I went for a quick ride after work yesterday, while the lasagna was in the oven. It should have been awesome: the sun was shining, temps were just below 50 degrees and there was practically no wind. But just a couple miles in, my legs got really tired (presumably from the hard leg workout I had done at lunchtime) and my stomach reminded me that I hadn't fed it much that day. I did about 10 miserable miles, managing to keep my typical pace but struggling the whole way. This morning, I am paying for the lifting and the ride with super-sore legs!
On the plus side, though, I might finally be making some progress with my back problems. Physical therapy, which I did for about six weeks, didn't really do anything at all, so I decided to try the chiropractor. I've only been twice, but things seem a little better. I am skeptical (will a few back cracks really do the trick?) but I've heard good things from many people so I'm giving this a shot. Honestly, I don't know what else I can try.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
On 2 Wheels Update
Just wanted to send a public congratulations to my teammate, Andrea, who took first place in her division at the Barry-Roubaix cyclocross race on Saturday and captured the first win for our team!
Mitch and I are getting pretty excited for the first mountain bike race of the season, the Yankee Spring Time Trial. In addition to the fact that it kicks off the much-anticipated race season, it's also the first competitive event we'll do as part of a team. Should be AWESOME!
Mitch and I are getting pretty excited for the first mountain bike race of the season, the Yankee Spring Time Trial. In addition to the fact that it kicks off the much-anticipated race season, it's also the first competitive event we'll do as part of a team. Should be AWESOME!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Better, but Baffling
I had my first residency (on-campus class session) for the current term of my MBA program, which you'll recall includes classes in Operations Management and Business & Society. The sessions actually provided some added value to the courses, instead of last time where (for one class) I felt like I was wasting my time.
My instructors still baffle me, though. They make comments about how undergrads can't be expected to do serious research, or discuss complex topics, or write well; but frankly, 9 out of 10 of my undergrad profs demanded more quality from me than any of the instructors I've had at U of M-Flint. Very few of my group presentation at the MBA level would have passed muster in Prof. Lemmon's Global Business Strategy class, and some of the surface-level research we've written would have sent Dr. Payerhin into a fit of disgust. (Have I mentioned I hate group work?)
I'm not trying to sound like a snob or anything...but I've seen undergrads from lots of schools do really phenomenal work. Maybe the expectations just need to be set higher, and maybe they can take the grad school expectations up with them.
My instructors still baffle me, though. They make comments about how undergrads can't be expected to do serious research, or discuss complex topics, or write well; but frankly, 9 out of 10 of my undergrad profs demanded more quality from me than any of the instructors I've had at U of M-Flint. Very few of my group presentation at the MBA level would have passed muster in Prof. Lemmon's Global Business Strategy class, and some of the surface-level research we've written would have sent Dr. Payerhin into a fit of disgust. (Have I mentioned I hate group work?)
I'm not trying to sound like a snob or anything...but I've seen undergrads from lots of schools do really phenomenal work. Maybe the expectations just need to be set higher, and maybe they can take the grad school expectations up with them.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Using the Crisis
I haven't done a political post in awhile, but this article was really too interesting to pass up. Credit goes to Ryan for sending this my way.
No, he can't
Here are a couple of my favorite excerpts:
"Education, energy and healthcare policy in the US, as almost anywhere, all need help. But are America’s flaws in these areas really the causes of the housing bust and the paralysed banking system? What about the cyclical contractions that follow all economic booms? What about a decade and more of absurdly cheap money? How about all that Fannie and Freddie-fuelled lending to inappropriate borrowers? What happened to lax oversight? What about greed, that comforting straw man? No, according to Obama, we are losing our jobs and being kicked out of our excessively mortgaged houses because America lacks universal healthcare, federally sponsored nursery school, university for all, and a progressive emissions-oriented energy policy."
"Now the real Obama has stood up. The moderate and sustainable version of the Democratic party personified by Presidents Kennedy and Clinton, based on personal responsibility and low tax, high growth economics, is under the bus with Reverend Wright, Obama’s 20-year religious mentor. Ideology is back. Coming from the most radical presidential candidate in the history of either party, this is no surprise. But to practical Democrats in a politically moderate country that is still based on a philosophy of robust individual freedom, this revolutionary expansion of the federal government is very worrying. Obama’s seizure of so much money and so much decision making in such basic areas of everyday life implies too much debt, too much inefficiency and too much control for a corrupt and distant political class. This is not the change that we sought."
And no, this is not from one of my favorite conservatives-only sites. Here's what Prospect Magazine's Web site says:
"Prospect has acquired a reputation as the most intelligent magazine of current affairs and cultural debate in Britain."
No, he can't
Here are a couple of my favorite excerpts:
"Education, energy and healthcare policy in the US, as almost anywhere, all need help. But are America’s flaws in these areas really the causes of the housing bust and the paralysed banking system? What about the cyclical contractions that follow all economic booms? What about a decade and more of absurdly cheap money? How about all that Fannie and Freddie-fuelled lending to inappropriate borrowers? What happened to lax oversight? What about greed, that comforting straw man? No, according to Obama, we are losing our jobs and being kicked out of our excessively mortgaged houses because America lacks universal healthcare, federally sponsored nursery school, university for all, and a progressive emissions-oriented energy policy."
"Now the real Obama has stood up. The moderate and sustainable version of the Democratic party personified by Presidents Kennedy and Clinton, based on personal responsibility and low tax, high growth economics, is under the bus with Reverend Wright, Obama’s 20-year religious mentor. Ideology is back. Coming from the most radical presidential candidate in the history of either party, this is no surprise. But to practical Democrats in a politically moderate country that is still based on a philosophy of robust individual freedom, this revolutionary expansion of the federal government is very worrying. Obama’s seizure of so much money and so much decision making in such basic areas of everyday life implies too much debt, too much inefficiency and too much control for a corrupt and distant political class. This is not the change that we sought."
And no, this is not from one of my favorite conservatives-only sites. Here's what Prospect Magazine's Web site says:
"Prospect has acquired a reputation as the most intelligent magazine of current affairs and cultural debate in Britain."
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Limited Wardrobe
Today, since we really need to do some laundry, I'm wearing a shirt made for girls with skinny upper arms and pants made for girls with nice, slim thighs. My biker quads and emerging biceps are complaining: "Why are we packed into these pants?" "Every time we move, we think we're going to pop the button on the sleeves!"
We must get some clean clothes tonight...
We must get some clean clothes tonight...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Guitar Battling Ted Nugent
I'm waiting for Mitch to finish playing Guitar Hero, one of his birthday presents from my parents. Then we're going to watch part of The Ten Commandments...have I written on here about how I've never seen all these old Charlton Heston movies, and how it's now one of Mitch's missions to show them to me? I think so...anyway, I've finished up with homework for the night and am due for a little relaxation with my favorite guy.
Today was really nice. We went to an MMBA meeting and heard about all these awesome projects that are on the horizon. I kept wanting to volunteer to work on some of them (besides trail days, which we'll of course do as many of as possible), but I had to keep reminding myself that between work and school, I would just let people down if I tried to do more. Next year, next year...for now, I'll just have to be a grunt!
After the meeting, we rode a rail trail in Jackson, which was about 24 miles long. I think we were out for a little over two hours, riding at a pace very conducive to conversation. I can't remember the last time I rode and talked at the same time...it's usually me and my iPod, with visions of a uniquely designed home library floating through my mind as I grind away on the mid-Michigan roads!
Well, Mitch is now done playing his crazy Uncle Teddy song, so it's movie time. Have a great evening, friends!
Today was really nice. We went to an MMBA meeting and heard about all these awesome projects that are on the horizon. I kept wanting to volunteer to work on some of them (besides trail days, which we'll of course do as many of as possible), but I had to keep reminding myself that between work and school, I would just let people down if I tried to do more. Next year, next year...for now, I'll just have to be a grunt!
After the meeting, we rode a rail trail in Jackson, which was about 24 miles long. I think we were out for a little over two hours, riding at a pace very conducive to conversation. I can't remember the last time I rode and talked at the same time...it's usually me and my iPod, with visions of a uniquely designed home library floating through my mind as I grind away on the mid-Michigan roads!
Well, Mitch is now done playing his crazy Uncle Teddy song, so it's movie time. Have a great evening, friends!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Yesterday
And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?
Yesterday it felt like God kept giving me amazing gifts. Treasures, really: such an outpouring of love, shown by all the little things I can forget to cherish. So why was yesterday so wonderful?
*I was HOME! When I left for Colorado, I needed to get away. When I left for New York, I was ambivalent. But almost immediately, all I wanted to do was come home to Mitch and normalcy, to go through the everyday routines of my life.
*The weather was lovely. As soon as I got out of bed - I got to sleep in and skip work - I opened the windows and let the fresh air permeate the whole apartment. Every time I went outside, I could feel myself literally absorbing the sun and the warmth.
*I went for a ride. Though a strong wind from the southwest made half the ride pretty tough, the 20 miles I did felt amazing. I felt the breeze on my skin and smelled the onset of spring, which lifted my heart with each pedal stroke. My average speed went up from the last time I did this route and I finished 5-7 minutes quicker than before. With the first race a month away, I feel on track to perform well.
*Lunch was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a big glass of milk: something I really miss when I travel.
*When I had to go out of the house for errands, I slipped on my Teva sandals for the first time since September. My feet still tingle, remembering the sensation of settling into the familiar grooves and the feel of the warm air on my bare feet.
*Mitch and I sat down for dinner together for a veritable feast of venison tenderloin roast, mashed potatoes, corn and a nice bottle of pinot grigio from Leelanau Cellars. After being away from him so much recently, I bask in his presence; after eating so many meals in restaurants, I relish homemade food. This was also a make-up birthday celebration: his was Monday, but I didn't get home until 9:30 pm after the long drive from Syracuse.
*While I was doing homework, Mitch and Kruse seranaded me with the real guitars (not Guitar Hero!). They played and sang a piece I love but hadn't heard in forever, because somehow it missed the iPod loading:
I've heard a tale that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves.
How many times has he broken that promise?
It has never been done.
Well I never climbed the highest mountain,
but I walked the hill of calvary.
And just to be with you I'd do anything,
there's no price I would not pay, no.
Just to be with you I will give everything.
I would give my life away.
I've heard it said that a man would swim an ocean
Just to be with the one he loves.
But all of those dreams are an empty emotion.
It can never be done.
Well I never swam the deepest ocean,
But I walked upon the raging sea.
And just to be with you I'd do anything,
there's no price I would not pay, no.
And just to be with you I would give everything.
I would give my life away.
And I know that you don't understand the fullness of my love,
how I died upon the cross for your sin.
And I know that you don't realize how much that I give you,
and I promise I would do it all again.
Just to be with you I've done everything,
there's no price I did not pay, no.
Just to be with you I gave everything,
Yes I gave my life away.
Just to be with you
Oh, just to be with you...
That's Love Song by Third Day...wow.
*At the end of the day, I crawled into my comfortable bed and snuggled under the covers with the man I love. Perfect.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
My Trip So Far
Since it's my last night in New York, I thought I'd do a quick update. I've spent most of my time here at these huge national college fairs. Basically, each school pays a rather large fee for an admissions rep to stand at a booth for two three-hour sessions, silently willing someone, anyone, to come and talk to her. Oh wait, that's just me. No, it's not just me. There are plenty of schools with minimal name recognition at these fairs, but it's frustrating to watch the big state universities talk to tons of kids while I am approached by very few.
So the first fair was in Rochester and the second was in Syracuse. Each fair consists of two days: one is a weekday morning, and local schools bus students in; and the other is a weekend afternoon for students and their families. Tomorrow is the final part of the Syracuse fair, and then I get to come home: just in time to catch the last few hours of Mitch's 27th birthday!
Save for one lazy afternoon, I've kept busy when not at the fairs. Obviously, I had to keep up on my work emails and my homework, but I did some window shopping at a mall and had some pretty good meals. The cable TV programming quickly lost its shine; I haven't turned it on since coming to the Syracuse area. I also went to dinner with one of our Trustees and his family; this time, they spared me the sushi!
Recreation-wise, though, the best part has been the awesome ride I did this afternoon. When I got back from the fair, I set out along the west shore of the lake near my hotel. It was cool and sunny, with only a little wind...but A LOT of hills! Climbing is most definitely not my strong suit, but I found myself kind of enjoying the rhythm of my breathing and pedal stroke as I went up...and up...and up. I rode for 45 minutes, then turned around so I'd be back before sunset. My bike computer is mysterious missing (probably buried under the clothes and jackets all over my bed), but I think I did about 18 miles in just under an hour and a half, with an average speed of 12.5 mph and a max of 30.2 mph.
All right, friends, it's time for me to get this place straightened up so I'm ready to head out bright and early. I hope you all got to get out and enjoy the sunshine!
So the first fair was in Rochester and the second was in Syracuse. Each fair consists of two days: one is a weekday morning, and local schools bus students in; and the other is a weekend afternoon for students and their families. Tomorrow is the final part of the Syracuse fair, and then I get to come home: just in time to catch the last few hours of Mitch's 27th birthday!
Save for one lazy afternoon, I've kept busy when not at the fairs. Obviously, I had to keep up on my work emails and my homework, but I did some window shopping at a mall and had some pretty good meals. The cable TV programming quickly lost its shine; I haven't turned it on since coming to the Syracuse area. I also went to dinner with one of our Trustees and his family; this time, they spared me the sushi!
Recreation-wise, though, the best part has been the awesome ride I did this afternoon. When I got back from the fair, I set out along the west shore of the lake near my hotel. It was cool and sunny, with only a little wind...but A LOT of hills! Climbing is most definitely not my strong suit, but I found myself kind of enjoying the rhythm of my breathing and pedal stroke as I went up...and up...and up. I rode for 45 minutes, then turned around so I'd be back before sunset. My bike computer is mysterious missing (probably buried under the clothes and jackets all over my bed), but I think I did about 18 miles in just under an hour and a half, with an average speed of 12.5 mph and a max of 30.2 mph.
All right, friends, it's time for me to get this place straightened up so I'm ready to head out bright and early. I hope you all got to get out and enjoy the sunshine!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Harumph
It was supposed to be almost 40 degrees today, which is just warm enough for me to ride. Instead, it's barely clearing 30 degrees. So, alas, my bike remains in the trunk of my car and it looks like I'll have to go down for a swim or something instead. Perhaps tomorrow?
Friday, March 06, 2009
Back to Reality
Lots to write about today...let's start with Colorado! The skiing was amazing; it was pretty warm the first day, when Adrienne and I skied at Beaver Creek. I've never skied in such few layers, nor regularly removed my mittens on the chairlift. It's amazing how different the snow can be, depending on how high you are on the mountain. At the bottom, it was slushy, kind of like mashed potatoes. Mid-mountain, it was still soft but didn't grab my skis, and at the top it was hard and a bit icy. But this Michigan gal can't complain: the runs were long and fun, and by the end of the day my quads were screaming at me. Of course, I just yelled back, "You like this! You're having fun!" and they grumbled a bit but continued to function.
Me at Beaver Creek. If you look closely, you can see that my pit zips are undone and I'm only wearing a thin long underwear shirt. By the end of the day, my face and neck were sunburned, despite the sunscreen I applied.
One of the views from Beaver Creek. Breathtaking!
We took a day off skiing and did some snowshoeing, which was pure torture for my tired legs and oxygen-starved lungs. It wasn't a particularly nice day and we weren't anywhere spectacular, but it was still nice to get out. Later that night, we hit up the Gore Ridge Brewery for dinner, and I bought a growler of "Biker Stout," their darkest micro-brew, for Mitch.
Skiing at Vail on Wednesday was almost overwhelming. It was significantly colder and much windier, and because they hadn't gotten any new snow for awhile, some of the runs Adrienne wanted to show me were rough and icy. We started out on the front of the mountain, but quickly tired of lift lines and headed toward the back bowls. There are tons of areas to ski at Vail, and I bet you could ski for a few days without doing the same runs more than a time or two each. Anyway, we spent most of our time back in an area called Pete's Bowl, where it was a little more protected from the wind. Our favorite run was really neat because it started out sort of flat, but let you carve around little stands of evergreens. Then it narrowed and got steeper, letting you build up speed and really work for your turns before dumping you out at the lift. The overwhelming part? Back there, were were SEVEN MILES from where we had started the day!
One of the many peaks surrounding Vail.
Me and Adrienne trying not to get blown away by the frigid wind.
Aside from the awesome skiing, my trip really made me appreciate two things: my marriage and my friends. Adrienne and Kyle, though only married since June, seem to have some things to work out. She can be demanding and critical; he, impatient and moody. It was a little awkward to listen to him raise his voice to her and to hear her pester him about inconsequentials while he worked. I am blessed to have Mitch and see that all the work we put into our relationship is priceless.
We spent each evening hanging out with Adrienne's friends from her work, which was fine and fun. But they are horrible gossips, criticizing other friends and constantly running down their student intern. I'm trying hard to recall another topic of conversation, but all I can come up with is a brief exchange about the Wings and the Avs. By the end, I was both weary of it all and uncomfortable with their lack of compassion.
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
Back in Michigan, I spent a fantastic long weekend with my family. Mitch surprised me by showing up at my parents' on Thursday night, and had even brought my bike so I could go for a ride the following day. I hit the roads at Island Lake and it felt wonderful! Though the rest of the weekend was a bit dreary, we kept ourselves occupied with a trip to On 2 Wheels (got our team jerseys!), a couple games of Scrabble and the six-hour movie Lonesome Dove.
While I would have loved the relaxation to last for longer, reality beckoned. Sunday afternoon brought the start of my third term of grad school; this semester, I have a class called Business and Society, and another one called Operations Management. Both require substantial group work...I hope I don't get stuck with an incompetent slacker like last time...
Which brings me to tonight. After only two days back in the office, I packed up my car and drove to New York (State, not City) to spend five days recruiting new Alma students. The bright side of this trip: weather conducive to biking and new places to ride, and cable TV in the hotels (I'll get my fill of Fox News and CMT). But really, I would rather be home with Mitch.
Well, it's about time to wash off the smell of Red Lobster - my dinner choice for tonight, for those awesome biscuits - and relax for the rest of the evening. I'm sure I'll blog more throughout my trip!
Me at Beaver Creek. If you look closely, you can see that my pit zips are undone and I'm only wearing a thin long underwear shirt. By the end of the day, my face and neck were sunburned, despite the sunscreen I applied.
One of the views from Beaver Creek. Breathtaking!
We took a day off skiing and did some snowshoeing, which was pure torture for my tired legs and oxygen-starved lungs. It wasn't a particularly nice day and we weren't anywhere spectacular, but it was still nice to get out. Later that night, we hit up the Gore Ridge Brewery for dinner, and I bought a growler of "Biker Stout," their darkest micro-brew, for Mitch.
Skiing at Vail on Wednesday was almost overwhelming. It was significantly colder and much windier, and because they hadn't gotten any new snow for awhile, some of the runs Adrienne wanted to show me were rough and icy. We started out on the front of the mountain, but quickly tired of lift lines and headed toward the back bowls. There are tons of areas to ski at Vail, and I bet you could ski for a few days without doing the same runs more than a time or two each. Anyway, we spent most of our time back in an area called Pete's Bowl, where it was a little more protected from the wind. Our favorite run was really neat because it started out sort of flat, but let you carve around little stands of evergreens. Then it narrowed and got steeper, letting you build up speed and really work for your turns before dumping you out at the lift. The overwhelming part? Back there, were were SEVEN MILES from where we had started the day!
One of the many peaks surrounding Vail.
Me and Adrienne trying not to get blown away by the frigid wind.
Aside from the awesome skiing, my trip really made me appreciate two things: my marriage and my friends. Adrienne and Kyle, though only married since June, seem to have some things to work out. She can be demanding and critical; he, impatient and moody. It was a little awkward to listen to him raise his voice to her and to hear her pester him about inconsequentials while he worked. I am blessed to have Mitch and see that all the work we put into our relationship is priceless.
We spent each evening hanging out with Adrienne's friends from her work, which was fine and fun. But they are horrible gossips, criticizing other friends and constantly running down their student intern. I'm trying hard to recall another topic of conversation, but all I can come up with is a brief exchange about the Wings and the Avs. By the end, I was both weary of it all and uncomfortable with their lack of compassion.
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
Back in Michigan, I spent a fantastic long weekend with my family. Mitch surprised me by showing up at my parents' on Thursday night, and had even brought my bike so I could go for a ride the following day. I hit the roads at Island Lake and it felt wonderful! Though the rest of the weekend was a bit dreary, we kept ourselves occupied with a trip to On 2 Wheels (got our team jerseys!), a couple games of Scrabble and the six-hour movie Lonesome Dove.
While I would have loved the relaxation to last for longer, reality beckoned. Sunday afternoon brought the start of my third term of grad school; this semester, I have a class called Business and Society, and another one called Operations Management. Both require substantial group work...I hope I don't get stuck with an incompetent slacker like last time...
Which brings me to tonight. After only two days back in the office, I packed up my car and drove to New York (State, not City) to spend five days recruiting new Alma students. The bright side of this trip: weather conducive to biking and new places to ride, and cable TV in the hotels (I'll get my fill of Fox News and CMT). But really, I would rather be home with Mitch.
Well, it's about time to wash off the smell of Red Lobster - my dinner choice for tonight, for those awesome biscuits - and relax for the rest of the evening. I'm sure I'll blog more throughout my trip!
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