One thing I miss most about Kansas in the summer is the lack of humidity. I sweat like crazy anyway, so the crazy humidity we've been having here in Illinois this week is really cramping my style when I bike to work and hope to smell even halfway decent upon arrival. That being said, I LOVE to sweat like crazy when I'm working out. It makes me feel hardcore and intense, and is cleansing, in a weird way.
We had a few minutes of heavy rain yesterday afternoon, which cooled things down a little. I took advantage of the (slightly) relaxed temperature and took Quinn for a quick 2-mile run when I got home from work before I had to run off to summer band rehearsal. Quinn is such a great running buddy! Besides the occasional squirrel distraction or urge to pee (again), she does a great job of running right beside me. We get lots of smiles and waves from passers-by when we're out running! I got this sweet leash made by OllyDog to run with her. I sort of feel like it's the nerdy fanny pack equivalent of dog leashes, but it is so nice to have my hands free to run, and it has an elastic section to cushion any lunges Quinn might make at squirrels:
We had a few minutes of heavy rain yesterday afternoon, which cooled things down a little. I took advantage of the (slightly) relaxed temperature and took Quinn for a quick 2-mile run when I got home from work before I had to run off to summer band rehearsal. Quinn is such a great running buddy! Besides the occasional squirrel distraction or urge to pee (again), she does a great job of running right beside me. We get lots of smiles and waves from passers-by when we're out running! I got this sweet leash made by OllyDog to run with her. I sort of feel like it's the nerdy fanny pack equivalent of dog leashes, but it is so nice to have my hands free to run, and it has an elastic section to cushion any lunges Quinn might make at squirrels:
In other news:
As you know, I'm a trumpet performance major. I'm halfway through my master's degree, and the "real world" is looming! My dream is to play professionally in an orchestra and maintain a private studio. Sadly, orchestral trumpet jobs are hard to come by, and when they do come open, literally hundreds of people audition for a single spot. Job prospects aren't great, but I'm determined to do what I love!
Recently, I learned of a job opening in the Oregon Symphony -- a third trumpet position. For a long time now, I've thought Portland would be a great place to live! I've only been once, but it seems to have the beautiful mountains, hiking, etc. that I love alongside a city (being in/near a city is definitely necessary for a career in the performing arts). Plus, last year it was rated the #1 U.S. city for dogs (read the article here). By now, you guys have probably realized I'm head over heels for all dogs, especially Quinn, so that would be a huge added perk! Not to mention, Portland is less than 7 hours from Boise, ID where my sister, Karen, lives (Urbana is a 25-hour drive away) and just 3 hours from my amazing cousin Amy in Seattle! My dad's side of the family originated in Washington (my grandpa's ashes are scattered on Hurricane Ridge), so it'd be kind of cool to live near places that are historically significant to that part of my family.
Now, I just have to win the audition this fall...
As you know, I'm a trumpet performance major. I'm halfway through my master's degree, and the "real world" is looming! My dream is to play professionally in an orchestra and maintain a private studio. Sadly, orchestral trumpet jobs are hard to come by, and when they do come open, literally hundreds of people audition for a single spot. Job prospects aren't great, but I'm determined to do what I love!
Recently, I learned of a job opening in the Oregon Symphony -- a third trumpet position. For a long time now, I've thought Portland would be a great place to live! I've only been once, but it seems to have the beautiful mountains, hiking, etc. that I love alongside a city (being in/near a city is definitely necessary for a career in the performing arts). Plus, last year it was rated the #1 U.S. city for dogs (read the article here). By now, you guys have probably realized I'm head over heels for all dogs, especially Quinn, so that would be a huge added perk! Not to mention, Portland is less than 7 hours from Boise, ID where my sister, Karen, lives (Urbana is a 25-hour drive away) and just 3 hours from my amazing cousin Amy in Seattle! My dad's side of the family originated in Washington (my grandpa's ashes are scattered on Hurricane Ridge), so it'd be kind of cool to live near places that are historically significant to that part of my family.
Now, I just have to win the audition this fall...