back to school

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!

Weekly Therapy: short on willpower, long on intentions

- Mel

the week:
Drop/Add. Drop a class, add a class. Drop a run, drop another run… add in feeling really overwhelmed. Order from the gluten-free menu, add all the nightshades (and enjoy every bite of intoxicatingly-hot pickled pepper and spicy sausage).

Back to that theme of balance… Ahem. I have been really enjoying my new routine of walking to work and listening to Psychology podcasts — yes, even in winter — but this bitter cold is all TOO MUCH. I decided to skip out on the Cupid’s Undie Run this weekend too because… NOPE.

Needed this inspiration this week.
Needed this inspiration this week.

weekend:
OMG LONG WEEKEND!

After working late Friday, finishing up my final assignments and reflection paper on Saturday (and probably imbibing in something buttery and/or chocolately), I will be looking forward to that extra day off. We’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day by going to see Casablanca with the Symphony on Sunday evening.

Bee tee dubs: If you’re in the Pittsburgh area — and I KNOW you need to stock up on toilet paper and bread for this snow storm — head over to Giant Eagle on Sunday to sample Annie Chun’s Seaweed Crisps (one of my new favorite snacks!). Stay tuned this week for an Annie Chun’s giveaway!

seven things, seven days:
1. Bought my first pair of ballet shoes since, I don’t know… Kindergarten? INTENTIONS.
2. Went to a networking event from some new local organized event company, and it was quite blah. Also, I couldn’t eat any of the food, didn’t want gin or cheap rum (with the ONE free drink ticket), and they changed the venue at the last minute! Had more fun “networking” with my friends elsewhere… see #3.
3. Heck yeah, I bought a bottle of champagne for me and my friends this week to celebrate. Life is pretty great right now. (And I cannot resist a sparkler.)
4. So much awesome in the mail this week with both my PopSugar Must Haves box and Ipsy sampler.
5. First paycheck!!!
6. “This is going to be the best day ever” and “thank you”: How 11 words and 5 minutes can make every day the best one ever. {via Muse}
7. What it feels like to have iron willpower {via Summer Tomato}

Weekly Therapy: change is not a bad word

- Mel

the week:
A lot can change in a week. As an adult, I think it is important to be able to change your mind, your answers, your direction, or the field — whatever and whenever necessary. I made some big decisions this week as result of my life (and career!) going in a new direction. I do not fear change; in fact, I needed a whole lot of it in my life! Because I suppose I fear complacency more.

Also in change: we bought some new living room furniture on a fun binge at West Elm. I’m getting a blue couch! SQUEE!

weekend:
Friday, joining the ladies for the 21+ night at the Carnegie Science Center, and then joining the Steel City Road Runners Club for a training run on Saturday morning! And then it’s back to my usual “all homework Saturdays!”

52 books, 52 weeks:
#3. Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me?” A new fan (and binge-watcher) of The Mindy Project, I was hoping for continued hilarity, like her, but this book was pretty abysmal and pointless; while easy to read, I found myself skimming a lot just to finish. It felt really forced and… bluff. MEH.

seven things, seven days:
1. I have no idea how I got this subscription of Sunset magazine, but… somebody wants me to move out West? I was quite excited to see a gluten-free orange cake on the cover, however!
2. I WANT THIS HOUSE. And I’m REAL SAD that it is already contingent.
3. Stopped into my NEW JOB to meet my team and other employees, and do a little orientation. I am SO excited about this position, you guys! I start officially on January 28. AND I HAVE AN OFFICE!
4. I also completed my first peer coaching session with a classmate. This class is so hands-on and scary and intense, but the course and different coaching frameworks are so interesting.
5. We got to celebrate a little with brunch at Eden in Shadyside. I have dreams about their chickpea pancakes smothered in cashew butter!
6. No One Is Successful to Spite You: How to be Happy For Others {via PsychCentral}
7. I swear, every time I read Nicole Antoinette’s blog posts, an internal fire gets lit inside me (is that redundant?): What Makes Your Life Better, Easier, & Way More Fun? {via Life Less Bullshit}

Weekly therapy: This is not recess. Everyone is accountable.

- Mel

the week:
Winter semester (and, well, WINTER) is upon us. My first class started on Monday, and in a couple weeks I’ll begin two more. Two semesters to go! Also, this week marks the return to roller derby. Can you believe tryouts are already next week? We held our introductory meeting (in my tiny house!) this week, and I announced my final season and leaving my post as team Captain. I loved our leadership team last season, but I really needed to step down from those responsibilities to maintain extra focus on school and upcoming graduation.

weekend:
Looking forward to the Frigid 5 Miler in North Park this Sunday!

52 books in 52 weeks:
Let’s try this again, shall we?
1. Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose by John Whitmore. Recommended/required as part of my Psychology course this semester — yes, I got a head-start on my reading — this book provoked a greater interest in performance as it pertains to organizational coaching through Whitmore’s GROW framework: goals, reality, options, and will — through context of awareness and responsibility.

2. Making Sense of People: Decoding the Mysteries of Personality by Samuel Barondes. It was an quick easy read — with a lot of footnotes and references (almost 100 pages!!!) — but not very instructional in “how” to actually read people. Not required or technical reading by any means, but informational to the novice or “armchair” psychologist. I enjoyed the profiles of Benjamin Franklin and the comparisons of presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama; likewise, the expanding of the Big Five personality traits was engaging (and I followed a link to another personality quiz included in the book). Otherwise, the book left me unsatisfied.

I also started and abandoned two other books because, boring… and WOW are we dead at work right now.

Does anyone else love the movie Less Than Zero as much as me?

seven things, seven days:
1. HOLY SKATE BAG SMELL, sMEL.
2. Surprisingly not very sore after my first derby practice back… and I had to re-test my minimum skills. Won’t take a 90+ day break again!
3. We had two weather-related work delays this week, at two hours a piece. The days did not go any faster, and, well, it’s fricking freezing.
4. I put in my notice at work, by the way. MORE LATER.
5. Because of winter, I finally got to break in my new Sorel boots. These things are legit!
6. The subtle art of not giving a… well, you know. Strong language alert, so likely NSFW. {via Mark Manson}
7. Long-form, interesting and a must-read: Has Technology Killed the Jewelry Industry? {via Pacific Standard}

Weekly Therapy: “it’s not a 15-foot inflatable Rudolph, but it will do.”

- Mel

the week:
I honestly don’t know how I’m surviving this week. I am beyond exhausted after working six days straight, with events two nights in a row; now, an interview and finishing up final papers to wrap up my last class for the semester.

That two week winter school break is right within reach…

weekend:
Looking forward to three days off in a row! You bet I scheduled a 90-minute massage for my weekend.

We’re also going ice skating at PPG Place with two other couples, and attending an eggnog party Saturday night (making a gluten-free eggnog cupcake to bring!). I plan to get a couple fun runs in too — one with some derby friends and another with SCRR.

PS: for the BEST eggnog recipe, I use go by the Velvet Tango Room standard.

seven things, seven days:
1. Finishing up some Christmas shopping, but mostly finished. Bah humbug, give me a hamburger or something.
2. Our last Happiness Conspiracy was Wednesday night, and it was bittersweet. You should definitely consider signing up for the next set of workshops! This experience — and the connections — was so valuable to me. Psssst, there’s an early bird special discount code until 12/31/14!
3. One of the cats already peed on the tree skirt. I GIVE UP!
4. The holiday run for Fleet Feet downtown was SO MUCH FUN. I need more nighttime social runs in my life.
5. Still waiting for my Stats final exam grade. Don’t make me all caps something else…
6. A really amazing write-up about roller derby — and the awesome Fisti Cuffs. {via Medium}
7. The secret to learning while you are distracted {via PsyBlog}. I think I mastered this growing up the eldest of 7 children.

Weekly Therapy: excuses and mulligans.

- Mel

the week:
So, I didn’t run the virtual Christmas Story 10k last weekend. I really wanted to, but it was raining in Buffalo. I had all my winter running stuff, but was not prepared for running 6+ miles wet. And then it didn’t stop raining in Pittsburgh, but after doing some Christmas shopping, I was flat-out exhausted. I’m hoping to get a run in this week, but, you know, FINALS WEEK. I will try not to beat myself up too bad for not really doing much else outside of homework and studying.

I did eventually run my 10k this week, so more on that in a later post!

weekend:
FINALS! And a handful of holiday parties (that I’ll probably end up canceling on account of exhaustion). And working.

seven things, seven days:
1. If this isn’t a week for a massage, I don’t know what is.
2. I participated in an #instabestie gift exchange, and I was so pumped to shop for my unknown “bestie.” It’s all based on personal Instagram account, so it will be interesting what my shopper gleans from my photos. Also, we had a minimum charity gift as part of the exchange, which added more holiday cheer to the experience.
3. Oooh, my first full-time paycheck from my new position!
4. Booo, working 6 days in a row!
5. I did FRAN this week at CrossFit. HOLY CRAP.
6. And I booked a derby camp IN AUSTIN at the end of February. (YAY!)
7. I really enjoyed this list (I fell for the bait!): Alas, 7 Morning Rituals to Empower Your Day {via LifeHack}

Weekly Therapy: the final countdown

- Mel

the week:
Feeling really sleep deprived, but inspired and grateful and hopeful about a lot of things (see what some new paint and some shopping can do?!). There are three weeks left in Fall semester before a two-weekish break. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…

We legit opened up a mini bottle of champagne and toasted the end of this construction. I slept in until 9am on my day off this week. Ahhhhh.

weekend:
Off to Buffalo to do some early holiday gathering and socializing. I’ll also be running the Christmas Story Virtual 10K while I’m up there — for the full Cleveland experience, if you will.

seven things, seven days:
1. Any one else tired of their inbox this week? UNSUBSCRIBE.
2. But definitely not the reminder email about the Naked on the Run palette. MINE!
3. Received an early Christmas present at Thanksgiving — 16 (16!!!) champagne flutes. Err, I guess we have to host a brunch or NYE party now (or maybe we should have invited the neighbors over to toast our renovation). WHO WANTS MIMOSAS?!
4. Yes, I know, YELLING. I am nothing if not emphatic.
5. StitchFix WIN this week: a winter coat, black collarless blazer, lace-sleeved blouse, velvet-flocked animal print pants and another light sweater.
6. Well I guess I picked a good activity! Here’s to growing old and awesome and active! {via NY Times}
7. Benefits of being a curious person {via Huffington Post}

Weekly Therapy: diagonal*

- Mel

the week:
I’m recovering from a wild weekend of roller derby in Nashville. We didn’t play in the Championships games, but I was probably just as exhausted! My friend booked the Gaylord Opryland resort for our vacation — a place that I fell in love with nearly a decade ago — and it was every bit as amazing as I had hoped (and we got a fantastic rate on the room AND an atrium view AND I ordered room service twice).

opryland, nashville, hotel, gardens

Already decorated for Christmas.

weekend:
My training starts tapering off after this weekend in preparation of the Hot Chocolate 15k next weekend in Columbus, but I still need to get in a long run before Sunday. I’m considering doing the EQT 10-miler in Pittsburgh. Am I crazy?!

seven things, seven days:
1. I missed two different events this week due to being overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed out (and, forgetful). Is it time for winter break yet?
2. At least I didn’t spill wine on me (or my seatmate) on either of the flights? Even if the flight attendant confiscated my concourse sippy.
3. I’ve been treading A/B waters in Statistics, but this week I finally drowned in confidence intervals. Someone send a life raft!
4. The contractors said the bathroom should be done next week (hooray!). Though we have to wait another 2-3 weeks for the glass shower doors.
5. Shazam for BIRDS! {via gigaom}
6. My new quote when needing motivation: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
7. In other words, I’ll be re-doing all of my statistics assignments from last week because there’s another exam coming.

*does everyone else know the secret code for “Bed All to Yourself”? That is referred to as “diagonal” amongst my circle. HELLO, VACATION!

Weekly Therapy: what is your greatest fear?

- Mel

the week:
I finally went to Scarehouse! Four years of being in Pittsburgh, and a friend who works there took me. We also did The Basement, which… well, I’ll leave it for you to experience.

Question for you to ponder: What is your greatest fear?

While we were visiting Scarehouse, we were asked to participate in a research study about fear emotions. The researcher hooked us up to an EEG headset, and as a pair, we took a series of “tests” before and after touring the haunt. Interesting addition to an already-interesting evening, nonetheless.

scarehouse bunny selfie
Scarehouse is scary.

weekend:
Friday night was the season opening of Pittsburgh Ballet, with Sleeping Beauty. How awesome for the boyfriend, to celebrate his birthday with me and the ballet? *wink* Have I mentioned how much I want to do adult ballet classes? I think I’m going to start soon, especially since we get a discount with our subscription to PBT. We had dinner before the show at Grit & Grace downtown, which I am just in love with — and I can find multiple items every visit that are gluten-free! See also: ONION RINGS (!!!)

Otherwise, I’ll be getting a head-start on assignments, so I’m not concerned with them while I’m traveling next weekend (ha, right).

seven things, seven days:
1. I ran five miles. Does that deserve an exclamation point? Less than a month away from my 15k. I had to query other runners about nipple chafing, btw. So…
2. Apparently you make a lot of friends on twitter when you ask people about nipple chafing.
3. We cleaned the fridge TWICE and cannot find the source of a deathly smell. The boyfriend and I will be flipping a coin to see who opens and cleans the ice maker.
4. 90% on my Statistics mid-term. WHO AM I???
5. Non-petroleum jelly does NOT effectively combat nipple chafing. TMYK.
6. Finished Redirect: The surprising new science of psychological change. I don’t think I’ve highlighted so much information in one book!
7. A topic that I’ve been talking a lot about lately with friends and family. Because, I don’t think many of us are prepared. We’re older, but not wiser about menopause. {via

Weekly Therapy: two steps forward, two steps… harder.

- Mel

the week:
Well, that was a short week. Thankfully, I was able to switch my Monday shift to visit friends up in Chautauqua for some fall outdoors and boating fun. But whew, I have been feeling like unmotivated crap since. Thanks, sugar.

weekend:
Both the boyfriend’s parents and my dad and aunts are visited this weekend, separately. I opted not to attend a neighbor’s chili cookoff (not much there for me anyway). I also fit in homework (a research paper AND a proctored exam). What was that about me wanting to take a full-time position at work? Remind me about the money. Also, also: I had this bright idea to run the Fineview Step-a-thon race. 371 steps and 5+ miles. WHO AM I?!

You know that whole thing about “my weekend needing a weekend”? Yeah, that.

seven things, seven days:
1. Trying new cat boxes and litters… again. And new Feliways in a couple new spots. I’m determined NOT to put my cat on anti-depressants.
2. This gluten-free food study scares me and makes me SO MAD.
3. The personality trait that doubles Alzheimer’s risk. Welp. {via PsyBlog}
4. After two-and-a-half years in my part-time role at work, I’m moving into a full-time position. Not the dream, but it will get me through the end of school.
5. Speaking of school: OMG FINANCIAL AID. Why is there a lapse in communication with students ALWAYS. Until they need money.
6. Been thinking a lot about being mindful since my last Happiness Conspiracy. This Psychology Today article about How to Spend the First 10 Minutes of the Day makes sense.
7. Why resilient people are happier: And how to be more like them {via The Muse}