The Story of Two Thanksgivings

Hey everyone,
Long time no write!  I would like to tell you all about the two Thanksgiving dinners I went to this year.  The first was a dinner the Monday before Thanksgiving with my fellow TA office mates, Josh, Ursula, and Laura, as well as two of our professors who could make it to dinner.  The food was amazing, and I had a great time hanging out with my colleagues outside of school.

Ursula and Josh

Jana, Josh, and Dancing Panda (the mascot for one of my English classes)

Then on Thursday afternoon, Jesse, Ursula, and I headed up to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving with my family, as well as the family of my brother's girlfriend, Ally.  I don't usually go home for Thanksgiving, since it is such a drive, but we decided to have a big meal with both families this year, and I didn't want to miss it!  Literally the minute we arrived in Eau Claire, it began to snow.  What a warm welcome back to my home state.

Friday morning Jesse, Ursula, and I did a little Black Friday shopping.  Ursula was a little nervous because of all the horror stories she had heard, but we didn't leave the apartment until 9:00, so it actually wasn't that bad.  Jesse bought a bunch of movies (surprise!), Ursula got some speakers to hook up to her phone, and I bought one of those headbands to keep your ears warm in the winter.

I was a little doubtful that all of us would fit in Steve and Ally's apartment, but I might have been the one to propose that they host dinner in the first place, so I wasn't about to voice my concerns.

Actually, everything turned out perfectly.  Ally and my brother and sister, Steve and Sara, had decorated the apartment beautifully, and they had a really nice table set up in the kitchen, leaving the living room free for everyone to socialize and spend time together.  Also, the food was fantastic.

Ursula, Steve, Ally, Ally's mom Janice, and Grandma Agnes preparing for dinner

After dinner we spent a little more time together before most everyone went home.  Then we watched the new Spiderman movie and Elf and Ally and I did some arts and crafts with the build-your-own-paper-turkey kits I bought at Target.  After that Jesse and Ursula decided they were tired enough to go to sleep, but the rest of us stayed up and played Ticket to Ride, which, if you haven't played it yet, is such a fun game.  Except when Mom wins by A LOT.

The next day Jesse, Ursula, and I took the scenic route back to Nebraska.  We drove through Minneapolis, stopped at two different burger places (more on that later), and swung through the Mall of America just so Ursula could get a feel for the place.  I ended up buying some Packers earrings and Jesse got a couple pairs of colorful socks.  We didn't stay long though, since it was, as expected, SO CROWDED.

Lego creations above the Lego store

All in all, it was an awesome trip, and I am so glad I got to take an extra trip home this year.  I can't believe Christmas is in just a couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to going home again and spending more time with my family.

Until later,
Amy

Acro Yoga and Book Club

Hi everyone,
So, I had a really great day.  First, Jesse and I went to an Acro Yoga class this afternoon at the Lincoln Yoga Center.  Acro Yoga is a mix between acrobatics and yoga with a bit of Thai massage thrown in.  If you search "Acro Yoga" on YouTube, you'll find all sorts of awesome demonstrational videos that are way beyond our Acro ability level.  We did some Acro Yoga this summer, and it was fun getting to demonstrate some of the stunts and help spot other groups. I even got to base some stunts, which was so much fun!

Jesse looking on as everyone tries out some Acro

Jesse basing a folded leaf

Me spotting a shoulder stand

Then I went and tutored a 10-year-old girl named Eliza in German, as I do every Thursday and Sunday, which is so much fun.  After that it was off to book club.  We were discussing the book What Alice Forgot, which I really enjoyed.  I stayed up late finishing it last night, because I couldn't put it down.  I haven't read a book I liked that much in a while!

We had book club at Roddy's house.  Roddy was the founder of book club, and she is currently living in a suburb of Chicago, so she can help take care of her new grandson, but she still had her house in Lincoln, so we got to meet at her place, since she was home for Thanksgiving.  Normally we pick a theme and then everyone brings a dish based on that theme.  Last night we just had pizza and various side dishes, as well as a great chat.  I forgot to take pictures during book club, but I did remember to take some afterwards.

Roddy, Suzanne, Peggy, and Sherry

Suzanne with baby Xander!

All in all, I had a great day, but I am absolutely exhausted.  I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and having a break from school.  We're going up to Wisconsin on Friday, so there should be a blog post about this soon!

Until then,

Amy

Amy's Running Story - Part III

Hi, again!
So in Part II of my running story, I talked about training for my first 5K and running my first hash.  If you missed that post, you can access it here.

My good friend and workout buddy Tory graduated in May and began working full time.  We still met up to run during the end of summer, but as the school year started, I was more or less on my own.  It was tough, and still is, trying to get into a workout routine, but I still tried to keep running a couple times per week.

In September, Tory, her boyfriend Spencer, Jesse, and I did a 4K called the Donut Dash.  Those competing in the Dash would run 2K, eat a dozen donuts, then run another 2K.  We, however, were casual participants, and we only ate half a dozen donuts between the four of us.  We donated the rest.  We ended up completing the run in about 35 minutes.

The Donut Dash

Finally, in October Jesse and I participated in the Monster Dash out at Roca Berry Farm.  The 5K started at 7:30 in the morning, which is pretty early for me.  It was tough getting up at 6:30 in the morning when it was still pretty dark out, and I was unsure about going for a run that early, but I was hoping for the best.

Me at 6:30 in the morning!

It was chilly when when arrived at Roca Berry Farm, and I was glad I chose to wear a long-sleeved shirt.  We gathered behind the starting point and listened to some information about the race.  I jumped in place and kept moving my feet to keep warm.  Finally, we began to run.  It was tough at first, but after a while, I got into a comfortable rhythm.  I turned to Jesse and said, "I think I can do this," by which I meant, "I feel like I can run an entire 5K."

Now, this is something I had been training for since May or so.  I had planned on running the entire 5K when we did the Color Run and then again at the Donut Dash, but it never quite happened.  I never felt comfortable enough to just keep running.

But the day of the Monster Dash, I felt like I could just keep running.  I decided early on that I was going to run the entire thing, and I stuck with my choice.  The first three-fourths of the run went pretty well.  Then during the final quarter of the run I started feeling tired and ready to fall over.  But I kept going.  I remember thinking to myself, "You made this decision, and you will just be disappointed if you don't follow through."  I told Jesse that I was beginning to burn out, and he asked me if I wanted to stop and walk, but I hardened my face and just said, "No."

We came around a bend and I could see the finish line.  There were no markers along the trail, so the entire run I had no idea how far I had gone or how much longer I had to go.  When I finally saw the end, I had to work hard to hold back the tears.  I picked up my pace and flew to the end.  Then I burst out crying.  I was also completely out of breath, so I was gasping and wailing and generally looking ridiculous.  I said, "I can't believe I ran the whole thing!" as the volunteers tore the tab off my race bib and recorded my time.  (I later found out that I finished in just about 33 minutes.)  Jesse gave me a big hug and told me how proud of me he was.

To me, this accomplishment means so much, because I never thought I could run.  Even when I was a cheerleader and running regularly, I didn't think I could run.  I also never thought I would WANT to run.  Just the fact that I willingly signed up for a running event amazes me.  I did something that I never thought I could do.  Part of it was physical, but a huge part of the training and racing was also mental.  I had to learn to think positively and push myself (and stay positive while pushing myself).  I had to stick to running regularly and avoid being disappointed by the "bad" run days.  I had to be patient with myself and give myself time.  I had to learn to be comfortable with myself and not get caught up in how far or long my friends could run or how long it took them to get to that point. I have learned so much from running.

I think this winter, I am going to back off on my running a bit.  I still want to continue working, and I plan on doing some interval work with running once or twice per week, but I want to concentrate on other activities, such as weight lifting and yoga.  Then in the spring I plan on signing up for another 5K and starting my training again.  Then maybe a 10K... or a half marathon...  We'll see.

Amy's Running Story - Part II

Hi, everyone!

In Part I of my running story, I explained how I became entirely turned off to running after series of unfortunate athletic experiences and had an on-and-off relationship with the Rec Center at my university.  If you missed that post, you can read it here.

I went through a couple more stages of working out at the Rec, but it never really stuck until Tory and I became workout buddies last January.  It was my first semester of grad school, and Tory and I were in the same German class that met on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  We decided to go to the Rec together most days after class.

Tory had just started training for a half marathon (again, you can read her running story beginning here), so I started doing the Super Circuit and jogging with her.  I had considered joining the same training program and running the half, but I took too long with my decision, and all of the registration spots filled up.  I followed her training schedule for a while, but she was soon doing 4, 5, 6 mile days, and I wasn't able to keep up at that point.  It didn't matter though, because Tory was helping me get into the habit of running.

It was also great having a new girlfriend who I could talk to about relationships, school, etc.  I've never told Tory this, but she was always someone I admired for both her German skills and her style, so I loved that we finally became friends.  Tory is also a Weight Watchers leader, so I could talk to her about my weight struggles, as well as nutrition, which helped as I tried to figure out how to eat like someone who runs.

Tory nearing the finish line of the half marathon!

Cheering Tory on at the half marathon and watching all the runners was really inspiring.  There were so many normal looking people going out and running!  I started considering running the half marathon the following year, but - baby steps - first I joined Tory in signing up for The Color Run taking place in Omaha in July.  I also signed Jesse up, and together we started training.

Jesse and I ran three times per week throughout the hottest months of the year.  We ran all through our month-long trip to visit my family in Wisconsin.  It was rough sometimes, because Jesse and I had different ideas about how to train, when to push and when to go easy, but eventually we fell into a rhythm that worked for both of us.  Most days we would go somewhere from 2 to 4 miles.  Our longest walk/run was 6 miles on a train along the Fox River in Green Bay.  By the end we were sick of moving our legs, but we were so proud.

The Color Run was in the middle of July and the high that day was 100 or so degrees.  Our goal was to run the entire 3.1 miles, but we had to adjust for the heat.  We didn't run the whole thing, but in the end I could say that I participated in a 5K, which is not something I would have predicted for myself when I was younger.  I would never have imagined that in a few years I would be willingly training for a run.

Tory and I after the Color Run

And Jesse and I

And a close-up of my green hair!

Near the end of August, Tory invited Jesse and I to Oklahoma to participate in a  hash.  What is a hash, you ask?  In a hash, the runners (the hounds) try to catch the leader (the hare) by following a trail of flour left by the hare.  Drinking is usually involved, which is a perk for many runners.  At the end of the hash, all the runners gather, sing rowdy songs, and "punish" those who made infractions on the trail.  Infractions include not marking a bad trail and wearing a race shirt to a hash.  Once a runner has participated in five hashes, they are covered in flour by their fellow runners and named, usually something funny and inappropriate.

My first hash was a mixed experience.  The beginning was exciting, as I had never hashed before and it was all so new.  Then we had to travel across a lake in order to follow the hare, which was also exciting, because I had never been in a canoe before.

Looking across the lake as some decide to swim

Waiting to cross the lake

Tory and I in the canoe!

Then things got interesting, because Tory, Jesse, and I had lost sight of all the other hares while trying to paddle across the lake, and we became almost hopelessly lost.  I soon became sick of running, and I wondered why I had gotten myself into this situation.  Finally though we found the other hares, and then things felt a little better.  At one point near the end I even had enough energy to start running again, partly fueled by the desire to not be last.  Then, as we crossed the finish line, it started pouring, and I was happy to go back to Tory's parent's place and dry off and have some food.

The next day we ran a hang over hash.  I was a little worried, since my legs were already sore from the day before, but this run was shorter and there were fewer people, so it was more relaxed.  I still didn't finish last, which was nice, though I am sure I will someday.

Another highlight of this trip, which was my first time going to Oklahoma: I saw an armadillo!  Unfortunately, it was roadkill.

Tory graduated in May and was now working full time.  We still met up to run during the end of summer, but as the school year started, I was more or less on my own.  It was tough, and still is, trying to get into a workout routine, but I still tried to keep running a couple times per week...

Stay tuned for Part III - the conclusion of my running story.

Amy's Running Story - Part I

Hi everyone,
I wrote this series of posts (yes, this is going to be another three-part entry) a while ago, and I am thinking I should probably share them before they get too outdated.  I got the idea to write my running story from my friend Tory, who also has a blog.  You can read her running story starting here.

First of all, I have never been a runner.  I still don't consider myself a runner, even though I run two or three times a week and sign up for 5Ks.  But lately running has been sort of demystified for me.  It has become less "something that you're born with" and more "slowly but surely, it can happen".

The earliest memories I have of running is doing the mile in gym class in 3rd or 4th grade.  I remember not even finishing in the time allotted, and my kind and sympathetic gym teacher calling me back inside.

4th Grade Amy

 Then in 6th grade I got a C in gym.  This is the only C I have ever gotten as a final grade in a class in my entire life.  I imagine it was because the teacher thought I wasn't really trying, but the truth was I was just so awkward and not at all sporty.

6th Grade Amy

 After these experiences, I was convinced that I couldn't play sports and that I definitely couldn't run.  The closest I got to breaking this assumption was in 8th grade, I believe, when I somehow managed to run the mile in 10:05.  I was proud of myself, but it never went any farther than that.

When I was a sophomore in high school I tried out for the dance team.  The way it worked at my high school was that the JV cheerleading team branched off and became the varsity tumble and dance teams.  So I didn't make it onto the dance team, but I did make the JV cheer team.  This wasn't entirely what I had intended, but I decided to just go with it.

When we began practicing that summer, the first thing we would do each day was run a mile outside around the school.  Both the JV and varsity teams ran together, and if not everyone finished in under 8 minutes, we had to do sprints.  So there was an element of peer pressure, and I eventually got my mile down to under 8 minutes.  However, I didn't run at all in the off season, and I lost all of this gain.

The next year we had a new coach, and instead of running a mile at the beginning of each practice, we would run 15 minutes or so through the halls of the school to warm up.  For some reason, I never got to the point where this 15 minutes felt comfortable, and I hated every minute of it.  I hated that all the other cheerleaders seemed comfortable running, and I didn't understand why I had to feel so breathless while they flew.

I pushed myself through all of this, so I could keep competing, which is what I loved about cheerleading.  After the second year though, this wasn't even worth it anymore.  I was burned out on stunting and trying to learn any sort of tumbling.  I decided to stop and focus on taking dance classes, which I had always wanted to do, but had never had the stick-to-it-ness until high school.

In 2007  I came to Nebraska for college, and I kept taking dance classes as a dance minor at UNL.  I went to the Rec Center a few times with my roommate and a couple of our friends to do the Super Circuit (weight lifting and cardio in stations), but only a few times.  I gained the freshman 20 thanks to the all-you-can-eat dining hall.  I was dancing twice a week, but that just wasn't enough.

Throughout my college years, I went through a couple weight fluctuations.  I lost about 15 pounds when I studied abroad in Germany during my sophomore year, since I was taking the train and walking instead of driving everywhere.  But I gained it all back when I came back.  Then without really trying, I lost it all again in the months before my wedding.  But I gained it all back starting with the honeymoon and all the eating out we were doing during that time.

I went through a couple more stages of working out at the Rec, but it never really stuck until Tory and I became workout buddies last January.  It was my first semester of grad school, and Tory and I were in the same German class that met on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  We decided to go to the Rec together most days after class...

Well, that's it for part one.  Stay tuned for Part II, a.k.a. Amy Actually Runs!

Halloweeeeeeeeeen!

Hi everyone!

I apologize that it's been so long since our last post!  We've been meaning to write something, but I have been really busy with school and Jesse just started directing the one act play at Lincoln East.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you all a little bit about how we celebrated Halloween, which just happens to be Jesse's favorite holiday.  Last Friday we went over to my friend Roddy's house for her birthday party.  Roddy was one of my supervisors when I worked at the UNL library as an undergrad, and she used to be the leader of the book club I am in until she moved to Chicago to help take care of her first grandchild.  Roddy also loves Halloween, and her birthday party always calls for costumes.  Here are Jesse and I before the party.  (Yes, our costumes were a little last minute.)

The party was a lot of fun.  Every single time I am around Roddy, I remember how much I want to be like her when I grow up.  She is super social, super sweet, and she cares so much for her friends and family.  If you are reading this, I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Roddy!

Then on Sunday after I got home from book club, I joined Jesse, Brian, Gretchen, Tony, and Co and together we carved pumpkins.

Jesse's pumpkin (left) and mine (right)

It's hard to tell in this photo, but the stem fell off of my pumpkin, so I made it into a witchy nose.

Finally, last night we had a couple friends over for pizza and a movie and we handed out candy to all the trick-or-treaters.  Thank you, Josh, for taking this group picture!

Robin Sparkles, Scottish guy, Inara, and Westley

I loved my costume this year.  It took me a while to shop around and get all the pieces, but I really like how it turned out.  I even learned some of the dance moves from Let's Go to the Mall and performed them for our guests.  I think I was too hard on my cheap earrings, though.  Only one survived the night!

All in all, it was a great couple of weekends, and today Jesse and I took advantage of the after Halloween sales and bought our costumes for next year!  I can't wait.

Until later,
Amy