Pean’s Adventures in the Big City

….it’s true, I have made no New Years resolutions once again.  I think since I am always in an active state of “reinventing” myself (similar to Madonna, sans the cone-shaped leather bras/whips and chains), and trying to decide what I can offer to our tiny world in the vast expanse of what is called the universe, it’s almost pointless in taking it one step further.  I think resolutions should be reserved for those whom personal reflection is an infrequent occurrence, and while I am slightly (only slightly) jealous of these individuals—they appear to live life carefree, concerned only with the present—I take comfort in the fact that I tend to reflect on a regular basis. For example, I gave serious contemplation to the following:

1.   I recently decided that I’m going to pay more attention to my adventurous side, i.e. when a friend needs you to help him run 135 miles through Death Valley, you think to yourself, “What the f%$k is he thinking? Will I have to buy 12 pairs of asics b/c they all melt on the road, too?  Should I have him committed? Will I have to ride a bike? Will the tires melt? Worse, does he expect me to run a leg of it, and if so, does that mean I have to sit in a sauna as ‘training’ as well?  FInally, should I just go and make the best of it, even though the idea scares me shitless?”  The answer here, friends, is a definitive “Yes.”  Just say “yes” to your crazy friends—support them in all of their ridiculous, yet incredible endeavors, for there is a reason they are in your life and there is certainly a common thread that brought you together in the first place. 

2. I’m going to spend more time out west, and give serious consideration to actually relocating there for a few years—can’t be bad for training, plus Katrina will be there by then to dominate the altitude of course :)  

3. I decided to cut all (well only eat foods w/ 3% or less) saturated fat and refined sugar from my diet—that’s right, candy has to go, and the annual revenue at Dylan’s Candy Bar will be $22,000 less this year b/c of it. 

Note: this does not include Hot Tamales

4. I am filling any free time I have around med school applications and running, with extra volunteer work.  I realized that just raising money for a charity is a convenient, yet passive form of “involvement.”  For it isn’t until you get “in there” with those who need assistance, that you feel as if you’ve made a dent in this world, however big or small (afterall, a small dent is still a dent nonetheless) it may be.  It’s fulfilling to reflect upon a day, a week, or a year and feel like you’ve actually made a difference, or at the very least tried to.  Afterall, the unexamined life is not worth living, is it not?  Well some say “yes” and some say “wtf, no way!”  That’s all I’m going to say on this topic. 

5.  I am going to surround myself with people whose goals and aspirations align with my own—whether it be running, working, or trying to save the world one person at a time.  I will not waste my time on shallow or phony individuals, whose best quality is their superficiality.  I find that initially they appear to be something of value, but truly lack any substance when put to the test, or when you probe the depths of their personality only to realize that you settled.  I noticed that women my age, myself included, have a penchant for attracting men of this nature, and then we are stuck trying to figure out how to free oursleves of the situation.  Let me tell you, it can get ugly, sometimes you even have to pull the “emotional trainwreck” act to deliberately scare them off.  That’s no fun for anyone involved, especially when Oscars aren’t going around for best performance at a break-up.  I am going to be the more wary of this going forward, that and dating anyone who has another woman in their life they secretly salivate/wet their pants over at just the mention of her name. Gross!

That’s all for now.  If it doesn’t make sense, I’m not sure what to tell you.  Sammy told me that I needed to update, and let me address this by reiterating that I already was experiencing blogger burnout the first day.  This is pretty good for me! I thought I’d only update once a year or something, so keep your panties tight, Sammy.  Pean is a big girl with a job, and countless miles to rack up each week in this death row weather (does anyone else feel like their legs weigh about 100 lbs. each when they’re out for a run?  No? Mine do.  Makes for some “fast” workouts, let me tell you).  Finally, an update from Winnipeg: Dont move there. You’ll be cross country skiing instead of cross country running (my poor k! for the greater good though, remember that when you’re a medical professional helping others!!)

One more thing:

Watch this deranged video. Now, I am rather open-minded towards other cultures, but this is so ridiculous…and weird:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cl-h-S-IH0

Remember this video when you’re running through Central Park in the cold and then have to sit in an ambulance for frostbite of the hands (yes, that would be me on New Years Eve…thank god my man was there haha!), while countless idiots in costume run by….

Happy 2009!

Love, Micro Pean

As we all know yesterday was Thanksgiving.  A day where we travel out of our habitat, Manhattan, and make our way to the great suburbs.  From the moment we arrived at our destination, we were treated like family, and I was able to add a little “Pean” to the table with some white roses I brought out from the concrete jungle (I love to bring flowers anywhere that I go—I think they are nature’s reminder of how perfect all living things are).  Thanksgiving has been deemed a day to give thanks, eat yourself to an oblivion, and then sit around for the remainder of the day watching T.V. or, if you happen to be me, grab two of your best friends, a rather large bottle of wine, light some candles, throw on a little jazz and then go through the year in review. 

Now the time period following big dinners like this are especially appreciated in female circles, because it allows us to “air our dirty laundry” or any grievances we may be walking around with, and catch up on any personal stories involving anything from family to work, and of course, relationships.  For example, a friend of mine recently went on a date with this crazy financier (can we call him that?), whom she chronically cancels on (I don’t blame her).  He’s everything Manhattan has to offer in terms of a man: over-the-top, self-absorbed, and has an affinity for taking women to  restaurants conveniently located right around the corner from his apartment.  After canceling multiple times, she (my eternal optimist) decides to go and get it over with.  She knows what he’s about and nothing he says or does is particularly shocking, except for on this occasion they decided to meet downtown, fine.  However, once this individual lured her down to the lower east side for drinks, he made an interesting proposal: “Next time you should wear a fish net body suit.” Take a minute, let that one sink in for you…take it all in.  I don’t think I need to write down her response to such a faux pas in order for you to fully grasp the implications of such a statement, but have we really considered what this outfit looks like? What is it even used for?  A few things come to mind I assure you, and I have attached the image here for you to see (the cleanest one I could find)—how festive.  In the event that no one can supply me with such information, I will take the liberty of performing the research myself and get back to you.  Sorry to digress, but I had to throw this one out there, because honestly…wtf??

Regarding Thanksgiving in general: I really don’t have much to say about it, except the food rocked, the hostess was incredible, and it was nice to relax and chill with close friends.  Plus, my day came to an end in a way that could only be described as priceless. Now, I have always been a rather “spirited” person and anyone can attest to that.  I do, I enjoy running my mouth and telling you exactly what I’m thinking; however, this habit of mine is seldom exercised without provocation.  Well at the end of the night, as I climbed into Marilyn’s car, her ”colorful” brother came up to the window to shake my hand and I started laughing–his reply was simply: “STEPH, YOU NEED TO BE SLAPPED LIKE A MAN, YOU CRAZY BROAD.” I can honestly say that for the first time in my life I had no response…NOTHING! What can you say to that? What does being slapped like a man even entail?  A ridiculous day, but a better time than any words could describe. 

Slapped like a man…….is this seriously my life?

Since I now actually have one of these things (I feel like I’ve been given a baby with no instructions, and I have been told I have to raise it, and get it into an ivy league college) I am just throwing a few rules out there:

As for keeping this blog: I make no promises that I will update it in any timely manner. I am not responsible.  I am not clever.  I also have NO computer knowledge when it comes to posting photos of myself (gross, why do it?) and have no desire to do such things on any sort of “basis.”  I am not a “blogger” per se, and I never understood people who keep them.  This wasn’t even my idea, it is the brainchild of two of my close friends who listen to all my stories and tell me to write them down.  One of them just happens to be a total computer geek, and bought me this domain for Christmas (tears to my eyes, really).  I’ve heard people speak of “blogger burn-out” and I assure you, I’m already bringing that to the table. Do not hold any expectations for me, b/c I hold none for myself.  I will not use this as a vehicle to dump all of my personal problems out into the universe, nor will I use this to discuss any particular topic at length, i.e., my attempts/aspirations to attend medical school, saving the world one child at a time, or writing about the countless mileage I log on my running shoes.  However, I realize that this site can be used for good.  I want this to be a place where I can write down what I see in this crazy metropolis.  How many times have you seen or done something and said, “I can’t wait to tell someone…” I want this to be a place where my family can stay updated and in touch, and be a place where the lovely and incredible things my friends do everyday can be shared, so that everyone else can know how amazing they are….not just me.

Alright, that’s all.  I’ve already taken up way too much time writing this, and therefore everything I just said above is total nonsense now.  Have a kickin’ Thanksgiving Eve, and Thanksgiving Day!!  Later.