Obligatory Thanksgiving Post

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!  Today I'm actually thankful I had to work (despite my grumbling about it) because it meant I could not find an excuse to go shop and spend money I don't actually have.  But really I have so many more things to be thankful for despite my regular wishes to buy a new pair of jeans or lined wool pants or a ruffled blouse, or a pair of boots.  I could spend hours writing a post about things I am thankful for and believe myself to be truly blessed with but I think I'll spare the cyber world from that exhaustive list.  Well ok, one... I have 18 months until I will graduate and receive a piece of paper declaring me a doctor :)  And yes, I'll deserve it, I don't even care if I sound cocky saying that.

While a good proportion of Chicago and the country was out hunting for the best deals  (which by the way, I was reading in the NYT this morning actually are not today) I worked (as previously mentioned) and then enjoyed the 58 degree unseasonably warm, though windy, Chicago weather and my sister and I took what will likely be our last bike ride of the year.  By no means am I trying to belittle the Black Friday traditions, I too have spent my days roaming Michigan ave at 6AM with friends (cough Julie cough) having lots of fun and leaving happy with my purchases.  In fact I would be out there if I had bank account that could help boost the economy.  My one regret is that it couldn't have been longer.  But what was exceptionally delightful about it... other than the obvious that road bike of sane individuals should have long been placed on indoor trainers for convenient in house workouts at any hour.... was that the lake front trail was empty of small individuals commonly referred to as children :)  Very few people to dodge today, undoubtably one of the best rides of the year.  Possibly second to a couple night time rides and a day spent riding to the gardens with a stop for delectable egg white omelets with salsa.  My favorite sights along the lake front path today follow.  Short shorts with a sports bra and very warm hat and gloves and face warmer (they obviously dropped the rest of their clothes somewhere, I don't blame them, Fleet feet has sale right now anyway).  3 beach volleyball games.  A wave runner out splashing around in the playpen.   NO obnoxious 4 person bicycles moving impressively slowly and blocking the whole path.  A 4-yr-old looking like she was about to fall out of child's seat in her back seat while sleeping.   Song inspirations of the ride:  "Bicycle Race" --Queen   "Running against the Wind" --Bob Segar  and "Last Dance" -- Donna Summer

I'll miss this part of my life. 

Monday I start OB/Gyn with 6am - 6pm work hours (at minimum).  

Goodbye sunshine! I won't even be close to getting home in time to visit the greenhouse down the road from me for a little haven of happiness :( ... Lentil soup from Nesh, I think we'll become tight

Bring on the ice skating, snow shoeing, boarding, skiing, and cold weather runs!

Another little tid bit of news that's saddening my life currently is the situation by best friend is going through.  She is the proud mother of two pups she has had since early in college.  They've been so stable in her life and I think there are few things in life she loves more than these two little ones.  Just a few days ago she found out one of her dogs is very sick in renal failure and likely doesn't have much longer to spend with her.    I want to do something so badly to be able to lift her spirits but I have no idea how to make this one any better.   But my thoughts and prayers go out to her and Abby (and yes you too Elle).  Love you so much!!!!

A store in Chicago where inflation doesn't exist? Does it exist?

My friends and family have heard me complain countless times about not having money and not being able to afford what I used to or be able to shop at all really.  Have I mentioned J. Crew pencil skirts used to run about 80 for wool with a silk lining but their most recent catalogue has the lovely flattering well fitted skirts marked up to 135 now?  Don't even get me started on their cafe trousers and tissue tees.  At least while Anthro is pricey they haven't increased and their sale rack is still one of best I've ever found.  Ok... so superficial item inflation maybe but may I point out I paid 3.95/gallon for gas today???  That's a necessity folks.  I can't ride my bike in the wee cold dark hours of morning 40 miles to Dyer, Indiana.  Gas prices may be the only beneficial thing about spending 4 weeks working in Indiana; there I can fill up for 3.20/gallon.   Enough whining  (but wait, isn't that what med students do best?)

Most locals in Chicago who live on a budget are well aware of the gem of a market I'm about to mention.   Yes, a place that hasn't given in (much) to rising prices.  It's nicely tucked in on the corner of North and Elston.  Stanley's.... sigh <3   This place made my weekend, not mention my day almost every time I stop in.  As a neurotic individual regarding what I eat (most days) and my workout schedule, one might think I spend A LOT of money of fresh produce.  Fortunately Stanley's has made my lifestyle affordable, so long as I'm willing to stop for fresh food about every 5 days. What really earned them five stars this past Saturday was their sale on Blackberries.  

59 CENTS a carton!!!!

 I bought 8 :)

1 for Coco, 2 for a fruit salad for brunch with friends, and 5 for me! (gluttony?)

blackberries and greek yogurt for dessert / study snack

Not to add onto reasons why I have a have a high opinion of Stanleys (59 cent blackberries should be enough to get anyone there) but they also had 90 cent avocados this weekend!  I suppose I haven't been in a full size supermarket in some time but last I checked they were nearing about 3 bucks for a Haas avocado.   Don't even worry, I bought four.  I'll be making some Mango guac in the next few days if anyone wants to come over for dinner!  Also they have free parking incase you don't want to cart your pounds of produce home on a bike or public trans.

It's the simple things that make my day :)

Beers, Bands, and Best (wurst) Chili

To start off, the title for this post is meant to be a poor attempt at a take off of one of my favorite television character's lines.... Dwight Schrute from the office "Beers, Beets, Battlestar Galactica"  I recently watched an old episode and realized how much I miss watching this show regularly.  I mean, in reality I don't watch any television show regularly 2/2 my not owning a tv partly by choice and partly because I don't want to pay for basic cable.

But what the title is really about is instead a non-profit group I've spent some time with through by bestie: The Arts of Life.  They are a group for adults with (and without) disabilities who create art and make music.   Last night was their 3rd annual Chili Cookoff.  I had so much fun volunteering the event last year I wasn't about to miss it for anything this year.  Congrats to team "Fat, Drunk, and Stupid" and their "Wurst Chile" for winning for the second year in a row the judges taste award and third place crowd pleaser

Kate was there too of course, along with her cousin (Ally) and our friend Steve.  

Attendance was higher than last year if I had to say.  Likely in part due to a wonderful article written in the Chicago Reader about the Arts of Life Band who were scheduled to perform

Rocking out in some shades while playing the drums

Half Acre brewing (yummmm local beer) supplied the libations for the evening's party.  Unfortunately they had a bit of a rough time as at first there was no way to ice their kegs so it was running slow and foamy but all those in attendance were patient with it and they brewery was kind enough to donate another two kegs and get them to the event before it ended.  (Just in time for the volunteers to partake!)  

....Loved these art pieces that were still around the studio from their Fashion Night a month ago

Will Run for Chocolate

This morning was the annual Hot Chocolate 5K and 15K.  Fun as always and good weather!  Last year it was coooold!  I'm talking 20 degrees or so at start.  brrrrrrr

Coco and myself from last years race

 This year we had a good 40 degrees or so.  The boys of course convinced me to run without my jacket on so I was more than a little chilly waiting to start. I almost hate to admit it, but they were right.  All in all a good run with my sister and friend, Kristin.  Our goal (as none of us had really trained for the distance but all have endurance event backgrounds) was to finish in about an hour and a half.  Despite a prolonged bathroom break at mile 4.5 we managed to achieve our goal that is at least on our timers if not by the official time clock.

Unfortunately it looks like race season for 2011 is over.  It's getting too chilly for it to be pleasant waiting for starts and I'm pretty low on cash.  I guess that gives me plenty of time to train for some spring half marathons and get myself back to my preferred pace.  A winter of  a weekly long run and lots of treadmill intervals here I come... I want to get another half done at a sub 8:45min/mile pace!

waiting to start with several thousand of my favorite people in the Chicago

With Coco and Kristin

Representing CCOM class of 2012 (I want to be a 4th year too!)

Post race, heading to get some Hot Chocolate!

  My favorite thing about this race wasn't the race I ran though, more so it was that my best friend Kate ran the 5K!   I'm not sure if she really knows just how excited I am that she took the initiative to sign up and run it.  After a year of working out with her here and there and trying to get her to run she finally did a race (with a little motivation from her marathoning friend Eddie).  Unfortunately I didn't get to see her at all as the 5K takes off about 40 minutes before the 15K starts (strange, if you ask me they should in the opposite order) and it would have been silly for her to wait around 90 minutes for me to finish my run.  Although there is chocolate fondue at the end...  :)  I can't wait to see her later tonight and see how she feels about the experience.  Now I know I'm probably never going to convince her to run a marathon, but I do hope she had a lot of fun and keeps having a more positive view about running.  Yes, Kate, I know you'll forever stick to your yoga at heart.