Song

Sometimes a song is worth repeating...

Go Big or Go Home
American Authors

Don't feel like going home

But all my cash is gone

Yeah, I got nothing to do tonight

I'm passed out on the floor

Up in the hotel bar

But it don't matter, 'cause I'm feeling fine

I'm thinking life's too short, it's passing by

So if I'm gonna go at all

Go big or go

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

I gave the dice a roll

And then we lost control

You know we're lucky that we survived

'Cause when we jumped the ship

Oh, man, that boat, it flipped

But we should do it all again tonight

I'm thinking life's too short, it's passing by

So if I'm gonna go at all

Go big or go

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

Giving my body all the things I need

Rescue me with a little whiskey

Staying out, don't need no sleep

I'll sleep when I'm dead, you can bury me

I'll sleep when I'm dead, you can bury me

I guess I'm going home

'Cause all my cash is gone

I spent it all trying to feel alive

Go big or go

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

It's getting crazy

We're gonna do some things that we won't forget

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

I'm going crazy

I'm gonna live my life, I got no regrets

(Go! Go!)

Go big or go home

Timing

Whatever you call it, God, Fate, the Powers that Be, Karma, Destiny; it's always amazing, to me anyways, when you recognize and appreciate finding yourself in the right place at the right time. You don't have to look back on it and think, "yeah that was a great memory", you actually know when you're in the moment that this is a life changing minute. Whether that minute of change is for you, or the person you're with, there is an innate sense that everything will be different going forward. And it is. 

Seriously

Challenge!

Pretty much every dog in class tonight followed this chart.
Boy, do I have my work cut out for me!

Summah!

I love the city of Chicago in the summertime. Well okay, to be fair I love it even in the winter time as long as I'm focusing on snow-shoeing and not shoveling my car out of a parking spot! But I digress. Summer in the city is just magical. There are Cubs games, colorful planters full of blooming flowers everywhere, the sun is shining (most of the time), and there are plenty of outdoor dining opportunities to be had! To me, dining outside is the epitome of summer in Chicago, especially when you can find places with garden settings, versus sidewalk store-fronts. 

This summer weekend was filled with new people, new places, a 5K, the Cubs and brunch! While each event had it's highlights, I have to say brunch was pretty spectacular. It had way too many choices for food, but was paired with great ambiance and conversation. The garden area was amazing (the picture below doesn't do it justice) and the weather cooperated nicely. It was a nice feeling of escaping from the city, but yet being a huge part of it all at the same time. What a relaxing way to start off my Sunday (followed by a pedicure)! I finally feel like I'm getting to enjoy summer in the city!

15

Today is my 15 year work anniversary and while most think that's a great accomplishment, I have to admit, hearing that number makes me feel old!  Despite that, I will admit that my time put in at this company does not feel like it's been 15 years and I am pretty sure I owe that to the people I've met along the way who have become my best friends and second family! I may not be working my dream job, but this job helps make my dreams come true and for that I will always be grateful!

Marvel

Nothing screws up your Friday like realizing it's only Thursday! But thankfully having fun evening plans makes the day go faster! Anyone else checking out Ant-man? Thoughts?

Wordless Wednesday

'Bucks

After having received numerous Starbucks gift cards for my birthday, I finally started putting them to use. Being on the go as much as my schedule has demanded of me as of late, I haven't had time to sit down and enjoy a home cooked meal. So, after researching (ok, I read the label on the food - it wasn't hard) I have to admit, you can eat pretty healthily at the "Bucks" if you choose to. 

My recent purchases have included their Spinach and Feta breakfast wrap, the Bistro Protein Box, a Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich and their Caramel Light Frappuccino. While eating "fast" food is not my forte' these days, Starbucks makes it pretty easy to treat your body right - provided you stay away from the 10,000 calorie ice-cream drinks!

Go Bucks! If this was an official review, they'd get 5 stars from me. I know a lot of people complain about the prices of Starbucks items, but I believe that's due primarily to the cost of the coffee drinks. Their food is competitively priced and of course, having gift cards makes it a no brainer. (Did I really just write a post about Starbucks?)

Weekend

My weekend didn't go as planned, mainly due to the weather squashing my efforts to have fun, but I didn't let that stop me from having a good time. While I was disappointed, I have to admit the following things were pretty cool...

- I visited the cutest baby in the world. Yes I'm biased. And no I don't care. And speaking of babies, if you let your toddler scream and cry for 40 minutes in my establishment, I'd yell at you, not your kid.

- Pitch Perfect 2 was aca-mazing.

- Chiropractors and massages are awesome!

- I completed week one of both the BFL and C25K programs and all I can say is ouch! 

- Spa days are always amazing, especially when paired with shopping!

- Unexpected but totally delightful emails and texts will always make me smile.

- Time spent catching up with friends over summer drinks served in mason jars is just awesome.

- Helping others is the best way to feel better about anything. 

- Venus De Miles, Ditka Dash and Bowling for Rhinos - can't wait for these events and other trips planned for later this year!

Yep

Selfie Problems

Me taking a selfie.

Me taking a selfie with an uncooperative dog who is trying to eat my hair.
(...and who makes me laugh. A lot.)

Actress

I absolutely love her!

: )

Nothing better then coming home after a long day and sitting on my couch with a big smile plastered to my face! 

Fluffy

So this is in my Puppy class.

Too stinkin' cute!

Uncork

Full Definition of UNCORK

transitive verb

1

:  to draw a cork from <uncork a bottle>

2

a :  to release from a sealed or pent-up state <uncork a surprise>

b :  to let go :  release <uncork a wild pitch>

Bastille

Because this is as good as any other reason to participate in a 5K...

Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête nationale (French pronunciation: ​[la fɛːt nasjɔˈnal]; The National Celebration) and commonly Le quatorze juillet (French pronunciation: ​[lə.katɔʁz.ʒɥiˈjɛ]; the fourteenth of July).

The French National Day commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789,^[1][2] as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. Celebrations are held throughout France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, along with other French officials and foreign guests.^[3][4]

Wordless Wednesday

Chicago Shiny Things

HBD2ME

That's right, happy birthday to me! My gift to myself was finally mailing out a box of race/event t-shirts that I have collected over the past few years which are to be made into a t-shirt quilt. I can't wait! This box of t-shirts that has been sitting in my dining room for close to two years - so no time like the present, for a present! Thank you Krista Lawhon of Krista's Kreations for taking on my request! Bye bye box, hello comfy, inspirational quilt!

QOTM

The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from the blog A Life Examined. The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael. Here is this month's question:

"What are three things you'd do tomorrow if fear wasn't stopping you?"

1) Skydive!
I always think that I want to do this, until I start thinking about the reality of it! 

2) Change careers.
If I could flip-flop my part-time job with my current full time job (and make the same amount of money!), I'm pretty sure I'd be in a state of nirvana.

3) Get pregnant. 

Ok, let me clarify - get married, and start a family. But I'm afraid that age (aging and all that comes with it) and time are not on my side and never will be. 

3.1) Travel alone.

Ok, so this is a bonus answer for all you readers. But I've always thought it would be freeing to travel alone, but most of the places I want to go to like New Orleans for example, are a bit frightening for a single, female traveler! At least in my head!

Ribs

BBQ ribs are yummy.

That is all.

Focus

Tonight's private training lesson went well. Well, let's just say I know I delivered the information well, but I am not sure how it was received. Or if it was received. I fear that the message was lost due to the over active behavior and distraction caused by that of another participant, but the fact is at the end of the day I did my job and did it well. But still, it bothers me. The lack of focus from my student(s).

What do you do when you know you're preaching to a lost crowd? Try to engage the disruptee. Try to redirect the disruptee. Try to wait out the disruption. I did all of those things to no avail. I wanted to clap my hands and yell FOCUS, but resisted at the risk of offending my client. 

Since then that word, focus, got me to thinking. Just how hard is it to focus? I have problems doing so during the work day, so should I penalize or judge someone else for not being able to do so? No. And then I thought about that - am I judging people for their lack of focus? Not really, rather their inability to control a situation (or a disruptive child in this particular case). 

But how do you deal with the feelings that your time is wasted and thoughts not appreciated? Like, when you're talking to someone and they constantly talk over you? Dismissing your part of the conversation all together. Eventually, in those cases, I shut down. What's the point? But when you're teaching, you can't shut down. The show must go on and you've got to do it with a smile on your face while you tell yourself that you can vent and blog about it later... 

Dumb

I get up too early.
Well, actually just early.
And then stay up way too late.
It's dumb.

On a side note...Happy July!