YAY! I went for my first run since being home on break today. I went a nice slow four miles in the rain. Not driving rain or anything, just a constant drizzle. It was pretty chilly out too and I always find it so hard to breath when it's cold out. I get a crazy burning sensation in my chest, but it actually wasn't too bad today, except when I was really breathing hard going up hills.

It felt good to be out again. I ran the first part of the route I used when I was in marathon training. Everything looked a lot different there though because, well it's winter and none of the trees have leaves and the golf course I run past didn't have anyone on it.

As far as the roommate surprise that I promised I'd update on (apologies again for the delay, I should have more time to post now that the semester is over!):

My boss at the gym at school told us at a staff meeting that she and some of her friends go to the pole-dancing aerobics class on Friday nights at a women-only gym not far from campus. It's five bucks to go on Friday evenings and she said not only was it a great work out but that it was a lot of fun too.

So I ran the idea past two of my other roommates to see what they thought. They loved the idea and so did another on of our friends and we all went pole-dancing. It was the most hilarious, fun work out ever. It was such a mixed bunch of people in the class to. There were a few people college-aged, but we were definitely the minority. There were way more people my mom's age there. But everyone was really friendly and it was a lot of fun.

We learned a few dance routine type things and at the end of the class they dimmed the lights and put on a disco ball and the instructor led us through the whole dance.

It was awesome and fun and we've decided we're going to go back again next semester because it was just too much fun not too.

In other fascinating news, my semester from hell is over. I've gotten four of my grades back (all A's....sweet!) and I'm still waiting on two more.

Yesterday I spent the day baking Christmas cookies and finishing up my Christmas shopping. Tonight I have a Christmas party with all my friends from high school. We've been having it every year since we were freshman in high school....so we're on like the 7th straight year or something like that. It should be a good time. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone that I haven't seen in a while.

I hope runs are going well for everyone and that everyone enjoys the holidays!!!!