The first week was a long one. Technically, it was a short one---only four days---but mentally, it was long. I had been feeling some impending doom about this semester during the last week of break---stress about a big (and difficult) course load, stress from feeling the pressure to start "doing" something (working on a project or starting my own research), etc. Now, I don't think impending doom is quite the right word. I think impending exhaustion is more like it. My impending doom feeling was also associated with the sneaking suspicion that from day 1 I would be swamped, not like first semester where it felt like I sunk into it a little. And boy do I already feel swamped! I decided to start my day off blogging BEFORE I start the endless reading I want to get done this weekend so I could have a little bit of "me" time. So much for a balanced life.
Not so fast. Let's talk about some balancing things I have done this week. 1. I went to my very first spin class taught by one of my cohort members, Sarah G. It was great...hard, but great! Sarah is really motivational and it was fun to see her in a different role. 2. I went to a zumba class on Friday! Maybe a little more "fun" than spin, but harder to work hard. The U's rec center has free fitness classes the first week of each semester which is why I went to two this week. If you want to take classes during the rest of the semester, you have to buy a "fitpass" which is 55 bucks. The good thing about it though is that you can go to ANY class with the fitpass and they offer multiple classes all throughout the day, so even if you only went to one class a week, it would be less than 5 bucks a class. I'm thinking about getting the pass. Not many of the other classes work with my schedule, but I am planning to go to Sarah's class each week. It's way easier for me to be motivated if someone else is going, and she has so since she's the instructor! I have come to terms that the class will probably interfere with the amount I go dancing. I was hoping to take lindy hop lessons in Feb but they are also on Wed and Thurs is my busy day so I can't do two things that night. But that's okay. I'm still going to try to dance once or twice a month and it's only for the semester. I'll still be getting my endorphins flowing. 3. Monica (also in the 1st year cohort) dyed and cut my hair last night! There are so many awesome people here at Minnesota! Monica is just one example. She's fabulous. She spent a lot of her time last night (and on very short notice) helping me decide what I wanted and then basically doing everything. It was a really fun night! 4. I got to hold a baby!!!! A really tiny baby!!!!! Francis (yes, in my cohort too) and his wife, Ever just had a baby, Gian a couple weeks ago! He is so, so very small and perfect. He slept the whole time we were there. The reason Monica and I got this wonderful opportunity was because we were dropping off diapers for the baby. The whole cohort pitched in and we bought 3 big boxes!! Another reason why I love the people here! I can't imagine what it's like to have a new baby and be starting semester 2 of grad school. Francis, you're a rockstar! Did I mention they also have a two year old?
Now, look at that huge paragraph of things besides school stuff that I've been doing!
It's been really nice weather here lately--20s, sometimes 30s and mostly sunny. One day it snow a very light coat and it was so pretty. I do genuinely like winter, and this weather has been reinforcing it more and more. I was actually sad to think about spring coming the other day. I don't think I've ever thought that! Anyway, I'll add some pictures of the winter for you to see.
That's about all I've got in me for blogging today. I need to start my day---clean the bathroom (tiny hair pieces all over from last night!), answer emails, do laundry, oh and read until dark.
Concluding statement: I'm making it through.
Not so fast. Let's talk about some balancing things I have done this week. 1. I went to my very first spin class taught by one of my cohort members, Sarah G. It was great...hard, but great! Sarah is really motivational and it was fun to see her in a different role. 2. I went to a zumba class on Friday! Maybe a little more "fun" than spin, but harder to work hard. The U's rec center has free fitness classes the first week of each semester which is why I went to two this week. If you want to take classes during the rest of the semester, you have to buy a "fitpass" which is 55 bucks. The good thing about it though is that you can go to ANY class with the fitpass and they offer multiple classes all throughout the day, so even if you only went to one class a week, it would be less than 5 bucks a class. I'm thinking about getting the pass. Not many of the other classes work with my schedule, but I am planning to go to Sarah's class each week. It's way easier for me to be motivated if someone else is going, and she has so since she's the instructor! I have come to terms that the class will probably interfere with the amount I go dancing. I was hoping to take lindy hop lessons in Feb but they are also on Wed and Thurs is my busy day so I can't do two things that night. But that's okay. I'm still going to try to dance once or twice a month and it's only for the semester. I'll still be getting my endorphins flowing. 3. Monica (also in the 1st year cohort) dyed and cut my hair last night! There are so many awesome people here at Minnesota! Monica is just one example. She's fabulous. She spent a lot of her time last night (and on very short notice) helping me decide what I wanted and then basically doing everything. It was a really fun night! 4. I got to hold a baby!!!! A really tiny baby!!!!! Francis (yes, in my cohort too) and his wife, Ever just had a baby, Gian a couple weeks ago! He is so, so very small and perfect. He slept the whole time we were there. The reason Monica and I got this wonderful opportunity was because we were dropping off diapers for the baby. The whole cohort pitched in and we bought 3 big boxes!! Another reason why I love the people here! I can't imagine what it's like to have a new baby and be starting semester 2 of grad school. Francis, you're a rockstar! Did I mention they also have a two year old?
Now, look at that huge paragraph of things besides school stuff that I've been doing!
It's been really nice weather here lately--20s, sometimes 30s and mostly sunny. One day it snow a very light coat and it was so pretty. I do genuinely like winter, and this weather has been reinforcing it more and more. I was actually sad to think about spring coming the other day. I don't think I've ever thought that! Anyway, I'll add some pictures of the winter for you to see.
That's about all I've got in me for blogging today. I need to start my day---clean the bathroom (tiny hair pieces all over from last night!), answer emails, do laundry, oh and read until dark.
Concluding statement: I'm making it through.
Baby Gian!
From the pedestrian bridge crossing over 94
Walking to the light rail
Walking down by the river
The street near my house in my morning--street lights still on
New hair! A warm brown color with a little bit of red underneath that doesn't really show (I couldn't figure out how to take a picture of it. The one below is what I got before I gave up)
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