Reading

George read the whole Harry Potter this past week, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We actually bought it together yesterday after church, and he finished it around midnight! I don't know how he does it! I hope to start it soon, but have three books in the works. I'd like to finish at least one of them soon. :)

Ankles in the Afternoon

Had a humorous conversation at breakfast at the Rice House this morning. We were talking about the effects of salt in the diet, and how the low-sodium aspect of our Rice Diet has helped us. A. exclaimed that she had ankles in the afternoon now! Of course, we all new what she meant. Between the sodium and diabetes, my ankles used to be swollen in no time, and now they're normal looking. Everyone at the table laughingly thought that "Ankles in the Afternoon" sounded like a snappy book title.

More unpacking

I unpacked another box at the apartment last night, a box marked "papers." I found some interesting things, including the discharge instructions from Duke Hospital last July 30, almost a year. The list of medications I left the hospital with, wow! George said I should frame it! :-P

Meanwhile, I've been reading the book Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach, inspired by George and me moving in together last month. Right now I'm just reading it for myself, seeing what works and what George and I might want to do in the future in terms of our finances. Last night I made a list of five financial goals for the next year, after reading the idea in the book. Seems like a no-brainer to have financial goals for the next year, right? Hadn't done it. So, now I've got a list and a game plan, which feels good!

Campus

Although summer school is still in session, I'm already looking forward to the fall semester. The biggest news is that my niece, L., is coming to school here, moving into her dorm in less than a month! I'm seeing the campus a little differently now, wondering what she'll think when she finally lands and starts walking around, taking classes, etc. I hope she likes it here.

Although the campus is peaceful during the summer sessions, I miss the hustle and bustle of activity on the quad that occurs during the school year. I also miss the student-run newspaper, which comes out 5 days a week furing the academic year, but only once a week for the first summer session only.

Meanwhile, I've been working on my own work area lately, dusting off problems and trying to deal with them. It feels good to be getting my ducks in a row.

By my bed....

Last night I started reading John Kerouac's On the Road. It seems like a perfect summer reading book, especially since I've stayed close to home this summer. I've checked out a stack of classics from the library to read over the next few weeks, and am looking forward to each one. Of course, I'll take a break from the stack at hand when I get my hands on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

Speaking of time.....

I actually decided to stop reading a book this morning! I mean, I don't care to pick it back up again at all. I may change my mind later, but right now it's just not worth my time. I feel a little strange rejecting a book...ususally I try to plow through a book once I've started it, but I've decided time's too precious!

It's liberating to thing about what I'll pick up to read in its place! I've added the Books application to my Facebook profile to help me keep track of my "to read" list, and that's been fun.

Where Does Time Go?

I've been hyperaware of time lately, or, more specifically, how I use mine. There's so much to do, both at work and at home, plus time with George, family, etc. Plus there are all the things I'd like to take up new, like knitting, a new musical instrument, a new foreign language. I know that setting priorities is key. Right now I feel a little tired and drained, so I'm coasting a bit, making sure I get the key things done, but otherwise taking it a little easy. I've been reading more, which is definitely on my to-do list.

I hope I'll have a better sense of where my time should go in the weeks ahead. I think I need enough down time to rest, then think.

No television

George and I haven't plugged in either television since we moved two and a half weeks ago. The cable guy is coming this Saturday, but the TVs will be in each of our separate rooms, not in the living room, and not in the master bedroom. It's been nice not having the TV as a distraction. I've been able to take care of more "things," of which there have been plenty, and I'm reading more, which is GREAT.

On the flip side, I do miss watching the news as a quick way to stay informed. I've been thinking about subscribing to a local newspaper, or to something like Time or Newsweek, to stay on top of things a little better.

Explorations Over Vacation

I enjoyed having some time to explore my new apartment surroundings while on vacation last week. There are some convenient things nearby, but some of my "comfort zone" places are still a hike, which is something I'm still getting used to.

Although not exactly nearby, I drove to Cary to scope out the new Trader Joe's there. Although it's not where I'd be able to take care of all my shopping needs, it's got some unique goodies. I bought a couple of tubes of honey mango shaving cream that smells yummy!

I've rediscovered books on tape (ok, CD) with my added commute, and now I look forward to getting into the car. What a great invention!

Books Finished on Vacation

Rethinking Thin: the New Science of Weight Loss--and the Myths and Realities of Dieting, by Gina Kolata

I enjoyed reading this book, though it didn't mention the Rice Diet, and it was, overall, a bit discouraging about dieting, really. The book mentions a lot of obesity/diet studies over the decades, as well as a more recent study at Penn of Atkinds vs. low-calorie dieters over two years. According to the book, most people who lose any amount of weight gain it back. Yeesh! How can I beat the odds?

Leaving Church: a Memoir of Faith, by Barbara Brown Taylor

I just learned of Taylor recently, although apparently she's a popular read among some mainstream church-going circles. Having considered going into the ministry myself, I really enjoyed reading about her journey to and from the pulpit.

End of Vacation

I'm nearing the end of my vacation week, returning to work on Monday. I've savored the R & R, while maintaining a normal Rice Diet meal schedule (though I took some of my meals to go) as well as my usual exercise routine (though I really didn't get any extra exercise in as I'd hoped). I spent a fair amount of time learning my way around our new area a little better, and took care of some of the more responsible stuff, like getting a fresh driver's license with the new address, stuff like that. I also took my share of naps (a luxury) and actually finished reading a couple of books (a treat). :-D

I also decided to sign up to take some computer classes through Wake Tech Community College. I have to get my transcipts over there, but once that's all done, I hope to be able to sign up for an online class or two for the fall semester.

Getting settled in

George and I are getting settled into our new apartment, bit by bit. We're having some drama with our washer and dryer, or lack thereof, which has put a bit of a damper on things. But I'm enjoying the place, even with walking up and down thw two flights of stairs to our third floor apartment. (Could be worse, plus the extra exercise is good!)

The towhee family seems to have flown the coop, I mean nest. I miss being able to watch them.

I'm enjoying the time off from work, though it hasn't been much of a vacation. I've been taking care of business-y things, like changing addresses on my car registration and drivers license. Today I was able to get a new library card for our "new" county, and that was kinda fun. That library system seems very good, and I was able to check out several books on CD for my new commute.