March Madness 2018
8 years ago
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Homeless Kit
I'm posting this story that I heard last night, as a reminder of just how spectacular the people in my life are:
"So we were driving home and I saw a homeless man sitting on the side of the road and I decided we needed to do something to help. So we drove home, I got some shirts, a granola bar, and a powerade, put it in a bag, and drove back out to where he was. Unfortunately he was gone by the time we got back. So now we have a homeless kit in the trunk for the next time I see a homeless person"
Any guesses on who this was?!
Friends don't get much better than that :)
"So we were driving home and I saw a homeless man sitting on the side of the road and I decided we needed to do something to help. So we drove home, I got some shirts, a granola bar, and a powerade, put it in a bag, and drove back out to where he was. Unfortunately he was gone by the time we got back. So now we have a homeless kit in the trunk for the next time I see a homeless person"
Any guesses on who this was?!
Friends don't get much better than that :)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Newest Accessory
I'm excited to try out the gift Sarah gave us bridesmaids - an apron from Anthropologie!
I may not be the best in the kitchen, but at least now I can look the part.
I may not be the best in the kitchen, but at least now I can look the part.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Dam to Dam '11
Dam to Dam went very well this year. First, there was no rain, unlike last year when it poured for the first 6 miles or so. Second, we ran it about 3 minutes faster than the year before, which I was happy with, considering the most I had run pre-race was 8 miles. We ran it in 1:53:57. I was 151 out of 788 females in my age bracket and 657 out of 3761 total females.
A few highlights from the race stick out:
*The crowd: Even though I was extra excited to see a few familiar faces, like Lucas and the Holtgrewes, just seeing people lined up at different points of the course made a huge difference. I always seem to get that extra boost I need when I see people clapping, cheering, and ringing their cowbells.
*Flags: At about mile 7, along the Morningstar hill, (the biggest hill of the course) there were flags lined up along both sides of the road, representing all the Iowa soldiers who have died in action, since the first Dam to Dam race in 1980. There was also a group playing bagpipes and drums at the top of the hill. I got goosebumps as they played"Amazing Grace" as we ran by them, and it was a great way to keep things in perspective as I ran up that hill.
*Inspiring Words: Between mile 10 and 11, we overheard a conversation between 2 girls as we ran by them. The one girl was saying how she couldn't keep up anymore, and the other girl said to her, "yes you can. You are the reason I am running beside you right now" She continued to push her friend along with encouraging words. It was an awesome conversation to overhear.
*Smiles: Although there were several photographers stationed at different mile markers towards the end of the race, we only have 1 photo each on record of this year's run, but it was our best photo, I'm sure. For the last photo op, Jake thought we should flash a smile, and here are the results:
His photo should be on an ad for next year's race, we've all decided.
*The Isiserettes: As you round the last corner, and run the last 400 meters or so, you can hear the drums from the Isiserettes beat. I LOVE running past the Y and seeing the drummers and dancers as I give everything I have left in me, in those final meters to the finish line.
*Cheer Squad: After finishing the 20K, we were able to cheer on other members of Team Hot Sundae as they ran the 5K - J-rod, Les, and Stacy all did a great job and it was fun to see them run to the finish line.
*The Afterparty: Food, free beer, and my runner's high - all while being surrounded by the other runners and all the supporters make for a great atmosphere at the finish line. I saw a lot of familiar faces, including an old friend from college who I hadn't seen in nearly 4 years! A great way to end this year's race.
A few highlights from the race stick out:
*The crowd: Even though I was extra excited to see a few familiar faces, like Lucas and the Holtgrewes, just seeing people lined up at different points of the course made a huge difference. I always seem to get that extra boost I need when I see people clapping, cheering, and ringing their cowbells.
*Flags: At about mile 7, along the Morningstar hill, (the biggest hill of the course) there were flags lined up along both sides of the road, representing all the Iowa soldiers who have died in action, since the first Dam to Dam race in 1980. There was also a group playing bagpipes and drums at the top of the hill. I got goosebumps as they played"Amazing Grace" as we ran by them, and it was a great way to keep things in perspective as I ran up that hill.
*Inspiring Words: Between mile 10 and 11, we overheard a conversation between 2 girls as we ran by them. The one girl was saying how she couldn't keep up anymore, and the other girl said to her, "yes you can. You are the reason I am running beside you right now" She continued to push her friend along with encouraging words. It was an awesome conversation to overhear.
*Smiles: Although there were several photographers stationed at different mile markers towards the end of the race, we only have 1 photo each on record of this year's run, but it was our best photo, I'm sure. For the last photo op, Jake thought we should flash a smile, and here are the results:
His photo should be on an ad for next year's race, we've all decided.
*The Isiserettes: As you round the last corner, and run the last 400 meters or so, you can hear the drums from the Isiserettes beat. I LOVE running past the Y and seeing the drummers and dancers as I give everything I have left in me, in those final meters to the finish line.
*Cheer Squad: After finishing the 20K, we were able to cheer on other members of Team Hot Sundae as they ran the 5K - J-rod, Les, and Stacy all did a great job and it was fun to see them run to the finish line.
*The Afterparty: Food, free beer, and my runner's high - all while being surrounded by the other runners and all the supporters make for a great atmosphere at the finish line. I saw a lot of familiar faces, including an old friend from college who I hadn't seen in nearly 4 years! A great way to end this year's race.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Next One For One
Yesterday, Tom's launched it's next step in the "One For One" campaign - eyewear.
There are 3 different styles of sunglasses, several colors to choose from, and a virtual try-on feature to help you decide. They are a little pricey (more expensive than the shoes), but it's a great cause.
...and have I mentioned how much I love Blake? :)
There are 3 different styles of sunglasses, several colors to choose from, and a virtual try-on feature to help you decide. They are a little pricey (more expensive than the shoes), but it's a great cause.
...and have I mentioned how much I love Blake? :)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Spanish Summary
As if I haven't written enough about my trip...I truly appreciate you sticking through these last few weeks of posts and allowing me to recount my Spanish adventure. I was asked a lot of questions about my trip, the most common, both from people in Spain and friends/family here, being: "What do/did you think of Spain?"
My answer to this question goes as follows:
From my experience in Spain, I noticed several things that I truly appreciated - things that are so different from my world here....
*Everything moves slower in Spain. Living in a world where fast isn't fast enough and everything and everyone is always "go, go, go", it was refreshing to slow down and experience the slower side of life.
*The lifestyle there is so much more relaxed than it is here - businesses closing for "siesta" every afternoon and closing on Sundays and holidays, for example. I felt as though people there "work to live", whereas I feel we (Americans), in general, "live to work". Meeting friends for a cafe con leche is a must do, pretty much on a daily basis, and usually occurs in the afternoon.
*Fashion is huge. Everyone is dressed as though they walked straight out of a magazine, especially children. I swear I never saw a little girl not wearing a dress and most boys were wearing tights, shorts, and little button ups or polos. Among adult women, I mostly saw skinny jeans or leggings, tanks and cardigans, blazers, scarves, and flats. I also noticed a big nautical theme in many of the stores. Umbrellas are an added accessory during the Spring/rainy season (April/May), and everyone carries them.
*So much more walking goes on there, as well as reliance on public transportation. I guess that's probably true of bigger cities here in the U.S. too, but living in a smaller city, I really appreciated that aspect of their lifestyle.
*I love the history and age of buildings and structures there. I walked into dozens of churches that were thousands, upon thousands years old and one thing I always thought of, as I was admiring these beautiful, well preserved buildings, was how sad it is that our answer here, it seems, is to tear down and build new.
*The scenery I saw on a daily basis - mountains, blue ocean water, lots of green spaces, etc. never got old. It was something I appreciated seeing each day.
It goes without saying that my trip was an amazing experience, one that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I love to travel - it ranks as one of my favorite things in life - and I am so blessed to have had this opportunity and to experience all that I did.
My answer to this question goes as follows:
From my experience in Spain, I noticed several things that I truly appreciated - things that are so different from my world here....
*Everything moves slower in Spain. Living in a world where fast isn't fast enough and everything and everyone is always "go, go, go", it was refreshing to slow down and experience the slower side of life.
*The lifestyle there is so much more relaxed than it is here - businesses closing for "siesta" every afternoon and closing on Sundays and holidays, for example. I felt as though people there "work to live", whereas I feel we (Americans), in general, "live to work". Meeting friends for a cafe con leche is a must do, pretty much on a daily basis, and usually occurs in the afternoon.
*Fashion is huge. Everyone is dressed as though they walked straight out of a magazine, especially children. I swear I never saw a little girl not wearing a dress and most boys were wearing tights, shorts, and little button ups or polos. Among adult women, I mostly saw skinny jeans or leggings, tanks and cardigans, blazers, scarves, and flats. I also noticed a big nautical theme in many of the stores. Umbrellas are an added accessory during the Spring/rainy season (April/May), and everyone carries them.
*So much more walking goes on there, as well as reliance on public transportation. I guess that's probably true of bigger cities here in the U.S. too, but living in a smaller city, I really appreciated that aspect of their lifestyle.
*I love the history and age of buildings and structures there. I walked into dozens of churches that were thousands, upon thousands years old and one thing I always thought of, as I was admiring these beautiful, well preserved buildings, was how sad it is that our answer here, it seems, is to tear down and build new.
*The scenery I saw on a daily basis - mountains, blue ocean water, lots of green spaces, etc. never got old. It was something I appreciated seeing each day.
It goes without saying that my trip was an amazing experience, one that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I love to travel - it ranks as one of my favorite things in life - and I am so blessed to have had this opportunity and to experience all that I did.
Aventura de Espana: Dia Ocho
We had planned on going to Trubia and doing part of the Ruta del Oso, to go on a bike ride and see the bears that live there (fenced in). Unfortunately, it turned out to be a rainy day, so plans changed.
We ended up having a relaxed day in Oviedo, starting at a cafe for breakfast with some of Emily's friends, then we walked around and went in a few stores, and finally when the rain let up, we spent some time in the park.
It was Raul's birthday, so to celebrate, they had people over for a bbq and we indulged in a lot of good food, including turkey burgers, shrimp, kabobs, and potatoes .
With some of Emily's friends at the BBQ
When the clock struck midnight, just as Cinderella's carriage turned into a pumpkin, ending her fairy tale evening, so was my Spanish adventure coming to an end. I had to get on the 12:30 overnight bus and head back to the Madrid airport.
After a 7 hour bus ride, 3.5 hour wait at the airport, a pat down from the TSA agent at security, 12.5 hours of flying, and 2.5 hours of driving, I finally arrived back home, with all of my luggage, my sanity, and most importantly, memories that will last a lifetime.
We ended up having a relaxed day in Oviedo, starting at a cafe for breakfast with some of Emily's friends, then we walked around and went in a few stores, and finally when the rain let up, we spent some time in the park.
It was Raul's birthday, so to celebrate, they had people over for a bbq and we indulged in a lot of good food, including turkey burgers, shrimp, kabobs, and potatoes .
With some of Emily's friends at the BBQ
When the clock struck midnight, just as Cinderella's carriage turned into a pumpkin, ending her fairy tale evening, so was my Spanish adventure coming to an end. I had to get on the 12:30 overnight bus and head back to the Madrid airport.
After a 7 hour bus ride, 3.5 hour wait at the airport, a pat down from the TSA agent at security, 12.5 hours of flying, and 2.5 hours of driving, I finally arrived back home, with all of my luggage, my sanity, and most importantly, memories that will last a lifetime.
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