I read a lot of young adult novels. I tell myself that it's because I want to be able to talk with my students about them, and this is true, but I also just love them. They're bite-sized. They're easy. It's as if you took an adult novel and boiled it down. Reading them is not a challenge.

I often ask my students whether they are choosing challenging work. I realized that, were I to ask myself that question about my reading, I would have to answer "no."

I decided to read stiffer stuff.

I finished One Hundred Years of Solitude a couple weeks ago, and my goodness what a difference! It was rich and dense. I had to put it down a few times to give my brain time to turn things over and let them soak in. I reread several passages because they were shocking or beautiful or difficult-- or all three. I stopped and stared into space some pages because I was in awe. I rushed through the last few pages because Marquez had stirred up a whirlwind. After reading the last word, I was almost out of breath. I wanted to turn back to the first page and reread the whole thing immediately. (I didn't. It would have been like having another slice of cake right away-- too much!)

I am currently working my way through Tristram Shandy. I can't believe it is so old-- it seems too fresh to be hundreds of years old. I laugh out loud a lot. I wish I understood French and Latin.

It is easy to sink into complacency, but challenges are too fun to be missed.

Speaking of challenges, I am still training for a half marathon. I officially signed up for it today with Christmas money. There we go, folks, seventy-something dollars says that I have to run 13.1 miles on April 6th. Training is going well. I ran just shy of seven miles on Saturday, which means I'm a smidge over halfway to half marathon distance. (Quarter marathon?) It's such a trip to think that I'll be running further than I ever have almost every Saturday for the next few weeks. Eight miles next saturday, nine miles two weeks later, etc. Whew. You go, legs. You rock.

In other news, my grandmother is in town for the holidays. My mother has lined up all sorts of events to keep her/us entertained. We have been to a play (Dreamgirls) and a cabaret already. We have another play tomorrow (White Christmas) and a jazz concert in another couple days. Although we didn't go to see it with my grandma, my parents and I recently went to see A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Shakespeare Theatre in DC. It was the best production of it that I've ever seen. They've extended the run through early January, so if you're in the area, you still have a chance to catch this phenomenal show! I loved it so much that I'm even going to see it again on their young professionals night, complete with drinks and socializing afterward. Look, I'm getting out and meeting people.

Grandma would like to walk the Appalachian Trail for a couple hours while she's here; it's been on her bucket list for quite a while. My mom and I will be going with her. Maybe my sister will, too-- I don't think we've heard a final answer on that. My entire family has actually been getting more into being fit lately, which is neat. My father and sister both have Fitbits and have been competing with each other for most steps per day. Mom is still doing her workout thing.

Along with running, I am continuing to work my way through YAYOG. I'm doing a mix between the Basic and Level 1 programs. I'm also checking out Gold Medal Bodies and trying to figure out how to incorporate some of their stuff into my current routine, because I'd like to be able to do more gymnastic/acrobatic stuff. I actually just want to be a woodland sprite. Yoga and belly dance classes start January 7th. Y'know, just in case I wasn't doing enough already.

Work-wise, I am on winter break. The last few weeks were non-stop Romeo and Juliet. Our final performance was on the 19th, and the kids did a great job of it! Lots of effort, lots of passion. Lots of energy from myself and Ms. Lead Teacher. This break is good for everyone, I think. It'll be strange to get back to "normal" work with the kids. Math? Writing? Grammar? But... couldn't we just build a stage again and put on another play?

Leisure-wise, I continue to play guitar and sing. I'm recording one Sleepy Cover every Thursday. There have been three since my last update here: The Avett Brothers, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and another Chris Garneau. I'm going to have to start learning more songs; I'm running out of covers.

Happy holidays, folks. My unsolicited advice: Set some goals for the new year. Give yourself benchmarks and some low-hanging fruit. Be awesome!