Thanks for viewing my Blog! It means a lot to me.
It's been so rainy the past few days - not sure if I'm ready for winter to end quite yet...
Well, I ended up getting a new vehicle, which I'm so glad Jason was there to help me. We actually had a pretty good time and got a chance to catch up on some movies in the theater right now. It was a really nice weekend. I got a Honda CR-V, which I'm so happy about! It will be nice to get a hitch on it for my bikes and I'll be able to carry my kayak on the roof. The seats go down so I can take bins to and from the storage unit, plus it will be nice if I start my business right away.
Here are some photos from class - Classical European Cuisine. I'll have to wait until I can get my vehicle cleaned up before I post a photo! The last photo was my Math project from last semester. We had to make a colorful display and three Math problems that related to our field of study. Mine was the only one chosen to be displayed! I felt like I was in 3rd grade! LOL!
Swimming...hmmm...it's harder than I ever thought. I just wish I could get the rythmn of the breathing down and it would be so much easier. Practice, practice, practice! I'm running and increasing my milage, and biking outdoors can't be too far behind. We did this bike event at the gym on Saturday. We rode indoors and watched the Avengers! It was fun, actually, and we rode for 2 hours. I was trying to stay in my Zone 2 to build up my base.
School...classes are hard this semester, so that's a challenge. I think I'm going to drop down to three classes next semester because we only have a week off in between. I'm heading to Florida to see Connie and I'm so excited. I'll be able to continue my training while I'm there.
Work...haven't worked much since before Christmas and it's been a nice break. Still waiting to get into one of the kitchens...I think I'm going to have to start looking for another job - not that I want to - but if something doesn't turn up soon, I'm going to have to.
It's surprising - and disappointing - how quickly I become overwhelmed. All of a sudden...plus my thoughts have been concentrated on memories of Dan and I. Growing up, high school, getting married, the boys - from babies to young men. I don't know why.
Math is killing me. I just can't get it. Or, I get the concept - then go back an hour later and I've lost it. Two other classes are requiring a TON of reading and memorization. My cooking class is pretty manageable so far.
I'm going to be starting in one of the kitchens at work on Friday. I'm very nervous about that but I need the experience. What if I can't do it? What if I'm awful?
I found out today that my car was totaled, so I need to buy a car pretty quickly. NOT something I have time for. At least I know I want another Honda. I love the car, the dealership, the service staff...Jason is going to come over on Saturday and go with me.
This triathlon...the swimming has got me bummed. I've not been to the gym since Sunday...as much as I want to do this - I'm not sure I have the time to devote 5-6 days at the gym. I don't want to give up...
I still have the bins of Christmas decorations in my spare room - having to NOT want to pile them into the small rental car...
I'm trying to get my system back to somewhat normal. My body has been under a lot of stress and it's starting to effect me - my health, my sleep...
I know next week at this time I'll probably feel better...I just don't want to feel this way now. WAAAAH!
It's the 13th of January...the day Edie learned that you do not hold your breath when swimming! I never learned how to swim! I'm taking lessons...thank goodness! Today was the 1st official day our Beginner Triathlon Training meeting. We had swimming technique evaluations where while we swam we were videotaped and critiqued. HOW EMBARRASSING! I hope now that I know you don't hold your breath, maybe I will be a little bit better. Jeezz... We're going through a pretty intense (for me, anyway) 26 week training session to be ready for a Sprint or Olympic race. After today, I think I'll go for the Sprint version! I would love to - if nothing else - swim a length of the pool! They say it won't be long before I'm swimming 40 lengths!
School has started - four classes - one cooking class - two that are going to have lots of tests, quizzes, and memorization...and Math! It's just pre-Algebra, but I've never studied Math other than business math - AKA 'bookkeeping" before. I am struggling, I think, because I'm really struggling with memorizing. I asked my math professor if he'd be able to tutor me for a while. One nice thing about our school is that tutoring sessions are free! I feel better now. So, I'm going to be turning 54 and I'm just now learning how to do Algebra and swim. Wow. I guess it's never too late!
Emotionally, I'm doing better. For one thing, I felt very confident in our cooking class this past week. I heard from one of our chefs - he's asked me to help out in the kitchen for two upcoming events. I'm so excited! I feel I'll really improve my skills from being in a real world kitchen.
Well, time to do homework - two quizzes to study for.
Wow! A lot has happened since my last post. Thank you to everyone whose following it - I really appreciate your kind words!
Well, first off - I had a wonderful holiday with my boys and daughter-in-law. We spent the time before Christmas and Christmas day together. Then Jason and Brittany went back to work and Chris traveled on to his Dad's. They all spent some time together before and after New Years. Chris then went back to Indiana and work.
The time off school (and work for the most part) has been awesome. I so needed it. I'm back to the gym and....training for a Triathlon! I'll be training for the full, but if I can't, I'll do the sprint version. I have to learn how to swim! Can you believe it - I never learned how to swim! I hope I'm not in lessons with little kids! LOL! Anyway, I'm excited about the possibility of that accomplishment.
I went back to Pennsylvania for a few days and spent time with family. It was nice. I started back to Michigan on New Year's Eve morning...and got into an accident on the PA turnpike. My car had to be towed, I had to get a rental car, then drive another five hours, right after being in an accident. I was physically and emotionally drained by the time I got back to my apartment. I had to unload an entire car full of stuff that I brought back from my Dad's (first from my car to the rental car, then the rental car to my apartment.) I didn't care - I stopped at McDonald's before coming home! I was supposed to run a 5k on New Year's Day - but I did not have the energy. I slept like 12 hours. I figure God wanted to give me one more hurdle before 2012 was over!
I'm looking forward to classes starting next week. I am hopeful my car is not totaled and can be fixed. I found out yesterday that if it is fixable, they will tow it to Michigan and have it repaired at my dealership! Thank God! I thought I'd have to drive five hours both ways to pick it up. So, that's a good thing.
2013 is going to be a good year. I'll be working out and getting into shape, I'll hopefully accomplish something I never thought I'd even attempt, I'll meet new people and have opportunities to bike and run with a group. I'll learn how to swim! I hope to get into one of our kitchens within the restaurant group and get some practical experience. My boys are doing well, and so is my family. I've got so many wonderful friends who pull me through. I've got some very good people who I get to talk things through with. It's all good. I'm hoping and praying to see more of those kinds of things this year and less of the hard times. That's my plan, anyway.
