Hitler's daughter?

I need to write more often so that I don't sit here at my computer with 5638395 thoughts to type out. I've been so busy....not that this is ever an excuse! I have been locked in my apartment working ferociously on my thesis. Thankfully I'm handing the thing in on May 13th and it will be out of my hair for a little while, at least. I'm sure Shelley will be happy when my extreme bitchiness wears off.....working on my thesis puts me in a mood, particularly when there is a multitude of other things I could be doing out in the sunshine....

I had to do a driving test today - it's part of the new requirements to be covered by university insurance when I rent cars for work. Of course I was nervous - everyone teases me about my driving (apparently I'm crazy) so I thought for sure I was going to flunk. But I didn't. I did super well, actually. The evaluator was an ex-cop, and he got a bit of a chuckle out of me. He said I am one of the most aggressive drivers he's ever been in the passenger seat of, and that I am definitely the most aggressive female driver he's encountered. I was partly honored and partly ashamed of his proclamation. He said I'm a good driver and will never have troubles driving in busy cities. I beg to differ - I have no patience for slow-moving traffic.

We signed Shelley up at the gym the other day. It's nice to have a workout partner. Actually, I didn't have to convince her much. She's been so impressed with my energy levels during the day, that she wanted to give it a try. Anyway, she joined the gym Thursday night, and I dragged her kicking and screaming to the gym Friday after work. She really, really, really didn't want to go....you know the typical excuse..."I'll start Monday". Uh uh, no way. Somewhere between home and the gym Shelley asked me if I was Hitler's daughter.....I laughed and laughed and laughed. You should have seen the look on her face - you would've thought that I was dragging her off to her death. The funny thing about all of this was how great she did at the gym, and how awesome she said she felt afterwards. And she learned the hardest gym lesson of all - overcoming the pain-in-the-ass mental/psychological obstacle to actually getting to the gym. Once you get your shoes on, it gets easier....except for maybe the last few minutes of cardio - by the time I get to the 40th minute I am sooooo bored, it's harder on my mind to finish than it is on my body.

And I have now lost 7 pounds....so I am encouraged. Although I still have some major body image issues when I'm at the gym - having skinny little fit buff Shelley beside me doesn't help! But I'm working on that........

I met the owner of the place where I do my yoga the other day, and he is the most incredible man - so encouraging, such great energy. We talked for quite some time, and in just one conversation he taught me so much. I love that place and all the people that go there. Sometimes when we're sitting in the lobby waiting for our class to start the person next to me will start chatting to me, and in 3 minutes we'll share the highlights of our day. I find this just amazing...

Anyway...I need to go eat supper and get to work on my thesis. Oh yippee skippy.

it's a blessing to be so easily impressed

So I've survived my first week at the new job. I love it so far. My co-worker is fantastic, we get along great, and manage to get a lot of laughs in during the day. The project I'm working on is a bit of a logistic nightmare, and I think that's why I like it so much....everything is a problem that needs to be solved - lots of thinking, lots of decision-making. This is the stuff I need. So I've been feeling very fulfilled lately. To top it all off, I made some more progress on my thesis over the weekend, so although I'm still waaaaaaay stressed about it, at least I have momentum, which is the greatest motivator for me.

Shelley and I talk often about all the places I'm going to get to go to. I haven't been to any of these places, and although I'm sure they're completely boring, I'm still exciting to see them, and to run around and take funky pictures. I get to spend a bit of time up in northern BC, and when I asked Shelley what the heck I'm going to do there, her first response was "be very careful and watch out for bears". She would know, since these were her old stomping grounds and she has actually been attacked by a bear, believe it or not. (In the end, her and her buddy were rescued safely, but the bear was killed - apparently the ranger people thought the bear was a bit crazy and would likely kill again). I told her I would go walking with pots and pans to scare them away.

I've been getting up at 5:45 to go to the gym. Impressive, eh? I'm somewhat addicted to the gym at the moment...at least I have a healthy outlet for stress. I still hate mornings and am grumpy until I actually start exercising, then I realize it's all worth it. Maybe one day it will get a bit easier to wake up so darn early.

I've been getting little reminders lately about how much I love this world we live in and it's diversity of culture. I was walking home from work the other day and I caught a glimpse of an old brick apartment building. There were beautiful plants growing in someone's window, and a shiny thing hanging about them that was capturing the sunlight. It was just so beautiful. I had a flashback to various homes and buildings I have seen in my travels, and I was filled with a total sense of love for the world, and an intense desire to see more of it. I love these moments, ones where you are moved by what seems to be the ordinary. So I guess I should have no worries about Fort St John and the like...I'm sure to find something that will impress me.

What a slacker!

It's been weeks since I posted, sorry about that. Time flies when you're procrastinating!! Or maybe you simply start losing track of time once you turn 29...yep, that's right, I had a birthday a few days ago, the big 2-9. Hooray for me. 29 and still in school. Look at me go! Actually, I feel great. I've got 82 pages of my thesis written already, it's great work as far as I'm concerned, I start a new job tomorrow, and I'm totally excited about it, the weather's fantastic, the sun is shining, what more can I ask for?

I've gotten in the habit of taking Casper, Shelley's dog, out for big long walks, and I find these walks to be the highlight of my day. This dog is an amazing creature, she's got such great energy, and it simply feels good to be around her. Watching her jump around and run and express such true happiness is like a breath of fresh air. So whenever I start feeling like I've been indoors too much, or overstimulated from working on my thesis, or just needing some down-time on my own, Casper and I head out to the park.

I've been on this kick lately, trying to find things and people that feed my spirit. Casper and walks are definitely part of that. And so is the Ashtanga yoga I've been doing latelty. A colleague of mine recommended this style of yoga to me, and since the classes are held two blocks away from my apartment, I thought I would give it a go. Turns out I LOVE it. I feel completely rejuvenated for days after my yoga class. As a result, I've started doing it on my own at home, and since it's been so warm here the last few days, I've been rolling out my yoga mat and doing sun salutations on my balcony in the mornings, with the sun shining on my face. What an amazing way to start my day!

I've also been visiting a chiropracter lately who has given me so much more freedom in my life. I haven't coughed, or had a headache, or even had a stiff neck or shoulders since visiting her, which has enabled me to be as active as I like to be. Ive been going to the gym on an extremely regular basis, and this makes me feel great too. All of this has given me a tremendous amount of energy. Look at me go! On top of it all, this "new" lifestyle has changed my eating patterns...I no longer crave sugar nearly as much as I used to. Although I still need a chocolate fix every once in awhile.

Anyway, there's my update. Nothing new and exciting. Oh, except that Shelley and I bought a ticket for the Full House Lottery. Consider yourself invited to the house-warming party once we win the house of our dreams! Casper is going to love the big-ass back yard!!!