Lakeshore Run

Mapped a cool route along Lakeshore Drive yesterday and set out for the run around 9:15am. The temperature was up to around 38 maybe 40 degrees. The first mile actually felt a lot longer than a mile. Had to stop at Dunkin Donuts on Lawrence for a quick facility check. What nice people! They allowed me to walk through their kitchen and into the back to get to the employee only restroom. Now that's what I call midwest hospitality. :)

Graceland Cemetery appeared interesting and I was very looking forward to checking this landmark out. It was a little disappointing when I run up to Montrose to encounter a tall brick wall along the park parameter obstructing any view of a cemetery.

I enjoyed the nice and wide sidewalk on this stretch though. To make up for the brick wall, on my way back I couldn't resist the urge to sprint in my Asics tights that makes me feel like a streamlined runner. I'm aware that is delusional thinking. :)

It was a great run! The view of the harbor was amazing. My favorite view was of the South Lagoon. So BLUE! I turned around to run back when I reached the boat docking area at the La Salle Dr intersection. It was easy to get lost in my thoughts here while taking in the calm view of the lake.

There's so much to do here! So many people out running and so many places to run around. My next run in this city will include Hyde Park neighborhoods and south shore too.

Stay overnight on a tree

This is awesomeness!

A recent inquiry for 'Adventure Adviser' ..

Where in the United States can I stay overnight in a tree?

Adviser answers at the base of Mt. Rainier in suspended 2-storey pods. The pods or spheres are constructed using old cedar or spruce trees and either suspended 200 feet above ground on large, straight conifer trees or placed inside larger maple or oaks trees. Observation deck access available from each tree house via a 500-pound steel bridge.

A tree lover, aah I can already invision myself turning off the lights at night in my sphere bed and floating in the canopy among the sleeping birds. And not just any bird! Spotted owls and bald eagles!

"The two-level treehouse spans 16 by 16 feet, and can accommodate up to five people. From above the treeline you can enjoy views of the Sawtooth Ridge peaks while spending the night with spotted owls and bald eagles. A glass-enclosed observation deck sits on the fourth floor, complete with a hammock for swinging above the trees. With Mount Rainier National Park just ten minutes away, you'll probably feel like exploring beneath the canopies for a while. Hike up to High Rock Lookout, the last manned lookout in the Packwood Ranger District, where you'll get clear views of Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams."

This sounds like a dream and I want to live it! Oh how this makes me want to live in a tree!

There's more! Here is the website for Free Spirit Spheres in Qualicum, BC, Canada. Woweeee!! This is very exciting! Check out the guest comments page. I just love how they post the guests comments in its original form.

A look at some major terrorist attacks in India

Enough is enough. Look here.

Busse Woods Loop

It was a sunny and clear day with a slight chill in the Schaumburg, Illinois air. I flew into the city this afternoon to hang with the family for thanksgiving. The plane flew past the city, then circled over the great big Lake Michigan shore before finally landing over 20 minutes ahead of scheduled arrival time.

The mood was somber among the members of my family but the thought of how unaffected the rest of the people I had encountered today on my journey through DFW to O'Hare lingers.

It was 8:45am when I first heard the news break over TV's in the passenger waiting area to departure gate. Over 100 casualties were known thus far in the Mumbai terrorist attacks at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Gasp! I was curious if the story broke in time to hit the print journal media. I walked to the nearby news stand to find a front page story in The New York Times. USA Today and Dallas Morning had not caught wind.

I remember ooing and awwwing over the magnificence and elegance of the Taj Mahal hotel during my first visit to Mumbai in 2004. The thought that this part of the world will go on to eat turkeys, say thanks and likely remain unaffected, maybe even unaware is a little disturbing to me.

I wondered about the lives that did not get a chance to florish or leave behind the contributions they had hoped for. I was relieved to learn that my younger cousin, currently a 3rd year Medical student at Grant Medical College of Mumbai was not near the financial district.

There was this vacant feeling in my heart but I managed to save an appetite for mothers cooking. I ate as if I had not eaten a decent meals in days. That probably is not far from the truth. I ate till my hearts content. I really should have waited longer after the feast but I had to get going before darkness set in.

I wanted to map this Saturday's 12 mile run along Lake Shore Drive on this site and decided I like the idea of documenting and sharing my running routes.
I am now an official free member of mapmyrun.com

Here is the map from today's run at Busse Woods in the Forest Preserve.
It was a very pleasant run and definitely woodsy and preserved. I even saw elks. There were restrooms along the route but they were locked!! What's the deal?

Why does my heart feel so bad?

Why does my heart feel so bad?

I am touched.

Here are the lyrics in its entirety.

Why does my heart
Feel so bad?

Why does my soul
Feel so bad?

These open doors

These open doors? Which doors? What about the closed doors?

I like the simplicity of the words. The repetitive sound structure is rather gripping. Listening to this song does not make me feel bad, it made me want to create my own 'Why does my heart feel so bad'. I thought of few things....

Suffering, loss of childhood innocence, cruelty and brutality to animals.

Why does my heart
Feel so bad?

Why does my soul
Feel so bad?

Cruelty and suffering

Ganesh Mall

It's all here at the Ganesh Mall .
My favorite is the set of 3 music ganesh statues.

Great Finds 2008

Great Finds 2008...

1) Radiolab and podcasts
2) New music on Pandora.com
3) Zoot CompressionRx running gear
4) Skirt Sport Running skirt!
5) Loose leaf jasmine tea
6) Driving barefoot
7) Cristalino champagne
8) Indie Film - Manufactured Landscapes


Continued Love for....

1) Trees - big trees, old trees, evergreens, trees with character
2) Brie cheese and pinot noir
3) Mamma and papa and my sisters too!
4) The overcast days and NPR
5) Full moon
6) Fires- campfires, fireplaces, candles
7) Canadian beer.. or just beer!
8) Club Monaco for feeding my addiction to black clothes
9) Running in the rain!
10)Day dreaming everyday!!

Greater Appreciation for...

1) Those who love me
2) Acceptance
3) My inner strength and self awareness
4) Fall weather
5) Running
6) True love
7) Accounting principles
8) Exams!! Still not fond but I thrive on the challenge.


I'm sooo OVER IT..

1) Nike gear and any Nike product expect for the ones already owned!!
2) My blackberry
3) Judgment. Ouch, when did I become so harsh!
4) Starbucks!! Je déteste paying $4.50 for coffee and why does the throw away cup need be so fancy?!
5) The state of mess in my car
6) The alarm clock
7) The DVD player that only works 50% of the time :(
8) That investment portfolio

Crazy 8s

8 TV Shows I love to watch:

1. King of the Hill - It will always be my favorite!!
2. Fraiser - I don't know why but I LOVE this show. Niles, Fraiser and their dad crack me up!!
3. Grey's Anatomy - All the good characters have quit or been fired off the show and they tease you for months before airing anything new....yet can't seem to part!
4. The Big Bang Theory - I'm really just a big NERD
5. How I met your mother - I'm still wondering, contemplating and almost sure I know how he met that mother...
6. Extra! Extra! - A classic! Who doesn't like this one?!
7. Sex and the City - sexy wardrobe, sexy women in NYC and of course THE CITY!
8. TMG- It's more than just shameless celebrity gossip and amateur paparazzis. It's a recap of the latest Hollywood scandal of the week and it is delivered in some of the funniest skits I've seen!!!


8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Macaroni grill - There is no grilled macaroni on the menu but you can build your own pasta dish.
2. Cosmic Cafe - Nice patio seating and the Ganesh statue on the front lawn. The food is usually pretty good too! A cool spot for some somosas and chai.
3. Chettinad's Place - most bestest Indian in the metroplex
4. Vinny T's of Boston Back Bay- Five stars for the fresh mozzalella caprese and the warm tomato salad at this resturant! It is SOOO GOOD, I would move to Boston for this resturant!!!
5. The Petroleum Club - the crab cakes and the skyline view of downtown Houston is to die for!!
6. My Ma's kitchen - cuz everything she cooks is made with love! :)
7. Fere - I still remember this sweet potato dish I had there a year ago! Mmmm so good!
8. Truluck's -never been disappointed

8 Things that Happened Today

1. Pulled out an old favorite white sweater to wear this morning.
2. Drank 1/3 a cup of black coffee with lunch of broccoli cheddar soup that was unexpectedly the most delicious soup I've had in a while.
3. Helped Shawn navigate around Cognos PowerPlay.
4. Got a new gadget at work! A phone with a digital monitor that I'm not sure how to use yet.
5. Shipped a book back to Amazon
6. Wore my hair in a ponytail.
7. Received a wedding invitation to a cousins wedding in India.
8. Laughed out loud at something funny my mother said....yesterday!


8 Things I Look Forward To:

1. Getting everything done so I can finally do what I really want....NOTHING
2. A clean house, where I can do all the nothing I want.
3. The smell of a wood-burning fireplace!!!
4. Good vino and cooking with my man
5. A new president
6. Break away from the metroplex
7. Thursday evenings
8. Hot shower after a cold run