You've Got Mail

Remember when the Internet was this novel thing? People were amazed by it. People would wait 5 minutes to connect to it on their 28.8 modem. When 56k was "so fast!" I remember I was in 4th grade when my school got a grant to buy a bunch of computers. Each classroom would have to "check out" the computers. One of my first computer memories was using Creative Writer with McZee. Remember McZee and Imaginapolis?!

If you don't remember: click here. That shit was boss. If I was able to get that right now, I would totally write my grad school papers in it with sparkly borders.

Anyway, what really got me started on this post was the movie "You've Got Mail." First of all, I love Tom Hanks and will watch anything with him. But I love that movie. If you've never seen, it's basically about 2 people, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, who meet in a chat room. They become email pen pals. Turns out in real life, they are business rivals. He eventually finds out its her but she doesn't find out its him until the end and they have fallen in love, of course. But the movie got me thinking...

When Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan talk to their friends about their pen pals..the dialogue is funny. Like, it is almost taboo to have met someone online. *gasp* Like..meeting someone online?! What if they are a serial killer?! This notion always made me laugh because anyone you meet in person could be a serial killer. Or more likely...not.

When I was 14 I finally got my own computer at home. I spent so much time on that thing. My first computer was a Compaq desktop. It had one of the monitors where the speakers attach to it. It had Windows 98 on it and it was the best thing ever. I spent a lot of time in chat rooms, on messenger. It was good times. I never met anyone from there, however. Not until college.

I think the Internet has revolutionized human relationships. Now...I know. Some people ONLY talk to people online and therefore...their human relationship is lacking. But I'd say for the general public..it's been a good thing. You can find support groups online. Message Boards. Dating.

I met Sean on Match.Com. Had it not been for that, I would have never met him. I met one of my best best friends, Jeremy, in chat room. And because of a message board, I have friends all over the country and in Canada and I've met most of them. All great people. Thanks, Internet!

I guess my point to this was that the Internet has the ability to connect people in more ways than most think. I like that meeting someone from the Internet is no longer taboo. In fact, most people I know I either met initially on the Internet or they have met someone that way. Of course, you still have to protect yourself and be safe about it. No one should just meet someone willy-nilly.

I think it'll be interesting to see what's next. Maybe my children will laugh at me for thinking my current Internet connection was "so fast."

I'd

Running & Me

I've recently recommitted myself to running. Here's a little history on me and running...

I remember being in school and hating PE when we had to run the mile. It was TORTURE for me...ya know, being overweight and all. In junior high, instead of running the mile, the challenge was to run 10 minutes straight around the gym. No one thought I could do it. I have a tendency to like to prove people wrong. So, I did it. I was so proud of myself, but of course, didn't keep it up. So, as I got older, the mile run became more difficult.

Anyway, in 2008 when I first joined weight watchers, I started running to compliment my healthy eating. Got off the wagon of course when my life went a little crazy. Last year, an ex-coworker (who is a marathon runner) encouraged me and a few others to do a 5K with her. I decided to do it. I wanted to get in shape. So, I did my first 5K (with very little training) in February of last year with a time of about 45 minutes. I wanted to do better. So, Sean and I signed up for a few more 5Ks and my time improved. My best time to date has been 36 minutes.

(btw...I usually detest matching shirts/outfits with couples...but runs are one of the few exceptions)

Then...Sean and I got married, went on our honeymoon, moved and it was all over. We got back in our lazy rut and of course I've gained all of my pre-wedding weight back. Last month, Sean and I participated in a relay marathon, where we split a leg. Essentially, we each did a 5K, which was sparked our interest back up. We're signed up for a 5K next month and I plan to sign up for 2 more this summer. I've lost 14 pounds so far and my stamina is improving once again.

There's a quote from Forest Gump that I *love* which is "I used to run to get where I was going...I never thought it would take me anywhere." I want to continue this lifestyle. Not only is heart disease extremely prevalent in my family, but in Sean's as well. I want to live a long, HEALTHY, life with him. I don't want to be overweight anymore. I don't want to have to worry about high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, etc. I want my children to be active and healthy. I want them to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise and not go through the stuff I had to go through with the teasing. I want to be able to play with them and watch them grow. This is where I want running to take me.

So...here's to continued weight loss and running!

There's no place like home

In March, Sean and I went home. For a whole week. And it's was awesome. You know how usually when you go on vacation...you're ready to come home? Well, I didn't want to come back to New Jersey. As the plane was taking off in KC, I cried a little. The only thing I did miss was my dog.

We've been in Jersey almost a year now. It feels like we've been here 10 years. I supposed social isolation does that to you. Not to say we're hermits. I've made a few good friends in school, and I'm grateful for that. And we've also become friends with another couple who have been great.

But going home felt...right. It was nice not having to deal with all the traffic and all the attitudes in Jersey. We spent a few days with my mom, a day in Columbia with my best friend and then the rest of the time in Kansas City. It was during this trip that Sean and I had a serious conversation about moving home after I graduate next year. And I think that's pretty much the plan...unless something dramatically changes here in Jersey.

It's kind of funny...reflecting on the conversations Sean and I had before we moved. Like...how much better it would be here. How many more opportunities there would be here. We had a "the grass is always greener" attitude. But..it's not. At least, not in our case. Sean and I have put a ridiculous amount of stressors on ourselves in our first year of marriage. It's made us stronger. We haven't been fighting or anything like that like you would expect a stressful year to be. Basically...we're gonna make it through anything thrown at us after this year.

So...we'll see what the next year has in store for us. Hopefully our luck will improve.

I'm Back!

After an unitended hiatus, I'm back! Shit got real, real fast after my last post. Grad school does that to a gal. I had to prioritize my life and my blog was real low on the list. Trying to get all my assignments done and not neglecting my husband was on the top of my list. Sorry, blog.

I have a lot to write about and I don't feel like a long post will do it justice. So, I plan to write individual blogs about things that deserve individual blogs...such as going home and my recommitment to running.

Tomorrow I turn in my last paper of the semester. It's been done for a few weeks...so no stress here. After that, I'm officially done with assignments for the semester, although class isn't officially over until next week. This semester was very challenging, but very good. I'm looking forward to starting up again in September. Mainly because I GRADUATE NEXT MAY! Then I'm officially done with school. A master's is as high as I'm going. And really, it's as far as I need to go. I have a lot of plans for that Master's Degree.

I have my placement all set up for the fall - I'll be at a psyc hospital. I'm so looking forward to it. It's going to be an awesome experience.

As for my summer plans? Celebrating our one year anniversary, knock out a few 5Ks, Six Flags, the shore, (hopefully) DC & Coney Island and reading. That's about it. I'm ignoring the fact that I'll be 28 this year. Blah.