A New Start...

Starting next Tuesday, I am embarking on a somewhat completely new career, in a new city, with new responsibilities, and LOTS of new people to meet and work with. I am nervous, excited, anxious, and...(after I finish packing up my apartment) ready!

Stay tuned...

Back to blogging...

Once again, something has occurred in my personal life (ahem, it's personal!) to inspire me to work on this blog again. Since I last wrote, a few things have changed, but much is the same:

Changes:

• Practically graduated with my Masters degree in Political Science. I walked at the May Commencement ceremony and, after completing 2 more hours of independent study and my comprehensive exams next month, I'll officially be finished!
• I'm playing softball this summer and returning to the community band. While I'm really enjoying both activities, they take up three nights a week (band rehearsal, softball practice, band concert) and almost every Sunday (games) of my summer. I am glad to have things to keep me busy, but just when I thought I'd have more time after classes were over...

Part of why I started this blog initially was to keep myself accountable for running and working out. Since it began I am still trying to run regularly. Before softball started I had fired up the old Couch to 5K plan again. However, between doing some traveling and a softball hit to my left knee (resulting in a GIANT bruise), I haven't been as faithful. I am planning to start back this week (honest!).

I am also really interested in cooking, trying new recipes, and learning how to eat healthier. I hope to post some new dishes and old favorites here for your perusal. Tonight's menu includes an old favorite of steak, baked potato, and corn. Probably going to wash it down with a Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat or Honey Weiss for good measure. :)

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

No Excuse November

For a few months now I've been posting my minimal workouts on a site called Daily Mile. It's a nice online way to keep track of what you're doing, receive motivation, motivate others, and just generally share your goals with a community.

Feel free to join and keep track of my progress as well as track your own with your goals.

Until then, yesterday began what a friend of mine called "no excuse November." (Much better than those lame "no shave November" or any other weird month-long boycotts.) So, I worked out last night, will go again tonight after band practice and hopefully keep up some sort of activity each day for the rest of the month. Who knows, it might become a habit!!

I'm baaaaaack!!!!

OK kids, I'm back. Yay. Seriously though, as I was placing the New Year's and Chrismas holidays on my Outlook calendar today, I got to thinking about resolutions already. Yes, already.

So, in order to get a head start on those resolutions, I resolve to not again take three weeks off from the gym. I went last night and rode about 10 miles on the bike and did some chest/shoulders lifting. All I have to say is "ouch." It's a good pain, but pain nonetheless.

Stay tuned for more progress!

P020109PS-0339

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Originally uploaded by The Official White House Photostream

So cool!!

Motivation

...is seriously lacking. I don't know why either. Somehow, for more than a week now, I've been in a slump. Despite the fact that The Librarian Diaries and I have been talking about seriously doing the half-marathon in St. Louis next month (almost literally), I haven't been to the gym in more than a week now. Nothing, nada, zilch.

I think at first it began has simply having too much going on in the evenings: Panther Service Day meetings, class, band rehearsal, homework, basketball games, etc. Then, after spending the weekend in Chicago and Decatur, my knees hurt. Nothing that bothers me during the day or anything, but it's definitely been an excuse.

Tonight, I had intentions of going, but as per usual lately, I was distracted. I got out of class early and decided to be a giant nerd and go check out Student Government instead. (There was talk of a feisty meeting in the DEN.) However, when I arrived, they had just adjourned and I spent the next half hour talking to my good friend and the org.'s adviser instead.

Tomorrow though, it's gonna happen...it has to. I'm running a 3K next weekend for St. Pat's Day weekend. It's only a little over a mile and a half, but since I haven't done anything active since last Monday, I know I'll be rusty. I'm sure I can run a mile and a half, but considering the half is a month away, I have some work to do to catch up.

Wish me luck!

Pet Peeves

...when people refer to the state legislature as the "state congress" or "congress" in general.

1. There is only one Congress and it's the U.S. House of Representatives
2. State legislative bodies are referred to as Legislatures!