Treadmill Desk!

So I've been thinking about it for a while. Articles like this one: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/walking-while-working-should-you-try-a-treadmill-desk-13336477 speak of the benefits and improved health that can be a result of having a treadmill-and-desk combination. The idea is that you walk slowly enough to be able to type and mouse (1-2 mph) because even a slow pace is way better for your body and joints than sitting or standing.

With my job I don't often work for 8 hours solid on the computer, but I do often work for more than two hours at a time on my home PC. It also can be wayyy too easy to justify working/playing on the computer rather than getting out and exercising. While I haven't yet done cardio (getting out of breath and significantly raising my heartbeat) on the treadmill desk, I have already found myself here (yep, I'm using it now!), walking and burning calories instead of just sitting.

I'm thinking it will also be nice for when I'm reading or on the phone, though I have yet to try that. I've tried going for a walk while I'm on the phone, but if it's even a teensy bit windy out it becomes a less-than-lovely experience for my poor phone buddy. I've never bought a significant piece of exercise equipment before, so let's hope it's not a regrettable purchase!

Courage

I just read my Uncle John's post on courage, and it got me to thinking (It's worth the read!)

How am I being courageous? Is it courageous to stay where I am, trying to be faithful with what is put in front of me and doing what I can to be ready for the next adventure? Will it come in the guise of "normal, first world problems" that really can be challenging, but are laughable when compared with the struggles of many throughout the world and through history? I don't know if it's funny or sad that I've been struggling with this question at least since high school: what does God have for me? Where does He want me to focus my time, energy, and effort? The options are mind-boggling. Everywhere I look there are opportunities to engage, to help, to serve, to give. One thing I loved about being with my dad in the last two weeks of his life was the sense of peace and certainty that the time brought: in the midst of the sorrow and loss I was where I needed to be, and could fully focus on simply being there. I've had that feeling again when I've gone on work/mission trips with kids, and even to some extent on just regular ol' vacations. There's something so freeing about having the options pared down, and to know that there is nothing other required then simply being present to the folks around me and fully engaging in the opportunity at hand.
I just participated in a week-long class through work that's all about getting to know yourself better. In pursuit of becoming a more effective leader and better support to the people around you, you are asked to look frankly at your own weaknesses and "areas of opportunity" as well as areas you're already strong in.  So I look at all that and say, "now what?" Professionally I need to make some decisions about where to go next - do I aim for more formal leadership roles within the organization? Or continue to function primarily as an informal leader, focused on getting the work done and supporting the organization in becoming more efficient and better prepared for a challenging future? Personally, I need to make some decisions as well. Friendships, family relationships, location - all areas in which I face challenges and wonder if I'm on the right track.
I don't know if I have the courage I need for whatever may be ahead. 'Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I don't. Joseph eventually found the courage needed for the situation. Maybe I will too. But it sure would be nice where exactly to point the bits I do have! Guess I'll just hope they're lined up in the right direction when they're needed.

it's St Louis time!

I'm off to St Louis for a week! We'll be posting status updates, stories and pictures here: http://appletontruenorth.blogspot.com/.

And - prayers are appreciated. Mike, the youth leader, and I are the only two chaperons, which means I'll be doing all the driving as well as, well, everything :)

California is the place you oughtta be

So - I posted stuff to other, connected blogs, but wanted to mention it here, too!

Tom and I recently joined friends on a backpacking trip in the Sierras, and then for a couple of days browsing about the city. We posted the updates on the group blog, so you can check out pics and the overview of a fabulous time out there:
Sierra Mountain Crazies

and

San Francisco

And here's the follow-up post of the extra days I spent in California while the rest of the Wisconsinites headed back.

San Francisco, cont.

once upon a time

A long long time ago in a forest far far away, there was a girl who started working on a master's degree in Business Administration with a health care emphasis. Often a story from long ago in forests far away revolves around a hero or a heroine, but I'm sorry to say that is not the case for this story. This girl was a procrastinator, and no matter how hard she tried, somehow she never managed to slow the rest of life down enough to give the proper amount of time toward her studies. Early in her school enrollment she was not required to turn in weekly assignments and would often end up doing half the course's homework in the last few days of the term. Even toward the end of her time when she was required to turn in weekly assignments weekly she would often be up late the night before the due date.
A heroine would have worked quite quickly through the coursework and toward the degree. As might be expected for our anti-heroine, the girl progressed quite slowly through her courses. Because her employer reimbursed her a set amount each year, the slower she went the less she paid out of her own pocket. Everyone knows that people appreciate that which they have paid for more than that which has been simply given to them, so there is a strong possibility that she did not fully and properly appreciate the education she was receiving.
Thankfully for everyone concerned, there eventually came an end to the whole sad affair. True to form, after she finished her second-to-last class in 2012, she was ready to push off taking the last class until later in the year. Her boyfriend, a true hero, came to the rescue just in time. He talked her into taking the next class right away, just to get it done. Given the abysmal lack of cross country skiing snow for the 2011-2012 winter, and the fact that the girl DID like to do fun things like kayaking and travelling in the summer, she acquiesced and started the class. Because the course was actually a capstone project, it took more time and work than any of the previous courses, but the girl did finally manage to put a wrap on the degree. And there is a reason this is not a story that should be shared with small children. There is no moral. A proper story would end with the girl not getting her degree and exiting the experience a sadder but wiser individual. As it turns out, she did achieve the degree and ended up feeling quite accomplished about the whole thing. You won't believe this, but they all ended up living happily ever after. Ridiculous! The End.

...and because it's SO MUCH FUN to talk about homework

I'll talk about it a teeny-tiny bit more. Mostly because I'm procrastinating. But it's probably worth mentioning that I'm on my LAST CLASS! Wooo hooo!!! I just looked it up, and it looks like I started the program in 2008... so jeepers, a bit longer than it took me to do my undergrad! I must say that tuition reimbursement through work is a beautiful thing and going slowly has allowed me to really maximize the benefit... and it's been great to apply the learning as I've gone. So, I'm halfway through my capstone project and so far so good. If I could only get back to studying, that is...

same song, bajillionth verse

You guessed it, I'm back in the midst of another class. The main difference between this class and the others is that IT IS MY SECOND-TO-LAST ONE!! You heard right, I have one class after this one and I'm done! Actually, there's another, fairly important difference. This class is asking me to come up with a project where I plan/help plan a significant technology implementation from start to finish. Thing is - I'd say that's about 60% of what I've done at ThedaCare for the past six-ish years. I have no idea how I'd do this thing if I were just coming out of undergrad, but this is one where work experience is priceless. I already checked with my prof and she thought that a project I'm working on full-steam-ahead right now would be perfect. So there you go! I'm hoping I'll be able to "plug in" the work I'm ready doing and come up with a 30-page paper without too much fuss. Nothing like starting out optimistically anyway!