New habits for fall

School started about three weeks ago, and the traffic and parking around Purdue returned to normal. This means driving is like negotiating a pinball machine, with students, faculty, administrators and vendors weaving in and around the hazards. If you want a decent parking place, you'd better be up at an ungodly hour and at your building before it's unlocked. If you're like me, you just park illegally and wait for the meter maid to assess you your fee.

After riding public transportation all around Europe, I decided to try it at home. So I've been riding the bus to work for three weeks. And I love it. It helps me discipline myself to get to work on time, and allows me to peoplewatch on a regular basis. And the best part? The Number 4B drops me in front of my office, and has helped me save more than $30 dollars in gas money. Per week. And did I mention that Purdue employees ride for free? Nothing to scoff at.

So I ride the bus, and watch my neighbors, and find little blessings as I go: the gorgeous, yellow lab service dog whose mistress works on campus; the church friend who chatted to me about her library job; the gentleman who proved chivalry is not dead, helping an older lady exit the bus. It's good to surround myself with the people in my community. I look up, and out, and away from my selfish worries.

Successes

I've been working hard these past several months, working at staying focused on strength and what it takes to regain it. I'm nearly 20 pounds lighter, thanks to the enormous help of my pals at Club Newtone, where I'm lifting, stepping, spinning and sweating my way toward a healthier me. The struggle with food continues, though. I adore so many artery-clogging, fat-laden, not-good-for-me things. The other night I pounded down copious amounts of bread and cheese, complimented by a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio, and regretted it like a one-night stand in the morning. Ugh. How can food make you feel so filthy?

Mentally, I'm picking myself up more and finding encouragement in the days that I successful navigate office politics, unpleasant comments or just my own tendency to overreact. I am fighting to find a smile that doesn't look plastered on. I'm not sure if I have found a perfect fit yet, one that doesn't draw too tightly across my face and make it difficult for me to project light from my eyes. Insincerity is not a strength. I'm trying to find a way to recast it, mentally, so that I am uplifted by the art of holding my own in a difficult situation.

Nine more days until we leave for our adventure to Barcelona, and Italy, and Malta. The Air Malta pilots are planning to strike the day after we arrive; let's hope they don't move the date up any or we will be stranded! I can't wait to feel the warm Mediterranean sun and walk the streets of Rome. I've been counting down to this for more than a year.

I've arranged a few more countdowns to tide me over when I get back -- countdown to Erich and Emma's visit, and countdown to the wedding. These countdowns are expensive - so I need to get cracking on saving my money. That's a strength, too. I'll be seeking savings, so let me know how you save money when you are planning for something big. We may learn from each other.