2005-06-10, 10:19 a.m.
Some pics from June:
I'm back from Chicago...quite tired. I have pictures of chocolate for you (a dark chocolate truffle with peppercorns because I already ate the one with the Hungarian Paprika before I remembered to photograph), but I'll post those tomorrow. I've also posted a link to my training log on the left. You can read about my plane ride with Mr. Shit Pants there.
Despite the weather, I really really like Chicago and consider it among my top 3 favorites in the U.S. (NYC & SF are the others, and I really like New Orleans but it is more like somewhere I'd spend my winters or retire to). If I ever continue forward with my MBA plans, I'd loooove to go to Northwestern...not just cuz it is a really good school but because it is in a really cool city. I am using really a lot in this entry...and I'm tired so I won't go back and revise. Rilly, good night!
Oh, I'm trying to win some luggage on ebay but have already been outbid on three separate auctions at the very last minute. ARGH!
Current obsessions? Cherries (I've eaten almost 5 lbs. in the last 4 days) and eBay! I know most people went through their eBay phases years ago, but I never did. Until a few weeks ago, I'd only ever bought one thing...I think it was a camera or something. But in the last few weeks, I've made a few purchases and am obsessively looking through everything from Seychelles to luggage and lesportsac bags. Hopefully this doesn't get out of hand. I'm supposed to be saving money!
Ooh. And since I'll be in Chicago next week, I'm going to head to Vosges Chocolate. I think I've seen them featured on Food Network but never had any until my coworker handed me a $6 candy bar--yum, spicy!! I also want to try the Black Pearl Bar (dark chocolate with Japanese ginger, wasabi, black sesame seeds). Yes, I know they sell this stuff at Neiman Marcus here, but I want to go to the source (since I'll already be there anyway). I don't normally eat candy, but over the past two days, I've bought a toblerone, a package of wine gums (why are they called that?!), three lychee Hi-Chews, and a box of Pocky...so much for avoiding HFCS.
I never thought I'd say this, but I am tired of traveling! Actually, it isn't the traveling...mostly just the flying. I don't mind being in new places all the time. I love exploring new cities, trying new foods, seeing new sites, and just being in new environments. I just don't like sitting on a plane, waiting at airports, flight delays, going through security checks (especially other travelers who hold up the process--PEOPLE! the rules haven't changed!), cramped seats, no airplane food, crying babies...ok, you get it.
Since the beginning of 2005, I've been to Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, NYC (twice), Orlando, the Dominican Republic, and Philadelphia. Before the end of the summer, I'll also be in LA and back in Chicago. I'm never fully unpacked and I'm always getting sick. While I love travel for pleasure, I can definitely say that business travel is getting old. Oh, and I'm sick again!
So it turns out it wasn't allergies--I have a cold! And tonight, I'm flying out to Philly...with a runny nose. I think the worst is over, but I will need to pack plenty of kleenex. I haven't been able to run at all this week either due to my cold...some cross-country machine at the gym...but probably no running until Sunday afternoon. I have a 10k next weekend...hope I'm ready!
Also, AIM isn't working at work these days...and until I figure out how to get the HTTP proxy to work with Trillian, I'm only on Yahoo. You can find me there. Have a nice weekend!
Things that suck: allergies and my big(ger) feet. My first season with allergies and my throat hurts, my sinuses are congested, my eyes itch, and my nose won't stop running. Ugh. And I went to the running store on Saturday and they fit me into the biggest shoes to date! Ah well, but they are comfy (Brooks Addiction 6) and I ran my fastest 5k EVER on Sunday! I shaved my split by over 25 seconds, coming in well over a minute faster than my previous best. Wow! My speedwork and weights regimen must be working.
