Aerobics class. Work training. Bus. Home. ShowerPackLunchReviewforQuiz. Bus. Media Writing avec wet hair. Housing research. Nap on a couch in a bathroom. Symphony rehearsal. Peer mentor meeting. Bus. Home. Dinner. Homework. Bus. Public Relations class. Bus. Home.
Not to mention a million emails and phone calls filling in the gaps, trying to plan ahead for my life when I can barely see past today. The bathroom nap was quite delightful, actually. Book of Mormon class was cancelled so I decided to celebrate my new-found spare time in a deliciously unconscious sort of way.
The highlight of all of this was a quiet little gap amidst the packed schedule (see "Dinner"), which included listening to this lovely band:
And eating these:
Sweet potato fries. My go-to comfort food as of late. Recipe and picture found here, although I prefer to use garlic salt instead of brown sugar.
I ate and listened and realized I was doing just fine.
Before the morning run: I'm going to run a half marathon, dang it! Where's that training schedule?
During the run: What on earth would possess me to run a half marathon? 13.1094 miles of torture is the most unappealing thing I can think of. Pain. Sweat. Lungs on the verge of collapsing. Stomach twisting nauseatingly.
After the run: I should go look up dates and see if I'll be in town for the big race!
Seriously though, if I'm around in July (fingers still tightly crossed for D.C. but I have about a 4% chance of getting the position), I would LOVE to do the Bryce Canyon 1/2 . I think I'd love it. I tell myself that I would.
. . . I'd probably love it after it was over.
But really, who wouldn't want to run through this as the morning sun rises in the east?
Probably not the best way to start out a post, but trust me, it's all uphill from here. So here it is, I'll lay it out for ya:
This week I have had an incessant, thought-consuming, saliva gland inducing desire for. . . peppers. Yep. Green, yellow, and red, fried up in some olive oil with garlic salt to taste. It just hits the spot--it's rich, sweet, slightly salty, yet light and smooth and warm. And it feels so nice in my stomach.
I was thinking about peppers all day today, planning to bike to the grocery store in the dark through the chilly January air to pick some up. I thought I'd try the Creamery first, spare myself a miserable trip, and I lucked out--sort of. I might have spent $2.80 on a single red pepper.
But it was goooood.
I don't know what this is, a vitamin deficiency maybe? But at least it's vegetables, right?
-Taking pictures while moving 55 miles per hour
-On a rumbling snowmobile
-Driven by a nineteen year-old male
-Through four feet of powder
-Across the winding slopes of the Uintahs
I think the age and sex of the driver in question should be particularly noted; it seems to me that those characteristics fall into a higher risk-taking bracket. I drove as well, and although my confidence was shaken by a near run-in with a pine tree and a stint in some deep powder, I was cruising by the end of the day. Snowmobiling is no skiing. . . it's louder, and, well, yeah. Louder. More passive. Less in-tune with Mother Nature. But there's undoubtedly something enjoyable about moving fast through the wilderness and whipping through the air.
With that being said, you can't blame me for only taking these two:
And an obligatory nature shot:
On a somewhat related note, I recently entered one of my research papers into a university writing contest. If I luck out enough to get a cash prize, it's all going towards a camera. My current one is functional, but not much beyond that. It still runs on AA batteries. And I'm still a far cry away from purchasing my dream model, so if the contest doesn't work out, good old saving it is. Wish me luck.
Also. I adore Missy Higgins. The hair. The accent. The spunk and soul.
I've found a new fool-proof way to boost your mood from a downer 2 or 3 to at least a solid 6.5
Step 1: Put on running shoes and prepare iPod with this song:
Step 2: Soak in the lovely, harmonious sounds of Relient K as you pick up speed and get on the running trail of your choice.
Step 3: Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Yes, exactly four times.
Step 4: Take your headphones out, tuck your iPod away in your pocket. Take in the sounds of passing cars, rustling leaves, and whirling breezes. Return a smile and wave to the cute guy (or girl, depending. . . ) running by. Breathe deeply.
Step 5: Sprint the last leg home. Gulp a glass of ice water and cook up a hearty meal.
Step 6: Recognize that you can't trust anyone to sustain your happiness for long. Except you. And maybe Relient K.
i don't want a life that's perfect. where every day is good. where happiness never falters and gives way to longing or loneliness or pain. that doesn't interest me. why try and hide what makes us human? show me that. give me that. offer up your humanity, your fault-line of divinity, and i will spend each day forging forward into that land where language has no meaning. to that place beyond words where we find and love each other wholly and simply.
16.5-The number of credits I'm enrolled in this semester. 5- Classes to attend on Mondays and Wednesdays 11-hours spent on campus on said days. 15- Clementines I've consumed this week. They're my new apple. 4- Mugs of peach tea (instant relaxation and deliciousness to boot). 10- Hours on the new job. Getting paid to learn new technology? I'm down with that. 1- Application submitted to the Department of State. Summer job in DC? We'll see. 1- Trip to Urgent Care. An eye infection. And one wild bike ride to the clinic with only one functional eye. 3-Awesome professors. I'm excited for Media Writing, Intro to PR, and World Lit. 1- No, let's make that. . . 2-Beautiful outdoor runs.
2012 has officially been ushered in, Martinellis, glass-clinking and all. I'm excited for the new year, but honestly, today just feels like another day. And there's something really comforting about that. I'm happy. I don't feel like I'm dragging myself through the day hour-by-hour, which is a huge blessing because that feeling defined a portion of 2011. 2011 was definitely a growing year-- the calendar equivalent of those rapid growth spurts that leave stretch marks on your legs when you are twelve. But that's what I said about 2010, wasn't it?
I'm heading into 2012 with a different outlook than last year. I'm not waiting for my life to drastically change, though I'm definitely feeling open to embracing new opportunities that may present themselves. For the most part, I'm content where I am, and feel good about the direction in which I'm headed.
I do have a few goals:
-Floss more (Teeth lovin')
-Get into a regular running schedule (Find some races to aim towards & a partner?)
-Sleep more (Or else my 8am classes are going to kill me)
-Vote! (Register. . . )
I could think of a lot more, but I think those are good starting points.
To tie up a few other loose ends from 2011, here is my Winter Break Soundtrack. Good stuff:
And some pictures from my trip to D.C. and the surrounding states:
Family at the National Zoo
Standing on the lawn of George Washington's Mount Vernon Mansion, overlooking the Potomac.
In the incredible National Gallery of Art. Can I just live there?
I've had a wonderful Winter Break. Being away from my family has made me appreciate the time I spend with them even more. I'm returning to school with a re-vamped wardrobe, (slightly) shorter hair, beautiful memories of skiing, touring, visiting, and relaxing, and an increased drive to ace this next semester.
