Sunday, December 4, 2016

Holiday festivities, Nov 21 - Dec 4 training, TV binging

Hi friends! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

I've been thoroughly enjoying the beauty of the winter holidays in Chicago. For example, earlier this week after work, I stopped by the Christkindlmarket, which I adore. I was walking around like a wide-eyed child in a winter wonderland.
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Seeing all the German and Austria vendors reminded me of visiting Vienna a few months ago. So much nostalgia! I even saw a vendor selling apfelstrudel, which was my favorite dish in Austria. I didn't buy any (not enough time), but you better believe I'll be back soon to indulge. Maybe multiple times!
Flashback from the Naschmarkt in Vienna
Also coming soon - I want to go ice skating at one of Chicago's outdoor rinks, see Lincoln Park Zoolights, visit the Holidays Around the World exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, and go window shopping on Michigan Avenue. Time to make a list and check it twice... ;-)
Once again I am behind a week in recapping my workouts, so here are the last two weeks:

Nov 21 - Nov 27
MONDAY - Yoga class, 30 minutes strength-training
TUESDAY - 30 minutes stationary cycling
WEDNESDAY - 10 minutes stationary cycling, 40 minutes strength-training
THURSDAY - PNC YMCA Turkey Trot (recap still to come)
FRIDAY - Rest
SATURDAY - Rest
SUNDAY - 30 minutes stationary cycling

Nov 28 - Dec 4
MONDAY - Rest (lots of walking in DC)
TUESDAY - 10 minutes stationary cycling, 40 minutes strength-training
WEDNESDAY - Zumba class, Mobility 101 class
THURSDAY - 10 minutes stationary cycling, 40 minutes strength-training
FRIDAY - Yoga class
SATURDAY - Run 3 miles on treadmill
SUNDAY - 30 minutes stationary cycling

Last night was Adam's company's holiday party. The celebration was a blast. His colleagues are really good people and his company really knows how to rock out the night! The party was a much different atmosphere than what we were both accustomed to after working at accounting firms for a combined 25+ years.

Here is a picture of us:
Here are a few fun "photobooth" shots from the night:
The party venue was just a few blocks from where we live, so we had some of Adam's colleagues over beforehand for pre-party festivities. It was then that someone suggested we do a mannequin challenge. Yours truly volunteered to do the camerawork.

If I do say so myself, I think the video turned out pretty decently. Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to present my triumphant debut as a mannequin challenge film director!
Thank you, thank you, please hold applause. =D

Speaking of excellent videos - Adam's colleague, Deepthi, mentioned that the NBC show "This is Us" was fantastic.
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The only thing I'd heard about the show was that it was devoid of the overscripted drama, violence, or action scenes that have become typical. Sounds good to me.

On Friday night, Adam and I pulled up what was originally supposed to be a single episode via On Demand. It quickly degenerated into us binge-watching four episodes.
I think there are five more episodes before we are caught up. I fully anticipate getting through all remaining episodes by tomorrow at the very latest, and very possibly before tonight. It's so addictive!

Who else is watching "This Is Us"? If so, please let me know so we can talk about it!

--
Linking up with HoHo and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap, and with Angela and Ilka for the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup.

35 comments:

  1. Ha, we also binged watched 3 or so episodes of This is us before we got caught up. Good show isn't it?

    I know. I said this before but you and Adam are such a cute couple. You're always having so much fun together! Enjoy the season!

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    1. This Is Us is such a binge-worthy show!!! It really is fantastic!!!

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy holidays to you too!!!

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  2. I watched 5 episodes of Dr. Who yesterday, but had planned to spread those over the whole weekend. It's so easy to get caught up with episodes and keep going.

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    1. I've never watched Dr. Who! Will have to look into it. Yes on how easy it is to get hooked on these shows!

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  3. I am loving these mannequin challenges!!! Cute apartment you have there.

    I've heard of "This Is Us" but have not watched one single episode. Am I really missing out?

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    1. Thank you so much, Zenaida! I've seen some folks with some very creative mannequin challenges, the bar keeps getting raised. =)

      I think you'd enjoy This Is Us! Maybe watch the first episode and see what you think??? Let me know!

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  4. Sounds like a really fun weekend! The market looks so festive! We have not watched This Is Us, but I think I'd like it.

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    1. Thanks Coco! Please do let me know if you decide to start watching This Is Us - I think it would appeal to a pretty wide audience!

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  5. I looove "This is Us" it's totally my guilty pleasure!

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    1. YAY!!! We'll be able to talk about it at our next book club. =D

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  6. I secretly love holiday parties, I just love all the food! You look like you are having great fun with the pictures!

    Great mannequin challenge video Mrs. Director!

    Have not watched the show, right now I'm trying to not watch all of Game of Thrones before the new season.

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    1. The food is my favorite part of the holiday parties, too! Never mind the socializing, LOL. Thank you so much, Ana! Appreciate the kind words on my directorial debut, too. =) Ah yes, Game of Thrones - isn't the new season still not due out for another six months or so!?!?!?

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  7. This is Us is a great show! I'm usually a little behind because of work but at the moment I'm actually caught up :)

    Looks like you had another great weekend!

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    1. Ahhhhh, yay that you watch This Is Us, too!!! Thank goodness for DVRs and On Demand, yes? Makes life so much easier. =) Thank you so much, Kayla!!!

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  8. Ah, you were partying just around the corner from me on Saturday night! My company also had our holiday party in the West Loop on Saturday evening. It was the first time I've had a "real" company party--my old company was too small to do the rent-out-a-venue thing--and it was a lot of fun!

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    1. Oh wow - where in the West Loop were you on Saturday night? That would have been really cool to bump into you out there!!! I am glad you enjoyed your holiday party - it is a really nice perk when companies put together these types of fun events for their employees, isn't it!?!?!?

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  9. I want to go to Christkindlmarkt so badly! If only I could talk the mister into it...

    I'm not watching This is Us...I'm still plowing my way thru Shameless...

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    1. If you ever want to go some night, let me know and I'll happily meet up with you!!! I'm not familiar with Shameless but I'm adding it the list to investigate soon...

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  10. I keep hearing great things about This is us, ill have to binge on it one of these days

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    1. Please let me know if you do decide to take the plunge, I'd love to hear what you think!!!

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  11. Ha I love the video even the mooning at the end! So funny! Looks like your holiday party was a success!
    I'm still in the middle of several netflix series. Gosh why can't I finish one before picking up another??

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    1. Mooning at the end!?!?!?!? What am I missing? I just rewatched it again to be sure - did you spot something that I overlooked while taping???

      Which Netflix series are you watching? I'm all up for suggestions!

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  12. OMG. I adore This Is Us! I watched your video. I'm impressed at how mannequin-nish everyone is. I didn't catch the mooning either??? It sounds like you have a lot of fun things to do in Chicago for the holidays. I'm jealous! Thanks for linking, Emily!

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    1. Isn't "This is Us" amazing in its mixture of simplicity and complexity? I am dying to hear more details about your weekend trip to Florida with the ladies. I am jealous, too! Thank you so much for cohosting the link-up, as always!!!

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  13. Great mannequin challenge video! How did these start? I think I've seen 3 from different friends and they are all so neat! I am also all caught up with "This is Us"! Love the show and was so glad when I was introduced to it.

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    1. Thanks Sharon!!! I was wondering the same thing about how these mannequin challenges started. Who came up with such a unique idea that has gotten so popular? I didn't get a chance to watch last night's episode of This Is Us but I've got the DVR fired up for tonight, I can't wait. =)

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  14. The Christkindlmarket looks awesome Emily. It reminds me of my childhood. Love the photo booth pics! So much holiday fun!! Have a great week!

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    1. Ahhhh, I love that the Christkindlmarket reminds you of your childhood, you must have had some wonderful holiday experiences growing up! Thank you again for hosting the link-up, Ilka!!!

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  15. Okay, I clearly need to watch This is Us. I keep hearing really good things about it. The holiday market looks like a ton of fun (and festive!). I always love going to holiday markets, but we don't have anything like that one in Charleston. It's mostly beachy stuff here.

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    1. If you do start watching, please let me know what you think!!! I wish we could all start a virtual TV club, similar to a book club but focused on a TV show instead. Wouldn't that be fun?

      Ahhh, Charleston is such an amazing city! Don't laugh but one of the first things I think of when I hear of Charleston is the she-crab soup. So delicious!!!

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  16. Aww, I really want to go visit Chicago someday...and Austria's been on my travel bucket list for ages! That apfelstrudel looks amazing! <3

    Those photobooth pictures look like fun! :D

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  17. Sounds like a fabulous week! Thanks so much for joining in at Sunday Fitness & Food. I can't wait to read about more of your weekly adventures :-)

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