welcome to sweaty June

virtual high five for working out

Happy Friday (yes, I am not going to have regular blogging this month, let’s just apologize now and move on?) I hope you are ready for a June fitness challenge, because I agreed to attempt 30 fitness classes in 30 days – which will involve some double sessions – old school style.  A few of my friends and I are very into what I’ll call social working out, where instead of hanging out and getting drinks and dinners after work, we hit up a gym class together and sweat it out.  Sometimes we go to brunch after a weekend workout – those Bloody Mary’s taste that much better after sweating it out. 

The rules are pretty simple, 30 classes in 30 days, mediation classes count, yoga is welcome, and some insanity is always a good idea. So far I've been having fun, and find myself figuring out how to get to more classes (I'll sleep more in July).

Our challenge includes Instagram photos after all our sweats – so if you would like to follow along or play along look for #sweatyjune #30in30, or please follow me @jilli1982. As of last night I was 5 out of 5, and getting ready for a weekend of gym attendance and packing up my apartment. 

Have you ever attempted a workout challenge?

getting crafty

I am one of those people who go through phases of wishing I was a bit more crafty. I am never going to be a full DIYer, but I occasionally do feel the urge to learn a new skill to keep my inner math geek from feeling too far away from artsy endeavors. Tapping my inner grandmother/hipster, I signed myself up for an introduction to crochet class. I knew I’d be heading to a studio for two Sunday morning sessions, but I really wasn’t sure what to expect, or if I was going to drive my instructor bonkers.

Before going to class, I had grand ideas that this would be how I’d start my bohemian crafts, or really do something other than Candy Crush while watching television. Major goal would be to be able to make Norbs a blanket or something to that effect.

Week one was pretty good, and the class was tiny – only three of us learning to become crochet masters. One of the other girls had clearly been studying up before hand, and I just kept getting mine all twisted, the other was equally as frustrated as I was.  I will say the instructor was lovely and patient and kind (all things anyone should be for teaching adults new skills).  I learned I don’t like to point my index finger and leave it waving in the wind, like you are supposed to for a good crochet.  I was left with homework to practice during the week.

For week two, I missed my train and was 15 minutes late – which made me feel more guilty then I already was, because that homework didn’t happen. The week was busy with different things, and I when I got home each night the last thing I was up for was suffering with my crochet hook. Anyway, I was honest because being a slacker is already pretty bad, but lying on top of it is way worse.  Luckily though, all was forgiven and I got some good attention and started to master some of the stitches in during the rest of class. I realized that the hardest part of any project was going to be the starting two rows and after that as long as I paid attention I would be able to get my craft on.

Upon graduating from my beginners class, I bought a book for reference and some beautiful sage green yarn, and started what’s turning out to be a fairly decent looking first scarf. I really want to make some blankets as I think that would be an amazing thing have, that would actually get used. I also promised my family wash clothes for Easter. I’ve also started toying with the idea of taking the second class in the series – after a few weeks of really getting comfortable with things I’ve already learned.

Have you ever tried a new hobby? What’s a favorite new skill you’ve learned?

from my bookshelf

I probably read more than the average person, typically in a year I read about a book a week. It’s certainly not completely evenly spread- when  I am working and only reading on my commutes and before bed I am reading at a slower pace, and vacations I tend to pick up and read a lot more.  It’s truly my favorite hobby- there’s nothing better to me than falling into a book and not being able to put it down. I thought I’d share some recent great reads in case you’re hankering for a recommendation.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. If you like twisted tales of who’s really the guilty party, this is a page turner. Just when you start to think one thing, you realize another character is even crazier than the last. Added bonus with this one is that it’s going to be a movie this fall staring Mr. Ben Affleck.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. The first installment of The Game of Thrones – not just a geeky fantasy book, but one with all sorts of tales. I particularly enjoy the different  viewpoints as each chapter switches characters. I am very fond of young Bran Stark- who’s only eight years old in this first book.

The Hit by David Baldacci. I have always enjoyed crime thrillers and this one was definitely had some interesting plots. When I discovered David Baldacci a few years ago, I was impressed by the topical subject matter, that really makes you wonder what the leaders of any government are up to – even our own. It feels like there’s so much going on behind the scenes, and this novel really makes you think about that. 

I'd love any recommendations for next reads if you have one.

(photo via pinterest)

holiday homework

I am actually officially on vacation the entire Christmas week, which I usually don’t do – that’s what I get for not taking more days earlier in the year (2014 – will I take the two weeks of vacation back to back?). I know it’s nothing to complain about having a real school like vacation week here at the end of the year, but I’ll probably still check emails and keep a few things moving along, but for the most part, I am going to enjoy a little R&R.

I did, however, end up with some homework for the week – yes, ten years after college, I have homework over the break. Two friends asked me to complete two things while I plan on hanging around with the family. I wish someone told me the plan was just to play with Norbs the whole week. Anyway, I am supposed to watch all of Downton Abbey before the next season starts, which I have never watched but apparently this is a must watch show (I am usually late to the party, except when it comes to The Blacklist, that’s one I started the week it started), and I am to read the first book of Game of Thrones.  So, in a week that’s supposed to be 24 episodes of television and an 800 page novel…  somehow my vacation feels like exam prep. Game of Thrones though is amazing, as I started this a few weeks ago since it’s so long and I read every day on the train and before bed (book nerd here), so I am feeling like I might be ready for book two before the end of the year. 

Do you have any holiday week homework?

vacation, all I ever wanted

Before the Thanksgiving holiday week, I took a staycation day and enjoyed a very relaxing New York City day. My major goal of taking a local vacation day (not my norm, most of the time I head somewhere even if it's just a weekend adventure) was to make sure I didn't spend the day doing anything at home like cleaning, laundry, television watching, etc. I wanted to make sure I made the most of my day away from work.  I started my day at Flywheel taking a late morning class, one of the truest luxuries, of not working, not battling a class full other worker bees. I really enjoyed going to workout during when I'd normally start checking emails at work. 

lego house

I have lived in the New York metropolitan area for just about six years now (whoa baby), and I made my first ever trip to FAO Schwartz this past weekend. Having seen the movie Big more times that I should admit, that store seems much bigger to me in the movie. Thought it probably wasn’t teaming with wall to wall parents and kids. Lots of people in one space, no matter how large always feels smaller.  That said, I want to live in the Lego section of the store- it’s so cool what you can build with those bricks. I saw the architecture series and could definitely see myself building a little Lego Sydney Opera House just for fun on a rainy weekend. Apparently, I am a cross between a grandmother and a twelve year old when it comes to things that excite me- yay puzzles!