All posts by hannahviolin

I am a violinist. I also enjoy running, working out, reading, and hanging with my friends and cat.
Running

Dirty Girl Mud Run

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I’ve never been an outdoor sort of person.  I don’t like dirt, or mud, or sweat, or tears, or any of that…but ever since reading Rose’s blog post awhile back about Mud Run tricks and tips, I’ve had it in the back of my head.

I’d read people’s blogs about mud run and think, hey, maybe that would be kinda cool.  After all, I do occasionally enjoy pushing myself past my comfort level.  But there weren’t that many options nearby and the dates didn’t work out when there was a race.  Until now!

I was offered the chance to run the Dirty Girl Mud Run in St Louis on September 7 and I hope you will think about it too.  You can use the code DGSTLBLOGGUEST to get 20 percent off your registration! 

The run is billed as a 5k women’s only run for all ages and abilities.  You’re encouraged to form teams and help each other finish and have fun.  Now, that doesn’t really sound like me, I know (I am a violinist, not really the epitome of a team player) but again, pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, maybe I can work in a team!  And brown looks good on me, right?

Another good thing about the race is that they give money to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  I’d rather it be a more generic cancer charity like the American Cancer Society (breast cancer gets so much more money than other kinds!) but I still think that’s pretty cool.  Cooler YET is that you can register for free if you are a cancer survivor.  I’m signed

Okay, who wants to come mud run with me?  Does it sound fun to you? (I’m bummed that it’s women’s only, honestly, because I’d love to make Chris come and get him all covered in mud…but I digress…) I’m signed up for the 9 am wave…so come join me!!

Deep Thoughts

I love spam comments

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Every once in awhile I go through my spam comments folder and make sure nothing got mislabeled.  Some of the comments are pretty awesome though—if you are a blogger reading this, you probably already know what I mean.  But here are my two favorite from today.

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So nice and complimentary, right?

And then this one…

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Hope

The opposite of nostalgia

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As you all know, I’ve been doing a lot of playing (violin) lately.  Wednesday night before the opera started I realized that there was something wrong with my right shoulder…kind of the same wrong that there was approximately a year ago.  By Thursday morning I knew it was the same thing, so unlike last year, when I ignored it for awhile until it got REALLY bad, I decided to go ahead and start with the rest and ice.  Of course, I’ve got to finish this opera and today I have a lot of weddings, but other than that (ha!) I’m not making the exact same mistakes. 

I still haven’t gone to the doctor.  I know some people will recommend that, but I have the exact same hesitations as before.  You know, stubborn and convinced I know what is best for me, plus cheap, and presuming aside from surgery there is nothing that can really be done beyond rest and ice.  And as Mike put in, as much ibuprofen as I can stomach.  (He qualified that statement by saying, I’m not a doctor so don’t necessarily take my advice.)

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But I’m not letting it get me down. I’ve been down enough since mid-to-late-February, and a little forced respite isn’t going to bother me. There’s some other big news that’s happening (I am going to be one of those annoying bloggers who hints at things they can’t say, but I can’t say right now, not for a month) that will mean some changes (job-wise, no, I’m not pregnant, because I re-read and saw that if you were obsessed with whether or not I were having a baby you would assume I meant that).  It’s the fun of being a freelancer!  Every once in awhile you get to reinvent yourself.  Downside: every once in awhile you HAVE to reinvent yourself.

I still love my Grand Adventure post from two years ago. I wrote that right after we were really really hopeful about a job opportunity for Chris, and it just didn’t happen the way we wanted. We’re still alive, and doors keep opening and shutting in front of us. Opening just enough for us to see through, and then shutting as soon as we are about to go through them…

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Product Reviews

White Mountain Foods Review

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I was recently asked to review some products by White Mountain Foods. White Mountain Foods is a company that strives to make the purest whole foods possible. Their mission is simply to provide their customers with completely additive and preservative free, minimally processed, organic when possible, tasty, vegetarian foods. I was sent the Bulgarian Yogurt, Tofu Onion dip, Tofu Salad, and Chipotle Mushroom Tamales.

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I started with the Tamales.  I made them according to the package instructions and they were pretty tasty and quite spicy.  I ate these on more than one occasion (keeping them frozen in between) and enjoyed them both times. 

I tried the No-Egg Tofu Salad and was a little less pleased.  It was a little too mustardy tasting for me, but that’s simply a personal opinion.  I tried it plain, on crackers, and even on a sandwich.  Okay, well, obviously I liked it well enough to eat it a couple times!

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The yogurt I only tried in a couple of smoothies, but it was great.  I don’t like eating plain yogurt too much, but I love it in my protein smoothies (yogurt, protein powder, fruit of choice).  I recommend it!

And here’s my confession…I didn’t try the onion dip.  I kept meaning to, and even got carrots to dip in it…and then you regular blog readers know I was traveling and then had a bit of a breakdown…and then it was expired.  I’m betting it’s worth trying though, especially if you are vegan—the No-Egg Tofu Salad is another great vegan option, I think. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from White Mountain Foods. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Cat

Fat Kitty

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My last student tonight told me that he had been without internet for about a week, so if anything super exciting had happened on my blog, he’d have missed it.  Adam, this is for you.  Actually I lied.  This is for everyone.  This is my favorite cat video ever.

I even told Mike he had to check it out and Mike is not a cat person (it was the working out bit that I thought would appeal…).  He asked, how do you FIND this stuff?  The answer is:  I don’t.  It finds me–people tend to share cat videos with me (they’ve learned that I enjoy them.)

I haven’t been responding to my comments lately.  Let me tell you: each and every comment is appreciated.  If you are on my home page, to comment just click on the title and that will bring you to a post with a comment form at the bottom.  I’d love to have a way to have people be able to comment on each post from the home page, but I’ll figure that out at some point (or hey, can anybody help?)  But I’ve gotten some really sweet comments from people and let me tell you: it means a lot to me.

Also cat videos.  They always help!

 

 

Deep Thoughts

Tosca

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I’ve been busy all week rehearsing this:

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This Friday night and Sunday afternoon Winter Opera St Louis is performing Tosca.  I HIGHLY recommend the show because the singers are AMAZING.  Plus the orchestra (I’m concertmaster) is not bad…in fact I think we sound pretty good and this is one of the first times I’ve really insisted to Chris that he come (he always does if he’s free anyway, which is rare because the symphony usually performs during the same times, but this time I think it’s a MUST SEE!).  Visit Winter Opera St Louis for more information, okay?

Also that theme you see is constantly in my head.  My friend Sarah got mad at me last night because I kept singing it out loud.  Oh well, better than Lord of the Rings, right?  (Different.)

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I’ve been trying to keep up the practicing.  I think that’s another reason I haven’t been blogging as much (other than being a little depressed and not having a whole lot to say).  I made my first Target trip in over a month and got new socks and a new gray sweater. 

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I didn’t buy this card, but I love it.  “It’s every Irishman’s delight!” Though I prefer the spelling Moustache to Mustache.  My spell check tells me both are acceptable.

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When you aren’t preparing for an audition you have more time for etudes.  I thought working on one with a bunch of flats would be good practice for the opera.  It’s so challenging to play in the tune in the keys with so many flats, but SO important to not play sharp.

I love being back into working out.  My legs are sore and I feel great because of it. 

I’m working really hard to get back to feeling like myself.  It bothers me most because I think it’s primarily “just” in my head (which I know isn’t a just thing) and other people have actual problems.  Or I do have actual problems…I just don’t even know anymore.  I think it’s probably a good thing I have a spring break pretty soon.  Maybe I’ll be able to sort some stuff out.  I’m just tired of being sad and angry.