news

I was on the news. Not my best hair day ever, but it'll do.

Channel 9 News

good news

• Ashley is flying in tonight! And to celebrate, we are eating lots of sushi.
• I now own a pair of ski pants and am officially ready for skiing tomorrow and Friday
• I got a new drivers license today. (I somehow lost my old one. Oopsies.)
• My order from Barnes and Noble came just in time for holiday reading.

let it snow

Even though I didn't get a day off of school (the snow came a day too late) we had a pretty good time being snowed in. I snowshoed over to Troy's house:

Where we played some snow football (much more exhausting than regular football):

Showed off our new snow jackets:

Sledded down a few hills:

And then rode home behind the truck. It's a good thing Maryland does not know how to deal with snow. Riding behind the truck on concrete would have been way less fun.

jingle all the way 10K

I ran in the "Jingle all the way 10K" this weekend. It was cold, rainy, and miserable. And I dropped my puffer vest in the middle of the race and was trampled by other runners. I never got my vest back.

However, it was all worth it for the jingle bells on my shoes and the great race tshirts. They are, without a doubt, the cutest race shirts I have ever seen. (This is last year's tshirt. This year's shirt is way better.)

three days

And then two weeks of freedom. To say that I am looking forward to two quiet weeks at home is an understatement.

But since the end of the semester is upon us, I have begun receiving holiday gifts from students. (They're nice.)

A few of my favorites include:

Barnes and Noble gift card. There's nothing better than being able to order 4 books and pay nothing.

Sugar Wafers. One of my students brings snacks to class every day, and I always steal them. The sugar wafers are my favorites, so she bought me a package that I get to eat all by myself.

American Express gift card. Okay, maybe there is something better than being able to order 4 books and pay nothing. Being able to buy whatever I want and pay nothing.

.

i am so good

I am so totally on my way to accomplishing all of my 30 before 30 goals.

In August, Ashley and I are going here:

I realize not everyone considers Canada an "international" trip. Whatever. Don't hate. I am, however, accepting offers for other international trips as well.

I found somebody to run a half marathon with in March, which will keep me motivated to train for a real marathon in June. Who wants to join me?

I bought some winter running clothes so that I can train in the winter. It's hard.

I just bought almonds in bulk to bribe people to come to book club. (And be my friend. Sometimes they need extra incentive, apparently.)

look, ashley

Santa came!

29

I turned 29 last Sunday. Having a birthday is pretty fun when it gets you a brand-new Garmin wristwatch! With a heart rate monitor. I think that alone makes it worth living another year.

In honor of turning 29, I made a list of 30 things I want to accomplish before I turn 30. (Which happens in a year.)

I was going to make it a goal to only own clothes that fit in my closet. (I have a tendency to buy too many clothes on sale. Sometimes my closet overflows.) Bethany told me I can own as many clothes as I want and still consider myself a responsible adult. That's why she's a great sister. So I crossed this one off the list. Bring on the outlet malls!

Instead, I included the following goals (among others):

1. Keep my book club going the whole year. Apparently the trick to getting people to show up is making almond macaroons. Apparently that's also the trick to getting Katelyn to be your friend.

2. Read at least 30 books. (easy.)

3. Run a marathon. (anyone want to join me?)

4. Go on an international trip. I'm waiting for someone to invite me somewhere cool. I think it'll happen. I'm fun.

5. Get a massage. (Merry Christmas to me!!)

6. Go skiing (check)

7. Buy a bike (so I can do a triathlon)

8. Go camping at least twice this summer.

It's going to be a good year.

dear ashley,

I am the best santa claus ever. i keep staring at all the pretty things i bought you and wishing i could keep them for myself.

so i wrapped them early so they don't mysteriously end up hanging in my closet.

you're welcome.

love,

poodle