Do you remember the days of rebellious teenage angst, when doors slammed over silly things? The best part of being a grown up is the friendship that has grown from what were mother-daughter and sibling relationships.
Anyway, we traveled to Allendale, Mich., home of Grand Valley State University, last weekend so my sister and I could complete our Spinning (R) certification. We left on Friday night, arrived super late, since we lost an hour, and went right to bed to be ready for our cert on Saturday.
Do you see the (R) in Spinning? That's because Spinning (R) is a big deal -- it's the global leader in indoor cycling training, education and equipment. Competitors include Schwinn and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA). I won't go into detail about the certification because I'm not sure anyone reading really wants to listen to me go on and on about spinning form, heart rate and workout design.
Last year I took a cert through AFFA and it was awful. It's so unfortunate companies can take advantage of fitness instructors, who need credits to maintain their group instructor certification, and charge them for poorly taught instructor classes. If you're ever considering becoming a spin instructor, I'd recommend Spinning (R) over all the other programs out there!
After our eight hour cert on Saturday, which included two 60 minute rides, we were famished and headed downtown Grand Rapids, a city about 20 minutes away from Allendale, for dinner. Emily chose the restaurant, so we ended up at Grand Rapids' only hipster restaurant -- Stella's Lounge.
Do you think my mom and I look alike? Some people do, but neither of us see it!
With my favorite hipster. Ps. She did my hair and that's why it looks so good.
My vegan meatloaf and potatoes.
It had nuts (?!) and was delicious; just the type of healthy, filling dinner you'd want to eat after working hard all day so you don't leave the restaurant feeling like you negated all your hard work in one meal.
Mom's pig tacos.
Emily's sweet potato wrap.
The Grissom girls!
On our way home on Sunday, we shopped in Grandville (where I scored $.04 flowers at World Market, more on those later) and ate lunch in Grand Haven at Clementine's.
I know I'm an amateur, but I did take a few photos of the beach in Grand Haven. I had a lot of fun testing my other DSLR lens for the first time.
This is the 18-55 mm lens
This is the 55-250 mm lens
This is the 55-250 mm lens photo cropped. Not too shabby!
All in all -- it was an awesome weekend and, since Tommy had a meet on Friday, worked all day on Saturday and Sunday, it the perfect opportunity to getaway with my mom and sister.
That place looks yummy! I wish you were closer, I would love to take a good spinning class!I think you and your mom have some similarities.... I think you are hers! LOL. I am the same way with my parents though I don't see it.
ReplyDeleteFun!! You guys do look alike in my opinion... haha. And Grand Haven is beautiful - during ONU's xc camp we always ended our long run there on the beach. Seeing the beautiful was always a welcome sight because we knew were were almost done... :)
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