Leavened or Unleavened

If I were a bread, I would like to imagine that my life would equate to a fresh bread made at the local bakery (Le Petit Outre). Free of preservatives and artificial colorings and flavorings. A simple yet complex blend of few ingredients that form together and the outcome is literally dependent on the weather. Somedays I'm tough and hard to swallow, other times, most enjoyable in moderation with a little bit of butter, and in some cases the sole perfect accompaniment to a warm, hearty bowl of soup.

Why in the world would a normally sane girl be comparing herself to a loaf of bread? Well, because I'm incredibly worried that my life is going to turn stale if I don't do something about it. I have been living in the freezer, known as Montana, for a while and haven't realized that life outside of the freezer is new and challenging, but what challenges do I want to take? Which ones do I want to avoid? Am I just making a huge mess of nothing? I want to go out and discover new places and breads, but at what cost? Will I be leavened and rise to the occasion and search out new experiences, or will I be unleavened, humble, and enjoy what I have for the fact that I'm familiar with my situation... does that breed contempt, or contentment?

Any and all suggestions are welcomed with open ears.

Just some randomness

I went swimming for the first time on the U of M campus today. It was very rewarding. I swam a measly 1500 yds. They also had a dry sauna that I had to test out. That is one thing I didn't think I would miss, but found that I do. I miss knowing half a dozen people who had saunas available and were more than willing to let you sweat with them. That is one more thing for the "To do" list while I'm in Minnesota.

Sitting in the sauna (cold by many Iron Rangers' standards), I reminisced about Minnesota and I got to thinking about my first "real" pull-up... it was always the only thing holding me back from getting a Presidential Physical Fitness award. I would go to the park and try to do a pull-up, but it was just so hard for me. I always thought that my arms were so scrawny and my legs pretty big.... I was like, how in the world do I ever expect these little twigs to pull up all of the weight in my lower body. I think I finally was able to do one in about 10th grade after I wasn't required to take gym class and my opportunity to get a Presidential award (and especially a T-shirt) had passed.

Why does working out feel so rewarding? My body always feels so "high" afterwards especially when I push myself to do another 5 or 10 reps or a complete set. Inevitably it always feels so sore in the days afterwards, but I don't mind.

I think there were some other things I wanted to write about, but I can't remember them right now. Maybe later I'll come back.