We're on the road again...

After a summer of so many ups and downs, uncertainties and changes I am ready to start again. I don't want this to seem like making excuses by explaining how hectic the last several months have been, but I think that it helps me to realize that starting my fitness goals again will actually be easier than what has happened this summer.

In April I finished my 130+ page Master's project and had my presentation in Socorro. I passed with flying colors! And, not to make things any easier, my committee told me that I needed to publish my work and then get into a PhD program! Not that I had anything else on my mind.

In May, after 3 years of hard work while working full time, I graduated from New Mexico Tech with a Masters in Science Teaching. My kids and wife were there with me, which was a special treat since they have been so supportive and patient. As the recession song the played the "Imperial March" from Star Wars! My kids seriously thought they did it just for me :)

In June we had a couple of weeks of downtime, though I tried (and failed miserably) at redoing the lawn in the back yard. In the middle of the month we went to Idaho for a family reunion. We went up a little earlier than planned and as a present were rewarded with a flooded house back home. The swamp cooler as overflowed into the walls and ducting and caused over $15,000 in damage! Ah the joys of home ownership. Needless to say we did what we could from 700 miles away but eventually had to go back down to take care of a few matters regarding the repairs. While we were gone Kaylie decided to go for a ride on her sister's new Razor Scooter and break her forearm! Luckily, I guess, it was her left arm. When we got back I got word from the Junior High in Rexburg, Idaho that they were offering me a job to teach science in the fall. So, what started out as a vacation ended up in a permanent move!

July has been the month of paperwork and moving since I had to take a test to guarantee my job and fill out countless pages to re-certify in the state (my Idaho license had expired last year). This is the first week that Shannon and I will actually be home the whole week; what to do! (Actually I get to prepare my online courses as well as all five of the classes I will be teaching this year at the Junior High; thus the need for some physical activity).

So, after a mentally and spiritually trying summer I am ready to relieve a lot of that stress through seeing some results from physical exercise. I am not sure if I will start up the "Cross Country" run, but I do hope to soon. For now I am just going to follow the "Couch to 5K" program and slowly work up to something more.

Wish me luck!