TUESDAY
After working in the AM, I met Roux's Humom at Charleston Animal Society since she had picked up my forgotten phone from our house and brought it with her so I wouldn't have to go all the way back home before going to the airport. She da best.I headed to Teh German's Company and ate my lunch. Since I was earlier than expected (since I didn't have to go home), I ate alone and then Teh German delivered me to the airport. We have finally figured out a drop-off situation that works. I drive Teh German to work and then go about my business until it's airport time. Then, I go and fetch him then we go to the airport, where I get dropped off and Teh German drives Willow for the rest of the day. This works since I have to do more during the day excursions than he does.
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| I checked. Teh German left up my love notes. :) |
Got checked in and through security, where I discovered I had forgotten to empty my water bottle. Oops, sorry TSA lady.
I flew from Charleston to Baltimore. The flight was mostly uneventful (after the last disastrous flight from Denver to Baltimore) and Teh Chief Smartass picked me up and we headed back to his house for Secret snuggles and to wait on Teh Running Bestie to get off work and come home.
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| This is the staredown you get when you do not touch the TOUCHMEALWAYS dog. |
We had agreed to go out for dinner since cooking still meant going to the grocery store and having to make the decision on what to make. That is really the toughest part for me. We also had to go by the mall for an Apple Store visit and I was hunting for a rain jacket, which I ended up finding on super sale at JCPenny ($25 for a Columbia rain jacket? kthx). We ended up at a Mexican place that was delicious and then a stop at Cheesecake Factory for to-go cheesecake for dessert.
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| SMORES CHEESECAKE IS A THING PEOPLE. *PRAISE HANDS!* |
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| When your Bestie gets you. She bought this for me as a Christmas gift and smores cheesecake reminded her to give it to me, lol. |
After dessert, it was check the internets time, and then to bed.
WEDNESDAY
Not an overly early start on Wednesday, but I did get up and accomplish some work things while snuggling with Lovey, the current foster resident.
This ho-bag (Secret) ensured that my shoe was properly relocated to upstairs, where she believes all shoes should reside.
By 1030, we were on the road to Pittsburgh. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE WAY!!!! Teh Running Bestie said her back was hurting, and since we didn't have evening plans, I suggested getting massages. She was down. I spent a while searching for places in Pittsburgh where we could get a massage that night, which really narrowed down the options. I even accidentally made appointments for us in a town we were driving through because the map on the mobile device kept messing up and UGH frustration. I did eventually find a place and made appointments for us at 7:30.
After getting checked into our hotel and checking up on work things to make sure nothing had imploded during the drive, we determined a dinner plan: head up to near where the massage was and then kill time and have dinner then get massages.
We discovered an At Home within 5 minutes of the massage place, so we perused the aisles and I picked up 2 new dog toy baskets and some other items I'd been needing to pick up but didn't want to make a special trip out for.
After At Home, we headed to the ever-fancy Olive Garden for dinner. We made it to the massage place 20 minutes early and sat in the car until it was closer to time to go inside. Once inside, we filled out paperwork and then it was massage time.
My masseuse ensured me that she did not do relaxation massage and she set about working all the knots out of my body. Just the way I like it. I had discovered they had a Yelp special ($10 off) when I checked in, so I purchased it. When my massage was done, I went to pay and it didn't let me tip! I was super disappointed, but the masseuse ensured me that it was ok. She said she had enjoyed massaging me since we had chatted and laughed the whole time, and that made it worth it.
I still have guilt.
After massages, we headed back to the hotel. I did a little work, skyped with Teh German, and then it was bedtime.
THURSDAY
Thursday morning we woke up and did work things. Eventually, we settled on a breakfast place that was within walking distance, Waffles InCaffinated. It was a solid life choice. Look at all those colored potatoes! And all those MUSHROOMSSSSS, NOOOMMMMMMMMM. The waffle was also delicious, although I added way too much syrup and actually had to wring my waffle out. It was weird, but delicious.
After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel for work purposes, then eventually got the car and headed out for Pittsburgh touristy things: The Incline and Randyland, specifically.
I don't really have a good photo of The Incline from far away, but essentially, it's a rail system designed to transport people up/down a hill. There are multiple locations.
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| The Incline Station |
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| Heinz Field |
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| The Incline in progress. |
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| Since I had a millionty coins, I was willing to part with a quarter for the view finder. |
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| Headed back down The Incline. |
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| That chicken was peer pressured into moving to the front of the car. #NotSorry |
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| The ceiling of the car was really fancy. |
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| At the base |
After The Incline, we headed across town to Randyland, the home of a Pittsburgh resident who repurposes trash into art.
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| Yellow bridges were confusing at first. |
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| Deutschtown! Germans in Pennsylvania isn't really an oddity, but this was very specific and it made me giggle. |
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| You used to call me on your.. rotary phoneee. |
I wasn't really into interacting with the art.. other than the dinosaur phone call and grabbin' dat ass.. but we checked on Instagram later and apparently a lot of models go to Randyland for shoots.
After Randyland, we headed back to the hotel to do work things. I may have also taken a nap because I knew we were going to have a late night. We had originally planned to go to Primanti Brothers for dinner, but after a suggestion from Lara (that blogger I met in Raleigh a millionty years ago (2015) for the Tarheel 10-Miler) that we go to Butcher and Rye, we switched it up. Also, Butcher and Rye was within walking distance of our hotel and the arena, so that meant not having to take the car out during rush hour, which worked out better than we had anticipated, since we hadn't anticipated rush hour traffic.
There were no tables available, but a spot in the bar area opened up with 2 chairs soon after we arrived, which meant to me, that it was meant to be! We, as always, ordered several things and shared them all. Brussel sprouts as an appetizer, dirty pasta with duck, and scallops over blue crab risotto. Also, the server made me sweet tea that met my Southern standards, so I was sassified.
For dessert, we stopped by The Milkshake Factory for milkshakes. Although, had we known there was a kiosk at the Arena for The Milkshake Factory, we probably would have waited. #TheMoreYouKnow. Still, there were no regrets about our smores milkshake (me, duh) and salted caramel milkshake (Teh Running Bestie).
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| GET IN MAH BELLYYYY. |
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| EVEN MORE BELLY THINGS! |
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| I refuse to put "Milkshake" lyrics here because I fucking hate that song, but you can if you want. |
After milkshake obtainment, we headed to the Arena for the Mumford & Sons (M&S) concert that we had traveled to Pittsburgh for. Cat Power was the opening band and we were not fans. Made me sad, since usually, opening bands are a fun discovery time for me. So many opening bands I've gone on to stalk and love.
I will commend M&S for being PROMPT AF. The opening band was off-stage by 8:15?, and there was sufficient time to set up for M&S, who came out at 9pm on the dot. There was a brief intermission around 9:45, but the show went on until 10:30, when they were finished performing. I was sad it was over, but I can appreciate some promptness.
Oh, how did I like the concert?
I FUCKING LOVED IT! It was everything I didn't know I needed. I didn't cry like when I saw Goo Goo Dolls, but I started looking for tickets for the Charleston show before the concert was even over. CHS was sold out, but was I willing to do StubHub or SeatGeek? It would depend on Teh German's desire to go see M&S. Teh Running Bestie and I M&S geeked out and sang at the top of our lungs and clapped all the way through.
Did you know that vigorous clapping and stand-dancing ensures you are well-over your step goal for the day. Looking at my heart rate after the concert ended made me lol. It was like a workout!
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| LOOOLZZZZ |
After the concert, we trudged back to the hotel, thankfully less than a 10 minute walk away (had we taken a vehicle, it would have been more like 30 minutes to get to our close hotel just because of the traffic jam). After a skype session with Teh German, I couldn't fall asleep (maybe the THREE sweet teas I consumed at dinner?) and I ended up being awake until after 0200. I generated the Friday post and also deleted a millionty passwords that Chrome has saved since its inception, that included passwords for other people who have ever used any of my computers for anything. It was creepy.
FRIDAY
Friday morning was work things, then for lunch we headed to Primanti Brothers. Honestly, it was not my jam. This could have been for 2 reasons. After explaining to the server that I don't do spicy foods, he suggested the fish. The fish sandwich was boring AF. There was NO sauce or mayo or tarter sauce on it so it was dry and depressing. Teh Running Bestie ordered the bologna sammich and the thing Primanti Brothers is known for is putting all the sides on the sandwich, fries, slaw, everything. This does not appeal to me. We split our sandwiches, and neither of our lives were changed.
After lunch, Teh Running Bestie dropped me off at the airport for my flight back to Charleston. While driving up to Pittsburgh was ideal since we could spend more time together, driving back with her and then still having to fly back to Charleston was less appealing due to all the travel time, so I flew back from Pittsburgh.
After getting through security, I headed to my gate and discovered PITS Paws, a therapy dog group who came to the airport. Apparently, we have this in Charleston, but I have NEVER ONCE seen that group, so they do not exist to me. After getting lovins from the pups, I headed to my gate and worked and waited for my flight.
It was alarming when I was boarding the plane and thought I saw Teh German's Stepmom. Then I realized it wasn't her and I was sad (because it wasn't) and relieved (because why wouldn't she tell me?!).
The flight back to Charleston was extremely turbulent and I don't think a single person the plane enjoyed the flight. The lady beside me commiserated with me about how much we did not like the feeling of falling from the sky. This actually happened and at least half of the plane had outbursts, including myself. Landing was a blessing because we were all ready to deboard and forget about the experience.
Teh German was waiting at cell phone parking for me. I had been texting with Teh PT Wife when we were landing and we arranged to do dinner together. Teh German and I headed home to meet Teh PT Wife/Husband and we headed to Tanner Public House for dinner.
After dinner, we headed to the Bilo next door since my present company had never been in a "super" Bilo. They were all unimpressed. We did pick up a few things, so that didn't hurt. After our grocery store trip, which cemented the fact that we are definitely in our 30s since we went to the grocery store as an adventure, we headed home and it was bedtime.
SATURDAY
Saturday morning was a kinda late start. Teh German and I had said we were leaving at 0830 to head to Boone Hall Plantation for the Rugged Maniac race. We left after 0845, but it was NBD. We had our packets and headed to the start line for the 1000 wave. We were originally scheduled for 0945, but we had to wait for my friend to park and hike to the start area.There were no muddy photos taken, we are going to rely on the professional photos for that (which aren't posted yet), but we did take a post-"shower" selfie after finding a coworker.
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| Medal selfie! |
Also, I lost both my shoes in the first mile, in a foot of mud. BOTH OF MY SHOES CAME OFF. And then, I was squishing through the mud in my socks, which was fine, until Teh German pointed out there could be shit in the mud that might stab my feet, which made me high tail it out of the mud and onto the side. I then had to force my muddy feet and socks back into my shoes, which was a feat. AND THEN.. Teh German dared to say, "Why didn't you tie your shoes tighter?" I think I need to teach him the concept of, "Is what I'm about to say helpful in this EXACT moment of high stress?" because he has a bad habit of "offering" "advice" when I am pissed off/freaked out/stressed out and it only serves to make me EXTREMELY angry and even more stressed out.
For the rest of the race, I got to enjoy packed mud in one of my shoes, which made it even more difficult to run through uneven fields. Then after getting wet and caked with more mud, the seat of my pants was almost down to my knees, making it even more difficult to run, and almost impossible to swing my one good leg over things (because bad hip doesn't allow for that kind of movement anymore, I tried, it hurt, I didn't like it).
I will say, Teh German was very helpful when it came to getting OVER obstacles. He waited until last in case I needed a foot prop to hoist myself over and after the mud incident, he realized that when I needed help, I would ask for it, but it was best not to offer right away. At least let me try it once or twice and before I got frustrated, I'd ask for help. So kudos to him for that.
There was a situation, thankfully AFTER we had rinsed off, where the "showers" stopped working. Thank Allah, we had already rinsed prior to that, or I would have been pretty disgruntled. That said, I had brought 3 dog sheets in case we needed to cover the seats of the car.
Also, if you've never done a mud race... it is advised NOT to carry anything with you. ANYTHING. As in, I didn't even wear my watch or my rings. I wore a silicone band instead of my wedding ring. I took out all my optional earrings. We also brought a change of clothes and flip flops for after the race and donated our shoes. For the 2nd time in a row, we realized we should have brought trash bags for our dirty clothes, but we wrapped them in our towels and put them back in the bag and it was not a big deal. Hardcore mud runners have been spotted carrying 5 gallon buckets for their stuff, which is smart, but I'm not that hardcore... and I'm done with mud runs. I have a massive bruise and knot on my shin and scrapes and bruises elsewhere and I'm too old for that shit. Give me my boring ass half marathon anyday.
After the race, we headed to Vicious Biscuit for brunch. I mixed it up and got the crab benny biscuit. It did not disappoint.
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| #MyRack |
After a real shower, it was couch time with my Monkey-Doodle.
It was lazy dinner, so I had cereal and Teh German had leftovers and we spent most of the evening watching The Office until bedtime. We are finally in the final season and I will not let Teh German scroll down to view the rest of the episodes in case there is a photo of a spoiler for the final episode.
SUNDAY
Sunday was a slow start. And then Auntie P messaged us to ask if we were ready for Skype and I finally roused myself from the bed and went downstairs for a chat. I think it was finally suggested/decided that I should attend the Goethe Institute in Dusseldorf and we'll make a weekend trip to Hamburg, which Teh German and Auntie P both raved about.After our chat, I started working on the weekly menu. When pulling items from the freezer for thawing, this bag of hurricane ice FINALLY decided to come out. I guess it shrank enough and it was stuck to something else I was pulling out, so I was able to get my fingers under it to lift it out. FINALLY. I had told Teh German that removing the ice bag was his responsibility since he's the one who insisted that I freeze gallon bags of water so the food wouldn't go bad, despite the fact that the hurricane wasn't even coming at us. Annnnyyyywayyyyssssss.
After getting the dinner situation sorted out and making a store list, I spent a while doing homework. After accomplishing all that was going to get accomplished, I headed to the couch for snuggle time with my Fuzzy Dog. We ended up taking a nap, which I wasn't sorry about.
After I woke up, Teh German and I agreed on going to dinner (we had agreed on Friday night that I'd get ramen/pho at some point over the weekend since Teh German wanted wings on Friday night), then doing our Sam's/Walmart run.
I hate going during post-Church times since the stores are crazy busy and I hate people. Going during the evening was infinitely better for all involved.
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| This is a trifecta box of joy. Don't bother arguing with me. I am not wrong. |
After the store, we headed home and took the beasts on a walk. Perks of longer days. When we got back home, I packaged out freezer items into smaller portions and then it was time for The Office until bedtime.
MONDAY
Monday was "Kegs and Eggs" day as our Company St. Patrick's Day celebration. I picked up the Walmart Grocery order on my way into the office and started making hard boiled eggs right away. While I was doing that, Twin Dad made regular waffles for those of us who do not appreciate Guinness waffles (i.e. ME). After the eggs were peeled, someone else took over waffle duty and Twin Dad started working on scotch eggs (soft/med boiled egg, wrapped in sausage and fried).In the end, there were regular waffles, Guinness waffles, Jamison caramel, Bailey's whipped cream, soda bread, and scotch eggs. I sat at my desk and did work things for about 15 minutes before it was time for me to head to school, marking the official end of my Spring Break.
I celebrated my return to school with a parking ticket, that is completely my fault since I parked at the end of a parking row where FOUR extra spots could be, but they refuse to put parking lines down. Assholes. I was going to be late, so I risked it. I've risked it before with no consequence, but Monday was not my day. #YOLO
After school and gym, I headed home and made some EPIC chicken and mushroom quesadillas.
I sat down at the computer after my post-gym shower shortly before 8pm and saw that a friend had posted on FB asking if anyone wanted to go to the Mumford & Sons concert, because they had tickets and couldn't go. UHHHHH, MEEEEEE!!! I asked Teh German if he was willing to go and he said yes. I got ready in under 10 minutes and Teh German took almost 20 minutes to get out of the house and it was a heroic effort not to pull out my inner drill sergeant and rush him on.
I knew that it was meant to be, not only from the free tickets, but especially when we got to the Coliseum and our normal hockey game parking area had spots available!
We had missed the opening band, which didn't hurt my feelings in the least, after already enduring them once before. We made it to our seats around 8:48, with a few minutes to spare since I knew that M&S would be prompt about coming on stage at 9. I was correct.
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| The guy behind us was photobombing others, so we just included him in our selfie. #EmbraceThe Photobomb |
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| TWICE IN ONE WEEK!!! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! |
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| YYYYYYAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS. |
As I did in Pittsburgh, I stood for the entire show. There were a few differences in the concert and the lineup was different than in Pittsburgh. I definitely got a good laugh when everyone sat down during a "slow" part of the concert and the lights lowered and the fireworks went off and every stood right back up. I was already standing.
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| Monday night concert heart rate tracker, loool. |
The concert ended shortly after 10:30, but we were home by 11, which was perfect. After bedtime chores, it was bedtime. I slept super good. It was a delight.
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So yeah.. that was a long post.. but obviously a lot happened.SO MUCH AWESOME!!!!!
Yay for the ability to telework and still be able to do fun things.
Yay for Bestie time.
Yay for Mumford & Sons.
Yay for free tickets.
I am super sad that Spring Break is over, but I only have 1 more Spring Break left, so I gotta LIVE IT UPPPPPPP while I still can! lol
But really though, I'm on the downward side of finishing this degree and my excitement is almost palpable. 4 more weeks of the Spring 2019 semester remain, I can do this, I can do this. I will keep on chugging.
After finals, it's Germany.
Then it's some other European destination for a short bit.
Then it's back to Charleston for Chemistry II, please shoot me now.
Then it's Fall 2019.
Then it's Christmas.
Then it's Spring 2020.
THEN IT'S GRADUATION.
Big things are coming people.
Hold on.
