1. Pay attention when grocery shopping.
I accidentally grabbed the sweetened vanilla almond milk when I ran into the store and did not notice until after I got home. I have thus spent the past week trying to choke down this unbearable sugar water concoction (I mean I didn't want my $2.99 to go to waste!). If you are looking into trying almond milk, I would advise you to steer clear of the sweetened vanilla varieties! I usually buy unsweetened regular or unsweetened vanilla which are worlds better.
2. There are certain things in life that never fail to give me a rush each time I do them.
This week's list includes: Telling the truth; Feeding the birds; Smiling at strangers; and Recycling!
3. I am apparently the only person who shares lanes at the pool.
I was swimming laps this week at the gym and the pool was full. Not once, but twice, two older gentlemen approached me asking if they could share my lane. I said yes. I always say yes. I actually kind of like sharing lanes because they are so wide to begin with - I don't know what to do with all that unused space. Anyway, I swim for quite a awhile when I do, so the first guy finished and left and all the lanes continued to be full, so a few minutes later another man came out of the locker room looking for a lane, and also approached me. I'm not sure why they approach me. Perhaps since I am a pint-size human they are thinking I probably don't need the whole lane? Or I've been missing my ideal dating demographic this whole time and I should be focusing my search on males aged 50 and older??!
4. You will always be your parents' little girl.
Likewise, their overprotectiveness will increase exponentially the further the distance you are from them, multiplied by the amount of time you are single. Mathematical fact right there.
5. Midwesterners are SO NICE.
I don't know that I've ever met someone born and bred in the Midwest, but I met some this weekend, and man are they nice! I mean just really sweet people. Such nice manners, so friendly. I've never travelled to the Midwest so perhaps it's time I make a trek out there.
6. Sharknado.
This is apparently a real movie. And with all the buzz about it on social media, I think it's inevitable I will end up watching it at some point in the near future.
I thought this was an urban legend. I didn't think it would ever actually happen to me. Well folks it did! I must have blacked out ala Will Ferrell in Old School, because when I got back to my vehicle in the parking lot, I was surprised to find the only things in my bag were: Cereal, milk, granola bars and bananas. I have absolutely no idea how this happened.
8. There really are angels among us.
I have always believed in the kindness of strangers; I always give people the benefit of the doubt, and I always think people have the best intentions. Some people call me naïve for thinking this, but this weekend I experienced just that - an act of kindness directed at me from a perfect stranger - and it just reinforced all my hippy-dippy beliefs. When you think of all of us on this planet as one big connected family, it makes sense to look out for one another, whether we know each other or not.
9. After finally completing Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, I now actually understand the reference to The Running Man.
The book talks about the evolutionary significance of our species being able to run long distances in order to survive extinction. We are actually, and essentially, born to run. Loved the book. Currently looking for recommendations for more along the same lines.
And lastly,
10. Today was apparently National Ice Cream Day.
I have no idea how to celebrate this. #lactoseintolerant
Now it's your turn!
Have you learned anything this week that you'd like to share?
Are you from the Midwest?
Do you have any book recommendations for me?
I was born and raised in Ohio, but live in the greater DC area now. I travel semi-regularly for my job and I've always thought Midwesterners were more friendly than people in other areas, but I thought that was just my personal bias.
ReplyDeleteThanks for validating said bias ;)
One of my unofficial measurements for friendliness of an area is the people I encounter on my runs. For the most part, EVERYONE in the Midwest says hi, greats you with a smile and always seem willing to chat should you run into them before or after runs.
Generally speaking, runners are good people everywhere, but in my opinion/experience, they're especially good people in the Midwest.
Hi P.J.
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting - and since you grew up in Ohio I bet you really ARE a super nice person!
I bet your were asked to share - becuase you looked approachable and friendly...this happens to my husband ALL THE TIME
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
DeleteYeah I don't know why they all picked me but I'm always happy for some company anyway!
I was born and raised in Wisconsin so I am one of those awesome Midwestern people you are referring to... at least I think I rock ;)
ReplyDeleteJust kidding!
I agree with P.J. above... I've found MOST runners to be pretty amazing no matter where they are from but I do know that I got a lot more waves and hellos from people when I ran in WI vs. anywhere else. the worst was PA- no one waves at me there. Maybe it's because they can sense that I am a Greenbay Packer fan??
Oh hello there OliveToRun!
DeleteWell you DO rock! Being from the Midwest just increased that even more.
I think people in the Northeast in general often do not acknowledge each other when passing on the street. I don't know why this is, but I grew up in PA and I live in MD now and people sometimes don't even look at me when I pass them as I'm running, even though I smile at them or wave!
My sister lives in Georgia now and we both remarked how friendly people in the South are compared to the North. Everyone says hi to me down there, whether I'm walking through her neighborhood or walking through the grocery store!
Thank you from management goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteReally informative blog article.Really thank you!