Sing-off...

Ah, The Sing-off on NBC makes me miss singing and I've also rediscovered my love for BEN FOLDS! His voice is soothing and he's got some great humor. Such a talent...and he's cute in that nerdy kinda way. Great show...check it out!

I ran two miles today and lifted. The run was pretty easy which leads me to believe that I could actually run this half marathon. I'll continue to run the rest of this week, makes me feel alive.

Dear Ben Folds,
Please read me a bed time story every night before I go to bed. Oh, and can you find the Zak to my Sara. Much love,
Sara without an H

Runner?

Signed up for a half-marathon on May 1. I'm excited to start training full-time in January! Does this make me an official runner, I still have trouble with that label.

I'm also hoping to get certified in Zumba in January and I will begin to pursue teaching.

Life is good!

One more week...

I'm finally healed! After coming back from a wonderful Thanksgiving, I came down with the flu. I was out of comission for basically a week and now I'm feeling healthy and happy again.

Unfortunately, I didn't get my tree up until yesterday with the help of my friend Jen. I added my newly purchased Packer footballs and Milwaukee Brewers candy canes. My tree is colorful and happy. I must be honest and say that I'm lacking the Christmas enthusiam I normally have around the holidays, perhaps the sickness or lack of snowy weather makes it feel less like Christmas. I hope to regain it when I go Christmas shopping this coming weekend.

The students start heading out this week! Crazy...and then we close and I work for a couple of days and head back to the 'scon. I'll have some stops in Chi-town and Mil-town.

After Christmas, I'll begin to start up my job search and continue to peel away the layers of what is next in this crazy life. It may be a crazy life...but it's MY life (thanks, Jon & Kate, they can't use that phrase anymore anyway...)

Until we talk again...
Sar

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for...

1) staff meetings that make me giggle

2) laughter

3) My wonderful staff

4) Wine & cheese

5) Zumba

6) Wisconsin

Yeah--safe travels to the world! :)

Millions of peaches...

I'll be honest: I think the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has a good plot. And then I wonder if I would erase anyone? Hm...sounds like a good idea at first, but then I wouldn't be where I am today, right?

Also, I'm offended by people who take my "things." Like if I were a person who canned peaches, I would want to be "the person who canned peaches" and then someone else goes along and "cans peaches" after I already was doing it. It's just not right. Maybe it's a little irrational, since many people can can peaches...but YOU. Quit canning peaches, that's what I do. It didn't bother me when you made strawberry jam. I was fine with that, I made fun of you, but was still fine with that and then you go ahead and start canning peaches and now I'm done! I will however continue canning peaches and do it much better than you.

I'm leaving on a jet plane...ah, iTunes I love you.

me

GLACUHO

Hello friends and family,

I'm writing from Fort Wayne, IN, what a great state, with great views of flat land and highway. However, this is the home of Vera Bradley and I happen to own many of those purses.

I'm also at a conference for Housing professionals and it's great. I'm working on a Conference Programming Committee, which has allowed me to know others and work on the planning of programs during the conference.

I present tomorrow :) on suite-style living and community building--get excited! :) My wonderful, amazing supervisor (Matt I know you're reading this...) has presented today!

The best part about GLACUHO is that it reminds me about what I do and the impact that I hopefully make on students. I've been able to think deeply about what the next step is and where I may be heading professionally. While everything may not be very clear, I know that I enjoy what I do and I'm so thankful for that. I owe quite a bit to my parents who always supported me and pushed me. So thanks mom and dad...even though you don't read my blog...

I'm also excited to be heading home for Thanksgiving! I love me some Pribek food. :)

Until I post again...so long...

Ruby is getting old.

My little Saturn, Ruby, didn't want to start today. Hm....I hope she doesn't die and I hope I don't have to pay tons of money to fix her. Feel better, Ruby.

I love AZ!!!

Just two small town crazy girls...

Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable but small. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave?

anyone?

Anyone up for building an ark? It's been raining FOREVER here.

Happy Halloween :)

I'm warning you ahead of time...

I'm returning to the homeland! :) Be prepared to celebrate my return with a parade, lavish dinner, wine & cheese, presents, and games.

I leave Arizona feeling more opened about the possibilities of what's next.

Really? Do I have to leave?

BAH! I'm leaving AZ. Sad, but true.

Although I've had several thoughts about what would happen if I just started living here. I just disappear from IL, start living in the mountains...but that would be irresponsible and I'll just have to be patient and find the right time (and right place) to move.

Oh Illinois...if you could only be warmer...(so my heart wasn't this cold...) HA!

Make Your Own Trail

Hey all!

Greetings from Flagstaff :) I'm here visiting Rosemary with my friend Jacob. She's an alum of Wesleyan and a real sweetheart. We went out on the town. Friday night we camped in Sedona area---very cool! We hiked Saturday during the day, we tried to find a trail and created our own trail instead. I have the scrapes on my legs to prove it. As Jacob says, "Arizona hurts!"

Heading back to Phoenix to visit my friend Katie and hang with Jacob some more. Don't be worried if I don't make it back to IL, I'm falling in love with AZ.

Sara

Arizona!

Hey folks! :)

I'm in Arizona! I'm visiting my good friend Jacob, who left the flat lands of IL to live in great weather and be a hall director at ASU. He also runs a tax business.

I'm here until Tuesday and I already done want to leave--but I'm sure Jacob will kick me out eventually. I saw a cactus and palm trees and dirt...so far.

Tonight we're camping, then hiking at Sedona, then going to Flagstaff to go out and have some fun! Sweeeettt! I love vacations. :)

Sara

Sometimes, when I drink fluids, I have a hole in my chin.

What I've learned today....

"What I've learned today..." is a feature blog post on my blog (meaning you'll probably see it more than once). I'd like to think of it as a positive spin on not-so-fun things that happen during my day.

What I've learned today: Oct. 14, 2009
1) Trust your gut, especially when you are hungry.
2) Never trust a curly-haired man, thank you Coach Sue. Sue's rainbow tent will gladly protect you from his storm of racism.
3) A glass of red wine has never let me down...now, white on the other hand...
4) Laughter is the best medicine! (Thanks Laura!)
5) Random emails/texts from long lost friends goes a long way.
6) Michael Buble, I haven't met you yet!
7) Wii is a great stress reliever, try the game when you sword fight someone.
8) Finger nails take a long time to grow back.
9) Because I know you--I have been changed for good. Thanks for reading.

Great Urban Race on Friday---it's like Amazing Race but in Bloomington! Danielle and I are going to win $300 or something crazy like that. Go us :)

Michael Buble (with a little mark over the "e")

So...I forgot how much I loved this guy until his cute little face was on Oprah talking about his new CD, Crazy Love. He happened to sing a song that I've played on repeat all night. Here's some lyrics to "Haven't Met You Yet"

And I know someday That It’ll All Turn Out
You’ll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I’ll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Mmmm...
I Might Have To Wait, I’ll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Timing, And The Other's Half’s Luck
Wherever You Are, Whenever It's Right
You’ll Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

For all my married friends....wait, that's all my friends, check out "Hold On."

It's Homecoming Week here in the Blo/No and I'm proud to say I got much accomplished and helped a little. Tomorrow I proctor the SAT and I'll probably do some laundry...I know, it's an exciting life I lead here in the middle of corn. As the weather begins to turn colder, home is on my mind a bit more. Football on Sundays, chili and its leftovers for weeks, pumpkin everything, apple cider...of course, the list goes on, but I'm doing pretty swell.

XOXO (just like Gossip girl),
Sar

Sounds like life to me...

Oops...I accidentally bought a Wii. Mainly, I just wanted to help stimulate the economy. Secondly, I wanted to play it...daily. I hope to do so.

Get excited! :)

Off the wagon!

You know you've fallen off the wagon when you're watching The Biggest Loser while eating Culvers and wearing your work clothes! I did't even know the Biggest Loser was on TV now.

My "N" key is sticking on my computer so the N doesn't always show up when I type. It makes me wonder what life is like without any "Ns." Oh, it just fixed itself...weird.

I enjoy Jillian Michaels. If I had anyone I could be...it would probably be her. She's very cut-throat, plus she's got a great body and one I dream of having. She's says what she wants to say and I wish I could do that more instead of write a blog about it. At least people know where she stands...and she just told someone she's full of shit...ha. I'm not sure I could do that or perhaps I'm learning. I'm semi-disappointed in her marketing herself and her workout skills, since that's just a little annoying, but I'll deal with it.

I love Culver's root beer.

My apartment is a cool 65 degrees. Chilly...yeah, me too. Thank God for fuzzy socks and large comfy blankets.

Here's to a 5:30 wake-up call to WORK OUT. Time to get back on the wagon...

Big Girls Don't Cry

I can't cry. I've tried similar to Cameron Diaz in "The Holiday," it quite strange actually. I wonder if this is normal.

I am not good at driving at night. My brain plays tricks on me, it's like I see people, bears, deer...running across the freeway.

I enjoy small children. They are cute and fun to play with and then they leave and don't bother me anymore.

I enjoy a glass of red wine in the evening hours of the day.

Random texts from long lost friends are nice to receive and make me smile.

I miss my friends.

RUN for your life.

I ran my 5K and it felt great! My father was there to see me through the finish line, which was a great feeling :) I think I will continue to run more 5Ks.

Super hero?

Readers: Don't try to save the world by yourself. It doesn't work.

Also, how do you wake up Lady Gaga?

POKE HER FACE!

That never gets old...

Zumba

After a long day, Zumba is the cure! I also don't think that white people should "zumba" in public. It's funny to watch myself, but even funnier to watch others and that makes me laugh.

My night will consist of work, turkey sandwich, asprin, Six feet Under and...yep, well, that's a Monday for ya.

5K around the corner!

Lake Michigan is beautiful! I ran along the Chicago lakeshore on Saturday and the breeze and water the breathtaking. I wish I could run there every day and perhaps someday I will. I have the Autism 5K this weekend and I'm not sure I'm 100 percent ready. I plan to run tomorrow and Wednesday and still lift on Tuesday and Thursday. I run bright and early on Saturday and can't wait to give my dad a big hug at the end of the run.

My dad is visiting me this weekend and it's always exciting to have visitors. This visit is exciting since it's the first time he's been down here to Blo-No. I can't wait to enjoy the weather and relax with my dad.

I'm currently a bit obsessed with the series, "Six Feet Under." It ran for 5 seasons and it's follows the life of a family who owns a funeral home. Richard Jenkins, IWU Class of '69, is the dead father who "visits" the children. It's pretty great and I'm really obsessed...but I have one final season left.

Zumba tomorrow :) and then a run...

As far as the rest of my evening--GO PACK GO!

Welcome September!

I can't believe it's already September! After spending a wonderful weekend in Mil-town, I welcome the cool, breezy days of autumn. My weekend was great--filled with visits from great friends.

Is the day back from vacation always crazy? I wish it could be less stressful, but I got a lot done and have a nice list waiting for me tomorrow. Bring it!

I like turkey sandwiches. I had a fresh tomato and it was so amazing. I bought a new book about weightlifting and it's got many helpful tips in it. I'm excited to get the programs started.

More granola...soon I hope.
Sar

Reunited and it feels so good...

I took a bike ride yesterday! It felt great. (Now, I wont go into details on how many miles, how long it took me, how many calories I've burned, etc. I feel like that's a bit excessive and when people share those details I get a little annoyed.) However, my butt is a little sore at the moment, but I hope that will heal soon.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm the queen of balance (but I am the granola queen!), however I have been very good at taking care of me. I easily recognize when I need down time and I take it and if people question that too bad for them, they're not me. I feel like this has contributed to my healthy eating and workout habits. They have to happen otherwise I get crabby and irritated easier.

Tonight I will endure a brutal and intense lifting session and THEN I'm going to have some drinks with close friends, because...I need it! Thanks for reading...

I am a granola genius!

So, my granola is awesome!

This is what I did: took some oats, whole almonds, pecans, and brown sugar and mixed it all up in bowl. Then I spread it all on a cookie sheet (or 9 by 11 pan) and sprinkled more brown sugar and drizzled honey on it. Put the sheet into the 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. I noticed it wasn't really getting gooey and sticky, so I added a concoction with a stick of melted butter, more brown sugar, and honey and drizzled that on top and mixed it in. After 10 more minutes in the oven, I let it cool and stirred it up, making nice piecey bite-size granola! A friend suggested egg whites instead of butter to hold it together and I will try this next time since I'm a bit disappointed with the butter amount.

I'm a true genius!

Doug is going to fill my bike tires with air--time for bike ride :) Can't wait!

A bad day turned good!

The secret to a bad day turning into a good one is a great run! (well, this may not be for everyone, but it certainly helps me.) If I didn't run, things would certainly be worse. Also, yesterday I did Zumba--loved it! Now I have something to look forward to on Monday nights after work.

Speaking of running, while I was running on the treadmill, a women several treadmills over was drinking a Diet Coke...really?! really. Now, I'm typically not judgmental at the gym especially since my face turns bright red and sweat drips from everywhere while I run. I ponder why someone would drink a Diet Coke, that would make me burp. Hm.

Also when I stepped into the gym area a women asked me how I got my stomach...lol, she said I had a nice stomach. I told her I lift and run and workout nearly everyday. That made me feel good :)

I attempted to make granola tonight, not sure if it worked, a little on the sweet side since I added brown sugar and honey. I added a little salt and that made it better. We'll see how it tastes when it cools off. Any help on this, please let me know!

I'm turning into super organic queen. Eating healthy is very fun, there's not much turning back now but I don't really want to. If I could only over come my weakness of Culvers...and McDonald's Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuits...

Hugs. I miss my friends. Muah!

Days like today...

Ah, move-in. Today I was stationed at a table to help IWU parents and students move onto campus. Days like today always give me a chance to reflect upon my experience at WLC and even EIU.

My dad and I left with two tupperware bins, a couple of suitcases, and some bedding. We pulled up to West Hall, where several students helped me move in, although it probably took one trip. I met Andrea and Autumn and we arranged our room and I had the very top bunk out of three beds. My dad left after an hour...no tears...and there I was, ready to begin my college experience. I met some absolutely great friends and miss them dearly.

It's days like today that I'm thankful for college, friends, and family.

Tired She Wrote...

Hello friends.

I'm back for a quick update. These past two weeks I've been heavily involved in training our student staff for the residents to return. While I've truly enjoyed getting to know the staff, I was pretty tired those last couple of days. So tired that I could sleep! Crazy. I'm not sure why the body responds that way...

Regardless, I've been running, running, running to prepare for the 5K in September. September is a great month filled with visitors, football games, and a little time to relax. Blessid Union of Souls in coming to campus---I simply cannot wait!

Tomorrow I'm churching and running errands around town. It's been a good weekend filled with plenty of movie watching...

Stay turned for funnier blogs. I promise. Night.

Good-bye Summer.

Dear Summer,
Thank you for the memories. What can I say? It was nice getting to know you these past two months. You brought me friends, great weather, a quiet place to live, and ice cream (I really enjoyed the ice cream). I'm sorry you have to leave since I understand that all good things must come to an end. I know you will return sooner than later with much love to bring. Thanks again, I look forward to your return! XOXO, Sara

That's my good-bye letter to summer because...it's over. While I'm sad, I'm also very excited for the coming weeks ahead (guess that's the workaholic in me).

In other news, I'm finally healed. I had some bad cold sores, bug bites, and a weird crazy exhaustion. I'm all better now. Thank God, it was touch and go for a while.

Anyone in for a 5K on Saturday, Sept. 19--it's for Autism Awareness in McClean County. Who's with me? Now that I'm back in good health, I'll be training (probably in the early morning hours). LET'S DO IT!

Happy first week of August. :) Go Evan on SYTYCD--final four!

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit My Blog

10) Because I'm awesome and will offer funny stories to amuse you about my life

9) Because I tell stories about bug bites. This Sunday I noticed multiple bites on my left shin. I don't recall how I got these bites, so last night I washed all my sheets and blankets in hopes to rid my apartment of anything that might bite me unexpectedly and leave red sores.

8) I will have pictures of newly decorated areas in my apartment

7) I give rice krispie recipies:

6 cups rice krispies

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup corn syrup (Kero light)

1 cup white sugar

Frosting: 6 oz. chocolate chips & 6 oz. butterscotch chips melted together

Instructions: Bring sugar and corn syrup to a low boil, mix in peanut butter. Add rice krispies while continuously stirring because it can harden easily. (This may be a two person job--one adds rice krispies, one stirs). Add mixture to a buttered 8 1/2 by 11 pan. Pat down gently (with buttered fingers). Cool and add chocolate frosting when cooled.

6) If you send me your address, you may get a snail mail greeting.

5) I'm from Wisconsin and that's funny enough.

4) I live in IL and that's even funnier.

3) I enjoy all shades of green.

2) I will share most of my joys with you (and hopefully no sorrows).

1) I'm not Sarah Palin!

A Visitor!

Hello readers,

This was my final weekend of summer. Yes, I know only the end of July, but I start duty next week and some of our student staff return next Sunday. The month of August will be crazy busy filled with key packaging, presentations about policies and procedures, spending quality bonding time with my staff of nine students, and finally moving everyone back to campus. Say some prayers so I make it to September!

My college friend, Laura, came for a visit. On Friday we made dinner and reconnected with Megan, another friend from college who's back in the area. Saturday was filled with pedis, shopping, walking, and making food for Game Night. We laughed, we cried, we had a pillow fight in our underwear...need less to say, it was a good time! (I won the pillow fight btw). It's so nice to have friends around.

She left this morning and I remained lazy for most of the afternoon.

"The Bachelorette" Finale tomorrow...who's it gonna be?

SYTYCD, Sara?

SYTYCD! 100th episode!

I wish I could zap myself into my old dancing years. I miss it and wish I could have been more dedicated. I remember the feeling of performing and get a little hit of jealousy watching others display such amazing talents.

Let me take you back to second grade:

Grades Kindergarten through 4th grade did a little show called "Going Buggy," an easy-going children's musical about saving bugs. I was a fire fly, but not just any fire fly. A fire fly with a speaking part, I even remember my line: "When people want light in order to see they call upon the power of electricity. People use poles, wires, and plugs. We do it simply we're electricity bugs." I was truly amazing. Thus began my love for the stage. Only years later did I realize that I would always be a member of the "chorus," but in my mind I still saw my name in lights.

Ho hum, a girl can dream right?

For the record, I do think I can dance and thanks for asking.

Sara Speaks

After years of silence, I finally speak: Sara Speak.

And here I am in the blog world...blogging. Will I really use this thing? Perhaps. However, I think this blog will give to you, the reader, whatever I offer. Random facts, minor rants, activities of the day. Hopefully a little adventure we'll survive together. Right?

That's all for now. Stay tuned for new posts!