The Biggest Loser

I thought it was a stroke of luck that the Biggest Loser was on when I got to the gym tonight. How inspiring this will be, I thought. Au contraire! It is dangerous to mix motivational/inspirational television with cardio. I kept getting choked up with every time they pulled together as a team, or a trainer pushed them and then encouraged them. You might as well have put Hallmark commercials on repeat in front of me!

Tonight was my first night of official half marathon training (I am going by Hal Higdon's training schedule) and three miles never felt so good!

Discoveries

Spaghetti squash is incredible! I think I could eat it everyday (at least if this week is an indicator of anything).

Running is HARD. I feel I should start another blog about a faux-runner training for a half marathon. I suppose if it were easier, it would not be half as rewarding.

Stats. is. killing. me. First exam this Wednesday and this entire weekend is devoted to prepping for it. I seem to comprehend the material when I do the reading, but when I sit in class I feel as though I have never encountered the material before. It's stretching me, to be sure.

I seem to blog more frequently when I particularly wish to avoid what I am supposed to be doing. Perhaps this is why each post is composed in a library or while in a coffee shop. Case in point!

At it again!

After a whirlwind Christmas "break", I am back at it again with a new semester, new classes, new challenges and new goals.

As ever, I am horrible at keeping up with this thing, so here are a few highlights.

Time with the family was a treasure! Most of it was centered around sweet Cosi Mae, my niece. What a joy she is!

PASSED the advanced standing exam, thus tested out of a 3 hour theology class! Hallelujah!

Just got to go see The Decemberists in concert - something I hope to do more of this semester is go to more shows. I can't describe just how much I love live music and I hope to be able to say yes to more life giving experiences this semester!

My work schedule is set, so I am much better able to plan out my time and have a better sense of rhythm, as far as work, rest and play is concerned.

Got new running shoes, joined 24 hour fitness and registered for my very first half marathon! Excited for the process of training and endurance building and restoration this season will no doubt bring.

Most thankful for the classes I am taking this semester - especially the professors. Somehow I have more reading this semester, but I am a complete nerd and loving (almost) every minute of it. I must say, I could do without Stats, but that's another story.

Film Club is up and running. I am most thankful for a community of people to enjoy good art and thoughtfully discuss themes and the human condition through the medium of film. We've been on a Paul Thomas Anderson kick, but are switching it up soon.

This is petty, but still a highlight! I got the iPhone 4 and have been having such fun with it! It is so fun to get to have face time with my family at only the touch of a button!

Last semester was characterized by the Lord stirring up a lot of things in me that I had not been aware of, or perhaps had not yet been ready to deal with prior, or brought up old insecurities to rework through to bring about the experience of healing and restoration. This semester is beginning to be characterized by moving forward in things that I sense God has given me permission to move forward in. So many things that were in process are now in motion and coming to pass. The process was precious, although it was was messy and full of confusion at times. Now, on the other side of some of those things, I am experiencing clarity and confidence in moving forward.

Well, I don't know if this about sums it up, but it must suffice for now as a stats paper is annoyingly and persistently calling for my attention.

Much love to you!