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.
Part I:
That’s what I’m supposed to do to my leg (right leg, near the ankle) for the next few days. Rest and ice. Compression and elevation optional. No running. I guess I need to somehow embrace the elliptical machine for the next few days. I need to lose THREE more pounds to win the contest. Yes, it’s still going on. Yes, somehow, against all odds, I’m still winning. (Does little happy dance)
This has been a fun week though, besides not being able to run. Even though Chris gave me a hard time for going out with friends a bunch when he was gone, since we’ve been back we’ve been out every night! We’ve been to Pi Pizzeria, 33 Wine Bar and The Royale, and tonight are having dinner at Franco and then meeting friends at the International Tap House.
We went to the gym together—I was working out with Mike and Chris was just spying on me (he claims that’s not what he was doing, but he made fun of my burpee form later so I know better.) On the way home we saw this truck.
I was delighted.
Part II:
One of the fun things about getting married is the gifts and showers, right? My sisters are throwing me a shower at the end of the month and the invites are already out (and ladies, let’s rsvp, okay? Leslie is starting to worry…). AND I’ve gotten (excuse me, I mean we?) a couple gifts. I’m so excited (is it weird to show gift pictures on my blog before I send the thank you notes? Rest assured thank you notes are forthcoming…we bought an obscene amount of thank you notes at Target today.)
I won’t say who the gifts are from, but the givers know, and I am loving everything so far. You guys are amazing.
First gift from C & B, a beautiful wooden cutting board! And a cocktail shaker, sweet…now I need a good key-lime martini recipe to make in it. Anyone??
Chris heads to Vegas tomorrow for his "bachelor party". I use the quotes because it’s still so far away from our wedding, but he is meeting up with 6 of his good friends and they plan to do a lot of golfing and other Vegas style activities. I told him to NOT feel like he had to call, and in fact, to not call. I’m awesome that way. You’d think I was really low maintenance and not actually crazy.
Remember to "like" Hannahviolin on facebook!
And on a more serious note, my friends are still in critical need of your thoughts and prayers. Here’s the link to Andrew and Alicia’s progress. I think of them all the time.
Summer seems to be baby season. My friend Jen just had a baby, and he is ADORABLE.
Okay, well I don’t have any other baby examples at this time. But the other thing I was going to mention is that people keep asking ME about babies. Such as, when are we planning to have them, and (my favorite) how many.
In the past month, at least three GOOD friends (not strangers, which is actually more common) have brought up that topic. I suppose with my impending nuptials, people can no longer ask "when are you getting married?" so they have moved onto the next logical step. Babies! WHEEEEEE!
Let me answer the questions right here and right now. Firstly, I have always wanted to have children someday. I thought two or three would be really nice, since I enjoyed being one of three siblings. (Looks around awkwardly…). Yes…I am actually one of four siblings. This is where the trouble comes in. My youngest sister was born when I was 13. She is a delightful human being, and I am extremely proud of all she has accomplished so far in her life and know she will go far and hopefully be able to support us all in our old age. But I saw firsthand the incredible sacrifice and responsibility of raising a child, much more so than if I had been younger and perhaps less impressionable. So now my answer is that maybe I will have one child. Someday. You know, when I grow up. And can afford to hire more help.
I don’t know how people do it. I heard on the Today Show yesterday that raising a child costs approximately a quarter of a million dollars. I am not sure if that includes college, probably not. Plus the time, the lost sleep, never again being able to truly let go and do something for yourself. Then, people tell me I look 25…I’d completely lose my youth. I’ve worked SO hard to get in shape. I’d probably lose all that. Yes, those are incredibly selfish reasons (sorry, Mom) and the fact remains that I might actually be a good parent and bring an exemplary child into the world, one who would be a true asset to society, perhaps even cure cancer. But more likely they would be somewhat neurotic, lazy, and decide to become a musician. And plenty of people bring children into the world that SHOULDN’T, and for them I believe having children is selfish because they are simply burdening society. Selfish if you do, selfish if you don’t.
So that’s the answer. Perhaps someday we will have a child. And I know it isn’t so easy as that, that often when people decide to have a child they can’t. Yet they still get asked those questions—when are you having children?
It boils down to this. Just as it was annoying to be constantly asked, "when are you and Chris getting married", I anticipate it will be equally annoying to be constantly asked when we are having children. Obviously it takes us a long time to do anything, so we’ll probably get around to it in our 80’s. Ultimately…it’s none of your business.
And don’t get me wrong. I love children. I teach them to play the violin every day. Then I send them on their way! *evil laughter*
Important: I started a facebook page for my blog, come "like" it if you haven’t already. You’ll get all my blog posts right in your newsfeed (and if we are facebook friends, in a few days or weeks you won’t get them from me anymore).
I made a facebook page for Hannahviolin (finally?). Here’s the link, not sure if this works. Come "like" me so I feel like I have friends.
I am testing out a couple things here. Most of what I do online is total trial and error, just so you know.
(From last summer. I think my arms are more muscly now! Spellcheck doesn’t think muscly is a word, but we all know better.)
More updates on my friends Alicia and Andrew. They are taking donations.
So far the excessive heat warning is still set to expire at 7 pm this evening…keep your fingers crossed. Yes, it will still be hot, but I suppose not excessively so? Yesterday on my way to work (late afternoon) they were warning that temperatures were something like 103 with heat index of 115. CRAZY.
From the National Weather Service: HEAT INDEX VALUES… HEAT INDEX READINGS THIS AFTERNOON ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB TO AROUND 105 DEGREES. THE MOST OPPRESSIVE CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR IN THE SAINT LOUIS METRO AREA DUE TO THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT.
Did you read that? URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT. I feel like they are just making stuff up at this point. Except it exists on Wikipedia so it must be true.
Either way I’m not running today because my leg is very sore on the side of the calf (I am not an anatomy expert so I can’t tell you the name of the muscle or whatnot) so I figure a day off is in order. I haven’t taken a day off since I returned home from Chicago. I probably should have taken Monday off rather than walking for 4 miles, but oh well. *spoiler alert* You know the end of the HP 7.2 movie when Neville is limping around due to injuries? I walk that way a lot, especially when I first get up or when I’ve been sitting for awhile, or after a long run or particularly tough workout. Is that wrong?
In addition to the ridiculous heat, it can make you angry (this is definitely true.) Here’s an article about the heat wave in Oklahoma causing heat rage for people! I think it must be like road rage but far sweatier. I am so over the heat. I am tired of the oppressive feeling you get walking outside, and I’m tired of feeling like I am going to throw up or pass out when I am trying to run outside.
Here’s some other interesting stuff I’ve read recently (and likely posted to facebook):
Scientists Suggest Red Wine Helps Prevent Sunburn
"Pumpkin Pasties" from the Unofficial HP Cookbook (I love you, serious eats!)
And a few entries from the "blogosphere" that I starred in my reader:
I was trying to remember not to run
All right, dear readers. That’s it for this morning.
Chris is back! Though I had a great time while he was gone, I am (of course) super excited that he has returned. He had a wonderful time as well and wants to go back next year…with me. I told him we’d talk. He hasn’t show me his pictures yet, and I’m SURE it’s absolutely gorgeous and fun there. But I have two reservations: one being that I am not a summer festival person. The other being that…well, I really loved my Hannah time, and we do see so MUCH of each other during the year that it just might not be a bad thing to have some time apart (I may have been on the verge of strangling him during the month leading up to the festival, though wedding planning is stressful). He said he wouldn’t go back without me though…we’ll see. He said that before we moved to St Louis, and that was a good move for us. We don’t have to decide anything at this time. Am I being silly? Should a married couple do everything together (as by then we will be married) or is some (a month?) time apart a good thing? Keep in mind I could also arrange to visit him mid-festival.
He brought me fantastic gifts.
Awesome earrings and…yes, the t-shirt is made of technical fabric. Appropriate for wearing to the gym. You know I’ll wear that all the time.
Got my "blog" business cards in the mail today. I debated coloring out the phone number, but meh, it’s easy enough to find online anyway. Privacy is a sticky thing, huh? I have to just hope I don’t have stalkers, because my personal and business lives are so blurred. Basically I always try to be aware of my surroundings, both at night and during the day, and stand talk and look confident. I think often my height alone would detract any potential attacker…and I ALWAYS lock my doors, and lock my belongings up and all that good stuff. I’ve been robbed several times but never physically hurt, and I hope that I can continue to say that my whole life.
And to any would-be attacker, I am marrying into an Italian Crime Family. Just to put that out there 😉
Or not. Who is to say?
That reminds me, when Chris and I first started dating, I had recently watched the Godfather. I remember we were drinking coffee at Arabica (this was a coffee shop he worked at, conveniently located directly across the street from our school) and we were in that "getting to know one another" phase. (Sadly, most of what I learned then I have since forgotten.) He was talking about his family and that they are from Sicily, yada yada. I looked at him, and coyly asked, "So, when you get older, are you going to the Godfather?" He paused, looked down, waited a LONG time, and finally said, "Probably not."
Hmm…I think I went off topic. I was just thinking about another blog post I just read that was about safety and privacy and so it got on my mind. I think the thing is this: no matter what, there is no way to ensure your safety. If somebody is intent on hurting you, unless you are a trained ninja or something, they probably will be able to. But you can do your best to remain alert, vigilant, all that good stuff. And it’s not like having a man around makes you safer: men get mugged too. Basically people suck, and accidents happen, and there are no guarantees in life.
Oh my goodness I’m getting even MORE off topic. Soon I’ll be sobbing into my keyboard, lamenting the fact that bad things do indeed happen to good people…
How do I wrap this up?
Seriously I’m okay. Do NOT call the people in the white jackets.