Comments (18) If your high school had a ten-year (or any year) reunion, would you/did you go? Why or why not?
Heck no, I wouldn’t go.
My high school was kind of in a crappy part of town, filled with crappy students. I probably can’t remember more than a dozen of their names. I don’t think there would be much “catching up” to do if I went back. I don’t think I would be able to relate to many of them.
On Saturday, we stopped at the Village Inn with our friends to have a hearty meal before our day of skiing. I knew I wanted a skillet. When made properly, it’s a cast iron skillet full of diced potatoes and vegetables, and topped with eggs and melted cheese – like the one in the photo but without meat. It arrives at your table hot. Delicious.
I opened up the menu, and saw that every skillet had meat in it. I chose the one closest to what I wanted, “The Original Ultimate Skillet Meal,” and asked the waiter to make it without the meat (ham, bacon AND sausage) and without mushrooms. Steven decided he wanted the exact same thing, but without onions as well (he was getting over a very bad stomach virus, and the last thing he needed was onions in his food).
The waiter wasn’t too happy with us. Let me preface this by saying that when we greeted him and asked how he was, he said “we’re really busy.” Okay. So we made our decisions quickly and said please and thank you.
The waiter gave us a really dirty look when we asked for modifications to the menu. Then he told us that they “really can’t change orders like that” and “there are lots of other options – you need to look over the entire menu and see if there is something else you want.”
Um… what?
He told us that, then quickly took our friends orders, all of our menus, and left.
I sat there wondering how I was supposed to look for something different to eat without a menu. I wondered if he was going to come back and tell me I had to choose something else to eat. I also wondered if I should be ashamed or pissed off. I was definitely a little bit of both.
I am WELL AWARE of how much I inconvenience EVERYONE by being a vegetarian. I feel awful when someone invites me over for dinner and I feel like I have to warn them that I am a vegetarian. I hate it that we couldn’t have Caesar salad in Denver because the dressing had anchovies in it and I didn’t want to eat it. I feel horrible when we have to make sure the restaurant has something that Steven and I can eat before we all go there.
I hate that some people who eat meat automatically assume that I think I am better than them. I don’t. Honestly – I don’t give a shit what you eat.
But apparently, some people do care what I eat. And not in a considerate way. And I’m not just talking about the waiter.
I’m not going to change. This is who I am. I shouldn’t have to feel ashamed to make requests, especially at a “restaurant.”
But I did feel ashamed. Ashamed, uneasy and embarrassed, sitting there with our friends. Of course, if it would have been just me and Steven, I would probably have talked to a manager or left. Instead, we sat there worrying about how our meal was going to come out.
We got what we ordered. It didn’t taste that good, and I had lost my appetite.
The waiter came back with the check and tried to redeem himself by saying the people in the kitchen don’t speak English that well. If that was his excuse, why didn’t he just say that in the beginning?
I don’t know why I am still thinking about this on Thursday. Probably because I am still embarrassed about the whole thing. I feel like it was unnecessary for the waiter to act that way… but it still makes ME feel bad. It makes me feel bad for asking for something to be modified.
Maybe I am asking too much. Or maybe I should just stay out of Village Inn and all the other restaurants that give me grief.
It’s been four weeks since I started participating in my office’s Biggest Loser Challenge. We’re one-third of the way done with the challenge. So far, I’ve lost 5.21% of my starting weight.
I have to admit that the competition made me feel a bit different than I expected it would. I’ve been fine weighing-in in front of my coworker. That doesn’t bother me at all.
But when the results were emailed out the first week, and I saw that I was in the top three, I felt a bit of competitiveness. I saw that I was doing well, and wanted to stay in the top. That feeling didn’t last very long, but I admit it was there for a second.
And I wasn’t expecting my coworkers to be so encouraging about the Challenge, but they are. Participating has actually opened up a lot of communication about health and fitness. I found out another coworker loves to run, and that another group of coworkers walk the stairs in our building at the beginning of their lunch break. I am not sure how long these conversations will be around, but I enjoy participating in them (I even laughed when someone, who ISN’T participating, saw that I was in the kitchen making oatmeal for breakfast, and asked what I had… wanting to make sure I was still in the competition… uh… yeah).
The most interesting thing I’ve learned, now that a month is over and I have tracked my progress, is how little my weight actually has to do with how I feel, what I eat, and how much exercise I am getting. One week, I ran around 22 miles, ate like a saint, but somehow gained .2 pounds. The next week, I spent three days eating nothing but carbs and sweets – I was in Denver, and I was there to have fun. I lost 3.4 pounds that week. So, my body is on its own path. What I weigh on any particular day is just a flux number – it doesn’t really mean anything. It goes up and down based on my hormones, how much water I drink, if I eat salty foods… you get the idea.
It’s funny that tracking my weight like this, what so many people DON’T recommend, is what has made me accept that my weight is JUST a number. I hope the challenge continues to let me become more accepting of my body!
I drove home on Thursday night to find the garage to our neighbor’s home open and full of boxes along with a moving truck parked on the street.
We are next door neighbor-less no more.
Steven’s been talking to the real estate agent quite a bit about the townhome next door. The price went down again, and she let us know that she was “pretty sure” she had renters for it. But still no buyer.
I hate to confess, but I kind of felt my stomach turn when I saw the neighbor’s garage door light on. We’ve had bad experiences with all three sets of neighbors that have lived there. It’s selfish to say, but it was nice not having someone living next door. We didn’t have to worry about someone playing their speakers too loud and keeping us up all night, or waking us up because they were screaming bloody murder at each other outside. Oh, and the whole not being afraid to come home thing was nice as well.
The new neighbor was still outside unloading the truck, so I decided to be nice and introduce myself.
Before I had a chance though, he walked by our garage and excitedly asked, “You have a 240Z?!”
“Actually, it’s a 280Z,” I responded.
“Sweet! I have a 510.”
So, I peered into his garage and assumed that the boxy car in there was the 510 he was talking about. We briefly chatted, and I introduced myself then went home, impressed that someone recognized the Datsun and showed interest in it.
Later, we left the house (I shamefully admit it was to pick up a pizza), and Steven noted (with envy?) that the new neighbor has an engine hoist.
When we arrived home, Steven introduced himself. They chatted a bit about their Datsuns. The new neighbor offered his tools and help to Steven. Then I fell in love with the new neighbor and begged him to help Steven get the Datsun running for good.
I like this new neighbor already. If there is one thing I’m not good at (Ha! Just one?), it’s helping Steven work on the Datsun. Sure, I can stand there and take instructions, but other than that, I am USELESS.
And I feel bad. Because Steven explains things to me about the Datsun over and over, and I truly listen, but it just doesn’t sink in. I am going to keep trying, but for now, let me say, I am having higher hopes for this neighbor than I normally would…
Life
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240Z, 280Z, 510, Automobiles, cars, Datsun, Home, neighbor, real estate
The Denver trip was a success – I know because I have a bad case of the “I wish I was still on vacation” blues!
On Friday we drove to Estes Park and into Rocky Mountain National Park. We saw some elk up close, which I thought was pretty exciting! Their antlers are HUGE!!!
The Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park
I was amazed by the beauty of the park. I would love to go back when it is a bit warmer and do some hiking or camping there.
We started skiing on Saturday at Keystone. Steven and I took a one-day beginner’s course while our friends, Eric and Abbie, skied on their own. We learned the basics, like how to put our equipment on and take it off (good to know!), how to form the “wedge,” how to walk uphill, and how to turn. I thought the course was VERY helpful and necessary, but I was feeling a bit anxious to get out on my own. I was disappointed that I wasn’t all sweaty and sore that night when we got back!
Yes, I realize I look like a dork! I was afraid we were going to slide down the hill backwards so I grabbed onto Steven!
On Sunday, we started out by warming up on the very mild practice slopes. Eric and Abbie were SUPER patient with us and stuck by the whole day! They gave us very helpful advice that we didn’t cover in class. It was like we had our own personal ski instructors! I was very thankful that Abbie taught me how to get up when I fell over, and that Eric taught me how to form a big enough wedge that I could stand at the top of a large decline and not immediately start sliding down.
A super cute photo of our free personal instructors friends Eric and Abbie.
One of the mild slopes we warmed up on.
We did A LOT of crashing on Sunday. Maybe one of us a bit more than the other… no, not me, for once! Steven had epic wipe outs – tumbling and turning, skis and poles in all directions – a few times I thought he seriously injured himself! He has huge bruises on his legs from his wipe outs. I only have tiny little bruises, so I guess I wasn’t crashing hard enough!
After we went down this hill, Steven said, “Turn around and take a photo of how steep that slope is!” Can you tell?
We spent our day on the green (easy) slopes. Even though the Saturday class was necessary, I had so much more fun on Sunday, actually spending time going down the slopes. The view of the mountains and forest is just spectacular. And it is constantly changing as you make your way down the slope. Every view feels unique and different.
Even riding the chair lift was fun… if not a bit scary.
A view of Breckenridge.
Us inside of a gondola, riding to the North Peak.
It took me a bit of time to get into the hang of things on Sunday. But once I did, I was hooked. I am a bit of a reckless/fearless/”adrenaline rush seeking” person, so I think that helped a bit. You can’t really let the slopes intimidate you, or you’ll be thinking more about that and not be able to let your body do its thing. On Saturday, I realized I was over thinking what the instructors were teaching us during class, and that was limiting me. But when I got out there, and just followed the instinct of my body, it went a lot smoother.
I wish we could have had ONE more day on the slopes. I would have liked to try a more challenging (!) slope or even just take longer runs. We did a lot of skiing and stopping on the green slopes, which I definitely think we needed, but once I started going, my body wanted to keep going. Except for my quads, which were burning like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I definitely got the workout in that I was missing on Saturday – I can still feel the burn in my calves, quads and hips a bit today!
I hope this becomes an annual trip. We had such a wonderful time skiing and sight-seeing (aka, gawking at the local beauty that is Colorado), but also hanging out with Eric and Abbie and Eric’s parents. I felt like staying with Eric’s parents was staying at a five-star hotel. Steven and I had our own little guest house over the garage (complete with welcome sign!). Every night, Eric’s parents cooked wonderful meals for us, and had snacks out waiting for us when we got home from skiing (they hand-dipped strawberries in chocolate for us on Valentine’s Day!). They were just incredibly accommodating and made me feel so welcome! I feel as comfortable around Eric’s parents as I do around my own (enough that his mom jokingly said, “I don’t remember Kim being such a smart aleck!”). We had wonderful conversations with them. Eric’s family is into health and fitness, and Eric and Abbie just signed up for the Disney Half Marathon, so I was able to blab and blab about our running without feeling stupid (of course, as I ate enough food for 10 people… oops). I can’t wait to see them all again.
Interesting story – on our way to economy parking at O’Hare today, I kept seeing a police helicopter hovering over the lot. I was trying to figure out what was going on, and then, as we drove out, Steven said, “Is Obama here this weekend?” Right after he said that, I looked out the car window and saw Air Force One! We saw the plane sitting on the runway, then take off. After that, we noticed all the security and police vehicles on our way out. Apparently he was on his way to Denver. We just missed him!
Please bear with me this week as I get back into the swing of things with blogging, blog-reading, and emails. That will be me, leaving comments on your day old posts, because I’ve been away from the internet since Thursday!
I’m participating in Hilly’s Third Annual Self-Love Day! This is my second year, hence the “ii’ in the title.
The rules:
1. Post a banner on your blog and declare February 13th/14th as the day you not only love your one and only, but the day that you love yourself!
2. Post one nice thing about yourself……then ask others to post one thing that they really like about you.
3. Enjoy yourself!
It’s kind of weird to come up with a nice thing about myself, then ask you all to say something nice about me. So, if you did last year, you’re off the hook! Unless you’re family, then you have to say something! Ha.
So, I love my one and only, Mr. Steven-0, and of course, Sir Data-Lor, but I also love my family and all friends. Life is all about relationships, and having fun. I am lucky to have so many people to love.
Which brings me to what I love about me – I’m easy-going, approachable, and love to have a good time (with family and friends, as well as coworkers and other acquaintances, when appropriate). Okay, at least, that is how I see myself 90% of the time. Life’s too short to waste by being a negative, judgmental, pessimistic snob. I work hard to have an upbeat attitude. I try not to let things phase me, even though I sometimes can’t help it. The point is, I am conscious of my attitude, and realize that having a good one, as well as a positive outlook, is going to make me happier in general.
So… I like that I figured that out. And I like that it has allowed me to have a lot of fun this past year.
Yeah. Did that make any sense whatsoever?!
I can’t wait to read all of your self-love declarations! And leave my comments about what I love about YOU! It is going to take me awhile to get to them, since I am in Denver all weekend, but I’ll get there!
Oops, I just realized I used the wrong banner! I’ll have to fix that later!
It’s 11:15 pm. My alarm is set for 2:45 am to make our very early flight to Denver. My bag is packed. I feel like I forgot something. It’s hard to pack for a skiing trip, when you’ve never been skiing, and aren’t sure you got what you need. Our friend was very nice and gave us a thorough list, but I still feel like something is missing. I hate that feeling.
Oh well. I’ll figure it out when I get there.
I’m so happy to have the next 4 days off. I need a break to have some fun. We’ll be busy, but be miles and miles away from home. I can let my mind wander. I won’t have to think of the all the things on my to-do list!
I’ll just get to that long list when I return, and start mentally planning our next vacation!
Excuse: I am feeling weird today. Please excuse the weirdness of this post, and the one I wrote for tomorrow!
Besides the running portion of training for the half marathon, there is also a bit of “diet” training. I need to figure out which foods my body prefers to fuel a run, and eat right before a run.
I already know my body prefers a “first thing in the morning” run, preferably on an empty stomach or after a very light meal. But my schedule doesn’t allow that. I have to run in the evenings on week nights . So, I get home, eat dinner, and run 30-60 minutes later.
At first, I was just getting a stomach cramp every night after my post-run shower. But starting last week, I’ve had a different problem.
(This is the part where you stop reading if you don’t want to know about my bowel movements.)
Three times in the last week, I’ve had to stop during a run and sprint (ha ha) to the bathroom… to poo. You know that uncomfortable feeling, like “I have to go right now“? That is the feeling I had – an awful, sudden cramp that had to be answered immediately.
I attributed the first two times to the fact that I had eaten some of my favorite Valentine’s Day treat the day before. I liked the treat – my body didn’t. I threw them away. One of those runs was a week night one, and one was a weekend, so I didn’t think it was from eating too close to running.
The third time though – last night – didn’t make ANY sense. I’ve been eating healthy for quite a few days before the run, but it still happened.
I did some internet research (you can imagine how fun THAT was), and this is the best article I came up with. It advises to:
I suspected the first item. Dairy and I have been enemies for quite some time now. And I’ve been having a cheese stick once a day. Goodbye dairy, except for that occasional Chile Relleno that is no where near a running day.
I should be able to follow all of these items, except the fourth and sixth. I gotta eat my steamed broccoli. I love it. And 3 hours? Ha!
I am going to try these things and see how it goes. Apparently, all that bouncing and giggling of your intestines speeds up your need to use the bathroom no matter what, so I may not have any luck.
I’m not afraid to “go” outside if I have to – I’ll do what I gotta do!
“Some people get overly excited because they are about to get stabbed, and that’s all they can think about. But don’t get sloppy!” – another quote from our professor.
I’m surprised – Fencing is becoming addictive! Last night was the first time we got to properly fence one another. We’re doing electric Épée Fencing. In Épée, you can hit your opponent anywhere on the body, but only with the end of your sword (well, your “épée”, but we’ll call it sword). Épée is the slowest of the three kinds of fencing because these two factors require more time and concentration… making it perfect for beginners! It’s called “electric” because an electric cord is plugged into the sword, and registers each hit made by the push-button on the end of the sword on a scoreboard.
Take that, imaginary opponent!
I was feeling really clumsy and anxious last week, but felt a lot more focused tonight during my warm-up with Steven. The professor must have noticed – he asked me and Steven and to demonstrate a fancy move to the class! After class, he even told me he liked “our style.” Heh.
I think we have two VERY different styles. Steven is focused and calculated. He is very deliberate in his steps. I just go for it. I’m very aggressive and fast, and definitely sloppy. I think we could learn a bit from each other.
We both did well against (read: beat) our opponents. A male opponent of mine jokingly said, “You must have some hidden maliciousness!” (This is the same guy who was joking that there should be “drunk fencing,” but also made a very nice hit on my right-handed ring finger. I’ll take a photo when the bruise shows up.) And one guy was teasing Steven that everyone else gets to fence and go home and forget about it, but Steven has to go home with his opponent. Ha. Steven and I still haven’t fenced. He’d kick my butt, surely.
I was suprised by the adrenaline rush I got when I got up in front of the class to fence. My legs and hands were shaking! It took me awhile to calm down afterward. It’s fun. You just want to keep going and going. I can’t wait until the next class!
Somehow, I managed to forget that the appointment I made to get a new government ID this morning requires my photo being taken. If I would have remembered, I would have spent a little more time getting ready this morning.
What a great start to the week.
On the bright side though, I walked by a Crêpe restaurant on my way to get the new ID. Just knowing my office is that close to a Crêpe restaurant makes me happy. Strange – but I’ll take it.
Yum, crêpes. I think I’ve only ever had two – one in Paris, and one in Copenhagen. The one in Copenhagen was huge, filled with hot nutella oozing out of the edges, and folded into a big, chewy triangle. I’m going to spend the rest of the day fantasizing about that.
Update: I just found out I am getting introduced to 300+ people today at our “Town Hall Meeting.” Yay, the day just gets better!
Life, Work + Design
| badge, crepes, food, government, ID, Work + Design
Hi! I'm Kim, a 34-year-old living in Chicagoland with my husband, Steven, and our cats, Khali, Apollo, and Starbuck. I work in the design industry (architecture), follow a vegan lifestyle, am addicted to running, and am an ACE certified personal trainer (working at Essential Fitness, LLC ("Efit"))! I write about a variety of topics, and consider this a "life" blog - a place I can share anything that's on my mind. Please visit the "About" page to get a better idea of who I am! :-)
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