20 Miles? Easy!

I got my first real "adult" bike this past weekend. A Jamis hybrid with road tires. Isn't she a beauty?!

So, after a few rides this past week, I finally, despite my terrible cold (who gets a cold in the summertime?!) went out with J for a 20 mile ride on Saturday. Yes, you read that right -- a cool 20 miles.

Better yet, I was tired after the 20, but not exhausted and not in pain. I even went to bootcamp this morning and had no issue. AWESOME.

Looking forward to pushing a little further next time. LOVE IT!

Love assesment

"I believe there are two types of love. Healthy and unhealthy. Unhealthy love is being powerless, selfish, and enabling. It has no boundaries. Unhealthy love is unconditional and yet contingent. It is immature, irresponsible, and dependent. Unhealthy love is urgent. There is a desperation behind it which produces manipulation and compromise of self. Unhealthy love is a pissing contest, a tug of war, a mute silence, and a kick stand. It is obvious. Unhealthy love promotes the false self and stunts growth. It is a drug.

Healthy love is a choice. It is something you decide to give as a gift. It has conditions, that shape the self and strengthens the other. Healthy love is feeling powerful and independent. Is is grilled cheese and vegetable soup on a rainy day but not every day. Healthy love is patient, kind, and accepting. Healthy love requires a tremendous amount of responsibility which involves communication on all levels and constant reflection. It is building trust, having faith, and holding a commitment. Healthy love promotes growth and two strong containers. Healthy love is rare." -- Angry Therapist

Been a really rebuilding almost-year for me. Lots of news, lots of self reflection, lots of tears (I cry at everything, it's my fatal flaw).

Poland was a very illuminating trip and I think we're all now looking at the parts of ourselves that were lit to now reflect.

We'll see what we all learn and how we can grow through this.

Coffee Guy

The coffee stand guy outside my building infuriates me in a way that only a high-strung NY'er could get bent out of shape. He is SO. UNBEARABLY. SLOW.

All the other coffee cart guys fly through their orders, they know their "regulars" and begin getting their orders done as newbies futz to get out the right change for their muffin. These coffee guys are great -- fast, reliable service -- and in turn, they sell out of most of the items in their cart.

As for the guy on 50th & 3rd. I appreciate the fact that he relaxes through his morning, but I constantly pass him in the morning because I can't think to wait for 3 people in front of me at the rate he moves. Doesn't he know he loses business everyday? I know I'm not the only one who passes by.

I know, I know, anyone reading this would tell me to relax, but that's just not the way I do it in the morning. Efficiency is key...

And so summer begins...

Bean is a great sunbather.
















Got to spend a really nice weekend out in 06880 for Memorial Day. Justin was in Asia (currently in Beijing) so it was just me and the family.

Funny, with the holiday weekend can the official start of warm weather, perfectly timed with my 'changing of the closets.' Works out well b/c now I am shorts and flip-flop ready.

Per usual, looks like this summer is ramping up to be quite busy. Items on the docket thus far:

June:
- Ithaca, NY for Justin's 10 year reunion
- Chicago for work (both Justin & I)

July:
- POLAND!
- Greece (work)

August:
- NYC wedding (Justin's friends Matt & Irina)
- Greece (work)
- Vermont weekend

Here goes summer!

Proud Date

Justin won a Starmine Financial Times analyst award this past week. He was picked as the best earnings estimators in his sector. I tagged along as his +1 at the honors dinner at the NYSE. Very proud of him...

Trucking through the month

It's been a pretty brutal month. High high's, low low's. Feel like the world has just been keeping me on my toes. Maybe I'm just tired from all the travel...

In the middle of all the trips, Justin hurt his back, I had a little health issue all my own (I'm back to being a-ok, amen!). Justin leaves for a week-long whirlwind Asia trip on Saturday (missing Memorial Day). I feel like I finally just got home and now he's off. He said it today, "I feel like we haven't caught up from the last trip." I agree.

Next week, I've filled my schedule with plans to keep me busy. I'm also back to doing Bikram Yoga for a month (first session was last night and boy was it tough...). The week will go quickly.

Few shots from the past week:

Alexis was in from Chicago. Got to have brunch with her at The Standard, then caught up while walking on the Highline. Was good to reconnect.

Justin and I went to an impromptu amazing Sunday night dinner. Tried out a great sushi place '1 or 8' in Williamsburg. We did the Omikase and then supplemented with some extra items. AMAZING meal.

And finally, looking to the summer ahead. Looking forward to opening the "summer party in a box."

Musings

I'll have you know that strange pork was quite delicious. Will have to wait 'till my next trip to the Chinese restaurant in Piraeus to try the famous 'onion explodes the pork.'

Also...

Did you have any idea that chincillas had such cute little feet/paws? (Taken at a pet store around my hotel).

Finally, through a blog I was reading, I got directed to Sarah Kay, a noted spoken word poet's speech at the TED Conference (link) . In true Laura fashion, the speech made me shed a tear (or two). What a beautiful poem she starts and ends with, and her speech, not bad. I've never been a poetry person, but after listening to her speak, I'm immediately interested -- not necessarily in writing or reading aloud anything I would create but to hear more. To be moved to shed a tear is no passing matter. We'll see. On that note, I videochatted with the boyfriend this evening. Video chat is an amazing thing -- AMAZING. It's made these long trips a bit more bearable. Video-talking is so much better, and at the end, I don't feel as far away from him.

Anyway, he's mentioned in passing that he big into poetry in college and even took a poetry class at NYU as an adult, while he was working. This is a side of him I know absolutely nothing about. I think my interest comes off as poking fun (which it really isn't). So I tell him about the video, and how it made me think of him. Hoping this would spark a "I should read you some stuff i wrote" conversation to which he then mentions that there's a poem about me in his top drawer of his nightstand -- the nightstand that I organized for him. The fact that I immediately can't go and run to read it is killing me.

Ugh... and so the countown begins. Heading home on Friday (120 hours until I land, but who's counting??)