My life feels so surreal sometimes.
Today, I was playing kickball in front of the White House. Well, closer to the Washington Monument than the White House, but it's still the same. We could see it.
And as we were getting ready to play, we saw three military helicopters flying over. Two flew over the White House and one landed right on the front lawn of the White House, where there were a number of people waiting. I'm guessing it was the President coming home. So strange that that's normal.
I am so excited that it seems like Spring is FINALLY here. Of course, given the way this year has been, I have little faith that it won't snow this weekend. Mom actually mentioned that it might snow in STL this weekend. Just flurries, but still. It's April. Shouldn't we be done with this?
The Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race was last weekend. As expected, my two friends who originally were going to run it had to pull out - for valid reasons, so I ran it alone, along with 9,999 strangers. It was cold and raining, and I did not run fast, but I finished in under 2 hours, which was my goal, so I'm happy. I'm especially happy considering that my longest training run was only 7.5 miles. Whoops. Plus I ran the whole way, walking only through water stops (I still haven't mastered drinking on the run - I get water or Gatorade up my nose).
I think my knees weren't quite ready for the race, as they've been a bit off all week. I thought it might be my shoes, but they've got under 100 miles on them. That said, it might be time to look into a second pair to rotate in. Something to plan for in next month's budget.
Has anyone else been watching The Biggest Loser? I am SO impressed with those people. I could never do some of the physical activities they're doing, and I weigh less than they do. Well, than some of them. Ali totally has me beat. She looks great though, and I'd love to see her or Kelly win. It's time a woman wins, I think.
The rain has thwarted my plans for today. Just as I get ready to go outside, the skies open again. I think its a conspiracy. Or a sign I should clean my house...
Or just watch tv.
On Friday, Crystal and I were walking down the street, minding our own business, when we spotted Greg Grunberg and his wife and kids walking towards us. We definitely did a double take. That man looks good in a suit.
Swiped from Darcy:
Cutest thing ever. Star Wars: Episode IV according to a three year old.
I had a physical this week. The doctor told me that in her opinion, I should stop running and lose 10-15 pounds, but she was not going to tell me to do either of those things. It was a very weird non-instruction, I have to admit. Besides, if I stop running, that would make losing 10-15 pounds a whole lot more difficult.
I ran outside today. I can't take the treadmill any more. I think all that pounding on the treadmill has been bad for my joints. My hip is bothering me, as is my knee. After today's outdoor run, my knee is twinging a little bit, which worries me somewhat, but I am hoping that a day or two of rest is all I need. I put in 5 miles today. Behind schedule in my training for the 10 miler I'm running in April, but being sick for a few weeks will do that to you. The goal is to try for 6 miles next weekend. I'll have a running partner then, so I'm hopeful she keeps me going.
I've got a crazy couple of weeks coming up. Cathedral Choral Society concert this coming weekend, AniMal and Lizett's wedding the next weekend, and then on March 17, I start my rotational assignment. As part of my fellowship, I have to go work at a different agency (of my choice) for 4-6 months. I'm going to the GAO for 6 months, and I'm looking forward to it. It's a strange feeling though, since I've only been at my current agency for 6 months. It should be a good challenge, so I hope I really enjoy it. If not, I'm still stuck there for 6 months.
I have decided that the weather in D.C. sucks. It's warmer than St. Louis, but that means lots more cold rain and less snow. Not that I particularly want snow in D.C. - no one knows how to drive in it. Snow flurries? PANIC! It's ridiculous. However, if I have to walk through it, I much prefer walking in the snow to walking in the rain. At least I can take the metro to work and don't actually have to drive along with all the crazy people on most days.
I just had the weirdest experience.
It was about 9:30 and I decided to make a run at the grocery store to pick up the few things on my shopping list. I walked out the back door of my apartment building, and standing just outside was a man having a cigarette (my building is non-smoking, so smokers have to go outside to light up).
As I passed by him, I smiled and said "Good morning." He looked at me and said "What did you say?"
"I said 'Good morning," I replied. That's when things got unnerving.
"Are you talking to me?" I nodded. "Why'd you say that? Why?" he responded, sounding angrier and angrier.
At this point, I decided to just keep walking and ignore him. It seemed the safest bet at that point as I was a little worried that perhaps this guy was slightly unhinged, and I wasn't sure what he was going to do.
He continued to yell after me, and finally I turned and said "I was just trying to be polite, sir. I'm sorry." And I walked a little faster towards the grocery store, looking over my shoulder the whole time. He just stood there, staring at me.
If I ever see him again, I will be sure to give him a wide berth.
Things have gotten a little crazy around here lately with work and with the cold that just won't quit. I don't remember the last time I was this sick. Two weeks ago, I came down with a cold, spent two days unable to move, had an evil cough for a week, and continue to have a slight annoying cough. I keep getting told "You should have gotten a flu shot!" But I never once had a fever, chills, body ache, any of that. I was exhausted and congested, but none of the other symptoms. That tells me it wasn't the flu.
I'm feeling better, though still coughing a bit. It's killed my training for the Cherry Blossom ten-miler. I was doing 6 and 7 mile runs, and now I fight to get through a 3 mile run. The Cherry Blossom race has a time limit, which has me a little bit scared, but it's enough that even if I have to walk part of it, I will still make it fine. I just can't walk a lot of it!
Work is work. I'm not going to say much about it, but it has been a source of quite a bit of stress lately. I just remind myself it's only a job - it's not my life.
So that's where things are now. Bad Movie Day occurred a few weeks back - I should put up reviews of the super sweet movies we watched.
Clearly, being back in a cubicle environment is not good for my health. I have had more colds this winter than I have in years. Currently, I'm home from work. Thank goodness for sick days. I haven't slept well for two nights now, but I think I have found a miracle drug, and hopefully will be back at work tomorrow. Conveniently, I will likely still sound like a monster is lodged in my throat, so no one can say I was just trying to get a long weekend.
The illness has definitely affected my running. Thumbs down.
In an effort to try to do more, to take advantage of what D.C. has to offer, I auditioned for, and was accepted into the Cathedral Choral Society. We rehearse and perform in the National Cathedral. It is a very cool experience.
And now, back to sitting on the couch and recuperating.
So my intent to post more often has not gone so well. I blame my life for being boring.
This past weekend, I decided to audition for the Cathedral Choral Society, and they let me in! Crazy talk, I tell you. So my first rehearsal is tomorrow. I'm pretty excited, but it's going to make for a very long Monday. No real break from about 7am til 10pm.
This weekend, I think I finished the shopping and preparations for Bad Movie Day, which I am hosting this coming weekend. BMD is a weekend of terrible movies, alcohol and bad food, and fun with college friends. I promise to review the movies like I did last year. If I can make it through all of them. Eeek. But it will be nice to have everyone together. Since I moved, I have had the chance to see more of my college friends, just because I am so much closer to Marie and Mary Beth, but it's been a year since I saw a lot of the girls, so it will be good to see everyone.
And now I am off to cook dinner. Mmm, dinner.
