33: Taking Stock

Yesterday I turned 33. While my life isn't perfect by any means and while I sometimes struggle to accomplish my goals and to cross off everything on my to-do lists, the day served as a good reminder of the sweeter and simpler things in life. I sometimes forget how lucky I am. I spent the weekend hanging out with my spouse and with friends, and I really couldn't have asked for more. We had a delicious dinner out on Saturday evening followed by celebratory Irish themed drinks at the Saint Patrick's Day party some friends hosted. Then yesterday we went for brunch with a couple of friends. After gallons of coffee and the delicious Kodiak Benedict at Snow City, Mark treated me to a little bit of shopping and yummy cupcakes from Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop. I received some thoughtful gifts -- including the complete set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, the Oxford Companion to Beer, beautiful flowers, and some lovely jewelry. Friends and family members called, texted, and sent me emails and FB greetings. All of this made me believe that some of the ennui I've been feeling lately is just a touch of spring fever and not a more debilitating listlessness.

This past year has been one of big moves, big trips, big mountains, big running, and big lists. In terms of trying new things and having new adventures, I checked 20 items off of my 32 in 32 list. In doing so, I found out that brussel sprouts and green monsters are not only edible but possibly tasty, that a month of daily yoga is well-worth doing, that snowshoeing is fun, and that gel manicures are totally worth the extra cost once and while. I still want to knit a scarf and make my own bagels and pasta and non-fugly pie crust; and an international race is in my near future. Maybe a group run in NYC will be too.

1. Climb a mountain. ✔
2. Learn to make pie crust that doesn't look fugly.
3. Take a dance lesson. ✔
4. Give brussel sprouts another chance. ✔
5. Go for a run in the Parque de Dehesa de la Villa in Madrid. ✔
6. Enter a contest.
7. Try snowshoeing. ✔
8. Get a gel manicure. ✔
9. Go an entire day without speaking.
10. Knit a scarf.
11. Go on a picnic. ✔
12. Face my fear of oral surgery. ✔
13. Do yoga everyday for an entire month. ✔
14. Go on a group run in NYC.
15. Get a zoom lens for my camera and experiment with it. ✔
16. Make my own pasta.
17. Throw a dinner party. ✔
18. Bring my half-marathon total to 10. ✔
19. Keep a travel journal this summer and share some of it on the blog. ✔
20. Have a spa day with a friend. ✔
21. Run my favorite routes here before I move. ✔
22. Spend a Sunday afternoon in my favorite museum. ✔
23. Volunteer at an animal shelter.
24. Go an entire day only speaking Spanish. ✔
25. Create an inspiration board to put over my treadmill. ✔
26. Go for a run in Central Park. ✔
27. Visit the corral at Alcalá de Henares.
28. Go to the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto.
29. Run a race in another country.
30. Make my own bagels.
31. Try a green monster. ✔
32. Visit LA for the first time.



Although I don't plan to make a 33 in 33 list right now, I think this was a worthwhile exercise to push myself to try some things or at least think about trying some things that I might not have had I not made this bucket list of sorts. It's not on my 32 in 32 list or on the nonexistent 33 in 33 list, but the next adventure I have in mind is going tubing next weekend.

Have you ever made a bucket list? What's one thing that you would like to do before your next birthday or to celebrate your next birthday? 

"Race" Report: Running of the Reindeer

The past week Anchorage has been bustling with lots of events connected to Fur Rondy, which has been rightly called the best winter carnival in the world. Fur Rondy's origins are in the even-more-frontier days of Alaska and the swap meets of trappers, but now it is an almost-two week long festival that includes such activities as yukigassen tournaments, outhouse races, hockey games, snow sculpture contests, a Miners and Trappers Ball that glorifies facial hair, and of course the start of the Iditarod and the Running of the Reindeer.

Mark's work gave him passes to the Exxon hospitality suite, so we were able to watch the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday morning while keeping toasty warm and stuffing our faces with pastries, mini quiches, salmon canapes and, in my case, drinking copious amounts of coffee. We watched a number of teams begin their epic trek toward Nome.

Pastries and Cake

Jamaican Musher Newton Marshall

Musher DeeDee Jonrowe and her team

I have to say eating on an oil company's dime and watching the dogs and mushers made me feel slightly like a real Alaskan. Standing outside in the cold for an hour waiting for the start of the Running of the Reindeer, however, proved to me that I have a long way to go. The Running of the Reindeer has been billed as Anchorage's take on Pamplona's Running of the Bulls. It is a super festive and fun event. Most runners don costumes -- some of them very elaborate. Since I was unprepared my costume barely counts as one. I wore my peacock tights and put a few feather clips in my hair.

The runners get a head start to run a snowy couple of blocks in downtown Anchorage before reindeer are released to join the runners. Since the runners and then the reindeer are released in herds, it meant a lot of standing in the cold. However, an impromptu snowball fight broke out which provided some entertainment and distraction from the fact that my skin was turning the color of my tights. The race is a great fundraiser for Toys for Tots and I got to stop in the middle of my short run to pet a reindeer. How awesome is that?

Petting a reindeer! I'm in the blue top. 

I can definitely tell you next year I will be wearing a warmer costume, though. Maybe Mark and I will go as Han Solo and Chewbacca. I'm calling dibs on the Chewy Costume.

Scenes From a Winter Run

Today I decided to break up my work day by hitting some of the hills in my neighborhood for a little run around lunchtime. Between the added effort of running on snow and ice and up hills, I took a couple of recovery breaks to snap some photos.

Although I'm grateful for my treadmill and the flexibility that it gives me in fitting in my workouts, especially during the darkness of winter, there's nothing like being outside on a beautiful day. It's especially nice after a morning spent (hopefully productively) writing at my desk. It's also good to balance virtue with chocolate cake -- like the one I'll be baking for my wonderful spouse's birthday a bit later this afternoon.... I'll take this opportunity to wish Mark a happy birthday and state for the record that I love him even more than running (and definitely more than hill work)!

Anniversary Number 3

Three years ago a kind, smart, and cute person with a reddish beard and I went down to the courthouse and got married before a judge. Those of you who are friends with me in so-called real life or who read the blog I used to write might remember that we were planning a big wedding but the stress of two dissertations, the academic job market, and my lack of interest in planning in conjunction with our budget converged to convince us to near-elope. We canceled the June date that we had booked with a fancy venue and our catering contract, losing some of our deposits but maintaining our sanity. Our cake maker offered to make our cake on a smaller scale since we had already paid her a significant sum of money. Our photographer, the amazing Julian Allen, offered to come to the courthouse to take photos and then shoot some more at another location if we wanted. My gown somewhat unexpectedly arrived by the time we had made the decision, so I decided to have it altered, wear it for part of the day, and then donate it to the Bride's Project.

Credit: Julian Allen Photography

Every now and then, that attention-craving ego of mine wishes that I had had a big June wedding with hundreds of guests. But deep down I know that the way we did it was the right for us. And it was a lovely day. A few family members and dear local friends accompanied us to the courthouse and then to the botanical gardens for a photo shoot. Then, in the evening we had a smallish, catered reception at our home with about 30 loved ones, one silly beagle, cake, and libations.

I had a great wedding. I have a wonderful spouse. The past three years have been full of highs and lows, and there is no one with whom I would have rather experienced them than Mark. I just hope that very soon marriage equality is the law of the land, and that all couples who chose to do so can marry and have their marriages recognized. As President Obama said yesterday "if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

Foto Friday: Last Class

Awards Bags for my Women's History Class

Yesterday I taught my last class at my current institution. It was a bittersweet moment for me, as I have very much enjoyed the upper level courses I have taught the past two years and have come to care a great deal about my students. This particular class was relatively small - 15 students stuck it out the whole semester - and I challenged them to do a lot of reading, a lot of discussing, and a lot of writing. So at the end of the day I gave them awards. They were themed -- based on a historical personage or a reading that we did -- and awarded them to students according to their differing achievements and antics. They were a lot of fun to give out. Some of my students had also brought some treats to the last meeting, and the class gave me a very sweet farewell card. It was wonderful to end the semester and my teaching time here on such a high note.

32 in 32

Tomorrow I turn 32. Thirty-one was a good year for me. It brought moments of incredible joy - the birth of my second niece, finding out my mother-in-law was cancer free, finishing my second marathon, landing a tenure-track job, and getting good news about grants. I got to travel a fair amount: I made it to Montreal and Seattle for the first time, played tourist in Boston, Toronto, and Salem, roadtripped to Chicago and Shreveport and Madison. I hope that this next year brings many new chances for running in different places, visiting museums, trying local restaurants, and exploring new hobbies. In that spirit, I'm making a bucket list of sorts. Here are 32 things I'd like to do while I'm 32.

1. Climb a mountain.
2. Learn to make pie crust that doesn't look fugly.
3. Take a dance lesson.
4. Give brussel sprouts another chance.
5. Go for a run in the Parque de Dehesa de la Villa in Madrid.
6. Enter a contest.
7. Try snowshoeing.
8. Get a gel manicure.
9. Go an entire day without speaking.
10. Knit a scarf.
11. Go on a picnic.
12. Face my fear of oral surgery.
13. Do yoga everyday for an entire month.
14. Go on a group run in NYC.
15. Get a zoom lens for my camera and experiment with it.
16. Make my own pasta.
17. Throw a dinner party.
18. Bring my half-marathon total to 10.
19. Keep a travel journal this summer and share some of it on the blog.
20. Have a spa day with a friend.
21. Run my favorite routes here before I move.
22. Spend a Sunday afternoon in my favorite museum.
23. Volunteer at an animal shelter.
24. Go an entire day only speaking Spanish.
25. Create an inspiration board to put over my treadmill.
26. Go for a run in Central Park.
27. Visit the corral at Alcalá de Henares.
28. Go to the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto.
29. Run a race in another country.
30. Make my own bagels.
31. Try a green monster.
32. Visit LA for the first time.

What's something you want to do or try before your next birthday?

Big News: I'm Moving West!

So, one of the reasons that my training cycle for the Get Lucky half has been less than perfectly consistent was that I was on the job market this year searching for a tenure-track position. I had a couple of interviews at the annual meeting of the American Historical Association in Chicago back in January and then I had a few phone interviews and took a trip to a comprehensive teaching university in the Pacific Northwest back in February for a campus visit. For privacy reasons, I'm hesitant to reveal the name of the school at this time here on my blog, but I'm thrilled to announce that a couple of weeks ago I was offered the job! After some negotiations with the administration, I have accepted the position and will be moving to my new location at the end of July/beginning of August!

I have to admit that I'm not looking forward to sandwiching a major move between research trips to Madrid and New York this summer. However, I am looking forward to arriving in my new city and to starting my new job on the tenure-track. From what I've seen and experienced so far, the department that I will be joining and the school itself are a great fit for me. I can't wait for this adventure to begin! I'm looking forward to settling into a new office, advising history majors, establishing new writing routines, finding new favorite coffee shops to write, discovering new running routes, joining a new running community, and meeting new colleagues.

On Thankfulness

I'm spending this day before Thanksgiving grading papers, working on a grant proposal, and doing some baking. I have to admit that I'm feeling really grateful for this brief respite before I head into the final week of the term and then finals. M. and I are having a friend over for dinner tomorrow and a couple others may join us later in the evening for a glass of wine, so our prep this year for Thanksgiving is rather low key. We will do some cooking and feasting, but we aren't hosting a big group of friends or both of our parents this year. I plan to enjoy the day and indulge in my favorites: mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. I am also making a promise to myself to take tomorrow completely off from any form of work. No grading. No research. No class prep. Just a day to enjoy a morning run, some relaxing, fun cooking, and the company of my spouse and friends.

A non-traditional Thanksgiving in Morocco with a dear friend in 2007

This year I have a lot of thanks to give. My mother-in-law, who has undergone treatment this past year for rectal cancer, is done with chemo and surgery and has been given a clean bill of health. My sister has had a healthy pregnancy and is due in just a few weeks. I have a job that challenges me and excites me - and that also pays me a livable wage and gives me health insurance. I am able to run. I have wonderful friends here and elsewhere who have enriched my life in so many ways. My spouse has been offered a class to teach in the spring, which will make things easier financially and help to keep him intellectually engaged. I'm also thankful for the little things that add up - good coffee, a snoring doggy at my feet, a text message from a loved one, and cute boots.

I hope that all my American readers have a wonderful holiday and that all of my readers have many reasons to feel thankful!

Travels: Weekend Adventures in Toronto

I spent this weekend with my husband and his family in Toronto.  We flew to Buffalo on Friday and M's parents drove down to do some shopping and to pick us up from the airport.  We had dinner in Buffalo and then made the drive back to Toronto, where we were dropped off at M's sister's place.

Saturday morning we woke up earlier than we had planned, since my brother-in-law had accidentally locked the laundry room.  After a misadventure with attempting to take the hinges off the door and a failed attempt to break in using a steak knife, we gave up temporarily and got ready for the day.  M. and I spent some time playing with our niece and then we all went to the farmers' market at Wychwood Barns.  We got coffee from one of the many vendors and had some yummy lunch at the cafe, enjoyed some live music, and my brother-in-law picked up a meat order from a local farmer.

M. and Norah

Band at Wychwood Barns

Artscape

After our trip to the market, we headed back to the house so that niece Norah could go down for a nap and that I could change out of my jeans since I was broiling.  Then M. and I headed down to David Pecaut Square to hear some live music at the Luminato Festival.  We sat in the grass and had a lemonade and just spent a couple of hours enjoying the sunshine, the urban atmosphere, and the performance of Egyptian artists, Natacha Atlas and Minor Empire.  We had to head back before too long, though, to get changed for dinner out with M's parents and sister.  It was a joint birthday (M's mother and sister have birthdays coming up soon) and father's day celebration.  Because of Norah's early bed time, it was an early dinner.  Afterwards, we headed back to my sister-in-law's for dessert, more conversation, and a nightcap.

Minor Empire performing at Luminato

Enjoying a summery day in a fabulous city

Yesterday morning I got up early and squeezed in a little 3 mile run.  Then M. and I went for brunch, which as you may know is my favorite meal of the week.  I had a latte and a veggie omelette and M. had scrambled eggs and chorizo.  We came back and hung out some more and watched Norah take a little bike ride around the block to test out the new seat and helmet for her.  Later in the afternoon we all attended the 50th wedding anniversary party of M's aunt and uncle.  It was a great time and wonderful to catch up with family and enjoy the antics of the younger generation.

Baby on board!

50 years together!

My sister-in-law, mother-in-law and I all ended up in surprisingly coordinating outfits

Balloons galore

How was your weekend?  Did you do anything to celebrate Father's Day?  Any races or spectacular meals.