You Know.

*Start off your last weekday of the vacation (UGH) with a hearty, greasy, all-around delicious breakfast from Stephy's. Order 2 pancakes, an egg, sausage, and home fries. Eat all of it except for a bite of pancake and a sausage which, if you weren't a good sharer, you would have eaten, since, everyone say it with me, "if it's there, I'll eat it". In defense, however, the workouts in the past 2 days have kicked my butt and I have recently felt somewhat like a garbage disposal.

*Go to your friend's basketball practice because she needs you to be a practice player. Realize, with much relief, that indeed you do NOT miss basketball one bit. You have also lost all agility ability (you like that?) and are glad that you are still a physically strong person, just in the endurance/running/spinning way. Not in the sprinting/change directions/speed way. Don't even pretend that you're going to think about going again to be a practice player. You have 0% desire. After being around high school girls, be very very relieved and thankful to Jesus that you are no longer in high school. You cannot stand high schoolers (this is a generalization...I do have some high schoolers that I love dearly).

*Go back home and don't shower. Be gross. It's vacation. Plus showers are WAY WAY WAY overrated.

*Eat soup because again, you feel like a garbage disposal but at the same time feel a little bit guilty because you might as well have licked the grease off the stove at Stephy's (ew) earlier. But crazy...you're hungry again. Call it safe and eat soup. Italian Wedding of course...MMMmmm. Watch stupid TV while you eat it because that's what you do when you eat meals by yourself. Sister Sister comes on and you can't believe you used to watch this crap. So annoying. Shut it off.

*Brush your teeth for good measure because you are about to....

*Go to the dentist because you have some fillings to get YES! The glass is half full the glass is half full. It won't hurt, you won't faint...right? RIGHT! Be really proud of yourself when the dentist is inserting novocaine into your gums for what seems like hours, with that shot-type tool, and you don't even faint! Remind yourself to look anywhere BUT at the tools he is using. 

*After getting 3 fillings, go to the grocery store to get a bag of ice. You're going to help a friend make homemade cookies and cream ice cream!  Hope and pray that you don't see anyone at the grocery store that you know. Because it WOULD be awkward to see a parent of a student you used to have and the tongue would keep getting in the way of the rest of your mouth and everything would seemingly come out wrong. You still have a very numb left-side of the mouth. You even tried to put chapstick on earlier but no matter how hard you pushed, there didn't seem to be any application success. But then once looking at the mirror you realize that you have a big wad of chapstick sitting under your lip, on your chin. You just can't feel it. You look around to make sure no creeper is sitting in their car pointing and laughing. Whew. There's no one. Just a loyal dog sitting in the driver's seat waiting for his owner to come back with a toy shaped like a hamburger. Also the toy squeaks when squeezed.

*Meet up with your friend DeLuca and make ice cream. Well, while the intention to help was there, you end up watching her make it. You are offered a couple of things in the next 10 minutes. The first is her old ice cream maker, which she is using at the moment. You think it over and realize that although you would be the obvious #1 candidate for a hand-me-down i.c. maker, you'd be too lazy to make it yourself. Because, who wants to put all the time and effort into making ice cream when there are local grocer's freezers all over? And these freezers and filled with an abundance of flavors and excitement. The second thing offered to you is a kitten. You actually, seriously, contemplate the simple idea of answering, "yes." And then you return to reality sooner than later (thank goodness) and realize that while it would be a super thing for about 3 days, it would only be a super thing for 3 days. Because then the kitten will probably have to be fixed, then have surgery because he is run over by a car, and I'll have to go to a therapist because I've entered a bout of depression because I'm so sad about this cat that I said yes to on impulse. Then it will get older and I will look at my mature budget (ha) and notice that I have spent my life's savings on kitty litter, kitty food, and cat toys and pillows and collars and maybe even some paw shoes. I will have turned into a cat person and will have said yes to 5 more cats. My things will be covered with hair and I will start coughing up hair balls. Well, anyway, I ended up saying no. And the ice cream was dynamite. 

*Eat Thai food and watch Swing Vote with friends. Enjoy the Thai food and the ice cream and the friends and the movie. Be excited and proud that you did not even fall asleep during the movie, although you were very close a couple of times. You even twitched. You also played a lot of Scrabble on-line. A new addiction that I realize has GOT to stop. But it's just that I'm so good I can't help it. Muahahh. JK JK.

*Return home to blog. Revel in your newly cleaned room. Be a little disappointed that once again you have gotten no donations in the mail or on your donation page. Be grateful that you hounded DeLuca for a donation, though. Yay DeLuca. 

*Be excited for the TNT run tomorrow, and the shoe clinic and the purchase of new ones in the morning.

****LOL. I'm out****

To Do List 01.

Yesterday was amazing. I had license to teach all you all in TO DO list skillz. Today, not so much. So although I had the plan of title-ing this one To Do List 102, I realize that I am in no place to do so. Today was so many steps lower than yesterday. But, because it just makes sense, and because Phebe said yesterday's blog was "gold", I am thinking I should write another one. Do you think I could take it to the pawn shop and get money for it, then put it with my fundraising money for Team in Training? Probably not. Bloody 'ell.

*After going to bed at 12:15 the night before because you spent 4 hours with your butt on a piece of wood, followed by getting Mamma Louanne's Brickle Pie (I can't reiterate enough that she's not real) and being with friends, you deserve to start off your day by reading a chapter from Twilight and drinking newly-ground Starbucks coffee. Cheers.

*Try on your bathing suit one piece that you haven't worn in years, just to make sure that nothing is showing that shouldn't. Phew.

*Send your new support letter for businesses to your mentor so he can look it over. When he sends it back saying "DON'T SEND THIS LETTER" don't get discouraged, rather be encouraged because he follows this sentence by saying he will work on one and share it with me in the next day or two. Love your mentor.

*You need to meet your Landmark friend at the YMCA for a Spin and Sculpt class followed by swimming. You are planning on possibly doing a triathalon later in the summer with her, so it'll be good to get in the experience of doing 2 of 3 activities in a row. If you see the instructor that you realized you are obsessed with and want to befriend, make sure you don't stare. Just look forward to seeing her next Tuesday, when she will sub for the normal instructor. If, during the sculpting part of the class, you feel like the muscles have been sculpted enough already! and you want to stop, don't. Just keep sculpting. If the instructor says "hi jackie", don't take offense to her shortening your name. Rather, be psyched because you didn't think she knew your name.  When you swim, try not to get discouraged that water is seeping into your goggles constantly. And then leave earlier than your friend because oh man, you are WIPED.

*Take a shower. Sing along with the sweet sound of the shower radio.

*Eat the rest of the salad that you had gotten the night before, because you didn't eat too much of it...you were saving up for Mamma Louanne's Gloriousness.

*Get out of the house and go buy some hangers for your closet. And if you start feeling aimless, just remember that yesterday is pretty much unbeatable. 

*On the way back, even though it's the last thing you want to do, because why pay $13 including tip just to get little hairs yanked out of your face, stop and get an eyebrow wax. TRY NOT TO CRY. YOU ARE 24 YEARS OLD. WELL, 75 YEARS OLD IN OTHER WAYS.

*Try to take a nap because the workout you did earlier felt like you participated in an Ironman. When you can't fall asleep, get up and with MUCH hesitation, start cleaning your room.

*Get really excited that you finally have a place to put your coats other than on the floor. Man, what smarty thought of the door hanger thing that fits over the top of the door? I wish I had patented that first.

*Call your friends who you did not communicate well with all day and ask them how their day went, what they are doing, etc. Because you love them.

*Spend some time on Facebook. Chat with your sister and hear the news that she felt the lima bean's first kick on Tuesday. Be jealous. Be very very jealous. Because you missed that milestone by a matter of hours.

*Write a blog about your very disappointing to-do list.

*Eat dinner and watch television, don't do grad school stuff or organize your math binder because well, sometimes you just don't want TO DO stuff.

To Do List 101.

It is vacation. It is Thursday. After yesterday, I feel as though I am 100% licensed to explain how best to go about completing things on your to-do list. Here are some things you need to keep in mind...

-Get a good night's sleep the night before. If it takes watching the Biggest Loser AND Bachelor to help you have sweet dreams (from the hours of 8-12:30), then so be it...have your list of TO DOs ready the night before so you don't waste precious time writing it on your TO DO day.

-In the morning, drink coffee. Also, eat a breakfast that will stay with you. None of this sugar cereal or worse...bloody Pop Tarts. Pop Tarts have 1% nutritional value. Did I say 1%? I meant to put that in the negative form. Pop Tarts have -1% nutritional value. Steel cut oats are my favorite stay-with-you-because-you-have-a-lot-TO-DO breakfast.

-In the morning watch Ellen. Because nothing says vacation like Ellen. Well, she might not actually use the word "vacation" but she says some other really really funny words...including TO DO.

-Tell yourself that you will watch NO MORE television for the rest of the day. That is your hour and that is all you will get. Because you have stuff TO DO.

-If possible, do something on your TO DO list whilst watching Ellen. I'm sure she'd be in favor of you TO DOing while watching her, including finishing up your homemade thank you cards. Just make sure you're 100% paying attention when Jillian, who got kicked off of Bachelor the other night, is on.

-When you contact someone from a dentist's office for the first time in a kajillion years, make sure they can oh so very very conveniently fill a one-in-a-million spot that just isn't being filled later that day...otherwise you're looking at a cleaning in a couple of years because they're so backed up. Under "call dentist" on your TO-DO list, write "go to dentist" and then immediately cross it off. Because MAN you feel good about that TO DO item that just showed up.

-Call your "little sister" because you haven't hung out with her since you attended High School Musical 2 at the North Shore Music Theater and although that hang-out session kicked butt, it doesn't give you the license to not call her for the next month. Plan your next day with her. Get excited when your next day is jewelry making, coming this Saturday. Cross if off the TO DO list.

-When you go out to drop off coin cans for fundraising at local businesses, don't get discouraged when they say you can't leave the can there. When they tell you that secretly they don't own the sidewalk outside so you can totally loiter and ask for money that way, Just say NO. Because THAT would be a huge obstacle in the middle of your very productive TO DO day.

-While you're asking them this question, have them grind the whole coffee beans that one of your students gave you as a christmas present because the family thought I'd have a coffee grinder. See how we're multi-tasking here?

-Go spin. And make sure the instructor is your favorite one, you know, the one that you secretly want to be friends with because she is a firecracker of a person and just seems like a lot of fun. Also you want to ironically kill her 10 minutes into class because according to your heart rate monitor, you've burned 50% more calories than you usually do at this point during spinning. Your body has officially been re-jump-started for all TO DO list purposes.

-Go home and take a shower. Have I mentioned that we are doing laundry while all this is going on? Another thing to cross off on the TO DO list. 

-It's lunch time. You need to eat and re-fuel. Have a chocolate protein shake. Nothing like a lunch to-go on your TO DO day.

-Go to the dentist. Get really really discouraged when the dentist says you have 13 potential spots for cavities and that he wants to see you 2 times for one-hour long each to give you fillings. Be embarrassed, feel like you're about 5 years old again, and make those next appointments. And DON'T lie and say you floss your teeth. Dentists can always see past that lie. Cross off go to the dentist, but add the same exact TO DO item at the bottom of the list because girl, you're going to get some fillings in 2 days.

-Stop eating so much sugar. This is more of a mental TO DO list item. Don't kick yourself for initiating a trip for dinner to Sylvan Street Grille so you can get Mamma Louanne's Brickle Pie (remember, Mamma Louanne is not real). Then don't be ashamed when you're the only one who wants to order dessert because, well, it IS 11pm. 

-Go get your oil changed and also ask them to look at your back rear tire because there has been a slow leak and you're just tired of filling up your tire with air. Because as a friend once said in her blog, you just don't know when you're supposed to stop adding air. What if the tire blows up in your face and you die? That was CERTAINLY not on the TO DO list. Because you've done this, you can now cross off BOTH "oil change" and "tire patch". See how putting 2 items down for one trip makes you feel like a million dollars?

-WHILE your car is getting his oil changed and tire patched, walk to the mall and look for a pair of jeans that FREAKING FIT and don't show butt crack. Because butt crack is absolutely on the top of your list of gross things to see. What the heck is wrong with jeans manufacturers. Stop making them show people's cracks. It's gross. Also, while you are doing this, get more coffee. COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE. When you don't find any jeans that fit, don't get discouraged because you did not just waste time, you got your oil and tire done and you're re-caffeinated.

-Go grocery shopping. Even if you only have 45 minutes until the girl's basketball game starts, you are in TO DO mode, so you can do anything. Even if that DOES mean you are going into Market Basket, which should actually be called Freak Basket, because you are a freak to step into that crazy busy grocery store. So what you're looking at is actually a market full of freaks. Hence, Freak Basket.

-Literally throw your produce into the refrigerator and eat some broccoli and hummus while you are doing this. Because did you hear? You're not eating dinner for another 4 hours. You have a hard bench to sit on for the next 4 hours. Also. Do not get discouraged when you look and see that no one has donated to your fundraising online. It'll come, it'll come. TO DO just keeps getting smaller and smaller:)

-But alas, it is time to be social. When working on a TO DO list, it is important to remember that you are a human being. A human being with friends. A human being with friends who, while in favor of you finishing your TO DO list, are also more in favor of hanging out with you. They will actually go so far as telling you to pretend they want to see your TO DO list, when really all they want to do is add to the list, "hang out with friends". Or something like that. I'm an old TO DO list pro, so I knew better than to let anyone see my TO DO list with a pen in hand. Make sure you tell your friends that you love them and appreciate their support of you completing your TO DO list. They are the best friends for sacrificing their time with you just so you can fill out return addresses on envelopes and get fillings at the dentist.

-With that said, dedicate the night to friends. Put the TO DO list aside and act your age, doggonit.

-Write about your TO DO day in blog form, because your mother wants to hear all about it. Now see? You've communicated your TO DO day with her, while at the same time satisfying everyone's blogging needs.

-Go to bed, mentally preparing yourself for another equally, if not even more productive, day spent crossing off TO DOs.

With That Said...

...I will try to come up with things about me to share.

-It's February vacation week. I love vacation week. Number 1 reason I'm glad I chose teaching as a profession....does it make me a bad person that I choose that over the whole "rewarding" part?

-I love mornings. I am 100% NOT a night-person. Some people say they are both, and I cannot say that about myself. It is Sunday morning and I woke up on my own, ready for the day to begin, at 5:34. So I read. And had breakfast. Now I am blogging. Okay fine, the reason I got up at 5:34 was partly because I went to bed at 9. But partly because give me a break, I get up then for school every day. But to re-emphasize, I am a morning person. This puts great pressure on me when my friends that don't know me THAT well want to hang out and I have no choice to go to bed early. This is something I stress about every now and then. 

-I have wanted to get my eyebrows plucked for a number of weeks now and every time I go past the place I come up with a couple of excuses....

*I don't have cash and it's just awkward to figure out giving the tip via debit card.

*I still haven't wrapped my brain around how much I should give as tip, and when or how to do it.

*I don't FEEL like being in pain and crying in front of a complete stranger.

*I'm lazy.

*But pretty much again, who is in a rush to literally have hair plucked out of their skin? 

-I am so glad to be running again. I was told not to run this whole past week and then yesterday morning we met as the North Shore Team in Training group for the first time to run. I was given the blessing to run with the team for 4 miles and it felt SO GOOD!!! Running is definitely my drug. And I am addicted. Good thing I'm training for a marathon.

-Ironically, I've been running less since signing up for a marathon. And it will continue to be that way. Weird.

-Amy and I have been planning since yesterday to pick up an iced coffee and glazed chocolate donut on our way to UConn to watch the women play later today....and I've been SO excited about it ever since. And I'm not 8-years-old....isn't that something you'd look forward to as a child? Not a "mature" 24-year-old? Hm.

-My room is a mess. And it has been for the past forever. And recently I looked around and made a mental note of how much important paperwork is scattered all over the place, some opened and some still in their envelopes untouched. I hate paperwork and I hate taxes and budgeting and having to take care of money. So much that I haven't been.  Can't it just magically take care of itself? I've recently tried to be good and do things like push "yes" when the gas station thing asks me if I want a receipt, with the intention that I will hold onto this for later.  Later when I sit down with a low bun, collared shirt, and a cup of tea with classical music in the background. And then, when I'm in mature mode, balance my checkbook and just be 100% mature for a little bit. But instead I find myself having dropped my receipt when taking my Lip Smackers chapstick (the kind with the sparkly jewel on the cap) out of my fleece pocket. While stalking people on Facebook I have a high bun, ratty hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and hot chocolate...and High School Musical is playing in the background. See how this whole maturity thing is asking way too much from me? So. Anyway. Hugs and high fives. It is just a plain good idea.

*You know when you have made a great purchase? I try to be good with my money but I, like so many people, can be very careless. And I think we're so quick to be conscious about how much money we've spent, rather on the quality purchase we've made. Which, I do think, is a good thing. It would be bad to be careless with money and not think about the money that we've spent. But sometimes I think we're so aware of the money we've spent that we forget how awesome the purchase was. A particular purchase I'm thinking about is one I made last weekend at Marshall's. I paid $54 for 2 pairs of pants/capris. And I was immediately thinking, "ouch, $54." But then again, I bought 3 pairs of pants! (I would like to share as  side note that every time I try and type "pairs" I type "paris" by accident. This is either a sign that I need a vacation somewhere far away, or I need a man. Or I need a vacation somewhere far away with a man. Perfect. Oh, maaannnnn!?!?!? Where are you!?!?!? But you have to be hooOOoottttttt!!?!? 'Cuz Phebe said you woooouuullldd beeeeeeeee.....!!!!?!???) ANYWAY. The pants. Two were long pants, one a little bit dance-pant tight around the arse (oh yes I did), and the other like that but the cool-wicking material so good for running. And yesterday I wore them on the run and I felt like I had nothing on. I mean, you know what I mean. I didn't have to pull them down constantly, or rearrange or pick a wedgie. They were perfect. And I felt girlie. Always a good thing, since I am one. The last pair I bought (that time I typed in correctly...probably because pari wouldn't be a fun place to go) were capris, and were for running outside. Anyway. Great purchases. GREAT purchases. I will continue to frequent Marshall's for most of my running gear. 

*I recently finished putting together 100 support letters and they are ready to be sent out. And everyone who reads this will probably get one, so be ready. Well, actually, Susie, you're not getting one. Team in Training gave me a packet of people that I could think about sending a letter to and it was everyone under the sun. From someone more expected, like your aunt, to those who you'd hesitate sending them to, like the person you go to for a fake and bake tan. Other crazy ones were the person you bought your pool from, your dishes from, your septic guy, etc. etc. They did not mention the person you stalk via blog. So...if you feel left out let me know. I will get you one:)

*I love good oranges. I had a good orange yesterday and it was SO GOOD. I think that fruit is really underrated. I've read a lot recently that a large percentage of people don't get their daily requirement of 5 fruits and vegetables daily. How could they not when they are so tasty!?!? I mean, I guess oranges are an obvious one. Sweet? GOOOOOD. Orange? GOOOOOOD. Citrusy? GOOOOOD. But why don't more people know about broccoli and hummus? And sweet potato fries? And grape tomatoes with cottage cheese? I am not in any way saying I'm a perfect eater. That is the farthest from the truth you will be for awhile if you made that assumption. Because if it's there, I will eat it. Don't even get me started. But mmmMMmmm produce. It's just so GOOD!

*I think the reason I loved the 25 random things about you on Facebook was because I could write random fact after random fact. As I have done for you this morning. I think I might keep this up more often. 

*Happy freaking Valentine's day yesterday. What a stupid holiday. And I'm not saying this because I'm single, I promise. I embrace my singleness. Well, I guess that is a smidgen of a lie. While I'm totally happy being single, I realize that I have started to try and catch glimpses of more left-handed ring fingers lately. I guess I'm secretly against the holiday suddenly because the elementary school party was non-existent for me on Friday. This is the first year I've been part of an elementary school and have not had a Valentine's party. You know the ones I'm talking about, with the brown lunch bags that have red, pink, and white pom poms, felt, and heart cut-outs messily placed all over. And in the morning you bring in your ziploc bag with Tweety Bird cards that say things like, "Tweety thinks you're a sweety" (I just made that up...I should quit my day job...after I finish my free grad classes) or "Be mine, valentine". And if they are popular valentines, they have a foil-wrapped Dove chocolate scotch taped to the card. And then during the day when you have to do work you eye your own bag that is bulging with potential. Every now and then a boy or girl will non-chalantly walk over to his/her bag and look in. And then it comes. You've had your cafeteria lunch of chicken pattie or meatloaf, and the lunch ladies made special heart-shaped red jello with a dollop of gross whipped cream on top. You've played the Valentine's Day themed tag game in gym. And you still have the anticipation of your beloved brown lunch bag. The party begins and you eat a grocery store sugar cookie with pink icing that's made of nothing but sugar and red dye. And you drink Juicy Juice, fruit punch flavor. There is fun music in the background. Everyone is sitting at their desks (organized chaos is what we call it) and opens their bags. At this elementary age, being asked to be Johnny's valentine isn't weird at all because there was a rule that if you brought in valentines you had to have one for everyone. Of course Johnny probably put up a fight about giving them to the girls because they have cooties. But his mom reminded him of the rule. You get about 8 valentines that are like the ones I described above. Scotch taped to the Batman valentine (which is obviously from a boy) is a pixie stick. Or Susie gave out Cinderella valentines that came with a little place to stick in a lollipop. Some ask you to be someone's valentine, some say you're sweet as candy. And that reminds you that there is candy to be eaten and you eat the candy while you make glimpses at the cards that were not attached to a bag of sweetheart hearts, planning to throw them out as soon as you get home.  You see the 5 HUGE heart-shaped boxes of chocolates your teacher got and immediately can't wait to be a grown-up and be a teacher. For the sole reason that you will get chocolate from your kids.  You say an obedient "thank you" to each classmate when you open his/her valentine, some being more forced than others. You go home with left-over sugar in the corners of your mouth and a stomach ache. Another successful valentine's day party...

...I guess we've gotten to the bottom of why I think valentine's day is a stupid holiday this year.

How 'bout that trip to Paris with a hot man?

Sometimes I Wish...

Sometimes I wish I had a dog so I would have something to write bullet points about on in my blog. Or sometimes I wish I worked in a studio and ate gingerbread cookies so I could post a picture about that. Other times, I wish I randomly signed up to study dental hygiene so I could become a...dental hygienist. I wish I coincidentally wore a matching orange coat with my bestie and went down a zip line. I wish I had a PER-EH-SHUS baby boy and lived in the mountains of New Hampshire and could show off the amazing cuteness that happens around me all day every day. I wish I wanted people to explain my pee. I wish I had a husband whose blog wishes I went against all the time, with love. I wish the 17th was a day when everyone got really excited to listen to a new song written and sung by me and my funny funny friend. I wish I worked in an emergency room and had lots of exciting stories and wicked intelligent thoughts about medicine. I wish I had 2 kids and wrote about the funny and quirky things they did, and sometimes maybe didn't know certain people were reading it. 

Because sometimes I feel pressured to write a blog and I got nothin'.

Don't Be Intimidated By My Maturity.

So I went into Boston this morning. By myself. Like the city Boston, not outside of Boston and I'm calling it Boston. While you may be thinking, "what a pathetic loser", I am willing to admit that yes, when it comes to the city I become 5 years old again. I am not a fan. And I also must admit that some most fantastic friends (holla Nicole and Ryan) wrote step by step directions for me to get to my destination. Literally. The last couple of steps for the way home, because yes, I needed help getting home too, said: "get into your car, drive home, sleep." Well things turned out differently, as I got a ride home from a woman who lives in Beverly, but I still had to get myself there.

I started the day at 6:30 because even though the kick-off didn't start until 9am, it's me. I don't know what I'm doing. And then even though I THOUGHT that it was a kick-off BREAKFAST (wouldn't that make sense though? I mean, they would have at least coffee and maybe some small muffins of sorts...) I fueled up with some cereal. I drove to the Montserratt T station and put my $5 (one more dollar than it called for but since I'm an idiot I only had a 5) into the wrong slot for my parking spot....I put it into slot #22 instead of #21. And because of that stupid-you-don't-know-what-you're-doing move, I have to pay $5. IDIOT! But it was mostly smooth, smooth, mature sailing from there. Other than the part where the green line inbound to Park Street closed its doors and instead of getting on, I asked a girl if it was going to Park Street. She bluntly responded, "they all go to Park Street." Duh. I laughed out loud at myself to seem confident in my stupidity and walked away, happy that she was too occupied with her iPod to have the chance to analyze what an idiot I was.

I stood on the T going to Commonwealth Ave, with my default face on (because I've realized that although I see it as a negative thing most times, it comes in handy when I want to fake being confident and a tough guy...no putting money into the wrong slot here...) glanced at the map of stops nonchalantly, as though just a glimpse was all I needed. Even though truly I was looking every stop to make sure I shouldn't have gotten off at that last stop. When my stop was coming I watched the neon sign like a hawk and listened to the automatic lady tell me over and over that the next stop was St. whatever. Obviously I'm home, so I don't need to remember what stop it was.  Well I was amazed and altogether thankful for the massachusetts transportation system for placing a stop right smack-dab in front of the building where I wanted to go. Thank you MBTA. And thank You God for creating the MBTA and You're just so smart!

I was dreadfully disappointed when I realized there was no breakfast at this thing. Again, though, doesn't it make sense? I'm getting up at 6:30 and traveling into Boston for a 9am start and they won't provide me with the re-fueling I need for my long journey? It's okay; I forgive them. I DID score what seems like a lifetime supply of Power Bars. Which, might I add, are not inexpensive. No but really it was a good cute little event. It was shorter than I thought, and again there was no food (it should be no secret to you that food is close to my heart), but it was great to meet my coach and mentor again and see the faces of the people I will definitely get to know better in the very near future. 

AND I found out that one of the mentors lives in Beverly. So I got a ride with her. Now, let me set the record straight. I paid a freaking $11.50 for a ROUND-trip ride on the commuter rail, I paid another freaking $10 (which I obviously thought was half that before the fact) for parking, and had added to my T card. Not to mention I had stellar directions for my way back. Including to go to sleep after the expedition. But the 2 reasons I decided to go with her is that #1 I didn't want to miss a chance to get to know one of the TNT people better, and #2 The commuter rail wasn't leaving from Park Street for another 2 hours. Honestly, the latter reason had most say on my decision but that said it was nice to talk with this nice girl.

I am now officially trying to think about fundraising more. I hoarded "coin cans" and stashed them in my backpack (it's like I've done this before or something...I swear I haven't) which I will ask to place in random businesses around here. I need to write a support letter and send them to all the amazing people who gave me their addresses, in addition to those suckers whose addresses I got from the Hubbard christmas card list. Muahahah.  I was told I shouldn't run at all this next week (ironic huh?) because my left knee was a little sore after I ran 14 miles last weekend. I was told I shouldn't do runs like that out of the blue. So I am already the misbehaved of the group. You know me, always getting into trouble.

I know this is a long one but I guess that sub-consciously (no longer sub-conscious?) I'm trying to make up for lost time as a blogger. That said, let me continue. 

On the way to the T from the commuter rail...I know, I'm even TALKING like an experienced Bostoneer now!...I was thinking about life. Commuter rail equals deep thoughts? I guess to remedy my blogger situation (that's for you, "Doodles") I should ride the commuter rail more often. Who wants to go clubbing in the city tonight ladies!?!? Haha that's real funny if you are a faithful reader and read about my "night at the bars".

Whoa tangent. Anyway, my thought. And this is something I'm aware of more than just today, but there is nothing like learning through experience. Last night I was FREAKING OUT about this morning. Actually, I started freaking out about going into Boston a week ago. But once I was doing it, and I wasn't even done, in fact I was only on the commuter rail at Beverly Depot, the next stop after I got on....I felt so mature! And I felt totally confident about the next 1.5 hours or so. Well, and then some seemingly sketchy people got on, and we passed Salem and Lynn, and then I got a little nervous. But that was short-lived. I secretly (secret's out now) really enjoyed myself! And I could totally see myself doing it again. I'd probably need Nicole's step by step directions again, but I could do it again! And, while I'm talking about her directions again, let me set another record straight. Ryan wanted me to fail right from the start...just kidding RYAN:) Or am I?

Then I thought about other things that I once freaked out about doing and now do it without thinking twice about it....

-Driving long distances by myself (I guess I haven't done it a second time but I would be more confident about it next time...I drove 15+ hours by myself one way than again back, when I visited my brother and his family in NC 2.5 years ago).

-Getting lost in the Bronx (okay, the title of this list is totally off, because I think about getting lost in the Bronx and getting sworn at by a pedestrian again and get scared but...if it WERE to happen again, oh crap never mind I'd probably pee my pants.

-Pumping gas into my car.

-Using a debit/credit card.

-Asking a store clerk for help.

-Making mature phone calls.

-Paying bills.

-Driving standard.

-Running.

-Being in front of a classroom of kids.

-Driving the activity bus full of girls...okay fine I'm officially scared all over again; I had a stressful ride home last Thursday from a game and hate the activity bus. But give me another chance, I'd probably feel better again.

So anyway, DOING something has been shown to be the best way to learn something. I actually learned this in class. They compared reading, hearing, seeing, and doing something....and then measured how much of the information exposed was retained. DOING something showed the highest retainability. It's so true! Whether we're talking DOING something academic or DOING something wicked mature like going into the city on your own.

Shoot. Put me on a plane to LA or something. I'm set. But Nicole, could you please write down directions?

PS That reminds me. I am famous. Nicole requested that her work use my idea about "hugs and high fives" rather than money for something. I highly recommend that any of you adopt ideas from my blog for your everyday experiences. And if it gets big, make sure you let me know so I can patent it real quick.

Nicole you are freaking FAMOUS in this blog!

Where's the Balance?

It has occurred to me that I am REALLY good at staying on top of some things in my life, and then on the other hand, REALLY bad at staying on top of other things. I guess this blog is dedicated to my lack of blogging. As I thought to myself, "Self, you should really blog again. People are starting to give you dirty looks. Next thing you know you'll be getting hate emails."

So before you start scheming just WHAT adjectives you will use to express your disappointment in me ("bloody" is yet to be taken), may I remind you that you are reading a new post. I am doing this for YOU.

Things I've been good at staying on top of...

--Watching ridiculous reality rubbish (language teacher whoop whoop) such as Biggest Loser and Bachelor and on REALLY shameful nights, True Beauty. I don't want to say that the Biggest Loser is ridiculous. I mean, it is, but it's not. I'm a huge fan. The Bachelor is like a step down from the non-ridiculosity of B.L.. It's getting a little (or fine a lot) more stupid. And then True Beauty? I don't think you could do any worse. For those who don't know about it (good for you; be proud of yourselves), it follows a group of beautiful models who are, unbeknownst to them, put into situations where they can do the right thing or the wrong thing. So they are being looked at not only on the outside but on the inside. Hence the title, "True Beauty." Let's just say I'd totally beat everyone in that game. Muahahah. No wait, just watching that show automatically takes me out of the running. Drat.

--Checking my email and being on Facebook. Seriously. How pathetic can I get? Well, I am showing my true colors by sharing with you that I have been quite pathetic recently. I mean....how many times can a girl check her email? And see if anyone wrote on her wall? And yeah, has anyone else out there in the world actually taken the time to write 25 MORE random things about herself? Sheesh. 

--Eating. I am not like those people who say, "Oh I was so busy I didn't eat lunch." Or "I was so tired I went to bed." I like to eat. And I'm proud of it. I never have so much to do that I don't eat. I work my schedule AROUND my meals. And snacks. Most people I know work the other way. Weirdos. 

--Reading. Again, sometimes reading turns into checking my email, but I've been into some books recently. One is Twilight (although I haven't been reading it daily) and the other is called "The Complete Book of Running for Women". It's just that; no explanation needed.

--Working out. Well, actually, sometimes I realize I'd rather read, check my email, eat, and watch stupid TV so that gets put on the back burner. But I've been pretty on top of getting to the gym. Or getting my feet to the pavement. I guess I AM running a marathon in 5 months. Working out is non-negotiable.

Things I've been been TERRIBLE at staying on top of:

--Blogging. Already said it. And I apologize. Please forgive me now and in the future. Because you and I both know that sometimes blogging is not my cup of tea....that reminds me, I've also been VERY good at keeping up my intake of hot chocolate. It has got to stop but I have no motivation to stop it. Oh well.

--Keeping track of stupid stupid mature responsibility stuff. Tax Season is here and I think it should be called Stupid Season instead. I keep getting budget/tax/stupid paperwork in the mail and I just hate it all. But know I have to keep it. I don't even know where I put it all. Bloody 'ell. I hate doing my checking account balance too. I hate it. It should be called checking account stupid instead.

--Doing fun things with friends. Work...and by that I mean teaching, coaching, running, projecting, grad schooling, big sistering, and support lettering...is always there. Some of it I see as more work than other things, but it all takes up time and at the end of the day I am a pretty boring person.  Thank you to my dear friends who love me anyway. I just heart you so much! Footnote: I love my life! I'm not complaining, just expressing...and blogging:)

--Being with Jesus. Always a struggle these days.

Alright. I have some basketball to watch (whoop whoop DeLuca!), some spinning to spin, and some Biggest Loser to watch. Careful out there folks, It's treacherous (if you're in MASS)...