Not in Kansas Anymore

So my blog took a summer break.  Now, that it is August again, I think it's time to get back into things.  In the past few months, I have watched all of the seasons of Bones and The Office, attempted an impossible puzzle (Starry Night) and played a lot of board games.

Sunday, I made the move to Florida.  I will be starting Physical Therapy School at UF in a couple weeks!  The road trip to Gainesville took 2 days.  The first day, we stopped four times in the first five hours... not very efficient!  We made it to Nashville that night, but were too tired to stalk any country singers or do any other fun Nashville things.  Maybe next time!  Day two was a little faster.  Once we got to Gainesville, we made a Target/Walmart run and started unpacking my stuff.

The next day, we wandered around campus.  First, we tried to drive.  When finding a parking spot was unsuccessful, we just decided to walk!  After getting yelled at by a cop for taking a picture of a building, we finally found where my classes will be and the union.  Sweaty and disgusting, we went to the bookstore to get some Gator gear and ate some lunch.  We considered walking around more of campus, but decide that it was a little too hot for that.  After a quick cleanup, we headed to the mall.  Then, I successfully got my wireless internet and TV hooked up and we headed to dinner.  

Wednesday, we went to St. Augustine Beach!  Kaleigh attempted to make a sandcastle and we played in the waves.  We picked up a few seashells and accidentally soaked our towels when the tide came in.  Oops!  After an afternoon of sun, our sandy, burnt bodies headed back to Gainesville.

My mom and Kaleigh left Thursday morning to head back to Kansas.  My roommate and I went to Walmart and I got some groceries.  Last night, we went to Chili's for her Birthday.  Upon seeing my Kansas ID, the server said "Oh!  You're not in Kansas anymore!"  Original...

Anyways, the next couple weeks I will be enjoying the sun and relaxing.  I'll keep ya updated on my life in Florida!

I wear my sunglasses at night

I go through iPods and headphones faster than I go through running shoes.  Shoes I replace about twice a year, but headphones probably last me a couple months before I step on them, lose them, or, in yesterday's case, catch the cord on a bush branch and rip them apart.  I can't stand the earbuds that come with iPods.  They seem to be too big for my ears and when I finally get them in there, they fall out when I sweat.  Fail.  I prefer the old school over-the-ear phones even though I'm sure I get made fun of for them.

Yesterday, my latest earphones came to rest.  I've had them since January.  And that is why I refuse to spend more than $10 on them.  Another thing I buy cheap is sunglasses.  Expensive name-brands will never be caught on my face.  I think the one thing that has worse luck than my earphones is my sunglasses.  (Maybe one day I will learn to NOT leave things on the floor...)

Anyway, I have been working on figuring out my plans for fall.  I will be moving to Florida in August for physical therapy school, but have no idea where I'm living.  I've been talking to some classmates on facebook, but don't have anything planned out for sure.  I have, however, officially signed up for the important stuff--football tickets.  (Well, the lottery at least).  I don't think anyone from Kansas understands the need for a "football student ticket lottery."  We will stand in line for a week to get seats to a basketball game, but space at the football stadium is typically not a problem.  It is definitely a new concept for me.  Hopefully I get tickets so I can see what this is all about!

In other news, last weekend I went to a Walk for Wishes in KC!  We walked a few laps and they had great rides and blow up games.  It was pretty awesome.  Saturday night, I went to my last Chi O formal.  We ate some food and played some "The Game of Things" beforehand.  If you haven't played before, it's like Apples to Apples (if you haven't played this, go to Target and purchase it ASAP), but better.  You get to write your own answers for things like "Things that make you cry" or "Things not to watch).  For some reason, "Lindsey's dancing" kept coming up.  Thanks Tony.  Anyway, it was at the new hotel near campus and it was a decent time (I think I would have more fun at these things if they played country music).  Afterward, we ate some Wheel Pizza.  I am slowly convincing my non-Lawrence friends to love the place.

Nothing too exciting has been going on this week.  I just cleaned Rascal's cage.  She smells a whole lot better.  She is currently sleeping with her face smashed up against the corner as usual.  I think I may be succeeding in making her non-nocturnal...  Speaking of non-nocturnal, I'm off to bed.

Toodles.

P.S.  Apparently this post doesn't want to double space.  I need K Stro or Brenna to teach me some computer skills...........

26.2 thoughts on 26.2 miles

Dear mom and dad,

You can finally stop bugging me about not keeping my blog updated.  I am currently in the process of baking white chocolate cranberry cookies.  The dough was delish.  The first batch was burnt.  The second batch I believe is underdone... but I am too comfortable to get up and check.

I realize that I missed the month of March entirely.  Oops.  I would much rather skip the month of February.  Not just blogging.  The entire month and everything to do with it.  Why?  

1.  It's cold.  

2.  The term "wintery mix"  

3.  Scraping ice off of my windshield  

4.  Valentine's Day (except for the movie... that was pretty good)

5.  Winter clothes

6.  So many other reasons I don't even remember because I have blocked all Februarys from my memory.

ANYWAY.

I ran the Eisenhower Marathon this weekend in Abilene, KS.  Today at my internship, a patient asked what goes through your mind for 26.2 entire miles.  Here is my breakdown...

1.  Man, I'm glad we made it out of that porta potty line in time!

2.  That's my cousin!  (She was handing out water at a water station)

3.  I wonder if we made a wrong turn?  (The route through the park was a bit questionable)

4.  What a pretty sunrise!  (I actually said this out loud to Laura... she doesn't recall)

5.  Look at that guy wearing the all lime green outfit.  He's speedwalking.

6.  I'm feeling pretty good!  Hopefully it lasts another 20 miles...

7.  The half marathoners are turning around now.  I'm jealous.

8.  It is a really nice day outside!  (Or... It's was too cold, hot, wet, windy, etc.)

9.  This breeze is nice, but I hope it doesn't pick up too much.

10.  Hey mom and dad!  (And sister and grandma and grandpa and aunt and uncle and dog and Laura's mom and Laura's boyfriend...)

11.  "Rain makes corn.  Corn makes whiskey.  Whiskey makes my baby... feel a little frisky."  (Lyrics that made me embarrassed to be a country fan... until I two-stepped to it.)

12.  I wish we had our running games (we are planning to make portable games for long distance runners.  Who doesn't want to play Apples to Apples mid stride?)

13.  Shouldn't we be turning around here pretty soon?

14.  Good, over halfway done!  Oh... only halfway done...

15.  There's our cheering section again!  Is this a smile or a grimace?

16.  Only 10 miles to go.  Oh, and .2.  NEVER underestimate the .2.

17.  (Rap music blares) - Laura:  "Was that my mom's car?"  (We pass.  Rap music fades.) - Laura:  "It definitely was..."

18.  Hmmm, my calves kind of hurt.  So do my arches.  And my thighs.  And my toes.  And my knees.  And...

19.  "I'm so much cooler online.  Yea, I'm cooler onliiiiine!"

20.  Stop taking pictures!  I hope they all turn out blurry.  This is blackmail material...

21.  Just a quick 5 miles left.  I run 5 miles on an easy day so this should be easy, right?

22.  Wrong.

23.  Speaking of wrong, this mile marker (23) was where the 22 mile marker should have been.  Which led to my thoughts at mile 24...

24.  Yes, that cone coming up is 25!  One mile to go!  Wait a second... that looks kind of like a 4.  Holy mackerel.  (Looking around)  Does anyone else think we ran an extra mile somewhere along there?  Anyone else outraged?  No?  Guess I'll just keep running then.

25.  Dear fellow marathoners,  It is not cool to jog back on the course as a "cooldown" and "cheer on" runners who are still finishing.  No I don't think you're cool.  No I'm not impressed that you finished before I did.  No you are not motivating me to finish.  Please leave me to shuffle my way to the finish line alone.  Sincerely, me and every other runner that passed you.

26.  Somehow, this mile seems to be taking longer than all of the others combined.  I'm not sure if my feet are even getting off the ground anymore.

.2  I'm sprinting!  I see the finish and I'm sprinting!  (To onlookers this looks somewhat like a slow motion video of a person's first run.  This may be the one and only time it is appropriate to yell something along the lines of "Run Forrest!  Run!")

So that's the breakdown.  No seriously, that's it.  Brain function slowly deteriorates throughout the run until at the finish, all you can manage to mumble is one syllable words (or non-words...)  "Wa."  "Ouch."  "Feet."  "Done."  "Sit."  And for this, I apologize to anyone who had to attempt to speak with me after the race.  Or after any race.  

And while I'm at it, I should probably apologize to that lady who I passed once at the end of a fun run 5K who was pushing a stroller.  I just couldn't let someone pushing a stroller pass me.  According to my running partner Joel, my all out sprint at the finish was inappropriate in the situation.  He was wearing a Bleaker outfit though, so I don't give his opinions on the situation too much credit...

Recipes and DDPs

So I gave up sweets for lent.  This is my third year of doing so.  (The first year I found myself eating candy the next day before I realized what I was doing... oops)  Last year, though, I successfully turned down cookies, cake, and candy until Easter.  So far, I have held strong!  It can be hard at my internship (patients really love to bake treats for their physical therapists).  Other than that I haven't had too much temptation.

I have, however, been bookmarking some great dessert recipes that I am definitely going to try mid-April.  A friend told me about foodgawker.com and I have been spending a little less time facebook stalking and a little more time staring at food.  It is a website that has multiple food blogs with sweet looking recipes.  Yum.

Another thing that has been keeping me satisfied has been Sonic.  Happy Hour is truly one of the great joys in life.  Half price bevs are right up there alongside the first warm days of spring and being front row at a KU basketball game.  My personal fave is the Diet. Dr. Pepper with Vanilla, or as I like to call it, the DVDP.  Yes, I'm drinking one right now.  Yes, I get one whenever I get done with my internship a few minutes early.  Yes, sometimes I switch it up.  Every once in awhile I will add some cherry for a DCVDP.  Once, I mistakenly got a DCDP.  Yes, it was still delicious.

And with that, I must go.  KU is down by almost 20 points right now and they need my entire focus to be on cheering.

Puzzles and Prom

For Christmas, my dad got me a "Days of Tips and Inspiration for College Students" calendar.  It has daily bits of advice such as "Make a new friend in class today" and "Save quarters when you receive change--you'll need them for laundry."  You know, information that is vitally important... when you are entering your freshman year.  (Sorry, dad... I still love it.)

Today's earth-shattering revelation said "No doubt about it--you're super busy.  But be sure to make time for yourself."  So true!  I look over at the two ginormous stacks of paper that are the reasons that I will be super busy over the next few months:  my new Sudoku and Hidato daily calendars.  730 mind-challenging puzzles.  What a challenge!  

Don't worry, though.  I will take breaks for myself.  You know, to do things like figure out where I'm living next year, who I'm living with, how I'm funding my education... little things like that.  I will keep you updated both on the status of my puzzles and the status of my future.

Almost as important as my Hidato success or failures is the prom.  Yes, t

hat's right.  I am that college girl going back to the prom.  Never thought it would happen, but what can you do when true love strikes?  Here is a picture of my date.  He's dreamy.

In other prom news, I went prom dress shopping with my sister today.  She has a real date.  Well, not technically a date, but a to-be date.  She's "on reserve."  Anyway, assuming that her "on reserve" date will actually ask her, we went dress hunting.  After hours of wandering around Kansas City, we found a winner.  It's a cute black and white dress with some lime green ribbon.  It was a great success!

Anywho, it is almost Olympic game time (remember who you are cheering for!) so I'm going to go make some festive treats.  And maybe do a Sudoku or two.  Here's another bit of advice until next time:  "Experience something new.  Participate in an activity you've always wanted to try."

Oh Canada!

I am very excited for the Winter Olympics.  Is there anything better than watching men wearing sparkly purple and pink spandex dance around on ice skates?  Men sweeping the floor in a bulls-eye-esqe game is pretty great too.  Not to mention the excitement of people racing down a mountain, track or slide at faster speeds than my car would even consider.  Opening ceremonies are Friday and we will be celebrating with Olympic Ring cupcakes and games.  You are all invited.

  At my internship we are having an Olympic competition.  Today was draft day.  I will officially be cheering for Canada, South Korea, and The Netherlands.  Plus one more.  That will be determined tomorrow morning.

In the spirit of the upcoming games, here are some fun facts about my countries... you should cheer for them too.

CANADA:  

1.  The baseball glove was invented in Canada (which will help tremendously in the winter Olympics)

2.  Santa Claus is from Canada

3.  Canada also claims to have invented basketball...

SOUTH KOREA:

1.  Has the world's highest estimated national IQ

2.  On the first night of each year, they hide their shoes so a ghost doesn't try them on and steal the pairs it likes - your shoes are stolen, you will have bad luck for the entire year

3.  Bulldog and live squid are popular delicacies

NETHERLANDS:

1.  Home of Heineken beer.

2.  Also home of the Red Light District

3.  There are twice as many bikes as cars

So there's my info. for the day.  I'll keep you updated on my 4th country and its fun facts!

I very strongly dislike winter.

I hate winter.  I hate the feeling being cold more than being sick, being picked last, and being short enough to be an armrest.  I am in more pain walking 10 steps to my car in January than I am at mile 25 of a marathon.  Not only is winter painful, but winter clothes are ugly, uncomfortable and more expensive.  Who would rather wear a winter coat than shorts and a t-shirt?  Flip flops vs snow boots?  Not even a question.

This is why I am pretty upset with Mr. Groundhog.  He has decided that winter gets to last another 6 weeks or something.  Today is February 6.  This means I have approximately 66 days until I feel safe from winter.  The latest I remember it snowing was on my friend's April 13 birthday one year.  So after that date, I consider spring to officially begin and I put away my winter scarves.

Anyway, tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and I'm still undecided about who to root for.  After asking almost everyone I know and meet who they are rooting for and why, I still really don't care.  So, if you have a convincing argument as to what colors I should wear tomorrow, let me know.  Until then, I will be officially cheering for funny commercials and good food.

47 things I've done since the last time I blogged

Soooo, I haven't blogged in a few days.  Apparently I can find things to do to entertain myself even when I don't have homework.  Who would have thought?  Anyway, here is a summary of what I have been up to the past few days...

1.  Watched KU dominate Mizzou.  Rock Chalk.

2.  Finished the 4th Twilight book.

3.  Wondered what to read next.

4.  Googled "addicting books"

5.  Went to the library

6.  Found out that the books I was looking for were in the "Young Adults" and "Childrens" sections.

7.  Checked the books out anyway.

8.  Accidentally got one of the books in large print.

9.  Read it anyway.

10.  Complained about the snow.

11.  Ran in the snow.

12.  Complained about running in the snow.

13.  Started up Bible Study for the semester - we are reading Sex God by Rob Bell

14.  Wondered if God would approve of my Harry Potter/Vampire book obsession.

15.  Wondered if God would approve of denying a kid the chance to read the books I checked out from the children's section.

16.  Taught some anatomy.

17.  Taught some more anatomy.

18.  Went out smelling like formaldehyde.

19.  Contemplated telling a stranger who looked like Harry Potter that he had an owl waiting outside.

20.  Chickened out.

21.  Got up early every day for my internship.

22.  Did the crossword at my internship.

23.  Did the jumble at my internship.

24.  Learned some stuff at my internship!

25.  Watched the Bachelor.

26.  Made fun of the Bachelor.

27.  Made fun of all of the women "in love" with the bachelor.

28.  Drove to Salina.

29.  And drove...

30.  ... and drove.

31.  Asked my sister if she could move her musical to 8:30 so I could watch the end of the K/K-State game.

32.  Got the evil eye from my sister.

33.  Watched the first half of the KU/K-State game.

34.  Watched my sister as a dancing spoon in Beauty and the Beast instead of watch the second half of the KU/K-State game.

35.  She was a pretty good dancing spoon.  I'd definitely rate her in the top 5 of all the dancing spoons I've ever seen.

36.  (Probably going to get the evil eye for that comment as well)

37.  Found out KU won!

38.  Didn't even call or text any of my k-state friends to taunt them.

39.  Spend some quality snuggling time with my dog, Mia.

40.  Got some new glasses.

41.  Headed back to Lawrence.

42.  Went to sleep.

43.  Started a new week at my internship bright and early.

44.  Did some puzzles.

45.  Learned some stuff.

46.  Went to my last Chi Omega chapter EVER!

47.  Swapped some stories with Kelly at Starbucks.

Annnd that's about it.  It would have been nice to have an even 50, but I have done nothing else at all, so I'd rather stop at 47 than make up lies.  I'll try to update more often so I don't have to go through so much of my incredibly interesting life in one sitting.

No Homework

I'm thoroughly enjoying my first Saturday of not having homework.  Basketball games all day?  Yes.  Nap?  Yes.  Twilight?  Double Yes.  Speaking of Twilight, if Robert Pattinson (who plays Edward in Twilight and Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter) had been a vampire in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, would he have survived the avada kedavra curse?  I've given this much thought and I believe that he would survive.  Why?  1)  He can run faster than the curse travels.  2)  He would probably take out Voldemort before the curse is even made and 3)  I'm pretty sure that curse couldn't penetrate vampire skin.  Here is what some others think on the topic.  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090303125300AAK5AIE

Fact:  Smoking one cigarette takes 11 minutes off of your life.  Good thing I've never done it.  (Source:  TV commercial for "Final Smoke" so I'm sure it's very accurate)

Are You G?

Front row seats to KU basketball games are rarer than K-State beating Texas.  Surprisingly, I experienced both events this week.  I can't personally vouch for how it feels to claim a victory over the number one team in the nation, but what I can do is let you in on how it feels to be front and center.  Literally.  Center.  As KU took on the Baylor Bears, my seat was directly behind the basketball goal.  Which was awesome... until the ball travelled inside the three-point line.  Then I had to frantically figure out what the heck happened as I strained my neck to the side.  (Really, is it necessary for those posts to be so thick?)

Despite my struggles, the experience was still pretty dang awesome.  Best part?  Getting to pick the free throw distraction when the other team shoots.  I have always wondered who gets to make the big decision that is a vital factor in the outcome of the game.  Those front row people.  The distraction I picked when it came my turn was unsuccessful.  Mark another point down for Baylor.  Speaking of free throw distractions, the Bears' coach had the audacity to be yelling as KU shot free throws.  Am I wrong on this, or is that something that a coach should have the respect not to do?  I thought that being rude during free throws was something reserved for the immature mouths of college students (particularly those in the front row).  Either way, I thought he was a meanie.

Second best part:  old woman below us who kept yelling profanities at the referees.

Third best part:  Being able to pound on the front barrier during cheers.  It definitely beats the redundancy of clapping hands.

Fourth best part:  Gatorade's "Are You G?" campaign.  Seriously?  I can imagine how this idea came to be.  Some middle-aged men talking at a board meeting about the new slogan.  One man (I like to picture my dad) brings up what "kids these days" are saying.  Hence, "Are you G?" is created.  I understand.  HOWEVER, how in the world did this idea make it to the Fieldhouse?  Does Gatorade not employ anyone under the age of forty?  Did no one think to consider that this slogan is equivalent to talking about "that world wide web" or adults over-using text lingo?  After their failed attempt at being "hip," I have a new idea.  I expect this man to be featured next year...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkeAzqhlkNk

As a conclusion (I feel like I am writing an essay for AP English), front row seats=awesome (now I feel like I am making a facebook post).  And I must admit, I looked up the KSU-TX record and it was actually not so atrocious.  Wildcats are winning the series 11-9 (don't worry, KU still leads K-State at 177-90).  My front row record is slightly less stellar.  I am 2/76 in my four years here.  

And... it's about my bedtime.  Just another reason why I'm

SoMuchCoolerOnline

Monster Cookies and Hamster Poop

I don't have much time tonight since I promised myself I would be in bed by 10 when I have to get up so early for my internship (it's already 10:25).  That being said, I completely forgot a random factoid yesterday, so here are two:

My hamster eats poop.

I am terrible at baking.

For anyone who has dared to eat my cookies, cakes, or brownies, I apologize.  As a baker, my strategy is to pour first, check later.  This, as you may guess, tends to end badly.  Over the years, my baked goods have managed to nearly gag my grandma and finish off my friends.  I have added too much flour, forgotten to double certain parts of recipes, and remembered a little too late that a mixer, cookie sheet or vanilla is crucial for the success of my final product.  

Monster cookies are a delicious combination of everything from peanut butter and chocolate chips to M&Ms and oatmeal.  Yesterday, I combined half of the ingredients for my monster cookies before realizing that I was getting a very large blob.  Too large.  Upon second glance I realized that the recipe makes six DOZEN cookies.  I have two roommates.  What in the world am I going to do with 72 cookies?  

Now that it is officially way past my bedtime, I will have to save the hamster fun facts for another day.  To keep it short and sweet, her name is Rascal, she is ginormous and she eats poop.  If you think I am the only person over the age of eleven that still enjoys having a pet rodent, you are mistaken.  My sister has one too.  Just another reason we are

SoMuchCoolerOnline

P.S.  Everyone is invited over and has a three cookie quota to fill.

What the Fog?

So Kansas weather is known to be unpredictable.  Thus, I am not the least bit surprised when it is 7 degrees outside one morning and I can go to the pool the next afternoon.   However, when I can't see three feet in front of me morning after morning, night after night, I begin to wonder... What the fog?  Why does this constant haze continue to engulf Kansas?  Here are a few theories:

Kelly Stroda's theory (I sure wish I could tag people like on the FB right now):  The plate tectonics under the earth decided to have a party.  Things got so crazy that things shifted and now Lawrence is over where Seattle used to be.

My theory:  Dementors.  What else could explain the erie feeling fog brings about?  (If you don't know what a dementor is, you can borrow my Harry Potter books.)  The thicker the fog, the closer the dementors.  Don't worry, an easy solution is to yell "expecto patronum" and watch your patronus clear the fog (and dementors) away.  My patronus is shaped like a hamster in case you were wondering.  If you still have no idea what I'm talking about, I am sorely disappointed.

Wikipedia's theory (copy and paste because I don't know how to make a link):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog

Ok, now that we have our options, I'm going to attempt to make a poll so you can vote for which theory you think is correct.  We'll see how that works out as my blogging knowledge is still pretty limited.  I can't figure out how to double space SOO sorry about the big blob of text.  It has been a mere 24 hours since my first blog and I already have two followers.  That is two more people than usually listen to my daily ramblings, so I consider this a huge success.

Until next time, 

I'm so much cooler online.

Little Bit of Life

Once upon a time (yesterday to be specific), I decided to start a blog.  Why, you ask?  Well, I have some free time on my hands due to the fact that I have an internship this semester and no homework.

It is 2 days into the semester and I have already considered taking up knitting, quilting and a variety of other time consuming activities.  I have already Facebook stalked everyone I know (yes, including you) and my knowledge base is getting a little creepy.  I have already done every Sporcle quiz out there and watched so many episodes of Criminal Minds and NCIS that I am on a government watch list for suspected serial killers.

Who cares, you ask?  That is an interesting one.  And the answer is, mom, you may be the only one.  At least I know I'll have one dedicated follower.

But the real reason for this blog is not because of boredom or keeping my family updated on the happenings of my very exciting life.  There is no specific subject matter or interesting topic at hand.  Basically, it comes down to the fact that I am so much cooler online.

That said, here are the rules for my blog:

1)  No criticizing my writing skills - I haven't had an English class since high school so don't blame me if my vocabulary is lousy and my use of hyphens and parenthesis is whack.  That being said, I promise never to mess up on your/you're and there/their/they're.

2)  Also, I think I'm gonna have a thought of the day.  This may be a question, random thought or idea.  It may be a haiku, pick up line, movie quote (probably from Elf) or joke.  Get excited.

3)  That is all for now.  I'll make up the rest as I go.