London 2012.

If you haven't already united with the world in cheering on its best athletes, I ask that you join. The Olympics kicked off officially this past Friday with the beloved tradition of the opening ceremonies.  London did good - honoring British history that included special cameos by James Bond, Her Majesty the Queen, JK Rowling, Becks, Mr. Bean, and Sir Paul McCartney.  What a spectacular event it was - topped off by the torch lighting ceremony where metal leaves brought by each represented country created the Olympic cauldron.  One word can only describe this tradition - epic.


As we entered the first week of the games, I was able to witness some outstanding moments - a man from Kazakhstan winning the gold in his last professional race as a cyclist, Missy Franklin proudly crying as the US national anthem played during her medal ceremony, and the bittersweet moments with the women's gymnastics qualifying round.  I was speaking with some colleagues about this earlier today - that as we celebrate the best athletes, we do so from sitting in the comfort of our home.  That's right, sitting.  I know I'm guilty of spending hours sitting on my couch enjoying the games.  How ironic, eh?  We celebrate athleticism by being in a state of laziness.


So, if these Olympic games have inspired you in any way shape or form, challenge yourself to increase your personal fitness.  It doesn't have to be something grandiose, it can be as simple as going for a walk.  Not someone who typically works out?  Download a couch to 5k plan to get yourself in a race!  Played a sport back in the day?  Join a rec league and get back out there!  It's time we make a commitment to fitness like the athletes representing us at the games.  I think it's the very least we can do as supporters.

If Bella Chose Jacob.

A Note to the Reader:  Do not take anything in this post seriously.  Seriously.

Now, that I've cleared that up... I thought Kristen Stewart's moment of indiscretion deserved some attention.  Not really - as this is flooding entertainment magazines and television screens, I can't help but think about maybe some other things happening in the world... you know, the Olympics kick off officially tomorrow with opening ceremonies, and the terrible shooting that occurred last week for the Dark Knight Rises have now been forgotten, thanks to KStew.  If you really have no idea what I'm talking about with the craze of this news, take a look at this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKKF3Ho1ZlY I'm seriously baffled on how people can just cry over celebrities (we don't know them personally and yet people think they know what's really going on), but I think that's a whole other post in its entirety...

For those of you who have read the Twilight series, you are aware that in the end, Bella chooses Edward.  (If I just spoiled it for you, do not be mad at me - these books have been out for years and you could rent any of the movies to find this out.)  In real life, Kristen Stewart chose her co-star Robert Pattinson to be her man.  What if Bella chose Jacob instead of Edward?  Would we be in this hott mess in real life?  The answer would still probably be yes... but you can't help but think if Bella chose Jacob what her life would be like.  And so, here's a glimpse into her human life with Jacob Black:

• Bella would never need a blanket - thank goodness Jacob's natural body temp is over 100 degrees so she could just always cozy up to him to feel warm.
• Bella would age - I know, getting older is a terrible thing.  But so is remaining 19.  Forever.
• Jacob would never imprint - leaving Bella to being his #1 gal.
• Bella would've never gotten into that mess with the Vulturi in the first place.
• Jacob and Bella could live in peaceful harmony on the res with all of the other members of the wolf-pack.
• The Cullen's would have just left Forks early on and found some other town where they could be the weirdly beautiful family of adoptive siblings that date one another... except for Edward.

The list really could go on and on... So, I have to admit that I too was totally a team Edward, but maybe I should have been rooting for Jacob all the way.  You live and you learn.

Happy Anniversary, Milwaukee!

This past week in Milwaukee has been nothing short of amazing.  I promise to go into intense detail (not really) on why my week has been what I consider to be the best week (thus far) of my summer.  As I was reflecting yesterday with a friend on this week, I was also reminded that it was exactly 1 year ago this weekend that I settled into my new home of Milwaukee, WI.  Like any move, I thought I was ready for the transition, but ultimately was a bit scared for what was to come.  I was being uprooted from my home of two years to unfamiliar territory.  Don't get me wrong, I like Milwaukee, but like any transition I've had to get adjusted to the rhythm of a new city, making new friends, and feeling apart of the greater community.  So, what I've come to realize is that I think it truly takes a full year to feel acclimated to a place.  Now that I have been living in Milwaukee for a year, I have a better understanding of the little nuances of the city - I also have a greater understanding for cheese curds, the Brewers, and Spotted Cow.  But, that's an entirely different blog post.
So, here are the reasons I considered this week to be among the best I've had in Milwaukee, and am anticipating more to come - I mean, it is just the very beginning of July.


1 Chill on the Hill.  This event was actually named the best summer music event in 2011.  The concept is simple: bring food, drink, blanket, friends, and come sit on a hill and listen to a local artist perform.  Yes, the concept may be simple, but the event itself is magical.  This past week's chill was epic due to the amazing group of friends that I met at the event.  


2. Big Bang Fireworks. After playing some beach volleyball on Wednesday night, I stuck around with a friend to watch the Big Bang Fireworks - basically the kickoff to the Summer Fest celebration. I mean who doesn't like fireworks on on Wednesday night?  


3. Jazz in the Park. A Milwaukee summertime staple that takes place in Cathedral Square.  You could say it's a more main stream version of my beloved Chill on the Hill in a much smaller green space.  This week featured some Latin inspired music - and we danced our booties off.


4. Shakespeare in the Park. Although the production itself was not the best I've seen - I just love the idea of a group of young people bringing a classic to life in an outdoor space.  The show was Two Gentlemen of Verona, where I feel as though the Bro code was invented out of this play.


5. PBR Street Festival.  Yes folks, PBR started in Milwaukee and sponsors small street festivals including Burnharts Street Party.  This festival hosted a great brass band, local artists selling their merchandise, and of course plenty of opportunities to shake my tail feather.


6. The Roots. Summerfest is well underway in Milwaukee and I took my first of I hope a few trips to the festival last night to see the amazingly talented band, The Roots.  I had seen them once when I went to a taping of Jimmy Fallon, but a live concert experience is out of this world.  Somehow, my friend and I were able to get great seats and just enjoy the show.  An overall great end to a Saturday night.


I guess what I've come to realize that not only am I celebrating my anniversary with Milwaukee, but also I've finished my first year as a full time professional, my first year as an official grown up.   This past year has marked some interesting moments, but overall this it has been one of fulfillment and I'm looking forward to my next year in this city.