Merry Christmas!

8. Read 50 books (22/50) - in progress

I read "The Invisible Wall" by Harry Bernstein over the weekend before finals. I didn't realize it was a memoir until I found the series of photos in the middle of the book, but I was entirely enthralled by it. It's about a boy who grows up in England during World War I whose street is divided down the middle between Christians and Jews. Really well done and I would definitely recommend it.

27. Follow Virgina Tech and Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress

Steelers lost on the 6th & against the Browns on Thursday night football... I didn't see either game but I was plenty unhappy watching them on gamecast. But the good news is that they won last night in the final second. It's nice to be home and watch the game on TV, and I couldn't have asked for a more stressful / exciting ending.

56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (20/143) - in progress

I failed during the week of finals, which is inappropriate and embarassing because I didn't have any finals and I was not busy really. But I did exercise this past week three times, twice walking on the treadmill and once yoga. I used the yoga DVDs I bought at Target for the first time. They were alright, but I guess I'm pretty used to the routine and the poses at UREC, so it was a bit of a different experience.

-- Till next time.

December already?

Oops. I didn't realize I hadn't updated in four weeks. I need to get better about updating at least twice a month.

5. Knit a hat I am proud to wear - accomplished!

Okay, it's taken me all semester but I plan on finishing the hat tonight. It's incredibly simple -- originally I wanted to try to make one with ear flaps. But I decided if this one has no holes, it's a pretty color and I will be proud of it. I have five or six more rows to go and then I've got to sew it up. So not technically accomplished, but it will be in an hour.

13. Complete a soundtrack to '09, '10 & '11 - in progress

Also plan on doing this right after I finish this post -- Thanksgiving break gave me a few good songs to put on there, so I should be almost done for this year.

17. See five Broadway shows I haven't seen before (2/5) - in progress

I saw Mamma Mia! over Thanksgiving with my family. I had asked for tickets for my birthday in July because I really loved the movie, but this was the first time my whole family was home so we could go together. Even Adam was with us, which was fun to watch him react to the play. I didn't have a preference for the movie over the play or vice versa. The reason I loved the movie so much was the songs, and they were the same in the play.

25. Learn to cook 52 recipes and organize them in one place (13/52) - in progress

I made Turkey Soup on Thursday with the leftover turkey I brought home from Thanksgiving. It was super easy: chicken broth, salsa, corn, beans & turkey. And then I put some shredded cheese after I put some in a bowl, and it was like eating a burrito in soup form. Delicious.

27. Follow Virginia Tech and Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress

I think Tech won their last three games -- I was in deadline the 14th, at Tech for the 21st, and watched the 28th at home with Chris. But they didn't make the ACC championship, which stinks. I think they'll qualify for a bowl game though, so one left. Steelers rocked their Monday night slot against the Broncos, but lost their last three games... two in overtime. The one Sunday night especially hurt. Winning with a third-string QB would've been awesome. They play tomorrow but CBS isn't showing it here, so I'll have to settle for gamecast.

56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (19/143) - in progress

Only made it two out of the past four weeks. And both weeks I did exercise, it was only twice. I need to get back into making time for exercising, even if it's early in the morning or late at night. It's been tough recently because I've been on campus 9 am to 9 pm a couple days a week, but there are also five other days in the week and it's not a good excuse.

-- Till next time