Done and done.

Yesterday, I finished my running challenge. Super exciting. All wrapped up in the running goal were a couple of big firsts this week. I have never run as far as I did this week combined - 10.05 miles! Nor, have I ever run that far at one stretch - 2.25 miles!

The daily breakdown:
Saturday - 1.6 miles on pavement
Sunday - No running (unless you count the trips between my couch and the fridge)
Monday - 2 miles on a treadmill
Tuesday - 2 miles on a treadmill
Wednesday - 2.2 miles on pavement
Thursday - 2.25 mies on a treadmill

Pretty sweet.

Immersion Blender Haiku

Springtime on my tongue.
Blueberry, ice, yogurt, freshness
New toys make me smile.

52,800 feet.

This week I will run 52,800 feet. That's 10 miles. I won't run it all at one time, but I will run it this week. Wish me luck!

Want make something cool?

Step 1: Get all this stuff out and put it on your kitchen counter.

Step 2: Shave a crayon into tiny pieces.

Step 3: Melt the crayon shavings into vegetable oil.

Step 4: Once the oil cools, add it to a bottle that has been partially filled with colored water.


Step 5: Observe.


Step 6: Shake it up and see what happens.

If you're a preschooler, you just learned that some colors mix to make other colors. If you're an adult, you just got to play with crayons and food coloring and make a mess in your kitchen.

cha⋅la⋅zi⋅on

Chalazion: A small circumscribed tumor of the eyelid caused by retention of secretion, and by inflammation of the Melbomian glands. From the Greek Khalazion meaning hard lump, hailstone.
**Fair warning: Parts of this are a little gross.**

About two months ago, I was driving to DC to witness the dawn of a new era in our great democracy. Merrily singing some happy tune, I absentmindedly scratched my eyelid…ow. I think to myself, “That’s weird, I don’t remember putting a bb pellet in my eyelid.” And my chalazion was born. Her name was Charlize.

A chalazion is just a disgusting little abnormality of the eyelid that you can sometimes convince to go away with a series of warm compresses. Sometimes, you have to get tough with it and use surgical instruments. In my case, after a month of warm compresses 4 times a day, Charlize and I had to have a little talk. I give you exhibit A.

So, I had the surgery to remove it the other day. The process is simple. You go in, sign your life away, and lay down in a very awesome chair. Then the doctor comes in, puts some drops in your eye and gives you a series of shots in your eyelid. Once you are certain you no longer have an eyelid, they tell you it’s numb…they are wrong, but refuse to admit it. When you shriek they say, “Oh, yeah well that corner is really tough to get numb.” (Was I wrong to request that she try harder?) Then the Inquisitor...ahem... doctor says, “You’re going to feel an awful lot of pressure now. We’re going to flip your eyelid.”

That’s probably more than enough details. It gets worse and way grosser. The procedure itself was, in a word, horrifying.

So the whole thing is over and they ask who is downstairs to drive me home. When I tell them I only live 3 blocks away and will be walking, the kind nurse looks alarmed and tries unsuccessfully hide her fear. Then she says, “Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine. I just hope no one tries to take advantage of you. You know, because you’re compromised.” Now, I haven’t seen myself yet and I’m not entirely sure what she means. Sure I’m wearing an eye patch, which seems to involve a lot of tape, but it can’t be that bad…right?

Hello Nasty.

When was the last time you went through you music collection? For seriously dug into it? I did it not too long ago and have been having the best time. There are, of course, the old favorites that have become the underlying soundtrack for your life, but there's so much more there. Memories of eras, years, people, places, jobs, trips, days that are all locked away in songs. Stuff that is gathering dust in the recesses because you haven't coaxed it out to play.

Today I worked out to the Beastie Boys...Hello Nasty. Such fun.

Yes! Michigan! - Great Lakes, Great Beer

It's beer week here in Philadelphia and I'm a happy girl. Special events, new beers tapping, rare craft brews, beer centered art, and beer loving people everywhere. Mother nature has been kind enough to cooperate and it's 60 degrees and sunny. Does it get better? YES.

How? How could it possibly get better?!?!

Michigan beers are everywhere! That's right, who knew little old Michigan was turning out such great, well-respected beer? Apparently, everyone. On any given day, in any bar with a moderately decent beer selection, you can find at least one (often more) Michigan beers. Just to name a few of the great West Michigan breweries that are featured this week around town:

Bells - Kalamazooo

New Holland - Holland

Arcadia - Battle Creek

Founders - Grand Rapids

When I lived there, I never fully appreciated the amazingness that is Michigan beer. If you're in Michigan, do me a favor and support your local brewers. If you're in Philadelphia, head on down to your local beer bar and ask for a Bell's (whatever they've got on tap), you won't be disappointed.

Cheers!

In case you were curious...

It was awesomer than one could have imagined.

Does this man not look like Steve Perry?

Sweet babies.

This is Miss Sarah. She's a teacher at a preschool in Camden, NJ.

She's really lucky because she gets to hang out with really smart, creative, amazing kids all day long. Her kids are really lucky because she's a great teacher. They found each other through Teach for America. We're all really lucky that Teach for America is around. Teach for America makes our country a better place to live.

Not too long ago, I got to go visit Ms. Sarah's classroom. She has WAY cooler toys at her job than I do at mine

The kids get to play and learn all at the same time. They're learning about dinosaurs right now. Can you tell?

One little girl tried to give me her little brother. He's 5 months old. I told her that her mom and dad probably wouldn't like it very much if I took him. She said, "No, it's okay. My mom won't care. You could just take him. " I'm not sure, but I don't think she likes being a big sister.

I even got to stand in line with the kids when we walked down the hall. It was awesome.