NC Odyssey Project: Wake County

Where: Wake County, NC

When: December 1, 2007

Yesterday, December 1, I ran in the Jingle Bell 5K Run in Raleigh, NC, (see race report here), which happens to be in Wake County. Here's to the second county in my North Carolina Odyssey Project!

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina, and it happens to be where I went to high school. It's home to a number of academic institutions, include NC State, Shaw, Meredith, Peace, and Wake Technical Community College. Culturally, there are many things to do in the area. There are some wonderful museums, including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of History, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural History. There are also music opportunities, including the NC Symphony Orchestra. Raleigh is also home to the Carolina Hurricanes, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions.

Raleigh is considered part of the Triangle, along with Durham and Chapel Hill (and surrounding areas). I believe part of the Research Triangle Park is in Wake County as well.

Pictures above are 1) Smedes Hall, one of the main buildings on the campus of St. Mary's School, where the Jingle Bell Run started and finished, 2) The Bishop's House, also on the SMS campus, the SMS Chapel, 3) the St. Mary's Chapel, 4) a painted wolf in front of the Kenan Library on the St. Mary's campus, made as part of the Raleigh Red Wolf Project, and 5) and picture of Wade Avenue in Raleigh, taken from my car early yesterday morning (yay for light traffic!).

I enjoyed running in the Jingle Bell Run in Raleigh, partly because I got to see some of the sights there along Hillsborough Street, including part of the Capitol complex, NC State and the Bell Tower, and St. Mary's, of course.

NC Odyssey Project: Durham County

Where: Durham County, NC

When: November 30, 2007

Taking pictures of the Duke University campus is always a treat, but especially on Friday, the start of my new pet, the North Carolina Odyssey Project. Duke is Durham County's largest employer, with over 27,000 employees (larger than the town where I grew up!). Durham is Durham County's largest city, and is home to North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College, as well as Duke. It's nickname is the City of Medicine, due to the top notch medical facilities in the area. You'll also find cultural things to do here, including the Durham Bulls (of the movie "Bull Durham" fame) and the American Dance Festival, as well as many activities associated with the universities.

The picture above is of Duke Chapel on West Campus at Duke.

Here are a couple of pictures of West Campus.

Durham County is also home to the Research Triangle Park, known as RTP around here. According to the website, it's the largest research park in the nation, and is home to companies and agencies such as IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Nortel, and the EPA.

Gospel singer Shirley Caesar and author Clyde Edgerton were born in Durham.

North Carolina Odyssey Project

I've decided to give myself the challenge of visiting all 100 counties in North Carolina! Although I've traveled across North Carolina since I was a child, I decided not to count anything I've done before. I want to make it fresh for me, to include friends and family when possible, and record my findings, hopefully with pictures as well as writing. I started it officially this past Friday, November 30, with the county where I live and work. Simple enough, but it counts! If you have any suggestions of places I should visit in NC, let me know! I know many of the obvious spots, but would love to hear about neat places that might be under the radar.

In My Dreams....

I had a dream early this morning that I was running in a 5K race and nearing a PR (personal record) when I came across a building along the course with a restroom in it, so I popped in. While I was in there, someone pointed out where the race expo was, but I didn't stay and look because I wanted to get back out and finish the race. When I got back outside I didn't see any runners, so I ran ahead and discovered I'd taken a wrong turn! I followed the other runners down the right trail, worried that I'd really fallen behind! My alarm went off before I finished the dream, so I don't know how the race turned out.

I listened to a running podcast yesterday that talked about weather. In one instance, it started snowing before a winter-time race, but after they'd marked directional arrows on the road. The first-place runner took a wrong turn, but corrected himself in time to win the race anyway! That wasn't happening to me in this particular race. :)

In My Purse....

Okay, this is the mobile version of "By My Bed....," as I've found I like to have a book in my purse. It's handy for reading over lunch at work (after I've finished reading "The Chronicle"), or when I have a long wait somewhere. Anyway, the paperback currently in my purse is Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I've read The DaVinci Code and enjoyed it. So far, Angels and Demons is off to a good start!

Some Days Are Like This....

I wonder if today will be one of those days! I felt a little out of sorts when I woke up this morning, and I haven't sorted back out yet.

In My Dreams....

When the alarm clock went off this morning, I instantly remembered I'd been dreaming. I dreamed that George and I were participating in a version of the TV show "The Amazing Race," held mostly in the North Carolina mountains, but at one point I had to check in on the Duke campus for some clues to continue. I knew George was part of this grand scavenger hunt, but we weren't working together in my dream, so I asked a person or two if they'd seen him and knew of his progress. I was both curious and a little competitive! ;-) I don't remember if we were on the same team but in a "divide and conquer" mode, or if we were competing against each other.

I've enjoyed watching "The Amazing Race" in seasons past, but haven't watched it at all this fall. Time in front of the television has been limited the past few months. I think this is a great trend, overall!

New Size!

This afternoon I met Mom for some shopping at Talbot's at the mall. It was fun to try on clothes and discover that I'm down to a size 14 on the women's (plus) side of the store! This gives me hope that I'll be on the regular side of the store in the months ahead! One of the things I've missed is shopping in "normal" clothing stores.

Snuggle Socks

Last night I made my way to a couple of stores, Dick's Sporting Goods and Barnes and Noble. At Dick's I was looking for some leggings for cold weather running, and a long sleeve t-shirt or two. I was reminded that they're a little on the expensive side, so I stuck with the leggings, which, at $50 (wow!), and a pair of snuggle socks! I found the snuggle socks in the Life is Good section, where I drooled over the long and short sleeve t-shirts. I was delighted to find that the XL fit me with room to spare, then I remembered that Mom told me they run a little big. Now I wish I'd tried on the short sleeve Life is Good tee that had "Gotta Run" and a pair of worn sneakers on the front, plus the Life is Good Face on the back. The Life is Good t-shirts are all $25 a piece there.

I wore the snuggle socks last night, and they kept my feet very warm, so life is good, indeed.

By My Bed....

Right now I'm reading the book The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollan. I'm only about 100 pages into it, but I'm fascinated so far by the economics of corn and agribusiness. (Strange but true!) So far, I'd recommend it. I have to finish it soon, as someone has a hold on it after me, so my lending period is only two weeks!

Inspiration

George and I joined his family for Thanksgiving dinner at the Washington Duke Inn last evening, and it was wonderful! I was able to eat well without overdoing it, between the salad bar (including yummy salads and fresh fruit), some green beans and mahi mahi, and some more fruit for dessert. The layout of the dining room was well thought out, with salad bars on each side, and the hot food bar down the middle of the room, with the carving area (turkey, roast beef, etc.) in the back of the room (or the front of the room, depending on your perspective, I guess!). The desserts were in a totally different area, which, personally, I REALLY appreciated! :)

Best of all, though, I enjoyed the company last evening. It was so nice to catch up with George's family last night. Icing on the cake: I sat next to a family friend, Mrs. W., who's actually a retired pediatrician, in her 90s. She is still so incredibly sharp, and I love, love, love talking with her! We talked politics, the environment, family, my diet, all kinds of things. She's such an inspiration to me, and I'm always glad to see her at family affairs!

Beautiful Libraries

A co-worker sent us this link to pictures of beautiful libraries, and it's definitely worth a look-see! What a feast for the eyes! Check it out:

http://curiousexpeditions.org/2007/09/a_librophiliacs_love_letter_1.html

Thanksgiving 2007

Again, this will be a slightly different Thanksgiving for me. I'll be having lunch at the Rice House, staying on the Rice Diet. For dinner, George and I are joining his family at a local hotel restaurant, which is very nice. The plan is to eat my Rice Diet supper ahead of time, and once at the hotel, look for what I may be able to eat, like salad, fresh vegetables, or raw or steamed veggies.

Apex Turkey Trot Race Report

I ran another 5K this morning, the Apex Turkey Trot, and set a new PR! Click here to check out my race report.

Duke Football

I know, I know, the words Duke and football have a much different meaning to most folks than, say, Duke and basketball. Still, I enjoy rooting for the football team as well. I've been a lifelong Duke football fan, in fact. Even before I became a Duke basketball fan, I was pulling for the football team. What's even more surprising is that I grew up in Alabama--SEC Country, close to both Auburn and the University of Alabama! The reason for this craziness is that my dad played football for Duke, so I grew up hearing football stories, and even going to some games, as my sister came to Duke, and I followed a few years later. I continue to follow the team, and usually attend at least one game a year. Part of it is that I love fall weather and an excuse to be outside, doing something social. I'm also an eternal optimist--yes, my glass is usually half full! I keep hoping things will turn around for the Duke football team, which has just one win (out of 10 games) so far this year.

Well, I was just checking this week's football rankings. Duke is #86, and this week's worthy opponent, Notre Dame (also 1-9 for the season), happens to be ranked #88! On paper, it should be a close game! Wish the game were going to be in Durham, but it'll be in South Bend. I'll be crossing my fingers!

Extreme Makeover-Cubicle Edition

I've decided to start working on my cubicle space at work, to make it more organized and pleasant! Of course, my department is moving to a new building next summer. On one hand, why get all gussied up if I'm moving? Well, that's actually a good reason! A big part of what I need to do is DEAL with all the books and things that have landed on my desk and shelves. Some of the things are gathering dust, I noticed on Friday. Ick! The less I have to move into the new space, the better.

I also want to have a space that's pleasant to work in on a daily basis, and where others feel "relaxed" when they stop by. When people stop or walk by now, what do they think? She has lots to do? She's unorganized? Whatever the thoughts, I'd like to clear the clutter, spruce up the plants, and make it a more pleasing work environment. Now that I've blogged about it, I've got to do it, right?!

I took a couple of pictures of my work area on my camera phone last Thursday, which I've added above. I didn't notice until just now that I pretty much missed my desk area! Ooops! I need to work on it as well, though I made some good headway on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Lost & Found

Yesterday morning I realized that I was missing my gold chain necklace, which I wear nearly every day. I couldn't imagine it falling off, and I couldn't imagine WHERE I'd left it. When I got home last night, I started retracing my steps, even clearing away some clutter (yay!), but to no avail. This morning I kept my eyes peeled as I went through my morning routine, looking in odd as well as obvious places. I shouted out in delight when I finally found it--in my UNDERWEAR drawer, of all places! I have no clue how it got THERE! But I'm happy I found it. :-)

Where's the strangest place you've found a missing item?

Latest Progress Pictures from the Rice Diet

Back in September, they took another "progress picture" of me at the Rice Diet Program. It's encouraging to see the progress, really, as I don't really see it in the mirror on a daily basis.

August 2006

February 2007

September 2007

Free to Breathe 5K Completed!

I ran in the Free to Breathe 5K in Raleigh this morning, and ran a personal best! My race report is on one of my other blogs. Read about it here!

Happy Halloween (a day late)!

Even with work and a busy evening, I had a nice Halloween! This is my second Halloween on the Rice Diet, so sweets are off limits, of course. I decided to pass on yesterday's annual library-wide Halloween lunch, which included pizza and homemade desserts this year. It sounded wonderful, but I decided to forego the temptations! Last night, though, I went to the library on East Campus to hear Reynolds Price tell his Halloween tales, and it was charming, as always! He has such a wonderful, melodious voice, and a good sense of humor, to boot.

Afterward, I stopped by to see one of my nieces, LLJ, who's a freshman at Duke, and lives near library I visited last night. We had a good visit before her night out on the town in Chapel Hill, which has a big bash on Franklin St. every Halloween. She shared a cute story from earlier yesterday! She and a friend decided to dress up as ghosts for their big Econ. lecture yesterday. They went to class early and put their bookbags in seats in the middle of the lecture hall, then slipped out to don their sheets, which they cut holes in for their eyes and mouth. Only catch was, they accidentally bought bottom sheets, so the bottoms of their sheets were curling under and poofy! They glided back into the lecture hall just as the class was about to start, now with a full room of people! Now, with their sheets on, no one knew who they were, but with the sheet bottoms acting as they do sometimes, elastic and all, they kept getting hung up on chairs and knees and stuff as they made their way to their seats. Afterward, LLJ says, other friends from the class were saying, "Who were those two people dressed up as ghosts?" LLJ and her friend shrugged their shoulders, "I don't know!" Cute!

I didn't get home until after 8:00, and we didn't have any trick-or-treaters, but I didn't expect any, really. I didn't even buy any candy.

How did YOU celebrate Halloween?!

Signed Up for Another 5K!

I just decided to sign up for a 5K road race THIS WEEKEND! It's the Free to Breathe 5K in Raleigh, with proceeds going to fight lung cancer. I feel like I need something to shake things up workout-wise, even before the Apex Turkey Trot on the 17th with Laura.

My main goal will be to improve my last 5K time of 42 minutes. I would love, love, love to break the 40 minute mark. Will it happen this weekend? Not sure, but I'm going to try!

Busy Day

Today, I'll split my time between the Rice Diet Program, where they're having a reunion weekend, and ERUUF, which is having a fund-raising auction tonight. I'm excited about being asked to be on a panel this afternoon at the RD reunion. I'm going to take long the pair of jeans I was wearing my first day at the Rice Diet. I'm not sure I'll show them, don't want to come across as showing off, but I think it's pretty cool. The pants just drop to the floor now.

Meanwhile, my heart's still heavy from hearing the news yesterday about B.M.'s husband passing away Thursday night. So sad.

Life Down the Road

I just finished reading the book The Number: What Do You Need for the Rest of Your Life and What Will It Cost? , by Lee Eisenberg. It was a pretty good read, with no new information really, but it was well written, and got me thinking more about retirement. Just yesterday, I had an appointment with a TIAA-CREF rep over in Duke South about my 403b. I took my various retirement investments in, he crunched some numbers, and recommended that I diversify my allocations to be in the "very aggressive" category. According to the number crunching stuff, I was already "aggressive" about my retirement money, a good thing at my age, but I decided to take the advice to step it up a notch. The projection was that at my current contributions and allocations, I'd probably be okay as long as Social Security is still around, but if it isn't, well, I wouldn't be in very good shape. Eeeek!

Body Image

I've had a couple of conversations recently about body image and my weight loss, which is all pretty obvious by the clothes I wear these days. My older clothes are pretty baggy (at least, the ones that aren't too big for me to wear now), but the newer clothes are more form fitting, and I always get more compliments on my weight loss when I wear the new clothes. It's hard for me to give up the baggy clothes in a way, and equally difficult for me to buy more form-fitting things. I'm still "seeing" my old body.

Another 5K on the way

I've signed up for another 5K, the Apex Turkey Trot on November 17th! As I'd hoped, it has helped rev up my workouts and get me recharged. Of course, I overdid it at the gym this morning, and am feeling a bit tired. I hope to do some running on the treadmill tomorrow morning.

North Carolina State Fair

George and I made it to the North Carolina State Fair last night and had a fun time. We almost didn't go, then the lines for tickets were so long, we almost turned back around. We found a shorter line to get in, and we were glad we did. It was a beautiful night to be out and about! It was really crowded inside, though--big surprise, with it being the last Saturday night of the fair. We enjoyed the crafts, bunnies, and various exhibits. Of course, we had some roasted corn (sans butter, of course), which was yummy. Later, George stopped for ice cream, and I was able to find a place nearby that served a decent garden salad for $5. (The rest of the fair food was tempting at times! George's ice cream looked really good, of course! And I must admit, I was both intrigued and repulsed by all the deep fried delicacies offered at the fair: cheesecake, candy bars, even deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Coca-Cola (how does THAT work??)!) At the end, we went to the Village of Yesteryear area and poked around while waiting for the fireworks to start. (The tobacco barn display was warm inside, which felt good at that point of the night!) The fireworks were surprisingly impressive, bright and loud, but parts were quite pretty!

I'm always impressed by the crafts with ribbons hanging from them, and wonder how people get to that level. Is it through a county fair? How does one enter? Of course, I'd love to get good enough at something to have the confidence to enter! ;-) I guess a big part of it is how I choose to spend my time!

We plan to go back next year, but plan a little better for the things we'd like to see and do.

Well-Rounded Week

This has been a busy week, and it's only Thursday! I've had two meetings-both ERUUF-related but different. I had a paper due for my computer class at Wake Tech, which had me awake past midnigt the past two nights, but it's DONE! On Tuesday, I got to visit with LH, a former co-worker from my Wake Forest days. Her husband was having surgery at Duke Hospital, so I was able to walk over and visit with her while she waited. It was really good to visit with her!

Today I had lunch with JC, an former intern in our department last spring and summer. She's in library science school, and is interning in the Reference Dept. at Duke now, in addition to continuing her degree at UNC. It was fun talking with her about a variety of things, including school, the GRE, and apartment living.

This afternoon I made an appointment to talk with a TIAA-CREF rep next week about my retirement fund allocations. Since most of my retirement funds are with TIAA-CREF now, I need some advice, perhaps some reassurance, about how things are set up right now. My retirement has really been on my mind lately, so I was glad to see the opportunity to talk with someone, even if the rep is going to be a little biased toward his company!

I must admit, I'm feeling pretty wiped out. My exercise sessions have gotten shorter as I've gotten more tired. I feel low on energy, but am fighting the urge to succomb to caffeine. Tonight, I'll go to bed early.

End of Vacation

Tomorrow I'm returning to work after a week off! I've enjoyed the time off, by and large. It's been nice having a week off that's outside the realm of Christmas break. There are plenty of things I wish I'd done that I've run out of time for, but I did accomplish quite a few things.

I am looking forward to going back to work; I feel rejuvenated for the change of scenery. Of course, I need to get to bed soon to keep that feeling going! I have two ERUUF-related meetings this week, one tomorrow night and one on Wednesday. I have a big paper due for CIS110 on Wednesday, as well.

George and I have started talking about our finances as a couple, and we're discovering that we have different thoughts and financial personalities, as it were. We'll have more discussions, I'm sure, as we make our way through this new territory. Part of it is surely the fact that I'm ten years older and have thought more about retirement. In the mean time, this discussion has motivation me to order a book from Amazon called Financial Bliss: A Couples Guide to Merging Money Styles and Building a Rich Life Together. I figure it can't hurt to read it and start getting some ideas.

Pictures from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

More Pictures from Endless Caverns in Virginia

Pictures from Endless Caverns in New Market, Virginia

Vacation in Virginia

George and I had an interesting time in Virginia for our vacation. As it turned out, we learned at least as much about each other and our traveling selves as we did about the area. We realized we didn't plan enough for this trip, for starters. Our "trip luck" works best when we do plan. We did plan well with our hotel, trying out the Country Inns and Suites for the first time. We enjoyed this Roanoke hotel, which was clean, convenient, and had nice amenities, including an indoor pool and hot tub. It also had a lending library of classics with fresh covers, which I thought was quaint! I would've taken advantage of a couple of books, but I was already looking forward to finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Kite Runner, which I'd brought with me.

Even without our usual planning, we had a good time, including visits to Endless Caverns and Grand Caverns in Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a great stop in Floyd, VA, which turned out to be a charming little town, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had a healthy lunch and decaf coffee at a quaint little place called Cafe del Sol, and stopped by the Floyd Country Store as well.

We're already looking forward to our next vacation together, and of course we've already started planning! :)

What a Weekend!

Yesterday I did something really different for me! I was the Worship Associate at ERUUF! It was a great experience, helping with both worship services (at 9:15 and 11:15). My reflection about worship appeared to go over pretty well--my biggest regret is not having it better memorized. Don tied my thoughts into his sermon impressively, and Mary was in the audience smiling and nodding at encouraging times. Before and after each service, I helped Don meet and greet everyone who stopped by, and that was fun too.I must admit, though, I was tired when I got home. I took a long nap, and didn't talk much for the rest of the day. Even today, I'm not in a talkative mood, though I've pushed to be my normal self at work. Tonight I have Covenant Group, and it feels a bit challenging to know I'll need to be engaged in the discussion tonight as well. I need a little longer to coccoon!On Saturday, I went shopping to look for a new outfit to wear on Sunday. I didn't want to look like I was from the 'hood in front of all of ERUUF. :) It was a great shopping experience! I found three pairs of pants and two tops, all of which I could wear at work or to church. The pants were all size 16s, and the tops were (shock!) size 14/16! The two tops are the same style, just different colors. I wore one yesterday, and another today. (So much for saving them for special occasions, huh?!) I've gotten some nice compliments, and it's been so encouraging.After shopping for clothes for Saturday, I went to a nail place at the mall, and got a manicure at Avalon. I used to enjoy their services, but I didn't enjoy it as much on Saturday. The gal who worked with me kept trying to sell me on other services (French nails, waxing), but didn't chat with me about anything else. I brushed it all off, but will keep looking for anoher nail salon.I got my hair cut on Thursday in preparation for yesterday's deal, and went to a new place, Bella Trio Day Spa. I thoroughly enjoyed that experience! I arrived early, and was scouting out the different stylists to see who I'd pick to do my hair if I'd known ahead of time who to ask for. Well, the lady I'd "picked" was the one who I had the appointment with! I was watching her finish up on one lady, who's hair looked great! She seemed to be interacting in an engaged way, knowledgeable, friendly, and upbeat. Well, she ended up being a delight to talk to, and did a great job on my hair, with good styling advice to boot! Her name is Debbie, and I plan to return to her. :-) (They do nails, by the way, but I usually get my nails done on a whim, when I happen to have the time and cash. I love being able to decided on it and walk in to a place!)Saturday afternoon, after shopping and nails, I went to a party over at Steph's house. It was great to see her and several others from Covenant Group, ERUUF, and even Toastmasters! A fun time!

Could It Get Any Busier?

I'm in the middle of a very busy stretch, with meetings all around, homework for my computer class, and being the Worship Associate for tomorrow's services. Part of me feels very alive and on the ball. Part of me would love to coccoon, and curl up on the couch with the final Harry Potter book, which I've been reading for over a month! I've got about 100 or so pages so go, and I'm lucky to read 3-4 pages a day right now. Even though I'm enjoying work and the activities I'm involved in, I'm sooo hoping to have more down time soon!

Good doctor's visit

I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor this morning, and it went well! She was pleased that I'd lost over 50 lbs since my last visit with her. :-)

Church Involvement

Next Sunday will be my first time as a Worship Associate at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. While I'm a little nervous, I'm mostly excited! The service will be ABOUT worship. Funny, I've been thinking I want to find time to get my hair cut as well as a manicure and pedicure, maybe even a new outfit. Of course, doing this is not about how I look, but I want to look my best, even if it is church. Having the extra "polish" will probably help with the nervousness.

Reality TV

I used to be pretty hooked on reality TV! Favorite shows in this genre included "Survivor,""Amazing Race," and "The Biggest Loser." I'm discovering that the latest installments haven't sucked me in like they have in previous seasons. I think my perspective has changed, especially with "The Biggest Loser." (Maybe a little bit of it is that I'm jealous that I can't take several weeks off to just concentrate on my weight loss efforts!) Of course, a big part of it is that I just don't have the luxury of watching while television shows anymore! Free time is too valuable and scarse, and these days I'd rather be spending time with George or other friends and family, reading, or catching a good movie than watching TV.

The Week That Was

It's not even the end of the week on the calendar, but this past week has been a busy, busy one!

Much of my free time has been taken up by an online class, Introduction to Computers, that I'm taking through Wake Technical Community College, called Wake Tech for short. I thought this would be a pretty easy class, a good way to get my feet wet, to ease my transition back into juggling work and school. (I've been thinking about going for a Masters in Library Science for several years.) The class has turned out to be more challenging and time consuming than I expected! Of course, part of it is that I'm "just a little" competitive about grades and want to do well. Part of it is that I don't know as much about computers as I thought! Last weekend I had two online tests and a lab to do by Sunday night at midnight, and I had another deadline last night, the outline for my class project. I decided to do it on online career tests and how accurate (or not) they are. I had to choose three online career assessments out of the oodles of choices, take them, and find other sources as well, for the outline. I submitted it with about 30 minutes to spare last night. *sigh* This one class is wearing me out! :-P

George and I had our covenant group meeting Monday night in Chapel Hill. It goes from 7:15-9:15, so I go straight there from supper at the Rice House, and George goes straight from work. With chatting and stuff afterward, it's usually 10:00 before we get home, wind down and go to bed. It's more challenging now that I have this class going on. Studying is pretty much out those two nights of the month. It's a great group of people, though.

Meanwhile, I have a long to do list for the rest of the week, including some things for ERUUF, school, and home. And of course, continuing the Rice Diet is time consuming, but so worth it!

Catching Up with Friends

I had a good time catching up with a couple of old friends over the weekend! One was an old high school classmate, Kathryn, and the other an old buddy from my summer at Yellowstone National Park. It was fun catching up with the both of them by phone. I missed a phone call from a Rice Diet friend, Kim. We're hoping to touch base next weekend. It's really nice to touch base with my personal history.

Junior League Meeting

I went to the first Junior League meeting of the year last night. It was good to be into it. I didn't enjoy last year's placement like I thought (and hoped) I would. This year I've been put on League Lines, the newsletter, which is new for me. I used to do the Triangle Activities newsletter, but this will be different. I talked to this year's editor, and got a copy of Adobe PageMaker to install on my computer. I don't know PageMaker, so I'm going over to the editor's house on Saturday to get a lesson. I'm looking forward to learning a new software for me.

The main speaker last night was Molly Barker, the founder of Girls On The Run. I really enjoyed hearing her story--very inspiring!

A couple of acquaintances at the meeting said something about my weight loss, which was encouraging. :)

Funny experience

Saturday, after my last post, I was leaving Panera Bread, where I was taking advantage of the WiFi connection over a cup of decaf, I opened the back door on the driver's side. As I leaned into put my purse, computer bag, and backpack on the backseat, my shorts fell to the ground! Eventhough the shorts had been feeling loose, I didn't think they were THAT loose! What a surprise! Luckily, there weren't many people around. ;-)

New computer!

I purchased a new computer last night, an Acer Aspire 5770z, at Best Buy! At $500, it seems like a good buy for my first laptop. I've spent the afternoon and early evening between a couple of coffee places, getting on wifi and doing coursework for my computer class. Now I'm just finishing downloading a genealogy program and my old ged file, so I'm back in business with one of my favorite hobbies (though not as much time to work on it now!)!!

Summer TV

Last night I had the TV on for longer than it's been on for most of the summer! I've thoroughly enjoyed using my time differently, but it was interesting to tune in. I was able to catch the final episode of America's Got Talent, which I haven't kept up since the first episode or so. Was glad to see the ventriloquist win the million dollar first prize--he was quite good! I also saw part of Jim Cary's new game show, The Power of 10, but wasn't inclined to keep watching. I was glad to see a commercial for the next installment of The Biggest Loser, which starts September 11! Yay! I've always enjoyed this show, though I've kinda grimaced at the name, since I've had a lot of weight to lose for so long. Now I can empathize more since I've actually lost a lot.

Move-in Day!

I just got back from East Campus, where I saw my niece getting settled into her dorm room for her first year at Duke! She's looking so cute! I'm very excited for her, and hope she really enjoys herself at Duke. Her roommate seems very nice, and when I left, they were still busy getting their room squared away. The whole family was there--Craig and Lisa, of course, and Emily just flew in on the red-eye from San Fran, Mom and Dad, and George was even able to come by, since he had the day off from work.

School

George and I both started school yesterday. George is taking three classes at Alamance Community College toward and Office Systems Technology degree, and I'm taking CIS 110, Intro to Computers, online, toward a Computer Information Systems degree at Wake Tech. Just getting acclimated to one class is plenty for me right now, with working FT, plus my other activities. I'm really impressed that George is tackling three classes! It's going to be a busy semester.

School

I signed up for the Intro to Computers online class at Wake Tech for the fall semester, and it starts day after tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting back into classwork, and have decided to start working toward the degree and see how it goes. George starts a more rigorous schedule on Wednesday at Alamance Community College, taking three classes, two of which will take up every weekday morning at 8 AM. Whew!

We went to Target last night to shop for school supplies together, and that was kinda fun. Made me feel like a kid again.

Meanwhile, I've been bidding for laptops on eBay, but haven't been able to win one yet.

Quote of the Day

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures."- Irish Proverb

I can really relate to the abive quote today, as I feel both tired and rather blah! I hope to get to bed earlier tonight, and hopefully that will help chase away the blahs. A good laugh sure would help, though.

What's By My Bed

I finally finished Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, and absolutely loved it! I can't believe I don't remember havig to read it in school! I especially enjoyed the Atticus Finch character. Although I started the final Harry Potter book last week, I decided I just had to finish To Kill a Mockingbird before I went on. Now, I can't wait to see what's going on in Harry Potterland!

Reading

George read the whole Harry Potter this past week, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We actually bought it together yesterday after church, and he finished it around midnight! I don't know how he does it! I hope to start it soon, but have three books in the works. I'd like to finish at least one of them soon. :)

Ankles in the Afternoon

Had a humorous conversation at breakfast at the Rice House this morning. We were talking about the effects of salt in the diet, and how the low-sodium aspect of our Rice Diet has helped us. A. exclaimed that she had ankles in the afternoon now! Of course, we all new what she meant. Between the sodium and diabetes, my ankles used to be swollen in no time, and now they're normal looking. Everyone at the table laughingly thought that "Ankles in the Afternoon" sounded like a snappy book title.

More unpacking

I unpacked another box at the apartment last night, a box marked "papers." I found some interesting things, including the discharge instructions from Duke Hospital last July 30, almost a year. The list of medications I left the hospital with, wow! George said I should frame it! :-P

Meanwhile, I've been reading the book Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach, inspired by George and me moving in together last month. Right now I'm just reading it for myself, seeing what works and what George and I might want to do in the future in terms of our finances. Last night I made a list of five financial goals for the next year, after reading the idea in the book. Seems like a no-brainer to have financial goals for the next year, right? Hadn't done it. So, now I've got a list and a game plan, which feels good!

Campus

Although summer school is still in session, I'm already looking forward to the fall semester. The biggest news is that my niece, L., is coming to school here, moving into her dorm in less than a month! I'm seeing the campus a little differently now, wondering what she'll think when she finally lands and starts walking around, taking classes, etc. I hope she likes it here.

Although the campus is peaceful during the summer sessions, I miss the hustle and bustle of activity on the quad that occurs during the school year. I also miss the student-run newspaper, which comes out 5 days a week furing the academic year, but only once a week for the first summer session only.

Meanwhile, I've been working on my own work area lately, dusting off problems and trying to deal with them. It feels good to be getting my ducks in a row.

By my bed....

Last night I started reading John Kerouac's On the Road. It seems like a perfect summer reading book, especially since I've stayed close to home this summer. I've checked out a stack of classics from the library to read over the next few weeks, and am looking forward to each one. Of course, I'll take a break from the stack at hand when I get my hands on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

Speaking of time.....

I actually decided to stop reading a book this morning! I mean, I don't care to pick it back up again at all. I may change my mind later, but right now it's just not worth my time. I feel a little strange rejecting a book...ususally I try to plow through a book once I've started it, but I've decided time's too precious!

It's liberating to thing about what I'll pick up to read in its place! I've added the Books application to my Facebook profile to help me keep track of my "to read" list, and that's been fun.

Where Does Time Go?

I've been hyperaware of time lately, or, more specifically, how I use mine. There's so much to do, both at work and at home, plus time with George, family, etc. Plus there are all the things I'd like to take up new, like knitting, a new musical instrument, a new foreign language. I know that setting priorities is key. Right now I feel a little tired and drained, so I'm coasting a bit, making sure I get the key things done, but otherwise taking it a little easy. I've been reading more, which is definitely on my to-do list.

I hope I'll have a better sense of where my time should go in the weeks ahead. I think I need enough down time to rest, then think.

No television

George and I haven't plugged in either television since we moved two and a half weeks ago. The cable guy is coming this Saturday, but the TVs will be in each of our separate rooms, not in the living room, and not in the master bedroom. It's been nice not having the TV as a distraction. I've been able to take care of more "things," of which there have been plenty, and I'm reading more, which is GREAT.

On the flip side, I do miss watching the news as a quick way to stay informed. I've been thinking about subscribing to a local newspaper, or to something like Time or Newsweek, to stay on top of things a little better.

Explorations Over Vacation

I enjoyed having some time to explore my new apartment surroundings while on vacation last week. There are some convenient things nearby, but some of my "comfort zone" places are still a hike, which is something I'm still getting used to.

Although not exactly nearby, I drove to Cary to scope out the new Trader Joe's there. Although it's not where I'd be able to take care of all my shopping needs, it's got some unique goodies. I bought a couple of tubes of honey mango shaving cream that smells yummy!

I've rediscovered books on tape (ok, CD) with my added commute, and now I look forward to getting into the car. What a great invention!

Books Finished on Vacation

Rethinking Thin: the New Science of Weight Loss--and the Myths and Realities of Dieting, by Gina Kolata

I enjoyed reading this book, though it didn't mention the Rice Diet, and it was, overall, a bit discouraging about dieting, really. The book mentions a lot of obesity/diet studies over the decades, as well as a more recent study at Penn of Atkinds vs. low-calorie dieters over two years. According to the book, most people who lose any amount of weight gain it back. Yeesh! How can I beat the odds?

Leaving Church: a Memoir of Faith, by Barbara Brown Taylor

I just learned of Taylor recently, although apparently she's a popular read among some mainstream church-going circles. Having considered going into the ministry myself, I really enjoyed reading about her journey to and from the pulpit.

End of Vacation

I'm nearing the end of my vacation week, returning to work on Monday. I've savored the R & R, while maintaining a normal Rice Diet meal schedule (though I took some of my meals to go) as well as my usual exercise routine (though I really didn't get any extra exercise in as I'd hoped). I spent a fair amount of time learning my way around our new area a little better, and took care of some of the more responsible stuff, like getting a fresh driver's license with the new address, stuff like that. I also took my share of naps (a luxury) and actually finished reading a couple of books (a treat). :-D

I also decided to sign up to take some computer classes through Wake Tech Community College. I have to get my transcipts over there, but once that's all done, I hope to be able to sign up for an online class or two for the fall semester.

Getting settled in

George and I are getting settled into our new apartment, bit by bit. We're having some drama with our washer and dryer, or lack thereof, which has put a bit of a damper on things. But I'm enjoying the place, even with walking up and down thw two flights of stairs to our third floor apartment. (Could be worse, plus the extra exercise is good!)

The towhee family seems to have flown the coop, I mean nest. I miss being able to watch them.

I'm enjoying the time off from work, though it hasn't been much of a vacation. I've been taking care of business-y things, like changing addresses on my car registration and drivers license. Today I was able to get a new library card for our "new" county, and that was kinda fun. That library system seems very good, and I was able to check out several books on CD for my new commute.

One of our new neighbors

As we were unpacking yesterday, George looked out one of our windows and notice a mama bird in its nest! It was so sweet to watch! Some of our Covenant Group from ERUUF were over heloing us unpack, and one person recognized it as a tohwee.

All moved in

George and I moved this weekend, and it's soooo good to have that behind us! We still have his apartment to get cleaned up, but I think that will be fine. We really like our new place, though we're both still a bit sore. We had some great help both Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the professional movers on Saturday. It was a great day for moving. The morning was pretty pleasant, though it did warm up a bit.

I'll write more later....

New apartment

George and I signed the lease to our new apartment this morning! There have been a few glitches, such as having to change addresses (the people in our original apartment couldn't move out as their house fell through) and our washer and dryer not being delivered until late next week. We're glad to have the papers signed. Now we just have to finish packing and move.

Our washer and dryer won't be moved in until next Friday, the 29th, a bit of a pain! And now we're on the third floor instead of the second. But that means we'll just get more exercise, right?

Our new apartment is pretty and spacious. I can't wait to set up house there!! George and I still have some negotiating to do in terms of furniture placement and decorating, but I think it'll all work out.

"I Say, You Think" Meme

I've been exploring the idea of adding memes to my blog periodically, and decided to dive in this morning. This first one is a word association that looked like fun.

1. bug: big
2. red: flag
3. traffic: Interstate 40
4. apple: red
5. sexy: self-confident
6. book: work (which I like!)
7. roller coaster: Where?!
8. hippie: tie-dye
9. weekend: Yippee!
10. chocolate: Three Musketeers

Running Group

I'm planning to join a running group Saturday morning at Umstead State Park, and I'm excited about it. Of course, I'm a little worried about being able to keep up, but I keep telling myself to show up and do my best, and take it from there. The group will start with three miles on Saturday, which is almost my max distance right now, and build on that, which seems perfect for me. Since we'll be running on a trail I've never been on before, maybe I should leave a breadcrumb trail in case I do bring up the rear!

Quote of the Day

"The most successful people are those who are good at plan B." James Yorke

McLamb Reunion

I went to a McLamb Family Reunion over in Dunn today. I had fun seeing the people I know, and enjoyed meeting some new people. This particular branch of the family tree isn't my direct one, but it's fun to be invited to this gathering on an annual basis. It's made me want to get my own branch of McLambs organized and together for a reunion. I need to get another computer up and running to do that....a goal for the new apartment! I do miss doing genealogy.

What I'm Reading

Right now I'm working on Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies. It's an autobiography of Lamott's spiritual journey, and it's been a joy to read so far. She has an interesting way of putting words together, and I'm enjoying reading about another Christian's journey that's unconventional and more liberal. I've been thinking a lot about my own spiritual journey lately, and how it's changed over the years. Being at ERUUF has hightened my awareness that I'm a bit in flux these days, and I'm trying to find my way. Sometimes I feel adventurous about my spiritual journey, and sometimes I feel out of sorts and uncomfortable. It's better than being stagnant, though.

Memorial Day

George and I find ourselves in town this weekend, doing some packing, but mostly taking it easy. It's a nice change of pace, and the down time is much needed before the busy month ahead. I'll be glad to see July 1 come around.

I've signed up for another 5K, this one this coming Saturday. I'm looking forward to the change in exercise routine, and can't wait to see if I can improve my time. The last time I ran a 5K race, I finished in 46 minutes, 30 seconds. I think I can top 45 minutes, for sure. How close I get to 40 minutes probably depends, in part anyway, on how hilly the course is.

Packing

George came over and helped me with some packing last night. We made progress, though not as much as we'd hoped. (I'm realizing just how much stuff I actually have! Yikes!) Tonight we're going to work on his place some. We're hoping this weekend brings a big packing push for both of us.

What I'm Reading

At the moment, I'm enjoying the book, Courting Trouble, by Lisa Scottoline. It's a legal mystery, and is a pretty fast read, nice for almost-summer, especially with the stress in other areas of my life. It's a nice escape. I'll probably finish it this week and return it to the light reading paperback shelves here at the library. Time to start weeding through my own bookshelves at home and see what I need to return to the library, or pass along to others, or save. I love books, and in time I'd love to have a room dedicated to books in my home.

Vesak

My friend, Suttee, invited us to the Buddhist temple she attends in Knightdale, near Raleigh to see the Vesak festival today. It was held outdoors, which Buddhist monks, nuns, and dancers, plus lunch beforehand. All of it was really fascinating to me! There was a lot of traditional music (Suttee told us it was Thai music), and the flowers, flags, and other decorations were very colorful--yellows, blues, reds. I'm so glad Suttee invited us to join her.

Catching Up with Friends

Last evening I tried to call my former co-worker, Aura, who's moved to California. Yesterday was her birthday! I didn't get hold of her, but it was kinda nice to hear her voice on her cell phone voice mail message. I left her a message.

After that, I decided to call an old Toastmasters buddy, Alice. We met at the Bull City ToastMasters several years ago, and realized last night that it's probably been about three years since we've seen each other. She has since has a baby, and doesn't have time for Toastmasters right now. I don't either, but have been thinking about going back. Anyway, it was great to catch up with Alice (it has been about 9 months since we'd talked!), and we hope to get together after my move.

Cleaning

Last night I tackled the bathroom, cleaning out the linen/supply closet, as well as underneath the sink. That was a good job to get out of the way! It was good to consolidate supplies and toss old stuff. Lord knows WHEN I'd swept out the bottom of that closet. ANd how did I get so many hairbands?! At least they're all together now.

I need to keep chipping away at my apartment. Wonder room(s) what I'll work on tonight...fun, fun! It is nice to have the motivation of moving to get me going on this sort of thing. I'm sooo excited about our new place!

Half Marathon in Charlotte!

I've just discovered a half marathon (Thunder Road Marathon/Half Marathon) in Charlotte in early December that would be a neat thing to do! I've been thinking about doing one in October or November, but this would give me a little more time to train and lose weight, plus it would be a great birthday present for myself!

Beautiful Day!

I just had lunch outside, and it's a beautiful day here in Durham! It did my spirits good to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine from a table outside of the library, underneath a big umbrella.

This evening I'm having dinner with a friend I met back on New Year's Eve. We really hit it off when we met, but haven't been able to coordinate getting together until now.

Date Night

George and I went to see Spider Man 3 last night at the theater at Brier Creek Commons. It's a nice, fairly new theater. The movie was pretty good, but long, nearly 2.5 hours.

Tomorrow is, of course, Mother's Day. It's also Graduation Day at Duke. I often get pensive during this time, especially since I've been back at Duke. The other night, I caught up with my sister, Lisa, on the phone, and she asked me what I'd do differently in college if I had it to do over. It was an interesting question, one I've actually thought about already. I'd want to study more, have more fun, meet more people, sink my teeth into a cause.

End of an Era

George and I were just planning a date night tonight, and were thinking about the Starlite Drive-in in Durham, I checked the website when the movie listing didn't come up on Yahoo Movies, and it turnes out the drive-in is closed, maybe for good! The owner died unexpectedly! :-( George and I have had several fun dates there. I enjoyed this write-up about the Starlite on the "Big Blog."

Butterflies!

We had our final Junior League meeting of the "year" last night, and it was held at the Museum of Life and Science. One of the highlights for me was being able to go through the Butterfly House. I saw some beautiful butterflies, some flying around and others hanging from branches, appearing to be sleeping. It was neat! I hear it's also really pretty when it's sunny outside, that the butterflies tend to be more active during a sunny day.

I also enjoyed catching up with Hallie and some others at the meeting last night.

Airport

Last night George and I had an unexpected trip to the RDU Airport to pick up a friend and take her home to Raleigh. One of the nice things about it, though, was realizing how close we are to the airport. Close enough, but not too close. :)

I'm sleepy today due to the late night, could use a long, cozy nap!

More shredding

This weekend I did more bill shredding, and was able to get rid of several bags of trash. It's a relief to feel like I'm getting my financial house in order, especially since G. and I are moving in together. Moving to a new apartment has me thinking all the more about buying a home and other financial goals, both short- and long-term.

Weekend happenings

Yesterday George and I went by our new apartment complex to get some more info and see where, exactly, our apartment is going to be. It was fun to see. We also found the nature trail, walked along for a bit and enjoyed the bench swing and gazebo.

Last night we went to the minister's house for a night of grilling and games. It was something I bid on at the annual auction earlier this year. We got to meet some people we didn't know before, and it was a good time! Glad we went.

What's My Ideal Career?

I took a little quiz on BlogThings, and the results are below. Not surprising, considering I used to be a teacher, and now I'm a librarian.

Your Career Type: Social

You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - Librarian Nurse - Parole Officer - Personal Trainer Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer.

What's Your Ideal Career?

Pondering New Goal

I'm thinking about signing up for the Rex Healthcare Half-Marathon in Raleigh on November 4th. I would be a big stretch for me, but I think I'd make a lot of progress toward my fitness and weight loss goals with the extra push. Thinking about it gives me baby butterflies, but makes me enough excited to overcome the butterflies. It's 6 months from tomorrow! Race info says I'd need to be able to finish in 3.5 hours. Wow.

Balance

I'm hyper-aware of balance in my life these days, juggling many things at work, the Rice Diet, exercise, time with George, time to myself, and now the process of getting ready to move. Yikes! Feeling a little overwhelmed! I have started making lists to help me with all the tasks, and that's helping some. Other things that will help: continuing to exercise, making an extra effort to get enough sleep, and getting better organized.