Year of the Rabbit Mini

Year of the Rabbit Mini, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

I'll be using the woodblock above during my demonstration and lecture April 5th at Northern Illinois University's Holmes Student Center's Gallery Lounge. It is on the second floor of the Holmes Student Center. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.(although a flier from Kishwaukee College lists the time at 5:30 p.m., so I'll have to verify the time.)

I plan on having one block for each stage so people can gain a better understanding of the process within a limited amount of time. I'm so nervous about speaking in public. I channel that nervous energy into preparation so that by the time the demonstration begins, I know I've done everything possible to prepare and that what will be will be.

I've started training for the 5K and have two training sessions under my belt. I can't even tell you how proud I am of myself. This really seems doable! I keep saying that, but this program, C25K, takes it at a pace even I can do. I'm excited and hope that being more fit overall will help with my tiredness. Paul and Jake were gone over the weekend and I slept for 14 hours?!! How is that even possible? I'm also hoping that it will trim me up a bit. I've been feeling like a heffalump. lol. Running may even lower my cholesterol and triglycerides since I stopped taking the medicine anyway.

I mentioned that Paul and Jake were away for the weekend. They went out to Ohio for a "Boys Only" road trip to visit some of Jake's online friends. Jake had the best time and while he was visiting with his friends, Paul walked through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and shot some amazing photos of waterfalls carved out of slate. He also went to the Rock n Roll Museum and an air museum. It was pretty cold. He said he might like to go back in the summer. He mentioned that the people were very friendly and that he liked the waffle machine at the hotel for guest's continental breakfasts. The roads were awful. He got a Sion from Enterprise and it died just as he drove into our town. He didn't like the Sion at all. It was and Army green box. ick.

Usually I am the one to leave on a trip. It was different being home. It was a real eye-opener and I now appreciate them more.

When I'm away from home, I get to do what I want when I want. I get to take my time and not worry about messing up someone else's plans. I'm not talking about elaborate things. I just mean that I can take a long shower and dry my hair and actually curl my hair and put on make up without feeling as though I'm being rushed. Things like that. I've always told myself that if I could I would eat the things I like, go off and do what I want, etc. My theory was that because Paul and Jake didn't like to eat the things I like or do the things I want to, they were holding me back from enjoying myself, living a healthy lifestyle, etc. Selfish, I know.

But with the boys gone, and me having the chance to proof this theory, I failed miserably. Why make food when there is no one to make it for? Popcorn for lunch... that's fast and will fill me up. Why go somewhere when there is no one to enjoy it with? I'll just sit on the couch with my dog and the curtains closed.

It was different when I was the one going away. Staying home without them is no fun. It was a good lesson for me to have learned. I'm also glad that Paul was able to get out of town for awhile to see new things.