I had a friend share this YouTube video with me, and man, this guy has it all right. Airline announcements are a bit ridiculous. I know my fellow LC's will appreciate this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DagVklB4VHQ
Friday, December 24, 2010
The Washington Bar Crawl
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Peppermint Extract Crisis Averted
After a long day of traveling to and from St. Louis, I decided to make the Mint Chocolate cookies I had freaked out about two days ago. I am covered in powdered sugar, but they are delicious and well worth the effort. A taste of heaven on earth.
A Loss for the Rams
Earlier today, Patrick and I drove down to St. Louis for the Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs football game. When my Uncle Dave offered us the tickets a few days ago, we were pretty excited because we knew this would be a big game for the Rams. Winning this game would bring them one step closer to clinching the NFC West.
This year the Rams have been having "a really good season," which is only true if you compare it to the previous few years. For the first time in a long time, it is not embarrassing to be a Rams fan. They are also leading the NFC West, which is a pretty deceiving title. While teams like the Falcons are leading their divisions with 12 wins and 2 losses, the Rams are leading with 6 wins and 8 losses. In any other division, that would put them in at least 3rd place.
The game today was a lot of fun, nonetheless. Here's a picture of Patrick, Becky, and I at the game.
Here's a picture of the stadium from our seats!
The first quarter got off to a great start, with the Rams leading 6-0. After the first quarter, the Rams didn't do much of anything for quite some time. By the third quarter, the game was getting a little bit frustrating, and by the fourth quarter, everyone started to give up. KC made an 80 yard run, which quickly turned into a touchdown, and the stadium emptied out with 3 minutes left.
The final score was 13-27. Better luck next time, Rams.
This year the Rams have been having "a really good season," which is only true if you compare it to the previous few years. For the first time in a long time, it is not embarrassing to be a Rams fan. They are also leading the NFC West, which is a pretty deceiving title. While teams like the Falcons are leading their divisions with 12 wins and 2 losses, the Rams are leading with 6 wins and 8 losses. In any other division, that would put them in at least 3rd place.
The game today was a lot of fun, nonetheless. Here's a picture of Patrick, Becky, and I at the game.
Here's a picture of the stadium from our seats!
The first quarter got off to a great start, with the Rams leading 6-0. After the first quarter, the Rams didn't do much of anything for quite some time. By the third quarter, the game was getting a little bit frustrating, and by the fourth quarter, everyone started to give up. KC made an 80 yard run, which quickly turned into a touchdown, and the stadium emptied out with 3 minutes left.
The final score was 13-27. Better luck next time, Rams.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Peppermint Extract Crisis of 2010
I spent last weekend in Omaha, Nebraska visiting friends and looking at apartments. I had the greatest time and was not ready to go home on Sunday. Luckily (or unluckily) for me, my car wouldn't start Sunday morning. After a few pathetic, cyclical groans, I knew that my battery was clearly dead. Dead dead.
Thank God for AAA. I had to laugh though. When I finally got through to an operator, I gave her the details of my situation, and she pointed out that I had requested help in the same location before. Literally, I was in the exact same parking spot last summer when I got a flat tire. I'm never parking there again.
Because of my car trouble and weather conditions in Iowa/Illinois, I ended up staying in Omaha an extra day. This ending up being a blessing in disguise, because I got to see a few more friends before I left town on Monday afternoon.
By the time I came home, I was ready to get into the holiday spirit. I promptly wrapped all of my Christmas presents. When I was done with those, I wrapped everyone else's presents, excepting the presents they had bought me. As a result, looking under the Christmas tree right now is really quite depressing. There are plenty of gifts for Patrick, Mom, Dad, and Grandma, but not a single one with my name on it.
After my present-wrapping frenzy, I was ready for my favorite part of the holiday season: Christmas cookies. Baking is one of my favorite hobbies. I bake out of boredom, happiness, anxiety, or pretty much any emotion. Last year, Christmas at the Roszhart household was a bit depressing. I was recovering from a serious liquid nitrogen burn on my hand and was not able to bake at all. Although I was feeling a lot better, my hand was still pretty grotesque, and no one wants a nasty hand touching their food.
This year, my baking has been over the top. For three straight days I have baked and baked and baked:
Ginger cookies,
Dipped pretzels,
Snowball cookies and Peanut Butter Surprise cookies,
Spritz cookies,
and Turtle cookies.
But then, I was getting out the ingredients for Chocolate Mint cookies, and I realized we didn't have any peppermint extract. Although I had been enjoying baking, after three straight days I was ready to be done. In the next few moments, the Peppermint Extract Crisis of 2010 ensued. I started tearing through the cabinets, positive that we had to have it somewhere. My mom meanwhile, was laughing at me, wishing she, "could videotape this moment to warn my future husband." Thanks, Mom.
Could I have run to the grocery store? You would think so, but no, I couldn't. I hadn't bothered getting ready yet and looked like living hell. I was not about to run to the grocery store looking like that. Our town is so small, you're guaranteed to run into at least five people and more than that if you're having a bad hair day.
So instead, I gave up, defeated. When my mom ran to the grocery store later that afternoon, she surprised me with peppermint extract :) My next day or two might be busy, but I'll find time to make my Chocolate Mint cookies!
Thank God for AAA. I had to laugh though. When I finally got through to an operator, I gave her the details of my situation, and she pointed out that I had requested help in the same location before. Literally, I was in the exact same parking spot last summer when I got a flat tire. I'm never parking there again.
Because of my car trouble and weather conditions in Iowa/Illinois, I ended up staying in Omaha an extra day. This ending up being a blessing in disguise, because I got to see a few more friends before I left town on Monday afternoon.
By the time I came home, I was ready to get into the holiday spirit. I promptly wrapped all of my Christmas presents. When I was done with those, I wrapped everyone else's presents, excepting the presents they had bought me. As a result, looking under the Christmas tree right now is really quite depressing. There are plenty of gifts for Patrick, Mom, Dad, and Grandma, but not a single one with my name on it.
After my present-wrapping frenzy, I was ready for my favorite part of the holiday season: Christmas cookies. Baking is one of my favorite hobbies. I bake out of boredom, happiness, anxiety, or pretty much any emotion. Last year, Christmas at the Roszhart household was a bit depressing. I was recovering from a serious liquid nitrogen burn on my hand and was not able to bake at all. Although I was feeling a lot better, my hand was still pretty grotesque, and no one wants a nasty hand touching their food.
This year, my baking has been over the top. For three straight days I have baked and baked and baked:
Ginger cookies,
Dipped pretzels,
Snowball cookies and Peanut Butter Surprise cookies,
Spritz cookies,
and Turtle cookies.
But then, I was getting out the ingredients for Chocolate Mint cookies, and I realized we didn't have any peppermint extract. Although I had been enjoying baking, after three straight days I was ready to be done. In the next few moments, the Peppermint Extract Crisis of 2010 ensued. I started tearing through the cabinets, positive that we had to have it somewhere. My mom meanwhile, was laughing at me, wishing she, "could videotape this moment to warn my future husband." Thanks, Mom.
Could I have run to the grocery store? You would think so, but no, I couldn't. I hadn't bothered getting ready yet and looked like living hell. I was not about to run to the grocery store looking like that. Our town is so small, you're guaranteed to run into at least five people and more than that if you're having a bad hair day.
So instead, I gave up, defeated. When my mom ran to the grocery store later that afternoon, she surprised me with peppermint extract :) My next day or two might be busy, but I'll find time to make my Chocolate Mint cookies!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ready or Not Omaha, Nebraska
Tomorrow I am embarking on a mini-adventure to Omaha, Nebraska, one of my favorite places in the world. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love it, and most people question why. My response, "Have you been there?" If the answer is no, then go check it out sometime. If you can't think of a good reason to go, I have two suggestions:
1) Go to the College World Series baseball tournament held in the end of June. (Those two weeks are my favorite of the summer. In fact, I am hoping to find a job that does not require me to work at all during that time.)
2) Visit your dear friend Sarah, who is moving out there next summer for medical school.
Or both.
BUT tonight, I am packing, or at least thinking about it. I am staring at a pile of freshly laundered clothes that smell like home. After using so many detergents this semester, the scent of All is surprisingly comforting. The thought of packing is more daunting than you might expect for someone who has been living on the road.
Two nights ago, I unpacked from the semester and tucked my suitcases away into our guestroom. Am I ready to touch them again already? No.
Also, am I capable of packing normal clothes? Debatable... All semester I have been wearing business casual clothes. Now that I have been home, I am wearing the most comfortable clothing I can put on. For example, I am currently wearing a knit headband, men's flannel shirt (it is mine), leggings, and UGG boots. Seriously. And yes, I know my outfit is the epitome of class. And yes, I did wear said outfit in public.
And this blog post? Its called procrastination, or blogcrastination if you ask my mother.
1) Go to the College World Series baseball tournament held in the end of June. (Those two weeks are my favorite of the summer. In fact, I am hoping to find a job that does not require me to work at all during that time.)
2) Visit your dear friend Sarah, who is moving out there next summer for medical school.
Or both.
BUT tonight, I am packing, or at least thinking about it. I am staring at a pile of freshly laundered clothes that smell like home. After using so many detergents this semester, the scent of All is surprisingly comforting. The thought of packing is more daunting than you might expect for someone who has been living on the road.
Two nights ago, I unpacked from the semester and tucked my suitcases away into our guestroom. Am I ready to touch them again already? No.
Also, am I capable of packing normal clothes? Debatable... All semester I have been wearing business casual clothes. Now that I have been home, I am wearing the most comfortable clothing I can put on. For example, I am currently wearing a knit headband, men's flannel shirt (it is mine), leggings, and UGG boots. Seriously. And yes, I know my outfit is the epitome of class. And yes, I did wear said outfit in public.
And this blog post? Its called procrastination, or blogcrastination if you ask my mother.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Life Lessons: A Mid-Year Review
Three days ago, after a long travel day from Eugene, Oregon to Peoria, IL, I came home for a month-long Christmas break. Looking back over a semester of travel, it is hard to believe how many places I’ve visited. Here’s a summary of statistics for you:
In 4 months, I
-have been on 16 visits to 14 different schools
-have taken approximately 40 flights, with many delays and one cancellation
-have never lost my luggage
-have slept in at least 25 beds
-have visited seven new states (Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey)
-gained 7 lbs, but have lost almost all of it since the start of Thanksgiving break
I’m learning a lot too. I’m learning not only about myself, but about others.
Here are some Life Lessons, in no particular order:
Life Lesson #1 A sedentary lifestyle will make you fat.
Well, isn’t that an obvious statement? I never realized how active I was in college. I’m not even referring to exercise, but just moving around. I have been pretty good about working out regularly, but I don’t walk around as much as I used to. I never realized how much walking to classes and meetings burned calories.
Life Lesson #2 Eating at restaurants will also make you fat.
Restaurant food is much less healthy and served in much larger portions that what I would ever cook for myself. I grew up in a household where my family ate a homemade meal every night together. In college I had very selfish eating habits. I ate what I wanted and when I wanted. My theory on eating is if you’re hungry, you should eat. If you’re full, you shouldn’t eat. I’m also a bizarrely picky eater. I don’t think there’s any food I absolutely cannot handle, but I like to have a say in what I eat.
Life Lesson #3 People are nicer in the Midwest
This isn't to say I haven't enjoyed traveling around or that there aren't nice people everywhere, because there are. BUT speaking in terms of the larger population, I find this to be true.
Life Lesson #4 No one (besides consultants of other Greek organizations) actually understands what I do as a Leadership Consultant
I can explain it to you all I want, but you won't really get it, even if you're an undergrad sorority girl.
Life Lesson #5 Giving up all forms of partying and alcohol isn’t so bad
Believe it or not.
Life Lesson #6 I will never meet a cute boy in the airport
First of all, the average age of people flying is approximately 45 years old, unless you’re on a flight to Orlando, where the average age is 15. While there are some young people traveling around the country, there are also lots of older business men and women and retirees.
Life Lesson #7 I can survive off of fewer clothes than I would have guessed
The great thing about traveling to a different school every week is that no one sees my outfits twice. No one has to know that I wear this same outfit every single Monday. Does this mean I am forever reducing my wardrobe size? Sorry, no. I apologize in advance to my future husband out there, whoever he may be—I will always need a huge closet, and no, we can’t share. But at least I’ll be a pro for packing for vacations.
Life Lesson #8 Always eat breakfast before getting on an airplane
You're not going to get fed anything (unless you travel on Delta or Southwest, where you will get a small snack), and if your flight has braking and steering issues (ahem, my Orlando flight that was canceled), the delay will cause you to starve and/or go on accidental dates with creepy older men. (See my blog updates from early October if you need clarification.)
Life Lesson #9 Put the armrest down as soon as you board your flight
You need to define your territory, and if you don’t do it immediately, it gets awkward to try and do it later.
Life Lesson #10 Window seats are the best
All of my life my dad has been telling me to request aisle seats. Turns out he’s all wrong. Window seats are where it’s at (...at least this is true when you're a 5'7" woman. I can understand why a 6'+ man might enjoy the aisle)
-For me, plane time=nap time, and a window seat makes this so much easier. I don’t have room for one of those nifty little neck pillows, so I just bundle up my fleece and lean against the window.
-In the window seat, I also don’t have to worry about anyone bothering me to get out going to the bathroom.
-Window seats have the best view in the house.
-The space under the seat in front of a window seat is also larger than the aisle. (As soon as my dad reads this, he’ll start preparing his argument.)
-What we can all agree on however, is that the middle seat is the worst.
Life Lesson #11 There are some things you just can’t live without
Throughout the semester, my suitcase has gotten consistently more practical, but there are some things you just can’t live without. My most ridiculous items? A full size box of Q-tips, an anatomy coloring book, and a workout DVD. I was also carrying around a Halloween costume for two months.
Life Lesson #12 Packing your heaviest items in your carry-on isn’t always the smartest idea
In order to cut down the weight of my large suitcase, I decided that I would only put clothes and toiletries in it. (It still weighs 49.5 pounds.) My small suitcase, on the other hand, holds all of my heaviest items: all 6 pairs of shoes, hairdryer, diffuser, straightener, curling iron, any paperwork, stationary, a waterbottle, umbrella, jewelry case, electronics and chargers, glasses, and chocolate. You can imagine how helpful said suitcase would be if my large one were to get lost. Not at all.
Life Lesson #13 Unless my life is actually threatened, there is no situation I can’t deal with, or at least tough out
I realize now that too many people, including my previous self, spend too much time worrying. What is the worst that can happen in any given situation? Think about it. Hopefully this new "laid-back" attitude is not detrimental to my education in medical school.
In 4 months, I
-have been on 16 visits to 14 different schools
-have taken approximately 40 flights, with many delays and one cancellation
-have never lost my luggage
-have slept in at least 25 beds
-have visited seven new states (Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey)
-gained 7 lbs, but have lost almost all of it since the start of Thanksgiving break
I’m learning a lot too. I’m learning not only about myself, but about others.
Here are some Life Lessons, in no particular order:
Life Lesson #1 A sedentary lifestyle will make you fat.
Well, isn’t that an obvious statement? I never realized how active I was in college. I’m not even referring to exercise, but just moving around. I have been pretty good about working out regularly, but I don’t walk around as much as I used to. I never realized how much walking to classes and meetings burned calories.
Life Lesson #2 Eating at restaurants will also make you fat.
Restaurant food is much less healthy and served in much larger portions that what I would ever cook for myself. I grew up in a household where my family ate a homemade meal every night together. In college I had very selfish eating habits. I ate what I wanted and when I wanted. My theory on eating is if you’re hungry, you should eat. If you’re full, you shouldn’t eat. I’m also a bizarrely picky eater. I don’t think there’s any food I absolutely cannot handle, but I like to have a say in what I eat.
Life Lesson #3 People are nicer in the Midwest
This isn't to say I haven't enjoyed traveling around or that there aren't nice people everywhere, because there are. BUT speaking in terms of the larger population, I find this to be true.
Life Lesson #4 No one (besides consultants of other Greek organizations) actually understands what I do as a Leadership Consultant
I can explain it to you all I want, but you won't really get it, even if you're an undergrad sorority girl.
Life Lesson #5 Giving up all forms of partying and alcohol isn’t so bad
Believe it or not.
Life Lesson #6 I will never meet a cute boy in the airport
First of all, the average age of people flying is approximately 45 years old, unless you’re on a flight to Orlando, where the average age is 15. While there are some young people traveling around the country, there are also lots of older business men and women and retirees.
Life Lesson #7 I can survive off of fewer clothes than I would have guessed
The great thing about traveling to a different school every week is that no one sees my outfits twice. No one has to know that I wear this same outfit every single Monday. Does this mean I am forever reducing my wardrobe size? Sorry, no. I apologize in advance to my future husband out there, whoever he may be—I will always need a huge closet, and no, we can’t share. But at least I’ll be a pro for packing for vacations.
Life Lesson #8 Always eat breakfast before getting on an airplane
You're not going to get fed anything (unless you travel on Delta or Southwest, where you will get a small snack), and if your flight has braking and steering issues (ahem, my Orlando flight that was canceled), the delay will cause you to starve and/or go on accidental dates with creepy older men. (See my blog updates from early October if you need clarification.)
Life Lesson #9 Put the armrest down as soon as you board your flight
You need to define your territory, and if you don’t do it immediately, it gets awkward to try and do it later.
Life Lesson #10 Window seats are the best
All of my life my dad has been telling me to request aisle seats. Turns out he’s all wrong. Window seats are where it’s at (...at least this is true when you're a 5'7" woman. I can understand why a 6'+ man might enjoy the aisle)
-For me, plane time=nap time, and a window seat makes this so much easier. I don’t have room for one of those nifty little neck pillows, so I just bundle up my fleece and lean against the window.
-In the window seat, I also don’t have to worry about anyone bothering me to get out going to the bathroom.
-Window seats have the best view in the house.
-The space under the seat in front of a window seat is also larger than the aisle. (As soon as my dad reads this, he’ll start preparing his argument.)
-What we can all agree on however, is that the middle seat is the worst.
Life Lesson #11 There are some things you just can’t live without
Throughout the semester, my suitcase has gotten consistently more practical, but there are some things you just can’t live without. My most ridiculous items? A full size box of Q-tips, an anatomy coloring book, and a workout DVD. I was also carrying around a Halloween costume for two months.
Life Lesson #12 Packing your heaviest items in your carry-on isn’t always the smartest idea
In order to cut down the weight of my large suitcase, I decided that I would only put clothes and toiletries in it. (It still weighs 49.5 pounds.) My small suitcase, on the other hand, holds all of my heaviest items: all 6 pairs of shoes, hairdryer, diffuser, straightener, curling iron, any paperwork, stationary, a waterbottle, umbrella, jewelry case, electronics and chargers, glasses, and chocolate. You can imagine how helpful said suitcase would be if my large one were to get lost. Not at all.
Life Lesson #13 Unless my life is actually threatened, there is no situation I can’t deal with, or at least tough out
I realize now that too many people, including my previous self, spend too much time worrying. What is the worst that can happen in any given situation? Think about it. Hopefully this new "laid-back" attitude is not detrimental to my education in medical school.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Some Pictures from Oregon
On my last day at Oregon, I got a tour of Autzen Stadium and took a few pics of their house! And yes, I did get two feather extensions in my hair. I don't have a photo of those yet. It's nothing dramatic though, just two white/brown/black thin feathers behind my left ear. Pics of those to come later!
Here are two pictures of the Beta Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma house!
Here are a few pictures from my tour of the Oregon Athletic Training Center and Autzen Stadium. I was BLOWN AWAY by the facilities they have! Phil Knight, creator of Nike, is a University of Oregon alum, and he has donated so much money to the school's athletic department. Their indoor training facilities amazed me the most. They have an indoor field that has adjustable weather. They can make it hot, cold, rain, snow, etc. all so that their teams can prepare for the climates they will be traveling too. Whoa!
Finally, here's a picture of UO's quad from my campus tour.
Here are two pictures of the Beta Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma house!
Here are a few pictures from my tour of the Oregon Athletic Training Center and Autzen Stadium. I was BLOWN AWAY by the facilities they have! Phil Knight, creator of Nike, is a University of Oregon alum, and he has donated so much money to the school's athletic department. Their indoor training facilities amazed me the most. They have an indoor field that has adjustable weather. They can make it hot, cold, rain, snow, etc. all so that their teams can prepare for the climates they will be traveling too. Whoa!
Finally, here's a picture of UO's quad from my campus tour.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Oregon Girls Wear Feathers
This week I'm at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. Although I absolutely LOVE the chapter women here, I do NOT love the rain. There has been some form of rain every day for the last four days. Tomorrow the forecast is a.m. cloudy, p.m. sunny. I'll believe it when I see it. Everyone does say that Oregon is so GREEN, and they are absolutely right. If it weren't for the 40 degree weather and my ability to read a calendar, I'd say the grass was that of the beginning of spring.
I've also been working a lot harder this week than I have since recruitment season. The Beta Omega chapter is in the process of officer transitions, so I am having all of my meetings with both the incoming and outgoing officers. While it is certainly a great opportunity to get everyone on the same page, I have had some long meetings! Most of my meetings are running a full hour, and I only stop then because the next set of officers has showed up. Whew!
They are treating me very well though. I'm staying in a hotel for the week, and they've been taking me out for dinner every night. I've gotten to try a lot of Eugene's local favorites like the Eugene Electric Company, Miso, Agate, and this cute little fondue/crepe/tapas place, who's name has slipped my mind. Tomorrow I'm going to Sweet Life, a local dessert cafe, for an afternoon treat.
I've come across the most interesting new trend while in Oregon--feather hair extensions. For just $8 you can have a feather extension added to your hair, and everyone is doing it....or at least all of the girls are. Apparently it has been quite the thing on the West Coast for a little while now, and it is starting to spread to the rest of the country.
I still have a full day left in Eugene, and I'm tempted to try and get one before I leave. I have an hour and a half between meetings tomorrow--enough time? If not, I'm also tempted to call my hair stylist in Omaha and beg her to order them for my appointment next Friday. Somehow I doubt the trend has spread to Nebraska just yet. I could be doing them a favor.
Have no idea what feather extensions are? Check out www.conditionculture.com, or maybe I'll actually get one in my hair and put up a pic.
I've also been working a lot harder this week than I have since recruitment season. The Beta Omega chapter is in the process of officer transitions, so I am having all of my meetings with both the incoming and outgoing officers. While it is certainly a great opportunity to get everyone on the same page, I have had some long meetings! Most of my meetings are running a full hour, and I only stop then because the next set of officers has showed up. Whew!
They are treating me very well though. I'm staying in a hotel for the week, and they've been taking me out for dinner every night. I've gotten to try a lot of Eugene's local favorites like the Eugene Electric Company, Miso, Agate, and this cute little fondue/crepe/tapas place, who's name has slipped my mind. Tomorrow I'm going to Sweet Life, a local dessert cafe, for an afternoon treat.
I've come across the most interesting new trend while in Oregon--feather hair extensions. For just $8 you can have a feather extension added to your hair, and everyone is doing it....or at least all of the girls are. Apparently it has been quite the thing on the West Coast for a little while now, and it is starting to spread to the rest of the country.
I still have a full day left in Eugene, and I'm tempted to try and get one before I leave. I have an hour and a half between meetings tomorrow--enough time? If not, I'm also tempted to call my hair stylist in Omaha and beg her to order them for my appointment next Friday. Somehow I doubt the trend has spread to Nebraska just yet. I could be doing them a favor.
Have no idea what feather extensions are? Check out www.conditionculture.com, or maybe I'll actually get one in my hair and put up a pic.
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