Today is the last day of the Thanksgiving break... tomorrow it's back to work. Surprisingly enough it feels like a long time since I was last at work, so I suppose that means it was a successful long weekend. That doesn't mean it'll be any easier to go into work tomorrow though. Although, after a long weekend of doing just about nothing, it'll be good to have some routine again.
Thanksgiving day was very enjoyable. Went out to the Farm for the day, ate just enough (until the cookies were brought out... then I overate), went for a walk, visited with fam, etc. The day itself was absolutely gorgeous! When I got home, I called Julie and Jason to wish them a happy turkey day and ended up watching Grey's Anatomy with them.
Friday I avoided shopping... actually I didn't avoid it so much as I just didn't leave my house until 4pm when I picked up Papa Murphy's pizza. There are some days when sitting at home would be annoying, but Friday wasn't one of those days. I finished my book- The History of Love by Nicole Krauss- such a great book! Took me a little while to get into it, but in the end I didn't want to put it down. I finally got off my butt and went for a run that afternoon. Again, the weather was so wonderful when I first got out there I felt like I could run forever. Of course, that only lasted about 2 miles... I kept going for 3.5 though. Should have gone again yesterday, but it just didn't happen. My motivation was lacking.
That evening the neighbors and I got together for pizza and games over at Julie and Jason's. I had a good time... but woke up in the middle of the night either from too much food or too many drinks (although I did not feel like I'd had too much to drink when I went to bed). Could have been my stomach rebeling against the fact that I overdosed on the caramel corn I'd made earlier in the day.
Saturday was another low key day- I cleaned and cleaned my house. Ended up pulling out my fridge and stove which made the cleaning feel a little deeper than normal. Sort of got sucked into tv- watched parts of Little House on the Prairie, Animal Planet (a story on elephants), the Perfect Murder, Love Actually and the Titanic. I shouldn't admit that I watched so much tv... makes me seem really lame, but I didn't mind not having plans. I was in some sort of a mood though... Love Actually affected me, made me super tearful... as did the Titanic. All these great love stories. I want to feel like the characters in those movies. So fully and completely that nothing else matters. What holds me back? That's the question of the day/year/decade.
I rented the first disk of Six Feet Under, but never watched it. Maybe this afternoon. According to Jenny, Dave, Mary and Brad I'll probably get hooked on the series and will want to join NetFlix again. Bad idea considering all the money I threw away to watch the Sex and the City series.
One thing I haven't done in a loong time is go to church. It's obviously been a long time- I thought church was at 9:30 and 11:00 at All Saints, so I got out of bed in plenty of time to make the 9:30 service. Even had time for my daily dose of coffee and a little egg and cheese omelette. I knew something was up when there were no other cars turning into the church at 9:22, the parking lot was already full and there were no people walking into the building. Hmm. Apparently it starts at 9:00, not 9:30. Either they changed it since I last went, or it's been so long I don't even remember the correct time. I'd been planning on sitting at Caribou after church, so I just flip-flopped the two and here we are.
I trying not to be, but I'm self-conscious about what I'm writing, which completely defeats the purpose of a blog or journal. I guess I'm not using this so much as a journal of my feelings as a way to keep track of my life. Maybe I need to have a separate blog where I dive deep into my feelings, which I've never been great at and is an area of my life I could certainly improve upon. Something to think about while I'm sitting in the 11:00 service at All Saints.
Searching for my spirit,
Jilli
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Coffee High
I think I must be on a coffee high because after 3 cups of coffee everything seems really great and my body can't move quite fast enough for my brain right now- how's that for profound?
It's been a relatively uneventful week and a half since I last wrote, which is probably why I haven't felt inspired to write anything. Travel season is great for the blog, I'm not sure how I'll maintain it now that travel season is over. Hmm.... Guess I'll have to seek out interesting activities.
I was recently reminded that the title of my blog implies that I enjoy running, but that in all 18 posts I've only written about running once. What a shame. Had something to do with the fact that I hadn't been running at all, an even greater shame. (here come the excuses...) Started with a busy two week period of time when I was in PA, then CO where I my siniusitus and busy schedule prevented me from doing any sort of physical activity. Followed by two weeks where I could have easily walked down to Tostrud for a lunch-time run, but had zero motivation to do so.
It's been a tough fall since two of my running-mates (Mary and Jess) have both left Olaf. Sort of forgot how necessary it is to have someone in the office who regularly works out, encouraging me to do the same. Luckily, I've found a new running pal in JennyP! She's speedy, which has been challenging, but good in that she pushes me to be faster. It definitely has not been easy to get back into the routine after 5 weeks of no exercise, eating poorly and being relatively lazy. Thanks to Jenny, we're back on track (ha ha!).
Something I love about this time of the year- burning candles. I love coming home, putting on comfy clothes and lighting candles. The cold temps and darkness make it incredibly difficult to leave home. I used to make fun of my mom for not wanting to leave her house after dark, and I hate to admit that I've become the same way. Maybe I should join Netflix again for the winter months. Wait a minute, last time I joined was to save money on movie rentals by watching the whole Sex and the City series. In the end, because I wanted to prolong the series, I found myself savoring each episode, watching only one episode at a time. Which in turn meant that I was a member of Netflix for over a year- spending more money on my membership than if I'd have bought the whole series of Sex and the City. Talk about a stupid financial decision.
Why do we turn our clocks back for daylight savings? Indiana has decided to buck the system and not turn their clocks back. Wouldn't that get a little confusing? Sometimes they're on Eastern Time, sometimes Central... if anything, they confuse travelers, forcing them to rely on their cell phones for the most accurate time.
This morning I woke up around 7:30, made my pot o' coffee and finished the book Stupid and Contagious (thanks Melisa!). I was so sad it had to come to an end! It's one of the funnier books I've read... I found myself laughing out loud at the crazy characters and story. So good. Great Christmas gift for one who loves to read.
Tonight I'm the phoning supervisor extraordinaire, which means that I don't have to be to work until noon-ish. Actually I won't go in today until after my run, rationalizing this by telling myself that I won't take the hour-long dinner break before the phoners show up for the night. Is that right? I dunno, but that's my plan.
Is it bad to use Caribou for their free wireless? I haven't bought anything yet, and since I'm about to meet Jenny for a run, I'm not going to consume any more caffeine. Should I buy a cookie? Or maybe a juice. Seems a little ridiculous to come to a coffee shop and buy juice. I think I'll sneak out without anything... we all know I've spent enough money at Caribou to take advantage of them at least once.
Ramble on,
Jilli
It's been a relatively uneventful week and a half since I last wrote, which is probably why I haven't felt inspired to write anything. Travel season is great for the blog, I'm not sure how I'll maintain it now that travel season is over. Hmm.... Guess I'll have to seek out interesting activities.
I was recently reminded that the title of my blog implies that I enjoy running, but that in all 18 posts I've only written about running once. What a shame. Had something to do with the fact that I hadn't been running at all, an even greater shame. (here come the excuses...) Started with a busy two week period of time when I was in PA, then CO where I my siniusitus and busy schedule prevented me from doing any sort of physical activity. Followed by two weeks where I could have easily walked down to Tostrud for a lunch-time run, but had zero motivation to do so.
It's been a tough fall since two of my running-mates (Mary and Jess) have both left Olaf. Sort of forgot how necessary it is to have someone in the office who regularly works out, encouraging me to do the same. Luckily, I've found a new running pal in JennyP! She's speedy, which has been challenging, but good in that she pushes me to be faster. It definitely has not been easy to get back into the routine after 5 weeks of no exercise, eating poorly and being relatively lazy. Thanks to Jenny, we're back on track (ha ha!).
Something I love about this time of the year- burning candles. I love coming home, putting on comfy clothes and lighting candles. The cold temps and darkness make it incredibly difficult to leave home. I used to make fun of my mom for not wanting to leave her house after dark, and I hate to admit that I've become the same way. Maybe I should join Netflix again for the winter months. Wait a minute, last time I joined was to save money on movie rentals by watching the whole Sex and the City series. In the end, because I wanted to prolong the series, I found myself savoring each episode, watching only one episode at a time. Which in turn meant that I was a member of Netflix for over a year- spending more money on my membership than if I'd have bought the whole series of Sex and the City. Talk about a stupid financial decision.
Why do we turn our clocks back for daylight savings? Indiana has decided to buck the system and not turn their clocks back. Wouldn't that get a little confusing? Sometimes they're on Eastern Time, sometimes Central... if anything, they confuse travelers, forcing them to rely on their cell phones for the most accurate time.
This morning I woke up around 7:30, made my pot o' coffee and finished the book Stupid and Contagious (thanks Melisa!). I was so sad it had to come to an end! It's one of the funnier books I've read... I found myself laughing out loud at the crazy characters and story. So good. Great Christmas gift for one who loves to read.
Tonight I'm the phoning supervisor extraordinaire, which means that I don't have to be to work until noon-ish. Actually I won't go in today until after my run, rationalizing this by telling myself that I won't take the hour-long dinner break before the phoners show up for the night. Is that right? I dunno, but that's my plan.
Is it bad to use Caribou for their free wireless? I haven't bought anything yet, and since I'm about to meet Jenny for a run, I'm not going to consume any more caffeine. Should I buy a cookie? Or maybe a juice. Seems a little ridiculous to come to a coffee shop and buy juice. I think I'll sneak out without anything... we all know I've spent enough money at Caribou to take advantage of them at least once.
Ramble on,
Jilli
Saturday, November 04, 2006
I Heart Alaska
Fall travel season is officially over for me. There are still some people who are out and about, like Jenny with her crazy week of college fairs, interviews and high school visits in the Pacific Northwest, but I'm officially done.
I love
ending the season with the Johnsons! Staying with them is always relaxing and enjoyable, something to look forward to throughout the early part of the fall. Thursday night we went out for dinner at a place called Two Rivers and I tried halibut for the first time (well, close to the first time- I had some at the Anchorage college fair buffet but it
was more of a fish 'n' chips variety). This halibut was deeelicious.
Thursday afternoon I met up with Ellen from St. John's/St. Ben's... we went to the Great Alaskan Bowl Company, didn't buy any bowls because they were incredibly expensive, but saw how they're made. After that we drove up to North Pole, AK where we saw Santa's house and reindeer. Unfortunately, Santa wasn't there but I did sit in his chair.
Had an early morning yesterday- set 3 alarms to wake me at 4am in order to make it to my 6am flight out of Fairbanks. I even asked Dad to call me at 4:40 to make sure I was on the way to the airport. He's still enthralled with the fact that he can be talking to me in Fairba
nks, a world away from the Cities. Cell phone service was surprisingly strong in Fairbanks. I had better service at the Johnson's house than I do in my own townhome!
All flights went well and I made it home safe and sound. When I finally went to bed, I
slept soundly until 9:00! Almost 9 hours of sleep and it felt wonderful. Sheba's purring and kneading of my neck didn't even bother me. He's just as happy for me to be home as I am.
Overall, another great trip to Alaska. I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends in AK who treat me like family and I look forward to visiting them again... maybe during the summer months!
I heart AK,
Jill
I love
ending the season with the Johnsons! Staying with them is always relaxing and enjoyable, something to look forward to throughout the early part of the fall. Thursday night we went out for dinner at a place called Two Rivers and I tried halibut for the first time (well, close to the first time- I had some at the Anchorage college fair buffet but it
was more of a fish 'n' chips variety). This halibut was deeelicious.Thursday afternoon I met up with Ellen from St. John's/St. Ben's... we went to the Great Alaskan Bowl Company, didn't buy any bowls because they were incredibly expensive, but saw how they're made. After that we drove up to North Pole, AK where we saw Santa's house and reindeer. Unfortunately, Santa wasn't there but I did sit in his chair.
Had an early morning yesterday- set 3 alarms to wake me at 4am in order to make it to my 6am flight out of Fairbanks. I even asked Dad to call me at 4:40 to make sure I was on the way to the airport. He's still enthralled with the fact that he can be talking to me in Fairba
nks, a world away from the Cities. Cell phone service was surprisingly strong in Fairbanks. I had better service at the Johnson's house than I do in my own townhome!All flights went well and I made it home safe and sound. When I finally went to bed, I
slept soundly until 9:00! Almost 9 hours of sleep and it felt wonderful. Sheba's purring and kneading of my neck didn't even bother me. He's just as happy for me to be home as I am.Overall, another great trip to Alaska. I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends in AK who treat me like family and I look forward to visiting them again... maybe during the summer months!
I heart AK,
Jill
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