Back again

Well, the quarter has started again and I am back to working my butt off. Only this quarter, I am working it off both figuratively and literally.

Classes have started up. This quarter I am only taking 3 classes. It is such a relief. I have 2 classes on Tuesday, a women's studies course, and my MESE course on curriculum. On Wednesday nights I have my T&L core course. I am really excited about all three classes. They seem like really great classes and the work seems manageable, a lot, but manageable. I am also supervising again this quarter. Although we have more visits than last quarter, I have 6 students instead of 7. They seem like really great kids as well. They are all smart, dilligent workers.

I have also been keeping up wtih going to the gym. Since I have been back in Columbus (December 26) I've lost about 4 lbs. It's so great. I don't really see a difference but my friend says she does, so that's pretty cool. I've mainly been doing cardio. I either use an elliptical, cross trainer, walk on the treadmill or walk on the track. Today, actually, I am going to go to water aerobics for the first time. I am really nervous about it. My friend and I are going to go walking on the track for about half an hour and then go to the class.

In addition, I have been working on my eating too. I am trying to get my breakfasts and my lunches under control that way I can kinda enjoy dinner. I've become somewhat predictable. Lunch is a turkey sandwhich. :) I have also been drinking more....water....trying to cut all soda out of my diet. I've also been using salad as a filler. If I am hungry, I go for a salad. My goal, by the end of February is to be down 10 lbs total. By the end of April down 20 total, and so on. If you have any tips, pointers, recipes or ideas on how to keep this up, please let me know.

I would like to do another shameless plug for Big Fat Greek Kuzina. It is the most amazing restuaruant in all Columbus. The food is phenomenal, the portions are HUGE and the service is great too. If I wasn't a broke college student, I would go there every day, maybe even twice! If you are in or visiting the Columbus area you gotta check out this place.

Back Home?

Break was great. I got to see so many friends from home that I haven't seen since I left in August. I also got to spend some time with family. Got to see Katie and Jacob, my best friends/cousins. I also go to hang with my other cousins, Daniel, Lucy and Josh. I love them to death. Also we have two new babies on my mom sides, Bella and Jacoby. They are two of the cutest babies ever. I don't know how they parents can handle their cuteness.

Well, I am kinda back home. My parents house will always be home, but there was nothing like walking the door last night and seeing MY STUFF. So as I previously may (or may not) have mentioned, OSU works on a quarter system. Instead of 14 or 16 week semesters like most schools have, we have 10 week quarters. While most college people go back mid to late January, I go back January 5th. I have a few goals to accomplish before I go back to class. And that is what I would like to discuss in this entry.

1) READ. Next quarter I am taking 3 classes next quarter. 2 education classes with amazing professors, Dr. Bloome and Dr. Dixson. Although they are phenomenal, they also work your ass off! :) I looked at Dr. B's syllabus and almost wet my pants. It's going to be A TON of reading. I am so glad I am only taking 3 classes rather than the 4 I took last quarter. My third class is a women's studies class with Dr. Smooth. The class is focusing on the intersections of race, gender and the election.

2) WORK OUT. I am fat, and happy. I would be happier if I was skinny. The week before I went back to NJ I had gone to the gym almost every day. I don't know if I was actually losing weight, but I felt AMAZING. Being that my parents live in a crazy old people's community there were rules about who can use the gym. Since I wasn't a resident, I couldn't. With my dad's detached retina and mom's work schedule, I didn't ask either of them to go sit with me while I work out. Not really fair to them. Also not fair to my body, either. Luckily, I have this amazing friend Renee and we are back on track. She and I went to the gym this morning, and we plan on going 4-5 days a week during the quarter. I used this cybex cross trainer machine. It's amazing. My legs are KILLING me already. :)

3) HANG OUT. Well, I have been making a lot of friends and a lot of "friends." I have been doing some dating, which has been really great. I am looking forward to seeing wehre some of this is going, one in particular...all right, I'll be honest, currently, there is no one else but this one guy. He's really great. I over analyze everything, as most of you may know and often get involved with people who aren't good for me. This new guy is great. He's really sweet. I am TRYING, to take it slow, but as you know, its not one of my strong points. But I will keep you updated as there is stuff to update...but for right now, I am really happy.

4) AMERICAN IDOL. So my cousin Kim and her brother Howard are really into American Idol. I think I need to Tivo it. Any thoughts?

Hope everyone out there had a great Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever else you celebrate. I did. It was great to be home but it's also great to be back! Please don't hesitate to comment. Your comments keep me going!