Thursday, June 9, 2011
Miss Me Much?
I realized the other day that it had been two months since my last blog posting. Unacceptable in the blog world, I know. In April, we went on our vacation to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia. It was amazing. I did not want to return! In May, I went to Nashville for a work conference and just got back this past weekend from Chicago for a work conference. Classes are wrapping up and the couple week vacation will be a nice break for me to enjoy before chaos starts back with two classes! So with all the traveling behind me, I can get back to the important things - like blogging!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I am still here, and having crazy ideas...
I know I have been awful about blogging lately - the ever-growing list of to-do's at work keeps growing and that coupled with completing teaching two classes, giving their finals and doing final grades all hit when pollen decided to rear it's ugly head. I got super sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection, on top of awful allergies. So that has been my past couple weeks, just trying to survive! I am finally back to feeling like me again and the teaching two classes has now gone down to only one class, so I am hopeful that my stress levels will reduce some. I have also been trying to get everything ready for vacation which is now down to only 7 days!! I cannot wait!! Sun, sand, clear oceans, fruity drinks with umbrellas, swimming with dolphins all await me!!
In other news, I have picked up running. For anyone that has known me for long, the fact that I am/can run at all with all my health problems is a feat in and of itself. For those that have known me longer, the fact that I am running considering my hatred of it is another feat. We used to have to run with dryland for swimming. It was pure and complete torture for me. I would have preferred my coach just put me in the water and let me swim five miles over running a half a mile. I would never complain about the hardest of swim practices, but the minute he made us run a mile the complaints would start flying.
Fast forward several years, and I am about to have my back surgeries. The doctor is going over the long list of things I will never be able to do again. One was running, which at the time, I was completely OK with that. My thought was, "Wow, wish I could have had these surgeries back in high school then I would have had a legitimate excuse to get out of running for dryland!" Recently, I have been trying to get back in to shape. I know so many people that run and rave about how fast it gets them in shape. Add that to the whole I-like-to-prove-people-wrong and the whole super stubborn streak that I have and I decided to just try and run to see how it felt. I ran for the first time last summer about two miles with Scout. It wasn't pleasant, but was exhilarating at the same time.
This year, one of my resolutions was to continue with the working out and getting back in shape efforts. Having a vacation and being forced to be in a bathing suit expedited that process. So a few months ago, I ran with the girls for their walk, and survived. I then went to the gym and did the elliptical and wanted to try the treadmill to see if I could. I have taken the approach of cautious optimism. I doubt my ability to run and try it just to see if I can actually do it. Then the one day, when it was all said and done, I logged 4.5 miles. I wasn't completely sore or dead and my time wasn't awful. The next day, I tried it again to make sure it wasn't a fluke and was able to do it again.
It has gradually been that approach that was now got me to the point of logging around 25 miles of running. I have been able to get my mile run time down to 10:45 for at least the first mile, averaging 11:30 a mile. The one day I wasn't going for quickness, I just wanted to see if I could go any further on distance. I ended up logging 7 miles that day. Two days later I was back in the gym and my thought was that must have been a fluke, there is no way I can run that kind of distance. So I tried it again, and logged 7.5 miles. I will say that my friends that touted the vanity aspect of running are correct. Since doing this, people keep telling me how weight is falling off of me. The other benefit is how strong and empowering it feels.
I had never considered running events at any point in my life. This past weekend I was in Wilmington for a friend's birthday and was talking to several of her friends. A lot of them are big marathon, triathlon and runners. It came up that I hated running and preferred swimming. One told me that surprised her because of being tall she thought I would be good at it. I said well I have started to run some and don't hate it, so I guess that is progress. She asked how far I had been running and I said prior to getting sick I did two days at 7ish miles and was logging on average 20 miles a week. She said, "Kelly that means you are now a runner." Those word combinations have never been put together in reference to me. Later we were talking with another friend that had done her first full marathon last year and her second a few weeks ago. They were talking over the fears and concerns of doing one and it was mentioned that if you can average on your long run 7-8 miles, then you can handle a half-marathon. The one friend said if you can finish a half-marathon, then you can do a full because at that point it is mostly mental. The one friend looked at me and said, see you could do a half-marathon.
In other news, I have picked up running. For anyone that has known me for long, the fact that I am/can run at all with all my health problems is a feat in and of itself. For those that have known me longer, the fact that I am running considering my hatred of it is another feat. We used to have to run with dryland for swimming. It was pure and complete torture for me. I would have preferred my coach just put me in the water and let me swim five miles over running a half a mile. I would never complain about the hardest of swim practices, but the minute he made us run a mile the complaints would start flying.
Fast forward several years, and I am about to have my back surgeries. The doctor is going over the long list of things I will never be able to do again. One was running, which at the time, I was completely OK with that. My thought was, "Wow, wish I could have had these surgeries back in high school then I would have had a legitimate excuse to get out of running for dryland!" Recently, I have been trying to get back in to shape. I know so many people that run and rave about how fast it gets them in shape. Add that to the whole I-like-to-prove-people-wrong and the whole super stubborn streak that I have and I decided to just try and run to see how it felt. I ran for the first time last summer about two miles with Scout. It wasn't pleasant, but was exhilarating at the same time.
This year, one of my resolutions was to continue with the working out and getting back in shape efforts. Having a vacation and being forced to be in a bathing suit expedited that process. So a few months ago, I ran with the girls for their walk, and survived. I then went to the gym and did the elliptical and wanted to try the treadmill to see if I could. I have taken the approach of cautious optimism. I doubt my ability to run and try it just to see if I can actually do it. Then the one day, when it was all said and done, I logged 4.5 miles. I wasn't completely sore or dead and my time wasn't awful. The next day, I tried it again to make sure it wasn't a fluke and was able to do it again.
It has gradually been that approach that was now got me to the point of logging around 25 miles of running. I have been able to get my mile run time down to 10:45 for at least the first mile, averaging 11:30 a mile. The one day I wasn't going for quickness, I just wanted to see if I could go any further on distance. I ended up logging 7 miles that day. Two days later I was back in the gym and my thought was that must have been a fluke, there is no way I can run that kind of distance. So I tried it again, and logged 7.5 miles. I will say that my friends that touted the vanity aspect of running are correct. Since doing this, people keep telling me how weight is falling off of me. The other benefit is how strong and empowering it feels.
I had never considered running events at any point in my life. This past weekend I was in Wilmington for a friend's birthday and was talking to several of her friends. A lot of them are big marathon, triathlon and runners. It came up that I hated running and preferred swimming. One told me that surprised her because of being tall she thought I would be good at it. I said well I have started to run some and don't hate it, so I guess that is progress. She asked how far I had been running and I said prior to getting sick I did two days at 7ish miles and was logging on average 20 miles a week. She said, "Kelly that means you are now a runner." Those word combinations have never been put together in reference to me. Later we were talking with another friend that had done her first full marathon last year and her second a few weeks ago. They were talking over the fears and concerns of doing one and it was mentioned that if you can average on your long run 7-8 miles, then you can handle a half-marathon. The one friend said if you can finish a half-marathon, then you can do a full because at that point it is mostly mental. The one friend looked at me and said, see you could do a half-marathon.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Let the Countdown Begin...
I know I haven't been as good about blogging lately, but it has been insanely busy lately. I am hoping that in a few weeks things will calm down a little since I will go from teaching two classes a week to only one.
Now on to my countdowns....
First off, let March Madness begin!!! So excited that the Ohio State Buckeyes won #1 overall seed and Big Ten Champions. I am not however happy with the bracket they were placed in. It will be a tough one with Syracuse and UNC in it. Here's hoping their depth and talent can persevere!
Second off, four more days until St. Patrick's Day - who doesn't love a holiday that honors the Irish (some of my background) and perpetuates lots of drinking!
Third off, one more week until the official first day of Spring. Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It isn't too hot and muggy - which my hair definitely enjoys! The mosquitoes are not out yet - which is a major plus for me. Mosquitoes have an uncanny knack of not bothering anyone but me. The weather is perfect, warm during the days and cool at night. So what's not to love!
Lastly, 35 more days and I will be here
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| San Juan, Puerto Rico |
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| St. John (and St. Thomas not pictured) |
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| St. Lucia |
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| Barbados |
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| Tortola |
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| Antigua |
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Currently Craving....
It is a pretty common known fact that I have a love of peacok as seen here and here. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I am currently CRAVING this. I was out on Saturday night and saw a girl wearing the long cardigan version of this Winter Kate cardigan, which only intensified my craving for finding it. Unfortunately, both the shorter version and longer version are sold out everywhere I can think of looking. The only thing left in online stores and ebay that I have found is in a size XS. If any of you out there know of any place that has either version in a size M, PLEASE let me know!
Monday, February 28, 2011
First Amendment Right?
I saw this clip on Good Morning America a week or so ago about a teacher that had a personal blog but on it, she spoke very harshly about her students. In her interview, she said that it was never about a specific student but more general venting. Now, having been a journalism student, I can appreciate the first amendment and all the rights that come with it. But with those rights, comes responsibilities.
I am also a product of corporate America, as well as higher education. By this, I mean that with most corporations or businesses, there are social media policies of what you can or can't say in reference to where you work/what you do. So the thought of randomly blogging about your work already seems a little taboo to me because of this being ingrained in me. I am also in education teaching college courses - which I know is different than K-12 because I have a little more freedom. Trust me, I share many frustrations that educators across the country have. However, there is a line that you just don't cross in terms of things you say about your students. And while I have had instances, like every educator, where you just want to take your palm to your head, I also have seen the good in my kids.
I had a student G-Chat me tonight for help on a project. I walked this student through things and was told the following: "Thanks again Kelly, you are a lifesaver! I really appreciate all your help!" This same student went on to tell me exciting news of being promoted for something at work. I have another former student that sent me a G-Chat asking about grammar in a press release they were about to submit and how excited they were for this event and inviting me to this event. It is things like this that make it fulfilling to do what I do. I would never think of ranting or publicly posting things the way this teacher did. I know this sounds like a complete contradiction of the journalist in me. I guess I see it more as the potential for my students to hear these rants far outweighs the gratification of the rant.
I have many friends of you that are teachers. What are your thoughts on this incident? Was Natalie Munroe within her right? Did she cross the line?
I am also a product of corporate America, as well as higher education. By this, I mean that with most corporations or businesses, there are social media policies of what you can or can't say in reference to where you work/what you do. So the thought of randomly blogging about your work already seems a little taboo to me because of this being ingrained in me. I am also in education teaching college courses - which I know is different than K-12 because I have a little more freedom. Trust me, I share many frustrations that educators across the country have. However, there is a line that you just don't cross in terms of things you say about your students. And while I have had instances, like every educator, where you just want to take your palm to your head, I also have seen the good in my kids.
I had a student G-Chat me tonight for help on a project. I walked this student through things and was told the following: "Thanks again Kelly, you are a lifesaver! I really appreciate all your help!" This same student went on to tell me exciting news of being promoted for something at work. I have another former student that sent me a G-Chat asking about grammar in a press release they were about to submit and how excited they were for this event and inviting me to this event. It is things like this that make it fulfilling to do what I do. I would never think of ranting or publicly posting things the way this teacher did. I know this sounds like a complete contradiction of the journalist in me. I guess I see it more as the potential for my students to hear these rants far outweighs the gratification of the rant.
I have many friends of you that are teachers. What are your thoughts on this incident? Was Natalie Munroe within her right? Did she cross the line?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
My Baby is Growing Up Too Fast
Today my little baby Luna will be 18 weeks old. I see her everyday and I see the scale at the vet visits saying how big she is, but being with her every day, I sometimes overlook just how fast she is growing. My wonderful neighbor Tania came over the other day to let Scout and Luna out. She sent me a text telling me how for the first time, Luna looked like a big girl and not a puppy anymore. I thought I would share some then and now pictures of my girls with you.
It blows my mind as to how my tiny, little butterball of a puppy is now almost the same size as her big sister!
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| The second day we had her at home |
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| The first week we had her |
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| Luna last night |
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| Luna and Scout the first weekend we had Luna |
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| Luna and Scout last night |
Monday, February 21, 2011
"Books, the children of the brain." - Jonathan Swift
I openly admit that I am a book nerd. I love books, I have several bookcases full of books. They are all organized just so. I can't get enough of them. I get it from my dad. My book nerdiness is now to the point that any time Jeopardy has a category based on books, I can usually run the boards on those (especially Newbery Medal books).
Thanks to Borders filing for bankruptcy, my local Borders is being closed. This means sale on books. Which to me, is about as good as a sale on the perfect pair of pumps! I went on Saturday morning to see what I could stock up on since the books were on sale.
I had a basket full of books initially, but opted to pare that down since the sale wasn't as good as it could be yet. As I was standing in line - which by the way, was about a mile long (glad to know I am not the only local book nerd!!!), I started talking with the guy in front of me and the guy behind me. We talked for a while, since we were in line for over 30 minutes. On several occasions, I noticed the guy in front of me scanning my book pile. After a couple of times of him doing this, I looked down and realized what he must have been thinking. In my hand I had the following books:
- Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar
- Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (so I can return my borrowed copy that Wendy lent me)
- The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #1: Origins by L.J. Smith
- The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #2: Bloodlust by L.J. Smith
- Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History by David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan
After the third time of him looking at my stack of books, I finally said to him, "Yes I admit my reading choices, minus the Grateful Dead, are more akin to that of a teenage girl. I accept and embrace that!" He laughed and said he was in no place to judge, he just found my stack intriguing.
I am also one of those people that likes to KEEP their books. Again a side-effect I think I directly got from my dad. He starts asking a week after he lets me "borrow" a book to keep reminding me that it is his and will need to be returned. I have tried the library, but it has on more than one occasion just broken my heart to have to return the perfect book. My husband tries to make the argument that I will only read a book once. After all these years together, he hasn't caught on to the fact that some of my books have such tattered bindings because of the number of times that I re-read all my books.
Thanks to Borders filing for bankruptcy, my local Borders is being closed. This means sale on books. Which to me, is about as good as a sale on the perfect pair of pumps! I went on Saturday morning to see what I could stock up on since the books were on sale.
I had a basket full of books initially, but opted to pare that down since the sale wasn't as good as it could be yet. As I was standing in line - which by the way, was about a mile long (glad to know I am not the only local book nerd!!!), I started talking with the guy in front of me and the guy behind me. We talked for a while, since we were in line for over 30 minutes. On several occasions, I noticed the guy in front of me scanning my book pile. After a couple of times of him doing this, I looked down and realized what he must have been thinking. In my hand I had the following books:
- Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar
- Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (so I can return my borrowed copy that Wendy lent me)
- The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #1: Origins by L.J. Smith
- The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #2: Bloodlust by L.J. Smith
- Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History by David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan
After the third time of him looking at my stack of books, I finally said to him, "Yes I admit my reading choices, minus the Grateful Dead, are more akin to that of a teenage girl. I accept and embrace that!" He laughed and said he was in no place to judge, he just found my stack intriguing.
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