Big changes!

Hey there! I'm still trying to get into this whole blogging thing, so pardon my absence. I have some really exciting things to announce...

I will be moving to an apartment complex called the Albemarle in Van Ness at the end of the month! This is really great news since it is slightly cheaper than my current place, closer to work, near some wonderful running trails, and - here's the kicker...a 5 minute walk to the metro on the redline!!

I am SO excited to finally do away with my henious commute. Even though it only took about 20-30 minutes in traffic, driving up and down Wisconsin Ave. twice a day really got my blood boiling. I am really looking forward to starting (and ending!) my day a little less stressed. A few caveats about my new situation: I will be living in the same building as the 2 other people in my lab (a UDIG - Unit on Dynamic Imaging Genetics, first!), I will have to share a bathroom with 2 other people, I have to leave Stewie (my car) at home (it's 150/mo to park there), and I don't really have a living room - weird, I know. It's because it was originally a 1 bedroom apartment which has been turned into a 3 bedroom. My room is pretty big though, so I might have the space to do a kind of bedroom/living room thing in there with a futon.

The other change I am getting excited about is something that's happening tomorrow...I'm getting a haircut and highlights! Carrie Bradshaw circa season 5 is the inspiration for the new do. I'm so sick of my hair, and I haven't attempted to go short since the 7th grade - which was a disaster. Now that I have a little more experience styling my hair, (and since I'm going somewhere fancy to get it done: http://www.parlourdc.com/) I hope I will have better luck this time around!

Okay, I have to go get ready to stop by my new place and sign some things. I'll be back later - possibly with a few more updates. :)

Bathing Beauties

Since I'm still not feeling great, but not working out was driving me up a wall, I decided to do something I haven't done in YEARS. Laps at the pool! I managed to convince Amanda to come along with me since I didn't actually know where it was. For $5 (Amanda used her student ID) I got access to all of the facilities in the field house for as long as I wanted (well, until they closed)! They have a sauna, lap pool, diving pool, cardio machine, squash courts, basketball courts, and probably some other things we didn't get a chance to see. I will definitely be back!

Amanda and I had our own lanes right next to one another. We warmed up with a few laps before churning out a 500 made up of mostly freestyle and breaststroke, with a few laps of backstroke thrown in for good measure. It was a great low-key workout to help ease me back into the groove after having to take so much time off while I've been sick. I had a tasty breakfast to fuel my swim this morning consisting of:

• Flat Out italian herb wrap
• Cheddar cheese
• Egg whites
• Ketchup (Heinz, of course!)
• Handful of cherries
• Mug of mango green tea

It was a great breakfast that definitely kept me fueled through my swim. When I got home I was feeling the burn though (of hunger!) and threw together some vanilla greek yogurt, Kashi Go Lean Crunch and Optimum Blueberry Cinnamon cereal with raisins and crushed pecans. Yummy!

Since I never got around to doing laundry yesterday, I'm going to get on that now while doing some GRE prep. First I'm calling my dad to bug him about the vacay we are supposed to be planning. He is impossible to pin down with this stuff. This has been in the works for the last month and so far zero progress has been made. Today is my last attempt! If he can't commit to something, I'm going to start planning other trips for my 2 weeks off from work (I'm so psyched! Our study goes down the last 2 weeks in August).

I almost forgot, since I didn't recap from yesterday... Amanda and I met up with our friend Brian at the community pool in G-town and soaked up some sun (with my spf 50 on, of course!) for a couple of hours. Amanda and I decided to drop off our Goodwill donations afterwards, then went to Dicks Sporting Goods in VA so I could use my $10 off coupon I got at my half in May. I ended up buying a swimsuit on sale for $35, and a yoga mat for $19.99. Thank goodness I got that suit, it really came in handy today! I like my yoga mat, but didn't realize it was an extra LONG one. It's way too long to bust out in class without folding it. Perfect for my long legs, but probably not a good idea to take up an extra foot or so in a crowded yoga class.

After Dicks we went to Old Navy where I picked up some flip flops (2 pair for $5!) and a sports bra on sale for $10. We headed home after that since I had plans to watch movies with 2 of my friends who are moving out west soon. All in all, not the most productive day - but a good one.

Minute Clinic to the rescue!

Despite the many green monsters I have been religiously slurping down for the past couple weeks, I've been feeling terrible! So, yesterday I skipped out on work a little early and headed for the Minute Clinic at CVS. Let me just tell you, the Minute Clinic is a life saver!

Since moving to DC last year (I can't believe it's already been a year!), I've come to realize how lucky I was with doctors back in PA. True, they didn't attend the most prestigious universities or engage in cutting-edge research, but they were always available in a pinch and gave you the time and attention that you need when you're feeling under the weather. I just recently got a primary care physician (~ 3 months ago), but remembering how long I had to wait to see him (about 2 weeks), decided I should check out the Minute Clinic instead.

I originally went thinking I had a sinus infection and actually contemplated leaving before the nurse saw me, but decided to stick it out. I always feel bad because I think that they are going to think I'm a wimp and tell me to just get rest, etc., because nothing is really wrong with me. I don't know why I feel that way, because I tend not to go to the doc's unless I'm REALLY under the weather. Clearly, I need to stop doubting myself a trust my body a little more since I was diagnosed with a sinus infection AND an ear infection. I got some giant horse pills (antibiotics) and have been feeling loads better since taking my first pill last night. Unfortunately, not well enough to get a workout in today.

I'm a terrible patient. I get so angry and impatient when I'm not feeling well. I don't want to take a time-out on life! I'm missing out on a trip to King's Dominion with my friends today (sinus infections and upside-down rides don't mix), and had to nix a run with one of my best friends who is moving across the country very shortly. PLUS I haven't had any physical activity since Monday. It's driving me a little loco. Hopefully, I'll be feeling well enough to get a run in tomorrow. Cross your fingers!

I think some laundry, reading/studying, and maybe a little pool time is on the docket for today. I also need to go drop off the clothes and shoes my roommate and I want to donate. Yay for cleaning out closets AND helping the needy!