The Great Snow Wall of Dicken Drive

A few nights ago I decided I wanted to go play in the snow. I wanted build something I could put the Olympic rings on, Matt wanted to build a giant wall.

We both got what we wanted.

Saturday evening Matt, Jess, Jon and I bundled up and headed out side. With three shovels, two recycling bins, and a plastic storage bin, we set out to work building a wall. The first three blocks of height went up so fast that we decided, let's do one more.

At four blocks of height I was at eye level with the wall at one low point in the ground. The adrenaline still running, the guys decided to add one more level.

As the wall came together I decided I had the perfect canvas for my Olympic rings. Matt and I went to Meijer to something to create the black ring, and low an behold, they had black food coloring. It was meant to be.

Sunday "morning" after my first cup of coffee, Matt and I headed outside with 5 cups holding water and food coloring, 3 paint brushes, and a bicycle tire. Matt held up the tire so I could trace the rings with the end of a paint brush, and then we set to it. Neighbors drove by staring, in some cases stopping and rolling down their windows to let us know how much they liked it.

It was an awesome feeling. And then the sun came out.

For the first time all winter I wanted it to stay dark and cold, because sure enough, it got so warm the the food coloring mixed in to the snow too well, and it faded so much the rings were barely visible.

Tonight when the sun goes down I plan on adding another layer of food coloring, it looks the weather tomorrow will be more cooperative. Either way, it was fun while it lasted.

January has come and gone...

...I am supposed to be studying right now. But I get distracted easily...

So far 2010 has been decent in my world. I've gotten a handle on a lot of those things that for years I said "I wish" about. For instance, I am getting up at a real-person time everyday, and going to bed hours earlier than I used to. I am working out 6 days a week, and loving it. I feel great. I am counting calories 5 days a week, and other than the occasional cup of coffee I bring all my food for the week with me to school and work, as opposed to buying it out.

The problem: I am doing nowhere near as much as I should be for school. And it's starting to get worse because I have three classes with group projects that are really starting just about now, and the meetings for these projects is cutting into my "homework" time. It doesn't help that I have work on Saturday and Sunday, as well as grocery shopping and other household tasks to take care of.

I've hit a point where if I want to stay on top of the things that I am so excited about right now (getting enough sleep, working out, eating healthy) that something is going to have to give. So, have decided to leave my job a littler earlier than I had originally planned. I was going to leave before final exams so I could focus on studying, plus I will start a full time internship right after that anyway. But I have made the very difficult decision to part ways by the end of February. This was not an easy decision to make, and I still don't like that I have to do it, but it's just what I need right now.

In other news, I have lost 2 inches off my waist in the last month! I am so excited, it's great motivation to want to keep going. I never really weighed myself before starting, though I know the general range I was in. I'm not as concerned about "weight" really though, as I just wanted to get more toned and reduce my body fat. Maybe next month I'll brave the scale....

In wedding news, I have picked out my dress, and we have picked our honeymoon locale. Matt's not allowed to see the dress, so be be on the safe side I'm not posting any info here, but if you want to see it, post a comment and I can email or facebook it to you.

As for the honeymoon, we will be going to San Francisco! I have always wanted to go to California, and I have heard great things about SF.

Well, I should probably get to the actual studying I sat down to do, since I do have an exam tomorrow...