Destination...Adventure!

Charter School Sub Teaching

2012-01-17T15:00:00.001-05:00

Twice now a teacher at my school has been absent unexpectedly and I've been asked to step into her classes. She often comes late to school and other teachers have to absorb her students into their classes. For a while she was the only teacher who had keys to one of the two seventh grade classrooms, and often the student would have to start class in the hallway until she arrived. The extra time

I have a wedding dress!

2012-01-15T23:20:00.000-05:00

I've spent a total of a couple of hours looking at wedding dress styles online. Having a reservation at Kleinfeld's for a few months I knew I would have to bring my top 5 dresses. Over the last few months I've saved a couple every week to my favorites on their website. I hadn't found any I knew would look great on my muscular, womanly figure. Then, a couple of weeks ago I was browsing and

Smelly Ear

2012-01-14T12:19:00.000-05:00

Last night Ben, Margo and my mom announced that Elliot had a smelly ear. It smells mildewy but not rancid. I called the doctor and she asked if we could bring him right away. My mom and I had just picked up my friend Sarah from the bus stop in Manhattan and we were looking forward to catching up with her. Ben and I made plans to meet with potential landlords of a condo we love, so the

Back on the Trampoline

2012-01-13T23:55:00.000-05:00

I've been coaching on and off for 18 years. I've been employed by Trapeze School New York since 2008, and have taught the Intermediate Trampoline class at the New York location for almost a year. I have a small group of regular students and enjoy watching them progress to new skills, overcome fears and discover new joys. I took a break for a couple of months and started up again tonight. My

Thoughts on Being Productive

2012-01-13T12:17:00.001-05:00

I don't teach science to my students on Fridays. I have so many things I can spend my time doing, and I don't feel like my follow-through is excellent in any area right now. I'm not lazy, and I'm not a slacker, I just want to do a little bit of everything. My task list right now looks like this: 1. Learn more about my students, how they learn, how they interact with the world and what they

2011-03-12T22:13:00.001-05:00

So here's my son in minute one of his life on earth. I don't think he'd taken his first breath before this photo was taken. I constantly think of things to write about here and can't seem to find the few minutes it takes to type with both hands. It seems I always have only one hand free. I have so many things happening and don't know which to focus on, so my newest initiative is to blog a

Biking in NYC

2011-03-01T22:05:00.000-05:00

I took a long time off from cycling. I decided at the end of my 2009 triathlon season to take a break from cycling until I enjoyed it again, to let my neck and shoulders heal and to go a bit easier on myself. I did P90X, flying trapeze and stretched a lot. Then I got pregnant, did little else but walk, had the baby (who is perfect in every way, a miracle, and made of pure magic). Yesterday,

It's been quite an adventure.

2010-12-14T08:38:00.000-05:00

I went five days past my due date after an emotionally intense and life-changing pregnancy. My fiance and I moved from Arlington, Virginia, to New York City and lived with his mother for two months while we searched for an apartment in Brooklyn that fit all our needs. We did not find the brownstone with a backyard we sought, but a high rise that has all the amenities new parents need for

And the teaching comes to a standstill once again...

2010-11-17T19:00:00.000-05:00

When I started a long-term sub position teaching 8th grade science, Health and Forensic Science, I was thrown into the classroom without warning (the teacher went on maternity leave the day I was supposed to start observing her) and found that my usual fall-backs (make some quick worksheets that correspond with related materials) were useless. There was one textbook for each class I was teaching

Thoughts for Friday

2010-09-24T23:45:00.000-04:00

1. The baby in my belly sleeps every 3 days. He moves constantly, like a shark in a little bag, for 3 days straight, and then I don't feel him move again for a day or so. I was worried until I recognized the pattern. If that's any indication of what's to come, we're in for it. 2. I have an offer to be a long-term substitute teacher for a woman who will go on maternity leave October 15. The

Discussion Question for my Reading Class (I needed a place to share)

2010-09-22T11:31:00.001-04:00

I have always had a wonderful relationship with books. My earliest memory of reading is taking trips with my mother to the local library. I loved everything about it, from the cold water fountain to the welcoming librarian who placed no limits on the number of books we could take out, and even the smell of the place. I went back last year and it still smells the same! We took out at

Life in New York

2010-09-15T15:30:00.000-04:00

I went to the DMV at Herald Square today for the 3rd attempt at getting my New York license. The first time I hadn't read the instructions carefully and ended up without 'Proof of Birth', which isn't actually listed in the bullets of items needed, it's in the paragraph at the top. My fault. On the second journey I walked in proudly with my passport, birth certificate, transcripts and original

Some furniture ideas...just trying to sort some stuff out.

2010-09-08T02:16:00.002-04:00

Some rug styles I like...perhaps too busy for a living room rug? Too dark for a dark couch? I seem to be in a geometric mood tonight. The chunky, oversized but clean-looking couch from Pottery Barn. I don't like the white but any darker color will do...browns or greys are great. "Everyday suede" is 100% polyester, which I hear is easier to clean. Here's a link to another sofa I like.

Running

2010-09-02T17:46:00.001-04:00

I went for a run yesterday. I am officially 27 weeks and 4 days pregnant, and 20 pounds heavier than normal, and haven't felt comfortable running since about week 12. My biggest problem is that I feel like I have to pee all the time. I managed to run a grand total of a block. I assume it's the basketball-sized addition to my gut that presses on my bladder and actually bounces up and down

Back in New York

2010-08-30T11:46:00.000-04:00

Ben and I spent the last 16 days exploring Paris, Rome, two hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany, and two small towns on different parts of the Italian Mediterranean Coast. Some highlights: 1. Ben asked me to marry him! We did that slightly backwards, considering we decided to have a child in February, got pregnant in March and I'm now 7 months pregnant. But we're engaged! How many people get

Week 1: New York City Life

2010-08-11T10:58:00.001-04:00

Some lessons I've learned in my first week as a New Yorker: 1. New Yorkers are friendly, helpful, honest and patient. As long as they're not driving. My car is living in New Jersey at my uncle's house and I'm really glad to not be a driving New Yorker. 2. People who have found a seat on the subway don't care if you're pregnant or handicapped. I've found that I am more capable of standing

Observations from the dog park

2010-05-28T12:38:00.000-04:00

I walked Bailey, my black lab, to the Shirlington dog park yesterday. Upon entering, a woman was commenting on a muscular-looking dog. She mentioned he 'must not be able to jump' because he had such muscular legs. The same woman went on to talk about her dog, the one she was holding, and someone asked how old the dog was. She then asked the dog in a baby voice, "How old are you? How old

2010-03-10T07:46:00.000-05:00

2010-03-10T07:45:00.001-05:00

Splits #2

2010-03-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

First staff fly of the season

2010-03-10T07:33:00.001-05:00

Recipes: P90X

2010-02-15T21:08:00.004-05:00

With 30+ inches of snow still on the ground I realized in just a few short weeks spring will win the fight and our days will get longer, and, since I'm a teacher, spring break will hopefully see me going somewhere warm. I'm dating the most amazing person I've ever met. He's a gourmet cook and loves to cook for me. I'm (slowly) gaining skills from him, but in the meantime we eat meals he cooks.

Fw: VID 00010-20100208-1511.3GP

2010-02-08T16:38:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry-----Original Message-----From: moore826@gmail.comDate: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:43:32 To: Subject: VID 00010-20100208-1511.3GPSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

2010-02-08T12:50:00.000-05:00

2010-02-04T15:15:00.002-05:00

Attempt 3

2010-01-31T21:35:00.001-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A post for a random Tuesday

2010-01-19T20:52:00.003-05:00

10. I love countdowns.9. I've heard so much about Haiti that I'm nearly numb to it. I have to turn off news and NPR and just breathe and remember that there are people who are stealing raw, rancid meat and drinking dirty water just to stay alive. I wish I could help.8. I had a very grown-up conversation with my parents today and it was refreshing. I'm 31. I like it.7. I got a power bill

IMG00119-20100114-0752.jpg

2010-01-14T08:22:00.001-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A list of great things

2010-01-13T09:53:00.003-05:00

1. Yesterday I had a meeting with my principal to discuss her observations of my class two weeks ago. She came in unexpectedly to observe me and I wasn't sure if she'd like the lesson I'd planned. I liked the flow of it and felt like it was decent, but it's hard to tell what an administrator is hoping for in an observation. In the meeting she began by telling me that she'd used my lesson as

NYC and Other Prospects

2010-01-10T20:50:00.001-05:00

A brief list of hopes for 2010:Get scuba certified. I want a collection of unknown shells from far away places and to do that I have to be able to stay under water longer than I can hold my breath. Move to New York City. I've met someone with whom I want to spend every second of my day. He wants to move to New York and I want to share that adventure. Eat more fiber and less fatty condiments.

Interesting Video

2009-11-11T10:08:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9pjZ39YtR8

Big questions in science

2009-11-03T10:24:00.001-05:00

The American Association for the Advancement of Science's magazine, Science, has published a list of 125 big questions in science. If you have an extra 20 hours to read up on this, here's the link.

Some photos from my Europe trip

2009-09-05T21:09:00.004-04:00

Treacherous staircase in the Austrian Alps leading to the ice cave.That is a row of 40 trampolines on a floating dock in the River Danube. Highlight of Vienna.Anti-war graffiti on a wall in Munich.This is a view from inside the coliseum with the new floor, what they think it looked like in the original design.

Re: Split, Croatia

2009-08-24T05:11:00.001-04:00

I spent two glorious days in Mostar, Bosnia. If you are ever at a loss for where to travel to get away from it all and spend time with some lovely, hospitable, charming people, Bosnia is your place. I hope to write more about Mostar later, as it was perhaps my favorite place in Eastern Europe. After 26 hours of traveling and waiting in train/bus stations I am finally in Florence. I left Bosnia

Re: Split, Croatia

2009-08-22T03:38:00.001-04:00

Hi all,I wanted to give a quick update. I am off the cruise through the Croatian Islands and sun weary, tired and ready for some quiet time. Split is in the middle of a festival and is more packed than DC during Cherry Blossom Festival. I am leaving on the FAST ferry to Ancona, Italy, tomorrow at 5 PM and did not want to stay in Split another night, so I am doing a one night excursion to

Re: Split, Croatia

2009-08-14T16:55:00.001-04:00

7-day sail?!?!?! JEALOUSSSSSSS!!!!!On Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 1:04 PM, Casey Moore wrote: I have to be brief because I have dinner waiting and internet is a bit more expensive in Croatia. This place is incredible. It's heaven on earth. I've joined a tour group for two days just to have transportation to Split (it was a 21 hour train/bus combo and we drove here in about 9).

Split, Croatia

2009-08-14T13:04:00.001-04:00

I have to be brief because I have dinner waiting and internet is a bit more expensive in Croatia. This place is incredible. It's heaven on earth. I've joined a tour group for two days just to have transportation to Split (it was a 21 hour train/bus combo and we drove here in about 9). One person in a group of 7 couldn't make it here for the sailing trip that follows so I'm taking her spot for

Eger, Hungary

2009-08-11T16:43:00.001-04:00

I found my way to Eger, 2.5 hours west of Budapest on the train. The train platform looked like an abandoned slab of concrete in the middle of southwest Kansas. I wasn't sure I was in the right place and wasn't confident even after asking at the "Information" booth. What I AM confident of is that I was certainly the only American there, and nearly positive the only English speaking person

Budapest

2009-08-10T17:31:00.001-04:00

I arrived in dingy Budapest with a smile on my face. I shared a train car with 5 other girls from Nigeria, Austria and Ireland, while the rest of the train was packed with partying kids on their way to the music festival on the island (there was a 3 hour line to check in to place tents, apparently). All that I imagined Eastern Europe to be is right here. The buildings look old and run down,

OOPS!

2009-08-09T20:08:00.001-04:00

The previous weird blog was from Casey's mother who thought she was sending Casey an email---how embarassing and please ignore since it was not posted by hers truly. Don't even ask how I did it!

2009-08-09T19:53:00.001-04:00

Hi!We don't have your blog spot saved on here. What is it?

Vienna, Day 2

2009-08-09T13:28:00.001-04:00

Sunday, Sunday. Everything is closed except the tourist sights, so that is where everyone was today. It was not fun simply because it was too crowded. I visited the Imperial Apartments, the Haus der Musik (a music-oriented science museum!) which was tons of fun. A guy from Lebanon went with me...met him on the street and then he got us in for free. We spent nearly 4 hours there and I was

Melk and Vienna

2009-08-08T16:40:00.001-04:00

Vienna is beautiful but huge! I had to do a train-bus-train transfer today and am exhausted for it. Went to a small town called Melk on the way to Vienna and saw a gigantic monastary. Nice and boring. :) I have some amazing pictures. Tonight I went to St. Peter's Cathedral and got the best ice cream in Vienna, recommended by the hostel. It was like Brooklyn Bagel in Clarendon (think Soup

Re: Update from Munich

2009-08-07T16:06:00.001-04:00

I am in Salzburg, Austria, today. Everyone recommended the Sound of Music tour but I didn't think I could stomach it. I looked at photos in the hostel and figured I would get more out of a day of exploring the town and surroundings. By sheer luck I ended up on a bus that was going to a town on the outskirts that sits right up next to the Alps. There's a tram that goes to a peak (5,000 feet

Update from Munich

2009-08-04T12:29:00.001-04:00

For starters, the keyboard is totally different here! It's taken me five times as long to type these two sentences as it normally does. I arrived at 10:15 AM and dropped my bags off at the hostel where I had a reservation. The hostel is unlike all portrayals of hostels I've ever seen. People are clean, the bathrooms are right in the room (which I'll share with 5 other women), there's a

Playing in the Creek

2009-07-31T22:20:00.001-04:00

At least daily I'm reminded of my age. I don't pop out of bed and do a handstand or a flip the way I used to. Don't get me wrong, I still feel young and energetic, more so than most people my age (save the triathletes, but they're a different breed). Yesterday some of my divers were late for the second to last practice before the BIG meet of the season, and I wondered what could have kept

Trying to be sympathetic

2009-07-20T17:24:00.001-04:00

I got accepted into the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Academy for secondary educators on a grant from the Department of Education. I'm at the University of Virginia for the entire week for FREE, and will receive graduate credits whilst playing with millions of dollars worth of equipment that allow me to see ATOMS. Upon arrival last night I was unloading my suitcase and preparing to meet my

Mundane Things About Me

2009-07-11T01:28:00.002-04:00

1. I like lists.2. I cook, and I eat what I cook, but I don't do it often. My diet consists of yogurt, string cheese, apples, ice cream, peanut butter and jelly, turkey slices, rice, butter and lots of vegetables. I am okay with this.3. When 5-year olds tell me stories I sometimes nod my head like I'm listening, but I'm not. 4. The sound of the wind in the trees gives me a sense of peace I

For your Viewing Pleasure

2009-06-20T11:31:00.000-04:00

Random things on my mind...

2009-06-11T20:55:00.002-04:00

1. I wonder if I use ... too often. I like the way it feels when I read it...like there's a moment of peace when I re-read my thoughts. As if nothing but a clear thought could come after ...2. I've been able to grow two types of plants from seeds I took directly from the fruit I purchased from the grocery store: red pepppers and kiwi. I am, however, concerned that my plants tap out at about

Small Changes

2009-05-21T10:53:00.002-04:00

I've made some changes in the last two weeks. Here's a brief list:1. I decided to stop training for my second Ironman. It's been weighing on me all winter and I havne't been motivated to train the way one needs to for a race of this caliber, so I'm out.2. I'll be working at a new school next year. I'm excited to leave the comforts of the school where I currently teach to take on new

Kinetic Half: Impromptu 70.3 Adventure

2009-05-09T18:49:00.003-04:00

On Thursday night I went to Team Z happy hour and heard that the Kinetic Half was on Saturday instead of Sunday. I'd thought it was on Mother's Day and decided not to race. I also heard that the race was still open (although astronomically expensive) so I packed my bags, found a dog sitter (thanks Bruce and Jay!) and a place to stay. Results:Overall Athena: 6 out of 8Swim rank: 4 swim time:

Mud Pit

2009-05-07T22:36:00.003-04:00

I got an email from the Muddy Buddy race asking for my opinions on the different elements of the race. It wasn't the most organized, didn't have great schwag, the volunteers weren't always informed as well as they could have been, but for the most part it was a GOOD race and I ranked it so. There was one question toward the end that sums up my recreation choices as an adult. I read this and

Muddy Buddy

2009-05-03T19:24:00.002-04:00

The start of my Muddy Buddy experience started Saturday, the night before the race. My Buddy designed t-shirts and came over to print them on my printer. She went home to iron them on, then texted me when she realized that we hadn't transposed the image. Our team name was "No Teacher Left Behind", and we were a bit disappointed we didn't have shirts with the clever slogan. We left at 4:20 AM

Photo quickie

2009-04-20T21:35:00.003-04:00

Shackelford Banks, NCMe and Jay at his aunt's place in North Augusta, SCMy new desire: a LAWN LOWBSTAH!

Rumpass in Bumpass Sprint Triathlon

2009-04-20T14:43:00.003-04:00

This was my first sprint triathlon, and I plan to do many more in the future. If I'd known it was that much fun I would have scrapped the Ironman distance long ago in favor or short, flat races that start at 10 AM.Here are my stats:4th place Athena (out of 9). I missed 3rd place and a gigantic beer mug trophy by less than a minute. 49th woman overall (out of 150)Swim rank: 1 Swim

Re: Back in the saddle...again

2009-04-16T19:18:00.002-04:00

I finally had the urge to ride my bicycle today. It's sunny, warm and the trails are full of fools. If you're not from Arlington or DC and you come visit with your bicycle, know that the roads are probably safer than the trails, although the views aren't as spectacular. Some news from this week:1. I've been 'surplussed' as a teacher in my county. This means my position no longer exists at

Packing Procrastination

2009-04-03T23:06:00.003-04:00

Here it comes again: spring break packing. In my childhood I had tokens and trinkets galore, so many that I could have been considered a packrat. In preparation for long trips I sifted through my collections to find my most prized possessions, in the case that the house burned down, someone broke in and wanted my good luck charms, or the cat scraped through my junk boxes. In my adulthood I've

Back to Z

2009-03-09T21:02:00.002-04:00

Since Ironman Coeur d'Alene I've taken over a year and a half off from triathlon training with Team Z. Yesterday I returned to the group training model as a ride leader for the slower riders. My friend and co-worker Michelle joined Team Z and it's been really satisfying watching her begin the process of discovering the sport of triathlon. Tonight I watched her try on running shoes and watch

A story that Starts with D

2009-02-26T21:12:00.004-05:00

Diving, of course! When I was 11 I dove off the 3-meter springboard at the pool in my grandmother's town. Interestingly, the pool was (and still is, I think) the largest free municipal concrete pool in the world. The photo above is the actual pool in Garden City, Kansas. I mustered the courage to jump a few times and then decided the next logical step was to go headfirst. I hit the water and

A Story that Starts with C

2009-02-21T22:42:00.004-05:00

Clams. On Carrot Island.My dad grew up in a maritime town called Beaufort in the southern Outer Banks. We visited my grandparents and cousins frequently and spent many hours traipsing around the barrier islands and sand bars just outside town. We would anchor the boat on one end of Carrot Island (actually named Cart Island for the fish carts that hauled catches across Taylor Creek) and then

A story that starts with B

2009-02-14T13:57:00.004-05:00

Bailey. My dog's name is Bailey. I was living with my boyfriend Jay and 'our' dog Casey (coincidence). Casey was home all day and I imagined she was bored and sad. She'd become lethargic and hapless, so I decided we should get a second dog for her to play with. At a community park Jay and I saw an ad for 'dog needing a home' so I called and inquired. A week later we were trying out a new

Canon Rant: Amazing

2009-02-14T01:10:00.000-05:00

A story that starts with A

2009-02-07T12:24:00.002-05:00

Attitude:When I was a junior in high school I was the captain of the gymnastics team at my high school. At the same time I started coaching diving and gymnastics, and competing at the national level in Sports Acrobatics (not yet an Olympic sport). Over the course of that school year I learned a lot about tumbling and the mechanics of the sport. I also coached several cheerleading teams and

Recent Rides

2009-01-11T18:53:00.003-05:00

Marshall : 1/11/0942.5 miles 35 degreesI realized that I may not be best suited to group rides. I relish the alone time after a long week of teaching. I'm around people all day who need me. I'm glad to give my time but when the week ends it's nice to do something that's just for me, by me and about me. In the face of the challenges on a long ride I find great satisfaction in knowing that I'm

Chinese Sports Acro Men's Four

2009-01-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

Night Running

2009-01-02T20:33:00.003-05:00

I've become somewhat of a procrastinator during my long winter break from teaching middle school. I sleep late, lounge with my dog on the couch watching season 1 of The Tudors, several times considering a run, a ride or some stretching on the carpet in front of me. Because of my procrastination I've also become a night runner. Not one to forgo exercise altogether, I get out the door with my

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T17:37:00.001-05:00

2008-12-26T18:12:00.000-05:00

The Nature of Science

2008-12-24T20:58:00.003-05:00

I didn't write this so I won't take credit. You can find this in its entirety by clicking here.The Scientific World ViewScientists share certain basic beliefs and attitudes about what they do and how they view their work. These have to do with the nature of the world and what can be learned about it. The World Is Understandable Science presumes that the things and events in the universe occur

Spontaneous Generation

2008-12-07T21:07:00.003-05:00

I recently told my 7th grade science students an abbreviated version of how the first cells were created. Essentially, proteins got caught in bubble and they formed the first genetic material inside an enclosed space. One of my students asked, "Doesn't that mean that spontaneous generation actually DOES exist?"Speechless.Iwasspeechless.Five minutes later another student (who has low cognitive

Cell size comparison

2008-11-21T23:29:00.001-05:00

This is amazing.

High School Energy

2008-11-17T23:28:00.003-05:00

I coach two high school diving teams. At the same time. They're mostly freshman who dive in the summer, with a few national-level divers and a few beginners mixed in to make it interesting.I proposed to them yesterday that we divide practices: half for conditioning and strength and the other half for board time. They broke into team meetings to discuss and two minutes later they had decided it

Perspective

2008-11-16T22:22:00.004-05:00

All day today I've been hobbling around after developing an insane pain in my right foot during my run yesterday. I ignored it for 6 miles and at the end of the run I realized I probably should have stopped. I shopped all over Arlington, hobbling and wondering if I'd recover by tomorrow for my Monday run. I'm pondering crutches, ibuprofen and x-rays, but I still wonder if I can get up early

It's that time of year

2008-11-09T13:25:00.004-05:00

It's the time of year when I:1. feel the need to hibernate.2. start to listen to Christmas music3. ponder whether it's necessary to buy presents for my loved ones who already have everything they need and want4. desire Chocolate all the time5. consider purchasing moose and/or reindeer sweaters6. begin watching my VCR tapes in segments over and over: Shakespeare in Love Ever

Interpreting the Dog

2008-11-02T13:13:00.005-05:00

My friend Victoria and I took my dog, a 6 year old black lab mix named Bailey, for a walk to the bagel shop this morning. I spoke a few times about giving the dog a bath, as I've mentioned several times in the past week since we've been hiking and river swimming, and flea season isn't quite over.Having heard my empty promises, Bailey took actions into her own hands today to make certain she

A little complaining

2008-10-28T22:53:00.002-04:00

I have hypothyroidism. That means that my thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone for my metabolism to function normally. I found out when I was 16, and since I was 19 my prescription hasn't changed (I'm 30 now). The 'medical laws' made by the 'medical policy makers' state that I must get my thyroid levels checked once every 6 months in order to be prescribed medication. I am

2008-10-21T08:40:00.003-04:00

I'm faced with the choice to run in the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend. To run or not to run? I haven't trained much for this 'race' but I still feel a vestige of my youth where I was invincible and recovered within a day from any injury incurred.

Mom, Look What I Did!

2008-09-29T20:43:00.002-04:00

Like I said at the beginning of last week, I'm BACK TO TRAINING! I've stuck with it for an entire week and feel better for it. I didn't do the traditional weekend long run, but instead did it on Friday night. I did nothing all weekend but grade papers, so I was relatively sedentary.Taking a cue from my Athena mentorI now give youDa da da DA!My weekly totals:Run: 15 milesBike: 30.5 milesOkay,

Sad dog

2008-09-26T22:22:00.002-04:00

I decided to do an impromptu semi-long run tonight, to break into official marathon training. I have exactly 4 weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon and I'm just NOW thinking about long runs. I may pass on the marathon and do Austin instead, but I'm still holding out hope that I can be reasonably ready for 26.2 miles. We'll see.I have a new dog. She can comfortably run 4 miles with me. The

Training day #2: I'm on a roll!

2008-09-21T20:31:00.002-04:00

I set out for a quick bike ride just to get my wheels under me again after taking a few months off. My neck and shoulder muscles have calmed down after many trips to the chiropractor and almost a full bottle of ibuprofen. I'm back to normal and feeling great! I hopped on my regular route across Arlington to the W&OD trail and planned to ride about 20 minutes out, then turn around. At the end

Back to Training...finally

2008-09-20T20:54:00.004-04:00

Here it is folks. My first day of training in a nutshell. I bought a new collar and leash for the latest addition to my group living situation, a black lab mix named Bailey. She's sweet, she licks me all over, which I CAN'T STAND. She's six and will learn to love to run with me and the veteran pooch, Casey-dog. Casey already has a bright red collar and leash combo, so no red for Bailey. I

WATCH THIS. This gives me chills.

2008-09-15T19:43:00.001-04:00

2008-09-06T17:19:00.002-04:00

Since I was 15 I've had terrible bouts of muscle spasms in my neck and shoulder muscles. I abused my body for years and have slowly backed off from the injurious sports, hoping my body would heal itself. More and more often now I get these pains without warning and have very little management tactics that alleviate it. I write this here not for pity but for suggestions. I need something new

First-day questionnaire

2008-09-03T19:37:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, the first day of school, I gave my new students an interview so I could get to know them. I teach science but I wanted to know how many of the kids were aware of the political climate surrounding their community, only 3 miles from DC. I asked if they knew who was running for president. EVERY SINGLE STUDENT listed Barack Obama. Some of them were spelled wrong but the message was

2008-09-01T21:00:00.002-04:00

Which hairstyle do you like best on me? I'm trying to decide which one my students will like better. On the left I'm fun, spontaneous and a little crazy. On the right I'm in control, responsible and predictable.You decide! Leave a comment with your preference.

Watch this.

2008-09-01T17:41:00.001-04:00

2008-08-27T13:53:00.000-04:00

Check out this video. My next-door teacher opened my eyes to this and it's amazing.

Back of the Pack conversations

2008-08-24T18:00:00.003-04:00

Thoughts from the Annapolis 10-Miler:The only thing more motivational than getting paid to run is having paid to run. Frequently heard at the back of the pack: "We PAID to do this?"These complainers have simply run out of things to talk about. Toward the end of the race for a back-of-the-packer the conversations are standard and the cheers always the same. Spectator: "You're almost there."

My apologies

2008-08-19T20:47:00.008-04:00

I'm sorry, dear readers, for being absent. I know you've awaited my stories of adventure and excitement, and I'm here to deliver.The past two weeks have seen me travel nearly to Canada in my faithful VW Rabbit and to Puerto Rico on a family excursion. I stood high on a peak in the Acadia National Park, watching the sun set over the incredible tide fall in the Bar Harbor. Two days later I

Older? Younger? Who cares.

2008-07-26T15:38:00.002-04:00

Last week I purchased a motorcycle and the little girl at the house wanted to know if my father was going to take her dad's bike away. I realized she was looking at Jay when she said it and wondered if she thought we were instant friends, and that only dad' ride bikes. Not sure of her reasoning, I left with a chuckle. I think Jay and I look to be of similar age.Two days later a girl of similar

Party like a rockstar.

2008-07-18T14:10:00.004-04:00

Today I stopped by Safeway on my way to diving practice. I picked up some incredible strawberries and some yogurt for a snack. Heading to the in-store Starbucks I passed the drink aisle, where the trendy energy drinks reside. Normally I would pass right by these over-priced caffeine injectors but the word "ROASTED" caught my eye. I eyed the brown can with curiosity, wondering if anything

Why do I do this?

2008-07-13T21:14:00.003-04:00

I feel negative energy from Facebook. It calls my name on my bookmark bar and once a week or so I give in an check it out, at least to accept the friend requests from high school acquaintances, college buddies and triathlon friends. Quickly, though, I end up looking at photos of people I briefly knew, and get trampled by feelings of self-doubt, jealousy and regret. I'm smacked with a feeling

Singing Lesson #1

2008-07-09T21:22:00.002-04:00

I've wanted to learn proper singing technique since I nearly fainted in chorus class in 6th grade and dropped out of the class. A parent of two of my divers is a professional singer who gives private lessons, so I've jumped in with both feet!Today we talked a bit about my thoughts on singing, we got to know each other a bit and then did some stretches for the spine, rib cage, neck and shoulders,

Flickr

2008-07-05T14:36:00.001-04:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

A list

2008-07-03T23:42:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, I just posted a quickie about 10 minutes ago. Please read "Smelly Potomac" so it's not left in the dust by my new motivation. I was reading John Bingham's blog (he's the Penguin who writes a column in Runner's World about being slow but still being an official runner) where he mentioned making a list of something or other, and I got the urge to make one of my own.List A: Places

Smelly Potomac

2008-07-03T23:00:00.002-04:00

Jamie, her friend Cory and I went kayaking upriver from Georgetown today. We left from Fletcher's Cove, where you can rent kayaks for an hour at a time. We paddled upstream through a throng of Latino families fishing and playing by the muddy riverbank. After a short bend we passed one small fishing boat and entered a section where there were more guys fishing, this time all African American

Hot race, but successful

2008-07-01T13:37:00.002-04:00

I competed in an International distance triathlon last Sunday. I placed second in the Athena category with a time of 2:59:40, only 17 seconds away from first place. Jamie completed her first triathlon ever, and finished in third place, just a couple of minutes behind me. The swim was full of plastic-feeling plants that got caught in goggles, bra straps, shorts and ankle straps. I felt like

It's official

2008-06-25T15:07:00.004-04:00

I care more about my dog's health than mine. It's official. I took her to the vet today for the first time since Jay and I adopted her. She needed all her shots and vaccines, as well as blood work since she's an old lady now. According to the chart she's equivalent to a 55 year old female, although I imagine she's the kind of 55 year old who runs marathons, does yoga and eats her home-grown

New experiences

2008-06-24T20:58:00.002-04:00

Tonight was my first summer diving meet since leaving my last post as head coach of a team where I gave my heart and soul for 10 years. I experienced a wide range of emotions, from frustration that no one has a clue how to do things MY WAY, which I'm finding was an integral part of my past coaching ego. I'm now learning how to fit into a diving world where I am unknown and unproven thus far. I