Sunday Funday

Sunday funday is something that Bo nor I rarely participated in when we lived in the city. Sunday was often a day we protected for errands, relaxing, cooking, and preparing for the week together.

When I realized that I’d be back from Hartford by 1pm on Sunday, my sole request to Theodora was a Sunday Funday. I wanted to enjoy time in the city with friends but I didn’t want there to be any crazy plans as lately my life has been over programmed.

We started our afternoon at Madison Square Eats, one of my favorite spots in the city. Each season they have different vendors from around the different boroughs selling everything from beer and lobster roles to Korean barbecue!

After exploring the stalls we settled on sharing a seasonal beer and lobster role from Red Hook Lobster Pound. Enjoyed under yesterday’s blue sky and sunshine while having some quality one on one girl time, it was pretty perfect and delicious!

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From Madison Square Park we meandered down to Lululemon where I bought my annual marathon reward. This year I went with a pair of Speed Tight Cozy winter running pants and a black Scuba Hoodie.

From there we strolled down to the West Village where we snagged a spot in Blind Tiger, a great craft beer bar which was luckily not taken over by NFL football fans. For the next four hours we talked non-stop.

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I think Katie summarized it perfectly – the atmosphere felt as if I’d never left. The beer wasn’t bad either. Throughout the afternoon I sipped on A Little Sumpin’ Wilde Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company and New Holland Beer Hive.  Both were so flavorful that I quickly forgot that Blind Tiger was out of their pumpkin beer and didn’t have any traditional “seasonal” beers on tap. Of course no catch up session with girls is complete without pictures. Can we talk about my cheeks? I think that’s called post marathon water retention or just happiness.

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We ended the evening a few blocks down the road at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the city, Agave.IMG_3238

There we each consumed one too many margaritas, all the guacamole, and delicious tacos before saying goodnight. I am so thankful these ladies came out for a Sunday Funday and made me feel like I really have just been gone on an extended business trip.

Things like this help me realize that while there are thousands of miles between us on a daily basis, it hasn’t changed our friendships. Yes we have to work a bit harder and ensure we stay in touch via WhatsApp, phone, GChat, and emails, but in the end it’s worth it!

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ING Hartford Marathon Expo

This afternoon, after arriving in Hartford, Amy and I headed over to the XL Center for the ING Hartford Marathon Expo. As we walked towards the expo from the parking deck we saw lots of marathon banners and fun signs along the sidewalks, pointing out tomorrow’s marathon course!

IMG_3114The ING Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon expo was such a pleasure to experience today with Amy and Laura, who we met once we arrived!  Even though we were there during the lunch hour rush, there were still plenty of friendly volunteers and coordinators answering questions and helping all the runners! We may have squealed with excitement when we saw the marathon t-shirts as they are an adorably soft orange creamsicle technical shirt in fitted women’s sizing. I can already tell that it’s going to quickly become a favorite! IMG_3128You know this is a smaller marathon when my number only has 3 digits! How the heck did that happen?

IMG_3120After picking up our bibs and shirts we were finally able to give Danielle a huge hug! Danielle is Amy’s sister-in-law and one of the race coordinators. She was the one who suggested Amy and I make a weekend out of the ING Hartford Half and Marathon! She is kindly hosting us in her home this weekend and has made sure that our experience is nothing but fabulous!

IMG_3124We spent the rest of the time at the expo chatting with the sponsors, including Cabot Cheese, Lara Bars, the Hartford Psyching Team, and the course guides! They were so sweet to answer my nervous questions about the route since I am unfamiliar with Hartford. Supposedly the out and back miles are through a small neighborhood with plenty of foliage and local spectators cheering in their yards! So let’s talk about this psyching team as it is something totally new to me! They literally stand along the sidelines screaming positive words of encouragement and wisdom which has been tested among athletes! They even gave out pieces of the finish line so athletes can pin it to their bibs and “feel close to the finish line” the entire race!

Photo: Coolest concept ever: Hartford Psyching Team of professors and PHDs from Springfield College to provide psych tips and cheer you on to a strong finish!

After exploring the expo we headed to a local deli to grab lunch for ourselves and Danielle! Just like last year, I went with a turkey sandwich on a soft roll, water and Food Should Taste Good chips we were given at the expo!

marathon prepThat was the extent of our afternoon adventures. The rest of our day has consisted of elevated legs on a comfortable couch, Law & Order SVU, Revenge, Grey’s Anatomy, candy corn, pita chips, stretching, a pasta dinner, some time with the foot massager, and lots of water! An 8am start time means plenty of sleep for us this evening in hopes of fresh legs and hearts tomorrow morning! It’s going to be a wonderful day! Strong heart, strong legs!

Thank you everyone for your amazing support and well wishes! The calls, emails, texts, Facebook, Twitter, and blog comments have me so excited and encouraged!

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Day in the Life: October 3, 2013

Over the past month two of my friends, Theodora and Meghann, have featured Day In The Life posts on their blogs. I really enjoy reading posts like this as it helps me understand a blogger just a bit more if I know what their “normal” day is like versus mine. Therefore, I thought I would do the same.

I really have 3 types of days so this will be a glimpse into one of them – a commuting day. In the future I’ll do a Geneva day and then a working from London day as well.

5:15am – Alarm goes off but my body screams for more minutes. Since it’s taper time I’m really listening to my body’s request for sleep.

5:30am – Alarm #2 goes off and I relax in bed for 15 minutes catching up on news, blogs and emails before finally getting out of bed

5:45am – Change into running gear and wash my face before heading out the door. I wash my face as this is the quickest way to wake myself up in the morning when I’m drowsy.

IMG_28956:00am – Decide that this morning’s run will be 4 miles around the neighborhood as my deep tissue massage and speed session has left my legs tired and sore.

6:41am – Walk through the door feeling much better after the run. Amazed that it is still so warm in Geneva.

6:45-7:20am – Shower, dry hair, make bed, apply make-up, and head out the door.

7:20am – Realize, in panic, that I forgot to pack my bag for London.

7:20-7:30am- Thankful that I already have a few things in London, including workout gear and a few silk blouses, I only pack a yoga outfit and one change of clothes before dashing out the door.

7:42 – 8:07am – Faster than normal commute to work via the tram and bus. I have fallen in love with listening to Jillian Michael’s podcasts during the commute and especially enjoy today’s, Words of Comfort.

8:15am – Pick up bircher muesli and coffee from the cafe in the office.  IMG_2076

8:20-9am – Catch up on work emails before the day of meetings begins

9-11:45am- 3 different meetings with 3 different groups of people about 3 different topics, all relating to e-commerce growth

11:45-12:00pm – Grab a few bites of lox, grilled chicken and salad from the catered lunch bar we ordered for our presentation to the organization. It still amazes me how much the food in Geneva differs from New York, especially for catered events. 

12-1:30pm Lead a lunchtime Digital, E-Commerce and Social Fundamentals training with my 2 counterparts, Ema and Christa, for our organization. Attendance is so strong that there aren’t enough seats for the group and food runs out early. In awe that over 80 people attended!

1:30-2:15pm Catch up on morning emails

2:15-3:45pm My weekly 90 minute French lesson with Professor Dib is more fun than normal because the entire lesson revolves around travel vocabulary. He realizes that I’m very good at memorizing and we make our way through 60 words by the end of the lesson. He also warns me that I’ll have homework when I’m in the US and it will be conjugating, not vocabulary.

3:45pm Dash upstairs to close out a few emails, touch base with a colleague and refill my water bottle before packing up my computer.

4pm Realize once again that I can’t take advantage of our office airport shuttle since it only begins the afternoon service at 4:30. Instead wait for a taxi since a bus will take too long.

4:15pm Begin getting very anxious when a taxi still hasn’t arrived.

4:17pm Three Italian colleagues inform me that they ordered a taxi and I can ride with them for free.

4:32pm Run to security, thankful to find a shorter than normal line.

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4:45pm Have a five minute conversation with the customs guard who wants to know how I’m enjoying living between two cities. I really enjoy taking the time to slow down and converse with him as it reminds me how lucky I am, even during the chaotic moments, to have this opportunity. He asks about New York City and I end up recommending three restaurants and a hotel to him before leaving for my gate.

4:58pm I have 10 minutes before my flight boards and know that I really do not want the complimentary dinner sandwich they give you on the flight. Instead go into the small cafe and buy a salad and sparking water, proud of myself for making the healthier food decision. Bo will appreciate me not being “hangry pants” when I land in London.

IMG_29205:10 – 6:30pm Flight from Geneva to London City Airport via Swiss Air. Swiss is actually cheaper than EasyJet these days and the experience is far better overall. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while I spend the hour going through work emails.

6:41pm Make my way through customs at London City Airport in record time

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6:44 – 7:20pm Commute to Marylebone via DLR to Canningtown then Jubilee Line to Baker Street

7:30 – 8pm Chat with Theodora via GChat and do some light cleaning around the flat before Bo gets home.

8-8:15pm It starts raining so instead of roaming around High Street in search of a dinner spot we dash into a pub for a pint.

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8:15 – 9:20pm The rain gets heavier so our pub choice turns into our dinner spot as well. Luckily the Yelp reviews are positive for the pubs alcohol selection and their food. While we’re both hungry we decide to share everything since the menu is very rich. We share a salad, appetizer and roasted chicken.

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9:30-9:45pm Start downloading a movie on iTunes and catch up with friends back in US via GChat

9:45pm We are both exhausted so decide to call it an early night.

What does a day in your life look like?

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