More pictures from my little sister Carrie, who was in Japan for a month this summer.
She tagged me on this one. Not sure why.
Carrie and the Colonel.
She claimed she didn’t eat the chicken.
Soap, wash, and dry, all in one place!
Self explanatory!
Mr. Rose with Carrie! Hi, Mr. Rose!! (He was Leslie’s teacher, and my rep class teacher for years. Love him!)
Spaceport in Osaka. Or something.
See, it’s not just Americans who are stupid!
My gym. Somebody drove into it. I wasn’t there but Mike was. I’ll have to hear more next time I see him.
http://www.kmov.com/news/just-posted/Car-smashes-into-Club-Fitness-building-127476688.html
http://www.ksdk.com/rss/article/271249/3/Car-smashes-into-gym-storefront
I know we’ve all done stupid things. But I’ve never driven my car into a storefront before, thank goodness! Seriously people. Focus.
That reminds me…frightening moments…I was on the phone with a friend yesterday. We were chatting during our commutes (attention IRS: I mean travel for work, not commute as home is my main location) and suddenly she says, "I just got rear-ended." I started freaking out! Yes, she was fine. But still, scary.
Speaking of scary: My friends Alicia and Andrew are making progress (it seems? Andrew for sure, it sounds like) but still have a LONG way to go. The website reminds us this is now a marathon, not a sprint. Please continue keeping them in mind. It’s been a little over two weeks. Unimaginable. Life changes in an instant. (oh don’t worry, I’m not getting wound up again…just saying!)
Watching this man on the Colbert Report right now: Nassir Ghaemi, author of "A First Rate Madness." (link to NYtimes article) He seems to suggesting that leaders are better when they are mentally ill. I’ll have to read the book. It seems (potentially) controversial, but yet not perhaps that far from Kay Redfield Jamison’s writings either. I’ve always said somebody would have to be crazy to run for president… (hyuk, hyuk)
I haven’t run since a week ago Sunday. I’m currently icing my ankle/leg. It’s getting MUCH better. I plan to run this weekend (but not before.) Who would have thought I’d miss it so much? Weird. Seriously weird.
The gym this morning was tough. Mike made me do a ridiculous amount of squats—back squats and front squats (holding the bar on the front of your shoulders). I didn’t care for it. The highlights of the day were when I went around a corner and almost ran into somebody, and then he almost kicked a woman who was coming around the corner. Basically, be careful going around corners at the gym. Perhaps use a mirror to make sure no one is coming or bending over with their leg sticking out backwards.
The weather today is GORGEOUS…I am inside on the computer, about to start practicing. I’ve been trying to put in at least an hour a day. That may not sound like much, but (as I tell my students) it’s the consistency that matters. Then I have teaching.
It’s strange because for my fall schedule (so far) I don’t start teaching any day until at least 4:30. I could almost have a full time job and then teach violin. Of course, I’d hate that. When would I work out and plan my wedding? And blog?
I updated the "life" page last night. Let me know what you think!
I’ve been doing a bit of cruise research recently. We’re looking at Celebrity. Anybody cruised with them recently? Pointers? Advice? Suggestions?
The regular mail carrier seems to be on vacation this week. The substitute keeps getting our mail mixed up, plus it comes three hours later. It’s really throwing me off! Usually the mail comes around 11 am and now it’s coming between 2 and 4 pm.
Chris is having a great time in Vegas. I’ve barely heard from him at all, so I’m SURE he is! He seems to be doing a lot of golfing…I’m sure that’s what they are doing…golfing…at least that is what he is telling me about. (I’m kidding of course, I’m sure it’s true. Chris loves golf.)
Happy Monday, dear readers. I had a lot of fun over the weekend putting together my “7 links” post, and reading back through my blog entries over the past year and more. I ran across some things I had completely forgotten about, and also enjoyed reading about past adventures and experiences. I forgot how depressed I was in April as well, and how much fun our cruise last August was.
Another thing I realized was that I’d forgotten about my 10 in 100 list! I thought I’d do a quick follow up to check my progress. How am I doing so far? (I have until October 4, just under two months)
1. Go to Chicago and visit Karen. So much fun! Here, here, here, and here.
2. Have a 4th of July BBQ at my house. Done!
3. Go shopping with my sisters Leslie and Carrie. Not yet…but we WILL. Plans are in motion.
4. Wedding cake tasting with Chris. We did this twice! Here’s one. We may still go to a few more bakeries…
5. See the new Harry Potter movie. Yup!
6. Visit the St Louis Zoo. *crickets*
7. Visit MOBOT, not while playing a wedding. The extreme tree houses exhibit looks very interesting. I wanted to go with my parents but we didn’t have enough time.
8. Run a half-marathon, and PR. Right now just running would be nice. But I’ve got it.
9. Attend another blogger meet up of sorts. Did it! Will Write for Wine.
10. Go to another festival of sorts. Lots of options, I’m sure. My sisters are here during Festival of Nations at TG Park, which I’ve never been to but heard is great. That’s on our itinerary. (I have an actual itinerary I’m working. Leslie and I are insane and actually do itineraries.)
Still got a few more left. But I’m doing pretty good. Is it better to set small, achievable goals or dream big and fail? Obviously the big dreams won’t necessarily fail…but still. They might.
Are you familiar with the Marshmallow Study? I know as a child I would have NOT eaten that marshmallow and I would have held out for two. Today I would stuff that marshmallow in my mouth because after all, who needs two marshmallows and besides, I can buy my own marshmallows at the store and quit wasting time sitting around waiting for free marshmallows. What does that say about me?
What do you have planned for your week? I’ve got teaching, some gigs, and some repertoire to learn for September. My friend Laura is back in town so I’m doing some stuff with her, and Chris will be back soon. Basically I’m back to “work” now even though I hope I will get some more students over the next month or I will certainly regret teaching five days a week! I am excited about my teaching this year, and really feel like I’m doing what I want to be doing and what I am GOOD at.
I’m also hoping by the end of the week to feel injury free running again. Fingers crossed!
I try to pretend I don’t care about the rest of the blog world (or blogosphere as many call it) but I am frankly pretty psyched that Clare nominated me to do the 7 links post that has been going around for a few weeks now. Thanks Clare!
The Rules
1. Blogger is nominated to take part
2. Blogger published his/her 7 links on his/her blog
3. Blogger nominates up to 5 more bloggers to take part
4. These bloggers publish their 7 links and nominate another 5 bloggers
5. And so on and so forth!
I will allow myself more than one post per category—I think that’s okay.
Most Beautiful
My save the dates. Serious love of stationery happening here.
Community. I feel like I did a good job writing this one, and it makes me tear up a bit.
Most Popular
Orchestra auditions for non-musicians. As much as I want this blog to be about ME, people in the music world loved this post.
My next most popular blog was the one about my engagement. A different sort of bling.
I was featured on Skinnyrunner’s Cat Lady blogs and had this post up: Cat Lady
Most Controversial
Well, the most popular post was also most controversial.
Wordy Wednesday had a few comments too regarding women’s rights and how women should act.
Most Helpful
I have written a variety of helpful posts, depending on what you are looking for.
Obviously (not to beat a dead horse) my post on orchestra auditions could be helpful if that’s what you are doing.
Patience is controlled frustration.
Post Whose Success Surprised You
I was a bit surprised by the scope of the success of the orchestra auditions post, but I knew people would like it.
Other than that…nothing really!
Post that didn’t receive enough success
I generally write assuming no one will read it, so the lack of success is absolutely no surprise. Nonetheless, you should read the following:
If it isn’t posted on the internet, has it really happened?
Post You’re Most Proud Of
Lewis and Clark. My first race!
Running is always a good idea. I’m not a mantra person, but I felt great writing this post.
I was thinking the categories don’t really fit my blog, what about, “funniest post,” “most narcissistic post,” “post with the most cat pictures,” or “most inspirational?” Maybe I should start my own 7 links post…
Let me tag some people then (don’t feel obligated, and sorry if you have already done it!):
Two things today:
1. During my workout with Mike, a new trainer at the gym was observing. At one point he turned to her and said "Oh, Hannah’s a runner, like me." There may have even been a little pride in his voice (not that it would matter, I never seek people’s approval.) I kind of love being called a runner.
2.
