So, while I have been diligently training for my upcoming triathlon--running, biking, swimming. The only swimming I have only been doing has been in a pool, despite repeated "warnings" that I needed to get into open water! I really like the safety of the pool--being able to see the bottom, the lane markers, the other swimmers, and of course, the lifeguard! But, last Saturday, I finally squished myself into a wetsuit--it is a workout in itself to get into it--and swam at Aquatic Park in the Bay. It was so, so cold--but the suit, 2 swim caps, and ear plugs did help!
It was all I could do to concentrate on my breathing, staying warm, and the next buoy and not think about the fact there might be sharks or jellyfish in the water! My tri is the first weekend of May about 4 hours from here, and the swim is in a lake. I won't have to worry about Jaws attacking me during the race (only a freshwater shark, I guess!:) ), I only have to worry about getting kicked in the face or being swum over by one of the other racers....I don't know what is worse...!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Been a blur...
Yes, so it has been a while...no excuses, no reasons (not to mention here anyway!)...
Already 2009. I have a new roommate, Tracey. She moved in the beginning of February when Jene, my former roommate, moved to NYC. The whole business of finding a roommate can be quite exhausting, and it was not, to be honest, something I wanted to put any energy toward! Jene and I got a long really well and I genuinely liked her, but now I have someone to visit when I go to NYC! In SF, and I am sure, many other cities in the US, the only way to find housing / roommates is on craigslist! It is quite a strange concept--posting your apartment or room and then picking the best "fit" from a sea of strangers. Actually, there were phone and in-person "interviews" inbetween. I once went to a apartment open-house where I had to fill out a questionnaire. I did not think it was strange at the time...but now I kind of do...
Anyway, Tracey works as a general manager at Baby Gap. She makes me laugh and likes to drink wine... I try to help her figure out the bus schedule, but she sometimes has to take a cab to work... and she says I can have red wiggly worm compost in the kitchen! I totally scored on this one! :)
Work has been crazy busy. I drove to Seattle with a coworker last week. Yeah, it was a long way, but very beautiful! We drove through the State of Jeffereson...did you know we almost had a 51st state? Yes, it's true. And the folks who live there still believe they will become it! Apparently (by the power of google / iPhones while driving!), the State of Jefferson was going to become a state back when CA and OR were becoming states, but was somehow overlooked in the shuffle of presidents and wars. And, put this in your back pocket for bar trivia, the State of Jefferson was the only part of the mainland US to be bombed by the Japanese during WWII. Yup! The capitol is Yreka--which is a city in northern California.
The sunshine was great today.
Already 2009. I have a new roommate, Tracey. She moved in the beginning of February when Jene, my former roommate, moved to NYC. The whole business of finding a roommate can be quite exhausting, and it was not, to be honest, something I wanted to put any energy toward! Jene and I got a long really well and I genuinely liked her, but now I have someone to visit when I go to NYC! In SF, and I am sure, many other cities in the US, the only way to find housing / roommates is on craigslist! It is quite a strange concept--posting your apartment or room and then picking the best "fit" from a sea of strangers. Actually, there were phone and in-person "interviews" inbetween. I once went to a apartment open-house where I had to fill out a questionnaire. I did not think it was strange at the time...but now I kind of do...
Anyway, Tracey works as a general manager at Baby Gap. She makes me laugh and likes to drink wine... I try to help her figure out the bus schedule, but she sometimes has to take a cab to work... and she says I can have red wiggly worm compost in the kitchen! I totally scored on this one! :)
Work has been crazy busy. I drove to Seattle with a coworker last week. Yeah, it was a long way, but very beautiful! We drove through the State of Jeffereson...did you know we almost had a 51st state? Yes, it's true. And the folks who live there still believe they will become it! Apparently (by the power of google / iPhones while driving!), the State of Jefferson was going to become a state back when CA and OR were becoming states, but was somehow overlooked in the shuffle of presidents and wars. And, put this in your back pocket for bar trivia, the State of Jefferson was the only part of the mainland US to be bombed by the Japanese during WWII. Yup! The capitol is Yreka--which is a city in northern California.
The sunshine was great today.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Words to Live By...
(Photo courtesy of Jeff Andersen; Oct. 2008)
I love Yogi tea. It is yummy and there is a little note on the tab of the tea bag.
Today's note:
"Socialize with compassion, kindness and grace."
My all-time favorite:
"Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light."
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Whew! What a Summer!
Yes, so everyone falls off the wagon...me included. I never said I was perfect. And even if my New Year's resolution was to "keep in better touch" with everyone, I kept it up for a good 5 months, right?! According to statistics that is 3.5 months longer than most people keep their resolutions. Right? So, here I am trying to get back into it. This is going to be a long, long post--almost 4 months worth of "stuff" coming right at you. Get ready! Might want to get comfy for this one...
June: Boy, I can't remember back that far! Ok, here goes. I was pretty busy at work in June. One of the teams I work with ran a 2-week training in the office. So, I planned the "feeding" schedule for the group...practicing to be a mom (!?). I got to make Trader Joe's runs and get out of the office--yes, anything to get out of the office--it is as exciting as it gets! My second cousin (or second cousin once removed--I can never keep it straight!) Michelle was in SF visiting a friend and called me up for a quick visit; I met her and her friends for dinner. The same thing happened a week or so later when a good friend from Hibbing, Jenny, called me up when she and her husband were in town. Her and I walked around and checked out the graffiti / building murals around my neighborhood. It was so great to see familiar faces! We did not spend a lot of time together, but it was so nice. It really confirmed to me that when I am traveling near friends or relatives I have to make the extra effort to see / contact them--it is just so nice to see familiar faces when you are so far from "home." So, if you are ever in SF...
I am finally a legal CA driver--I passed my written test. I got 1.5 questions wrong--of course, I studied, I would be so embarrassed if I failed! Oh, and to explain the 1.5 I got wrong--one of the multiple choice questions, I marked all three answers as being correct (apparently, only one was right...); it was one of those "pick the best answer" questions. So technically, I was right...anyway, I passed.
I went to DC for a Evaluator Training--a group of us met with a women who works with non-profits to develop / improve their evaluation skills. The evaluations can be done after single events or longterm campaigns. It was really interesting to learn more about how to ask questions, where to really dig in to get answers, and where additional info is really not necessary.
July: Forth of July weekend, I had planned to visit my good friends Jen and Damian in Santa Barbara, but the wild fires were so fierce they were on evacuation-watch. So, I stayed in SF for the weekend and went to see a comedy troupe in the park and relaxed a bit. A few days later my cousin Cassie and her husband Chris were in SF. Chris co-wrote a book, Jesus for President, with a friend and they spoke at the beautiful Grace Cathedral. Their presentation was put together very well--they were serious and humorous and were accompanied by 2 gruff, Tom Waits-sounding musicians. While my views might not mirror theirs, I thought they presented themselves very passionately and professionally. What I took away from it was a simple message of presenting yourself in the world as you want others to act and to follow...which is a universal message anyone / everyone can follow.
One of the teams--Global Warming--I work with has field organizers in 20-or so congressional districts around the US. They are putting pressure--through grassroots organizing--on the congressperson to be a leader on global warming issues and sign onto the best legislation--which is not great, mind you--that is on the table at the moment. So, at the end of June, I was able to join the team in DC for lobby meetings on the Hill with the congress men and women from our target districts. We spent a few days prepping and dusted off our suits for the big day. I attended the meeting of Rep. Gerlach from PA with coworker Gabe and Jillian, who lives in the district. It was pretty cool. Unfortunately, Rep. Gerlach was unable to attend, so we met with one of his aides, but nonetheless, it was a great experience--one I may never have the chance to repeat.
From DC, I traveled to Seattle for a student training called Change It. I went along to help direct the masses, keep things on track, and be an extra hand to help when needed. I had never been to Seattle, and though I did not have much time to explore, I did manage to get a run in past Pikes Public Market and The Olympic Sculpture Gardens. I guess I will have to go back!
August: My brother, Greg, came to out to visit. I love that he comes, but I am feeling a little guilty that he spends his vacations visiting his sister! The weather was much more favorable this trip--no 4-inch rain days! We rented a car and went for a hike near Point Reyes Seashore and drove along the coast. We watched the Giant beat the Dodgers. Greg always wants to go for hill runs when he comes; we found a trail run--"moderate" was the description in my hiking book--but it was anything but! Over the course of 6 miles we covered 1200 feet of elevation change! It totally kicked my butt!
September: I met my mom in Denver over Labor Day weekend. We visited my aunt, cousin and her husband. It was really what I needed! It was so great to sit in the sun and relax, go for hikes, and shop. I got to go for a run with my mom, which I never get to do anymore. I feel I am hurrying around all the time, so it was the regroup I needed.
From Denver, I went straight to DC for planning meetings for next year's campaigns. I really like DC as a city and am finding working from there a little more enjoyable (?) every time I go. A group of us took one of the boats out, which was a blast! We boated near Annapolis and had lunch at a "crab shack." It was nice to be in the sun and on the water; I think I could get used to doing that more often.
This fall, I have several visitors coming to SF. Fun! Hopefully, my next post will be sooner and not as lengthy...
June: Boy, I can't remember back that far! Ok, here goes. I was pretty busy at work in June. One of the teams I work with ran a 2-week training in the office. So, I planned the "feeding" schedule for the group...practicing to be a mom (!?). I got to make Trader Joe's runs and get out of the office--yes, anything to get out of the office--it is as exciting as it gets! My second cousin (or second cousin once removed--I can never keep it straight!) Michelle was in SF visiting a friend and called me up for a quick visit; I met her and her friends for dinner. The same thing happened a week or so later when a good friend from Hibbing, Jenny, called me up when she and her husband were in town. Her and I walked around and checked out the graffiti / building murals around my neighborhood. It was so great to see familiar faces! We did not spend a lot of time together, but it was so nice. It really confirmed to me that when I am traveling near friends or relatives I have to make the extra effort to see / contact them--it is just so nice to see familiar faces when you are so far from "home." So, if you are ever in SF...
I am finally a legal CA driver--I passed my written test. I got 1.5 questions wrong--of course, I studied, I would be so embarrassed if I failed! Oh, and to explain the 1.5 I got wrong--one of the multiple choice questions, I marked all three answers as being correct (apparently, only one was right...); it was one of those "pick the best answer" questions. So technically, I was right...anyway, I passed.
I went to DC for a Evaluator Training--a group of us met with a women who works with non-profits to develop / improve their evaluation skills. The evaluations can be done after single events or longterm campaigns. It was really interesting to learn more about how to ask questions, where to really dig in to get answers, and where additional info is really not necessary.
July: Forth of July weekend, I had planned to visit my good friends Jen and Damian in Santa Barbara, but the wild fires were so fierce they were on evacuation-watch. So, I stayed in SF for the weekend and went to see a comedy troupe in the park and relaxed a bit. A few days later my cousin Cassie and her husband Chris were in SF. Chris co-wrote a book, Jesus for President, with a friend and they spoke at the beautiful Grace Cathedral. Their presentation was put together very well--they were serious and humorous and were accompanied by 2 gruff, Tom Waits-sounding musicians. While my views might not mirror theirs, I thought they presented themselves very passionately and professionally. What I took away from it was a simple message of presenting yourself in the world as you want others to act and to follow...which is a universal message anyone / everyone can follow.
One of the teams--Global Warming--I work with has field organizers in 20-or so congressional districts around the US. They are putting pressure--through grassroots organizing--on the congressperson to be a leader on global warming issues and sign onto the best legislation--which is not great, mind you--that is on the table at the moment. So, at the end of June, I was able to join the team in DC for lobby meetings on the Hill with the congress men and women from our target districts. We spent a few days prepping and dusted off our suits for the big day. I attended the meeting of Rep. Gerlach from PA with coworker Gabe and Jillian, who lives in the district. It was pretty cool. Unfortunately, Rep. Gerlach was unable to attend, so we met with one of his aides, but nonetheless, it was a great experience--one I may never have the chance to repeat.
From DC, I traveled to Seattle for a student training called Change It. I went along to help direct the masses, keep things on track, and be an extra hand to help when needed. I had never been to Seattle, and though I did not have much time to explore, I did manage to get a run in past Pikes Public Market and The Olympic Sculpture Gardens. I guess I will have to go back!
August: My brother, Greg, came to out to visit. I love that he comes, but I am feeling a little guilty that he spends his vacations visiting his sister! The weather was much more favorable this trip--no 4-inch rain days! We rented a car and went for a hike near Point Reyes Seashore and drove along the coast. We watched the Giant beat the Dodgers. Greg always wants to go for hill runs when he comes; we found a trail run--"moderate" was the description in my hiking book--but it was anything but! Over the course of 6 miles we covered 1200 feet of elevation change! It totally kicked my butt!
September: I met my mom in Denver over Labor Day weekend. We visited my aunt, cousin and her husband. It was really what I needed! It was so great to sit in the sun and relax, go for hikes, and shop. I got to go for a run with my mom, which I never get to do anymore. I feel I am hurrying around all the time, so it was the regroup I needed.
From Denver, I went straight to DC for planning meetings for next year's campaigns. I really like DC as a city and am finding working from there a little more enjoyable (?) every time I go. A group of us took one of the boats out, which was a blast! We boated near Annapolis and had lunch at a "crab shack." It was nice to be in the sun and on the water; I think I could get used to doing that more often.
This fall, I have several visitors coming to SF. Fun! Hopefully, my next post will be sooner and not as lengthy...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Beatrice Lake, May 2008
Dad, Greg, Mom, and Andrea
Sally, Ryan, Andrea, Greg, Kjersten, Andy, and Ruby
The cure for any ill...Beatrice Lake, MN
Mid-May I took a much-needed vacation and went home to Minnesota.
May 17th was my grandma's and her twin sister's 80th birthday. The gathering of friends and family was held at a cute Bed & Breakfast in Hibbing. Afterward, our family celebrated over Bimbo's wings, pizza and beer. Funny thing, my grandma's mother did not know she was having twins; only the doctor and my grandma's dad knew the secret. They chose not to tell my great-grandma because they did not want to "upset" her!! Alternatively, I think it would be quite upsetting to find out during childbirth. What another?!
When I came to CA, I did not think I would be staying for longer than a month (well...honestly, I secretly hoped I would!). I brought only 2 bags of belongings and left the rest in my apartment in Fargo. Now, the time had come to clean it out! When I went back to Fargo, things seemed the same; it was as though I had not been gone for 5 months. Despite my efforts to donate and throw away, I still have a lot of "stuff!" My dear dad drove to Fargo to help me move (again!). Don't mention to him how many times I have moved in the past 9 years and of those 8 (!) moves, how many times he has been involved...it's a sore subject! I shipped a few boxes out to CA and hauled the rest to my parents' house, much to their dismay. No, they will never get rid of me...well, maybe me, but not my stuff!!
It is easy to become acclimated to the rainy, yet very mild "winters" in CA, and it is very easy to forget Minnesota in January, February, March, and even April. However, I know I will miss Minnesota in the summer. I knew this when I decided to stay. I will miss my family's cabin the most. I am so lucky my family has this great retreat. When I was home, my family stayed there for the weekend. My cousins Sally and Andy and their friends Kjersten and Ryan met us and brought their kayaks. My brother has been kayaking a lot this spring with this crew, and he finally bought himself his own. Saturday, my dad and I brought them to Little Fork so they could "yak" or "kak" (as they call it) the St. Louis River. They returned 10 hours later sunburned and exhausted, but exhilarated.
I was able to relax and visit with family and many great friends...and if I can't be on a beach in Hawaii, a hot spring in Reykjavik, or hiking to Machu Piccho...what better place to be than Hibbing???!!!
May 17th was my grandma's and her twin sister's 80th birthday. The gathering of friends and family was held at a cute Bed & Breakfast in Hibbing. Afterward, our family celebrated over Bimbo's wings, pizza and beer. Funny thing, my grandma's mother did not know she was having twins; only the doctor and my grandma's dad knew the secret. They chose not to tell my great-grandma because they did not want to "upset" her!! Alternatively, I think it would be quite upsetting to find out during childbirth. What another?!
When I came to CA, I did not think I would be staying for longer than a month (well...honestly, I secretly hoped I would!). I brought only 2 bags of belongings and left the rest in my apartment in Fargo. Now, the time had come to clean it out! When I went back to Fargo, things seemed the same; it was as though I had not been gone for 5 months. Despite my efforts to donate and throw away, I still have a lot of "stuff!" My dear dad drove to Fargo to help me move (again!). Don't mention to him how many times I have moved in the past 9 years and of those 8 (!) moves, how many times he has been involved...it's a sore subject! I shipped a few boxes out to CA and hauled the rest to my parents' house, much to their dismay. No, they will never get rid of me...well, maybe me, but not my stuff!!
It is easy to become acclimated to the rainy, yet very mild "winters" in CA, and it is very easy to forget Minnesota in January, February, March, and even April. However, I know I will miss Minnesota in the summer. I knew this when I decided to stay. I will miss my family's cabin the most. I am so lucky my family has this great retreat. When I was home, my family stayed there for the weekend. My cousins Sally and Andy and their friends Kjersten and Ryan met us and brought their kayaks. My brother has been kayaking a lot this spring with this crew, and he finally bought himself his own. Saturday, my dad and I brought them to Little Fork so they could "yak" or "kak" (as they call it) the St. Louis River. They returned 10 hours later sunburned and exhausted, but exhilarated.
I was able to relax and visit with family and many great friends...and if I can't be on a beach in Hawaii, a hot spring in Reykjavik, or hiking to Machu Piccho...what better place to be than Hibbing???!!!
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