A new hobby

Iowa is great for xc skiing. Not until I moved here had I really tried the sport. This season, I bought a cheap pre-owned pair of skies, shoes and poles for $60. The shoes have a comfort rating of about 30 minutes, and somehow I always stay out for at least 45 minutes, so the last part of every adventure is in varying degrees of discomfort, but I do always enjoy getting out and skiing when I do.

There is a special breed that actually xc skies. It is the same species that bikes on sunny days. I don't know too many of these people here, but I am fortunate to know one, T-. We had classes (endured) together last year. T- hails from the state that is actually farther north and even colder than Iowa, so he is always willing to head out with me into the great outdoors.

Here are a few pics from our last outing I wanted to post.
Lake McBride at dusk
Not me. T- on skate skies.
Me gliding through the forest!

Ah.... that Iowa sky.

Off the list

I'm trying to declutter my life. Not in a physical sense necessarily, but in a time management sense. I've gotten to a point that EVERYTHING feels like a priority and I realize that EVERYTHING is not a priority. It is always so much easier selecting things to become priorities rather than eliminating things that are not. Quakers call the process "Laying it down." I realize there are things I need to "lay down" but it is not easy. And, once I have decided to remove something from my priority list, it is difficult to keep it off the list. For instance, I have decided that outings with the department, while fun and a good way to keep in the loop, do not necessarily meet my social needs. So, I am limiting my intake of social gatherings and focusing more on the friendships in my life that do provide what I need.

I was planning on a spring break trip to Colorado. However, I am now reconsidering. Not that I don't want to go, I just need some time to myself to recoup over break. The thought actually crossed my mind today to just find an oceanfront condo somewhere, where no one knows where I am, and just stare, stare into the horizon. I don't care if it rains everyday. That is not the point. Then again, there are some beautiful places in Iowa I wouldn't mind exploring as well.

I took tutoring off the list this semester. Well, until today when to women came to the office seeking tutors. Without recalling my personal priority list, I said I would tutor them. I forced them to work within my time frame, I wasn't as accommodating as I usually am, so I suppose that counts for something, right?

A good problem

Allow me to recap my crazy day.

8:05-9:20 Class
9:30-12:45 Exam (I had until 1:00 to complete it but was done and over it by 12:45.)
1:00-2:00 Presented my research to a room of fellow grad students and supervisor types.
2:00-2:30 Lunch
2:30-3:20 Started homework due tomorrow.
3:30-5:30 Class
5:30-6:00 Waited on campus, did homework, waited for the bus.

Now I am at home and besides about a half hour of homework, I don't know what to do with myself. What a great problem to have!

barely complete sentences

I'm not sure how
this semester got so busy
so fast.

One week from today:
a one and a half our stats class
a three and a half hour stats exam
a one hour presentation for work
a two hour class

ugh.

So tired already.
I'm going to bed
at 8:30.

Didn't sleep well
last night
I hope I sleep better
tonight.

Good night.