12/21/2012

I started the morning off with a chilly swim. It was cut short by pool maintenance so I only got about half an hour. Then we cleaned up, went out to lunch, and went to see the hobbit. It was good. I can't believe that they are stretching it out over 3 movies but it was epic.

12/20/2012

Today we went to universal studios. I have been looking foreword to Harry Potter world. It was fantastic. I would totally go to school at Hogwarts! I enjoyed the rest of the attractions including Hoo-ville, shriek, men in black, the hulk, the mummy, and my favorite was a roller coaster that played music. You had a select choice of songs that made the ride a great experience. Instead of screaming I just true to dance.

12/19/2012

The tour of the United States continued today as I went to Florida to see my mom and grandparents.  Gillie and I were a tad rushed running around to get everything done before our flight but we had a lovely plane ride down playing dragon age.  We had a huge but delicious dinner.  Mom's house is nice. The ceilings are high and it feels very open.  I'm excited for adventures in Orlando tomorrow but why did I leave the north east just as there was finally going to be snow??!
If anyone in the Orlando area knows of a rowing machine I can use to finish the last 10Km of my holiday challenge I would be ecstatic.

12/18/2012

Hi everypony! Today we're taking a break from your regularly scheduled Maddie blogging for a GUEST BLOG by her little sister Gillie! Let's go!
Today we had a delicious breakfast of homemade macaroni and cheese and the aforementioned delicious raspberry white chocolate cake! Then we went out and ran a bunch of errands! First, Maddie got some super adorable baby gifts for a baby shower. Then we climbed up the hill to get to Giant Eagle because we missed the turn and had to park at Best Buy, but it was an adventure and we got tasty ingredients for later! Then we went home and did more fun stuff and then Shawna came over for dinner! We had eggplant-tomato-mozzarella stackers and couscous, and then MORE CAKE. That cake is so tasty.
After that we did lots of dishes and then Maddie talked on the phone for a really long time and I revised my resume and then I wrote this blog and now I'm going to sleep!
Thanks for reading and best wishes!
G

12/17/2012

I felt like an awesome big sister this morning because I got to help Gillie create her resume before her meeting with her advisor.  That was her last obligation before she was completely on holiday.  We went out to brunch at Gullifty's and had latkes covered in corned beef, coleslaw, and awesomeness! It was messy but good.  After that we went to Morgantown for cake and laundry.  We also really wanted to go for a bike ride but got rained out. I introduced Gillie to white-raspberry cake.  We also made, mac & cheese, chicken salad,  and kale chips. Then for dinner we had our leftovers from trip to burgeratory.  Yum so much food.  This evening we had munchkin date #2: manual labor (as we helped dad move furniture.) We are fantastic miniature carrying machines! After that we just had a lazy evening, daydreaming about cake for breakfast tomorrow.  mmmmm cake!!!!

12/16/2012

Day 2 playing in Pittsburgh with gillie. We went to burgatory, downtown, and to Phipps. It was fantastic, then we had diner with her friends, and cleaned her room. I was so happy to get to spend time with Gillie.

12/15/2015

I had my favorite breakfast at penn state at the waffle shop this morning. This evening Gillie and I took the night time tour of Pittsburgh. It was so pretty and so much fun to take gillie around the city

12/13/2012

Guess where I ran today?
That's right! Penn state! I got a bit scared when I heard that there was an attack on my favorite running trail last night. Luckily all was good! So happy to be in central Pennsylvania! Heather Costigan has made my vacation absolutely fabulous. Who knew that hot chocolate and pets could make me happy! We are... Penn state!!!

12/12/2012

12/12/12 was a good day.  I finished my final and passed my finance class.  After 2 weeks of missing it I finally got to bring Gillie a milkshake for milkshake factory happy hour 4-6 on Wednesdays.  It's fantastic I had apple pie, she had peppermint stick and we organised cookie dough and cake for her friends.  Yum.  I am very excited to finally have the time to use my new computer.  I downloaded dragon age finally! Abbie gave it to me over a year ago and my old computer didn't have a new enough processor for it and my new computer has been sitting here unloved as I studied for the past week.  It is so nice to not have a final looming over my head! I can't wait till everyone else is done with exams too!!

12/11/2012

Different day same story. Rowing and lots of time studying. I met with Sarah my classmate to discuss the material and found that my book has an extra chapter and that I have been studying the wrong thing. So between scrambling to get in some last minute review and catching up on the material I left out I'm glad that I have until tomorrow to study. I closed down 3 coffee shops and met up with Gillie to study for a bit but I outlasted her too. I need to plan better. When i do make plans they fall apart and then i feel bad, but when i don't have plans I end up with nowhere to go. Between the dark sky, short days, and my finance final I've been. a bit down but I'm getting excited now that I'm scheduling fun activities again.

12/10/2012

More studying today well a bit of sleep too and some rowing. For dinner Monica and I went to burgatory. It was even better than I could have hoped because I got the special burger. A chicken burger with deep fried pickle chips. Yum! The fantastic meal gave me a bit of a food coma but after a nap I was back to studying.

12/9/2012

I got a nice row in and went to my friend Jean's housewarming party. The party was great and i enjoyed watching the steelers in Pittsburgh. After the party I studied all night. I got kicked out of a bar and 2 coffee shops (because they were closing) before retiring to my car to study. Sigh so much studying.

12/8/2012

Happy birthday Dad! I hope you had a fantastic birthday. And happy Hanukkah!
To celebrate Dad's birthday we went on a fantastic row to the star city bridge in the pair. It was rainy and foggy but not a bad row. Gillie came down this afternoon and brought the cake. Cake! Delicious chocolate raspberry ice cream cake.
Gillie and I had a fantastic time. We cooked, she decorated a plane, and were generally helpful.

We tried out the new bridge. It was thrilling.

We also checked out some of the most energy demanding light displays around

Dinner, cake, and 5 menorahs we all great.
To finish the evening we made cranberry pistachio biscotti. :)

12/7/2012

I woke up this morning at 3:30 to fly to Norfolk. The airplane was conducive to studying. Luckily, I also had a 2 hour layover in Washington to try and straighten out my airfare from my trip home with no luck because it was before 8am. Sigh! Then I rented a U-haul and drove furniture 7 hours back to WV. It was good to see my aunt and uncle and it was a beautiful drive but I think I need a vacation from my vacation!

12/6/2012

As you might recall, I have a finance final coming up on Tuesday. Don't worry I was trying to forget about it too. Alas I have to face studying again. I gave up a swim, a bike ride, and a row to study. I studied all morning and then met a classmate to study some more. Then I met my Pittsburgh running buddies for 6miles. I stuck around and talked afterward but didn't get dinner. Oops. Should have. I popped in to give gillie a hug, some frozen yogurt, and the car keys then I headed over to my old apartment for the night. Monica is the best and is taking me to the airport at 4am! So not ready to study again!

12/5/2012

Since my schedule was empty today I decided to go on my long bike ride. I rode 40miles from Point Marion to Fairmont and back. It was mostly a good ride but I got tired at the end and toppled over as I was trying to turn. No injuries but I could tell that I was exhausted.
I needed wrapping paper so I went shopping. I got wrapping paper, bows, and some gifts to wrap up. While I was shopping I ran into Aaron, the boy I had tutored while in high school. He is so grown up that I didn't recognize him. 18 and at WVU. Wow! I feel so old.

12/4/2012

I got a couple of the basics checked off today. I enjoyed hot cakes for breakfast, had a cookie dough blizzard and went to Zumba. It was fantastic to see Shawna. She is as energetic as ever. I can't believe that we're the same age! ( I'm 25 for the first time, she's a bit more experienced at being 25)
Other than that I'm just trying to stay on top of my workouts. I got a row and a swim today.

12/3/2012

I don't know that I deserve to blog today. I will make an effort to be more exciting. Today I went holiday shopping. I'd tell you what I bought but I don't trust you to keep a secret so you will just have to wait. I have gotten behind on the rowing challenge so I went to the boat house and rowed 31km today. For me that's 2 and a half hours. Otherwise I read my book, made pasta-free lasagna, did homework, and baked cookies. Cranberry cookies! They're good, not quite what I wanted though.

12/2/2012

I left Charlottesville at 4am hoping to make it back to Pittsburgh in time to run with my friends at 9:30. I ran into fog in the Shenandoah valley and went so slow that I didn't make it. That gave me a couple hours until I was supposed to meet Monica so I rowed with Dad. First we flipped, the water was cold but we got out fast. Then we had a nice row. Fortunately my running plans worked out and Monica hadn't run either so we did a 3 hour loop around the city. Totally exhausting but really good day

11/30/2012

Sorry I didn't get a post up yesterday. I had a lovely Thursday. I got to run with the PSL running group. It was lovely. As I was getting in my car to head to my old apartment in Pittsburgh I got a call that my sister was sick and had gone to the ER. I jumped in my car and drove all night to Charlottesville, VA to take care of her. She was sick off and on all day but we got to do some shopping and went out for dinner at a nice burger place. She got a super spicy burger and I got one with blueberry BBQ sauce. After that we retired to her apartment to set up her new electronics and make pie. It's lovely to see my sister I just wish she wasn't sick.

12/1/2012

I experienced more of Charlottesville today. Oooo! I jogged into UVA to swim and pick up Abbie's car. The pool and I didn't quite agree. I slipped and fell into the pool. But brushed it off like I had meant to fall. Then when I was getting out I did the same thing. Oops. Abbie was doing a bit better today but still not 100% we spent most of the day having a video game marathon and took an outing to go shopping. For dinner we got food from 1 meatball place they have many types of meatballs in many different settings. We got chicken meatball pasta and hot pepper flatbread. They had a relaxing evening of dragonage and skyrim while enjoying an edible arrangement(thanks!). I'll be heading off tomorrow but I've had fun. I can't wait to come back and see more!!!

11/28/2012

On my list of accomplishments today. I scheduled some more errands which I count as half way there. I also biked and ran. I got a new phone(my old one was cracked). Which is both fabulous and a pain. My phone was backed up to my computer but it's having some trouble reintegrating with all of the applications and passwords. I also lost a few pictures and phone numbers.
I had primanti's with Sean it was lovely. He's still saving the world and has taken up a second job as a movie star where he's going to be in a movie with Channing Tatum. Oooo
Miss Gillian is having a long night of study before her super intense math exam tomorrow. I know that she's going to do well but I brought her a frosted peppermint hot chocolate to help the study process. Yum!

11/27/2012

Today was my first experience with getting up early. At first it felt miserable but after I stopped at Panera for a bagel and coffee I was all better. I started the morning with some errands. Then I took the chance to enjoy my book for a bit. At noon I got all dressed up and went to the gym.
In addition to my ironman training I am also trying to do the concept 2 holiday challenge.
http://www.concept2.com/news/holiday-challenge-over-31000-raised
The goal is to row 200km between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I rowed 21km today. When you add that to yesterday I only have 158km left. Yay.
While I was there I also did my bike workout for the day. I should have gone outside but I was trying to save time. I was also going to go to Zumba but after the gym I was tired and my book was calling me. "The Name of the Wind" is starting to get exciting again so that's how I spent my evening. Oh and I made honey-sesame chicken from Rachel's favorite site;) and apple crisp but I forgot to take a picture before devouring it.

11/26/2012

Still getting over the jet lag. I spent half of the sleeping. That gave me just enough time to get my triathlon training in before going to dinner at black bear with Jackie. It was lovely to catch up. I ended my exciting night with a phone call to Erica in New Mexico. She moved away just 4 days before I came back to visit:(
I am really excited to be back but I'm still fighting the jet lag and after exam slump. Call me so we can plans. I'd love to see everyone I'm just being lazy.

11/25/2012

It's nice but a bit sad to be on holidays. I love seeing people but coming back to the cold and the dark is a bit depressing as well. So far I've been crazy busy running around but tomorrow things will quiet down and I'll have more free time than I know what to do with, well maybe. The best part of my day was getting peanutbutter and pickle burgers with Gillie at OTB. :)

11/23/2012

Finally in North Carolina! I made it just in time to see my cousin Allison as she was heading out the door. The travel was long and irksome but absolutely worthwhile to see my family for thanksgiving. By the time I got picked up from the airport and back up to the mountains I only had time for a quick workout before dinner. Then games, picture, and some online shopping before I passed out from jet lag.

11/22/2012

I am halfway home! I'm currently in Chicago in the middle of my 38 hour trip. I have layovers in Sydney, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It is an exceedingly long 2 days but it could be worse. I'm currently "enjoying" my 12 hour layover in Chicago eating pizza for thanksgiving dinner and reading a fantastic book that Kat lent me. All in all it could be much worse. Mostly I'm just excited that I'm only a few states away from my family and leftovers:)

11/21/2012

Done with first year Physio!!!! That is all. Now I'm packing, dancing and packing.

11/20/2012

2 exams left!!! I've been busy getting ready to go home while still studying and taking exams... But not too busy as evident by the large mess around the house. Good thing we have an after exam cleaning party tomorrow.
I swam before starting the study and exams today and while I was at breakfast I saw my very first wild opossum. I was so excited that I fell down a rather large stair. It was rather comical and embarrassing.
Can't wait for tomorrow afternoon!

11/19/2012

2 practical exams down today. It was really educational to watch my class mates and take the exam. I did alright I stumbled a little bit but I think that I generally did well. I freaked out a tad afterward but I think I was just being really harsh on myself. Anyway. 2 steps closer to being done. I am now 94%done with my first years as a Physio student. Yay! Other than the exam the day was really intense study with a break every once in a while to get a workout in before the plane ride Thursday and Friday.

11/18/2012

Eureka stair climb! We raced up 88 flights of stairs! Our team came 18th out of 141 teams with a total time of 59minutes. I was 15th overall female and 7th in my age group.
You can see full results at http://www.tomatoresults.com.au/default.aspx?CId=16&RId=28034
Our team ran under the wrong names so I was 131, Angela was 132, Katrine was 130, and billy was 306.
We also looked fabulous. We were of course dressed as the powerpuff girls. And billy was dressed as our dad. Billy, Kat's awesome boyfriend, was a last minute alternate for our team who took the place of Angela's husband who was unable to run due to a family emergency that took him back to Canada.
We all did fantastically and recovered quickly. I had a heart pounding few seconds when I was waiting for Kat and Angela to finish. I heard a medical call and saw paramedics run past. Luckily none of my team mates were pukers and we finished with no dramas.
The top of the tower is really nice and I could see way past my house(4miles away) even with the rain this morning.
Breakfast afterward was absolutely delicious and totally deserved.
I was home and back to studying by 10am. The mid afternoon run was on an absolutely beautiful trail. I decided to go exploring and it's a good thing I did because it was gorgeous! After the run I was back to study. I'm not procrastinating as much as I could be but the drive to study is diminishing. I'm so studied out. Almost there!!

11/17/2012

Tomorrow I get a break from studying because it's the eureka stair climb. We are super excited and had a pre-race dinner and sleep over so that we can all ride in together tomorrow. I have bubble hair and my running shoes all is a go for 7am!

11/16/2012

All done with written exams!! I'm so excited! The exam wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and I think I did well. On the way to the exam we ran into Kat's boyfriend who said, "hey I need you to make a cake by 7" yikes! Our exam didn't finish until 4:30 and I used the last of the sugar on Wednesday. We had the fasted speed cake making session ever. She made a fabulous raspberry white chocolate cake. I stayed home this evening to study but I got lazy and ended up lounging around a bit more than I should have tomorrow I have a chapter and a half to do , a long bike ride, and the 10km run that I skipped today... Arrg! But all done with written exams and I'll be home soon!! Also 2 days till the eureka stair climb big costume final touches tomorrow:)

11/15/2012

It was fantastic to have a day off of exams today.  I swam, practiced skills, ran track, and came home to study.  Unfortunately, I was less than motivated than I should have been.  I procrastinated and watched all of elementary, oops.  More excitement tomorrow after I finish the last of my written exam.

11/14/2012

3 exams down. The last written one is on Friday. Yay!!! I hope I did well on this one it's my favorite. I significantly over answered all the questions hopefully I get bonus points:) I was avoiding all activities this morning as I tried to cram in one more fact or research finding but one thing that couldn't wait was replacing my breaks. They were so worn that they were past dangerous and beginning to actually damage my bike so I took a 15 minute break to do bike maintenance. After the exam I was so relieved for the free time that I baked up a storm. I made jalapeño cheese bread and red velvet biscotti. They are delicious as alway but turned the entire kitchen red. I need to pick up supplies and found the best Oreo ever!! An Oreo with sprinkles on the inside. It tastes like magic! After I had biked and cooked I finished off the evening with more studying. Yay knowledge!