I started this blog back in January 2009 as a form of distraction from the things that were going on my life at the time. I enjoyed writing/posting about random things and I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from my family, friends and even strangers. However, as with everything in life-all things must come to an end. Therefore, I am officially concluding this project. It has served as a creative/therapeutic outlet for me and I will miss it dearly. But don’t fret. I am starting a new blog soon to reflect a major transition that is about to transpire. So stay tuned….

Xoxo

Char T.

Stay tuned for a review…

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, but my mother thought she created my name and it turned out to be one of her best friends’ middle name.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? In December, after my car accident. It wasn’t even because of the pain, but because they told me my Jeep was totaled (thankfully it wasn’t!)

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Depends on the day. I have multiple personality disorder when it comes to handwriting.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey!

DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Biological: 0. Godchild: 1

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes I would. I already make myself laugh more than anyone else : )

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Ha! No comment…

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep. What is this? 1950

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Of course...and I will jump out of planes too!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Anything with almonds or vanilla. Preferred brand: Kashi

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I don’t wear shoes with laces. Actually, I take that back. When I’m at the gym I untie them.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Getting stronger by the day

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Tiramisu from Baskin Robins (its a seasonal flavor)

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their demeanor

RED OR PINK? Formerly pink. Becoming more acquainted with red

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My ability to very easily become apathetic towards things/people

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My bff in Ann Arbor and my bff in Cleveland (although we talk daily)

WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Is invisible a color?

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Pancakes and Bacon

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Something really inappropriate…

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Gold

FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla and grapefruit mix. Any nice/subtle cologne on a guy

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My cousin

MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE? Beach house

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Baseball in person. Gymnastics on TV

HAIR COLOR? Brown. Soon to be Black

EYE COLOR? Brown

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yep

FAVORITE FOOD? Too many to name…

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Psyhological thrillers

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Nite

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Purple number from Gap body

SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer

HUGS OR KISSES? Insert smiling

FAVORITE DESSERT? Creme Brulee and Tiramisu

STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO? Both

COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? Computers do everything

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Michelle Obama: An American Story

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Umm…I don’t even own a mouse

FAVORITE SOUND? A really hearty laugh…it really is contagious

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? To live? Los Angeles

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Unlimited humor

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Chicago, IL

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? Outer space (at least that’s how it feels)

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE? Brown?

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR? Deep Water Blue Pearl

DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING  QUESTIONS? Depends on who’s asking…

.vivid.

51. Ramp it up

“If you live in the flatlands, you’ll have to be creative about hill training. Deserted highway ramps or parking garages are possibilities (umm no), though they pose obvious safety problems. You may want to invest in a treadmill.” –Bob Glover, runner/author/coach

52. Grab hold of the rope

“If you’re laboring up a steep hill, imagine that a towrope is attached to the center of your chest, pulling you steadily toward the top.” –Jeff Galloway

53. Lean on it

“When going down, I lean with the hill. I know I’m doing it right if I feel like I’m going to fall on my face.” –Ed Eyestone, RW columnist, coach, and two-time U.S. Olympic marathoner

54. Save something for the summit

“Don’t attack a hill from the very bottom–it’s bigger than you are!” –Harry Groves, renowned Penn State coach

55. …then take off!

“I’ve always found it effective in a race to make a move just before the crest of a hill. You get away just a little, and you’re gone before they get over the top.” –John Treacy, two-time World Cross-Country champion from Ireland

56. Make the switch

The difference between a jogger and a runner is a race-entry blank.” –Dr. George Sheehan

57. Get up to speed

“Three half-mile repeats on the track at 5-K race pace with a short recovery jog in between shouldn’t scare anyone away–and it will improve your speed.” –Frank Shorter

58. Just “Q” it

“Quality counts, if you want to stay fast. Don’t do all your workouts in the comfort zone.” –Ken Sparks, Ph.D., top masters marathoner

59. Stay in control

“Run your own race at an even pace. Consider the course, the temperature, the weather, and most importantly, your current level of fitness.” –Marty Liquori

60. Be flexible (or else)

“The idea that you can’t lose contact with the leaders has cut more throats than it has saved.” –Arthur Lydiard

to be cont…

According to the American Kennel Club, the Maltese breed has been an aristocrat of the canine world for over 28 centuries, owned by royalty all over the globe. It is a toy dog covered from head to toe with a mantle of long, silky white hair (I plan on keeping it short like the picture above). The Maltese is gentle-mannered and affectionate, known for being lively, playful and fearless despite its small size. Maltese are intelligent little dogs that are very fast learners if they feel sufficiently rewarded. Today, their refinement, cleanliness and portability make them a popular choice as a companion dog. Other characteristics include:

• Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred
• Moves with a jaunty, smooth, flowing gait
• Should be brushed daily, and groomed often
• Great family dogs…for the sake of my future human children : )

Black Marriage Negotiations:

Unfortunately, these scenarios are not too far fetched. Nevertheless…pure hilarity!

Warning:  this is a “rant”

As I write this entry, it is 6:00am and I am sitting in an airport in Phoenix.

As part of my job I travel at least once every two months- but as the title suggest- this has been the most bizarre excursion I have embarked on thus far. From the beginning to the apparent end, I have experienced nothing but randomness. To begin, this was my first job-related trip traveling out of O’hare airport (for a 7:12am flight). Sounds pretty innocent right? Wrong! My job reimburses me for parking (of course the most economy priced lot), which usually results in me parking a little further from the airport. Economy lot F of O’hare is located at least 10-15 miles from the actual airport. Little did I know, I had to catch a bus and a train to get to the terminal. When I first drove into the lot (at approximately 5:30am), I tracked the bus down so that I wouldn’t have to wait long in the secluded, dark lot. However, the bus had different plans as it kept going without stopping at any of the designated stops. Therefore, I had to wait anyway…luckily not for too long. Once another driver came, he drove around the entire lot and stopped and waited at every stop even though no one was there. Irony! Next, this diligent bus driver stops at what appears to be a train station. I just sat there because I thought this was another pick up. Wrong! After 2-3 minutes, I had to ask him why we were waiting. His response: “Oh, this is where you get off to catch the tram to the terminal”. Gee thanks for telling me this! So of course once I trek up the stairs to the tram, it had just departed and I had to wait almost 20 minutes for a new one. Really O’hare? Do better! (it was a Monday morning and lots of people were taking flights out). Luckily I didn’t have to wait too long to check in or for security. I made it to the plane at 7:00am. 12 minutes until take off. All of this, after waking up at 4:30 am. Did I mention that I was unable to grab breakfast before this 4 hour flight and I was stuck in seat B?…a middle seat.

Finally I arrive in Phoenix for a quick layover (15 min to be exact). I arrive to my next gate (10 ft away), and I am relieved because I can finally eat (apparently US Airways doesn’t even serve cookies or peanuts). As I stand in line for Pizza Hut, the attendant announces that my gate has been changed to other side of the airport. Gosh. So I have to get out of line to run (thanks Chicago half marathon) to my next gate. Once I get there I realize I have 5 more minutes until boarding, so I jump into another Pizza Hut line and grab the only thing left (cheese bread, my fave!). My luck is getting better. False! As I approach my next terminal, I realize that I have to walk to my plane. Not in a corridor, but on the ground…because it’s a puddle jumper!! 1. I have become accustomed to riding in very large aircraft’s where I am seat #35 A, B, or C. That day, my ticket read Seat 8B. Little did I know that was the second seat to the back of the plane. Sigh. 2. I am slightly claustrophobic and this plane was not only small (36 seats total), but narrow (which resulted in the “hippy” attendant, almost knocking my food out of my lap on multiple occasions). But all in all, the flight was quick (30 min) and we landed safely in Flagstaff, AZ. Whew! I have to preface my next statement with that fact that I have always traveled in large airports my entire life. When I walked into Flagstaff’s airport, it was like walking into someone’s large home. One airline. One desk attendant. One metal detector. Etc. I just laughed it off and thought “cozy is cute.”

US Airway Puddle Jumper (yes those are external propellers!)

Next stop: Hotel room. In my recent travels I have become accustomed to staying in very modern, trendy living accommodations. How would I describe Little America Hotel? Antique. When I first entered the room I was shocked. 1. It was huge! 2. It was decorated, like really decorated (see pictures below). 3. I didn’t see a TV and I almost had a panic attack. Luckily I quickly realized the TV was behind one of the walls in the room. Whoo-hoo! I guess this is the “city girl” in me, but instead of being comforted by the at-home feeling this room exuded, I began to feel creeped out. I instantly began to imagine all of the horror movies and thrillers (i.e. Psycho) that took place in settings that looked just like this room (my imagination can get the best of me sometimes). However, I got used to the setting and actually began to appreciate the diversity it provided. As it turned out, I didn’t leave that room once (aside from my conference meetings and dinners) because I was consumed with work and it was pitch black outside…. Little did I know, I would severely crave that room in less than 12 hours of leaving it.

Fast forward to departure. I arrive back at the Flagstaff house airport. Everything goes smoothly (primarily because there are only 20 people to check in). Great!…Once we board the plane, the pilot announces a delay. To make a VERY long story short, this “delay” lasted for almost 3 hrs. We couldn’t exit the plane (which I actually think is illegal because of the poor air circulation), and once we took off,  it was like a 45 minute life-threatening roller coaster. Anyway, I miss my first connecting flight, so I have to catch a new one to Vegas at 8:15pm. Thanks to that 3 hour hiatus, I arrive at the Phoenix airport at 8:05pm, and my next gate is in a different terminal. Here we go again! I attempt to rely on my “running skills” once again. Fail! I take off running and after about 1.5 min I feel like I’m punched in the chest. But I continue to run. Then I feel like I cant breathe. I have to stop and do a quick walk. I arrive at my gate at 8:13pm and I see the plane corridor retracting. No!!!…That was the last flight of the night. Who does that?? Once I get my barrings, I realize that I can not breathe at all and that my throat and airways are closing. I cant speak and I start to gag and cough and the paramedics are called. Whomp! After having me sit down and taking my blood pressure and running some other respiratory tests, it is determined that I hyperventilated (stress induced). Luckily, my breathing rate and blood pressure return to normal, so there was no need to go the hospital. Whew!

Once I reached the customer service counter, I was given two options. 1. Sleep in the airport. 2. Sleep in a local hotel. I hate to sound pretentious, but option 1 was a non-option. I had almost 12 hrs until my flight, there was no wi-fi and the restaurants were closed. So I call the “inconvenience hotline” number they gave me, and I am given a “discount” reservation to the Clarion Motel Hotel. After my second attempt to open the door to my room (the first key was inactivated, of course), I immediately desired the moments I shared with Little America in Flagstaff. This hotel was really a motel with a more pretty name. Gosh. Instantly, my mind rushed with images of movies such as “Vacancy”. It didn’t help that  as soon as I turned on the TV I was bombarded with trailers for Paranormal Activity 2 and other horror movies for Halloween season. This was the first time in my adulthood that I felt like I needed a male to protect me. Yikes! Luckily, my friend Allen calls me and my fears a slightly calmed. But of course he is on east coast time (3 hr difference) and gets sleepy, while I am still completely awake. So I find an episode of South Park, and reluctantly pull back the gritty covers and fall asleep. 3 hours later my alarm goes off and I rush out to get to my current destination (airport). Whew!

Dark creepy room, with dark creepy opening to the bathroom

As I wrap up this excursion/entry (I realize it is way longer than usual), I am holding my breath. Why? Because the lady across from me is ever-so-thoughtfully, coughing full force without covering her mouth… and if I have learned nothing else from going to work everyday and attending remote conferences such as this, it’s that TB is real…and that travel can be nuts!

To be fair, some good things happened this week: I was able to see beautiful mountains, I learned more than I ever thought I could about drug interactions and  I met a fab older woman named Andrea (from San Fran) with lots of stories to tell…I just hope that I can remember this “adventure” in 50 years, so that I can share it with some young, unsuspecting, professional woman…

the-end