home for the holidays

I've decided I'm never going to make it in the real world. And by the real world, I mean the real working world, 9-5 sort of deal. I've come to this conclusion after spending the last few days at J.S. McCarthy Printers, or as I more fondly refer to it, "the factory."

The factory is where I will spend the majority of my holiday break doing various things around the printing company that I'm terrified I'll screw up, causing multiple re-printings and back-ups. I'm envisioning myself as the cause of a major plant clusterfuck in the next three weeks, but my Dad continually tells me I won't be the first to screw everything up. great.

Either way, working at the factory has made me realize how hard it is to conveniently have a job, a life, and stay in shape. The last few days ( I'm talking like I've been there my whole life....reality check, today was my second day) I've been exhausted by the time I've gotten home and eaten dinner meaning that I have no desire to go running. In addition, I'm not a huge treadmill runner, and in order to run outside I would either have to run in the dark before work, or run in the dark after work, neither of these options are ones I'm willing to entertain.

However, this Sunday I was able to fit in one of my usual routes from this summer which was wonderful. The town of Oakland doesn't exactly make sidewalk clearing a priority, so it was a little bit more exciting having to dodge patches of ice and snow, meaning that perhaps continuing this evening's treadmill session for the remainder of winter break is for the better.

As soon as my laundry finishes up in the dryer, this girl is off to bed....and then it's another day at the factory for me!

roommates, running, and Upstate

Living with people is interesting. I mean, I prefer it over living alone, that's for certain. There are days when I love my roommates, and there are days when I can't wait for them (or myself) to leave the apartment. It is also surprising how quickly these feelings can change.

Today however, I hate my roommates. I hate the fact that when I clearly stated that I was going for a run, I came back half an hour later, to find myself locked out. Not a huge issue, but not what I wanted to come home to after a less than encouraging run, and especially not what I needed when I had to shower and head off to work. Even though the weather was gorgeous, and all I wanted to do was run, my body had much different plans. However, any running is better than no running, and not much makes me happier than moving my legs.

I seem to have this same relationship with Upstate Gymnastics as I do with my roommates. Some days I love it, and some days I am literally dragging myself out the door. Today was a dragging day, I even asked Care to go to work for me :) However, when I got there, my little cubby was filled with Christmas gifts! (and a paycheck). The kids were adorable as always, but at the same time, always testing my limits. No matter how many times I yell and scream, the end of class always brings hugs for me, and I always leave with a smile on my face.

At the end of the day, roommates, running, or the kids at Upstate, when it comes down to it, I've still got a whole lot of love for them, no matter what.

(Two updates, in one day? WHO AM I?)

the end!

Tomorrow marks the last day of regular classes of fall semester, and scheduled exams start on Monday. My exams don't exactly start until Wednesday. It is safe to say that 99% of Clemson is now realizing that they have done nothing for the last few months and now believe that they can make up all this lost time by spending all their time in the library. I however, have been busy and stressed for the last few months, meaning that I have literally done nothing this week in terms of actual work. I simply have two classes to attend tomorrow for attendance and review purposes and I'm a free agent. For this reason, last night I was able to finish class at 2:15, head on over to my favorite fitness center and then proceed to do nothing with the rest of my evening (well, besides shower, make bread, cupcakes, take Sammi and Care to Chick-fil-A as well as watch the Grinch, twice). This is seriously the most relaxed I've been all year, and its so WEIRD. All this free time is slightly detrimental, but on a positive note, the apartment hasn't been this clean in a while. Eventually I will start studying for those six finals next week, and by eventually, I mean when I finish this post and stop dancing around the apartment to Christmas music..