Mich

Woman’s magazines like to advise, well, women, to do things that make them feel womanly. Things like taking a bubble bath or painting their nails. I usually look at these things and thing, “That is just silly! Who does that?!” and then today I painted my nails for the first time in well over two years.

I can’t stop looking at my hands, and it really did make me feel like some kind of hottie. This is slightly concerning because they are just red fingernails - there really is no basis for such a dramatic change in self image. Things like picking up my keys, or typing, I can’t do these things now without thinking, “Hey! My hands look really good while doing this!” It’s a preoccupation that has been amazing me all day. I am probably going to crash my car because I can’t turn the steering wheel without noticing my hands. If I could permanently change my nails to this color, I probably would - only to promptly become tired of it and want to take it off again. If nothing else, I am fickle.

It has just occurred to me that I should take a picture with which to show you, and also at the same time I can take a picture of my new hair color, which I am completely in love with. “Dark Spice”, we have just begun a long love affair.

On Monday, two exciting things are happening. First, I’m picking up my new running shoes from their current jail in my local UPS hub, which does not believe in being open on weekends, preferring instead to hold my purchases hostage. Second, with my new shoes in hand (or maybe not, but I am really hoping I can make it there on Monday, else my next chance will be on Thursday and that is just too long to expect my shoes to wait patiently for me.), I will head to the gym for the first time since April. I am going to take that treadmill by storm (a slow and steady storm), and work on putting together a strength training program, because my muscles, they are weak. The next time you see me, I will be built like Hulk Hogan, Hollywood Superstar.

Yeah, brother!

Tonight was Day 1 of the Couch-to-5k running program that Shaun and I are doing. This benefits both of us, because it gives Shaun someone to run with, and it gives me small, attainable goals that work up to an end Big Goal. Also, it turns out that running is kind of fun.

The problem I have, in almost every area of my life, is wanting to be awesome at something the first time I do it. (From what I understand, this is a common problem.) If I try it and I’m not awesome at it, I feel defeated (de-feet-ed), and I never want to try it again. It’s far easier to watch TV and nap than it is to work at being good at something.

For whatever reason, lately I’ve been able to really push towards a lot of my goals.  In the last few weeks, I’ve found a water with which I can consistantly meet my 64-oz-day goal; found a running program I believe I can stick to, and started it; signed up for my first international missions trip; and been promoted at work to a position I’ve had my eye on, but haven’t had much success in attaining.  I’m going to see my Dad this summer for the first time in more than two years, and it will be the first time he and Shaun get to meet - hopefully that goes well for everyone. :o)

I feel like things are going at a great pace right now, and I’m pretty sure that if I can keep my head in the game, they can only get better.

(By the way, this entry has been brought to you by water, a luna bar, and exercise endorphins.)