Thursday, July 27

Fairwell Jane Addams

Last Thursday was my final grad school class! I’m done (well I’m waiting on my grades, but nearly certain that I’m done with school).  Why haven’t I blogged about this earlier? Well, I was putting off important work projects in order to complete the necessary homework to complete the classes I’ve been taking. While my under grad experience was NOTHING like graduate school, the experience was good nonetheless, and hopefully now I can command a greater salary when I start that job hunt.

I’m at my current placement until Oct 31. It’s an okay position, but most importantly it meets all my job requirements: 1. Don’t work with people I strongly dislike (at least no more than 3) 2. Not having to own a car (in fact tomorrow I’m going to ‘bike commute’ for the first time—I can’t wait, I’ve been waiting so long for the opportunity!) 3. Doing something that I believe in or betters the world I live in some small way.  If things work out so I can stay there longer, great. If not, that’s okay too- at least I know what’s important to me.

Otherwise I’m coping with a sudden sense of boredom that is somewhat panic free for the first time in nearly a year! What a rush!

Tuesday, July 18

news worthy

I'm a little floored. The local ABC news station is going to do a story on me. They approached Team In Training wanting to do a story on a cancer survivor who is training for the marathon. The folks at TNT threw out some names, thought of me, and then gave me a call.

I'm flattered to be news worthy, and excited to talk about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-- also a little hesitant about being on TV. It's not the talking on TV that's the big deal but they want me to run. I know it's silly, but when I think about women who run on TV, I think of the intro to Bay Watch.

Sunday, July 16

hot time summer in the city

Sorry it's been soo long, between posts. As par for the course, everything always happens at once. Work is crazy nutty busy, and with only one week of classes (3 more assignments to more precise) standing between me and my MSW things are busy. Plus I firmly believe that there is some kind of link between nice weather in Chicago and me being too busy or otherwise occupied to truly enjoy it. Training for the marathon has definitely been a great way to build some 'outdoors' time in my normally indoors routine (office/bus/apartment/classroom).

This weekend I ran ten miles! My Team in Training Co-horts and I started a 7 a.m. in 85 degree heat. We run in the beautiful park near my apartment that follows the lakeshore. In addition to the heat the lake effect gave us some extra humidity. At the end of the run the temp was pushing low 90's and everyone I was running with was SOAKED in sweat. (I managed to do this in about 2 hours and 20 minutes) One woman looked like she had fallen in the lake her shorts were so sopping wet. By the time I walked myself home after the run, my knees were seriously considering filing for divorce. Luckily some ice, Tylenol, and a shower persuaded my patella to stay put.

It's Sunday now, and I'm attempting to work on the three projects to due this week. But the temp is 95 right now, and my attention span is nearly shot. So perhaps I'll do laundry. . or . . well. . Anything but homework.

Sunday, July 9

Me in March Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 4

Still Crazy

Sorry for the delay's in posts. I really wanted to promote the party. Thanks to all who attended, together we raised $750! Good Job!

I had a strange realization a couple weeks ago that my life now has a renewed sense of freedom I haven't had in about a year. I don't have any doctor's appointments on the books until next month, and no tests planned between times. It's a relife but it's also odd. Do I really trust that my cells won't start going haywire again?

This last weekend was a blast! With the party on Friday, and all my immedate family in Chicago on Saturday, then tickets to see the AWESOME Paul Simon in Milwaukee-- Matt & I have neglected attending the proper 4th of July festivities in order to get some rest. (What's that? I have a grant for work, a paper for school, and about 8 miles of run / walking to fit into tomorrow- i guess today- plus a parade and pals!)

I know it's always something -- but these somethings still beat all the other somethings I've already endured.