's awful.
Seriously, lack of snow might just bring me to tears of joy. Be forewarned Claire & Becca T.
Last year, I decided that I want to try out weight training. However, I had no idea how to start doing this without hurting myself. I decided to get a personal trainer two times a week to help me with this.
At the end of about seven months, and even after my first trainer moved to Calgary, I decided that I would continue because I had really enjoyed the experience. I saw such progress in my personal fitness, and just overall energy levels, that I decided it was well worth the cost.
My second trainer (who was actually really scary intense) moved away at the beginning of the fall, and I ended up with a third trainer, who ended up being my favourite (even though I liked all of them). I kept seeing a lot of progress in my conditioning, my strength, and my energy levels, but my body weight has stayed the same over the past few months. However, in December I was diagnosed with a pesky medical condition that least it explains why the needle on the scale won't move. (Although I have lost a lot of body fat, so that's nice.)
Last Thursday was my last day with my trainer. I felt a little bit emotional at the end of it, like I graduated from school or something. I'm at the point where I can work out on my own quite fine, with workouts based on what we've been doing. However, I'll definitely miss the accountability of absolutely having to work out (and always pretty intensely). On the plus side, not having set appointments is great. If I'm done work early, I can hit the gym ASAP instead of having to kill time before my appointment.
Yesterday was my first workout on my own. I did something I call "factorial rowing", where I row 100 m, then do 12 squat-presses with dumbells, row 200 m, do 12 more squat-presses and so on until 1000 m. I killed it. One plus of training is that I know what a good workout feels like, and I can't inadvertently cheat myself.
Today was actually kind of nice out. The weather app on the phone claimed it was -7 degrees, but it felt warmer because it wasn't windy, and it was sunny out. I opted to skip the gym, and do a training run instead. (Another perk of no long having set times.) I did a decent 7K. I've been forcing myself out in some rough conditions, that running today felt SO EASY, even though I guess it was still kind of cold.
To keep myself accountable on workouts, my goal is to take some time on Sunday nights to plan my exercise for the week in my fitness journal. For each planned workout I do, I get $5 towards an extravagant purchase. If I skip a planned workout, I will deduct $5 from my total.
At the end of the day, I'm super proud of myself for keeping my 2013 fitness resolution well into 2014. I'm a stronger more energetic person who like exercising, and I'm training for a half marathon which I'm super excited for. I'm pretty good with clean eating too. I'd give myself a solid B for my eating. That's a great improvement from a solid F. :)
On Getting Away
This has been a ROUGH winter. I'm talking ice storms, something like 33 extreme cold days, and constant misery. I'm not heading anywhere tropical, but the spring-like temperatures in London and Paris are more than good enough for me.
Today I was thinking about how I'll be able to wear shoes in both these places. SHOES. OUTSIDE. It blows my mind. I'm not even sure how you do that anymore. (Note: I must remember to bring my cute red booties home from school tomorrow. I want to wear those outside.)
I also realized I'll be able to wear fun things like my jean jacket. What the what? And I won't have to pack mittens, a fuzzy scarf, nor a toque. Mind blown.
I want to go for one run in London, and one run in Paris to keep up a bit with my training. I realized that I no longer know how to dress for warmer temperature runs. How many layers do I wear????
I'm also going to do lots of fun things too, and I'm excited for that, but honestly, the lack of snow is what I'm looking forward to the most. At my parents' house, they still have banks of snow that are five feet high. It's awful.
Seriously, lack of snow might just bring me to tears of joy. Be forewarned Claire & Becca T.
Monday, March 03, 2014
Is it awful if....
...as I read facebook post after facebook post, and have conversation after conversation with my friends who have children and houses who tell me about their weekends of shovelling show and waking up at 5:30 am to sign up for swimming lessons, and how their date nights turn into an opportunity to go Home Depot and buy paint for their bathrooms, and are out for dinner with their sweaters on inside out...
...that I feel really really grateful that I'm sitting on my sofa, in quiet and still, watching a dumb TV show, drinking wine, and dreaming about the reality that I'm flying to London and Paris in a few short days?
...that I feel really really grateful that I'm sitting on my sofa, in quiet and still, watching a dumb TV show, drinking wine, and dreaming about the reality that I'm flying to London and Paris in a few short days?
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Being here
I discovered this song yesterday when my Zipcar did not have an audio connector thingy so I could hook up my phone to the stereo. (There was my problem with my usual Mini Cooper, so I had to drive the Audi down the street. It was great except for the lack of connector.) Not one to be stuck to the radio, I grabbed a handful of CDs (remember those?) as I headed out the door with my grumpy cargo (Rilo) in tow.
One of the CDs I grabbed was the Arts & Crafts 10th anniversary retrospective that I got at Field Trip 2013. It made for great road trip music as I drove Rilo to Stratford for safekeeping at my parents' house as I head off to London/Paris in a few days (!).
Most of the songs are old faves for me, but the above Stills' song from 2008 was a new find and great listening for a road trip. It also made me remember of how I used to obsessively listen to the Stills' "Lola Stars & Stripes" back in 2003 before they were on AC.
Anyhow, it's been a pretty good past week, and a good weekend too. I am really excited for my upcoming trip, and have to dig out my spring coat and wash it. After weeks of extreme cold and tonnes of snow here, the 10 degree temperatures of London/Paris look amazing. I can't wait.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Heavy rotation on the CBC.
Writing hasn't been coming to me easily at all lately. I've though "oh goodness, I haven't blogged in awhile" but then realize that I'm not entirely sure what I'd even write about.
The past couple weekends and the days in between have been great though. I had a nice birthday relaxing at the spa, doing a little shopping, and heading down to Stratford to visit my parents. Last week, I had a packed social schedule, including a great Blue Rodeo show at Massey Hall with a friend who is recently back from teaching a semester in Italy.
This past weekend was really busy too. On Friday night, my friend Fea and I had a joint birthday party at a favourite neighbourhood restaurant. I had a really nice Saturday hanging out in the city, and on Sunday, I went bridesmaids' dress shopping with my friend Wendy. (I'm in her wedding.) I had to take the bus to Hamilton for this, but I did watch the hockey game live on my phone, and was really happy to see Canada repeat its hockey gold.
We got nice bridesmaids' dresses, which is great for me, because I'm going to wear mine in another wedding this summer. I'm getting good value out of my dress.
The Olympics were super fun watch, eh? This year, I wasn't feeling too excited about them, but then they happened at I had to go out and buy the new mittens and Canada sweater etc. I'm such a nerd.
I just remembered that my favourite awful TV show is on tonight: The Bachelor. This is great news, because I bought myself some fancy new wine glasses for my birthday, so it's the perfect time to open a bottle of my favourite Portuguese red and try them out.
The past couple weekends and the days in between have been great though. I had a nice birthday relaxing at the spa, doing a little shopping, and heading down to Stratford to visit my parents. Last week, I had a packed social schedule, including a great Blue Rodeo show at Massey Hall with a friend who is recently back from teaching a semester in Italy.
This past weekend was really busy too. On Friday night, my friend Fea and I had a joint birthday party at a favourite neighbourhood restaurant. I had a really nice Saturday hanging out in the city, and on Sunday, I went bridesmaids' dress shopping with my friend Wendy. (I'm in her wedding.) I had to take the bus to Hamilton for this, but I did watch the hockey game live on my phone, and was really happy to see Canada repeat its hockey gold.
We got nice bridesmaids' dresses, which is great for me, because I'm going to wear mine in another wedding this summer. I'm getting good value out of my dress.
The Olympics were super fun watch, eh? This year, I wasn't feeling too excited about them, but then they happened at I had to go out and buy the new mittens and Canada sweater etc. I'm such a nerd.
I just remembered that my favourite awful TV show is on tonight: The Bachelor. This is great news, because I bought myself some fancy new wine glasses for my birthday, so it's the perfect time to open a bottle of my favourite Portuguese red and try them out.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Still pretty good year. (Birthday edition.)
Tomorrow is my last day of being 33.
I was comfortable with the number 33. For some reason the number 34 feels a little surreal to me. Maybe it's the fact that it marks the mathematical beginning of my mid-thirties.
I still like being in my thirties way better than being in my twenties. I'm more confident, more willing to take risks, and more open. But still, sometimes being more open and willing to take risks can lead to being hurt, which is exactly why I kept closed up a lot of the time in my twenties.
Regardless of my apprehension, 34 will come, and I'm certain it will be a good age. I have a feeling things are on an upswing.
Usually for my birthday, I have a big dinner & drinks event for my friends but this year, I didn't feel like planning one. Instead, I'm going to spend the day doing EXACTLY what I want. I'm getting a massage, eating a free three-course meal at the spa, going shopping, and then taking the train home to visit my parents. And I will have red wine on the train. I don't think I need anything else.
I was comfortable with the number 33. For some reason the number 34 feels a little surreal to me. Maybe it's the fact that it marks the mathematical beginning of my mid-thirties.
I still like being in my thirties way better than being in my twenties. I'm more confident, more willing to take risks, and more open. But still, sometimes being more open and willing to take risks can lead to being hurt, which is exactly why I kept closed up a lot of the time in my twenties.
Regardless of my apprehension, 34 will come, and I'm certain it will be a good age. I have a feeling things are on an upswing.
Usually for my birthday, I have a big dinner & drinks event for my friends but this year, I didn't feel like planning one. Instead, I'm going to spend the day doing EXACTLY what I want. I'm getting a massage, eating a free three-course meal at the spa, going shopping, and then taking the train home to visit my parents. And I will have red wine on the train. I don't think I need anything else.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Awww.
Becca T left this morning. :( What a short but awesome visit with my bestie. Last night after work I went to the Bay and bought us the 2014 Canadian Olympic mittens and we watched the Olympics (and The Bachelor... my shame) while wearing our mittens and drinking red wine.
We also did silly things like send our pal Mathew hints of jewelry we liked from the Tiffany website, and I swear, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
The good news is that I'll see her in exactly a month tomorrow. I booked my Eurostar train from London to Paris for March Break, so hey, Paris here I officially come on March 12th!
Even though, I'm still feeling a bit mopey coming home to an empty house tonight. Even Rilo seemed a little bit sad/concerned when I walked in. She was very talkative, which is not usual for her.
Luckily, I have more Olympic to watch, and thanks to Siobhan for hooking me up with the new Beck song. What great moping music!
We also did silly things like send our pal Mathew hints of jewelry we liked from the Tiffany website, and I swear, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
The good news is that I'll see her in exactly a month tomorrow. I booked my Eurostar train from London to Paris for March Break, so hey, Paris here I officially come on March 12th!
Even though, I'm still feeling a bit mopey coming home to an empty house tonight. Even Rilo seemed a little bit sad/concerned when I walked in. She was very talkative, which is not usual for her.
Luckily, I have more Olympic to watch, and thanks to Siobhan for hooking me up with the new Beck song. What great moping music!
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Baby you're a firework.
I had a busy week getting used to a new semester. Five days in, and I think that yet again I'm blessed with great classes, although I do miss my old ones.
On Thursday, I had a little bit of time to kill, so I started reading Robyn Doolittle's book on Mayor Rob Ford at a bookstore. As you all know, it's a rather sordid dark affair riddled with addiction, crime, and corruption, and sorts nastiness. Doolittle is one of the Toronto Star reporters who saw the infamous tape and was integral in breaking many of the scandals associated with our mayor, and she recently published this book. I had no interest in reading it, but then I picked it up in the bookstore, started to read it, and it was quite the page-turner, so I bought it and finished it in three days. There's not a whole lot there that I didn't know before, but reading it all together in one place makes me realize how it's crazy that this awful man with no ethics or integrity is mayor. I used to feel sorry for him because he obviously has addictions and demons, but his stubbornness and unwillingness to do the right thing (i.e. step down), negates him from any sympathy in my books.
Anyway, I also watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics at my friend Mathew's house on Friday night. He made a Russian goulash. It was tasty, and watching the opening ceremonies was fun.
On Saturday I had a good sleep in, then sat on my couch and watched a good three hours of Olympics. After which I got myself and my home ready for my dear Becca T's arrival! We had a super fun evening: we caught up on music, funny things on YouTube, ordered Swiss Chalet, and watched the Katy Perry movie.
I had an excellent Sunday. I went for brunch at a friend's house so I could see her house and her new baby. Then I came home and went for a nice outdoor winter run in the snow. Becca T and I met up with some friends for sushi for dinner. What a nice day.
Oh, also on our walk home from sushi, I came across a February Metropass (monthly TTC pass, cost = $133.75) on the ground. We ran up to the girl ahead of us on the street to see if it was hers, but it wasn't. There was no one else around. I feel bad when people lose things. Anyway, Becca will be able to use it tomorrow to get around town, and then I'm going to give to a colleague at school to give to a student in financial need.
That was my week/weekend. As always, the weekends go so quickly!
On Thursday, I had a little bit of time to kill, so I started reading Robyn Doolittle's book on Mayor Rob Ford at a bookstore. As you all know, it's a rather sordid dark affair riddled with addiction, crime, and corruption, and sorts nastiness. Doolittle is one of the Toronto Star reporters who saw the infamous tape and was integral in breaking many of the scandals associated with our mayor, and she recently published this book. I had no interest in reading it, but then I picked it up in the bookstore, started to read it, and it was quite the page-turner, so I bought it and finished it in three days. There's not a whole lot there that I didn't know before, but reading it all together in one place makes me realize how it's crazy that this awful man with no ethics or integrity is mayor. I used to feel sorry for him because he obviously has addictions and demons, but his stubbornness and unwillingness to do the right thing (i.e. step down), negates him from any sympathy in my books.
Anyway, I also watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics at my friend Mathew's house on Friday night. He made a Russian goulash. It was tasty, and watching the opening ceremonies was fun.
On Saturday I had a good sleep in, then sat on my couch and watched a good three hours of Olympics. After which I got myself and my home ready for my dear Becca T's arrival! We had a super fun evening: we caught up on music, funny things on YouTube, ordered Swiss Chalet, and watched the Katy Perry movie.
I had an excellent Sunday. I went for brunch at a friend's house so I could see her house and her new baby. Then I came home and went for a nice outdoor winter run in the snow. Becca T and I met up with some friends for sushi for dinner. What a nice day.
Oh, also on our walk home from sushi, I came across a February Metropass (monthly TTC pass, cost = $133.75) on the ground. We ran up to the girl ahead of us on the street to see if it was hers, but it wasn't. There was no one else around. I feel bad when people lose things. Anyway, Becca will be able to use it tomorrow to get around town, and then I'm going to give to a colleague at school to give to a student in financial need.
That was my week/weekend. As always, the weekends go so quickly!
Sunday, February 02, 2014
When you float like a cannonball.
Point form summary of the past few days:
1) The National is playing three shows at Massey Hall, and I was unaware. Once I became aware, I checked and most of the tickets were sold out, but I could still find some decent single seats for one night. I figured why not?, and bought one for myself. I like taking myself on dates to see bands.
2) I got sick on Thursday. I think it was food poisoning or something. Anyway, I was lucky that we had a morning exam, and I left as soon as I could to go sleep. I even had to cancel my usual Thursday workout.
3) Thankfully I felt better on Friday. I had an exam on Friday morning, then spent the afternoon preparing for semester two.
4) After school on Friday, my friend Fea and I went to the spa and then out for dinner afterwards. It was really relaxing and really nice.
5) I got back into the winter running groove this weekend. I did a short run (4.8 km) yesterday, and a long run (9.7 km) today. My feet got wet, but I stayed warm. I enjoyed both runs, and I'm thankful for the cemetery for being a great place to run; not a lot of slush builds up on cemetery pathways.
6) I finished all of my semester one marking last night at the neighbourhood Starbucks with my pal Fea. Yay!
7) I scheduled a hair appointment for 4 pm today, but as I was hopping on the streetcar, my stylist called me to tell me he was running late, and asked if I could come in an hour later. That meant I had an hour to kill in Kensington Market which was great! I went to Fresh Collective, which is one of my favourite indie clothing stores. They were having a massive sale, and I scored a dress and two pairs of really nice shoes (for spring though) all for about $100. I saved over $324 off their full prices. I can wear the new dress tomorrow but the shoes will have to wait.
8) After my hair cut, I stopped by the vinyl store Sonic Boom, and found a limited edition live album by Damien Rice. He hasn't put out anything new in years and year (in fact he only has two very good LPs to his name), but the one time I saw him (in the fall of 2007) was one of my favourite shows ever. Anyway, this little live album is great, and a nice reminder of how much I love his songs.
9) Oh, my friend Karen scored us tickets to Neko Case at Massey Hall in May. Yay!
Well, I should get ready for bed. I no longer have first period prep, so I have to get to school earlier to avoid stress. Hope you all have nice Mondays!
1) The National is playing three shows at Massey Hall, and I was unaware. Once I became aware, I checked and most of the tickets were sold out, but I could still find some decent single seats for one night. I figured why not?, and bought one for myself. I like taking myself on dates to see bands.
2) I got sick on Thursday. I think it was food poisoning or something. Anyway, I was lucky that we had a morning exam, and I left as soon as I could to go sleep. I even had to cancel my usual Thursday workout.
3) Thankfully I felt better on Friday. I had an exam on Friday morning, then spent the afternoon preparing for semester two.
4) After school on Friday, my friend Fea and I went to the spa and then out for dinner afterwards. It was really relaxing and really nice.
5) I got back into the winter running groove this weekend. I did a short run (4.8 km) yesterday, and a long run (9.7 km) today. My feet got wet, but I stayed warm. I enjoyed both runs, and I'm thankful for the cemetery for being a great place to run; not a lot of slush builds up on cemetery pathways.
6) I finished all of my semester one marking last night at the neighbourhood Starbucks with my pal Fea. Yay!
7) I scheduled a hair appointment for 4 pm today, but as I was hopping on the streetcar, my stylist called me to tell me he was running late, and asked if I could come in an hour later. That meant I had an hour to kill in Kensington Market which was great! I went to Fresh Collective, which is one of my favourite indie clothing stores. They were having a massive sale, and I scored a dress and two pairs of really nice shoes (for spring though) all for about $100. I saved over $324 off their full prices. I can wear the new dress tomorrow but the shoes will have to wait.
8) After my hair cut, I stopped by the vinyl store Sonic Boom, and found a limited edition live album by Damien Rice. He hasn't put out anything new in years and year (in fact he only has two very good LPs to his name), but the one time I saw him (in the fall of 2007) was one of my favourite shows ever. Anyway, this little live album is great, and a nice reminder of how much I love his songs.
9) Oh, my friend Karen scored us tickets to Neko Case at Massey Hall in May. Yay!
Well, I should get ready for bed. I no longer have first period prep, so I have to get to school earlier to avoid stress. Hope you all have nice Mondays!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Adorable
It's exam week. First semester is on its last legs (which means I'm almost 50% to summer). This also means that I have to say goodbye to my classes of the past five months, which is always a little bit sad to me. I have a speech that I give on the last day, about how I've truly enjoyed teaching each and every one of them, and how I will miss them. (And it's always true, even though it sounds cheesy.)
Today my grade tens wrote their exams. As a kid hands in their exam, I like to shake his or her hand, and congratulate them on finishing their exam. When it comes to quizzes, tests, and exams, I'm known for my thoroughness, and finishing my exam is an accomplishment. The first couple of kids who hand in their exam and get a handshake look at me like I'm a weirdo, but then they all warm up and get into the congratulatory handshake.
As I shook one student's hand, he paused and then said to me "Miss, thank you for being my science teacher for the past two years." (He had me in grade 9.) My heart melted. Maybe you had to be there, but it was one of the most earnest, heartfelt thank yous that I've gotten, and it really made my day. I think it was especially meaningful because he was a quiet kid, and he said it in front of the rest of the class, and it was just very touching.
And it totally reminded me why I love my job.
Today my grade tens wrote their exams. As a kid hands in their exam, I like to shake his or her hand, and congratulate them on finishing their exam. When it comes to quizzes, tests, and exams, I'm known for my thoroughness, and finishing my exam is an accomplishment. The first couple of kids who hand in their exam and get a handshake look at me like I'm a weirdo, but then they all warm up and get into the congratulatory handshake.
As I shook one student's hand, he paused and then said to me "Miss, thank you for being my science teacher for the past two years." (He had me in grade 9.) My heart melted. Maybe you had to be there, but it was one of the most earnest, heartfelt thank yous that I've gotten, and it really made my day. I think it was especially meaningful because he was a quiet kid, and he said it in front of the rest of the class, and it was just very touching.
And it totally reminded me why I love my job.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Too cold.
Last weekend I was all about the winter running. This weekend, not so much. I couldn't even drag myself out in the cold to run indoors at the gym.
Friday night I had dinner & drinks with some friends, then came home and went to bed pretty early. It was super windy and cold out and I was glad not to have to go anywhere.
The rest of my weekend was devoted to a little bit of errand running, lots of time marking with my friend Fea at our local Starbucks, reading, and sleeping. And, huge drumroll please, I am actually done with the monotonous overwhelming chore that is marking. Well, until Wednesday when exams start rolling in. But it's nice to be caught up, and I'm going to relish it for awhile.
And that was my weekend. I'm sure now that I'm all caught up with my marking, I'll have time to think of more interesting things to blog about this week. Until then, happy Monday everyone.
Friday night I had dinner & drinks with some friends, then came home and went to bed pretty early. It was super windy and cold out and I was glad not to have to go anywhere.
The rest of my weekend was devoted to a little bit of errand running, lots of time marking with my friend Fea at our local Starbucks, reading, and sleeping. And, huge drumroll please, I am actually done with the monotonous overwhelming chore that is marking. Well, until Wednesday when exams start rolling in. But it's nice to be caught up, and I'm going to relish it for awhile.
And that was my weekend. I'm sure now that I'm all caught up with my marking, I'll have time to think of more interesting things to blog about this week. Until then, happy Monday everyone.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
I'm in misery where you can seem as old as your omens.
I've recently really gotten into Chvrches. I love the album The Bones of What We Believe and this song especially.
Oh January, I keep trying to like you, I really do. But you're so cold and dark, and you're going on for what seems like an eternity. When it comes to my life, I feel like I'm in this weird limbo where I'm waiting for something to happen. I have lots of things to look forward to starting next month (visit from Becca T, my birthday, Blue Rodeo, then my March break trip to Europe), but I gotta get through the work and drudgery that comes with this month.
I think this is at least my second post complaining about this month.
But, I do have down time, which I have been craving so badly after the whirlwind that was the entire year of 2013. I'm rocking at the healthy living thing: I'm continuing all of good habits around making my own lunches and eating clean during the week. I'm exercising lots.
I'm reading a lot. I'm on my fourth book of the year.
Also, I feel that lots of good things are on the horizon, but I'm a little impatient for them during these dark cold days.
I just want some sunshine.
Oh January, I keep trying to like you, I really do. But you're so cold and dark, and you're going on for what seems like an eternity. When it comes to my life, I feel like I'm in this weird limbo where I'm waiting for something to happen. I have lots of things to look forward to starting next month (visit from Becca T, my birthday, Blue Rodeo, then my March break trip to Europe), but I gotta get through the work and drudgery that comes with this month.
I think this is at least my second post complaining about this month.
But, I do have down time, which I have been craving so badly after the whirlwind that was the entire year of 2013. I'm rocking at the healthy living thing: I'm continuing all of good habits around making my own lunches and eating clean during the week. I'm exercising lots.
I'm reading a lot. I'm on my fourth book of the year.
Also, I feel that lots of good things are on the horizon, but I'm a little impatient for them during these dark cold days.
I just want some sunshine.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
The cold never bothered me anyway.
I never thought that I'd come to enjoy winter running.
I've been running consistently for almost three years now (I did my first race in 2011), and I'd do all of my training on a treadmill when the temperatures were cold, or it was raining, or when it was too hot. I actually didn't mind treadmill running: it was easier, and there was zero discomfort.
However, I've come to the point where I detest the treadmill, and love the challenges that come with running outdoors. This is the first time that I've been running into the winter months of December and January, and I'm getting addicted.
Yesterday was a lovely day for a winter run. It was sunny out, perhaps about -2 degrees Celsius, and there was no wind. The pavement was mainly clear of ice and free of slush, unlike the messy conditions last weekend, and my easy short training run was a breeze.
Today I had to do my long training run of 8 km. (My long runs are going to progress in length and I keep training for my half marathon.) It's cloudy today, about -5 degrees Celsius, there's a bit of wind, and it wasn't snowing when I started, but by the time I was 6 km, there were big flakes of snow steadily coming down.
The last bit of my run was super challenging: I was running uphill into the wind, and I was trying to finish in a certain time. I managed to do it, and I felt super happy that I was able to battle the wind and snow.
I managed to plan my run so that it ended a few metres away from my neighbourhood Starbucks, so I warmed up with a coffee which was really nice. I watched a few other runners go by on the street and saw a girl with purple legwarmers. I think I need purple legwarmers.
I hope next weekend's running conditions are as nice as this one's.
And I'm in love with this song these days.
I've been running consistently for almost three years now (I did my first race in 2011), and I'd do all of my training on a treadmill when the temperatures were cold, or it was raining, or when it was too hot. I actually didn't mind treadmill running: it was easier, and there was zero discomfort.
However, I've come to the point where I detest the treadmill, and love the challenges that come with running outdoors. This is the first time that I've been running into the winter months of December and January, and I'm getting addicted.
Yesterday was a lovely day for a winter run. It was sunny out, perhaps about -2 degrees Celsius, and there was no wind. The pavement was mainly clear of ice and free of slush, unlike the messy conditions last weekend, and my easy short training run was a breeze.
Today I had to do my long training run of 8 km. (My long runs are going to progress in length and I keep training for my half marathon.) It's cloudy today, about -5 degrees Celsius, there's a bit of wind, and it wasn't snowing when I started, but by the time I was 6 km, there were big flakes of snow steadily coming down.
The last bit of my run was super challenging: I was running uphill into the wind, and I was trying to finish in a certain time. I managed to do it, and I felt super happy that I was able to battle the wind and snow.
I managed to plan my run so that it ended a few metres away from my neighbourhood Starbucks, so I warmed up with a coffee which was really nice. I watched a few other runners go by on the street and saw a girl with purple legwarmers. I think I need purple legwarmers.
I hope next weekend's running conditions are as nice as this one's.
And I'm in love with this song these days.
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