So, today is probably the first truly nice day of the year in Chicago. It was roughly 68 degrees and sunny when I left for work today. As I was walking down State St toward work, I was thinking, "Man, it's really hard to go into work on such a nice day" which lead to me realizing I say the same thing on rainy days, only then, I just don't want to get out of bed.
We have happy hour planned at Justin's beer garden tonight. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that. Sitting outside with friends and drinking is one of my favorite things to do in the summer... whether in a beer garden, on someone's back deck, at a ballgame, wherever. I love it.
I walked home from work yesterday too, as yesterday, the warm weather was making an attempt to show up and cooperate with everyone. It was so much easier to walk home in nice weather. Not only because I didn't have the feeling of being cold, but because I was surrounded by others doing the exact same thing - but either on bikes, rollerblades, by running, etc. It was very encouraging, even if they were a bunch of strangers. On my walk home, I was walking west on Fullerton (I came off the lake shore drive path, to start heading home)...anyway, I see a coworker who had just gotten off the bus, heading toward his house. He looked surprised that I wasn't wearing the dress I had on earlier. When I explained I was walking home, he responded with, "all the way from work?" :) (At that point, I was probably about 4 miles into the walk).
This weekend we're heading out to the suburbs to see Matt's football-playing cousin perform in his high school's production of Les Mis. I have explained to him that I've never seen Les Mis, so he better not disappoint us.
Looking forward to that & getting some walks in this weekend. My friend Teri recently had a baby, but was also recently cleared to start working out again, so she will hopefully join me on one of my walks this weekend.
I'm skipping a baby shower this weekend as well. Not because I dislike baby showers (or any showers for that matter), but because I was invited to a shower for a friend of a friend. She's not someone I call or email with, nor is she someone I invite to things. I certainly wouldn't invite her to my wedding, at least not at this point in my life. She's a part of the group of friends that I hang out with, but not someone I ever talk to outside of those times. I didn't want to confront the hosts, so I politely declined, but will still send a couple of books for the kids.
Is it time for happy hour yet?
24 April 2009
22 April 2009
My name is Amber and I am a shopaholic
No, I'm really not, actually.
However, on my way back from lunch, if I pass Old Navy, NY&Co, Nordstrom Rack, Sears, H&M, and Forever 21, it's hard for me not to stop in. It's really weird. I don't shop. I shop when I know I need something specific. So, in my little head, I decide, "weather is getting warmer, I need some summer clothes!"
I initially stopped at Old Navy. Tried on a couple of tops and some shorts - none looked good. That was all the discouragement I needed there. I handed the discarded items to the fitting room lady and made my way back to the office.
"But, NY&Co is right there... they usually have sales upstairs..."
And so I go in.
I make a quick go walk around all parts of the store and saw nothing. As I was heading back downstairs, a long summer dress caught my eye. It had a cute half-sweater type of something over it, so, I was all, "hmmm, I could wear that." I look at the price tag and realize it's $52. $52 for a summer dress is tough for me to swallow. Not to mention, this half sweater thing-a-ma-bob was $35. $35 for half a sweater! I convince myself I should try them on and see how it looks (hoping it looked bad, so I wouldn't have to buy it).
The dress size I brought back was too big at weird parts. So, I assumed I'd have to tailor it, as there's no way to fit into a smaller size (especially since I've been doing awful at keeping up my workout schedule). I still went back and grabbed the next size down...you know, just to make sure it too looked awful.
It looked good. I felt comfortable in it. I decide I am allowed to buy it & the sweater (since I could figure out a couple other outfits to wear this half-sweater with). I needed a tank top to wear under it during the day, so I also grabbed one on my way to the cash register. $22? for a tank top? I went to put it back and realized the signage above the rack said "60% off!" - so, $12? Ok, still pricey, but not too bad.
I make it up to the register. The check out dude was all, "Do you have a coupon today?"
"Holy eff, don't make me think about how much I could save if I had one!" is what I wanted to say, instead, just as sighful "No"
His response made my day - "well, you're lucky I have an extra one!"
I didn't ask him what sort of coupon, or what I'd get off, I just let him ring it in. My dress ended up being $30, the half sweater was $24 and the tank top was $6! I spent $67 total, instead of the $110+ that I was anticipating.
I am currently experiencing the opposite of buyer's remorse. :)
and for those interested - here's the dress/sweater thing
Only in Navy Blue, not brown:
However, on my way back from lunch, if I pass Old Navy, NY&Co, Nordstrom Rack, Sears, H&M, and Forever 21, it's hard for me not to stop in. It's really weird. I don't shop. I shop when I know I need something specific. So, in my little head, I decide, "weather is getting warmer, I need some summer clothes!"
I initially stopped at Old Navy. Tried on a couple of tops and some shorts - none looked good. That was all the discouragement I needed there. I handed the discarded items to the fitting room lady and made my way back to the office.
"But, NY&Co is right there... they usually have sales upstairs..."
And so I go in.
I make a quick go walk around all parts of the store and saw nothing. As I was heading back downstairs, a long summer dress caught my eye. It had a cute half-sweater type of something over it, so, I was all, "hmmm, I could wear that." I look at the price tag and realize it's $52. $52 for a summer dress is tough for me to swallow. Not to mention, this half sweater thing-a-ma-bob was $35. $35 for half a sweater! I convince myself I should try them on and see how it looks (hoping it looked bad, so I wouldn't have to buy it).
The dress size I brought back was too big at weird parts. So, I assumed I'd have to tailor it, as there's no way to fit into a smaller size (especially since I've been doing awful at keeping up my workout schedule). I still went back and grabbed the next size down...you know, just to make sure it too looked awful.
It looked good. I felt comfortable in it. I decide I am allowed to buy it & the sweater (since I could figure out a couple other outfits to wear this half-sweater with). I needed a tank top to wear under it during the day, so I also grabbed one on my way to the cash register. $22? for a tank top? I went to put it back and realized the signage above the rack said "60% off!" - so, $12? Ok, still pricey, but not too bad.
I make it up to the register. The check out dude was all, "Do you have a coupon today?"
"Holy eff, don't make me think about how much I could save if I had one!" is what I wanted to say, instead, just as sighful "No"
His response made my day - "well, you're lucky I have an extra one!"
I didn't ask him what sort of coupon, or what I'd get off, I just let him ring it in. My dress ended up being $30, the half sweater was $24 and the tank top was $6! I spent $67 total, instead of the $110+ that I was anticipating.
I am currently experiencing the opposite of buyer's remorse. :)
and for those interested - here's the dress/sweater thing
Only in Navy Blue, not brown:
My hair is a bit shorter, less curly, and I'm not black.
13 April 2009
Walking, Easter and Decisions
On Friday, I was offered a job at an early learning center where I'd been interviewing over the course of the past 2-3 weeks. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to take it & I'm not sure how to feel about it. I've made the decision to change careers, however, if and when I do, I want it to feel as right as possible. This place just didn't feel right. I am still in the interview process for another center, on the north side of Chicago, about 2 miles from my current apartment. I'm holding out hope that I'll be offered the job there, even though it doesn't currently offer insurance. It's a new center, starting from the ground up. They're currently working out of a basement of a 3-flat, soon to be moving into a new center being built. I think I'm excited to be a part of something starting from the beginning (if that makes any sense). All of that said, because of the drastic pay cut I will be taking, Matt and I have to move once our lease is up (July 31st). We're currently looking at Roscoe Village (a little further west from where we are) and even contemplating buying a place. That's just a pipe dream of mine though, I'm afraid.
I went on my first 7 mile walk on Saturday as a part of my training program. I've found that I need to map out a walk that includes walking by/to places I want to see. For example, this past Saturday, I mapped it out to walk by the new center to see the progress being made, to walk through Roscoe Village, to then walk to the lake, and back by Wrigley. It certainly helped, and the walk wasn't quite as tough as I was anticipating (outside of the cold wind, which got worse as I walked back toward the lake).
We spent Easter with Matt's mom's side of the family in Glendale Heights (a western burb). He's really lucky, in that he has many cousins that are around his age. We spent time catching up, playing bags, and sitting around the fire outside. His oldest cousin has 2 sons (including the one who accosted me at Thanksgiving) who I spent a lot of my time with. I just tend to gravitate toward kids if they're around. I always assumed this was normal and that everyone did this. Kids are awesome, afterall.
Today is opening day at Wrigley, however, the rainy weather will likely cause the game to be postponed. There were people at the bars on my way to the train this morning. I was jealous.
I went on my first 7 mile walk on Saturday as a part of my training program. I've found that I need to map out a walk that includes walking by/to places I want to see. For example, this past Saturday, I mapped it out to walk by the new center to see the progress being made, to walk through Roscoe Village, to then walk to the lake, and back by Wrigley. It certainly helped, and the walk wasn't quite as tough as I was anticipating (outside of the cold wind, which got worse as I walked back toward the lake).
We spent Easter with Matt's mom's side of the family in Glendale Heights (a western burb). He's really lucky, in that he has many cousins that are around his age. We spent time catching up, playing bags, and sitting around the fire outside. His oldest cousin has 2 sons (including the one who accosted me at Thanksgiving) who I spent a lot of my time with. I just tend to gravitate toward kids if they're around. I always assumed this was normal and that everyone did this. Kids are awesome, afterall.
Today is opening day at Wrigley, however, the rainy weather will likely cause the game to be postponed. There were people at the bars on my way to the train this morning. I was jealous.
09 April 2009
Walking sort of sucks
I decided to walk home from work today since I had to do a 5 miler today.
About a mile and a half in, I wanted to give up. I was tired, annoyed, my feet hurt, and my knee felt sore. Excuses, excuses.
I knew I needed to make it to the Lake Shore path (it's harder to walk to a bus/train from there). I almost hopped on a bus at least twice.
WTF is wrong with me? It's just walking. I think knowing that it'd take me 2 hours to get home was a huge obstacle I had to get past. Once on the path, I was much better. Next to the lake, seeing other people walking, running and biking certainly helped. I told myself I had to make it to at least Fullerton (roughly the 3.5 mile mark) before I could give up. I "exited" at Fullerton, but kept walking. As I kept walking, I realized I only had a little further to go, so it'd be silly of me to quit so late.
The walk door-to-door from work is about 6 miles, so I walked an extra mile. I feel ok about it.
I will now make myself a celebratory drink.
About a mile and a half in, I wanted to give up. I was tired, annoyed, my feet hurt, and my knee felt sore. Excuses, excuses.
I knew I needed to make it to the Lake Shore path (it's harder to walk to a bus/train from there). I almost hopped on a bus at least twice.
WTF is wrong with me? It's just walking. I think knowing that it'd take me 2 hours to get home was a huge obstacle I had to get past. Once on the path, I was much better. Next to the lake, seeing other people walking, running and biking certainly helped. I told myself I had to make it to at least Fullerton (roughly the 3.5 mile mark) before I could give up. I "exited" at Fullerton, but kept walking. As I kept walking, I realized I only had a little further to go, so it'd be silly of me to quit so late.
The walk door-to-door from work is about 6 miles, so I walked an extra mile. I feel ok about it.
I will now make myself a celebratory drink.
07 April 2009
Detroit isn't so bad
I had low expectations going in, but they were exceeded by quite a bit. I've just returned from my trip to Detroit for my annual trip the Final Four. Here's a short recap:
Friday, 4.3.09
My flight left at 7:50, so I was able to celebrate my favorite part of any trip in the proper fashion. What's my favorite part, you ask? Sitting at the airport bar, enjoying an ice-cold beer prior to takeoff. There were some delays due to wind in Detroit so I had more than one ice-cold Stella. Regardless, they were delicious.
Jamie and I landed around the same time, so we met up to pick up the car. Because we didn't get in until about 10:30 Detroit time, we headed straight out to a bar. We met up with Jamie's co-worker Nick and his wife at a bar in Royal Oak (a burb of Detroit, since everyone lives in burbs, no one goes out in the city). We had a few beers there and made our way to my friend Chris's's's's place for the night.
Saturday, 4.4.09
Semi-finals game day. Jamie, Chris, Laurel and I made our way downtown around 12:30 PM to hang out with the college basketball riff raff. After wandering from crowded bar to crowded bar, we found a place (Coaches Corner) that had some space in their outside beer garden. We spent our afternoon here, meeting up with Teri & her mom/sister, as well as Nate and Nadine - our Minnesota fans whom we met at the Atlanta Final Four in 2007, who have since become friends.
Jamie and I were able to scalp tickets to the weekend games (2 on Saturday/1 on Monday) for $200 each. Face value for these tickets is $150 - and we've paid around $250-300 for the same tickets in the past (and friends were paying $400+ for tickets) so we were pretty pleased with ourselves. Michigan State beat UConn in a good game, UNC beat Villanova in a blowout from the beginning. On our way into the game, someone came up to us and said hello (because we were wearing some Illinois stuff. It was none other than Jerrance Howard. Love the guy. See him at the final four quite a bit - always the networker. We took a picture with him and thanked him for what he's brought to the program in the short period of time he's been here.
After the game, we decided to drive Nate and Nadine back to Windsor, ON and stay with them for the night. We finally made it back and were out at the Caesar's Hotel by 1:30AM. Not good for drinking or seeing coaches, but we managed. The hotel bar bartender had to cut us off since we ordered more than the allowed 3 drinks per person/per hour limit (that I think he made up). We ended up stopping at a burrito joint on the way back to the hotel. I only mention this because it had techno music playing, served our orders separately (one burrito came out, one quesadilla came out, another quesadilla came out, and the final quesadilla came out - all within about 5 minutes of one another. It was so odd). I forgot to mention - we had our first head coach siting of the weekend at the casino at Caesars. I know this will surprise most everyone, but we saw Billy Gillespie at 2:30AM stumbling around the casino. Apparently the night before, he had been playing craps with at least $5,000 worth of chips.
Sunday, 4.5.09
Sunday is usually the day spent relaxing and at the bar in the coaches hotel. We did not stray from tradition this year, and despite there not being an official coaches hotel (Detroit hotels don't have the capacity), we decided Caesar's would be the best place to spot coaches.
Jamie and I were up earlier than Nate and Nadine, so we headed over to the hotel around 11. As soon as we walk in, we see Bruce Weber stumbling across the lobby, getting ready to check out. He sees us, stops and asks, "What are you guys doing here?" - Um, watching college basketball? Oy vey, not a charismatic man at all. We chatted a little more, but let him get on his way.
Over the course of the day, we ended up seeing many coaches:
Wisconsin's Bo Ryan, Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt, KU’s Danny Manning, St. John’s Norm Roberts and Fred Quartlebaum, Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel, UCLA’s Matt Howland, Cregiton’s Dana Altman, and Minnesota's Tubby Smith, but none were as awesome as seeing Bill Self.
Now, because of the games we used to go to for Illinois, and always being at Final Four's, Bill has come to recognize us and always takes time to talk with us. This year was no exception. When we first saw him, he said his usual, "You girls are the only Illinois fans who still talk to me." Even though he was on his way to dinner, he continued the conversation with us, asking how Chicago was and how we were in general. He took his picture with us, gave us hugs, and asked if we'd still be around later. We congratulated him on his championship, he congratulated us on our season and complimented Bruce's coaching (sort of a slam at the talent level, but whatever, he's right).
I swear to goodness that I understand he has to be cordial and charismatic, but he's always been accessible and welcoming to us, and I think that's awesome. We ended up seeing him later at the sports bar in the casino, where he took time to talk with us again. He also mentioned that even though he was only at Illinois for 3 years, he thoroughly enjoyed himself while there. I wish he were still our coach, but I'm also happy for him and where he's gone in his career.
Ok, enough with the Bill slobberfest.
We ended up exploring more of Windsor on Sunday night - checking out other bars - my favorite stop was at the Pour House - food/drinks were good and cheap.
Monday, 4.6.09
Championship Monday. We drove back from Windsor to Chris's's's's place in Novi (another burb of Detroit). I was sick with a headache, so when we got back, I laid down in hopes of it going away. As I did, Jamie met her cousin and his wife out for drinks & catching up. I chilled out at Chris's's's's's for most of the day, before we headed downtown around 6PM.
We partied in a "bar" - which ended up being the ground floor of a parking garage. It was right across the street from Ford Field, free, had cheap beer, TVs and live music. Sold.
The game ended up being pretty yawn-worthy, which sort of stunk - but not without some cool guests - Larry Bird and Magic Johnson carried out the game ball, Michael Jordan, Jim Sloan, David Robinson & John Stockton were all honored at halftime for being nominated for the NBA Hall of Fame. That was pretty cool.
Since the game let out so late on Monday, and because we stay all the way until the playing of One Shining Moment, we didn't end up getting back to Chris's's's's until about 1:30AM. Headed to bed to get up at 7 for our flights home.
Overall, Detroit was pretty fun. It's not an ideal place for a Final Four (too spread out and sort of yucky), but we found fun. The weather was pretty crappy & I have to say, MSU being in the final game really saved this Final Four. Had they not been there, I can't say it'd be as successful.
One final observation: people in Detroit/Windsor are about the slowest human beings I've ever seen. I don't know how to explain it, but no one cared about timely service when it came to ordering food or drinks. It was very odd.
Friday, 4.3.09
My flight left at 7:50, so I was able to celebrate my favorite part of any trip in the proper fashion. What's my favorite part, you ask? Sitting at the airport bar, enjoying an ice-cold beer prior to takeoff. There were some delays due to wind in Detroit so I had more than one ice-cold Stella. Regardless, they were delicious.
Jamie and I landed around the same time, so we met up to pick up the car. Because we didn't get in until about 10:30 Detroit time, we headed straight out to a bar. We met up with Jamie's co-worker Nick and his wife at a bar in Royal Oak (a burb of Detroit, since everyone lives in burbs, no one goes out in the city). We had a few beers there and made our way to my friend Chris's's's's place for the night.
Saturday, 4.4.09
Semi-finals game day. Jamie, Chris, Laurel and I made our way downtown around 12:30 PM to hang out with the college basketball riff raff. After wandering from crowded bar to crowded bar, we found a place (Coaches Corner) that had some space in their outside beer garden. We spent our afternoon here, meeting up with Teri & her mom/sister, as well as Nate and Nadine - our Minnesota fans whom we met at the Atlanta Final Four in 2007, who have since become friends.
Jamie and I were able to scalp tickets to the weekend games (2 on Saturday/1 on Monday) for $200 each. Face value for these tickets is $150 - and we've paid around $250-300 for the same tickets in the past (and friends were paying $400+ for tickets) so we were pretty pleased with ourselves. Michigan State beat UConn in a good game, UNC beat Villanova in a blowout from the beginning. On our way into the game, someone came up to us and said hello (because we were wearing some Illinois stuff. It was none other than Jerrance Howard. Love the guy. See him at the final four quite a bit - always the networker. We took a picture with him and thanked him for what he's brought to the program in the short period of time he's been here.
After the game, we decided to drive Nate and Nadine back to Windsor, ON and stay with them for the night. We finally made it back and were out at the Caesar's Hotel by 1:30AM. Not good for drinking or seeing coaches, but we managed. The hotel bar bartender had to cut us off since we ordered more than the allowed 3 drinks per person/per hour limit (that I think he made up). We ended up stopping at a burrito joint on the way back to the hotel. I only mention this because it had techno music playing, served our orders separately (one burrito came out, one quesadilla came out, another quesadilla came out, and the final quesadilla came out - all within about 5 minutes of one another. It was so odd). I forgot to mention - we had our first head coach siting of the weekend at the casino at Caesars. I know this will surprise most everyone, but we saw Billy Gillespie at 2:30AM stumbling around the casino. Apparently the night before, he had been playing craps with at least $5,000 worth of chips.
Sunday, 4.5.09
Sunday is usually the day spent relaxing and at the bar in the coaches hotel. We did not stray from tradition this year, and despite there not being an official coaches hotel (Detroit hotels don't have the capacity), we decided Caesar's would be the best place to spot coaches.
Jamie and I were up earlier than Nate and Nadine, so we headed over to the hotel around 11. As soon as we walk in, we see Bruce Weber stumbling across the lobby, getting ready to check out. He sees us, stops and asks, "What are you guys doing here?" - Um, watching college basketball? Oy vey, not a charismatic man at all. We chatted a little more, but let him get on his way.
Over the course of the day, we ended up seeing many coaches:
Wisconsin's Bo Ryan, Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt, KU’s Danny Manning, St. John’s Norm Roberts and Fred Quartlebaum, Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel, UCLA’s Matt Howland, Cregiton’s Dana Altman, and Minnesota's Tubby Smith, but none were as awesome as seeing Bill Self.
Now, because of the games we used to go to for Illinois, and always being at Final Four's, Bill has come to recognize us and always takes time to talk with us. This year was no exception. When we first saw him, he said his usual, "You girls are the only Illinois fans who still talk to me." Even though he was on his way to dinner, he continued the conversation with us, asking how Chicago was and how we were in general. He took his picture with us, gave us hugs, and asked if we'd still be around later. We congratulated him on his championship, he congratulated us on our season and complimented Bruce's coaching (sort of a slam at the talent level, but whatever, he's right).
I swear to goodness that I understand he has to be cordial and charismatic, but he's always been accessible and welcoming to us, and I think that's awesome. We ended up seeing him later at the sports bar in the casino, where he took time to talk with us again. He also mentioned that even though he was only at Illinois for 3 years, he thoroughly enjoyed himself while there. I wish he were still our coach, but I'm also happy for him and where he's gone in his career.
Ok, enough with the Bill slobberfest.
We ended up exploring more of Windsor on Sunday night - checking out other bars - my favorite stop was at the Pour House - food/drinks were good and cheap.
Monday, 4.6.09
Championship Monday. We drove back from Windsor to Chris's's's's place in Novi (another burb of Detroit). I was sick with a headache, so when we got back, I laid down in hopes of it going away. As I did, Jamie met her cousin and his wife out for drinks & catching up. I chilled out at Chris's's's's's for most of the day, before we headed downtown around 6PM.
We partied in a "bar" - which ended up being the ground floor of a parking garage. It was right across the street from Ford Field, free, had cheap beer, TVs and live music. Sold.
The game ended up being pretty yawn-worthy, which sort of stunk - but not without some cool guests - Larry Bird and Magic Johnson carried out the game ball, Michael Jordan, Jim Sloan, David Robinson & John Stockton were all honored at halftime for being nominated for the NBA Hall of Fame. That was pretty cool.
Since the game let out so late on Monday, and because we stay all the way until the playing of One Shining Moment, we didn't end up getting back to Chris's's's's until about 1:30AM. Headed to bed to get up at 7 for our flights home.
Overall, Detroit was pretty fun. It's not an ideal place for a Final Four (too spread out and sort of yucky), but we found fun. The weather was pretty crappy & I have to say, MSU being in the final game really saved this Final Four. Had they not been there, I can't say it'd be as successful.
One final observation: people in Detroit/Windsor are about the slowest human beings I've ever seen. I don't know how to explain it, but no one cared about timely service when it came to ordering food or drinks. It was very odd.
01 April 2009
Nice people are encouraging
So I forced myself to go to Curves today after work, since I knew I wouldn't be able to go again this week. I was dreading it the entire train ride there. Mostly because I had to get my card re-calibrated.
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about - Curves is a circuit of strength training machines, separated by cardio boards. These strength training machines have a program associated with them, which can customize your workout to get the best out of you on each machine. Anyway, since I had to switch clubs, thanks to mine closing, I had to get my card re-calibrated - which basically meant that I had to go around all of the machines and do a few reps to get my speed and range of motion. This shouldn't be a big deal, but it was a little uncomfortable to do in front of a bunch of strangers (including the hardcore workout girl ((who I think works out incorrectly based on how fast and jerky she does some machines )).
The woman working tonight was really cool, laid back and encouraging without being annoying. She explained what each machine did (even though I already knew) and constantly asked if I was comfortable and without pain. After about 15 minutes of re-calibrating, I did my workout and felt great after.
This club seems to be full of a bunch of women who all know each other, and all talk during workouts. That's definitely not my thing, so, while I appreciate the camaraderie associated with the place, I don't want to feel pressured to become BFFs with everyone.
Finally, I get home and check my email & there's a monthly newsletter from the club. This place is so much different than my previous club, where I felt like a stranger most of the time. I'm a little more optimistic about this place, despite initial hesitation and pessimism.
Matt and I walked up to Cullen's for dinner tonight. I was good and had a chicken sandwich and steamed veggies, no beer. Pretty good for being at an Irish bar!
I'm leaving for Detroit on Friday night - still do not have tickets (Thanks MSU) - but I'm not concerned about it. If we get them, cool - if not, I know we'll be able to get some for Monday's championship game. Part of the fun of the Final Four is being in the atmosphere and hanging out with other college basketball fans.
School starts up again for me next Tuesday. I have one in-class class and one online class again. It'll be interesting to see how I do with a Tuesday class. I have to say, I liked having Thursday night classes, because once Sunday PM came, I knew I was finished with homework until Wednesday night. It'll be an interesting transition.
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about - Curves is a circuit of strength training machines, separated by cardio boards. These strength training machines have a program associated with them, which can customize your workout to get the best out of you on each machine. Anyway, since I had to switch clubs, thanks to mine closing, I had to get my card re-calibrated - which basically meant that I had to go around all of the machines and do a few reps to get my speed and range of motion. This shouldn't be a big deal, but it was a little uncomfortable to do in front of a bunch of strangers (including the hardcore workout girl ((who I think works out incorrectly based on how fast and jerky she does some machines )).
The woman working tonight was really cool, laid back and encouraging without being annoying. She explained what each machine did (even though I already knew) and constantly asked if I was comfortable and without pain. After about 15 minutes of re-calibrating, I did my workout and felt great after.
This club seems to be full of a bunch of women who all know each other, and all talk during workouts. That's definitely not my thing, so, while I appreciate the camaraderie associated with the place, I don't want to feel pressured to become BFFs with everyone.
Finally, I get home and check my email & there's a monthly newsletter from the club. This place is so much different than my previous club, where I felt like a stranger most of the time. I'm a little more optimistic about this place, despite initial hesitation and pessimism.
Matt and I walked up to Cullen's for dinner tonight. I was good and had a chicken sandwich and steamed veggies, no beer. Pretty good for being at an Irish bar!
I'm leaving for Detroit on Friday night - still do not have tickets (Thanks MSU) - but I'm not concerned about it. If we get them, cool - if not, I know we'll be able to get some for Monday's championship game. Part of the fun of the Final Four is being in the atmosphere and hanging out with other college basketball fans.
School starts up again for me next Tuesday. I have one in-class class and one online class again. It'll be interesting to see how I do with a Tuesday class. I have to say, I liked having Thursday night classes, because once Sunday PM came, I knew I was finished with homework until Wednesday night. It'll be an interesting transition.
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