One month from tomorrow, I will be at the airport with everything I can fit in two suitcases waiting to board a plane to Paris. Almost three years ago to the day I was also at the airport with two suitcases boarding a plane to Paris. That time it was for school for three months. This time it's for a job - I'll be an English teaching assistant - and for seven months.
Although I've been slacking in writing this blog, I will be starting a new blog while I'm in France. Which I will devote time to. I swear. I will.
I've got my ticket and my visa so I'm good to go. I just have to find a place to live. Minor detail.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Exfoliation Overload
For my birthday I got a gift card to a spa. I had read about this full-body exfoliation, which sounded nice and relaxing and perfect for the beginning of the summer to get rid of dry skin from winter. Let me preface this with I hate when my hands are dirty or sticky or anything. Overall, I don't like being dirty.
So I go into the room and there's a regular massage table with a clothe over it, except there is plastic laid over the clothe. The woman started using the sea salt mousse scrub with warm water, which did feel nice. Then I realized that I'm soapy and wet and it felt like I was laying on saran wrap that was clinging to me. Not relaxing.
I take a deep breathe and try to ignore that my hands are covered in suds and salt and that my legs are sticking to plastic and just think okay I'll feel much better when I can rinse all this business off of me before she puts on the moisturizer.
Guess what? The shower I had expected turned into a wash cloth getting rid of the leftover salt scrub. Followed by the moisturizer. Followed by me having to put my clothes back on, get in my humid car and drive home - hands slipping on the steering wheel from the lotion.
Note to self: Next time, stick to a saran-wrap-free spa experience.
So I go into the room and there's a regular massage table with a clothe over it, except there is plastic laid over the clothe. The woman started using the sea salt mousse scrub with warm water, which did feel nice. Then I realized that I'm soapy and wet and it felt like I was laying on saran wrap that was clinging to me. Not relaxing.
I take a deep breathe and try to ignore that my hands are covered in suds and salt and that my legs are sticking to plastic and just think okay I'll feel much better when I can rinse all this business off of me before she puts on the moisturizer.
Guess what? The shower I had expected turned into a wash cloth getting rid of the leftover salt scrub. Followed by the moisturizer. Followed by me having to put my clothes back on, get in my humid car and drive home - hands slipping on the steering wheel from the lotion.
Note to self: Next time, stick to a saran-wrap-free spa experience.
Why I Never Let A Movie Review Stop Me From Seeing Said Movie
Sex and the City 2. It got awful reviews. I hadn't read a single positive review before going to see the movie that I got worried it would actually be that terrible!
But ohh were they wrong.
Entertaining? Check.
Funny - sometimes even Laugh Out Loud funny - ? Check.
Fabulous shoes? Gorgeous, Edgy, Risky, and sometimes down-right Ugly clothing? Check and Check.
The same lovable characters from the series? Definitely Check.
So I don't see what all the disappointment was about. SATC2, just like SATC1 and the entire series, is not some deep, insightful, serious movie where actors prepare to deliver their most ground-breaking performance. Anyone who has ever seen an episode or trailer for the movies knows it's supposed to be a *fun* movie.
So if you want to laugh, cringe at what some deem "fashionable" and become envious at the luxurious lives these four women somehow lead, then go see this movie. Just beware of the extremely corny karaoke scene. But hey, at least I warned you.
But ohh were they wrong.
Entertaining? Check.
Funny - sometimes even Laugh Out Loud funny - ? Check.
Fabulous shoes? Gorgeous, Edgy, Risky, and sometimes down-right Ugly clothing? Check and Check.
The same lovable characters from the series? Definitely Check.
So I don't see what all the disappointment was about. SATC2, just like SATC1 and the entire series, is not some deep, insightful, serious movie where actors prepare to deliver their most ground-breaking performance. Anyone who has ever seen an episode or trailer for the movies knows it's supposed to be a *fun* movie.
So if you want to laugh, cringe at what some deem "fashionable" and become envious at the luxurious lives these four women somehow lead, then go see this movie. Just beware of the extremely corny karaoke scene. But hey, at least I warned you.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Team Wake Up Call
I woke up at 6:30 this morning. (yes, on Memorial Day - a day off from work.) I showered and was in the car by 7. By 8 I was at the starting line of the annual Ridge Run 10K in Beverly, Chicago. By 9:13 I had finished 6.3 miles and have never sweated more in my life. It was 88 degrees this morning and beyond muggy. But I did it! And so did Chase and Terry, who finished before I did, which was nice I had my own cheering section to give me that extra boost before crossing the finish line.
This was my second race and you know what I really like about the races? People like to stand along the side to cheer and watch and most people bring their adorable dogs, too! Which I enjoy thoroughly. On mile 6 while I was struggling a bit I still noticed all the cute dogs I was passing by and even told a man that his chocolate lab was beautiful as I passed by.
It was strange running in 88 degree weather when the first race I ran it was 35!
And now the pizza has arrived, which I deserve to enjoy after my morning!
This was my second race and you know what I really like about the races? People like to stand along the side to cheer and watch and most people bring their adorable dogs, too! Which I enjoy thoroughly. On mile 6 while I was struggling a bit I still noticed all the cute dogs I was passing by and even told a man that his chocolate lab was beautiful as I passed by.
It was strange running in 88 degree weather when the first race I ran it was 35!
And now the pizza has arrived, which I deserve to enjoy after my morning!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
What Not To Read
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni.
This was the latest book I've read and I was extremely disappointed by the ending. The beginning started out interesting enough. Then the majority of the book delved into the past that would help explain the present-day storyline. Trussoni kept my interest with her fictional history of angelology and her detailed account of what had happened so many years ago that was necessary to know in order to appreciate the importance of the present-day storyline.
The last few chapters of the book came back to the present and I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to know how it was all going to pan out. I tend to read quickly when I'm really into a book and just about to finish it. I could feel my heart beating because the protagonist was caught in the middle of a compromising situation. I wanted her to come out on top (no one wants the main character to not make it.)
And then everything came to a screeching halt when I read the last page of the book. It was the worst ending I've read in a long time. I was shocked that Trussoni had chose this way to end her novel, because the rest of the book was so well organized, creative, well-written and obviously thought out. It was as if she wrote the ending on a whim and never looked back.
I can't say the entire book was a waste of time. But the ending definitely left me disappointed and hoping there is a sequel that will make up for the abrupt, uncreative and, in my opinion, unpopular ending.
This was the latest book I've read and I was extremely disappointed by the ending. The beginning started out interesting enough. Then the majority of the book delved into the past that would help explain the present-day storyline. Trussoni kept my interest with her fictional history of angelology and her detailed account of what had happened so many years ago that was necessary to know in order to appreciate the importance of the present-day storyline.
The last few chapters of the book came back to the present and I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to know how it was all going to pan out. I tend to read quickly when I'm really into a book and just about to finish it. I could feel my heart beating because the protagonist was caught in the middle of a compromising situation. I wanted her to come out on top (no one wants the main character to not make it.)
And then everything came to a screeching halt when I read the last page of the book. It was the worst ending I've read in a long time. I was shocked that Trussoni had chose this way to end her novel, because the rest of the book was so well organized, creative, well-written and obviously thought out. It was as if she wrote the ending on a whim and never looked back.
I can't say the entire book was a waste of time. But the ending definitely left me disappointed and hoping there is a sequel that will make up for the abrupt, uncreative and, in my opinion, unpopular ending.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
This Blog Post Brought to You by a Request From a Friend
Lack of self motivation.
It can happen to anyone. And it can be about pretty much anything. For me it's been with making myself go running. I was doing really well for a while, but after my first 8K I fell out of my routine pretty quickly. I was giving myself a few days off ( 1. I was sore 2. I was tired 3. I deserved it gosh darnit!) but a few days turned into a week and you know how it goes from there. There are no excuses. We just stop caring about certain things for whatever reason.
Maybe it's been ingrained in our minds that instant gratification can be our only motivation. For example, I could go running today, but I really wouldn't feel the benefits of it until a few weeks of running consistently. Whereas if I go shopping or take a nap I reap the benefits instantly. Or do I?
If I go shopping, sure I'm excited about whatever object I buy, but in reality, that excitement fades, my wallet is a little lighter, and let's say I've missed my chance to go running that day, thus decreasing my energy and not helping my health in the long run.
The way we should be thinking (and by we I mean me) is "Hey, I should run now, get it out of the way, so then I can go shopping and not feel guilty for not running." That way, we exercise, thus promoting our health, stick to a routine, and at the same time on our day off from running we can go shopping or do whatever it is we wanted to do in the first place. I'm not ruling out instant gratification, but I'm suggesting pairing it with positive results that we will see over time.
Easier said than done. But I think it's all about controlling your mind. It's about tricking ourselves into doing something we don't really want to do and learning how to reap the benefits.
It's 7:17 as I'm sitting here writing this. I came home from work and got into comfy clothes right away. Now I could go see what's on TV and relax like I want to do. OR I could put on some gym shoes and go downstairs and run on the treadmill. See, I wouldn't even have to leave the house! So while I finish up this post, I'm going to think of ways to trick myself into thinking that I really want to go running right now.
I really want to go running. I really want to go running. I don't really want to go running....but I should want to go running...
It can happen to anyone. And it can be about pretty much anything. For me it's been with making myself go running. I was doing really well for a while, but after my first 8K I fell out of my routine pretty quickly. I was giving myself a few days off ( 1. I was sore 2. I was tired 3. I deserved it gosh darnit!) but a few days turned into a week and you know how it goes from there. There are no excuses. We just stop caring about certain things for whatever reason.
Maybe it's been ingrained in our minds that instant gratification can be our only motivation. For example, I could go running today, but I really wouldn't feel the benefits of it until a few weeks of running consistently. Whereas if I go shopping or take a nap I reap the benefits instantly. Or do I?
If I go shopping, sure I'm excited about whatever object I buy, but in reality, that excitement fades, my wallet is a little lighter, and let's say I've missed my chance to go running that day, thus decreasing my energy and not helping my health in the long run.
The way we should be thinking (and by we I mean me) is "Hey, I should run now, get it out of the way, so then I can go shopping and not feel guilty for not running." That way, we exercise, thus promoting our health, stick to a routine, and at the same time on our day off from running we can go shopping or do whatever it is we wanted to do in the first place. I'm not ruling out instant gratification, but I'm suggesting pairing it with positive results that we will see over time.
Easier said than done. But I think it's all about controlling your mind. It's about tricking ourselves into doing something we don't really want to do and learning how to reap the benefits.
It's 7:17 as I'm sitting here writing this. I came home from work and got into comfy clothes right away. Now I could go see what's on TV and relax like I want to do. OR I could put on some gym shoes and go downstairs and run on the treadmill. See, I wouldn't even have to leave the house! So while I finish up this post, I'm going to think of ways to trick myself into thinking that I really want to go running right now.
I really want to go running. I really want to go running. I don't really want to go running....but I should want to go running...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)