Corporate Challenge 2013

I did it! I participated (notice I did NOT say ran) in the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge again this year.

(Notice the guy in a box...that's because unlike last year, it was FREEZING and windy outside. You never can tell with Chicago weather)

While I didn't get as good of a time as last year, I had fun and finished! I didn't walk by myself like last year and had fun getting to know two of my co-workers. There were lots of laughs and a good time was had by all.

Next year, I"m going to try and improve my time.

Well probably...

perhaps.

Mount Kilimanjaro

I'm so green with envy.

So jealous.

One of my friends is leaving today to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro.

This is definitely moving to the top of my bucket list. Obviously I'd need to get in A LOT better shape...but DANG I want to go!

That is all. Just an update to the ol bucket list.

Antarctica trip is totally still on there. When did I get so adventurous? huh.

DC Trip!!

Just got back from an EPIC trip to DC this weekend. I took Thursday - Monday off and headed to DC with a friend to visit her sister.

The trip started off on a good foot. After an hour of searching for her sister at the airport, we determined that we flew into the wrong freaking airport.

Finally we made it into DC via the Super Shuttle. We stayed up until 5am like school girls at a slumber party. So much fun!

Friday we met up with their bro for brunch then shopping in the city. I made Sarah and Courtney at least walk by the White House but as we did, they spotted a celebrity! So we tracked him down, had a series of embarrassing moments but eventually walked away with 3 free tickets to his comedy show that night!

We had a pretty tough rest of the day what with the Mani/Pedi's at Mimosa Salon then a visit to the Foot Reflexologist...oh and a few cocktails in between. Then got dolled up for our free tickets to the show! Let me tell you, comedy is even better when it's free!

Saturday we got up "early" and met their bro again for brunch. We sat outside in the sun and it was perfect weather. Spent the rest of the day shopping at the Union Market and the Eastern (not Easter as I had been thinking) markets. Went out again Saturday night for Sarah's b-day.  Courtney and I weren't embarrassing at all.

Sunday we woke up (barely) and flew back to Chicago :(

Epic Weekend.

The Great Gun Debate

** Updated so I don't make myself sound like such a terrible person.

I just finished listening to an interest podcast from Freakonomics radio about the gun control debate. If you've read the book, you can appreciate how they are able to draw interesting correlations between seemingly unrelated topics. So this episode was about gun control...

Other than the over-use of my least favorite words "Crazies" "Nut jobs", etc. It was an interesting episode.  Some points that really stuck out to me:

• Guns are non-perishable, so focusing on restricting the sale of new guns won't do a whole lot since there are so many already in existence.
• The overriding theme was that we need to restrict those using guns, not guns on their own. So mandatory sentence enhancements for crimes involving guns would be a step in the right direction. (Not just shootings, but where the criminal was in possession of a gun)
• There was a point made about what gun regulation would look like if they were new. You might have to just listen to the podcast to get the full scope of that point, link above.
• Bottom line was that we need to look deeper - not at getting rid of guns, but "getting rid" of those committing gun violence through better parenting, more empathetic society, etc.

All of these points seem to go along with a previous soapbox that guns aren't the issue, our culture of guns is. Just as the culture of smoking has changed, so too does the culture of guns. Cigarettes haven't gone away, but we no longer live in a society that promotes smoking.

Anyway, it's an interesting debate and a complex one with more than answer.

Belly Button Lent

Last year for Ash Wednesday, I went to the Catholic church where I used to attend mass during the week. It's downtown, centrally located, and I generally enjoyed it.

Last year I did not. Not sure why.

So this year, I'm excited to kick off Lent at my home church that I have really been enjoying. I love that their focus is living out the Bible, not just studying it. Not that they don't study the Bible, but they're more concerned with living out the message. I think that's the biggest difference I've noticed in churches that I like vs ones that don't fit as well.

Woo, off topic.

Anyway,

This year for Lent, I've signed up to do a "Walking to the Cross" A Lenten Devotional. Basically it combines exercise and devotionals.  Sounds like a great thing to do to get in shape for Lent (both physically and spiritually).  Plus it'll be fun to do it with folks from church. We'll get together every Thursday at 7 and walk!

I've also decided to give up the booze for Lent. It'll be an excellent way to boost my health goals and to all around be healthier.

So if you see me anytime before Easter, help me stay on track and lend me some motivation!

Sew Busy!

I finally got around to working on some sewing projects!! I got a fab new sewing machine for Christmas but haven't really been motivated to tackle much.

So today I woke up motivated and got started.

First project:

Fixed the strap on a yoga bag for a friend from work. Not the most challenging of tasks, but makes me feel talented that I could help her out.

Next up was a cover for my sewing machine. (Really was just procrastinating before taking on the big project of new curtains. I started with just a basic cover, then decided to make a little cord holder for the cords obviously. Then added a pocket to hold the manual. I love this fabric and haven't had a chance to use it before.

Finally decided to take on the curtains! I found these on Pinterest and was really excited to give them a try. Seemed like a cheap alternative to spending tons of money on curtains.

Here's the pic from Pinterest:

And here's my before picture of the window in my room:

And here's the finished product:

OOh, and I finished crocheting an infinity scarf! (This one took a lot more time...but finished it today, so it counts towards my crafty day):

AND...I got a bit artistic with the design:

Ok. Enough photos and crafts for now.

DC or Bust!

It is perhaps a bit early to post about this upcoming trip, but I'm too darn excited not to!!

My friend Courtney and I are flying out to visit her sister in DC for Sarah's birthday! I'm so stinking excited.

I've planned several trips for this year, and so far they all seem to be happening. Again, perhaps a bit on the early side since I've booked 2 of the 4 and have yet to leave for any...but still.

So end of March, I will be in DC!

Yay for girl's trips!!


(I relize this is a lame post, especially if you are not Sarah or Courtney. Sorry. Too bad)