Eww, Gross!

When I got to Italy, I made a few goals and I've done a pretty good job of sticking to them. My driving is 100 times better. I can make it around town no problem and can even drive on the autobahn. I'm getting better with hills and inclines, but I still roll back quite a bit. I'll never understand why the drivers behind me have to get right on my ass though. For the most part, I've covered all the bases and can tackle everything except for driving in new places. I can't concentrate on driving, reading the road signs, and pay attention to the other drivers all while trying to find my way around. I'm hoping by the time we have visitors in March, I'm a pro at driving a stick and can navigate and drive at the same time.

The goal I've paid the least amount of attention to is learning German. I was really putting in a effort early on and was proud of myself. I know most of the common greetings and can count to 100. I'm also pretty good with the colors and food items (fruits/vegetables). But I still just stare at people when they ask me a question. I know I'm not going to be fluent by the end of May, but I still want to be able to order food correctly and ask where something is located. I'm going to get back to my old ways and start doing a lesson everyday. What else do I have to do?

Well, on to the working out goal. I've been going to the gym at least four times a week. When I started going, I could only run for ten minutes and after I was finished, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Now I've worked my way up to 40 minutes of running. I try to have two running days and two cross training days. On running days, I also work on my arms and chest and on cross training days, I focus on my legs and abs. We don't have a scale so I have no idea how much I weigh, but my pants are a bit baggier and I like to think I'm looking a little tighter. I always tell Kevin to feel my muscles, but he just laughs at me, but I'm telling you, I can see them.

So, why is this post called "Eww, Gross," you ask? Because this working out bit is really taking its toll on my feet. The nails on my toes (the ones next to my big ones) have really been hurting. I didn't think it was a big deal until today when I decided to take my polish off. I was in for an UGLY surprise! My toenails are black. And if that wasn't enough, one of my big toenails is cracked in half.

These are not my feet (I think they belong to a man), but they give you a pretty good idea of what mine look like.

I did a little research this morning and apparently, this is a common problem with runners. When you run, your feet swell up to a whole size bigger causing your toenails to push against the front of your shoe. Your toenails then become bruised and blistered underneath and eventually, your toenails will fall off. What? I know they say "beauty is pain," but no one ever said anything about losing my toenails. The obvious solution...buy your running shoes a size bigger.

I've decided to take the day off today to give my poor toenails a rest, but I'll be back at it tomorrow and I'm really hoping my toenails hold on a few more days until I can get some new, bigger shoes.

My Goals for this Hockey Season

Kevin has been at the rink for the past five hours and I haven't moved from my computer except for one bathroom break and a quick trip to the snack drawer (I needed a few pieces of biscotti). As I was getting crumbs everywhere, it dawned on me that if I keep this up, I am going to weigh 500 lbs. And that's only if I don't die of boredom first. When Kevin isn't at the rink, things are great and we are out and about exploring new places. It's the other 30 hours or so a week I need to plan for.

In the past when we were overseas, I had school to keep me busy, but as much as I'd like to take some classes, I really don't need any more student loans. Working is obviously out of the question considering I do not speak the language...at all. I thought I had gotten lucky when I interviewed for a nannying job and was offered it, but that all changed when the guy wanted to pay me $100 (American) for 6 days/40 hours of work. That wouldn't even cover my travel expenses for the week. No thank you, Fabio!

So I've decided to set some goals for myself in order to keep busy.

#1 Workout: At one time, I loved working out. I was at the gym 5 days a week, took classes, and really enjoyed myself. The last two years have been horrible though and I can count on one hand how many times I've been to the gym. My goal for the next 6 months is to go to the gym at least 3 times a week. Obviously, it would be great to go more than that, but I'm trying to be realistic. Really, I have no excuse since the gym is directly below our apartment. And when I say directly below, I mean it. I hear the music blasting and the treadmills going as we speak. I wondering if looking like this in the next six months is achievable?

#2 Learn German: Yes, we are in Italy, but they speak German here. Most of the people in the town speak both languages, but I need to stick to learning just one. We have both Rosetta Stone and Drive & Learn. I've also started doing a language course on bbc.co.uk/languages, which is my favorite program. I know I'm not going to become fluent in the next 6 months, but I'd like to be able to at least get by in the town. Right now, I just stare at them when they ask me something and then I speak English. Thank goodness most of the people know what I am saying or are at least patient and let me just point at what I want.

#3 Drive a Manual (Stick Shift): I started the learning process 2 years ago when we were in Sheffield, but then we switched teams and ended up with an automatic so I quit learning. Now, I'm kicking myself for not sticking with it. I had a lesson yesterday in a parking lot and I made it home from the town center, but really all I had to do was drive straight for two minutes and then turn into our apartment building. If I knew how to drive, I could go places when Kevin was at the rink or at games. The only place I would probably go would be to the town center, but at least I could have my coffee and people watch.