a recap?

It has been so long, that I am not even sure how to do this anymore. Actually a few months back, I think it was around Independence Day, I started a post, but never finished. Here is how that post went:
  
"On Friday I was being very domestic. I made coffee and black bean brownies, Kashi GoLean cereal bars, almond butter, fro-yo and a fruit salad. It all started out because I wanted to make my own cereal bars. I hate buying them, and I knew I could do it myself, I just needed a recipe. So Thursday night, I did a google search and found a recipe. I also found recipes for the almond butter, fro-yo and brownies. I have to say the only disappointment was the fro-yo. So here are the recipes if you want to try any of them out yourself. Coffee and Black Bean Brownies..."

And that's where it ended. I guess I really didn't want to share my recipes. Because it has been 5 months since I last posted, I am just going to do a recap of what has been going on.

1. I became really domesticated over the summer. It started with baking chocolate chip cookies for Father's Day, black bean brownies for Independence Day, more cookies for Labor Day, peanut butter brookies for back to school, and yet more cookies for Halloween. I've already planned what I am making for Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie pinwheel cookies, pecan pie bars, apple pie bars, and whipped sweet potatoes with granola. I also have a potluck at work the Friday before Thanksgiving, so for that I am making apple pie pinwheel cookies.  I am sure, Christmas will bring more cookies.

2. I finished taking prerequisite courses at CSUN and moved on to taking then at USU. I am applying to grad school this month, although I won't know if I have been accepted until March. The wait is the hard part. I have decided that I will be a student for the rest of my life so that I never have to payback my student loans. Does that count as cheating?

3. I started taking Zumba and love it. As of the beginning of September, I spend about 16 hours exercising a week. Eleven of those hours are spent in the gym. The other five or so are in the saddle. Is that a lot? I don't think so.

4. I ran my second, and most likely last, 10k. Mom, Dad, and Alicia ran with me this time. We are doing the Turkey Day Dash this year and Anthony and Dianna are going to join us. 

 

So, I think that's it. A lot has happened yet a lot has stayed the same, and that's something to curl up with.

...1:15:11?

Today's Motivational Monday is a pictorial post. On Saturday, March 25, I completed my first ever 10k. I wasn't the fastest, and I wasn't the slowest, but what counts the most is that I finished. I ran the entire race, and I am happy with my results.

That's me in black coming up to the finish line.

6.5 miles in 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 11 seconds.

Celebrating with bananas, juice, and water is definitely something to curl up with.

...2012?

Year 2012 Overview

With lucky Jupiter continuing to bless your stars, you can definitely expect to have the Midas touch in 2012, Taurus. Take advantage of your cosmic carte blanche during the first half of the year and get yourself firmly on the map. The first six months of the year are part of an ongoing personal renovation project before generous Jupiter leaves your stars. Not that you'll be losing much once the planet of fortune and fame moves into your neighboring sign and starts to bless your money sector. On the contrary - as soon as Jupiter moves into Gemini in June, your luck continues to build while grounding you in positive energy. The second half of the year will bring you great financial prosperity and opportunities to expand your talents.

You certainly won't starve for love, lust and creativity in 2012. Mars, the planet of action, will heat up your romance sector for the first half of the year. The first four months of 2012 could bring the return of old flames. Use Mars's first quarter retrograde phase to wrap up old creative and romantic business. Having both Mars and Jupiter working hard on your behalf for the first six months of the year is a glorious predicament, indeed. Between mid-May and late June, your ruling planet, Venus, will turn retrograde, so mark that period on your calendar as a reminder to slow down, reflect and re-evaluate your relationship priorities. In fact, this would be an ideal time to take a hiatus from responsibilities in favor of completely relaxing and immersing yourself in beauty.

Money and finance take center stage for most of the year as you experience several gains and losses. The key to your sanity will be to ride the wave of unpredictability and, in the end, trust that you'll still come out ahead. Pay special attention to your finances around the major eclipse points in May, June and December. Watch for new money-making opportunities around your birthday. It's just in time, because you may very well need to pad your piggy bank for some unexpected expenditures in June and July.

Click here to read what 2012 has in store for you!

Sounds like I should have a great year ahead of me, and that's something to curl up with.