Well, Friday was my birthday--34. I didn't really do a whole lot that was birthday-ish--maybe a sign of getting older, who knows. I went running in the morning (yes, after working all night) and the academy class brought out a birthday cookie/cake and sang to me, which was pretty cool. And Mom gave me framing for my birthday present. (Framing, as in paying to get several certificates of mine framed, like my college diploma, my black belt certificate, and my POST certificate.) Some of that stuff has been sitting around for almost ten years, but there's always been something better to spend money on--and of course lately, I've had a hard time justifying spending the kind of cash to have it done right. So yesterday we went down to the frame place and I spent about 40 minutes trying to decide on mats and frames and stuff. I have zilcho artistic or designer sense, so I was kind of blundering along. Luckily the lady at the shop really knew her stuff and we eventually came up with some combinations that should look pretty sharp.

I leave this afternoon to go back to Meridian for another school, so I'll be out of touch as far as email and journals go for the rest of the week.

Stats after four weeks on the diet/exercise push: 10 pounds lost, 1 1/4" lost off hips, 1" off thighs, 1 1/2" off waist. I plan on being quite the ascetic this week and totally wearing myself out with running and working out. I'm also bringing my own food this time, so I don't have to eat the crap they serve in the galley.