Drive. Play. Drive. Repeat.

Whew...what a week.  As I'm sitting here waiting for the Biggest Loser to come on TV (my weekly dose of affirmation that I am an active and healthy individual), I take a deep breath and think about the whirlwind that was last week and weekend.  From last Wednesday night until Sunday afternoon, I traveled a good bit of the southeastern region of the United States.  First stop: Birmingham, AL for the American College of Sports Medicine conference.  

I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect at a conference since I had never experienced one before.  But, I knew that when I left that I had been missing out on something before.  These conferences are a great way to meet people, network, get a jump start on current research going on, and to see your classmates and professors present research they have been working on for a good bit of time.  It was also great to catch up with my professors/mentors from Elon as well.  While most of the day is business and learning, the evening is a great time to get to know people and have some fun.  I also didn't realize that my $40 registration fee covered the open bar at the conference social....never underestimate science nerds in large numbers.

Friday....

Drive back to Charlotte and pick up the boy at the airport.

Saturday....

Drive to Boone, NC for snowboarding with Adam, Jess, and David.  The last time I went snowboarding was 5 years ago, and I spent a significant portion of that time on my ass.  I was expecting the same outcome during this trip, but thought it would be fun since Jessica told me that she, too, would be on her ass during most of the trip.  Adam and David are pretty comfortable snowboarding, so we figured they might help us out a little too.  So, off we go to the mountains of NC for attempt #2 at snowboarding.  

The conditions were a little less than favorable with lots of fog and a little drizzle, but that didn't seem to scare off the Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend crowd.  The resort was fairly busy, but not enough to where I thought I would crash into everyone coming down the hill...a good thing since control is not something that comes standard on a snowboard rental.  

On our first trip up the mountain, Jessica and David are two ski lift chairs in front of Adam and me.  My chair approaches the hill to the end of the lift, and I don't see Jess anywhere in my view.  So I think to myself, "YESS getting off this lift is the hardest part for me, and Jess probably got off fine.  Maybe it's not so hard..."  Our chair comes over the top of the hill and where is Jess? Sprawled out on her back in front of the ski lift.  I completely double over in laughter and consequently join her on my own ass at the bottom of the ski lift as Adam and David are trying to pull us out of the way of the other skiiers coming off the lift.  And so begins our decent on Beech mountain.  

By the end of the day, Jess and I were spending less time on our asses and more time up on the board.  We decided that all in all, it was probably a good workout and that it inspired us to try to come more during the winter so that we could get better and keep up with the boys.  We traded our soaking wet gear for sweatpants and headed back to the Holiday Inn with some Southern Comfort (how appropriate?) and some snacks.  The only thing missing was the fire in the fireplace (apparently Holiday Inn doesn't allow flammables?).

Sunday...

The thawed out troops head back to Charlotte with Tay Swift on repeat.  The boys didn't even object.  I conked out for most of the way home and found myself with multiple suitcases to unpack and tons of laundry to do when I returned.   My little tour of the southeast US had come to an end, and it was back to reality on Monday.  

Now that I am back into the swing of the workweek and school week...last week is seeming like a blur.  I had so much fun, but after those types of vacations...I always seem to need another vacation.  

How many weeks until spring break??  Too many.  ...krg

THE 25 THINGS

There's this note going around Facebook that I'm sure y'all have seen called 25 Random Things about Me.  I love reading it around Facebook because I always find out something new about someone, and it gives a person's unique perspective on their own life.  So, here is my version:

Hope you enjoy!...krg

1. The majority of the people I call my best friends I've known since preschool/kindergarten.  I don't think we've ever had a real fight, either.

2. I've known my boyfriend of six years since he was 5 years old.  Our parent's houses are down the street from each other.  Somehow, I still like him and he is my polar opposite person. :)

3. I don't like change alot (obviously, see #1 and #2) but I picked up and moved to Charlotte without knowing many people there.  It turns out some change is good.

4. My sister is one of my favorite people in the world.  She is the perfect hybrid of being exactly like me, and nothing like me at the same time.  If you put us on the phone together, it sounds like one person talking for hours to themselves.  

5. I love all dogs.  Especially puppies.  Especially my Golden Retriever, Misty.  (and Mary's puppy, Cooper)

6. I crave vegetables and eat super healthy all the time...until you bring out any form of chocolate.

7. I take a nap everyday.   Sometimes up to three depending on the day and what time I had to work that morning!

8.  I love working out, almost any form of it.  If I miss more than two days of working out, I get cranky and anxious.  

9. I don't like people who are inconsiderate or "unaware of their surroundings", as I like to call it.  Get with the program, people!

10.  I fully appreciate the value of a good education and I am always wanting to learn more.  However, not more of the boring things such as history, physics, etc.  Moira and Adam give me my maximal dosage of those topics :)

11. My favorite pairs of shoes are my UGGs and my BCBG heels.  I wear UGGs everyday and sometimes even to work in the morning until I am forced to change into my gym shoes. 

12. Dance is the only way I am able to clear my head.  Right now is the longest I've gone without dancing and I can tell it's starting to take its toll.  I need to find some classes that fit my schedule!...and I will always love Carter School of Dance the most out of everywhere I've danced, even though I learned so much in college, and Caitlin Codd will always be my fav person to dance with!! <3>

13. I wish I was more fashionable.  That way I could fit my expensive taste into my small budget by putting together outfits myself.  

14. My goal in life is to know that somebody else's life is better because of me.  

15. I am a republican but I HATE HATE talking about politics.  I tend to take the argument too personally.

16. If my room isn't clean, I can't do any schoolwork.  I'll find 32487329 things to do besides schoolwork, instead.

17. I only have 3 radio stations on presets in my car, and I DON'T scan channels.  If I don't like any of the songs on those 3 stations, too bad, I'll just have to pick the one I hate the least.

18. I love Elon and all the friends and experiences I had there.  Good thing Elon moves to Charlotte afterward. :)

19. I wish I could sing.  Instead, I just sing at the top of my lungs with Ashley in the car, and we try to drown each other out while rocking out to our favorite song of the moment.  

20. I love my friends because they are low-maintenance.  I can call them up whenever and it won't have mattered if we haven't talked in 6 months.  They will just jump in the car and be up for a good time no matter what.

21. I don't like negative people.  But I do LOVE sarcastic people.  I can usually tell the difference.

22. I still call my mom and dad everyday and talk their ears off.  It's too bad they still live in MD, otherwise my phone bill would be alot cheaper.

23. My grandparents are some of my favorite family to spend time with.

24. I wish I looked my age, but I wish even more that people would stop telling me that I'll appreciate it when I'm 30.

25. My first job was working at a donut bakery and my current job is in a gym as a personal trainer.  IRONIC?  Also, both jobs start at 6 am...and if you know me, you know I don't function before 10am.  Somehow, I'm still employed...

...AND ONE EXTRA: I wish I traveled more, but I think tourists are obnoxious and I hate being one.  I like to explore on my own time and in my own way.