Oh man, I have been busy this week. Doing lots of crazy things, and I really haven't had time to blog. Sunday July 1st was my Grandpa's 90th birthday! All of the kids and grandkids showed up (at one point or another) and we did our traditional "Christmas in July" gift exchange (we used to do it around the 25th, but ever since Aunt Linda's moved to Florida, we've been having it around Grandpa's birthday when he's up north with Aunt Linda).
The Christmas in July exchange is a white elephant, where we pick from a pile of wrapped gifts or steal from another (while the gift is still wrapped). The funny part is seeing what gift everyone obsesses over. This year, it was a white plastic bag that everyone said felt like a stump (weight-wise and texture-wise). Turns out it WAS... a stump that can become a mini-campfire. I was trying to find a picture of it, but googling "stump campfire" has pretty much turned into finding expensive campfire "chairs" that are just lacquered stumps. Really, who would pay $379 for something you can find in the woods near your house? I digress... I ended up getting a flashlight. Andrew got a table for our porch which is actually something we need, so yay!
My Gramma also came up for Grandpa's 90th. She's been staying at my parents' ever since, so I've been going over almost every day to talk to her. It's also been about 4000°F out every day, so I haven't done much exercising. I did get in a good run this morning though, phew! It had been too long.
I will tell you that to compensate for my lack of exercise I have been making up time being creative in the kitchen! I made some delicious cookies for Grandpa's 90th -- blueberry almond, craisin white chocolate oatmeal, and vegan banana peanut butter chocolate (I have a few hippies in my family). They all turned out okay, but the craisin white chocolate were my favorite. Then today after camp, I decided to make cupcakes. Because apparently, it's good to make up for not burning calories by consuming more of them? Alas.
The other thing I've been obsessing over recently is redoing my organizational habits. Because really, I have very few. I think if I get everything exactly as I want it, I'll be awesome. One of my biggest faults is that I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but if I don't think it'll be perfect I'll give up right away. My first project is my bedroom closet. So I'll get to doing before/afters of that and we'll see how it goes from there!
I don't know. Just in general I've always been so blah and unmotivated. Here, now I'll say it: I'm going to blog more with my best friend and hopefully she can really help me get out there and moving! She's doing a great job!!
Speaking of best friends, doesn't a yoga retreat in the Bahamas sound particularly amazing if you go with a best friend? I think so... I found a cheap-o one that is only $69 for a tent on the beach (because what better way to do a yoga retreat than to camp in a tent on the beach?) I've got to do more research, but this sounds almost... reasonable. Minus air fair. I totally need to look more into this.
Okay, more later! Thanks for listening to me ramble about nothing important!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Bike!! continued ...
Last week I bought a bike helmet. It's the Bern Lenox in turquoise and I love it! It's a pretty color, comfortable, and super cute (as far as bike helmets go). Also, it passes all the bike helmet certifications so it fulfills it's primary objective of being safe.
It also has air vents, but you can't see them very well from the picture. If I get into serious, hard, summer biking I might get one of the more traditional looking helmets because they have more air vents. For commuting around Boston and the occasional recreational ride, I think this is great.
On Sunday, I tried out the Hubway bike sharing program with a day pass.
I biked to and from MGH, about 8 miles total. I was on the Esplanade, a bike/walking path along the Boston side of the Charles river. Unfortunately, there are no Hubway stations in Cambridge yet, so I had to walk about half a mile to pick up the bike. Still, it was a great way to get introduced to biking in the city. Also, there's a Hubway station right next to MGH so it's very convenient on that end. I got another day pass yesterday and biked to and from work.
On Sunday, I also went browsing at different bike stores with my friend (also a co-resident).
Things I'm looking for in a bike...
- A hybrid bike (maybe a comfort bike that's on the faster side). I want to be more sitting up, not hunched over, so I can notice traffic better and just be more comfortable.
- An aluminum frame - since it won't rust and will be lighter.
- Multiple gears - ideally 21 or more. I may settle for 7 if everything else is great and I'm able to maneuver on hills well on my test ride
- Fenders - ideally included, but at least able to be added
- Chain guard - not a necessity but a nice extra
- Straight handlebars - not the racing curved ones
- Slanted top bar - not necessarily a full "women's" model but something to make it easier to get on and off and to wear a skirt.
- Comfortable seat - ideally included, but at least the ability to switch out
- Kick stand
- The capability to have racks/add a basket
- Cuteness - or at least something that is not completely hideous
Here are a few bikes that interest me. I've test-ridden the first two at Broadway Bicycle School (a great place - I would love to support them if possible). I want to go back and try riding on a couple hills. I still need to see and test-ride the third.
Marin Bridgeway Step-thru: I saw this in the cutest green color. It rides great, comes with fenders, a chain guard, and a comfortable seat. The only draw back is that it only has 7 gears.
Marin Kentfield cs1: A bit cheaper than the Bridgeway but the price evens out when you add the fenders and a kickstand (can't add a chain guard). Maybe not as cute but not ugly either. Very comfortable seat and smooth ride. 21 gears which is a plus - you might be able to ride a bit faster(?) and navigate hills better.
Trek Allant WSD: I haven't seen or ridden this yet. Well, I did see it parked on the sidewalk (someone else's) and it looked really nice. It's the most expensive of the bunch but still within my price range. Comes with matching fenders, a front rack, and the seat looks comfy. I don't think you can add a chain guard. 21 gears.
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