Time to say goodbye.

Well I survived my summer of I-Core, and it feels great!

I actually have had the time to stop and take a breather and time to stop and reflect.  Looking back on my whole summer it was one of the most memorable summer I've ever had, filled with great people and unforgettable experiences to go along with it. But, as to all great things, it must come to an end.  

My lease is almost up, and I'm slowly moving my things out of my apartment, getting rid of things I don't need.  It's always a little sad to see your whole life all packed, but what's worse is the physical packing and moving.  My lovely roommate left for home before me, leaving with me to do all the cleaning and sweeping. Thanks Alec! 

I've got a couple of more days here in Bloomington, then it's home for a couple more days, and then off to China I go.  Its interesting how I want that day to get here quicker but at the same time I don't want to leave just yet.  

Saying goodbye is never an easy task, but I've learned that its better to live in the moment than to dwell on the past.  As a child, I would get so hung on the fact that a show was canceled or ended (Power Rangers).  It would eat me up inside, but maybe after the death of my father I really learned to let go. Granted, I don't always and I still have my weak moments, overall saying goodbye to friends before leaving for this trip is somewhere of a happy occasion. First, I get to see friends I haven't seen in months and in some cases years. Second, I gives me a sense of urgency and makes time go by much faster.  

I would like to thank a particular person, someone who made this summer the most memorable and wonderful summer I'll ever have.  I can honestly say, without this person in my life it would not be as happy and fulfilling.  Kindness and love is what she constantly gives and never expects anything back, except the once request for flowers :).  From the bottom of my heart thank you. 

Well, this is my last post in this blog for a long time or some time, depending how you view it.  I'll be posting in my other blog designated for China called Oh Herro China! I'll do my best to post as often as I can, and hopefully start a weekly or bi-monthly Vlog.

Thanks everyone, enjoy the rest of your summer!

-MC

Stop! It's Case Time

Hello everyone,

I might be a ghost for the next week or so.  My I-Core case went live today, and I'll be busy busy busy. This will probably one of the last posts before I leave for China and move to my new blog, but I'll be sure to have one last post on here before that happens.

I got some of my final results back, and lets say one of them was not good... This semester has been absolutely horrible for my GPA.  I'm slightly worried, but GPA is only a small,small part of me, so no need to fret too much.

Only a less than two week till China, just got to weather it out.

-MC

Red River Gorge Trip and I-Core winding down

Hello Everyone,

I know I said I would write more frequently, but maybe I'll do a weekly post instead so I have more to talk about.

This past week I had the wonderful experience to go camping and rock climbing with group of friends. I must say I was never an outdoorsy or camping person, but this trip really has changed that.  As my roommate said, "I've caught the 'bug'."

Anyways, it was my first time rock climb ever, a good test of my fitness level, and let's just say my first day was pretty pathetic.  Rock climbing is a pretty technical sport, it's not all about brute strength and force, granted it helps.  Rock climbing is a lot like relationships; the more energy you put into holding on, the more tired you get, instead find right one and holding on seems effortless and natural.  So taking that advice, the second day went a lot smoothing, I actually manage to make it up a couple of bolts.
*Side note, I have never eaten so well on a camping trip, and I'm pretty sure everyone at the campsite was jealous of how much food we had.

So now that I had my little mini-vacation, I just need to finish the rest of my finals for I-Core and then finish the case, and off to China I go. 20 more days and counting.  Remember, for those who read this, I'll be moving to my blog specific for my year abroad in China.

Bests Everyone,

-MC

This is the group of friend I went with: from L-R Alec, me, Sunny, A-Mei

Runner's High: It really does exist.

Hello everyone,

It's been awhile since I've posted anything lately, apologies.

The weather in Bloomington has not been the most cooperative in terms of running conditions.  I don't mind a little rain during a run, I actually prefer it, but when it is heavy down pour it really puts a damper on my day.

My training schedule this past week has been a little out of whack, so in attempt to combat the weather I tried indoor run on the treadmill... I ran 2 miles and felt motion sick. During the week my mileage wasn't on schedule, so by the weekend I had to make up about 2-3 miles from the week (this week is also a tamper week to bump up the milage for the coming week.)

The long run for the weekend, I normally take a 1 minute walking break between every 3 miles, but this past run I decided to push through the pain and just run the whole thing, and around mile 4-5 I could feel the pain slowly disappear and I felt relaxed.  This is what runner's high must feel like, the spirit of Forest Gump inside of you.  It was first time I've ever experienced this type of feeling, and I'm only craving more now.

So a little update on what's coming up.  I have my finals coming up next next week, so this week I have to buckle down and start studying.... But, since its 4th of July weekend, I'm going with a couple of friends to Red River Gorge to do a little bit of camping and rock climbing.  I'll be studying during the drive and during the mornings and evenings. I've really be fortunate to have such great friends during a time when I was feeling a little down.  Needless to say, I haven't been this happy better yet content in a long time.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone, I'll post some pictures of my mini-vacation when I get back.

-MC

Caught in between a frozen dessert love triangle

Hi everyone,

It's official summer, but it's felt like summer in Bloomington for awhile now.  What the best thing to do during summer? Why of course eat ice cream!  Up until this weekend, my favorite place to go for ice cream in Bloomington was Hartzell's, but I recently went to the Chocolate Moose and got their homemade vanilla blizz with heath bar... I feel like I cheated on a girlfriend, it was so sinfully delicious.  I go out for ice cream a couple times a week, and normally I'll go to Hartzell's and pray they have green tea ice cream (I highly suggest trying it also the cantaloupe sorbet !).  

I was talked into going to the Chocolate Moose, and fortunately I got there in the knick of time before closing. I got a note saying you are the last person in line, but I felt so bad for people how came after me so I just kept passing the note back to the person at the end of the line.  I didn't want to be that guys that say, sorry no ice cream for you.  I'm not the ice cream nazi. 

It looks like I'll be in a happy, yet fat asian kid this summer.  What are your favorite ice cream places or flavor? Comment below. 

-MC

A change of flavor, and two personal bests

I'm about 45 days away from leaving this country, and I've realized that my Chinese has really gone downhill.  I've decided to blog a little in Chinese just to get more practice.

所以开始啦。。。

这暑假认识不少的中国人，尤其是中国女生。跟她们沟通有时候会有问题，因为我好久没练中文。学如逆水行舟，不进则退，所以从天开始要复习中文，否则到了南京中文更糟。

I think that's enough for today.

So this week for my marathon training, I set two PR's for the routes I've been training on.  My goal for the marathon is to average a 8:45/mile, so I'll end up a sub 4 hour marathon.  So on my 3 mile run this week, I went a little intense and ran a 7:45/mile and then on my 5 mile run not only did I not take a break, I kept marathon pace.  I'm really getting into the habit of running, granted it's killing my knees, but I'm young.

Stay cool everyone, and if you have any good routes or stretching tips please share.

-MC

Ripped Jeans and Marathon training week 2

Happy Sunday everyone,

I had a very interesting night last night, or better put an eventful weekend. I was fortunate to have a 3 day weekend this week due to midterm and what not.  I was paid to eat lunch and a watch a movie on Friday which is probably never going to happen after this job ends.  (I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but I am a program assistant for a summer Chinese intensive language program.) 

Last night made me realize what a true friend is.  Lets just say, I was being a smart ass and someone attempted to throw a drunken punch at me, luckily I ducked and dodged it.  Under the impression I was hit, my roommate tackled the drunkard and got a revenge hit for me.  It was a touching moment for me, it was the first time someone has stepped in and had my back.  Roommate love. ha.

Tomorrow will mark the second week of marathon training, the previous week had been a lot of condition running and route testing.  I'm actually looking forward to this training, it will be the longer commitment I've ever had (I'm excluding cell plans because they don't count).  Bloomington is great place to train, a lot routes to run, and the B line trail is a great place to do my long distance runs. 

Does anyone have a story of someone having your back or a commitment that you endured all the way? Please share. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and has a great start to the week tomorrow.

-MC