Spring

SO it's officially spring now, and I'm finding myself completely OVER skiing/boarding, and getting amped for biking already. Is there something wrong with me? I LOVE skiing/boarding, don't I? Yes, yes I do. But somehow the snow's hold on me has weakened this year, and while I've certainly enjoyed my time on the slopes, it hasn't been that all-encompassing need of years past. It could possibly be attributed to skeleton - I was getting in about 4 - 5 days of sliding a week, which likely satisfied the need for speed and snow/ice/cold/winter sports, and dulled the edge of the downhill addiction.

Whatever the reason, I've been prepping anxiously for the bike season - which won't even really hit until June! But whatever. Night before last Brad and I got a package in the mail containing an order of bike gear from Pricepoint, and it was like Christmas! Arm warmers and light rain jackets for both of us, and I also got XC gloves, and the best: a new pair of DH shoes! They are sweet, they look like Vans, are quite comfortable, and have extra protection for those bashing of the feet against rocks and trees during a downhill race. Yay! I wore them around the house all evening, I'll confess. I have nothing to hide.

In another package, I also got a SWEET new clock. It looks kind of wierd, but works fantastically - it's a progressive wake clock, so it starts off 1/2 hour before the alarm time with a light slowly brightening. Fifteen minutes later, nature sounds come on softly. Well, however softly you've set the volume, but....... There are several sound options, including ocean waves, flowing water, bird sounds, a Zen bell melody, etc. Then, if you still aren't awake, at the end of the 1/2 hour cycle it will beep at you. The theory is that you will awaken naturally and gradually, so that you are wide awake and don't snuggle back to sleep while snoozing the alarm. Also less jolting to the system. Oh, and the light, as it brightens, heats up an aromatherapy pan, sending nice pleasant scents into the air as you awaken.

It's been two days now, and I already love it. I wish the nature sounds would come on gradually, but that's my only complaint thus far. I'm also concerned that the light may be waking Brad up, but hopefully it won't be too bad since the light is mostly on my side of the bed. It was super pleasant to wake up this morning and just lie there listening to the bird sounds. And then to be awake enough at 6:00am to take the dog for a 45 minute run! What a bonus.

Anyway, it was like Christmas. I don't buy stuff that often anymore, trying to pay off all that college debt so I'm pretty frugal, so splurging a bit on nice things is so much fun!

Also ordered....dun dun dun......GRE prep books! Yep, planning on taking the GRE this summer or fall, so I can hopefully start grad school at the U (University of Utah, in Salt Lake City) next fall, attend part time while working here at Summit County, and graduate in a few years. Scary, but exciting......