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Archive for April, 2009
Great Hotel in Oklahoma City
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We recently traveled to Oklahoma City for a swim meet and had a great experience staying in a SpringHill Suites by Marriott. The price point on this particular hotel is about $109, which is certainly reasonable. It’s even more reasonable when you factor in the size the room, the breakfast, the amenities and the service.
SpringHill Suites, South MacArthur, Oklahoma City
There were four people in our party — my husband, my 10-year-old son and our 16-month-old daughter and me. The room was so large that we were able to put the portable crib (provided by the hotel at no extra charge) in the little cubby area by the sink, creating a perfect “out of the way” place for naptime and bedtime.
The living area provided enough room for the toddler to run around a little and for the rest of us to relax and watch TV. I was able to work on my laptop, thanks to the free Wi-Fi, but the lobby also sported two updated computers with large screens and a nice printer.
Computer/printer in upper left corner
Our swim team also stayed at the hotel, and the complimentary breakfast was perfect for them. There were the usual eggs, waffles and pastries, but there was also a steaming pot of oatmeal with brown sugar, raisens and chopped walnut toppings, a vast array of fruit, yogurt and several healthy cold cereal choices. I was particularly fond of the multiple flavored Coffee Mate liquid creamer choices and the high-quality coffee that was available around the clock. And the employee who worked the breakfast was eager to help and kept everything fresh and refilled.
The desk staff was equally helpful and friendly, and Ryan was particularly courteous and efficient as he helped us remedy a slight mix-up with our reservations. Then, the staff went above and beyond in the customer service department after we checked out. We left behind a bag FULL of dirty clothes and didn’t realize the clothes were missing until about four days after we returned home. We called the hotel and they had found the clothes in the room and were waiting for us to contact them. We received our stale, smelly laundry in the mail less than one week later.
This stay — which was our first at a SpringHill Suites — definitely put this hotel on our radar for future travel.
Psychological Projection
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It’s been a long time since I completed my college psychology requirement, but I remember a little bit and I’m pretty sure that I am currently the target of some “projection.”
According to this Wikipedia definition, psychological projection is a defense mechanism where a person’s personal attributes, unacceptable or unwanted thoughts, and/or emotions are ascribed onto another person or people.
Another definition says that projection is one of the defense mechanisms identified by Freud and still acknowledged today. According to Freud, projection is when someone is threatened by or afraid of their own impulses so they attribute these impulses to someone else.
Probably just about everyone has done this at some time or another. For example, I often accuse my husband of never being able to admit when he’s wrong when it comes to our arguments. Hmmm. I’m thinking someone else involved in our marital spats possesses a similar character defect?
Likewise, we’ve all had friends or acquaintances who complain about certain flaws in others, and as we listen to their complaints, we’re struck by the fact that the person complaining is guilty of the exact same behavior. I think projection is probably a fairly common – even normal — human defense mechanism.
Still, it feels odd to experience a textbook case of it, expecially when you’re the target of said projection. Do you ignore it or kindly, but firmly, call a spade a spade? I’m not sure what my approach is going to be just yet.
Running Alone
I’m planning to run the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon on April 19. I’ve done it twice before, plus I’ve done two full marathons, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Except, I haven’t really trained for it.
I run almost everyday (I’m now officially failing on my New Year’s Smart Goals/Resolutions). But I typically only run between four and six miles. I’ve been doing some speed training, lowering my average from my lifelong 10-minute to about a 9-minute mile. That’s a good thing, I guess.
Still, I haven’t done any runs that take longer than an hour. Part of my problem is that I’m not training with anyone. For all of my other distance runs, I’ve had running pals. I trained for my first half marathon and my first marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. I highly recommend this program for anyone who wants to do a longer event for the first time.
I’ve also trained for events with one of my best friends from high school and one of my former neighbors. We’d all complete our shorter weekday runs alone on our own time, but we’d meet on the weekends on the Katy Trail or another local park to do our longer training runs together. We’d talk the whole way, so even the dreadful 20-mile training run was bearable for at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours. After that, no one is good enough company to keep your mind off your discomfort.
This time around, I’m on my own. My neighbor moved and my friend is busy with home remodeling projects.
My favorite way to keep keep myself entertained while running alone is to listen to books. I absolutely love audible.com, the digital version of books on tape. I used to carry a cumbersome cassette player, and then later, a CD player as I jogged for miles and miles. I’d rent books on tape, and later books on CD, from the library for free. But then I got a first-generation iPod Nano for Mother’s Day several years ago and a whole new world opened up. I’ve listened to all of Stephen King’s new books since then — Duma Key & Lisey’s Story & Stationary Bike — on my iPod while running.
My amazing church, Windsor Crossing, also uploads video and audio podcasts of its weekly services to iTunes, so when I miss church, I download the podcast and listen while I’m running.
Tomorrow I’m headed out for a 10-mile training run, and I’ve got about three hours left on my latest book from audible.com – “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. It’s a decent book, but not so engaging that it keeps my mind off the monotony of running 10 miles. I really wish Stephen King would’ve been kind enough to write something new for my current training regime. Anyone have a King-ish type book to suggest?
