…at least that’s how I’ve personally felt this winter. Five days of intense work leaving me begging, pleading, and crying into Friday’s lap. Perhaps not that dramatically, but that’s how I feel most Fridays of late, even if I don’t show it.

I’m proud of myself, because even through this intense work time, I’ve still managed to keep exercising consistently via running and two indoor soccer teams, as well as keep up a regular (3-6 days / week) yoga practice. *BIG KNOCK ON WOOD* and thus far, I’ve managed to stay healthy *AGAIN BIG KNOCK ON WOOD* So these things I will take as positive signs that I am having success in taking an active role in managing my stress. Some weeks have been easier than others, but I’m definitely making improved overall progress on coping with the difficulties, (or should I say privileges?) that come with leading a very full life.

This last weekend, Micah and I got away to Willamette Pass to ski on a beautiful sunny and clear day. Some of the snow had obviously been machine made and felt like shuffleboard sand, but it didn’t spoil our fun whatsoever. There was hardly anyone else up there skiing, which made it seem as if we had the whole resort to ourselves. We even got to play around on a ski slalom course and I got to ski off the terrain park jumps, so we felt like Olympians and both wished that we had the opportunity to be on our high school’s ski teams back in the day. Although catching a ski edge on one of those gates at high speeds… woo damn, that could hurt!

On Sunday we enjoyed more clear sunny weather. I went to yoga and came back and planted our first spring garden… and I even did this without a shirt on, just a sports top, soaking in as much sunshine as possible. We lost track of time and realized that we had 25 minutes to shower and get to the Hult Center to watch the puppet musical, Avenue Q. It was hilarious, inappropriate and very funny. Later that evening, we bbq’d a chicken on our deck and enjoyed the rest of the early spring day. We’re in the process of merging our long and short term goals together which is harder than either of us thought it would be, but definitely worth the process.

Time to go focus again.