Back at it

Winter is over!  At least that's what the weather in central Iowa this week makes it feel like.  I swear, the stars just lined up this week.  Yesterday I got out of the lab at 7, which allowed me to get home while it was still light out.  I was able to go for a jog, run to the grocery store, and cook dinner!  Three things I haven't done on the same day, since, well, I don't know when.

It seems like I wasn't the only one to notice the sun was out.  It really was like everyone has come out of hibernation.  All of a sudden, the sidewalks were crowded with people out jogging.  I could tell I'm not the only one out of shape.  It was the first run I've been on in a month, and it was awkward.  I felt like I weighed 15 pounds heavier than last time, although that's not true.  Perhaps it just felt weird running in shorts and a t-shirt this time.  I didn't have all those layers and underarmor holding everything tight.  After the jog, I took a quick shower and ran to Trader Joes to pick up some fresh groceries.

Dinner was blackened tilapia tacos with broccoli cole slaw and oven baked sweet potato fries.  Warning:  Food Science Joke ahead.  Cole's Law:  Thinly sliced cabbage.

Today was even better!  I left the lab at 6.  SIX!  Like three whole hours before the usual.  6 pm, which is only one hour later than most normal human beings get to leave work.  I ran the car through the car wash to clean off what is hopefully the last of the salt from what was hopefully the last of the snow.  Came home, and put on my running shoes.  There were even more people out jogging today than yesterday.  I still feel like a running walrus, but hopefully that will get better.  I've kept the last two jogs short, just over a mile.  I pushed it too hard back in February, so I'm trying to ease back into it.  One milestone was achieved today though -- 50 miles since the beginning of the year.  That's not super impressive, but I did take the last four weeks off.

Finally, for dinner tonight, I WARMED UP THE GRILL!  Yes, that's right.  It's grillin' season baby.  Tonight's menu included lemon pepper pork loin grilled to a perfect medium, (more) broccoli slaw, and a baked sweet potato.  Didn't mean to repeat the sweet potatoes, but I didn't think about that til it was too late.

It's amazing what a little sunshine will do for the mental health.  Being out of work at a decent time for two days straight is completely unheard of.  Driving home with the sunroof open and actually FEELING THE SUN shine through it.  Awesome.  Having the windows open at home.  Awesome.  I'm actually in the mood to do stuff -- it's a natural anti-depressant.  I gotta bottle this shit up and keep it handy for a rainy day.