Starting New Habits

I don't usually go through the trouble of New Year's Resolutions. At least, I don't publicize them. However, in my head, I usually make some decisions about ways to change my life.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am recommitting to dietary changes: I'm cutting out sugar, white flour, and processed foods. I am also trying to only have one diet pepsi each day. I have been doing okay in this regard - cutting down on what I consume although I will admit that I haven't entirely cut out sugar yet.

I also decided to start running/jogging again. I started that today. My goal is to run 3 times a week, about 20-30 minutes. I walked half the way today. I could feel it in my thighs and in my right calf.

Plus, my goal is to spend as much time as possible in my Humanities Center office. I have already finished a couple of shorter writing projects and today, I figured out my plan of attack for my book manuscript. I have a contract with OSU Press to compile a set of essays that I've already published on King Island. My goal is to have the finished manuscript by April 1. I also have a few chapters completed.

I must say that I really like this (new to me) office that I get to use. We're in an older brick building; my office is the size of a bedroom. I have an L-shaped desk, another filing cabinet, a book shelf, a side table, office chair, and easy chair, plus a couple of lamps. My windows face southeast, so when we had sunny weather a couple of days ago, I had nice sunlight trickling in my window from outside. I like it because the office is fairly empty - I don't have all the stuff I've accummulated in my regular office. Somehow, the lack of clutter and files is like free my mental space to make room for these writing projects. I chatted about this with the Director and he mentioned that when he used his office, he only brought in the books he needed for writing and that it felt "liberating".

Exactly. I understood what he meant. It's like I can forget all the other stuff that I usually need to attend to. Liberating is very cool.

In other words, I've had a good few days already. Now, if the satellite tumors would behave and respond to the Herceptin/Abraxane combo, things will be peachy keen!