Windy day

Today was almost unbearably windy. We went to Yakima to attempt to escape the gusting pest, but not with very much luck. Still, we went to the Northtown Coffeehouse and relaxed for a while. The juxtaposition of the coffeehouse and wine culture with the patrons of the jail and bond shop is so stark that it would be comical if it didn't inspire more than a little unease. The irony of a polished, swanky coffeehouse residing in the former home of the infamous Blue Banjo, depriving the crackheads and prostitutes of an alcohol-imbued haven is so richly steeped in symbolism and meaning that it's enough to make your head spin giddily in rumination.

Instead of going for a bike ride today, I went for a run to try to minimize the effect of the wind. It was tough and I didn't feel great, but I surpassed my goal for the workout and I feel good now. Hopefully the wind will die down tomorrow and I can have a good time on the bike.

For dinner tonight: whole wheat pasta with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and portobello mushrooms along with some wilted spinach and garlic bread. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have bought the spinach. It's not the most satisfying veggie in the world, but at least I know I'm good on my iron now. I've been doing well with dinners lately and not jumping to a quick unhealthy fix (cough...chicken nuggets). This break has been a great chance to try out some new flavors and new recipes without feeling guilty about squandering time better spent on studying. I'm putting in effort and not cutting any corners while I have the time, and the only frozen goods I have are chicken (breasts and unapologetically, nuggets), veggies, and berries. I love not having a microwave, and it's been over a year and a half since I've had one and I've only missed it twice. All in all, I think I'm doing pretty well! I haven't put a date on it yet, but I'm doing the underwater weighing/body composition again this year and I'm aiming for 20%. It's kind of weird to put that on blogger, but I think it's better to have more accountability, and when you put something on the internet, you're pretty accountable. So that's the goal. It's happening.