Monday, January 31, 2011

Dreary

Well, it's winter. Not that I hadn't noticed when I've been getting snowed on for the past two months or so, but it's really kind of a gross winter right now. The snow is partially melted and the sky is gray. It's just cold and gross.

Good thing I stay inside and do work. Eighteen credit hours is constantly keeping me on my toes, and I hope I'm up to the challenge. We're going into the third week this semester and so far I haven't fallen behind. In fact, I'm ahead in a few classes, which is good. More and more I'm enjoying the classes I'm in. Still not sure what to think about American Lit, but it's interesting. The teacher likes to play devil's advocate a lot, which really makes us argue our points. It takes some getting used to.

For those of you interested (Hi Dad) I'm running more than ever and I'm proud to say that I have a new PR for a mile! For the first time since seventh grade I've broken the eight minute mark and ran a 7:50 mile. On average I'm doing about an 8:30 mile, which is a good time anyway, considering I do that for about three miles. Maybe this coming Sunday I'll go for four miles. Official half marathon training won't start until the beginning of April, which is pretty nice but until then I want to make sure I stay in shape. To break things up I'm also doing a little bit of lifting, some stairs, and work on my abs. That last part is really paying off, since I see definition now. Hooray!

My knitting projects are also going well. I went with a bunch of girls from the theatre group I joined to some yarn stores over the weekend. Why is there SO MUCH YARN?! And why does it all need to be a specific weight or whatever?! HOLY COW. One of the girls there recommended a free knitting/crocheting website called ravelry.com, so I joined over there. You can check out my current and past projects here. For those of you who are lazy and don't want to click, here's the list so far:

Lime green scarf for Katy B. - DONE!
Blue and white striped hat - DONE!
Black lace scarf for Mom - In progress
Pink/Blue/Purple blanket for Morgan - In progress
Black fingerless gloves for Ashlyn N. - On hold
Blue fingerless gloves for me - On hold

Tonight I'm actually meeting with the same group at a coffee shop to learn how to cable knit and to start a pair of fingerless gloves! I'm pretty excited. If anyone is interested in having me make something for them, go to ravelry.com and pick out a pattern to send to me. If at all possible, find yarn that you want me to make it out of as well. It might take a while since my free time is limited this semester, but I'd be happy to make something for you!

Surprisingly I've been watching TV a little bit more (usually while knitting or doing other work). Some recent favorites are of course Ghost Adventures (Jersey Shore + 'Haunted' locations = WIN) and Criminal Minds. There's also a series I'm following on Youtube called Marble Hornets and you should watch it if you NEVER WANT TO SLEEP AGAIN. Seriously, this show has given me nightmares and I can't get enough of it. They have a wiki that explains what's going on and you can view that here.

As for future plans, I've got school on the brain. My secondary education application is in, so I have to wait until March to find out if I got in. The suspense is killing me. Or it would be, if I weren't so busy with everything else. I'm starting work on a Spanish Minor, and it looks like I'll have to go abroad somewhere to finish it. Currently I'm looking at a program that'll go to Costa Rica over the summer, but it's a ways off. I still need to think about it a lot. We shall see though.

Hopefully my sister will be coming to visit me for a weekend soon! We're talking about it and she sounds really excited, which is awesome. She's graduating in May! Time flies, doesn't it? My dad is also going to be passing through town on the 8th, so we're going to dinner. We'll have to work out timing, since the English Student Leadership Club has asked me to be on a panel that's giving advice to students who want to become English Majors, but are still unsure. I'll be representing the percentage of the major that goes into teaching. It was actually really cool that they asked me to do this.

For anyone back home, I am for sure returning on February 25th! Just for the weekend, but still! I can't wait to see everyone again. I've only been away for three weeks but it feels like forever....which is really strange. Ah well.

Song of the Day: There She Goes by Sixpence None The Richer

<3 Erin

P.S. - One of my New Years Resolutions was to update this more...we'll try for once a week, how's that sound?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Ready, Set, Go!

Well, I'm back at school and I've hit the ground running. This semester I'm taking eighteen credit hours, which comes out to six classes. It's a TON of work already, but I'm determined to see it through. Surprisingly enough, I enjoy all my classes. Since it's just the first week I can't say which is my favorite, but Sci Fi literature looks promising. I've also gotten more into my knitting, which is a nice thing to do when I need a break. I just pick it up and put it down as I need. I've actually started on a hat, which is the first thing that I've attempted that isn't a scarf. Woo!

Some of the people from the theatre group I joined this fall actually invited me to their knitting circle on Monday nights, so I'll probably be going over there once in a while, which is nice. My current projects are as follows:

Lime green scarf for Katy
Blue and white hat
Black/colored cable knit scarf
Pink/Blue blanket for Morgan

It's nice to actually produce something that I can use and touch and even wear if I want. Heck, maybe I'll even start selling some of my pieces for money! Anyone interested?

Work on my secondary education application is coming along swimmingly. Waiting to hear from one more reference, plus editing my two essays. After that, I won't find out until mid-March. They say the week before spring break, and I don't want to wait that long! Still, I'm working hard to get in. I want this so badly!

I was surprised, but I actually won't start my half marathon training until April 3rd. It's a sixteen week program that has me running three times a week. I thought there would be more to it than that, but that of course doesn't mean that it'll be easy. I'm also looking at starting a karate club in Allen so I can keep up with my karate while I'm here.

This summer looks like it'll be busy as far as karate goes. There's a seminar in Boston that I've been invited to go to, and I'd love to go but I need to convince the parents. Still waiting to hear back on cost and other stuff. Even so, I'm working hard. If I'm lucky, I might be ready to take another belt test by next winter!

As some of you have noticed, I can't seem to keep a theme for this blog. I'd love to create one that features boxes, since the title is 'Erin in a Box'. I can sketch out some ideas, but that's as far as I can take it. Anyone an expert in blog layouts and willing to help me out here?

Song of the Day: Best of Me by Michael Buble

<3 Erin

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Start

Welcome to 2011 everyone! I hope that it's been enjoyable for everyone so far.

I know that for New Years Eve I finally got to introduce Jim to The Gang, which went very well. It was a total blast since we were all dressed up and pretty looking and we all had a good time. I don't know about the rest of you reading this, but I've made a few resolutions for myself. In 2011 I resolve to run more with the goal being to run a half marathon, get better grades, get into the secondary ed program, and do better in karate.

It's weird, now that I think about it. Almost a year ago I attended my first karate lesson with Master Stephen Dunne (rest in peace). Odd how so much can change in one year. When I rang in 2010 I remember looking up at the stars and telling myself that "This is going to be my year. I just know it." And oddly enough, it has been a fantastic year for me.

I started karate, which has given me more confidence in myself and brought me closer to many people in my life. It also introduced me to a wonderful Master, for the short time I had with him. Although his passing was entirely too sudden, I feel as though this served to bring Jim and I closer. While I will not pretend to know him even half as well as he has, it was a shared thing for us. School has been going very well and although I've had some rough spots with people this past fall I've made new friends and found my place on campus. Having Jim as more than just a friend has really helped and it feels like a lot of things are coming together.

Of course I've been frustrated with work and all, but to be honest that's just a constant thing. The past week was harder than most since I was working so hard I literally made myself sick. I promise I will try not to do that in the future. Lord knows I can't take care of myself that well.

But so far 2011 looks promising! My sister is graduating high school and headed to college (we don't know where) and my brother is transferring from community college to a four year school. I'm applying to the secondary ed program, and in the fall I'll have my first apartment. At times it's a little overwhelming, but in a good way. I'm growing up and getting ready to go into the real world.

To every single one of my friends and all of you reading this (so my friends) I'm so glad that you have stuck with me. From my adopted brother to the little monkey who's going abroad this semester, you all mean so much to me and I'm glad we're all together. Let's make 2011 even better than 2010!

Song of the Day: Call Me Irresponsible by Michael Buble

<3 Erin