NOISE: Embody

Finding Inspiration

I spent this past weekend in Marquette, MI, attending one of the largest ski races in the Mid-West: the Noquamenon Ski Marathon. I would never have known (or cared, probably) about the event, had my younger brother and his significant other not participated in the race. But standing alongside the track for the last 200 yards before the finish line, I was suprised at the surge of emotion and inspiration I felt not just for my family, but for all the skiers I saw finish the course that day.

Me vs. The Virus

I was sick over the weekend- what a bummer. I hardly ever catch that ubiquitous "something" that apparently 'goes around' between September and May every year, but last Wednesday my immune system was a boxer, and it got totally TKO'd.

It had been so long since I'd had a fever, I called my mother to ask her what I was supposed to do, when my temperature elevated to around 99.5 (FYI- not really a fever if you're a normal healthy adult). I went to bed early (because I couldn't do anything else) and stayed there for a really long time, amazed at how fast my well-being deteriorated, and at what an incredible baby I was underneath all my tough exterior. All it took was a little 'ol virus to strip me of my Wonder-Woman-like powers and leave me shaking, huddled under a pile of afghans.

Almost as soon as the Quasi-Flu hit me, it started to retreat- but only because I forced myself to do the equivalent of holding a bare hand into open flames: I took it easy. I took 4 whole days off from the gym and my triathlon training. I sat on the couch. I slept and napped hours longer than I would have ever allowed myself in normal conditions. And although my body did try to retaliate with sore muscles, tight hips, and stiff neck from all the sitting still, my immune system gained the momentum it needed to completely kick the virus to the curb. Well, nearly. I'm not 100% yet today, but I will be soon.

Emotional Lunch

Have you ever cried over food? I bet if you have an allergy, a hard-to-manage intolerance, or a disease that limits what you can eat and when, you have. In the past, pure frustration or seething anger over the difficulties of choosing what to eat, where to get it from, and when I could eat it have all been things that have caused tears for me. Monday, though, I cried over my lunch- except this time it was in absolute joy.

The Cost of Lactose Free

Minutes before I began typing this blog entry, I tried a new type of yogurt made with lactose-free cow's milk. I ate hesitantly, since I've been dairy-free for nearly 4 years, and should know by the end of this post if the yogurt truly does not cause a lactose reaction...but I'm on the fence with how I feel about removing the lactose in the first place, and if it's a practice that consumers should embrace or pass over.

Mysterious Citrus

I have this great book about produce that I've had for several years. I've pored over its pages of beautiful and bizarre fruits like Dragon Fruit and Durian, daydreaming about what a Westerner like me could do with such things. One of those bizarre fruits mentioned was Citron, or Buddha's Hand, and when I saw it for sale today at the ELFCO, I jumped at the chance to play with this mysterious citrus.

Poolside

When I was a kid, my backyard had that most coveted of summer distractions: a swimming pool. My brother and I spent entire summer days in and out of that pool, and I have many a fond memory of the water, the sun, and the summer breeze on my skin. Conjuring these happy childhood memories, I sputtered through the first of my swim training sessions during my Official Traithlon Training 2011 in the Mason High School pool this afternoon.

Popcorn Party

Popcorn scares me a little. A glance at the side-panel of any store-bought corn will reveal all types of bizarre and frightening ingredients that are far from being pronounced, not to mention recognized by the average human. And that stuff that people squirt on popcorn at the movie theater? Ugh- it makes me shudder.