2009 Races

Since I've set a goal of running a half-marathon before the end of the year, I've decided to track down a few races (5K) that I could use as motivation and training until then, and my options for half-marathons. So far, these are the options I find most intriguing:

3/7/09 - Miller Park Stampede, Bloomington IL
3/14/09* - Run to LSB 3K, Decatur IL (beer at the end...bonus)
(*Usually on St. Patrick's Day weekend, kicking off the Decatur parade.)
3/28/09 - Penguin in the Park, Decatur IL
4/11/09 - Illinois Marathon (and 5K), Champaign IL
4/11/09 - Lake Sara Dam Run, Effingham IL

5/2/09 - Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon, Indianapolis IN
9/13/09 - Chicago Half Marathon, Chicago IL


So, who is coming with me??

A long December, and there's reason to believe, maybe this year will be better than the last...

2008 - The Good


Spent NYE 2007 with a group of good friends from home, dressed as a pirate.

I had the pleasure and honor of attending the weddings of: Katie (Strejc) & Sean Fischer, Aimee (Showers) & Shine Lin, and Caleb & Kim Judy

Spent a wonderful weekend visiting awesome college friends in Findlay, OH. The bad: puked on twice by Baby Alex.

Shared good times with friends in Decatur.

Learned to trust my instincts, see red flags, listen to and trust my friends' and family's instincts (even after the fact), and really figure out what I want and deserve.

Lake of the Ozarks - almost dying in a potentially capsized pontoon boat, but meeting new friends :)

Visited old college friends in Chicago while taking an LSAT prep course. (Still trying to decide when to actually take the exam.)

Spent a weekend in Tennessee with college friends, went whitewater rafting and learned of Baby Minton!

Deciding to return to grad school and getting an A and a B!!!

Ran my first EVER 5K!!!

Helped to plan and host an extremely successful 10-year high school reunion

Jamby Crawl 2008 - 80's Hollywood (Flashdance baby!)

Home for the holidays, always good.

Celebrating the impending arrival of Baby Jacob and learning about Peanut Weber-Johnson!

Spending a fun NYE 2008 with pals in Memphis, TN!



2008 - The Bad & Ugly

Continued family drama over the death of Great-G'ma

The break-up and, I'm not too ashamed to admit it, lingering hostility and a little pleasant vindication for myself.

My friends' family health issues

Co-workers' family health issues/deaths


All in all, I give 2008 a B-. It could have been worse I suppose and I am truly thankful for the many, many, many blessings I do have. Not the least of which have been my friends near and far that have listened to me cry, complain, speak in triplicate when inebriated, put up with whatever I throw down. I hope I've done the same for them and will continue to work toward that end in the coming year.

Speaking of...resolutions coming shortly.

2008 in Review

I've been thinking of a "Year In Review" type post for the last few days and just happened upon this meme instead. Stay tuned for a similar post though after the New Year!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Rolled down a hill in a plastic bubble (Zorb)

Traveled to Arizona, California, and North Carolina for work.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I'll have to find them, but I think I did pretty well considering an interesting (shiteous) first third of the year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Sarah A., Sarah B. and learned Lindsay M. was pregnant!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year.

5. What countries did you visit?

None

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

More time to spend with friends and family.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Honestly? For better or worse, March 10.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Maintaining my sanity while working full-time and attending graduate school part-time.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I've come full circle, but I'd say trying, and usually failing, to think positively in painful situations. Additionally, not thinking really hateful things about some people who crossed my path this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing more than a cold or two. Oooh, and some hangovers. Yikes.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My new laptop in February!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Tough one! I'm sure I couldn't narrow it down to just one.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Fortunately, it occurred early in the year (thus not spoiling the rest of my time!) and anyone who knows me, knows who I am referring to.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Rent, car payment, then credit card debt.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

New Kids on the freakin' Block!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

"Wanted Dead or Alive" - Tennessee trip

"I'm Yours" - just for fun

"Stupid Boy" - on repeat

"So What" - also on repeat

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

• i. happier or sadder? Happier!
  
• ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner!
  
• iii. richer or poorer? Richer!
  

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Work out, practice my trumpet, study for the LSAT (still have a while though), play with Hunter

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Surfing the internet, doubting/blaming myself, being angry

20. How will you be spending New Year’s?

Celebrating on Beale St. in Memphis with Kathy, Lydia, Mike, Ben and Chuck

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Delusion might better describe it.

23. How many one-night stands?

Hmm...hey! I'm a good girl!

24. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I'm stealing this comment: "I resent certain peoples' behaviors and I make conscious choices to minimize my exposure to these behaviors...I just hate peoples' choices at times." I tend to agree, but I kinda hated on some folks. Meh.

26. What was the best book you read?

Before I had to read a pile of journals for class, I read "Dreams of My Father" by the President-Elect. Starting on the "Audacity of Hope" now.

27. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?

Thunder Road - The Boss

28. What did you want and get?

A speaker dock for my glorious iPod

29. What did you want and not get?

Nothing much really. Pretty darn satisfied.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

I'm going with "The Dark Knight" or "Juno."

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Hm, not much really. I turned 28.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Studying for, taking and rocking the LSAT. February (or June) or bust!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Work clothes or jeans and t-shirts.

34. What kept you sane?

Facebook

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

David Gergen

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Seriously? This is a question? The election of President-Elect Barack Obama. DUH!

37. Who did you miss?

Family and friends I don't get to see often. Decatur friends, Weller friends, Southern Illinois friends.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I can't narrow that down!!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:

To not reflect too much on the past, but learn from it.

Forgive (sort of), but don't forget.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

Home for the Holidays!

After a trip that normally takes two hours took almost four, I made it home. The St. Louis area is pretty much covered in ice and is super slick. I just heard on the TV that Interstate 70 has been shut down (where, I don't know) for a crash, so thank goodness I left when I did.

Here's what I'm excited about for week and coming weekend:

• One "A" and one "B" in my graduate classes this semester! Not entirely surprised about the B, but pleasantly surprised about the A!
• Going to see some old friends at Fast Eddie's
• Christmas Eve at my Aunt and Uncle's and bagnacalda
• Christmas lights, luminaries, and Midnight Mass
• After-Christmas shopping
• Seeing the college gang for the baby shower on Sunday
  
• Family, friends and FOOD!
  

No Edgar

No Edgar
Originally uploaded by mitch.surprenant

Wow!
A. That's a really old sticker

B. It's paid for by my former "seasonal" employers, classic.

C. It was found in the MLK Jr. University Union at EIU where Jim Edgar is pretty much still regarded as a God

Hilarious.

Negative Ads?

In this time of campaign ads, both positive and negative, it has me thinking about actual product advertising. Just in the last week, I've noticed two product ads that are seemingly positive, but in reality are essentially bashing their competitors, albeit a bit more subtly than black and white photos, newspaper headlines, quotes, and using that creepy dude's voice. However, isn't there a twinge of negativity? You decide...

Apple Ad

There's also a Claritin ad (that I can't find on YouTube) that keeps talking about Zyrtec and how it "may cause drowsiness." From what I recall the announcer even says "there's one thing Zyrtec won't tell you." Sounds an awful lot like political commercials to me.

Thoughts?

Minutes just ticking away...

For the last few weeks it's felt as though the minutes and days are just ticking away without much recollection or productivity. Some are better than others, but overall, it's sort of felt like a daze.

I haven't worked out much mostly for lack of motivation - no 5K looming on my calendar anymore probably doesn't help - and lack of time. It seems free moments outside of work or class are spent procrastinating on homework or actually doing it.

Classes are going well I guess. Research methods is what it is...a bunch of stats and math I don't remember from 6 years ago and need to reteach myself. This weekend I'm working on a paper assignment this weekend for my Subnational Gov. class. Basically, we're suppose to synthesize about 12 journal articles into about 6 factors necessary to understand modern politics. It's weird though because I feel like 6 years ago I could have sat down in an evening or two and cranked out a paper with no problem, but now it feels as overwhelming as the idea of writing a thesis. I'm probably just over-thinking it.

I think today might be a good day to pick up running again...stress relief!