tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47166259217126244832024-03-05T00:33:19.490-06:00...and life continues to unfold...a little bit of this and a little bit of that. things that highlight and lowlight random moments in my life...annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-77736203287589031282011-08-22T13:51:00.000-05:002011-08-22T13:51:36.507-05:00no inhibitionsWhat I wouldn't give to go back in time and change whatever it was that makes me so shy/embarrassed/prudish/not able to do things like this...dance in the middle of a crowd by myself with everyone watching.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM1vdxFK8Wdyd9tIPxFNVs3kHgSxFpE2ULy5HU8TieAz1j1wW-4cw4jehMflVEZ_6vXDVbLJdE0oKxNPezBm2Lr4TUvXpJ3vDjCiIGsoY4sjb7hiyHfydQn7gt3SpRH2ZBnK2RaO_YcIy/s1600/Dancing+Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM1vdxFK8Wdyd9tIPxFNVs3kHgSxFpE2ULy5HU8TieAz1j1wW-4cw4jehMflVEZ_6vXDVbLJdE0oKxNPezBm2Lr4TUvXpJ3vDjCiIGsoY4sjb7hiyHfydQn7gt3SpRH2ZBnK2RaO_YcIy/s400/Dancing+Girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The thing is that even though this little girl is rockin' out by herself, no one is looking at her and judging her. Instead, they nod their head with approval and think to themselves "Wow! She must really be enjoying herself." And you know what...I bet she is!annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-17597661023285796072011-08-21T13:44:00.002-05:002011-08-24T07:15:42.502-05:00fun, no funSo my friend had this amazing idea for her birthday...Pedal Pub! (In other cities it's called other things, such as in Milwaukee it's the Pedal Tavern.) Since this was one of the options I had for my birthday I was quite curious to try it. <br />
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Must admit...not as fun as I thought it might be. Turns out that it is actually hard work, a.k.a. wear work out clothes if you choose to do this. Also, the one in Chicago doesn't have it's liquor license therefore...no drinking on the Pedal Pub...which to me, means that at this point in time, it needs a new name.<br />
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Besides the fact that we worked our tails off and couldn't drink on the Pedal Pub, we did have an excellent time...but then again, that's the company I tend to keep. By the end of the ride the majority of us had had enough to make us feel pretty loopy and one (the birthday girl) had so much that she was no longer able to pedal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnFuKy2DETzIDQDik-OodGLXFTgyBUoLjT38tgOq2JlO0icnVZuTP2iQ5867tfOlg48EDsAeRT_NcQ9urB_vpeCqUmgkgEcAXRGVdnqSXLuGhBBlH5aX8y0e-fyAnf_tVuv0yYsFXheJZ/s1600/Pedal+Pub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnFuKy2DETzIDQDik-OodGLXFTgyBUoLjT38tgOq2JlO0icnVZuTP2iQ5867tfOlg48EDsAeRT_NcQ9urB_vpeCqUmgkgEcAXRGVdnqSXLuGhBBlH5aX8y0e-fyAnf_tVuv0yYsFXheJZ/s320/Pedal+Pub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPuGpmWvsKqm5zWbeCjEAD43icKlZCB_bCdQhrRUBHDlSIifWGDI-deyMraeS8C4vtIMP8Eoj2n4G7DMhXY4LKrcImOP4ToDKPhpLxoKobcBP5jjXE4YG8V4WVVW_S5rlG1c3Tkyqb70V/s1600/Aug+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPuGpmWvsKqm5zWbeCjEAD43icKlZCB_bCdQhrRUBHDlSIifWGDI-deyMraeS8C4vtIMP8Eoj2n4G7DMhXY4LKrcImOP4ToDKPhpLxoKobcBP5jjXE4YG8V4WVVW_S5rlG1c3Tkyqb70V/s320/Aug+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh yeah, and my elbows are painfully scraped up from the ride...:( All in all...not sure I would do this again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG5F8b3rdeGTYaDqUkmvz3hOBmH1DM_U7AXiiSMl5suIfpAb8Qsx5VBbvDQ8o7JNZsOnSL2Pe5Ujh5LLhEVhFNcI3DTDexZFasdj-W9C9H8dWBRxR8_UVAETlgE16iqyI00Ajh7vvOjlJ/s1600/Aug+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG5F8b3rdeGTYaDqUkmvz3hOBmH1DM_U7AXiiSMl5suIfpAb8Qsx5VBbvDQ8o7JNZsOnSL2Pe5Ujh5LLhEVhFNcI3DTDexZFasdj-W9C9H8dWBRxR8_UVAETlgE16iqyI00Ajh7vvOjlJ/s320/Aug+22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-74749306063086242102011-08-15T06:40:00.000-05:002011-08-15T06:40:43.250-05:00messageAnne, its like 700 rings before your voicemail comes on...and you sound like an android on your voice machine...just saying.<br />
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Um...just calling to see how you're doing and also wondering if your plans after work on Monday. Wanted to treat you to something for your birthday and cut you a check. So, hopefully you had a good birthday. Sorry I missed it. Um yeah, I was thinking maybe mani/pedis, cocktails, dinner...something like that, to celebrate the birth of you.<br />
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Anyway, give me a call back when you can, otherwise I'll see you when I see you and we can think of something else. Alright bye.<br />
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*Best message ever!*annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-68584376256930124202011-08-11T17:38:00.001-05:002011-08-11T17:39:41.084-05:00freedomToday and tomorrow are my last two week days of freedom until holiday break, December 24, 2011. Decided to spend today relaxing at my friend Jamie's* pool. Here is the view...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*a.k.a. Luke's pool</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1DsiqlM4rM_hPrl1v3E4TAgy-5EbQHahylZC_cziATNUMAGUOGuiPbc-GJAAQcYTCvWdSJnZYWTXuJBbx9pl5YMzexa-SF6-5RWtTXs6W_iqDq3PhgSQBDUVDszVvgctsMTo0-GAd8Q-/s1600/Poolside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1DsiqlM4rM_hPrl1v3E4TAgy-5EbQHahylZC_cziATNUMAGUOGuiPbc-GJAAQcYTCvWdSJnZYWTXuJBbx9pl5YMzexa-SF6-5RWtTXs6W_iqDq3PhgSQBDUVDszVvgctsMTo0-GAd8Q-/s320/Poolside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*3 of 365</span></div><div align="right"><br />
</div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-2274912706366988062011-08-10T12:10:00.003-05:002011-08-11T12:27:59.750-05:00girlfriendsLast night the celebration continued...Shlee and I went out for dinner and drinks near her as this place had wonderful outdoor patio seating. People watching in that part of town was fantastic as well as extremely distracting. I definitely had the best seat in the house!<br />
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While chatting, I heard a familiar voice pass us...turned out to be a bestie from home...one that is taking me out on Thursday for another birthday celebration...SMALL WORLD. We met her outside on the sidewalk and began to chat. At the same time, Shlee ran into a friend of hers and went to quickly see his new place. Across the street, Jill and I decided it was time to catch up while waiting. Shlee joined us after a few minutes for some good times...I love when my circles of friends collide! We noticed an extremely large/over sized chair and voila...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUi0ANrgP4xs5i9klUIlgkmdMqd-d7xKTBkx485d9H-0lf2lw7-EPRZdW9nG92f6FNf4PURRoUd0eEtkMKhG5L4NuHYAY071T57FZLBIgDuG7Zx1G9Yn4Ge-0TcvbNLNebhhZ3A5X3ep2/s1600/big+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUi0ANrgP4xs5i9klUIlgkmdMqd-d7xKTBkx485d9H-0lf2lw7-EPRZdW9nG92f6FNf4PURRoUd0eEtkMKhG5L4NuHYAY071T57FZLBIgDuG7Zx1G9Yn4Ge-0TcvbNLNebhhZ3A5X3ep2/s400/big+chair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*2 of 365</span></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0North Side, Chicago, IL, USA41.92769035906128 -87.641680744558741.902732859061281 -87.699094744558693 41.95264785906128 -87.5842667445587tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-78189790565666732412011-08-09T10:43:00.003-05:002011-08-11T12:22:37.559-05:00new decadeToday's the day...the start of my third decade! I am in complete awe of how lucky I am and have been in my 30 short years of life. <br />
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I believe the festivities began on Wednesday of last week when some friends came in town for a mini vacation. They treated me for dinner at Rainforest Cafe...my choice because of their little ones! Friday was planned by one of the greatest guys on the planet <3! He planned everything from dinner at Nui Sushi (freaking amazing!) then drinks after dinner at Faith and Whiskey. Saturday was the day that I planned...or really planned the start then everything else was up to the group. Because of my late time change to the evite, Caleb and I met up with some early comers at Third Rail then we walked over to Market Bar for some rooftop drinks before dinner. Dinner was quite tasty then we headed to Lumen, Mad River, and Barleycorn Lincoln Park. So many of my favorites showed up! Loud voices, laughter, and love surrounded the weekend! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj40eeVHa_Eo2q9LUM3WmSIV7cVUm8gBvO1Ajc67bETlP8wE0hIS-iz_CykX4pX2OCOaZapnwGZ2hj6rvYRAMYJGEtESO4s4l2UvGpYk2LjbFfpawF-M-l6oKmEjgW7zyDR-nMuNnTi5S/s1600/Caleb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj40eeVHa_Eo2q9LUM3WmSIV7cVUm8gBvO1Ajc67bETlP8wE0hIS-iz_CykX4pX2OCOaZapnwGZ2hj6rvYRAMYJGEtESO4s4l2UvGpYk2LjbFfpawF-M-l6oKmEjgW7zyDR-nMuNnTi5S/s1600/Caleb.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Last night, I realized that it was officially the last night of my 20s. In order to say good-bye to another great decade we met at Kirkwood for a few drinks and great conversation.<br />
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Today, my actual 30th birthday, looks like facebook is blowing up with well wishes from friends and family. My parents came into town, Dad to a Cubs game with his friend and Mom and I to West Side Story at the Cadillac Theater later tonight...but first...early dinner at Chen's. Planning on meeting up with my pops upon our return from the musical.<br />
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Plans for continuation...special dinner on Thursday with some of my hometown besties then meeting a Cali friend for lunch.<br />
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Everything has been so amazing and I don't think I could ever thank everyone that I need to thank in the way(s) they deserve...<br />
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Oh yeah, I have also decided to begin a 365 picture documentation of my 30th year. The first picture is a cheat since I didn't actually take it today (more so on Friday) but it fits the situation perfectly...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AUA7dQXfCJ0Zc1dLYHzyJ1JRPpw_jwmQX9Wn0GKsC6IjxHkxTZp1WfUXPzGiTa7D6555xe57RrHPLq9WKPSmn3ivST8xndKUeGmp45XRvRlLjpU-uOwIsOYLU9BCrjID3WL45f88XYJt/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AUA7dQXfCJ0Zc1dLYHzyJ1JRPpw_jwmQX9Wn0GKsC6IjxHkxTZp1WfUXPzGiTa7D6555xe57RrHPLq9WKPSmn3ivST8xndKUeGmp45XRvRlLjpU-uOwIsOYLU9BCrjID3WL45f88XYJt/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*1 of 365</span></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-72757394380828454062010-10-13T17:32:00.001-05:002010-10-13T18:29:55.121-05:00inspired<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This past weekend I was in awe...in complete awe of the 45,000 runners from all over the world who chose Chicago as their location to run 26.2 miles (a.k.a. the Chicago Marathon).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here are some of the most memorable parts of viewing my 6th Chicago Marathon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*Standing at Mile 1 of the 26.2 mile race to watch...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EjBs8s1k12mfj9WTrd5z9pSCL2UnU9gR9Wkr9YvqFfDjEd8vP1guwx8VKoIbfPeK6UHbbs32-feHOwxAReiPnkewnGlKLnCzRHnp_HHja8BK2i28udfoFOvUCj6m7VAmQ3rx_yEW2u2E/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EjBs8s1k12mfj9WTrd5z9pSCL2UnU9gR9Wkr9YvqFfDjEd8vP1guwx8VKoIbfPeK6UHbbs32-feHOwxAReiPnkewnGlKLnCzRHnp_HHja8BK2i28udfoFOvUCj6m7VAmQ3rx_yEW2u2E/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CEdYf1C8GHu8pra2cDZFxsQ36M8dFycJfflcBwCKbeH6Dttpz2jRra8TvrbjKHETmiSoOEV-gPvmO0sm1t_pn_7yVukkdxXbgvd_O4gkH02vTmVAXO8P9EnsvEt9CM-LzY9jexOBaO9S/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CEdYf1C8GHu8pra2cDZFxsQ36M8dFycJfflcBwCKbeH6Dttpz2jRra8TvrbjKHETmiSoOEV-gPvmO0sm1t_pn_7yVukkdxXbgvd_O4gkH02vTmVAXO8P9EnsvEt9CM-LzY9jexOBaO9S/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> -the wheel chair athletes</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSguEYuT5vqfJd5N9sbsuhsJBW_T8KIQu4Qsma8FdhzTE_CAx0zi5B3kNLc6eSvCdl43HviG14SmjlsDNMM5c_FIjlKmqC9p-wn-Cfwvyw73tlwNGh7pdM83peScjPAp3XzY41wB3XQQap/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSguEYuT5vqfJd5N9sbsuhsJBW_T8KIQu4Qsma8FdhzTE_CAx0zi5B3kNLc6eSvCdl43HviG14SmjlsDNMM5c_FIjlKmqC9p-wn-Cfwvyw73tlwNGh7pdM83peScjPAp3XzY41wB3XQQap/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> -the set up of the official race clock</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6oywcz7EzR5U79E_1DHRA9G-K_2RUajEv3mW3wwxptR6veeyDBE1CvsTTBRmLDnRqvfFNuozjNyGCk-nD5FpZeKRPyvATy5zAGzn04be1m6D7uz_VAWGeXxl7S-M3rAGGhzqqXSLrI7v/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6oywcz7EzR5U79E_1DHRA9G-K_2RUajEv3mW3wwxptR6veeyDBE1CvsTTBRmLDnRqvfFNuozjNyGCk-nD5FpZeKRPyvATy5zAGzn04be1m6D7uz_VAWGeXxl7S-M3rAGGhzqqXSLrI7v/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRFGdCumPG3T8n5NDsiGfIA65xL9I8XZxGolH6VYM33kmc6R3NXXze-MFYF7m395WywYOqtBNMZOcV7cWWpPuAJNR4T56Z8sUA0GiZRwVDLdf0mXV92X5iF3Z1BNmMzBCqjsRRfbwQ_8G/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRFGdCumPG3T8n5NDsiGfIA65xL9I8XZxGolH6VYM33kmc6R3NXXze-MFYF7m395WywYOqtBNMZOcV7cWWpPuAJNR4T56Z8sUA0GiZRwVDLdf0mXV92X5iF3Z1BNmMzBCqjsRRfbwQ_8G/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> -the official start of the marathon with police motorcycles and pace cars</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtqnZAwE1m3HGfNZrzMNVDxhpUYToI0FU3eS0oUuFIy7OlUpA2QTwzLLyPOKB1KasSHLWx-qyzO0atk-HNc_DThix8mT764IRGlOXu3CpwmJuOAgiP575I49PBnGn0JvdGSILGysGaJCg/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtqnZAwE1m3HGfNZrzMNVDxhpUYToI0FU3eS0oUuFIy7OlUpA2QTwzLLyPOKB1KasSHLWx-qyzO0atk-HNc_DThix8mT764IRGlOXu3CpwmJuOAgiP575I49PBnGn0JvdGSILGysGaJCg/s640/Pumpkins+10.10.10+055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*Watching the elite runners race by mile 1 4:30 seconds after the race started.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44h9Zf5Qf_HHRQANLbtHRkJrcZsyaZp0xviPazrFgJrNk7zMjYxYddnhPri5y0OwKluT4i-bWew11CvKk3_8bEzPdbsGlDFVv-ZmzV9A01W6Q447lCbycKp5Y3-TJNB6J3Tah0v9lQz_a/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44h9Zf5Qf_HHRQANLbtHRkJrcZsyaZp0xviPazrFgJrNk7zMjYxYddnhPri5y0OwKluT4i-bWew11CvKk3_8bEzPdbsGlDFVv-ZmzV9A01W6Q447lCbycKp5Y3-TJNB6J3Tah0v9lQz_a/s200/Pumpkins+10.10.10+028.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9t3r7LiGnb2BtJ5Zrp974YigO-ivKta9NK92FZbYgK-4cndysxccfSxa4-Lt1iZZH7Xrb64ZS66GtIaoDU7x8WEYirDfrZel1Wt8f3Y9fsUPJyGMNO5LIq-jp3rCfpHil-z9nW9fOUUG/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9t3r7LiGnb2BtJ5Zrp974YigO-ivKta9NK92FZbYgK-4cndysxccfSxa4-Lt1iZZH7Xrb64ZS66GtIaoDU7x8WEYirDfrZel1Wt8f3Y9fsUPJyGMNO5LIq-jp3rCfpHil-z9nW9fOUUG/s200/Pumpkins+10.10.10+027.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZn83dux2G-HxTVheKxSdkPB2h0ngjjyrZLbWugd7l-f9WbLYhNRAHL4Xf95cKHrHk2V03zQi15Ac2JVzEvhN_IQ7mF6wW1-0yF9MJRgwqZHIwzUISHtfI86BMpauUxZfVgiaVUV48ieH/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZn83dux2G-HxTVheKxSdkPB2h0ngjjyrZLbWugd7l-f9WbLYhNRAHL4Xf95cKHrHk2V03zQi15Ac2JVzEvhN_IQ7mF6wW1-0yF9MJRgwqZHIwzUISHtfI86BMpauUxZfVgiaVUV48ieH/s200/Pumpkins+10.10.10+090.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLb55l1B-O0eJn8XCuBRAI2liHF-EQFtrNIEDYb0rIWSZ2P34WCp9MMh1XIoD_l_KQmAbmxwOvQlLJcbLiQzYuu4X5XTrIwUSqEeTwTA7JEPJgrrgZkLgNg4psi3q-kN53WXdDoXJHKfV/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLb55l1B-O0eJn8XCuBRAI2liHF-EQFtrNIEDYb0rIWSZ2P34WCp9MMh1XIoD_l_KQmAbmxwOvQlLJcbLiQzYuu4X5XTrIwUSqEeTwTA7JEPJgrrgZkLgNg4psi3q-kN53WXdDoXJHKfV/s200/Pumpkins+10.10.10+091.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*Cheering on my friend Thomas at 5 different beautiful Chicago locations</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawk1sHZiT9326vpX8msR5zkH14d7X0x-lYw6W6h-ecIBR53gaPHTvdF-l35Z4rw4fIBhEY_jq6_c9QYVHdMHJFZGhU2Bdx8Ym24mXPNi4KRna-xAZNkkJuyefbI4x6EyOsbdUNRPINxXY/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawk1sHZiT9326vpX8msR5zkH14d7X0x-lYw6W6h-ecIBR53gaPHTvdF-l35Z4rw4fIBhEY_jq6_c9QYVHdMHJFZGhU2Bdx8Ym24mXPNi4KRna-xAZNkkJuyefbI4x6EyOsbdUNRPINxXY/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+088.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*Runners helping each other finish the race (check the middle of the photo...the guy in yellow is being helped by the lady in white)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnNDtG5N-ylqWoO8g4sOHl6MG9SSU78ns4-rdgQHxKBDMHs2srcqklpkxRoIh1pauQ3ACuz3uE7k8y75sMiGvq8juLJi8SurKE4FHQONHLwffKDdTZXzPx11tT7I8qawY52EO96BnhTNC/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnNDtG5N-ylqWoO8g4sOHl6MG9SSU78ns4-rdgQHxKBDMHs2srcqklpkxRoIh1pauQ3ACuz3uE7k8y75sMiGvq8juLJi8SurKE4FHQONHLwffKDdTZXzPx11tT7I8qawY52EO96BnhTNC/s200/Pumpkins+10.10.10+025.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tz8BX9SOmdQRxli-pmje-ZWtXYFQi7gF64Oo2Ynl9UJ39lQXFMbkZpYeugVhG_ASiaza_CRji6_2NN3Z87a-Rz4Cad1MgWvMVKxGLoKyjeh_3f4nKQ6fryVZwFgI_qOwJEJeCi0FZ98Z/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tz8BX9SOmdQRxli-pmje-ZWtXYFQi7gF64Oo2Ynl9UJ39lQXFMbkZpYeugVhG_ASiaza_CRji6_2NN3Z87a-Rz4Cad1MgWvMVKxGLoKyjeh_3f4nKQ6fryVZwFgI_qOwJEJeCi0FZ98Z/s200/Pumpkins+10.10.10+083.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*Carnival acts...juggling and costumes!</span> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJD232gfh2jWaRUHB0s42DZ-H-bRTuWc201PFW1ggks72pJf7H6KQFc008BEFwIPLLdXcIGpLrjVLHw9TExO_N84gUI9T8-NbcGeWCx1Ofp7eV5IItX9YoHsnta8te3a47yDYb71kboTL/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJD232gfh2jWaRUHB0s42DZ-H-bRTuWc201PFW1ggks72pJf7H6KQFc008BEFwIPLLdXcIGpLrjVLHw9TExO_N84gUI9T8-NbcGeWCx1Ofp7eV5IItX9YoHsnta8te3a47yDYb71kboTL/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5MfwpX63wl3XUr0VxKzGM2zNts_WQWTStZPsZrELwAkaE4-xMZ6g1aTmy5X6y4PwojRCb5_7EA8Td2-oWf-NawO4eo4THmilpe4hyphenhyphenJ4dvqQzlR192hHtNdXY7uNkmoB-vVtS5Fv3CM4h/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5MfwpX63wl3XUr0VxKzGM2zNts_WQWTStZPsZrELwAkaE4-xMZ6g1aTmy5X6y4PwojRCb5_7EA8Td2-oWf-NawO4eo4THmilpe4hyphenhyphenJ4dvqQzlR192hHtNdXY7uNkmoB-vVtS5Fv3CM4h/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*Behind the photos of the ever popular Marathon Photo guys who happen to be at EVERY race. Smile at mile 21!</span> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_O3Ic-nj28C4IPCPEDPOYZKKPErmUTDYEStzXgUk6955H8vef9ECqvqzWIRANtn6qWK_INF46S7XS4omZ_aLDXX088w6NprcPeRfgtTPO_0UOHdJN7qXhWwp7N0NakZx_o7O2Lmb7YFL/s1600/Pumpkins+10.10.10+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_O3Ic-nj28C4IPCPEDPOYZKKPErmUTDYEStzXgUk6955H8vef9ECqvqzWIRANtn6qWK_INF46S7XS4omZ_aLDXX088w6NprcPeRfgtTPO_0UOHdJN7qXhWwp7N0NakZx_o7O2Lmb7YFL/s320/Pumpkins+10.10.10+086.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">10.10.10 was a great day! Congratulations to all of the runners who trained for weeks and weeks and gave it their 100% best. You have all inspired and motivated me to want to be a better person. There were certain moments during the race where I almost teared up a little and other times in the race where I realized that I can no longer say that I can't do something. Oh yeah...and a shout out to Thomas who raced the marathon in 3:26:and change :)</span></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-24512345929201830682010-10-05T13:14:00.003-05:002010-10-06T19:19:56.419-05:00thankful praises<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...sometimes it's nice to get recognized...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Hello Specials Team,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just wanted to send a huge thank-you to all of you for the great job you are doing! It was brought to my attention this morning that during teen challenge yesterday the students were asked to share a high and a low for the past week and for many of the students their high point for the past week occurred during a specials class. The students in teen challenge are struggling on a variety of fronts and it was great to hear that specials is the outlet that is meeting their needs. Keep doing what you're doing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Kristin" <em>(a.k.a. the boss)</em></span> <br />
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"<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Hi Anne,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Forgot to tell you that it was great to see my kids using a rubric to evaluate their peers during art today! I don't do that with them as much as I'd like, but I think it's really important! Thanks!</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Kelly" <em>(a.k.a. awesome 1st grade teacher)</em> </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">...remember to thank or recognize the people in your life...you never know...your positive praise might make their day :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil20VkmrPxFYlMlrorx9evOQDJ4ugmJbv2Ec2keiKxIsJVBw34843_gxfzf2RFaYQMWCBcmkPaN7Ax5O41JN8kOvsQs01kQPTFR3_jeCY4ZPrhTDfiSd7GG8tZ_YoxiRcYW4hpUFe9BvGR/s1600/Teacher+Web+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil20VkmrPxFYlMlrorx9evOQDJ4ugmJbv2Ec2keiKxIsJVBw34843_gxfzf2RFaYQMWCBcmkPaN7Ax5O41JN8kOvsQs01kQPTFR3_jeCY4ZPrhTDfiSd7GG8tZ_YoxiRcYW4hpUFe9BvGR/s320/Teacher+Web+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-48245056767376516042010-10-04T09:28:00.002-05:002010-10-04T17:25:35.247-05:00back into racing shape<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">well...almost :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Bucktown 5K</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Place in the women's age group 24-29</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">372 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">32:16 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Pace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">10:23</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">not too shabby for the first 3.1 miles run/walked since June...</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-79578713087036600972010-10-04T08:01:00.002-05:002010-10-04T17:26:04.345-05:00day one and two<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">well, here we are...31 hours and 23 minutes into Paleo and still going strong! Fortunately, I have a couple wonderful people supporting me...including one great cook...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">last nights meal:</span> chicken breast, spinach with garlic, roasted tomatoes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">today's breakfast:</span> 3 egg whites, raspberries, blueberries</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">today's lunch:</span> pastrami rolls (slice of pastrami wrapped around broccoli slaw...yummy and crunchy!), celery with sun butter, apple slices, broccoli and cauliflower</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">today's after school snack:</span> whatever I don't eat at lunch and almonds</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">lbs dropped to date:</span></em> 3 (it's early...probably water weight :</span>)annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-9334806485831016312010-10-02T18:15:00.052-05:002010-10-22T12:26:31.234-05:00paleo what!?!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Who's your friend that loves to try crazy fad diets...yep...that would be me :)</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE7fKCOPeSdgOMYPEz8WR5pfFOTbDDKPbJv5aK56I2YKfOCLkMVfHEBhSnwcJwKvC4jHXFV1KMiZhSAFmsO9jiHS3CxvHw902-rHwLW1DYGY4zcm8z0x5FQXrK0tHxLn3cD1E7jaTqjbA/s1600/Jackson+Hole+114.JPG" style="cssfloat: left; height: 250px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 335px;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523592933769029490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE7fKCOPeSdgOMYPEz8WR5pfFOTbDDKPbJv5aK56I2YKfOCLkMVfHEBhSnwcJwKvC4jHXFV1KMiZhSAFmsO9jiHS3CxvHw902-rHwLW1DYGY4zcm8z0x5FQXrK0tHxLn3cD1E7jaTqjbA/s320/Jackson+Hole+114.JPG" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">New diet challenge...the Paleo diet! In other words, for the next 30 days, I will only be eating things that were around 10,000 years ago. (Yes, I can eat bison...this little guy better watch out ;)</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After a bit of preparation, some suggestions, and googling (is that a verb now?) I have a Paleo shopping list and a weeks worth of lunches.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This diet is interesting in that it wants you to completely strip certain elements from your diet...elements like grains, dairy, and legumes that are possibly having a negative effect on your body and energy levels without us even knowing! For 30 days, I will be cutting out all of the "inflammatory, insulin-spiking, calorie-dense, nutritionally sparse food groups" to let my body "heal, recover and reset from whatever effects those foods may be provoking."</span></div></div><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Reasons why this may be a good idea for me...? Why not?!? During the week/month of my 29th birthday I realized a few things:</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1) I tend to eat healthy but am always willing to make exceptions with reasoning such as "you only live once" or "well...it is Wednesday :)" or "we don't have birthday breakfast at school everyday" or "it would be rude to not eat this wonderful spread of Portillo's." </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2) I am the happiest that I have been in a long, long time...possibly ever. I'm in love with an incredible man, one who makes me want to be a better person yet also embrace all of the wonderful things about me that already exist. Not his fault but sometimes I would prefer to hang out with him drinking beer or red wine while watching football, 30 Rock, and/or Glee than head to the gym.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">3) I love working out and really want to be able to call myself a runner. Lately with this ever growing happy belly (a.k.a. spare tire) it's much harder to run/workout and feel confident seeing that I am lugging around extra lbs.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is not a punishment rather an exercise to prove to my body that it is worthwhile and that I would like to keep it happy and healthy for as long as I can...not to mention to feel comfortable and confident in my own skin :)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlefdefcrJIW_03H3aABDcUDhbZns7UmU5zy7viKdosSucpsGJTeX0gyETG4fR4S1wF3jv3xAR3LgX68Ty9WZ_AbPSCTo-2KsV2HdUmBlRTYjaJcxUXeJrBLbk0ePB_ZTDloKObmLXaDsC/s1600/Jackson+Hole+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlefdefcrJIW_03H3aABDcUDhbZns7UmU5zy7viKdosSucpsGJTeX0gyETG4fR4S1wF3jv3xAR3LgX68Ty9WZ_AbPSCTo-2KsV2HdUmBlRTYjaJcxUXeJrBLbk0ePB_ZTDloKObmLXaDsC/s320/Jackson+Hole+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Exhibit A: Check out the two girls...one who looks like she may or may not be in an adventure outing ad (not me). Then check out the girl with the cookie in her mouth (me). Hmmmmm...</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Exhibit B: Awesome bike ride. Beautiful view. Tight clothes that show off an interesting and ever growing belly bulge. Not a baby...well, kind of...a food baby.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJmorb5xLAc4CBw48JDZvMtoNU7oTVuxLB9vv6Pdcfj3ahqbclCH1lrmUZlfRvZ7CJuMNPtan4kkJWoOGWe0xaI1IvGc49dFMLyMAzJhvH1ZsfyPU1lPnZ6JctvnCljUnwMiTfd6FRILy/s1600/Jackson+Hole+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJmorb5xLAc4CBw48JDZvMtoNU7oTVuxLB9vv6Pdcfj3ahqbclCH1lrmUZlfRvZ7CJuMNPtan4kkJWoOGWe0xaI1IvGc49dFMLyMAzJhvH1ZsfyPU1lPnZ6JctvnCljUnwMiTfd6FRILy/s320/Jackson+Hole+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Looking forward to showing off some Paleo sized results!!! Stay tuned...better yet...follow the blog!</span></div></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-79950190936606794832010-09-24T10:30:00.004-05:002010-10-04T17:27:55.971-05:0025th hour of the day<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">constant busy work</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">diligent, active...weekend</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">alas, fresh breath, ah</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Still waiting for that 25th hour to get it all done...</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-46647408490339639462010-08-12T21:12:00.006-05:002010-10-04T17:28:24.926-05:00not a princess<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IeFthcqUxFMpdk9mm35sqw_L9R5JjTwKufkvyNdEK0quNmCnVHPd40gvjEl_jIcb58uTESJmjiWV-KBJdKzzCBfJzsyjIdMwDmNw-q8hYto-QBNp2rbO6vdjrpPyQAwAAKsKKcqD7RR2/s1600/sleeping+beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IeFthcqUxFMpdk9mm35sqw_L9R5JjTwKufkvyNdEK0quNmCnVHPd40gvjEl_jIcb58uTESJmjiWV-KBJdKzzCBfJzsyjIdMwDmNw-q8hYto-QBNp2rbO6vdjrpPyQAwAAKsKKcqD7RR2/s320/sleeping+beauty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As hard as it is to believe...today I realized that I am, in fact, not a Disney princess.<br />
<br />
While heading outside to turn off the lawn soaker in the front part of Kevin's "lawn," I noticed about 10 little sparrows playing in the water. After watching them frolic in the water for a few minutes, it was time to turn off the water and carry on.<br />
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Making my way back to the lawn soaker created puddle...the little sparrows flew away. Remembering that all Snow White or Cinderella had to do to get her little friends back was sing, I tried it. It did not work :( That is the moment I realized that I am, in fact, not a Disney princess.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmWCXUQG0HLrfbwDjBpK9ds7t_LelrWRMub0pg46c_Mu7GcwxLxYBYjUSB69ZeTTy78gF8_iO5a3piI388tSyZ7BOcb5aulEWqkI2Igg85OuRVKROQqCcayBuuxsAHmer037Hyn4ruj-p/s1600/snow+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmWCXUQG0HLrfbwDjBpK9ds7t_LelrWRMub0pg46c_Mu7GcwxLxYBYjUSB69ZeTTy78gF8_iO5a3piI388tSyZ7BOcb5aulEWqkI2Igg85OuRVKROQqCcayBuuxsAHmer037Hyn4ruj-p/s1600/snow+white.jpg" /></a></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-40483404600688541722010-04-15T11:40:00.006-05:002010-10-04T17:30:11.623-05:00failed<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Diet Trials (Flat Belly Diet) lasted for about 1.5 days...barely. If I have to eat...no, rather look at, another grape tomato I might vomit a little. For lunch on the first and second days of the Flat Belly one is supposed to consume 1 pint of grape tomatoes...1PINT! For those who aren't quite sure how much that actually is...it's one container from the grocery store...a whole container. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The other reason the Flat Belly didn't work very well, for me, is because we went to DC for the weekend. My plan was to stay on FB Diet for all of Friday but I didn't quite calculate airport food into the situation...next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now DC on the other hand...AMAZING! The weather was beautiful and my family was quite full of surprises. Not necessarily the surprises like "We're pregnant" or "We just bought a new house" more so their surprising comments like "You have to marry my cousin." Hmmm...I hope the bf isn't shy and knows that wine was involved ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">All in all the trip was pretty amazing. 9 mile run Saturday morning followed by a stroll around Georgetown, drinks at the top of the W overlooking the White House and the National Mall, followed by dinner at PS7 which is ranked in DCs Top 100 and an amazing set of desserts at Hook by the soon to be famous Heather...and that was all on Saturday. Sunday included brunch at my aunts on Capitol Hill, a walk to and around Eastern Market then DuPont, and complete with a trip to Red, White and Bleu (Adam's wine and cheese shop) just in time to finish the bottles from a tasting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Great trip for sure...even if it didn't include a diet. Guess I'll just have to try again...</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-59249148210920400762010-04-07T14:36:00.007-05:002010-10-04T17:30:40.218-05:00diet trials<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">As my friends will tell you, I have tried almost every diet in the book. Yes, I would like the pleasure of looking like a supermodel but at the grand age of 28, I am sure that will never happen. Instead, I must settle for some sort of goal...such as Thomas's Law...134. This is, and will remain my goal weight until I reach it...to which I am sure, I will love! As one jerky ex-boyfriend told me once "as soon as you are happy with your body, the battle is lost."<br />
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We need to get this 152lb (currently with happy belly) body into 134lb form. Now, some may think it's crazy for me to be so open about my weight (big or small by whomevers standards) and this process but...it's me. Please don't get me wrong, all people...and I do mean ALL people both love and hate their bodies. For the most part, I love/am completely content with mine. However, lately, especially with "happy belly" I could tighten up and slim down.<br />
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In my life, I have done everything as simple as measuring everything I eat to entering all caloric intake through livestrong.com to the South Beach diet. Each holding it's own and showing body improvements as long as I stick with it. Problem is...I don't stick with it. Maybe for a week or so but not on the weekends and definitely no longer than two weeks. In a month my friend is getting married. Now, she needs to lose no weight at all for if she does, I am afraid she will disappear altogether. However, her fiance would like to lose a few so this week, they started the Flat Belly Diet. I am in the wedding and would also like to lose a few so I have made the executive decision that I too will be doing the Flat Belly Diet.<br />
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This crazy diet will unofficially begin tomorrow and officially begin on Monday, April 12. Not officially starting until the 12th because we are headed to Washington DC this weekend to enjoy all that the city has to offer. I will be blogging about the Flat Belly processes...successes and challenges beginning on April 12 and ending Thursday, May 13 (32 days later). I can do this!</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-80597302596922203302010-04-07T13:43:00.008-05:002010-10-04T17:31:08.085-05:00two pounds per inch<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A little before this past holiday season, I had an interesting conversation with a couple of my guy friends. We were discussing, in depth, the appropriate weight of a girl.<br />
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At first it was as simple as "she has to weigh less than me" but then turned into a complex theory...we'll call this theory Thomas's Law.<br />
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According to Thomas's Law a girl...excuse me...a datable girl must be no more than two pounds per inch tall. For instance, I am 5'7" or 67" tall. In order for me to find my datable weight I would take 67 x 2 (for the 2lbs/in). The most I could weigh at my datable weight would be 134lbs.<br />
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Humph...who are we kidding...I might have been that weight at the beginning of high school but after I learned about how much I loved sports (tennis, soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading) I quickly put much muscle mass onto my frame. Since then, with the exception of the freshman 10-15 in college, I have dabbled in the 145-155 category...no where near the two pounds per inch rule. In fact, for my weight to be acceptable, I'm going to have to grow to be 6'2"! ;) Or...I will just have to live with being 2.2lbs/in.<br />
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After I realized the truth that I was undatable it was time for a massive reconstruction plan on my diet and exercise lifestyle. My plan was to exercise more, eat healthy, watch portion size, etc. Trouble with that...I was already doing pretty well in all of those areas. I have always worked out 3-4 times per week and I eat extremely healthy during the day and at night with the occasional cupcake and alcohol intake. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFnErfmUPJrJi7d-geD4nEEvdJhGKbYrbl4ALUzUxCScyzubnGDy0ew38bKjwxn1A9HV-zfwsJzbe4Ryl6VDLT0BU7Y0Pwt8qB4FPz5ae7uZBoCeIveI1GICwy8toLOESyWc3DK2nALTC/s1600/2lbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFnErfmUPJrJi7d-geD4nEEvdJhGKbYrbl4ALUzUxCScyzubnGDy0ew38bKjwxn1A9HV-zfwsJzbe4Ryl6VDLT0BU7Y0Pwt8qB4FPz5ae7uZBoCeIveI1GICwy8toLOESyWc3DK2nALTC/s200/2lbs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-29214362755025659852010-03-03T16:25:00.006-06:002010-10-04T17:31:38.207-05:00and then karma rears her ugly head<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Royally screwed is how I can describe myself over the past hour and a half. Whatever the deal is, I can honestly say that this must be my little taste of karma. Good news is that so far, everything has been pretty minor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">finished blog and left work by 3:05...not bad so far</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pretty clear drive on North Ave from Grand-Damen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">stuck behind slowest driver in the world</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">large truck blocked both lanes on North through the Western intersection</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">lots of horn and blockage happening...me in the middle...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">park in lot to get security tag taken off gift</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pay $6.25 for 15 minutes ($0.41/min)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">head to Borders to get book club book (Gang Leader for a Day)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">park in free lot</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pay full price because my teacher card has magically disappeared</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Again, nothing too bad...just a lot at once after a little while of only wonderful things</span>.</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-12428024586530518382010-03-03T13:20:00.005-06:002010-10-04T17:33:07.481-05:00somebody's hero and other small surprises<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Life continues to unfold and each and every day brings something new or renewed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">ISATs (this wonderful testing...no child left behind b.s.) started yesterday and with the start of the test, as with the start of anything one is nervous/anxious about, all of the jitters have, as they say, left the building. This week is quite nerve-racking for the kids so I did my best on Monday to be their (each and every student's) personal test-taking cheerleader. Going room to room before students left school on Monday (why to get their good nights' sleep of course) reassuring students that they already have all of the tools they need to be successful and to do their best was a difficult job! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Many of the students, even though they have taken the ISATs before, definitely felt the pressure to do well. This concept seemed a little strange to me seeing that when I was in elementary school, I recall no pressure at all. In fact, I experienced the exact opposite of that. For me, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills just happened to appear on my desk once a year as a surprise. Yes, not a very good surprise but a surprise nonetheless. Now, with No Child Left Behind and the threat to close schools and fire teachers, students pretty much know the testing dates as soon as they walk through the doors in August. So much time is spent emphasizing the importance of the test that it's of no wonder why students are stressing out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">This positive burst of excitement and enthusiasm about the tests definitely helped boost their spirits...at least I'd like to think so. After the first day of testing, I made sure to go back to each of the classrooms that I had so generously pumped up to get feedback on the tests. Most students told me that they did really well on the tests and that they weren't as bad as they had previously thought. One boy in particular who had expressed his concerns of testing on Monday let me know that he was nervous at the beginning of the test but then realized that he completely understood what was going on in the test and in turn "rocked" the test. (As a teacher those words are music to my ears :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Walking through the halls this morning, I was stopped by one of my favorite fourth graders with a "good morning Ms. Bell!" After the casual good morning response the conversation went as such:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Me: I know you did an awesome job yesterday...are you gonna rock the test again today!?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Students: Yeah! It was easy and I'm ready!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Me: That's awesome (insert high five)! You're a rock star...actually you're my little rock star!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Student: You're my hero.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Me: (taken aback) Wow! Thank you. That's a big job, I sure hope I can make you proud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Student: You already do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Usually it's the teachers and parents who are expected to pass out the positives like candy in order to boost the confidence of our youth...but after sometime contemplating...who does this for the adults? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">It's rare. It's unusual. It's magical. It's worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">It's the tiny reminders, like the hero comment, that remind me of the why...the why am I doing all of this? the Why do I care so much? It's the reminder that I'm touching lives and making a difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Thanks Neyda ;)</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-76466740217487634012010-02-26T15:42:00.006-06:002010-10-04T17:33:48.721-05:00just this sort of day<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today is the zipper down, underwear inside out, stub your toe on a corner kind of day. It's the kind of day that would get a lesser person down. But not me...not today. I wouldn't change today for anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Speaking of the type of day...because of the birthday of Dr. Seuss, I had the pleasure of reading Dr. Seuss books all day long. Some old favorites like <em>The Lorax</em>, <em>Yertle the Turtle</em>, and <em>The Cat in the Hat Comes Back</em>. As well as a new favorite <em>Fox in Socks</em>. After pumping up the kids at this morning's ISAT assembly and reading so many Dr. Seuss books...creation struck...here is my ode to Dr. Seuss and the ISATs:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just love getting students ready for tests!<br />
Because getting ready for tests is just really the best.<br />
Getting ready for tests, yes, yes sir-y-bob<br />
Getting ready for tests, that's just part of my job.<br />
<br />
The students are ready. Don't worry, they'll do their best.<br />
The students are ready to rock these fine tests.<br />
<br />
Months and years to prepare will be of big help.<br />
All these months and these years of the best sort of help.<br />
It's the teachers who care about all that they do.<br />
It's wonderful, amazing teachers like you!</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-34818439449179548982010-02-24T11:53:00.009-06:002010-10-04T17:34:38.361-05:00Valentine Schmalentine<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of Valentine's Day. A time to celebrate love, loved ones, lovers...however, why are we just celebrating for one day? In reality, shouldn't we be doing this all year round?<br />
<br />
I have not always been <em>Negative Nelly</em> (term stolen from Girls on the Run) about Valentine's Day. In fact, before this year, I was definitely an advocate for the love fest. This year something clicked. I have officially become a nay-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sayer</span> about celebrating love on this one special day and this one special day only.<br />
<br />
It hit me as I was headed to the gym (the gym by my school...not the closest to me...actually probably the farthest away...but the one where people have let go of their New Year's resolutions which makes it therefore, fairly empty). The way to the gym is a long straight shot down Fullerton Avenue, the street where no one carries insurance and where everyone drives like maniacs. Coming back from my tangent...Fullerton Avenue was littered by an abundance of fluffy, plush, stuffed animals; pink gorillas, white teddy bears, and red dogs as well as red roses suffocated by a barrage of baby's breath. The question that repeated itself like a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">strobe</span> light <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">every time</span> I drove by one of these stands, which was every block, was "What grown female or male would want love in the form of baby's breath and/or a stuffed monkey?" I'm sure there are a few but enough to evoke this much junk on the side of the street!?! Yes, cute to give to a child to celebrate a day of love. No, not cute to give to an adult.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to my next question or rather point...the dinner. Question: What do adults to do on Valentine's Day if the stuffed animals are overrated and out? Answer: Why, go to dinner of course! Dinner at a fancy restaurant...usually a step or two above the norm. Example: If White Castle is where you take your dates, you might end up at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Applebee's</span>. If Long John Silver's if your norm, Red Lobster would be your upgrade. If a couple happens to be going to a restaurant where reservations are needed, make sure to call ahead...somewhere around the two week mark ahead. This will ensure your place at a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pre-</span>packaged, overly packed, usually fantastic place. Not only will the couple not get the best the restaurant has to offer but they will most likely not even get a choice of menu item. On top of all of that wonderfulness, a ton of expectations are laid like a blanket on the couple the second they walk through the door...sometimes even before they walk through the door...such as a photographer waiting patiently outside to capture the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">awkward</span> Valentine's Day for all couples. What would normally be considered a great date at a great restaurant has now <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">conveniently</span> turned into awkward conversation and hopes for the future over an overpriced meal.</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-53806527274640764512009-09-28T14:24:00.006-05:002010-10-04T17:36:29.678-05:00chuck realization<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Didn't think too much about dinner and drinks with an ex last week, I stay friends with almost all of my exes...I guess I'm just that girl. I knew that my ex was still dating the girl he met right after we broke up (um about 2.5 years ago) and I assumed he was planning on telling me they lived together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">After about an hour long conversation...just catching up here's how the conversation went:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-So are you living with <em>new girlfriend</em> now?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C-Oh yeah, it's been a while.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-Wow, that's great! I will forever live with a boyfriend before marriage <em>chuckle under breath</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C-Yeah, marriage. Did I tell you that my brother and his longtime girlfriend are getting married?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-Actually you did mention that...that's amazing, she is such a great girl.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C-They are getting married next June when she graduates from Vet school.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-And you? You have been with your girl now for, what is it now, 2.5 years? Are you engaged yet?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C-Oh, haha, yeah. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-<em>big smile </em>Really!?! That's awesome! When are you getting married?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C-Two weeks, October 10...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-<em>did not hear anything for about 5 minutes after that because the shock had set in...</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C-I'm surprised <em>mutual friend</em> didn't tell you...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A-I guess it wasn't on her priority list...she does have two small ones now <em>and you're not the center of her world</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This was all the confirmation I needed to know and believe that I am officially "Good Luck Chuck" but for guys. Almost every boyfriend that I have had since sophomore year of college <em>and one even before that</em> have married the girl they dated after me...well, the ones that believe in marriage anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yep...went through the list again...still true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">With that being said...the streak stops now! From this point forward, I will no longer be "Good Luck Chuck." Instead, roles will be reversed and I am passing the torch to the last guy I dated <em>and no, we are actually not friends...which is why this works really well...</em>he will now be Good Luck Chuck...mwahahaha</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">If you would like to join me...I am getting together with a group of friends on this wonderful day of October 10...downtown Chicago...to celebrate the passing of the torch. Good-bye Good Luck Chuck status...bring on the Mrs. degree. :)</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-3099568224572828792009-09-13T02:49:00.004-05:002010-10-04T17:37:46.866-05:00back to school<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">School is back in session (not the cause of my lack of blogging however). This begins year number five at the same school and I can honestly say that I did miss the students. Things have gotten off to a really great start but if I blogged about how perfect everything was, well, that would get quite boring. Instead, I choose to tell you two stories...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...one...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It is my fifth year at the same school so one might think that I know the students really well. I do. Usually I only need to meet and learn the names of both incoming kindergarten classes as well as a handful of new students, possibly one or two per class/grade. Sixty plus kids to meet and learn...piece of cake. We also have many, many siblings at the school which also makes learning names really easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">While teaching sixth grade, I had asked the students what they knew about Pop Art. Show off that I am, I didn't use my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">grade book</span> or a list of student names to call on students to answer questions. Confidently I called on Maria. "Yes Maria..." Maria looked at me funny and said "Juan." Only about two seconds later did it register and I realized that I had called sixth grade Juan by his third grade sister's name, Maria. Yikes, how <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">embarrassing</span>...for both. It was an honest mistake...Maria and Juan both look very similar in the face (you can tell they are related) and for some unknown reason, they both have the same haircut. Maria's is very short for a girl and Juan's is very long for a boy :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...two...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In fifth grade, we have started making our mixed media me books. In these books, I require students to have an acrostic poem...something they have been doing since first grade at this school. Since they have been composing acrostic poems for so long, they basically have memorized which one word answers go with each letter of their name. Boring! For art class, I put a little twist on it. One word answers aren't allowed and students actually have to tell me something about themselves instead of Awesome Nice Neat Elephants. Being the wonderful teacher that I am, I do a think aloud with the students and my name and the end result looks something like this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>A</strong>rt teacher to elementary students</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>N</strong>eat and ALWAYS organized</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>N</strong>ever one to let someone down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>E</strong>xcellent tennis player</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>B</strong>elieves in fairy tales</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>E</strong>lephants are my favorite because they never forget</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>L</strong>iterary lover and avid reader</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>L</strong>ucky to have such wonderful friends and family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Of course with the fifth grade boys B had to be pointed out. "Ms. Bell, what do you mean you believe in fairy tales? Aren't you a little old for that?" Me "Prince Charming is on his way...he's just not here yet." Girls in unison "awe *sigh*."</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-73180177159050890112009-06-25T13:10:00.004-05:002010-10-04T17:38:21.973-05:00what if...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Again with <em>Memoirs of a Geisha</em>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>From this experience I understood the danger of focusing my life on what isn't there. What if I came to the end of my life and realized that I'd spent every day watching for a man who would never come to me? What an unbearable sorrow it would be, to realize I'd never really tasted the things I'd eaten, or seen the places I'd been, because I'd thought of nothing but the Chairman even while my life was drifting away from me. And yet if I drew my thoughts back from him, what life would I have? I would be like a dancer who had practiced since childhood for a performance she would never give.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It seems that a lot of the time we are waiting for things to happen. Everything from waiting to go to the gym, waiting until Friday night, waiting until the next paycheck, waiting for...well, you name it...we are always waiting for something. I'm using this passage as a little reminder...mainly to myself...to stop waiting for whatever it is I am waiting for and to experience life now...as it comes...no matter what. Time to stop worrying about what might happen...about the what ifs. No one needs the what ifs. They are what ifs because it didn't happen.</span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-25640586411470253532009-06-24T15:49:00.008-05:002010-10-04T17:40:04.818-05:00an en<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>An en is a karmic bond lasting a lifetime. Nowadays many people seem to believe their lives are entirely a matter of choice; but in my day we viewed ourselves as pieces of clay that forever show the fingerprints of everyone who has touched them. Nobu's touch had made a deeper impression on me than most. No one had always sensed the en between us. Somewhere in the landscape of my life Nobu would always be present. But could it really be that of all the lessons I'd learned, the hardest one lay just ahead of me? Would I really have to take each of my hopes and put them away where no one would ever see them again, where not even I would ever see them?</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I am currently reading...eh em...listening to Memoirs of a Geisha and have found quite a few of Sayuri's views of life to be touching, thought provoking, and well...meaningful. Take the passage above for example. We always hear, and many of us use, the cliche of being touched by someone...in the metaphorical sense of course. But the visual of us being made of clay and that everyone we meet has placed at least a fingerprint upon us is quite powerful. Sayuri mentions that we now think that it is the choices we make that shape us...but couldn't it, very well, be a combination of the two? I have made plenty of choices in my life that have lead me to one place or another but it is the people I have met that have shaped my experiences. I would even go so far as to say that it is the people I have met who have shaped me...my personality, my future choices, my reactions to life's happenings, etc. Good or bad, I believe that the choices we make happen to be part of our destiny (another term used quite frequently in the book)...we will experience the same events and meet the same people along our given path but because of our choices, it is up to us to decide when these encounters will actually occur. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of destiny...</span></strong><br />
<br />
<em>Neither you nor I can know your destiny. You may never know it! Destiny isn't always like a party at the end of the evening. Sometimes it's nothing more than struggling through life from day to day.<br />
</em>Again, it has to be our choices in life that help shape our destiny...maybe we won't always get the party...and what if it is a daily struggle?...but that just means we need to slightly change or rather make more careful decisions regarding our choices. On the other hand...sometimes the careful decisions are what's creating life's little difficulties. In that respect, maybe it is good to make decisions in a fly by the seat of your pants mode every once in a while...keep destiny on her toes :)<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the first passage where Sayuri mentions hope...</span></strong><br />
<em>Would I really have to take each of my hopes and put them away where no one would ever see them again, where not even I would ever see them?<br />
</em>In life, I don't think it is ever about hiding your hopes but instead...as said by Dave Matthews in the song Ants Marching...Take these chances, place them in a box until a quieter time, lights down you up and die. It is your responsibility to remember your hopes and to bring them out of hiding when the chance presents itself. If it looks like the time will not come...make the time happen by changing your choices and therefore rerouting your destiny. It is only if you have forgotten your hopes and keep them locked away in a secret place that they will ever become lost. </span></span>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716625921712624483.post-24068611400014420592009-05-06T14:40:00.006-05:002010-10-04T17:42:11.814-05:00one...two...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBoqDBQCpke0EUaUnmZafqhm1wno9_yzmCoOqg_ijdnAAad67NB1qqZSzrab2_1yTpwMvhZ8kvZfyNLRu1inyv2-7wAR1haBtHZIsWaoqvxbDwBvviNAdeu_b6w6x3UyU8Jbms5tIWmHz/s1600-h/Louisville+015.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332872669754728898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBoqDBQCpke0EUaUnmZafqhm1wno9_yzmCoOqg_ijdnAAad67NB1qqZSzrab2_1yTpwMvhZ8kvZfyNLRu1inyv2-7wAR1haBtHZIsWaoqvxbDwBvviNAdeu_b6w6x3UyU8Jbms5tIWmHz/s320/Louisville+015.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">three...rrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppppppp</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">The day my pants had a civil war and the right successfully split from the left.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Background: Friday...beautiful outside...playing around with kindergarteners before class...wearing old comfortable pants that couldn't bear to take the strain of one more squat...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">Favorite kindergartener this year, Milton, jumped into my arms as soon as I walked in the door to kindergarten. Javier, refused to get up from nap...so the only logical thing to do was to fake drop Milton onto Javier...one...two...three...rrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiipppppppppppp.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: 85%;">After quickly backing into the kindergarten girls bathroom, Ms. Rodriguez <em>my hero</em> came back with a pair of <em>kid pants</em> that happened to be too wide and too short. Thank goodness I was able to roll the top twice then keep the pants up with a scarf that had been draped as decoration around my neck. Some might say that I looked like I was ready for a walk down the beach. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches...laugh at yourself...then share the laughter with everyone you know!</span></div>annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16034743383368736157noreply@blogger.com0