Amigurumi Fun

Hey! Long time, no write! 

Now that summer is long gone and a darker, colder season is upon us, I'm re-engaging with online content I've neglected for a while. I'm reading online (and trying to read more offline, too!), updating profiles and trying to organize my content. I'm figuring out where I'll post smart articles I've read, funny pictures, recipe ideas, etc. -- all things that I like to share and express online, but don't need to share on every site I'm a part of.

Blah, blah, blah... it's a nerd thing. 

Okay, let's get into something fun!

Over the past several months, I've discovered and tried amigurumi, using patterns from Easy Crochet Critters. Here are the critters I've made so far -- a penguin and a pair of monkeys:

And today I found some adorable work on Crafty is Cool. I really enjoyed Moonrise Kingdom, the movie these characters are from, and these dolls are precious!

Busy-ness... and a new bike!

Ha, this time I've only gone two months without blogging instead of three. I've been busily fulfilling New Year's resolutions instead! Since I'm a huge fan of bulleted lists (and my resolutions were in bulleted list format), here's a breakdown of what I've accomplished thus far:

• Dance more. I've taken dance classes at an Arthur Murray dance studio 1-3 days each week... a mix of private lessons, group classes, and practice parties. And we just started rehearsing for a flash mob (being in a flash mob is on my bucket list)!
• Work out more. I caved and joined a gym. It's only a few blocks from home, and as long as I go to it 12 times each month, I pay less than $20... and it's just nice to have a place to go that's just for working out. My roommate Ashley and I have joined a cycling class there, which we've been consistently attending (and making it through the whole sweaty hour!) once per week.
• Eat good food. I've been doing really well not going out to eat more than once a week, though I still haven't consistently planned a formal menu each week. I'm eating well, though!
• Misc... I've finished 3 books since January 1st (I attribute that mostly to all the extra bus time going to/from dance lessons) - On Mystic Lake, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and Bike Snob.

All of that has been really satisfying, and I'm happy that I have opportunities to do all these things I enjoy. At the same time, though, I've started to feel like my personality needs some more down time than it's currently getting. The constant search for a perfect balance of activity and down time continues. :)

What will help me find this balance [along with generally simplifying my schedule]? Something that arrived yesterday and I'm very excited about, something that will provide a workout, transportation, stress relief, and fun... MY NEW BIKE! 

I'm really fortunate to work in a building that's bike commuter-friendly (space for bikes and gear, showers, etc.), and in a city with a network of trails that allows me to avoid traffic on the way to work. I have yet to put my route and "commuter kit" (not sure yet what this will entail) together, but it has to get done by April 1, when 30 Days of Biking begins!

I think that's all I've got for now. Back to enjoying the first 60-degree MN weekend of 2012!

Whoa, it's 2012.

I had no idea it's been nearly 3 whole months since I posted anything! I only have a few minutes, but here goes nothing: Let's talk about resolutions. I finally made mine measurable on Sunday night - until then, they were just ideas - and here they are, by category:

• DANCE MORE.
• Take 1 private lesson (working 1-on-1 with an instructor) at Arthur Murray per month (and attend as many group classes as possible to get my money's worth!). I already know this will be a challenge because the studio I really like is about an hour commute from work/home, but I NEED dancing back in my life.
• I'm considering taking a community ed class also - Argentine Tango, tap, whatever fits into my schedule.
• WORK OUT MORE.
• Exercise 3 times per week - 1 dance lesson + playing volleyball, using a workout DVD, taking a long walk, just something to get me sweating more than I do walking to and from the bus stop every day.
• Once it's nice enough out again, I'll bike once a week at least. I hear you hardcore cyclists out there - "but it IS nice enough!" - but until I get better cold-weather attire I'll be working out indoors!
• EAT GOOD FOOD.
• Plan a menu every week, and stick to it. 
• Go out to eat only with other people, and only once a week. This is a challenge when I have client meetings away from the office and it's inconvenient to bring a lunch, but that's why I'm doing this - it's challenging!
• MISC.
• Sell a card on Etsy.
• Read 1 book every 3 months.
• Complete 3 crochet projects.
• In general, pinch pennies. (Starting to pay my student loans back = MAJOR budget changes.)

It seems like a big list, but I think it's totally doable... and I'm excited about it! AND I'm already making progress: 

• Scheduled a dance lesson at Arthur Murray.
• Planned a menu and actually COOKED twice this week.

Okay, need sleep now - it's been a stressful week. Hope to write again soon!