So many things have happened to the bloggers that I read over the past few days and it really got me thinking about what I want to achieve in life.

In high school, “Graphic Design” was not well known until I was a Junior, and up until then I really had no idea what I would do once I graduated. I had considered becoming a pediatrician, and that led to a horrible senior year filled with tough chemistry and physics classes that I did not enjoy.

One course I did like though was a website design class that was new for school. I had been designing things (in Jasc Paint Shop Pro, ack!) since freshman year when our family finally hooked up through AOL 2.0 and I saw websites for the first time. I really don’t know why felt drawn to design, although art had always been a part of my life. Needless to say, I left that class with 103% grade average. Of course, the teacher could only give me a 100%.

I started researching different degrees that combined my love of art and using computers as a tool and I found what I was looking for, a degree in Graphic Design. It fit me perfectly, lots of art and design courses, and only a few varied courses that were required for a BA.

I was the last person accepted into the program when college started. My acceptance actually came so late, that I didn’t get my schedule changed until the day before classes started! Which also meant running around and getting/returning books and supplies. I was one freaked out freshman!

Four years later I won the Best of Show award for my branding design. It was an imaginary paint company I called “Vernice,” which means “paint” in Italian. A few weeks after that, I graduated with a BA.

(Yes, I designed and handmade all the labels!)

I was unemployed for almost seven months after college because it was so hard to find an entry-level position. But, I never regretted getting a degree in Graphic Design because it was, and still is something I find wonderful. I finally got a job and have been working there ever since, 3 years in November.

Since the beginning of the year I’ve felt the “seven year itch” with my career. I want to get out and try something different, but I’m not exactly sure what.

Last year, I was considering going to graduate school for a Masters in Graphic Design because I was thinking about becoming a college professor later in life. But there were two problems: 1.) There aren’t many schools in the area with a Masters specifically in Graphic Design, most of them are in Art and 2.) I don’t have an extra $60K in my pocket to go to the one school in the area that actually has it.

So, the solution? Look at other options.

Many people have five year plans, and although I am very much of a planning person, I have no idea what I want to do in the next five years. I am completely clueless. There is so much out there in the world and all I need to do is reach out and grasp it.

And I think I finally got the push to take a step forward. My first step, taking one or two noncredit courses in other things besides art that I am also interested in, such as writing, theatre, and languages. I always did regret not getting involved with the theatre during college, but I never really had the time.

I have already talked to the hubby and decided to take my first class, How to Write and Publish a Novel, so I’ll be signing up for that tomorrow! I believe anyone can achieve anything as long as they are dedicated and work really hard for it. So, with that being said, I’m very excited!

Yes, I am still alive! I don’t know why I lacked motivation this past week to post. I think it has been a combination of forgetting to take pictures of what I eat, only a few minutes to myself everyday where I decided to read instead, and trying to take care of my leg.

Physical Therapy

So, what did the PT say about my leg pain? I have a different form of shin splints. Basically, I overworked a muscle that is connected to the inside part of my shin bone, something similar to posterior shin splints. I also found out that I have flat feet (the left being flatter than the right), have weak hips, and extremely tight calves, which can all contribute to this problem. The shoes I had been wearing were too high of an arch and he told me that they were probably making the problem worse.

I’m surprised with these problems that my muscle hadn’t been bothering me earlier, but I guess the shoes just put it over the edge. Luckily, I was able to return the shoes that I bought in the end of June and swapped them for a new pair with a lower arch. He has me doing several calf and hip stretches twice a day, icing a few times a day, and taking ibuprofen. I’ve only been three times and so far, the pain has not been as intense in the morning as it had been (I used to have a lot of trouble going downstairs after I woke up).

Running

I wanted to test out my new shoes, Saucony’s Omni 8, this past weekend to see if my legs felt any better. So Sunday morning, I laced my new shoes up, leashed Kahlua, and headed out for a 7 mile run/walk.

The result?

Why am I smiling like a crazy person? Because I had almost no pain whatsoever! I felt a little bit of a twinge the first 1/4 mile but after that, it went away. I decided to run .5 mile and walk .5 mile. I finished strong, with a big grin on my face, and actually teared up because my leg felt so much better! Last time I ran I teared up because it hurt so much. Big improvement if you ask me!

I literally had a runner’s high the rest of the day, but Kahlua was a little tired.

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Yesterday morning, I had a bowl of Chobani Blueberry Yogurt w/ some Kashi cereal, Strawberries, and Pineapple.

I swear there’s yogurt in there! For lunch I had a Black Bean Veggie Burger with Hummus on a Sandwich Thin. I also snacked on an apple, kiwi, and banana throughout the afternoon.

For dinner, I had a Turkey & Cheese sandwich with a little bit of light mayo, a tomato with hummus, and some strawberries. I also sipped on some Chocolate Soy Milk for my sweet tooth.

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Note: I have begun to count calories again. I haven’t been doing it continuously since February, and a wake-up call on Monday evening made me realize that I can’t just keep preventing myself from losing this weight. I know what I need to do, I just need to stop procrastinating and do it already!

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This morning, I was starving after I got back home from my spinning class. So I had a Peach Chobani with some cereal and coconut.

Right now, I’m having an apple to hold me over for lunch in a few minutes.

Okay, I think I’m all caught up! I hope everyone is having a great Thursday and the weekend will be here soon!