Jean Jackets + Running = Attractive

Yesterday marked my 3rd half marathon race in the past year.  There's something about the goal setting piece that I really enjoy - I work really hard for 3 months to then run 13.1 miles.  Plus, the race is through my city - so along the way, I can see people I know and get to enjoy the neighborhoods.

This race was special because I was running with one of my best friends in honor of her mother.  So, the times when I was ready to give up,  I kept pushing through because I had committed to the race and to my  friend.

So, yesterday morning we geared up at about 7am at the start line.  Then, it dawned on me - 12,000 people running a race, I was bound to see some interesting and very American things.  So, in honor of America, I decided to just highlight some of my favorite moments from the race:

1. We were placed into corrals depending on our finish time - in our corral stood a man wearing an Ohio State hat, running shorts, and a JEAN JACKET.  Yes, this man decided to sport a light denim wash on race day.  It was a bit chilly, so maybe he took the jacket off after we started to warm up.  Or, maybe he wanted to look The Boss (aka Bruce Springsteen) for the entirety of the race.

2.  I saw a man running in green khaki cargo shorts.  Maybe not a dri-fit material, but it did have some great storage space for his ipod.

3.  I cannot continue on without acknowledging those who came out to support.  One of my favorites was a lady who stood on the corner of Lane and High (right at OSU's campus) and had a tambourine.  Love it.

4.  The barefoot ladies - I've seen it before and I know it's a trend, but there were 2 women who ran the entire race barefoot.  I know how my knees feel post-race, I can only imagine their pain.  My friend actually kept pace with them along the way and at about the mid-way point, all the runners were able to take some GU (an energy booster a lot of distance runners choose to use).  Apparently, it was so sticky, they had to step aside and pull GU wrappers off their feet.  That would convince me to not run barefoot ever again. 

5.  And last but certainly not least, Condom Man.  Yes, folks that right.  I said it.  As I ran through Short North, he was there cheering us along.  And yet again, he was in German Village a few miles later.  While we passed him in German Village, a few runners around me were asking, "what do you think he is?  A cone head?"  The other runner responded, "I think so, but I'm sure a majority of these runners don't even know who that is, they're too young."  Being one of those "young runner" I felt compelled to respond, "I do."  But then, continued to think... it's totally not a cone head...

So overall, great race, great sightseeing, and completed with a great friend.  It's these things that keep me looking forward to racing -yes, its partially the whole completion of the race, but it's also the experience of those 2 hours on the road.  You never know what you're going to see.

Summerfest and Lake Michigan, what more do I need?

Today, I can officially announce that I have accepted a job at Marquette University and upon graduating from The Ohio State University, will start a new epic adventure in the city of Milwaukee (after a brief stint in Greece).  I've been to Milwaukee a handful of times and remember in my childhood visiting WI after taking a ferry across Lake Michigan (which I think is my mom's favorite reason to come visit me once I move).

So, to get geared up about Marquette and Milwaukee, I thought I'd share some fun facts about the city!

• Milwaukee is the 22nd largest city in the US
• The typewriter was invented in Milwaukee in 1867 (who knew?)
• Milwaukee is home to Harley-Davidson - I better stock up on my biker gear!
• Milwaukee is home to Summerfest, the world's largest music festival (sun, fun, and music - count me in)
• The name Milwaukee comes from the Native American word "Milliocki" which means gathering place by water.
• The city resides on the Shores of Lake Michigan.  Although I grew up on the other side of the lake, it excites me to get back to the water!

So, to sum up, by this short list of fun facts (there are still many more), you can now understand why Milwaukee is a great American city.  I suggest you go check it out for yourself.

Giving My Mother Hope

This weekend marked an exciting event (as most of you already know): The Royal Wedding.  Yes, I was up at 5am with my family watching the fairytale wedding unfold.  Kate looked absolutely stunning in her gown, and it was a touching moment when William first saw her and you could read from his lips, "You look beautiful."

A few months back, when the engagement became official, you may remember I wrote a post about my fascination with the British Monarchy.  And with the princes only being a few years older than I, I grew up having school girl crushes on them (especially Harry).  So although many women were upset to see Wills go off the market, Harry is still 'single.'  Which, gives my mother hope.  

Let me explain... One of my favorite books of all time is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  To sum up: the story centers on the Bennett family - a mother, father, and 5 daughters.  Because women had no right to property, it was Mrs. Bennett's job to find suitable gentlemen and get her daughters married.  

I refer to my mother as Mrs. Bennett.  Now, my mother is not constantly setting me up with someone, but she'll share stories of how her waiter was cute, so she showed him my picture.  She is always on the hunt for me.  My sister also got a heavy dose of Mrs. Bennett, but now that she is in a relationship, the focus is on me.  Great.

I would say my mother's love for the royal family is stronger than mine, and she has been talking about the wedding non-stop.  My sister and I are heading to Greece in a little over a month and my mom made some comment - what if Harry is there?  Now, mind you, that is probably not going to happen, and proves she has a vivid imagination.  I replied that we're just commoners and it would be highly unlikely to see him, let a lone talk to him.  Her response, "So was Kate."  Oh goodness... this will never end.

April Showers Bring May Flowers...?

It's been exceptionally rainy in Central Ohio as of late.  And I'm really getting sick of it.  This past weekend, I spent time in sunny 80 degree weather in the beautiful city of New Orleans and come back to this... I think every day this week it's rained at some point and I know that those who were in Columbus over the weekend experienced rain on the regular.

But I've always tried to make the most of a Debbie Downer situation by finding the positive spin... and it made me remember the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers."  It's April 27th.  May is just days away. 

So, of course, I then looked up where this saying came from and found it has American roots - traced back to Thomas Tusser in a poem he wrote in 1557.  So, if we've been saying this phrase for a few hundred years it has to be true.  All I have to say is I'm looking so very forward to May.

Farewell to a Hollywood icon

This morning, we were informed by national news or other avenues of communication that American movie star, Elizabeth Taylor passed away.  And although I'm not a die hard fan, I can't help but think of the impact the woman made in her 79 years with the American people and movie fanatics across the world.  Her beauty alone allowed her to play the part of Cleopatra and also put her at the status of a Hollywood icon.  And who could forget her multiple marriages that recieved huge media coverage and attention?

Elizabeth Taylor, along with other icons of her day make up my image of Hollywood - the glamour and the glitz of that period can never be topped.  Her career grew as did the technology to spread instant communication about the lives of celebrities.  And although I'm sure the fascination with celebrities came a bit before her time, Elizabeth Taylor really lived in the spotlight throughout her entire career. 

It makes me curious what stars of today are going to be the Elizabeth Taylors of our time?  I know that right now some names pop out, but that doesn't mean in a few years time that they could be unsuccessful and looking for the next role to serve as their comeback.  And although I sometimes questioned the company she kept (if you were unaware, Michael Jackson was one of her closet friends)... Elizabeth Taylor serves as an icon in American Hollywood history and should be honored for her career and her contribution to American culture.

It's Fun to Pretend

Cead Mile Failte!

St. Patrick's Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine... Why??
1) My favorite color is green, so I get to proudly wear it.  AND maybe be a bit obnoxious with it. 
2) My favorite country I've ever traveled to is IRELAND.  And, so naturally, I have always enjoyed trad music and step dancing. 
3) I'm mistaken all the time for being Irish.. probably due to my pale skin and freckles.  Fun Fact: I am Eastern European.  But today, I am IRISH.

Go get your Irish on and enjoy the day!

Farewell, Maggie's

Ask anyone you know and at any point in their life there has to be that place that makes you say... "Oh, your visiting (insert city)?  When you're there you have to go to (insert random establishment)!"

As many of you know, I did my undergraduate work at Western Michigan Unviversity in Kalamazoo, MI.  Kalamazoo is a great college town and is home to many little shops, Bell's Brewery, The Den, and (until Monday) Maggie's.  Maggie's was a little whole in the wall breakfast joint just west of WMU's campus.  Their claim to fame: The Breakfast Stew.  This dish was a cure all for anything - a mixture of hashbrowns, eggs, saugage, cheese, oinions, and peppers - the stew got many WMU students through their weekends.

Maggie's happend to be right around the corner from the house I lived in my last two years of undergrad.  Often, on a Saturday morning, we would wake up and roll into Maggie's still in our sweats.  The place itself was an old house and maybe had 15 tables in total - so often times there was a long wait, but it was worth it.

This past Monday, via Facebook as well as my phone many fellow Bronco Alumni informed me of the closing.  No one really knows why it happened and someone on Facebook had posted they called and Maggie's would not explain why.

Now when I venture back to Kalamazoo for homecoming, things just won't be the same.  There will be something missing.  Farewell, Maggie's.