So, now that the Japanese proficiency test is a thing of the past (until I get the results in February and find out that I have to take it again), I'm finding other ways to spend my time. For example, I've taken a cue from a few friends in Louisville and started doing the P90X workout. I started it yesterday, aaaand... I have to admit that it's pretty awesome. I was skeptical about it for a long time, but it's a really good workout so far, and the trainer in the videos is pretty entertaining. I've just been working out with my own little routines here and there for a while, but it's hard to push myself with workouts. In the past I've always had workout partners to help me stay motivated, but you don't really get to have workout partners outside of college life, I've found. This is the first time I've ever felt like sticking with a workout video. It helps to know that some of my friends in Louisville are doing it, too, but if it weren't a good enough workout with a good enough host, then I don't think I'd stick with it.

I'm really looking forward to the next few months. Christmas is fast approaching, and we've already got our little tree out, our lights strung around the room, our stockings hung up, and presents under the tree. We've also got plans to virtually spend Christmas with my family via webcam. Pretty cool. Not as good as being there, but a decent consolation prize. I'm also looking forward to the massive chunk of vacation time coming up. From late January to, I think, mid-April there are no classes. Here's a short list of things I'm looking forward to between January and April, in no particular order:

• JLPT results. I'd say there's a pretty good chance that I passed, but it's certainly not... certain.
• P90X results. By the end of the long vacation I will have gone through 90 days of consistent exercise and healthier eating habits. Can't wait to see and feel the results.
•  Muse concert with Dani, Dave, and Nathan. Dave's already bought the tickets for us. Ho ho ho, merry Christmas!
  
• Dani's birthday. We will probably travel somewhere nice for that.
  
• Dave's birthday and the related possibility of Sarven coming back to Japan for a visit.
• Aaron's return to Japan for more than a visit. He's coming back for at least a year, it seems.
  
• Hobo fantasy*. I might actually get to live it out, perhaps some time in late March.
  
• Growth. Getting better at guitar, learning new things, filling out more of my potential, getting ready for grad school.

Like I said, it's a short list. I'm sure I could think of even more to look forward to in the modest first quarter of 2010, bu 2009 isn't quite over just yet. I need to calm down and live in the present for a few minutes or more. It's nice to have a lot to look forward to, but it can be very distracting. I feel like a new chapter or season in my life is near, and it's a promising one.

*Hobo fantasy   Basically, I often fantasize about wandering off on some adventure, blazing trails, climbing mountains, writing in a leather-bound journal, meeting interesting characters, getting in and out of trouble, sleeping at rustic inns (or in a tent), getting lost and finding my way back... If I could have epic battles along the way, level up a bit, and save the world or something, that would be cool, too.   

One last thing before I go. I haven't uploaded any pictures to Xanga in a while, because it's a bit of a pain and not many people seem to look at them here anyway. So go here if you'd like to see some recent pictures. That is all.


Love. Peace. Are you looking forward to anything in particular in 2010?

Today has been riddled with bad news. I'm not at liberty to say anything about the worst news I got today, but here are some other unfortunate discoveries. 1) I got my JLPT results back. Epic fail. 2) Our oven just stopped working. 3) I'm not as fit as I'd hoped that I was. I tried a really intense cardio workout and was left on the floor, practically paralyzed by nausea. 

I was going to write more, but all of the sudden I am incredibly sleepy.


Love. Peace. Good news