A New Semester

I just saw my last post was in March. Since then I finished up the semester from hell! Believe it or not, I got all A's - couldn't believe it! Four A's. Some barely....but A's all the same - a 4.0.

I went to Florida for a week to visit my friend Connie. It was such a wonderful, restful...restful week. Even the fact that Lakeland had RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES didn't spoil anything. I got there on Saturday - the temperature was 81. When I left Michigan in the morning,the temp. was 26! It was nice going on a trip - the first one on my own - that was not so fun. Going down to Florida the middle seat was empty so that was nice. Coming back home there were three of us across. I had the middle seat - yuck! I sat down and the guy beside me reeked of cigarette smoke. I pulled out my People magazine. He said, "I hope someone gave you that magazine." I said why. He said "because I'd never spend my hard earned money on trash like that." I said I just finished a hard semester at school and I'm looking forward to trash. Jeez!

Anyway, Sunday I got into their community pool and the weather was cool, but not miserable. Then came Monday! Brrrr! It was cold and extremely windy Monday through Wednesday evening. We went to a Tigers/Phillies game on Wednesday in long pants, scarves, gloves and hats! The temperature in Lakeland was only 10 degrees warmer than both Philly and Detroit! Everyone laughed when it was announced! The Tigers lost 4-1 but I got to see Verlander pitch. I love the Tigers! I want to go to as many games this season as I can.

Thursday it started to warm up. I got into the pool and actually got a little sun! I tried to do as many laps as I could. Still struggling with the swimming - hope it starts to "click" soon! Connie took me to visit some of her dear friends. We went to her church on Sunday, we had lots of good dinners out, but we had a few good relaxing meals in! Just so relaxed - I can't thank her enough for a wonderful break that I so needed.

I just started back to the gym - I need to keep going consistently or I'll never be ready for this triathlon at the end of May. It's a Sprint, but still I'm no wheres near ready!

So, I started my new semester this week. Our Art Culinaire class is going to be a huge challenge. Our chef is not treating us like students. We will be line cooks in his restaurant. This is a new class and we have a lot to prove. In this class, we will be creating fine dining cuisine. Each week we'll create an 8-course meal. My partner Jordan and I are the only girl team. We have one other girl in the class. Next week she and I are responsible for the Amuse Bouche and the Sweets. The courses are Amuse Bouche - a one bite appetizer, Cold Appetizer, Hot Appetizer, Main Course I, Main Course II, Soup, Salad, and Sweets. Our Amuse Bouche is Mango Shrimp Fresh Rolls, which is poached shrimp, rice-stick noodles, fresh mangos, all wrapped in rice paper, accompanied with a sweet lime nam pla. Our sweet is Thai Coconut Tapioca Pudding with a cayenne-spiced mango. This will be the most challenging class to date for me.

I also had my first Creating Writing class, which is going to be a lot of fun and very interesting. Then - my Spanish I class....well, after two hours, I must have had a look of total terror on my face because the teacher came to me and suggested he tutor me. Man - how embarrassing! I just feel so stupid! The same thing happened last semester with Math. I ended up talking to both boys that night for some reason and collapsed in tears. I told them I just feel so stupid. Jason said I do this every semester, but I end up with A's. He said I just have to give it some time and realize it's going to be hard at first. Both boys were so reassuring. I guess it didn't help that the class is from 6-10 pm. That's past my bedtime! LOL!

It's starting to turn to Spring - but taking its good old time. I'm supposed to go running Sunday with a group. Pretty soon the outdoor bike club will start up. I still want to look for a job....but....I'd like to maybe wait one more semester. I'd like to concentrate on school and this triathlon training. My confidence level is decreasing instead of increasing. I've got to get my mind wrapped around the good things in my life and not concentrate on the past. I so wish I could meet someone...I miss that part of my life. I'm still recovering, though, from Dan and Ramzi. That's harder than anything right now.

Well, that's about it for now. Just doing homework.