Indian Updates

Living life on a mountain in India certainly has its perks. While my salary is worse than working part-time at McDonald's in the states, it does allow me to live a fine life in India. We're currently in the process of hiring an ayah-someone to clean our house/possibly cook for us. This will cost me about $10 a month. I know, do I really need someone to clean up after me and cook my dinner? Of course not, but if this opportunity came in the states, it'd be hard to pass up. They encourage us to embrace the culture, so why not have someone do my dishes?

Another perk is the ability to have everything delivered to our door for about 50 cents or free! Just a bit ago, Katie and I ordered some groceries from the local grocer. Within 45 minutes we were feasting on ice cream with cookies and bananas. We even ordered some cheddar cheese, which was the most expensive thing on the list.

It's not all gumdrops and lollipops though. I do have to hike up 1000 ft to get to school. I have to make sure I don't get attacked by monkeys on my way. I also have to make sure my clothes and blankets don't get moldy from the monsoon.

India is full of surprises. I never imagined that I'd be eating ice cream and cookies that just got delivered. I also never imagined that I'd be teaching at the junior school (elementary). When I was hired, I was hired for middle school pe and health. Now as it turns out, I will be teaching no health, mostly junior school, and some senior school. It's India. You gotta roll with the punches.

I'm full of feelings of disappointment, excitement, and some sadness. I did go on my first run today to ease the pain. Ingrid and I got caught in a cloud and decided running on the road was no longer safe and headed back. As mentioned, the roads are crazy, but sometimes, I think they just get as close to hitting us as they can just to freak us out.

Congrats. I'm officially freaked out.

Monsooning

I've finally made it to Mussoorie and am slowly adjusting to this monsoon business. The first couple days I was calling the monsoon bluff because it was raining sure but never enough to rain on my parade. Today however... Since it's Saturday, we've been given a day of freedom. I woke up around seven and finished the book I was reading before getting out of bed. This whole time I was thinking, I should go read out on our terrace. I of course don't and by the time I get out of my bed, it's raining cats and dogs with no signs of stopping. What an ideal time to start raining when we had all these plans of heading to the bazaar to do shopping.

My badger loving friend Katie and I moved into Midland Duplex. It's right by the girl dorms, which isn't ideal. It's also about 1000 ft vertical climb to the school. The perks however, are quite nice. It's a 3-4 bedroom house with one bathroom, a dining room, and a spacious living room. Originally, it was just me and Katie, but we invited Rebecca to join us after her living situation was less than fitting. So now it's me-PE and two art teachers living next to a couple other American girls who have yet to return from their break. I foresee a lot of fun to be had.

Our first night here was an adventure of the sorts. Upon arrival we were given buddies to help us adjust and figure out life at altitude. Our buddy gave us some general directions to his home where we were supposed to join him and a few others for dinner. After a little nap, Katie and I headed in a daze of sorts in the direction we thought was correct. After lots of doubt and hesitation we turned around and threw in the towel. Upon returning, we checked out a map and realized we had taken the wrong road to start with. Now let me remind you, we are still trying to come over jet lag, figure out how to walk up 1000ft without passing out, navigate trails, adjust to the water and food, and making sure we don't get attacked by any monkeys-it's not like we just walked a couple blocks and gave up.

Last night, we were rewarded for our sorrows and misery with an invitation to Rebecca's buddy's home. They were a lovely Aussie couple with two kids. We had some Indian wine and dined to some delicious food that was a mix of American, Thai, and Indian. Then for dessert we had pineapple upside down cake. Delicious. The kindness shown to us by the returning staff has been life saving for sure.

Things I never expected living in the mountains of India
-Falling asleep to the sounds of dogs barking and cars honking... really? Dogs are abundant in this area, but we are encouraged not to pet them. The care honking is due to people driving up the mountain and warning whatever may be right around the curve: animal, pedestrian, or car.
-Eating corn flakes. When we got to our house, it was furbished with various things and a few staple groceries: corn flakes being one of them.
-Most things being in English. Thank god, I can't imagine what cornflakes would look like written in Hindi.
-Being able to teach in the coolest gym I have ever seen-Pictures coming soon. There's a rock wall, squash court, weight room, and a space reserved for some gymnastics. For real.

Welcome to India

I arrived at the Dehli International Airport on the 19th around 4 pm. After my new best friend Katie (proud Badger from Mt. Horeb, WI) and I collected our luggage, we cruised by what seemed to be an optional customs line. We were quickly greeted by two Woodstock School employees. Then our driver picked us up on the curb, and we headed to our hotel-The Centaur, which was within walking distance of the airport.

The five-star hotel we are staying at has a pool with no water. There are approximately 10 light switches in our room, but we still struggle to figure out how to turn the bathroom light on. We also had a toilet flushing situation within minutes of our arrival-push in, not up or down. We dined at the hotel's Chinese restaurant last night, which tasted very much like American Chinese.

This morning we headed to Dehli and Old Dehli. Due to "Indian Stretchable Time" we managed to the leave the hotel around 11 this morning. The drive up was truly an Indian experience. If there are lanes, no one uses them. I saw one person use their blinker, and everyone else uses their horn. Later in the day, I got to experience crossing a street without a crosswalk and encounter cars that run red lights just for fun. Once I reached the other side, I quickly remembered that motorcycles and rickshaws drive on the sidewalk when necessary. I almost got hit twice before I realized my mistake.

We toured the Red Fort, attempted to see the National Museum, and had lunch at Karim's-listed as one of the best restaurants in India by Time magazine. It was hot, the streets were packed, and everyone stared at us. I didn't make any purchases yet because I am too much of a newbie to attempt, and I'm not sure what I want to buy.

Tomorrow our bus is departing from the hotel around 5 am to take the train to Dehra Dun. Then we take a bus to Mussoorie. We found out that Katie and I will be roommates once we get there, which is exciting because we can Badger the place up.

I'm feeling dehydrated and sleepy, but I can't wait to get to Mussoorie!

3 down, 47 to go?

After my first marathon in Madison in 2009, I thought it was all pretty great. I was pretty sure that I could do this training gig all the time. What's a long run here and there? I decided that I would be one of those people who runs a marathon in every state. After my third marathon in my third state, I'm thinking maybe I'll settle for 26 marathons instead. Since I'm leaving the states in less than a month, it could be hard to get in all 50 states before I quit the habit. Yep, 26 marathons in 26 different cities, maybe different countries.

My first marathon was all on a whim. I really didn't know what I was doing or what I was getting myself into. I followed Hal's online training guide and got to work. I didn't think or care about nutrition. I just ran. I modified the plan as I saw fit. I never reached the full 20 miles Hal suggested, but I figured my active lifestyle would compensate for the 1.5 miles I missed.

Race day came, and I was excited. My training had me doing long runs around 10 min/mile. Race day excitement sent me out in 9:09 miles for the first five miles. I was feeling great! My half split wasn't too bad either with a 2:03:40. I was on my way to beating my goal pace. This was fantastic, or so I thought. Then around mile 21/22 things started to get a little hazy. My pace slowed down significantly, and I began walking for bits at a time. The problem was that walking hurt as much or more than running did. It was feeling like I had never felt in my life. I walked/ran the last couple miles and finished with a 4:22:18. I was pretty thrilled for a first time marathon. I ran in a cotton t-shirt for pete's sake: I was clearly amateur.

Summer of 2010, I saw myself slipping away. I knew I had to get back into running before it was too late. I didn't want to just be on of those people who runs a few miles here and there. I wanted to run 26.2. I did some research and found that the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon was in early November, and I would have plenty of time to train for it. (And it was another state.) I started training and felt revived again. This time, I knew what I was doing or at least pretended to. I got a hydration belt. I had gels. I was a spandex wearing freak. I did hills. I did speed work. I ran 20 miles. I ran 18 a few times. I got cuboid syndrome and bounced back. I was serious.

Race day came, and I was ready. I was hoping to break 4 hours. It was going to be tough, but I was hopeful. I started out once again too fast. The environment just sucks you in. It's hard to run slow when everything is so energizing. I was running 8:51/mile with a 1:56 half marathon. I felt once again phenomenal. Around mile 16, I was starving. It wasn't hitting the wall: it was hunger. I started to worry. The next aid table was my best friend. I got gatorade, a banana, and I reassessed. My pace dropped significantly. It was somewhere around mile 18 that the 4-hour pace group passed me. I was bummed, but I didn't lose hope. I never walked, and I finished in 4:06:12. A personal best by 16 minutes. I didn't break 4, and maybe if I hadn't gone out so fast, I would have made it...

2011 brought Grandma's Marathon: another state. This originally came about because several friends in Madison had discussed doing the race, and I thought why not. My family can all come, and I can say I did the famous Grandma's Marathon. Let's just say this training season was more like my amateur season. I never made a 20 miler, and I had too many hungover long runs. Celebrating friends departures and my time in America winding down resulted in a less dedicated runner. I did the Madison half weeks before and finished in 2:04, which was a 9:47 pace. It wasn't bad, but I could tell I was not marathon ready. There was little to be done at that point, and I just prepared for the worst.

I got to the start line with a group or Boston-qualifying hopefuls, and I was just hoping to finish. I knew I was good for 16 miles, but after that it was anyone's guess. I managed to hang on with the 4:15 pace group for the first 15. Then a bathroom stop dropped me back. I wanted to finish under 4:30, and I had to make a plan. I knew there was no way I'd run the whole way like Indianapolis, so I took some Runner's World magazine advice and began a walking scheme. I would walk for no more than 2 minutes at every mile marker sign. I figured I had a little cushion room since I had stayed on pace with the 4:15 group for so long.

I got to mile 25 and was in a zone of mild hypothermia probably. I was about to take my walk break when I realized my crazy family was out there hooting and hollering for me. I knew I couldn't walk then, so I pressed on. I was too close to the finish to walk anymore because there were so many people. I was moving, slowly, but surely. Once I hit the mile 26 mark, I noticed the balloons of the 4:30 pacer group come up to my left side. Not a chance. I took off at what felt like a sprint, but I can imagine looked more like an arthritis-suffering senior citizen in need of a hip replacement jog. I crossed the finish line and knew I had gone under 4:30, and I began dry-heaving immediately. An innocent volunteer asked me if I was ok. I really wasn't sure at the time: was I ok? I made it through the chute, got my medal, my t-shirt, some snacks, and went to find my parents. Official finish time: 4:28:55.

I think I'll just hang up my Mizunos until I hit Asia.

UW Alumni

College Graduate: Check, now if only I didn't have to student teach for 4 more weeks.

 The PE Crew with sage green tassels.

Graduation weekend was a lovely time. I took a half day on Friday and hit up the zoo with Kasey, Chris, and Jackson. Jackson was not interested in the animals, but the people really kept his interest up. Friday evening we dined at Red Robin yummm. I consumed far too much protein and sodium for the average person, but it's ok because I'm leaving this land of the free and saturated fat soon enough. I enjoyed the hot tub and pool with the family at the Days Inn and called it an early night. Saturday morning was an early event with the ceremony beginning at 10 am. After the show, we had a little shindig at Erin's house with a few of the cohort members. Fun was had by all, more fun by the people drinking copious amounts, but fun all around. After a little break in the action for some hot tub time at the hotel, I reunited with some friends to hit the town on graduation night. There were too many lines and people for my taste, but I probably won't graduate again, so it's a good thing I went out.

Now, I have a day to recover from the fun. I have a long run to do, a moped to sell, laundry to get done, and lesson plans to plan.

I am truly blessed with a wonderful family and fantastic friends.

On Wisconsin!

Perspective

It's amazing how moving to India gives me a whole new perspective.

Examples:

Man I really like those neon yellow shorts. Oh that's right, I can't wear shorts that short in India.

I should really eat less cheese. Nah, I gotta get my fix in now before I find myself in the mountains begging for a cheese curd.

It's so windy running by the lake. I better run around every lake I can before I ship out.

I should start to follow cricket, so I can be hip and with it when I get to India. I think I'll have plenty of time once I get there. I'll go watch the Mallards and have a beer instead.

I NEED TO ENJOY AMERICA BEFORE I CAN'T ANYMORE.

Super Sweet Sixteen

The summer of 2004 was one of the best summers of my life. I took my first trip via airplane, visited two new countries, celebrated my 16th birthday in Sydney, Australia, and road tripped to Daytona Beach.

I flew on my first airplane, second, and third, and finally hit my final destination of Melbourne, Australia. In the summer of '04, I was selected as a People to People Student Ambassador and had the amazing opportunity to travel to Australia and New Zealand with about forty other kids my age. I met some of the most amazing people on this trip, DJ being the most special of course.

The trip was incredible from beginning to end. The highlight by far was my birthday. We were in Sydney for the day. The day started bright and early with a climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the first of many singings of Happy Birthday. There was a museum visit, a stop at the Hard Rock Cafe for more singing, a tour of the Sydney Opera House, and a magical dinner cruise on the harbour with more singing.

Me, Laura, and Chelsea

The dinner cruise was by far the highlight for many reasons. It was the first time our group was dressed up and presentable. There was dancing, and everyone knows I love dancing. My group also surprised me with an opal ring that was purchased that day at an opal store without my knowing. It was the most incredible gift and surprise ever. What a bangin' group.

Andy, Me, and DJ

New Zealand was incredibly beautiful, but the trip was dying by this point. People were getting edgier, dirtier, and less fun. I think it was a combination of homesickness and a decrease in temperature. Then after sleeping on the ground on the ship that brought us from the North to South Island, I was feeling the dirty edginess too and was ready to get back to the farm.

I'll never forget P2P '04.  

Then about a week after I got back, I hit the road with Kasey, Chris, and my best friend Amanda for a trip across America. My sister, Kasey, got a job in Daytona and was relocating with her fiance at the time to the land of fun and sun. Amanda and I got picked to follow the truck and Uhaul with Kasey's car. Who would trust a couple of 16 year-olds with their car driving to Florida? Crazy people, that's who.

Another amazing adventure. The trip had highs and lows. Most of the lows were when Amanda would sleep for hours on end and never drive. Then there was that brief spurt in the mountains when I was riding with Chris in a rain storm and there was only one radio station-forcing us to fill the silences with conversation instead.

Once we got to Daytona, the fun really took off. We spent days by the pool and the beach without a care in the world. There were a few boys we picked up here and there. One turned into a huge stalker, which would only foreshadow my future... Then we packed our bags and flew home.

The rest of the summer was a joke, which would explain why I got my minor that summer. After that the party train slowed down as my dad suggested.