Week 2 (ish...)- How to Survive a Road Trip

Who likes road trips anyway?:

Recently I traveled ten hours to Myrtle Beach, SC to see two great friends get married on the beach.  What a beautiful day that was! My boyfriend was my traveling companion and a great one at that. The only problem with traveling such a long distance with only one other person is what do you do when your companion needs to sleep so they can take over and then you can sleep?! Tricky, tricky. Not to mention stressful if you, the driver, start to nod off while your co-pilot is already asleep.

I've tried music. This usually lasts for five or so minutes until I realize I already have every song on my iPod memorized and am not interested in the junk they call music on the radio. I tune out when I already know a song and am not interested in hearing new music, at least when I drive. I've tried coffee, Redbull, pop, sugar or any other means of artificial energy. I think I am the only person alive that can fall asleep after an entire cup of coffee. I think I get that from my dad. I'm useless.

Solution 1:

Podcasts! Simple right? But for some reason, even with all of the technology nowadays, I had never thought of that. I must admit that if it wasn't for my boyfriend turning me on to NPR (National Public Radio) I probably would have never given public radio or the whole idea of podcasts a first or second thought. I thought each were either for the very cool 'hipster' types or the elderly. Of which I am neither. But, I am happy to report, I was very wrong (mark that one for the history books). I find that all manner of topics can be discussed and discovered and often the NPR show is in itself a podcast. Man, sometimes I feel pretty slow on the uptake! 

Why it Works: 

Behind the wheel, I find that a good podcast, such as 'Fresh Air' or 'This American Life' or 'Let's Speak Italian' or 'The History of Rome' (whoops, my geek just slipped out a little) can be very mentally stimulating, thus allowing me to be an alert, active driver even in the middle of the night with my co-pilot happily snoozing away. I guess books on tape, or CD, or via Internet would also fall under this category, but I prefer interviews, situations where I'm learning something new, or news worthy programs- that don't shove the presidential election down my throat- to fictional stories. But, to each their own. 

I'm also fascinated with how much I realize I don't know or have never heard about when I listen to podcasts. For example, did you know that the city of Baltimore claims to own the word 'hun'? Who would have thought. Here I was thinking it was a term people all over the states use when they forget someone's name or are politely trying to be condescending. One small business owner even trademarked the word which promptly brought about a shit storm and even a boycott of her cafe! Baltimore is serious about their 'huns'! http://stateofthereunion.com

Other great podcasts:  
Fresh Air: Book of Mormon Creators on their Broadway Smash
Let's Speak Italian  
This American Life

Solution 2: 

Chelyan, WV at Dawn

Be in the moment. Of course this is difficult if you're nodding off or struggling to stay awake so maybe see solution 1 first before attempting this. I also know this is very cliche and I'm a bit sick of hearing this phrase myself. Take away all my money worries, job trouble, etc, etc, and then maybe I'll live in the moment. Until then, buzz off! That is unless you are driving through the mountains of West Virginia just before sunrise and experiencing what feels like the earth rising for the coming day. 

There wasn't much light yet and I couldn't tell if it was fog or the clouds just waking up and making their morning ascent, but it was breathtaking. It felt like I was driving through the clouds and if I stuck my hand out the window I would know the feeling, first hand, of what it felt like to touch one. A feeling most will never experience. I was struck with a sense of wonder. Now that's something I don't feel everyday. It's a feeling that keeps us young and excited about living and hopeful that more of these moments will fill up our cup of life and leave us with those overflowing feelings of joy and excitement. It's awesome. Period. And I look forward to many more.

Closing Statement: 

I wasn't quite sure what the point or significance of this blog was when I started. I thought, "eh, I'll just write about my recent experiences and turn it into a information sharing blog." But I was wrong. After going over and editing and adding bits of memory to each section- especially solution 2- I realized that what I was writing about was what not only that which keeps a long journey in a car interesting, but also that which keeps life interesting: discovering something new. Adding moments to your memory bank. Moments that don't need a physical photograph because the mental one is so strong and vivid. Moments that change a little piece of you. Give you hope again if you are down. Make you realize you are just a small piece of this great earth. Allow you to understand- even if just for the briefest second- what life is all about: keeping your eyes open and focused on the here and now. Now will never be again. 

There are many things in life that remind us to be grateful, to focus on the now because we don't know how much time we have left. Whether it be an illness such as Alzheimer's that makes you want to record everything about your life in case you forget or are unable to retell it to your children, a death in the family that makes you wish you had more time or more memories, or simply a lack of time because of your demanding job. Whatever it is that makes you stand up and take note that time is precious, USE IT NOW to make a change in your life. Let it motivate you now so that it won't be too late later. I know for sure that life is not about money, clothes, houses or status. It is about hope, love, family and experience. I just hope I haven't figured that out too late. Thank you to all in my life that have helped me to finally see. Especially my wonderful boyfriend, Matt.

Week 1: Combating PMS

Sorry guys, this one is for the ladies:

I don't know if I'm alone in this or not, but I find that often the week before or after or (if I'm really lucky) both weeks surrounding my period I am a bear to deal with.  Not only for those around me, but also for me to be an innocent bystander inside of my own self-loathing, negative head. I am cranky, tired- no matter how much I sleep- and walk around with a panic about life that everything I do is wrong and my life choices will never add up.  Upon waking, I feel as though I'm in a fog of general bitterness and ill intent.  Sounds fun, doesn't it?

Lately, I've been pretty fed up with myself for feeling this way, knowing that I'm wasting precious time that I could be using for more productive, more fun, healthier purposes. I feel like I've tried everything to break myself out of this p.m.s. coma without any success.  Chocolate doesn't help, my wonderfully supportive boyfriend doesn't help, even shopping irritates and frustrates me. Then, to top it all off, I get even more frustrated with myself for not being able to pull myself out of it, knowing that I am the key to my own happiness, blah, blah, blah.  Like this is what I want to hear at that moment! (Further stressing me out!)

Solution:

Running. Simple, right?  Even silly and something you've heard already?  Entirely possible.  The only difference between that advice and this?  Maybe nothing.  Or maybe the fact that I am a real person who has been fed up with my p.m.s. for too long without any relief in sight.  It worked for me.  That's all I know and that's why I am sharing this with you, the reader and possible fellow p.m.s. hater.

Why it Works:

First, a word.  I am not, nor have I ever been a runner.  I hate running to be completely honest.  I don't like shin splints, feeling sore, or sweating so much my shirt sticks to my back.  But who does?  In order to get myself in better shape (and for yet another hobby) I have decided to run a 5k.  Mostly I'm doing this because of a bet I made with my boyfriend that I would be in shape for a 5k before he would.  I don't think this is a bet I will win but I am competitive and it suits the healthier lifestyle we are going for, so why not?

After waking up for what seemed like the fiftieth day in a row cranky and tired, with not much else going on and my looming 5k date drawing nearer, I decided to test out my handy iPhone app (C25k) and start training.  I have to admit I felt like sludge on the side of a house before deciding to do this.  I am not one of those perky get-up-and-go morning people that rise with sunshine spewing out of them.  (Ask my boyfriend or my mother.  They will fully certify that statement!) But I decided to do it anyway.  I find that when you are finally sick of feeling sorry for yourself, p.m.s. induced or otherwise, you do things you wouldn't normally do to break out of a bad habit.  Like running.

So off I went, shirt sticking to my back, gasping for air, into the eighty something degree weather in hopes of breaking the cycle.  And you know what?  It worked.  It worked because a) it was a distraction mentally from the negativity I was feeling, and b) because any type of exercise is good for your body.  It's funny, I've been reading and hearing that for years and while I fully understand the statement and it's implications, I've always thought avoiding work-out pain was a better way to go.  Until now.  I don't know what changed me.  Maybe, like I said, just being sick and tired of being tired and grumpy.  But now I get it.  You have to push your body and your mind, give it exercise and exhaustion, expel your demons, whatever you want to think of it as, in order to get different results than you've always had.  Not to mention the immense pride I felt from doing something I thought I couldn't do.  While I didn't finish the entire first workout (I left 8 more minutes of alternating run/walk cycles) I did run/walk farther and for a longer period of time than I ever have in my life.  Well maybe since 6th grade track.  And that's something that I can take personal pride in.  For now.  Until I actually finish a complete work-out cycle.  But hey, the pyramids weren't built in a day, right?  Isn't that what they say?  I'm starting to have a new appreciation for sayings like that.  Maybe they, whomever 'they' are weren't so crazy after all.

Closing Statement:

Run.  Run until you can't breathe and then push a little harder.  And then give yourself credit for what you've accomplished.  But most of all, run the living crap out of your p.m.s. and general fogginess so it can no longer rule your morning, week, life.  It worked for me so it must work for you.  Good luck.  Run number two takes place today, dread and heat and all.  Wish me luck!     

Shoes of Choice: Vibram Five Finger Komodo Sport

2 August 2012: Opening Statement

Good Afternoon!  Allow me to introduce myself:

My name is Angela and I am a self proclaimed wanderer, advice seeker, and simple solution collector.  I love ideas that make you say, "Why didn't I think of that?! How simple and great!" and I have decided to start a blog to share my humble life experiences in order to participate in the conversation of life and ideas on how to make life better. 


What you can expect from this blog: 


My aspiration is to share a weekly tid-bit about life and ways that I have found to make it better.  Whether it's a simple "aha" moment (as Oprah would say), a product or person that makes life better, or a small trick-of-the-trade to help you get through the day, my goal is to help you become a happier, healthier person.  When all is said and done, my hope is that we will have an online collection of tips, tricks, and advice on how to lead a better life.  Maybe one that we can even pass down to future generations.


A Warning:


I am not a professional psychiatrist, health practitioner or miracle worker.  The advice I offer is simply my life experience and should not be substituted for any professional advice.  If you need specific care, seek professional advice!  This is just a place to share ideas, have some fun, and commiserate on life and it's trials and tribulations.


Enjoy!