First Day of Official Training

Although I've been running and unofficially training for the Chicago Marathon, I started the 'official training' today. I got my butt out of bed at 5.45am, got on the bus at 6.10, and got to the Group Run Site at Foster Ave Beach at 6.45am. WAY too early to be doing anything, much less run three miles.

But the people from that Aids Marathon sure know how to get you going.... Despite the early morning hour, it was so much fun! The atmosphere was motivating and supportive, and all the people there were great fun. We each had to run three miles and were timed, and then put into Pace Groups. The group seems great, and the pace was just perfect! The three miles were a piece of cake... nice and easy. And one of the girls I met (Stephanie) and I decided to get together during the week to go for some runs.

After doing this today, I KNOW I can run the marathon! Now I just have to worry about raising the money. So those of you who have been waiting to see if I would even make it past one mile, you can go ahead and donate now. I'll make it :)

I can't wait to go back again next saturday!! And next week we're running four miles. Every week it increases by one mile.

Last night I met up with some friends at Schoolyard Tavern to watch the Democratic Candidate Debate, and we had such a fun time! There was a whole group of people there watching the debate, but honestly, I couldn't hear a thing and have no idea what happened. Plus Katie and I were chatting through most of it. So I will have to watch it again. But after the debate was over Katie, Tod and I stayed for another drink and talked. I don't know why I didn't know this, but Katie used to work on Capital Hill as an assistant to a repulican senator for four years. I didn't even know she was interested in politics. And Tod is part of a group called Lakeview Residents for Barack Obama. So needless to say, we had some very interesting discussions! It's always great to hear different viewpoints. Not that either Tod or Katie are 100% republican or democrat, but they both have some opinions in both directions. It was fun listening to them give their reasons why they feel a certain way about a certain issue. I think it's great to have discussions like these, because you hear different viewpoints and this either strenghtens your own viewpoints, or it gives you the chance to reevaluate them. I love having these discussions and conversations! It was fun!

Oh, and I just had the sandwich, and I must say it was pretty good. There are different varieties, and I probably got the best one out of all of them... the Shaved Turkey Monterrey. The kit comes with a little country white sub roll, mesquite smoked turkey, monterrey jack cheese with jalapenos, salsa, and southwestern style ranch dressing. You assemble all, stick it in the microwave for one minute, and voila! The only thing I would have changed about it is the roll. I hate soft, white bread. So... would I spend money to buy this? Yes, probably. But only in an effor to save money, because it doesn't come CLOSE to a Tomato Mozzarella Sandwich from the Corner Bakery.

No such thing as a free lunch?

Oh yes there is! Thanks to Oscar Mayer Deli Creations Hot Sandwich Melts. They were giving them away on the street today, and let me tell you.... it was apparently THE excitement on Michigan Avenue. I've never seen so many people so excited over a boxed sandwich lunch. It was kinda fun to watch so I thought I would share. I didn't actually eat the sandwich yet, but I'll let you know if it's any good whenever I do. For me personally, it was much more exciting when they were handing out Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Cones :)

And I'd like to share that whenever I post from work, everything is in French. I am on a French server, and therefore all the commands on Blogger are in French. I have no idea what half of them mean, and it really annoys me!

The presidential candidate debate is on tonight!! Can't wait to see it! Is anyone else watching it?

April showers hopefully bring May flowers...

I don't quite feel like working yet, so I thought I'd post a message before I get to work...

It's a nasty day out there today. From my window I can't even see into Vince Vaughns window across the street! Which is ok, because he doesn't actually seem to live there yet. But honestly, I was a little excited this morning when it was raining, because it gave me a chance to try out my new, trusty, lime-green-zebra GustBuster!! And I'm happy to say it worked fabulously!

Not much else is new. I went to my first Cubs game of the season on Monday night with Pablo. We had nice seats, decent weather, and a great time! And the Cubs even played some extra innnings to make sure we would get our money's worth. Well... the tickets were free, so we did get our money's worth anyway. I've said it before and I'll say it again.... You can't beat beer and hot dogs at the ballpark!

On a not so fun note, I had to have a root canal yesterday. The endeodontist pretty much had me hanging upside down in the chair, to make sure he could see the tooth directly without mirrors (tooth on the top right). I've never had a dentist do that before. But the good news is I didn't feel a thing! Not the entire day, even after the numbness faded away! The bad news is, I do feel it today. It's not terrible, but it's sore. I have some persription pain killers, so I'll be fine, but it makes chewing a little difficult. Looks like I'll be having soup for lunch...

That's all for now... Hope everyone is having a great day!

I'm back in Chicago... and I brought the gorgeous weather from Germany back with me :)

the trip was great and just the right length. I was at home for 5 days, and then spent 2 days in Amsterdam. The reason I went to Amsterdam was for a training course for work, but I was there a day early, so my friend Mieske picked me up from the airport in Amsterdam and took me to see the Tulip fields in full bloom. Then we went to see her new house (which is being built, but we were able to go inside and see it anyway), walked around The Hague, and then had dinner on the beach together with her boyfriend Bart. Great Day! Mieske will be in Chicago next month, and I can't wait to have her here :)

The time in Germany was great too. I've already talked about the kids Communion, but I thought I'd put up a picture of them too. I don't know why, but I don't have any pictures of all three of them in their white dresses. So I have chosen the picture of the them from the day before.

The last thing I will mention is that I flew back on KLM, and it was the first time I had flown with them since I started working for an airline. The airport in Amsterdam is really easy to get through, and check in was done entirely at a machine (including passport scan etc). Everything worked out perfect, but when I got to the gate I realized I hadn't gone through any security checks yet. To my surprise, the security check is at each gate! I thought that must be a nightmare for boarding and punctuality, but they made it work! The flight was really full, but they managed to get me into Business Class! :) Nothing special... the food wasn't good, the seat was ok, the picture quality on the TV was aweful, but at least the service was very nice! And I did sleep for a while, so I really can't complain. Oh, and I watched a great movie... The Freedom Writers! If you haven't seen it yet, go rent it. It's very inspirational. Made me wanna become a teacher.

It's always nice to be gone, but it's just as nice to come home. And sometimes jetlag rocks... I woke up at 6:30am this morning and went running - 3 miles :) Felt great to be up so early!

Hope everyone is having a lovely day....

Save the Planet!

It's Earth Day today, so do something to save the Earth!

Not sure what to do? Check out this website....

The things we learn about ourselves....

Going through tough times in your life usually sucks, but towards the end of it you usually realize something about yourself. Whatever it is, it's often stuff you don't really like to hear about, but it's all a great big learning experience, and through it all you grow. It's so cliche, but it's true! But the good news is that if there are things you don't like about yourself, you can change them now because you are aware of them!

So here are some things I learned about myself.... I let myself become too dependent on people. That's funny because I am actually very independent. I like living alone (not with a roommate that is), I havn't lived at home since I was 16, I don't mind moving around and starting my life all over again, and in general I've never seen myself as a very dependent person. But I have (probably more than once) done just that. Not because I intentionally did it, but it just happened that way. I was busy with school and work, and it was just easier to hang out with the same person all the time than going out and making other friends. I have absolutely no problem making new friends and meeting people, but it just didn't occur to me at the time. Mainly because I had great friends already. Until that person left one day and I found myself all alone with all my friend in other cities. Wow, what a wakeup call! The reason I bring this up is because Pablo and I recently talked about it and I've been thinking about it since then. However, I am happy to say, I've learned from it and let me tell you.... that will NEVER happen to me again!

The second thing I have learned about myself is that my hobbies and interests are ALL over the place. They always have been, and they always will be. If you ask me today what my interest are, I guarantee you that they will be different from what they were 2 years ago. And if you ask me again in another two years, they might be different again. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just that there are things that never occured to me before. Interests I never knew I had until I tried them. For example, a few years ago I went sandboarding in South Africa. It would have never occured to me to do that before, but I loved it and ever since then have wanted to do it again. And since then I have wanted to learn how to snowboard but didn't wanna settle for learning on a little hill in Illinois. I want mountains! Alps, Rockies, Andes! My friend Kerry just emailed me and pointed this out to me. She said 'you're running marathons, going to baseball games and basketball games, playing beach volleyball... it's like I don't even know you'. That's true. When Kerry and I were best friends in College, we did other fun things. And that's ok. Who would have thought two years ago that I would ever get a motorcycle? Who would have thought six months ago that I would ever sign up to run a marathon?? All this is NOT something I would change about myself. I like having different options, trying different things, and I would never want to rule anything out just because I haven't done it. I like being inspired, and my interests will change with this inspiration - with the people around me, with the places I visit, and the places I live. It's a great thing and I'm open for pretty much anything!

So those are the things I have learned about myself. I probably already knew them, but they are worth mentioning. In case anyone is interested... :)

The iRack

Home Sweet Home

This is a picture of my hometown in Germany - Oberesch. All of it! :) The town only has about 300 inhabitants and is surrounded by fields.

I'm in Germany right now because my goddaughter Kim had her First Communion on Sunday. Apparently this event has turned into a huge deal since I was a kid. At least it seemed like it. The church lasted nearly two hours, and by the time we got out of there I was ready to shoot myself! If I had still been a "member" I would have quit today. You see, in Germany people have to pay church taxes. That is, everyone that was once christened into the catholic church has church taxes withheld from their paycheck each month. But since I have never received a paycheck in Germany, I have never given them any money, and therefore there is no need for me to go to court and go through the whole process of "leaving the catholic faith". But believe me, Sunday I would have!

But the reason I'm posting is not to bitch about church, but to tell you all how beautiful Germany is! First of all, it's been about 75-80 degrees every day since I arrived, and Germany is in full bloom! Everything is green, and gorgeous, and such a big difference from cold Chicago.

I arrived on Saturday after a long flight in Economy Class on Lufthansa. Thanks to Aaron I got the very last seat on the plane, so I don't want to complain about Economy. But when you work for an airline and usually fly Business Class overseas, you get spoiled! Anyway, the train ride from Frankfurt to Saarbruecken was just gorgeous.... much different than the train ride from Paris to Saarbruecken. The ride from Frankfurt goes by all these cute little towns, with little rivers running along the train tracks. And seeing this brough back a dream I had since I was a little kid.... I have always wanted to bike through Germany for a week or two. When I was younger two of my friends did this with their parents, and I would have loved to do the same! How much fun would it be to bike through the countryside and camp every night?!? I intend to do that sometime!! :)

And I've been running, which has turned out to be beautiful too. Except, today it was a bit too hot by the time I got out of bed, so I didn't get too far. Besides, running 3 miles in Chicago is much different than running 3 miles here.... where there are hills that drag on FOREVER! But gorgeous!

It's like I'm seeing Germany for the first time... I don't know why it seems more gorgeous now than before, but it does. In two days I'm off to Amsterdam until Saturday, and then I'll be back in Chicago. Looking forward to Amsterdam... I haven't been there since I was a little kid. And one of my good friends Mieske lives there, and I can't wait to see her again!

Woohoo!

I received a letter in the mail today from the German Consulate....

They have approved my request for Dual Citizenship!!! :)

The Germans are very strict about this and don't allow anyone to have dual citizenship without prior consent from them, unless you are born into it. So they wanted good reasons why I wanted to 1. apply for US citizenship and 2. keep my German citizenship. I filed all the paperwork last summer, and on my birthday in December I received a letter saying that the way it stands, the request would be denied. They simply didn't think my reasons were good enough.

Oh, but they had no idea how persistent I can be.... I wrote a nice long letter back to them, and further explained my reasons and why they are good reasons. I attached all sorts of documents for proof, and I must have been very convincing, because this time they agreed with me!

Now I get to apply for US citizenship.... :) And if all goes well, I'll be able to vote in the next election!

I'm SOOOO excited! Things seem to finally start going the way I hoped lately....

Happy Easter!

I just read an article that I found mildly disturbing. Apparently, a school in Rhode Island changed the name of the Easter Bunny to Peter Rabbit in an effort to please all religions and people.

First of all, since when is the Easter Bunny a religious symbol? What did the Easter Bunny ever do that was so special? Did he die and rise to heaven three days later? No. That was someone else. The Easter Bunny is nothing more than a bunny. He happens to be connected to a religious holiday, but that doesn't make him holy.

Second, since when do people get to rename religious traditions? That would be like re-naming Santa Claus Nick Smith. There are some traditions that are connected to religion. That is just a fact of life, and those who don't participate in that faith should have nothing to say about it! If you don't like to celebrate Easter, that is your personal choice. But don't attack the Easter Bunny for it. Nobody is trying to rename Jewish traditions or Muslim traditions. So leave the Christian ones alone too!

Then there is the ever so controversial topic of 'seperation of church and state'. Is there really such a thing in the US? How come George W. gets to talk about religion, and little school kids do not? And what's even worse, Goerge W. used religion to help him start a war... remember when we went to war, Bush said it was a difficult decision and he was praying to make the right one? The president of the United States openly gets to involve religion in politics, but some little kids in Rhode Island don't get to take a picture with the Easter Bunny?

And then the article stated a little side note that had nothing to do with Easter.... Sasha Cohen (the Figure Skater, not Borat) performed at a Christmas show one year where a choir was scheduled to sing Christmas carols. And because Ms. Cohen is half Jewish, the choir was asked not to sing the carols. What?? She isn't even religious enough to choose a full religion! She is HALF Jewish. Clearly she doesn't believe in her religion 100%, so why does she get to be offended by Christmas Carols?

And here is the last one... The city of Chicago asked the Christkindl Market not to promote the movie 'The Nativity Story' for fear it might offend someone. It's a Christkindl Market! Even if you don't know what the word Christkindl means... it implies that it is religious, and has to do with Christ and Christmas, and that's exactly what it is. (Christkindl is the German equivalent of Santa - meaning not by looks, but by the fact that this is who brings kids their presents on Christmas). If you are going to a Christkindl Market, you are entering religous CHRISTIAN territory. You don't get to be offended about anything Christian you see there! If you are, then don't go there.

I think religious activism, or rather anti-religious activism has been taken a little far here. There are certain traditions that different religions have, and they shouldn't be changed, no matter what religion it is. I thank you - Richard Singleton from R.I. - for introducting the "Easter Bunny Act" to help protect the Bunny's good name! This bill would stop all local minicipalities from changing the name of popular religions and secular symbols.

I am by no means religious, but come on!! Isn't it enough yet? Can't we all just get along and learn to live with the fact that there are more religions out there than just our own, and respect them for what they are?

Thank God for Binny's

A few years ago in Australia I fell in love with this sparkling shiraz they had there. Ever since then I have looked for it, and have not been able to find it ANYWHERE! I've looked in specialty wine shops, I looked in Germany, I searched in Boston, and always without luck. Until today... I ventured into Binny's for something different, and happened to see it!!! I'm so excited! This was my first time at Binny's and I was blown away by their wine selection. There used to be a huge liquor store in Boston (the name escapes me right now) but that was nothing compared to Binny's!

So tonight will be spent with a bottle of sparkling shiraz, a movie with my favorite Mexican (Gael Garcia Bernal) and a some kind of dinner featuring Stove Top Stuffing (loooove stuffing and haven't had any in a while).

I have had a lovely few days in general. On thursday I signed up to run the Chicago marathon (yeah baby!), on Friday I went to Rise for some sushi and martinis with Katie and Julie, and today.... well today I haven't done much, but still had a great day.

Party like it's 90210?

Has a cashier ever asked you what your zip code is, and your answer was 90210? (My ex used to do that all the time, and as stupid as it is, it made me laugh every time).

Beverly Hills 90210 was with us from 1990 until 2000, and chances are, everyone in our generation has at least seen a few episodes in their lifetime. If you're a girl, you probably watched it every week for 10 years. I remember in Germany it was always on TV on saturday afternoons, and it was the highlight of the weekends when I was 12. I kept watching it week after week, season after season until I moved to the US and temporarly stopped. Since TV shows are usually a bit behind in Germany (they usually start a year after they have been successful in the US), I missed a few episodes in the move to the US as they were a bit ahead, but eventually I started watching again. Until in 2000 I moved to Germany again.... At that time the show was in its final season, but in Germany there were still a year and a half of shows left. I had already seen all that, and wanted to know how it would end! I asked my friend Kerry to tape every episode and bring it with her when she would come to visit in the summer. Being a true and loyal friend, she followed orders and we had a little mini-marathon when she came to visit in the summer of 2000. It was the weekend before my wedding, which kinda symbolized that I indeed grew up with the show!

And now I have a big confession to make.... I have become re-addicted! I can't believe this has happened to me, and I honestly don't know how I could have let it. I discovered a few weeks ago when I was home sick that re-runs of 90210 are on Soap Net (a channel I didn't even know existed!). And ever since then, I have started watching them as if I have no idea what is going to happen next. I can't f-ing believe it! It's like I've been brainwashed and can't remember if Brendon and Kelly end up doing it, or if Donna will marry as a virgin. Except, I DO remember that everyone did it with everyone, and even Donna couldn't hold out til the end.

The show is totally stupid now that I'm an adult, and I think I have become a little dumber just by watching it again. But it's fun and I can't help it, and it's especially fun on a saturday night when I come home drunk! It's my dirty-little-guilty-pleasure-secret and the first step to recovery is aditting you have a problem. So I'm putting it out there in the world and admitting it....