SNOW!!!!

Over the course of the day we received over two feet of snow today. It was a constant downfall and quite the winter wonderland. I had assumed winter days like these to be typical before I moved to VT. This has not been the case and this winter has been exceptionally warm; mid thirties for most of February.

So with a giggle I walked out to dig my car out of the snow. I had no plans to go anywhere because my snow tires are VERY BALD and in no condition for hazardous driving. It's like a boat with no momentum sometimes. So I avoid it as much as I can and living so close to campus it's very easy.

I shoveled and shoveled and shoveled. Once clear, I started the car only to find that I had two factors against me, aside from the snow: I had parked nose in and on a slight decline towards said nose. Even with the snow gone, I had to try many different front/back maneuvers to get enough grip to move. THEN I got stuck in the middle of the parking lot and had to dig myself out all over again.

By the time I'd set my self up with the nose forward and on no such incline, I understood how some folks learn to dread the snow and all of the hassles it puts you through.

Still, it was darn pretty.

Tues Feb 23rd-Time Management

I get a fair amount of work done for being such a procrastinator at times. There are days where it takes every inch of my parent self to motivate my kid self into getting done what needs to get done. Sometimes it helps to just focus on what's in front of me right now, reassuring myself that that is all I have to do.

When I let myself get run down by life's big picture I can barely function, bogged down by unrealistic views of the world and my place/effectiveness in it.

Today I did a great job of getting things done while also enjoying this winter break. Usually I spent my breaks (read unstructured time) eating many pints of ice cream and watching dvds. A day or two of this is divine but an entire week is horrible.

So Sun and Mon were spent in "cave day" mode eating ice cream and watch season three of The Office. Today was a "do or die" situation that would steer the rest of the week depending on what I did.

Although the morning was slow around noon I got going. Total, I got 5 hours of lab work done, went to the gym to run, did a few errands AND watched Buffy the Vampire slayer dvds. I even made a little pizza for dinner, giggling constantly at my success and at how happy I was with such a simple lifestyle: work, food, entertainment, and myself.

Rock on.

Montpelier, VT on a cloudy afternoon

Sun-Feb 21st

Some pictures from the Exercise Physiology lab where I work. Wonder Woman is an integral part in studying a human body's exercise response. :)

Sat Feb 20th-80s Retro Dance Party

Went out to the Retronome 80s dance party. Didn't have high hopes as Vermont dancing hasn't been the greatest. But, man, it rocked! It was like being in Jr High all over again but without the awkwardness and sombrero earrings. Every song blended so well into the next and before I knew it was two and a half hours later. I was exhausted. I haven't danced like that since I was nineteen.

Dancing is my religion.

Making new neural connections

Frequently I make myself do new things. I call it "An Adventure A Month". The rules are I have to do/try/visit/meet someone or something that I've never done/tried/visited/met before. I do this not only because it makes for good stories and gets me out of my comfort zone but also because I truly believe it keeps my brain healthy. Too much of the same thing leads to the same neural pathways leading to less cognitive options. I say the more connections the better.

My most recent adventure has been learning how to cross country ski or, more appropriately how to nordic/classic ski. I was determined to not have lived in Vermont for 3 years and never been on skis so I signed up for a class taught by my college.

The instructor was a very enthusiastic and funny adventurer named Kelly who spoke with such a West Coast/California inflection that I half expected him to take us surfing instead.

At first, I had a difficult time getting the hang of it with all the stuffy clothes and 0 degree winter winds. Still at the end of each class I was always glad that my excitement conquered and soothed my anxious panic. Even the class where I fell on my tailbone, terribly bruised both of my knees and made absolutely mad attempts to ski down ungroomed trails was invigorating. It reminded me of my well loved skateboarding years where I was too ignorant to truly be aware of its inherent dangers.

Today was our last class and we visited a internationally renowned outdoor center in Craftsbury, VT. Olympic participants visit this center for their biathalons and marathons. It was a beautiful 34 degree day with sun and a mild winter wind. We skied all around this lovely frozen lake, as well as up and down WELL groomed trails. The downhills were the best! Today I finally got the hang of cross country skiing and enjoyed its intricate details while happily trailing behind the others in my class.

Successful adventure of the month? Check. Taking advantage of my current geographical location and its wonders? Check. Going to sleep at 9 pm? Che....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I took these pictures at 5:15pm...The sun returneth!!