Here's a picture of me fitting into the California world of health and fitness. A couple of weeks ago I ran in the OC half marathon with some of my students. It was a lot of fun - and part of my New Year's resolution to finally get rid of my Texas biscuits and gravy childhood. I'm workin' on it!

A Day Off.
So today I'm supposed to be celebrating MLK and enjoying the day off. Instead, I am working from home in Levi's and three layers of clothing (it's still cold and unfortunately So Cal apartments weren't built to keep the place warm). Oh wait. I am supposed to be working but I'm really doing is reading friends' (and even some non-friends') blogs and flipping back and forth to the work I'm supposed to be doing. That's a more accurate picture of what's happening here. I just discovered this blog that made me want to confess a secret: http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/

When I think of something juicy enough to send in, I'm there. Till then, back to work. Or maybe I'll spend some time thinking of a secret and carefully crafting a postcard. Or cleaning the bathtub. Or ironing all those clothes that are hanging in the closet screaming for attention. I also just discovered some crumbs underneath the front of the refrigerator that really need to be cleaned up...so much to do! And only half a day off left...

Freezing

Okay, it's 50 degrees and my friends in California described today's weather as freezing. I've come to discover that "freezing" in So Cal means:
1. It's time to build a fire in the fireplace.
2. You switch from flip flops to leather flip flops, which somehow keep your feet warmer.
3. Time to put on a pot of soup and drink hot chocolate.
4. You really shouldn't venture outside in this weather. "It's REALLY cold out there" (an actual quote from a neighbor.)
5. Brrrrrrrrr! Winter is here!

I love Southern California! Bundle up and stay warm tonight, friends. It's gonna get down to 45.

An Impersonator
Working on a college campus with lots of traditions is a ton of fun. One of the most popular traditions for students is to impersonate a faculty or staff member at a semester event. Students have perfected the science of impersonation. They mimick everything from clothing to gestures, often with amusing accuracy. This is a photo of my impersonator. Yes, I know she's Asian and I'm not, but she did a pretty good job of being me. She tried to be head to toe "Miss Merrell", right down to the (ever present) lipstick, curly hair, and accessories. I must say...immitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Happy New Year!
Wow! 2006 has arrived. The New Year always makes me think back over the journey thus far...

Here's a list of what was happening ten years ago at New Year's 1996:
1. I had just finished my first semester of college. I cried for three days over the holidays because I made a C in Chemistry. Age has brought me a little perspective on this...no one ever asks me what grade I made on ANYTHING from college. If only I had known.
2. I had never travelled outside of the U.S.
3. I was still hanging on to hope that things would work out with my high school boyfriend. Again: age has brought a tremendous amount of perspective on this.
4. I still thought that overalls were the coolest thing in my wardrobe.
5. Baseball caps were still the best solution to bad hair days.
6. Braveheart was the favorite movie.
7. Mother Teresa and Princess Diana were still compassionately helping the needy of the world.
8. OJ Simpson had just been acquitted of the murder of his wife and Ron Goldman.

And, ten years ago, I was on a downhill slope spiritually. I ran further and faster from God than ever. It would take a full two years for me to realize that everything I sought could be found in Him. The freedom, love, adventure...they could all be found in Him.