Cherry Blossom 10-Miler: Training Week 9

- Mel

Every time I think about this race, I get butterflies in my stomach… bursting OMG TEN MILES ones, but nervous excitement, nonetheless. Some of that was alleviated when I reached out to a former derby teammate to see if she still planned to run this year — and she is! So at least I won’t be starting alone and she intends to run my pace with me. I downloaded the app and started following the #cucb2015 hashtag to connect with other runners. I hear there’s a beer & oreos group around Mile 8, so I put out a gluten-free cider APB via twitter.

But seriously, NEXT WEEKEND. I can’t believe how quickly this race came around! And let’s not even talk about the half marathon yet. WHOOOOOSH.

MONDAY: REST (awesome after-work event)

TUESDAY: REST (homework)

WEDNESDAY: RUN! 4.04 miles WITHOUT A COAT (!!!) and Day 1 of a 30-day Core Challenge that I immediately forgot on Day 2.

THURSDAY: REST (must. pack!)

FRIDAY: Traveling to Columbus.

SATURDAY: Another 4 on 4/04 (4.26 to be exact) with no headphones. While the course I picked was boring (and I spent most of my time watching out for store doors to smack me in the face), I felt AWESOME.

SUNDAY: Easter, eat ham. Repeat. Does that count for exercise?

To be honest, I thought I did another workout this week. I really need to work on adding in some at-home workouts to get me through this semester (and until I have, like, 15 more minutes of day light hours). Before I go and get down on myself for having too many rest days, I need to remember that I walk a mile to work (and home a mile) 4-5 days per week. And yeah, I need to upgrade my walking-to-work shoe collection because I did not anticipate bleeding blisters on my run on Saturday.

And then we’re in Race Week! In putting my first 10-mile race into perspective (while I was training for the 15k and thought it would be “fun” to run a 10-miler), I hadn’t even completed an 8-mile training run before doing the EQT in November. I’m in much better running shape as far as getting my long runs completed; obviously, skipping the shorter training runs, I’ve realized in retrospect, are not making me a better runner. Noted for future races, self.

Side note: hallelujah, it’s SPRING!

Total runs this week: 2
Weekly mileage: 8.3
Total training mileage: 54.10 + 8.3 = 62.40

Total miles from MARCH, while I’m here: 33.35 miles. Yikes! That seems… like not enough.

Weekly Therapy: “Everyday we have the opportunity to create a living masterpiece.”

- Mel

the week:
I had big plans for my week… but I cannot get over this stupid cold/sickness thing. Then I started having some weird mouth inflammation (I don’t know how to describe it) that I’m unsure if it’s illness-related or a food allergy (oh, god help me) or something else weirdly related to my getting two old silver cavities replaced a few weeks ago (mercury poisoning?).

In any event, I’d like some of feeling normal back, please.

weekend:
Off to Ohio for family and holiday things. And apparently some more winter-like temperatures. *groan* I’m also planning to run around Columbus for a couple short runs (maybe a portion of the Hot Chocolate 15k route?).

seven things, seven days:
1. The first Arts & Drafts event was AMAZING — and I wrote about it for Pittsburgh Happy Hour!
2. It was fun to get away from my desk at lunch one day this week too, even if Six Penn took away their daily pizza special (they have a great gluten-crust, be-tee-dubs).
3. So I officially submitted my derby retirement paperwork. Felt weird to make it “official,” but at least I don’t have to stress about being in some weird purgatory. And I can still attend practices and do contact if I want. And I can always go back full-speed if that’s what I decide to do. So… That’s that.
4. Placed an order with Bake Me Happy for some gluten-free goodies (and a full-size carrot cake) on my return to Ohio this weekend.
5. I had to find a new team already (in just Week #1) for group project in this HRM course; two people in my first selected group have already dropped the class (Imma guess it’s the phonebook-sized book).
6. I’m listening to this Rich Roll podcast with Michael Gervais (again) because it just has me stopped in my tracks. There is no doubt that performance psychology is where I want to go, in terms of education path.
7. How to stop buying crap you don’t need (like a box full of gluten-free sweets? NAH.). {via lifehacker}

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler: Training Week 8

- Mel

Since my knee was bothering me last training week, I’ve made it a point to get in some strength training as part of my workouts. I love my CrossFit gym, but let it take a backseat to working on my conditioning for running. I don’t want to get injured, so I realize (again) SO MUCH the importance of cross-training and hopefully I can make this knee stronger in the process.

MONDAY: REST

TUESDAY: CrossFit — some deadlifts work and a nice-and-easy (although they’re never really easy, are they?) 4RFT WOD of back squats and push ups.

WEDNESDAY: Had a presentation tonight, so a long workout wasn’t in the schedule, but I found a quickie three rounds o’ fun on Instagram via the Bite Sized Army.

THURSDAY: Read in bed almost immediately after work because I feel like I’m getting sick. UGH.

FRIDAY: Concert duty tonight, so today is another REST DAY.

SATURDAY: I wasn’t feeling well in the morning, so I skipped my CrossFit gym’s anniversary workout and picnic. But because of this intense head cold, I sweated all the sickness I could in a two-hour hot yoga session.

SUNDAY: SICK DAY. Blah.

Total runs this week: 0
Weekly mileage: NOPE
Total training mileage: Still sitting at 54.10

Now I need to go a little off my training plan to make sure I’m ready for this race. I’m not worried (aside from my knee holding up)… but it won’t be pretty.

{guest post} A 30-something Landing Among The Stars

- Mel

Today’s guest post comes from somebody who I spent an entire blog-cation with in Cleveland last summer OMG THAT WAS ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO?! Anyways, I’m a huge fan of her blog: The Steel Trap, and naturally, I was excited to see that she was assigned to guest post for this April 1 annual blog swap. I’m over at PGH Happy Hour today, with my review of this week’s awesome fun from Arts & Drafts.

I’m thirty-five. I have two failed marriages, a career that doesn’t pay me nearly enough, and no human children. That’s right. I shot for the moon, and I missed in three major “grown-up” areas. To many people, I am a failure; and even sometimes to me, I am a failure.

I wanted this post to be something poignant and witty about how life in the thirties is so damn grand. But to tell you the truth, it is tough. My experience in the thirties is literally like being alone on the front seat of Disney’s Space Mountain, flying through “space” in the dark unknown territory and trying to stifle screams; it seems somewhat familiar because you know you are somewhere at Disney World, but every movement seems alarmingly uncharted as well.

When my first divorce occurred at twenty-eight, I bounced back relatively quickly because I felt as if I still had time. My second divorce is occurring now, and I feel as if I might never truly bounce back because I do not have the time. That’s where the notion of failure comes into play because I admittedly had a hand in not one, but two divorces; I work additional jobs because my career doesn’t pay my nearly enough money to afford my college loans that I accrued to get said career; and I have a small ache wondering what kind of mother I could have been, because no matter how much I love my dog, and no matter how much he contributes to my daily contentment, he is not my actual child. Who wants to go down like this?

And so I have to remind myself that just because I didn’t land on the metaphorical moon to which I so hopefully shot myself with the best of intentions, it’s going to be okay eventually. Y’all have heard that quote, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.”? Well, the little things in life have become my “stars.” Thus, here is a list of the top ten “stars” in my life, the things that make being thirty-five and in my situation more bearable:

1. Castro Mojito, my soon-to-be three-year-old dog and the best sidekick I could ever have. No one could ever love a dog as much as I love him. On the days when I feel like I cannot possibly continue with my routine and my stress overwhelms me, there he is… happy, overjoyed to see me, and ready to just let me hold him until the moment passes or until I fall asleep.

2. My family and friends. As cliché as it seems, my they are of paramount importance to my well-being. They are an interesting bunch of hilarious personalities, representative of Uniontown, Pittsburgh, and a dozen states; thus, some of our gatherings are not as frequent as I would prefer. Our memories are more treasured because we value them so much across the miles, and thank goodness for texting, social media, FaceTime and the U.S. Postal Service because we are able to stay connected. With my family, sometimes it’s a midday group text about something Disney; a package in the mail with something nostalgic; or a FaceTime about who is enjoying some of our most favorite treasured family recipes. With my friends, sometimes it’s a midday group text about one of our exes showing up on Tinder without a shirt on in his profile picture; a sleepover reminiscent of our younger days; or simply sharing in the weddings and births and doctorates and any other milestones that we reach.

3. [Some of] my coworkers. There are a dozen or so people from the span of my career that truly know me and know just how to pick me up when I am down. These people are invaluable as I spend close to sixty hours a week at work; they can catch my eye or watch my body language and know that I am totally “not myself.” Sometimes it’s a gift in my mailbox; spotting me in Jeans Day because I forget to get cash; or calming me down when I am feeling anxious about everything. Regardless of the gesture, they are quite invaluable.

4. Living close to my workplace. I spent eighteen months doing a twenty-five mile commute through two tunnels. When I say that it sucked the soul out of me like a Dementor, I am making an understatement; so being close to work has eased my daily stress immeasurably. It also is pretty convenient on days when I bend over and tear the crotch of my favorite jeans and have to run home to put on a new pair before anyone sees me. Sidenote: RIP to my favorite jeans… ten years old, perfectly worn in, reliable and trustworthy.

5. My health. Despite my aches and pains from being thirty-five, I value being able to go to the gym or go run stadium stairs with little to no difficulty (other than fatigue). I love that I am able to see everything clearly (with my contacts of course) and hear music every single day.

6. Sugar Free Red Bull. Little Debbie snacks. Ramen noodles. Slice and bake cookies. Red gummy candy. Rice Krispie Treats cereal. Late night McDonald’s. Yup. I know that these are all totally bad for me and might contain more sodium than the Dead Sea. But there are days when all it takes is a bite of junk and I have a smile on my face.

7. Surprises. I am rarely surprised but when they do happen, it’s as close to blissful as I can feel anymore.

8. Brunch. Who knew that this meal would become one of the most enjoyable parts of my week? Not the twentysomething version of me that’s for sure. Bloody Mary bars, bacon galore, and the company of good people? That’s contentment.

9. Television! Shows on the small screen weren’t nearly this great in my twenties. At the end of a particularly trying day, knowing that I can go to my DVR and find something wonderful (General Hospital, Grey’s, Scandal, Revenge, How to Get Away With Murder, Empire, Jimmy Fallon, reruns of Beverly Hills, 90210, etc.) to watch is certainly one of the best little things in life.

10. Lastly, my blog The Steel Trap. No, this isn’t a shameless plug of my online labor of love. It is one of my primary creative outlet, and it has afforded me countless opportunities to meet new friends, travel, and enjoy Pittsburgh from a different perspective.

Weekly Therapy: “whatever you encountered on your way here, let it go”

- Mel

the week:
I am currently over-dosing on orange juice to combat this cold or whatever plague is fighting with my respiratory system. It’s the nasty kind of pre-sickness, where you’re super exhausted but toss-and-turn in bed for 8 hours unable to sleep.

If I end up napping in child’s pose this weekend during yoga just LEAVE ME BE.

Waldo_finds himself

weekend:
Two special yoga sessions scheduled: LA’s return to SHPY and a blindfold session at Urban Elements.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#10 Kluge: The Haphazard Evolution of the Human Mind — required book for one of my theory classes, but it was actually a really interesting look at the “clumsy” evolution and nature of our brains.

#11 The Art of Mental Training: The Guide to Performance Excellence. This book fell flat on several levels, but there were some good take-aways and practical exercises. Although, man do I hate chapters full of conversational quotes — this is why I read non-fiction! I don’t want to read a movie script.

seven things, seven days:
1. Hallelujah, it was house cleaners week!
2. Went to #burgh this week at Point Park University, and it really invigorated some creative ideas on how to better use our social space at work. I love being inspired like that. Also I got to meet @sree!
3. Received a dividends email from REI, which prompted me to buy a waterproof jacket for spring running. Mostly because I do not want a repeat of that RnR race. Ever.
4. Finishing up one of my classes this week (woo!), and starting some kind of torturous human resources management course next week.
5. Speaking of new classes, a new low on required textbooks: this one cost me over $200 (just ONE book) and it’s seriously 3-4 inches thick. For a SIX WEEK COURSE. (Double-u, tee, eff.)
6. Maple Water: IS THIS REAL LIFE?! Heck yeah, I’ll buy this.
7. My friend did a really amazing thing this week — 235 burpees for charity!

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Training Weeks 6 & 7

- Mel

Less than a month away from the Cherry Blossom race, and less than two months away from the Pittsburgh Half. WOO! Racing season is upon us.

Week 6
I rested my knee throughout the week (with a little RICE), hoping for no long-term injuries. Saturday was my 5K race in DC (recap here) and NO KNEE PAIN! (Thank the Running Gods.)

Total runs: 1 (just the 5K, ma’am)
Weekly mileage: 3.1

Week 7
I’m ready to add back in some CrossFit training into my week, and already have yoga on the calendar for next weekend, because three rest days in a row is not my style (and I feel like I’ve finally settled back into a routine since starting my new job two months ago).

Monday: 7 miles post-work. NO COAT! And a lot of rolling on these shins that are tight. Woof. Also, I’ve been finding some hilarious things along my runs, which fuels my brain. Today: a big turd on the 16th Street Bridge, some sort of Taco Bell wrapped thing face-down on the sidewalk (you know that guy was SO MAD), and a guy wearing a shirt that read “I Cheat.”

Tuesday: REST

Wednesday: RESTED

Thursday: REST DAY

Friday: Intended for a run, buuuuut the boyfriend invited me to early happy hour to watch some SPORTS.

Saturday: Definitely overdressed for this run, holy crap too many layers. But yay, 5 miles in the sunshine (or 4.5 if you go by my watch, SIGH). Also, apparently I swam across the river and back AND did a mile in five minutes per my MapMyRun course.

Err, there's not a bridge there.
Err, there’s not a bridge there.

I also saw a lady on a unicycle going over the pedestrian/multi-use bridge on my run today. She was dressed in performance gear like you see the Tour de France dudes wearing. And not just any unicycle but a THICK BIKES unicycle. So bad ass. There is also some really cool graffiti art and messages down along the Allegheny riverfront, if you’re into that. I also somehow had a bug go down into my bra (under a tank, a zippy shirt, and a jacket).

I love this so much.
I love this so much.

Sunday: Good news, I got in my 8 miles today (8:08); bad news, my left knee started bothering me again (this time around Mile 6). Sooooo, I’ll be watching that again this week. I had the boyfriend drop me off in Regent Square area (8 miles from the house), and I ran down (up) Forbes through Schenley Park, up through Oakland, down Fifth and all the way through to downtown, swung around the point and crossed the river. That was a really fun adventure.

Total runs this week: 3
Weekly mileage: 20.44 miles
Total training mileage: 30.56 + 3.1 (week 6) + 20.44 (week 7) = 54.10!

Weekly Therapy: SPORTS and spring and all the things.

- Mel

the week:
Happy First Day of Spring! And Happy International Day of Happiness! And Happy International Macaron Day (freebies at both Jean Marc and Gaby et Jules, by the way). And OMG Gaby et is setting up a location within the new fancy-schmancy grocery store opening in downtown next month). (I’ve had a lot of sugar today, including chocolate-caramel popcorn from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company.)

snakes

Oh yes… it was also my 6-YEAR anniversary this week! We celebrated by going for burgers at Benjamin’s (I drank almost a full bottle of wine, save for the glass that I knocked over and the glass I gave to my neighbor) and went to see Cold War Kids. Ah, blissful normal-ness.

weekend:
OMG does my house need some spring lovin’ (that’ll be me up on a ladder, trying out the new fan blade cleaning trick with a pillow case that I saw on Pinterest!) I also have to tweak the living room layout, clean the wood floors, lay down a new rug, replace my one off-sized window panel, vacuum EVERYTHING… I’m putting the boyfriend to work outside to clean up the courtyard. Because, SPRING!

seven things, seven days:
1. Registered for the Niagara Falls International Marathon in October. Half-excited, half freaking out.
2. Also getting more serious about training now, and signed up for coaching through Steel City Road Runners.
3. And so long as I make it through this year’s longest of long runs, I’m planning for Prague Marathon in 2016.
4. I also now have a mentor through AASP.
5. While we’re on the topic, The Sports Psychology of March Madness. {via Sporting News} FWIW, I’m in the “Sleepers” bracket category at work for only properly guessing 9 out of 16 in the first round. First prize is a free vacation day. GIMME!
6. Designer juice is for assholes. YES, THIS. {via The Financial Diet – add to your blog reader!}
7. The Methodology for Psychology Podcast gets me moving (and smarter!) in the morning. But as the days get nicer, I’ll be walking to work more, and I’m already going through more episodes than there are sunny days. Have any interesting psychology podcasts to recommend?

Race Recap: Rock n’ Roll 5K in DC

- Mel

5K DC

My first 5K since October, and well… I’m disappointed. My PR time at that point was 30:50 for the Harvest Moon race, and I definitely felt I could finish in less than 30 minutes. While there were several elements out of my control (hello, weather), I’m mostly disappointed with the race experience overall, rather than my performance. Unfortunately for us 5K-er, I was left feeling like an after-thought, whereas my friends who ran the half really loved the race.

Me & Lauren ready for a rainy run!
Me & Lauren ready for a rainy run!

First off, there were no corrals for the 5K, and it felt as though everyone was an amateur — walkers crowded the front (yes, strollers too), so that when the race started there was a log-jam. At this point, I wasn’t sure it was the actual start of the race because everyone just STOPPED. When we walked a little further, I realized half the start “chute” was covered by a gigantic puddle and everyone stopped to walk around it. Had I known that going in, I would have stomped right through it. Instead, I stopped my watch and restarted after the puddle because I saw another inflatable ahead and though maybe THAT was the start line. THIS ADDED NEARLY A MINUTE TO MY TIME.

A minute that I desperately needed to PR this race. And the exit out of the parking lot was no better; people were already IN THE RAIN, but stopping in front of runners to track around puddles. Maddening!

Needless to say, my watch said 30 minutes when I crossed the finish line; RnR official results report 31:43. To top it off, I was shivering, wet, and miserable, and we decided to leave before Better Than Ezra played. There was nowhere nearby to hang out and dry off/warm up (or have a drink other than Michelob Ultra, blech). And seriously, why did we need at start at 7:30 a.m. when the post-concert entertainment headliner was at 11? I think it was a huge oversight on behalf of RnR to not have any large tents set up considering the weather, even if just to change clothes and stay dry for a minute. And, you know, stick around for other runners and the live music.

Registration and Cost: I registered late (don’t do that), and this race cost me, like, $50. This was a mini-vacation, so we also dropped a little dough on gas, hotel rooms, etc.

Bag Check: This was actually one of the highlights of the experience. Really easy to find and figure out, and the lines moved quickly. I liked the touch of the UPS trucks.

Course: Out-and-back that started in RFK Stadium parking lot, went out a freeway ramp and back down the freeway ramp. This race was the WORST. Nothing to see, and I kicked a dang hubcab trying to squeeze past walkers on the raised shoulder. I mean, there wasn’t even positioning for anyone to stand along the course. And bears repeating: that start line was a giant joke.

Weather: Total CRAP — wet, little chillier than what I planned. I really wanted my fleece jacket, but that would have been terrible to wear when wet.

Expo and Packet Pick-up: There was no day-of packet pick-up, so I had to send my friend with a copy of my ID and signed confirmation letter to pick up on my behalf. The expo closed at 7 p.m. Friday, so it was impossible to travel to DC in time to check it out (I need to remind myself of that when registering for Saturday morning races).

Fans and Experience: Nope. This race was boring and mostly uneventful for me.

Medals: Can’t lie, this was a big reason to select this race — I didn’t have a 5K medal. This one just so happens to be pretty sweet too.

IMG_9977

Swag: RnR drawstring bag and a short-sleeve green Brooks shirt (definitely not ladies sizes and totally huge for a small). The merch booth had some great tops though — I picked myself up a gray pull-over hoodie with the RnR DC logo on the front.

Bonus: Having uniformed military members providing medals at the finish line was a beautiful touch to a crappy day. I appreciated this over everything that day.

Notable 30-somethings: the 30s were split in half for their respective 30-34 and 35-39 divisions. The top lady in my division ran the 5K in 22 minutes. NICE JOB!

After party: We took the Metro back into town near our hotel and had an amazing brunch — and MANY MIMOSAS! — at Old Ebbbitt. Cool place!

Overall: The experience was bad enough that I don’t think I’ll ever run a R n’ R 5K again. Good thing that I’m conditioning myself to run longer distances, since everyone seems to rave about their longer courses.

RnR DC 5K results page

Why I stopped saying I’m “busy.”

- Mel

Don’t let the title of this post fool you — I suffer from bouts of social anxiety and can flake on you in a heartbeat if I feel overwhelmed from over-socializing (no offense). But for purposes of this post, I’m talking about this modern-day epidemic of being “busy.”

My life the last three (or so) years was NUTS. I was busy. Oftentimes, busier than busy. I wore BUSY on my sleeve as a medal of honor. There were practices three-four nights a week and many weekends of games (and often, travel), and then I added a full-time school schedule to the mix, and THEN I went from part-time to full-time at my job. A day-in-the-life of another “busy” 30-something — and I didn’t even have kids!

And then I realized that stress culminated into burnout. And then apathy. My relationship was suffering. My friendships were practically non-existent. I wasn’t sleeping enough (or nearly anything close to the recommended daily). I didn’t read for a hobby anymore. I didn’t have energy for happy hours or networking functions — or even visiting my family because I worked most holidays voluntarily for the double-pay. Most days I couldn’t find the time to shower (seriously… no TIME to shower). Frankly, I was miserable. Busy, but lonely. Anxious, disappointed, moody, frustrated all the time. There just wasn’t enough time to do it all, even though I was doing it all! I internalized being busy into being a terrible friend, girlfriend, teammate, fill-in-the-blank.

Why would anyone actively create a life like this?

For the last few months, I have purposefully replaced the word “busy” with “balanced,” and I am wholly proud of the strides I have made to feel OK with not being one of those running chickens without a head. I want to be more present, more relaxed, more focused on doing things I love, surround myself with people who make me feel loved and as though I belong, and… well, feel happier about life in general. And naturally, less stressed out. Buh-bye road rage, hello walking to work and listening to a podcast that is enjoyable and relaxing. I’m going to stay at this corner until the crosswalk changes to the “walk” symbol. I am not in a rush for filling what’s left of my time, but content with that I’m spending my time the best way I can. NOT BUSY.

MORE READING:
Being busy is a sickness. (This author also agrees with me.)
What’s also interesting, perhaps a little ironic, is that when I first skimmed this article, I read a quote within it as: “Sounds like a dull day. Have fun!”

“You are powerful enough to decide what you will and won’t do with your time.” How to multiply your time {via PsychCentral}

“The current understanding of work-life balance is too simplistic. People find it hard to balance work with family, family with self, because it might not be a question of balance. Some other dynamic is in play, something to do with a very human attempt at happiness that does not quantify different parts of life and then set them against one another. We are collectively exhausted because of our inability to hold competing parts of ourselves together in a more integrated way.” from The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self, and Relationship by David Whyte.

Weekly Therapy: Spring forward

- Mel

the week:
I hate the time change. I haven’t been able to sleep properly all week, even being purposeful about going to bed at a decent hour and sleeping through three different waking up with my pre-set alarms. And GAWD, isn’t it just the most-draggiest week?

weekend:
Road trip to DC for the Rock n’ Roll series of running events — 5K for me, and my friend Lauren will be running that with me. The rest of the crew will be tackling the half: Chelsea, Steff, and Kelsey. I volunteered for a RnR marathon in Phoenix over a decade ago, but have never participated. It’s a super-fun race environment, the medals are awesome, AND Better Than Ezra at the finish party?! TAKE ALL MY MONEY. Ok, please not all of it.

Also, I think this is my first race since… November? To be honest, I’m a little nervous about my knee. And the rain. SIGH.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#8 A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin: I’m on a female comedienne-author book club kick. I was ALL IN to this book… until the weird chapter about Woz. I didn’t laugh out loud, but overall this one was a fun and juicy read.

#9 Bossypants: by Tina Fey. HILARIOUS, actually laugh out loud. I couldn’t read it in bed because the chuckling would annoy my boyfriend. Definitely recommend!

seven things, seven days:
1. New curtains for the living that I found on Overstock for, like, half of what others are selling linen panels for. Although 1 out of 4 panels they sent was shorter length (even though the package says otherwise). HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?!
2. Taxes are done — holy crap, I’m getting a refund this year! After a few years of mostly freelancer income, this is so wonderful.
3. Dentist took two more old silver fillings out this week (a super-fun appointment scheduled before work). While I am happier about the whiter molar smile, OMG did my face really need to be numb until 1 in the afternoon?
4. Obsessed this week with mid-90s punk and alt-rock music. Thanks, YouTube!
5. I really want the opportunity to volunteer (undergrad-style) as part of a Psyching Team this summer for a marathon. Send me leads!
6. Daylight-Saving Time is bad for your relationships {via WSJ}
7. Speaking of your valuable time: is it worth more than money? Finding the balance between time and money {via NYTimes}