GOALS.

Yes. I need to get off my ass and start doing things. Every now and then I get into these funks where I just get bored or lazy or down (and sometimes a bit of all three) and I have to shake it off. I did some good yesterday. Got in touch with the coordinator of the community outreach program at the high school. Made some connections and also offered to get involved when I get back in September. A good goal will be to see if I can do a little good every day.

And another goal....
[drum roll]

This morning I registered for the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C.



Cuz it was time. And hell, if I'm gonna make a goal, I may as well make a BIG goal, right?

Rainy Days and Tuesdays...

The India euphoria has finally worn off and I've definitely returned to my old self. This is not a good thing. Today is the worst so far. I have zero motivation to do anything productive. It's cold and rainy out. I want to crawl into bed and not deal with the world.

This morning, right before I woke up, I heard a dream/thought voice telling me that yesterday was a complete waste of a day. And it was. And that sucks. I mean, I got up and did things: took a run; made it to work (though did no actual work); and wrote and mailed a letter to my friend in India. I went to Barnes & Noble and bought the new Jennifer Weiner book. I cooked dinner. Watched some mindless television. Went to bed.

But we only get a certain number of days, right? Shouldn't each day be a little more meaningful? Just yesterday we found out that one of the customers here lost his 16-year old daughter. She died from falling off a horse at her weekly riding session. How fucked up is that? She was completely healthy and normal and now she's gone. Why?

When I came home, I was so inspired to live a different life. I wanted to focus on community service and being a better person. Yet here I am again. Stuck in my routine and feeling the familiar brain fog rolling back in. Where did my fire go? Can it last? Did it ever even have a chance?

AFTER A THREE-MONTH HIATUS...

The bitch is back! Hope you've enjoyed my meanderings over at the India Blog. What a great trip. Man.

So now that I've been back for two months, I've pretty much gotten back to my old ways. A little wiser, perhaps, and a lot more relaxed about life. Still working at the sabbatical gig. Things are chugging along. I'm definitely going back to my teaching job in the fall. This was an invaluable experience. Everyone who becomes complacent at their job should have the chance to take a year away from it and reevaluate their perspective. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Next Friday is my best friend's wedding and I get to be her Maid of Honor. I'm so excited!! Her fiancé is a great guy and she is the happiest I have ever seen her. As a wedding gift, I put together a slideshow for the reception. I hope she likes it.

I've gotten back into the running scene and feel a great new motivation about it. So much that I am considering the Marine Corps Marathon in October. Funny what a new pair of sneakers can do!

What else... well, I've been keeping vegetarian for the past three months. I've also kicked artificial sweeteners, gum and coffee. Not sure which of them was the worst culprit, but my stomach feels better than it has in years.

Last night I watched Crocodile Dundee for the first time. I think it was one I could have missed. Didn't really need to wait 22 years to see that one.