My 500th Post: 30 Great Things About 30

It's fairly appropriate that this is my 500th post here at ye olde blog. It's also fairly appropriate that the title of my favorite album of Year 30 was "This Is Happening." Because 30 for me, was the year I, for the most part, finally learned to go with the flow and stop freaking out about what others would think, preferring just to remove myself from the drama.

After most of my crazy exploits, bizarre injuries, missed trains to Freiburg...I pretty much just shrugged and thought "well, that happened."

On a more somber note, perhaps it was easier to remove myself from drama in a year that was bookended by massive tragedies (Haitian Earthquake - 1/12/10 & Tuscon Terrorism - 1/8/11). Perhaps my contempt at Wisconsin's beyond broken political environment replaced any energy I'd have previously focused on petty personal issues. Or maybe I really am getting older and wiser.

At any rate, looking back, 30 was surely my most memorable year since 23, and that's saying a lot.

Although many of these are coded (my mother reads this blog), here are 30 things that I don't want to forget about Year 30 (in no particular order):

1. Running my first 5k and first half marathon within 10 months, thanks to the encouragement of awesome running buddies like Becky, Tony and Jason and of course the Daily Mile crew. Special thanks to my "top three motivators" - Anne, Amy, and Augie. All in all I logged over 1,000 miles of fitness activities - and that counts barely a fraction of my bike commutes!

2. Memorable nights out abroad with random Germans and Brits. Counting up conquering the
Allied and Axis powers.

3. Rediscovering my love for film with continued involvement with Milwaukee Film, dipping my toe further into the local film community, and becoming a semi-regular at the UWM Union Theatre.
 

4. Connecting through both family and social media to wonderful hosts while I traveled solo in Belgium and Germany - thanks Bernie, Kyle, and Bridgit!

5. Witnessing four great couples commit to each other -- congrats Jane & Ralf, Beth & Fred, Jessica & Ben, and Jackie & Mike.

I vote to balance out people who dress their children like this.

6. Exercising my right to vote in each election and making efforts to write or call my representatives on issues that matter to me.

7.  Santa Cycle Rampage and Aftermath.
 

Siblings!

8. Visiting my hometown of Portland twice and really, really liking it. Especially the running, the beer, the transit, the music, the donuts, and the random evenings. Oh and the whole family and lifelong friends thing too.

9. Jason losing a bet. It makes for a good story for those who are privileged to know.

10. Extending my "Cool Auntie" love to Joey D., Joey S., Oliver S., and A.J. Q.

Good friends take nerdy pictures with you.

 11. Maintaining my priceless existing friendships, becoming closer with people that once were just acquaintances, and making new wonderful friends.

12. Scaling back my involvement in organizations when my heart wasn't with them and learning to relax a bit more. 

13. Breathtaking hikes both at home (Devil's Lake) and abroad (the Calvert in Malmedy, The Black Forest, Philosophersweg in Heidelberg)
 

Wren & I not smelling like ass.

14. The smoking ban. Rediscovering loveable dive bars.

15. Realizing how much I truly love being #carfree and the different advantages of the bike/walk/bus mix.

 
16. Raising over $1500 for the performing arts (I still can't thank AJ Bombers enough for letting me fundraise there). Then biking 75 freaking miles (not on this bike, but my photos are limited).

17. Reading more and utilizing the stellar Milwaukee Public Library system.

18. Having my music snobbery parlay itself into a blogging opportunity. Feeling proud of Milwaukee's music scene for both national touring acts and #mkemusic and the accessibility of movers and shakers in the local scene via social media.

19. Getting hooked into the #fitmke and #mkefoodies communities via twitter - and making some wonderful IRL friends because of it.

I'm in the blue floaty thing

20. Appearing in public in a swim suit - a two piece for that matter!

One of the photos I used for online, unsuccessfully.

21. Getting asked out by someone I didn't meet at a bar or through a set up or dating service. Giving online dating a legitimate shot and realizing it wasn't for me.

Watch out boys, she'll chew you up.

22. Being secure in my singleness. More than that - ROCKING my singleness.

23. Meeting and exceeding my fitness goals of doing at least one paid community event a month.
 

 

24. Getting through another crazy year at work, including handling the floodpocolypse of 2010.

All hotels should have lovely floral arrangements.

25. Reopening "Hotel Meghan" and hosting Ryan, Kat, the whole Lepene Family (a child was in my apartment!), and Ellen as they came through town.
 

26. Indulging my fashion fetishes and buying nicer clothes for my new bod.

Reentering the Meat Zone.

27. Remaining aware of what I put in my mouth, and making concerted efforts to stay local and natural or organic.  Reintroducing red meat to my diet after 15 years.

28. Watching several of my talented friends reinvent themselves or relaunch themselves career-wise. Special props to the talented Ellen Winters for booking more jazz gigs and hitting the studio, to the gourmet guru and Globaco Queen Jackie Valent Lucca for delighting Milwaukee's tastebuds with her food cart the Fast Foodie, and my dear friend Maribeth for embracing the opportunity to become an incredible teacher in the near future.

29. Having both parents visit me in Milwaukee and spending a whole day in the Seattle-area hanging out with my awesome grandma.

30. Strengthening my relationship with Kathleen, my best friend, to new levels and watching her, in the face of fear, begin to share her unbelievable (but true!) life story with the greater world. I could not be more proud.

***

The night I turned 30, Wren took me to Bryant's and basically played the role of "30 coach" assuring me this would be the most amazing decade. She hasn't been wrong so far. I look forward to what 31 brings on.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I still suck at posting, but my St. Patrick's Day plans involve going to Paddy's Pub tomorrow from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Weather should be nice so join us out on the patio!

And to remind you of why I'm not sitting home blogging incessantly....here's a picture of my last St. Pat's pre-celebration:

And mine this year:

February Fitness Pays Off!

I totally sucked at blogging this week. And you're not getting make up blogs. I think you will live.

A couple people have asked for fitness updates, so here goes...

Becky and I continued our 5k a month challenge, completing the Frostbite 5k in Nashotah Saturday (don't we look hot post-run?). We met up with several #fitmke folks -- Anne, Tracey, Sarah, Rochelle and Julie. They all did incredible, with Anne and Rochelle both earning bronze medals for their class!

I set a PR for myself, finishing the very hilly course in a speedy 31:20! Considering I did my first race last month just over 38 minutes, I would have been happy with 35. Needless to say, I'm thrilled.

Next up: The Madison Shamrock Shuffle on March 14

In just 20 days I'll be doing the Fight for Air Climb, also with Becky. I owe a huge shout out to my wonderful Twitter friends who generously put me over my $100 fundraising requirement in less than 24 hours. Thanks so much Nick, Derek, Sara S., Karen, Anne, and my awesome #fitmke partner Amy!! If the American Lung Association of Wisconsin is an important cause to you, please feel free to donate as well, but know that I'll be doing another big campaign for the Miller Lite for the Arts in the coming months. I've got some exciting news about that too!

I have had some friends who I don't see often start wondering why all my posts are about fitness/diet/etc. Well, hopefully they are beginning to understand that it's a huge part of my life now...and if I ignore it, HUGE will take over my life again. I can't ever let that happen. I know I can be thin....if I work at it.

I could not have been more excited to jump around Boutique Vieux et Nouveau yesterday in the above dress. It was a size 8!!! An 8!!!!! I started this thing in a high 16. Dude, I'm proud of myself. I am so happy because I don't know the last time I felt I earned something with so much hard work. Plus, I actually like who I am now. I feel like I smile all the time. Why? Because this was me just last August:

And again, me now...

becoming underinvolved?

As many of you know, or have surmised, I spent the bulk of my 20s getting really involved in the community. I also spent the bulk of my late-20s packing on the pounds while not taking much time for myself.

As I continue to try and lose my last 20 pounds, I also scramble to meet all of my volunteer commitments. It's a delicate balance and sometimes I feel like I'm letting people down.

Does anyone have some tips for becoming less involved? Or balancing self-time with community time?

monday munchies: post cold food

Now that I finally have energy again (a little too much, I need to go to bed), I have been back at it in the kitchen, trying to use up or preserve my waning supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Tonight I made a boatload of applesauce and I still have some heartier apples left to transform.

I also made a most delicious carrot-ginger soup -- complete with my homemade chicken stock (so much better for you, not all that disgusting sodium):

Only two points a serving, so I'm doubling up the servings for my lunches this week -- it's just that freaking delicious.

I also tried my hand at Indian cuisine over the weekend, trying to use up the ton of spinach in my fridge, as well as a couple of the potatoes in my neverending supply. The result, a pretty decent Aloo Palak:

Used a the coriander and turmeric I bought in Delhi, so it was pretty cool to use locally sourced ingredients mixed with a bit of my travels.

30 by 30: Indie Workout Mix 2

First, I'd like to apologize for disappearing. Unfortunately after my trip to Arizona, I came down with the "headcold of doom" and have been a useless lump for the past five days.

But I'm back and back to the gym. Today I eased back into it with 30 minutes on the elliptical at the Wisconsin Athletic Club. As I did a couple of weeks ago, I made another mix. This week's is a bit more rocking though.

Sixteen - The Heavy
Crown on the Ground - Sleigh Bells
Fences (Friendly Fires Remix) - Phoenix
Big Booty Woman - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Bleed 2 Feed - C.C. Adcock
Got Nuffin - Spoon
How You Like Me Now? - The Heavy
Last Dance - The Raveonettes

monday munchies: fall food

A bittersweet haul from the last Easttown Farmers Market of the season will provide me with some morsels for the week. Still sticking it out with Weight Watchers, I'm trying to create some healthy and nourishing fall foods.

After a failed attempt earlier this summer, I was pleased that my potato leek soup turned out freaking delicious this time around. I opted not to puree after my grandma recommended enjoying the flavor of the chunks.

This is a really crummy photo of a pretty darn amazing creation. Quinoa cakes -- super filling and loaded with protein. Just sort of made them up using 2c quinoa, 1c each of spinach, red pepper, red onion, and 2 eggs. Cooked 1/2 c of mixture at a time in olive oil. Use a spatula to hold together, or it does fall apart (like the photo above). You can top with cheese to make even more tasty.

My delicious "hangover" dinner on Saturday...baked potato with yogurt and cilantro and just look (!!!) at that sauteed kale with shallots. Doesn't it just look full of healthy things?

Finally, my lunch for the week: Cream of Celeriac soup. Celeriac may be the ugliest root vegetable out there, but dang, does it make one mouthwatering soup treat.

30 by 30: Indie Workout Mix 1

Always mixing things up over here at the Accidental Wisconsinite, and today is no different. I restarted my membership at the Wisconsin Athletic Club today and took it easy with just over a half an hour on the elliptical (2.75 miles).

While I plan to spend most of my WAC time initially going to structured classes (and thus being subjected to the musical whims of the instructors), I needed to create a good mix of fresh tunes to get me motivated on my own. Here's my playlist for today:

Dream City - Free Energy
Something in Common - Free Energy
The Laurels of Erotomania - Cold Cave
True No. 9 Blues (True Romance) - Golden Silvers
IRM (Diskjokke Remix) - Charlotte Gainsbourg
Songs Remind Me of You - Annie (my new dance jam of the year)
Here to Fall (Popular Songs Version) - Yo La Tengo

Enjoy!

thankful tuesdays: 30 by 30: 1/3 there

I guess my dedication to Couch to 5k and home cooking is paying off. I went to the doctor today and found out I've lost 10 pounds since I was there last month for my illness of doom.

I kind of hit the "reset" button on my life in 2009 and I'm glad that I'm taking it in a positive direction.

I am really thankful that I've been able to stay focused and motivate myself to go to the gym and moderate my junk food and booze intake. I'm really thankful for my friends who have been supportive of my efforts and my mom who has set me up with all the appliances I need for success. Special thanks to Becky who will be my CSA buddy this year and to Lars who is my virtual gym buddy.

Speaking of CSAs! If you want to be thankful for them this summer (and trust me you will be), check this out:

Saturday, March 7 from noon to 4 p.m.

Urban Ecology Center CSA and Local Food Open House

(http://urbanecologycenter.org/csa/csa.html)

I'm already signed up for a veggie share from Rare Earth again this year, but I'm curious to check out fruit, meat, flower and dairy shares they've added. I'll be heading over there around 1 p.m. on Saturday if anyone wants to go.

early to bed...

Lovely evening tonight with Becky checking out the Great Lakes Distillery and Iron Horse Hotel. I'll hopefully have time to update this weekend (pretty low-key), but now I'm going to go lay in bed, watch tv and wake up early to run some Couch to 5k.

30 by 30: Couch to 5K

After having several friends talk up the ease of the Couch to 5k Running Program, I decided to try it for myself. I'm now in Week 2, and kind of enjoying it.

A couple of weeks ago I went to InStep in the Third Ward (also at the recommendation of several friends), and bought fancy new running shoes. I actually don't know if I've ever owned ACTUAL running shoes before. Definitely cross-trainers and basketball shoes, but this may be a new journey for me completely. The nice thing about running shoes is that my feet no longer kill when I run. So it's not that terrible.

I also bought a heart rate monitor to help me track my progress.

Well, I'm only on the second week, so it's not awful yet. The treadmills at the WAC are different than going outside too, I suppose.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

If anyone has tips, please leave them in the comments below.

monday munchies: culver's turtle sundae

Totally earned after an hour of racquetball and then a flat tire misadventure in West Allis, WI.

Thank God for Ted the Mechanic who stopped and helped out the non-mechanically inclined young professionals.

30 by 30: yoga one-on-one - PT II

Same thing happened this week. I was the only one who braved the elements and showed up for yoga class.

The regular instructor was back though and said that the holidays have a lot to do with it. I hope so. I really love having the 9 AM Saturday class available.

And I'm totally digging yoga. I'm learning to balance! And not fall over!

30 by 30: audio assault

Last night I pointed out that while I enjoy the idea of "nice," sometimes I'm not so pleasant myself. Few things put me in a foul mood faster than terrible music. I'm also not a morning person, so bad tunes before I'm fully awake also poison my day.

I thought I'd written before about why I attend the spin class that I do, but I guess not. It's not by accident that I go on Wednesday. Kelly isn't just a fantastic instructor, but she usually has an extremely palatable soundtrack for a 6 a.m. class. While I can handle the pop music of an aerobics class in the evening, in the morning I need something a bit more chill. She typically has an inoffensive mix of '90s folk-rock, world music and euro-remixed Madonna songs. Her tracks always flow together nicely and keep you focused on the "road."

This morning I thought she'd lost her mind.

We warmed up to some pleasant Eddie Vedder solo song, so I didn't think anything was wrong. But then came some crap-rock song as we got into our workout. Followed by my worst nightmare -- CREED -- the WORST BAND EVER. EVER. EVER TO EXIST ON THE PLANET OR IN THE UNIVERSE.  I didn't know what to do. I felt ill. And it wasn't just because of the 4-minute climb. I tried to sing another song in my head to combat it, but no Scott Stapp's awful vocals and terrible lyrics were raping my entire auditory system, I couldn't escape.

I'm not sure what followed immediately after. I mean at that point I was just glad for it to be over. We still had about 35 minutes left so I knew nothing worse could come on at this point. I was correct, but barely. We endured Big & Rich (but at least everyone knows "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" is a joke), some more crap-rock, Kelly Clarkson (okay, I'll admit, guilty pleasure on that one), Van Halen's "Right Now" (which actually did work well for spin), and that horrible "Sweet Home Alabama"/"Werewolves of London" rip off by Kid Rock or something like that. There were a couple techno-y remixes thrown in there, but in addition to being horrific, the playlist was super schizophrenic. Nothing flowed. It was like the devil took over an iPod shuffle.

Finally as we were winding down, and I was thinking about how I was going to have to find a new spin class (and it was a killer workout today too!), Kelly announced "thanks to Melissa for the guest playlist today!"

THANK GOD. My instructor has not gone insane, instead the girl I already don't like in the class just solidified her position as Public Enemy #1 (this girl REFUSES to have the fan on here when it gets warm in the room, which means if you're stuck next to her, especially when the sun starts streaming through the windows, you're liable to pass out).

Of course it took all I could to not shout out "NOOOOOO" when everyone complimented her on a "great set."

At least I have a work meeting with WMSE this morning to reassociate myself with safe and positive music. And I'm listening to TV on the Radio to clear my mind at the moment.

What is the worst "trapped" musical experience you've ever had?

30 by 30: if i can lift more than the temperature...

Although I went to bed early, I skipped the gym this morning opting for a little online bill paying instead. Why? Maybe because I checked the weather and it was TWO degrees.

New rule: If I can lift more than the temperature, I'll stay indoors until it's absolutely critical I leave the house (i.e. go to work).

It's supposed to snow this afternoon and I'm meeting a girlfriend for a drink after work, but I PROMISE I will go to the gym after that. When I'm already out and not risking hypothermia just for a couple of pounds.

I am doing spin class tomorrow though, so regardless of the weather situation I'll be there.

This is definitely the time of year I reconsider my residency.

30 by 30: yoga one-on-one

I lucked out at yoga class yesterday morning. No one else showed up, so I got a one-on-one lesson.

This ended up being extremely helpful as the instructor was able to watch and critique what I was doing in addition to going at my pace. She adjusted my posture at times and gave me the tip that during a plank, one's inner elbows should be facing each other. I really wish I'd known that earlier, as it made the dreaded plank much, much easier.

It's also amazing how in tune with the entire body yoga instructors are. Mine noticed that my left wrist  was "off" and asked if I was okay. I am perfectly fine, but this is the wrist I badly broke several years ago and had two surgeries on.

The yoga instructor also agreed with me on my opinion of the Pilates experience from earlier in the year.

As much as I enjoyed the personal attention, I hope this was just a fluke and they continue the Saturday morning class at the downtown WAC. It's the perfect time to do yoga -- detoxify from Friday and reenergize for the rest of the weekend.

30 by 30: every other day

Clearly I'm not at the gym right now. Wouldn't it be great if they added "blog machines" to the treadmill though? It would be way more useful than the televisions.

I successfully made it Monday and Wednesday and will make myself go tomorrow. I realize I said I wanted to hit 4/5 this week, but I think 3/5 isn't bad considering we had a major snowstorm on Tuesday.

For reasons about to be posted momentarily, I didn't want to have my gym bag with me today as I have to be at Bayshore at 5:30 p.m.