You are the only thing that makes sense, just ignore all this present tense*

I am working on increasing my dorkiness.  And, sadly, I'm doing a GREAT job so far.  

I bought a pair of ski goggles last week, but when I went skiing, they were terrible.  They fogged up within a second or so of putting them on.  So...I bought a new pair at the ski shop at the Mountain on Sunday (Mike was right, I should have just bought the Smiths brand from the beginning), and I returned the crappy ones to EMS.  

So, I had intended to just return the goggles.  Instead, I ended up buying Yaktrax and a headlamp.

Yes, a headlamp.  

I make fun of JP all the time for HIS headlamp, and yet, I bought one of my own.  (Go ahead JP, open season on the insults).  I went running last night and it was so helpful!  I didn't feel like I was going to trip over stuff on the sidewalk...I could actually SEE where I was going.  

Amazing.  

I haven't really had a chance to test the Yaktrax yet, for the last two weeks, they haven't cleared the sidewalks and it's been so difficult to run.  Yet, the day I wanted to test the Yaktrax, the sidewalks were finally completely cleared.  So, I couldn't wear them. 

However, it's currently snowing as I type this, so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.  :-)

*Snow Patrol

I won't be waiting any more because I know...I was made for you*

I went skiing again on Sunday, and it was both fantastic and horrific at the same time.  The first time I went (um yeah, on THURSDAY), I was by myself, so I didn't really feel the need to push myself at all.  On Sunday, I went with Mike, who's been skiing for 15ish years, and it was a completely different experience.  

We went up one of the smaller lifts and I had a terrible first run.  Awful.  I basically forgot everything I had learned on Thursday (I knew WHAT to do, I just wasn't really doing it) and I was a mess.  I fell a lot.  And, the way they taught us to stand up on Thursday was apparently not a good way.  So, Mike tried to teach me how to stand up for real.  And I tried like 20 times and couldn't do it.  Mike got a little frustrated with me and I felt really bad and kind of wanted to tell him he could go ski on his own so he wouldn't have to put up with me all day.  But, then, I tried it on my other side, and realized it was my hip that I had hurt two years ago, and it wouldn't go in the position I needed.  I was much better on that side (I'm still ridiculous and can't stand up normally, but I figure I have issues with standing anyway, so, no surprise there.).  

I finally made it to the bottom of the hill, and Mike decided I was ready to go to the top of the mountain.  I am amazed at his optimism.  I get on the chair lift and look up and up and up and got a little apprehensive, but, too late.  I didn't really have any other choice but to go up and then back down.   I still fell, but I was able to ski portions at a time before falling, so while I was in no way good at skiing, I wasn't completely atrocious either.  

We skied a few more runs, and I managed to actually do a few runs without falling.  Not very often, but it did happen few times.  However, for the life of me, I can't ski on flat surfaces.  You know, the EASY part of skiing?  Yeah, I can't figure out how to "skate" in my skis.  So, I was basically using my arms to kind of drag myself along.  I look very stupid. 

Then, Mike decided I was able to go for the blue runs (next step up from easy), and I felt bad, I was thinking he was probably horrifically bored on the easy slopes, so I agreed to try.  The first blue run was ok.  I fell a few times, but nothing awful.  

Then, we tried another blue run, and ugh.  WORST IDEA EVER.  It was way beyond what I felt confident in doing and I was terrified and I had no desire to ski there.  But, I didn't really have a choice.  So, I skied down.  Or, to be completely truthful...I fell down.  Yes, that is probably a better way to write it...I fell down the mountain.  And every time I fell, I was less and less confident in my ability to make it down the mountain, I was completely scared, thought I was going to hurt myself, and honestly just wanted to sit there for the rest of the day.  Even when we got to the easy part of the run, I was so freaked out, I just kept falling.  At the end of the run, I fell and slammed my face into the snow.  That actually really hurt (I have a lovely bruise across the bridge of my nose making my glasses highly uncomfortable to wear).  

So, I was shaken, and really not happy, and just not having fun.  We went back to the smaller lift and the easy run and I was still so freaked out, that I effed up that run really badly too.  I got to the bottom of the hill and I kind of just wanted to cry.  So, I went to the lodge and sat for a little while and talked to some friends on the phone while Mike went off and skied some of the harder runs. 

I decided I wanted to try one more run because I refused to end my day on such a crappy feeling.  We did the easy trail again, and I was sooooooooooo slow going down, but, I managed to not fall, so I felt slightly better.  

After we finished skiing, we went to a bar that Mike swore had the best Yuengling.  I was a bit skeptical, I mean, really, how great can a Yuengling be?  However, either I was just REALLY needing a beer, or Mike was right, because holy crapy, most amazing beer EVER!  It was so good.  

Then, I drove home and passed out, I was so ridiculously tired.  I woke up this morning completely covered in bruises and completely excited to go again.  I'm thinking I may go on Saturday before heading to Costa Rica with L.  

*She and Him

I just keep thinking of the chicken dance...but that has no lyrics

While I was in Austin, I found the cutest toothbrush holder.  

I've been wanting to find a toothbrush holder for a while now.  I was previously just leaving my toothbrush out on the sink, which is kind of gross.  It gets cleaning solutions and other stuff all over it I'm sure.  

So, when I saw this, I couldn't not purchase it. 

Also notice the super adorable phone cover in the mirror (the one that causes random people to come up to me and ask if I want to see THEIR phone cover.  I feel like I'm part of a previously unknown club of cool phone cover owners)  

Anyways...

How adorable is that?  Just hanging out on the mirror keeping my toothbrush clean.  

I love it. 

There's no sunrise like the taste of your smile*

Today, I checked something off my bucket list.

I went skiing.  I have wanted to go since I was about 12, but my parents would never let me (even though J was allowed to go on HER school trip).  Actually, I lay that one on you mom, I'm pretty sure dad wouldn't have cared if I went or not.  :-)

Since coordination is not my strong point, I decided just attempting to ski on my own wouldn't work out so well, so I took a lesson.  This was partly good and partly awful.  The first instructor that I had was wonderful.  He was super nice and patient and even though I was awful, he lied and said I was getting better.  

Then, he left, and some other guy came over to take us to the bunny hill and he was evil drill sergeant man.  Seriously, he yelled at me SO MUCH.  It made me all flustered and nervous and I just got worse.  It didn't help everyone else in my group had all skied before and were rockstars compared to me.  So I'm getting yelled at, and I am the worst one of the group, and seriously, it sucked. 

He FINALLY left us alone, and I stayed on the bunny hill.  While on the hill, I went that way really fast and when something got in my way, I turned (+5 cool points if you get that reference).  And, seriously, I only fell ONCE the entire time.  So I blame jerk man instructor who should not be an instructor because he sucks.  And once I was actually able to not fall every 5 seconds, I had a great time.  

I also expect to be sore tomorrow.  But in a good way.   

*Colbie Caillat

But in my heart I'm always somewhere with you*

I had SO MUCH FUN in Austin.  I somehow forgot to take any pictures of the actual skyline (go me!). Seriously, who goes visit a city and doesn't get a picture of the skyline?  And it's so pretty.  I was thinking of looking for a pretty one online that I could post and you could pretend that I took it, but that just seems like too much work.  So, go Google some images of Austin.  It's almost the same thing. :-)

We didn't really do anything Friday night since we got in so late, but on Saturday, we started the day with the Austin Farmers' Market.  JH and I split the most amazing biscuit with sausage and gravy.  Seriously.  It was so good.  

Unfortunately, it was raining pretty much all day, so we didn't get to go to any of the trails or anything that we had planned.  Instead, we spent the day downtown, shopping on South Congress St.  We went to lunch at some restaurant (it's actually a really well known one, I just can't seem to remember the name of it).  While there, Curtis Stone was there too!  We saw famous people (person)!  Since we had such a late night, we just went to Kerbey Lane for dinner.  It's kind of Austin's version of a diner, but better food.  

That night we went out, and we came to the conclusion that girls in Austin don't wear pants.  It's like an epidemic.  All these girls forgetting their pants.  

They're also kind of mean.  We were parallel parking and some lame drunk girls started screaming at us and insulting us and just being rude and lame.  Whatever.  We had a good time anyways.

Sunday, was overcast, but not raining for the most part, so we went to Juan in a Million for brunch and met up with some guys we had met the night before.   Mt. Bommell (the picture below is the view from there), and did some more shopping and eating.  We went to Amy's Ice Cream and I had the best sundae ever. Seriously awesome.  They're like Cold Stone, but better!

After eating, we went to Mt. Brommell, and got this awesome picture overlooking the city.  

It was such an amazing view.  We basically took this big staircase up to the top (a little over 100 steps, not too bad).  I didn't really take any pictures heading upstairs, but here is one heading down.  

That night, we went to The Salt Lick for the most amazing beef ribs I have ever eaten in my ENTIRE life.  So amazingly yummy.  After eating barbecue, we went back to downtown Austin, and went to a bunch of bars with live bands.  It was great.  

Then, my flight home sucked.  We had a connecting flight in Dallas and were delayed a couple of hours there.  On the plane I sat next to some awful lady.  We tried to get her to switch seats so JH and I could sit next to each other.  She proceeded to tell us that she doesn't like that side of the plane (WTF?) and refused to switch.  Fine whatever.  I was stuck next to her.

She also happened to be too big for her seat.  She took up her seat and about half of my seat, which doesn't really work for me, because I take up my seat.  So, I rode home with her leg basically on top of my leg the whole time.  I couldn't move my upper body because she was kind of spilling out over the top of the arm rest as well, and there was just nowhere else to go.  I couldn't even try and spread out into the aisle b/c I had a middle seat.

Then, she did this weird wiggle/shimmy thing in her seat every 5 minutes.  It's a similar thing that Oscar does when he is trying to sit somewhere where there isn't really room for him.  He kind of wiggles me out of the way.  

At this point, I was like seriously lady? I already think you're kind of ridiculous for not switching to a BETTER seat so my friend and I could sit together.  I realize the seat is too small for you, I haven't bitched at you taking up my seat.  I haven't bitched at you making me unable to move my arms.  I haven't bitched at you for spreading your legs under the seat in front of me leaving me very little room to put my legs.  But really, now you're going to do this as well?  

Then, to top it all off, she fell asleep and was moaning and grunting in her sleep!  

One of the worst trips ever.  Sigh.

Then we finally land in Philly about 3 hours late and it's snowing and the roads are covered in ice (which we would have completely missed if we had left dallas on time) and I still had to go get Oscar and drive back to the hotel.  

Such a long day.  

However, I want to end this on a happy note, so here is one last random picture of Austin.  The State Capitol.  So pretty.  

*Kenny Chesney

I am in misery. There ain't nobody who can comfort me*

I'm feeling kind of complainy.  Sorry.  You get a post of complaints.

• The snow is screwing with my running.  Actually, it's not the snow.  It's the ice.  They apparently don't salt much around here, so running outside is like attempting to run on an ice skating rink.  It doesn't go well.
• I've been having to run on a treadmill.  I hate it.  
• The people in the hotel have been driving me nuts.  Mostly for stupid things.  Like if I take the elevator, people hover at the opening of the door and don't freaking wait for you to get off, or if they do wait, they still hover so you can't really get off the elevator.  
• I've lost weight.  Which shouldn't be a complaint.  Except all my clothes are TIGHTER.  How is this possible????  
• I'm going to Austin on Friday.  Again, not a complaint.  But I have SO MUCH TO DO before going.  I feel like I'm never going to be ready.  
• I've been really boring lately.  I have nothing to talk about.  
• I really have a lot more things that I want to complain about, but seriously, I don't want to get in trouble.  

So, ending on a happy note.  

I'm going to Costa Rica Jan 31-Feb 5.  Sweet!

*Maroon 5

I feel so funny deep inside, when you kiss me goodbye*

Today I'm going to start off by boring you with food!  Yay food!

I made my weekly meal today and it's surprisingly pretty yummy!  My sister L gave me the recipe for the soup from some weird soup magazine she bought (I didn't even know they HAD soup magazines), and I thought it sounded interesting so into the crockpot it went.  

Since it's an actual published recipe, I won't give you the recipe, but it has potatoes (does anyone else say po-TAY-toes all emphasized like that in their heads when they write it?  Just me?  Ok then, moving on), and vegetables, and beef, and salsa (I know! Such a great idea for a soup base), and other things that I can't remember off the top of my head.  All thrown together and cooked in the crock pot.

It smelled SOOO good cooking all day.  

Unfortunately, I started cooking it a little too late in the day for it to be eaten for dinner tonight (yay sushi instead!), but I packed tonights serving in my lunch bag for Monday.  Yay lunch!  

I meant to take a picture of it in the crockpot.  When it actually looked appetizing and exciting to eat...but I forgot and took it in the pyrex bowl instead (also - the set of pyrex bowls in the hotel need to find a way to leave with me in September...best things ever!)

So, yeah, this, not so appetizing looking, (although you can see a lot of potatoes in there), but I took a sample bite.  It's really good.  I'm excited for dinner this week.  (Yes, I do eat the same thing every night for dinner during the week.  Why do you ask?).  

I also went running today.  And it sucked.  

I haven't been running in 2 weeks.  I was feeling so awful that even running didn't seem like it would help.  However, today, I felt almost back to normal, and I was beginning to go a little crazy from the lack of running.

So, I bundled up (ugh 19 degrees out...required two pairs of pants) and covered every inch of my body that I could and headed out.  I felt ok temperature wise, but I felt ridiculously heavy from all the layers (two pairs of pants, a tank top, a long sleeve wicking shirt, and a fleece.  Plus my gloves, hat, and a gaiter).  I ended up losing the gloves by the end of the run, but I was pretty comfortable otherwise.  I'm not exactly speed demon that works up a sweat running a 5 minute mile.  

I can tell I haven't been running in two weeks.  I was ok breathing wise (struggled a little, but nothing unexpected), but my legs were definitely tired.  And it didn't help that the sidewalks weren't really clear so I was running through snow in areas (which feels like running through sand) and ice in other areas.  

Luckily, I managed to stay upright the whole time (almost ate it twice, but I caught myself).  I ran two miles and decided that was enough for my first day back.  

So, all in all, a nice productive day.  (Ha, I do TWO things and I call that productive).  

*Coyote Shivers

Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Far above our heads are the icy heights that contain all reason*

I've been wanting to travel lately (and driving to New Jersey or Delaware doesn't count!).  I love traveling, but I haven't really gone anywhere lately.

So I booked a trip to Austin yesterday. 

It was a complete spur of the moment decision.  I realized I had that Monday off (yay Martin Luther King Jr Day), and I have a bunch of points from living in a hotel, and flying is cheap now that the holidays are over, and I wanted to go somewhere I had never been.  So, I randomly settled on Austin.  Even more exciting, JH and Revolting R are coming with! 

So, we fly out to Austin on Friday the 14th and return Monday the 17th.  If anyone has any suggestions on where to go/what to do, feel free to leave a comment. 

I can't wait!

*The Shins

I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me*

This morning, I was trying to figure out why I was not shaking off this cold as quickly as I normally do, and it came to me. 

I've been slacking on my anti-scurvy juice!  (Otherwise known as cranberry juice to normal people).  In Richmond, I religiously drank it every morning (yay Vitamin C!), but here, we don't have a cafeteria to get it from, so, I don't really drink it as often.  That MUST be it. 

They do have a juice machine in the hotel, so this morning, I got a glass of minute maid cranberry juice.  Worst thing ever.  (Seriously, Minute Maid, you need to make some better tasting juice, b/c that stuff was DISGUSTING). 

Apparently I will be going to the store today and buying a bottle of cranberry juice.  Yay anti-scurvy juice!

Also, you laugh now, but soon, you too will be calling cranberry juice your anti-scurvy juice.  I have all my old co-workers in Richmond doing it.  :-)

If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me*

I am the worst sick person ever.  No, seriously, I am.  

I whine, I complain, I moan about how terrible I feel.  

And yet, I am so bad at doing things to make myself better.  

I hate medicines.  I rarely take anything stronger than an advil (and seriously, if I've broken down and actually taken an advil, it must be bad). I hate going to the doctor (all they're going to tell me is it's a virus, and prescribe me some antibiotics...oh the RAGE I feel at that sentence).  I am not a good sleeper.  I tend to have issues not being tired at night, and then I'm either up ridiculously early, or I refuse to wake up at all.  Being sick is not a reason to change that apparently.  

I was sick the week before Christmas and it totally sucked.  However, I was finally getting better and other than a slightly runny nose and a nagging cough (I get a cough and it lasts a year, no lie), I felt fine.  

Then, for some reason, on Sunday, I woke up and it hurt to swallow or talk.  My nose is so stuffy again.  I feel like someone beat me with a stick, and I have no energy.  Awesome.  I pretty much have felt the same way since.  

So, do I break down and go to a doctor?  (Actually, I had half convinced myself I have Lymes disease...stupid internet...and should go the doctor THIS INSTANT BEFORE I DIE FROM COMPLICATIONS!).  Then, I realized, these symptoms would have shown up about 3 months ago and not so much now if it was really Lymes disease.  Phew, that's a relief.  

Instead, I did some pilates at the hotel (ugh I'm so not flexible anymore...I remember when this workout video used to be EASY) in an effort to loosen up some of my muscles and get rid of that fell out of a tree and hit every branch along the way down feeling.  

Now I feel like I hit every other branch.  Slight improvement.

Tomorrow, I run.  

*Cyndi Lauper

What I've succumbed to is making me numb*

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year!

Mine was lovely.  J and JP hosted a rock your face off live karaoke party.  This is so much cooler than just a karaoke party.  Basically, JP and some of his friends form a band for the night.  We give advanced requests for the songs we want to sing, and they learn the songs.  Then, at the party, "the band" plays the songs and the lyrics are projected up on the wall and you sing.  So you're totally like a real rockstar!  It's so much fun!

I sang "Float On" by Modest Mouse and I won 2nd place for being awesome!  (Seriously, my sister and her husband put on the best parties...they even have PRIZES for people).  I got a fun new t-shirt.  And I drank a Lithuanian (I think?) alcohol that tastes like honey with a burn (it tastes like burning).  Oh, it's so yummy.  And totally kicks your ass.  

I came back today and housekeeping had cleaned my room for me (they even cleaned/straightened my desk etc).  Which is lovely.  However, something was bothering me about my desk and I couldn't really figure out what was off (seriously, I was really rough this morning.  I'm amazed I was even aware enough to notice there was something off).  

I was lying on the couch and finally figured it out (and I refused to get up and take a better picture).  Apparently my desk light got cold while I was gone. 

And, I have to start the year off with the adorable dog I almost sat on.  Luckily he stuck his head out of  the blanket right before I sat.  I couldn't resist taking his picture.

He's just too adorable.  :-)

*No Doubt