A new look....

I was bored with the old blog look, so I got a spiffy new one! This html thing is actually pretty confusing. Like J said last night, it's like another language. Along with a new look, I tweaked the title, only because I no longer live in the city (which is still kind of sad) and am now a full-time resident of the suburbs. If I could, I'd change the url, too, but I think that'd be too confusing for those who read this.

There has been a lot going on this week. I got to spend a lucky two nights with the girls for an un-planned reunion in DC. It's not that I don't love to see them anytime I get the chance, but I was so sad I had to work! It's been a year since the four of us scattered to different states and there are still weeks where I feel their absence so strongly, it quite literally aches. Since this was an un-planned reunion, I couldn't take time off work and I am admittedly green with envy at the two days the three of them got to spend together. Oh yes, I am feeling sorry for myself right now (ok, ok, and I am super-happy about the two nights I got to spend with everyone, but I am also greedy and I wanted more!!). I keep reminding myself that everyone will be back in town for L's birthday in July and I already took the time off work.

I haven't talked about the wedding plans in a while, even though I feel like I am constantly thinking about them. Our hopes to have the shin-dig in my parents' backyard fell through due to logistical problems. I was upset, but I also have no doubt we'll eventually find something. I'm kind of impatient to get started on the fun stuff (save-the-dates, decorations, invitations, etc.) , but we need to get the venue nailed down, first. Oh, we have been looking at wedding bands! The fiance found something that he really likes and I suspect will eventually order. I, on the other hand, have found it challenging to find a ring that compliments my gorgeous antique engagement ring (that belonged to my great-aunt). When I have time, there's an antique jewelry dealer in DC that I'd like to check out. Worst case scenario, I'll end up wearing my engaement ring on my right hand and my wedding band on my left, which according to the ladies on the knot (my new best friends) is not that uncommon.

Ok, I am starving. Time for lunch.....
:)

Today, I ache...

Last night I went to the gym. Not only did I go, I actually worked out. For 45 mintues. I know, it's really nothing short of a miracle. And contrary to what I thought might happen, I didn't die. I did, however, notice some changes since the last time I was a regular gym-goer (see this post).

1.) There are a lot of older adults going to the gym. Maybe it's the area, but maybe there's just a bigger push for everyone to be healthy and in shape. Probably a little bit of both, but I admit I was a little bit relieved there weren't a bunch of tiny college girls doing cruches and complaining about how fat they are. In fact, there seemed to be a fairly good variety of people and body types.

2.) Apparently, those sneakers that slide on are acceptable gym footwear. I counted no less than 15 people wearing them in the cardio room (I was slightly bored on my cardio machine because I didn't have my walkman--yes, my walkman, shut up--and I was too far away from the TVs to read the sub-titles, so I counted shoes).

3.) I need an ipod. Not that I will actually run out and buy one, but I definitely need one. I forgot how much I like to be in my own little world, listening to music I like when I work out. I have no idea where I packed my walkman and I only have about 5 cassettes left, anyway. Isn't it funny how obsolete walkmans are, now? That thing was permanently attached to my head in high school, and now they probably aren't even sold anymore.

I made it through 30 mintues of cardio on a machine that worked by butt and upper thighs. When I stepped off, my legs felt like jelly. The best part is that I was only on level 4. Fortunately, when I work out, my face gets really red and sweaty, so it really does look like I'm working hard. Which I kind of was last night, now that I think about it. I did 15 mintues of sit-ups and decided that was more than enough for one night and walked right past the weight machines. I figure I need to easy myself back in, and I'm glad I did because today I am one sore woman. Note to self: never ever take 4 years off from exercising.

A Country Defeated....

My title actually sounds much more melodramatic than I actually feel. I really only picked the US as one of the two teams from Group E to advance to the next round of the World Cup out of loyalty to my country, but in reality, I really only cared about Italy making it. How's that for un-patriotic?

It's not that I don't care about my country's team; I do. In fact, I sat here at work anxiously watching the match updates, and feeling the elation when they finally scored a goal and defeat when Ghana scored another one almost immediately after. Unfortunately, it became pretty clear the USA boys were just struggling. I think my apathy towards the US team has a lot to do with the fact that soccer isn't nearly as big here as it is in just about every other country in the world. And it is, quite frankly, a lot more fun to watch it in other countries.

In 1994, I was lucky to be in Europe for the World Cup. We were staying in Stresa, Italy, when the Italians were playing the match that ultimately put them in the final game against Brazil. Stresa is a fairly typical European lakeside village, complete with cobblestone streets, gaslight street lamps, dozens of ourdoor cafes with plenty of local people ready to chat with tourists, and a breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding islands.

That night a friend and I wandered down to the beaches of the lake and found an oceanside pub tucked under one of the cliffs. They had set up a huge screen and were broadcasting the game live (ironically, from the US). We decided to stay and watch, and settled ourselves into the sand. Little did we know we'd spend very little time actually sitting down.

The place was electric. I'd never felt such energy and celebration from a group of people before and we were quickly swept up in the pride these Italians felt for not only their team, but for the game, as well. You couldn't help but root for the Italian team as our fellow spectators clung to each other in anticipation, and handed out hugs and kisses when something good happened. I don't think they knew who were were, nor did they care; we were there sharing the moment, sharing the experience, and that was all that mattered. We screamed and cheered as though we were a part of their country, too and for that night, I honestly believe we were. And when the Italians won, securing their place in the final World Cup game, the entire village exploded in cheers. And I really do mean the entire village. As we walked back to the hotel, we could hear car horns, and cheering from all over and well into the night.

Twelve years later that night remains ingrained in my memory as one of the best of my life. It's disappointing that soccer hasn't caught on in the US the way it has around the world because to me, the game and the World Cup stand for unity, celebration, pride, and a common love for playing and/or watching the game. At a time when it feels like everyone is busy taking sides on issues, the US could use a little bit of unity. As for me, I hope that someday I can re-live my Italian World Cup experience, but for now I'll settle for remembering how happy and I excited I felt for a country that really knows how to celebrate a victory.

This and That.....

1. Since my last post, I've finished an entire grad school class. I have to say, while marathon class sessions are a bit hard to deal with, I'm digging this 4-weeks-for-a-class-and-volia!-you-have-3-more-credits thing. I wish I could do all of my classes in 4 week sessions.

2. Ben Roethlisberger is an idiot. Seriously, don't try to convince me otherwise; you'll be wasting your time. I was willing to give his intelligence the benefit of the doubt until I learned he doesn't even have a motorcycle license. Dumbass.

3. I really need to start keeping a notebook with me so I can write down things that I want to post on. Part of my problem is that when I actually have the time to pound something out, I can't remember anything that's worth writing. Like right now.

4. I love this website. I only wish it was updated more frequently so I might be able to waste even more time reading it.

5. Finally, after years of being a slug of a human being, I joined a gym. It really is ridiculous how long I've allowed myself to be as out of shape as I am. I'm almost embarrassed to admit I actually ran a marathon because people who run marathons don't just stop working out altogether when they cross the finish line-- Apparently, I am the exception because that's pretty much exactly what happened. I finished the race, and have barely bothered to give a second thought to running or working out. It's like the 6 months I spent training used up my entire energy reserve and I've needed 4 frickin' years to build it back up.

I think I will ease myself back into the whole working out thing. In college, I used to think that if I missed even one day I'd somehow failed. This time, I think I'll be pretty happy if I can manage 3 times/week, and that's more because of a time thing rather than a motivation thing. Ok, it's partly motivation because if I were willing to drag myself out of bed every morning at 5:30 am, but I choose not to subject myself to that torture, at least not on a regular basis. There is a very good possibility, however, that my impending wedding will be more than enough motivation to get into a regular routine.

That's all for now, kids! Summer's here! Go outside!
:)