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?