one slight thing more

I just wanted to share this: I went for a run this afternoon, an hour or two before the sun set, right before the time when the sun turns everything gold. I ran out to my spot on the lake, overlooking the lake and the city. The lake had frozen into circles of ice, which were crashing into each other with this most delightful, beautiful sound like frozen icicle chimes. I turned off my music, yanked off my ear warmer, and sat and listened, for a long while. And then, like usual, I started talking, out loud, to God. I laid everything out, with the ice chorus the backdrop to my prayers. I told Him my fears, my worries, my hopes, my concerns, and asked for direction and peace. Then I noticed the sky. Right where I was sitting the sky was split right down the middle- to my right, where the city was, it was overcast and the water and sky were this same sickly yellow-gray. To my left, the sun was setting and the sky was clear, and the water looked like what I call "winter lake" - all blue and pink and purple. Really, most beautiful. And I saw, where I sat, the cloud and clear sky met in the most curious manner. It was a direct line, splitting the sky in two, right above my perch. I said to God, ok God. I'd really rather have the beautiful scene to the left. It's one of your best works. But, if I need to take the right, and travel through an overcast, sickly gray, then ok. Whatever is in store, I am simply convinced God will still be there. But really, I'd prefer the beautiful sunset.

Then I sat and watched the ice chink with the gentle waves for quite some time, and was lulled to peace by their graceful ups and downs. The lake is good. God is good.

I ran home hard, and the icy air pierced my lungs.

the Bassett, she comes she goes

frustration

pretty furious right now. Took me 3 hours to get home from work today (normally takes 2) because of L malfunction... .. . .. ... ..... and on top of the 16.50 on public transpo I spent 14 dollars on taxis that I had to take because the public transpo failed me.... I will spare you the details, I vented to my poor roommate as soon as i got in the door, but I am still furious. FURIOUS!

Part of my commute also is a 3 mile bike ride from the commuter rail to my workplace. So, I bike 6 miles a day on a lovely country path and today I even ventured to the bluff in Lake Bluff and Is. It. Gorgeous. When I get a camera I will take pictures for you. It's even more beautiful than the bluff at my undergrad. I might go swim down there after or before work one of these days. so gorgeous, it must be explored.

the biking is all the workout I can squeeze in- I am gone from 6am-8:20pm every M, W, TH, and from 7am-6pm each Friday, so working in workouts are going to take some effort.

Tomorrow I pick up my bike!! May long bike rides commence. Just in time for the heat wave. or heat pump, as my local meteorologist calls it. bring it, just bring it.

sore!

A little bit sore today, but it's a good feeling. I'm surprised I didn't feel queasy running yesterday, as I had just split half a pizza with my roomie and eaten a ton of grapes right before I ran...

right after I got back from running yesterday I felt really weak, like I couldn't stand. So I plopped on the couch and worked on my research. after about an hour passed, I started to feel really energized and good, as though suddenly my runner's high had kicked in. I actually like not exercising for awhile, because when you come back to it your legs are fresh, and you feel the effects of running so much more strongly. I sound like a drug addict.

it's true, though. I work behind a computer; there are few reasons for me to ever leave it. So having an excuse to exercise and go to the lake and GET OUTSIDE is welcome. I'm actually also looking for a pick up soccer team to join- I used to love it so much in grade school, and played whenever I could with friends in Boston, but haven't really done it here in Chicago. A beach volleyball team would be fun to join too, but I think it's too late in the season for that. Anything that would get me outside more...

Also in the works: thinking of a fall east coast road trip to VT, ME, NY, and MA. to see the foilage, of course. and maybe a camping trip? I miss the east coast camping trips too! All these things I just never really picked up again when I moved to Chicago... but now with grad school ending...

ah plans. plans plans and more plans.