11 Things

I know these blog memes get passed around from time to time and I usually enjoy reading them and so I was happy to oblige when Donna kindly asked if I'd mind being "tagged" to answer questions that she posed on her blog. Her post contains the real rules, but I am going to skip the "11 Random Things about me" portion for now and dig right into the questions because I'm too wiped out to think of anything interesting to say about myself. For the record, Donna is a wonderfully charming and funny woman that I met at the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim after months of training together "virtually" by sharing workout info and training plans.

Donna and I before plunging into the sweltering waters of the Chesapeake Bay

1. When was the last time you went to McDonalds and what did you order?
I went to McDonalds with some co-workers this summer after I had my wisdom teeth pulled, I had a "real fruit" smoothie and soggy fries. I won't eat anything there other than a milkshake or smoothie and fries, McDonalds makes me feel dirty.
2. When it comes to food, are you a sweet or savoury lover?
I definitely lean towards the sweet side, I enjoy most desserts and grew up in a house where all treats were homemade so I have an appreciation for the real deal. 
3. Coffee or tea?
Coffee for breakfast, tea in the evening.
4. What is your favourite “go to” “easy to make from scratch” meal?
A favorite easy post-workout meal is a whole grain pasta or quinoa dish. I make the pasta or grains and chop red, green or yellow peppers and toss them in raw (I like crunch) along with tuna (sweet & spicy from the pouch is so easy and tasty), balsamic vinegar and plenty of olive oil. I add any other veggies I can find and toss them all together. Avocado on top makes this dish!  In the summer I rinse the pasta to cool it off and eat the dish cold. It is completely simple and tasty and packed with good stuff. 
5. What did you study at university and does it relate to your current job?
Oddly enough, I have a Bachelors degree in Zoology with a minor in Philosophy. It was a complicated switch from Biology to accommodate my pre-requisites for graduate school in my 3rd year that left me with that silly degree on my diploma, but it makes for good party jokes. I went on to graduate school and got my Doctorate in Physical Therapy, which is exactly what I do for a living. 
6. What is one race (sporting event) that you want to do in your life – a bucket list race, so to speak?
I don't really have a bucket list for races, I try to just do things as they come along and pick a few good ones each year. I think I'd possibly like to do a solo swim around Manhattan or part of the 8 Bridges Swim someday.
7. Can you explain to me why Lululemon is considered controversial? I thought it was just a brand of (mostly yoga) clothing.
I don't get it either!! Why do I feel guilty when I go in there and want to buy some of their clothes?! They are expensive, sometimes ridiculously so, but the clothes I do own from Lulu are really, really nice quality. No one ever seems to know why they're "so bad", but I've heard people talk about how the owner is a billionaire or whatever, but I've never seen that stop anyone from drinking a Coke. 
8. What is your most favourite travel memory?
Oh there are so, so many. The first one that comes to mind is when I was studying abroad in Ireland and a friend and I rented bikes to ride around the Dingle Peninsula, but Andrea's bike wheel broke about 25km from our hostel. We called the rental place and they told us to just leave the bikes there and hitchhike back. Being nice girls from the US, we thought he was insane so we started to hike on foot, attempting a shortcut over a small mountain when we found ourselves trapped in a muddy, mossy field with a large bull who was restrained by a small chain. We escaped certain death and promptly stuck our thumbs out to the first car that went by when we climbed out of the bull's pen. Smelling like cow pies and a day of biking & hiking, we climbed in the car with a lovely American couple who were lost and we directed them back to the town of Dingle where we promptly ate everything in sight. The sheer ridiculousness of that day, mixed with the truly magical landscape make that a memory I will giggle at forever. 
9. Airport security – a necessary evil, or just plain evil?
A necessary evil, we can't ignore the fact that this is a post-9/11 world and things will never be the same. Now, what are we going to do about those crazy Canadian geese taking down our planes? 10. Do internet and personal privacy matters ever worry you? 
Yes, sure. I am pretty open with my silly and mundane info on facebook and twitter, but I take steps to protect my  personal information from getting into the hands of those who might have ill intentions. 
11. Would you rather have time or money?
I'd rather have time, but there's no denying that time is money and it is difficult to have one without the other and not be homeless.