Founder's Day

While it was almost two weeks ago, I thought I'd give a little shout out to Founder's Day at Cottey College. For those of you who don't know, Cottey College is a two year liberal arts college for women. Cottey is full of memories for me and other alumnae and it truly was the best way for me to spend the first two years of college. Without Cottey, I would have never met some of the most amazing women on this planet and probably wouldn't have been encouraged to pursue anything I'd like. I love Cottey College and someday I hope to have daughters to carry on a Cottey tradition.

Speaking of tradition, Founder's Day Weekend is quite possibly the best tradition Cottey has. One weekend every year, the college invites its alumnae back to relive their experience, see people they haven't seen in years and to help carry on the vision of Virgina Alice Cottey. This year was my 5 year reunion and I had the pleasure of seeing many of my friends and even making some new ones. I can't even express how much I value my education and experience at Cottey, but I will say, it was amazing and one of a kind.


The best part of my trip? Seeing my best friend Kali and her beautiful baby boy, Judah.

Opening Day

In honor of Opening Day/Week for baseball, I thought I'd share with you a few things from my favorite team, the Minnesota Twins. First of all, thanks to my dad for being a Twins fan and I guess making me one. I like the Twins, but now with a brand new, outdoor field, I may even love them. While I have yet to step foot in Target Field, I anticipate it greatly.

The following is my favorite commercial...maybe of all time. I get so happy when I see it, smiley and giddy, it is a bit odd, but baseball season is finally here and we have a new stadium! Holla!



One of the reasons I love baseball so much is because I get to go to games with my dad. He's truly my hero and getting to spend time with him always brightens my day. He loves the Twins and he enjoys baseball so getting to do something we both enjoy is beyond amazing. My dad has taught me a lot about baseball throughout the years, but what I remember most is cheering on the Twins with him while he tells me pitcher's ERAs, batting averages, how many homeruns Mauer has hit and who we just acquired on a trade. Just the simple act of spending time with my dad. And of course having a beer or two :)



Here's to a great baseball season. GO TWINS!!!!!! I cannot wait to go to Target Field with my dad in May :)

Thankful Thursday

Warm weather...running in shorts and a t-shirt!

Two VERY good classes (observation one day, debate the next)

Getting to see my Cottey girls last weekend

Lazy afternoons

Korea...Again?

I have decided to spend my summer in Korea. I will be in Deajeon (대전) at Woosong University. I'll be there from about June 5 until August 10-ish. Not only will I be taking a class (supposed to be two, but I'm already in Vocabulary Acquisition so I'll take 3 credits of thesis), but I will also be teaching listening and speaking classes to Korean students studying for the TOEIC. I currently teach listening and speaking at St. Cloud State University so this should be a nice and relatively harmless transition. I won't be working with the little ones like I did in 2008-2009, but I'm still looking forward to spending yet another summer in the Land of the Morning Calm.

Thankful Sunday

Running 8 miles (only 5 more in my pursuit to the half-marathon...and I have 5 weeks!)

Spending a wonderful 5 days in New York City

Heading to Missouri on Thursday to see Kali (my best new mommy friend) and then Founder's Day weekend at Cottey College (it's been 5 years!!)

Spring has sprung!

Only 6 weeks of classes remaining.

Heading to Korea for the summer!!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

Spring break starting

Running 7 miles and working on speed

Going to New York City tomorrow!!!

Being content with where life is leading me

Running Reflection

Well, today I ran the most I've ever run: 6 miles. I'd have to say I'm rather proud of this because 5 months ago I couldn't run 10 minutes straight. I'm a slow runner, more of a jogger, but I ran for an hour and 15 minutes today. It was icy, I slipped a few times and I wanted to quit about a million times, but I'm almost halfway to my half-marathon goal. I have 55 days until the Get in Gear Half-Marathon. It has been seemingly more of a mental battle than a physical one, but being someone not used to running more than maybe 3 miles at a time (in the last 5 months that is) it has been grueling on my body. I get sore every time I run, but I know I am accomplishing something so it doesn't bother me so much. I still haven't quite figured out how to eat right and that has been frustrating as I'd like to try and drop a few pounds (or inches) in this pursuit. Now that I'm focused on this half-marathon, I've been looking for a few more to run before I head back to Korea for the summer. Possibly the Green Bay half-marathon?

Picture: Brittany, Kate and me after the Snowflake Shuffle 5K in St. Joseph, MN. I ran right around a 36 minute 5K which is normal for me, but I'm looking to improve on that :)

And for those interested, this is the half-marathon plan I've been using.