Commitment Issues

Clearly I have them. Despite the long term boyfriend/husband and 23 year commitment to my education, I like to bounce around from idea to idea. I think it is born from my impatience (which we all know I have). I've sampled almost all the blog templates. I try to become vegetarian at least 4 times a year. I binge plant shop and then forget to water them until they die.

Even more...during my track career, I have competed in the long jump, high jump, 100, 200, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1K, 1600, mile, 3K, 3200, 5K, 8K, 10K, 12K, 8 miles, 15K, 10 miles, 20K, half marathon, 30K, and marathon. For those readers who aren't trackies, these events comprise almost all possible competitions. The upside of this commitment issue is that I've experienced tons of events, enjoyed a range of competition challenges, and tapped into different mental and physical systems. The downside of this commitment issue is that I haven't given myself a chance to shine in any particular distance. This season alone, I have competed in the 800 (half mile), 10 mile, and half-marathon, all with mediocre results. I started the season training for the 800 and ended training for distance events (due to foot problems on the track). The below picture is of me trying to race a half marathon on half mile conditioning.



This post isn't all about me. I promise. Brad has basketball fever. Scratch that. Brad has Michigan State basketball fever. Unfortunately, we live in an area that doesn't value MSU or UM basketball as much as our old stomping grounds... evidenced by the people at the pub where we were watching the first UM game who booed when Michigan won. After that incident, we watched the MSU games at home. I can deal with booing for UM hoops, but I have a bit more life balance when it comes to March Madness than Brad has with MSU hoops!

Since the last post, Brad and I have hit up a few local restaurants...a great Tapas bar, our favorite Japanese establishment, the pubs showing basketball, and a few other places. I've enjoyed some delicious Jewish food over the past 2 weeks, trying out new places with one of my Jewish girlfriends (who just had a baby this morning).

I have some great pictures to post of a few recent events - dinner with friends, St. Patty's day drinking with other friends, date night, etc... I'll have to grab them off Brad's computer. Stay tuned.

As for right now, I'm dissertating (verb for working on my dissertation) with a glass of red wine. Joey is sitting on top of a pile of data. Brad is out running with a friend. Samantha is under the bed. Everything is right with the world.

PS - Dad, I opened the Bo Schembechler wine today. I took some pics of the bottle (which I'll post). It is DELICIOUS!

Continuing the Chinese theme...

The day after the Chinese New Year party, Brad and I went on a many hour walk around the city. We found ourselves over at the Boston Commons, hungry and a little tired, so we headed over to P.F. Changs for lunch. As we listened to traditional Chinese music (AKA - late 90s US techno) and ate traditional Chinese dessert (strawberry cheesecake for Brad, s'mores sundae for Laura), we enjoyed the break from our walk. Immediately following our 4 course lunch (whew), we walked over to the harbor. The day was beautiful - mid 60 degree weather, happy faces everywhere, dogs and kids playing together, couples meandering around town lazily - and time moved very slowly. By the time we got home last night, about 7 hours after we left for our walk, Brad barely had time to fit in a run before the cold air swept in, carrying with it a combination of rain and snow. Today, on my way to work at the high school, I saw Jamaica Pond frozen over, felt the car reluctantly drag itself through deep puddles, and watched as commuters scurried back to their fast paced work week with their waterproof wellies and North Face coats.

On the bright side, the reappearance of winter weather has snapped me back to reality. This weekend gave me a taste of spring/summer, when work slows down and fun picks up. I can't afford that mindset right now - deep in the heart of my research. Today, I interviewed my first subject...very exciting! This week, during my "Spring Break" (in quotes because such a break really doesn't exist in grad school), I'll be dissertating and job hunting (yes, I verb-ified the dissertation process).

Happy Chinese New Year...

...a little late!

This weekend, Brad and I went to our first Chinese New Year party. We headed up the north shore with Kit and Tanyika on Saturday night to our friend's place in Beverly. I've posted a couple of pictures below...but the pictures really don't capture the coolness of this event. Chris, the hostess, set up a loooonnnnng table dotted with plates, flower petals, and chopsticks and surrounded by plush pillows. You can see Brad, Tanyika, Kit, and me in the far corner.

Movin' & Shakin'

Highlights from the past 2 weeks (in no particular order):

1. I received SED IRB approval for my dissertation research. This approval allows me to collect data from my research site without getting arrested.

2. Brad and I ran a 10 mile race last weekend in Amherst, MA, home of the 2nd best coffee shop in the world. I don't know what was a better feeling - finishing a successful race or drinking a cup of Rao's coffee.

3. 30 Rock had a new episode.

4. I applied to present two lectures at Springfield College's Conference on Counseling Athletes. One lecture will discuss my dissertation work - are urban high school student-athletes learning personal and social responsibility through a positive youth development program? The other lecture will discuss the process by which a team of 7 graduate students (me included) collaborated to create and deliver a leadership workshop to 200 middle school boys last month. I'll keep you updated on any possible acceptances.

5. I was asked to deliver a professional development workshop to K-12 health and physical education teachers at Endicott College in April.

6. We bought a new soccer ball.

7. Brad found Lucky jeans that fit him.

That is about it.

Plans for the upcoming weekend?
Friday night options: Gold Themed House party with some friends, Pub dinner with some other friends, or just relax.

Saturday day plans: Long run in morning with teammates, tennis practice in afternoon.

Saturday night options: Dinner with another couple, cocktails with friends at Flash's Cocktails.

Sunday day plans: Long run in morning with teammates, baby shower for friend.

Sunday night plans: RELAX!

Our wild n' crazy weekend

We spent a total of 13.5 hours at the Boston University indoor track this weekend.

The start of 2009!

Whew. Lots going on in our lives. We came back to Boston at the beginning of the new year with a car load of goodies, one torn ligament, a mound of work facing us, and two very excited cats.

Since the beginning of January, Brad has organized our track team's apparel purchase from Puma, distributed and graded mid-years, completed a ton of long runs, gotten a haircut, bought me 2 dozen roses, and perfected his signature chicken pasta dish.

Since the beginning of January, I have recovered from my torn ligament, re-injured my foot, successfully passed my dissertation proposal hearing, slowly begun to slip into dissertation hell, and navigated through my first hangover in years.

I think Brad's list of accomplishments far exceeds mine.

Today, we went to Cafe Fleuri for our annual Valentine's day brunch. This place is unbelievable. Among a variety of exotic foods, Brad and I ate quail, garnished smoked salmon, freshly made liquor, berry, and chocolate crepes, eggs benedict, and, my absolute favorite...lots and lots of things dipped in a 3 tiered chocolate fountain. Our three hour brunch was accompanied by a live jazz performance, ridiculously comfy chairs, and about 7 cups of coffee.

Below are some pictures from Christmas.


Brother Luke


Brother Mark


Me scolding brother Luke and brother Mark


Brad relaxing



At Brads dad's pad


Christmas dinner at my mom's pad


Brad's mom at the Up North Cabin



Brad and Laura skiing


Brad cross country skiing


Laura cross country skiing


Taking a break from the slopes to warm up



Happy to be warm


What happens when I ski


Yummy bread maker


Evidence of our lives

GBTC Holiday Party - Margaret Bradley Award

Last night, at the Greater Boston Track Club annual holiday party, Katie and I announced this year's recipient of the Margaret Bradley Award . Margaret was a teammate of ours who died in 2004 while hiking in the Grand Canyon. An award was created in her name to be awarded to a female member of the team who plans to run the Chicago Marathon at a competitive level. This year, the award changed slightly, and is now offered to a recipient to use at a race of her choosing (the award includes air fare and race entry to any domestic race - track, roads, etc). Katie won the award the first year of its existence and ran the Chicago Marathon. I won the award the second year of its existence and ran the Chicago Marathon. Meghan won it this year (the fourth year) and will use it for a race of her choosing. She is a new member to the team, a fresh college graduate, and she has stepped up to the challenge of post-collegiate racing with passion and drive. She is a fantastic award recipient. Below are some pictures of Brad and me during the holiday party.