Road trips, Turkey and Cheesecakes

In the last eleven days, I have put at least 1,530 miles on my car. I have stayed at nine different places. Traveled between two states. Taken dozens of highways, interstates, county roads, etc. Met one deer with my car. Played with one dog and five cats. Ran two miles. Played eighteen holes of discgolf. Celebrated 24 golden years. And thoroughly enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday.

UWSP SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

It all began when I went to Stevens Point, WI to see the lovely ladies I lived with in London, see the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Symphony Orchestra and a dual student recital (clarinet and bass). I had the chance to catch up with so many people from school, who knew all I needed to do was go to the University Center or Starbucks to see more than half of the people in Stevens Point?!

Most of Friday I spent wandering through the Dreyfus University Center, NRHH/RHA Office and the Noel Fine Arts Building. I was able to see a number of students, previous supervisors, professors and friends I've known or worked with in the last five-ish years. It was a great visit. I could not have planned it more perfectly. I was able to go out to dinner with my friend Annika and get more up to date with others before the Symphony Orchestra concert, where I was able to successfully surprise a number of friends in the music department.

On Saturday, I spent a number of hours in Starbucks seeing a number of friends and professors. In the afternoon, I went to a joint recital for a friend of mine who plays bass and his roommate who plays clarinet. After their recital finished, I headed back to Minneapolis for a board game party!

GOPHER WRESTLING

For only spending one night in Minneapolis, I spent the night at a friend's place. She and I woke early Sunday for the University of Minnesota's wrestling match that she had to work and I was able to do the live blogging for the dual again. We've practically got this down!! :) After the event finished, I stopped by my brother's and spent time with him and his roommates. When it was time, I drove to the airport to pick up my friend Gretchen and drive her home to Poplar, WI.

GRETCHEN & ME

Gretchen and I made the three hour drive without danger, singing Disney classics the entire way (of course). When we arrived in Poplar, Gretchen's family welcomed us with open arms and fed us generously!!!! In the morning, Gretchen taught me a bit of violin: E Tune and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. We have videos, but I'm not sure how well it will load. I'll keep you posted. After a hefty lunch combining all of Gretchen's favorite things, I drove back to Minneapolis making it just in time for Monday night volleyball.

After working all day Tuesday and Wednesday, I packed up the car and picked up my brother to drive to Fond du Lac, WI. Our plan was to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with our parents and our Chicago family. All though the drive is not typically eventful, we unfortunately had a bit of an event. A deer. North of Stevens Point, near Lake Knowlton. Thankfully, the deer was meerly standing in the middle of my lane and I graciously drove around it. Not-so-thankfully, as I passed the deer on the right shoulder (and he {and I know it was a he because of his abundant antlers} was facing left) he decided to turn 180º. Right into my car. The right rear 'flank' of my Ford Focus, now has two small dents. I cannot complain, because we could have totalled it. I am very grateful that it was only such a minor encounter.

ANDREW & ME BEFORE THE RACE

Andrew and I made it the rest of the way home with no incidents. We got home and to sleep sometime after 1am. And promptly woke by 6:30am to run two miles for the Turkey Trot (click on the link, Andrew and I are photo #52 on the finish line!). I know I told you I wasn't going to run, but one of my supervisors at work said, "If you think you can do it, why not try?" Andrew ran with me the entire way, as if he was my own personal coach. I picked up one of those compression knee bands made specifically for patellar tendinitis. It felt so great, I didn't have a single issue. About 3/4 through the two miles, I started having problems with my other knee instead- and the problems have yet to go away. I might have to go see someone about this soon.  Moral of the story, if you think you can do it, why not try? Andrew and I ran the two mile in 27 minutes (roughly). I had to start somewhere!! Next time it will be a 5k and officially timed. I cannot wait for my knee to recover so I can get back to running!

It turned out our Chicago family couldn't make it up to celebrate with us, so our Thanksgiving became a very quiet and low-key day. In the afternoon we went out and played 18 holes of frisbee disc golf. We enjoyed our 4pm dinner time and began a cribbage tournament with double elimination. On Friday, rather than going out and buying all sorts of unneeded, marked-down items, we stayed in, slept in, and baked. Two cheesecakes, peanut butter fudge, coconut raspberry cookies and something my brother picked out. We went to out to eat since we finished most all of our leftovers and then went to see Skyfall. GO SEE IT, that's all I'm going to say. :)

TOKEN TRIO!

After the movie and for all of Saturday, I spent (in various ways) celebrating my golden birthday. I was able to spend it with friends and family, both in Wisconsin and in Minnesota. Andrew and I drove back to Minneapolis just in time to begin celebrations with dinner, and friends, and drinks. I must say, I'm beginning to feel old, I hardly made it past midnight! And the music was too loud. What's wrong with me??

Anyway, now that I'm back in Minneapolis I am able to take a bit of a breather from all the running around I have done.

Until next time (in Phoenix)....
Sarah Marsh