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!

A brighter day...

Free soy latte from Panera to keep these cold fingers typing.

One 25 pager turned in.

One 35+ pager getting ready to be turned in in only 3 hours.

The next Harry Potter book has arrived and I see much cozying up and reading into the night.

It's Tuesday = Brewsday at the Old Mill with treasured friends who will be relishing our new found freedom from these massive papers!!

How S W E E T it is!!

Bardo - Coffee House

A new favorite coffee shop just down the street from me.

Their coconut lattes are keeping this unmotivated girl caffeinated and functioning.

Walking to a coffee shop makes me feel like I am in Chicago...

Well, I don't know how the 68 degrees in December fits into that... But, you get the idea.

Papers and Transcripts and Finals, Oh my!

Hi Friends!

Whoa. It's been far too long!

What a semester it's been! Can't believe I am less than 2 weeks away from the finish line... But a 25 pager, a 40 page transcript analysis, a few small assignments and two big, bad finals lie between me and

sweet victory.

Then the rocking around the Christmas tree begins with too many Christmas parties! Then baking and card making and carol singing! Then Rachel flies in! Then Sarah flies in! Then I fly away to OKC to see the family!!! Oh, how sweet it will be!!

Please, Christmas don't be late!

If you think about it, say a little prayer for me (Aretha Franklin style, of course).

Love you all. Miss you all. Hoping to get to be in your presence soon and very soon.

Present. Here. Now.

Hi Hi!!!

It's been quite the hiatus here on the ol' blog.

I am HERE in Denver - the long awaited destination!!!

SO much has occurred in the past 2 1/2 months.

A lot of changes

Saying goodbye to Chicago, my home for the last 6 years

Bidding farewell to the closest friendships I have ever experienced

Leaving behind all that is familiar

for a brand new city,

new adventure,

a new season

The Lord has been so good to provide for me every step of the way.

I have been able to get my humble apartment set up and I finally feel all settled in.

I have a job that I enjoy to help pay the bills.

I assign myself multiple points for being able to navigate this new city sans a GPS.

Sorry Chicago, but the coffee shops here in Denver leave you in the dust. I am loving all the cafes within walking/biking distance!!

The sun here is doing wonders for my disposition. It is so strange to wake up to it every single day. I don't think Denver knows what a gloomy day is. Perhaps I will one day miss the rain days/weeks of Chicago. I have met my match here! Still in the honeymoon stage as you can see.

Not to mention the culture! People are so laid back - so genuinely kind! It does not take long to feel at home and like a local. I find this city positively refreshing.

I am for the most part settled at a church (I am swaying between two presently - oh, Lord, guidance!)

I am in the third week of classes already and loving every minute of it. The homework is a bit heftier than what I imagined, so I am still learning how to live a life that has more than the two dimensions of reading and working that I presently find myself existing in.

It is such a treasure to yet again be in an academic environment where people are just as excited to be studying the same nerdy things that I can't get enough of!

I am making some dear friends. I am amazed at how the Lord brings people into our lives at just the right time. Even now, I am taking a (brief, I promise) study break while at a coffee shop with a kindred spirit that I am so thankful for!

Well, as I said - a brief study break is all I can afford. Forgive me for this all too incomplete attempt at an update.

Back to the books.

More to come soon, I hope.