Tag team, BACK AGAIN.

Sooooo...another long hiatus from the blog world -- consistency isn't my skill, okay? 

Recap: Winter. Winter was *ROUGH* This was my second year in Michigan, and last year I thought that was how winter in the Midwest went. A little snow, some cold, you know.... 

No. This winter. Wow. Snow on snow on snow. 

(My first shovel experience!)

Snowy Sunset. February.

Ridiculous snow storm mid March.

Those are just a few. It was crazy. It definitely prepared me for post-graduate living in NoDak. For those of you that don't know (which let's face it, everyone knows because no strangers read this blog) -- I'm relocating to North Dakota May 4th! what? yep. This Texas girl will be braving the plains of NoDak. Lord help me. Seriously.

Future roomies! Long distance no more!

Super excited and a weeeee bit stressed with packing, school, work, and job searching. Oh, and marathoning in my free time *ha* Marathon #2 set for May 10th in Fargo, North Dakota. woot woot! Training this time around has been great. I'm still using Hal Higdon's Novice 1 plan, since last time around I was injured and didn't get to finish the training plan as scheduled. I feel great, my pace has been great, and I've enjoyed (most) of my runs. My Garmin Forerunner 220 watch doesn't hurt, either :)


Best running-related purchase (well, gift) ever.

SOOO -- after all the time I've taken off, not too much has changed :) Still a student (for a month more!), still running, and still making fun treats like this:

(Homemade "larabars")


Turkey meatballs - per usual.

I'm hoping to resume my regular schedule (at least once a week) soon to start blogging about graduation, packing to move across the country (again), job searching, nesting, and the hilarity that will ensue while learning to live with Mike Tidd. :)

Until next time,

Suck it up, Suck it in (Winter Mantra)

Welllllll, it's starting to get cold here in Michigan. Much to my disappointment.

It's also about to start getting dark at 3:00pm (okay, that's a little exaggeration, but not by much!) -- which is REALLY going to put a damper on my evening runs. I need to get a night running jacket, but those babies aren't cheap, and $75 dollars on a yellow construction vest does NOT appeal to me. Crazy, I know they're all the fashion rage. Oh well, I've been scouring the racks at Marshall's almost daily with no luck, but I am hoping the fashion gods...or the running gods, will take pity on me and send one my way. Or my parents, hell, anyone will do :) 

I've decided to do two halfs through the winter to help keep me motivated to run outside and not gain the dreaded winter weight, so I'm doing one in January and March. 

Yes, March is still winter. No joke. Kill me now. Doing the halfs will help keep me conditioned for the Fargo full in May, so I thought why not? Plus they're cheap and who doesn't love big shiny medals? Seriously, who doesn't?!

In addition to this, I've decided to cut out sweets for 30 days, and I started Sunday. So, I will be able to have dessert for Thanksgiving. But, lately my sweet tooth (teeth?) have been a little out of control, so this should help. It's going to be hard with the potluck on Thursday at work, but I will survive :) I'm also cutting out booze -- except this Saturday because it's the UM/MSU game -- GO GREEN. So, other than that though...30 days of no sweets and 29 of no booze. Should be interesting. I just want to start the holiday season off right, and this will be easier than the Whole 30 I was considering. So, I will keep you guys posted :) I'm trying to suck it up now so I don't have to suck it in for my big 2-6 :)

Ok, quick post, but I have to prepare for my case presentation tomorrow :) Fall semester is coming to a close soon (I am finished with the semester early, Dec 2nd!) so I have a lot coming up, which is exciting and a pain in the ass all at the same time. I can *finally* see the light at the end of the tunnel...and by the end of April I will *officially* be finished with grad school. Crazy thought.


I just love this. #socialworkeducation

Until next time!

Mix it up Monday & New Music Tuesday

Ok, second go-round! 

MIX IT UP MONDAY: I tried ThinkThin protein bars. Since starting My Fit Pal (or should I say, re-starting), I really need to reduce my sugar intake -- all my sugars are gone early in the day due to my morning fruits. Anyhow -- I wanted to try the ThinkThin bars because Mama Laughlin loves them, and they are one of the few that have 0 sugar -- and 20 g of protein! I will be upping my protein as soon as I up my mileage in preparation for "running season" (see upcoming post about this) so I like that it has a higher protein content (: I had it with my afternoon Spark! It was tasty! The Spark and the ThinkThin bar (: Additionally, I did two workout's today! Not necessary a first-time thing, but definitely not the norm! Every bit counts!

Easy E and I had a little mani/pedi sesh -- so fun. Except getting an almost-two year old to not move her piggies or fingers is impossible. Just not gonna happen. Ever.

*TADAH!* Look at those little toes!

Hot yoga -- R-O-U-G-H. 90 minutes in a hotter-than-hell (although I won't ever know this for sure haha!) steamy room doing yoga is not easy.  Apparently I burn between 800-900 calories in there (according to this website that seemed legit, but who knows). EL Hot Yoga has awesome intro offers ($20 for two weeks of unlimited classes and student discounts). It's really helped me beat these February winter blues. If you're interested in the benefits of hot yoga just click the link. :) 

So Tuesday -- class. Every week. Except next week -- Spring Breakkkkkkkk. Too bad it's still going to be cold, and I'm not going anywhere. Or doing anything. Adult Spring Breaks are NOT as fun as freshman/sophomore/junior year SB. *sigh* Onward...

NEW (to me) MUSIC TUESDAYYYYY

So, new to me is Alt-J. OMG. Why have I not been *on* this train before now? I heard it on 88.9 The Impact (MSU student radio = bomb), and immediately downloaded it on Rhapsody.  So, currently, I am loving:
Alt-J's song Breezeblocks. His voice is so unique. He's featured on the Silver Lining Playbook soundtrack, so some may know of him already.

Another new-to-me song found on The Impact: The Lower 48 - The End. I love it. It's cute and folksy. 

ACTUAL new stuff out today:
10,000 Maniacs - Music from the Motion Picture. Sweetsy-acoustic sound. Never heard of this group before, but they've been around since the '90s and were a big part of the Lillith Fair school of music (fun fact). Some of the songs I don't like, but I DO like I Don't Love You Too and Gold. Mellow sound.
Atoms for Peace - Amok totally different than my typical style, but i like it. Kind of...Thom Yorke-esque.
Ivan & Alyosha - All The Times We Had - indie-pop, I like it. Reminds me of summer tiiiime. Enough said.
*******
Other news: I have an interview for my internship on Friday at 11:00 AM with the MSU Counseling Center. Prayers would be appreciated :) I am nervous.

Until next time,
Enjoy your day, wherever you are and whatever you're doing.