Happy Hour

Each and every one of you probably knows that, for me,  there are very few things that top an ice cold Coors Light when it comes to a refreshing and relaxing way to end a stressful day in my world.  And for that reason, Happy Hours are usually a welcome event in my life at the end (and sometimes middle, and well let's be honest, sometimes beginning too) of my work weeks.  But last night, I had one of my Happiest Hours in a long time, and it had nothing to do with ice cold beer.

Last night, a hot and muggy Nashville Tuesday night not unlike most nights this summer, I got together with 3 of my very favorite girls.  These are UK-loving, live-in-a-house-with-40-other-women-and-no-air-conditioning, laugh-or-cry-with-you-over-anything-and-everything kind of girls.  I feel so blessed to call them my friends and to know that I can sit with them on the patio of an crowded restaurant and be a part of some of the most interesting and hilarious conversations I've had in a long time.  The kind of conversations that make you think about your life and where it's going and who you really want to be.  The kind of conversations that make you laugh until you snort and cry and snort again.  The kind of conversations that make you realize that though you will never go back to college again, you get to relive the best parts of college through these friendships that will last a long, long time.

I feel so lucky to have friends like these.  I'm looking forward to many more "Happy Hours" that have nothing to do with half price drinks!

Running on Water

This weekend I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world!

On Saturday afternoon, it was actually cloudy in Nashville, and I could hardly wait to go running without having to worry about the sun mercilessly beating down on me.  But, as it turns out, these dream running conditions were too good to be true.

I started out from my apartment and had a nice little 3 mile route planned out.  It was perfect- or so I thought.  As I started out, it started to sprinkle a little bit.  This only made me happier, as I truly believe the best run includes a little LIGHT rain.  I mean, you don't even notice you are sweating when you've got rain coming down!

Unfortunately, this enjoyable sprinkle turned into a deluge about a mile into my run.  At first, I figured I would just run through it.  I mean I was already soaked, so I might as well just keep going.  If anything, it would make my shower when I got back one of the best ever.  But, this rain was a force to be reckoned with!  The drops got so big they felt like they were pelting my eyeballs, and I figured that instead of running blind and possibly ending up as roadkill, I should probably stop and wait for the downpour to pass.

Luckily, I was close to a shopping center AND a Fire/Police station, so I found the awning of a Japanese restaurant to hide out under for a while.  As I was waiting, the owner of the restaurant was kind enough to bring me some hot tea (which warmed me up but made my stomach a little jiggly for the run back).  I waited for what seemed like forever, but the sky just would not close up!  

So, I decided that perhaps the men charged with protecting and serving the general public would be kind enough to take me back to my apartment.  This was not as simple of a request as you might think however.  I darted over to the station and found a fireman and asked him for a lift.  He kindly informed me that unless I was hurt, neither he nor any of his coworkers would be able take me home because of the "liability" involved.

So, I trucked home in the rain with soggy shoes, a see through white shirt and a blue sports bra, and shorts that were suctioned to my thighs (which as far as I was concerned were already drawing too much attention when the shorts were loose and dry), thinking that this rainy day was not as much a stroke of good luck as it was God's practical joke on me.  I made it safely, and I will say that my shower was one of the best I've ever had.

Needless to say, that turned out to be one of my LEAST favorite running experiences, but I did learn something out of the situation: If I'm ever stranded again, I will be sure to "sprain" my ankle so that I can get a ride home!

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