Goal Update March 20, 2009

Next week is Spring Break which officially marks the half-way point of the semester.  Mid-term grades have been posted and so far everything is going very well.  My main concern is with passing Algebra and though some of the material so far has been challenging I am currently earning an A-.  If I continue to work hard I know that no matter how difficult the curriculum becomes I can learn the material and pass this class without any problem.  I will earn my Associate Degree in 2 more months.  My girlfriend is already arranging a graduation party, so I would feel rather silly having a graduation party without graduating.

I emailed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to inquire about the status of my application for the Adopt-a-Highway program and was delighted with the response I recieved.  I will be getting my highway!  I’m not exactly sure which section yet, but no matter where it is I am excited to be nearing completion of this goal.  I’m not going to mark it as an accomplishment until my sign is in the ground and I am able to build a “road crew” to help me get the job done.  I am supposed to be recieving more information in the mail in about a month.

I took advantage of a great sale in order to complete my goal of purchasing a bike.  I have wanted a bike for a long time so it is nice to finally have one.  I am experiencing some “technical issues” with it and as a result will have to take it in for adjustments and repairs this weekend.  It is somewhat disappointing that I need to do this, but I’m sure that once the bugs are worked out that it will be something which I find myself utilizing frequently for daily needs as well as for recreation.  I’ve already put on nearly 50 miles in 2 days of riding.

My exercise routine has been suffering lately as I’ve not stuck to my schedule.  “Life” seems to be taking over and my time at the gym is getting overshadowed.  I have been trying to make up for it as best as possible by taking bike rides, so I have not stopped exercising entirely.  I have just been doing it in a different way as of late.  This is fine, so long as I still get out and exercise 3 days a week.  It doesn’t really matter if I am in the gym on the eliptical or out on a bike ride.  As a matter of fact, I think I’m working harder on the bike than in the gym.

I have managed to eat healthier by preparing meals at home instead of buying fast food.  I did eat at Culver’s one day about 2 weeks ago and it was just okay.  Usually I love to eat there, but I wasn’t impressed.  Maybe my taste buds are adjusting back to home cooking rather than greasy, salty and just plain unhealthy foods.  I still think that a person can eat junk food once in a while and still be healthy but eating it everyday like I was is not good at all.

Kayaking class is coming up.  I’m looking forward to that.  A friend of mine and his wife also signed up to take the class so it will be fun having someone we know along for the experience.  Hopefully it will be a good class and I learn a lot.

That about covers it.  Things around here have settled down and it seems like I am riding on a flat plane, not much going on but still making progress towards some of my goals.  I hope that this summer will allow for some great opportunities to accomplish some of my more “outlandish” goals, like whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon.  The plane tickets are already paid for!