Monday, November 27, 2006

What I Did on My Thanksgiving Vacation

Hi everyone! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. I know I did. Here's a quick summary of my 10 days back home in good ole Wisconsin:

1. Badger football game! I already blogged about that, though. But it was awesome! The Badger's are officially the most underappreciated 11-1 team in Big Ten history.

2. Green Bay Packers football game! Lambeau Field is always a good time. Unfortunately, the QB (sorry WI peeps, he should have retired 5 years ago) wasn't up to the game and the Packers got smeared. No Worries, I had to leave at halftime to get my 90 minute run done before the party people got back and wanted to go to the casino. And no, I didn't win. I never do. I'm not only the biggest Klutz you'll ever meet, but I'm also the least lucky person on the planet.

3. Milwaukee Bucks Basketball game! I've never been to a Pro-Basketball game before. 2 quick observations:

You know your seats are good when you are sitting in the same row as the owner (and state senator). Thanks Nikki and Tony for the tickets!

What is with the skank squad? Seriously, I must just be getting old, but those cheerleaders need to put some clothes on. Come on, knee high boots????

4. 10,600 yards in an 83 degree pool by myself. If that's not the definition of tedium and boredom, I don't know what is. The only thing keeping me alert was the pool that gets to 2.7 feet on the ends. Doing flip turns was like playing Russian Roulette.

5. My parents are awesomely amazing

Mom: Made me vegan stuffing for Thanksgiving and happily ate a vegetarian dish at the Indian restaurant we went to for dinner. I think that she made peace with my diet when she saw that I was healthy and not wasting away to nothing. She also became my "bike bitch" (her words, not mine) for my long rides and got me water when I needed it. Oh, and bought me the most coolest coat, hat, mittens, and scarf in the world! She also went to the Buck's game with me and we had a very fun time

Dad: Did my brick runs with me. He also helped me out tremendously on my 1:40 run Sunday morning. He ran the first 2 miles with me, then went to the store to buy me water, met me at 6.5 with the water, then drove to the end to run the last 0.5 miles with me. That was great. The 9.6 miles I ran will be my longest run before Vegas. 13.1 is totally within reach. And in the brand new Asics Kayano XII's that he bought for me. I really am such a spoiled brat.

6. Spent a lot of quality time with my sister in law. She went shopping with me the day after Thanksgiving, and, as always I got all my shopping done! Sweet. I also celebrated my nephew's 3rd birthday on Saturday. Who knew there were so many things you could buy associated with Thomas the Train?

7. Went out with one of the two girls that I still keep in contact with from High School. Dinner, drinks, and guy bashing with an old girlfriend is good for the soul :)

8. Last but not least... drumroll please....

Last Tuesday I got word that my second primary authored publication was accepted. What does that mean? I have officially covered all the requirements for my PhD! Now there's that pesky thesis I have to write...

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot because it was an action packed week! But I think that I have properly bored you all. Have a great night! It's going to be 60 degrees here tomorrow and I'm going for a run. Outside! And I get to do pick-ups into zone 3! That's right, I'm going to run like the wind. I assure you I will enjoy every second of it.

19 comments:

Wes said...

Don't be knockin them cheerleaders.

Charlie said...

It is snowing on Lambeau right now.
Enjoy the balmy Ohio weather, welcome back.

Aleks said...

Great recap! I have to agree with the following:

1 - The Badgers being underappreciated.

2 - Favre needing to retire ages ago, though he was making Seattle look bad up until a few minutes ago.

3 - The knee high boots... seriously? Nice knee highs, OK. But for some reason, the cheerleaders always wear those T-RASH boots. The Hawks cheerleaders wear these white ones with chunky heals that are all skuffed up... they look like strippers. :)

4 - Parents are awesome, your parents sound great. They are amazing supporters of what you're doing!

5 - Hanging out with old girlfriends is great for the soul!

Congrats on the next step towards the PhD! If you take on the thesis the way you do everything else in your life, no doubt you'll knock it out of the park! :)

Ellie80 said...

i think skanking it up is in the job description?? so impressed that you kept training so hard on your break. and your parents sound great :) how good are mums and dads :)

Kate said...

Your parents rock! Sounds like a great vacation. Congratulations on the article!

Anonymous said...

Way to keep up the training. You are going to kick arse in Vegas! Just make sure you don't lose your shirt at the tables.

Aren't parents great? Great parents are such a blessing.

Watch out, Thomas the Train can empty the pocketbook. My nephew LOVES Thomas the Train.

JeffM said...

Sounds like really great seats for the basketball game.
Amazingly supportive parents!
10000+ yards- non-stop? That's a heck of a swim.

Anonymous said...

Kayano's are sweeeeeet. Like freakin' Bentley's for your feet!

Janet Edwards said...

Sounds like one heck of a busy vacation!!!

Up for a trainer party Saturday...guess who has a new toy finally???

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful Thanksgiving recap! :o) from our soon to be Dr. Jodi!, fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I saw your post on neese's blog and I had to say hi. I too have the IM bug but since its a bite late I only put myself in the in the Kona lottery or I will have to go Iron distance that is if I can make it since well I only done 2 spirits myself.

keep training hard.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a pretty full trip! i'm also doing cda this coming year - i'll be really interested to watch how your training goes. good luck!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear you had a great time and even more glad that you are back! See you tomorrow!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Congrats on your PhD requirements!

Are you getting excited about Vegas?!! Maybe you'll have some better luck at the tables there. But if all else fails I'm sure you'll kick ass in the race!

Anonymous said...

congrats on moving closer to your PhD!

teacherwoman said...

Wow! Sounds like a fun-filled week! Sounds like you have a close-knit family! Isn't it wonderful?!

Asic Kayano XII's....I got those!!

Dee Dee said...

Wow u are definietly and inspiration for all of us! Thanks for your kind words about my Father.

qcmier said...

Can I get a copy of your article? Do you think science blogs can be this much fun?

Rachel said...

You really did the WI sports tour! Awesome. It's so great you can train with your family. Congrats on finishing your PhD requirements. I can't believe you're so close!