college, thus far

2001. I never ever ever ever ran. Ever. 

After a 10:00pm burger, fries, and shake, we ran a Midnight 5k......it was not awesome.

 

 I'm doing it! I am officially a student.

The last two weeks have flown by in a matter of minutes......yet somehow it also seems like years have passed since my first class. I'm still adjusting to our new schedule and trying to figure out how to make things happen, and here are some thoughts so far....

first day of school

I just can't get over how much life has changed since last time I was in school
(10 years ago).

Like, I am old. I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of non-traditional (read: older) students that I have in some of my classes, but I do have one class where I am by far the oldest and it's just humorous to me. These kids are babies!

How else is it different this time around?

I have a car!

My freshman year of college I either walked, rode my bike, or if I was lucky--tagged along in my roommate's sporty Dodge Neon. I soon met Robby and he was a fancy college kid with a job AND a car, so I married him of course......but I only got to drive every now and then--his job was 20 miles away so HE got first dibs on the shiny gold honda. Which left me with my bike or my longboard for transportation.

So I feel pretty spoiled with my very own car [booster seats in the back, mind you.]

I have a cell phone!

Does this improve the college experience? Not at all, but it's just weird to think there was once a time in my life when I didn't have one--didn't need one! How nice.

I have a computer!

Robby and I got a computer with some of our wedding money, but my freshman year I spent way too much time waiting in line at my apartment's computer lab. I'd stand there wishing girls would quit blabbing to their long distance boyfriends via hotmail, so I could write my papers.

I have kids!

Oh yeah, that. Luckily 3/4 of my classes take place while they are in school themselves--perfect! They are my #1 inspiration to make sure I manage my time efficiently. 

In with the good, out with the time wasters.

I care!

The first time around I drug myself to class because that's just what you do......you go to school. I got up in the morning and it was just a normal [boring] part of my day, like unloading the dishwasher--go to class, do homework, repeat. I had no interest, I was just going through the motions.

Now I KNOW what I want to do (taking some pre-nursing classes right now), and I'm READY to be in school. I am loving so much of the material we are reading about (biology! psychology!) and it makes the homework interesting instead of just a check on my to-do list.

I know it's going to get hard, and I am pretty sure I won't always love it, but I am excited for the end goal this time.

I will not gain my freshman 15.

Ok.....it was just the freshman 12......but still. We talked about this before (remember HERE). 

Alllllll thosssssse nachos.

I've been in and out of the classroom, and you guys, these kids eat crap.

Hundreds and hundreds of ounces of Mountain Dew for lunch, while I am scarfing something weird and nerdy like hemp and chia loaded "cookies". Weirdo.

I even made it out after class today for a quick run.

So different this time around.

School is still new and awkward and exciting--I'm anxious to see what these next few months years bring!

and now.....it's been too long since I've posted a recipe.....

My old college self wouldn't have even touched this stuff--I would have laughed at the very idea of it as I shoved my generic brand Cap'n Crunch in my mouth.

This is hardly a recipe.....more of a "recipe"....it is the easiest drink ever to make, and you can add a little more of this, or less of that to customize it just for you (I've heard ginger tea is good with cinnamon!)

It's the perfect way to soothe sore throats, and it can be made as strong or as mild as you like it.

And it just tastes so good on a chilly morning.

Lemon boosts your immune system with vitamin C.

Ginger has anti-microbial properties to help you with your winter cold. 

Raw honey will help soothe a sore throat.

It's the perfect combination!

Homemade Ginger Tea

play around with amounts to see what combination you like best. 

I like it strong with lots of zing, so I use extra lemon.

-1 1/2 cup water

-1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced

-juice of 1/2 lemon

-spoonful of honey

Place ginger slices in a saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer ginger for 15-20 minutes. Pour water into mug, (discard ginger) and add lemon and honey to taste. 

enjoy!

and happy weekend!

I'm guessing this blog will be an odd place for a while--just a warning. 

I will stop by when I have some free time, and right now I have no idea how often that will be. 

I want to keep in touch though as much as we can!

For little life bits come say hi on Instagram (@_sheenarae). I take quick snaps of my food every few days, in case you're missing out on recipes around here.

Also: I had such a good response to my Essentials Page (check it out HERE) that I want to continue sharing some of my favorite products with you. I will update the page here and there (I'll let you know when I do), but in the meantime, I will post links to our most loved products from time to time on my Facebook Page--so come follow over HERE.

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