Neglect

My little corner of the world has been sadly neglected. I guess life just got in the way. I'm sure you all know how that goes.

Anyway, since it's already Jan 25th, I'm going to make some pretty loose goals for 2011 here at All Things Clarinda.

1. Post at least once each month! Lame post, funny post, serious post, re-post. I don't care. Just something, at least, to let you all know that I'm still here!

I guess that's really just about it. Anything more than that and I'm quite certain I'll just fall short. So, here's to my first post in 2011, my first post in Jan (and hopefully not my last).

Here's a few updates or things that have been on my mind recently.

Why do I live in MN??? It is WAY too cold here, and the winters seem to really be dragging these past couple of years. What does this mean? Well our plans for moving to the Mediterranean after we're finished with school have really intensified. We're anxiously anticipating the milder weather. Jeff has been investigating moving there for quite a long time, but we're really beginning the countdown now. After this winter, only one. more. to go! Yay!!

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My trip to Costa Rica was phenomenal! So much sun, so much fun! We don't do much for adventurous vacationing; it was mostly just relaxing in the hot tub or down at the beach or lounging in the hammocks. I even finished two books. It was lovely. Well, except that whole part about returning to MN just in time for temps not even breaking 0°F!

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I'm all registered for my class for the Spring term, which begins on Monday. Jeff took this course earlier in his St Thomas career, and I've been on a couple trips with the professor when Jeff was in the Geography department. I'm excited to learn more about Humans and the Environment and play in the GIS lab. Plus the class begins at 9:35am MWF, so I'll be able to sleep-in slightly before class. It's going to be great not having to leave my apt until 9:20 or so rather than by 7:10 (which I'll still have to do on TR. oh well.). I really think this new schedule will be good for me and that I'll enjoy it much more. I'll still be heading to work right after class.

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I just discovered that there is a Core Power Yoga only a few blocks from my work. I see lots more hot yoga in my future! I'm very excited about it. This studio will be so much more convenient than the two in St Paul that are relatively close to my apt but more difficult to get to during the winter.

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If you know me, you know I don't generally like fish or seafood, and I'm not the most daring or adventurous eater. I know that fish is much healthier for me (and the environment), so I'm trying to incorporate more into my diet. In Costa Rica, we tried some tilapia. It was so very tasty!! I do think I'll try to make some at home some time. Last night, I tried some spearfish at the restaurant in our building. It was good, but I wasn't too crazy about the texture. It was cooked med-rare, and looked more like an undercooked pork chop than a fish fillet. I know it's just my untrained eye, but it didn't look that appetizing to me. It was served with sticky rice, vegetables, and wasabi. I ate all the veggies and half of the fish. The waitress suggested eating the rest on top of a salad, so that's what we'll be dining on for dinner tonight. :)

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I think that's good for now. Hopefully I'll be back again soon. Perhaps this week. Definitely sometime in February. (I hope).