Friday, January 23, 2015
Recent Reads: The Red Rose Crew
My sister gave me The Red Rose Crew by Daniel J. Boyne for Christmas and I just finished. I've been going back and forth trying to decide which book I like better, this one or The Boys In the Boat and I seriously can't pick.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Recent Reads: Firefly Lane
This book was incredible! I can't tell you how many times I felt like the author, Kristin Hannah, was describing my life or how many times I cried. I actually finished this book on my flight back to Boston after Thanksgiving and balled on the airplane - seriously, the girl in the seat next to me was staring at me as I tried to silently sniffle back my tears.
Firefly Lane tells the story of two best friends growing up in the 1970's. It follows them through their college years in the 1980's, young adulthood in the 1990's, and motherhood and career advancement in the 2000's. It talks about their relationships with their families, men, their children, and most importantly each other.
The book is pretty daunting in size, but such a quick and easy read. I will admit though there was a portion about 3/4ths of the way through where I was a little bit bored.
But really, this book was amazing.
Firefly Lane tells the story of two best friends growing up in the 1970's. It follows them through their college years in the 1980's, young adulthood in the 1990's, and motherhood and career advancement in the 2000's. It talks about their relationships with their families, men, their children, and most importantly each other.
(Cozy night in)
The book is pretty daunting in size, but such a quick and easy read. I will admit though there was a portion about 3/4ths of the way through where I was a little bit bored.
But really, this book was amazing.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Thought Catalog Post: 10 Great Things About Michigan (By A Non-Michigander)
While I lived in Michigan for seven years and most of my family is still there, I will never consider myself a true Michigander. That's not to say thought that I don't love America's largest high five/mitten shaped state.
So I decided to take a look at some of my favorite things about Michigan: 10 Great Things About Michigan (By A Non-Michigander).
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Recent Reads: The Husband's Secret
If you wan a book that makes you think about fate and destiny and your life choices, The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty is for you.
The book follows the lives of three women, who are acquaintances at best, over the course of one week. All three women's lives unknowingly intersect based on events that took place in each woman's past. The book's tone is also set by the dark secret one woman's husband reveals.
I really enjoyed this book. The complexity of each of the characters and the overlapping storyline made it a really great read.
The book follows the lives of three women, who are acquaintances at best, over the course of one week. All three women's lives unknowingly intersect based on events that took place in each woman's past. The book's tone is also set by the dark secret one woman's husband reveals.
I really enjoyed this book. The complexity of each of the characters and the overlapping storyline made it a really great read.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Head of the Charles 2014
So I've been meaning to write about Head of the Charles for over a month and I've just kept putting it off. Partially from laziness and partially because I don't think I can adequately describe just how awesome of a weekend it was.
Head of the Charles is one of the largest rowing events in the world and this year also happened to be the 50th anniversary of the event. Michigan State also decided to put together an Alumni 8+ this year.
This wasn't so much a day or weekend event, but more an entire week event/celebration/reunion. My apartment also found out just how many rowers it can hold - 11 one night. It was also an effort to keep up with the schedules of all of the people coming and going - Jim arrived Wednesday, Cory Thursday, Slops Friday morning, Pyzik and the Canadian crew Friday night, and Alyse Saturday morning. Seriously, a whirlwind of some of my favorite people.
The real fun started on Friday though. The Alumni 8+ (minus Pyzik, plus Jim) was able to get together for an afternoon practice row. This boat was SO much fun. I had coxed all but two of the guys before (Brett and Bob) so it was really just a row down memory lane.
Our lineup was myself, Brett, Slops, Cory, Pyzik (or Jim), Bob, Kevin, Jimmy and Karl. The rowing was... sloppy, but fun. I also had to use a stack of butt pads to see over Brett. The course was also just a complete clusterfuck Friday afternoon, since every crew was trying to get in a practice row and most were completely inexperienced to the Charles' sharp turns and many bridges. But we made it back to the dock alive and only having been yelled at by a regatta official for taking a break in the middle of the course (#sorrynotsorry).
After some quick showers and an incident involving a broken shower curtain rod and the Monkey King, most of us headed over to Lulu's for dinner and drinks. We all had fun catching up over a beer and burgers and getting pumped for the day ahead. Pyzik and a unique group of Canadians also arrived Friday evening and our apartment started to feel (and smell) reminiscent to the 404 basement when we had the squatters.
Saturday morning we all woke up super pumped for the race. And nervous (my hands were extra clammy and I made sure everyone felt it). HOCR is considered a coxswain race because of its countless bridges, multiple sharp turns and the vast amount of boats competing on the course. I had raced the course once before but the boat was a bow-loaded four and much slower - completely different than the 8 I was about to get in.
We launched plenty early out of CRI (upriver from the finish line) to make it all the way past the start line to the pooling area. Once in the pooling area, we were met with wind, choppy water and boats coming from every direction. Slops also felt this was the opportune to time to ask if his hair looked okay.
Finally, they started calling our event to the starting line. As bow #46, we were the back of the pack and weren't really sure where we would stand against other boats since the second half of entries come from a random lottery draw (opposed to the first half which are seeded from the previous years results).
We got off to a solid start and were able to pass bow #45 right after the BU Bridge. We held a 29-30 through out most of the race and were able to have nice solid lines coming around the Magazine Beach turn and into the Powerhouse Stretch. Coming up on Weeks we started coming up close on bow #44. They held us off through Weeks and we passed them immediately after Anderson, giving us the inside line coming into the Elliot Turn. Halfway through the Elliot Turn we began moving up quickly on bow #39. Bow #39 held us through Elliot and the last turn of the race where we crossed the finish line bow to stern with them. Phew! I could breathe again. Later, we found out we took 33rd.
We rowed back up to CRI, put the boat back and began walking back towards the course to watch some more racing. I spent the rest of the afternoon walking along the Charles with the boys, meeting up with other MSU alumni, seeing the current MSU team and eating. We also got to see the Michigan State boat race in their event.
Saturday evening we met up with the team at Tavern in the Square for dinner before heading out to Hong Kong for a night of adventures (and Scorpion Bowl races...).
Returning home from Hong Kong we got to experience our Canadian visitors in true form. Jim bonded with Grace (and confirmed she wasn't poopin') and Francisco army crawled around our apartment because he "wanted to get out."
Sunday morning saw a slow start to say the least. I headed down to the course with the boys and met up with Slopey and Glines to watch some racing. Alyse would be coxing a Champ 4+ and Laurissa would be racing in a Director's Challenge 4x. However, we're apparently idiots and missed both boats coming down the course. Womp womp.
Sunday night meant Ned Devine's. So after some power naps, showers and pizza. We made our way downtown with our incompetent Uber driver named Regis. This was my 3rd HOCR party and each has been epic. I mean, what else would you expect when you throw a bunch of rowers into a huge party in the heart of Boston?
It perhaps got more epic when Eric screamed for all of us to get in a taxi (yep, that was 7 of us in a taxi) and we made our way back to our apartment. In true MSU Crew fashion, we of course couldn't let the party stop just because the bar had closed. We did a lovely rendition of Piano Man followed by a very unique rendition of Lean Back.
We closed out the festivities with breakfast Monday morning at Allston diner. I'm already excited for next year.
Head of the Charles is one of the largest rowing events in the world and this year also happened to be the 50th anniversary of the event. Michigan State also decided to put together an Alumni 8+ this year.
(View from CRI)
This wasn't so much a day or weekend event, but more an entire week event/celebration/reunion. My apartment also found out just how many rowers it can hold - 11 one night. It was also an effort to keep up with the schedules of all of the people coming and going - Jim arrived Wednesday, Cory Thursday, Slops Friday morning, Pyzik and the Canadian crew Friday night, and Alyse Saturday morning. Seriously, a whirlwind of some of my favorite people.
The real fun started on Friday though. The Alumni 8+ (minus Pyzik, plus Jim) was able to get together for an afternoon practice row. This boat was SO much fun. I had coxed all but two of the guys before (Brett and Bob) so it was really just a row down memory lane.
Our lineup was myself, Brett, Slops, Cory, Pyzik (or Jim), Bob, Kevin, Jimmy and Karl. The rowing was... sloppy, but fun. I also had to use a stack of butt pads to see over Brett. The course was also just a complete clusterfuck Friday afternoon, since every crew was trying to get in a practice row and most were completely inexperienced to the Charles' sharp turns and many bridges. But we made it back to the dock alive and only having been yelled at by a regatta official for taking a break in the middle of the course (#sorrynotsorry).
After some quick showers and an incident involving a broken shower curtain rod and the Monkey King, most of us headed over to Lulu's for dinner and drinks. We all had fun catching up over a beer and burgers and getting pumped for the day ahead. Pyzik and a unique group of Canadians also arrived Friday evening and our apartment started to feel (and smell) reminiscent to the 404 basement when we had the squatters.
(Dinner at Lulu's)
Saturday morning we all woke up super pumped for the race. And nervous (my hands were extra clammy and I made sure everyone felt it). HOCR is considered a coxswain race because of its countless bridges, multiple sharp turns and the vast amount of boats competing on the course. I had raced the course once before but the boat was a bow-loaded four and much slower - completely different than the 8 I was about to get in.
We launched plenty early out of CRI (upriver from the finish line) to make it all the way past the start line to the pooling area. Once in the pooling area, we were met with wind, choppy water and boats coming from every direction. Slops also felt this was the opportune to time to ask if his hair looked okay.
Finally, they started calling our event to the starting line. As bow #46, we were the back of the pack and weren't really sure where we would stand against other boats since the second half of entries come from a random lottery draw (opposed to the first half which are seeded from the previous years results).
We got off to a solid start and were able to pass bow #45 right after the BU Bridge. We held a 29-30 through out most of the race and were able to have nice solid lines coming around the Magazine Beach turn and into the Powerhouse Stretch. Coming up on Weeks we started coming up close on bow #44. They held us off through Weeks and we passed them immediately after Anderson, giving us the inside line coming into the Elliot Turn. Halfway through the Elliot Turn we began moving up quickly on bow #39. Bow #39 held us through Elliot and the last turn of the race where we crossed the finish line bow to stern with them. Phew! I could breathe again. Later, we found out we took 33rd.
We rowed back up to CRI, put the boat back and began walking back towards the course to watch some more racing. I spent the rest of the afternoon walking along the Charles with the boys, meeting up with other MSU alumni, seeing the current MSU team and eating. We also got to see the Michigan State boat race in their event.
(My college career could be titled: Boats and Bros.)
Saturday evening we met up with the team at Tavern in the Square for dinner before heading out to Hong Kong for a night of adventures (and Scorpion Bowl races...).
(#casual)
Returning home from Hong Kong we got to experience our Canadian visitors in true form. Jim bonded with Grace (and confirmed she wasn't poopin') and Francisco army crawled around our apartment because he "wanted to get out."
Sunday morning saw a slow start to say the least. I headed down to the course with the boys and met up with Slopey and Glines to watch some racing. Alyse would be coxing a Champ 4+ and Laurissa would be racing in a Director's Challenge 4x. However, we're apparently idiots and missed both boats coming down the course. Womp womp.
(The most center boat is the MSU Alumni 8+, photo credit to Sarah M.)
(For Lyds)
(Roomies)
It perhaps got more epic when Eric screamed for all of us to get in a taxi (yep, that was 7 of us in a taxi) and we made our way back to our apartment. In true MSU Crew fashion, we of course couldn't let the party stop just because the bar had closed. We did a lovely rendition of Piano Man followed by a very unique rendition of Lean Back.
We closed out the festivities with breakfast Monday morning at Allston diner. I'm already excited for next year.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Chi Town
Over the long weekend of Columbus Day I decided to take a trip to Chicago. I've been to Chicago a few times, but every trip has either been super short for a college visit or job interview or in the middle of winter/a polar vortex. This time, the weather was fantastic and I had a over two and a half days to see the sights and hang out with some awesome people.
My flight to Chicago was delayed Friday evening so I didn't end up landing until after 9 p.m. CT. Todd picked me up from the airport and we headed to Danny's a bar in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Oddly enough, I had been here once before when I had visited Mary a couple years ago with Brett and Kristen! The bar is a super hipster spot and while I had a ton of fun their the first time I went, it was a little dead when we arrived their a little before 10. But it was still a fun time and I got to meet a lot of Todd's med school friends.
Saturday morning Todd and I got bagels and coffee and then walked around Midwestern's campus. The campus is so opposite of MSU's, it reminds me a little of Grand Valley's - smaller and newer.
I then caught the train into the city to meet up with Lydia and Stephen. Of course, food was high on their agenda so our first stop was Yolk. This place was so good. We opted to get a couple of dishes to share - nutella crepes (duh), a bagel and locks, sausage, and some home fries. Not a scrap of food was left on our plates (mainly because of Lyds and Stephen).
Immediately after finishing brunch, Stephen expressed his desire to get tacos so we wandered over to Big & Little's. The walk over was really nice, it was a great fall day and Chicago looked beautiful. It seemed so much bigger to me than Boston, and newer. Boston has the Charles River running through it and Chicago has the Chicago River, but they couldn't be more opposite. The Charles is wide and its banks are lined with open green areas, the Chicago River is narrow and surrounded by city.
After Stephen got his taco fix, we headed to Tin Lizzie's to watch the MSU game. The bar was really fun and you got a complimentary Michigan State Rose Bowl mug when you ordered a mug of Miller Lite. The bar also gave out Jell-o shots every time State made a touchdown - which got crazy fast! (Go Green!) The best part was Mary came and joined us, shortly followed by Brad and his boyfriend Matt.
After a victory for MSU, we headed over to Mary's new apartment and then headed out for some dinner. I can't remember the name of the place we went for dinner, but they had some delicious pizza. We then headed to beercade called Headquarters which is exactly what it sounds like - a bar and arcade. We didn't stay too long here since we were all getting pretty tired and I needed to catch the train back to Todd's. I hopped in a taxi and it took to Union Station, where I proceeded to run (possibly slightly drunk) to catch the train and boarded it just as the doors were closing. Phew.
Sunday morning Todd and I got breakfast at a spot near his apartment and then caught the train back into the city. The Chicago Marathon was taking place and Alyse was running in it. We weren't able to make it down in time to see her run it, but Todd and I met up with Lydia by Millennium Park and spent sometime walking around there and down to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Lydia then led us to a place called Eataly where we met up with the marathon runner herself! I don't think I can adequately describe this place. Any kind of cheese, wine, bread, meat, beer, coffee and anything else you can think of was in this two story restaurant/grocery store. We all got different kinds of espresso from the espresso bar (except for Alyse who got a well-deserved beer!). We wandered upstairs only to be met by more deliciousness. We got a snack from Focaccia which made these delicious pizza type breads - Alyse and I split one and still didn't finish it. We decided to part ways after this and Todd and I caught the train back to his apartment.
Monday meant it was almost time for me to head back to Boston but I still had just enough time to meet Lyds for brunch. After a failed attempt of going to Wildberry Cafe (who would think a brunch wait would be super long on a Monday?) we ventured to Toni's, a French Cafe near Millennium Park. The place was a little odd but still good even though they had run out of what both of us wanted to order.
After breakfast it was actually time for me to go, so Lydia saw me off to the subway to take me to airport.
Until next time, Chicago!
My flight to Chicago was delayed Friday evening so I didn't end up landing until after 9 p.m. CT. Todd picked me up from the airport and we headed to Danny's a bar in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Oddly enough, I had been here once before when I had visited Mary a couple years ago with Brett and Kristen! The bar is a super hipster spot and while I had a ton of fun their the first time I went, it was a little dead when we arrived their a little before 10. But it was still a fun time and I got to meet a lot of Todd's med school friends.
Saturday morning Todd and I got bagels and coffee and then walked around Midwestern's campus. The campus is so opposite of MSU's, it reminds me a little of Grand Valley's - smaller and newer.
I then caught the train into the city to meet up with Lydia and Stephen. Of course, food was high on their agenda so our first stop was Yolk. This place was so good. We opted to get a couple of dishes to share - nutella crepes (duh), a bagel and locks, sausage, and some home fries. Not a scrap of food was left on our plates (mainly because of Lyds and Stephen).
(Sharing a fantastic donut)
Immediately after finishing brunch, Stephen expressed his desire to get tacos so we wandered over to Big & Little's. The walk over was really nice, it was a great fall day and Chicago looked beautiful. It seemed so much bigger to me than Boston, and newer. Boston has the Charles River running through it and Chicago has the Chicago River, but they couldn't be more opposite. The Charles is wide and its banks are lined with open green areas, the Chicago River is narrow and surrounded by city.
After Stephen got his taco fix, we headed to Tin Lizzie's to watch the MSU game. The bar was really fun and you got a complimentary Michigan State Rose Bowl mug when you ordered a mug of Miller Lite. The bar also gave out Jell-o shots every time State made a touchdown - which got crazy fast! (Go Green!) The best part was Mary came and joined us, shortly followed by Brad and his boyfriend Matt.
After a victory for MSU, we headed over to Mary's new apartment and then headed out for some dinner. I can't remember the name of the place we went for dinner, but they had some delicious pizza. We then headed to beercade called Headquarters which is exactly what it sounds like - a bar and arcade. We didn't stay too long here since we were all getting pretty tired and I needed to catch the train back to Todd's. I hopped in a taxi and it took to Union Station, where I proceeded to run (possibly slightly drunk) to catch the train and boarded it just as the doors were closing. Phew.
Sunday morning Todd and I got breakfast at a spot near his apartment and then caught the train back into the city. The Chicago Marathon was taking place and Alyse was running in it. We weren't able to make it down in time to see her run it, but Todd and I met up with Lydia by Millennium Park and spent sometime walking around there and down to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Lydia then led us to a place called Eataly where we met up with the marathon runner herself! I don't think I can adequately describe this place. Any kind of cheese, wine, bread, meat, beer, coffee and anything else you can think of was in this two story restaurant/grocery store. We all got different kinds of espresso from the espresso bar (except for Alyse who got a well-deserved beer!). We wandered upstairs only to be met by more deliciousness. We got a snack from Focaccia which made these delicious pizza type breads - Alyse and I split one and still didn't finish it. We decided to part ways after this and Todd and I caught the train back to his apartment.
Monday meant it was almost time for me to head back to Boston but I still had just enough time to meet Lyds for brunch. After a failed attempt of going to Wildberry Cafe (who would think a brunch wait would be super long on a Monday?) we ventured to Toni's, a French Cafe near Millennium Park. The place was a little odd but still good even though they had run out of what both of us wanted to order.
After breakfast it was actually time for me to go, so Lydia saw me off to the subway to take me to airport.
Until next time, Chicago!
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