National Cookie Day

As it turns out, next Thursday is national cookie day, which is a holiday I plan to celebrate in a big way.  Namely by making these brown sugar cookies.  (These are the same ones that Bexie made me for my birthday, and which I devoured in an embarrassingly short amount of time.)'

I may make some of these soft and chewy almond cookies.  

Next Thursday is going to be a good day.

gone girl

I read this book at the recommendation of a coworker.  She insisted that it was amazing.  (She failed to mention that it is about a psychopath, and I didn't bother to ask if her favorite book also happened to be about completely psychotic, sociopathic, crazy people.  It was.)  So needless to say, when I started reading it, I had no idea what it was about.  I finished it about a month ago, and when I put it down I couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it.  It's a story about a girl named Amy who goes missing on the afternoon of her fifth wedding anniversary.  Her husband is the prime suspect.  (Dun, dun, dun....)

The first half of the book is just kind of "meh".  I kept reading just because I wanted to know what all the fuss was about, and because I had nothing else to read at the time.  I thought it was just an okay story about a weird dude, and then BAM!  I turned one page, and suddenly I was completely hooked.  The first half of the book took me about 2 weeks to get through; then I read the last half in one night.

This is not the kind of book I typically read, but a month later, I still can't stop thinking about it, so I guess that's a good sign.

another race

Erica, Brandie, and I ran in the Marine Corps Turkey Trot 10k this morning.  (while wearing turkey hats, obviously)

Before the race, looking all cheerful and excited.  This was one of the most fun races I've ever done.  And being a turkey made us feel pretty much like celebrities.  Everybody wanted to take our picture.  

Ben should start a career as race photographer.  My two most flattering race pictures of all time were taken by him.  (This one, and the Cherry Blossom 5k from a few years ago.)  After looking at the race pictures from the marathon, I have been doing drills to try to improve my form.  Everybody please admire the forefoot strike right here.

After the race, with my arms full of post-race snacks.  To be honest, for me the quality of a race is based solely on the snacks provided.  This race didn't let me down.  (Although I really would have liked some bananas.)

We most certainly couldn't leave without getting a picture with the turkeys.

for your viewing pleasure

Since I know you all really wish you could have been there in person.  Just pretend it doesn't say PROOF in big orange letters across my chest, and it's almost like you were actually there.

the moment you have all been waiting for

Otherwise known as The Most Flattering Video Ever Created.

If anyone is interested in watching me cross the finish line of the Marine Corps Marathon yesterday, here it is for your viewing pleasure.

If you start the video at 1:47, you will see me run up the right side of the screen in a white hat, purple tank, black shorts, and black compression sleeves on my calves with pink tape on my knees.  

Finish video

Despite the look of despair at the end, it was a pretty awesome race.  I took the advice of Runner's World and drank a full 20-oz bottle of Gatorade before the race, and another during the first 10 miles, before I had the chance to get dehydrated.  (Best decision ever, by the way)  

Mentally and cardio-wise, I felt like I could have run forever.  My legs had other plans, though.  I kept about an 8:30 pace for about the first 20 miles, then they decided they had had enough.  My last six miles I dropped to a 12-minute mile.  I tried with all my might to run faster, but my legs just wouldn't move.  

I did, however, have an awesome support team.  Joe was there (although I never actually saw him), and at mile 19 Emily ran with me for a half mile and fed me chocolate milk and orange slices.  Erica and Ben showed up in Crystal City at miles 21 and 23.  Erica can cheer with the best of them, that's for sure.  :)

Mary came to the finish line with diet coke and Nutter Butters.  I had no idea what I would be craving after the race, but those Nutter Butters definitely hit the spot.

If anyone is interested in running the Rock 'n' Roll marathon (or half-marathon) in March, I have already registered!

a realization

This week, I made a horrific totally awesome realization.  I might be turning into my dad.

In the past couple of weeks, I have realized that

(1) I find gum-chewing repulsive.

and (2) I really love dark chocolate.

This is a slippery slope.

the key to a perfect high five

Don't look at the person's hand.  Look at their elbow.

Try it.  It totally works.  These are the things I learn at my job.

(You guys can thank me later for so significantly changing your life for the better.)

clash

This week is spirit week at our school (yippee!), which means every day the kids (and teachers - double yippee!) get to dress up in a different theme.

Today was clash day.  On principle, I do not participate in clash day.  I see no need to intentionally make myself look like a fool, thank you very much.  I do that perfectly well without wearing tacky clothes.

This morning, the chemistry teacher walked into the faculty room complaining that none of the other teachers had dressed up for clash day.  Then he stopped, looked at me, and said "Oh, never mind.  You clash!"

And then my self-esteem skyrocketed.

The end.

a few things i find truly satisfying

1.  Hand-washing my running clothes.  I am not sure why, but this totally makes my day.  It doesn't matter how busy I am, or that I have ten loads of laundry waiting to go in the washing machine, I will always hand-wash my running clothes right after I finish a long run.  Brightens my day every time.

2.  A really clean room.  Too bad this hasn't really happened in a while.

3.  A great deal.  Even on things I don't need.  This is exactly why I need to stay away from Target.  I know where they hide all of their clearance items and I am such a sucker for unnecessary kitchen gadgets.

ballerman5000

So, our school recently started using this online gradebook that everyone thinks is super fancy because it allows the kids to go in and add a profile picture for themselves and list their "preferred name" next to their given name.

I have learned a lot about these kids through this gradebook.  For instance, John prefers to go by by Justin and apparently went to the beach this summer.  Yay, Justin.

Also, three of my students would like to go by the names "Butterball", "Swag", and "Ballerman5000".

Um, really kids?  But I guess when you go by "Poodle", there's not a lot of room for criticism.  Dang.

most exhausting week of my life

Spending all summer doing only the things I wanted to apparently made me forget that working can be exhausting.  And it didn't help that this week, my night classes started (anatomy and statistics) AND we had back to school night.  (In case you didn't know, parents can be really tiring.)

But, despite all of this, I have still managed to fit in some good times.  Namely, an 18 mile run and some baking.

I made a delicious batch of zucchini bread using this recipe.  I had it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and as an after-school snack) until it was gone.

Then I whipped up some homemade pop tarts!  (Chocolate peanut butter and brown sugar cinnamon.)  They were flaky, buttery, and absolutely divine. Mine were not as pretty as these ones, but I'm pretty sure they tasted just as good.  (if not better)

Next, I am going to make some dark chocolate peanut butter cups.  Up until last month, I never thought that another peanut butter cup would ever come close to Reese's PB cups.  Then I tried Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups and almost fell out of my chair.  Something about dark chocolate and peanut butter really does it for me.  So I am hoping to re-create them with this recipe.  Wish me luck!

VA beach half marathon

Really, why did I think running a half marathon in Virginia Beach in early September was a great idea?  Let me tell you, it was not a great idea.  This was probably the most humid, disgusting, miserable race I have ever done.  I was dripping by mile 3, and telling myself I only had 10 miles to go was not super inspiring.  Augh.

But I still managed to finish with a time of 1:51!  And, according to my Garmin (which I trust way more than the race coordinators) the race was actually 13.18 miles, NOT 13.1.  Making a person run an extra .08 miles at the end of a race is really just cruel.  

The race did redeem itself with the post-race goods.  There were Snickers Marathon bars, cold water, 20-oz bottles of gatorade, ice cold chocolate milk (my new post-race drink of choice), bananas, peaches, tuna (kind of a weird choice, but I took some home with me), bomb pops, and 7-11 slurpees!!!  So really, the slurpees made it totally worth it.  (They also handed out Gatorade, Gu, otter pops, cold wet sponges, and water along the race course.  And beer, but I didn't take any of that.)

Being the superhero I am, I managed to take 2 pictures (out of about the 20 total) in which I do not look like I might die.  I know, I know.  You all wish you could be me.  Haha.  I even went so far as to steal them from Marathon Foto's website for your viewing pleasure.

since you asked so nicely....

I am back.  Please hold the applause.

This is the first summer since I started teaching that I did exactly zero school work.  I didn't check my email, didn't plan lessons, and didn't even think about my classes.  I have to say it was pretty stinking fabulous.  And in the spirit of taking the summer off, I am also going to Virginia Beach for labor day, which will again involve no school work.  (It will, however, involve running the Virginia Beach half marathon!)  Will I be ready for the first day of school?  Probably not.  But our classes are only ten minutes on the first day of school anyway (we are really big into "team building exercises" this year) so I am not too worried about it.

Instead, I spent my summer riding my bike, running, playing with Sammy, and sitting by the pool.  Oh, and taking classes.  Besides the fact that my microbiology professor was a big fat jerk, the classes were awesome.  I am pretty darn excited about being a student again next year.  I think I'm better at it now that I've been a teacher.  I can practically read my professors minds, which is pretty much a superpower.

great news!

I signed up for ballet classes this summer!  Just five classes, once a week.  But thanks to Groupon, it was only $5 per class!

It is going to be a pretty great summer.

a few more things

I planted an herb garden!  I have 10 different herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, dill, stevia, lavender, cilantro, rosemary, and oregano).  They are all doing quite splendidly, and I can't wait to cook with them!

I joined my local CSA.  Reading The Omnivore's Dilemma made me want to stop shopping at the grocery store and buy only from farmer's markets or local farms.  The CSA I joined has a pick-up location right across the street from me and is not a bad deal.  About $200 for produce May - November!  (delivered every other week, which is plenty for me)

I also now want to harvest my own yeast.  As it turns out it is surprisingly easy.  I am going to try it out in a few weeks and make a loaf of bread with it.  I will let you know how it goes!

I only have 3 weeks of school left with my seniors.  Yippeee!!!  They are delightful kids, but I am ready for a break from them.

I am finally getting a smartphone at the end of the month!  And thanks to Carrie and Shawn, I am getting an awesome deal on it!  Now I can join instagram, navitage my way around town, and play games.  (Let's be honest, playing games is what I'll probably use the most.)

I ate the best pizza of my life last week.  Next time anyone comes to DC, I am taking you to 2Amy's and making you order the Margherita Extra.  You will thank me.

best day ever

Today, the cafeteria served breakfast for lunch!!!

It pretty much made my day.

I ate way too much bacon and way too many hashed browns.

spring is here

I cannot get enough of this spring weather. Sammy also loves it because it means he gets to go on looong walks through the woods and down to the river. I love it because I can take him on a long walk and still have time for a run before the sun goes down.

A few updates:

• I ran in the Cherry Blossom 10-miler a few weeks ago. The race was packed (as always) but the weather cooperated and I finished with my fastest time ever.
• Ashley got married this weekend, which meant I got to wear my Kate Middleton dress. (And I am also so happy for Ashley and Landon. Yay for them!)
• My running partner and I made a pact a while ago to take ourselves out to eat at some point during March. I cannot believe I have never discovered the beauty of eating out alone. I went to Eggspectation, sat outside, people watched, read my book, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
• While I was out to brunch, I ordered french toast topped with plain yogurt, honey, and fruit. I will never, ever eat syrup again. I loved it so much I made myself almond and oat flour pancakes for dinner and ate them with yogurt, honey, and strawberries. And I might be eating that same meal every week for the rest of my life.
• I made a pretty fantastic Easter dinner of grilled salmon, balsamic roasted brussels sprouts with quinoa, homemade rolls, salad with homemade basil dressing, and strawberry shortcakes with basil-infused whipped cream. It made me feel better about the fact that my entire family had Easter dinner together and didn't even bother to call and tell me how empty their worlds are without me there. Thanks a lot, guys....
• I am now officially registered for summer classes at UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County). I will be taking Anatomy and Physiology I during the first summer term and Anatomy and Physiology II and microbiology during the second summer term. the best news is that all of the classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which leaves MWF open for running, taking myself out to lunch, beating Ryan in the Gator Bait triathlon, etc.

oh, and the best news of all:

• I am applying to nursing school for the fall of 2013!!!!! (Hence the summer classes. I have a lot of prerequisites to get out of the way.)

news

I am officially registered for the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon!!! Registration opened at 3:00 today, and sold out at 5:23. Good thing I was ready!

Spring break is in two weeks! That means only 11 school days left. Ahhhh.... I am planting an herb garden in my dining room, giving the puppy a bath (he needs one), watching The Hunger Games, and catching up on reading. And doing some running so that I am (hopefully) more prepared for this year's marathon than last year's.

genius

So my friend Hilary gave me homemade eucalyptus-lavender homemade brown sugar and almond oil body scrub for Christmas. It pretty much changed my life.

Now, at the risk of sounding like I'm from Utah, I am considering starting a crafting club so that I can learn to make these things for myself.

PS - cutting processed foods from my diet might be my favorite New Year's resolution of my life. I am eating better than I ever have in my life. (sorry mom). I feel like I am eating at a fancy restaurant every night, except it's cheaper and healthier.

a few things

First of all, I really love my Nike Free running shoes. I will never go back to regular running shoes again. My feet are thanking me.

Registration for the Marine Corps Marathon opens March 7!!! I will be running with a friend of mine. Anyone else care to join us? It's going to be pretty awesome. If you are not up to running a marathon, you are welcome to come cheer me on (October 28 2012). I have already mapped out where I would like my fans to meet me and what items I would like for them to provide for me. (#1 on my list is an ice cold Dr. Pepper)

I am in the process of making big plans for the summer... I may or may not be applying for a summer enrichment grant through my school, which means they will pay to send me to Japan or Ireland or wherever I want to go. That would make my summer pretty awesome.

valentines day present

From me to you! Because I love you all so much and all that....

Type this function into google:

sqrt(cos(x))cos(300x)+sqrt(abs(x))-0.7)(4-x*x)^0.01, sqrt(6-x^2), -sqrt(6-x^2) from -4.5 to 4.5

Pretty awesome, huh?

new year's resolutions

Now that it's February I can share the New Year's resolutions that I am actually keeping. I have two. (What can I say, I'm ambitious)

1. Stop eating processed foods. This one is easier than I thought it would be. I spend Sunday afternoon baking snacks, breakfast foods, and dinner for the week. I have never eaten so well in my life. Home-cooked meals really are so much better than packaged foods. I also started an herb garden (and by started I mean I bought a rosemary plant at Trader Joe's and have kept it alive for a month). I will be adding more herbs in the spring.

2. Make my bed every day. I made my bed when I lived with Katelyn because she is by far the cleanest person I've ever met and it made me self-conscious. So I pretended to be clean too. (haha). So far having my bed made every day really brightens my day when I get home. Maybe next I'll organize my closet or something outrageous like that.