Here are a few of the current mixed emotions that Kirforce is confronting.
Dread/Excitement: Tomorrow we dissect rats in biology. What? Biology. Rats...that are dead. Scissors. Identifying internal organs. Woah. Did not know I was getting myself into this. Next week? Human cadaver. Um excuse me? I have never even seen a surgery. Queasy factor of one billion. But I'm almost dreading this dissection more than next week's viewing. I had the best pet rats in high school, no joke. Hot and Sexy were their names. Those tender little gals always hold a special place in my heart. Apologies in advance.
Slacker/Overachiever: I keep reminding myself that these are just prerequisite courses, and this is the formula: B- = credit. The same thing happened during my semester abroad. Grades didn't transfer. In both situations, I'm struggling to embrace this freedom.
Foodie/junkie: I dance a thin line between being a decent cook or a disgusting glutton. I finished Julie and Julia on CD (the only positive thing that happens while I make the trek down to Hailey for class), so I'm inspired to get cookin'. Last night I burnt rice. Huge failure. Tonight I think I might have taken a step in the right direction. Will get back to you on that one.
Fight/Flight: I am so blessed. So undeservedly blessed. I'm not a religious person, but "fortunate" and "lucky" don't adequately describe my emotions. I have an amazing family. I have an amazing step-family. I have amazing friends. I get to be selfish. I get to do what I want. I have my health. The incredibly undeservedly unfair situations that others are subjected to tears at my heart. After Julie and Julia finished, I popped in It's Not About the Bike. Say what you want about Lance Armstrong's personal life, but his message (in this book at least) is so good (so far). Embrace life. Don't take it for granted. Make a difference. And don't forget to share your passion with others. For those we've lost, and those we're fighting for, LIVESTRONG, in the most literal, trademark-free sense. Hugs hugs hugs times infinity.
Bitter/sweet: Tomorrow is my last Wednesday on the snow. Saturday is the grand finale of my season. It's been warm, and there's rain in the forecast. Despite my bitterness about not getting to ski more, I've had a sweet time ski bumming. Let's dance, the last dance (replace "love" with "skiing"). Looking forward to Act Two.
Cast your votes. Here are the contenders.
1. Last chance, river dance (Irish or water connotation)
2. Last chance, Sawtooth Forest prance
3. Last chance, marathon training advance
4. Last chance, eco-friendly seance (not really a last chance)
5. Last chance, travel the expanse
6. Last chance, write-in
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Timing is Everything
I've never made a fashionable entrance, but I am usually late. Not notoriously, like a couple Santa Clara friends (love you guys), but it has definitely turned into a bad (and disrespectful) habit.
Today, I rolled into class ten minutes late. Not that it mattered because the only thing I did during the period was my homework for the week. Yesterday, I missed the championship game tip-off because I was cleaning up Sage Haven. The day before, I was tardy to Easter dinner at the extended family's place. And the day before that I got on the chairlift an hour after I planned to be there.
I've got to pull myself together because I don't think grad school is an appropriate place to continue this trend, as illustrated by an incident at NYU's business school. But it's hard to stress out about timing in this laid-back lifestyle.
As I dart to missed appointments, I can't help feeling like there is just not enough time in the day to get it all done. I worry that if I'm feeling this way now, how am I going to get through school? And how am I going to achieve everything I want to in my career and life? An eerie voice echoes in my head: "Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives." Replace the uplifting music with something more like this.
But really, timing is everything. Being in the right place at the right time was how I landed my job at Sunset. While watching the NCAA championship yesterday, a Butler fan observed that the game would come down to who had the ball in the last seconds. (Luck or skill, Duke still won!)
What if I missed the clean energy boat? Who knows what will happen in three years? Copenhagen stole my idea of distributing renewable energy resources to developing countries. Hopefully it is still going strong in 2013... 2013! I can't predict what tomorrow will be like, much less a thousand tomorrows from now.
All I can do is try to prepare myself for anything. And be on time. Until then, I'll enjoy this late winter weather. Last chance, ski bum dance!
Today, I rolled into class ten minutes late. Not that it mattered because the only thing I did during the period was my homework for the week. Yesterday, I missed the championship game tip-off because I was cleaning up Sage Haven. The day before, I was tardy to Easter dinner at the extended family's place. And the day before that I got on the chairlift an hour after I planned to be there.
I've got to pull myself together because I don't think grad school is an appropriate place to continue this trend, as illustrated by an incident at NYU's business school. But it's hard to stress out about timing in this laid-back lifestyle.
As I dart to missed appointments, I can't help feeling like there is just not enough time in the day to get it all done. I worry that if I'm feeling this way now, how am I going to get through school? And how am I going to achieve everything I want to in my career and life? An eerie voice echoes in my head: "Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives." Replace the uplifting music with something more like this.
But really, timing is everything. Being in the right place at the right time was how I landed my job at Sunset. While watching the NCAA championship yesterday, a Butler fan observed that the game would come down to who had the ball in the last seconds. (Luck or skill, Duke still won!)
What if I missed the clean energy boat? Who knows what will happen in three years? Copenhagen stole my idea of distributing renewable energy resources to developing countries. Hopefully it is still going strong in 2013... 2013! I can't predict what tomorrow will be like, much less a thousand tomorrows from now.
All I can do is try to prepare myself for anything. And be on time. Until then, I'll enjoy this late winter weather. Last chance, ski bum dance!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Two to one
Stats class has taught me all about ratios.
I'm feeling like 2:1 is my current ratio in life.
Two trips, one suitcase. My jaunt to the East was an incredible success. The Debauchelorette (please cite me when using this coined term) was less debauchery and less bachelorette-y than one might expect and more fun, fun, fun with college friends. The trip to Duke was great as well. Which brings me to...
Two masters, one program. Yup. I'm stoked. In three years I'll be the master of global environmental change and the master of social entrepreneurship. Just what I need to make things happen in this world, right? And in both locations, I had the pleasure of being hosted by...
Two hosts, one region times two plus one. Rachel graciously hosted me at her expansive Queens apartment, and Kiira astounded me with the Brooklyn Museum view from her living room. A Nicholas student hosted me in her unique Old North Durham apartment, and fellow-Whitman alumna and current MBA candidate, Sara, showed me the benefits of living in THE place to be as a business school student. Very, very nice. Added bonus goes out to my fabulous extended family that hosted me in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. I got so excited about living in this new state that I just didn't want to go home. But I'm so glad that I took the...
Two planes, one flight (with a connection in Minneapolis, love it) home so that I could benefit from...
Two pairs of skis, one epic day. Twelve glorious inches fell on the mountain last night (more like 3 sopping inches of rain here at Sage Haven). I hit the slopes and hit up a friend to see if there might be a crew that I could join. The crew laughed at my 2006 World Cup Slalom Fischers and sent me to their place of employment to pick up a pair of Dynastars. I have never been in love with something so fat. I went from two face plants in an hour to three hours of shredding the gnar! Ripped it up, if I don't say so myself. And I should have taken some pictures since I recently invested in...
Two technology upgrades, one technology downgrade. I now have a working digital camera (I managed to break it on a trip to Yosemite last spring, but finally got around to paying some dough to get it fixed... probably more than it's worth, but alas!) and a phone that isn't four years old (I think my tumble in the race two weeks ago cracked the screen, so now I can text with a full keyboard). The downgrade is the snow that's on the TV when you hit the power button. Back to TV-free living. And at such an inopportune time because out of their last three games Baylor had...
Two wins, one loss. This puts Duke into the Final Four this weekend. But I have to work...
Two days, one job. I wouldn't be able to watch them. Unfortunately there's not enough time to put in my...
Two weeks. I can't think of a one to go with it, so that's all folks!
I'm feeling like 2:1 is my current ratio in life.
Two trips, one suitcase. My jaunt to the East was an incredible success. The Debauchelorette (please cite me when using this coined term) was less debauchery and less bachelorette-y than one might expect and more fun, fun, fun with college friends. The trip to Duke was great as well. Which brings me to...
Two masters, one program. Yup. I'm stoked. In three years I'll be the master of global environmental change and the master of social entrepreneurship. Just what I need to make things happen in this world, right? And in both locations, I had the pleasure of being hosted by...
Two hosts, one region times two plus one. Rachel graciously hosted me at her expansive Queens apartment, and Kiira astounded me with the Brooklyn Museum view from her living room. A Nicholas student hosted me in her unique Old North Durham apartment, and fellow-Whitman alumna and current MBA candidate, Sara, showed me the benefits of living in THE place to be as a business school student. Very, very nice. Added bonus goes out to my fabulous extended family that hosted me in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. I got so excited about living in this new state that I just didn't want to go home. But I'm so glad that I took the...
Two planes, one flight (with a connection in Minneapolis, love it) home so that I could benefit from...
Two pairs of skis, one epic day. Twelve glorious inches fell on the mountain last night (more like 3 sopping inches of rain here at Sage Haven). I hit the slopes and hit up a friend to see if there might be a crew that I could join. The crew laughed at my 2006 World Cup Slalom Fischers and sent me to their place of employment to pick up a pair of Dynastars. I have never been in love with something so fat. I went from two face plants in an hour to three hours of shredding the gnar! Ripped it up, if I don't say so myself. And I should have taken some pictures since I recently invested in...
Two technology upgrades, one technology downgrade. I now have a working digital camera (I managed to break it on a trip to Yosemite last spring, but finally got around to paying some dough to get it fixed... probably more than it's worth, but alas!) and a phone that isn't four years old (I think my tumble in the race two weeks ago cracked the screen, so now I can text with a full keyboard). The downgrade is the snow that's on the TV when you hit the power button. Back to TV-free living. And at such an inopportune time because out of their last three games Baylor had...
Two wins, one loss. This puts Duke into the Final Four this weekend. But I have to work...
Two days, one job. I wouldn't be able to watch them. Unfortunately there's not enough time to put in my...
Two weeks. I can't think of a one to go with it, so that's all folks!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
B-O-M-silent B sauce
Bomb: can be good ("da bomb" circa 1997); can be bad (nuclear, failure).
In this case, it's bad.
I fell! What? I was the only one to wipe out!
So I bombed. And I blame the Irish Car Bombs that I consumed between runs. Oh and the Pabst. Dang. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day turned into an epic failure. No injuries from the fall, so I enjoyed more beverages and was one of the last people on the mountain.
Anyway, I surprised myself by how disappointed I was by the results. A bummer to end the season like that.
The new priority became enjoying the holiday. And I was "da bomb" at that. Prepping for the upcoming weekend of imbibing.
Then I bombed at getting to work on time (I woke up an hour late. It is so dark at 6:00 AM.). I bombed at feeling festive the day after the festivities and told the newspaper delivery man that I was worthless. He seemed concerned for my mental health.
But, I survived.
Now I'm bombing at packing. These basketball games impact productivity even if you don't have a full-time job. Duke is going all the way, bomb-diggity.
In this case, it's bad.
I fell! What? I was the only one to wipe out!
So I bombed. And I blame the Irish Car Bombs that I consumed between runs. Oh and the Pabst. Dang. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day turned into an epic failure. No injuries from the fall, so I enjoyed more beverages and was one of the last people on the mountain.
Anyway, I surprised myself by how disappointed I was by the results. A bummer to end the season like that.
The new priority became enjoying the holiday. And I was "da bomb" at that. Prepping for the upcoming weekend of imbibing.
Then I bombed at getting to work on time (I woke up an hour late. It is so dark at 6:00 AM.). I bombed at feeling festive the day after the festivities and told the newspaper delivery man that I was worthless. He seemed concerned for my mental health.
But, I survived.
Now I'm bombing at packing. These basketball games impact productivity even if you don't have a full-time job. Duke is going all the way, bomb-diggity.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nervous Nancy
Tomorrow is the last Town Series race! I'm wearing the Sunset Subscriber slash Great Depression matching jogging pants and jacket costume. If I manage to pull together two runs, I could be on the Dream Team (the best standing individuals). I meant to tune my skis (it didn't happen). I meant to go to bed early (missed the boat on that one). I meant to have my eye on the prize (I have a first run meeting for Irish car bombs instead).
I also meant to get my life in order (I continuously fail at this). After a great visit from Annemom and her pal, I am all kinds of disoriented.
Booking flights to New York and Durham proved to be disastrous, falling back on a charitable mother for her monetary mileage. On Friday, I will close the cafe and drive to Boise. Do they offer hourly hotel rates? I only need one for four hours. My flight leaves at 6:30 AM on Saturday. I'll sleep my way to JFK, arriving just in time for Bachelorette Party shenanigans. Places that I will frequent in my travels (consider wardrobe requirements): ghetto motel, night out in Manhattan, Russian baths, headquarters of Sunset owner - Time Inc., bridal shop to try on a bridesmaid dress for a different wedding, lunches/dinners/drinks with friends/family/former coworkers, TBD intermediary trip to see family in Mt. Airy NC, casual environmental school events at Duke (student hosting, bonfire, and hike included), business-y business school events (luncheons, keynote speakers, "speed networking" are on the agenda).
AHH! Nervousness of packing beats the nervousness of tomorrow's race by a lot. Wish me the luck of the Irish! The last thing I want stolen is me lucky charms.
I also meant to get my life in order (I continuously fail at this). After a great visit from Annemom and her pal, I am all kinds of disoriented.
Booking flights to New York and Durham proved to be disastrous, falling back on a charitable mother for her monetary mileage. On Friday, I will close the cafe and drive to Boise. Do they offer hourly hotel rates? I only need one for four hours. My flight leaves at 6:30 AM on Saturday. I'll sleep my way to JFK, arriving just in time for Bachelorette Party shenanigans. Places that I will frequent in my travels (consider wardrobe requirements): ghetto motel, night out in Manhattan, Russian baths, headquarters of Sunset owner - Time Inc., bridal shop to try on a bridesmaid dress for a different wedding, lunches/dinners/drinks with friends/family/former coworkers, TBD intermediary trip to see family in Mt. Airy NC, casual environmental school events at Duke (student hosting, bonfire, and hike included), business-y business school events (luncheons, keynote speakers, "speed networking" are on the agenda).
AHH! Nervousness of packing beats the nervousness of tomorrow's race by a lot. Wish me the luck of the Irish! The last thing I want stolen is me lucky charms.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Pete and Repete
Pete and Repete were on a boat, Pete fell off, who was left? Pete and Repete were on a boat, Pete fell off, who was left?.....
After being here for nearly two months, things have started repeating themselves. I have my favorite mixed CDs in the ancient and skip-prone CD changer. I've eaten the same romaine, carrot, onion, parsley, cauliflower, citrus balsamic salad the past 4 days. And I maintained the 5th place standings (out of the ladies) in Town Series, although the tequila is getting less enjoyable each week.
I did switch things up in my routine, officially "bumming it" on Tuesday. I had scheduled two volunteer commitments, which I apologized for missing via email as I headed to the mountain to enjoy a little fresh snow. (Great day!) Dog-sitting duties are over. Two visitors coming in this weekend (my mom and her friend), and then I'm heading East next weekend. Exciting times!
Although looking forward I'm enthusiastic about upcoming events, I can't help but look back. Annual events remind me of days of yore, and remind me that I'm not able to enjoy the celebrations from afar. Times they are a changing. I just hope that I reach a point when I'm able to get back and reunite with moments of the past and forever friends: a sixteenth birthday party at a hotel (10 years ago!), a state ski tournament, a St. Patrick's Day in DC, a St. Patrick's Day in Revelstoke, a street fair in Japantown, a limo in Sonoma, a "das boot" at Suppenkuche.
As the summer rolls around, I'll be reminded of more great adventures over the Fourth of July (Lake Washington, Island Lake, Mendocino, Hotel California), Bay to Breakers, Celebration Weekend, Tahoe, Yosemite, half marathon. I keep hearing about the summers here and how amazing they are, but I can't help thinking, "It's not about where you are, but with who you are enjoying your time."
And on that note, please visit! I miss you! Yes, you!
The radio station is off the air (midnight shutdown apparently). Tomorrow I have a statistics exam, an airport shuttle, and a license plate pickup on the schedule, and that's all before an afternoon/closing shift at the cafe. Espresso, steamed milk, repeat.
After being here for nearly two months, things have started repeating themselves. I have my favorite mixed CDs in the ancient and skip-prone CD changer. I've eaten the same romaine, carrot, onion, parsley, cauliflower, citrus balsamic salad the past 4 days. And I maintained the 5th place standings (out of the ladies) in Town Series, although the tequila is getting less enjoyable each week.
I did switch things up in my routine, officially "bumming it" on Tuesday. I had scheduled two volunteer commitments, which I apologized for missing via email as I headed to the mountain to enjoy a little fresh snow. (Great day!) Dog-sitting duties are over. Two visitors coming in this weekend (my mom and her friend), and then I'm heading East next weekend. Exciting times!
Although looking forward I'm enthusiastic about upcoming events, I can't help but look back. Annual events remind me of days of yore, and remind me that I'm not able to enjoy the celebrations from afar. Times they are a changing. I just hope that I reach a point when I'm able to get back and reunite with moments of the past and forever friends: a sixteenth birthday party at a hotel (10 years ago!), a state ski tournament, a St. Patrick's Day in DC, a St. Patrick's Day in Revelstoke, a street fair in Japantown, a limo in Sonoma, a "das boot" at Suppenkuche.
As the summer rolls around, I'll be reminded of more great adventures over the Fourth of July (Lake Washington, Island Lake, Mendocino, Hotel California), Bay to Breakers, Celebration Weekend, Tahoe, Yosemite, half marathon. I keep hearing about the summers here and how amazing they are, but I can't help thinking, "It's not about where you are, but with who you are enjoying your time."
And on that note, please visit! I miss you! Yes, you!
The radio station is off the air (midnight shutdown apparently). Tomorrow I have a statistics exam, an airport shuttle, and a license plate pickup on the schedule, and that's all before an afternoon/closing shift at the cafe. Espresso, steamed milk, repeat.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Do-do, do-do, do-do
That's the sound of the Tivo fast forward times three. Can you hear it now? Good.
Tivo and me: reunited at last. And I'm blasting backwards 5 days to the Closing Ceremony in Vancouver. And I'm going even further back in time with a four-legged friend. And reminiscing about my years growing up skiing and ski-jumping. Ahhh back to the future.
The week in review: Kirforce continues to be a pretty bad volunteer, but the shame she feels helps, right? Kirforce got 5th in this week's race, and actually stuck around to receive a portion of her winnings, making her thirty minutes late to her biology class. Segueing to the next topic nicely: Kirforce slacking off in her classes. Kirforce also managed to lose, remember where she lost, not retrieve, be notified of the location of, and receive in the mail her Idaho license and debit card. Chaos. Kirforce also received her car's title, making today the best post office pick-up ever. Kirforce also picked-up a sweet gig hanging out with Jessie, a festive black lab, in a beautiful house. And the best part about the week was a really fun weekend, reminding me of my San Francisco life. I definitely miss some aspects of it a lot. I think that moving up here was the right decision, but I do wish I could have my cake and eat it, too.
Right now I'm definitely witnessing the ski bum dancer wrestling with the barista mopping moper, and losing. We finally got some fresh pow today, pounding on the awnings over the cafe entrance. It might continue tomorrow, when I'm at work. And possibly the next day, when I'm at work. And even Sunday, when I'm at work. *sigh* In anticipation of the end of the season (April 18th officially, but I'm not sure the base will hold up that long), I conquered some runs on Wednesday that I hadn't attempted yet this year. At least I've been able to get to know the mountain pretty personally in spite of not so much snow.
I have lots to look forward to this month: an east coast adventure with old friends, older friends, and new classmates; hopefully a visit from Annemom; a "spring break" from school. March madness! It's on like Donkey Kong.
Tivo and me: reunited at last. And I'm blasting backwards 5 days to the Closing Ceremony in Vancouver. And I'm going even further back in time with a four-legged friend. And reminiscing about my years growing up skiing and ski-jumping. Ahhh back to the future.
The week in review: Kirforce continues to be a pretty bad volunteer, but the shame she feels helps, right? Kirforce got 5th in this week's race, and actually stuck around to receive a portion of her winnings, making her thirty minutes late to her biology class. Segueing to the next topic nicely: Kirforce slacking off in her classes. Kirforce also managed to lose, remember where she lost, not retrieve, be notified of the location of, and receive in the mail her Idaho license and debit card. Chaos. Kirforce also received her car's title, making today the best post office pick-up ever. Kirforce also picked-up a sweet gig hanging out with Jessie, a festive black lab, in a beautiful house. And the best part about the week was a really fun weekend, reminding me of my San Francisco life. I definitely miss some aspects of it a lot. I think that moving up here was the right decision, but I do wish I could have my cake and eat it, too.
Right now I'm definitely witnessing the ski bum dancer wrestling with the barista mopping moper, and losing. We finally got some fresh pow today, pounding on the awnings over the cafe entrance. It might continue tomorrow, when I'm at work. And possibly the next day, when I'm at work. And even Sunday, when I'm at work. *sigh* In anticipation of the end of the season (April 18th officially, but I'm not sure the base will hold up that long), I conquered some runs on Wednesday that I hadn't attempted yet this year. At least I've been able to get to know the mountain pretty personally in spite of not so much snow.
I have lots to look forward to this month: an east coast adventure with old friends, older friends, and new classmates; hopefully a visit from Annemom; a "spring break" from school. March madness! It's on like Donkey Kong.
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